The Bryon Bay Blues Fest is a 5 day festival that is held over the Easter long weekend every year. It is has been on my bucket list for years, mostly because of the incredible artists that always perform at this festival.
Bryon Bay is also one of Australia’s most famous destination, known for it’s alternative lifestyle and world class surfing beaches. So what better place to watch some of your favourite artists like Ben Harper, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio and Jack Johnson?
Up close and personal with John Butler Trio
You never know just who you will meet in this world and where those relationships may lead you. A few twitter, blog and facebook messages turn to some email and longer chats and you find yourself making wonderful friendships from across the globe again.
Amar from Gap Year Escape is someone who Craig and I have been getting to know a lot more lately. He is a lovely person, is so helpful, loves travel and does some great work over at this blog. Amar has done a lot of travelling in Oz and in that time built a lot of good relationships with people in the right places.
He is back in England at the moment and cannot make the upcoming Byron Bay Blues Fest. We were absolutely stoked when he asked if we would like to go instead. He had two 5-day Media passes that we could have.
Did we ever??? Needless to say we are super stoked and really grateful to Amar for this amazing opportunity.
We, not only get to see incredible artists such as Bob Dylan, Xavier Rudd, Ben Harper, John Legend, Pete Murray, Michael Franti, Wolfmother, BB King, Kasey Chambers, Indigo Girls, but we get the opportunity to interview them!!
When you receive opportunities like this it makes all your hard work seem so worthwhile. We understand how important networking with others is, and it is why we put a lot of effort into it. Not only are we social people, and we like making new friends, we know that it building relationships can always lead to great things.
We know that if offers like this came up for us that we couldn’t take, we would definitely hand it over to someone we knew, trusted, and liked.
We will be writing for Gap Year Escape about our amazing time at the festival. Amar also said it was okay for us to write a post about it on here as well, which is so great of him as we are representing his brand and website. Amar is always looking for great writers out there to work with him, and I’m always ready for a name to recommend to him when he asks.
So, the biggest concern I have write now is what I am going to say to these musicians- some of them my idols. I wonder if Xavier Rudd will remember that hug we shared in the intimate Java cafe in Washington DC where Craig and I saw him play for my birthday?
Xavier Rudd
Should I tell Ben Harper that Craig and I signed our wedding certificates to his song My Beloved One when we got married, and that Not Fire Not Ice was also part of our ceremony??? or would that be a little groupie?? or should I tell Bob Dylan that I spent many evenings with friends around the world listening to and acting like him? LOL
No, I will be very serious and professional. But what does this mean?
What should I ask?
How should I record it? My camcorder with no microphone?
What are some of your ideas?
Wow! Congrats guys – this is amazing! And, Amar is such a genuinely nice guy, isn’t he? And, yes, I think you should definitely tell Ben Harper how much he has played a role in your wedding.
Obviously you could ask the typical: “What are your future plans . . . upcoming projects . . . ” but I think it’s a nice idea to explain how important he has played in your lives too. I would be flattered if I were a musician!
This is true. I might find a way to slip it in there without giggling or batting my eyelids. Although he has just recently divorced so he might think marriage is a dirty word right now.
Oh wow! What a lineup! I was lucky enough to see Harper at this festival waaaaay back in 1997, and having him with the likes of Jack Johnson and Xavier Rudd….amazing! This Amar fella seems like a pretty incredible guy. Congrats on the awesome opportunity!
Thank you! We are super stoked. I’m not sure that Jack is going to be there. He usually is so it’s hopeful thinking on my behalf. I put on my dream list years ago to meet him, and Ben Harper, never thinking it could possibly happen.
Life sure is magical
Stoked for you guys! I lived in Byron for a couple of months last year and loved it – just after the Blues Fest in fact. I found it to be a funky little town with lots going on for the backpacker crowd, and the beach was just stunning.
It is a really great town. We haven’t been there since New Years 2000. Excited to go back.
I am just so happy that you guys get to go to the Blues fest with Media passes. Hmmm…now what questions to ask all those amazing musicians?!? (Also, very jealous that you got to share a hug with Xavier!) Even though you are mostly writing for Gap Year Escape, maybe it could be along the lines of what your site is all about….’Living out of the box’ and ‘all about the memories’? Zoom mike would be really good use, small but record sound really well.
Xavier was the coolest guy to meet. He was so down to earth. He had no shoes on and was drinking red wine and waited around to speak to everyone and gave us all big cuddles. He is lovely and his music rocks. I think we will look at questions along this line.
So a zoom mike. Excuse my ignorance but I have no clue. We use this and it will pick up the sound to record with our video. I’m guessing it hooks into the camera? And how do I settle my nerves so I don’t shove it in their faces and whack them with it? or maybe I should just whack me and be done with.
What a great opportunity. It will be fun to read your posts about it. When I lived in Chicago, I went to a lot of blues clubs and the really great Blue Festival held there every summer. Saw B.B. King once, too — awesome! Question: What in their lives first inspired them to play or sing Blues — when did they first really feel it?
Great question Cathy. Really fits with who we are as well!
soooooooooooooooo jealous. make sure you check out franti, the guy is an inspiration! his movie, “i know im not alone” is incredible as well. id love to just hang-out with him!
maybe get some surfing tips from jack j as well. the man is talented, music, movies and surfing.
Hey! I can talk surfing lingo with Jack. Actually he is not going this year. He goes every year usually. I am holding out and would not be surprised if he made a secret appearance. We love Franti and are excited to meet him too. I must admit I am more than a little terrified. I have no idea what to say or how to record any of this or how to be cool!
Sounds like fun. My advice? Have fun with the interviews. I suspect those performers go through hundreds of serious and professional interviews and are probably dying for someone to shake things up a bit.
Yeah. I think I’m going to throw some fun travel questions in there and make it really light.
Congrats on the getting the media passes to the festival! But remember – you are media! It’s one thing to admire the people you are covering! It’s another to scare them Caz!
Ha Ha. No scaring from me. Charming only
I´ve seen Xavier 5 times, including twice last summer. I swear I´´m not a stalker.
Cool. Not many non-Australian’s know him. He is brilliant. We loved seeing him in that small venue in D.C. Can’t wait to give him another hug
I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you!!!
I’m with you, this has been on my list for years, but that long weekend always ends up being family time/uni break so the most I’ve done was head down to Point Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula for the spin-off festival they used to hold on Easter Sunday. That was awesome… Now, sadly, all the purveyors of awesomeness head straight to Bryon and don’t grace us Melburnians with their presence, and… and… oh I can’t even speak, I’m just sooo bloody jealous.
Granted, I am in New York, so it’s not even an option, but still…
Looking forward to the vicarious living! Tweet if you can….
Forget Xavier and Ben Harper, btw… I would be all over Pete Murray.
Uh, jea-lous!! Good luck!
Thanks I think I’ll need it.
Congrats!! I dunno what I would ask them…maybe
1) what do they think the secret of success is
2) what do they do to deal with stressful situations.
This is one of the events I always anticipate. I’m totally envious about you guys being with the top artists. I will definitely be there next year to enjoy this event. Even though I will be in Sydney this September for vacation, I would never miss blues fest and will be back for more.