National Celtic Festival, a cultural, educational and wild affair

Celebrating some of the brightest Celtic musicians, performers, artists and poets on offer, the normally quiet bayside town of Portarlington comes alive this June for three days with the annual National Celtic Festival.

Nick Skubij, the man behind the world’s most famous vampire

With a resurgence in vampire fiction and fascination with vampires, shake and stir theatre co’s adaption of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula comes timely in showing the origins of the myths and stories, creating a dark and absorbing thriller production.

Pierce Brothers are back and better than ever

It’s been two years since we’ve heard any new music from the boys, but by the sounds of it, they’re back and better than ever. In case you missed it, Melbourne folk-pop duo Pierce Brothers are back in full swing with the announcement of their new EP ‘The Records Were Ours’.

The Sweethearts are keeping the party alive

Twenty-eight years of existing and the Sweethearts are still creating amazing opportunities for young emerging female talent in the Geelong region, with the most recent being a chance to tour through Europe to some of the world’s biggest festivals.

Geelong Gallery welcome new Deputy Director Penny Whitehead

Strong leadership, strong initiative, excellent negotiation, presentation and interpersonal skills and motivation, as well as a passion for art, are all the qualities needed to take care of a gallery’s behind-the-scenes business, and are exactly the skills the Geelong Gallery has found in newly appointed Deputy Director Development and Commercial Operations Penny Whitehead.

World Sideshow Festival, a one of a kind sideshow celebration

It’s not often that the town of Ballarat becomes host to elite circus and sideshow artists from around the world.

We Chat With Julia Zemiro Ahead Of RocKwiz Live

When you stop and consider everything that typically goes into a tour, it actually seems like a pretty tough gig. Imagine if, for your work, you had to ride around regional Australia with, say, Greg from marketing or Susan from accounts, living in each others’ pockets. It’d be miserable. The only way it’d work is if you got on with them famously.

Grounds of Society, the newest coffee haunt with a traditional charm

With every café comes its own identity and its own mood within the surrounding community – and the newest identity on the scene is Grounds of Society who are imparting their very own personality into the streets of Geelong.

Harry Jakamarra on his times on the road, his upcoming EP and a fascination with Indian slide-guitar

Harvesting his skills in song writing, banjo and guitar, Harry Jakamarra has also developed a fascination with Indian classical slide-guitar. The result being a truly raw and unique sound, which many describe as ‘Gothic-Australiana’.

Northlane on their most emotionally vulnerable release yet

The writing and recording of an album can often be quite a cathartic relief for a band, with many acts renting a house for a period of time to ensure minimal outside distraction in their creative experience.

Allday: the charismatic lyricist on his international move, a new album and a national tour

“Over here it’s a big country and no one knows who I am, so I figured if I come over it might push me into something bigger. Maybe I’ll have a bit more hunger and want to push myself a bit harder. I feel like good artists move to different places and suck that culture in and then spew it out.”

Geelong After Dark: Field of Beams

Geelong After Dark returns this year, and with it comes the interactive music and technology experience, ‘Field of Beams’.

The Otway Food and Fibre Showcase

The Otway Food and Fibre Showcase is back for the second time as part of Eat Local Month, displaying the Otway’s best local produce, live music, market stalls, workshops and demonstrations. Forté chat to organiser Andrew Gray ahead of the event.

Nelle Lee, the co-adaptor and love interest of Dracula

After first been published in 1890, Bram Stoker’s Dracula has maintained significance for over a century to become one of gothic horrors most revelled pieces of literature ever.

Jordan Rodrigues, chasing the dream

When it comes to careers, a lot has changed for Jordan Rodrigues and his character Christian Reed in Dance Academy. Stepping slightly away from what they know, Reed has begun teaching and Rodrigues has made a crack for the music industry.

Tumbleweed and a new sort of vitality as a band

Despite the many ups and downs over their almost thirty-year career, musical legends and purveyors of ‘90s stoner rock Tumbleweed reunite this year in support of fellow Australian rockers and long-time friends Spiderbait.

Lior on freeing his voice, his time in a musical and being immersed back into the album and touring ways

Gifted, powerful and gentle are often the words used to describe Lior, the Melbourne-based independent Israeli-Australian writer, performer and entertainer.

Dave O’Neil on his job, keeping it fresh and his love for being on-screen

Being a comedian isn’t just your typical 9-5 job. Writing, directing and performing their own material, humorists are paid to make people laugh, and for Melbourne-based comedic Dave O’Neil, it’s the perfect job.

Desecrator VS Destruktor

This issue Forté managed to get Glenn Lynch from death metal band Destruktor and Riley Strong from thrash band Desecrator to interview each other ahead of their gig at the Barwon Club at the end of the month alongside Hidden Intent, Blackhelm and Nemesium. Have at it boys…

It was Jurassic Park’s Ian Malcolm thatinspired Adam Glynn to go solo

If you’ve been around Australia’s metal scene for a while, you’ll almost certainly recognise the vocal chords of Adam Glynn.

Liz Stringer, the hardest working person in Australian music

For some, playing music is a choice made later in life; the thrill of performance, the comradery of being in a band, or even the more far-fetched pursuit of riches all being part of the appeal.

Abe Anderson, Geelong’s own aspiring acoustic talent

Abe Anderson has always aspired to be a professional musician and songwriter, a journey that even took him to television where he was featured on The Voice back in 2012, which Abe says was a truly surreal experience.

The Cactus Channel On Working With Ball Park Music’s Sam Cromack And Creating Music With Endless Possibilities

Melbourne’s The Cactus Channel have been pushing the boundaries of soul music since they first formed back in high school.

Sarah Blasko on going solo and a record about the agony and ecstasy of life

If you think you have a firm grasp on Sarah Blasko’s sound, you are probably wrong.

 

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