Mentorships

The Lithgow Lowdown Project was a transformative mentorship initiative that took place as part of the Lithgow Lowdown Live Music Event on November 25, 2023, at Club Lithgow. The project, generously funded by a $10,000 FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) grant, brought together local musicians, youth, and artists from the Blue Mountains, Lithgow, and the Central West for an unforgettable…

Retro Rehash was employed with Zoe Jarrett by the Winter Magic Festival to help Organise a Youth Stage and a Mentorship. We were able to work with 3 young Women from 3 different High Schools from the Blue Mountains Local Government Area. That learnt the skills to put on an event . Which resulted in…

In late 2019, Retro Rehash organised a mentorship from local creative industry professionals for the young Blue Mountains psych-funk band, Safire Palms. This resulted in a sold out launch event at Junction 142 to celebrate the release of Safire Palms' debut single 'Jam Sandwich', which was grant-funded with the support of guest vocalist Michelle James,…

Later in 2018, we employed Michael Smith, (former Atlantics bassist and head editor at The Drum Media), to mentor Blue Mountains musicians by getting him to perform and rehearse with six local players. On New Year's Eve, the newly-formed group performed hits and covers collected through Michael's 50 years in music at a packed event…

Maintaining the intergenerational benefits observed through Kilbey and Swanee's mentorships, Retro Rehash employed The Radiators' frontman Brian Nichol to mentor local punk band Madam Fatale. After two solid rehearsals, the four rockers performed live hits from Brian's 37 years in show business for a packed event at Katoomba's Hotel Gearin in 2018. "I was asked…

In 2017, Retro Rehash employed Jimmy Barnes' older brother John 'Swanee' Swan to mentor Blue Mountains musicians through running a rehearsal and performance with eight local players. The handpicked group performed hits from Swanee's 45 years in show business at a sold out event at The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. "Willem (Retro Rehash) had the…

In 2016, Retro Rehash employed The Church's frontman Steve Kilbey to mentor a select group of Blue Mountains musicians. This occurred after Willem recruited a backing band for Steve that featured some of our finest local talent. As Steve Kilbey & The Mountaineers, the assembled group headlined at a sold out event at Katoomba's Hotel…