Comparative mythology
This piece by Detritus Tabu for the Disquiet Junto this week is very funny and a beaut discussion of comparative mythology in how the conversation drifts from Christmas to Star Wars. Makes me wonder about the significance of the blockbuster openings at holiday times.
It's also a beaut for capturing one those conversations with kids where the sense of wonder and digression is surprising.
My response to the Junto was to accompany sounds from my neighbour's party with samples of festive music.
Cicadas
Visitors to Australia during summer will often ask the origin of the drone heard in bushland. Cicadas make a buzzing drone to attract a mate, after sometimes spending years buried as grubs.
Here's what a mature adult cicada looks like and here's the exoskeleton they leave behind during metamorphosis.
I was stoked to hear musical interpretations, such as Lee Rosevere's, as well as improvising my own piece about the soundtrack to an Australian summer.
Oscar sings BitFinity
This year it was fun to start recording with Oscar. We recorded a few Smooth McGroove-style covers of videogame soundtracks and, yesterday, this video based on BitFinity's Waluigi-themed Carol of the Waa.
Haiku over screen door
My interests in music and poetry come together in different ways. Sometimes I write haiku and sometimes I write music responding to haiku and sometimes I write lyrics for songs, which I consider a form of poetry.
Last week I had an idea to write lyrics in the form of a haiku for a Junto project. It followed from a week where I'd written a haiku most days and my partner sang the verse for me, accompanying a melody played on the bass.
The Junto version (below) ended being a bit of a mess, but the remix (above) turned out good. Both use an old and previously unused recording of a screen door from another Junto.
Level up
We're nearing the point of looking backward, so I thought I'd comment on a couple of things that changed for me in 2015.
In previous years I've felt somewhat dismissive about the funding of artists. It was an opinion that developed from conflict with people who felt their art was important because they got money from the government to make it.
I've never wanted to put myself in a position where something external to me determines the enjoyment I get from making music and the like, so I'd always taken the view that if I couldn't do it with the resources I had then I wouldn't do it.
Then, earlier this year, there was an opportunity to apply for funding for a project and that was successful. And, soon after, I was knocked back from attending a workshop and realised I could organise my own workshop if I sought funding.
This week I heard that this funding application to run the workshop in 2016 was successful, so I can see there's been a significant change in my attitude towards funding.
I think it's important since I will be looking to develop more funded projects through my role at Pioneer Park, which was another significant development for me this year.
In previous years I've felt somewhat dismissive about the funding of artists. It was an opinion that developed from conflict with people who felt their art was important because they got money from the government to make it.
I've never wanted to put myself in a position where something external to me determines the enjoyment I get from making music and the like, so I'd always taken the view that if I couldn't do it with the resources I had then I wouldn't do it.
Then, earlier this year, there was an opportunity to apply for funding for a project and that was successful. And, soon after, I was knocked back from attending a workshop and realised I could organise my own workshop if I sought funding.
This week I heard that this funding application to run the workshop in 2016 was successful, so I can see there's been a significant change in my attitude towards funding.
I think it's important since I will be looking to develop more funded projects through my role at Pioneer Park, which was another significant development for me this year.
Julie Montgarrett at Wagga Art Gallery
Review On Common Ground
Last October RealTime Arts asked I write about The Cad Factory's On Common Ground, an explosion of art in Narrandera's Common.
That review is now online and here are photos from the Saturday night performance of The Haunting and the sculptures on the Sunday. Please see the file names for artist and title details, cheers.
That review is now online and here are photos from the Saturday night performance of The Haunting and the sculptures on the Sunday. Please see the file names for artist and title details, cheers.
2015 on Bassling's Youtube
Excuse me but this is a quite a good collection of music videos, if I do write so myself. I'm pleased with the diversity of styles and instruments, as well as visuals since watching disembodied hands can start to feel a bit weird.
Not in my name
The lyrics reflect on a sort of paternalism, linking the personal to the political:
When you see injustice
when you feel pain
when conflicted in a way
with feelings of shame
Don’t steal for me
Don’t kill for me
Not in my name
All it takes to acknowledge
and to step away
make it clear you are not at fault
take a step to clear your name
Don’t steal for me
Don’t kill for me
Not in my name
When your country claims a right
when your friend starts a fight
can not stand by unmoved
support inaction proves
Trans-Pacific Partnership favours US corporations
After years of secrecy Australians are now able to read the
text for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. One of the key
concerns for our democracy is the investor-state dispute settlement
(ISDS) mechanisms, which allow our country to be sued for policies that
harm foreign business interests.
Despite the claims of Andrew Robb, Minister for Trade and Investment, there is no exemption for public health from ISDS litigation. Article 9.15 of the investment chapter explicitly makes such matters dependent on their conformity with the TPP itself:
The result will be that corporations will pursue litigation and add to their statement of claims that the policy change they are seeking compensation for is inconsistent with the TPP.
Australian policy will be further limited by the annex on expropriation, meant as a guide to what can be the subject of ISDS processes:
The TPP is an assault on
Australian democracy. Once again I ask that our local member Michael
McCormack ensures that the Productivity Commission are able to review
and report on the text of this agreement in advance of it becoming law.
Despite the claims of Andrew Robb, Minister for Trade and Investment, there is no exemption for public health from ISDS litigation. Article 9.15 of the investment chapter explicitly makes such matters dependent on their conformity with the TPP itself:
"Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prevent a Party from adopting, maintaining or enforcing any measure otherwise consistent with this Chapter that it considers appropriate to ensure that investment activity in its territory is undertaken in a manner sensitive to environmental, health or other regulatory objectives."That is, unless Australian health regulations are consistent with the TPP, they can be subject to a lawsuit brought about by a multinational corporation under ISDS.
The result will be that corporations will pursue litigation and add to their statement of claims that the policy change they are seeking compensation for is inconsistent with the TPP.
Australian policy will be further limited by the annex on expropriation, meant as a guide to what can be the subject of ISDS processes:
"Non-discriminatory regulatory actions by a Party that are designed and applied to protect legitimate public welfare objectives, such as public health, safety and the environment, do not constitute indirect expropriations, except in rare circumstances."
Scenic view in Griffith
Griffith’s Scenic Hill is a patch of bushland elevated above the city.
On my first visit I saw the Hermit’s Cave where Valerio Ricetti retreated from a society that had left him disillusioned. Not much remains of his solitary settlement but a cave that smells faintly of urine and a view of acres of citrus as well as encroaching suburbia.
The next time I saw Scenic Hill was from the air. A myriad of reddish dirt tracks cut through dark, sparse bushland.
More recently I’ve begun to drive up the Hill a few times a week to my new workplace at Pioneer Park Museum. After driving much of the way between Leeton and Griffith at 100 kilometres an hour, the winding roads through Griffith feel sluggish at 50.
While the distance between the last house on the Hill and the Park near the top is short, it’s not uncommon to see a kangaroo.
After parking my car under a Grey Box tree, I walk through the large iron gates and past the various historic and recreated buildings I can see more Box and Cyprus Pine. My arrival at 8am means I am usually alone in the car park. It allows me to remain in my own thoughts but also to look around and appreciate the landscape.
A month or so ago there was a complex fragrance on the soft breeze. The sweet of the geraniums in the Park gardens but a spice like anise too. I was excited to find native flowers, a Chocolate Lily and an Austral Bluebell as well as many Sticky Everlasting Daisies. There were also many feral Poppies adding a different shade of green, contrasting on the red dirt.
At present the rains of a wet winter and a wetter than usual spring have given the understory of weeds below these native trees a similar shade of green to the kikuya grass on the lawn outside Myall Park Hall, where many local festive occasions are celebrated — including the popular salami festival.
Last Monday there was a beautiful mist hanging in the trees, either low cloud or evaporation as the sun beamed onto the soaked Box bark. The rains this week revealed new stones in the unsealed road around the Park, as well as shifting red dirt down them toward drainage points.
One of the joys of arriving to work is hearing the local birds singing their morning songs. As Griffith is about as far west as I’ve travelled in New South Wales, these songs are often unfamiliar. There’s one that rings one note like an old telephone, the usual excited chirps of Sparrows and the bullying chatter of Apostle Birds.
The other sound is the wind-powered water pump groaning with each rotation. It’s a sound heard in my dreams soon after starting work here a couple of months ago. Some days I hear it long after I’ve driven down the Hill and through Griffith toward the turn to Leeton. I catch the drawn-out squeak echoing in my subconscious and force myself to listen to the sound of the car until it disappears.
On my first visit I saw the Hermit’s Cave where Valerio Ricetti retreated from a society that had left him disillusioned. Not much remains of his solitary settlement but a cave that smells faintly of urine and a view of acres of citrus as well as encroaching suburbia.
The next time I saw Scenic Hill was from the air. A myriad of reddish dirt tracks cut through dark, sparse bushland.
More recently I’ve begun to drive up the Hill a few times a week to my new workplace at Pioneer Park Museum. After driving much of the way between Leeton and Griffith at 100 kilometres an hour, the winding roads through Griffith feel sluggish at 50.
While the distance between the last house on the Hill and the Park near the top is short, it’s not uncommon to see a kangaroo.
After parking my car under a Grey Box tree, I walk through the large iron gates and past the various historic and recreated buildings I can see more Box and Cyprus Pine. My arrival at 8am means I am usually alone in the car park. It allows me to remain in my own thoughts but also to look around and appreciate the landscape.
At present the rains of a wet winter and a wetter than usual spring have given the understory of weeds below these native trees a similar shade of green to the kikuya grass on the lawn outside Myall Park Hall, where many local festive occasions are celebrated — including the popular salami festival.
Last Monday there was a beautiful mist hanging in the trees, either low cloud or evaporation as the sun beamed onto the soaked Box bark. The rains this week revealed new stones in the unsealed road around the Park, as well as shifting red dirt down them toward drainage points.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is undemocratic
Seeing our local federal member promoting the value of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) raises the question why the text isn't available to the Australian public?
If it's so good for Australia, why has it been negotiated in secrecy -- unless you're a US corporation?
Australian politicians have only had access to a draft of the text if they sign a non-disclosure agreement. This is undemocratic in my opinion.
If Michael McCormack is so sure it's a good deal, how about he ensures the Productivity Commission are able to review the document in advance of it being voted on?
Those who watched as the US Free Trade Agreement was pushed through Parliament with undue haste will be watching to ensure the same process is not repeated. That agreement has been shown to have offered very little benefit to Australia.
If it's so good for Australia, why has it been negotiated in secrecy -- unless you're a US corporation?
Australian politicians have only had access to a draft of the text if they sign a non-disclosure agreement. This is undemocratic in my opinion.
If Michael McCormack is so sure it's a good deal, how about he ensures the Productivity Commission are able to review the document in advance of it being voted on?
Those who watched as the US Free Trade Agreement was pushed through Parliament with undue haste will be watching to ensure the same process is not repeated. That agreement has been shown to have offered very little benefit to Australia.
Tricks and treats this Halloween
“It’ll be fun for all ages with creative pursuits, music and a spooky story,” said Mr Richardson.
“Traditionally it’s the time of year when spirits visit our world and Lillypilly are very kindly offering a complementary wine tasting for visiting adults, which should help raise spirits.”
The event will provide a venue for people who want to dress-up to mark the occasion.
“As a parent I know how much kids want to get into a costume and roam the streets in search of sugar. It got me thinking that it would be much better to provide an event where families could gather and share the thrill.”
Entertainment will include stories, hands-on activities, a movie and more.
“In previous years I’ve screened a silent movie in town as well as projecting my music videos and the film for this event will bring together both, with a silent film suitable for kids that I’ve created a soundtrack from music written and recorded in the last year or so.”
‘The Lost World’ is a classic film from 1925 that is based on a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, better known for writing the Sherlock Holmes stories. It’s remarkable for being the first feature to use stop-motion animation, as well as being the first film to be shown to airline passengers.
“I’m also looking forward to telling people about the troll that once lived in Leeton,” said Mr Richardson. “It’s a little-known fact that he was directly responsible for the creation of Fivebough Wetland.”
Learn more at Lillypilly Winery from 7pm on 31 October.
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