• PICTURES: SANDRA STEH
Perth is one of the most isolated major cities on the planet. Located on Australia’s west coast, it’s closer to Jakarta in Indonesia than it is to Sydney. The closest place with a population of more than 100,000 is Adelaide, which is more than 1,300 miles away.
Much like Seattle in the early 90s, the sense of isolation has turned Perth into a place of great artistic creativity. The late Oscar-winning actor Heath Ledger was born here, the likes of Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Tim Minchin also trained in the city, AC/DC’s legendary frontman Bon Scott settled here after his family relocated from Scotland back in the early 1950s, and it’s where cult prog metallers Karnivool formed. It’s also where Make Them Suffer call home.