Goochy Goochy Goo
Emerging from the sleepy suburbs of post-industrial Newcastle, Australia, gonzo-punk sweethearts The Gooch Palms have come a long way since recording their first string of lo-fi EPs and debut album Novos in their front bedroom back in 2013. These days they call sunny Los Angeles home and split their time touring their notorious live show between the USA, Europe and Australia.
It was during an extensive two-and-a-half-month tour of North America after relocating stateside in March 2015 that the gruesome twosome upped the ante and hit the studio for the first time ever to work with world-renowned producer/engineer Bill Skibbe (The Black Keys, The Kills, Fiery Furnaces) to record their sophomore album Introverted Extroverts. Giving fans an insight into what it’s like to be a Gooch Palm and adding a few notches in fidelity to crank it up to mid-fi, Introverted Extroverts was met with rave reviews and a wave of sales that saw the proud DIY band successfully launch their own record label Summer Camp Records in June 2016.
These two misfits are the epitome of a true underdog success story. From very humble beginnings, not even knowing how to play their instruments only a few years ago to recently playing alongside bands such as Violent Soho for multiple nights in theatres across Australia, they have chipped away, honing their unique style of indie-doo-wop-bubblegum-punk, playing hundreds of shows and festivals each year and gaining die-hard fans around the world in the process. Their hooky melodies, simple but off-kilter songwriting, and undeniable stage presence are what propel The Gooch Palms above and beyond into their own dimension. A dimension where everyone is welcome with open arms, as long as you know how to have a good time. These scamps are only just warming up and plan on converting each and every listener until they reach their ultimate goal: world domination!
At the Hotel Great Northern on Friday.
The Broadfoot of music
Bluesy, funky, soulful, rocking, colourful, fun, relaxed and intense are strokes that only begin to sketch the joyously uncategorisable sound of Broadfoot. Ever attuned to the vibe of their diverse audiences, Broadfoot unleash the twin genies of dance and delight with a heady and ever-evolving mix of original material.
There is something for everyone at a Broadfoot gig so come along and catch the next one as the band continues to go from strength to strength, buoyed by their intrinsic love of bringing great live music to every listening ear and underpinned by superb musicianship, intense musical interplay and a crystal spring of standout original songs.
At the Rails on Sunday.
When All You Need is Love
A pre-Valentines Day love song extravaganza will be held at the Byron Theatre on Thursday 9 February.
All You Need Is Love: Songs from the Heart will feature some of our most outstanding local musicians and singers performing their interpretations of classic love songs. The event is part of a campaign that aims to raise a total of $40,000 to restore the theatre’s magnificent Steinway piano. Previous concerts and other fundraising activities have already raised about $25,000 of the $40,000 required for the restoration and it is hoped that a further five concerts in 2017 will contribute to reaching the final goal. Performing at the All You Need Is Love concert will be Cassie Rose, Tim Stokes, Guy Kachel, Soul Sisters, Luke Vassella, Steve Russell, Alex McLeod, Mike Mills and Ben Cox.
‘The best thing about these events is that the performances are lifted when in the company of dedicated audiences and other gifted artists,’ said organiser Paddy Raleigh. ‘The Byron Theatre is the perfect venue for the intimacy and ambience that is created by these inspiring events,’ he said.
7.30pm Thursday 9 February.
Tickets $30 and $25 concession – available online at www.byroncentre.com.au.
The Xavier Empire & The Cat Rudd
Widely held as two of Australia’s most outstanding live acts, The Cat Empire and Xavier Rudd have teamed up for a series of unique concerts with our own local show at Red Devil Park in Byron. For more than a decade, virtuosos The Cat Empire and Xavier Rudd have held commonalities; they’ve remained current in global markets while treading a path less travelled, continually doing it in their own way. Celebrated for their individual genre-crossing sounds and their enduring careers at a global level, they’ve accrued massive followings throughout Europe, Canada, the USA, South Africa and South America with their legendary live performances. Their incredible musicianship has resulted in successful sold-out tours year in and year out, increasing awareness by putting their music into the hands of overseas travellers, who then took their tunes home in their backpacks and spread the word organically across the globe.
The Cat Empire’s genre-bending style has gifted them the tag ‘the ultimate party band’ as they enthuse fans with their uplifting mashup of distinctive sounds. Their infectious tunes bring the crowd alive with their all-time tight and powerful brass section.
2016 has seen their Rising with the Sun album debut at number one on both the national ARIA and AIR charts at home, top 10 in six other countries and Top 20 in 16 countries around the world, along with a global debut at number nine on the iTunes worldwide chart. Before heading home for their Australian summer dates they’ll complete the last leg of an international tour that has seen them play more than 100 shows throughout the UK, Australia, Canada and Europe, the biggest global tour of their career in terms of ticket sales.
As one of our most adept multi-instrumentalists, Xavier Rudd enthrals audiences as he paints breathtaking pictures with vivid unmistakeable tones. Hypnotic ceremonial rhythms ease effortlessly into tender folk songs. Gritty guitar blues sits perfectly alongside entrancing yidaki (didgeridoo) passages. 2016 has seen Xavier top the charts in the Netherlands with his Follow the Sun single pipping global hit-makers Justin Bieber and Adele to the number-one post there while achieving platinum sales in Italy. His last European tour sold out months in advance with an incredible 14,000 tickets sold in the Netherlands alone. These Australian summer concert events will see Xavier deliver a magical set as a three-piece with Bobby Alu on drums and Ant Aggs on keys.
With special guests Harts, Ocean Valley and Sahara Beck. Saturday, Red Devil Park, Byron Bay. All-ages event (under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). Special ticket pricing for under-18s, and children younger than two free.
Tickets from Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au.
Giving local youth the Nudge
Nudging us to be smart in supporting our local youth, the Cunning Stunts’ February Nudge Nudge Wink Wink at the Billinudgel is raising money for local not-for-profit Byron Youth Theatre’s Here Today project, an original production highlighting the complex issues of youth suicide and how as a community we can prevent it. Sunday’s lineup is clever from start to finish, comprising Cunning Stunts’ resident DJs Lord Sut and Dale Stephen, Nudge regular Al Royale and, playing the final set of the day, renowned Australian DJ Phil Smart. Twice voted into DJ magazine’s prestigious list of the world’s Top 100 DJs and Australian DJ of The Year at the National Dance Music Awards in 2000, Phil is recognised for playing fresh sounds and forward-thinking electronic music.
Phil has played at premier events around Australia and the world including Subsonic, S.A.S.H., Spice, Motorik, Tweekin, Mad Racket, Chinese Laundry, Revolver, Burning Man, Lost Paradise, Big Day Out, Good Vibrations, Field Day, Falls Festival, Global Carnival, and Splendour in the Grass.
While Phil has played music for people in clubs, bars, warehouses, fields, forests, deserts, basements, carparks and bunkers around the world for more than twenty-five years, the Cunning Stunts are delighted to soon add ‘shed’ to his illustrious list. Be Smart and don’t miss this event from start to finish, wink wink. Sunday 2–9.30pm, Billinudgel Hotel.
Choirs for kids
Singing in a choir is a great way to discover the voice, and develops skills in listening, focus and concentration, as well as learning lots of new songs and experiencing the joy of singing with other children. Directed by Janet Swain, Byron Shire Young Voices is a choir for kids who love to sing, and who want to develop their vocal and performance skills.
Now in its third year, and with members from more than twelve schools in the local area, the choir sings a wide repertoire of songs from classical to pop. They also work with local songwriters to develop new and exciting choral repertoire for young voices.
Choir starts again on Monday 6 February.
Email [email protected], visit www.songdynastymusic.com for information or phone 0438 965 397.
Churchill at the Civic
At just 26, Kim Churchill has already achieved some incredible things in his short time as a professional musician. He’s recognised as much internationally as he is in Australia, having performed headline shows, festivals and supports alike all over the planet, including Glastonbury, Billy Bragg, Falls Festival, Nahko and the Medicine People, Montreal Jazz, Telluride Blues, and a plethora of others.
Known for his magnetic, dynamic stage presence, Kim unites lyrical artistry with fierce vocals; he is a sonic architect – using his guitar to create landscapes, which animate his lyrics.
Drawing inspiration from his time in Europe and sojourns to Sri Lanka and Canada – Kim has just finished his followup record to Silence/Win. To celebrate, Kim will take the new songs to some of his favourite regional Australian towns and cities – places where he has spent time in his formative years travelling and busking, surfing and sleeping in the back of a van. On the Raw Files tour, Kim will play tracks from the forthcoming album in an intimate environment. Tickets are very limited for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
He plays at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall Friday 17 February. Tickets: www.musicglue.com/kim-churchill.
