This morning I headed to the ABC radio studios to pre-record an interview on Triple J's Hack.
I was incredibly excited and honoured about being asked to do the interview, and being in the studio that I took photos then forgot the directions to the interview booth (The Tardis). So I had to go back to the concierge to ask again!
The interview was about barriers to dating, specifically my physical appearance. You can here it here.
Stella Young also spoke :)
I said a lot more in the unedited version, which I will write about soon.
Thanks for having me Triple J!! And a big shout out to interviewer Alex Mann :)
Meanwhile, listen to the interview (I am at the start) then watch this brilliant video by Edenland. It's as though she is channeling me. It's exactly how I feel about making an impression. Thank you Eden.
While listening to Triple J's Hottest 100 on Australia Day, I heard these two songs that I fell in love with, and wondered why I'd missed them last year. I bought them on iTunes soon after hearing them. They are the music I've literally been missing (out on). But thank God I found them!
I voted for Triple J's Hottest 100 again. It was a tough choice, and had to leave out a few of my favourites to get to my top 10.
I wanted a top 25 - with more Angus and Julia Stone and Washington, Sia, Sparkadia, Sarah Blasko, Boy and Bear, Pendulum (ABC theme), Sally Seltman, Kimbra, John Steele Singers and Gypsy and the Cat.
My top 10 - comprises mostly Australian artists:
Angus And Julia Stone - For You Angus And Julia Stone - Hold On Basement Birds - Bus Stop Birds Of Tokyo - Plans Gyroscope - Baby, I'm Getting Better Kings Of Leon - The End Little Red - Rock It Paul Kelly/Angus Stone - Four Seasons In One Day Washington - Sunday Best Wombats, The - Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves)
I've technically got four Angus and/or Julia Stone songs in my list.
I love Australian music!
My picks for number one are Washington's Sunday Best, Angus and Julia Stone's Big Jet Plane or Sia's Clap Your Hands. I know I didn't vote for two of those songs, but as I said, the choice was tough.
It's been a while since I've done one of these. But today my memory was piqued by a conversation I had with a friend about our music tastes.
I mentioned Camille's Ta Douleur from her album Le Fil and couldn't quite hum the tune. And I couldn' sing the lyrics as they're in French. I love the sensuality and beat of the song. I first heard it in 2006 and recall traipsing through Sydney streets the day after the Darren Hayes concert at the Opera House to buy her CD.
This memory of Ta Douleur reminded me that 2006's music was the music I've been missing.
The first half of 2006 was a difficult time for me. Without going into too much detail, because of my no blogging about work rule, I was not coping at work and my health was suffering dramatically. I had 40 sick days in nine months. The situation was awful - it consumed me. I lost confidence. I lost the ability to believe in myself. And sometimes the ability to smile. The only thing I could think of to temporarily escape the situation and get 'Carly' back was to move home with my parents for four months in June of that year.
This move worked wonders. I gained confidence. I only had one sick day. I recovered. And I got Carly back.
Albury is a small town. And with small towns comes a limited choice... homogeneity, I guess. I find it hard to do things alone like I do in Melbourne because everyone goes out in groups. People go to nightclubs but all I want to do is see a band at a pub. And there is a commercial radio station that is pretty bland (sorry Ash, I know you read this!).
The move to Albury meant I was no longer commuting on the train - I drove 60 minutes to work and back each day. When I left Albury in 2003, I listened to the commercial radio station When I returned in 2006, I soon found out that this station was not for me. I couldn't bear Snow Patrol, Justin Timberlake or Kelly Clarkson after a week. So to save my sanity, I switched to Triple J.
I loved the tom foolery in the mornings with Jay and the Doctor. I loved hearing Robbie Buck on Friday afternoons when I finished early. And I loved Hack on my 5:30 trip home. Sometimes I'd drive further just to listen to more of Hack.
The music I discovered on Triple J was awesome too. And when I think about it now, I reckon those four months back in the country weren't so bad. I loved this way of discovering music. Just listening to the radio and hearing songs I liked. All because I chose to listen to another radio station. I got to do that more.
I got my health back on track.
I met some new people.
I saw some old friends.
I learned some new skills in a different job.
I saw Darren Hayes at the Opera House.
I hung out a lot with a boy I liked.
I spent time with my parents and dogs.
And I returned to Melbourne in October to a brand new beginning - and have never looked back. SO MANY opportunities have come my way since I moved back home and returned to Melbourne.
And in 2006 I discovered this music on Triple J.
Regina Spekor - Fidelity.
Regina is wonderful. I adore her quirky lyrics and vocal ability. I've seen her live and she is breathtaking.
Bob Evans - Nowhere Without You.
This is where my love affair with Bob Evans began.
Angus and Julia Stone - Paper Aeroplane And this is where my love affair with Angus and Julia Stone began. I saw them later in 2006 and they were AMAZING. And I've followed them ever since. Been to every tour in Melbourne, plus one at Hepburn Springs, since 2006.
The Infadels - Love like Semtex I can't say I know any other music by The Infadels. But I really enjoyed this song. Someone told me what semtex is. It's a cement.
Pony Up - The Truth about Cats and Dogs (is that they lie) Like with Love like Semtex, I don' know any other Pony Up songs. This YouTube clip has reminded how cool the song is, so I may need to explore Pony Up. Gotye - Heart's a Mess This came on my iPod tonight on the train trip home, and I still found it as divine as I did in 2006. I feel like I'm moving in water when I listen to it.
Eskimo Joe - New York While I'd been a fan of Eskimo Joe for a few years leading up to 2006, New York would have to be my favourite Eskimo Joe song. And seeing Kav Temperley live on Saturday night reminded me of how great Eskimo Joe are. I love the huskiness of Kav's voice.
The Eagles of Death Metal - I Want You So Hard This song is a bit of fun! There's something sexy about the lead singer. It's the bogan in me lusting, I think. Again, no further Eagles of Death Metal consumption.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Phenomena
I don't think I am cool enough to listen to this band. But I still listen.
Gossip - Standing in the Way of Control Again, I don't think I'm cool enough for Gossip!
On Australia Day 2007 I went to a Triple J Hottest 100 party. It was a great day with great songs.
2006's music was definitely the music I've been missing. I am so glad the temporary move enabled me to discover these wonderful artists, many of which I still listen to today. And I credit it to helping get Carly back.
They are beautifully melodic. A bit country, a bit pop, a bit barbershop quartet.
An album is out on 16 July. You can buy their EPs on iTunes.
And if you think the line up of the Basement Birds is good with the four boys, Julia Stone also features on their song Bus Stop. They also did a Like a Version cover on Triple J - performing The Presets' My People.
Back to the concert.
Apart from seeing the concert, my ticket entitles me to watch their soundcheck, a meet and greet and tshirt. I am so looking forward to it, but I only wish my good friend L (who is a huge Bob Evans/Jebediah fan) could come along too.
I love it when bands take care of their fans by making a special package available (at not too big a cost).
I suspect the Basement Birds are only going to be around when time permits, given the members' day jobs. So I'll savour them while I can.
You can view the details of their Australian tour here.
As I was driving to the shopping mall today, Lily Allen came on the radio. And though she's a singer from recent times, I realised, it's her music I've been missing.
I like a few Lily Allen songs and own both her albums. I first heard her song LDN on Triple J in 2006, but have preferred her more recent songs from It's Not Me It's You. I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of hers, but I admit to enjoying and singing along with her songs on the radio.
I like how she's a bit cheeky and her lyrics are so direct.
I didn't like how radio turned her song Fuck You into circus music.
The song I heard today was The Fear. The Fear is my favourite Lily Allen song. I like how it's a piss take about wanting fame and prioritising beauty and image over worldly issues.
'And that's what makes my life so fucking fantastic' is the line I like the best.
I have admired her style of recent times as well. Especially the lady-like outfits, sans sneakers. I think she's one of my girl crushes. She is stunning, and this new style has certainly brought out the best in her. (Click on images for sources.)
Interestingly, the other Lily Allen song that I rate highly is Not Fair. But covered by one of my all time favourite singer/songwriters Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell). I do believe it surpasses the original version.
I saw him play this live a few times, and I was lucky enough to get the prompting notes (featuring the Not Fair lyrics) and his set list from the Corner Hotel gig in May 2009.
Like Lily, he injects a bit of cheek into this song. It's got a country twang to it, similar to the country style of Lily's video clip.
I love how Bob Evans sings the original lyrics, and doesn't change the reference from 'him' to 'her' to suit a heterosexual male singer. My year 12 English lessons have taught me he may sing it with some irony. It amuses me that he sings the lyrics so straight, without managing to laugh.
I haven't blogged for ages, I know. So much has been happening, but nothing really worthy of going into detail about. I've gone to work, done volunteer work, been to see Sex and the City 2 (more about that soon), been to dermatology clinic, eaten dumplings and drank wine with friends.
Today is the start of my five day weekend. I went to the doctor to get some forms filled out, had my tyres checked, bought some tracksuit pants, took my car through the carwash. Yep, mundane. But nice to catch up on things I don't get to do on workdays. I patted three guide dog puppies in training. Adorable! They were so cute, and gave me lots of licks. I loved patting them as much as they loved being fussed over. They made me nostalgic over Toby and Jazz, but I felt so much better for stopping to talk to the volunteer puppy walkers and having a pat.
I also got a haircut. My hair has grown surprisingly quickly since my haircut on the March long weekend. As I've mentioned I've struggled finding a great hairdresser. Since that blog entry, I have made contact with a few hairdressers that sound compassionate and understanding about my condition, but honestly, I need to save up to afford to go to them.
Today I went to one in my local shopping mall. I have been there a few times, and they've been fairly satisfactory. But today's experience blew me away. I was there for an hour, and I didn't hate it! It was a relaxing experience where I didn't grit my teeth or have to tell the hairdresser they wouldn't catch ichthyosis. I also enjoyed sitting reading fashion mags and watching Triple J's hottest 100 (2008/2009) on DVD in the salon.
I had the world's nicest hairdresser. She told me how she works in the salon two days a week and the other two days, she visits the elderly to cut their hair and nails and donates her wages to charity. She told me that she recently gave a haircut to a man who hadn't had his hair cut for 40 years. She was the only hairdresser who would cut his matted, tough hair. The man was so happy to have his hair cut, and it was literally a weight off his head.
She was so gentle with cutting my hair and I felt comfortable asking her to recommend some colour highlights (foils that didn't touch my scalp). She did the highlights and they look fantastic. She recommended three shades lighter than my natural colour. My natural colour is a very dark brown, almost black. The highlights are a warm copper. I told this hairdresser I want her to cut my hair from now on. And she's agreed, giving me her card. Yay! I walked out there grinning so much that if I wore lipstick, it would be on my ears.
This is me with my new cut and colour. You can't see the highlights or the fantastic rounded shape, but I hope to take a few more pictures on the weekend that catch my hair glowing.
I am channeling Faux Fuschia and copying Sydney Shop Girl (she has the exact same jacket) in my new Target faux-fur jacklet (it's a bolero style, so I call it a 'jacklet').
Yesterday I wore it the jacklet with a lady-like woolen caramel coloured pencil skirt and a silky black top tucked in, and today I wore it with the same silky top and jeans. So many people have complimented me these past two days I've worn it and they want to pat my jacklet like I want to pat a guide dog puppy.
The other day I spoke to my Dad on the phone, and he made me laugh. I'm very close to my parents and we speak pretty much every day.
He said 'I was listening to Triple J and heard your friends are touring'.
I asked who.
'Angus and Julia Stone', he said.
He referred to them as my friends as I've been to so many of their shows and met them and was taken back stage by them in 2008.
(Above is me with Angus and Julia at the East Brunswick Club in 2008)
'I know they're touring, I am going to their show in March', I said.
'I know', he said.
'Why are you listening to Triple J?', I asked him.
I can't recall his exact answer but he said that he didn't mind it. I was suprised, given the only 'modern day' music that I like and he likes too is Crowded House. And maybe INXS, or 'Inksess' as he once called them, on community radio!
Actually a few years ago I did buy him Sleepy Jackson's Lovers album, which he said he liked, and he also liked Steve Poltz.
I like a lot of the music from his day - The Kinks, The Hollies, Simon and Garfunkle, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Beachboys and The Byrds. A few years back we went to see Bob Dylan play at Rod Laver Arena. I thought it was going to be great, and I felt very cool to be there with Dad, but honestly, it was the most boring night ever. Bob only played one song I knew. Boring.
Anyhow, this conversation, and the gifts that my Mum brought down to me on Friday, got me thinking about how much I appreciate and treasure the gifts my Dad has bought me. I have to preface this by saying I love every gift I receive, but there's something very special about a gift from Dad.
He's not much of a shopper in department stores. I get my love for shopping from Mum, too.
Dad loves Tasmania, and has been there three times in 2009. Many of the gifts he's bought me have been hand crafted from Tasmania.
I don't want to be one of those bloggers to just post pictures of their possessions, but I really want to share some of my favourite things Dad's given me. They are all really unique, and I get use out of them.
This is my favourite piece of jewellery ever. It's hand made with purple glass and gold. Even though I don't wear gold, I adore this piece, and when I wear it I get a lot of compliments. It's made by a Tasmanian artist and I've since bought a pendant quite similar, though the colours in the pendant graduate to something that looks like a sunset.
This is a leather pouch from Beechworth. Dad gave me this when I was about eight. Mum has one too, but her's is brown. I keep my silver jewellery in it. I loe the greeny blue of the leather.
This is a little bracelet made of shells, by an Indigenous Australian artist from Tasmania. It's so delicate.
This is a small pouch, 'upcycled' by a Tasmanian artist. It's made from a blanket and a shell for the button. I am not sure of the details of artist that made the pouch aside from her first name. Inside the pouch is a tiny necklace that is unfortunately too small to photograph properly. The necklace is made from enamel by an artist called Wendy Wells.
These are all of the beautiful things together, on a plate.
And this is me and my Dad. We are at Penguin beach in Tasmania. He's pretty awesome!
Voting closes tonight for Triple J's hottest 100. I voted way back on Christmas Eve when I was in lazy holiday mode.
You still have just under two hours to vote at www.abc.net.au/triplej.
Here are my picks.
Mumford and Sons - little lion man - I love the banjo and catchy chorus. 'I really fucked it up this time, didn't I my dear?'
Angus and Julia Stone - and the boys - Julia's voice is divine. This song catches in my mind for ages after I've listened to it. 'And the boys goes on and on...'. I've been a fan of A&J for ages now, since Paper Aeroplane in 2006, I love their honest lyrics and wispy singing. I've seen them on each of their tours since 2006 and met them - they're lovely. I'll be seeing them in March.
Bertie Blackman - heart - this has a killer chorus and is the song that got me properly acquainted with Bertie. I saw her live last year and she was great live.
The Temper Trap - fader and science of fear - I have adored The Temper Trap since I heard Fader. When I bought their album I marvelled at the fact every song was a great song. Saw them live last week and I was blown away. Spectacular! I wanted to vote for Love Lost two but we're limited to 10 votes.
Bob Evans - not fair (Lily Allen cover), hand me downs, someone so much, pasha bulker and we're a mess - this took a lot of narrowing down! I love love love Bob Evans and his album Goodnight Bull Creek tied with The Temper Trap's Conditions as my fave album of 2009. I love the romance and smooth sound of his songs.
I had a few other contenders - Gossip's heavy cross, Phoenix's Lisztomania and Snobscrilla's song with no name. But I'd nerd to create another identity to vote for more!
