It's always good to come home but I sure do love Australia. I'm gearing up to leave for Canada and trying to get ready for my Belly Up Tavern show on Feb 19. John Castro is flying in to San Diego for The Rugburns extravaganza debacle and I'm finishing all the last details for my new CD Dreamhouse which will be available for the first time on that Friday night.
Life just seems to keep pumping along and along the way I meet cool musicians like this Canadian guy named Dan Mangan. He played at a couple of the same places I played in Australia. Very cool gent and a good entertainer as well. I also saw Folk Uke! Man, are they ever funny! If you get a chance, don't miss their show. They're sweet and bawdy and touching and crude all in one package.
The drawing at the top of this entry is by a really cool artist from England named Laura Barnard. Check out her site and hire her for work.
I'm also in the midst of finishing up a second cd that I was working on in Perth. It's being mixed as I type this. Totally different vibe from Dreamhouse. I hope you like them both. I don't have a title yet for the Perth record or a release date but it will be this year. I also just got word that Malcolm is flying out from Perth for my Belly Up show. He recorded and is mixing my Perth record. You're going to love him.
Ciao,
Steve
It's 42 degrees here today which I think is 107 in my language. It's freaking hot I tell you. My friend Dominick took this picture in a park overlooking Perth. Today's my final day recording and then I fly to Melbourne. But I'm fixing to get up at 5:30 am Monday to watch The Charger game before I leave for my 5 hour Qantas flight. I'm going to watch the game on my computer via live streaming. It'll be Sunday at 1:30 pm in San Diego and I'll be all alone cheering and jumping up and down. Sometimes I get a little homesick but then that feeling goes away. I'll be home soon enough. Do I even have a home? If you guys ever get a chance to visit West Australia then I suggest you do it. Miles and miles (kilometers and kilometers) of beautiful coastline.
Thanks for always being so cool and coming to my shows. I really appreciate it.
SjjP
I took this picture in a haunted hotel somewhere in The Blue Mountains. I survived and now I'm on the west coast. I'm in Perth finishing up a 2nd record. The first one was recorded in Halifax. It's been a fun time but I leave Perth on Monday for Melbourne. I wanted to post some video action of the recording session. We were working on a new song called Spirit Hands. Chris Modl shot and edited this stuff. The 2 guys that own the studio are Malcolm (red shirt) and Sibbsy (white shirt). I only have one show left -Melbourne on the 20th of Jan at The Builders Arms in Fitzroy.
Watch Steve talk about UFOs and a chance encounter with an alien
Did I ever tell you guys about the time I saw a UFO and then later saw an alien? It was crazy and exhilarating and strange as hell. Rather than type it out I think I'll tell you about it in a video. It's a true story. Bushwalla filmed this little documentary and edited it. We're having fun here in Australia.
Pals for life (Rugburns added to Feb 19 Belly Up show)
You guys are my pals for life. That means that I've taken out life insurance on all of you. We're all in this together like flies stuck on that yellow sticky paper you sometimes see in truck stop toilets. I have a feeling that if you're friends with me then you'll have a good 2010. Of course, I'll have to "dispose" of one or two of you in order to reap the proceeds and continue to live this privileged life I've been gifted.
I'm staying in a hotel right now that's haunted. I'm scared of ghosts and I feel a couple hovering around me now. Perhaps I'll make friends with them and make them a cup of tea. I walked upstairs and to my room #38 at the end of the hall and my door slammed shut but I never touched it. I got chills.
The Rugburns have been added to my birthday extravaganza blowout show at The Belly Up Tavern! John Castro is flying out from NYC and he's bringing his bass geeetar with him. This is going to be my new cd release for "Dreamhouse" and I'll play a set with The Cynics and then rest for 15 minutes and finish off the night with The Rugburns. Of course, don't forget that the wonderful Mojo Nixon will start off the evening with a rare performance. If you've never seen Mr. Nixon then in you're in for a treat like you can't imagine.
I'll be on ABC radio this Saturday January 9th being interviewed by the illustrious Simon Marnie. 9:40 am Sydney Australia time. Listen here cobbers.
I'm a day ahead you peeps in The USA so if you're in California that would be Friday the 8th at 2:40 pm. It's all so confusing but we're 17 hours ahead.
Headed to the blue mountains today to play at The Clarendon and I'm thinking it's going to be the best day of my life. I hear Katoomba is pretty cool and that the people there all eat leaves and drink extra virgin olive oil. There is money hidden in a vault in the local pub and I'm going to crack the safe. It's going to be the biggest heist in years. Word has it that there's like 90 bucks stashed in the back in a bag underneath some rare African diamonds and an original Picasso. I'll leave that crap and take the cash and buy everyone some pies at a roadside stand. I'll send some free pies to you if you send me your pin numbers and credit cards. Also, I'd like to have the passwords to your online bank accounts. I've seen the light and it's really bright and my eyes hurt and I might need to "purchase" some Prada sunglasses.
I hope I see you guys soon somewhere. It's quiet this morning and I slept well and missed yoga. I don't know what to do with the extra 2 hours I've now been given. I think I'll build a model airplane. Come meet me in The Blue Mountains and sing songs with me.
***ALSO***
Just added a show!
20th January, 2010 - 8PM Builders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude St
Melbourne
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Happy New Year people! I love you all so much that it hurts my kidneys. Owwww! I'm overflowing with love. Or maybe I just have to go pee. This is a view from where I played a New Years Eve show in Sydney. So much fun. The fireworks were amazing and the pies at Harry's Cafe De Wheels were yummy.
Here's a video I made of me interviewing Aussies.I wanted to show you just how well known I am down here. Hope to see you guys at some shows. Tonight I play at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne and attendance is compulsory. Check the tour dates for other shows.
