ALBUM OUT NOW!Star Date!? Sounds a bit crude . . .!!?? Imagine a website for (wanna be?) rock and film stars with pictures of them bending over showing their . . . . oh never mind!!!
Where was I . . ??
Oh yeah . . . the blog thing . . . nearly forgot . . .
What . . .!? Me blog?
Is that your blerg?
Does your blerg bite?
I thought you said your blerg doesn’t bite!!??
So um . . . East Timor was pretty fascinating. Didn’t realise how hilly/mountainess it was . . .!!?? Of the small amount I was able to get to see, quite beautiful! Yet I still couldn’t quite get the low down on whether or not the yummy looking beaches were safe to swim at or not . . .? There IS a croc issue . . .!
Pretty humid and warm in Dili. And it’s the DRY season!!
Dili sits in a cove kinda thing on north coast. Sheltered from prevailing winds which come from the south-east. Consequently, smog, fog, clouds of insect repellent and wood smoke tends to build up all night and just sit there, waiting for you to step out of your digs and warmly embrace it with your lungs!
Some our shows were outide Dili and up and away to higher altitudes where there was much movement of fresh clean air and nights that at 4PM, pretty much had EVERY one clambering out of their sleeping bags, scrambling around in the dark in the tent for an extra layer of warm clothing . . !?
It was a great little line up of acts on this tour (of duty?) Two great quality comedians in Lawrence Mooney & Jeff Green. Plus myself and the boundless energy of Mark Spano!
Couldn’t help secretly enjoy the adorning of combat gear and flying around in a Blackhawk in the early dawn light. I’ve been looking at a bit of flying training in a machine that burns 16 ltrs/hr. It was suggested (at my moment of asking!) we were burning about 750lbs/hr!! If my studying has been on the money, I think that’s about 1600 ltrs/hr!! Hence the guilty pleasure thang . . . yo’all! Get down!!
All in all I reckon the guys (soldiers female & male) really dug our show. I was told that before we arrived, on looking at the bill, a lot of the younger soldiers were complaining with “Augh what!!?? No tits!!??”. By the end of the tour that refrain had muted somewhat . . .?
The army guys were great to us. Looked after us very well and kept us entertained. (No I didn’t HAVE to say that!!) I’ll be giving up 6AM rises though!!
Four days in total in East Timor then back to Darwin for a couple days in gorgeous weather with me bro pete and my nieces then back to slightly cooler climes of Sydney.
Since then?? Mainly gearing up for the “Shake It Up” tour with young Wes carr, a really nice guy! I’m going out 3 piece. Jz on bass and Hamish on drums. It’ll still feature lots of acoustic but I’m looking at ways of “electrifying my acoustic” a little more and also at getting more electric guitar back into the show. I’ve been checking out some pedals, wondering if anyone’s got something that competes with tape for delay. Gettin’ closer but ain’t quite there yet is my conclusion . . . . ??
You know what? I reckon I’ll sign off for now.
Talk soon!
Bye!!
Hey Mossy,
a super job done on the website! I bet the troops in East Timor were blown away with the live acoustic magic you seem to bring to every show. It is a thankless task standing up in front of bullets because the government thinks it is a good idea. Being taken on those wonderful musical journeys of yours will make their lives better. Hey, it makes our lives better and we only have to fight the traffic.
As a veteran of many of your shows, I cannot wait for your return to the Basement. Your six strings show there was a stunner. One bloke just filled the room and stopped the clock for a room full of strangers who knew at the end of the night they had shared something special – ah, live music!
Each solo album has been a wonderful development on the last and the more you listen to them the more you hear. They make the greatest gifts, I have to say (and so do the receivers!). I have literally worn out both CD’s driving to and from my hangars in Goulburn.
I recall a brief discussion with you at the Vanguard (you were kind enough to sign an album for me so that I could give someone else the joy) and you mentioned that this newest album was almost ready to go. It is sure to be worth waiting for. All of us are “fizzing at the bung” so to speak.
I do not know if you have considered it but if the opportunity arises a DVD would be a sure fire winner. One of the great pleasures of live performance is the visual element. The colours,the flashes of light from the instruments, the people creating something utterly unique is really a thing of wonder. The intimacy and the chemistry of creation needs to be captured and savoured. I never tire of the wonder that comes from watching so much skill, color and soul come from just six strings and a wooden stomp box. This visual magic needs to be captured – the music is timeless and will be just as fresh and just as extraordinary in 50 yrs – you need to be bottled while you are at your peak
it works for wine..
If you are passing or flying through Goulburn drop us a line and stop by for a coffee. If you like aircraft you will love this toy shop. Great acoustics too….You know you have got it right when the neighbors come over and ask you to turn the Mossy up a bit!
Regards
JtH
Yeah your bleg bites.
Flying in a Blackhawk how I would love to see and experience one of those! What does it look like inside?
I used to fly on a sea plane from Perth to Rottnest Island, WA, to deliver a the weekend paper run. A very civilised way to start a Sunday morning. Then my flatmates and I would snorkel around the reefs of the island before heading back.
There beat that!
6am starts in East Timor, how I would love to see that. Must have been hard for you, you nockturnal rock star.
Electrifying my Acoustic… Interesting looking forward to hearing that.
Just want to clarify Jz on bass…? Hamish on drums, are they the cool kiwi looking blokes who played on your worlds away album??? By the way still waiting on Plaza Syllabus, yeah I know it’s hard for Rock Stars.
Keep on Rockin and yes Wes Carr comes across as an ultra nice guy. Much like yourself really.
Ohh and I am bringing an great group of friends to your Central Coast gig. I promise their will be no Belinda neil lookalikes more like a Casey Champers crew.
Nicola
Ohhh yes did I say Casey “Champers” sorry (Chamvers, I mean Chambers) it will probably be that later on in the night if I don’t mix too many drinks.
Star Date at the DAVO RSL. Sounds terribly romantic.
BYE From Poontang (Nicola)
Hi Ian, one more thing as I feel compelled to ask you, RSL clubs…? Why?
Just dosen’t have the atmosphere… you know the inside of of sock(smell), shagadelic, ostentatious carpet. Zombies playing poker machines…spending their weekly pay packets. $10.00 roast counter dinners that have been sitting there for hours. YUK!!!!!
My partner in crime teachers at Erina High School and teachers music they have lots of bookings apart from school battle of the bands. Anyhow a fabulous stage.. black curtain backdrop. Wooden floors with loads of seats.
Also another potntial venue is, South Avoca picture theatre. CHARMING, in an art deco kind of way… again great stage setting and plush red velvet seats.
As you know I really dig your music and a good venue REALLY creates the atmosphere.
I love “SHAKE” need to hear more
Nicola,
And yes, I do have a life.
Hi Ian,
I was lucky enough to be at the Richard Clapton gig (which was outstanding) on Saturday. Your surprise appearance on “I am an Island” was fantastic! Go the Gretsch White Falcon too.
Cheers,
Max
I went to the Epping RSL last year to see Mossy,amongst many gigs, and actually, it was the best in terms of atmosphere and audience- I am not into RSL’s either, but it worked really well.
Hi there Ian, Just read “SHOTS” by Don Walker. An interesting book, full of articulate and literate storytelling of outback Australia. The city life in Sydney…. (the beauty and the seedy).
There was a section in the book featuring yourself. A pretty good wrap… I must say, stating how, you blew everyone away with your wonderful guitar technique at only 17. But what else is new! The white aboriginal as they called you. Yes a true legend. I hope you are now enjoying the benefits all your years of blood, sweat and tears….
Youv’e earn’t it!
Ian, ever thought about writing your own biograpy???. Would be a great thing to do. Would love to hear some stories of outback life. I am immensely fascinated by the beauty, people, culture, environment. etc, etc. Visited Horn Island (the top of the cape a while back. Horn Island is next door to IT (Thursday Island), camped, swam with the stone fish and flew in small sea planes. I had a great motorbike with very fat wide tyres. I used to fly down the air stripe in it. Horn and TI have their own air strip.
Thankyou for connecting with your blog subscribers, a kind and unpretentious thing to be doing. I hope you continue and not get frustrated with some comments made.
I am sick of listening to part of your Shake song… you know, (the mouse who is always out of reach of his cheese). TORMEMTING! I am waiting PATIENTLY, for your album release,not just the single.
Hope your rehearsing is going well…
Cheers Nicola
Just got my motor cycle licence… heading down to the beach… way to go… Yehah!
Hey Mossy, just wanted to say it was great chatting with you last night in Gladdy (Gladstone) on your ‘Shake it up’ tour! Thanks for the awesome photo too! The second one of us to make it to my collection
Love the new album….very easy listening, although nothing compares to hearing your voice accompany your strings LIVE! You definately need to bring out a recent DVD! I could sit and listen to you all night long. Hope you come back to us soon!
Carly (Chick with the dark hair and purple top!) haha
hey ian , AWESOME shows at the gov fri and sat nite – you are on fire my friend !!thanks for the pic and the chat so i thought the least i could do was buy australias premier live performer a bevvy or two – enjoy !! cant wait to see you and the boys in sydney dec 5 and if you are not coming back to adelaide again before clipsal i just might have to have another trip interstate for little more MOSSY LIVE !in the interim the latest cd will continue to keep the smile on my face for my long daily drives to work ! take care and imsure i will see you soon – anna
Hi Ian,
I actually saw you at the Tour de Force gig in Dili and You ROCKED!
We were the crazy buncha dancing/chorus girls at the entrance door. Had a chat and photo with you before you went on.
Timor is a fantastic place with wonderful people. Can’t believe they have so little and are soooo happy!!
I reckon the troops would have been right pleased with the gig and yes, Mark Spano was a great hit as well!
It seems everywhere I go to live, you put on a gig there!! One happy fan! See you at Davo!!
Cheers and love the album!
Merry Christmas Ian xox
Hey Ian. I remember back in 78/79 when you guys first broke in Sydney from Adelaide. You used to come down to the MOUNT PLEASANT SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB in Wollongong some Wednesday Nights and play. Sometimes without Jimmy. Cold Chisel used to Hire my PA System and Lighting for this gig in those early days. I remember one night being downstairs listening and I heard this Voice and lone Electric Guitar, It was you singing “GEORGA”, I’ll never forget it. Seen you guys many times as THE BARKING SPIDERS too. I have a club in KATA BEACH PHUKET and a very enthusiastic Thai Guitarist friend who is your Number 1 Fan. Hope I catch up with one day. Take Care. Ron.
Saw you at Lizotte’s Newcastle Last Night (Sun 24th Jan) Awesome Ian, just awesome. “THE WAR AIN’T OVER” MOSSY.
My 2nd Favourite Song of all time. By the way, Where would we be (ROCK BANDS THAT IS),if it wasn’t for C.C.R.??? GREEN RIVER MAN >>>>> JUST MAGIC
Regards Ron.
ps I like the NEW ALBUM TOO. KEEP IT UP.