Well what about that. Recently went to a single launch by Brooke Russell and the Mean Reds.. and who was in the audience but Paul Kelly! It’s amazing what an effect he can have on a room.. you sense everyone trying to be cool, but really we’re all so starstruck. Gasp. #LivingLegend.
Anyway, I’d seen him on TV just days before playing his new single on Adam Hills Tonight. Paul hasn’t written anything for a couple of years because he’s been working on the book. So this was his first song back on the horse.
What I loved about it was that I find him even more captivating than before. This is such a beautiful and moving song.. surprising in the end too. It’s not always that an artist becomes stronger and richer as they mature. Often you’ll find musicians get worn down by the industry machines and their work is either stale or highly commercialised. But Paul is that rare human, who just sticks to the simple storytelling.
Ooh look, here’s the full episode. I forgot – Molly Ringwald is in there as well. Oh yes.
PS [Link]: Brooke Russell and the Mean Reds, CD Launch 25 August 2013 at the Toff in Town.
Eleanor Jean Riley has done it again. But this time, she’s completely on her own.
I went to the preview of “This is My Show”, and was thoroughly delighted.
Firstly, the set itself is intrinsic to the experience, as you must choose your seating space before you enter.. and before you know what the choice will mean for your viewing. Which seat gives you the “best” view? What will you miss out on? (Sorry i won’t spoil your choice by telling you where i sat.)
The show is made up of different characters and aspects. In one space, the dancer’s body conveys a disturbing and awkward sense of discomfort.. and then soon enough she is transformed into the most confident circus show-stopper you’ve ever seen, in a glamorous outfit with a cocktail shaker. I felt i could identify with either of these archetypes, as her body played out the sensation – the uncomfortable one much more easily.
As well as movement, Little is exploring movement through shadow, and also concealment. Sometimes you’ll see everything, while at other times.. you must twist and turn to get the best view.
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James just linked to this article on FasterLouder, and it’s reminded me of the great things about MonaFoma13. As well as bumping into someone i knew from Melbourne everywhere i turned, and enjoying the whole experience of being somewhere exciting for 5 days.
Dirty Projectors – i’d never heard of them, and i was just mesmerised. They were so gorgeous. As she pushed further into the crowd at the front, Nina said they were her favourite band in the whole world, and i totally understood why. Amarina said she felt they gave her a new understanding of music, and they did that for me too.
David Byrne and St Vincent. Who wouldn’t love “Burning Down the House” over a dancing brass band. There are few things i love more than a massive euphonium belting out the bass, and here we had Byrne’s classically awkward dance moves played out by the whole band. They even had a real ..ah what’s that instrument you wave your hands against? The electronic one…
Tania Bosak Barefoot Orchestra were just beautiful. Very theatrical and engaging for me, as they played with alternating between wild dancing klezma and stilted off-key jazz. People at the front could appreciate the artistry and theatre of the event, and all seemed to love it. I certainly did. (Unfortunately this one didn’t quite fill the hall, and they lost the attention of the whispering crowds at the back. Don’t know if it was the sound system, or the fact that they followed the Spanish surf rock band, instead of preceding.)
Ben Skeffler looping harpsichord and cello. Beautiful. Apparently he used to play with Miso, and now is incredibly famous.
We’re waiting outside a 5 story carpark in central Newcastle (NSW). At night. Everyone’s dressed up, this is a big event. I’ve got no idea what’s about to happen, but there have been rumours of cling wrap. And everybody’s been saying, “Are you going to Mothlight?” So here we are.
Walking up the stairs in the dark, we enter a strange world, Imagine the world of a moth nest, with webbing and cocoons. There is a lot of cling wrap here, perhaps hundreds of dollars worth of cling wrap, strung from pole to pole across the car park, between the pillars. And in the middle, a figure standing swathed entirely in plastic, suspended from a long cling wrap rope.
They let us walk around and explore for half an hour before anything happens. The crowd mills around at the sign of any kind of movement or light. I’m scared for the performer wrapped in plastic, and feeling protective when i see people reaching for their cameras. Later i found out the “no camera” policy was to prevent the clicking camera sound, and i’m wishing i’d taken a bunch of images.
And of course because i’ve found my way to the front row, i’m the first person called on for audience participation. Naomi Moth takes my hand and shows me how to clutch Skye Moth’s arm – along with 3 other volunteers – as she does all kinds of circus tricks along the long cling wrap rope attaching him to the wall. Beforehand, i was worried about people touching this rope, and now she’s jumping up and down on it.
The whole experience is totally engrossing.
Before too long, Skye Moth is walking on the ceiling and juggling enormous moth balls with his feet. Together they ceiling-walk into a lift and disappear.
Turns out they’ve performed this all around the world. Here’s a video from previous showing:
..and a set of production photos too:
Link to the production photos at flickr.
All taken from Skye’s own site.
Aaaaah! Sally played this for me at work the other week. “You won’t be able to get it out of your head,” she said.
And that’s true.
Then i watched it again with Tim and Sam up at Elphinstone the other day. How we laughed.
Apparently the song spent weeks at number one in NZ Aotearoa, and raised about $1 million and a hundred and ten and twenty one. In a bowl.
via Flight of the Conchords – Feel Inside (and stuff like that) – official Cure Kids long version – YouTube.
I love Murray at the start, “Yes and i gave some money back in 1988, so that’s all done now?”
And Jemaine talking about the songs in the Muppet Movie, “They were pretty derivative though, don’t you think?”
Saw Sean & Damien perform live the other week at the Wesley Ann and loved it.
Here’s some video from the night. Is this the Michael Hutchence performance? Ah no, it’s “Elemental”.
via Elemental – Sean M Whelan & Isnod on Vimeo.
..from James Tresise on Vimeo. James has a few different poems of theirs…
This one via the delightful Belinda Suzette of Northcotia, who is featured on page 6. A new creative arts magazine with arty stuff from Tasmania to San Qose. Not sure if it’s going to hit the streets or only the screens… looks beautiful! You can scroll through the edition right here below.
Also via the editor: Yes Sweetheart: I like that design too!: Creative Lane Zine is ready!!.
Here’s a collection of some intriguing works from local Northside artist Lauren Simmonds, the Melbourne artist who works with paper, light & shadow. I love the way she’s got people wearing the art work.
‘Masked Series,’ 2011
Transfigure (2012)
Next step involves her wearing the art herself, and performing for her
Now here is a remarkable performance, for both dance and costume.
You’ve got Zoe and Bronwen and Priscilla dancing in Rebecca Mayo‘s mistletoe dress.
Looks like Some Kind of Art to me.
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I work with Zoe. She is an amazing person to have around the office. Really brightens your day.
via
I was exploring ReverbNation, and stumbled across Sean M Whelan’s page. Louise and i were about to leave a gig at the Builders Arms a while back, when Sean started playing with Isnod, and we just couldn’t leave. He’s kind of enchanting. Have a listen to Sean M Whelan. Intriguing and delightful spoken word, here with the Interim Lovers.
/via Sean M Whelan & The Interim Lovers | MELBOURNE, VIC, AU | Other | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos | ReverbNation.
