NEWSLETTERS

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Fine free ways to thread through our longest nights.



Wednesday June the 10th ~




Mind the mists of time, starting a smidge later at Palmer & Co tonight, from half 10 til half 1.



Friday June the 12th ~



After our busiest few weeks ever, Hot Flush and I are relieved to be back doing our own thing at the iconic Hotel Hollywood, a cozy home for my audio endeavours for many years now.


Personally, I'm still on a high from the phenomenal experience of supporting The Congos at Tumbalong on Sunday. I'll be bring some of that everloving energy (that Keanu Nelson  and band, AV techs, security and friends/family were all lapping up  gleefully from the smoky side of the stage) to Slurry for sure.


Catch us in the main room between 7 & midnight, after you suss the 100-strong inaugural Holeywood art exhibition out back. It's all so damn handsome!



Saturday June the 13th ~



The above was a single snap (taken in a vanishing few seconds spare) of last week's amazing guests on Jack Off: The Best Summer filmmaker Tamra Davis & Whistle director Christopher Nelius, alongside no less than four of the best whistlers in the world.


All four performed live, after Tamra took us from backstage indie antics, to her kids performing for their dad Mike D's return to the stage. It was an extraordinary experience that you can hear here.


After this week's live transmission between 3 & 5 I'm dashing back to Tumbalong Park to bracket performances by Matt Corby and Gretta Ray from 6 til 10.30 on the final night of Vivid for another year.


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An audio test for those with tons of ticker...



Tuesday June the 2nd ~



Serving musical morsels amongst a smattering of food fiends at Vivid Fire Kitchen, from 6 til 10.30.


Wednesday June the 3rd ~



A subway situation at Palmer & Co between 10 & 1.30.



Thursday June the 4th ~



Another white-hot Stargazer situation at Barangaroo for the Fire Kitchen, this time searing sound between some of our fine wine women. 6 til 10.30.



Saturday June the 6th ~



We welcome Tamra Davis at the top of Jack Off, taking us through the staggering rediscovered (whilst fleeing from a California wildfire) footage of the infamous Pav-curated Summersault tour of Australia, assembled into a terrific  time-capsule of mid-90s music culture, via her film The Best Summer.


Then married to Mike D, Tamra's backstage access to the Beasties, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Beck, Bikini Kill and more is revelatory - especially the acute questions Kathleen Hanna puts to each artist in turn. I was also back there, at the Sydney  iteration of the festival, at Macquarie Uni, on NYE 1995 - ending up on a  bus full of the artists (Money Mark on the driver's mic) heading into  town after midnight. It's wild for me to be able to relive this experience with another who was present throughout!


Immediately following that interview, we'll be joined by director (Christopher Nelius) and some of the stars (Carole, Lauren and Yuki) of another Sydney Film Festival feature documentary, Whistle.  I'm a massive fan of the lost art of whistling and am beside myself at the prospect of three global talents blowing their hearts out for you on  air. Do not miss this show! Tune in from 3 til 5.


Once that wild ride is over, you'll find me atop the A by Adina again, serenading the drinkers and diners at Dean and Nancy on 22, between 9 and half 12.



Sunday June the 7th ~



This rather extraordinary week concludes with another of my annual appearances at Vivid's Tumbalong Nights - this time bracketing the barely believable bill of Jamaica's original vocal trio The Congos and Papunya's Keanu Nelson.


Despite the scale of the stage & the attractions on it, this  evening, like the rest of the week's gigs, is entirely free. It's a long  weekend, so I'm hoping as many of you as possible will be able to  experience this cosmic coupling of youth and age from across the Earth.  Rock up at 6 and we'll wrap up by 10.30. Salut!


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So begins the circular sonic saturation of Vivid.



Monday May the 25th ~



Flame and food on the Stargazer Lawn at Barangaroo at the Vivid Fire Kitchen, as chefs Mindy Woods and David Moyle host the hoi polloi, whilst I serenade the scene. Kicking off at 6 and wrapping at 10.40.



Wednesday May the 27th ~



A smattering of shellac gems, rendered post-Origin in the depths of Palmer & Co, between 10 and half 1.



Thursday May the 28th ~



A quick spin of 7"s & such at Jam Record Bar betwixt 4 & 6, before rushing down to Tumbalong Park to catch Hot Flush bracket the diabolical duo of Mulga Bore Hard Rock and Gut Health for free til 10.



Friday May the 29th ~



A splendiferous and sanguine shelter from the hordes scoping the city lights outside, Maybe Sammy  serves the best cocktails in the country, alongside a serendipitous  soundtrack of light and luscious lunacy from yours truly, for four hours  from 9.



Saturday May the 30th ~



Jack Off twiddles the dial to sheer delight: 3-5.


Thence begins a new Hot Shit residency at Chuck & Sons on the last Saturday each month between 6 & 9.


Lastly there's a sentimental reunion, courtesy of The Midnight Special, unfolding for us in swish surrounds in town. The story goes like this:


A celebrated community photographer and a relegated community  radiographer walk into an iconic Sydney neighbourhood bar. They sit in  the dark and kiss. Time stands still, then suddenly accelerates. The bar  is displaced by the usual Sydney hipster hypocrisy. Our dynamic duo  play the final night, all night.


In a trajectory vaguely reminiscent of LaPa legend Vic Simms' leap from the big house at Bathurst to the Opera House on the Harbour (for opening week, no less), they next find themselves in the Northern Foyer, spinning sex songs for the ghosts of that (and this) special place. Hot Shit are Jack Shit and Hot Flush. They like music, spirit/s, water, love, light and dark. They do.


Entry is free via the Western stairs. All are welcome. We play from 8.30 til half 12 xx

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Cozy musical places to listen and see, for free



Wednesday May the 20th ~


Palmer & Co from 10 til half one this evening



Friday May the 22nd ~


Elliott's twice running: 6 til 10 Friday & Saturday



Saturday May the 23rd ~


Jack Off on air between 3 & 5, then Elliott's again

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Smashing situations to fire up a sweat and play



Wednesday May the 13th ~


Palmer & Co be the bullseye betwixt 10 and 2 tonight



Friday May the 15th ~


Dean and Nancy on 22 sees all of Sydney through a looking glass lightly. 210 minutes from 9 onwards



Saturday May the 16th ~


Musical movies in the mind on Jack Off between 3 & 5


Thence a rare weekend blow-out at The Link and Pin as I relentlessly relay a Big Day Out Boiler Room set for Katie-Sue's birthday between 8 and 11

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Pulsing orbs of conviction & courage rolling ever on


Wednesday May the 6th ~

A mental wrestle with time itself at Palmer & Co, unfolding each Wednesday from 10 til around half 1


Friday May the 8th ~

Even as things continue to collapse worldwide, we see you. We don't take the life, love, laughter and liberty we still get to enjoy together for granted. Neither do we pretend there is not unrelenting pain underpinning anything positive at the moment - it seems more evident than at any other time in my life. All is fleeting. Make of it what you will.

Hot Flush and I turn up to the beautiful and storied Hotel Hollywood on the second Friday of each month to play free music that registers this, yet somehow surmounts it too.

Even when things are quiet, it is special to share this reach and respite with the lovely supportive staff and community present. Everything passes through in waves. So much (and so little) time, shared with a parade of unique people in these precious and rare places.

Join us if any or all of the above resonates for you. Our doors are always open. We will never charge for entry. Alone, or in company, you are truly welcome.  


Saturday May the 9th ~

Jack Off rubs people up all ways. 3 til 5 on fbi

I get to spin songs over in my (very) old hood for Elise and Rollo's wedding afterwards. Til next time!

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Post-extraction ANZAC weekend action across country.


Thursday April the 23rd ~

I begin with Lotus and Zac's wedding in Jervis Bay.


Friday April the 24th ~

Then returning to The Gum Ball in the Hunter for our traditional Day 1 finale: the Silent Disco, from midnight til 2. 3 whack channels going out from Hot Flush and myself, plus Robbie Buck - on vinyl!


Saturday April the 25th ~

Gotta take a break and regenerate the contents of my aching skull, so Jack Off will air via the gentle genius of Jonny Seymour between 3 and 5. 

Last week the text line blew up big time when I commiserated with a listener regarding the woeful news that 2SER is (also) facing an imminent existential threat - one that, incredibly, was barely acted upon for six months. It is only now being publicly flagged as a situation so grievous that the station could be shuttered by July.

Calling out this appalling lack of oversight and infuriating lack of transparency led to one supporter of the existing regime pushing back hard by text, effectively wishing to modify, or even silence, my critique. Whilst I could empathise with their different take on matters to a degree, I was not about to 'dial it down' as suggested. I've done my research on this matter and have decades of experience in this sector (having started at SER myself). I'm duty-bound to call it as I see it, for the sake of the communities both stations serve. Eventually they acknowledged that I was entitled to my opinion. One might reasonably expect so, after 35 years of selfless public service!

Sadly I must also report that, subsequent to this program, a 'Town Hall' meeting, held at UTS last night, amounted only to a shameful display of corporate deflection, disinterest and even insolence to the volunteer base. It increasingly seems that both the University and Board want to wash their hands of this priceless cultural and educational asset. There was zero passion and bugger-all proffered by way of solutions. The MD even managed to reject the idea of asking for money because they might have to close (guess what saved fbi: passion, creativity, cutting costs and asking for money)!

You can read Daz Chandler's account of the 'shit show' in question here. She has since reported that both universities' (UTS - and Macquarie who, despite pulling their half of funding last September, still have an inert yet hostile Dean on the Board, as co-chair no less) communications teams have directed that audio and transcripts of this 'Town Hall' not be shared at all. Great faith!

The original SMH article that exposed this disgraceful farce can be found here. A more personal take, on how this sell-out doesn't actually add-up, was penned by Robbie in the same publication here.

To hear my take on the (lack of) process, readily perceivable as a stitch-up / fait accompli, along with many interactions with (otherwise hugely supportive) listeners, head to the on-demand stream from an hour in (til the death) here.

Those who care might wish to sign this petition and share their experiences of the value of the station via this new website. What a fucken time eh?

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A funny thing happened on the way to the shit show.

Wednesday April the 15th ~

Twist my nose and I might show you at Palmer & Co. A weakly set of nigh-on 4 hours from 10. All be free.


Friday April the 17th ~

If you've been searching for a brand new, Italian-inclined, luxe Kyoto cocktail bar in Sydney you'd be both bloody weird and shit outta luck - until now.

Maybe Festival magics Yoi to Dean and Nancy on 22 for one night only, kicking off at 9PM.


Saturday April the 18th ~

Jack Off tunnels into yr turd eye between 3 and 5.
Subsequently Hot Shit mix (ear) wax at the award-winning Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre: 8-11.

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Free shit to head off to this week in Sydney.


Wednesday April the 8th ~

A family affair at Palmer & Co - til 2, from 10.


Friday April the 10th ~

An/other chance to dance and talk and hug and sit silently in shock taking stock.

Shiny Shiny: Hot Flush et moi, from 7 til midnight, within the Hollywood. For free, for you, for us...


Saturday April the 11th ~

Jack Off with one very long last track: 3 til 5.

Quayside conniptions follow, til 8, at El Vista.