Smells Like Seattle

Melbourne smells like Seattle.

It's a big call, I'm aware. But I stand by it. Granted, the southern city is much smaller - I don't presume to compare Myer to Nordstrom. Despite our need to rethink a dangerous lack of hot dog stalls, however, I think the similarities are considerable.

Both cities share a grounded appreciation for good coffee (yes, grounded). We both seem to have a revered respect for market stalls and second hand record stores, and it has to be said that we both boast killer city art. I now not-so-subtly lead the discussion towards the two cities' kitty-corner musicians, who tirelessly provide passers by with a beat to strut to. Fashioned from a worn guitar and a set of spoons. Our own personal soundtrack. Buskers.

These buskers hand deliver that audible buzz that propels down Swanston Street, brought to us care of the latest musical enthusiast baring the lining of their hat to the city. Acoustic performances dot the city centre like Seven Elevens, granting a mobile audience access to the broadest of influences from the didgeridoo to the percussion box. Accordions. Guitars. Harps. Cajon rock boxes. Triangles. Tapping boards. Washing boards. If you can hit it with something, chances are it's earned some Melbourne minstrel a gold coin donation. And this is just in the street; the complete beauty of this place is that you can walk to a gig venue and enjoy two or three supporting acts on your way there!

The Seattle smell I refer to is the smell of beer stained carpets in bars. Greasy late night hamburgers. Dirty denim crowded deep into an icy alleyway, just to be first in the line up for the 9pm doors to open. Live music. This is my point: Melbourne and Seattle don't have to endeavour to support the production of live music because both cities reproduce it in drones, propelling the stuff forward with a childlike enthusiasm which is difficult to keep up with.

I'm a big fan of looking backwards and musing over the past. The 90s era pegged as the 'alternative' movement was good enough to deliver the world with a heavy dose of the Seattle sound, and it's no overstatement to say that rock is seriously indebted to these guys. For what it's worth, I also believe a lot of ground shaking music is thrashing around today - music that will earn some neck craning of its own in years to come. And I'm willing to bet that Melbourne has its fair share of things to say about it.