I raced down to Melbourne in crazy traffic on Tuesday afternoon, to drive an essay into the submission box. I think I was technically 7 minutes late, for which I blame a road rage altercation going on in front of me in Royal Parade...but alas, our admin there stamped it for me nonetheless.
My reward was to meet up with Springer, at The Vegie Bar, for some wine, and to hear stories of her recent South America travels. Very dangerous exercise for me! Mary soon joined us, as we were given a table upstairs, and all enjoyed a different awesome vegie curry. Mmmm, so good.
Across the road to The Evelyn, we made our way to the left of the stage for position Pretty Strangers were playing at this stage, and soon followed by Francolin.
Finalising their month long Residency, The Good China filled the stage, and engaged the crowd with there collection of indie-pop tunes. Common People by Pulp was the cover of the night, which Springer instantly got into. Mit really shone for this one.
The encore was The Good China's verson of Jen Lekman's Maple Leaves, with Ryan and Mit taking leads here. The grab of Barry White in here, and the China's combined sound, make this cover so amazing!
This was such a good gig, with such a great feel to it. The band were working really well together, and sounding so great.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Recent Cullinary Finds
In my break between subjects at uni on Monday last week, Julie and I went into a little place I had spotted - a cafe set up inside a garage. From walking past the entrance I had seen an eatery set up, and was intrigued.
The Garage Cafe touts Indonesian fare, with the Balinese style furniture, and Asia feel to the set up. We grabbed a big table, made our choices off the long menu, and were delighted with the outcome. The meals were great!
And then on Thursday we received an email about the menu for lunch at BRACE, where the Certificate II in Hospitality test out their cooking and serving skills. Michelle, Matt and I put up the closed sign at the office, and took up our booked table for a two course meal at the BRACE Cafe. I'm not sure if anyone can just call and book, but we will certainly be back. A chance to support these students in gaining their skills for later employment.
The Garage Cafe touts Indonesian fare, with the Balinese style furniture, and Asia feel to the set up. We grabbed a big table, made our choices off the long menu, and were delighted with the outcome. The meals were great!
And then on Thursday we received an email about the menu for lunch at BRACE, where the Certificate II in Hospitality test out their cooking and serving skills. Michelle, Matt and I put up the closed sign at the office, and took up our booked table for a two course meal at the BRACE Cafe. I'm not sure if anyone can just call and book, but we will certainly be back. A chance to support these students in gaining their skills for later employment.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Whale of a Time
During the week, I had to travel down to Warrnambool, and back, for work. Wow, that's a long drive in one day, for one appointment. Still, that's the job! Thanks god for the iPod!
To have lunch, and actually walk around a bit before driving back, I sought out Logan's Beach, which is where the whale watching happens. If this case gets off the ground, I may have to schedule a few reviews during the watching months!
To have lunch, and actually walk around a bit before driving back, I sought out Logan's Beach, which is where the whale watching happens. If this case gets off the ground, I may have to schedule a few reviews during the watching months!
Friday, April 09, 2010
The Good China Residency
Leaving work in the dark, after the clocks have changed out of daylight savings, and driving into wind, rain and fog, I was started the understand the test this winter is going to be on my resolve to see live bands in Melbourne on a school night! Driving down and back for the first week of The Good China residency was a little crazy...but has to be done!
I picked up Nicole, and we had dinner at Bimbo Deluxe, before finding a couch at The Evelyn. Mercury White got started, as I grabbed a beer. Fun, polished pop rock, Sticks and Stone was a standout.
The 8 Chinas soon assembled on stage, with a group entrance, and opened with No More Maps. Quite a few new tracks were included in the set list, along with Turn The Page. 39 Black and The Couch Song were in their, albeit some mic issues. Battling through rain coming through the roof, reportedly a collective cold, and a dwindling crowd on this dark night, the group put in their usual impressive energy.
During the month of Tuesdays in April at the Evelyn, the band will do a requested cover each week, with this week's being Arcade Fire and Rebellion (Lies) as an ode to their 2 year anniversary as a band. We Found 3 Whistles finished the set.
An encore of All Nothing, which is always such a treat experienced live! They'll be there all month!
I picked up Nicole, and we had dinner at Bimbo Deluxe, before finding a couch at The Evelyn. Mercury White got started, as I grabbed a beer. Fun, polished pop rock, Sticks and Stone was a standout.
The 8 Chinas soon assembled on stage, with a group entrance, and opened with No More Maps. Quite a few new tracks were included in the set list, along with Turn The Page. 39 Black and The Couch Song were in their, albeit some mic issues. Battling through rain coming through the roof, reportedly a collective cold, and a dwindling crowd on this dark night, the group put in their usual impressive energy.
During the month of Tuesdays in April at the Evelyn, the band will do a requested cover each week, with this week's being Arcade Fire and Rebellion (Lies) as an ode to their 2 year anniversary as a band. We Found 3 Whistles finished the set.
An encore of All Nothing, which is always such a treat experienced live! They'll be there all month!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Footy's Return, F1s and the 'Finger
A day at the 'G, after the long off season, was made all that much better with a win! Hawks thump Melbourne, as they should have, as Mum, Melissa and I worked on remembering the new numbers and lads in our team, and working on that concentration level.
After tramming and walking Mum to the station for home, Melissa and I got the tram out to Albert Park, and used our borrowed officials pass to get in - just in time for the second half of the final F1 time trials for grid positions. Finding our way to the fence, just a step or two away from the concrete track barrier, our ears were soon assaulted by the fast, smelly and very loud engines of speed.
During the break in the trials, we made our way over the walkway on the track, and watched the rest from atop a hill, to see a bit more. I think the noise was greater from this position, too!
As the rain started, we started walking our way through the grounds, had a cheeky beer at the XXXX Gold Retreat, as the V8 Supercars circled the track around us. Beer finished, and bored with the cars going by, we figured out our way through the crew back paddocks and out the other side, to meet up with Greg, and Loz, emerging from their respective stands for the day.
Here, in front of us was the stage, with the unidentified, and unimpressive support band, going through their paces.
But soon enough the boys from Powderfinger arrived on stage, to the intro music of their new album, and managed to play a 90 minute set, bouncing between new, old, and older material from the extensive back catalogue.
The newly released Burn Your Name mingled with Pick You Up and Sunsets, with the backdrop here. All Of The Dreamers Lost And Running, My Kind Of Scene, and live track Bless My Soul.
Bernard introduced Nobody Sees as Mark Webber's favourite song - that lad needs to cheer up, hey! He also told of a couple of the boys in the band having a run around the GP track in an F1. Encore included (Baby I've Got You) On My Mind and My Happiness, showing that they Brissy boys have still got it!
After tramming and walking Mum to the station for home, Melissa and I got the tram out to Albert Park, and used our borrowed officials pass to get in - just in time for the second half of the final F1 time trials for grid positions. Finding our way to the fence, just a step or two away from the concrete track barrier, our ears were soon assaulted by the fast, smelly and very loud engines of speed.
During the break in the trials, we made our way over the walkway on the track, and watched the rest from atop a hill, to see a bit more. I think the noise was greater from this position, too!
As the rain started, we started walking our way through the grounds, had a cheeky beer at the XXXX Gold Retreat, as the V8 Supercars circled the track around us. Beer finished, and bored with the cars going by, we figured out our way through the crew back paddocks and out the other side, to meet up with Greg, and Loz, emerging from their respective stands for the day.
Here, in front of us was the stage, with the unidentified, and unimpressive support band, going through their paces.
But soon enough the boys from Powderfinger arrived on stage, to the intro music of their new album, and managed to play a 90 minute set, bouncing between new, old, and older material from the extensive back catalogue.
The newly released Burn Your Name mingled with Pick You Up and Sunsets, with the backdrop here. All Of The Dreamers Lost And Running, My Kind Of Scene, and live track Bless My Soul. Bernard introduced Nobody Sees as Mark Webber's favourite song - that lad needs to cheer up, hey! He also told of a couple of the boys in the band having a run around the GP track in an F1. Encore included (Baby I've Got You) On My Mind and My Happiness, showing that they Brissy boys have still got it!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Down The Way
After missing out on seeing them last time they toured, I grabbed tickets to Angus and Julia Stone for last night months and months ago. Quickly sold out, this show was a launch of their new album, Down The Way.
Andrea and I drove down after work, and grabbed dinner along Bourke Street, before making our way up to the balcony level of The Palace for a good view down to the stage. Half of Boy & Bear (the other half are currently touring in the UK) arrived at the front of the stage, for an acoustic set - amazing harmonies, sounding very much like Fleet Foxes, and very impressive.
Opening with an unrecorded track, Julia, in a long flowing green dress, and Angus, complete with beard and wild hair tamed with his hat, the Stones graced the stage, with their band. Instantly mesmerising the crowd with her And The Boys, from the keyboard, next, Julia started the selection of tracks from the new album.
Angus' Draw Your Swords was amazing, and fast becoming my favourite track of the album, with Yellow Brick Road. Crowd favourites like Chocolate and Cigarettes, and gorgeous Wasted interspersed. Julia played Black Jackets as a special request, around her chatty engagement with the crowd, while shy Angus told us how much he loves working with his sister, and how much she inspires him. Cute!
A surprising, and very sexy version of Grease's You’re the One That I Want by Julia, before Private Lawns finished off the set.
Much loved Just A Boy by Angus started the encore, which was followed by a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams, before a haunting and beautiful Santa Monica Dream ended the night. The packed venue streamed out onto Bourke Street, totally in awe of these ridiculously talented siblings....
Andrea and I drove down after work, and grabbed dinner along Bourke Street, before making our way up to the balcony level of The Palace for a good view down to the stage. Half of Boy & Bear (the other half are currently touring in the UK) arrived at the front of the stage, for an acoustic set - amazing harmonies, sounding very much like Fleet Foxes, and very impressive.
Opening with an unrecorded track, Julia, in a long flowing green dress, and Angus, complete with beard and wild hair tamed with his hat, the Stones graced the stage, with their band. Instantly mesmerising the crowd with her And The Boys, from the keyboard, next, Julia started the selection of tracks from the new album.
Angus' Draw Your Swords was amazing, and fast becoming my favourite track of the album, with Yellow Brick Road. Crowd favourites like Chocolate and Cigarettes, and gorgeous Wasted interspersed. Julia played Black Jackets as a special request, around her chatty engagement with the crowd, while shy Angus told us how much he loves working with his sister, and how much she inspires him. Cute!
A surprising, and very sexy version of Grease's You’re the One That I Want by Julia, before Private Lawns finished off the set.
Much loved Just A Boy by Angus started the encore, which was followed by a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams, before a haunting and beautiful Santa Monica Dream ended the night. The packed venue streamed out onto Bourke Street, totally in awe of these ridiculously talented siblings....
Friday, March 19, 2010
Greens and Blues
Dressed in green for the day of work, I was champing to get back from Geelong, ready for beer o'clock! It's just not right, not having a beer, or few, on St Patrick's Day!
I picked up Katie, and we met Michelle at Irish Murphy's for our pints of Guinness, and Bulmers, from the tap, as we took in the crowd who dared to be at the pub on a school night. It actually seemed to be 65 year olds, or 16 years olds! A band played us an assortment of Irish band covers, and jig music. As the crowd started to fill, and the younger half of the punters started stumbling around, we walked up Camp Street, to Karova.
We arrived as Last Dinosaurs were playing, reminding me very much of The Temper Trap, on the look, but also the sound. Next up were Cloud Control, who really impressed. A new little band to watch out for!
So, so hot in the little sunken band room, Yves Klein Blue entered the stage, with their own projected light show for effect. Having Michael finally up on stage, after he had been floating around amongst us, he switched from lead from and centre, to seated at keys to the left of stage.
Silence Is Distance was the second song for the night, with a smattering of new tracks from the boys. Summer Sheets sparked some crowd interest, and Dinosaur was energetic and fun. About The Future showed off that vocal command Michael has with the audience, before a massive Polka rendition with the ending of the night a hearty Getting Wise.
I picked up Katie, and we met Michelle at Irish Murphy's for our pints of Guinness, and Bulmers, from the tap, as we took in the crowd who dared to be at the pub on a school night. It actually seemed to be 65 year olds, or 16 years olds! A band played us an assortment of Irish band covers, and jig music. As the crowd started to fill, and the younger half of the punters started stumbling around, we walked up Camp Street, to Karova.
We arrived as Last Dinosaurs were playing, reminding me very much of The Temper Trap, on the look, but also the sound. Next up were Cloud Control, who really impressed. A new little band to watch out for!
So, so hot in the little sunken band room, Yves Klein Blue entered the stage, with their own projected light show for effect. Having Michael finally up on stage, after he had been floating around amongst us, he switched from lead from and centre, to seated at keys to the left of stage.
Silence Is Distance was the second song for the night, with a smattering of new tracks from the boys. Summer Sheets sparked some crowd interest, and Dinosaur was energetic and fun. About The Future showed off that vocal command Michael has with the audience, before a massive Polka rendition with the ending of the night a hearty Getting Wise.
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