Mark Rossiter

Mark is working on a project called Pushbike Parking, as part of his business ‘Penny Farthings’. He is one of many young people who have used Visible Ink Valley’s cheap office space to start their own business, social enterprise or creative project.

Mark starting developing a number of ideas around increasing the number of people who would use cycling to get around Brisbane…and most of his products are designed to make it easier and more enjoyable to get on your bike and get active.

From environmentally sustainable showers and bike lockers, to creating the largest bike track in the world, Mark is taking advantage of Visible Ink’s resources, support and networks to fast track his ideas. For more information check out the website or contact Visible Ink Valley on 34030136!

Cat Thompson

Young people that define Brisbane

“Years of dedication and devotion to her passion has seen this young lady evolve into an artist that has more than just a beautiful singing voice to offer. As the proud writer of her lyrics she shares the whole world of a young lady, battling to make her art her life.

Having her first piano lesson at the age of 7, there was no stopping her from there. Cat displays amazing power in her voice, and when you see her live, you’ll understand that the power bursting out of her lungs is influential because it comes from the heart.”

Cat Thompson MySpace

Cat Thompson is a young artist that you can see at Brisbane City Council’s 2 Loud in the Library. If you want to find out more about this event, check out the 2 Loud in the Library page.

The Merch Girl

The Merch Girl is not just any old merch girl – she’s here to entertain your fans while working on your creative production or event. As a burlesque, improv, and circus performer in training, she combines her love for the limelight with her skills and interests in stage management, production assistance, and media.

Whether as a burlesque maid, stage manager, artist liasion, personal assistant, or as her namesake, The Merch Girl will help your show flow with style, intelligence, and effort. She’s currently looking for projects to work with, as well as web designers to get her website up and running.

Drop her a line – me@themerchgirl.net

Add her on MySpace – http://myspace.com/themerchgirlnet

Tweet her sometime – http://twitter.com/themerchgirlnet

Jess

Meet Jessica. In 2005, Jess enrolled at the Albert Park Flexi School, an inclusive learning community that supported her to do, well, whatever she dreamed of! Sure, there were no fairies or flying cars involved, but as Jess said “there’s just something special about APFS that makes you feel like you belong”.

And it was this “something special” that gave Jess the inspiration and determination to take up work experience at City Hall in 2006, then graduate at the end of the same year. But wait, there’s more! What really rocked out was Jess recently being offered employment by Council as an admin trainee.

We got a little glimpse into the world of the soon-to-be Council superstar…

Music? :: ‘Anything that isn’t country!’

Spare time? :: ‘Hanging out with friends’

Inspiration? :: ‘To see somebody from extraordinary circumstances that can transform and begin to love life when they should be hating it.’

New job? :: ‘Scared! APFS is flexible, but maybe work won’t be like that!’

You’re on a desert island, and the monkey who is the boss of the island asks you for some advice. The monkey’s got a short memory, so you only get one sentence :: ‘Even if you don’t think something’s possible, you can achieve it if you stick with it.’

Vasy Mollo

Young people that define Brisbane

Vasy Mollo will be playing this year’s 2 Loud in the Library. If you want to find out a bit more about the band, or hear some of their rockin’ tunes, check out their MySpace page and remember to come and see them live…

The Traveling So and So’s

Young People that define Brisbane

Summon together the psychedelic blues and shamanic lyrical mysticism of The Doors, capture the ferocious party groove of The Cat Empire, incarcerate the 60’s pop vocal charm of Nancy Sinatra, and lock all the aforementioned in a traveling gypsy caravan, with a fresh supply of French wine and bohemian absinthe in tow. Nine months later you have their illegitimate love child product – The Traveling So and So’s.

The Traveling So and So’s were formed in the European summer of 2007 whilst its teenage members were backpacking through the continent’s most intriguing, enticing and sometimes truly weird countries. Bringing a touch of this boisterous bohemian spirit home to create chaos on stages from Brisbane to Sydney, The Traveling So & So’s endearing blend of gleeful pop tunes, sordid tales, 60’s soul numbers, and ferocious party grooves provoke a colourfully crafted and infectious live show, time and time again.

Having recently impressed audiences at a string of local Music Festivals and other small and high profile shows alike over the summer of 2008, 2009 is already set to be an exciting year for The Traveling So and So’s as they await a March release date of their much anticipated debut EP.

The So & So’s regularly gig throughout Brisbane, and you can catch them at this year’s 2 Loud in the Library…

Check out their myspace

The Ride

Young people that define Brisbane

The Ride are a Brisbane band from a little place they like to call The Redlands. The group consists of Aidan and Billy Bishop, Liam Brizee and James Peeters. The Ride aims is to create a unique style of music that embodies certain styles such as rock, pop, blues, soul, funk and hip hop: described by those that have heard it as an intense fusion of soul and funk with an unmistakable hip hop influence. Formed in September of 2007 and always looking to play gigs and expand their horizons, these guys are currently in the process of writing more songs for an upcoming EP. You can check out The Ride at this year’s 2 Loud in the Library or hear their music on their MySpace page…

Steve Grady

Young people that define Brisbane

‘I’m just a guy here with a guitar, singing his heart out.’ – Owen Wilson

Steve Grady is a young performer who will be showcasing his talents at this year’s 2 Loud in the Library. You can check him out on the Queen Street Mall Stage, or hear a sample of his music on is his MySpace page.

Sam Shepherd

Young people that define Brisbane

Sam Shepherd began playing guitar when I was about 4 years old. Guitar was part of his household, and to Sam it seems like he always had one in his hands or within easy reach. The first influences on Sam’s guitar playing were Elvis Presley and his Dad:

“Elvis because of the way he looked with a guitar slung around his neck, and my Dad because he knew how to really play one”

Sam got a real taste for performing at an early age and enjoyed the recognition of his talent that this generated:

“At a school camp when I was 10 years old I got up and played a couple of instrumentals, and I was then really hooked”

In 2005 Sam won the National Young Jazz-Blues Guitarist of the Year, and in 2006 he opened the second Celebration of Guitar Concert in Brisbane Australia. With a CD available, called “Finally”, and in the process of recording his second album, Sam is a busy performing, but you can still catch him at this year’s 2 Loud in the Library. You can also hear some of his original compositions on his MySpace page.

No Pain No Gain

Young people that define Brisbane

No Pain No Gain produces music with a powerful message: a message crafted out of personal experiences and a dedication to making this world a better place. After escaping the war zone that is Southern Sudan, No Pain No Gain decided that he wanted to send a message of peace and respect to the world through music. Penning songs came easy to No Pain No Gain, able to write down lyrics that told stories of a life shaped by violence.

“My story was well printed in my brain, I could write a whole song in less than an hour”

No Pain No Gain

These experiences encouraged No Pain No Gain to focus on a message of peace and honesty, not getting caught up in materialism or disrespect. He was determined to express what he saw as the real aspects of life through his lyrics.

“Even when I was freestyling, I’ll be challenging my opponent with real issues”

No Pain No Gain

No Pain No Gain aims to be a positive role model, motivated by a desire to help others through his music, and with endless talent and a timeless message, the time to check out No Pain No Gain is right now.

“I don’t seem to see anything more important than changing the life of some one you don’t really know”

No Pain No Gain

No Pain No Gain is performing at 2 Loud in the Library as part of the 2009 Youth Week activities. You can check out a sample of No Pain No Gain’s music at his MySpace page.

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