Take Me To The Show!

The past year has been a whirlwind of Music. I have to hand it to OZ, they attract the kind of bands I’m into. Most of them are small indie groups that are fairly underground, you wouldn’t hear them on any of the big corporate radio stations in the states that’s for sure! The aussies have a real taste for good underground music and are extremely appreciative when someone takes the time to make the trek down here. As big as this place is, there are only a handful of decent sized cities here. You have Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth that’s really about it. Usually the last two are off the list anyway as they are way the hell on the other side. So anyone touring down here can really only look forward to around 5 shows max. That’s a long way to go for five shows! So I think everyone here is thrilled when someone shows up, and we all give them a big “Aussie Good On Ya Mate!”

Heres a little photo journal of some of my exploits:

THE SHINS: Busselton Show Grounds

Indie angst and self-loathing rock at its finest. Only two albums and these guys are taking over. No one really knew who they were till the movie Garden State, now they are rock stars. Basically it’s a one man band as I realized at this show. Yer man Mercer here is in total control and writes everything. The other guys just play some insturments.

You will all buy my records! As a disciple of Satan I command you!

EARTHCORE: Shpongle, Hallucinogen, and Simon Possford, Middle of fucking nowhere, Queensland

Simon Possford is known to be one of the main doods in the whole Psytrance scene. I have been listening to a bit of this stuff lately as there are heaps of bush parties on the east coast. Good fun getting outa yer head and dancing in the jungle with a bunch of feral hippies. It is basically electronic psycadellic music. It has certain sounds and a certain groove that separates it from the vast collection of boring electronica. I’m still figuring out what makes a good DJ and how they do it all. Well I sat through a full night of ho hum DJs and acts and finally Possford came on at sunrise in his Hallucinogen form. Well it was worth the wait! He sent us all to another planet, and everyone was getting their groove on. Remember this is at 5 in the morning and everyone has been standing around all night! A Shpongle set later in the morning sealed the deal and I’m a devoted fan now. Now if I could just remember where I put my car keys???!!! And why are all these people staring at me??!!

Uh oh! Me thinks its startin to kick in….

Simon Breakin it down!

Come down time at home base.

BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE: The Zoo, Brisbane, Qld.

Omi God! I was so excited when these guys announced a tour down here. The whole fam damly have been devoted fans since Ian introduced us to them. I have been geeking out on them ever since. They are an eclectic mix of indie rock, ambient electronica, and intelligent folk, if that makes any since!?! They are based in Toronto and are a collection of something like 6 different bands. Every member has some connection to another project, and there are lots of them, at one time I counted 5 guys wailing on guitar, a drummer 2 guys on horns, 1 Bass, 2 girls singing, they just kept coming. They are also made up of some of my other favourites these days. Check out the ambient electric guitar ramblings of DO MAKE SAY THINK, and the brilliant break-ups suck lyrics of STARS.

This show was a total inspiration. I realize now what I want to do with my life…I WANNA ROCK!!!! Is it a Coincidence I bought a sweet new electric and amp the day of the show??? I think not.

Ow Me So Horny! Me Love You Long Time!

What will the next few months bring? Looking forward to going to see Augie March a good aussie folk rock unit from Melbourne, might go and see Sigur Ros…AGAIN they are back to play the Byron Blues and Roots Festival, which has quite an amazing line up as always. So I’ll just sit back and let them all come to me. You gotta love good music, and it all seems to filter it way down to the Southern Hemisphere eventually….You listening Sufjan???

Psychedelic Citreon

Here is a pic of my neighbor's Citreon, pretty sweet ride if you ask me...

All Hail The Hoff!

Oh the joy of it all!

WaxHoff

Thanks for that one Dave

Enjoy

Joanna Newsom

Concert of the month was the amazing Joanna Newsom. I've been a fan for about a year now and was over the moon when I heard she was coming all the way up to Brisbane. She is an incredible artist and put on one amazing show despite having a cold and the fact that the venue was like a sauna.

She is an unassuming powerhouse. She walks onstage this cute shy elvin creature. Then she sits down and wraps her arms around her massive orchestral harp and starts into the most amazing sincopated multi layered rythum. Then the voice begins! She belts out her voice and fills the room with her enchanting lyrics. Its amazing such a sound can come out of that little frame. Granted her voice can take some getting used to, but it is powerful in its own.

I found her voice was really strong live even though she was a bit hoarse from the cold. Myself and all my music nerd friends all walked out of that show completely in LOVE. I never thought of the harp as a SEXY insturment, but that show was incredibly HOT....in more ways than one. It must have been 100 degrees in there, they had two massive industrial fans but they didn't quite do it, and they sure didn't add to the atmosphere.

The opening act was Alt country lo fi legend Smog. Also a bit of getting used to but he is quite amazing. Very lo fi and tounge in cheek. Check him out if you have the time. Great one-liners set to some chill acoustic and simple arrangements. I'd recommend the album Knock Knock as a starter.

Few more shows on the horizon. Shins, Earthcore with Shpongle et al, Jamariqui at the outdoor amphitheatre down the road. Looks like it may be a fun "Winter" season.

Mackay Livin'

Hey all, yes I'm still here. Been a little busy worker bee for the past month, and haven't had much time to post. But I have the technology now and the photos to prove all the craziness that has been happening. Been spending lots of time working up in Mackay mid way up the Qld coast. This area is famous for its MASSIVE coal loading terminals. Seems Australia has one of the largest terminals in the world and they want it to be bigger. Thats where I come in...

Basically the two terminals are Hay Point and Darlymple Bay. Both have massive trains that come in and dump the coal, we are talking 4km long trains here around the clock. Its then taken via high speed conveyor out 4km to be loaded onto 200,000tonne ships. I am here doing a geotechnical investigation for the new berths, warf and approach path for both terminals.

My new home is this here man made island a jack up Barge. I think of it as some robotic creature. It has these 100ft legs it puts down to the sea floor and jacks up to a safe level. Then we drill for soil and rock samples. Its not my ideal tropical island getaway, but it will have to do for now:




It ends up being long days ie 12 hours, and we are on the go as long as the weather is good, but its pretty cool being in charge of this massive piece of equipment. We have to stay intouch with the ship controlers so we don't get in the way of some massive bulk cruiser.




Its tough work but someones got to do it, there just too many fish in the sea:



So Im basically up here 2 weeks on then 2 weeks back in Brisbane. Let me tell you those two weeks back in civilization goes quickly. Lots of socializing to catch up on and heaps of laundry then its back up north for a while. Least I have a comfy home to come back to here in Brisbane. Awww white picket fence how domestic:




Here is a cool shot of Brissy from the plane, the river gives the city a nice feel, but don't use is as a land mark as it winds all over the place. I live in the bottom left corner:





More to come soon, I have to get up now and make a batch of quiches for my beer and brunch unfortunately its pissing down rain so it may be an indoor affair. look for more updates soon, Im pulling myself out of this Blog slackerdom now.

Worker Bee # 9424 Reporting for Duty

Woops its been a while I have been getting myself sorted out here in Bris. Started work this last week and I am officially a sheep again. Though the grass is awful tasty and its safe here in the paddock. The new company is working out well. Im in the geotech group of a massive engineering and construction company that does everything. We are just a small cog in the big machine, but the crew Im with is pretty cool and chill despite all the work going on. Im already working on a Dam in Laos, major roadworks here in Brisbane, upgrading of the GSM network all through Queensland and a big investigation for a coal loading terminal up near Mackay.

Funny to be back as a worker bee, but it feels good. Im stimulated once again, and happy to be out of the bad situation I was in previously.

Plus I just moved into a sweet pad in a great part of town. Living with two crazy Canadian girls. So Im feeling quite settled these days, and what do yah know Im pretty happy too!

Went to a safety course today to learn how not to be crushed to death or melt my skin off with noxious chemicals. It reminded me to alert you all to a potentially dangerous material which you should all be aware of. Please for the love of god, follow the directions below to minimize any damage to yourself if you "handle" one of these....

Here is a picture of me and my new housemate. Hes pretty chill, but makes alot of noise when he wants milk, oh and he is a little messy. But dang ain't he cute?

All Signed Up

Well Signed the offer letter from my new employer today. Got my package and walked down to a nice little park down the road. Signed away my freedom yet again while sitting in the Forest Walk area of the Roma Street Parklands, check out the 360 VR tour! So signed off on my offer letter and trotted back over to the office and handed it in. Looks like they still want to hire me. Talked to the HR visa girl in the Melbourne office and she seems to be on the ball. I should be all signed up and on a bridging visa in a couple days. Then I just have to wait for it to be finalized and work can begin.

Had a great time talking with Mike, Nate and Rockin' Johnny today its been too long. Called them all at Mike's new place up in Bend OR. Would be cool to be there hanging with those guys, but things are goin good here so I can't complain. You guys are my heros hope we can get back together soon and have some more adventures.

Yahoo got a Sigur Ros ticket yesterday, Im broke, but its a priority, they come through here on Aug 5. Should be an interesting show, I'll keep you posted.

Thing Brisbane is going to be ok. Its a chill little city with just enough going on, plus I get to ride this to work everyday.