We don't just want you to go to more shows – we also want you to buy more music, support more venues, meet more people (if you're into that), enjoy more art, and know more spots. Because we're all well-rounded multitude-containers in one of the world's great cities, right? Enter our semi-regular feature, Pick & Mix – an anti-gatekeeping candy salad of quality stuff from Sydney and from elsewhere, endorsed and lovingly selected for you by interesting people.

Performing at Phoenix Central Park is a rare opportunity for Sydney musicians, but tonight, ambient/jazz improviser, composer and saxophonist Hinano Fujisaki will take to the stage for a second time, performing new collaborative work Tymbal Echoes alongside one of her musical inspirations, experimental drummer Simon Barker. We're not even halfway through May, but already this month Hinano has released two EPs. As well as Tymbal Echoes, there's her sophomore EP there is a rabbit on the moon — written, improvised, performed and even sung (which she describes as a "very new and scary" feat) entirely by Hinano.

If you missed out on the ballot for Phoenix tonight, fear not – you can nab a ticket to see Hinano at Low 302 on May 22nd supporting Michael J Brady Trio.

Here are a few of Hinano's favourite things.

People Sound Record Label

“Documenting a new wave of creative music,” People Sound is a record label run by Jacques Emery (who is also an amazing musician and one of the most creative people I know - check out his music!) in Eora/Sydney, featuring some of the most exciting musicians and improvisers coming out of Sydney and Melbourne. Maybe I am a little bit biased because they are all my friends but the creative music coming out of Australia is so beautiful, inspiring and unique. It makes me really excited! I love the Sydney music scene!

Their most recent release is Walk, a band that's led by saxophonist Jack Stoneham and features my favourite improvising musicians in Sydney. I love the way Jack plays so expressively and knows the saxophone so well. It is very inspiring. 

Tita Carinderia, Marrickville

Tita is my go-to spot in Marrickville for a coffee, sweet treat and/or a savoury meal if I am hungry. You have to go and try their Calamansi cold brew, which is a coffee with a citrus syrup, which sounds crazy but it goes really well together! I also love the ube ice cream with its crazy purple colour and for something savoury I like the longanisa roll with the banana ketchup for breakfast.

I love sitting outside on the cute tables with the colourful blue tablecloths — it feels like I am at a canteen, the staff are really lovely and it's a great vibe!

Lazy Thinking, Dulwich Hill

I think Lazy Thinking is my favourite venue in Sydney. It is so important and necessary for a scene to have a space that supports artists and is a safe space for us to try new things. Jim (the owner) has always been so lovely and supportive every time I play a show there. It is insane and amazing that they have music every day of the week and I’ve had a very special experience every time that I have played there. They also have amazing smash burgers. 

First time I played there was with my friend Jasper Craig-Adams (we play improvised ambient music together) and it was a very memorable gig for me. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of support from the community surrounding Jasper and Lazy Thinking. I felt like I could play in the space freely with no sense of judgement. 

Another special memory I have there is when I played with Grace Barr – opening for Kisses, a Melbourne band, who I obsessively listened to. It was a dream to see them live and my good friends Daily Toll were also on the bill and they played a very beautiful set and I remember feeling very inspired by the sound worlds they created. They have new music coming out right now which you should check out!!!!

The Microphones / Mt Eerie

I am always coming back to listen to The Microphones which is the early project of Mt Eerie, aka Phil Elverum. I love his songwriting, his vulnerable lyrics, the rhythmic guitar motifs, the lo-fi sound worlds he creates with his tape recordings, his soft voice over loud distortion. I have obsessively listened to his album The Glow, Pt 2 but my current favourite recording is 'Woolly Mammoth’s Absence' from his album Seven New Songs.

The Microphones/Mt Eerie was definitely a big inspiration for the EP that I just released. I love how deep yet simple his music is. 

Basketball with your friends

I was very hesitant at first but after being finally dragged to the Sydenham basketball courts by my friends, I have come to love playing basketball. I think I am at the Sydenham basketball courts almost every week, honing my skills so one day I can finally dunk on my friends. It is fun and nice to move your body in the fresh air and sun and do something other than music with your music friends. The only downside is the loud planes that fly by every few minutes …but it's also kind of cool watching people fly into Sydney while you play basketball. 

Check out Hinano:

• Listen to her latest EP, there is a rabbit on the moon AND her new collaborative EP with Simon Barker, Tymbal Echoes:

  • Bandcamp

  • Spotify

  • YouTube

  • Apple Music

  • Tidal

• Go to her show tonight at Phoenix Central Park (with Simon Barker) or on May 22nd at Low 302 (with Michael J Brady Trio)

• Stalk her Instagram