Huge weekend gone. Still recovering. Saturday working on the new venue. Saturday night, working at a local bar (Speigeltent) then over to Stalk’s & a few late night beers. Working at the Spiegeltent has been an amazing, eye-opening experience. Been there about a month now. Never worked behind a bar before, so I figured now’s the time to get familiar. Thrown in the deep end from my first night – the bar, cash register & EFTPOS machine – all things I’d never worked before. Starting to get clear about a good, practical bar design for our place. Sunday morning, went down to Rosebud for a 3 hour kayaking expedition out on Port Phillip bay. Sunburned, returned home to house-mate’s party which kicked on at volume til 5am. Yesterday was rough. Very slow start, but feeling almost human again this fine Tuesday morning.

Thanks to Stalk for this pic. We were both working the bar this night last week.

Fires out.

Heard this stuff last year & it’s taken a while to grab me. I guess we were out of the loop a bit, working on the new venue. The story of Future Islands goes something like this (to put it very briefly). Hailing from North Carolina, they’ve been around 10 years or so, pounding the US tour circuit. Then a break – appearing on Letterman last year with a performance that went seriously viral. Not hard to see why. I love the song – but the delivery is something else altogether. Enjoy –

Fires out.

This guy somehow slipped underneath my radar. First heard him last year – after the release of his 2nd album (didn’t even know there was a 1st album in 2012). The more you hear, the better it gets. Described by some as ‘Bob Dylan vocals & Johnny Cash rhythm’, Jake Bugg captures a bygone era so damn well. He brings it so uniquely to the present that it’s hard to put a finger on exactly what era we’re talking about. Feels like experiencing something new & unique while being lost in time somewhere. Just fantastic. The footage below is from a 2013 festival in Scotland, when he was 18 years old.

Fires out.

Yep, it’s been a little while between posts here. Took most of January off building the venue, needed to pull back & break for a bit.

Got a Skype video call from Kiev this morning. Spent about an hour talking with tour manager Sasha. Great to hear from her – though things aren’t going too well there. Large sections of the country ravaged by war. Pipa’s leg is still mending – he was badly injured a year ago at the beginning of the conflict. The guys aren’t playing any shows now. They feel this is not the time for enjoyment or celebration – but a time to respect the hardship and loss experienced by Ukrainian people as Russian troops invade & devastate their cities & towns.

Ukraine tour 2008. Legendary musician Sasha Pipa (top).

Pic above taken in happier times at a concert after-party, during the 2008 Ukraine tour. We traveled all over the country in Sasha Pipa’s tour bus for 3 weeks, 12 shows in 12 cities, opening for his band ‘@traktor’.

Fires out.

Mojo gettin’his mojo on – last Sunday show before Christmas at the new venue. Not bad rhythm for a pooch –

Been taking a couple of weeks off before winding back up for the year to come. Less regular posts here than usual over the next few weeks. Working on the venue, licensing etc. Lotta great plans floating around for 2015 – to be nailed down shortly.

Fires out.

Rang in the new year over at Stalk & Kim’s. Jamming round their backyard table. Up on the roof for midnight fireworks clear as day from the city a few k’s away. Had a great night. Home by 4. (Thanks again to Deano for shots below)

Lots to come this year. Slightly overwhelmed. New venue opening, new songs, recording…

Fires out.

Last show went great. Best of the ‘season’ & great way to finish up for the year. Campbell on bagpipes. Been a hectic week since with Christmas & Boxing Day. Thanks again to Deano for yet another show pic.

The On Fires with Campbell, 21st Dec 2014 (thanks Deano).

Have a great New Year celebration.

Fires out.

Great day yesterday for the 2nd last Sunday of the year. Brendan Young our special guest artist. Weather was awesome. Had a few more people drop in this week.

The mighty Brendan Young (Chapter Ray, Mercy Dash) – yesterdays special guest.

This Sunday will be our last for the year, doubling as our Christmas break-up celebration. Come down, say hello (& seeya next year). Doors open 1pm. Entry’s free, drinks are cheap, On Fires playing from 2 til 5, special guest artists joining us, party pies & I’m told a big Christmas hamper raffle (generously donated by Kim Cujo). It’ll be a fantastic arvo this Sunday – 208 Johnston St Collingwood.

Thanks to Deano for the pics.

Fires out.

Not a great pic from last Sunday’s show at 208, but guest artist Olivia Kate was a surprise talent. Just outa high school, this might have been her first show in a bar/pub. She was great, played a short set, crowd didn’t want her to finish, we got a couple more encore songs.

Olivia Kate on stage at 208 – thanks to Stalk our barman for the pic.

It was a slow day, bad weather not doing any favours. Max & I played in front of the stage later in the arvo to a faithful handful of friends who helped enthusiastically on percussion.

On the floor at 208 last Sunday – thanks again Stalk for the pic.

2nd last show for the year this Sunday. Come down to 208 Johnston St Collingwood for a cruisy Sunday arvo. Cheap drinks & free entry – the way we like it.

Fires out.

Had another great day yesterday. Awesome to have so many people join us for the 2nd Sunday arvo. Things were a bit more laid back, the heat slowing everything down a little. Housemate Hayden jumped up on the mic & gave us an impressive beat-box performance. We think he should have a permanent Sunday spot in the line-up.  Scotty’s sausage sizzle went down a treat as usual. We might bring back the chook raffle this weekend.

Many thanks to Deano for the pics above. (Hayden beatboxing yesterday)

Looking forward to this Sunday. Couple of guest artists joining us, including singer/guitarist & looper, Olivia Kate. Take a look at her YouTube clips. Join us for another great cruisy arvo in the new venue.

Fires out.