Blank GC issue #46 - July 2017

July '17

issue #046

MUSIC

CULTURE

ART

MUSIC

FOOD

Hitmen DTK Pete Murray The Undertones Jamie Lee Wilson Sarah Storer

Stop Adani Green Heroes Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever Glow Festival Bakersfield Mist

d’Arcy Doyle Awards SWELL artists John Graham Left Bank Gallery Life Drawing

Mass Sky Raid Hanlon Brothers Lloyd Spiegel Luka Lesson NIMA Lineup

The Fish House Burleigh BBQ Great Australian Baking Book Pumpyard

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Georgia Potter scores $15,000 award

Harry J Hart scores Champagne set He’s come along way in 2016-17. He’s opened for Adam Brand and scored a gig entertaining 1000 people at the Queensland Training Awards gala dinner and now Harry J Hart has scored a support slot for Daniel Champagne. The show is 30 June at NightQuarter. It’s a special gig for Hart, who credits Champagne with inspiring him to take up the guitar. Harry is also working hard to raise $20,000 to attend the Berklee University 2018 Performance Summer School and has launched a new website (harryjhart.com) where you can keep abreast of all his comings and goings – which are plenty!

Warm up the shakas There’s a pre-Shaka Party at Miami Tavern this Saturday 1 July and the lineup is gold.

Trapdoor, Electric Zebra, Kazual Tea and Singing Rogers will join Vices on the decks for a shindig to warm you up for Shakafest in August. Get all the details on the event FB page.

Mullum Festival announces first ten acts for tenth anniversary It’s the little festival that could. And this year Mullum Music Festival turns ten. Every year thousands of people make their way to Mullum to seek connection, community and culture and Mullum Music Festival delivers year after year. This tenth anniversary event will be no different. The first ten artists are Jon Cleary & The Monster Gentlemen (USA), Frazey Ford (Canada), Marlon Williams (NZ), Lindi Ortega, Too Many Zooz, Z-Star Delta (UK), Gabriel GarzonMontano, The East Pointers (Canada), Teskey Brothers and Jazz Party. The Festival takes place 16 – 19 November in Mullumbimby and tickets are on sale 19 July which is the same day the full program is announced.

Owen Campbell’s stellar Rise He’s one of Australia’s premiere blues-rootsrock performers and this month Owen Campbell hits the road for a national tour celebrating the launch of his new single Rise as well as his signing to Gold Coast bookings / management agency Beats Cartel. His tour comes through Brisbane on 6 July and Soundlounge (with Juzzie Smith) on Friday 7 July.

The inaugural Carol Lloyd Award honours Australia’s first rock chick. And the inaugural award has gone to Gold Coast graduate Georgia Potter – otherwise known as MORETON. Georgia was announced winner at the launch of the Queensland Music Festival in Brisbane last month. The $15,000 will enable Georgia to progress her career, return to the recording studio and take her work to the next level. Speaking on behalf of the panel, Katie Noonan said Moreton was unanimously chosen by judges as the winner and that her “unique artistic vision and fresh voice made her an absolute stand out application.” Gold Coaster Emily Wurramara was also a finalist for the award. Entries for the 2018 award will open in October 2017.

Bernard’s bonus Byron show Bernard Fanning has announced a show in his hometown of Byron Bay as part of his national tour, which marks the release of his new studio album Brutal Dawn. The record debuted at #2 on the ARIA charts and tickets to other shows on the tour have mostly sold out. A fourth Brisbane show has also been announced. Bernard Fanning headlines Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival (MMVAF) on 26 August alongside Alison Wonderland, The Presets and Gang Of Youths and then hits Brisbane’s Triffid from 18 – 21 October and Byron Bay on Saturday 4 November. Tickets and all the details at bernardfanning.com.

Queensland Music Festival 2017 to unite the state in song

Gympie Muster expands lineup It was already massive, but Gympie Muster has expanded its lineup of all-Australian stars with organisers of the 37th annual event curating a genre-defying smorgasbord of music for 2017. The latest lineup announcement sees Hussy Hicks, Georgia Fall, Kyle Lionhart, Viper Creek Band, 8 Ball Aitken, Casey Barnes, Mitch King, Kaylens Rain, Chelsea Basham and Melanie Dyer join the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Adam Brand, Busby Marou, Darren Middelton and Graeme Connors for the 24-27 August event which takes place at Amamoor State Forest.

Get more at muster.com.au.

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Hanlons score Katchafire support Hanlon Brothers have big plans for the rest of 2017. On the back of scoring an Australian Music Week showcase set, they’ve also been announced as support for Katchafire’s east coast tour. They’ll be on tour with the band in September and October, including a Gold Coast show on 6 October and a Byron Show on 5 October. They’re also planning to release a new album and announce some special shows. Stay up to date with all the Hanlon Brothers news via their brand new website at hanlonbrothers.com.au.

Katie Noonan has released her first program as Artistic Director of Queensland Music Festival (QMF), revealing a program that spans contemporary and classical music, large-scale community events and education programs, and big names like Kate Ceberano, Montaigne, Isaiah, Lior, Steve Kilbey, David Hobson, Elena Kats-Chernin, Clare Bowditch, Montaigne, Luke Peacock, Sahara Beck, Moreton, Emily Wurramara and virtuoso hang player Manu Delago, alongside big ambitions to unite thousands of Australians in song from 7–30 July. Katie Noonan, a passionate advocate for social justice, feminism and homegrown Queensland talent, said QMF was unlike any other music festival in the world in its vast geographic reach and the way it transforms lives through community projects that run for years and sometimes decades. To check the program and book tickets, visit qmf.org.au.

Show goes on at The Star The old Jupiters may be undergoing the biggest transformation of its life, but while it does – as they say – the show must go on. And July is a big month for music with two incredible performances taking place.

Australian-born singer songwriter and star of prime-time TV series Nashville, Clare Bowen will be live in concert on Friday 14 July and Byron Bay bard Pete Murray – with more than one million album sales to his name - is live on stage Saturday 22 July. Get all the details, including tickets at star.com. au/goldcoast.

Burleigh Brewing’s multi-sensory offerings The days may be shorter, but if you fill them with local craft-beer, food trucks and music, you’ll barely notice. Amiright? Burleigh Brewing Co continues its three-pronged attack on the senses with Hayley Grace and Irish food on Sunday 2 July, Hell & Whiskey (that’s a band not a drink) plus wieners on Friday 7 July, Ondre Davis and Latino food on Sunday 9 July, Josh Lee Hamilton and American street food on Friday 14 July, Phil & Tilly and surf burgers on Sunday 16, Matty Rogers and Portuguese street grill on Friday 21, Brad Butcher and pork awesomeness on Sunday 23 and Tyler Vivian and wood-fired Mexican on Sunday 30 and if you’ve not had enough of the brewery with all of that, you can get an exclusive backstage tour with the brewmaster on Wednesday 19 July. Suss out the details at burleighbrewing.com.au.

The Aints play the Saints On the 40th anniversary of the release of The Saints’ classic album (I’m) Stranded, founding member, guitarist and songwriter Ed Kuepper will revisit the material performed by the seminal Australian band.

Featuring Ed Kuepper, Peter Oxley, Paul Larson and Alister Spence and originally spawned in the early nineties, The Aints sought to bring justice to the sound and attitude of the original Brisbane-based band, capturing their energy and iconic onstage presence. This version (The Aints 2.0) will perform songs that spanned three groundbreaking albums. I’m Stranded, Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds. "I don't think that anyone, myself included, would have thought that this material I wrote when I was starting out would still have currency after all this time....but here we are celebrating it's 40th anniversary,” said Ed Kuepper. The Aints will play The Saints at The Triffid as part of Brisbane Festival on Wednesday 28 September. Tickets via feelpresents.com.

#046 JULY 2017 Editor in Chief: Samantha Morris Cultural Editor: Natalie O'Driscoll Design: Chloe Popa Advertising: Amanda Gorman Music Coordinator: Mella Lahina Money Coordinator: Phillippa Wright

GOLD COAST ARTISTS SCORE SHOWCASE AT INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EVENT

Partnerships: Simone Gorman-Clark House Photographer: Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography Contributors: Natalie O’Driscoll, Samantha Morris, Marj Osborne, Marlena Katene, Trevor Jackson, Erin Bourne, Terry “Tappa: Teece, Anthony Gebhardt, Tiffany Mitchell, Glenn Tozer, Mella Lahina, Emma Whines, Nae Kurth, Joanne De Rome.

Music cover photo: Grinspoon by Dan Maynard Photography.

Lifestyle cover photo: John Graham pictured in front of an Amica Whincop artwork, captured by Lamp Photography.

Gold Coast’s leading live act, Hanlon Brothers alongside Gold Coast Music Awards finalists Eliza and the Delusionals have been announced to showcase at Australian Music Week in November.

Boasting big partnerships with international conventions and events around the world, as well as our own Gold Coast Music Awards, Australian Music Week attracts the country's most influential industry decision makers providing an incredible platform for artists to advance their careers here and overseas.

hard yards and have something great to offer the world,” Omar said.

Hanlon Brothers and Eliza and the Delusionals are part of a 30-artist strong announcement, the first of many for the November event. Also included in the first announcement are Gawurra, Hot Potato Band, Leanne Tennant, Mama Kin, Lilly Among Clouds (Germany), The Kava Kings, Tia Gostelow, William Crighton and Terra Lightfoot (Canada).

Andy Golledge + Crystal Cities + Dog Trumpet + Dylan Wright + E for Echo + Eliza & The Delusionals + Gawurra + Hanlon Brothers + Hot Potato Band + Hunter Adams + Kingston County + Liam Gerner + Leanne Tennant + Letters to Lions + Lilly Among Clouds (Germany) + Mama Kin + MVRKS + Neil Murray + Paddy McHugh + Rhythm Hunters + Tenderfoot + Terra Lightfoot (Canada) + The Go Set + The Kava Kings + The Knots + Tia Gostelow + Wille and the Bandits (UK) + William Crighton + Winterbourne + Yetti Calzone

"We've dedicated many years to honing our craft, mastering our instruments and developing a live show that will stand up on the world stage,”said Hanlon Brothers’ bassist Omar Hanlon.

“Australian Music Week is the perfect place for us to show the music industry how Hanlon Brothers have put in the

Applications to showcase at Australian Music Week close 17 July. Full first lineup announcement for Australian Music Week:

Blank GC and the Gold Coast Music Awards are proud partners of Australian Music Week.

Acknowledgement of Country We genuinely respect and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and play. We honour their elders past, present and emerging as well as the rich contribution that continues to be made to society through art, story and music.

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. Founded in 2013 we are the Gold Coast’s independent cultural voice and we rely on advertising as well as our generous contributors to keep us in the fray. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editor, publishers or the writing team.

Samantha Morris www.blankgc.com.au

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Image: Dan Matnard Photography

1995. A band from Lismore named Grinspoon submitted a song called Sickfest to triple j’s Unearthed national band competition in its very first year. They won that competition and for two months after the song was triple j’s number one request. Just two years later Grinspoon released their debut album Guide to Better Living. It went double-platinum and spent 36 weeks in the ARIA Top 50. That was 20 years ago and to celebrate the milestone, Grinspoon are emerging from hiatus with a special release of a deluxe edition of Guide to Better Living as well as an epic national tour, playing the album cover-to-cover.

Bass player Joe Hansen tells Blank Gold Coast editor Samantha Morris that it feels good being back on the road again.

“We’ve just done a couple of shows and it’s pretty awesome. It’s fun to play Guide to Better Living.

The two shows have gone well – we’ve sort of blown the cobwebs out.”

Which is just as well, because there are 26 dates left on the tour which takes in locations as far flung as Darwin, Geelong, Frankston, Albury, Barooga and Dunsborough as well as Gold Coast, Lismore and all the capital cities.

It’s been a long time since Grinspoon were on tour and Joe says that time was hazy in a lot of ways.

“We had a ball recording Guide to Better Living and being on the road. We were just a young band from Lismore. We won this triple j competition and then started touring with other bands. All of a sudden we’re playing with like Tumbleweed and Spiderbait and Magic Dirt, Silverchair and Powderfinger. We were like kids in a candy store. We got to record, go on tour, get free booze, what’s not to like?”

“Back then it was like a whirlwind – you’re not taking it in. Ten years ago, it was like ‘this is just what we do now.’”

“But now it’s like, ‘wow, this is really cool, we decide to do a tour and people are really into it.’”

“For us, now, we appreciate it more – being able to play in front of crowds – we soak it up more. And we have a different perspective. You appreciate people are spending their hardearned money to come see you. And we’ve got this tour now, but who knows what is next.”

Joe says touring is also physically harder now than 20 years ago. But not much.

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“We’re not in zimmer frames yet,” he laughs. “You can bounce back up when you’re in your early 20s easier than when you’re in your early 40s.”

“And you can’t drink ALLLLLL the rider every night any more,” he laughs again. “We are a little biy more sensible than 20 years ago. Just a little bit.”

Listening to songs on Guide to Better Living reminds me just how far ahead of the curve the band were in the late 1990s. The fact that they’re still attracting hordes of new fans and selling out a national tour 20 years after the album’s release just reinforces the quality of those songs – both in musicality and lyricism. But of course, as teens and early 20 somethings, that longevity was the last thing from the band’s mind when they were releasing those tracks.

As well as the massive tour, the band has also produced a heap of anniversary goodies - vinyl and CD releases that include rarities, live tracks, unreleased recordings – there’s even a recording of Grinspoon live at CBGBs in New York. Joe says the process of pulling it all together was straight-forward, mostly because their manager insisted they just “make a decision”. But he speaks fondly of the CBGBs recording – and not because of the quality of music.

“The CBGB’s stuff for us is really cool to just listen back to. You know, it’s an iconic venue and for us – a band from Lismore - to be playing at CBGBs at an iconic punk rock club in New York – it was pretty rad.”

“It sort of is a bit of a time capsule. It’s pretty raw, but that’s how we were at the time.”

“I tend to think it was probably just a happy accident really,” says Joe. “I don’t think there was any planning from Phil [Jamieson, frontman] saying ‘ this is a lyric that will connect’. He doesn’t do things on purpose like that. He doesn’t contrive it like that. I think he just blurted out whatever came into his head and that sort of fortuitously had that lyrical connection.”

And being that young band from Lismore, of course the band have fond memories of the Gold Coast.

“You have to remember, some of the other songs are just gibberish,” he laughs.

They’ll pass back through the Gold Coast in August as part of their national tour. Grinspoon are the headlining act for Shakafest with a treasure trove of Australian talent in support.

Joe said Shakafest was a special show for them because it’s the only festival on the tour.

“Listening to songs evokes memories. If I listen to a song that I was listening to 15 – 20 years ago, it immediately brings me back there.”

“That’s what’s cool about this tour – there are a lot of people coming and rocking out. You might have this 45 year old guy that was like ‘ I used to mosh like a madman when I was 25 to this’ and there he is again moshing to this.”

“We’ve got lots of friends on the Gold Coast and it’s one of the areas we would play in when we first started. That’s where a band from Lismore headed to get some action,” Joe said.

“We love doing festivals – festivals were really big at the time of Guide to Better Living.”

“DZ Deathrays are playing… and Horroshow, it’s going to be awesome, and great fun hanging out with other bands and watching those guys play.”

So, with all this nostalgia, reconnecting, digging up old recordings and unreleased material, are there likely to be new Grinspoon songs on the horizon?

“That is an unanswerable question at the moment,” Joe said very diplomatically. “We’re going to do this tour and see how we go.”

“Best case scenario, I’d like to do some, but we need to see how we all feel about it after this.”

“If we do some more music, it’ll hark back to the Guide to Better Living era rather than the more recent stuff.”

And by the way this tour is going (only nine shows have tickets remaining), it seems that would be a very popular decision.

GRINSPOON PLAY SHAKAFEST AT MIAMI SHARK BAR ON SATURDAY 19 AUGUST AS PART OF THEIR NATIONAL TOUR. THERE ARE ALSO SHOWS IN BRISBANE, REDLAND BAY AND THEIR HOMETOWN OF LISMORE. TICKETS TO THE FEW REMAINING SHOWS ARE SELLING FAST, SO HUSTLE. TICKETS VIA: BIT.LY/ SHAKAFEST.

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PETE MURRAY'S CAMACHO Pete Murray is one of Australia’s most loved musicians, with more than one million record sales under his belt. And just a few weeks ago, he released his sixth studio album Camacho and announced a gigantic 33-date Australian tour.

Guaranteed to be lapped up by new and old fans alike, Camacho is a diverse, uplifting, emotive and powerful record from a seasoned songwriter who is unafraid to challenge himself with new and exciting sounds. It’s chockablock full of collaborations too - Trials (AB Original), Eric J Dubowsky, Tony Buchen (Montaigne, The Preatures, Bob Evans), Andrew Burford (Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Allday) and ARIA winning producer Jon Hume (Matt Corby, Lisa Mitchell) all had a hand in the new record.

Marlena Katene caught up with Pete Murray ahead of the album’s release.

Your latest album Camacho appears to differ a little from your previous five albums. Tell me, what can we expect from it?

Yeah, it's quite different. What I've been listening to lately is a lot of electronic and hip-hop. I'm trying to hear the sounds and flavours of what this music is doing. I'm trying to add that to what I do; writing lyrics and big choruses, that's the essence of what I've been trying to do. Working more with loops and beats and getting into a studio where I've got a full band in most cases.

It was interesting to see some of the people you teamed up with to complete the album. Can you share with me a little about the journey and people involved in its creation?

When I first started I wanted to work with loops and beats, that was the main thing. The songs Only One, Sold, and Camacho, they were some of the first ones written and I recorded those five and a half years ago. I heard about a hip-hop producer through my booking agent. He goes by the name 'Trials', he's from Adelaide, he's in a band called AB Original, a couple of Aboriginal boys and they are awesome, they're great. And Trials is such a great human, he's a fantastic guy but from a different world physically to me. So, I sent these three songs down and he sent them back. I had put these garage loops on and already I could hear the flavours changing when I did that. So he re-recorded the beats and sent them back and I was like "Wow that's unbelievable". So that was the first instance working with someone different.

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Featuring Electrik Lemonade Saturday, 22 July from 6pm ADCO Amphitheatre bond.edu.au/electriklemonade

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FREE CONCERT SERIES

I was really surprised to learn that you only picked up a guitar at the age of 22 after your flat mate invited you out to a guitar lesson. I can't imagine you without your guitar in hand and how different do you think your musical career would have been without it?

Tell me about it! If someone had said to me when I was at school that I would have a career in music, I would've fallen over laughing. I was right into sports and I didn't do any music. But when I was 22, I had a friend. He was the one who came into my room and said "I'm going to learn the guitar, I've always wanted to and I'm getting some lessons". I thought that sounded pretty cool. So I got to work and had a couple lessons. Sadly, he died of an aneurysm at 32, a couple years later. He was studying teaching and he said to me "make sure you live your life and you enjoy it." Even though he died at 32, I know he lived his life to the fullest and had a good time.

PETE MURRAY IS AT LISMORE CITY HALL (12 JULY), THE TIVOLI IN BRISBANE (14 JULY) AND THE STAR GOLD COAST (SATURDAY 22 JULY). READ THE FULL INTERVIEW AT BLANKGC.COM.AU.

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GETTING CLOSER WITH MASS SKY RAID

THE POWER OF FOUR

All Our Exes Live in Texas is a fantasy draft of Sydney’s finest singersongwriters - Elana Stone, Katie Wighton, Hannah Crofts and Georgia Mooney – here combining in four-part, indie-folk harmony heaven. On mandolin, ukulele, accordion and guitar, the Exes are folk force to be reckoned with. Now, as part of a national tour for their album When We Fall, the foursome are bringing their delicious melodies and quirky lyricism to Miami Marketta. Natalie O'Driscoll chatted to Katie ahead of the tour.

Have you played at Marketta before?

We have actually we played with Boy and Bear there last year. They were SO good. It’s a great spot.

I just the love the band name. How did it come about?

It’s very boring really! It’s actually already a song called All My Exes Live in Texas. We googled best country song title names, and found it. By George Strait. He’s from Austin, he’s got a reputation over there.

Do you think he realises there’s an Australian folk group named after his song?

That’s a very good question! It would be very interesting to know if he knows.

How has the response been to When We Fall?

It’s been really lovely. We crowdfunded the album so it’s been lovely having all the people that pledged to get involved in the album hear it. And we’ve had lovely audiences all across the country and we’re excited to tour the album in Australia.

Do you have favourite tracks?

My favourite is Parking Lot, it’s sort of the heaviest, most rock-y sound. Hannah wrote it, and we all love singing it in unison, it’s really empowering.

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How does the writing work between all of you?

Someone will bring a song that isn’t quite finished, someone else with write a song with someone else in mind, it’s choppy-changey in who sings what and who writes.

Four part harmonies are unusual in nonacappella music.

We’re all singers and we thought it was be fun to sing together. We’ll do call and response we didn’t set out to be different but it kind of happened that way which is a nice accident.

How different are your personal styles and how do you integrate them?

Elana does a lot more electronic pop-y stuff for her solos, and I was a bit more dark pop stuff and Georgia is probably the most folky of a lot of us. Hannah was also in the folk / pop world so we’re all kind of different genres but we love folk music and we all studied jazz so we all came at music from a similar vibe. We’re all quite different singers it’s really interesting that our blend works well and you can always tell who’s singing which lead part. It’s just a very happy accident.

ALL OUR EXES LIVE IN TEXAS WILL HIT MIAMI MARKETTA ON 13 JULY. TICKETS VIA OZTIX.

Gold Coast’s Mass Sky Raid are even closer to their fanbase this year, launching a new single and their debut video. The single Closer presents a wall of sound, with melodic vocals and tight production and their launch shows in July will show fans why Mass Sky Raid have scored support slots for the likes of Dead Letter Circus and Twelve Foot Ninja. Lead singer Andrew Lomas chatted with our editor Samantha Morris about Gold Coast’s music scene and what the band has learned in its six years in music.

It’s tough being a heavy rock band on the Gold Coast. What’s your experience been like here?

Yes and no. I mean on the Gold Coast there are limited venues that original acts can play at compared to other cities and states however this just means as a band you need to be touring when you can - interstate and internationally. I also think there are so many more avenues to get your music out these days - such as the internet.

Can you describe your new song Closer?

We are always trying to explore new aspects of our sound with every song. I think Closer shows another part of Mass Sky Raid.

Musically I think it shows a lot of light and shade and from a lyrical perspective I think Closer is about persistence, growth and a desire to keep on evolving on your path while not losing focus on your dreams and where that path is leading.

Six years is a long time in the music biz.

What have you learned as a band over those six years?

It is a long time , however if you passionate about music, six years is nothing really. I think everyone in the band would be doing music anyway if they where not in Mass Sky Raid. It’s what inspires each of us. We have learned to enjoy the journey a bit more along the way and that is reflective in our writing.

We all love writing together and with every new song we learn a little bit more about ourselves as a band and individual musicians.

The video for Closer is your first ever video.

Why now to make your video debut?

We have spent a lot of the last few year writing new material and with Closer we felt the visual message could connect to our audience. I think the simplicity of its message and emotion it gives was a great track for us to do our fist video clip. We now can’t wait to do our next one. We were fortunate enough to work with Tyson Leith on this clip. I really think he captured the true emotion of the song.

With a new single, video and tour under your belt, what have you got planned for the rest of 2017?

We are super excited about the year ahead for Mass Sky Raid. Apart from hitting the live scene hard we are going to be releasing our first full length album later this year. We can’t wait to get it all out there for everyone to hear. It’s something we are all proud of and massive achievement for the band.

MASS SKY RAID LAUNCH THEIR SINGLE CLOSER ON SATURDAY 15 JULY AT THE ZOO, BRISBANE AND ON FRIDAY 21 JULY AT MIAMI SHARK BAR WITH THESE FOUR WALLS AND CHELSEA ROCKWELL IN SUPPORT.

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SARA STORER’S SILO Image: Lamp Photography

LOST? YOU’RE NEARLY THERE

Never heard of Burleigh Underground Drummers? That’s probably because they’re, well… underground. With no advertising, it’s word of mouth and local know-how that keeps the crowds attending. Now with a ten year celebration looming, this privately-owned venue is the longest running underground club on the coast, and doesn’t show any signs of quitting. Natalie O;Driscoll chatted with owner Kimon Peters to get the lowdown on all things BUD. Country Music Awards female artist of the year, Sara Storer, brings a silo of new songs with her signature country style to Broadbeach this year. Tiffany Mitchell posed some quick questions before her July gig at the beachside country hoedown.

With the Gold Coast being miles away from the regions where your greatest fans follow you, will the Broadbeach Country Music Festival be an opportunity to play a particular set list to an audience listening to you for perhaps the first time?

I'll write a set list to suit everyone! There are certain songs that people love to hear that I always put in the set. There are some old songs that I know my older audience love to hear. But I love a chance to sing some new stuff... and songs that run with current issues ... it will be a mix of old and new. I hope new listeners will enjoy the selection.

For many of us, when we hear the name Sara Storer, we visualise the Australian bush through your lyrics. They are authentic Australian images, with original ideas - not Americanised. How does your new album Silos capture the essence of what is important to you now, musically?

Musically what's important now is writing the best song I can and being better as a writer than my last album. Moving house from Darwin city to regional NSW, helps with rural themes and stories, but finding something new to write about can be challenging. Sometimes I think too hard about things and the writing becomes a big mess. Keeping things as simple as keeping it real works best for me. Writing about things/ experiences around me is how I write. Each album is kind of a musical diary of my life and where I'm at.

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The Silos album has a lulling instrumentation composed in each song.

A favourite track is Mascara & Song - in particular the lilting Celtic fiddle and the lyrics “I’m fighting back the fear, being real as I can be.” Is this a song about stage fright or writing succinct lyrics?

This song is about the lead singer and the band member. Two girls and their thoughts, feeling and job. Yes... I guess it's fear... and the worry of what people think. Keeping things real for me works. If I keep it real, I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not and can let my guard down.

The Broadbeach Country Music Festival will be your sole gig for the month of July. However, you are the epitome of a productive life; six studio albums, the 2016 ARIA Country Album of the year, swags of Golden Guitar Awards and mum to four boys. Will you try and take some recreational leave while you are here?

I wish ... but no! I will have to get back to the boys asap. School, a busy husband and ten loads of washing will be waiting. I have a crazy August, so I had better behave myself and go straight home to get as many cuddles in before I hit the road again.

BROADBEACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL IS 28 – 30 JULY. MORE AT BROADBEACHCOUNTRY.COM.

“Basically it’s a creative space,” explains Kimon.

“It did start off as a place for myself and family to have live music and for my children to appreciate live music. When it actually started I was twenty-five years off the drums, I had the opportunity to get back on then and realise the inadequacies of where people can take drum lessons. What was needed was a place to play.

“Once it started we did three and a half years of open jams, four years of band rehearsal area.

Then we had different artists play there and we’ve had a few international ones in, not a lot.

It’s a BYO venue.”

The casual, family-run nature of Burleigh Underground Drummers creates a comfortable atmosphere, a place where music-lovers come just to listen to bands, and where kids are welcome.

“People come and have a bit of ownership over it,” says Kimon.

“That’s the best possible way to describe it. It’s multi-purpose. We have bands, art exhibitions, camp quality fundraisers, anything that is a worthy cause we’ll give the venue to the people.”

By the people and for the people, Burleigh Underground Drummers warehouse is also full of donated items, from furniture to decorations.

Having evolved over its period of operation into a needs-based local music venue, it has a unique atmosphere that would be unable to be replicated commercially.

“It wasn’t a conscious thought, it wasn’t a business concept, it evolved into the space that it is. It’s a place where parents can bring their kids and their kids can’t believe their parents know a place so cool.

“A description I have is ‘when you think you’re lost you’re nearly there’. Location is important.

Every pub, club, live music venue in the world – and I’ve been to too many to even bring up - it doesn’t have what I didn’t like in any of them. It’s a space that everybody walks into and understands, that’s the feedback I’ve had. And feels comfortable.”

A massive chunk of the drummers on the coast have passed through the venue doors.

“It’s somewhere for young drummers if they need tuition we lead them to the right path.

We’ve had 90 or more drummers come to us in some capacity. We’ve gone through a generation of people.”

As for why it’s so important to keep the place underground?

“The unknown factor is probably the mystique of the place,” Kimon says.

“There’s still new people coming in whenever we have something to this day. It’s very important to me that you can appreciate live music without alcohol involvement. It keeps it affordable. It’s very hard to keep somewhere underground, but once you experience it then it’s appreciated. Simplicity equals efficiency.”

HEAD TO BURLEIGH UNDERGROUND DRUMMERS ON SATURDAY 8 JULY FOR AN AWESOME LINE UP OF BANDS TO CELEBRATE THEIR TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY. IF YOU CAN’T FIND IT, YOU AREN’T LOOKING HARD ENOUGH.

NIMA LINEUP REVEALED A star-studded lineup of Australian talent has been revealed for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards. Taking place at Darwin’s historic amphitheatre on 12 August will be A.B. Original, Dan Saltun, Paul Kelly and Gawurra as well as Emily Wurramara, Apakatjah, Leah Flanagan, Numbulwar Red Flag Dancers and Electric Fields.

Indigenous music has become more and more accessible over recent years and 2016 was no exception. A.B. Original won the Australian Music Prize and both Busby Marou and Jessica Mauboy claimed #1 ARIA chart positions.

Troy Cassar-Daley took out Album of the Year at the Tamworth Golden Guitars, Isaiah Firebrace represented

Australia at Eurovision and Casey Donovan returned to national prominence via mainstream television.

NIMA has also again partnered with triple j Unearthed to discover the next generation of Indigenous talent, giving one lucky artist the chance to perform at the awards, with all Indigenous artists who upload new songs to the Unearthed platform by 2 July eligible for the prize.

The NIMAs show, now in its 14th year celebrates the mainstream success of Indigenous music and shines a spotlight on the next generation of Indigenous stars.

Samantha Morris

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS TAKES PLACE IN DARWIN ON 12 AUGUST. MORE AT INDIGENOUSMUSIC.COM.AU.

BIGSOUND ANNOUNCES FIRST ARTISTS

BIGSOUND Festival 2017’s first artist announcement has launched, with over 60 acts making up the initial list of Australia’s hottest musicians heading to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley this September.

This first announcement includes hot-button acts such as Winston Surfshirt, Hatchie, Alex the Astronaut (pictured), Polaris, Mansionair and Ruby Fields, as well as return BIGSOUND visitors Hockey Dad, Mama Kin and The Creases.

As in each of BIGSOUND’s previous 15 incarnations, there’s something for everyone. The festival reaches across the genres, welcoming everyone from dance floor lords Total Giovanni to future hip hop star Baker Boy, electronic breakouts Haiku Hands and instrumental soulsters The Cactus Channel. The festival’s international reach also continues to grow in 2017, with the UK’s Splashh and New Zealand Critic’s Choice prize winners Bespin heading down under to join the festival.

This year, BIGSOUND gives each act the opportunity to play twice, expanding the live music experience across four big nights on 5 – 8 September across 17 venues to ensure punters and industry get multiple chances to check out the artists that get the most chatter across BIGSOUND week.

“Once again we’ve been spoiled for choice when it comes to the range of new and exciting talent being showcased at BIGSOUND,” said BIGSOUND Programmer Maggie Collins.

“I know these acts will follow in the footsteps of those that have come before them and achieve the international recognition that they deserve.”

BIGSOUND Festival runs from 5 – 8 September 2017. Tickets are on sale now from bigsound.org.au from $85.

FULL FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT Alex The Astronaut, Alexander Biggs, ALTA AURELIA, Baker Boy, Bespin, BOAT SHOW, Body Type, Brightness, Clowns, Daggy Man Dobby, Donny Benét, Dream, Rimmy, ELKI, Endless Heights, Fanny Lumsden, Good Morning, Haiku Hands, Hatchie, Hayden Calnin, Hockey Dad, Horace Bones, Introvert, Isabel, IV League, Jess Locke, Jim Lawrie, Joyride, Kardajala Kirridarra, Kylie Auldist, Lonelyspeck, Maddy Jane, mama kin spender, Mammals, Mansionair, Maribelle Merk, MISS BLANKS, nyck, Obscura Hail, OKBadlands, Pagan Pandamic, Party Dozen, Peter Bibby, Polaris, Polographia, POW! Negro, RUBY FIELDS, Seavera, Sloan Peterson, Spirit Bunny, Splashh, The Cactus Channel, The Creases, The Teskey Brothers, Tigerilla, TOTAL GIOVANNI, WHALEHOUSE, Willaris. K, Winston Surfshirt, Yoste, Ziggy Ramo.

&

Samantha Morris

www.blankgc.com.au

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J U LY 2 0 1 7 LIVE GIGS AT FISHERMAN’S WHARF TAVERN Fish bo w l l o un ge bar | e v e nts | di ni ng | functions

SUNDAY 2ND July Ricky Tate FROM 1 pm

SunDAY 9th JULY BELLA MARIE FROM 1PM

SunDAY16th JULY Fire & Ice Band FROM 1PM

SunDAY 23RD JULY Galapagos Duck FROM 1.30pm

STATE OF ORIGIN JULY 12 Win a jersey | drink specials | BUNDY GIVEAWAYS | PASS THE FOOTY | FREE FOOTY FOOD F I S H E R M A N ’ S W H A R F TA V E R N |

M A R I N E R S C O V E M A I N B E A C H | P H O N E 0 7 5 5 7 1 0 5 6 6 | W W W. f i s h e r m a n s w h a r f ta v e r n . c o m . a u

CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF.

SOLID AS A ROCK For those who don’t know The Hitmen, they are pure rock and roll, born out of the hard rocking brotherhood of iconic Australian band Radio Birdman. Johnny Kannis was right there amongst it all, dressed in a white tuxedo, introducing Radio Birdman as MC and singing back-up vocals to boot.

The Hitmen had many members who’ve come and gone, including Hoodoo Gurus’ Brad Shepherd and Mark Kingsmill. Radio Birdman former guitarist Chris Masuak was a staple in the band, and now lives in Spain and will not be joining the band on tour. The best way to find out what’s happening with one of the hardest playing and working rock bands in Australia is to ask the man himself - Johnny Kannis.

It’s a long time since you were Radio Birman’s MC and also a long time between drinks for our favourite rock ‘n’ roll soldiers The Hitmen. What has brought the Hitmen back to the war against the jive?

Hitmen have been trying to plan a tour ever since our 30 year birthday party celebration but have stumbled at the last hurdle a few times due to Chris living in Europe. An offer came through from the Harbour Agency in Sydney late last year and it seemed to fit just right with the 4 of us. Laneway Music was also planning to release our ‘Best Of ’ album online. So it made perfect sense.

The Hitmen have had various line-up changes over the years and some legendary players. What is the new line up and how is it going so far?

We’ve been rehearsing for the past seven months. It’s a tougher, rock n roll sound. Tony Robertson and I return as original rock n roll soldiers. Tony Jukic (switching to lead guitar) has been re-called to active service and Muzz Shepherd, ex chief Screaming Tribesmen and brother of original member Brad Shepherd (currently serving in another war), is proud to serve. Murray has been with the band since 2007. Not a loose collection of musicians, I say! Rather, a genetically spliced SupaHuman, featuring both original and family DNA. With the recent inclusion of new member, and second guitarist Vince Cuscuna (Ex Buffalo Revisited), this is truly the next generation of THE HITMEN DTK. Terry 'Tappa' Teece

THE HITMEN DTL HIT PARKWOOD TAVERN WITH THE PROTOOLS ON FRIDAY 7 JULY. READ TAPPA’S FULL INTERVIEW AT BLANKGC.COM.AU.

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TRUE CONFESSIONS Back in 1978, five fresh faced young lads from Derry, Ireland, delivered one of the finest slices of melodic punk perfection ever committed to the annals of recorded music. The name of the band was The Undertones, and their incendiary track Teenage Kicks was a song so beloved by legendary musical taste-shaper John Peel that he requested it be played at his funeral. Sadly this came to pass much too soon.

Worry is a killer of success, not to mention creativity. Artists are renowned for heightened emotions, it’s a part of their gift after all, but you can’t let the nature of the music business bring you down.

As a music publicist, past primary school teacher, recovering perfectionist and atychiphobia (fear of failure) sufferer, I have a lot of experience in building resilience so that selfdoubt, criticism, rejection, worry and ‘failures’ don’t fizzle your sizzle.

Resilience is tough to build for entrepreneurs and more so for artists, as self-belief is a cornerstone of our careers. And, it is challenged everyday because we put ourselves out there, laying our worth on the line for the world to judge. Can we do it? Is it good enough? Am I good enough?

While being an integral part of the 'first wave' of English punk rock, the band's subject matter was less concerned with kicking against the pricks as it was about fizzy good times.

More Songs About Chocolate and Girls, the first track off their second record Hypnotised, probably sums it up best.

In an artist’s world of music reviews, scoring airplay, selling tickets and CDs, building a fan base, landing gigs and receiving recognition, how can you productively and positively weather the ‘nos’, the naysayers, the setbacks, the real and perceived rejection, not to mention the self-doubt?

In terms of vicarious thrills, Teenage Kicks is hard to beat (musical trainspotters will see what I just did then.) Yet scarily The Undertones also delivered plenty more belters of a similar exquisite calibre - True Confessions, Top 20, Here Comes The Summer, Male Model, these barely scratch the surface when it comes to the band's vigorously joyful racket across their initial eight year existence. Most bands would kill for just one song as good as any of these to hang their hat on.

F

Change your concept of failure. View the fuck ups, small and big, exactly for what they are - valuable lessons in what not to do next time. Granted, some lessons cost us more money, pride or advancement than others, but this is the Real World University and sometimes we gotta pay for our education! Know that we are all learning in today’s music industry, veterans too. Embrace it and you will never fail again.

F

Check in with your cheerleaders. We can all benefit from having and being a relentless, reliable supporter and sounding board - that person who will answer the phone or meet for coffee to cheer you on through the successes and, more importantly, the ‘lessons’ and hard knocks.

F

KISS it. Sometimes we just over-think and analyse things to death. I find when things seem so big, overwhelming and at times unachievable, employing the KISS principle works a treat - Keep It Simple, Stupid. In other words, bring things back to basics. Simplifying and eliminating unnecessary complications, even temporarily, quickly gets us back on track and helps kick that self-doubt to the kerb too.

F

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Take a moment to ask yourself, how bad is it really? Does my emotional response correspond with where this sits on the scale of catastrophes?

Of course, if it really is that bad, seek help. In most cases, though, a quick check to put things in perspective can save a lot of heartache and stress.

In 1999 the band reformed without original vocalist Feargal Sharkey, and on the eve of their very first ever Australian tour Blank GC’s Anthony Gebhardt had an enlightening chat with charmingly affable The Undertones guitarist Damian O’Neill, who was just as excited to finally be heading our way after 40 years. And a man clearly in thrall of one of Brisbane's finest ever bands.

"We're all massive fans of The Saints! We used to play (I'm) Stranded back in 1977. We're hoping to play either that one, or This Perfect Day as part of our upcoming Brisbane show.

Although maybe we should have kept it a surprise haha! I would love it if (original Saints guitarist and Brisbane resident) Ed Keupper shows up, it would be great to meet him."

Anthony Gebhardt

THE UNDERTONES WILL FINALLY BE HITTING OUR SHORES IN EARLY JULY FOR THEIR FIRST EVER AUSSIE TOUR, KICKING OFF AT THE TRIFFID ON FRIDAY 7 JULY. YOU CAN READ ANTHONY GEBHARDT’S FULL INTERVIEW AT BLANKGC.COM.AU.

Kylie Cobb

Lloyd Spiegel has to be one of the hardest working guys in blues. Although it’s been six years since his last studio album, with the amount of touring he does, fans can probably consider themselves lucky that he even found time to manage that! This Time Tomorrow is his ninth offering, and returns Spiegel to his gut bucket blues roots.

Natalie O'Driscoll spoke to the blues master ahead of his gig at Soundlounge in July.

LLOYD SPIEGEL TALKS THIS TIME TOMORROW

Last time we chatted you had a custom Cole Clark guitar to give away to a lucky fan. Who did it go to and did you get to see their reaction when they won it?

It was actually won by a fan who lives about 30 minutes from me so I got the thrill of delivering it personally. It couldn't have worked out any better really. He's a long time fan and played a little guitar as a younger man so hopefully the win inspired him to get back into it.

How does This Time Tomorrow represent where you currently are on your musical journey?

I've always worn three hats. Guitarist, blues artist and songwriter and all my previous works seemed to focus on one of those elements. I had always struggled with putting lyrics I liked into a blues form and with my songwriter material, which sits outside the blues, the guitar took a back seat. This Time Tomorrow blends the three. Probably for the first time in my career.

Can you tell us about some of the characters who make an appearance in the new album?

I guess most of the characters are different versions of myself. I feel and act completely

different in Germany than I do in Kansas City and different again at home. I battle between family man and touring muso a lot and much of this album is venting that. There's a bunch of old friends in there too and they often creep in because I'm reconnecting with them at the time.

Tell us about your recent Bluesfest experience.

I had played some of the big US festivals so I thought I knew what to expect but performing at an event on that scale in Australia really kind of knocked me out. I have often said that when a festival is run so well that the only thing an artist needs to worry about is putting on a great show, you'll get the very best from that artist and Bluesfest does just that. I had never been to Bluesfest but it felt like going home.

For people who haven't seen you live, what are some things they can expect from your show on the Gold Coast?

I've worked hard on the new songs so I can present them as honestly as possible. This show is much more dynamic that any solo show I've ever done and I guess the fact that these songs were never performed live prior to this tour gives me the little rush I need to get more from my performance.

YOU CAN CATCH LLOYD SPEIGEL AT SOUNDLOUNGE ON 22 JULY.

WHEN HELL BREAKS LOOSE Prolific music maker Shane Nicholson, brings full studio band and New Orleans style album to Broadbeach Country Music Festival. Blank GC’s Tiffany Mitchell caught up with him just weeks before the event.

Your last album, Hell Breaks Loose, with its many narratives, reminded me of the lyrics in Dire Straits’ Making Movies song; Skateaway.

That song sums it up… the music makes her wanna be the story/ and the story was whatever was the song. There is a narrative in every song.

That’s cool. It’s hard to be self-aware enough to draw those comparisons yourself. That record was full of a lot more narratives than most. It was that time in my life where there was a lot to write about - there was heaps to say and to get out on the page. It was a very cathartic process I guess, writing that record. It was self-therapy.

SHANE NICHOLSON PLAYS BROADBEACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH RUNS 29 – 30 JULY.

That record, I had to get away from the studio and write that. I ended up right in the Red Centre at a place called Hermannsburg, out near Alice Springs and that’s where it was the catalyst for the songs starting. I didn’t even take a guitar - I wanted to get away from music for a while. I’ve known myself for years, that the only way to kickstart song writing is to get away from the world. The geography plays a big part of it for me. Like on the Love and Blood album, I hibernated to the Hawkesbury and lay on the floor of a boat, with my guitar, and wrote songs.

Speaking of orchestrate…. we love the use of the brass instrumentals on your last album Hell

Breaks Loose. Will those instrumentals appear on your new album Love and Blood?

For this album, we wanted to have fun and thought this New Orleans street style band would be a fun thing to do. The horn section is actually one guy playing all of those horns separately. It sounds like a big band of people walking down the street in New Orleans – that was the vibe, but it is just one really talented guy, James Greening in Sydney, who came in and did one part after the other.

It was fantastic. I will be bringing my whole studio band up for this festival. They don’t tour often, so It’s hard to get them on the road at the same time. Being the album launch weekend at the festival, I got them to agree to get on a plane!

What people may not know is that before you created your own collection of songs on Love and Blood, you helped craft albums for other musicians.

I think I made twelve albums last year and three in the last month. I love it. I kind of couldn’t live without it now. The writing is the reason why I started into music when I was a teenager, and I love playing and performing – but all of it just pales into comparison to being in the studio making music – making it come alive. I make a solo album once every two years or so. Working with other people, means that I can almost every day be in the studio. I can live vicariously through everyone else. I love the feeling of accomplishment - the idea you go to bed having created something that didn’t exist that morning.

JULY & AUGUST

02 ANDY PENNEY 09 GIG CARTEL 16 JAMES HIGGINS 23 ANDY PENNEY 30 BAREFOOT FRIDAYS

06 GIG CARTEL 13 ANDY PENNEY 20 GIG CARTEL 27 JAMES HIGGINS

SUNDAYS IN THE BEER GARDEN 2-5PM for more info www.surfclubaustralia.com

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JUNE

Kristie Lea | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

Free The Genie | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

Scott Dalton (2.00pm) | Palm Beach Surf Club

Amanda King (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

Safety Dance (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC

Bella Marie (1.00pm) | Fishos

Horrorshow | Miami Marketta (ticketed)

Sex and Chocolate (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC

Juzzie Smith + Owen Campbell | Soundlounge, Currumbin

Black Rabbit George | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach

Sarah Archer (4.00pm) | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Sarah Grant | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Turntable Thursday with DJ BRCKS | The Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach

Seaside Sounds: Katie Who + Electrik Lemonade | Burleigh Point

Hell & Whiskey | Burleigh Brewing Co

MONDAY 10 JULY

Zookeepers (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Hayley Grace (2.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

Clawmachine + Coastal Lights + Cheeki + Whitney Veitch | Currumbin Pub

Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

THURSDAY 29 JUNE

Sarah Grant Duo | The Rails, Byron

Bare Bones (9.00am) | Iron & Resin, Currumbin

FRIDAY 30 JUNE

Dan Hannaford (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade

Hello Tut Tut | Miami Marketta Angus Oastler + LIVVIA | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre Michael Eotvos | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL Ned Walker | Walrus Social House Luke Houselander: EP Launch + Johan Danno + Joshy Dredz + Daneel | Currumbin Pub

GOLD COAST GIG GUIDE

Cory Hargreaves (2.00pm) | Palm Beach Surf Club Ricky Tate (1.00pm) | Fishos Andy Penney (2.00pm) | North Burleigh SLSC Gemini Duo (1.00pm) (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Funk N Wagnells | Southport Sharks

MONDAY 3 JULY

Dan Irwin | Cabana Bar, Southport Sharks

Lloyd Saniel | Southport Sharks

Mat Stokes + Russ Walker | J Bar

The Yorks (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

Phoebe Sinclair | Pacific Fair

The Undertones | The Triffid

SATURDAY 8 JULY Burleigh Underground Drummers 10th anniversary gig | Burleigh Underground Drummers Daneel & The Feel | Nimbin Hotel (NSW) San Mei + Phebe Starr | Miami Shark Bar Phil Barlow (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack AKoVA | Chameleon New Age Salon Jason Delphin | Watermark Hotel & Spa Reuban Stanley (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade

TUESDAY 4 JULY

Dan Hannaford Duo | Hotel Brunswick

Bigg P | Hotel Brunswick

Matthew Armitage | Cambus Wallace

Luke Bennett | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

Daniel Champagne + Harry J Hart | NightQuarter

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

JULY

Bligh | Miami Marketta James Street Preachers | Cambus Wallace

SATURDAY 1 JULY Wild Marmalade featuring Paul George (Tijuana Cartel) + Felicity Lawless | Soundlounge, Currumbin Shakafest pre-party: Trapdoor + Electric Zebra + Kazual Tea + Singing Rogers

Captain Wow (Covers) | Southport Sharks Zambabam Samba Rock | Miami Marketta The Highlife + Hayden Hack | NightQuarter

Come Together – The British Invasion: in aid of Men’s Mental Health | Miami Marketta (Ticketed)

GLOW Festival: Fairchild + Eliza & The Delusionals + Calan Mai + Katie Who + Wayward Suns | Gold Coast Cultural Precinct

Phil Barlow | Pacific Fair (6.00 – 9.00pm)

Salt & Steel | Nimbin Hotel

THURSDAY 6 JULY Holy Holy | Miami Marketta (Ticketed)

Tokyo Beef | Burleigh Underground Drummers Slique Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Betty Smokes & the Forgetaboudits (4.00 – 11.00pm) | Miami Marketta (free)

Turntable Thursday with DJ BRCKS | The Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach

SUNDAY 9 JULY

Rosie Misschief & Katia Deemester (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack

Black Rabbit George | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach

Joshy Dredz | Cambus Wallace

Daniel Champagne + Belle Badi | Mt Nimmel Hall, Austinville

Zookeepers (Covers) | Southport Sharks The Hanlon Brothers (Covers) | Stingray Bar, QT Gold Coast

Southwall | Hotel Brunswick Candice | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

FRIDAY 7 JULY

Tessa Devine (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade

Cheap Fakes + Marshall Okell + Hannah McLeod | NightQuarter

O.L.B (covers) | Southport Sharks

Lunatics on Pogosticks + White Blanks + VOIID + Radolescent + Skuzz Muncher | Miami Shark Bar

Ben Hanna | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL Wet Fish + Lock n Load | NightQuarter Crossfire Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Johan Danno | The Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach The Lyrical (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

Keegan Sparke (4.00 – 7.00pm) | Pacific Fair

Stoneage Romeos (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

Michael Whitmore (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

TUESDAY 11 JULY Mescalito Blues | Cambus Wallace

WEDNESDAY 12 JULY Tessa Devine | Pacific Fair (6.00 – 9.00pm)

THURSDAY 13 JULY All our Exes Live in Texas | Miami Marketta (Ticketed) Turntable Thursday with DJ BRCKS | The Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach Black Rabbit George | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach Zookeepers | Southport Sharks The Hanlon Brothers (Covers) | Stingray Bar, QT Gold Coast

FRIDAY 14 JULY Graham Hobson | Watermark Hotel & Spa Fozzy Bear | Hotel Brunswick Nyssa Berger | Pacific Fair (5 – 8.00pm) Jerome Williams | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre Devils Kiosk (Covers) | Southport Sharks Hayley Grace | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks Andy Penney (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC The Swamps | Miami Marketta City Over Sand + Bella Maree | NightQuarter Josh Lee Hamilton | Burleigh Brewing Co

Round Mountain Girls (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

Stingin Rogers + MNVR + Jake Hobbs + Liam Ward | Currumbin Pub

Catherine Gunther (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade

Goldilicious (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Josh Lovegrove | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre Kristie Roberts (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks The Accidents (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC

Lotus Ship | elsewhere

SATURDAY 15 JULY Kenny Slide (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade Peter Hunt (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack

Owen Campbell + Juzzie Smith | Soundlounge Currumbin

Fergo (4.00pm) | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

The Eagels Band | RSL Club Southport

Benny D Williams | Miami Marketta

Angus Oastler (12.30pm) | Genki Cafe, Palm Beach

Push | Hotel Brunswick

Kris Wason | Watermark Hotel & Spa

SUNDAY 2 JULY

Jason Delphin | Watermark Hotel & Spa

Kenny Slide | Pacific Fair (5.00pm)

Seaside Sounds: Burger Joint + Felicity Lawless | Burleigh Point

OKA | Hotel Brunswick

Ondre Davis (2.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

The Great American Classic Rock Show | Southport Sharks

Michael Eotvos | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

Ben Amor (9.00am) | Iron & Resin, Currumbin

Chris Hutchinson | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Sia vs Jessie J Tribute | Southport Sharks

www.blankgc.com.au

Hitmen DTK | Parkwood Tavern

Matrix Duo | RSL Club Southport

Mark Watson | Watermakr Hotel & Spa

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Wally & The Gators (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Gig Cartel (2.00pm) | North Burleigh SLSC

Fergo | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

Kimmy & Crew | Miami Marketta

KICKSTART YOUR MUSIC CAREER

Floating Bridges + Sarah Frank + Casey Marie | NightQuarter

Dallas James | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Manesh | elsewhere

The New Savages | Miami Marketta

Shotgun Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Round Mountain Girls + Tomato Tomato | NightQuarter

SUNDAY 16 JULY Pandemic + Trapdoor + Wavevom + Stained Daisies | Miami Shark Bar Herbie Walker | Cambus Wallace Dan Hannaford (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade Mason Rack Band (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Raku | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre Brad Palmer | Pacific Fair (4 – 7.00pm) Jacob Lee (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks The Gig Cartel (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC CC The Cat (4.00pm) | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL Seaside Sounds: Tay Oskee + Hussy Hicks | Burleigh Point Phil & Tilley (2.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co Felicity Lawless (9.00am) | Iron & Resin, Currumbin Nicky Convine (2.00pm) | Palm Beach Surf Club

Out of Abingdon Jazz Duo | Spaghetti and Jazz Matty Rogers | Burleigh Brewing Co

Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks Tommy memphis (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

TUESDAY 25 JULY

SUNDAY 30 JULY

Matthew Armitage | Cambus Wallace

Cheap Fakes | Hotel Brunswick Herbie Walker | Cambus Wallace

Sunshine | elsewhere

WEDNESDAY 26 JULY

Captain Wow Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

James Street Preachers | Cambus Wallace

Mass Sky Raid + Chelsea Rockwells + These Four Walls | Miami Shark Bar

SATURDAY 22 JULY Lloyd Spiegel | Soundlounge, Currumbin Electrik Lemonade (6.45pm) + emerging artist showcase (from 3.00pm) | Live at Bond, ADCO Amphitheatre at Bond University Josh Lovegrove (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade The New Savages (2.00pm) | The Sheoak Shack Frenzal Rhomb | Miami Shark Bar Tyson Faulkner | Watermark Hotel & Spa McKenzie Duo | Hotel Brunswick

AKoVA | Beach Hotel, Byron

THURSDAY 27 JULY

Seaside Sounds: Satisvibes + Josh Lovegrove | Burleigh Point

Black Rabbit George | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach Zookeepers | Southport Sharks The Hanlon Brothers (Covers) | Stingray Bar, QT Gold Coast

FRIDAY 28 – SUNDAY 30 JULY Broadbeach Country Music Festival: America + Troy Cassar-Daley + Kasey Chambers + More | Broadbeach

FRIDAY 28 JULY

James Higgins (2.00pm) | North Burleigh SLSC

Mark Divola | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Jax Haze | Pacific Fair (5 – 8.00pm)

Abbigayle Anderson (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

Blues Arcadia | Miami Marketta

Leena Salim (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Marco (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Pete Murray | The Star Gold Coast

Craig Shaw (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

SUNDAY 23 JULY TUESDAY 18 JULY

Angelo Pash | Cambus Wallace

Matthew Armitage | Cambus Wallace

Highlife (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Jerome Williams | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

WEDNESDAY 19 JULY Andrew Cousins | Pacific Fair (6 – 9.00pm)

Benny D Williams | Seaside Sounds Phil Barlow | Pacific Fair (4 – 7.00pm)

Radio Star (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC Rake (4.00pm) | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Wally & The Gators (Covers) | Southport Sharks

MONDAY 17 JULY

Emmy Brice (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

Matty Rogers | Pacific Fair (6 – 9.00pm)

Fire & Ice Band (1.00pm) | Fishos

Georgia Fields & Phia + Hayley Grace + Keegan Sparke | NightQuarter

The Smokin’ Crawdads Trio (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Josh Hamilton | Hotel Brunswick Nicole Parker Brown & The Late Late Show + Jake Meywes | NightQuarter, Helensvale Graham Hobson | Watermark Hotel & Spa Candice Dianna | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre The Mason Rack Band | Southport Sharks Ben Hanna | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks Hell & Whiskey (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC Kristie Lea | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL The Button Collective | Miami Marketta Jake Meywes | NightQuarter Brad Butcher | Burleigh Brewing Co Die For Mushies + Kazual Tea + Wootton Major + Isabel Wood | Currumbin Pub

Tyler Vivian (2.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co Dave Murray (9.00am) | Iron & Resin, Currumbin Lilleexx (2.00pm) | Palm Beach Surf Club Jason McGregor | Pacific Fair (4 – 7.00pm) Barefoot Fridays (2.00pm) | North Burleigh SLSC Jerome Williams (3.00 – 6.00pm) | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre The Red Men (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

MONDAY 31 JULY Doubleshot (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

AUGUST Josh Lovegrove | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL The Settlements + Eden Mulholland | NightQuarter Fairchild | elsewhere

Bill Jacobi (2.00pm) | The Sheaok Shack

Black Rabbit George | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach

James Fox Trio (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC

Matrix Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Nicky Convine | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

Erin Sphere | Hotel Brunswick

Nicky Convine (4.00pm) | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

SATURDAY 29 JULY

Felicity Lawless + Mick Buckey & the Stray Hepcats | NightQuarter

Jesse Morris & Rob De Masi (2.00pm) | The Sheoak Shack

SUNDAY 6 AUGUST

FRIDAY 21 JULY Michael Eotvos | Watermark Hotel & Spa Big Music | Hotel Brunswick Sarah Archer | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre Brown Suga (Covers) | Southport Sharks Dan Irwin | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks Hell & Whiskey (Covers) | Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC

Angus Oastler (12.30pm) | Genki Cafe, Palm Beach Seaside Sounds: Salt & Steel + Benny D Williams | Burleigh Point Brad Butcher (2.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co Gavin Doniger (9.00am) | Iron & Resin, Currumbin Emmy Prescott (2.00pm) | Palm Beach Surf Club Galapagos Dck (1.00pm) | Fishos Andy Penney (2.00pm) | North Burleigh SLSC Russel Sprout (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

MONDAY 24 JULY

Mark Watson | Watermark Hotel & Spa LS Philosophy + Jacob Lee | NightQuarter, Helensvale Micka Scene | Hotel Brunswick Karrie Hayward (12 noon – 3.00pm) | Robina Town Centre, The Promenade Ben Hanna | The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre Miss T & The Anchormen (Covers) | Southport Sharks Luke Bennett | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL

POPULAR MUSIC PERFORMANCE MUSIC, SOUND AND VISION MUSIC INDUSTRY

SATURDAY 5 AUGUST

THURSDAY 20 JULY

The Hanlon Brothers (Covers) | Stingray Bar, QT Gold Coast

OF

FRIDAY 4 AUGUST

Michael Eotvos (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

Zookeepers (Covers) | Southport Sharks

BACHELOR

Elton John Experience | RSL Club Southport

griffith.edu.au/ popular-music

Abbey Road played by The Honey Sliders + special guests | Currumbin RSL Michael Eotvos (4.00pm) | Deck Acoustics, Currumbin RSL Gig Cartel (2.00pm) | North Burleigh SLSC The Murlocs + Guests | Miami Shark Bar

* Catch these SEED artists playing at a venue near you

The Mouldy Lovers | Miami Marketta

GRIFFITH.EDU.AU/POPULAR-MUSIC

www.blankgc.com.au

25

Deck Acoustics

plus special guests

KASEY CHAMBERS TROY CASSAR-DALEY

THE WOLFE BROTHERS - SARA STORER

SHANE NICHOLSON - TRAVIS COLLINS CAITLYN SHADBOLT - DREW MCALISTER - FANNY LUMSDEN

TOMATO TOMATO - THE VIPER CREEK BAND - JETTY ROAD LACHLAN BRYAN AND THE WILDES - THE WEEPING WILLOWS AND MANY MORE

Broadbeach

T FREE EVEN JULY 28-30, 2017 broadbeachcountry.com

The way it should be

WORLDS COLLIDING SPIRITUAL JOURNEY LONG STORY SHORT Georgia Fields and Phia, two of Melbourne's brightest independent singer-songwriters have announced they are joining forces for an expansive Australian tour, headed to NightQuarter on Saturday 22 July. The tour will see indie-pop chameleon Georgia Fields and live-looping wunderkind Phia share the stage and each other's songs, accompanying one another on everything from kalimba to casio, electric guitar to tambourine. Natalie O'Driscoll shot some questions to the talented duo ahead of the gig.

Can you tell us a bit about how the idea for this tour came about?

GEORGIA: Phia and I met about 6 years ago, at an open mic night in Paris of all places! She had just relocated to Berlin, and I was making my way around Europe on a working holiday. I remember walking through the stone doorway of this tiny Parisian bar, and hearing an Australian voice call out to me. As it turned out, Phia and I knew a bunch of the same musicians and artists from our Melbourne scene, but it took going all the way to the other side of the world for us to actually meet each other. Years later, when I was working on my latest album Astral Debris, my producer Tim Shiel suggested getting Phia to do a guest spot on the song Open Orange. I think it worked because our friendship and rapport was already so strong. Tim and I loved Phia's contribution so much we made Open Orange (feat. Phia) one of the album's singles.

PHIA: When I moved back to Melbourne, Georgia and I decided to do a double header single launch together, releasing Open Orange and my single Heartstrings. Working together was so fun and easy and it made me think about how difficult and lonely the life of an independent singersongwriter can be! So I thought, what if we scale up?

Embarking on a national tour of this size - 15 dates! - would be incredibly daunting and pretty much impossible on my own, but teaming up with Georgia, anything's possible!

HEAD TO NIGHTQUARTER ON 22 JULY TO CATCH GEORGIA FIELDS AND PHIA DOING THEIR THING. TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW, HEAD OVER TO BLANKGC.COM.AU

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www.blankgc.com.au

Australia’s best-selling poet and hip-hop artist, Luka Lesson has released a new track, Living Artefact, featuring multi award-winning Indigenous artist, Kahl Wallis (The Medics). It’s a strong, defiant world hip-hop track which continues the artists’ contemporary cultural songlines.

Dubbed "a sonic literary genius", Lesson is known world-wide as a leading Aussie slam poet with two best-selling poetry books, two music EPs and national tours with Nahko and Medicine for the People (US), Akala (UK) and Tiki Taane (NZ) to his name.

A powerful voice not be silenced, Wallis says the new song touches on the displacement and continued forced assimilation of First Nations people around the world.

"For me it’s a personal, spiritual journey which has deep connection to ancestors and country. I’m a living continuation of my ancestors and we are living proof of how to maintain resilience and strength, respecting and acknowledging those who have come before us, who have shaped and inspired our voice."

Luka he draws inspiration from his personal lineage of Greek story-tellers, street artists and modern music makers and is committed to using the powerful medium of word and music to “reignite passion, understanding and awareness around cultural and racial issues.”

“We’re having a great resurgence in orating one’s own story to large crowds. However, where we used to be called story-tellers or bards and the venues amphitheaters, caves and under trees; we are now rappers, singers and slam poets and our venues big stages, bars and YouTube,” he said.

"In order to keep our cultures alive, especially for Indigenous peoples whose stories are so often repressed, we find voice again in oral traditions through these new mediums. The need to speak out and be heard is essentially irrepressible.”

Luka Lesson and Kahl Wallis kick off the Living Artefact tour this August fresh from Luka performing at 2017’s Splendour in the Grass and hosting a writers’ retreat in Greece; and Kahl emerging from the recording studio where he is currently creating his much-anticipated debut solo album.

Samantha Morris

LIVING ARTEFACT IS AVAILABLE VIA ALL DIGITAL OUTLETS 30 JUNE 2017 AND YOU CAN CATCH LUKA AND KAHL AT NIGHTQUARTER ON 25 AUGUST.

We love hearing stories about Gold Coasters going on to international successes. One such story belongs to Luke Calleja, aka Kronic, a Hollywood-based ex-Gold Coast DJ and producer who has hit the big time, working with names like Pitbull, J-Lo and Bieber. Natalie O'Driscoll asked him about his whirlwind ride.

It might seem to some that you just popped over to LA and became an overnight success but I'm sure it wasn't that easy! Can you tell us how things actually progressed for you once you were there?

Overnight Success might be a stretch... I'm proud of what I've done, but I know I've still got a long way to go. When I first started travelling to LA, my only contacts were a few DJ's I'd met online. I don't think they'd ever met an Australian DJ before, so I guess I stuck out to them. As I started building a following as an artist, they kept linked me with more and more people. Eventually, I crossed paths with Lil Jon, and it was working with him on Bend Ova that opened up the doors for me to move there. Since then, I've kept working hard and I just try to meet as many dope people as I can.

What’s your connection to the GC? I lived in the Gold Coast for a few years. While I was there, I played a lot at SinCity and The Bedroom. It was actually playing at those clubs that inspired me to move there. The Gold Coast is an important place to me and my career. It's pretty much my second home, and it's where my career as an artist really began. I wrote and released my first few singles while living in the Gold Coast, and the city and lifestyle really influenced those records. I met Bombs Away in the Gold Coast, and they were really one of the first dance artists to mess with me, and I'm always grateful for what they did for me back then.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT MORE OF KRONIC’S STORY IN A VIDEO CALLED LONG STORY SHORT ON YOUTUBE. TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW, HEAD OVER TO BLANKGC.COM.AU

BILLBOARD CHART WINS AND ABERGOWRIE GRINS Gold Coast’s Jamie Lee Wilson, otherwise known as JVMIE was born and raised at Mermaid Waters but made a permanent move to the USA last year – a move which is delivering in spades.

A jazz major from Queensland Conservatorium of Music did not see JVMIE pigeon-hole her sound. She’s immersed herself in dance music culture, producing anthemic club tracks and Billboard-charting collaborations.

Her latest single Back 2 Love – a collaboration with Grammy Award winning producer Dave Aude is sitting at #2 in the Billboard Dance Club charts and she’s currently in the country to work with Youtube rap stars The Gowrie Boys.

The Gowrie Boys is a project at St Teresa's an all-boys Catholic boarding school west of Ingham in north Queensland. Many of the school’s students are from remote Indigenous communities – Cape York, Torres Strait, Northern Territory and southern Queensland.

Each year, new boys are selected to join the group – with the kids coming up with their own song lyrics and partnering with established artists to record songs.

“It’s been so inspiring;” JVMIE said of the project, “it’s inspired not just the guys [in the group] but the kids from the school.”

Image: Lamp Photography

“I come in with a song and the boys come in the lyrics and they really get an opportunity to express themselves, it gives them a voice, they talk about the culture, what they want for their future, the fact that they miss their families,” JVMIE explained.

The new collaboration – a song called What We Came For is the Gowrie Boys’ eighth track and is still in production phase.

“We just recorded over last weekend in Townsville,” JVMIE said. “We sit down and brainstorm with the boys and tighten it up, it’s a really fast turnaround, in 48 hours we recorded this song. We don’t have a choice ‘cause I have to get on the plane and fly out, it’s quite intensive.”

JVMIE’s work with the Gowrie Boys is a far cry from her current home of LA, where she’s just cracked #2 in the Billboard dance charts.

When we asked how a Gold Coast girl manages to achieve that ranking in such a short time, JVMIE was to the point.

“Blood sweat and tears.”

“LA is one of those cities where you either sink or swim and that had a positive effect on me and helped me work more on my own stuff rather than relying on other people,” she said.

LISTEN TO JVMIE’S MUSIC VIA SOUNDCLOUD.COM/JVMIE-2

“LA is really a city of getting out and about and meeting people. So I think that’s the thing that helped me, the realisation that I need to not just sit there and write songs in my bedroom.”

And while dance music may seem unrelated to her studies in jazz, she’s quick to point out that that background helps in every aspect of music.

“I had some great teachers I worked with at the Con,” she said, “Irene Bartlett a vocal coach helped me develop my voice and find my sound. The best part of jazz is it’s such a creative and free genre it gives you a foundation for everything.

“I’m working on a jazz side project at the moment. It’s not the main focus, but you miss it after a while of not performing.”

JVMIE’s new release Follow You is available exclusively on triple j Unearthed until next month when it will be released in other spots.

And it has a bangin’ video filmed in Joshua Tree National Park she’s excited to release soon too.

“It’s definitely a departure from the club scene,” JVMIE said. “It’s my down-tempo side project but all that new dow- temp stuff has been really exciting to work on. I love doing the club stuff it’s energetic and really exciting but I have a lot more control over this project and it’s definitely left of centre. An expressive departure.”

Samantha Morris

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www.blankgc.com.au

29

music reviews

PORT ROYAL

DAN SULTAN

DEAN LEWIS

JAPANESE BREAKFAST

Let’s face it, music these days is as much about being a visual medium as an audio one, so when you see a video that makes you smile as much as the song because of its content you’ve got a good chance of riding a winner.

It would be an understatement to say that I’m just a little bit excited about hearing something new from Dan Sultan. The man Clare Bowditch once dubbed “The Black Elvis” is back slamming out his own brand of soul and sounding as good ever.

There’s a big vibe on Dean Lewis and it’s not hard to see why. His last single Waves has racked up in excess of two and a half million views and over eleven million streams. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a familiarity in his music that sits somewhere between Vance Joy and Whitely with maybe a hint of Bon Iver thrown in too.

We first heard of Michelle Zauner, AKA Japanese Breakfast, after the release of her heartfelt, debut album Psychopomp detailing her extreme grief after her mother’s death.

Now she's back with sophomore album Soft Sound From Another Planet where she explores that numb part of grief after the shock and terror have worn off and she is left with the reality of her mother’s death.

Get Heavy

Killer

Brisbane’s Port Royal have nailed it on both fronts with Get Heavy, an infectious slice of surf punk guitar accompanied by a highly amusing video.

Formed in mid-2015 out a shared love for classic rock and the disbanding of various high school groups, Port Royal played their first show at a friend’s 18th birthday party and then took just eight months to record and release their debut EP The Express.

Frontman Lawson Doyle says Get Heavy was inspired “by the frustrations and experiences of adolescence: no money, late nights, broken hearts, and substance experimentation. Many of the verse lyrics refer to insane situations and stories from different people in my life, and was written at a time where I began to understand the chaos and confusion of growing up.”

The visual humour in the clip comes courtesy of Lawson’s doppelgänger puppet that was hand-made by Sunshine Coast-based ventriloquist Rebecca Dostal and modelled off Lawson’s aesthetic – his hair, his favourite shirt, jeans and killer sunglasses.

Get Heavy was recorded by QUT engineer James See, mixed by Magoo (Midnight Oil, Powderfinger, Regurgitator), and mastered

by Tony ‘Jack the Bear’ Mantz (Nick Cave, Powderfinger).

This classic garage rocker sounds like a Friday night fuelled on a slab and amphetamines looking for an escape with no regard for the consequences. As the band says, it’s all about “being young, stupid and adventurous”.

Trevor Jackson

Need You Now

The new album Killer is due to be released in late July, but as early as the end of last year Dan had dropped the track Magnetic as a teaser - a belter of a song backed by a gospel inspired chorus of voices that lyrically from the get go was pure, tortured and troubled Dan working his way through other people’s perceptions:

Soft Sound from Another Planet

Comparisons aside it’s the emotional heart of his songs that are the real reason why his music resonates. Songs like Waves and Need You Now deal with the most primary elements of who we are and the uncertainty of life.

Come help me / It keeps pulling me in / Tearing at each part of me / Don’t tell me / That you think this is it / Because this isn’t it for me

In Waves it’s the longing to capture the spirit of youth as you succumb to adulthood – perhaps a little more jaded by the world that surrounds you.

The superb video for Magnetic by Dropbear is reminiscent of Peter Gabriel’s visual work with Aardman Animations and the orchestral opening certainly enriched that vision. By the time the song’s driving chorus kicks in you’re reaching for the volume knob and cranking it all the way to eleven. It’s that strident chorus that makes Dan’s music so compelling – he sounds like he’s breaking out of whatever it is that’s holding him back.

There is a swelling storm / And I’m caught up in the middle of it all And it takes control / Of the person that I thought I was / The boy I used to know

The second album pre-release is Hold It Together, a follow up that is equally as impressive as its predecessor. With another great vid from Dropbear and a rolling bass line with a rhythmic beat driving the song, this taught slice of r&b harkens back to those soul driven 60’s gems.

Punctuated by the dismissive tone that surrounds his own loneliness:

Again, the chorus backing Dan has a gospel feel to it, but ultimately it’s the lyrics that really give the song its emotional weight – from his relationships with his brother to his mother and his own partner, it’s all there in this song and like those old soul classics despite their troubles there’s always that declaration of strength and love that will always hold them together.

If radio doesn’t get behind this song then they’ve totally lost the plot. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Trevor Jackson

In Need You Now it’s dealing with the vagaries of young adult relationships: You left your number on my bed / Saying this is all that you gotta do / But its not my fault that my phone went dead

Because I don’t need your love / I just need you now It’s that contradiction between male bravado and youthful vulnerability that’s so refreshingly appealing. These aren’t the lyrics of a worldly young lad, just one who’s still finding his way through it dealing with life and the expectations we place on each other when we’re still not quite sure what we want in our relationships.

To a generation of youthful souls plugged into every social option outside of a meaningful encounter those messages are both louder and more cloudy than ever before. Dean Lewis is not only voicing them with a rare honesty, but with a sense of optimism through soaring choruses that both sweeten the song and the connection with his audience.

Trevor Jackson

30

www.blankgc.com.au

Her voice is a mixture of sweet and devastatingly sad, and carries most of the emotion throughout while the soft pop instrumental provides a perfect bed for her voice to do its thing. While the essence of the album is sad, the entirety of the instrumentation and melody are surprisingly groovy. Smooth electric guitar riffs and pop like synths are littered throughout every song but have matured since her debut album creating a tailored sound.

Singles Boyish and Machinist are perfect sneak peaks of the album showcasing the extremes with Machinist showing off samples, synths and eerie futuristic vibes and Boyish leveling as an ode to the fifties with a basic ballad with simple guitar, drums and strings with Zauner’s voice bringing everything together.

Another highlight from the album is the title track Soft Sound From Another Planet which has a really catchy melody and sits somewhere in-between the vibes of Machinist and Boyish but had a bit of a rock edge with some really beautiful lyrics. It’s definitely a stand out on the album along with 12 Tracks which has a bit more a jive feel and makes you want to get up, dance around your living room and sing along at the top of your lungs with a friend.

The album as a whole is a brilliant second release and shows a sense of maturity and thought that was missing in Zauner’s first album. It showcases talent at both an instrumental and emotional level that I predict will translate beautifully live, and it also provides a story that will keep you entertained for hours!

Emma Whines

BRUTAL DAWN

THE TESKEY BROTHERS

Strings over acoustic guitar, in a waltzing time signature, Bernard Fanning’s opening track on Brutal Dawn sets his recognisable vocal on a much more folky backdrop than I expected.

A second familiar voice which i couldn’t quite place, on both the first few tracks, prompted me to check the liner notes where I discovered songstress Clare Bowditch, had added her assistance (who uses liner notes anymore?

Thank you Bernard!). What a good start!

It is hard to believe this group of young men emerged from a garage in the leafy suburb of Warrandyte, on the outskirts of Melbourne.

These Aussies boy had me fooled! Their sound is Americana blues, full of rhythm and soul, as if from the Mississippi region of New Orleans. Their songs are a sonic dream of swampy guitars and echoing harmonica.

The Teskey Brothers’ music is infectious, tempting the audience to swoon and groove in awe of their clever songwriting and a lead vocal that belongs with the Motown greats.

Bernard Fanning

Half Mile Harvest

Recorded just south of the Gold Coast at Byron Bay, it struck me the songs could just as easily have been backgrounded by a heavier and fuller guitar sound replacing strings and keys and been later Powderfinger offerings. As a fan of Powderfinger’s music, I liked this about the album. Lyrically, there’s a lot of first person tense giving a somewhat personal perspective and playing into the folk sensibility. A few of the later tracks really channelled a country style.

Pretty raw and heartfelt, Brutal Dawn is for dedicated fans of Fanning’s personal songwriting, and for fans of the country folk genre. If you’re heading on a solo road trip, or with someone you love a philosophical chat with, Brutal Dawn is the perfect soundtrack.

Glenn Tozer

Nothing on this album, which was produced

by The Teskey Brothers at home and independently released disappoints. It is raw, earthy, sexy. Their live performance intriguing and interesting. The Teskey Brothers seem to be experienced in love and breakups which flows through their self penned tunes.

Catch The Teskey Brothers at BIGSOUND and at Mullum Music Festival.

Joanne De Rome

NEW MUSIC Keelan Mak delivers indie-electro SKB It’s new age pop with a twist. Brisbane’s Keelan Mak has delivered smoky electronic grooves and melancholy yet uplifting vibes in his new track SKB. The 19-year-old producer released debut singles Control and Anymore last year and both piqued the interest of Triple J Unearthed, quickly earning him a reputation for a unique blend of velvety vocals, intricate synthesiser pads and brooding guitar melodies. This release is a refresher to his past releases, having spent the last 12 months fine-tuning his craft and sound. The song is out Friday 7 July. More at keelanmak.com.

Regular Band deliver anything but regular song Regular Band is a Brisbane three-piece with a fiery live persona and – as demonstrated by their latest track – a penchant for writing catch poprock numbers. They’re a little bit punk, a little bit grunge and pretty loud, but new single Golden Sage is a fresh offering that showcases Chris Werner’s lion-like vocal ability as well as just how tight the band is right now. If you love rock bands that write sing-a-long anthems, create walls of sound and foot-tapping melodies, you need to have Regular Band on your radar. This is a catchy song. Trust me. Listen at soundcloud.com/ regularband.

Ella Fence dabbles with cocaine It’s the second single off her new EP and the track Cocaine continues that journey into ambient and cinematic electro-pop. Already turning heads at triple j “bad-ass electro pop that’ll have you floating in a completive state of mind”, the track features Vinnie LaDuce and comes on the back of Dancer and Ella’s secret ‘motel tour’. “This is not a song about drugs,” she says. “This is not a song about

love. This is a song about conflict; internal and external. Experience overshadowed with judgment, with heartbreak, with venom.

Releasing this song is a promise to myself to feel free, be present, let go; to just be”. The track is out 7 July but you can listen on triple j Unearthed in the meantime. And be on the lookout for her upcoming sixtrack EP

New video for San Mei Gold Coast songstress San Mei’s beautiful track Until You Feel Good has a brand new video to its name. It’s an early gift from the electric lady’s debut EP titled Necessary which will be released 14 July with a local launch show. The video is rich, with mysterious hues and follow’s a woman’s time-bending journey across the dream-like and the real when the memory of a boy from her past returns. Filmed and directed by Brisbane based filmmaker Jennifer Embelton it's a stirring accompaniment to the track which has been gracing airwaves across the country and repeating on playlists across the globe including Spotify's 'Fresh Finds'. You can catch San Mei at Miami Shark Bar on Saturday 8 July alongside Phebe Starr.

Alex William drops debut It may be his debut, but at just 20 years old, Alexander William is a true musical storyteller. And this first release – Truth – produced by Byron-based Garrett Kato demonstrates this talent. To be released this month, the track lays down clear melodies with transiet beats and lyrics which draw you in. Truth tells the story of a young female journalist in the making, travelling with Alexander through Africa. They both come to the blatant realization that much of the world is impoverished and the young journalist struggles with wanting to tell the world the truth. Truth is out Friday 7 July and he plays a special show at Burleigh Masonic Hall Lodge Hall on Friday 25 August to mark its release. More at facebook. com/alexanderwilliamofficial. www.blankgc.com.au

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Lifestyle

MOST WUTHERING HEIGHTS DAY EVER FINALLY HITS THE GOLD COAST Kate Bush was just 19 years old when she topped UK charts for four weeks with her debut single Wuthering Heights. She was the first ever female artist to achieve the UK number-one spot with a self-written song. Since that year (1978) she’s released some 25 UK top 40 singles and ten studio albums (all of which reached UK’s top ten) and solidified her reputation for delivering eclectic and experimental music as well as theatrical performances.

Kate Bush was just 19 years old when she topped UK charts for four weeks with her debut single Wuthering Heights. She was the first ever female artist to achieve the UK numberone spot with a self-written song. Since that year (1978) she’s released some 25 UK top 40 singles and ten studio albums (all of which reached UK’s top ten) and solidified her reputation for delivering eclectic and experimental music as well as theatrical performances.

And perhaps there’s none more theatrical as her performance in the seminal video that accompanied Wuthering Heights.

And it’s that song and that dance which is the catalyst for the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, which this year comes to the Gold Coast for the first time ever.

The inspiration for the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever was in 2013 when UK performance artists Shambush took their wuthering flash mob act to greater heights with The Ultimate Kate Bush Experience, gathering 300 Kate Bush impersonators and turning a pleasant Sussex park into a wily, windy moor. The video of that event went viral and inspired Gold Coast girl and now Berliner Sam Wareing to create her own Berlin event.

Sister events have popped up all over the globe and July 2016 saw 20,000 women, men and children don red dresses and gather in parks to dance en masse to Kate Bush’s classic Wuthering Heights.

This year, Gold Coast gets its own event thanks to Lights Out and Dance co-founder and local marketing and events consultant Karleen Harrington.

“I love to dance and I love Kate Bush and Wuthering Heights so I was both excited and jealous when a girlfriend was posting pics about a Melbourne event on Facebook last year,” Karleen told Blank Gold Coast.

“When I noticed there wasn’t one on the Gold Coast, I decided that we needed one and I would arrange it.”

“The world needs more fun that can include the whole community, allow us to connect with our inner child and just have some fun,” Karleen said.

Gold Coast’s Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever takes place on Saturday 15 July from 2.00 – 4.00pm at The Arts Centre Gold Coast’s Evandale Lake. It’s a massive interpretive dance workshop followed by an en masse dance. It goes without saying that you have to dress for the dance.

“We’ll have a DJ who will play the song for us, along with some other music. We’ll have our dance leader Diana from Dance Skool who will go through the dance steps for everyone, we’ll do two to three practice sessions, take a break and then at 3.00pm well regroup and do a complete run through of the dance,” Karleen explained.

“We all need to find inclusive and fun ways to come together as communities around the world and connect with each other and have fun, regardless of race, religion, sexual persuasion, gender,” Karleen said.

The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Mark Buckley Photography, Dance Skool and Bordertown Films have all helped to make this inaugural event possible.

“I’ve had so much feedback and interest from so many people in the community. There’s been plenty of men and women alike who just adore Kate Bush,” Karleen said.

So, get out your red dresses (with bishop sleeves, of course), red stockings, hair flowers and black waist scarves. This is Wuthering Heights, baby.

Samantha Morris

THE MOST WUTHERING HEIGHTS DAY EVER HITS EVANDALE LAKE ON 15 JULY FROM 2.00PM WITH AN AFTER-PARTY FROM 4.00PM IN THE ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST BASEMENT. THE AFTER-PARTY IS TICKETED ($12 ONLINE / $18 DOOR).

GET ALL THE DETAILS AT FB.COM/

GREEN HEROES RACE AGAINST EXTINCTION An ocean free of plastic would be Turtle-tastic says a group of inspiring young runners in training for various races over the Gold Coast Airport Marathon Weekend. On Saturday, 1 July members of the Green Heroes team of young conservationists are taking part in the 2km, 4km, 5.7km and 10km races to raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution on marine animals.

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Noah Jay (13) is passionate about the issue.

“Animals don’t have a voice so we have to speak for them.

Plastic in the ocean is having a devastating impact on all marine life. We’re asking people to say no to single-use plastic items like bags, cup, straws and cutlery and use reusable alternatives,” Noah said.

The team is also fundraising to support the incredible work of staff and volunteers at Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR), which runs Ballina Byron Sea Turtle Hospital.

Lifestyle

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE YOUTH

RYLAN KINDNESS

Imagine being a successful entrepreneur with an already established business and another one on the way, but also traveling the world riding BMX bikes and competing in competitions with people twice your age, all by the time you’re 15 years old. Emma Whines sat down to have a chat with Brisbane local Rylan Kindness, who has conquered all of the above and believes that that is only the beginning.

It's pretty rare to talk to a teenager who doesn't define a sensational weekend as a bit of partying and a lot of Netflix.

However, Rylan Kindness has a bit of a different outlook.

"I hate doing nothing, so I'm always looking for something to do and ways to challenge myself! I usually like to find an opportunity or a gap in the market and fill it. It usually helps people and if it's something that I am passionate about it is just a great challenge and experience. I guess I'm kind of addicted to creating."

BMX riding is another thing that Rylan is passionate about and it definitely keeps him busy. China Malaysia, France and Indonesia are just some of the places he's travelled to in order to compete, and he has finished top 10 in just about all of them.

"I love BMX and it's given me amazing opportunities to travel but I saw the top of the sport very early and I knew that you couldn't do it your whole life, so I thought if I could do something that would allow me to travel whenever I wanted and provided a source of income to allow me to ride and compete that would work out great, so I did that."

His first business venture was ways to compare parking facilities and find people the best parking deals all over Brisbane. His next venture is taking it a step up and is set to help people find parking deals while traveling, which is to launch later this year.

You can keep up with Rylan by liking his page on Facebook @OfficialRylanKindess

FASCINATING FASCIA Did you know that if you removed all other tissue from the body and kept the fascia you would still be recognisable as you, from organs to facial expression? The fascia is one of the most important tissues in the body, and yet most people are unaware of it.

Fascia is connective tissue, and structural tissue, and it gives us our shape, literally. Myofascia is the fascia that wraps around each muscle fibre and around the muscle as whole, connecting everything to everything else.

The myofascia is, in large part, responsible for how we move and has been shaped by how we move. If we are active and mobile, the fascia is healthy and elastic, distributing force throughout the body. If we don’t move then the fascia lacks hydration, doesn’t move well and cannot distribute force adequately. This is often what leads to injury in the body; the force of a particular action or movement is not distributed effectively so problems occur either at the spot or in a connected place.

Working with particular fascial connections (myofascial meridians) throughout the body gives a huge boost to any training, reduces injury and balances the body. For example, the back line of the body is connected from the bottom of the toes, the soles of the feet, calf muscles, hamstrings, back, neck and up and over the head to the eyebrows. Stretching out the soles of the feet can help release the entire back of the body! Working with this line in training allows all of the elasticity and force transmission of the back of the body to come into the movement. We are not just a bunch of isolated muscles, we are integrated and connected so we do need to work this way. This is the premise of ‘functional training’.

There are lateral (side) lines, front lines and rotational lines, all of which hold the key to moving with ease.

If you want to know more, please visit aloka.com.au for more details, training hints and release tips.

Erin Bourne

GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS ELENA FAVILLI AND FRANCESCA Once upon a time, a mother read her small daughter the ageold tale of Sleeping Beauty, only to notice for the first time— an unconscious sixteen year old girl gets kissed by a male stranger. And this kiss, to which she did not consent (because: unconscious), saves her life.

The mother stopped reading, closed the book, and picked up Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls—and never looked back again.

Dissatisfied with the dreary tales usually relegated to girls, authors Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo went on the hunt and (easily) uncovered one hundred stories of some of the most badass girls and women in history, from ancient Egypt to present time.

Each lady is gifted with a full colour illustration and a brief tale of her adventures, trials, and triumphs, written in the same vein as a fairy tale. But they’re not fairy tales. These girls are real. And their stories are amazing.

From Ada Lovelace, the mathematician and first computer programmer, to Ann Makosinski, a teenage electrical inventor, to Fadumo Dayib, a Somalian politician, to Amna Al Haddad, an iconic young Muslim weightlifter, to Coy Mathis, a determined elementary school transgender girl, the stories will astound, make you laugh, and delight. It’s utterly uplifting, and rightfully so.

The book contains the most enchanting illustrations of our rebel girls. Kids will love flicking through the bright, stylised pages.

Each lady gives a quote. In the words of Nigerian activist Balkissa Chaibou, who as a teenager took her uncle to court and won the right to not be forced into marriage and instead go to school: “I will show them what I can do with my life.”

This book is the perfect gift for the women and girls in your life—and the men and boys. Except you’ll want to keep it for yourself.

Hot tip: buy all the copies you can.

Nae Kurth www.blankgc.com.au

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Food & Drink

BARBECUE MEETS BEACH FOR 2017 CHAMPIONSHIPS The ever-popular Burleigh BBQ competition is back in 2017, with North Burleigh Beach playing host to a round of the National Australian Barbecue Championships. This year, organisers have arranged for US barbecue celebrity and multiple championship winner Andy Groneman of Smoke on Wheels to run some masterclasses for eager smoke and ‘cue fans. Natalie O'Driscoll shot him a few questions ahead of his trip Down Under.

Do you notice a big difference in style and technique between Australian and American BBQ?

Can you tell us a little about the classes you'll be running while you're here?

I would say initially there was a large difference in style and technique; There were no cuts such as the briskets, butts, and ribs readily available, and the woods available were also different... it was a totally different scene than US BBQ. Aussie BBQ culture was more of a grilling culture - amazing sausages, and the like, but you wouldn't find a full brisket or pork shoulder unless you were having it cut to order at the butcher.

We are going to have three classes - and the goal is to help folks learn how to not only cook great BBQ but do it in a way that will produce consistent results for them.

Over the last few years it has gotten easier to find cuts, and the best local woods have made themselves known. Things like briquettes have given way to lump charcoal, and even "hot and fast" style BBQ has made its way into the AU BBQ Culture. So lots of growth in just a short time. The Competition scene continues to grow; and you see parallels to some of the same issues we have had over the years. And some of the same benefits grow, such as having local BBQ organisations and events bringing communities together.

How did you first get into competition BBQ, and how long have you been doing it?

I guess I am what you could call a "2nd Generation". I started by helping my Dad, Uncle and their BBQ team - the HoDeDo's , to spend time with Dad I am thinking 1991-92 is when I actually started doing things with the team. By 1996, I was wanting to cook more than the HoDeDo's could schedule, so Smoke on Wheels was born. So that would put me at around 25 years of BBQing!

Without giving away too many trade secrets, can you tell us just one "must do" when it comes to making the perfect rib?

For the best ribs, you have to peel the membrane off the inside of the slab. Without doing that, you will keep them from taking on all the smoke and seasoning they can. That membrane is also tough, and won't chew when they are done cooking. So take the extra step and remove it before you cook.

You're a 30+ time US Grand Champion. That's a lot of blood, sweat and tears put into competition BBQ. Where do you think you get your drive and passion for it?

Once you get that first award you are hooked; you want to hear your name called for a better one, then eventually you want to hear it as the LAST name they call - the winner. It means you did well in all categories - didn't bomb in any one. That is the hardest thing to do, cook all four categories well, and make all four sets of judges feel like your food was exceptional. No one shows up wanting to lose! What keeps the passion going though, for me, is the people. All of the other teams, organisers, and random people you meet. We've build a worldwide network of friends that I couldn't have without our BBQ Adventure. And after doing classes for the last decade, it's almost more exciting to hear our students names called! I love to see people that we have helped move up the chain and get the awards they were hunting for.

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We'll talk about fire management, flavour directions you can go, smoke (and how to use it), and even some of the science - why the meat does what it does... for example, "the stall". Different methods, and how they impact the final product (lots of ways to get good BBQ, no "one way" is just right). In one of our classes - we'll be looking at how to drive some volumes, and maintain quality and consistency — in addition to trying to manage process to keep the labour time and food processes in check.

Are you planning on holidaying a little on the Gold Coast as well?

I hope to get a little time to check out the Gold Coast - I like to "travel like a local" when I can — so I am trusting Greg to point me in the right direction. I am pretty low key, so looking forward to the cool vibe in Burleigh.

BURLEIGH BBQ RUNS OVER TWO SMOKIN’ DAYS ON 5 AND 6 AUGUST AT NORTH BURLEIGH HEADS BEACH. ANDY GRONEMAN WILL BE RUNNING A RIB ACADEMY AND A BRISKET AND PORK SHOULDER ACADEMY AND A SIX HOUR BBQ BOOT CAMP FOR LOCAL CATERERS AND RESTAURATEURS. TO GRAB TICKETS FOR THE MASTERCLASSES, VISIT VISIT GOLD COAST TICKETS OR THE BURLEIGH BBQ FACEBOOK PAGE.

I understand that your wife and children like to join you in cooking. Do you think you have some future BBQ champions in the making?

I can brag on them already! My daughters have a competition team called "Reckless & Brave BBQ" and compete in the "pro" division. They have won category calls, and have both won youth events. My youngest won the American Royal Kid's Que, and my oldest won the Junior World Championships in Lake Placid, NY competing against 16 yr olds at age 11! Now I just have to keep them from beating me... I couldn't live it down if they did. (ha)! And my wife is the better half of Smoke on Wheels for sure. She keeps the wheels on the bus!

What is your favourite meat, cut and style of cooking to eat?

There isn't one... So many good cuts and ways to eat them.

From a hot grilled Korean style cut short rib to a smoked and beer braised full short rib! A reverse seared culotte steak... Pork Carnitas... fresh BC Spot Prawns. Too much good food to be able to pick just one! And one of my favourite dishes when over there is a roasted pork belly with that amazing cracklin'.

DOVETAILS @ THE PUMPYARD BREWERY

88 Limestone Street, Ipswich

Ipswich, the ‘grande dame’ of Queensland, is being reborn, her stately buildings and houses undergoing rejuvenation as the city takes on new life. There are lots of attractions in Ipswich if you take time to look: road and rail events, heritage walks, funky cafés and a load of owner-operated niche interest, vintage and gift shops. It’s easy to plan a weekend around your interests.

If there’s one place which exemplifies the progressive attitude of the town, it’s the Pumpyard Brewery. Home to Wade Curtis’ award-winning 4 Hearts beer, first released commercially in 2011, the brewery takes its name from the site’s historical role: the place where in the 1860s locals came to collect their four free buckets of water daily at a pump tapping a natural underground spring.

Comprising four compellingly gothic, institution-like red brick buildings opened in 1901, the site was used as a technical college before being sold to use as a brewery.

The original buildings were to have been opened by Queen Victoria, the event marred by her death two weeks prior!

Now, it has become a place of business and pleasure, leaseholds in the upper floors containing professional offices while the brewery and several dining areas fill the back of the venue.

A quick tour of the Pumpyard’s buildings and beer with GM Shaun Hunt shows us the tasting area and bar integrated into the brewery, 20 taps run straight off the fermenting tanks. There’s plenty of beer to try: the low alcohol Ipswich Challenger, Red IPA, Seasonal (which tastes much like a German ale), 1910 (which packs a massive punch in both flavour and alcohol), Coalminer’s Stout and Wabbit Saison (beer made with Scenic Rim carrots). How local can you get! It’s easy to settle on the ‘sessionable’ Slippery Slide, and indeed it is!

The brewery offers casual family and group dining in an atmospheric industrial setting. Unused wood from the site has been upcycled into dining tables between the bar and the vats, the bar constructed from the old Esk Bridge. Some remnant machinery from the old woodwork workshop provides atmospheric décor pieces, an historic reminder that our history is never far away.

and you’ll see more attributions in the large dining room adjoining the marble bar.

Many diners will choose to dine on the expansive deck instead. Shaded by 100-year-old Poinciana trees, the deck extends out from the building to overlook the park alongside.

The overall masculinity of the venue and styling is softened in Dovetails with a fine touch. The beautifully balanced cutlery and floral-fringed wine and food menus provide femininity. The carefully curated à la carte menus are well suited to the dining public, with the fusion of well-chosen dishes for lunch and dinner influenced by classic French and modern Australian cuisine. In a short wine list of just a dozen wines, almost all are available by the glass, but of course there’s also 4 Hearts beer, one of the venue’s star attractions.

With breakfasts ranging from gluten-free crumpets with local honey ($8), to French toast with caramelised banana, or Eggs Bene with chard, smoked salmon and lemon hollandaise ($21.50), breakfast on the deck has real appeal – the perfect place to hold a business meeting or to begin an indulgent weekend.

We dine on a weekend at lunch, enjoying the peaceful ambience and polished service. Shared entrées of Herb-

crusted kangaroo carpaccio and Queensland scallops with cauli purée, black pudding crumb, and lemon hollandaise are delicious, light meals. We share the more substantial main: Wagyu beef cheeks braised in Coal miners’ stout with potato gnocchi and mushroom ragu ($26), leaving room for a stunning Beeramisu – sponge fingers soaked in Coal miners’ stout with coffee and creamy mascarpone.

Somehow, as we sit on the veranda, we’re imbued with a sense of place and the accumulated history of this venue. With a glass of pale ale and Gippsland’s Bass River Pinot Noir on hand, we blissfully spend a few hours in conversation and laughter, shaded by ancient Poinciana trees like so many who’ve gone before.

We marvel at the foresight and hard work necessary to restore this venue rather than demolishing it, as so many others may have done.

What a bonus this revitalised complex is to Ipswich! It’s a ‘must visit’ attraction.

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

Meals at the brewery are well-priced and pitched to match a session: Hot wings and Sweet potato fries, Brioche burgers, a Brewer’s Board or Pizza to share, or mains such as Middle Eastern lamb or Fajitas.

Save some room for dessert! The Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich or the Chocolate Macadamia Brownie with salted caramel sauce and chilli stout ale ice cream are decadent ‘must do’ desserts! There’s also a separate kids’ menu, making the venue family-friendly.

In April 2017, the Pumpyard expanded their dining options with the opening of their new conference centre (the Lord Lamington Room that can cater for up to 200 for cocktails and 120 for sit down dinner) and à la carte finer dining restaurant Dovetails, (named in honour of the many carpenters who trained at this former TAFE complex).

The expansion is the jewel in the Pumpyard’s crown.

“Ipswich has been screaming out for a place like this,” says Nathalia Sousa, the Day Manager.

Maintaining a sense of heritage with its panelled timber walls and simple elegant furnishings and lighting, the large banquet table shows off dovetail joints on its timber top; the skill after which the restaurant was named. Look further

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Food & Drink

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BAKING BOOK EDITED BY HELEN GREENWOOD, TIM HARPER AND RUTH HOBDAYCAVALLO There’s nothing like baking to show a little love.

Baking for someone is an indulgent made-to-order way of saying that you care.

There’s no ‘standard fit’ for baking. Everyone has their own favourite dish, determined by taste, culture, flavour palate and food intolerances.

The Great Australian Baking Book covers many bases. An eclectic mix of 165 vintage and new Aussie baked dishes, it includes favourites from our childhood, featured in The Great Australian Cookbook, with 90 new sweet and savoury recipes, including raw, gluten and sugar-free treats for the modern diner.

Native ingredients and cosmopolitan influences also gain a place in this must-have kitchen companion, showcasing our unique heritage. From lamingtons, pavlova, sausage rolls and scones to quince tart, kindlech and baklawa, this collection not only gives us the tried and true, but it also presents us with new classics.

Recipes from some of our finest bakers: Adriano Zumbo, Charmaine Solomon, Kylie Kwong, Maggie Beer, Margaret Fulton, Matt Moran, Neil Perry, Peter Gilmore, Peter RussellClarke and Stephanie Alexander join modern creations from luminaries such as Tara and Jeff Leong (The Nutrition Guru and The Chef), Amanda Brocket (The Raw Food Kitchen), Irena Macri (Eat Drink Paleo), and Cat Cannizzaro (WildRaw).

Baker’s notes at the beginning of the collection add the context of baking principles, pantry ingredients, methods, tips and tables, while a comprehensive index includes separate dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian sections.

Printed in durable hardcover, each recipe is accompanied by a full-page original photograph. Reg Mombassa’s artwork on the cover and endpapers depicts an Australian backyard, a figure in the window surveying the apron and tea towel hanging to dry on the Hills Hoist. In his nostalgic illustrations, the oven is full, with an Aussie pie baking. It’s a home filled with love where we cook from The Great Australian Baking Book.

Note: OzHarvest will receive royalties from sales of this book to support its work nourishing those in need.

Marj Osborne 36

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THE FISH HOUSE 50 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

The food world sits at a nexus between the old and new; an old guard of meat-n-three-veg stalwarts butting up against a slew of sous-vide-owning millenials who maintain a pantry full of spice and world cuisine. In an ever-growing foodie culture which sees foams, gels, and tuilles taking over fine dining experiences more often than not, it can be incredibly comforting to eat out at a restaurant which clearly understands the mechanics associated with modern dining while at the same time embracing a simplistic approach to its menu. This is where The Fish House at Burleigh sits.

The stripped-back surrounds comprise whitewashed bricks and subtle lighting; a large mirror instantly doubles the interior. The staff, in their neat, pressed blacks, walk the fine line of being simultaneously attentive and unobtrusive. It's a clever environment, one designed to ensure no focus is taken away from the food. Even the name of the restaurant conveys quiet simplicity.

The menu is simple, with eight entrees and mains available, a couple of pasta dishes, one steak and some raw selections.

Still, we dither, finding several items too enticing to decide.

(The raw Yellowfin Tuna catches my eye, $36). Eventually we choose to share the entrees of Pan Seared Scallops ($28) and Black-lipped Mussels ($28). Our choices are validated by the speedy arrival of our plates. The scallops are large, with a perfect crust from the pan breaking open to the sweetness inside. The squid ink and mushroom duxelle provides a subtle earthiness to the dish, with a tiny hit of salt from

the speck of crispy serrano ham on top rounding out the flavours. After eating my two I crave an entire plateful.

The mussels are huge and barely touched by the heat, creating a texture which is more tender than one usually finds. They are served simply, lightly steamed in a classic combination of white wine and onion and a hint of fresh herb. In order to mop up our sauce, we ask for more of the delicious bread served to us (and promptly gobbled) on arrival. Baked daily at The Lovely Bakery in Currumbin, this tangy sourdough provides a hearty sponge for the fragrant, umami juices.

The whole fried Crispy Snapper ($49) and Coral Trout ($50) certainly appeal, however we end up deciding upon the Petuna Ocean Trout ($44) and Patagonian Toothfish ($58) for the mains. The Ocean Trout arrives covered in delicate fresh herbs and tahini, and is oven-baked to perfection.

The sides are simplicity personified; crunchy roast potatoes, tender-crisp greens and baby cos lettuce leaves in a zesty dressing, allowing the fish to shine. My Toothfish, a delicate white offering from Heard Island, absolutely melts in the mouth. The caramelised glaze was too sweet for my companion and utterly perfect for me, so we chose well.

By now we're completely satiated, a bottle of Ochota Barrels grenache ($85) having gone down far too easily. The light red was a perfect accompaniment to the meal, and a solid recommendation by staff member Kieran. The drinks menu, at 20+ pages, is too robust for us to navigate unaided. With

an eye to reviewing only, we sample the Citrus tart ($15) and Cannoli ($4) from the dessert menu, after gazing longingly at the shared Apple Tarte Tatin with burnt toffee and ice cream ($28), knowing full well we'd never do it justice.

The Cannoli is a finger-length bite, full of fresh custard with vanilla bean specks. Perfect for when you feel like finishing off with something sweet but have no appetite for anything hearty. I wish more restaurants offered this kind of dessert. The Citrus tart with mascarpone certainly packs a citrus punch, with the balance between sweet and sour leaning a little too towards sour for my taste. However it acts as a palate cleanser and provides an energising end to the evening. With autumn weather well on the way, we are advised that the summery tart is being removed from the menu and replaced with a raspberry cheesecake, complete with warming ginger-infused crust.

If you go to The Fish House and order the Black Onyx Scotch Fillet ($49), well, I guess that's your business. While I'm sure it's tasty and lovingly prepared, you're probably better off just letting the The Fish House be what it is; a place for the superb treatment of quality seafood, excellent wine, and a very special evening out.

The Autumn menu of The Fish House has just been launched with a celebrity-studded evening of deliciousness.

You can view the menu on their website.

Natalie O’Driscoll

EVENT SPACE NOW OPEN! WO RK SH O P S & PRIVATE FUN C TION S .

1/37 Currumbin Creek Rd

F OR B O OK I N G S A N D E N QU I R E S H E A D T O w w w. necta res p res s o.com

@ necta r_cu rr u mb in

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Arts & Culture

TO BECOME AN AUTHOR

KINDRED SPIRITS

Kindred: It can mean family, tribe, a natural relationship or affinity. It can also mean holding the same beliefs or attitudes, or being associated by nature and other qualities. In the case of the upcoming Kindred exhibition at Left Bank Gallery in Southport, it means all of those things.

Kindred will bring together works from nine of the Gold Coast’s finest Art Educators, in a celebration of diversity and experimentation of media.

Artist Larissa Waters has been a Visual and Media Arts teacher for the last 15 years, and works most often with clay to create ceramic forms, recently winning People’s Choice at the 30th Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award. Natalie O'Driscoll had a quick chat with Larissa about her work, and the show.

The picture I've seen of your ceramic vessels really evokes the ocean for me, although I'm sure everyone has different interpretations!

Do you have a particular influence or inspiration for your personal style?

Having lived the majority of my life near the ocean, that doesn't surprise me. To be more specific, I would say my work is actually an exploration of the nature of memory. In particular, each of my series of work are certain recollections that have remained from my childhood (I grew up on the Gold Coast) and now define my present.

My porcelain vessels capture pockets of colour and raw clays sourced from SE Qld clay pits; when fired these personal histories are trapped in stasis, seemingly immovable and permanently submerged in the depths of memory. The meticulous and, at times, unpredictable results from the mixing and layering of varying clay bodies represent the change and passing of time. Texture, whether it be conflicted, with gritty stoneware next to smooth translucent porcelain or simulated pattern is an important element in all of my vessels.

I understand you curated / co-ordinated the other artists in the show. Can you explain a bit about that process and why you chose who you did?

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We have a fantastic community of art educators on the Gold Coast. We collaborate each year at Energies, our students' exhibition at the GC Art gallery, but we also regularly share resources, support each other's art practises and learn from each other. And it's a pretty small world... Rachel (Jurin) and I studied at Qld College of Art together, Vicki (Morely) was my teacher mentor when I was training, Michelle (Exler) was a past Art student and is now a teacher. Left Bank Gallery have been brilliant to work with, they have a fresh and progressive approach. The space is super shiny too!

Image: Jo Hammond

Brisbane teacher Ben Hobson always knew that he had a book inside him. Quite a few, as it turned out. And in a case of fifth time lucky for this local author, his novel To Become A Whale was picked up by publishers and came out in June of this year. Exploring the relationship between a father and son against the backdrop of the Tangalooma whaling station in the sixties, To Become A Whale has received high praise from critics and readers alike for its sparse writing style and relatable content. Ben’s family and friends are also appreciative, as he recently told Blank’s cultural editor, Natalie O'Driscoll.

“My aunt said it helped her understand her son in a different way which I think is really cool,” says Ben. The book takes an in-depth look at father / son relationships, and traditional, often harmful, views of masculinity.

“The father in the book is really encouraging and actually loves his son but he’s caught up in this toxic masculinity so it comes out wrong,” Ben describes.

“Wanting to fit into a stereotypical male mould, and striving to do so, can be very harmful to young men who should, simply, just be themselves.”

I wonder if the relationship was forged from Ben’s own experience.

“The book is exaggerated for drama,” says Ben.

KINDRED RUNS AT LEFT BANK GALLERY IN SOUTHPORT FROM 3 – 28 JULY. DRINKS WITH THE ARTISTS WILL BE HELD ON OPENING NIGHT ON 15 JULY FROM 5.00 – 7.00PM. YOU CAN VISIT LEFTBANKGALLERY.COM.AU/ KINDRED OR EMAIL EVENTS@ LEFTBANKGALLERY.COM.AU TO RSVP.

“My dad has always been kind and supportive but I do think he’s come from a place and time in Australia where men weren’t really given a vocabulary to admit love or weakness, we’re much more encouraged these days.”

With two young sons, the message of the book is an important one to Ben. “I’m trying to raise young gentlemen,” he says.

“I want them to value respect and pride and work ethics. I don’t know how many people talk about these subjects in any meaningful way with their kids. If the book can help

people ask the questions of their children or start conversations, I’d be so happy.”

Many Queenslanders aren’t aware that a whaling station operated at Tangalooma.

Between 1952 and 1962 the station processed 6277 humpback whales, decimating the eastern Australian humpback population. Ben explains his choice of setting.

“I was looking for a job the father could have and I stumbled across the Tangalooma station. It was so gory and horrible and there were all these men just working their jobs. The guys weren’t evil men it was just their trade and they took pride in it.

“I thought it would be such an interesting look at what it means to be a “man” and be raised in that typically masculine world.”

The success of To Become a Whale was certainly not an overnight story.

“The process with this one was long and convoluted,” Ben recalls.

“Many edits and lots of self-doubt. An agent found it and thought there was something in there… it was really strange it went from my work that no one cared about to a whirlwind.”

And with another book in progress, it looks like the whirlwind might be spinning for a little longer.

Image: Gina Milicia

ART IMITATING LIFE

GLOW SET TO ILLUMINATE THE SENSES

ARTISTS ANNOUNCED AS SWELL CELEBRATES 15 YEARS

Bakersfield Mist, a new dramedy by Stephen Sachs, is coming to The Arts Centre Gold Coast in July. Based on a real life events, the play tells the story of Maude, an unemployed bartender, who buys a painting for a few bucks from an op shop, convinced it’s a masterpiece. But when a world-class art expert flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer park home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, shenanigans erupt. The play stars Gold Logie Award winner John Woods as art expert Lionel Percy and Blue Heelers actors Julie Nihill as the enterprising Maude. We caught up with Julie ahead of the production’s visit.

GLOW is an event like no other. On Saturday 8 July, the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct will transform into a playground of creativity with a myriad of light-based installations and activities.

Over 600 artists have exhibited at SWELL since its humble beginnings in 2003 and in 2017, another 50 artists have been selected to join this distinguished cohort.

A laser water show, live music, illuminated art installations, a silent disco, virtual reality experiences, glow-in-the-dark dancers, yoga and tai-chi, a virtual reality room and robot show are just some of the delights awaiting attendees. Emerging young local artists will also have their work on display.

Celebrating its 15th year, the 10-day exhibition has been instrumental in engaging the community in a vibrant cultural dialogue, as Australian and international artists display diverse works highlighting a range of social, environmental and contemporary issues.

Can you tell me about your character?

“With so much great original music coming from the Gold Coast, it felt really rewarding and exciting for our song to be recognised alongside other great artists like Amy Shark,” recalls frontwoman Eliza Klatt.

She’s lived in a trailer park for 33 years, it’s northern California and she swears a lot (it’s got fucking everything!) and she had a son. She’s been to the bottom and back and she’s got this painting and the finding of the painting and what happens with it actually transforms her life. You see what art actually is and what it does for you.

Are you excited to be working with John again?

Yeah it’s been lovely, it’s been such a long time. I actually left acting and went off teaching for a bit and I only came back because I won a scholarship with Larry Moss. He comes out here once a year and my daughter made me apply for it and if it wasn’t for him I don’t think I’d be acting again, but I fell in love with it again. During that period [of not acting] I didn’t really see John or anyone. I think it’s really healthy to completely get away from things.

Stage or screen?

Some actors have preferences but I actually really love both!

There are such demands on the film set that aren’t on the stage and there are things you can on stage that you can’t do on a set and I really love the challenge of both of them.

Natalie O'Driscoll

BAKERSFIELD MIST COMES TO THE ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST ON 12 AND 13 JULY. TICKETS AT THEARTSCENTREGC.COM.AU

Patrons are encouraged to wear white and shine bright under the UV lights, with The Design Academy on hand to apply special glow-in-the-dark makeup.

On the live music stage, headliners Fairchild will be supported

by Eliza and the Delusionals, Calan Mai, Katie Who and The Wayward Suns.

Eliza and the Delusionals have had a big couple of years, with their track Salt recently making a coveted finalist spot at the Gold Coast Music Awards for Song of the Year.

Since forming in 2015, the group has played alongside artists including Ali Barter, Polish Club and Killing Heidi, and have just gotten back from showcasing overseas at Canadian Music Week 2017. Eliza tells us this is their first time at GLOW. “It’s been a while since we have been part of a local festival, and we’re really excited about it!”

Peckish? The GLOW street food precinct will cater to all tastes and ensure guests won’t go hungry. Wander down to the Winter Wonderland Sweets Garden to have some dessert or grab a coffee. Nobbys icon Cambus Wallace will host a ‘glow bar.’

Natalie O'Driscoll

GLOW IS A FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY, NIGHT TIME DIGITAL ARTS EVENT WHICH RUNS FROM 5.00PM – 10.00PM ON 8 JULY. YOU CAN LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME, CATCH THE G:LINK TO SURFERS, THEN GET A FREE WATER SHUTTLE FROM CAVILL AVENUE TO THE EVANDALE PONTOON. ALTERNATIVELY, UTILISE THE LIMITED FREE CAR PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE GOLD COAST ARTS CENTRE. VISIT CITYOFGOLDCOAST.COM.AU/GLOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Transforming Currumbin Beach into a breathtaking outdoor gallery, 50 artworks both whimsical and provocative, will delight for the free, family-friendly exhibition taking place from September 8 to 17.

The exhibition will include works by renowned Indigenous artist Michael Nelson Jagamara, as well as crowd favourite Monte Lupo and father-and-son duo Philip and Alex Piperides – with Philip also leading masterclasses at this year’s festival.

Michael Nelson Jagamara is arguably Australia’s most successful Indigenous artist with his iconic piece Five Stories (1984) achieving a record for the highest price for any living Aboriginal artist when the work sold for AUD$687,877 at Sotherby’s London in 2016. Having Jagamara exhibit his work is an exciting coup for the Gold Coast festival.

His SWELL installation is derived from Jagamara’s Rain + Water Dreaming story. Here, Jagamara’s graphic gestural forms are re-imagined as classic hard-edged sculptures. The sculptures have an angular base which represents a section of the “travelling storm snaking its way across the continent”, and the three jagged upright forms represent the “flashes of lightning”. Lighting is a common theme in Jagamara’s work.

SWELL’s founding director and curator Natasha Edwards said the event had grown into an integral part of the Gold Coast’s cultural identity and was recognised by the international art community as a showcase of artistic diversity.

“When visitors walk amongst the sculptures this year, they will enter the minds of incredible artists, who visually articulate and stimulate conversation through the display of their work in the open landscape at SWELL,” she said.

Natalie O'Driscoll

SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL RUNS FROM 8 TO 17 SEPTEMBER AT CURRUMBIN BEACH. IT IS A FREE EVENT.

www.blankgc.com.au

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Arts & Culture

GOLD COAST ON BOARD THE STOP ADANI TRAIN The proposed Adani Carmichael coal mine in North Queensland, if allowed to proceed, will rob us of precious water and trash Indigenous rights. And right now, when we need to be cutting pollution produced from our addiction to coal, it will burn more coal, cancelling out any of the good achieved from Australia’s already weak goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There’s also that whole issue of the Federal Government pledging $1bn in taxpayer dollars to the project. That’s one BILLION. With a ‘b’.

A group of Gold Coasters are adding their voice to the national Stop Adani campaign. And Stop Adani Gold Coast member Matt Ross says the local resistance to the Indian conglomerate’s plans for Australia’s biggest ever coal mine is growing.

“It is clear to a growing number of people that Adani’s mine does not fit in with our long-term

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goals or values as a country, and it will directly put at risk priceless natural assets such as the Great Barrier Reef and our precious groundwater,” Matt told Blank Gold Coast.

As part of a local campaign, Stop Adani Gold Coast has teamed up with Mandala & Co. for a film screening of Guarding the Galilee on 5 July. The 30-minute documentary gives insight into the proposed mine and the resistance that is building. The screening will be followed by a performance by folk singer-songwriter Jules Hayes.

The award-winning documentary team captures the raw beauty of the Queensland outback and shows the people working on the mine’s doorstep, from Rockhampton to Cairns, who are making their voices heard in opposition to the mine. If the mine goes ahead, it will not only threaten

the Great Barrier Reef but the 70,000 jobs its supports.

“This goes deeper than one documentary, or one fight against a coal mine; we want to connect people from across the Gold Coast who are passionate about the environment, sustainability and want action on climate change,” said Matt.

As well as the film screening and live music, Mandala is offering dinner deals.

Samantha Morris

5 JULY: STOP ADANI GOLD COAST ‘GUARDING THE GALILLEE’ SCREENING AT MANDALA & CO, MERMAID BEACH.

Image: Lamp Photography

BANKING ON LIFE DRAWING

Left Bank Gallery is a well-established family businesses that specalises in fine art printing and picture-framing, and has done since 1990. Tucked behind the Brickworks Centre in Southport, it’s recently become an even more significant art hub, opening a beautiful contemporary gallery space in their warehouse which includes a fine art printing studio, a large picture-framing factory and space for workshops where people can learn art, photography and design.

“It’s definitely a go-to place for artists,” said Rebecca Cunningham, who’s recently expanded her life drawing sessions to the gallery. Rebecca has been running fortnightly sessions at Dust Temple in Currumbin for a few years and people have literally been travelling the length of the coast to attend.

“For almost the last three years I have had people coming from as far as Helensvale to Currumbin just to attend our sessions,” Rebecca said.

The Southport sessions replicate Rebecca’s highly popular Dust Temple life drawing sessions. There is live music, a nude model, nibbles and BYO refreshments.

“People who come for the first time are generally pleasantly surprised such an event exists on the Gold Coast,” Rebecca said. “They get to draw a beautiful muse, listen to live music and they leave feeling very content.

Some of my regulars claim it to be their therapy.”

“Being an artist is quite a reclusive career so to be surrounded by other artists for just a few hours a month can be quite recharging and inspiring.”

For those new to life drawing, Rebecca explained the usual run of events. The first hour of the session is spent working on shorter poses. “What I consider sketches for drawers,” she said.

“They are really essential to help you become present in your drawing and to ‘get your eye in’ which is like readjusting your camera lens to focus on the model.”

In that first hour there are one minute poses before working up to ten minute poses.

After the first hour there’s a short break with nibbles and drinks and for the final hour a series of longer poses from 20 – 40 minutes.

K I N D R E D A group show featuring works from 9 of the Gold Coast’s finest Art Educators.

3rd - 28th July 2017 | Left Bank Gallery

3rd - 28th Julyworks 2017 atGold Left Bank A group show featuring of 9 of the Coast’s finest ArtGallery Educators, in a celebration of diversity and experimentation of media.

Please join us for drinks with the artists - Saturday 15th July - 5pm to 7pm RSVP on events@leftbankgallery.com.au

leftbankgallery.com.au

“This is when you get the chance to make the night’s masterpiece, if you wish,” she said.

The process of finding models, it seems isn’t a challenge on the Gold Coast.

“Generally models contact me,” Rebecca said, and when pressed for tips for potential models, she had plenty.

“I suggest they attend a session first, take notice of poses they like and why and also to see if they will be comfortable in the environment. It’s important to rotate and make sure that everyone around the circle gets different angles of the body. Its also important to make sure you can hold the pose, don’t over extend yourself or sit on a foot for 20 minutes, it can become very uncomfortable very quickly.”

Samantha Morris

LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS AT LEFT BANK GALLERY RUN THE SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH AND COST $30. THEY RUN 6.30 – 9.00PM. MORE AT FACEBOOK. COM/LDSESSIONS OR INSTAGRAM @LIFE_DRAWING_ SESSIONS. SESSIONS CONTINUE AT DUST TEMPLE ON THE FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS OF THE MONTH. www.blankgc.com.au

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Arts & Culture

SHARING NARRATIVES WITH JOHN GRAHAM When I sat down with artist John Graham it was ostensibly just to have a chat about a major coup in his career: the commissioning of an important and imposing Indigenous artwork at the entrance to the old Carrara Stadium – now the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre – in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Instead we jumped straight into discussing Australian identity and reconciliation.

“The Games is a great opportunity to define and redefine everyone,” says John.

“It starts locally which is a reflection on the whole country. Who are we as Australians? It’s a complicated question. Who are Australians in relation to Aboriginal Australia?”

John believes these are questions that need to be asked, and answered definitively.

“Even if it hurts, it’s very important. We’ve all got to grow up in this country, it has to be meaningfully resolved, not just resolved and rolled over.

“A shared narrative is a healthy narrative.”

Speaking of narratives, the impressive stadium installation tells the tragic story of Yimbum and Muyum, a tale shared by the Yugambeh people and passed down through John’s family. In it, young lovers are separated by a jealous Bunyip who turns the beautiful young Muyum into a water lily in a lagoon and her mourning lover Yimbun into a bulrush beside it, so they can be close forever but never touch. The story is quite a sad one, and I’m curious as to how John came to the decision to tell it through his art.

“I was actually going to go with another story and right at the last minute I decided that story on my way there,” he explains.

“It’s an appropriate story. It’s a ‘sometimes you win and sometimes you lose’ story, people learn that early in life, and it’s on a parallel with sports. I thought ‘I’m going to throw this love story up in front of the stadium, it’s the only one that goes with it.’

“And this country we love our sport so much it’s like a love affair anyway,” he laughs.

John was selected from a group of approximately 15 – 20 Indigenous artists, who all submitted their artistic proposals and an explanation of why they felt they should be the one to fulfil the brief. John believes his connection to the area was a strong deciding factor in the process.

“I’m a TO [traditional owner] so my blackfella blood trickles back into this very land here.

My family is an extended family, they all have connections here. If a TO didn’t get it, what would that have looked like and how many unhappy people would there have been?

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“Look we’re all involved, my fellow artists are all supportive of me and if it had have been the other way around I would have been supportive of whoever it went to.

“For the Gold Coast council to come to the party with our mob and throw this huge traditional story up, all Gold Coasters should not only feel proud but feel a sense that the sacred is in good hands, and not just Aboriginal hands, but in good hands.

It is important that all people feel that they have a hand in holding a piece of the sacred in this country.”

John collaborated with Cairns-based mentor Brian Robinson, and consulted heavily with his family during his artistic process. The responsibility of telling such a culturally significant story to such a massive worldwide audience was certainly not lost on him.

“I have felt the stress sometimes, just a bit, and I’ve held onto the rails, literally.

“A bite sized piece at a time, that’s my little Jedi trick, just relax.”

From the first pen-and-ink sketch to the final artwork delivery was about two months. John recalls the period.

“Drawing and re-drawing and drawing again! Scrub that, whittle it down and throw that one away. Coming back to it coming back to it, returning back to it.

“A eureka moment was when I came up with the default Dreaming design, it’s a freestyle kind of drawing that I do that fills the background to all the panels behind the main characters. And I only came up with that at the very last minute.”

John’s artwork was then blown up and vectorised, and printed onto 30 large panels which were placed over ten pylons, three per pylon.

“I call them tri prisms,” says John.

“Pylons sounds like we’re drinking down at the wharf!”

John Graham pictured in front of an Amica Whincop artwork.

Image: Lamp Photography It’s both an ambitious and important project, undertaken with careful planning and great deal of heart. John gets quite emotional discussing the end result and his wishes for the piece.

“It’s amazing. It’s like a Dreaming landscape has been transferred to a contemporary landscape and nothing is lost. Everything is gained, everyone is coming to the party. Traditional families of the Gold Coast, City of Gold Coast and hopefully the public in general. Everyone who passes here, who lives here, will take it to heart after a while and own it.

“My hopes are that people - all kinds of people - will take to heart some of the sacredness of this country here, this Yugambeh land, and that they are allowed to come to the dancing circle and dance with us just like my cousins and brothers. Just people. Again, a shared narrative is a healthy narrative. That’s my mantra at the moment.”

Natalie O’Driscoll

D'ARCY DOYLE LANDSCAPE LEGACY Artist d’Arcy William Doyle lived in Mudgeeraba for almost thirty years until his death in 2001, with his famous paintings adorning many a home around the country. In 2004, Mudgeeraba identity Earle Hinschen founded the d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards, quickly establishing them as one of the top Australian visual art awards.

Sharon Hindle is the organiser of the Junior d’Arcy Doyle Awards, which have been included as part of the main Awards for the last four years. The Junior awards are open to children from ages four to 17, from all over the Gold Coast. Sharon explains the scope of the event.

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“We have 70 entries alone for the Junior d’Arcy Doyles.

“Up until two years ago it was exhibited in a separate location but due to public interest and increased sponsorship it is now a drawcard.”

The main awards grow each year also, with the $10,000 first prize attracting a diverse range of landscape artists.

“With online purchases and Chinese Imports, it makes it increasingly difficult for Australian artists to make money,” says Sharon.

“Having this exhibition is a celebration of artists, their paintings and showcasing raw talent. It also is one of the largest prize monies in Australia and gives the winner recognition in the investment market.”

City of Gold Coast Division 9 Councillor Glenn Tozer recognises the positive cultural effect of the Awards on his area.

“I’m proud that the one of the premier landscape art prizes in Australia and its $10,000 first prize, has been so committed to Mudgeeraba for over a decade, helping our cultural economy thrive,” he says.

Last year, Gold Coast Spinners and Weavers arranged for their unique and colourful “yarnbombing” exhibition to coincide with the awards.

“We’re really pleased to see the Doyles and the Gold Coast Spinners and Weavers partner promotionally with our yarnbombing exhibition,” continues Cr Tozer.

“People love the spectacle and we think winter warmers on our village trees get us all in the best possible mood for the cold winter months.”

Natalie O'Driscoll

THE D’ARCY DOYLE AWARDS (AND VILLAGE YARNBOMBING) RUN FROM 28 JUNE TO 9 JULY. ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE MUDGEERABA MEMORIAL HALL FROM 10.00AM TO 7.00PM DAILY.

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MCA Primavera at 25 celebration comes to the Gold Coast The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia celebrates twenty-five years of Primavera – the annual exhibition dedicated to showcasing the work of young Australian artists – with Primavera at 25: MCA Collection, touring around Australia and exhibiting at Gold Coast City Gallery from 14 July until 3 September 2017. Drawn from the MCA Collection, Primavera at 25 brings together established and emerging artists working across a range of disciplines from painting, sculpture, video, performance, kinetic and installation art. Full exhibition and public program details are available at theartscentregc.com.au/gallery

Muriel's dress steals spotlight in Tweed on Film exhibition What do Muriel Heslop - lead character of PJ Hogan's classic film Muriel's Wedding - and Pirates of the Caribbean anti-hero Captain Jack Sparrow have in common? Both have strong connections to the Tweed and feature in the Tweed Regional Museum's upcoming exhibition Tweed on Film, opening on Tuesday 4 July. Muriel's wedding dress, on loan from the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, will be a centrepiece of the exhibition and feature alongside rare surviving film props from Pirates of the Caribbean V: Dead Men Tell no Tales. Tweed on Film is on display at the Tweed Regional Museum Murwillumbah until 25 November.

Todd McKenney and Georgie Parker Together in Concert Todd McKenney and Georgie Parker unite this August and September for their first concert tour. DUETS is their first opportunity to take the stage together in their own standalone concert tour, singing, dancing and performing a wide range of their favourite duets. The live show promises an exciting diversity of material show – everything from Annie Lennox/ Aretha Franklin to Elton John/Kiki Dee, Tina Turner/Jimmy Barnes, Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers and many more delights. Catch Todd and Georgie at The Star Gold Coast on Saturday 26 August for one night only.

LEGO exhibition comes to Gold Coast for the school holidays Ryan McNaught’s Brickman Experience is the largest touring exhibition of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and it’s heading to the Gold Coast. The experience features a collection of over 60 individual works by Ryan McNaught, and is made up from more than 5 million LEGO® bricks and includes Ryan’s biggest ever StarWars LEGO® build, a model Airbus A380, a quarter scale LEGO® Ferrari and the world’s largest LEGO® flower.

This interactive experience, suitable for little kids and big kids, will be at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre until 9 July. Tickets through Ticketek.

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Finding feathers and adventure these school holidays These winter holidays, children aged 6 to 11 years can enjoy the brand new theatre work Pocketful of Pebbles from local creators White Rabbit Theatre Ensemble at The Arts Centre Gold Coast. Staged in the black box theatre, Pocketful of Pebbles is a celebration of stories: tales of grand adventure, of facing fears and of transformation. Brought to life through a delightful blend of live performance and puppetry, the show will encourage children to share the stories they’ve learned, and remind them they can be the hero of their own story.

Catch Pocketful of Pebble on 6 + 7 July.

Tickets theartscentregc.com.au or 5588 4000.

Hockney treasures for Gallery's first international touring exhibition Tweed Regional Gallery's first international touring exhibition, David Hockney: Words & Pictures, has commenced, featuring works by one of the most influential living artists.

Drawn from the British Council's collection and direct from London, the inspiring exhibition will present four major suites of the artist's prints, produced between 1961 and 1977. Collectively they offer insight to Hockney's beginnings and evolution as an artist. David Hockney: Words & Pictures runs until Sunday 17 September.

Opera Australia offers GC vocalists chance of a lifetime The Arts Centre Gold Coast will present ten local students for consideration for one of four scholarships to spend a week with Opera Australia in Sydney all expenses paid.

Each of the ten students chosen to audition will receive feedback from Opera Australia’s Chorus Master and auditions will be held Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 July. Applications are open through Opera Australia’s website.

The scholarship includes return air travel and accommodation in Sydney, music, acting and movement workshops, vocal coaching, tickets to an Opera Australia performance and back-stage tour of the Sydney Opera House as well as the chance to perform an aria for Opera Australia’s Artistic Director.

More at theartscentregc.com.au/regionalstudent-scholarship.

A film of hope from the depths of despair A Texas prison is an unlikely setting for an educational program about the transformative power of peace, but multi award winning documentary, Inside Peace focuses on a peace education program at the Dominguez State prison in San Antonio Texas. Filmmaker Cynthia Fitzpatrick chronicles the lives of several inmates both inside the prison as well as their lives following release as they explore the possibility of change. Inside Peace Premiere Queensland screening at The Arts Centre Gold Coast at 6.30pm on 6 July. Screening will be followed by a forum on “Breaking the Cycle” exploring issues raised in the film and their relevance to Australia now. Bookings: theartscentregc.com.au/cinema.

Gateways to the Gold Coast revealed New York-based LOT-EK artists Ada Tolla and Guiseppe Lignano have been revealed as the winning designers for Gateways, the two unique works which will be located at the city's busiest entry points, in the north along the Pacific Highway and in the south near the airport on the Gold Coast Highway in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games 2018. The work, titled HI-LIGHTS, will feature nearly 100 modified highway lights and poles, closely spaced at different heights.

The lights will appear to spell out the city's name in the northern installation and feature the letters GC at the southern site. Final installation of HI-LIGHTS is expected by the end of this year.

Testing the Bomb. Maralinga and Australian Art Black Mist Burnt Country is a national touring exhibition of artworks by more than 30 Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists commemorating the British atomic tests in Australia in the 1950s. Selected from public and private collections the exhibition features artworks from the past seven decades: Included are Albert Tucker, Arthur Boyd, Ian Howard, Pam Debenham, Toni Robertson, Rosemary Laing among Aboriginal artists such as Jonathan Kumintjarra Brown, Judy Watson, Hilda Moodoo and Yvonne Edwards amongst others.

Presenting works across the mediums of painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, new media and music, while exploring the varied perspectives and creative approaches of artists from postWWII modernists to present-day artists.

Black Mist Burnt Country exhibition revisits the history of the British atomic test program at Maralinga, Emu Field and Montebello Islands and examines the impact on people and land, as well as its on-going legacies.

The project has been produced by Burrinja, Dandenong Ranges Cultural Centre, Upwey, Victoria.

Black Mist Burnt Country is on display at Gold Coast City Gallery, Main Gallery until Sunday 9 July 2017.

Pictured: Clown Puppet and High Chair by Steve Hillier d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards 2016 - Still Life Category 1st place

FRI 23 JUN –SAT 1 JUL

THE ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN

UNTIL SUN 9 JUL BLACK MIST BURNT COUNTRY

This project is supported by The Playing Queensland Fund and arTour, initiatives of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

MUSICAL + FAMILY ART

UNTIL SUN 9 JUL

CHRIS BENNIE: ON TOP, IN FRONT

ART

SAT 1 JUL

QUEENSLAND BALLET WORKSHOPS

KIDS + WORKSHOP

SUN 2 JUL

JAZZ ON SUNDAYS: ELLY HOYT TRIO

MUSIC

MON 3 JUL

NAIDOC: A CEREMONY BREAKFAST

EVENT

THU 6 –FRI 7 JUL

POCKETFUL OF PEBBLES

KIDS + THEATRE

THU 6 JUL

THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK

MUSIC

THU 6 JUL

PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE

MUSIC

FRI 7 JUL

THE STAMP SESSIONS

YOUTH + EVENT

SAT 8 JUL

ARTLAB

KIDS + ART

SAT 8 JUL

GLOW

EVENT

SUN 9 JUL

GOLD COAST SPEECH FESTIVAL

EVENT

WED 12 JUL WED 12 – THU 13 JUL

LITTLE ARTLAB

KIDS + ART

BAKERSFIELD MIST

THEATRE

FRI 14 JUL

GOLD COAST JAZZ & BLUES

MUSIC

14 JUL – 3 SEP

PRIMAVERA AT 25: MCA COLLECTION

ART

SAT 15 JUL

ROCKWIZ: TWENTYSEVENTEEN

EVENT

THU 20 – SAT 22 JUL

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

OPERA

WED 26 JUL

MOVIE REVIEW CLUB

FILM + EVENT

FRI 28 JUL

4 SEASONS IN 1 NIGHT

MUSIC

Issue #46 JULY 2017