John Butler Trio ‘April Uprising’ Tour – Darwin Amphitheatre 29/08/10
John Butler Trio ’April Uprising’ Tour with Blue King Brown
Darwin Amphitheatre, August 29th 2010
This was probably the second or third I’d seen John Butler Trio live and they certainly get better with age. At a sellout gig, the crowd rocked on for the final night of the Darwin Festival 2010. I’m no Darwinite, but fuck yeah- gigs somehow seem better at festivals…something about the vibe and the venue. JBT played at The Darwin Amphitheatre, which is smaller than The Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. The smaller space gave it a cutetsy- close-nit feel. But this was one profesionally polished performance. The sounds swayed back and forth beautifully, while the crowd bounced to the beats.
There was a classic moment in One Way Road during the line, “Raise your fists if you believe in revolution…” and the 8000 people did just that. Classic. The highlight for me was seeing the support act, Blue King Brown as part of their Worldwize tour. The lead singer was so tiny on that gianormous stage- but she had a bloody powerful voice that carried her words and rhythm to the top of the hill. Bloody best forty-nine bucks I’ve spent in ages. Totally digged it, shared it and now hopefully you can spread it!
A few freebies to leave you with. John Butler Trio’s new single is called revolution and we got the brand new clip to the track.
We also got a live recording of John Butler Trio’s first single off their latest album April Uprising as well as the first single off the latest Blue King Brown record Worldwize Part 1 – North & South.
John Butler Trio – One Way Road (Live at The Enmore Theatre)
Blue King Brown – Women’s Revolution
Alikitti
No need for a Contiki tour…
This time The Little Stevies brought us a charming video written by Lachlan Woods and directed one of the band members himself, Robin Geradts-Gill. This pictorial journey gives us a visual feast of their latest release, Dink You.
The video opens with interviewer, Hannah Moon discovering TLS plan to circumnavigate the world…and yes, you got it- by bicycle! Ok, I admit the idea is not new but TLS gave the concept a refreshing spin. Just like the catchy line in the song itself, “so let’s jump on our bikes and cycle ‘round the entire world”. TLS set the scene for an exciting journey kicking off from Elwood Beach in Victoria, equipped with their bikes, scuba gear and even table-tennis balls.
I was a bit disappointed at the use of still shots and for some silly reason I ACTUALLY expected to see them cycling around the entire world. But I guess TLS need to leave something to our imagination.
The product placement could have been a tad more subtle, as they paraded their scuba-cycling attire. (But I must divulge that TLS chose to use SWIFT Table-Tennis balls for superior buoyancy!)
Highlights had to be TLS alongside some of the many wonders of the world. I won’t spoil it- but my favourite is Josh in the river Jamuna in front of the Taj Mahal! Classic shot.
Don’t book a Contiki tour. Check this video out instead.
For those who are ‘concentrationally challenged’, check out the shorter version here. Speaking of tours though, the guys are doing an east coast tour (including Radelaide!) throughout November and December.
And of course, the track itself. Support local artists guys. Super super important!
Alikitti
cello rock anyone?
Oak & Gorski are two guys from LA and they’re a bit different to other bands out there. They do the whole cello and guitar thing. And they do it pretty well dammit! Billboard Magazine describes the duo as “soulful” and “calming”, and yeah, from this song, you definitely feel that.
Hmm. I really enjoyed listening to this song. Even the name of this band kicks ass. Makes me think of trees. Anyway I have to admit I am quite partial to a bit of Ye Olde of country & Western – but please don’t freak out just yet! This song delivers a pop with a distinct country flavour. Catchy lyrics coupled with some nice base, beats and even harmonies. The lead singer blends with the string section. The chorus reminds me of chick-country-pop like The Dixie Chicks (Don’t hold that against me??!!). My favourite line, “The bar tender cut me off twice now” I’m sure we can all relate to that. The title pretty much sums up the song simply and nicely. A great track to kick back to…on a Monday 
Anyway, here it is.
Oak & Gorski – Pretty Far Gone
Check the guys out on MySpace and iTunes
Alikitti.
The Little Stevies – Northcote Social Club 26/07/09
“Wasting time is fine tonight…” unless you’re enjoying a Little Stevies gig in sunny Northcote on a cold winter’s Sunday arvo. Young and old embraced the Northcote Social Club carpet, soaking up their aussie folk /pop. This gig gave us well constructed harmonies and warmth in their lyrics. We sat lapping up the catchy tunes, beautiful guitar chords and all round positive vibe amongst a massive hand crafted “Dink Me” sign. And what an eclectic mix of instruments! From guitars, vocals and drums to a rain stick, djembe and an accordion- just to mention a few.
The two lead singers in The Little Stevies happen to be sisters. A fellow Meandallmyfriends blogger, Miks reckons that siblings just have that certain something, which friends simply couldn’t create on a stage. If that makes any sense?!… and these two sisters really did just that.
Throughout their gig The Little Stevies divulged their secret tour itinerary to us in intricate detail of their upcoming Europe trip. It was also delightful when Simone joined the group on stage with her Auslan translation of Sunshower.
They surprised us with a cover of the late Michael Jackson’s Black or White. Other highlights were The Tram Song- about a boy who stole a Melbourne Tram. And a song from their video clip Somewhere We’ve Just Been which, believe it or not made it onto the Foxtel Country Music Channel!
They played a few newbies. One of my favourites was a song called There’s a Light, But It Sometimes Goes Out. Or what I like to refer to as their anti-gospel song. It was a real thigh slapping hoe down of a number!
This Band gives you that wanky little feeling of one-ness with the world, and eases your anxieties where your soul can drift away with their songs about love, people and places. All the feel good stuff.
To leave you with, a download of the track Somewhere We’ve Just Been, off their debut album.
The Little Stevies – Somewhere We’ve Just Been
Do yourself a favour.
-Alikitti
Peter Combe and The Bellyflop in a Pizza Band. Corner Hotel, 7th May 2009
Hey, Alikitti again 
It was a sea of newspaper hats as a crowded richmond bar full of twenty-somethings rocked onto songs about a disgruntled tadpole concerned about the changes happening to him “Tadpole Blues” and “Juicy Juicy Green Grass” And the classic we wore those hats for, “Newspaper Mama”.
Combe created an atmosphere of fun and general gag value hilarity. Smiles were all round, supporting their favourite childhood ‘one-man-wiggle’. Of course, I have to admit…there was something a little strange about generation Y still dancing to kids songs- but drinking beer at an city Melbourne pub! Yet the crowd were still shaking their booties like they did in 1989…
Other highlights inlcluded the madness of “Mr Clicketty Cane (Wash Your Face in Orange Juice)” and “Spaghetti Bolognaise”. I am still pissed he didn’t play “Chopsticks”. Oh well- guess we’ll have to road trip it to for his next gig- Manning Bar, Sydney!
Although it’s not from the gig we saw, here’s a bit of him live in action, taken from his DVD:
We’ve posted up an old song of his too. It’s just a rip off YouTube complete with an intro sounding a little creepy.
Peter Combe – Newspaper Mama (youtube rip)
The Little Stevies – Love Your Band
“…And the planet’s getting hotter. So let’s jump on bikes and cycle round the entire world. With the wind in our hair, we can take off any time anywhere…and I’ll dink you, if you get too tired!”
This band totally rocked my world for a week. They’re kind of funk, with an eclectic soul feel. I think I listened to this whole album back to back for 3 days. They’re a funky melbourne group who sing about life, and people, relationships and all that cheesy shit that sounds awesome when blitzed into an entire record. If you were born in Australia and grew up on trams in Melbourne, music festivals in the bush and trips along the coast- then this is the album for you!
The Tram Song is so far my favourite.
Check them out on myspace, there is a fan club on facebook and they have recently scored residency at the empress hotel on Thursday’s.
You can also check out their video clip for Sunshower just below.
To The Little Stevies- I Love your band!
