These Machines Cut Razor Wire, an annual roots music fundraiser for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, returns to The Thornbury Theatre for its third year at 2pm on Sunday, April 14 with a massive line-up including:

Chris Wilson, Jeff Lang (Aria Blues Album of 2102 winner), Charles Jenkins, Suzannah Espie (Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year), Fraser A. Gorman, The Stillsons (duo), Nigel Wearne, Bill Jackson, Alison Ferrier, Mandy Connell, Beautiful Change, Ruth Lindsey, Les Thomas and more will be raising their voices in song with an inspiring afternoon of music in the spirit of compassion and justice for asylum seekers.

The name for the event was inspired by the inscription on Woody Guthrie’s guitars: “This machine kills fascists”. Given Woody Guthrie’s tendency to speak up for the powerless and persecuted, our guess is that “These machines cuts razor wire” would be fitting in Australia, 2013.

These Machines organiser Les Thomas says, “Last year we raised $3252.65 for the ASRC with an evening of music. Unlike the huge expense of “Offshore Processing” and Mandatory detention policies which we strongly oppose, the ASRC are capable of giving care, support and training to people at a fraction of the cost. They’re an outstanding example of community leadership and the kind of generous Australia I’d like to live in. I think that’s why so many incredible musicians are willing to lend their support.”

Artists will perform a mixture their own original songs and inspiring songs from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Mavis Staples , Bob Dylan, The Band and others.

“So many of Woody’s songs – ‘Dustbowl Refugee’, ‘Do Re Mi’, ‘This Land is Your Land’, ‘Deportees’ – are relevant to the asylum seeker situation. In a way playing them paints a damning picture of how little the world has learned about basic compassion,” says Les. “On the other hand, there’s still a good number of people who are willing to stand up for asylum seekers and take positive inspiration from these songs.”

Robyn Gould of the ASRC says: “The thing about the centre is we deliberately don’t accept Federal Government funding so that there’s not any kind of being beholden to the government or those sorts of issues… It’s a real grassroots community funded organization, so [. . .] things like Les’ event is absolute gold for us; without that we wouldn’t be here.”

All proceeds go to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, so catch a superb line-up playing support of an excellent cause on Sunday, April 14.

This Machine Cuts Razor Wire 2013 Lineup

Chris Wilson
Jeff Lang
Charles Jenkins
Suzannah Espie
Fraser A. Gorman
The Stillsons (duo),
Nigel Wearne
Bill Jackson
Alison Ferrier
Mandy Connell
Beautiful Change
Ruth Lindsey,
Les Thomas  

This Machine Cuts Razor Wire 2013 Ticketing Info

Sunday April 14
The Thornbury Theatre
2pm
TICKETS ON SALE NOW $25 plus booking fee. Under 12s free.
www.thesemachines.org.au