FOR a small village Kew has raked in a big fish for the inaugural KewFest on Saturday.
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Rockers Thirsty Merc headline the music makers with support from locals Stronghart and Ghost Road and local vendors providing plenty to eat and drink at the Kew Country Club practise fairway.
Lead singer Rai Thistlethwayte says the band last month released the Acoustic Anniversary Album, otherwise known as AAA, to mark the tenth anniversary since their self-titled debut LP hit the charts and went double platinum.
AAA is a collection of acoustic interpretations of fan favourites including 20 Good Reasons, In the Summertime, Someday, Someday and Mousetrap Heart.
Thistlethwayte says it is a thank you album for the support they have been shown.
He's been writing a lot in Los Angeles, and producing an EP for someone else.
"We write and then we come together to collect all the stories and build an album around them," he says.
When we spoke in August he was still in LA and said he was looking forward to hitting Aussie soil, rehearsing and planning the road ahead.
"The songs a very different versions of the classics, kind of unplugged. We've reworked old songs and done them in a special way.
"The process was driven in part by playing some stuff live, it was a serendipitous creative spontaneity."
Thistlethwayte says they have a duty of care for the fans to do the old material justice.
"I'm humbled by the fact some fans have come back again and again."
As for the future, he says he doesn't know what it holds, only that it is fortunate the band is still together and he remains inspired by what they do.
"Music is communication, a healing element, a soundtrack to my celebrations. To be able to do that with others on stage for an audience - that's the ultimate."
Stronghart kick off the show at 5.30pm, followed by Ghost Road at 6.30pm and Thirsty Merc at 8pm.
There are a limited number of tickets available at Kew Country Club, Laurieton United Services Club or online at www.oztix.com.au