Music Festival promoter Brian “BT” Taranto started Out On The Weekend 10 years ago, the iconic alt-country shindig returning to Melbourne this October.
He’s been touring bands for almost 30 years, with a mighty roster that includes Wilco, Sierra Ferrell, Big Thief, Charley Crockett and coming in 2025 – Tyler Childers.
BT is one of the Australian music industry’s risk takers, faith leapers, and puts his money where his mouth is – all in the name of good old fashioned rock’n’roll. There’s a merchandising arm, a record label, a book publishing venture. The list goes on.
The Sydneysider has certainly wined and dined with many of those he’s toured too – from Wilco at Cookie Bar in Melbourne and Bar Vincent in Sydney, to delicious pours with The Black Keys at Porteno and Bar Bodega in Sydney. He loves to raise a toast and then some.
Brian Taranto spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
Out on the Weekend returns to Seaworks Williamstown on 12 October; with two extra dates added including Ballarat on Friday 11th October and Korumburra on Sunday 13th October.
“Out On The Weekend is a labour of love and financial stupidity, but I continue to do it because I believe in the music, the growing culture and am in the fortunate position that I can have a go each year without it breaking the bank,” says Brian Taranto.
“I’ve been touring acts for almost 30 years and in that comes friendships, and sometimes obligations to Artists, agents and managers to keep someone alive and creative. If the pay-off of that is a bunch of like-minded people enjoying themselves, discovering or celebrating great music, I’ll keep doing it,” he adds.
“In a climate where festivals are dropping like flies, we are still carrying on,” says Taranto.
“Even to the extent of taking of a version of the event to Ballarat and Korumburra this year. Takin’ the country to the country.
MY CITY
Sydney, because I sometimes am here in my actual real bed. I do love Melbourne, Austin and Nashville though.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
A friend’s milestone birthday dinner at Bar Vincent. From the first oyster to the last profiterole, amazing. Also, anytime I have a Marrickville Pork Roll Bahn Mi, none better.
FAVOURITE BAR
Whenever I can get a good, dirty martini with Sicilian olives and a prawn cocktail.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Banana old fashioned, or a great tequila and a beer.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Bacon and egg sandwich or roll, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, cheese, tomato sauce, yellow mustard, mayo.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Labour In Vain, Fitzroy.
FAVOURITE WINE
I love a buttery chardonnay that looks like unhealthy urine. Vintage Umamu from WA to Craiglee Chardonnay from Sunbury, Victoria. Apart from that, I exclusively drink the great Ochota Barrels brand of wines in celebration of the lives of my friends. The Slint Chardonnay and the Texture Like Sun Sector Reds being my regular go-to.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Wineries I normally visit have a band playing at them, and so I’m not there for the wine, but many years ago I was fortunate to get a personal tour of the burgeoning “natural” wine region of Basket Range in SA. I spent a day visiting and meeting all the players and ended with a late arvo/early dinner roast with the late Taras Ochota and family at Ochota Wines which changed my views and tastes and understanding of many things, including wine.
NEXT DESTINATION
Nashville, Tennessee for Americanafest. An annual pilgrimage. I’ve been travelling to this city for nearly 40 years. My connection to how things used to be, and the history of the place is long and deep. I’ve watched it slowly become hotter and hotter as a destination, but knowing how it was helps to still marvel at the way the city exists and its musical culture and business is embraced and celebrated. For a city that has about the same numbers of people as Adelaide, it’s insane what goes on there on any given night. For years, it was my secret weapon in the music biz as you were much more likely to form a rewarding relationship with an Artist or agent or manager than you would in NYC or LA. People were real and local or from close by. Everyone knows now….
FAVE USA BARS
Robert’s, Nashville. Because it’s pretty legit, consistent and requires you to see through any bullshit New Nashville stuff. Also, the Ryman is directly behind it.