The Castlemaine Theatre Royal is set to host the launch of the all new ‘Castlemainaoke – Deluxe Karaoke’ – Castlemaine’s new hosted karaoke hire business tonight, January 20.
The new offering has been created by local music lover Matthew Colin.
Matthew said he grew up surrounded by music and learned to play instruments from a young age. He later started a band. Alongside his adventures as a musician, Matthew developed a love for the technical side of things which lead to a parallel career as an audio engineer.
After moving to Castlemaine he has established a humble recording studio which is gaining traction and and now is excited to launch his new venture which aims to bring the love of music to you and your event with a full PA system, lights, smoke machine, and an evening of unforgettable karaoke for your special event.
Tonight’s launch is ‘entry by donation’ to raise funds for the local indigenous organisation Nalderun – Pay The Rent.
Matthew said the karaoke seed was planted several years ago on a trip back home to his family up in Brisbane.
“One evening on a whim I threw a bunch of gear together and hosted a little party in my parents living room, the first time most of my siblings and my parents had tried karaoke,” he said.
“It was a particularly hard time for my family then, my Dad and my oldest brother were both in chemotherapy for different cancer battles, and I guess I felt I needed to bring a little relief from the challenges we were all facing,” he said.
“It was a moving and beautiful evening of togetherness for us. Dad, a huge fan of classic musical theatre, brought us all to tears with a rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. I think it was then that I realised giving people the opportunity to release themselves in a song, be that at a private party, or in front of strangers in a bar, it could be more than just entertainment, it was therapy,” the muso said.
“The karaoke evolved while working at the Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine, where a few staff parties seemed to always wind up in a long night of singing the hits. This led to me starting up a regular night there and Castlemainaoke was born, although it was somewhat short lived as the pandemic did what it does, and shut the whole thing down.”
In the wake of covid Matthew decided to adapt the offering into a hire business and it is fast gaining popularity.
Matthew said you always get people at the beginning of the night really apprehensive about giving it a go.
“My philosophy is that karaoke is not about being a good singer, it’s about getting up and giving it everything you’ve got. I always want to foster a spirit of inclusivity and support, and when I host I’m right there on the side of the stage singing backup vocals, ready to help out if the performer needs me.
“Among a group of friends there’s so much love in the room that no matter what song you decide to do, be it smash hits like Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, or the more cringe worthy ‘Pretty Fly For a White Guy’ from The Offspring, it’s an experience that brings so much joy and happiness, it’s kinda difficult for me to feel like it’s actually work!” Matthew laughs.
Doors open at 7.30pm.