From the desert to the coast
Out of Ceduna’s coastal desert region, travelling singer/songwriter Jodi Martin has been quietly clocking up miles with her suitcase and guitar since she was 17 years old. Jodi and her sister Robyn Martin weave soulful guitar and bass grooves, poignant and hilarious true stories, and beautiful harmonies as only sisters can. Jodi Martin has always focused on the coalface: songs and people.
As a songwriter, Jodi hits her stride with the stunning extended album, Saltwater, consolidating her position as ‘one of Australia’s most talented singer/songwriters’ (The Weekend Australian). Saltwater’s rootsy and richly layered sound sees producer Shane Nicholson at his best, and the album features several co-writes with folk legend Arlo Guthrie.
These collaborations, including the standout cheeky eco-single Criminal, were born on a songwriting road-trip from New Orleans to New York, after Jodi lived through four Canadian winters in Montreal, honing her songwriting craft. Between tours in Canada Jodi studied with experimental composer Louis Dufort, digging deep into her passion for creating songs. She plays on Saturday at the Bangalow Bowling Club at 8pm.
Disco Inferno for Fire
Friends of Llama and family are asking community to come along to a benefit to aid them in rebuilding their lives after losing so much in the fire. Throw some money in the ring at the Disco Inferno at Durrumbul Hall on Friday 5–12pm. $20 entry. Dinner available.
Folk Back On
Mullumbimby Folk Club throws open its doors again after a six-year hiatus this Wednesday 21 September. Featuring Chris Mallory – a singer/songwriter who takes all of his humour and sadness and allows you to make it yours, ranging from reflections on his own spiritual journey to that all consuming crush on the local IGA girl. During his career, Chris’s engaging performance style has earned him the chance to share the stage with iconic Australian performers such as Jimi Barnes and Clare Bowditch. His songs have been played Australiawide on ABC Radio National and have appeared in the top 100 of the Triple J Unearthed charts. Drill Hall, Wednesday 21 September, doors open 7pm, show starts 7.30pm, entry $7.50.
Clelia a finalist at Southern Stars Independent Awards
Clelia Adams is proving that experience and consistency pay off in a musical world often dominated by youth. As she enters her 66th year, the country artist is celebrating success in both Australia and Europe. Her track My Baby’s Love (Jessie’s Song) has topped the Top 40 International Singles Chart of out of Europe, and The Captain and the Gypsy is a finalist in the Southern Stars Independent Awards for the Capital News Female Vocalist of the Year. Both tracks were written from true stories that are close to the Italian-born singer/songwriter’s heart. ‘Truth is always so much better than fiction and resonates with listeners. I think “three chords and the truth” songs have integrity and to me, are the best.’
Catch our local country music queen at the Mullumbimby Country Music Club at Club Mullum 12pm on Sunday.
From Bandstand to Ballina
Jade Hurley OAM, with more gold, platinum, and double-platinum albums than he can count, forged a career that has left him with legendary status in a tough and demanding industry. From Six O’Clock Rock and Bandstand to his own regular segment on The Mike Walsh Show, Midday with Ray Martin and Kerri Anne, to now regular guest appearances on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton on the TEN Network along with many others, he has always, over all of these years, been in huge demand. Still, after decades of touring, Jade performs to packed houses, audiences of all ages and to standing ovations.
His ‘over the top’ flamboyant costumes and performances coupled with his unique ability to mix his classic rock’n’roll hits with country music brings every audience to its feet. Ballina RSL on Friday at 8.30pm. Tix $30.
Gyan – The Long Way Home
It ends where it began. Gyan will wrap up this year’s Australian tour at Byron Theatre on Saturday, celebrating This Girl’s In Love, her latest successfully crowdfunded album produced locally at Museagency studios.
With international performance and songwriting credits, including Ricky Martin and Leanne Rimes, as well as divers awards including an ARIA, Sydney Theatre Award for Sydney Opera House shows with Leunig, and short-listed by the Children’s Book Council, Gyan remains artistically true while maintaining a strong career parallel to, but not quite in, the mainstream.
This Girl’s In Love is an artist’s odyssey into the musical minds of the singers and composers she has always admired. This perfectly crafted collection features classic and less-familiar love songs plucked from the songbooks of great composers from Burt Bacharach and Henry Mancini to John Lennon and Tom Waits. Focus tracks are: Johnny Guitar by Peggy Lee/Victor Young, Tumbleweed by Neil Young and a pared-back version of her hit single from 1989, Wait. Byron Theatre on Saturday. Tickets at the venue.
Spring equinox gathering
Electric Forest presents the Spring Equinox 2016 Cyber Tribal Gathering at Kohinur Hall, Upper Main Arm, this Saturday. Electric Forest events create a unique festival atmosphere where self-expression, freedom and personal journeys can meld into a positive life-affirming experience through dance within a world-class, immersive multimedia environment. Experience a festival-grade audiovisual wonderland with UV art installations by TrancEnhance, a dedicated Visionary Artspace, roving performers and an eye-popping laser and lightshow from AXIS
Featuring Mr Ha!Yes!, LeOCH, Jimmy D and Magu. 6pm–midnight. Event and ticket info: www.electricforest.co.
Mullum mentors young talent
Growing talent at the grassroots is what Mullumbimby Music Festival is all about.
As a region that strongly identifies as music focused, many of our kids have grown up at festivals. Some were even conceived there! Their parents are musicians. They grow up not listening to radio, but live music. Sleeping behind the PA at gigs out in the hills. Or at five years of age they’re up the front dancing at a Sunday arvo live band at the pub.
When your love for music is seeded like this the breadth and depth of young talent in our area is no surprise. For young musicians seeking to find a path in the music industry, a mentor can be life changing.
Winners of each section receive a double pass to the 2016 event, a one-hour mentorship with their category mentor, and they get to play this year’s festival. With hundreds of festival applications each year, this is a huge opportunity for anyone wanting to make their mark.
The 2016 Youth Mentorship entry categories and mentors are:
Band – Mentor: Natalli Rize (AUS/JAM)Singer/songwriter – Suzannah Espie
Vocal – Shelly Brown
Under-15 – Chris Mallory
For the first time, a WILD CARD entrant will also be selected. So, if you’re a budding artist 21 years or younger, entries are open now at www.mullummusicfestival.com. For more information phone 6684 6195. The 2016 MMF Youth Mentorship Program is proudly sponsored by SAE Byron Bay, BAY FM & The Byron Shire Echo.
Voices join for peace
One hundred and fifty children’s voices will join together on Wednesday 21 September for a concert celebrating the International Day of Peace. Local children from Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores and The Pocket primary schools, Shearwater and Byron Shire Young Voices Choir will join together to sing with acclaimed 50-voice children’s choir from Brisbane, Voices of Birralee, who are currently on tour. Birralee Voices will be giving a workshop in the afternoon, and at 6.30 the concert will begin. The venue is Mullumbimby Primary School, Morrison Avenue, Mullumbimby.
Song Dynasty Music is excited to present this workshop and concert, and all money raised from the concert will go toward musical instruments and the Mullumbimby Primary School music program. For more information contact Janet Swain: [email protected] or 0438 965 397.
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