I had such a memorable weekend in Melbourne, playing at the Ladyfest electro afterparty at the Phoenix Bar. We performed a live electro set alongside DJs Smitten, Moichi (Canada) and Glitch from Melbourne. Thanks to the wonderful crowd for being so friendly and receptive to our dark sounds. Also to the venue - Rich and Stevie for all the free drinks. And of course, to the organisers of Ladyfest Melbourne.
Of the DJs I heard, I really enjoyed Glitch's sounds, realising that we share the same enthusiasm for dark, sometimes disturbing electro. Hopefully we will be on the same bill together in Melbourne again soon.
To think Ladyfest originated in Washington DC and has since appeared in Hamburg, Amsterdam and Auckland, to name a few. Sydney needs one now, but maybe change the name first.
I'm easing back into my daily routine after a charged Saturday night at the Metro. The gig went really well. It was unusual to have a seated listening audience. Felt like we were playing at an art museum or concert hall.
The diverse line-up attracted a different crowd to what we are used to. Wren started out with new songs from her EP, 'Letters Unsent.' Switching between solo acoustic and band numbers, Wren impressed all with her powerful voice, capable of extreme dynamic variation. I'm definitely a new fan.
Angel Gear increased the pace with tracks from 'Friends in Low Places' and even newer songs that got everyone going, especially 'Prove'. I've really enjoyed collaborating with Paul Miskin and the rest of the band, learning a lot more about creating atmosphere with different keyboard textures.
After a quick break, Nick and I took to the stage as Deprogram. For the first time our own video projections were accompanied by a co-ordinated light show by our friend Zac Carmody. This made all the difference to onstage lighting and reinforced the intensity of colours on the screen. We got great feedback afterwards and were really touched by people's enthusiasm.
After an exhausting lead rolling session at the end of the gig, I've decided I must improve my live setup by reducing the amount of cabling involved. I'll be organising a rack for the near future, which should make the setting up process much easier.
Thanks to everyone who bought our CD and new T-shirts on the night!
Preparations for the Beat-Route Launch this Saturday have been hectic - in between rehearsals, last minute emails, texts and phone-calls to friends imploring them to come, and dropping into the local community stations. For the past 2 days, I've been obsessed with programming correct delay times and effects, compressor settings. What I would do for a tap delay!
I went on 'Electroplastique', the Australian electronic music show on 2SER on Wednesday, catching up with Ben and Rick. Visiting any radio station is always a great experience for me. To be able to play your music on air is what it's all about. Not to mention meeting like-minded individuals who are so passionate about independent music and promoting the local electronic scene.
Tonight at 9pm I'll be talking about the launch with Chloe Sasson on the Bridge, Radio FBi 94.5fm. I haven't yet seen the new headquarters for FBi, so I'm really really looking forward to it.
After that, I'm going to a friend's birthday party which just happens to have a geriatric theme. Now how will I dress for that one?
