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stu larsen



Last Updated: 1/7/2010

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Status: Single
Country: AU
Signup Date: 1/16/2006

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Sunday, December 20, 2009 

Category: Music
TWO THOUSAND AND NINE!
Is the year seriously nearly over? It seems to have gone so quickly. 
But at the same time, there's been so much that has happened in it.
I have vague memories of being in New Zealand at the start of 2009.
Then sneaking over to Japan for one week care of very cheap flights. 
A few shows in QLD, NSW, VIC, WA throughout the middle of the year.
Followed up by the recent 'cap it all sit eat ooh ahhh' shows this month.
Here's some extra info on things for those of you who want to read more.


CAP IT ALL SIT EAT OOH AHH!
For those of you who missed it, there's a blog here - http://stularsen.wordpress.com.
Make sure you scroll down to DARWIN 05/12 and work your way up to BRISBANE.
Basically, I played a show in each capital city in Australia in eight days straight. 
It was super quick but I loved every minute of it and made some new friends. 
The hardest thing was melting my feet on hot pavement on day 1 in Darwin.
I think my fav show was Adelaide. Great crowd for a rainy Monday night!
I loved them all though and hope to do something similar again soon. 
Check out the amazing artists who played with me along the way - 



CHRISTMAS / NEW YEARS!
It's only a few days before Christmas. It sure doesn't feel like it. 
I'm looking forward to spending time with family at my sisters. 
Just a short five hour drive to outback New South Wales.
I'm hoping no rain, my Fiesta won't handle mud roads!
Then off to Phillip Island and Nelson Bay for 2 shows. 
Not sure how to spend New Years Eve yet though.
Hoping to climb Table Top at dawn on the first.
It's become a tradition. A great start to a year. 


UPCOMING SHOWS / SHOWS COMING UP!
At this stage we'll be taking it easy over the rest of this summer. 
Lydia and I are playing in Brisbane again on January the 13th. 
It will be at Barsoma with friend Tim Nelson and Hello Yoko.
Then it's off to New Zealand for Parachute Festival 2010!
Lydia will play at Auckland Zoo and with Diana Krall. 
Then we're back for some shows in VIC and QLD.
After that, who knows? Anything could happen!


A FEW LITTLE HIGHLIGHTS!
2009 has been a great year, filled with some very cool memories. 
- getting an amazing new guitar while in Melbourne for a show. 
- letting friends and strangers sleep on my lounge room floor. 
- hanging out in Japan with new and old friends for a week.
- having a fridge the size of a microwave with no freezer. 
- living in the same town as Rowan Brand for a while!
- not having a washing machine for most of the year.
- surprising Lydia at one of her gigs in Auckland. 
- a cat peeing on my camera and breaking it. 
- touring the country in eight days straight. 
- hanging out with Lydia a lot in Australia!


Thanks for reading these updates throughout 2009.
And thanks to those who've emailed nice things back.
It's been a real highlight hearing from people this year. 
Have the best Christmas and a great start to twenty ten!

5:47 AM 
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Saturday, December 12, 2009 

Category: Music
I can't even remember this morning. It feels like forever ago when I left Canberra.
Somehow got to the airport to catch my very last flight of this insane 8 day tour.
I never used to sleep on planes, but the last 5-6 flights I have been dead to it. 
As soon as I landed I made my way to pick up my beautiful girlfriend Lydia. 

The afternoon was spent with coffee and conversation. A pleasant reunion.
We made our way to the venue for the very last show of this insane 8 day tour.
It's a cosy little place with ancient wall paper and an extensive teaspoon collection. 
The show was an intimate gathering of a few friends and a few people I'd not met before.

Steve Grady played first. I had not heard him live before. I am now a fan. He's amazing.
Very cool guitar work and clever lyrics to match it. We got to hear some newer songs too!
Then Cameron Elliott took the stage. We'd played at a winery together a few months back.
I love sitting and listening to Cameron. A smooth voice and beautifully crafted original songs.

Then it was time for me to get up and sing a few songs. Lydia joined me for some of them.
I enjoyed playing to this Brisbane crowd. And to share the night with Steve and Cameron.
It's weird that this is the last show of tour. Cap it all sit eat ooh ahh. It's been a great week.
Thanks to everyone who came out to a show in the last 8 days. Hopefully see you soon!

1:45 PM 
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Friday, December 11, 2009 

Category: Music
I don't remember sleeping much last night. Earlyish morning to catch a plane for Canberra.
Lydia flew back to Brisbane at the same time so we had fun waiting at the airport together.
This flight was definitely the quickest of the tour and I scored a special seat up the front. 
Caught a but into the city and wandered around aimlessly for a bit looking for rest.
Found a massage place and just walked in. First time. So worth it. Relaxing!

I slept all afternoon and probably could have slept right through the night. 
This tour was always going to be full on. And I think I might just survive it. 
My feet are still blistered and my legs are aching from walking so much.
I caught a taxi to the venue and followed on my iPhone to check up. 
It seems he went the quickest way. Maybe I should trust more. 

The musicians club were putting on this gig at a local hall in town. 
They'd brought in some sound gear and made the stage pretty.
Cathy Petocz and Julia Johnson were amazing supports.
Both had very quirky lyrics and clever instrumentation. 
I'd love to see them come to QLD sometime for you!

I had a very cool surprise tonight! Dalby friends turned up at the show. 
They happened to be in Canberra and decided to come say hi. 
The only problem was I had put the wrong address online. 
And they had caught a taxi to this very wrong address.
Michael & Kirsten tracked us down and I loved it!

I'm now sitting in a hotel lobby with my laptop charging in their wall.
All the power points in my room are at floor level which doesn't work.
There were lots of people carrying on. Some work christmas party thing.
But now they've gone. And I am sitting in peace. Getting extremely hungry.
I am hoping it's 24hr room service. I think I'll be eating the chips from the minibar.
1:57 PM 
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Thursday, December 10, 2009 

Category: Music
I slept in today! Got to sleep on a very comfortable couch at Clinton and Elisha's.
It was so nice to sleep in. I could have slept all day? Maybe I will do that soon.
On the way to the train I stopped at The Final Step coffee stop, South Yarra. 
Real good coffee and great service in a real cool little boutique space.
The owner saw my guitar and asked me to sing a few songs for him.
I did. And could have stayed there all day too. I will surely return.

On to catch a train to catch a bus to catch a plane to get to Sydney. 
Lydia flew down from Brisbane at pretty much the same time.
So we ran into each other at gate 40 as we got off planes!
After a quick reunion we met up with Matt Holobrodskyj. 
A friend who sometimes pretends to be my manager!
Late afternoon lunch/dinner before finding QIRKZ.

We then walked down to the very secretive venue and hesitated to go inside at first.
I'd seen photos and heard stories about this place. It's nothing from the outside.
We knocked on the door. A man on the phone opened the door. We entered.
Slowly, we made our way through the first level, in some kind of disbelief. 
There is too much to take in. Mannequins. Camels. Lamps. Giant things.
Upstairs was very similar. This is the most arty venue I've played in!

People started rolling in including a busload of people from Victoria. A little random.
Book Review Week played first. They are very cool. Great songs and instrumentation.
I loved listening to Steve's lyrics. He's clever. And not afraid to say what he wants to say.
The whole band works so well together. They create a good space around what they do. 
And they looked so at home on this stage, amongst the collection of extreme randomness.
I don't think there could have been a better band to have had play on this night at this venue. 

I was really looking forward to playing on this stage. Surrounded by flamingos and camels.
There was a grand piano to the side of stage and naked mannequins around the back.
I played a few songs then had Lydia join me halfway through the set. Comforting. 
It was great catching up with a few people I haven't seen in a very long time.
This was a very cool night in a very special venue. A real honour to play. 
I'll sleep now. Cat peed on my camera. No more photos. Goodnight.
2:50 PM 
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Wednesday, December 09, 2009 

Category: Music
Early.ish morning in Horbart. No time for anything but a drive to the airport.
I took some photos on the way. I wish I had more time to stay in Tasmania. 
From what I briefly saw, it's a really cool place. Like a mini New Zealand.
There seemed to be a lot of Federal Police hanging around the airport.
I'm pretty sure taking photos while driving isn't worthy of being cuffed.

I sat next to a crazy lady on the flight. Wasn't sure she'd left Tasmania before.
She got me to do up her seat belt and help with her tray table and things.
There was also the offer of biscuits which I declined to her sadness. 
She wanted to make sure I would eat something once we landed.
She also talked a lot. I listened and helped her when I could. 

We landed in Melbourne around midday I think. Maybe it was a bit earlier?
After helping the old lady turn on her mobile phone I caught a bus to the city. 
Walking through crowded alleys with luggage and a guitar is not so fun to do. 
I eventually found a little Japanese restaurant that I could hide in for a few hours. 
A few phone calls and a emails and I was on my way to meet up with Clinton Sweet.

I used to live with Clinton in Toowoomba for a while. A very good friend. We laugh together.
You know those people who you feel like you can tell anything and know they get it?
Clinton is one of those people for me. We caught up in an amazingly cool place.
It's called 'E Fifty Five' I think. Stairs down off the street to a retro lounge + bar.
They play old school music and have cheap pizza and drinks. And a safe. 

We eventually wandered to Clinton's place and picked up his girl Elisha.
Off to the venue to see if everything was ready to go for tonight's show.
The Empress Hotel is my kind of venue. It's got a really cool vibe to it.
People made their way in, in time for Hannah Acfield to kick off. 
Hannah's always been so helpful with my trips to Melbourne!

Dean Geyer played some tunes with his band and went down well. 
They're good guys and know what they're doing. A pleasure to play with.
It was an interesting out of the blue finish to their set playing a Sebastian song. 
Dean pulled Nathaniel Willemse out of the crowd to come and help finish the set.
Was a definite highlight to hear these two voices together. They both have some soul!

It was a very cool, attentive and appreciative crowd at the Empress tonight.
Some old friends and people I haven't seen in too long and my cousin too. 
Very special thanks to Rina for working the door for us at such late notice. 
Another great show in another great city leaving only 3 shows to go now.
I'm really looking forward to sleeping tonight. I'm finding it a rare thing..
2:05 PM 
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Tuesday, December 08, 2009 

Category: Music
Wow. So this morning was pretty cool. Semi sleep-in then breakfast at the Adelaide Markets.
I haven't seen this type of thing before in Australia. Maybe I've just not looked hard enough.
All I know is that it was a real good start to the day. Amazing breakfast with new friends.
A quick walk, then a little bus ride to the airport to find the flight had been delayed.
Of all days, today was a day which I couldn't really afford to have any delays..

After lots of waiting and a fair bit of apologising from Virgin Blue, I landed in Hobart at 5:30pm.
The plan was to get a shuttle to the city but I decided to hire a car to take some pressure off.
Car rental places at Hobart airport are different to other places I've been. Not so helpful.
But eventually, after negotiations, I scored a little Kia for the night at just the right price.
A quick drive into Hobart to check in and have a shower before heading to the gig. 

I made it to the venue just 10mins late. Not so bad after all the delays during the day. 
The Alley Cat Bar in North Hobart is pretty cool. A great sound system and sound guy!
The place had filled up by the time I was due to start, but I had to hold off a little bit longer.
Friends of mine were doing the two hour drive from Launceston to make it along to the show.
The place was full, but I'm pretty sure most of the crowd were there for the 8pm bingo session!

I kind of wish I could take this gear and the sound guy on the road. Sometimes it just sounds right.
During the gig I gave a cd to the people at the table at the front just cos they were so close.
Then I could hear them talking about it, saying things. People don't realise I can lipread.
Haha, but they were saying nice things. Mainly. I hope they listen to it at some stage.
Sometimes I wonder if people treat a free cd differently to one they have paid for?

Afterwards my Launceston friends, Age and Chels Rowse and I headed out for a bit. 
My first time to Tasmania, so we needed to explore some of it, even if only a few blocks.
Hobart has some cool pubs and restaurants along Elizabeth street. I'd like to visit some more.
But alas, I'm only here one night and Age and Chels had to drive home all the way to Launceston. 
The tour is half over now! Four shows down, four to go! I wonder what the next four days might hold?
1:02 PM 
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Monday, December 07, 2009 

Category: Music
After a little flight delay I landed in Adelaide at around 3pm today. 
I hung out with Josh Spier and his wife Christy for the afternoon. 
Very cool people with a very cool place real close to the city. 
Josh hooked up the gig and they're letting me crash here. 
I like Adelaide. And I like Josh and Christy Spier too. 

Tim Moore and his wife Liv picked us up to head to the gig. 
So it's Josh Spier + Tim Moore and myself playing at this show. 
We got there a bit early and decided to shift the gear from to the back.
The front bar was okay, but out the back was perfect for what we wanted.
We just had to keep the forecast showers away, or we might all end up wet. 

We chatted over dinner about life and places and people and things like that. 
These are the kind of people I feel like I've known longer than I really have. 
As time passed, people started making their way out the back for the gig. 
I really didn't know what to expect here in Adelaide on a Monday night.
But I was blown away at the number of people who packed the place.

I absolutely loved listening to both Josh and Tim play their songs. 
Josh plays keys and has a killer voice and some very cool melodies.
Tim is a guitar man and writes songs I want to hear time and time again. 
They helped each other out for a few songs too. You should check them out.
It was such a good night. Honestly, a fairly unexpected good night for the tour. 

A real highlight was catching up with friends Andrew Copland and Dan + Lydia Woodyatt. 
Last year when I travelled the nation we watched the Olympic Games opening together.
I have fond memories of this crew and loved catching up, even if so very briefly again. 
All in all, Adelaide will leave strong lasting memories with me, another highlight!
I just hope that I have left some cool memories with the some of tonights crowd.
1:37 PM 
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Sunday, December 06, 2009 

Category: Music
I think I had to get up at 5am this morning. It feels like forever ago. Maybe it was?
I scored an exit row on the flight today. It was nice to be able to stretch a little. 
This flight had the same crew as my Brisbane to Darwin flight. Competent. 
It seemed we were in the air for way too long, but maybe only 3-4 hours. 
Landed in Perth at about 9am I think. 10 hours to kill before the gig. 

Hiring a car for the day seemed too good to pass up, so I did just that. 
Turned out to be a good move! So much freedom to go wherever I want. 
I headed into the city to find thousands of people lining the park by the river.
Still don't know what was on, but I was headed for Fremantle for some exploring.
Roundhouse. Little Creatures Brewery. Maritime Museum. Green grassy parklands.

I really like Fremantle. Feels like a great place to chill and just take in whatever is happening.
Breakfast at 11am surrounded by people while a busker played a few tunes for us all. 
Then some exploring around the waterfront in the wind with some angry seagulls. 
I followed this up with an hour of lying in the shade of a massive old tree.
The highlight was playing songs for new friends telling stalker stories.

Made it to Swan Lounge an hour before the gig was to start and got changed in the car park.
It's always a risk. You never know if you'll be spotted or not. I think I was safe this time though.
Caught up with Trent and Lana before the gig. A great couple who were 'just friends' last time!
Jason Ayres kicked the night off. Great voice. Reminded me of someone but I can't work it out. 
Then Trent Williams played some tunes. Really impressed with his songwriting. Great structure.

The crowd was made up of different pockets of people. I think I had met most of them before. 
There were a couple car loads who had driven 400km to get to the gig! That is commitment. 
And they were driving back after the show too. A super late night and a special thank you!
I really liked tonight. I felt loved. You know? Sometimes it feels real good to play a gig. 
Tonight was definitely one of those nights. A night that makes it seem worthwhile..
4:34 PM 
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Sunday, December 06, 2009 

Category: Music
I landed here at 1am. Jumped on a bus and found a hotel. 
I woke up at 1pm. Definitely the only sleep in of the week ahead. 
Darwin is hot, but not so hot when you're in a hotel room. Very chilled. 
Today was the calm before the storm. The 'cap it all sit eat ooh ahh' storm.
There will be no time to rest much in the next eight days on this insane tour. 

I had been told that it rains every afternoon around 3:30pm - 4pm each day. 
That's the way they roll up here at this time of year it seems. I wasn't sure.
As I walked from the hotel to the shop to get batteries it seemed fine. 
It was 3:40pm when i walked to the shop. Apparently rain time??
At 3:46pm I exited the shop with batteries to find pouring rain!

Very interesting weather they have up here. Like clockwork.
Not so good for my poor feet now though. Not ideal at all. 
I had to run on hot roads in pouring rain in barefoot. 
My feet are blistered nicely. I feel them burning. 
Why this week when I have to walk lots?

Anyway, later I walked down to the venue with my guitar and a few CDs and dollars. 
Happy Yess is a very cool place. Just what you would want in a little folky venue. 
A few couches. Milk crate seats scattered around. Painted walls. A disco ball. 
It seems people like to turn up late here in Darwin, but I'm good with that.
Once the music started the people came. Maybe they'd been hiding. 

Originally Leah Flanagan was down to play this night too. 
But some rescheduling meant Ali Tapper was playing instead. 
But it turns out Ali was sick, so Mark Hilton gladly filled the spot!
Mark is a decent guy. We had a great chat before the show about life. 
He's been everywhere and has some great stories. Great on stage too!

Now it's midnight here in Darwin. I fly out early in the morning to Perth. 
Actually, by the time most of you read this, I'll probably already be on the way. 
Thanks Darwin for a great night! Thanks Kate and Jess for looking after things!
Next time I'm up this way I will surely visit Happy Yess again, a very cool venue. 
Day one is over. Bring on the rest of this crazy 8 day 8 city 8 show tour of Australia!
5:54 AM 
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Sunday, November 29, 2009 

Current mood:  stoked
Category: Music
Okay, so I've received a few questions about dates and there seems to be some confusion amongst the general public about this tour! There are 8 states and territories in Australia. Each of them have a capital city. I will be playing a show in each capital city in 8 days straight. 8 days 8 shows 8 cities. I'd love to hang around more in each city, but that will have to wait for next time.. :) This is such a cool tour to be doing and I'm stoked to be able to play in so many places around the country. If you're in or close to a capital city, I'd love to see you there! Or if you have friends in other capitals, let them know about the tour! If you can't make it to a show, make sure you keep up to date via twitter.com/stularsen. Venue Dates and Times - DARWIN - Saturday 5th December Happy Yess - 5 Bennett St. Darwin 9pm - $5 w/ Leah Flanagan Band PERTH - Sunday 6th December Swan Lounge - 201 Queen Victoria St. North Fremantle 7pm - $10 w/ Trent Williams + Jason Ayres ADELAIDE - Monday 7th December Worldsend Hotel - 208 Hindley St. Adelaide 7:30pm - Free w/ Joshua Spier + Tim Moore HOBART - Tuesday 8th December Alley Cat Bar - 381 Elizabeth St. Hobart 8pm - Free MELBOURNE - Wednesday 9th December Empress Hotel - 714 Nicholson St. Fitzroy North 8pm - $10 w/ Dean Geyer + Hannah Acfield SYDNEY - Thursday 10th December Qirkz - email info@qirkz.com for address! 8pm - $15 w/ Book Review Week CANBERRA - Friday 11th December MacGregor Hall - 64 Burn St. Downer 7pm - $10 BRISBANE - Saturday 12th December The Hive - 458 Wickham St. Fortitude Valley 6pm - $10 w/ Cameron Elliott + Steve Grady twitter.com/stularsen myspace.com/stularsen facebook.com/stularsen triplejunearthed.com/stularsen
8:22 AM 
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