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Alison Chapman (left) and John Coldebella (right) feature in Songcatcher, a new documentary about Bass Coast singer-songwriters to be launched in Wonthaggi next month.
By Michael Whelan
BASS Coast is filled with some very talented musicians and songwriters, and a new short film showcases some of them. An intimate snapshot of musicians and songwriters who tell us in their songs why they live here, Songcatcher will be launched at the Wonthaggi Golf Club on March 19.
The movie was shot and directed for the Bass Coast Pickers by Inverloch filmmaker Michael Green, whose company Drift Media has produced a number of films showcasing local life. Songcatcher set out to capture a slice of Bass Coast life and it does that with a personal insight into how these people see their home place.
The film features Inverloch songwriter Alison Chapman (a member of the Bass Coast Pickers), Wonthaggi’s own minstrel John Coldebella (whose original songs have featured in many local productions and who recently appeared on the Channel 31 music show Country Cousins), the late Rob Gray, a regular performer at the Phillip Island Winery, French Island singer-songwriter Majella Frick and Wonthaggi musician Tom Saunders.
The film will be followed by a bluegrass concert by 9 Mile Creek, featuring many of their own songs. Members of the group will lead a songwriting workshop in the afternoon, with everyone from beginners to experienced songwriters welcome.
The workshop builds on the work of a local songwriting group that meets in the Wonthaggi Library each Wednesday. Convener Alison Chapman, who also features in Songcatcher, attended a songwriting workshop with Laurie Lewis in November and said it was informative to hear how a great songwriter approached writing songs.
“I’m really looking forward to this workshop. We have excellent song writers here but we can always benefit from new ideas and perspectives. It’s just so refreshing to exchange ideas and to hear how others go about it.”
Tickets for the film launch and concert are available at the Wonthaggi Club, McBride Avenue or phone 5672 1007
For information on the song writing workshop, ring Michael on 0418 356 301.
Michael Whelan is convener of the Bass Coast Pickers.
BASS Coast is filled with some very talented musicians and songwriters, and a new short film showcases some of them. An intimate snapshot of musicians and songwriters who tell us in their songs why they live here, Songcatcher will be launched at the Wonthaggi Golf Club on March 19.
The movie was shot and directed for the Bass Coast Pickers by Inverloch filmmaker Michael Green, whose company Drift Media has produced a number of films showcasing local life. Songcatcher set out to capture a slice of Bass Coast life and it does that with a personal insight into how these people see their home place.
The film features Inverloch songwriter Alison Chapman (a member of the Bass Coast Pickers), Wonthaggi’s own minstrel John Coldebella (whose original songs have featured in many local productions and who recently appeared on the Channel 31 music show Country Cousins), the late Rob Gray, a regular performer at the Phillip Island Winery, French Island singer-songwriter Majella Frick and Wonthaggi musician Tom Saunders.
The film will be followed by a bluegrass concert by 9 Mile Creek, featuring many of their own songs. Members of the group will lead a songwriting workshop in the afternoon, with everyone from beginners to experienced songwriters welcome.
The workshop builds on the work of a local songwriting group that meets in the Wonthaggi Library each Wednesday. Convener Alison Chapman, who also features in Songcatcher, attended a songwriting workshop with Laurie Lewis in November and said it was informative to hear how a great songwriter approached writing songs.
“I’m really looking forward to this workshop. We have excellent song writers here but we can always benefit from new ideas and perspectives. It’s just so refreshing to exchange ideas and to hear how others go about it.”
Tickets for the film launch and concert are available at the Wonthaggi Club, McBride Avenue or phone 5672 1007
For information on the song writing workshop, ring Michael on 0418 356 301.
Michael Whelan is convener of the Bass Coast Pickers.