Lovely Melbourne

I decided in 2009 that I'd move away from Brisbane and relocate to Melbourne.

I've always had a strong connection to Melbourne. Don't get me wrong. I was born in Brisbane and I had so many great thoughts about that city...lovely moments in my life. However, you get to a point when everything is too familiar. I feel like I know every crack in every piece of concrete in that city.

I've always been a home-body. I love my family and my sea, but I needed a change.
So, we relocated in January.

I've visited Melbourne many times. I have family and friends here and the laneways make me smile. All the little cafes, noodle bars, cup cake shops....record stores...the greatest tee-shirts are here and in New York City...I'm a consumer.

Near my office where I work there are alley ways filled with graffiti.
In the morning I catch the tram or walk to work. The street has the vile stenches of a city, but the buildings are old down here. They haven't been replaced by car parks or new apartments. I hope it doesn't get that way. Brisbane became like that.

So, I've started to record some new songs from home and will continue working on the band album throughout the year. I love my new home. I have a little studio I can do my demos in. I'm doing my first solo show next week. Well, first gig for 2010. I'll be performing some new numbers. Obscure songs and some older tunes.

I'm loving Radiohead's last album too. Simple and precise.

I do miss my band. It's strange not rehearsing together. I do wish they were here. I haven't had that connection with musicians for a very long time. Ellie has moved to Sydney, while Marty and Terry remain in Brisbane. We hope to finish this album together. Lots to complete in 2010.

xxoo

Finally back online. Have relocated to Melbourne. Has been sad times without the internet let me tell you! Going to do some solo shows soon....

Mexican mexican I like to eat you....

I'm sick of always writing about music. I love playing it but do I always have to write about the latest gig? Can I attempt to write about food instead. I love food.

There are hundreds of restaurants in New York and you usually need to know someone to find out which restaurants are decent and inexpensive.

We've just returned from brunch. I found a site online called AGAVE which has Mexican cuisine. It had the best quesidillas I've ever tasted. I had one with grilled asparagus, goat's cheese and tomato. I had been drawn also to one of the appetizers, corn with lime butter. I love corn...all things corn. When we arrived the corn wasn't on the menu. So, I figured I'm not going to get the corn. I asked the waiter... no corn. I was a little disappointed. I mean I love corn. So the quesidillas arrive and wow what a presentation and what a taste. I had to finish all the food.

It was so tasty. After we finished and got the bill. The waiter came out with a plate of corn and it really added to the experience. He pleaded with the cook to do me some corn considering we had travelled so far etc.
Man how sweet was he. So I ate every bit of it and I tell you lime butter on corn is holy food!!!!

AGAVE is the the restaurant and it is on 7th Avenue South. Down in the West Village.

Warm to cold New York

Well this is the first chance I've had to log in and blog. Plus internet cafes are way so so expensive hmmm. Anyway, we did our showcase on Wednesday night and it went well. The band blew me away. A special thanks to Malcolm, Matt and Jason for doing the gig. It was a real thrill to perform with these guys.

A special thanks to Millie from Sounds of Australia. She did a lot for everyone performing. It's a hard gig.

I love NY. We are staying in the West Village which is close to the cooler side of NY but I am hoping to see Brooklyn too!!!

Not sleeping well. I've never had this unusual disturbance before hmmm. I think I'm just over excited although there are garbage trucks collecting the shit off the street every night. And I think they scoop up one pile each and then move on. It's a little loud.

We went out and saw the Midnight Juggernauts play. They are one of my favourite acts but their sound really wasn't good. I couldn't hear their vocals at all. A real shame. I got to meet Katie Steel who is over here staying at the moment. She's really lovely.

Probably catching the Temper Trap tonight.

Bagels and cream cheese are great after drinking too. $1.75 and so tasty.
Sushi in the East Village is fresh and the sake sweet and warm. We hung out with two of my most cherrished new york friends last night who know where to eat. I always get very sad parting with them at the end of the evening.

Hoping that this morning we will get a cup cake and head up to the high line which is an old train line that's been converted into a garden. Not a small garden either I'm told.

xxxooo

New York

New York!!!
So Sunday we leave for New York. I'm very excited. I'm in need for a trip OS and New York is my favourite city. Not that I've seen that many but come on it's the good and the bad, the creepy and the beautiful.

Anyway, I can't wait to get to CMJ. So many bands to see. I'm definitely keen to check out the Temper Trap and of course one of my treasured bands, The Midnight Juggernauts.

Yes, I'll have to engage in the business side of things and network, sell myself etc. I'd really like to strengthen our connections in the US.

The holiday part is going to be ACE! Shopping and eating. Yum New York dim sum, pizza, cup cakes from Magnolia, AZTEC hot chocolate, urban outfitters, camper....too many places to frequent. I'm on the look out for some guitar pedals and maybe a true blood tee. Consuming....

Well, speaking of True Blood it's time to continue Season 2. Sookie, Bill....

I'm on 4zzz tonight with Jen Cloher...listen in!

A mighty strange week but lots ahead

Hi all

Well this week has been pretty strange for me.

I got bitten by a spider last Thursday during a work meeting and ended up pretty crook.

Found myself extremely dehydrated on Wednesday, at the emergency ward, dripped up and drugged. The lesson is always seek medical advice as soon as you get bitten!!

I'm feeling better today just a little tired and weak from the adventures of becoming Kate Parker but I am still waiting for my super powers to kick in....

A special thanks to Marty and Laura for bringing me over some milk, bread and sausages. Also, to Ellie for getting me some DVDs out - like my favourite True Blood!

For some reason Sagas always surround me. Why?

So onwards we shuffle with the shows

For Brisbane people

October 9 - Jen Cloher support @ The Troubadour.
We are big fans of Ms Cloher.

Also we'll be doing an interview next Wednesday night on 4zzz about 8pm so tune in.
It's going to be a cracker.

November 20 - single launch @ Bar 299, Brisbane

Buy tickets online


For Toowoomba people

October 10 - Supporting Ms Cloher again at Cafe Bon Amici in Toowoomba


For New Yorkers

I will be supported by an amazing bunch of hot musical men in New York for my CMJ Showcase.

10 pm, Wednesday, October 21 @ Kenny's Castaway, Greenwich Village, New York

For Syndeyites

Thursdsay, November 5 @ The Lansdowne with Capital City and other great bands...

For Melbourne Mexicans

Friday, November 6 @ East Brunswick Club, supporting Borne

Buy your tickets online from the East Brunswick Club!