Listening to Luke
Luke Bennett grew up falling asleep to the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, and it wasn’t until he was 14 that Tasmania-born Bennett woke up and started to learn the guitar himself.
After completing his bedroom apprenticeship he found a natural expression that balanced some of the catchy pop sensibility of artists such as John Mayer and the stripped-back earthiness of Jack Johnson.
This is music to feed the soul.
He plays the Empire Cafe in Mullumbimby on Friday.
Billi Shake
Hometown favourites Shake Appeal are set to wind back the clock when they let loose in the front bar of the Billinudgel Hotel this Friday from 8pm.
With Big Jase out front, Bigger Karl on the kit, Slightly Smaller Mick on guitar and Stumpy Greg on bass these boys will get the joint jumpin’ like it used to with their authentic take on a great mix of killer hits.
Jazz Barbarians with Clubs
The Murwillumbahbarians play traditional jazz with passion and enthusiasm.
The lineup, which changes from time to time, is always impressive; band members have played with notables including Shirley Bassey, Carmen Cavallero and Liza Minelli. Sunday at Club Lennox.
Re-Mains On Fire
Twelve years on the road have given country rock and roll experts The Re-Mains a whole swag of rambunctious stories, which they’ll deliver in fine style when they play the Court House, Mullum, with Brisbane dare-diva Jackie Marshall as part of their winter north coast run.
Originally formed in Nimbin in 2001, the Re-Mains have since played every festival, outback bar and inner-city dive in the country.
With the return of banjo slinger Uncle Burnin’ Love, the band will reprise road songs from their seven-album repertoire, featuring the steel guitar and banjo partnership that gave the band their distinctive sound when they formed way back in 2001.
From the prairies of Canada, where they’ve toured three times, to the sophisticated cities of Europe, where they played forty gigs in two months in 2014, The Re-Mains have seen it all, and they bring it to you on a balmy spring afternoon minus the flat tyres, endless driving and with a new album in hand – In The Valley.
At the Court House this Sunday for a double-bill double-header! From 8pm.
Putting Blues in the News
Harry Manx, who we featured earlier this week, has spent decades fusing eastern musical traditions with the blues, switching between conventional acoustic and electric guitars, the banjo and his Mohan veena, created by Harry’s Indian mentor Vishw Mohan Bhatt.
Harry is joined by his musical comrade Clayton Doley on keyboards.
Harry Manx plays the Mullumbimby Civic Hall on Thursday and the Currumbin Soundlounge on Friday.
Fathers Day Jam
The Billinudgel Hotel presents the Sunday jam session and this week bring Dad along for a beer and some awesome music!
Special guests are local singer/songwriter Ilona Harker and local lads Weatherless. Ilona’s music is original, dark country, and will feature a preview of a new song from her upcoming album The day I fell in love with Chad Morgan at the Billinudgel Hotel.
Weatherless are a four-piece original band who recently took out the Mullumbimby Band Comp. Featuring singer and guitarist Cory Robertson, bass player Jordan Barnham, Jara Larter on drums and lead guitarist Sam Parker.
Hosted as always by Throw Mumma from the Train, and jammers welcome, but get in early to bag a spot. 2–5pm
It’s not Over till it’s Akova!
AKOVA is the love child of Xavier Rudd and Cat Empire.
Finalist in the prestigious Music Oz Songwriting Awards and Unsigned Only World Songwriting Competition.
Formerly of roots/reggae ensemble Shoebox, AKOVA has embarked on a new solo venture.
This incredible multi-instrumentalist transfixes audiences wherever he performs.
He plays high-energy, uplifting roots with guitar, vocals, djembe, cajon, ankle bells, kazoo and an assortment of percussive instruments.
Friday at the Brewery from 8pm. Free entry.
Conquering Hate
A quote attributed to the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche states: ‘Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal’.
A perfect example of the resolute handful, Nietzsche was generically referring to is the Vancouver-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Buckman Coe.
A passionate activist and believer in the power of music and art to help shape a brighter future, Coe chose his path long ago. And as he follows it, he will remain in stoic pursuit of his goal to effect positive change for as long as there is breath in his body.
Saturday at the Brewery from 8pm. Free entry.
Dallas comes to Town
Local singer/songwriter Dallas James found himself in the spotlight recently when he made it to loungerooms around the country on The Voice.
Humble and unassuming, this committed musician is certainly worth watching. He spoke with The Echo earlier this week about his gig coming up at the Hotel Great Northern.
Dallas James plays on Friday.
Queen Tribute Show at Twin Towns
The much-loved tribute show and full concert experience Queen is at Twin Towns this week.
The show recreates Queen’s 1986 World Tour concert, featuring more than 20 of the band’s greatest hits such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions and Fat-Bottomed Girls. Painstaking detail has been paid to all the music – the iconic voice of Mercury, the amazing guitar solos of May and the groundbreaking rock harmonies.
And with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and an explosive international cast, this is as close as you’ll ever get to the real thing.
Saturday at Twin Towns at 8.30pm.
Taylor Henderson’s X Factor
Twenty year old Geelong boy Taylor Henderson is making his mark. After being a finalist on X Factor in 2013, Taylor’s star has been on the rise ever since.
We spoke with Taylor this week.
Taylor is currently touring his latest album Burnt Letters and appears at Bangalow A&I Hall on Sunday with support by The Voice finalists Gabriel and Cecilia. 7.30pm show. Tix $40 and available at kupromotions.com.au.
Ruffing it at The Channon
What started as casual Sunday arvo jam sessions between a few old mates has now evolved into one of The Channon’s latest and greatest musical projects.
The Ruff Scales are an eight-piece band who will not only get you dancing or singing along but will put on an energy-packed three hours of pure fun. Catch them this Sunday.
Dr Smyth?
From the streets of Barcelona to touring alongside the likes of The Killers, Angus and Julia Stone, Lanie Lane and Kim Churchill, Steve Smyth has proven time and time again to be devastating in a live setting.
A voice churned up in bourbon-soaked Louisiana gravel that soars to the heavens at times with its sweetness… after experiencing Steve Smyth, it’s tempting to compare him with some of the great vocalists of the past few decades.
Steve plays the Rails on Thursday.
Anaid at Bangalow Hotel
After nearly a year in the studio with English producer Steve James (Screaming Jets, Skunkhour), independent rocker Diana Anaid, who captured our hearts in the 90s with the Triple J hit I Go Off, returns to the Bangalow Hotel showcasing her gutsy and heartfelt performance.
Diana’s Top 10 hits in the US and here at home, as well as her ARIA nominations and thriving fanbase, go a long way to illustrate why she is one of the region’s most loved musicians.
In the words of Iain Sheddon, ‘there’s only one Diana Anaid’. She plays the Bangalow Hotel on Friday.
Vintage Folk
Telegraph Tower is a folk-influenced duo who take a cue from seminal artists from the sixties such as John Martyn, Bert Jansch, Richard Thompson, Tim Hardin, Jethro Tull and the Incredible String Band. Composed of Byron-based Barnaby Smith (vocals, guitar) and Oliver Downes (cello), they released an EP last year entitled Concubine, which they toured throughout NSW.
The pair will be performing at Sphinx Rock Café on Sunday from 1pm.
Singing Gas Free
Singer/songwriter and ex-pat northcoaster Jodi Martin grew up in Australia’s southern coastal desert with one eye on the sky, and relying on groundwater.
Her childhood was permeated with a very real sense of how important our water sources are.
While writing her upcoming album Saltwater with Arlo Guthrie in the US, Jodi witnessed the trail of devastation left on water quality and availability by coal seam gas mining in areas of the States.
Jodi is heading back to her old north coast stomping ground to join forces with longtime friends Ash Bell in the Starboard Cannons and Bentley blockade troubadour Luke Vassella to support those putting their all into keeping the northern rivers gasfield free.
This inspiring and story-laden fundraising event will be held at the Byron Bay industrial estate’s intimate venue Kulchajam next Thursday at 7pm.
Tickets are $20/$15 at the door and all proceeds go to Gasfield Free Northern Rivers.
