August 7 to August 21
G’day live listeners (wherever you are), Dan here with a rundown of what’s to come at our leading live original music venues here in Rat Capital.
The Eastern kick off with this month’s resident host of Open Mic Thursdays, with James Ramsay opening it up to the public with a little MCing and an amount of tune playing, before passing it on to whoever is up on the list next. Free entry. Then Friday nights at The Eastern, resident DJ Ram Daddy spins the decks and provides a spoonful of tunes to help the alcohol go down. Free entry.
Friday, August 8 The Main Bar (Open Pantry/Deli/Grocery/Café/Pizza Restaurant, 22-28 Main Road), Ballarat enter the foray this fortnight with Liz Stringer (pictured) playing some folk/soft rock tunes. Entry $15.
Sunday, August 10 has The Babushka Bar specially opening their doors for the Healers of Hurt tour featuring Marisa Quigley, Dean Haitani and Talisa Jobe sharing stories of happiness, heartbreak, nurture and loss. Entry $10.
Wednesday, August 13 The Babushka Bar is busy again with Tristen Bird and Courtney Robb stopping in to play their co-headlining inclusive tour which will be taking them around SA, VIC, NSW and ACT. Entry TBC. That night, The Karova Lounge also has a big night on with Peking Duk playing. Supporting them will be Yeo. Tickets $25.
Thursday, August 14 has the musical artist Yuko Nishiyama playing The Karova Lounge. Yuko’s single ‘Heart of Daisies’ grabbed the attention of radio and well-renowned musicians alike and she’s specially making the trip from Melbourne to brave the cold of Ballarat. With support from local artists Mark with the Sea and Josh Haire. Tickets $10.
Friday, August 15 at The Babushka Bar sees four-time Golden Guitar nominee Aleyce Simmonds playing some country acoustic music for the audience. Entry $10. The Eastern has local rock elitists 23rd of Elvis sharing the stage with younger pop-rockers The Vests. Both bands do what they do with attitude and have built up appreciation and respect from fellow musicians and live music lovers. In short: it’ll be a good night if you have ears and enjoy beers. Entry TBA.
Saturday, August 16 The Eastern has hailing all the way from Perth Underground Hound playing with local boys Hipster Kill Team and 80 Hundred. Entry TBA.
Karova at over … I mean, over at Karova, Alison Wonderland is back from the States and playing a DJ set. Tickets $20. The Main Bar has an AA meeting of sorts with Alanna & Alicia playing with their band members. Twins Basil, twins! Entry $10
Alright, that’s all I could dig out on the agenda for music news this round. In regards to my previous article, I’ve just been asking band members about their history getting gigs in Melbourne recently and hearing what they have to say. Nothing really to report yet but over the next few weeks I’ll be seeing a few bands that have made the change to the capital, or are at least about to. So keep reading and I’ll keep writing. Cheers!
Written by Daniel Lock