Neko Case - City Recital Hall Sydney Festival 2010

Amazing performer... she was a little overwhelmed by the quietness of the venue, but when she closed her eyes and forgot about the venue she made the hair on the back of my neck stand up! In the month of January that was the month of music in Sydney, there was only one Neko Case.

And oh how I do love thee....

"who knows what she'll say
i only heard what i wanted
you said i was your blue, blue baby
and you were right
you said i was your blue, blue baby
and you were right

wandered the halls all the nighttime
my body burned, my legs ached
but you never came to bed
you just left me there awake"

Very excited, got My Bloody Valentine tix for the Enmore this Monday. Hopefully they are worth the wait. In the meantime, its Emma Swift on the radio and dreams and ideas about the biggest female touring festival ever.... from an idea big things grow!

History Eraser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6_G5PlEXdk&feature=related Another track that I instantly want to turn up... love the film clip for this. History Eraser - Courtney Barnett

Mount Beauty

Making the hairs stand up on my arms... Jen Cloher has an amazing song with "Mount Beauty" Looking forward to hearing it Live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCfJVgXyoqU&feature=player_embedded

Gillian Welch - Streaming Live

Until the next Australian Tour.... Thankgod for the internet!!

"Hard times aint going to rule my mind, no more"

Always something left to remind me

I walk along the city streets
You used to walk along with me,
And every step I take reminds me
Of just how we used to be.

Oh, how can I forget you, girl
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

When shadows fall, I pass a small cafe
Where we would dance at night
And I can't help recalling how it
Felt to kiss and hold you tight

Oh, how can I forget you, girl
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

I was born to love you, and I will never be free
[- From :http://www.elyrics.net/read/n/naked-eyes-lyrics/always-something-there-to-remind-me-lyrics.html -]
You'll always be a part of me

If you should find you miss the sweet
And tender love we used to share
Just go back to the places where we used to go,
And I'll be there

Oh, how can I forget you, girl
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

I was born to love you, and I will never be free
You'll always be a part of me

'Cause there is always something there to remind me

Always something there to remind me (repeat until fade)

Winner My Queer Pet Project 2011

Jindabyne, Going Up The Country
http://www.youtube.com/user/tartahoy#p/a/u/2/WIvVwge6N38

Waves in the valley

The waves crash hard on the shore. The sound echoes across the valley. When the sound hits the small mountain behind the house it changes direction and hurries back across the valley flooding my room as it tries desperately to reach the sea.

I'm transported back to my school days. White dog barking, single bed and sleeplessness. The waves sound the same. As they crash the years fly by. Now it's a mattress on the same floor, black dog and uncertainty. The waves crash again. Comfy double bed. Red dog. I'm 34.

Words have always flooded me in this room like the sound of the waves that keep me from slumber.

Going Up The Country

Jindabyne's trip south for Queer Pet Project 2011. Mardi Gras Film Festival, Sydney

Click on the link for the YOU TUBE video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIvVwge6N38&feature=channel_video_title

or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jindy-Big-Red-The-Story-of-One-Little-Lady/305133253155

Hanging out Sydney Park - Happy Jindy

Photos courtesy of Bec Lewis

Faithless - Centennial Park Sydney

15 years and 6 albums. One of the best bands Ive ever seen live... little did I know that Faithless would call it a day after i seen them for the 3rd time. Im sad to hear they will no longer be releasing any more material and even sadder to know that this was the last gig that I managed to see them play.

i heart Sydney Festival - Kitty, Daisy and Lewis/Super Wild Horses/Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

A huge night of music, in the one and only Speigel Tent for Kitty Daisy and Lewis as we bopped and watched the cool kids swing... then a hop skip and jump over to the Hyde Park Barracks Bar for Super Wild Horses who rocked barracks, swapped instruments and then rocked some more before Jon Spencer made some noise. Sydney in January, your very appealing on so many levels!

The Charlatans - The Metro Sydney

The chance to finally see The Charlatans had finally arrived. From opening song right until the final note I was taken on a journey that had spanned 2 decades. Playing the songs that had made me fall in love with the band. Bringing back memories of parties with Fee, Matt, B and Mooney on the Coast. Mix tapes. Dancing at Vagabonds with Cathy Murphy in Galway and moments of heartbreak. The band was flawless. Thanks for the trip down memory lane lads.

The New Pornographers - Manning Bar Sydney Uni

Walking in the Inner West - Newtown, St Peters

Camping on Cockatoo Island - Sydney Biennale

Birthday's are best spent with great friends, amazing art and on a magical industrial island in the middle of the harbour with water edge camping and crisp but bright conditions! Thanks Laydees! x

Macquarie Visions - Sydney

Laura Marling

Falling in love with new album, 'I Speak Because I can'

No hope in the air,
No hope in the water.
Not even for me, your last serving daughter.
Why fear death, be scared of living?
Our hearts are small and ever thinning.
There is no hope of ever of winning.
So why fear death, be scared of living?

The Saw Doctors - The Metro Theatre Sydney

17 years since last tour of Oz, the lads still know how to get the crowd dancing, singing and crying out for more.
A great way to spend Paddy's day in Sydney.
And great to see Leo. We took a wander down the Rocks, past the Overseas Passenger Terminal where they played last time they were in town and I snuck in with Donna Joyce in tow.

Celebrating 200 year of Paddy's Day in Sydney

In honor of the day, Sydney's iconic Opera House was lit green for the day. A beautiful night down on the harbour.

Jindy's New Home

When you got a star like this one... they only expect the best. Inspired by 1950's style caravan... Introducing the 'Jindaville' made completely out of offcuts and recycled materials. Welded frame on wheels for easy moving and lifted for ventilation, wall papered and sun hatch. Reflectors, and windows. Custom built and designed by me!

Yana Alarna and the Pyranas - Red Rattler Theatre Marrickville

"Teetering on the brink of cult-status, while on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Yana Alana And Tha Paranas create a cabaret experience that blends political poetry, divine singing, kooky dancing, party tricks… and the odd tantrum.
Yana Alana is a talented yet jilted performer out to conquer the world with a unique blend of cabaret and comedy – and if that doesn’t appeal, perhaps her ice pick will.

Featuring a post-modern feministic clout that is both fierce and fragile, Yana Alana And Tha Paranas is a sensational cabaret experience."

Laugh and laugh hard, this lady is funny! Another cracker at the one and only Red Rattler!

The Gossip - Enmore Theatre Sydney

Beth Ditto and The Gossip gets the Enmore shaking! What a lady!
After regretting not seeing them on the last Oz tour. I now saw first hand what all the fuss was about. These guys certainly know how to work a crowd into a frenzy and keep them on a high!

Meat is Murder turns 25

Hard to believe that Meat Is Murder was released 25 years ago yesterday. 14th Feb 1985.
Songs like 'How Soon Is Now' and 'That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore' still stir up memories and sound as amazing now to me as they did when I first discovered The Smiths in the late 80's and when I started high school.
The Smiths are who I still would acknowledge as my fav band of all time. They were my intro to the Britpop indie scene that has dragged me thru many music genres since that has brought me around the world and on a discovery of music that inspires me and keeps me sane... music is the meal that I crave. The Smiths were the entree to a smorgasbord of talent and endless gigs, cd's and record collecting.
Long Live The Smiths!

RIP John & Anne Dorn and Tuppy

For the past 15 years or so Anne and John Dorn have been living next to my parents place in Terrigal. In the space of 3 weeks both John, Anne and dog Tuppy have all passed away.
I never had much to do with John, he kept to himself and was a very quiet man, for the past few years he has been in a nursing home and Anne has been going in to see him everyday. Dementia had started to creep in and he passed away when we were all down in Jindabyne in late January for the Irish festival, he had been unwell for a long time so it was a blessing that his suffering had ended.
Anne had been undergoing chemo for cancer and for the most part had been well, she was a fit women, walking Tuppy twice a day and active in her garden, she had a love of Australian orchids.
Last Wednesday she got word that the chemo was no longer working. On Thursday she was taken into hospital and the following Friday she slipped away. She did not even get a chance to pick up Johns Ashes. There was no service for John and there will be no service for Anne. Its hard to comprehend. But thats what they wanted. Its a foreign concept to someone who has been brought up with such a strong importance placed on funerals and ceremony.
I went to see Anne last Monday in hospital, she was weak, and heavily sedated but happy to see me. Her sister was with her. She still looked as fresh for her age as always, her breathing was heavier and she fell in and out of sleep.
In a heavily laden voice she said 'you are very pretty' and the tears rolled down her voice and mine. I knew this was a goodbye. I tried to make small talk as best I could, what can you say? 'Can I get you some water?' 'Are you in any pain' 'Its very humid outside'. She nodded politely and more tears fell down her cheek.
I said my goodbyes, her last words before I kissed her goodbye were 'Are you still naughty?' she had a cheeky smile. I laughed a little and told her I was never naughty. As I drove away the memories of my naughtiness is her eyes flooded back...
When I was a teenager and the parents were away of course my friends would all come over for parties, my parents would know my friends would be there, but Anne would always fill them in on just how many and how loud the music was.
Washing my first car in the driveway the stereo would always be too loud for John. Anne would come out and ask that I turn it down. Once I was convinced that she had placed a curse on my stereo, after washing my Gemini the stereo no longer worked. A fuse had blown, but at the time I thought Anne had something to do with it! Anne was always a good neighbor, I didnt think so in my early teens, but as I got older my relationship with Anne developed with respect for a lady with a love of plants. Over the past few years she has given me advice on some of my plants and also giving me cuttings and succulents and palms to have at my own place. When John passed I thought that she would now have the opportunity to do more of her own thing. Maybe she was staying strong for him? Maybe she died of a broken heart? All I know is that she died very quickly. There will be no funeral. But she will be remembered fondly by all her neighbors in Anchorage Cres and those she met on her daily walks with Tuppy. RIP Anne.

Interesting concept... providing inspiration from the grave?

'Carbon Copies
Pencils made from the carbon of human cremains. 240 pencils can be made from an average body of ash - a lifetime supply of pencils for those left behind.
Each pencil is foil stamped with the name of the person. Only one pencil can be removed at a time, it is then sharpened back into the box causing the sharpenings to occupy the space of the used pencils. Over time the pencil box fills with sharpenings - a new ash, transforming it into an urn. The window acts as a timeline, showing you the amount of pencils left as time goes by.

This work forms part of a larger research project into post mortem.'

Check the link for more details on the designer Nadine Jarvis

I think I kinda like the idea of this?

The Rogues Gallery - Sydney Opera House Forecourt