Episode 12: The Arts Factory
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
Behind the Scenes
What’s that? You weren’t expecting me for another month?
I can’t blame you, really. Until recently, TrentInOz had lulled. But, things are evolving here. I can feel the project shifting into it’s final, most streamlined form. I’m planning on sprinting from here forward. Maybe we’ll even see weekly 7-minute videos, as was the original intention of the show.
The two-man band featured at the end of this video is called “The Codebreakers,” but I know it by its human names. Pete Faure and Blake Noble began playing together a scant two weeks before that footage was shot. Last I heard, they planned on taking a van around Australia, busking for money the whole way. Not a typical tour, sure; but I’ll put money down on this – it’s going to be a phenomenal one. If you’re aching to hear more from these two (like I am), here’s one more to chew on.
Pete and Blake typically play last at The Arts Factory’s weekly talent show. Despite their reliably good showing, here’s something important to note: Not everyone at Arts Factory is anywhere near the level of The Codebreakers. The cool part? Everyone still gets the same encouragement from the crowd. The Arts Factory’s community isn’t made up of artists by accident; the social atmosphere actually converts the uninitiated. Even after staying only a few days, I found myself in front of the talent show crowd, reading comedic poetry to an audience more than willing to clap and cheer me on. It’s a magical place, and I can promise no other hostel – perhaps no other place – in Australia is anything like it. No wonder people find themselves staying so much longer than intended.
Despite the surreal times, The Arts Factory is where I felt the first symptoms of that disease which would put this entire trip in jeopardy. Next week, I undergo metaphorical surgery.