After two years of bringing men together through music, the Island Men's Song Gang has relocated to the cosy atmosphere of The Westernport Hotel, a beloved venue known for its live music and warm ambience, complete with a log fire in winter and stunning sea views in summer.
Founded by Simon Moule and his friend Liam Jury, the Song Gang started as a casual meet-up in a school hall, inspired by a desire for more music in their lives.
"We hassled a few friends into coming along, and it was a bit awkward but only for a couple of minutes," recalls Simon.
"Then we all really enjoyed it. More than we had anticipated."
With a background in film and TV and a lifelong passion for music, Simon has transformed what began as a simple gathering into a growing community.
Every second Tuesday, participants gather at the pub to sing their hearts out in a relaxed, judgment-free environment.
"It's not a choir," Simon insists.
"That term has associations with being serious, performative or religious. Song Gang is none of these things. It's all about the experience of doing it — no pressure, just fun."
The group tackles an eclectic mix of songs, from Bill Withers and Bob Marley to the Pixies, with participants voting on what to sing next. Simon then crafts three-part harmonies, all without backing music - members even recreate guitar and bass parts vocally.
"It's surprisingly fun. Way more enjoyable than I thought it would be. After the first one, I counted the days until it was on again," says one participant, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere Simon fosters.
"There's no cheesy dance moves or backing music. It's just singing."
Connection
The Song Gang has become more than just a singing group; it's a space for connection among men, a refreshing shift in a culture where such openness isn't always the norm.
"Many cultures around the world get together and sing but being vulnerable isn't really an Australian bloke thing to do. We generally don't want to seem silly or soft so find the idea of singing together a bit weird — myself included.
"But it actually feels amazing to get together and harmonise," Simon explains.
"There are many well-known scientific benefits from singing, but for me it's just great to get a bunch of guys together and make some noise. We're really starting to sound good too!"
With an eye toward growth, Island Men's Song Gang currently has no formal membership list but is eager to welcome new participants.
"If you're a bit unsure you can sit in the restaurant part of the pub and listen before diving in, or you can just rock up and give it a go," Simon invites.
"And it's free!"
Inclusive
Due to popular demand, Simon and the Song Gang are opening the doors for an all-gender Island People's Song Gang event on December 6.
In the past these events have been a great success and promise a lot of laughs in an inclusive space for anyone interested in joining the musical fun.
"We're excited to see how we can continue to grow and bring more people into this wonderful experience. You don't need to be a great singer or even a decent one.
"We make it easy to learn and sing along and by the end of the night we'll all be belting out a song in three-part harmony."
For those seeking to harmonise their lives with laughter and song, the Island Men's Song Gang at The Westernport Hotel is a perfect place to start. Come along and discover the joy of singing with a community.
Island Men's Song Gang dates: November 26 and December 10.
Island People's Song Gang date (ladies welcome): Friday December 6, 7.30pm.
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