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07
NEWS
MUSIC
OXJAM WITH
MATT OKINE
OXJAM
–
OxfamAustralia's month-
long party against poverty
–
is
booming, and JB are one of the
campaign's proud sponsors; we
threw some questions to Matt
Okine, the 2017 Ambassador, to
find out how you can help alleviate
poverty by hosting your own gig.
immigrant because of how poorly immigrants
were being portrayed by the media in this country
at the time. And he came to Australia on a
university scholarship! We need to be more aware
of how impactful our actions to new Australians
are, for younger generations, especially when
those arriving are bound to provide so much to
our country. Everybody seeking a better life –
especially those in immediate danger – deserve
respect, and the right to not be demonized.
You’ve got a bunch of gig tips on the OXJAM
site (bigger doesn’t necessarily equal better;
get your venue basics organised; look after
everyone, including yourself) – is there any
advice on there you haven’t taken yourself at
Last year, the person in your pozzie was the
awesome MeganWashington; did you pick up
any tips from her stint as to how to be aVery
Good OXJAMAmbassador?
Megan and I have known each other since
2002 when we did an acting course together. I
was in awe of her then and nothing's changed
since...
Is this year’s spotlighted campaign – RightTo
Refuge, which seeks to increase community
activism and awareness around those seeing
refuge in Australia – particularly close to your
heart?
When I was eight years old, I remember feeling
deeply ashamed to find out that my dad was an
one time or another?
Look – I've hosted a few gigs in my time when
my eyes were bigger than my stomach, no doubt.
And I've also thought I was doing the right thing
by assuming I could do sound
and
perform at
the same time. How I was so deluded I'll never
know... but that's why I made those mistakes. So
you don't have to!
Have you pencilled any particular gigs into
your diary yet?
I was at the Lansdowne the other night and
one of the bartenders told me about a gig he
was throwing called "Dirty & Flirty" on August 25.
It's awesome to see people taking up this mad
challenge for a good cause.
ZKR
This month our artist-in-residence Cookie checked out four titans of the homegrown
scene during the Brisbane legs of their respective tours: (L-R) REMI and Sampa The
Great at The Zoo (see also page 3), Big Scary at The Tivoli, and Skeggs at The Zoo.
Admire Cookie's other live music illustrations on her instagram, @sketchygigs.
COOKIE
'
S SKETCHY GIGS
Photo credit: Maureen Bathgate/OxfamAUS
st154_094_MUSIC Room 3.indd 2
21/7/17 4:11 pm