tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17302122652135552432024-03-13T19:45:36.073+00:00TAMIADPart-time musician, part-time worker, looking for full-time employment in one, not the other. Seeks solo career as Tamara, but works well with a bevy of fictional men called "Huck and the Handsome Fee". Will perform for whiskey and chips but preferably money. Skills include singing, playing guitar and wearing corsets. Areas of development include learning the piano and improving writing skillz. References can be obtained from my mother, brother and my Real Bad Lover.Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-45674869713561654232015-08-12T13:51:00.005+01:002015-08-12T13:51:55.111+01:00I was on Radio 1!<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Ubuntu Titling', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; padding: 0px 0px 20px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cPTbns7htO7l2AQnuIdQItDr8we-sIfUqfniB9-h3aV-g_ezvoUzx2jdFr4oW6hwFDynW8Av_x5nUgRsyyPH1sDZwlogmm3mhznkJLVa576Wa9OiAZz48Sg2qGsPLaqzsBUNJpk0PICI/s1600/467a66227074503d-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cPTbns7htO7l2AQnuIdQItDr8we-sIfUqfniB9-h3aV-g_ezvoUzx2jdFr4oW6hwFDynW8Av_x5nUgRsyyPH1sDZwlogmm3mhznkJLVa576Wa9OiAZz48Sg2qGsPLaqzsBUNJpk0PICI/s200/467a66227074503d-2.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><b>22 April 2015</b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">More Radio coverage to report in the form of RADIO ONE no less. Tonight I'll be on the Huw Stephens show talking about All Tamara's Parties. Tune in or listen here: </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05qp7fx" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0281ca; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05qp7fx</a></div>
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I'm on 2 hours and 30 minutes in.</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-77929321222604884912014-11-27T15:16:00.001+00:002014-11-27T15:21:19.860+00:00A Shed Load of Music<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1khEPQ1AjOPWu4DUWnqMZk9KWSdoEwG2HBIMiqaxAjFvq21sD0sCXLUcplU_BWIplEvpx-ifRIOd8pzxvBmSci6JfYHqYVEcuOYBAGwe-UXcMcpLO1jhi7chKjhQoiQBJoG74o7mkFmpa/s1600/shed+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1khEPQ1AjOPWu4DUWnqMZk9KWSdoEwG2HBIMiqaxAjFvq21sD0sCXLUcplU_BWIplEvpx-ifRIOd8pzxvBmSci6JfYHqYVEcuOYBAGwe-UXcMcpLO1jhi7chKjhQoiQBJoG74o7mkFmpa/s1600/shed+3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>All Tamara’s Parties had its 19<sup>th</sup> and final show
of the year last week in The Shed, Charlbury. Yes it is literally a shed; a
rather long one with toilets and a stage. A posh shed if you will. The music was seriously top notch,
but then what else would you expect from my nights? <a href="http://www.roxannedebastion.com/" target="_blank">Roxanne de Bastion</a> hot footed
it from London on the train to open up the evening for us. This was incredibly
good of her as she has just returned from a busy European tour and it was non-stop
raining all the way. Despite a guitar
string snapping mid-set, she lulled us with her beautiful voice and songs and an amazing cover of 'Hey Ya' which we happily sang along to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28DxiXcxjV4hOo2m3AHcmvUjtjVvAsmY8KZ44_9mHj8DqTJ34iKjhLj3SsjGrDvQ0NoG_2rjJO9_T149ve-E2GhTTj2YpxjNMF_dvWoqhzHlvF5g858d_fZUorLnca0nx7D8gqV8CikDM/s1600/shed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28DxiXcxjV4hOo2m3AHcmvUjtjVvAsmY8KZ44_9mHj8DqTJ34iKjhLj3SsjGrDvQ0NoG_2rjJO9_T149ve-E2GhTTj2YpxjNMF_dvWoqhzHlvF5g858d_fZUorLnca0nx7D8gqV8CikDM/s1600/shed+2.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>The Shed looked absolutely bloody beautiful and this was all
thanks to Andy Pickard who runs this magical but versatile
space. He also delighted us with some
songs of his own in the form of upbeat and surreptitiously addictive guitar duo:
Billypure. By this time the booze was
flowing and our cheeks were nice and rosy, there was a faint scent of pine in
the air…wait a minute, it’s still only November?! But there was no denying it, the night had a
wonderful Christmassy feel to it, minus Santa’s creepy knee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjXBRvoFfmqRpw9grDNO5TquF1RIR5BgPWfARokW7MTpRANlFoS1CGemmcbQK7xA2EnokTkha4UFJ_m1jD-bVOUskcjUxwZtmHmUV_Z4FN9Ul_mW3rQZiIcmSVydJBrX3DR5ixVdi_hsB/s1600/shed+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjXBRvoFfmqRpw9grDNO5TquF1RIR5BgPWfARokW7MTpRANlFoS1CGemmcbQK7xA2EnokTkha4UFJ_m1jD-bVOUskcjUxwZtmHmUV_Z4FN9Ul_mW3rQZiIcmSVydJBrX3DR5ixVdi_hsB/s1600/shed+1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://theblackfeathers.com/" target="_blank">The Black Feathers</a> closed the evening and I really was
speechless. The last time I saw these
guys play was a year ago when we both performed at <a href="http://www.ashmolean.org/" target="_blank">The Ashmolean </a>Live Friday
event. They are so so so excellent it
hurts. If you get the chance to see them then please go and take your friends,
your wife, your mum, dog, cat and anyone you pass on the street who looks like
they need something good to happen to them.
#amazeballs<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, that was the last show of the year. I’m now concentrating my efforts on
rehearsing for George’s Jamboree on 1 Dec supporting John Hegley, learning 3 covers for ‘Your Song’ at the
Library on the 18<sup>th</sup> Dec, and continuing to record my new album. FYI there is a song on there about a chicken. #spolieralert</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-37559644952036466942014-07-11T13:18:00.001+01:002014-07-11T13:23:56.503+01:00Martyrs, Secret Fires and the C-word<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10522142_1449065005361763_381925799242439967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10522142_1449065005361763_381925799242439967_n.jpg" width="112" /></a>The beginning of 2014 has been a
funny sort of fish. An interesting mix of gigs, recordings, putting together a
new band and the C word no less. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With the <a href="http://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" target="_blank">Tamara andthe Martyrs’ album</a> complete and released at the end of December, it was time to
move onto the next project: <b>The Girl with the Secret Fire</b>. This album is a collection of all the songs I
didn't play with the Martyrs, solo and folksy with more of a go-out-and-romantically-drown-in-the-ocean
sort of style than our upbeat Martyrs’ dirge .
I started the year by recording some <a href="http://tamaramusic.virb.com/new-track" target="_blank">demos</a> with Richard Neuberg of
Strawhouse recording studios, and we were on our way. “Griefy but mythical” was
the phrase of the day. We are now in
July and making steady progress. The Martyrs’ album took two years so the release date of this album is firmly TBC.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To help me develop
these songs I decided to start a new band with Dave Griffiths (of Witches and Francis
Pugh and the Whiskey Singers fame) on the double bass and Tommy Longfellow, my
very favorite drummer. Stripping everything back like this is more appealing
to me now than anything else I feel I've done musically. The double bass and
drums have great synergy and compliment my simple guitar playing. Each instrument has the space to work with
the themes of the songs, and playing like this has reminded me that dramatic doesn't always mean
loud and heavy. This is undulating and intense,
and I’m totally hooked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/1961767_10152046777043583_8478561350604969046_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/1961767_10152046777043583_8478561350604969046_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>And the C word? Well,
what more do you expect from an incredibly pleasant night of poetry and music
at the <a href="http://albionbeatnikbookstore.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Albion Beatnik</a> on <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/esearch.asp?country=221#.U7_VD_ldV8E" target="_blank">International Women’s day</a>? Not the C word said once,
but repetitively, over and over again like a sad old pet being called in for
its dinner. After I’d finished my set, a
woman from the audience invited herself on the stage to instruct us all that it
was imperative for us to reclaim this word.
It was an interesting point, and one the audience didn't seem entirely
adverse too (although some looked horrified as they tried to crawl under the
wallpaper), until the woman then emphatically announced her hatred for the word
vagina, accusing it of being a dirty word that we should cease to use from this
moment on. And, just when I thought I
was going to be enlightened by an intelligent and crafty poem, the
disappointment smacked me in the face like a dog being shown
a card trick…<o:p></o:p></div>
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…this is why we have (and need) open mics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well done though to <a href="http://www.tinasederholm.com/" target="_blank">Tina Senderholm</a> and <a href="http://www.oxfordwomen.co.uk/about/biographies/anna-hobson/" target="_blank">Anna Hobson</a> for
putting on a great night of music and poetry despite the lady-garden related
heckling. This is the beauty of Oxford’s
diverse and creative artistic scene, you never know what kind of night you’re
going to get.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you want to hear a little of the new band then come along
to the Jericho tonight. We are supporting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1438520019755719/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular" target="_blank">Rainbow Reservoir’s EP launch and Billy T’rivers</a> are also playing. We are
on at 8.00pm and I promise they’ll be no C-word shenanigans. Hopefully. </div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-28563614231447334182014-06-03T12:31:00.001+01:002014-06-03T12:32:22.310+01:00All Tamara's SPECIAL Parties #16 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai9mogoYgIaXEhnhjg9EflAg4mnOiO6f-8g-2sZW7ZDvoDg1NNbpmnVh-MSm4MkMz5go4VcTeaN32oEc_7J6bPw_cBj1q-HVqJk8zCplVQg_ycHNNQ5xJuV5bTQPGxWc_ufjt_DNZy4tL/s1600/atp16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai9mogoYgIaXEhnhjg9EflAg4mnOiO6f-8g-2sZW7ZDvoDg1NNbpmnVh-MSm4MkMz5go4VcTeaN32oEc_7J6bPw_cBj1q-HVqJk8zCplVQg_ycHNNQ5xJuV5bTQPGxWc_ufjt_DNZy4tL/s1600/atp16.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1428050637461147/?fref=ts" target="_blank">16th show</a> is going to be incredibly special and this month we are hosting it in one of the oldest surviving buildings in Oxford: St Michael at the Northgate. Join us at 8.00pm for the following round up of great music:</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">The Epstein: </span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theepstein.com%2F&h=bAQFM0gfl&enc=AZMPDx0zEXyL32oQHd8COOaRNefD7RRY3SnRlq3YAXUMpOOX39IsbMm2CFl4Jm60sXM&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.theepstein.com/</a><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Julia Meijer: </span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soundcloud.com%2Fjuliameijermusic&h=0AQEYXLDi&enc=AZMhHnGkLfjiA6Ylw5sk_n6EvHyNRFBS7L-gREegoWWA57FV8GYXKyqOV3RXyZQN24E&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.soundcloud.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>juliameijermusic</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"> </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /><br />Sephine Llo: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sephinello" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>sephinello</a><br /><br />Hosted by your favourite poet and compere, George Chopping.<br />Entry: £7<br />Refreshments will be provided<br />Address: Cornmarket St, Oxford OX1 3EY<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1428050637461147/?fref=ts" target="_blank">All Tamara's Parties</a> is a monthly music night hosted in exciting and unique venues in Oxford. There are two main purposes to this night:<br />1) To showcase more female talent and create an equal and diverse night.<br />2)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"> To take all the money that is made on the night and split it equally between all the acts that perform.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /></span>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-51978525419628117242014-02-14T09:01:00.000+00:002014-02-14T09:02:13.812+00:00New Track: 'Brother' demoI recently spent a day in the studio laying down 15 tracks for my new album which I hope and pray and cross my fingers will be finished in a year. A year is enough right? Right? I sent the track to David Griffiths who has created a lovely piano and string arrangement and, although this is only a demo, I was so pleased with the results I wanted to share it with you as a romantic Valentine's Day gift. I am also going to send it to my brother because it's about him but not as a Valentine's Day gift because that would be WEIRD!<br />
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-11947481286343435042014-02-05T11:14:00.001+00:002014-02-05T11:16:43.393+00:00All Tamara's Parties #13 @ The Old Fire Station<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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I am incredibly excited to tell you that the next All Tamara's Parties is being hosted at the most wonderful venue that is <a href="http://www.oldfirestation.org.uk/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Old Fire Station</a> on the 21st March and I have some amazing acts lined up for you. One of my favourite poets, <a href="http://www.saltpublishing.com/writers/profile.php?recordID=209912" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Luke Kennard</a><span style="color: #500050;">, the beautiful acoustic sounds of</span><span style="color: #500050;"> </span><a href="http://meganhenwood.bandcamp.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Megan Henwood</a><span style="color: #500050;">, and a band called</span><span style="color: #500050;"> </span><a href="http://www.galleons.nl/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Galleons</a><span style="color: #500050;"> </span><span style="color: #500050;">who have come all </span><span style="color: #500050;">the way from the Netherlands.</span><span style="color: #500050;"> </span><a href="http://www.whiskysingers.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"> Francis Pugh and the Whiskey Singers</a><span style="color: #500050;"> </span><span style="color: #500050;">will round of the evening wonderfully with </span>some foot-stomping tunes. I shall also be opening the night with a few new ditties and not forgetting our wonderful compère for the evening <a href="http://www.georgechopping.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">George Chopping.</a></div>
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The event will take place in the magical and enchanting 'Loft' space where a bar and comfy seating will be available. This space is intimate so this does mean that <b>tickets are limited to 45</b> so please purchase early to avoid disappointment. </div>
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<a href="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/merch/all-tamaras-parties-13-ticket" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">You can purchase tickets and a free download here.</a></div>
<div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-7837145024550287892014-01-09T16:25:00.001+00:002014-01-09T16:25:35.993+00:00Girl Jokes about Boy Parts: Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3UjeQFeBNdvdVNic5MuSV0tws2F9a3MU7FLd-BTQ78qm7bX-9pSbrQo20mFRh5O4hlO6a8raCMh0fuFFT4dhQXwG0QUkFZbntneBDKf6ZU26cnTCydiBgcYHeaLgEdPmAPaHwZz0q-vA/s1600/cover+12x12+with+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3UjeQFeBNdvdVNic5MuSV0tws2F9a3MU7FLd-BTQ78qm7bX-9pSbrQo20mFRh5O4hlO6a8raCMh0fuFFT4dhQXwG0QUkFZbntneBDKf6ZU26cnTCydiBgcYHeaLgEdPmAPaHwZz0q-vA/s1600/cover+12x12+with+logo.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>My debut album, Girl Jokes about Boy Parts, has received its <a href="http://www.musicinoxford.co.uk/2014/01/06/tamara-and-the-martyrs-girl-jokes-about-boy-parts-2/" target="_blank">second review</a> from the lovely folks at <a href="http://www.musicinoxford.co.uk/2014/01/06/tamara-and-the-martyrs-girl-jokes-about-boy-parts-2/" target="_blank">Music in Oxford</a>. If you haven't yet got a copy then you can download it from my <a href="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" target="_blank">bandcamp site</a>. There are also a few limited edition hard copies left which include some a lyric book which you can pre-order from the same site.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year from me! I've now started making plans towards recording my solo album. And, good news, the next All Tamara's Parties has been confirmed for the 21st March and I have some amazing acts lined up. Watch this space!<br />
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-23088553310517936192013-12-21T09:42:00.000+00:002013-12-21T09:42:57.465+00:00Girl Jokes about Boy Parts released TODAY!<a href="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuuehHTsPDYmkCtYR1dkPOthZRen4h3_pUOopSeLTAxsDYN6XsJnlIF2-LppUCXO4rNVYsJRSmBEJG8GZDe5vjGg3ph0vc1gXAlHexfjfArynP6_HRNpHFbKNaJypBmIq6FN65uXDl6B6/s200/cover+12x12+with+logo.jpg" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a><a href="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" target="_blank">Girl Jokes about Boy Parts</a> is released TODAY and not only that but this is also my 100th blog post. What a celebration! Tonight Tom and I will be playing a few songs at our label's Christmas party at the Wheatsheaf. Performing will be some great bands from <a href="http://www.bigredsky.co.uk/" target="_blank">Big Red Sky Records</a> including <a href="http://samuelzasada.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Samuel Zasada</a>, a personal favourite.<br />
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We have a limited number of CD copies of the album available and they also come with a rather cool lyric book. These will be ready in February but you can pre-order them <a href="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" target="_blank">here</a>. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy the <a href="https://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/album/girl-jokes-about-boy-parts" target="_blank">album</a>!<br />
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-91261988938693969232013-12-16T11:30:00.004+00:002013-12-16T11:35:36.938+00:00All Tamara's Parties #12 at Somerville College Chapel<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0dttUbP1zuskD4AFSSIZ9HP2TozQ1U5bAnZ0Xt2QrFBe5NlUGH8AYNBuAA3-_dZ-JXdj4qGEmgUrMpqDRPGqeggW4OIphJkBUyelVozmVEQaNvy3NTk861Mhtw6MgnxC5LXYFuKNypGg/s1600/noel+tamara's+parties+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0dttUbP1zuskD4AFSSIZ9HP2TozQ1U5bAnZ0Xt2QrFBe5NlUGH8AYNBuAA3-_dZ-JXdj4qGEmgUrMpqDRPGqeggW4OIphJkBUyelVozmVEQaNvy3NTk861Mhtw6MgnxC5LXYFuKNypGg/s200/noel+tamara's+parties+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQpPajadJq4PxIADqkWmXYhwDPvBqWWAz85P6ulRcJD5y-ZMWa68R4WX48emlayE8otYAfivqEzCVcJAxAy2MPFMgKjcgBfjOA6Q1JiWd0Sp6OaHvQoEl4ef5CpdbBRVzw0r3IKP8F5hU/s1600/noel+tamara%2527s+parties+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQpPajadJq4PxIADqkWmXYhwDPvBqWWAz85P6ulRcJD5y-ZMWa68R4WX48emlayE8otYAfivqEzCVcJAxAy2MPFMgKjcgBfjOA6Q1JiWd0Sp6OaHvQoEl4ef5CpdbBRVzw0r3IKP8F5hU/s200/noel+tamara%2527s+parties+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamara</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday the 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> finally
came around and if you missed <a href="http://tamaramusic.virb.com/all-tamaras-parties" target="_blank">All Tamara’s Parties</a> then boy did you miss
out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We covered the venue in
clementines, candles, holly and chocolates for that Christmassy feel and it
looked beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of orange
and chocolate filled the chapel as members of the audience arrived and began unwrapping
sweets and peeling orange skin in anticipation of the first act…which was
<a href="http://www.georgechopping.com/" target="_blank">George Chopping</a> with some hilarious poems to warm everyone up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To follow was me, <a href="http://www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?owner_id=54" target="_blank">Caroline Bird</a>, <a href="http://ihatemornings.com/" target="_blank">Ben Walker</a>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-who had everyone singing along to his Oxford song, <a href="http://countdrachma.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Count Drachma</a> and <a href="http://candysays.it/" target="_blank">Candy Says</a>
with a stunning acoustic set to round off the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garrettc/11367426875/" target="_blank">Garrett Coakley</a>
took these lovely pictures of the night and I’m so glad he was there to capture
the magical atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like
Somerville will be happy to invite us back for another show so stay tuned for
more from ATP in the New Year.</span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ktqUawBtPjRE0Z6E9rrSfqgJxdNR7SEx_ONCIB5Jt4yw98-dbjpk5ZFMIbUvF9gWMyteGQu3DoGlT8ZLVDExf13vdSU-j2d-HnpooOL7g0LXoGQ8ldL4yM4q1_icdgBOHUHq6nNFXqFB/s1600/noel+tamara's+parties+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ktqUawBtPjRE0Z6E9rrSfqgJxdNR7SEx_ONCIB5Jt4yw98-dbjpk5ZFMIbUvF9gWMyteGQu3DoGlT8ZLVDExf13vdSU-j2d-HnpooOL7g0LXoGQ8ldL4yM4q1_icdgBOHUHq6nNFXqFB/s320/noel+tamara's+parties+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy Says</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz3k85J4i64osiOXr5zBPpVmlCf9X3IIXcHb9hLf4ZmriULZYSKspwAGK4HMQJD-VqDtAxdDzJvwDE9m9mZ-2aUDjnQXNMDvUmvHD4uKcGCTh_AISy_K6PFysWP6O90vTM7TKMBPfEmAX/s1600/noel+tamara's+parties+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz3k85J4i64osiOXr5zBPpVmlCf9X3IIXcHb9hLf4ZmriULZYSKspwAGK4HMQJD-VqDtAxdDzJvwDE9m9mZ-2aUDjnQXNMDvUmvHD4uKcGCTh_AISy_K6PFysWP6O90vTM7TKMBPfEmAX/s320/noel+tamara's+parties+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Walker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN80pkrbOAqdeH4nuzfPXG2ju-noS2Kpl4j7M0CyTBp3lvT9FHfK41hSGuDoLLdw_GqCKiHTFH7XWJ2iPY4LI0diQX6zLPX9iDnB4DniB7SJn5BGBqkJKnUIB4-WXRjpmj0wKiH3_ZdCy1/s1600/noel+tamara's+parties+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN80pkrbOAqdeH4nuzfPXG2ju-noS2Kpl4j7M0CyTBp3lvT9FHfK41hSGuDoLLdw_GqCKiHTFH7XWJ2iPY4LI0diQX6zLPX9iDnB4DniB7SJn5BGBqkJKnUIB4-WXRjpmj0wKiH3_ZdCy1/s320/noel+tamara's+parties+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Count Drachma</td></tr>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-76753067558894688252013-12-10T17:17:00.000+00:002013-12-10T17:17:57.803+00:00I'm on the cover of Nightshift!<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabXg_wI535TupGomHAzYRK1WacKSMKks7Ta0Ag9Dyl4WrzQTwxKkXpuGrWlFH1RtjpckpDB8S7kV4DWk7Xujc6u8E7TkwannvrnVOtmRf74Rg_XXx5byyWZKBCNFVA7l3iT-qWlQX5M8J/s1600/dec13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabXg_wI535TupGomHAzYRK1WacKSMKks7Ta0Ag9Dyl4WrzQTwxKkXpuGrWlFH1RtjpckpDB8S7kV4DWk7Xujc6u8E7TkwannvrnVOtmRf74Rg_XXx5byyWZKBCNFVA7l3iT-qWlQX5M8J/s320/dec13.jpg" width="320" /></a>I did an interview for Nightshift Magazine and you can read it here on <a href="http://nightshift.oxfordmusic.net/2013/dec.pdf" target="_blank">page 3.</a> We had a lot of fun at the photo shoot as you can tell. Our album is due out in just over a week and we are mega excited. More news to come soon!<br />
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Photo by Bruce MarkosTamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-29467975032552199322013-12-06T11:11:00.001+00:002013-12-06T11:11:31.801+00:00One Week To Go...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/merch/ticket-for-noel-tamaras-parties-12" target="_blank"><img alt="http://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/merch/ticket-for-noel-tamaras-parties-12" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyfodBTm2yd6vBG1eHH2P2xJPvB2mV94bPUyJYIV-xp_VETJq1QxJtFAEiPnzVc6w9rZu7MROfpXRi606A3aE_vLXJ17aYmV5HYJrpE9TT_UeWm_2WCOmWiI7s93WAoxEXILfiqkz3qRp/s400/BZXejLJIEAADWOV.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-79515532277996510192013-11-25T10:29:00.003+00:002013-11-27T14:27:29.386+00:00Live Friday at The Ashmolean Museum<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyZgs4c02Tc_zR5-w7g46PKfJo9WHEKTDbJLufT6tICvBMcI9hN7JPsV8fXfx2eBCUUB-Zl6agayAajGl7kcDEzTe86ZEwvdbX3o2XeqqSMmDL027lHcn1oL3dUOxp1-hjRqI1jWClhaQ/s1600/1456602_10153487357810462_2016247911_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyZgs4c02Tc_zR5-w7g46PKfJo9WHEKTDbJLufT6tICvBMcI9hN7JPsV8fXfx2eBCUUB-Zl6agayAajGl7kcDEzTe86ZEwvdbX3o2XeqqSMmDL027lHcn1oL3dUOxp1-hjRqI1jWClhaQ/s200/1456602_10153487357810462_2016247911_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Songwriters Circle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU4ybj4t3O-ecsshhjcShZGfvrs0zJ1ipbywS9AXop9KNbqMiZQF-JXNHcXJmKck5PRW50zMFdqR18qXyRhl9lAKCPROE8BZndiuBbgBDeyO8TLEWSDsYvCZubO4Wv3lwPj6wDwzNQdUL/s1600/602312_10153478577040462_598174179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU4ybj4t3O-ecsshhjcShZGfvrs0zJ1ipbywS9AXop9KNbqMiZQF-JXNHcXJmKck5PRW50zMFdqR18qXyRhl9lAKCPROE8BZndiuBbgBDeyO8TLEWSDsYvCZubO4Wv3lwPj6wDwzNQdUL/s200/602312_10153478577040462_598174179_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Ashmolean audience</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday night was <a href="http://www.ashmolean.org/livefriday/2013-11/" target="_blank">Live Friday at the Ashmolean</a> and I had been
asked to play the Songwriter’s Circle in the hall of statues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place soon filled up and was one of the
busiest Live Friday events I’ve attended due to the overspill from the Christmas
light celebrations in St Giles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite
the crowds we had an attentive audience in the hall and it was such a pleasure
to sing in a room with some great natural acoustics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fellow performers and I took it in turns to
talk about and then play a song, which is the format of the songwriters circle usually hosted in the Port Mahon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
the opportunity of taking part in one earlier this year and wrote about it
<a href="http://thetamiad.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-oxford-country-folk-songwriters.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my very favourite bands,
<a href="http://theblackfeathers.com/" target="_blank">The Black Feathers</a>, were playing and as we went round in turn it became a running joke that the songs were growing sadder as the night progressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
round two the challenge was to play something cheerful and we all rose to this
challenge until Steve Adams exclaimed, “Right, I’m going to bring it back down
again” (video below).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the dropping temperature in the room
and the relentless lament of each performer, the atmosphere was charged, and the audience stuck
with us until the bitter end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably
my favourite gig of the year so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks to the Ashmolean, the Songwriters Circle and all who watched and
enjoyed.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/80456723" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/80456723">Steve Adams at the Ashmolean Museum</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3155631">Tamara Parsons-Baker</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-79331598190743282842013-11-08T11:40:00.001+00:002013-11-08T11:40:15.698+00:00Noel Tamara's Parties #12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye_GJ9SLiDfWgC3bh5ukIgSnIJBy85RsTAGy2t1Fo6_eRKFEHk8h1xnkO3ot_T9iSr1jM9-h57TFQ8DJQh4kyHhxe7OQBgq7Z2eIqvq7QeZrwXDhzIPHe6RLpuKPHHs6j2UecykT0q1wB/s1600/interior-1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye_GJ9SLiDfWgC3bh5ukIgSnIJBy85RsTAGy2t1Fo6_eRKFEHk8h1xnkO3ot_T9iSr1jM9-h57TFQ8DJQh4kyHhxe7OQBgq7Z2eIqvq7QeZrwXDhzIPHe6RLpuKPHHs6j2UecykT0q1wB/s200/interior-1936.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All Tamara's Parties #12 is set to be a unique night of music and poetry in the beautiful surroundings of Somerville College Chapel featuring:<br /><br /><a href="http://candysays.it/" target="_blank">Candy Says</a><br /><a href="http://candysays.it/" target="_blank">Count Drachma</a><br /><a href="http://candysays.it/" target="_blank">Ben Walker</a><br /><a href="http://tamaramusic.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tamara</a><br /><a href="http://www.carcanet.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?owner_id=54" target="_blank">Caroline Bird</a><br /><a href="http://www.georgechopping.com/" target="_blank">George Chopping</a><br /><br />Somerville College have very kindly invited me to host an ATP Christmas gig in their stunning Chapel. This event is open to all and a great opportunity to see one of the most beautiful Colleges in Oxford and enjoy a great<span style="display: none;"><span class="bcTruncateEllipsis">...</span></span></span><span class="bcTruncateMore"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> night of local music. The College’s Terrace bar will be open from 6.00pm for anyone who wants to arrive early for a tipple or two. Mince pies and mulled wine will be available as well as a range of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including tea and coffee.<br /><br />The audience are asked to arrive through Somerville's Porters Lodge on the Woodstock Road and meet in the Terrace Bar. At 7.30pm you will be greeted and taken over to the Chapel. Children are welcome at this event but must be accompanied by an adult. </span></span><br />
<span class="bcTruncateMore"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span class="bcTruncateMore"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information and to <a href="http://tamaraandthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/merch/ticket-for-noel-tamaras-parties-12" target="_blank">purchase tickets go here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-66986697163474736042013-08-07T11:02:00.000+01:002013-08-08T11:18:41.721+01:00Truck Festival 2013: Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoe Cups</td></tr>
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There was far too much to write about so here I have
included a few of my favourite moments and acts of the weekend.
Enjoy!</div>
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We arrived on a very hot Friday afternoon stocked up with
beers, ice and all the water we could fit in to Tommy’s van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we queued for our passes at the box office
I could hear <a href="http://candysays.it/" target="_blank">Candy Says</a> beginning their set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was gutted to be missing it but the queue was long. Luckily we could
hear them loud and clear from our slow moving line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I whistled along to Melt into the Sun as I started to melt in the sun...
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Truckers</td></tr>
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Once we were in we grabbed a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to try the strawberry cider which was
initially refreshing but then left a strange aftertaste in my
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easily fixed though by the
famous Rotary Club Donuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve missed
these guys! It was great to see more foodie choice in the form of The Food
Hall. Pizzas and smoothies, noodles and ice cream. And “SUSHI”, which was hard
to forget as it was shouted at you each time you walked past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided the only sensible thing to do was
to shout “Sushi”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back and punch the air
in a kind of raw-fish appreciation cheer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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We (temporarily) escaped the sushi obsessives and headed to
The Saloon Bar to watch <a href="http://www.emptywhitecircles.com/" target="_blank">Empty White Circles</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Saloon Bar was incredibly authentic and immediately became my
favourite stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small glass
chandeliers swung from the corrugated roof and the bar stools were made up of
blocks of wood topped off with a horse saddle seat to rest your weary butt in.
Amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard a lot of good things about Empty
White Circles and I have to agree that they are a great
band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They totally rocked the small
stage in The Saloon and although the heat was rising that didn’t put them
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feared for the Spasm band in the
evening, how would they cope in their suits and fine headwear?</div>
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Then I had to take a nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m a little gutted to admit it but it was just too hot to carry on and
the novelty cider had sought it’s revenge on my pounding brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I overslept but managed to race to the Virgin
and Veterans tent just in time to catch the end of <a href="http://www.agsconnolly.com/" target="_blank">Ags Connolly</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I listened to his sweet country songs I
felt somewhat soothed; I should have chosen to nap in here instead.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huck & the Xander Band</td></tr>
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There was nothing much left to report on the Friday apart
from a great bit of nosh at the ‘Appealing Food’ stall run by the lovely Rotary
Club staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘Trucker’s Meal’ of
lentil dahl, flatbread, bahjis and never-ending supply of sauces and chutneys is Truck
tradition!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy on the lime pickle
though, folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a couple of beers
and little bit of Spiritualized we had built up enough stamina to enter The
Saloon Bar which was heaving with people enjoying <a href="http://www.rabbitjazz.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few new
additions to the band since I last saw them including a sax player who looks
like he was on loan from the mafia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was gyrating to the beat and the mix of music and heat must’ve
been taking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>affect as one woman was
wildly dancing wrapped up in a full fur coat. Sweaty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floor was vibrating, the floorboards
creaking, and I wasn’t sure if the Saloon Bar would withstand the entire set as
more people piled in through the swinging doors, but who cares if the floor
falls in when the music is this good.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvation Bill</td></tr>
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Hello Saturday and no hangover. All that hydration did the trick
and by 11.00am I had the energy of a young kitten chasing its tail (well, almost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed to The V and V tent for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theholyorders" target="_blank">The Holy Orders</a> who were a great start to the day and then headed towards the main stage
for iced coffee, more donuts and <a href="http://www.arrowsoflove.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Arrows of Love</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These guys were incredibly captivating and are currently 'making waves' in
London. They were great on this stage but I imagine a more enclosed venue would
really show off the full intensity of their set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone book them for Oxford please!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next we quick-marched to the Barn Stage for
<a href="http://www.salvationbill.co.uk/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Salvation Bill</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already a big fan of Ute
and Old Grinding Young I was excited to see Ollie’s new 5 piece band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t expect to be so blown away as I was
by it though and their set became one of my favourite of the entire festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 5 part harmonies are dramatic and the
songs are clever, witty and loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is definitely the best line-up Ollie’s had and I hope this composition is
around for the long run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also enjoyed
the taxidermy crow sitting on Ollie’s shoulder that appeared to head band as
Ollie and the rest of the band rocked out. Crawk!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Epstein</td></tr>
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Next was an incredible set from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swindlestock%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Swindlestock</a> who got the
room dancing and proved that you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">can</b>
fit more than 8 people on the Saloon stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were followed by <a href="http://www.hvck.co.uk/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Huck and the Xander Band</a>. You already know how
much I like them and it was great to see them get a spot at Truck in a venue
that seemed incredibly fitting to Huck’s songs about a young boy’s move from
Texas to NOLA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a mostly overcast day the
sun finally came out and the audience stood to attention and stomped their feet
(mostly) in time to songs of forbidden love in an evangelical State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards we basked in the evening sun and
watched Co-Pilgrim in the V and V tent which fitted our mellow and chilled-out mood
perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were shortly followed by
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/swindlestock%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Thomas Truax</a>, a true Truck veteran, and he told us tales of why dogs howl at
the moon and kidnapped butterflys with the aide of The Hornicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy in front of me seemed
a little put off by Truax’s comment “have you ever shaken hands with an unborn
child?” but then he also seemed put off when Truax sang about the time he took
his dog out for a picnic and the ants came and made mustaches on their
faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the audience loved it
though and by the end we were all howling at the moon with Truax and the
primitive beats of Mother Superior. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Epstein</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">We mingled around catching bits from each stage in
anticipation of the <a href="http://www.theepstein.com/" target="_blank">The Epstein</a> who were the final act in The Saloon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll notice from this blog post that The Saloon bar was
my favourite stage but that’s is also because it showcased some of the best and
local bands of the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
mainly down to some great bookings by PinDrop who co-curated the stage on the
Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Saloon was now more packed
than the previous night and the sweat factor was high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the band fought through the crowds to get
their kit on stage a masked couple poured each other gin martinis with a
cocktail shaker and olives for garnish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Very i</span>mpressive and a sign of the madness to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Epstein have already had a great year
with a number of tours in the Netherlands and recently signing with <span class="usercontent">Zawinul Records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
crowd was with them for the entire set singing along to such favourites as
Calling Out Your Name and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Held You
Once; the atmosphere was euphoric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
played songs from their new album ‘Murmrations’ and it was an incredibly tight
set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that but you could see how
much the band enjoyed playing together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end Olly unplugged to sing Leave Your Light On and the audience
gave him their full attention, eager to sing along with him and share this
moment in what had been an incredible performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I caught the end on camera and have posted it<a href="https://vimeo.com/70719941" target="_blank"> here</a>.</span><span class="usercontent"> So that was it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We drank the bar dry of whisky and doesy-doed our partners <span style="font-size: small;">un</span>til we spun
out into the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another great Truck
Festival bites the dust.</span></span></span></div>
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<![endif]-->Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-19979178405876274072013-07-30T15:14:00.000+01:002013-07-30T15:14:51.828+01:00Reviews of the Tamara and the Martyrs' single: Get Him Out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXeBW4powPYJCL5LzZ3Pz8meJvIb5bnURwECPJtXPVhzsbR5zQdn8qKiZS-uRFWJgA5ir1DmGvgpeeqb4xCtq4vcn-e4gu8h_0el-jTPVsS9QKxf2NXOnIVkNFQDO04EHpHrsP8dbY-Pn/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXeBW4powPYJCL5LzZ3Pz8meJvIb5bnURwECPJtXPVhzsbR5zQdn8qKiZS-uRFWJgA5ir1DmGvgpeeqb4xCtq4vcn-e4gu8h_0el-jTPVsS9QKxf2NXOnIVkNFQDO04EHpHrsP8dbY-Pn/s320/photo.PNG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ALG9JWKotKnAIaheMQo4lFQBC8MxEr6ShVWoZpXdA0QD3783hcLmGLq7u76o9lJPCd8uXZO5-HG9p0zU9jWUMozCmrw16Yo16Mw7Csc93ATiPJRykpdSugFsUtA5STXNFNlJ94PGvIeQ/s1600/1002310_10151841978939954_1650085409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ALG9JWKotKnAIaheMQo4lFQBC8MxEr6ShVWoZpXdA0QD3783hcLmGLq7u76o9lJPCd8uXZO5-HG9p0zU9jWUMozCmrw16Yo16Mw7Csc93ATiPJRykpdSugFsUtA5STXNFNlJ94PGvIeQ/s320/1002310_10151841978939954_1650085409_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>Since its release on the 26th June, the first single from our album has received a couple of great reviews. Thanks to Nightshift and Olly Arditi for their words. For the full articles go here for <a href="http://nightshift.oxfordmusic.net/2013/aug.pdf" target="_blank">Nightshift</a> and here for <a href="http://oliverarditi.com/2013/07/11/various-artists-singles-and-eps-022/" target="_blank">Olly Arditi</a>. <br />
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-10349612448747690682013-07-10T14:44:00.001+01:002013-07-10T14:44:52.567+01:00Single Launch & All Tamara's PartiesLast month my band released the first single from our album and the wonderful Sam King made filmed the entire event so we could bring you this video. Enjoy!
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/70019932">Single Launch & All Tamara's Parties #7</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3155631">Tamara Parsons-Baker</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-23790673918228876492013-06-21T15:56:00.001+01:002013-06-24T12:33:30.388+01:00Church Appeal <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday night 28th May saw us all stuffed into Tommy’s new van (OK, OK, it’s actually incredibly spacious) and race over to London to play a gig at </span><a href="http://www.buffalobar.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Buffalo Bar</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in Islington. It reminded me of a smaller version of The Cellar with incredibly steep stairs leading down to the darkness below… We were greeted by a very friendly soundman and started unloading the van for sound check. </span><a href="http://huckandxander.bandcamp.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Huck and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the Xander Band</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://vimeo.com/41296089"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tom and I</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/billytrivers?fref=ts"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Billy T’rivers and the Wild West Retirement Home</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and a chap called Sweet Bread, the only London based artist on the bill (who it turns out went to school with my brother; there's no escaping Oxford!)."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tonight was a </span><a href="http://www.pindroppublicity.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PinDrop</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> night and Seb was a very charming and witty host. We had a great turn out for a chilly Tuesday night. Tom and I opened but due to a rather razorblade throat (actual medical term) I could only pipe out about 3 songs before my vocal chords gave up. The audience were very forgiving and remained attentive throughout my raspy songs and the barman kept filling up my glass with hot water and lemon. Sweet Bread played an interesting set of what I can only describe as medieval folk. Funnily enough, when I think about his set I can't help picturing him in a knight's robe... too much information. Billy T’rivers. Well what can I say? I was mega excited to finally see them live as I had booked them for an </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198699636949424/?ref=ts&fref=ts"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ATP</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> the following night after seeing one of their videos. A wonderfully thick country/American style with 3 part harmonies to match. Their songs were warming and upbeat and made me want to jig around the room. Billy, the front man, busted out a few very heartfelt solo numbers in the middle of the set which had impact on the silent room. They are an incredibly talented and tight band who are soon to release their debut album so make sure you check them out in Oxford soon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Huck and the Xander band took to the stage to headline and you may think I’m biased but it was a truly magnificent set. I’ve seen Huck build these songs from acoustic fledgling works-in-progress on his guitar into powerful stories with a full band behind him and not to mention some brilliant song writing. Jamie’s riffling guitar lines get stuck in your head and I haven’t stopped humming the melody to a Sufi from Dixie. Huck gets into character for each song, snarling at the audience and hollering his lines. At times he is almost operatic and if you caught him at the </span><a href="http://candysays.bandcamp.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candy Says</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> single launch gig at St Barnabas a few weeks ago you would have been mesmerised by his surprising church appeal. Despite the different setting the same qualities come through, clear crisp lyrics and some unsettling but strangely pleasing tones. Sometimes having musician friends can be annoying. They can often be late, overly self-critical and arrogant, wear ridiculous trousers and insist on getting you drunk when you have to get up very early in the morning. But the wonderful thing about knowing them is that you are incredibly privileged; you get to see them develop into something and someone else (which is hopefully a great musician). For some people it’s a long process, and for others it just gets better and better. This gig blew me away and as I sat there sipping my hot water and lemon I really felt like the audience were blown away too. Huck started to blast out Xander the Great and as the crowd hollered in glee the barman waved his kettle at me (not a euphemism):“one for the road?“ he grinned. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our next gig can be found </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198699636949424/?fref=ts"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-33688735864785541182013-06-03T13:15:00.002+01:002013-07-04T12:48:13.928+01:00Tamara and the Martyrs Single Launch: 26 June at The Library Pub<div style="text-align: right;">
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We are releasing our single 'Get Him Out' from our debut album 'Girl Jokes about Boy Parts' which is due out later this year. Not only that but it is a triple celebration: It's an All Tamara's Parties night, my birthday AND our single launch. Could you be anymore excited? We will have some great guests supporting us in the form of witty singer songwriter and 1/4 of Candy Says, <a href="http://ihatemornings.com/">Ben Walker</a>, award winning poet, playwright and author, <a href="http://www.carolinebird.co.uk/">Caroline Bird</a>, and the quirky and foot-stompingly good, <a href="http://facebook.com/ReichenbachFalls">Reichenbach Falls</a>. Not to mention our lovely in-house compere and poet, <a href="http://georgechopping.com/">George Chopping</a>.DETAILS: Wednesday 26 June, at the Library from 7.30pm. Entry is £3 which includes a free download of the single. Cake will be everywhere! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198699636949424/">FB GROUP</a>.<br />
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-17148875310264299412013-05-30T12:04:00.002+01:002013-07-04T12:48:32.278+01:00If only I could create an album with some PVA glue and a toilet roll tube...<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I knew recording an
album would take a lot of time but who would have thought that a year later the
thing still isn’t finished. Holy facking crop circles!. In<b> </b>April
2012 I stepped into the studio to record an album with my band ( The Martyrs). I was
on a strict timetable, intent on releasing it before my departure to
Australia in October for a well-earned break. I was dreaming up the
single launch for July and the album launch to follow in September. Now
we’re in May 2013 and we’ve finally said “Yes, master the damn
thing!”. This week we invited a photographer to take some pictures
of us to adorn the album sleeve and next week we hope to shoot
the album cover<b>--</b>a picture that mainly contains ketchup so it shouldn’t
be too hard to organise, right? RIGHT? Maybe now I can go
back to my dreams of organising the single<b> </b>launch. Are these
really my dreams? Disturbing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When do I get to do the fun
stuff again? Like play gigs and drink beers. Soon, soon. We’ve just
got to listen to the CD to see if the order works (will anyone even listen to
it in this order in the end? Will anyone even listen to it?), decide on how
many folds we’d like in our digipacks, get the artwork and content typed up and
ready (what should I say? "Thanks mum" and all that, or
just keep it aloof?<b> </b>Get the album printed and make sure everyone’s name and
instruments are spelt right (Amanda Lynn), pay people (£££) and put on a
show. D.I.Y bands eh, such fun! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of the single launch; a date will be announced soon...stay tuned!</span></div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-60872975313618453142013-05-17T12:30:00.002+01:002013-05-17T12:33:37.811+01:00The Oxford Country Folk Songwriters Circle<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do you get when you ask a bunch of
musicians to sit in a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">semicircle </span>on
stage, play songs in turn and talk about their music to the audience? Not only
a great night of music<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,</span> but the
Songwriters Circle-a unique night of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">unplugged</span>
music hosted by Dava of </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/swindlestock"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swindlestock</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and Olly Wills of </span><a href="http://www.theepstein.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Epstein</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d been to their previous night in
April when Dava mentioned he would like to invite me to play one of
them. At first I couldn't think of anything more horrifying. Sitting
with other musicians talking about the meaning of our songs and why we wrote
them; awkward. I was worried it would look too staged or resemble a
chat show and be a bit cringey for the audience. How wrong I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the musicians play a song each<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,</span> and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">hearing </span>the other guests<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">' </span>questions about their songs and style was interesting.
After all<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,</span> this wasn't musicians
being interviewed by fans or uninspiring reviewers<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">T</span>his was
musicians being asked questions by other musicians. And this is the
genius of the night. Where musicians can sometimes be insecure,
arrogant or competitive, in this setting they are quite the opposite.</span> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV5pu8BkEqExtkBnoA1MesueRs-H56Krq8CWW47XEj_Lybjxepz9obH8lHFgpSwxgvf4Ktg3q5SqooZW1kGaf61VLIICs5ctEkHEE_scVWNEY8zn7iuOaglNMJF56-gyqD_nh2YJSFfap/s1600/947361_10152779630630462_813167795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNV5pu8BkEqExtkBnoA1MesueRs-H56Krq8CWW47XEj_Lybjxepz9obH8lHFgpSwxgvf4Ktg3q5SqooZW1kGaf61VLIICs5ctEkHEE_scVWNEY8zn7iuOaglNMJF56-gyqD_nh2YJSFfap/s320/947361_10152779630630462_813167795_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Pier Corona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And watching them listen to each other
so intently seems to hold the audience captive<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">--</span>when <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">else</span> do you
see some of your favourite musicians sitting on stage listening to some of
their favourite musicians? And <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">for me,</span> it
was a great pleasure to be sat right next to <a href="http://www.hvck.co.uk/">Huck</a>, <a href="http://www.mattsage.com/tindex.php?page=biography">Matt Sage</a>, Dava and Olly and
hear their songs. It is rare and intense to be sat so close to
someone as they sing their heart out. Olly sang a song about his Grandmother’s
funeral that brought me close to tears and Matt Sage told us a story of young
love with an academic which brought us close to tears of laughter as he sang
out ‘I trained a spy’. Huck and I met up a few hours before the gig
and had a nostalgic afternoon playing through <a href="http://www.huckband.com/">Huck and the Handsome Fee</a>
songs. We decided to perform The Fall and Staggerlee. It was great to have
the opportunity to sing together and a reinvention of the Fee is in discussion
(although it would have to be an acoustic version named the Handsome Two, of course).</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So, if you get a chance to make it to
the next <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Songwriters' Circle </span>then
I highly recommend it. You won’t be <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">disappointed</span>.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-62913695152031423532013-02-13T18:09:00.001+00:002013-02-13T18:14:49.566+00:00Melbourne FreeThere is rather an impressive young man in front of me in the check-in queue. He is fully kitted out with an enormous backpack, a golden tan and an air of arrogance about him that says, "I'm incredibly well travelled, don'cha know?" So, I couldn't help but snigger to myself when the lady at the desk informed him that he'd come to the airport a day early; his flight was in fact tomorrow. It's amazing how quickly a golden tan turns to a blushing rouge.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xVoUrj7Ri2grYg7yf-gQjJxOnsua7U_XiAscGocaGM18FNnGPvalxHEVbDfKRmTYfV0lKiITtXU3nQiHB0PQNegr0WdH6MLP-sdokEnVEL-cecY5uQX-Wbs-kU7B-nGc7rIJ45UbOTw4/s1600/66053_10152263570505462_1710407450_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xVoUrj7Ri2grYg7yf-gQjJxOnsua7U_XiAscGocaGM18FNnGPvalxHEVbDfKRmTYfV0lKiITtXU3nQiHB0PQNegr0WdH6MLP-sdokEnVEL-cecY5uQX-Wbs-kU7B-nGc7rIJ45UbOTw4/s200/66053_10152263570505462_1710407450_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JB: not looking his best</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everyone in balmy Sydney told me Melbourne would be cold. I wish I'd listened. Despite the sunshine Melbourne was definitely a place that required socks and a warm vest in November. After my smooth hour-long flight I caught a long bus into the city to meet my friend John-Boy. I lived with JB in Oxford when he was a student studying the Oxford BPhil, which is quite possibly the hardest degree known to man. But despite having some of the biggest brains on campus he also has the sense of humour of a buffoon which is why we got on so well. After a hard day reading Wittgenstein he would join me on the sofa to watch a Come Dine With Me marathon or sing along to America's Next Top Model ("You wanna be on top?!"). He once made me a stir fry that contained so much fresh ginger I couldn't taste anything else for a whole week.<br />
<br />
We ride the tram back to his home in Brunswick. This part of Melbourne's not like anywhere I've been before; lots of cool little shops and eateries but all in a very 70s style (I didn't know wallpaper was back in?). But what Brunswick lacks in interior design it makes up for in great pubs. And I mean pubs. Proper pubs that feel like the pubs back home. And they sell pints! I order one excitedly and feel the effects immediately; after 2 months drinking schooners this pint is like being kicked in the clackers by a kangaroo. In a good way. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IAQi0xto04G4lA2Nt4OOuOsev9mNOVgFmARbvP-txLd6C0WYvKC3YTrNlJjwMuEA4USSy9hvsChKLrltyYtctFIw3GjP_OCqj8IfDbOhYO7JmG5mFrP7BKxL2AJbkAlqtotL9GDbNzCz/s1600/291834_10152263571750462_397934100_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IAQi0xto04G4lA2Nt4OOuOsev9mNOVgFmARbvP-txLd6C0WYvKC3YTrNlJjwMuEA4USSy9hvsChKLrltyYtctFIw3GjP_OCqj8IfDbOhYO7JmG5mFrP7BKxL2AJbkAlqtotL9GDbNzCz/s200/291834_10152263571750462_397934100_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takoyaki being made at the night market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day we head into the city centre. We have coffee in a rather trendy street where all the cafes are like little tiny huts squished next to each other and the chairs spill out onto the street. Centre Place; the place to be. Melbourne feels very multicultural, European and a little edgier than Sydney (Apologies to my Sydney-sider friends but it's true). There is some very ornate Victorian architecture here and with the trams running up and down the city it makes you feel like you've travelled back in time. I like it!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQ_Sf0BG3QSicStbwAqRXMPrIlvRyS5c44YDy5c148j3IwcvWjkFr2mBuvVD14_r8eqlnwxCZ3RrG2JIa4dClQpWbbs2I-jlS-1fTaMiQoK3_lqvACF9_StQLho2Yfn3CKMzrCCUPnxhY/s1600/485062_10152263571525462_1407959099_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQ_Sf0BG3QSicStbwAqRXMPrIlvRyS5c44YDy5c148j3IwcvWjkFr2mBuvVD14_r8eqlnwxCZ3RrG2JIa4dClQpWbbs2I-jlS-1fTaMiQoK3_lqvACF9_StQLho2Yfn3CKMzrCCUPnxhY/s200/485062_10152263571525462_1407959099_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you game?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We head to a few galleries in the NGV and then JB suggests we go and see some 'bush paintings'. Having never heard of a bush painting before my mind conjured up all sorts of meanings but I was relieved to find some beautiful depictions of some of the first settlers arriving in Australia. Little did I know how much of an expert JB turned out to be in regards to his heritage. As we strolled around the paintings he told me stories of famous explorers and prison escapees. It is really unbelievable that these first settlers could survive such a country with its harsh terrain and lack of amenities (not to mention the bloodthirsty kangaroos). They're a tough sort these Aussies.<br />
<br />
We finished off the day with a visit to one of the regular night markets. With rows and rows of food stalls including every national dish under the sun we really did work up an appetite trying to decide what to eat. And then you have to stay for ice cream as they have every flavour imaginable. A few post dinner beers later and we end up in a nice pub called "the Oxford Pub" typical. The streets all begin to look the same and the trams are all heading in the wrong direction. We flag a taxi home and try to sneak in so we don't wake JB's housemate. The chook in the garden has other ideas though and makes a terrible racket. I'm beginning to feel at home in Melbourne.<br />
<br />
Next time: I play a gig in Melbourne and witness a horny Koala bear courting a tree at the Healesville Animal Sanctuary (rated PG).Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-63987625338708732002013-01-15T15:12:00.000+00:002013-01-15T15:14:23.059+00:00Don't Take That Attitude to Your Gravy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OVZEnqjQlooVHCQAcuwEO_oJ8ZRCUibXK1sf12_vm51GDUhqRMxNnkIwjMZ_g-03RwZGsUq9SfJW7db_hgdNsMt7BDgrWqb_RHJ90ecNq0kQWjWTyZktinIW84KcGCCRZ1ZTwR9ps1Ol/s1600/525987_10152223540235462_1778679386_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OVZEnqjQlooVHCQAcuwEO_oJ8ZRCUibXK1sf12_vm51GDUhqRMxNnkIwjMZ_g-03RwZGsUq9SfJW7db_hgdNsMt7BDgrWqb_RHJ90ecNq0kQWjWTyZktinIW84KcGCCRZ1ZTwR9ps1Ol/s200/525987_10152223540235462_1778679386_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne Cup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once a year you can walk around the streets of Sydney and see some of the most glamourous and bizarre outfits all at once. Women dressed as if they were heading to Ascot with bright hats and facinators and men looking as though they are out for a stag do with pink tights and very stretchy neon leotards. It is of course the day of the Melbourne Cup; Australia's major thoroughbred horse race. Melbourne gets the day off as a holiday but the rest of Australia has to either sneak off of work or take an extended lunch break from which they are unlikely to return. There is a real buzz as I walk through the city to meet Jen and her friends at a nice Italian cafe where we have great seats in front of the cafe's TV. There are lots of races throughout the day but there is only one that everyone seems to care about. As we tuck into some deliciously juicy mozzarella, Italian waiters come round to top up our wine glasses. Two o'clock hits and everyone is gathered round the TV, even people come in from the street to watch the race. Suddenly everyone is screaming and shouting at their horse and I holler out my horses name even though I have no idea which one he is or how well he's doing. The race is over in minutes and the crowds either commiserate or celebrate their bets with more wine as the main course is brought round. As I tuck into my zuccini salad images of Camilla and Charles pop up on the screen. Oh, Blighty!<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ITAlJ0bSwEJcRv0W1r6RiGKnaiKAuClB34ROf59lYi1nr3aXWT3799ivfYwnSGUQxC8yb-xclISksQ_h_vtRiZLxreyGnQWcpBZ_Sf8r6MXaQPBLHHr2ZC_bCJW8MmlG6ZdqrGV2flir/s1600/430728_10152242333930462_1008918658_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ITAlJ0bSwEJcRv0W1r6RiGKnaiKAuClB34ROf59lYi1nr3aXWT3799ivfYwnSGUQxC8yb-xclISksQ_h_vtRiZLxreyGnQWcpBZ_Sf8r6MXaQPBLHHr2ZC_bCJW8MmlG6ZdqrGV2flir/s200/430728_10152242333930462_1008918658_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Harper does the robot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ben Harper is a man who doesn't need a support act, especially because he decides to play for nearly 4 hours with no interval (and no water I observe, is he even human?!). Not that I'm complaining; this gig turns out to be one of the best I've ever been to. 'An acoustic evening with Ben Harper at the Sydney Opera House' suggested something a bit special and when we arrived and saw 13 stringed instruments lined up on stage we knew we were in for a treat. The instruments ranged from acoustic and electric guitars to lap steel, ukeleles, and a strange cello-type instrument that Harper had created and is yet to name. This is his first ever acoustic headline tour and in between songs he entertains us with anecdotes of his childhood working in a meat shop and hanging out with Jeff Buckley at festivals. Despite his long career, two broken marriages and many celebrity friends he doesn't seem at all jaded and remains a very humble and affable character throughout the night. I feel his personality really comes through in this intimate setting, and yes, I might have a slight crush. When members of the audience shout out songs they want to hear he happily obliges. I managed to pipe up at the end of the night and ask for Waiting on an Angel and he finishes his set with it. I had a little moment but it was ok, because everyone else was having a little moment too.<br />
</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q8IQHPisa0ffDVyEBCbW9xhUWMr0MBJG9yauX4ETIKt_OLPbQyEpYQULVRiW_kGsWZFORXCv1UAtqtL_pAkx8jXTAl22etlZ3ZiiSas09Cqd50O23hbR0iJm8kvQI1zvA48tR-0mnMIs/s1600/62234_10152234610615462_157856364_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q8IQHPisa0ffDVyEBCbW9xhUWMr0MBJG9yauX4ETIKt_OLPbQyEpYQULVRiW_kGsWZFORXCv1UAtqtL_pAkx8jXTAl22etlZ3ZiiSas09Cqd50O23hbR0iJm8kvQI1zvA48tR-0mnMIs/s200/62234_10152234610615462_157856364_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
The only way to finish off a week like that is to walk 10km from The Spit to Manly and ruminate on music and nature and then celebrate with some tasty beers. There are lots of great views along this walk which takes your through the bush, up cliffs and across beaches. Make sure you get there early when the tide isn't on it's way in or else you get soggy knees. We finished off the day with mussels in a rather strange sauce that was a cross between tomato and gravy, home brewed beer at the 4 Pines and a lazy ferry ride back into Sydney. Bliss!</div>
<div>
<br />
Next time: my trip to Melbourne and a gig!</div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-14453852342195084102013-01-02T03:34:00.001+00:002013-01-02T03:34:56.959+00:00New Year, New Song, New VideoHere is a video my friend and I made on her very awesome rooftop in Sydney of my new song 'My Time'. Happy New Year everyone.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HsRZMj3P_yM" width="560"></iframe>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-9814747602903120332012-12-03T06:00:00.005+00:002012-12-03T09:50:23.258+00:00A Weekend at the Hunter with Kanga KongI've been enjoying myself in the beautiful sunshine and ignoring my blog duties for far too long so here is an update on my adventures so far.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH_0rpHmRzglDTvHydaBYBwVR-KuhaYoDQVDv5oHTaiKvG4F-xKZIrU92K5uxOifBVQ-Kj5yUpP0Z1D0cu-81usk91patuo551MFhLaWd2E6KDd3JpxhLVN3ZL0kzx_u3Pd2XjBIyzm64/s1600/554241_10152216439355462_904654253_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH_0rpHmRzglDTvHydaBYBwVR-KuhaYoDQVDv5oHTaiKvG4F-xKZIrU92K5uxOifBVQ-Kj5yUpP0Z1D0cu-81usk91patuo551MFhLaWd2E6KDd3JpxhLVN3ZL0kzx_u3Pd2XjBIyzm64/s200/554241_10152216439355462_904654253_n.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter Valley</td></tr>
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If you thought there wouldn't be any way to top seeing the <a href="http://www.blueplanetinconcert.com/">Blue Planet</a> at the <a href="http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/">Sydney Opera House</a> then think again. North of Sydney is the very popular wine region, <a href="http://www.winecountry.com.au/">Hunter Valley</a>, or 'wine country' as the locals (and I imagine Raol Duke) affectionately call it. We woke up early on a Saturday morning and drove along the hot dusty road for a day of wine tasting, cheese tasting and dog petting. Jen was our designated driver and so Jo and I were free to try as many wines as we liked; thanks Jen! The first vineyard we got to was <a href="http://www.petersonswines.com.au/">Petersons</a>, a family-owned-and-operated winery. The surroundings were stunning with <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">undulating vineyards spreading into the distance in all directions</span>. </span> But we were here for the wine, and so we quick-marched through the cellar door and a nice chap talked us through the tastings on offer. Of course we tried every single one as our host regaled us with wonderful stories of wine and cheese, wine and sommeliers, wine recipes and the most exciting; when wine goes bad. I bought a bottle of fizz that is apparently a great accompaniment to watermelon sorbet and we moved on to the next vineyard for much of the same. Five vineyards, the <a href="http://www.winecountry.com.au/things-to-see-do/cheese-shops-local-produce/pokolbin/hunter-valley-smelly-cheese-shop">smelly cheese shop</a> and two famous vineyard dogs later and we were very merry. Earlier this year I had discovered my love of Port but I didn't know that white Port existed-delicious. The Semillon also went down rather well but the name (semi-on) caused much sniggering. Eventually the vineyards shut up shop for the day and we made our way to our hotel which turned out to be an old haunted orphanage (and that isn't the cheese before midnight talking).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What almost occurred </td></tr>
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The next day we drove home via a National Park come mental hospital and after driving through some spooky woods arrived at a big stretch of grass. We were here to see kangaroos and we weren't disappointed. This was my first kangaroo sighting (if you don't include the roadkill) and I was positively terrified. <span style="background-color: white;">Stories of kangaroos disemboweling people, not to mention their tendency for boxing, rushed through my mind</span>. We spotted a big group out with their joeys to catch some of the good weather and watched them from a safe distance. As we enjoyed their cute hopping and grazing I started to relax. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kanga Kong bounding up the road heading straight for us. We started to walk back towards the car and he bounded towards us further. At this point I started running- and wondering why these dangerous and blood-thirsty animals were allowed to walk around willy nilly. It turned out he was just heading to his troop who we'd just been watching and we marveled at his size from the safety of our car. Don't mess with the 'roos.<br />
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Next time. Melbourne Cup, Ben Harper in concert and Spit to Manly walk. Yes, there is a place called Manly!<br />
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<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730212265213555243.post-85578159878799020792012-11-11T09:28:00.001+00:002012-11-11T12:53:15.889+00:00The Gardens were Botanical and the Planet was Blue<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AoxkN8qnrqBupRsTFs4eriTyDlv7cuUuEt4ZJG136SKVOVW8NnNyWvS7Al_UJcGoyIdF0QXGECjxhsdsrO3O4cw8_abq6Iz-gh8l5X5gf3Eq5YGU4qBqQy-buSL0K_vGcwx_Y5UrTqi_/s1600/197414_10152185493745462_1666906324_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AoxkN8qnrqBupRsTFs4eriTyDlv7cuUuEt4ZJG136SKVOVW8NnNyWvS7Al_UJcGoyIdF0QXGECjxhsdsrO3O4cw8_abq6Iz-gh8l5X5gf3Eq5YGU4qBqQy-buSL0K_vGcwx_Y5UrTqi_/s200/197414_10152185493745462_1666906324_n.jpeg" width="200" /></a>One of the best things about going to the <a href="http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/">Botanical Gardens</a> is that <a href="http://www.google.com.au/imgres?hl=en&biw=1197&bih=683&tbm=isch&tbnid=52odc43kOhtM5M:&imgrefurl=http://www.theunbearablelightnessofbeinghungry.com/2009_01_01_archive.html&docid=olZzpmCzF9CnkM&imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/3159815574_bf739d71e9.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=SXKfULGTCKmQiAe7-YC4CQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=483&vpy=154&dur=1733&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=138&ty=118&sig=108777725528446815075&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=207&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:72">Croissant D'Or </a>is on the way and their almond croissants are some of the tastiest things on this earth. I describe it as walking to a grassy paradise whilst munching on a pastry paradise (even though the pastry paradise is pretty pricey at 5 dollars (i.e. 3 pounds). The walk is great. Walking along Macleay Street makes me feel like I'm in New York because of all the Art Deco architecture and Spanish Mission style apartments. The streets are wide and the sun bursts through the overhanging trees. I make my way down to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolloomooloo,_New_South_Wales">Woolloomooloo Bay</a> and walk along the wharf which was actually the largest wooden structure in the world in 1911. FACT! If you like a man in uniform then this is the place to come. There are big naval ships parked up here and the crew are all milling around in their pristine white suits. I'm pretty sure I saw Blackbeard amongst them. Eventually the wharf leads you to some old steps, along Mrs Maquaries Bushland Walk, past an outdoor swimming pool and an exceptional amount of joggers and finally into the beauty of the Botanical Gardens.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Botanical Gardens</td></tr>
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As I walk through the entrance gate an old-looking Japanese man asks me if I will take his picture. He stands in front of a very characterless patch of lawn and I snap him. I head forward into the gardens and as I'm enjoying the beauty and calming nature of it all I feel a tap on my shoulder. The same Japanese man is there and asks me to take another picture of him, this time in front of a bulbous and boring looking tree. I do my duty and hurry off to try to put some space between us. The gardens are enormous and have absolutely stunning views looking out to Farm Cove and Sydney Harbour. Just as I'm about to settle down under the shade of a very old looking tree I feel another tap on the shoulder. "Another picture please?" I sigh heavily and tell him that this is the last time. Afterwards he scuttles off looking a little hurt and dejected, until he finds another tourist to help him increase the amount of photos of himself in front of all kinds of different but equally boring foliage. His poor wife.<br />
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My second weekend in Sydney is another sunny one and we head to Surrey Hills Festival in the morning for some breakfast. It's a smallish festival with loads of food stalls and a stage pumping out loud Hip Hop to some enthusiastic teenagers who already look tipsy at 11.00am in the morning. We watch in amazement as some very muscly girls pole dance and I look down at my pancakes and feel a little guilty. But this is not the main event of the day, this is just the starter. We make our way to the <a href="http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/">Sydney Opera House</a> to watch The Blue Planet live in Concert (shouts of "OMG!" were continuously heard throughout the day's proceedings). This was my first time in the Opera House and it's size is staggering. The orchestra starts playing as we find our seats and local celebrity, The Bondi Vet, comes out to introduce each piece. He's not quite David Attenborough but is quite amusing (and slightly more pleasing to the eye). The experience is incredible and it's amazing to think that it has been touring since 2006. The only way to finish off a day like that is to head to karaoke and sing your heart out until 2am, which is what we did!Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07459980276840316532noreply@blogger.com0