Forte #732

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Visual Arts Graphic Design

Get creative and study local. Apply now!

Portrait series by Emily Scott - Diploma of Graphic Design

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MUSIC FESTIVAL 27-29 MARCH, 2020 BAMBRA, VIC

ANGIE MCMAHON FRANKIE COSMOS DYSON STRINGER CLOHER YOUTH GROUP ELIZABETH COOL SOUNDS DARCY JUSTICE FIRST BEIGE COLETTE SURPRISE CHEF SWAZI GOLD 6

ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER SHEER MAG CLOSE COUNTERS LOURE EMILY WURRAMARA 3K SWEET WHIRL ELLE SHIMADA COLLECTIVE EGOISM 100 MORE TO COME...

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Feature Story

The Loop

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Local Feature News Food

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Creatives

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Reviews

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Columns

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The Guide

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FREE SHIT

How often have you been made to feel guilty about indulging your sweet tooth by those around you? Endless lectures on how dessert should be eaten in moderation or not at all… blah blah blah.

FEATURING THE SINGLES ‘FURTHER THAN THE PLANES FLY’, ‘COUCH’ AND ‘DAMN LOYAL’, SUMMERSKIN, THE DEBUT ALBUM FROM SINGERSONGWRITER EVES KARYDAS, IS DOING THE KIND OF THINGS EVERY MUSICIAN HOPES FOR. LANDING ATTENTION BOTH LOCALLY AND ABROAD, THE ALBUM HAS BEEN A TRIUMPH FOR EVES AS SHE SURVIVED A DINGY (AND CRAMPED) FLAT IN LONDON AND AN AWAKENING OF CONFIDENCE. SHE’S PRETTY RAD AND TO CELEBRATE HER UPCOMING GIG AT THE TORQUAY HOTEL ON FEBRUARY 14, WE’VE GOT SOME TICKETS TO GIVEAWAY!

While we don’t really need a reason to eat desserts, there are some who wonder in amazement why we’re being kind to ourselves ever so frequently without a proper reason. For us and the dessert lovers out there, however, it doesn’t matter what the occasion or the time of the year it is. Rather, it is all about feeding the soul with food that makes us feel like they’ve finally found Heaven on earth.

TO E N T ER EMAIL THE CODE WORDS ‘EVES’ TO TALIA@FORTEMAG.COM.AU, ALONG WITH YOUR NAME AND NUMBER!

Well my sweet loving friends, we’ve got something that will put you on the sugar high of your life. Please welcome, our new favourite festival Sweetstock. Taking over Melbourne Showgrounds on March 28-29, the delicious dessert of a festival will become our very own Willy Wonka wonderland filled with as much chocolate, cake, doughnuts, and other sugary treats for you to sink your teeth into. They’ve taken over our cover this issue and you can read all about it – you can thank us later!

Publisher Furst Media Pty. Ltd. Editor Talia Rinaldo

talia@fortemag.com.au

General Manager Glenn Lynch

glenn@fortemag.com.au

Sales Executive Matt Wilkinson

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Creative Director Nathan Mossop

artwork@fortemag.com.au

Interns Chloe Cicero, Jess Sercombe, Olivia Hurley.

FORTÉGRAM Tag us @Forte_mag or #Fortemag to be featured!

Further in this issue, we chat with Bendigo roots rockers Four Lions, ARIA Award winning singer/ songwriter John Butler, Western Victorian rocket Libby Steel, Indigenous rapper and songwriter Mau Power, plus heaps more.

@sherriparry

Keep it regional fam.

Talia & the Forte team!

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PH: 03 5229 7969 2/105 Skene St, VIC 3220 enquiries@fortemag.com.au

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@thestatesystem

Contributors Anthony Morris, Alastair McGibbon, Chris Lambie, Dr John Lamp, Kim Price, Renee Abbott, John Foss, Alex Callan, Paul S Taylor, Tammy Walters, Daniela Koulikov, Lynette Walker, Kim Cooper, Wylie Caird, Chris Michaels, Adrian Aloi.

Advertisers and agents are advised that all advertising copy is their responsibility under the trade practices act. Advertisements are published in good faith and on the understanding that the content is legitimate and lawful. Advertisers and or agents submit advertisements at their own risk. The editor and creators hold no responsibility whatsoever for the content of the magazine in the case that it may offend. Forté accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Forté reserves the right to edit all articles and letters.

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TAME IMPALA HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR BIGGEST AUSTRALIAN TOUR EVER

ALANIS MORISSETTE JOINS BLUESFEST

In case you missed it, Tame Impala have announced their biggest tour of Australia and New Zealand to date… finally! Kicking off in April, the tour will see Tame Impala stopping off in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. With their fourth album The Slow Rush set for release in February, fans can expect to hear new material amongst the outfit’s acclaimed catalogue when they hit Aussie stages in April, alongside the absolute tunes they’ve already shared in ‘Borderline’, ‘It Might Be Time’, ‘Posthumous Forgiveness’ and ‘Lost In Yesterday’. In addition, Tame Impala have also revealed their support for the upcoming run of shows, with Texan trio Khruangbin set to join them on their jaunt around their homeland and New Zealand. They hit up Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne on Thursday, April 23.

In massive news for those heading to the Bay this April, ’90s pop-rock grandee Alanis Morissette has joined the Bluesfest 2020 lineup.

The Canadian sensation will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of her seminal alt-rock album Jagged Little Pill, which she’ll be performing in its entirety at the festival in April. You can expect all the favourites including ‘You Oughta Know’, ‘Hand in My Pocket’, ‘Ironic’ and ‘All I Really Want’. Morissette joins an already stacked lineup of Lenny Kravitz, Crowded House, Patti Smith, George Benson, Kool and the Gang, Dweezil Zappa and the Dave Matthews Band. In addition to Morissette, Bluesfest Byron Bay has also announced that acclaimed gospel singer and two-time Grammy award winner Tori Kelly has joined the lineup. Bluesfest 2020 is happening at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, New South Wales from Thursday, April 9 until Monday, April 13.

BEN AND JERRY’S TEAMS UP WITH NETFLIX TO LAUNCH NEW ICE CREAM

THE FEMALE URINAL HAS JUST ARRIVED IN AUSTRALIA

There’s a new, and improved way to enjoy ‘Netflix and chill’, and it’s all thanks to the legends over at Ben & Jerry’s. The ice cream company has teamed up with the streaming service for its first new flavour of 2020 which is been described as “an indulgent production starring peanut butter ice cream, sweet and salty pretzel swirls and fudge brownies.” Um YUM! Not only is the flavour too good to be true, but for the first time in Ben & Jerry’s history, the flavour has launched worldwide across over 20 countries including the UK, US, Australia, Brazil, and Germany. Oh boy… Just like Netflix, there’s something in this pint for everyone.

Yes, you read that correctly. Women can finally skip the endless queues for the traditional toilets at large outdoor events by using Lapee, the first female urinal. Designed to secure women a safe stay at large outdoor events, Lapee is said to be a very durable product with a very long lifetime, made of recyclable materials and uses no water. Birthed in Denmark, the Lapee premiered at festivals and sport events in the summer 2019 – and apparently it was a massive hit, so much so that they’re bringing it to Australia for the first time. Lapee is currently at the Australian Open this summer, with plenty of other events on the cards. Now women are equally able to spend the time focusing on the music, the sports, the fun and party, their friends and community instead of spending their time waiting for toilets… I guess we’ll never know unless we try.

Monday - Friday 7.00am - 3.00pm Saturday 11.00am - 8.00pm 11 West Fyans St, Newtown 3220 Come in for Banh Mi & a beer!

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BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL REVEALS FULL 2020 PROGRAM

GET A LOAD OF BRAT! Loaded lovers, you’ve met your match!

Australia’s most-loved Bavarian restaurants have launched a new range of Loaded Brats – or bratwursts. Beat the heat with the Chilli Dog, which is piled with chilli con carne, queso, tomato, onion salsa and jalapeños; live the cheesey life with the Mac & Cheese Dog, which comprises a cheese kransky, nestled in a brioche bun, and topped with creamy mac and cheese, crispy fried onion and BBQ sauce, or try the Spicy K Dog – a loaded dog incorporates the umami tang of kimchi slaw, nuttiness of sesame seeds and the freshness of spring onion, all stuffed and stacked onto a delicious kielbasa sausage and brioche bun.

These brats are available at Munich Brauhaus, Melbourne. Photo by Michael Gribbin.

Following the announcement of international acts including Kevin Morby, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Hand Habits last year, Brunswick Music Festival has dropped its full program.

Leading the charge, Philadelphia DIY punks Sheer Mag will be bringing their huge energy all the way to Brunswick in March, alongside Sarah Blasko, Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann – aka Seeker Lover Keeper – and Harmony Byrne, who will perform on a double bill for the festival.

There will also be performances from the likes of Mama Kin Spender, First Chorus, Band of Singers, C. W. Stoneking, Imbi, Sui Zhen, Dyson Stringer Cloher, Hayley Mary, Elsy Wameyo, Elizabeth, Mwanje, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Ziggy Ramo and so much more. You just have to check out the full lineup online because there’s no chance we’d fit it all here.

DEAD LETTER CIRCUS, HELLIONS & ORPHEUS OMEGA ADDED TO DOWNLOAD

MAKO ROAD RETURN TO AUSTRALIA FOLLOWING THEIR SOLD OUT 2019 TOUR

Alright, it’s now time to focus all your pent-up energy getting pumped for Download 2020! To help you do that, three Australian heavyweights have just been added to the already huge Download line up! First up, we’ve got Brisbane’s Dead Letter Circus. These guys have ascended to the forefront of alternative rock since their inception in 2004, and their live performance is where they’ve truly built their reputation, which you’ll be able to see for yourself come March.

Known for their dynamic, energetic live show they have toured the world multiple times, genre-melding rock collective Hellions will also be bringing the heat to the festival, alongside Melbourne melodic death metal outfit Orpheus Omega who will also tear up the Download stages. Download 2020 takes up a new home in Melbourne at the Showgrounds and falls on a Friday. Tickets On sale now via Moshtix.

Indie-rock outfit Mako Road are heading back to Australia, bringing their hazy summer psych, pop and groove infused tunes to cities this April. The New Zealand four-piece have been tearing up the New Zealand music scene since their inception in 2017, amassing over 20 million streams online with their debut garage recordings. They have sold-out tours around New Zealand and Australia, played New Zealand’s biggest festivals, and supported acts such as Ziggy Alberts, Shapeshifter and Leisure.

Their cruisy records translate into an electric live set that has wowed summer crowds over the 19/20 festive season. If rounding out summer with some dreamy, summery soundscapes delivered by one of New Zealand’s hardest working bands sounds pretty good to you, make sure you get to the Corner Hotel on Saturday, April 18. Tickets via livenation.com.au.

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OKAY, LET’S BE HONEST HERE. THAT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION TO GET FIT AND CUT OUT DESSERT FROM YOUR DIET, THAT’S LONG GONE. SO, IF YOU’RE GOING TO INDULGE, YOU MAY AS WELL DO IT RIGHT.FGDFGDGDFGDFGDFHGD Forget grabbing a cheeky doughnut from the Milk Bar on your afternoon stroll, skip the chocolate waffles at breakfast, and leave those Nanna’s apple pies in the freezer, we’ve got something that will put you on the sugar high of your life.

Please welcome our new favourite festival Sweetstock.

Brought to you from the quirky creators of Meatstock (that meaty two-day festival combining all things BBQ and music in Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney), Sweetstock will launch in Australia’s foodie capital this March.

Taking over Melbourne Showgrounds on March 28-29, the delicious dessert of a festival will become our very own Willy Wonka wonderland filled with as much chocolate, cake, doughnuts, and other sugary treats for you to sink your teeth into.

At a glance, it would be fair to assume that it was just a big old festival selling a whole lot of candy, but it’s so, so much more than that. Part expo, part concert, part trade show, part food truck gathering and part competition, this festival promises to be the largest gathering of crazy, sweet loving foodies in the country.

First up, the decadent food trucks! Bringing together some of the most unique and creative desserts and sweets vendors in Australia. For the ice cream lovers, you’ll find treats from 196˚ Below – the pop-up store creating instant Nitrogen ice cream, Popstic – the 12

For those who love to eat rather than bake, there is a Melbourne ice cream, sorbet and icy pole legends, Q Dessert on a Stick which is au naturel, and Retro Birdie competition for you too! Enter the Donut Throwdown Ice-Cream and Desserts who bring a sense of nostalgia to pop as many donuts into your belly within three with their indulgent range! minutes to win a cheeky $2,000.00. Do-nut mind if When your tastebuds start to crave something a we do! little more decadent, St. Gerry’s specialise in Greek Alongside all the sugary goodness, the festival will doughnuts adding their own mind-blowing flavours, also be scattered with street performers and circus acts, while Sweet Forbidden Journey will be bringing old there is also an awesome music line-up to dance into school sweets and childhood memories back to dessert the neon-filled night, featuring very special headliners, lovers who can’t have dairy, wheat, nut, and eggs!

Sneaky Sound System.

There’s even doughy goodness from Fugazi Pizza and A duo that needs no introduction (and if they do, seriously where have you been?), power couple Angus caffeine supplied from Peak Coffee for good measure!

If you want to learn for the best then get in quick McDonald (Black Angus) and Connie Mitchell (Miss to register for the masterclass with America’s most Connie) became a household name in Australia back sought-after cake makers, Duff Goldman. Renowned in 2006, which saw the release of their self-titled, 3 x for his crazy over the top masterpieces, the star of platinum debut album. Spearheaded by ‘UFO’, ‘Pictures’ Cake Masters, Ace of Cakes and Buddy vs. Duff will be and ‘I Love It’, it won ARIA Awards for Breakthrough hosting a one-off masterclass on the Friday, and will Artist and Best Dance Release. It’s almost guaranteed be appearing throughout the festival over the weekend. you were singing along to these hits a decade ago.

So far, it’s looking pretty sweet and wholesome, right?

Second long-player and #1 album ‘2’ followed in 2008 Wrong. with more dancefloor slayers – ‘Kansas City’, ‘When The competition is fierce in this festival ground, with We Were Young’ and #1 UK club smash ‘It’s Not My the SBS Food Australian Cake Battle showcasing some Problem’, before the release of album number three, From Here To Anywhere, in 2011. A cheeky nomination of Australia’s best bakers live on stage in a 60-minute battle, alongside the Australian Dessert Championship in the prestigious 2012 Intl DJ Awards underscored for anyone to enter. Teams of three, from home cooks Sneaky’s escalating reputation, and since then they’ve to professionals will challenge each other in various been drip-feeding us singles like ‘I Ain’t Over You’, categories, including Cupcake, Cheesecake, Pavlova, ‘Can’t Help The Way That I Feel’, and ‘We Belong’.

Pie, Tart and Chef’s Choice. Each competition will Between making music, the duo have spent years win a delicious $5,000.00 so it might be time to get in touring Europe and playing summer residencies in touch with the best baker you know as registrations places like Mykonos, Ibiza, Tokyo, and Serbia to crowds are still open. of 3000 people coming from all different parts of the FORTÉ 732

world, especially with their iconic Sneaky Sundays which has found its latest home at Bali hotspot Mrs Sippy.

Now all these years later, and they are still the exact same party-starters they were in the beginning, bringing the good vibes to 2020 with performances at the likes of NYE in the park and Scene and Heard Festival, to Poof Doof, Great Australian Music Festival Geelong, and the upcoming Party In the Paddock and Adelaide Superloop! A clear staple on festival lineups, Sneaky Sound System will be bringing the sugar, spice, and everything nice to Sweetstock this March.

Joining Sneaky and the tonnes of sugar-crazed punters will be upbeat electronic artist Alice Ivy, aptly named indie band Jawbreakers and the crazy Melbourne pop stars Approachable Members Of Your Local Community, with the promise that more acts will be announced between now and the event in March.

Is that too much sugary action to pack into two days you may ask? Absolutely not. As well as that there are show-bags, a sweet expo, live art, retro car show, free kids rides and thankfully for the parents there’s bubbly and cider!

Tickets are on sale now at www.sweetstock.com. au with single day and weekend passes available.

Check out all the details over on the website.

Cover photo by Raegan Glazner

SPECIAL GUEST

DUFF GOLDMAN CHAR M CIT Y CAKES (USA)

28/29th MARCH 2020 MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS - FE ATURIN G -

SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM ALICE IVY JAWBREAKERS APPROACHABLE MEMBERS FOOD TRUCKS / COMPETITIONS / LIVE MUSIC / EXPO / ROLLER DERBY PERFORMANCES / LIVE ART / FREE RIDES / BUBBLY +MORE

TICKETS SATURDAY $40 / SUNDAY $25 - KIDS UNDER 12 FREE

TICKETS AT WWW . SWEETSTOCK . COM. AU

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THE LOOP

BENDIGO CASTLEMAINE

GEELONG & SURF COAST WA R R N A M BOO L

POR

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IRY

FOL K FE

STIV AL

B A L L A R AT BELLARINE

A Geelong Gallery exhibition

23 Nov 2019 to 23 Feb 2020

Stephen Bram— abstract painting Stephen Bram Untitled 2014 synthetic polymer paint on canvas © Stephen Bram. Courtesy of the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery Photographer: Christian Capurro

Exhibition partner

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SAY HELLO TO STRESS WALTERS

WHAT’S ON AT THE POTATO SHED

Led by Jess Walters, Stress Walters kick out super-fun jams smothered in indie-folk and sprinkled with pop-rock. They’re pretty new to the scene, and like any new band they are full of enthusiasm – they even went all out for their debut single and made it a double. ‘House Wine’/’Tippy Toe’ is available for your listening pleasure, while the band is hitting the road for a spot of touring. Workers Club, Geelong – January 31. Photo by Joshua Maxwell de Hoog.

The Geelong Rainbow Festival heads to the Potato Shed with Homophonic! at 8pm Thursday 6th February, a concert of new classical music by queer composers. Following on from a hugely successful season at the legendary La Mama Theatre in Melbourne, Homophonic! celebrates Sapphic Symphonists, Homosexual Harmonies, and the long and proud tradition of composers being as gay as the day is long.

Featuring works for strings, flute, and voices performed

by Melbourne’s most in-demand professional chamber musicians, joined by the stunning voices of The Consort of Melbourne; and the winning work of the inaugural Homophonic! Pride Prize: Star Picc, by Stephen de Filippo. It’s the piccolo as you’ve never heard it before! To book head to www.geelongaustralia.com.au/potatoshed

FIELDSY’S TOUCH OF GREEN

DRAGON’S 20/20 VISION New Zealand-bred and ARIA Hall of Fame inductees Dragon are on the road, belting out song after song after song on their 20/20 Tour. Fans will be treated to long-time classics, almost forgotten gems and personal favourites, all played out across two, twenty-song sets. With hits including ‘April Sun in Cuba’, ‘Are You Old Enough?’ and ‘Rain’, there will be no shortage of singalongs. Barwon Club, Geelong – February 1.

PAKO FESTA As we head towards February, Geelong’s Pako Festa is putting the finishing touches on its 2020 program.

Victoria’s largest free celebration of cultural diversity dates back to 1983, when it attracted some 12,000 people to its first appearance. These days, it hits the 100,000 mark. One street and forty-three cultures will take part in a street parade, performances, workshops and exhibitions. February 29 is the date in 2020..

Irish-born Fieldsy is a heavily Ce l t i c- i n f l u e n ce d s i n g e rsongwriter who has supported the likes of The Beautiful Girls, Daniel Champagne, Shaun Kirk and Irish band Hermitage Green.

In 2018, she was a semi-finalist at the International Songwriting Competition for her track ‘Neverland’. ‘Love’ is a more recent creation. There is a solid chance you will hear one of, or even both of, these tracks when Fieldsy hits The Vine, Bendigo on February 15.

BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS FUNDRAISER The Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival will turn ten this year, and for those that follow the festival they’ll know a new year brings a handful of showcase fundraisers. The first will take place at The Rifle on March 1. Music will kick off at 11:30am sharp. We didn’t have the line-up information at the time of writing, but updates on the showcase and all events can be found through bendigobluesandroots.com.au.

MASON GIVES YOU AN OPTION Announced last year, the time has now come for thrash specialists Mason to make their way around the country on their Kill or Be Killed tour. The band has spent the last few years touring Europe, North America, Canada, Japan and Australia, while still finding time to work on a new album that will drop in 2020. Metal loves company, so Mason will bring along Flaming Wreckage and Vexation for the ride. Barwon Club, Geelong – February 14.

SON OF A GUN Kicking off her year with showcases at the Folk Alliance International, singer-songwriter Susan O Neill, who works under the stage name of SON, has lined up an extensive run of Australian shows in the coming months. Hailing from Co. Clare, SON fuses Irish folk with rock, soul, gospel and blues. Lauriston Town Hall, Lauriston – March 5 & The Potato Shed, Geelong – April 2. Susan is also set to take in the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

ROCK OFF MND

THE LIGHT SHINES ON AMISTAT

VS BRISBANE ROAR MARS STADIUM, BALLARAT

FEB 16TH 4:00 KICKOFF

In August of 2014, following ten months of medical tests, Jenny Simko was diagnosed with MND. The following year, she sadly passed away. With the same compassion she showed during her time of nursing, Jen conceived Rock Off MND, a live music event that raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Deakin University Geelong Waterfront will host the event on March 14, with further information available through rockoffmnd.com.au.

So, here is a little background information on Amistat. The outfit is comprised of Josef and Jan Prasil, twin brothers born in Germany and raised in Italy.

With parents originating from the Czech Republic and Australia, they moved to Australia in 2012 to boost their music profile. More recently, they relocated to Europe to do the same. And now here they come with new EP, Love & Light. The Bridge, Castlemaine – February 2.

BENDIGO CRAFT BEER & CIDER FEST There is a lot of beer going around, with the Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Fest set to take place on March 14 at the Tom Flood Sports Centre. More than 100 beers and ciders will be available to sample, plus all the usual good stuff of food trucks, music and festival games. The entertainment side of things wasn’t available at the time of writing, but information will flow soon enough through bendigocraftbeerfestival.com.au.

THE MAMAS HIT THE DANCE FLOOR Your mama don’t dance and your daddy don’t rock and roll – except for here. Blending soul, RnB and funky fem hop, The Mamas having been working overtime to fill dance floors. And they do it in fabulous sequin-studded style.

It makes sense, then, that their latest single is titled ‘Dancefloor’.

Workers Club, Geelong – February 7; The Eastern, Ballarat – February 8; and Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon – February 9.

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TAKE A MOMENT ON THE BLUES TRAIN The Blues Train is a really unique experience: a fabulous night of food, wine and music. Standing on the platform at Queenscliff ready to board the heritage train is like stepping back in time. Moving through the carriages to see four amazing musical performances, dancing, laughing and meeting new people, what a wonderful way to spend an evening. The diversity of the acts is always outstanding and there’s something for everyone. If rockin’ blues is your forte, then the Blues Train is something you must experience.

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NOW WITH MORE METAL

THIS STATE WE’RE IN

Geelong’s Barwon Club is hosting a huge night of metal on February 8, with Stormtide, The Ascended, Naberus, Armata, Welf and Detach Me. It’s looking at being a big year for former Geelong band Stormtide, who will head abroad for a European tour a touch later in the year. They have also been working on a new album, so you know new tunes will be mixed in with old favourites. $5 from each ticket will be donated to the Bushfire Appeal.

IN DUSTRY UPDATES FROM MUS IC V ICTORIA Hello Forte readers, Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday and hope that you all have a great 2020.

With our nation currently being ravaged by severe bushfires, it’s inspiring to see so many people in the music community band together to do their part in supporting our brave firefighters and service workers. We’ve put together a list of all of the bushfire relief fundraising shows that have been submitted to us and we encourage everyone to dig deep and support these events. Our Bushfire benefits gig list at musicvictoria.com.au/news/10863/ bushfire-benefits. If you have an upcoming bushfire benefit event that you would like us to feature on our list, email us the info to info@musicvictoria.com. au. Alternatively, you can also tag @musicvictoria on your gig flyer on Instagram and we’ll share it on our page.

MAHALIA BARNES GIVES IT HER ALL Carrying a famous last name isn’t always easy. Mahalia Barnes knows this. But after more than three decades since first making music, there is no question she is her own artist. Take The Soul Mates, for example, a band put together

by Mahalia in 2005 and one that has supported Mavis Staples, The Roots, Lionel Ritchie and James Morrison among others.

The Palais, Hepburn Springs – February 15.

In other news, on March 2-4, 2020 there will be a two-day Folk/Roots music conference in Geelong called The ExChange presented by Folk Alliance International in partnership with the Port Fairy Folk Festival. People in the music community/industry are encouraged to attend with Music Victoria members able to receive a 50% discount on their ticket. Members are encouraged to email info@ musicvictoria.com.au to receive the discount.

DAVE WRIGHT & THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS

As part of the conference, on Tue 3 March, Music Victoria will be presenting a panel at The Workers Club on Publicity, Marketing and How to Make a Tour Succeed. There will also be showcase event that night at The Workers Club with some of Australia’s best Folk/Roots performers.

So, here is a little background Dave Wright had an itch that could only be scratched by starting a band heavy on bluegrass, folk, country and Americana. Well-known around his beloved Melbourne for his Midnight Electric crew, the Midnight Ramblers are a sideproject unsurprisingly featuring a couple of Electric players. If you want to hear some tunes, grab a copy of Turn out the Lights. Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon – February 15.

Australian Festival Association’s drug training resource over on their website. ‘til next time, The MV Team REGIONAL MEMBER MOMENT – BALLARAT BEER FESTIVAL Now only less than a month away, the Ballarat Beer Festival showcases over two hundred of Australia’s best craft beers. This year’s instalment will also feature some of the best of Australia’s blues and roots music such as Victorian acts Michael Meeking, Fiona Boyes and Libby Steel.

A family-friendly event, the Ballarat Beer Festival will take place on 15th February at the beautiful North Gardens. Tickets are available at ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.

REGIONAL GIG OF THE MONTH Sundown at McClelland, McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery, Langwarrin – Saturday 8 February Presented by the McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery, Sundown at McClelland delivers a full day of art making, picnics, sculptures, bush, food and music. Sundown also boasts a fantastic musical line-up including Kutcha Edwards, Gena Rose Bruce, Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier plus many more.

This event is family friendly and will also include a lantern-making workshop and parade hosted by environmentalist Kathy Holowko. All funds raised will be donated to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund. Tickets can be purchased over at mcclellandgallery.com.

Finally, to any of those planning on running a festival this summer, make sure you check out the

DIG DEEP FOR FIRE RELIEF The Sphinx Hotel in Geelong will host a very musical fundraiser on February 16, with all profits going to the Bendigo Bank Bushfire Relief appeal. Mr Meaner, Michael Stangel, The Handsome Gargoyles, Sweet Felicia & the Tradies, Blue Sunday and Luke Biscan will be among those performing. There will also be raffles, auctions and a sausage sizzle. Music will get underway at 2pm, with tickets available through the venue.

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WRITTEN BY WYLIE CAIRD

RUNNING WITH KITES Two of Geelong’s favourites are coming together for a bushfire relief show. In the blue corner you have The Run, that sweet seven-piece with soul/pop in their genes. If they’re not curating their own minifest, they’re recording their debut LP. In the red corner is The Kite Machine, that equally sweet proginfected rock band who released their debut last year. Workers Club, Geelong – February 29.

MARDI GRAS STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2020

CHILLOUT FESTIVAL Let’s take an early look at the 2020 – and 23rd – instalment of ChillOut (March 5-9), proudly Australia’s longest-running and biggest regional LGBTQ Pride festival. Theatre and arts events, a street parade featuring tributes to a global icon, family-friendly fun and one giant rainbow will feature at this year’s event, which will run under the theme Through the Looking Glass - Alice in Spa Wonderland. More is available through chilloutfestival.com.au.

Mardi Gras is back! The third annual event at local favourite Pistol Pete’s will be channelling New Orleans vibrations on Lt Malop St on Sunday 23 February, from midday to 8pm.

A celebration known for its loud music, costumes, decorations and general debauchery, this local version is a favourite free, family-friendly event that will take over the space between Shorts Place and Denny’s place, with Pistol Pete’s hosting the huge musical line up this year boasting the Big Brassy sounds of New Orleans.

HARMONY BYRNE’S GOLDEN IDEA Throughout October and November of 2019, Harmony Byrne warmed up the crowds as support for The Teskey Brothers. She nailed it. This year she is taking charge as she heads out on her first Australian headlining run in support of fresh new single, ‘Good Idea’. The track is the latest from her upcoming debut Heavy Doors. The Bridge, Castlemaine – March 6. She will be joined by Mon Coeur.

THE OCELOTS WILL BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY From Wexford, Ireland, to Western Australia, The Ocelots get around. New single ‘Colours in the Dark’ was recorded in the WA desert, and now the brotherly duo is set to perform a huge run of shows around the country. The Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo – January 31; The Lost Ones, Ballarat – February 1; and Ararat Live – February 5. The lads will also perform at Torquay’s NightJar Festival, as well as Newstead Live.

2020 can now officially begin for fans of Kingswood with the news the band will be dropping their new album, Juveniles, on March 13. Lead guitarist, Alex Laska: “The album we’re finally presenting was an incredibly long and winding investigation through many different facets and avenues; almost a rediscovery, if you will, of who we are and what we find inspiring.”

Barwon Club, Geelong – March 12 & Volta, Ballarat – March 14.

APOLLO BAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL 2020’s Apollo Bay Seafood Festival will kick off on Friday, February 14 with the annual ‘Ocean to Plate’ seafood gala dinner, this year hosted by Alejandro Saravia.

Harbour Day, which takes place the following day, is the festival’s main event. Kicking off at 10am, festival-goers will be able to buy their product straight from those who caught the catch. A full program is available through apollobayseafoodfestival.com.

DROWNING IN FILTH Perth industrial metal groove outfit All This Filth are opening up on their new single, ‘Drowning’. The newie is about frontman Brendan Preston’s depression and marks the band’s first full-length video. Brendan: “I think a lot of people can relate and connect to the song and that’s why we’ve decided to do this as our first video clip for the Misery Season album.” Misery Season, meanwhile, is set for release March 29.

VESSEL IS FEELING THE BLUES It was meant to be a solo project for guitarist Jordan Forster, but the voice of Mason Matheson was too good to waste. Performing under the moniker Vessel, Forster is inspired by his travels, while the Bendigo-based band is a healthy serving of desert rock and psych metal. Vagabond Blues is their upcoming new release, due to drop early February, with a launch locked in at local venue The Vine on March 13. ‘Twenty Twenty’ is the lead single. Photo by Mason Jordan.

BENDIGO CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Spearheaded by Chris Howlett and Howard Penny, the inaugural Bendigo Chamber Music Festival will host fourteen main concerts from February 5 through to February 9. In a huge win for the new addition to Bendigo’s festival scene, the BCMF welcomes the Chamber Orchestra of Europe as the artists in residence in 2020. There is plenty more, so to see what tickles your fancy visit bendigochambermusicfestival.com.au.

Music practice space wanted

For individual use only, not for commercial purposes.

PORT FAIRY JAZZ FESTIVAL The Port Fairy Folk Festival celebrates the roaring ’20s next month, February 7-9. More than 100 bands and artists are on the line-up, while an open mike session gives a chance to those wanting to showcase their hidden talents. For those who want to be a world record holder, the ‘Largest Charleston Dance’ is on offer, currently sitting at 1096 people. Full details are available through portfairyjazz.com.au.

DONKEY VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE Usually one should give no time to donkey voters, but Ballarat-bred punksters Donkey Vote are an exceptional exception. Formed in 2018, the band would end that year with the release of their debut EP. Going bigger one year later, and the band released their debut album People Eating Tasty Animals towards the end of 2019.

The Eastern, Ballarat – February 13. Fake News, The Shorts and Awake now support.

GEELONG’S BEST BUSKER Have you heard the word about Geelong’s Best Busker 2020? Of course you have, because you are awesome.

But we’re giving it to you again because the competition is awesome. Little Malop Central will host three heats plus finals throughout February, kicking off with heat one on Tuesday, February 11. Heat two takes place February 14, while heat three takes place February 18.

The finals are locked in for February 21.

BALLARAT BEER FESTIVAL The Ballarat Beer Festival is coming around the mountain, folks. Craft beers and ciders, regional wines, food trucks and music will all play a part on the day, that day being February 15. Hey, who is playing? You have Michael Meeking, Blues Roulette, Alan Boyle, Nathan Beretta, Fiona Boyes, Amber Gamblers, Libby Steele Band, Jess Parker & the Troubled Waters and Bitches Brew. Get it all through ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.

SINGER/SONGWRITER WANTED

Female guitarist/ vocalist wanted

BASSIST/SINGER NEEDED

space to practice music in.

Drummer / percussionist / Kongo

Looking for a female singer lyricist/

Looking for a female guitarist/vocalist

work on a Glam/Hard Rock/Metal band with. Must be male, must

Looking for a bassist/singer to

Keen to use sheds, garages, sporting

player required for band ‘Intrepid Soul’.

songwriter for a recording project. Email

to work with experienced rhythm

clubs, churches, schools, community

We’re looking for someone who is

waterfall.walshe@gmail.com for details

guitarist on two piece with a focus on

have hair, must have strong vocals.

theatres – just a space that’s both

committed to regular rehearsals once

lyrics and harmony, tasteful selection

Contact Glenn on 0407563638

of alternative and classic rock, country,

suitable and that won’t disrupt others.

a week, and to join us with open mics

Any day of the week – I

and paid gigs, who likes singing if

soul, R&B cover songs, some originals.

have a wide availability.

possible, and will join us in songwriting.

Ability to play reasonably accomplished

Within 30 minutes of the Geelong

Contact Marie from Intrepid

lead guitar essential. Availability to

CBD would be ideal. Contact

Soul on 0402310353

play most weekends is important.

Call Kit 0427999107

Sam on 0407347444

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Mark the date, get your beads ready and bring your friends down for a massive day of Cajuninspired frivolities – and as they say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”. Let the good times roll!

Drummer / percussionist/ Kongo player wanted

I’m looking for a cheap/free

Send your info to: enquiries@fortemag.com.au

On top of this massive line-up, festival goers will also have the awesome variety of delicious food and beverages in the precinct available to them. Just a five minute walk from the Geelong train station and a whole lot of free parking at the Civic Carpark, there’s no reason not to gather your family and friends and head on in for a taste of New Orleans right here in the Geelong CBD.

A regular at Pistol Pete’s, Melbourne’s Steve Boyd’s Rum Reverie will lead the celebrations with their

KINGSWOOD OF THE COUNTRY

CL ASSIFIEDS

New Orleans swagger, alongside the likes of Hog Stompin’ Zydegators, Jules Boult & the Redeemers, Four Scoops, Crawfish Po’Boy, SpiderJazz and even Pistol Pete’s All Star 2nd Line. The streets of Geelong have never been so Brassy!

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JOE GHATT SLIPS UP Their cricket team may not have had the best time, buy by golly do their musos go alright. Joe Ghatt (and his band of friends) is making his way here, for the first time no less, following the release of his debut album Banana Sludge last year. A limited edition vinyl is now available. Volta, Ballarat – February 9. Joe and his crew will be joined

by Luke Spook, Nasal Spray, The Thing from Spring and Honey Hunter.

BEND IGO AU G O GO

SUNFRUITS GO ORGANIC With a most cheerful sounding name, Melbourne’s Sunfruits serve up psych pop/’60s pop with all the freshness and goodness of a fruit salad.

The band was founded by Winnie McQuinn and features members of Cracker La Touf, Culte, Pinch Points, Slush, Bad Bangs and Edamame.

Certified Organic is their debut EP, due for release in the first half of February.

The Eastern, Ballarat – February 15.

Meraki Minds will be there, too. Photo

by Ivy Rose.

It’s time to dust off your checked shirt and pull on your best cowboy boots because Gold Roses, Bendigo’s first alt-country music festival, is coming to town next month.

The inaugural edition of the boutique festival – at Handle Bar on Saturday, February 1 - will feature a stellar line-up of some of the finest Victorian artists working in the alt-country sub-genres of Americana, roots, folk, honky-tonk, and western swing.

Bendigo’s own roots rockers Four Lions will be joining two-stepping, honky-tonkin’ country collective James Ellis and the Jealous Guys, along with fellow Melbourne alt-country chanteuses Katie Bates, Kate Alexander and Hana Brenecki, and Geelong troubadour Nathan Seeckts. These acts have featured at top country music festivals around the nation and beyond, playing everywhere from Tamworth to Nashville across big stages and grungy dive bars. They’ve garnered airplay on radio stations Double J, RRR, PBS, ABC Country, and Geelong’s 94.7 The Pulse. Now Bendigo music fans can see these performers right here in their own backyard – and for free.

Four Lions frontman Shann Lions is the brainchild behind the alt-country extravaganza, which he plans to further develop next year. “It’s all about a diverse range of music being available to people in Bendigo,” Lions says. “I love alt-country, and other forms of country, and I am sure other people do, too. But

JOSH PYKE KEEPS ON GIVING Multiple ARIA-winning songman Josh Pyke has produced five albums, all of which have debuted in the top ten.

He has also recorded with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and released a best-of album. Really, he just keeps on giving and giving. Josh will take to Ballarat’s Volta on March 27, the Field Street venue formerly known as The Karova Lounge, as part of his Fans First tour.

they don’t get a lot of it in Bendigo, and I wanted to change that. So why not put on a boutique festival?”

Lions said he was also keen to ensure there was a solid representation of female artists on the bill.

“I think there’s not enough females on festivals, so I wanted to make sure we addressed that,” he says.

From 3pm; free entry.

Also happening in and around Bendigo this fortnight: Local duo Jade Byrd bring their old-school jazzy blues to Rocks Underground (Rocks on Rosalind) on Friday, January 31. From 7pm; free entry; dining packages available from www.opentable.com.au It’s time to jump aboard the Blues Tram, this month featuring Brisbane-based singer-songwriter Hailey Calvert (with Jason Cameron) and local blues powerhouse Bill Barber. Saturday, February 8; departing Central Deborah Goldmine at 2pm and returning 4.30pm; tickets $39 from the Bendigo Visitor Centre (or online at www.bendigoregion. com.au).

Local singer-songwriter Sherri Parry, accompanied by her full band, will launch her long-awaited debut album at The Old Church On The Hill on Saturday, February 8. From 7pm; tickets $12.50 from www. stickytickets.com.au Hailey Calvert will also appear at Shiraz Republic, Cornella, along with fellow singer-songwriter/ guitarist Grim Fawkner, on Sunday, February 9.

Lunch from 12pm; music from 2pm; free entry.

Acoustic duo Alex and Dan will perform at Axedale Tavern on Sunday, February 9. From 1pm; free entry.

Contact: nettee136@gmail.com

Written by Lynette Walker

FOUR LIONS HARD DAYS

ALBUM LAUNCH – THURS FEB 13TH THE EASTERN, BALLARAT PUNK ROCK MAYHEM – FRI FEB 14TH SOUND SYSTEM STUDIOS BAR, SUNBURY

PISTOL PETE’SMALLARD THE SPOTTED

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, FROM FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, FROM 8PM 9PM TICKETS AT THE DOOR WITH ROSE$10 ZITA FALKO NN TICKETS $12 FROM MOSHTIX NN $15 AT THE DOOR www.fourlionsmusic.com    @fourlionsmusic

THE VICTORIAN TREK – SAT FEB 15TH THE BENDIGO HOTEL, COLLINGWOOD

HARD DAYS OUT MAY 3 FORTÉ 732

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Son rising at Port Fairy Folk Festival WITH A DEBUT SOLO ALBUM THAT SEES FAVOURABLE COMPARISONS TO THE LIKES OF GREATS SUCH AS JANIS JOPLIN, AMY WINEHOUSE, ADELE AND FLORENCE WELCH, AND THAT CAPTURES THE ATTENTION OF U2’S BONO, YOU JUST KNOW POWERHOUSE SUSAN O’NEILL IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. All the way from Co. Clare, Ireland, the prodigiously gifted soulful and husky-voiced performances are truly something to behold. With witty and charismatic songwriting, a striking attitude, guitar, harmonica, trumpet and loop pedal, O’Neill, who works under the stage name of SON, delivers a powerful blend of the old soul with a new edge, time and time again.

With a rich musical history collaborating with festival favourites King Kong Company and Propeller Palms, O’Neill is no stranger to the stage and will be bringing her gritty vocal and emotionally charged musical experience to Australia for an extensive run of shows, including a stint at the glorious seaside village of Port Fairy for the 44th Port Fairy Folk Festival in March this year.

“There is a special energy in Australia, a beautiful appreciation for music and a thriving folk scene,” O’Neill says ahead of her voyage down under. “It is a dream to meet the people and experience the country while on tour there.”

O’Neill will be making her solo debut at the festival this March, having only previously performed at the festival for the first time with Irish trad superstar Sharon Shannon early last year.

“I feel truly blessed to playing as a solo artist this year. Solo performances push the body into new areas, while collective music making tends to be very healing and beautiful too. I feel that they allow you to express different sides of the soul. Entirely different things happen during each and I hope to always find a way to do both.

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Since its onset in 1977, the festival has evolved into meditation music, gospel, blues. It is quite hard to an intricate piece of the coastal Victorian town and pinpoint where direct influences come from; Bob Dylan, has earned Port Fairy global recognition in the world Tom Waits, Joni Mitchel, Janis Joplin,” she explains. of folk music, continuously creating a beautiful spirit “I try not to sound like these people, however, just appreciate what they do and try to create my own sounds. that you can’t buy or brand.

“There was a beautiful feeling amongst the volunteers, “I began playing trumpet in the Ennis Brass band at site, musicians and festival-goers,” she explains of the a young age, around 11,” she continues. “Guitar came later at around 13 and I learned my first few chords well-loved annual festival last year. “Every festival is unique and [has] its own entity. I felt the people and the from a book. It was an outlet, unlike anything I had ever volunteers, organisers, production crew had a lot to do felt before. [As for] singing, I think I was always singing. with PFFF’s vibe. Friendly, kind and lighthearted. There As soon as I could walk, a very feral child, always making was a general sense of love around the site.” noise,” she laughs. “Harmonica was the latest addition coming into my twenties, Bob Dylan and Mr. Neil Young Promising to be a vibrant celebration of music and culture, the charm of this festival comes from its focus had a bit to do with that.” on exemplifying the great folk/roots traditions of many While O’Neill and her festival peers are obviously cultures, regions, communities, and countries – from the main draw of the festival, there are several other Ireland to Port Fairy, Johannesburg to New Orleans, reasons to head down to Port Fairy during these dates, Prince Edward Island to Northcote, Celtic to Bluegrass, such as two late-night screenings of A Mighty Wind Indigenous to Latin and glorious folk fusions. (with a guest appearance from Harry Shearer), an Alongside O’Neill, Patty Griffin, Archie Roach, C.W. array of workshops, a curated children’s program, and Stoneking, Yolanda Brown, The Blind Boys of Alabama, a number of themed concerts including the Big Sunday Jeff Lang, Chitra, Dan Sultan, and Emily Wurramara Sing Out, and First Nations in Songs & Stories. Hosted are among the 103 incredibly talented musicians by award-winning Gina Williams, this illuminating completing the unmissable lineup of artists from all event will feature First Nations artists Archie Roach, around the globe representing folk music, many of Ego Lemos (TL), Hubert Francis (CAN) and Mihirangi whom are making their Port Fairy Folk Festival debut. Fleming (NZ), and explore in conversation and in song, Much like the festival lineup, O’Neill is not bound to the similarities and differences of being a First Nation one genre, with songs fusing Irish folk with rock, soul, artist, the path to reconciliation and the role the arts gospel, and blues through the use of guitar, harmonica, and music can play in aspirations for the future. trumpet, and loop pedal. Paired with the amazing range A real highlight for us though is that Port Fairy Folk of her husky, unique vocals, you’ll soon understand Festival, in conjunction with Moyne FReeZA are putting why her live performances have been described as the spotlight on emerging artists and helping them quite simply electrifying and mind-blowing, wowing thrive in the industry. The like-minded, passionate audiences everywhere from Stradbally to Sydney, festival know there is so much untapped local talent Glasgow to Glastonbury, Manhattan to Milwaukee, and just waiting to be discovered, and this local artist many places beyond. showcase is a good place for artists looking to get to “I love so many genres, from folk to classical, to the next step of their career – and there’s even a Fender FORTÉ 732

guitar up for grabs for the best act of the day. Punters will be treated to a performance from last year’s winner Kessia Brooke, an exceptionally talented 20-year-old musician based in Horsham, Western Victoria, as well as a performance from Port Fairy Folk Festival’s 2020 Emerging Artist of the Year, Ruby Gill, whose immense voice, heavy piano and vulnerable stage presence have been appearing on festivals around the world from Oppikoppi to Woodford.

When we asked O’Neill who she was most excited to see at the upcoming festival, she summed up the long-running festival in three simple sentences: “All of them. They are all so fantastic in their own right and that is the wonderful thing about festivals. There is the chance to soak in such a diverse and wide range of acts in a short time.”

With a convivial and inclusive atmosphere and a diverse range of local and international artists on offer, the Port Fairy Folk Music Festival is an essential annual event for the dedicated music lover. You won’t want to miss this epic long weekend.

The 44th Port Fairy Folk Festival takes place on the Labour Day Long Weekend from 6-9 March 2020, in Port Fairy, Victoria. Tickets to the Port Fairy Folk Festival are available now at www. portfairyfolkfestival.com O’Neill will also be performing at Lauriston Town Hall, Lauriston – March 5 & The Potato Shed, Geelong – April 2.

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FORTE’S GUIDE TO FUNKFEST The best thing about funk and soul music is that both have a genuine way of getting listeners in a good mood. With syncopated rhythms and the melodic grooves of funk, and the punch-youin-the-gut emotion of soul, the genres spans an incredible range of styles within, making it – in our opinion – the perfect basis for a festival.

Making its way to Victoria’s Alpine Valleys this February (for the first time ever), FunkFest is here to fulfil all your funk and soul desires over the span of three glorious days. Here’s what you need to know: GETTING THERE While the music is enough to get us there, the location has truly locked us in, setting up at a unique space at the Feathertop Winery in North-East Victoria’s Porepunkah, complete with breathtaking

views of Mt Buffalo.

If you are travelling by car, Porepunkah is a comfortable four hours north-east of Geelong, and just over three hours if you’re coming from Melbourne.

With an easy drive down the hume highway, Porepunkah is perfect for rounding up the crew and making it a roadtrip. Just remember to prepare the pump-up playlist before you go.

It’s also pretty easy to catch the train up – you’ll probably just have to switch to a bus at some stage closer to the country town. Just hit up the V/Line website find out information on departure times.

WHERE TO SLEEP If you’re looking to splash a little extra cash, the festival’s VIP package will land you luxurious bell tent accommodation, a private shuttle bus between the campgrounds and the festival, and exclusive access to parties, breakfasts and private amenities. These perks will only set you back $660. If you aren’t looking to splash some cash, FunkFest has recommended The Porepunkah Holiday Park for all accommodation

needs. With a 10% discount if you mention FunkFest (bookings must be by email or over the phone to claim the discount) TURN UP THE MUSIC With music at its heart, there will be something to suit a wide range of groovy tastes. Heading to the inaugural Funkfest in 2020 are singer-songwriter Alice Skye, R&B star Thando, Melbourne groove outfit The Seven Ups, and The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra. They’ll be joined by plenty more funky fresh acts, including the likes of Thunderfox, Izy, The Lachie Doley Group, Vaudeville Smash, Liv Cartledge, Kattimoni, among others! We’re already preppin’ our dancing shoes – this will be a festival of absolute groovin’.

BRING THE FAMILY With an aim to become a leading festival for families, the weekend will be free for those under 16 years of age with Connected Circus coming to the event and bringing fire twirling, a fluorescent play space, and circus skill workshops to look after the smaller groovers attending the event.

Priding itself as being the only music festival in Australia dedicated to the funk and soul genres, Funkfest will be crammed with marvellous musicians, fantastic fun, delicious digestible delights, beautifully bountiful beverages and awesome activities for mini-groovers.

SHUT UP & TAKE MY MONEY A whole weekend ticket will set you back only $157.10 (that sounds like a pretty good Valentine’s Day present hey?), and there’s even day passes available too, with a plethora of accommodation options in nearby Bright (well-known as one of Victoria’s High Country’s most picturesque village), and a shuttle bus running regularly between Bright and the Festival site.

Sounds pretty damn good to us!

Funkfest 2020 takes place from Friday February 14 to Sunday February 16 at the Feathertop Winery, Porepunkah. Tickets are available via Oztix. Visit www.funkfest.com.au.

Written by Chloe Cicero

Sounds pretty good hey?

WIN A SLOT ON THE MEADOW LINEUP You’ve heard of Meadow festival right? The much loved three-day, two-night, one-way trip to paradise previously known as By The Meadow?

Well, we have and we love Meadow festival and everything about it; from its ethos and its vibe to its location at lush farmland hamlet of Bambra and its killer lineup, and of course the BYO factor.

Continually evolving and now in its seventh year, this festival is at the peak of its game.

This year we thought we’d get involved in all the excitement by joining forces with Meadow once again to open up a place on the lineup, giving an opportunity for emerging artist from the Geelong/ Surf Coast/Otways to score themselves the opening slot on the line up alongside this year’s eclectic menagerie of artists.

Yes that’s right… you or your band could be joining the 2020 lineup, sharing the stage with the likes of this year’s headliners Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Frankie Cosmos (US), Sheer Mag (US), Dyson Stringer Cloher, Elizabeth, Surprise Chef, the ‘forever young’ Youth Group, indie song chef, Angie McMahon, and many more.

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Applications are open now until midnight on Monday February 17 via via www.meadowmf.com, just head to their information section and you’ll see the link. Solo artists must be 25 or under, and bands should have at least one member under the age of 25. It goes without saying but applicants should be local to regions surrounding the festival!

Go forth, spread the word and tell your talented muso friends. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

The festival goes down March 27-29, 2020 – Bambra, Victoria. Tickets at www.meadowmf. com with 20% of profits from 2020 ticket sales going to the CFA in Victoria.

She’s back baby! The Cairns-born, Brisbane-raised and London-trained singer-songwriter Eves Karydas in 2015 (going by Eves the Behaviour at the time) was described as “the next best thing” and “the one to watch”, and has exceeded all expectations as an artist ever since.

2018 Eves Karydas brought us the release of her debut album Summerskin with unforgettable singles like ‘Couch’ and ‘Further than the Planes Fly’. She quickly became triple j’s 29th most played artist as well as the 16th biggest ARIA Chart musician. On top of that, Eves opened for Dua Lipa on her Australian tour and played a set at Splendour in the Grass.

But Eves was just getting started, continuing on with a wild 2019.

Her own sold out headline tour, opening for English musician George Ezra on his Australian tour then finishing the year off strong with a New Year’s Eve set at the Victorian music festival NYE on the Hill.

Lucky for us, Eves is starting 2020 right on February 14th with a one-off headline show at the Torquay Hotel. If going by what we have seen from her in the past, we can expect a high energy performance of Eves intoxicating electro-pop. It will be her second show, but first headline show, of 2020.

Tickets can be purchased via eventbrite.

Written by Adele Shepherd

Hailing from Melbourne, Meeking has been playing music for years, refining his self-described “rock with a pinch of country” sound, taking inspiration from classic rock icons like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Faces while also taking a page out of Lucinda Williams’ book, incorporating a dash of her Americana country-folk songwriting into the brew.

The best part about it all is it’s not one of those excruciatingly long applications processes with 101 ridiculous questions. Keeping it simple, all you have to do it fill in your main details (name, email, phone number) and then explain how you or your band are connected to the local area (Geelong/Surf Coast/ Otways) in 40 words or less. Finish it up with a link to your music and voilà!

“There’s an abundance of development opportunities for artists based in Melbourne,” says festival organiser Cam Wade. “Hardworking emerging bands can perform several nights a week in hundreds of different pubs across the city making connections and impressions that aid their growth. The same opportunities aren’t necessarily available in regional areas. A lot of smaller towns might not have any venues supporting live music so we’re thrilled to be able to give that one chance for a regional artist or group to perform on a real stage in front of our audience.”

A CLICHÉ-FREE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH EVES KARYDAS

“It’s always been an equal love of rock and a bit of the country vibe as well” however, in discussing his latest album November ’72, Meeking states “my latest stuff has gone back a little bit to the rock side of things with a tinge of country.”

MICHAEL MEEKING

Late summer weather and Saturday arvos, Aussie muso lineups with cold beer and wings, these are a few of my favourite things.

I was never a huge fan of the Sound of Music, but when you shamelessly rework it to describe the Ballarat Beer Festival, it suddenly doesn’t sound half bad. Should you also approve of the age-old combination of weekend + music + beer, definitely keep February 15th open in your calendars and head down to Ballarat for an all-day celebration of some of the best craft beers Australia has to offer with over 150 different brews to select from as well as several award-winning wines, G&T slushies and sangrias for those who feel like rocking up to a beer festival and being a little extra edgy.

A quick glimpse of the man himself may have you drawing similarities to rockabilly legends like Reverend Horton Heat and they do indeed share an affinity for the same equipment: “He’s probably got a better guitar than me but, it’s the same kind of Gretsch guitar and he has the same microphone.

I remember going to see one of his shows just thinking ‘I love that look’.”

Funnily enough, this Reverend-inspired Gretsch purchase became a core part of the higher stakes, rocking pace of November ’72 as “that album was specifically written using that guitar, which is why I wanted to put it on the front cover” and is what gives a few of the album’s tracks a bit more of a revved-up, rockabilly sound when compared to his previous loungier material.

Either way, Meeking is keen to give his new album a stretch on Ballarat’s festival amps so don’t miss out! Come grab a cold one and enjoy a weekend full of Forte’s favourite things.

It all goes down on Saturday, February 15.

For tickets and further information visit ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.

Written by Jess Sercombe

Beverages aside, the festival boasts a solid local lineup each year with the name at the top of the list for 2020 being Beerllarat veteran Michael Meeking.

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A MOMENT WITH LIBBY STEEL The avid readers will recognise your name which has been in our pages a number of times over the years, but for the unfamiliar, can you give them a little intro to you and your music?

Hey Forte Magazine! I’m Libby Steel, a singer/ songwriter based on the Surf Coast. I grew up in a small rural town in South West Victoria called Cobden and have been navigating my way through the music scene since. My sound is a blend of alternative pop and rock – and anything in between!

Congrats on the latest release of your pulsing single ‘Let’s Talk About It’. Can you give us a little insight into the story behind the track?

It was certainly a fun song to release! I wrote the track on guitar and wanted to experiment and try something completely different with my sound. I worked with Ben Oldland to produce the track and create an upbeat, energetic soundscape. The song

BENNY WALKER Benny Walker’s 2020 is off to a flying start as the singer, songwriter and guitarist prepares to release his fifth album and hit the Port Fairy Folk Festival stage for the first time.

“After many years of wanting to do it and things not quite working out, we managed to pull it all together and [I’m] very excited to have the opportunity to play the Folk Festival,” Walker explains. “I’ve had plenty of friends play it and go as punters and I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.

“I’m bringing along an extra band member in Xani Kolac who played violin on the album along with some guest vocals,” he continues. “There’s been a couple of singles released off the new album and we’ll have another one before Port Fairy so they’re in the setlist as well as previewing some of the new material with the band.”

Walker’s live performance is set to level up with a focus on a vibrancy that we’ve only seen glimpses of in his previous records.

“Every time I do something, I think it’s the best thing I’ve done,” he laughed. “I’m always trying to evolve and become a better songwriter, singer and guitar player.

“I never let genres confine the way I write, everything comes from a place that’s bluesinfluenced but it steps outside that and it’s definitely not strictly in that genre.

itself is about being complacent in a relationship and neither person talking about the underlying issues.

I’m about to wrap up what has been an amazing single release tour with Ballarat Beer Festival and a headline show at the Penny Black – it’s been an exciting couple of months so I’m eager to see what comes next!

Are you currently working on new music? Will it be following the same direction as the recent single?

I’m always tinkering away at new melodies and ideas. A few songs have recently made it from my voice memos to the stage which is really exciting.

You can expect to hear them at any of our upcoming shows! They don’t exactly follow the same direction as my last songs, but hey – you’ll just have to have a listen and decide for yourself!

You’ve made a name for yourself for your witty lyrics and ashamedly bold and colourful pop music. Who are some of your influences?

Where I am at in life plays a big part in influencing my music. My first handful of releases were written as a teen and the themes included breaking the shackles and growing up, which were really relevant then. At the time I was listening to a lot of Lily Allen, The Preatures and Saskwatch – which you can hear some of their influence. Nowadays, I’m in a new stage of life and facing a few different themes which will come across in my new collection of songs. It’s very accurate for where I am right now which I think listeners will appreciate.

You’ve been busy with performances the past few months – what’s the best thing about taking your music to the stage? How do you prepare for a show?

I think listening to a song on Spotify or whatnot is one thing – but to be able to take that song and pair it with a raw and capturing live experience is where you can really make it special for somebody. I love bringing songs to life and creating those experiences with high energy, emotive performances. My prep routine includes op shopping for my next outfit. The way I dress helps me get into character and bring a new energy.

A couple of years ago you won the triple j Unearthed competition for QMF, which saw you joining the lineup and make your festival debut.

What did winning that competition mean to you,

and how has it helped you get to where you are today?

Triple j Unearthed has been a great platform for me to share my music and I’m really grateful for their support and QMF. Being able to share my music with like-minded people and industry professionals has been a blessing. In terms of the performance itself, it was a really rewarding moment. Like most musicians – there has been multiple times where I’ve wondered – what on earth am I doing! Or just been left puzzled trying to navigate my way around the music industry. So for me, playing at QMF was that little bit of reassurance I needed early in my career.

You’ve got an upcoming performance at the Ballarat Beer Festival, what can punters expect from this performance?

I think it’s fair to say everybody will be having a good time! We’re going to match that energy on stage so expect to be moving! (hopefully, not too many beers spilled). It’s one of the last shows on our ‘Let’s Talk About It Tour’ so we’re keen to make it a big one!

We’re not sure if you’re a beer drinker, but any tips for someone attending the day-long beer fest?

Absolutely – some good advice once given to me was “never look at your beer as half empty … look at it as halfway to your next beer”.

What’re plans for 2020?

I’m excited for what 2020 has to bring! It’s definitely a new chapter in my career which I can’t wait to share. My sound has grown with me and my upcoming releases get quite personal which is a first for me. I’m hoping to be on the road more with my wonderful band, seeing new places, meeting new people, creating more music! I’m working with likeminded creative’s, exploring designs for merch and concepts for music videos. Cheers to the year ahead!

We’ll see you at the Ballarat Beer Festival!

Catch Libby on Saturday, February 15 at the Ballarat Beer Festival. For tickets and further information visit ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.

“I had more of a focus this time to try and make sure there were more upbeat and up-tempo songs because I was recording this album with the live show in mind,” he explains. “I can more readily go to the minor chords and the darker subject matter as I find that easier to tap into.

“I wanted to challenge myself by going to that up key setting which I’m hoping will translate really well live to keep the show rocking.”

Previously, Walker’s songwriting cast a wide depth on a range of issues and brought a deeper understanding of identity, love and how the two go hand-in-hand. While the proud Yorta Yorta man is still drawing on everyday experiences and philosophy in his writing, there’s now another spark.

“The more I write I think I try to write about things that aren’t so literal,” he says. “I try and say these things in a more poetic way.”

The Moama-based musician is definitely inspired by his surroundings on the mighty Murray River and even though the two-a-half hour drive to Melbourne can be weary, he wouldn’t trade his regional lifestyle for anything.

“I definitely clock up the kilometres but even if I was living in Melbourne I’d still have to travel to play,” Walker says. “For me living in the country, the lifestyle far outweighs the travel time.

“I love bringing up my two sons on Country where I grew up and having family around. It’s worth doing those extra hours in the car to have the lifestyle we do.”

Following the release of his album in April, Walker will be lining up tours both here in Australia and in Canada before settling back home and picking up his pen and paper again.

“I always try to roll off the back of an album with getting in as many shows as I can,” he said. “Once I get through that I dare say I’ll find myself doing a lot more writing again and seeing who I am as a person at that time in my life and what’s on the horizon.”

SLOWLY SLOWLY UNVEIL NATIONAL ALBUM TOUR DATES With breakneck anticipation mounting for the release of their album Race Car Blues (set for Friday February 28 via UNFD) after its announce last week, Australian rock favourites Slowly Slowly are backing it up with the announce of the Race Car Blues national tour.

Kicking off in April, The Race Car Blues Tour will criss-cross from Hobart to Perth, and comes after a watershed year of touring for Slowly Slowly in 2019. From a completely sold out Jellyfish headline tour, to festival appearances at the likes of Splendour In The Grass, Good Things and NYE On The Hill and a support slot with none other than Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band played some of their most prolific shows to date and continued to ramp up critical and fan rapture.

On taking the new album on the road, Slowly Slowly’s Ben Stewart says it feels getting a stack of new toys to play with.

“Over the past few years we have really come to love our time on stage, from someone who dreaded the spotlight a few years ago, I now feel so impatient to take this record around the country. I feel like a kid with a bunch of new toys or a painter with a set of new colours,” he says.

“I love how a live show evolves once you start to interpret the songs in front of an audience. I can’t wait to watch these songs get injected with the same energy and watch them stand on their own feet, taking us along for the ride. They mean so much to me and I have a feeling they will resonate with our truest fans.”

They’ll hit up 170 Russell in Melbourne on May 15. Tickets go on sale via the band’s website from today, Thursday January 30.

Photo by Kane Hibberd

‘Free My Soul’ is a rock track from the first second.

Your ears are hit with semi-distorted guitars and the ring of an introductory tambourine. When the driving drum beat enters, you can feel the direction of the track. Ringing guitar licks cut cleanly before the gritty vocals enter. Grungey, slightly distorted lyrics cry out over the drums and bass and carry every line with a hint of blues. Double tracked vocals that call out “Cause I…. just want to free my soul” lets each verse linger, keys barely audible but contributing to the thick sound.

The drumbeat really carries and drives this song. If you listen closely to the refrain of “And it feels like we’re always getting higher”, the layers of vocals merge together, the higher backing vocals rising through. The electric guitar solo feels appropriate; this type of rock song demands one. You’ll find your foot tapping before you even realise.

SEV LAH DROPS DEBUT ROCK SINGLE ‘FREE MY SOUL’ Sev Lah is a newcomer to the music scene who’s passion started in a way so many of us can relate to: his father’s CD collection. You might recognise Sev from Geelong’s The Pickers Union, however, he’s swapping out his apron for a guitar, and releasing his debut rock single ‘Free My Soul’.

This track has passion. Sev means what he sings, he does “want to rock and roll”. You can hear years of rock influences in the track. “Free My Soul is a line in the sand,” he explained. “No longer will I do something unless I really want to.” The song’s accompanying video has vintage elements to it.

Black-and-white pin-up heads, low-fi graphics, retro clips of time forgotten.

‘Free My Soul’ is the leading single from Sev Lah’s forthcoming debut album. Stay tuned to Sev’s socials to keep up to date with release dates and upcoming events.

Written by Thom Devereux

Two years ago, Sev began to focus on his music.

Producing an astonishing 60 songs in 100 days, Sev drew from rock, grunge and Brit-pop while publishing his demos to Facebook which caught the attention of young artist and producer Darren Hart (of Harts). Hart produced Sev’s upcoming debut album, from which the single ‘Free My Soul’ is taken.

You can catch Benny Walker at Port Fairy Folk Festival, 6 – 9 March 2020. Tickets via www. portfairyfolkfestival.com/ Written by Kim Price Photo by Jane Ashley

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MAU POWER

This year marks 250 years since old salt Jimmy Cook turned up to claim our shores for the British Empire. On January 26th, Indigenous rapper and songwriter Mau Power featured on the fittingly titled Survival Day Sunrise Ceremony broadcast on NITV & SBS TV. The voice of hip-hop can be an expression of hardship and anger. Mau Power takes the energy and fire of his craft further to inspire hope, respect, strength and positive action into the future.

Blue Lotus The Awakening is the second album by the artist from the Torres Strait Islands. It opens with the beckoning sound of the Bu (conch) shell, bridging the gap between the two albums. Power explains, “The last song on The Show Will Go On [2014] was sampled and re-sampled to put into this intro. The voice you hear is King Kadu calling you to this project, a continuation of the journey started on the first album. The spiritual search for understanding of the true identity that people have with my culture and the culture of hip hop. I started searching for universal knowledge and wisdom around everything. The lotus kept appearing in my dreams. In Buddhism, it represents an awakening.

The blue lotus is the first point that comes through the murky water and never fully opens. It partially opens and that symbolises the search for wisdom and knowledge.”

The grandson of singer-songwriter Seaman Dan AM (TSI man with Jamaican heritage in the

family line), Mau grew up listening to pop, early rock’n’roll and Country classics. His influences expanded to R&B, soul, punk, metal and Reggae.

“When I started out in hip hop, the context around identity was very important as an MC. Lyrically you put together styles and flows, syntax, the structure and energy around your flow... [Back then}, I didn’t really hear - except from a couple of crews around - was incorporating the native tongue. I started in the early 2000s with a song called ‘My Blood My People’. It transformed what I was writing about into something else. That’s when story context came in, incorporating culture and identity into the work.

Hearing Uncle Archie Roach sing ‘Took The Children Away’ gave me the foundation. Like ‘ Wow!’, to tell a powerful story and from a personal place.” Mau is already working on new songs, studying more music heroes. Last night, he tells me, it was Marvin Gaye.

Blue Lotus features flavours of soulful R&B, hip hop and rock. “I was influenced by acts like De La Soul and Public Enemy, when conscious Rap was about messages of positive affirmations. Music has no categories for me. Just emotions and sounds. In live arenas, there’s a different energy to it. Some call it Rap or Indigenous hip hop or even World Music.

But it’s the language of emotions.”

As a proud Dhoebaw man of the Guda Malullgal nations, Mau is a modern day music pioneer putting TSI on the world map. Live performances incorporate traditional dance, DJs and bands, timeless rhythms and storytelling tailored to each platform. “I love performing, the freedom of expression. Some do it in sports or visual arts... When I started out there was no TSI music ‘industry’. My background is, I’m a cray fisherman. So I took the concept of what I knew as a cray fisherman and applied it to music as a business,” he laughs. “Blue Lotus includes unique collaborations with Radical Son, Benny Walker, Jimblah, Talei Wolfgramm, Marcus Corowa and George Musu. I got to work with some great people, so talented. I’m very happy with the whole journey.”

Release: Blue Lotus The Awakening is out now.

Written by Chris Lambie

SUNNYBOYS

With the simmering surge of a Summer day and the stirring sting of a solar flare, the Sunnyboys have returned like a sunrise with the same burning passion and radiating spark as they have shown for the past forty years. Proving their music is there whenever ‘You Need A Friend’, Sunnyboys 40 is the most recent emergence from their musical orbit; and the boys’ original constellation is set to brighten the town of Torquay in February for an aurora of starlit songs.

Faithful Sunnyboys guitarist Richard Burgman reminisces that at the inception of the Sunnyboys’ glowing career around 1980, “It was just busy. There were people everywhere; there were bands all over Sydney, we were stuck in our own little bubble, but there were bands everywhere. Darlinghurst and Surrey Hills and Newtown…all the inner-city suburbs were all so cheap to live in which meant we could all afford to live close to downtown…but mostly, it was walking distance from the Trade Union Club…there were hundreds of bands and dozens of venues, and you could play in all of them…

Paul Kelly would come up…various people would sort of turn up and play…no-one had ever heard of them! They didn’t know who we were, either; so it didn’t matter!”

With reference to the boys’ prologue of performance experience in Sydney and suburbs, Richard recalls “As a training ground, it was

incredible”; and following “intense songwriting”, bands were exposed to the cosmopolitan scope of suburbs including Bondi, Cronulla, Sydney City, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Chatswood, Rydalmere and Newtown; where musicians could play their selected circuits “all in the same two-week period”. As bands were autonomous in promoting their own gigs and creating individual posters, the 1980s period was “full-on” and “incredible” to “learn what to do and what not to do” – “it couldn’t be beaten. It was wonderful.”

In the midst of the Punk explosion and the New Wave movement, the Sunnyboys triumphed with their own frenetically edgy and rhythmically driven sound; and as Richard rationalises, “we had the one thing that every band needs; and we had an excellent songwriter which separates you from the crowd instantly. From the day Jeremy [Oxley] arrived in Sydney, he had all these wonderful songs…and that’s what separated us. We learned them…but the other three of us all put in our little pieces, and our little bit of flavour; and our little bit of content so that first album is a real conglomeration of the work of the four of us. There was just us building the songs ourselves.”

One of the most treasured achievements for the band, as Richard boasts, is “Well, we’ve got a new record. To me, it’s quite spectacular – a beautiful little piece of work…it’s a full twelve-inch albumsize book with an album in it. Side A of the album is the first four tracks we ever recorded back in October 1980; and Side B is four newly-recorded tunes. It’ll be a bit special – we also put it on cassette!”

With rays of brilliant optimism, Richard beams “I’d like the Sunnyboys to keep going as long as we can, because it’s really, really fun. I’m really proud of us. We are so happy to be here, because…so many things could go wrong; and so many things could mess up, and we’ve still managed to make this happen!”

Sunnyboys will be storming into the Torquay Hotel on Friday February 7.

Written by Renée N. Abbott

03 5229 5693 · info@bottlesandbarrels.com.au 132 Aberdeen Street, Geelong West VIC 3218 bottlesandbarrelsgeelong @bottles_and_barrels

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most energetic gigs in quite a while, with everything falling into place easily following a couple of months off and no warm-up rehearsal,” according to MacQueen.

“So expect the band to be really primed for Pistol Pete’s,” he says.

Four Lions will return to Melbourne’s Head Gap – the studio where they recorded last year’s album Hard Days – in May to start laying down tracks for their new record, due out later in the year.

“This studio to me is the best studio in Victoria,” Lions enthuses. “We wouldn’t want to go anywhere else as (recording there) was such a great and easy process.”

FOUR LIONS Bendigo roots rockers Four Lions will return to Geelong next month as part of a series of summer dates to kick-start 2020. Pistol Pete’s Food N Blues, on Saturday, February 8, will be one of only a few live gigs the band will play around Victoria in the next few months as they gear up to go back into the studio to record their fifth album.

“We really enjoyed Pistol Pete’s last time we visited and are looking forward to another fun night down in Geelong,” lead guitarist Keith MacQueen says.

“It’s a great, intimate spot that hosts some top music, and we will be keen to deliver a good night for the local punters.”

MacQueen says the new material is coming along “really well. We are close to having all the songs ready, and we will be starting to roll them out live from early February,” he adds.

Chinese astrology tells us that 2020 is the Year of the Rat – but could it turn out to be the Year of Four Lions instead? MacQueen seems to think so!

“Momentum seems to be building for the band, and we feel 2020 could be the breakout year for us,” he says. “So get on board now and come on the ride with us!”

With the finishing touches of her forthcoming debut album fuelled by two packets of discount cookies from a certain supermarket, Sherri Parry is exhausted but happy to finish up four months in the studio.

With Leave the Flowers to reach our ears shortly, Sherri has so far given us a taste of the album with three unique alt-pop singles, ‘Greed’, ‘Rot’, and most recently, ‘The Pride Song’, which is performed on Ukulele.

“The third and last single to be released from my upcoming album ‘Leave the Flowers’ is one of my favourites of the 13 tracks on the album; The Pride Song,” Sherri explains. “It was written in 2017 when the world was still a little sharp towards us, and we felt that sting with such intensity – it encouraged this song to come to life.

“We still have a ways to go, but this song is such a release of that frustration. It’s a mixture of ‘F*$k you’, ‘F*&ck yeah’, and just a whole lot of loving. It’s such an incredibly feel-good track, you can’t help but sing and shout along with us. It’s an anthem,” she continues.

Four Lions play at Pistol Pete’s Food N Blues on Saturday, February 8. From 9pm; tickets $10 at the door.

Written by Brix Gordon Photo by Stuart Westmore

Frontman Shann Lions says Geelong is in for a treat as the band prepares to unveil some new songs from their forthcoming album. “The new songs are still us, but grander,” Lions says.

Four Lions got the new year off to a bang with a Melbourne show, which was “one of our best and

THE EPIC SAGA OF ECHO DRAMA The brainchild of drummer, writer and manager Jeremy Schiftan, Echo Drama is a project that, in keeping with its unique, genrebending sound, has a long and intricate history. The band features nine members, complete with brass, saxophone, and an inspired dual-vocalist dynamic comprised of singer Thando and MC Alex ‘Sinks’ Sinclair. Its sound built on contrast, collaboration, and enduring vision, Echo Drama’s debut album ‘Before it All Ends’, a groove-inducing blend of soul and reggae topped with pop production and a hip-hop flair, is a testament to the dedication and intuition of a band years in the making. We sat down with founder Jeremy for a chat about their journey, their debut album, and playing WOMADelaide in March.

You started Echo Drama, tell us about that process.

I guess it was almost nine years ago now that I had the idea. Pretty

SHERRI PARRY LAUNCHES HER DEBUT

much it was inspired by the bands that I was listening to, that I liked. I decided to get proactive and create an opportunity for myself. I already played guitar, and dabbled in writing music but not a lot, so I decided to go a lot deeper into that, to write my own songs, and just to find people that liked what I was doing enough to be part of a group and form something with me. That process was a lot harder than I could have ever imagined. [It] took me pretty much one to two years to put together a group.

The first person I met, who in fact is one of the few members who still to this day is one of the original members, was the keyboard player Steve Phillips. I met him at a gig he was playing in. There were a few ads online; a mixture between people I was going out and meeting at shows, people I’d played with in the past, and then recommendations of friends of friends.

How did the dynamic of having two vocalists, Thando and Sinks, come together?

One of the main ideas I had for the band to begin with was two vocalists; one MC bringing the hip-hop component of the band, and then someone who was more of a reggae singer or a soul singer or an R&B singer. I met Sinks, instantly loved what he did, and I thought okay

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“The song has the shared voices of loved ones, who are also a part of our forever glittering community, in sing-along sections at the end of the track, which just made it so special for me. There’s a very welcoming, warm and loving feeling to the song that just makes you happy.

“It was unbelievably fun to create in the studio, incorporating all sorts of percussion instruments, yelling obscenities into microphones and clapping till out hands are tomato red. It was also the last song to be recorded with the full band, so we definitely finished with a very loud bang.”

As for the album, Sherri explains that the title, Leave the Flowers, is a lyric taken from the second single, ‘Rot’.

“I chose this to be the album title as the only link between the songs on the album is the nitty-gritty parts of love. And when you delve into the subjects of them you’ll see that most of their conflicts cant be solved with flowers. Heartache, the passing of loved ones, anger – Flowers aren’t enough. Sometimes they’re only a pretty looking bandaid that blinds us momentarily from reality,” she reveals.

“There’s also a lot of other meaning within the title, such as if you leave a flower to blossom from its own soil, it will flourish and grow and give life to even more. But if you pick it, you kill it. This is similar to how it can feel being a part of the music industry. Creation should be left to flower in its own time, and it’s own way.”

A nod to her last EP, Equal, released back in 2016 and plastered with colourful flora, Leave the Flowers highlights Sherri’s growth both professionally and personally, an evolution we can’t wait to hear on this blossoming album.

Sherri will launch the album for the first time at The Old Church on the Hill in Bendigo on February 8 with a full five-piece band backing, plus some special guests. Each member of the band will be showcasing their talents and will perform with at least three different instruments on the night. In true Sherri style, expect a lot of colour and even a twinkle of fairy lights on the night.

Buy tix for this show at stickytickets.com

now I’m going to need a singer that contrasts with that. I don’t even know how many singers we auditioned before we took Thando. She was super young – I think she had just turned 18 or 19, but her talent was there and she was so enthusiastic so I said let’s do it! And that’s how we got those two vocalists.

In the process of recording your debut album, did it ever get messy having nine members in the studio?

The most difficult part probably wasn’t even the fact that it was nine members to juggle. It was just that ... I wanted it to sound almost like a pop album rather than a live representation of the band, so there was a lot of layering, a lot of microphones, different studios, a lot of different engineers; even a lot of different session players came in too. It was a really complicated recording process and it stretched out almost three years.

Echo Drama gets described as ‘genre-bending’, do you think your sound has evolved from what you initially thought it would be to what it is now?

I’m thinking and my answer is no, I don’t really think it has changed so much. In many ways this album sounds like the album I wanted to make, you know, nine or ten years ago when I first had the idea. A lot of the songs on the album are actually songs I wrote years and years ago, and refined slightly, but I listen to early demos of them and they don’t sound that different to how they turned out on the album.

That’s quite a feat to stay true to that vision for the whole nine years.

Yeah I actually think that’s one of the things that is quite particular about Echo Drama. We haven’t really pushed and pulled with trends so much, and have just kind of always made what we made and not felt the need to change it for whatever seems cool or popular at the time.

You’re playing WOMADelaide this year, have you ever played the festival before?

This is the first time, I’ve never even attended it, so pretty excited.

You’ve played quite a few festivals, do you still have any on the bucket list?

You know, I think WOMAD was pretty up there. As far as Australian festivals go it’s so well respected and it’s notoriously well organised and so professionally put together. We’ve done a lot of really fun festivals, a lot of almost bush doofs and regional parties, which are heaps of fun … but WOMAD has that kind of prestige. It is a world festival and it feels like it’s internationally recognised, so that was definitely one right up there.

Another big one for us would be Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland.

WOMADelaide 2020 will be held from 6-9 March in Adelaide, South Australia. Tickets can be purchased www.womadelaide.com.au Written by Olivia Hurley

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JOHN BUTLER: BRINGING A LITTLE PIECE OF HOME TO BYRON BAY BLUESFEST After 30 years of hard work, John Butler has etched his name into Australian music and pioneered genre-bending melodies alongside emotive words.

From driving around with his mother listening to the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joel to busking on the streets of Western Australia and chart-topping the Australian and international charts, Butler has inspired many of the new generation artists we hear on our radios today.

“My definition of success is; do what you love and love what you do and pay the rent and feed yourself,” he said. “If you can do that, then that’s success.”

The John Butler Trio has just released their eighth studio album Home in 2018 and have a long list of tour dates ahead of them for 2020.

THE PRESETS DROP INTO TORQUAY For 17 years electronic duo, Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes have been serving up the catchiest of dance floor anthems. ‘This Boys In Love’, ‘Yippiyo-Ay’, ‘Talk Like That’, ‘My People’, ‘Do What You Want’, ‘Downtown Shutdown’, ‘Tools Down’, ‘Martini’; endless bangers line their rich catalogue and has seen the two receive countless nominations, awards, and recognition, including a newly five-time appearance in the Triple J’s Hottest 100. That final appearance came over the weekend alongside Golden Features, thanks to their 2019 collaborative project, the dangerously infectious EP, Raka, and its mammoth hit ‘Paradise’.

“The Hottest 100 is a funny old thing and something you always want to be in and thankfully our songs have been in there heaps over the years but the music scene styles change so quickly, it’s hard to know whether you’re going to make it or not,” says Hamilton.

Well make it they did, collecting the #75 spot.

Rather impressive for The Presets first-ever turn at song collaboration, let alone EP collaboration.

Hamilton and Moyes are used to having a tight hold on the production reigns but working with Tom Stell aka Golden Features was an effortless addition to their cocktail of creation; perhaps even the cucumber to their…Martini.

“Normally when Kim and I work as The Presets, we produce and we both carry the project in our heads

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“In the early years, everything was full steam ahead,” he said. “I worked for 10 months of the year for 10 years on the road with two children and my wife, and rock, Danielle and just made a career around the planet.

“I often tell people who are just starting out; you should do non-stop touring for a decade so you can have a career in three decades. If you don’t build the garden, then plant it, compost it, sow it, there’s going to be no fruit the next season and if you want to do season after season after season, you always have to work. That’s what I did and I guess that’s why I have the garden I have.

“To me, it was awesome but I was always head down with tunnel vision; I was pretty driven, single-minded and obsessive-compulsive.”

Butler’s impressive musical talents are self-taught. He was influenced by a wide variety of music growing up and would listen in awe to the likes of Jane’s Addiction, The Cure, Bob Marley, Celtic and Indian songs and – most surprisingly – The Beastie Boys to find his own sound.

“I found the guitar at age 13 and I really got in at 16,” he said. “The minute I knew four chords I was writing songs. It was more of a hobby; a friend I could tell anything too. Instead of having a diary I had songs

and we don’t really have any other music directors or producers that help us. On Hi Vis we had other instrumentalists and choirs and singer but we would carry the whole thing in our heads for years. It’s a really fun experience but at times it can be quiet mental and a heavy thing to be carrying around in your head for so long,” he explains.

“Working with Tom [Stell], he’s an amazing producer in his own right and a huge artist in his own right; for him to come along not as a guest but as a collaborator and for him to take on a lot of the workload as a producer was such a treat for us.”

In fact, the experience has opened the dynamic duo up to exploring future collaborative opportunities.

“I would love to or even do a whole album or tour.

Kim and I have our own way of working and our musical language we use with one another and our relationship and it works now, but it’s lovely when you add another ingredient into the mix and you get pushed out of our comfort zone a bit to try things you wouldn’t normally try. I’d definitely be up to collaborating more with other people with the band,” Hamilton says.

Who knows? Perhaps their next music partnership will be found upon the festival stage! The Presets will be headlining The Drop Festival in April across the country alongside Boy & Bear, Ball Park Music, Allday, DZ Deathrays, Kita Alexander and Graace.

This may be the start of some more musical magic!

Who knows? But what we do know is that their show will be a celebration and showcase of their extensive catalogue and a huge party!

“We do try to represent the whole career in some way when we’re playing in these shows,” Hamilton says. “Some of the best shows we’ve played over the years have been to a surf crowd. Back in the early, early days we used do Christmas Party’s at local surf clubs and they were just off the chain.”

The Drop Torquay is going to be a full-circle experience for The Presets and one that cannot be missed.

to write my teenage angst in to.

“I played eight hours a day, every day busking and when busking season was on I’d play all day. I found my voice on the guitar.”

Butler’s words have created awareness about the natural world and human impact. He has used his platform over the years to talk about the past, present and future and has delivered messages about Australia’s sacred environment across the world.

“In the early days I’d literally write about a forest campaign or saving the trees or about stopping uranium mines,” he said. “I’m still very passionate about all those things but I think I’ve written those songs and it’s made me more interested in what makes a human do what they do?

“I can write about love and I do; I love love and love is amazing and love will save the planet. But there are so many other intricate stories about us as human beings at the moment and how we see ourselves and how divided we feel within our own bodies and our own societies.

“I think there’s a lot to write.”

Butler admits it took 20 years for him to step back and acknowledge the garden he built, planted, composted and sowed, but today he can appreciate the hard yards he put in.

“There was 15 years where it was never enough and I guess that’s what drives you,” he said. “It was like; I can see the top of the mountain, let’s go to the top of the mountain and then you get to the top of the mountain and you see another mountain.

“There are times in my life where it was always about the next thing.

About five years ago I was like; you’ve done well and I’m proud of you for what you’ve done and I hope you enjoy this because the biggest journey for me now is the journey within.

“Is there other places to adventure to? Sure, but I look forward to the journey and not the destination as much.”

John Butler will take to the stage for Byron Bay Bluesfest which runs between Thursday April 9 and Monday April 13, 2020. Tickets are on sale now via the festival website.

Written by Kim Price

The phrase ‘gilded cage’ particularly resonates with Sharpe and informs the tone of the EP overall. “It’s always been a phrase that interested me a lot – it’s the idea that something might look good from the outside, but maybe it’s not what it seems,” she explains. “I spent a lot of time being alone in isolation, I’m a bit of a homebody. It’s the way I’m comfortable, but it’s still isolating yourself and not experiencing things. I know when I was a lot younger and trying to write, I didn’t feel like I had a lot of experiences to draw from. So even though I was comfortable, it maybe wasn’t the best way to be.”

In many ways, this EP is Sharpe’s emergence from her gilded cage and while nervous upon its release, she says “it was just exciting to be able to share my words and thoughts with people and have them really listen. It’s been a long time coming to get the music out and share it and feel confident enough to approach a recording studio and work with a producer. It was all a new experience.”

SAMANTHA SHARPE BREAKS FREE WITH GILDED CAGE From sports stadiums to pub stages, Samantha Sharpe has been writing music and performing around Melbourne for some time now, honing her skills and biding her time until her debut baby ‘Gilded Cage’ was finally ready to come out of the incubator, fully-fledged and ready to fly.

Short but sweet, the EP contains five tracks of classic, open-air acoustic guitar woven against introspective melodies that craft strong imagery about love and self-acceptance, each one being drawn from her own personal experience.

Written by Tammy Walters Photo by Ben Sullivan

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Despite dealing with themes of isolation and hard experiences, the EP has an upbeat, chin-up energy that Sharpe hopes will inspire hope and courage in her listeners. Her discussion of ‘Masterpiece’ sums it up neatly: “that song came from harder times, but it’s a positive, happy-sounding song and I would like people to believe they are the masterpiece as well because it takes a lot of courage to get to that point.”

Each track is uplifting and spirited with a little bit of acoustic country flair and while the songwriting is Sharpe’s way of exploring her own life through music, there is certainly a hope that other people can resonate with her words and find the confidence to break out of their own cages.

Release: Glided Cage is out now.

Written by Jess Sercombe

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FOODIE NEWS GET SOME BB CHICKEN IN YA The owners of Geelong’s much loved Tomodachi Bar have officially opened BB Chicken and Pub just around the corner at 116 Moorabool Street. Inspired by authentic Korean chicken with a modern twist, this is the place to go if you’re craving finger-licking crispy, boneless chicken!

BB offers a range of marinated chicken piece combos, from original to sweet soy garlic, sweet and spicy, and creamy onion, alongside crispy chicken wings, potato chips, and the BB crispy original burger, they’ve surely got it all.

As well as having a kickass menu, complete with 15 types of craft beer as well as wines, cocktails and Korean specialty drinks, BB Chicken also hosts a Korean Movie Night, every Tuesday and Thursday night.

Be sure to check it out!

BB Chicken & Pub is open for lunch and dinner Monday-Sunday, dine-in or takeaway.

Call 0432733092

VIET-AUS KITCHEN & CAFE If there’s one country that’s absolute heaven for food lovers, it’s Vietnam. With a French influence in many of the dishes there, the food is fragrant and full of flavour.

If you’re seriously craving that authentic fragrant and flavoursome feed, minus the travel fare, VietAus Kitchen & Cafe not only lives up to authentic Southeast Asian standards, but it goes above and beyond.

Inconspicuously tucked away on West Fyans Street, just past the Latrobe Terrace junction, this little food haven is decked out in bold colours, leafy plants, minimalist furniture, and a modern Vietnamese street food menu with an Aussie twist.

This joint is perfect for grabbing a bite on the run or taking it easy on your lunch break with its plethora of mouthwatering options. You’ll find all

I’VE GOT A BLANK SPACE BABY Southside Geelong has had a facelift, with the newly revamped and rebranded venue, aka, Blank Space Newtown taking its place.

Continuing to serve up exceptional St Ali coffee daily from 7am, Blank Space has completely changed the previous menu, with the new menu featuring something for everyone.

Providing flavoursome and fresh dishes, supporting local suppliers, and featuring many sweet, savoury, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, it’ll be hard to not find multiple things that tickle your fancy. Our eyes are on the NYC bagel or choc fudge waffles for breaky, and the Soba Noodle Salad or the buttermilk fried chicken burger for lunch!

The menu also includes freshly made juices and smoothies, as well as a number of sensational cocktails, including a Bloody Mary, Espresso Martini and Pink Mimosa. Yum! Blank Space is located at 4/343 Pakington Street, Newtown Written by Chloe Cicero

A POP UP PICNIC FOR EVERYONE Do you remember the days of having a basic picnic in your backyard or in a park on that red checked picnic rug everyone seemed to have? Well, it’s time to up your game and take picnicking to the next level with pop-up picnics!

Here are some of our favourite businesses in Geelong you should get in contact with if you’re planning to host a kickass picnic!

1. WRANGLE IT Creating pop-up picnics for any occasion, the ladies at Wrangle It aims to create a relaxing space, giving you no other choice but to unwind to an easy and effortless vibe that everyone can enjoy! A refreshing change and addition to any event, these stunning pop-up picnics are suitable for absolutely any age, gender, occasion (birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day – you name it!), and even any budget thanks to the range of different packages available. Whether you opt for a simple DIY table hire or you go the complete styled package with two table options and six colour themes to choose from, there truly is something for everyone.

Alongside their pop-up picnics, the ladies also thrive in event styling, event design, event planning, and event coordination, adding the fun, excitement and creative flair to your upcoming event – leaving you to just choose your outfit, turn up on time and just enjoy! What more could you want?! Planning and holding an event has never been so easy!

of the classics, including fresh pho, vegetarian tofu noodle soup, fresh and vibrant Vietnamese rice paper rolls, melt-in-your-mouth homemade springrolls, and good old-fashioned Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), just to name a few.

Our favourite though is the Banh mi – AKA the most vibrant and delicious sandwich in the world!

This crunchy baguette is filled with a colourful combination of carrot, coriander, chilli, spring onion and your choice of either chicken, roast crackle pork, traditional cold sliced pork, or you can opt for a simple vegetarian fillings. It’s the perfect balance of richness, acidity, texture, freshness and spice. In short, everything you could ever want in a sandwich and that’s why Viet-Aus has quickly become our number one lunch spot!

Best of all, the whole menu is at prices that won’t have you eating Vegemite crackers for a fortnight.

How does three fresh Vietnamese rice paper rolls for $7.50 sound? Or five crunchy homemade springrolls for $12? Yeah, we bloody thought so. Viet-Aus has clearly taken Vietnamese cuisine back to its roots

2. A SIMPLE WISH EVENTS Aiming to make special events fun, stylish and stress-free, A Simple Wish Events was born from the love of making memorable moments, being around friends, family and meeting new people – tied in with a passion for styling. They offer a range of services such as Boho Pop Up Picnic setups, backdrop and prop hire, event styling and on the day support and coordination for any special event – from bridal showers, christenings, birthdays, engagements, weddings, baby showers, corporate events and so much more. We are living for their Boho pop up picnic setups, which includes a signature picnic table, rugs, cushions (styled to your events colour scheme), ottomans, simple table decor (such as glass vases, artificial florals + foliage), and if you choose to go with the table settings package as well they’ll provide the plates, gold cutlery and linen napkins. If you’re happy to leave everything to the experts, the team can even help you arrange additional elements from local suppliers such as a grazing board or catering, balloons, florals or anything your heart desires. www.asimplewisheventsgeelong.com 3. BELLARINE BOHO PICNICS Specialising in Boho themed picnic setups, Bellarine Boho’s aim is to reflect the stunning bohemian style, and pair it with the earthy tones and natural elements that can be found at many locations around the Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula area. Unconventional ties of colour, culture and interesting items outline the Bellarine Boho’s picnic style. From a quick glance at their Instagram feed, we think their take on a romantic couples picnic could be your saving grace the next time you need to surprise your significant other with something a little bit spesh… you’re welcome!

Visit www.instagram.com/bellarineboho Written by Chloe Cicero Photo by @hello.allira.creative

Visit www.wrangleit.com.au

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with tasty fare that won’t break the bank or your diet.

But it’s not only pleasing foodies with its delicious flavours of Vietnam; Viet-Aus is also dishing up a number of Aussie breaky favourites. They’ve got everything from the egg and bacon roll, the sausage and egg muffin and a special kransky roll to the big breakfast, eggs benedict, and of course, a big breakfast!

There’s also a number of classic burgers to wrap your hands around and sink your teeth into. From Aussie and American, to beef, the B.L.A.T and even crispy chicken, each bun-wrapped treat is seriously a delight!

With delicious, unforgettable flavours of Vietnam and a touch of Aussie charm, you’d be mad not to lay your chopsticks down here. Happy feasting!

Viet-Aus is located 11 West Fyans Street, Newtown.

GET DOWN TO THE TORQUAY COWRIE MARKET It’s market season, and if the Torquay Cowrie Market isn’t on your list, then something is wrong with you... just kidding, but seriously, you need to get down there at least once throughout market season. As a not for profit community market, the Cowrie Market prides itself in supporting many budding artists with the market known as one of the biggest art and craft markets in the area that draws a regular large crowd, rain, hail or shine.

All the items for sale are environmentally friendly, either being handmade, homegrown or designed by the stall holder, and if you think it couldn’t get any better than that, you were wrong, with the market being a plastic bag free event.

The team at Surf Coast Arts Inc are doing their bit for the environment, so it would be rude not to attend.

There is not only food and handmade items for you to see, there is also live music for you to look forward to, with a mix of both regular and new acts each month.

Located on the Esplanade and running from 10am-3pm on the third Sunday of the month (from September to April), this gives you seven chances to attend this kick-ass market. With a guarantee that you will walk out with your arms full, and your wallet lighter.

Written by Chloe Cicero

Finally, an ad you can lick Note: licking ad not guaranteed to give full flavour.

Twisted Dessert Bar Find Your Happy Place With Dessert 122 Moorabool Street, Geelong

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DOUBLE DELICIOUS IS A FLAVOURFUL BLEND OF FOOD AND THEATRE Brought to life by Contemporary Asian Australian Performance, Double Delicious is serving Geelong a theatre experience for all the senses as five stellar storyteller-cooks share the secrets behind the dishes that have proved significant in their lives.

Directed by Darren Yap, co-director of the critically acclaimed 2014 Sydney Festival hit The Serpent’s Table, Double Delicious relishes the opportunity to further explore and expand the possibilities of this enduring food and theatre concept. With an audience seated at large, round tables, the Arts Centre special will see Chinese Australian cooking legend Elizabeth Chong, writer, and media personality Benjamin Law, preeminent Korean cooking instructor Heather Jeong, performing artist Valerie Berry, and choreographer and dancer Raghav Handa drawing on their diverse backgrounds to provide rich stories and personal histories.

“The production company behind the show [CAAP] put on a show several years ago that I didn’t get to see, but it was a hit, and it was called The Serpent’s Table, and it was exactly the same concept, but it was much smaller in scale and it was completely sold out.

People heard these stories, they ate the food, and everyone raved about it,” explains Double Delicious storyteller Benjamin Law. “Even now, I still hear stories of The Serpent’s Table and how much people loved it. And so Annette Shun Wah, who is the producer of the show, and Darren Yap, who’s the director, wanted to do that again, and on a bigger scale with a hundred people per show, and that’s when they approached me,” he smiles.

While the audience will be treated to the stories and dishes from professional chefs Elizabeth Chong and Heather Jeong, Law, a child of restaurateurs, brings his perspective on the intersection of food and family.

From his debut novel and television series The Family Law, to his documentary series Waltzing the Dragon, his work orbits around this constant. Ironically, Double Delicious seems a natural progression.

“I’ve got that background in both writing stories about our community, but also as a public speaker (as one of the hats I wear as a broadcaster) so I’m often used to telling stories on stage,” he says. “They [creators] wanted an eclectic mix, they don’t just want

one professional background person on stage, they don’t even want just one generation on stage and or one Asian community represented on stage. For all of us on stage, food has been quite central in our lives, in ways that maybe other Australians have experienced.

“For me, I think my part of it has almost been described as the TEDx talk section of the performance because I’m talking about growing up in a really white part of Queensland, and not really being sure whether I was Chinese or Australian or both,” Law reveals.

“My story is really about looking at both Australian politics and also the politics of a place like Hong Kong, which is where my family is, and where I’ve spent a lot of time, and that’s where I had to create the perfect metaphor for those discussions. So I cook the classic kind of wonton soup, but I’m making that for the audience for very particular reasons that will become apparent in my story.”

Bitter and sweet, Law’s story will culminate in an authentic recreation of his wonton dish, giving audience members the very unique opportunity to literally taste the story straight from the stage.

“As avant-garde as what this all might sound like, there’s nothing that connects us more than food,” Law says. “The only thing that I’ve found that connects us more than food is storytelling, and we’re storytelling through up on a stage, acting, talking, dancing. When you combine those three things together, it’s a really potent emotional experience that I think every Australian will relate to, regardless of their background.

“I can guarantee you a really beautiful soulful night out where you’ll be fed by both art and literally fed.”

Double Delicious will takeover the Playhouse stage for multiple performances from Wednesday, February 19 to Saturday, February 22. Tickets can be purchased via geelongartscentre.org.au/

ROLLING THUNDER VIETNAM: SONGS THAT DEFINED A GENERATION Appearing at The Playhouse in Geelong for multiple performances on Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th of March, Rolling Thunder Vietnam is a musical rock drama, directed by David Berthold and musically directed by Chong Lim, which takes audiences back to the 60s and 70s; a time burdened by the Vietnam War. Exploring themes of protest, social unrest, loss and connection to the soundtrack of iconic rock acts like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf and Paul Simon, the production centres on the lives of Australian Vietnam War soldiers and their families, as inspired by real interviews with veterans.

Describing the drama as a capsule of Australian culture, Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr Brendan Nelson says RTV “should be seen not just by the men and women who were young in the ‘60s and ‘70s but by their children and grandchildren.

To see this show is to understand us, who we are now, and one of the most significant events that changed and shaped us.” Rolling Thunder Vietnam was first staged at QPAC in 2014, and now touring Australia in 2020 features a cast including Toby Francis, Tom Oliver, and Matt Pearce.

Tickets are available now on the Geelong Arts Centre website.

Written by Olivia Hurley Photo Jeff Busby

Kicking off the 2020 Geelong Rainbow Festival on February 4, there will be a collection of Rainbow short films from around the world that represent the LGBTQ rainbow, as well as a sneak peek at the trailers of some of the films that will screen at the Geelong Pride Film Festival in April.

The official opening night will go down at Piano Bar on Friday, February 7, with doors opening from 6pm and fabulous live entertainment all night, including one of Piano Bar’s very talented Piano Men playing all your requests, with hosting duties by the talented and hilarious drag queens Sasha Starr & Polly Filla.

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This year’s festival program features two very exciting shows. Coming direct from MIDSUMMA at La Mama, Homophonic!, a concert of new classical music by queer composers, will take over the Potato Shed on February 6, while a matinee performance of My Other Closet the Cabaret (the true, first-hand story of a Geelongite native gay man’s experience of domestic violence in a same-sex relationship and his road to recovery) will takeover Platform Arts on February 8.

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The third annual Geelong Rainbow Festival is back bigger and better than ever so get your fabulous costumes sorted and gather your crew for a huge weekend of rainbow fun.

Launched in 2018 by Geelong Rainbow Inc., a volunteer-led non-profit organisation serving the LGBTQI community in Geelong and the Barwon region, the festival has attracted thousands of attendees over the past few years – and yet again it’s chockablock full of events that celebrate diversity and inclusion.

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Other events across the week include a free LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Training and Networking session, ballroom dance classes, workshops, a health forum, brunch at Cafe Bear & Scoobs, a speakers corner, a dance party, a fair, and of course the wellloved Geelong Pride March which begins 11:30am sharp from Johnstone Park.

Be sure to grab your tickets, everything will sell out or fill up fast.

The Geelong Rainbow Festival will take place from 4 February to 9 February 2020. You can get all the info you need via the FB page.

SINGLE OR NOT, SPEND VALENTINE’S DAY AT THESE SPECIAL PLACES ‘You doing anything for Valentine’s Day?’ seems to be the most common question in the lead up to this day of love and with these options, you can have an answer that isn’t just ‘dinner and a movie’ - yawn! And if you don’t want to take the love of your life (or they just haven’t appeared yet), take your friends instead, after all don’t they say best friends are your real soul mates? (Maybe that was just Sex in the City…)

FEED ME Valentine’s date night overlooking the bay? Now that sounds better than your basic bitch dinner and movie, right? Our fave Asian fusion team at Wah Wah Gee are offering a Valentine’s Day package where they take care of the food, so you can focus on the romance.

You’re looking at $69 per person which gets you a set FEED ME menu of their best dishes!

Bookings are essential via wahwahgee.com.au/ BALLOON FLIGHT If you’re looking to be 10000% extra this valentine’s

enjoy an immersive performance that showcases the rhythm of Africa for the ultimate romantic experience.

Proceeds from Sunset Safari help Zoos Victoria support international conservation partners such a Rhino Fund Uganda so you’re also being a legend while treating the one you love. Win, win.

Tickets via www.zoo.org.au/ KITTY FLANAGAN & SAM PANG Do something a little different this Valentine’s Day, and take your love to a show featuring Kitty Flanagan and Sam Pang to discuss Kitty’s book 488 Rules for Life. It’s like Book Club, but funny, and you don’t even have to read the book first.

Tickets are $49 via geelongartscentre.org.au KISS MY BAH The legends at Wah Bah are back again with their ‘Kiss My Bah’ Valentine’s Day singles event. So, if you are single and ready to mingle, step away from Bumble, Tinder, Hinge and whatever else there is, and day, then look no further, the team at BalloonMan let Wah Bah take on the role of the ultimate wingman have you covered. For $488 per person, you can by giving you a whole room of fish to choose from beyond the confines of that cheeky phone app! This be drifting through the sky in a balloon, before indulging in breakfast for two at the Grand Hyatt, event is $49pp and includes finger food, a glass of and a commemorative Valentine’s Day 2020 flight Dutch Courage on arrival and a room full of potentials certificate. But wait, there’s more. You will also receive to bat your eyelids at. two bottles of BalloonMan’s signature champagne, Bookings are essential via TryBooking. and a box of Lindt Chocolates. Happy V-Day indeed!

FURPHY BEER GARDEN – POP UP Now, this isn’t dedicated to Valentine’s Day, but Book via www.balloonman.com.au/ it does fall on a magical day, so why the hell not? browse-balloon-flight-packages/ Located at The Inn Carpark, Furphy will be offering VALENTINES DINNER AT NICOL’S PADDOCK bar experiences like no other, so head on down. It’s The team at Nicol’s Paddock are hosting a shared feast to celebrate those you love. The menu is open from 4pm – 1pm so plenty of time to schmooze. specifically designed to be shared with Lovers and NIGHTJAR FESTIVAL Friends, boasting oysters, cured meats, and cheese to What are the chances that Valentine’s Day this year start, Ricotta, Mushroom & Braised Duck Agnolotti, also falls on Nightjar? Located in Johnstone Park Peppered Beef Rump and Poached Pear, Caramel throughout February, look forward to swaying to the & White Chocolate Pudding. For $60 you can look melodic, acoustic performances from folksters Phil & forward to indulging in all of that, plus some damn Trudy Edgeley, The Old Married Couple, Brooke Taylor, and Byron Bay’s Bradley Stone, with a flavoursome fine company. bite of seafood paella in one hand and a Running Bookings are essential via nicolspaddock.com.au/ Bull Sangria in the other. If you forgot to buy a V-day SUNSET SAFARI AT WERRIBEE ZOO Get up close to some of the world’s most iconic present, there’s a range of creative stalls that are animals at Werribee Zoo’s special edition Sunset worth having a look at. Entry is $10.

Safari this Valentine’s Day. Adventure onto the Written by Chloe Cicero Savannah for a guided sunset tour, feast with friends at an intimate dinner at the MeerKat Bistro, then

“HELP ME FIND MY FUREVER HOME” FLASH Age: 1 year 9 months Days in shelter: 100 days Flash is a young active mixed breed who loves being around people. Flash would thrive best in a home with no children and as the single dog.

He is high energy and very active but has great trainability. Flash is house trained and enjoys sleeping indoors, he is great on the lead when well managed.

Flash needs ongoing training and practice interacting with dogs.

Flash is NOT suitable around cats.

ID: 48428 Microchip No: 956000010102322 HEAD TO WWW.GAWS.ORG.AU/ TO ADOPT YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND. BY OFFERING YOUR HEART AND HOME TO A RESCUED ANIMAL, YOU’LL NOT ONLY BE ENRICHING YOUR LIFE — BUT SAVING THEIRS! TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND, VISIT GAWS AT 325 PORTARLINGTON ROAD, MOOLAP.

MICF ROADSHOW The dates for 2020’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow have come in nice and early. Who’s performing? Who knows? But you will be entertained. Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – April 28; Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton – April 29; Kyneton Town Hall – May 15; Ararat Town Hall – May 23; Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – May 30; and Geelong Arts Centre – June 12 & 13. Keep your eyes on comedyfestival.com.au.

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

BE OUR VALENTINE?

Tickets are on sale for the 2020 Ocean Film Festival World Tour. The aim of the festival is to inspire the audience to explore, respect, enjoy and protect our oceans. The festival typically hosts films of varying themes, including oceanic environment, marine creatures, ocean-related sports and coastal cultures. Village Cinemas, Geelong – March 27 & Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – March 28.

It's time to play a game lovers!

Are you teeing up a first date this Valentines Day? We've got something a lil cheeky and fun for you and your date!

First, book your Valentines table at edgegeelong.com.au

LIFE ACCORDING TO KITTY FLANAGAN

Secondly, how does 20 questions and 1 pass sound? Every first date booking gets a stack of cards in the centre of their table.

Each person has the chance to pass only 1 of the questions so choose wisely crew.

I think we need to talk. It’s not you, it’s me. No, scratch that. It’s not me, it’s you. Yes folks, other people are the problem. Don’t look within yourself to fix who you are. Look at how others can improve themselves for your benefit. Kitty Flanagan’s 488 Rules for Life is for those who want to improve themselves by improving others. Geelong Arts Centre – February 14 & Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – February 15. With Sam Pang.

Thirdly, if your date goes well chuck both your names and numbers on one of the cards and pop it in the bowl at the door.

We'll shout one lucky couple their second date on us!* It's that simple!

So will you dare to be our Valentine?

*Second date includes 2 meals plus 2 drinks in total FORTÉ 732

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REVIEWS BY ANTHONY MORRIS

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM

MIDWAY

LIKE A BOSS

UNDERWATER

H IS FOR HAPPINESS

When Emmy-winning film-maker John Chester, his wife Molly and dog Todd decided to leave their Santa Monica apartment (okay, it was Todd’s constant barking that got them evicted) for rural California, it was a chance to reinvent themselves. With no real experience – but a handy guide in offbeat biodynamic consultant Alan York – they decided to start their own farm, and the results were… surprisingly i m p r e s s i ve , b o t h p e r s o n a l l y and visually. This is a feel-good aspirational tale of a couple getting back to nature and understanding what they really means, and while it’s almost certainly not a lifestyle option for everyone (coyotes eat their chickens at one point; the financial side of their farm remains somewhat vague), its environmentally conscious approach makes it a timely and relevant example of what can be done.

At the height of World War II, the Battle of Midway turned the tide, blunting the Japanese advance across the Pacific and giving the Allies a much-needed victory. Director Roland Emmerich’s Midway rarely fails to make the high stakes clear; what it does fail to do is make this high stakes battle feel like a story worth paying attention to. Starting as every US-made movie about the war in the Pacific now has to – with Pearl Harbor – Emmerich does a decent job of displaying the carnage and horror, while clumsily establishing the stakes for the film’s unwieldly cast.

Ed Skrein as pilot Dick Best is the nominal lead but the story is spread across a half dozen or more real-life characters, all of which are squarejawed heroes willing to give their all to turn the tide. What little drama there is here is of the “sometimes I worry I try too hard” kind, which wouldn’t be a problem if the actual war was taking up the slack – and the brief moments where this is obviously based on the battle’s actual events do tend to stand out amongst all the CGI destruction and dive-bombing. Advances in special effects haven’t improved this kind of war movie; watch the 50s Sink the Bismark instead.

Besties Mel (Rose Byrne) and Mia (Tiffany Haddish) have been friends for life (or at least, since Mia’s family took Mel in – as backstories go, it’s kept vague). Now they’re running their own boutique make-up brand that has one strong seller – a “one night stand” kit that women can use and throw away – and a whole lot of debt. Mia is the ideas half of the team while Mel is the business brains, so when make-up mogul Claire Luna (Salina Hayek) turns up with an offer to take over their debt (and their company), the pair are torn. Mia wins out, they say no, Luna makes a counter off that leaves them controlling the firm unless one of the pair decides to leave and we all know where this is going. This is largely an excuse for a bunch of riffing and silly antics from the three leads, all of which grab the opportunity with both hands. Haddish and Byrne have decent chemistry though, and their characters get enough heartfelt moments to ground the lightweight comedy. At under 90 minutes it definitely doesn’t overstay its welcome, but as a light, bubbly concoction (seriously, count the number of scenes that just randomly feature the women drinking) it gets the job done.

Norah (Kristen Stewart) is brushing her teeth in her underwear in a mining base at the bottom of the Marinas Trench (aka the deepest place on the planet) when it all starts to go wrong. Large chunks of the base implode, safety doors are sealed in a hurry, collapsed corridors have to be squeezed through even as creaks and groans make it clear that the bad news isn’t over yet, and by the time she – and the audience – have time to catch their breath there’s only a handful of people left alive and a whole lot of trouble ahead. This is a genre thriller pure and simple, but it fits in just enough character work (the cast includes Vincent Cassel, T.J. Miller and Jessica Henwick, amongst others) to make you care about the cast, and keeps just enough people alive to make sure that each and every nail-biting sequence could easily kill off someone and the movie won’t suffer for it. As a thrill ride it’s surprisingly effective, in large part because it’s an unashamed B-movie that leaves out most of the “quality” material that slows these films down. If you’re claustrophobic, or not good with the idea of imploding, this may not be for you; everyone else should definitely enjoy the ride.

Candice Phee (Daisy Axon) is a ray of sunshine everywhere she goes in Albany, WA. But sunshine isn’t to everyone’s taste, and her overachieving style and plucky can-do attitude isn’t winning her friends at school – apart from newcomer Douglas Benson (Wesley Patten), who may be from another dimension. At home things are depressingly down to earth, with her mother (Emma Booth) bed-ridden with depression after the death of Candice’s infant sister three years ago, and her father (Richard Roxburgh) angry and broke after a business dispute with his now-wealthy brother (Joel Jackson).

Can Candice’s relentless optimism find a way to heal her family’s wounds?

Candice’s quirkiness and the film’s palette of bright colours initially suggest a simplistic feel-good effort, especially if you’ve been following Australia’s seemingly endless run of painfully quirky feature films.

Fortunately, director John Sheedy skilfully brings out the novel’s nuances to create something that’s a lot smarter than this initially seems.

It’s an insightful, entertaining, and at times moving coming-of-age story that doesn’t shy away from its story’s darker side… or from a live performance of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s kitsch classic ‘Islands in the Stream’.

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THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS CELEBRATE 20 YEARS

The Beautiful Girls played the perfect summer concert when they visited the coast to promote new album release ‘Seaside Highlife’- a collection of favourite chilled out tunes that span across their 20-year career.

With five successful album releases as well as a debut EP, the Sydney roots band had plenty of gems to choose from to create the ultimate retrospective.

Renowned as a three-piece with singer, songwriter,

and guitarist Mat McHugh, bass player Ian Pritchett and drummer Paul Derricott, this reminiscent tour saw the band expand to a six-piece lineup adding Shannon Stitt on keys, Nick Garbett on trumpet, and Michael Avgenicos on sax.

These additions added a juicer and richer sound to the already catchy folk-pop, surf-inspired tunes.

Easing the crowd in with their folky reggae melody ‘We’re Already Gone’ and following on with the jiving ‘I thought About You,’ it didn’t take long for this timeless indie band to get the crowd into the groove.

Punters were well and truly warmed up when the band played ‘After All This Time’ featuring the strong influences of Men at Work’s Down Under and continuing on with equally popular ‘The Biggest Lie I Ever Told’.

The band kept it free and easy with lots of funky instrumentals, jungle bass and electronic sound effects thrown in for good measure, combining beautifully with the band’s trademark reggae undertones.

You could often catch the band grooving away in

WHEN: SATURDAY JANUARY 11 WHERE: TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY REVIEWED BY SALLY POEHLAND PHOTOGRAPHED BY BEN COOK

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their own world before bringing it back strong with stand out hits such as ‘Long Way Home,’ in which they added a delightful country twang and ‘Spanish Town’ which set the crowd off more, even igniting some ska and shoulder dancing.

The ever-popular ‘Music’ saw huge audience participation and suddenly it felt like we were all sitting around a campfire singing together, not watching a band at a packed out venue.

With a knack for creating heart-on-the-sleeve songs and often compared to like-minded artists as Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, The Beautiful Girls brought it home with a genuine encore asking the crowd what they wanted to hear.

A clear stand out moment was the heartfelt version of 2018 single, ‘Beautiful World’ followed closely by ‘Periscopes’ featuring clever mixing of ‘Roxanne’

by The Police. The emotionally charged ‘La Mar’ completed the set to perfection, leaving the crowd with big smiles all around.

For a band celebrating a good 20 years in the industry, it was clear to see The Beautiful Girls are just as relevant now as they ever were. Thanks for a great gig guys!

GLASS TIDES In Between Independent Reviewed by Jess Sercombe

After nearly two years of silence Glass Tides have returned, kicking off 2020 by dropping their first fulllength release ‘In Between’. Established in late 2017, this metalcore five-piece hailing from Adelaide have come a long way since, having released a swathe of singles and EPs as well as featuring on triple j’s list of unearthed artists.

‘In Between’ is an apt description for the album and the band itself for their ability to mix the velvety soft, ghostly aesthetic found in their lyricism and melodies with the fire and wrath you can usually find throughout the metalcore genre.

Often put in line with bands like Bring Me the Horizon, Trophy Eyes and Hands Like Houses, there is definitely a family resemblance, however, Glass Tides stands in perhaps as the comparatively gentler, more clement brother of the lot.

‘Crawling’ demonstrates this well, weaving in between outbursts of raw emotion and lilting subdued reflection. Leaning towards a more orthodox metalcore vibe, ‘Waste’ is an awesome, rumbling “fuck you” track to bust out when you’re having a bit of a shit day.

Overall the album is very well put together with every track having a finely crafted, balanced newcore sound.

LITTLE QUIRKS

LOSER

STRANGE UNIT

HAYLEY MARY

Cover My Eyes

Mindless Joy

Strange Unit

The Piss, The Perfume

Ditto Music

Domestic La La

Independent/STD70%

I OH YOU

Reviewed by Kim Price

Reviewed by Kim Price

Reviewed by Alex Lynch

Reviewed By Tammy Walters

Little Quirk’s EP ‘Cover My Eyes’ gives you all the Loser opens their debut album with the nostalgic Selling something different than just your typical When The Jezabels, Hayley Mary steps out on her sounds, strange units self-titled album brings a feels a five-song record should. rock sound they have quickly become known for. own and into a room with producer Scott Horscroft Sisters Abbey and Mia Toole alongside their cousin mixture of heavy riffs, screaming vocals and plenty (Silverchair, The Presets, Tkay Maidza, Middle Kids) and The guitar and drums heavy songs blast and make Jaymi Toole have already made a splash on the triple of psychedelic sounds. Not for the faint of heart Scott DMA’s Johnny Took, you stand up and listen, and then you get up and rock out.

But three songs deep, the contrasting’ Erase Me’ Lee Andrews (Of Exit International) Strange Unit is a you stay on your feet for a standing ovation at the end. j and ABC radio scenes with their first single release ‘Crumbled’ amassing two million streams on Spotify. begins and you rethink your assumptions about the The Piss, The Perfume; well it doesn’t take the piss journey into the world of Psychedelic metal.

It’s clear the teenage family band know each other five-piece band.

While not without its faults, strange unit dares to be at all, but it does leave a gorgeous, lingering fragrance through and through and have harnessed this to The soft-rock and raw track opens up with the different – finding its way with an overwhelming sense of unshakable elegance, undeniable talent and produce a seamless, harmony-heavy folk-come-pop EP. cutting “holding onto something broken” and of exuberance, criticisms of the current state of things. unapologetic insight into the current social climate.

The first three tracks are all upbeat songs to add immediately you know this band is something different. From beginning to end what was really impressive Across five stunningly arranged, down to earth straight to your road trip playlists or dance around Throughout the 12-track album, the Melbourne was the high quality of heavy guitar riffs from track tracks, Hayley Mary sheds her Jezabels identity your room too. In particular, ‘Life Wouldn’t Be’ is a feel- band opens up about mental health. It becomes evident to track, embracing some old school sounds that were to display herself as a unique solo artist with an good, carefree track with hints of Mumford and Sons the album’s title Mindless Joy is in fact referring to incredible amount of wisdom and quirk to offer. But a pleasure to hear. the fake happiness so many of us get from looking Strange Unit is certainly not for everyone, utilizing seeping through. In contrast ‘Bury Our Bones’ shows it’s not rebranding as such, it’s merely the extension the girl’s vulnerable side and is the best showcase at the device in the palm of our hands rather than multiple layers of sound at any one moment – some and the surfacing of greatness.

The title track, ‘The Piss, The Perfume’ is faultless of their mesmerising harmonies before ‘Devils Ivy’ the wider world. There’s something truly remarkable would suggest that there is simply too much going on rounds out the EP on a positive note. about Loser’s ability to talk about serious issues while – that a little simplification may go a long way. Heavily with its retro guitars, Americana rolls and deep emotional charge (though not in her usual brooding Little Quirk’s energy is captivating and addicting. simultaneously make their listeners want to rock out. distorted industrial sounds and hard to hear vocals The band continuously builds momentum may also turn off the listener, but I can’t help but feel style). Unexpectedly, Hayley Mary channels more After one spin of the EP I was already wanting more from them and it won’t be long before we’re seeing throughout their tracks and they have a wonderful Cyndi Lauper than her own Jezabels vocal styling, a that most of that Scott intended. A sound he desired. their name on festivals lists like Bluesfest. The girls way of echoing the vocals through the electric guitar.

It’s not easy to create art in an extremely niche refreshing change of tone. ‘Like A Woman Should’ from Gosford have a long career ahead in them and The last two tracks are my personal favourites. market but If heavy industrial psychedelic metal is a is the feminist track we deserve in 2020 and ‘Cover My Eyes’ is only the beginning, but what a strong ‘Middle of Nowhere’ and ‘Dopamine’ bring the album genre of music that sounds interesting to you, Strange ‘Ordinary Me’ delves into sombre territory with its foundation they’ve made for themselves.

Units self-titled album may Impress you. sweet melodies. ‘Holly’ is the defining track and the full circle. Both are ridiculously well written and give Be sure to catch Little Quirk on their East Coast reason for this stunning EP’s existence, and we are so me all the 90’s rock vibe. tour stopping at Melbourne’s Grace Darling Hotel on bloody thankful. ‘Brat’ closes with a punk bang that The boy’s music is infectious and their words are worth listening to. Grab your copy to Loser’s Mindless February 29. completes the colourful mixed bag.

Joy on February 14.

Exceptional!

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WRITTEN BY JOHN FOSS

When people talk about comic books taking over the movies, they almost always mean one particular type of comic book (that’d be superheroes).

But before superheroes became the big screen’s biggest box office draw, movies were taking their inspiration from other kinds of stories told in comic book form – often quieter, character-based dramas like Ghost World, American Splendor and The Diary of a Teenage Girl.

These days, it’s the streaming services that have taken up the challenge of adapting comic books that involve more than just slapping on a cape. Not that superheroes are off-limits: both Amazon’s The Boys and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy have taken the conventions of the superhero and given them a good hearty twist.

While movies tend to stick to the simplistic and straightforward (there’s only so much you can do in two hours), a streaming series has the time to stretch out, providing the traditional superhero antics while layering in some quirky commentary on the traditional fights and conflicts.

Netflix’s latest comic book adaptation, Locke and Key, takes a similar self-referential approach, but is coming from a slightly different angle: based on a series written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez, it’s a dark fantasy series with a unique set up. After the murder of their father, the three Locke kids (and their mother) move into the Keyhouse, the family estate that’s a big old spooky mansion of the kind we’re all familiar with from creepy movies. But there’s a twist: the magic here comes in the form of keys that can do a variety of supernatural things.

In the comic, some are fairly straightforward, like changing size or gender. Other keys have more subtle powers, and much of the appeal of the original run (which was really a collection of mini-series) was the new keys Hill and Rodriguez came up with and they way they influenced the kids and those around them - part of the magic of the house was that adults forgot about the keys as they grew up, which meant the kids had a distinct advantage when it came to manipulating those around them.

The original mini-series were relatively compact (six mini-series of six issues each), which should give the Netflix series a lot of wriggle room, especially as the series mythology eventually expanded to cover hundreds of years, generations of the Locke family and at least one other dimension. But the comic’s shorter form was an advantage too, requiring the creators to sketch their characters in vivid strokes rather than dawdle over them – and that definitely was an advantage, because it doesn’t take much to see how the trio could seem a bit generic given too much time under the spotlight (especially as Stranger Things has already been working hard to cover the “teens versus the supernatural” end of the market).

Locke and Key was a great mix of fantasy and horror (and there’s rumours Hill and Rodriguez and looking to continue the story); the upcoming series - which starts on Netflix February 7th – has got a lot of very promising material to work with.

Hey gang! I never thought I’d say this in the middle of summer, but I hope by the time you read this the weather has settled the hell down and isn’t alternating between 30 degree days and thunderstorms! Luckily for you lot, I have the luxury of being able to read comics no matter the weather, so there’s no sign of me slowing down.

This week, I’ve picked up a book that flew under my radar early last year – volume one of DC’s revival of Dial H for Hero, Enter the Heroverse, written

by Sam Humphries (Green Lanterns, Legendary Star-Lord) and drawn by Joe Quinones (Howard the Duck, America).

Miguel Montez is addicted to danger; he’s a thrill seeker by nature, and has been since he was a young boy. Years ago, he hit his head diving into a swimming pool and had to be resuscitated – frantic, his parents screamed for help, and their cries were answered by Superman himself. Miguel awoke to find himself flying through the air, cradled in the arms of the Man of Steel, and has tried to recapture the thrill and adrenaline rush of that encounter ever since. After the tragic loss of his parents in a plane crash, Miguel focused more and more on dangerous stunts, desperate to feel that thrill again. Miguel’s luck only lasted so long, however; upon trying to jump a ravine on his bike, he tumbled into it. Terrified, Miguel plunged into the abyss, only for the H-Dial to appear and offer him the power to save himself – if he dials H for “Hero”. Miguel uses the H-Dial and transforms into a superhero – but everyone who’s used the H-Dial can feel it, and they’ll all do anything to use it again.

Hijacking his uncle’s food truck with his friend Summer, Miguel sets out to hide the H-Dial from those who would steal it for themselves.

There’s a lot of setup in the above paragraph, but honestly, I think the story is worth it. Rather like recent takes on the Shazam mythos, Dial H for Hero revolves around the use and misuse of power, driven by the mysterious H-Dial, and I have to admit that I found myself quickly drawn into the story. I haven’t even mentioned several prominent characters like the Operator and Mr Thunderbolt, but if that explanation went on any longer this column would’ve been bordering on a rewrite of the story, and that’s no fun! This version of Dial H, while tying back to classic stories featuring Robbie Reed, leans fairly heavily on themes of personal responsibility and making the most of your abilities. Add in the craziness and unpredictability of what heroes will be summoned with the H-Dial, and Dial H becomes a really accessible adventure tale.

I have to make special mention of Quinones’ work here, too; the sheer number of character designs he had to pump out to account for the random nature of the H-Dial is nuts. While there are some clear homages to the likes of Sin City, Marvel (pretty sure I saw Squirrel Girl at one point) and even manga classic Dragon Ball, there are some seriously cool designs that I’d love to see pop up more.

All up, this version of Dial H is pretty freakin’ cool. It’s an exploration of an oftoverlooked corner of the DC universe, and unless you’re determined to have a bad time, just about anyone could pick it up and enjoy themselves.

For the first time in ages, we are seeing some welcome rain. Mind you, with the smoke we’ve been getting, it’s been had to actually see the rain but the hailstones were a giveaway!

We are still seeing gigs coming through to support bushfire victims. It’s hard to exaggerate the scope of events we are seeing for this cause, ranging from individual performances, local pub gigs and larger performances with international stars even throwing their weight behind the cause.

One local biggie I’d like to mention is ‘Dig Deep for Fire Relief’ coming up at The Sphinx on Sunday 16 February from 2pm-9pm. There will be three stages, raffles, auctions, sausage sizzle – all the usual fundraising suspects. Some of our favourites will be there: Sweet Felicia & the Honeytones, Blue Sunday, Ethan Farmer with Ivan Fisher, Suzanne Petersen plus more. It should be a great way to empty your wallet in a good cause.

Now I’d like to make a mention of Studio@54 on Grubb Road in Ocean Grove. This is a new one for me, at least as a music venue. In actual fact, they did kick off their summer music program last year, but I didn’t make it along. They’re probably better known as an Art Gallery and for the art workshops they host, rather than for music. Their main role is to share the talents and expertise of high quality local, interstate and international artists.

But I digress…

They have a lovely courtyard which was just begging to be used, and live music when the weather was good made an obvious choice. The gigs are relatively low frequency, about once a month, and on the 16th of February, Wayne Jury will be appearing there with Justin Brady. Wayne with guitar and vocals, of course, and Justin (best known for his work with Things of Stone and Wood) playing fiddle, harmonica and mandolin. Tickets via Trybooking.

At Pistol Pete’s on February the 8th, the Four Lions will be making an appearance all the way from Bendigo. These roots rockers are kicking off 2020 with a handful of Victorian shows, before heading back into the studio to record album No.5, hot on the heels of a successful 12 months where the band released its fourth album, the acclaimed Hard Days.

The band plies its trade in a potent blend of roots, rock, and alt-country that channels the spirit of their musical heroes, including Wilco, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen. Punters can expect to get a sneak preview of new songs from the forthcoming album on the night. “I’m excited about recording and can’t wait to get back into the studio,” declares frontman Shann Lions.

Hard Days was the Herald Sun’s Album of the Week, a first for an independent, regionally based band, with its songs garnering national airplay. And it provided the ideal opportunity for the five-piece – consisting of lead singer/guitarist Lions, lead guitarist Keith MacQueen, keyboardist Stephen Briggs, drummer Gavan Moncrieff, and bassist Bradley Bradford – to further cement their reputation as one of their hometown’s most prolific and hardestworking bands.

Three choices there: Dig Deep for Bushfire Relief, Wayne Jury and Josh Brady, or the Four Lions.

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.

It’s amazing how much the world can change in 20 years and one true measure of that was reliving the triple j Hottest 100 from 1999 on the digital radio Double J. ‘99, and maybe a couple of years either side, might just be one of the greatest triple j Hottest 100 eras ever. Compare the 100 from ‘99 to what was voted as the hottest 100 songs from last year and you’ll get a completely different list. The only song that linked the 90’s to 2019 was a cover of Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Bulls On Parade’.

It’s not just that the world has changed, I feel like I have changed over the past 20 years (who knew, huh?) because songs I disliked or even hated back then are songs I really like now. Examples include Blink 182’s ‘All The Small Things’ and ‘What’s My Age Again’ and ‘Around The World’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers. But at the same time there’s songs I hated back them and I hate even more now; ‘Weir’ by Killing Heidi, almost anything by Powderfinger and most of the shit from Silverchair’s ‘99 album, a lot of which landed in the ‘99 Hottest 100.

It seems the irony is, not matter which Hottest 100 I listen to, it’s almost always the more popular songs that shit me to tears. Sure, we all bemoan the fact that triple j doesn’t play the same sort of music they did back 20 years ago “when it was good” but let’s honest, apart from reliving one hundred songs from 20 years ago once a year, would you really want to keep listening to the same old music? Sure, we might have the CD compilations or Spotify playlists we’ve created, but I know for a fact I wouldn’t be able to listen to music from the 90’s for 20 years straight. Now, excuse me, I’m off to listen to some Fear Factory, Sepultura, Pantera, and early Tool.

THE TORQUAY PUB WI’ve made a few visits to the Torquay Pub this summer (Spiderbait/dinner) and it’s kinda weird stepping into a place I’ve been going to since I was 16 (hint hint… back in the seventies).

In many ways, the pub hasn’t changed much. It still has the pokies, beers, nice fire and windows with a view of Bells Street.

The heavy security and eye scans for band gigs is a new innovation. Nothing like the old days where you would go a few days without shaving and try to look older than 18.

Probably the best thing about the pub is the live music program they have been putting together. It wasn’t so long ago that local residents (a block away) were complaining about noise from the pub (and it wouldn’t be a pub if it didn’t have bands and noise) and the owners decided to stop having bands for awhile.

Sanity has prevailed and the new owners have not only expanded the band room in the public bar (very old school), but put in a decent-sized stage and speakers. Booking some cool bands helps the cause too.

I was stoked to get tickets to see Spiderbait before New Year’s Eve at the Torquay Pub and I will be back in a few weeks to catch The Sunnyboys who probably played at the pub in the eighties when they were at the height of their popularity.

Great Aussie band Australian Crawl also have a few connections with the Torquay Pub. Back in 1984, they sponsored the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach – probably the first and only time a rock band has sponsored a surfing contest. On Easter Friday that year, they filmed a music clip in the pub for their iconic song ‘Boys Light Up’.

Four nights later they fronted up again with cameras in tow and filmed their live performance at the Rip Curl Pro presentation night and things got a little out of hand. Once word got out around Torquay that Australian Crawl were performing at the pub hundreds of ‘youths’ gathered outside trying to get in.

Beer bottles were thrown, shorts were torn off backs and the cops were called in… you know the story.

Anyway, you can check out the clip on YouTube… a window into a time when heaps of bands toured up and down the coast during summer… accompanied by the odd pub brawl and fight. The good old days!

FORTÉ 732

In other news + Okilly Dokilly and Dr Colossus will be at the Corner Hotel on Saturday February 15. + Cattle Decapitation will play Melbourne’s Max Watts on Wednesday February 19. + Download Festival featuring Deftones, Carcass, Testament, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, and not much else, will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Friday March 20. + Me And That Man will release their new album New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1 on Friday March 27. + Blacken Open Air festival will be held over Easter weekend, 2020.

Easter Sunday will be April 12.

Handy to know if you’re looking for cheap flights to NT well in advance. + Abysmal Dawn will release their new album Phylogenesis on Friday April 17. + Nile will be at Melbourne’s Max Watts on Sunday April 26. + Check out this edition’s of THTH’s Spotify playlist by searching for playlist: THTH731 or by searching spotify:user:TooHeavyToHug If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to tooheavytohug@ hotmail.com or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug

41

THE GUIDE

PRESENTED BY

THURS 30TH

HANDLE BAR: GOLD ROSES

BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER

HOME HOUSE: ZAC DEPETRO, WITH SPICE + DE MUNARI

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ THE ESPY: SEABASS, LOW WAVES GATEWAY HOTEL: CONRAD SEWELL THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: TRACES MELBOURNE MAX WATT’S: STORY PARTY MELBOURNE OLD BAR: SOPHOMORE PIANO BAR: PIANO BAR-LESQUE PISTOL PETE’S: DERRIN NAUENDORF SPORTING GLOBE: LIVE MUSIC WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: SOLO SESSIONS FRI 31ST BARWON CLUB: AYA AYA, INKED FACTOR, LOMAC BEAVS BAR: RYAN BELL CORNER HOTEL: WOLFMOTHER THE EASTERN: IVY STREET ‘SHOEBOX’ SINGLE LAUNCH EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS ELEPHANT & CASTLE: LIVE MUSIC THE ESPY: HOT GLUE GROVEDALE HOTEL: LUKE LEGS DUO THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: KNOCK OFF, FUZZ MEADOWS MAX WATT’S: THIS WEEK! CHOP SUEY & DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC PALAIS HEPBURN: SALON SUMMER SOUNDS, DJ HOTWHEELS

395-399 MOORABOOL ST, SOUTH GEELONG OPEN 7 DAYS (03) 52233322

LAMBYS: BEDROCK, NICK TABONE, RESIDENT DJS

OLD BAR: YES RAVE X MUNDANE MONDAYS FUNDRAISER

GOLDEN VINE: THE ALLNITELONGERS

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

HANDLE BAR: ANDY MCGARVIE

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: POETRY NIGHTS

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: MOTHERSLUG, CARCINOID, GIANT

WED 5TH BEAVS BAR: KARAOKE, LUKE BISCAN

MANCHESTER ARMS: KARAOKE NIGHT

PALAIS HEPBURN: HIP HOP DANCE CLASSES

OLD BAR: NICHOLAS EDWARD PIANO BAR: LADIES LUNCH

GROVEDALE HOTEL: JACK WRIGHT HOME HOUSE: DUANE BARTOLO WITH DE MUNARI LAMBYS: BEDROCK, TROY BARRETT, RESIDENT DJ’S MANCHESTER ARMS: MR ANDERSON

THURS 6TH

MAX WATT’S: STORY PARTY MELBOURNEWICCA PHASE SPRINGS ETERNAL

PISTOL PETE’S: THE SHED

BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER

MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: HOT ROD FEST

THE ESPY: KING RIVER RISING

SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAYS

MAX WATT’S: LIVE MUSIC

PALAIS HEPBURN: OUSMANE SONKO / KAIRO FAMILY BAND

THEATRE ROYAL: ALL AMERICAN BLUES CONFERENCE

OLD BAR: WILD MEADOWS, AUTO LAPSE, FAWKNER WALKING SOCIETY

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: KIM COOPER

PIANO BAR: WOMEN OF THE 90’S

SUN 2ND

FRI 7TH

BARKING DOG: GUITAR BAR

PISTOL PETE’S: FOUR LIONS SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAY’S WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: BUSBY MAROU

BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN, DJ CHICKEN & CHIPS

BARWON CLUB: TREVALLEY

EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

CORNER HOTEL: A WONDERFUL SPLASH

BEAVS: ANDY FORTSTER, DJ CHICKEN & CHIPS

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

CORNER HOTEL: JAKE ‘’THE SNAKE’’ ROBERTS

BEAVS BAR: JEFFREY JORDAN

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: LIVE MUSIC THE ESPY: PRIDE MARCH AFTER PARTY THE FOX AND THE HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS THE GOOD BEER BAR: TEQUILA, TACOS & BEER GROVEDALE HOTEL: PETER CHAPMAN

SUN 9TH BARWON CLUB: UNWRITTEN LAW

F PROJECT GALLERY: MARCIA HOWARD

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC

GROVEDALE HOTEL: RACH BRENNAN

THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE HOTEL: LIVE MUSIC

HANDLE BAR: HAILEY CALVERT W JASON CAMERON

THE FOX AND HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS LIVE MUSIC

LAMBYS: ABE ANDERSON, LIAM BLACKWELL

LAMBYS: ADAM12, LUKE BISCAN & JOUBIN

GROVEDALE HOTEL: LEVI ANDERSON

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: POCKET MONEY, FROWNY DADS, COMMON DOGS

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: PAST PRESENT

LAMBYS: ACOUSTIC, LIAM BLACKWELL

MANCHESTER ARMS: ADELLE DAVIS

MANCHESTER ARMS: COPS & ROBBERS

MAX WATT’S: THIS WORLD AT MAX WATTS

MAX WATT’S: CORROSION OF CONFORMITY

MORGAN’S BAR & GRILL: SUMMER SUNDAYS – RACHEL GRACE OLD BAR: HAVE/HOLD, ERIN WILL BE MAD

MANCHESTER ARMS: BILL BARBER

MORGAN’S BAR & GRILL: SUMMER SUNDAYS - TRISTAN J ROSS

MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC

PISTOL PETE’S: ANDY BAYLOR’S CAJUN COMBO

OLD BAR: HAVE /HOLD & ROLAND P JONES

NIGHTJAR FESTIVAL

PIANO BAR: PITCH PLEASE!

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: DJ JIMI CRISP

PALAIS HEPBURN: PALAIS PUB SINGALONG.

PIANO BAR: RAINBOW FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT

SOUTH GEELONG FARMERS MARKET

RECESS: FABULOUS FRIDAY

PIANO BAR: PITCH PLEASE

PISTOL PETE’S: BLUES ARCADIA PALAIS HEPBURN: TIM MCMILLON & RACHEL SNOW (BERLIN)

THE TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

SPORTING GLOBE: ACOUSTIC FRIDAYS

PIANO BAR COLAC: PITCH PLEASE

THEATRE ROYAL: BUSHFIRE BENEFIT CONCERT

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: TIM HENWOOD

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

THEATRE ROYAL: BUSBY MAROU

WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: STRESS WALTERS – HOUSE WINE/TIPPY TOE TOUR

SUMMER SUNDAYS: BALLARAT BOTANICAL GARDENS

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

SAT FEBRUARY 1ST BARWON CLUB: DRAGON: THE BEST OF. BEAVS BAR: DAVE ANDERSON

MON 3RD CORNER HOTEL: SUPERBOWL LIVE

BLOOM: BILLY KENNY (UK)

MURPHY’S: SUPERBOWL LIVE

CORNER HOTEL: HORSEHEAD

OLD BAR: BOLLARD, IF SO WHY, CUT WIRE

EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE: AUSTRALIA ROBBIE WILLIAMS TRIBUTE SHOW THE ESPY: SOCPOP #49 GROVEDALE HOTEL: BEN DEW

TUES 4TH CORNER HOTEL: JAMES SMITH THE ESPY: OPEN MIC MAX WATT’S: CORROSION OF CONFORMITY

TORQUAY HOTEL: SUNNYBOYS

SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS WED 12TH BEAVS: KARAOKE & LUKE BISCAN OLD BAR: LIFE STRIKE, LUXURY, IF SO WHY

SAT 8TH BARWON CLUB: STORMTIDE, THE ASCENDED, NABERUS BEAVS BAR: DAVE ANDERSON BLOOM: COASTAL JAM GEELONG CORNER HOTEL: BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY BASH THE EASTERN: THE MAMAS DANCEFLOOR TOUR EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: LIVE MUSIC

STRINGS AMPS SHOES ACCESSORIES

VINYL CLOTHING GUITARS DRUMS

65 YARRA STREET GEELONG 0352983481

GOT A GIG? SEND IT TO FORTEMAG.COM.AU

PH: 5278 2911 42

SPHINXHOTEL.COM.AU FORTÉ 732

42

FRI 31 JANUARY:

SAT 1 FEBRUARY:

SUN 2 FEBRUARY:

ACOUSTIC DUO SET

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

LUKE LEGS DUO Luke & Michael play energetic shows of unique style. Enjoy harmonies, bangin drums and rhythm guitar by two.

You’re welcome.

BEN DEW

Ben provides all the beats – from smooth vocals, clean acoustic rhythms, slide guitar, stomp box and tambourine, prepare for a night of berserk feet tapping.

PETER CHAPMAN Peter is definitely not new to the music scene with years of crafting his live performance under his belt. His song book is extensive yet well-manicured, like his sideburns!

* FRIDAYS

7PM-8PM *

ESPRESSO MARTINIS

— $12 —

GROVEDALEHOTEL FRI 7 FEBRUARY:

RACH BRENNAN SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

‘Female Artist of the Year’ Rach is a country/folk songstress with a soulful voice that delivers playful and harmony based songs that induce toe tapping.

SAT 8 FEBRUARY:

JACK WRIGHT

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET Jack crafts lush melodies and up beat percussion filled with soul and passion. You can look forward to hearing influences from the likes of John Butler and Andy McKee.

SUN 9 FEBRUARY:

LEVI ANDERSON DUO DUO ACOUSTIC SET

GROVEDALEHOTEL.COM.AU 1300GROVEDALE (1300 476 833)

WEB. PHONE.

To keep it fresh, Levi will be supported by a guest accompanist.

You’ll find out who on the night.

But what we can tell you is that you will love their dulcet tones.

FEB 07

SUNNYBOYS FEB 14

SOLD OUT

EVES KARYDAS

SELLING FAST!

FEB 21

CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS WWW.TORQUAYHOTEL.EVENTBRITE.COM

FORTÉ 732

43

Big Mountains, Mountains, Big Huge Sounds

Huge Sounds

JULIA JACKLIN

ECCA VANDAL + THESE NEW SOUTH WHALES DRMNGNOW + MADDY JANE + ELIZABETH + CLYPSO RAAVE TAPES + ZOE FOX & THE ROCKET CLOCKS YERGURL + MIIESHA + FEELS PINK MATTER + QUIVERS + PINCH POINTS

GAUCI + THE BUOYS SLEDGEHAMMER + GAMJEE Family Dance Party - DJ Relaxative + Sunday Funday Pool Party - Ghostchip DJs

grampiansmusicfestival.com grampiansmusicfestival.com @grampiansmusicfestival