E N T E R T A I N M E N T

MULLUM music festival 2012

THE

Clairy Browne, Talk of the Town!

FIERCE LEADING LADY CLAIRY BROWNE AND HER harmonising girl group The Bangin Rackettes have been tearing down the house at venues around the country with their drunken piano, heart-wrenching doo-wop and blinding hysteria, so who better to launch four days of the Mullum Music Festival, than these red-lipped heart- and bootybreakers! Clairy says or these red-lipped heart-breakers creating their dynamic big band was created from the inspiration to participate in a night life that I wanted to be involved in. I love playing that type of music and there wasnt that much happening. There were lots of nights happening with DJs playing soul and retro but no live inspirations. In the early days we took a lot of inspiration from the 60s shindig era; I guess now its wild crowds and dazzle and lights and dancing. Our music influences have evolved over the last few years, including northern soul, early R&B and contemporary R&B. Being Melbourne based, it took time to convince crowds that Clairy Browne and the Bangin Rackettes had something very different to offer.

Culture
CRABBE MOVIES
Crabbes Creek Community Film Society is a non-profit organisation and member of the NSW Federation of National Film Societies. Theyve been screening films every second month for nearly a year on their fabulous screen in Crabbes Creek hall where everyone can see theres no need to peer around anyones head to get a good view! This months film is the fabulous Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line (M). Guaranteed to entertain and get feet tapping! Kicking off with a delicious nachos dinner at 6pm, following with the film at 7pm. Saturday.

At first it was hard to work crowds up. I think its different with every crowd, I think what people are used to seeing is four guys in skinny black jeans singing emo songs about teenage love affairs. Our show is about bringing feminine strength onto stage and into the studio; a lot of the female artists that emerged over 10 years had a singing style that was kind of whispering. We have a much more upfront style. Its true. Clairy Browne and her Rackettes sing it up big. For me, says Clairy, its about singing songs that evoke emotion that create really strong heart connection. Clairys show is proving to have strong appeal around the country, blitzing venues, attracting broad demographics. We have a pretty strong response from different ages; older generations like it because it is nostalgic but young people like it because it is contemporary. People try to put us in a nostalgic throwback replica kind of band; its about contemporising and flipping it and putting it on its head, and using our experiences. As Clairy says, the show is exciting. Audiences are responding in their droves, finding the grooves the girls pump out impossible to resist. Our show is a lot of fun, its a bit cheeky. A lot of different bands are coming up that are playing older styles of music, and everyone is doing it in their own way; its nice to have a community to work off as well. If you havent seen us before its a pretty hectic vibe on stage; we often shower the crowd in glitter confetti. Its a highly choreographed show, its in our bodies now, we cant stop it, we even walk down the street and wave together! We even answer people in a sentence all at once in a harmony! There is costume changing its a real show, and there is new music as well there will be stuff that is not on the album. While the nine-piece love the stuff that gets you shaking your booty, Clairy cant resist the odd slow number, or the dance breather. I like sad songs. As a very small child I used to have a very strong pull

to sad music; I used to sit on the beanbag in my room and have a cathartic cry while they were singing. Now thats the stuff that pulls at the heart a bit, its shit that moves people! And moving people is what Clairy Browne and the Swinging Rackettes do best. They are the featured act at Mullum Music Festivals opening night party on Thursday 22 November, two stages and one massive dance floor! Ticketing information www.mullummusicfestival.com or phone 6684 6195.

DRAWING ON BURLESQUE

MISS ALYSSA KITT STRUTS HER STUFF AT DR SKETCHYS BURLESQUE LIFE DRAWING ON TUESDAY AT THE BYRON BREWERY

Dr Sketchys Burlesque LIfe Drawing returns to the Byron Brewery on Tuesday, serving up a luscious double dip of model mayhem! Returning to the Byron catwalk is The Queen of Curves, Miss Alyssa Kitt! The bountiful and beautiful Miss Kitt has just returned from blazing a spectacular trail of fame and sequins across the United States, and we are very lucky to have her vamp it up for us in Byron before returning to her adoring North American fans! Accompanying Alyssa is a truly stunning combination of feline grace and playful sensuality in the form of the sultry Mercy St Just! And of course, our famous MC and songstress, the gorgeous Mae Wilde, will dazzle and discipline the audience as always! Doors open at 6pm and we attempt to start by 6.30pm, so dont be late!

GETTING CHARACTER
Screenworks has partnered with the Australian Directors Guild to bring another outstanding opportunity to the northern rivers and to assist writers, directors and actors increase their skills. The Mike Leigh Process: Character-based Improvisation masterclass will be presented by writer/director Robert Marchand in Byron Bay 1923

www.echo.net.au

The Byron Shire Echo October 9, 2012 23