PHIL, TILLEY, AND THE ROAD Phil & Tilley started playing music together in 2008. Surrounded by the New Forest (UK), an ancient woodland situated on the southern coast of England, the self-taught musicians began experimenting with ambient sounds, which opened new doors for their songwriting. In 2016, Phil & Tilley arrived in Byron Bay with little more than their instruments, a few clothes, and a tent. In order to pay for food, busking on the streets became a necessity until they began to establish themselves in local bars, cafes, and farmers markets. Two years later they are now playing over 250 gigs a year throughout Australia, gaining a rapidly increasing fanbase. Their troubadour philosophy of being on the road as much as they can, playing shows wherever there’s a stage, has helped them gain airplay on National Radio NZ, BBC Introducing (UK), and various local radio shows around Australia. A yearning for travel and playing music has seen them play across UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, and South East Asia, but their story continues to take them wherever the music allows them to go. You can see them on Saturday at 6pm at the Byron Brewery and the Hotel Great Northern on Monday.
DUES PAID UP Marshall grew up on the NSW far north coast area of Byron Bay and was aptly named after two of music’s greatest rock/bluesmen: Jimi ‘Marshall’ Hendrix and Johnny ‘Dawson’ Winter. Marshall Dawson Okell was born on 13 April 1979 into a rock’n’roll arena, with a guitar case for a crib. His father Glenn was a Melbournebased rock’n’roll guitarist who nourished his son’s musical appetite with Hendrix, Winter, Waters, Little Feat, and AC/DC. Jump forward 30-plus years, Marshall himself is a muso with his dues well and truly paid. He has made a notable return to the music of his youth, in his fourth, yet-to-be-titled new album. The result is a deep, raw, honest, dirty
blues sound that grabs you by the throat and then soothes you with a sweet honey-tasting musical medicine. There are pure guts, sweat, and emotion in his latest material that leave you exhausted and elated in their wake. Be warned. Marshall has emerged with a new level of addictive, heart- and mind-altering musical energy. This guy doesn’t just make music; he’s a roaring powerhouse of a man, and this album will get under your skin, into your blood and course through you like a visceral super-high the likes of which you won’t come down from easily.
GETTING CHEEKY IN BRUNS The Brunswick Picture House’s signature show, the Cheeky Cabaret, is back for this weekend – bigger, bolder and brasher than ever! The team behind the Cheeky Cabaret and the Brunswick Picture House have been touring two circus/ cabaret/variety shows internationally over the last 15 years – the award-winning La SoirÊe, which recently completed its eighth winter season in London, and its baby sister, Club Swizzle, which embarked on a world tour and thrilled audiences at the Sydney Opera House, Perth Fringe World Festival and, most recently, at the iconic London Roundhouse. Brunswick Heads is now the home base for these international blockbuster shows and the Cheeky Cabaret embraces very much the same spirit of SoirÊe and Swizzle. Three years in, people continue to talk about the Cheeky Cabaret and we are
thrilled that some of the most incredible international artists from around the world are beating down the door to come perform at the Brunswick Picture House. Bold and brash, sexy and dangerous, with tongue placed firmly in cheek, this is one party you will not want to miss! Smashing together circus, vaudeville, comedy, and everything between, the Cheeky Cabaret has rightfully become the talk of the town. The Cabaret features a different cast of troubadours, miscreants, delectable divas, and cabaret queens every month, so no two shows are ever the same! You’ll leave spellbound, titillated, and amazed. As always, bring Grandma but leave the little ones at home. Brunswick Picture House 7pm Friday Adult $40 | Concession $35 Saturday Adult $45 | Concession $40
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See him next Tuesday at the Northern.
IZZY DAY ANY DAY Izzy Day has a strong passion for social justice See Izzy on Friday at the Byron Brewery and global equality; she is an advocate for the from 6pm. ones who cannot be heard. Living to inspire and be inspired, Izzy uses music as a platform to spread medicine and to promote healing across all corners of this planet. ‘Music has always been a massive part of my life,’ she says. ‘Growing up I was continuously surrounded by the sounds of my biggest inspiration, my dad, and his banjo, guitar, and harmonica playing. I am continuously finding inspiration from countless experiences, people, my environment, and just the simple things in life that tend to pass us by.’ Grounded by her passions and will to generate more positivity she is actively seeking to make a change singing songs to help liberate people’s consciousness.
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Playwright Hannie Rayson
www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
`Ć–Ĺ?ơ Ǩǎǽ ǧǨǰ The Byron Shire Echo 41