409 - Snake Whisky And Symphony Herald Adelaide’s Chinese New Year

In a special episode themed around Chinese New Year, we explore how Adelaide embraces cultural connections through three distinct lenses. The centerpiece is our conversation with Carolyn Lam, whose journey from Hong Kong to Adelaide has helped weave classical music into our city’s cultural fabric through Amicus Strings’ 100+ annual performances.

The celebration begins with 23rd Street Distillery’s extraordinary Year of the Snake Whisky, one of only 3,600 bottles produced, showcasing Kangaroo Island barley aged in 15-year-old Galway Pipe casks. The resulting spirit proves as transformative as the year it honours.

Our musical pilgrimage breaks new ground as we debut vinyl playback in the studio with Jayne-Anne Power’s “What’s Your Rush” from The Analogue Sessions, bringing soul-drenched wisdom to match the Year of the Snake’s themes of transformation and growth.

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Running Sheet: Snake Whisky And Symphony Herald Adelaide’s Chinese New Year

00:00:00 Intro

Introduction

00:03:43 SA Drink Of The Week

The South Australian Drinks Of The Week this week is the  23rd Street Distillery Year Of The Snake Whisky.

The 23rd Street Distillery Year of the Snake Whisky arrives in packaging that would make any emperor proud – deep burgundy and gold boxes revealing a snake-adorned bottle that’s as much art piece as vessel. Our resident palate, John Gledhill, discovers layers of butterscotch and warming spices dancing with sun-dried raisins and vanilla, while the 15-year-old Galway Pipe cask influence emerges like a wise elder offering quiet counsel.

00:16:00 Carolyn Lam, Co-founder, Amicus Strings

From playing in total darkness at Mawson Lakes Planetarium to accompanying Elaine Paige, OBE, Carolyn Lam’s musical journey embodies the cultural bridges being built in Adelaide.

She shares insights on everything from making classical music accessible through popular music arrangements to the surprising connection between Philip Glass and organised personalities.

Her reflections on Hong Kong’s vibrant classical music scene and the differences between Eastern and Western musical approaches offer fascinating glimpses into how music transcends cultural boundaries.

Amicus Strings booking information

Hong Kong String Orchestra performance details for January 31st at Her Majesty’s Theatre

00:50:55 Musical Pilgrimage

In the Musical Pilgrimage, we feature What’s Your Rush by Jayne-Anne Power.

In a first for the podcast’s 11-year history, we spin vinyl right in the studio with Jayne-Anne Power’s “What’s Your Rush” from The Analogue Sessions EP.

The funked-up soul and gritty grooves perfectly complement our Chinese Ne