One Fine Birthday in Hobart

The weekend saw us land in Hobart, Tasmania and what a blast we had. We were there to play at the One Fine Day festival on Saturday and then a beautiful little winery show Sunday arvo. It just so happened to be Robin’s birthday also which meant we had reason to celebrate! We try and make birthdays special when we’re away on tour, which means you have to be a bit more creative with the ideas you think up, but also mean its way more fun than the normal birthday at home. We’ve been to Graceland in Memphis, stuffed ourselves with champagne and seafood at Diver Dan’s Boathouse in Barwon Heads, woken up to the blearing sounds of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday’ in the bush at hippie fest Folk Rhythm & Life, and of course the big birthday cooked breakfasts that go without saying. But this time we decided to do something a little intellectual and visit the Mona Museum in Hobart which if you are one to find a regular museum a bit, or very, boring….this ones for you. If you’re like me and struggle with the pace of walking around the multiple floors of a museum and the unavoidable claustrophobia with all the people and not being able to predict where they’re going to move next, you will still feel this way, BUT, this place has revolting stuff, shocking stuff, bizarre and totally fascinating stuff. It’s awesome! For example, ever wondered how a solid can be processed by the body into you know what?! Well you see it at Mona; actually see it happen. So totally recommend to any Hobart visitors who haven’t yet had the Mona experience and guess what? It’s FREE!

Beth

Happy New Year

So it’s about bloody time I wrote another blog. A lot has been happening as you’ve probably noticed with the release of our single ‘Feel It’ and the ridiculous piece of performance art that has accompanied it. We are thrilled that everyone has enjoyed the clip so much. We had a huge amount of fun making it, but I won’t lie, a stream of concern did come over us at one point, dreading the chance that people would actually take it seriously. But we are delighted to find out that you all share the same sense of humour as us, and now that we know what rocks your boat we will be sure not to disappoint with our next piece of ridiculousness to accompany the album release…

After a good little holiday, some beach time and some serious sleeping in over January, it’s nearly impossible to believe that it’s February already. I’m ready though; ready to take the year on and driven as ever. Every year brings with it change; something brand new and something to let go of, and it feels good to be finally at ease with that unavoidable truth. So cheers to a new year everyone, hope it’s fabulous for you.

Beth

Stevies clip of the Year

Thank you to all you wonderful people who came along to our Northcote Social Club show on the weekend – we had a HOOT thanks to you!

We made sure we were well slept and bouncing with energy come Saturday night, because some serious recovering was in order after an exhausting day on Friday when we shot our video clip for our new single ‘Feel It’. You may ask what we could have been doing to throw ourselves into such an exhausted state. Well, a choreographed routine whilst singing and playing our instruments (..well, pretending to play) in a one shot take to a 3 minute song is what makes one so damn out of breath and training. I can’t possibly do the clip justice by trying to describe it in type, so you’ll have to speak to the lucky ones at NSC who got a sneak preview on the weekend for what’s yet to be the Stevies clip of the year. But let me leave you with this – think a slightly 80’s inspired version of ‘Single Ladies’…. Yep, I think you have the right idea.

Beth

APRA Xmas Party

The lead up to Christmas is just the best isn’t it!? Tinsel, Christmas carols, Christmas parties… so much fun. Last night was the annual APRA Christmas party held at the always winning Fitzroy Bowls Club. There’s something so enjoyable about combining a low impact sport with a few beers as the sun is going down after a stinking hot day. Though last night I can’t figure out which was funnier; attempting to bowl those deceivingly difficult one sided weighted lawn bowls? Or literally being the only band to step foot on the dance floor and continue to practice dance moves for our upcoming video clip for close to an hour? Priceless. My only wish is that I had a video camera to capture us in ‘training’. Oh well, will just have to wait for the real thing in the new clip for ‘Feel It’. It’s going to be a scream, hehe

Wardrobe blunders

Isn’t it funny how exciting it can be preparing to go to a festival, deciding what outfits to take, trying to cover for all weather types, choosing comfort but also something a bit cool. My everyday wear is rather basic; I can’t seem to go past my yoga tights, jumper and my sneakers most of the time. That’s right, daggsville, and I’m reminded of that nearly every time I’m seen in this attire. Though on the weekend when I was packing for a fantastic time away at Queenscliff music festival, for some strange reason I decided to pack three different sets of clothes that hadn’t seen the light of day in quite a few months. Why do our brains work that way? Why did I think it was a good idea to pack the same clothes that have been sitting in my wardrobe for 6 months and think that maybe, just maybe the right occasion hadn’t come along yet? Well let me tell that a festival wasn’t that occasion. There’s a reason why I hadn’t let them on my body for all this time. Turns out they look and feel much better on the hanger than they do on me, so the lesson learned is that I know myself better than I think and I’ll definitely go for the tights, jumper and runners combo next time.

Beth

The Album cover

The weekend saw us play dress ups in front of the camera at a hidden away studio space in Fitzroy, taking photos for what will end up being the album cover and the face of what The Little Stevies will be for the next 18 months. The fabulous Simon Nicol was the superb photographer who put us in positions, told us where to look and where to put our limbs. I can’t say I’m particularly comfortable in front of a big black lens the size of a basketball, but with a little direction (…actually who am I kidding, a lot of direction) we managed to come up with some very cool shots. Meredith Earls, our amazing artist who does all our artwork was also there acting as fashion stylist, doing the tough job of being brutally honest when it came to outfit choices. Just in time for the mammoth storm that came Saturday evening, we ended up down at the beach to achieve our final shot. You’ve got to give us credit for persistence to get the perfect shot, because there was a whole lot of water soaking us from all angles. Ending up looking like drenched rats, there was no other way to finish up but by hoovering down some very tasty fish n chips by the waters edge. What a fun day.

Beth

Sunday night in front of the box

The Aria’s are a celebration in our family household. It’s been an event for as long as I can remember. Embarrassingly we have been known to dress up, pour champagne, invite friends around and get a bit rowdy in a somewhat party type tradition. But that happens in the lounge room, on the couch, in the privacy our own home where there are not live to air cameras broadcasting it around the country for all to watch. I couldn’t help thinking though whilst I was watching the show that I had looked forward to so much for the past week, that this year’s Aria’s which are meant to be the biggest most celebrated awards for Australian music, were basically an extension of the party I was having at home; scattered, casual and boozy. Putting the performances aside which I thoroughly enjoyed, I couldn’t understand why the big boss in charge of running the show chose to present it with such little class. We Australians already struggle to get noticed on an International stage, so why make it harder for ourselves by forgetting to highlight our best qualities and bringing in the token International guest to make it all worthwhile? Oh well, fingers crossed it will blow our socks off next year.

Until then,
Beth