Mr & Mrs Music
Quirky husband-and-wife combo Victoriana Gaye –Vicki Gaye Philipp and Jeff Raglus (Bachelors from Prague / Mambo artist) – have packed a lot into the seven years since they formed. Recording four albums – the latest The Freest of the Free – is being launched at Club Mullum on Thursday 23 March from 7pm. Come and celebrate with this dynamic Melbourne duo as they launch the new album, which was recorded in Goonengerry with Christian Pyle and features Mullum’s own Dave Sanders on drums with Thierry Fossemale on bass who will be performing in the band on the night.
Dubarray for Spirit
One of Australia’s hardest travelling outfits, electro-world music fusion band Dubarray have expanded their current tour of Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia to include something a little different in the form of live yoga session performances.
Normally known for their high-energy festival appearances, Dubarray’s album Sound of Prana is an ambient downtime journey uniquely crafted towards the sounds and elements aligning with the seven chakras. Amber Sun, for which the band have released the de-stress video of the year, relates in particular to the solar plexus chakra. To bring Sound of Prana into a relevant performance space, Dubarray have collaborated with yoga instructors to deliver a live-music yoga experience at venues, retreats and some of Australia’s most renowned music festivals, and now have gone to new heights in composing a sonic journey intended to awaken the dormant consciousness and create a soul-nourishing path of connected vibration.
Inspired by the humility, balance and elements of nature, the soundscapes invoke a deep sense of connection and unity, infused with affirmations and insightful lyricism. Incorporating the live-music yoga sessions has proven to be a real feature of Dubarray’s versatility and will continue to complement their boundary-bending world music style. Catch them in Mullumbimby at Byron Spirit Festival on 1 April.
Diamond Bowlo
Neil Diamond – The Man, The Music tells the story of the man himself, from humble beginnings as the son of a shopkeeper through to being a genuine global superstar. The show features numerous interviews and behind-the-scenes stories of how some of Neil’s most-loved songs actually came to be – all presented in Craig Stewart’s distinctly intimate style.
Featuring approximately 30 of Neil’s most-loved hits – from Cracklin’ Rosie, I Am I Said and Sweet Caroline through to a special Hot August Night tribute – audience members are left in no doubt as to why Craig Stewart is regarded as a master craftsman. With more than 2,000 shows to his credit, he was described in a national music magazine as ‘one of the most listenable singers to emerge this century’.
He has performed as a feature artist at numerous festivals throughout the country, been a two-time Toyota Starmaker grand finalist, released four original albums, is endorsed by Australia’s premier acoustic-guitar manufacturer Maton Guitars, and has been either a finalist or winner of multiple awards. The culmination of this experience is Neil Diamond –
The Man, The Music.
Neil Diamond tribute show at the Bangalow Bowlo. Sat 25 March 7.30pm.
Duff’s Bowie
Jeff Duff is arguable the most flamboyant, creative and controversial entertainer Australia has produced. His musical gifts and fantastical androgynous performances parallel the artistry of David Bowie. Expect nothing but genius from the man who once hosted Countdown dressed as a sausage. Jeff Duff presents his Bowie show at the Byron Community Centre on Sunday. Tickets at byroncentre.com.au.
Blood Sweat & Years
It’s been more than four decades since drummer/producer Bobby Colomby and friends assembled the first group to successfully blend rock and jazz into a genre-crossing sound and style. So successfully in fact, that the band’s second album, Blood, Sweat & Tears, topped the Billboard charts for many weeks and beat out the Beatles’ Abbey Road for the prestigious Album of the Year Grammy award. That album produced three major hit singles: You Made Me So Very Happy, Spinning Wheel, and And When I Die.
The band will also introduce some new elements into every performance, including a segment devoted to Songs We Wish We Had Recorded.
Thursday 23 March at 8pm – $69. Tix at ballinarsl.com.au.
Making Guitars Weep
After a very successful launch in February, Byron Music Society continues its commitment to bringing live classical music of a high standard close to home for residents of the northern rivers. This Sunday, Swedish guitarist and composer Johannes Möller and Argentinian guitarist Laura Fraticelli will combine Argentinian tangos and classical guitar duets, interspersed with some of Möller’s own compositions with both playing the top-of-the-line classical guitar model Jorge Godoy III by Martinez. Johannes Möller has captivated audiences throughout the world with charismatic and soulful performances. Laura Fraticelli studied with Walter Ujaldón and Eduardo Fernández in Argentina. She later emigrated to Europe to study at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. As a duo Möller-Fraticelli have performed throughout Europe, North and South America, as well as on radio and TV. The duo have released a recording with the works of Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806–1856) for the Naxos label.
St Martin’s Hall in Mullumbimby this Sunday from 3pm. Followed by Apero by Nadine Abensur and sparkling wine.
Wharves & Wristies
Lennox Head lads Wharves and The Cinema Wristys, top local unsigned rock bands, are both dropping new tracks this month and what better way to celebrate than put on a free live show at the newly branded Howl & Moan Records (FKA Good Dog Records) in Byron Bay on Saturday at 2pm. Wharves are Matt, Mike, Scott and Fraser, and their unique blend of dance infused indie psych rock, is already getting major attention from the industry. They are known for a seriously fun and highly skilled live show. The boys have just revealed an East Coast tour and will be performing their brand new single ‘Man You Want Me To Be’ – recorded and produced by Steven Schram (San Cisco, Tiny Little Houses).
The Cinema Wristys have created a punked up surf rock sound, with psychedelic vibes that are bound to make you groove.. In music and in life Gory, Chriso, Crispy and Jacques each bring a unique charisma that make The Cinema Wristys a very exciting prospect to watch out for.
The Cinema Wristys have been busy working with one of Australia’s top producers Jean Paul Fung, and will be performing their new single ‘The Clash’.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
