Melbourne band Cash Savage and the Last Drinks are taking a radical approach to their next gig. Over two days this weekend, at not-for-profit venue Estonian House in Brunswick, 10 bands will play, all including at least one member of the Last Drinks. All the bands will also work shifts on the bar, stock fridges and pick up glasses in a collective effort to distribute proceeds from the festival among musicians.
“As our guitarist said, this isn’t DIY, it’s DIT: do it together,” Savage said. “We know so many musicians who don’t have jobs. The system is broken, so we’re trying something different.
Nick Finch and Cash Savage are taking over Estonian House in Brunswick late this month with two concerts aimed at supporting their local music community. Credit: Simon Schluter “All our costs have gone through the roof. We don’t have the answers, but we’re trying to have some control about where the money goes .
.. and that’s to fellow musicians.
” It’s a risky venture for the ARIA award-nominated group, who are financing the event to the tune of $50,000, but bass player and manager Nick Finch said cost-of-living pressures had forced the band to find savings on everything from venue hire to booking fees and event staff. Loading “We’re doing everything, from hiring the venue to putting in the PA system and employing a bunch of musicians,” Finch said. “We are taking on more financial risk, but we’re hoping the pay-off will be a financial benefit for our m.