In May, I’ll be performing the role of ‘The Baker’ in Stephen Sondhiem’s “Into The Woods.” It should be a really great show – the cast seems exceptionally talented and also very musically savvy. It’s being staged by The Univeristy of Melbourne Music Theatre Association and directed by Scott Dunsdon.
Hey all. This is my new blog, altough it’s been a while since I’ve bothered to invest any time into it.
In mid-07, my good friend Matt was attending the Victorian College of the Arts at the time, and a fellow classmate, Xani, asked him to be a part of a project of hers called Yohosie. He was to play guitar, Xani would play electric violin and do a bit of vocals, Xani’s sister Meg would play the bass, and another singer and percussionist would form Yohosie.
They gigged for about 5 months with varying degrees of success in and around Melbourne. For various reasons, personal circumstances and differing ideas about the direction of the band, the percussionist and singer would leave the band. Xani found a new drummer and toyed with various singers, until coming to the conclusion that the new line up would consist of herself, Meg, Matt and a new drummer Lachlan.
In the interim, I had gently, and as unimposingly as I could, offered my services as a vocalist to Yohosie. Matt indicated that whilst he thought it may be an option, this new four-piece line up was the new direction the band would be taking. Which seemed fine by me.
Xani would take on the lions share of the vocals, with the rest of the band supporting where necessary.
Matt asked me to come and see a gig at Ruby’s Lounge in Belgrave, and offer me thoughts on this new arrangement. After the gig, Xani asked me my thoughts, and I told her that I believed the new line up was cohesive and musically sound, and that it was now ready to take the next step. I would later find out that Xani being Xani, left nothing to chance, and took nothing at face value. Upon reviewing said gig on an audio recording, Matt informed me that she had resolutely vowed to find another vocalist. Xani felt that both her singing and violin playing suffered when she had to take the full load.
So this time, Matt and Xani invited me to audition, as such, with the band and see how things went.
The audition went well, and the rest, as they say, is history. The others liked what I was putting out, and agreed that I was to perform a few gigs with them.
Our first gig was at 303, a quaint, if only slightly dank, bar in Northcote. Afterwards, Xani and Meg’s parents, stout supporters of their girls’ pursuits, said
“You’ve finally found the lineup.”
Xani approached me, still a little high from the adrenaline that comes from performance, and said, with an Elwoodian purpose
“We’d like you in the band.”
If I don’t say so myself, I like to think we make a good team.
We’ve played some ripper gigs over the past year and I bit.
Some that spring to mind..
Filling the Evelyn to release our single “Train Song.”
Launching our EP at Revolver, again to a full house.
Our residency at Trades Hall for the Comedy Festival.
Bar Open and having the raging fans sing along to our music for the first time.
Winning the Melbourne Fresh Bands competition (at Revolver)
Me blowing an o-ring at Revolver. Photo by Ross Campbell
Playing to hundreds and hundreds outdoor at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Lots more, and hopefully more to come.
Here are some misc photos.
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- Me blowing an o-ring at Revolver. Photo by Ross Campbell
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- Xani doing her thing. Photo by John Englezos
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- Photo by Warwick Baker
SO yer. If you like the job of our cut, check out the usual. Myspace & Facebook etc.
And come see a gig.
Love
