South West Music Archive: August 2017

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Koroit Irish Festival 2006

Brett Holbrook

Behind the Mike

Dennis O'Keefe

Donegal Express

Felix Meagher

Claymore

Rusty Buckets

Rusty Buckets

Ron Morgan

Horny Toads

Tommy Brooks

Wandering Irish drop in
Madeline Healey. Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
AMONG the Irish fans, descend ant and ex-pats at the Koroit Irish Festival yesterday were some fair dinkum Irish wanderers proving the festival has an international reputation. The five Irish lads and their English friend travelled from Melbourne set up camp and settled down outside Koroit Hotel to enjoy a Guinness. “One of us even left his job just so he could come,” Craig Aston said. They met during their travels in Sydney and Melbourne, but it was woman Sonia Chandnani who heard about the festival. “I heard about it last year when I was living in Dublin. I met some people who had just got back from Australia and they told me about this mad Irish festival,” Ms. Chandnani said. “I said if I was Melbourne when it was on I would definitely be going.” She said it had been great to with a group of Irishmen. “Everyone’s been saying it’s like being home in Ireland.” They said they had had enjoyed the festival especially when they proved they were real Irishmen. “We have to show some people ID or they won’t believe us,” Gian Dailtain said. The only problem for the Irish lads was they swore Guinness didn’t taste the same in Australia. “Guinness doesn’t travel unlike the Irish since we’re the country wanderers,” Mr. Aston said. One of the group, Macdara Gealbhain even entered the Danny Boy competition but they couldn’t understand his accent, Mr. Aston said.

Music teacher shows celtic talent
Madeline Healey. Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
BRAUER College music teacher Maja Ryan beat the odds to win the Koroit Irish Festival Danny Boy competition on Saturday night Ms Ryan was one of two women and five men competing in the final but her passion for Celtic music helped her take home the $1000 first prize. “I tried to stick with traditional Irish Celtic singing rather than singing it classically, it had a real Celtic twist,” she said. Originally from Hamilton, Ms Ryan moved to Warrnambool in January from Melbourne and had never heard of the competition. “I didn’t know it existed. I knew there was an Irish festival, then I heard about the Danny Boy competition from someone at work,” she said. “I probably would have gone to the festival anyway because I love Irish stuff and music festivals.” Ms Ryan said the great crowd at the final of the competition at the Koroit Theatre had pushed her to perform her best. “I didn’t sing as well in the heat and sang better on Saturday night “The crowd was just so receptive and into the competition,” she said. Ms Ryan said she wasn’t sure about singing Danny Boy but was glad she had given it a go. “I wasn’t sure about the song but you have to sing it so I thought I might as well make the most of it,” she said.

Irish celebration
Madeline Healey. Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
MORE than 5000 people attended the 10th Koroit Irish Festival on Saturday, making it the biggest yet. Headline act Claymore attracted a huge crowd to the village green in the afternoon, while about 400 attended the Danny Boy competition in the Koroit Theatre in the evening. Despite the large crowds police said festival-goers had been well behaved and there were no arrests. Chairman of the festival committee Colin Ryan said the committee was pleased with this year's event. ``We were happy with how it went off,'' he said. "The fact we had Claymore was a huge success and we're looking at maintaining that for future festivals. "The Danny Boy competition attracted 28 entrants with seven making the Saturday night final. Brauer College teacher Maja Ryan won the title. "She was outstanding and a very happy winner,'' Mr Ryan said. It was also a great day for the many children who dressed up to take part in the parade and enter the costume competition. Led by a piper, the parade included local primary schools and other groups. ``It's hugely successful as it gets all the kids and parents involved. ``It's a tradition of any Irish festival in the world,'' Mr Ryan said. The committee is now planning next year's festival with well-known Celtic band The Borderers already secured to perform. ``We're looking forward to next year being even bigger and better,'' Mr Ryan said.

Bluegrass boys keep up tradition
Warrnambool Standard 1st May 2006 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2006. All rights reserved
GEELONG Irish Society musician Dave Cunningham favoured a traditional approach when he performed at the Koroit Irish Festival on Saturday. Mr Cunningham took to the stage to perform classics like Isn’t It Grand Boys and of course Danny Boy, which he also performed in the singing competition. Mr Cunningham said it was great for the society to have an Irish festival to attend. “It’s brilliant, it means a lot to us as the Geelong Irish Society is very small and we don’t have many functions,” he said. “At something like this we make a lot of contacts, we all get together and have a good time.” Mr Cunningham said the jam sessions at Mickey Bourke’s Hotel were a highlight of the festival. The festival is also an important event for The Horny Toads band members who met at the festival eight years ago and return every year. The band has become well known for its energetic performances of bluegrass Irish music.

Photos from Koroit Irish Festival 2005

Aniar - Airlie Tait (flute), Andrew Hallett (guitar), Don Stewart (guitar), Gemma Belfrage (percussion)

Skiberdeen

Behind the Mike - Michael Schack, Hannah Schack, Rebecca Schack

Horny Toads

Rusty B - Russ Goodear, Hannah Schack, Michael Schack, Ian Bail, Rick Holmes

International band at Koroit

Warrnambool Standard 28th Apr. 2005 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2005 All rights reserved

The Koroit Irish Festival boasts its first International artist this weekend when Celtic group Aes Dana performs in the town's theatre and the Guinness Stage on Saturday. The festival will start tomorrow evening and will again feature the Danny Boy competition. The Blackwood Centre, Mickey Bourke's, the Commercial Hotel and Mulligans will all host performances. Street stages will feature bands all day Saturday. Other artists include Captain Darling, Ad Hoc, Rusty B, Aniar, Raffert's Rules, The Swing Of Things, Dalriada, Tommy, Tuddy and Mick Morgan, Oriel Glennen and Marco Goldsmith, Billy Moran, Horny Toads, The Stone Cutters The Rubber Band, Behind The Mike, Air warves, Tam Lin and Dennis O'Keeffe.

Competition makeover

By Amy Marshall. Warrnambool Standard 27th Apr. 2005 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2005 All rights reserved

As the Koroit Irish Festival grows up so does its defining event - the Australian Danny Boy Championship. Organisers have changed the format. Replacing Friday night pub heats where contestants are judged into the final by crowd applause, heats will run on the day of the festival with a judging panel. The six finalists will sing their wee little Irish hearts out for the prize on Saturday night. Singer Sue Foley said that it was probably a good thing the competition was more professional. "It (judging by applause) has produced some interesting results over the years", Foley said. "The locals get a bit more of a run because they have their pals in the crowd". Clapping and wolf whistling haven't been completely dismissed as a legitimate form of judging and are still required for the most popular audience vote.

The national competition has been a feature of the festival for the last 5 years and grown from one section to four, attracted a sponsor and now offers $1000 in prize money. Past Australian Danny Boy champion Peter McElgunn will compere the heats while Richard Zeigeler should provide a few laughs when he comperes the finals. The first heat will be on Saturday at 11.30 am at Mulligans Bar (Village Store) and the second will be at 2.30 pm at the Commercial Hotel. From there 6 finalists will be selected for the open section and 2 each for the junior and instrumental sections. Finalists will meet at the Koroit Theatre at 7.30 pm on Saturday for an 8 pm start. Admission for the finals is $12.00.

Danny Boy is thought to date back to the 17th century and has been performed by Elvis Presley, Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Accomplished performers

The O'Toole Kit Band will return to the Koroit Irish Festival this year

A vast and exciting lineup of entertainers is scheduled for Saturday across four stages in Koroit's town centre and at local venues. Returning to the festival for its sixth consecutive year is Celtic trio Bhan Tre. Bhan Tre, pronounced ban-tree, means three women in Gaelic. Susan Foley, Rebecca Nita and Geraldine Davis, who use the bodhran, tin whistle, fiddle, guitar and vocals to play traditional Irish music are three of Melbourne's most accomplished and vibrant female performers. The Koroit Irish Festival was one of their first gigs when they started out in 1998. "When you're successful it's nice to go back and say thank you," Ms Foley said. Louie and the Rustlers will revisit the festival also, comprising Louise Clancey as the lead singer, Jon Clegg on the guitar, banjo and backup vocals, Russ Goodear on guitar and singing, and Michael Schack on bass. Louie and the Rustlers play their own style of country blues. Their play list includes cover versions of The Judds, Jewel, Michelle Shocked, Kasey Chambers, Four Non Blondes, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Stafford and others. Behind The Mike is a Warrnambool band consisting of Michael Schack and his two daughters Hannah and Rebecca. The trio has a contemporary Irish sound, using instruments such as guitars, keyboard, flute, harmonica, accordion and vocals. They play the music of such artists as The Corrs, Van Morrison and traditional Irish favourites such as Star of County Down, along with a few of their own original tunes. Behind The Mike also has a country flavour and chooses to play some of the works of famous country singer Kasey Chambers. The Swing of Things is a four-piece band playing a variety of songs incorporating jazz, country rock, popular standards and originals. Members include Heather Goddard on lead vocals, Julie Mac on keyboard and harmony vocals, Bob Grey on bass guitar and vocals and Bryan Amarant on drums. Tasmanian harpist-vocalist Anna Louis has been described as a "harpist on fire". She combines her instrument and voice to create a passionate and intimate performance. Her performance credits include Les Miserables, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Removalists and Romeo and Juliet. Ms Louis won the Westbury St. Patrick’s Day Irish Music Award in 2001, Tasmania’s highest Celtic music accolade for her debut as a band. Next year she has been invited to tour Scotland with the St. Andrew’s Caledonian Pipe-band. Tommy and Tuddy will feature at the festival on Saturday at the Koroit Theatre. They have been playing together for more than 35 years and began their musical lives together in primary school. Tommy and Tuddy's performance is made up of vocals and guitar and lends itself to the more traditional and older side of Irish music, with songs from the great Frank Bowman. The band is a regular at the Killarney Hotel, near Koroit. Other headline acts include Martin Dougherty, Small Time Band, Angela Higgins, Sing Australia (Warrnambool branch), Skibereen, Conundrum, Homy Toads, Skylark and Kevin Bowman.

Taking `Danny Boy' dare paid off handsomely

Danny Boy winner Gerrard Norman from Colac with best instrumental winner Mikayla Moroney, 17, of Koroit and best local Barbara Nolte, 20, also from Koroit. (Picture: Leanne Pickett)

AN amateur singer from Colac has taken out first prize in the Koroit Irish Festival's Danny Boy competition after accepting a dare from his family at the weekend. Gerrard Norman admitted that he did not know the famous song's words and had not sung publicly for about 20 years, until he fronted the large crowd on Saturday night. "I used to sing about 20 years ago with the Colac Players, but I've done nothing since then," he said. "It was daunting, I've never sung in any competitions before. I just did it as a dare." Mr Norman said he had once sung Danny Boy at his aunt's 80th birthday but could not remember the words for last night's performance. "I had to read the words," he said yesterday. This weekend was his first time at the festival and he was awarded with $1000 for his efforts. Koroit's Barbara Nolte won the local section of the competition for the second year running. She was nervous about defending her title against some pretty tough competition, she said. The competition's instrumental section was won by 17-year-old Mikayla Moroney, also of Koroit, playing the flute. This was her first entry in the competition and she said she would definitely consider taking part in the competition next year. Festival committee president Des Noonan said the competition had been running for the last seven years and was getting bigger each year. This year's competition attracted about 25 entries and he was happy with that number, considering the inclement weather on Saturday. Everyone performed the song so differently, it was enjoyable to listen to it being sung over and over again, he said.

Hardy Irish fans beat the blues -- Koroit Irish Festival 2004

By Eve Lamb. Warrnambool Standard 3rd May 2004 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2004. All rights reserved

An estimated 4000 people braved cold, wet weather to enjoy Koroit's annual Irish Festival on Saturday, pleasing organisers who had considered changing the event due to inclement weather. Festival committee president Des Noonan said they kept an eye on the early weather forecasts and had considered moving the event indoors. "We held a crisis meeting at 9.30am, but we decided to go for it and as it turns out we made the right decision," Mr Noonan said. "Obviously we are down on last year, but it's still great to see so many here which shows that we've got a loyal band of followers. "Saint Pat (patron saint of Ireland) has been just a little bit slow in clearing up the weather for us but we are happy with the crowd. "I would estimate it realistically to now be at 3000 to 4000.'' Mr Noonan said a better contingency plan was needed for bad weather, but it was an outdoor festival and the committee was not able to put up big marquees like the Port Fairy Folk Festival. As the weather switched from brilliant sunshine to drizzle, the staunch crowd adapted by huddling under shop front verandas or umbrellas when the rain came while the bands, protected by the stage covers, merely played on. The Guinness still flowed but hot coffee, beef and Guinness pie or casserole and soup were equally popular while at Mickey Bourke's Hotel patrons soaked in the sun when it was out and adjourned to the open indoor fire whenever the next shower hit. While Celtic-flavoured music flowed from the six stages about 50 stall-holders dispatched food or other goods to festival-goers. On Saturday night Gerrard Norman of Colac won the Danny Boy competition in a field of 25 entries. Yesterday a Mass at the Koroit Catholic Church featured many of the festival musicians. It was followed by a recovery session at the Commercial Hotel, lunch at Mickey Bourke's hotel and and the local Hampden football derby between Koroit and Port Fairy

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

A little taste of Ireland

Koroit will embrace all things Irish this weekend, as these musicians did at last year’s event.

THE Koroit Irish Festival continues to grow, with this weekend’s event expected to be the biggest in the festival’s six-year history. From its humble beginnings with just one street stage and an array of stalls, the 2002 event features five music stages plus live entertainment in the Koroit Village Store and the town’s pubs. Headlining this year’s festival will be the Howie Brothers, who are best known for their album of ballads and standards Favorite Songs which was released last year. The Howie brothers, John and Graeme, were signed up for the festival after much demand from fans in the south-west. Some of the other major acts performing this year include Australian icon Greg Champion, festival regulars Donegal Express, acoustic quartet Icon and trio Bhan Tre. The ever-popular annual Guinness Australian Danny Boy Championship returns again, with competitors battling it out to deliver the best performance of the beloved ballad. Last year’s winner Ray Willis will also be back this year, both as a judge in the Danny Boy competition and as a performer on Saturday night. For something a little different, Oz rock trio Air-borne will bring its big guitar sound to Koroit’s Commercial Street, performing on the Devondale stage at 5.30pm. The young south-west band will finish the main street’s festivities before the action moves into the town’s theatre and licensed venues.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Festival is music to the ears -- 3rd Koroit Irish Festival 1999

Dressed in traditional outfits, Jessica Cady-Ellis, 9, of Koroit, and Meghan Dwight, 10, of Casterton, danced their way happily through the Koroit Irish Festival on Saturday. Picture: DAMIAN WHITE

Thousands of visitors flocked to the town to enjoy a variety of entertainment as well as craft markets and sideshows.GREEN jelly, countless pots of Guinness, four-leaf-clover tattoos and endless renditions of Danny Boy - the Koroit Irish Festival had it all. Commercial Road was taken over by singers, dancers, poets, clowns and food and craft stalls at the weekend, all showcasing the Celtic tradition and the connection some of the town's residents have to their homeland. It was a place for friends to gather, for people to meet, for traditional Irish music to echo through the town - it gave children an excuse to dye their hair green for a day.bThe festival, now in its third year, showcased local and interstate acts using four stages. According to Koroit Irish Festival committee president Maurice Molan, a record number of up to 13,000 people attended the event. "There were definitely more people than last year but we haven't counted the gatetakings yet. There were up to 13,000 people," he said. Mr Molan said perfect weather, good music and a great site made this year's festival "fantastic". "People have been coming all day (Saturday). There are more stages this year and that has certainly made a big difference. There's music all the time," he said. "We really appreciate the public support that we've had." Mr Molan said 25 local and interstate bands performed during the festival. He said the change of venue from the town's High Street to its main road was a good move that centralised the festival and involved local shops. Festival committee member Howard Nichol agreed: "It's so much better than last year. It's been a great move to move it into the main street and I'm delighted with the community support and involvement," he said. The winner of the Danny Boy contest was Elizabeth Mason, of Melbourne.

Potential idols get their chance

Photograph shows "Women in song performers" Kate Gane, Maree C., Toni Dee Mellow, Cherie Amor and Julie McErlain.

Port Fairy's Rhapsody in June will provide the perfect platform for performers to kick-start their career with an inaugural Rhapsody's Idol competition. Entrants perform a song of their choice, competing for $200 in prizemoney. Music, art and food are showcased at the festival to be held June11-14 at Port Fairy hotels and cafes. Port Fairy's Karen Stewart, who shares the role of festival co-ordinator with Fiona Hampson, said Rhapsody in June highlighted local talent. "The festival is held to promote Port Fairy and local music", Ms. Stewart said. Visitors to Port Fairy will be treated to the sound of rock, blues and jazz inspired music wafting from local haunts over the four-day festival. Mick Thomas, Calamari for Breakfast, The Hog Stompin Zydegators, Lost in Suburbia and Richard Tankard head the festival's line-up. The Women in song concert will showcase local female artists including Cherie Amor, Heather Goddard and Julie McErlain, Kate Gane, Carly Clifford, Toni Dee Mellow and Narelle Sharp who will be accompanied by her 12 year old daughter Billie Hollard on the wooden spoons. Port Fairy's Maree C will release her second album, Life, at a concert next Saturday from 2-4 pm at Port Fairy's St. John's Church in Regent St. Other features of the festival are a bread and butter pudding bake off, jazz breakfast, art exhibition at the Whalebone Galley and Rhapsody Rhythm at the Victoria Hotel featuring Calamari for Breakfast.

Teen talent triumph in Rhapsody Idol

Port Fairy Idol judges Chelsea Fox (left), Ken Maxsted (obscured), John MacDougall, Garry Lockett and Marcia Howard.

Two teenage performers astonished judges of Port Fairy's Rhapsody Idol competition yesterday with their slide guitar and keyboard talents. Warrnambool slide guitarist and vocalist Tom Richardson, 17, and Port Fairy honky-tonk pianist Ezra, 18, were awarded equal first place in the well-attended event. One of five judges, Garry Lockett, said the acts were the best seen in the Rhapsody Idol competition in years. "It was really quite a remarkable event because the two winners were absolutely outstanding. I think they are going to be big," he said. "We thought they were professionals. "Other acts such as hard rock band Emprica from Portland and acoustic guitarist Michael Ferguson from Port Fairy also impressed. The Rhapsody Idol event, part of Port Fairy's Rhapsody in June festival, took place in the drill hall on Bank Street.

Mick Ferguson

Rhapsody Idol title up for grabs

Domestic Violets

LAST year's Rhapsody Idol winners Domestic Violets will be back to defend their title on Sunday with an eye on taking home some prizemoney to pay for recording an album. The Port Fairy duo, brothers Wayne and Justin Gysen, tied with fellow local Kate Gane for the top prize in the inaugural competition at the 2004 Rhapsody In June festival. The pair played an original song This Man and a surprise acoustic take on the '80s Roxette hit The Look to share in the prizemoney, which totals $1000 this year. "Yeah, I think everyone had forgotten about that song," Wayne laughed when remembering Roxette. The brothers, who returned to Port Fairy a couple of years ago after a stint in Queensland, used the Rhapsody Idol to kick-start their south-west careers and have played regular gigs in pubs around the region. The Idol win has helped them graduate to one of the feature concerts of this year's Rhapsody In June, joining other talented Port Fairy and region bands in the all-ages Live On Stage concert at the Victoria Hotel 's Drill Hall from 7pm tomorrow. Wayne said he was stoked to be included alongside such local acts as A Bit How Ya Goin', Gane and Ezra Matzenik, Narelle Sharp and The Flannelettes, but added Port Fairy seemed to grow top musicians. "There's a lot of young talent here - there's drummers and guitarists that blow me away," he said. "That's why I wanted to come back here; because it's so musical." Rhapsody In June officially opens at 6.30pm tonight at Wisharts Gallery with the launch of an art exhibition titled Port-folios and a silent auction.

Photos of John Hudson

Monday, August 14, 2017

Hudson in fast lane

John Hudson and Emryboard

If there was a WAMI award this year for busiest man in the Warrnambool music scene, singer-songwriter John Hudson would have been a worthy winner. A new band, various recording projects, equipment endorsements, gigs along the Australian east coast, setting up a record label and raising a 10-and-a-half-month-ld baby girl have all been vying for his time. "It’s been a big 12 months,"Hudson understated, adding that during the past year he had also lost "a good friend and mentor" in local guitar teacher Fred Reilly. But things aren’t about to slow down for Hudson. Tonight his new band John Hudson and Emryboard begins its fortnightly residency at the Seanchai. "It’s developed quickly from being blues-based to now playing the full gamut of styles," he said of the new group, which features Glenn Board (bass) and Jon Emry drums). A tour and an album, tentatively titled Different Kind Of Day, are also in the works, and he will also continue playing solo gigs at the Seanchai on alternate nights to the Emryboard gigs. Different Kind Of Day isn’t the only studio project Hudson has on the go. He and long-time collaborator Lyn Eales have recently returned from a series of performances at a major national music conference on the Gold Coast and various Byron Bay venues. They have plans to release a long-awaited jazz-flavoured CD. "It’ll be a cruisey late-night-listening album," Hudson said of the project he and Eales have been working on for more than 12 months. On top of that, the guitarist recently scored an endorsement with Godin Guitars, a Canadian instrument manufacturer. As part of Hudson’s commitment to their guitars, he runs clinics on the instruments at conferences and will record an instrumental album to showcase what it can do. Then there’s Merrihop Records, which will initially be used to distribute his own product but will soon be signing south-west artists. "Down the line we’ll start promoting and distributing local artists and already there is considerable interest," he said. "There is a prolific recording (scene) down here, but the CDs only get sold at gigs or through the help of Capricorn Records. "It was confirmed at the conference that a lot of people are aware of the strength of the Warrnambool music scene." He said the label would help get "local artists out to a wider listening market". Hudson’s first priorities are his partner Peta and their baby Eva. "She’ll be walking any day now," the proud father beamed about his little girl. John Hudson and Emryboard will perform tonight at the Seanchai from 9pm.

Hudson-Daffy gig a musical treat

THE successful Guest Sessions at Warrnambool's Victoria Hotel have featured guitarist John Hudson teaming up with another talented individual or two to create a night of music that's not only entertaining and musically incredible but also downright fun. Tonight will be no exception, with Camperdown's Peter Daffy joining in. A whiz on the stringed and fretted instruments, including guitar and mandolin, Daffy has just returned from performing at the National Folk Festival in Canberra and the Signet Folk Festival in Tasmania.

Howard’s bushfire song

Shane Howard

KILLARNEY singer songwriter Shane Howard will contribute a new song to a compilation CD aimed at raising money for the Black Saturday bushfire appeal. Howard said the fires had left him feeling ‘‘really moved and really helpless’’. ‘‘A few days after Black Saturday I sat at the piano and wrote Carry Me,’’ he said. Howard was invited to play at a bushfire fund-raiser in Gippsland, where he aired the song for the first time. ‘‘TheABCguys there asked if I could send them a copy of the song, so I recorded it at home last week,’’ he said. The song has been picked up by various ABC stations around the country and caught the attention of the people behind St Vincent de Paul’s bushfire relief CD After The Fire. The compilation will be out soon and also features a new song from the Port Fairy Folk Festival-bound Kane, Welch& Kaplin, called Marysville, which California’s Kevin Welch wrote after hearing about the fires. Among the other artists contributing new material to the CD are Joe Camilleri, Renee Geyer and Brian Mannix. South-west-connected act Architecture In Helsinki will also do their bit for the bushfire appeal when they perform at the Sound Relief concert at the SCG on March 14. They’ll be playing alongside Coldplay, Eskimo Joe, Hoodoo Gurus, Icehouse, Jet, Josh Pyke, Little Birdy, Taylor Swift, The Presets, Wolfmother and You Am I. Among the bands playing at the MCG concert on the same day are Augie March, Gabriella Cilmi, Hunters&Collectors, Jack Johnson, Kings Of Leon, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly and Split Enz.

New music

Shane Howard

Warrnambool musician Shane Howard is riding the crest of a wave of success, releasing his latest album Clan last week and securing a support spot with Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. Howard recorded and produced Clan, his fifth solo album, at his local studio. The album emerged after Howard's three trips to Ireland, four years of intensive research into the history of Irish migration to Australia and researching his own ancestry. The album considers the parallels between the Irish and Aboriginal experiences of colonisation and dispossession, most notably explored in the song Silvermines. Other songs on the album confront issues including cultural exile and the Eureka Stockade and some pay homage to Australia and its native people, specifically to the district's Gunditjmara clan. Howard secured the support spot with Browne and Raitt when they personally decided to include him on their Australian tour after hearing his material. He will perform with Browne and Raitt in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne next month. Howard will also share the bill with artists including Midnight Oil at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland at the end of December, which will include a special performance of his former band, Goanna. Goanna basked in the national spotlight after releasing its Solid Rock album in 1982, and since disbanding 10 years ago it reformed briefly in February to perform at the Tarerer in Warrnambool. Howard said the decision to reform the band for the two special performances was for its memory. "It's important to retell the stories, to keep the songlines alive. There is a strong sense of responsibility", he said. "In many ways Goanna was more of a concept than an actual band".

Goanna line-up returns

Shane Howard

It will be an experience Shane Howard says could only be dreamed together one time, when the spirit returns in the act of gathering. From Warrnambool to New York to Ireland, the new Goanna record has been years in the making, and this week many of the artists involved in Spirit returns will come together to perform in Melbourne. Shane and Marcia Howard and Rose Bygrave - Goanna's original line-up - will be joined in two shows marking the close of the Melbourne Festival by a remarkable collection of performers. They include Liam O'Maonlai from Ireland, Kerryn Tolhurst from New York, Queensland's Murri poet Lionel Fogarty and Gunditjmara singer-songwriter Andy Alberts. Shane says there is a largeness of spirit about the gathering of talent which constitutes Goanna, a band that has involved more than 80 musicians over its 16 years. "It would be false of us to try and think of it as a band - its a musical idea". Goanna's original members, in Warrnambool to rehearse with Alberts, Tolhurst and Sydney bassist Bill Jacobi, agree one of the most important aspects of recording Spirit of Place was bringing their music home. The female perspective, or what Rose describes as "women's stories", has also come to the fore. Marcia and Rose wrote six of the songs on the new record - due for release early next month. Marcia says her personal journey since Goanna's early years has influenced her songwriting, especially having children and "thinking about what kind of world you want them to inherit". It is remarkable to have created such a musical statement amid so much geographical dislocation, Shane says, an achievement he attributes to "all the collective energy and intelligence". Shane says everyone who contributed to the record has their own remarkable story, but what they have created is a love song to Australia. Goanna will perform at the Melbourne Concert Hall on October 30 and Victorian Arts Centre on October 31st.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Acoustic advance

Warrnambool Standard 16/7/1998 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved

From the school band to Pearl jam, Green Day and Matchbox 20, south-west natives Andrew Holmes and Jason Davenport have come a long way. Andrew got his musical start several years back as a trumpet player with the Brauer College Concert Band, while Jason is a veteran of the Hawkesdale Secondary College Band. Jason, originally from Macarthur, and Andrew, from Warrnambool, have joined forces with Melbourne guitarist Andrew Dyson to form Closer to Three. The acoustic trio will be performing covers by the aforementioned bands, as well as the Beatles, Springsteen, Crowded house and others at the Whaler's Inn tomorrow night from 11.30.

Hoffmann’s recordings

Warrnambool Standard March 5th, 2009 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2009. All rights reserved

WARRNAMBOOL musician Brendan Hoffmann, formerly of alternative-rock band 21st Century Ox, has uploaded 68 songs for free download from MP3.com. The tracks come from eight home-recorded albums he’s made over the past seven years and range from metal to jazz, pop to avant-garde.

Hiway

Hiway - Port Fairy based band active in 1998 consisting of Mal Hill (guitar), Heath Cameron (drums) and Chelsey Reis (bass).

Heather Goddard

Heather Goddard is a Warnambool based singer songwriter. Her 1995 CD, "Searching", featured a myriad of self-penned tunes in the country and folk idioms. The independently produced CD continues to elicit considerable industry interest. Songs in live performances range from catchy country to bluesy ballads, from footstomping bluegrass to gospel tinged melodies and are encased in acoustic guitar and banjo arrangements.Her past experience includes theatrical productions, vocal performances with jazz combos, and participation in the Warrnambool Women's Festival. Other festival appearances have included the Port Fairy Folk Festival, the Maldon Folk Festival and the Warrnambool Wunta Festival. She has been a long term member of Warrnambool bands "Emu Creek", "The Tower Hillbillies" and the "Swing of Things".

ARTIST: Goddard, Heather
TITLE: Searching [sound recording] / Heather Goddard
PUBLISHED: Warrnambool, Vic : Goddard/Clegg Productions, c1995
DESCRIPTION: 1 sound disc (28 min.) : digital, stereo ; 4 3/4 in.
CONTENTS: One weekend of freedom -- Coming home -- Searching --Outside in -- Lovin' and leavin' -- Changes -- Making it right -- Second shift
PERFORMERS: Heather Goddard, vocals; Kathy Millard, vocals; John Maroniti, guitar; Barry Williams, guitar; Murray McDowell, pedal steel; Jon Clegg, banjo; Ronald Philp, keyboard & percussion; Michael Schack, bass; Rohan Keert, drums

Harpist strikes a chord with art and music lovers

Warrnambool Standard 16th August 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved

THE golden sounds of the harp floated through the Warrnambool Art Gallery yesterday afternoon to the delight of people who had arrived for the music and those who wanted to view the art. Gallery-goers were treated to a performance from Port Fairy musician Michael Keyburn on his homemade harp. After spending three years making the harp from instructions in a book, Michael has been engaged during much of the past four years refining his playing skills. "You have to anticipate more with the harp than you do with other instruments," he explained. Yesterday's performance was part of the Winter Music program run by the Friends of the Gallery between May and December each year.

A hard day's night

Jason Bull

For many people the idea of making a living out of music is either a dream job or a total bludge -- no nine-to-five drudgery, you get paid to do some thing you love and you can drink at work if you want. The reality is far different from what most punters think. The pay is irregular and is often below the minimum wage, the hours are long and you never get weekends off, and, like in all jobs, you get bad customers, except these ones is often drunk and pouring beer onto thousands of dollars of high-tech equipment. But ask a musician if they’d rather do something else for a living and the answer is a universal “no”. There is believed to be only one musician in Warrnambool who makes a living solely from performing and that’s pianist-vocalist Jason Bull. Other south-west musicians either teach music on the side, work in music stores or studios, repair instruments or hold down non-musical day jobs to make ends meet, but Bull is the exception. He plays about four nights a week during summer, but it drops back to two or three over winter, he said. Bull has resorted to heading north for winter to keep the money rolling in. “For two months each year I go to Airlie Beach (Queensland) and I can get six nights a week up there. “It’s easier to play for someone on holidays who wants to hear the music than someone who wants to watch the footy.” In his 20 years as a gigging muso, the 35-year-old said the biggest change had been the shift in the covers he played. Almost a decade ago, before the pubs started staying open later and trying to compete with night clubs, Bull said he could play what he wanted, which usually meant “a mountain of Billy Joel and Joe Jackson”. “Now you have to play newer stuff (otherwise) they head off to the night club.” he said. Bull estimated about 25 per cent of his income goes into fixing gear that’s blown up from repeated use or some drunken punter pouring a beer in it. But Bull wouldn’t do anything else for a living. “I still enjoy playing other people’s songs. If you want to chase success and be a star that’s the original music path, but if people say they want to go and see Jason Bull play covers at the pub that’s enough fame for me”.

Richard Tankard

Warrnambool musician Richard Tankard, a solo artist and leader of Tank Dilemma, has struck a happy medium between performing, making a living keeping his life revolving around music. An average week for Tankard starts with his lone day off on Monday before he teaches music on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday night he generally has a gig, usually the first of four consecutive nights of playing (he says he plays “anywhere between one and seven gigs a week”). His record is 52 gigs in two months, but you have to strike while the iron’s hot, he said. “For (this year’s) Folkie I’ve got seven in three days — I did 10 over three days a couple of Folkies ago,” Tankard said. While a festival gig with a supplied PA system is only a couple of hours work, not counting prior rehearsals and travelling time, the majority of the gigs can be a hard day’s night. “If I’m playing at Portland, I pack the car at 7pm and get home at 3.30am,” he said. Thursday’s are the big days — five hours of teaching followed by a three-to-four hour gig with an hour or so of pack-up and set-up either side — all with a number of prolapsed discs in his back which has made driving and lifting difficult, he said. For Tankard, the special gigs make it all worthwhile, although often they’re the ones not worth much money.

Zygoma

BASSIST Mitch Crute has played with Zygoma since his early high school days and over the past seven years the band has enjoyed a growing following for their original music and covers. Like Tankard. Crute’s life is devoted to music. B day he’s behind the counter at Capricorn Records (the next best thing to working in a music equipment store, he says) and by night he’s on stage with his fellow Zygomas. His working week begins Wednesday night with hand practice and on Thursdays he starts five days in a row at Capricorn. Friday he finishes work at 9pm, rushes straight to a gig, getting to bed at 3am before fronting to work at 9am. Saturday night he gigs again and is back at work lO am Sunday. Crute wouldn’t trade a musical lifestyle for anything and he and Zygoma are keen to embark on the toughest of musical journeys — trying to crack it in the big smoke’s original music scene. “My goal is to do it in Melbourne or Sydney or somewhere. Talent-wise we’re about as ready as we’ll ever be, but material-wise there’s not enough there to do a good hour or hour-and-a-half show.” Eventually that will mean a leap out into the great unknown for all four members, who either work or study or both. Crute said he can’t wait.

Steve Gravett

CAMPERDOWN drummer Steve Gravett is at the other end of the scale — he keeps music as a hobby, but he’s very dedicated to his hobby. As a mobile mechanic and removalist, Gravett makes a living — the occasional gigs he does with his covers band Kleetus or as a sound engineer are “the cream on top”. His love of music and the effect it has on an audience is a driving force to keep him playing after 21 years as a musician, the 34-year- old said. “(The best thing is) when people come up to you and pat you on the back and you see people having a good time” Gravett said. Still, if there was no money in it he wouldn’t do it.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Schipper stars on film

Warrnambool Standard Friday 11th August 2017

NANCIE Schipper has released the film clip for her single Corner Store.The film clip features cameos from fellow raising stars of the south-west music scene including Nicola McKenzie and Keelan mast.This Sunday afternoon,Schipper will be playing at the Whalers Inn, along with Mick Ferguson, at what will be a fundraising concert for the cancer council that will also see Georgia Billings shave her hair.

Booked for dream gig

By Anthony Brady - published in the Warrnambool Standard Friday 11th August 2017

LOCKED IN: Doctor & The Apologies, featuring Jarrod Hawker on drums, will be part of the line-up for the Kennedys Creek Music Festival.

JARROD Hawker knows the lay of the land at the Kennedys Creek Music Festival.Hawker has joined friends on an annual pilgrimage to Kennedys Creek, near Simpson, for many years.He will again make the journey for the 2017 festival on October 27-29.But this time his festival experience will be broadened with his band, Doctor & The Apologies, on the bill.Band members John Hudson (guitar, vocals) and Matt Hewson (bass) have played at the festival with other acts in the past.But for Hawker (drums) and Matt Neal (guitar, vocals), this will be their debut performances.Hawker said he is thrilled to get the opportunity to play at one of his favourite festivals.“I love the fact the festival is capped at 1000 people,” Hawker said. “That is a really wise decision by festival organisers.It’s never too crowded and it’s full of like-minded people.The organisers do it for their community and for the people who come, it’s all about creating the best experience rather than how much money they can make.That attitude filters through to the people at the festival and creates a great atmosphere. We’re also looking forward to the chance to catch up with the other bands.”Doctor & The Apologies have been together for two years and in 2015 released an EP, The Party No One Can Recall.Hawker describes Doctor & The Apologies as “dark country blues, alt-country rock”. He said the band has a catalogue of over 20 original songs and is planning to head back into the studios this summer to record a second EP.“Our stuff has a good, solid groove behind it,” Hawker said.“When people hear our music, it does catch them, it’s pleasing to the ear.” Other acts announced for Kennedys Creek Music Festival include The Vasco Era, Jonathan Boulet, Peter Bibbys Dog Act and Donny Benet. Tickets for the festival are on sale now and, like last year, are expected to sell out.