Knocklofty - Spirit of West Hobart

On my adventures so far I have discovered that the more that you put yourself out there the more invitations to attend exciting events will come your way.  My friend casually asked me, "Do you drink gin?"   Hahahahaha.  I was subsequently invited to attend the launch of her new venture - a distillery.  Yeah baby!!

The setting for this fabulous event was beautiful.  It was held in amazing gardens hidden away in suburban Hobart.  It was the stuff of the English novels I read as a child.  I felt like I'd entered an Enid Blyton book and I fully expected to see fairies at the bottom of the garden enjoying 'lashings of ginger beer'.  The music, however, was reminiscent of that in a hip London bar on the Thames.  It all conspired to make me feel that maybe I was now one of the elite social set who get invited to fancy launch parties.

Knocklofty's products are made in their small distillery in West Hobart using their own base spirit.  They individually distill each botanical and hand bottle and label each product.  They currently produce three products - Penn Gin, O Orange Liqueur, and Kahvi Coffee Liqueur.

Penn Gin has a very smooth mouth feel then you are hit with the taste of Tasmanian Pepper Berry, ground Wattle seeds, Angelica root and Thai basil.  It has a distinctly Asian influence which made me feel that I was at a fancy Thai resort putting away endless gin inspired cocktails by the pool.  Thailand has that special smell that has been bottled and infused in this gin.  It is one of the best gins I have ever tasted and is the perfect drink to accompany your stir fry.  All gin lovers should give this one a go - you won't regret it.

O Orange liqueur is very sweet and was good with ice and water but would be better in a cocktail or a great addition to Sangria.  I can't wait to do some experimenting.  Kahvi also very sweet but was great with cream and ice.  It is sweeter and had a stronger coffee taste than a certain popular coffee liqueur.  I am looking forward to trying these two in a B-52 shot.

Now that I am a sophisticate that gets invited to fancy openings maybe I have proven my worth as a 'Supporter of Local Producers'. I can't wait to see what Knocklofty come up with next so I can take another step forward in achieving my New Year Resolutions.



Postscript:  If you take a look at Knocklofty's website you'll notice that the cover photo looks familiar.  It appears that I am now a photographer, of sorts.  It seems that I am more than just a Patron of the Arts but an actual Artist.  Yay me!

Knocklofty Website

Time Enough for Countin' when the Dealin's Done

If you find yourself on a Friday night at a country pub dancing in the middle of the main bar singing Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" at the top of your voice along with the locals whilst your mum and dad watch on, can you be considered a 'Patron of the Arts'?  It did give me pause to wonder whether things had gone seriously off the rails.

I spent my teenage years growing up on the east coast of Tasmania around the town of Triabunna and my parents still live in the district.  Triabunna is a logging town, or it was until the local chip mill closed; now it is primarily a fishing town and gateway to the beautiful Maria Island National Park.

Triabunna is your typical country town.  It has two pubs, the top pub and the bottom pub, and each has it's loyal patrons.  The Spring Bay Hotel (the bottom pub) has new carpet and freshly painted walls but still maintains its country pub character and feel.  An eight ball table in the main bar, the photo wall of locals engaged in many great nights in the bar and the placards advertising the social club all add to the ambiance and make you wonder what stories could be told if only the walls could talk.  There is not a poker machine, tab or keno in sight and, for the locals, "The Springy" is integrated in their lives and the patrons are all part of a strange family.  They accept each other despite foibles and character flaws.  My dad is a loyal patron of and drops in at 11am each Friday and is home by lunch and can't be easily recognised by the patrons without his hat. So when I saw the bottom pub advertising "True Grit Out of Tamworth" I thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to catch up with my parents and continue my Arts Patronage.

Before the show we went for a good old fashioned counter meal which came with a salad complete with a slice of orange.  The service at the Spring Bay Hotel is great and the staff are all really friendly.  I did have an issue trying to get served by one of the more senior bar staff who served all the locals ahead of me - this was quite amusing, I had to look in the mirror to check that I didn't have my invisibility cloak on.  Even funnier was once he worked out that I was a local, of sorts, and the daughter of a regular patron, then I had no problem at all.  Ah, the quirks of country life.

The entertainment started with a trio of guys (Scrubby, Possum and Jim - I'm not kidding) who won't see seventy again strutting their stuff on violin, banjo and guitar.  They played a lot of old favourites, the set was laden with Johnny Cash and Slim Dusty classics.

Next up was a fellow in a Drizabone jacket, Akubra hat and Blundstone boots - Bushy Thompson (again not joking).  Bushy was a poet and was the highlight of the evening.  His version of "Clancy of the Overflow" was fantastic.  This was followed by a number of humorous Australian poems and stories.  Mmmmm, poetry, maybe I am a Patron of the Arts after all.

By this time I, and a number of the patrons, had a few beers under the belt, the music recommenced and dancing ensued.  The sophisticated Triabunna two-step was in evidence, along with superb dancing by a couple who had been to more than one Bush dance in their day.

That was when things started to go pear-shaped!  I was sitting in the back corner with my tiny 10 oz beer (no hipster pints at the Springy) having a quiet catch up with a few of the locals that I knew from high school when it came to my attention that Jim, the leader of the troupe, was summoning the girl with the orange shirt to come forward to participate in the frivolities of the next song.  I looked around to see who he might be talking about and with great horror I realised that I was the only person in the bar wearing orange.  EEEEEKKKKKK!!!  It was like being in high school all over again and being unexpectedly called upon by the principal to come to the front of the assembly to give a speech.  Do I just run away and hope that it no one notices.  Do I shyly go forward and try and keep a low profile.  I opted to go forward.  I made my way to the middle of the bar and stood alone and waited.  Then Jim started singing "Wait until my lips cool down" directed right at me.  I made a split decision to just go with it (the beers may have had some influence) and I pranced around the bar like a loon.  After all, I had nothing to lose (other then my dignity).  This wholehearted participation was met with cheers and clapping from the bar and more than a little laughter.  It turned out to be a lot of fun but how the duck did that even happen - you can't write this stuff.

The mood of the bar was on the up and the cover of Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road" set the bar alight with much whooping and dancing.  This led on to "The Gambler" which is where I found myself on that amazing Friday night wondering how I got there.  But maybe there is some wisdom in Kenny's words - if you live life to the full and take chances then you'll find an ace that you can keep.  After all, there'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.






 

Tim and Scott on a Weeknight

In my quest to become a Patron of the Arts, I thought that I would try something new; a weeknight arts excursion.  I went to the Republic to see Tim Roze and Scott Targett.  I had seen them at Lake Pedder and I loved their harmonies and their enjoyment of performing was infectious.

At the Republic, the weeknight crowd was mostly the after dinner set who thinned out pretty quickly as patrons went home to prepare for the following day's work.  The few people remaining were mostly not there for the entertainment but rather to enjoy each other's company and to have a drink or two.  There was the fellow with dreads and crocs who was more interested in his paper.  Blokes at the bar who had had a drink or two more than they needed yelling obscenities and trash talking each other. Yet the entertainers kept on giving their best efforts to entertain.  How do artists do it?

Maybe it's for the bloke at bar drunkenly singing the refrain or the girl at the back of the room enthralled by the music. Is is for the new friendships forged through shared experience or shared refrain at the very least?  Or for the lone dancing man after his tenth pint?  

For Tim and Scott I think that it is the sharing of a joy for music and stories.  It's hope that someone is moved, changed or someone's pain is eased or shared.  How better to achieve this than through Pink Floyd.  Great artists singing a great song can fill an empty room and this was the case with their version of "Comfortably Numb".

They also tried some new material which is always entertaining.  Trying something they have never tried before.  Its like watching Olympic ice skating.  Success is beautiful and wondrous but you are perched on the edge of your seat, worried that the skater will fall but secretly hoping that it will happen as it makes great entertainment.  Tim & Scott's ambitious first attempt of 'I am the Walrus' was exceedingly joyful and did not result in a metaphorical wet arse for anyone.  These guys are great and very professional and fun.



The Downside of Arts Patronage
The only down side of the evening was the drunken men in the bar.  They were the type that think that it is ok to harass you just because you are a woman on your own.  A friendly hello and how are you enjoying the night is great but the invasion of personal space or the unwillingness to accept that someone would rather listen to the music than dance with you just because alcohol has taken away your inhibitions is not ok.  It was not great that weeknight at the Republic so I went home before the final set.  The behaviour was mostly pretty low key and not terribly threatening  but I was thankful that I am not a young, attractive girl as it would have been 10 times worse.  This should not be a consideration when trying to enjoy a evening of music.  Luckily, I have been around a bit and know how to look after myself but men like these and entertainment venues need to lift their game.

Belle Miners on a Summer Day in Hobart

Summer in Hobart is a fickle beast.  One day temperatures over 30 degrees accompanied by bushfire warnings.  The next day snow.  On a chilly and rainy Sunday in Hobart, whilst the rest of the country was suffering under an unprecedented heatwave, I went to the Republic Bar to see what live music was being offered.  There was an open fire burning and the venue had a cosy feel against the showery, sunny, cloudy, cold, rainbowy afternoon.

The Belle Miners (Felicia Harding, Jaime Jacket and Marina Marina) are out of British Colombia, Canada.  Right from the get go it was clear that I was in for a great afternoon of musical entertainment with the Belle Miners.  The three women told their stories through song with extraordinary harmonies that go right to your heart and bring out an emotional response.

They played a mix of originals and covers that was perfect for a quiet afternoon drinking Cherry Pear Cider. The covers were great and singing along was encouraged. Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia" and the obligatory Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel" were perfect for a little crowd involvement.

My favourite of their originals was "Strange World".  This type of storytelling through song serves to remind that whilst we are all different we are also basically the same.  In that, we are never really alone and as this song says 'No-one gets out alive'.  I found this strangely comforting or maybe it was just the cider.

End of the Earth

Last weekend I attended the End of the Earth Music Festival at Lake Pedder. with His Grumpiness, The Blonde and her two kids - Kid Drummer and The Pink Thing.

Whilst there were a number of fantastic acts set to play over the course of the weekend, the star of the show was the setting.  Brooding windswept peaks rose above the dark lake with its quartz sand beaches.  On the first night there was an atmospheric but unrelenting drizzle with an occasional sharp breeze to keep you on your toes.  The singers' breath could be seen in the crisp wilderness air. The audience was mixed audience with festival goers of all ages from birth to seventy.

I kicked off the festival with a tasty roast lamb and gravy roll washed down with a Double Head Brewing Pilsner.  The pilsner was tasty but a bit hoppy for my tastes.  I like my lagers plain.  

The musical acts showcased in the festival mostly had a blues influence which suited me just fine.  I have listed all the acts below with a short comment but there were some definite highlights.

Tim, the organiser, moved around the festival in his powder blue sport coat, skinny jeans and brown winklepicker boots with elasticated sides like a proud dad admiring the achievements of his kids but making sure that they stick to the straight and narrow.

After the first couple of acts, next up a band called Skate Wounds was due to play.  Three young blokes with beanies, trucker caps and skate shoes entered stage with a six pack of cascade draught to play a 45 minute set. His Grumpiness looked dubious, "These young reprobates look slightly dangerous and out for a good time."  Neither of us were sure that this was going to be our cup of tea. They started of with a couple of punk numbers which were pretty decent but that had me with a cover of Darren Hanlon's 'Punk's Not Dead'.  They were pretty nice boys too, they spent quite a bit of time after their set talking to Kid Drummer about music.

The highlight of the evening, though, was Ben Salter's haunting 'It's Docherty'.  This song is from the 'Vandiemonian Lags' project which features songs about Tasmania Convicts.  This particular song is about Thomas Dougherty who, once made a free man, moved to Port Davey to become a piner.  It was remarkable to hear this song out in the wilds of the South-West National Park with the sun setting and a heavy drizzle coming in off the lake.  Very moving.  You could almost feel the Thomas Dougherty himself came in with the mist topay us a visit.  It was easy to imagine what it must have been like for those poor unfortunate souls and made me proud of my Tasmanian heritage.

It's Doherty and I'm Free - Founders & Survivors 

At the end of a fabulous evening of song, like all hardy festival goers, I went back to my self-contained digs to watch a movie on SBS in front of the heater.  Stuff this camping business!

The next morning eggs and bacon and possibly the best cup of tea I have ever enjoyed were consumed on the front deck of the Pedder Wilderness Lodge whilst listening to MT Blues and Annia Baron.  A great way to start the day if ever there was one.  His Grumpiness exclaimed,  "It's not irritating, most things in life are irritating."  High praise indeed.

Whilst we were relaxing in the brisk lakeside air and watching children getting their face painted, His Grumpiness revealed to me that in his younger (read drinking) days he once "fell in" with some facepainters.  Who does that - just "fall in" with some facepainters.  Apparently, even after 18 years, there are still many things that I do not know about my bloke.

After lunch I determined that a nice Rosé from Derwent Estate was to be the drink of choice.  The Blonde was more than happy to share it with me.  Due to no glass allowed on the festival grounds we poured the bottle into two massive cups and got down to consuming the lovely liquid.  The Blonde was heard to say that the drinks were "big and appropriate".  I'm not sure if she was comparing them to the festival or to us - either way they went down a treat.  The weather warmed up slightly in the afternoon and so did the acts.  

The afternoon's highlight was Tim (erstwhile organiser) and Scott with their great set of covers.  At about 4:30pm the alcohol activated my internal dance switch just in time for Tim and Scott’s cover of the Beach Boys 'Good Vibrations'. Looking around I wasn't alone, alcohol had flipped the dance switch in a number of people.

As the evening drew in and the air grew chilly I switched to my very favourite beer Cascade Draught. It may not be adventurous or terribly glamorous but I love it.  I can drink that stuff all night long - and have done so on many occasions.  His Grumpiness was feeling the cold a little but seemed to be enjoying himself.

The last act for the evening was Guthrie.  They were nearly as fabulous as Jed Appleton's hair and Jethro Pickett's seventies style wool lined checked jacket and cowboy boots.  It was a great way to finish the festival and I wished that I was able to stay another day.  I can't wait for next year.

The Music
Billy Whitton and Swingin’ Hep Cats With Jamie Taylor

Great as always.

Pete Cornelius

Bluesy Guitar – a more modern version of Billy Whitton.

Skate Wounds
These guys were great.  I would definitely go and see them again.

Ben Salter
Always fabulous,  Doherty was a revelation in this particular setting.  Can't wait to hear his new album.

The Mornings
Six piece band.  Should have been good but the instruments were out of tune and the sound mix was wrong.  Not good enough to keep me out in the cold.

MT Blues.

Blues duo. Not my cup of tea but decent.

Annia Baron. 

Angelic voice.  Slow smooth covers and originals.  Otis Redding, Chris Izaak, Nirvana.  Would have like to have heard an up tempo number or two just to mix it up.

Alan Gogoll

Great guitarist.  This bloke is worth seeing again

Stu Harcourt, guitar and didgeridoo.

Joyful performance.  You could really feel that he was having a great time and he took you on that journey with him.

Michael and Karly.
A lot of fun.  Great version of Red Red Wine.

Tim and Scott.
Guitar and keyboard duo.  Tim can really sing and the harmonies were brilliant. Really got the crowd going with some covers from The Beatles, David Bowie. Crowded house.  He was joined by Jethro Pickett which added to the fun.

Seth Henderson. 

Decent singer and guitarist.

Lazer Baby.

I was really looking forward to this as Jamie Taylor is such a magnificent singer but their set list did not showcase her voice.  They played a bluesy version of a Destiny's Child song and I loved the tenor sax.

EWAH and the Vision of Paradise
One of their member was wearing the most fabulous western shirt.  The have a fantastic looking woman lead singer who exudes charisma.  They were modern day Fleetwood Mac sound with an updated eighties vibe.  Good but didn't quite grab me.  They are releasing their album later in the month.  I might go along and check out what they are like in a pub setting.

Jethro Pickett.
Great folk.  Reminded me that the Arts have a strange way for giving you hope and to not give up on humanity.  Beautiful rich voice.  Great jacket and boots.

Jed Appleton
Described by His Grumpiness as Leo Sayer's love child.  Really got the crowd rocking and was the recipient of a genuine encore request. Can't wait to see him again.

Guthrie
Guitar and drums duo.  Self confessed blues turned garage rock band from Launceston.  Loved these guys and will look for an opportunity to see them again.


The Booze
From Cascade's website
A Tasmanian favourite, Cascade Draught is a high malt, full-bodied lager with th crisp, fresh character of locally grown 'Pride of Ringwood' hops.  Crystal malt adds a touch of sweetness to th bright top notes of this easy-drinking, traditional beer.  Earthy hop characters complement hints of caramel and freshly baked bread in a classic Tasmanian draught lager.

From Derwent Estate website
Derwent Estate is a family owned and operated wine business situated just 20 minutes North of Hobart - the largest city in Tasmania.  Located at 42 degrees south latitude this is genuine cool climate viticulture.  Tasmania is rapidly gaining a reputation as Australia's premier Pinot Noir, Riesling and sparkling wine producing area.

From Double Head Brewing Facebook page
Double Head Brewing produce small-batch, meticulously crafted beer.  World class flavour is our benchmark.

The Love Interest

Every good story includes a Love Interest for the hero.  Paris and Helen, Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Lancelot and Guinevere, King Edward and Mrs Simpson, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy, Rick & Ilsa, Trump and Melania, wait, what.....

The Love Interest speaks to the hero's inner journey and pushes them throughout their evolution.  The Love Interest will motivate (provoke, challenge, inspire, push) the hero and force the hero to earn the reader's respect and appreciation by the end of the story. We learn to respect and appreciate the hero  by seeing through the eyes of the Love Interest.  The Love Interest should represent what the hero hopes to be worthy of by journey's end.  They are the hero's inspiration and aspiration.

My Love Interest, hereafter known as "His Grumpiness" is a grumpy coffee slurper who won't see fifty again.  He's whip smart, funny (maybe a little on the acerbic side), insightful, trusting and fiercely loyal; it is a bonus that he also has a nice posterior asset. People say that you have to work hard to make a relationship work, for us, that isn't true, it is always easy.  Not to say that we don't have tense moments but it is usually because I am a lazy toad who won't do my share of the house work or that he is unnecessarily grumpy about something trivial like housework.

I picked up His Grumpiness up in a bar (Tatts - for those of you familiar with the Hobart pub scene in the nineties) after a seeing my very favourite band, Weddings Parties Anything. I learnt a great lesson that day; if you put yourself out there, you just never know how your life might be changed; you too can find a sleazy old man in a bar.

A Girl and her Guitar

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in Hobart I went to see Bridget Pross at the Republic Hotel.  I'd seen her play before and have one of her albums.  She's an amazing singer with a sparkling voice.  Sitting in the beer garden with the sun shining, cockatoos flying overhead, sipping on a Gillespie's Ginger Beer,  life couldn't have been any better. 

Gillespie's Ginger Beer is a tasty little number but not to gingery for those who a new to the drink.  I personally like my ginger beer with a little more oomph but this is perfect for a summer's afternoon.

Bridget sang a great collection of songs Bryan Adams, Jenny Morris, Cheap Trick but she had me with not one but two Dolly Parton tunes 'Jolene' and 'I will always love you'.  Her originals are also pretty good.  Just from watching her play guitar and sing for the Saturday arvo audience she seemed to me to be a good sort who would make a great drinking buddy.  

The second set featured Jewel's 'You were made for me'.  Co-incidentally this fabulous song was written by Steve Poltz.  For those of you following my self-indulgent trip closely, he was the bugger that inspired me to take this journey of Arts Patronage in the first place.

Bridget is the first act of the year that made me cry through fabulous storytelling - although I was about three pints in by this stage.  Fortunately, Bridget also provided the audience with hangover avoidance advice - vodka with soda and fresh lime.  Soda is just water anyway and the lime is full of health anti-hangover goodies.  All-in-all a great way to spend and afternoon.

Friday night I returned to Street Eats @ Franko in Franklin Square.  This place has atmosphere and I will be making it a regular Friday night jaunt.  This week I went with company.  He had the empanadas and mini sourdough donuts whilst I had spring rolls from Tik's Thai and Poltergeist Unfiltered Gin with homemade orange soda.  All great quality.  The gin was quite a intense one but went beautifully with the orange.

Mumbo Jumbo were playing.  A pretty decent blues band but not good enough to make me jump up and dance and want to stay all night.

This week's drinks

From Shene Distillery Website

Poltergeist - Unfiltered retains the full spectrum of all the flavours and aromas that we coax from our botanicals, and will please gin lovers looking for a powerful, mouth-watering nose and a taste that is big bold and beautiful.  For those who indulge in this more intense incarnation, be warned - it may ghost over ice.

Gillespies Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Our ginger beers are traditionally brewed in the bottle, using a recipe handed down from four generations and originating in Durham Northern England - the home of ginger beer!  Gillespie's Ginger Beer is free from preservatives and additives and made from premium ingredients:  natural filtered rainwater, organic fresh ginger, Tahitian lime, lemon, native Tasmanian pepper berry leaf and sugar.