Australian artist Pom Pom and I first bonded over our mutual love of band Felinedown and admiration for their kick ass frontlady Brodie-Ann Wright. After a little correspondence I found out that Pom Pom makes music herself that she describes as “a distorted crossbreed of Trent Reznor, Fever Ray and Peaches.” When not making music she teaches dance, drama and music. Here’s our little Q&A…

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I write dark electro alt pop (or industro-pop). I grew up in the industrial coastal city of Wollongong, NSW. I started programming electronic music a couple of years ago. I’ve been living in Sydney for the last couple of years, and gigging pretty regularly in Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane and Melbourne. I migrated my way down to Melbourne earlier this year with my live band mates to pursue the rock n roll dream (sub-text for eating 2-minute noodles and drinking $4 bottles of red wine)

How did you first come to playing music?
I grew up singing and dancing. I started playing in a rock band with my best friends in high school. That same line up became pretty serious when we finished school. We were an all-girl art rock band and post school called ourselves, Blackbird. I started writing songs from as soon as I basically picked up a guitar at the end of high school. As my tastes in music have changed, I’ve transitioned from writing very guitar driven tunes to writing music with more of an electronic edge but still with a rock attitude.

What do you wear on stage?
Always a pair of high chunky heels. Usually a lot of clashing toxic colours and textures; sparkly hot pants, vintage cheerleader outfits, military, and utility wear. Skirts made of fairy lights and hyper coloured catsuits.

How important is your stage outfit to you?
I love performance and performances that go all out! For me that entails everything from strong songwriting, committed sweaty performances and a killer outfit.

Make-up-wise what’s your onstage must?
These days theatrical eye lashes, black or blue lips are a bit of a love of mine at the moment as well. Drawing on my face and body too for the ‘f” of it.

What’s your biggest beauty indulgence?
Highly impractical purple feather lashes that look great from afar but can be hard to see out of!

What are your offstage outfits like?
A combination of tomboy punk and super girly-ness. ripped stockings, my 11 year old purple Doc Martin boots, belly tops and hair bows. A marriage of baby girl vintage, Harajuku and rock.

Who are your style icons?
I don’t really follow fashion or labels as such but musical artists whom I admire their style includes:
Gwen Stefani, IAMX, Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson.

What do you do creatively when you’re not creating/playing music?
Choreograph dance or go out dancing. Dress up. Go on spontaneous adventures. Op shopping is a creative thing for me also! The thrill of a random find and re-working it into an outfit is addictive.

What makes your musical style different?
I take elements of 80s synth pop, 90s grunge, industrial electronica and pure pop whirl them around and spit them out in a glittery wall of sound!

Have you ever encountered sexism within the music community?
Sure. You just get used to being described as a ‘girl band’ or a ‘strong female artist’ after a while… it gets really boring, I don’t even notice anymore. The Lady Gaga references constantly get really boring too.

How do you deal with the haters?
I learnt this from Mama Pom when I was 10. Haters only hate ’cause they are jealous. Deal with them by not even giving them a moment of your time. I do things that make me happy. I love writing and performing and dressing up. I don’t mind if people don’t like what I do.

Tell me about your latest projects.
About two months back I released my debut film clip online for the song, Your Little Flower, from my debut EP, In The Gaps Between. I’m working on a few collaboration tracks at the moment with some different artists as well as my second release which is looking like a mini album which I will release just prior to heading to live overseas sometime in the middle of next year. Also, a song of mine was recently picked up for an episode of Canadian Sci-Fi TV Show, Lost Girl, which is pretty cool. I’m half way through filming my next film clip which will be off the forth coming release also.

in the dark by pom pom

For more Pom Pom.

I hope you’re enjoying your holidays!

Hugs & hearts,

This year has been amazing for me in terms of discovering new (to me) music! All too often I hear people complain that there is no ‘good’ music around, that music was better back in the day, that there’s so much crap on the radio and on TV etc. etc. you get the idea. I am a big believer that great music is always being made somehow, somewhere—you just have to look for it! Actively seek it out! Don’t let radio, magazines, television, even your friends tell you what’s happening or who to listen to… experience music and artists for yourself. I decided to compile a Top 12 (one for every month of the year) list of music makers whose work has blown me away this year. And how lovely, they are ALL female! The talent and creativity of female artists that I have come across (and interviewed) this year has been incredibly inspiring and motivational to so many aspects of my life. These fierce ladies have made up the soundtrack to my year. These Creatives make me want to do better & be better!

Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes

(pictured above) An interview with Teri will be posted on ConversationsWithBianca.com soon!

Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields/Lovage

An interview with Jennifer coming soon to CWB!

Drea Smith of PYYRAMIDS/He Say, She Say

Interview with Drea to be posted on CWB soon!

Noize Bunny

Check out my interview with Noize Bunny.

Brodie-Ann Wright of Felinedown

Check out my interview with Brodie-Ann.

Youka Snell of Killbot Kindergarten

Check out my interview with Youka.

CSS

Check out my interview with CSS’Luiza Sa.

Sugg Savage & Sloane Amelia of Akoko

Check out my interview with Akoko.

Tiffany Preston of Rainbow Arabia

An interview with Tiffany will be posted on CWB soon!

Miss Pussycat of Quintron & Miss Pussycat

Check out my interview with Miss Pussycat.

Catcall

Check out my interview with Catcall for Collapse Board & for CWB.

Designer Imposter

Check out my interview with Designer Imposter for Collapse Board.

Who have been your favourite music makers of 2011??

Other wonderful finds for me this year include Chantal Claret, Catherine Maddin, Carré Callaway, Isis Queen, Jelena Goluza, Kelly Riot, Sammy G, Skyler Stonestreet and V V Brown.  Plus I can’t forget Celeste Potter of Ouch My Face, one of my favourite guitarists (I saw her play last weekend and she totally ruled it!)

Create forever!

Brodie-Ann Wright frontwoman for Brisbane-based band Felinedown is without a doubt a rock goddess personified. Whether performing burlesque or rocking festival crowds with her band she’s got the moves (not to mention an amazing wardrobe!).  

What do you wear on stage?
Well it changes all the time but right now – although I love me some sexy heels – I’ve been wearing my ‘Cons’ (sneakers) more and more. I think as the music changed and got faster and heavier I just felt the need to be able to move more and more. I guess although I still think my tastes fall on the flamboyant side my clothes are a little less Bowie/Goldfrapp this record and a little more Gwen Stefani/ Shirley Manson/the Prodigy lads. I need to be able to rock the fuck out and not feel restricted by my clothes, but apart from that anything goes!

How important is your stage outfit to you?
Like with theatre or dance I feel like my stage outfits and make up help me get in the head space of performing. Getting ready and putting that clothing, jewelry and make up on is a bit of a pre-gig ritual for me.

Make-up-wise what’s your onstage must?
Probably my eyeliner if I really had to choose… I just don’t feel right without my cat eyes on ;)

What’s your biggest beauty indulgence?
I’d say most expensive would be getting my hair done… right now it’s going from black to blonde… no easy feat! But most indulgent would be massages. After a recent gig my muscles and “mosh neck” were so bad I had to go and get a massage. Pretty indulgent huh? Also the Buffy bar and Rose Lavender water from Lush…so, so nice!

What are your offstage outfits like?
Apart from when I really have to tone it down for work… they really aren’t that different from my onstage ones. I love getting dressed up and the style varies day to day depending on what music/movie/ book I’ve been obsessing over that day. I’m pretty sure the guys are always wondering… who the hell is going to show up at rehearsal this time?

Who are your style icons?
I’m inspired by a lot of characters in books and films but also by people like Vivienne Westwood, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Vali Myers, Helena Bonham Carter, Gwen Stefani, Joan Jett, Dita, and Shirley Manson. Basically anyone who wears what pleases them and never worries about what’s current or on trend. I love style blogs like Face Hunter, Sartorialist and Style Scout too seeing street fashion from all over the world is wicked inspiring.

What do you do creatively when you’re not creating/playing music?
I love to dance and paint and in the last couple of years really discovered how much I love to cook. Get me in the kitchen with some wine and great tunes and I dance around all crazy and have me some messy fun.

What makes your musical style different?
I think the blending of so many different styles and influences from us as a song writing team really makes it something different. In Oz there aren’t that many bands making industrial-dance-rock-pop-triphop-blues-noise music, especially fronted by a chick. It sets us apart yes but we also feel it allows us to play in lots of different line ups and to lots of different crowds.

Have you ever encountered sexism within the music community?
Not particularly. I guess coming from a background in burlesque you tend to view being a woman and being on stage differently. I’ve never viewed being female and being in a band as a negative, in fact I think it’s in a lot of ways an advantage. I tend to be told my onstage performances are quite sexual in nature and I make no apologies for that, even though I doubt if I was a man my performances would be described in the same manner. I don’t think that devalues or detracts from the music we write. That’s just the way I’m feeling in the moment and the content of our songs. The only time I’ve ever felt insulted because I was a girl was when a guy from another band backstage one night asked me ‘so…which band is your boyfriend in?’ assuming I couldn’t possibly be there to play music myself. Noice one man… good work!

How do you deal with the haters?
I guess you just have to realise that there is always going to be people who dislike you and or your music and for lots of different reasons. You’re not going to nor should you aim to please everyone. How many of your musical, artistic or cultural heroes have been slandered, turned away or worse? Who cares?! We’re all made of the same stuff and headed back to the same place so there really isn’t any need to sweat the small stuff…but hell I’m only human and some things still sting a bit. I just try to keep the above in mind and do my best to be true to myself. Being surrounded and supported by my band and my family goes along way too.

Tell me about your latest projects.
Really it’s been heads down arse up for the last 12 months and all my focus has been on Felinedown. I put any other projects on hold and rightly so I think. I want all my energy and passion poured into this new record and into the shows. I’m so happy with ‘Trap Rebaited’ and I can’t wait for all the upcoming shows too!

Listen to/watch Felindown:

You can also check out a previous chat I’ve had with Brodie here.

See Felinedown… tour dates:
Friday 7th October – Gaelic Hotel, Sydney
Saturday 8th October – Uber, Brisbane
Friday 14th October – Fowlers, Adelaide
Saturday 15th October – Revolver, Melbourne

Keep dreaming big, big, big!

*Photo credits: 1 / 2 – Jessie James / 3 – Ian Day

My hometown of Brisbane has some great bands. This video-mix-tape is a selection of some of my current favourites. Many of my readers outside of Brisbane probably haven’t heard of many of them, if any! I hope this little post gives you some new music/bands to check out. Enjoy!

Los Huevos

For more Los Huevos.

Felinedown

For more Felinedown. I have also interviewed frontwoman Brodie-Ann here.

Flangipanis

For more Flangipanis.

The Pretty Boys

For more The Pretty Boys.

Teargas

For more Teargas.

Sabrina Lawrie & the Hunting Party

For more Sabrina Lawrie & the Hunting Party.

Jackie Marshall

For more Jackie Marshall.

BMX-RAY

For more BMX-RAY.

Dick Nasty

For more Dick Nasty.

Greenthief

For more Greenthief.

Happy adventures & uber-love,

*mixtape pic from Craftlog.

One of the most significant things that have come to pass in my hiatus from ConversationsWithBianca.com, is the official launch of my Conversations With Punx: A Spiritual Dialogue project into the world.

On September 2 the Paper Cuts (zine) Collective  held a triple-zine launch (featuring Conversations with Punx) at the Bleeding Heart Gallery Brisbane, Australia. The following media/bloggers/photographers were wonderful enough to come along and document the launch:

(please click on links for more photos)

Felinedown frontwoman Brodie-Ann & me

Hobo DJs provided the rockin’ soundtrack for the event

Ant & Arig were the best merch table crew a gal could ask for!

Sean Henry artist & tattooist provided live art

(L to R): Matisse-Rose Valentino, Lauren, me, Leasha, Amy-Lou = mi familia!

by Mischa Photography

me and my lovely friend Annie chatting in front of J.R.Hobo’s ‘Rise Above’ art work (one of my favourites)

Correspondence I have received from various artists over the years was on display… (l to R) a letter and self-portrait from the Hives frontman Pelle Almqvist; handwritten interviews answers and self-portrait from pro-skater/artist Ed Templeton; handwritten answers + self-portrait by H20′s Toby Morse; Miss Bianca press.

by Collapse Board

CWP Book Covers (scheduled for a late 2011 release) + ad for CWP & CWP exhibition flyer by Jhonny Hobo

my journey so far… flyers, set lists, zines, backstage passes, photos were on display and brought back some vivid memories for some :)

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez by Andy Hobo

by Project 4000

Jhonny & me at the zine fair

by Vague Culture

the set-up… it was a REALLY long day!

by The Screaming Wall

zine fair… connection!

by Sticky Institute

All of the art featured as part of the CWP exhibit was INCREDIBLE! A big thank you to all the artists that contributed works (post featuring some of the works coming soon!)

Thank you with my whole heart to all of you who made it to the launch (and the zine fair the next evening). It was so wonderful to meet many of you and finally put a face to the correspondence I receive. Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with me, so nice to meet like-minded people.

I will be announcing the details of Conversations With Punx Zine Two in a post this week. To all of you that brought CWP Zine One featuring: Don Letts, Ian MacKaye, Johnny Siera, Greg Attonito & Shanti Wintergate and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez or subscribed THANK YOU! At the end of this week (ending October 10) I will be retiring Zine One so if you haven’t ordered it yet and want it, now is the time to get it. Conversations With Punx is a limited edition zine series.

In the last 43 days I have also been busy with lots of interviews. In Australia we’re just coming into the spring/summer music festival/touring season—so expect Conversations with Bianca to fire up again in the coming weeks as lots of artists head to our shores.

My recent conversations include: Fat Mike (NOFX), Bedouin Soundclash, Bill Stevenson (the Descendents/All/Black Flag), Less Than Jake, the Bouncing Souls, the Bronx, Amity Affliction, the Charlatans, Sage Francis, the John Steel Singers and Parkway Drive. Next week I’m locked in to speak to Mouse On Mars from Germany. I also wrote a 30 Years of Bad Religion feature for Australian Hysteria Magazine (Australia’s newest independent punk publication). Interview posts and extracts coming soon.

Wishing my dear friend John Joseph a Happy Birthday!

Love & light,

Dearest Friends!

It’s been a long while between posts… my apologies! A lot has happened since I last wrote; there have been an interesting chain of events unfold in my life. I’ll give you the lowdown over a series of posts starting with this one.

CONVERSATIONS WITH BIANCA is also now a print zine! Last Thursday I decided to create a new zine. I finished the zine in 3 days. It features some of my favourite pieces from this blog, interviews with HOBO OBITUARIES, FELINEDOWN, ANT AGGS, SHMOE, OPEARATOR PLEASE, tattooist and artist MILLY LOVEKNUCKLES of ROCK OF AGES TATTOO, zine maker STAPLES and the wonderful art of JHONNY HOBO. It’s 50+ pages of cut ‘n’ paste goodness. I believe in everything and everyone in the zine times a million and one percent! Their awesomeness actually inspired me to make the print zine… when someone goes to the trouble of making a print zine they obviously feel very passionate about what they’re sharing so it could be definitely worthwhile.

The zine also comes with a sampler CD featuring some of my favourite music: Hobo Obituaries, Ant Aggs, Los Angels (a musical project of mine), Jhonny Hobo, the Death Set, Ultra Egos, the Mad Occupants, Smitten Kitten, Shmoe vs. Hobos & more. Plus it features the audio trailer for my book Conversations With Punx: A Spiritual Dialogue.

The zine plus sampler is FREE—if I’m mailing it to you postage would be super appreciated and a big help to me though :) I’ll be doing the first mail out at the beginning of next week.

If you would like one leave a comment or get in touch with you details.

It feels good to be making zines again!

Hugs,

“To me, making a tape is like writing a letter — there’s a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again. A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do.” ~High Fidelity.

As a teen I’d sit in my bedroom at night and listen to the radio. I’d sit beside my mum and dad’s cassette player, fingers on the play and record buttons, ready to capture a song I like the sound of. I’d then take them (along with my meagre CD collection) and compile them into mixtapes for myself. On the weekends you could often find me holed up in my bedroom making them. I’d make a mixtape for ANY occasion! I was (and still am) the biggest music dork. I liked to make themed mixes or mixes that were perfect for different emotions. I even made cover art for them.

Once I started going to all ages shows I made friends that shared my enthusiasm and love for the art. When I started making zines and corresponding (by post—this was way before internet became a household thing) with other zine makers we used to send each other mixes of our favourite tunes—still to this day one of my favourite mixtapes was sent to me by Cade who did a hardcore punk zine from Australia called Circle One. The man has great taste!

I have always enjoyed receiving mixtapes from others. It’s one of the best ways to discover awesome new (to you) music. More often than not if someone has gone to the trouble to make you a mix they’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, they’ve taken care to choose some of the best material from artists they love (you’re getting a personal introduction to the act). It’s always been refreshing to be exposed to music I wouldn’t necessarily seek out myself.

Mixtapes have been made and celebrated in both the punk rock and hip hop communities for years. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc were all mix tape creators ‘back in the day’. DJ Roofeeo the drummer for one of my favourite bands the MFDS has recently made a rockin’ mixtape for download here. Another of my favourites Kanye West made the Can’t Tell Me Nothing.

For more info on mixtapes click out the Wikipedia entry.

Now without further ado, I give you the very first (there will be many, many more! I’m going to make it a regular thing!) ConversationsWithBianca.com Mixtape with beautiful art by my partner in crime Jhonny Hobo (among many things Jhonny is one half of Hobo DJs you can peep a sample of their work here)…

MISS BIANCA’S DIGITAL MIXTAPE 1

Messer Chups – Flash Of The Night

Hobo Obituaries – Sad Trumpet

The Bronx – False Alarm

The Death Set – Around The World

Operation Ivy – Sound System

Uffie – Pop The Glock

The Roots – Don’t Feel Right

Moby featuring Gwen Stefani

Santigold – Creator

Deltron 3030 – Positive Contact

Gogol Bordello – Start Wearing Purple

Shmoe – Knees Up

Rancid – Red Hot Moon

M.I.A – Jimmy

Death On Wednesday – Stranded

Felinedown – Devil’s Playground

The Bouncing Souls – Anchors Away

N*E*R*D – Wonderful Place

What are you guys listening to? Send me mixtapes & new music! Hope you’ve found something new (to you) in my mix. Please support the artists do see them live, buy some merch and music… as I’ve said many times before “we have too much to lose as a society, economy & culture if we do not ensure Creators’ efforts are rewarded” your mission if you choose to accept: really & truly support the music you ♥ & artists that create it!

Hugs & hearts,

[comment]

I have a lot of friends that come through Brisbane (my hometown) on tour with their band throughout the year. I get the question ‘what is there for us to do on our off day Bianca?’ a lot.

I decided to put together a little guide of my beautiful city of birth for those of you who find yourself Down Under and in my neck of the woods. It’s for those of you that may live here but may have missed something and are unaware of some of the awesomeness that is right on your door step and it’s for those that are just plan curious to explore somewhere else other than where you’re currently at.

If you have anything else noteworthy or worthwhile to add, please comment and leave a link. I find that whatever city you find yourself in it’s always nice to have some insider local knowledge. The most interesting things are usually found a little off the beaten track. I hope this is helpful!

Brisbane by Cyron

Brisbane by Burning Image All other photos by David Jackmanson

Here goes:

Brisbane we go hard, we go hard / Brisbane we go hard, we go hard / We on the lookout for the advantage, we work hard / And if we seem to rough it up a bit / We broke but we’re rich at heart / Pull ourselves up now we won’t choke / It’s our time, put the lights on us -*Santigold lyrics with a slight adjustment ‘Brisbane’ instead of the original lyric ‘Brooklyn’

Eat, drink, be merry at…

Kuan Yin Tea-House – (I think) this is pretty much one of the greatest vegan/vegetarian places in the entire Universe! Kuan Yin’s owner Michael is one of the loveliest human beings I’ve ever met. The veggie treats are prepared with the upmost care and love plus its super crazy cheap. If dumplings (boiled & fried), noodle & rice dishes, veggie calamari, tofu salad, set meals (with veggie chicken, fish, pork etc), soups, bubble tea and crazy desserts with shaved ice, and hidden jelly treats (thanks for splitting one with me Greg) are your thang this is the place for you. You can pretty much spend under $10 and walk (or roll from all your food consumption) away content and full. Tip: If you bring your own containers for take-away you get a 10% discount.

Black Star Coffee – West End’s home of fair trade single-origin coffee! Coffee is definitely an art form and the folks at Black Star have it down pat. You can even put your order in online and pick it up, no more waiting! I find that a lot of my US buddies are obsessed with Starbucks coffee, let me tell ya this is so much better, it’s a no contest—very worth your while. The staff are super friendly and smilely plus they have the most amazing iced coffee (on both regular & soy) that they make fresh on the premises and bottle to keep in the fridge… it’s a taste sensation! Black Star also has acoustic live acts play.

Happy High Herbs, West End.

Pearl Cafe – French Country is the theme, amazing breakfasts are their specialty. There food is often described as ‘cheeky classic’. The menu changes with the seasons but I can highly recommend their toasted muesli with berries and their ‘eggs your way’ with sides of mushrooms, spinach & roasted tomatoes put my tastebuds into full swing. Say ‘hi’ to their barista Miss Kelly she rules & brews a damn fine coffee. The cakes are without equal as are the Brownies and Blondies. There’s also lots of fun shops to look at nearby if you’re in the market for antiques or quirky interesting pieces check out Pearl’s neighbours such as Miss Mouse.

Cupcakes from…
The Cup Cake Parlour – cupcakes! Do I need to say more? Decadent, hand iced, made daily for your pleasure. They make incredible vegan cupcakes too! Passionfruit Power, Fluffy Bunny, Mocha Motion, Mango Frangipanni the list of treats goes on and on… so yum!

The Forest – is your place for organic vegan wholefood meals. Kick ass veggie burgers, curries, lasagne and salads.

Govinda’s & Krishna’s Cafe – Hare Krishna eats! They hold a all-you-can-eat buffet daily for lunch and in the evening for dinner. At $10 it’s a bargain. I can rarely get through my first helping! I always manage to have room for halva. On Sunday they also hold a feast with chanting and a whole lotta Krishna love.

Tibetan Kitchen – eats from the roof of the world. Specialising in Tibetan, Nepalese and Sherpa cuisine. I highly recommend the vegetarian platter! When my best friend lived around the corner from this place we ate there like every week!

El Torito – what kind of eats list would it be without a killer Mexican restaurant. The chef is from South America and totally on it when it comes to preparing traditional Mexican eats (I included this one for you Brooks, I know you love your Mexican! Actually most So-Cal dwellers do ha, ha!)

Shop & consume at…

Butterbeats – it’s the home of hard to find records & CDs. The Butterbeats crew are purveyors of the finest urban literature, collectables and clothing. For all your graff to hip-hop to trance to reggae to rock to funk needs, Butter Beats got yo’ back. They have three stores: Brisbane City, Fortitude Valley and the Gold Coast. Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions while in store the friendly staff are there to help, educate and facilitate!

Trash Video – Australia’a largest cult video store.Over 12,000 handpicked rare movies.

It’s Vintage Darling – owned by the lovely Holly and Emily this is a cute little store that has great vintage clothing and decor finds. It’s a treasure trove of goodness. They serve great coffee and soy chai while you browse the racks and listen to retro tunes.

Comics Etc – if you’re a comic nerd like me this place is your mecca. I always seem to find hard to get things here. These guys have helped me expand my ever-evolving Marvel comic collection. If you’re also in Brisbane at the right time of year there’s the Supernova Comic Convention (Lou you may want to plan SOIA’s next Australian tour around convention time… lol! We can go comic trawling!)

Kill the Music – Brisbane’s only punk and hardcore music specialist. The only place in Brisbane worth going for punk & hc. It’s co-owned by one of the raddest people ever Paul Voge he also plays in The Paper & The Plane and has a blog here.

Rocking Horse Records – is Queensland’s largest and oldest independent record store. They also have a rad collection of music related books and zines that I love to browse and geek out over.

Bent Books – for quality rare and 2nd-hand books. These guys stocked my fanzine years ago!

Bare Bones Barbershop – is the place for the closest shave in town. Rockers, Greasers, Punkers you’ll love this place. They have a blog.

Places to get inked…

All Star Tattoo – Get in quick All Star will be (unfortunately) closing its doors 28 February 2010. All Star’s owner Link (Bossman!) is responsible for the art work that takes up a large portion of my back, he also did one of my hip tattoos. As of 12 March 2010 my pal Link will be tattooing at Preachers & Fools in Hollywood. Link is the man, go get inked by him and tell him Bianca sent you!

Black Throne Tattoo – members of the All Star family branching off and doing their own thing. Rachi Brains and Clint Steele are the artists in residence. Rachi’s the lady responsible for my beautiful side pieces, mi familia dedication.

True Love Tattoo – my homegirl Pip works here.

Mimsy’s Trailer Trash Tattoo – this lady has laid ink in the skin of a large percentage of my friends. I’m yet to get a piece from her but I’ve seen her in action inking one of my dearest friends. She’s a dream come true for all lovers of 50′s kitsch, operating out of a trailer decked out in theme. With over 10 years experience in the industry this lady rocks it!

Westside Tattoo – has seen a roster of great artists through its doors in its time. You can check out the work of one of the Westside crew Loz here.

Music…

Joe Malone Audio – this place is a muso’s dream! Joe has some of the rockin’ custom pre amps and monitors. His creations have been used by the likes of Wolfmother and Silverchair.

Tym Guitars – is an independent guitar shop like no other in Australia. They offer the best range of vintage to affordable second hand guitars, amps and effects pedals, and ship all over the world. They make a very limited number of hand crafted custom guitars, basses, amps and effects pedals (the way they should be made – completely by hand). They also do guitar repairs, restoration and refinishing. If it’s broken or not playing like it should, they’ll fix it. Clients have included J Mascis, The Hellacopters, My Chemical Romance, Backyard Babies, The Streets, Trail of Dead, as well as local legends Magic Dirt, The Nation Blue, Butterfly Effect, Powderfinger, Grinspoon, Screamfeeder and many more.

The Drum Cartel – customers have included everyone from The Mars Volta to Unwritten Law, Bullet For My Valentine, Fishbone, Suicidal Tendencies and The Dillinger Escape Plan. If you need drum equipment and a drum tech that knows there stuff look no further.

Hobo Obituaries, 4ZZZfm car park before a live to air performance

4ZZZfm – with a motto of AGITATE, EDUCATE, ORGANISE you just have to love Brisbane’s community radio station. They are a music formatted station with no playlists! Their presenters are genuinely interested in what they play. Have a listen to the live stream and find some new (Australian) bands.

The Troubadour – is a good hole-in-the-wall venue ran by good people. The decor makes me feel like I’m sitting in my eccentric grandma’s pad. I saw one of my favourite local acts, Jackie Marshall & the Black Elles Band here live towards the end of the year.

Jackie Marshall by Pete Wild.

Ahimsa House – The Evens featuring Ian MacKaye & Amy Farina have played there, its a little d.i.y. ran operation, grassroots, good intentions.

The Zoo – live music since 1992. I’ve seen Dresden Dolls, the BellRays, Bouncing Souls, The Real McKenzies, The Herd & more.

Rhythm Collision Sound System – Feeling Ire? Wanting to lively up yourself? I love conscious roots, reggae, dub, and dancehall! Basmati & Co deliver the goods here.

The Ark – is a studio and recording community based in Brisbane. It has a colourful range of friends and contributors in the form of Musicians, Producers, Photographers, the odd net nerd and whoever is around at the time. The Ark began when a group of like minded friends decided to pool their gear to make great recordings without the pressure and time restraints of a commercial studio. They have amazing vintage instruments and there’s (pretty much) two of everything, hence the name ‘the ark’.

Tip: Check out Brisbane Street press Rave Magazine (I’ve been writing for them for 13+ years) for live gig guides, info on local music and culture. Plus there is Gossip for cheap drinks & great music on Saturday nights. Tell resident DJ Polar Bear ‘hi’ for me.

You all know I love music a whole bunch here’s a short list of some Brisbane bands that have rocked my world over the years or that continue to rock my world today.

On the…

…punk rock tip we have: The Saints, The BlackMarket, Bad Day Down, The Disables, Mouthguard, Plan Of Attack, The Quickening, Knaw, Steve Towson, Lookout Mountain…

The BlackMarket

…hc bands: Against, Just Say Go!, Wish For Wings, B.A. Baracus & more…

…hip hop-wise it’s all about: Mad Occupants, Impossible Odds, Resin Dogs, MC DNO, MC Lazy Grey, Brothers Stoney…

Mad Occupants

…then there’s the undefinables (Brisbane has a looong history of producing bands that are super diverse) : Pangaea, Felinedown, Regurgitator, Jackie Marshall, Afro Dizzi Act, Golden Sounds, Sunflower (I love these guys!), Pink Bullet, Green Thief, Laneous & the Family Yeah, Butterfingers…

Felinedown

Sunflower

If you’re in Brisbane in the first half of the year it’s festival time! Check out: Big Day Out, Splendour In The Grass, East Coast Blues & Roots, Good Vibrations, Future Music Festival, Soundwave, Woodford Folk Festival and more…

Also there’s the Big Sound Music conference in Brisbane every year. There’s three days of panels, workshops and artist showcases for local, national and international music industry peeps. The forums and workshops are usually quite interesting it’s definitely worth checking out.

Things to do…

Roller Derby with Sunstate Roller Girls – SSRG are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing and promoting the sport of women’s Flat Track Roller Derby. They facilitate the development of athletic ability, sportswomanship and goodwill among league members. SSRG aspire to create a community of skaters that advances the sport of women’s Roller Derby and expands opportunities for all women to participate. They promote the empowerment of women in a safe and organised environment that fosters the health, well-being and personal growth of the ladies. They honour diversity and encourage self-expression and are committed to building a network of friendship and support. Very punk rock indeed! Bottom line is it’s all about fun!

Mana Bar – a new ‘gaming’ bar were you & your friends can get your Wii on and be Rock Star Guitar Heroes! It’s opening in February. It’s the first place of its kind in Oz.

Strike Bowling Bar – (this one’s for you Ahmir! he he) Ten Pin Bowling & Karaoke! Go get your bowl on under the neon lights while sipping your cocktails or cola.

Zen Hot Yoga – my favourite place in Brisbane for yoga. It’s the 1st FIR studio in Australia. This place transformed my life. Renae, Will and Louie’s classes are best!

Southbank Cinemas – As far as catching a flick in Brisbane these cinemas are best. They cost between $6.50 and $8.50 for a ticket depending on the day of the week. They also have a large curved floating screen in one theatre.

As in most major cities around the world we have our Museum and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Artfor your exploration, historical fix.

Bleeding Heart Gallery – use their powers for good not evil, showcasing the works of upcoming artists. At the end of last year my manfriend was featured in one of their art showcases.

Nine Lives – is a gallery space in the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. They feature local, interstate and the odd international artist – all of whom have provided an assorted array of visual pleasures. Nice space.

New Farm Park – a nice place to get away from it all. There’s a delightful rose garden, picnic tables & chairs, the Brisbane river snakes around a majority of the park. You can find all types of group meeting there: laughing clubs, meditation groups, tai chi and more. It also home to…

The Brisbane Powerhouse – a contemporary multi-arts, dining venue. There’s also a farmer’s markets there on the weekends plus travelling art exhibits and performances.

Once a year I go there to see the Gyuto monks of Tibet. They do workshops over the course of the week, chanting and the creation of a sand mandala. At the week’s end there’s a ceremony and the sand mandala is cut, scooped up and taken out to the river—it’s to remind us that everything is impermanent. I remember one year I asked one of the monks why their robes are always orange? He told me it was because back in the day orange was an unfashionable colour and the monks usually went against the grain so embraced orange.

Fortitude Valley Markets – 2nd hand and vintage clothes, locally made fashion, crystals, homewares, quirky bits & pieces. Worth a look in.

For all your skateboard/skatepark locating needs try here. If you really wanna skate some awesome secret spots email me and I’ll put you in contact with those in the know.

Lone Pine Kola Sanctuary – a favourite with my o/seas friends. This is where you get to pat koalas and have your photo taken cuddling one. There’s a wall of photos of various artists that have toured and their furry new friends.

Oh, and another link that may be of use to some, if you’re in need of a little support on the road ;).

And if you still want more of what my ‘hood has to offer another great source of information about Brisbane is Four Thousand billed as the definite cultural guide to Brisbane it doesn’t disappoint!

So, welcome to my fair city! Can’t wait for you to visit! Brizzy represent! Boom!

Wishing you safe travels & rad days my friends…

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Around a year ago, I read Dr Dre’s biography. I found it to be a really interesting read. I’ve always loved reading biographies. Another thing I inherited from my ma, she always told me that ‘Reading is knowledge’. I love to hear the story of people’s lives. I enjoy that insight into life, I like getting to see different perspectives and experiences. I enjoy learning that way. I guess maybe that’s why I took so well to what I do today (ha!) Why I’m forever asking everyone, why? And how?

Out of all of the cool stories and thoughts I read in the book, one thing that really struck a chord with me was when Dre talked about work and school. He said that he’d always had a healthy and enthusiastic work ethic and positive attitude and view towards work. He felt that if you work really hard at what you did, then that (energy) would flow out into every aspect of your life. I can totally vouch for that!

I know that when I work hard I feel super content and everything in my life feels like it happens a whole lot easier.

“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.” ~Oprah

I work so hard I get super tired sometimes but it doesn’t bother me because I am so motivated by the fact I truly LOVE what I do! When I write I feel like I glide into a slipstream and I feel like I fall off the face of the Earth sometimes. I’m just so absorbed in what I’m doing it’s like I’m the only one that exists. To me those moments are transcendental, time becomes irrelevant. That’s why it’s the ultimate to be engaged in ‘smart work’ work that is meaningful and that you’re passionate about.

And I should mention that by ‘work’ I don’t necessarily mean the paid variety, the kind that involves you being an employee of someone else and earning cold hard cash (put $5 in my hand… he, he ;)). I have a lot of wonderful musician & art friends that are ‘unemployed’ that sometimes feel as though the things they do with their day isn’t really much of anything. I’m here to tell you all now, that just because you’re not (most of the time) experiencing a momentary gain from your work doesn’t make your contribution to your community or the Universe any less valuable then work produced in a paid employment environment.

Working for your freedom / Is the best way to get trapped / You can’t call it independence / If it needs to be paid back ~ Intro5pect

Here’s a little chat between two of my favourite hardworking women Oprah & Beyonce:

A thought for your day: Hard work is the willingness to push yourself past what you are able to do… even just a little. Baby steps. It’s being consistent and dedicated.

Inspiring reading:

♥ Richard Branson – Screw It, Let’s Do It

♥ The Josephine Baker Story

♥ Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones

♥ I cannot wait to read Daniel Johnston:The Story of an Artist by Everett True. I had a conversation with E recently that included some chat about Daniel and this project. I was read a part of it that was just beautiful.

♥ The Real Frank Zappa Book

♥ I also enjoy The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck’s Favourite Facts & Stories

Is there any biographies you’ve read that are about people that are totally workin’ it?

My electro-rockin’, burlesque performing, tambourine shaking pal Miss Brodie-Ann knows how to work it!

Don’t forget to work it today!

Soundtrack while typing this = Roy Orbison! :)

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