Meredith Music Festival

This week I'm excitedly packing for an adventure. This will be my first camping music festival in quite a while.  I had thought I had sworn them off never to attend ever again... what's changed my mind? I've only heard good things about Meredith Music Festival. I've been signed up for the last 5 years to get a ballot ticket and with a lot of magic pixie dust this year I got one!

As yet I'm suffering from sleepless nights in anticipation. So to get rid of some of my excess adrenaline I created this music mix to get the party started.

Inspired by Meredith 2013 from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

Feel Good Friday

Do you ever get songs stuck in your head that just loop over and over? Ever since I found this gem of a music mix on 8tracks I've been catching myself hitting repeat.

I have a feeling I'll be working in my garden this weekend with this blaring in the background. What music will you be your soundtrack this long weekend?

FEMALE ROBBERY from imbreannarose on 8tracks Radio.

Feel Good Friday

This week I've been lucky enough to have a few happy surprises. Earlier this week I found out that Pineapple Dazzle ticked over 100 followers on Bloglovin. I nearly fell over I was completely blown away. Thank you so much to my lovely readers!

As a thank you I want to share a little about me that you might not know.

• My parents are courageous and they have always brought their large dreams and crazy ideas to life. My Dad loved playing Cowboys and Indians when he was a kid so back in the 1980's after a trip to America he created Vultrek 5 - the first Laser Tag Game in Australia. Yes, he just made it up inside his head. I grew up in a kids fairy tale playing arcade games and laser tag almost every day. 

• I first put roller skates on when I was about 7 years old and I immediately fell in love. The sensation of effortlessly gliding around a room really fast was exhilarating and it has never left me. 

• I once declared at a Family Restaurant that I was setting myself a personal challenge to eat as many passion fruits as I could in one sitting. (46 pieces and I felt very sick afterwards) 

• My sense of humor has a wicked cheeky streak. 

• I love the taste of lipbalm and lipstick. I tend to carry around 4 or 5 types in my handbag at all times. 

• I'm a collector. The more sparkly and brightly coloured the item the more likely I will covet it like a bower bird. Two of my most prized collections are my vintage dresses and my rainbow of vintage glass (seen below, this is not all of my glassware!)

• For those who follow me on Instagram you already know that I'm obsessed with my garden. I have over 80 different types of succulents growing proudly. I've become one of those people who can name plants just by looking at them. 

Thank you once again and hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Have any of you had any good surprises happen to you this week? 

Feel Good Friday

A slow yawn of reality is hitting me. I realised today there is no more Roller Derby for a little while*. The Roller Derby Grand Final is behind me (Salty's won) and we are now officially in the off-season. It has been an abrupt segway from intense training, team strategy sessions and tingling nerves of excitement to nothing. Initially I noticed the small things. A huge decline in the volume of washing. Do I really own this much training gear? What is this thing you call Free-to-air Television? A sneaky drop of alcohol on a training night. Just plain unheard of! 

I'm slowly finding my rhythm again returning to my normal Derby-free life. Reconnecting with my music. Befriending my running shoes. Showering love and attention on my friends outside of Roller Derby. Going out seeing shows and art exhibitions on school nights just because I can. Building fun dreams for the future.

Change is always a little unsettling being caught somewhere between the excitement of the future and melancholy of losing the past. So this is just a reminder to myself to be present in the now as truly this is all we ever have.

winter melts from treeofenlight on 8tracks Radio.

*Technically the League season is over however there are still some Bouting opportunities on the distant horizon. Just not soon enough!

The photograph taken by Molly Strohl. You can find more of her work on Flickr. 

Feel Good Friday

How is everyone this fine Friday? With my holidays firmly behind me I'm trying to stay focussed looking ahead. So that I don't crash and burn upon immediate re-entry into the country I arrange a return-to-normal-life soft landing by making sure I've got something fun in my future and this weekend I've got that covered.

My league, Adelaide Roller Derby are hosting our Grand Final Double Header Extravaganza on Sunday. Lots of serious preparation has gone into the event. I've been focussed on increasing my fitness, cleaning my skates and learning the retro dance moves for the skate out. Tickets can still be purchased online if you want to come along.

Music has inspired me the last few weeks and I have had certain songs stuck on repeat. I just can't shake them from my mind. I've embedded a few of those songs into my latest music mix for your listening pleasure. (If you are curious I took the QR photo art photo whilst I was in New York recently.)



Happy Friday everyone!

Feel Good Friday

I've been incredibly introspective as of late. Questioning many things about life. I should explain why I seem to be filled with all of these questions. Partly as I've spent a week in isolation with a nasty virus. Partly as my birthday is mere days away.

Birthdays don't normally terrify me. Turning 30 didn't even register on my radar. It came and went in a whirlwind of decadent bubbles. Yet the prospect of 32 feels like I've stepped out onto a windy ledge with a fraying rope for safety above a deep crevasse.

I came across a brilliant piece of writing which has helped me feel more at ease. It is definitely true being in your 20's you feel like you know everything but once in your 30's you know better and realise that for every answer resolved there are infinitely more questions seeking resolution. I have not found peace with these questions yet but I am starting to accept that they will always be there.

Since I had so much free time on my hands this past week I have created another music mix for your listening pleasure and please have a wonderful weekend.

Mix from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

Thank you to artist Alberto Seveso and Arte Limited. The artwork above is called 'A Due Colori V'.

Being Creatively Satisfied

I watched this video recently about the idea of being creatively satisfied. Which made me question am I?

I think of myself as creative. Over the years I have attempted many forms of creative expression. My first love was music. My second love was a man. My third love was chasing the sensation of wonder and the thrill of adventure. Since then I have found myself trying many new forms of expression and creativity but nothing has ever felt as strong as those first loves.

I get an intense joy in creating but it really never lasts. The older I get the more I realise that I strive to constantly distract myself from an undercurrent of discontent. I am very good at solving problems but not in fact my own. I have lost sight of what I desire, want and need creatively.

Life is a tricky beast, sometimes it needs deep reflection. I'm still searching for a way to soothe the discontent. Maybe that is part and parcel with being a creative person? I am not entirely sure if it can ever be calmed.

Maybe my soul is crying out for the things that it cherishes most and I haven't found them yet? All that is left is the distance I have created.  Maybe the neglect of my true passion has meant that I have wandered into this wilderness. Maybe all I need to do is just write a simple song.

Feel Good Friday

Come on everyone, roof punch its almost the weekend! What fun adventures do you have in store?

In my future I see some Roller Derby antics which means a collection of new bruises. A leisurely brunch with my favourite man and some lazy guerilla gardening. But I'm most excited about some location scouting for a future most epic party adventure. Lots to look forward to.

Happy Friday everyone!

The Imaginarium of Dr.Pretty Lights from unrtdx on 8tracks Radio.

Feel Good Friday

Hello everyone! Ah winter, where the weather is crisp, the nights are long and the skies are chilled blue. Whilst some of you will be kicking back and enjoying some well earned time off, this long weekend along with my fellow Adeladies I'm flying to Canberra to participate in Skate-turion an Australian Roller Derby Tournament of epic proportions. I'll be set to 2 modes predominately: battling it out on the track or warm and toasty rocking my devil onesie. It's set to be a super rad weekend.

To my fellow Adeladies, stay warm and be excellent to each other. In your honour I have located this music mix to release your inner badass.

Release your inner badass from soupcan3 on 8tracks Radio.

Feel good Saturday

I'm shaking off the blues this week and reminding myself that its wonderful to be alive. So I'm celebrating by dancing around my living room to this music mix that I made. Wherever you are hope you are having a great saturday!

Pineapple Dazzle Saturday Night Edition from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

Feel Good Friday

This weekend I'm preparing to fly to Melbourne to watch The Radeladies take on the Melbourne Northside Rollers in an epic Roller Derby battle not previously seen in this known Universe. The Radeladies are nice girls no longer. They have been training hard these past few months channelling their inner dark side & sinister booty blocks and have become the Radalliance.




Definition of Radalliance. (As confirmed by Urban Dictionary)

Rad An abbreviation of 'radical'--a term made popular by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Alliance People or groups that work together.

If you are in Melbourne this weekend come on down & check out some fun Roller Derby action. Tickets sold here. In the meantime enjoy this cheeky Star Wars inspired music mix to put some beats into your Friday.

May the Fourth be with you.

Dreaming of Coachella

I adore music festivals. It's not just about the day itself but all of the tingly nervous excitement and preparation for it. I will daydream over the line-up and create mixtapes. I organise a plan of attack to the minute & then on the day let spontaneous insouciance take over. My girlfriend is incredibly organised (and me by default) as she laminates sweat and water proof line-up cards for us. I like to add my own quirk to each festival so I begin my day setting myself a quest. I once travelled to a festival called Sunset Sounds in Brisbane. I noticed at that particular festival there was a high incidence of Wayfarer wearing hipsters. I challenged myself to get as many photos possible of me wearing said hipsters wayfarers with the hipster in the shot. That was a fun festival, and challenge.

Over the years as my means have increased my desire to travel further and visit festivals in other countries has grown. So far some of my dream festivals include:

Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Fujirock in Japan.
South by Southwest in Texas.
Primavera in Barcelona.
Burning Man in Nevada.
Reading & Leeds, in Reading & Leeds.
Glastonbury in Somerset, UK.
Coachella in California.

Sadly of the list, I've visited only one so far. I almost tagged Lollapalooza into my latest travels but my desire to be a Roller Derby girl at Rollercon has taken over and I miss out this year. Coachella has just rolled around again this year and seeing photos of this years festival is making my heart ache.









Gah, next time! I'll have to deal with my FOMO by shutting my eyes blissing out to the below mix of Coachella 2013.

I'm just going to have to find a cool downtown bar in New York this July to get my international live music fix this time around. Any suggestions?



images from Billboard

Creepy Friday

The sun is shining and yet the day still holds terrors.

I don't normally talk about my fear as it is completely irrational. I cannot change how I feel about it. I feel a slick sweat creep over my skin. My heart clunks. Goosebumps strain so tight my skin hurts.

I am terrified of zombies.

I know they don't technically exist and yet I cant stop myself from panicking. I won't see a scary zombie movie with you. I'll avoid the city when the Zombie Walk takes to the streets and I plan my escape months in advance. (The date to avoid this year is Saturday 12th October). I do this as I know I would take matters into my own hands with the nearest blunt weapon. This fear does not encroach into other monsters of fantasy. Maybe because they never create lame romantic movies about them?

A friend of mine took me to see a movie a long time ago without divulging anything about the name or plot. I still don't remember why I agreed to go. That night I watched 28 Days Later quite possibly the most terrifying movie I've ever witnessed. Even with my eyes closed the sounds from that movie echo inside my skull still.

The brain is a fascinating place to explore. Where fear gets locked away in a deep dark box. When I recently found this mix I found it a brilliantly deep and moody soundscape. Until I found the track that awoke my terror.

Amazing Post Rock from pdem117 on 8tracks Radio.

Recovering Artaholic

I am recovering from my purge of artistic delights some of you might know as the Adelaide Festival and its young rival, the Adelaide Fringe. It was a short and very sweet experience this year for me as I had only 4 days to immerse myself before flying overseas.

During that brief time I was blindfolded, tied up and then dragged through a sensory maze of delights, frights whilst meeting the most caring strangers. Pulled through a secret door into a wonderland of you-wont-believe-what-happened. (If you must know I was transformed into a beautiful unicorn sparkling with pearls and bling but my camera was confiscated so I don't think you'd ever believe me.) Watched a loveable larrikan tumble and fumble on stage. Listened to a marching band play sexual healing whilst I watched a good friend get married inside Barrio. Found myself a lovely derby girl & got hitched myself before dancing the night away under the stars.

Not your average art adventure but that is the point. Art is meant to be what you want it to be. That is why I love my town and its quirky sense of fun. So what does a recovering artaholic going to do now??

All life affirming art suggestions welcome.

Almost Feel Good Friday

The Long Weekend is almost here and I for one cannot wait to sleep in and luxuriously do nothing.

I've been caught listening to this wonderful mix on repeat & decided its too good not to share. Hope you enjoy it.

Happy Easter Folks!

Feel Good Fridays

This past week has made me truly be grateful for the things I do have. My wonderful friends. My crazy yet caring family. My Alice in wonderland like obsession with art, travel & Roller Derby. But most of all the love of my life, my darling husband. Life is amazing with you all in it. Thank you.

Here are some fun songs to cheer up your day in celebration. x

Adelaide Festival Picks

Last week I informed you of my favourite picks from the Adelaide Fringe Festival. This week however, its all about the Adelaide Festival.

The Adelaide Festival in my mind is one of those risk taker events that thrusts art passionately in your face. I go a little mad during Mad March because of  it's lustfully exciting line-ups tempting me to consecutive sleepless weeks. I come out the other end of the Festival feeling a little bit like Alice having come back from Wonderland. Tired, swooning and a little heart broken that its all over.

Very much at the top of my list are the theatre performance group, Ontroerend Goed. They love to create intimate, individual performance pieces which turns normal theatre on its head. For the Adelaide Festival they have created 3 different shows one of which I am lucky to have the tickets for, The Smile Off Your Face. I will be blind folded, strapped into a wheelchair and whizzed off into the night. Lets hope I come back in one piece.

I love the German Club so I cannot wait for it to be converted into a late night smoky cabaret venue. Being able to see a show here excites me almost as much as the show I want to see The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart. Whenever the word word rambunctious appears in any type of review you know that you at least are going to enjoy some hearty loudness, the ability to drink beer whilst sitting in your seat, maybe a sing-a-long and some cheek. I for one am looking forward this show as it should be a fun night out.

Heading into a different direction completely the Festival is heading online to capture our hearts and imaginations this year. How can you be alone in a city full of noise? Being quiet, letting thoughts sit and process can sometimes be a perfect methodology for a healthy state of mind. Quite amazingly this year the Festival has sponsored Stereopublic a TEDXPrize City 2.0 Winner to do just that. I for one cannot wait to see what this is all about.














And finally, Barrio. The hottest ticket on the Mad March calendar last year is set to come back again in 2013. Every night is different from the last. Get their early. Bring a shrine offering. Be tempted by the greatest night out of your life. If anyone asks you a random question say yes.

Here is a link to one of my highlight shows from Barrio last year, Abbie Cardwell & The Chicano Rockers. I only expect Barrio to become even more of a simmering melting pot this summer.



Well thats just my opinion, what are you most excited about this Festival season?

Feel Good Fridays

I don't know about you but I need a holiday already. Too many wonderful things have been filling my calendar which has made my 4 day work week incredibly tough. I'm planning on leaning back, kicking off my shoes and letting some good vibes wash over me. Enjoy the mix!

Pineapple Dazzle 2 from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

Feel good Fridays

Australia Day is fast upon us. I've devised a sure fire way that you will enjoy at least 33 minutes of the day. Play this mix. It will make you feel good.

Pineapple Dazzle from lanavsmith on 8tracks Radio.

Summer tunes

Summer time for me means riding my bike home at night, playing frisbee in the park, BBQ's at friends houses and turning the music up loud.

What does summer time mean for you? Happy Friday peeps! 

Summer Night 2 from gracekeem on 8tracks Radio.