BABY, I LIKE IT RAW
Raw Natural Born Artists is a worldwide, independent arts organisation looking to foster metaphorical circuses of creativity all over the world. Not run-down circuses with old clowns and mistreated animals, either — we’re talking Cirque du Soleil shit. If you’re an indie filmmaker, fashion designer, musical performer or visual artist within the first ten years of your career, visit RAWartists.org to get involved in Brisbane’s next RAW showcase. 

OH DEER
The Red Deer Music Festival returns to Mt Samson on Saturday September 1, headlined by Brisbane gods Regurgitator (now in their 19th year, somewhat unbelievably) and folk angel Clare Bowditch. The boutique, BYO event will also feature Evil Eddie, Darky Roots, Pigeon, Charlie Mayfair, The Lyrical, The Oceanics, Asa Broomhall, Miss Elm, The Dashounds, J & The G Beats, Blake Thompson, Little Buffalo, Hawkmoon, Brother Fox, The Bright Side, Hailey Calvert, Jackson Dunn and Open Channel Flow.

VALE DONALD ‘DUCK’ DUNN
Bassist Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (of Booker T & The MGs fame) has died in Tokyo aged 70. As well as playing on many of Stax Records’ greatest releases, Dunn later played with Neil Young and Eric Clapton, and appeared as himself in ‘The Blues Brothers’. The MGs were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in ‘92; Dunn himself received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2007.

LEAVE TOM ALONE
The Gaslight Anthem have spoken out in support of transgender Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel, who has announced his decision to begin living as a woman. “How about you leave the guy alone,” the band blogged. “How about you let another human being make a decision about their lives without your snide prejudices and bigotry? This is one of the hardest decisions a person could make... it’s not your life. It’s not your family. It’s not your band, it’s theirs.”