{Thursday is THE day}

While I was adding my pick of the weeks arts events yesterday I was struck by the truck load of awesome stuff happening this Thursday  Why is it that everything good always happens at once? With so many events and only one of me I thought I'd better try encourage a few of you to head along to the great stuff that's on (so I can live vicariously through you all of course!)

I'm finally off the see Holding the Man which I'm terribly excited about. At the same time I can't help being a teeny tiny bit disappointed that I'll be missing out on a whole host of incredible live music (most of it local talent) and more this Thursday. So what can you treat your ears and eyes to?

First up Tim Rogers and the Bamboos (former You am I front man and soul/ funk band the Bamboos) are playing in the concert hall at QPAC, a ticket will set you back $65. It's a great venue if you're into something a bit fancy and enjoying tunes from a comfy seat with a great sight line.

If dancing and enjoying a few cold ones whilst gigging is more up your alley then head to Black Bear Lodge to see Brisbane Indie/ pop two piece Gung Ho. A ticket will set you back around $14.

Image via here

Broke but still want to enjoy some live music? Head to Room 60 and hear Little Planes Land (the solo project for Jen Boyce of Ball Park Music) and Candlewood for free! 

Image via here

Or head to Oh Hello's Cobra Kai Clubnight. It runs every Thursday and this week they have Tourism, Tundra and Teapots playing. If you arrive between 8-9pm to see these three bangin Brisbane bands entry is free (after that you'll have to foot the cover charge.) 

Image via here

Live music not your scene?  Then head to one of Brisbane's newest arts venues The Box  in West End.  It's an artist run initiative and has dual functions as a performance space and Gallery. Thursday is the opening night of Rueben Stafford photographer's very first exhibition. He's taken some very lovely shots of abandoned spaces. You can check some of them out on his blog here.

So many choices... To help you decide what you might like to see I've included a track for all of the above mentioned bands in this weeks toe tappin tunes. What will you head along to? 

Have the best Thursday,

KT

{Art meets eyewear}

How many can say they carry a Lister with them all day not just that they have one on the wall at home? Well now we all can!

Colab eyewear is a range of sunglasses designed by Artists! As Colab themselves put it, it's art for your face. Every season they get a collective of creatives to design a super funky range. The best part is only a 1000 of each style are sold world wide, it really is like having your own limited edition print.

Anthony Lister

The styles range from the conservative to the way out there with Colab putting no constraints or requirements on the Painters, Graphic Designers, Musicians and other creative souls that come up with the collections. A pair of these will set you back about $200 which I think is pretty reasonable, especially when you're getting something that is a bit spesh and that is hand made.

Rockin jellybean

Chris Hopkins

I'm seriously thinking about getting myself a pair if only I could decide which ones! Check out their full range and stockists here  

Happy shopping,

KT

P.S my theatre date had to be re scheduled to next week - so stay tuned to hear all about La Boite's Holding the man soon!

{Hungry for some Hungry Kids of Hungary?}

The new Hungry Kids of Hungary album is out in two sleeps! I love, love, love this Brisbane band and was really excited to hear this new album. It's being featured on Triple J this week which means it's free to stream here.

Excited by the chance to have a sneaky pre release listen and stuck for serious listening time I popped this baby on whilst doing my weekly domestic duties. So what did I think?

It had enough of that familiar upbeat HKH sound to keep me bopping whilst mopping but was less poppy, with a rawer sound and sadder undertone than their previous release Escapades. The lyrics explore some dark topics but despite this it's not depressing or gloomy. It managed to keep me dancing and away from the tissues with it's clever balance of upbeat sounds and downbeat lyrics.

In short I'm in serious like with it, not quiet in love with it (as I am with Escapades). It does take me a bit of time to let go of the old and warm to the new though. I can see that the boys have grown and tried to push themselves in a new direction with this one.  I can't wait to put it to the ultimate test and see how they perform it live! I'm sure my like will quickly blossom into love when I do!

As is customary with a new album release the boys are on tour soon, yay! I'll be heading to the Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay on the 20th of April to see them, you can catch them there, on the 19th at The Hi Fi or if you're a spring chicken at the under 18's gig on the 21st at Alhambra Lounge. Not from Brisvegas? Check out the full tour details here.

Happy listening/ gigging,

KT

{Weekly treats}

It's a new week and I've promised myself that I'm going to post some links to great music and events that are happening in Brisbane every week for you.

So check out the links lists for Toe tappin tunes and events on Mondays, I hope they help you fight the Monday morning blues!

What Artsy adventures do you have planned for this week? I'm off to enjoy a spot of theatre at La Boite  with my gorgeous sister... bring on Friday I say!

Holding the Man

Happy Monday,

KT

{GOMA is great}

It started out as a pretty gloomy rainy day here in Brisbane, one that likely ruined many peoples Saturday plans... but not mine! What perfect weather to enjoy a day wandering around the Art Gallery. So off I went with my lovely mother in tow to see the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial at the Gallery of Modern Art

The exhibition was truly fantastic! The creative minds of so many resulted in a truly amazing mix of works and as always the experience was made so much richer by reading the artists comments relating to the works. Here's a sneaky peek at some of the exhibits.

This piece by Raqib Shaw called Paradise Lost was one of my favs. At first glance it's an exquisitely elaborate sparkling fairytale, but on closer inspection depicts a dark fantasy world full of creatures feasting on each others flesh. This striking contrast along with the medium are what makes this piece so appealing to me. The painting was created using oil, acrylic, enamel, glitter and rhinestones.... its almost as though it's been painted in stained glass.

The other piece that blew me away (and most of the days visitors judging by the surrounding crowd) was this work by Tiffany Chung. For me this piece is a contrast in scale, overall expansive but made up of hundreds of tiny glass animals. You could spend all day starring at each little creature, determining it's species. Quiet breathtaking!

After all our wondering we were feeling pretty hungry so we had a bite to eat at the Gallery restaurant. It was my first trip there and I couldn't fault it. One word: delicious!!

In short the ATP7 at GOMA is a must see and best of all its free! Looks like this weather is likely to keep up for tomorrow.....why not head to GOMA and enjoy some brightness on a cloudy day!

Happy Saturday,

KT

{Potato potato}

Earlier this year I volunteered at the Woodford folk festival where I stumbled across this fabulous little band. They had a tough time slot playing in the morning on New Years Day but managed to draw quiet a crowd.

Photo from here

I was very impressed with their music and stage presence, especially since the group are all of 16 years old. These kids are hoping to put out an EP this year... keep your eye out for this spunky little group and their mature vocal sound, drummer who is also the guitarist (at the same time) and mad keyboardist. Have a listen to Potato Potato on triple J unearthed

Happy listening,

KT

{Popping my blogging cherry!}

Eek! I've finally done it! After a lot of 'will I, won't I' i've overcome my technological anxiety and started a blog. As an avid lover of the Arts I frequent galleries, gigs, the theatre and more and hope you will enjoy me sharing my experiences. Who knows I might just tempt you to head along to a few things yourself...


This weekend i'm off the the Gallery of Modern Art to check out the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial and I have to say i'm pretty excited! So stay tuned or check out the details yourself here: http://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/apt

KT