Out with the old.....

  As we come to the end of another year in a chaotic world, are we not so very blessed to be able to find comfort in our familiar safe place, with people we care about who care in return, in a country not conflicted by war, famine, or despotic government?  Life may not be perfect, but it could be a whole lot worse, as so many of our fellow humans are experiencing across the globe.  

And here at home in Australia, too, there are too many of us experiencing a life that could and should be better. Homelessness hasn't skirted our country, nor has poverty, nor has domestic violence. But if you are one of the very fortunate who haven't experienced such things, let's all try to make the world that we inhabit here at home a little kinder and a little more joyful as we had into another year. Let's make it a year of change, thinking outside the square to bring some sparkle into someone else's life. 

My happy place is where I'm immersed in music ...listening to it, watching it live, or making it. It is truly awesome the difference music can make in individual lives. Let's do our very best to bring more music into the world through 2026....music that lifts us all UP, music that soothes those of us who are grieving, lost, or lonely. And let's make it our mission to bring more cheerful, fun and happy music to the kids in our world - their childhood shouldn't be contaminated with the fear and sadness of global unrest. 

I'm in!  How about you?

Here's cheers 🙆to making a better 2026!

New Projects

 Just when you think about winding down for the Christmas holiday season .........

•  This month I finally finished the track I promised for the Munibung Hill Conservation Society and it's now 'Live' on my Bandcamp site, with a video created for the track as well on my YouTube channel.  Links here:  Watch Munibung Hill   Listen/download here .   Recorded at Robbie Long's studio - and Rob adds some lovely mandolin and dobro to the track.

• 
  If you haven't heard yet (if you've not subscribed to the mailing list?), at the invitation of the Wetlands Art Gallery, I've embarked on another major project similar to the 2023 'Song of the Wetlands'.                          This soundscape will be very different ....I know a helluva lot more about the worlds wetlands than I did back then!...and the participating artists will be producing multi-medium artworks based on the soundscape. The first project - 13 months - was a hoot and so this time I thought you might like to come along for the ride. Consequently, I've started a Vlog [video blog] so you can travel the journey with me. You'll meet the musicians, the artists, and volunteers who keep the Wetlands Centre going, and I'll share information about how the music is evolving, background to the tracks and more. The Vlog isn't live yet but I'll post a link here as soon as it is....or subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified automatically when it's available ... Get on board for the ride! 

• And lastly ...couldn't let the opportunity pass by to remind you that the Season is just around the corner and if you didn't collect a copy of 'Embrace the Season' for your playlist last  year, then please do so this year. It's a beaut album, with some lovely tunes and meaningful lyrics (apart from the comedy ones of course!) and it's available via download from Bandcamp  OR order direct - and I'm the only one who gets paid! - via CD or a nicely packaged flashdrive - just $16, postage included (Australia only)

 

Hidden Gems

 Happy to report - after last month's post about new music - that I found some little gems recently in the most unlikeliest of places.

Here in Newy (Newcastle NSW for the non local readers) another new pop-up venue has been drawing interest this year. Housed in a disused factory with a bit of rustic charm, one Sunday afternoon a month, local artists perform for guests who bring their own shared afternoon tea, and sit on old, recycled recovered, or restored chairs, lounges, ottomans and soak it all up. It's quaint, it's quirky, a bit like its offerings, you never know what you're going to get, and midst it all there are some absolute gems! And if you don't know about it, you'll never know about it!  Oh, and did I mention that it's free? (or now and then, a gold coin donation)

All over the country there are little undiscovered jewels like this happening, where undercovered live music is creating it's own underground scene. This month, along with a small group of my 'tribe', I enjoyed an afternoon of laugh-out-loud and 'wow' moments, with artists ranging from a couple of uni students through to some over-the-hill-ers. All with a common thread - a passion for their music and a willingness to share it with an appreciative - and sober - audience.

Mixed among some great original music, were some highly original takes on other covers. 

And no, I'm not going to tell you where it is. Some things shouldn't be just handed over on a plate for others to pick and choose. Little gems like this deserve to be ferreted out - a lot of the fun is in the searching, and the discovery.  But I will give you a hint: start with your local folk clubs. You might be astounded at how SOME clubs have evolved over a couple of generations. And you might also be astounded at just how many of the biggest stars today, got their first start in their local supportive folk scene. 

Pre-show setup - decor: shabby chic, recycled, restored, recovered, rescued

 

Searching for Originality

 Here in Oz, as we move from a chilly winter into the beginning of Spring, my thoughts roam to emerging from winter hibernation. It's around about this time of year when my social life starts to kick back into gear! And it's also when new creativity tends to start knocking on my door. 

So recently, I played for a little local fundraiser, to a lovely appreciative audience who'd never heard music like mine before....that is, Original music. And I'd played mostly my comedy works [plus my tribute to the homeless track - "Man of Uncertainty"] which meant in an afternoon of just lovely music - from some delightful artists I might add - only one eighth of the program contained any new music. 

I suspect that may be indicative of where the music industry is at, currently. Not that new music isn't being made, but that new music isn't being heard. Maybe that's why I get so bored so quickly when I turn on the radio, or drop in to a pub or club. They're playing the same old, same old, music I was listening to 20, 30, 40, 50, years ago. And if you're a regular reader here, you'll know I'm very anti the streaming channels - (music theft has never been alright by me) -  they control your listening based on their algorithms.

And why do I enjoy finding and listening to new music? Because it reflects what's happening currently, today, in our world, in our society. It challenges our thinking, our attitudes, offering different perspectives, and more. We are what we listen to. A nostalgic trip into the past may be comforting but living in the past denies us the opportunity to live in the present. And it is only when we are present in our life, that we can determine how we want to live in the future.

So this spring, I'll be digging into who's playing where, who's playing what, and who's making new music. And maybe I'll get inspired, encouraged, and enthused to share the news. 

Bandcamp-A good place to find new music ... in here you can find heaps of Original artists ... try Anousha Victoire and Su Morley  and Clark Gormley just for starters!