By Kath Gannaway
An open mic competition in Healesville aims to discover new talent and provide opportunities for regular performance before a live audience.
Two of Healesville’s best-known young musicians, Marlee Nebauer and Ash King, host the open mic competition at Herd Bar and Grill and invite musicians, poets, storytellers and other performers to the stage over winter.
Healesville’s Ben Mooney was first on stage on Wednesday night (6 July) and admitted to having a few pre-performance nerves.
The 23-year-old’s approach to his music is as a song-maker rather than a song-writer.
The lyrics to his songs are not written or recorded.
“The words come of the top of my head … I can do that and I like doing it that way,” Ben said.
Delivered in the moment, and with a powerful voice, each performance is unique.
He said the open mic was a comfortable place for people to perform.
“It’s a great atmosphere; you meet lots of musician and people enthused by the music,” he said.
“It’s great to hear people talk about it in such a way that shows how passionate they are about the music.”
Herd owners Sean Lee and John Knoll said the open mic was designed to foster the confidence and stage time of local artists who with music venues less available than down the line, may not maintain regular performance opportunities.
The open mic runs fortnightly on Wednesday nights leading to a grand final on 30 August.
The winner will have the opportunity to record at The Aviary Recording Studio in Melbourne with prizes for second and third placegetters.
The next open mic is on Wednesday 19 July from 7pm to 11pm.
