The Preachers - new video and exclusive interview

We've been championing Sydney's The Preachers for a long time now. Their bluesy, country rock n roll sound won us over the first time we heard it and, since then, the five-piece have continued to evolve and to push themselves creatively. Their 66 Project last year was an interesting one and now, joyously, we are seeing the fruits of their labour, with new single, Take a Card, hitting the airwaves. You can check it out above. The song is the lead-track from their second EP, Shaking Hands, which is due for release in April.

Directed and edited by Simon Day (Ratcat) and Rob Saponja, the clip for Take a Card was shot at their studio in Sydney's infamous heritage-listed old building Hibernian House (where Bobbysix.com used to have its headquarters) in a little under two hours in early February. When asked about the vibe of the clip, vocalist/keyboardist Isabella Manfredi said: "We wanted something that captured the band naturally; a classic performance video with no shots of us running through fields."

Keen to find out more about the new single and EP, Bobbysix's Heidi Pett recently sat down for a chat with Isabella and vocalist/guitarist Gideon Benson in the very same room in which they shot their clip. As ever, they proved themselves to be charming, as well as very passionate and driven when it comes to their music. Have a look and a listen for yourself in our little video-clip below:

Tim Hart, Patrick James and Faith Lee at Hibernian House, Sydney

Hibernian House in Sydney used to be the Bobbysix.com headquarters. So we love heading back to the big old green building whenever possible. Last weekend, we spent two nights there. And what contrasting occasions they were. After a Saturday evening of Halloween carnage with parties running across multiple levels and with seemingly everyone we've ever met in attendance wearing full-on fancy dress, we really needed something chilled to sooth our Sunday. So, a night of acoustic loveliness was the ideal hangover cure.

In an intimate atmosphere created by candles and fairy lights, Boy and Bear's Tim Hart (above) got the ball rolling. His captivating set showcased a really strong, nuanced and rich voice which had impressive range while remaining natural-sounding. His short turn was very impressive.

Patrick James (below), was the reason we were in attendance (indeed, we told you to head along to see him play). His performance was delightful and unfussy. Amid sweet melodies, gentle guitar work and emotive lyrics, he often sang away from the microphone and allowed his voice to blow softly through an enraptured audience like a breeze through long grass. Oldie (and a favourite in the Bobbysix.com office) Bugs was a particular highlight. By the time his banjo player joined him to close the set, the crowd was singing and clapping along. Lovely stuff.

Faith Lee was the night's headliner. With a full backing band which included Tim Hart as well as her own sister, she played country-tinged folk. Having grown up in an eclectic family of six who travelled around Australia playing music in pubs and clubs, she clearly has a grounding in good, honest alt-folk, as she proved with well-crafted single Life Long Friend. 

As nights go, this was as charming as you could hope for. With unpretentious artists, an appreciative audience and an atmosphere like a warm blanket, the gig was a haven for like-minded fans of folk music. As we made our way out of Hibernian House, stepping through the broken bottles and other remnants of the previous night's craziness, we did so with a happy heart. Hangover? What hangover?  

Words and pictures by Bobby Townsend

Carsick Cars to play Sydney's FBi Social

What do you know about Chinese music? Not much, we're guessing. What do you know about China's underground scene? Even less. Well, now's your chance to learn. Carsick Cars are known for their sick live shows and have toured the USA and played with Sonic Youth in Europe. As their latest record, You Can Listen, You Can Talk, hits the shelves in Australia, the band are embarking on an Aussie tour. 

On November 3rd, the band hit up our favourite Sydney venue, the award-winning FBi Social. Supported by Mere Women and Rites Wild, this is set to be a top night. A few days earlier, there is Zhang Shouwang solo experimental set at Bobby Six's old haunt, Hibernian House. More details of the FBi gig can be found here. 

Here are the tour dates:

Oct 27 - The Barwon Club, Geelong
Oct 28 – Kipl. Nth Melbourne (Zhang Shouwang solo experimental set)
Oct 30 – The Toff, Melbourne
Oct 31 – the NOWnow, 402@Hibernian House, Sydney (Zhang Shouwang solo experimental set)
Nov 2 – Croatian Club, Newcastle
Nov 3 – FBi Social, Kings Cross Hotel, Sydney
Nov 4 – house show, Canberra
Nov 5- Woodland Bar, Brisbane

Patrick James - The Carry On Tour

Here at Bobbysix.com, we like good music and we like nice people. It's pretty simple really. So, with that in mind, we're more than happy to introduce you to Sydney singer/songwriter Patrick James, who ticks both of those boxes.

Fresh from supporting Old Man River and having also played alongside Dead Letter Chorus, The Panda Band, Georgia Fair and Tin Sparrow, the delightfully humble James has just embarked on a tour to celebrate the launch of his single, Carry On (you can hear it at the foot of this post). His acoustic, foot-tapping melodies nod to the likes of Bright Eyes, Nick Drake and Ryan Adams, so you'd do well to check him out if he is heading anywhere remotely near you later this month.

The dates are below. We're very excited that he is playing at Hibernian House as, not only is it our favourite building in Sydney, but was also the home of Bobbysix.com for a couple of years. We'll definitely be heading along to our old stomping ground to see this lovely musician do his thing. If you have a heart and ears, then you should probably be there too.

THE CARRY ON TOUR
THUR OCT 20 | THE BUCKET ROOM @ GRUMPY'S GREENS, MELBOURNE [125 Smith St, Fitzroy] Doors 9PM | Free Entry
WED OCT 26 | BAR ON THE HILL @ NEWCASTLE UNI [University Dr, Callaghan] Doors Lunchtime | Free Entry
THUR OCT 27 | YOURS & OWLS, WOLLONGONG [95a Crown St, Wollongong] Doors 7PM | Tickets $5 - Available at the door
FRI OCT 28 | RUBY'S PERFORMANCE SPACE, BONDI [Lvl 1, Chapel By The Sea, 95 Roscoe St, Bondi Beach] Doors 630PM | Tickets $10 - Available at the door
SUN OCT 30 | HIBERNIAN HOUSE, SYDNEY [205/342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills] Doors 730PM | Tickets $10/$12 Available online at tinyurl.com/patrickjamestix or at the door if still available Supported by Faith Lee + Tim Hart (Boy & Bear) BYO

Carry On by Patrick_James_Music

Find out more on Facebook or, if it's 2006 where you are, Myspace.

Dear Pluto's Garden Flea Market

They’ve been holding wonderful weekly vintage sales for some time now, but the kids from Dear Pluto haven’t forgotten their roots. This Sunday, the people who previously brought you those legendary monthly Hibernian House sales are hosting a Garden Flea Market out the back of their new place, at 5a Wilshire Street in Surry Hills.

The event will feature vintage, designer and good quality used clothing, accessories, music, books, collectibles, handmade goods and other one-of-a-kind treasures from a select group of stall-holders. In short, it's gonna be amazing. So head along, hang out in the sunshine and score yourself some sweet threads. There’s a comfy couch to chill on, sweet tunes on the stereo, Sydney’s friendliest cat to stroke and, most importantly, vintage clothes; heaps and heaps of vintage clothes.

Get involved with the awesomeness on Sunday at 5a Wilshire Street, Surry Hills (just off Devonshire St, between Crown St and Bourke St). Full details on the facebook event page.

Get yourself some of Dear Pluto's sweet European finds

If you're Sydney-based and have even the slightest inclination towards vintage clothing, then you'll surely know of Dear Pluto. Tucked away in Surry Hills, the pretty space hosts vintage sales each weekend as well as intimate events like Monday movies nights and swap parties.

Well, excitingly, Dear Pluto's main lady - the chick who also brought you those amazing Hibernian House Vintage and Retro Sales - has spent the better part of February scouring the op shops of Europe for stellar frocks, florals and all sorts of fancy threads. Today, she arrives back in the country, masses of clothes in tow. "At Dear Pluto," she tells us, "We like our vintage like we like our men. Sexy, European and with an accent thicker than Karl Pilkington. Okay, so vintage doesn't talk, but if it did, Dear Pluto's range would be charming the hell outta you."

Intrigued? Well, even more amazing is that the hand-picked goodies the shop offers all fall below the fifty dollar mark, with some pieces giving you change from five bucks. So, if you haven't visited Dear Pluto yet, or if you are overdue a visit, then this weekend is the perfect time to pop in to see Emma and Millie The Cat and snap up some embarrassingly cheap vintage awesomeness. Our advice is to get there early, as the European stuff is sure to fly out of the door.

Get rummaging on Saturday (11am till 6pm) or Sunday (11am till 5pm) at 5a Wilshire Street, Surry Hills (map below. The Facebook event page is here)

Words by Rob Townsend.