Tonight’s gig was at the iconic Tote Hotel in Collingwood. Since the saving of the Hotel in 2023 the Tote declared it would always host great live music and tonight was no exception. First on the stage was Blackberry Rust. Blackberry Rust in a one man show, with top hat, long beard, hair and a killer guitar. To quote Blackberry Rust “Keep it simple, beats, chords and melodies”. He played eight heartfelt lyrical songs with his guitar and drum pedal.
I could hear the influences of Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and The Traveling Wilburys. This was his first solo gig and he really blew the dust off his guitar strings. Blackberry Rust is a talented musician and vocalist, who plays all the instruments on his latest album “Station Plantation” available on Spotify. (Dallas Frasca also performs on three of the tracks. Deep Blue, Blackbirds, And The Roses). Blackberry Rust played a 30-minute set and was a great opener for all the early bird punters.
The next band on stage started like a ray of sunshine. Sunday Lemonade is infectious happiness and joy rolled up in a duo act plus one. Sunday Lemonade are fronted by guitarist and vocalist Los and her partner in life and music Tys on drums/percussion and vocals. They were also joined by Lucky on the djembe drum. Sunday Lemonade’s music can not be categorised to quote Los, “We thought we were Folk, but we are not. We thought we were Indie Rock, but we are not. We play Blues festivals, but we are not Blues.” I would say they have a folk/country/beachy hippy vibe. Their music is fresh, young and wholesome. They have a great blend of voices, which are clear and strong.
The chirpy couple share cute banter and stories in between great songs. They performed for 40-minutes with a seven song set. Lucky joined the duo on song three of their set “Hey Mumma” which Los morphed into “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac, much to the crowd’s delight. I heard an audience member say to the band, “Your music is so joyful you made an old lady happy” and this is Sunday Lemonade’s hook. If you want to listen to music that is uplifting and also performed by very talented musicians check out Sunday Lemonade on Spotify or for the full experience go see them live at their next gig.
A strong, powerful, confident woman walks on stage. She commands the stage and gives the impression she is in control and knows exactly who she is. Her name is Dallas Frasca. Dallas is a blues/rock/heavy soul singer and an equally talented guitarist. Dallas is joined by drummer Josh Barber and later by back up singers Mez Coleman and Johnny Costin. Dallas has been performing for a very long time and is now performing what she calls her “solo tour; it’s like kicking a football to yourself”.
Tonight at The Tote it is the last weekend of her “River Queen” tour, also the name of her latest single. Dallas Frasca’s voice is like Janice Joplin on steroids. She has a big powerful, raspy voice. Her voice is so strong that you almost forget what a brilliant guitarist she is. Swapping from acoustic to electric and operating a live loop pedal all while belting out killer songs. Dallas was on stage for 90-minutes and performed fifteen songs. The audience was full of dedicated followers who appreciated every note played and the casual style of banter between them including a stage dive by a member of the crowd.
Dallas sang mainly original tunes but added a Led Zeppelin cover of “Babe I’m Going To Leave You.” The highlight for me was when Dallas and Johnny left the stage and stood in the middle of the crowd and sang acapella “Somebody’s Callin” by Ry Cooder. It was like we were worshiping in the church of The Tote. A beautiful moment of sheer talent. Back on stage, I wondered to myself how such a big sound can come out of one woman on a guitar, a drummer and 2 back up singers. I could feel the music reverberating in my body. Both back up singers are past students of Dallas. Mez Coleman (who’s latest album “I Never Said A Word” is available now) and Johnny Costin are in their own right very talented people.
Dallas in my opinion has the most powerful female voice in Australian rock and there really is no one else who has her sound. Dallas said it had been 22 years since she had performed at The Tote and it was a glorious return. If you have never heard Dallas Fracas I thoroughly recommend you go and see her perform or at least give her music a listen too. She will blow you away.
Photos by Oz Greeny’s Photography