more Beaches...

I was messing around in the darkroom yesterday, on these old but unseen photos of Beaches in the studio. This was late last year at Head Gap in Melbourne.

364 days ago

Beaches in the studio

Over the weekend, Beaches were locked away in Head Gap studios. They were recording their follow up album with Jack Farley, exciiiiting!

Now on at: The Arts Centre, Melbourne

Today, a new exhibition opens at The Arts Centre in Melbourne. From the Arts Centre website, 'Rock Chicks - An exhibition' takes you backstage via event footage, costumes, instruments, lyrics, sets, posters and sounds to meet the women who kick started, shaped and continue to drive full-speed through the Australian music landscape.

Representing women in girl groups, punk, new wave, pub, hard rock, indie rock and even folk and jazz – this is a curatorial mixed-tape of the most impressive.'

What's really exciting is that featured in this huge exhibition, is Beaches! The photograph I took, above, of Beaches earlier this year is part of the show. I was also lucky enough to have the photograph purchased for the Performing Arts Collection, which is recognised as a State collection, and is the nation's premier specialist performing arts collection relating to the history of circus, dance, music, opera and theatre in Australia.

The exhibition runs from 6 November 2010 until 27 February 2011 in Gallery 1 and Gallery 2 of The Arts Centre complex on St Kilda Rd, Melbourne.

BEACHES - the band

 My friends Ali, Antonia, Gill, Alison and Karla make up the Melbourne band BEACHES. Should I waffle on about how great their band is, but also how bloody talented each lady is in their own right - outside of the music realm? I would, but I'm going to the pool instead! They are leaving for America in a week or so, and they will blow the socks off those seppos.

 I have seen Beaches play many times, but by FAR my favourite Beaches experience was their first show. It was a birthday party, they played in a (packed) loungeroom, and everyone was very curious and eager to hear if they would be good! Obviously when you have certain ingredients involved there is no doubt it will work, but still, I can guarantee that the majority of the room that night was blown away within the first 30 seconds. If I remember correctly they opened with 'The Rip', and by the time that riff kicked in the room was 'WOOO!'-ing. My friend Andrew Harper was dancing next to me, with his arms out, eyes closed, big grin on his face, and that basically sums up how the music these gals were playing made us all feel. Good luck abroad broads