Time is flying by here in San Diego, and i’m just realising i’ll be preparing to fly home only a week from now.

WAY TOO SOON!!! i hear all the san diegans screaming at me.

I asked Rob Deez to employ me and sponsor me for a green card. he was up for it before he realised it would cost him money.

Maybe he and I could get married

You know what i’ve been thinking about lately? it’s weird… - Locksmiths.                               We as society put a lot of trust in locksmiths. Imagine going through a bad break up with a locksmith. You’d never feel safe, right?

I’ve started using instagram a lot lately… I tend to get into the whole social media thing a lot more when i’m away from home… i guess that’s kinda to be expected. You can follow me on there, my name is bronimusic.

If you read this blog, please tell your friends about my music, and my blog. Especially if they are already a fan of my music, then point them towards my blog. and my new podcast Broni Bothers which has a brand new episode up right now. http://www.bronimusic.com/bronibothers.

I know what it’s like when you like an underground musician, you almost don’t want give away your little secret.. you wanna be able to claim ownership…. Well A) i hope there is someone out there thinking that about me. hehe but B) If there is someone out there, and that someone is YOU then get over it and tell your friends.. i can’t afford to give you music forever… haha, but i will only the production quality may lessen.

So where are we, lots has happened this week so i’ll shed some light.

After my last blog i had a somewhat relaxing start to the week. I didn’t get up to a whole lot, just pottered about, played guitar etc.

Thursday night (the 22nd September) i played at Lestats. It was a nice little audience, and I recorded some more tracks for my second Live at Lestats webEP. This time featuring my friend Kenny Eng on Guitar and backing vocals… and a guest appearance by Rob Deez. The show was a lot of fun, and I was very hot afterwards…

At the show I told the audience that my occupation at home is a WHACKER… and that I have to stand on our busiest highway with a cricket bat and whack the kangaroos out of the way of the traffic. The audience laughed, then turned on me when i went in to detail, it was good fun. Then a girl in a truck stopped me afterwards and said “you don’t really whack kangaroos do you? please say no” – after all the hilarity my friend Travis drew me this.

That kind of began my jam packed weekend. Friday night I played a super casual house show at Jessica Hulls place, Followed by opening up the Adams Avenue Street Fair on Saturday morning at the Lestats stage. I then acted as a pseudo host for the first half of the day, back announcing performers, and playing a song or two then introducing the next act. I was a lot of fun, and a great way to meet musicians I hadn’t yet met. One in particular by the name of SABA, she and I had a great ol chat before she drove back up to LA. she has an amazing voice and held the stage so beautifully, it was inspiring.

Saturday night was my show at Mueller college with Jessica Bell, Scott Cassidy and Josh Damigo It was fun to catch up with Jessica and Scott again, eating burritos before hand and drinking beers afterwards – which i received free because the bar girl remembered me from last year, i felt like a rock star. A soon to be drunk rock star.

Sunday I played at the Street fair again, followed by a super fun show at the house of blues.

I was called up on stage during John Hulls set, and stood up there basically laughing at Rob Deez’s hilarious free styles. It was a pretty damn good time, and actually I had my first glass of whiskey in about 3 weeks, i’d missed it dearly. How sad – missing a drink.

Monday I was STILL cramming. I had an interview with Mookie on Unsigned Sunday, Radio Sophie which was a bunch of fun, did a live performance in the studio of a CBS radio station! Crazy! that was 5:30 till about 7, then I rushed back to jump on stage at Lestats once again.

Yesterday I interviewed Rajan Dharni for Broni Bothers, and then went out to Phils BBQ for dinner because my friends had been insisting i try it.

and Today I went back to CBS radio to interview Tim Mudd for Broni Bothers. and now i’m sitting here writing this blog before I go on stage at Lestats for possibly the last time this year.

It’s a whirlwind… and i’m loving it… More crazy things to come this weekend.

and Back to some philosophical type introspective blogs in the near future, for now.. just the facts.

Thanks for checking in and keeping up!!!

Hey dogs!!

that’s weird. Calling you dogs. If anyone is offended, i apologise… but i say hey cats a lot and as i’ve mentioned, i don’t even remotely like cats. Yet i love dogs. so why can’t i say Hey Dogs?!!? coz it sounds stupid, okay i get it… this is the last time i promise.

Insert Mandatory whining rant about the new facebook layout.

Last night I played 2 measly songs at an open mic. Straight after i got off stage a lady approached me back stage and said “my son and husband saw you monday night and told me i have to see you. and now i’m a fan for life”
WOW! and people ask me what i hope to achieve with all this… THAT. THAT is the type of thing i hope to achieve. I humbly thanked her whilst inside i was thinking ‘perfect. that just made getting off my friend Kenny’s couch so worth it.”

Loving my time here in California. Spending a lot of time with my friends Rob Deez, Kenny Eng, John Hull and Travis Peterson. I’ve done a lot of fun stuff so far, with more fun stuff planned… you can keep up with what i’m doing and thinking on my blog at http://www.bronimusic.com/blog

any who, on to the news.

In this issue:-

1. Shows
2. Broni Bothers Arlo Cook
3. Broni Blogles
4. Toothbrush Love

Shows
Already played a bunch of super fun shows. and super excited about the ones on the horizon this weekend.

Thursday 22nd September
TONIGHT
Live at Lestats
3343 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights, San Diego
w/ Son of Man
9PM
Tonights show I’ll be joined on stage by Kenny Eng on guitar. And a special guest performance by Rob Deez. the Show will be recorded for my next Live at Lestats EP. So get there by 9PM and get involved, sing along, and cheer loud
__

Friday 23rd September
Acoustic Showcase ’round the fire. @ Hawley House
w/ Jessica Hull, Diana Keller, Rob Deez
6:30pm – 10:00pm
This is a special house show. But it’s open to the public. email me at broni@bronimusic.com if you’d like the address.
__

Saturday 24th September
Mueller College
4607 Park Blvd, San Diego.
w/ Jessica Bell, Scott Cassidy, Josh Damigo
8pm
Finally reunited with Jessica Bell and Scott Cassidy, almost exactly a year since the moment i met both of them at the venue. Gonna be lots of fun.
__

Sunday 25th September
Adams Avenue street fair – Lestats stage
3343 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights, San Diego
w/ John Hull, Rob Deez
5:30pm
The three of us will be sharing a 45 minute set thanks to John Hull. So you can come and see us there, and then follow us to the house of blues for the extended version. woo.
__

Sunday 25th September
House of Blues
1055 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
w/ John Hull, Rob Deez
The extended version!!!

See bronimusic.com for more events as they happen
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Broni Bothers Arlo Cook

The latest episode of Broni Bothers is with Arlo Cook, principal songwriter and singer in Dear Ale… and guitarist in Melbourne Rock n Roll Heavyweights – the Statics and Jonesez.
We talked pretty philosophically about the art of songwriting and what it’s like for him to have his finger in so many pies.
Subscribe on iTunes. or get the episode here.
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Broni Blogles
I’ve posted a couple of new blogs since i’ve been in Califonia. You can virtually pretend you’re in this with me with these latest posts…

Wait…

Everyday, i walk down Adams Avenue.
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Toothbrush Love

If you remember the little comedy podcast i was involved in… well then you probably know we went on Hiatus when one of our members went to Europe for 18 months. Well after the thousands of emails asking us to return we will be getting back together as soon as i’m home in October.
So head to http://www.psychojanitor.com/toothbrushlove and get up to speed with what it’s all about, and start anticipating the return.
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Thanks for sticking by me guys!!
I’ll have some new music up to download REALLY soon!! Hopefully by the next newsletter.

Have a super existence for the next fortnight.

Broni

It’s one of my favorite recorded songs (listen to it here:- Everyday Download
And it’s about this very spot I’m currently sitting in.
I played it on stage last night because once a year I have the privilege of reconnecting with the songs sentiment, as I wake every day not really knowing what’s going to happen, but I leave the couch to find out. I love it here. I love this lifestyle. It just doesnt pay me enough yet.
I have a lot of songs to write. So please tell your friends about me, so I can keep this up for you and me.

The main reason I bring up the song here though is because of the line “I’ve been wearing thongs for days.” it never occurred to me, that over here in the US that means I’ve been wearing A THONG. As in a G string. As in you know, what sisqó was singing about. (weirdo) So when I was singing this heartfelt song I got 3 lines in and I look over to see my friends Kenny Eng and Rob Deez on the stage giggling at me. I didn’t know why until Rob shared this with me later. I wanted to run back to the venue to tell the audience what I meant.
He also told me my line “I wanna fill my drawers with your clothes” from my new song ‘homeless without you’ actually means I want to put your clothes in my underwear!!
Again, very awkward right?

Here I was thinking the main thing I had to worry about was my pronunciation of the word mocha, and my references to John Farnham. But it goes much deeper than that.

Maybe that’s why the girl in the street the other night asked me “so what is this language you’re speaking? Is it Kiwi?” to which I had to respond “um… No, it’s English. kiwi is not a language, and plus I’m Australian” it was very perplexing.

Let me update you since my last communique

I played at Winstons the night of my last blog. I had fun. It was in Ocean beach which I had not yet visited. And I was offered the gig ON THE DAY by the promoter because she had someone pull out…. So I guess I can forgive the venue for this….

Friday I had some delicious Mexican, then I watched my friend play covers while I played shuffle board and avoided a drunk man who kept leaning on me. Then on our drunken arrival home, we built a fort. Are you jealous of our child like whimsy?

Saturday was a show in Bonita. The average age in the room was probably over 50. But that works for me, because my dad always said I’d be loved by the ‘oldies’ they were all giving me the “isn’t he sweet” smile. And the gig paid well which was great because my friends Travis, Rob and I were driving up to LA that night for Hollywood babble on which was super!

Then last night was songs in the round with my 3 pals. I’ve been sharing their houses, their cars and the stage with them, so being up on stage together at the same time was lots of fun. Look out for the Rob Deez version of ‘you are my friend’ coming soon.

Rob Deez back stage with his new guitar that I sold to him. It was already one of a kind. But now with these signatures, it’s a collectors item.

Today, I’m kinda just planning my week, and singing at lestats tonight.

Look at this guy.

And these guys haha

Speak soon chums!!!!

b

Rob Deez dislikes this?

Man time flies!
I can’t believe it’s been a year since I was here in San Diego, California.
This time around my usual couch has moved to LA so I spent my first
two days up there and will likely spend more.

But currently I’m crashing on my friend johns floor.
Spending some time on LA was nice, however I realized I like
familiarity, either that or I just love San Diego, because my friends
Rob John and I were driving into town at about 3am Monday morning
after a show in LA. And we pulled off the freeway or highway whatever
they prefer to call it and I recognized the spot and I immediately
felt some peace!

Then when I got up in the morning and strolled down my dear Adams
Avenue… Well things just felt right! I love this place. Without the
safety net or jennis place and her ability to drive me round, ive
been more of a ‘see what happens’ kinda guy. Spending time with Rob
Deez in particular my mantra has certainly been ‘i go where the wind
takes me’ unless I’ve got a show, then its ‘can I please have a lift
here please somebody?’

But I’m no longer here to sight see. I’m just here to be Broni for a
month and pause for a moment. Record some podcasts, play some shows
and laugh with new and familiar people.

Walking into Lestats on Monday felt really loving, hugs ,fist bumps,
hand shakes. Lots of welcome backs. Just that one night was worth the
trip. I felt like I was walking into cheers.

Anyway. That’s enough, sounding too much like a love letter to san
diego at this point.

See you soon for more updates.

Last night a podcast recording with Kenny (he came at me from the Kenny engle) , muellers college open mic and more fun!

Oh just quickly. Speaking of Kenny Eng… He’s been accommodating in a totally different way to my other generous friends.
I got in his car, to hear… And in fact even when I visited his house he was playing Aussie music. He seemed very proud of himself. Like “broni do you feel at home?” as he plays Keith urban… Haha what a silly guy. Reasons why I love him

Tonight, short set at Winstons in ocean beach, then beer.

B

Hello.
3 more sleeps and I’m in California, I’ve got house shows, House of blues shows.. coffee house shows etc… but i’m up for more!!! holla at your Broni, let’s dance.
Got a house? got some friends? got a tiny amount of money?? lets play in that house for those friends, for a tiny amount of money in my wallet.

I just spent 40 minutes talking to the lady at the bank, all i wanted was some US Dollars… what I got was her opinion on teenagers, psychology, music, motherhood, schools… etc.. It was the lengthiest money exchange i’ve ever been privy to.
She’s going to check me out on the inter webs. I look forward to her tracking my money via my twitter as well as my bank account now.

Turns out she also knows my friend, who is also currently living in LA… and in fact just joined good ol Unwritten Law on the drum kit. remember those guys? Congrats to you Ed if you are a member of my mailing list. Lets have a beer over there yeah? if you aren’t a member of my mailing list then maybe i don’t want a beer. haha just kidding, but seriously i guess that would mean i’ll have to contact you some other way. Why am i still directing this to you? you aren’t on my mailing list. Unless you are… then hey, wanna grab a beer like you said?

haha Sorry got carried away typing to ONE person.. how rude when the other 2 of you who read this are in the room. (figurative room)

In this issue:-

1. Broni Bothers
2. Life and Live
3. San Diego/LA
4. My Nails are long, but not because it’s fashion

BRONI BOTHERS

Link to iTunes

This fortnights episode is with Rocky Dabscheck. He sat down with me 2 weeks out from his 60th Birthday to share stories of how music used to be in Melbourne. Back when you were respected for being a working musician, and paid for it. When venues had their own audience so you would get booked on your quality not on your quantity of followers. Something that makes it very hard these days to build your audience is having no ready made audiences anywhere to go and play for. Rocky is from the days where a pub had a crowd and he would be booked to be their entertainment that night, instead of a cover band. He also loses me when he talks about politics and farming… i don’t shy away from the fact i have not yet educated myself on such things. He also makes me laugh with his dry humour on the regular.

Please enjoy.

Find it here.

If you are a musician and think you have something to say on Broni Bothers. or a story worth telling, get in touch at broni@bronimusic.com

____________________

LIFE AND LIVE – on YOUTUBE

One side of an over capacity full house.

I’ve started a new video series with my friend Ash Fantastic. Called Life and Live. It will be an ongoing series showcasing a little of what Broni shows are like as well as snippets of myself behind the scenes.
This to me is a really good episode, because for a lot of the time whilst recording ‘To get her Together’ i was alone in the studio. Just me and Davin, and since we are in separate sound proof rooms it could get very quiet and lonely in the gaps, I think this somewhat catches my loopy lonely dancing and schizophrenia (side note: i wanted to write schizophrenia and thought, i’m gonna have to rely on spell check for this one, but the further i got into the word I realised I know it. Thank you Mrs Boulton, turns out i deserved the spelling bee win in Year

____________________

SAN DIEGO / LA

*pause* a lady is reading the paper next to me… she just laughed out loud and then paused, and then repeat about 6 times in a row. off-putting, but generally enjoyable.

I leave for LAX on Saturday morning. I will be interviewing folks for the podcast, I’ll be playing in living rooms. Playing on stages, attending shows, and eating breakfast there for a whole month. If you are in the LA/San Diego area and wanna set anything up, don’t be shy. My calendar is filling but it’s not full and i’m keen for a good time…

Check my shows page for whats on, shows wise…

____________________

MY NAILS ARE LONG BUT NOT BECAUSE ITS FASHION

Only dedicated Broni fans will understand the title of this… If you do understand it, write back lemme know. I’m a sucker for that stuff.
This is a pointless topic, but i’m writing it anyway.
I’ve always been a nail biter. I can’t help it, i think it’s stress? i dunno. Probably just habit.
Anywho, recently i’ve started growing the nails on my right hand… For guitar purposes, i’ve always made do with my stumpy fingers when picking… but i’m going to try and discipline myself for your sake… So my guitar sounds prettier for you… I’ll send you a photo of my hand one day. Bet you can’t wait.

Hope you’re all smiling!!!
See you on the inter webs.

Broni

My other major circle is work colleagues and friends… Yes for those who don’t know i still have a ‘real’ job, because you guys haven’t given me enough of your money yet
These groups of people are very different, as is the topic of conversation. I like to think i play ball in both games quite convincingly. There is one major irritating difference…
In my music circle that’s why people know me, for music. They also know eachother through music, and are aware that they are known through music – either listening to, or playing it.
In my work circle i’m known for just that, being at work… Yet, i’m also known as the guy that plays music… This is generally great. Everyone is very supportive, they are completely behind me building a career elsewhere. But i can sum up the annoying side of this with one sentence “You could write a song about that”

Not a day goes by i reckon that i don’t hear that from SOMEONE… and it’s not usually my closer friends – unless they are making fun of me. It’s usually acquaintances that i guess have a mental list of their colleagues extra curricular activities. So they see me and think.. Broni – Songwriter.
Then.. it doesn’t matter how mundane the situation. Eg. We have a meeting. The person running the meeting is late. 5. 10. 15 minutes go by. Everybody is getting frustrated. someone turns and says “broni, you should write a song about this”

WHY WOULD I???
ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT ALL MY SONGS ARE SO BORING THAT THIS SITUATION IN WHICH YOU AND I HAVE MUTUALLY CONVERGED WARRANTS A SONG TO ADD TO MY REPERTOIRE OF BORING TOPICS?

Just for a second, lets together on this, a bit of a songwriting workshop if you will…

VERSE 1.
It was a monday morning and i found myself distressed.
Wondering why i even got dressed.
We have a meeting, but you wouldn’t even know it.
Coz the caller of the meeting doesn’t even show up.

Chorus
Oh my. What an annoying situation.
Every one in the room has visible frustration…

WHAT A SHITTY SONG!!!

Please stop telling me to ‘write a song about it’ – it’s patronizing…

ha! okay, rant over…

I’ve already made the mistake of telling a few friends that i have this weird gripe, so now they always say “you should write a song about” Which is to be expected i guess.
So if you’re thinking you should comment saying “you should write a song about this blog” or anything like that, just know that I and many before you, already thought of it… But i’ll still respect you for being annoying… because being purposefully annoying is pretty fun, i agree.

If you think this is a ridiculous thing to be vocal about (or textual) then just talk to my friend who hates being thanked for doing her job… now that’s a weird gripe

Love yous. Sorry I hadn’t blogged in ages.

Off to post a newsletter.

Hope you’re all smiling.

Broni.

Grumpy old man blog

That just makes me so amazed. And grateful. And blessed.
Who ever thinks the Internet killed the music industry hasn’t considered moments like these.

Thanks Internet.

Buying My ticket to California this weekend. Prepare your couches and book me for shows. I’ll be there in September.

Listening to the new bright eyes album. It’s delightful.
My hand hurts. But my heads happy.

As I’ve said before id love to watch someone from the 1920s read this blog. “what in blazes is a tweet?”

Have you guys heard Kevin Smith talk about me on his radio show? It’s on my home page. It’s such a thrill for me and hopefully pretty funny for you. here in the middle of the home page.

Hope you’re all having a super existence. Please continue to share me with your friends. It’s making my life.

This was written on my phone so excuse the lack of photos and the plainness

B

Lets be honest with ourselves folks… Even poop would look delicious covered in melted cheese.

He agrees.

Post San Diego. I played one show. Hated it. why is everybody talking? They listened to me in California.
So I didn’t book any more shows.
Another hiatus, no shows between November 2009 and march 2010. My first gig back being at my friends EP launch. Again… Why is everybody talking?? Fuck this.
So again I seldom played shows. Certainly none where I was the focus or “headliner”
Recorded an album because no one talks in the studio
Again I shoot off to the US. Where they respected that I was nobody and listened intently. (this isn’t a blog about my distain for Melbourne read on I’ve fallen back in love with it)

This time I came back with a plan. I knew where I wanted to launch this album. I knew the venue would promote the idea that this is a show to be listened to.

More precisely though my plan was to look beyond the launch. Not stop and live off it’s pseudo success… Because in reality if I’d kept rolling back in 09 maybe this launch would have been even bigger, but it felt a lot like starting again. Same size crowd. Another great fun show… Different battle plan.

Monday 23rd May 2011
Now I sit here in the present soon to be the past having completed my 4 week residency at the Thornbury Theatre.
A month of Sunday evening shows that were purely an experiment for me. I knew now that I could pull a crowd to a big show, but can I pull a decent crowd 4 weeks in a row? The most rewarding part about the whole situation was I was prepared to fail, and I didn’t.
Each week was a huge success. The second week was the emptiest due to the rain and mothers day. And at the time that felt like an excuse but when we followed up with great shows for the 3rd and 4th week I was convinced it was mothers day that trumped us but those who came still had a good time.
The audience bringing baked goods dropped my jaw… Not only from amazement but also from the need to open my mouth in order to consume.
Thank you so much to those who made me put an extra table next to the merchandise in order to accommodate the plethora or baked treats. I felt so loved.

Thank you to the 12 amazing artists who joined me and made this experiment a super enjoyable experience. Pat Gabriel kicking it off on the first of May followed by Carl Jackson, Dear Ale, Rob Pechar, Elroy Dan, Kieran Christopherson, Bren Kelly, Kate Walker, Nick van Breda, Paul McManus, Richard Jeffrey and Luke Leggs.

I kinda lost my train of thought… I was writing this at work… Not very conducive to a steady stream of consciousness .. Probably good though, this was going to get real long.

Point is, don’t be afraid to test yourself. Sometimes you need to know if you’re capable. And if you fail, you’ve gained experience so you haven’t really failed at all.

It’s time to find myself a booking agent, and time to book my next trip to southern California, I can’t wait to play there again, I know that another trip will inspire more songs. Also it’s time to hopefully get a live record together, as well as demo tracks for the next album… All while getting my new podcast off the ground (working title for the podcast is Broni Bothers)
So I’m gonna be busy, and relying on your unwavering support.
Thanks as always.

B

In this issue
1. Melbourne Shows
2. Dear San Diego/California folks
3. Other stuff

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SHOWS

14 May 2011 – Brunswick Hotel – 4pm (eventpage)
This saturday I am playing at the Brunswick hotel as part of a great line up for an even greater cause. Check it out here. All proceeds going to OXFAM

15 May 2011 – The Thornbury Theatre 5 – 8pm (eventpage)
Then Sunday is week 3 of what has so far been a super fun residency at the thornbury theater, make sure you come down (or up depending on your geographic locale). This Sunday is a 3 piece show as my super talented cellist is busy playing on dancing with the stars.. We’ll still keep you entertained without him. Many friends and fans have been bringing baked goods so these shows are intimacy at it’s best.
This week with – Kate Walker, Bren Kelly and Nick Van Breda

22 May 2011 – The Thornbury Theatre 5 – 8pm (eventpage)
The following Sunday we close the residency with – Luke Leggs, Paul McManus and Richard Jeffrey
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Dear San Diego/California folks

Hey Gang. long time no see. I’m desperate to come back. Right now I’m pencilling in a month that I’m free to come. Between the 12th of September and the 9th of October. But before i buy a ticket, I just need to throw some shows together and make it worth the trip. (as if seeing all your lovely faces wasn’t enough)
I’ll be booking a bunch myself, with help from my friends over there but please I urge you to get in touch and book me for house shows. Or if you go to uni and theres an event I should be on at your uni get in touch. If your a host of a radio show (i’m looking at you radio hosts) I’d love to come in the studio . If your holding some sort of event in that month, get in touch. Lets fill the month with shows big and small. I’m not going to roll in to town pretending i’m some mega star with a fully booked calendar, I’m making myself totally available to Californians for a month. So if you want me, get me now, lets have a fun month.
Also, if you’re a musician or a comedian and you’re looking to put on a show in that time… book me, i’m in baybeh, i’ll say ‘G’day’ as much as you want.
If you have nothing to offer me but you wanna hang then i’ll be in touch with gigs soon, and other than that we’ll grab a beer at the Ould Sod.
_____________________

Other Stuff
in other news, I have a lot planned.
Among the new things i’ll be doing is a New podcast on it’s way. Without any info on what my new podcast is please offer me your ideas for my podcasts name. I’ll have more details on it soon.

Also the next big show I’ll be planning in melbourne will be for a live album. Until then see you at one of the coming shows or on your social network of choice… Im there to chat with. Always baybeh!

Apologies for lack of content. Blame this guy

Have a good week
Broni