The Haze Magazine #17 - Autumn 2019

FREE COPY! #16 Autumn 2019 Blue Mountains • Lithgow • Bathurst • Orange • Penrith • Hawkesbury

Mataya pours voice into new single 'Fine China'

LOCAL CREATIVE CRAVINGS

• EDM: the techs behind the decks • Michael Smith: Scandal uncovered • Sculpture Show: Pamela Black • Studio Spotlight: Shelter turns ten • Nude Food: veg cafes and craft beer • Lady Luck Festival: picture review

Duo Learns Something

Em Flach Finds Keys

Hearts Uncovering Arts Wrestling Taking Hold

Spicy Salsa Starting

WHAT’S ON

Award-winning singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and teacher of music from Ghana - Afro Moses is in Katoomba for the Music Festival performing at Baroque stage on 15 & 16 March. Afro Moses is joined on stage by his dynamic and diverse group, Moses O'Jah (‘O’Jah’ meaning ‘fire’) to bring you a firey high-energy show combined with positive messages of unity, individual beauty, and talent.

It's been way too long between beats and so the news that Rhythm Hunters are coming to Blackheath in April has got us doing our happy dance here at Haze HQ! A dynamite force in world roots music, adored for their frenetic

drum choreographies and infectious dance grooves, the troupe bring cutting edge physical percussion, western horns, Asian flute, deep grooves and electro beats. Support is local frenetic fiddler Maizy Coombes.

With one show already selling out, Archie Roach's Mountains appearance is highly anticipated.

Performing at Metro Social, he'll haul along songs from his new 3 CD box set of recent live shows – marking the first time Archie has released recordings of his live concerts.

Sally Dastey (ex-Tiddas) is opening the shows, you might want to jump in quick for tickets though.

Blue Mountains singer songwriter Allegra Dunning has taken out the title of FFNSW Junior Folk Artist of 2019 at just 10 years old. She’s very excited to have been awarded this honour and has been booked locally, interstate and even overseas to perform at festivals.

The Oldtime Bluegrass Jam in Katoomba seems to be the place to be if you have an instrument, it's on in the beer garden of Old City Bank.

Burralow are an indie folk outfit fronted by two hopeless-romantic songwriters. Together they have orchestrated a collection of stories living on the road and around the Blue Mountains. When not semisubmerged in waterways they blend traditional folk with pop instruments on their self-titled EP released last month at Petersham Bowling Club.

With comparisons being drawn to Kate Bush, Kraftwerk, Björk and early Pink Floyd, Moulettes will turn heads in Australia this Autumn as they take off on their first Australian tour.

The Brighton four-piece will bring their blend of folk-rock electronica and chamber orchestra to the Blue Mountains Music Festival happening mid-March in Katoomba.

The Haze Magazine  8 Froma Lane, Katoomba  team@thehazemag.com.au   @thehazemag  0468 477 468

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www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

WHAT’S ON

Pic: J SPencer

Mountain mech man Jimmi Carr's music moves through folk, blues, alt-country, funk and rock and swaggers somewhere between Wilco, Ryan Adams and Beck. With a new lineup in tow, Jimmi Carr Band has been sweating in the studio working towards a new album, and have just released a teaser double-a side and video for Free Right now / Moving Target. They also brighten the Out of the Dark compilation CD, which features artists from the Blue Mountains and Lithgow raising funds for mental health awareness. These songs represent the gentler side of Jimmi's material and also the new album with an "alt-country flavour" says Jimmi.

Western Sydney may seem an unlikely place to be the envy of worldwide culture, but a $100m investment in a new 2000 seat theatre could place all eyes – and ears – firmly on us. The Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre (WSPAC) is due for completion this October in Rooty Hill.

Above: Artists impression of the WSPAC and precinct.

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Hill End’s quirky festival of arts, culture and heritage, The End, will return for its fourth year this April from Friday 12 to Sunday 14. Presented by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, with support from major partner Bathurst Regional Council, the historic village of Hill End, located between Bathurst and Mudgee, will come alive for the boutique festival celebrating the region and its eclectic past. Visitors can enjoy free live bluegrass, country and folk music on the outdoor Golden Age stage, a Makers Market of local crafts and produce, and art exhibitions and installations around the village.

"The best of the region’s food will be on offer, as well as craft beers, ciders and wines from renowned nearby wine-producing areas of Bathurst, Mudgee and Orange," say organisers. Workshops will run to immerse you in the village’s artistic history or try your hand at traditional trades including sword making!

One of Australia's most creative jazz acts are flying to The Mid Mountains.

The Vampires are touring on the back of their critically acclaimed recent album release, Pacifica, and will sink their jazz teeth into Lawson's Mechanics Institute Hall on 30th March. Pic: Arthur Wollenweber.

Jump into a fairytale at Lithgow's 20th Ironfest in April with the theme "Once Upon a Time". Beginning as a glorified art exhibition and held in a number of shops in the Main St Lithgow, the first Ironfest celebrated the birth of steel in Australia in Lithgow and involved around 30 artists and performers. From its first year of 400 people it has expanded to attract in excess of 17,000 visitors and more stalls than you can poke a jousting stick at. Photo by Brigitte Grant Photography.

Flats and Sharps are a high-energy contemporary Bluegrass band from Penzance, Cornwall in the South West of England. They're known for their own highly original songs as well as their blistering renditions of bluegrass classics, along with the record for squeezing the most amount of band members onto a single couch. These five incredible young musicians honed their skills in hundreds of shows over the past six years, charming audiences along the way. Live at Metro Social 17th May.

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

www.thehazemag.com.au

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WHAT’S ON

We're bewitched at the news Rockstar (Def-FX), radio and TV personality and Australia’s bestknown Modern Witch - Fiona Horne is back home for the release of her new book, The Art of Witch and a magickal Spoken Word tour. Fiona will share motivating stories from her life’s journey like: 'Don’t get older – get better at living!' On at the Springwood Theatre and Hub 30th June.

Russian thieves Vulgargrad play punk classics from the Perestroika era, on their way into town rummage your ears on 5th April at Baroque in Katoomba.

Legendary punks The Hard-Ons may not sound like the sort to pillowfight in their nighties, but rest assured the Pyjama-rama Party at Baroque in Katoomba will be a psychadelic dress-up concert to break all boundaries. With Madam Fatale, Merekat and Glam Jam providing the sound-slippers and night-themed art, it's one worth popping the uggies and snuggy on and staying up late for on 18 May.

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Live at the Village and Blue Mountains Theatre present Grammy award-winning guitarist Bill Frisell in a rare and intimate concert at Springwood. Down Beat Guitarist of the Year for ten consecutive years, Bill Frisell is hailed as “the most innovative and influential jazz guitarist of the past 25 years” (The Wall Street Journal). He’ll take you on a spellbinding sonic journey of new music from his latest albums alongside reimagined ‘Frisell’ classics. On 6th June.

All the way from Co Clare, Ireland, the gifted Susan O’Neill’s soulful & husky-voiced performances are truly something to behold. 27th March at Metro Social with local support Andie.

Nathan Cavaleri was a child guitar prodigy who recently returned to his craft, on 29th June at Metro Social.

It's been 60 years since the tragic death of Buddy Holly, and what a great excuse to relive the magic with 'Buddys Back' at Springwood Theatre. 16 March.

"We’re celebrating his career as a pioneer in rock and roll," says Scot Robin who has been performing as Buddy for 28 years.

Scot played the role of Buddy Holly in the hit musical The Buddy Holly Story (original cast) and was cast by the West End Director from London, the first Australian to perform worldwide to be cast in the role. He's now done it over 1000 times to huge acclaim. "It's been an unexpected career that’s taken me all around the world," says Scot. "My dad saw

Chaika create worldly rhythmic textures inspired by Balkan vibrancy, Turkish markets, Celtic stories, and Australia’s own stunning landscapes.

Fans have branded their genre blending sounds as ‘Nomadic Folk-Jazz’, performing for Metro Social at the Metropole Guesthouse in Katoomba on 27th April.

Buddy in 1958 in Melbourne and so I grew up with his music."

"I’ve met his family, I’ve met his wife Maria Elana. I’ve been over to Lubbock Texas. I’ve performed over there with family and friends and his recording studio so it’s been a joy – and there’s no sign of it slowing down!" he says enthusiastically.

"During the show we thread the music with his life story. If you’ve got a favorite Buddy Holly song, you’re going to hear it," he says. During this dynamic two-hour production Scot Robin together with his Crickets will perform more than 30 Buddy Holly hits including: That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Rave On, Maybe Baby, and of course, Oh Boy!

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

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WHAT’S ON

With the sad news of the Blue Mountains Music Academy closing its songbook (wishing Tracey all the best in her NY career!) it seems music teachers in the upper Mountains are tuning in to fill the gap. A couple of note include Singing Alive in North Katoomba headed by Sally Stevens (formerly of acapella group Kaya) and also famed local muso Peter Long's setup Abbey Road Street Music offering guitar, drums and piano plus theory over in Westminster Leura. ;) Quick Bits: Since our last issue Willem Roorda started a band called Blue Sherlock, The Marquis released their Private Gallery single and 2 vids, The Hollands released a disc recorded at Blue Sky Studio, Equus have new music out, Lawson Folk lost its home, Ballpark Music announced a Bathurst show, Blue Mountains Kirtan began monthly events at Junction 142, Kell released Coming Home which hit number 3 in the iTunes charts, British India played a farewell in Penrith...

There were a few shocked tiny dancers as Sir Elton John announced the locations for his Australian Farewell tour, with Bathurst making the list! “I always love coming back to Australia. Ever since my first visit in 1971 it has held a very special place in my heart,” says the croc-rocker. It's reported 15,000 people will feel the love that night, attending the show at Carrington Park and even if you missed out on tickets to the Jan 2020 show - you'll still be standing as it's a good sign that a global artist of this calibre is stepping this far out West.

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get back to nature Deepsea Lights have started to make waves with their new music and video releases in the Mountains. One half of the duo, Joe says "We initially started down in the city where we were both living, started as a relatively chilled out folk project actually, then gradually kept growing and expanding and it became this kind of folk/electronic/trip-hop project." A year and half ago the duo moved to Katoomba seeking space for a studio.

"I think its been quite good for our productivity because previously we did have a little bedroom studio set up, but it’s been so much nicer to have space."

Deepsea Lights have just released their new video Blind Spots shot locally and have a a bunch of tracks which will form an album this year.

The pair also organise Mixtape in the city and are looking to link up a Mountains version to act like an exchange program for music.

A dynamic collective bringing new sounds to the traditional big band setting, Sirens Big Band are passionate about increasing gender diversity in jazz through their predominantly female and trans lineup, bringing their performance to the Hub in Springwood this March.

When you have 30-something albums under your hat you sure are going to run out of sensible names...

In unrelated news Dave Graney and Clare Moore are back in 2019 with a new album called ZIPPA DEEDOO WHAT IS/WAS THAT/THIS? Make sense of it at Metro Social 11th May.

The local hiphop scene has been dropping plenty of hits with the latest releases out of the CwC Studio being Carlos the Jakl - Imposter Syndrome EP and Hammy - Ego Death EP now on Spotify. Toasted Loops returned in Feb and should be running monthly this year (13th April is up next for Bomb Threat 7" vinyl single launch), and anticipated are Otherside and Cooking with Caustic both releasing full length albums this year.

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

THE SCENE

5The start of a new year came with a healthy kick from our local heavy music scene in January at Springwood’s Royal Hotel. Debuting their new lineup for a finely-honed progressive doom metal set after two years of rehearsal at Katoomba’s Shelter Studios, Magma One (M1) came back to the floor for a free show at the Royal with Steel Cap Therapy and an out-of-hiatus The Flying Fists Of Fury. It’s been quite a while since Magma One’s Nigel Chad and Jesse Hayes, (the band’s core creative duo and both former bandmates from Chaotic Impurity and Infinite Black), played any gigs under the M1 banner, but a large turnout helped energise all performers for a joyful night of primal catharsis.

By Corin Shearston

5Pictured busking in Springwood, Alana Willetts is a rising performer captivating audiences with her vocal and guitar skills. Alana is already a thriving contributor to the local Western Sydney music scene having performed at Live & Local Parramatta, Liverpool Council’s Youth Week, PCYC’s Express Youth, and a regular featured soloist at Penrith Carols by Candlelight. A current student at Nepean Creative Performing Arts High School, Alana plays a range of musical styles from rock and pop to jazz and blues. @Alana’sMusicCorner

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Gabbi Bolt at Inland Sea of Sound - Sees with Girls Eyes & Sings with an Old Soul

Gabbi Bolt's first foray into music was to grab an ABBA cassette and play along on an old piano and learn her first chords. She hasn’t stopped since and is now a dynamic performer. She has also developed a talent as a songwriter, her first single Girls Eyes is a powerful statement against attitudes towards women and the senseless violence they can be subjected to. Her tunes are very soulful, something that stems back to music she heard when she was younger which Gabbi says "that whenever I went anywhere with my Mum in the car Renee Geyer was often playing”. In October she released her debut EP of five tracks with grooves that include funk, R&B as well as a cool piano chill ballad. Gabbi has played at 2018 Inland Sea of Sound and recently supported Wendy Matthews when she played at The Hydro Majestic. A truly gifted writer and performer that discerning venues should take note of. By Patrick Coomey

5Madam Fatale Rock 4 on the 4loor – The Kids are Alright!

The first Saturday of the month in 2019 in Orange and 4 on the 4loor kicks off its 21st year.

To get things off to a good start two fine singer songwriters Darren Smith and James Rutten delivered excellent sets of original material. Local band RBT provided a solid set of mainly choice covers.

Blue Mountains band Madam Fatale hit the 4loor after 11pm, but took off in top gear. From the opening crunchy chords they got punters up and out of their seats and onto the dance floor with their 90s-punk inspired ruckus. They bopped non-stop throughout their set and a number of encores before time had to be called. A great night had been had by all. By Patrick Coomey

5The Orange Regional Conservatorium is not only a place where you can learn about music and how to play, it’s also a great venue for listening to music.

On Friday 8th February the ORC launched its 2019 programme with the Arrebrato Ensemble who delivered a simply magnifico set of original flamenco tunes and dance with passion and loads of style to the packed auditorium.

There are many performances planned throughout the year including one by students “That 70’s Concert- Music from the decade that inspired generations”. They also have a great line up of touring artists and ensembles on the way.

More details on their website at www.orangecon.org.au

By Patrick Coomey

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

THE SCENE

Duff Doffs Hat To David

“Sinatra, Presley, Jagger, Popeye … and now Duffo” – so said Andy Warhol of Jeff Duff, Australia’s veteran post-punk song and dance man. Jeff’s love of David Bowie’s music inspired him to put together ‘Bowie Unzipped’, regarded by many as the ultimate Bowie tribute band. The band took the stage at the Springwood Hub last December to present ‘The Christmas Dance Party’.

A dance floor was set up at the front of the stage, and the upper seating removed to create a more intimate atmosphere. The enthusiastic crowd of several hundred were treated to faithful renditions of Bowie’s work during the first half, and new interpretations for the remainder of the show.

The evergreen Duff, ‘Duffo’ to his friends and fans, was accompanied by Jak Housden on guitar (ex-Badloves, Whitlams), Glenn Rhodes on keyboards (worked with Ian Moss and Dione Warwick), and Jess Ciampa (ex-Tina Arena band) on drums.

The incredibly talented bunch of musos played a range of David’s hits, and some of his more neglected tracks. Some of the 20 songs played included China Girl, Changes, Space Oddity, Under Pressure, and a blazing version of Rebel Rebel as the encore.

At 70, the still spry Duffo is a musical pioneer with an incredibly soulful voice, and a wicked sense of humour. He had the audience in stitches as he shared some of his experiences in the music industry; handling the odd heckler with aplomb. It really was a great night!

If you’re a Bowie fan, do yourself a favour and check out ‘Bowie Unzipped’ next time they’re in town.

By Paul Young

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5It was a beautiful performance with Bart Stenhouse, Byron Mark and Sukhdev Mishra at the Boiler House Hydro Majestic in January, bringing a touch of flamenco and India to the Blue Mountains thanks to Music in The Mountains. Brigitte Grant Photography

5Friday nights at Radio Blue Mountains 89.1fm are always a blast as Retro Rehash conquer the airwaves from 4-6pm with their local live music.

Every week a band plays live to air and the video shoot is also aired afterwards on socials. Haze dropped in recently and ran into Hawkesbury big guns Orca Band, pictured above

by Lona Logan Inertia Photography.

5The Carrington lawn is Katoomba's events wok – no matter what they drop into it throughout the year, along with some musical sauce its delicious every time! 2019 has already seen it sizzle with the Ukulele Festival and the 10th anniversary Lady Luck Festival. The latter had Katoomba St closed for the Show n' Shine, live bands and swing dancing on the lawn, stalls on the driveway and events in the OCB, Baroque and Carrington Hotel. Crowds of greasers and pinups (plus my kids!) had smiles from crossbone to comb. Photos by Brigitte Grant Photography & Lona Logan Inertia Photography – plenty more online!

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

THE SCENE

Beached As Boogie Down caused an inescapable celebratory mood that spread across the top of Katoomba Street on 31st December.

At the Old City Bank beer gardens, musicians, artists, lovers, friends and family congregated here from early evening to attend a bohemian band session and sets from such acts as Madam Fatale, with appearances from many fellow musical folk. Inside the Baroque Room, a maritime menagerie of beach towels, balls, kiddy pools, surfboards, inflatable flamingos, thongs, scuba gear, diving suits, lifeguard flags, octopi, and flower necklaces fully established the surf theme as inspired by the appearance of Michael Smith, former bassist of The Atlantics.

Enticing a festive throng with their indie folk melodies, opening duo Tally Ho & The 10-To-Go’s presented a blend of frank, heartfelt lyricism with soulful violin. Preceding with the uncompromisingly unique four-piece InLärm, the vibe of the night was gleefully subverted and warped to accommodate the primitive droning rumble of floor-toms and violin as the four women strode the stage with their bold and divisive avant-garde punk. With an intensity to match the growing humidity in the room as the crowd became more crammed, retro rock revivalist trio the K.T.B Project plunged into a loud set of

Deep Purple, Soundgarden and Ten Years After covers and some soulful swampy blues stomp with drummer Tubby’s double-kick shuffle and singer/guitarist Ben’s wailing delivery. After swapping guitar and bass roles for a cover of Spoonful with the shredding style of Alvin Lee, The Baroque Room was jumping by the last song, with bassist Kolya’s tassels swaying above his SG to the versatile, muscular rock ’n’ roll. Not content to let the energy drop, Michael Smith then took to the stage to perform a genre-spanning set of tracks from the likes of Cream, The Small Faces, and some classic Atlantics tracks, including smash surf hit ‘Bombora’.

With members of K.T.B and final band Hibiscus Biscuit assigning themselves to instrumental roles with a handful of guitarists, singers, drummers and percussionists as backing band ‘The Mountaineers’, Michael was glowing as he belted out these songs with an impressive set of vocal chords and bass chops.

Another rapidly rising recent group, Hibiscus Biscuit kicked out the tight funky psychedelic jams that played in the new year. Combined with a vividly kaleidoscopic blend of influences, the vibrancy and groove of the group rang life into the already colourful room to melt the dance floor into a hot pulsating mass of rhythmic intensity … 2019 had finally arrived!

Review by Corin Shearston, Photos by Aidan Jaros Grilli 3Katoomba Music has been squeezing drummers and singers onto its faded yellow couch for workshops that delve deeper into the world of sound. Pictured is Isaac Beggs who focussed on polyrhythms at the recent Drum Clinic alongside tom tickler Tubby Wadsworth. With a singing workshop also packing the store you can be sure owners Ian and Michelle will keep the yearning for learning going throughout the year. Photo by Brad Diedrich

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www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

STUDIO SPOTLIGHT

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ELEBRATING a decade in business this October, Shelter Studio's new production manager Rick Turnock takes Haze on a walkthrough of recent upgrades to the facility. It’s been a breeding ground for local bands as a rehearsal space and a recording space, now offering more than ever.

"Most recently, I owned a musical instrument store and recording studio in Camden," Rick tells a room full of local musicians, some of who have worked here in the past. He stands by the coffee machine and recounts how he joined the Shelter / KFM team under ownership of Andrew and Paul.

"I’ve been friends with Paul for a while. He mentioned that there might be room to expand the studio, so I moved my equipment up here and from that, it turned into me taking over as production manager last year." Rick is no stranger to the sound of music, having worked in record stores in New Zealand, doing live sound and learning recording at SAA in Auckland, and then owning a guitar repairs and tech business. "And now, my focus is on recording and production and KFM!" The obvious thing that stands out now at Shelter Studio is the new recording gear, as well as the green screen room – but there's so much more under the hood.

"The new gear gives more sonic options when recording. Whereas, before we had basically the one mixing desk, now we’ve added an extra eight channels of input so we can record twenty-four channels at once. Plus all the new mic pre's and compressors give a lot more choice

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

Triple Threat: Rehearse, Record and Release at Shelter. Pics: Aidan Jaros Grilli when it comes to sound, a lot more flexibility," Rick explains as he clicks through some recent recordings in the engineering room.

"We’ve added probably about twenty to twenty-five microphones to the microphone locker as well.

So more options when it comes to different vocal mics and instrument mics. Creating different sounds, particularly for drum recording, we’ve got a really good suite of drum mics now too. So, a really broad cross section of stuff that’s available."

Exploring the next space, we enter the 'red room' and Rick explains: "We’ve done quite a bit of work in here in terms of building some bass traps up here and training it sonically, so it’s a really good space for recording in."

Looking around at the equipment, we notice that the rehearsal space offers the same quality as they would use on corporate jobs. They’re not cheap, old, run-down speakers like you see in many rehearsal rooms.

The K'town Sound Bands that have utilised Shelter Studio as a place to rehearse, record or release a video recently include Red Bee, Copperline, KTB Project, Magma One, Ian Collins and Green Rose.

On the visual side of things, upstairs at KFM there is a video editing suite, and full video capabilities in terms of cameras and operators. "We’ve got a green screen down here for anybody that wants it, so we can offer full video production," says Rick as he pulls down the screen in the next room. "We’re working with a couple of bands at the moment on doing live webcast, so live multi-track recording and straight out to the web on Facebook or YouTube, live from the Shelter. There’s quite a few things like that that we’re starting to offer."

Shelter Studio is also starting to work more with some of the younger kids that are coming through looking at work experience and traineeships, really trying to mentor that next generation to help them on their journey. "Whether it’s a musician or an audio or video professional, lighting, whatever; that’s where I see us helping. We’ve got about ten local musicians or camera people, technicians on the books. That’s something that is really important to us – supporting that local scene."

As Rick returns to his second favourite place in the studio - the coffee machine - we buy some chips and coke from the fridge and chat on a while about the amazing bands that have come through Shelter over the years. Here's to 10 more! www.shelterstudio.com.au www.thehazemag.com.au

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RELEASES

THE SWAMP STOMPERS - Shadows On The Wall

Energetic pop blues act The Swamp Stompers have been finding popularity lately, meeting and opening for Kasey Chambers, earning encouragement from the likes of The Black Sorrows’ Joe Camilleri and having their song ‘Shadows On The Wall’ get added to a Triple J Spotify playlist with tracks of the band being played four times on the station. Recently stopping off at Mount Blackheath to perform EP-opener ‘Wishing I Had You’ in popular folk artist Andie Isalie’s van for the YouTube series ‘Vandie’, amongst completing 55 Aussie shows across three tours with 10 festival dates, members Corey Legge, Luke Litgenberg and Oli Morley-Sattler (who has departed the band since this recording) somehow found time to record the six soulfully modern tracks that make up their Shadows On The Wall EP. With all three members each writing tracks that appear on the album, a varied amount of stylistic shifting happily keeps things interesting for the duration of the release. Kicking off proceedings by shooting into the hard-driv ing hop of ‘Wishing I Had You’ with a nimble guitar riff from Legge, the group are quick to vamp into four on the floor bop and boogie with a searing six-string solo halfway through, finally stripping the dance-floor riff down to smoulder into an acoustic ending. Following with their darkly grooving title track, the trio’s hooky chorus seems strangely reminiscent of the melancholic vocal pop of Crowded House’s Finn brothers. Morley-Sattler’s coastal rock ballad ‘Wave’ allows room for some reflective downtime amongst spacey slide flourishes, before Legge’s ‘Hey’ and Litgenberg’s ‘I’ll Finish You Boy’ gear things up again to honour the swampy rock stomp of which this band’s name derives, produced in an airtight, light and crisp way by Corduroy Spaceship. A hopeful new voice for heartfelt roots music. @theswampstompers CS

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THE INSECTS – You Think You're Ein grooves and-pull, build-and-release. Menacing

that’s built around pushThe Insects’ musical language is one s, leaving the listener constantly ising an explosion that never quite come gestate under raw shouted vocals, prom is an influence, but filtered Age Stone the of ns Quee and Kyuss rock of wanting more. The sun-baked desert mba Street. Highlight song Katoo lling patro cops cans, spray secondhand through a uniquely Australian lens – Cave & The Bad Seeds, Nick of days punk py scrap the s to it which recall poon. NERD employs Wasted Youth has an angry grimace Grins early iconic mind to bring Down Town change of pace from the while the stop-start bass grooves of Round hing refres a trip, headral g out the EP on a cereb flashy, powerful some psychedelic vocal effects, closin never and e precis is ston drumming from Corin Shear ability to switch ’s dry grooves of the previous songs. The Acton Coen while s, back to allow some space in other The in all the right moments while pulling truly electric moments. On the whole some es provid yells dding t-shre ions between laconic singing and throa the soundscape without letting emot blast to noise pure of ents mom rful Insects stay guarded, allowing powe ssifiable feeling at the end, one uncla uous, ambig an with you s leave . This or phrases come through undistorted ts and their stone-hearted jams. and again to try and decipher The Insec which keeps you coming back again @the-insects JB

ALIENATIV - Live At The Steakcastle

Kicking off 2019 with sheer class, innovative post-punks Alienativ dropped a surprising and cathartic live album on January 1st that just happened to be recorded live at a local show, Mabon Harvest Festival at Junction 142 in March last year.

Recorded and mixed

by Zibethicus of ‘space sludge punks’ Rectoplasm and mastered

by Alienativ/Kid Blue bassist Sonny Kooma de Bie, ‘Live At The Steakcastle’ presents 10.5 booming, spacey and hard drivin’ tracks like ‘Teapot Trauma’, ‘Nang Salad’, ‘Triple J Sucks’ and ‘Iron Honey’, encapsulating the true energy of our young local musical undergro und in the upper Blue Mountains. It’s hard to resist being caught up in the spirit of the night as soulfully preserved on this album, the latest live Junction 142 release since ‘The One With Issac’ EP by blues rockers Swell Triplex in April 2017. Check out ‘Live At The Steakcastle’ and enjoy savouring the amusing and endearing stage presence of vocalist Quinlan Semenetz, the tight and twisting rhythms, and the sounds of a wild audience getting down. The band tells HAZE that their studio-recorded debut album will be coming later in 2019. @alienativ CS

Get local: Plenty more CD releases are reviewed on our website at: www.thehazemag.com.au 18

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

RELEASES

GABBI BOLT - Grey Into Blue

The debut EP recorded in Bathurst with Gabbi’s band opens with Holding On – a groove with touches of funk getting things happening and is one of two tracks written with others. It shifts to some cool R&B tunes that should win her friends of both old & new school, especially “Making you Mine” track featuring old friend TJ Tanuvasa sharing vocals. “Grey into Blue” closes the EP with a contemplative piano based ballad, which will bring a glow to any fan of Carole King.

A must-have for those who enjoy late night grooves. PC

Rick Price a Special Ruby Tuesday

In November Rick Price made a special appearance at The Agrestic Grocer in Orange. He had wanted to play there after hearing about the Ruby Tuesday shows from Travis New, a musician originally from Orange who was working in Nashville, where Rick now lives. This he did to a packed house.

Rick covered his own classic album Heaven Knows, which shot him to fame in 1992.

His first set covered music from his more recent releases which blew the room away.

His second set was the album in its entirety reframed with a man & his guitar that had the crowd wanting more, even after a number of encores.

Fame can be a fickle thing and Rick has experienced his share of time in its gaze, but when the glare dims what do you do? If music is at your core then what you’ve made will hold its own. Rick proved this tonight, it was pure and simple, wood & strings vibrating through air with honest words coming from the muscles in his vocal chords, making that primal connection with an audience on this journey we call life.

Rick was also very impressed with the Haze and was looking forward to finding out what’s going on in music in the region. By Patrick Coomey Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

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COVER STORY

Chatting over a cracked cuppa, Mataya Young reveals the secret to being involved in so many projects at once and still having time to stop and smell the roses.

By Jack Bowden

M

ATAYA Young’s sound, in her own terms, takes influence from jazz but is an “updated sound infusing elements of neo-soul, R&B, and pop.”

Influenced by her father Micky Young and aunt Maddy Young, a jazz saxophonist and guitarist respectively, Mataya grew up in a household where music was constantly being played and jazz was everywhere. "Micky holds an enormous wealth of musical knowledge, and I have been very blessed to have him share it with me since the day I was born. His teaching/parenting style introduced me to awesome jazz songs at a very young age, and through playing these songs he began teaching me about complex chords/extensions, voicings, colours ... when I was younger, it was either me singing or playing violin and dad accompanying on guitar, singing or playing sax.”

Having learned the beginnings of musical theory this way, Mataya was quickly introduced to live music through her father’s concerts and got her first taste of performing. “I would get up and play tambourine and dance at his gigs when I was really little, and then around the age of 13 I started to get up with [Micky’s band] Mood Swing at Tris Elies on a Sunday night to sing.” Mataya mentions a roster of music she grew up listening to which influenced her from a young age - “both of my parents ... Al Jarreau, Sade, Erykah Badu, Cat Stevens, Steely Dan, Coltrane and Miles, so I was very fortunate to grow up listening to incredible music".

Nowadays Mataya contributes to the project Haiku Hands, which blends elements of music, performance art and dance, performing at major Australian festivals and sold-out headline tours while working on her solo material. “It can feel a little tricky at times, playing neo-soul music when it's more niche especially in Australia where there aren't as many festival or radio play opportunities as opposed to pop/indie genres,” she reflects on the reception to her style. “Fortunately neo-soul in Australia is slowly expanding with bands such as Hiatus Kaiyote at the forefront, [and] hopefully the interest in these genres continues to grow!” Another part of the solution is updating these classic sounds with modern inflections which helps create crossover appeal: “the instrumentation used in the production of my music is mainly live, but there are electronic sounds, samples and some vocal effects used also adding to a modernised sound.”

As a live performance member of a collective starting to branch out solo, Mataya is in a good position to reflect on the process of collaboration in music.

“All the feature work I have been involved in was a very different process to making my own solo music.

Vox Pops: Mataya appeared on Hermitude's 'The Buzz' which took No.8 in the 2015 Triple J Hottest 100, as well as Thundamentals dance-along tune 'Sally' 20

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COVER STORY I wasn’t involved in the writing, but was given an already written demo and then brought my own flavour to the vocals during the recording sessions,” she reflects on working with the likes of Thundamentals and on Hermitude’s hit 2015 single The Buzz.

“Making my own solo music feels a lot more personal as I write all the lyrics, melody and the original chord progressions. There is always more compromise to be done in a band as opposed to solo, but generally there are a lot of people who you work with as a solo artist that all contribute their ideas to the project, including the producer and the mix engineer.”

An often-overlooked challenge for upcoming musicians in the scene is management of time, especially when split between multiple projects, though Mataya feels “at the moment it is fairly easy to maintain a creative balance between the musical projects I am involved in.

The venues in the Blue Mountains that I perform at regularly are also very accommodating and have allowed me to swap a gig or two around.” This has especially become a consideration as Mataya gears up to release her first solo single, Fine China on April 5th this year: “This track explores soul, jazz, pop and R&B genres and the general gist of the song is, ‘LIFE… but what can you do?’

The production has been done by A2, and it has been mixed and mastered by my partner Kevin Kerr.”

SMALL TOWN REWARDS Speaking of the musical scene in Australia, we were curious to know Mataya’s experience of performing and breaking into the industry around the Blue Mountains. “The Mountains is a beautiful and quiet place that is conducive to creativity in all of the art forms, and cheaper living expenses also create a lower stress environment for people to be able to focus more time on their craft,” she says, observing both the advantages and disadvantages of a small town scene. “This is one of the rewards of living here, but on the other hand the slow-paced environment can make it harder to stay motivated! Living in a smaller town does means a smaller

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Fine china: Mataya's new single is our cup of tea, photos by Ella Rynehart audience, smaller music venues and less people to work with, which can be quite challenging – but there is still a creative hub.”

Speaking of her experience since moving back to the Blue Mountains, she praised the local environment, saying “the rent is cheaper, the air is cleaner and there are no planes flying over our house constantly!

After Tris Elies closed I felt there was a bit of a lull in the music scene in the Mountains, but after moving back I have noticed the scene building back up again. There is always a change when established bands move away and others emerge.” She praised local live shows and regular events such as Toasted Loops as “helping to encourage and motivate young

talent and keep the Mountains music scene alive”.

CREATIVE BALANCE Facing the potential challenges and rewards of a new year and a solo career, she notes that “It will probably become harder to maintain a creative balance next year ... we will see what happens!”, but to us it looks like an exciting time to be Mataya, with a fantastic grounding in music theory, a modern take on a genre that’s gaining steam in Australia, and on the verge of breaking into an exciting new scene.

Mataya's debut single Fine China is out in April, visit mataya.com.au

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MUSIC FEATURE

Justin Hunter’s been all around the world with his music, but it always traces back to his hometown.

Jack Bowden finds the local connection

“T

HEY always seem to be somehow connected to the Mountains”, he says of collaborators he’s worked with since launching his Em Flach project a few years ago. Justin’s chillwave/ hip-hop project scored a massive hit with “Day Drift” last year, a co-write with Mountains local Finbar which cracked 60,000 plays on Spotify. It was a small window into a big world of Aussie big names: Finbar’s brother in local legends Hermitude praised the song, and Perth rapper Ta-ku sent over congratulations, a tour in Tokyo quickly following after.

But the Em Flach project is just half the story – Justin also releases solo piano music under his own name. The soothing style is in notable contrast to his upbeat hip-hop work. “One style wasn’t expressive enough for me”, he insists when asked about this distinction, also noting his appreciation for artists who stick to a vision: “I respect musicians that can release music for a long period of time without changing their style too much”.

Many artists Justin names as an influence have two distinct styles which enrich each other by contrast.

There’s Jeff Buckley’s Grace (1995), where aggressive rock plays against delicate ballads; The Beastie Boys, who brought a taste of punk and rock to hip-hop when hardcore was the dominant sound; Moby’s Play (1998), where samples of field recordings and gospel music play over chill radio-friendly beats. His most memorable description was of Vivaldi, “sort of like trance music without a beat”: the classical composer’s influence is felt in the chillwave styles of Em Flach and Justin’s piano compositions.

“If I get told no, that’s just the first

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Top of the world: Justin's musical projects are taking him worldwide step in the negotiation – never giving up”, Justin reflects on his attitude to the business. Confidence is key, and the music doesn’t come out unless “I know it’s good enough to be on Spotify”. This dates all the way back to his beginnings in the scene, walking up and down Katoomba Street handing out mixtapes. “I would hand it to a restaurant or cafe, tell them I’ll come back tomorrow and if you like it you can buy it then”, a perfect sales pitch to build some local buzz. The

project has since gone international - in his role as music supervisor for Australia-wide company Endota Spas, Justin’s music plays for relaxation in every spa, and a recent stint in New York in a photography capacity saw a meeting with the head designer of fashion label Comme des Garçons.

An album under the Justin Hunter name as well as projects with Finbar, Jace XL (Hiatus Kaiyote) and Tomasz Charuk are coming this year, but he stays focused on the work: “Every little victory that I have I just peg it in the back of my mind”, he says.

On the back of trips to Tokyo and New York, it’s important that he reps his hometown: “I’d rather live up here and have peace of mind”, he tells me regarding life in Sydney. “The success of local people is inspiring enough for local kids to get a gig at the Clarendon, and then somewhere else”. A self-made success story if there ever was one, Justin’s trip from the cafes on Katoomba Street to tours around the world proves conclusively that a positive attitude and self-belief are infectious when you’re promoting something that you passionately believe in.

FB Justinhuntermusic Insta @em.flach

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MUSIC FEATURE

The Current Rise Of Blue Mountains EDM Through a community effort to provide more cultural events and offer exposure to local DJs, Hotel Gearin’s recent hosting of events like Jack City and Full Exposure are developing electronic dance music (EDM) culture in the Blue Mountains. Reporter Corin Shearston gets his rave on.

Above & background: Olovai at Jack City, pics by Tye Dodds-Bowering

Flux (Adrian Hastings) is currently calling on artists, DJs, producers, promoters, and event managers to get involved with Jack City, contact him through the Roxy Room FB. Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

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MUSIC FEATURE

Smith & Jones' co se nd longer player is Something Worth Learning, as Patrick Coomey discovers

Album Launch Dates TH SATURDAY 9 MARCH toria The Backyard @ The Vic Hotel Bathurst TH SATURDAY 16 MARCH n Sky Music ster We The er Und Festival, Dubbo TH SATURDAY 13 APRIL The End Festival

TH SATURDAY 20 APRIL Roths, Mudgee RD FRIDAY 3 MAY Orange The Agrestic Grocer, TH MAY SATURDAY 18 ba Junction 142 Katoom TH MAY 25 SATURDAY Molong Album Launch

Photo by Lyn Taylor

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A

LMOST two years since Bathurst duo consisting of Abby Smith (Piano & Vocals) and Sophie Jones (Guitar & Vocals) released their debut album Dark Gives Way, they deliver the much anticipated follow up Something Worth Learning. From the opening notes you can tell that this is music that matters to them both, reflecting growth not just in the writing but as musicians who are working constantly at their craft. They are two distinct people who came from different musical backgrounds, but they share one musical soul. Kindred spirits who it seems were meant to be together.

Abby says “We’ve worked very hard with these new songs to sound like us, we want to be our own artists, in our own right, we don’t want to copy anyone, of course you’ll always hear influences in everybody’s music , but especially with these new songs, the way we sing them and what they mean is actually unique and original.”

The eleven tracks on the album are a selection from numerous songs Abby had written over the past two years. These have been given space to breathe and develop their own personalities in front of audiences.

The production approach to the

album delivers a sound and feel that is more like something recorded at Sound City or Wally Heiders Studio.

However it was actually recorded at Linear and Love Hz studios in Sydney with Michael Carpenter and features the third voice in their sound, Matt Ferry’s guitar.

Some artists flounder on the second album not living up to the potential of their first or give you the same as before. Neither is the case with Smith & Jones who have delivered a simply superb second album. They’ve taken the path of making music that they want to hear themselves, whether it’s the catchy pop sounds as heard on the first single Second Hand Heart or Running from Something. A slice of fun with a bit of walking bass, finger snapping singing a love letter to the "Boss" which was written after seeing him in concert Last Night I saw Jesus.

Then there’s Beautiful piano ballads ”One Last Time” and “In The Middle of the Night” which could have easily echoed out around Laurel Canyon in the early '70s.

In being true to themselves Smith & Jones truly have given us Something Worth Learning. Touring the new release through Autumn – make sure to catch them at a stage near you.

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Emma Magenta, 'The realm of code overwrite' 2018 Nina Lipscombe: 'The Path' 2019

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Amy Bell (Daisychain), “daisy fakes it til she makes it-

the divine art of holding your shit inside�

Nina Lipscombe: Top all left: Youth, 2019 | Top right: Written on the wall, 2019 | Bottom: The Path, 2019

Angus Olsen, 'Lion Mother'

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ARTS

Sometimes deeply emotive, darkly humorous, and at times simply frivolous, Pamela's work reflects the range of human emotion and expression.

Gallery photos, courtesy Gallery ONE88

Pamela lives and works in the Blue Mountains, and combines her experiences working in mental health, outdoor adventure guiding and a plethora of life experiences, to visually communicate in a way that is accessible on a number of different levels.

Pamela's ceramics express the connection humans have with other animal life and the environment. It is influenced by her degree in Psychology, her love affair with the Australian bush and much time spent observing and connecting with the natural environment. Pamela is also influenced by Indigenous Australian beliefs about connectedness to the environment, all living creatures and to the elements. Her thoughts also include the American Indian idea that our totem animals give us the wisdom and qualities required to face challenges of life.

Born in the small country town of Ouyen in Victoria, Pamela was one of 12 children. Childhood was a place where she could run free and wild, creating imaginary worlds and dreaming uncurbed futures. Creative since the beginning, art was one of the only subjects she thrived on during high school.

Although inherently driven to create and visually communicate, Sole Parenting two boys (she refers to her masterpieces) made it challenging to focus on the creative process until recently. “There are so many ideas that have been brewing over the years, finally I have time to bring them to fruition.”

Emma Magenta “Love in the Time of Capitalism” is a collection of works and writing on the struggle and victories of the human heart in an era where human struggle is exploited for profit. The collection explores themes around the fracturing of the human psyche of our masculine, feminine selves and the selling of romance to trap the human heart into a cycle of disillusionment. Works are generally created on up-cycled materials such as beer boxes, shopping bags, and government penalty notices.

The exhibition will include her film Remembering Agatha and personalised panic attack bags.

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Pamela's current series of 'Aussie Birds', can be seen at Gallery One88, 188 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

Nina Lipscombe Pg 26 - 27 Both artists have exhibitions coming up at Platform Gallery, Katoomba Street.

'Witch'

by Nina Lipscombe 15 March - 1 April "Love in the Time of Capitalism"

by Emma Magenta 5 - 22 April

"I had been doing a lot of reading about "witches" and the witch hunts, particularly in Salem but in Europe and Asia as well. I was inspired (primarily) by the women behind the sinister stories of the past. I wanted to showcase some of the modern day "witches" I know in order to summon up dialogue around these powerful females and discuss what it really means to be a witch.

Developing these works was definitely fun for me. One of my favorite projects to date, in fact. I think I loved it so much because it was basically a merge of my photography and fine art which, for me, is the best of both worlds!

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ARTS

Bringing Fairytales to Life A lifetime in the making, From Fractured to Fairytale is the story of the artist, Livonne, who managed to find an escape from sexual abuse, by escaping in her head to the Magic Faraway Tree. An obsession with fairytales, myths and legends and a love of theatre blend together in this upcoming exhibition to bring an immersive art experience.

Walk into a storybook, watch action taking place in a theatre, fight your way through a swamp of grief and join the carnival to see yourself in a different light. The imaginative exhibit covers a range of topics that have been major traumas in the artist's life, but are told from an encouraging perspective which highlight hope and survival.

An interactive mix of conceptual photography, sculpture, installations, projection and original music are

Archie’s here! Come and see the whole gang…

'Safe in my Fort' used to tell the stories. This free exhibition is being held 1st May through to the 27th May 2019 at Wild Valley Art Park, 321 Blaxland Road, Wentworth Falls, open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

The Orange Regional Gallery is currently hosting until 10th April, the Art Gallery of NSW touring exhibition of the Archibald Prize 2018. The prize Awarded to the best painting of a notable Australian since 1921. The exhibition allows kids to interact with various paintings via a special activity book for them to complete whilst viewing the exhibition.

Coinciding with the regional tour in the upper room of the gallery is an exhibition of selected works from the Young Archie Central West competition. Budding artists between ages 5 and 18 submitted a portrait which were judged into four separate age categories.

Eclectic Collection on show in Lithgow

For those yet to discover, Gang Gang Gallery is a relatively new and beautifully presented contemporary art space located on the main street into Lithgow.

Currently on the walls and floors is ‘Collectic’, a group exhibition including work by artists Raphe Coombes (Paintings), Kayleen Brooks (Fibre Artist), Michelle Connelly (Mixed Media Sculptor) and last but not least internationally acclaimed local Sculptor - Poet Philip Hammial.

Recycled, reclaimed and rebirthed, this thought-provoking exhibition shows everyday items transformed into contemporary art pieces.

Following on from Collectic will be Lithgow Industrial – a group exhibition coinciding with Ironfest featuring Margaret Alders, Ronald Frederick Horstman, Annie Joseph, Dean Mobbs, and Rachel Szalay. Showing 19 April to 20 May. Gang Gang Gallery showcases regional and national artists year round and is open from 10am - 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Reuse sculpture by Philip Hammial

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ARTS

In this first edition of our Meet the Curator series we speak to Victor Peralter from Gallery ONE88 and Kelly Heylen from Platform Gallery about their work as gallery curators in the Blue Mountains

Victor Peralta

Director and Curator: Gallery One88

ttin photo: Sam Ba

Victor and Sharon Peralta run Gallery ONE88 in Katoomba.

We spoke to Victor about his role as Director and Curator of the gallery...

What inspired you to open a gallery and work as a curator?

I was becoming more and more frustrated with dealing with the standard commercial galleries, that was well over 8 years ago. One88 opened over three years ago now and we have gone from strength to strength. With quite a different approach from the outset – as an example we definitely didn’t want a white wall gallery. A sterile room can be so boring for art sometimes. We wanted a relaxed yet well-presented rooms. I think our visitors appreciate the unintimidating approach to connecting art with the viewer and ultimately the buyer and collector.

As far as curating goes – I don’t think I thought that far in advance when we opened. As an artist I approach curating in the same manner – the work has to flow and be palatable to the senses. I can appreciate the work and effort by galleries in curating shows. I typically work alone in the curating process so it’s always nerve-racking to open the doors on Tuesday.

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Describe your ethos or focus as a local gallery curator / owner?

Our ethos is one of support. We provide an environment where we endeavor to provide a successful experience in dealing with a commercial art gallery. We hope so far so good. We have held over 150 exhibitionsand in the 3+ years we’ve been open we’ve had some absolutely amazing shows and met some incredible artists. Our focus remains the same – essentially we try to provide artists at all levels support and advice. And of course connect buyers and art lovers with art.

How would you describe the Blue Mountains art scene?

The art scene ... the art scene is huge in the Mountains. With so many artists in the community how can it not be?

I do think there are a lot of artists that are still relatively reclusive, but the art that is the Blue Mountains is alive and kicking!

What is your favourite upcoming artist or project?

That’s a difficult question to answer.

Each artist and their exhibition is amazing in their own right so it’s hard to choose a favourite. As an art gallery that is open to varied styles and genres we see a lot of work ...

We have somewhere in the order of 300+ works on display from almost 80 artists. There’s a lot to choose from.

What are your projects for the future?

Well we have some exciting things in the mix for 2019. The coffee and cake at One88 will be available soon and some other exciting things happening. You’ll hear about them soon. In March and April we have some great shows including paintings from Steven Travis, and sculptures by Rachel Bunney. Then we have a brilliant show by locals Amy Bell-Daisy Chain and Angus Olsen – now that’s a show you shouldn’t miss.

Gallery ONE88: Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW. UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS: Evolve

by Lisa Fahey 5 - 17 March Fragments Flashes and Form

by Stephen Travers 5 - 17 March Healing through Art

by Amy Bell - Daisychain and Angus Olsen Above Photo by: Mountain life Read through to our second art curator on pg 32

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ARTS

Blue Mountains illustrators Angus Olsen and Amy Bell (aka Daisychain) explore healing through art Amy Bell created the character Daisy in 2014 during an online cartooning course and quickly took over her life as a device for expressing political views. As she developed, the work began to become art therapy, Daisy was the vehicle for processing heartbreak. It was a long journey of healing which many people related to. When the heartache built to anxiety the mermaids appeared. The mermaids are meditation, a different type of art therapy to Daisy.

While in hospital for cancer treatment for his 2yo daughter Jane, Angus Olsen began creating artworks for himself as a diary of the experience, to process what was happening and to put down what couldn’t be said with words.

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As he shared the work with others it grew to include the experience of childhood cancer around the world resulting in the creation of practical resources for children and their families facing childhood cancer.

Amy and Angus have come together for an exhibition “Healing through Art” to show the healing power of artistic expression from two very different perspectives arriving at the same purpose.

Exhibition @ Gallery ONE88 19th - 31st March Opening night and artist talks 23rd March 4pm to 6pm

See Pages 26-27 for more of their amazing work!

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ARTS

Meet the Curator

Kelly Heylen

Director and Curator: Platform Gallery Platform Gallery is Australia’s first dedicated feminist art gallery. Founded

by Kelly and JL Heylen, and supported by a team of four – all women in the arts themselves their mission is to correct the gender imbalance by celebrating, exhibiting and promoting women in the arts.

What inspired you to open a gallery and work as a curator?

Having previously been the Creative Industries Cluster Manager, I knew the breadth of talent that existed in the Blue Mountains, but I wasn't seeing that reflected so much in local galleries. There was a lot of paintings and landscapes in the galleries, but not much design, textiles or jewellery - and so I wanted to create a space where other kinds of artwork could shine.

Describe your ethos or focus as a local gallery curator / owner?

My focus is on promoting female artists, especially local women. 70% of arts graduates are women but less than 30% of solo exhibitions are by women. My mission as a curator is to help correct the gender imbalance

Platform Out Back

"After 18 months, two locations and 21 exhibitions, we are launching a new exhibition space! The new space is suitable for emerging artists, students, hobbyists, those with smaller artworks – and anyone who wants to show their work, really!"

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in the art world. Platform is a proudly feminist art gallery.

How would you describe the Blue Mountains art scene?

The art scene here is really blooming.

We have so many talented artists, working across so many genres, and it's exciting to be able to create a space that showcases this depth and variety.

What is your favourite upcoming artist or project?

My favourite upcoming local artist is Emma Magenta, who in April will be showing a lot of the artwork from her incredible film, Remembering Agatha.

I'm also super excited that talented Melbourne artist Frances Cannon will be showing with us in July.

"With 17 metres of wall space across two small rooms behind the main gallery, Platform Out Back is yours to curate as you wish. As with our main gallery, we will be prioritising artists who share our vision of artwork that promotes a progressive social agenda, but we are open to all mediums, including painting.

We also prioritise applications from

photo: O

na Janzen

What are your projects for the future?

I'm in the process of setting up a new exhibition space for emerging artists, students and hobbyists. It's called Platform Out Back, and we have four shows booked in so far - hopefully with many more to come! I believe in supporting and nurturing artists at all stages of their career, and I'm so excited to be working with these up and coming artists.

Platform Gallery: 194 Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS: Witch by Nina Lipscombe 15 March - 1 April Love in the Time of Capitalism by Emma Magenta 5 - 22 April artists who are under-represented in public and commercial galleries, including female artists, LGBTIQ+ artists, artists with disabilities, artists of colour and Indigenous artists."

Visit platformgallery.co for more details on how to exhibit at Platform Out Back

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

LOCAL LENS

Alia Grinvalds

I’m based in the Blue Mountains where I’ve been a photographer for about six years. My first camera, a Canon 650D, is what I mainly use. I love turning up at a scene, working with the light and especially, the people that are there, which has lead me to favour photographing local gigs. The contrast between light and shadow fascinates me. The image here was originally for a series called Vignettes. This series has now been included into the 2019 ArtExpress exhibition, which will be shown at the Armory Gallery in Sydney, as well as at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre later this year.

@aliagrinvalds

Nina Lipscombe

When I create art, I am not doing it with a business mindset. I see a bird fly overhead, listen to a hauntingly beautiful song or drink the world’s most amazing cup of chai tea and I get inspired. I love nature and I love fantasy. The idea that I can take myself wherever I want to go or be whoever I want to be, that is what motivates me to continue to create. I love showing people a piece of me that I can’t even see myself unless I am creating. To share something beautiful with the world or even with one person…that is what makes me the happiest.

'Witch' - Exhibition at Platform Gallery 15 March - 1 April

'Writing on the wa ll''

www.ninalipscombeart.com

MARRIAGE:LOVE AND LAW @ PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY Marriage: Love and Law explores the story of marriage as a social, cultural and legal construct. The period in review extends from the early 19th Century to the present. Offering a collection of stories drawn from within and beyond the NSW State Archives Collection, Marriage: Love and Law is shaped by a suite of concepts that have been consistent over time: stability, suitability, respectability, equality, unity and ceremony. While status, gender, power, economics and ideology have all played a role in the story of marriage, today in Australia, marriages are made for love.

Marriage: Love and Law is open from 30 March – 16 June 2019, Penrith Regional Gallery -Main Gallery | 86 River Road, Emu Plains.

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ON STAGE

Love is in the air at the Q

Girl Power at V-Day Blue Cabaret

Blue Cabaret will celebrate all valiant vixens in vintage V-day style (with a few modern twists) this May in Blackheath. Victory in Europe Day, generally known as V Day, was celebrated on 8 May 1945 marking the end of WWII. "This will be a total Girl Power show with 10% of profits plus money from raffle prizes on the night going to local services supporting women and children seeking protection from domestic violence" say organisers.

There will be a dance floor and live swing music for dancing before the show and at intermission plus best dressed prizes for both WWII and “Victory” inspired outfits!

Pictured: the recent Red Cabaret evening captured by Brigitte Grant Photography

Touted as "Joyous, Sexy, and Heartbreaking" the Q Theatre's latest stage drama will take you on a dizzying ride through love’s collision course.

I Want To Know What Love Is throws a spotlight on long-buried memories, bedroom fantasies, crushes and conquests. Acclaimed Queensland performance collective The Good Room asked members of the public to anonymously submit their stories of love – fragments and memories, confessions and admissions – and they’ve transformed those secret submissions into magnificent declarations centre stage.

Following a sold out premiere season in Brisbane Festival 2014 with Queensland Theatre, the work had a subsequent sold out return at Brisbane Powerhouse’s Wonderland Festival in 2015, and a Melbourne season at Provocare Festival in 2017. This is for everyone who’s ever loved. Anyone who’s ever hurt. On 6th April at Q Theatre Penrith. Pic: Stephen Henry @thejoan

Le Salon Grand is Simply Swell!

Maintaining current momentum in establishing Katoomba’s Palais Royale Hotel as one of the town’s premier venues, Sydney’s Swell Sisters trio performed a classic set of sixties favourites on January 18th.

Bringing the walls of grand ballroom Le Salon Grand thoroughly to life, Mandy, Ruby & Jo frequently shifted the tone of their two 50 minute sets from heartfelt and heavenly to hysterical, gliding through Motown material and the likes of Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and The Supremes while having the room in the palm of their hands for the entire night.

Alongside Music In The Mountains' newly-running, ‘Nombre 230’ events,

weekly on Saturday nights, plus the hotel’s history of Goon Shows, Murder Mysteries and Yulefests from Bryan Cutts of Entertainment Blue Mountains, Palais Royale and Le Salon Grand are firmly back on the musical map. By Corin Shearston @entertainmentbm

'The Sock Hop' a Vintage Dream for Local Performers

2013 Miss Pinup International and local dancer, choreographer and producer Porcelain is seeking your help to establish a permanent home for performing artists.

She is hoping to make her dream of “The Sock Hop” a reality for local and touring performance artists and students. A permanent home for The Vintage Vixens, Wild Warrior Women Festival, Stone Cold Fox Collective, Blue Mountains Women’s Theatre Group, Porcelain Productions events, Sock Hop Studios For Kids and available to other local and visiting artists for rehearsals and intimate performances, the Sock Hop will be a vintage styled venue for performers and patrons to enjoy in the City of The Arts. A fully qualified and experienced dance teacher, Porcelain is aware how hard it can be for performers to find suitable rehearsal and teaching space and is aware of the need for more dance and performing arts training and smaller scale quality performance spaces in the Blue Mountains. Pic: Celebrity Obsession www.gofundme.com/thesockhop

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www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

Film Reviews...

SCREEN TIME

@bluemountainsfilms on Facebook for more

Arctic 

Review by Tom Hutchison Beautifully paced, brilliantly shot, and featuring yet another powerhouse performance from Mads Mikkelsen, director Joe Penna’s feature debut both treads ground familiar to fans of the survival thriller genre as well as having its own unique spin on it. After his plane suffers an unseen event forcing it to crash-land in a valley in the Arctic, the sole survivor Overgård (Mikkelsen) has made a makeshift camp and patiently awaits rescue.

His life is divided between the basics of mundane survival and scanning the skies for signs of radar. However, after a helicopter goes down leaving a survivor badly wounded, Overgård is forced to make a decision, and sets off towards the nearest base camp, towing the survivor on a sled. What follows is a brutal journey that tests the limits of Overgård’s humanity and compassion as he struggles to keep both himself and his charge alive in the face of nearly impossible odds.

The film has a lot to like in it. Penna makes the bold decision of leaving large parts of the film without any dialogue, relying on Mikkelsen’s presence and expressiveness as an actor to convey large parts of the story. Fortunately, Mikkelsen is more than up to the task, as his performance is nuanced and

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engrossing. He is able to convey more through his facial expressions and body movement than a lesser actor would with a half hour monologue. The other survivor (Maria Thelma Smáradóttir), unnamed in the film, spends the majority of the runtime unconscious, which can be problematic but only serves to highlight Mikkelsen’s strengths as a performer. He masterfully plays against what is essentially a blank slate, both in terms of the other player and the surrounding landscape. This is another strength of the film, as Iceland is substituted for the Arctic, but the impact is no less for it. Cinematographer Tómas Örn Tómasson captures the natural beauty of Iceland in a breathtaking manner, at times feeling close to a nature documentary. The white of the snow can at times be blinding, but the overall quiet and remote is effectively translated to the viewer by many of the shot choices. It is these two aspects that make the film stand out.

Ultimately, Arctic is a thoroughly engrossing take on a familiar scenario. Where many entries into the survival thriller genre place a lot of focus on the character’s ultimate destination, Arctic chooses to place the journey as the centre of its plot.

It is a unique film that is minimalist in nature but ultimately delivers a worthwhile experience.

Aquaman 

Review by Caleb Marshall Aquaman is the newest addition to the DCEU (Expanded Universe) and quite possibly the best movie in this new wave of DC superhero movies.

I had an extremely fun time with this movie. Its visuals were certainly my favourite part, everything from the costumes to the underwater environments are engrossing to look at and quite a number of moments blew me away. The moments leading up to the reveal of Atlantis were fantastic and many of the scenes involving "The Trench" – a race of underwater creatures who inhabit a trench – were absolutely gorgeous.

The story was fine but nothing groundbreaking, many comparisons of the overall story can be drawn between it and Black Panther but it doesn't really detract from the movie.

The soundtrack didn't stand out too much but I also don't remember it detracting either, I suppose it was more in line with the generic music you find in most superhero movies.

I really liked the cast with Jason Momoa (Aquaman/Arther) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Black Manta), the former had an unfortunate lack of screen time. The whole movie really is just an absolute blast of fun but certainly nothing groundbreaking.

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

FILM

Filmmakers of the future: The Mt Riverview School entrants

Film by the Eucalyptus gave school age kids a chance to show off their creativity through film last year, with finalists screening at Springwood Hub. Matty Currey asks the kids how they went as film makers.

The themes of the short films were based on Native Aboriginal History and to retell in their own creative ways, says Kellie Stockton, one of the teachers and advisors to the students at Mt Riverview School.

From Mt Riverview Public School, three films were finalists with 10 students involved: ‘The Crash’ (Elias and Rhys), ‘Magic Kukundi and the Crow’ (Elijah, Jaedyn, Charlie & Lachlan), and ‘The Valley of the Waratahs: Red & White’ (Gabrielle, Mena, Liana and Niamh). Being involved in the event produced some exciting experiences for the kids...

What inspired you to make your film?

Charlie: "Our Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Julie, came to our school and for us helping her make stories, and we were all making stories together, and so we decided to make a few movies."

How did you go making the film?

Gabrielle: "It was fun because I have worked with my classmates before

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but never like in a movie and it was a tough time but it was fun and we built on the teamwork."

What was your approach to your film and storytelling?

Elijah: "Well, first I take the story and work out what we can do in the movie and what is possible without using a million dollars. An example was in our film we had a scene where we were supposed to have an eagle catching a kookaburra, but of course, you can have really have someone mid air catching a kookaburra, so we altered the story to have it land in a tree, we filmed the eagle and then reversed the film so it looked like it was leaping out of the tree! We stuck as close to the story as we could with the changes and it wasn’t too different."

Who have been your influences?

Mena: "It’s been my classmate and my family, as they helped produced the props and the film equipment to help us with making the film, and also our Elder has been our influence because she told us the story and it inspired us to make the movie. My Dad as well, he made stop-motion films before in university and he helped with learning storyboarding and applying it to our film."

What editing programs did you use and what did you learn?

Niamh: "We used iMovie as an easier way to cut our films together and then the year 6 teacher gave some

advice for Ms Stockton to gain access and use the ABC sound library to use for our sound, they keep stock sound clips and songs, which was a lot easier to use than going and recording sounds."

What was the planning of the project like?

Liana: "For writing the script, we started at the beginning, but if we got stuck, we’d move forward and then come back to the problem. We wrote and drew the storyboards, so we had a few sheets to go by and just followed each scene for a shot list."

Your favourite films?

Elias: "I like comedy, slapstick comedy funny things like Mr. Bean. In our film we made silly props to make the film, for example we drew on a baby car as our ambulance and used tomato sauce as our blood."

What kinds of films do you aspire to make in future?

Rhys: "In the future I would like to make action films because it gets audiences wondering what is going to happen next. I would like to make an ‘earthquake’ type of action where a boulder falls on a character." (The reporter laughed loudly at this – picturing a 'Roadrunner scene'...)

Do you have any future projects?

Jaedyn: "Not at the moment, I hope in year 5 will do more movie making and enter Films by the Eucalypts.

When I grow up I want to be a movie star. I'd prefer to be an actor!"

With these creative opportunities available - the future is bright!

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

FILM

Tropfest Winners In January at the Governor’s Bath House in Parramatta Park, the annual Tropfest Film Festival announced to the media the finalists for the two categories; Tropfest and Tropfest Jnr, and The Haze's Matty Currey was there to find out who had made the cut!

Out of the 32 finalists (16 in each category), we caught up with 5 of the finalists and spoke about their films, themes and their journey making it to the finalist stage before the main event.

Trop Jnr’s

In the case for the Trop Jnr’s, some of the themes that are touched upon are the idea of beauty, mental health and body image amongst teenagers.

Hailing from St. Ives, NSW, Tali Fleischmann’s film ‘Smile’ deals with a young girl who wears a paper bag on her head with a permanent smile drawn on it because society deems her to be perfect, so she wears it to escape everyone to be happy. “Since this was a school project by studying film in English, we, the crew, put all our ideas down to paper and then merged them together; then started writing the story from the beginning and if we found anything wrong, we could fix it once it arises. But [my crew and I] drew inspiration from each other to make this movie.”

‘Release’ is about a young teenager dealing with a mental illness and is directed by Mason Ellis, from East Gosford, NSW. “What we thought was that Tropfest was a great way to display mental health and raise awareness for the fact that there are lots of teenagers whom are struggling with it and help them get through it.” Mason and his team was able to make the film using friends, who are camera shy but were able to get past that and to use a supporting actor to help get the performances Mason was searching for.

‘Hollow’ follows the story of boy named Max who is going through anorexia and showing his struggles and overcoming the disease through friends family. Co-Writer Tyallah Bullock explains, “[This] was a school project through Grace Lutheran College in Rothwell, QLD, whom helped supporting us outside of school. I went through anorexia myself and found that I would link food to mental diseases and I noticed that not a lot of men never get touched upon diseases like anorexia. I wrote about my experience but flipped the switch and changed it up and make the protagonist a boy to touch on people’s feelings; that boys also who go through diseases as well as females whom are more the main dominant with these issues. Worked with the director Alex Wilson and we made the film for what the final product is.”

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

Tropfest Main Event

In the Tropfest main event, the themes are less of a serious matter and rather aiming at the funnybone in the two comedies from the directors Matty caught up with.

Melbourne Brother and Sister duo Leah Annetta and Rueben Street’s film ‘Fringe Dweller’ follows a teenage girl who discovers that her thin hair is limiting her theatrical career.

Leah: “This story is about my daughter’s hair. She wanted to do a film about world peace but found that her hair was much more important to her. She is unable to get the volume she would like and feels it is holding back her acting career. Allegra found that she had a lot to say, so voiceover came in handy.”

And lastly, we come to ‘Treetment’, ‘A simple drive across town descends sharply into acrimony - until a botanical soothing technique leads to an opportune moment of healing and reconnection.

St. Kilda’s Matt Holcomb’s film is based on personal experiences from his producer and partner Kahra O’Keefe, “[Kahra] came home one day and told me what went down between her and her Mother and I was in hysterics and I thought 'there is a Tropfest short if I ever had heard one'. It was beautiful, it had a 3-act structure and was surreal. I never thought I had a Tropfest idea and this just came together. The narrative turns flowed and it just worked.

After 15 years of filmmaking, it was one of the most beautiful filming experiences I have ever had.”

Matt's previous AACTA Nominated Short Fiction film, “Flat Daddy” was made in Lithgow. “I was living in Sydney at the time and the story is based around an old steel town. It starred Kat Stewart from ‘Underbelly’.

We would love to return there to make a another movie!" www.thehazemag.com.au

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HIDDEN HISTORY

What's Been Did With nearly 50 years in entertainment through performing onstage and writing about those who appear on one, the career of Katoomba’s Michael Smith’s is as long and dense as his white head of hair, lending him an appearance akin to a musical wizard. Corin Shearston reveals more ...

I

N a 2016 feature for Rhythms Magazine, one of many in Michael’s CV of publications alongside The Music, the magazines Juke, Duke, and Ram and the journals Overland and Australian Musician, Smith recalls how his family lived in three different places in London before moving to the Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth, “the Mt Druitt of South Australia”, for Michael to attend Elizabeth West Primary School. Throughout his schooling, Michael remained distantly aware of John ‘Swanee’ Swan, fellow student and older brother of Jimmy Barnes, in a connection to resurface in 1973 at Adelaide University.

In fourth year at Elizabeth High, Michael discovered guitar through the gift of a ‘dodgy little acoustic’, the instrument making him fall from being a good student to barely scraping into Uni. His first of numerous bands, ‘barely adequate’ cover group Handle With Care assigned Smith with the position of singer and guitarist. Things really clicked in December 1971 through meeting ‘real’ guitarist and singer John Pryer at a Christmas party, a young man engrossed in a garage jam with fellow English migrant and drummer Steve Prestwich, direct from Liverpool. As Michael tells me, “there was a bass in the corner. I picked it up and I found all that really bad lead guitar playing was perfect for really good bass playing.” The jamming trio, dubbing themselves as Ice, went on to play about 20 gigs before disbanding. Fortunately, Michael’s time in Ice cemented his decision to be a bass player. The following year, a coincidental meeting with Swanee at a Blackfeather gig led to Michael signing up as bassist in the short-lived group Tarkus, 16-year old

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Then: Michael in Scandal 1978 (courtesy of Mindi Bakopanos)

Now: With John Corabi (Mötley Crüe/ RATT/John Corabi Band)

Jimmy Barnes’ only covers group before joining what would become Cold Chisel. Or as Michael writes in Rhythms, ‘just four young guys intent on making a racket together’.

self-titled and only album in 1978.

Helping their success was the fact that all the really good Adelaide bands left for Sydney in 1976, including Cold Chisel and The Angels, leaving Scandal to rise to the top of the heap. The group were an anomaly, “four migrant kids from England with an Italian drummer and typically ridiculous English humour”, who also incorporated flamboyant elements of pantomime into tracks like ‘Harry’ and the album version of ‘Best Deal In Town’, which unlike the single was slow, sleazy, and featured ‘alluring Parisian whistling’ from Michael. Despite the novelty, Scandal were a hit. In a charity event at the Adelaide Royal Children’s Hospital, the group were totally hyped, performing at vigorous rock ’n’ roll speed and simply powering through their set, all with four part harmonies and tight arrangements.

Coming off stage, MC Ian ‘Molly’

CAUSING A SCANDAL After a stint in the group Slim Pickings one year before helping found his first nationally successful group in 1975, Smith was in yet another covers group, Roadwork.

The band was fronted by singer Stuart Kerrison, who Michael had replaced as bassist in Tarkus two years prior. Towards the end of 1975, Kerrison and keyboardist Chris Harriott grew restless, deciding to redesign their act with a new name, gaining popularity that lead to a signing with Mushroom Records in 1976 as Scandal. Thus began a three year career supporting the likes of ELO and 10CC over 550 gigs, while appearing on Countdown four times for each respective single from their

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

Twang twins: Jim Skiathitis & Michael Smith in The Atlantics (Pic: Bob King) Meldrum was blown away, going back to Melbourne to tell some of his friends the news, including Michael Gudinsky, Australian music mogul and founder of Mushroom Records.

Glenn Wheatley of Oz Records got wind of the same thing, and both Gudinsky and Wheatley flew back to Adelaide to check out Scandal, landing the group with a record deal from Mushroom by end of the year. As Michael recalls, Scandal got signed with five original songs under their belt.

BACK TO SCHOOL Although ‘Best Deal In Town’ and ‘Harry’ both got to Top 10 on the Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth charts, Scandal never really cracked it big, and Michael finished his Bachelor degree from Adelaide in Sydney, where the band had wound up.

Michael tells me, “after a year of floundering, trying to find a band that would work, I thought the best thing for me to do was go back to University, as a great way for me to clear my head.” While completing a Masters Degree in English Literature in 1979, Michael was playing bass in indie groups No Traces and Phil de Void, the latter including Divinyls’ rhythm guitarist Bjarne Ohlin. Michael’s next group, Pat Drummond’s Skooldaze, was an academically-themed concept that went on to spawn a mini musical and album with singer/songwriter and current Medlow Bath resident Pat Drummond at the helm. As Michael remembers, “Pat’s a lovely guy and songwriter but he’s not a rockstar, and he looks like a school teacher. So we turned the stage into a classroom.” Meanwhile, Scandal were

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

still functioning under the name The Extractors, before ultimately falling apart. Funnily enough, keyboards player Chris Harriott became a composer for TV shows like Bananas In Pyjamas, Hi-5, and McLeod’s Daughters. Singer Stuart Kerrison ended up going to England to work as a sound man for such groups as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and now runs a Norwegian studio.

In 1985, Michael interviewed the group China Doll for Juke, who later invited him to be their bass player.

Transforming the group into hardrock five piece at the resignation of singer Shaylee Wilde in 1986, Michael started writing songs to cut an EP as the band played through to 1990 as Cruise Control.

THE WRITE STUFF One of the most important things that Michael gained through Scandal was his career as a music journalist.

After the group had finished a gig at the Bondi Lifesaver Club one night, a punter approached Michael with an offer for him to write a column

bbath Sound Of The Sa e from Yes,

uir Though Andy Sq Free, Cream’s Andy Fraser from l McCartney Pau d an ce Bru k Jac main bass el’s cha Mi ain rem to perform mentors, the urge partly from ed mm ste on stage bbath bassist Sa ck Bla witnessing ng his gear cki che r Geezer Butle checking nd sou onstage. While g Leonard his wall of deafenin ide’s Myponga speakers at Adela 71, the gut Pop Festival in 19 of Geezer’s sound punching power chael’s eyes to the Mi ed en op lly rea ss playing. ba of s itie bil possi

Ginhouse Blues Band (top), Tarkus (mid) and Phantom (bottom) on bass playing for a little journal called Australian Musician, a budget publication that circulated out of the man’s bedroom whenever affordable.

In these younger days, Michael tells us “I was writing bad poetry and started working on a short story, so that was my literary trajectory”. He dreamt of “writing short stories in the daytime and making records at night”, but being endlessly enthusiastic, he agreed to write a column, knowing nothing technical or theoretical about the bass guitar. He elaborates, “I just hit the right notes. I don’t know how I do it. I’ve been doing it for [over] 40 years, so I must be doing something right!” After taking this first step into music journalism, Michael was able to contact artists he’d met through tours with Scandal and enquire on the possibility of articles, features, interviews and reviews. Building up the Australian Musician side of things, Michael then sent pieces to Duke and Ram, with the proposal of “remember me, I was in Scandal, here’s a review.

So that’s how I conned my way into rock journalism. And I’m still there.”

CONTINUED OVER PAGE >> www.thehazemag.com.au

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HIDDEN HISTORY A decade later, Michael’s role of writer and editor at Drum Media arose from the ashes of On The Street magazine, which Michael was working at from 1988 as associate editor.

One day, the entire staff staged a mass walk out over insufficient pay to regroup at Surry Hill’s Excelsior Hotel and “grumble about this prick that was running the magazine”.

Upon finding the place deserted the following day with the phones going off due to giveaways, the team realised the reality of their sudden unemployment and set about laying the foundations of what would become Drum Media. Fortunately, On The Street’s reputation kept this new magazine funded, leading to a print run of 16 years, from 1990 to 2006, before being sold and becoming The Music. That same year, Michael joined the most popular surf rock group in Australia.

SURF'S UP Previously spending a year from 2003 in prog band Cosmic Nomads, Michael got a call from Atlantics guitarist Martin Cilia after astounding an audience while on stage at the 2006 Australian Songwriters Association Awards (ASAA’s). Earlier that same year, Michael became involved with Steve Flack’s Guitar Heroes, a collaborative entity who enlisted various noteworthy Australian musicians for three albums worth of poly-stylistic forays into rock and blues with the likes of guitarists Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) and Chris Bailey (The Saints), along with drummers Colin Burgess (Masters Apprentices) and Mick O’Shea (Rose Tattoo). Onstage at the ASAA’s, Michael abandoned normality to walk on wearing a bass and dealing out a

Scandal (pic: Paul Chard)

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Cosmic Nomads (Michael far right); film shoot location for 'Calling Mr. Spaceman' from the 1st album rapid rock scale before announcing the independent song of the year.

Remembering his speed, Martin later gave Michael the fateful phone call when Bosco Bosanac, original bassist from 1961 onwards, left The Atlantics to pursue a Johnny Cash tribute show with his wife. It just so happened that Bosco had left one week before the group were to be filmed for the ABC’s Delightful Rain TV special at Sydney’s Freshwater Surf Club, the birthplace of Australian surf culture. As Michael recalls, “I had a day, he dropped off the tape, I learnt the songs that night, the next night I was rehearsing at Atlantic Studios, and two days later I was recording Delightful Rain. It was fantastic.” Drum Media management gave Michael three days off to prepare for the filming, as long as he promised to write about the event, which he did.

Delightful Rain was to trace the history of Aussie surf music from The Denvermen in 1961 through to the present, with Michael on board to perform such hits as 1963’s ‘Bombora’ with The Atlantics. Quite amusing in retrospect, due to the fact that he was 11 when the song was released, paddling at England’s South End with no surf and therefore not being able to surf at all. Through his six years with The Atlantics until 2012, one highlight that Michael remembers is playing at the Australian International Guitar Festival in Adelaide in 2007 and hitting the stage the night Kevin Rudd won the election for prime minister. “The first gig I’d played in Adelaide for 29 years!” The group continued as a trio in 2013 before announcing their retirement from live touring at the end of their European Tour that same year, simply due to the age of original members Peter Hood (drums) and Jim Skathetis (guitar), who were well into their seventies.

Writing a history of Australian rock ’n’ roll for the last 22 years, Michael still stays in contact with old bandmates like Peter, Aldo Civitico (Scandal drummer), Colin Burgess, and Martin Cilia, who’s now joined Mental As Anything. Punters at Katoomba’s Beached As Boogie Down last year were happy to see Jim and Peter’s ‘Bombora’ being given a new lease on life with local backing band The Mountaineers and Michael Smith front and centre with his bass, alongside covers by Cream, Deep Purple, The Small Faces and Free with some old Scandal tracks thrown in.

Michael with Marcia Hines While trying to finish his book and spending time with his grandchildren, Michael wrote for The Music until 2015 and still contributes to Rhythms Magazine, penning features and album reviews for the likes of Ziggy Marley, locals Earprojector and Snez and providing coverage of events like last year’s Byron Bay Bluesfest. His advice for aspiring fellow journalists is to simply “write as much as possible and send it to everybody. All that can happen is they reject it.” Urging young writers not to be disheartened by rejection to attribute circumstantial success to editors, he explains this doesn’t mean that the writing itself is bad. His capability to switch from words to strings stems seamlessly from a fan’s perspective as a music lover, able to approach interviews as an experienced fellow player and enquire into what excites artists about their work.

After helping ring in the New Year in Katoomba with the past told and the future still unwritten, we’re here in the now with Michael Smith - classy, softly spoken, and one fast bassist!

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

PROSE / FOOD CULTURE

Katoomba Author pulls 9th book out of his hat

Six years after his critically acclaimed novel Game was short-listed for three literary awards and long listed for the national Miles Franklin prize, Katoomba author Trevor Shearston’s 9th book, Hare’s Fur, will be released on March 5th. Now in his early seventies, Trevor shifts focus from his previous tale of the life of bushranger Ben Hall to tell the story of a solitary Katoomba potter who finds three young siblings hiding in a nearby bush cave. Equally inspired from a life spent mainly near our nation’s wilderness as much as from many years knowing and living with a handful of Australian potters, including the world-famous, late Peter Rushforth, Trevor writes with an authentic masterfulness for these chosen interests to offer another rich contribution to the fiction of our state. Available now at Little Lost Bookshop Katoomba, Megalong Books Leura and Gleebooks Blackheath.

Surf's Up: Musical History Washes Ashore

After 23 years in the making, Michael Smith’s first volume of Australian rock and pop history, What’s Been Did And What’s Been Hid: A Narrative History Of Australian Pop and Rock, is now available on Amazon!

Currently in paperback form, with cover art provided by Michael’s niece Emma Jarvis, the book covers the beginning of our nation’s rock ’n’ roll through to the end of the surf instrumental era.

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

Rising

our essence tangled beauty-fully upon the linear time of human construct but briefly. leaving a legacy of moments imprinted within- never quite the same again. beyond elements, transcending form weaves, centering to infinite. what is not and never shall be nor ever was a moment beyond. emptying to complete.

Erin Veronica @erinveronicawriter

www.thehazemag.com.au

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FOOD CULTURE

F.O.O.D Week - Orange

Come and celebrate the diverse and excellent produce from the Orange region taking in Cabbone and Blayney. Food week runs from Friday 5th to Sunday 14th April. The 2019 programme has over 90 events run by local producers, cafes restaurants, wineries, cellar doors & caterers.

Some Choice Cut events

5 April: F.O.O.D. Week Night Market 6 April: Amy Viola & band @ Twisted River Wines 6 April: Red Red Wine – Reggae & Wine Party @ Phillip Shaw Wines 6/7/13/14 April: Badlands Brewery Tour & Tastings 13 April: Orange Male Voice Choir & Friends @ Bloomfield Concert Hall Some events require booking www.orangefoodweek.com.au

Phillip Shaw Wines

Red Red Wine – Reggae & Wine Party will introduce a new groove into the expanding musical offerings in Orange. Reggae specialist the ‘Mighty’ Tuff Tone Sound System will be delivering some of the finest reggae music through custom hand built speakers at The Butter Factory.

GETTING A TASTE OF ART

The Art of Lunch is an all new sensory feast and occurs on the last Sunday of each month at multiple restaurants and galleries in locations from Wild Valley Art Park, Wentworth Falls To Gang Gang Gallery, Lithgow, and in between. The event combines a three course meal introduced by the chef, an exhibition opened by the artist and a 30 minute live music performance delivered in a concert atmosphere.

The pilot season begins on the 26th May and ends 27th October 2019.

Around 70% of Art of Lunch talent will be Mtns Made, locally sourced, artists and musicians. The program and partners will be announced in April, and you can already go to the site artoflunch.com.au and check it out.

Three Mountains creatives joined forces to form Earthly Delights Events and launch their project Art Of Lunch.

The team are Susan Cochrane/ Art Curator, Meg Benson of Music Hunter and Brad Diedrich, web developer and founder of Blue Mountains Live.

The art of lunch concept is inspired

by a few events they’ve each had a hand in, such as Gardens of Earthly Delights and Katoomba Live and Local.

Scenic World Shared has contributed funds to pay a photo montage artist to assist Art of Lunch with branding. The ad pictured in this edition of Haze has just a few elements of the highly anticipated full montage expected by the end of March from artist Sue Daley for Art of Lunch.

Ann Niddrie of Blue Mountains Economic Enterprises says “Art of Lunch engages local businesses and practicing artists in a creative collaboration that motivates and challenges all to work to their highest standards, mutual benefit, increased earnings and audience development.”

Get involved: Music Hunter is matchmaking music with the venue, art, and menu. If you would like to be considered for Art of Lunch and are a professional musician working as a solo, duo or trio, plus have an abn and performer insurance, send your press kit to meg@artoflunch.com.au by the 30th March 2019.

GOT TASTE?

Best Eats is a food-lover's Guide for the Blue Mountains & Surrounds...

List Your Café / Restaurant / Bistro in the next Best Eats print edition, visit:

www.besteats.com.au 44

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

FOOD CULTURE

Absolute Vegends

CRAFT BEER CORNER Smokey Red Ale 5.5%

Craft Beer Review by @the_crafty_tiger

With the weather cooling down a Smokey Red Ale seemed like a brilliant idea. This one is a Special Release from Casey's Brewery located in Penrith South. You can pick up the smokiness on the nose.

In the mouth a solid malt backbone wonderfully accompanies the gentle smokiness and an equally gentle caramel sweetness. The light carbonation combined with its subtle bitterness means this one goes down nice and smooth. A bloody great BBQ beer I reckon! Casey's Brewery is open Thursday to Sunday. Check out www.caseysbeer.com.au for times. For those nearby he also delivers!

Otherwise grab some yourself from Leura Cellars or Lawson Cellarbrations.

Aunty Jack’s in Katoomba chooses to support independent Australian breweries and you’ll currently find almost 40 beers on their rotating menu. They’ll be hosting a Beer Night in collaboration with HOPE Brewing and Leura Cellars later this year, so keep your eyes open!

Katoomba's always been the home to wholesome slow food and the main street has recently grown two new vegetarian/vegan options for hungry herbivores.

With a cafe menu of vegetarian and vegan foods, Embassy Vegetarian Cafe sits atop Katoomba street serving sweet and savoury options that will delight any foodie.

Halfway down Katoomba street is Plantbased Wholefoods, serving specialty coffee and local teas made with plant-based milks (including Hemp and oat made in house) served with a delicious cafe menu. And it's not just the soup that will nourish your soul, the cafe has also been inviting bluegrass musicians on Friday and Saturdays to warm whole souls.

Bulk Food is also becoming more available thanks to Blaxland East's Nom and a new Source in Civic Place Katoomba opening soon.

Lawson's Rick Rutherford cottage has also been transformed into an eco-friendly cafe and retail store where you can take the kids!

Wayback: Does anyone remember Blues Cafe in Katoomba?

Blind Pig – a Place for Friends, Food & Tunes The Blind Pig bar and café has been operating in Orange since 2017. It’s open for breakfast, lunch or dinner focussing on modern Australian cuisine at affordable prices. Their burgers will satisfy any hunger. They’re licensed, have a full cocktail bar as well as a good selection of local wines.

The Blind Pig was one of the venues who supported Jam Saturday (Live & Local) event who have gone on with live music as part of the mix. Friday to Sunday evenings you’ll see some great local live acts performing, they also have themed nights such as” Disco Revival”. They also specialise

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

in functions with the karaoke party being a popular option.

Its relaxed atmosphere provides a great place to catch up with friends for a coffee, drink or meal and some tunes.

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CULTURE FEATURE

photo: Retro Rehash

Tally Ho & The 10-To-Go's The latest local side project from Paperhill/Danger Baby’s own Oliver Morley-Sattler, this heartfelt rustic folk duo also features former Lime & Steel violinist and fiddle player Maizy Coombes. If I Just Don’t Try, I Might Disappear was Oli’s raw solo effort, recorded on cassette. 8-track album Change dropped on Bandcamp in October 2018 with the group playing at Beached As Boogie Down and on Retro Rehash last year. The album was launched on January 18th at Katoomba’s Old City Bank. @tallyho&the10-to-go’s

photo: Wolf Van Der Ma

de

photo: Kayleigh

Went

photo: Miranda Hansen

Call To Florin

Penny Dreadful

Upper Mountains groove grungers Call To Florin started stirring at the beginning of last year, first hit the stage on March 10th, 2018, launched their first track ‘Guerilla Graves (Demo)’ on December 6th and have now cemented their current lineup with frontmen/guitarists Rehyn Marvin & Nathaniel McNamara, bassist Rory ‘Seven-cigs’ Wilson (Alienativ) and drummer Johnson ‘Frankie Jesus’ Lorenzo (Paperhill).

When seeing these guys live, expect angsty adolescent scuzz and animalistic screams … @calltoflorin

After meeting in high school down near Winmalee, pop-rockers Penny Dreadful released their debut single ‘Plum Tree’ in September last year, after performing shows at Enmore’s Hideaway Bar, Penrith’s Tattersall’s, Winmalee Tavern and Katoomba’s Baroque Room for the Live & Local Micro Festival. ‘Plum Tree’ bears a distinct, radio-friendly pop rock sound, ideal for Triple J, so we’ll see where they go. @pennydreadfulbmband

photo: Aidan JG Photography

photo: Hayley Pit tman

Wolf Van Der Made

Magma One

Hibiscus Biscuit

With former Feast Of Fools members Isaac Beggs and Sage Baker collaborating again on their experimental ‘Greasy Dog’ EP and Chet Miller now in Splatterpoo, former frontman/guitarist Wolf Van Der Made AKA Clive India wandered down a free acoustic path to busking and folk performances with a handful of covers, some intricate originals and an instantly recognisable voice for the local scene. Hear him howl. @FWvdM

With pummelling rhythms, progressive instrumentality and cathartic spirit, doom metal band Magma One made their presence felt at their debut gig with a new-lineup at Springwood’s Royal Hotel on January 5th. With members spanning such former bands as Chaotic Impurity, Infinite Black, Grenade, Rock ’N’ Roll Detectives and Isopod, Magma One are planning a debut self-titled EP for later in 2019. @magmaoneband

Landing somewhere on the musical map between Santana, Frank Zappa and Tame Impala, psychedelic funk merchants Hibiscus Biscuit had the pleasure of playing in the New Year at Baroque Room’s Beached As Boogie Down. Lead single ‘Home Wreck’ was performed live on Retro Rehash on December 29th, with the group planning an album for later in 2019.

Get your dose of ‘The Biscuit', baby. @hibiscusbiscuit

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www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

CULTURE FEATURE

Compiled by Corin Shearston

photo: Z achary H

Fruit Bat

iam-Dib

ben

A ‘fast fuzz psych’ four-piece, as described by guitarist/backing singer Angus Lewis, inspired by the likes of Ty Segall, Jay Reatard and Harlem, Fruit Bat arose from the underground in July 2018 to earn a spin on Triple J’s Unearthed Radio and drop debut single ‘House’ on Soundcloud that same month. The group went on to rack up shows at The Record Crate in Glebe, Katoomba’s Junction 142 for ‘Night Of The Living Shred’ in October, and perform their track ‘Around And Around’ live on Retro Rehash that same month. @fruitbatband

photo: 'Rusty'

photo: Big Gordy D

photo: Inertia Ph

otography

Kid Blue

Merekat

Progressing from the dreamy emo rock and urgent overdriven pop of debut 10-track album Mind Tricks to incorporate more attitude-heavy riffs beneath the smooth soaring vocals of guitarist & songwriter Jake Schatzman, Kid Blue performed at Junction 142’s Midsummer Magik last year with drummer Bailey Brown and Alienativ bassist Sonny Kooma De Bie replacing Kaitlin Brooks. Loud ’n’ fun. @kidblue

A chilled-out and optimistic R&B/ hip hop duo comprised of ingenious wordsmith Kyle Collier (TDB associate, formerly of Kaydence) and classically-trained beat maker Jake Coleman, Merekat have been around for nine months and have already made two albums. Debut mixtape Some Spent Summers was released on Spotify in September 2018, with upcoming album release Twenty Two Years In Babylon coming out later this year, after being exclusively spun to air at Retro Rehash recently this year. @merekatmusic

Williams

photo: Adam Scarf

photo: Mimi the Desert

Pearl

The Insects

TDB

Mimi The Desert Pearl

With punk spirit and pop hooks, local rock duo The Insects now have two EP’s under their belt after really getting their act together late last year. The group are soon set to release EP’s Internal Alchemy and You Think You’re Einstein? With influences including Violent Soho and Pist Idiots, a bunch of new tracks have also already been written for an upcoming full-length album, with a show at the Valve Bar in Sydney on March 7th. @theinsects

With four-track collective effort Life In Production out online on December 8th with local collaboration from Elixir, Merekat and Digby LaFleur, rapper TDB has now nearly reached 1000 streams for his EP in three different countries, launching Life In Production at Rock The Block at Redfern’s Hustle & Flow Bar on December 12th, 2018. A live clip of ‘This Ain’t Low-Fi’ dropped three months ago to 1.6K views. @TDBmusicAU

Fresh from appearing on The Chats & Pist Idiot’s ‘Endless Bummer’ tour, Mimi The Desert Pearl also performed with Paperhill and Dirty Mindsets at Katoomba’s Station Bar on December 21st, 2018. The true-blue garage punk duo of vocalist/guitarist Bella Luchetti and drummer/backing singer Tot Abrahamson released debut single ‘Runaway’ on Triple J Unearthed, listing influences as Hole, Violent Femmes and Cosmic Psychos. @mimithedesertpearl

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ACTIVE

Marc K/Nell Photography "I've lived in the Blue Mountains region all my life and grew up being a big pro wrestling fan," says Marek. "There had been a couple of small events held in the Mountains before but it was a relatively untouched area for pro wrestling."

So in 2014 Marek made the investment into buying his own ring and began running his own shows, starting at Blackheath in 2014. The event saw first round matches in the World Heritage series, and went on to crown the first Blue Mtns World Heritage champion in December that year - Robbie Eagles.

"We want to create a great entertainment product for the Blue Mtns region. Pro wrestling is a very unique form of entertainment, it combines many genres bringing together athleticism, sports, drama, storylines, rock and roll, comedy and showmanship," explains Marek.

Our areas for live shows will be from Oberon all the way through to the Hawkesbury. We love to bring our product to festivals where we can showcase our style of pro wrestling to new audiences, past festivals include Lithgow Ironfest, Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba, Celebrate Lithgow festival and the Oberon Agricultural show. Other venues have been Oberon RSL, Young Services Club,

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Katoomba Sports and Aquatic centre and 8 events at the Blackheath community centre.

"We can announce we will be coming to the Springwood Sports club later in the year. Katoomba and Richmond events are also planned for later in 2019."

Locals wrestlers from around the region that will be involved include Roswell from Oberon, Alastair McLir from Oberon, 'Full Force' Mat Rogers from Lithgow, Hank Barrington from Hartley, 22 year veteran Dean Draven from Penrith and Katoomba local Jorg Wolfgang.

Wolfgang started with us setting up rings, filming shows and a referee now he has gone on to train with Penrith schools Australian Pro Wrestling Gym and Wrestle Strong Dojo. Wolfgang made his debut for Blue Mtns Pro on February 9 at the Oberon show.

"We are on the lookout for local Blue Mountains people to get involved with our shows," says Marek. "If you don't have the skills to be a wrestler you could try out and be a ring announcer or referee, or join our ring crew and street team where you have fun and talk about wrestling while we set up shows."

Fans can keep up with all the action online @bluemountainsprowrestling

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ACTIVE

A decade of rocky trails and are still rocking on! Organisers 11 year r thei e brat cele to ted exci untry anniversary with the cross-co r race that has become thei the flagship endurance event: JetBlack 24 Hour. ney "It has been an amazing jour 24 lack JetB the 9, 201 in and Hour Hour with its JetBlack 6+6 Rydal offspring will take place at and Showgrounds near Lithgow with thanks to our hosts, the and Central Tablelands MTB Club tion the NSW Forestry Corpora an who will help us put together that awesome race track and all City supported by the Lithgow Council." can With a focus on social, you in the race in teams of up to six

Issue 16 - Autumn 2019

24 Hour and up to four in the 6+6 Hour and there are the classic age categories in the solo divisions.

"Bring the family, friends and the kids - there is so much space and we can’t wait to entertain you in classic 24-hour race style!"

With a DJ, great food, kids activities, and a signature Rocky Trail wake-up call on Sunday morning, the Rocky Trail crew awaits you at Rydal!

It all takes place Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March 2019 from 12pm at Rydal Showground, Rydal. rockytrailentertainment.com Photo: Outer Image

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ACTIVE

Since last November, Lawson resident Chanah Wainer has been offering regular Salsa classes for enthusiastic locals.

When Chanah moved to the Mountains from Sydney just over a year ago, she quickly realised there was a dearth of Salsa in the area, so decided to put her life-long passion for dancing, and skills as a trained Salsa instructor to good use.

“I knew there was a ‘market’ for it in the sense that there are so many people here who love dancing Salsa as much as me, but with nowhere to go except perhaps taking the very committed trek to Sydney.”

In cahoots with well known and much loved community member Meg Benson (Music Hunter) – Chanah set up Salsa Blue Mountains to offer regular, ongoing Salsa classes.

With Meg on board to organise live music, social Salsa events, together they’re aiming to build up the Salsa community here in the Mountains.

The first of these events is already scheduled, with renowned Salsa band Malo Malo from Sydney playing on 30th March in the Baroque Room at The Carrington.

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Through Salsa Blue Mountains Chanah offers Absolute Beginner, and Beginner/Intermediate classes every Wednesday evening at the community venue Junction 142 in Katoomba. With classes titled ‘Friends Fun Fiesta’, Salsa Blue Mountains offers a welcoming, light-hearted experience without compromising on skill or professionalism. "People come first, everyone is welcome, anyone can learn, and ultimately anyone can enjoy dancing Salsa," she says.

Although juggling various other jobs including her role as cast member of The Story of Australia at the Waradah Australian Centre in Katoomba, and completing a pre-Doctorate Honours thesis in Education, Chanah says she wouldn’t miss a week of teaching.

“It’s the most extraordinary honour and delight to be contributing something unique and vibrant to the wider Blue Mountains community. I can’t stand clichés, but I actually feel a sense of responsibility now to my students to be there.”

As new student Sue put it, “We’d be disappointed if she didn’t show up!”

When asked what ultimately drove her to start offering Salsa classes,

Chanah echoed the Salsa Blue Mountains slogan: “I didn’t really have a choice … The Rhythm Made Me Do It!” For more information about Salsa Blue Mountains visit the FB page @salsabluemountains

LOVE DANCE? TRY THESE

TOO!

Conscious Dance Blue Mou ntains Sunday mornings, Katoomb a NO Lights NO Lycra Friday evenings, Katoomb a

Hands, Heart & Feet African Dancing + Yoga Dance and NonLinear Movement Tuesday evenings, Springw ood Thursday evenings, Katoomb a

Leura Belly Dance Tuesday evenings, Leura

Burlesque Workshops, Vint age Tap & Ballet Classes, Go-Go Dan ce Emu Plains to Katoomba

Blue Mountains Flamenco Saturday Classes in Katoomb a& Bullaburra

www.thehazemag.com.au Issue 16 - Autumn 2019