Melbourne-based guitarist and songstress, Citizen of the World
In no particular order:
Low (Minnesota, USA) Brunswick Club, Melbourne. Low opened my mind to plenty of new musical possibilities in song writing and arrangements…
Visitors – The Espy, Melbourne. I only heard one complaint from the audience: “more guitar solos!”
Died Pretty – The Forum, Melbourne. Big, bald and beautiful
Dimi Dero inc (Paris, France) Australian tour. On ya mate!
The Bellrays (California, USA) – Corner Hotel. The closer I got the better they got.
Selfish Gene – Spanish Club. James McCann and co – energetic, inspired and sacrilegious
Big Bang! Night (Bang! Records, Spain) at The Tote, Collingwood, Melbourne. Juan and Gorka continue to support the crème de al crème of Australian (and international) music. Highlights for me included The Bakelite Age, Hugo Race, Brian Hooper, Spencer P Jones, and Kim Salmon & the Surrealists.
Venue – Aoiheya (Blue Room) Shibuya,Tokyo. A very cool underground venue in Tokyo with great sound and atmosphere. It was a real treat to listen to the diverse range of Japanese bands who were sharing the bills at my gigs including: blgtz – a young sonic/ power pop band from Tokyo who were dynamite; Peacock Babies – a unique blend of traditional (oriental 60’s pop) and retro (garage and glam) sounds; the Losers (great drummer!), Darkside Mirrors, and Golden (reminded me of the Dirty Three) were also highlights for me.
DJ’s Gaku Torii from the Blue Room, (Tokyo) and Pat (DJ of sorts) from La Feline (Paris). Their repertoire showed a vast knowledge of music and great taste too. For me it was a blessing for my ears and soul and restored my dwindling faith in the world of rock’n’roll.
Adrian Belew Power Trio – Guitar maestro Adrian Belew accompanied by Julie Slick (bass) and her brother Eric Slick (drums) at The Basement, Sydney. Rivetting, diverse and refreshing to hear their mix of sonic guitar, songs, feel and improvisation.
In Penny world - My tour of France and Spain with Dimi Dero & Vinz Guilluy (penelope inc) and my solo gigs and show at the all night party: The Blue Velvet Night (with Japanese band White Shadows playing some Penny songs and covers) at The Blue Room (Tokyo) …plus recording my album at Hothouse (Melbourne).
