10 years of funk
A decade as a band is a rare milestone and one north coast funk and groove band The Ninth Chapter will be celebrating at The Rails this Friday, 7pm kickoff and free entry.
Byron Bay has been a mainstay on the group’s gig schedule with a show at the iconic local venue (The Rails) at the top of the list of venues to mark the occasion. While firmly based in the funk genre that inspired the birth of the band 10 years ago, The Ninth Chapter’s sound casts a wide net, layering funk, blues, roots and other elements creating a truly unique experience.
Party of the Year!
Don’t miss out on the biggest night on the Mullumbimby calendar when Mullum Music Festival throws open its doors for the Gala Opening Night celebrating 10 years of this iconic event. This limited-ticket event is an opportunity to experience some unique festival moments including performances from past Mullum Music Festival patrons Mama Kin and Harry Angus alongside current patron Suzannah Espie amongst the night’s entertainment. The patrons present a very special one-off gala performance acknowledging the input they have had programming and innovating unique performances crafted especially for Mullum. Mullum Music Festival’s director Glenn Wright believes their enthusiasm and passion have been integral parts of the festival’s success over the years. Onstage the gala offers the first chance to see soul sensations The Teskey Brothers and the kooky melodic genius of All Our Exes Live in Texas, whose only other performances (Friday night) are sure to be remembered as two of the 2017 festival highlights.
Nashville-based Canadian singer/songwriter Lindi Ortega will be showcasing her sensational soprano centre stage, along with a performance by the powerful and prolific Wallis Bird from Ireland. Led by the Prince of Percussion Greg Sheehan, Ethno Folk Orchestra make their return, filling the stage with up to 20 world musicians. There will also be a performance by the Youth Mentorship winner and the evening will be held together by master wit weaver and disperser of goodwill, comedian Mandy Nolan. Nolan’s long association with the festival and love of Mullumbimby makes her the perfect host to give patrons a feel for what’s instore for days ahead.
The launch of the 10th annual festivities promises to be the party of the year with Mullum Civic Hall transformed for the occasion. Catch up with friends in between sets for a drink or two in the formal lounge area and fairylight-adorned beergarden. After the success of their Mullum Music Festival Signature Opening Night Beer last year, local brewers Stone & Wood are back onboard creating a very special 10th anniversary beer. Created by From Russia With Love, the boys from Dustyesky have been only too happy to get their hands dirty for this project.
With only a handful of tickets left for this premier event, don’t be left out in the cold for the first big party of summer!
Mullum Music Festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary 16–19 November, 2017. For tickets visit mullummusicfestival.com or phone 6684 6195.
Best band in show
International manager and producer Scott Dorsey and Australian producer and musician Geoff Wright have announced a new and organic music contest B.U.B. (Best Unsigned Bands) for real and raw musicians.
B.U.B. is looking for authentic artists, not the prefab cookie cut-outs cast from reality TV.
The rules are simple: One original song by a self-contained band to be submitted via the Lucky Boy Analogue Studio Facebook page by 15 October 2017. Five finalists will be announced on 15 November 2017. The live finals will be held in Byron Bay on 15 December 2017.
sPILL rises out of the ashes of FRACAS
For those who don’t know FRACAS, it was the studio in main-street Byron that acted as the Musical Hub of Byron for ten years. Run by sPILL main man Phil Pyne, FRACAS nurtured and spawned Triple J favourites The Paper Scissors, Unearthed winners The Bumblebeez and Stylazfuego, one of the country’s most contemporary producers.
Phil and his cohorts Will Grahame and Kevin Jersey Jackson, along with The Echo’s own Hans Lovejoy, are firing up to play the Treehouse in Belongil on Saturday at 6pm.
Karl Gives Blood
Karl S Williams is back with a self-created video accompaniment to his recently released track Blood to Give. Karl’s stunning video is a must-watch.
‘When I started working on the video for Blood to Give, I knew that I wanted to convey something about being caught up in a destructive machine and seeking a way out of that while feeling uncertain whether indeed you have the capacity to escape something so omnipresent,’ says Karl of his creation.
Having performed previously at festivals across the country including Bluesfest, Woodford, Bigsound, Dark Mofo, and The Planting to name just a few, Karl S Williams is no stranger to the live circuit. Witness his stunning performance Saturday 16 September at The Northern in Byron Bay.
Boyes will be Boyes
Fiona Boyes, Australia’s first lady of the blues, an exceptional blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter is coming to Club Mullum. She will be accompanied by Melbourne’s Hammond B3 maestro Tom Neal, also playing bass guitar, and local favourite Grant Gerathy on drums.
This week she won Acoustic Blues Album of the Year for her latest release Professin’ The Blues from the US Blues Blast Awards.
Fiona Boyes Trio play at Club Mullum on Friday 15 September, 7pm
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