When I met Mylee and the Milkshakes

Notes from the journal by Kristina Myrvold

This is the story of a tasty flavoured watermelon milkshake. It is said that the taste is so sweet you'd want to cry baby unicorns out of your eyes, and then bicycle to the moon out of pure joy after just a tiny nip of it. Or, that's my words, but it's a fact that the personalities, the colours, the captivating tunes and vibes all mash up into one fat shooting rainbow. It all melted into a brand new 12 track record back in October 2012. It all happened at Belongil Beach in oh beloved Byron Bay, New South Wales, Eastern Australia. 

I sure picked up a lucky coin that day I randomly met these people and ended up taking part of the making of this record. Im well proud, so fucking proud man. It's a beautiful peace of art Im holding in my hands right now. When I listen to it it all comes back to me. And soon you my dear reader will be a part of it too. I suggest listening to the album whilst you read this silly blog post. You find it all here on BandCamp. It's hard to find the words to describe this week in the studio. Listen to the tunes and you'll float straight into it. Trust!

The band's own words: "Fate would finally play it's card when a family holiday to a house in Byron Bay revealed a recording studio in the basement ( La Casa Artist Residency ). Mylee and Ozzie called in the Milkshakes and anyone else who happened to be in the area for a week of spontaneous jamming with plenty of weed, beer, rainbows and mushrooms. The result is Mylee Grace and Ozzy Wrong Songs, 12 tracks that capture the magic of these two artists performing as one, produced by the one and only Paul Bianco of Cock and Shovel Studios."

The album 'MYLEE GRACE AND OZZY WRONG SONGS' was released Friday November 08 2013 at Wild Things Gallery, Balgowlah, New South Wales, Australia mate. I was so sad I couldn't be there. At that time I was working as a Divemaster in Thailand, but I got updates from those who were there, pictures and of course eventually a copy of the masterpiece itself in my mailbox. Have a look at the pics from the event here. All photos from the album launch by Sarah Christensen - www.wildthingsgallery.com.au.

I will try my best to share a set list of unforgettable moments from the time when I met the band Mylee Grace & the Milkshakes and the time I shared with them in the recording studio. Mylee, the main lady is a laid-back, wave loving punkfolk-mum from Sydney. She dresses retro and wears her charming smile as easily as her black platform sandals. A confident and edgy voice, presenting gipsy rock and roll from her great young heart. 

Mylee Grace

This girl caught my fascination. She's the main chord of this string of words. Wide eyed, inspired I watched this singing bird and her band mates reveal their golden old souls in the recording studio. I fell in love with the sun, the tempting, dreamy tunes playing by the ocean. In my heart I know that the anti bad vibes of 'La Casa Artist Recidency' (the recording studio) will never leave my soul. I am forever grateful for getting this opportunity to share this very special story of how to make a record.

But first..

First I met the trash, surf rock band Goons of Doom at an opening of a new Volcom board lab in Coolangatta, Gold Coast. Due to my shit skateboard skills I smashed my knees, hands and face so bad that night. I've always been a clown, but the end result was getting to know a bunch of music loving, crazy and loveable characters that I later have become very fond of. So many laughs, and so many emotions were created that week of recording. For me, as an always learning and unprofessional musician, this was the most awesome thing you could ever experience in the meeting of a new land and culture. Sick as…

I had run away from the university I attended in Brisbane. Too cool for school. None of my class mates there had any interest in skating, surfing or listening to hippie music and slacking on the beach. My goal was to find some kind of cultural aspect of Australia to write about in my uni paper. So alone I was on my Aussie adventure. Looking back at it now it was the best thing that could have ever happened. 

Loner from "NoWay"
I was curious and alone in the world. Coincidences and luck all melts into one some times. On a random trip to the Gold Coast I ended up at this event. I had my best mate with me, my Sector 9 skateboard. I got to the Volcom store a couple of hours early. A sound engineer dude and some other guys were setting up the small outdoor stage - a couple of party tents, drum kit, microphone stands, massive sound speakers, amps and fancy lights. It was all sponsored by Volcom so I knew it had to be good. Sweet as. 

They started the sound check soon after I came there. As the social being I am I went over to talk to them and ask what bands were playing and who might show up. Pauly, the sound dude, told me about the band and he pointed out for me that it was the world famous surfer Ozzie Wright's band performing this evening. 'Goons of Doom'. Nor the name of the band or the surfer rung any bells to me, but he was a cool kid and I got the feeling that this would become an awesome night. Another band named Pirates Alive was going to do the warm ups. 

I spent my time hanging out on the sidewalk writing in my journal until people started showing up round 5pm. Pauly seemed to be a very talkative being and I ended up hanging out with him. He kept telling me about Oz and music and of course taking the piss of me being a lost little Norwegian. Most people haven't thought much about Norway, but the fact that people surf during winter in 8mm wetsuits kept the conversations going. 

After I'd showed them my passport and proved my age of 22 (which led to several discussions of me looking like a 16year old) I could finally sit down, gaze at the sun, have a beer, and just watch all these insane kids skate around and do awesome tricks on the ramps with their skateboards. I have always been a bit shy, but I've found a way of combining my curiosity with alcohol and talking about my scars and recent skateboard wounds. Such a loser. At least that was the case this particular evening.

I really don't know what happened, but during the concert I ended up roaring backing vocals together with Pauly from the side of the stage and the whole crowd went mental dancing and singing along. Kids shouting and head banging at the front. Happy tears in my eyes. Afterwards I got to hang out and talk to the rest of the band, utterly excited after their sweaty and full on show. I met so many awesome people that night. I didn't go back to Brisbane until monday afternoon.

Excitement

Tuesday, the day after, Pauly called me. He'd been talking to Ozzy about my paper I was writing at Uni. I had told him that I was writing about bands in Australia, and that I though the Goons was so fucking-rad-man-bloody-sickfuck-as. Literally I was Doomed. Like a fourteen year old shit kid I laid on my bed crossing my fingers, almost creaming my pants praying for a short interview. Karma says hi and Ozzy told Pauly that I should come down to Byron Bay and do some interviews and singing that week. … dafuck?! 

I was enraptured, feverish, and utterly exuberant like a fur ball in the wind. First I thought I was going down there to interview the Goons. When I actually came there Pauly remembered to mention that he was also a part of Mylee Grace (& the Milkshakes), Ozzy's girlfriends band, and this week they were making a record. Wow. I was terrified in a good way. This would be a great opportunity for me to get some actual stuff for my paper. 

Knowing almost nothing about the members or the bands I went down there on their third day of recording to check it all out. My plan was to stay there overnight, but the people I met there and the atmosphere made me stay till Sunday. The place that I came to visit was nothing like anything I had ever seen before. I slept on the couch in the recording studio and I became friends with the crew. I felt like the luckiest shit kid alive. So here we go. I proudly present a little story about the making of 

MYLEE GRACE AND OZZY WRONG SONGS

Mylee & the Milkshakes they are kind of like one big band. One big family of friends in fact. They're based in Sydney and all in all they're an alternative rock & roll, garage, country folk flower, gipsy, indie punk kinda band. A fat rainbow of good vibe tunes I would say. Sometimes Mylee also do vocals on concerts with the Goons of Doom. The band consists of main lady Mylee Grace on vocals and guitar, Tuifao Raymond Lalotoa (drums, percussion), Ryan Norman Cowell aka Cutthroat Cowboy (drums, percussion), and Oscar Wright aka Ozzy Wrong doing guitar, base and vocals. Mainly it is Ray who plays the drums, but recently Cowboy stepped in for this album. It depends on who can make it to the gig. On the first gig I joined them on the Great Northern in Byron Bay they shared the songs between them. They both hit the drums with firearm percussion dressed in deadly catchy rhythms. We were so many people on stage. A whole crowd of smiling, dancing and music loving people. Mylee and Ozzy have been writing songs together since they started going out in 2006.

Rare, old picture including all of the milkshakes! Taken from Mylee Grace's page on Facebook. Ray, Ozzie, Tristan, Mylee and Maria. 

Runawaykids

Mylee and Ozzy have known each other since they were kids. They grew up in the same area, Bondi, Sydney. When they hooked up they disappeared and nobody saw them for six months wrapped up in their own love cocoon. Eventually they started jamming and writing songs about their thoughts and random things around them. This led to spontaneous jams with their good friend Ray and Mylee's musical multi talent mum Maria, also known as Panda. Together the tree of them form the skeleton of the band, and other members have appeared throughout the passed six-seven years. In 2011 they met Katherine Mavridis, and Tristan Looms. Katherine has been playing cello and keyboard for their gigs. Tristan plays the guitar and he is awfully good at it. Maria Stratton plays live with the band occasionally and she also appeared on their last LP BABY TALK, released 07 December 2007. According to Mylee she will probably play and sing on all the albums they'll ever make.

Mylee, born April 06 1985, started writing her own songs at the age of 8. Throughout her teenage years she combined this with learning to play both the guitar and drums. She is a creative soul of heart, having a passion for being a mum, photography, surfing, arts and vintage clothing. Her own words says; "she's an Australian who loves croissants and sweet songs". Her band the Milkshakes was formed when she was 19, and at the age of 22 she toured the world together with her boyfriend's band the Goons which are still rocking on with their punk ass surf rock & roll. 

Recently the little family of three became four - now her son Rocky River has got a beautiful little sister named Goldie. Playing and making songs and being on the road with a bunch of boys can be tough sometimes, but in the end of the day it's always also a lot of fun and excitement involved in the process. There are still so many things to be said about this lady Mylee. She is one of my greatest inspirations when it comes to following your heart in the ways of music, love and arts. Hopefully by reading this you will be fascinated and fall a little bit in love too. If you want a longer bio of her and the band you can click here or here.

LA CASA ARTIST RESIDENCY - BELONGIL BEACH - BYRON BAY  

Suddenly I found myself in a recording studio, a lush house laying on the Belongil Beach in Byron Bay. You got the mighty blue ocean on your doorstep. Such a sweet surf spot. Sponsored by Corona Extra, 'La Casa Artist Residency' has the last couple of years hosted many gifted and talented musicians. A week in October 2012 the house would be home to family and friends of Mylee Grace and Ozzy Wrong. Everyone who had the chance to stop by came to join in. As you can see in the pictures none of us found it difficult to relax and find some peace in that house. Living the Aussie dream man - home is where your heart is - on a beach.Upstairs is the living room where people hang out, make jummy food and just lax on the couches. You find the room where all the magic happens down in the basement, an open room with windows at every side. White wooden walls all covered in paper cut outs and pictures making it a perfect environment for creative activities. Out through the windows you can see the front yard with its palm trees and as the branches dance in the sweet breeze you see the waves cursing up onto the beach. In the mornings we could see Humpback whales playing around out there. Magic. 

And suddenly I there I was. A messy punk skater kiddo from Norway. "NoWay" they said. Just me and my scabby knees and my backpack. I have to admit I was shaking like a little mouse. I knew nothing about what was waiting for me in the 'Corona House', as they also spoke of the mystic La Casa house. On the phone on my way there all I could hear they say was “So fuckin sweet man!”, “This place is RAD!”, “The house is like ON THE BEACH!”. "You have to come down here fast as possible!"

I felt like I was walking straight into a surf or skate-movie kinda dream, except the fact I suck at both skating and surfing. And there was music in this fairytale, heaps of it! At one point I questioned fait, all of my scars and skateboard wounds was one of the reasons I got to know these guys. 

Monday October 1

This was two days before I came to La Casa. They started the recordings this day. I was suffocating in a rotten motel in Tweed Heads, watching bad television heavily hung over after the Goons of Dooms concert in Coolangatta, Saturday. Late at night I finally came back to Brisbane, lonely living since none of my flatmates knew anything about all the crazy stuff I'd just experienced. Couldn't be helped, I was sooooo doomed man. I had to write about this gig! It was as Aussie as it could get. Sweaty, salty surfer dudes screaming out rude lyrics holding on to their guitars in a massive mash of distortion and tinnitus. How good is that?

Tuesday October 2

This day they were recording a song with Maria's band Year of the Deers with Cowboy on drums. I talked to Pauly and he said that they put two really special moments on tape. After The Deers finished the studio was set for continuing on the Milkshake project.

Wednesday October 3

Here my friend Pauly, the sound engeneer dude, mr. sound producer comes to pick me up on his bike! Feeling privileged!

This was the first thing that caught my eye when I arrived at La Casa. Ozzy did the last finish when I climbed off that bike. Anti bad vibe. Exactly what I needed.  

The day I first entered the Corona House Ozzy had just finished painting and decorating a massive fridge outside on the porch. Looking quite pleased with what he'd done he wandered off into the house and I decided to take a look around. Surfboards and skateboards lined up on the grass and against the walls, all painted and decorated in their own style and crazy colours. I soon learned that all kinds of artwork is big a part of this whole musical atmosphere. Hand in hand like dancing children - music, street art, graffiti, photography, drawings, paint, writing, animation, and film collides into massive waves of creativity. The La Casa Residency  makes an example of it. Byron Bay. I fell in love with the place even before I got there. 

When I first came into the basement mr. producer Pauly showed me some of the fresh recordings. I don't recall the actual song but it was one with both Mylee and Ozzy singing, vocals naked and stripped backed up by only guitar and drums. Must have been Too Much to Dream I guess. I told him that they reminded me of The Moldy Peaches, a band I've prized for years. They told me one of their biggest influences are bands like the Moldy Peaches. Great singers and poets like PJ Harvey, Patti Smith and Joni Mitchell have had impact on Mylee and her way of music. I was so happy to discover that we shared and enjoyed so much of the same music.

I later read in an article that both she and Ozzy had been reading Patti Smith's biographical book Just Kids out loud for each other. After reading that book I see Pattis and Roberts everywhere. Mylee and Ozzy's creative ways resembled to me a similar artistic driven and trustful relationship. Patti's free speech of the love of arts and the struggles you meet on the way growing up to become an artist, the criticism of the seriousness of today's society, preaching of sunshine and flowers... They all have it, the free spirit and the will to share it through the making of real and honest music.

Julie and Pauly. All smiles. Pauly facilitates the recording by setting up microphones,  setting levels, constantly checking, and making sure that the DAW (digital analog workstation) is at the ready at all times. So as not to miss any magic. Gets paid in many different ways. He keeps things moving, and keeps a list inside his head of what's finished and not (the band had a board but did not use it), and what needs to be done. Sometimes he just pisses people off, but as Ozzy says he brings out the best and good in people and makes them feel special. Pauly has known the band members for about seven years. He has known Ray since the 90s and they made a record but never released it. 

Mylee and Oz doing vox for "To Much To Dream".

Mr James listening to the recording. 

In the morning Cowboy walked the mini Mal to the sand of the beach. And later there was a moment when a Yeti (Cowboy) appeared on drums. The cowboy made a change of attitude. It sure worked out well; the Yeti fired off the percussions like a firecracker. He also did a steady job hammering the tambourine. How good would it be if all the drummers could jump around and make chains of rhythm like that. I have to say all these people Ive met here are very entertaining to watch perform. People laugh so much. Kudos also to all the encouraging people hanging out watching from the couch in the corner behind the mighty desk. Pauly did his magic recording it all. 

Mylee and Ozzie then did vocals on the adorable love song "Wrapped up". Then it was time for the recording of Mylee's guitar and vocals on what would become the opening track of the record, "Cloud Over Paradise". One of my favourite tracks for sure. Ozzy on base. It was a beautiful session to watch. As Pauly said, nobody could argue that Mylee was channeling Neil Young's crazy horse guitar sound.

Pauly playing on the keys and sound engineer James Boundy in the background recording.

Then it was all the vocals that was recorded that day. Pauly showed patience and did an awesome job putting together a number of amazing moments. Mylee and Ozzy did vocals on "Too Much to Dream" and "Wrapped up". I filmed some of it, them both sitting with legs crossed on the floor trying out the lyrics written earlier the same morning. Ozzy playing on a small acoustic guitar. Mylee in her cute little dress and dark fringe falling into her eyes. Looking at each other like young teenagers. Everyone instantly fell in love with the sugar sweet atmosphere. Me and Ozzy did almost cry when Mylee did her vocal parts. I dunno if it was all the weed, coronas or the sound of the waves clashing in the background, but I'll never forget the recording of this track. Bea-uutiful. So now you go on listen to it! 

"Too Much to Dream" is a song based on Ozzy's dreams, which includes shark bites, scared kids, numb mums, priests and watermelons. For days you could hear the humming of "He eats a watermelon every day, to keep his bad dreams away…" floating through the Casa of Corona.

 

Ozzy and Pauly jamming and trying out different riffs and rhythms. A lot of this record just happened randomly in the studio. James doing magic on the iMac. Me and Mylee patiently observing and listening to the tunes. 

        

The mighty fridge finished with the lights on. Bring on the Coronas! 

 

Juli, Mylee and me hanging out in the couch. 

Ozzy and Mylee recording "Wrapped Up"

Later in the evening it was time for doing the backing vocals on Wrapped Up, where me and Mylee did the "mmmmms". I had been watching all these talented musicians all day, and I was taken by surprise when they actually wanted my voice in there. My knees was shaking and I felt like a shy little shit, but out of nowhere we managed to mmmm some great harmonies. 

Afterwards came the backing vocals on Ozzy's punk ass attitude song named "Smell of Rebellion". It was Mylee, me and a wonderful Californian flower named Juli singing on the chorus. We were dressed up in bad ass sunnies, leather jackets and leopard print coats. All that was going through my head was “Do not fuck up the lyrics! You got one tiny small part to remember, dear self do NOT fuck it up!" But of course I couldn't, I had to mess it up. Instead of singing the line “they can smell a rebel” I tended to sing "they can smell a rabbit" all over and over again. At least these people got a sense of humour. They say if you laugh a lot you live longer. I truly believe that. Smell of rebellion and smell of rabbits. Ozzy made a painting of the rabbit too! Silly, silly, silly...

they can smell a rebel, they can smell a rebel

they can smell a rebel anywhere

yeah they can smell a rebel, they can smell a rebel,

they can smell a RABBIT anywhere

sometimes life aint fare, yeah, yeah, yeah

the rebels don't care

"There goes Johnny. He so bad, he's rad". The opening line of the smell of rebellion. It was never a plan, but you know, the magic happens as you go. The whole house was full of friends and family of the band members, and Juli was one of them. Her sharp little american accent nailed it. A massive round of applause after that line. Again, so much laughter. It sure was so rad it was bad. 

The night went on and exactly when all the bells cried midnight and "Happy Birthday Juli!", the last bits of Cloud over Paradise was done. It  was a shooting star, a highlight on the musical horizon. All these damn Coronas. When you listen to the tracks you can almost smell it. The taste of it lingers, on your lips, fingertips. On your skin, in your hair, in your ear wax and in every single chord tracked on this record. 

Thursday October 4
"Just go out and let the waves wash it all away". Not hung over at all. The beloved hammock. Such a beautiful morning. 

Looking for whales jumping and drinking coffee. 

Every morning we went out in the waves to surf and wash off the hung over and then prepare the basement for another day of recording songs about peace and love and dreams and rebels. 

It was time for a morning session with Mylee doing vocals and Panda playing the piano. Ozzy stepped in too and played some tunes.

Pauly sitting in front of the iMac, taking care of all the technical stuff. "Wait! go in on the first! 2-3-4". Tuning things up and down, putting it all together. 

Then we all took a break to make food and coffee, enjoying it outside watching the waves and the whales out there at sea. The kids were running around, playing with skateboards, crayons and skipping ropes. Of course I had to join in. Then it was back in to the studio again. Recording "Pray for the sunshine" where I did some harmonies together with Mylee. And pray for the sunshine we did. Aaaaah, and then they started working more on the last track of the record "Count till the end of me". 

Pretty ladies on the couch! 

"If you don't play, you PAINT!"

Right in the middle of an intense and good-vibe session the computer said no. Panic, and the Earth stood still. Not a movement. “The computer just froze…” Pauly sitting there like a question mark. Hectic breathing. "Can anyone call the lady who knows the password? "The password is written on the desk!” someone shouts from the sofa in the other side of the room. “But it doesn't work!“. After fifteen minutes of mental chaos the pain was relieved. "CAPS LOCK”. All eyes on Pauly. Oh the joys! Again more laughter, and the following session of recording went on like a dream. 

In the afternoon Tristan showed up to get the guitar solo on Rebel on tape. They also started recording the guitars for Pray for the Sunshine. Ozzy did the rhythm guitar wearing his white Kurt Cobain sunnies performing on top of a plastic crate in the middle of the studio. All this enthusiasm… Pauly must be the most patient man ever sometimes. "Come on guys! One more time! Hurry up and wait!" The songs Cloud over Paradise, Too Much to Dream, Wrapped Up, Anti Bad Vibe and Rebel took proper form this day. It started to sound like a record. 

So many instruments to chose between, so many gifted and talented people showing up. I guess you can't stop creating and playing with sound in a house like this. It all went on non stop. Whilst Maria plays the organ and the keyboard Ozzy walked around playing an ukulele spacing out in his own thoughts. Jamming. We were all a bit in our own bubbles out there by the sea. Me face down in my journal, trying to get all this down on paper or on my shitty little compact camera. 

Ozzy were wearing his Cobain glasses again, a blue leather jacket, a knitted beanie in rastafaraian colours, black jeans and a worn out t-shirt. "I just get so excited! he said after playing real grunge on the ukulele. Pauly put some distortion on top of it and made Rebel sound well heavy. "I just want it to sound pretty!" Mylee said. And pretty punk it became after mixing it all together. "Should we get another rhythm on the guitar?" Pauly asks. And so it goes on. No worries mate. I was so impressed of the laid back way they worked and how comfortable everybody seemed to be in that house. 

Our favourite Cowboy smoking a fag! 

Legs hanging out in the doorway. 

Friday October 5
Another day in paradise! For us Scandinavians - waking up to this  is fucking mental! 

This was the day for more recordings of guitars, tambourine, piano, mandolin, violin, accordion and more backing vocals. 

Basement ready in the morning sunshine.  

Smiling Cowboy! Early bird catches the worm! Or the best waves..

Pauly ready for the veggie wrap van up the road. 

Ozzy, morning spray can sesh. 

Ozzy, the happiest kiddo alive! All the album art for this record is made by this crazy man. 

Pauly's trying to walk on the water like Gidget! 

I see kiwi and Ozzy plays ukulele.

Mylee waiting for people to come back into the basement. Time to work on "Lady Lady Lady". 

Back into the studio. Pauly, Maria, Mylee and Tristan. 

Maria played mandolin on the track "Tiger", and then she did lead guitar on "Cloud over Paradise". The violin session in the morning stole my heart. What an amazing mum to have. No wonder Mylee has turned out such a wonderful musician. Maria also plays the organ/piano, accordion, and does backing vox on this record.

As the afternoon went on more friends came to the house to catch up with the jamming and recording. So many different people took part of the sound. There was a bbq at the house that day and people had gathered to enjoy good music and good vibes around the Fridge of Glory. Everyone was a part of this euphoric, unreal atmosphere of Byron. Waves crashing at the shore line. Everyone was content. People were floating in and out of the recording studio. One thing's for sure, I've learned to love Australian food. Sausages, beef stakes, chicken and fish, avocados, tomatoes, mustard, veggie salads, watermelon and what have you. Sweet munchies. 

In the basement the adults played with the instruments and upstairs in the living room toys, crayons and puzzles were spread around by the kids. Dancing to the tunes they were running and playing around the house with big smiles on their faces.

The night developed into a massive jam session where anyone who wanted came and played along in the studio. We recorded some real good moments and the coronas from the Mighty fridge kept everyone going the whole night. 

Here comes more random pictures from that evening. I will not write up everybody's names here, (to avoid spelling or memory errors) but you all know who you are. THANK YOU for a wonderful night. Im so happy I met you all! 

Saturday October 6 - The Great Northern!  

"MY PUSSY RIOT presents the premiere of the new TALLOW GALLERY Film - Journey, followed by The Deers, Bec and Ben, Mylee and the Milkshakes, Pirates Alive, Fait Accompli…"

Amen to that! Another little pearl finished!

They started recording the bonus track written by Tristan Looms - Susie Maroney. Tristan finished and wrote the lyrics right after recording his guitar. I sat out there on the stairs smoking fags watching this man finish the wonder and then he went in the firing off a vocal combination of Mick Jagger and Lou Reed. I was amazed. Mylee, Tristan and Leon did the backing vocals for this one. Listen to the song and you will know what I'm talking about. Everyone was singing along to the choirs "meeeeee aaaaaaand Susie Maroneeeeeeey". You just couldn't get the line out of your head. 

Tristan finishing the lyrics. 

Power nap before getting read for the gig. 

Raymond Lalota doing lead guitar on "Susie Maroney".

Liam Flanagan playing some base. 

Late afternoon it was time to get ready for the gig at The Great Northern Hotel. Mylee dressed up in her platform shoes and her black Patti Smith coat. Ozzy did a guitar show down on the ground and we couldn't get to the happening fast enough. 

Pauly, Cowboy, Mylee and Ozzy outside the Great Northern. 

…And then my camera died. Sorry folks! If you want to see pictures you can google or have a look at myleegrace.bandcamp.com and slimemilkshake.tumblr.com

The other bands that played were amazing. First a surf movie set the stage for what atmosphere there would be this evening. The Deers warmed up the stage with folky tunes, and later on the band BecandBen blew our heads off with aggressive drums and an angry playful guitar. Together with Mylee and her milkshakes I did backing vocals on a handful of songs together with other friends that had been staying at the La Casa that week. The band played tight and the audience was all smiles and shouts and cheers. 

It was rad! I couldn't believe I was there to witness it all. It was easy to see why all this people chose this as their way of life. Music is the way to go. The new songs they'd made went straight to everyones hearts. The night was set up by the music community My Sydney Riot. A respectable crowd found their way to the gig. After Mylee Pirates Alive entered the stage and then finally Fait Accompli. A new definite favourite after that gig!   I saw the hottest female drummer Ive seen that night, but I never dared to talk to her. The people I met backstage was amazing. I have no words. The night ended up in a blur.   

Sunday October 7 - Time to say goodbye

Today and tomorrow. Last days of recording. "Noooo!". Waiting for Dave the other sound engineer to finish up the rest. Last night was just like a dream. All these happy people. Hanging out with my new awesome friend, Izzy. Preparing us for our road trip back home to Brisbane. Tuesday they all have to move out of the house early in the morning. Recording Gidget. An absolute favourite. So happy I got some dubiduduuus and aaaoooows in there. Happy, happy, happy vibes. Emotional day. It's Byron innit? WHAT A WEEK.

Busy day. People were starting to pack up and leave the house. The fact that it had been the best week of my life started to sink in. Me and Ben (BecandBen) was wondering for how long we would wear our crazy smiles on our faces. I didn't want to leave. I met so many great people with great ambitions and professions.  Drummers, photographers, fashion designers, poets, surfers, hippies, all great musicians and artists. And it was such a great time for us kids as well. The anti bad vibe shield is being passed on to the next generation. Byron Bay makes me believe there is enough love in this world to keep it spinning records for many, many years to come. I hoped you enjoyed reading this. It's hard to find the right words, one of my best memories for sure.

"Share the dream, travel the world, and make new friends wherever you go".

Love Kris

Cloud Over Paradise Lady Lady Lady Pray For The Sunshine Tiger Susie Maroney ( bonus tristan track ) Smell Of Rebellion Too Much To Dream Shoot Rainbows Into Fascism Gidget Wrapped Up Pauly's Song Count Till The End

---> download !