I was hoping for some artists from Jamaica as part of the WOMAD lineup but didn’t get any (though there is get a great dub producer in Mad Professor), but anyway, don’t worry about that because one of the greatest Jamaican artists of them all is coming to town the month after – while the legendary reggae producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry visits Australia fairly regularly, Adelaide usually misses out, so I was very happy to see this week that he’ll be playing at Fowler’s Live on the 1st of April. A famously eccentric character whose influence on modern music is enormous, he’s sure to put on an entertaining show.

I’ve decided to return to complete gig listings every week because otherwise it’s too hard to keep track of evrything.

Tonight – No Through Road and Straight to Video support Sub Audible Hum at Electric Light Hotel. Don’t know the headliners but both local supports are great, might check it out.
This Week
Wed 28th – Camera Obscura at Rocket Bar. Scottish indie pop in a style not entirely dissimilar to Belle & Sebastian.

MARCH
2nd – Little Ice Age at the Wheatsheaf. Great local band with a style reminiscent of the classic Flying Nun label sound.
3rd – Pivot at Rocket Bar. Sydney post-rockers who are well worth seeing.
8th – Yo La Tengo at Fowlers. US Indie rock stalwarts touring the excellent album I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass.
9th-11th – WOMAD with a great lineup including Mr Scruff, Mad Professor and Gotan Project.
16th – Little Ice Age at the Prince Albert.
30th – Bad Seed Conway Savage at the Garden of Unearthly Delights.
31st – GB3 at the Garden of Unearthly Delights. An almost-reunion of one of the best Oz bands of the 90’s, Underground Lovers.

APRIL
1st – Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry at Fowlers.
3rd – The Pixies with Jarvis Cocker and Phoenix at Memorial Drive.

On the Stereo

The Handsome Family – Last Days of Wonder cd (Spunk / Carrot Top)
Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice – The Flood cd (Toubleman)
Hall / Ranaldo / Hooker – Oasis of Whispers cd (Alien8)
Matthew Shipp – One cd (Thirsty Ear)
David S. Ware Quartets – Live in the World 3cd (Thirsty Ear)
Triosk – The Headlight Serenade cd (Leaf)
The Necks – Chemist cd (Fish of Milk)
Grizzly Bear – Yellow House cd (Warp)
Talking Heads – Fear of Music LP (Sire)
The Triffids – Treeless Plain LP (Hot)

This may look like I’m desperate for content but I know for a fact that certain readers will find this amusing. Certainly the first picture will bring back fond memories for some. I’m experimenting with the use of masks to keep birds away from stealing all the grapes off our grape vine …..

… it’s a bit early to tell whether it’s working.

UPDATE: It does seem to be working, the grapes are very close to being ready to eat and they’re mostly still there. Not much sign of bird activity (though the regular visits by the infamous cat that wears a bib may be a factor in that as well.)

A few people have been concerned at no longer getting regular gig updates now that I’ve moved from email to blog. Well, it turns out there is a way you can keep track of updates – the RSS Feed. Now, I wasn’t born yesterday, but I did only start using RSS yesterday, so I may well know less about this topic than anyone who ever reads this (hardly a groundbreaking moment in the history of blogging though). About the only advice I can offer is that I’ve started playing around with Sage and it seems alright. Other than that you’re on your own, but at least I’ve pointed you in the right direction if you’re after regular updates.

If any of the more experienced RSS users want to make recommendations on the best way to read & manage feeds then your contribution in comments would be most welcome.