WEEKS of travelling through the Fawkner train station gave Tane Emia-Moore one of the most perfect names for a musician.
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“I was working in a plastics factory in Upfield and the line went through Fawkner where there is a cemetary beside the station,” he said.
“I used to always think, 'here’s Grim Fawkner' and realised it was a great name for a musician.
“There were a couple of UK bands playing under a similar name to Tane so I adopted Grim Fawkner as my stage name.”
Fawkner is preparing to farewell Bendigo and set off on a UK tour as he headlines a show at the Old Church on the Hill in Quarry Hill on Saturday night.
He then flies out for a three-month trip across Britain where he will play a number of shows until returning in December.
“I was planning on touring the UK a couple of years ago but my sister announced her wedding day so I cancelled because I wanted to be in Australia,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years because I always thought some of my originals would go down better over there.
“Australia’s pretty big and you can get around (the venues) but I want to play for new audiences.”
Like so many talented musicians, Fawkner is self-taught. He picked up a bass guitar aged 15 to play in a friend's band and was quickly upgraded to the electric.
Twelve years later the 27-year-old is one of the best live show performers you will see with his fast fingers, thoughtful songs and charming voice entertaining for any audience.
“There was a lot of trial and error (in learning the guitar). People might think it sounds original but it to me it sounds like some of my favourite artists.”
Fawkner arrived in Bendigo from Tasmania - by way of Melbourne - about two years ago.
The relaxed rural feel of a country town made him stay as did the ever-growing blues scene.
“I don’t think any other country town is so supportive of a genre,” Fawkner said.
That support has lead to many memorable gigs and Saturday night’s set at the Old Church on the Hill is sure to be one.
“I saw photos from the last gig there and they looked great,” he said. “Playing in churches is always great because they are built for sound. This is not like church at all – it’s full of comfy couches and a little stage.”
Alister Turrill and Monique Shelford will also play on Saturday.
“Alister will play a lot of heart-palpitating blues and slide guitar while people will fall in love with Monique, who has a classical background,” Fawkner said.
This week Fawkner also celebrated the release of his new single which is available on iTunes and Spotify.
The single, Ourselves, gives people just a peek at Fawkner’s talent.
Fawkner thanked his fans who helped make the UK tour happen through crowdfunding website Pozible.
Grim Fawkner, Alister Turrill and Monique Shelford play at the Old Church on the Hill (corner Harkness and Russell streets) on Saturday, August 23, from 7pm. Tickets are $10.