As March rolls on..
So March has rolled its fat ass over us again and despite the somewhat depressing change in season (goodbye, summer!), we feel we have quite a lot to be excited about.
This month is an especially significant month for us Saving Gracers as we’re lucky enough be a part of two amazing social causes. Firstly, we’ll be headlining a show to help raise funds for the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) on Thursday, March 11th at the Vanguard in Newtown. AIME is a growing not-for-profit program that offers mentorship to Indigenous students in Australia in the hope of increasing the number of Aboriginal Australians that finish high school. It’s an admirable movement that we couldn’t be happier to support, and it’s set to be a unique and special night. In addition to performances from electronic-folk artist Caitlin Park and country/folk artist Johnny Took, the show will include Indigenous performers, a didgeridoo showcase, a silent auction and much more. We’d love to see you good looking chaps and chapettes at this event, and you can book tickets online at www.thevanguard.com.au
We’re also proud to be a part of the Katoke Beach Party happening on Saturday 13th March in Cronulla. Get down there and go crazy with us, and get a little extra messy knowing that the feelings of post-big-night self-loathing that we’re all so used to feeling on Sunday mornings will be annihilated by the knowledge that you’ve helped to raise money for the Katoke area of Tanzania, one of the poorest regions of Africa. All profits raised will go to building student dormitories and educational facilities in Katoke. There’ll be plenty of bands, DJs and fun-lovin’ cats to party with so make sure you don’t miss out. The event begins at 4.00pm at 25 Redgum Avenue Cronulla. So if you’ve got a social conscience, a hankerin’ for some great Australian folk music or just want to get messy, make your way out to these shows. As the Stones would have put it, it’s gonna be a gas! (…that’s right, we’re bringin’ it back)
March has also brought about the return of our intrepid rhythm section. With bodies (reasonably) unscathed and brain cells (barely) intact, Rob and Sponge are back in town, showered and ready to join the fold again. If you want to hear some tales about scary flaming ropes, scary rope swings, scary rope-bridges and so much more keep you eyes peeled for a new blog. Until then, much love, Saving Grace
CHRISTMAS + OUR FINAL SHOWS OF ’09
Raise your hand if at any point in the last few years you’ve heard yourself remark “It doesn’t really feel like Christmas”. Now, keep your hand up if you’re attending Saving Grace’s annual Christmas show at the Basement. For those of you who still have raised arms, clench that open hand into a fist and let out a mighty, joyful roar, because you are about to be hit with so much fucking Christmas cheer you’ll have to put your stocking through the wash twice.
Tomorrow night, as a gesture of gratitude for all our good fortune this year, Saving Grace will be performing a bunch of tunes (some of the Christmas variety) at Sydney’s iconic venue, The Basement. We’ve worked our butts of this week to make sure it’ll be an original, intimate and above all celebratory set, so if you feel like revisiting your romantic childhood fascination with the festive season get online and get tickets at www.moshtix.com.
Among the myriad of things worthy of celebration for us this year is the recent opportunity we had to play for detainees of Villawood detention centre last Friday night. Villawood is an institution that houses immigrants and asylum seekers who are in a sort of citizenship-limbo, so like a duck entering the pond for the first time we didn’t know if we were going to sink or swim. After playing and socializing with the detainees though, swim was definitely happening. Even though these people were facing the toughest time of their lives, the openness with which we were accepted was wholly humbling. Looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel for all of us.
Still riding on a high from the experience, we made the familiar trek up north to Doyalson the following night to support Paul Dempsey of Something for Kate fame. A two-hour trek on the ol’ F3 can be tiring, but we were glad we mustered up the energy to stick around for his set because we were all blown away by his talent and his presence. If you ever have a chance, make sure you check him out (unless we’re playing a different gig on the same night).
And while we’re on the subject of talented dudes, Indie-rock outfit The Kins have got us onboard a NSW tour early in the new year. Sydney-dwellers would be well-advised to check out their show at Notes in Newtown on the 8th Jan, it’s set to be a good’n! If you reside in a town a little north of Sydney, we’re playing with The Kins in Brisbane on Friday Jan 7th, for all you southern folk we’re playing The Heritage Hotel in Bulli on Sunday Jan 2nd!
And that about wraps it up for 2009. It’s been a really great year for us, and hopefully you’re all looking to 2010 with the same optimism, enthusiasm and excitement as we are!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all that jazz
Saving Grace.
ps – As an EXTRA special christmas present for all of you, we will be posting some great videos in the next couple of days so STAY TUNED…..PEACE
Saving Grace do Feel Good Inc.
1, 2, 3 (inspired by songs written by Feist and Coolio)
Another sum of weeks has passed since the last blog and it looks about the right time to get our asses online and reflect on things we’ve done, and omit the things we wish we hadn’t. Luckily for us, the pile of things we have to be proud of as a band has grown pretty big this month, so let me take a big deep breath before I unload it into the receptive bosom of your consciousness. Or something like that.
Firstly, I should start by extending a huge thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate the launch of our single 1,2,3 at Notes in early October. We were overwhelmed by the show of support and love that we felt emanate from our fans, friends and family (aww). It was a night to remember indeed, and if you didn’t make it out, you can check out the video clip for 1,2,3 (which was also officially launched at the show) on our youtube channel: www.youtube.com/savinggracesyd. The night was also celebrated the commercial release of our EP ‘Pages’ which means you can head to any sweet record store and order it, or buy it off itunes. Very cool…
We’ve also posted our second video blog up on youtube. While the original plan was to film the clip on the rock cliffs of Bondi and artfully contrast the roaring ocean and vibrant sun-soaked sky with our ominous, floating melodies, it ended up getting dark too quick so we taped it in Sam’s new lounge room instead. While the scenery is (arguably) less-inspiring, our song-choice and interestingly amended line-up more than make up for the lacking visuals. If any of you out there have ever questioned white man’s ability to rap, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
The band’s also been watching the collective odometer clock up the miles with a few road trips of late. We shared the ANU stage with the guys from Mind Over Matter, and local dudes Funmachine and Joseph Salvat. While the journey southward may have claimed Rob’s gearbox, we made sure to come back with lots of stories, a few new fans and a sweet-ass Crowne Plaza bathrobe. We also made a trek up north to Doyleson RSL last Friday night to support Jimmy Barnes. It was an honour to warm up the stage for the man who fathered Aussie pub-rock (not to mention Dave Campbell), and though we didn’t lock in any future collaborations with him, we did get to eat his pizza. It tasted like sweat and success.
Any mountain-dwelling folk will be happy to know that we’re playing Hotel Gearin on Thursday 19th of November. It’s set to be a more stripped back set, with Millsy out of action due to a pre-organised swim with the dolphins up north. It will be a set in her honor, with the testosterone-to-estrogen ratio being a little more in favour of the former, so if you’re out that way come and check it out. We’re also looking forward to supporting Husky at the Excelsior (Surry Hills) the next night. Check out the myspace for more gig information.
Now to unleash the big one guys. Saving Grace are joining the ranks of Sarah Blasko, The Panics and Blue King Brown, ringing in the New Year at Peats Ridge festival this year. Fuck yeah! The festival’s earned a pretty amazing reputation over the years for hosting a celebration of music and artistic culture, so if you’re still fumbling for plans, get your ass online and party with us! Tickets can be bought at www.peatsridge.com.au, and you can check out the site to see the line-up and what’s in store.
That’s about all the important stuff for now. I don’t know about you, but after all that unloading I feel like a smoke and a shower. If you’re up for it, why not wait five minutes and read it a second time? If you’re anything like me, twice in one night’s a rarity so take advantage of the offer!
Adam (Spongey)
Time for a bog…
Apologies! I had to do it! I’m terrible with puns and ain’t afraid to admit it. I also love a bit of toilet humour – it makes me laugh, it makes me feel young again. I’ve been wanting to write for a while now but was severely smashed up by a stomach bug. I don’t remember the last time I felt so sick… in the stomach! (yes! pun #2). Which leads to why I am currently eating an Asian delicacy called congee. For those of you who have been so sheltered in your upbringing that you never ate CONGEE let me give you a brief little idea on what its all about. It’s a ricey/porridge styled dish that is usually eaten for breakfast or a late night snack. It contains probably about 6 times more the amount of water you would normally cook rice with and as you boil it you can add all sorts of goodies to add flavour, such as meat, bones, thousand year old egg, etc. My dad ALWAYS tells me this when we eat it… “Congee came about for the working class who couldn’t afford much rice so they added more water to get a bigger meal…”
Anyway, enough about congee. Head down to Chinatown Superbowl and get into it. Now, with this new blogsite we’re really trying to be more personal and intimate. To start this all off we’ve decided to do a VIDEO BLOG every fortnight. Inspired by the dudes at blogotheque.net Saving Grace are going to be doing covers of songs (from hit pop songs to songs/musos we generally just dig) in the most obscure places we can find. We’ve already recorded the first one, Jimmy Eat Worlds’ ‘The Middle’, which was filmed inside an old crane at The Newington Amory Wharf in Olympic Park. The crane had these amazing acoustics and a massive lump of bird shit. High fives to Searson who very artistically filmed it for us. Check it out at the end of this blog.
We’re also very excited to be only a fortnight away from our SINGLE LAUNCH at ‘Notes’, a new venue in Newtown which has been described as ‘intimate, beautiful and serves delicious food’ which we are super pumped for… fingers crossed we get a free feed! Supporting us on the night will be Gideon Bensen & La Gloria (I find him kinda hard to describe but hes abit alt-country slash rock slash folk and even though he’s only small in stature hes got this really big, mature voice… really original and honest) and TJ Power will be opening the night (really infectious indie pop melodies… maybe John Mayer and Dave Matthews having an acoustic jam!).
We will formally introducing our new bass player Adam Rodriguez to the mix and we feel very lucky to have him on board. Spongey, as we call him, has been a really thoughtful, calming influence on us and we’ve been practicing really hard to get our live sound where we want it to be. We will be launching a new single, ’1, 2, 3′ from our most recent EP ‘Pages’ and will hopefully be showing the film clip we made for it. With the addition of Spongey our new songs have really taken us to a place where we never saw us going and we’re really excited to be adding some new songs to the live set. So book a table, have a feed, enjoy the music!
SAVING GRACE SINGLE LAUNCH
When: 8.30pm, Thursday 8th of October, 2009.
Where: Notes. 73-75 Enmore Road, Newtown.
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
* You can also download ’1, 2, 3′ for FREE FREE FREE in October at www.savinggrace.com.au
Hope to see you then! Keep on rocking! (I don’t know what that means…)
- Adrian (read in a baby names book, my name means ‘the dark one’.)
Flogging the Blog (and upcoming shows!)
Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and just like the weather, there seems to be a sense of change and excitment in the air…
Firstly, I want to say thanks on behalf of the band. Thanks to everyone who came to the Supper Club for Sonja’s final show, and thanks to Sonja herself for the amazing contribution she has provided Saving Grace with over the past 4 years. It was an amazing night of beautiful (violin infused) music and we wish her all the best (although we know she will be joining us on stage whenever she is around).
And now, the only way is forward for Saving Grace and we have the most amazing shows lined up to take us through to Christmas – starting this weekend! Friday September 4 sees us supporting old friends ‘Wormholes Exist’ at the Excelsior in Surry Hills. Tix are only $10 and Saving Grace are on around 9pm.
We are also honoured to be taking part in this years ‘River Rhythms’ at the Armoury Wharf, Olympic Park. It’s happening this Sunday September 6th (FATHERS DAY!) and is a COMPLETELY FREE, ALL AGES EVENT! Saving Grace are playing 3 sets between 12 and 3pm. For more info, check out
http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/Visiting/venues_and_parks/newington_armory/events/river_rhythms_at_the_armory_wharf
Saving Grace will then be bunkering down in preparation of our SINGLE LAUNCH! The track - ‘One, Two, Three’ and accompanying Film Clip will aslo be available throughout October……FOR FREE!!
Stay tuned for Launch Dates in Sydney and throughout the east coast. Until then we’ll be posting all kinds of blogs, video footage and more so keep checking out www.savinggrace.com.au
To get the ball rolling, check out the below clips of us playing with Aussie Hip Hop Act MIND OVER MATTER at the Oxford Arts Factory back in June. It was a truly awesome night and we hope to do it again soon!
Until next time kids, stay graceful……………PEACE
Video 2 – Collaboration with Mind Over Matter
In June a collaboration of two very unlikely worlds saw Saving Grace join Mind Over Matter on stage. Mind Over Matter are one of Australia’s best up and coming hip hop acts and we learnt a lot playing with them. Their energy, enthusiasm, dedication and friendship is something we learnt alot from. Thanks for the great time boys and thanks to those who came along to this show. Check out the vids… Peace x
Our First BLOG, Our last Goodbye…
It doesn’t seem like over 4 years ago that Saving Grace was welcoming its third member, the beautiful Sonja Shebeck. Yet, the time has flown and here we are facing the reality that we will no longer have our most unique and staggeringly talented friend on stage with us anymore.
Adrian and I met Sonja while studying at the conservatorium of music. Sonja’s technical ability and personality meant she seemed to have her finger in every pot. Even with her hectic schedule, we were delighted when she agreed to get together for a jam and eventually helped mould the original Saving Grace Line up alongside Amelia (who also went to highschool with Sonja).
I honestly can’t say enough about Son and my words will never do justice to just how integral, unforgettable and enjoyable its been, not only playing on stage with her, but Jamming, Touring, Practicing and hanging out.
For those of you who have seen us live or own a copy of EP’s, you’ll agree that the Orchestral songwriting and arrangements she has contributed to our music are a defining element that we now have the challenge of replacing. As for Sonja’s techichal ability and dedication to performance, I can honestly say I’m yet to share any stage with someone of her Calibre.
Yes, this is a sad time for Saving Grace, who hope that Sonja – who is heading oveseas in December to Audition throughout Europe - will come back and play with us from time to time.
It is also an Exciting time, with the empending Video Clip and Single Launch set for October, Saving Grace have the chance to re-work the arrangements for existing material and begin songwriting for the new formation that includes the dangerously sexy Adam Rodriguez on Bass, the introduction of Electric Guitars and a few other surpises.
Please put Sonja’s Farewell show in your diary as this is not to be missed!
Saving Grace Headlining the Supper Club
134 Oxford St (Taylor Square)
Thursday August 13th. Doors 8pm. $10
We’ll be playing all your (and Sonja’s) favourite tunes and expect it to be a very special show so come down early! See you there……….PEACE
Introducing Saving Grace
