One kooky kid, super hipster Bretty Harris and singer from The Good Ship doing his thing at The Retreat last Wednesday.

As someone who's grown up in a household passionate about current affairs in this country and aboard I've been used to the doom and gloom aspects of trying to stay informed since a young age. However, the last few months of local politics/events has gotten me down, and, like many others I find myself tempted to switch off to it all because I'm finding it.... depressing. I always think it low to whinge about the news if your not actively trying to make a difference to the current state of things, and there's my contradiction. I'm having a good whinge (again). Low I know. HA!

The dredging of area inside the Great Barrier Reef in preparation for increased capacity of the Gladstone port, everything to do with Asylum Seekers/Manus Island and most of all the murder of Luke Batty in Melbourne are on my top of my "What's Wrong With The World" list.

So, I thought I'd put together a bunch of my favourite meems and cartoons from the past couple of months. Nothing like a bit of light entertainment. 

Wednesdays at The Retreat Hotel front bar next month! Got some super lovely friends supporting me throughout the month! Daz Grey, Brett Harris (The Good Ship), Little Wise, Ladies of The Shotgun Wedding and DAN AND AMY. 

Joining me on stage will be Justin Bernasconi on electric guitar, Daniel Hobson on bass, and very special guest Justin Olsson on drum kit. 

Hey boys, and girls... here's a few more videos from Newstead!

I tagged along with Justin, Pete and Ben to Newstead Live as a roadie/videoman over the long weekend. It was fantastic not to have the responsibility of being a performer which meant I could go for some nice runs along the train line and a bike ride to Maldon and along the Cairn Curran reservoir. I got some great videos over the course of the weekend, mainly of Justin and his band (as I was at all his gigs anyway), but also of Pete Fidler's band, Little Rabbit Dan & Amy and Whitetop Mountaineers. Here's the ones I've upload to YouTube so far.

After what seems like a million years of procrastination, I've finally booked my first full band gig at The Retreat Hotel in Brunswick. Got some great friends joining me for the show, Megan "Meggy B" Bernard (keys/guitar), Justin "JB" Bernasconi (guitar), Daniel "Danny Boy" Hobson (bass), and Scotty Zimmer (drums)

When a song blows you away so much that you feel it's your duty to ensure that everyone you know hears it's message.

http://lettersforranjini.com 

FREE RANJINI

Ranjini weeps three children at her side
When her feelings get too much to hide
Authorities claim she’s a security threat
But time will prove them liars yet

In the detention centre at Villawood
They try to imagine a life that’s good
This could all be over, you must understand
With a signature from the minister’s hand

Ranjini, we’ve heard your plea
You’re not a threat to this country
It’s time to set you and your children free
Free Ranjini Free Ranjini

Paari was born behind the razor wire
Should be enough to raise this nation’s ire
But Brandis is his cruelty would claim
“They only have themselves to blame”

ASIO says that you could do us harm B
ut the only thing that raises my alarm
Is in hurting you so needlessly
How can we let a child suffer with PTSD?

Ranjini, we’ve heard your plea
You’re not a threat to this country
It’s time to set you and your children free
Free Ranjini Free Ranjini

How they’ve held you without trial so long
Is a sign they can’t tell right from wrong
The rule of law has been denied
But there are many standing by your side

Is it all we can offer to a family in need?
What does it say about us that they’re still not freed?
“A life full of grief” just will not do
So we send a song of freedom to you

Music and words by Les Thomas - http://lesthomasmusic.com