Unfortunately I’ve been really awful about documenting this wonderful trip. I don’t know if my camera has left my computer bag this entire time - it’s embarrassing how much reminding I’m required to keep visual records. Peats Ridge Festival was really great. It happens in the Glenworth Valley about 45 minutes outside of Sydney over NYE each year. The surroundings are beautiful, high mountainous greenery on all sides. Abundant smiles every direction - and all kinds of different scenes. Dance tents, dub tents, indie rock tents, folk tents, disco tents, carnivalistic paraders, stilt walkers, face painting, body painting, paint painting, hippies, scenesters, rockers, stoners, you name it. Everyone getting along in a safe but fun environment.

Charlie Parr has been a real pleasure to support the last number of gigs. He’s a stand up gent, even though he sits when he performs - a real sweetheart and one hell of a string-picker. It’s been a total joy to finish the set, sit back with a beer and enjoy his old-time banjo and guitar tunes. I’ve been joined on stage with a drummer (Lee) and guitarist (Cam) who I’ve poached from a really great Australian band called Dead Letter Chorus. They’re coming to Canada in March to play at Canadian Music Week and then will open for the pride of Charlottetown, Two Hours Traffic, across Canada afterward. So go see their shows and treat ‘em well. I’m also joined, of course, by my wonderful pal Michael-Owen Liston on the upright bass, aka Antlers and Anchors. PS - finding an upright bass in Australia is like finding a kangaroo in Canada.

Coming up is a rather exciting venture with a duo called Folk Uke, who craft illusively sweet songs out of fairly crass humour. They are Amy Nelson (daughter of Willie Nelson) and Cathy Guthrie (daughter of Arlo Guthrie) and I must say I’m rather looking forward to meeting them.

We’ve had a few days off to enjoy the heat and relax. I’ve been demo’ing some new songs and catching up on emails. Every now and then I indulge in a few episodes of Arrested Development (thanks Neil). Life is grand. Thai food, coffee, shorts, palm trees, wireless internet.

Dan

ps. and here’s Grant Lawrence with an Australian story of his own: