The Telstra Road to Discovery is an awesome initiative to support up and coming independent musicians around the country to get a leg and gain exposure to a tough and cut throat business. This gives these people the opportunity to play in front of bigger audiences, increase their media exposure, be mentored by those who have been there and share their experiences and harsh realities of the industry. What’s at stake? Well, the prize is a good‘un with the ultimate performer and songwriter winners each receiving a highly sought after 12 month music mentorship which consists of a return trip to Nashville USA; including a showcase gig at the Americana Festival, local gigs in Australia, face time with some of the biggest names in Australian music plus a $14,000 tailored music development fund.
The Uni Bar played host to this event hosted by Ella Hooper. What was evident walking through the door was the lack of interest of what was going on stage with the focus being on downing as many beers before catching the bus home. A great shame really because there was some really great talent on show. Starting at the very uncool and not very rock ‘n roll time of five o’clock those who were interested were treated to performances by Michaela Burger, Kelly Breur, Ciaran Granger, Andrew Redford, Laura Hill and Paige Renee Court.
Each performer played two songs each giving judges the chance to critique and give them an overall score. All I can say is that Adelaide does have some very exciting talent and they don’t have to go on reality TV shows to prove that. But, there could only be one winner with a shocked and surprised Paige Renee Court taking home the chocolates.
No disrespect to the performers involved but the real drawcard for me was seeing Mr Tim Rogers playing tunes from his new album Rogers Sings Rogerstein. Surprisingly, a lot of the usual suspects who are seen at every Tim Rogers and You Am I show weren’t there to witness this ripper set. Nevertheless, opening with the stunning Part Time Dad was almost drowned out over the pointless Friday night chatter and clinking of glasses and the occasional “number 37, your schnitzel is ready”.
There was the look from Rogers inferring ‘what the fuck am I doing here’ but any gig is a good gig. Jimmy’s Delicate Condition followed and with the backing of Tim’s new band, it made this one quite special indeed. Tim’s opening remark “the future of our nation, universities, pleasure to play for you all, thanks for watching”. Funnily he also said “bother you Adelaide your water tastes like vodka and orange” which was well received by the boozers at the bar. Another newie Go On Out, Get Back Home was great before another Rogers pearler saying that between travelling from Darwin to Adelaide and snorting methamphetamine in the bathroom and eating some pretzels imagined what it would be like to be a pilot and masturbate at thirty five thousand feet then thanking god that he had a show tonight. The best about touring Rogers remarked “Everything” before ripping in to Drivin’ At Night.
Referring to his home town of Kalgoorlie “the birth place of the rhythm and the blues, the heart bed of racism” the Rogers golden hour continued with Goldfield Blues from Spit Polish. Phew! There’s more! Vampires was a real stunner and even better with his band. There’s always a dickhead in every crowd who killed the intro to the next song but fired him up no end on I Love You Just As You Are, Now Change.
Personal favourite You’ve Been So Good To Me So Far was as good as ever followed by Rogers thanking the crowd. He also commented that he’s always getting advice about song writing and how he does it then offering the suggestion “keep it weird, if people tell you how to write a song tell them to fuck off and ask if they’ve got any coke. All great art comes from freak bags with anxiety attacks, just embrace your weaknesses.” My Brothers Room got a look in and I Left My Heart All Over The Place, a classic from the back catalogue. It was a goodnight from Rogers who ended with a cover that for the life of me I couldn’t pick. Rogers took his microphone down in to the crowd rocking out on guitar even trying to take the phones off punters trying to video him responding with the gesture use your memory. Only Rogers could get away with that! All in all a ripper show!
Review by Rob Lyon
Photos by Supernova Photographics. See the rest of them here
The Uni Bar played host to this event hosted by Ella Hooper. What was evident walking through the door was the lack of interest of what was going on stage with the focus being on downing as many beers before catching the bus home. A great shame really because there was some really great talent on show. Starting at the very uncool and not very rock ‘n roll time of five o’clock those who were interested were treated to performances by Michaela Burger, Kelly Breur, Ciaran Granger, Andrew Redford, Laura Hill and Paige Renee Court.
Each performer played two songs each giving judges the chance to critique and give them an overall score. All I can say is that Adelaide does have some very exciting talent and they don’t have to go on reality TV shows to prove that. But, there could only be one winner with a shocked and surprised Paige Renee Court taking home the chocolates.
No disrespect to the performers involved but the real drawcard for me was seeing Mr Tim Rogers playing tunes from his new album Rogers Sings Rogerstein. Surprisingly, a lot of the usual suspects who are seen at every Tim Rogers and You Am I show weren’t there to witness this ripper set. Nevertheless, opening with the stunning Part Time Dad was almost drowned out over the pointless Friday night chatter and clinking of glasses and the occasional “number 37, your schnitzel is ready”.
There was the look from Rogers inferring ‘what the fuck am I doing here’ but any gig is a good gig. Jimmy’s Delicate Condition followed and with the backing of Tim’s new band, it made this one quite special indeed. Tim’s opening remark “the future of our nation, universities, pleasure to play for you all, thanks for watching”. Funnily he also said “bother you Adelaide your water tastes like vodka and orange” which was well received by the boozers at the bar. Another newie Go On Out, Get Back Home was great before another Rogers pearler saying that between travelling from Darwin to Adelaide and snorting methamphetamine in the bathroom and eating some pretzels imagined what it would be like to be a pilot and masturbate at thirty five thousand feet then thanking god that he had a show tonight. The best about touring Rogers remarked “Everything” before ripping in to Drivin’ At Night.
Referring to his home town of Kalgoorlie “the birth place of the rhythm and the blues, the heart bed of racism” the Rogers golden hour continued with Goldfield Blues from Spit Polish. Phew! There’s more! Vampires was a real stunner and even better with his band. There’s always a dickhead in every crowd who killed the intro to the next song but fired him up no end on I Love You Just As You Are, Now Change.
Personal favourite You’ve Been So Good To Me So Far was as good as ever followed by Rogers thanking the crowd. He also commented that he’s always getting advice about song writing and how he does it then offering the suggestion “keep it weird, if people tell you how to write a song tell them to fuck off and ask if they’ve got any coke. All great art comes from freak bags with anxiety attacks, just embrace your weaknesses.” My Brothers Room got a look in and I Left My Heart All Over The Place, a classic from the back catalogue. It was a goodnight from Rogers who ended with a cover that for the life of me I couldn’t pick. Rogers took his microphone down in to the crowd rocking out on guitar even trying to take the phones off punters trying to video him responding with the gesture use your memory. Only Rogers could get away with that! All in all a ripper show!
Review by Rob Lyon
Photos by Supernova Photographics. See the rest of them here
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