Small Town by John Mellencamp
David Oke Tennessee and Alabama, April 2016Some of the small towns we passed through were obviously buoyant and surviving well. Others had a few too many vacant stores with grimy windows and closed down gas stations.
Record store pilgrim (Old Records Never Die by Ian Hunter)
Vin Maskell Record store, Melbourne, 2011All of us are revealing a little of our non-work selves, latching onto something invisible — a riff, a chord, a chorus; holding onto something intangible — a melody, a key change, a lyric.
Stereo Stories on ABC 774
Jack Gramski and Vin Maskell were talking and singing Stereo Stories on ABC 774 on Wednesday 13 April, courtesy of the Lindy Burns evening program.
Stereo Stories Live: new stories at latest gig
Stereo Stories return to The Gallery at Williamstown Library on Sunday 3 April featured three new performance stories and the debut of writer Alan Attwood.We also took the opportunity to do an impromptu local launch of Jack Gramski's new five-song CD.
Typical Girls by The Slits
SJ Rowland Suburban Auckland, mid-1980sMost of the time I didn’t know what to think or how to act. I was always grateful when musicians or anyone else I looked up to could provide a few pointers. Or better yet, provide some strong opinions I could pass off as my own.
Falling And Laughing by Orange Juice
Maria Majsa Hammersmith Palais, London 1980After all the attitude and swagger of punk, here was a band with the courage to be vulnerable. And while admitting to vulnerability is never comfortable or easy, it is necessary for real human connection.
Dreamin’ by Twerps
Miks Everitt Calder Freeway Macedon, New Years Day 2012With the year that broke me behind me, Dreamin’ summed it all up and told me all I needed to hear.
Drops of Jupiter by Train
My grandparents' garage, Reservoir, 2001 Alessandra BergaminAs I pressed rewind and play once more, Nonno abandoned his re-reading of Il Globo to shuffle across the tiles and play a game. Taking my hand into his own short, stout and tanned fingers, he gently twisted each of my fingertips from side-to-side.Tick-tock-tick-tock, he said, his Italian accent adding an extra vowel to the end of each word. Ticka-tocka-ticka-tocka.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears. Story by Nathan Johnson
Nathan Johnson Pyongyang, North Korea, September 2013In the evenings your group is confined to your hotel. You have few entertainment options, but the hotel karaoke lounge is open, empty and even has Western songs. You look through the song list and make your selection.
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Bedroom mirror, Melbourne, 2015 Iryna ByelyayevaIt never goes the way you think it will. It’s never the album you thought would get you through the hard times, or the songs you expected would lull you into contentment.