Julia Stone - Live at the Forum, 7 September 2012

You know I've been a fan of Angus and Julia Stone for many years now - I guess about six. I've loved their solo albums too, so when I saw Julia was touring solo, I just had to see her live. Last Friday night was the concert - and though windy and cold, it was well worth going out to see her.

The opening band - The Trouble with Templeton - were lovely. They were folky, upbeat and reminded me a little of Angus and Julia in their early days. I bought their CD at the end of the show and am looking forward to listening to it. My friend Clare described them as 'Sping-y'. I think that is a good description. Read more about them here.



Julia's stage design was simple yet pretty, with lovely star lights hanging from the ceiling. She had a five piece band who were excellent. The audience was mostly young females, but there was (as usual) the occasional male yelling out "I love you Julia".









She started off a little nervous and excited to be at the Forum, admitting her voice was a bit low, and forgetting the words, but she soon warmed up.



Perhaps due to her being solo, she didn't dance around as much on stage, staying close to the mic stand for most of the show. She said she misses Angus on this tour, but she seemed very comfortable playing alone too. It was also the first time I've seen her wearing shoes on stage!

She was very funny between songs, telling long winded stories of love lost and her broken heart. Her honesty and vulnerability is just beautiful, and I felt very empathetic toward her. I do hope she finds her true love soon!

And surprisingly, after someone requested Big Jet Plane, she said "I wish I could play it but I don't know the chords"!



Most of the songs were from her two solo albums - The Memory Machine and By the Horns, but there were also some Angus and Julia favourites in there, including the amazing For You and And the Boys, plus two covers. Though her style is very distinct, the covers of Olivia Newton John's You're the One that I Want and Fleetwood Mac's Dreams showed she is versatile - she really made these songs her own. I was mesmorised through Dreams and I hope she releases it as a song to buy.



Her voice is so powerful, and the way she moves her hands and her dress on stage shows just how much her songs become her. She is an incredible lyricist. I watched from the front row amazed and emotional. Her lyrics really hit home for me, after the week I had.



Thank you so much for playing, Julia. You were a delight.

Public holiday Monday

Public holiday Monday, I love you. Especially after the frantic week last week and before the doubly frantic work week (three days) ahead.

I had a sleep in, did some washing, talked to the lovely Luscious Llama on the phone in preparation for my Sydney trip on Friday, packed some lunches...

...and generally rested. I completed two draft articles and another two are in preparation.
 
This weekend, Future Music Festival + Top Gear Live have been on in my suburb. I could hear them both - lots of doof doof and revving engines. I don't care for either but I do love living in the entertainment capital of suburbia.

I went to Fraus for brunch. And ordered the usual classic hot chocolate...

 

And I had a new crepe (well, one I haven't eaten before):

Ham, eggs, cheese and bechamel. Oh how I love eating bechamel.

Over brunch, I fielded childrens' stares with polite yet tired smiles, and browsed Yen magazine, featuring a musical favourite, Julia Stone.

I was pleased to see the gorgeous artwork of Bec Winnel in Yen. I went to school with her.

I also cooked a pie for last night's dinner, and the week ahead. It's going to be busy, I tell you!

It's an easy pie, with a chicken breast and half a pack of frozen vegies.

Aussie stirfry is pretty boring. Carrots, corn, beans, maybe squash, cauliflower and capsicum. No bean or bamboo shoots.

I chopped a leek instead of an onion, plus a fat clove of garlic.

Softened them in olive oil.

Chopped a sad looking squash from Mum's garden.

And used kitchen scissors to cut the chicken. Kitchen scissors are the best invention ever.

All of the ingredients went on the stove to cook for about 30 minutes on low heat. I seasoned them with vegeta stock powder.

Nope, didn't make my own pastry. Nor is it low fat. It's a pie of convenience.

I let the filling cool slightly before putting it on the pastry.

And brushed the top with melted butter, baked for 30 minutes.

 Delicious!

While having dinner, I flicked between the evil antics of Paul Robinson on Neighbours... (he's kind of sexy in an arrogant old man way)

(source)

Remember the sexy/evil relationship between Paul and Izzy? Those were the days.

(source)

And this street showdown between Susan and Izzy.

 

(source)

...and the where are they now? special on A Country Practice on Channel 9.

(source)

They don't make TV shows like they used to.

Have a great week!

Music I've been missing - Angus and Julia Stone, What You Wanted

Julia Stone's lyrics sum up many of my feelings perfectly. I am often too afraid to write poetry as I know my poems won't be as beautiful as Julia's lyrics.

This song, What You Wanted, played on my iTunes a few minutes ago. I have known the song for years, but the lyrics seemed more poignant today. It's the music I've been missing.


I'd forgotten how great this video is too.

So many good things are happening for me right now. And yet I still found myself sad. I have plenty more things to be happy than sad about. I have come to a realisation after discussions with a good friend. I make my own happiness, others make theirs. It's a bit of a weight lifted.

I'm doing ok now. Better than the past weeks. Getting there. I'll be myself soon :) I didn't think it'd be this hard.

Angus and Julia Stone - I believe in love

I found that beautiful new Angus and Julia Stone song I wrote about in the concerts review last week. The one Julia wrote and sang about losing her love to an affair.


And From Go to Woah has an audio of it too.

What a powerful song. Enjoy.

i learnt my lesson,
nobody is to blame, except for you
well i learned my lesson,
where are we trying to hide
doing the best we can, in order to survive

some of us keep it simple
and some of us will deceive
we tell heartfelt stories
so we can take the things we need

some of our efforts are colourful
and some people they lose
and some people live in the shadows
so they never have to choose

you spread your darkness
like a disease
then you offered your body
as the only remedy



I believe in love
I believe in love
no darling you cant take that away from me

I believe in love
I believe in love
no darling you cant take that away from me



well you had her by the throat
you had me by the horns
you had her in the same bed
while it was still warm

well my hair still on the pillow
my music was still in the air
you didnt care, to tell her
why i had been there

well my nails still on your pillow
my clothes still on the floor
you didnt care no darling
oh how we always want more

you knew that she was scared
but you took her anyway
you told her she was everything
then you had your way

and she told you that she loved you
you told her you were tired
the things we say...
once we've got what we desire


I believe in love
I believe in love
no darling you cant take that away from me

I believe in love
I believe in love
no darling you cant take that away from me


i learnt my lesson
nobody is to blame
..except for you

The Basement Birds

Something exciting arrived in the mail today! And by registered post. Registered post items are always important. Often not exciting though.



It's my ticket to see The Basement Birds at the Forum in August.

Who are the Basement Birds, you ask?

They are an Australian supergroup of sorts. Josh Pyke. Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe. Steve Parkin. And my favourite, Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell from Jebediah).



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.

Things that make me happy on a Thursday. Beautiful women.

I flicked through Rolling Stone magazine after dinner. I don't know why I buy it anymore as most of it does not appeal. But tonight I saw some gorgeous photos and an article about Angus and Julia Stone. I am seeing them live on 25 March. I adore them. Are they not the most attractive band you've ever seen?

(Source: Direct Current Music)

This is my favourite song of theirs. The Beast.


No, maybe this one. What You Wanted.



Actually, I love them all.

Then I visited Missea and my smile widened so much when I saw her feature on Keri Russell. Is she not the most beautiful woman you've seen, aside from Julia Stone and Cate Blanchett?


(Source: Missea via InStyle)

I adore this photoshoot she did with InStyle Magazine. The way she does casual is amazing. THAT JACKET! Oh my.

I love Keri Russell. I need to devote a whole blog post to her. When I was at university full time, I wanted to be just like Felicity. And Iwanted to be dating Ben Covington.

I look at this photoshoot and I want to dress just like Keri Russell.

Beautiful women are what made me happy tonight.