Went to the MCG yesterday to watch the Bulldogs get rolled by a much-improved Melbourne. Looks like the Dogs have been found out. Couldn’t go with a bigger-bodied Demon side, trapped in their back line too often & unable to get out. Made worse by a shellacking in the middle, terrible kicking at goal (3.9 at half time), and the kind of fumbling & dropping of easy marks that took us all back to the Bulldogs of old. Not the best way to wind up the weekend. Had a couple of guests at the game, including one from OS – his first time at an Aussie Rules game. I think he liked it. At least it was kind of exciting til midway through the final quarter.

More work on the venue coming this week…

Fires out.

Quick break from construction in the venue space. Cold today. Still going with temporary fit-out. Shop-fitting kinda thing for temporary rent as studio, office or shop. Liquid nails truly one of human kind’s finest inventions.

Standing on the stage platform a few minutes ago, looking back at venue room.

Fire out.

Taking a quick break from working in the venue room to post today. While we’re waiting on council approval for the first round of plans & paperwork, we’re looking at renting the venue out short term as a pop-up shop, studio or office space. Started banging up partition walls & fixing stuff over the weekend. Probably be a couple of weeks before it’s ready to go. Feeling knackered today.

Venue room a few minutes ago, 19th May 2015.

Still working through design ideas for the final venue layout. Then we’ll draft detailed plans accordingly & submit to council. No doubt, that’ll be another long episode of swimming through red tape to get final approval. It’s a long road – getting a good idea why it takes so long for a bar to open around here. Can’t officially start building & fit-out til we get the all-clear. We’ll keep pluggin’ away…

Fires out.

An AFL weekend of thumpings & thrillers. North got up against the Bombers in a tight one Friday night. The Hawks destroyed Melbourne by over a hundred points Saturday, followed by Carlton’s utter demolition at the hands of GWS. And West Coast obliterated Gold Coast who were early-season finals-favourites. These were all BIG thrashings, the likes of which could see a coach or two sacked as early as this week.

Sunday brought some balance back to the round with a thriller at the G between the Tigs & Pies, Richmond getting over the line by 5 points in the dying seconds. But the surprise result of the round belongs to the Dogs (yes – we are somewhat biased), losing to the comp’s undefeated champions Freo by 13 points in a heart-stopping finish, scores dead-level minutes before the final siren. Proud of the Bulldogs this morning. They were given absolutely no chance, and instead pushed the Dockers right to the line. Good signs for a very young side who’ve emerged from a tumultuous pre-season.

Fires out.

Steve Lane and the Autocrats earlier this week at Dakota Tavern Toronto for Canadian Music Week. Great stuff guys. That’s Steve’s son Kai on bass. What a great experience for a young dude out on the road, touring OS. Hope the guys went well & get a lot out of the the festival. It’s an amazing setup. Clubs all over Toronto hosting bands from all over the world. The Autocrats hail from Bendigo Victoria. With a bunch of Aussie tours under their belts, they’ve now taken the leap off-shore. Really impressed with their latest album Birds Taking Flight. Grab yourself a copy at iTunes.

Steve Lane and The Autocrats, Live at Dakota Tavern, Toronto Canada, 11th May 2015.

Big weekend of AFL footy about to start. Don’t fancy the Bulldog’s chances against the all-conquering Fremantle Dockers. North & Essendon play tonight in what should be a great game. Sydney & Geelong – a big one to look out for Saturday, and a cracker between Richmond & Collingwood Sunday. It’s round 7 (hard to believe already), one third the way through the season.

Fires out.

Today, something from the archives. Touring the States in 2010, we based in Brooklyn New York – infamous suburb Bedford Stuyvesant (‘Bed Stuy’). King, our house-mate, was also a community leader in a predominantly black neighbourhood. Once a year, each street would have it’s own block party, and this was our turn. Check out the moves. Max also makes a brave appearance in the circle…

No news on the venue council planning application for the past 2 weeks. I’d like to think no news is good news. Waiting for correspondence. Posting here when it arrives.

Fires out.

Some really cool electronica happening at the moment. These guys have grown on me over the past few months. Total Giovanni. Channeling Barry White & Calvin Harris into their own unique mix.

I think they’re a local Melbourne band. Details beyond their music kinda hard to find.

Fires out.

Californian Nights is the 3rd studio album release for LA indie rock duo Best Coast. It’s a stunning record. This is one of my favourites – title track California Nights.

They’ve been around a little while, first releasing in 2010 (Crazy For You debut album). Kinda piqued my interest along the way – but this latest stuff is killer. It’s a reminiscent sound – but I can’t quite put my finger on it. A bit shoe-gazy, a bit pre-grunge, kinda Sunday’s but not, slight 60’s feel. Hooked.

Fires out.

Big weekend of AFL football done. Probably the biggest ‘shock loss’ this weekend belonged to the Bulldogs. 10 goals up at half time & losing in devastating fashion to the much-improved Saints. Full credit to St Kilda who won in a thriller by executing their equal-greatest comeback of all time. Whether this kind of loss shatters the young Dog’s psychology remains to be seen. We’ll know a little more next weekend. For something a little different this Monday – a spectacular mark taken yesterday by Shaydan Close who plays for our beloved Macleay Valley Eagles up on the north coast of NSW. Sadly, he broke his wrist landing. No doubt, he’ll be healed and ready to attend the Sydney Swan’s Academy next season, where a football scholarship awaits.

Shaydan Close flying mark, Macleay Valley Eagles, Sunday 10th May 2015.

Fires out.

She’s been around a while now & totally slipped by me. Nicole Atkins. An atmospheric sound from the 50’s or 60’s, and a beautiful voice. Heard this during the week on Triple R. Atkins actually pre dates the wonderful Lana Del Rey, first releasing as a solo artist in 2006. Both women share a similar nostalgic sound (dubbed ‘Sadcore’ by Del Rey in recent years). Compelling listening.

Big weekend of AFL footy about to begin, kicking off tonight with a blockbuster at the G – Cats v Pies. So many great games, but we’ll be keeping a close eye on the Bulldogs v Saints match, Saturday. Have a great weekend.

Fires out.