In order to raise vital funds for Radio Blue Mountains and Toolo, the Blue Mountains tool library, we decided to organise an electrifying night of peace and love at the Baroque Room. At the top of the bill were Swanee & The Mountaineers, a pub rock powerhouse led by the older brother of Cold Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes. We also experienced The Hedonistic Pleasures from Melbourne, a psychedelic rock collective who took our minds to distant shores while our bodies swayed under hallucinogenic lights. Rounding out the night’s sounds were the partying Sydney cover group Who’s Your Daddy, backed by the sweet folk of Snail and the blues-grunge melding of Paperhill, a local supergroup trio consisting of Paperhill’s rock duo and blues guitarist Willem Sherlock Roorda.
As installed by Rusty Roorda, the Happy Hippy Hoedown also featured a diverse range of visual art from Anna Kling, Martin Sharp, Edith Tebay, and Ellis D Fogg. Prizes were awarded to the best-dressed disco hippies.
“I played at Willem Hendriksen’s event Happy Hippy Hoedown in Katoomba on August 26th, 2017, [which was] a fundraiser for Radio Blue Mountains. It was a great show! I had a ball, and I was looked after very well. Retro Rehash really are trying to get young acts on the map, so I support those who support young talent. I was the headliner in combination with local and aspiring bands. It was packed. I used some [young musicians] as my backing band; they were a great breath of fresh air. I have no hesitation in recommending Willem as he really believes in what he’s doing. Great communicator, bright future.”
~ John ‘Swanee’ Swan OAM
