NEW GIGS

FREE SHOW IN FRONT BAR, FRIDAY APRIL 2ND

Art / Film / Music Festival

After an overwhelming response to the inaugural Bondi Beach event in 2008, The Happening finally returns to Australia this March.

A celebration of surf culture and community and its reach beyond the waves into the world of music, art and film - The Happening 2010 will be held in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, bringing together under one roof: Brushre Records musicians Matt Costa, Zee Avi, Neil Halstead and Will Conner; film-makers George Greenough, Chris and Emmett Malloy – previews of 180° South and The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights – plus the exhibited works of contemporary artists from The Surf Gallery, Laguna Beach, California.

The history of The Happening harks back to 2002 when professional surfer and filmmaker Chris Malloy, his cousin, filmmaker and owner of Brushfire Records Emmett Malloy, and Will Pennartz of The Surf Gallery brought together three disconnected elements of beach culture – art, film and music – into a single event.

In 2008, the event extended its reach traveling to Sydney's Bondi Beach Pavilion, Tokyo, London, Cornwall and Paris - spreading surf culture around the world.

MUSIC

Heading up The Happening 2010 is MATT COSTA. Growing up in Huntington Beach, California, Costa began songwriting during an 18-month rehabilitation period following a serious leg injury that put pay to a promising skateboarding career.

On the strength of his debut release, the folky, beautiful Songs We Sing, Costa earned a rep as an L.A. buzz act, crisscrossed the U.S. in a van, and performed at all the major North American music festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits among others. In 2007 Costa recorded the follow-up Unfamiliar Faces, again on Brushfire Records. He is currently working on new material.

Next up is NEIL HALSTEAD. Based in the English coastal town of Newquay, Halstead is one of Britain’s most respected songwriters. The singer and guitarist cut three albums fronting Slowdive, before forming 4AD favourites Mojave 3 in ‘95. Halstead made his solo debut in 2002 with Sleeping On Roads and a follow-up on Brushfire in 2008, Oh! Mighty Engine.

ZEE AVI was born on the island of Borneo, later moving to Kuala Lumpur, Avi learnt to play guitar at 17. Beginning to write and perform, she posted her songs on YouTube for a friend to hear. The viral buzz around her postings eventually resulting in the release of her 2009 self-titled debut album on Brushfire/Monotone Records.

Picking up the opening slot is local Byron talent WILL CONNER. With a reputation for making music with a pure and unwavering sound, CONNER along with special guest 21st century soul surfer DAVE "RASTA" RASTOVICH, will open proceedings performing tracks from his new album Sailing, Love & Food.

FILM

Woodshed Films will tour special extended previews of 180º SOUTH the latest film by CHRIS AND EMMETT MALLOY - and, THE WHITE STRIPES UNDER GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS directed solely by EMMETT MALLOY, as well as short films by legendary surf cinematographer George Greenough.

180º SOUTH: In 2005 filmmaker Chris Malloy took a trip to Patagonia with Yvon Chouinard - one of the most unique and prolific environmentalists - and writer/filmmaker/producer Rick Ridgeway. It was then the idea for what would be come the film 180° South was officially hatched.

The film follows young American adventurer Jeff Johnson’s journey, following in the footsteps of Chouinard and best friend Doug Tompkins’ 1968 exploration of untouched mountain ranges and un-surfed coastline, on a 5000-mile expedition from California to deep Patagonia.

THE WHITE STRIPES UNDER GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS: In the summer of 2007, The White Stripes embarked on a cross-country Canadian tour to accomplish their goal of performing in every province and territory across the expansive northern nation. A captivating mix of striking live footage and poignant off-stage moments, this visually stirring and emotive feature length film celebrates the band's 10 year history, bringing the band full circle in their career to a place reminiscent of how they first started out - shows where no one knew who they were, and where they were left to make a first impression with their music.

ART

At each of the Happening shows will be a gallery space exhibiting works from the following artists and photographers.

Artists: Jeff Canham, Harry Daily, Andy Davis, Ned Evans, Julie Goldstein, Yusuke Hanai, Alex Kopps, Greg Lamarche, Michael Leon, David Lloyd, Geoff McFetridge, Randy Noborikawa, Scott Richards, Mark Tesi, Pablo Ugartetxea, Tyler Warren, Alex Weinstein and more.

Photographers: Lorene Carpentier, Joe Curren, Herbie Fletcher, Laura Flippen, Michael Halsband, Ryan Heywood, Kassia Meador, Serena Mitnik-Miller, Jason Murray, Dane Peterson, Steve Sherman, Scott Soens, Patrick Trefz and more.

WED MARCH 31 @ THE ESPY

TICKETS ON SALE NOW here http://theespy.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=14575

Interscope Geffen A&M Records music artist, Mickey Avalon, is set to begin his Australian tour self entitled, “Mickey Avalon,” kicking of in Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia on March 5, 2010. This will be the third time the music artist will be touring Australia. Avalon will be on the road to promote his sophomore album, “Electric Gigolo,” which will be released early 2010. This second album includes Avalon’s first single “Stroke Me,” and track “Sticky Mickey” featuring Ke$ha, who opened up for Avalon on his headlining U.S. tour and who currently holds the #3 spot on the ARIA chart for her single “Tik Tok”, as well as the U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Chart.

“I love visiting Australia and it will be great to see all my fans, and perform my new singles from my upcoming album,” comments Avalon.

Avalon has collaborated with many known artists for his sophomore album which includes one untitled track with Grammy-Nominated group LMFAO. On his Australia tour, Avalon will be performing his new tracks which include “What Do You Say” from the box office successful film ‘The Hangover’ which is currently in the top seven for songs downloaded in the U.S., and “Fast Life” with Blink 182 drummer, Travis Barker. Aside from music Avalon has been hanging with the film stars including good friend Sean Penn who introduced him to Jane Fonda last month and recently, actress, comedian, television producer, and director, Rosanne Barr posted on her blog that “… [she is] a huge fan of Mickey Avalon.”

A bit more about About Mickey Avalon: Mickey Avalon is working with producer Dr. Luke on his sophomore album. On the stage, Avalon has opened up for artists including Red Hot Chili Peppers and Blink 182. Musically, Avalon co-wrote Unwritten Law’s radio hit, “Shoulda Known Better,” and provided vocals for a remix version which has been released on Unwritten Law’s “Best Of” album, The Hit List. Avalon’s songs have been featured in several film and television projects including the 2008 movie “Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay,” his song “Jane Fonda” was featured briefly in an episode of HBO original series “Entourage,” and his song “My Dick” was featured in the end credit for the HBO original series “Hung.” Avalon was the first artist to sign to Myspace/Interscope Records in 2006.

For More Information:

www.mickeyavalon.com

www.myspace.com/mickeyavalon.com

Tickets available now here http://theespy.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=14125

Abstract rap virtuoso BUSDRIVER makes his way to our shores for the second time, embarking on a national tour that will see him play to eager audiences around the country.

Catch BUSDRIVER playing a free show in the Espy front bar Saturday March 13. Music kicks off at 9pm.

For more info on BUSDRIVER head to www.myspace.com/busdriver

Sun Ra, Count Ossie, Sabu Matinez, Slum Village, George Duke, Vikter Duplaix, Fela Kuti, Milton Nascimento, 4 Hero, Masters at Work, Cal Tjader, Gotan Project, Azar Lawrence, Prince Lasha, Jimi Tenor….

To many a series of discordant, often obscure and forgotten names but to Gilles Peterson and an ever growing number of radio listeners, clubbers and music lovers, these and many other artists form a rich, vibrant and coherent thread stretching from the primal roots of Africa to the bass culture of Jamaica via the urban soul of Detroit to the intricate stylings of the European new jazz generation. All in all, a truly global musical perspective championed by Gilles for the past 20 years and given voice on his weekly Radio 1 show ‘Worldwide’ and heard around the planet from London to Lagos to Los Angeles. It is this instinctive, personal belief in the uniting power of music that has motivated his vision of an all-embracing musical language that not only cuts across cultural, linguistic and national boundaries but also encompasses them to create new possibilities, new vistas. Indeed, to quote from Lonnie Liston Smith to create ‘a vision of a new world’.

Gilles plays a free set in the front bar Friday Mar 5.

Dark. Artistic. Quirky. Sexy. These are just some of the superlatives that fit avant-garde gothic multi-instrumentalist Emilie Autumn.

As a child prodigy, Emilie Autumn started playing the violin at the age of four graduating to collaborate with Billy Corgan and appearing as Courtney Love's "anarchy violinist”. Complete with a pair of raging stilettos, pearl beads and a pompadour wig, Emilie Autumn has forged her own career. The signature electric violin pyrotechnics, heartbreakingly lush orchestrations and menacing lyrics growled with enough intensity to make your hair stand on end, result in a harpsichord-heavy romp through Victorian asylums where screaming is allowed and girls always get revenge.

On her new album ‘Opheliac’, Emilie Autumn shows that she is a true artistic find. From her instrumental prowess, devilishly dark lyrics, metal-shredding violin solos and unique, sultry voice, she is a musical force to be reckoned with. “The music created is a maelstrom of insanity and fulfilment.” – Dark Nation

The Los Angeles-born starlet's theatrical stage show is a sexy circus of glam-rock burlesque, backed by a scantily-clad, corset donning girl band known as the Bloody Crumpets. The two-and-a-half hour long Asylum show extravaganza is “where madness reigns, this is no rock show; this is Vaudeville. This is a fucking Broadway musical.” – Metal Martyr

But beware: It is much easier to get into the Asylum than it is to get out...

Friday 19 March - THE ESPY GERSHWIN ROOM - 18+

www.ticketek.com.au 132 849 and www.espy.com.au

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 22 JANUARY, 9AM.

Collage artists range from gentle acoustic, thumping roots, indie and alternative style and rock and roll. Collage is held in the front bar on the main stage at the Espy Tuesday and Wednesday from 830pm with three to six acts playing nightly.

Tue 2nd

Yelka trio

Cazi

Fishtale Parker GB

Green Tea Circus

Wed 3rd

Tim Woods

Raffaellas

Birds of Steel

Signal X

Tues 9th

Benjalu (sydney)

Next Week Allum

Scott Mellis

My little Tornado

Kim Churchill

Wed 10th

Moroccan Kings

Crying Sirens

Time Machine

Tom Bolton

Tues 16th

The Word

Kingbayler

Siva

Wunderlust

Al Parkinson

Wed 17th

Montpelier (brisbane)

The Black Hills

Damn the maps

The stillsons

Tues 23rd

Joel Spence

The Moon Project

The Hosies

Roni Sheran Project

Wed 24th

Dear Stalker

Gretchin Lewis

Brothers crossing

Missing supergirl

Tues 30th

Groove Eddy

Simon Asquith (Byron Bay)

Rob draper and the details

Rumourtism

Luna Girl

Wed 31st

The Advocates

Cazi

Simon Asquith

Johari Window