MountainSong
Click on this picture to take you to the Loose Acoustic website for more details.
Winter is upon us here in the Blue Mountains but we musicians continue to brave the elements, linking our fingers with the cold steel strings and testing our vocal chords in the icy air. I have been busy performing at In Lak'esh as part of the Winter Magic Festival and also won a place in the semi-final of the Voice of the Mountains competition, held at the Katoomba RSL last Sunday. I will keep you posted on how I go with that one.
In the coming months, Loose Acoustic is holding another music retreat called "MountainSong" (August 3rd-6th). I strongly advise anyone who wants to hone their music, singing, songwriting and/or rhythm skills to attend. The retreats are also a lovely way of gaining the support and confidence required to increase your performance possibilities and musical networks. There are leaflets scattered around Katoomba, Blackheath and Mount Victoria or you can click on the one shown. For more information go here:
  •     http://www.looseacoustic.com.au/Retreats/NewSouthWales.html
Me...I am hoping to go but I may be competing in the grand final of the RSL competition on August 5th so we will see. Got to go now...more soon!
fidelity xx

 
Picture
Andy White, Richard Gilewitz and Susanna Carman performing at the Loose Acoustic Winterbreak 2012
I have just returned from the Loose Acoustic "Winterbreak 2012" music retreat, held in beautiful Mount Tamborine over the last 5 days. This event was organised and run by Steve Seaton and Angela Hryniuk who live in Brisbane. The retreat was not exactly what I had imagined...long meditative strolls through the gardens, massages, steaming cups of herbal tea, early nights. Far from it! This retreat was something very different...although it had the same rejuvenating effect on my soul. Four elite music industry professionals - Richard Gilewitz (guitar), Andy White (songwriting), Susanna Carman (singer/songwriter) and Yani Choirmistress (I don't know her real name -performance/vocal coach) - were on board to monitor our every musical move and guide us through conquering challenges we had not thought possible. Guitars, saxophones, trombones, flutes, pianos, eggs, harmonicas, emotions and vocal chords all received a hammering for five days straight. Some were tough enough to rise early and attend morning meditation with Angela, which replenished the energy levels when sleep was lacking. Food was a-plenty with three square meals a day and morning/afternoon tea. The next retreat is going to be called "Winterdiet 2012".  Seriously folks...there is going to be another one and it will be held HERE in the Blue Mountains early this August! I will post all the details this week so keep an eye out. Time for me to catch up on my sleep...ni ni.

 
Well, Saturday proved to be yet another successful night at the Lak'esh playspace. I played the first set before the jackhammers started on the neighbouring construction site. Other performers weren't so lucky but it did add a certain percussive ambience to the night. Thanks to the audience for their supportive comments...always welcome.
Picture
Skye and Wayne entrancing the Lak'esh audience
 
Picture
Well, I didn't go to the festival but I did take a wander down the main street of Katoomba yesterday and got handed a pamphlet for a new music/creative arts venue - IN LAK'ESH (Mayan...translates roughly as "I am you - you are me"). This is a great little playspace, tucked in behind the Katoomba Vintage Emporium (the old post office building) on Katoomba Street. To get to the space, walk down one of the alleys to College Lane. There are open mic performances running all this weekend so do drop in and take a look. I played there last night and will more than likely be there again next weekend. There is still a lot of unfounded talent in the Blue Mountains - maybe you will see them performing at next year's festival!