Big Weekend - Ben & Sime, The Waifs, The Wilson Pickers

The Blonde and I were on a roll - Port Fairy Folk Festival, Icehouse over the last few weekend and this was to be another great weekend of Arts Patronage.  Ben Salter and Sime Nugent on Friday night, The Waifs on Saturday night and then The Wilson Pickers at the Spiegeltent on Sunday night. Whoever says that nothing ever happens in Hobart is just not looking hard enough.

Ben Salter & Sime Nugent @ Neika
Just when I think that I am surely an Arts Patron of note I am reminded that there are some whose dedication to supporting musicians is on a whole other plane.  Such is true of Neika Phil.  Neika Phil has a farm in the foothills of the magnificent kunanyi (Mt Wellington) just outside Hobart.  Neika is only 15 minutes from the Hobart's CBD but is a world away from the fierce struggle for power and wealth so prevalent in so many of the world's cities.  Neika Phil has made the most of his country idyll by installing a musician's stage in a magical clearing in the bush by a burbling creek.  It makes you feel as though you are miles from civilisation, away from politics, away from a government that is hell bent on changing the law to allow hate speech, away from knife-wielding terrorists.  Here the world still feels safe, happy and hopeful.  Here, you can leave everything behind.  Here, music is king.

Sime Nugent and Ben Salter (two of the five Wilson Pickers) were playing here on a still Friday evening.  The audience consisted mostly of young families and there was an abundance of wool garments and more polar fleece than you could poke a stick at.  I think I even heard one person saying they didn't actually own television.  If I was in any doubt that this is not my usual sort of crowd, comparing their picnic food of vegetarian pizza with freshly ripped basil on top to my box of barbecue shapes was the clincher.  Along with many families with young children picnicking on the grass and the occasional pademelon joined the fray.

It was a very relaxed atmosphere and the music only added to the mood.  There were two highlights.  First was Ben's new songs.  I can't wait for is new album especially his river song which made me feel that he had looked into my heart and all put my feeling about Hobart in to a melody.  The other was Sime and Ben singing Jolene which was just magnificent.

Thanks to Phil for letting us share in his little slice of paradise.

The Waifs @ The Odeon
If ever you want to see the difference between an act at a festival or the same act in a venue suited to their show and an audience full of dedicated fans, seeing The Waifs at the Odeon was it.  The Waifs were good at the Port Fairy Folk Festival but they played all their well known songs rather than their good ones.  This show at the Odeon was one for the fans.  The stage banter was different too.  At the Odeon it felt like the band were talking to their close friends whereas at the PFFF it was more like when you take your new boyfriend home to meet your parents for the first time - a little reticent and not wanting to do anything that might cause offence.  At the Odeon the band was relaxed and comfortable in the knowledge that the people were here because they wanted to see them and only them and nothing they could do would turn their dedicated fans off.  The relationship could only be strengthened.

The warm up act was OK but really nothing to write home about but this served to highlight the skills and talents of the Waifs.

They have some great songs most with folk country roots but some with gospel influences.  They have a great new song called 'Syria' that any anti-refugee activist should listen to.  My favourites though are the ever famous 'Lighthouse', the nostalgic 'Black Dirt Track' and the emotional 'Bridal Train'.  Perhaps the highlight of the night was Josh playing a little of Pink Floyd's 'Wish you were here', that was until Donna came out for a second encore and had a chat and sang 'Haircut'.  If you have ever been dumped then this is worth a listen.

The Waifs song that probably resonated with me the most is 'Take it in'.  It is a song about living in the moment and learning to recognise and appreciate the great phases of your life before they are gone.

"Take it in, take it all in
Now is the time that will not come again
Take it in, take it all in
This is the day and it's here for the living."

Now that is a sentiment to live by.

The Wilson Pickers @ The Spiegeltent
In case you haven't picked it yet, I really like these boys and their music.  I love the full five part harmonies.  The guitars, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and tambourine combine with their brilliant bluegrass songs to fill my heart with joy.  Too much?

My fourth time seeing the band in two weeks was the best of the lot.  The Blonde, His Grumpiness and I went to see them as part of the Ten Days on the Island Festival in the Spiegeltent.  This was an extremely atmospheric and intimate venue and the small size of the venue with its wooden floors made for great acoustics.  We were really close to the stage in the second row.  The concert only went for about an hour but it was jampacked full of great songs
They played their brilliant version of 'Jolene' again but it was when the band played a personal favourite of mine, 'Half a Man', that The Blonde and I couldn't contain ourselves any longer, we had to get up and dance, much to the amusement of the band.  It wasn't really a dancing venue but we did it anyway much to the chagrin of His Grumpiness.  As The Blonde often says, "Much Fun."

Folk Buddies at Port Fairy

I was on a plane sitting next to two women who had just met.  They were sharing their thoughts about how fluffy the clouds were and how it seemed to them that they could walk on them. Then they began sharing stories about how fantastic Tasmania is and all the wonderful places they had visited.   It is amazing how friendships can so easily be formed and I wondered whether this new friendship was a fleeting thing or whether their shared experience would see them form lasting bonds.  Either way, it made me feel glad to be alive.  Of course, that could have been the schooner of beer I had in the airport bar or the mini bottle of sparkling I had in my hand that was making me feel that way. Maybe it was the anticipation of what lay ahead in my weekend away.

I was heading for the Port Fairy Folk Festival with The Blonde and Drummer Kid.  It was an odyssey on which I hoped to prove that I was truly a Patron of the Arts.  Travelling to rural Victoria to see live acts surely shows a dedication to the cause.  The festival was to feature a large number of acts that I was keen to see -  Paul Kelly, Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission, The Waifs and Tasmanian convict punk band The Dead Maggies to name a few.  A quick scan of the other acts that were on the program and I discovered a few new acts that I was keen to check out - a Dutch ska punk band called The Bazzookas and a punk pirate band called Eight Foot Felix amongst others.

When The Blonde first suggested that the PFFF was right up our alley and there was much fun to be had, I had a look at the logistics of getting there and I wasn't sure it was something I would be able to do.  Never under estimate the generosity of fellow Arts Patrons.  The Blonde had previous travelled to South Africa on a music tour with our favourite, Mick Thomas & Squeezebox Wally, where she met a bloke from Victoria who is without doubt the biggest Mick Thomas fan I have ever met.  Mick Fan was also heading to the PFFF and offered to organise camping, tents and to pick us up from the airport and drive us to Port Fairy - what a legend!!  Picking us up at the airport meant that Mick Fan was likely going to miss seeing Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission play on the opening night of the festival.  For a man who has travelled to Africa just to see him play, twice, this was a big favour indeed.  His wife, Pocket Rocket, and daughter, Folk Girl set off to Port Fairy early to set up camp for us all.  Great Peeps!!

The Blonde and I got off the plane, our excitement was palpable and there was much squealing with delight.  Poor Drummer Kid was embarrassed to be seen with us. Mick Fan picked us up in his Hilux complete with ice bucket filled with ciders and beers and we were off into the night.  A great warm up for the next three days festivities.

I've been to a number of music festivals before but this felt more like an agricultural show.  It had a relaxed country feel.  There were stalls selling jewellery, folksy clothing, bespoke guitars and mandolins and food stalls of all types selling tacos, ice cream, berries and cream, potatoes and the good old dagwood dog.  Buskers and roaming performers all added to the atmosphere.  Music festivals usually have one or two stages but the Port Fairy Folk Festival has 19 separate venues where you can catch workshop or a live act. Alcohol was only available at one of the stage venues which added to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The first act I saw was Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart followed by my favourite, Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission.  Mick and Wally were really rocking out and as always the old Weddings Parties Anything song "For a Short Time" made me cry.  My favourite song of all time. What a great start the the weekend.

It was a great day.  The Wilson Pickers, the most fabulous Lior singing Radiohead, James Taylor, Chris Isaacs and his marvellous originals with a string quarter and a double bass, Don Walker and Paul Kelly.  As great as these acts were there was something special about seeing Kutcha Edwards in one of the small venues later in the evening. His interaction with the audience, especially the kids dancing at the front was great and it felt like I had been invited to join a performance specifically for his family and friends.  I felt fortunate to be included.


The most fun of the day was seeing The Dead Maggies in front of a relatively small audience late in the evening.  The small crowd of about forty went off and punk dancing ensued.  This was in a "no dancing" venue which resulted in security being called.  Good luck with stopping a bunch of punk band fans from dancing.  To their credit the security stayed to protect the equipment and people but let the dancing go ahead.  It was fantastic.  I may or may not have given the security guy a hug in appreciation.  Either way, a good night's sleep was assured after that.

Sunday started with The Wilson Pickers.  Their scintillating five part harmony, great fiddling and picking was worth the admission price alone.  They do the most fabulous cover version of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' sung by Sime Nugent.  He was fast becoming my favourite of the festival.  To be honest, I think that I am a little in love with each of the five boys.  Dancing was required.

Our  all party all headed off to Mick Thomas' launch of his book - "These Are the Days".  This is an autobiographical tale featuring Mick's songs: how they got written, where and why they got written, and why they still get played.   For me, though, it is really about whilst a song can be written about one thing, it is really what you bring to the song that makes it resonate.  The real story behind 'For a Short Time" is tragic and poignant but every time I hear it I think about that boy I snogged in my late teens that I would have liked to get to know better but has since passed away.  It is the also the night that His Grumpiness asked me to dance to this song at my 40th birthday and made me feel like the best and most important person in the world.  Gets me every time.

We went for a beer at the Commercial Hotel in the middle of the day and met up with a friend of Mick Fan, Funky Rock Chick. We chatted about life and politics as you do when you've had a couple of bevvies.  We discussed Mick's launch and mused how a song needs to speak to you spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically before we get to call it a great song.  Yes, the beers were going down nicely.

At the Commercial live music was provided by 18 year old, Cooper Lower.  He did some tricky stuff with two microphones and recording tracks to play simultaneously that was pretty cool.  He was quite good but his songs were a little samey once you got past the two mic gimmick.  The thing that got me to move on though were his ill-fitting beige pants that seem to be prevalent among young folk these days.  Buy a pair of decent jeans!!

The day rocked on with a sing-a-long session at the beer stage.  I then went off to see Marlon Williams followed by The Waifs (with every other person at the festival).  The crowds were starting to get to me.  However, I returned to the relatively empty beer stage for a serious punk session - 8 Foot Felix, The Dead Maggies, The Bazzookas.  This was just nuts and made me feel rebellious, young and free.  Until midnight when I just had to lay down due to sheer exhaustion - maybe not so young.

On Monday morning I saw Yirrmal.  He was such an act of such joy.  He and his band were just a bunch of boys from various backgrounds, all mates together enjoying music.  This is how life should be, this is what folk music can bring to the world.

To round out the festival I went to see The Wilson Pickers for the third time.  They were even better than the previous two times.  Then to finish off, Folk Uke (Amy Nelson and Cathy Guthrie) alongside Dog Tumpet (Reg Mobassa and Pete O'Doherty).  They were hilarious.  If you get a chance, listen to their Starf*ker album.  Extremely irreverent and expressed anti-social tendencies of the mature woman and true to the core their set included songs like 'Knock Me Up' and 'Shit Makes the Flowers Grow'.

What I learnt from the PFFF is unless you are prepared to battle the crowds stay away from the headline acts.  If you really want to see them then go and see them somewhere else where they are the only act and the venue is suited to the crowd.  The best part of festival-going is seeing that act you have never heard of before on some minor stage in front of a tiny but dedicated audience.  It is seeing that fledgling act who is excited by the prospect of playing their first major festival.

But the biggest lesson of all was that, whilst the music was fantastic and the festival experience was brilliant, the best festival experience is the new friendship forged.  That shared appreciation of music gives you solid bond on which to build a friendship, you already have a things to talk about and stories to relay.  The best though is that you now have a shared history and experiences that will forever bond you.  I can't wait to experience more days like these with my new Folk Buddies.

Shakepeare in the Gardens

His Grumpiness and I went with a few people from my work to see Shakespeare the gardens featuring the Merry Wives of Windsor.  The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are a beautiful setting for any event let alone a Shakespearean thespian one.  At the end of a beautiful warm Autumn day, the grounds where a picture with the odd random wild duck waddling amongst the crowd looking for edible morsels.

The Merry Wives of Windsor is a farce that was written at the command of Queen Elizabeth the First.  It is not one of Shakespeare's best but I was looking forward to seeing one of my work colleagues in the role of Mr Ford.

The production started off slowly but soon found it's feet and turned out to be a rollicking good time. Particular highlights were interactions between Falstaff and Mr Ford disguised as Mr Brook and the scenes with Mistress Ford and Mistress Hay.

Halfway through the first act the sun set below kunanyi and a waxing crescent moon shone brightly in the sky,  A flock of ducks flew low across the setting and made it seem otherworldly.  I marvelled at the actors' performances and wondered what motivates someone to do that night after night for little or no fee.   Learning all those lines, attending all those rehearsals and finally performing and interacting with the audience.  I guess each night is different, depending on the audience, and that is what makes it exciting.  To hear people laugh at your actions and clap for the fun time they have had must be rewarding.

A Cidery and a Brewery

His grumpiness and I took a late summer mini-break to the North of the state, ostensibly to attend a meeting with the National Technical Director to talk about the latest best practice in coaching football (soccer).  Yes, we are thorough party going individuals!!  It was a good excuse to visit a few of the local food and beverage producers.  So many to choose from Mt Gnomon Pork, Anvers Chocolate, Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, Ashgrove Cheese, Ghost Rock Vineyard.  In the end we only had time to visit a couple of places if we were to have a relaxing afternoon and not just eat, drink and run.

Our first visit was to Spreyton Cider where I had a tasting palette of 8 different beverages.  Vintage Cider, Bitter Cider, Classic Cider,  Perry Cider, Apple Cider, Pear Cider, Ginger Beer, Best of Vintage Cider.  I liked the Classic Cider best but probably the highlight was the setting.  It was a beautiful early autumn day and we sat out in the orchard at picnic table enjoying our cider.  Fabulous.  I purchased a bottle of Redlands Apple Schnapps at the cellar door which I can't wait to try.

Our second stop was at the Seven Sheds Brewery in Railton.  I had a 5 glass tasting plate which was fantastic.  It was a little adventure in beer.  I personally prefer a boring old lager and don't really like porters and stouts but the Seven Sheds beers were a perfect size for exploring new and unusual tastes.  The Willie Warmer has a character that I have never tasted in a beer.  It is worth trying it at least once.  The Cherry Saison was also quite tasty.  It was fabulous sitting on the deck in the hop garden enjoying these beers in the sun.  It was a bit like hanging out at a friend's place on a lazy Sunday afternoon, even the brewery cat came and sat with us whilst we enjoyed our beers in the sun.  I could have stayed all day and had another round.  

I truly live in the best place in the world. So many places left to visit.  I will be back.  My quest to support local producers is going quite well.

Seven Sheds Website

Spreyton Cider