Archive for the ‘’ Category

Johnette Napolitano Converses

Anyone visiting this website regularly (and I know who you are so don’t try and hide behind that thin tree)  will  know that Johnette Napolitano is an artist about whom I have generated many a word over the years. But I’m only paying her back because in the many conversations I’ve had with her over the journey she too has generated many a word. It’s only words…. But its for artists like... Read the full story

Them Crooked Vultures

You might not know the name but you’ll know the names. Them Crooked Vultures draws together a extraordinary trio of  rock royalty Comprising drummer Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal, Screaming Trees) and bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) Them Crooked Vultures make... Read the full story

David Gray Does Boutique Tour

David Gray has a great relationship with Australian audiences and he will continue the affair when he returns this October. This will be his first visit since his arena tour in 2006. He’ll only be playing in Melbourne and Sydney (and only one show in each) though and he’s playing at smaller venues primarily to support the release of his eighth studio album, Draw The Line. Draw The Line includes... Read the full story

Jim Carroll RIP

Jim Carroll died in New York City on September 11. It has been reported that he died of a heart attack while working at his desk. He was aged 60. Jim Carroll was a unique and mercurial artist. He was a writer of poetry and sometimes prose. He was a diarist whose most famous work The Basketball Diaries (1978) charted his life on the streets from the ages 12 to 16. In 1995 The Basketball Diaries were... Read the full story

Tim Finn Anthologises

2009 has been a busy year for Tim Finn, commencing with launching the acclaimed stage production Poor Boy (co-created with playwright, Matt Cameron and starring Guy Pearce).  Then it was on to Tropfest in Sydney where Tim played to over 85,000 people in a performance that was broadcast around the country. He performed at  Bluesfest Byron Bay, with two outstanding performances. Later in the year there... Read the full story

The Pixies Back to Do Doolittle

The Pixies rank as one of indie rocks most respected and enduring bands. They never became as accessible (or as successful) as the likes of REM and Smashing Pumpkins but they rank as highly in the annals of indie as just about any band. It’s now been 20 years since the release of their defining album Doolittle and in a slightly non-indie type move they have been doing shows to celebrate the album. Fair... Read the full story

Sid & Susie (and The Hand Party)

There once was a time when I would have treated anything connected to “cover versions” with a fair amount of disdain. My rationale would have been simple – there is nothing creative about re-hashing a song that someone else had written and performed before you and the original, by definition, was always going to be the definitive version. Very occasionally I’d find a cover worth a second listen.... Read the full story

Aimee Mann – Concert Review

Australia had waited a very long time to see Aimee Mann performing live in concert. Too long. She is one of the great pop songwriters of the last couple of decades and although this status has not exactly been rewarded with a plethora of pop hits it has rewarded her with respect and an ardent following around the world. The people that ‘get’ Aimee Mann, really get her – a good proportion of the... Read the full story

Jim Carroll Dies in NYC

Jim Carroll died in New York City on September 11. It has been reported that he died of a heart attack while working at his desk. He was aged 60. Jim Carroll was a unique and mercurial artist. He was a writer of poetry and sometimes prose. He was a diarist whose most famous work The Basketball Diaries (1978) charted his life on the streets from the ages 12 to 16. In 1995 The Basketball Diaries were... Read the full story