This story begins many many weeks ago. Adelaide was much younger then, and in need of some soft nurturing hands and some bars.
I was standing in the offices of Radio Adelaide (228 North Terrace, next to the Anthopolgy building, for all you subscription needs). Restless, I tapped my collegue John on the shoulder and asked whether he would fancy a skip and a hop down to Format. I beleive we took the route of North Terrace down to King William, as to avoid the consumers in Rundle Mall, and perhaps stick our noses into Tuxedo Cat to ascertain whether the selling of beers was occurring.
The sun was near completing it’s decent beyond the gulf of St Vincent, when in actuality it was the Earth itself, particularly the South Easternish hemisphere, turning away from the sun (or if your point of view is America/Europe being the centre of the world, turning toward the sun.) We were on Hindley Street by that stage, I could tell because the shop fronts took on a decidedly lesser brow.
We turned, fighting the unavoidbale g-force of vibrations, down into Peel Street where standing there was none other than Tea & Magazine merchant, and some times bicycle chaining felon Joshua Fanning.
“Oh, hello dear sir. Jolly funny that we should bump into you like this. What may I ask brings you to this most vibrative of bitchumen paths”, I said.
“Waiting for a bunch of beaurocrats”.
Mr Fanning went onto explain that the capital city committee had decided to tinker with the already fine workings of Leigh St and that, he beleived, they should perhaps focus some time and energy on the laneways that weren’t doing so well, such as the very one upon which we stood.
We bid him good luck, tipped our hats, and journeyed forth to Format. Despite the sign on the door reading that the shop were to open at Three PM, and it being a quarter past that time, the door was locked. We therefore turned heel, and traveled back to Josh. It was at this time that the capital city committee turned up.
I said to my collegue John.
“Hold up good chap, let’s eavesdrop”.
And that we did.
It turned out that this group of bureaucrats included Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood and Premeir Jay Weatherill. We inconspicuously waited back, leaning on pillars like the cool guys that we were (although I think John was standing upright, like a person above the age of 17). All of a sudden standing next to us, like a ninja from a thin mist, was a woman.
“Are you with Josh”, she asked.
A conversation ensued, the woman introduced herself as Lois Boswell, deputy chief of staff of the Premier. We introduced ourselves as The Scenery, we make lots and lots of money with our radio show. Seconds later we were shaking hands with the Premier, giving our personnel details to the governent, and then shaking hands with the Mayor.
Then Stan came. It involved the Mayor, there may have been talk of ball tickling, but that’s another story…
Some time after that the Scenery was involved in a conversation that may well have changed the course of Adelaide’s destiny: The Cultural Impact of Licensing and Regulation for Small Venues and Bars CODENAME: VIBRATORS.
So we all know what happened there, or we SHOULD all know ^^^. Anyway I found myself with a pint of Little Creatures Quiet American, sitting in the front bar of the Wheatsheaf with a host of good people and Stan. Joe Hay was talking excitedly about an idea that we’ll come back to a bit later. Then Lois Boswell leans over, like a ninja from a thin mist, and says.
“Y’know, we got to get the Premier on your show”
“Sure”, I said.
And the rest is history. Thanks Lois.
And so the Scenery, along with Ianto Ware, welcomed Premier Jay Weatherill. We weren’t short of any topics of interest for the Premier, but decided on three main points of focus:
1)The budget decisions regarding the Thinkers in Residence Program and the Integrated Design Commission and what that meant for the future of South Australian design.
2) The government’s response to suggestions of a small venues liquor license, and amendments to building codes in order to stimulate Adelaide’s fine grain culture and night time economy.
3) How important is the relationship between State and Local Governments in achieving the related goals of the above.
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The announcement of a Thinker in Residence, most likely the last of the program, to tackle the live music industry and the related issues, was met with great anticipation from the Scenery and de facto member Ianto Ware. The idea for this goes way back to before that night at the Wheatsheaf.
“So who do you think we should get to be a Thinker for the live music scene”. Joe Hay asks putting me on the spot.
“Nick Cave”, I say.
“Lemmy”, says Ianto.
(The Scenery shall hold a poll as to who you think would be the better thinker.)
Following the show the Premier visited the Jade Monkey, and spoke with Zac before sitting down for a beer and a chat with Mateo, Ianto and myself. Then it was time for an impromptu tour of down stairs bar Two Ships, during Mutiny. Only in Adelaide.
Goodnight, and goodluck.
