Tattooing The Surface Of The Moon

Notes on Sound - An Overload Poetry Festival event.

2011-09-13T15:38:00.002+10:00

Tonight I'm excited about performing at Notes on Sounds. I'll be doing a 20 min set accompanied by piano accordion and BANJO! We had a quick rehearsal last night and things went swimmingly well. Also on the bill are two of my favourite Melbourne poets, Andy Jackson and Jessica Alice, they will also be accompanied by musicians. Entry is by a measly gold coin donation. Hope to see you there.
It's at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel, 681 Sydney Road, Brunswick. 7:30 pm.
More details here.

Overload Poetry Festival fundraiser tonight!

2011-08-07T11:12:00.001+10:00

Myself and the Interim Lovers will be performing Softly & Suddenly in full for the Overload Poetry Festival fundraiser tonight. Joining us will be Jessica Alice, Luka Lesson and DJ Lapkat. The evening will be hosted by the amazing Omar Musa. All proceeds from tonight go to the Overload Poetry Festival. So come along and support the warm beating heart of poetry in Melbourne. It's an early gig, kicks off at 5:30.

Sean M Whelan & Isnod play the Builders Arms!

2011-05-19T15:36:00.000+10:00

VERY pumped about this gig happening tomorrow night with my new collaborator, Isnod AKA Damian Stephens. If only for the damn sexy poster that Damian designed above. Like it? I sure do.
Also excited about our guests on the evening, Jeff Williams, ex Acuffs Rose, current Clear Spacemen member will be doing a sweet solo set for us. And also joining us will be the wonderful Genevieve and Jezebel. 'Jezebel' is a beautiful concert harp whose sounds will take you to another world.
Dig it.

Sean M Whelan & Isnod play Renaissance

2011-04-23T10:04:00.000+10:00

Myself and Isnod are playing the Renaissance Festival today!
We're on about 1:30.

For more details of the festival check out their Myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/renaissance_festival

Two Gigs this weekend with new collaborator Isnod

2011-04-09T17:51:00.001+10:00

Very excited to have a two gig weekend with Isnod.
Tonight we're performing at a benefit for Japan called Concert for Sendai. We're on between 8-9pm.
Tomorrow, Sunday the 10th April, we're special guests of White Minus Reds April residency at the Builders Arms in Fitzroy.
Here's the blurb for the show.

Melbourne duo White Minus Red blend analogue and digital sounds to create a unique flavour of liquid dream-pop / folktronica. Having played at a multitude of festivals and venues around Melbourne, they have refined their approach and have an arsenal of fresh material and are set to stun.
They have a residency at The Builders Arms on Sunday evenings throughout April and each week will be joined by an interesting array of local talent.
On Sunday the tenth of April they will be joined by the fresh new collaborative project of the amazing producer, Isnod who has been performing in various outfits in Melbourne and around the world and Sean M. Whelan, renowned writer and performance poet who has simillarly been around the creative traps in a multitude of projects. The pair are combining spoken word poetry and sensitively arranged beats and soundscapes to create an immersive experience of arresting beauty.
Also joining us will be Encyclical, brainchild of Dani Kirby, whose classical training filters through her contemporary, new media sensibilities, creating delicate melodic, multidimensional gorgeousness.
You should definitely come and treat yourself to some of Melbourne's freshest and finest.
$7/5
Doors open at 7:30 and show finishes at 11pm so it's civillised for a school night ;)

Hope to see you at one or both of these shows!
x.
smw.

Tattooing the Lane: Eltham

2011-04-04T16:30:00.000+10:00

As part of the Australian Poetry Cafe Poet program I'll be performing two half hour sets at The Lane in Eltham tonight. I'll also be talking about the processes behind my poetry and performance.
This event will take place on the 4th March at St Laurence Lane, Eltham, VIC, Australia, 3095. 7pm. $5 entry. Bookings can be made on 03 9431 5263.

Dream Machines Launch

2011-03-24T23:09:00.000+11:00

Tomorrow night I'm participating in a very exciting event that is the culmination of 5 years work for an amazing artist by the name of Mish Cahill. Her works called 'Dream Machines' will be on display and I've been asked to write and perform a poem especially for this event. There's going to be all manner of other surprises too, with a big turnout. I recommend getting there on time so you don't miss a thing.

6:30 pm.
Victorian Artists Society.
430 Albert Street, East Melbourne Victoria, 3002

Lavender

2011-03-09T22:27:00.000+11:00

Walking down a suburban street I crush lavender leaves in my hand as I pass and raise it to my nose and I remember that time you saved my life in mexico I was so sick from something couldn't keep anything down not even water and you kept bringing lavender oil to my nose to try and keep me calm and I'll always be grateful for that. always.

Dawn Conspiracy HERoe event today.

2011-03-05T10:03:00.001+11:00

BREAKING NEWS: FEMINISM NOT DEAD
Are you tired of hearing that “feminism has failed”? Are you curious to know more about the vibrant, exciting culture of feminism alive and kicking in your very own city? Did you know 2011 marks the centenary of International Women’s Day?

The Dawn Conspiracy takes you inside Australian Feminist Culture in the lead up to IWD 2011 (March 8th), bringing together performers, writers, poets, musicians, comedians and other thinkers, taking the pulse of feminist culture in our city and finding it in fine form.

HERoes
Inspired by the 22 year old Grace Darling who saved a group of ship-wrecked sailors in
1838, a series of panellists will introduce their female heroes and explore the issues around heroism and the feminine. An exhibition of video art will further expand the narrative, and the evening will celebrate female heroes through music and performance.
Saturday 5 March, Grace Darling Hotel, Smith St Collingwood, 2pm-1am

I'll be speaking at this event today at 2pm about one of the few female beat writers, Diane Di Prima.

Tattooing the Surface of the Moon performed live at Willow Bar

2011-03-04T12:00:00.000+11:00

Andrew Watson and Sean M Whelan perform live at Willow Bar tonight!

2011-03-02T14:57:00.001+11:00

pic by Michael Reynolds.

My co-conspirator Andrew Watson is performing a rare solo set at Willow Bar tonight. The first set will be just Andrew and for the second set I'll be joining him for a few poems.
7:30pm.
free entry.
222 High Street, Northcote.

See ya there.

Debut performance with Isnod tonight! Horse Bazaar.

2011-02-23T15:51:00.000+11:00

After setting the scene over February at Horse Bazaar, on Feb 23rd DIALECTIC goes live with some guests!!!

featuring: ISNOD meets SEAN M WHELAN in person, in their first ever live onstage spoken word / music collaboration...

plus FOLCORE COLLECTIVO AUDIOVISUAL members DJ El Timbe & VJ O'Video stream in from BARCELONA... 10pm

and of course DIALECTIC residents LAPKAT and 555.

Japanese fare is served up from 5pm and the DIALECTIC sounds and visuals kick off from 8pm. Gold coin donation during live performance.

ARTIST BIOS:

ISNOD: Music composer Isnod has been performing solo and collaboratively for nearly six years. He has done a variety of things on his musical path, including support for artists as diverse as Mike Patton, Luke Vibert and Squarepusher. Damian has also proven a dab hand at remixing tunes for a variety of folk and at being commissioned for soundscape-y soundtrack work. He has created several soundtracks for contemporary dance pieces; composed sonics for several short films; and created a soundscape for the Melbourne Fringe Fashion Festival made entirely from sounds recorded backstage on the night of the parade. When DJing, he has been known to set the dancefloor alight. Literally.

SEAN M WHELAN: Sean M Whelan writes for performance, paper and pixels. He has published two books of poetry, Love is the New Hate and Tattooing the Surface of the Moon. He programs Babble, a long running spoken word event in Melbourne and is one of the co-coordinators of Liner Notes, a series of readings that are spoken word tributes to iconic albums. Sean also performs his poetry and stories with a band called The Interim Lovers. An album by the Interim Lovers called ‘Softly & Suddenly’ was released in October 2010. He has just begun working with Isnod, recording a commissioned piece for Red Leaves, a joint Japanese/Australian literary journal.

Folcore Colectivo Audiovisual

EL TIMBE: DJ, El Timbe, currently residing in Barcelona, is a great exponent of the new, international tropical sound, and forms part of the audiovisual collective folCORE. His sets represent an injection of clean, fresh energy. The technique for his sessions is very precise and based on his infinite collection of music, the tastiest and newest styles that spring up daily all over the world. Nu Cumbia, Kuduro, Baile Funk, Kwaito, or Dumbia, are just some of the styles that fight it out in his sets. TIMBERISM is his new series of mixtapes edited by GENERATION BASS, and they are turning out to be a storming success. At the moment he is working from his studio in the Raval, in Barcelona on new sonic crossovers, the most bastard sounds, in search of a new alchemy in tropical rhythms.

VJ O'VIDEO: VJ O'video y su Opendesktop” is a digital artistic performance. It's collage of fixed and moving images with digital brushes. It's the result of an investigation over the possibilities to unify different applications to manifest an idea or an artistic creation translated to a V-jing realm. The manipulation of this open system, the fusion of static images and in movement works as a live act and opens the possibilities to a digital gestural expression. One of the objective of the project is to open the act of creation trough art and technology to people. Showing a different format to rise the interests towards the use of new tools for the artistic creation and raise the creativity. It's important to underline the simplicity and functionality of the interface. During the investigation I realized how the possibilities are much more opened then I thought at first.
___

DIALECTIC : weekly wednesdays in February at Horse Bazaar in Melbourne

global exploratory beats meet multi-lingual spoken word

featuring LAPKAT (Lisa Greenaway) & 555 (Brendan Palmer)

8.30pm onwards (8pm in LIVE nights) ... free entry

LAPKAT is Lisa Greenaway, a spoken word specialist, for the last five years editor of global literary / spoken word journal "Going Down Swinging". Her LAPKAT DJ tangent explores the intersection of music and other sounds with the human voice. Voices speaking in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Arabic, Persian, Hindi, French, Dutch (and beyond) feature, as well as found voices and atmospheres, sound artists and atmospheric moods.

555 (cinco cinco cinco) is Brendan Palmer, the brains behind Uber Lingua, a trans-cultural DJ and host of nationally syndicated Dialectic Radio. For 5 months in 2010 Brendan toured Europe, absorbing, performing, gathering sounds, conducting interviews, and sending Dialectic episodes back to Australia from Berlin, Cologne, Southern Poland, Vienna, Budapest, London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Lisbon and Istanbul. He has returned to reveal a massive stock pile of sounds.

In collaboration and performing solo, these two will reveal audible freestyle interactions of language, culture and musicology. Come early for Horse Bazaar's now renowned Japanese menu, complimented by minimal sonic textures. Later on the energy will build.

Recorded for broadcast on Dialectic Radio, syndicated across Australia and NZ on the Community Radio Network Satellite, and over the net on http://www.dialecticradio.net/

A two hour weekly program, since 2005 Dialectic has featured contributors from places such as Mexico, Argentina, Scotland, India, South Africa, Botswana, Costa Rica, Reunion Island, Bulgaria, Brasil, France, Russia, Portugal, Switzerland, Macedonia, Indonesia, Spain, Argentina, Greece, Turkey, Sierra Leone, Israel, Kenya, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Chile, Colombia, Angola, England, Ireland, USA & Wales…

The Dialectic event seeks to extend these radio based interactions into an live club context. Though February 2011, LAPKAT and 555 will set the foundations for further conceptual expansion.

2011-02-08T22:33:00.000+11:00

Stood on the street corner in the early evening
and stopped to watched a jet plane leaving a temporary scar
on a permanent sky.
Its belly shone with the last of the sun.
We used to write our names in the sky with vapour trails.
And soon you'll do it again.
But you'll do it alone.

Fight For Love

2010-12-28T16:20:00.000+11:00

2010-12-27T17:49:00.001+11:00

I really do.

2010-12-27T16:08:00.004+11:00

I'm so sorry
the love letter I wrote you
was eaten by the sky.
I didn't know
the future
could eat that much.

Softly & Suddenly Reviewed.

2010-12-21T16:53:00.004+11:00

My recently released album with The Interim Lovers, 'Softly & Suddenly' has just received a great review written by Tully Hansen and hosted on Page Seventeen's Blog.

Here's an excerpt...
"Softly and Suddenly is a charming tale, a bedtime story of sorts for the lovelorn and poetic. The sentiment which lingers after the last bars have died away is one of hopefulness, if not happiness – a sense that there may yet be a little wonder left in the world."

To read the whole review please visit Page Seventeen's Blog by clicking below.

Page Seventeen.

Launch of the EWF Reader

2010-11-07T17:55:00.003+11:00

This Tuesday night I'm performing at the launch of the Reader.
What is the Reader?
I'll let them explain...

The Reader brings together ideas and insights into the craft, philosophy and politics of being a writer. It’s about writing and everything that comes with that: editing and publishing, motivation and distraction, the missed opportunities and the poetics of failure. With articles, essays, poems, fiction and artworks, The Reader blurs the lines between the creative and the critical, ultimately asking, what is it to be a writer?

The Reader is edited by the wonderful Aden Rolfe, who kindly asked me to be a part of it.

I have a piece in there on public speaking, which I shall be sharing with the room on Tuesday night.
Come along to Horse Horse Bazaar, 397 Little Lonsdale St, 6pm.

As Much.

2010-09-23T09:31:00.003+10:00

As much as an owl can carry on its back.
As many books as a fox can learn to read.
As many spokes on a wheel.
We go on and on and on.
As much as our hearts can stand.

Softly & Suddenly at the Brisbane Festival

2010-09-17T11:10:00.002+10:00

Sean M Whelan & The Interim Lovers played our first show of Softly & Suddenly at the Metro Arts Studio last night. The show went very well! Very happy with the venue, we were all so relieved to discover we wouldn't have to bump in and out every day and we could leave the stage setup as we're the only ones using the venue during that period.
We have three more shows of the festival to come and I have a feeling each one will get better and better. We're also heavily documenting this with two camera footage and desk recordings so hopefully you'll be able to view some of the show online before too long. Melbourne lauch details of Softly & Suddenly coming soon!

The Confession Files

2010-07-16T11:05:00.002+10:00

Tonight as part of the Crime and Justice Literary Festival I will be performing in a show called The Confession Files. Some might recall I have done this show once before at La Mama under the steady directing hand of Kieran Carroll. But this is a little different, a changed lineup, Emilie Zoey Baker out, Michelle Dabrowski in. Also we have Andrew Watson writing and performing music with this one.

The Confession Files.
What does it feel like to witness a crime and not say something? How can you suddenly snap one day and hurt the person you love? How do you ruin everything you have desperately worked so hard to keep? Can there ever be absolution or atonement? Can there be true forgiveness?

A night of monologues, poetry, passion and lyrical confession of crimes.
288 Albert Street, Brunswick.
$10/$7.

Hope to see you there.

Performing at the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe tonight!

2010-06-26T06:12:00.002+10:00

Very excited to announce that I'll be performing at New York's famous Nuyorican Poetry Cafe tonight.
I have read there once before, but it was a long time ago, way back in 2002 and I'm quite a different performer now.
Not sure what they'll make of me this time but i do know they always get big enthusiastic crowds so it should be a hoot.
If you're in NYC come on down. Show starts at 8.30.
Wish me luck!

You want me to do WHAT?

2010-05-30T10:00:00.001+10:00

I'm one of the members of this panel at the Emerging Writers Festival today.

You want me to do WHAT?
So you’re published and now you’re expected to give readings, go on radio, appear in public, sign books and talk about your work. But you’re a WRITER! These writers talk about the promotional side to their work – tips they have picked up about speaking in public, how to perform your work well and the art of the soundbite.
With — Natasha Campo, Katherine Charles, Declan Fay and Sean M. Whelan. Hosted by Daniel Ducrou.

Yarra Room.
Melbourne Town Hall.
12.30pm.

Dog's Tails at the Dog's Bar Tonight!

2010-05-13T16:55:00.002+10:00

Damn, I've been a little slack with this whole blogging thing lately.
Anyways.
Tonight I'm pretty excited about this gig. It's a reasonably new Storytelling weekly event in St Kilda. Curated by two wonderful peeps by the names of Chris Flynn and Josephine Rowe.
Also reading with me will be Chloe Jackson-Wilmott.
54 Acland Street, St Kilda.
8pm
Free Entry!
This gig had a profile piece in The Age this week so I reckon it will be a full house, so be early if you want to get in!

Sean M Whelan & the Interim Lovers gig tonight!

2010-04-22T11:33:00.001+10:00

As part of their April residency the lovely Genevieve & Jezebel have kindly invited us to support them.
Also appearing are Sainthill.
We'll be performing Softly & Suddenly in full. A poetry and music response to Lewis Carroll's 'Hunting of the Snark.'

Read You Bastards IV

2010-04-07T11:42:00.003+10:00

I'm performing tonight at a wonderful event called Read You Bastards. It's at the Empress Hotel in North Fitzroy.
Here's their blurb on it below. Be great to see you there. (please disregard my misspelt surname in the poster.)

Part six of Read You Bastards, our April edition, delivers guest readers: Michaela McGuire (Apply Within, The Age) and Sean M Whelan (Tattooing the Surface of the Moon). Erik Hecht (Insititut Polaire) will sing your little socks off too.

As always we are open mike, so bring your delicious dishes of poetry, short fiction and non fiction to read to us bastards.

The mike is yours for up to four minutes, in between you might enjoy our saucy second hand door prizes, beer and tantalising bar food.

So please, come read, you bastards.

Candy & High

2010-04-06T21:44:00.003+10:00

My visual 'poem' contributed to the G.P.S. site (that's Global Poetry System) has been chosen as a feature poem. I really dig this concept of uploading poetry wherever you may find it.
Check it out here http://gps.southbankcentre.co.uk/poems/972/one_thing_leads_to_another
And contribute something yourself. Melbourne is under-represented! (Especially for a City of Literature.)

Babble returns to Bar Open

2010-03-08T22:27:00.002+11:00

Going Down Swinging #29 launched tonight!!

2009-11-17T10:57:00.003+11:00

Very excited to be performing for only the second time with my smoking new band, The Interim Lovers tonight!
We'll playing Softly & Suddenly from start to finish, plus a new composition, A Ghost in The Golden Sheep Massage Parlour.
All this for the launch of Going Down Swinging #29. My favourite Aus Lit Journal. Also performing is the most definitely soon to be ultra famous Josephine Rowe, plus the super charming Andy Jackson and Chris Flynn, along with the dazzling Maxine Benaba Clarke. And more! As usual the debonair Michael Nolan will be hosting the night.
This will be a corker!

Notes From The Underground - A Revolution in Words

2009-10-21T10:54:00.003+11:00

Very excited to be performing tonight at my favourite venue in Melbourne, the lushly decorated Forum.
Notes From The Underground is part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and features some very talented writers on the bill. Including Alicia Sometimes, MC Mantra, Telia Neville and one of my newest collaborators, the wonderful Michelle Dabrowski.

Featuring at Wordplay tonight!!

2009-10-08T11:58:00.003+11:00

I'm very pleased to be featuring at what is one my favourite regular readings in Melbourne. My good friend Geoff Lemon puts a lot of work into curating these events and the big audiences who attend these readings, (always 100 plus) are testament to that.

Here's what Geoff has to say about this one...

This is not quite the final Wordplay - there are still two more after this. But it is my last one before I take off to South America. And given I've breastfed and hand-raised this baby for the past three years, I've taken the egomaniac liberty of giving myself some stage time to say farewell.

But for the healthy proportion of you who think I'm a knob, there's far more reason to come down given the starpower wattage of everyone else on this line-up. This is beyond stellar. This is interstellar. Like Stanley Kowalski. We have:

PEZ
This Melbourne MC has had a meteoric rise to fame over the last 12 months, with his Festival Song becoming by far the biggest Australian hip-hop hit since 2003. It's had 2.6 million plays on Myspace alone, as well as getting hammered on national radio. Pez is a cunning and passionate lyricist, with a well-established fondness for the a cappella side of hip-hop. The first time I saw him play, he was rapping a cappella to 6000 drunk dudes from the main stage at Pyramid Rock. And he was good enough to make them love it. I think he can handle us.

FELICITY WARD
Another quick rise to stardom, this time in the field of comedy. Felicity Ward's Ugly as a Child Variety Show was a huge hit at the last Melbourne Comedy Festival, and now she's just got back from a successful assault on the massive Edinburgh Fringe (a festival, not a hairstyle. "For God's sake get rid of that Edinburgh fringe, Felicity!" This year alone she's appeared on Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, and Thank God You're Here. She will make you laugh in all the right places and cringe in all the wrong ones.

SEAN M. WHELAN
We love this guy. With his winding, gently spoken stories of a world just a bit more surreal than our own, he's entranced thousands over the years. Sean is the co-creator of the massively successful Liner Notes series (their recent Thriller gig sold out the Toff). He created the brilliant poetry/rock crossover with The Mime Set, and is back in that field with new project The Interim Lovers. Wonderful.

GEOFF LEMON
This guy talks a lot. Seriously. On the plus side, you get at least twelve months off after this. To celebrate, I'm going to perform my least-performed poem, the epic hymn to wasted ravers, dodgy ecstasy-fuelled fashion, and hilariously misspent youth that I call Point Me to the Gods. Bring your phat pants. And something to chew.

Wordplay has been a phenomenon, and you've all been amazing in your support. So I'd love my final show to go off with a bang, and to see a giant sea of all your faces having a damn good time in the crowd. Forward the invite if you can, and try to think up at least one uncultured slob who you can drag along. Or just find a lost kandy raver in the Carlton Gardens and bring them.

It's been real.

Love.

Date:
Thursday, 08 October 2009
Time:
20:00 - 22:30
Location:
The Dan O'Connell Hotel (back bar).
Street:
Corner Canning and Princes Streets, Carlton (between Nicholson and Lygon)
Town/City:
Melbourne, Australia

Elemental. An extra show announced!!

2009-09-23T22:19:00.007+10:00

Elemental, the show I'm performing in for the Melbourne International Arts Festival quickly sold out three dates. Which was brilliant news. But disappointing to those who were caught flat footed.
So I'm now very happy to announce that a fourth show and final show has been announced. This one will be on Sunday 11th April, 7.30pm.
Tickets are on sale right now!!
Hitch a ride to the cosmos on the back of a poet right here to book yourself a ticket and witness the unfolding of the universe as explained by four poets with some amazing help from video and sound artists galore.

In Between Words tonight!

2009-09-09T11:27:00.002+10:00

Tonight is my third gig in a week! I've been too busy to blog on the previous gigs but once tonight is over I'll be posting a retrospective on Liner Notes 8, Softly and Suddenly (my new band project) and See What I'm Talking About.
But first tonight!
In Between Words is a double book launch for Beautiful Waste and Vagabond Holes, both published by Fremantle Press.
Beautiful Waste is a collection of poetry written by the late, great David McComb formerly of amazing Australian band, The Triffids. Vagabond Holes is a collection of essays and articles written about The Triffids.
This should be a very special evening indeed as performing will be Evil Graham Lee and Rob McComb, both former Triffids members. As well as Judith Lucy, The Blackeyed Susans Trio, The Single Mens Drinking Club, Kieran Carroll and myself! There's also a rumour that Mick Harvey of the Bad Seeds might even perform as well.
This is a free gig. Held at Bar Open, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Kicks off at 8. And both books will be available for sale on the night too.

Looking up from the Walker Street Tram Stop

2009-08-16T12:54:00.000+10:00

Ghost Poetry Project Melbourne Launch in Pictures.

2009-08-15T15:13:00.005+10:00

Here's some pics from the Melbourne Launch of the Ghost Project Poetry by Nathan Curnow at the Old Melbourne Gaol.

Angela Meyer has a done a terrific job of capturing the event in words so scoot over to Literary Minded if you'd like to read the lowdown on the night.

Emerging Writers Festival director David Ryding and Nathan Curnow.

The fabulous Emilie Zoey Baker

Angela Meyer and Nathan Curnow

Nathan reading in the Old Melb Gaol

Launcher Kevin Brophy.

The Ghost Poetry Project

2009-08-14T11:08:00.005+10:00

Tonight I'll be attending the book launch of one of my favourite poets, Nathan Curnow. Nathan spent a year visiting Australia's most haunted sites, and then he wrote a book of poetry about it.
Nathan is a wonderful writer and performer, whose dedication to his craft I am in total awe of.
My friend Emilie Zoey Baker and I will be pouring the wine!
The venue is the Old Melb Gaol. Deets below.
Check it out.

Ten nights. Ten haunted locations. One terrifying adventure across Australia.

From a gaol cell to a lunatic asylum to a night in a haunted hearse, The Ghost Poetry Project is one poet’s attempt to find a language of guts and daring. A unique exploration of fear, courage, and the power of mystery and myth.

Launched by Kevin Brophy.
Published by Puncher & Wattmann.

Reading/Performance from Nathan Curnow
(assisted by Geoff Lemon)

The ten haunted sites:

The Chifley Suite, Old Adelaide Gaol, Picton, Monte Cristo Homestead, Fremantle Arts Centre, Richmond Bridge, Elvira The Haunted Hearse, Norfolk Island, The Quarantine Station and Port Arthur.

"This book must have the strangest-ever provenance of any collection of poetry in Australia. Only a vampire or a Nathan Curnow could have done this… These poems come drenched with the bloody and violent deaths central to the history of European occupation in this country. But they are not ghoulish or sensational. They are the real thing, both ‘transparent and completely solid’."

- Kevin Brophy

Words in Winter

2009-08-07T11:11:00.002+10:00

I'm performing in gorgeous Hepburn Springs this weekend at the lush Palais theatre. Be good to get out of the city for the day.

TWO POETS AND ONE GUITAR

The poets: gifted local performers, Sean M Whelan and Lauren Williams

The Guitar: Internationally acclaimed gypsy guitarist Lulo Reinhard, has established himself as an outstanding reputation as a composer and guitarist. Lulo expresses his artistic personality in his gypsy influences,flamenco and latin jazz

Time: 8pm Venue: The Palais,111 Main Road Hepburn Springs. Cost: $25 Dinner/show $60.00 $25 Bookings essential 5348 4849

Jasmine Morning Bathroom Window

2009-08-06T10:59:00.002+10:00

They flowered yesterday. Had to document. Now the bathroom smells of Jasmine every morning.

Under the West Gate Dreaming

2009-07-21T11:09:00.000+10:00

Tram View

2009-07-20T12:59:00.002+10:00

Never, ever

2009-07-19T23:20:00.001+10:00

He knew their love
was born from literature
the day he realised
they had never, ever
spoken
on the phone.

Going Down Swinging # 28 launched tonight!!

2009-06-10T12:03:00.002+10:00

I'm pretty excited to be performing at the launch of the latest issue of Going Down Swinging tonight. GDS is in my humble opinion the greatest lit mag in Australia. Always great content and edited by two of my favourite people, Lisa Greenaway and Klare Lanson. I'll be reprising my 'Static' piece especially commissioned by GDS. I'll be taking on the role of myself, the heart eating lion and Harvey Keitel!
Also performing is Chloe Wilmott Jackson, Quinn Stacpoole and the irrepressible Nathan Curnow.
The whole shebang is hosted by Melbourne's greatest MC, Mr Michael Nolan.

Last Tuesday Society

2009-05-26T10:47:00.002+10:00

artwork by the lovely Tai Snaith.

I'm very pleased to be part of the psychedelic carnival that is The Last Tuesday society tonight!
I'll be performing a poem that involves a heart eating Lion, Harvey Keitel and Larry Emdur.
Also appearing is...
2009 Golden Gibbo Winners The List Operators
Tek Tek Movement
Captain Ruin from The Caravan of Doom
Dance Master Di Reid
Fresh from the oven of the Melbourne Comedy Festival A Lot of Bread
Poet Laureate Telia Nevile
Bron Batten’s Welcome to the Jungle
Hosted by Baron Richard Von Higgins

7.30pm.
Yah-Yah's.
99 Smith St, Collingwood.

North American Tour Dates!!

2009-01-29T13:51:00.003+11:00

I leave on Tuesday afternoon for our amazing tour of Canada and the U.S. with my poetry posse, the super wonderful Alicia Sometimes and Emilie Zoey Baker.
What an amazing adventure this will be.
All the dates below for my North American Peeps or for any poetry groupies who simple want to follow us on tour. Come on, there must be some of you out there?!

Vancouver
Wednesday Feb 4 2pm Wax Poetic 102.7FM
Co-op radio
Then at 7.45pm
The Spillious Speak n Sing
Cottage Bistro 4468 Main street

Ottawa
Friday February 6
11:30am
An invitation from The Australian High Commissioner! His Excellency Justin Brown
the High Commissioner's Residence, 407 Wilbrod Street.

Then the next night:
06 Feb 2009, 7:30PM, Hear from Melbourne - National Arts Centre - Fourth Stage
53 Elgin Street Ottawa, Ontario Hear from Melbourne.
Four of Australia’s Hottest Performance Poets!
The A B Series in association with Kevin Matthews presents four acclaimed Australian performance poets,
Alicia Sometimes,
Emilie Zoey Baker,
Justin Ashworth and
Sean M Whelan,
on The National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage.
The evening’s program will be hosted by CBC Radio’s Alan Neal. Cash bar Reception and book/CD signing to follow
Tickets $18 available at The National Arts Centre Box Office and online through Ticketmaster http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=42371229108&h=H4tjO&u=O8XB0
also check the website here at
http://abseries.org/node/63

Toronto
Feb 7th, 08:00 PM @ Cervejaria 842 College. Toronto, Ontario Cost:$5
:A night of Poetry and Poets slammin, reading and jazzin Emilie Zoey Baker, Sean M Whelan and Alicia Sometimes along with Toronoians David Silverberg and crew plus American poet Christian Drake $5

Montreal
February 8-13, 2009 Festival Voix d’Amériques FVA showcase February 10, 8.30pm
MEL versus YUL ou Melbourne meets Montréal Casa Del Popolo
4873, Boulevard Saint-Laurent
with Emilie Zoey Baker, Sean M Whelan, Justin Ashworth and Montrealers Corey Frost, Puggy Hammer and The Capital of Plastic Daffodils. Hosted by David McGimpsey

Going Down Swinging #27 launch
Lancement de la revue
Wednesday February 11, 5 – 7pm Casa Del Popolo
4873, Boulevard Saint-Laurent with Emilie Zoey Baker, Sean M Whelan, Justin Ashworth, David Prater and Montrealers Ian Ferrier, Victoria Stanton and Fortner Anderson.

New York City
15 Feb 2009, 06:00 PM - The Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery Street (Between Houston and Bleecker) New York City, New York Emilie Zoey Baker, Cristin Aptowitz O’keefe, Shappy, Sean M Whelan and Justin Ashworth Three of Australia’s top performance poets battle it out with New York’s finest, a night of spoken word, sass, vagina’s, spacemen, music and the word moist. mail@bowerypoetry.com
212-614-0505

Chicago
22 Feb 2009, 08:00 PM - The Green Mill Bar in Chicago. Green Mill Jazz Club 4802 N. Broadway Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60640,
Best Slam in Illinois! the Uptown Poetry Slam. Sean M Whelan and Emilie Zoey Baker book: 773.878.5552
email: greenmill@comcast.net
web: http://www.greenmilljazz.com/poetryslam.html

Postcard Poetry No. 6.

2009-01-27T00:33:00.002+11:00

Featured at Indiefeed Performance Poetry Podcast

2009-01-24T10:25:00.003+11:00

On the cusp of my impending tour of North America I'm pretty damn thrilled to be featured at Indiefeed's Performance Poetry Podcast, straight outta New York!
Alongside my buddies alicia sometimes and Emilie Zoey Baker.

Thank you Mongo and Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz for making this happen.
Have a listen here!

Interviewed at Literary Minded

2009-01-19T22:05:00.002+11:00

An interview with myself and my very good friend (and amazing poet) Nathan Curnow appears today at Literary Minded. A freaking incredible Literature blog run by Angela Meyer. I am blessed to be amongst its pages. Thank you Angela, you are wonderful.

postcard poetry no. 5. come back when it's cold

2009-01-14T01:15:00.001+11:00

A Walk Through Westgarth

2009-01-05T00:04:00.003+11:00

Woodford and Online Interview.

2008-12-27T08:15:00.003+11:00

Okay, one of my New Years resolutions is definitely to be a better blogger.
In the meantime I'm about to get on a plane and fly to Queensland to perform at the Woodford Folk Festival! I'm doing two shows with The Mime Set and Emilie Zoey Baker. And a solo spoken word set. These are my last shows with The Mime Set! Which is quite sad.
Also Graham Nunn has started a new blog for which he interviewed me. You can see the interview here.
http://grahamnunn.wordpress.com/

See you in the new year, a better blogger I will be!

smw.

Melbourne launch of my new collection of poetry.

2008-11-05T10:44:00.004+11:00

Tomorrow night (Thurs 6th Nov) I'm very proud to say I'll be launching my new collection of poetry titled 'Tattooing The Surface of the Moon'. It's published by Small Change Press. This will also be a very special (and slightly sad occasion) because this will be my very last gig in Melbourne with musical act The Mime Set. We have been collaborating since 2005 and have done many amazing and rewarding shows together. If you've never seen us perform together and have been curious then tomorrow night in Melbourne is your last chance! (Our ultra last gig together will be at the Woodford Folk Festival in QLD over New Years.)
Below is the details of the gig. Hope to see you there.

SEAN WHELAN BOOK LAUNCH
Launch of Tattooing the Surface of the Moon
A new book of poetry by
Sean M Whelan
With special guests THE MIME SET
Small Change Press is excited to launch it's final title for 2008, Tattooing the Surface of the Moon by acclaimed Melbourne spoken word artist, Sean M Whelan.
Whelan is a writer of poetry, prose, visual poetry and works for performance. His work has been widely published in the likes of Going Down Swinging & Best Australian Poems 2008. In 2007 he was a special guest of the Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale in Indonesia.

Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz - New York City Slam Poet Champion - says:
"Haunting, provocative and lavishly surreal, Sean M. Whelan's latest collection of poetry is a glittering stand out."
Special guests: The Mime Set (last Melbourne performance ever!)
Small Change Poets: Graham Nunn & Pascalle Burton
hosted by David Stavanger
Launched by Steve Grimwade (Melbourne Writers Festival, Triple R FM)
8.30pm free entry
Thurs 6th November.
Bar Open, 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.

Signs as Prophets

2008-10-20T17:14:00.003+11:00

Brisbane Launch of Tattooing the Surface of the Moon.

2008-10-19T23:38:00.005+11:00

I'm very excited to say that this coming Thursday I'll be launching my brand new book in Brisbane! My publisher, Small Change Press are based in Brisbane so I'm really looking forward to catching up with the two fine poets behind SCP, David Stavanger and Graham Nunn. I'm very grateful for their faith in me.
I have very fond memories of Brisbane from my involvement with the Queensland Poetry Festival and my performance at the Love Poetry, Hate Racism event with The Mime Set. It's also where my friendship blossomed with such golden souls as Mandy Beaumont and Giselle Di Paolo.
The launch is at the Queensland Writers Centre on the 23rd October, 6.30pm.

I'm also performing at the State Library of Queensland on Sat 25th October. This event is the State Final of the National Poetry Slam. I'll be doing a set between the poets slamming it out for their chance to represent QLD at the National Final being held at the Sydney Opera House.

If you're in Brisbane, I hope to see you sometime this weekend.

x.
s.

ps Melbourne launch of Tattooing the Surface of the Moon is on Thursday Nov 6th at Bar Open. More details here soon!

The Confession Files.... in pictures!

2008-10-14T09:38:00.004+11:00

Last night was the second performance of The Confession Files. For me personally I felt a bit more relaxed about it all. It's such a nice change to do a repeat performance of a show as so many of the shows I do are for one night only.
Tonight is the last night! So if you're curious about the crimes we're confessing to, then come along!

2008-10-07T00:42:00.002+11:00

I can hear my footsteps bounce off the wall.
Change moving in my pocket.

The light
throws my fingertips across the concrete.

Static - Melbourne Writers Festival

2008-08-26T23:34:00.008+10:00

Doing a very big show this weekend at The Melbourne Writer's Festival. It's called Static and is a collaborative piece that's been commissioned by those sexy folk at Going Down Swinging. (use many, buy lots.) I'm very lucky to be doing this show with the help of alicia sometimes, Nathan Curnow and musician and good buddy of mine, Quinn Stacpoole. Also it's been a pleasure to be directed by Kieran Carroll. A long time acquaintance but this is the first time we've really worked together.
We've all written separate pieces based on the theme of Static, with Quinn scoring it all. I decided to write my piece about a lion with the face of Harvey Keitel who comes to my door to eat my heart. Now you'll have to come along to see what happens.
This Friday night, at the BMW Edge Theatre in Federation Square.
On the same bill is the highly rated American poet, academic and performer, Tracie Morris. I'm really looking forward to seeing her.
To book tickets go here.

Pecha Kucha

2008-08-05T23:19:00.004+10:00

This Thursday I'm very pleased to be involved in an unusual event called Pecha Kucha. Basically the format of the night is that each presenter is given 6 minutes and 20 frames of images each showing for twenty seconds each. The night first started in Tokyo. I think for the most part the presenters are visual artists or architects, so I think it's unusual for a writer to get the gig. I will be presenting in tandem with the amazing Beck Wheeler. A wonderful visual artist who has been turning my poems into incredible works of art. I'll be reading my story Disappointment is the Evil Bunny of Misery's best friend to a slide show of Beck's art work.
Below are more details of the event.

Pecha Kucha is a night of creative presentation!

eight creative types get 6 minutes of time to present their ideas, designs, stories or artwork over a
slideshow of 20 frames.

20 seconds a frame = six minutes of fame.

on the menue is...
Jeffrey Bernett - NYC based designer - guest of Saturday In Design
Hugo Davidson - Industrial designer
Sarah Parkes - Artist
Steven Cornwell - Graphic designer

Sean M Whelan - Performance poet (with artist Beck Wheeler)
Rory Hyde - Architect + RRR broadcaster
Harald Grundle - Vienna based designer - guest of Saturday In Design
Nathan Gray - Artist + musician

DJ Declan Kelly plays before and after the presentations
Horse Bazaar - providing digital art for your viewing pleasure
BYO business card for door prizes!

Night opens at 6, presentations at 8.

Pecha Kucha is a worldwide thing.
www.pecha-kucha.org

Overload Poetry Festival Opening Night

2008-08-01T17:33:00.004+10:00

I'm performing tonight at the opening to the Overload Poetry Festival.
Also joining me on stage will be the following talented indivuals;
Jennifer Harrison
Geoff Lemon
Ella Holcombe
Steve Smart.
The whole evening will be hosted by the wonderful Josephine Rowe.
The gig is at Dantes Restaurant, corner of Napier and Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
Should be a hoot.
Come on down.
Kicks off 8.30pm.

s.

Liner Notes Vol 5. Nirvana's Nevermind!!

2008-07-08T21:29:00.004+10:00

I'm proud to say another volume of Liner Notes is about to be unleashed.
Liner Notes is an ongoing series of events that matches Melbournes finest writer/performers to the classic albums of our time.
Liner Notes Vol 5 is a spoken word response to Nirvana's groundbreaking 1991 album Nevermind. The record that broke down the wall between 'alternative' and 'mainstream.'
Twelve tracks - twelve writers respond.

Our line up is....

SIDE A.
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Anthony O'Sullivan.
2. Bloom - alicia sometimes.
3. Come As You Are - Paul Mitchell.
4. Breed - Dan Lee.
5. Lithium - Emilie Zoey Baker.
6. Polly - Julez.

SIDE B.
1. Territorial Pissings - Ben Pobjie
2. Drain You - Chloe Jackson.
3. Lounge Act - Justin Heazlewood.
4. Stay Away - Kieran Carroll.
5. On A Plain - Sean M Whelan.
6. Something In The Way - Josh Earl.

Hosted by Michael Nolan.

Music by The Heavy Cases (playing Nirvana covers and a set of original tunes.)

Entry by donation!

"Here we are now. Entertain us!"

Bar Open. Thurs July 10. 317 Brunswick St. Fitzroy. 8.30pm.

Love in Bright Landscapes fundraiser tonight!

2008-06-22T14:35:00.002+10:00

Hello Friends,

Tonight, at The Corner Hotel, The Mime Set and myself are playing with the great Melbourne lineup of The Blackeyed Susans, Mick Thomas, Chuck Jenkins and The Diving Bell in a night that honours songwriter David McComb, frontman of seminal Australian band The Triffids.

Our friend Jonathan Alley (you may have caught him on RRR on Sunday afternoons) is making a labour-of-love documentary about David's life, work and influence and this gig is a fundraiser for the doco. All the acts are doing songs of or inspired by Dave McComb/The Triffids so it's a great introduction to McComb's body of work for the uninitiated and (hopefully) soulmusic for existing fans.

Tickets are $20 and it's an early one, starting from 6pm. The Corner has great food in the front bar if you're after dinner.

Things To Do With Words

2008-06-04T12:33:00.000+10:00

Things to do with words

Deakin University's School of Communication and Creative Arts invites you to a special event: 'Things to do with words'

Thursday 5 June 2008, 11.00 am–3.00 pm

Where: da2.004, KD Stewart Centre,
Deakin University, Waurn Ponds

Admission: Free

Deakin students, high school students and community members are invited to attend this free event to hear guest speakers share advice about careers related to literature and writing.

Guest speakers include:

* Helen Garner (the Geelong-born, multi-award-winning author whose books include Monkey Grip, The First Stone, Joe Cinque’s Consolation and, most recently, The Spare Room);
* Joel Deane (the speech writer for the Victorian Premier and the author of a novel, Another, and two books of poems, Subterranean Radio Songs and Magisterium); and
* Agnes Lindop (a Deakin graduate and publicity manager at Penguin).

The event will also feature a special spoken-word performance, Sweet Cowboy, by the award-winning Melbourne performance poets Emilie Zoey Baker and Sean Whelan.

For further information on this event please contact: Dr Maria Takolander on email maria.takolander@deakin.edu.au

Liner Notes Vol 4: A spoken word tribute to The Cure!

2008-05-13T14:51:00.003+10:00

Liner Notes is coming back at ya.
Q. What is Liner Notes?
A. Poetic responses to iconic albums of our time.

One writer is chosen for each track and asked to respond whatever way they like.

Vol 1 was David Bowie's Hunky Dory
Vol 2 was The Velvet Underground & Nico
Vol 3 was Madonna's Like A Virgin

and now Babble is proud to present Vol 4
The Head on the Door by The Cure!

Side A
1. In Between Days - Mandy Beaumont.
2. Kyoto Song - alicia sometimes.
3. The Blood - Dan Lee.
4. Six Different Ways - Emilie Zoey Baker.
5. Push - Klare Lanson.

Side B.
6. The Baby Screams - Ben Pobjie.
7. Close To Me - Montrice Shumpert.
8. A Night Like This - Sean M Whelan.
9. Screw - Marc Testart.
10. Sinking - Chloe Jackson Willmott.

Hosted by Three Imaginary Michael Nolans.

House band is The Heavy Cases providing their own unique interpretations of Cure classics.

Entry by donation!

Thursday 15th May
Bar Open, Fitzroy.

Australian Poetry Centre Festival

2008-04-25T11:10:00.002+10:00

On Saturday night I'll be performing Sweet Cowboy with Emilie Zoey Baker at the first Australian Poetry Centre festival in Castlemaine.
We're performing on Sat 26th April at the Phee Broadway Centre.
See www.australianpoetrycentre.org.au/ for the full program.

Blue Velvet Bar Reading

2008-03-11T22:29:00.003+11:00

This Thursday night I'm performing at the Blue Velvet Bar in Collingwood.
The convenor of this event, the esteemed Geoff Lemon has written a wonderful little blurb about the whole event.
So I'll let him sell it for me....

Yes, after the dwarf month of February it's that time again. Velvet time! Which is much like Hammer time. But softer. And easier to upholster furniture with. This month we have:

Ben Pobjie
One of the literal and metaphorical giants of the Melbourne performance arena, Ben wavers between spoken word, stand-up, and storytelling, much like our revered Blue Velvet sensei, the honourable Crazy Elf. You will be half delighted, half horrified. In which case you may wish to block one ear.

Chenoah Ellis
is Canadian. Don't get that mixed up. Especially with that weird little country just south of there. Seriously, don't. It will be bad for your health. She is a deliciously fresh new voice in a choir of otherwise boring old cadavers who don't so much sing as make semi-tonal flatulent noises when build-ups of gas escape from holes in their carcasses.

Ben Ezra
has mercifully escaped from the awful, trashbag clutches of Sydney, NSW. With styles that range from tongue-twisting hip-hop wordplay to gravel-sung blues explosions, who knows what he will bring? And who cares? Just take what the man gives you and be grateful! When I were a boy...

Sean M. Whelan
The poet laureate of my mind. Known for his spoken word fusion project with rock band The Mime Set, Sean is one of the most distinctive and charming voices currently weaving tales in this country. His poems are stories - elegant, surreal, meticulously crafted, and always softly beautiful. When he's reading, there is nowhere else that you should be.

Come on down. You can't afford to miss it. As ever, bring your friends, as many as you can. If they hate it, I'll offer some obscenely biological forfeit in the adjoining alleyway. Now that's a guarantee. Forward this mail on to people who might be interested, send me names of people who want to be on the mailing list, and all the rest of that fine, fine jazz.

Poets Breakfast at the Shepparton Arts Festival

2008-03-07T16:10:00.002+11:00

This Saturday morning at the unlikely time of 8:30 am I will be performing with my good friend Terry Jaensch at the Poets Breakfast as part of the Shepparton Arts Festival. If you happen to be in Shepparton at 8:30 Saturday morning, then please swing by the Spaghetti Hollow restaurant in Wyndham St and join me and Terry for a good stiff cup of coffee.

Hey, Hey, Which Way?

2008-03-02T23:19:00.002+11:00

The above illustration was created by an incredible Melbourne based artist by the name of Beck Wheeler. It was based on my poem, 'Dear Elliott, written on the death of American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith.
Beck has been doing works based on my poems for about a year now, after we randomly met each other through MySpace.
This Tuesday night, the 4th March, an exhibition of Beck's work will be opening at the Uber Gallery. The work above will be part of the exhibition, amongst many other wonderful pieces.
I've also been asked to read my poem Dear Elliott at the opening.

Uber Gallery is at 52 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.
'Hey, Hey, Which Way?' opens on Tuesday the 4th March at 6:30pm.
The exhibition runs until the 30th March.

Liner Notes Vol 3. In pictures!

2008-02-24T00:50:00.009+11:00

Last Wednesday Babble hosted the third volume in the Liner Notes series. Liner Notes is a series of readings I founded which are spoken word tributes to iconic albums of our time.
It began in 2006 for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the first volume of Liner Notes was in tribute to David Bowie's Hunky Dory album.
Then in 2007, again for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Velvet Underground's 'Banana Album' was given the Liner Notes treatment.
The nights have been so successful I've decided to run them more often than just once a year for Fringe.
The concept is simple, match a writer to each track on the album and ask the writer to respond in any way they like.
Mostly the responses are in a poetic form, but there's also monologues and comedic approaches.
I'm pleased to say that this last volume of Liner Notes was the best ever!
The quality of work was astounding. Not just from the writers but also from the house band for the night, The Heavy Cases. Their unique takes on Madonna classics were brilliant.
The host of the evening, Michael Nolan, was in excellent form and educated us about Madonna in ways I didn't think were possible.
In the past Liner Notes have always been one night only, but Vol 3 was such a great success that I am thinking seriously of a return performance of this one sometime in the near future.
In the meantime we do have another Liner Notes booked for early May.
Which album?
Well, I have a few in mind, but I'm keeping it under wraps... for now.

Michael Nolan our glorious host.

Phil Norton responding to Material Girl

alicia sometimes takes on Angel

Chloe Jackson reclaims Like A Virgin

Ben Pobjie turns Over and Over on its head.

Sean M Whelan does Love Don't Live Here Anymore

The Heavy Cases and Michael Nolan sing up a storm

Steve Smart reinterprets Get Into The Groove

Emilie Zoey Baker takes us through Material Girl, on tape!

Dan Lee tells it like it is - Shoo-Bee-Doo!

David Prater is the Pretender

Terry Jaensch takes us home pleading us to Stay.

Babble presents Liner Notes Vol 3 - Madonna's Like A Virgin!

2008-02-17T23:54:00.003+11:00

It's time for Liner Notes Vol 3 at Babble this Wed the 20th Feb.
Liner Notes is an original concept first started by Babble for Melbourne Fringe in 2006.
Here's how it works, a classic iconic album is chosen. Then for however many tracks there are on the album an equal amount of writers are also chosen. Then they're randomly assigned to their tracks. After that their mission is to respond to their allocated track in whichever way they see fit.
Liner Notes Vol 1 - David Bowie's Hunky Dory.
Liner Notes Vol 2 - Velvet Underground's 'Banana Album.'

And now presenting Liner Notes Vol 3 - Madonna's Like A Virgin.

Here's the lineup.

Madonna - Live A Virgin.

Side A

1. Material Girl. – Phil Norton
2. Angel. – Alicia sometimes
3. Like A Virgin - Chloe Jackson Wilmott
4. Over and Over – Ben Pobjie
5. Love Don't Live Here Anymore – Sean M Whelan

Side B

6. Into The Groove – Steve Smart
7. Dress You Up – Emilie Zoey Baker
8. Shoo-Bee-Doo – Dan Lee
9. Pretender – David Prater
10. Stay – Terry Jaensch

Also helping out with deconstructed Madonna covers and a healthy dose
of their own originals will be The Heavy Cases!
http://www.myspace.com/theheavycases

The whole shebang is hosted by the irrepressible Mr Michael 'Material
Boy' Nolan.

Where: Bar Open Upstairs, 317 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
When: Wed 20th Feb.
What time: 8:30
How much: $7 entry.

One show only! Don't miss out!

'Dead Of Night' themed contribution for Photo Friday.

2007-11-30T17:27:00.000+11:00

Taken at Dennis Station, Northcote around 2am.

Sean M Whelan & The Mime Set with Emilie Zoey Baker present Sweet Cowboy

2007-10-09T09:09:00.000+10:00

Part magical realism, part Morricone, part poetry, part spoken word, part rock and roll, part sweet, sweet country and all Sweet Cowboy.
Wed 10th Oct.
ONE NIGHT ONLY.
10:30pm
The Toff in Town.
Level 2, Curtin House.
252 Swanston Street, City.

Going Down Swinging #25

2007-09-17T14:29:00.000+10:00

The new issue of Going Down Swinging is being launched this Tues night at the Northcote Social Club. I have a brand new track on the CD, a recording with myself and The Mime Set called Disappointment is the Evil Bunny of Misery's Best Friend.
We're going to be performing at the launch and will be sneak previewing our brand new Fringe Festival show, Sweet Cowboy. Our new collaborator and special guest on the night will be Emilie Zoey Baker.

The Rooftop Bar Gig - in pictures!

2007-09-15T17:53:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday to celebrate the third birthday of my collaboration with The Mime Set we played a very special gig on the Rooftop of Curtin House.
We did two sets and not even the rain cutting short our second set dampened the spirit of the evening. As you'll see in the pics!
This was also a unique gig as it was the first with drummer Bec Matthews. Hopefully the first of many!

Setting up the stage.

Sam Wareing.

Sam Wareing

Justin Avery.

Justin Avery.

Jonathan Shannon and Andrew Watson.

Jonathan Shannon.

Me and Sam Wareing being shielded from the rain by the wonderful Rooftop Bar Manager, Emily.

A special celebration.

2007-09-08T20:32:00.000+10:00

It's been three years since I started collaborating with musical act, The Mime Set. We've written two Fringe Festival shows (Death To Your Dreams 2005 and LCUK 2006), are a currently working on our third, Sweet Cowboy.
To celebrate this fact we're having a party!
Sunday 8th September, 7pm, at the exquisite setting of the Rooftop Bar, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street. High above the streets, amongst the stars and the city lights we're going to do a free performance of two 45 min sets, which will cover most of the work we've written together to date. Plus a couple of surprises thrown in.

Back from Indonesia and having a very special event already!

2007-09-05T01:13:00.000+10:00

Hello, I'm back from the Utan Kayu Literary Biennale in Indonesia. It was truly a mindblowing experience which I will blog about in greater detail soon.
But for now I just wanted to quickly let you know about a very special collaboration I've begun with an amazing artist by the name of Beck Wheeler.
Beck has been creating illustrations based on some of my poems, for which I feel totally blessed.
Here's a sneak preview of a couple of them.

ELVIS TEARS

DISAPOINTMENT IS THE EVIL BUNNY OF MISERY'S BEST FRIEND.

Tomorrow night (I know it's short notice but I just got off a plane!) there will be a group exhibition called Hung By The Sticky Bits at Until Never Gallery in Hosier Lane which will contain four of these works and much much more. Check out more previews of the exhibition here.

UNTIL NEVER Gallery: 05th - 29th September 2007
OPENING NIGHT 05th September 6-8PM
http://www.myspace.com/citylightsuntilnever
2nd Flr 3-5 Hosier Lane (enter from Rutledge Lane),
Melbourne

Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale and TERRA: A Bilingual Anthology from WordStorm

2007-08-20T00:10:00.000+10:00

I'm very pleased to announce that this Wednesday I'm flying to Indonesia to participate in the Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale. This is a very exciting festival taking place from the 23rd-30th August featuring some of Indonesia's finest poets and authors as well as visiting writers from many other countries. Events are taking part in Jakarta and Magelang. I feel very privileged to be asked to be involved and I give many thanks to the director of the festival, Sitok Srengenge, an incredible poet himself. I also must give thanks to Sandra Thibodeaux who first introduced me to Sitok at Wordstorm, the Darwin Writers Festival in 2005. Sandra has since become director of Wordstorm herself and has recently overseen the publication of TERRA: A Bilingual Anthology from Wordstorm.

My poetic tribute to singer songwriter Elliot Smith, called Dear Elliot, has been published in this anthology and for the first time ever my work has been translated into Indonesian.

TERRA contributors include the illustrious, iconic and emerging (in alphabetic order): Kaye Aldenhoven, Nukila Amal, Peter Bakowski, BenEzra, Mark Bowling, Jane Camens, Ze’sopol Caminha, Linda Christanty, MTC Cronin, Gregory Day, Marian Devitt, Peter Docker, Nick Earls, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Melchior dias Fernandes, Kieran Finnane, Richard J. Frankland, Pru Gell, Dorothea Rosa Herliany, Alec Kruger & Gerard Waterford, Frank Moorhouse, Chris Mansell, Miles Merrill, Meg Mooney, Romaine Moreton, Leonie Norrington, Graham Nunn, Alvin Pang, Helen Pavlin, Dorothy Porter, Iswadi Pratama, Leni Shilton, Milena da Silva, Abe Barreto Soares, Sitok Srengenge, Jared Thomas, Triyanto Triwikromo, Ayu Utami, Alana Valentine, Zevonia Vieira, Sam Wagan Watson, Sean M Whelan, Terry Whitebeach and Jacquie Williams.

For more details about the book visit the NT Writers Centre website.

To see the full program of the Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale go here.

Under Star Poets at Federation Square.

2007-08-17T16:40:00.000+10:00

I'm performing with The Mime Set at an event called Under Star Poets tonight. This is at the lovely BMW Edge theater in Federation Square. Also appearing with us will be Emilie Zoey Baker. The gig kicks off at 7pm and runs until 10pm.
Also appearing will

Sugarfree Masons

Andy White

MiteyKo (aka Allan Boyd and Kevin Gillam)

Trisnasari

Ben Ezra

Lish and Steve O’Prey

Belfast Poets

Reading at Thangs Cafe, East Brunswick, 16th August

2007-08-15T23:29:00.000+10:00

I'm doing a free reading at Thangs Cafe on Thursday night. 502 Lygon Street East Brunswick. There's also an open mic and every open mic reader gets a free glass of wine!
They also do pretty good grub there I'm told.
I'll be debuting a brand new story too.

Reading at The Blue Velvet Bar - Overload Poetry Festival

2007-08-08T17:58:00.000+10:00

I'm doing a pretty special reading tomorrow night at the Blue Velvet Bar, 60 Smith Street, Collingwood, as part of the Overload Poetry Festival. Haven't done a reading without the band in Melbourne for a while. I'm also debuting a brand new piece of writing that will be appearing in the next issue of Voiceworks, called 'You Voted Zebra, I Voted Cow.'
It's a fantastic lineup of other readers too and I can't describe them any better than the convenor of the event, Mr Geoff Lemon.
So, here's his personal breakdown on the whole event in his own words below.

Nanoarts.
7:30
Thursday 9th August.

The readers.

ðO
Transliterated as PiO for those who never did Year 10 trigonometry, this man is an absolute legend of the poetry world. His business card simply reads "World Famous Poet", and frankly, that's enough. My father used to watch ðO dominating poetry readings back in the early 70s, and we're still watching him today. ðO was writing in dialectical English two decades before Irvine Welsh was hailed as 'revolutionary' for Trainspotting. This is his only listed performance for the Overload Festival. Do not miss it.

Thomas, Jack of Hearts (aka Citizen Tom, aka Tom Keily) (NSW)
Citizen Tom is jetting down from Sydney on the day itself to perform under his new title. If Prince could do it, why not Tom? This gentleman is a prince, a jack, a knave of spoken word, and captained Housecat Havoc to back-to-back Australian Poetry Slam victories. Hispoems are richly lyrical, shot through with the rhythm, rhyme and flow of Australian hip-hop. A master of the fusion of these two great arts.

Emilie Zoey Baker
EZB is Melbourne's First Lady of Sass, a comedic tour de force, and last year's winner of the Nimbin Poetry Cup. Some of you would have seen her storming through the Melbourne Slam at Glitch last December, some would've seen at her at Babble under the guise of DJ I Was Young and I Needed the Money. Some wouldn't have seen her at all cos she's just too damn fast. Here's your chance. Check out some of her poems with music at myspace.com/emiliezoeybaker

Sean M. Whelan
Sean's poetry has been going gangbusters over the past year since his teaming up with rock band The Mime Set, including the rare privilege for a poet of going on tour. In fact, such has been the buzz that we haven't seen him reading solo for a long long time, and his regular gig Babble had to go into hibernation. Now we get to see the man solo, unadorned, in the raw essence of his manhood. Eww.

Meg Dunn
One of Melbourne's loveliest. Poet, artist, and winner of Best Spoken Word Performance at the 2002 Melbourne Fringe. Some would describe her as impish, some as sweet. If she didn't like it, she'd stab you in the kidney. But in such a charming way you'd love her nonetheless.

Preacherman Says (aka Phil Norton)
Part beat poet soulman, part blues troubadour, part film noir hero, Phil Norton mixes poetry with music, visuals and anything else he can find. He even featured on a couple of tracks on sonicanimation's last album. At Blue Velvet, Phil will don his new alter ego for the first time just for us. Who knows what to expect? I have no idea.

Helen Child (WA)
Jim Morrison said, the West is the best. We have one of their finest. Helen is a veteran performer, poet and comedian with a definite penchant for the wrong, the twisted and the macabre. For us...who knows? She might do poems about why pigeons are pretty. But I wouldn't count on it.

Plus the usual hosting and cameos from myself, and you may even catch a glimpse of Mr. Overload Director Steve Smart in the flesh.

With the long line-up, we'll be starting earlier, the sets will be shorter, and things will bang through at a dynamic pace. Entry by donation in the five dollar region.

Doors open at 7:30, drink specials from the word go, and we will kick off a bit after 8:00. PLEASE come by then, or you'll miss some of the awesomeness. And there's really nothing on that bill that you can afford to miss. I'm excited. You should be. Hope to see you all packed in (another reason to get in early, if you want a seat).

Much love to everyone,

Geoff Lemon

Our first full band gig in 10 months. We're baaaaack!

2007-08-07T00:29:00.000+10:00

This Wed night, the 8th August, I'll be playing my first full band gig in Melbourne with The Mime Set since last year's Fringe Festival!
But wait, there's more.
We'll be supporting the incredible Justin Heazlewood. If you don't take my word that he's incredible, then run don't walk to his myspace page right now, or take a look here and you'll see that I'm right.
And here's something else to sweeten the deal, Emilie Zoey Baker will also be making a guest appearance as a sneak preview of the show we're all writing together for this year's Fringe Festival.
So, in short, this will be a CRACKER of a gig.
Where?
The Empress Hotel.
714 Nicholson Street, Nth Fitzroy.
8:30pm start
and it's only $8.

2007-07-27T15:35:00.001+10:00

La Mama Poetica

2007-04-15T22:54:00.000+10:00

This will be a great gig with such a bitchin' lineup. Check-check-check it out.

there will never be another

2007-04-12T23:29:00.000+10:00

Performing at the State Library

2007-04-11T22:57:00.000+10:00

As part of an event called Beyond The Page, I'll be giving a free reading at the State Library on the evening of Thursday 12th April.
Also appearing will be the incredibly cool editors of Going Down Swinging, Lisa Greenaway and Steve Grimwade. As well as Jessica Tuckerman and Luke Sinclair.
Starts at 6pm.

postcard poetry no. 4

2007-04-07T21:14:00.000+10:00

click to enlarge

Performing on Sunday night at Cabaret Diablo

2007-03-22T12:39:00.000+11:00

I'm performing with a slightly smaller version of The Mime Set at The Artery on Sunday night, the 25th March.
Show starts 7:30 and entry is by donation.
There's a few other acts on the bill too. See below for more details.

The Sternum Thief
The mystique surrounding The Sternum Thief and his obscure, yet entertaining performances has alluded this city for some time. Prepare again to be alluded.

Jezebel and froggs improvised madness
Exploring the multitude of paradox between smiling at strangers and just plain old not giving a F**K.

Chicks with Dicks

The contemporary dance duo of many genders

Phoebe

Solo singer songwriter

Vaudeville Deluxe

Performing ‘Mother Dust’, a work in progress mix of blues and noise.

Sean Whelan and The Mime Set

A meld of surreal romantic poetry with textured emotional soundtracks.

We’re at The Artery 87-89 Moor St, Fitzroy on the last Sunday of each month. If you want to go on the mailing list, shoot an email to mdotalt@yahoo.com.au and/or check out the myspace page http://www.myspace.com/mdotalt

postcard poetry no. 3

2007-03-11T17:40:00.000+11:00

click to enlarge

postcard poetry no. 2

2007-03-09T10:42:00.000+11:00

click to enlarge

An Urgent Black Shape

2007-03-03T20:01:00.000+11:00

I’m woken by the sound of urgent fluttering against glass.

Whenever one is woken unexpectedly in the middle of the night the script of being in bed is turned upside.

For the tiniest of moments I think I’m in my childhood room.

This feeling lasts only a second or two, then I’m back, my senses focusing hard on the immediate problem.

What is that sound?

In the space between the bottom of the curtain and the window frame I can see an urgent black shape.

I suddenly realise there’s a small bird in my room.

How did it get in here?

How the hell will I get it out?

It stops fluttering for a moment.

In the darkness I think I can make out a wing.

I lean forward over the edge of the bed to get a better view and by doing so I accidentally knock over the bottle of water on my bedside table.

“Fuck!” I quickly turn on the bedside lamp.

The water has spilt over the power board on the floor beside my bed.

I start mopping at it with a t-shirt.

With the light on I look back towards the space where the bird was. It’s gone.

Then in my peripheral vision I sense a big black shape. My eyes are slowly drawn up, towards the ceiling.

Up there clinging to the wall, its wings trembling slightly, is a huge black moth.

It wasn’t a bird at all.

I stare at the moth. There is something profound about its presence here.

After watching it for a while I turn out the light and try and get back to sleep.

My thoughts keep returning to the moth. As my eyes get used to the dark I can make out its silhouette.

I think about the moth possibly landing on my face while I sleep.

Why is the moth here?

Who sent it?

Who is the moth working for?

My eyes get heavier and my thoughts start unravelling and working back to the moment when I first woke up at the sound of the beating wings, when I thought I was back in my childhood room.

It was the first room I had to myself. I can’t remember how old I was. Eleven, twelve years old?

I had problems with my ear then. A perforated eardrum which would flare up periodically. This night I woke up in extreme pain. My ear was killing me. It got worse and worse. I started crying. In the first room I had completely to myself there was nobody there to hear me. I thought my parents would wake up and come to my aid. But they didn’t hear. For some reason I didn’t want to get up and go to them. I wanted somebody to come and help me.

And at that moment I realised that the price you pay for being alone… is being alone.

Electric crackles interrupt this memory.

I’m back in my present room.

Snap, crackle. What’s that sound?

I realise it’s coming from the power board.

I turn on the light. There are some drops of water on it I missed. Water must have seeped in.

Tiny electric crackles.

What should I do?

I go to wipe it again with the t-shirt then I have a sudden fear of electrocution.

What if I died right there and now? Electrocuted while trying to mop up water of my power board, with the sole witness to such a ridiculous death being a big black moth clinging to my ceiling?

I turn out my bedside lamp (I’m brave enough to touch that electrical appliance) and I slump back in bed.

Soon I can make out the silhouette of the moth again.

I close my eyes and its shape remains upon my eyelids.

The electric ticking of the water in the power board sparks little white fires upon its dusky wings as I descend slowly back into sleep.

postcard poetry #1

2007-02-04T16:46:00.001+11:00

Bill Callahan (aka Smog) live at the Rooftop Cinema

2007-01-30T01:04:00.000+11:00

Was very, very blessed tonight to be one of only about two hundred or so punters who witnessed Bill Callahan (AKA Smog) performing live on the Rooftop Cinema at Curtin House.
This was his only Melbourne performance, and from what I hear he really had to be coaxed into this one as he isn't really out here on tour, rather he is accompanying his extraordinary partner, the wonderful Joanna Newsom.
The Rooftop Cinema is such a beautiful setting for Bill's dark acoustic wanderings. Bill spent the entire gig seated, with the twinkling city lights providing the backdrop. (As you can kind of see from my crappy mobile phone pictures.)
He started off with one of my all time favourite Smog songs, Hit the Ground Running from 1999's Knock Knock album.
Other highlights included The Well and Rock Bottom Riser from his last album A River Ain't Too Much to Love.
At times the sound of the exhaust fans was a little annoying but Bill wryly joked that it reminded him of the tape hiss on his first album.
Joanna Newsom spent most of the gig sitting on the fake grass directly in front of him.
For me the absolute highlight of the evening was the end.
After performing Dress Sexy At My Funeral as a kind of encore without leaving the stage, Bill abruptly stood up and walked off.
But here's the funny part...
Because the Rooftop Cinema is on a... well, rooftop, there is no real backstage area, so to leave the roof Bill had to walk down the middle of the aisle, with Joanna following closely behind, to the rapturous applause of the audience. And some members pleading 'please don't go Bill!'
It was quite a sight to watch the two darlings of the neo-folk scene, indie royalty, walking down the aisle together.
Joanna slightly wobbly in high heels on the spongy fake grass!
Looking to all the world as if they'd just got hitched.
Lovely.

ps. I know the pics are really shitty, but my mobile was the only camera i had on me, okay!

Disguise

2007-01-28T15:26:00.000+11:00

There are two detectives standing outside my house.
They look like two sixteen year old school girls.
But I see through their disguises.
So I put on my sister's dress and I walk out onto the front yard, just to show those two lousy coppers that I can disguise myself just as well as they can.
The two 'girls' laugh at me in a convincing fashion.
I think to myself, those detectives are good.
I decide to really throw them by turning up the Lolita factor.
I turn on the sprinkler and start skipping to and fro through the water.
The dress starts to cling.
The detectives turn to jelly, they know they haven't got the goods to match that.
They turn and run.
I go back inside and return to the backyard.
I lose the dress and put the labcoat back on.
The time machine is almost ready.
If I can just get the clothesline to spin fast enough.

new audio poem published

2007-01-28T14:17:00.000+11:00

Just had an audio poem released on the new edition of the Rattapallax DVD. It's a live recording of 'A Dick of Her Own', recorded at Babble, way back in 2001, or thereabouts I think.
Although for some strange reason the publisher has re-titled the poem to 'Buried Underwear'. I have no idea why.
The DVD has got a lot of interesting stuff on it, including poetry film clips and documentaries.
You can purchase it right here, for only $6 (U.S.)

New Zealand, here we come!

2007-01-22T23:48:00.000+11:00

Yes, for the very first time, myself and my sexy creative partners , The Mime Set are taking our poetry/rock 'n' roll show on the road.
In a very short while we'll be doing several dates in Wellington for the Fringe Festival there and a show just outside of Wellington at Paekakariki for the Out There festival.
Really looking forward to it, if you're in New Zealand, please come along and say hello!
See the poster above for dates and venues.

MC Babble III

2007-01-06T14:25:00.000+11:00

check-check-check it out...

MC BABBLE III

While the regular organisers (that's me) and patrons of Bar Open's monthly spokenword night 'Babble' take a short summer break, Melbourne's hip-hop community sneak in to hold their own version of the event under the guise of 'MC Babble'. Hosted this time by Elf Tranzporter(Combat Wombat), 'MC Babble III' features local hip-hop MCs performing spoken-word pieces, telling stories(both personal and comical), accapellas, beat-box and the occasional song with a beat CD. Special guest Wayne Lotek(Big Dada — UK) joins the line-up to perform live and to share a few anecdotes from his life on tour. Ivens also performs a short live set on the night, whilst GM Grumble Pipes takes care of intermission on the ones and twos. Any MCs interested in getting involved should email brendan@awakeningscrew.com MC BABBLE III, Wednesday January 10 at Bar Open, 317 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. $8 Entry, doors open at 8:30pm.

MC BABBLE III

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10

BAR OPEN - 317 BRUNSWICK STREET, FITZROY

Featuring Antics, Awbs, Class A, Crixus, Mattriks plus many more TBA.

Special Guest: Wayne Lotek(UK)

Intermission by GM Grumble Pipes

Your host: Elf Tranzporter

$8 Entry

Doors at 8pm til 3am

Book Magazine Book

2006-12-16T10:52:00.000+11:00

Was fortunate enough recently to have the first issue of Book Magazine Book handed along to me. BMB is a fascinating art project, a book that is collectively created by handing the book along to somebody of your choice once you've made a contribution to it.
Each book is themed but it's entirely up to the individual what you place in it.
Previous contributors to me were Ladycracker and EZB. I've handballed it to the more than capable Klare Lanson.
Fifty Two of these books are being sent out over the next year.
Who knows where they'll end up?
Here's some pics of my contributions to the book, plus a higher res image of one of the visual poems I placed in it.
If you want to be a part of this project then check the website.

Launch of Going Down Swinging #24

2006-12-13T10:30:00.000+11:00

Although my name isn't on the flyer (yeah, thanks Steve) I will be appearing as DJ Price Check (my new DJ name) at the fabulous event that is the launch of the brand new issue of Going Down Swinging , issue #24. I also have a poem appearing in this edition - 100 Random Cows.
You want any more reasons to attend?
How about a specially commissioned performance by Klare Lanson! Yeah, that's right.
I don't think you need any more reason than that.
So, I'll see you there.

sometimes, I swear

2006-12-11T01:14:00.000+11:00

Seven Dead Astronauts, Seven New Stars - the play!

2006-12-08T17:08:00.000+11:00

Okay it's time to dust of this blog and get it started again. And what better way to do that than to announce a brand new writing venture of mine. Theatre!
Short and Sweet is an open invitiation writing competition based around 10 minute plays. It's held in both Sydney and Melbourne.
This year I decided to adapt one of my poems and create a ten minute play from it. The process was much more difficult than I thought. But I was lucky enough to have my adaptation of the poem 'Seven Dead Astronauts, Seven New Stars' accepted.
The play is being performed Saturday 16th Dec at the Fairfax Theatre within the Arts Centre at 2pm. On the program will be nine other ten minute plays. So you get a lot of bite size theatre for your buck.
If you'd like to come along, my advice is to book as I'm advised it will probably sell it.
I've been very lucky to work with fantastic director called Alix Stirling. She has brought such amazing energy to the script and wasn't afraid of having to deal with seven dead astronauts on stage. And the cast have been fantastic too, including my own housemate Stefanie Robinson who randomly landed a part in my play! I can't wait to see them in action.
It's been quite amazing for me, having never written for actors before, to watch these characters I created come to life.
If you do come along, then please vote for our play too! If you like it, that is, of course.

LCUK: Falling In and Out of Luck

2006-09-28T14:22:00.000+10:00

Hello all, I'm very excited to announce that this Sunday my brand new show written with The Mime Set is debuting at Bar Open as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
We're doing three dates during the festival, Sunday 1st, 8th and 15th. 10pm start and every show is absolutely free!
Be great to see you there.

La Mama poetica - 3 generations of poets. The doco!

2006-09-17T14:37:00.000+10:00

Last year I participated in a very special event at La Mama theatre celebrating 3 generations of poets. The whole evening was filmed and cut together by the ultra talented Klare Lanson and is now to be publically screened for the very first time at Loop Bar, Meyers Place, City, on Monday 18th Sept.
Below is Anthony O'Sullivans description of the night which he will be hosting.

This monday, the 18th of Sept, brings with it a fantastic
opportunity to see the premiere screening of a fine piece of Melbourne
poetry history.
Most of you are aware of the massive input and importance of the
long-running, highly respected La Mama Poetica, which has been running
since 1989, and has existed as a poetry venue in some form since the
mid 60's. And if you're not... are you lost?
Anyway, the people behind said La Mama, as part of the recent
Melbourne International Arts Festival, put together a gorgeous cast of
some of the biggest, brightest, most "good God, they're grand" poets
our dashing literary town has to offer. Under the title "La Mama
Poetica - 3 generations of poets", the night featured Sean M Whelan,
Angela Costi, Steve Smart, Klare Lanson, Jez PA Speelman, Alicia
sometimes, Jennifer Harrison and the sadly missed, wonderfully gifted
Lisa Bellear. Amazing cast? Brilliant!
Even better, valued reader, talented visual artist, poet and all
round champion, Klare Lanson captured the evening on a camera-doo-
hickey, and in conjunction with Borderline Productions, has produced a
doco for us all to enjoy. Double Brilliant!
And now to monday night. I, meaning me, Anthony O'Sullivan,
invite you all to sit a spell at Loop Bar, Meyers place in the CBD and
witness the first ever airing of Klare's fine film. Hosted by me (oh,
stop, I'm blushing), with a talk by one of the brains behind La Mama
and that very special night, Jeltje, and introduction by the one and
only (I've checked) Klare Lanson, this will be glorious! And all this,
fine young animals, for the laughable pitance off $5!!! It starts @
7:30, and we will be on time!!! Come, bring friends, bring your
eyeballs, see what vibrancy in art is all about!

Tattooing The Surface Of The Moon

Notes on Sound - An Overload Poetry Festival event.

Overload Poetry Festival fundraiser tonight!

Sean M Whelan & Isnod play the Builders Arms!

Sean M Whelan & Isnod play Renaissance

Two Gigs this weekend with new collaborator Isnod

Tattooing the Lane: Eltham

Dream Machines Launch

Lavender

Dawn Conspiracy HERoe event today.

Tattooing the Surface of the Moon performed live at Willow Bar

Andrew Watson and Sean M Whelan perform live at Willow Bar tonight!

Debut performance with Isnod tonight! Horse Bazaar.

Fight For Love

Softly & Suddenly Reviewed.

Launch of the EWF Reader

As Much.

Softly & Suddenly at the Brisbane Festival

The Confession Files

Performing at the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe tonight!

You want me to do WHAT?

Dog's Tails at the Dog's Bar Tonight!

Sean M Whelan & the Interim Lovers gig tonight!

Read You Bastards IV

Candy & High

Babble returns to Bar Open

Going Down Swinging #29 launched tonight!!

Notes From The Underground - A Revolution in Words

Featuring at Wordplay tonight!!

Elemental. An extra show announced!!

In Between Words tonight!

Looking up from the Walker Street Tram Stop

Ghost Poetry Project Melbourne Launch in Pictures.

The Ghost Poetry Project

Words in Winter

Jasmine Morning Bathroom Window

Under the West Gate Dreaming

Tram View

Never, ever

Going Down Swinging # 28 launched tonight!!

Last Tuesday Society

North American Tour Dates!!

Postcard Poetry No. 6.

Featured at Indiefeed Performance Poetry Podcast

Interviewed at Literary Minded

postcard poetry no. 5. come back when it's cold

A Walk Through Westgarth

Woodford and Online Interview.

Melbourne launch of my new collection of poetry.

Signs as Prophets

Brisbane Launch of Tattooing the Surface of the Moon.

The Confession Files.... in pictures!

Static - Melbourne Writers Festival

Pecha Kucha

Overload Poetry Festival Opening Night

Liner Notes Vol 5. Nirvana's Nevermind!!

Love in Bright Landscapes fundraiser tonight!

Things To Do With Words

Liner Notes Vol 4: A spoken word tribute to The Cure!

Australian Poetry Centre Festival

Blue Velvet Bar Reading

Poets Breakfast at the Shepparton Arts Festival

Hey, Hey, Which Way?

Liner Notes Vol 3. In pictures!

Babble presents Liner Notes Vol 3 - Madonna's Like A Virgin!

'Dead Of Night' themed contribution for Photo Friday.

Sean M Whelan & The Mime Set with Emilie Zoey Baker present Sweet Cowboy

Going Down Swinging #25

The Rooftop Bar Gig - in pictures!

A special celebration.

Back from Indonesia and having a very special event already!

Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale and TERRA: A Bilingual Anthology from WordStorm

Under Star Poets at Federation Square.

Sugarfree Masons Andy White MiteyKo (aka Allan Boyd and Kevin Gillam) Trisnasari Ben Ezra Lish and Steve O’Prey Belfast Poets

Reading at Thangs Cafe, East Brunswick, 16th August

Reading at The Blue Velvet Bar - Overload Poetry Festival

Our first full band gig in 10 months. We're baaaaack!

La Mama Poetica

there will never be another

Performing at the State Library

Sugarfree Masons

Andy White

MiteyKo (aka Allan Boyd and Kevin Gillam)

Trisnasari

Ben Ezra

Lish and Steve O’Prey

Belfast Poets