Kaki King (NYC) 'GLOW' Album Release Wednesday 22nd May
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “a genre unto herself,” Kaki King is a true iconoclast, a visionary musician/artist whose singular work rightly stands out amongst the easily formatted. Over her decade-long career thus far, the Brooklyn-based guitarist/composer has recorded five extraordinarily diverse and distinctive LPs, performed with such icons as Foo Fighters, Timbaland, and The Mountain Goats, contributed to a variety of film and TV soundtracks (spanning Golden Globe-nominated work with Eddie Vedder and Michael Brook on Sean Penn’s Into The Wild to teaming with Carter Burwell on his blockbuster Twilight score), and played to ever-growing audiences on innumerable world tours. Each twist and veer marked the turning of a page, another step forward on a truly exceptional musical path. Beginning with 2002’s Everybody Loves You, King has expanded and reconceived the role of the solo instrumental artist, constantly kicking at the boundaries of what’s expected. Glow, her groundbreaking new release, is both indescribable and definitive, an evocative, exuberant collection of genre agnostic soundscapes, rich with wit, theme, and inspired invention. From the chamberesque “Great Round Burn” through the propulsive, Celtic-colored “King Pizel,” the album embraces a doggedly naturalist production ethos to showcase King’s protean songwriting and mesmeric fret-board genius.
|
Show $(35+bf) Dinner and show $(77+bf)
|
|
Eleanor McEvoy Wednesday 5th June
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
“Eleanor McEvoy appears to have done it all. Since first becoming a household name in Ireland over two decades ago, the Wexford-based, Dublin- born singer has journeyed from classical to folk, detouring via rock and pop. She’s equally comfortable as a jazz chanteuse, an acoustic troubadour and a singer-songwriter, whether solo or fronting a band. Here she settles for mature pop stylist. “If you Leave” her tenth solo album, is replete with accessible, often quirky melodies, intelligent lyrics and features a stellar, full-band backing with lush, analog production. If Crowded House was fronted by a female, they’d probably sound something like this…” Eleanor’s song ‘A Woman’s Heart’ from the all women compilation was the title track from Ireland’s best- selling album. McEvoy signed to Geffen where her eponymous album went on to sell ¼ million copies. Eleanor has written many inspirational songs including Precious Little, which was a billboard hit and Sophie, which has become a worldwide focus and comfort to millions of young people with eating disorders. Eleanor’s stripped back CD ‘Alone’ received glowing reviews here in Australia and in the UK and Europe in 2011. The inspiration behind If You Leave came after reading a magazine feature that told the story about Brian Jones’ role in “bringing The Rolling Stones together and helping them pursue an authentic blues sound.” McEvoy said, “Whilst I was preparing this album, I read this wonderful feature in MOJO. It was the spark that started the fire, and I started revisting some classic 60s albums by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, stuff like that. Not only is there a wonderful simplicity, clarity and depth to the sound, it was a very lucky era, in which it was acceptable to be both innovative and very successful. I wouldn’t presume to emulate such great music, but let us say their creativity haunted our recording.” For the sessions, McEvoy recruited the talents of Grammy award-winning songwriter Jimmy Smyth on guitar, keyboard player James Delaney (Chuck Berry, Clannad), bassists Paul Moore (Van Morrison) & Eoghan O’Neill (Chris Rea, Moving Hearts) and drummer Des Lacey (Katie Melua), with special guests Brian Connor on piano and David Agnew on oboe. McEvoy is joined on the album by guest vocalists Mary Coughlan, Gemma Hayes and Hermione Hennessy with Sharon Shannon on the accordion for the song ‘Secret of Living’. The song was written especially by McEvoy for a run of nine sell-out shows at The Olympia in Dublin to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the album ‘A Woman’s Heart’, the third biggest-selling album in Irish chart history which helped to establish McEvoy as a star in her home country. McEvoy said, “I thought I should write a song for all the performers who were going to be featured in the show, something like The Outlaws or The Traveling Wilburys, where everyone gets a chance to sing.” Amongst the twelve songs on ‘If You Leave…’ there are four covers, including The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’, ‘Lift The Wings’ from the theatre show Riverdance, the Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly penned song ‘True Colors’ and Elmore James’ ‘Dust My Broom’. The latter serves as the album’s encore and is McEvoy’s salute to Brian Jones, who is believed to have taught his contemporaries the blues standard’s slide guitar part. |
Show $(25+bf) Dinner and show $(67+bf)
|
|
The Perch Creek Family Jugband Friday 7th June
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
The Perch Creek Family Jugband have anthropologists baffled. Why did they turn out the way they are? Was it because they all drank and bathed in the muddy waters of Perch Creek from birth? Was it because they were forced to sing for each meal, or simply because their old man was nothing short of a lunatic? Either way, circumstances conspired to create a band of siblings with an incredibly unique and diverse sound that seems to find it's way through the cracks between a vast array of genres. Like the creek itself, the Perch Creek Family Jugband are at times raging and relentless and at others placid and haunting. The band specialise in chunky five-part vocal harmonies over instrumentation as diverse as the trombone, frailing banjo, washboard, double bass, overdriven blues harp, musical saw, tap dancing and a whole lot of other stuff including, of course, the jug. I guess there was something in the water...
|
Show $(18+bf) Dinner and show $(60+bf)
|
|
Backsliders Saturday 8th June
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
2011 ARIA Blues and Roots nominees and I-Tunes Australian Blues and Roots album of the year winners, Backsliders have been playing, touring the festival circuit and recording for 25 years. Despite this maturity, the latest release, ‘Starvation Box’ heralded as their best to date, has been described as sounding like “hungry youths from the Deep South”. Their sound melds driving Delta and Mississippi Hill country blues sounds with original 21st Century new blues anthems.
The achievements, success and reviews over the band’s 25 years tell it all.Joining Dom and Rob are two of Australia’s most innovative and dynamic harmonica players; the legendary Brod Smith (Dingoes, Brod Smith’s Big Combo) and ARIA award winning harmonica genius Ian Collard (Collard, Greens & Gravy). The 2 blues-harp dynamos play alternate gigs, each blazing his own trail to the raw energy of the Backsliders sound. It’s a furious ride – with Dom Turner and Rob Hirst doing their thing, setting the grooves and taking no prisoners, and Ian and Brod (you never know who you will get) firing-up the amps to fuel the maelstrom. These guys are renowned for captivating live shows – an eclectic mix of blues styles moving from driving delta blues riffs and jungle-like rhythms to ‘Piedmont’ blues influenced ‘all-acoustic’ unplugged treatments of 1920’s songs by blues heroes such as Mississippi Fred McDowell and Robert Johnson. The achievements, success and reviews over the band’s 25 years tell it all. |
Show $(18+bf) Dinner and show $(60+bf)
|
|
Mic Conway's National Junk Band Friday 21st June
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
Jug band blues, political satire and lunatic on-stage antics combine as a new-vaudevillion comedy cabaret.Audiences know Mic Conway's tongue in cheek style from " Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band " and " Circus Oz ". From Byron Bay Bluesfest to Port Fairy and Woodford Folk Festivals to Adelaide Cabaret Festival....the National Junk Band have become festival favourites for their unique collision of fire, illusion, passion, irreverent satire, magic, singing saws, flying chooks, musical mayhem and some very funny songs.There really is nothing like them in Australia today. Amid rumours that Mic Conway and his rugged band of rythmagicians have been holed up in a log cabin concocting a new album, reports are appearing that a " Mr Rabbit " has escaped. Described as having big ears, a hairy disposition and an uncharactaristic dislike of greens, he's no easter bunny, but he'll hold your eggs hostage. So lock up your pets and barricade the back door because the rabbit proof fence isn't big enough to keep this one out. Five albums strong, Mic Conway's National Junkband keep you guessing with bizzare antics and a wit as sharp as Mic's singing saw. Featuring new songs including " Mr Rabbit ", " All of a Sudden Nothing Happened " and " Growing Old Disgracefully ", the new album is an eloquent break up with reality ( or is it a satirical reality check? )
Expect the unexpected as these " virtuosos of the bizzare "create a live stage experience that must be seen and heard to be believed, wielding National guitars, ukuleles, a sousaphone, a phono-fiddle, actual garbage cans and even the kitchen sink. Oh, and look out for Mr Rrrrabbit too... |
Show $(25+bf) Dinner and show $(67+bf)
|
|
Michael Wheeler An Intimate Evening of Mediumship Friday 28th June
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
Over the last 10 years Michael Wheeler's name has become synonymous with superb mediumship and psychic excellence. Michael's reputation as an outstanding psychic medium became widely known across Australia in 2011 when he was featured on Channel 7's THE ONE and now in NEW IDEA magazine. Michael regularly appears on television, radio and in print offering his unique psychic insights into people's lives alongside messages of hope and love from those who have crossed over. This evening promises to be very special as Michael Wheeler delivers survival evidence and heartfelt, highly accurate messages from the spirit world to selected audience members on the night. This will be an inspiring evening of mediumship, psychic sensitivity and personal healing as we reconnect with loved ones who come through from the Other Side to reassure us there is no such thing as death to the human spirit. Witness the extraordinary accuracy, power, insight and compassion as Michael Wheeler delivers messages to the audience for One Night Only at The Clarendon. BOOK NOW as this intimate evening of dinner, atmospheric music with Jonny Pushkash and Live Mediumship with Michael Wheeler will definitely sell out. Michael will also be presenting a Mediumship Development Workshop the following day on Saturday 29 June at Walking with Spirit in Leura, so why not book into The Clarendon and enjoy the weekend with renowned Psychic Medium Michael Wheeler. Workshop details may be found at www.walkingwithspirit.com.au
|
Show $(25+bf) Dinner and show $(67+bf)
|
|
" Boganville " Comedy Cabaret Yule fest Saturday 29th June
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
A Dorian Mode gig is a unique event.Not only is it musically satisfying but Dorian'sgigs are great fun as these days he peppers his concerts with funny, surreal yarns about people in caravan parks or people who work in bait shop, along with beatnik readings from his bestselling laugh-out-loud novels and short stories. Dorian is so busy writing books these days that he seldom gets to play live, so his gigs are often booked months in advance. But playing live jazz is still a big part of Dorian's life. Dorian mode is a multi-award winning musician and writer of laugh-out-loud books that have been best sellers here and in Europe. These careers have remained seperate until recently when Dorian completed a doctorate ( APA scholarship winner ) on 'Bogans'! armed with this unique insight , his talents combine in a new show called " Boganville " : an exploration of all things bogan told through surreal yarns and song. " Made me laugh out loud " -Sydney Morning Herald " His perky humour has a way of wrong footing you " - The Age ' His humour is necissarily a very dark shade of grey, and I confess to laghing out loud. Thrilling and funny. " - Canberra Times |
Show $32(+bf) Dinner and show $82(+bf)
|
|
Jo Jo Smith Christmas Special Yule fest Saturday 6th July
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm
|
Jo Jo Smith hails from Violet Town in Victoria and this July is making her annual pilgrimage north of the border promoting her latest CD ' Live @ The Blue Birdy '. Jo Jo is that rarest of rare performers - a musician's musician, surviving as a singer/songwriter for decades in the rough and tumble of the Australian music scene. She is a powerhouse of soul and feel, crafts moving songs and melodies and has recorded, toured and worked alongside iconic Australian artists such as Renee Geyer, Colin Hay, Marcia Hines, Kate Cebrano, Olivia Newton John, Venetta Fields, John English, Lucie Thorne and Glenn Shorrock to name a few. Recent appearances of Jo Jo's include The Port Fairy Folk Festival, Thredbo Blues Festival, Hobart Blues Festival, Whare Flat Folk Festival New Zealand and Mullumbimby Music Festival. In both Germany and Austria Jo Jo performed before crowds of over 500,000 people and was hailed the " Joni Mitchell of R&B " by Melodiva Magazine. " I was blown away by Jo Jo. It's statistically rare to see a woman locking it down on drums and statistically rare to see a drummer laying down such amazingly powerful vocals. Put both of these together and you're left with the statistic of one!! I've never seen anything like the show at Mullumbimby Music Fest. I was blown away! " -Ash Grunwald " Jo Jo has been an inspiration to myself and many other musicians in Australia for many years. She truly sings from the heart " -Renee Geyer
Jo Jo Smith will be ripping it up with renowned Sydney Musicians Steve Grieve ( guitar ), Gary Daley ( piano and keyboards ) and Greg Royal ( bass ) who between them work with some of Australia's finest acts including Christine Anu, Margaret Ulrich, Wendy Mathews, The Catholics and Grace Knight. |
Show $32(+bf) Dinner and show $82(+bf)
|
|
Tigertown Sunday 7th July @ 3pm
|
Fresh off a national support jaunt with Australia's much loved Bob Evans, Sydney's familial dream-pop five piece TIGERTOWN are back with a brand new single 'What You Came Here For' and a national headline tour in support. Having previouslyoffered sparkling radio gems such as Go Now, Lions and Witches and Morning Has Finally Come, the new single What You Came Here For pushes Tigertown's now signature sound of lush harmonies, dreamy instrumentation and hooky melodies into all new sonic territories. It was recorded in the Blue Mountains with AMP Award winning producer Liam Judson ( Cloud Control, Belles Will Ring) and recieved additional production- the icing on the cake- and a mix by the ubiquitous Steven Schram ( San Cisco, Little Red, Little Birdy ). The single is the first offering from a brand new EP release coming soon. Across just two EPs - 2011's self titled and 2012's Before The Morning - Tigertown has become one of the most promising and hard working young bands in the country having clocked up in excess of 65,000 downloads of their last single Morning Has Finally Come. The band will embark on a full national tour throughout June and July with The Starry Field, the musical baby of award winning producer and former member of The Middle East, Mark Myers.
|
Show $12(+bf)
|
|
Clairy Browne & The Bangin Rackettes Friday 12th July
Dinner @ 7pm Show @ 8.30pm |
Fresh off the back of a headline tour of the USA, Clairy Browne & The Bangin Rackettes return to Australia to take their show back on the road, with a string of dates across the country including performing at Splendour in the Grass on July 26. 2013 has already been a mammoth year for the band, following their prodigous success in the States over the last year - their debut album " Baby Caught the Bus" reached 66 on US iTunes charts and the single "Love Letter" featured in a hugely popular Heineken ad - the band signed to the prestigious US label, Vanguard in February and set off on a twenty-six stop North American tour with appearances on the Carson Daley Show, AXS TV, and Balcony TV. Since then the arresting chanteuse and her nine-piece band have been leaving behind love letters and broken hearts from Alabama to Arizona. But as they say nothing beats home turf so get set to have a serious reunion with some new songs, a well oiled machine of a show with all the shimmery vocal harmonies, soul claps, choreography, horns and Clairy's huge voice slapping you about the face!
|
Show $33(+bf) Dinner and show $72(+bf)
|
|
