Music, Melbourne and Me

Overview

Whether you've spent a few classy evenings at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, or a few hundred dirty ones at The Tote, everyone knows that Melbourne has a reputation for its music. Now, this latest exhibition at RMIT Gallery really is showing how diverse that reputation can be.

Chronicling the busiest laneways, the latest nights and the loudest gigs over the last 40 years, Music, Melbourne and Me is a retrospective of local music and its memorabilia. The collection is centred upon the history of Melbourne's own Mushroom Records — the largest independent record label in Australia. Many of the items on display come from this label's historical collection, and others from the homes of local icons such as Ian 'Molly' Meldrum, Kylie Minogue, Skyhooks, Split Enz and Crowded House.

However, another big drawcard of the exhibition is the free talks that will be continuing on into the new year. Get along to hear Mark Seymour from Hunters & Collectors talk about the downfalls of fame and the difficulties facing musicians today. Check out this talk about the intersection of music and fashion, or (our personal pick) book in for a special film screening of Autoluminescent followed by a critical talk about Rowland S. Howard and the punk scene in Melbourne during the 1970s.

Founder of Mushroom Records, Michael Gudinski says, "Melbourne is certainly one of the greatest cities in the world to enjoy music and this exhibition is a great way to celebrate the past and preview the future." We totally agree.