"The bloodshed and the blackness permeate everything but when I'm beside that river man, my heart starts to sing" - Ben Salter, Derwent River.
Winter is Coming
Winter in Hobart is the best. I always say to potential tourists, "Don't come in summer, come in winter when you really see how different Hobart is to the rest of Australia." For a 'Patron of the Arts' there is so much to see and do. Dark Mofo, Festival of Voices, Huon Valley Midwinter Festival - a cornucopia of wintry fun times. The city is filled with sights, smells and sounds that you just don't get in the mainland cities. Crisp, still, cool days without a breath of wind when the river is glassy and the purple mountain seems to whisper to you about the things it has seen since the dawn of time. Thermal underwear, beanies, fire pots, smell of woodsmoke, frosty breath, Tasmanian tuxedo (puffer jacket), mulled cider, strange lights in the sky all add to the atmosphere of mystery. Who would want to be anywhere else?
New Venue - IXL Long bar at Henry Jones Art Hotel - Billy Whitton & Sasha
Fab Cocktails with real flavour that will take your head off. The Blonde and I were in love with everyone after a couple of these beauties. Billy Whitton playing jazz, the fun bar staff in their cute waistcoats, the out-of-towners in suits and the local in home crocheted beanies all added to the reverie.
Fab Cocktails with real flavour that will take your head off. The Blonde and I were in love with everyone after a couple of these beauties. Billy Whitton playing jazz, the fun bar staff in their cute waistcoats, the out-of-towners in suits and the local in home crocheted beanies all added to the reverie.
Old venue - Homestead - Frumious & Jensen.
This is my favourite Hobart pub . It has a friendly atmosphere, wood fire, great food, board games included oversized Jenga. Last Friday Frumious played to a mostly young crowd which went off like a frog in a sock including an attempted Dirty Dancing style lift by a couple of young blokes.
Covers - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band - Republic
In the beer garden some of Hobart's finest singing - Jed Appleton, EWAH, Tim Rozemulder with the band (Scott Targett, Chris Coleman, Paul Brooks). Best was Penny Lane complete with trumpet - the whole crowd singing. Already Scott is being begged to do another Beatles album. Great family afternoon.
Originals - The Whitlams - Republic
I'm in love with Tim Freedman. His voice, his charm filled the room - actually the room was very full (sold out) but you get my meaning. The concert was a little slow to get going but by the time they got to No Aphrodisiac the room was rocking. The encore of Buy Now Pay Later was led by Tim but sung by the audience. Such a beautiful song.
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| My view of Tim Freedman |
Tall Man Line Theory
You need to get to crowded concerts early for three reasons - one, a pre-gig drink is never a bad thing, two, the warm-up act is a great way to discover new artists, three, don't get caught behind the tall man line.
TML Theory explained
I would hate to be a tall man at a concert, you would never get to stand at the front, at least, not without a tirade of abuse from behind. Tall people understand this and stand at the sides or a polite distance back from the stage to allow shorties to see. At the Republic this is about two thirds of the way back in the room. If you are behind the tall man line you won't be able to see anything.
What Made me Cry this Week
Stages of Love - Chris Coleman
Song about realities of love and how life gets in the way and how you don't know what you've got til it's gone.
Blow Up the Pokies - The Whitlams
This song about the tragedy of problem gambling and how it ruins lives gets me every time.
Isolationism - Ben Salter
This was the most emotional song of the week. It's a great love song but when the subject of that song is standing in front of you swaying and listening to the performance I adds a little something.
Regret of the Fortnight
I didn't go and see Ben play at Salty Dog on Sunday because I felt it was a bit too stalkerish. Now I wish I had gone. I think it might have been a fabulous gig. Grrrr.
You need to get to crowded concerts early for three reasons - one, a pre-gig drink is never a bad thing, two, the warm-up act is a great way to discover new artists, three, don't get caught behind the tall man line.
TML Theory explained
I would hate to be a tall man at a concert, you would never get to stand at the front, at least, not without a tirade of abuse from behind. Tall people understand this and stand at the sides or a polite distance back from the stage to allow shorties to see. At the Republic this is about two thirds of the way back in the room. If you are behind the tall man line you won't be able to see anything.
What Made me Cry this Week
Stages of Love - Chris Coleman
Song about realities of love and how life gets in the way and how you don't know what you've got til it's gone.
Blow Up the Pokies - The Whitlams
This song about the tragedy of problem gambling and how it ruins lives gets me every time.
Isolationism - Ben Salter
This was the most emotional song of the week. It's a great love song but when the subject of that song is standing in front of you swaying and listening to the performance I adds a little something.
Regret of the Fortnight
I didn't go and see Ben play at Salty Dog on Sunday because I felt it was a bit too stalkerish. Now I wish I had gone. I think it might have been a fabulous gig. Grrrr.
