Shining Stars

It’s always high noon when Mikelangelo (frontman of The Black Sea Gentlemen and once nudist drummer of Prik Harness) enters the stage, or a saloon, or when he heads to the beach with his longboard. Together with The Tin Star he’ll be bringing the finest in surf ‘n’ western songs and instrumentals to McGregor Hall (in Acton on the corner of Barry Dr and Marcus Clarke) on Friday March 5. The Tin Star return for a night of surf ‘n’ western mayhem with the surf antics of Space Party and western roots troubadours The Wedded Bliss in support. So saddle up and come down for the biggest surf ‘n’ western themed night since Ennio Morricone sang at a karaoke bar in Hawaii. It’s licensed, kicks off at 8pm, tickets at the door. $15/$12 for CMC members.

Staple Diet of Folk, Country…

With a new, unhinged band and a voice like a 747 taking off, Suzie Stapleton roams a rock-fuelled landscape strewn with folk, country and blues debris. She’s touring nationally to launch the new single 6ft Away on Saturday March 6 at The Phoenix. 6ft Away is from her forthcoming debut EP 45 Revelations Per Minute and features guest performances by Johnny Nolan (Powder Monkeys) and Shane Walsh (Tex, Don & Charlie). 

Walk This Way

Central Coast band Jaywalker have been enjoying quite a bit of success lately, having been hand-picked by Sanity as the winners of their Breaking New Artists promotion. The prize sees their debut album The Light & Shade played in every Sanity, HMV and Virgin store across the country. Now’s your chance to catch the lads live, with Jaywalker taking to the road through February and March to promote the album. Catch them at The Front Gallery & Cafe in Lyneham on Thursday March 4, supported by US singer/songwriter and Survivor: Panama winner Aras Baskauskas (!?). Tickets are $10 on the door.

Spiritualized

The Spirits are finally ready to release their debut EP, The Other Half. Recorded by Berkfinger at Big Jesus Burger and mixed by Lee Groves (Bertie Blackman), The Other Half consists of four eerie and emphatic songs. Intertwining guitars and hard-wired rhythms underscore a vocal at odds with the world yet hopeful, singing of love and love lost. The Other Half is available as a free download through Music Feeds and www.thespirits.com.au.

Are you going to The Front Fair?

Coinciding with Paul Summerfield’s exhibition Secret Cities, The Front Gallery and Café is to be transformed for a day into an exotic suburban, bohemian sun dappled market place, alive with the curious and cunning original work of 11 hot-blooded, cool-eyed local artists. Peruse at your leisure treasures such as jewellery, photographic works, zines, textile art, hand bound books, paintings, prints (and even a little vintage clothing) in the welcoming environs of The Front, where you may also recline on the sofas and sip coffee among friends as you support the arts. Why? Because we all deserve art.

Alexander, Older Brother

After a superb full band show in Canberra last September, Canberra born and raised and now Melbourne based artist Alex Hallahan returns this March as part of his solo tour, playing a series of artistic spaces throughout NSW and ACT. Hallahan’s live show reels the listener into his world, sharing tales of winding roads, conversations and modern times - an impressive hybrid of folk, alt country and soul, sewn together by his hand and stamped with his unmistakably eclectic style. Alex will play The Front on Saturday March 13 at 7.30pm and Beyond Q Bookshop on Sunday March 14 at 4pm.