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High rotation and poor floatation in the wild west.
Wednesday September the 14th ~
After a surreal excursion to the absolute apogee of country hospitality, art & architecture, the Palace Hotel, for the Broken Heel Festival, it's time to descend instead to the Tank-Stream-adjacent basement that is Palmer & Co - for Swingin' at the Speakeasy.
Live music and dancing from 7, then crazy creaky tunes from me til around 2 in the morn. Always free.
Friday September the 16th ~
Social justice and cultural context comes gratis at the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre as the weekend begins. Local music and more. Half 8 til half 11.
Saturday September the 17th ~
Jack Off was graciously hosted by the ever-generous Jonny Seymour in my absence last week. Hear his fab flow of audio on-demand here. My live report from Silverton comes in via the blower around 1:16 in.
This week we were hoping to have Danika playing live for us as our supporter drive kicks in but typical Sydney venue problems (they shut down) have put a spanner in the works. We're trying to wrangle a plan C but time will tell.
Either way we need yr love and support. If this program and the artists' work that we relay means anything to you please call us on 90306945 and explain to fellow listeners why. It's this cycle of communication and community that evolves and sustains us. It's also my annual opportunity to thank you, play requests, plug businesses and shower you in luxurious prizes. 3 til 5PM. Forever (now).
Afterwards I'll be joining my brilliant friends and colleagues at the newly crowned Hotel Bar of the Year, Dean and Nancy on 22. The Stefano who runs this joint is in good company with the Stefano who runs that and Maybe Sammy and more as in the same week he was awarded the peer-voted titled of Most Influential in the Australian Bar Industry. They are both the funniest and most lovely people and I kinda pinch myself that I get to work with them weekly. Come raise a toast between 9 and 12.30. It's free!
Sunday September the 18th ~
I'm gonna be utterly spent after not only doing all of these gigs post the triad of Broken Hill engagements but also celebrating a double 50th at the Hollywood in the early hours of Sunday, so it is perhaps apt that the Festival of Dangerous Ideas has had the notion to book me at all.
The entire line-up is of a peerless calibre this year so it is beyond my ken to summarise even the highlights of the two days here. That said I will both publish and reference on air the sessions I feel are most worth yr while in the Diary on Saturday. If you need to plan ahead I suggest perusing the full program here.
I'll be trying to take in several events per day around all of my own commitments this weekend, then I'll tie the whole palaver up with a shapely sonic bow of dubious taste and mirthful merit at the death. That part of the experience is (naturally) free of charge and takes place from 2.30 to 5PM in the Carriageworks Blacksmiths' workshop.
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Natural remedies for actual history.
Wednesday September the 7th ~
A long week of hard yakka begins in the olden days as Swingin' at the Speakeasy reanimates shellac-era songs for free between 10PM and 2AM.
Thursday September the 8th ~
The Sydney Underground Film Festival has moved on from it's past home at the Factory Theatre to the bright lights of the big smoke, kicking off a new era in Event Cinamas George St.
The Opening Night world premiere screening of I Love My Dad is book-ended by some suitably sinematic musical brackets from me - beginning at 6 and wrapping around 10.30.
Friday September the 9th ~
The Sydney Sacred Music Festival has high hopes for involving a wider community of all ages in a musical experience beyond the borders of any venue, staging a street parade - led by Sam Golding and The Glorious Sousaphonics - from 4PM this Friday arvo.
By 5 everyone will rock up to the styling surrounds of the Pratten Park Bowling Club, where I will spin an uplifting set of spirituals (possibly even joined by live musicians) til the advent of The Rhythm Hunters onstage thereafter. It's absolutely free!
Saturday September the 10th ~
Jack Off will be graciously hosted by Uncle Jonny Seymour this weekend, as I take a well-earned break to enjoy a working holiday in Broken Hill so as to to play for the iconic Broken Heel Festival.
I'm so excited to be reuniting with my old Novocastrian pal Esther, who now helms this phenomenal regional celebration of drag and diversity, centred on Esther's astonishing and iconic Palace Hotel (surely the Sistine Chapel of country pubs in this wide brown land).
If you can make it out that way (by car, bus, train or plane) I'll be spinning the climactic set of the Saturday Night Shindig from midnight til 2AM.
Sunday September the 11th ~
By sunset on Sunday I hope to have already journeyed in opposite directions to both Silverton and the (currently flooded) Menindee Lakes. I need to get back to town by 5 to kick off that evening's festivities back at the Palace for Broken Heel.
Monday September the 12th ~
The Broken Heel Festival gig I'm most looking forward to is a Monday Recovery from midday til 2.30, taking place at Mt Gipps Outback Resort.
There may even be ambient banjo songs and eccentric stories apt for the area, as represented above by Al Duvall playing live from my RPA ward down my old phone to my radio show, as I awaited surgery for a broken neck a decade back.
For me this trip is a chance to at least have my wounded wing out of a sling, though I've gotta take tender care of it for another month or two at least.
Life is a strange long haul isn't it? What a wonder.
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Pursuing public health and private bodily functions.
Wednesday August the 31st ~
There's an interruption to my regular routine this week due to the return (by unpopular demand) of Sham DJs, soundtracking a top-secret, cutting-edge, arts manifestation of future modes of transportation.
Friday September the 2nd ~
After dutifully fighting my way through high-minded literature and manual labour for the rest of the working week I'll be glad to surf into the city and reprise my role as purveyor of luxurious audio at Dean and Nancy on 22. 9PM til 12.30AM. Always free.
Saturday September the 3rd ~
Come Saturday it's time to pull a very special guest from the rack to feature on Jack Off (we're determined to make the most prior to a week away in Broken Hill, then two hectic supporter drive shows in the fortnight afterwards).
Ex-Alpine singer Sappho and I met whilst in raptures at Young Fathers' set down in Marion Bay for Falls years back. Our paths have never crossed since so I'm really looking forward to hanging out with this spirited soul on air between 3 and 5PM.
Afterwards I'll be heading over to The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre to play vinyl-era Australian tunes for the duration of a three hour bracket beginning at 8.30PM. Book ahead and make a meal of it at the Lucky Prawn whilst taking in the tunes. The whole joint is a bloody marvel and entry is always free. Let's knock some glasses together then!
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Blooming beauty and the sweet scent of spring. Free!
Wednesday August the 24th ~
Swingin' at the Speakeasy steps up from 10 til 2.
Friday August the 26th ~
Sin City Soirée. My key passion project of late. A burgeoning realm of creative company and mischievous movement monthly @ the Hollywood Hotel from 9 til 2.
Saturday August the 27th ~
Jack Off got silly and stark with Cash Savage last week, again! You might enjoy listening back. 3-5PM.
Later that evening I'll be celebrating Jenny's 80th with near and dear whilst getting paid to play Dean and Nancy on 22 from 9 til 12.30. Life is kind kids.
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Yr weekly gift of immaterial chatter that matters.
Wednesday August the 17th ~
Swingin' at the Speakeasy can always be experienced for free, as indeed can all of my other performances over the course of this week.
Defy the gravity of feeble finance with physical fun, down in the basement, between 10 & well past 1.
Friday August the 19th ~
Behind the brick facade of Hawke's Beer and Leisure Centre there lies a universe of memory and memorabilia from an Australia in peril during this dire and deceitful era.
When I play here I resurface a swathe of local underground acts of yore. Spy said sounds and sights from around half 8 til half 11.
Saturday August the 20th ~
Jack Off welcomes Cash Savage back to the FBi studio between 3 and 5PM. Last time we spoke it was intense, due mainly to then-current events. Shit has not settled since! Tune in for live music, real talk and the world premiere of the incendiary new single by Cash and The Last Drinks, Push.
Afterwards climb up high to Dean and Nancy on 22 if yr inclined to draw on a beautiful space for solace. I spin for three and a half hours from 9 o'clock.
Sunday August the 21st ~
On Sunday why not ditch the digital and instead head out into the sun and sea air by the Quay to take in a spacious Sydney suite of sounds from the garden beside the MCA?
I'll be relaying auspicious audio from an alcove at the entrance to the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent for all and sundry across the tables and lawns outside, as part of Runaway Gardens in The Rocks. It's an all-ages affair that runs from 1 til 5.30PM.
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Reaching out to make contact after an operatic interlude largely disconnected from devices.
Wednesday August the 10th ~
Now that I've had nine days to recuperate since my shoulder surgery I'm venturing out in public to spin tunes for you (and me) once again. Hear them at Palmer & Co from 10PM til around 1 or 2 in the morn during Swingin' at the Speakeasy. I shall not dance.
Friday August the 12th ~
It seems like one of the many strange deejay dreams I've been having whilst knocked out on an array of meds to offset the uncomfortable aspects of sleeping in a sling but come Friday evening I'll be back at Hawke's Beer and Leisure Centre, playing another free set of tunes for the drinkers and diners between 8.30 and 11.30PM. Let's (prawn) toast life!
Saturday August the 13th ~
Jack Off last week went ahead as hoped, though I was unable to herald it here in advance due to typing being a bit beyond me. I sincerely recommend listening back, especially for the live performance and conversation with Afghan American Qais Essar. It's not hugely surprising that we do some of our best work when facing existential threats I guess! Afterwards I'll glide up 22 flights of stairs (in the lift) to stand upright at the grand piano of Dean and Nancy on 22, ready to relay another astonishingly vibrant set of Afro-latin rarities and curios from the continent. It's free but almost always full so book ahead and hopefully I'll see you there somewhere between 9PM and 12.30AM.
Incidentally all of the upheaval of late has left me with a spare ticket to the Bong Hoon-Jo classic Mother at 8.30 at Golden Age this Friday. It was like pulling teeth failing to persuade a determined-to-remain-anonymous employee to allow me to instead attend the debut Groovescooter screening of the new KLF doco (in order to review it on air the next arvo, prior to it's two subsequent screenings). I even offered to give up, rather than give away, another ticket (so that the cinema could onsell it and thus potentially profit twice), plus pay any fare difference between the sessions.
It didn't seem unreasonable to expect a little flexibility given the utility they would receive from further coverage (on top of the almost weekly plugs I've provided for film and music there since it was founded). Unfortunately any slight reciprocal consideration proved to be beyond their ken. Damn shame as I have always loved that place.
However my misfortune has a silver lining for you, dear reader, should you wish to spend a solo night at the movies on Friday evening (there are only three stand-alone seats left for this session so it would not be possible to attend and sit together with a friend). If yr keen to go drop me a line. First in, best dressed!
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I truly do hate to say I told you so. Splendour was all you've read and heard about. Such a harsh and bitter blow to a region and community who had already suffered so much. I was the only act playing to the few stunned and shell-shocked artists, punters and crew who had arrived by midday Friday.
Rumours swirled as I began and I only confirmed that no artists would take the stage at all that day by searching through news reports on my phone during the first hour of my set. It is against my principles to abdicate during times of crisis so my between-main-stage-bands set became six-and-a-half continuous hours. I'd already gone an hour over at a charity gig in Byron the night prior. By Sunday I was on duty from 7PM til 5.30AM.
But together with my Tackle Shack fambly and Gold Bar/afterparty brother Mario Speedwagon we saw it through. We took the survivors beyond any high-water mark, singing and dancing in defiance and delight til the sun rose and the birds sang alone again.
Wednesday July the 27th ~
Despite its proximity to the Tank Stream I am expecting Swingin' at the Speakeasy to be substantively more civilised/dry tonight.
Join this remnant of mud-strewn rabble as I scrub up, don a suit and spin ancient audio for dancers young and old, from 10 til around 2, for free.
Friday July the 29th ~
Sin City Soirée is especially important to me this month as it may be the last time I see many near and dear friends for a bit of a while.
Unfortunately I kinda crucified my bad old bodyboarding shoulder (last operated on when I was 20) whilst recovering from unexpected surgery on my good right shoulder after (another) stoopid skatie fall last year. As a consequence a key tendon is almost torn off and I'm back in hospital on Monday to go through the whole damn palaver again.
I'm not exactly sure when I'll be able to resume deejaying (one-handed, as per many months in 2021) so please consider joining us to cut a rug at the incomparable Hollywood Hotel for this last hurrah between 9PM and 2AM. Of course it's always free!
Saturday July the 30th ~
My final cultural contributions pre-surgery provide a lot to look forward to however.
First I wish to thank Jonny Seymour for hosting Jack Off last week in my absence, whilst patiently enduring another impossible effort at relaying what could have been a uniquely-placed live report of the reality on the ground at a crucial juncture in Australian festival history. Sadly FBi Radio's new phone handsets remain disconnected from the desk.
Thankfully this week we've live music to feed directly into the studio mics, with Fran and Hairy from The Cannanes joining me (after about a decade of cajoling) between 3 and 5. Catch those tunes via the stream or 94.5FM, then gather at The Vic after 10 to celebrate the 30th birthday of the brilliant Chapter Records label to lap up the sound of the fantastic full band in self-effacing flight.
In between I've the unusual pleasure of kicking off the evening's entertainment at Maybe Sammy in The Rocks, (named the Best Bar in Australasia for the third year running) and a truly styling joint not dissimilar in design and colour-scheme to the beautiful Balmain Town Hall (pictured above as I sussed the PA for a future wedding today). There's no charge for entry and the new cocktail menu is sublime. I'll play from 5 til 9.
After that it's time for me to stack the chairs and put my feet up indefinitely for a while. Typing is hell when recovering from this op so I don't think I'll be able to send you a missive for a spell. Suffice to say I'll attempt to broadcast regardless of pain and I hope to get back to my sit-down gig at Palmer on Wednesdays within a fortnight. The rest will follow when it can.
Thank you for reading this far and always giving a Shit. Stay strong everyone. These are some times!
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Drowning in dirt after flying north for the bummer.
Wednesday July the 20th ~
One last semblance of civility in Sydney: Swingin' at the Speakeasy for free from 10PM til about 2AM.
Thursday July the 21st ~
Thence up amongst the swollen Northern Rivers for a secret sporting charity event afterparty in Byron.
Friday July the 22nd ~
Pray for us as Splendour In The Grass returns for its thrice-postponed 20th birthday on the sodden soil of North Byron Parklands whilst a third wave of COVID and another East Coast Low descends. What could possibly go wrong?
Alongside other early casualties like Adrian Eagle, Mako Road, Surfaces, Tom Misch and now Hinds, the key artist I wanted to catch is already cactus, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs having cancelled due to 'health issues'. I will play their music daily in the Gold Bar regardless.
If yr headed and can access it you'll find me spinning in the gaps between main stage acts from midday til around 7, followed by the majesty that is Mario Speedwagon for the rest of the evening.
Saturday July the 23rd ~
I'll be backing up amongst the human wreckage at Splendour with another shift in the same location throughout the next day.
Simultaneously Jack Off will air on FBi Radio under the stewardship of judicious Jonny Seymour between 3 and 5PM.
Sunday July the 24th ~
The final day of Splendour In The Grass is beyond mortal measure. After spinning for what remains of the mud-splattered fancy-pants people in the Goldy all night there is only one place to be. Let's face it there has only ever been one place to be, the Tackle Shack.
After the utterly inimitable Waylon P. Flawstain III wraps up his final incendiary set for the weekend Mario and myself have massive white boots to step in to once the afterparty hits full swing.
It's a wild west affair once the authorities turn in and the crazed crowd leap the bar and climb the rafters, beyond anything that can be captured or described. It is the reason I return.
If you also heed that call we will dance, cry and sing together then brothers and sisters. That old timber hut by the swamp out past the boundaries of everything has always had mystical properties. Boy do we need them now. Lift us up 'o Lord, free us from this pestilence, famine, war and flood. Give us this one night free of the surly bonds of Earth.
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Free trips to take and much music to make before we blow it all sky high.
Wednesday July the 13th ~
Hidden behind an anonymous door down an ancient city lane you'll discover Palmer & Co. On Wednesdays the joint is literally jumping as Swingin' at the Speakeasy brings dancing to the fore. Queenie and the Cavaliers play 7 til 10PM this week before I spin vintage hits & misses til around 2 in the morn.
Friday July the 15th ~
Come the weekend I'll reprise last week's rewarding routine, first playing overlooked local fare and obscure international indie between 8.30 and 11.30 at the Inner West's jewel of Australian culture and Chinese food, Hawke's Beer and Leisure Centre.
Saturday July the 16th ~
Saturday sees Jack Off return to the FBi airwaves, bathing in the beauty of strange and sumptuous song (after igniting neurons and electrons alike via a pummelling performance by Party Dozen last time).
Thence it's time to take to the skies for another airborne experience of ace audio atop the new A by Adina building for Dean and Nancy on 22. Book a booth, table or bar stool and enjoy sublime views and ridiculous service. I play from 9 til half 12.
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Pre-tempest pics of a view earned via an especially fraught drive north, threading the needle between flooded roads for a long-deferred stay booked pre-pandemic. We're deeply grateful yet despite the apparent serenity the chaos never ends.
By the time I (hopefully) arrive home to the poor benighted Hawkesbury said house will have been without power for a week. Ausgrid texted this morning offering to drop a small generator by boat, then proceeded to tell us when we called that they will not allow my neighbour to be an advocate in my absence and receive it on my behalf. A pre-surgery school-holiday stay we've anticipated since April will thus likely be without heat or perhaps even water (as it's pump-powered rainwater only).
None of this is a patch on what low-lying river rats have just copped for the third time in a year. It's unimaginable. I truly hope you are ok wherever you are reading this. May you stay safe and stay strong.
Thursday July the 7th ~
Should you happen to be miraculously available this week, here are a few sheltered, free and healing scenarios for you to enjoy music and hospitality. To begin with, Palmer & Co, between 5 and 7PM.
Friday July the 8th ~
Thence to the cultural and engineering marvel that is Hawke's Beer and Leisure Centre in Marrickville, a signal set of local fare from 8.30 til 11.30PM.
Saturday July the 9th ~
On Saturday Jack Off welcomes diabolical Sydney sax and drums duo Party Dozen, who will perform live in the FBi studio between 3 and 5.
Afterwards I'll be setting up decks atop the grand piano at Dean and Nancy on 22, spinning suite sounds for drinkers and diners from 9PM til 12.30AM.