Rosecliffe St is without electricity for the foreseeable future, so this could be my last blog for a while... (or they'll be much less frequent anyway)
3am Saturday morning, after Taro & I had returned from a fantastic home concert on the Gold Coast with singer Pinaki Bose, a really strong storm passed through Brisbane. I was jerked awake by a shower of sparks above me, which went on for a few seconds before stopping abruptly. All our electricity was out, and has remained so since.
The electrical cable to our house passed through a tree which was blown about by the storm, pulling the cable-attachment on the house out. The landlord has been incredibly negligent with our house and there's now considerable repair to be done before Energex will re-connect us.
That same day was the day of Taro & my big concert at City Hall, so the after-party back home was a candle-lit affair, depending on ice in an esky to keep drinks cool. Any music was made by real people and a lot of the conversation revolved around the possibilities for life without mains electricity. Pedal-power generators for 12V batteries?
Many postulate that the current economic system will inevitably collapse and so we will have to return to a much lower energy usage lifestyle. We're leading the way, you see.
It's very peaceful without electricity, actually.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Bamboo Bliss - photos on DivineArts.net
Sheri of divinearts.net has kindly posted her excellent photos of Taro Terahara & my "Bamboo Bliss" concert at Brisbane City Hall on Saturday night.
There are also loads of other photos of my recent concerts on the divinearts.net site. (Please note that you have to register on the left of the page to see the gallery images.)
There are also loads of other photos of my recent concerts on the divinearts.net site. (Please note that you have to register on the left of the page to see the gallery images.)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Taro Terahara in Australia
My good friend and one of my favourite musicians, Taro Terahara arrives in Australia on Thursday. We had a really fun tour last year and I'm really looking forward to this year's tour, which will take in Brisbane, Byron, Maleny, Noosa, Melbourne, a drive across Australia via Canberra and Sydney, Woodford Folk Festival, and finally a couple of home and temple concerts back in Brissie. Full schedule below... Concert info can be found via our tour info page.

Current schedule:
Thu 6: Taro arrives in Brisbane
Fri 7: Home concert on Gold Coast with Pinaki Bose
Sat 8: Main concert Brisbane City Hall
Sun 9: Go to Ocean Shores near Byron Bay (Paul's house)
Tue 11: Home concert @ Paul's "Temple of Melodious Sound" including jam with Paul and guitar player Tarshito
Wed 12: Jam session at The Forest in West End
Thu 13: Maleny UpFront Club (Daniel)
Sat 15: EthnoSuperLounge Xmas Party @ Core Yoga with many world music friends
Sun 16: Tibet2Timbuk2 @ The J in Noosa (Daniel)
Wed 19: Fly to Melbourne
Thu 20-Fri 21: meet some people in Melbourne including my guru Debu
Sat 22: Melbourne concert
Sun 23-Mon 24: Drive back to Brisbane 1800km, Yuriko arrives
Tue 25: Christmas
Wed 26: Go to Woodford
Thu 27-Tue 1: Woodford
Wed 2: Jam at The Forest (maybe)
Thu 3: Yuriko returns
Sat 5: Ty and Steve's Brisbane workshop and concert
Sun 6: Home concert for Indian community
Tue 8: Concert at Sai Baba Temple with Ty and Steve
Wed 9: Taro returns to Japan
Wow... すごいね。
Current schedule:
Thu 6: Taro arrives in Brisbane
Fri 7: Home concert on Gold Coast with Pinaki Bose
Sat 8: Main concert Brisbane City Hall
Sun 9: Go to Ocean Shores near Byron Bay (Paul's house)
Tue 11: Home concert @ Paul's "Temple of Melodious Sound" including jam with Paul and guitar player Tarshito
Wed 12: Jam session at The Forest in West End
Thu 13: Maleny UpFront Club (Daniel)
Sat 15: EthnoSuperLounge Xmas Party @ Core Yoga with many world music friends
Sun 16: Tibet2Timbuk2 @ The J in Noosa (Daniel)
Wed 19: Fly to Melbourne
Thu 20-Fri 21: meet some people in Melbourne including my guru Debu
Sat 22: Melbourne concert
Sun 23-Mon 24: Drive back to Brisbane 1800km, Yuriko arrives
Tue 25: Christmas
Wed 26: Go to Woodford
Thu 27-Tue 1: Woodford
Wed 2: Jam at The Forest (maybe)
Thu 3: Yuriko returns
Sat 5: Ty and Steve's Brisbane workshop and concert
Sun 6: Home concert for Indian community
Tue 8: Concert at Sai Baba Temple with Ty and Steve
Wed 9: Taro returns to Japan
Wow... すごいね。
Pinaki Bose
On Saturday night I went to see Indian classical vocalist Pinaki Bose performing at a Swara Mohini concert in Sunnybank. Pinaki Bose is quite young (24 years old), but he definitely impressed at this concert - a very capable singer, following in the footsteps of his Ustad, the great singer Rashid Khan.
Pinaki-ji's hosts have invited me to accompany him at a home concert on the Gold Coast this Friday night. Taro will be around, so while I can't guarantee anything I hope he will also get a chance to play.
Pinaki-ji's hosts have invited me to accompany him at a home concert on the Gold Coast this Friday night. Taro will be around, so while I can't guarantee anything I hope he will also get a chance to play.
Monday, December 03, 2007
West End Moment
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tibet2Timbuk2 with Menaka (concert photos)
Wow, the other night's Global Soul Music (Vol 3) featured some really wonderful music. I am really happy with all the music I have been involved with recently. Ten years of playing music with various folks in Brisbane on and off is really starting to bear fruit now.
Tenzin, Marcello and myself have been playing together on and off for many years now, and especially as the 3-piece Tibet2Timbuk2 in the last couple of years. Last week's concert at BEMAC allowed us to collaborate with Sudanese musician Asim Gorashi, and this week we invited beautiful Indian singer Menaka Visvanathan to join us. She really added a lot to the group and we will definitely work with her again. Not only did she sing some beautiful South Indian classical vocal and devotional bhajans, but she also added harmonies to Tenzin and Marcello's songs in a more Western style. Very versatile and talented with a bright future - I've known Menaka since she was 16 and I'm enjoying seeing her blossom now.
Unfortunately, unlike last month's Global Soul Music, audience numbers were back down to around 20 this month. It is very disappointing for me. I really believe in the music we are producing, but I do hope for more support from the community. Hopefully if I can continue this monthly event for a while yet, with the support of musicians (who likely won't get paid), this small devoted audience will grow into a bigger regular crowd.
SET LIST:
SET 1:
Tenzin, Marcello and myself have been playing together on and off for many years now, and especially as the 3-piece Tibet2Timbuk2 in the last couple of years. Last week's concert at BEMAC allowed us to collaborate with Sudanese musician Asim Gorashi, and this week we invited beautiful Indian singer Menaka Visvanathan to join us. She really added a lot to the group and we will definitely work with her again. Not only did she sing some beautiful South Indian classical vocal and devotional bhajans, but she also added harmonies to Tenzin and Marcello's songs in a more Western style. Very versatile and talented with a bright future - I've known Menaka since she was 16 and I'm enjoying seeing her blossom now.
Unfortunately, unlike last month's Global Soul Music, audience numbers were back down to around 20 this month. It is very disappointing for me. I really believe in the music we are producing, but I do hope for more support from the community. Hopefully if I can continue this monthly event for a while yet, with the support of musicians (who likely won't get paid), this small devoted audience will grow into a bigger regular crowd.
SET LIST:
SET 1:
- Beautiful Girl (Tenzin-Marcello song with solos by Menaka)
- Tenzin Solo + jam on Tenzin's song
- Tabla solo (lehera by Tenzin)
- Menaka solo vocal
- Bhajan: Hey Govinda (all)
- Bhajan: Hare Krishna
- Time Doesn't Wait/Murali (a blend of Marcello's new African song with an Indian song by Menaka)
- Murphy's Law (Marcello song, including Tenzin on flute)
- Bhajan: Jay Jay Govinda
- Bhajan: Rama Rama Jay Raja Ram
- Dawe Wola (Tibet2Timbuk2 song - joined by Peter Hunt and Sam on trumpets)
- White Crane (Tibet2Timbuk2 song - joined by Peter Hunt and Sam on trumpets)
- Music is Life (Marcello song joined by all)
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Just a quick post so that this lovely rehearsal photo doesn't get too waylaid...
The other week I had a nice rehearsal with a group developing a show called "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam"

Here's the blurb from their recent show:
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, the eleventh century Persian masterpiece, will be presented by a quartet of performers from both Iran and Australia, these being Cieavash Arean and Siroos Alavi, both with extensive performance experience in both Iran and Australia, opera singer Dania Cornelius, recently returned from performing in Germany, and Donald Hall. The instruments included in this performance, which follows the traditional recitation of verse accompanied by a musical ensemble, are santour, (hammered dulcimer), tar (mandolin), oud (lute), Komanche, (violin), ney, (reed flute), daff, (large tambourine), tombek (finger drum) and chromatic harp.
This group is the only ensemble in the entire world where you will hear the original lineup of classical Persian instrumentation.
Hopefully I will be able to play with them again as they are looking to put the show on around the place and include myself on percussion.
Thanks guys!
The other week I had a nice rehearsal with a group developing a show called "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam"

Siroos Alavi (oud/vocal), Donald Hall (harp), Cieavash Arean (various vocal and instruments), Dania Cornelius (poetry recitation, opera singing)
Here's the blurb from their recent show:
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, the eleventh century Persian masterpiece, will be presented by a quartet of performers from both Iran and Australia, these being Cieavash Arean and Siroos Alavi, both with extensive performance experience in both Iran and Australia, opera singer Dania Cornelius, recently returned from performing in Germany, and Donald Hall. The instruments included in this performance, which follows the traditional recitation of verse accompanied by a musical ensemble, are santour, (hammered dulcimer), tar (mandolin), oud (lute), Komanche, (violin), ney, (reed flute), daff, (large tambourine), tombek (finger drum) and chromatic harp.
This group is the only ensemble in the entire world where you will hear the original lineup of classical Persian instrumentation.
Hopefully I will be able to play with them again as they are looking to put the show on around the place and include myself on percussion.
Thanks guys!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Tibet2Timbuk2 concert photos
On Friday night Tibet2Timbuk2 played a concert for BEMAC's Cultivart Program. BEMAC stands for Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre and their Cultivart program is for presenting new world music projects. It was a really nice concert, with diverse range of music from Tenzin Choegyal's Tibetan nomad songs, my own Indian classical tabla solo, Asim Gorashi's Sudanese songs, Marcello Milani's Afro/pop/reggae songs, and the combination of all.
The recent funding cut to BEMAC and a number of other cultural organisations in Queensland cast a shadow over the evening. It's possible this might have been the last ever BEMAC event. All the artists involved told stories about how BEMAC has been important for helping us become world music performers. It would be a real shame if BEMAC was forced to cease operations - please write an email to the Queensland Premier to express support for BEMAC.
Asim Gorashi in the mood on violin
Many thanks to Richard McLaren for the photos
SET LIST:
First set:
The recent funding cut to BEMAC and a number of other cultural organisations in Queensland cast a shadow over the evening. It's possible this might have been the last ever BEMAC event. All the artists involved told stories about how BEMAC has been important for helping us become world music performers. It would be a real shame if BEMAC was forced to cease operations - please write an email to the Queensland Premier to express support for BEMAC.
Asim Gorashi in the mood on violinMany thanks to Richard McLaren for the photos
First set:
- Beautiful Girl (Marcello/Tenzin collaborative song)
- Himalaya (Tenzin's song, solo then group accompaniment)
- Tabla Solo (Shen with lehera by Tenzin)
- Allah (beautiful song by Asim on guitar with Marcello and Shen)
- Music is Life (Marcello song, Asim on violin, Tenzin on flute, Shen on tabla)
- Radio (Asim's song, playing oud with Marcello and Shen)
- Sudani (Asim's song, playing violin with Marcello and Shen)
- Murphy's Law (Marcello solo, then accompanied by Asim and Shen)
- Zim Jam (African-style song by Marcello with Asim and Shen)
- Dawe Wola (Tenzin's song accompanied by all)
- White Crane (Tenzin's song accompanied by all)
Saturday, November 17, 2007
BEMAC loses funding!
The news that BEMAC and various other cultural organisations in Queensland have lost operational funding has been a big shock to many in the cultural sector here. Please read and act on the following announcement:
FOR YOUR URGENT ATTENTION !
BEMAC FUNDING CUT BY ARTS QUEENSLAND
The Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre has had its operational funding application cut by the Arts Queensland.
“We are shocked to hear that the only multicultural arts servicing organisation in South East Queensland has been denied operational funding by Arts Queensland. BEMAC has been linking refugee and migrant communities with opportunities for professional development of artists, employment in all major festivals and events and engaging with grass roots artists to encourage cross cultural and cultural exchange thereby contributing to the Queensland cultural landscape for over twenty years” Director Bronte Morris said today.
The BEMAC Chairman Rossven Naidoo has invited all BEMAC members, supporters, audiences, stakeholders and friends to send a message to the Minister for the Arts, Hon Rod Welford to voice their concern at the funding cuts to BEMAC and the 20 other community arts organisations. He feels that the loss of grass roots community arts organisations such as BEMAC will dramatically change the Queensland cultural landscape through the lack of representation in the arts of diverse groups.
For twenty years BEMAC has been providing employment for thousands of multicultural and multicultural inspired artists.
This year the organisation has been successful in securing over $300,000 in project grants from the Australia Council and local government. The funding cut now puts in jeopardy the ability of the organisation to deliver these projects. It would seem there is confidence in the organisation on a Federal and local level, but none on a State level. Without these funds we are unable to employ staff, and pay our operational costs and therefore serious and responsible consideration must be given to closing the organisation and our duty under the Incorporations Act to avoid insolvency.
Other organisations who have been denied further funding are the Arts Law Centre, Queensland Community Arts Network, Kooemba Djarra Aboriginal Theatre, Vulcana Women’s Circus and Hands On Art Children’s Art Centre, to name a few.
Letters can be sent to:
The Premier of Queensland, Mrs Anna Bligh
ThePremier@premiers.qld.gov.au
General Office
Phone: 07 3224 4500,
Facsimile: 07 3221 3631
PO Box 15185
City East Queensland 4002
cc to:
Leigh Tabrett
Deputy Director-General
Arts Queensland
GPO Box 1436
Brisbane Q 4001
leigh.tabrett@arts.qld.gov.au
Chris Bowen
Director, Music & Dance
Arts Queensland
GPO Box 1436
Brisbane
Q 4001
chris.bowen@arts.qld.gov.au
Rod Welford
Minister for Education, Training and the Arts
Parliament House
Cnr of George and Alice Streets
Brisbane, QLD, 4000
Ph: 07 3237 1000
educationandarts@ministerial.qld.gov.au
BRONTE MORRIS
Director
Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre
Yungaba 120 Main St Kangaroo Point Qld 4169
PO Box 7299 East Brisbane Qld 4169
Tel: 07 3391 4433 Fax:07 3391 2802
Email: mailto:director@bemac.org.au
Website: www.bemac.org.au
FOR YOUR URGENT ATTENTION !
BEMAC FUNDING CUT BY ARTS QUEENSLAND
The Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre has had its operational funding application cut by the Arts Queensland.
“We are shocked to hear that the only multicultural arts servicing organisation in South East Queensland has been denied operational funding by Arts Queensland. BEMAC has been linking refugee and migrant communities with opportunities for professional development of artists, employment in all major festivals and events and engaging with grass roots artists to encourage cross cultural and cultural exchange thereby contributing to the Queensland cultural landscape for over twenty years” Director Bronte Morris said today.
The BEMAC Chairman Rossven Naidoo has invited all BEMAC members, supporters, audiences, stakeholders and friends to send a message to the Minister for the Arts, Hon Rod Welford to voice their concern at the funding cuts to BEMAC and the 20 other community arts organisations. He feels that the loss of grass roots community arts organisations such as BEMAC will dramatically change the Queensland cultural landscape through the lack of representation in the arts of diverse groups.
For twenty years BEMAC has been providing employment for thousands of multicultural and multicultural inspired artists.
This year the organisation has been successful in securing over $300,000 in project grants from the Australia Council and local government. The funding cut now puts in jeopardy the ability of the organisation to deliver these projects. It would seem there is confidence in the organisation on a Federal and local level, but none on a State level. Without these funds we are unable to employ staff, and pay our operational costs and therefore serious and responsible consideration must be given to closing the organisation and our duty under the Incorporations Act to avoid insolvency.
Other organisations who have been denied further funding are the Arts Law Centre, Queensland Community Arts Network, Kooemba Djarra Aboriginal Theatre, Vulcana Women’s Circus and Hands On Art Children’s Art Centre, to name a few.
Letters can be sent to:
The Premier of Queensland, Mrs Anna Bligh
ThePremier@premiers.qld.gov.au
General Office
Phone: 07 3224 4500,
Facsimile: 07 3221 3631
PO Box 15185
City East Queensland 4002
cc to:
Leigh Tabrett
Deputy Director-General
Arts Queensland
GPO Box 1436
Brisbane Q 4001
leigh.tabrett@arts.qld.gov.au
Chris Bowen
Director, Music & Dance
Arts Queensland
GPO Box 1436
Brisbane
Q 4001
chris.bowen@arts.qld.gov.au
Rod Welford
Minister for Education, Training and the Arts
Parliament House
Cnr of George and Alice Streets
Brisbane, QLD, 4000
Ph: 07 3237 1000
educationandarts@ministerial.qld.gov.au
BRONTE MORRIS
Director
Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre
Yungaba 120 Main St Kangaroo Point Qld 4169
PO Box 7299 East Brisbane Qld 4169
Tel: 07 3391 4433 Fax:07 3391 2802
Email: mailto:director@bemac.org.au
Website: www.bemac.org.au
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
ESL Shop: Please Discuss?!
I've been hard at work on an online EthnoSuperLounge Shop recently, and it's now partially ready. I would like your opinions on pricing of downloadable songs by local world music artists. Please don't comment here but rather join the discussion on the EthnoSuperLounge Forum here: Price for downloading songs/CDs.
Other recent topics on the forum: Difficulties faced by non-Indians in learning Indian music
: Music: The Ultimate Yoga?
Other recent topics on the forum: Difficulties faced by non-Indians in learning Indian music
: Music: The Ultimate Yoga?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sitar and Bhajans
Last night's Global Soul Music Vol 2 was a big success! Thanks to all who came. First set was Saikat Bhattacharya on sitar performing Raga Desh: Alap, Jor, Jhala, Gats in Vilambit and Drut Teentaal. Second set was Bhakti featuring Yani, with some beautiful bhajans and vocal improvisations. Thanks also to the Bhaktas (Alicia, Steff and Pete), Menaka and Ravi for joining in the jam, and as always Alicia on the door, Sheri on sound and Core Yoga for the space.
Sheri of divinearts.net also has some photos of Global Soul Music Vol 1, as well as last night's Vol 2 including this one of Saikat:
Bhakti invited guest singer Menaka Visvanathan to join the chorus
Menaka will perform at next month's Global Soul Music with Tibet2Timbuk2
Sheri of divinearts.net also has some photos of Global Soul Music Vol 1, as well as last night's Vol 2 including this one of Saikat:
Bhakti invited guest singer Menaka Visvanathan to join the chorusMenaka will perform at next month's Global Soul Music with Tibet2Timbuk2
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Brisbane Bengali Durga Puja
Tonight I had the honour of taking part in the Bengali Society of Queensland (BSQ) Durga Puja Cultural Night. My Guru-ji of tabla is Bengali and so I have very warm feelings for that distinctive Bengali atmosphere. As well as musical and dance presentations, some children recited Bengali poetry. They were really cute, but unfortunately I couldn't get any good photos of them. Here are some photos that did come out:
The altar for Durga Puja
L to R: Ganesha's wife (a banana tree dressed in a sari), Ganesh-ji, Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, Karthik
The altar for Durga PujaL to R: Ganesha's wife (a banana tree dressed in a sari), Ganesh-ji, Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, Karthik
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Kora session @ Forest
It was one of my best World Music Wednesday sessions at The Forest yesterday, with regulars Ravi (jazz guitar), Tony (vocals/bongos) and myself (tabla) joined by Aden on kora. Aden's beautiful kora made an excellent base for the rest of us to improvise with, and Ravi & Tony's soloing was wonderful. Thanks heaps Aden - always welcome!
Thanks to Ruth for taking the photos!
Thanks to Ruth for taking the photos!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Qld Multicultural Festival
Some photos of Qld Multicultural Festival on Sunday. For most of the day, I stayed at the Ceremonial Stage, which featured more acoustic traditional world music acts.
RAASA - guest artist Tunji Beier (excellent Indian/world music percussionist), Dave Fernandez (tabla), Armando (bansuri), Yuval Ashkar (oud)
Dheeraj Shrestha (tabla) and Saikat Bhattacharya (sitar)
Brisbane folks: please look out for my concert with Saikat in West End on Sat October 27.
Efiq Zulfiqar
"Sounds of Peace" - Cieavash Arean (tar), Shen (tabla), Vijaya Visvanathan (vocal), Menaka Visvanathan (vocal), Asim Gorashi (oud)
RAASA - guest artist Tunji Beier (excellent Indian/world music percussionist), Dave Fernandez (tabla), Armando (bansuri), Yuval Ashkar (oud)The set was very impro and they had a "lucky finish" in the second piece (ie they all stopped at the same time, luckily). It was really nice to see Armando again after a few years. After the RAASA set we went and played a little bansuri-tabla together under a tree nearby.
Dheeraj Shrestha (tabla) and Saikat Bhattacharya (sitar)Brisbane folks: please look out for my concert with Saikat in West End on Sat October 27.
Efiq ZulfiqarEfiq played flute and percussion with a soundtrack of Javanese gamelan. He's a talented musician - unfortunately I didn't get a chance to chat with him after his show. It would be interesting to work with him.
"Sounds of Peace" - Cieavash Arean (tar), Shen (tabla), Vijaya Visvanathan (vocal), Menaka Visvanathan (vocal), Asim Gorashi (oud)This is my newest ESL combo and it's a very nice group. We actually don't have a name yet, and asked the audience for suggestions - the one I like the most was "Sounds of Peace", although I hope for something more........
Set list:
1. Song from Vijaya (not the one we were expecting!)
2. Sufi song featuring Asim on guitar and whistling - sweet and beautiful
3. Turkish song featuring Cieavash on oud
4. "Payo ji mene" - featuring Vijaya and Menaka
5. Sudanese song by Asim on oud
6. "Aum Namah Shiva" - bhajan led by Vijaya and featuring beautiful vocal solo by Cieavash
Set list:
1. Song from Vijaya (not the one we were expecting!)
2. Sufi song featuring Asim on guitar and whistling - sweet and beautiful
3. Turkish song featuring Cieavash on oud
4. "Payo ji mene" - featuring Vijaya and Menaka
5. Sudanese song by Asim on oud
6. "Aum Namah Shiva" - bhajan led by Vijaya and featuring beautiful vocal solo by Cieavash
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Forest session on Youtube
Friend Murray has uploaded a short vid of one of my Wednesday sessions at The Forest, featuring Alicia on mbira, Sam on whistles, George on accordion, Tony on bongos...
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