The Piano Mill

04/08/2024

Just a reminder that this intimate concert is coming up on August 31 and we are well over half sold out. Jump in soon!

COMING TO THE PIANO MILL
AUGUST 31
3:30PM

Brothers Alistair Noble and Colin Noble in concert:

‘le parfum de l’eucalyptus’: French and (new) Australian music for piano duo

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

https://events.humanitix.com/le-parfum-de-le-eucalyptus

1. Part One (40 mins) - Lagavulin

Francis Poulenc - Sonate (quatre mains) (1903)

Erik Satie -Trois morceaux en forme de poire (1914)

Claude Debussy - Six épigraphes antiques (1918)

2. Part Two (30 mins) - Piano Mill

Colin and Alistair Noble (new work, 2024) - le parfum de l’eucalyptus (d’après Paul Wenz) for Piano Mill and audience

ABOUT THE CONCERT

In 1912, from his farm in central NSW, The French-Australian novelist and short-story writer Paul Wenz (1869-1939) wrote to his friend André Gide, ‘I keep wondering if my French doesn’t smell terribly of Eucalyptus’. Today, we might argue that the fragrance of eucalyptus, not only in language but in his experiences of Australia and its people, is part of the lasting beauty of Wenz’s writing.

Part One of this afternoon event celebrates French piano duo music written during Wenz’s lifetime, produced by composers who very likely read his stories set in Australia, published in leading Paris journals of the day—their music transposed here to the Australian bush at Wilsons Downfall. Part Two is the performance of a new work composed for the Piano Mill, inspired by the unique location at Harrigan’s Lane, both the built environment of the Mill itself and the surrounding country—with an ear to the writings of Paul Wenz and the Australia he described to his French readers of the early 20th century.

27/07/2024

NINE YEARS AGO!
A winter wonderland!

25/07/2024

Have a listen to our Mill composer Erik Griswold talk about Prepared Piano and Site-Specific Art!

Composer and musician Erik Griswold explains how the Sichuan province in China inspires his experimental work with piano.

08/07/2024

COMING TO THE PIANO MILL
AUGUST 31
3:30PM

Brothers Alistair Noble and Colin Noble in concert:

‘le parfum de l’eucalyptus’: French and (new) Australian music for piano duo

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

https://events.humanitix.com/le-parfum-de-le-eucalyptus

1. Part One (40 mins) - Lagavulin

Francis Poulenc - Sonate (quatre mains) (1903)

Erik Satie -Trois morceaux en forme de poire (1914)

Claude Debussy - Six épigraphes antiques (1918)

2. Part Two (30 mins) - Piano Mill

Colin and Alistair Noble (new work, 2024) - le parfum de l’eucalyptus (d’après Paul Wenz) for Piano Mill and audience

ABOUT THE CONCERT

In 1912, from his farm in central NSW, The French-Australian novelist and short-story writer Paul Wenz (1869-1939) wrote to his friend André Gide, ‘I keep wondering if my French doesn’t smell terribly of Eucalyptus’. Today, we might argue that the fragrance of eucalyptus, not only in language but in his experiences of Australia and its people, is part of the lasting beauty of Wenz’s writing.

Part One of this afternoon event celebrates French piano duo music written during Wenz’s lifetime, produced by composers who very likely read his stories set in Australia, published in leading Paris journals of the day—their music transposed here to the Australian bush at Wilsons Downfall. Part Two is the performance of a new work composed for the Piano Mill, inspired by the unique location at Harrigan’s Lane, both the built environment of the Mill itself and the surrounding country—with an ear to the writings of Paul Wenz and the Australia he described to his French readers of the early 20th century.

07/07/2024

We were delighted to welcome brothers Alistair Noble and Colin Noble as artists-in-residence last week. The final residency before a Winter break, Alistair and Colin spent a chilly week in the Piano Mill and in Lagavulin (thankful for the fireplace there!) working on music old and new.

And the good news is that you can hear their work in a special feature concert at the Piano Mill on AUGUST 31!

A program of French Duet Piano music and original music for Piano Mill.

“le parfum de l’eucalyptus: French and (new) Australian music for piano duo”

BOOKINGS ONLINE TOMORROW !

📷 Alistair and Colin

15/06/2024

One of Julian Day’s key artistic impulses is to explore the sonic, social and spatial possibilities of homogeneous ensembles. He likens the results to ‘ganzfelds’, psychoacoustic fields of undifferentiated sonic information that destabilize the relationships between ear, brain and body.

He pursued this notion during his Harrigans Lane residency.
Julian spent the week here interrogating The Piano Mill as a complex sonic object. Each day, he recorded exploratory improvisations culminating in a set of performance prompts, audio recordings and multi-channel video. The project is ongoing — the first iteration was a three-hour performance on eight historic pianos at London’s Royal Academy of Music and he has continued with a detuned Steinway, spinet piano and several electronic keyboards in New York. We are looking forward to Julian’s return next year to complete the work. Thank you for exploring more sonic possibilities of the Piano Mill Julian!

Lookout for Julian’s work Super Critical Mass at the upcoming Big City Lights Festival, Gold Coast.

15/06/2024

Uncle Glenn Barry’s ancestral family are Gamilaraay (freshwater peoples) from Tingha, NSW, the next-door neighbours of the western Bundjalung (Githabul) country where Harrigans Lane is located.

The residency this week allowed Glenn to use his diverse roles of researcher, academic, musician, artist, and cultural man to share gii dhuwi (heart and soul) and bring back memories of the ancestors.

Composed with paints, ochres and yidaki/didgeridoo, his work during the residency is a multi-modal artistic response that reflects, responds, and records the local land and soundscapes. This was orchestrated and layered via photography and video projection — a few examples are illustrated here.

We are grateful for Glenn’s gift too: the goanna is one of Glenn’s totems. Thank you Glenn and thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us.
barry.52

07/06/2024

LOW TICKET ALERT!

We can’t wait to welcome Sam Anning Septet to the Lagavulin concert space here at the Piano Mill. Sam is touring his special album “Earthen” which he has dedicated to music icon Archie Roach and we are thrilled to be on his itinerary.

The space is small! The band is big! Tickets have sold quickly so you’ll have to be quick to snap up the remaining seats!

June 22
3:00PM

https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-the-sam-anning-septet-earthen-album-launch-harrigans-lane-the-piano-mill-willson-s-downfall-nsw

17/05/2024

So here’s some news!!!

The Harrigans Lane Collective Arts Precinct (which includes the Piano Mill) by Studio-Wolfe and team of arts collaborators (Bruce and Jocelyn Wolfe, Erik Griswold and Vanessa Tomlinson) has been shortlisted in the Architecture AU Social Impact Awards.

«The ArchitectureAU Award for Social Impact recognizes projects that promote the common good. It has been conceived to reward practice that preferences empathy over aesthetics, extending the spatial possibilities of architecture to advance the discipline and to empower its users»

We are thrilled with this recognition!
Award winners to be announced 4 July!
bruce

11/05/2024

We’re excited to announce what’s COMING UP at the PIANO MILL!

SAM ANNING SEPTET
‘Earthen’ Album Launch Tour

Saturday June 22 2024
In the concert space of ‘Lagavulin’

After returning from NYC, Melbourne bassist-composer Sam Anning released two winning award albums attracting critical acclaim and an ARIA nomination. Earthen is his third septet album and is dedicated to the indomitable spirit of Indigenous Australian music icon, Uncle Archie Roach. Anning had the profound honour of being Uncle Archie’s bassist for three years before his passing in 2022. Featuring an ensemble of long-time Naarm/Melbourne-based collaborators, Andrea Keller (piano), Kyrie Anderson (drums), Mat Jodrell (trumpet), Carl Mackey (alto sax), Julien Wilson (tenor sax), and Theo Carbo (guitar), the album draws on the deep well of Roach’s wisdom, connection to the moment, resilience of spirit, and the medicinal power of music.

TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-the-sam-anning-septet-earthen-album-launch-harrigans-lane-the-piano-mill-willson-s-downfall-nsw


Music Region New England North West NSW

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10/05/2024

A week ago rehearsals began for the premiere of TIN! A Minor Opera at the Liston Community Hall. We were delighted to welcome a sell out audience, and it seems they were not disappointed, bringing the show to a close with a standing ovation. Thank you all for your support!

TIN! A Minor Opera

Librettist: Bill Prentice
Composer: Joce Wolfe
Orchestrator/Arranger: Erik Griswold

Here are a few souvenir photos of the stellar band that made the premiere of TIN!

Glenn Barry: Yidaki (didge)
Shenzo Gregorio: Violin
Eugene Gilfedder: Narrator/vocals
Merinda Dias-Jayasinha: Vocals
Vanessa Tomlinson: Percussion inc. the Bruce Wolfe crafted ‘Tinpanny’
Helen Svoboda: Double Bass
Erik Griswold: Keyboard

Sound production: James Clark and Nicky Perry

Liston Hall

📷 Greg Harm (Tangible Media)

06/05/2024

Team TIN! Orchestrator/Arranger Erik Griswold; composer, Joce Wolfe; librettist Bill Prentice and a moment of camaraderie before the premiere of TIN! A Minor Opera!

Merinda Dias-Jayasinha: Vocals
Glenn Barry: Yidaki (didge)
Eugene Gilfedder: Narrator/vocals
Erik Griswold: Keyboard
Shenzo Gregorio: Violin
Vanessa Tomlinson: Percussion inc. the Bruce Wolfe crafted ‘Tinpanny’
Joce Wolfe: Composer
Helen Svoboda: Double Bass

Liston Hall

04/05/2024

TIN! A Minor Opera is sold out. Thank you for the support. We are so excited after a wonderful rehearsal with the full ensemble today and can’t wait to share these stories and histories with our audience tomorrow.

03/05/2024

We have almost reached seat capacity for our upcoming show, TIN! A minor Opera. Thank you for your support!

If you haven’t bought a ticket and wish to attend, please jump onto ‘Humanitix’ and get one 🙏🏻

Seating is strictly limited!

Explorative interdisciplinary projects and events in regional Australia with a focus on architecture, music, arts, design, and environment

30/04/2024

TIN! A Minor Opera all started with a social evening at the historic Liston Community Hall — and meeting local tin miner Bill Prentice. He and his wife Jill mined tin at Ruby Creek, near Stanthorpe in the 1970s, and on and off for several decades.

After several ensuing conversations and cups of coffee with Bill, the idea of stories about tin mining being the kernel of something musical started to form. And then to discover that Bill is also a poet! One thing led to another — we commissioned him to write a set of poems about tin mining in the area.

In case you don’t know, the origin of the word Stanthorpe is from the Latin for tin — Stannum — and Thorpe meaning a small village. Of course there’s a long indigenous history before Stanthorpe grew up, with the ancestors of the traditional custodians—the Githabul and Kambuwal.

It was because of the great tin rush of the 1870s that Stanthorpe grew to be a thriving town.

The title came first — how can you resist the play on words with Miner, the person, and Minor, the musical scale? And on top of that minor also means something of “lesser seriousness”.

And then the idea of an opera formed and the poems were set to music. After that a stellar cast was chosen and the orchestration began. Calling it an opera — that’s a bit tongue in cheek. Is it really an opera?

Why don’t you find out for yourself? Seats are limited in this intimate staging and tickets are almost gone!

Where: Liston Community Hall

When: May 5 @ 3:00pm

Tickets: $35.00 flat rate
https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc

Eugene Gilfedder - Voice
Merinda Dias Jayasinha - Voice
Shenzo Gregorio - Violin
Helen Svoboda - Bass
Glenn Barry - Yidaki
Erik Griswold - Keyboard
Vanessa Tomlinson - Percussion

27/04/2024

TIN! A MINOR OPERA Orchestrator, Arranger Erik Griswold and composer Joce Wolfe in conversation.

The « Great Tin Rush » of Stanthorpe retold through verse and music!

Be thoroughly entertained as you hear stories of tin - the industry that saved Queensland from bankruptcy after the financial crash of 1866.

Celebrating the verse of local poet and tin miner Bill Prentice, this premiere production brings a musical setting of poems that delivers something for everyone—from bush ballads to contemporary jazz, and story telling amidst soundscapes that recreate the era through unique instrumentation.

You’ll hear acclaimed Brisbane actor Eugene Gilfedder alongside the silky voice of Melbourne based jazz songstress Merinda Dias-Jayasinha backed by a star studded band.

Is this opera? Join us at the LISTON COMMUNITY HALL 3:00PM on MAY 5 to find out!

Tickets: $35.00 flat rate
https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc

Doors open 2:30 PM.

Concert duration 1 hour.

Join us for a pre-show drink included in ticket price. Cash bar open for a short time afterwards.

Cast:
Eugene Gilfedder - Voice
Merinda Dias - Jayasinha - Voice
Shenzo Gregorio - Violin
Glenn Barry - Yidaki
Helen Svoboda - Bass
Erik Griswold - Keyboard
Vanessa Tomlinson - Percussion

📷 Greg Harm

23/04/2024

You’ve heard of didgeridoo but what about Yidaki?

Visual Artist and Videographer Glenn Barry is a First Nation Gamilaraay and Irish man who grew up on Yugambeh/Bundjalung/ Yaggerra/Jaggera/Ugurapul Country (Gold Coast/Northern NSW/ South Brisbane/Ipswich). He also plays didgeridoo - or in his case, Yidaki. It’s a traditional didgeridoo that is made by Yolngu people in East Arnhem land that has distinct differences, acoustically and structurally, that set it apart from a standard didgeridoo.

Amongst many roles, Glenn teaches Indigenous ways of being and knowing and at Qld. Conservatorium Griffith University he developed a Music Theory course - Thulamaay Gii (Thunder Heart). He has been a respected community member of the Murri Court for 7 years (Qld. Magistrates Court), and also Deputy Chair of Griffith University’s Council of Elders (2014-2021).


Glenn's art works are in many private and public collections across Australia, Japan, Indonesia, South Africa, South Pacific, USA, Canada and Europe. He is on the Board of Directors at Swell Sculptural Festival (and is the first Indigenous board member).

We are delighted he can join us in TIN! A Minor Opera, a show about the great tin rush of the Granite Belt region in the late 1800s. It celebrates the verse of local Liston poet and tin miner Bill Prentice, with original music by Joce Wolfe.

From bush ballads to contemporary jazz, and story telling amidst soundscapes that recreate the era through unique instrumentation, the show has something for everyone.

Where: Liston Community Hall

When: May 5 @ 3:00pm

Tickets: $35.00 flat rate
https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc

Doors open 2:30 PM.

Concert duration 1 hour.

Join us for a pre-show drink included in ticket price. Cash bar open for a short time afterwards.

Glenn will appear alongside the stellar cast of:

Eugene Gilfedder - Voice
Merinda Dias Jayasinha - Voice
Shenzo Gregorio - Violin
Helen Svoboda - Bass
Erik Griswold - Keyboard
Vanessa Tomlinson - Percussion

22/04/2024

Violinist Shenzo Gregorio is a leader in his field of jazz and world styles and has performed in Russia, Brazil, Asia, India, parts of Europe and all over Australia at various festivals.

Locally he is well known for performances in Brisbane and Woodford. His career highlights include performing at New York’s world famous Carnegie Hall with FourPlay String Quartet and author Neil Gaiman.

Delighted that Shenzo can join us in TIN! A Minor Opera, a show about the great tin rush of the Granite Belt region in the late 1800s. It celebrates the verse of local Liston poet and tin miner Bill Prentice, with original music by Joce Wolfe.

From bush ballads to contemporary jazz, and story telling amidst soundscapes that recreate the era through unique instrumentation, the show has something for everyone.

Where: Liston Community Hall

When: May 5 @ 3:00pm

Tickets: $35.00 flat rate
https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc

Doors open 2:30 PM.

Concert duration 1 hour.

Join us for a pre-show drink included in ticket price. Cash bar open for a short time afterwards.

Shenzo will appear alongside the stellar cast of:

Eugene Gilfedder - Voice
Merinda Dias Jayasinha - Voice
Glenn Barry - Yidaki (didgeridoo)
Helen Svoboda - Bass
Erik Griswold - Keyboard
Vanessa Tomlinson - Percussion




The Granite Belt Magazine
Kimbo Tenfm
Music Region New England North West NSW
Visit Tenterfield Tenterfield Notice Board Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre Southern Downs and Granite Belt

21/04/2024

Appearing with her double bass in our upcoming show, TIN! Helen Svoboda will wow you with her flair for soulful playing. Her artistry is described in Limelight Magazine as “extraordinary”.

Her awards and accolades include: 2023-24 Musica Viva Australia FutureMaker; vocalist and composer; 2023 Allan Zavod Performers Award (Monash University), 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship in Australia for her work as a bassist, 2020 Maastricht Jazz Award; 2019 QLD Jazz Award.

TIN! A Minor Opera is a show about the great tin rush of the Granite Belt region in the late 1800s. It celebrates the verse of local Liston poet and tin miner Bill Prentice, with original music by Joce Wolfe.

From bush ballads to contemporary jazz, and story telling amidst soundscapes that recreate the era through unique instrumentation, the show has something for everyone.

But is it opera? Find out for yourself! LISTON COMMUNITY HALL
3:00PM MAY 5 to find out!

Tickets: $35.00 flat rate
https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc

Doors open 2:30 PM.

Concert duration 1 hour.

Join us for a pre-show drink included in ticket price. Cash bar open for a short time afterwards.

Helen will appear alongside the stellar cast of:

Eugene Gilfedder - Voice
Merinda Dias Jayasinha - Voice
Shenzo Gregorio - Violin
Glenn Barry - Yidaki (didgeridoo)
Erik Griswold - Keyboard
Vanessa Tomlinson - Percussion

Helen Svoboda
📷Moorilla Gallery

20/04/2024

Meet Eugene Gilfedder, sharing the narrating and vocals role with Merinda in our upcoming premiere production of TIN!
3:00PM MAY 5
LISTON COMMUNITY HALL

The « Great Tin Rush » of Stanthorpe retold through verse and music!

Celebrating the verse of local poet and tin miner Bill Prentice, this show is about tin - the industry that saved Queensland from bankruptcy after the financial crash of 1866.

From bush ballads to contemporary jazz, and story telling amidst soundscapes that recreate the era through unique instrumentation, there is something for everyone in TIN! and a stellar cast to boot!

Eugene has been involved with professional theatre, film and music performance since 1981 in the roles of actor, director, writer, music director and composer.

He has worked extensively with all major theatre companies in Qld. including the Qld Theatre Co, La Boite, TN!, Grin and Tonic, Performing Arts Trust, 4MBS Classic FM, The Queensland Orchestra and many more. Interstate, he has worked with Melbourne Theatre Co, Sydney Theatre Co, Bell Shakespeare, Performing Lines, Adelaide Festival, Sydney Festival, Marion St Theatre, South Australia Theatre Co. and others.

He is six times a recipient of the Matilda Award for excellence in Qld theatre and in 2000 gained the Melbourne Green Room Award for Best Actor for his performance in A Beautiful Life.

Don’t miss him in TIN!

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc

19/04/2024

Meet Merinda Dias-Jayasinha or better still, come hear her in TIN!
3:00PM MAY 5
Liston Community Hall

You’ll hear Merinda’s silky voice bring the poetry of local tin miner Bill Prentice alive!

Is this opera?

Find out for yourself in this premiere production of bush ballads and soundscapes , something to entertain everyone, young and old, casting stories about TIN — the gold of the late 1800s — in a new light.

Merinda studied at Queensland Conservatorium under Dr Irene Bartlett and renowned jazz vocalist Kristin Berardi. Currently residing in Melbourne, she has made several albums exploring contemporary jazz and diverse vocal forms, and has performed at Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival, Brisbane International Jazz Festival, and Brisbane Jazz Club.

Tickets https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc/tickets

📷 Tajette O’Halloran

18/04/2024

Pianist Erik Griswold is not only ‘tickling the ivories’ for TIN! our upcoming show, but is also the all important Orchestrator, Arranger and co-band leader.

Known around the world for his scintillating pianism with new music and prepared piano, Erik will lead the 5 piece band (plus vocals) along with partner and boldly artistic music maker/percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson.

As a duo they are known as ‘Clocked Out’. Together they have presented their own music at festivals around the world and have won numerous awards in Australia and overseas.

Don’t miss them in this premiere performance of TIN! A very different opera - An exploration of the history of tin mining in the Granite Belt told through the poetry of local tin miner poet Bill Prentice, set to music with influences from bush ballad to experimental jazz.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/tin-a-minor-opera-wf254dnc/tickets

Erik Griswold
Vanessa Tomlinson
Clocked Out

📷 Raphael Neal