with Alice Worley [ alice.worley@outlook.com]
Hey friends! Sorry about my hiatus last month. Life – am I right? But I hope you enjoyed the Dansonfest double spread that lovely Allan put together.
Big congratulations to Sketch Method on the release of The Ballad of Eggboy. I’m so happy to have a constant reminder on my Spotify of when Will “Egg Boy” Connolly smashed an egg on the back of Fraser Anning’s head.
The final message we’re left with on this track is the heart-warming repetition of the lyrics, “Everybody belongs here”, a sentiment I hope everyone reading this and hearing that track can get behind. Super uplifting song. I am a keen bean for even more releases from The Sketch.
The Dirty Sunflowers have released an EP—I’m Fine, Thanks For Asking—after the ominous yet intriguing removal of all their Instagram posts; a clean slate move that usually heralds an incoming release and rebrand.
Been a minute since we’ve heard from these guys, but they’ve dropped four new banger tracks for us to get our ears around: We’re Alright, Good Girl, Small Words, and Shiver. Keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the ground for any Dirty Sunflowers shows so you can indulge in the live versions.
NORA has some new material for us, and it’s ready for a test run on your ear drums at sideway on Thursday, 9 May. Local lovelies Sertra and Aiday will join them! Come along to be serenaded or massively depressed (in a good way) by these local emo angels. Plus, it’s a Thursday night at sideway, so you know what that means… Free Entry!
Aussie legends Regurgitator are hitting up The Baso on Saturday, 8 June, with a killer line-up! Joining in the jaunt is the jazzy Party Dozen, bubblegum punks Cry Club, and techno lords Monster Zuko, so this is gonna be a big ol’ juicy eve. Ya might wanna grab a Chompy’s burger to get you through to the other side. Just saying. Tix are $66.30 via Oztix.
On the topic of Aussie legends, Jebediah announced that they’re heading to town to celebrate the release of new album, OIKS! And can you guess who’s coming along for the ride? Why, it’s Magic Dirt – that’s who!
They’ll take over The Baso main stage on Saturday, 24 August. It might be a while off now, but those tickets are going to go (I saw Jebediah play The Baso with You Am I a few years back, and it was absolute wizardry. Cannot wait to see them again). Tix are $71.40 via Oztix.
Cancer Bats are coming all the way from bloody Canada to another freezing part of the world – Belconnen! They’ll be flying into The Baso on Monday, 17 June, joined by touring support and Gadigal-based beloveds, FANGZ. This will surely be a Monday night worth feeling wrecked for Tuesday work (or just chuck a sickie; I won’t tell if you don’t).
And, of course, you really, reeeeeally need to get to Dansonfest. This is such a beloved and sacred event that not only boasts a line-up brimming with talent, it’s going to be incredibly wholesome, too. Please come along and contribute to the love that is going to be bubbling and bursting through the doors and windows at The Baso all night long on Saturday, 11 May. Final tix are $34 via Oztix!!
Finally, want to say that a recent C.O.F.F.I.N show at sideway has yielded my new fave band of the minute: Nancy and the Jam Fancys. I know, I know, there’s a bunch of you saying, “Hi! The hell have you been?” and the answer is obviously “elsewhere”. I’m sorry!
Their set was this perfect blend of chaotic and charming. The singer was so unhinged in moments but also had this sweetness in a song’s softer moments that was tremendously endearing. A real Joe Talbot quality.
Props to Nancy and the Jam Fancys. This set stuck with me and I am really eager to see them next time they’re in town and force all my friends to get involved.
‘Til next month!
