SYLVIE

Jet Black Cat Music present Sylvie

In 1975, John Schwab and his band “Mad Anthony” sat in a barn in Southern California and recorded their songs. It was a narrative that was common during this period - the band was close to a record deal but it never came, and the tapes were stored in a box in a closet. Decades later, in a small town in Ohio, his son Ben Schwab came across them. The recordings would imprint a sound and feeling that he would end up chasing. They were timeless, effortless, and soulful. A harmonic birthright. 

Ben had a long career as a professional inline skater that sent waves through the subculture, before watching the industry fade away. Following a period at CalArts, he formed his first band, Golden Daze, and later joined the group Drugdealer. Sylvie is the full return to the musical lineage and spirit that lived in all those lost yet beloved cassettes and reels. True to Mad Anthony’s form, Ben and his friends also sat around in a garage in LA to make these recordings. Of course his father’s voice is featured prominently, he sings one of the songs. Not much has changed.

-Mike Collins (Drugdealer)

On support will be Naarm/Melbourne songwriter, Winter McQuinn. Winter explores country and folk, imbued by psychedelia. UK’s Shindig Magazine best-described McQuinn’s music as “pollinated with dashes of 21st Century environmentalism and political awareness.”

His music ripples with free-ness similar to revered 1960s/70s artists such as Nick Drake and Syd Barrett, and contemporary artists such as Kate Bollinger, Tex Crick and Alex Izenberg.

Gang Gang is committed to an inclusive and safe experience for all. Gang Gang Cafe is wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms. We have zero tolerance for harassment and have support measures in place to ensure everyone's safety. For specific accessibility needs or assistance, please contact us in advance. We aim to make our events enjoyable for everyone.

Gang Gang Cafe acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land where Day Five takes place. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognise their enduring connection to this land, waters, and culture. We are grateful to celebrate music and dance on Ngunnawal Country.