Interviews

When the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Michael Gudinski and Sir Elton John call out a song as ‘one of the great Australian rock ‘n’ roll songs’, ‘one of the greatest songs of all time’, and ‘one of my favourite tracks’, then you know it was and still is, a hit.

One of the most danceable outfits in the lineup, The Cat Empire make a welcome return to Bluesfest 2021 with their infectious, genre-embracing anthems and a world-class, awe-inspiring show. Last week Seven caught up with co-founder, band leader and principal songwriter, Felix Riebl, from his lockdown hidey hole in Melbourne.

Emily Wurramara’s childhood was one of water and music. Growing up on Groote Eylandt her days were filled with travel, fishing and extended family, and a mother telling stories of dreams and dolphins that would one day become the seeds of Emily’s music.

When I was younger and started rapping other rappers called me a weapon and I thought, like the AK-47. But now it’s changed, because now I feel it’s a spiritual warfare about what’s in your mind.

Mandy Nolan is a comedian of more than 30 years, who has taught in excess of 2,000 people how to perform standup. Her most successful student won an Emmy. George Catsi is a comedic character performer and AWGIE-winning writer and academic who teaches character and script development at UTS to animators and filmmakers. Together they present an exciting new class: Elephant in the Room.

Amir Paiss, co-founder of the legendary world music ensemble Sheva, is releasing his third solo album I Am That I Am. These ten new songs were inspired by what Amir says is love, truth and freedom. Seven caught up with Amir in the lead-up to his album’s launch next week in Mullum.

The Living End are truly Rock Royalty. Formed in 1994 in Melbourne, it was 1997 when the band blasted through with their double A side single featuring ‘Prisoner of Society’ and ‘Second Solution’ – songs that have become festival anthems around the world. This five times ARIA-winning band are one of the Aussie treasures playing at Bluesfest this October.

Yaegl Bundjalung man, Mitch King, is a man with a story to tell. Mitch and long-term collaborator and musician Blake Rhodes, have been creating Flow for almost a year. Flow is Mitch telling his story, inspired by community, Country and the first native title claim on a body of water in Yamba. Mandy Nolan interviewed Mitch in the lead-up to the show’s debut in July.

Mind Medicine Australia (MMA) is a charity that seeks to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness through expanding treatment options available to medical practitioners and their patients. Their focus is on the development of safe and effective psychedelic assisted therapies to cure a range of mental illnesses.

Daniel Champagne, exudes a natural ease on stage as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably stir the heart with grand romanticism. Daniel spoke to The Echo whilst travelling between Brisbane and Sydney – en route to a show in Auckland.

Sitting with The Buckleys, you know they are siblings. They have this natural ease and fluidity with each other. A lack of self-consciousness. A lot of love, but you also know they keep each other in check.

Thriller at the Drill The Drill Hall Theatre Company are about to open the curtain on their latest play, Switzerland, a psychological drama written...

The Shai Guy Finally emerging out of COVID-time, singer songwriter Shai Shriki is preparing a great show and a fundraiser to start releasing his new...

When Alice and her support worker Kate venture into the forest for the night – the shapeshifting Dingo is ready for them. Into the Forest is a magical theatre experience performed and devised by dancer Alice Misty Boscheinen with writer and performer Kate McDowell, who is also Alice’s support worker off the stage. Directed and devised by NORPA’s Artistic Director, Julian Louis, Into the Forest explores themes of caring, independence, friendship and fantasy.

Steve Balbi is living the dream. A creative chameleon, Balbi continues to reinvent his wheel. From bass guitarist in Noiseworks to one half of the psychedelic pop duo Electric Hippies to Mi-Sex in 2011, Balbi is a passionate collaborator, but also a prolific solo artist.

Bri Lee speaks with Courtney Miller about her new book Who Gets to be Smart; Privilege, Power and Knowledge. Bri’s new book is a timely investigation into the current discussions around class and privilege in Australia and around the world.

Women Like Us … Comedians Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan take their smash hit show Women Like Us to Dunoon Sports Club this Saturday. The...

The Quad in Lismore presents its first outdoor cinema event – programmed by nationally regarded film critic and programmer, Peter Castaldi. Peter told The Echo about the vision.