MUCH like a magpie builds its nest, everything Matt 'Magpie' Johnston writes is a collection of moments he's picked up around the place.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Magpie Diaries lead likes to dabble, what was once a small idea has turned into much-loved festival the Gum Ball.
And, Johnston has a bit to say about the Berejiklian government's festival laws, that rank events into risk categories and in-turn changes health, police and licence conditions.
"This is the first year they laid down the law to have an ambulance plan and pay for police, we did all of that and they came every day of the four-day festival," Johnston said.
Hopefully the government will work out that the people running these festivals are responsible and do want to take care of their patrons.
- Matt 'Magpie' Johnston
"They couldn't pick anything wrong with what we've done, we work hard to put on a good show.
"Hopefully the government will work out that the people running these festivals are responsible and do want to take care of their patrons."
The 70's soul, Americana band is headed to Tamworth and Gunnedah on a 7000km journey around the country.
The band's second single Honey was inspired by a trip through Johnston's own hometown, where he saw a man selling honey on the side of the road.
Written about a decade earlier, the chilled tune is about living life unbound by pressures and it's a mantra Johnston himself has tried to stay true to.
His festival work had more of a sombre beginning, after school Johnston travelled overseas for a year and was robbed in Morocco.
"To get back to Belford and lie in the bed you grew up in, it was profound and it gave me a sense of energy to do whatever I wanted and make it work.
Read also:
"Shortly after I got home I came up with the idea to host a concert in the front yard, I naively took it on, put a massive amount of effort in and lost an incredible amount of money at 20 years old.
"But 15 years later Gumball is a pretty big deal."
Johnston and the band have been busy touring and he said the premise of Magpie Diaries was always to share a collection of stories.
Catch the band at the Gunnedah Hotel on July 4 and at the Tamworth Hotel July 5.