Archer is shooting an arrow right into the open sky this February, letting the light and love spill out and onto the stage at Brunswick Ballroom.
Speaking from “red soil old volcano country” of the land of the Dja Dja Wurrung, the legendary muso that is Archer is gearing up to bring a brass band almost as large as the musician’s near-twenty-year career to Brunswick Ballroom on Thursday February 27.
In celebration of Archer’s newest project, Love Songs from The Divine Church of the Open Sky, the 28-piece Open Sky Big Brass Band will be joining the musician on stage at the iconic Sydney Road ballroom. It’s a project that, Archer explains, began a long time ago.
Archer and Love Songs from The Divine Church of the Open Sky
- With special guest Tony Lewis Shoeshine Extraordinaire
- Thursday February 27
- Brunswick Ballroom
- Tickets here
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“On a mountain top at sunset, I was particularly moved to write a song The Divine Church of the Open Sky in honour and gratitude for this miraculous world we inhabit,” the musician says. “My battle-hardened manager, Mark Grose, had the idea [for the title].”
An artist known for exploring sonic universes that know no limits, this new project is no different. The upcoming Brunswick Ballroom show will see Archer venturing down paths less travelled and through mystical music lands, all with the help of a few friends. Renowned composer Eugene Ball will be on lead trumpet duties with The Glenferrie Brass Band, which will be led by masterful conductor Phillipa Edwards.
Michael Hohnen – a close collaborator of the late, great musician Gurrumul and Archer’s producer – came up with the idea of designing the show with such a large ensemble. “We need to bring the people to the band,” Archer says. “[We wanted to] put as many of the general population in it as possible so we can all help to figure out this eternal conundrum of how the hell do we live this life beautifully.”
The Divine Church is a family-affair
Michael’s help in bringing this project to life doesn’t stop there. As a longtime friend and musical collaborator of Eugene Ball, Michael was also responsible for bringing Eugene into the mix of Archer’s world. “I heard Eugene’s work in the infamous heart and soul man Tom E Lewis’ astounding record, Beneath the Sun, and absolutely loved it,” Archer says about the composer.
As for Phillipa Edwards, Archer praises the conductor’s role in bringing everything together. “Phillipa has been a revelation to our world,” Archer says. “I reckon she could easily herd a giant mob of cats.”
When it comes to the experience of the show itself, audiences can expect a sonic journey of transformation. “It is our hope that the listener will experience a metamorphosis of mind, body, heart and soul,” Archer says.
A shoeshine and a show
There’ll also be an added bonus to what is shaping up to be a show as unique as the performers. Not only will audiences leave the gig with a shinier outlook on life, but also shinier shoes.
“Shoeshine man extraordinaire Tony Lewis [will be at] hand,” Archer says. “Punters’ shoes can also experience this metamorphosis for a mere $5 a shoe, GST [not] included.” Safe to say, this will be a show like no other you’ve experienced before.
It’s been almost twenty years of making music and playing shows all around the world for Archer. From aged care tours across the Nullarbor to international tours in North America and Europe, the prolific musician says that it’s this recent project that music has most potently revealed itself as a profound tool for healing.
“Music is everywhere and in everything and we are blessed to have music,” Archer says. “I guess it is as elemental as the pumping of the heart, and of course. Beautiful music is made by the pumping of the heart!”
As summer nears its end this February and you’re looking for a portal to access another dose of golden light and bliss, look no further than Archer’s show at Brunswick Ballroom. A musician who places an emphasis on community connection through divine music, catching Archer and the 28-piece Open Sky Big Brass Band will be like catching sunlight on sound waves.
For ticket to see Archer at Brunswick Ballroom on Thursday February 27, head here.
