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