Sticky Carpet: Country-soul singer Vic Simms back in the spotlight

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Sticky Carpet: Country-soul singer Vic Simms back in the spotlight

Aboriginal elder Vic Simms returns to performing and Melbourne's Australia Day gigs around town.

By Mary Mihelakos
Updated

VIC SIMMS PEAKS AT 70
Aboriginal music pioneer Vic Simms first performed professionally as an 11-year-old after being discovered by singer Col Joye​. A year later he was the first Aboriginal entertainer on commercial television, appearing on In Sydney Tonight. The boy from La Perouse, in south-eastern Sydney struggled in his late teens after the loss of the spotlight and was charged with a robbery offence and sentenced to seven years at Bathurst Gaol. But he was rediscovered in 1973 and signed to RCA Records while he was still incarcerated. Vic was given one hour in a portable studio to make an album in the prison's dining room. The result was The Loner, regarded by many as a lost classic of country-soul protest songs.
In 2014 Brisbane-based singer-songwriter Luke Peacock and his band the Painted Ladies re-recorded the Loner album with Simms' blessing, and he also appears on the album, which was produced by You Am I drummer Russell Hopkinson. Recently Simms has stepped back in to the spotlight; he's been playing live and last year was inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame. Next week Simms will celebrate his 70th birthday as well as play in front of his biggest Melbourne crowds.
On 'Survival Day', January 26, he'll perform at the Treasury Gardens as part of the Share the Spirit festival alongside Bunna Lawrie & Coloured Stone, Kutcha Edwards, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks​, the Deans, Yung Warriors, Ms Hood, Lady Lash, Benny Walker, Philly​, Bad Apples and more.
In the evening Simms will share a stage with US indie favourites Kurt Vile, Michael Hurley, Meg Baird and Ryley Walker as well as Totally Mild, Montero, the Orbweavers, Terry and Wintercoats for the outdoor Summer Tones festival at the Abbotsford Convent. His Melbourne birthday party coincides with his headline show at Bella Union in Carlton next Wednesday and he'll also play the opening night of the 2016 Melbourne Zoo Twilights series on January 29 .

RAINBOW SERPENT
This weekend sees 15,000 revellers head to the annual four-day camping festival Rainbow Serpent held in Lexton, two hours west of Melbourne. The music, nature and arts gathering has evolved significantly since its beginnings as an electronic trance party, to hosting over 100 diverse international and local musical acts and DJs. Performing at the 19th edition is John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Ace Ventura, Emok, Monkey Safari, Pachanga Boys, 1200 Techniques, 8 Foot Felix, Mista Savona, Seven Ups, Spoonbill, Andrew Till, Broadway Sounds as well as Bowie themed party on Sunday. The festival is at capacity: there will be strict checks on tickets and identification at the gate. Organisers have been vocal on social media about safety protocols and appropriate festival behaviour following a death at the festival site in 2012.

Vic Simms, veteran Aborginal rock'n'roller and jailhouse country singer, seen here in 2005.

Vic Simms, veteran Aborginal rock'n'roller and jailhouse country singer, seen here in 2005.Credit: Edwina Pickles

BEECHWORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Tomorrow's Beechworth Music Festival takes place at Madman's Gully Amphitheatre on the farmlands of former Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, in the heart of the historical town north east of Melbourne. The indie rock line-up includes My Left Boot, Mutton, the Sugarcanes, Big Smoke, King of the North, the Public Opinion Six, Briggs and more. For tickets visit beechworthmusicfestival.com

SOUNDKILDA ENTRIES OPEN
As part of the 33rd St Kilda Film Festival, Australia's only dedicated music video competition SOUNDKilda returns and is offering prizes for Best Music Video, Cinematography and Craft alongside an audience award. SOUNDKilda showcases a selection of music videos from the last 12 months projected on the big screen with state-of-the-art cinema technology. Finalists will see their music videos screened as part of the iconic St Kilda Film Festival, which is set for one of the biggest years in its history. SOUNDKilda entries close Friday January 29. The 2016 St Kilda Film Festival runs May 19-28.
stkildafilmfestival.com.au

BANDS, BEERS, BOWLS AND BBQ
The St Kilda Bowls Club is once again hosting Bowled Over, a Triple J Hottest 100 party on Australia Day, with live music, games and a barbecue. Performing live on Tuesday from midday is one-man rock blues band Harts, Adelaide trio Grenadiers and newcomers IV League. There will also be lawn bowling and rock'n'roll bingo while the national youth station counts down the favourite tunes of 2015 as voted by listeners. bowledover.com.au

DOCKERS ROCK AUSTRALIA DAY
Painters and Dockers headline the Stony Creek Music Festival in Yarraville on Australia Day. The free event, kicking off at midday at the McNish Reserve, also features African rappers Flybz, Nick Barker & the Heartbreak State, Rebecca Barnard & the Delinquents, the Mud Cakes, Jadida, Magic Tony and more. Enduring pub rockers the Painters & Dockers, led by Paul Stewart, recently released a new T-shirt which caused quite a stir, yet sold out in three hours. The new design features an image of slain Painters and Docker Union boss Jack "Putty Nose" Nicholls.

PBS LIVE DRIVE
Community broadcaster PBS is again throwing open its doors to members to enjoy three local acts live in the Collingwood station's studios between 5pm and 7pm from February 1 – 5. The Live Drive series has been a permanent fixture on the PBS calendar for five years and this year will feature the Drones, Jess Ribeiro, Terrible Truths, friendships, Batpiss, Little Desert, Drug Sweat, Wet Lips, Sui Zhen, Deaf Wish, Deep Heat, Mollusc, Taipan Tiger Girls, Waterfall Person and Grotto. Head to pbsfm.org.au to register to attend one of the five afternoons.

BELL JAZZ AWARDS
The 2016 Australian Jazz Bell Awards are calling for nominations to acknowledge excellence in performance, creativity and presentation. Key figures from the Australian and International jazz scene will make up the judging panel and winners will be announced at a ceremony on May 26 at the Regent Theatre. The awards, named after the late Australian jazz musician Graeme Bell, were established 13 years ago and on offer is the prize pool of $40,000. For the eight categories, nomination forms and revised guidelines visit bellawards.org

GIG OF THE WEEK: RICHMOND THEATRETTE
The 100-seat Richmond Theatrette, located above the Richmond Library in Church St, hosted a week of intimate concerts during the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival last July and this week reopens for a short summer series over four consecutive evenings beginning January 22. Gigs include an acoustic set from Mark Lang, lead singer of much-loved local band Skipping Girl Vinegar and trio Dave Graney, Clare Moore and Stu Thomas. Ash Naylor performs solo on January 24 with special guest Nick Batterham and the season concludes Australia Day eve with Dan Kelly's Dream Band launching the Everything's Amazing video.richmondtheatrette.com

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