Hanging Out with Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes)

Portable's 2012 Melbourne Curators Conference was a heady mix of music maestros, terrific techs, editorial-enigmas, media magnets et al. The Fitzroy Town Hall hosted a whole day of stories, experiences and lessons - a truly great day by the Portable staff.

One of the talks that really resonated with me was by Violent Femmes co-founder and bassist Brian Ritchie. Although originally from Milwaukee he now resides in Hobart where he curates annual festival Mona Foma. Every January Ritchie pushes the boundaries and in turn people's expectations of themselves and what they think they like.

January 2013 sees Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and St. Vincent as headliners. I sat down with Ritchie on his last day in Melbourne and talked about everything from the delicacies of his hometown to the Violent Femmes adoration of the Beatles.

Interview coming soon!