On being a fan - part 2

Two of my favourite musos, Steve Poltz and Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell from Jebediah), coming together and saying hello to me in a tweet.

I love being a fan ♥

To read On being a fan part 1, go here.

And the boys go on and on. Part 4. The intelligentsia edition.

Good looking guys aren't just good looking. They're smart too. As demonstrated below. I have also realised these three sort of look the same. Read on.

I'm hot for journo. Hot for Steve Cannane.

 (source)

I sigh each time he comes on TV. I hang onto every Goddamn intelligent word he says. And he is a Walkley Award winner. Something I aspire to. He presented on Triple J's Hack radio show, and on Triple J's Hack half hour TV show. Now he's on The Drum. Wow. I am so hot for journo that I've quite possibly ruined any future media credibility I held. Then again, me and Steve may become Australia's next Australian media power couple. Well, we're practically colleagues.

Todd Sampson. He's an advertising expert slash TV presenter slash good looking guy. That's all I know, really.

(source)

Steve Poltz. He is funny, smart, and goofy-cute. Can play guitar and sing. And his lyrics are amazing. Google Reno or Butter Jacket. Pronto.

(source)

Remember this interview I did with him? And this time he sang to me? Nice eh?

Sigh. These are the types of men I should marry.

Who are your intelligent hot boys?

Oh, and because I had a request from a male reader to feature a hot chick (or in this case, beautiful, intelligent lady), here she is. My girl crush. Cate Blanchett. I have no words.

(source)

Steve Poltz at Riverview Function Centre, Footscray

Steve Poltz
Riverview Function Centre, Footscray
30 January 2010

I braved the heat on Sunday to see Steve Poltz play again.

He is too awesome to forfeit because of the weather. Fortunately the show was close to where I live, but unfortunately there was very limited parking near the venue and I had to walk a little way in the boiling temperature. By the time I got inside I was exhausted! Fortunately Riverview had airconditioning (worked better when the temperature outside reduced) and free lime juice cordial for me to cool down.

The Riverview Function Centre overlooks nice scenery. You can see the Maribyrnong River, the city skyline and Footscray Park. Very pretty.

To the left of Riverview, the Big Day Out was on. At times I could hear the dull thump of the music over the gig I was at. I described it as a kind of a mass cross pollination of music genres. I'm guessing Rammstein, Sia, Tool and Iggy Pop could be faintly heard over Poltz and his support acts.


First up at Riverview was Bec Hannan and Scott Sanders. 

This was the first time they played together. They were nice - her voice quite folky, and his deep like Ben Folds or Tim Freedman. Her lyrics were inspired by nature, and his were funny, rather literal. He sang a funny song called Frocks and Cocaine, about what might have been at the Melbourne Cup (the Flemington Racecourse just over the way). I like them a lot. Bec said she'd read my previous review of Steve Poltz. Actually a few of the audience members last night had read it!


Next was Jessica Paige with Joshua Romig and Shane Reilly. 

 

Jessica sang most of the songs and Joshua sang one. I loved his voice. Jessica was a bit jazzy - a really beautiful and unique sound. She spoke to me after the show and thanked me for watching. A really nice girl. Shane played a string instrument with such precision - it was lovely. (I don't know the name of the instrument pictured, so would appreciate someone telling me!)

The stage banter between Jessica and Josh was gfunny too. There was one moment when Josh told the audience that Jessica has such a small amount of limelight!

Between Jessica Paige and Steve Poltz was a BBQ. I love barbies and this one was great value - I had a steak, gourmet sausage and prawn and a huge plate of four salads.

Steve's gig was late but great! He said it would be 'the funnest show of the tour' and I think it was! He was silly, romantic, childlike, clever and made me think. He told some hilarious stories - Sack Off 99 was my favourite.

I wasn't planning on reviewing it so I was able to sit back and relax more.

He opened the show with Ten Chances, and said 'Carly card' again!

His fantastic guitar skills shone last night.

As did his lyrics. He is a perfectionist, and when he made mistakes in a few songs, he profusely apologised.

There was serenading on chairs...

Throwing chairs...

His glittery guitar case which I love...

A sunset...

Lots of head bobbing and goofy grins...

He did a lot of requests: Street Fighter's Face, Pixie Stick Girl, Cold German, Medical Career...

My favourite part was the ballet followed by yoga poses to his own guitar solo, mid show

And there was an all in singalong...

Gorgeous string work...

There weren't many people at the show. It's a shame because I want the world to see this brilliance. There is also the difficult balance of getting more fans and then the disrespect of some fans. During the all in singalong, a drunk woman heckled 'play Sewing Machine' several times. Steve handled the heckling graciously, but unfortunately did not play Sewing Machine.

After the show, I got my copy of the concert, chatted to Chris Modl and Kate Walker, and had a hug from Steve. He liked my review, which was nice. Another fan took about seven photos of us to ensure at least one turned out ok. Here they are. I like all of them!

Thanks for playing, Steve! It was a privilege to see you - you are an amazing musician - come back to Australia soon!

Oh and I forgot! Steve pashed two audience members!

Setlist:

01 10 Chances                    
02 The Great Mystery                       
03 Dreamhouse                       
04 Chinese Checkers                     
05 Giving Thanks                      
06 I Pray that it Never Comes to This                    
07 Wash the Sins Off My Plate                       
08 Trash                      
09 ABCs of Love                      
10 Chair Song                      
11 Everything About You                       
12 Cold German                    
13 I Needed It                     
14 Street Fighters Face                      
15 From the Top of Her Head                      
16 Pixy Stick Girl                    
17 Sack Off 99                       
18 Medical Career                      
19 Thirteen                       
20 So Lonesome I Could Cry                      
21 I Don't Understand                  

Heat, Tangled, an outfit and risotto

As Rob Thomas sang in '99, it's a hot one, like seven inches from the midday sun. It was almost 40 degrees yesterday and was forecast for 40 today - thankfully it didn't reach 40.

To escape the heat yesterday I saw Tangled at the cinema.

(source)

It was nice, but to be honest, I didn't love it as much as others who recommended it to me. All through the movie I kept thinking that there should be a cinema just for adults who want to watch kids' movies, because quite frankly, the screaming kids were annoying. I also wondered how Rapunzel's hair didn't snag on things, and wondered what shampoo she uses to keep her hair so strong (I imagine her diet is full of salmon and eggs). I was mesmorised by Rapunzel's hair. Especially when it was braided like this:

(source)

When I was six, my doctor wanted to know what my dream was. It was to have long hair. When I was about 23, my hospital files were transferred from the Royal Children's Hospital to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and we flicked through the files. My doctor read out my dream at six years old. And now, at 29, I want to have a braid like Rapunzel's. A quick google shows me you can buy a wig like her's. Hmmmm... ;)

 

(source)

I also saw a lot of Big Day Out goers. It would have been extremely hot for them. As I drove home late at night, I saw a lot of limosines to pick up the rockstars. I can usually hear the BDO from my bedroom, but wasn't so lucky yesterday.

I drove home late at night as I had been to see Steve Poltz again. I will write about it tomorrow. For now, here's a picture.

This is what I wore to work today. I was prepared for the searing heat and the chill of the office.

I have had this dress for about two years, never worn until today. It is a good dress for a hot day. I received many compliments on it (thanks everyone). It's from Target, and my shoes are Steve Madden, my headband is Mimco and my necklace is Oh Deer.

And I am cooking a delicious vegetarian risotto right now, with these ingredients.

It is on the stove now - I don't believe in standing over the saucepan stirring risotto. Off to shower now and then to watch myself on No Limits.

Stay cool.

Steve Poltz at Northcote Social Club + interview

Steve Poltz

Northcote Social Club

22 January 2010

The Steve Poltz concert at Northcote Social Club was the best value in Melbourne on a Saturday night. (Even though I was at the concert thus couldn't be anywhere else, I still maintain this view.) For $25, the audience received a fantastic music and comedy show that involved a lot of audience participation. Lots of fun.

The show opened with Kate Walker, a Melbourne singer. Her songs were romantic humourous and even a little politically incorrect. Kinda a folky jazz sound. She was a lot of fun. I spoke with her after the show and she is really lovely too.

Unlike the last Steve Poltz show I went to (January last year), there was no grand entrance by Steve. (Last year his show opened with a video of him asking punters at the Peats Ridge festival whether they knew of his music.) At Saturday's concert he came on stage telling stories about his unironed shirt, reading Paul Kelly's book, the bar brawl because of the Hawthorn beanie he wore in Geelong on the Bob Evans tour, the cricket ('so slow, like a Sofia Coppola film') and how he liked the movie Animal Kingdom, before he launched into song.

I sat on the floor the whole night. I love venues that allow this.

Steve Poltz is an extraordinary singer songwriter. He has a skill of telling stories from his past or imagination and making you feel like you are experiencing them with him. While his songs are lyrically intricate ('I killed Walther Mattaeu is a great example of this), it's also the banter in between that is entertaining. He's amazing.

One of the things I love is his use of the iPhone and recorded playback through the show. He did songs performed by the 'lady' who voices the iPhone text, played a very funny poem by his Dad, and records things into the microphone which are then played back to create the effect of more voices. These features are all additional instruments to complement his guitars.

He also has a big grin all through the show - one of the happiest singers I've ever seen. He really enjoys playing. And I love seeing enthusiastic singers!

He sings songs that are romantic, wistful, naughty, crude and downright silly. And he encourages the audience to get involved. During 'Handjob on a church bus' we did some actions - one of which Steve described as us giving an elephant's cock a handjob'. In the last song, 'Long haul', he wanted everyone to sing along and put our arms around each other. My friend had gone home by this time and so a stranger showed no reservations in putting his arms around me and the girl next to him. Awww, so friendly.

This also happened in the last song. Real audience participation!

A few songs earlier there was a nipple rub between him and Joel, an audience member. In the last song there was a bum rub. Everyone was in hysterics.

Steve also got someone up to sing with him in 'Dick's Automotive' - the guy was hilarious, switching between a high pitched and deep voice. And he was quite cute too. I spoke to him after the show and took this photo. His name is Tim. And he said I could put his picture on my blog.

Steve mentioned me once after 'Sewing Machine' (always amazing, theatrical and scary every time I see it). He said he had not forgotten about my interview questions I sent him. And that's on the recording of the show! I also asked for him to play a song, and here it is. My favourite :)

He looked at me for most of the song. And he said my name twice in the song. Squeee! Sorry the angle is a bit skew - I was mesmorised!

After the show I bought the recording of the night's performance, and a tshirt, and met him. He hugged me and we had a photo.

It was such a fun show and I laughed so hard throughout. I am seeing him again next Sunday too.

I was also lucky enough to score an email interview with him, as mentioned. Here it is!

Carly: This is my first proper rockstar interview. I am a bit nervous!

Steve Poltz: Don't worry I'll be gentle.

Carly: And I'm also a bit of a fan girl. I remember at a gig in 2009 you sang Ten Chances, and right after you sang 'cause I only had 10 chances to say I love you', you did a little guitar solo and the light shone on me, and you looked at me for a second, the crowd laughed and I melted. Now when I listen to the recording of the gig, I melt again each time. Maybe that's not how it happened but it is in my mind! Do you have a following of fangirls like me? Who do you become a fangirl (boy) over?

Steve Poltz: No you're my only fangirl, I need one of you in every city, can I clone you? Paul Kelly

Carly: What gives you more satisfaction? Writing a serious song like Everything About You? Or silly and fun songs like Sugar Booger?

Steve Poltz: They move have their merits, this is meritocracy. We must let our freak flags fly

Carly: I think you are the Roald Dahl of songwriting. You're a real story teller, with songs filled with whimsy, personal experience and imaginative scenes. Some of your songs are like lists with beats. Others are yarns that draw the listener in, like story time at kindergarten. How do you keep your ideas fresh?

Steve Poltz: I wear fresh socks & underwear & I only sleep in 800 thread count sheets & I have several pug dogs that sleep at my feet like Chinese royalty used to have, that way I can wake up fresh & conquer the world.

Carly: I read your blog. You're a great writer. Do you only write songs or are you published elsewhere

Steve Poltz: I just write songs, but I keep threatening to write a book.

Carly: You live in San Diego, California. You come to Australia a lot. What keeps on bringing you back?

Steve Poltz: The 12 illegitimate children that I have over here. I'm wanted in the United States for murder, I can't actually go back.

Carly: What Australian musicians do you like?

Steve Poltz: Paul Kelly, Malcolm Clarke, The Chemist, Kate Walker, Dog Trumpet, Dead Letter Chorus.

Carly: You have been around playing music for a while. You currently have a huge social media presence - blogging, Twitter and Facebook. How has this made a difference to the promotion of your music compared to before social media was huge?

Steve Poltz: Big difference! I love it. Now I am able to connect with people directly.

Carly: I got my Dad listening to your music. I bought him your Traveling CD for Father's Day one year. Now we have a few more modern day artists in common. Who do you + your dad listen to?

Steve Poltz: Bob Dylan.

Carly: I would be honoured if you could write a verse using three of my favourite words, please: Carly. Panda. Cheese. Sportsgirl.

Steve Poltz: That's four words. Ummmm.

Ain't no cheese for a Sportsgirl unless her spotlight Carlifies dimensions of ubiquity.

Thanks so much for your time Steve, much appreciated, and I had many laughs.

Setlist:

01 You Remind Me
02 Dreamhouse

03 I Pray That It Never Comes to This

04 The Great Mystery
05 Safe Sex Tonight

06 Killing Myself (to be with you)

07 Spirit Hands

08 Joe Poltz

09 I Killed Walter Mathieu
10 Chinese Checkers

11 She Moved Through the Fair

12 An Ode to Paul Cashmere

13 Sewing Machine
14 Wash the Sins Off My Plate
15 Stax

16 Thirteen
17 Once Again

18 Every Hour Every Day

19 Medical Career

20 Handjob on a Churchbus

21 10 Chances

22 A Serbian Girl

23 Dicks Automotive

24 Rubbed Nipples

25 Long Haul

PS: Steve linked to this review and interview on his blog!

Music I'm looking forward to: Steve Poltz

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

 (source)

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.

Steve Poltz - Sewing Machine

I am finally listening to the USB of the Steve Poltz gig I went to at the Northcote Social Club on 2 January.

It is brilliant.

You've got to watch this - this is lyrical and performance genius.

I love Steve Poltz.

Steve Poltz and Bushwalla - Northcote Social Club

Last night I saw Steve Poltz play at the Northcote Social Club, supported by Bushwalla.

Before the show I met Paul Cashmere, a music journalist from Undercover. I have read Undercover for many years now, so I was a bit excited to meet Paul. He interviewed Steve Poltz a few days ago, and now I've got fast internet, I will check the interview out.

Like Gregory Page, who supported Steve Poltz last year, Bushwalla was a friend of Steve's and he was also an interesting and clever act. I had never heard of Bushwalla until last night - I was impressed! He is a bit of a poet slammer, a bit of a hip hop artist, a beatboxer, and a bit of a clown (juggling skittles and twisting the hula hoop while rapping). He was a lot of fun. I will definitely be looking out for him again when he comes to Australia. You can find more about Bushwalla at his website. Bushwalla had some seriously devoted fans who sang loudly to all his songs and cheered him on. It was great to see these four girls there.

Steve Poltz wowed me again. I don't think his set was as long as last year though. He played for about two and a half hours, but not as many songs were included. Still, it was brilliant to hear his new songs, including some that he had written in the last few days. He plugged his iPhone into the microphone to read the lyrics ofrGShe marveled at the tecyhnology of the iPhone 3GS one song, as he had just written it upstairs before the show. Afterwards he marvelled at the technology of the iPhone 3GS and showed us the feature of the voice playback. The automatic robot woman inside the iPhone read his song out! It was very funny.

Steve, despite turning 50 in February, has youthful good looks and boyish exhuberance on stage - jumping around, bobbing his head earnestly to his guitar, and grinning. He loves playing live, and regularly thanked the audience and his crew for the experience. I love an artist that is so openly grateful for playing live music, no matter how many gigs they've done previously.

There was a lot of energy in the songs, and the songs were always so creative, with funny and often meandering stories interwoven with the simple guitar playing. Steve played a number of love songs, and these were sung with such heart. Just beautiful. His songs are honest, apart from the ones he concocts from imaginary stories, but even these have a strong creative honesty about them. He is a brilliant storyteller, and as I mentioned before, he is like a musical Roald Dahl.

Steve did a duet with Bushwalla during the support slot, and during his slot. He and Bushwalla played an amazing version of TLC's Waterfalls - where Bushwalla beat boxed and freestyle rapped. There was a moment where they both broke into a verse from Caberet. It was fantastic. 'Don't go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to...'

There were two moments where Steve acknowledged me from the stage - during his appearance on stage in Bushwalla's set he gave me a wave, and at the end of his set he thanked me for coming again.

After the show there were USB sticks with recordings of the night's show for sale. I have the CD from the last show I went to and I love listening to it. So of course I wasn't going to miss out on getting the USB. I love the idea of having a take home show - you can relive the moments. As I was waiting to get the USB stick, my night was spoilt for a minute (for the second time actually - the first was the incessant talking by a few audience members through Steve's set - it's the HEIGHT OF RUDENESS!). A rather drunk and older man came up to me as I spoke to a girl about the night's show. He touched me several times around the chest area, and made sizzling noises. Ssssss. Ssssss. Inferring I was hot to the touch (not hot to look at hahah). He did this about five times, grinning at me. I asked him what he was doing. 'It's hot in here' he said. 'You're looking sweaty'. So I told him to stop touching me inappropriately and to go away. I was quite polite about the whole thing. Fortunately the other girl was there to see the whole thing, and one of his friends was there too and told him off. As was leaving the venue I mentioned it to the barman and security guard, asked them to keep an eye on this man as he was touching me inappropriately. They said they would. Weird. Ssss!

Fortunately my night was only spoilt for a minute because I spoke to Steve Poltz nd he made me feel special and all the negative feelings about myself went away. He hugged me and recalled my Myspace blog, thanked me for coming and said I was amazing in the front row, that I looked so happy listening to the songs. I sat down the whole show apart from the final song, because standing up for that time would have made me very sore. I was glad he saw me having a good time. The show was amazing and I had a lot of fun. He is a very talented artist.

A few other things from the show:

- he is releasing a new album on 18 February. Some of the album is being recorded with Malcom from the Sleepy Jackson and Bob Evans bands.

- he had business meetings on stage - discussing the price of merchandise and how he and Bushwalla would sing Waterfalls.

- he doesn't want to charge too much for his music.

- he teaches songwriting and sets a challenge to write a song featuring two rather random words. He has made a song featuring 'butter' and 'jacket' (about Marlon Brando's Last Tango in Paris and anal sex). Youtube it.

The songwriting challenge has sparked creativity in me. I am going to try and write a poem a week using a seried of random words or a sentence. See how I go. I will blog them here.

Finally this is a photo I had taken with Steve last night. Thank you Steve for coming to Australia again. Hope to see you play again soon. I love being so inspired by an artist.

Steve Poltz tonight!

I'm going to see Steve Poltz play at the Northcote Social Club tonight. I love Steve Poltz. He's a Canadian singer/songwriter that lives in America.

He writes amazing songs. Funny and interesting. He has written for Jewel.

He reminds me of a musical Roald Dahl. He writes whimsical, meandering songs that take you to a magical place.

Here's a picture of him and Bob Evans from May 2009 at the Corner Hotel.



I am excited about seeing Steve Poltz tonight!

www.myspace.com/stevepoltz

Best gigs of 2009

I am quite a big live music fan. 2009, though, has been quite sparse for me in terms of the gigs I've seen.

As it's nearing the end of the year, I'm going to think back on my most memorable gigs I've been to. This is pretty much in order of my favourites, and may not include all gigs.

1) Sound Relief - 14 March, MCG

In support of the Black Saturday bushfires, a massive concert was held in Melbourne and Sydney. Jet, Kings of Leon, Bliss n Eso, Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Crowded House, Coldplay, Midnight Oil and Hunters and Collectors were a few of the acts. My favourite acts of the day were Kings of Leon, Paul Kelly, Crowded House and John Farnham with Coldplay. It poured with rain the whole day in Melbourne, apart from when Crowded House played Four Seasons in One Day. It was brilliant to see Hunters and Collectors live as I'd not seen them before. All of the bands got into the cause, giving it their all. And the spirit of Australia was in force - I loved how we banded together to support such massive tragedy. When John Farnham and Coldplay's You're The Voice was screened from Sydney, the whole MCG were up dancing and singing. One of the other things I recall was when Paul Kelly sang Leaps and Bounds and he sang the line ín the MCG''and the crowd roared. We were IN the MCG!! It was an amazing feeling. I felt so proud to be Australian and to be supporting the bushfire appeal.

2) Kings of Leon - 13 March, Rod Laver Arena

After loving Because of the Times, and then Only By the Night, I was so excited that I had a chance to see Kings of Leon live. I was a latecomer to their music, and it was only after this concert that I began to listen and love their first albums. I was fortunate enough to win tickets from Nova 100 radio and the tickets were in the general admission area of Rod Laver. My friend and I were lucky enough to get a view from the second row. I've been in the front mosh before (Placebo and Screaming Jets were the roughest) but wasn't sure what to expect with Kings of Leon. It was exhilerating and exhausting at the same time. Some girl, possibly high on drugs, was throwing herself around and pushing and hitting people. I was very annoyed the security were more interested in stopping me from taking photos than getting this girl out of the crowd. It took me and others around me four songs to get her out. After that I had a much better time, but I was overheating so I wasn't able to stay in the front of the mosh for the last two songs - my favourite - Knocked Up and Manhattan. Other songs that were great were Black Thumbnail, Charmer, Closer, and Taperjean Girl. However, the next day was Sound Relief and I was very tired in mind and body after those two gigs.

3) Steve Poltz - 20 June, Northcote Social Club

I was first introduced to Steve Poltz at a Bob Evans gig in May. He is a brilliant storyteller, comedian and generally all round nice guy. Did you know he's written songs for Jewel? He wrote You Were Meant for Me. On this particular night he played for almost two and a half hours, and the concert was recorded. I purchased the CD at the end. He was amazing. The crowd was enthralled! a busload of people came from Flowerdale, they were survivors of the Black Saturday fires. He got some of them up on stage. It was brilliant. His ability to tell stories is a gift - if you ever get the chance to see him, do so. He's playing on 2 January at Northcote Social Club and I will be seeing him! Can't wait.

4) Bob Evans and Steve Poltz - 21 May, Corner Hotel

This was the night I was introduced to Steve Poltz. He played five songs before Bob Evans and I was captivated. I remember giving him a note saying he was my favourite support act ever.

Bob Evans was amazing too. I love his charisma, his passion for music, and his song writing. There was one point where he got down in the crowd during Pasha Bulker and he did a guitar solo. I helped wind his guitar lead back on to the stage. It was a great night, but I think I had something on early the next day!

5) Bob Evans - 26 May, Billy Hyde Music instore

Bob Evans played a short set at Billy Hyde promoting his album and Gibson guitars. It was beautiful - acoustic and heartfelt. I was the first audience member there and Kevin (Bob Evans) was there warming up and we had a bit of a chat. They got me sme water and I got a good spot. Disappointingly (but lucky for my friends and I), there weren't many people there to support Bob Evans. But it was personal and intimate. After the show, he signed a poster for me, I asked him for the lyrics to my favourite song - Hand Me Downs. He didn't remember the words, so I offered to play it on my iPod, but he asked me to sing them - hahaha. The lyrics are 'Í got nothing darlin', all I got are broken wings, and I need you more than ever now...'. Steve Poltz was there looking on and he recognised me from the May Bob Evans gig, so he said hi. And then when he parked behind my car, we had a laugh.

6) Pink - 22 June, Rod Laver Arena

Is there anything this woman can't do?! She sings, she dances, she does acrobatics! Wow! A couple of years ago I won some tickets (thanks again, Nova 100) and was quite hesitant in going to see her as I wasn't a huge fan of her music. But I was in awe and became a fan. When 2009 shows were announced, my manager asked me to get tickets for her as well, so I booked some for both of us. I was so excited to be going with her! This year she didn't disappoint - the costumes were amazing, the set list was satisfying and her acrobatics were thrilling. I loved it! So glad I went! I had won some more tickets in addition to the ones I purchased (again from Nova 100), but unfortunately due to my operation, I was too unwell to see Pink a second time this year. She is amazing. If ever you get the chance to see her - do it!!

So those are a few of the gigs I have been to in 2009. The most memorable ones. Other honourable mentions were - Bertie Blackman at the Toff in Town, Bob Evans for Myspace Music and Paul Kelly at the Melbourne Writers Festival.

In 2010 I'm booked for Steve Poltz, The Temper Trap, and Angus and Julia Stone. Long live the live music and I hope in 2010 there will be more of it!