HERE NO EVIL

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!