Colour Yourself Spring Part 2

Spring Flare RVO for television. See previous post for details.

Colour Yourself Spring

Coverage of the 2013 Spring Flare festival held at the Coldridge Street Park, St. Lucia.

High Hopes for These Guys

I go through bands quite a lot; I get obsessed with one band for a while then move on to the next. I come across a band from time to time that catches me from the get-go, and I'll listen to it for weeks on end. The latest band that has been blaring through my speakers is the emerging Irish band, Kodaline. 

Previously known as 21 Demands, in 2011 they had a revamp of the band, with the addition of two other band members, they released two EPs at the start of this year in a lead up to their first album early last month. In a Perfect World is smashing it over in Ireland, reaching number 1 on the charts only six days after being released and once you get an earful of it you can understand why.

The album on whole has a great sound, having a distinct rock vibe in each song, but infusing it with a folk base that will have all different demographics loving it. There are some catchy hooks that you'll find yourself humming to days after, which will bring you back over and over again. Then underneath all that you'll find yourself singing along to some really heartfelt lyrics. 

Each song tells a whole new story and it will have you hanging on to every last word, and you won't get bored. Kodaline have harnessed the very potential that song writing has, and they execute it in a way that really highlights the power that songs can have in connecting with a listener and feel everything they are saying.
There are some albums you come across that make a great album for your car, or can be great to have on repeat in the background of your room as you study, or have you belting out choruses from on top of your bed, or your soundtrack for the year; well this album can be all those things. A right combination of everything, that will have grab you and have you grabbing right back.

High Hopes (one of the album's singles), All I Want and Way Back When are my personal favourites of the album. I think they sum up the new flavour of alternative rock that Kodaline have concocted with this record, and All I Want really takes you for a journey through a range of emotions. A slow start, to a powerful climax; put it on repeat and Ah, you're set for the day.

Rarely I come across an album where I love every single song, this is one of those albums!

P.S. Go watch the film clip for All I Want, it's a whole new story in itself.

Random Man in a Hoodie

Last night, I did a gig. It was the first time I did a proper, run of the mill, mundane, no perks, open mic night. I've done organised gigs before, and I've done festival shows. But this was the first time I had ever just rocked up to some pub, where no one knew me, got up for five minutes, got down and that was it. There was nothing more to this night, a four hour travel for five minutes of desperation. I can't believe I actually choose to do this.

I guess not many people talk about their first open mic night. It's usually a horrible experience. It's a common thing for the first open mic night to destroy a person. YAY COMEDY! It's the reason why I have put of doing the open mic circuit so much. The stories I hear from friends; the deafening silence, the awkward crowds and the sole crushing gigging. Comedy was the thing that was fun and made me feel great. So to know that comedy will one day be the thing that destroys me, you know, that doesn't sound awfully appealing thank you very much. But it had reached a point, where if I wanted to be a professional, I needed to man up and just do it (because I am quite the man).

The gig went well, people came up to me afterwards and said so, which is why I do this I guess. But that doesn't make me feel any better about my material, nor will it console me in future gigs. When you're off to the side of the stage, and your name gets called out, all your confidence falls out your ass and you're just left with all the voices in your head that say "you're not funny". Which is just a lovely feeling. I'm making very broad statements here. Experienced comics grow out of this and I guess maybe one day I won't feel like this every time I get on stage, but at this stage in my ... comedy career I guess you'd call it ... there nerves rule me. Because I just don't want to die ... I just really want people to like me.

I think I know I'll die one day on stage, and I think that's something I have to make my peace with. I think I know that people will not like me, but that's something I don't want to make my peace with. I think I know that this is going to be a long road. I think I know that this will destroy me, in pretty much every way possible.

But for some reason, that random man in a hoodie coming up to you after in the bar saying "hey mate, great gig, I loved your stuff" is oddly enough to get me through for now.

Golf ball explosive cannot destroy boy’s love of sport.

Thanks to Westpac and the support of Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, fifteen year old explosives victim Michael Boggan is smiling again.

Involved in the May 10 Ipswich backyard explosion, Michael has been in intensive care for the past five weeks and is expected to undergo dozens of surgical procedures in the future in an attempt to repair the damage done to his hands.

Released from hospital only last Monday, Westpac and Paul Pisasale organised for Michael and a few family and friends to attend the Wests Tigers versus Broncos match at Suncorp stadium.

A night off: Tim Moltzen and Lote Tuqiri greet recent
victim Michael Boggan (centre left) and step father

The Boggan family have been on high alert over the past month, and they were able to not only relax themselves, but see Michael relax and return to a normal life. He was able to become a regular teenager again and cheer on his favourite rugby league team.

Westpac representative, Michael Robertson who attended the night had one more surprise for Michael and his family. Upon entering the stadium they were greeted by star players of the Wests Tigers and Michael’s idols Lote Tuqiri and Tim Moltzen.

 “This is awesome” Michael Boggan said in disbelief.

For one night he wasn’t a hospital patient, he was just a fifteen year old boy again cheering his heart out for his team.

His family were just as speechless as he was about the night.

“I cannot thank you enough” said step father of Michael, Mick Clifton to Westpac’s Mr Robertson.

Both Pisasale and Westpac had given the Boggan family a night off, and whilst this doesn’t mend Michael’s injuries, they have allowed him to enjoy himself; something he hasn’t done since the accident. Mr Clifton says that a night completely removed from hospital beds, and paying bills and worrying about Michael’s future is exactly what they need.

“This is the best day of my life” says Mr Clifton.

This is just one of many ways in which Paul Pisasale has supported the Boggan family over the past month. From often visiting Michael in hospital to leading the aid campaign for the family, the mayor has actively involved himself in doing everything he can to see Michael can return to a normal life.

Westpac donated their money and time to the Boggan family as part of their commitment to strengthen their ongoing commitment to supporting the Ipswich council and to support the community members of Ipswich. The Boggan family’s case is just one example of the current pledge that Westpac have to foster a strong relationship with the people of Ipswich.

Mr Robertson also says that this would not have happened without the support of the Wests Tigers and the generosity of their general manager Grant Mayer and community, welfare and education manager Yvette Downey for organising the players to meet Michael and create such a memorable evening for him and his family.

Written by Nic Robertson

Arts degree? More like No Jobs! Ammiright?

For those who don't know me, I study Journalism and Arts at university. When I graduated high school, I was in the top 10 of my class, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I liked to write, and I guess I was interested in the media, so I chose journalism on a crazy last minute decision. In my Arts degree, I major in both French and Drama, two things I've always wanted to study, and enjoy study. However, the further I go into the degrees, the more I realise just how useless they are.

Drama at university is exactly how you imagine it to be. There are two types of people in it. The first, the stoner, tortured artists who are only at university "because I'm so pressured by society and its constraints that I caved, but I still stay true to my art at heart mannnnn". The second, are ... how do I say this politely?  Eh, the wankiest people you would come across. With their floral shirts, overalls and suspenders. With their fake glasses and decaf, soy, vanilla lattes (with no sugar because they just don't put processed things into their body) and most importantly their low morals and fluid sexuality (because sexuality shouldn't define the person they are). I've met some truly lovely people in the drama subjects I do, but let's face it guys, we're a wanky bunch. The collective name for crows is a murder; a group of drama students should definitely be called a Circle Jerk ... oh golly ... already on wank jokes. Anywho...

Journalism is a whole other kettle of fish, it's pretty much filled entirely of people who are in the same boat as I, no clue what they want to do with themselves. They just want to write, and this was the only degree that was semi legitimate. No one really talks to each other in Journalism though, they all just scatter to the edges of the room and look at their books. If a stranger walked into the room, it would like like we were all having a "time out" or all in different naughty corners. I thought journalism would be the exact opposite; filled with outgoing people and willing to talk to each other. If this is what we're like with our class mates, we're screwed when we have to interview strangers. 

The degree itself is alright, I guess. They teach us everything we need to know, and we are forced to write articles and get things published. But...alright, so we spent an entire subject last year in first semester, where we learnt about the media industry and if you're thinking of going into journalism, I can sum this subject up for you; THERE ARE NO JOBS IN JOURNALISM!!!!! Great, now you know everything to pass the course, gold star for you friend.

What I'm trying to say is, I pretty much am doing a Bachelor of Unemployment majoring in Living off the Dole. I do drama, french and journalism, so unless there is a newspaper that's looking for theatre reviews written in French...I pretty much will not have a job. If you do know of someone who's looking for that, holla at me. 

So this is it, I'm trying to start writing. I'm starting to get into blogging, and doing jouro...things...at least it's a start...

Warning: May Result in Questioning Your Morals

Armed with Fake glasses, dyed burgundy-red hair, tailored checked suit and with matching nail polish; Rhys Nicholson jumps onto stage with all guns blazing bringing his dark, filthy and altogether outrageously hilarious show Dawn of a New Error to this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival. 

After a successful 2012, winning Best Newcomer at the Sydney Comedy Festival, Nicholson returns with an equally hilarious sophomore solo show. His show allows you to take a break from your own insecurities and instead, laugh at his. From boyfriends, to being fat, to being skinny, to dressing up as a "back alley abortion" to a party, he leaves no aspect of his life untouched. Gifted with a demanding demeanor that you would expect from someone with such big hair, Nicholson is able to create even the saddest part of his life into comedy gold.

Rhys Nicholson is on the rise, and his latest show Dawn of a New Error is no disappointment.

I cannot tell you what it is about Nicholson, but he's got this spark in him that let's him get away with the darkest material. He has an ability to weave his tongue around a story, that instead of shaking your head, you are end up trying to laugh as you gasp for more air. It is this that is the highlight of the show, the audience bands together, leaving their moral conscience at the door and laughing at things they usually wouldn't (and laughing very hard I might add).

In saying this, this show probably isn't for everyone. He touches on some pretty sensitive topics, and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed this show, you mightn't want to take your Nan to see this show. 

Rating: ****

Written by Nic Robertson