We boarded a plane at an airport and took off, landed and disembarked at another airport, collected a car and got driving again.
Ahh Melbourne.
Tonight we’re in Ballarat and my man Rok Poshtya from The Herd tells me this is his favourite regional town to tour. The venue is Karova Lounge and memories of school excursions to learn about the gold rush period come to mind as we drive into town.
Behind enemy lines...
Left to right: Chips, Urban Monk & Adit. Mellow dudes love shooting innocent animals
Err.. what I was saying about mellow dudes..
To explain the dynamic of touring is kinda hard and despite years of gigging I can never quite explain the state of mind or the intensity of being on tour to friends. Tonight is no exception, halfway through my show I’m handed a phone with the message ‘My brother was coming to the show but died earlier this week, could you please dedicate a song to him’.
Damn.
It’s tricky coming up with words on the spot to deal with that – but later in the show we dedicate a song that we think will somehow go out to friends and family of the fella.
Next day we head into Melbourne and expectations are high. It’s no secret that Melbourne is the capital cultural centre of Oz and I love coming down here and doing good shows – it feels almost like impressing that really cool girl in school until she wants to go out with you. But once you win her over and she’s all hot for you, you bail the fuck outta there like nobody’s business! I felt like losing a limb or damaging something in order to seal the deal tonight – I think I came out ok with only a few muscle strains. We had the trifecta of guests, Lior, Mark Pearl and Mantra join us.
Me, Pearly, Lior and Chips
But the really memorable aspect of the night was the electricity in the air – it was for me, the highlight of the tour and an unforgettable gig. We try not to do any half-hearted shows EVER but tonight we lifted into a new spot and it was fucking thrilling. Thanks Melbourne, you’re a sweet lass. The conclusion to the night was ridiculous, in the lamest way possible – our after party consisted of no music and a bunch of us chillin’ out in the hotel room. It seems the greatness of the gig suffocated all the excitement and celebration out of the night so we kinda ran outta steam post show. I’m cool wit dat.
Exhausted, we drove to Frankston for our show at the Pelly Bar. Despite the perceptions that a fair few Melbournians have about Frankston (each time we mentioned we were going there), we had a great time despite being mere shadows of ourselves. The gig itself was a cracker and the backstage area was a party zone… this photo kinda betrays it was a fairly sleepy party zone.
Gusto in hype man mode
Mondo, our insufferable tour manager and all round good guy navigated us back to Melbourne that night and we got up again to….
…drop off a car at an airport where we boarded a plane, took off and landed at another airport where we picked up another car and drove to another concert.
Fat as Butter Festival in Newcastle.
Genuinely one of my favourite places to tour after years and years of gigs at the Cambridge Hotel, Panthers, Leagues Club, Star Hotel and more.. We played to a lively crowd against the backdrop of Grinspoon and I almost slipped and fell offstage myself during Spitshine (injuries, near death experiences – there’s been more than our fair share on this tour). We must’ve done ok as we sold almost 60 items on the merch desk. That night we drove home in one of those ‘THIS IS REALLY FARRRRCKED UP!’ thunderstorms where rain is so furious that the car seems to buck at the constant smashing of water on its frame.
Spitshine Tour Week 5: Ballarat, Melbourne, Frankston, Fat as Butter
We boarded a plane at an airport and took off, landed and disembarked at another airport, collected a car and got driving again.
Ahh Melbourne.
Tonight we’re in Ballarat and my man Rok Poshtya from The Herd tells me this is his favourite regional town to tour. The venue is Karova Lounge and memories of school excursions to learn about the gold rush period come to mind as we drive into town.
Behind enemy lines...
Left to right: Chips, Urban Monk & Adit. Mellow dudes love shooting innocent animals
Err.. what I was saying about mellow dudes..
To explain the dynamic of touring is kinda hard and despite years of gigging I can never quite explain the state of mind or the intensity of being on tour to friends. Tonight is no exception, halfway through my show I’m handed a phone with the message ‘My brother was coming to the show but died earlier this week, could you please dedicate a song to him’.
Damn.
It’s tricky coming up with words on the spot to deal with that – but later in the show we dedicate a song that we think will somehow go out to friends and family of the fella.
Next day we head into Melbourne and expectations are high. It’s no secret that Melbourne is the capital cultural centre of Oz and I love coming down here and doing good shows – it feels almost like impressing that really cool girl in school until she wants to go out with you. But once you win her over and she’s all hot for you, you bail the fuck outta there like nobody’s business! I felt like losing a limb or damaging something in order to seal the deal tonight – I think I came out ok with only a few muscle strains. We had the trifecta of guests, Lior, Mark Pearl and Mantra join us.
Me, Pearly, Lior and Chips
But the really memorable aspect of the night was the electricity in the air – it was for me, the highlight of the tour and an unforgettable gig. We try not to do any half-hearted shows EVER but tonight we lifted into a new spot and it was fucking thrilling. Thanks Melbourne, you’re a sweet lass. The conclusion to the night was ridiculous, in the lamest way possible – our after party consisted of no music and a bunch of us chillin’ out in the hotel room. It seems the greatness of the gig suffocated all the excitement and celebration out of the night so we kinda ran outta steam post show. I’m cool wit dat.
Exhausted, we drove to Frankston for our show at the Pelly Bar. Despite the perceptions that a fair few Melbournians have about Frankston (each time we mentioned we were going there), we had a great time despite being mere shadows of ourselves. The gig itself was a cracker and the backstage area was a party zone… this photo kinda betrays it was a fairly sleepy party zone.
Gusto in hype man mode
Mondo, our insufferable tour manager and all round good guy navigated us back to Melbourne that night and we got up again to….
…drop off a car at an airport where we boarded a plane, took off and landed at another airport where we picked up another car and drove to another concert.
Fat as Butter Festival in Newcastle.
Genuinely one of my favourite places to tour after years and years of gigs at the Cambridge Hotel, Panthers, Leagues Club, Star Hotel and more.. We played to a lively crowd against the backdrop of Grinspoon and I almost slipped and fell offstage myself during Spitshine (injuries, near death experiences – there’s been more than our fair share on this tour). We must’ve done ok as we sold almost 60 items on the merch desk. That night we drove home in one of those ‘THIS IS REALLY FARRRRCKED UP!’ thunderstorms where rain is so furious that the car seems to buck at the constant smashing of water on its frame.
We arrived home safely. Thanks Mondo.