There's something in the water in the Bellarine as bands and artists keep blossoming. Now they are on showcase for special event, Bellarine On The Rise.
The Bellarine has long boasted excellence. From the award-winning wine region as carried by Bellarine Estate, Scotchmans Hill, Jack Rabbit, Terindah Estate and so many more, to the unforgettable tourism experiences like the Portarlington Mussel Tours, Adventure Park, Searoad Ferries and the iconic Blues Train, it’s a spot that breeds superior.
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That same sentiment goes for the stellar selection of musicians spawning from the region. Spotlighted every year during the Queenscliff Music Festival, the artistry in the Bellarine is next level. There are the obvious selections of Sarah Caroll, her late husband Chris Wilson and their sons George Carroll Wilson of moniker Pollyman fame, and Fenn Wilson, or the impressively talents folk stylings of Leah Senior, as well as the previous alumni of the area, the entire makeup of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, The Murlocs and Fraser A. Gorman. But it’s the newcomers that are stirring up the sonic barrel.
The Bellarine is an undeniable breeding ground for musical mastery and one of the staple songwriters of the area is recognising this. Andrea Robertson is a mainstay musician from the Bellarine, playing in multiple acts including the Von Robertson’s, a family music project paying homage to The Sound of Music singing clan, The Von Trapps, and her own solo project where she has just released a new album Seasons Vol 4. Her own experience as a musician during this dwindling time in the live music industry, post-covid and at a time when venues are struggling, saw her look to her own children who are trying to grow their independent careers in the live music scene.
Son, Heath Robertson, has his own self-named musical outfit, Heath Robertson Band, playing his own blend of indie rock blues. Daughter, Carly Robertson, is better known by her moniker Carly Jorja where she plays glorious, stirring acoustic lead folk tracks. She is also the drummer behind three-piece indie-rock band Cooldad.
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It was this motherly and music mentor perspective, as well as a keen understanding of the talented Bellarine music ecology, that led Robertson to devising upcoming event Bellarine On The Rise.
“Being a musician myself and trying to find opportunities that really promote like-minded people like this has been difficult for established musicians who are trying to regain a sense of what playing live means after the pandemic. I’m thinking from my own experience, but then looking at these younger emerging artists who haven’t necessarily had the opportunities and are still stepping into themselves and their sound can be especially difficult. I wanted to afford them the space to play without any strings attached and shine a spotlight on a region that is thriving with talent,” explains Robertson.
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Bellarine On The Rise aims to amplify the sounds of the emerging talent of the Bellarine through concert. Taking place at the Barwon Club on Sunday 4 August 2024, Robertson has curated a stellar lineup of young bold, Bellarine stars rising up through the ranks.
“The Bellarine has become a bit of a hotspot for musicians, particularly young musicians who have gone through St Ignatius College or Bellarine Secondary, who both have incredible music programs, and then having the Potato Shed in between to practice and perform has made it quite the hub for young talent. This event is a chance to showcase that,” says Robertson.
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As supported by a City of Greater Geelong Community Grant, with sponsorship from Hi Sushi, the lineup boasts brilliance with country-tinged vintage rock melting pot, Bones & Jones, Robertson’s own musical offspring’s Carly Jorja and Heath Robertson Band, guitar-pop piece, Paraguay and alternative, indie rocker Brunette Red Dress.
Bones and Jones are headlining the show. As hard hitters from the Bellarine music front, they are known for their frenetic energy during their live shows which has seen them in support seat for industry giants King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard, The Nude Party (USA), The Murlocs, Twin Peaks (USA). The band who formed in highschool have also appeared on many-a festival stages including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Meadow, Boogie Festival and more. With three albums and an EP to their name, the band have garnered a bunch of recognition from NME, The Guardian, and triple j, and earnt them nominations at the The Australian Music Prize and Victorian Music Awards.
It’s not just something in the water turning The Bellarine into a music hub. The combination of community and space become obvious platforms, with both Heath Robertson and Madeleine Cope of Brunette Red Dress acknowledging the opportunities that naturally present themself due to the access to performance venues and stages, and word of mouth advertising.
“It’s really easy to get involved with other people or to know other people to get involved with because it becomes word of mouth and just feels like a really big community when it comes to music. Especially because there are so many different spaces out there that allow you to play as well, like The Potato Shed and Queenscliff Music Festival which offers an all-ages stage which is amazing.”
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Heath Robertson agrees, “There’s a real community of artists on the Bellarine who are all trying to be involved in the scene and it comes in part with the lifestyle but also the fostering from education systems here like Bellarine College and the Potato Shed as a performing arts space.”
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Carly Jorja (Robertson), believes the incredible support and wealth of knowledge from established musicians in the community has extended this transition from school band to professional musician.
“The mentors around the Bellarine are forcing us to do what we need to do. It’s the encouragement from people who are doing well in the industry like Sarah Carroll and Steven McEwan and even my mum, Andrea Robertson, who are leading by example and showing us that our dreams in the music industry can be achieved.”
The momentum of these acts will be showcased during their Bellarine On The Rise sets. Not only is the concert shining the light on the young musicians, but it’s also opening the doors to an all-ages crowd to experience the raw talent of the region and engage with live music. The under 18 crowd are often closed out of live music venues in the Geelong market, and the Bellarine cohort are vocal advocates for those doors to be opened.
Carly Jorja says, “My brother was a bit older than me and always able to go to these awesome shows that I wanted to go to. When I turned 18 I started going to a bunch of gigs that I wanted to go to and could never go to myself, but that was of course when 2020 happened and there were limited shows. I always just felt like I was missing out on going to gigs and I don’t want that for this generation to feel the same way.”
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Angus Buchanan-Turnour of Paraquay says, “I love playing all-ages gigs. I grew up in Geelong and had to go to Melbourne or the Corner to see all-ages events. We need to create space for young performers to play and for young music lovers to become part of the live music scene.”
Bellarine On The Rise is set to be a showstopping spectacular for everyone.
Tickets to the huge event can be purchased here.
