BROTHER News

Earth Hour Downunder march 2008 The Glorious MUDsingers will honour Earth Hour, March 29, with their Hellishly good gospel when they open for Aussie singing sensation, Christine Anu, at the Milton Theatre. The choir will take to the stage at 8pm as the lights are switched off all over the country. No lights, no mics, no air con. The Glorious MUDsingers have just returned from 3 performances at Australia's National Folk Festival in Canberra where they were hailed as the under the radar festival hit.
SORRY DAY march 2008 Over a period of almost 70 years, through to the late 1960's, thousands of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families and communities, often by extreme force. This practice was deemed to be 'for their own good' and 'to integrate them into the white society'. Many never saw their mother or father, sisters or brothers again. The pain inflicted on the Stolen Generations, as they have come to be known, and their people and the deep sorrows created as a result of this dark period in Australia's short modern history are still felt to this day. Acknowledgment of these wrongs has been slow in coming. An official apology, though often requested over the last decade, has been repeatedly refused. February 13 of this year, marked a change in this status quo. "I move: That today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations— this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry. We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation." So began Australia's new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, in a motion to the nation's Parliament - his first official order of business. Addressing a crowd of several thousand in the middle of Sydney, gathered to share the moment broadcast live on big screens, Aboriginal man Clarence Slockee, from the NSW North Coast, decleared it was the beginning of a new era. "In 1788 it was estimated that there were over 1 million Aboriginal people," he told the mulltitude. "They started counting us in the census in 1967. Today we number just over 500,000. "We certainly need to account for what happened to the other 500,000, we also need to account for what has happened in the past, but we certainly must move together into the future. "Today is the first step in what we hope will be true reconciliation."
Verdugos take out songwriting honours october 2007 hamish recently produced and production managed the extensive music program of Escape artFEST in Australia, in addition to his own festival theatre show with didg master, Mark Atkins. The dust has finally settled... While many people are still glowing warmly in the aftermath of this year's hugely successful Escape artFEST on the South Coast of NSW in Australia, there has remained one outstanding piece of official business - announcing winners in the Journey songwriting competition. "We received a wonderfully diverse bunch of entries, with the Journey theme really giving writers broad artistic license," said competition judge, Tina Broad, of the Music. Play for Life campaign. "There were journeys of the mind, journeys of life, journeys of the sea." The winning entry, Great Divide, was penned by local musicians, Tracy Verdugo and MD Verdugo, who say they like to use music to convey the emotion of the real life situations they encounter. Their song, in a lilting folk-pop style, was inspired from a trip between Mexico and the USA, "and experiencing the stark contrast between first and third worlds. "It's about the incredible struggle that people go through to cross over the other side to work, the hardships they have to go through and of the families they have to leave behind in order to try and find a better life. Too often though the dream does not become reality. "Life can be such a paradox. People can live in paradise yet experience hell, and visa versa. Our journeys and observations constantly remind us how lucky we are to live on the South Coast." Shadows of Existence penned by Ulladulla High school student, Ana-Maria Fajardo was placed first in the youth section. "Ana-Maria's song explored her observations on anorexia - a scourge which has far-reaching impacts on the sufferer as well as friends and family," said hamish who was another of the judges. "Ana-Maria's was among the best structured of the songs we received. The melody and lyrics fuse well and lead the listener on an easy journey." The winning songs and a songwriter profile will appear on Australia's national music advocacy website, www.musicplayforlife.org.au In addition, for the next fortnight both songs are presented as featured downloads on: www.BROTHERmusic.com And you know you couldn’t find a way / To make it through the great divide /chase a different life of the unsatisfied / What are you leaving behind? - from Great Divide by the Verdugos (now available for download on www.BROTHERmusic.com)
MUD Music Council Presents Escape Artfest september 2007 Hamish, as part of his role with the MUD Music Council, has booked the music program for the Escape Artfest. During September and October, the Artfest will present a variety of artists, to include Mark Atkins with Hamish on Saturday, October 6th. Click here to see the ad for Escape Artfest performances at the Milton Theatre. Escape Artfest Dates Thu, Sep 27 Shasha Marley @ Milton Theatre 1:45 pm, High School Matinee 8:00 pm, $22.50 Fri, Sep 28 John Williamson w/ Ami Williamson @ Milton Theatre Primary School Matinee 8 pm, $40 Sat, Sep 29 Various Acts @ Village Green 10:00 - 11:15 am, Free Sun, Sep 30 The Glorious Mudsingers @ Public School Hall, Milton 10 - 11:15 am, $10; $5 under 18 Mon, Oct 1 Treedad Guest Speaker: Patrick Faulkner @ Mick Ryan Park, Milton 2:00 pm, Free Thu, Oct 4 Milk + Honey @ Harbourside Restaurant, Ulladulla 7 pm, $49 (dinner show) Fri, Oct 5 The Long Goodbyes @ Boardwalk Cafe, Ulladulla 7 pm, $12 Fri, Oct 5 Funkier Than Alice @ Milton Theatre 8 pm, $15 Sat, Oct 6 Mark Atkins w/ hamish of BROTHER @ Milton Theatre 8 pm, $17, $5 under 18 Sun, Oct 7 The Glorious Mudsingers @ Burill Hall 10:00 am, $10, $5 under 18 Sun, Oct 7 Mark Atkins @ CWA Hall, Milton 12:30 pm, $20 $30 for theatre show & workshop $20 for under 18 Sun, Oct 7 Festival Finale World Music Jam featuring Nicholas Ng & Paul Best @ CWA Hall, Milton 3:00 pm, $5
Art Exhibition july 2007 We are excited to announce the first exhibition of Michelle Sherkow's work. Michelle has been a member of the BROTHER doco crew over the last few years, capturing the band on and off stage with video, photo and paint. We've always loved her artist's take on BROTHER's music - her work outside of the band stuff is just wonderful. Here is an original and talented young artist. Treat yourself. Event: Art Show! "Michelle's first Gallery show!" What: Exhibit When: Friday, July 20 at 6:00pm Where: Hotcakes Gallery, Milwaukee Click here for more details...
Ulladulla Earth Live Gathering (Friends of Live Earth) july 2007 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year - it's time to do everything we can. This Saturday, July 7, more than 2 billion people world wide will join together to be a part of the Live Earth concerts and events in a symbolic demonstration to local and world leaders that the time has come to solve the climate crisis. MUD Music Council has organised the Ulladulla Earth Live Gathering, an official part of the global initiative, adding to the growing number of Australian communities demanding greater efforts to bring into balance our impact on the planet. "On the 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year, are there 77 locals who care enough about the planet to ensure our community is part of this historic event?" challenged Tina Broad of the MUD Music Council. Local Live Earth events in other major centres are happening simultaneously around the globe - London, New York, Sydney, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Tokyo. The Ulladulla Earth Live Gathering, will feature acoustic sets from hamish of BROTHER; Treedad; the drums of Joseph; and singer-songwriter, Trent Hamilton. Guest speakers include marine ecologist, Pia Winberg; artist, Noel Butler and wellness campaigner, Cheryl Prout. A multi media presentation from surf and coastal photographer, Peter Simons, will also be featured. Click here for more information.	Pia Winberg making a connection with the smallest creatures in the food chain.
BROTHER available on iTunes and PayPlayFm june 2007 BROTHER's Urban Cave is now available for download on Apple's iTunes, joining Pax Romana MMV which has been available since last year. "It's going to be really interesting to see what impact the download culture has for an independent band like us", says Hamish. "Our on-road costs have increased exponentially over the last few years which is one of the reasons we've eased off the touring for now - but those live shows have always been how we got our music to the world. We are missing that regular contact with our fans but hopefully the downloads will provide a new avenue to stay in touch. We're planning to release more of the music making stages, like new songs just written and early mixes for those who know us and are interested to get inside the process. And theoretically we should be able to reach a wider audience if our fans are doing their bit and spreading the word via the internet - as long as we do our bit, and keep writing good music." Pax Romana MMV has also been added to the download music store, PayPlayFm Both individual tracks and the entire playlist for Pax Romana MMV and Urban Cave can be downloaded. Pax Romana MMV on iTunes by clicking here Urban Cave on iTunes by clicking here Pax Romana MMV on PayPlayFm by clicking here Out-of-print and previously unreleased tracks are available for digital download from BROTHER's on-line store, The Mongrel Marketplace. Load your mp3 player with BROTHER music. Be sure to tell a friend (or two or three…) and write a review.
Remembering Mark june 2007 Mark Frilingos - friend and mentor to two, then three, pretty clueless brothers making their way in the music world - has moved on to the next big adventure. Mark was our first soundman and our lead guitarist until Fergus finished high school. He was a quirky, bearded individual with a very old, very large green car. A truly inspired and inspiring musician. i am sorry it was years since our paths crossed. We remember him fondly.
Where doves fly... peace follows june 2007 A 'Visions of Peace' rally will be held on Wednesday, June 13th, in Canberra, NSW, Australia. The purpose of the event is to encourage people to stand up and speak out about how to actualize peace in the community and give a clear message to the government that the people want to be governed from a place of peace not war. The event will start with a meeting in Garema Place in Canberra at 9:30 am for a 'Giant Dove' Peace Walk which will proceed to the rally at 12:00 pm at the Parliament House. The rally will include a wide variety of informative and inspiriting speakers, musicians, and people sharing their visions of peace. Hamish will be a featured performer at the rally.
Thank you for your concern may 2007 It's rare that we ever have to cancel a show and i'm sorry i had to last Saturday. Someone very dear to me was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and i had to leave town immediately to be there. My friend is out of intensive care and doing well. Thank you all for your concern and my apologies, if you were inconvenienced. i will make up for it at the next Molly's show, Saturday, May 26th. peace angus
Angus Show Reviewed may 2007 “With the melodic style of Soul Asylum and the energy of Dave Matthews, Angus' solo performance does justice to BROTHER, his regular band, and their unique Celtic-rock style. Song themes range from love to environmental awareness, showing that the music is socially conscious, but at heart is concerned with the human experience.” - Paula Munoz, Music Connection Magazine Read the Music Connection review…
the world's gone mad april 2007 News of hamish's first solo show, last week at a Greens awareness concert in Oz, has been greeted with much excitement on both sides of the Pacific. This from an unnamed source - "Angus just told me you did your first solo show!!!!!?!!! what is going on here? the world's gone mad!!!"
the raw jam april 2007 After four years of improvisation toward a real life music series, former BROTHER band mate Derek 'Dez' Stewart announces The Surplus Music Show - featuring 'The Raw Jam'. You can view the complete series pitch video here. "I am so proud of all the work, creativity, faithfulness, talent, personality and good from-the-heart RawJam music that has been created to date." - Dez The idea of the show is to write and record a song in a night and document the whole process. The Surplus Music guys do this themselves and also host featured artists to do the same. Their first guests in this journey were Hamish, Angus and Dalbo of BROTHER. Angus - "Dez put this wonderful challenge to us to create a song in one night. What came out of it all was the song Photograph, and the story of its creation. Dez had a real vision here with this show and saw he it through. Nice one mate." Downtown Harvest (the band of Bob Cahill - director of the BROTHER documentary Mongrel Mythology Volume 1) is also featured in The Raw Jam.
australia addresses issue of global warming april 2007 'It is now clear that most Australians are no longer in a state of denial, that they are facing up to the truth about global warming and what it means for life in this country and around the world. In these circumstances it will become more and more difficult for the Government and the fossil-fuel lobby to repeat their lies, distortions and spin with impunity.' - Clive Hamilton, Executive Director, Australia Institute 'The choice is clear. Keep going as we are and risk devastating environmental, economic, social and security consequences, or change course now. We can embrace the challenges and opportunities climate change and oil depletion present by developing competitive advantage in renewable energy and low carbon technologies.' - Senator Christine Milne, Tasmanian Senator, The Australian Greens Listen to Clive Hamilton's radio address Read the transcript of Clive Hamilton's radio address Senator Christine Milne's Website
ALP to vote on uranium mining policy april 2007 This week the Australian Labour Party (ALP) will vote on whether to alter it's long standing policy on uranium mining which has excluded the development of any further uranium mines in Australia. website To send an e-card to new ALP President Senator John Faulkner expressing your opposition to a change in the ALP's 'no new uranium mines' policy, click on the Australian Conservation Foundation link below. website
angus returns to molly malone's saturday, april 7 and saturday, april 13 Angus - "These performances are turning into little workshops for me. To keep it interesting for us all I've been looking at old BROTHER songs that haven't seen a set list for many years, and airing new ones that are just seeing the light of day now and still finding form. I'm just really enjoying keeping playing in this time." Molly Malone's Music Room 575 S. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA, USA Tel. 323.935.1577 Performance: 8:00 pm Tickets: $10 at the door
angus @ genghis cohen, la march 2007 After a standing room only show at Molly Malone's last Saturday for his solo debut, you'll be pleased to hear more Angus performances are on the way. "I've been looking at a lot of material, reaching back in time,and pushing forward. More shows will let me get to more songs and more people..." The next show is scheduled for 9pm this Friday night at Genghis Cohen on Fairfax Boulevard. This one is an all ages show which pleases Angus very much... Angus @ Genghis Cohen Friday, 30 March 2007 740 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA, USA Music Hotline. 310.578.5591 Performance: 9:00 pm Tickets: $10 at the door Sign up for the BROTHER email list and receive notices of upcoming gigs in your inbox.
Sydney to send message to the world on global warming march 2007 WWF launches Earth Hour - Australia's largest climate change initiative In a world first, Sydney will turn off its lights for one hour at 7.30 pm on Saturday March 31, 2007 as a major step towards reducing the city's greenhouse gas pollution. With the support of The City of Sydney and the NSW Government, Earth Hour will be the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions by 5% in 2007. Earth Hour is about simple changes that will collectively make the 5% difference - from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. Greg Bourne, CEO, WWF-Australia said: "Sydney is renowned across the globe for its ability to make things happen - from the 2000 Olympics to its New Year celebrations. If we prove that together we can significantly cut our greenhouse gas pollution it will send a message to every city around the world that we have the power to take action against global warming." read more @ EarthHour WWF Australia
add your voice for climate control march 2007 'The threat to our climate does not stop at any border, and neither can the solution. People around the world believe the countries who led on creating this crisis must lead on solving it.' – Ricken Patel, Canadian-British Director, AVAAZ.org A petition demanding a commitment to binding emissions reductions was presented to German Environment Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, and other G8 environmental leaders on 15 March. The petition contained 95,000 signatures from over 170 countries. To date, 106,000 people have added their name to the petition. Add your voice at AVAAZ.org.
march for peace march 2007 March 20, 2007 marks the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. On March 17th, tens of thousands of people from around the country will descend on the Pentagon in a mass demonstration to demand: U.S. Out of Iraq Now! Marches will take place in other cities across the United States as well. For more information: www.marchonpentagon.org www.unitedforpeace.org
angus at molly malone's march 2007 While in Los Angeles for the next few weeks, making sure nothing's gone awry in his absence, Angus has decided to perform solo for the first time ever. "Hamish and I have so enjoyed stripping it all back with our last few shows in Oz, i want to keep playing and see how much more i can strip off!" Rumour has it some particularly special guests may drop by... See Angus at Molly Malone's Music Room on Saturday, 24 March 2007, 8:00 pm. Click here for details.
clean up australia day march 2007 Clean Up Day was started 18 years ago this Sunday to deal with Australia's polluted environment. In 2007, there is an even more critical need to help combat climate change - not only in Australia, but around the world. 'What we do now to change our attitudes to how we use water and energy and deal with our waste will help make a difference as it will help limit the impacts of climate change.' Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman, Clean Up Australia. We all can help combat climate change by making a commitment to reduce our own household greenhouse gas emissions. Visit Clean Up Australia at www.cleanup.com.au to learn how and to make a pledge to do your share.
BROTHER in the raw february 2007 On Saturday, February 3rd Hamish and Angus open for The Backsliders at the Milton Theatre. The Backsliders feature Rob Hirst, the legendary drummer and songwriter for Midnight Oil. The band is described as Australia's best acoustic blues band. Hamish and Angus will keep it simple - 2 acoustic guitars, 2 voices, 1 didg. BROTHER in the raw. Click here for details.
Slow Down (give it up for the wide and the brown) january 2007 BROTHER's new song, Slow Down (give it up for the wide and the brown), was let loose upon the world on 26 January - Australia Day. The song has been made available for digital download through open i music, the digital download arm of the band's record label, Rhubarb Records. The song features didgeridoo and spoken word from didg master Mark Atkins of the Yamijti people. The band met Mark on their second visit to France last year and have since played several shows together." Angus - "Mark's didg playing is riveting. Like a jack hammer to the centre of the earth." Hamish - "Slow Down sums it up for us right now. On a personal and a community level. Interesting times indeed. Where do we go from here?" Josh King, of Texas, was the first human to download 'Slow Down.' Find out about the inspiration for the song here and download your copy of 'Slow Down' here.