BMA Magazine #544 - June/July 2024

Pseudo Echo

Jet

We

Mail: 36/97 Eastern Valley Way Belconnen, ACT 2617

Publisher ABN 76 097 301 730 Pty Ltd

Managing Editor Allan Sko

E: allan@bmamag.com

Cover Design

Marty Baker + Allan Sko

Article Design

Marty Baker & Allan Sko

Entertainment Guide Editor Allan Sko

Social Media Manager

Angel Nash

Columnists

Jannah Fahiz, Josh Nixon, Alice Worley, Chris Marlton, Suma Iyer, Allan Sko

Writers

Jen Seyderhelm, Noni Kuhner, Sammy Moynihan, Tamsin Kemp, Vince Leigh, Allan Sko

ISSUE #545 RELEASE DATE Thursday, 18 July

EDITORIAL DEADLINE Friday, 5 July

ADVERTISING DEADLINE Wednesday, 10 July

UPCOMING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS

The Blank Gallery on 8 June is the place to be for a heavy DIY queer fashion and noise show. With live music by pouty punk princess goth doll multi media artist, Zsa LaFine; hardcore punk, noise rockster and HYMMNN guitarist, Lynden Bassett; professional circus performer/trainer, multi-multi instrumentalist, and Wardens Of Sound front-person, Kian MacLeod; and notated electroacoustic composer and explorer of the interplay between art and sound, Marlene Radice. Dress for the occult and witness local fashion designers ROCK + Lil Chumba’s bespoke wearable creations.”

Tickets: $25/$15 + bf

O, look! Why, if it isn’t Jonathan Wraith, vocalist of CBR 4-piece Snake Oil Preachers. What say you of your upcoming Saturday, 15 June Smith’s Alternative show, Jonno?

“The Snake Oil Preachers bring you songs of sin, damnation, redemption and salvation. Dubbed “country punk for city slackers”, we rock country, classics and cool with our own unique hollering hell-raising hedonism.”

Well, ain’t that sumthin’?

6pm - 8pm, Saturday 15 June, Smith’s Alternative, $15/10 conc.

Mystical songstress Wendy Rule returns to Australia to celebrate the release of her ninth major album, Meadowlark. An ode to her home in the Northern New Mexico countryside, this tender and heartfelt collection of songs explores Wendy’s emotional and spiritual connection with Nature and the turning of the seasons. Returning to her troubadour roots, Meadowlark focuses on Wendy’s beautiful voice and poetic lyrics to create dreamy, folk-driven soundscapes, with a sprinkling of her trademark gothic ambience.

On this solo acoustic tour, Wendy will share the songs as they began - love songs to Nature delivered with just a voice and a guitar.

The virtuoso Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco Lara, who boasts of a distinguished career in Europe and Australia of more than 30 years, brings his magnificent album show The Andalusian Guitar to Belco Arts Centre. Prepare to be transported to Southern Spain via Lara’s captivating guitar work, flamenco dance, and his musicians. Embodying the unmistakable Jerez style of flamenco guitar playing, Lara presents the flamenco guitar in all its authenticity, culture, and artistry. Impressive articulation, mesmerising footwork, musical elegance and imagination are a definite.

7pm, $42 Adult / $37 Concession + bf via venue.

Castlemaine singer-songwriter and performer

Eliza Hull delivers her most honest and striking collection of work to date with her longHere They Come. It’s a testament of pride in oneself and an ongoing passion for championing the unseen, which directly ties into Eliza’s continued work as an advocate for people with disability, particularly as an artist whose music and work has been affecting change in the Australian landscape.

As Eliza says, “I’m a musician with disability and am passionate about making change so that future generations can see themselves represented and know what’s possible.”

Supported by Canberra treasure, Ruth O’Brien!

Lakeside

At 5 w/

Liam Budge

@ Tuggeranong Arts Centre Friday, 26 July 5:30pm - 7:30pm

There’s a feeling about Creswick, aka Liam Budge, that despite his gentle and highly creative exterior, he has the capacity to extract truth and enhance selfawareness from all those who encounter him. Since releasing his debut jazz album to critical acclaim and a four star review

in The Australian, the award-winning composer, singer, photographer, videographer, and theatremaker, has continued to establish himself as one of Australia’s leading vocalists and song-writers. And where better to bask in his lovliness than at TAC’s Lakeside At 5?

LOCAL TY

[THE LATEST ON CBR MUSIC] WITH JANNAH FAHIZ

SEND GIGS AND INFO TO: [JANNAH.FAHIZ@GMAIL.COM]

Don your beanies and scarves, for it is cold outside and we have gigs to go to! I’ve found a great mix of local acts you should check out this month, so read on to learn more!

The first night out I have in store for you is on Friday , 7 June , over at The Baso . It’s called Burn The Capital 2.0 , and it is a gleaming showcase of interstate and local punk/hardcore bands.

None for One says they are coming back because they had so much fun last year, and they’ve put together a great line-up consisting of Sertra (local), The Pingers , Inherit Nothing and Dirt Nap (local).

Doors open at 7pm on the night, and you can grab your ticket now for $18.40 via Oztix.

scope of delivery. So, you can expect singing, dancing, drag and great tales aplenty.

As it will be a cold night, they encourage you to dress in your most comfy clothes (yes, this can be your pyjamas), and they ask to keep perfumes to a minimum for scent-sensitive ones. There will also be prizes and a box for you to write down a supportive thing to say to a disabled person to encourage them. The best answers win prizes!

This inclusive event starts at 7pm , and you can grab your ticket now for $25 ($20 concession) via Smith’s webpage.

Theodora Volti has teamed up with the Canberra Mandolin Orchestra to curate an afternoon filled with famous cabaret songs from the likes of Edith Piaf and Nana Mouskouri. Theodora sings in Greek, Italian, French and English, with the CMO— conducted by Michael Hardy—supplying delicate tones via guitars, bass, accordions and, of course, mandolins.

This is the first CMO Winter Series concert happens on Sunday , 23 June , from 2pm at the Polish White Eagle Club . Get your ticket now for $30 ($25 conc.) via Eventbrite.

Our very own ever-talented Bec Taylor & The Lyrebirds have released a new album and have organised some shows to celebrate. Limbs & All is the name of this new project, and you can hear this heartfelt folk-pop album at The Street Theatre on Sunday , 9 June

The show starts at 4pm , and tickets are available now through The Street Theatre’s website for $35 ($32 concession). Opening the afternoon will be blues-rock artist Owen Campbell

Diversity and fun ahoy! Queer Variety Show is coming to Smith’s Alternative on Tuesday , 18 June . This will be a two-hour show made up of eight performances. There are no restrictions, giving the performers the full creative

If you have a mission to see as many singers as possible in one sitting, then look no further! I present you with Choiracopia . Doors open at 2pm on Sunday , 30 June , for an afternoon of ten local choirs, including Canberra Harmony Chorus and Shiny Bum Singers

If you’ve never seen a choir perform, this is a great chance to catch the best of Canberra’s choirs and know the diversity each one brings. But get in quick because there are so many people in the choir, and I’m sure all seats will sell fast. Grab your tickets now via Smiths Alternative ’s website for $15 ($10 concession).

Now, get on out there! I hope you enjoy all the events I’ve selected in this edition of Locality. May June treat you well. See you next month! - Jannah

Battle of the Bands is back for 2024 and is here to shake things up and make a scene!

In collaboration with the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, the re-imagined Battle of the Bands will be highlighting some of the best young bands from Canberra’s south in a series of youth-led events for participating bands and members from the community.

REGISTRATIONS

OPEN: FRIDAY 21 JUNE

CLOSE: SATURDAY 1 AUGUST

ben drysdale BEN drysdale

ON BEING, AND BEING THERE

My name is Ben Drysdale, and I’m a born and bred Canberran with a 20-year music career and a 35-year obsession with music. As an only child who struggled with schoolwork (due, as I only found out last year, to undiagnosed ADHD), dealt with pretty bad bullying in high school, and struggled with mental health into adulthood, music has always been a refuge. A place where I could escape and feel seen, heard and understood.

When I started songwriting, I realised it was an amazing way of analysing and processing my experiences and feelings about the world. The physical and emotional workout of belting out that creativity live is a high unlike any other when everything is working. Sharing those parts of yourself with others in your community, being and feeling seen and heard, and connecting through what you have created is phenomenal.

After 20 years fronting bands, including Beth n Ben and East Row Rabble, I released the first single of a new indie folk/pop project under my name last December. My solo songs span from vulnerable and visceral ballads exploring the darker sides of life to upbeat foot stompers full of energy and hope.

After some songwriting study in 2019, I developed a studio sound that incorporates the good ole guy-and-his-guitar vibes with modern pop production elements. For bigger live shows, I like to play with keyboardist, Niall Howe, who brings his folk and jazz roots to add unfathomable extra character and dynamics to my songs. My more well-known influences that have crept into my songwriting span Cat Stevens, Counting Crows, Damien Rice, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, and Vance Joy, and I’m obsessed with Noah Kahan right now. Trigger Warning: Suicidal ideation.

My new song, Listen Now, is a heartfelt ballad about a deeply personal experience.

I got a midnight call from a friend. He had a belly full of whiskey and a head full of despair, and he revealed he had tried to end it all. I felt utterly unqualified to deal with the situation. All I could do was listen to his thoughts and feelings, and share my own experience of mental health struggles. After talking for a while, we planned to meet up the next day to try and build a better support network and a plan to seek professional help. What struck me the most was that so many negative thoughts he expressed were familiar to me and so many others I’d talked to. It was just that his list

of potential solutions was so drastically different. I was humbled and grateful that this friend reached out, and I am happy to report that he is doing well.

I started writing Listen Now shortly after that experience but needed help finishing it. So, I took it into a co-write session with Nashville-based songwriter John Clinebell, mentor of the course I had just completed. John liked it but wanted to ditch the chorus. As the song was so personal, this was a true test of ‘not being precious with your art’. So, we threw it out, reframed the bits I wanted to hang onto, and ended up with a much better song with a stronger chorus. I recorded it at Amberly Studios with Guy Lilleyman with the help of an artsACT Homefront grant.

Listen Now is an ode to those experiencing mental health challenges and a message of assurance: you are not alone. It is also a plea for men to defy societal stigmas, embrace vulnerability, and seek assistance.

Listen Now will be launched on 22 June at Smith’s Alternative from 6-8pm with Niall on the Keys. The set will include a range of songs around my mental health journey and those of people I know, but we always finish on a high and hopeful note. 50% of Bandcamp sales of the song to suicide prevention work.

Drysdale Delectables

· Listen Now won 2nd prize at 2023’s Hawaii Songwriting Festival

· Debut solo single, If I Don’t Lie Down, released independently in December, debuted at #7 on the AMRAP regional charts, jumping to #4 the following week. Accolades include a feature on the Australian Independent Record Labels Association website; rave reviews from music publications worldwide, including the US, UK, France, Mexico, Ghana, and Serbia; streamed in over 100 countries

· 2021 duet release, Either Way (with LA artist Justina Shandler), was featured on Season 3 of the US TV show ‘Good Trouble’ in March 2021 and MTV’s ‘Ex On The Beach’ in 2022

· Unreleased track I’m Flyin’ Now has featured on The Young and The Restless and received an honourable mention and Win Some Love prize in Nashville’s 2022 Unsigned Only Music Comp

Photo by Sharna Grahame

GLOWING REVUE A

By Noni Kuhner

It feels as though everything is coming apart. War, environmental issues, and the cost of living all take a noticeable toll on us adults. But it's easy to forget how they impact our young ones. The Girl Who Glows, a local production by director Jo Turner and the band Zeeko, aims to bring what children think and feel to the stage in a fun and colourful way.

Jess Green is a member of Zeeko, and she says that while climate change and the environment are critical themes of the play, that's only a part of what the production is about.

"I mean, we aren't explicit that this show's about climate change… it could really be about any big global issue that's giving concern to someone," she explains. "But we are thinking about agency for children. In the last 10-20 years, seeing not only natural but economic climate change so much for young people, they're paying the price for previous generations."

She goes on to emphasise that while they aim to empower the younger audience members, the message is also a rallying cry for those older to get themselves into gear and make a difference.

"We're well beyond telling children about climate change," Green says. "It's the adults that need to act. So, I hope that it starts conversations [between adults and children] and helps people reengage and think about how can they act to make change."

But the production isn't just about heavy concepts and generational conversation about the significant issues; it's also a whole lot of fun, and not just for those in the audience. Looking at the array of sounds, lights, puppetry, and music, it seems there's good reason why Zeeko's bio reads: They are grown-ups but don't always act like it.

The story of Luna, the titular girl who glows, powerfully demonstrates that ethos, balancing her whimsical power of phosphorescent light with the worries of growing up and wanting to be accepted. Green explains that Luna is a character the audience is welcome to see themselves in.

"She's ambiguous in age, but I think of her being between eight and 11," she explains. "I can't help about my daughter when playing her; [she's] eleven as well. And Luna's got this special thing about her: she glows; she emanates this light from her skin, which she finds rather embarrassing as it often appears at inappropriate times. Luna wants to know more about that and why that happens to her."

The worries start to creep further in.

"Something's happening in the world that isn't quite right, and she's noticing it's getting darker. She can tell because her glow starts to become more apparent, and the light in the world is getting less and less.

"She's asking a lot of grown-ups the answer to why this is happening, and there's a lot of head-in-the-sand situation going on… So she meets a rapping platypus who tells her how it really is!"

An array of other furry, feathered, and finned friends are also featured, with the

wonder and whimsy of Australia's natural environment well and truly on show alongside a specially composed musical experience.

"There are pre-recorded soundscapes," Green says. "Then the three of us are playing pretty standard pop band instruments: keyboards and synth, some electric guitar and drums. But we have spent a lot of time making this band completely movable.

"We are all totally wireless, and that's pretty exciting," Green explains. "I've brought my pop aesthetic… David [Hewitt, also from Zeeko] has done much of the composing and has brought a pretty fantastic stage show musical style as well."

But what has her most excited?

"I have never worked in puppetry, so it is super exciting for me," she exclaims, clearly delighted. "As a child growing up with Sesame Street and all the Jim Henson content, I can't even tell you the thrill!

"I think there's something fascinating about bringing something so tactile to children's audiences," Green continues. "There's a lot of beautiful children's content that's digitally made, but these puppets… it looks like you could make it yourself and play around at home."

And if there's anything that sums up the aim of the play, that seems to be it: don't ignore your inner child's light and curiosity.

"We're hoping that when they see three much older adults being silly and playing around on stage, they realise… play is lifelong," Green explains.

"That will be a fantastic takeaway."

The Girl Who Glows will play at the Street Theatre from Thursday, 18 July - Sunday, 21 July. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children, with group discounts available. Details and tickets available at thestreet.org.au

METALISE

[THE WORD ON METAL] WITH JOSH NIXON [DOOMTILDEATH@HOTMAIL.COM]

An arctic hysteria has, indeed, set in, primarily because I am trying to figure out how I am going to afford all these gigs I want to go to and see. Not to mention that I need to buy a bunch of the great music that is bombarding us unabated this year.

Terrifying Triumvirates

Holy Johannes!

Trivia test. What do the following bands have in common? QOTSA, Chris Cornell, Eleven, PJ Harvey, Them Crooked Vultures, No Doubt, and Arctic Monkeys?

Apart from world renown, they’ve all worked with ChileanAmerican multiinstrumentalist

The oft-mentioned triumvirate international visit kicks off this reporting period on Friday, 7 June, with The Ocean (Ger), Cave-In (USA) and LLNN (Den). Thanks to Destroy All Lines and Pelagic Records, this package brings a feast for ears from metal to prog and everything in between; and that could be describing just the headliner’s career!

The tour takes in all of Australia, and marks Cave-In and LLNN’s first-ever visit, while The Ocean is up to its third or fourth. It’s going to be a ripper.

The show is at The Baso, the tickets are at Oztix.

For a domestic touring triumvirate, look no further than Wollongong doomsters The Witching Hour as they hit The Baso on Friday, 14 June, wherein they will be joined by Newcastle’s Herd Immunity and Central Coat rockers Annakaye. Tickets be at Oztix.

Alain Johannes, who is hitting

The Baso via a world tour promoting his third solo record, Hum. Sunday, 16 June is the fridge calendar checkpoint, and they’ll be joined by the killer locals, Voodoo Acid Space Kings

Brisbane prog metallers

Caligula’s Horse have a brand new release in the form of Charcoal Grace and are on the promotion trail this winter.

Canberra’s turn is on Saturday, 22 June, aided by Taliesin and abetted by Tundrel. Tix from Oztix, and doors at 7pm.

Saturday, 29 June at The Baso marks a visit from Brisbane metalcore outfit DEADNERVE on a four-band domestic touring package that includes locals st sinner, the similarly named by uniquely brutal Deadskin from Melbourne, Mackay’s Same Pains, and Cultists from Sydney. Oztix, you say?

Greuesome Twosome

There’s nothing like a mid-winter party, and yet there are few bands that can warm a Canberra winter. Well, it just so happens that not one but TWO of them are playing in a combination that you would never guess up front, but once you hear the pairing, you wonder how it hasn’t happened before.

It’s like the salted caramel of bills.

Firstly, it’s 11 years since the thrash crossover booze party of Municipal Waste visited these shores. And

when you consider that they have seven albums (including The Art of Partying, no less) in their back catalogue, you don’t need excuses to party on Sunday, 7 July; you need tickets!

So, what band do you put on with a band of career booze hounds that will act as a compliment, not overdo it, and act as the pre-drinks to the main party? Why, none other than our own

The Veebees, of course!

I know, right? Genius! Best pairing since chocolate and peanuts.

guitarist Astennu, whom many of you will know from his time in Norway with Dimmu Borgir and Covenant. This show marks the first time in 25 years that Astennu has played in Canberra with the black metal blasting bleakness. It’s going to be a killer show.

Yes, via Oztix.

Welcome news landed this week in the form of Nile coming back to Australia later in the year.

Not so welcome is the news that you’ll NOT be able to catch them in Canberra. This is especially hurtful as the tour package includes Novocastrian brutallers Carnal Viscera.

There are canapes to open proceedings, and providing the cherry on top of this deliciously thrashingly raucous bill, Loose Cannon is on-site to kick the party off right. Of course it’s at The Baso, so you know what that means. Gee thee to an Oztixery.

Saturday, 13 July sees a Sydney crusher of a show settle in, with veterans Lord Kaos, Cruciform, and The Veil stuffing themselves into The Baso’s The Abyss room along with some as yet unnamed supports. Lord Kaos has reunited with

Nile is touring to celebrate The Underworld Awaits Us All, their 10th album and their 30th anniversary as an Egyptian mythology death metal powerhouse.

Seems like we visited The Catacombs of Nephren-Ka just yesterday!

Thankfully, you won’t have to go to Egypt to see the spectacle; you can catch them on 20 October at Crowbar in Sydney.

Right, that’s plenty to see you broke for this month. Stay warm, stay brutal, folks!

WITH ALICE WORLEY [ALICE.WORLEY@OUTLOOK.COM]

Happy Winter, y’all! Let’s see what’s good in June,

Starting with some sadness, the iconic trio Slagatha are saying “Goodbye for now” with a farewell show at Live at the Polo on Friday, 21 June, where they will be joined by their mates Drive Safe Lorelle.

But to tie off their seven years of being one of Canberra’s most beloved bands, the gang leaves us with the parting gift of a whole album - Beware of

Slags have made such impact on the scene, and me personally in my own musical journey. My band started while watching Slags play Bar show about five years ago, with me simply saying to my future bandmate:

Piercings, and Bad Patella People have been telling me I need to see Bad Patella a bunch lately, so I am keen to make this happen and see what they’ve got that’s creating all the chatter.

“Do you wanna do that? Cos I wanna do that”.

Thank you to Kate, Jess and Stephen for all the fun and heart-warming moments I’ve been lucky enough to experience at your shows over the many years you’ve played. You’ve been absolutely legendary, and I’m already hoping for a reunion show down the track!

PS. Someone bring tissues, I know I’ll forget…

Lovely Awabakalbased honies lamphead. are coming to town! Been a minute since I’ve seen these guys, but I am so excited that they’re returning! Plus, they’re bringing local supports NORA, Bad Lunar, and Last Broadcast all to Live at the Polo in one event. That’s such a stacked line-up! And it’s all going down on Friday, 14 June; this is gonna be such a fun one!

To continue the trend of stacked line-ups at Live at the Polo, we have a juicy one on Sunday, 16 June Total Buzzkill will take the stage with Adam’s Parade, Parrots With

In the Aussie legends department, Spiderbait have announced their 20th Anniversary of Black Betty tour. Joined by another Aussie legend - Adalita - Spiderbait will be gracing the Refectory stage on Friday, 25 October, which gives you plenty of time to practice screaming, “Bam-ba-lam!”

If anyone hasn’t been to a Spiderbait show before, you need to see them at least once in your life. After all, they hold the title of the first Australian band to reach number 1 in the Hottest 100 with Buy Me A Pony in 1996.

When watching old videos of them from this era, I can assure you they still hit the stage with the same energy and enthusiasm that they did 20 years ago. Tickets are on sale now through Frontier Touring’s website!

Hope to see you at a show, y’all; keep each other safe and warm!

PUNK GIG GUIDE

Saturday, 8 June - Regurgitator w/ Party Dozen, Cry Club and Monster Zuko Onsome @ The Baso

Friday, 14 June - Lamphead w/ NORA, Bad Lunar and Last Broadcast @ The Polo

Sunday, 16 June - Total Buzzkill w/ Adam’s Parade, Parrots with Piercings and Bad Patella @The Polo

Monday, 17 June - Cancer Bats w/ Fangz and Bare Bones @The Baso

Friday, 21 June - Slagatha Christie Farewell Show w/ Drive Safe and Ruth Lorelle @The Polo

Saturday, 24 August - Jebediah OIKS Album Tour w Magic Dirt @The Baso

Friday, 25 October - Spiderbait w/ Adalita @ UC Refectory

A DETECTIVE STORY FOR THE SOUL

THE STREET THEATRE PRESENTS A RIVETING ADAPTATION OF CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

BY SAMMY MOYNIHAN

Under the erudite direction of Caroline Stacey, The Street Theatre is preparing to captivate audiences with its unique interpretation of Crime and Punishment. This adaptation of Dostoevsky's timeless novel offers an immersive experience, delving deep into the complex psyche of its protagonist, Raskolnikov.

What sets this adaptation apart is the stellar Canberra talent involved. Actors Christopher Carroll, PJ Williams, and Josephine Gazard condense the epic narrative into a gripping 90-minute performance that maintains the tension and emotional depth of the original work.

Christopher Carroll, who takes on the role of Raskolnikov, describes the play as a "great 'detective story of the soul”. Set in 1866 St. Petersburg, one of Europe's largest and most squalid cities at the time, the story follows Raskolnikov, a disillusioned yet fiercely intellectual student who constructs a philosophical argument for committing murder in an attempt to escape poverty and a meaningless existence.

"This production localises the story in the mind of Raskolnikov," Carroll elaborates, "tracing the nightmare of a man plagued by obsession, guilt, and a great struggle with faith."

The production's contemporary reimagining aims to distil the essence of Dostoevsky's complex characters and themes.

Josephine Gazard, who plays several roles including Sonia, Lizaveta, and Alyona, shares her insights:

"The Street's adaptation is a three-hander that feels like a nightmare fever dream set amongst the inner workings of Raskolnikov's mind, zig-zagging through time and space."

Gazard's portrayal of Sonia, a character embodying loyalty and faith, serves as a beacon of hope and redemption amidst the story's darkness.

Both Carroll and Gazard underline the significance of this production for contemporary audiences.

"It's full of big ideas, and surges with life!" Carroll enthuses. "Dostoyevsky's work encompasses the deepest questions of the soul, and the most visceral elements of the human condition –philosophy, poverty, and the seeds of political revolution."

"It speaks to so many universal themes," Gazard adds, "including the complexity of humans, the light and shade in all of us, and the possibility of forgiveness and love."

The actors express their deep appreciation for the creative journey guided by Caroline Stacey's direction. Carroll finds the experience profoundly enriching, stating:

"It's been a pleasure to get my teeth into such wonderful writing," he beams. "The reality of the story has felt very clear and grounded, but the symbolic richness of the work has been great fuel for the imagination."

Gazard echoes this sentiment, praising Stacey's vision and the collaborative environment of the rehearsal space.

"She gives us a lot of freedom to create character and place, as there's so much symbolism and imagery in the work," she says.

Audiences can expect a production that is both challenging and uplifting. "It's a classic piece of literature," Gazard explains, "written by one of the all-time greats, and it's incredibly resonant.

"In stories, you can find yourself in different parts of the characters, and I hope the play sparks some interesting conversations afterwards."

"The timeless nature of the story," Carroll adds, "rattles the cage and risks unleashing liberating, destructive forces in us all."

"At heart, it is a tale of redemption," as Carroll puts it, "which is very powerful for me personally. Exploring the darker elements of one's soul and bringing them into the light is why I act."

This production, which marks its Australian premiere, promises to be a profound theatrical experience that delves into the fundamental questions of existence, the search for redemption, and the complexities of the human soul. As Gazard concludes:

"Every time I watch the play in rehearsals, I take something new out of it," she reveals. "Different lines hit home; it's a gold mine. Dostoevsky really knew what he was doing on this one!

"And theatre is such a gift to be part of and to watch. I'm honoured to be part of the team sharing this story with a Canberra audience."

Don't miss this gripping adaptation – a production that promises to challenge, confront, and ultimately uplift its audience.

Crime and Punishment at The Street Theatre is on between 22 June - 7 July. $39 - $49 + bf via the street.org.au

By Anthony Plevey

Central West NSW-based performance company Lingua Franca adopts an interdisciplinary approach that draws together artists from different disciplines to collaborate on physical theatre-based dramatic works.

Remounting Mary Anne Butler's 2014 work, Highway of Lost Hearts, Director Adam Deusien has combined Kate Smith's consummate acting talents with the songwriting and performance prowess of musical duo Abby Smith and Sophie Jones, aka Smith & Jones, to deliver a unique take on the road trip genre.

"We all know the road trip trope; it's a familiar one," says Smith and Jones member Abby Smith. "Highway of Lost Hearts' story is familiar but also singular; turned around to be from an Australian female viewpoint."

The story is thus: protagonist Mot wakes up one morning to find her heart missing. So, she decides to go and look for it.

Mot and her dog head out, travelling along the Highway of Lost Hearts, journeying into the Australian outback's dead centre to recover what is lost.

"It captures that sense of a campfire/back bar yarn," says Abby. "That part of Australian culture and its theatrical telling of tall stories calls on the audience to imagine, stare past the stage, look into the campfire embers, and conjure what is happening.

"Journeying across the interior from Kununurra to Sydney, actor Kate Smith embodies multiple characters as Mot navigates the emotional landscape of her loss," Abby continues. "She encounters familiar Aussie stereotypes; the kind-of bogan in the pub or 'Shirl' behind the grocery counter, from whom Butler's turn of phrase elicits curious interactions, creating a sort of magic realism."

Paired with this Gabriel Garcia-esque magic realism is ritual and symbolism.

"Mot's journey is marked by the makingcamp ritual of unpacking and packing, which is the crux of the story," Abby states. "She is unpacking and gathering the pieces of her story and her heart, packing them away, taking them back out, and even giving them to other people as she journeys."

And no great soul-searching road trip would be complete without A Good Boy for a travelling companion.

"Mot's dog, however, is a scripted interlocutor with needs that call Mot back

from her search and back to The Now," Abby explains. "The dog needs a pat; the dog needs a bone. So Mot must, by looking after the dog, just get on with what's happening right now."

Beginning their collaboration with Lingua Franca in 2020, Smith & Jones had to reflect on both the script and Deusien's approach to produce a 'soundtrack' to wrap around Butler's script.

"Every famous road trip movie, book or old-fashioned radio programme all have soundtracks, another layer to give the story its sense of time and place," Abby reflects. "So our role in terms of sound is meant to come across as the radio playing or a half-remembered song.

"Time and place have always been significant in our work, but we took a completely different approach with this project because we're reflecting on someone else's work," Abby explains.

"The language that Mary Anne Butler uses to describe the dead heart of Australia and her feelings about Mot's journey affected our writing more than the landscapes' actual, raw physicality.

"We've done a lot of travel around Australia, which is integral to that, too," Abby continues. "We feel Mot's travels, her unpacking and packing, in the physicality and emotional impact of actually doing gigs."

As well as gifting their music to bring the piece to life, the duo play a more physical role.

"Beyond our writing the songs, in the show, we come in and out to propel the story and give its wonder, the awe and the sadness, a solidness," Abby reveals. "Under Adam's direction, we move around the stage, evoking Mot's wandering, and perhaps, it's really up to the watcher to decide; we could be her heart coming back to her, or we could also be, maybe not spirits, but memories of people.

"Whatever we are, we are companions on Mot's journey, a physical representation of her heart, thoughts, and feelings, and wrap around her that way."

And like a fulfilling road trip, we end at the beginning.

"So it comes back to the road trip trope," Abby says in closing.

"What's a road trip if not a search for something, whether you know what it is or not?"

Highway of Lost Hearts plays at The Q, Queanbeyan, 6-7 June. Tickets range from $30 –$59.90 and are available from theq.net.au

CRYING WOLF withCHRIS MARLTON

UFOs Spotted Across Canberra Skies: Eyewitnesses

Speak For the First Time!

We know we’re not alone in the universe—or even on a bus (usually). But now we have ROCK HARD evidence that aliens have arrived on Earth and have started communicating with Canberrans, albeit in highly oblique and confusing ways.

Chris Marlton, BMA’s lead paranormal and extraterrestrial investigator (short for investment alligator), has the hot goss on stars, aliens, etc…

Fictional accounts of humans meeting aliens—Star Wars Trek, Space Oddity, and Mac & Me—have thrilled and delighted young and old for tens of thousands of years. Since the 13 January (in the year of our Lord, 2024), Canberra (the nation of our Capital... I mean, the Capital of our nation) has been wholly inundated with dozens of LEGITIMATE UFO and Alien sightings (and citings, am I right, ACT Police - don’t answer that).

I’ve been running around like an absolute clown interviewing all and any Canberrans who’ve had an Up Close and Personal (UCP) Alien encounter. The following is but a small sample, with many more to be found in my new book, Alien, More like The Lien: lots of Aliens in the ACT, which should be out by Xmas.

Tebbie Howard, Age 76, Nicholls

“I was hanging my washing on the old hills hoist in the backyard, and I heard a noise above me,” Tebbie recalls.

“It was aliens.”

Tebbie Howard, the illegitimate mother of seven of our former PM, the Hon. John Howard’s bastard sons, and the ACT and Southern Tablelands WoodChopping Champion for almost a decade from 1976 to 1984, was the first to witness the influx of aliens to Canberra this year.

She was in the yard, doing her chores—a task she was forced to do after her worker from Beals on Wheels (the new Bradley Beal-funded charity

The encounter was far from extreme, as the four of them went inside, drank some tea, and ate nine whole packs of Arnott’s Favourites (which Tebbie had stockpiled back in 1999 for Y2K, under advice from John, whom she then saw twice daily for comfort-visits).

They then played Smash Bros. until 4am, at which point Tebbie and Yizzle retired to the guest bedroom to ‘have a lay-down’ for two hours.

The Aliens made their goodbyes and left at 8am. They have been seen returning at least once a fortnight for biscuits, tea and naps ever since.

Angus introduced Craddlor to his housemates, Ellie and Justin. They all sat and, over the course of three hours, ate four loaves of Tip Top white bread, toasted, with cheap margarine and Vegemite (two large jars finished in one sitting) all while playing Boggle!

The three of them then gave each other handys until 5am, at which point Craddlor’s flying treehouse came down to pick him up. They all shook hands and patted each other on the back for a job well done.

Natasha Harper, Age 44, Condor

“I was watching MasterChef on TenPlay and heard a knock at the door,” Natasha explains. “16 Aliens came inside brandishing Turkish takeaway food. We binged MasterChef and Turkish until I got quite bloated, and then we all sat in my huge spa in the backyard undercover section of my deck.”

Natasha’s brother, Greg, had installed the pool-sized spa in the backyard, illegally, on a poorly built timber deck, for her 35th birthday, a week after her divorce from Timothy Harper was finalised. The Aliens—Miquette, Reewatte, Wooson, Nitte, Loiker, Vaw, Nurp, Cullop, Trem, Trum, Tram, Yiggins, Vorple, Kropp, Moosa and Zag—were also very bloated from the 42-person deluxe Turkish takeaway banquet they had just consumed.

“Greg built me the spa because I was sad about my divorce. Also, it was my birthday,” Tash confirms.

Moosa, the head of the aliens, left a note with Natasha when they left, which read:

“Your spa was nice but structurally unsound. We fixed it with our Alien Magic Science (AMS), so it should be okay. We have replicated a building approval notice from the Territorial Local Government to avoid trouble next week when a surprise inspector arrives because your neighbour Lisa, who is a Narc, ratted on you.

“We have replicated and delivered Lisa a note from her boss instructing her that she is fired, for the purpose of pranking and to educate her on the consequences of Narcing.”

Please contact me, Chris Marlton, via BMA Magazine’s Alien contact email address <UCPwithmeChrisMarlton@bmamag.com> if aliens come and talk to you, eat your food, or fix your house. In the meantime, look out for treehouses—which we now know are simply UFOs that have crashed into trees—and stock up on Arnott’s biscuits and Vegemite.

Keep Watching The Plys!

Chris Marlton is a comedian, writer, painter, and filmmaker. See www.linktree/ChrisMarlton for links to specials on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and tickets to live shows.

I Only Get Text Messages About Pizza, and It Makes Me Very Happy

The SMS has become my purest form of communication. All of my messages are of a single origin. It’s not a parent or a partner, though it’s notNOT a parent or partner either.

I have reached the point in my life where my text messages are all from Domino’s Pizza, who have, at times, provided me with both the unconditional love of a mother and the moreish companionship of a significant other.

Domino’s has been a steady friend to me for many years now, and their weekly notes offering to come around with some food are a welcome gesture of old-fashioned community goodwill. I also appreciate that Domino’s allows me to set firm boundaries in our friendship by always ending each text with ‘Reply STOP to opt out’. Nobody else in my life offers me this courtesy. My partner recently messaged for the third time to remind me to organise council pick up for some old furniture, and I tried to reply with ‘STOP’ because I didn’t want to do it and was sick of hearing about it.

That evening, I was informed that I was being both rude and dramatic, which is very typical and extremely boring of them to say, frankly.

I send WhatsApp messages to my parents telling them about my week and, frequently, all I get back is a thumbs-up emoji, the most sardonic and cutting of all emojis. There are few more demeaning things than cheering about how you finally found a wet and dry vacuum cleaner for cheap at Aldi, only to be met with a ‘that’s nice dear’ emoji. It is brutal.

I wish that the only messages I ever received were from Domino’s. Sadly, though, I am contactable on other platforms. Whatsapp is a nonsense jungle of family group chats, full of ‘Good Morning’ GIFS and unsound medical advice (if rice and yoghurt cure COVID, why isn’t it listed as an acceptable vaccine substitute?)

It’s not that I don’t try, either.

When I hear the WhatsApp tone, I know it’s my family. But when I hear the Facebook Messenger tone, it could be absolutely anyone: a former colleague asking if I’m free for coffee; a uni friend inviting me to her little one’s birthday; the woman who organises Book Club sending through an availability-date poll.

The breadth of human contact that Facebook leaves me open to is a reminder that I have cultivated too many relationships in my life. Maybe it is time for me to text ‘Reply STOP to opt out’ to whoever messages me on Facebook, just to let them know that they are under no obligation to continue communicating with me.

But when I hear a text message tone, it can only mean one thing. My phone has lit up because Domino’s is thinking of me and wants to let me know that it is Pepperoni Day, large pizzas are $7, and would I like it if a person on a moped were to drop one by in 20 minutes or less?

Yes, Domino’s. A million times, yes.

Suma Iyer is a Canberra-based comic with an active and fulfilling social life based around pizza. See her supporting Lehmo at Fun Time Pony on Thursday, 6 June, and follow her @sumaiyercomedy.

By Jen Seyderhelm

I’ve never seen Vika & Linda Bull solo, but I suspect this is true for many; the sisters rarely perform apart. Most recently, I saw them backing Paul Kelly (a bucket list performer of mine), to which I’d bought front-row tickets.

Vika’s powerhouse vocal contributions were astonishing. But my eyes kept returning to Linda. With her iconic flower in her hair, she sang and swayed with a time-keeping tambourine in hand, and joy written all over her face.

I realised what Paul Kelly and Joe Camilleri before him already knew. Everything is made better with Vika & Linda.

The sisters grew up surrounded by Tongan culture, with music, dancing, and gospel harmonies infused in their souls. In her late teens, Vika worked as a recording studio receptionist.

After stepping up to sing when someone got sick, she got noticed and released several singles. Both sisters were performing together and apart on the Melbourne music scene when singer and saxophonist Joe Camilleri, who’d had hits in the ‘70s as part of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, was looking to complement his bluesy rock band The Black Sorrows with some backing vocalists.

“Joe brought us up front early after the fourth or fifth gig, showcasing us as singers,” Vika recalls. “He liked our sound and wrote songs for us to sing.

“Joe was highly generous, gave us a break, and took us worldwide.”

But credit where credit is due.

“It was Peter who first thought we could work in The Black Sorrows,” Linda chimes in. “We were lead singers before then and parked our solo ambitions to join that band.”

What was to be a six-week contract became six years. Songs such as Chained To The Wheel and Never Let Me Go would not have been the same without Vika & Linda’s contribution. From that commercial breakthrough, they contributed to other artists’ albums, with icons John Farnham, Deb Conway, and Hunters & Collectors being but a few on their list.

It was through Archie Roach that they met Paul Kelly, who produced Roach’s debut album, Charcoal Lane. He helped Vika & Linda assemble their debut self-titled album which, if you would believe it, was released 30 years ago this month. As a testament to the impresion the sisters’ left on their former collaborators, many of the artists they had worked with contributed to the album.

“Our first time travelling interstate to try out that new material was at Tilley’s, which became our Canberra home for a long time,” Vika reveals. “Pauline was really kind to us and gave us a go. The audience would sit up close and listen. We made many mistakes, but we learned fast, and you’ve got to do that to grow.

“You brought back some memories there!”

“It was tough having that audience there and so close because if you came unstuck, everyone could see and hear it,” Linda reflects.

“And that’s what these shows now are. They are a throwback to that period, as it’s just us and a piano; no band.

“But we’re better at it now!” Linda jovially assures. “Canberra audiences have always been good to us when we try new things. They love music and stories.”

Since then, seven more albums have been released, embracing gospel, country, blues, and even festive music via 2022’s Gee Whiz, it’s Christmas! Their unofficial Chief PR Officer, Peter Luscombe, recommended them to the Rockwiz team, giving them semi-regular work supporting featured singing guests.

Vika & Linda released their Best Of anthology entitled Akilatoa just as COVID hit, their first to reach No. 1 on the ARIA charts. During the pandemic, with their Facebook live Sunday sessions and the associated gospel album, their voices uplifted and supported us in a totally different way.

Vika & Linda represent many brilliant and talented women team players in a male-dominated environment. They bring joy, harmonies, percussion, and dance to the betterment of anyone’s song, album, or show—an icing to a cake, perhaps, or the banana leaves essential to a traditional Tongan umu.

“There are a lot of great backing singers around the world,” Vika states, “whose careers have stalled when they’ve been

brought into these great bands, and trying to get their careers going has been a struggle.”

“People get how hard that is,” Linda adds, “and everyone’s been rooting for us. I feel supported as a singer.”

Despite boasting a lengthy career awash with accolades, the sisters aren’t slowing down any time soon.

“We want to keep going well into our old age and not just continue to be backing singers for someone else,” Vika enthuses. “We have songs we want to sing and stories we want to tell. We’ve turned down a lot of jobs, tours and money to reestablish ourselves again as lead singers.

“We can’t go back there. We’ve got to go forward.”

The duo will elaborate on this small portion of the story at the Canberra show. Like at Tilley’s 30 years ago, we, the audience, can provide vocal support for Vika & Linda, who truly deserve to be in the front row of any roster of Australian music legends.

An Evening With Vika & Linda is on Friday, 21 June (8pm) at the Canberra Theatre. Tickets are $79 + bf via the venue.

INTO THE

‘More pumping than a municipal waterworks’ – that was the best compliment Escape Ferocity’s warehouse parties ever got, from a guy recovering from Boris Brejcha in Fyshwick in 2016.

Canberra seemed happy with the basics: Boris pounding a warehouse, shortly after Max Cooper rinsing minds over the lake. “But they were basic, for today” says Dave Caffery, one of the guys behind the party imprint.

Fast forward nearly a decade and they have a fresh warehouse for Winter. Dave also runs Dionysus, which is managing The Vault - a jawdropping warehouse venue at Dairy Road. It was on show at their collaborative party called Too Many Crews (pictured) on 25 May and attracted about 700 people.

Some things change with wrinkling years – we’re told to expect more comforts this year: no portaloos, stunning projections, fresh cocktails and more ambitious setlists.

Some things don’t change: they’re welcoming Max Cooper to Fyshwick. Now a worldleading AV artist is playing a live 3D AV set on July 13 with six projectors and a mindrinsing sound system. That’s the day after Skin on Skin in the same venue, and the promoters are leveraging all the big production for a family rave (at 82 dbA) with the additions of (massive) bubble machines and a balloon drop! They laugh that the wrinkling years are justified by the new progeny of their audience, who aren’t being left out.

And though the Vault may be gone (demolished, in fact), Escape Ferocity has Grouch welcoming Spring in a gorgeous lakeside park.

Originally booked to doubleheadline Escape Ferocity’s party with Bebetta at Black Mountain Peninsula, Grouch caught Covid on the day of the party and postponed. Now at a new (and more central, but secret) park by Lake Burley Griffin, the international hero of bass music and progressive psytrance is finally making the trip.

Dave says it’ll be a beautiful event, with lots of careful decisions to make the experience light and welcoming to embrace Spring. Grouch will play his ‘Grouch In Dub’ live dub repertoire before his distinctive prog, over a 3-hour performance, supported by top local deep house and techno producers. Super-underground doof pioneers, Renegade Psychedelic Gatherings (RPG), is presenting a second stage “practically hovering over the water, ideal for about 20 people” says Adam Van Appledorn, RGP’s founder and an authentic driver of outdoor parties in Canberra for about 20 years.

“Rattle the pipes, dance that shit out – we’ll take care of you,” says Dave. And you can take that man’s word to The Vault.

Here are their upcoming parties, more at www.escapeferocity. party:

13 July, 2-5pm: Bangin’ Beats and Bubbles with top production adjusted for little ears (tell fellow ravers with kids, this is a rare party, 2-5pm).

13 July: Max Cooper plays a live 3D AV immersive party from the future.

26 October: Grouch graces the lake for a lucious day party, while RPG run a stellar little stage at the edge of a pier.

A brutalist venue heats Canberra’s Winter with

markets, performances and warehouse parties... until it is demolished

A world of creativity and celebration awaits as The Vault unveils its winter line-up at Dairy Road in Fyshwick.

Curated by Canberra’s cultural events company, Dionysus, a diverse new program will use a concrete warehouse as a canvas for immersive experiences, from world-class parties to live performances and markets.

The Vault is a brutalist, pillar-free bunker with no windows and a 1000-person standing capacity. It was built to secure vast amounts of coins, and has now secured a trove of creative experiences.

The Vault’s program is internationally informed and designed for Canberra, blending performance, projection, immersive experiences and the odd nod to Fyshwick’s dirty secrets.

“We want to support the cultural landscape – not with events that are ‘good enough for Canberra’, but good for any city in the world,” Dave Caffery, Dionysus Director, states.

From June 7-10, indulge your senses at Oozy Boozy, a new cheese and wine market showcasing the best offerings from the Canberra wine region and international cheese merchants. Including Raclette, caviar and other delicious condiments and take home some rare goodies.

Prepare to feast your senses at Sound and Fury: Carnal. Art. Party. With their 23rd rendition and the sexiest- party-you’ve-ever-been-to on 15 June. This isn’t just a party, it’s a full-blown sensory experience, bathed in high-quality production and intimate artistic direction.

To round out June, award-winning Australian Dance Party presents The Dataset, A dance between two bodies, light, sound, and AI, The Dataset imagines a world where we physicalise the data that forms us and interrogate its purpose and power. 27 - 29 June.

Then slide right back on into the ‘80s in the July school hols with the Roller Disco. Hosted by Rollerfit, The Roller Disco caters for shaky starters and smooth gliders with disco parties, group lessons, and kids specials. Day or night, opt for a rolling boogie, or sip on something at the candy bar.

And now we’ve reached the biggest party weekend in Canberra’s winter: 36 hours of epic events. On 12 July, Decibel Creative and Stay On Sight present Skin On Skin, one of the strongest names to emerge in underground dance music over the past five years, recently playing on Cochella’s main stage.

Then, on 13 July 13, it’s all Banging Beats and Bubbles for a kid-friendly rave experience, designed for parents and little kids who like to party to proper dance music.

Finally, experience a party from the future when underground powerhouses Escape Ferocity presents Max Cooper from the UK. Rug up and get down to the Winter Market on 28 July, in collaboration with Southern Harvest Festival and the Truffle Festival. Peruse the huge number of food stalls packed with artisan condiments, local wines, smooth olive oils and winter favourite - truffles.

Sydney’s iconic Heaps Gay joins the line-up on 10 August, bringing their signature larger-than-life parties and showcasing the best of Australia’s queer multi-disciplinary talent alongside international favourites.

Local crews Dragon Dreaming, Turning Tables and Sunburn also have plans to transform the space into wild new parties. And Dave says a new projection program involving imagery from the James Webb Space Telescrope combined with big, bassy audio will fill the upcoming school holidays.

The Vault’s program exemplifies Dionysus’ ongoing commitment to fostering arts, music, performance, and culinary experiences in Canberra. “We are hoping it will be a highlight in Canberra’s cultural memory, and inform future programs,” says Dave.

The Vault will run to September 2024, when the building is expected to be demolished as part of the Dairy Road precinct development. Located at 1 Dairy Road Fyshwick –see thevault.place for more.

By Tamsin Kemp

Lake George is moody, with low mists hanging and sun spikes illuminating water sections as though choreographed. I need to pull over for a conversation with Mr Brian Canham, and this atmospheric vista, looking for all the world like a PseudoEcho film clip, tells me this must be the place.

Pseudo Echo, heroes of the 1980s popsynth scene, are touring again. They have been busy over the last ten years, playing early and recent material and soaking up the decades of love that remain alive and well for them nationwide.

Listening, their first single and a huge hit, was released in 1983. The lead track from Autumnal Park, the 1984 album, the song situated these young men from Melbourne at the top of the Australian music scene.

I take this opportunity to ask Brian how that first venture unfolded and what that experience was like.

“When we signed to EMI [which happened before the first single released], they understood where we wanted to go,” Brain reveals. “They were involved with rounding up the first people we worked with. They approached Peter (Mclean, Vogue magazine photographer) to make our first clip.

“He had a keenly stylistic eye, was posh and cultured, and given that Katie (Pye, fashion designer with a significant reputation of her own) was his partner, it all fell in place.

“We were really into avant-garde fashion, so it was perfect,” he says, paying particular homage to the hair and make-up team.

“We were a big happy family.”

Brian also pays respects to the bands that carved a path for their success. Of the New Romantics, Brain states:

“They were instrumental in us finding our way. Older kids had put me onto bands like Japan, Simple Minds, and Human League. Ultravox was another massively influential one, image-wise and sonically.”

Brian is clear they were chasing something different from the start, not “the seventies left-over rock and roll”.

The ‘80s heralded profound technological advances in music, particularly in synthesisers. I was interested in asking what influence the technology—synths with effects, sequencing, and built-in tracks, for example—had on the band’s direction.

“It was incredible,” Brian says with pure enthusiasm. “There were virtually no keyboard players around, but the more I studied pop music and what was on the radio, the more I realised it was keyboards I was hearing. That rich sound… I was soon obsessed with keyboards.”

Brian recalls his fortuitous friendship with a local music store at the time. “They were so encouraging; they would loan me all the latest technology,” he says. “I would bring them home and go through all the sounds and all the dials… spending hours exploring and creating.

“All Pseudo Echo songs were written from technology… We were obsessed with the latest thing”.

And it worked. The band enjoyed widespread success, with singles from their first two albums charting strongly, especially Funkytown from 1986’s Love an

Adventure, which found itself high in the UK, US, Canadian and NZ charts.

But how do young people not long out of high school cope with this level of exposure? Brian is candid:

“The fame became intrusive in my personal life,” he admits. “I couldn’t get out a lot… it was starting to restrict my life. I craved being normal again.”

But normal can be, well, average. How do you cope when it all quiets down?

“It’s an interesting question,” Brian says. “It’s a real point in most artists’ careers – where you’re at the top of the rollercoaster, and then there’s the down ramp.”

He takes a moment to contemplate before continuing.

“When it started to wane, around the third album, it started to plummet,” he reflects. “It was so quick; we were the biggest band in the country one moment, and the next, we were struggling to sell out shows.

“I was actually embracing it, thinking finally, thank God. Not only did I want a break from the limelight, but I was increasingly intrigued with music production.

“I liked [production] a lot,” Brian enthuses. “I liked that you didn’t have the pressure of being a star. I got into writing jingles for commercials and documentaries… so I had a creative outlet where I didn’t deal with the pressures of fame and celebrity status.

“My parents and brothers were really good to me during this time,” Brian fondly recalls.

“That supported me a lot. And children shifted my priorities. That’s how I got through.”

Brian can’t speak highly enough of the positive influence of family and friends, a good reminder to keep our relationships strong. Of course, looking after his health certainly helped.

“Fortunately, I never got anywhere near any drugs or excessive alcohol and that probably saved me too.”

Is there a balance to be found? Living not in the jaws of the fame monster but still in pursuit of creative desires? With success comes possibilities, but how do aspirations get fulfilled when fame disappears?

“You have to be pretty tough,” Brian asserts. “All of sudden, fewer people will return your calls, and fewer people will be making a fuss about you. And it happens quick. It’s a hard thing.

“I explored a different view of my life… I enjoyed my producing career, working with Chocolate Starfish and making their record.”

Did Pseudo Echo still have stories to tell, though? A chance meeting in a Sydney club in the mid-’90s suggested they did. Stepping in to cover for a New Year’s Eve gig the Pointer Sisters pulled out of was the beginning of another chapter for the band.

“I put together a version of Pseudo Echo,” Brains says, “and spent a hell of a lot of time honing the sound, making sure everything was authentic, because I didn’t want to go out and do a halfassed version; I wanted it to be really polished.”

While clearly having continued a creative career, Brian is honest about the hit to his self-belief.

“I’d lost all my confidence; most of my peers told me we’d had our day. They can be pretty brutal.

“But we did the show, and it was a screaming success,” he extols. “I was utterly overwhelmed; thousands of people screaming and singing our songs.

“Since that night, the phones have started ringing.”

Was this the beginning of a cunning comeback strategy?

“There wasn’t really a plan; I did just that one-off show and next thing, bang, we’re back on… going with the flow. Another rollercoaster upward.” So, what changed to bring us the stable, regularly touring, new album-producing band we have seen in the last decade?

“I completely changed my life,” Brain reveals.

It is here that Brian speaks tenderly of the death of his father in 2012.

“It had the most significant impact of my life… painful and disruptive. It put a whole new perspective on everything; everything I thought was painful or worrisome wasn’t any more.

“That’s when I reevaluated my life. I took strength from my father’s passing; it helped me by putting everything in perspective.”

The trajectory changes included divorce and living alone at nearly fifty for the first time in his life. The next piece of the jigsaw arrived in Raquel, his now wife and manager.

“I bumped into this lovely woman randomly over the years,” Brain says with a smile. “We found each other again, and it was incredible.”

Brian tells me with obvious affection how pivotal Raquel is in Brian and the band’s return to thriving.

“She pointed out the horde of gold records and awards, stating, ‘You have all this history’,” he says. “Bit by bit, we started building this team of nice people… with a good heart and the right passion. My confidence soared.” Pseudo Echo “just did 45 theatre dates, massive visuals, sold out shows… really a lot of credit to my wife. She’s an engineer of perfection.”

Awwwwww!

How lucky we are that the melodious journey continues. Another album, a book, and even acting may be on the horizon. But that is the far future; what of the imminent? What can we expect from the MACHINE Tour?

“We go right through the catalogue of the songs we know the audience wants to hear, and we put some surprises in there and some homages… a bit of jamming. We won’t feel our job is done until we know it’s brought the house down.”

Pseudo Echo brings their MACHINE tour to The Baso on Friday, 21 June. Doors open at 7pm, and tickets are $59 via Oztix.

GIA RANSOME BUTTERCUP

]

Four singles and one EP later, Gia Ransome is developing her artistic sensibilities with a rapidity and confidence that is all on show on her latest track, Buttercup.

The new release will keep fans happy as they wait on two new EPs, due out later this year. Coming hot on the heels of Gia’s flurry of 2023 releases—each showcasing her versatility—Buttercup continues this momentum with an enticing alt-rock exploration of lust and regret.

The song opens with Gia’s whispered count-in, setting an intimate tone that aligns with the song’s themes and style. The count-in immediately draws listeners into an intimate soundscape, setting the stage for a trip through emotional turbulence. The dynamics of the dipping rhythms lay a solid foundation, while the

riff provides a sharp contrast, highlighting the tension between desire and realisation.

Over a smoky, blues-based pulse intertwined with a recurring jagged rock guitar riff, Gia’s ephemerally seductive vocals and direct lyrics navigate the fine line that lays between obsession and self-awareness.

The arrangement fluidly transitions between sections, with verses seamlessly blending into choruses, and choruses dissolving into bridges, all resolving

back into the refrain, particularly emphasising the line:

I should have known you were trouble

Stylistically, Buttercup retains the essence of Gia’s previous single, Morning Light, while introducing a recalibrated style. This new track preserves the crucial elements of Gia’s songwriting and performance but reconfigures them to showcase a more distinctive and idiosyncratic vision of her creativity. The production rightly keeps her incisive lyrics at the forefront, ensuring that her voice remains the focal point.

Beyond Gia’s previous offerings, Buttercup’s intricate layering of blues and rock elements— with a hint of crosscultural influence in the instrumental riff— underscores her ability to blend genres effectively. Gia’s vocal performance is vulnerably alluring, with her delivery capturing the song’s emotional complexity. Her voice weaves through the lyrics, conveying a subtle sense of entrapment and confession.

The recurring refrain poignantly reminds the listener of the song’s central theme, resonating with anyone who has experienced the duality of love and pain.

All of this results in a track that is both familiar and fresh, reflecting Gia’s growth as an artist as well as her commitment to exploring the variegated depths of human emotion through her music.

VINCE LEIGH

by

REBIRTH

By Jen Seyderhelm

Are You Gonna Be My Girl was MY song. It was the intro to my radio show and something I would crank the car stereo volume to and play often—VERY often—as I absolutely drove gently beneath the speed limit. So, when Bossman Allan Sko said an interview was on the cards ahead of their upcoming 20th Anniversary of Get Born –Extended Edition tour (coming to UC Refectory on Friday, 7 June), I wasn't too proud to beg. Because I knew what I'd ask their guitarist and sometimes singer-songwriter, Cam Muncey.

The only thing is – he can't remember.

Jet—comprising brothers Nic and Chris Cester, Mark Wilson and, of course, our Muncey—has a unique distinction as an Aussie band because that song (MY song) was released in the US before Australia. Get Born, the debut album from which Are You Gonna Be My Girl sprung, was recorded in Los Angeles. Impressive feats for a rock band who met in high school.

"When we went to LA, we had these songs, a sound, a vibe and a look,” Muncey recalls. “We didn't want to be 'Americanised'. A lot of American music was more punk and polished. Our music was rougher around the edges; a Melbourne sound with a retro tinge.

“It was like we were in a different profession,” he continues. “Bands we played with, like Three Doors Down, were quite heavy. There we were kicking around with our flares and long hair. We found an audience on the edge of mainstream and somehow broke through."

My memory of the time—one I've told to anyone who will listen—is that some University or underground radio station in America somehow had a copy of the song.

One day, this person (who, surely, has earned the naming rights of at least one of Jet's future children) played AYGBMG continuously for the entirety of their shift. That, alongside the look, vibe and sound, got them noticed.

"Oh yeah!" Muncey exclaims once I finish my recollection. "I sort of remember something like that."

For once, the internet has been of no assistance, so help a girl out if you recall this anecdote, too.

While in LA recording Get Born at Sunset Sound Studios, the Jetsters found themselves surrounded by images and records from their heroes. Muncey said what happened next was surreal.

"For the video (for Are You Gonna Be My Girl), the director of photography was the guy who did Smells Like Teen Spirit. Then, we talked about getting someone like Billy Preston for the album sound. And someone else said:

'Why not get THE Billy Preston?'

"We were like... What? WHAAAAATTT?

They were like: ‘Yeah. He's working.'

"Music is all about mythmaking," Muncey continues. "It feels like anything that touched The Beatles is from the Gods on Mount Olympus. But in the end, musicians work with each other, they need each other; they're just people.

“So, we got to work with Billy Preston.”

I'm such a fan, though. When I met Robert Plant backstage and talked with him for half an hour, my brother and I kept looking at each other, thinking this was unreal. He was so cool and generous."

Get Born has sold over four million copies worldwide. I have two of them, an heir and a spare (the latter hammered from excessive use). Yes, Jet is a rock band, but Get Born is so much more than that.

Look What You've Done is a melancholy Beatles-esque reflective piece. Then there's the last track, Timothy, a song Chris Cester wrote after Cam told him that he's lost a baby brother to cot death.

"It's like a poem and almost didn't make it on (the album),” Muncey reveals.

“However, the idea of being open to different experiences in our music mattered to us, and we'll be doing it at the UC.

“We get such a mix of people at gigs from our age jumping around to young uns. It makes us so excited for next year."

Next year is the release of the new Jet album, their first in 15 years. They've released a teaser 7" single, the pop rock Hurry, Hurry, with a glorious B-side nod to Wilson Pickett and to Nic, who has lived in Italy for the last 15 years.

Muncey has been focused on being a dad and loves being back on tour. I ask him where the iconic AC/DC shirt he wears in the AYGBMG clip is now.

"I've given it to my nine-year-old! It fits him! I was mostly bones back then. Still am. Getting back on stage is sure keeping me fit."

Catch Jet and the 20th Anniversary of Get Born: An Extended Edition on Friday, 7 June at the UC Refectory. Tix are $79.90 via Moshtix.

Photo

Jason Sheldon

THU 6 JUNE

Temple

An immersive audiovisual installation created by Leila Jeffreys and Melvin J Montalban. Slow-motion visuals of cockatoos and galahs play across a triptych of towering screens. From 10am - 4pm daily until 30 June. 10am, free entry NFSA ACTON (GALLERY)

The Paperboy

Charlotte Bless enlists Miami Times journalists Ward Jansen and Yardley Acheman to investigate the murder conviction of her death row betrothed, Hillary Van Wetter. 6pm, $12–16 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

Jet - 20th Anniversary of Get Born Extended Edition

Jet will play Get Born in full, re-visiting the incredible track list that shot them to fame –including hits such as Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Look What You’ve Done, Rollover DJ and Get Me Outta Here. 7:30pm, $79.90 via Moshtix

UC REFECTORY

Comedy Club ft. Lehmo

Comedy Club featuring one of Australia’s most loved comedians. 7:30pm, $30

FUN TIME PONY

Highway of Lost Hearts

An allegory for a country that’s lost its heart, Highway of Lost Hearts by Mary Anne Butler is half gritty road journey, half magic realism, and all heart. 7:30pm, from $30 via theq.net.au

THE Q - QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

FRI 7 JUNE

Vinyl Lounge | Beatles Oz Tour 60th Anniversary

Bring your fave Beatles and Beatles-related wax to mark the 60th anniversary of their 1964 Oz tour. 5:30pm, $5 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

(THEATRETTE)

[Screening]

Almost Famous + Karaoke

An aspiring music journalist gets swept into a wild world when he tags along with an emerging rock band’s tour. Stick around and showcase your own musical talents with a post-screening

karaoke session on the Arc Cinema stage. 6pm, $20–25 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

The Ocean w/ Cave In & LLNN Acclaimed post-metal band The Ocean return to Oz for their first headline tour in almost a decade. 7pm, $74.90 via OzTix

THE BASO

Burn the Capital 2.0 - None for One, Sertra, The Pingers, Inherit Nothing & Dirt Nap

For the second year in a row, Dharawal Country's None For One are heading to Ngunnawal country for a mixed punk and hardcore show to heat up the Capital. 7pm, $18.40 via OzTix

THE BASO

Shad & Pete Save The World!

We all have problems - and who better to solve yours than two unqualified comedians? It's loose, it's boozy, and absolutely anything can happen! 7pm, $22 via venue

SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

RENT

Experience Jonathan Larson’s electrifying, multi-Tony® Awardwinning musical. 7:30pm, $59.90 – $129.90

CANBERRA THEATRE

Ghost of Nautilus + B.C. + Mangrove

The Ghost of Nautilus will take to the stage for the first time along with local legends B.C. and Mangrove. 7:30pm, $10 at the door

THE POT BELLY

Ben Lee With Special Guests

Ben Lee returns for a night of romantic anthems, clever wordplay and indie pop classics. 8pm. $49 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

Salsa Night ft DJ Paisa

First Friday of every month, get your Salsa grooves ready. With DJ Paisa from 8pm. Free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

SAT 8 JUNE

Josh Veneris

Josh's smooth vocals and guitar covers of mainstream and indie hits make him perfect for a relaxing afternoon. 2pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

IL Bruto

With a predilection for '50s, '60s and '70s inspired high energy garage punk blues and rock. 3pm, $20/$15 via venue

SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

Regurgitator w/ Party Dozen,

Cry Club & Monster Zoku

Onsomb

This ain’t no pop show… this here is an epic all out crashing the rocks show. From a year past of Units, Kiss, Weezer, and a feast of festivals, 2024 brings a sense of escalation and elevation… all with a new album. 7pm, $66.30 via OzTix

THE BASO

The Rions - Sweet Cocoon Tour

The Rions return to the UC Hub for a night full of grooving ahead of their newest release, Sweet Cocoon. 7pm, $49 via Moshtix

UC HUB

[Screening] Zoolander

As clueless as he is famous, male supermodel Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) unwittingly becomes part of an international assassination plot. 7pm, $12–16 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

The Reading

Come on down for a heavy DIY noise show with live music by Zsa LaFine, Lynden Bassett, Kian MacLeod & Marlene Radice. Dress for the occult and witness local fashion designers ROCK + Lil Chumba's creations. 7:30pm, $25/$15 + bf via Humanitix BLANK GALLERY

SUN 9 JUNE

Formidable Vegetable + Mal Webb & Kylie Morrigan

WA Permaculture electro funk/swing for the whole fam, with a bit of extra weirdness. 3:30pm, $5/$15/$25 via Humanitix

SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

Bec Taylor & The LyrebirdsLimbs & All Album Launch

Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds will be launching their new album and showcasing their sonic chemistry. 4pm, $35/$32 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

Inez Hargaden Live

Inez Hargaden is an Irish singersongwriter from County Cavan who draws from folk, pop, rock, and jazz. 4pm, free entry

DICKSON TAP HOUSE

Travel and Change

Explore and absorb Philosophical ideas of Travel and Change, presented by Drew Ninnis, whilst listening to Early Music presented by Apeiron Baroque. Music by Veracini, Blainville, Handel, JS Bach, Herschel and more! 4pm, $40 - free via TryBooking

WESLEY UNITING CHURCH

Inez Hargaden

Drawing from folk, pop, rock, and jazz to reflect on the joys and tribulations of life. 4pm, free entry

DICKSON TAPHOUSE

Jesse & Bailey

Jesse & Bailey are acoustic singersongwriters born in rural NSW, singing a diverse mix of covers and originals. 4pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

Blake Cateris - Rearranging Deckchairs On Tour

Bringing their storytelling, songwriting and banter to the fore, w/ supports Nelly Nova, Evan Buckley (The Burley Griffin) & Zane Harlem (Sketch Method). 7pm, $15 via OzTix

THE BASO

MON 10 JUNE

Kirill Gerstein's Tour with Musica Viva Australia

Kirill Gerstein, poet of the piano, scales new heights on his solo Australian tour. From delicate nocturnes to bravura polonaises, the tour features a new work from Australian composer Liza Lim. 7pm, from $75 via Musica Viva Australia

VARIOUS VENUES

WED 12 JUNE

Gang Gang ComedyPeter James

One of the fastest rising talents in Oz comedy, Peter James is joined is joined by very funny supports Sarah Ison, Anneli Cole, Felix McCarthy and Fateh Singh. Your MC is the marvellous Chris Marlton. 7pm, $20 via Humanitix, $25 on door GANG GANG CAFE

THU 13 JUNE

[Screening] Scrapper

Alone after the death of her mother, 12-year-old dreamer Georgie fills her London flat with magic and convinces everyone that she is living with her non-existent uncle. Then, her estranged father shows up... 6pm, $12–16 via NFSA NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

The Will To Be

An award-winning solo show exploration of Australia’s queer history, societal shame, and a defiant cry to speak truth to power. 7:30pm, from $30 via theq.net.au

THE Q - QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

FRI 14 JUNE

The Four HorsemenA Metallica Story

The Four Horsemen are ready to produce 2+ hours of their impressive high energy show with note perfect recreations of the songs that defined thrash metal. 7pm, $27 via OzTix

THE BASO

Seasons In The Abyss ft The Witching Hour + Herd Immunity + Annakye

Wollongong metal titans The Witching Hour return alongside Newcastle's anthemic rockers Herd Immunity and Annakye hailing from the Central Coast. 7pm, $22.85 via OzTix

THE BASO

lamphead. -

IKIGAI LP Launch

Newcastle based indie punk band lamphead. are heading south to celebrate the release of their debut album IKIGAI. Supported by good friends NORA, Bad Lunar and At Last Broadcast. 7:30pm, $10 + bf via Humantix

LIVE AT THE POLO

SAT 15 JUNE

Prohibition Party

Smooth jazz, bourbon cocktail specials, and more. An excuse to come in your finest wears/wares! 12pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

Double feature: Saltburn + The Shining (35mm)

Catch the latest feature from Emerald Fennell alongside a Stanley Kubrick masterpiece. Grand, isolated buildings, bloody horrors, eerie hedge mazes, and troubled siblings. 5pm, $20–25 via NFSA + option to pre-order charcuterie board and beverage

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

SUN 16 JUNE

Fight Club + Discussion | Book Club at the NFSA

An unnamed narrator suffering from insomnia establishes an underground fight club. The first rule? You don’t talk about fight club. Followed by a discussion with Andrew Hutchinson in conversation with Kaya Wilson. 1pm, $18–20 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

O K China Live

The guitarist, singer, songwriter plays acoustic and electric guitars, making each track live, from scratch, no backing. 4pm, free DICKSON TAP HOUSE

Alec Randles

Fingerstyle guitarist and singersongwriter, infusing backgrounds in Celtic, roots & blues guitar with folk and thought-provoking lyricism. 4pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

Alain Johannes

Chilean-American multiinstrumentalist Alain Johannes will bring the magick of his music to Australia in June 2024. 7pm, $42.35 via OzTix

THE BASO

Cancer Bats w/ Fangz

Canadian hardcore punk legends Cancer Bats will return to Australian shores for the first time since 2019 with an eight-date national tour. 7pm, $59.99 via OzTix

THE BASO

SIX60 Present:

The Grass-Roots Tour

In a first for NZ'’s biggest and most decorated band, SIX60 will play exclusively in small towns and venues across Australia this May and June. 7:30pm, $69.90 via Moshtix

UC HUB

TUE 18 JUNE

The Queer Variety Show

Featuring a cast of queer and *disabled performers and our allies. (*includes neurodivergent, mental illness, chronic illness).

7pm, $20/$25 booking via venue SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

WED 19 JUNE

Ensemble OffspringXanadu Sky

Hear every subtle sonority of the double bass, percussion and piano. Shifting patterns slowly evolving like a hypnotic dusk horizon.

7:30pm, $35 - $45 + bf via venue THE STREET THEATRE

A Streetcar Named Desire Free-Rain Theatre's production of one of the most influential plays of the twentieth century, with Amy Kowalski as Blanch DuBois, Alex Hoskison as Stanley Kowalski & Meaghan Stewart as Stella Kowalski. 7:30pm, first in best dressed. $30 - $42

ACT HUB, KINGSTON

THU 20 JUNE

BIRRARANGGA Film Festival

| Opening Night - Bones of Crows

A Cree musical prodigy struggles for survival and justice in this multigenerational epic. 6pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix; 3-Film/5-Film Passes available

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

Daniel Holt is Quintessentially Brit(ish)

A night of killer stand-up comedy with UK ex-pat comedian, Daniel Holt, all about his new life down under! 7pm, $25.50 FUN TIME PONY

Green Day's American Idiot

An energy-fuelled rock opera, featuring music from Green Day’s groundbreaking album! 8pm, from $45 via theq.net.au

THE Q - QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

FRI 21 JUNE

BIRRARANGGA Film FestivalDon't Bury Me Without Ivan Yakut Stepan Beresekov follows the son of a priest on a long expedition so as not to be buried alive. 6pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix; 3-Film/5-Film Passes available NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

Craig Woodward with Donal Baylor & Friends

Melbourne based multi instrumentalist and American Southern roots music specialist Craig Woodward solo set from 7pm. Second set together with Donal Baylor and special guests. 6:30pm, $20/$15 Smiths Alternative SMITHS ALTERNATIVE

Pseudo EchoMACHINE Tour 2024

Get ready to rock to the iconic sounds of the '80s with the legendary Pseudo Echo. Right off the back of their massive national theatre tour, the band will now bring their show, featuring epic lighting and visuals. 7pm, $59 via OzTix THE BASO

Frank Sultana Blues Band + Tomcat Playground

Winner of the 2023 Memphis Int. Blues Challenge, Frank & his band join fellow South Coasters, Tomcat Playground - raw soulful blues & vintage traditional for the perfect blues mix. 7pm, CBS members: $30 / Non-members: $35 or Door: $38 HARMONIE GERMAN CLUB

Jimmy HarwoodFlip It Australia Tour

Join Jimmy and his brand new 4-piece band to see what they have to offer. With Indighost & Eden Plenty. 7pm, $15 via venue

SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

Voces8 & Jack LiebeckLet My Love Be Heard

The 2023 Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 perform with internationally acclaimed violinist Jack Liebeck. 7pm, from $63.30 via Eventbrite SNOW CONCERT HALL

Whisky Business: The Science of Whisky

A night where the magic of whisky and the marvels of science come together. Elegance and education, neat! 7pm, $65$75 + bf via Ticketek

QUESTACON, PARKES

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul. Murder, motive, and the search for redemption all while plumbing the fundamental questions of existence. 7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue THE STREET THEATRE

The Blooz

Four musicians playing the great blues songs that fuel modern music. 8pm, free entry

DICKSON TAPHOUSE

The Salonistas

Salonistas’ sound has been described as “velvety alt-country soul” which they reckon pretty well nails it. They play tunes spanning genres including country, Americana, rockabilly, blues and soul. 8pm, free entry OLD CANBERRA INN

SAT 22 JUNE

BIRRARANGGA Film Festival - Windcatcher + Q&A with Boyd Quakawoot

An Aboriginal boy and his friends battle a group of bullies and win a school sports day title. Followed by a Q&A with writer Boyd Quakawoot. 1pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix; 3-Film/5-Film Passes available

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

Sally Davis

Join Sal and her handmade, Cole Clark acoustic guitar as she takes you through the likes of The Pixies, Fleetwood Mac and the White Stripes. 2pm, free entry OLD CANBERRA INN

ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

Barry Morgan All Key'd Up

With his trademark dazzling smile, 1000 watt polyester safari suit, and unmistakable flair, Barry invites you into his world where music meets comedy. 3pm, $35 via venue SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

BIRRARANGGA Panel:

Whose Story is it Anyway?

Global screen leaders explore Story Sovereignty and discuss who gets to tell Indigenous stories. 3:30pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

BIRRARANGGA Film Festival

- A Boy Called Piano: The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu + Q&A

The remarkable story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu’s time as a state ward in the 1960s. Includes a postscreening Q&A with director Nina Nawalowalo and filmmaker Matthias Luafutu, son of Fa’amoana Luafutu. 6pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix; 3-Film/5-Film Passes available NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

Caligula's Horse Charcoal Grace Across Australia

One of Australia's premier progressive metal outfits continue to showcase new album Charcoal Grace, on the second leg of their Oz tour. 7pm, $49.90 via OzTix THE BASO

Mike Goldstein – 45 Minutes To An Hour Of Comedy

Mike Goldstein is bringing his brand new solo show to Canberra! 7pm, $30.50

FUN TIME PONY

Avalanche

Armed To The Teeth Tour

Catch Australia's hottest young hard rock band at Baso’s The Abyss for a night of Aussie rock, including their bulldozing new single, Armed To The Teeth. 7pm, $20 Oztix, $25 at the door

THE BASO

Whisky Business: The Science of Whisky

Designed for adults who appreciate the finer things in life. Savour 3-4 exquisite tastings as our experts share the secrets and fascinating science behind whisky production and aging. Elegance and education, neat! 7pm, $65-$75 + bf via Ticketek QUESTACON, PARKES

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul. Murder, motive, and the search for redemption. 7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

Nat's What I Reckon

Nat’s new live show Hot Dogs

Probably Aren’t Real is an hourlong meltdown of info set out to prove a point. They aren’t real… or are they? Probably not… but also maybe? 7:45pm, $45.64 via Moshtix

UC THEATRETTE

SUN 23 JUNE

BIRRARANGGA - Kyindoo Wilam (Learning Place)

An all-ages selection of animations and short films from across the world, celebrating the profound strength of Indigenous peoples through connection to culture.

1pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix; 3-Film/5-Film Passes available NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

BIRRARANGGA Film Festival |

Muru + Q&A with Tāme Iti

Exploring a charged episode of Aotearoa’s history: the Tūhoe raids of 15 October, 2007. Followed by a Q&A with Tāme Iti. 3pm, $22/17 via NFSA; $13 Blak Tix; 3-Film/5-Film Passes available

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE OF AUSTRALIA

NeonHoney

NeonHoney sings it to the heart and instantly invites you on a sparkling journey to the nerve centre. 4pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

Australian Rock Collective (ARC) Led Zeppelin IV

Aussie supergroup ARC— comprising Darren Middleton, Mark Wilson, Davey Lane, and Kram— unite to perform Led Zeppelin’s 1971 masterpiece, Led Zeppelin IV Experience classics like Stairway to Heaven live in concert! 8pm, from $86.60 + bf via Ticketek

LLEWELLYN HALL

MON 24 JUNE

Wamburang Women's Choir

Join us for a concert presented by the Community Music Centre's First Nations Women's Choir, Wamburang Women's Choir. 6pm, free entry

LARRY SITSKY ROOM, ANU SCHOOL OF MUSIC

TUE 25 JUNE

The Trust Fall: Julian Assange | Special Screening + In Conversation

Examining the significance of the WikiLeaks insights, behaviour of multiple governments, the risk taken by Assange, and broader questions of press freedom and public interest. Followed by a panel with MPs. 6pm, $20–25 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

Crime and Punishment

Murder, motive, and the search for redemption while plumbing the fundamental questions of existence. 6:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

TINA The Ultimate Tribute to the Queen Of Rock 'n' Roll

Get the electrifying concert experience of Tina Turner, brimming with Tina hits from the '60s, '70s, '80s & '90s. 8pm, $76.50 THE PLAYHOUSE, CANBERRA THEATRE

WED 26 JUNE

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul that plumbs the fundamental questions of existence. 6:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

THU 27 JUNE

[Screening] Network

A blistering satire of sensationalism, this 1976 black comedy masterpiece asks how far the media will go and what we will trade for success. 6pm, $12–16 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

Crime and Punishment

Murder, motive, and the search for redemption 7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

FRI 28 JUNE

Austin Mackay

Hailing from Newcastle NSW, Austin Mackay seamlessly blends heartfelt folk melodies with a dynamic country/rock energy. 7pm, $29.60 via OzTix THE BASO

No Scrubs: 90s + Early 00s

Party- Canberra

Calling all Barbie Girls, Teenage Dirtbags and All Stars: join No Scrubs for a 90s and early 00s party that will be Larger Than Life!! 7pm, $20 via OzTix

THE BASO

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul. 7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

Cult Classics with Venus

Mantrap: Natural Born Killers + Live Performance

Join Venus for the 30th anniversary of this polarising vision, amidst a media landscape still obsessed by crime and a world seduced by fame. 8pm, $14–16 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

SAT 29 JUNE

Dept of Rock All StarsCranked Division!

Hey Canberra, come rage out with Dept of Rock and five of the amazing bands that entered our 2023 public service battle of the bands competition. 12pm, $20 whole show, $15 one band show SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

[Screening] Nightcrawler

Realising the value of exclusive crime footage, down-and-out grifter Louis Bloom stalks the streets of LA to be first on the scene. How far will he go to get the most sensational image? 6pm, $12–16 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

Deadnerve - Unto Death Tour w/ st sinner, Deadskin, Same Pains and Cultists

Brisbane’s explosive metalcore outfit Deadnerve are embarking on their debut headline tour across Australia’s East Coast in support of their latest EP Unto Death! 7pm, $27.05 via OzTix

THE BASO

Crime and Punishment

Murder, motive, and the search for redemption all while plumbing the fundamental questions of existence. 7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

SUN 30 JUNE

Temple - Final Day!

Temple is an immersive audiovisual installation created by Leila Jeffreys and Melvin J Montalban. Slowmotion visuals of cockatoos and

galahs play across a triptych of towering screens, transforming the NFSA Gallery into a space of wonder. From 10am - 4pm daily until 30 June. 10am, free NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE (GALLERY)

[Screening] Newsfront - $8 Collection Selection

In 1940s Australia, before the advent of television, Len Maguire and his young sidekick, Chris, cover the big news stories for the Cinetone newsreel company – but times are changing and Len struggles to maintain his principles. 1pm, $8 via NFSA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

Inez Hargaden

Drawing from folk, pop, rock, and jazz to commonly reflect on the joys and tribulations of life. 4pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

NeonHoney

NeonHoney sings it to the heart and instantly invites you on a sparkling journey to the nerve centre. 4pm, free entry

DICKSON TAPHOUSE

Crime and Punishment

Plumbing the fundamental questions of existence. 4pm, $39$47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

TUE 2 JULY

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul, with murder, motive, and the search for redemption. 6:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

WED 3 JULY

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul. Murder, motive, and the search for redemption all while plumbing the fundamental questions of existence. 6:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

Canberra Comedy Club featuring Brett Blake

July Canberra Comedy Club featuring Brett Blake with Hamish Hudson, Jacqui Richards, Jeremy Smith, Effie Tan and MC Emo Parsonson. 7:30pm, $30 FUN TIME PONY

THU 4 JULY

Wellspring -

We've Been Here

Experimental performance piece that asks 'where do we belong?' and how our gender, sexual, and ethnic identities play a role. 6pm, free, bookings, via venue, open from 21 June

THE STREET THEATRE

Belco Comedy Club featuring Brett Blake

G'day legends! Brett Blake (Australia's 2nd wildest comedian with a mullet) hits the road for his regional tour. A ripper night of laughs, beers, and a good time, w/ Hamish Hudson, Emo Parsonson, Sarah Ison, Stell Muses and Marky Worthington 7pm, $30 via OzTix

THE BASO

Crime and Punishment

7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

FRI 5 JULY

DJ Paisa Salsa Night

First Friday of every month, Old Canberra Inn is hosting a Salsa Night so get your Salsa grooves ready and be prepared to hit the dance floor! 8pm, free entry OLD CANBERRA INN

The ENA Trio

ENA's eclectic music mix reflects the diversity of tastes, from jazz, Latin and blues to gospel, funk and hip hop. 8pm, free DICKSON TAPHOUSE

SAT 6 JULY

Winter in the CityFire and Ice

Winter is here, but Canberra City Centre is about to become the hottest spot in town, with a cool twist. We're talking Fire & Ice! Buckle up for a Winter in the City that's warm on the inside and frosty on the outside. 10am, tix fromwinter.inthecity.com.au

CANBERRA CITY CENTRE

Chris Harland Duo

Every CHBB set remains a memorable, musical event, revisiting the best of the Blues standards: B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters et al. 2pm, free OLD CANBERRA INN

Deep Water: Celebrating

The Music of

Richard Clapton

Richard Clapton is arguably one of Australia's foremost and intrinsic singer/songwriters. Deep Water combine some of the finest musicians, vocalists and crew from the nation's capital, to pay homage to this truly enigmatic artist. 7pm, $28 +bf via Trybooking

CANBERRA IRISH CLUB

Stripping in the Name Of - Live Punk Band & Burlesque

The ultimate in burlesque. Listen to your favourites - from Blink 182, The Offspring, My Chemical Romance and more - while your eyes feast on the bombshells. 7pm, $45.40 via OzTix

THE BASO

Highway of Lost Hearts

A woman. A dog. A campervan. And 4,500kms of wide open road. An allegory for a country that’s lost its heart, Highway of Lost Hearts by Mary Anne Butler is half gritty road journey, half magic realism and all heart. 7:30pm, from $30 via theq.net.au

THE Q - QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

Garry StarrGreece Lightning

An overzealous idiot attempts to perform all of Greek Mythology in order to save his Hellenic homeland from economic ruin. 7:30pm, from $20 via theq.net.au

THE Q - QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

Crime and Punishment

A thrilling detective story of the soul. Murder, motive, and the search for redemption all while plumbing the fundamental questions of existence. 7:30pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

SUN 7 JULY

Eden Plenty

Eden Plenty is one of Australia's most beautiful original voices, his talent is matched only by his love of music. 4pm, free entry

OLD CANBERRA INN

Ben Drysdale

Ben Drysdale colours heartfelt lyrics with musical shades of contemporary indie folk, soul and blues taking audiences on a journey of reflection and hope through introspective ballads to upbeat foot stompers. 4pm, free DICKSON TAPHOUSE

Crime and Punishment 4pm, $39 - $47 + bf via venue

THE STREET THEATRE

Community Music CentreChamber Musicale

The Community Music Centre will present two chamber music concerts, featuring a wide variety of groups and instrumental combinations. Experience chamber music from our wonderful CMC students! 1st concert 6pm, 2 concert 7:15pm. 6pm, free BIG BAND ROOM, PETER KARMEL BUILDING, ANU

Municipal Waste

Since 2001, Municipal Waste have uncompromisingly stuck to their guns as hard-partying and even harder-hitting torchbearers of 21st century thrash metal. 7pm, $82.65 via OzTix

THE BASO

Eskimo Joe and Dan Sultan

Prepare for an intimate rendezvous with Australian rock legends Eskimo Joe as they embark on a national acoustic tour alongside the formidable Dan Sultan. 7:30pm, from $54.90 via theq.net.au

THE B - QUEANBEYAN

PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

TUE 9 JULY

The Woman In Black

The terrifying original, live on stage. After three decades in the West End, The Woman in Black is coming to Australia. 7pm, $55-$135

CANBERRA THEATRE

THU 11 JULY

Gravel Pit Festival - A Night of Psych, Grunge and Alt Rock

A night of psych, grunge and alt rock music in celebration of Salt & Steel's new single, Gravel Pit. 7pm, $24.50 via OzTix

THE BASO

FRI 12 JULY

Chain Tombstone Morior Invictus Single Release w/ Russian Novel, Pipoltr & Herald

Chain Tombstone are back with a shorter name, new material and new friends to share the stage with! Join them in celebration for their upcoming release of Morior Invictus. The track that will lead you into their new shift of musical style. 7pm, $23.44 via OzTiz

THE BASO

Dave O’Neil with Brad Oakes Fat funny man Dave O’Neil is bringing his show to Collector after playing to sold out audiences across the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. 7:30pm, $30.50

COLLECTOR MEMORIAL HALL

SAT 13 JULY

Eric Clapton Tribute with Chris Harland as Clapton

Slowhand features local guitarist Chris Harland supported by some of Canberra’s finest musicians in a 2-hour celebration of the music of Eric Clapton. 3pm, $74/$69 conc CARRINGTON INN EVENT CENTRE - BUNGENDORE

Moira Smiley

Moira Smiley is a beloved, folk singer, songwriter and composer based in Vermont, USA. AngloCeltic ballads, American spirituals, European folk-laments and original songs. 6pm, $20/$15 conc via venue SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE