The city of Ipswich is hosting its fourth SPARK Ipswich festival with a programme chock-full of experiences including exhibitions, comedy, arts, circus performances, light projections and of course the drawcard for me – live music.
With many events either at low cost or for free, why not add a little SPARK in your life? So last Saturday (13 July) I checked out the second instalment of Circuit – Music In Many Places (having been staged the previous Saturday with different musicians).Circuit is new to the SPARK programme and presents a stellar line-up of local music royalty and emerging local artists mostly from Ipswich in six unique venues in the Top of Town precinct that are temporarily transformed into live music venues. Did I mention it is ALL for free!
Kicking it off at Hotel Metropole is The Disgruntled Taxpayers dealing out punk-rock with satirical lyrics, however, I had to rely on my mate to give me the low down as I, who was already running late, forgot to ask her parking fairies to help score a street park. One thing my delayed arrival is highlighting is that the 'Swich CBD is bustling and illuminated by projections on many of its buildings.
I pick up on the musical adventure at Monte Lane, Miles Pizza. This was an easy place to locate by ear or nose. Artist Dylan Ferrier is set up at the front of the establishment and his gorgeous pipes can be heard as I make my way up the street and within a block I can smell the aromas of freshly made pizza.
I decide to circle back to Ferrier and check out Master Wolf and the Soul Mechanics over at the historic, heritage listed Mill Coffee Shop. There are punters ordering coffee and hot chocolate, others already seated nashing on delights. However, I spy the Soul Mechanics trio setting up in the corner of the rooftop deck under cover of the stars.
The Soul Mechanics - image © Clea-marie Thorne
More people keep arriving after me for Master Wolf and the Soul Mechanics and the roof to is filling up. The Soul Mechanics get the party started by throwing down a very funky groove.
We give a cheer and then Master Wolf joins them and lets us know how they started jamming tunes together and how it is improv tonight. We even get asked for topics to spit. A punter throws out "coal seam" and Master Wolf sets it to rhyme and does a damn great job of it.
Jason, Brian and Dave lace it with jazz-tainted sounds and it is delicious. I would not have thought that hip hop/ rap to funk and jazz-infused instrumentals could create such a harmonious contrast. I like it. I like it a lot!
Taking more requests from the crowd, anecdotes about learning what 'lapping' is, Master Wolf gives thanks to Tom Thum who is here watching the set and a shoutout to all the local talent and his own origin story. It was a very entertaining and informative set. You could say Master Wolf connected the room through the storytelling during and after each song.
Master Wolf and The Soul Mechanics - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I leave the packed rooftop and see more people were watching from the venue inside, great to see so many here. Now I am flitting back to catch the end of Ferrier's set. We absorb his emotionally-charged vocals from the street before moving inside where it is a bit warmer, but we can still hear him singing the lyrics with a large voice covering a wide range including Johnny Cash, Kev Carmody and Bob Dylan.
Ferrier's fingers flow effortlessly up and down the neck of his guitar as he croons to mellow rhythms the crowd listening while having their fill of Italian cuisine just inside in the warmth. I think I'll need to hunt Ferrier down and catch a full set next time.
Across the road I can hear Syph creating a symphony of sound from his bass guitar and effects pedals. Arttime Gallery & Fine Art Supplies is the perfect setting for the nature of his music. Punters are standing around the store next to paints, living dead dolls and other weird or arty things.
Every stroke, pluck and tap of the steel strings on the fret is offering up reflective and heartfelt ethereal emotive vibrations. I hear him but cannot see him. Luckily, I have had the pleasure of catching Syph a few times including busking around Brisbane, so I decide to check out a talent that I've not yet experienced live, where all the yummy set stuff is at – Ungermann Brothers! The only place I know that sells garlic ice cream. . . I dare you!
Mizzie Maxx - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I am glad I decided to dash up the road – I have discovered Mizzie Maxx! Maxx is serving up a set of folk-rock with a dash of punk, doled out with a whole lot of attitude and amazing style!
She is telling us she has been running on caffeine and not getting much sleep trying to finish her mad dash to create 100 songs in 100 days, and is near the end of her challenge. That'd be a tough gig and she is at 90-plus already.
Maxx continues to kill it from her window perch feeding us saccharine vocals one minute then smacking our ears with more gutsy tones the next. Looking super cute in an outfit that matches her hair and wide-brimmed hat, I realise I've discovered an amazing set of pipes, shown off in songs like 'Remember My Name', which I hope I remembered correctly!
There are other curious people watching on from their booths and tables who are also new to Maxx as well. It's probably safe to say the appreciation they have shown states they are not just leaving with a belly full of ice cream, but converted Maxx fans.
The roving Roller Derby Superstars have shown up at the venue are holding up a sign reminding me that my next venture lies a couple of blocks away across the train tracks at the Bakehouse Steakhouse. I think I will indulge in a quick dinner there myself while checking out Zeus.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
That is one great thing about this circuit, I get to have my dessert with my rock (finger lime ice cream if you must know) and before my main meal. What would mum say?! LOL.
Zeus, an acoustic guitar duo, played us everything from Brahms' 'Hungarian Dance No. 5' to 'Paint It, Black' and a cracking instrumental of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Rock on we did! A powerful performance by both guitarists.
Although this particular stage was in the dining area of a restaurant where patrons are eating meals, wait staff are buzzing about the Circuit punters who found space along the walls and the long bar to take in the gifted duo's talent.
Zeus shone through with their tight electro-acoustic tunes and left the audience and surprised patrons, who got some live action with their eye fillets, in awe.
Zeus - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The Roller Derby Superstars make another appearance to ensure we knew where they could get our next music hit from. They skated right into Bakehouse Steak as they skated around with signs of the next performing artists and venue names. I should say mostly skated, but maybe one lovely derby gal, took a tumble but was helped by punters. So good to see people being kind.
The final circuit set is being held in the exterior laneway beer garden of Heisenberg Hause/Monte Lane, Mikes Pizza. It is Ipswich local Tom Thum and Friends. "Ippy, how are you feeling tonight?" is met with simultaneous cheers from the crowd. It's safe to guess we are all feeling great to be present.
Thum takes as on a musical journey using his voice, body, looper and I am not sure what else lives on his desk set up – but as he showcases his abilities and layers the sounds it is creating internal visualisations. He has me travelling in my mind from the Sahara Desert to the middle of a New York City nightclub in the 1980s and back to the swing era in minutes.
This dude is nothing short of amazing and his visceral vocals and the quality of his emulation of brass instruments (amazing trumpets btw), drums and percussive flourishes, electronic- and synth-generated sounds are phenomenal.
Trying to figure out where each sound was coming from or created is a challenge, especially when he was using the mic on his neck or thumping his chest; and to top it off, there were some real funny moments that had us in stitches – like when he was demonstrating his mimcry, a siren could be heard outside – he claimed this as his own, moving his mouth with no sound; jokes of course.
Tom's friends were plentiful tonight; local Paulina, Master Wolf, and his partner who has an amazing 'normal' voice and can beatbox too, ha! However, I can't leave out the damn fine electrified Didjeribone player and rapper, and another talent recently returned from overseas whose names I did not catch (sorry).
Tom Thum & Friends - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Tom Thum collaborated wonderfully and he is one enigmatic performer who knows how to work the crowd with his playful banter and best of all, it is so clear he is passionate about it. We are even invited to make sounds so he can record them and loop them for a song. I loved this interaction.
He and his partner even recorded a sound from a glass of red wine. We got songs about when he thought his manager was going to dump him, a song for the owl in his backyard and 'Boo Book' among them. This set has served as definitive circuit highlight for me. The somewhat cramped atmosphere in the alley way is only a positive as it would have been a lot colder out here.
Tom Thum took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude to his "friends" and fans seeming quite humbled by the overwhelming turnout. Although he did warn us that it was a free gig, so we couldn't get our money back. Ha!
Tom Thum & Friends - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Occasionally, we encounter something unexpected and tonight is one of those occasions; I am discovering a musical gem. I knew I would be entertained with excellent performances in these stunning venues, but I didn't guess how much I would experience beyond my original expectations.
This set has been a spectacular crescendo to my evening – the crazy range of sounds like from deep bass tones to snappy snare hits and spacey sounds is totally captivating. I think Tom Thumb can claim the label 'musique' – he has got to be one of the most unique musical instruments I have encountered. As far as a headliner that epitomises the festival's community spirit and local talent goes, there was no better choice.
I think Circuit has cemented its place the SPARK programme – with the winter chill staved off by congregated bodies, gas heaters, indoor settings with music-loving vibes in a selection of Ipswich's finest food establishments and art spaces, the Circuit presents the perfect night out for music discovery for music lovers of all ages. SPARK truly does ignite the spark between music and the arts.
More photos from the night.
