So long

I finished my new grad year yesterday. I thought I would be high fiving every man and his dog, yet I felt melancholy that it was all over.

To cheer myself up I scrolled through my playlist and stumbled across Soko.

A couple of years back I saw Soko playing at Sunset sounds, “I’ll Kill her” had been on high rotation on triple J for the last 6 months – after hearing it thirty odd times I started to hate the song with a passion.

Given there was nothing else of note playing during her festival time slot I decided to give Soko a shot. A petite French girl with a cheeky demeanour hit the stage – after one song I was intrigued. By three songs in I was a fan. By five songs I was filing it away as one of the top 10 gigs I been.

Then her voice turned gravelly and a tear trickled down her face, suddenly it built up into a torrent of tears. Yet she kept singing about dandy cowboys, baby cats and wet dreams. The crowd started to call out, asking her what was wrong, people offered hugs, speculation that someone she knew passed away or that she had a broken heart ran rampant. Yet she kept battling through the songs. Finally with one song to go she announced in her lilting accent that she was retiring.

Gosh it’s sad when a good thing comes to an end.

Especially when you didn't realise how good it was till it was gone.

Raindrops are swell

[Rain Dance]

There's always a risk of wild weather crashing an outdoor shindig. At some festivals you take this into account despite "reliable" weather reports - always pack the gumboots for Splendour, 30+ sunscreen for Homebake and an extra jumper for Falls in Marion Bay.

But beautiful Brisbane, which prides itself for it's weather being "beautiful one day, perfect the next", threw a curve ball.

Jiving to sweet sounds whilst the sun sets between tropical rainforest canopies is absolute bliss - even when Brisbane receives record breaking amounts of rain.

Would Woodstock be as awe inspiring if Yasgur's farm didn't turn into a sea of muck and mud?

[Woodstock]

Sometimes a slick production is overrated, who could have planned for:

- The skies opening up and drenching the crowd just as Cold War Kids started singing "Hang me up to dry"

- The impromptu Slip N' Slide in front of the main stage

- The stage lights illuminating the sea of glistening ponchos during "Bloodbuzz Ohio" by The National

- Punters sinking down low and getting loose in the mud whilst doing The Twist with the Yacht Club DJ's

- A rousing rendition of "Rain drops are falling on my head" by the foxy Washington

- The fashions on the field: from bin liners to plastic tables to a Twister game mat - the punters became creative with their attempts of staying dry

- Feeling like we were on a sinking shipas water lapped around our bare ankles during Angus and Julia Stone

I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

[Sweet sleep]

Partner in crime

[photo via: Fashion gone rogue]

Everyone needs a partner in crime.

My sister is mine.

We don't hesitant in pulling out "the shopping trolley", "sprinkler" or "christmas tree" at any given moment - not even a down pour could stop us during Yacht Club DJ's at Sunset Sounds.

She isn't addicted to running or Greek Yogurt like I am. She's addicted to cheesy action flicks circa 1980s such as this, this and this. Though she loves Nancy Mitford just as much as I do. She's also an amazing cook.

So say hello to my sister Mishy, as she'll be baking, sauteing and flambéing you something soon.

Feast of Festivals

I feel like i've accomplished alot for a Sunday evening.

I've basically obliterated my bank account, but it's never felt so good to be so strapped for cash.

Besides securing tickets for Sunset Sounds a fortnight ago, I have just bought tickets to Glastonbury AND Benicassim! 2011 is shaping up to be the year of music festivals. Fingers crossed for the impeding line-up announcements.

Note to self:

For Glastonbury buy some Wellies.

And a boat.

For the Spanish summer buy some sunscreen.

That boat will come in awfully hand at - Aquarama!! Awww yeah.

Sounds like summer

Bleak skies, bleary eyes and abrupt sunsets begone! I'm yearning for summer dresses, backyard BBQ's and morning runs minus gloves and a jacket.

Blooming Brush Strokes

Soda Fountain Dress

Skyline blue

It seems that it's not just all in my head as my body is craving the sun - i must be the only person to return from three months on the central coast with a vitamin D deficiency.

I'm not the only one thinking about summertime - this past week has brought a slew of summer festival line-up announcements and i'm tickled pink just thinking about it.

My money is on Sunset Sounds - which has to be the most chillaxed music festival in Australia - bunker down in a hotel, brunch with friends, check out Brisvegas' amazing art district before moseying along to the botantical gardens for an evening of music. Bliss. And the perfect way to avoid festival fatigue [i'm still recovering from Splendour - which was two weeks ago!]

INTERPOL (USA)

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS (USA)

KLAXONS (UK)

THE LIVING END

THE NATIONAL (USA)

ANGUS AND JULIA STONE

TAME IMPALA

PUBLIC ENEMY (USA)

LADYHAWKE (NZ)

COLD WAR KIDS (USA)

THE SOFT PACK (USA)

SLEIGH BELLS (USA)

PEACHES (USA)

PAUL KELLY

KITTY, DAISY AND LEWIS’ (UK)

THE COOL KIDS (USA)

DAARA J FAMILY (AFR)

HOT HOT HEAT (CAN)

ASH GRUNWALD

CHILDREN COLLIDE

THE MIDDLE EAST

CLOUD CONTROL

BOY AND BEAR

YACHT CLUB DJs

WASHINGTON

CHARLIE PARR

JUNIP (SWE)

THE MORNING BENDERS (USA)

THE BAMBOOS

TIJUANA CARTEL

CHRIS BAIO (USA)

...though hold the phone - i'm getting festival fatigue just looking at that lineup..however i'm sure the Soda Fountain Dress will keep me on the dance floor all night long - booyah! Bring on summertime!