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Use The Good Linen! The Prime Minister is coming to dinner! #SLAMrally

slam 

 

Use The Good Linen! The Prime Minister is coming to dinner!

 

SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music) are extremely excited to announce that a very special guest has been added to ‘Marieke Hardy’s Dream Dinner’, our Prime Minister, The Honourable Ms Julia Gillard.

 

Prime Minister Gillard will join self-confessed “live music obsessive” Marieke at Melbourne’s most celebrated restaurant Vue De Monde.

 

Marieke was set the challenge to create her ‘Dream Dinner’ at her favourite Melbourne restaurant and being the clever person that she is, she decided that in order to have her ‘dream dining conversation’, she would invite a powerful politician, Australia’s best known culinary critic and a well loved genius.

 

SLAM are extremely pleased and a little bit surprised to be in the enviable position to offer four guest seats for dinner with screenwriter, author, blogger, radio presenter Marieke Hardy, The Prime Minister, sartorially elegant culinary expert Matt Preston and Australia’s own Brain Trust, Andrew Denton to support their ongoing crowd funding campaign.  Tickets are on sale now at  www.pledgemusic.com/projects/slam

 

Helen Marcou, SLAM cofounder said, “Marieke has really risen to the task.  I’m a little flabbergasted! Who wouldn’t love to be a fly on the wall at this great occasion to witness a ‘woman of calibre’, such as the Prime Minister discuss the events of the day with Matt, Andrew and Marieke.”

 

In the interest of political fairness and in light of live music being non-partisan and owned by the community, Marieke sent invitations to both major parties and our PM graciously accepted.

 

Soon to be announced will be the guest list for Kate Miller Heidke’s Dream Dinner in Brisbane and four exclusive dining places are on offer to be filled at www.pledgemusic.com/projects/slam,

 

A crowdfunding campaign like never before. Musicians and artists have come together in their support of SLAM’s efforts to become a sustainable organization. International and local artists like Gotye, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Iggy Pop, Lee Renaldo, Patricia Piccinini and Tame Impala have thrown in items like signed guitars, dinners , concert tickets and one off custom made recordings.

 

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Kim Volkman & The Whiskey Priests – Setting Sun launch 25 May at St Kilda Bowls Club!

 

Attention Rock & Roll People

 

Many years and some tears in the making, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Kim Volkman is pleased and somewhat relieved to officially launch his second album ‘Setting Sun’ at St Kilda Bowls Club on Saturday 25 May.

 

Recorded with The Whiskey Priests at Static Attack Sound and engineered by Michelle Dilevski, ‘Setting Sun’ includes:

 

8 new original songs of triumph and tragedy, lust and love

2 covers (including a fabulous reworking of Led Zeps ‘Poor Tom’)

and

1 mystery track

 

‘Setting Sun’ is a rock and roll rekkid with a rock and roll heart.

 

Long known for his work with Bastanidos, Severals, X, Patron Saints and of course Ian Rilen and the Love Addicts, ‘Setting Sun’ displays Volkman as a powerful frontman in his own right.  He  plays guitar and bass on this album with his band of Whiskey Priests, also featuring Tim Deane on electric guitar and keyboards and Brad Marshall on drums.

 

This is a double album release with James McCann and the New Vindictives simultaneously launching their debut self-titled vinyl release.  Not incoincidentally, Kim is doing double duty on the night as a member of The New Vindictives band.

 

‘Setting Sun’ CDs and ‘James McCann and The New Vindictives’ vinyl will  be available on the night and Los Dominados will play a support set between the double headliners.

 

Entry is $15 – with a portion of the price helping to keep Pure Pop Records alive and kicking – and only $12 if you wear your Buy A Brick t-shirt.

 

7:30pm – Kim Volkman and the Whiskey Priests launch Setting Sun

9pm – Los Dominados

10pm – James McCann and the New Vindictives present their debut album

 

See you at the Bowlo.

KV&JMcC_Poster_Rev_Web
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Krista Polvere’s – Reservoir Drive scores 3.5 stars in the Sydney Morning Herald

Krista Polvere

Reservoir Drive (Sony/ATV)

3½ stars

She isn’t shy about using her persuasive female charms as a creative force. Track one has the subject losing her country maidenhead early. Which is one thing. Then there is the provocative sleeve shot setting the scene for some hormone-related man/woman swooning.krista polvere pic josh robenstone

With Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford on axe and production (with Anthony Arvizu) dishing up some tidy guitar work, musically Polvere strikes at the heart of good alt country rock/folk. Based in Melbourne, she has a wonderfully understated, apple-martini voice and plies it on winsome tracks that seem sung from a place where you travel long distances to get anywhere. On Jack and Me, grungy, graceful tones flood in from the bass and slide guitar. For The Widow’s Daughter and The Golden Meadow, teasing melodies put you in any folk festival tent around the world, suffering a little at the beauty.

Next, Looking for Love, with the help of Ryan Adams, is stand-up, sex-driven, female alt-country-rock. Moving through, the brilliance is less pronounced, with her trump cards, save The Ruse and Beat Motel, up front

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/reservoir-drive-20130424-2ielv.html#ixzz2RuJpX0Lw

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SASKWATCH – Sydney Morning Herald Critic’s Choice – last show tomorrow night, Sydney Oxford Art Factory

Saskwatch is playing tomorrow night at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney -the last gig of the ‘I Get Lonely’ single tour and is this week’s Critic’s choice in the Sydney Morning Herald.

” …Another nine-piece from suburban Melbourne impressed when opening that show with their own evident love and understanding of old-school funk and soul: Saskwatch (Saturday, 8pm, Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst, oxfordartfactory.com, 9332 3711, $23.50). Led by impressive vocalist Nkechi Anele, they’re back on tour in support of new single I Get Lonely, which adds an irresistible, rolling surf-guitar twang to their already delicious sound.”
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/critics-choice-20130425-2ifmq.html#ixzz2RWqPmOyISASKWATCH 2 by Greta Parry high res-3

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JUST ANNOUNCED! *LEAPS AND BOUNDS MUSIC FESTIVAL * 5 – 21 JULY 2013!

 

The inaugural City of Yarra Live Music Festival has been named the ‘Leaps and Bounds Music Festival’ after the iconic and beloved Paul Kelly song that pays homage to the best live gigging area in Melbourne, Music City – the City of Yarra.

Leaps and Bounds will run from Friday 5 – Sunday 21 July and over 50 traditional venues from The Corner Hotel (the largest venue in the area) to The Empress (one of the longest serving) will be involved and events are also being confirmed at non-traditional venues such as an outdoor event in Stanley Street, a Freeza/Push event at Fitzroy Town Hall, a silent gig in Gertrude Street, and many more.

The emphasis of the festival is local – local performers and local audiences – travellers can hail a gig at the Tram Sessions and many others within Yarra.

Each precinct within the City of Yarra will have a focus day – Richmond on July 7, Johnston St on July 12, Abbotsford on July 13, the backstreets of Fitzroy and Collingwood on July 14, Brunswick St on July 17, Smith St on July 18 and North Fitzroy and Clifton Hill on July 20.

The Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is also happy to announce two strategic partnerships.  The first is with the indigenous communities within Yarra to program an outdoor BBQ event in Stanley St, as well as putting focus on indigenous acts within the festival.  The second is a collaboration with the Gertrude Street Projection Festival which opens on Friday 19 July.  For the Leaps and Bounds closing weekend, events will be jointly programmed by Leaps and Bounds and the Projection Festival to put a real spotlight on one of the most emerging precincts within Yarra.

Other events that are taking shape include a partnership with PBS-FM to do a live studio show, open day and outside broadcasts, a tribute at The Tote to local legend Tim Hemensley, Morning Ritual shows at cafes throughout Yarra and many more.

Artist and event applications are now open at www.leapsandboundsmusicfestival.com, with a full program to be confirmed on May 15.  Keep an eye on the website for more details and information as the event nears.

Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is proudly presented by City of Yarra, Music Victoria & PBS FM.

Web-and-Doc-Header-April

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These Machines Cut Razor Wire – fundraiser for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Thornbury Theatre, 4pm on Sunday, April 14

THESE MACHINES CUT RAZOR WIRE 2013
 
Music Fundraiser for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

_DSC0811-1 with a massive line-up including:

Chris Wilson, Jeff Lang (Aria Blues Album of 2102 winner), Charles Jenkins, Suzannah Espie (Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year), Fraser A. Gorman, The Stillsons (duo), Nigel Wearne, Bill Jackson, Alison Ferrier, Mandy Connell, Beautiful Change, Ruth Lindsey, Les Thomas and more will be raising their voices in song with an inspiring afternoon of music in the spirit of compassion and justice for asylum seekers.

The name for the event was inspired by the inscription on Woody Guthrie’s guitars: “This machine kills fascists”. Given Woody Guthrie’s tendency to speak up for the powerless and persecuted, our guess is that “These machines cuts razor wire” would be fitting in Australia, 2013.

These Machines organiser Les Thomas says, “Last year we raised $3252.65 for the ASRC with an evening of music. Unlike the huge expense of “Offshore Processing” and Mandatory detention policies which  we strongly oppose, the ASRC are capable of giving care, support and training to people at a fraction of the cost. They’re an outstanding example of community leadership and the kind of generous Australia I’d like to live in. I think that’s why so many incredible musicians are willing to lend their support.”

Artists will perform a mixture their own original songs and inspiring songs from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Mavis Staples , Bob Dylan, The Band and others.

“So many of Woody’s songs – ‘Dustbowl Refugee’, ‘Do Re Mi’, ‘This Land is Your Land’, ‘Deportees’ – are relevant to the asylum seeker situation.  In a way playing them paints a damning picture of how little the world has learned about basic compassion,” says Les. “On the other hand, there’s still a good number of people who are willing to stand up for asylum seekers and take positive inspiration from these songs.”

Robyn Gould of the ASRC says: “The thing about the centre is we deliberately don’t accept Federal Government funding so that there’s not any kind of  being beholden to the government or those sorts of issues… It’s a real grassroots community funded organization, so [. . .] things like Les’ event is absolute gold for us; without that we wouldn’t be here.”

All proceeds go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, so catch a superb line-up playing support of an excellent cause on Sunday, April 14.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW $25 plus booking fee. Under 12s free.

See www.thesemachines.org.au for details and tickets.

Our Youtube line-up announcement can be found here.

Proudly supported by Unpaved, 3CR, 3RRR, 3PBS and the Refugee Action Collective.

www.thesemachines.org.au

Follow These Machines on Twitter

Like These Machines on Facebook

View Press Release online.

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An Intimate Evening with Jon Anderson – The Voice of Yes – two shows – 10 & 11 April!

 
One of the most recognisable & influential voices in progressive rock, as the lead vocalist and creative force behind the band Yes, JON ANDERSON was central to that band’s phenomenal success. Jon’s solo show includes many classic tales from his days with the supergroup and his ensuing solo career as well as the timeless songs from all across the Yes songbook & his own eclectic solo work.
 
Jon was the author and a major creative influence behind the series of epics produced by the legendary supergroup Yes including  such complex pieces as “Close to the Edge”, “Awaken”, and especially “The Gates of Delirium.” Additionally, Jon co-authored the group’s biggest hits, including “I’ve Seen All Good People,” Roundabout,” and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart.” Noted for singing in his original Lancastrian accent, this is a chance to see this truly unique musician perform solo, up close and personal.
 
“Yes, Jon still is the voice…Anderson’s voice remains exquisite, never more so than on Find My Way Home, Wondrous Stories and the sublime Soon excerpt from The Gates Of Delirium.” 
– EXPRESS & STAR
 
Irish-born JON ANDERSON, started off fronting Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, before forming Yes, however his musical career has never been creatively limited. Be it working on four celebrated albums with Oscar winner Vangelis, or playing with the likes of Toto, Glass Hammer, Dream Theatre, Kitaro, King Crimson, Mike Oldfield, Peter Machajdik, Gowan, Rick Wakeman’s concept album ‘1984’ and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones or producing 13 highly acclaimed solo albums. Jon has always found different avenues for creativity, be it composing and playing with dozens of orchestras throughout the world, composing ballet scores or contributing to countless film scores and painting. 
 
2013 will mark JON ANDERSON’s first ever solo Bluesfest and sideshow appearances. A masterful musician, a weaver of stories both verbal and musical, JON ANDERSON will make these nights linger long in the memory.
THE CORNER, MELBOURNE – Wednesday April 10, 2013 – Bookings: www.bluesfesttouring.com.au  or (02) 6685 8310  (LIMITED RESERVED SEATING)
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We reached 23,852 punters before even picking up the phone

We checked our Facebook “people reached” figures and there it was. 23,852 for the week. (“People reached” means individual people who saw a post.)

Of course we also reach many thousands more through conventional media as always. However, we had just consolidated all our social media channels—Blog, Facebook and Twitter. Surprised by the figures? Nah.

Bertram!! More absinthe!!