Friday, October 20, 2017

Senior to shine bright

Warrnambool Standard Friday 20th Nov. 2017

THERE will be dinner and a show at The Dart and Marlin in Warrnambool on Saturday night. Former Woodford singer-songwriter Leah Senior will be the star of the show. Senior will take part in a
question and answer session. It has been a big year for Senior, having played at the Brunswick Music
Festival and the Corner Hotel in Richmond. She also launched her Pretty Faces CD.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Musician plays his final notes with dignity

By Matt Neal -- Warrnambool Standard July 10 2006  - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2006.  All rights reserved

WARRNAMBOOL guitarist Lee Ronald lost his battle with cancer on Saturday night.  He was 25.His family and friends yesterday remembered the teacher-musician as a unique talent with a heart of gold who refused to let his illness destroy  his passion for music. Despite constant  treatment, Lee continued to play with his band The Circle K. He performed his last gig on May 9 at The Loft. His family and friends yesterday noted the significance of the time of his death - 7.07pm on 07/07/07. His brother Eric told The Standard yesterday the number seven was regarded by Lee's family as being a symbol of perfection and completion - ``something so suited to Lee,'' he said.``He was all about his music and his friends.``Even in his dying days, he poured so much into his friends ... he had a heart of gold.'' Lee worked at Noise Music teaching guitar students and repairing guitars. Eric said his brother always commented ``the fact he was getting paid for it was a bonus''. Bob Wake,  who also played  in The Circle K, said Lee was a talented musician. ``He was an awesome musician and guitarist and an awesome person.'' Mr Wake said.  One of Lee's favourite gigs was  at the Criterion Hotel  last November when The Circle K was joined on stage by  Heidi Gass and Adam B Metal, who filled in for Lee's vocals.  Days later, Lee was being treated  at Melbourne's Peter Mac Centre.

Lee Morgan

"Lee goes original" -- Warrnambool Standard 25th March 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved

‘Some people are saying it is country music, I would call it a soulful sort of rock’

Lee Morgan is looking forward to showcasing his original brand of music tonight.

LEE Morgan is a familiar face at pubs around Warrnambool, revving up crowds with covers of rock ’n’ roll favorites. But tonight will be a rare chance to see Morgan in full flight, playing his own original songs with a backing band. Tonight’s gig will be the second in a regular fortnightly event at the Gallery nightclub to showcase Warrnambool’s young musical talent. Morgan will be joined on stage tonight by Mixbowl (fresh from recording sessions at Motherlode studios), Toe-jam and newcomers No Exit. The singer-songwriter says he has great fun playing covers solo for pub crowds, butplaying his own songs is definitely preferable. Young original talent in the Warrnambool region sometimes gets lost in a scene that is so dominated by cover bands, which is why the Thursday night Gallery gigs are so important. Cover bands will be appearing, but anyone with original material will have an opportunity to play it. “I think it’s agreat initiative”. Morgan takes every opportunity he can to play original music, including festivals, benefit concerts and pub gigs in Melbourne. The Australian Roots MusicAwards male artist of the yearsays he takes on a lot of different influences to create his musical style. “Some people are saying it is country music, I would call it a soulful sort of rock.” Morgan says his songs come out of his own experiences. “I just write as an individual, I’m not political. “I write about things that mean something to me at the time, I definitely write about reconciliation — I know what I feel in my heart.” After producing only a handful of copies of his debut CD, Laura Lee and the Stranger, Morgan says he still has enough material to fill several albums — as for many other artists, it’s a matter of finance. He says he’ll continue performing around Warrnambool and taking on as many opportunities as possible to showcase his own songs — in the south-west, Melbourne or wherever he’s invited to play.

"Roots winner to host radio show" -- Warrnambool Standard 2nd July 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved.

Australian roots music awards winner Lee Morgan will host his own show tonight on maverick Melbourne radio station Nu Country - 94.9 FM. Morgan presents an eclectic mix of Koorie music and personal favourites from his vast collection from 10 pm to midnight. The winner of the best male vocal section of the Warrnambool-based awards in January also  has his award winning CD on high rotation on the station's play list. The good news for Morgan's fans is that they can hear his two-hour show live on the Internet at www.nucountry.com.au. Nu Country's teenage technician Rorie Ryan has pioneered worldwide broadcasting in cyberspace on the Northcote station. Station programmer, David Dawson, born and bred in Warrnambool, and a journalist for 34 years, recruited Morgan and other Warrnambool presenters Michael Schack and Mark Struth to host shows on Nu Country. Another regular presenter this week was former 3WAY-FM president Barbara O'Neill whose two sons are holidaying in Warrnambool. 

Warrnambool Standard 13th July 2018 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2018. All rights reserved. Lee Morgan at the Loft
Lee Morgan knows plenty about playing live music in Warrnambool. Growing up in the south-west, Morgan was a constant on the local gig circuit, playing as a solo act and as a member of a collection of bands at venues such as the Criterion Hotel, The Cally Hotel, the Whalers Inn and the Lady Bay Hotel.  Tonight he will be back on stage, this time joined by a band of friends for a show at The Loft. As one of the region’s most prominent indigenous performers, it is fitting Morgan should be stepping into the spotlight in what is NAIDOC Week. A grandson of the late Banjo Clarke, Morgan continues to lead the way in indigenous music. He has been a member of the Black Arm Band, telling stories of indigenous people through song alongside performers such as Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Neil Murray and Shane Howard. These collaborations have been on stage and in the recording studio. Morgan has also spread his talents into the community through his involvement in a program where he visits indigenous men and women in prison and teaches them the joys of music. He has also delivered similar programs into schools.  Much of this work was done during Morgan’s 20 years living in Melbourne. He has been back in the south-west for three years and is keen to hit the stage tonight. “The band we have has been thrown together for this gig,” Morgan said. “But we have all known each other for a long time and played together so I’m confident we will put on a great show. “We’ll play my original songs with a couple of fun covers as well. My genre is guitar-driven country rock with a lot of energy. “It’s great to be playing live music in Warrnambool.”



This photo of Lee Morgan and Raff Marino was taken at the Warrnambool Hotel on 11th October 2020. Photographer: Rob Quantrelle

More freedom for good cause

Written by Matt Neal -- Warrnambool Standard October 13th 2017

TWENTY years on from the release of her EP Freedom, Warrnambool-based singer-songwriter Fiona Kershaw is relaunching it for a good cause. First released in Brisbane in 1997, the five-track EP has been expanded into a 14-track album for its re-release at The Loft in Warrnambool on Sunday from 3pm. As well as showcasing Kershaw’s talents and a star-studded line-up of guests, the launch will be used as a fundraiser for Beyond Blue. She will be joined by Gabby Steel, Bruce Campbell, Bronson & Tina, and The Likely Celts. Kershaw said the EP was recorded live and demonstrates her “alternative groovy folk songs, her unique and diverse guitar styles, clear distinct vocals and heartfelt lyrics”.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Band's stellar rise to the top

Written by Kellie Scott, 2nd Oct. 2013 - Published by the Warrnambool Standard - The story "Band's stellar rise to the top first appeared on Warrnambool Extra"

WITH an EP on the way and regular gigs at a local music venue, it's no surprise Bonney Ranch won the recent youth music competition, Crusade of the Chords. The alternative rock group is made up of young members Liam Gubbins, Connor Dwyer and Lachlan Barling, who attend Emmanuel College, and Tav Watson, from Warrnambool College. All are 18 years old and formed the band two years ago after meeting during an inter-school excursion. The four are close to completing their year 12 studies, while also preparing to record an EP in Melbourne after winning Kool Schools through JB HiFi. "It's a $2000 experience and they will distribute our stuff on iTunes," frontman Gubbins said. "We've been practising new songs to record." Gubbins said those new songs would be played at the Pushover regional finals, at the Lighthouse Theatre this Friday. Bonney Ranch will compete against six others bands from across the Barwon south-west region for an opportunity to play at the Push Over music festival in 2014."It will be a good testing ground for the EP and we'll have some fun," Gubbins said. He said competitions like Crusade of the Chords gave local talent a great chance to shine."It's very important on a community level to give people a foot in the industry door. The whole set up is fantastic, council do a great job... it's industry quality." Crusade of the Chords and the Push Over regional finals are FReeZA events, hosted by Warrnambool City Council and Brophy Family and Youth Services. Activities and events co-ordinator David Gibb said Crusade of the Chords was a fantastic evening. "There were 15 performances with over 200 people attending," Mr Gibb said. Tickets to the Push Over regional finals at the Lighthouse Theatre are $10 and can be purchased at the door, which will be open from 6pm for a 6.30pm start.Bonney Ranch regularly plays at The Loft, in Warrnambool, and has an upcoming gig at The Stump, in Port Fairy. For information about gigs, find the band's Facebook page by searching "Bonney Ranch".

Monday, October 2, 2017

Busking in joy of final

Published in the Warrnambool Standard 29th Sept. 2017

HISTORY was made at Reardon Theatre in Port Fairy last Friday with an act from Moyne making it through to a state final. Four-piece band Tiosav Joy won the regional final of The Push Start FReeZA Battle of the Bands competition. The band had qualified for the final after winning the Moyne heat of the event. Moyne Shire Council Youth Development Officer Geraldine Edar said it was the first time in the 15-year history of the event that the regional finalist has come from Moyne. “It is just so exciting, I can’t believe it,” Ms Edar said. “To have a Moyne band going to the state final is just such great news, I can’t wait.” Ms Edar said the state final will be held at the St Kilda Festival on February 11. Tiosav Joy will represent the Barwon South West area in the final, competing against other regional final winners from across Victoria. Ms Edar said a good crowd attended the regional final in Port Fairy with many expressing interest in supporting Tiosav Joy at the state final. “Given how big this is for Moyne, I am considering taking a bus down to the St Kilda Festival to support the guys,” Ms Edar said. “Last Friday was a great night so there is a lot of interest in supporting the great young acts we have.” Tiosav Joy is made up of Nicola McKenzie (Mailors Flat), Chloe Mutsaers Warrnambool), Patrick Brady and Joseph Brady (Koroit). It has been a big year for the band, playing on youth stages at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Koroit Irish Festival while also playing at leading Warrnambool live music venues The Loft and Highline. Chloe Mutsaers said the band was thrilled with its win in the regional final. “It’s awesome to make the state final and to get the chance to play at the St Kilda Festival,” Mutsaers said. “We were really happy with how we sounded the other night, we had a new song we played for the first time and that went down well. It’s a bit more upbeat so are keen to write a few more like that.” Mutsaers said the band played all original songs at the regional final and hoped to expand their catalogue ahead of the state final.

US tour in full swing

Published in the Warrnambool Standard 29th Sept. 2017

HAMILTON band The Settlement has begun a tour of the US. The tour kicked off with shows in Los Angeles on September 21-22. The band is now making its way to the east coast and New York. Once there, it will play four shows in Brooklyn from October 4-7. The Settlement has been together since 2015, having started life as Buddha in a Chocolate Box back in 2005.

15 Minutes of Fame 1st Sept. 2017 -- Crossley

Cadence

Jon Clegg

Cadence

Geoff and Bree

Colin O'Keeffe