Gig4 - Salamanca Art, Hobart, Tasmania Feb.4th

Tasmania, it's where I was born and bred, a place I was keen to get away from but now I'm mostly away it the place I enjoy getting back to the most. It's always a tricky on Hobart, it's the beast I'm yet to tame and one I've been trying for a while, it's become blatantly obvious (like a smack in the face) that it needs to be changed up. We had a great line-up, reputable venue and good promo but somehow only managed 10 payers on the door, brutal! Salamanca Arts were a little stressed to say the least. I've come to the conclusion than unless you're receiving regular local or tripleJ airplay one must initiate some epic marketing strategy. One of the local guys on the night was like 'Fascebook, has let me down....' mistake number 1 I say, I wouldn't trust facebook as far as I could kick it.

None the less the drive to Hobart was interesting and the one home was even more with a little interaction with some bored but friendly Police officers from Oatlands station (the middle of fucking no where in Tasmania) who decided my very marginal amount over the speed limit at 1:30am in the morning warranted me being pulled over and cautioned. My tactics for dealing with the Police, get out of the car and meet them half way, be straight and honest and then ask nicely for them to give you a 'caution' and if all else fail blame the NIN Pretty Hate Machine album that you're cranking in the stereo.

AXXONN Remixed

It's now available! Includes a host of amazing remixes from many great artists both in Australia and abroad including Scott Arford (USA), Jonathan Boulet, Little Scout, Toy Balloon and much much more.

Reviewed recently it was described as "Like a thick, chocolatey desert and a refreshing after mint treat."

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE

PURCHASE HERE from Sonoptik (All monies go to THE AUSTRALIAN SPINAL RESEARCH FUND)

Gig 2/3 - Smiths Alternative Bookshop/Transit Bar, January 29th Canberra

I've played multiple shows in one day before but not AXXONN, I was wondering how I might shape up as AXXONN becomes more physical and with the temperatures souring in Canberra.

Canberra is a bazaar place, always will be. I spent about 3 years of my life there studying at The Australian National University, something I'm very appreciative of BUT I never, not once, got any kind of feeling for Canberra as a place, I'm not hating on it, I just don't feel anything - neutral.

Stuart (New Weird Australia/Tour Manager) and I arrive in Canberra, 'apocalyptic' I think are the words Stu used as we drove in and I had to agree, for the nations capital it was wickedly quiet. We arrive at out accommodation, something Stu had organised and i was a little out of place, it was Sydney crack-den to 4* suite by the lake, I wondered if Stu was going to pop the question or something. The only time I'd ever experienced such goodness on tour was when I got the lucky dip hotel on bookings.com in London and it worked out to be the Hyatt Hotel in Paddington, pure ass not choice though.

Gig3 for the tour was once again another sweat box, my poor Nord Keyboard is going to need a serious bath after this tour if this heat keeps up, I don't suspect Brisbane will be much different. Joined on the night by KASH + CRASH THE CURB the crowd was relative disinterested with most being there for cheap drinks (I think) or Kasha, local triplej exports. Either way I bent some minds and had a blast so all it all it was successful, I was even challenged soon after by a young arts student ( who i predict is currently in her second year and looking and conceptual rationales in art) wanting to know AXXONN's agenda, "What kind of context does it have?" "Is it political or social?, I clearly told her it was religious and she seemed happy with that.

The back to Sydney Sunday

One last stop in Sydney on the way to Tasmania for gigs 3/4. I stayed with old pal Scott Morrison and he schooled me on the ideals of buying a new muscle car vs an old muscle car when I move soon to the USA, very informative and mind changing, Dukes of Hazzard it will be!

More Shots from GIG1 'Sweat Fest' Sydney January 28th

by Miles Martignoni

GIG1 Smoke Face - Excelsior Hotel Sydney, Friday 28th

by Miles Martignoni

The friday night show should have been retitled 'Sweat Fest 2011'. I dig band rooms generally because they have low ceilings and they're tight sound wise meaning feeling them with sound is no problem (+ the smoke can't escape). This was the first gig for AXXONN for 2011 and after a break of nearly 2-months (something I'm not very accustomed too) + there hadn't been much time to revamp the set as i havd been on tour right up to this show doing 'Tom Hall' shows.

I was actually a bit nervous but after hitting the first distortion pedal it all just drained away, the new set is probably the most fun to date with a nice mix of improv, old and new stuff with plenty of room to take left turns. Overall I felt it was well responded too although I wouldn't really know as i was quite delirious from heat exhaustion towards the end of my set.

The other acts were all pretty amazing especially Breathing Shrine who blew the roof of the place, it was their last show in Sydney also as Rob Mayson (one half of Breathing Shrine) heads to the USA late February.

I've always had a hard time playing in Sydney, crowds, people, booking shows so I was super relieved to end this phase of touring/AXXONN on a high note.

Tour commences tonight!

I'm staying in a 'crack den' near central, it's conveniently located to the venue, there's good coffee below, the room has hi-speed ethernet and a pick television (it may or may not work, I haven't tried) and I caught Holy Fuck last night at Sydney Festival - all in all 8/10 for the start of the tour.