Monday July 28th

Goonie Goo Goo
Pop Culture Trivia Night

8pm free

Tuesday July 29th

Open Mic Night:
Registration from 7:30pm, or phone 9482-4604

Wednesday July 30th

Anoushka
Nicholas Roy
Dana

The Anoushka launches her highly anticipated debut album. As To Not Explode is a beautifully raw collection of brutally honest, minimalistic post-folk tunes that is indicative of the zealous fire that burns within this young Melbournian. An avid fan of Ani Di Franco and Janis Joplin, Anoushka's live performance epitomizes passion and has enabled her to quickly develop a loyal following. Her shows are as heartfelt as they are unruly, as menstrual as they are endearing, and as genre-confused as they are unequivocal.

Doors: 8pm

Thursday July 31st

The Immaculate Corpse
jam night

The ‘immaculate corpse' is a jam night happening at the empress hotel on the last Thursday night of every month between 8:30 and 11:00 . The core group consists of Damien Slingsby on Keyboards, (graduate of the Canberra conservatory of music) Zac Armytage on Guitar (recently returned from touring Australia and the world with ‘Bobby Flynn' and ‘the Omega Three'), Olie Williams on Drum kit and Andre Lobanov on Bass (both recent graduates of Melbourne's ‘Victorian College of the Arts'). Of the style of ‘Immaculate Corpse' Andre Lobanov had this to say: “...at the moment it is sounding a bit like grated ginger, but in time.” Punters are agreed in saying that there are definitely elements of funk, jazz, rock, hip-hop, gypsy, metal and reggae but can agree on little more except that the ‘Immaculate Corpse' jam is rapidly growing up into a fun and exciting zombie-type entity. All instruments from lap-steel to lap-top are urged to come and play.

Doors: 8pm

Friday August 1st

Rob Draper
Michael Fein Band
Jo Kelly Stephenson

You may have seen him play if you cast your mind back. Rob's just drifted back into Melbourne after a few years of travelling Europe and living in London . He'll be appearing with a trio playing all new material at The Empress on 1st August (his birthday infact). Rob's road testing songs for forthcoming album released through Soundvault Records.

Doors: 8.00pm

Saturday Aug 2nd ARVO!

Tincat and Duck
Lydia Phillips

Tincat & Duck: .................are.............. a fresh new group that combine a wide range of influences from Pink Floyd to Cat Stevens. After years of talking, thinking and dreaming they have finally decided to get out there and do it. Nylon stringed flamenco guitar is contrasted with steel stringed acoustic and electric guitars, sax, flute, keys and percussion to create a unique blend of sounds that complement lyrical songwriting, that has been inspired by world travels, injustice, intollerance, love and wonder, to take you on a journey through your emotions and passions and provoke thought about our place in the world.

Doors: 4pm

Saturday August 2nd

Gareth Eunson & The Graveyard Sons
The Vandas Duo
Wons Phreely (syd)

'Your local dose of quirky, country-flavoured, bossonova is here with Melbourne band Gareth Eunson & The Graveyard Sons. Stripping back their usual raucous and energetic live show for a smaller venue, the band has also included special guest singers. Also playing is the Vandas Duo (Chris & Mickey) and Wons Phreely.

Doors: 8.00pm

Sunday Aug 3rd - ARVO!

Michael Meeking
Emma Heeney
Tim Reid

“Does absence make the heart grow fonder, or does it make the fond heart wonder?” That's what Melbourne 's Michael Meeking ponders on his new album, which marks his return home, after six years in the UK . The album starts with the line: “There's a whiff of betrayal.” And, as the story reveals itself over the course of a dozen achingly personal songs, this is clearly a break-up record, in the fine tradition of albums such as Dylan's Blood On The Tracks, Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker, and Colin Hay's Transcendental Highway . Was there a happy ending? “The jury is still out,” Michael says. This is an album about truth and lies. “When I fall, I fall heavy,” Michael admits. But amid all the upheaval, there is hope. “I can give you the song I sing,” Michael sings in All Of My Love, “the words I write for you”. Does Michael find it easier to write songs when there's pain in his life? “Yes, I think it is easier in some ways,” he says. “I find it very therapeutic taking something negative and turning it into a positive. It helps me to process what I'm feeling in a creative way. And I guess when you are happy you don't always feel the same need to do it.” Where To From Here is also an album about having to confront your past; that in the end everyone has to go home. “But now it's time for me to take the last train home,” Michael sings, “I'm going home.”

Doors: 4pm

Sunday August 3rd

The Vulpine
With Guests

Formed several years ago, The Vulpine is a Melbourne based band that specialises in alternate rock. Ranging from ballady passages to soaring soundscapes, this 4 piece outfit can shift from the quietest chord to the loudest riff with harmonic excellence.

Doors: 7.30pm

Monday August 4th

SPLODGE!
Cult film night

THE AMBUSHERS (1967) - 16mm

The third in a series of Matt Helm films starring DEAN MARTIN!. Deano plays a swinging, hot-to-trot parody of James Bond in a film that takes every double entendre and gadget from that series and cranks them up to the nth degree. This time out, Martin must recover a stolen flying saucer with the aid of the female pilot who was stolen with it, then released. Janice Rule (a pretty uncharacteristic choice for a film like this) plays the astronaut/pilot. Martin first attends a camp where he's refreshed in the ways of the spy (and where a battalion of voluptuous babes called The Slaygirls are being trained.) Then he's off to Mexico to track down the ship which is believed to have been nabbed by Albert (the decidedly UN-Hispanic) Salmi. Various complications ensue including run-ins with bumbling second-banana Kurt Kasznar and drop-dead eye-candy Senta Berger. It's pretty clear that the film isn't aiming for greatness, or even seriousness, when the two primary weapons are a bra that shoots bullets and a device that makes men's pants fall down! The latter device is pitifully ridiculous in that it melts belt buckles and somehow that leads to men's buttons, hooks and zippers also failing so that an army of henchman are forced to reach for their dangling trousers rather than catch their man. There's a groovy title song played over credits that display a huge array of bikini-clad, heavily made up beauties that wind up having little or nothing to do with the plot. All of the kicky, funky music is by Hugo Montenegro and it's one of the film's better attributes. The villain's chief gadget is a dopey-looking satellite dish that shoots sparks out of it (along with a hand-held version). It serves its greatest purpose pouring drinks for everyone. For those eager to see the type of kooky, colourful romps that inspired Mike Myers to create "Austin Powers", this is required viewing. (Check out how Dino's car trunk pops out an inflatable tent complete with bed, nightstand, lamp and metal chairs!) Martin isn't exactly flexing his acting muscles here, but he was playing into his image as a boozy womanizer at the time. Rule is a better actress than this fluff deserves and she doesn't really fit the "boobs and hair"-type of role, but she does well anyway. Berger is unbelievably luscious. Wearing what have to be the cinema's largest-ever earrings and sporting an impossibly golden tan, hair piled high and an aquamarine lounging gown, she is one of the most underrated beauties on record. She deserved a bigger career in Hollywood than she wound up with. There's a poolside fashion show of ultra-60's Oleg Cassini creations and most of the women wear false eyelashes so heavy they can almost open their eyes. It was a time that can never be repeated, so one should relish films like this as the time capsules they are and rent Oliver Stone movies when they want to be challenged.

Doors: 7.30pm membership on the door

Tuesday August 5th

Open Mic Night:
Registration from 7:30pm, or phone 9482-4604

Wednesday August 6th

Lady Grey
Floyd Thursby

If you like music with personality, then this lady is for you. Lady Grey is a dynamic four piece outfit who perform unique blues folk country songs. With double bass, lead/acoustic guitars, piano and violin, the soulful vocals and tight harmonies will have you shimmying through this winter eve. Songwriter and lead singer Lizanne Friebel won first prize in The Moreland Leader's Good Folk Song Competition '07 with her song, “Of Wifely Constitution”. This song and many others are sure to charm you, maybe even humour you a little.

Doors: 8.30pm

Thursday August 7th

Ryan Meeking & The Few
The Bittersweethearts

Ryan Meeking and The Few - a Melbourne four piece part of the new generation of great Australian storytelling bands. Strong acoustic guitar, driven by a folk/rock hybrid rhythm, the band are led by Meeking's powerful vocal style. Raw and honest lyrics – you can't help but like it. They've supported Paul Kelly, Bob Evans, Lior and Gotye and their current EP “Broken Cars and Empty Pockets” is available and gaining great reviews. Ryan Meeking is a dynamic and appealing singer with enormous talent both as a performer and songwriter. So come on in. Grab a drink, and meet your new favorite band.

The Bitter Sweethearts are a 5-piece country/folk/rock group from the only side of the Yarra that matters. That said, they like the beach, too.  Having taken an eight-month siesta following an explosive introduction to the Melbourne music scene in 2007, including a seemingly never-ending residency, The Bitter Sweethearts are working on new tunes and a new demo. The band has been affectionately labelled as ‘Australiana', so crack a Fosters, put on your favourite cork hat and hitch a kangaroo ride down to see them at The Empress.

Doors: 8.30pm

Friday August 8th

Black Seas
The Heavy Cases

Black and bitter 4D lovesongs. Fluffy dots adrift in the snow.
The sea at night.. with robots.

Doors: 8.30pm

Saturday Aug 9th - ARVO

Rainbow Junk
The Red Coats

Rainbow Junk are a four-piece psychedelic rock funk outfit. A creative blend of imaginative lyrics and guitar solos over groovy bass lines and funky Japanese drumming. Originally titled Rainbow Junk & the Swordfish, the band formed in 2006 whilst Jak and Ben were studying and living together in the infamous building ‘the ghetto' on Newcastle beach. Combining their love for Hendrix, SRV, The Stones, The Beatles, Zeppelin, Bowie, Reed, Iggy, Dylan, Neil Young, Frusciante etc a number of original songs began to unravel. The building was an enormous inspiration on early songs where the walls would tell stories and hold parties. A number of demos were recorded in the lounge room while passers by were encouraged to paint the walls and add to the music. Joined by Wobby on bass and Johnny link on drums the songs and artworks took shape and were ready for performance. Their debut gig at the Lass o Gowrie was a beautiful sea of madness flowing throughout the pub, featuring naked stage dancing. Immediately asked back for more the band played more gigs around town developing a following of nocturnal creatures. Finishing studies they then moved home to a farmhouse on the north coast of NSW to write new material before embarking on a musical adventure to Canada and America . Rainbow Junk began performing in Montréal , Canada winning over audiences and gaining respect from local musicians before setting sail for L.A. Residing in L.A. they were joined by the young and talented Japanese drummer Yoshi Ono Bumi, adding his finesse and grace to the mix. The band played a number of successful gigs in L.A. including B.B. Kings Blues Club, The Key Club, The Vibe Hotel and other random haunts. Rainbow Junk have just arrived in Melbourne . They are currently rehearsing and getting ready to basil rosemary rocketship.

Doors: 3.30pm

Saturday August 9th

Jordie Lane
Chris Pickering
Young Werther

Arguably one of the finest young singer songwriters to come out of Melbourne in recent years, Jordie Lane “is at the forefront of Australia 's exciting neo-folk country movement.” With his unique finger-style guitar picking, blues harmonica, and a heart-breaking voice, He has been described as “a journey, somewhere between Hank Williams and Ryan Adams, somehow familiar and yet wonderfully new.” The independent release of his “Lovers Ride” EP in June 2006, major festival appearances such as Port Fairy Folk Festival 07, And shows with Loudon Wainwright lll, Gotye, Jeff Lang, Kate Miller Heidke, Renee Geyer and Alex Lloyd to name a few, have boosted his profile and gained Jordie much respect in the local scene from fans and fellow songwriters alike.

Doors: 8.00pm