If any level of the Australian Government cared about culture, the operating costs for live music venues like rent, insurance and legally required minimums of security at would be subsidised, capped or classed differently.

People owning and running these venues are not property developers or people pocketing money/equity from increased land value … they aren’t even running a traditional business – they’re spending their life/time contributing to the good of society.

Venues like this are regularly closing down across the whole country and nothing has been implemented to reverse it in my lifetime.

Now music festivals can barely operate either.

We are destined for mediocrity in this country and will never have anything similar to the vibrant cultures of Europe, Asia or the Americas if all levels of Government keep insisting on listening to lobbyists from insurance groups, property developers, car manufacturers, mining companies etc etc etc and allowing them to influence laws that impact our lives.

Playing keys on a few tunes this week …. Great sounds from @uaudio and @weareuvi

Yesterday’s portable setup.

#musicproducer #musicproduction

Churning through takes on the guitars for the last few weeks.

Some typically brilliant cover art by @lixcreative for @jayson_shep’s upcoming album.

Beth Lucas’ latest ‘Rearview Mirror’ will be featured this week on #ABCCountry starting Monday @ 9pm AEDT / 8pm AEST.

Cube in the jungle.

Earlier today – Mtns Beerwah, Coonowrin, Ngungun, Tibrogargan and others towards Brisbane CBD.

One of my all time favourite projects and memories – with the legendary and deadly @kahlwallismusic.

Great to be working with these cats again (with Mark Henman on the drums).

Cool shot of the portable rig with Universal Audio Apollo X4, Genelec The Ones, IK Multimedia’s insanely good ToneX for guitar tones and the drag and drop glory of PreSonus Studio One!

Good evening #Brisbane – let’s make a heavy rock EP.

Late finish.

Just a couple of guys trying to look cooler than we are.

@jayson_shep has been smashing out his rocking 90s tunes with me for years – appreciate the trust ✌🏻

Today’s portable setup in #Brisbane for guitar and vocals on two songs from an album project.

Vocal and bass magic box. #Pultec

Have been singing an inordinate amount of backing vocals in the last day or two … but hey it’s another feather in the cap!

Just kissing the needle on kick and snare. #1176 #musicproducer #musicproduction #mixingengineer #mixingandmastering

Fade away #musicproducer #musicproduction #mixingengineer #mixingandmastering

A couple of microphone + interface packs heading out tomorrow for artists to perform at home with. One going to Melbourne, one getting a personal delivery with a smile* in Brisbane.

*Smile not included

Starting a mobile furniture displacement business with alt-country gun @bethlucasmusic.