Flint

Electric Lake

Five years ago Mr Smith was just some guy, hanging out, and like most guys I knew at the time, starring at construction cranes. "When I'm an eccentric billionaire, I'm going to put two cranes together in a field, and make them fight." And I looked at him. And he looked at the cranes. And I figured he was a guy to keep an eye on.

So here's what I saw: the guy got a guitar, got a taste for whisky, got asked to sort out arrangements for a touring band and kept on doing it. "Did I plan it? Jesus no." Birds Love Fighting is the name of his promotion/recordlable/
facilition-of-things-happening out fit, and I like it. I'd say it's good as the bands Birds Love Fighting put on reliably cut the lard out of my arse and put the kick back into my drums. For me it's about seeing people being damned skilled and that turning into a rock-Uroborus* of inspiration, but he's a little more down to Earth about what makes a good gig: "People being at the gig; where there's a lot of people  having fun, and watching something interesting, it makes a big difference."

Very pragmatic mr Smith, but what about those fighting cranes? What a joy of spectacle it would be! But is a festival by the lake really so different? Well, yes, actually, it's pretty godamn different, but the underlying qualities of an reason for excellent people to hang out are there. Electric Lake will be the sort of thing that makes living in Canberra… liveable. It's also presented by Canberra Musican's Club and the Electic Lake Team. FUCK YES.  "I hope the lake show gives some of the kids that can't get to the over 18 shows a chance to kick back and see some of these bands. It will also solidify the spirit of Birds Love Fighting Records a little more and I hope it also spawns more lake shows."

Look at this line up. Just look at it:
ASSASSINS 88 - CATCAT - WATERFORD - OLD ACE - AH PANDITA - THE FIGHTING LEAGUE - VOSS

That's a damn fine line-up, ranging from dreamy groves to out and out distilled excitement. The link  that's hitting me right now is that they're made up of people who deliver a bunch of interesting ideas and a metric shit-ton of excitement. "I like seeing music being created and people appreciate it on a simple level of enjoyment. Bands like this as well." Thanks Mr Smith, and thank you, weirdo reader, I'll see you both by the Eletric Lake; I'll be the guy beating the crap out of some construction equipment.

Electric Lake is at the Commonwealth Park Amphitheater on Saturday 27 March from midday. It's free. It's going to be delightful.