Blank Gold Coast issue #35 – July 16

July'16

ELLA FENCE CHARTING UNKNOWN WATERS

issue #035

MUSIC

FOOD

LIFESTYLE

Guy Cooper Bella Paton Leopold’s Treat Emily Wurramara Rockin’ hard

High Coffee Delizioso Vice Baby Goji Granola Neighbourhood

Augmented reality Leigh Sales Ubuntu Stan Grant SWELL lineup

MUSIC Ziggy Marley Jimi Beavis Sunset City Shakafest Goldhearts

LIFESTYLE Green heroes Big Scrub Beer Rainforest wins Yowah Lydia Lassila

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast proudly support our local talent from across the Creative Industries.

We invite you to visit our state-of-the-art facilities at our Coomera campus including: ■ Recording studios ■ Editing suites ■ 3D animation ■ Theatres

Proud sponsors of the 2016 Gold Coast Music Awards.

ENROL NOW FOR MID-YEAR COURSES visit tafegoldcoast.edu.au or call us on 5581 8300

RTO: 0083

Follow your passion by studying music, sound production, technical production, graphic design, IT, gaming and more without leaving the Gold Coast.

GOLD COAST

#creativegold Image courtesy of Bleach* Festival

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#035 JULY 2016

A fine and Dandy time at Parkwood

Editor: Samantha Morris Culture + Lifestyle Editor: Natalie O’Driscoll Design: Chloe Popa Advertising: Amanda Gorman Money Coordinator: Phillippa Wright Sub editor: Cody McConnell Photographer: Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography Contributors: Natalie O’Driscoll, Marj Osborne, Trevor Jackson, Anthony Gebhardt, Catherine Coburn, Anna Itkonen, Ashleigh Wadman, Pip Andreas, Erin Bourne, Issy Schonenberg, Mella Lahina, Emma Whines, Sarah Loughlin, Ash Martin, Samantha Morris, Dan Maynard, Ash Martin, Tori Heath

Leopold’s, Rose and Who It’s a rainbow coloured feast of fabulous women and their bands. The double-header which sees both Leopold’s Treat and Julia Rose launch new releases at the Soundlounge on 22 July is slated as being one of the most cohesive, community-minded celebrations of music this winter! Plus, the tunes are pretty bad-arse to boot. And with Katie Who and Sophie Koop (who makes an appearance on the new Lane Harry x Ike Campbell album) also on the lineup, the bad-arsedness just gets bigger. Tickets via soundlounge.com.au.

First it was The Cat Empire at Helensvale and now Dandy Warhols have jumped on the northern GC bandwagon with a tour announcement that includes the Parkwood Tavern. Yes, I said Dandy Warhols and Parkwood Tavern in the same sentence. The Dandy’s last Australian tour in 2014 sold out, and that included five shows in Melbourne and two in Perth. They’ll be here on Saturday 30 October and tickets are on sale now.

Buskers compete for cash Cavill Lane, between Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Orchid Ave, is hosting a free busking event which will see musicians and street performers compete for cash prizes totalling $1750. Taking place Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July from 3.00pm, there’ll be musicians, jugglers, a living statue, belly dancing and singing. Members of West Africa's dance and percussion ensemble Wala, will also be there capturing the spirit and essence of Ghanaian culture. Cindy Jensen (Buskers by the Creek) and Monique Cribb (McGee Entertainment) are guest judges. Get more information at cavilllane.com.au.

Cover image: Shots Fired. by James Wills

Acknowledgement of Country We show our respect and sincerely acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and their elders past, present and emerging.

Editorial: news@blankgc.com.au Advertising: advertising@blankgc.com.au Gigs: gigs@blankgc.com.au About us: Blank GC is independently owned and published by Samantha Morris and Chloe Popa. Most of our writers contribute their time probono to boost the cultural scene on the Gold Coast. Founded in 2013 we are the Gold Coast’s independent cultural voice, relying on advertising to keep us in the fray. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editor, publishers or the writing team.

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SAFIA announces Gold Coast set With 20 million online streams and a triple j Hottest 100 berth for three consecutive years, support slots for Lorde and Disclosure and sets at Groovin the Moo, Splendour and Falls, SAFIA’s new album Internal is highly anticipated. It’s due for release on 9 September and soon after, the band will hit the road for a tour of Australia and New Zealand. Internal was written and self-produced by the band in Canberra and London, before being mixed by Eric J Dubowsky, who has mixed the most recent albums for Flume, Flight Facilities, and Chet Faker. SAFIA hit NightQuarter on 8 October and tickets are on sale 1 July.

Patsy Cline… more than a tribute More than just a tribute to the legendary country singer, Always…Patsy Cline is based on the true story of Cline’s long-term friendship with a fan. The musical play, complete with country humour, includes 27 of Patsy’ unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight with award-winning country music artist Courtney Conway taking on the role of Patsy. The show hits The Arts Centre GC on Saturday 23 July. More at theartscentregc.com.au.

Brooklyn bound for UK’s Creamfields Broadbeach local, Brooklyn, is jetting off to the United Kingdom in August to perform at the world’s biggest electronic music festival– Creamfields. The DJ will be dropping beats and raising the hands of over 70,000 revellers from around the world who are expected to flood through the gates across the four-day extravaganza. Follow Brooklyn’s exploits at fb.com/djbrooklynofficial.

Grenadiers’ underground tales For those who may be as ignorant as I, Jon Snow is a character in Game of Thrones. South Aussie lads Grenadiers, shared an underground tube ride in London with the actor who plays him, Kit Harrington. It all sounds very underground to me. But what’s not is the fact that Grenandiers are touring with Shihad and are taking a sidetrip here to the Goldie to work on their tans. They’re here on Saturday 2 July at Miami Shark Bar with Driven Fear, El Bravo and Kobrakai in support.

FREE EVENT BUSTAMENTO MONICA TRAPAGA Hanlon Brothers Chukale Afro Cuban Salsa Ensemble HOT POTATO BAN THE FURBELOWS DEZZIE D AND THE STINGRAYZ THE CIRCUS FIREMEN The Kitty Kats The Ravi Welsh Trio Mzaza Caxton Street Jazz Band Jake Meywes Dave Kemp Group

AUGUST 20-21, 2016 www.broadbeachjazz.com www.blankgc.com.au

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soundlounge

... a festival every weekend ...

Live Music

NighT Markets

Food Vendors

Fashion

american eats. rock n roLl. chEerleaders.

titanix

jack braTt tom roberts

01 july 02 july

08 july

09 july

15 july

clea // hoo8hoo

tokyo beef

rockabelly road

tracy mcneil

COLIN LILLIE // SARAH FRANK

EP LAUNCH

FELICITY LAWLESS

AND THE GOODLIFE

16 july

22 july

29 june

30 june

winner of 'best venue'

nicole parker-brown

nightquarter.com.au

1800 264 448

good boy

aaron west

river city aces

WLVS

& THE CUSTODIANS

WINTER WONDERLAND

1 town centre drive, helensvale

ELLA FENCE: CHARTING UNKNOWN WATERS

On the surface it appears that Stephanie Pickett has come a long way in a very short space of time. A graduate of Griffith’s Bachelor of Popular Music program she recorded her debut EP with Dan Swift (Snow Patrol, Passenger) at Brighton Electric UK - the studios of choice for bands like The Cure, Gomez and Mumford & Sons. That EP spawned the much lauded single Unknown Water, a song that recently scored big time at the Gold Coast Music Awards for Video of the Year and Song of the Year. Later this year Steph will star as Snow White in the La Boite Theatre production for the Brisbane Festival.

But appearances can be deceiving. The 25 year old local lady has worked incredibly hard getting to this point and despite the air of confidence she exudes there have been many doubts along the way. When Trevor Jackson meets with her, she’s so disarmingly candid and self-assured he gets the feeling she’s exactly where she should be and very much comfortable in her own skin, yet if that were so, why did she feel the need to adopt the stage name Ella Fence?

SP: I’ve toyed with a stage name for a long time. Previously I played under my own name, but I think it’s easier when you can create a new identity. If you’re playing under your own name there can be too much self-doubt and too much “I’m not good enough”, but when you can separate that and focus on a project or refine your craft for a particular purpose then there’s less of that self doubt.

TJ: Do you refer to yourself as Ella or Steph?

SP: Well I always introduce myself by my real name, but it’s funny when people refer to me as Ella because it’s the only name they know. I always make it clear that Ella is a stage name for a project. Ella is actually my middle name and Pickett is my surname so it’s like Pickett/Fence, but it’s also supposed to sound like 'elephants' because I’ve always been attached to them having collected ornamental versions throughout my life.

TJ: Can you remember when you first decided you wanted to be a professional musician?

SP: I’ve wanted to sing for as long as I can remember. When I was at kindy one day, I must have been only three or four, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I wanted to sing in front of thousands of people and I drew a picture of myself with a microphone – Mum’s still got that picture.

TJ: It wasn’t a direct path for you though was it?

SP: Everyone takes a different path. I did the Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith to get a better understanding of the different eras and history of popular music. I also wanted to get a better handle on the engineering and production of music that the BPM course gives you.

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TJ: Did you see yourself going on to become a professional musician, or dare I say it, a pop star at that time?

SP: Well no, because I’d see an act I admired like Florence and the Machine or Banks and think: “well, that’s for them, but what I’m doing at uni is so separate”. They were in another league and the way I saw it was: “well, that’s what other people do”. So after Griffith I studied a Masters in Communication at Bond as I began to consider things like music journalism and marketing. But in the end it always came back to the fact that I loved singing, I loved performing for an audience and I loved writing songs. It got to the point where I was working in the corporate sector and it wasn’t nourishing my soul. I felt isolated and I wasn’t really honouring who I was and whilst I got a lot out of those learnings it made me realise what I really wanted to do, but the knowledge from that experience has given me greater insights into what you need to do behind the scenes to be successful.

TJ: Until recently you held a job at The Arts Centre Gold Coast, it couldn’t have been easy giving up the security of that regular pay packet to become a full time artist – what was the catalyst for taking that plunge?

SP: I’m very structured in the way I operate, but it wasn’t until I started working with my mentors at WHO Agencies that I developed a much clearer focus – that was a big mental shift for me. It was then that I went to work with Dan Swift in the UK. Eventually I secured management in the UK as well, but there was no grand master plan, it was just little building blocks. Really I just trusted my instincts - after a while more opportunities began to open up for me and then I knew I could do this full time.

TJ: You seem like a savvy young lady, have you mapped out long term plans or specific goals that you want to achieve in the years ahead?

SP: Not down to specifics. I don’t want to be in a position where I’m saying I must play Splendour in the Grass by 2017 or something like that because you get locked into the specifics of it and then you can miss other opportunities or forget why you wanted to do this in the first place. I just have a really open attitude to where things can take me.

TJ: What’s most important to you as a professional musician?

SP: I think it’s a balance. If you’re an author you want to write really good material that another writer will want to pick up and enjoy. So as a musician I want to make music that not only the audience will like, but other musicians will be able to relate to and hopefully respect.

TJ: There’s a real sense of fraternity on the Gold Coast between musicians, a support network that extends beyond friendship often into collaborations. Aquila Young is a very talented musician who is not only getting her solo career off the ground, she also plays keys in your band. Tell me about your relationship?

SP: We were introduced by our mentors at WHO Agencies - prior to that we had both been working with them independently. They saw the two of us being a good fit and we clicked pretty quickly. Aquila has a similar vision as an artist so we do work very easily together. We’ve written songs together and are both very supportive of each other.

TJ: You’ve just returned from overseas where you played everywhere from New York to Berlin – how did that trip materialise?

SP: It really was just a process of deciding to go somewhere and then working out what opportunities might be there on any given date. You might send out 20 emails and all you need is for 1 person to say “yes” and you’re on your way. If you decide that you want to go somewhere and there are venues there, then you can play - there’s no reason why not.

TJ: You recently had the song Hunter added to a Spotify playlist, was that significant recognition for you?

SP: It’s not only being recognised, but having people identify what you do and making the connection with your influences. The playlist is called Femme Fatale and included influencers like Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Paloma Faith. Spotify of course has a ton of subscribers so naturally it’s a big deal for me. Hunter went very quickly from having under 1000 listens to over 25,000 listens. It’s cool to be acknowledged in that way - it’s random and it’s exciting because anything can happen from there.

TJ: You’ve now just won Song of the Year and Video of the Year at the 2016 Gold Coast Music Awards. Nobody writes

Images: Shots Fired. by James Wills

songs to win awards, but does that validate your success in a more substantial way?

SP: It’s huge! I really haven’t won an award like that before so it’s awesome to be judged in that way. On reflection it’s really made me think about all of the people who have worked so hard to get me here. I don’t know if people realise how much goes into it, like those moments when it’s 2.00am and you’re dealing with a producer or an agent on the other side of the world. I’m totally stoked about this and the Double Deuce team who produced the video think it’s the best thing ever!

the idea of listening to an album from start to finish and find myself analysing it in the process. Like, why did they put that song there and what does it mean? There’s both a musical journey and a lyrical journey going on at the same time. I think it’s great to digest music in a particular way

just as the artist intended. It’s great that there are people who really want to know what you’re doing and are really invested in you as an artist, so I think it’s really important to communicate that and send a message in that way.

TJ: What’s next for Ella Fence? Are we likely to see an album, or is the concept of the long form record not so relevant in the digital era?

SP: Definitely an album. I think in terms of packaging an idea representing a period in time is really relevant. I love

JULY

Friday 1st July / 8pm / $10 Entry JIMI BEAVIS “ALBUM LAUNCH” + Daneel and the Feel “Ep Launch” + Dog Tags + Wayward Suns Saturday 2nd July / 8pm / $10 Entry FAUX BANDIT “LOOKING BETTER, SEEING MORE” TOUR. Supported by James & Tahlia Music Friday 8th July / 8pm / $10 Entry FESTIVAL OF THE GOAT GOLD COAST SIDE SHOW- FEATURING : Lord Goat + Goatzilla + Spider Goat Canyon + The Skapegoats + Peyote Goate Saturday 9th July / 7pm / $70 Entry HARDYS WINE DINNER / 5 Courses 5 Wines / Bookings Essential: Ph 5534 2322

TUGUN’S HIDDEN TREASURE great tapas, cocktails & live entertainment Thursday - Sunday from 4pm 455 Golden Four Drive Tugan (behind Groove Cafe) /hiddenatgroove

Friday 15th July / 8pm / $10 Entry SPEED RACER + The Flame Fields + Sons of the Soils + Chelsea Rockwells + Wax Mammoth Friday 22nd July / 8pm / $10 Entry “A LITTLE WINTER TITILATION “ FEATURING: Kobrakai + Unfinished Business + The Hoomans + The Green Whistle Saturday 23rd July / 8pm / $15 Entry TORTURED (Act) + Decryptus + Eskhaton (Melb) + Death Grip + Parametres Restaurant + Bar + Gaming Serving tapas until 10pm Courtesy bus available – 5534 2322 www.currumbincreektavern.com.au

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LOVE AT THE END

FIREWORKS FOR SUNSET CITY Electro-pop outfit Sunset City will headline the final Live at Bond for 2016 as well as release their new single Love Me with the Lights On. The Bond gig is part of the University’s Twilight Open Day, which also features campus tours, art and architectural installations, food and drink and fireworks.

Samantha Morris caught up with the band.

You're relative new comers, can you give me a potted history?

We started in Burleigh Heads just over a year ago as a three-piece, with Paul, Matt and Rob. After a month or so of jamming we started looking for a drummer and finally found Brady.

You’ve had tracks spun on Hot Tomato, ABC, SeaFM and 94.1FM and you gigs at Sounds of Sunday, Shark Bar and Surfers Paradise Live. What’s been your favourite gig?

Surfers Paradise Live, it was our first all ages show and it’s great to see the kids jumping up and down having a great time.

What’s unique about Sunset City?

Were a hybrid between the modern electronic world and a traditional band.

You’re known for the energy you bring to your live shows, how do you get up and perform even when you’ve had a crap day?

When it’s game time our only focus is on everyone there to see us. Our job as entertainers is to show our audience a great time and let them forget their problems for a while.

Maybe they’ve had a crap day?

Brisbane musician Jimi Beavis rooted himself firmly in a blues stance with his debut album Gentleman Giant, however his new album Post Apocalyptic Love Songs draws upon an ever explanding range of influences from his gorwing obsession with the fringes of doo-wop, pop and soul.

Natalie O’Driscoll fired a few questions off to the innovative artist in the lead up to his album tour.

ROCKING HARD AT HARD ROCK Hard Rock Café has put together a stellar lineup of live acts for July. For free!!!!!

Lennox Lust get the month started – a two-piece with two years of gigs under their belt with their Hard Rock gig just one in a big month of shows.

And then, the programming takes a most wonderful turn, with Johnathan Devoy and Brett Hammond taking to the stage on the two following Fridays, solo-style. Both artists have a long history in the local scene playing in established and much-loved bands.

Johnathan Devoy is best known for destroying earholes in metal band Jerk. But this new solo project is something different. No stranger to the limelight – he has a history in both film and theatre – he’ll be warmly welcomed to Hard Rock Café on 8 July.

As will Brett Hammond.

Previously a member of legendary Gold Coast band Misdirection, who supported acts like Dead Letter Circus, Shihad and Helmet, Brett also has a solo project, which hits Hard Rock on 15 July.

If you’re wondering what it is with metal artists getting solo slots at Hard Rock, it’s totally obvious when you consider it’s Darkc3ll frontman Jesse Bateman booking the acts.

It’s not all metal turned solo acts at Hard Rock in July though. Local reggae outfit, Merging Roots close the month’s lineup after a killer June set at the venue.

Samantha Morris

What can we expect from your Live at Bond show?

High energy and lots of surprises, we are pre-releasing a single off our upcoming album at the event.

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HARD ROCK CAFÉ 1 JULY – LENNOX LUST 8 JULY – JOHNATHAN DEVOY (EX JERK) 15 JULY – BRETT HAMMOND (EX MISDIRECTION) 22 JULY – MERGING ROOTS

Post-Apocalytic Love Songs is a fascinating concept. How did the idea come about?

At some point before recording my first album while writing songs for this one I found that there were two types of songs: ones that were built around characters and were often quite morbid and on serious topics and ones that dove a little deeper into the grotesque world of the nastier things in life. I put the more grotesque ones aside and concentrated on the others. The character based ones were actually still ghoulish at times, even though they were more upbeat, and they formed the basis for this album. I had written half the album before I noticed myself providing back stories in my head for the characters in the songs, and that sometimes influenced the lyrics. This was around the time I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road and started watching The Walking Dead and shows like that so I purposely provided imagery and ideas that linked with those ideas. I am extremely interested in the idea of the apocalypse and the aftermath, I suppose because of the concerns that the world won't be able to keep us in the future due to environmental degradation or worldwide conflict. In particular I am interested in what people will do to each other when there are no longer laws governing our actions.

With titles like Got No Hands, Got No Feet and I Want You To Eat Me, audiences couldn't be blamed for expecting quite dark music, but in fact many of the tunes are pretty upbeat. How do you approach marrying the disparate styles?

The principal inspirations for this album are blues, soul and gospel and that music has often embraced sadness and hurt and then trying to make music that transcends that. My first blues loves were the electric blues of the 1950s, which was played by people that often tried to unwind from the horrors and mundanity of life by singing about drinking and sex, as well as the pains, but doing so with dance music. So to me it isn't too odd to mix the sadder side of life with upbeat tunes. I also have a perverse delight in seeing people dance along to songs about death. That's what life is - a dance with death.

Normally when you listen to an artist you can hear shades of inspirations / peers, but I struggled with that for you. Who do you think you sound most like, and who has most influenced your sound?

The first album was very much blues, but this album is a mix. The biggest influence is probably The Band; and also Mavis Staples and her gospel roots mixed with the 60s/70s soul and the funk and hip hop rhythms of the modern world. But there is a healthy dose of Stax and Hi soul, the Rolling Stones and bits and pieces from here and there. For example the opening song "At Least It's Better Than Home", has a mix of 60s soul but backing vocals inspired by Wilco and the Beatles. Whereas elsewhere I started trying to do a Tom Waits style song and eventually it ended up as a New Orleans inspired song. But I try to sing the way I sing rather than trying to sing like an American, so it is going to end up a little different.

JIMI BEAVIS WILL BE HITTING THE STAGE AT THE CURRUMBIN CREEK TAVERN ON 1 JULY.

24 July 2016 | 9 am – 2 pm Gold Coast campus Find your range at the Queensland Conservatorium Study the Bachelor of Popular Music, here on the Gold Coast Internationally-renowned reputation for music excellence Proven high-level graduate success in the music industry Work with internationally-renowned producers and songwriters Release your music on the SEED album, get paid to play State-of-the-art facilities Annual scholarships to Nashville Mentoring by industry professionals

griffith.edu.au/popular-music

GUY COOPER = CHAMPION The Music Champion category of the Gold Coast Music Awards recognises and celebrates the achievements of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and go the extra mile in fostering the development of local music.

From a hot field of nominees, all of whom were worthy of the mantle in their own way, Guy Cooper was ultimately chosen as this year's Gold Coast Music Awards Champion of the Year.

Guy is known in local music circles as a true grass roots patron saint of the scene. His boundless enthusiasm and tireless energy in fostering the development of countless local musicians and artists ensured he was an obviously popular choice when he stepped onto the podium. And it's not just the number of musos he has helped, it's also the mind boggling variety of ways in which he has done it.

Guy moved here from Brisbane at the age of 19 to complete the Bachelor of Popular Music Degree at the Conservatorium of Music. Breaking new ground by being accepted into the program as a budding DJ/turntable instrumentalist, he came out the other side as the course’s first Honours student.

He's been a Gold Coast resident now for over 16 years, which no doubt qualifies him as a real deal bona fide local.

Upon graduation Guy played an integral role in building and managing the Conservatorium's recording studio complex. He is also a lecturer both at the Conservatorium and in Brisbane, mentoring students on the topics of music production, music industry studies, live performance, acoustics, music history and film sound.

Guy's DIY approach to getting things done has been a constant theme throughout his various musical enterprises.

He started up and managed a local street press publication called Undertow from 2004 to 2009. Says Guy: “I funded that and even wrote all of the content myself for the first three issues. We were just focused on trying to bring attention to music on the Gold Coast. We had a scene, but no one knew what was going on, as the Brisbane or Byron press didn't talk about us.”

The Gold Coast music scene has sometimes been unfairly tainted as being an inferior cousin to more hyped locations, despite the wealth of vibrant talent right here in our midst.

I asked Guy why he thinks this is the case. "I think one of

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the main issues is that this town is built on tourism, and the local music culture sometimes gets pushed aside,” he said.

“There's always been a large cultural and music scene here, but not everyone knows about it. It’s also hard being so spread out on the Coast, it’s a very lateral city so we don’t really have a main cultural hub here. I think that's a big part of what the Gold Coast Music Awards are about, bringing everyone together and letting everyone know what's going on."

He also sees this as a character building exercise. "It's almost as though this focus here on the surface level has forced local musicians to work a bit harder at their art because they're not in the limelight and promoted as much as elsewhere. If you want to go and get it, you've got to get off your arse and do it. That's created a really solid attitude of working hard and making sure your art is really solid before putting it out."

Guy’s music related CV doesn’t even remotely end there though. He has his own recording studio, Serotonin Productions (named after his funk band back in his Uni days!) as well as running his own record label, Human records. He's played music in countless live bands and often assists in an unpaid capacity in his own time, helping organise gigs and showing up to help out and play on the night for artists on his books. He willingly takes on responsibilities such as music producer, band manager and financial backer.

His tireless dedication to fostering local music talent came to the fore over the past twelve months, which saw him nurture and champion a range of local acts, including the rapidly emerging Lane-Harry x Ike Campbell as well as Julia Rose, Reichelt, Charlie Rebel and The Band From Oddworld.

I quiz Guy on the coming 12 months, and not surprisingly this year’s music champion shows no signs of resting on his laurels.

"With the record label (Human Records) we've currently got five artists. They've all got slightly different time lines, but Lane-Harry x Ike Campbell have just released their new album and are about to go on tour. Often I'll end up playing on stage with them, or helping out doing sound. And if I'm not doing that I'm taking photos, or doing videos, or writing press releases or talking to the media.”

I ask Guy if push came to shove, what his favourite area of involvement with music would be.

Image above: Shots Fired. by James Wills “Playing music with my friends gives me the biggest buzz.

Festivals are great, but I love the small shows and just jamming with my mates. That’s where I’m perfectly happy,” he said.

“I’m playing in one of the bands on my label, Reichelt, who are sort of ‘power-folk’ haha! I get to play a bit of organ and keys in that. And I’ve got another electro band I’m playing with at the moment. And any of my clients, if they’re playing shows I’ll often just jump in and help support in any way that I can.”

There’s no doubt Guy is all about giving back to Gold Coast music.

“I just love to have all my students, clients and friends sharing the music with me. That gives me a lot of pleasure and reward, by helping them fulfil their dreams. I see the passion in their eyes when they’re scratching to write and record that song in them. That’s their dream and their life, they’ve put everything into it. This is who they are and I’m so honoured that they share that with me.”

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gaiety to everything.”

This quote by Plato, which adorns the homepage of the Human Records website, encapsulates the esteem in which Guy holds the art-form. Only a true and everlasting love of music could drive one to such feats of all encompassing devotion.

Well done Guy Cooper, you are a true Gold Coast Music Champion in every sense of the word.

Anthony Gebhardt

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EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC

Pictured: The Lamplights Everyone Deserves Music is a new charity focused on getting registered music therapists into schools and the group has identified the Gold Coast as the first focus of its work.

Dr Krista Talbot is one of the founders of the organisation.

She said the group was started this year to raise funds for music therapy programs for children with disabilities and is about getting registered music therapists into schools.

She said her motivation came from her own children’s experience with music classes.

“From a very early age I have taken my children along to a weekly community music class, which they loved and gained great benefit from,” Krista said.

Those classes were run by a registered music therapist who also runs school-based music therapy, but in 2015 the school-based program was unable to secure funding to continue.

Krista saw a Facebook post about the situation and decided to take action.

“I approached doctors and colleagues across the Gold Coast who generously donated enough money to cover three terms and buy me some time,” she said. “Then I got together six other like minded, professional parents and started Everyone

Deserves Music Inc so we could generate a sustainable source of funds for these programs.”

Funding for new not-for-profits is always a challenge, and that’s where the group’s first fundraiser comes in.

As a General Practitioner, Krista comes at music therapy from an analytical point of view.

“A concert seemed to make the most sense,” Krista said.

“We want support from the people in the community who understand the power and value of music so why not run a fundraiser that they will love - a concert.”

“I wouldn't be involved in this if I didn't believe in the benefit of music therapy,” she said.

According to a Cochrane review in 2014 those benefits include enhanced social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, behaviour initiation, social adaptation and quality of parent-child relationships.

“There is a large randomised controlled trial being conducted worldwide on this topic called TIME-A,” Krista said, “And the Australian arm of this study is being conducted out of the University of Melbourne so I'm excited to see the outcome.”

“Long term we want to support as many schools with music therapy programs as we can. We also want to support the profession that is Registered Music Therapy. By supplying funding to the programs we hope this becomes a more inviting career path for more and more people and thus provides more music therapy for children that need it.”

Their focus for now, though, is schools on the Gold Coast.

Presented as part of Bond University’s Open Day

Saturday, 23 July from 2.45pm, ADCO Amphitheatre

bond.edu.au/sunsetcity 16

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Live at Bond

FREE CONCERT SERIES

Miami Marketta came on board straight away and together with the committee has pulled together a big night of music, with fundraising at its core. The event, which will raise funds for Everyone Deserves Music will take place on Wednesday 20 July with The Lamplights, The Delicates and The Ruiins on the lineup and MC Em Rusciano leading proceedings as MC. “We want the Gold Coast to see that we are not just any concert,” Krista said. “We want to put on an amazing show so that they come back year after year after year.”

Samanatha Morris

EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC FUNDRAISER IS WEDNESDAY 20 JULY FROM 5.00PM AT MIAMI MARKETTA. TICKETS VIA MIAMIMARKETTA.OZTIX.COM.AU.

BLACK SMOKE: WURRAMARA’S STUNNING DEBUT She’s only 20 and already has performed in Sweden and France and collaborated with people like Bernard Fanning. That’s kinda' rock ‘n’ roll. As is growing up on Groote Eylandt and releasing a debut EP with half the songs sung in Language.

Let us introduce you to Emily Wurramara, who now calls the Gold Coast home.

Growing up, Emily loved hearing her uncles sing, but also realised women from her community rarely sang in public. Wanting to inspire and empower members of her community, especially young Indigenous women, to find their voice, Emily sings original music both in English and Anindilyakwa, her traditional language.

Emily's debut EP, Black Smoke was released in June. After seeing her perform at the Queensland Music Awards, and being impressed with both her stage presence and the song, we thought it was time to get to know her a little better.

“It’s been such a long journey,” Emily said when we asked about growing up on Groote Eylandt and where she’s ended up.

“I'm very proud of where I come from, so being able to represent my people in such a positive way, is the most amazing feeling ever.”

“The biggest highlight for me would be meeting my idols and being able to sit down and talk to them about their experiences, I've met so many beautiful friends throughout my journey,” Emily said.

As well as performances at Woodford Folk Festival and Island Vibe (among many others), Emily also made the trek to

Garma – one of the biggest celebrations of Indigenous culture in Australia.

“Garma festival is absolutely amazing,” she told Blank GC. “You can feel the culture throbbing through the ground… it's literally like you're walking on the heart beat of the earth.”

“I performed right before Yilila Band, which is my Gagu’s (grandfather’s) band. I was so excited because I knew some of my family from Groote and Bickerton would be there, it was just too deadly, I had so much fun.”

It’s well documented that Indigenous languages are on the decline and I’m curious about how Emily kept her connection to the Anindilyakwa language given that she left Groote Eylandt as a young girl.

“My parents are very beautiful people, and their sacrifice and struggle, there are no words to say thank you.”

“Definitely my mother maintained that connection to home by keeping in contact with everyone and speaking Language in front of me and my brother,” Emily said.

“She also told me stories about the Dreaming and her experiences.”

Emily said although her father is Filipino / Chinese he also had stories to share about growing about his experiences growing up on Groote Eylandt too.

Hard work, perseverance and absolute talent have culminated in Emily’s new EP, Black Smoke, with lead single of the same name. There’s no doubt it takes a special skill and dedication to blur the lines between

traditional and contemporary, but that’s just exactly what Emily’s done with this debut.

She says it’s just the beginning.

“I feel so excited for this year,” Emily said.

“There are many things to look forward to and being so young I am just absolutely grateful for all the opportunities I'm going to come across!”

“I'm just so excited.”

EMILY WURRAMARA’S NEW EP BLACK SMOKE IS, IN A WORD, STUNNING. AS WELL AS FOUR DATES IN THE NT IN JULY AND A HEAP OF OTHER CAPITAL CITY SHOWS, SHE’LL NEXT BE IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS AT THE MILK FACTORY, BRISBANE ON 11 AUGUST.

TWILIGHT OPEN DAY SATURDAY, JULY 23 | 2 - 6 PM

YOUR FUTURE STARTS

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BEERS, CHEERS AND HAPPY TEARS AT 2016 GC MUSIC AWARDS There were beers, cheers and quite a few tears when Gold Coast Music Awards took over Burleigh Brewing Co. last month. From over-the-top glam to grunge and goths (with a giraffe thrown in for good measure), the who’s who of the Gold Coast’s pumping music scene gathered in the brewery’s shiny new digs to (responsibly) guzzle beers, graze on Hard Rock Café’s burgers and wings and cheer their lungs out as excited finalists learned their fate.

Organiser Samantha Morris said the support from audiences and the industry has been incredible.

“Gold Coast Music Awards showed the exceptional calibre of musicianship that the Gold Coast has to offer audiences and it is humbling to have sold-out the event for the second year,” she said.

“While we reward the talent of local musicians, the Awards are as much a PR exercise,” she said, “giving local musicians an opportunity to be showcased by mainstream and national music press as well as expand their audiences with paid performance opportunities as prizes.”

She also acknowledged the hard work of her team of volunteers, the sponsors and City of Gold Coast, without whom, she said the event “probably wouldn’t have happened”.

Independent judging panels chaired by music journalist Trevor Jackson listened to scores of songs and deliberated over 145 nominations from all over the Gold Coast.

The judging panels for each category this year included Louise Bezzina (Bleach*), Neil Beattie (Swingin’ Safari), Sean Flanagan (Hot Tomato), Felicity Lawless (musician), Cindy Jensen (Buskers By The Creek) and Donna Weston (Griffith University), Lucy Fisher (Gold Coast Film Festival), Matt Webber (ABC Gold Coast), Chris Boyd (Glass Media), and Sharon Solyma (Bond University).

Following a red hot opening set from Katie Who and her new band, MC Trevor Jackson kicked off the proceedings, praising the quality of the talent on the Gold Coast.

Award winners received a bespoke figurine trophy designed by SWELL artist Dion Parker, while the People’s Choice Award was designed by Gold Coast artist Ivan Lovatt, himself a People’s Choice winner at SWELL festival last year.

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After hitting the red carpet for press interviews, all were free to get their funk on to the soulful sounds of Hanlon Brothers – last year’s emerging artist winner – who blew the lid off the brewery in a freestyle rap battle that included Song of the Year finalist Jesswar on the mic as well as local up and comer, Mazuradi. The evening closed with a stunning fire performance by Neal Webb, accompanied by our favourite flamnenco goddess, Felicity Lawless.

Ella Fence took away two awards for Song of the Year, sponsored by NightQuarter as well as Video of the Year for her track Uknown Water, accepting the latter on behalf of her production team Double Deuce. Ella scored a headlining set at Live At Bond as well as a $1500 marketing package from Blank GC and an accommodation and meal package from QT Surfers Paradise.

Hussy Hicks were announced Artist of the Year, sponsored by Southport Sharks with Ed and Susan Parker accepting the award on behalf of their daughter Julz and fellow hussy Leesa Gentz, who are currently touring Europe. They did make an appearance at the awards via video (complete with footage of Julz crowdsurfing and fixing a busted muffler with a guitar string, of course). They also took away an accommodation and meal package from QT Surfers Paradise as well as $400 worth of massage from Endota Spa and a $1500 marketing package from Blank GC. Emerging Artist of the Year, sponsored by Griffith University, was Leopold’s Treat.

Scoring a headling slot at Buskers by the Creek as well as a Bluesfest busking berth, a $1500 marketing package from Blank GC and massage love from Endota, they were stoked with the win. They’ll be celebrating big-time when they hit the Soundlounge for a double-header with Julia Rose on 22 July.

Venue of the Year went to NightQuarter.

Although only operating for a short time in 2015, judges could not go past the impact the venue has had on the northern Gold Coast,

which has been crying out for local, original music for decades.

Blues on Broadbeach, which attracts in excess of 125,000 music lovers to the four-day free event, was no surprise as winner of Event of the Year, sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe. Kicking off in 2002, the event has grown into a Queensland institution over the last fifteen years, with local businesses benefiting from the throngs of avid music lovers of all ages and musical tastes who descend upon Broadbeach for the duration of the festival. Director and Broadbeach Alliance member Mark Duckworth was honoured by the win. “It means a lot to be recognised by your peers,” he said. Like their Facebook page to keep up to date with any announcements for next year.

Music Champion of the Year, sponsored by TAFE Gold Coast went to producer Guy Cooper from Serotonin Records – responsible for the city’s first ever street press, and so much more.

You can read more about Guy in this edition.

Guy also took home an accommodation package from Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa and a massage package from Endota.

And the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Burleigh Brewing Co. went to Jason McGregor after a fierce public vote that saw thousands of votes cast in the two-stage process. The current Australian finger picking guitar champion is also a member of beloved Gold Coast act The Lamplights, as well as a solo entertainer. Jason took home a beautifully-crafted trophy made by SWELL artist Ivan Lovatt.

Natalie O’Driscoll

Image: Shots Fired. by James Wills

Image: Fotoforce Photography

TAFE STUDENTS BEHIND THE SCENES STARS OF GC MUSIC AWARDS Gold Coast Music Awards last month celebrated the Coast’s local, homegrown musical talent, but it was the behind the scenes work of another group of Gold Coast locals who really brought the evening to life.

Two special mini-guests, daughters of ABC Gold Coast’s Matt Webber, made their appearance on the red carpet for a family photo after having their gorgeous locks curled by TAFE students.

TAFE Gold Coast supported the 2016 Gold Coast Music Awards by providing rockstar students to work behind the scenes during the preparation and running of the event, putting their TAFE education into professional practice.

As well as providing hands-on support, TAFE Gold Coast came onboard as sponsor for Music Champion of the Year category, which celebrates the amazing people working behind the scenes in the local music scene.

The partnership with TAFE Gold Coast is a real win-win, said Gold Coast Music Awards organiser Samantha Morris among the hustle and bustle of preparation.

“It’s quite fitting. Clearly TAFE Gold Coast is itself beavering away behind the scenes, championing music, art and culture and helping their students do the same,” Samantha Morris said.

“We all know how hard it is to get real industry experience when you’re studying,” she said.

“I mean, I remember spending two weeks removing staples from paperwork in a bank as part of my ‘work experience’,” Morris said.

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast General Manager Jenny Dodd says the Awards gave students the opportunity to put their skills and training into practice.

“Not only are we working with TAFE Gold Coast to give their students hands-on experience, but the students are helping us run a first-class event for the local music scene, with very limited resources.”

Over 25 TAFE Gold Coast students were involved in event management, sound and lighting, screen and media, hospitality, beauty, hairdressing, business and technical production; giving them a taste of what working in the local music industry is all about.

And boy did these students work hard!

TAFE students were seen quaffing beards, helping to set up lighting and staging, serving food, and filming the event at Burleigh Brewing Co. in June.

Among the crowd enjoying Burleigh Brewing Co. beer and dancing along to Hanlon Brothers, hospitality students served up a feast of chicken wings, burgers, brownies and more, courtesy of Hard Rock Café.

The red-carpet ready station was a highlight for guests and finalists, with beauty students touching up makeup, creating stylish up-dos and helping guests get photo-ready for the big night.

“I was running food. Basically the chef would make the food and bring it out and we would check it to make sure everything was good before running platters around to guests.”

“TAFE’s involvement definitely added a new dimension to the event,” Samantha said.

“Plus, it was important to us to give students some hands on experience.”

And would she get involved with the Gold Coast Music Awards again?

“We’re really excited to grow our involvement with TAFE Gold Coast, particularly given that they’re the official partner for training volunteers at the Commonwealth Games.”

“Definitely! I loved it and it was great experience for me.”

Not only do events like the Gold Coast Music Awards prove the exceptional musical talent produced locally, but they give local students the opportunity to get a foot in the door and experience what goes on behind the scenes of a first-class event.

“It’s a really exciting time for education and events on the Gold Coast.”

Issy Schonenberg

“TAFE Queensland Gold Coast takes pride in providing real life work experience to all our students and has invested into the training delivery of our programs to include greater involvement with local industry.

This ensures students get a well-rounded education so that they are ahead of the rest upon graduation,” Ms Dodd said.

“Students worked closely with their relevant industry professionals to assist with the various duties required to pull the entire event together from pre-event production, to setting the equipment and facilities, as well as provide on the night support for the event management team, sound and lighting crew, hospitality staff and more.”

Terrene Poyner was one of the students helping out on the evening. Having just finished her Certificate III in Hospitality, she says it was a great night and she enjoyed working alongside other TAFE friends.

“I have worked in hospitality previously, but this was different. [Hospitality] is definitely something I want to do in the future so the Awards were good because it was so busy and lively – a great atmosphere,” she said.

Terrene was part of the hospitality team who served up Hard Rock Café’s catering. www.blankgc.com.au

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ZIGGY MARLEY: THE HEART OF A LION This has been a big year so far for Ziggy Marley with the birth of his fourth child Isaiah, a guest star role on Hawaii Five-O, the release of his sixth solo album and a tour through North America just to start. This diversity seems typical of Ziggy who has the vision and drive of an entrepreneur. Yet at the heart of all he does is his mission to connect to people, and connect people to each other.

The new solo album is self titled, although Ziggy can’t explain why except that no other name seemed to work.

He is very definite about the intention behind the music on the album, raising his deep concern for the state of the world and human beings in general. Ziggy is determined to contribute to raising the collective consciousness on the planet. When asked what that meant he was passionate.

“Humans can do better! There does not have to be this division between people, it’s not the way it’s meant to be. What we are doing in the world now is not working and things need to change. Those who tell people it can’t change are just serving their own ends.” He is talking in a broad sense about politicians and business who contribute to the division between nations, races, gender, basically any division.

Many of the songs on the Ziggy Marley album are aimed at this theme of doing better. I had to ask specifically about the song, Marijuanaman, especially as this is also the title of the comic book Ziggy has produced. One of the lines is: “if politicians smoking herbs, there would be peace around the world” and I asked Ziggy if it was that simple. He burst out laughing.

“No man! But maybe they could try! Instead of having cocktails at UN conferences maybe they could try smoking instead. Nothing now is working so maybe try something new. Not necessarily herb, but something else because right now it’s just not working.”

This got us talking about marijuana and if Ziggy advocated legalising it. “No,” he said.

“I’m not an advocate for legalising in that sense, just speaking the truth about the plant. It’s a spiritual fight more than a

WATCH OUT FOR ZIGGY’S 2017 TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT OR VISIT ZIGGYMARLEY. COM/UPCOMING-SHOWS TO KEEP UP TO DATE AS SHOWS ARE ADDED.

political one. Everything on this earth has a purpose and should be used. It’s not for everybody, but if it is beneficial for the individual then they should be able to use it.”

He went on to elaborate, talking about his childhood with the late great Bob Marley.

“Growing up we saw it being used in a mystical and spiritual way. It was a method of growth and achieving oneness.

People would gather at the house and smoke and read from the bible, it was all connected to the spiritual.”

This is the position from which Ziggy pursues the marijuana debate and as part of that there is a Ziggy Marley “Conscious Party” dry leaf vaporiser now available through O.pen Vape.

Ziggy says this endorsement was just another opportunity to spread the message, diversifying and reaching more people.

Ziggy is aiming to bring the message for children back to the ideals he grew up with and to give them the best possible resources, as ultimately they are “our future’s unlimited resource.” URGE is responsible for various projects such as supporting schools and funding shelters for pregnant teens, more information can be found at www.urgefoundation.org.

Ziggy will be bringing his messages of love and unity along with his live show to Australia next year. He says of playing live: “My type of music evolves into a living thing at the time on stage. It is shaped by the crowd and all of the band plays with what we are feeling at the time. It can change in a moment.”

Bring your good vibes with you for this gig and it will be returned back at you with interest! In the meantime, check out the latest album Ziggy Marley available now.

Erin Bourne

Ziggy has many outlets to spread the message, recognising this era as a time where things are evolving and progressing and we must take what opportunities we are presented with.

These opportunities extend beyond his music and record label Tuff Gong Worldwide, and now include a range of organic, non-GMO cooking products, the vaporiser, acting and his charity.

As he is not content to simply preach the message, Ziggy is a big supporter of the charity Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE). He is donating $1 to URGE from every ticket sold for shows on his current #FLYRASTA tour in the US.

Presented by

&

DISCOVER THE FUTURE OF MUSIC

URGE seeks to address issues around health, education and the environment in order to improve communities where children live in Jamaica and Africa. Ziggy himself says education and culture are the biggest issues for children in Jamaica.

“The type of music and ideas being promoted are harmful to the culture and the psyche of the generation coming up.”

BIGSOUND FESTIVAL TIX ON SALE NOW . SEP 7-9 . BIGSOUND.ORG.AU

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BELLA PATON’S CERTAIN HEART

HANG FIVE WITH RORY ELLIS

She may only be 17, but singer and guitarist Bella Paton has already crammed in an impressive amount of musical experience.

In the space of a few short years she has gone from playing guitar until her fingers bled to recording her first songs at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, one of which, London Ghosts, reached number 44 on the iTunes singer / songwriter charts. Now with a new single Certain Hearts Are Tied just released, Bella spoke with Natalie O’Driscoll about her passion.

Do you have a favourite Aussie festival?

An underground hero in alt-country and Americana circles, Rory Ellis has released seven independent albums to date and is a veteran of the hard road of tough trails across Australia, The UK and Europe. He has begun the Aussie tour of his latest album Rah Rah, which hits the Gold Coast in July. Natalie O’Driscoll hung five with the master Australian singer / songwriter.

I have no particular favourites, but have had many amazing experiences at various festivals throughout the years. One of my favourite performances was with Dave Steel and Stuart Speed at the Apollo Bay Festival way way back around the early 2000's. We started at 11am with barely a soul in the room, and within minutes, the room was jam-packed, and they were hanging on every word.

What is it about playing acoustically that you love?

I love the intimacy of performing acoustically and the ability to not always have to use a PA system, and yet, still be able to draw the audience in to your sound. When I play acoustically, it really does travel me back to where I wrote the song, and the instrument I wrote it on. You can't beat that feeling – it gives me comfort and it gives me warmth.

It says on your bio that you've been performing since you were six years old!

Can you tell us a bit about your first introduction to music and performance?

I went to Benowa State Primary School where there was a junior choir on every Thursday afternoon. I loved to sing, I always have, and music was my favourite class at Benowa because we had a wonderful music teacher called Mrs Solomon who just made the class so much fun.

Who are some of your musical influences?

I absolutely adore the Beatles, I have since I was very young. I'm a bit of a super fan, I've watched all their interviews. They are all such incredibly talented people who were really just these young kids from Liverpool with ability, who got the chance to really explore and embrace that in every possible way.

I'm also a huge fan of Of Monsters and Men. They are this incredible band from Iceland and they just have an extremely unique sound that also is full of amazing dynamics.

I went and saw them perform last year and snuck to the front of the stage when the lights were down. It was cool. They were just so tight and well rehearsed, everyone had a hand in the sound. Nanna Bryndis the female vocalist is someone I really admire, her voice and energy is something amazing.

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You seem to have quite a love affair with England. What keeps drawing you back there?

If you had to choose a path other than music, where would your passion take you?

England has so much to offer. Great festivals, of which I have performed at many, amazing

small venues and art centres, with really appreciative audiences. Over the years, I have had some terrific opportunities to perform with some fantastic artists – for example, my show at the Brook in Southampton with Richie Havens – the guy who opened Woodstock.

What inspired the lyrics on Rah Rah? Does the album have a theme?

Oohhh – this one comes from a happy place.

Need I say more? It's a cute little love song, but if I told you the truth, I'd have to kill you... ;) Or shall I start building the dog house now?

Yes, the album does have a theme – refer to the above answer....haha Who are some of your biggest musical heroes?

Johnny Cash for his raw truth and sound, particularly in the American Recordings.

Everyone loves Elvis...me included. In recent years, I have loved listening to Keiran Kane and Kevin Welch for their great lyrics, and darker, almost Appalachian sound. Greg Brown is another personal favourite.

Hmm to be honest I don’t actually have any other interests apart from music, at least nothing I'm passionate about. This question is one I've had to think long and hard about, especially in year eleven and twelve (of high school) when I've been told numerous times that I need a backup plan.

I have to say though despite the fact I have been made to think about this a lot there is really nothing else I want to do. I know I won't really be fulfilled unless I jump into this completely and give it a real go.

YOU CAN CATCH BELLA ON WEEKENDS AT WAVE CORNER IN BROADBEACH AND THE CARRARA MARKETS. BUSKERS BY THE CREEK HAVE ALSO INCLUDED HER IN THEIR LINEUP FOR OCTOBER. VISIT INSTAGRAM.COM/ BELLAPATON_MUSIC FOR MORE.

RORY PLAYS THE NIGHTQUARTER STAGE ON FRIDAY 15 JULY, AND ENTRY IS FREE.

Image: Dan Maynard Photography

Pictured: Ivey

Image: Fotoforce Photography

AWARDS WIN A TREAT FOR LEOPOLD’S

GCMA WINNERS SCORE GIG BONANZA

Taking out Emerging Artist of the Year at last month’s Gold Coast Music Award is just the beginning of a big six months for Leopold’s Treat.

They’ve got four massive gigs on the horizon, plus a video, plus – as part of their Music Awards win – a slot at Bluesfest’s busking stage next Easter.

The band’s namesake, Kate Leopold said they felt overjoyed and accomplished on the back of the win.

“It all happened so quickly,” she said. “It just felt amazing to be the ones chosen for that category amongst so many other pretty cool musicians… the ones to be walking up there accepting the award.”

“It was a bit of a blur, but at the same time, we just felt complete gratitude.”

Kate said the win will activate the band on another level.

“It’s given us a bit of a call to action,” she said. “It’s, I guess the prize package has opened up some pretty cool opportunities, in addition to what we already have on for the rest of the year.”

“We had so many words of support and words of congratulations just being there… being amongst the finalists. And it felt like there was some recognition there from people we didn’t even know, which was really nice.”

The band is in the throes of rehearsing for their double-header at Soundlounge next month, which sees both Leopold’s Treat and Julia Rose launch new releases. Julia Rose is formally releasing EP Romeo and Leopold’s are releasing their live four-track EP, recorded at the launch of their album Cold River.

You get a free online download of the EP with your ticket to the gig.

Kate said the whole set was recorded at their album launch, but they narrowed the EP to the best four songs.

“I listen to it and it takes me right back to the night,” Kate said.

“I thought the Hounddogs & Bullfrogs track was better than the recording.”

Samantha Morris

LEOPOLD’S TREAT WILL BE JOINED BY JULIA ROSE AT SOUNDLOUNGE ON FRIDAY 22 JULY FOR ONE HELL OF A DOUBLE EP LAUNCH. KATIE WHO AND SOPHIA KOOP FILL OUT THE BILL. IT’LL BE A CRACKER.

SHAKAFEST CELEBRATES GC STREET CULTURE

Paid headline performances at Buskers by the Creek, Live at Bond, NightQuarter and Southport Sharks form part of the prize pool scooped up by winners and finalists at this year’s Gold Coast Music Awards.

Gold Coast’s burgeoning street culture will be the focus of the city’s newest festival – Shakafest – come August.

Ella Fence who won Song of the Year and Electrik Lemonade who were in the top three of the People’s Choice Awards have both scored separate headline slots for Live at Bond’s 2017 program.

Killer lineup, a half pipe, graffiti art and stalls will be served up over one killer Saturday evening in the Miami Tavern carpark – home of that other awesome GC festival, OzFest.

Bangin’ tunes will be provided courtesy of hip-hop sensation Drapht and local maniacs Dune Rats. Spit Syndicate make the trip up from Sydney with local legends Peach Fur, Ivey (pictured) and Von Villains being included on the bill.

“Shakafest aims to combine all of the Gold Coast’s most loved entertainment industries into one unique mini-festival by bringing in a skate demo, a mixed genre of live bands and DJs, live graffiti art and stalls,” said Tamie Bennett, one of the organisers.

“Shakafest will draw in all walks of life and expose people to new genres of music, sports and art,” she said.

Skate demos by Mitch Morrison Joel Wilshere, Pat Pollock, Mitchell ‘Mashy’ Howse, Matt McManus, Jamie Bunt and Vitor Silveira will keep punters enthralled.

Leopold’s Treat will be one of the headliners for Buskers by the Creek 2016 as well as scoring a busking stage berth for Bluesfest Byron Bay 2017.

And Southport Sharks and NightQuarter are currently negotiating with other winners and finalists for paid headline slots at their venues as well.

Chloe Popa, one of the creators of the GC Music Awards said one of the event’s goals was to work with local venues as well as bookers from outside the Gold Coast to ensure the maximum number of opportunities for local artists involved in the awards “We have long-standing relationships with local events, such as Bleach* and SWELL who actively use the Gold Coast Music Awards as a tool for discovering new talent, and with our new partners we will continue to grow opportunities for local artists,” she said.

With the addition of serious rock in the form of The Vanns and punk in the form of the White Blanks, the full lineup makes the event world-class. When you throw skate and live graffit art into the mix, the event becomes a communitybuilding celebration of street culture.

“We also have the added bonus of working with City of Gold Coast to host a Gold Coast BIGSOUND showcase,” Chloe said, “which of course provides a massive opportunity for Gold Coast talent to meet an international audience.”

So, throw up the shakas, hang loose at Miami, and ease yourself into the Gold Coast Show holiday long weekend with music, mayhem and much, much more.

Darkc3ll, Electrik Lemonade, Ella Fence, Hanlon Brothers, Jason McGregor, Jesswar, Leopold’s Treat and Katie Who all scored marketing packages as part of their involvement in the awards.

SHAKAFEST TAKES PLACE AT MIAMI TAVERN ON 27 AUGUST. TICKETS ON SALE NOW THROUGH MOSHTIX.

And with Darkc3ll, Ella Fence, Electrik Lemonade, Leopold’s Treat, Katie Who and Hanlon Brothers all currently in the studio, or with new music just about to drop, there’s no question it’s going to be a big year for Gold Coast music.

Samantha Morris www.blankgc.com.au

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THURSDAY 30 JUNE

Grenadiers + Kobrakai | Miami Shark Bar

Funk N Wagnells (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks

CC The Cat (3.00pm) | Skypoint Q1

The Titanix + Jack Bratt + Tom Roberts | NightQuarter

BIGFELLALINC (5.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Felicity Lawless | The Boatshed Bar, Currumbin

Ryan Brooks (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

Push | Hotel Brunswick

Amela (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL Deck

FRIDAY 1 JULY

The Molotov + Baltimore Gun Club + Sang-Froid + Asylum of Voices (8.00pm) | Lonestar Tavern, Mermaid

IVEY Single Launch + Peach Fur + Lotus Ship| elsewhere

Benny D Williams | Eat Street Markets (6pm)

Dusty Boots (5.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Matty Rogers | Chinderah Tavern Zookeepers (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks Jam Sessions (9pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe

GOLD COAST GIG GUIDE

Mescalito Blues | Burleigh Brewing Co. The Aston Shuffle (only 1 DJ tour) | elsewhere Cavill Lane Buskers' Competition | Surfers Paradise, from 4pm Felicity Lawless | Southport Sharks Kenny Slide | Channon Butterfactory Seth Sentry + Remi | Hotel Brunswick Jimi Beavis Album Launch + Daneel and the Feel EP Launch + Dogtags + Wayward Suns (8.00pm) | Currumbin Creek Tavern | Tix $10 Sarah Frank | Mandala Organic Arts Café

SUNDAY 3 JULY Benny D Williams | House of Brews (2pm) Kiara Jack | Burleigh Brewing Co. Hayley Grace (1.00pm) | Southport Sharks Sonic Bliss (10.00am) + Wil Massey (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Cafe, Nimbin The Floating Bridges (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Tia Gostelow + Thom Lion (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL Deck Don Bronson + Guests (2.00pm) | Little Mermaid

Wayne Foster | Spaghetti and Jazz

Lisa Noble (6.00pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Hoo8hoo + CLEA + Colin Lillie + Sarah Frank | NightQuarter

Kenny Slide | Boatshed Currumbin

Wasted Wanderers + Izzy Day | Miami Marketta

MONDAY 4 JULY

SATURDAY 2 JULY Benny D Williams, Digital Caveman CD launch | The Avalon Miami, 4.20pm | Tix $5 Sharam Jey | elsewhere

Lloyd Saniel (6pm) | Southport Sharks

WEDNESDAY 6 JULY The Baltic Bah Mitzvah | The Nimbin Bush Theatre

Candice Dianna | Merrimac Tavern Andrew Morris (2pm) | Sheoak Shack, Fingal Cavill Lane Buskers' Competition | Surfers Paradise, from 4pm Beetle Juice (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Cafe, Nimbin Pink Tribute (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks High Rollers (7.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Nick Cunningham (7.00pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Café Jo Miguel (7.00pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz Kenny Slide | Quiksilver Boardriders 24

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THURSDAY 7 JULY Zookeepers (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks Kate Leopold (6.30pm) | The Dust Temple George Ferguson (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

FRIDAY 8 JULY Cog | The Northern, Byron Bay Johnathan Devoy (8.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe British India | Soundlounge Currumbin

Felicity Lawless | Beaches on Kirra

Encore (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz Tokyo Beef EP Launch | NightQuarter Jacob Lee (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

Don Bronson + Guests (2.00pm) | Little Mermaid Andrew Hobler (5.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz Kenny Slide | Catalina Café Nicole Parker-Brown + The Late Late Show (12.00pm) | Advancetown Hotel

The Flumes + Sean Fitzerald (5.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Sonic Bliss (10.00am) + Cruise Brothers Jazz (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Café, Nimbin

SATURDAY 9 JULY

MONDAY 11 JULY

28 Days + Area 7 | Parkwood Tavern Geoff Turnbull | Sheoak Shack, Fingal Rockabelly Road + Felicity Lawless | NightQuarter Benny D Williams | Beaches on Kirra Hanlon Brothers (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks Marshall Okell Duo (7.00pm) | Brunswick Hotel Steve Manoa (7.00pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Café Jo Miguel (7.00pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz Rockabelly Road + Felicity Lawless | NightQuarter PurpleZain + Snakes and Daggers + Fingered + Harry Naps + The realist | Miami Shark Bar

Lloyd Saniel (6pm) | Southport Sharks

TUESDAY 12 JULY Johan Danno (8.00pm) | The Cambus Wallace

WEDNESDAY 13 JULY The Bennies + Clowns + Axe Girl + Spanx | The Nimbin Bush Theatre

THURSDAY 14 JULY Zookeepers (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks The Bennies | Miami Tavern Shark Bar CC The Cat Duo (6.00pm) | Deck Sessions at Currumbin RSL

Felicity Lawless (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

Lisa Noble (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Wendy Matthews + Bradley Stone | The Basement, The Arts Centre Gold Coast

FRIDAY 15 JULY

Velvet Martini | Miami Marketta

SUNDAY 10 JULY Benny D Williams (2.00pm) | House of Brews Simon Meola (1.00pm) | Southport Sharks Joshy Dredz | Burleigh Brewing Co. Late For Woodstock (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Sean Fitzgerald (9.00am) | Iron and Resin Garage

Brett Hammond (8.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe Jason McGregor (5.00 - 9.00pm) | Jupiters Hotel & Casino Leoch + Audun | elsewhere Vertigo (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks Kiara Jack | Burleigh Brewing Co. Bill Jacobi (7.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick CC The Cat Band | Glo Dance Uki (Album Launch)

DISCOVER GOLD COAST'S BEST NEW MUSIC

Benny D Williams (6.00pm) | The Arts Centre Terrace Speedracer + The Flame Fields + Sons of the Soil + Chelsea Rockwells "Single Launch" + Wax Mammoth (8.00pm) | Currumbin Creek Tavern | Tix $10 The Angels + MI-SEX | Twin Towns Izzy Day (7.00pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Café

Sonic Bliss (10.00am) + Mon Shelford (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Café, Nimbin

MONDAY 18 JULY Lloyd Saniel (6pm) | Southport Sharks Electrik Lemonade (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

Tortured + Decryptus + Eskhaton + Deathgrip + Parametres | Currumbin Creek Tavern | Tix $15

Set Mo | elsewhere

Jo Miguel (7.00pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Sean Fitzgerald (5.00pm) | Sanctuary Cove Markets

Jingeri Festival | NightQuarter

Ken Kunin & the Crooked Sky + Pirates of the Tempest + The Jake Fox Band + Tommy Sheehan (8.00pm) | Currumbin Creek Tavern | Tix $10

Mish Songsmith (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Café, Nimbin Taylah Little (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

Totum | Hotel Brunswick

Akova (7.00pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Café

Col Atkinson Trio (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

WEDNESDAY 20 JULY

Asa Broomhall (4.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Tracy McNeil and the Goodlife + Rory Ellis | NightQuarter

Everyone Deserves Music: The Lamplights + The Delicates + The Ruiins | Miami Marketta

SUNDAY 24 JULY

Aaron West + Josh Lovegrove | NightQuarter

Kenny Slide (12.00pm) | Beenleigh Artisan Distillery

Bearfoot (5.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Bullhorn + Aine Tyrell (5.00pm) | Miami Marketta

THURSDAY 21 JULY SATURDAY 16 JULY

Zookeepers | Southport Sharks

Sam Buckingham | Sheoak Shack, Fingal (2pm)

Nick and Sam | Hotel Brunswick

Rockin Boogies (8.30pm) | Jupiters Hotel & Casino Josh Hamilton Duo (7.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Sean Fitzgerald (7.00pm) | Board Riders Kate Leopold (7.00pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Café

Joshua King | Dust Temple

Jason McGregor (2.00 - 6.00pm) | New York, New York Clayton Lambert (1.00pm) | Southport Sharks

Jake Meywes | Spaghetti and Jazz

Brad Butcher | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Johan Danno + Crown The Humble + Joshy Dredz (8.00pm) | O’Malleys

Mason Rack (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

FRIDAY 22 JULY Merging Roots| Hard Rock Cafe

Felicity Lawless (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL Deck Don Bronson + Guests (2.00pm) | Little Mermaid

BluesCorp | Southport Sharks

George Ferguson (12.00pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Katie Who + Nicky Convine (4.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Matty Rogers | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Andrew Hobler (5.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Nicole Parker-Brown + The Late Late Show Album Launch (7.30pm) + Felicity Lawless | NightQuarter

Garrett Kato| Hotel Brunswick Julia Rose + Leopold’s Treat + Katie Who + Sophia Coop | Soundlounge

Sonic Bliss (10.00am) + Kiara Jack (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Café, Nimbin

Joe O’Keefe (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Café, Nimbin

Sarah McLeod | Mandala Organic Arts Café

Taylah Little (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

George Ferguson | Spaghetti and Jazz

SUNDAY 17 JULY

The Green Whistle + The Hoomans + Unfinished Business + Kobrakai | Currumbin Creek Tavern

Jason McGregor (from 7.30am) | Bundall Farmer's Markets, The Arts Centre Gold Coast

Tesla Coils EP Release + Good Boy + Keelan Mak + Wren Klauf | NightQuarter

Dean Gray (1pm) | Southport Sharks

The Bella Fontes | Miami Marketta

Wayne Foster (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Felicity Lawless | The Boatshed, Currumbin Danny Widdicombe (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL Deck Don Bronson + Guests (2.00pm) | Little Mermaid Peter Parker (5.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz Kenny Slide | The Avenue

SATURDAY 30 JULY Luke Morris (2pm) | Sheoak Shack, Fingal Jive Cats (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks South Wall (7.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Maryen Cairns (6.30pm) | The Basement (Album launch) | Tix $20/$18 Benny D Williams (2.00pm) | The Boatshed Adam Harpaz (7.00pm) | Mandala Organic Arts Café Jo Miguel (7.00pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz River City Aces | NightQuarter

Zeek Power (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

Zac Sakrewsky Quintet (12.30pm) | Phoenix Rising Café, Nimbin

Tokyo Beef | Broadbeach Tavern

Mardi Wilson (2.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin

MONDAY 25 JULY

Andrea Kirwin Band (4.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Marco (6pm) | Southport Sharks

THURSDAY 28 JULY Zookeepers (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks

SATURDAY 23 JULY

Col Atkinson Trio (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

Live At Bond: Sunset City (2.45pm) | ADCO Ampitheatre, Bond University

FRIDAY 29 JULY

Think Pink (tribute show) | RSL Club, Southport

Encore (6.30pm) | Spaghetti and Jazz

* Catch these SEED artists playing at a venue near you

Isabel (8.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe

The Hodads | Southport Sharks

Mason Rack Band (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks

Distraction Duo | Hotel Brunswick

Aaron West | NightQuarter

Kobya (2.00pm) | the Sheoak Shack, Fingal

Josh Lee Hamilton | Burleigh Brewing Co.

WWW.SEEDSERIES.BANDCAMP.COM

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25

album reviews

THIEVES

Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife Sometimes you put a record on and you instantly know you’re going to love it. It’s almost impossible to rationalise why and there’s really no need to, it’s just a gut feel that says “yes”. I can’t think of a great album that doesn’t grab you from the outset.

And whilst the opening song from Thieves doesn’t leap out at you looking for attention it immediately creates a vibe that both captures your imagination and invites you to climb on board for the ride. The Valley has such a disarming feel and sweet melody, yet surprisingly was the ice breaker for a bout of writer’s block for Tracy McNeil: “There’s a quiet in the valley that I just can’t seem to hear, too busy drowning in the chaos from above that holds me here” but it’s not the chaos that’s holding you here, it’s the honesty.

It’s the combination of Tracy McNeil’s heartfelt openness and her ear for melody that really makes Thieves such an irresistible record. Middle of the Night swings into such an effortless groove that it just sounds like it belongs on the radio, though behind those jangling guitars there is still a vulnerability: “taking in the dark air dreaming of a place where somebody would get it right”.

From laid back retro rock to alt country with a dash of blues Thieves never loses the heart of the song and that’s the essence of what Tracy McNeil does best as a songwriter, she keeps it real.

Perhaps on this album more than ever, as it was written when her dad was dying with cancer. Her father was also a musician and a big inspiration to Tracy and while his presence is there throughout the record it never succumbs to the obvious grief she experienced during this period of her life. Even the most tender of songs like Blueprint and Ashes, which are clearly about her father are wrought with a poignant and at times ethereal beauty.

The first single from the album Paradise has a familiarity that belongs to another time and place. Previously Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife have been compared to Fleetwood Mac, but this is so unerringly close to the mark it sounds like the best thing Fleetwood Mac never recorded, right down to Dan Parson’s licks taking on a Lindsay Buckingham styled lead guitar as the song tails out all the way back to the 70’s and California’s west coast.

Parsons is one of two new members in the band (the other is bassist Trent McKenzie) and brings a whole new dynamic as he shares guitar duties with McNeil’s partner Luke Sinclair.

Parsons is already an accomplished musician with a number of solo albums to his credit, while Sinclair also fronts the acclaimed Melbourne based Americana outfit Raised By Eagles. With so much obvious talent within The GoodLife it could so easily have slipped into a group of virtuosos playing for themselves, yet music this good could only have been created by a band in the purest sense of the word. They sound like they’ve been playing together as a unit for years and now with such a beautiful album to show for it we can only hope that they continue to do so.

Thieves is out on July 1st through Slip Rail Records. Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife play NightQuarter on Friday July 15.

Trevor Jackson www.sounddistractions.com

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THE GOLDHEARTS The Rise And Fall Of The Goldhearts

ZIGGY MARLEY

LUSH

GUY GARVEY

Start It Up is the first track on this self-titled offering and it does just that!

English band Lush were part of the original wave of shoegaze protagonists who surfaced in the late 80's, peddling the genre's signature sound of woozy guitar smear married to swooning pop pleasures. Whilst contemporaries such as Ride and My Bloody Valentine stole the genre limelight, by the mid 90's Lush were heading for more giddy Britpop heights, before ill conceived management decisions and the sudden tragic death of drummer Chris Acland by his own hand cut short the band's upward trajectory.

Late last year Elbow front man Guy Garvey took a sabbatical from his lifelong musical cohorts to explore some new territory with a solo album.

And while Courting the Squall did at times veer into familiar Elbowesque eloquence with Garvey’s whimsical “I’m just a working class lad out of sync with the world at large” poetic lyricism it did manage to avoid the grandeur of Elbow’s work.

Indeed Courting the Squall eschewed the intricacy of Elbow’s arrangements for looser and more adventurous sonic detours that should have pleased Elbow’s fans none-the-less given the band’s unconventional approach to making popular music.

Ziggy Marley

Queensland four-piece The Goldhearts have collectively been around the musical block a few times. Bassist and principal songwriter Margy Joughin was a key part of 90's Brisbane indie starlets The Dream Poppies, a band whose name had me scrounging back to my vintage t-shirt collection to confirm them as part of the epic bill that was Livid Festival of 1994.

The Goldhearts are rounded out by Tracey Kick (also ex Dream Poppies), Claire Harris (another ex Dream Poppy, as well as playing in other well known Brisbane indie bands of the time in Godnose and Razel) together with Daren Williams (ex Secret Assassins). And make no mistake there's a definite early 90's indie-pop crossed with grunge undercurrent at play across many of the 13 tracks that make up The Rise And Fall Of The Goldhearts.

Here's The Thing jumps out of the blocks, it's tough swagger anchored by a sweet undercurrent and fist pumping dynamics, a track made for modern rock playlists. Like the best rockin' anthems it doesn't outstay it's welcome, and before you know it we're onto new single Rise and Fall, which features a catchy chorus and a thumpingly powerhouse drum roll (definitely an underrated musical commodity) towards the track's conclusion.

Cry For You is a moodily chugging mid-pacer with a stinging mid song guitar refrain, while earlier single On The Run has a pleasingly jaunty, country rock bounce married to it's sweet pop smarts. "When you're on the run, don't stop for no one.." Sound advice indeed.

County Jail jumps out of the blocks and ups the tempo again, indie rock guitars married to wistfully sweet vocals delivering another of the album's many impressive moments.

The snappy Not So Nice delivers a sweet country-pop melody married to biting lyrics, while It's You and Too Late are memorably melodic grunge-pop hits just waiting to happen.

Across The Water combines moments of ominous, almost industrial rock dynamics broken open with a melodic chorus.

Closing Down Sale is another wistful pop nugget documenting the end of a relationship, while in following number Know That Line you're at the bar and on the rebound with those grungy guitars once again ringing in your ears.

And final track Fading Light brings down the curtain with a souped up, twangy waltzer.."It's gonna be alright, even in this fading light."

At times catchy, rocking and bold, at other times moody and introspective, The Rise and Fall of the Goldhearts is a consistently enjoyable body of work with smartly sequenced tracks from a band whose collective quality shines consistently to the fore.

Combined with its pop and lyrical smarts, the album will no doubt appeal to those with a yearning for bygone eras when bands such as Veruca Salt and The Clouds ruled the airwaves.

Anthony Gebhardt

An energetic and catchy reggae beat with a super positive message means this song has already found its way onto my pilates class playlists. Ziggy has a mission to awaken people to their own power and Start It Up calls for you to ‘be the revolution’.

The song sets the tone for the album, optimism wrapped in reggae beats with hints of Ziggy’s influences. Despite the fact it addresses important issues like corruption, suffering environment and war, the album is uplifting and encouraging.

Weekend’s Long has a distinct Caribbean feel to it with steel drums front and centre and the idea of getting away from it all growing stronger with each listen.

Ceceil on the other hand has strong hints of 80’s style synthesiser. And there’s a distinct channelling of Bob Marley on the track We Are The People. This song uses more traditional reggae styles and like Bob’s Get Up, Stand Up, seeks to empower.

This is balanced by the beautiful and deep Heaven Can’t Take It, a song with Stephen Marley collaborating - a slower and more sober offering, a plea to stop what we are doing with wars and conflict.

While it does sound like it’s a little serious and on some levels it is, this self-titled album from Ziggy is still a lot of fun. The track Marijuanaman is all about a super hero here to ‘save the land, give poor people a helping hand’. It suggests all world leaders would do better if they just smoked some herb… maybe he’s right?!

This sixth solo album from Ziggy Marley is a reflection of a happy and optimism trying to lift others, to bring about a love revolution. What better way to do that than with the very soul of the Caribbean itself (and a dose of solid musicianship for good measure)?

Erin Bourne

Blind Spot

Open The Door

After almost 20 years of inactivity the band's original creative axis, the dual guitar and vocals of Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson, together with long time bassist Phil King and former Elastica drummer Justin Welch, reconvened to much fanfare in the live arena.

This has now been followed by the release of a new 4 track EP, Blind Spot, their first new material since 1996.

So how does it stack up against their much revered back catalogue? Well those pining for the glory days of yore certainly won't be disappointed! As co front-women, Berenyi and Anderson make for an unmistakable listening experience, their clearly enunciated pop smarts, gorgeously dreamy vocals and woozily chiming guitar-play rising to the fore on mid-tempo opening track Out of Control.

Following this we're treated to the moodily evolving Lost Boy, a lonely, chugging guitar chime and icy-sweet vocals creating an eerily dreamy vibe as the song gathers subtle momentum before melting away into the upbeat, jaunty vibes of track three, Burnham Beeches. It's the EP's breeziest track with a shimmering heart of pop-gold, rising high on the back of a joyous mid song horn interlude.

And final track Rosebud is a dark and stately lullaby of sorts, it's ethereal, wintery vibe the perfect fade-out to a four song cycle, which leaves one slavishly salivating for more.

"Goodnight my baby girl, and dream of paradise.."

Welcome back Lush, it's as though you've never been away..

Anthony Gebhardt

So with Elbow out of the picture for now (a new album is coming in 2017) Mr. Garvey continues to explore his fleeting new found freedom with another offering for the European summer. Not an album this time, just one song Guy says he was inspired to write as he shapes up for some festival performances, hence his claim this song is one that “really gets the party started”.

Open The Door features the same players from his solo album and after an oddly mistimed count in lacking syncopation the song fires up with some understated horns and a swirling organ breaking into a kind of rhythmic urgency that wouldn’t be out of place as part of a 70’s blaxploitation film soundtrack.

Open the Door not only gets the party started, but whets the appetite for what will follow.

Trevor Jackson www.sounddistractions.com www.blankgc.com.au

27

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25

Lifestyle

THE WILL TO FLY

What was the injury that caused the change from gymnast to aerial skier?

I had ankle and wrist injuries. The wrist was so bad that I could hardly open a door knob. Any time off is really crucial in gymnastics and it was coming up to the 1998 Commonwealth Games, I was losing out of time and it was even going to be a long shot for Sydney. At that point it was the hardest decision of my life!

Imagine you had been lobbying for something for six years and the moment had finally come - the big announcement that your hard work had paid off and it was happening.

Imagine you’re all set to be there and then your flight is cancelled, you’re re-routed to another city, have to hire a car and drive for two hours knowing that the moment will have passed, you’re missing it. Disappointed? This is exactly the circumstance Lydia Lassila, aerial skier and Olympic gold medallist, was going through when I spoke to her. Lucky she is a master at overcoming disappointment and rising above barriers.

How did you pull yourself up from that disappointment, the loss of your lifelong dream?

The announcement in question was the NSW government promising to build a water ramp in Lennox Heads specifically for aerial skiers to train. Lydia says this will enable aerial skiers to rise to the next level making them even more competitive on the international stage. It will potentially help her achieve a ticket to her fifth Olympics and it’s just one example of the ways in which Lydia seeks to leave a legacy for those who follow.

Would you consider another sport shift?

Lydia Lassila is the author of The Will to Fly, an autobiography which chronicles her journey from gymnast to world champion and gold medal winning aerial skier.

The book is now a movie which screened at the Gold Coast Arts Centre on Saturday 18th June with a Q & A session with Lydia after. I got the jump on everyone and chatted to her about the change in direction, the book and movie, her current dreams and aspirations and what it takes to be an Olympic champion.

It was brutal, really depressing. I was also heading into my VCE (Victorian High School Certificate), which was a pretty important time in my teenage years. I had that feeling that gymnastics wasn’t going to work out but maybe another sport would. I thought about water sports like surfing, iron woman or triathlon because I enjoyed those and I grew up on the surf coast of Victoria, it seemed like a good fit. Then the skiing opportunity came up.

[laughing] I’m too old for that!! I’m really getting into my surfing again now but more for recreation.

When and why did you write the book?

I wrote a book after the 2010 (Vancouver) Olympics, I just added crucial moments in between then and Sochi (2014) and repackaged it as ‘The Will to Fly.’ I actually wrote it for me, it was almost cleansing to go through all those events that led to now. I really enjoyed the process.

The movie?

I think people expect it to be a ski movie/sport doco or to be really dry. It’s more than that. It really covers a range of issues from gender equality in sport to the power of your own will and tenacity.

Erin Bourne

THE WILL TO FLY BOOK IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. VISIT THEWILLTOFLYFILM.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY.

GOLD COASTER AIMS FOR FACE OF THE GLOBE In 2015, Helensvale local Gemma White placed first in the Queensland division of the Miss Galaxy Australia pageant, and fourth in Australia overall. In September of this year the national finals will be held on the Gold Coast, with the winner going on to represent Australia at the international Face of the Globe 2017 finals overseas. Gemma hopes to be that winner.

“Face of the Globe is different to a lot of pageants,” she explains.

“It really focuses on our philanthropy, fundraising and community work. Along with fashion wear, evening wear and a fitness round, there are 3 interview stages at the International pageant and no swimwear round.”

Starting out as a volunteer for Ronald McDonald House and now an ambassador for children’s mentor charity icanwill, Gemma is no stranger to raising both funds and awareness for those less fortunate. She elaborates.

“I am raising money for Face of the Globe's affiliated charity, the Rainbow Child Foundation, a non-profit organisation that helps underprivileged children around the world by providing schools with play pumps, sanitation, farm seed banks and HIV awareness programs… I volunteered my time teaching English to disadvantaged children in Cambodia back in November last year so I have seen firsthand how charities like the Rainbow Child Foundation can make a huge impact for children around the world.”

“I have raised over $2000 for various charities over the past 2 years including Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, Make-AWish Australia and icaniwill Australia,” continues Gemma. “[icanwill is] a not for profit organisation making charity cool & fun to inspire people to mentor children at risk, especially those with special needs to end bullying and discrimination.”

With passion and her home town behind her in September, we hope Gemma can continue her journey onto the international stage, as well as continuing to raise much needed funds for her charities.

“Pageants to me are more than just about being the prettiest girl on stage,” she states.

“It's about making a difference. I hope to be a voice, a role model and an Ambassador to other girls, woman and younger generations.”

Natalie O’Driscoll

22

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Pictured: Lastlings

HANGING FIVE WITH: DANEEL AND THE FEEL SPIEGEL GOES SOLO WITH SIGNATURE GUITAR Aussie blues master Lloyd Spiegel is renowned for his distinctive acoustic style and lightningfast finger picking. As an ambassador for Cole Clark guitars, he is also in the unique position of being involved in the creation process of instruments that work for his particular style Natalie O'Driscoll spoke with the affable aficionado about everything from getting bitten by the blues bug to his fantasy gig at the Muppet Theatre.

You've described yourself as an aggressive guitar player.

What effect does that have on your instruments and how long would one guitar generally last you?

Daneel and The Feel are Daneel Cram (vocals/guitar), Caleb Dean (guitar), Anton Rize (drums) and Ryan Grantham (bass). They serve up pop-rock heavily laced with groove and blues, lyrics with mood, and melodies that you can sing along to. Mella Bunker posed a few questions.

What do you love most about living on the GC? I grew up here, moved to Sydney and then came back nine years ago. I can’t see myself living anywhere else! The proximity of the beach to the bush, lack of pollution, general vibe and pace of life just resonate with me.

Tell us about the best gig you’ve ever played?

I also play in an all-girl AC/DC tribute band called Her Way To Hell, and we were lucky enough to play for two nights at BeerFest (Singapore, 2014) to thousands of people. Playing to so many was an amazing feeling, and I hope to be able to do that with Daneel & The Feel some time.

I've spent a lot of time working with Cole Clark on my guitars. It's a matter of playing the odds. I select really hard timbers like Blackwood or Bunya for the tops and get them serviced constantly but they're a tough guitar and that's part of why I chose to play them. I tend to get a new one every couple of years. I don't kill them as such. They just get tired and as my style changes, so do the timbers.

What are your thoughts on the GC music scene

How did you get bitten by the blues bug?

If you could take five musicians on a roadtrip, who would you choose?

I didn't know there was any other music. My parents played old rock and roll records in the house and from a very young age I was out watching local blues bands so I just assumed that was what all the kids listened to. Blues is a simple form of groove that hits straight at the heart. If any child is introduced to it, they'll react and I was lucky to have it nurtured.

My DREAM van-full of musos would be Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Mark Knopfler, ABBA (if you can roll them into one person), and David Gilmour. We would make the BEST. MUSIC. EVER.

Can you tell us about an experience playing with one of your heroes, that will stay with you forever?

I have been really lucky to sit in with a lot of my idols, but the best memory I have of a moment like that was sitting in Brownie McGhee's garage in Oakland CA as a 16 year old kid. I know he isn't the 'most famous' person I have jammed with, but he is by far my all time favourite bluesman and an enormous part of why I became a blues guitarist. He might as well have been Elvis to me and to actually be in his home, really jamming, not just some favour to someone or promo opportunity.... That stays with me always and I open every show with a Brownie McGhee tunes as a reminder.

MORE AT BLANKGC.COM.AU

I think the music scene is thriving here right now, and with culture exploding over the last few years, it’s an extremely exciting time for anyone creative! We can always do with more original music venues, but I believe that will come soon – Gold Coasters LOVE live music.

What brought you to this career focus right now?

Music is my absolute passion, and has been ever since I can remember. I started playing in bands when I was 16, and it has taken me many years to gain the confidence and skills to pull off fronting my own band with my own material, but now, there is no stopping me!

BIGSOUND’S BIG FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT BIGSOUND is promising a glimpse of the future, with the first 100 acts on its live lineup announced last week.

For three nights, hundreds of Australia’s best talent will show you why they’re on the lips of tastemakers here and abroad.

Sampa the Great, Alex Lahey, West Thebarton Brothel Party, Tash Sultana, Gabriella Cohen and Tigertown are amongst those with a highly sought-after BIGSOUND berth.

“Nick and I thoroughly reviewed every single act on this lineup so far,” said BIGSOUND co-programmer Maggie Collins.

“All the acts make compelling music in their own style and are in a position to use BIGSOUND to make their mark either nationally or globally. What an honor it is to facilitate that process and further strengthen the economy of contemporary Australian music."

Gold Coast brother-sister duo Lastlings (pictured) made the cut with international visitors NAATIONS (US), Faxerdaze (NZ and Prateek Kuhad (India) also on the lineup, which cements BIGSOUND’s rise as the southern hemisphere’s biggest global music marketplace.

BIGSOUND takes place 7 – 9 September and a Gold Coast music showcase will take place on Thursday 8 September.

The lineup for that showcase is still to be confirmed.

Tickets for the BIGSOUND Festival, which is the night-time live music component of the event are on sale now for just $75+bf for two huge nights of music with 150 bands across fifteen venues, plus a third night closing party at the Triffid on Friday 9 September.

Samantha Morris

DANEEL AND THE FEEL LAUNCH THEIR DEBUT EP RADAR OF LOVE AT CURRUMBIN CREEK TAVERN ON 1 JULY.

GET THE FULL LINEUP, PLUS TICKETS, AT BIGSOUND.ORG.AU. www.blankgc.com.au

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SATURDAY 2 JULY 8 Chair Moves for Better Desk Posture 12.00pm Essence of Living, 52 Peerless Avenue, Mermaid Beach

SATURDAY 9 JULY Cuisine on the Green 5.30 - 10.00pm Surfers Paradise Golf Club, 1 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters

SATURDAY 16 JULY Kokoda Track Challenge 7.00am - 2.00pm Firth Park, Mudgeeraba

COMEDY FOOD & DRINK MARKETS FILM ART THEATRE MUSIC

SATURDAY 23 JULY Always Patsy Cline 2.00 - 7.00pm The Arts Centre Gold Coast, 135 Bundall Road, Surfes Paradise

THURSDAY 7 JULY Life Drawing 6.30 - 9.00pm The Dust Temple, Currumbin Creek Road 8 - 17 JULY Viva Surfers Paradise

WEDNESDAY 13 JULY Stand Up at Mack's 7.30pm Southport Sharks, Corner Musgrave & Olsen Ave

MONDAY 18 JULY Lights Out and Dance 7.00 - 8.00pm Burleigh Heads State School

WEDNESDAY 27 JULY Art Exhibition - Ang + Kim 5.00 - 9.00pm Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

THURSDAY 14 JULY Community Arts Workshop 10.00am - 2.00pm One Arts, Corner Verona Avene & Via Roma, Isle of Capri

SUNDAY 22 JULY Sunday Brew Jams 3.00 - 8.30pm Burleigh Brewing Co Tap House, 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads

SATURDAY 30 JULY Spinal Muscular Atrophy Mad hatter's Tea Party 12.00 - 2.00pm Sharaton Grand Mirage Resort, 71 Seaworkd Drive, Main Beach

Proud presenting partner of the

Gold Coast

Music Awards

Lifestyle

SITTING IS A DISEASE PART 3 As we now know, when we sit and if the abdominals are not a little engaged to correct posture, we end up slouching. The shoulders slump forward and we get a little hunchback.

We have previously looked at how to open the front of the chest and shoulders as this area gets short and closes in. This article looks at the other side of the coin, the tight muscles through the back of the shoulders.

When the shoulders are slouching forward the muscles in the back of the shoulders are being tightened as they are constantly contracting to try to limit the forward slouch.

These muscles are working hard all the time, which means they need as much attention as the front of the body.

This stretch opens the back of the shoulders and gives those over worked muscles some relief. It is also a great pose to do if you surf!

To do this pose we bring one elbow underneath the other with bent arms. For some of us the elbows will not fit neatly one under the other, the range may not be there, but do the best you can. We then intertwine the forearms and if it's achievable for you, bring the palms together. If that isn’t going to happen yet, bringing the back of the hands or forearms together is fine. Now try to lift the elbows up while you draw the shoulder blades down and move the hands away from the face. Hold for at least one minute then switch arms so the other arm is underneath and repeat.

Opening up and relaxing these muscles will help to ease your neck and release the tension that tends to creep upwards. Sometimes the tension through the shoulders and neck causes headaches so it becomes even more beneficial to release these areas. It really is important to do these stretches and to work on both sides to bring balance back into the body.

For those of you who are interested I will be running a workshop on Saturday 2nd July at 12pm: 8 Chair Moves to Better Desk Posture.

This will run for an hour and a half and cover all you need to know to help your body feel good again. Investment is just $35, spaces are limited and the venue is Essence of Living Mermaid Beach.

Erin Bourne

PLEASE CONTACT ESSENCE OF LIVING OR ERIN THROUGH ALOKA.COM.AU TO BOOK YOUR SPOT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUN AWAY TO JOIN THE CIRCUS I must have driven past Circus Arts at the side of the M1 a thousand times, always thinking “I really must give that a go.” Then one sunny Sunday afternoon I finally got around to it. I was going to take a trapeze lesson. Not being the most coordinated of people I had little to no expectation in terms of results, but as the saying goes, you should try everything once apart from incest and folk dancing.

As Izzie, our friendly instructor for the afternoon, explained how everything worked and gave us a quick on-the-ground demonstration, the rest of the team prepared the trapeze. To start with we were going to swing off the platform, put our legs over the bar and swing upside down before letting go and landing in the springy net below.

Wearing a safety harness and not being scared of heights, I was more excited than nervous, unlike some of my fellow learners.

As I climbed to the top of the platform and had to reach out to the trapeze bar I did have a sudden moment of apprehension. I'm not sure if it was trusting the instructor not to let go of me or fear of the unknown. But I quickly put it aside, grabbed the bar and prepared for my first trapeze attempt.

The feeling of swinging through the air was amazing. I was genuinely surprised when the instructor called out what to do from below and my body just sort of followed the instructions without thinking, and before I

knew it I was swinging upside down by my legs, all uneasiness forgotten.

Exhilarated from my first attempt I joined Izzie and the rest of the class for our next lesson, the back flip. He made it sound simple, but I didn't imagine it was going to be once you got up there. To my surprise once again my body just seemed to know what to do, I didn't think too much about it I just followed the instructors’ calls and flipped, somewhat gracefully, off the trapeze.

For the last go of the day we were going to learn to be caught by the instructor while he swung on the opposing trapeze. This would involve good timing and coordination, neither of which I'm well known for. Again giving it a go I really surprised myself as I swing upside down by my legs arched back, stretched out my arms and managed to grab onto Izzie and let go with my legs at the same time flying through the air with nothing but another person (and a safety harness!) holding me up.

Sarah Loughlin To see more from Sarah visit itsonlyaplanerideaway.com

TO LEARN MORE VISIT CIRCUSARTS.COM.AU. www.blankgc.com.au

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OUTBACK IN YOWAH Lifestyle

A school fossicking trip that unearthed more than just Opals The bus rolled into Yowah late one afternoon; our twenty Shearwater School children travel-tired from a nine-hour drive but, so excited to have finally arrived at our outback fossicking base for the next four days. The five adults relaxed too, with nerves just a little frayed after spending the last two hours of the drive out from Cunnamulla on the edge of our seats with all eyes peeled, scouting for rogue kangaroos or emus that were randomly bounding onto the road with frequency and could have meant our school’s class six fossicking adventure into the outback might well have started with a bang, literally. Unfortunately we did end up hitting a ‘roo on the way home, but that’s another story.

Nevertheless, we were nine days into a sixteen-day fossicking camp for class six, and had already packed so many wonderful experiences into our time so far that expectations were high as we rolled into the desolate, dry and uniquely beautiful opal mining town of Yowah.

After the long drive west, we gladly pulled the bus into the free camping entrance and rolled to a stop in order to get our bearings in the waning light. As we took stock of our dry and dusty surroundings, barely making out the deep red colour of the earth underfoot, we noticed someone walking towards us across the open ground, barefoot and blond girl in tow, and were warmly greeted by a woman wearing an Aussie Rules Collingwood jersey with a huge smile. Being a former Victorian, this wasn’t a sight I was expecting to see in outback western Queensland, yet came to typify the culture and sense of individual freedom we saw was embraced amongst the Yowah townsfolk.

“Welcome to Yowah!”, the woman grinned. “I’m Linda, and you must be the Shearwater school! “ “We were worried about you lot, you’re a bit later than we expected so thought you might have hit a ‘roo or worse, an Emu, stupid chickens they are! Not to worry, you’re all safe so that’s the main thing and we’re all really excited that you’ve come out to visit us. We can’t wait to show you around our amazing town we love so much, but let’s get your camp sorted tonight so that you can set up before it’s too dark.”

“You know we’re expecting rain? Haven’t had any decent rain for two years, although we did get a bit in January.

Not to worry though, we’ve sorted you out with backup accommodation at our little school in case it does. Cara, our principal, is more than happy for you all to bunk down in the library.”

“Our P&C are putting on a BBQ for you too, we’ve all been looking forward to having you here and are really happy that there’s schools and people like yourselves who want to come

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out to visit. So just let me know which night you’d like to do the BBQ and we’ll arrange the rest.”

past an abandoned historic brick home, handmade using a local kiln and with walls embedded with pottery/opals.

“Now, follow me. I’ve got you placed way down the back of the free camping area as you’ve asked so you can get a feel for the outback away from town. My husband, Sean, will bring down some firewood for you a little while too, he won’t be long.”

On the way back to camp, we all remarked at the incredible generosity that the Yowah townsfolk were extending us, quite a humbling experience.

“Oh, and drinking water is available for you at the big rain water tank in town, I’ll take you up there later and show you where you can fill your jerry cans, but first just follow me”.

All in one breath, we had just met the amazing and generous spirit that is Linda, one of the many people and town treasures we were to encounter over the coming days on our adventure into the Outback Camps are an integral part of the learning program at Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School, a K-12 school and preschool of almost 700 students in the Byron Bay hinterland of northern NSW. They support our students to engage in community and broaden their cultural experiences; to build resilience and bond with their classmates and teacher; and to immerse themselves in the history and geography of the areas they visit. Our time in Yowah proved time and again just how important it is to experience different places and cultures.

Having set up camp, water reserves refilled and with fire loaded to last an expected chilly night, we bedded down in our swags laid out on the red ironstone dirt and quickly feel asleep under a clear sky and our very own million-star hotel.

The pending rain had started to sprinkle during the morning, perhaps as a sign of things to come, so when we returned to camp laden with the fruits of our morning’s labour, our camp had been relocated to the local school.

Meeting us when we arrived was Linda and the school’s teaching principal, Cara, who we learned was “living the dream” with her husband and co-teacher. Cara and her husband had been holidaying in Yowah for over 15 years and after completing their studies in Brisbane followed by a short stint in the remoteness of Broken Hill, had landed their dream jobs teaching and living within the community of Yowah. When the rains did hit in earnest later that evening, we were extremely grateful for their hospitality and willingness to open the school to us.

After walking around and fossicking in the dusty landscape, a visit to Yowah isn’t complete without a relaxing soak in the local swimming pool. Once settled into our new camp in the school’s library, Linda led our group across town for a late afternoon treat and for many of us, the first hot water we’d had to bathe in for several days. Fed by water from the twohundred-year old Artesian bore head and cleverly delivered into the pool at a very comfortable 40 deg.C, the healing properties and minerals of the warm Artesian water was a blessing we enjoyed each day.

The next morning spirits were high as we set out on a fossicking hike led by 20 year local Scotty, a great character who was lovely with the kids. Morning tea was courtesy of the P&C (Linda) and generously hosted at the local store/ cafe by Anne and Maddy. We were luxuriously treated to a selection of juicy, sweet and colourful fruit that seemed magically to appear in the dry hot soundings and after a morning of fossicking, it was a much appreciated gesture.

Incidentally, Anne and husband Rick are also the caravan Park owners and now bring much needed fresh meat and veggies into the town, making the 260 km round trip to Cunnamulla for supplies twice a week. Scotty then appeared again with a number of large polished opals from his own possession which he generously proceeded to give out to the class — including some small opal hat pins, one each for the children.

Having soaked our tired muscles and recharged our batteries, we finished day one with an evening sausage sizzle again courtesy of the P&C, organised and cooked by Linda and her family.

A pleasant surprise for the children was a guided bird walk on the way back to camp, with local twitcher and guide, Irene. We were shown Zebra Finches, Mud Larks, Lousy Jacks as well as a Western Bower Bird bower as we walked

Not to leave any stone unturned while at The Bluff, Jeff then directed us to a series of caves that have been eroded into the steep sides of the raised landmass and we could have spent hours exploring the enchanting structures. Generosity of

The agenda for day two was “A walk in the Outback” and as we walked the five kilometres out to The Bluff, it was hard not to become entranced by the ironstone landscape and seemingly infinite Mulga scrub that surrounded Yowah in all directions. The calming effect stayed with us for hours. Once on top of The Bluff, we marvelled at the 360-degree view that a 50 m elevation in remarkably flat country gives of the land in all directions, and found an appreciation for how flat and remote it all is. While enjoying the view, we were treated to stories and information about the area from 25 year on/off local Jeff, who proudly shared some of Yowah’s history and how he’d observed life change over his years of living there.

Lifestyle

spirit was again on show during our walk back to camp as Jeff proceeded, much to the delight of some hot and dusty walkers, to shuttle the children back to our school camp one carload at a time. A gentlemen through and through.

If the walk out to The Bluff wasn’t enough exercise, we decided that the uniquely lush green grass curated at the Yowah primary school was just crying out for a game of soccer! Ensuring the local children were represented on each of the teams, we spent the next hour or two running around on the soft thick grassed area, which felt like an oasis for the children after lots of walking and fossicking in the dry open landscape of red earth.

Day two finished with another relaxing swim and soak in the Artesian pools courtesy of Linda, with a camp concert and singalong with local school kids back at the school after dinner.

We were again humbled by the generosity of the Yowah community on our final day, whereby locals Susie and Shorty generously gave each of our children an Opal to add to their collections which they then proceeded to polish for them.

The children were mesmerised all morning during the process and we were so impressed with the results some of our parents back home have decided to make their pieces into jewellery.

Once the Opals were all polished though, Susie and Shorty once again surprised us by giving each of the children a parting gift — another polished Opal. We are truly grateful to have been the recipients of such generosity.

The rain over the previous few days was a welcomed relief but quickly soaked into the dry earth, so concern from the locals was whether there would be the much needed follow up rains that really make the difference out there. As a parting gesture before heading off on the long drive to our next camp, we joined together in a circle with the Yowah primary school (and Linda!) and then all led the school in a rain dance. We hope it worked!

There was much goodwill and laughter as we posed for a parting group photo in front of the school buildings, and a mutual desire shared in continuing to build on the new relationship established between our two schools. All agreed it would be wonderful if we could reciprocate and play host to our new friends back in our comparatively lush community and school in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, at some point in the future. It would certainly provide us with an opportunity to extend in our own unique way, the same humbling generosity and warmth that was afforded to us by the community during our stay in outback western Queensland. With a bit of planning we hope to make this a reality.

Our short fossicking adventure in Yowah turned out to be a deeply rich experience in a multitude of ways, one that unearthed more than just Opals and an experience that will live on in our memories for years to come.

Ash Martin and Tori Heath

www.blankgc.com.au

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Environment

THEY CAN BE HEROES Green Heroes, focused on young people aged three to seven, aims to actively engage children in hands-on environmental learning.

“We believe every child has the power to make a significant impact on the environment and conservation,” founder Sarah Jantos about the new organisation. “In a time when environmental news is often not good news, Green Heroes focuses on positive empowerment.”

With a big-picture goal of connecting young people and their families with nature, the organisation launched last month with a coast care activity and planted more than 60 trees.

Sarah says that in order to protect and conserve, kids must first develop a love of the natural world which is “best achieved through hands-on activities that are fun and educational.”

“They grow sensitive to the intricate weavings and connection of all all living things,” she said.

“Children are inspired beings, and hands-on activities such as beach clean-ups are a great way for parents to harness the energy of their children towards something positive,” she said of the group’s launch.

“Focusing on the outdoors and spending time in the natural world is calming and soothing for all of us, and having a reason to do this with your family also gives children (and adults) a sense of purpose.”

GREEN HEROES, 24 JULY AT FINGAL HEAD SURF CLUB FROM 10.00AM.

The group gathers their Green Heroes on one Sunday a month, with July’s gathering at Fingal Head Surf Club. That event takes place Sunday 24 July with Rainbow Eagle, an Indigenous storyteller and dancer performing as part of the program. Bookings are essential.

Sarah said the big Green Heroes project was more about hands-on protection and conservation in northern NSW.

I’m not gonna pretend to know how to talk about beer, so I’ll quote them directly. The lager “balances the subtle malt foundation with a firm bitterness and dry finish… different to tradition lagers by bing dry hopped and left unfiltered.”

“We are working on raising enough to purchase a large property that will remain forever protected,” she said. “This will also become a wildlife release site and a green heroes sanctuary that will hold retreats for children and their families.”

Big Scrub is just one beer in Stone & Wood’s Beers from our Backyard range. And if you like rainforest, you should make a diary note that Big Scrub Rainforest Day – one of the biggest and longest running environmental events in Australia – takes place on Sunday 16 October with Bob Brown as special guest.

The groups upcoming activities include ocean ecology, nesting boxes and worm farms.

For more information or to book, visit greenheroes.com.au.

More at bigscrubrainforest.org.au.

Samantha Morris

The new entity, Rainforest Trust Australia, will act as the Australian arm of the organisation, and Mullumbimby man Kelvin Davies has been appointed as the group’s inaugural CEO. Kelvin comes to the role with a long history in rainforest conservation, including serving as CEO and Founding Director of Rainforest Rescue for 15 years and working collaboratively with Blank founder and editor Samantha Morris on conservation projects for the past three years.

He said the merger between Australian Rainforest Foundation and Rainforest Trust will see significant gains in rainforest conservation across the globe, as well as a focus on northern NSW activities.

“In collaboration with a local conservation partner, Rainforest Trust recently celebrated the landmark creation of the immense 3.3 million acre Sierra del Divisor National Park in Peru’s Amazon rainforest,” Kelvin said.

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The new national park is the final link in a 67 million acre Andes-Amazon Conservation Corridor that protects both wildlife and indigenous communities.

A little closer to home, the US organisation also successfully protected 168,032 acres of rainforest in Borneo from logging and oil palm companies. The land is essential habitat for endangered wildlife such as Bornean Orangutans, Bornean Pygmy Elephants and Clouded Leopards and includes some of the most critical stretches of lowland rainforest in Borneo.

“That’s just two examples of what is being achieved at the global scale,” Kelvin said.

“Since 1988, Rainforest Trust has purchased and protected 11.5 million acres with a goal of saving 50 million acres of rainforests and tropical habitat for endangered species around the world by 2020. What’s really exciting is that Australia’s rainforests are now on the radar as part of that bigger picture.”

“Australian donors can now make tax deductible donations to support Rainforest Trust’s global land conservation projects, but more significantly, donors from all over the world can help protect rainforests here,” Kelvin said.

The Big Scrub used to be the largest tract of subtropical rainforest in Australia. Now less than one percent remains.

And those remains are scattered between the towns of Byron Bay, Lismore and Ballina.

What’s left of the Big Scrub rainforest is a potent reminder of the importance of protecting our own back yard. And it’s with that theme that Byron-based brewers Stone & Wood have launched their “new age” lager, dubbed Big Scrub.

NORTHERN NSW RAINFORESTS WILL BENEFIT FROM GLOBAL MERGER Australian Rainforest Foundation, which has purchased and protected 36 Australian rainforest properties, has announced its merger with long established US-based charity, Rainforest Trust.

BIG SCRUB RAINFOREST + BEER

Through the merger, Rainforest Trust Australia gains board expertise from the USA, including renowned ornithologist and conservationist Paul Salaman, who has personally discovered five new bird species.

“Locally, we are engaging the Madhima Gulgan Bush Regeneration Team to restore the Big Scrub Rainforest,” Kelvin said. “Through this program, we create employment for Aboriginal people working on Country.”

Rainforest Trust Australia will extend this model to other parts of Australia.

They’re also about to launch their Daintree Rewilding project, which includes the purchase of properties in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, which will then be gifted back to the Queensland Government for inclusion into Queensland’s national park estate.

“Donors are often looking for organisations that can guarantee the maximum amount of money hitting the ground,” Kelvin said.

“Through this merger, we eliminate duplication of efforts, increase organisational efficiency and ensure the best possible outcome for rainforests.”

Samantha Morris

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT RAINFORESTTRUST.ORG.

Gecko Environmental Council is determined to turn climate change gloom into boom with its Climate Change for Good conference which takes place Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July.

CLIMATE CHANGE: GLOOM INTO BOOM

The two-day event offers some serious networking and collaboration opportunities with climate scientists, future thinkers, food security experts, campaigners, economists and young people determined to take the event’s key messages to political leaders and policy makers.

Which makes the event even more interesting, as the Federal election takes place at the same time.

"This conference is an idea-creation machine,” said Lois Levy, Conference Convener. “It sits well to host Climate Change for Good Conference over the Federal election weekend as it highlights a number of key objectives - the primary being to give the community a voice to take action, real action," she said.

She believes the community needs a voice so the government will recognise the need for action.

"We hosted a climate change information evening last year and it was obvious that the Gold Coast needed more. People said governments at all levels were not doing enough about climate change and that’s what motivated us to create this event: a sense that Gold Coasters were ready to take action.”

The program includes presentations by seasoned campaigners such as Rob Pekin (Food Connect) and Dr Moira Williams (350.org) as well as organisations like Tangaroa Blue, Doctors for the Environment.

Beyond Zero Emissions, Australian Ethical Investment and the Australian Solar Council.

Larissa is a young woman from the Widjabul clan of the Bundajalung nation and leads Seed’s campaigns and strategy nationally ensuring partnerships with frontline Indigenous communities.

Dr Steven Miles, Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is also a keynote speaker.

Samantha Morris

TICKETS TO THE EVENT ARE JUST $30 PER DAY AND ARE AVAILABLE AT CLIMATECHANGEFORGOOD. COM.AU.

Larissa Baldwin, who is the National Director for Seed and a previous Queensland Campaigner for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition is a keynote speaker.

THE ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST PRESENTS

Proudly supported by

www.blankgc.com.au

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Arts & Culture UBUNTU SINGS TO CHANGE THE WORLD

The 14 member cast of African Youth Choir Ubuntu are former members of the African Children’s Choir, whose sponsorship has afforded their education and graduation from high school. No strangers to world tours, as they graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the London Palladium performing for US Presidents and Nobel Prize winners with celebrities such as Will Smith, Bob Geldof, Alicia Keys and Annie Lennox. In June of 2016 they performed in our very own Gold Coast, where Blank’s Natalie O’Driscoll spoke with one of the cast members Kenneth and tour manager Abraham.

Now 19, Kenneth tells me how he came to be accepted into the choir program.

“At the age of eight we lost my dad to AIDS. He left five of us my mother and four kids. My mum couldn’t support us

or take us to school. The African Children’s Choir (ACC) realised my need and I was auditioned and selected into the choir. Because of the ACC have an education, I never had that hope before, I never hoped I would complete high school or even start school and it’s [a] great privilege. I’ve completed (sic) high school in August. I’ll be going to university for civil engineering. Construction here is not yet to the top level but I believe it will be a boom in the future. I want to help my country develop and build roads, and build infrastructure and help Uganda move forward.”

During their time in Australia the choir members were hosted and billeted by local residents where they had the opportunity for a grass roots cultural exchange. The tour was made possible due to the outstanding initiatives of Gold Coast based charity, Kwaya, whose purposes is to provide opportunities for people from different cultures to perform and engage in cross cultural musical exchanges and participate in altruistic life-changing projects.

“I’m loving it, it’s one of my favourite tours I’ve done so far it’s lovely I’m enjoying it”, said Kenneth of the Australian tour which saw the choir visit the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Brisbane.

Having travelled together since childhood and had such incredible experiences as a group has bonded the members for life, although they come from different areas.

“They [the cast] feel like family now, they love me, they care for me and I never felt this accepted and loved before. I feel good now. We are from different parts from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Nigeria, different parts of Africa, the choir operates in over seven countries. We attend the same primary school when we get off the school and go on the road it’s for former choir kids.”

Tour manager Abraham explains how the choir was founded.

“The founder had come to Uganda at a time of civil war. He picked up a young child and began singing and thought if only the rest of the world could see the other side of Africa.

The work started in Uganda and then spread to South Africa.”

“As for now really our focus is on the sponsorship of the children.Each child that comes into our program at the age of eight our commitment is to educate them up to the university. For the last 31 years we’ve educated over 52,000 children. Each one gets about 4-5 sponsors, which helps cover education all the way.”

I’m curious about the balance of boys and girls.

“It’s pretty even,” says Abraham.

“Right now the choir that is on tour we have seven boys and seven girls. As an organisation we put it quite even.”

Both Abraham and Kenneth are effusive in their gratitude to Kwaya and its founder Marsha Gusti, as well as their billets and the appreciative audiences they have encountered along the way.

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have this opportunity,” says Kenneth.

“I believe that education can change the world.”

MORE AT KWAYA.ORG

THE NEXT LAYER OF AUGMENTED REALITY Augmented Reality is a mix of real life and virtual reality displayed within an app using a mobile phone or tablet's camera. The UnseenGC augmented reality exhibition at the new Cultural Precinct has been very well received with over 600 downloads of Layar (the application that turns your smartphone or tablet into a portal of augmented reality) to date. And now it is time to turn our attention to the next layer of this kind of reality: Phase 2 of the project.

“In conjunction with dLux media we will host a workshop on site to train students on the development of augmented reality (AR) art works,” Anna Carroll, director of Gold Coast Cultural Precinct described.

“Facilitator Dr Andrew Burrell is a senior media artist, university lecturer and skilled teacher who will deliver the workshop for tertiary students with the intent of developing work for consideration exhibitions as well as deepening their knowledge.”

The workshop will be held on 15 July and is designed to give all participants an overview into the medium as well as discussion on notable international work in the field. The workshop takes the participants further into the realm of AR through techniques and a process of developing their own piece of augmented reality during a guided workshop.

This workshop has a longer-term plan and opportunities for the participants. At the end of the workshop, students have the opportunity to submit their AR work to the Gold Coast City Gallery to be added to the current exhibition.

14 www.blankgc.com.au Another opportunity presented to the budding digital artists

is the guidance and encouragement to submit their work to be included in the existing UnSeenGC exhibition. Three pieces will be chosen by a selection panel including Gold Coast City Gallery Director Tracy Cooper-Lavery, Tara Morelos, director of dLux Media and Dr Andrew Burrell.

The pieces will be exhibited alongside Jake Hempson’s existing works. But competition is fierce and the participants will be up against an array of other AR work. The Expressions of Interest have gone out for international, national and local artists to submit artwork for the expanded UnSeenGC exhibition as well.

Dr Andrew Burrell is an independent contemporary arts practitioner, with a strong history in real time 3D and interactive audio installation. He is exploring notions of self, narrative and artificial life systems upon an individual’s sense of identity. His collaboration projects have received both international and national recognition and have been exhibited both online and in physical gallery spaces. He shares an interest in contemporary technology, how that changes the world around us and affects our everyday life. He explores the notion of what we are told about these gadgets, how they work

and what their possibilities are and takes that a step further by discovering what they were not intended to do.

Anna Itkonen

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN HOW TO TWIST AND SHAPE OUR REALITY, HEAD TO THE ART CENTRE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND REGISTRATION. AND FOR THE ART APPRECIATORS AMONGST US, KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR THE ART YOU CANNOT SEE. THERE IS MORE TO COME. VISIT: THEARTSCENTREGC.COM.AU

Arts & Culture

GOT A MINUTE LEIGH SALES?

LEIGH SALES IS AT THE 2016 BYRON BAY WRITER'S FESTIVAL:

Hosting the ABC's 7.30 current affairs program is arguably the most highly respected job in Australian journalism. Leigh Sales had the daunting task of filling Kerry O'Brien's shoes after 15 years in the chair, and amidst all the inevitable criticism that faces women in the media, and filling an ABC stalwart's shoes, Sales won a Walkley award partly due to her take-noprisoners interview with Tony Abbott in 2012. Add two pregnancies during the 5 years she has been hosting 7.30 into the mix, and most mother's would be wondering "how does she do it?"

Well, Leigh Sales not only delivers the tough questions to politicians, business leaders and media personalities on a nightly basis, she also manages to read books, cook, watch TV, go to movies, theatre and art galleries, and listen to podcasts. Not only that, she has found time to produce an iView series called When I Get a Minute about her cultural obsessions with her good friend, Kitchen Cabinet's Annabel Crabb.

Both women will be attending the Byron Bay Writer's Festival for a When I get a Minute Literary Dinner to discuss everything that inspires them. As the Federal election will be over, politics are off the table. Leigh Sales found a minute during the pre-election circus to chat with Pip Andreas.

I love your iView show When I get a Minute with Annabel Crabb. The idea of catching up with your bestie in short bursts to discuss books, art, films, TV and cooking seems like an excellent antidote to the stressors of work and family. Was that the reason for doing the show?

If no cooking show, is there any other collaboration you are both working on? Will it involve home surgery?

It was. We also had so much feedback about our podcast Chat 10, Looks 3, that we wanted to dip a toe in the water to see if it would translate to television.

It seems that there are two things missing from When I get a Minute that would definitely be there if it were me catching up with my BFF; swearing and lots of alcohol. I do suspect that, given the inconsistencies in the olive count, you probably drank more than one gin martini in episode 2. I know Crabb called you a goody twoshoes, but do you think you might include some swearing and more alcohol in a future series?

The amount of culture the two of you absorb seems extraordinary considering you and Crabb both have such demanding careers and children still young enough to be in booster seats. For us mums at Blank GC, can you please give us some tips on how to find time to get our culture fix.

Is it a matter of sacrificing sleep, or perhaps sharpening negotiating skills with our support network when offloading said children?

I wish I had a support network on which to periodically offload my kids so I could read and watch TV! All my family is in Qld though and I live in Sydney so it's fantasy. I know that we both do always read in bed before we go to sleep and we also always make use of public transport. We also have jobs where reading something is considered "work" – if I'm interviewing a novelist for example, I get to sit at my desk and read their book. Gotta' love that.

You not only excel in your job as presenter for the 7.30 Report, but you can also make the perfect Bundt cake, no doubt due to your list making and note taking skills when you read a cookbook. Some people might call it obsessive cooking disorder (OCD) but it seems to me like you have a passion for cooking. Given Annabel has a foodie / politics themed show already, are you both considering a longer format cooking show together in the future?

No cooking shows together!

Her next show after Kitchen Cabinet may well be Bathroom Cabinet now that we know her penchant for home remedies.

FRIDAY 5 AUGUST: True Believers (Leigh chairing a discussion with Sarah Ferguson and Kerrie O'Brien) SATURDAY 6 AUGUST 7.00pm-9.30pm: When I Get a Minute... Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales discuss just about anything Literary Dinner, Elements of Byron FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION, GO TO BYRONWRITERSFESTIVAL.COM.

TROPICAL SUNDAYS CHILLED TROPICAL BEATS, FRESH COCKTAILS & TAPAS THE PERFECT SUNDAY ESCAPE. TROPICAL SUNDAYS AT CHAPTER & VERSE FROM 2PM EVERY SUNDAY

It's quite difficult to keep the swearing and the alcohol out.

We did record one Christmas episode of our podcast over a bottle of champagne and it ended with me cry-laughing in complete hysterics while trying to play her a song on the piano. Also I feel I should let you in on the secret: I was drinking water in the gin martini episode as it was 10am! It was a stunt martini.

On the Gold Coast, we are constantly being subjected to the tired cliche that our city is devoid of culture, something that Blank GC is trying to dispel. Given that you have confessed to watching Survivor and Nashville, and loved seeing Zoolander 2, I feel I can reveal to you that I really enjoy watching Miss Fischer's Murder Mysteries, the Dr Blake Mysteries and Father Brown. Do you think I should keep that to myself?

As somebody who likes America's Next Top Model, you sound positively high brow to me.

Does Crabb really not know what kind of car she drives?

I am certain she has no idea. I know mine though – it is a maroon one with a boot.

#CHAPTERANDVERSE S U R F E R S PA R A D I S E M A R R I OT T R E S O R T & S PA 1 5 8 F E R N Y AV E , S U R F E R S PA R A D I S E 5592 9800

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Arts & Culture

11 GC ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR SWELL

YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE YOUTH

There’s nothing in the world like SWELL Sculpture Festival.

There are other outdoor sculpture events, but they don’t happen on one of the best beaches in the world. SWELL is quintessentially Gold Coast and one of the reasons why it’s such a beloved event.

250,000 visitors are expected to experience SWELL when it takes over Currumbin Beach for the 14th year from 9 – 18 September. And when they arrive, they’ll be greeted by Dion Parker’s dogs leaving their mark the only way dogs know how. They’ll experience Rebecca Cunningham’s sound installation comprising 14 grammaphones. There’ll be gigantic sculptures made from timber and marine-grade canvas, oversized Scrabble tiles and a giant inflatable reptile.

55 artists will have their work exhibited during the ten-day event and of those, some 11 are Gold Coasters.

SWELL director and curator Natasha Edwards said the event has grown to become an integral part of the Gold Coast’s identity, recognised by the international art community as a showcase of eccentric diversity.

“Each year, we are proud to present a unique, outdoor exhibition connecting people, art and place with the intention to inspire our audience,” Natasha said, adding that the works on display range fro whimsical and fun-spirited to pieces carrying a serious message of conservation.”

SWELL 2015: Magnificent, Ivan Lovett Photo: Lexi Smith SWELL 2015: Death Cult, Daniel Clemmett Photo: Rowly Emmett

While her stop at procrastination station may have sent her into an Oreo coma, her art will do anything but send you to sleep. Her work is filled with boisterous colours and detail unlike anything that you've ever seen before. Countless portraits and abstract pieces fill her Instagram account, which for the time being, is where she showcases all of her work.

“Having been down there for the last five or six years, we kind of know the style that SWELL goes for,’ Derek said. “It’s fun and the festival is on the beach, and we get to use that space.”

SWELL TAKES PLACE 8 – 19 SEPTEMBER ON THE SHORES OF CURRUMBIN BEACH. MORE AT SWELLSCULPTURE.COM.AU.

"It can take six to seven hours a day, for seven days, on and off for a couple of months."

"I smashed out my biggest piece in three days… I was working at Splendour so I only had three days to start and finish it. I literally got no sleep. I was a mess and all I ate were Oreos."

Derek and Katie Hooper are also new to SWELL. Katie, previously a lifestyle writer for Blank GC and one of those creative souls permanently looking for an artistic outlet is pretty excited about the opportunity. Derek says they already have five year’s worth of SWELL pieces in the pipeline.

Samantha Morris

Emma Whines catches up with Artist Nirvana Selwood and discovers what it really takes to become a 21st century artist.

This is the answer given by 18 year old artist Nirvana Selwood when asked how long it takes to finish one of her artworks.

New to SWELL this year, far north Queensland artist BJ Price will exhibit The Alpha Turtle, a giant inflatable sculpture affectionately dubbed ‘Big Alphy’.

SWELL will also feature a collaborative piece, titled Antidote and depicting a colony of ants, created by Gold Coast artist Andrew Cullen with students of the Visual Arts Academy of Helensvale State High School.

ARTISTIC NIRVANA

SWELL 2014: Sea Ball, John Wilson Photo: Kit Wise

"At the moment I find it really hard to balance work, lifestyle and art because I am usually always exhausted when I come home and just want to sleep, but when I find the energy I spend eight to nine hours straight on a painting. I like to think it's an extreme way of life. I'm all or nothing.”

Nirvana has achieved a lot for a artist at such a young age, from scoring an internship with t-shirt printing company Polygon Cowboy to being featured in galleries along the East Coast of Australia, but her proudest moment was when she sold her first piece of artwork to a Brisbane Art Collector.

"I created a special bond with that painting and the lady who purchased it. She will always mean a lot to me as that was the first moment where I felt I had a chance in the industry and that people actually liked my work."

CHECK OUT SELWOOD'S INSTAGRAM TO REACH TRUE NIRVANA: WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/NIRVANA.INK 12

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Arts & Culture

Senior Curator at cWest, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s highly successful program that connects artists with community in Western Sydney. We also have Magistrate Christine Roney, academic and visual anthropologist, Dr Suzanne Goopy and the Hula Hut’s Dion Taumata in conversation about the links between art, group activity and social well-being.

SATELLITES OF LOVE CELEBRATES GOLD COAST COMMUNITY ART Satellites of Love/Regions of Alienation is a visual arts collaboration between local artists and community groups that champions the importance of community engagement. The exhibition recently opened at the Gold Coast City Gallery and is produced by the collaborative content studio, Funhauser.

Over a period of ten months, five local emerging artists: Warrick Coady, Kel Edso, Lucy Fosberg, Lily Halton and Tyler Jackson, were mentored by project producers and artists, Suzanne Howard and David M Thomas.

Their resultant works reveal a vital connection between group participation, happiness and social cohesion in the community and showcase the depth and breadth of talent in North Gold Coast communities.

Suzanne Thomas spoke to Blank GC and provided insight into the inspiration behind the project and its outcomes.

This exhibition is called Satellites of Love/ Regions of Alienation. What is the reasoning behind this title?

The title describes the two sides of a person’s experience living in the suburbs. The same person could at one time feel alienated in a suburban space – physically, socially, professionally - however through engagement with any number of different types of social groups they can experience love.

On a broader note, the project celebrates the notion that communities create culture. Participation in community, community groups and culture is an essential part of avoiding and overcoming social isolation. It reveals the diversity of cultural pursuit and the ease of access to it in the North Gold Coast region.

This project connects local emerging artists and community groups. How did you find them?

Funhauser hadn’t worked with the artists or groups before.

To find them we sought advice from the cultural team at the Gold Coast Council and places like Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre, which was one of our partners. We especially sought the advice of Rebecca Ross, who runs the Walls and also teaches at Griffith University. Acting on Rebecca’s recommendations, we chose a diverse group of artists with different skills and interests. What followed was a lengthy ten-month-long process of workshops and mentoring in relation to ways of working with groups.

We largely researched the groups in consultation with the artists during this process. Actually we discovered so many fantastic and interesting groups, most of which we sadly could not include.

Did you control which artist worked with which community group or did the artists?

The artists chose whom they wanted to work with. It was vitally important that the artists had to have an interest in and connection to the group for the project and the art works to succeed. Some of the artists also found they were already involved with groups and had pre-existing relationships. Others stepped out and discovered groups.

There is a fun “how to make a mascot” workshop with artist David Spooner, and the launch of our exhibition newspaper, which we thought would be more playful and community friendly than a traditional exhibition catalogue.

Ashleigh Wadman

SATELLITES OF LOVE/REGIONS OF ALIENATION IS ON DISPLAY AT THE GOLD COAST CITY GALLERY UNTIL 24 JULY 2016.

FURTHER DETAILS AT THEARTSCENTREGC. COM.AU/GALLERY/SATELLITES-OF-LOVEREGIONS-OF-ALIENATION.

We also did not dictate what sort of groups we should include; the mix of groups emerged naturally.

Why was the focus on North Gold Coast community groups and not Gold Coast-wide?

This is a region that is often forgotten as part of the Gold Coast. As one of the fastest growing areas in the State, the sheer influx of people adds pressure to the issues of isolation and disengagement that we all experience in everyday life. Social isolation among newcomers is a key issue and community groups play a vital role.

We also discovered how diverse the northern Gold Coast is.

It is an incredibly interesting region to explore. Ultimately this project enhances and expands the potential of what the Gold Coast might mean.

What was the experience like for the participants? Has this project created lasting connections?

The experience has been rewarding, challenging and scary.

As emerging artists they are still formulating ways of seeing, working in and responding to the world. We know they have enjoyed the process of connecting with other artists, as sometimes making art can be a lonely business.

What has been important is that everybody involved in the exhibition – including Funhauser - learnt something about themselves and the nature of collaborative relationships.

Some relationships with the groups will continue, while others will be shorter. There is no way of knowing at this stage. However, Funhauser also produced works for the show and is currently planning further projects with the Pacific Pines Residents Group and the Hula Hut. The project has also extended the artists’ professional realm, giving them the opportunity to exhibit at a nationally regarded regional gallery and connecting them with artists, curators and institutions beyond the Gold Coast.

What’s next for Funhauser?

The project initiated our desire to work and create on the Gold Coast and we are currently developing and planning other initiatives to follow. We want to further develop the model that we established in this project.

Our immediate focus is the public program we are running in collaboration with the Gold Coast City Gallery. It's a dynamic program that includes a talk by Anne Loxley, www.blankgc.com.au

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Arts & Culture

STAN GRANT TALKS TO HIS COUNTRY If you’ve watched Australian news and current affairs, listened to Australian radio or read Australian papers in the last 30 years, then chances are you’ve heard of Indigenous journalist and presenter Stan Grant. A handsome and charismatic figure, he is as well known for his personal life as his professional one. Last year the viral video of a polarising speech he delivered at The Ethics Centre’s IQ2 debate brought him onto the front page once more, and speculation regarding a potential future in Australian politics has since run rife amongst the media. Now heading to Byron Bay Writer’s Festival to discuss his memoir Talking To My Country, the Wiradjuri man addressed the speculation and chatted about That Speech with Blank’s Cultural Editor Natalie O’Driscoll.

First things first. I ask Stan about a recent interview he did in which he discussed going into politics as a distinct possibility, only to say in a slightly more recent one he has ruled it out (to the sound of hearts breaking everywhere).

I wonder at the process that he went through.

“It just wasn’t the right time for me,” he says simply.

“I didn’t feel as though I necessarily wanted to do it that much and I think if you’re going to do politics it needs to be something that you’re absolutely sure about. I didn’t feel it was moving me the way that it should. I like being able to speak and having the freedom of my own ideas and I like wrestling with ideas.”

“I have a lot of things on; media work, CSU, I have a lot of stuff on that sits better with me than politics would have. While I’m really humbled and honoured that people think I could make a contribution to politics, the business is very different to the idea.”

So it’s totally off the table then?

“It’s something I may revisit.”

The CSU he is referring to is of course Charles Sturt University, where Stan has recently been appointed as Chair of Indigenous Affairs. He sees this as a much better place for him to be.

“CSU are on Wiradjuri country so it felt like a very good fit.”

"There are clauses in that constitution that have allowed our children to be taken away, that have allowed our homes to be invaded, that told us who we can marry and where we can live"

10

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I ask what kind of issues he hopes to explore in his new role. While he feels that the position offers an opportunity to think deeply, read widely and look into a large number of issues, there is one theme in particular that strikes his interest.

“How Indigenous people like myself and others like me, who have a strong Indigenous heritage and identity with a cultural connection - but also find their place in broader society - how does that shape the way we see the world? How have we been able to bridge that divide and [what are the] challenges that still remain? What does that mean for future generations - from isolated and impoverished to broader middle class

Australia? It presents itself as real area of study and research and writing.”

never resonated in the public space to the same degree.”

Writing is something Stan has based a career out of, first as a journalist and more recently as an author. His first memoir The Tears of Strangers focused on historical political and social changes for Indigenous Australians particularly the Wiradjuri people - while his most recent offering Talking To My Country explores similar themes within the context of modern Australian life and (lack of) reconciliation. Stan has said previously he inherently identifies with the idea of being a storyteller, and I ask him whether this is a result of his heritage.

“I think partly it has to do with the times we live in and the way that information is processed and shared. Historically something like that speech would have been presented only by the mainstream traditional media, which reports the conflict rather than the subject. Someone would have isolated my speech, taken one moment, highlighted the most incendiary or divisive part of [it] then got someone in opposition to it to critique or challenge and then build a whole story around the conflict and that’s how people would have consumed it.”

“Definitely!” he exclaims.

“Because of social media, it means that people can go directly to the source of things, they can share things directly, decide what is important to them and consume. It wasn’t sound bites, they could take, share and disseminate to create a whole new conversation.”

“I didn’t have a traditional education because we were so poor and itinerant - effectively homeless moving from town to town for 12 years of my life, trying to put a roof over our heads. [It was] a very disrupted existence. I started 15 different schools before I was in my teens.”

“My education was at the feet of my family, grandparents, listening to their stories, being part of the story tradition of my people and how we express and tell the world through our traditions. That was formative for me and later in life when I did get a traditional education that meant I was able to pursue a life as a storyteller. It’s part of my heritage and upbringing and part of my DNA.” So would he be interested in writing some fiction at some stage?

“I will,” he states.

“I’m writing another book for next year, it’s non-fiction but I’m really very heavily involved in a lot of writing and I will definitely write some fiction at some point. It’s a natural area for me to write in.”

“Even writing both of my books, there are fictional - I suppose - frameworks to a lot of it. A lot of the storytelling was factual things that were then re-imagined and given a sort of power in the storytelling. I love the lyricism of fiction writing. I’m very influenced by poetry and the use of poetic language really informed the writing of the non-fiction books.”

Now it’s time to talk about The Speech. I don’t need to clarify for him which one I’m referring to, as it’s probably the only one he’s given of late that anyone wants to discuss. But with good reason. On the pro side of the topic Racism Is Destroying The Australian Dream', Stan argued that the Australian Dream is actually rooted in racism, and made some fairly uncomfortable points about some of our national songs – including our anthem - as they related to the historical oppression of Australian Aborigines. While the content alone surely drove many of the video’s online hits, I am curious about why Stan thinks the speech went so ballistic. He responds thoughtfully.

“I was reflecting on this, and many of those things have been said before. Nothing I said in that speech is unknown to blackfellas. My history very much mirrors a broader historical experience for Aboriginal people, but they’ve

people. It’s a sensitive area because some Indigenous people would rather see a treaty put in place, as opposed to being recognised in the Australian Constitution.

In an interview with ABC, Stan explained that having constitutional recognition wouldn’t prevent a treaty.

"There are clauses in that constitution that have allowed our children to be taken away, that have allowed our homes to be invaded, that told us who we can marry and where we can live," he said.

"You seriously don't want those clauses in the constitution ... so if we want to remove racist clauses from the constitution we can't sit outside and say we don't want to be part of the process."

To me Stan is very clear about the council’s scope.

Arts & Culture

“The council is just there to facilitate a consultative process with the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities so we can gather information about how people see the idea of recognition and advise the government and the opposition on potential ways forward.”

“I don’t even know what recognition is yet.”

It’s stated in a matter-of-fact way, but the truth sits poignantly behind it. That these issues are still a matter for discourse in 2016 brings home the need for Indigenous advocates such as Stan Grant, and their powerful stories.

CATCH STAN AT THE BYRON BAY WRITER’S FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST BYRONWRITERSFESTIVAL.COM

“I think also that given the sort of times that we’re in, the speech touched on very important and complex issues but in a way that could be very easily absorbed and consumed. It was short, it was direct, it had a narrative, there was humanity in it, and it was rooted in fact.

That also lent itself to it being widely spread and widely consumed. It was a fortuitous combination, and [the reaction] certainly surprised me.”

This leads to an obvious point about how social media has changed the face of journalism. As Stan is a 30-year veteran of the industry, I am interested to hear from someone with his kind of firsthand experience, what he believes the negatives and positives of social media in journalism are.

“The positive is that it puts information in the hands of people very directly. Someone with a mobile phone can operate as a quasijournalist. We’ve seen the role of social media shaping big events like the Arab Spring, uploading images on the ground and disseminating them. I was working for CNN and we were relying on the people on the ground; we couldn’t get access to because of the nature of the story. There is a massive communist party infrastructure in China but because people have access to the tools to disseminate information in a rapid way, that’s challenging all forms of government.”

“On the negative, information can trump knowledge. And while there’s a proliferation of information it doesn’t mean there is equivalent knowledge to go with that information. People can often access something without context being applied to it.

People don’t consume detailed information, books and heavily argued debate to the same extent that they once would have, and that’s dangerous. Without the knowledge it gives rise to a popular style of politics which can also be dangerous - Donald Trump on the right and left, Bernie Sanders… these inherently popular movements that coalesce around the disenchanted and disillusioned can find a voice on social media that can lend itself to the ‘ten word argument’ for the demagogue.”

Finally, I ask Stan about his recent appointment to the Referendum Council on Constitutional Recognition for Indigenous www.blankgc.com.au

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Food & Drink

LITTLE BITES DINNER, DRINKS & DESSERT @ BAM BAM We can’t get enough of Bam Bam Bakehouse, and it’s now open for dinner, drinks and dessert on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Gorgeous by day, Bam Bam is even more beautiful at night without the crowds, ambience added by subdued lighting.

Look out over the park as you feast on shared Buffalo Wings or Steamed Dumplings before embarking on a Hickory smoked pulled pork burger. Well known for their desserts, the Bomb is a soft serve filled choux pastry with pour your own Nutella sauce.

Oh, and in case you’re feeling virtuous, there are salads, steak and the day’s catch of market fish on the menu. Beer on tap and wines by the glass or bottle, your casual dining is covered, and very romantically so. Bam Bam! Bookings recommended, walk-ins welcome!

LOW ‘N’ SLOW WITH BURLEIGH BBQ CHAMPIONSHIPS The Burleigh BBQ championships is all about everything low n' slow over two days for this year’s smokin’ event 30-31 July, Ed Hardy park North Burleigh. Kicking the party off on Friday is the Burleigh Brewing Brew Jam, the welcome night for the Low and Slow BBQ Championships teams where you can grab a great brew and discuss all things BBQ. From 9.00am on Saturday the two day BBQ Championships kicks off in Ed Hardy park with 45 teams battling it out to see whose cuisine reigns supreme (sorry guys, you can’t sample the fruits of their labours – bummer). But you can bring along your picnic blanket, and your appetite, and let local musicians entertain you as you dig into some street food from JR’s Smokehouse, That BBQ Joint, and Busters plus Mr America Hot Dogs, Nippers Sausage sizzle, and treats for the kids.

More at facebook.com/BurleighBBQ

HARD ROCK CAFÉ NEW MENU Everyone can eat like a Rock star! Hard Rock Café Surfers Paradise, renowned for its collection of music history from the greatest musical legends, has launched a new menu, with freshly prepared burgers starting from $16.95 and delicious additions like the Lemon Chicken Pasta. You will still be able to find your all-time favourites such as the Legendary Burger, the Twisted Mac & Cheese, Hickory-Smoked Ribs along with our decadent desserts. Indulge yourself with one of our handcrafted cocktails and your time at Hard Rock Café will be one to remember!

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It was a bitterly cold Gold Coast winter morning, where the temperature had dropped into the teens! Oh, the horror.

The gang and I were roaming the streets of Currumbin Waters moaning for a coffee when, at that precise moment, Neighbourhood Espresso appeared before us. Was it like the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter? Did Currumbin Waters know we needed coffee and lo and behold a coffee shop did appear?

“Welcome to the Neighbourhood” cries the beautifully painted sign that adorns the wall of Neighbourhood Espresso. The turquoise accented gem was opened by welcoming owner Cleo and her partner Ben, just shy of three months ago. Having quickly become a local favourite, Cleo informs me the concept of the name and colour scheme was her desire to create a neighbourhood hangout that acknowledged the area’s local industry, creek and coast.

Churning out Supreme Roasters Specialty Coffee on their La Marzocco Linea Classic machine, Neighbourhood Espresso uses the Beach Blend for their house coffees and also offer a single origin that rotates generally on a weekly basis. Lucky for me on the day I visit it happens to be from my favourite coffee region Ethiopia, with the Black Lion beans being sampled in an espresso and long black. With a gorgeous sweet, caramelised orange scent, full body and slight sharpness, the earthy citrus flavour of the espresso I tried was glorious. The house blend espresso on the other hand packed a big initial punch that gave way to softer caramel and chocolate tones with pinch of hazelnut, with those flavours gaining creaminess in the cappuccino, which was like drinking a Ferrero Rocher.

With a small, but satisfying, breakfast menu that runs all day, and a cabinet that holds an abundance of sweet treats and sandwiches, Cleo informs me they are currently working on a lunch menu, so keep your eyes peeled for when that starts running.

GARDEN KITCHEN & BAR UP FOR DESIGN AWARD Jupiters Gold Coast's newest indoor/outdoor dining venue, Garden Kitchen & Bar, has gained world-class recognition, winning a coveted place on the shortlist for the prestigious International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2016.

Securing a nomination in the Design Awards' International category for Best Australian & Pacific Restaurant, Garden Kitchen & Bar is one of only seven restaurants on the shortlist, and one of only two restaurants from Queensland to gain recognition. Created by award-winning multi-disciplinary design firm DBI Design, Garden Kitchen & Bar opened its doors earlier this year to reveal a quintessentially Queensland design that celebrates the beauty of the Gold Coast.

NEIGHBOURHOOD Station Street, ESPRESSO 4/9 Currumbin Waters

Open from 5.30am weekdays, 6am weekends and closing 2pm all days, but Monday and Tuesday when it closes at 12:30pm, this is certainly a very nice Neighbourhood to drop into.

Catherine Coburn

SPARROW EATING HOUSE WINTER MENU With every passing season the menu at Sparrow Eating House in Nobby's just keeps getting better. As all the thongs-withsocks wearing people of the GC would attest, winter has arrived on our golden shores and what better way to warm yourself on those bitterly cold nights then a trip to Sparrow!

Along with established favourites such as the roast pork, croquettes and scallops (with delicious variations on the last two) other new and exciting dishes include the gloriously naughty-but-nice tempura broccoli with paprika aioli, the torched salmon tataki with a beautifully complimented berry yogurt and the ultimate winter warmer the braised beef cheek with espresso jus. With plenty of new cocktails to try, if you're looking for the ultimate in "treat yo’self " then definitely get the new chocolate terrarium dessert, it's a dramatic feast for the eyes and tastebuds!

Food & Drink GOJI GRANOLA BAR & CAFÉ

EAT LOCAL: FOOD, FARMING AND CONVERSATION IN THE SCENIC RIM

7/60 Santa Cruz Boulevard, Clear Island Waters

BRENDA FAWDON & CHRISTINE SHARP

Dreams sometimes come true. At least that’s the case for husband and wife team Monica Tjong and Gabriele Pirotta. The pair had always dreamed one day they might own a little café in the ‘burbs. Gabriele, a chef in Italy before he emigrated to Australia about seven years ago, waited for his residency before marrying Monica. With both of them working in Baritalia, Surfers Paradise, it was a bitter sweet day when they announced their plans.

Their new café, opened at the very end of 2015, is tucked away in a little shopping centre in Clear Island Waters. Goji Granola Bar & Café is an unusual (if selfexplanatory) name, so we asked Monica how the name came about.

“I used to work in hospitality and we made granola all the time. It was really popular.

The trouble was that when we served it to people with dried fruit already mixed in, some people didn’t like some things and others were allergic to nuts. We thought it would be a great idea to be able to choose what fruit and nuts you wanted in your house made granola. We’ve got two versions: a dairy-free vegan one made from oats, barley and spelt; or you can choose the gluten-free (DF and V) version with buckwheat, quinoa and rice flake combo, cooked with coconut nectar sugar and oil. We top it off with our CoCo Soft (a vegan, dairy and gluten free, organic frozen yoghurt made on coconut water) and add fresh fruit on top.”

It’s exactly the breakfast I choose, with the addition of activated charcoal marbled through the Coco Soft. Nothing to lose!

“We’re the first café in Australia or New Zealand to use activated charcoal in our Coco Soft,” Monica tells us, “so we’re pioneers.”

Running an ‘all day’ breakfast and lunch menu, the Granola Bowl is certainly the star.

But there are many other options. Order according to your appetite, from Banana

and walnut bread topped with Coco Soft ($5) or Eggs on Sourdough ($8) through to the Big Brekkie, or its lunchtime version Halloumi Burger with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, rocket and red onion ($19.50). No meal crosses the $20 line, a marvel for a little place with true hospitality including full table service.

While health is the main focus of the menu, there’s a valiant attempt to cater for all tastes, gluten and dairy free, vegan and organic dishes clearly marked with symbols.

But don’t be dismayed, sweet tooths! There are plenty of treats for you, including raw slices, acai and coco bowls, chocolate brownies and even donuts.

There’s great coffee to be enjoyed as well from local award-winning roaster Silipo Coffee. It’s the Italian blend, Nero, made from three beans: Costa Rican, Colombian and Nicaraguan, its spicy peppery berry tones rounded off with a chocolatey finish. It’s the most Italian of their blends, Gabriele says, a dark roast perfect for espresso drinkers.

The drinks list also holds a range of smoothies and juices, organic Somage Tea, and bottled kombucha and Hrvst coldpressed juices.

This neighbourhood café is dog, family and wheelchair friendly; a place to relax and read magazines and books, use wifi, or for kids to play games and activities provided in a vintage suitcase. Best of all, Monica and Gabriele are hospitable, and it’s a friendly little place perfect to have around the corner in the ‘burbs. A dream come true for Clear Island Waters residents, we’d reckon!

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

We’re mad about real food. The sort that is grown by local farmers or in home and community gardens, the produce arriving in our kitchen after travelling minimum food miles. There’s something grounded about scrubbing soil off vegies that have been tenderly nurtured, only to be slow-cooked in rustic dishes dressed with herbs from our own garden. Real food. Connected living.

Fortunately for us, the Gold Coast is surrounded by the rich fertile soils of the Scenic Rim, an area which produces a bounty of fruit and vegetables, wine, milk and gourmet produce such as olives, cheeses, jams and relishes. But how much do we know about our local producers?

Eat Local, a gorgeous book by Brenda Fawdon (chef and organic food advocate of Mondo Organics fame) and editor/photographer Christine Sharp in association with the Scenic Rim Regional Council, fills that knowledge gap. It provides a multi-dimensional snapshot of food from the Scenic Rim – conversations with twenty-six producers about food and farming in the ‘green behind the gold’ presented in text and photograph, together with over sixty mouth-watering recipes inspired by local produce.

As the authors travelled around the Scenic Rim interviewing and photographing farmers and producers, “Not only did we gain insight into the dedication, determination and drive…” Christine says in the book’s introduction, “we were moved by their passion – all put heart and soul into their work. For them, it is not simply a job; it is a vocation.”

Whether you’re an avid cook eager to learn more about local food or the friend of someone who’d appreciate the book as a gift, Eat Local is an exquisite hardcover production printed on high quality matte paper with lime green endpapers. It’s a book to digest, rather than one to gather dust.

Content is accessed in three ways: the Table of Contents groups farms by area noting each one’s produce; section pages list the recipes inspired by each producer, with recipes also accessed through the Recipe Index at the back of the book.

Image: Christine Sharp Brenda’s recipes are rustic wholefood creations ranging from classics (such as Pissaladière) to favourites with an unusual twist (such as Carrot Cake with Fig Labneh Frosting).

All ingredients are readily obtainable and procedures are well explained, making the recipes easily achievable for the home cook.

Without exception, the photographs are gorgeous, atmospheric and inviting. Text is mainly interviews, the producers and farmers telling their stories in their own words interspersed with pertinent, informative narrative about regions and produce.

Published to coincide with Eat Local Week (25 June – 3 July 2016), Eat Local is not only a quality book about local food. It’s a great read to mull over and absorb, bringing a reorientation to another way of life. Subtly, it asks us to reflect on our often disconnected complacent lives. Slow down, it says. Open your eyes, and look around you. Absorb the fragrance of the land, the feel of sunshine and rain on your face and soil sifting through your fingers. Connect with the dedicated farmers who labour long and hard to place their crop in your hands. Then continue their work in the kitchen, cooking real local food with love.

Better still, get in the car, book in hand, and take the short journey out to the farm gate to meet the producers of your daily food.

Recommendation: Our highest accolades!

We’re developing a bucket list of local farms we haven’t yet seen.

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

EAT LOCAL CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT EATLOCALWEEK. COM.AU WHERE THERE IS ALSO A COMPLETE LIST OF STOCKISTS. RRP $45.00.

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Food & Drink

HIGH COFFEE

VICE BABY

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort

Outrigger Resort, 2007 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

“You must be so pleased to have both your daughters under one roof,” we comment to Alan Yap. The owner of Miami Rice doubles over in laughter.

“My daughters,” he says shaking his head, “they’re so different!”

After many years with just Alan and daughter Shoko running Highland Park Chinese, then moving to Miami Rice via Benowa, the addition of Chee and her partner Rob, who sold their café in Melbourne to make the move north, certainly adds some spice.

The sisters could hardly be more different (as are the restaurants they manage), Shoko presiding over Miami Rice with poise and grace, Chee a knot of vibrant creative energy that keeps Vice Baby humming along in the garden behind her father’s restaurant.

Yet, almost as shadow sides to each other, the two restaurants are intertwined, the same kitchen used for both.

“Welcome to Vice Baby. Your own tropical cafe and bar, serving Five Senses specialty coffee, breakfast and Malaysian hawker food lunch.”

Stepping around the corner, my first glimpse of Vice Baby is a ‘déjà vu’ experience, bringing sweet memories of Asian restaurants in the tropics – our regular haunts chosen for their bold flavours and bite of freshness, the eclectic quirkiness of the décor only adding to their appeal.

So it is with Vice Baby, the shabby-chic pragmatism having drifted in with the diaspora, umbrellas rooted down in vegetable cans, cutlery held in fruit tins, packing case furniture strewn with art and surfing culture magazines, and plants growing in tropical abundance. We’ve fallen in love even before the food arrives!

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With the coffee scene on the Gold Coast burgeoning in the past couple of years it should come as no surprise that our little city is now home to a new, more caffeinated concept in High Tea: the High Coffee at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.

If you haven’t eaten Asian hawker food before, Vice Baby is a great place to start.

Not too challenging for the novice, the menu brings us a mix of mostly Aussie breakfasts and Chinese Malay lunches, with a boxed section bridging across the two as ‘Bruce Lee’s Kick Ass All Day Specials’.

Noodles such as Ho Fun, Mee Goreng, and Singapore or Hokkein Noodles (all $10.90), meat and rice dishes such as Hainan Chicken, Beef Rendang and Kari Chicken ($10.90), and a variety of noodle soups ($10.90 - $12.90) form the bulk of the picture. With a choice of over twenty dishes for lunch, there’s a wealth of culture to explore.

I play ‘hungry mouth’ with Chairman Bao, a plate of four Chinese buns sandwiched over char siew (Chinese BBQ pork, listed as one of the world’s most delicious foods) with hoisin sauce, pickled vegetables and deepfried onion, the tender meat yielding easily to the bite, juices dripping down my hand.

Thank goodness we’re out in the garden!

This is a really tasty treat and, with four bao on the plate (think of them as Asian sliders), it’s an ideal dish to share ($14).

We’ve made return trips to this tropical garden on occasions to indulge in a duck feast: Roast crispy BBQ duck with greens and rice and Roast Duck Noodle Soup (both $12.90) accompanied by some rather interesting drinks: Vietnamese coffee - an espresso poured over condensed milk $5, The Kaffe Tonic $6 – Espresso over sparkling ‘Fever-Tree’ tonic (award-winning tonic with natural quinine and botanical oils) finished with luxardo maraschino cherry; a racy little number with a bright edge of quinine bitterness $6.

We’re yet to try breakfast at Vice Baby, but a Whole coconut filled with fresh coconut flesh, gojis, strawberries, banana, muesli

and yoghurt accompanied by fresh coconut water sounds pretty amazing ($14). Tropical delight!

There are interesting loose leaf teas such as oolong, chrysanthemum or the excellent Five Senses coffee, which Chee and Robbie brought with them from their café in Melbourne, using the Compton Road blend as their house coffee. Our coffee is excellent, its sweet smoky tinge giving quite the edge.

Vice Baby is licensed as well, serving a small range of beer and cider. This would be such a great place to book as a venue for a private party or to spend a Sunday session. It’s got the edgy quirkiness of so many places in Asia which have used eclectic pop ‘objets d’art’ to create unique dining venues.

But changes are at hand for both Vice Baby and Miami Rice. When we last visited Miami Rice, Alan was moving between the kitchen and restaurant as Shoko spends more time on study, while out back Chee’s partner Robbie has opened Mrs Brown’s Tuckshop in Labrador.

Vice Baby and Miami Rice offer us two takes on Chinese Malay cuisine and though sourced from the same kitchen, they’re yin and yang experiences. We’ll always love Miami Rice for its unpretentious great food (seafood especially), but Vice Baby won our hearts for its sassy street food vibe - a real little hot spot for tasty dining on the coast; the real deal!

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast foodgoldcoast.com.au

Guests to The Fireplace on the ground floor of The Great House are invited to indulge in the art of coffee and conversation, whilst being treated to what seems like never ending savoury and sweet delights. The coffee at the centre of all this goodness is Vittoria Coffee Single Origin blends that are slow brewed in a Chemex system making for a great cup of filtered coffee.

With so many treats to choose from, some of the favourites on our visit were the Applewood smoked chicken finger sandwich, the smoked pumpkin scones and all the coffee infused sweets with Chef Harry’s Fireplace signature éclair with coffee custard making for a serious indulgence for the eyes and the tastebuds.

Perhaps our most favourite part of the High Coffee experience is the optional espresso martini (additional $10) that is well worth indulging in, but you may have trouble stopping at just one!

High Coffee ($35) is served Friday to Sunday from 12:30pm with bookings being essential to guarantee a decadent afternoon you will not soon forget.

Catherine Coburn

Food & Drink Fans of the Bulimba restaurant will also recognise many of Brad’s signature dishes – pizza (from the very pretty stone hearth Beech oven; one of the last made in Australia), pasta, contemporary mains from seafood, lamb shanks and pork belly to classic Italian fare such as chicken scaloppini. It’s these traditional dishes with a contemporary twist that have seen him featured in Gourmet Traveller and the Today Show.

DELIZIOSO Level 1, The Strand Shopping Centre, 72 – 80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Delicious by name, delicious to the palate, it’s fabulous to have great Italian restaurant on the southern end of the Gold Coast. Finally!

Delizioso opened in The Strand in early 2016, bringing modern Italian dining to Coolangatta. Snapping up an upstairs possie overlooking the beach, owner and multiaward winning head chef Brad Nascone says it’s a view that won him over at first glance.

“We’d been searching for a location for a second restaurant for some time. We almost opened another restaurant in Brisbane, but then this came up.” He waves his arm across the expansive view from the floor to ceiling glass.

“Coolangatta is an untouched gem. We were shown other venues, but this is the one we wanted. It’s a great location with a fabulous view of the beach.”

Developing the venue with General Manager and Sommelier Nick Dempster, Brad has followed the same feel as their Bulimba restaurant, opened in 2011: heritage and warmth achieved through an intimate space, vintage posters and photographs on brick feature walls, lowered wood ceilings, highlights lit by chandeliers, comfortable seating – a mix of ‘sensible’ wooden chairs and bench seats and tableware chosen to complement each dish.

“It’s the same menu we use at Bulimba,” Brad tells us. “Old recipes – you can’t mess with them. You have to keep it real.

They’re traditional recipes as they’ve been made at home in Sicily for generations, but with a modern twist. We’ve worked on this menu for three years, so we know it works.”

Brad boasts the menu has been embraced by locals who already have picked out their favourite dishes.

“We’re here for locals. Many people aim their business at tourists. They forget that it’s local trade that pays the bills.

Tourist trade is the cream,” he said, giving recognition to the valuable bonus that tourism brings to the area.

Keeping locals in mind the pair have engaged in some discounting to incentivise local trade at lunch. The response has been great, with families travelling from Byron and Brisbane to dine. In fact, when we dine there are several large family groups celebrating birthdays, as well as groups of friends meeting over lunch.

“This is a place where you can sit and talk, have a nice bottle of wine, and enjoy good food with a good view overlooking the beach,” says Brad.

A nice bottle of wine…

Taking as much prominence as the kitchen in Deliziosa is the glass-fronted wine room, the obvious work of an aficionado and connoisseur: Nick. He tells me that he learned his craft as sommelier under Neil McDonald (Best

Sommelier in the World, 1995), working at Hayman Island as Sommelier before Deliziosa on Oxford in 2011.

Delizioso’s 24-page long wine menu is a wine lover’s delight, featuring hard to find vintages from Australia, New Zealand, French champagne and a good swag of Italian varietals as well as local, international and Italian beers and liqueurs.

The list is complete with region, country, vintage as well as tasting notes for each one. Of particular interest are the Dal Forno Romano from Veneto, one of the best Amarone Valpolicella in the world, as well as Brunello Di Montalcino from Tuscany, a region traditionally recognised for its Sangiovese.

Somehow we manage to order, though the wine list is mesmerising and the food menu extensive, amazingly so!

Italian cuisine is not generally considered gluten-free friendly, however we note on Delizioso’s menu many dishes could be ordered DF or GF, including gluten-free pasta.

Our entrée, Capesante ($21.50), comes first, Half-shell scallops served with champagne lemon butter, crispy prosciutto and breadcrumbs – a buttery yet different take on the usual scallop dish. Then the mains arrive: Porchetta ($35) with truffled mash, apple puree, rich gorgonzola cream and jus (Brad’s dish featured in the book ‘Flavours of Queensland’), and my dish of the day, perfectly al dente Linguini Allo Scoglio ($31), loaded with fresh local seafood then sautéed with garlic, chilli, parsley and white wine before being tossed through linguine. It’s zingy with flavours complementary to the seafood; light, fresh and uncloying.

Leave room for dessert, but with fourteen choices from Affogato to St Joseph’s Donuts, the choice will not be easy.

We settle on Tiramisu, a splendid boozy version with a bite of maraschino cherries on top, its juices drizzling down over the sides. Generous enough to share, it’s one of the best we’ve tasted.

It’s been the perfect end to a delightful meal: delicious food, including an exceptional pasta, attentive service (not once did we feel either rushed or neglected), and an unsurpassed ocean view. What a great addition to the southern Gold Coast dining scene!

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

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The project will also raise funds for Robina Town Centre’s Charity Partner, Make-AWish Foundation, with a gold coin donation collected from every participant. Workshops are open every day at the Community Art Workshop near David Jones on Level 3, until 17 July.

when the creative industry is grappling with funding cuts, Short+Sweet Festival proves itself as an indispensable opportunity for the independent sector. The full festival program can be found on the Short+Sweet website.

Tickets via theartscentregc.com.au.

Café DBAR hosts Botanicals by Two Gold Coast Artists Daniel Coleman Rising Triathlete Star Rising triathlete Daniel Coleman has jetted to Asia this week in a bid to attract the attention of selectors ahead of the Under23's World Triathlon Championships in Mexico in September. The 21 year old Bond University student will cover three races in Japan and Singapore, part of his Asian tour, during the four week trip, along with a 10-day stint at one of the world's most recognised sporting facilities in Thailand.

He will be joined by his coach, Triathlon Australia National Performance Centre head coach Dan Atkins, and training partner, Jaz Hedgeland.

Announcing the exhibition of Botanicals, by both Anne Leon and Potts, by Anne Leon and Potts runs at Cafe Dbar until 27 July.

This exhibition highlights a contemporary take on classic botanical studies, exploring natural methods and mediums forming the art. The partnership of both these local artists allows for two distinctly visual perspectives.

Potts says “What makes this show unique is the fact that we have taken a very traditional genre and given this timeless subject a contemporary feel, by implementing techniques that stretch traditional use, and combine to give the viewer a fresh look at plants, flowers and the natural world.” Anne's work display a new way of allowing plants to imprint onto paper by extracting the juices and tannins of the plant, leaving a delicate "eco-print". She says: “After years of plantdyeing, this still hasn’t lost its magic for me, because although you can determine some of the outcome, you can’t control it completely.

The result always surprises and that’s the magic of it. I set the scene for the magic to happen and literally unfold.” Café DBAR is open daily from 9.00am to 4.00pm.

NORPA’s Cockfight Nominated for Helpmann Award The 2016 Helpmann Award nominations have just been announced with the explosive physical theatre work Cockfight in the running for Best Dance Work. Created and performed by Gold Coast based company The Farm, Cockfight was co-produced and commissioned by NORPA and produced in co-operation with Performing Lines. Set in an office, Cockfight is a poetic look at the power play that occurs between men and the frailty of the body. In a comic series of oneupmanships, two men push their bodies to extreme limits in a hilarious and ultimately tender piece of physical theatre. At the heart of Cockfight is a very real relationship of trust, humour and understanding between the two performers Gavin Webber and Josh Thomson. The 2016 Helpmann Awards winners will announced at a live event in Sydney on Saturday 25 July.

Stillness In The City Commit 30 mins to yourself once a month.

That’s the philosophy behind Stillness in the City, a lunchtime class for busy professionals who spend a lot of time sitting. The lesson is made up of 30 minutes of guided meditation and postural alignment. Stillness in the City is held behind the Arts Centre between the lake and the river. The organisers provide the yoga mats and everything that is required.

Best of all, you can even wear your work clothes, making it easier to duck out of work and duck right back, refreshed and rejuvenated. Stillness in the City runs on the first Tuesday of every month. The next class is Tuesday 5 July 2016 from 12.30pm to 1.00pm. The Mums and Bubs class runs on the first Wednesday of every month. The next class is Wednesday 6 July from 12.30pm to 1.00pm. Visit their facebook page for more information.

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Political satire the Gold Coast way Archipol Prize is all about political satire the Gold Coast way. Politicians from the local election have donated their left-over corflutes and the organisers are hoping the federal candidates will do the same after the July election. The donated corflutes get an artistic make-over with a little bit of cheek, little bit of personal opinion and a whole lot of fun and artistic vision. The idea got started with the now famous incident of one of Penny Toland’s (Mayoral candidate in the local elections in March) corflutes going missing during the election campaign only to reappear later with additional make-up and a new hairdo. This got Ms Toland and Fredric Berjot from Urban Paradise Gallery talking and the politicians and artists followed.

Anyone with an interest to try their hands on some political satire can take part and get their corflutes from the gallery, do their magic and submit them for the exhibition.

Any politician can donate their old corflutes and put themselves out there for some friendly feedback and kind-hearted satire.

For more information and confirmed dates for the exhibition, check out Urban Paradise Gallery on facebook or visit them at 3221 Surfers Paradise BLVD, Surfers Paradise.

2016 Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award Diverse Entertainment at the 2016 Short + Sweet Festival Little Aurora Community Art Project To complement The Aurora Tree’s arrival at Robina Town Centre during its 20th birthday celebrations, the community, in collaboration with Charles Gadeken, can create a freestanding replica Aurora tree called Little Aurora. Members of the community will contribute to the artwork by personalising a pre-cut copper leaf that is then affixed to the tree. The result will be an inspiring artwork to be donated to the Gold Coast Community.

Snap up bite sized theatre and cabaret at the 2016 Short+Sweet Festival as it returns to the Gold Coast from 4 - 13 August. The 2016 festival offers titillating burlesque, daring drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, charismatic cabaret and indescribable contemporary performance all packed into ten minute slots. The festival provides Queensland writers, directors, actors, independent theatre companies and cabaret artists with a free professional platform to share their work with audiences and industry leaders. At a time

Gold Coast City Gallery is announces the 45 finalists of the 2016 Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award. The Award will be on display at the Gallery from 25 June – 21 August 2016. The winner will receive $20,000 in prize money and their work will be acquired for the Collection.

2016 Selected Artists: Chris Budgeon / Anna Carey / Danica Chappell / Michael Cook / Michelle Culpitt / Ellen Dahl / Gerwyn Davies/ Tamara Dean / Shoufay Derz / Michelle Doherty / Ed Douglas / Odette England / Merilyn Fairskye / Chantal Faust / Tina Fiveash / Alex Frayne / Ursula K. Frederick / Phillip George / Natalie Grono

/ Joanne Handley / Nina Hanley / Petrina Hicks / Samuel Hodge / Jamie Holcombe / Kelly Hussey-Smith and Alan Hill / Ingvar Kenne /David-Ashley Kerr / Bronek Kozka / Cathy Laudenbach / Anne MacDonald / Koji Makino / Laura Moore / Salar Niknafs / Sean O’Connell / Deborah Paauwe / Polixeni Papapetrou / Sarah Rhodes / Paul Snell / Kurt Sorensen / Jacqui Stockdale / Christian Thompson / Justine Varga / Lydia Wegner / Yiorgo Yiannopoulos / Anne Zahalka.

Sts. Friday & Saturday at 7.30pm BYO tables and Sunday Matinees at 2.00pm Theatre Seating. Tickets online www. tweedtheatre.com.au.

Image below: Michael Cook. MOTHER Ice Cream, 2016.

Courtesy the artist and Andrew Baker Art Dealer.

Viva Surfers Paradise

Community Arts Workshops Focus on Women from the Middle East Gold Coast Multicultural Arts Group presents a unique selection of community arts workshops being held throughout June and August 2016. The workshops are part of the project of the Participation of women from Middle East to local social activities and include such topics as learning Persian art and craft styles, the main spices in Middle-eastern food, making unique jewellery pieces, managing daily stress, introduction to belly dance and more, for $10 - $15. All workshops will be held at One Arts, Isle of Capri. Booking are essential via email info@gcmagic.org.au or SMS 0434 932 537.the event, which runs 28 May – 5 June at goldcoastgreenweek.com.

Seven Little Australians – The Musical A musical feature stage production created by Australian composer David Reeves based on Ethel Turner's classic story Seven Little Australians premiered in 1988. The show is directed by Peter Gray with a cast of 30 local actors and singers plus a live orchestra. Elegant and handsome but recently widowed Captain Woolcott struggles with himself and his once well ordered young family after re- marrying a young bride fresh from a huge outback property and who quickly provides him with a seventh young mouth to feed. Seven Little Australians - The Musical, runs from July 15 to 31 at Tweed Heads Civic Centre Cnr. Brett & Wharf

See Surfers Paradise take a step back in time as it pays tribute to the world's greatest music legends with ten days of free classic entertainment at Viva Surfers Paradise. Viva will delight fans of Elvis, The Beatles, ABBA, Michael Jackson and many more with the best tribute artists from around the world gathered in one location to bring back the music of yesteryear. Over ten days, enjoy amazing live performances, rock 'n' roll dancing, show 'n' shine for vintage car-lovers, food stalls, our annual renewal of vows ceremony and of course the ever-popular Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. For those wanting to be up close and personal to some of the best Tribute Artists the Coast has seen you can purchase gold or silver tickets to the shows. Viva runs from Friday 8 - Sunday 17 July. Visit surfersparadise.com/whatson for full schedule of events and ticket purchases.

SUNDAY ROASTS

Warm Up at Winterfest The time has come again to warm your hearts and feed your soul at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast. Winterfest hosts a range of ticketed and free events through July and August that showcase local talent in art, music, film and food. The signature events take place on 30 July in Varsity Central and include Vibe Street Market, Buskers in the Street, Symphony

By The Lake, Lake Fire and DJ On The Green Featuring The Twins. Remaining events throughout the festival include a cocktail launch party, a connected business lunch with Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer), High Tea, Live at Bond and the Varsity Short Film Festival. The festival runs from 15 July to 13 August. For a full program of events visit varsitywinterfest.com.au

Enjoy a warm winter feast at Bazaar with weekly rotating roasts including rotisserie suckling pig, wood-oven roasted lamb, standing rib roast, plus the full interactive marketplace experience.

Sunday Long Lunch with rotating roasts May – September from 12pm – 3pm Only $59 per person Perfect for group celebrations.

Ask about our Complimentary bottle of Perrier-Jouët Champagne to enjoy.

Call 07 5584 1200 or book online at qtgoldcoast.com.au

7 Staghorn Avenue Surfers Paradise

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PRESENTS

THE AURORA TREE 28 April – October Robina Town Centre is turning 20, and to celebrate we have welcomed international artwork, the ‘Aurora Tree’, to The Promenade in an Australian first.

This magnificent installation, created with hand beaten copper leaves, comes alive at night with a beautiful spectrum of colours which you can control from your phone.

Bring the family for dinner and see the spectacular ‘Aurora Tree’ light up The Promenade every night.

robinatowncentre.com.au www.blankgc.com.au

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Issue #35 JULY 2016

coffee food culture art theatre surf enviro life