Sunday September 28

Festival season is nearly apon us, as the weather is turning friendlier and there's more reason to be outside and bask in some vitamin D laced with music people are scrounging for tickets, mates and cars to make their way in all different directions for long weekends.

Queenscliff Music Festival is coming up in November from the 28th to the 30th, and there's a fantastic lineup this year as always. 

Festival Director Barbara Moss came in for a chat about the festival, which has been called the Big Day Out for grown ups. There's an emphasis on comfort and local artists, and the seaside town of Queenscliff is a scenic wonderland. There are three lighthouses - and one of them is black. Love it.

Music Log:

First hour - Queenscliff Music Festival artists

• Jackson Jackson - The International Society Of Bad Dancers
  
• Frankie Wants Out - Don't Play Dice With The Devil
  
• Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)
  
• Archie Roach - Liyarn Ngarn
  
• Josh Pyke - Lines On Palms
  
• The Bawdies - I Beg You
  

Second hour - mish mash

• Colin Hay - Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
  
• Don't Mess With The Pony - Dry
  
• Lucie Thorne - Flood
  
• Dan Kelly - I've Been Moved
  
• Nicola Watson and Cinema She - Bone Marrow
  
• Michael Franti and Spearhead - Say Hey (I Love You)
  
• Rosie Burgess - Big Watery Sky
  
• Jesse Younan trifecta - Queeny, Medicine, Mercy
  
• Liam Finn - Second Chance
  

Musical obsession of the week

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an Aboriginal artist with the voice of an angel. His release "Gurrumul" is up for five ARIA awards this year. I received his album in the mail along with a stack of other stuff, and I have to say it's the most beautiful thing I've heard this year. This album transcends language, barriers, agendas, it's pure communication through feeling. Sung mainly in his native language, Gurrumul's words are translated in the liner notes and are.

This album is something that packs a punch right in the soul, it's emotional and intuitive and the perfect backdrop to anything at all. Having at think, chilling out, dinner party, giving the dog a bath. 

Simply beautiful.

I'm interviewing Gurrumul and his producer Michael in a few weeks time, stay tuned for more on that.

Rosie Burgess

Melbourne artist Rosie Burgess is launching her newest offering, the follow up to 2007's Humble Pie. As always the packaging has beautiful artwork and is environmentally friendly, constructed from recycled material. Rosie is an out and proud singer songwriter who also runs grassroots independent record label Payne Street Records. She also released music under the name Panika, a hip hop project that's well worth a listen. 

The new album Wait For The World will be released October 11th this year, with a national tour to follow. 

Cannot Buy My Soul

Catch her in Melbourne on Sunday October 26th, supported by Milk (duo) and Justin Carter.

In 2006, a number of Australian Artists recorded versions of songs by Kev Carmody, for what was to become the album Cannot Buy My Soul. 

In January 2008, most of them, including Kev Carmody himself, came together at the State Theatre in Sydney for the stage production of Cannot Buy My Soul. By all reports, it was one of the most powerful and emotional concerts Sydney has ever had. I didn't get to go, but lucky for me the night was filmed and footage was turned into a documentary which will be screened on SBS next weekend!

Cannot Buy My Soul captures not only the intensity and lyricism of Kev's songs but also the goodwill and respect of the artists who honour his work. The cast includes Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Sara Storer, Dan Kelly, Tex Perkins, Clare Bowditch, The Herd, Steve Kilbey, Glenn Richards from Augie March and many more. 

On Saturday, October 4 at 10 pm you can tune into SBS to see the documentary featuring the concert, rehearsal footage and interviews with the performers involved. 

That's it from me this week, coming up on Local and Vocal next time is Mental Health Week. I'll be chatting with poet Sandy Jeffs about her experiences with schizophrenia and local artist Guy Blackman about his upcoming gig and release Adult Baby.

Have a great week

xo

Jen

September 21st

This week was a jam packed show, with four interviews all said and done.

I'd had a catch up with Josh Pyke earlier in the week when he came and visited us at the City Village. He arrived at the studio, got his guitar out and promptly serenaded me. I did manage to remember to hit record on the old technological laptop machine but it was quite the magical moment. Lucky me!

We had a lovely chinwag about his passion for production, whether the chicken or the egg came first (the chicken - they evolved out of the sea apparently), and nerves before gigs. Top bloke, highly recommend hanging out with him if you get the chance. 

I also had a yack on the phone with Tim from Tim Loydell and the Deckchairs about their new EP Some Stranger's Ship, and the tour they're on to raise funds for the Red Cross. Lovely rootsy stuff, check them out if you have a chance.

As it was one of the highlights of the Melbourne musical calendar - High Vibes Festival in High Street Northcote, the day of days to wrap up the Darebin Music Feast, I also got on the blower to Jana, previously of the program Scratch and Distort on JOY, to give us a live phone cross and get a feel for how things were going. The entire street was packed with punters, with hundreds of gigs in the unlikeliest of places. Laura Jean was going to be doing a show at the barber shop, as one does, all I know is the next day it looked like Nothing Ever Happened there, despite the Northcote Mardi Gras extravaganza which had occurred the night before. It's eerie.

The second hour of the program was all about the wonderful Tania Bosak, who had come in to chat about her Fringe Festival show Supper at Stanley's. Tania has a fascinating background and CV as long as an elephant's tusk. She has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 18 years as an actor, musician, theatre director, stand up comic, composer, has worked with STOMP, studied African drumming and dance in Senegal, Indian dance in India, and is in the process of writing a feature film. 

You can catch Tania Bosak and the Moods Ensemble in the Melbourne International Fringe Feastival performing in Supper at Stanley's, one night only at the Northcote Uniting Church this coming Saturday the 27th of September. There's going to be an eight piece band on stage with her, and a divine mix of jazz and eastern European musical stylings. I can't wait!

Music Log

First hour

• Josh Pyke - Middle Of The Hill
  
• Josh Pyke - Memories and Dust
  
• Josh Pyke - The Lighthouse Song (live on Local and Vocal)
  
• Tim Loydell and the Deckchairs - My Oh My
  
• Tim Loydell and the Deckchairs - Rainsong
  
• John Butler Trio - Better Than
  
• The Cat Empire - So Many Nights
  
• Architecture in Helsinki - Hold Music
  

Second Hour

• Tania Bosak - The Seven Powers
  
• Tania Bosak - No Goodtime Fairies
  
• Tania Maria - Yatra Ta
  
• Svrai - Stacy's Recenitsa
  
• Steve Turre - African Shuffle
  

Music Obsession of the Week

Still on Josh Pyke. I had a blast at his gig on Thursday night, I'm enchanted by his lyricism and would love to see an Auslan interpreter on stage with him trying to keep up without their hands bursting into flame. I've also been sinking my teeth into Xavier Rudd's latest offering Dark Shades of Blue. I wasn't too sure at first, it felt a lot rockier than the XRudd I was used to, but I really lost myself in it this morning on the train in that good fun going to planet X by way of groovetown. I'll spin some tracks from it next week. Would love to hear what you think of it.

Speaking of next week.. I'll have the director of the Queenscliff Music Festival coming in to speak about what's coming up in this musical extravaganza that happens each November. There's a stellar line up this year, including Josh Pyke (how many times can I mention him in one blog entry?), Kate Miller-Heidke, Collard Greens and Gravy, Josh Owen, Jackson Jackson, The Audreys, Abbe May, Frankie Wants Out, and Tripod are standing out as highlights for me thus far. Ripper. 

Still a klutz

Thanks for everyone who spoke to me during the week about being a dork and falling off my bike, I did end up picking it up a few days later and got to ride it home down the massive hill, Evil Knieval style. It was one of those cold spring days where the air is ripe with jasmine and woodsmoke. Awesome. 

A few days later I was running around the park with my dogs Monkey Magic and Happy Jesus (he walks on water), and they conspired together to trip me up and I fell flat on my face. I haven't had a good faceplant in quite some time, and boy am I sore from it. Scraped my knee a beauty and it seems I just keep adding to the collection of colourful bruises on my legs. Makes me think of the Tripod song Fear Of Shorts.

Even when it's hot when it's really really hot, nah : Fear of shorts. 

Even when your girlfriend says you like fine, nah : Fear of shorts. 

I think that's all I have to say about that. G'day to Georgie who was listening in whilst gallivanting around St Kilda without a pen, hope the music log here is helpful and you had a top day south side. Thanks for tuning in.

Have a great week everyone, I have a head cold and I'm currently rugged up the wazoo, covered in warm dogs and season 5 of the L word to get into. By the way what the hell is with Jenny, why does she have to be such a Toolio Iglacius, and why does she have to have the same name as me? I could really do with some ginger tea but it's all the way over there and my go go gadget arm doesn't seem to be working. This is the worst thing that has ever happened to anyone.

(I am the grouchiest sick person of all time. I whine, complain, and blame everyone who's nice to me for everything. Here's hoping it pips off ASAP).

PEACE OUT. 

xo

September 14

Your humble host is a bit of a knob, if you must know. 

A bit of background - I think girls that ride bikes are hot. I aspire to be like them, so a few years ago I bought a pushbike and fitted it out with a basket for my dog Monkey Magic to ride in and some blue streamers. I demanded spokey dokes but the bike shop man gave me this "you moron" look and then talked me out of it. I rode it home, got a really sore bum and was really puffed despite memories of zooming everywhere effortlessly when I was a kidlet, then promptly left the bike to gather dust for about twelve months.

Going to Japan in April this year reignited my interest in hot bike riding stuff, as every man and his dog gets around with their pushbikes over there. Cultural! Since the weather has picked up a bit I've been very enthusiastic about riding from my house to Fairfield train station (about ten minutes) and getting the train in to Joy town. I feel very tough and clever chaining up my bike, and am constantly surprised that it's still there when I arrive home in the evenings. 

A few months ago I was riding along with Monkey enjoying the wind in her snout, listening to Guns N Roses on full blast. In my hair metal rock induced air of bravado, I thought "yeah I can take that curb!". No biscuit. Monkey jumped to safety but I ended up with a bike on top of me and various body parts feeling rather crumpled and lovely shades of purple. 

I've since ceased the iPod + bike combo, opting for safety and lack of stack. I sing loudly to myself and anyone in the near vicinity, but that's no drama. 

This morning I woke considerably worse for wear after a big night, three hours of broken sleep spent sweating out the kebab and "red cordial" I had been getting into. Not recommended. But the sun was shining, the birds were singing, there was a wicked wind in the air and optimism reigned supreme. I thought "I can ride my bike to my car!". The distance is three times that I usually ride, and I forgot about the great big mofo hill, which I rode up directly into a head wind. 

My lungs nearly exploded but by george I made it! Got to the top of the hill, took a nice little detour into a cobblestone laneway and got to a bit that was too narrow for bike entry, noticed the dilemma and promptly rolled to a stop and fell directly on my hip. Bike on top of me, crumpled, purple body parts. My bum hurts. 

But all is not lost. I got to come in to my favourite place in all the land and spin some choice tracks for all the laydeez (and fellas). 

 

I will get back on my bike!

Music Log

The Lucksmiths - Tshirt Weather

Elana Stone - Come On Over

Blue King Brown - Moment Of Truth

Quinn - Higher Law

Liz Stringer - Get Myself Together

Guava - Hope In Mind

Guava - I Found You

Paul Kelly - The Foggy Fields Of France

Flight Of The Conchords - Ladies of the World

Lior - Lost In You

Darren Hanlon - The Last Night Of Not Knowing You

Neil Finn - 808 Song

Sime Nugent and the Forefathers - The Undertow

Sly Hats - Kill The Lights

Clare Bowditch trifecta - Hallelujah, Ms Unavailability (Oh, Temptation), You Can Stay The Night.

Lucie Thorne - Night Drive

The Millers Tale - Elbow Room

Josh Pyke - Fed and Watered

Sarah Humphries - Waiting To Burn

Sal Kimber - Riverside

GUAVA

I had a chat with Chris from NSW group Guava over the phone, I received The Blue EP through the wonderful folks at Amrap. They're not easy to pigeonhole, not that we like to do that at JOY, but they have been described as a blend of Dave Matthews Band, The Cat Empire and The Police with a liberal splash of hip groove based pop. Guava's sound has a distinct presence of musical elements from around the world including Latin energy, African rhythms, middle eastern modes fused with western concepts of contemporary pop, jazz and rock styles. 

Guava are all about the fun, the celebration, the importance of ceremony in culture. They'd love to play at Womadelaide, and I for one think they would be perfect in that setting.

LUCIE THORNE is a solo artist from NSW, most of the reviews of her work mention the beauty of the simplicity of songs. Having seen her live I have to agree - a live Lucie Thorne experience cuts to the very core of song. It's not easy to command the attention of a whole venue as a solo performer, but you can often hear a pin drop in the spaces between the luscious guitar and smokey warm vocals. You have the chance to experience this rare treat this week, as Lucie's coming to Melbourne to perform two shows in the Darebin Music Feast. You can catch her at the sumptuous Wesley Anne in Northcote this Wednesday and Thursday the 17th and 18th of September, supported by The Millers Tale and The Night Bell.

MUSIC OBSESSION OF THE WEEK

I'm still battling with the Flight of the Conchords sickness, they're still making me laugh inappropriately on trams, occasionally snorting loudly. I freaking love it.

The new man in my life is Josh Pyke's new album Chimney's Afire. The man writes the most perfect songs, I wonder if he did a course at the CAE about it or something. The gorgeous layering of harmonies and lyrical prowess makes my heart explode into a million happy pieces. I will hopefully retain the power of speech when we catch up for a chat on Wednesday.

NEXT WEEK ON LOCAL AND VOCAL

Josh Pyke!

Tim Loyelle and the Deckchairs - chat on the phone.

Tania Bosak and the Moods Ensemble. 

Three guests, two hours. How will it work? Will it be a tetris like fit? Or will it all end in tears? Only time will tell.

Jenny out

xo

7th September - Girl Interpreted

This week's program was all about Girl Interpreted as part of the Darebin Music Feast. Suzanne and Megan from Don't Mess With The Pony and Anita George came in for the first hour to speak about the event. We also had a chat about experiencing life as a songwriter, plans for world domination and current obsessions.

Music Log - first hour - feature artist's choice

• Elana Stone - Everybody's Doing It
  
• Sal Kimber - Met Police
  
• Don't Mess WIth The Pony - The Right Moment
  
• Anita George - Charlie (live recording)
  
• The Living End - Sum Of Us
  
• Feist - I feel It All
  
• Me'shell N'Degeocello - Virgo
  
• Dave Matthews Band - When The World Ends
  

Second Hour - Jenny's mish mash

• Josh Pyke - The Lighthouse Song
  
• Eva Popov - Photos Of The Sun
  
• Late For Breakfast - Someone Said
  
• Kate Vigo - Morning Light
  
• Liz Stringer - Over The Sea
  
• Tripod - I Always Get Into Stuff
  
• Flight Of The Conchords - The Most Beautiful Girl (In The Room)
  
• Missy Higgins - Beautiful Mind (live recording)
  
• Sia - Playground
  

Music Obsession of the Week

New Zealand two man novelty band Flight of the Conchords has been played so much in the last week that I've actually become angry with them for minutes at time for cramping my style and making me love them, then I decide I can't stay mad for long at folks that make me laugh and cause a rock hard abbadabba response and crank it up again. It's like a sickness. A funny, funny sickness.

As I'm right on to trends I found out about these guys literally two days before it was reported in the journalistic wonderland of MX that the guys are breaking up after their next tv series.

Coming Up

This Sunday I'll be having a chat with a few interstate superstars, Guava and Lucie Thorne.

Peace out

xo

Previous Guests on Local and Vocal

In the interests of recordkeeping, here's the list (as much as I can scrounge up from diaries and my noodle) of previous guests on Local and Vocal.

The Little Stevies, Don't Mess With The Pony, Jen Cloher, Simon Phillips, Mia Dyson, The McMenamins, Suade, Nick Tiliacos, Amy Grossbard, Justin Grounds, The Bedroom Philosopher, Liz Stringer, Anita George, Beau Heartbreaker/Selina Jenkins, Kaz Mitchell, The Spazzy's, Something For Kate, Just Ruth, Casey Freeman, Waiting For Guinness, The Basics, 22 Strings, Emaar, Alanna and Alicia Egan Band, Eva Popov, Flow and Plenty, Rosie Burgess, Nicholas Roy, The Minority, Emma Wild, Kaya, Coco's Lunch, The Vagrants, Monique Brumby, Sal Kimber, Hayley Jensen, Clare Bowditch, Jordie Lane, Duckdive, Bobby Flynn, Fi Klaus, Angie Hart, Heidi Hibberd, Ichabod's Crane, LABJACD, Lemonsmile, Abbe May, Josh Owen, Jessica Paige, Skipping Girl Vinegar, Captain Smash and the Shady Stash, Dallas Frasca, Symbiosis, Kerri Simpson, Lamplight, Princess One Point Five, Walking To Winter.

August 31st - Walking To Winter

It was the final show of the winter season on JOY, so what better group to have in as my feature artist than Walking to Winter.

This Melbourne group are renowned for their optimistic, uplifting tunes and lush lady harmonies. Alfy, Emily and Grant came in to represent the band on the night.

MUSIC LOG

First hour - feature artist's choices

• Walking To Winter - Face The Scream
• Walking To Winter - Loveless
  
• Soko - Take My Heart
  
• Vanessa Carlton - White Houses
  
• In Fiction -Motor Running
  
• Walking To Winter - I Know
  

Second hour - Jenny's mish mash

• Skipping Girl Vinegar - Sift The Noise
  
• Josh Owen Band - Can I Get A Witness
  
• Liz Stringer - Alone
  
• Laura Jean - I'm A Rabbit I'm A Fox
  
• Princess One Point Five - Burn
  
• Augie March - Watch Me Disappear
  
• Blue King Brown - Moment Of Truth
  
• The Blush Foundation - Mass Kaos
  
• Frankie Wants Out - Don't Play Dice With The Devil
  
• Jackson Jackson - The International Society Of Bad Dancers
  
• Hand Hell - F-F-Fashion
  
• Holly Throsby trifecta - As The Night Dies, The Shoulders and Bends, A Heart Divided
  

COMING UP ON LOCAL AND VOCAL

Sunday September 7 - new time of 1-3 pm, following the mighty Allegro Non Troppo with Addam and Peter.

Laura Jean will be my feature artist this week, fresh off the Broad tour, to discuss her latest release Eden Land, time with Deb Con and what the deal is with gay marriage. The second hour will see a few lasses from Girl Interpreted come in and talk about why music should be a more visual experience.

All that and some choice tracks for good measure.

ALBUM OBSESSION OF THE WEEK

It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of Liz Stringer, and I'm stoked to have her new album Pendulum on high rotation in the car, the loungeroom, the iPod, my internal jukebox and also on Local and Vocal.

Her second album is true to form - soulful, authentic music from one of the most talented chicks in Melbourne. It's peppered with plentiful and powerful images of water, much like the first album Soon. My favourite tracks on this album are Over The Sea and Alone (tracks 1 and 6). These are noticably stripped back, with Alone starting a capella and Over The Sea building subtly to a wonderful crescendo which can be likened to reaching the crest of a wave and crumbling into the frothy water in an ecstatic melty puddle.

Cheesy metaphors ahoy! What can I say, I'm ga ga for this music. Tune in to the show and you're pretty much guaranteed I'll play a track from over the next few weeks. Better yet, go buy your own copy and support a hard working woman whilst brightening up your life at the same time. DO IT.

HAPPY TUMMY MOMENT

I received a handwritten letter in the mail at the studios this week. Who takes the time to hand write letters anymore? Lovely people like Joseph from Ivanhoe, that's who. No email, no phone number, just putting the love out there and asking for nothing in return. That's good feng shui right there.

Joseph sent through a CD of a band he saw at a party, Late for Breakfast. He thought they were great and should be played on the radio so he sent me a copy. I really appreciate the gesture, the music is fantastic, a really smooth jazzy sound, and I'll definitely be giving it a spin in the coming weeks. Thanks Joseph!

Hope you're having a tip top day everyone out there in bloggy blog land,

Jen

xo

First Blog

Local and Vocal

Content coming soon. In the meantime, check out the lovely ladies of Don't Mess With The Pony. They're the greatest!