The Haze Magazine - issue 2

F REE

#002 • D EC 2014 Lithgow to Penrith

Local Music & Lifestyle Mag.

Rock Diner almost Ready to Roll

Home Studio Rising | Phatapillars Crawl Back in Blax - Rock n Roll Diner | ers angeness | Science with schoon Derby Rumbles | Steam Punk Str

 MUSE

Tune in, Fade out

Noonan & Friends Send Penrith ‘pink’ Last month the Joan in Penrith held a ladies night like no other, featuring some of Australia’s most well known female voices: Katie Noonan, Angie Hart, Melody Pool and Sam Buckingham.

Katie Noonan says, “I am so thrilled to be able to join with these remarkable women, utilising the Songs That Made Me concept, to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon campaign. It’s not every day that you get to work with such incredibly gifted artists and contribute something meaningful at the same time.” The Songs that Made Me is out now with all profits to the Pink Ribbon campaign.

Next year Christine Anu & Archie Roach are at the Joan, plus plenty more.

Psychedelic rockers Fade In Mona Lisa draw influences from the music and culture of the ‘60sand define themselves as having ‘celestial tone’.

Their debut release ‘Tents Intense’ has received a warm reception in their first year as a band, including their first single ‘The Bantam Beat’ going onto rotation on Triple J Unearthed Digital Radio.

They’ve already performed with the likes of The Preachers, Kingswood and Art VS Science, and frontman Liam says “Imagine if Van Morrison took acid, watched a Tarantino film and then went for a swim.”

Listen at Bandcamp or Unearthed.

Bonnie at the Ball

Out of the ‘Toom

Summer Sundays

If you were lucky enough to have picked up one of the 50 selected issues of this month’s mini-mag with a CD on the cover, we’d like to hear what you think.

Blue Mountains rock favourites Bonniedoon are performing at the New Years Eve Ball in The Carrington Hotel Main House, 8pm til late on the 31st Dec, Book early to grab a spot.

Katoomba RSL has been working hard on securing some big name artists for 2015, the first worthy gig will be Chase the Sun & Claude Hay on Sat 7th Feb 2015.

Then country sweethearts The McClymonts will rattle off some of their latest tracks from this year’s music release Here’s to You and I on 21 Feb 2015.

Lithgow’s Grand Central Hotel have decided it’s too hot for you to cook your own lunch, so head to the main street for ‘Sunday Sessions’ and enjoy live music in the Beer Garden from 2pm until 6pm.

It’s family friendly so you can take the rugrats and enjoy Chef Darren Wood’s meals, have a drink and listen to some local music.

Want to contribute to, or sponsor the next issue?

Local Music & Lifestyle Mag.

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The Haze Mag is candy for local music, arts & lifestyle.

Email: thehazemag@gmail.com or FB / thehazemag

Coffee convo courtesy FB / Blue Mountains Memes... Beau : “Best coffee is at Mountain High Pies.”

MUSE  Hunting for Music Music Hunter Projects is a network which keeps punters up to date on the vibrant music scene via email news, Facebook, and gig guides. They cater to everyone who loves rare, diverse and quality music. That’s why the release of the new music hunter crowd funding campaign and short film this month is timely to extend on that support to further increase benefit to musicians and audiences.

Music Hunter Projects has nurtured audiences and musicians with

top quality musical opportunities.

Director Meg Benson, has taken pride and joy in the evolution of this social enterprise that results in social cohesion and belonging, and is asking for support from you the music lovers, the culture hunters, those of you who are relieved to access top quality entertainment, outside of the mainstream.

Together with KFM media she has produced a short film with footage, photos and a live interview with John Shand, SMH music critic. She invites you to help her continue with projects to launch the business

activities further.

Hop on the Music Hunter network to enjoy the opportunity to contribute to sustaining the arts that sustain us!

Visit musichunterprojects.com

John Butler picked as Festival drawcard Fingerpicking folk fanatics are already lining up for tickets to next year’s Blue Mountains Music Festival as John Butler has confirmed his spot on this huge 3 day event, along with Dan Sultan and many others.

Last time JB was in the Mountains Instagram was overloaded with selfies of the songwriting legend as fans got up close and personal.

Throw us a Line Local bleep duo Innamech have been slowly putting out music worth a listen, performing at Mid Mountains Festival last month and now releasing their first video clip for The Line.

Jump on Youtube to see this nomadic masterpiece, directed and shot by Andrew Gelao of KFM Media.

Filmed in the Blue Mountains and available on their EP.

Merrilee : “Hmm... I would vote Your Cafe at Blaxland pretty high.”

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 MUSE Wanna Win Some FREE Tickets ‘ay?

Don’t miss your chance to win a double concert pass from local entertainment booking and promotion company Fusion Boutique!

Award winning Jaron Freeman-Fox and his band The Opposite of Everything are touring from Canada and will be performing Sat 31st Jan with special guests Blue Mountains locals Lime and Steel at Hotel Gearin.

The hyper-kinetic Jaron Freeman-Fox has been described as the Jimi Hendrix of the violin. The Opposite of Everything dances down a line between the beautiful and the absurd, transforming Freeman-Fox’s intricate violin compositions into an infectious party.

‘Like’ the “Fusion Boutique Presents” Facebook page and comment on the competition post to be in the running to WIN: www.facebook.com/ FusionBoutiquePresents Discount pre-sale tickets $15 available for purchase from Katoomba Music, or online for $16.50: www.fusionboutique.com.au Or $20 on the Door.

The Phat are Back Local blues cheeksters Eddie Boyd and the Phatapillars have been traveling the nation sowing their musical seeds across Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Sunny Coast.

But what the boys miss most while on tour is “the diversity of our community. Young, old, hippy, nerdy, crazy. It doesn’t matter.

We’re all family,” says Eddie from a stinking hot Bridgetown Bluesfest in WA. You can catch their somewhat hilarious tour diary on the Faceplace, they’ve just arrived home where they recently blew the lid off both Tatts in Penrith and Station Bar, Katoomba.

Tatts Turns Two! In what has been a triumphant return for live music in Western Sydney, Tattersalls Hotel in Penrith has now been hosting bands, hiphop, karaoke and acoustic for over 2 years.

The recent birthday celebration headlined by Gay Paris was a massive night for music and it’s safe to say the pub will keep things rolling as long as there are local punters who get out and enjoy it.

Following on from the Hip Hop thursdays, the weekly evening has now been mixed up to now be acoustic music nights hosted by Aussieradio.com.au

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Sky High in Penrith The rumble was heard from suburbs away as Sienna Skies supported Byron boys In Hearts Wake at Tattersalls Penrith in November.

The venue was heaving with keen punters who clawed the stage area during the bands’ massive performances.

Andrew from The Design Monsters snapped a few shots of the night and says the “atmosphere was amazing, the bands were so entertaining”.

Both bands are touring heavily at the moment so keep your ears peeled.

OMG turns it up to 10 “Firstly, Oz Music Gear (OMG) would like to thank all of our customers and the Blue Mountains community for their overwhelming support over the past 10 months!” say owners Farzin and Anahita.

locals of the surrounding areas and beyond.

A local family run business, OMG is nestled in the back end of Greens Arcade on the Highway in Blaxland.

The owners of OMG have been playing a pivotal role in the music industry of the local area for the past 15 years assisting local bands and performers across all genres of music with the unique rehearsal/ recording studios in the Penrith area.

This small yet well-stocked boutique music instrument store opened its doors to the public in early March of 2014 with one of its main goals being to provide the best assistance, service and price to the

With this knowledge and experience of all walks of musical lives witnessed they are very eager to make sure that you will receive quality service coupled with quality products guaranteed. OMG

work closely with their suppliers and repairers to ensure that your experience is enjoyable and with ease. With over 600 products in store if they don’t have it they will go out of their way to find it. Farzin says “You are only as good as your instrument and sound can be”.

OMG provide the sale, hire and repairs of most musical instruments as well as sound and lighting.

Give them a call or drop in and take a browse of their ever expanding range of music gear.

FB / OzMusicGear

Call: 4739 1777 www.ozmusicgear.com Mandy : “Dbl Ristretto in Springwood.”

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Photos by Taude Deal

Rock Diner is Ready to Roll!

Blaxland Tavern Launching Plug’n’Play Acoustic Music Bistro Sandra and Dennis Johns have owned city pubs for over 45 years, until recently retiring and buying their final hotel - the infamous Blaxland Tavern. Sandra says “we have great expertise in getting involved with the community to create an experience rather than just another pub or venue. We saw the opportunity of using the secondary room as a Rock n’ Roll Diner, away from the pub atmosphere”.

With the help of Rob Deal from Everything Entertainment they are launching the diner you’ve been waiting for since you watched Grease for the first time - a mix of live music and fantastic family food.

Rob currently books bands, runs alternative karaoke, and has his hands in helping out musicians wherever he can. He’s had a history of performing in cover bands and his passion is live original music. “The Rock n’ Roll Diner is a place where musicians can come and play any time, any day of the week, and play what they like. The flip side is that anyone looking for somewhere to take the family for a meal and enjoy live music knows they can drop in to the diner any time,” says Rob. “The decor is retro ‘60s diner with records on the table, plenty of memorabilia on the walls, it’s an American styled diner with a stage, that will feel like local musician’s lounge room as you watch performers while you eat.”

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The beauty of the diner is the family environment, also offering all ages to be able to use the stage, where they would normally need to wait until they are 18 to perform at most other jam nights. There’s also talk of ‘tip buckets’ on the tables meaning over time performers may walk away with enough money to buy their next instrument.

The sound system will be small and clear, to keep the diner from becoming overpoweringly loud, and includes foldbacks and lights so performers can enjoy a full stage styled performance, and on professional gear.

Wired for sound The instruments are being donated by local music store Oz Music Gear (OMG) in Blaxland. Owners Farzin and Anahita are putting their weight behind bringing music to the area.

Farzin says “Oz Music Gear is proud to be sponsoring the Rock n’ Roll Diner through the provision of various musical equipment. We are excited to be involved in the support of local artists and in helping showcase the abundance of musical talent in the Blue Mountains”. There will be two semi acoustic guitars and an acoustic bass, plus a range of percussion instruments.

The Rock n’ Roll Diner concept takes the acoustic performance aspect and combines it with great food and an intimate atmosphere, opens it up to all-ages and all times of day, and gives the Mountains a spot where even worldwide muso’s can stop and have a strum.

Rob says “this will really help to

create a live music scene in the area, it will be the first place a lot of people will play on a stage in front of an audience, and we hope it launches them into their own music careers, similar to Nashville’s Bluebird Café.”

The line-up will be ‘Mountain Jam’ on Monday nights, an open mic night for local muso’s. Thursdays will be alternate Karaoke, with a selection of ‘real’ songs, rare and rock themed (visit songlist.com.au for a full list) and then Fridays in the main room live rock bands.

When: Kicking off in February Where: Blaxland Village

(next to IGA) You: Contact Rob Deal for

band bookings FB: blaxland rock n roll diner

HTS IN PLUG N PLAY: JAM NIG NS THE BLUE MOUNTAI l jam There’s a circuit of loca ing artists nights offering emerg their axe the opportunity to get are a out and show off, if you ed muso songwriter or a frustrat to start. these are a great place - every Vic Mt • Imperial Hotel 2nd Thurs 7.30pm ba • Family Hotel Katoom Every Wed 8pm mp Sessions • Lawson Hotel - Swa 8pm ay rsd Thu rd Thi ry Eve d• Royal Hotel Springwoo Every Sunday 4pm l Diner • Blaxland Rock n Rol 5) Every Day (from Feb 201 Luke : “The Glenbrook Deli - Amazing.”

MUSE  Really Cooking

If you build it, they will come Nestled away in a quiet location in the Blue Mountains, the team at Rhythm Section have been preparing ‘the Warehouse’, a multipurpose space for jamming, recording and general music shenanigans, with a “pimped out office” for when they need to get down to business Although it’s not technically going to open for bookings, I’m sure you’ll hear a lot of local noise coming from this hideaway hub built for Rhythm Section’s own artists.

Rhythm Section’s Ryan Van Gennip says “We have two recording rooms and a large control room. We are also operating our music business from this location with a large open plan office space. We’re currently running Protools through a 24 channel Toft desk and an Alpha link SSL 24 converter.”

“We have finished building the rooms but still have a few finishing touches to complete. We are going to have a launch party in Jan some time however we are starting to track our first project this week,” he says.

Ryan will be tracking the bands himself, although admits many bands like to bring in their own crews.

“Hopefully we’ll attract good bands, ha ha. This year we have a few projects booked in already, first up is: Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars, Claude Hay & The Gentle Enemies and Chase The Sun. We are hoping to do a lot of full band live recordings and videos just for creating content for our artists and their social media sites” Converting a warehouse is no easy feat, with Ryan admitting he’s lucky to have a few good friends who are builders, “and we have had a heap of mates lending a hand too”.

“The main recording room internal walls are floating on a frame filled with 3 tonne of sand, this frame is

Didi : “Rubyfruit Leura.”

4x7meters and has rubber pads spaced out every 300mm. The walls have two sheets of gyprock stuck to a frame filled with wall batts and held up by string and carpet underlay, a 50mm air gap and then the same frame, insulation and double gyprock on the external wall.” We’re sure the neighbours will be happy about that!

Ryan says he’s always been into recording bands ever since he was a young lad and has had small set-ups in the spare room of his house ever since he can remember.

“Several of the bands that Jon (Rhythm Section partner in crime) and I play in are due for new albums next year so I guess the reason why we decided to build this studio wasn’t to make money but to save us money – and also to have our own creative space to work from.”

“The last couple of releases that we have made have cost about $20-25K each with maybe $5-6k of this going towards rehearsing and tracking. I also feel that musos that are paying for their own records are always looking at the clock when hiring a studio, I really want to alleviate that pressure and hopefully capture some great performances.”

It won’t be long before you’re hearing and seeing some of the product that comes out of this new creative space, another example of local people with the creativity and guts to dig in and get some amazing shit done.

Local label lads Rhythm Section are online at: rhythmsection.com.au.

Hip Hop / Dub / Instrumentalists Cooking with Caustic recently supported Daily Meds in Katoomba to a packed house, as well as playing a benefit concert to stop fracking in its tracks. The group is a collaborative project orchestrated by Blue Mountains producer Caustic. The band features cuts by DJ Cost, Beats/ Keys/ Percussion by Caustic, Electric/ Double Bass by Jarv Benaud, Marc Brown on Trombone and Stephen Noble on Sax.

Controlling Clouds Blue Mountains’ own chord clangers Cloud Control are bragging about their upcoming romp with sultry siblings Angus & Julia Stone. They’ll be on the Steps of the Sydney Opera House 20 Feb supported by Little May and Jarryd James.

Gypsy Jazz in town Friday 9th Jan is the Blue Mountains Launch of “PURE BOHEMIA”, a night of Gypsy Jazz and Life Drawing at the iconic Paragon Café, Katoomba.

A model in the centre of the room with a Gypsy Jazz ensemble ‘Gadjo Guitars’ performing. Strictly limited tickets are available for the event, champagne cocktail and canapés on arrival along with a 2 course gourmet dinner. Pre-sale tickets available from the café or online on the Fusion Boutique website.

Buzz about Berlin The New Year will see a number of international touring artists including “THE BEEZ” from Berlin who will be presenting their “Don’t Mention the Wall” production at the Hotel Blue upstairs boutique venue room. Original songs, stories, short films and slides from the fall of the Berlin Wall and beyond. From Balkan to Bluegrass, Polka to Punk and Klezmer to Cabaret, this is the unadulterated truth in a funny and moving account from a uniquely German/Australian perspective.

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 OUT Saturdays Sorted for Social Pedal Pushers Transit Espresso in Woodford has a keen group of magpie-dodgers who meet at the café on Saturday mornings and ride the Oaks to Glenbrook trail. They leave at 9.45am and are happy for anyone interested to join them for puncture powered pedals. Be ready at Transit Espresso by 9.30am any Saturday.

Everyone is welcome though it is organised by the shop (for insurance purposes) so make sure to check in first, or call through on the shop number. fb / transit espresso

David Stratton Hosts surprise Film Event Earlier this month a special movie event was proudly presented by Katoomba Film Society at The Paragon Cafe. David Stratton introduced and screened a surprise film at the boutique venue for keen local flick fans. Now, we couldn’t get in the door so how could we possibly tell you what was screened? We also couldn’t tell you exactly why David Stratton came out of retirement just to show a secret picture, but I have a feeling it’s something about getting one up on Margaret...

Pancakes are so Underground Right Now With waffles and jaffles all the rage throughout the Mountains at the moment, it’s hard to find a decent flapjack, crepe or pancake. They are so underground right now - literally! Halfway down the main street of Katoomba, at your feet, you’ll find Pancakes on the Mountain, an old diner styled restaurant that caters well for kids (activities, board games and plenty of stray textas).

Last month the store stayed open a few extra hours on a Saturday evening to accommodate local acoustic acts Seabomb, Daniel Barnet, Tom VP Bernard and city strummer Emilie Heilpern (pictured).

Markets the Perfect Place for Last Minute Gifts We know you are super organised and already have your gifts sorted - but there’s always that Aunty who you forgot to buy for!

A great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift that you won’t find at the bustling Plaza is your local markets.

The Grand View Markets in Wentworth Falls are perfectly timed on the 14th December. With over 60 stalls (each one unique from the other) you will be sure to find gifts to suit everyone, even the office scrooge.

Penrith Regional Gallery recently held a successful Twilight Market, as did East Kurrajong School of arts.

Even Springwood followed suit with their ‘Late Night Shopping’ experience and of course the Pretty Responsible event in the Club which put an indoor twist on the sustainable market.

Then again you could always just re-gift that dodgy present you got last year...

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Zack : “Mountain Ridges Cafe In Katoomba for the best coffee. That or Trevis In Penrith.”

OUT  Steampunk Shop is Round the Twist

Afternoonified is a strange name for a quirky little shop tucked away in Hapenny Lane, Katoomba and packed with a range of eclectic things for the geek in everyone.

You will discover boardgames you have never heard of, but will love - even if you think that you hate boardgames. You will fall in love with their steampunk clothes and accessories that look like something from a bizarre re-imagining of Victorian England. You will find that Pop Vinyl character from your favourite movie or TV series or that sonic screwdriver from Dr Who that you’ve always wanted.

And for a peak into the future you will find a range of 3D printed jewellery and accessories that will set your mind racing with the potential for this remarkable technology.

Afternoonified! It’s refined. It’s geeky.

It’s steam powered fun.

Springwood Boffins Sloshed on Science If the idea of scientists hitting the pub for a few rounds sounds far fetched to you, you’ll never believe that over ninety people attended the first ‘Science at the Local’ event in Springwood . The free event last month, a partnership between Springwood and Winmalee Neighbourhood Centres and local community members, consisted of three presentations from university academics on the science of obesity, with a large dose of Q&A throughout.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we think so many people would come,” said organiser and Warrimoo local, Hamish Clarke. “We’ll definitely book a bigger room next time!”

The Sassafras Room at Springwood Sports Club was filled to overflowing with a wide range of community members, from young people to seniors, coming from as far as Penrith and the Upper Mountains.

“There’s clearly a huge appetite - sorry about the pun – in the community for events like this,” said fellow organiser and science teacher at Springwood High, Kevin Joseph. “What we heard from people on Sunday was that they want a space where they can talk to real scientists and fellow community members about science and what it means for them.”

Comments from participants included, “It was cool to actually be able to understand the scientific stuff” and “informative & thought provoking. This is a wonderful resource for the community- and me! More please!”

Plus Fitness 24/7 a good fit for the Mountains Finding it hard to get to a gym? Well, Plus Fitness 24/7 has made it easy for you by providing member access 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You get to work out when you want to rather than when you have to, in a clean, safe, air-conditioned environment.

There are No Lock In Contracts at Plus Fitness 24/7, No Access Card Fees and when you join one club you automatically get access to every Plus Fitness 24/7 club around the country. With over 150 clubs you will never have to miss a training session.

Membership is only $13 per week and you can cancel at any time with just two weeks notice and no cancellation fee. They also offer free

timehold that lets you suspend your membership if you get sick, or go on holidays or just need a break.

Don’t be concerned if you’re new to exercise, because their qualified personal trainers will provide you with free assessments and programs to get you started and if you’re an experienced exerciser they can support you in all your fitness goals.

So now is the perfect time to get started on your fitness journey. Staff are on site from 8.00am to 12.00pm Monday to Saturday and 3.30pm to 7.30pm Monday to Thursday so feel free to call in or check out their website at: plusfitnessnepeanbluemountains.com.au

Russell : “Your Cafe - Blaxland, Butternut - Springwood, Wattle Tree - Blackheath.”

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OUT lifestyle

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Russell : Your Cafe - Blaxland, Butternut - Springwood, Wattle Tree - Blackheath

OUT  Last Derby Deed for 2014 Season BMRDL’s home teams, The Brawling Banshees and The Gross Valley Dolls will do battle one more time in 2014. Check out the season finale at Katoomba sports and aquatic centre on the 13th December 2014. The Blue Mountains Junior Roller Derby League will also be there with a support bout.

Get down to the Katoomba sports and aquatic centre to support your team. Doors open at 3:30, the junior bout it at 4:00 and the main bout starts at 5:00pm, merch, beer and snacks available. Tickets at the door for $10 (kids 12 and under free).

Check out the event Facebook page for more details or vist the website bluemountainsrollerderby.com

Hopes for Theatre Squashed With the Springwood Arts Hub opening looming, you’d expect the City of the Arts to be abuzz with joy and celebration, but not C so. Recent news from further up the hill cites councillors rejecting any chance of a KatoombaM Theatre in the town centre, which has caused Y quite an uproar in the community.

Don’t despair though as The Edge Cinema CM property appears to be on the market, which would be a perfect venue for the arts. The MY recent opening of The ‘celebrity-magnet’ Hydro Majestic also hints there’s plenty of opportunityCY for audiences from abroad to be looking for CMY local arts and theatre.

And don’t underestimate the power of the K local Mountains voice, as even the Lawson Mechanics Hall was saved from demolition, though it’s now rarely used. The Civic Centre area in Katoomba is now to be used as a Hall for Hire and so there’s nothing stopping the vocal arts community from getting the ball rolling themselves and proving the ‘powers that be’ that we do yearn for some world-class performace space in our sleepy little tourist town. There are some great opinions on the topic at: FB / katoomba theatre company

Gavin : “Euphoric Coffee - Blaxland East.” ... See more on FB / Blue Mountains Memes.

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