Duck into the RSL
Galapagos Duck began in the late 1960s, while the members were engaged in a winter season at the New South Wales skiing resort The Kosciusko Chalet at Charlotte’s Pass.
After returning to Sydney, the band continued to work and became well known in the Australian jazz and music scene during the 1970s, when they were the house band at the emerging jazz night club, The Basement, near Circular Quay.
Since their humble beginnings, ‘The Duck’ has become one of the best-known jazz bands in Australia as well as a household name throughout the country.
The band has worked – and continues to work – in concert halls, nightclubs, and jazz festivals all over the world.
Ballina RSL welcomes jazz greats Galapagos Duck for a dinner show at the Ballina RSL on Friday.
Tickets are $49.90 pp includes two-course meal and show. Book your seats online at www.ballinarsl.com.au or at the box office on 6686 2544.
Multi-talented Jo Jo
Featured earlier this week, Jo Jo Smith: Killing You Softly With Her Voice, the multi-talented Jo Jo Smith is a national music treasure who is likened to artists such as Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and Norah Jones.
Not to say Jo Jo sounds like them; Jo Jo sounds like Jo Jo but, like them, she certainly delivers on many levels, vocally and lyrically, with uniqueness in sound and composition. She returns to her one-time home in the Byron Shire to launch her new album Standing in the Lovelight.
Jo Jo Smith gives a very special concert at the Poinciana with full band and support from Louie and Patrick from Potato Potato. Friday from 6pm.
She also plays Tuesday 8 July at the Lismore Workers Club Platinum Lounge and is putting on an intimate evening at the YAC in Byron on Wednesday 9 July from 7.30pm for $20 (proceeds go to BYS Street Cruise Program).
Dirt on their feet…
Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson are The Yearlings.
Featured earlier this week in The Yearlings take a wander, the music of this husband-and-wife team has been described as having ‘dirt on its feet and blood on its hands’.
Evocative, dark and, at times, seductive, Chris and Robyn have released a new album, All the Wandering.
The Yearlings play the Court House in Mullumbimby with special guest Sara Tindley on Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets
$20 at the door or presale www.trybooking.com/86531.
Heat in the Middle
The first heat of the Middle Pub Band Comp opens with a bang this Saturday from 7.30pm.
Performing in the back bar for you and our special guest judges (Scott Owen from The Living End and Emilie Own from Mr Cassidy!) and a chance to play at the Mullum Music Fest 2014 are: Mullum High songstress Misty Henderson and The Sandylads; Shearwater pop-rockers Weatherless; punk hillbillies Soy Division; psychedelic dance-rockers Hyperfractal; and Ballina metal gurus SIV.
Hack it up
This Friday Ku Promotions present Sunshine Coast collective Hayden Hack Infusion.
Funk, afro and psychedelic aesthetic all driven by the South African main man and guitarist Hayden Hack and his eight-piece funk family.
Essentially sharing a vibe with the likes of Fela Kuti and a circa-70s Zappa, see HHI as somewhat of an experience that incorporates West African percussion, a three-piece horn section (including Lee Hardisty, one of the best sax players in the country), acidy guitar and arrangements and a social commentary outlook on lyrics with a vocal range from Hack himself that spans gravelly to falsetto.
Friday at Coorabell Hall. Tix are $15 or $20 at the door. Go to kupromotions.com for ticketing info. Doors at 7pm.
Flumes on Fire
The Flumes conjure up a lushly funky darkly intoxicating outpouring of psychedelic melodies over a styling rhythm section laced with soulful vocals. Catch them at the Brewery on Friday from 8pm. Free.
Dan’s the man with the voice
For a boy who grew up in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, Dan Sultan has a voice that is as wide and as vast as an endless horizon viewed from a country road.
This week’s Echo featured Dan in the entertainment story The Sultan of Sing – an interview with the man who has won ARIAs for Best Male Artist, and Best Blues and Roots Album, he’s supported Bruce Springsteen and he’s making his mark in the US.
Dan Sultan plays the Currumbin SoundLounge on Friday and the Hotel Great Northern on Tuesday July 8.
Lismore Uke
Miss Amber and Stukulele are at it again, this time in Lismore.
This Sunday they whip our their instruments at the South Lismore Bowling Club for an afternoon of singin’ and strummin’. Everyone is encouraged to get up and lead a tune, backed by Stukulele with Rod Coe on double bass.
So if you fancy yourself as a singer, come and have a yodel. Well-priced drinks and meals from 12 noon – strum begins 1.30pm. Adults just $10 and kids under 15 $2.50. More info at www.missamberandstukulele.com/ukulele-sunday | www.facebook.com/south.lismorebc.
Finger picking good
The Stillsons’ Justin Bernasconi has put together a beautiful new album titled Winter Pick that features his dexterous guitar playing.
We published an earlier story about Justin, Picking a Winter Winner, where he tells us more about Winter Pick is an acoustic guitar finger-picking album.
It was recorded over the winter of 2012. The songs on the album were inspired by listening to a lot of a great guitarists including John Fahey, Richard Thompson and Doc Watson.
Justin plays the Treehouse in Byron on Thursday and the Sheoak Shack on Saturday in Fingal Head.
Single Speaker
Mr Speaker and The People Party have just released their long-awaited and much-anticipated EP titled The Back Ally Renegade Guerilla Gang Street Parade.
This Byron Bay-based collective totals 17 members, so expect one hell of a show! Saturday at the Brewery from 8pm. Free.
Sunday Jam
This Sunday sees the return of the popular jam session in the backyard of the historic Billinudgel Hotel. Special guests are Lou Bradley, Geoff Wright and The Shooflys. Kicks oft at 3pm.
The Beards
They sing about beards. They have beards. Now other people have beards. Lock up your razors and find out what the fuss is all about.
After an already impressive three full-length albums about beards, the world’s premier beard-related rock act The Beards are returning with a brand new album, and with it, the most comprehensive Australian tour the band has ever embarked upon.
The Beards play the Soundlounge Currumbin tonight, Thursday July 3 and the Hotel Great Northern on Sunday.
Babies at the Billinudgel Hotel
Local rock covers sensation Shybaby bring their thing to the front bar of the Billinudgel Hotel this Friday from 8pm. Tradition dictates there’ll be stars and stripes (unlikely), swirls and twirls (definitely), and party fun aplenty as the last of the great country pubs marks US Independence Day.
