Ichthyosis Awareness - Shawna Lynne Grady sings.

My friends in the Ichthyosis community were sharing this video of a young woman singing. I was impressed with her sound, and the reach of her videos.

She also has Ichthyosis and she has skyrocketed to YouTube fame with her songs. And she's breathtakingly beautiful.

Meet Shawna Lynne Grady.

"When first asked why I sing, I must admit that I was a little taken back. Singing was never an option for me... it was like breathing. It was something that I just had to do. That being said, singing isn't something that I ever thought I could do on a professional level. The music industry is severely image based and let's face it... I don't fit the stereotypical image. My mindset began to change, however; when I posted a video to Facebook and decided to make it public. At the time, I had absolutely no idea how such a small act was going to change my life in such a profound way. Within a few days my cover of Sam Smith's, "Stay With Me" had over 100,000 shares and 300,000 "likes".

Even more surprising was the outpouring of love and support. I began receiving thousands of messages from people all over the world sharing their stories of struggle. It made me realize that insecurity is universal and the thing that I had viewed as a flaw my entire life, was the very thing that people were able to relate to.

While my journey is far from over, I can truly say that is has been one of the most incredibly eye opening experiences of my life. People have said that I have inspired them, but in actuality they are the one's who have inspired me."

Follow Shawna on Twitter and Facebook. View more of her videos on YouTube.

Read more posts from others affected by Ichthyosis here.

 

Travel tales: Kings of Leon in New Orleans

I bought a ticket to last night's New Orleans Kings of Leon concert at last minute. It was a resale and it meant I got a front row seat. I sat in the massive arena and it was the most at home I'd felt in New Orleans (I found it really tough in that city).

I think Kings Of Leon seemed like they enjoyed playing last night's concert more than they did when I saw them almost three years ago in Melbourne. There was some stage banter from Caleb, funny anecdotes (Caleb said that he first sang live at the Cat's Meow in New Orleans. It was karaoke with Nathan when he was 18. And when a woman flashed her boobs at them from the front row, he said to Nathan "we're onto a good thing!". Something has healed between them. They look happier.

While they didn't play my three absolute favourites (Fans, Knocked Up and Manhattan) they did play a huge amount of older material which was pleasing. I really loved Bucket, Milk, Radioactive, and their newish hit Supersoaker. Other notables were On Call, Crawl, Black Thumbnail, Charmer and My Party. I love dancing to Kings of Leon live.

The security team were fantastic - both the KOL staff and the arena staff. Friendly, polite, safety conscious and encouraging concertgoers to have a good time - unlike at many large Australian concerts I've been to. Two of the KOL staff remembered me from Melbourne and we had a chat. One called me to the VIP pit in front of the seated area, and also passed me a guitar plectrum.

The arena security staff had plenty of set lists to give to fans. The band also threw lots of plectrums and drumsticks out.

The 20 minute walk back to the city showed unity in fandom - it wasn't a rowdy or drunk crowd like I've been in during my time here. It reminded me of the walk back from Rod Laver to Flinders St Station.

The Kings Of Leon concert was a good end to an ordinary stay in New Orleans. Bring on the East Coast now - I've just arrived!

Catch up on my travels on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Songs of influence

It’s been my life-long dream to go on radio and play my favourite songs, especially Savage Garden - and last Thursday I did it! I was so excited to have been invited onto Are You Looking At Me? on 3CR - it's a conversation show about equality and difference, with conversations about disability and also the music the guests choose to play. The show is hosted by the lovely Liz Wright - she made me feel so comfortable and I could have spoken to her for hours. I think I've made a great new friend. It was a great afternoon having a chat about blogging life and music. I did sing in the studio (mics off) and I did have a cider. Doing the radio interview was ironic given I wrote about conversations that day. Listen to my interview here.

This little collection was really hard to curate. I love so many bands, and all music has had some sort of impact on my life. But alas! I was limited to three songs! I like Australian music and good lyrics - these songs fit that bill.

Savage Garden – To the Moon and Back

Darren Hayes has been the love of my life. I first saw Savage Garden’s I Want You video clip on Rage in August 1996 and loved the look and sound of the band. I made a decision that this is the band I was going to love and follow. To The Moon And Back is probably my favourite Savage Garden song, though I have a big list of favourites by Darren Hayes. I particularly love the acoustic version of the song. I’ve seen Savage Garden live three times – the first time was an under 18s show at the now-bulldozed Palace Theatre in St Kilda in 1997 (for $18!), then twice at Rod Laver Arena in 1998 and 2000. I’ve seen Darren solo lots of times, and met him too. Last time I met him I flew to Sydney to see him at the Enmore. About 30 fans waited for him outside after the show. He had lost his voice so couldn’t talk. When it was finally my chance to meet him, I whispered “I love you Darren” and he said “I love you too, Carly”. Neighbourhood noise restrictions prevented me from squealing loudly, but I was squealing inside! I didn’t only develop a love of Savage Garden’s music – the band brought me passion, excitement, a sense of identity and strong friendship. I love being a fan. I love the rush of energy seeing bands live, of meeting the singers and of collecting information about posters about my idols. I have a whole box of Darren Hayes and Savage Garden stuff, plus 90+ CDs that I asked my parents to save when the bushfires were close to their house.

Bob Evans - Nowhere Without You

I first heard Bob Evans (alter ego of Kevin Mitchell) in 2006 during a difficult part of my life. I had escaped an ongoing confidence-destroying situation in Melbourne for four months - I went back to live with my parents to get myself right again. I hated the regional commercial radio stations and so made the switch to Triple J on my 30 minute drive to work. I'd listen to the breakfast show, loving the variety of music, and one day heard Nowhere Without You by Bob Evans. It was catchy, jingly-jangly, singer-songwritery, and made me drum on the steering wheel. Then I heard Bob Evans was the lead singer of Jebediah - that band I was a bit scared of in my teens. I came to love Jebediah because of Bob Evans (I told Kevin that I was too busy listening to Savage Garden back in the day to become a fan of Jebediah). I've been a big fan of KevBob since 2006 - going to a show on every tour he's done since 2006 (except that small show he did when I was flying from London to Los Angeles last year). Two of my favourite moments at his shows have been when he asked me to hold his lyrics on stage at The Tote, and winning a competition to see him at a tiny show at Spotify HQ in Sydney. We chat on Twitter – it’s great that social media enables this. The line "I just can't make it on my own" resonates with me because it signifies me asking my parents for help again.

Silverchair – Miss You Love

Neon Ballroom was the album that got me into Silverchair. I was finally liking a band that was considered cool! I surprisingly enjoy the dark lyrics, and think the theatrical music is very uplifting. Miss You Love is my favourite song on the album, with Emotion Sickness coming a close second. I once wrote a very long blog post analysing Miss You Love. I listened to Neon Ballroom all through year 12. I spent a lot of time in the library “studying” – actually writing poems about boys I’d fallen in love with on the internet. My poetry was inspired by Silverchair and also Douglas Stewart, the Australian bush poet I had studied in year 11. A strange combination! Miss You Love is such an honest song, looking at the struggles Daniel had coping with fame as a young adult. That line “I love the way you love, but I hate the way I’m supposed to love you back” gets me every time.

I've got so many more songs that have influenced me and hope to play some more on radio one day in the future!

What are your most influential songs?

 

Bob Evans at Spotify HQ

 

Sometimes I pinch myself about how lucky I am. I love my life. This weekend just gone, I went to Sydney for Healthivate, the health focused blogging conference (so much inspiration, and I will blog about it all soon). The weekend was packed with exciting stuff, so much so, I need a holiday after my holiday. On Friday I saw Bob Evans at Spotify. I won a little competition he ran - five words or less about why we want to see him live. "I'm in Sydney for blogging", I wrote. And then "I'll bring my mum". I'm not great at maths, but I'm good at five words or less.

It seemed like a bad weekend to fly. Due to inclement weather in Sydney and Queensland, many flights were delayed or cancelled. Including mine. On the way up and back. And my Mum's flight from Albury was delayed too (though she had further dramas, with a boom gate closing on her car at the airport parking!). It seemed Friday was a day of delays. My train to the skybus was delayed due to some signal fault, I missed Kevin doing Like a Version on Triple J because the train was stuck in the wasteland of no phone reception, and then when I arrived at the airport with minutes to spare before check in closed, I was told my flight was delayed one hour and 20 minutes! We later found out Kevin's flight was delayed and lengthy too.

When we were finally in the air, we circled a holding pattern for an hour. So I arrived in Sydney three and a half hours after I was due to depart. Sheesh! And it was raining. So much rain. Which, along with our lateness, effectively scrapped our early afternoon plans of popping into the Mama Mia office for a quick hello. So after dropping our stuff at the dodgy motel, getting changed, and waiting for a taxi then a bus in the hideous rain for half an hour, we made it to the Spotify office with enough time to wolf down a delicious pork crackling roll and a well deserved alcoholic drink - at 3.45 pm.

Spotify is a digital music service that allows listeners access to a huge range of songs. I think the music is stored in a cloud? I really want to explore the app now. As I imagined, the office (just new) was very trendy, and its workers equally as trendy. Is it a sign that I am not trendy when I use the word trendy?

The Bob Evans show was the first live Spotify office gig in Australia (Spotify has only been in Australia since May last year). And it was pretty special. There were about 25 people in the room - Spotify staff, music industry people and a few fans. There was wine and canapes and a brilliant fruit platter. What would an event be if I didn't take a food photo?!

Mum and I talked to some great people - music fans, including one girl who saw Nirvana play back in 1992 - this impressed me a lot! It was Mum's first Bob Evans experience and she loved it.

Kevin played five songs: his newest release Go (incredibly beautiful played acoustically, and catchy too), Hand Me Downs (my favourite of favourites), I Just Don't Wanna Grow Up Anymore, Someone So Much (a request from the man who was late) and Don't You Think It's Time (the song that got me into Bob Evans). Some of the audience members I spoke to were impressed with the way Kevin hit the high notes - they described his sound as pitch perfect. I don't know anything about music, other than the enjoyment it provides, so I'll just say that I am continually impressed with how his electronic sounding songs translate so well into acoustic versions. And it was a privilege to see Kevin play such an intimate show.

After the set, we stuck around to talk and drink, and caught Kevin for a quick chat. Mum edged in first - launching in to tell him she was my Mum, and then telling him about the airport boomgate on her car.

I went to say hello, and we had a chat about the plane delays and the difference a gig with lights on makes, and the upcoming conference I was speaking at. And we had photos. Mum told Kevin that I talk about him a lot. A bit embarrassed by my fandom being discussed before the star, I quickly said "No Mum, that's Darren Hayes that I talk about a lot"! Kevin was amused.

It was such a great afternoon. I feel very lucky to be a part of it, and I love being a fan. Thank you for putting on the show, Spotify, and thanks Kevin for the tickets and for being genuine, participating in your own social media and for being awesome!

 

Neil Finn and Paul Kelly live: Better be home to make gravy.

I saw two of Australia's (and New Zealand's) greatest musicians share the stage on Saturday night. It was amazing. Paul Kelly and Neil Finn are beautiful song writers and their voices complement each other. And they show so much respect to one another. I loved it and feel so lucky to have seen them play.

Lisa Mitchell opened the show - her voice and lyrics are dreamy. I really enjoyed her, but the large venue didn't quite provide the atmosphere she deserved.

Neil Finn and Paul Kelly entered the stage to a huge applause and cheering, and the appreciation for the duo continued throughout the show. As expected, it was a greatest hits show. They mixed it up a bit by singing each others songs at times, and providing harmonies throughout. It was beautiful. 

It was a family affair with Dan Kelly on guitar, Elroy Finn on drums and Zoe Hauptmann on bass. Dan Kelly did so well to play those long guitar riffs Paul Kelly's songs are famous for. Neil and Paul alternated on the guitar and piano.

Audience singalongs were encouraged - Better Be Home Soon's long chorus was cause for some friendly ribbing by Paul Kelly - "Who needs a chorus anyway?, he said, quipping that the next song features the word gravy a lot. 

Neil Finn remarked, on a number of times, how many words he had to learn - and Paul told him that at least he only had to learn four chords. The lyrics, both by Neil and Paul, were a reminder of just what great wordsmiths they are. Complicated, alliterative, rambling, poignant. 

The banter on stage was as enjoyable as the music - the pair placing bets on who would "fuck up first" - Neil apologising for leaving out a line, but adding that he sang one that shouldn't have been there. 

Both men were very rock and roll, arms swinging, heads banging, thermos sipping - clearly enjoying playing music - which is one of the reasons I've enjoyed seeing Crowded House play so many times. And finally I saw a full length Paul Kelly show. I have a book of Neil Finn's lyrics - I read it when I want to immerse myself in beautiful words and imagery - and I also have Paul Kelly's book which this show has encouraged me to read.

I took two sneaky photos, but the no photo rule meant I could really sit back and enjoy the show - watching and singing along in awe. 

Thanks for playing, Neil and Paul - it was a privilege. You are two of my wordsmith heroes.

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.

Crash Boom Bang! How Roxette's shaped my love. Did I mention I'm meeting them?!

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Next week I have the honour of seeing Roxette in concert and meeting them too! I was lucky enough to win tickets on Mix FM - so glad I made the switch to listen to Chrissie and Jane - not only a great show but awesome prizes! I've loved Roxette since I was a kid, so it's really nice to get the opportunity to see them live. I had Look Sharp on cassette and sang along to every word.

I was thinking how Roxette has really shaped two of the biggest relationships in my life to date. And I am a bit worried about how the music will play with my emotions.

Halfway through my first year at uni, I was sitting in the computer lab, doing an assignment between classes - probably the god-awful statistics that I only just scraped through - when a girl next to me Would. Not. Shut. Up. She talked loud and fast. A bit like me really. She rabbited on about cricketer Steve Waugh and I turned to her to tell her I had Steve Waugh's diary because I was once in love with Shane Warne. "Oh my god" she squealed, and from that moment on, we couldn't stop talking. As loudly and as quickly as each other. We. Would. Not. Shut. Up. I am sure the others in the computer lab were as annoyed at our level of noise as I initially was about hers.

So after we discussed Steve Waugh's diary, she asked me if I'd like to go back to her house. I said yes, and she drove me back. I met her housemates. We ate lunch. And then we decided to play some music. She put on Roxette's Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus. And I squealed. We were both Roxette fans. I think we sang along and danced around a bit. And I remember Roxette as the band that was playing when I met one of my best friends Amber. We've been friends for 12 years now - giggling and drinking and talking loudly through the years. We've supported each other during some tough times. We chat to each other at work most days now, and we try to catch up as much as we can. I love being able to pick up where we left off.

Here we are last year, having lunch and drinks on the Queen's Birthday weekend.

The other relationship (or whatever it was) Roxette has shaped was the one with him. We only had a few bands in common, and thank goodness we did or I'd be listening to Megadeth for the duration of my stay. I knew some of their greatest hits, but he introduced me to some of their lesser known songs, which he preferred. Roxette playing when I physically fell for him, sitting in his room, drunk on moscato, the prospect of newness and the thrill of taking such a risk. He played this song, Crash Boom Bang, saying it's one of his favourites. I liked the ballad. I didn't take much notice of the lyrics until I lay in his arms, wondering if I could stop myself falling deeper. I realised this song was about this situation that was about to unfold and inevitably fall apart.

"My Papa told me to stay out of trouble
"When you've found your man, make sure he's for real!".

I've learned that nothing really lasts forever
I sleep with the scars I wear that won't heal
They won't heal.

Cos every time I seem to fall in love
Crash! Boom! Bang!
I find the heart but then I hit the wall
Crash! Boom! Bang!
That's the call, that's the game and the pain stays the same.

I'm walking down this empty road to nowhere
I pass by the houses and blocks I once knew.

My Mama told me not to mess with sorrow
But I always did, and Lord, I still do
I'm still breaking the rules
I kick it up
I kick it down.

Cos every time I seem to fall in love
Crash! Boom! Bang!
I find the heart but then I hit the wall
Crash! Boom! Bang!
That's my real middle-name
It has always been the same
That's the call, that's the game and the pain stays the same.

I still feel the heat
Slowly fallin' from the sky
And the taste of the kissing
Shattered by rain
Comin' tumblin' from behind
And the wild holy war.

I kick it up
I kick it down

And every time I seem to fall in love
Crash! Boom! Bang!
I find the roses dying on the floor
Crash! Boom! Bang!
That's the tall, that's the game and the pain stays the same
That's my real middle-name
It has always been the same.

Oh Yea Oh Yea Oh Yea Uh-huh
Been the same, been the same
It has always been the same."

The song played on our last night together. It was a nice night, but bittersweet because I knew I probably wouldn't spend any more time with him after he saw me off at the airport. And as I held him, I drummed my fingers on his skin to the beat of the song, thinking " Cos every time I seem to fall in love, Crash! Boom! Bang! I find the heart but then I hit the wall...". I was sad at the pattern, and the inevitable.

One of our last text conversations before he didn't need me anymore was about Roxette and what fans we both are. I didn't tell him the real reason the music means a lot to me. 

As I wrote a few weeks ago, I'm doing ok. I think that if they play this song at the concert, it may be difficult. It will be like my last memento. I'll remember and I'll tear up and I'll smile that it happened. And then I might just let go.

-

I am hoping to score a little interview for the blog, or at least a photo. Stay tuned!

Music I've been missing - Darren Hayes lyrics

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There's something about Darren Hayes songs that make me feel safe, and warm and at peace. The familiarity of his voice, which I have adored for half of my life, and the imagery his lyrics paint. His songs speak to me - I often feel they're written about me, and I know many fans who feel this way too. There are not many other artists who I relate to so much - I could count them on one hand. 

For years I've immersed myself in The Lover After Me, Dublin Sky, Darkness and Who Would Have Thought?. The words and sounds enveloped me like a rich sky, there's a warmth to them. I like the darkness, the sadness. It's humanising. I especially like walking through cold city streets listening to these songs through headphones, pacing to the beat, feeling like Darren is my only company in the concrete jungle. 

And now with the release of Secret Codes and Battleships, I immerse myself again. It's been on constant repeat since Friday. He's the music I've been missing. 

As I mentioned previously, I identify so much with this album. So many lyrics feel like they pertain to what's gone on for me since June. The lyrics are comforting yet hard to hear. Don't Give Up ("I want to run to run away from this, but I wouldn't leave a sinking a ship, without you in it there's no point to our story..."), Hurt (it's everything I was warned about), Talk Talk Talk and Bloodstained Heart (it's so comforting, I feel looked after and loved when I listen) resonate with me most. Cruel Cruel World reminds me of the connection I once had.

In the dark hours, Black Out The Sun makes my throat thick and eyes well with tears. The emotion of Darren's voice paired with the fated story in the song feels like my reality.

"...switch off the stars and paint the sky black

love isn’t ever coming back

there’s no use in imagining a world without you

your love was like a drug i was addicted to

because there’s nobody else who can hurt like you hurt me

I don’t want to be lonely

and there’s no other way there’s no joy there’s no meaning

just this hollowed out feeling..."

It's The Siren's Call that has become the light in my darkness - it has easily become a favourite. It's gentle, like a sailboat slowly drifting at sea, and lonely too. It feels a bit like the mornings I've woken up realising things won't be the same. I think of whales moaning, and a black bird carrying me through the air to a happier place. And like Darren sings, I can almost taste happiness.

"...But I can almost taste happiness
It's such a long way off
But I can almost feel your embrace
Above the siren's call

And I've seen a hint of it
This happiness
This bliss
Just knowing it exists I know that I must try
And I've caught a glimpse of it
One moment just one kiss
From the corner of my eye
Of better days gone by."

For so many days now I just wish that I could forget, and feel truly happy again, and soon. It seems like a long journey, but I feel these songs on Secret Codes and Battleships will help these feelings pass. 

"and i want so much to believe that i won’t disappear in the water that i won’t always be swimming against the tide..."

Thank you Darren. I know next week when I see you play live (twice) there will be tears.

Music I'm looking forward to: Steve Poltz

I'm seeing Steve Poltz this Saturday! I'm also seeing him later this month.

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He is amazing. He's doing a number of shows in Australia. You should check him out! I think he's good at rhyming. Not many people are.

Download a free album here.

Did you know he wrote this song?


He writes funny songs.



And romantic ones. This is my favourite.

I only had one minute
Left on my calling card.
I was halfway around the world
and it was raining, really hard.
I only had a couple of aspirin
and a half a can of beer.
So I swallowed it down for courage
but it was still pretty hard to hear.
Cause I only had three words
that I wanted to tell you.
That it would be easier if you were here
and I could smell ya.

Words are falling out of nowhere
They're drifting past, they melt like snow
and I know I may be a flake
I've scraped my knees and made mistakes
and I may lose, but mostly win
But sometimes I'll get soaked in sin
But I'll fall right back into your arms again.

So I order four pints of Guinness
and I set em on a trunk
Had a long conversation with a hopeless drunk.
Cause I only had five tickets
and six new friends
One of them had a hissy fit
.....a Mercedes Benz

Words are falling out of nowhere
They're drifting past, they melt like snow
and I know I may be a flake
I've scraped my knees and made mistakes
and I may lose, but mostly win
But sometimes I'll get drenched in sin
But I'll fall right back into your arms again.

So we played seven card stud
and I had a royal flush
and I took out your picture
and started to blush.
Cause I only had eight lives
most cats got nine.
So I skipped out on bungy jumping just this time
Cause I only had ten chances
to say I love you.

Words are falling out of nowhere
They're drifting past, they melt like snow
and I know I may be a flake
I've scraped my knees and made mistakes
and I may lose, but mostly win
But sometimes I'll get drenched in sin
But I'll fall right back into your arms again.

I collapse into your loving arms again.
I fall right back into your arms again.

He is a very clever musician and writer, and I think you should get to know his music better. I can't wait to see him live again!

Look out for my review after the gig.

Can Savage Garden reform for Sound Relief 2?

The clean up after Queensland's floods will take years. And don't forget Victoria's floods. There has been such amazing support from Australians - on Saturday, an army of volunteers came together to begin the enormous clean up in Queensland. Strangers are helping each other salvage what's left of their houses and possessions.

The purpose of social networking sites is becoming apparent - they are mobilising people - enabling people to both offer and call for assistance. We are seeing pictures and stories first hand from people affected. Brisbane radio presenter Meshel Laurie is doing a great job on Twitter, spreading messages about flood warnings, and highlighting where volunteers and assistance is needed. Help Your Mates is an online message board set up for flood victims to post what they need, and for good samaritans to post what they can give. A Facebook page has been created to reunite people and their pets. My own workplace is supporting affected staff and clients, and raising money for the community. It's quite remarkable to see. It makes me really proud to be an Australian.

One fundraising event in the pipeline is Sound Relief 2. In a similar vein to Sound Relief in 2009 which raised money for the Black Saturday bushfires and QLD floods, bands will come together to play a concert to support Australians affected by the natural disasters. Promoters Michael Gudinski and Michael Chugg are in the planning stages of the Sound Relief 2 concert. There's been talk of a date being penciled in for March, when Eddie Vedder, Usher and Kings of Leon will be in Australia. Brisbane bands, Powderfinger and Savage Garden have also been pressured to reform for the concert.

Powderfinger: Recently retired Aussie rockers. Savage Garden: mid 90s - early 00s pop duo with hits including Truly Madly Deeply and To the Moon and Back.

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I've seen a few news articles and snippets about Savage Garden being on the Sound Relief 2 wishlist. And my excitement levels have increased 100 million times at the thought of their reformation! I don't want to trivialise the natural disaster situations in Australia. But this is something I've longed for since they broke up in 2001.

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I really think Savage Garden should reform (and not just because they are my favourite band ever!) to support Australians suffering after the floods. Both Brisbane boys, the reuniting of Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones could raise some serious money and awareness for the cause.

Music mobilises people to come together to support a charity or a cause. And charity or causes often mobilises bands. Australian icons Midnight Oil, Hunters and Collectors and Split Enz reformed for the 2009 Sound Relief concert. I was there to see them - these were bands I thought I'd never see in my lifetime. The concert was both a privilege and a great cause. It raised over $7 million for bushfire and flood survivors.

Darren has already encouraged his fans to donate to the QLD Premier's flood appeal if they can afford to. He does a lot to support causes, particularly in the gay community, most recently the It Gets Better initiative. I am even sure he'd do a solo performance to help out the flood relief appeal.

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I understand the cost of them traveling to Australia for a one off concert would be huge. Maybe they could do a video link up or something, to save on costs?

I don't want to pressure Darren and Daniel into anything. (Ok, I do, just a little.) In the past, both Darren and Daniel have said there is no chance of a reformation. This was in a 2007 newspaper article about Darren Hayes:

Just don't reminisce about his old muso mate, Daniel Jones.

When asked whether the pair might ever consider a Spice Girls-style reunion the response was abrupt.

"No, never," he says curtly. "I once said I'd only do it if it cured cancer. And that's still how I feel."

Darren Hayes, tweeted on Saturday: "I just know that something good is gonna happen."

Could this be a sign? I hope so.

Could the Queensland floods be the thing that reunites Savage Garden? It would be appropriate and timely for them to reform. Even if it's for one concert only. Queensland is their home state. Savage Garden were an internationally successful act - they have many fans across the world. If they did reform, international fans may come to Australia to see them live. This will not only raise money for the flood relief appeal, but boost Australia's economy through tourism.

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Darren Hayes has a visible and interactive online presence. Daniel Jones not so much. So, Darren, if you read this, please consider reforming Savage Garden for Sound Relief 2. A concert won't solve everything. But it will raise some much needed funds to help the people of Queensland (and other flood affected states) rebuild their lives. And I'm sure you and Daniel Jones want to reunite be a part of that. Thank you.

To my blog readers - can you please spread the word about this blog entry? Thank you :)