Well I got it about as wrong as anyone re the election. I'm sorry for feeding false hope.

Gotta say our Good Rid-Dance outside The Hub was a shining silver lining however, the sole tonic for a terribly traumatic night.

Credit to the local authorities for not intruding once, our selfless set-up crew (who sourced a second generator in under 20 minutes, after we assembled a quality sound system in under 30) and of course my fellow selectors Pete Strong and Betty Grumble - not to mention Ramona, the tiny dancer and force of nature that accompanied Betty throughout.

Most of all we thank everyone who came and danced with love and ferocity unmatched. There were some Kali kinda steps out there that made me feel awe and faith in the future regardless.

You were utterly inspiring - and we intend to honour that by providing this community facility on election nights to come, independent of any particular outcome. It was powerfully affirming.


Wednesday May the 22nd ~

The French Tailors have Swingin' at the Speakeasy sewn up between 7 and 10PM. I pull the strings from then til close at 3. Entry remains completely free.


Friday May the 24th ~

This is how I approach my sets for Strike Bowling at King Street Wharf whilst it remains in a crazy state of flux during renovations. Enter at yr own risk - and possibly hear me between 8 and 11PM if you do. I'll be utterly fried from playing an enormous private event for 700 people prior so it could go either way frankly. Exciting or eroded - you decide!


Saturday May the 25th ~

Saturday is a somewhat fearsome prospect on its own, so I'm going to focus on a far horizon whilst attempting to remain perpetually present.

It's important that I do as my first responsibility is performing for the (literal) kids at Play Day's bubble disco. Given I'm sandwiched between DJs of the calibre of Charlie Villas and King OPP I'd better step up! Not to mention the fact that the whole shebang (expected to attract thousands, like it's progenitor Choo Choo Festival) is organised by two women very near and dear to me.

Whether you've little ones or not you might wanna clock the insane number of attractions here and make a move to get there early. Skaters might already have heard about the pioneering park - and there will be fearsome demonstrations of talent in effect upon it. Hopefully they'll be able to hear my patented childrens (s)hits-of-the future (like the new Gurge number Farting Is A Part Of Life) ringing out across the ramps between 11.30 and 1PM. May it inspire them to ever-greater heights.

Afterwards I've got a duty to really pull myself together and facillitate the final-ever interview for The Ocean Party, ahead of their performance for the Spunk Records 20th Anniversary concert at the Opera House that evening. The band (and their families) have endured an unimaginable fate of late. Last October Zac Denton, brother of Lachlan (also in the band) died very soon after being diagnosed with a cyst in his brain.

The group had just released an album and were about to tour to celebrate it. In the end that tour proceeded solely to honour their fallen friend and family-member. They then announced they were disbanding but first they would release a posthumous EP of Zac's songs. Just yesterday I received the first of 8 songs Lachlan has wrote for an EP whilst processing the loss of his brother. It had me crying in the car, selfishly consumed by thoughts of my own sole-sibling's suffering and the untold agony of families who lose their loved ones suddenly, when they were in the prime of their lives.

We'll hear about these experiences directly from the band - and they will share two live songs with us on Jack Off between 3 and 5PM.


Sunday May the 26th ~

By Sunday I will need nothing more than a cup of tea and a lie down in the autumn sun - but instead I'll sit up, relay some healing tunes from beyond time and sip on a pint or two of something more powerful.

You can catch all that for free at the PBC between 2 and 5PM - whilst inside It's A Family Affair returns with quality live music for and by real youngsters.

There are three school-aged acts in House Of Monkeys, All Of The Above and The Rakers; plus regular hosts The Sticker Club; and headliners Victoria (a supergroup featuring members of Community Radio, Youth Group, Songs and Smudge - whose inspired debut single got its world premiere on my program not so long ago). I strongly recommend hanging out til the end to see them alone. I will!

Everything is A-OK, just peachy & free, you'll see!


Wednesday May the 15th ~

Swingin' at the Speakeasy won't be a site for sore ears, with Miss Pia playing live from 7 til 10, before this old salt spins til close at 3AM.


Friday May the 17th ~

The eve before the battle is at last brought to a standstill I'll be stirring emotive sounds into the reno-wrecked cavern of echoic oddity that is Strike Bowling at King Street Wharf, betwixt 8 and 11PM.

Saturday May the 18th ~

Jack Off preps for the impending political apocalypse via typically oblique pairings of twee and terrifying tunes between the hours of 3 and 5PM.

Then we take to the streets with the first party I've put on in a decade or so. Got a feeling the last Shithouse (on the Marrickville rooftop) was in the lead-up to the Federal election where John Howard lost his seat. Then, on election night, out front of The Hub in Newtown, we had a somewhat bittersweet celebration of the as-yet-uncertain victory of Julia Gillard's minority government.

This time we're hoping for a more definitive declamation - and I sure as shit don't wanna be glued to a device inside when it all goes down.

Thus Good Rid-Dance! is making a return to the exact same spot on King Street: opening up a loving, inclusive and affirmative community portal for a defiant, radiant and ridiculous explosion of kindness, music and movement.

Selfless sound-system, tech and transport courtesy of indefatigable heroes Barry Love and Hugh Dirlow. Songs spun by Betty Grumble, Pete Strong and myself. 7.30 til 11.30PM. All welcome, always!

Sunday May the 19th ~

Come Sunday we'll ascend to heaven/space - or at least the rooftop of The Imperial - where ideally I'll be basking in the ramifications of people-power by playing anthems and affirmations in tribute. Join our airborne shindig anytime between 3 and 8PM.

Mediums for magic, mainly manifested for free.


Wednesday May the 1st ~

Swing at the Speakeasy with Kate Wadey from 7 til 10PM, then myself spinning til close at 3AM or so.


Friday May the 3rd ~

Exhaust yrself with angelic audio across two creative contexts tonight: first at Finders Keepers in The Cutaway between 8 and 9PM - then upstairs at The Marly from half 9 til midnight .


Saturday May the 4th ~

Jack Off is unencumbered by the complex logistics of live performance this week - and as such will air a free-form mosaic of marvellous music largely uninterrupted between 3 and 5PM.

Afterwards I'll flutter on back to the top floor of The Marly to reprise the same slot as yesterday - though with entirely altered selections.

Hard yards, soft hearts: hidden treasures mapped.

Wednesday April the 24th ~

The Low Down Riders play early at the Speakeasy. After 10 I spin the strange til close at 3. Free.

Friday April the 26th ~

After journeying to the Hunter for the extra (ANZAC) day of this State's best (only?) BYO fest Gum Ball I'll be well into the swing of things by the time my annual midnight Friday silent disco set with DJ Soup concludes proceedings over the 3 hours from midight. Check the superb line-up and join us around one of the many huge fires if you can make it this weekend.

Saturday April the 27th ~

Jack Off with Fair Maiden on FBi, from 3 til 5PM.

Be bowled over by sing-a-long shits and memories at Strike, King Street Wharf, between 8 and 11. Free.

Sunday April the 28th ~

Keep yr ears and eyes on the prize at the Petersham Bowling Club this Sunday, as Ensemble Offspring's yearly free concert Sizzle unfolds within from 3 - bracketed by smokin' and somewhat subliminal sets from myself, out by the greens between 2 and 4.15.

Small fortunes of found sound served fresh and free.


Wednesday April the 10th ~

Sydney strays stretch and sway each Wednesday at Palmer and Co for Swingin' at the Speakeasy.

This week our fearless leader Pia performs live with special guest George Washingmachine between 7 and 10PM. Afterwards I spin weird and wobbly old numbers all the way til close at around 3AM.

Saturday April the 13th ~

After what I hope to be a restorative week of time at home and in the bush I'll be back on air at FBi Radio on Saturday arvo - this time with our first guest performance in a number of weeks.

Monnone Alone members have a storied history across so many indie outfits of impeccable originality - from The Lucksmiths, to Aleks & the Ramps, Mid-State Orange, Architecture in Helsinki and The Smallgoods.

It will be wonderful to hear them live between 3 & 5 on Jack Off. Tune in to ponder the mystery of music.

Afterwards I'm off to officiate on audio for a wedding reception by the beach up north - so we are each spared the usual interminable guff regarding my gigs on Sydney's carousel of culture.

Thanks for diligently wading through my dated imagery and propensity for ardent alliteration week after week.

Stay cray. We better that way.

Free sounds for the silent minority.

Wednesday April the 3rd ~

Ground Floor, Beach Road Hotel - 8 til 10.30PM.

Thursday April the 4th ~

Underground, Palmer & Co. - 10PM til 3AM.

Friday April the 5th ~

Upstairs, The Marly - 9.30PM til midnight.

Saturday April the 6th ~

Street level, FBi Radio: Jack Off - 3 til 5PM.

Well it's to hell in a handbasket for this State of Denial now, isn't it?

Our Glad re-elected for 4 more years, whilst telling telly exposes: Morrison as inept even at basic bullying; the Libs Deputy President as a petulant intellectual infant; and gobsmacking acts of One Nation treachery (via the US arms lobby) still haven't disqualified them from receiving Coalition preferences at the next election (of course).

What an ideal week to feature Ingvar Kenne's photos of regional B&S Balls. If you wanna join me and a motley crew of art enthusiasts at the opening on Thursday you've around 24 hours to RSVP here.


Wednesday March the 27th ~

Glamazons best head to Swingin' at the Speakeasy first, initially for swing dancing to Mary Heart and band (from 7 til 10PM), then for yours poo-ly til close around 3. It's free, like all else this week.


Thursday March the 28th ~

Witness red faces and not-so-tight races during the launch of The Ball at 263 Crown Street, between 6 and 9PM. RSVP here right now and I'll catch you amongst the bedlam of beer and Aussie audio.

Cheers to the champs at Pool Collective for funding strange and sincere projects that others wouldn't dream up in a pink fit. I love playing for them.


Friday March the 29th ~

I'll be making my debut at an especially apt location the day after, via an extended early set at Sydney Brewery in Slurry Hills.

Drop by for sidewinding songs and bitter beverages between 3.30 and 7.30. Begin yr weekend with gusto!


Saturday March the 30th ~

Saturday is a triple-header, so actually pretty serene compared to last week frankly.
We begin amidst a musical oasis, as Jack Off is guest-less this time around. Let's see what waltzes out of the fog on FBi Radio betwixt 3 and 5PM.

Afterwards I'll trek out to Bondi to spin some bombastic party-starters upstairs at the Beach Road's back room, between 8 and 10.
Then it's a rapid ride to The Marley to take over from DJ Soup upstairs. Expect a compact yet eclectic closing bracket from 10.45 til midnight.


Sunday March the 31st ~

My final engagement this week is back at the beautiful Petersham Bowling Club.

Sunday is shaping up as the sunniest spot in the days ahead so the timing is right for some restorative outdoor action.

Join us out by the greens between 3 and 6PM to lap up one of the last late arvos of early autumn.

This week's schedule is a carbon copy of last week's, bar a missing Sunday gig, the only time I can recall that happening.

I'm praying this is not an omen for the outcome of the State election on Saturday, as the thought of four more years of smug yet inept governance by the creeps in power fills me with nausea and dread. Add to that the prospect of Mark Latham (inevitably ex One Nation) wielding the balance-of-power and we may as well abandon ship.

We have but one chance to save the day. If you've friends or relatives in marginal seats, appeal to their better natures now - or life will be a bitter loop, drained of colour, for the discernible future.


Wednesday March the 20th ~

Til E-Day I'm gonna be walking on thin ice, trying to keep the stress at bay as I play.

Live distraction from The French Tailors, not to mention our fabulous swing dancers, will be (literally) uplifting between 7 and 10PM tonight - as Swingin' at the Speakeasy takes over Palmer and Co for another decadent (and free) Wednesday.

As ever I will steward the sound from 10 til close at 2 or 3AM, harking back to times where carousing in bars (whether legit or secret) was actually a common-place pastime - not merely a fringe endeavour confined to a handful of rebel outlets.


Friday March the 22nd ~

The sonics are back on song at Strike Bowling King Street Wharf and while you aim up the gully I'll animate the action via audio. 8 til 11PM. Free.

Saturday March the 23rd ~

Saturday is a somewhat fearsome prospect. Thankfully I've already voted - but my dance card is as full as any prior radio day has been.

I'll have already attended a best mate's birthday lunch by the time I hit the airwaves of FBi for Jack Off, hopefully not too much the worse for wear. 
I don't think I've ever been more abject in shock and sorrow whilst transmitting than when I began the program last week with a stark and shattered acknowledgement of the hate and horror that manifested in Christchurch, after being incubated here (to our eternal shame).

The saturated media coverage since - so full of righteous posturing, denial and speculation - has been so sickening that I cannot bear to add further comment. Though I will seek to belatedly air any listener texts from that arvo, as they were unfortunately being blocked by a technical issue at the time.

This time around I'm mainly looking forward to broadcasting two live performances between 3 and 5PM - one from Perth singer Carla Geneve and the other from the new Brissy duo (of dear old friends) Catalano. Tune in for real talk and true tunes.
Then, after spending two hours anxiously checking the first results on my phone whilst reflexively drinking and attempting to watch the footy, I will ascend the lofty deejay plinth at Goros once more - relaying a fierce set of beat-based assertions (and either frustrations or celebrations - depending on the result, or lack of it).

If yr around Central anywhere betwixt 8 and midnight do drop in. Entry is free - and I will either be desperately in need of human kindness and company, or exploding with joy and sheer relief.

Either way - we are all gonna need each other.

Hopefully it will mark the dawning of a new era for our beautiful city and State.

Here's to the possibility of wisdom and progress prevailing - right when we need it most.

Earthed images from the most beautiful festival I've ever had the luck to attend and/or play.

Thank you Panama for taking such great care of everyone - and permitting me to share music and moves on late-night dancefloors brimful of peerless sound and perfectly imperfect people.


Wednesday March the 13th ~

The mid-week miracle that is Swingin' at the Speakeasy features our fearless leader Miss Pia Andersen, gliding across the floor with special guest George Washingmachine in tow betwixt 7 and 10.

After they shine the tiles I'll proceed to spin til close around 3AM. Entry is always free of charge.

Friday March the 15th ~

I had a most peculiar Friday last week. I was all psyched to play my final pre-Tassie gig at Strike Bowling, only to have multiple sectors of the venue's sound system fail for no apparent reason.

It was pretty deflating - especially as some punters stared with scorn at me, apparently believing that I was incapable of operating elementary equipment.

That said my early mark led me to a brilliant gig by Liz Phair so there was a most affirmative silver lining.

Hopefully I'll be able to crank the music back up where it belongs as the weekend gets underway back at King Street Wharf this time around.

Once again it's free to attend.


Saturday March the 16th ~

The quality and variety of live guests we have lined up for the next couple of months on Jack Off is surreal.

This weekend alone features current Sydneysider Alex Lahey, Perth's Treehouses - and possibly Gregory Alan Isakov, all the way from from Johannesburg (South Africa), via Boulder, Colorado (USA).

Tune in between 3 and 5PM and wallow in the majesty of live music - just as the decadent and hyper-social platypus, that lived in the immaculate lake above, did. It will make for quite a trip.

Afterwards I'll be heading back to Goros for dinner, sake, beer and bangers! It's been ages. There may have been a few ups and downs in the interim but now everything is back on song, as it should be, thank goodness.

Drop in if yr in the hood anywhere between 8PM and midnight. I'll dish you up some free bass!

Sunday March the 17th ~

Come Sunday it's time to bask in the post-Mardi-Gras community atmosphere, revived and replenished as it is by our rites and rituals, in the colourful urban jungle that sits atop the iconic Imperial Hotel.

Join me on said spectacular rooftop between 3 and 8PM and choose whatever context is most apt for you: there are somewhat-private indoor booths - or convivial outdoor tables to carouse by beside the bar. All access remains absolutely free.

Plush sounds in increasingly lush surrounds.

Wednesday March the 6th ~

Between 7 and 10PM Swingin' at the Speakeasy will feature three sets by a gun band featuring Ray Beadle & Stuie French with Clayton Doley, George Brugmans and Ben Edwards.

Afterwards I'll key in an exponential number of old-school anthems to lubricate the lustful late-night crowd til close at 3AM. Entry is free, as ever.

Friday March the 8th ~

As the weekend begins I'll assume the position of temporary deejay at Strike Bowling King Street Wharf - playing a gratis bracket of galvanising mainstream trash, that will have those present present in five dated decades simultaneously, between 8 and 11PM.

Saturday March the 9th ~

Jack Off will be in steady hands as I literally fly south this Saturday, with Mornings mainstay and sometime Purple Sneaker Eddy Diamond hosting the program for the first time.

Eddy comes from shit-stirring stock and doesn't take a backward step in representing for values rarely manifested in the media landscape. Tune in from 3 til 5PM for a fresh take on our free-form format.

If any readers are lucky enough to be heading to the Lone Star Valley in Tassie for the sold out Panama festival this weekend I dearly hope to see (and hear) you on the dancefloor as I close out proceedings on Saturday evening / Sunday morning.

I'm absolutely stoked and truly honoured to have been included amongst this spectacular array of artists, all performing for an event with an unrivalled culture of environmental sensitivity.

Once Baker Boy wraps up I'll be playing between 11PM and 3AM in the Bedouin Club, pausing only to defer to the majesty of Donny Benét's live set between 1 and 1.45. Believe me I am going to give this my all!