Cat Canteri and Justin Bernasconi are partners in music and life | Soundbites
Cat Canteri and Justin Bernasconi, of alt-country band The Stillsons, are teaming up to perform acoustic shows throughout October - promising virtuosic guitar playing, beautiful harmonies and cutting-edge song writing.
You can catch them at Newcastle's The Stag & Hunter on Saturday, October 5. Doors open at 8pm; tickets are on sale now. Bernasconi, an acclaimed folk roots guitarist, took five to answer some questions.
TRUE TALENT: Justin Bernasconi, who will perform with Cat Canteri at The Stag & Hunter on October 5.
You've just finished recording/ mixing your third LP. How does it differ from Winter Pick and Barefoot Wonderland, in your opinion? Those LPs are quite Americana, but stylistically this album is definitely leaning towards prog English folk, world music and classical. The process of how I compose has changed quite a bit too. Previously I would compose with the guitar in hand, but a few years back, Cat and I drove from London, through France down to Barcelona visiting galleries. I composed the tunes in my head while looking at amazing works of art. It inspired different types of dynamics in volume, time, dissonance harmony to create splashes of colour and depth on the solo guitar. Impressionistic folk, I'd like to call it.
A familiar element is, of course, Jeff Lang. What does he bring to the table when it comes to recording? Jeff gets great sounds, works quickly, but he's also a lateral thinker. I suffer from a lot of anxiety in the studio, so I can get a bit random and unclear with my process. This comes out in the music, and Jeff is pretty good with interpreting it and letting the creative process take its course.
Why the decision to embark on an acoustic tour? Cat and I are life partners, we love each other's company and we love sharing the experience of being on the road, so it makes sense to tour together. As artists we compose and write independently but often use each other as sounding boards in the final stages of completing a song. We still love being on stage and singing together so we always get together for some songs at the end of the night.
Has your songwriting changed over the years? Absolutely. Gippsland singer Michael Waugh has a been big influence on my lyrics writing, and musically I've been getting into the Tallest Man On Earth as well as lots of classical guitar and solo piano. Creativity can be like water, it flows where it wants, you have to be careful not to try to control it or it can dry up.
Back to dance in the storm
CRAZY TIMES TOUR: Boom Crash Opera will perform at Newcastle's Cambridge Hotel on November 17.
Boom Crash Opera are making a comeback with original lead singer Dale Ryder. The band's These Here Are Crazy Timestour will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album's release which featured the hits Onion Skin, The Best Thing, Great Wall, Get Out of the House and Dancing in The Storm. The tour kicks off in November with '80s synch-pop band Machinations and stops off at Newcastle's Cambridge Hotel on November 17.
Win tickets to School of Rock
The film blew your mind. The musical conquered Broadway and London. Now it's Sydney's turn to rock when School of Rock - The Musical lands at the Capitol Theatre this November. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and written by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes, School of Rock is part blockbuster musical and part rock concert.
LIVE has two double passes (valued at $180 each) to School of Rock at theCapitol Theatre at 2pm onSaturday, November 9, to give away, plus two merchandise packs. To enter, send the words ''School of Rock'' to weekenderfreebies@theherald.com.au or text ''School of Rock'' to 0427 369 610, including your name, address and phone number. Entries close at 9am on Wednesday (2/10/19).
The promoter will email the winners.
Angels and Baby Animals on tour
The Angels are teaming up with fellow Aussie rockers Baby Animals for the They Who Rock Tour. They stop off at Doyalson RSL on November 8 and Toronto Hotel on November 9. Guitarist John Brewster took time out for a quick Q&A.
Constant gigging in small and sweaty venues made bands like The Angels back in the day. Have times changed? Times have changed in some ways, but the pub and club venues are still very important to us in the band. We do many outdoor shows to thousands of people but it's always amazing to have fans right up there in our faces, so to speak.
Why the decision to tour with Baby Animals? The Baby Animals have been right up there among our favourite bands for many years. Suze De Marchi has one of the best rock/blues voices in the world in my opinion.
You've been in the game a long time. Do you still get that buzz when performing live? Oh yes. The band, with Dave Gleeson, Nick Norton and my son Sam on drums and bass, is playing as well and with as much passion as ever. It's exciting, exhilarating and a blast every show.
What is it about The Angels' songs that keeps crowds coming back for more? I can't think of a song that feels dated even though it was written a long time ago. The songs feel fresh and the band delivers, night after night, show after show.
Save the date
Annual dine, drink and dance festival Wine Machine has issued a "save the date" for fans. It will stop off in the Hunter Valley on March 14, 2020. Venue and line-up to be advised. Pre-sale sign-up is now open and general tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, October 1.
Festival announces second line-up
Subsonic Music Festival at Riverwood Downs, Monkerai, has released its second line-up. The weekend-long event (December 6 to 8) has attracted The Bird, Tijuana Cartel, True Vibenation and The Regime, plus DJs spinning dubstep, drum and bass, soul, groove and everything in between. This festival tends to sell out so don't dawdle. Camping details and tickets at ubsonicmusic.com.au.
Date change for Ian Moss
Ian Moss is no longer playing at Newcastle's City Hall on November 23 - it clashed with the Supercars event - and will now perform at City Hall on December 14. Moss had this to say: "We've had constant feedback about the date clash and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. I thank you for your support and understanding, and I look forward to being back in Newcastle playing live on my Matchbook 30th Anniversary tour in December. See you at the show." Existing tickets are valid for the new date. For fans unable to attend the new date, refunds are available by phoning the Civic Box Office on 4929 1977.