At the end of 2012 when Mick announced that Weddings, Parties, Anything would be using the Melbourne Age Hall of Fame induction as a farewell platform there was an understandably large outpouring of emotion as fans struggled to come to grips with the finality of the occasion. And when the dust had settled from the awards night ultimately all that was left was the knowledge that there were new projects to go to, tours to plan and songs to write. Music to be made.
Within a couple of years Death or Liberty – the musical documentary he made with his brother Steve featuring Billy Bragg and Lisa O’Neil was screening on the ABC (soundtrack album coming out on ABC records early 2018). The Vandemonian Lags theatre show – again written with his brother – would be commissioned for Hobart’s Dark Mofo Festival featuring a stella cast such as Tim Rogers, Brian Nankervis, Liz Stringer, and Jeff Lang.
Over the past few years his current band The Roving Commission featuring long time collaborator Mark ‘Squeezebox’ Wally and Ayleen O’Hanlon has taken fine form becoming a strong and unique musical entity. 2016 saw the release of three vinyl singles showcasing their new line-up and then 2017 saw the release of the compilation album These Are the Songs highlighting his tireless output of recordings post WPA – and it’s companion piece, the stunningly presented autobiographical book These Are the Days.
His ever evolving talents as a writer and performer and raconteur continue to define a career as intriguing as it is enduring.
