With the start of the cooler months well and truly upon us, it’s time to find watering holes that have food to warm the heart and music to feed the soul.
Yours truly received an invite some weeks ago to see the Sound Mountain let rip with their album launch at Main Bar. Being a three piece and Ballarat locals, I was beginning to think they may have not showered for a few days as I entered the venue as punters were almost glued to the rear wall of the venue! What is with this? In a sense of sound quality, it was probably the place to be and the opener ‘Singing For The End’ was a fabulous way to open proceedings. A short but relatively powerful set from the lads and there is some real talent in this band. Particularly the bass player BJ Humphrey who really impressed with some highly skilled bass playing. Keep an ear to the ground for these lads and get your hands on the album Wild Animals if you can.
Karova Lounge has Tea Party legend and lead singer/guitarist Jeff Martin playing on Friday 22 June. The Stars In The Sand tour will be unique as multi-instrumentalist Mitch King will join Martin on stage. If you get along to this gig, you can purchase an exclusive four track EP only available at shows. Some of these songs were recorded in Morocco around three years ago. Something for die-hard fans!
On the following night June 23 over at The Cabaret Club, Lloyd Spiegel will release his eighth album, Backroads. This album, according to Spiegel, is a step outside from what people would expect from the Blues legend.
Worth pencilling into the diary is Dave Graney and the Mistly on July 7. Graney has been doing the rounds since 1978. Tickets are $25 at the door and you are guaranteed of a good night with this old swooner!
Lost Ones has the John Flanagan Trio on June 17 from 3pm and on the following Sunday, a wide range of house, hip-hop, soundscapes and samples will round out your weekend when Achtung Sounds brings his DJ skills to the basement bar.
I must make special mention of Ballarat Noir which is on July 14 from 7-11pm at Lost Ones. You can sample weird and wonderful elixirs, vodkas, tonics and ancient alcoholic formulas from across the colder climates. Sounds dangerous to me, but might be a good way to fire up your winter! Get ready for Griffin Burger to open next door to Zambrero. A beer and burger bar sounds awesome!
Written by Glen Anderson