I just got back from Dan Deacon’s show at the Evelyn. There were some technical difficulties, but his showmanship kept people from getting antsy.

And after that, he put on a damn fine show.

If you’re going to the St. Jereome’s Laneway Festival tomorrow (and tickets have been sold out for… oh, months), make sure you check him out. Just goes to show that we’re not all so bad in Los Estados Unidos.

If you were there, what’d you think? For the rest of you, what shows have you been to that rocked? Feel free to pay out the ones that sucked, too.

ps - Dan’s playing a Tuesday show as well, but I’m not telling you where (because I’m selfish and don’t want you buying my ticket). You’ll have to ask around…

John Cage is the fabulous American composer who came up with the technique of ‘prepared piano’. He used different objects in the strings to completely and wonderfully change the sounds we’ve come to associate with the instrument. His most famous work is probably ‘4:33′, a piece in which no notes are played.

I love 20th century music, but, generally, Bartok is about as wacky as I like my classical music. But I LOVE John Cage. His piece are weird and fun, but also incredibly enjoyable.

As part of the Arts Festival, Fed Square is hosting John Cage’s Musicircus this Friday at dusk through til dawn the next morning.

There’ll be lots of different art, music theater, film and dance going around all over the Square. Food and drinks are available to keep you going straight on through dawn.

I’m really excited about this. It looks like heaps of fun.

John Cage’s Musicircus
List of artists performing
John Cage Wiki

I have had the Telstra “Spread the Good Stuff” commercial’s music as my ringtone for awhile now. While I had ripped mine off the TV advertisement a few days after it first started running (it was so bloody boppy I could not get enough of it), Telstra was so overwhelmed by requests to have the song made downloadable that they had Nylon Studios commissioned to produce an actual song.

Hence, now, from a 40 second commercial track, it has been made into a proper three minute song titled, “Sunkissed”. In my opinion though, it was better kept at 40 seconds.

If you are in love with it too, or want to find out what the fuss over a “song” is about, check out Telstra’s Spread the Good Stuff website:
http://www.spreadthegoodstuff.com.au

Do you like to hit the nightclubs? I’d suggest taking an interest in how the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia has decided to charge for music. Currently, establishments pay 7 cents per person, for music played, but this has just increased to $1.05/person/night.

Increases in costs are never borne by the club, but by you, the attendee/clubber. This means a greater cover charge, or a greater cost in drinks.

If you think you’re safe because you’re vice-less, watch out as the PPCA are also attacking fitness centres - 96c/class to $31!

Further reading.

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra are playing this evening at the Evelyn. I’ve never actually seen them, but met Mr. Martini when he rocked up to my patch of grass out the front and declared we were neighbours. We then shared a couple bottles of wine and tunes of his amazing gramophone. The wine was delicious, so I’m repaying with a plug.

They’re a six-piece gypsy rock band (Martini described them as a “circus band”) and sound like heaps of fun. If you haven’t settled on plans for tonight, may I suggest a trip to the Evelyn at 9pm. It costs $10 to get in.

If you can’t get in tonight, they’re playing again in Geelong next weekend!

Can’t be bothered cooking tonight or just looking for something different to eat? After 2 months, the Suzuki Night Market at Queen Victoria Market is closing tonight. There is free entertainment, wine, and of course a wide selection of food.

Tonight’s music lineup sound pretty interesting:

‘Super Afro Mandinko’ - funky 9 piece electric Afro-fusion band…

‘African Drummers’ - experience the splendour of the music from the courts of Ghana, West Africa and traditional percussion, song and dance…

Suzuki Night Market
Queen Victoria Market
5:30PM-10PM Tonight
QVM

Technorati Tags: Australia, Melbourne, Queen+Victoria+Market, QV, Suzuki+Night+Market, Vic+Market

It’s on again, courtesy of our own alley phenomenon St. Jeromes.

It’s hard to believe you get to see the best indie line up in the world playing in usually derelict laneways and thoroughfares - it’s absurd and only for the creative of mind and those that seek out something far removed from the typical festival experience… It makes us laugh, but boy is it cool to see this event unfold and even better to watch how much fun people have, tucked away in an inner city laneway, having a few cocktails while hanging with mates and watching a truly special line up!

Tkts are only available for Sunday…..check out the lineup and get in quick….

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
MOSHTIX (03) 9017 1125, or from all MOSHTIX friendly outlets Polyester, St Jeromes and all the Fat Stores.
$72.50 + booking fee

one thing i really like about melbourne is the amount of musical talent on the streets. just go to Bourke Street just outside myers any day of the week in the afternoon and evening and there’ll bound to be some great music act playing live.

(Taken from - http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/01/30/1107020263399.html)

Well folks, as I write this one of Australia’s biggest music festivals is under way - the Big Day Out has been rockin’ out since 11am this morning at Princess Park. Line-up includes - Tool, Muse, Violet Femmes, local boys Jet, The Killer, My Chemical Romance, The Streets, and Peaches (who I saw at the 04′ BDO and was AWESOME!)
I’m not there this year cos’ no one really interested me (except for maybe Violet Femmes & Peaches)
Anyone go this year?

Australia Day traditionally marks the anniversary of the first fleet’s landing in Sydney in 1788. The fact that it falls in our nice January weather is a great excuse for a BBQ but what’s a BBQ without music?

Every year, JJJ (radio station), takes a poll of the Hottest 100 songs of the year. The tradition has been going for a decade and it’s that time again to pick your top 100 songs. Over 600,000 people voted last year and chose Bernard Fanning’s “Wish you Well” as #1.

Voting ends January 21st.

JJJ Hottest 100 [via Zgeek]

Technorati Tags: JJJ JJJ Hottest 100 Hottest 100 Australia Day Australia Melbourne BBQ