Live Review: Music Victoria Regional Bus Crawl #2 Day One

Music Victoria Regional Bus Crawl #2 Day One 

Melbourne -  Frankston - Mornington - Dromana - Rye  

Venues visited: 6

Live acts experienced: 13

All aboard the second Music Victoria Regional Bus Crawl (#musicviccrawl)! A fresh group of industry movers and shakers assemble outside Music Victoria HQ in South Melbourne as a few slackers are forced to quickly fill out a pre-tour questionnaire with next of kin details and any medical concerns prior to boarding. 

This Victorian Music Crawl is a Victorian Government initiative delivered by Music Victoria, as part of Music Works. The first initiative of its kind in Australia, the Crawl aims to build connections between Melbourne and regionally based artists, venues and music industry leaders. The inaugural tour visited Ballarat, Castlemaine, Bendigo and Echuca in February of this year and the third (and final) tour will take 'Crawlers' to Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Warrnambool in February 2018.

The itinerary for Day One of this Peninsula (aka Ninch) Crawl spans three pages and we buckle up. Once we hit the road and start driving, Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan explains that our route has been designed to mimic an actual tour for bands hoping to add on a few extra shows after their Melbourne gigs. As our designated bus driver Nick Cooper (Operations & Program Manager, Music Victoria) gets acquainted with the steering circuit while driving around Albert Park Lake, we gaze out the windows and can absolutely imagine how international touring musos would appreciate this stunning scenery rather than the view heading straight back along Tullamarine Freeway to the airport (unless they've already passed out in the van, that is).

Our first stop is Pier Hotel in Frankston where a tray of takeaway coffees is delivered for all of our caffeination needs. Pier Bandroom promoter Andrew Parisi explains Frankston is a triple j hotspot before adding that this venue is far enough away from Melbourne to ensure that putting on a second show down here wouldn't affect ticket sales for a band's city show/s.

We're treated to a performance by Mornington Peninsula five-piece LoneFree (keeping the rock dots alive over the 'o' even though our style guide doesn't permit \m/), which was founded by cousins Xavier Hulse and Brodie Casey (who both play guitar and sing BVs). LoneFree's style sees some members favouring the grunge look while a couple of the others embrace rock'n'roll fashion and drummer Nathan Lomas goes for a more neutral outfit. We're told the band arrived at this venue at 7.30am to set up for our showcase (bless) and they bust out tight riffs to blow away our morning cobwebs. During their set, the venue's rotating dancefloor is given a spin and we soon realise this could actually prove a nightmare if you popped your handbag outside its periphery - lost property alert! Check out On My Way Down, the title track from LoneFree's debut album: there's swaggering guitars, loose tambourine, steady drumming and accomplished vocals - keep an ear out, these dudes are going places.

We learn that The Pier use Nightlife Music provider for their venue playlists, which can also be synced to corresponding video content. Then the upcoming Sea N Sound Festival, held in Frankston Park on 18 Nov, is given a plug. Boasting a super-strong line-up featuring Jebediah, Shihad, The Superjesus, 28 Days, Dallas Crane and The Diecasts - we'll see you at Sea N Sound Festival.   

Back on board, we cruise towards our next destination and Donovan points out that Graham Kennedy (RIP) used to live in Olivers Hill, Frankston. Once at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, we are entertained by Maxon who may already be familiar to some after appearing on The Voice 2016 (Team Delta). These days the singer rocks a pastel apricot lob and performs solo at a keyboard for us today. Maxon's husky voice is flawless as she presents what has been described as her special brand of "self-empowering pop". It's a touch Kate Miller-Heidke and we reckon she's one sync away from superstardom. You've just gotta listen to her latest single, No Impersonator.

While we enjoy wine and delicious produce from the local region,  Rye local and Kirrae-wurrung woman Nola Lauch (who also happens to be Archie Roach's niece) then takes her turn at the mic joined by a guitarist/backing vocalist. Lauch's songwriting and live performances were recognised when she received a regional NAIDOC Artist Of The Year award (2017) and the song Black Bird perfectly demonstrates her effortless singing style and meandering melodies.

During the speeches, we learn that this gallery recently hosted James Morrison, there's a Mornington Peninsula Music Network newsletter where local gigs can be listed and The Briars in nearby Mt Martha also hosts events. Goodie bags in Boomerang Bags, which are made using recycled materials, are handed out and the amount of bus references/puns used in speeches is commendable (eg. "As the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round"). Donovan reiterates that the overall aim of this initiative is to take touring back to the '70s in terms of utilising the regional touring circuit.

Once the stragglers are rounded up (not naming names), it's back to the bus to roll on to our next destination: the Mornington community radio station and performance space, RPP FM: "the Voice of the Peninsula". This station boasts national standard broadcasting equipment, which we're told is basically "the ABC scaled down". Studio 3 is available for bands to record in and there's even a Bernstein piano if required. RPP FM also hosts Sunday Sessions during which a different band comes in for an interview and also to perform a few songs live. Our host explains TV studios are about to be built here at RPP FM as well. The Midwayers are on hand to demonstrate the facilities although this band of Peninsula brothers, lead singer Brendon Mellere and Tyson Richardson plus Matthew Goldman (brother from another mother/Ed Norton lookalike), usually record in a backyard bungalow in Rosebud. Richardson hilariously introduces a standout song, I Don't Like To Sing, as being about "not wanting to sing when you're a singer", particularly at, say, family gatherings. A new special-edition release, Autumn Vol 1, by The Midwayers is currently available for your ears at themidwayers.com and standout track Winds Of Change conjures images of tempestuous weather conditions as the arrangement continuously ebbs and flows with surprising twists.

At God's Kitchen in Mornington, we are met by venue owner Paul White (aka Dumpy) who tells us of his new project: what used to be Taco Bill in Cranbourne is soon to become another live music venue under his ownership. Situated within a heritage-listed church built in 1876, God's Kitchen hosts a weekly local singer-songwriter competition, Gods Tuesdays. We're treated to a performance by Ben Jansz, a previous Gods Tuesdays winner. We eye off the didge on stage and Jansz presents a couple of songs on guitar before we see him put it in action. He's got powerful pipes, and a snazzy guitar featuring his own autograph and a crashing wave. Jansz makes great use of a foot pedal to play tambourine and could just be a one-man version of Pierce Brothers!  

After checking into Rye Hotel and watching a wee bit of Becker/checking emails, we reassemble at the trusty bus. En route to dinner there's some lively banter that sounds like deals being made on board.

Fun fact: Some Mornington Peninsula-based artists you may already be familiar with include Wally DeBacker (Gotye), Eddy Current and Mark Seymour.

We soon arrive at Hickinbotham Winery in Dromana where an open-to-the-public MOTH (Music On The Hill) showcase has sold out. First up on stage is Ling Marra. This all-female a cappella group acknowledge the Boonwurrung - Bunurong, members of the Kulin nation, who are the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and perform. The harmonies of Ling Marra are exquisite, echoing through the space like a choir comprising many more voices than singers we see before us.   

"We do punch above our weight here in the Ninch," announces Rosebud girl "done good" Tracee Hutchison (broadcaster/journalist/Music Victoria board member) during her speech and, based on the exceptional talent we've witnessed so far, we tend to agree with her. Mia Grunden sings with ease, her syrupy vocal has a hint of huskiness and we're pretty sure she'd still sound flawless if she sang in her sleep. He often graces Ninch stages, and Sam O'Connell soon shows us why he's in high demand thanks to his percussive guitar playing and crystal pipes with just the right amount of vibrato. Young Vincent come prepared and all on Music Victoria Regional Bus Crawl Part Deux receive a copy of their new single, Run, during which the harmonies of Ryan Fellows, Josh Walton and Tom Simpson softly caress our eardrums. There's a great "Ooh-Ooh-Wooh-Ooh" part to sing along with while cymbal-heavy drumming (although it's brushes on a single drum for their percussion needs tonight) enhances the song's dynamic range. Young Vincent supply swoon-worthy sounds and boast an effortless stage presence - you'll thank us for the tip.

While at Hickinbotham Winery, we devour quite possibly the most deliciously prepared lamb dish we've ever consumed.

Headlining the evening's entertainment at Hickinbotham Winery are The Weeping Willows. They have a Nick Cave quote on their website so we already rate them highly. And Andrew Wrigglesworth explains the importance of their musical mission. "It was either this or go to jail," he jokes. As Laura Coates sings, she gazes longingly at her partner; it's otherworldly, authentic and sometimes so intimate you'll feel as if you're witnessing The Weeping Willows laid bare. We can see why they're Ninch royalty.    

We've already been treated to so much music today that it's hard to believe there's still one more venue to hit up tonight: Baha Tacos in Rye, which hosts live music three to four nights a week. Are we allowed to say tequila shots signal our arrival? Only fitting, really, considering this venue also doubles as a taco joint. We instantly decide we're stoked on The Stokers, who truly are the new Silverchair. Their future's so bright, the drummer wears shades. The Stokers cover AC/DC's Highway To Hell, their lead singer's vox definitely up to the task. And that drum solo (all the while wearing shades) during this song! The Stokers version of Queen's Fat Bottomed Girls makes our "rockin' world go 'round". You'll be hearing more from these future rockstars, so don't say we didn't give you a heads-up. The four teenagers also get added bonus points for sticking around to watch their peers and looking super-badass while they're at it.

Bleach are so dedicated to delivering their psych-rock, punk and blues that their singer winds up performing shirtless. Theirs are rapid-fire raw riffs avec yowls and Bleach give it everything they've got, using every last ounce of energy up there on stage. The singer's also not afraid to venture into the crowd and sweat on us. Somehow a cow skull makes its way up there, the vibe becomes extra-loose and the punters go apeshit.

At around this time we seem to be one 'Crawler' down so the early retiree's mum (next of kin) receives an accidental midnight call to determine whereabouts. (The 'missing person' was already safely tucked up in bed, never fear.)

Our Baha Tacos headliners The Grogans are an accomplished surf-rock trio comprising Angus Vasic, Jordan Lewis and Quin Grunden - hang on! Didn't we just see Grunden back at Hickinbotham Winery accompanying Mia Grunden? The kid's a bona fide superstar and looks a little like Kurt Vile. This threesome completely captivates the crowd, with punters swaying and thrashing to the beat. There's lots of flailing hair up there and you can tell The Grogans are slaves to their tunes. Plus their latest EP is called Twangs N' Cans, ferchrissakes!

About now we're praising whoever was responsible for booking our accommodation at Rye Hotel, a mere staggering distance from Baha Tacos, as a genius.