WA and beyond ... April, May

So this is what I looked like when I last lived in Perth. Yes, I did dress myself ~ I have my fathers dress sense ~ dubious.

Needless to say I don’t look much like this these days, closer to David Boon than my younger self in my humble opinion. The reason I’m showing you this ... well I’m off to WA this weekend for the first time in quite a while to perform one city show at Lyric’s Underground in Maylands with compadré, guitarist, producer Shane O’Mara + special guest Kiera Alice Owen [New Talk], before heading south to the Fairbridge Festival. Playing songs from past and present ... focusing on the new album Song Gifts. Also, I've just been told there's only a handful of tickets left for The Lyric so don't snooze.

There’s also a whole bunch of shows coming up when I return including Truckload of Sky for the first time in Melbourne and Castlemaine. Singing the lost songs of our talented friend David McComb with Romy from RVG, Alex from Oh Mercy and more, with some Blackeyed Susans and Triffids.

Heading to Canberra with Peter Milton Walsh and then onto THE WHEATSHEAF in Adelaide in solo mode in May, be quick to grab a ticket 🎫 oh, and there’s a new Melbourne show just announced at a new venue in St. Kilda ~ GEORGE LANE.

The tea towels have just come in from Soundmerch in Abbotsford. 100% linen made in Russia 🇷🇺..! Not sure how that happened. No snow domes this year.

Rx

March ~ April news

The sturdy hands of double bass queen Rosie Westbrook will keep myself and Shane O’Mara on our toes as we play the second of our Sunday shows at Coburg’s iconic Post Office Hotel. Free and friendly 5-7pm for the month of March. Hopefully ‘Evil’ Graham will join us in week three.

Looks like the borders will allow us to head over to WA for the first time in a long while. Shane and I play one show at The Lyric Underground, Fri April 9 before heading down for a couple of shows at The Fairbridge Festival.

This time last year Song Gifts was beginning to take shape. It’s been an incredibly prolific time, the album has been out for a while and we continue to write new and interesting song gifts for fans and friends. If you’re keen on gifting someone a song head to the shop.

Can’t believe summer is over, hopefully see you soon.

Rx

Here’s a little snippet of Snowbellajudy, from Sydney’s Django Bar with Peter Milton Walsh.

SYDNEY with PMW, Truckload MELB

Just a quick reminder that I’m coming to SYDNEY, yes it’s actually happening.

Next weekend, Feb 26 and 27 at DJANGO BAR, CAMELOT in Marrickville with Peter Milton Walsh from THE APARTMENTS. Tickets 🎫 available here ~

Also a MELBOURNE date has been slotted in for APRIL at the new BRUNSWICK BALLROOM [the old Spotted Mallard] for TRUCKLOAD OF SKY, the lost songs of David McComb.

Tickets 🎫 here ~

Sunday afternoons in March I return to The Post Office Hotel in Coburg with maestro Shane O’Mara, and the majestic sounds of double bass from Rosie Westbrook for a couple of the shows. We'll be playing the songs from Song Gifts, Sparrow & Swan and Wounded Bird. Free and friendly, might see you there.

Please contact venues re bookings as table configurations are slightly more complicated due to COVID restrictions.

Thanks and hope to see you.

Rx

*** THIS Saturday & Tuesday ***

Hoping to see a few friends and familiar faces down in St Kilda at the MEMO MUSIC HALL Saturday as we play the first show in Melbourne launching the new SONG GIFTS double album.

I’ll also be playing songs from Wounded Bird and Sparrow & Swan 🦢 with these fine musicians:

Rosie Westbrook [double~bass]

Shane O’Mara [guitars]

‘Evil’ Graham Lee [pedal steel / bvs]

M E M O M U S I C H A L L

S A T U R D A Y J A N 2 3 | 730-9pm

Tickets 🎫 available for both up close & personal as well as live stream **🌎 [**available for 48 hours] ~

New double~album

S O N G G I F T S 💿 available here

... download also available on Bandcamp.

Tuesday afternoon Shane O’Mara and I head to the beautiful Macedon Ranges for a winery show at LYONS WILL ESTATE with Skyscraper Stan & The Beautiful Buildings Band. Tickets 🎫 here.

Hope to see you somewhere.
Rx

Stops and starts ~ Jan & Feb

Photo ~ Peter Dalgleish

Happy New Year to all.

Hoping that 2021 is at least slightly more predictable and a little more stable than 2020 ~ a year most of us would like to forget.

We were very lucky to have been kept busy and creative with writing and recording Song Gifts and releasing this unusual double album of ours. Great to have had some community radio support also. Thank you. The album is now available at Readings [Carlton], Rocksteady, Basement Discs, Greville [Melb], Redeye [Syd], Dada and Diabolik [Perth] as well as online here ~

M E L B O U R N E

Rehearsals with ‘Evil’ Graham Lee [pedal steel], Shane O’Mara [guitars] and Rosie Westbrook [double~bass] are imminent and we look forward to bringing you a mix of the songs from Song Gifts, Sparrow & Swan and Wounded Bird ~ live on Saturday January 23 at MEMO MUSIC HALL ~ my first show of the year ~ it’ll be the very first show of this line-up.

Up close and personal tickets 🎫 along with streaming to the big wide world 🌍 [stream available for 48 hours post-show] ~

S Y D N E Y

Fingers crossed the double-bill shows [s o l o] with Peter Milton Walsh [The Apartments] will go ahead at DJANGO late February ~ with the blessing of open borders and COVID dependent. PMW and I played two sold out shows in Melbourne last year and enjoyed the moments so much we thought it would be worth taking the show elsewhere. Django Bar tickets available here ~ there’s options for early and late shows.

C A N B E R R A

Whispers of a Canberra show being on the cards in May at The Polish White Eagle Club [aka THE POLO] have now been confirmed. Performing Saturday May 22, tickets 🎫 available here ~ (on sale from Jan 20)

The new Apartments album “In And Out Of The Light” was a favourite release of mine last year and has appeared in many musicians' top tens.

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T R U C K L O A D O F S K Y

[A celebration of the songs of the late David McComb]

Sadly the Truckload Of Sky shows in WA and NSW have again had to be postponed. Understandably no-one wants to be stranded out of their home state or have to isolate for weeks. Shame, but we’ll get to most places later this year...we hope. In the meantime I thought I’d share a video of the very first time I sang on tv 📺 ~ which happened to be with The Triffids. Dave McComb asked me to sing bvs, when they performed Trick Of The Light on Clive Robertson’s late night Newsworld program in Sydney, circa 1988 ~ just after the release of Calenture. I’m the really awkward looking guy in the background, pre facial hair and COVID kilos ~

See you soon ~ Rx

New album 💿 SONG GIFTS 🎁 + Evil Graham Lee & Shane O’Mara in stores

I’ve had a busy week at the post office and have also been distributing the new album around Melbourne. It’s now available at Greville Records, Rocksteady, Basement Discs and Readings in Carlton, if you’re keen ~ in Sydney at Redeye, Perth at Dada and Diabolik Records. Any other suggestions welcome.

Bruce Milne at Greville Records

“Michelle Cannane” the opening track from the album miraculously ended up at No.9 on the AMRAP charts for community radio and the album landed at No.8 on Vinny Ramone’s 2SER radio show The Outpost Top Ten albums of 2020, sandwiched between Bob Dylan and Jason Isbell ~ thanks Vinny, nice company I’m keeping.

The streaming show at Merri Creek has been cancelled due to Covid restrictions easing. Next live shows are in January / February ~ we may as well call them album launches as the concept given Covid restrictions has been a little disrupted.

Sat Jan 23 ~ Memo Music Hall, St Kilda [M e l b o u r n e] with ‘Evil’ Graham Lee & Shane O’Mara ~ tickets 🎫 here

Fri Feb 26 & Sat Feb 27 ~ Django @ Camelot, Marrickville [S y d n e y] + the brilliant Peter Milton Walsh [The Apartments] ~ tickets 🎫 here

I’ve put together a video for the song “Searching for the Heart of it All”. The song was written after the images were sent to me by Ross Gibson, the prose is from Ross also. He asked if a little film might go off in my head, well a song unfolded instead.

Here’s a snippet of “Michelle Cannane” featuring my much neglected vinyl collection strewn across the living room floor. I’m sure a lot of folk will recognise quite a few of these records from back in the day.

Thanks to all who requested a Song Gift, who received a song, shared all manner of intimate details, made me laugh and cry, kept me busy through lockdown and helped to make this double CD 💿 💿 with ‘Evil’ Graham Lee & Shane O’Mara possible ~

Rx

SONG GIFTS DOUBLE ALBUM OUT NOW!

Well, the CDs have finally landed and I’m halfway through packaging the pre~sales, heading to the post office on Thursday.

It’s looking pretty good I’ve gotta say, I’ve never released a double album before and it’s a little overwhelming just looking at the track listing. I’m imagining people will have their favourite discs rather than playing 24 songs in the whole sequence, though I could be wrong.

There’s something for everyone as they say ~ those reminiscing of days past, the love for those closest to them, searching for the meaning of it all, the hopeful, the hopeless, love lost and love found, snow falling gently, the harsh and blinding heat, the outback, the internal, balloons and arrows...

If you'd like a copy of SONG GIFTS ~

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I head to Kyneton to play Major Tom's in solo mode this Friday 🎫 here ~

Castlemaine on Saturday with Shane O’Mara has SOLD OUT.

Next up though is a S T R E A M I N G show available for all ~ being shot at The Merri Creek Tavern with an abundance of cameras and high tech recording devices, I better dress up… Wed Dec 16 🎫 here ~

I’m also heading to S Y D N E Y in February for a double~bill with the one and only Peter Milton Walsh [The Apartments] ~ two nights at Django Bar @ Camelot, Marrickville. Fri & Sat, Feb 26 & 27 ~ swapping headline spots. Tickets 🎫 here ~

Better get back to packaging.

Big thanks everyone, it’s been such a great project ~ it hasn’t ended either, people are still requesting songs as gifts for Christmas 🎄

Rob x

New Double Album ~ SONG GIFTS

Slowly moving out of lockdown here in Melbourne and very excited to say I have a brand new double album. Yes that’s right DOUBLE ALBUM!!!! ... about to be released:

~ Song Gifts with ‘Evil’ Graham Lee & Shane O’Mara ~

All the songs were written and recorded in lockdown, separated by distance and relying on email and home studio finessing and tweaking.

The album will be available in a handful of selected record stores soon enough but we’re beginning pre-orders below which means you’ll receive your copy by early December, before most stores. 💿

I’m really pleased with how it’s all come together given such an unusual time in our history.

The first track off the Song Gifts album “Michelle Cannane” can be heard here ~ an ode to Sydney, a seemingly lost music scene, recollections of a time, venues, bands and misspent youth.

Here is the cover of The Cannanes 7” ~ Bored, Angry & Jealous from my little old record collection, Michelle Cannane pictured on the left. We were all friends back in the day when I lived in Erskineville/Sydney. I’ve been back in contact with Michelle in recent times to check all was okay with this song ... thankfully all aok.

In the meantime I have a few Victorian regional shows coming up ~ at Archies Creek, Kyneton and Castlemaine ~ we’re just trying to navigate how the live scene will change before launching the album proper in major cities around the country.

Song Gifts are still available to order too, for partners and friends, or on whatever subject I can grasp you may have a passion for ~ feel free to order here. If you get stuck I have a little list I’ve been sending out which helps the creative process.

Thanks to all of you who have ordered a Song Gift ~ you’ve kept the creative juices flowing in the strangest of times.

Rob [Graham & Shane]

ps. JIMMY THE SAINT in South Melbourne hosts a cafe style, booze free, unplugged, intimate acoustic show on Friday Nov 27 ... there are 3 tickets 🎫 still available here.

Spring so close

A special hello to fellow Victorians in lockdown, hoping everyone is coping okay.

Shows have been put on hold, postponed, cancelled and dragged kicking and screaming into next year ~ a frustrating time for many.

The Memo Music Hall have decided to host a live stream event featuring myself and Shane O’Mara on Oct 4 so I’ll have to polish up on songs half forgotten and those yet to be played live ~ tickets here.

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Song Gifts continue to be written for dogs, children, elderly parents, partners and loved ones. We’re still enjoying the writing and recording process very much and have been receiving some heart warming feedback. Read on ~

Oh wow! You really have the ability to pick the right words from a maelstrom of ideas ~ Lars

This has me a bit emotional. It really is exactly what I was after ~ Jimmy

Rob, thank you so much. I love it. I couldn't imagine it better, I honestly couldn't ~ Claire

Thank you again, this is one of the greatest presents I could ever give someone ~ Sacha

It sounds so beautiful. The guitar in the intro and outro, even how you count it in ~ JoAnne

I got shivers and a bit teary. I couldn't imagine a more heartfelt, touching song ~ Ross

If you’d like to order a song gift try here ... I can also supply a list of questions for you to answer, if you’re feeling a little stumped 🤔

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Here’s a song for a young girl in the UK sometimes known as Snowbellajudy. As some of you know I love snow, snow songs and snow domes. So I took full advantage of being able to include snow ❄️ within the song. ‘Evil’ Graham Lee [The Triffids and Blackeyed Susans] played all manner of instruments including pedal steel to bring the song to life. Have a listen here ~

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Also for some reason I found myself looking at old Chad’s Tree videos. CT being the first band I was in with my brother Mark (who coincidentally has a new solo album out on Bandcamp).

This video was shot in 1987 on the outskirts of Sydney, I’m the tubby kid playing acoustic guitar, no moustache.

The Chad’s Tree double comp CD 💿 “Crossing Off The Miles” is available here if anyone’s keen.

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Thanks to everyone who has ordered a Song Gift and helped support our musical endeavours.

Take care,

Rx

ps. Feathered culprit chirping / tweeting outside of my recording space

Winter News

Mr Popular ... ‘Evil’ Graham Lee

Slowly, slowly ... are things falling back in place? Who knows. Looks like a handful of shows are going ahead, guess we’ll wait and see. I think the Truckload of Sky shows are being pushed back till next year. In the meantime I’ve also been asked to be a part of a celebration of the music of Tom Waits ~ I have my song list ready but if there are any suggestions for songs you’d like for me to tackle please let me know.

It’s come to my attention that it’s been 5 years since the release of “LOW FIDELITY Songs By Request Vol 1” and thought I’d share the original portraits painted by Fiona McMonagle. Her artwork is being appreciated far and wide these days.

The CD is on sale from the “shop” for $10 ~

A few people have asked if I’m still writing song gifts with ‘Evil’ Graham Lee and Shane ‘Marsha’ O’Mara ~ absolutely ~ really enjoying this project of ours and intend to continue writing songs as gifts for people for as long as I can.

Here’s one of the songs “Two Girls on a Bus” and below some responses from some other song gift recipients.

Whoah Rob, that is beyond beautiful. Thanks a lot – it raised a tear in my eye and a shortness of breath.

- Stephen C.

I love it. Thank you so much. It is such a lovely song, so romantic and beautiful. It is such an awesome thing that you are doing for people. So touched.

- Annie

The girls and I presented the song to John this morning. He was stunned. There was a distinct “this does not compute” look on his face as it didn’t make sense to him to hear your voice and studio-quality music playing a personalised song. John has been a fan since the Chad’s Tree days, so this was so very special (he has ”Kerosene” in his vinyl collection) and then to learn that it was Evil Graham Lee on the pedal steel - just wow!

- May

OMG that is just so amazing. The kids and I love it and I am sure Gregg will too, actually tears will be streaming down his face.

- Lisa

Thanks for the outstanding song. It is absolutely beautiful, just the feel I wanted, very romantic (we both cried).

- Kevin

Thank you so much! This is amazing---haunting, driving, and well researched. Excellent work by you and Graham both.

- Daniel

Just thought I’d drop you a quick line to thank you for the wonderful song you wrote as a present for my birthday ~ it’s the coolest present anyone could receive I’ve enjoyed it immensely and a lot of my friends have had a listen ~ it’s a big hit to say the least. Also, I wore number 44 in my footy days, so here’s to all the 44s!

- Ron

Here’s what I found in a box recently. Susans ashtrays and cassettes, a Dirty Three tattoo and a David Boon badge.

Stay safe,

Rx

Autumn | SONG GIFTS with 'Evil' Graham Lee or Shane O'Mara

Firstly, thank you to all the incredible and generous folk out there who have commissioned me to write a song through my Songwriting Gift project. It's been an incredible experience and one I've enjoyed immensely. The response has been straight out overwhelming and initially had me wondering how the hell I was going to do all of this ~ let's face it, there's a lot of birthdays out there - is everyone born in April, May and June? If you haven't received your song gift yet, I'm simply meeting birthday deadlines first of all, promise it won’t be too long now.

Things started to get a little out of control when a podcast called Chat 10 Looks 3 hosted by Annabel Crabb (thank you) and Leigh Sales went to air early in April.

So on here, at about the 58 minute mark of this podcast Annabel mentions my Songwriting Gift project to Leigh Sales ... since then, at about 8am most days when I can I’m sitting at the kitchen table with my trusty guitar writing songs, or at least trying to. Yes, really. I've got to say I'm simply loving the process when I'm not completely stressing over the clumsiness of a rhyme, a phrase that doesn't sit well or a chord that clangs or my inability to be more technically skilled. It's such a great thing for me to do, not only for myself, but to do for someone else, so again thank you, thank you one and all.

The other bonus is getting to work closely with 'Evil' Graham Lee (The Triffids|The Blackeyed Susans|The Bottomless Schooners of Old) and again with the maestro guitarist and producer Shane O'Mara.

Songs have come from numerous sources and on a wide variety of subjects ~ from a nuclear physicist dealing with climate change, a chap from Halifax, Canada and the recent killing spree in Portapique, a love song to a pirate, motel room romances, a couple of would-be drug dealers getting busted in the NSW southern tablelands ... and of course birthdays and anniversaries, a baby's song and a Mother's Day gift. Such a joyous creative process and I'm simply sharing your ideas through song. Grateful to all who've shared intimate details and the sometimes hilarious nature of my correspondence with partners and gift givers, thanks for making it a hoot. Appreciate being made privy to some moments in time that make for a more personal song too.

I don't know when or if I'll ever actually stop doing this as I'm enjoying it so much. So if you'd like to join the song trail ~ all you have to do is head to my shop and make a choice of solo, or with Graham or Shane. I can send you a list of sorts if that helps to start the creative process when suggesting a song for a partner or family member. If you'd prefer to supply a set of lyrics or a poem we're more than happy to work with your words also. A cover or two have been requested also, which I'm happy to try as long as it's not impossible for me to play ... does anyone need to hear me sing 'To Sir With Love' apart from Doug and Renae... or Augie March's 'The Night Is A Blackbird' apart from Peter Thomas, probably not but I enjoyed doing so. Again if there's something you'd like to hear, don't hesitate to ask.

Really, really humbled by your response ... so big thanks again everyone.

Rx

Launching a new songwriting project that involves Y O U ~ !

Illustration by Jo Gillespie

In these times of COVID~19 I’ve had a few people ask me how I’m keeping occupied musically. No shows, no work, no collaborating ... until now. I’m launching a new project that could involve you, yes Y O U...!..!..!

With 'Sparrow and Swan' my song writing process changed halfway, where I became more engaged in other people’s stories and the sharing of late night tales. My ears would prick up and I’d recognise a song through conversation. So I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there who would like me to write them a song. A song for you, your partner, friend or family member. Here’s the pitch ~

You send me an idea, a sketch, a little story, the subject and I‘ll shape it into a simple 3 or 4 chord song, record on my iphone [accompanied by acoustic guitar] and send it back to you with the lyrics.

If you’d like additional instruments, I have either Shane O’Mara [guitars] or Evil Graham Lee [pedal steel for those with a country bent]. My part on iphone will be whizzed over to their respective home studio to add a part.

It’s been difficult to work out exactly how much this would cost, so in these uncertain economic times I’m trying my best to make it fair and reasonable. Here’s a breakdown ~

* Rob [solo with acoustic guitar] ~ $150

* Rob w/ Shane O'Mara [additional guitar] ~ $250

* Rob w/ Evil Graham Lee [pedal steel] ~ $250

I've set up something on my shop and we can see how we go. Please include your idea/sketch/story within the notes/instructions field as you place your order (or you can always email me).

It can be something as simple as the following song 'Coca Cola Coloured Eyes' which came about as a birthday gift for a friend. Here we have with some pedal steel ~ so this would be at a cost of $250, or without pedal steel for $150. And a version with the addition of Shane O'Mara ~ which would also be $250.

So I’ll try to write and record a lo~fi song for you. Expectations aren’t allowed to be too high, the tunes will be simple and sweet and hopefully light hearted and possibly a tad quirky. I'll aim to deliver to your inbox within two weeks.

I don’t want to get too legal here either so hoping to retain ownership of songs. At this stage not to be used for any other recordings unless of course there’s a worthy moment.

Any questions?

Hope to hear from you.

Rob x

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**TONIGHT** I’m playing a few songs for Bellwether Wines >> streaming ~ live to their Facebook Page. 8pm AEDT, 730pm ACDT, 5pm WA, 7pm QLD ~ tune in if you’re free. Who knows what time elsewhere on our planet 🌎

Photo by Alex Gow

No shows for a while ~ COVID19

Sad and testing times for us all.

Due to COVID~19 and the serious need for social distancing and in an attempt to be sensible, responsible humans all of the gigs I have been booked to perform between now and the end of April have either been cancelled or postponed.

These include ~ Archies Creek Hotel, MOTH (Red Hill), Mojos and spots at The Fairbridge Festival. Not easy to lose these shows but best to be safe, we’ll all get through this I’m sure.

I’ve really been enjoying the Ken Burns COUNTRY MUSIC documentary series on SBS. Fantastic live footage and photographs of the time. Nothing like a bit of Hank Williams, Carter Family, Johnny Cash or Bill Monroe to get you through tough times.

Also, this is a song worthy a few listens. I must admit I’d never heard of Dory Previn until a chap from The Crayon Fields played this song one morning on 3PBS.

Incredible.

Stay safe and as happy as you can in these difficult and trying times. See you out there some time ... hopefully not too long.

Rx

Shows this weekend

Not only does Peter Milton Walsh have great hair, he writes beautifully crafted songs. Come hear for yourself when we play The Merri Creek Tavern, Northcote this long weekend ~ Saturday and Sunday tickets 🎫 available here.

I headline Sat and PMW on Sunday.

Rx

Solo, duo and the friends of David McComb shows

Firstly, there are only a handful of tickets 🎫 left for my solo show at Major Toms in Kyneton on Sat, Feb 29 so best be quick 🚀

Secondly, thanks to Rocksteady Records for hosting [and to all who came along to] the semi~acoustic performance last Monday. It got a little squishy in there, sorry if you had to listen from outside.

Live dates with full band have been announced for Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Fremantle.

There are still tickets 🎫 available to the shows at The Merri Creek Tavern with the wondrous Peter Milton Walsh from The Apartments. We’re swapping headline spots with PMW playing late on the Sunday. We’ve been talking duets, it’s going to be splendid.

Apart from Archies Creek Hotel on March 21, there’s another show with Shane O’Mara that’s just been announced at MOTH, Red Hill on Friday, April 3.

It feels like a relatively quiet time is coming to an end. I’ll be playing some new songs along the way mixed within the back catalogue.

Hope to see you,

Rx

Truckload of shows ~ Feb & March ~ DMc & PMW

It’s been 21 years since our friend and bandmate David McComb passed away ~ it may feel like a long time to some but David seems ever present in music and words and memories. This coming week sees the release of Truckload of Sky ~ The Lost Songs of David McComb and we mark the release by a special in-store acoustic performance at Rocksteady Records, Mitchell House, Melbourne on Monday Feb 17 [David’s birthday] at around 630pm. Some Triffids, some Susans ~ Alex Gow (Oh, Mercy), Romy (RVG) and myself providing vocals. There’ll be copies of the album available too.

Thanks to all who’ve been coming along to my shows this year. Next show up ~ I’m playing in solo mode in KYNETON at bar, diner, music venue, watering hole, burger joint and all ‘round friendly place MAJOR TOMS on leap day evening, FEB 29 ~ tickets available 🎫 if you fancy ~ 📸 by Tim C.

Then in March I’m doubling up with wunderkind, near~myth Peter Milton Walsh (from The Apartments) for the rarest of double bills. Half the tickets have already been swallowed up for these shows so be quick if you’re keen.

Archies Creek anyone? Shane O’Mara and I head to the new venue being run by the King of the Caravan Club, Peter Foley. It’s a little outta town ... if you’re heading towards Wonthaggi, Kilcunda or Phillip Island. Dinner and show ... plus accomodation if you needed a night away ~ they’re always trying something a little different so I’m looking forward to it. Tickets here.

Also, the Lost Songs of David McComb makes it’s live debut at The Adelaide Fringe Festival. We’ll be performing Thurs, March 12 at Adelaide University.

Rx

Cygnet Festivus, Peter Milton Walsh double bill and more Jan shows ...

Firstly, wanted to say a big, big thank you to all at The Cygnet Festival, but especially to Jethro & Ursula for the exquisite accommodation and stunning location. Nothing pleased me more than being greeted by a bevy of swans on arrival ... and it’s not often you get to stay in a converted apple packing shed sitting precariously on the Huon River.

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Looks like the start of March will be busy ~ a double bill just announced at The Merri Creek Tavern, Northcote with the near-myth behind The Apartments ~ Peter Milton Walsh. His music is of another time: post-punk but also of Burt Bacharach and Scott Walker, Françoise Hardy and Serge Gainsbourg ~ hence his popularity in France. He’s a beautiful songwriter and I’m so looking forward to sharing the stage. There’s limited tickets 🎫 available so be quick ~ I’ll headline Saturday March 7 and PMW Sunday March 8 of the Labour Day long weekend.

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Only two Saturdays left at The Union Hotel in Brunswick for this month. Hopefully see you there with my accomplice Shane O’Mara ... free and friendly.

109 Union St, Brunswick 5-7pm.
Jan 18 & 25.

Rx

Stay safe ... shows for JAN ~ Brunswick | Union + Tasmania | Cygnet Festival

Greetings and a happy festive season to you all 🎄

Hope it’s been a restful and stress free time.

Thoughts are with those experiencing hardship and loss in battling the horrendous fires throughout the land. Sad and difficult times. Seems of little consequence to mention forthcoming shows, apologies.

Firstly, three Saturdays at everyone’s favourite pub in Brunswick ~ The Union Hotel, from 5~7pm with maestro Shane O’Mara. Free and friendly if you fancy ... Jan 4, 18 & 25.

I’m heading to Tasmania to play two spots at the Cygnet Folk Festival ~ on the second weekend, hence the three out of four Saturdays.

Cygnet times and venues ~
Friday 10th 8pm: Supper Room
Saturday 11th 1pm: St James Catholic Church

The friends of David McComb have dates coming up later in the year. The CD has landed and pre~orders are still available for the February release. Truckload Of Sky is available here and here.

Happy 2020, stay safe

Rx

~ Last show of the year ~ SYDNEY ~ solo

Just a quick note ~

Last show for me this year is at Camelot’s DJANGO BAR in Marrickville this Saturday (!) ... and those kind, young hipsters JEP & DEP have been kind enough to join me for a song or two.

I’m playing two sets of past and present, lots of Sparrow & Swan.

Speaking of which, great to see Sparrow & Swan in the ESSENTIAL Top 10 for Basement Discs ~ I’ve never been essential before. Yippee~i~O.

Have a great festive season y’all ~ see you in 2020~!

Rx

Last two shows for 2019 Melb/Syd

Pictured here are producer Shane O’Mara with Kelly Day [BROADS] luxuriating whilst semi-working on Sparrow & Swan at Yikesville Studio. These two fine rapscallions join me this Sunday for my final show of the November residency at The Post Office Hotel, 229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg ~ from 430-630pm, free and friendly. Come one, come all ...

Next and my very, very last show of the year ... I’m heading north to Sydney all on my lonesome, playing in s~o~l~o mode at Django Bar @ Camelot Lounge, MARRICKVILLE. I might even take a few requests, just give me some warning and I’ll rekindle the neurones and polish the memory banks. There are plenty of tickets 🎫 left ~ not sure when I’ll be visiting next.

Finally, the first instalment of The Lost Songs of David McComb is available for pre-order. Featuring a band made up of Triffids and Blackeyed Susans with guest singers Romy from RVG, Alex from Oh Mercy, Angie from Frenté, Simon Breed, J.P. Shilo and myself.

Truckload Of Sky is available to pre-order ~

https://thefriendsofdavidmccomb.bandcamp.com/

http://lostrecordsandtapes.com.au/

There’s also a preview of a song I sing on called ~ Kiss Him (he’s history).

Some people go to a lot of trouble to host an acoustic house concert. Big thanks to Jeanette and Greg for the stage and the backdrop of ivy ... and the good folk of Rosanna for last weekend.

It’s been a busy year in parts, thanks to all those who’ve enjoyed the songs from Sparrow & Swan. Next year I head to The Cygnet Festival in Tasmania, Fairbridge in WA, MOTH in Redhill, Major Toms in Kyneton, The Lost Ones in Ballarat and The Palais in Hepburn, Mojos in Fremantle, JUNK in Brisbane and a few more.

If I don’t catch you before year’s end have a great festive season and break.

Rx