About the Porch Light SessionsThe Porch Light Sessions Facebook Page

The Porch Light Sessions are a series of monthly acoustic gigs showcasing both upcoming and established singer/songwriters to listening audiences.

It is one of the few nights in Sydney where you can actually be in a public space, in a pub, but once an artist gets up on to the stage, the people go quiet. It’s a great gift to all.

– Cathy Kirkpatrick (co-founder)

Originally established by music management/business guru, Cathy Kirkpatrick, and Sydney musician Leroy Lee, it has now been running for over 4 years. About 12 months ago, Leroy decided to step down and allow Frances Martin, a music-scene champion and friend to all musicians, take over his half.

Who Performs?

The nights typically showcase up to three local, national and international artists. The focus of each Porch Light Sessions is on story and song. Cathy and Frances have been very careful in offering this gig to artists who have the ability to connect with an audience through repertoire, musicianship and stagecraft.

This is not the kind of show with people half-listening to the music. The attentiveness must go in both directions.

– Cathy Kirkpatrick (co-founder)

When is it on?

Held on the second Thursday of every month, the next gig is planned for Thursday the 13th July (and I’m in the lineup!). Being monthly, there is no shortage of quality, diverse acts to grace the stage. This should also make it easy enough to attend as a regular prescription of quality Sydney-based live music.

Where is it held?

The nights have been, and continue to be, held at the Petersham Bowling Club, about 6 minutes walk from Petersham Train Station.

Here’s a bit about the venue from the PBC website:

Established in 1896,  the Petersham Bowling & Recreation Club (the PBC) is one of the oldest clubs in NSW, with a rich and interesting history. A few years ago the club was snatched from the jaws of property developers intent on building town houses on the site. Now the PBC is a vibrant, dynamic and creative, poker machine-free community club with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

A bonus for me (not mentioned above) is that the PBC also have a delicious selection of rotating craft beer taps and home made pizzas (at time of writing, Bistro is shut for renovations… they allow BYO food).

Why should you attend?

If you enjoy going to see live music for the sake of the music, not just as a social outing, then this is where you should be going once a month. Entry is cheap at $10 and the connection that is created between audience and performer is real. Lyrics are understood and melodies are in their purest form. Expect to be hushed if you plan on sparking a conversation mid-song.

The Porch Light Sessions at the Petersham Bowling Club is the kind of gig that established artists will reminisce about in the twilight years of their careers.

My Gig Plug

Click below for the Facebook event and more information about the night.

My own listing for this gig can also be found on this website by clicking here.

Set times are:
7:30 – Sam Newton
8:30 – Martha Marlow
9:30 – Leroy LeePorch Light Sessions - Featuring Sam Newton, Leroy Lee and Martha Marlow

A couple of days ago when one of my acoustic strings broke, I felt it a perfect opportunity to record a video lesson on how to change strings on a Steel String Acoustic Guitar. I was going make a post with extra written information to accompany the video, however it ended up being so long and in-depth that I don’t think one is necessary anymore.

Here’s the video lesson. Enjoy:

httpvp://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQeqUg-lbojnsBPBqYhgsCgX4-ygwu78U

Also, let me provide y’all with a quick update on the album recording process. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been lucky enough to have the following players come in and add to my album:
– Jason Walker with some Pedal Steel
– Zane Banks for Banjo
– Alison Avron (Click for her website. She also runs the wonderful underground Sydney venue; The Newsagency), come in to sing a on a duet a few BV’s
– Matt James for a bit of Electric Bass

All sessions have come out really great. I did some further mixing with POG just last night, and some of the tracks are sounding ridiculously good. I’m really happy with how this project is moving along.

Pic’s from these occasions can be found in my Galleries Page or below in a slideshow!

As you can see to the right of this page, I have also posted up several new gigs that I’ve booked in. Highlights from these include the UNSW Roundhouse with full band next Thursday from 4pm, and a couple of foot-stomping sets at the Wild Rover on the 6th of April (next Sunday). Be sure to keep an eye out as I lock more dates in.

Click here to be linked to my Gigs page.

 

Speak soon.