More than music at the Old Church

WITH its plush couches and crocheted blankets, you’d be hard pressed to find another live music venue quite like the Old Church on the Hill.

Audiences flock to the Quarry Hill space to enjoy a variety of performers and immerse themselves in sound, sitting comfy alongside their community.

Co-founder of the organisation, Rose Vincent, said the Old Church was loved by concert goers and performers alike, with music offering an important means of connection.

“Both artists and audiences love the Old Church, it has beautiful sound acoustics and an audience that is there to enjoy the music,” she said.

“Happy musicians plus a happy audience equals beautiful music.

“The Old Church is an accessible community space where people can connect together and where the good of the neighbourhood, rather than economics, is the basis of the connection.

“Live music is such an integral expression of what it means to be human and contributes to a flourishing community and culture.”

She said music was sometimes a daily occurrence at the Old Church, from young ones developing their skills with sound to professional acts with years of experience.

One such artist, with a career spanning decades and a handful of performances at the Old Church, is Neil Murray.

The former Warumpi Band member and now solo song man last visited the space in March and said the impressive venue is a personal favourite.

“I remember the first time I played there I was really impressed with the intimacy of the place and the way there’s just these couches laid around everywhere where people can lounge around,” he said.

“It’s certainly one of my favourite venues in regional Victoria, if not regional Australia.”

Murray said he tends to enjoy smaller shows like the ones at the Old Church more than larger performances, with attentive audiences making all the difference.

“I just felt really easy, very relaxed, great receptive listening audience and you just got treated really well,” he said.

“I hope I can play there again next year, it’s one of those venues I like to hit once a year.

“You tend to get transported, maybe it’s something to do with the fact that it’s an old church, there’s a sense of attention or there’s a galvanizing effect.

“Everyone really seems in the moment there and it just means you can elevate your own performance to a really refined level.”

His words were echoed by Aussie acoustic artist, Grim Fawkner, who said the humble venue was easily memorable amongst thousands of others.

“The Old Church is special as well because it’s so unassuming, it’s just this little building with hand crocheted quilts on couches that all look like they’ve been picked up second hand,” he said.

“As soon as you walk in there it feels like you’re there for something special which is uncommon to be fair.

“I’ve played thousands of shows in different countries and the Old Church on the Hill still stands out because you rock up there and you know that you’re in for a good time and you’re in for a treat.”

He said the Old Church suits him well as a one man act as he thrives on interacting with audiences in between songs.

“In a place like that where you’ve got everyone’s attention almost innately it makes it a lot easier to connect with everyone. That’s the perfect goal for a solo singer songwriter like myself,” he said.

“The arts community is really linked with the Old Church on the Hill and we’re all itching to get back there.

“Even though we’re postponing and waiting through lockdown we’re all just itching to get back in that space and play some songs to the people who love to listen to music.”