Diary - Archives: 2002.

Victorian Regional Tour
October 2002

Monique's Tour Diary: Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads 10/10/02
The Drive to Barwon Heads reminded me of the many occasions when I had traveled that road to Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. A beautiful part of Victoria it is indeed and reminds me very much of the Tasmanian coast line, wild and breath taking. I’ve realized that sometimes you really just want to connect with people and there were quite a few folks at the show who were really sincere. I appreciated those of you who danced and all of you who listened and communicated with us that you wanted to hear more songs and we were more than happy to oblige. The fish and chips sat in my belly from lunch and I was hazy from the interview by phone with the Dave Lennon at the ABC earlier that afternoon. I paced up and down in the afternoon sunlight at the back of the venue while the band took a break from sound check. Between sound check and the gig we went to Point Lonsdale and visited Hamish’s grave. For those of you who don’t know about Hamish, let me simply say that “he was a good dog”. My bass player Maryanne lost him last week and we were all very sad about this. So it was good to be under the ti trees and say “good bye Wishy – we will miss you boy”.

Monique's Tour Diary: PC3, Sale 11/10/02
We waited for hours in Melbourne for the tour t-shirts to arrive from Sydney. I rang the courier company only to be informed that the truck carrying them had been hijacked by robbers dressed as policemen just out of Sydney. I was gob smacked (lovin’ that term), I called a service station attendant “cobber” the other day and that was strange because I’d never called anyone “cobber” in my entire life. He didn’t seem to mind. I remembered that my grandfather used to call me cobber and I hadn’t minded. In fact, I think that the man I called cobber wouldn’t have minded either. He probably thought I was a weirdo though. Anyway, I was gob smacked by the news that the tour t-shirts had been hijacked and asked for more information. “The driver was held at knife point then dropped off at the police station”. It turns out that the robbers got the wrong truck but this didn’t make it any better for us because we were without tour t-shirts. I felt bad not enquiring as to the state of the driver held at knife point, so I asked and he was ok! What about my t-shirts? Were they ok? The truck was found dumped with most of it goods still intact. The t-shirts were then unable to be released for 24 hours because they were part of the crime scene. So no t-shirts for Sale either. Thanks to those of you who spoke to me after the show, having remembered past albums and distant memories. We have noticed that young blokes sing whole heartedly along to “The Change In Me”, a single from my first album. Drunk and swaying, eyes closed they were, singin’ along. Fallen Angel was requested but the environment was not conducive to ambient beginnings. It was rock ‘n’ roll all the way that night. We were pretty tired after the show due to a delayed sound check that day while we waited for the PA to arrive from Melbourne so I was happy to rest my bones back at the Midtown in preparation for the drive to Ballarat the following day.

Monique's Tour Diary: Bridge Mall Inn, Ballarat 12/10/02
Upon arrival in Ballarat, we were greeted with a very cheery venue owner Mark. What a breath of fresh air. Mark was very helpful and friendly which we all appreciated. Epicure who are touring with us were in their home town and the crowd were great supporters. Angry young boys paraded around at the end of the night yelling out and being obnoxious back stage. To escape this behavior I made my way to the merchandise table where I met Pauline and her sister Simone who I spoke with for quite a while. Hope you are enjoying the album! Passionate bass players, country music lovers, an out of control rendition of Way It Goes, ghosts in the attic, graffiti on walls, Smokey room, awesome venue owners, song learners, big fish, elfish features, beer, loading, wise man, we played our hearts out. Said “see ya next week” to the Epicure lads and hit the road. The drive back to Melbourne at 2am was harrowing due to lots of fog on the road. Luckily, we had just missed the huge electrical storm, catching just the tail end. Wahoo, turned the radio on and motored along, high beams on, then off, then on, then off. The Riders were at a steady pace. I felt that Ballarat wanted to keep us there. I think we will go back.

From Monique
21st May 2002

Hi all,

Just want to let you know that Signal Hill is coming out around August/September. The first single will be available via the web site before that. I'm releasing the album on my own label which is at this time self titled. I was going to call the label 'Devouring Youth' a while ago but didn't. Shock records are distributing the LP around the country (Australia) and I am very happy about this. I have a stack of CDs in my studio but can't sell them yet because we want to create some anticipation.

Yeah, yeah I know it's frustrating. Imagine how I feel. I'm planning to tour with my band 'The Riders' later this year to promote the album and to play with some fine musicians. Can't say too much more at this point.

Thanks to those of you who have sent me well wishes and to the brilliant lot who come along to the live shows. I read all mail and it is greatly appreciated and deeply felt.

Keep writing, keep laughing and don't stop rockin'.

big love,
Monique

From Monique
18th February 2002

Hi to all you loyal beauties. You cracker jacks, you passion babes. Thanks to those of you Melbourne folk who made it along to our last couple of shows. We really had a rockin' time. Loved your energy at the Espy last week, thanks for all the banter. To the woman who got me to sign the breast part of her tshirt, I hope you didn't wake in the morning to discover that your perfectly good shirt was ruined! Hmmmm, hope we can all do it again when we play at the Espy on Feb 23.

I want to let you know that the album Signal Hill is almost ready for your ears. As Anthony mentioned, we'll make it available to purchase via this site when it comes out & have some tracks that you can download. Hi to all the non Victorian folk reading this, we hope to get to see you soon but we'll come to you ok. When I say 'we' I mean the band and myself. If you look at the live photos you'll see Maryanne Window on bass, Tommy Rouch on guitar and Shamus Goble on drums. These people are my live band and have played on the new LP. For those of you who have been ridin' with us for the past 6 years, you'll know the infamous Maryanne Window. For those of you who are just joining the ride, you'll get to know her 'cause she rocks. Maryanne has co-written 4 of the 12 songs on Signal Hill.

We're looking forward to visiting Tasmania in March where we're playing at the Moorilla winery in Hobart with the Cruel Sea. For those of you in other parts of Tas, make the trip down, across, up, over, through and come to the gig 'cause it'll be a great day. I did look at the possibility of playing in other parts of Tas but members of my touring party have other work committments in Melbourne, making the idea of putting a Tas tour together impossible. I do want to come down again though and will try and put something together for later in the year.

Want to say a special big hello to Lavinia Pike. We are thinking of you and looking forward to seeing you soon. For everyone else, keep rockin'.

love,
Monique