{Great Music is No Trouble For The Trouble With Templeton}

One of my most favourite Brisbane bands, The Trouble With Templeton have just dropped a new tune! The official first listen was on Triple J last night at 6pm, unfortunately the only music gracing my ears at the time was the repetitive hum of my trusty drill at work. Yuk!

Pre internet I would have had to have arranged for my sister to sit with radio cassette player, blank tape at the ready to hit record at the right moment (and I'm sure I would have owed her) ...Thank god for Soundcloud is all I can say! When I finally broke free from the daily grind and opened up the app on my phone there it was, sitting at the top of my stream like a smooth glass of red waiting to wash away my work day.

The tune You Are New is another shinning example of the musical magic that is Tom Calder. The track is a slow dance between the acoustic and electric guitar and drums, backed by beautiful vocal harmonies, with Calder's emotive vocals taking centre stage.

The lyrics, in true Calder style are clever and just a little obscure leaving them open to interpretation. 'Quiet askew, you are so deranged but well assured'. I can't get enough of this band, and this track which is slower and less punchy than prior offerings, really demonstrates the reach and talent they possess. 

Give it a Listen here! Their first album Rookie is released on the 2nd of August, I can't wait to get my hot little hands on it!

There is sooo much good music being released at the moment, check out this weeks toe tappin tunes for new stuff from Snackadactal, Boy and Bear, The Paper Kites and more! Treat you ears and have a mid week office boogie!

Happy discovering (and dancing),

KT

{The Southside Tea Room Satisfies the Senses}

First of all my apologies for being a total slacker last week, this winter weather has zapped my motivation in a big way. I'm sure no one noticed but this blog has been static for a week or so.... Sorry to any of you (or maybe none of you) who raced to check out the tunes and events last Monday and were left high and dry. Now on to the artsy stuff!

On Saturday I finally checked out what is a local venue for me The Southside Tea Room. It's been open for over a year now and is the baby of The Grates front woman, Patience.

Image from here

It was a freezing evening and we were glad to get inside this cosy venue to see Tori Lee and The Phoncurves hit the stage. The decor of this place is just delightful! It's full of little knick knacks and I would describe it as vintage meets kitsch (and my childhood!). There were benches made from old doors, a magic eight ball to help you make your drink choices at the bar, arcade games and a range of delicious looking beverages served in old jars.

We grabbed a seat at an old school desk (complete with tidy tray), talk about flash back! I was a little wary I might get detention for swinging on my chair... 'But I couldn't help it Miss, the music was just too good!'.. and it most certainly was.

I have harped on about the Phoncurves and their harmonies in an earlier post so I won't bore you with too many details... they were fantastic as usual and did the most hilarious cover of MIA paperplanes, if your haven't seen these lovely ladies perform yet, keep an eye out.

The Phoncurves, Tori Lee and my company, the lovely LK!

The real delight of the night for me was Tori Lee. I have never heard of her or any of her music before but it was just lovely, as was she. I'm sure she will be popping up around the traps of the Brisbane live music scene more and more in months to come so if the chance arises to see her make sure you snatch it up!

In short the Southside Tea Room is for me! Can't wait to head back there for one of the many events they host... live music, street fighter comps, clothes swaps, life drawing classes.. they really do have it all!

Have a great week, don't forget to check out this weeks tunes, what's happening in Brisvegas and the lovely artwork of a good friend of mines most talented Uncle,  Lew Brennan (turn to the left of your screen now.)

Happy chilly morning sleep ins,

Kt

{Sydney Shines Bright}

My first night in Sydney was a beauty thanks to Vivid. Vivid is all about music, lights, art and ideas. After dark the city lights up with installations, fireworks, projections and performances.

Whilst having dinner at Darling Harbour I was treated to a surprise fireworks show that is part of the festival. Every night fireworks are let off from floating pontoons in the middle of the Harbour. Fountains and lights also featured and the show was worth braving the wind and rain!

After dinner (still in the wind and rain) we headed down to the Rocks to see some of the light displays, it was amazing! The use of projections on iconic buildings was truly breathtaking. Here's some piccies I snapped of the installations, art and projections.

It's on until the 10th of this month so if you are heading to Sydney soon, treat your senses to this amazing display, the lights are on after 6pm each night.

Happy hump day eve,

KT

{A Weekend Alive with Live Music}

Well my toes are tired from tapping and my ears are well and truly satisfied after a weekend jammed packed with some amazing live music performances.

Friday night kicked of the musical mayhem with my first visit to Fortitude Valley Venue The Hideaway. My new internship with 4ZZZ has given me the chance to listen to the music of some great Indie bands that I may never have stumbled upon otherwise and Owls of the Swamp are no exception. They grabbed my attention a few weeks ago and with a little further research I discovered their Friday night gig!

Owls of the Swamp

The venue is cozy and has a intimate, island vibe. I'd say there was a maximum of thirty excited spectators which meant I could enjoy a of few of my favourite things: a seat, a great view of the stage and no waiting at the bar! Pete (aka Owls of the Swamp) was simply amazing. If you love your Indie folk tunes as much as I do give him a listen (why not do it right now).

Brisbane Indie Rock outfit Drawn from Bees were next to hit the stage. Turns out my lovely giggin buddy LK was old friends with the cellist performing with band for the evening. I won't bore you with too many details but they were great. The band has a few key members and multiple guests are drawn to the stage well....like bees, at different times for different tracks.

Drawn from Bees

Exhausted after one night of great music (and a few too many wines) LK and I dragged ourselves to The Tivoli to see the hunky spunk that is Matt Corby. Wowzers, I've never seen a line like it at this venue, Matt it seems is a very in demand man (I cant imagine why). After a slow crawl into the venue we snabbed a spot that was well towards the back but luckily a bit elevated.

Grace Woodroofe

Grace Woodroofe was the only support for the evening. She has a killer voice, super strong with a sexy raspy quality and we loved the track she kicked off with. Towards the middle of the set the mood got down right depressing, It did nothing to boost my waning energy levels. Her music has a 90s grunge rock appeal, and for me her album wouldn't be something I could listen to in one setting but would welcome to a play list. In saying that I would have had this album on repeat as an angsty teen.

Matt Corby

Matt was magnificent! Talent, charisma, charm, rugged good looks, a smile that is, well just a bit nice and a voice that you could never get sick of. If he returns to Brisbane I wouldn't hesitate to head along again (and again, and again.)

This week my day job has taken me to chilly Sydney.... I wonder what artsy treasures I might stumble upon while i'm here... stay tuned!

Happy Brisbane Sunshine,

KT

{A Sunday Saunter}

After a few failed attempts I finally made it to QAGOMA to check out the Creative Generation Excellence in Visual Art display. Thirty one pieces created by 2012, year twelve art students from across the state are on display. They were selected from over 500 entries and I have to say they are fantastic, these kids have talent!

Here's a sneaky peak of some of the works. Of mention is the piece in the top right hand corner that is made entirely of paper! Very fine and beautiful work indeed. Who this piece was by and its very clever name elude me at this point in time.... guess you will have to head along and see this lovely work for yourself to find out! 

Another that really impressed me is the top left below, It's By Brisbane Grammar student Lachlan Marshall and is titled Fractured view. I was sure it was a photograph until I read the label... It's a painting! Wow eee!

The overwhelming winner for me was a portrait by Cleveland District High School Student, Jordan Azcune. Maybe I'm a little biased towards this local work having lived in the Redlands for most of life so I'll let you decide!

All in all it was a really fabulous (and free) exhibition, it's continuing until August so make sure you pop along and see the states up and comers in the world of Visual Art!

Being that I was already in the area I took the opportunity to pop into the State Library to check out the QLD Live Band Culture display. 

It was a little disappointing I'd have to say. Firstly it's tiny in comparison to publicity that surrounds it. Secondly it really neglects current band culture in Brisbane, yes there is a fancy mural to current bands and a life size photograph of one of the walls in iconic live music venue The Zoo.... but that's it! The best bit for me was the audio visual display that features some figures key to the survival of Brisbane's live music scene sharing their stories. Really interesting stuff. 

It looks like there is a program of music events to accompany the display and I would recommend heading along to an actual performance then perusing the display after. One its own, not really worth the trip. 

Speaking of live music, I'm off too enjoy two nights of giggin in a row this weekend! How spoilt am I? I hope you have some amazing weekend plans too.

Happy Sauntering,

KT

{Mad for Matt}

We've all been waiting patiently for the smooth croon of Matt Corby to treat out ears with some new music and that wait is finally over!

Matt Dropped his new tune Resolution just after 8am this morning and it's a winner with me. Give it a Listen here!

I'm off to see him play at The Tivoli next Saturday with my sister.... Swoon...Can't wait!

Happy Hump day!

KT

{Catching Courtney won't cost you a thing!}

Chances are you've heard of Melbourne singer Courtney Barnett. Her single History Eraser has enjoyed a long stint of play on the airways. I'm loving her music, it's old school slacker sounds and anti-folk lyrics.

Image from here

She is currently on the road supporting Something for Kate which means she is in Brisbane this week. That means you have three chances to see her and two of them are completely free! 

You can of course catch her at the Something for Kate gig but if you are watching the pennies, catch her in-store at Jet Black Cat Music West End on Wednesday, 6.30pm or in a Sunday sesh at the Southside Tea Room, 4pm.

Been living under a rock and haven't heard of Courtney? Give her a listen here!

There is heaps of other fabulous stuff (some of it free too) happening in town this week, looking for something to do? Check out the links list to the left titled Event Envy!

Happy free giggin,

KT