ENTERTAINMENT
SAY HELLO TO HEADLIGHTS AND GOODBYES
Headlights and Goodbyes is the new EP from north coast folk rocker Cheynne Murphy. He plays the Rails this week as part of his local launch. What was the inspiration for Headlights and Goodbyes? It was really the title track Headlights and Goodbyes that explores the notion of moving forward with the simultaneous feelings of nostalgia and a yearning for what is being left behind. Memories are like a rearview mirror when you are driving. They can be a good reflection and perhaps there are things that do need to be addressed from the past in order to move forward. Ultimately though we are using the headlights to show what is coming ahead. The song itself is based on a domestic-violence situation and explores the simultaneous feelings of the pain in saying goodbye but the freedom of letting go. How did you get Jeff Martin of the Tea Party to come and record some guest guitar on the EP? It was really just serendipity at play. My producer Paul Pilsneniks and I were mixing the track in his home studio. He was living on the same property as Jeff up in the hills of Byron. Jeff knocked on the door while we were finishing recording Mark Heazlett’s rhythm guitar and politely offered to add B-bender guitar as a finishing touch. It’s a unique sound and it added great atmosphere to the track. He has always been a great musical inspiration to me so it was quite a surreal moment. He ended playing on most of the tracks. What was the overall feel you were looking for in the EP? Authentic, raw, acoustic folk rock. Most of the takes were recorded live in two sessions and then we touched it up later. What should we expect for your gig at the Rails? We have the band that recorded the EP playing. Longtime collaborators Mark Heazlett on guitars and vocals, and Mat Akehurst on drums, plus Ben Brennan (Walrus and the Carpenter / Resin Dogs) on bass. Maybe even some special guests. Early Christmas cheer and some loose folk rock. Probably a few harmonies too. You can catch Cheynne Murphy at the Rails on Sunday at 7pm.
CULT URE
FIONA MCGARY HEADLINES COUNTRY CLUB COMEDY
Comedian Fiona McGary has a passion for using humour to change people’s lives. ‘After working with humour for over 18 years as a professional standup comedian, I was fascinated by unpacking the science behind it – what it is, how it works, and how we can better understand it to use its power in our lives. ‘We talk about our “sense of humour” all the time; everyone’s is different, some people have ‘good’ or ‘bad’ ones, and some people seem to have none at all, or life has beaten them down so much they seem to have lost it. ‘But we really don’t UNDERSTAND it, and it’s not something we’re ever taught about – how to use it effectively, how to develop it, and how crucial it can be in creating happiness in our lives or dealing with stress, fear, grief, depression, or any number of the challenges we can face on a daily basis.’ Fiona’s obsession with understanding this mysterious force, along with her desire to help others harness the amazing power of humour in their lives, led her to develop her Change With Humour course and become a sought-after personal and professional development speaker on the topic of humour and change in our personal and professional lives. Her expertise comes from years as a standup comedian on the national circuit with performances as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, and The Sydney Comedy Festival. Fiona heads to Ocean Shores Country Club to headline the hugely popular Country Club Comedy with support Matt F Ford and MC Mandy Nolan on Tuesday 4 Dec at 7pm. 7 Got a secret talent you are busting to show? A Free entry. party trick you drag out after a couple of chardies? Well this could be your opportunity to shine! Bruns Got Talent at the Brunswick Picture House on Saturday! It’s open to everyone! If you’re ready to see your name in shiny lights, drop them a line, give them a call or go and see them — they are happy to talk through your act, and offer advice to bring that silly little idea of yours to life! Sat at 7pm | Adult $22 | Conc $20 | Child $18 | Family of 4 $70
BRUNS GOT TALENT
WHO WAS THE LOSER OF 2018? That’s the comedy question on everyone’s lips at the Court House Hotel on Thursday 6 December when Mandy Nolan hosts the regular open mic comedy night. With 2018 about to come to a close Mandy has asked the comedians to prepare material on someone they would like to nominate for Loser of the Year. Clearly Donald Trump should expect a few nominations, especially after his recent comments on preventing forest fires by ‘raking’. But look who we’ve got here? Barnaby Joyce! Mark Latham! Pauline Hanson! Jarryd Hayne! We have no shortage of losers right on our doorstep. After hosting comedy at the Court House for over eight years, now Mandy has mixed up the format with only five open mic comics and a featured comic with a comedy challenge to get comics thinking on their feet! This month features comedy by Louis Spiteri, Matthew Price, John Peacock, Lisa Sharpe, and Grace Hogan, and a feature by Robert Grayson. Mandy Nolan will be there as MC. Free from 8pm!
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FEDERAL
FREE WRITERS
LYNNE WALLIS FESTIVAL 28 NOV - 23 DEC Exhibition
SUNDAY 9TH DECEMBER | 9am–7pm Opened by five-time Walkley Award winner
Kerry O’Brien 44 Cherry St, Ballina Open Wed to Fri 10am-4pm Sat and Sun 9.30am-2.30pm
www.lynnewallis.com
www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
Award-winning Australian, indigenous and overseas authors from USA, India, Bangaladesh, Canada, Philippines, China and New Caledonia. Admission is free, please register for tickets at www.federalfreewritersfetival.com
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Here we go!
mşưĕŔćĕſ ǩǯǽ ǩǧǨǯ The Byron Shire Echo 35