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Design Symposiums 

As part of our contribution to the Arts & Culture of Meanjin we are dedicated to bringing events which facilitate discussion and seek to demystify the creative process of guitarists to the broader community.

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With our Design Symposium series in partnership with Artisan Gallery, we invite local luthiers, builders, musicians and gear heads to discuss their passions for guitars, gear and tone through the lens of their creative process in panel discussions. In these discussions the audience is given an insight into the world of guitars and creative expression demonstrating to the audience the process of creating a tone, understanding an instrument & it's capabilities/nuances, and what drives the creative juices of an musician. 

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With this series we hope to inspire and give opportunity to patrons to explore their own expressions into music, and hopefully understand how big tones can be achieved from humble DIY setups. 

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feature video

Tim Brennan Demonstrating Derek Trucks's phrasing style on the Jaana Special

Tickets on sale for our next event, Nov. 11.

Details & Ticket link in title!

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Speakers

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Builders/luthiers

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Jim Gall - General Guitars, Gall Architects // Environmental Scientist, Architect, Academic, Luthier, Sculpture Artist // The Liars

 

Andrew Hopkins - Balmoral Electric // Events & Public Space Organiser, Pedal Builder, Guitarist //

 

Steve Szell - Szephyr Guitars // Interior Designer, Graduate of Architecture, Artist, Academic, Musician, Luthier // Passion Cactus, Breeze Doctor, Deaf Poet Society

 

Musicians

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Danny Widdicombe - Musician, Academic, overly enthusiastic amateur astronomer // 3x Aria Award Nominations, Wilson Pickers, The Honey Sliders, Dana Gehrman Band, Performed & collaborated with Bernard Fanning, Tim Rogers, The Go-Betweens // Singer Songwriter, Roots, Rock, Jazz, Ambient 

 

Loki Discordia - Musician, Multi Skilled Artist // HIPPO, Bien sûr c'est de l'art, Whiskey & Speed, Peyote Goat(ie), Palliative Care// Sludgy Doom/Drone Experimental, Punk, ambient electronic

 

Nick Ashby - Musician, Audio Engineer, Producer, Mixer // Vesper Green, Freak Recordings, Performed alongside Foamies, Deville, Sea Mouse // Grunge, Rock, Punk, Heavy, Experimental

 

Ruby Gilbert - Musician, Performer // QMA Nominee (Multiple), Ruby Gilbert Band, performed alongside C.W. StoneKing (Tour), The Teskey Brothers, Justin Townes Earl, Worked with Nash  Chambers, Performed at Johnny Cash Estate, TEDx, Bigsound  // singer songwriter, folk, country, roots 

 

Emily Hopley - Musician, Audio Engineer, Producer, Mixer, Academic // Upsetter, Airlock Studios, Brisbane Mix Studio, JMC, Residency with Matthew Gray’s Mastering facilities, worked with Anna Laverty, Michael Stavrou, Aria-award winning Cody McWaters & Steve Kempnich // Sub rock, Doomgaze

 

Tara Pattenden - Phantom Chips - Diverse Media Artist, Creative Technologist, Performer and Educator // work has been featured at Tectonics in Glasgow and Novas Frequências in Rio de Janeiro, & across Meanjin/Brisbane – Bands; Kunt, Monster Zoku Onsomb, BodyVice, the FCKN BSTRDS and Goodiepal and Pals // Punk, Experimental, Heavy

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Design Symposium 01 - How a guitar gets its soul

Our first event was a delight, showcasing some of Meanjin/Aus's best talent and finest luthiers.  We'd like to express a huge thankyou to the following individuals for joining us to speak, perform and support the event. 

 

Luthiers & Builders

  • Sean Hancock - Hancock Guitars

  • Andrew Hopkins - Balmoral Electric

  • Dave Leddin - Leddin Vintage Guitars

  • Tim Brennan

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Musicians

  • Tim Brennan - Solo Artist

  • Blair Thompson - BRAT, Passion Cactus

  • Dana Gehrman - Dana Gehrman Band, Honey Sliders, Pub Choir

  • Zoey Middleton - Bad Neighbour, Acid Cherry

  • Campbell Messer - King Stingray, Solo Artist

 

Massive Thankyou to the Artisan Team​

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