Country dreamboat Morgan Evans chats with Daily Sydney about awards, festivals and their first album   Morgan, huge congratulations on just taking away the CMC New Oz Artist of the Year! How does it feel?   It’s a fan voted thing, they’ve got 200 and something thousand votes on there and they voted for me, which is pretty amazing! Yeah, it was a good night. The channel now gets right behind you, they’re sort of really into getting behind new artists and promoting young artists, so its great for me, they’ve been an awesome support. They want to follow me and have blogs on the tele, which is great.   And the APRA Professional development award? You’re taking ‘em out!   It’s pretty amazing yeah. It’s a ‘Prize Package’, which means they take care of you by mentoring with managers and lawyers. (And they give you a whole bunch of cash as well, which takes the pressure off a bit for us travelling musicians… It actually means that we now have to flexibility to go to the States in May and play at a couple of festivals there. Which is really exciting. We play songs and tell stories, and it’s fantastic for networking too. We actually received the package from one of the festivals the other days and the instructions were “While the artists are not playing they’re encouraged to fish, party and relax by the beach!”     You’ve just come away from filming a video in Hibernian House, am I right?   You are! We just finished filming there last week and the single comes out in a couple of weeks. It’s a song from the EP we put out last year called “While We’re Young.” We’re also putting out another single in a couple of weeks called “Carry On”; that’s another single off the same EP, but it just gives us a bit more time to make the album in May and June.   And then onto Nashville?   Yes, exactly. After the festival gigs in the states, we’re going straight to Nashville to get the first album going. I’ve been playing for a long time, so it’s a huge relief to finally be releasing the album. I can’t wait.   Stay tuned for the release of Morgans first album later this year. For more info or to check out his fan page, click here.

[gallery columns="4" orderby="rand"]   As festival-goers traditionally soak up rays at the Byron Bay's Bluesfest over the Easter weekend, Daily Sydney attended the FIRST EVER Blues and Roots festival in the ute mustering town of Deniliquin located about 8 hours North East of Sydney.   And what a good decision we did make! As Byron Bay's tunes turned to mud due to the overwhelming rainfall they had this past weekend, DS was chillin in the country sun to the incomparable beats of international sensations including Newton Faulkner, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz, Chris Isaak, Zac Brown Band, Status Quo and Steve Miller Band.   The festival was an absolute blast, we couldn't have conjured up a better way to have spent the Easter long weekend.   The local town of Deniliquin is full of the happiest, most down- to- earth folk who us Sydney siders merely dream about, topped off with perfect blue sky weather for the full three days. The camping grounds were exceptionally maintained, clean and comfy, the stages were large, sound clear and picnics ahoy!   Surrounded by the particularly green inspiring Australian landscape, the annual Deniliquin Ute Muster site was used to host the festival, including two stages, market stalls, food vendors and even a XXXX brewery bar.   Such a gorgeous weekend, incredible music and wonderful people. Don't miss out next year! Click here for more information on the festival and to put it in your planner.   Stay tuned on Daily Sydney for gallery pics from the weekend along with an interview with Morgan Evans, the newest CMC artist of the year!

  A life without books is like a body without a soul.   Last night I laid in bed reading an eBook on my iPhone. Flipping through some-odd 10k pages on the bright blue screen it hit me. I had immediate access to any book, albeit a classic or a brand new release, at that instant. But at what cost do we experience this luxury? While, I had immediate access the same minute the book had been released, ultimately it was a cheap date, and I was left feeling unfulfilled. I think people are missing that depth, that special relationship with a book where you get to court it, admire it, then ultimately hold it and read it Ampersand is one of the places that encourage these types of deeper relationships. It houses thousands of books, many of them rarities while offering an oasis to enjoy them both privately and socially. And you can even fill your belly while doing so. During my visit, I found a cozy nook surrounded by books on the second floor where I curled up with a book while sipping on a spicy chai latte. It’s rare to find a place where you can just hang out and not feel rushed. If you’re as obsessed with breakfast, as I am, you’ll be happy to know they serve brekky all day. The pumpkin pizza also looked quite tempting. My server was especially bubbly and helpful, and my order didn’t take long, however, I recommend coming here and enjoying the full experience (books, atmosphere and all), rather than coming just for a quick meal. If you are one who prefers a social experience they have a communal table downstairs where you can chat, philosophize or debate while sipping on an Earnest Hemmingway Mojito. They also have $10 cocktails & live music from Thrusday to Saturday as well as speed dating, if that’s your thing. You could easily spend a whole day/evening here, as I did, starting with a coffee or tea and lunch, ending with a cocktail over some jazz guitars and dinner. Do give it a go if you’re after some cultural soul quenching.   WHAT Ampersand Café & Bookstore (New Location) WHERE 413 Crown Street Surry Hills, NSW 2010 HOURS 8am-5:30 Monday-Wednesday, 8am-10pm Thursday-Saturday, 9am-5pm Sunday LIVE MUSIC $10 cocktails & live music 4pm-6pm Thursday-Saturday   by Brittany Burk Image via Gastronomous

    The bar at the end of the wharf at Sydney Theatre company is absolutely my pick of the Sydney NYE parties to wrap up what has been a bloody crazy 2012.   There'll be amazing live music brought to you by the Pat Capocci Combo and Lucky Luke and his Shooting Stars. Yummy food (which you can decorate to your fancy with the wooden boxes of herbs which dominate the centre of the bar) and don't forget THE FIREWORKS!   This bar is so close to our beautiful Harbour Bridge that there's a danger of a firework ending up in the bottom of your cocktail.   Don't wear anything synthetic.   Now you can't say I didn't warn you.   Tickets cost just $185 each, which is pretty good, particularly considering how extortionate some places get on this date of the year particularly. Ticket price includes a glass of Mumm Champagne and delicious food (directly from the gorgeous chefs from Duke Bistro).So you're basically just paying for alcohol.   ...You'll probably want a lot of that, so consider it being a $200- 300 all inclusive evening (depending on how lush you are with your cocktail orders). Click here for tix.   Happy New Year Daily Sydney-ers. Bring on the next!     New Years Eve at the Bar at the end of the wharf When: 31st December 7pm - 2am Where: Pier 4, Hickson Rd in Walsh Bay     Emily Eskell emilyeskell@gmail.com

Direct from Beijing, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Orchestra of China were absolutely incredible. There was no bad seat, no bad sound. The music seeped into every part of your soul.   The orchestra made their debut Australian tour, perform one concert only at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 6 November 2012. The concert featured an orchestra of 90 insanely talented musicians. Conducted by the Artistic Director of Music from the center, Maestro Zuohuang Chen, the orchestra performed a plethora of incredible noise.   Stay tuned (pun intended) for the next time they come around - the sold out house to an utterly overwhelmed audience should surely bring them back for more!   Emily Eskell emilyeskell@gmail.com

After graduating from Metro Screen in 2009 however, Jo-Anne slipped on her the directorial boots and has not looked back since. She has written and directed various short films, documentaries, music videos and community projects. In 2011 Jo-Anne was awarded the First Breaks grant for her short film This Dog’s Life starring Martin Sacks (Blue Heelers, Underbelly), which is currently touring the national and international film festival circuit. She is also currently in post-production on her next short film, Booth, starring Danielle Cormack (Underbelly Razor) and is also busy penning her first feature film script.   Q: How long have you been making films -and why?   When I was growing up, I wanted to be a psychologist, but I dropped out of Uni and ran away to film school. Turns out film has taught me more about what it is to be human than a psych degree ever could have.   I have always been into arts, from painting to poetry to music, anything to switch my brain off and just be in a space alone with myself; a space that often comes about when I’m absorbed in writing a script, or creating a film. I guess I just keep on seeking to find that space.   But when did I know I wanted to be a filmmaker? I don’t think my conscious mind was awake to this decision until I was about 17, but my subconscious was on top of things early.   Ever since I balled my eyes out at the finale of Free Willy when I was what? 8 years old, I knew that I wanted to recreate that. I wanted to make something that made other people feel as much as I did that day, and I am still inspired to do so.   Q: What’s your aspirations for the future in film?   The future? Well, I want to make more films. I want to make films that people want to see. The kind that people go and see once and then go again and take a friend to see, and then go back the next week with that same friend as well as a friend of the friend. I want to tell stories on screen that people love to see.   Q: Describe the film and the story?   This Dog’s Life is about a young boxer who is forced to fight – and kill – for his father’s love.   Dean is a young boxer desperate for his Father’s love. His Father, who doubles as his coach, is a tyrant who will not tolerate failure. When Dean is forced to fight an opponent twice his size, his chances of success are slim.   His hopes of impressing his Father are further squashed when Dean’s greyhound fails to win at the track. With his shotgun at hand, Dean’s Father teaches his son why one must not fail and what happens to those who do.   Q: What was the inspiration for the story   This Dog’s Life is originally inspired by my best friend when I was growing up. From before he could walk, he was a star footballer in the making - his Dad’s making – to compensate for the career he never had.   But at age 16 he broke his arm and lost his scholarship to play footy. Shortly after that his dad left the family for another woman. Looking back, I guess the question at the core of This Dog’s Life is the question of who disappointed who in the end? Father or son?   Q: Tell us some details about where you shot it?     The film was shot in Western Sydney (where I grew up), including Richmond RaceCourse, Parramatta PCYC, a heritage property at Prospect and my own family and friend’s homes.   One of the biggest challenges of the film I suppose was working with kids and animals; all the things they warn against, right? This Dog’s Life starred 3 untrained and never-set-foot-on-a-film-set children and one animal shelterrescued grey hound.   For 8 weeks I slogged it out in the gym with Josh (our leading boy). He ran me ragged in the boxing ring (he is a boxer) and I ran him round in circles teaching him how to act (and I’m not an actor).   Coming to set was scary. I had no idea how he’d go with it. But both Josh, Tiahna, his little sister (both in real life and the film) and their co-star Jack, blew us all away with their skills, their courage to tackle the scenes and their super quick learning of our filmmaking jargon. By the second shoot day, Josh was hassling our camera boys about hitting their marks and Jack was calling the roll.   For the official trailer of This Dog’s Life click here   A full recap of the incredible 4 day festival is coming soon from us! Stay tuned!! - Emily

    A love triangle with a twist, The Sea Project is currently running at Griffin Theatre. The atmosphere here is getting warmer every time I go. The crowd often beautifully vomits out into the lane way, whilst everyone tries to squish up to the yellow line that your forbidden from taking your wine past.   Incredibly beautifully directed by Paige Rattray (watch this space- she's in rehearsals at the moment for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at NIDA) and stunningly performed by a strong ensemble of actors (Travis Cardona, Justin Cotta, Meredith Penman, Iain Sinclair). Expertly complimenting each other than any group of actors i've seen in sometime now. Special mention to Iain SInclair: welcome back to the stage, we've missed not seeing you up there.   The set is creatively generous, simple and sophisticated. All the music is performed live at the end of the stage by Tom Hogan and occasional supporting vocals by Meredith Penman throughout the dialogue.   Runs for 85mins, no interval. Starts at 7pm. Perfect pre- dinner entertainment.   Get yourself along!   THE SEA PROJECT When: Now - September 29th Where: Griffin Theatre, Darlinghurst (train to Kings Cross stations- see website for more details by clocking on the above link)  

  For the first time ever the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Orchestra will visit Australia.  This world-class orchestra will perform one concert only at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 6 November 2012. There are over 90 musicians in this orchestra, making their way to Australia for the first time ever... A unique opportunity for Sydney audiences to experience something brilliant and acclaimedly exquisite.   NCPA Orchestra of China  Venue:                 Sydney Opera House Concert Hall   Date:                     Tuesday 6 November 2012 at 8pm   Tickets:                 from $39.  Discounts for groups of 8 or more   Bookings:            sydneyoperahouse.com or 02 9250 7777    Enquiries:            02 9186 1588 or events@ausfeng.com.au   Emily Eskell emilyeskell@gmail.com

    'A Chorus Line' revolutionised Broadway, becoming the longest running musical in history (15 years!)   This show sees the audition process of 17 young hopefuls, as they stand on an empty stage, as they answer questions thrown at them by the producer. With his god- like status, he asks them how old they are, what are their measurements, how many Broadway shows have they done? A scary and far too familiar reality for performers everywhere.     Taken sometimes into the realm of parody, A Chorus Line is on at the Capitol theatre until this Saturday 11th August. Not to be missed marvel!   A CHORUS LINE When: Now - Saturday 11th August, 8pm Where: Capital Theatre, Haymerket  

Young man finds band, young man starts record label, young man has party at GoodGod to celebrate. Joel is such a young man and he invites you to attend the inaugural night of his baby record label Farland. It's a fairly stonking lineup, Pluto Jones, Melbourne DIY synthstar HARTS and Van She Tech on the unos et duos. WHAT: Farland Records Launch night WHERE: Goodgod Small Club, Liverpool St, Sydney CBD WHEN: Thursday, 8th August 2011 HOW MUCH: 10 bucks (bargain!) from here

Culturally specific film festivals are all the rage in Sydney at the moment - Koreans, Germans and Canadians have all had a poke. But this September Latin America has its time to shine with the 7th Latin American Film Festival, taking place at Dendy Circular Quay and across Sydney. Opening night kicks off with live music and traditional food plus a screening of MIA, a drama following the story of a transvestite living in the slums of Buenos Aires. Uplifting stuff. On the rest of the program - critically ill people visit the shamans of the Amazon, a teenage love story exposes the murderous tactics of the Colombian military and a there's even a special screening of Cuba's first ever zombie film. WHAT: The 7th Sydney Latin American Film Festival WHEN: 6th to 16th September 2012 WHERE: Across Sydney Dendy Opera Quays - Shop 92 East Circular Quay, Sydney Addison Road Centre – 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville Mu–Meson Archives – Corner Parramatta Rd and Trafalgar St, Annandale Bankstown Arts Centre - 5 Olympic Parade, Bankstown HOW MUCH: Tickets and session information available from www.sydneylatinofilmfestival.org/2012/

  Trending Sydney band RAPIDS are about to celebrate the end of their East Coast EP tour of 'Holland Air' by rockin' out at Good God Small Club next Thursday 2nd August. Emily Eskell talks with Jamie Timony.   Guys, congrats - you're almost at the end of your debut EP tour, how does it feel to be wrapping it up for the first time? The tour's been great. It always sucks when it comes to an end but we are just looking forward to the next one. We have a show in Sydney at Good God Small Club this Thursday 2nd August and then we're off to Melbourne on Friday to play a wicked night called Can't Say.   Whats your craziest fan tour story? When we arrived at our destination in Brisbane to put our bags down at the house before soundcheck, one incredibly old, drunken (and unprovoked) bogan threw a shot glass at me on the front lawn. I think he stole it from the pub opposite. He missed thank Christ. I think he must have responded so eargerly to my lyrics that he thought the only way to get close to me was to blow my skull open with a chunk of heavy glass.   This track has an incredible sound, who are your biggest musical influences?   I love the Beatles and The Doors but if we're talking recent times then it's Deerhunter, Tame Impala, Ariel Pink, The Horrors and King Krule to name a few.   You've all been together for a while now and I know you're all very close friends. Tell us quickly how RAPIDS came to be.   Angus and Will grew up together in Melbourne. I grew up on the Gold Coast and Remy in Brisbane. We were all working on the Gold Coast together at one point and started a band there, rehearsing in Angus' apartment in Broadbeach. Then we moved to Sydney.   Just before you go, we're all itching to know: when can we be expecting the next?   We are heading back into the studio in September to record our follow up EP which will hopefully be released before the end of the year! Very excited indeed to be hopping back on the horse.   RAPIDS WHEN: Thursday 2nd August WHERE: God Good Small Club   Emily Eskell emilyeskell@gmail.com