Great Southern Nights, in association with Triplespeak, Music in the Mountains and Gallery One88, present Jak Housden and CJ Stranger for Songs & Stories, Pigeon Lane @ One88, on Friday 27 November 2020. 

With very special guest Mataya.

Doors 6pm // Mataya 7:00pm // CJ Stranger 8:00pm // Jak Housden 9:00pm

Ticket price includes a 3-course meal // Non-alcoholic refreshments available // BYO alcohol. We recommend that you visit our good friends at Leura Cellars en route to Pigeon Lane @ Gallery One88, who provide an exquisite selection of wines, beer and spirits, including our locally brewed Mountain Culture.

Please read the event information at the bottom of this page very carefully, as you are required to select a vegetarian or non-vegetarian meal option when purchasing your tickets.

Jak Housden is revered by his contemporaries as a guitarist of immense eloquence and grace; an aurora at dawn. Yet it is the psychedelic pop sensibility of Jak’s songwriting that paints the kaleidoscope of an artist deep in the cacophony of his craft.

On Friday the 21^st of August, Jak Housden celebrates the release of ‘Bombs’, his first single in many, many years. Produced by Jak and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London. His voice resplendent, Jak’s occasional convocations of melody and harmony draw upon the late ‘60s West Coast sound, which delivers you at the intersection of Fillmore West and The Whiskey on Sunset Strip.

Reflecting upon ‘Bombs’, Jak muses, “Inspired by yet another random act of terrorism, this time in London, the song ‘Bombs’ kicked ‘round in my head for quite a few years, before it was finished, then recorded. Slowly taking shape, bit-by-bit, it ultimately found its psychedelic stomp to accompany a narrative that spans the present age. Of course, there’s always been a witch-hunt going on, of one kind or another. It simply seems to some folks today that western civilization and contemporary society is the modern-day witch.”

Jak Housden photo by Cherie Abdy.

CJ  Stranger hones a unique sound and spirit for his new album,  Hey Stranger. Describing first single Strange One as a“stream-of-consciousness ramble of a day living in the inner-west,”CJ carves out contemporary Australian music filled with occurrences like electric shocks, technology failing, having a tunnel dug under your house, andtryin' to pay rent.“After a strong coffee,”he notes,“things feel better.”

Following on from the galloping country of the triple j spun Outlaw and highly satisfying Fool's Gold, new single and album opener White Lines is yet another brilliant example of how CJ perfectly matches gently simmering music with the raw honesty of reflective lyrics. Channeling an amalgamation of Paul Kelly,  Kurt Vile  and  The Church, White Lines is about new beginnings and unexpected challenges in life, lyrically set against the backdrop of the Australian landscape.

Slinging a small-but-powerful arsenal of instruments, CJ Stranger crafts his distinctive sound using an old weathered resonator, a weird vintage organ, and his beloved purple guitar Frankenstein-ed out of discarded bits and pieces. This array of repurposed musical antiques allows CJ Stranger to sculpt a vivid and honest landscape for his musings. 

These days based in the Blue Mountains while regularly Sydney-side, CameronHenderson’s2016 debut album established his prowess as a singer, songwriter and guitar player, but it was a different kind of animal. CJ Stranger is an exaggerated and more nuanced side of Henderson, brought forth by exploring this new artistic persona.

A singer-songwriter through and through, CJ Stranger's captivating voice, tell-all lyrics and natural feel for finger-picking walk together in perfect synchrony. Creative and honest, Hey Stranger is a rewarding listen that feels comfortingly familiar, yet new and exciting.

Mataya delivers a warm and honest performance like no other. A musician and singer that will reach in and touch your spirit, open your eyes and open your heart.

Born into a musical family Mataya began singing and playing violin at the age of 4. As a teen she picked up piano and began to explore song writing. Surrounded by the live music scene growing up in the Blue Mountains she was heavily influenced by jazz and soul which has led to the unique sound of her debut single ‘Fine China’.

Mataya has worked with numerous Australian artists including The Tongue, Omar Musa, Thundamentals and Hermitude. Her authentic vocals notably feature on Hermitudes’ hit single ‘The Buzz’, the Thundamentals’ Aria nominated album ‘So We Can Remember’ and more recently on their Triple J favourite ‘Sally’. She has performed as a feature artist at venues across the country and festivals including The Manly Jazz Festival, Splendour in The Grass, Yours and Owls, Groovin The Moo, and Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. 

THE EXPERIENCE

Pigeon Lane @ Gallery One88 is a COVID-safe venue. For this reason, tickets must be purchased in tables for 2, to ensure that social distancing requirements are upheld, in the interest of public safety. At the time of this announcement, tickets are limited to just 10 patrons per night.

However, if you find that the ticket allocation for your selected event is exhausted, please place your name/s on the waitlist. Restrictions are likely be lifted and the capacity marginally increased closer to the event. In any event, in an ideal world, tickets are limited to 32 patrons. This is to ensure the exclusivity and intimacy of the event is respected.

Songs & Stories is an exclusive dinner and show event, which includes a set 3-course meal with a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option, so please be sure to select your dietary preference at the time of purchasing your tickets. Accordingly, you will be seated in pairs.

THE MEAL

Victor Peralta is both a celebrated artist and executive cook, who will be curating a dining experience like no other. Featuring 3 majestic courses and fine-dining experience, meals will be delivered to your table by alternative drop between sets.

REFRESHMENTS & LICENSING

For these events, Pigeon Lane is BYO only, with an array of non-alcoholic refreshments and themed mocktails available for your experience.

THE SCHEDULE

Dates: Friday 27 November, 2020.

Venue: Pigeon Lane @ Gallery One88, 186-188 Katoomba St. Katoomba

Doors Open: 6:00pm

First Course Served: 6:15pm

Second Course Served: 6:45pm

First Set: 7:00pm – 7:35pm

Dessert Served: 7:45pm

Second Set: 8:00pm – 8:35pm

Third Set: 9:00-9:35pm

Doors Close: 10:00pm

Tickets: $85 plus booking fee (per person), although all tickets are sold in pairs and include a 3-course meal, which are valued at $170 plus booking fee ($174.90).

Ticketing & Seating:

1. All tickets are sold in groups of two (2).
2. Reserved seating will be allocated – first-in, first-served.
3. Seating is limited to 10 patrons at the time of this announcement. However, additional tickets may be made available (not exceeding 20pax) should the NSW Department of Health relax COVID-capacity restrictions ahead of the show day. Accordingly, please add your name/s to the ‘waitlist’ if the allocation is exhausted for your selected event.
4. All ticket will be sold in advance, as walk-ins are not permitted.

Terms & Conditions:

1. Tickets are non-refundable except as specified in the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice.
2. Tickets are non-refundable unless restrictions are imposed by the NSW Department of Health, which forces the closure of the venue due to COVID-19.
3. Tickets are non-refundable unless the headline musicians are unable to perform due to feeling unwell.