I set up my home network yesterday so that I could play songs in my iTunes library on my computer upstairs through a set of speakers downstairs. Then I downloaded an iPhone app called Remote so I can control it all using my phone.
I know, I should have been busy writing, but I’m a bit of a gadget freak and get off on just being able to do this stuff.
Anyway, this morning, sitting in the lounge room, ‘requesting’ songs through Remote, I got myself into a cycle of Aussie songs and plunged myself into a dark funk of homesickness.
Alex Lloyd started it with ‘Amazing.’ Then Pete Murray with ‘Beautiful.’ Before I knew it I was requesting The Falling Joys, The Hummingbirds, Powderfinger, the Sunnyboys, Deadstar, the Dream Poppies and the Hoodoo Gurus.
When I called up ‘One Perfect Day’ by the Little Heroes I knew I had to stop. Things were getting out of control.
The homesickness thing doesn’t happen much. I’ve been living here in the UK for five years now and it’s only happened a handful of times.
But there’s something about a guitar and a plaintive Aussie voice that triggers it.
Maybe ‘cos it’s not something you hear that often here.
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Oh dear, sorry to hear you’ve got the blues Peter. Just when all the good summer(ish) weather starts!
Maybe if you listened to the very worst of Aussie music you’ll not feel so bad. Bung on some Kylie or The Wiggles and you’ll soon be reaching for some gritty British indie!
Im a brit but a massive Alex Lloyd fan and whenever i play his early stuff at home it always reminds me of the happy times spent in oz,same applies to the muttonbirds,listening to salty just brings back such strong memories of travelling down nz west coast on south island.Currently enjoying The leisure society which brings back no memories as ive only heard them whlie at home here in west sx but they are great and worth hearing anyway
Further to Simon’s suggestion, anything by Eskimo Joe will soon want to make you shut down the flight search on Expedia, throw away the Crown empties, and look forward to something wholly British. Wimbledon is just around the corner Peter so don’t worry, it’ll be torrential rain and “good weather for ducks” or other such clichés that adequately sum up British-ness.
However…
If you want to know what makes a pongo think of Australia, chuck on Overkill by Colin Hay.
Pass the Vegemite will you?
I recently spent ten weeks traveling in Australia, and I can understand anyone missing the place. The music? Not so much. #8D) On the other hand, I guess I might had missed even that if I had stayed any longer.
Anyway, back in the grey, late winter of Norway, I certainly long back to the Australian summer. I use my travel photos as my cure. Maybe they can help you as well? (Photos from Western Australia, Perth to Broome. I love the red country.)
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No worries.
Peter,
Very easy to get all nostalgic. I go there all the tine!!
These are the songs that get me all sentimental.
Mondo Rock – Cool World
The Swingers – Counting the Beat
The Church – Unguarded Moment
Icehouse – We Can Get Together
But yeah “One Perfect Day” is also on the list!!