Josh Pyke’s ‘Lone Wolf’ Tour Diary – 6th & 7th June

Josh Pyke has just kicked off his Lone Wolf Australian tour, which has seen one of the country’s most successful artists demonstrate his commitment to his regional supporters as he travels deep into the heart of Australia.

For those eager for a little more insight into the day-to-day realities of regional touring, Josh Pyke is graciously documenting his travels exclusively for Music Feeds readers in his Lone Wolf Tour Diary.

Friday, 6th June – Montrose Town Centre, Montrose, Victoria

Starting a tour, (even if you’ve done one leg of it a month earlier), is always a strange feeling. Part excitement to be doing what you love, part sad to leave home and family, part nervous to see if people will show up!

Luckily I knew that the first show at Montrose was sold out, so I knew that at the very least the first show would be well attended. I met up with Dave (trusty Tour Manager and very old mate) at the airport and boarded the plane.

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Somewhat disappointingly, I finished the book I’d been relying on to fill tour-down-time on the flight to Melbourne. Great read though, No Country For Old Men. Surprised it’s taken me this long to read it.

We landed, and loaded the van to perfection, an oddly satisfying feeling, and then listened to Drake all the way to Healesville, where we’d be staying for both nights of our Yarra Valley adventure.

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I like Drake. I now know he was also in the new version of Canadian TV show, Degrassi: The Next Generation. Somehow that doesn’t quite gel with his crack smoking lyrics and self aggrandising vibe. However, I still reckon he’s a killer lyricist.

We had an hour to kill so we hit the Healesville hotel for an off the hook leg of lamb. Damn, country pub dining can be so good! Finally we headed over to the venue in Montrose and set up in the lovely, and very intimate space there. Good Ol’ boy Jack Carty rocked up, and now the team was complete.

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Sound check was smooth, and then the waiting game began. I’d had the flu all week, so was feeling nervous about my voice holding out, but thanks to the very bong-like vaporiser I had with me, I whipped the old vocal chords into shape. Jack did a great set to rapturous applause, and then it was finally my turn.

Well…not my greatest gig people!

For some reason I was really nervous, and I screwed up one too many time for my own professional standards. Forgot lyrics, forgot chords, weirded myself out a bit. About halfway through I got my shit together and finished strong, but I wasn’t well pleased with myself!

BUT, as seems to always be the case, the feedback from the audience was that the mistakes were their favourite bit! Makes me think I should just embrace lack of professionalism since it seems to come naturally to me 😉

So I hung out and met the lovely folks who’d come to the show, and as always was struck by the board demographic of humans in attendance. Also, as always, I was struck at the warmth and generosity of the audience, and for that I am eternally grateful. It’s pretty amazing to go to a town you’ve never actually heard of before and play to a full house of lovely people.

Finally loaded the stuff back in the van and headed back to the Hotel to get stuck in ABC’s famous Rage void until about 3am.

Saturday, 7th June – The Memo, Healesville, Victoria

Woke up late and headed into Healesville to the cafe Mocha and Lime. Gotta say, it was very good. Coffee was a 7/10, and the breakfast on a whole was a 7/10. But the spice sausage? 9/10. Often it’s a challenge getting good food in regional towns, but I’ve definitely noticed over the last 10 years of touring that the standard is ever increasing.

I had the day off today until 2pm, and with my tour book always finished, I passed the time writing the better part of two songs, one of which was inspired by the themes of No Country For Old Men, so I felt less hard done by about finishing it. I also unapologetically nerded out on YouTube, watching live pro-tools mix sessions in action. A good day in my books.

We headed over to the venue and were delighted to find it was sold out! It’s a beautifully spec’d venue with great gear, and great staff. There’s so much to love about regional Oz, and i think the pride in the cultural centres and performance arts spaces is one of those things. No-one’s jaded about the whole shebang, everyone’s just genuinely excited and when you do this 100 times a year, that’s a reinvigorating vibe.

Soundcheck was smooth, and so I headed back to the Hotel to try and grab a nap, but got pretty engrossed with Men In Black 3 on free to air instead. I went back to the venue to watch Carty’s set, which was excellent, and then readied myself for the gig.

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Tonight, my friends, was much better!

Admittedly there were one or two small errors, but on the whole, I felt great about the show. My voice felt better, and in general I felt like a professional musician, which is always good if that’s what you purport to be.

After the show I went out and met the kind folks of the greater Yarra region who’d been good enough to make it a second sold out show. It was a great way to start out the regional leg of the Lone Wolf Tour. Lovely punters and great venues. A beautiful part of the country.

Looking forward to Darwin and Broome, it should be hot over there which will be a nice change!

Til then

JPx

Watch: Josh Pyke – The Beginning And The End Of Everything

Josh Pyke continues his Lone Wolf tour tomorrow at Fannie Bay Gaol in Darwin, see the rest of the tour dates below.

Josh Pyke’s The Lone Wolf Solo Tour

Presented by Music Feeds

Friday, 6th June 2014 — SOLD OUT

Montrose Town Centre, Montrose, Victoria (All Ages)

Saturday, 7th June 2014

The Memo, Healesville, Victoria (All Ages)

Tix: Via Yarra Ranges | 03 5966 4500

Friday, 13th June 2014 — SOLD OUT

Fannie Bay Gaol, Darwin NT (Special guests Mike Meston and Ward Hancock)

Sunday, 15th June 2014

Divers Tavern, Broome WA (Special guests TBC)

Tix: Via Moshtix | 1300 GET TIX

Friday, 20th June 2014

Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba QLD (All Ages)

Tix: Via Empire Theatre | 1300 655 299

Saturday, 21st June 2014

Majestic Theatre, Pomona QLD (All Ages)

Tix: Via Majestic Theatre | 07 5485 2330

Sunday, 22nd June 2014

Byron Theatre, Byron Bay NSW (All Ages)

Tix: Via Byron Centre | 02 6685 6807

Wednesday, 25th June 2014

Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour NSW (All Ages)

Tix: Via Jetty Theatre | 02 6652 8088

Thursday, 26th June 2014

Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie NSW

Tix: Via Oztix | 1300 762 545

Friday, 27th June 2014

Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree NSW (All Ages)

Tix: Via QTCC | 02 6552 5699

Saturday, 28th June 2014

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock NSW (All Ages)

Tix: Via Cessnock | 02 4990 7134

Friday, 4th July 2014 — NEW SHOW!

Milton Theatre, Milton NSW (All Ages)

Tix: Via Milton Theatre | 02 4455 3056

Saturday, 5th July 2014 — LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE

Milton Theatre, Milton NSW (All Ages)

Tix: Via Milton Theatre | 02 4455 3056

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