Issue 740

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The Scene - Local Entertainment News

• Local Gig Guide

The Amazing Mr Lloyd

Alex Lloyd performs at Lismore RSL this Friday.

Alex Lloyd is both pleased to be back home, but keen to get back on the road.

'I've been travelling around the world a lot for the last three years so it's really good to get home again and get up a bit of a house, have a bit of stability for a change,' he said.

But two years after the release of his stunning debut Black the Sun, he's released the enigmatic follow-up Watching angels mend and kicks off his national tour at the Lismore Workers Club this Friday -on his way to Livid in Brisbane.

While Black the Sun saw him spend a couple of years buried in his home studio slaving to create an exquisitely produced album, he's much more relaxed about Watching angels mend.

'This album has a much more organic sound to it. The songs were written all over the place on acoustic guitar. Once I had them I felt like the best way to approach the album was in a much more natural manner - not use as many loops, not crowd the music and just let the songs say what they do,' he explained.

He has a lot to live up to after Black the Sun won Lloyd multiple ARIA awards and was voted Album of the year by Triple J listeners.

'Making my second album, I had a lot more knowledge this time. It was a much quicker process. It was a very weird experience - it's a bit like being in labour - once the seed is planted and you've got the songs then you have to go through pain and then tears, well I did anyway, and then you have the joy at the end. It was really draining,' Alex said.

Now fully rested and keeping a weather eye on rave reviews for his new baby, Lloyd is keen to start touring again.

'I'm really looking forward to coming up to the North Coast and doing some live shows again. It'll be good to check out George as well,' he said.

Lloyd, the former front man of Mother Hubbard, is an emotive, delicate writer with a voice that both croons and then soars the very personal, beautiful lyrics from his new album.

His new song 'Amazing' is a strange blend of break-up and tender love song - the verse is about someone he didn't like, while the chorus is about someone he loves, set to a delicious string accompaniment. And many of the songs have a Beatlesque feel, along with Downtown's 'Mothers Little Helper' vibe. Bernard Fanning sings on the opening track.

Alex Lloyd will appear at the Lismore Workers Club this Friday and with Brisbane funk/rock band George for what many have pegged as the hottest gig in Lismore this year. Local heroes Luke Vassella and Harley Smith are also along for the musical ride.

Tickets are $25 from the Workers Club. Phone 6621 7401.

Rudi Maxwell

• Freebie: The Echo has five copies of Watching Angels Mend to give away.
  Phone 6622 2888 between 10 & 10.10am this Friday, and tell us the name of a song from his first album for a chance to win.

A Little Further North

Graeme Connors performs at Ballina RSL this Sunday.

Graeme Connors heads a little further North this weel to perform at the Ballina RSL on Sunday..

Connors is a prolific songwriter whose technique of telling distinctly Australian stories through his music has earned him nine Tamworth Songwriters Awards, 10 Golden Guitars and countless other awards.

Connors first came to the attention of the public with the release of the evocative 'A Little Further North (Each Year)' on the ABC Country album North.

Last year he enjoyed international acclaim when performing his song 'Being Here' at the Sydney Paralympics, which he followed up by singing at the opening gala of the Goodwill Games in August.

Connors' last album 'The best ... 'til now' went gold in June and he will be performing songs from that as well as showcasing new material from his forthcoming album at the Ballina RSL this weekend.

Graeme Connors' music exemplifies the finest traditions of Australian balladry as he mixes poetic lyrics with delicate melodies. Tickets are $25 from the club. Phone 6686 2544. The show starts at 8pm.

Where There's Tex There's Smoke

The Cruel Sea wash up at the Great Northern on Friday.

It's been three years since The Cruel Sea put out an album, while band members pursued various other projects. The break has done them good, with a new album 'Where there's smoke' is more than worth the wait as the superbly crafted tunes hit the ear drums like a perfectly formed set of waves rolling onto the shore.

The new album was recorded locally at Rocking Horse studios and has an even more relaxed tone to it than their earlier work without losing any of their raw, funky, rockin' sound.

The single 'A simple goodbye' is already receiving deserved praise from music critics as it flames up the charts.

The only thing better than listening to The Cruel Sea on the stereo is seeing them live, featuring Tex Perkins, rock bloke, smouldering from the front of the stage; Ken Gormly playing ashy, gritty basslines; Jim Elliot rubbing the sticks together; Dan Rumour firing up on guitar and James Cruikshank lighting up on keyboards.

Perkins' drips sex appeal, but it's that of a middle-aged divorced taxi driver oozing bad cologne fumes on a steaming hot day. He has the rare ability to make each member of the audience believe that his deep, sexy voice is singing only to them (well, at least this writer has that fantasy).

The Livid-bound Cruel Sea play the Great Northern Hotel this Friday for their final gig before they hit the Livid festival in Brisbane.

Tickets at the door.

Rudi Maxwell

King Of Kings

The King's Duo are acoustic guitarist Jode Skennar and double bassist Damien Kook. They play blues - everything from Delta blues of the 30s, to contemporary roots music by Ben Harper, and even the odd spot of Bonnie Raitt and Mark Knopfler. The King's Duo play the Gollan this Friday. 8.30pm.

Sharny has been performing both as a solo artist and as the lead singer in bands since 1976, and she is one of Australia's leading exponents of scat singing.

Next Wednesday with brother Steve, drummer Dave Sanders and bassist Greg Lyon, she will perform a night of original jazz music and some well known jazz standards as well as some scat.

Tickets are $5 at the door.

Local Gig Guide

Nimbin Variety

A special Variety Night and Art Auction will be held this Saturday, October 13 at the Oasis Cafe in Nimbin.

The night will feature an array of different performances encompassing dance, music, comedy and poetry. The auction will feature artworks donated by local artists Helen Rodriguez, Maxx Maxstead, Michael Murphy and Christine O'Brien and will raise money for the Nimbin Fighting Fund.

Song birds (and blokes)

Don't forget that two of the best local acapella choirs join forces this Friday, October 12, at the Bangalow Catholic Hall, for a fine concert of harmonies. Lismore's Gregarious Chance will join Byron's Allegro Gone Troppo to raise the roof with song.

A Choired Taste kicks off at 7.30pm; Admission is $10/8 conc.(kids free).

Broadcasting forum

North Coast CAMERA, 2NCR and LINC TV will together present a one-day Community Broadcasting Forum next Saturday, October 20 at Invercauld House.

All local media organisations and interested community members are being encouraged to attend the forum, which runs from 9am-5.30pm and will be followed by drinks so people have an opportunity to network.

Tickets are $10 which includes food for the day. For bookings and more information phone 6621 4555, 6621 6079 or 6620 3066.

Radio course

Anyone interested in radio broadcasting should attend a Radio Broadcasting for Beginners course, which starts next week at ACE in Lismore.

Facilitated by ABC arts reporter, Nikki Fuda, the six week course is a great way for people planning to start a career in radio production or presenting to gain experience or enhance existing skills.

The course will explore going from idea to interview, interview skills, the various roles in radio, writing scripts and programming, while visits to radio studios will include hands-on training.

Radio Broadcasting for Beginners starts next Tuesday, October 16. For more information and bookings phone ACE on 6622 1903.

Atomic energy

As part of their national tour, the Atomic Oz Roadshow from Western Australia will make a pit spot in the Northern Rivers next week for a couple of free shows.

The show is a satirical look at Australia's involvement in the global nuclear industry, from the British nuclear tests in 1949 to the present day.

The humorous and insightful performance is not only a fun and colourful show, but it's also a great way to learn about Australia's nuclear history.

A free show will be held next Thursday, October 18 outside Noah's Arc Bookshop from 1pm and that evening a gig, featuring the Atomic Oz Band and local performers, will be held at the Winsome Hotel from 7.30pm. A small entry fee will be charged.

Flauting it

Musica Viva's final concert for the year is appropriately, in the beautiful St Mary's Anglican Church in Ballina. The closest thing Australia has to a classical pop star, flautist Jane Rutter will be performing a program of Bach, Villa Lobos, Bizet and more with classical guitarist Greg Pikler on October 25.

Tickets are on sale now at the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre in Lismore, and the ABC Shop in Ballina.

Sosueme

The Man who Sued God is an amazing new comedy drama starring Billy Connolly and Judy Davis.

It's the story of a fisherman whose boat sinks after it was struck by lightening. The insurance company (boo! Hiss!) declares it an 'Act of God' and refuses to pay up, so Steve (Connolly) takes things to the next logical step and decides to sue the other party - the Almighty.

Lismore Cinema is hosting a special advance screening on October 21 to raise money for the Patrick Rafter Cherish the Children Foundation.

Tickets are just $5 for the 11am screening, and available from today.

Elementary dear penguin

Alstonville will shake to the dance grooves of Brisbane hip hop outfit Elementary Penguin during 'Corazon Interactive' at the Alstonville Leisure Centre this Saturday, October 13, from 7.30pm.

Elementary Penguin have been setting the Brisbane music scene alight with their huge band sounds and groovy dance loops.

Special guest and surfing identity, Mike Rabbolini from South Africa will tell some of his life stories during the night. Support band for the night will be local 'hard core' band 'Juxtapose'.

'Corazon Interactive' begins 6pm with BBQ and Food Fest along with giant Jumping Castle and huge velcro Inflatable Fly Wall. All that fun is just $5 at the gate.

Brackets and jam

Northern Rivers Brackets and Jam presents a monthly multi-arts performance evening at the Dance Studio at

Lismore City Hall this Friday, October 12. The doors open 7.30pm for 3 hours of music, dance, theatre, poetry and music jam for just $5. Food and drink will be available. Would-be performers and volunteers should contact Virginia on 6622 3814.

McTalk

The high profile Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Elizabeth Macgregor, will give a free lunchtime talk at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery this Friday at 12.30pm.

Elizabeth Macgregor will draw on personal experience, from her first job in the artworld curating exhibitions for a travelling gallery to her current post as Director of the MCA. She will outline why the driving force of her career has been her commitment to challenging the perception of what contemporary art is.

Poetry cup

The 7th annual Lismore Poetry Cup will be the highlight of the Live Poets gathering at the Rous Hotel, Lismore, next Wednesday, October 17.

First prize for the best 2-minute (and not a moment longer) poem is $150 courtesy of Noah's Arc Bookshop. There's also a $50 people's choice award.

Entry in the Poetry Cup is open to everyone - simply check in with David prior to the 8pm kick off time, or phone him on 6621 7931.