Patron of Mullum Music Festival, the multiple-platinum ARIA-award-winning The Cat Empire frontman, legendary collaborator and impressive solo artist Harry James Angus drops in on Mullum next week to stir the creative pot. And this year with all the ingredients brewing at the The Village Vanguard, Harry is sure to get the crowd cooking!
The Village Vanguard is Angus’s domain, and while last year was about recreatintg a jazz club, this year’s vision is about world flavours – from flaming Balkan violins to deep Colombian cumbia, Indian folk to German avant-garde with bands such as Hauschka. It’s all about the piano, and this year there’ll not only be one piano, there will be two – perfect for Harry when he returns with friends Darcy McNulty and Hue Blanes to present his infamous Jazz Party flanked by bands such as Bullhorn, Vardos, and Madre Monte. Batten down the hatches because this crew will lift the roof off!
Harry Angus has been called one of the most important voices of his generation, and it’s no wonder. With one foot in the old-school stylings, and the other pushing forward with new music, Angus is all about creation, collaboration and innovation. The Vanguard opens his doors for Sunday Soul with Emma Donovan and the Putbacks and a Nina Simone tribute show that will showcase the singers of the festival. Angus is also the mad genius behind an exciting collaboration between local and legendary Greg Sheehan and The Cat Empire pianist, Ollie McGill. Ollie will also be hosting an impromptu play around the piano twice daily.
But Harry isn’t just enthusiastic about his programming. When it comes to his engagement as the event’s patron, he’s hands on all the way through the process.
‘This will be my second year as patron. Last year I had a hell of a good weekend. I got to present and collaborate with some of my favourite musicians. I led a parade and I got to connect artists whom I know are awesome with an audience that I know will get it. This festival is unique. The town is as much the performer as any artist in the program. People know when to listen when to dance. It’s just so easy for magic to happen.’
With just less than 48 hours in the biggest little town, Harry will be stopping off for a chat with Brett Nielsen at Bay FM, busking with Budz outside the Mullum IGA, donning his braces and cap and rehearsing with the Dustyesky men’s choir, playing some tunes at our north coast ABC, running music workshops at Cape Byron Steiner, and rehearsing the Mullum Music Festival Sunday Street Parade. If you have an instrument then bring it along and join in (rehearsal is 5pm on Wednesday).
Harry James Angus, patron and musical wonder boy, filling the hearts and ears of music lovers when he visits Mullumbimby this week! Catch him in the street, or tune in to Bay FM on Tuesday arvo with Brett Nielsen or Wednesday morning on our local ABC with Jo Shoebridge from 9.30am.
For more information about the Mullum Music Festival and for ticket and programming, go to mullummusicfestival.com.
