26 JULY 2023 | ISSUE 529 | FREE
GOULBURN RIVER & RANGES
LIVE MUSIC FOR FLOOD RECOVERY AT BLUE TONGUE BERRIES Blue Tongue Berries based in Seymour are pleased to announce a special series of Short Straw Sessions.
include a successful collaboration with ARIA awardwinner Sarah Blasko, becoming ambassador of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, recording with a group of industry stalwarts including Missy Higgins, and performing live at major festivals around Australia and internationally, including Mofo, WOMADelaide, Panama Festival and the Tamar Valley, Port Fairy and Woodford Folk Festivals.
The Live Music for Flood Recovery Program is supported by Music Victoria and by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
On 27th August at 2pm Blue Tongue Berries will feature a musical performance by Americana troubadour Matt Joe Gow. Expect lush three part harmonies as Matt will be joined by his longtime trio, consisting of Katya Harrop on backing vocals & percussion and Andy Pollock on backing vocals and Mandolin.
The program has supported many events throughout 2023, from small gigs in pubs featuring local musicians, to large-scale festivals and community events, with passionate artists supporting communities and sharing music to provide a space for impacted communities to revive, recover and gather together after a tumultuous year. Blue Tongue Berries offers a unique and intimate space to host live music in their stunning off-grid strawbale venue, the Hacienda. On July 30th at 2pm hear from the icon of Australian Sudanese music Ajak Kwai together with Kumar Shome & Matthew Rickson. Ajak has a deep connection to community spirits, she knows how it feels to lose your home and experience a disrupted life. Ajak looks forward to bringing her music to the region. Ajak’s broadly inspired artistic achievements
From large festivals to boutique gatherings, from supporting Chris Isaak to Justin Townes Earle, Matt Joe Gow has built a simmering credibility to go along side the authentic Alt Country tones. With his second consecutive Music Victoria Nomination winning the award for Best Country Album and his new album charting on the ARIA Country and Australian Independent charts, New Zealand Country Music Award winner and critically acclaimed troubadour Matt Joe Gow brings combines Americana with a confiding closeness. For the AFL grand final eve on Thursday 28th September at 7pm John Flanagan will be bringing a 5-piece band. John Flanagan is a devotee of melody and meaning. His music pulses and shimmers with
childlike honesty and sage-like wisdom. His latest album Manhood Method Actor brings to life the soulful folk-rock sound of the 70s, taking inspiration from the likes of Jackson Browne, CSNY and Bonnie Raitt. Lyrically the album traverses various themes of love, conflict, parenthood, masculinity and coming of age. The album hit #3 on the AIR ‘100% Independent’ charts putting him alongside The Waifs and Midnight Oil and also hit #3 on the AMRAP metro radio charts. Blue Tongue Berries owners Cynthia Lim and Nick Bray have hosted a number of musical events at their venue and are both delighted to be given the opportunity to showcase these fabulous artists in the Seymour region. Cynthia Lim says “This is an amazing opportunity to support Victorian artists and showcase them in our region. It’s really special to hear the stories of these artists through song and to be transported to new soundscapes.” First up in Blue Tongue Berries special series of Short Straw performances this coming Sunday is the icon of Australian Sudanese music Ajak Kwaiand and tickets are still open. Tickets are available at bluetongueberries.au/events