Big Sound

An interesting few days spent in Brisbane at a music conference, called Big Sound. Great to hear new ideas, meet people and see what is happening. I have a huge interest in the application of technology to support art forms that have not traditionally had big commercial reach.

There are so many possibilities existing now. It is all very exciting, as it opens up opportunities that previously you couldn't consider with small budgets.

I have been listening to a couple of albums from Lawrence English's, Room 40 label, worth listening to if you enjoy "other" types of music.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Electrofringe, Newcastle and Lucian

Well an interesting weekend spent finding more about sound/art electronica at Electrofringe (largest sound/art festival in Australia) and getting to visit all those burnt out wrecks of buildings in downtown Newcastle.

I am immersing myself in the "foundling" musics that I am running a project for, called Sound Travellers, to organise some touring along with Performing Lines, courtesy of a grant from the Australia Council. So good to see for myself what is happening. Was very struck by the lack of females performing, though there were a healthy number at the talks.

Amazingly in all my other trips to Newcastle, I had never seen so many down and out buildings. Had only noticed the new building work going on.

Also managed to catch the Lucian Freud exhibition on men. Having seen lots of his female nudes this was a different take on the style.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Jazz:Now

IIt was a great week of jazz at the Jazz:Now Festival, now in its fourth year. Highlight for me was definitely Phil Slater.

Then for something completely different it was off to a keeper talk about Penguins at Taronga Zoo. Joanne Kee

www.ceressolutions.com.au

Music

A week full of music, from a live performance with an old film, Goethe's Faust, through to the Classical Music awards and then for a change of pace a talk from the International Rhino Foundation.

Some types of music may be going on the endangered species list, but not to such as an extent as many species of rhino.

The top performance of the week was the Caged uncaged at Carriageworks with the Song Company and Ensemble Offspring. A great combination of the understated and estoeteric, in a minimalist setting.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au
www.placesandspaces.com.au

APEC

What a week, how annoying having our lives were interrupted by the APEC juggernaut. I am still wondering where all that money to pay for the security came from?

So shame that four policemen felt that they had to arrest a middle aged man and wrestle him to the ground and call him a security threat. Is this what happens when laws are rewritten and our officials can dispense with common sense? Does our Government think that the citizens of Australia are so violent and scary that we had the most draconian security laws in the western world for this summit?
http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?t=m162
If the link doesn't work try the ninemsn website and go to Sydney news.

What happened to common sense and reason in all this? What a worry that the people controlling our security can behave like bouncers at a night club.

www.ceressolutions.com.au

Trend Watching

This is an interesting thing looking at the future and trends.

http://www.trendwatching.com/trends/tips.htm

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Katie Noonan

OK I can do without the intro from Libby, but I just saw Katie Noonan last week and I have to say she is totally amazing. I prefer this version, which is not as slick as the film clip, but has that beautiful natural, live performance vibe at which she excels.

She has just released a new album and I have to say if you get a chance, try and catch her, she really is special, the voice effortless and the musicians are hot as well. I think the word is 'freakish' she has so much talent.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au