Michael Crane and Trish Anderson perform musical poems and songs drawing from their many years experience in both the music and poetry scenes in Melbourne.
"Bleak, funny, moody, like a modern-day Chaplin, Michael Crane shows us the flickering frames of his and our lives in the pervasive dystopia of Melbourne. The tantalising emptiness of distant beauty, the impossible quest for the perfect poem, the slippages of social, economic and emotional access are subjects of these confessional and comedic songs. Many are performance pieces and lyric-like, they wear their heart on their sleeve as they speak in the wry, keening voice of a contemporary troubadour who sees from the outside the fears and foibles, the desires and disappointments, especially of men, in a world which still sometimes seems at the edge of the universe." — David Gilbey
More than 300 poems by Michael Crane have been published in literary journals and newspapers since 1994. He now writes micro stories, short stories and has written a detective novel. Some of Michaels longer short fiction are now appearing in Wet Ink, Southerly, Offset, Verandah and Etchings
With the success of the Poety Idol competition and the launch of Paradise Anthology compilation Michael has decided to team up with Trish Anderson to go in a new direction.
As a part of the well-loved band Melbourne band Git, Trish Anderson was a favourite of audiences and other musicians for over eight years and now with her band Mrs Wainright which included the talents of Mia Dyson and Mick Thomas on the album.
Michael Crane was the originator of Poetry Slams in Australia from 1991 to 2000 culminating in the Age Melbourne Writers Festival Poetry Slam held at the Malthouse Theatre 2000.
Poetry Idol has been running for two years and has had over 300 poets perform in the heats held at the St Kilda Public Library. Two finals held at the Age Melbourne Writers Festival in 2007 and 2008 attracted hundreds of people and had over 50 people compete for the prize. The 2007 winner was Geoff Lemon and in 2008 the prize was won by Ezra Bix. 2009 sees the competition travelling around to different libraries in the great Melbourne metropolitan area and should attract wide interest.
For 2009 there will be a $4000 poetry prize and the Paradise Anthology will also support local Australia music by publishing song lyrics.
Submissions for anthology open September 3rd 2009 to November 3rd 2009
Michael Crane and Trish Anderson at Poetry Idol's Friend Space (Top 7)
Michael Crane and Trish Anderson at Poetry Idol has 38 friends.
hey, thanks for the add! it's going to be a wicked festival next year (31 Jan-8th Feb 09). Check out our myspace page for updates and more info. cheers!
