FREE DOWNLOAD! Download the new single “Say My Name”

It just took me about 20 seconds to read what I just wrote and we’re not even close to discussing the substance of this missive (or message) but then I was always more your long distance girl and would have failed Advertising 101 for sure especially once they found out that I don’t really, um, as a rule anyway, watch tele or follow the waves of what’s current, and also would have flunked Jingle Writing believing as I do that ‘Boogie Woogie’ rhymes just fine with ‘Everything that I do gon’ be funky from now on’.

I digress.

But isn’t it nice to chat about nothing sometimes? Not necessarily explicitly in defiance of the relentless efficiency and productivity of modern times nor even in a sub-consciously passive aggressive anti-modern mode but maybe through simple skilfull ignorance honed over the years by devotion to being present and enjoying breathing, walking round the block, or flexing one’s toes? For example if I have a real pile of productivity to produce I do like to pop down to the organic provedore and procure persimmons instead, and I don’t believe this instinct should always be filed under ‘p’ for ‘procrastinant’, but sometimes under ‘s’ for ‘spirit sustenance’ , ‘soul siesta’ or ‘satisfying saunter’.

Ok so I digressss.

Segue.

You might like to know that my band will be parting the red velvet curtains at the PARIS CAT JAZZ CLUB next SATURDAY 5TH MAYfor one early set only at 7.30pm

If you descend those sublunar stairs you will hear yours truly singing & playing pianner, with Ben Debonnaire Robertson on bass, AndrewCandyman Reid on guitar and Ashley KnockEmDead Davies on drums. We allus have a great time and think you probably will too.

In other news, the fun clip we made for Say My Name has now been officially released and is viewable above, where you can also download the sweet & snappy lil’ single for free.

Also I’m pleased to announce that there is now a spanking new ‘RRR‘ page on the website that logs all the RRR ‘Shaken Not Rehearsed’ songs composed to order in an hour on Tim Thorpe’s Saturday morning ‘Vital Bits’ show.

Ok, that was the message.

Cheers big ears,

Monique x

ps – a big thanks you to all who came out to the Sun Signs solo piano return season concerts at the Eleventh Hour Theatre last month, it was dandy. Signed copies of Sun Signs are available for purchase on the SHOP page, with a free astrological reading offered to every 12th purchaser. Guaranteed ambiguous or your money back.

22 Nov 2011: SUN SIGNS cd release concert this THURS 24th NOV

11 Nov 2011: Ned Kelly rises from dead..

Dear friends, this Friday is 11/11/11 – numerological nirvana!
It’s also the 131st anniversary of Ned Kelly’s execution at the Old Melbourne Gaol on Russell st.

Check out this amazing project composed and produced by my buddy Ashley Davies along with eminent Ned Kelly historian Ian Jones – we are performing this Friday night at the Newport Substation.. an event not to miss.

Ned Kelly – the narrative concert.
Friday 11th November. The Substation, Newport.
For one night only, some of Melbourne’s finest musicians come together to perform Ashley Davies’ critically acclaimed multimedia production of Ned Kelly. Featuring: Ashley Davies; Matt Walker; Monique diMattina; Andrew Albanis; James Lee (Black Cab) and Michelle Lewit. A concert that re-tells the story we all think we know, evoking all the emotions and drama of the haunting saga of Ned and his gang. Ramblin Van Walker and Liz Stringer supporting.

link to venue website: http://goo.gl/QG4Q8
link to video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPsl0fQ-Jk
link to ticket sales: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=15751

7 Aug 2011: EVA – Aug 11-21 @ Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne

The Eva Cassidy show at the Athenaeum Theatre in August starring the starry Clare Bowditch was a runaway smash hit. The punters loved it because Clare is a STAR and also the band was a little bit GROUSE. The producers loved it because the punters loved it. I loved it because I got to make a Hammond organ scream (loud) each night – watch this space for return season and touring info.

22 May 2011: SINGLE RELEASE TODAY!

Yip yip – for your free download of the new single ‘Say My Name’ click on ‘FREE MUSIC’ to the right. Enjoy!

14 Jan 2011: New Years Rock n Roll Revolution

Ok I am officially peed off. With my lazy and dumb disorganisation. With my commonplace settling for. There are things I want to do that I don’t do and while probably not as deeply disappointed in self as St Paul in Romans 7, am optimist enough to feel things can be better, and opportunist enough to grab January by the shoelaces as it sprints out the door and say ‘wait, I’m coming’. Yes it’s a late new years revolution and it is just one word. Order.

Yes this year I reach for science to remedy my own pathetic patterns of unevolved entropy. Albeit the kind of muddly science that someone who has only ever written songs and essays can digest and apply. The scientific black and white of knowing that if you put a habit in place, it will find roots, look to the sun and prosper. So whilst my unfettered bohemian freeloading spirit will relax into time and space as it wraps it’s warm-bath pleasantness around me, my new scientist will say NO! Not another hour of house muddling, vaguely multi-tasking your way through what would after all be just ten minutes of concerted concentrated chores. And what will I do this brave new year, with those reclaimed fifty minutes? Write a song. A week. Bum in the chair, pencil in the hair.

What and you think we will keep you accountable, care if you do impose this utopian efficient and effective song-writing order, check up on your progress? – you ask.
Yes it’s not like you guys are my mother (actually I know for a fact you’re not my mother as she has better things to do than read emails or touch computers at all ever).
Well I considered setting up one of those blog scenarios where you have 365 days to [insert task] but this felt a bit HBO and wasn’t quite dangerous enough to motivate the beast. No I needed something dreadful to happen if I should default, some kind of Dali-esque supreme public humiliation nightmare.

So to make a short story quite long I has me a chat with Tim Thorpe at RRR 102.7FM and Tim agrees to a segment on his much loved and listened to Sunday morning ‘Vital Bits’ program in which I will be challenged with a song concept by listeners calling in and be obliged to write and perform that song within an hour. The calling in will take place 7:45am (musicians and proper party people need not apply – parents of small children on the other hand..), I will then scuttle off to the RRR broom cupboard and emerge triumphant to play the thing live to air at 8:45am. What could possibly go rong? Well if you want to hear how rong it could go, tune in to ‘Shaken, Not Rehearsed’ this Sunday 6th Feb 7:45am and then again 8:45am. The number to call with song ideas is 9388 1027.
Wish me luck & pray to St Paul for my alarm to work..
Monique x

22 Nov 2011: Thank you!

For coming to the cd launch and swamping the website ‘BUY NOW’ button and sending your lovely feedback about the rekkid and.. well, for listening and being out there.. it has been a totally grouse and uplifting time launching this little baby out into the ether and vibin all the lovin rippling back.

On the air waves..click here to hear MdM with Jon Faine on the Conversation Hour Friday 19/11/10. Dave Graney, 3RRR calls Welcome Stranger “Sophisticated and playful”, and from Doug Spencer – ABC Radio National – “Sweetly wry…Livingest Place is surely the nicest and slyest ‘Melbourne-v-Sydney’ song, ever.”

From Tiffany Bridger – Rave Magazine -”diMattina’s second feel-good album is upbeat and bluesy..her seductive skills on keys and Steve Grant’s trumpet solos reach new heights. From French bohemian to dedicated blues to sweet lullabies, Welcome Stranger is bound to win you over one way or another.”

See upcoming giggles below xx

2 Sep 2010: Newsbites

See post below re. regular Sundays at GRUMPY’S GREEN – otherwise..

Friday 10th December -In-store gig at THE BASEMENT DISCS, 12.30pm Block Arcade, Melb.

Saturday 11th December – SYDNEY jazz club 505, 8pm with Carl Dewhurst, Cameron Undy and Dave Goodman.

Saturday 18th December – In-store gig at PURE POP St Kilda, 4-5pm.

Saturday 15th January – The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, 8pm Ocean Grove’s v hip live music venue

Sunday 13th February – The Lomond Hotel, Brunswick 5.30pm

Of a Sunday we often do a lazy song-swapping-singer-songwriter hang at Grumpy’s Green, Melbourne’s only vegetarian saloon style venue with an Atari machine. Free entry! Good nachos.
See last dates for 2010 and destination details below:-
Sunday 28th November – yes! 2-4pm with spesh guests Super Darling & Cam & Co
Sunday 5th December – yes again! same bat time/channel
Sunday 12th December – no game – playing in Sydney
Sunday 19th December – final Grumpy’s gig for 2010. Party time!

Grumpy’s Green
125 Smith st
Fitzroy
Ph: (03) 9416 1944

12 Jul 2010: Sundays @ Grumpy’s – Singin & swingin while the church bells r ringin (:

Come participate in our pagan ritual to initiate new songs on the lovely old piano at GRUMPY’S GREEN, 125 Smith st Fitzroy (Melb, AUS) at the family friendly hour of 2pm every Sunday (:
This is not so much a gig as a muck about in which I sit at the piano and try out new songs, or new takes on oldies, on you, my hapless guinea piggies, while you sink into cozy couches with hot toddies, choccys, Grumpy’s famous nachos & other vegetarian delights.
Each week is graced w a special guest or 3. Melbourne’s own Super Darling (aka Tanya Lee, pictured with yrs truly) will be a regular extra special guest. Hetty Kate sashayed sweetly with her uke last week and is expected often. So are you.
The songs are original, real, raw and as advertised on FB, the best fun indoors since swirly tennis. Free entry, no bookings required. Enquiries to Grumpy’s: 9416 1944.

ps:- Friday nights at Fed Square on hold until the rain goes away – watch this space..

Monique Elise & Super Darling

22 Nov 2009: But Wait! There’s More!!

Christmas is coming, a time for over-indulgence, and so it is that, sheepishly, as one who returns for an encore too many, I announce that we will in fact play one more last for gig 2009 – in addition to the last gig for 2009 that we played last Saturday night.

Those who pulled out all stops to make last week’s last gig of the year – fair ’nuff, you’re done. The rest of you have one last chance to groove with us! Until the next chance you get.

SATURDAY 5th DEC, 9.30pm
$20/18
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
Bennetts Lane (off Little Lonsdale- Melb)
Tickets available online at Moshtix or just show up
Ph: 9663 2856

22 Nov 2009: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

It’s been a bit dusty around here while our webpage undergoes renovation – now check it! New look bits and squibs, fun and functionality all found at the one web place – www.moniquedimattina.com. Thanks to the ab fab Sam McFadden at Greybelle.com, I have no more website envy. Yip yip! Thanks Sam.

22 Nov 2009: Film News

For those enamoured of animation (say that ten times fast after an egg nog or three), I was privileged to score the music for Fleur McArthur’s enchanting creation of visual splendour ‘Poppy Heartwood’, which is screening at ACMI Cinemas in December – details below. You can hear some of the music on the film page of aforementioned dashing new website, or show up to the shows themselves and enjoy it on the big screen, egg nog in hand.

ACMI Cinemas
Australia Centre for the Moving Image
Federation Square, Melbourne
Dec 10-12 & Dec 17-19 2009
Fri 11th at 5.15pm,
Thurs 17th at 7.15pm
Sat 19th at 9.15pm

22 Nov 2009: Senses for solo piano

Is being happily featured in the Readings Christmas catalogue. I can’t think of a store I’d rather have shout about this quiet record. So if you’d like to fill your Christmas stockings with something unseasonably understated, get ye to a Reading store – or indeed to www.moniquedimattina.com (free delivery!) – and we will fulfill all your Senses needs.

“Timeless piano dreams and improvisations – the thinking person’s zen escape”
- The Village Voice, NYC

“Beautiful, spacious, spare”
Lucky Oceans – ABC Daily Planet

“Atmospheric, thoughtful. Calm notes with a sharp intelligence”
Sue Roberts, BBC Radio 4

Thanks for listening and merry merry to you all,

Monique

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Two callers and related ideas – Alicia wanted a song about climate change, which I weaved around Michael’s enigmatic line  ”The shores we end up on, with the true tides of time and life”

Climate karma
Driftin on the sea of change, nothing stays the same
Our karma comes to greet us, dinner comes to eat us
The shores we end up on, with the true tides of time and life
Carrying us on to the edge of a knife

One small step and then another
Falling from each other
Land that will not heed us
Just shut up and feed us
The shores we end up on, with the true tides of time and life
Carrying us on to the edge of a knife

James called in wanting a song about Greg Ham’s situation and the silly business of Down Under / Kangaroo song law suit

Signs of Life

A song comes down, down to the ground
Angels rejoice in the heavens for
Someone. somewhere is
Calmly aware, sitting & sculpting,
Listening for signs of life

A song goes down, down into the crowd
People are dancing and singing
And someone, somewhere is
Losing their strife, loving their wife
Listening for signs of life

It’s just a song, leave it alone
How can it be wrong
Which of you will cast the first stone?

A song comes down, down to the ground
Angels rejoice in the heavens for
Someone, somewhere is
Calmly aware, sitting & sculpting, and
Listening for signs of life

Musical references: WHen a Man Loves a Woman, J.S. Bach ‘Sleeper’s Wake’, J.S. Bach ‘Air on the G-string’, I Can’t Help Falllng In Love With You, Procol Harum ‘A Lighter Shade of Pale’

When the acorn falls
Oh you can’t choose your neighbors but you can choose your wall,
You can choose your flavors but you can’t have them all,
You can go out all night dancing, have a ball,
But you can’t choose the moment when the acorn falls
Oh you can choose your partner not he mother-in-law,
You can choose your gardner can’t choose the rainfall,
You can put a tattoo on your sister’s doll,
But you can’t choose the moment when the acorn falls
Oh you can’t choose your name but you can choose your reputation,
You don’t’ choose the war but you can choose your protestation
You can choose your poison but you can’t choose the toll
And you can’t choose the moment when the acorn falls
Oh you can choose a lover, go and knock yourself out,
You can leave ‘em wondering what was that all about
But you can’t choose the moment, when true love calls
And you can’t choose the moment when the acorn falls

Bring on the Rain
Bring on the rain…

Wash away the dirt
Wash away the tears
Wash away the boredom
Of so many years

Wash away the stories
That we all been told
Wash away the foggy day
The white men that are old

Bring on the rain…

Wash it on down Broadway
Wash down Hoddle St
Wash away that every day
We feel like we been beat
Wash the televisions
Wash the subways too
Wash away the feeling
That there’s nothing we can do

Bring on the rain..

Wash your mouth with soap young man
Wash your feet and wash your hands
Feel the rain wash down on me how
clean a girl can be
Feel it in your bones
Feel it in your hair
Feel it wash your soul
Breath that clean air

Bring on the rain..

Roger & Louise call – they are contemplating a tree change to escape Bailieu’s Victoria.

Lily calls about a story she read about an elephant running away from the circus – because it didn’t want to have a bath.

The Runaway Elephant
I sat by the lake and looked at the sky
and as I looked a fly went by
It looked so scared, it look aghast
I asked it why it flew so fast
He said ‘That thing behind that tree’
‘You know that thing is after me’

I looked around and what did I see
A froggy come a hoppin’ from behind that tree
He looked real green, he looked real scared
Like he’d hopped out the wrong side of the bed
Didn’t have time to ask him why
But I could see he weren’t chosen’ no fly

Off he hoped and you would too
If what I saw next was after you
Roger & Louise and all their stuff
Roaring down the road in a pick up truck
I called out ‘Where you running to?!’
They yell ‘We’re trying to get away from Bailieu’

Next I see a man running down the road
Pushin and a shaven a heavy load
He looks tired, fit to fall apart
Pushin that big ‘ole brown coal cart
I say ‘Man that thing is weighin’ you down’
He says ‘I’m runnin’ scared, gotta get outta town’

The I see what he’s running from
Elephant stampeding like a big bass drum
It looked so scared, looked aghast
I asked it why it ran so fast
I asked it why it cut that path
He said ‘I run to get away from nasty bath’

A caller from St. Vincent Hospital called up with a need to hear Leonard Cohen.

Hallelujah
Here I am, prisoner of my early morning yearning
Thirsting now for the sound of your voice
Allelu

Help me now from this shroud, from revealing disgrace
Help me howl for the ones I left behind, help me
Know that I’ll find them there –
Alle-lu-jah

Hush baby now quiet the man
Quiet the years within me
Hold out your hand and I will fly, like a
Child into your arms,
Alle -lujah
Alle-lujah
Here I am