Brag#572

ISSUE NO. 572 JULY 23, 2014

FREE Now picked up at over 1,500 places across Sydney and surrounds. thebrag.com

EVERY THING SYDNEY

INSIDE This Week

LA ROU X

Elly Jackson returns to the spotlight with a new album.

SHEPPA R D

Their 'Geronimo' single has taken off – it’s a busy year for these Brisbane kids.

PENN Y W ISE

The punk rockers explore their yesterdays and todays on their latest release.

CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA Showing the joyful side of a fascinating continent.

Plus

BODYJAR PUNK GETS A MAKEOVER

KELIS NICK MULVEY I AM GIANT

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rock music news welcome to the frontline: the latest touring and music news...with Chris Martin and Gloria Brancatisano

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like us:

@TheBrag

THE BRAG

speed date WITH

HUSKY GAWENDA FROM HUSKY Your Profile Husky sounds like fire and snow, a 1. suburban childhood summer, a deserted train station in the middle of the night, a dream you once had but can’t really remember. We like to play music, listen to vinyl, drink scotch and go for winter evening jogs. In a fan, we look for open ears and open hearts (tall, dark and handsome preferably). No, we’re not very fussy, just stoked when people dig what we do.

Keeping Busy We’ve been recording and mixing our 2. new album and rehearsing for the tour we’re about to begin, for the release of our new single ‘I’m Not Coming Back’. I’ve also been watching True Detective, trying to learn the fine art of carpentry, listening to Radiolab podcasts, working on my low impact running technique and perfecting the art of a good stir fry. We’ll release our new album in the spring and then tour extensively around Australia for that. Looking forward to some spring/summer festivals too.

Prong

ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant PHOTOGRAPHERS: James Ambrose, Laura Arango, Ashwin Arumugam, Katrina Clarke, Ashley Mar

NIGHT BEATS

Seattle’s Night Beats are heading to Australia for the very first time for an east coast tour this September. Named after the seminal Sam Cooke album Night Beat, Night Beats formed in 2009 and have released two albums – a self-titled LP in 2011 and the recent Sonic Bloom. Joining Night Beats for all shows will be Sydney band The Laurels on their first dates of 2014. Catch them on Sunday September 14 at Oxford Art Factory.

ADVERTISING: Georgina Pengelly - 0416 972 081 / (02) 9212 4322 georgina@thebrag.com ADVERTISING: Les White - 0405 581 125 / (02) 9212 4322 les@thebrag.com PUBLISHER: Furst Media MANAGING DIRECTOR, FURST MEDIA: Patrick Carr - patrick@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600 / 0402 821 122 DIGITAL DIRECTOR/ADVERTISING: Kris Furst kris@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600

AWESOME INTERNS: Amie Mulhearn, Nic Liney, Fergus Halliday REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Amat, Ian Barr, Keiron Costello, Marissa Demetriou, Christie Eliezer, Blake Gallagher, Chris Honnery, Cameron James, Tegan Jones, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Emily Meller, Adam Norris, Daniel Prior, Kate Robertson, Amy Theodore, Leonardo Silvestrini, Harry Windsor, Stephanie Yip, David James Young Please send mail NOT ACCOUNTS direct to this NEW address 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 ph - (02) 9212 4322 fax - (02) 9319 2227 EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors or staff of the BRAG. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forrester: accounts@furstmedia.com.au ph - (03) 9428 3600 fax - (03) 9428 3611 Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond Victoria 3121

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an assortment of herbal teas. Dream rider would include a piano, a massage therapist, a juicer and a Rubik’s Cube.

With: Twin Caverns Where: Newtown Social Club When: Thursday July 31

NOTHING WRONG WITH PRONG

COURTNEY CAN’T GET ENOUGH Fresh off becoming a freakin’ international superstar on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show, Courtney Barnett has announced her only Australian headline tour for 2014.

It’ll follow her appearance this week at Splendour In The Grass and yet another run of US dates in support of The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas. Alongside her backing band The Courtney Barnetts, and with D.D Dumbo in support, Melbourne’s favourite daughter plays Oxford Art Factory on Friday October 10.

THE WAR ON DRUGS IN OZ

Having been announced last week by Aunty Meredith as the first act for that festival’s 2014 edition, The War On Drugs have locked in a series of sideshows. December will see

Philadelphia’s Adam Granduciel and co. come our way to play the Metro Theatre on Saturday December 13. Lost In The Dream is their latest effort after Wagonwheel Blues and Slave Ambient, and can only get even better live – so move quickly on those tickets.

ON YER BICYCLE

North London’s Bombay Bicycle Club are bringing the groove to Australia this spring.

Their new headline dates follow the February release of their fourth record, So Long, See You Tomorrow, and some huge news from overseas, where they’ll play their biggest ever show in London before the year’s out. Their all-ages date at the Metro Theatre is Sunday September 28.

Gurrumul

VELOCIRAPTOR’S NEW ALBUM, TOUR

It feels like a long time coming, but the Jeremy Neale-fronted Velociraptor are at last set to drop their self-titled debut album on Friday August 15. At any time, the Brisbane band can have between ten and 15 members, including the likes of DZ Deathrays’ Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley – because we all knew those Queensland folk were inbred, didn’t we? Gotta love the results, though, so catch up with Velociraptor’s mutant rock on Friday August 22 at Newtown Social Club. Bloods play in support.

SAY ANYTHING YOU LIKE

Off the back of their latest release, Hebrew, Say Anything will be returning to our shores for a string of headline shows in October. With almost 15 years of experience and six records under their belts, the American rockers know their way around the traps. Last on our stages in 2012, the six-piece returns to play Manning Bar on Saturday October 18.

GURRUMUL

Perhaps Australia’s most recognisable indigenous musician, Gurrumul, will play two new dates with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra this September. Gurrumul performed a sold-out run at the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE 2013, and his return to the Concert Hall will introduce new works from his orchestral project (due for release in 2015) alongside old favourites. The music will be accompanied by rare footage and photography from Gurrumul’s life as an artist. Gurrumul and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra play the Sydney Opera House on Friday September 5 and Saturday September 6.

thebrag.com

Gurrumul photo by Prudence Upton

DEADLINES: Editorial: Thursday 12pm (no extensions) Artwork/ad bookings: Friday 5pm (no extensions) Ad cancellations: Tuesday 4pm Published by Furst Media P/L ACN 1112480045 All content copyrighted to Cartrage P/L / Furst Media P/L 2003-2014

Your Ultimate Rider Our usual rider is not all that interesting.

5.

Some spirits, some wine, some coconut water,

After 28 years, US metal dudes Prong are finally touring Australia. Tommy Victor formed the group in 1986, and with Jason Christopher and Art Cruz has recently put out a ninth album – the ominously titled Ruining Lives. Far from doing that, though, Prong have influenced bands like Korn and Nine Inch Nails during their decorated career. Hear that riff to ‘Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck’ and more when Prong unleash at the Metro Theatre on Wednesday November 19.

MANAGING EDITOR: Chris Martin chris@thebrag.com 02 9212 4322 ONLINE EDITOR: Tyson Wray ONLINE COORDINATOR: Emily Meller SUB-EDITOR: Emily Meller STAFF WRITERS: Alasdair Duncan, Jody Macgregor, Krissi Weiss, Augustus Welby NEWS: Gloria Brancatisano, Nic Liney, Amie Mulhearn, Tyson Wray

GIG & CLUB GUIDE COORDINATORS: Fergus Halliday, Nic Liney, Emily Meller gigguide@thebrag.com (rock); clubguide@ thebrag.com (dance, hip hop & parties)

old records – Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention, Frank Sinatra, Rachmaninov. Plus some more recent stuff like Father John Misty and Big Scary. The last great gig I went to was The National at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Great live band, they put on an awesome show.

Courtney Barnett photo by Leslie Kirchhoff

Courtney Barnett

Current Playlist My great aunty gave me a 1960s record 4. player/stereo so I’ve been listening to a lot of

xxx

Gig Ever We played Panama Festival in the Lone 3. Best

Star Valley, Tasmania at the beginning of the year. It was a stage in this enchanted forest, middle of the night, everyone singing along.

Then we watched Charles Bradley and partied until dawn.

WILD BEASTS 28.07.14 MANNING BAR ALSO PLAYING SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS

Present Tense out now on Domino Records

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live & local

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town...with Chris Martin and Nic Liney

speed date WITH

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit Melody Pool and Marlon Williams

TIM HULSMANN

Your Profile Hi, I’m Tim and I’m your typical ‘son of a 1. preacher man’. Some say that my new album Dead Man’s Garden is a blend of blues, country, folk and rock. It’s mostly acoustic, with layers of Dobro slide guitar, sweet harmonies, piano, strings, bass and drums. I’m into travelling, playing pool, listening to music, swimming, long walks on the beach, cooking and writing songs.

In a fan I’m looking for those people who love to sit and listen to a record with the lyric book in their hands, feet up on the couch and really allow themselves to be transported somewhere.

Keeping Busy In the last few months I’ve been preparing 2. for the tour, rehearsing heaps with Nina

Best Gig Ever The best gig I’ve ever played was 3. probably a solo one I did at Unwined Cellar Bar in Geelong this year. It’s a tiny little venue,

Current Playlist At the moment I’m enjoying listening to 4.

Dislocation Blues by Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang, Rodriguez, Jeff Buckley’s Grace album, Daniel Champagne, Love Over Gold and Luluc.

Your Ultimate Rider One bottle of Drambuie, one bottle 5. of Wild Turkey, six bottles of Asahi beer, a masseur, a sandpit with a digger and a dump truck and a proper paella. Usually I only get a meal and a couple of beers.

What: Dead Man’s Garden out now through Only Blues Music Where: Artichoke Café, Manly / Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney / The Commons, Newcastle When: Saturday July 26 / Wednesday July 30 / Friday August 1

MELODY POOL + MARLON WILLIAMS The relationship between Australia and New Zealand has always been one of collaboration (when we’re not claiming their finest artists for our own, that is), and the Hunter Valley has sent one of its stars, Melody Pool, out on tour with Kiwi songwriter Marlon Williams. Pool recorded her debut album, The Hurting Scene, in Nashville with producers Jace Everett and Brad Jones, while Williams shot to prominence across the dutch with alt-country band The Unfaithful Ways. In a recent interview with the BRAG, Melody and Marlon hinted at a joint album – here’s hoping.

In the meantime, they play Newtown Social Club on Saturday August 2, and we’ve got four double passes to give away. For your chance to win, head to thebrag.com/ freeshit and tell us your favourite thing about NZ.

STEVE LANE & THE AUTOCRATS

Steve Lane & The Autocrats

13 is a lucky number when it comes to Steve Lane & The Autocrats, who launch new single ‘Thirteen’ at the Captain Cook Hotel on Saturday July 26. The indie rockers recently popped up on The Wiggles tribute album Rewiggled, performing ‘Fruit Salad’ – yummy yummy – while Birds Taking Flight is their latest studio release.

THE ULTIMATE RIDER

What’s on the rider at the new-look Lansdowne Hotel, you ask? The Rider, as it happens, who bring their tour to town this Friday July 25. It’s the launch night for the indie foursome’s new single ‘Talking Through Walls’, and already the Sydney lads have been getting it spun on FBi Radio. The bill also features some electropop courtesy Reckless In Gold, alternative psych sounds from Rufflefeather and a bit of jazz by way of Baby Lips & The Silhouettes.

METHOD ACTING

Roots veterans Method are off on a national tour, getting things going at the Lewisham Hotel in August. Method comprise Bill Jacobi and Frank Corby, who whet their blues appetites as kids in South Carolina and San Francisco respectively. With over 20 years of gigging up and down the east coast of Australia, the pair have provided a steady contribution to the fabric of Australian folk over the years. Experience their gravelly groove at the Lewisham Hotel on Friday August 1.

Men Into Space

THE CACTUS CHANNEL

Young funkers The Cactus Channel are hitting Venue 505 for one big show before shacking up to write their next release. All born in the ’90s and raised in the internet era, but with their roots firmly entrenched in traditional funk, The Cactus Channel pack a tempestuous punch. With an appearance at Falls Festival and supports for the likes of The Cat Empire and Charles Walker under their belt, these guys have become regulars on the scene. They’ll be supported by The Liberators at 505 on Saturday July 26.

A DOSE OF POISON

Go on, see if you can’t crack a smile for this one.

Poison’us – the Poison tribute show – lands at Frankie’s Pizza this weekend, and there will be hair. Lots of hair. In fact, if MTV can thank anyone for its success over the years, it’s Bret Michaels and his hair. ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’, ‘Talk Dirty To Me’, ‘Something To Believe In’… you can bank on all these singalongs and more this Sunday July 27. Awwww yeah.

Alex Watts

WATTS UP

Sing, Strum & Strut. It’s a nice motto for a musician, and it doubles as the title for Alex Watts’ new EP, set to launch at nine dates around the country. Watts has split his time over the last two years between playing solo and fronting Alex Watts & The Foreign Tongue, who list Bigsound and Queenscliff Music Festival on their CV. Sure enough, Watts has won plenty of friends along the way, roping in Kira Puru and Fanny Lumsden to help him sing, strum and strut his way around Petersham Bowling Club on Sunday August 31.

Captives

ROCK’N’ROLL MARKET

The next edition of the famous Sydney Rock ‘N’ Roll & Alternative Market hits Manning Bar this Sunday July 27, with a headline performance that’ll be out of this world. Men Into Space is the name of the band, and yes – they perform in spacesuits. For all we know, that’s Craig McLachlan singing under that helmet. If you haven’t yet checked it out, the monthly event is a mix of music festival and market stalls, spread across three levels at Sydney University’s favourite watering hole. Also on the bill this time around are The OzSkas, Papa Pilko & The Binrats, Danny & The Cosmic Tremors plus DJ sets from Rod Almighty, Wally/Wally, The Crimplenes, Andy Travers and MC Wolfman Dan.

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TAKING CAPTIVES

Tasmanian five-piece Captives are gearing up for the release of their Butterfl ies, Diamonds & Lightning EP in October, and are giving fans a taste on tour throughout August. ‘Insomnia’ is their latest single – the video has just dropped – and the new EP follows up a wellreceived debut in 2013. Captives take over Valve Bar at the Agincourt Hotel on Saturday August 2, and they may just keep you up all night with their brand of heady punk.

thebrag.com

Xxx

[Grant, piano/guitar/percussion] and doing a few really special shows like the album launch in Geelong. We head off on the Dead Man’s Garden Tour from July 22 and will be heading up the east coast of Australia to Brisbane and then back to Melbourne doing about 15 live shows and heaps of radio interviews and live-to-air performances. Then it’s festivals in October and off to Japan in late October/early November for a few dates over there.

which can only hold about 55 people, but the crowd there just got so into my songs that they were dancing almost the whole night and they filled the place with this electric and awesome vibe. I fed off that and played like a demon.

The worst-ever gig was when I was in a band and had developed RSI in my left wrist and suddenly couldn’t play the guitar anymore… except we had already started the gig. In pain I persevered, but it made the whole band sound shit. I cried after that gig.

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Industrial Strength Music Industry News with Christie Eliezer

THINGS WE HEAR * Billy Corgan cryptically hinted on The Smashing Pumpkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; site that they might be here playing one of the summer festivals. * Netflix is expected here in late summer, with the Seven and Nine networks trying to get out their services first. 300,000 Aussies already use the US service. * Tool blame the delay to their fifth album on a â&#x20AC;&#x153;drainingâ&#x20AC;? legal battle with their former insurance company. Their woes started when a friend of the band alleged in 2007 they used his artwork without permission.

They brought in the insurance firm, which sued them over â&#x20AC;&#x153;technicalitiesâ&#x20AC;? and Tool sued back. * Lyric site Rap Genius raised $40 million in funding and changed its name to Genius.com. * Melbourne duo The Prostitute Killers had their gig at the Tago

Mago in Thornbury cancelled by the club after locals complained of the name and its potential to incite violence. Their social media accounts were also deleted. * Liberal Senator James McGrath used his first speech to demand that triple j be sold â&#x20AC;&#x153;immediatelyâ&#x20AC;? because of its leftist views and because it could stand on its own. The ABC emphasised there are no plans to sell it. * Justin Hemmes is to open a new venue at the former Beach Palace Hotel, which will be renamed the Coogee Pavilion.

He told The Australian he wants to expand his 50-venue Merivale brand to other cities. * BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1Xtraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new power list covering Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s black and urban music caused protests. It is topped by Ed Sheeran and Disclosure. * Former Powderfinger bassist John â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;JCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Collins told the Brisbane Courier-Mail he plans to open a new 800-capacity live music club called Triffid in the inner city suburb of Newstead

25 AUSSIE LABELS SIGN GLOBAL DIGITAL DEAL 25 Australian labels are among the 750 global indies who have signed the Worldwide Independent Networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fair Deals Declaration.

It commits to treat artists fairly in agreements about digital sales. The labels promise to (1) explain to artists their share of download and streaming revenues in contracts and royalty statements; (2) account a good faith pro-rata share of revenues from digital services; (3) encourage digital services to provide better info on their use and revenues; (4) support artists who oppose unauthorised uses of their music; and (5) support the global position of the indie label sector as a collective. The Aussie labels include Cooking Vinyl, Voice Kontrol, Future

this November â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in a World War II hangar. * The Tupac-inspired Holler If Ya Hear Me and Rocky musicals both closed on Broadway after a month. * While Cold Chisel said on Facebook, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some exciting news on the horizonâ&#x20AC;?, a tweet from Jimmy Barnesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wife Jane and an Instagram from engineer Jean-Paul Fung confirmed theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working on demos with Kevin Shirley. * Nico & Vinzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most played track on local radio, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Am I Wrongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, went double platinum in Australia, while their debut album lands in September. * A dude called Fred rang 2SMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contest line and was asked who the singer of Queen was. He hummed and hawed, so the presenter virtually gave him the answer: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What goes up when the weather turns hot and down when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cold?â&#x20AC;? Fred suggested, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Freddie Temperature?â&#x20AC;? * Art vs Science guitarist Dan McNamee made headlines in the mainstream press when he wrote to Ballina MP Don

Classic, Head Records, Inertia, Remote Control, Public Opinion Music, Mushroom Group, Resist Records, The Orchard, We Are Unified, Elefant Traks, Obese Records, ABC Music, Rhythm Safari and MGM.

PANDORA HITS TWO MILLION USERS IN OZ AND NZ Pandora hit its two millionth registered user in Australia and New Zealand last Thursday.

The internet radio service launched here in December 2012 and hit the one million mark in December 2013, doubling it less than seven months later. Australia/NZ managing director Jane Huxley attributed the rapid take-up to the fact that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We offer listeners an interactive and social experience that is incredibly personal, and

E HIFI 1300 THO M.AU

THEHIFI.C

This Week

Coming Soon

Page asking for sniffer dogs to be banned for a trial period at Splendour In The Grass, to prevent punters having â&#x20AC;&#x153;panicâ&#x20AC;? drug overdoses. His suggestion came just as a new study by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre was released, which found there was a 13% increase in people swallowing their drugs before entering a festival, and a 40% rise in ecstasy and speed at these events. * When Russell Morris shot a video for new single â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Van Diemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (featuring Rob Hirst and Steve Romig on harmony), they filmed in the wilds of Tasmania. Bad weather trapped the crew in the mountains for days. * This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ARIA chart had the third successive Australian album to debut at the top, this time X Factor 2013 runner-up Taylor Hendersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Burnt Letters. This time last year there were five Aussie debuts with new albums: Harrison Craig, Bliss N Eso, Karnivool, RĂ&#x153;FĂ&#x153;S and Boy & Bear.

artists a channel to be discovered by a new legion of fans. We know and celebrate the fact that every individual has their own unique relationship with music.â&#x20AC;? The two million users listen to 29 million personalised stations, 75% of which are on mobile and connected devices. Local listeners have posted 90 million â&#x20AC;&#x153;thumbsâ&#x20AC;? (similar to Facebook â&#x20AC;&#x153;likesâ&#x20AC;?) with two new sign-ups every second. Every day, Pandora Australia/NZ streams 384+ hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of music. Spotify does not disclose its Australia/NZ figures but has 70% of the market after launching in May 2012.

Globally, Pandora has 77 million active users to Spotifyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40 million.

PUSH TO SAVE THE DEADLYS? Music figures are discussing a campaign to save the Deadlys awards. The September event at the Sydney Opera House was cancelled after its late founder Gavin Jonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; company Deadly Vibes Australia lost government funding of $3.6 million. The funds financed the awards, Deadly Vibe magazine and its radio and TV shows. Jonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; body was found at his farm in Goulburn, with sources describing the funding cuts as â&#x20AC;&#x153;devastatingâ&#x20AC;? to him personally and professionally. Archie Roach said on ABC Radio, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope people realise just how devastating the cancelation of the Deadlys will be.â&#x20AC;? Meanwhile, Boomerang Festival, held on Bluesfestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Byron site, has been postponed to next October. Director Rhoda Roberts said federal budget cuts to Aboriginal organisations mean Boomerang will be run as a biennial event, and has called for sponsors to help.

POISON THORN LAUNCHES FOR ALT AND METAL ACTS Wed 23 Jul

Sat 2 Aug

Wed 13 Aug

Fri 15 Aug

Kelis

Salsa Fusion

Hanson

UZ (Mad Decent)

Sat 16 Aug

Fri 22 Aug

Sat 23 Aug

UNDRGRND

Justice Crew

Kid Ink

Thu 28 Aug

Sat 6 Sep

Rave of Thrones feat.

Kristian Nairn aka Hodor

DevilDriver & Whitechapel

Phil Israel, founder of Possum Records, has launched Poison Thorn Records for alt-rock and metal bands from Australia and abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wealth of undiscovered and highly talented artists out there,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We aim to uncover the best of this talent and provide the artists with an opportunity to expose their muse to a wider audience.â&#x20AC;? The label manager is Amber Ferguson, and Poison Thorn is distributed

by Universal. Send music via a SoundCloud link to info@poisonthornrecords.com or CDs to PO Box 1524, Bowral, NSW 2576.

NEW EDM LABEL SET UP Sony Music Australia EDM director Jon Hanlon and New York-based Aussie DJ/producer Maarcos have launched progressive house and big room label Fuze Records. Its first release is the single â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pyroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Maarcos, AKA Mark Kwong of Those Usual Suspects. Hanlon, who manages Maarcos, also runs Konkrete Agency, which represents Hardwell, Nicky Romero and Laidback Luke.

Fuze will hold specially branded live events in the future.

DMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SIGN WITH EUROPEAN AGENCY Fri 12 Sep

Sat 27 Sep

Sun 5 Oct

El Gran Combo

Rebel Souljahz (USA)

Dead Kennedys

Sydney band DMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have signed with European booking agency Primary Talent International. It handles the likes of Daft Punk, Azealia Banks, Ben Folds Five, Basement Jaxx, Imogen Heap, Death From Above 1979 and fellow Aussies Atlas Genius, Gossling and Children Collide.

MINISTRY OF SOUND TEAMS WITH CHINESE LAUNDRY Ministry of Sound Australia has partnered with Chinese Laundry for new weekly nights (Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BASSIC and Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LNDRY) and monthly events (KLParty, Boss Bass) through its events arm Soapbox Events. Ministry of Sound already teams with Merivale for the successful weekly event, Pacha Sydney. Ministry of Soundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tim McGee said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a refocus on the music that matters most to Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discerning club crowd, we want to bring the cream of cutting edge underground artists and local residents who form the backbone of the club community, along with the return of genre pioneers.â&#x20AC;? Art installations by street artists will be on display, curated by Brett Chan, Kyle Montgomery and Days One.

AUSSIE/JAPANESE WATERMARKING TO TRACE PIRATES A new watermarking technology invented by Deakin Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Information Technology and Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aizu University will provide law enforcement and copyright owners a secret key to trace the history of a music download back to the original pirate.

It works by concealing watermarked data like the publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, signature, logo, ID and track number inside the track itself.

The new software is the hardest to crack, conceal and corrupt of similar technology and the audio quality is not affected, says lead researcher Associate Professor Yong Xiang.

He estimates 95% of music downloads in this country were originally pirated, with 2.3 million Aussies regularly using illegal file sharing networks. The technology also allows the copyright owners to prove the files are theirs.

Professor Michael Fraser, director of the Communications Law Centre at the University of Technology Sydney and an expert in digital piracy law, says it will allow the music industry to chase pirates who are unfairly profiting from extensive advertising on illegal hosting sites.

This is rather than attempting to prosecute consumers, which the industry has generally been reluctant to do.

WATERLESS TOILETS FOR PARKLANDS North Byron Parklands now has the largest number of waterless composting toilets at any outdoor event venue. Last week it unveiled 240 bespoke composting toilets and 192 lowflow gas-fired shower stalls. The first to enjoy these waterless low-odour dunnies will be those at Splendour In The Grass this week.

Lifelines Expecting: Nova 96.9 breakfast radio host Michael â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wippaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wipfli and wife Lisa Robertson, their first.

Married: British singer Cheryl Cole and French-born JeanBernard Fernandez-Versini, in a secret over-the-top wedding on the island of Mustique, compete with ÂŁ300,000 rings. The X Factor judge will now be known as Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Hospitalised: former Alice Cooper guitarist Dick Wagner, 71, for heart surgery to clean up a valve after he had problems breathing.

Ill: Thunder guitarist Ben Matthews, 50, needs radiotherapy and chemotherapy for a malignant tumour.

In Court: Bruce Woodley of The Seekers took the Immigration Department to the Copyright Tribunal over payment after it included his song, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I Am Australianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, on DVDs distributed to 565 local councils for use in citizenship ceremonies.

In Court: Drake paid San Franciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rappinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 4-Tay US$100,000 for using some lyrics for his 1994 song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Playaz Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for a track Drake guested on.

Died: Texas albino blues guitarist Johnny Winter, 70. He released 20 albums and also produced three Muddy Waters albums.

Died: The Rootsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; long-time manager and producer Richard Nichols, 55, from leukaemia.

ENTERTAINMENT QUARTER, BUILDING 220, 122 LANG RD, MOORE PARK, SYDNEY

10 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

thebrag.com

Kate Miller-Heidke

THE

O Vertigo!

TOUR

presented by One Louder and The Harbour Agency

From towering pop to the arresting romantic ballads, electrifying barnyard-stompers and surprising duets, O Vertigo! scales new and adventurous heights in songwriting and performance.

16 AUGUST 8PM ONLY SYDNEY SHOW

BOOK NOW at jspac.com.au or call 4723 7600.

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 597 High Street, Penrith BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 11

C

an you remember what you were doing 20 years ago? Were you even old enough to be walking around and having opinions? Bodyjar haven’t been able to forget what they were doing two decades ago, because 2014 is the 20th anniversary of their formation. Their Facebook feed has been filling up with old pictures uploaded by fans, which their frontman Cameron Baines says have “brought back heaps of memories”. Mostly, they’ve been memories of bad 1990s fashion.

“There was one of when we played with NOFX for the first time,” he says. “It was probably ’97 and Grant [Relf, bass] is wearing these humongous shorts, they’re down to his ankles and they’re pulled up really high. There’s some really bad ’90s fashion things going on. But generally they’re just reminders of what you’ve done. I think we’ve all had a really good time, a fun time as a band. Can’t complain.”

To celebrate 20 years of Bodyjar – minus a few years in the middle when they were on hiatus, but still – they’re touring their 1996 album Rimshot! Although Baines calls it “weird” to be playing old songs again, they’re definitely in favour of the classic-album tour format, having previously tackled it with their 1998 album No Touch Red. “You learn the old songs, you remember what headspace you were in at the time, and it sort of reminds you what you are.

I reckon every band should do it. Every band should go out, learn their old albums again.”

Relearning this old album has taught Bodyjar a few things about how different they used to be, and how back when they weren’t sure what they were doing, they had an interesting way of covering it up. “When we wrote Rimshot! it was our second album, we were really young. We’d just worked out how to write songs. We tried to throw as many riffs as we could into every song, just make it complicated and technical and fast. It just has energy. There’s songs we could never write now, they’ve got this intensity about them and they’re hard to play.”

12 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

GOOD TIMES, BAD FASHION

BY JODY MACGREGOR

dreading having to learn that again. I think we’ve got it down now. It’s got that weird timing,” he says, humming the tune. “I don’t know what the fuck we were thinking, but it works live. It’s got some kind of energy to it.”

From there they slow things down for ‘Glossy Books’, a song with a message that fi nds them sounding almost like Bad Religion. “We read this story in some magazine, probably Who mag, about these two sisters who were having a competition who could get the skinniest. They both had bulimia and anorexia and they looked at models in magazines who had been airbrushed and compared themselves to them and tried to get as skinny as them, and it was a really sad story. I remember me and Granto, we used to live together, and we wrote that song together when we both had the day off, after reading about those two sisters. They both ended up dying, it was a real tragic story.”

While most of Rimshot! was an energetic, youthful scribble of what punk could be, there’s also one extremely straightforward song in the tracklisting: a cover of ‘Next To You’ by The Police. The original plan was that every Bodyjar album would have a cover song on it, says Baines, “but then we ran out of ideas”.

Baines is still a fan of ‘Next To You’, though, and there’s no irony in their version of it. “It’s got a punk rock intensity to it – like live, if you listen to Police live albums, they sound like a really intense punk band with a little bit of reggae in them, and then as they went on they developed into a Top 40 act. But on those early albums, Outlandos d’Amour and Synchronicity and that, they’ve got some really good, snappy punk songs on there.”

Bodyjar have spent the last five weeks rehearsing, getting into the mindset they were in back in the mid-’90s when Recovery was still on the air and the world was young. As well as working through the album, they’ll be finishing the shows with a bunch of fan favourites, so don’t worry that you’re not going to hear ‘One In A Million’ on this tour.

“We just want to make sure we know everything, so if people ask we can smash it out real quick and hopefully keep everyone happy. It’s basically gonna be, ‘What do people wanna hear?’ – because we’ve been around for 20 years, it’s about time we just played the songs people wanna hear.”

As well as their youthful vigour, Baines puts the sound of Bodyjar’s old songs down to the freedom they enjoyed in the early days, before they were signed to EMI. “We didn’t

“WE TRIED TO THROW AS MANY RIFFS AS WE COULD INTO EVERY SONG [ON RIMSHOT!], JUST MAKE IT COMPLICATED AND TECHNICAL AND FAST. IT JUST HAS ENERGY. THERE’S SONGS WE COULD NEVER WRITE NOW”.

Things changed in 1999 when Bodyjar were picked up by a major label, and though the deal only resulted in two new albums, How It Works and Plastic Skies, it was an important period in the evolution of their sound. Having someone making suggestions actually resulted in one of their best songs – their duet with Adalita, ‘Too Drunk To Drive’.

“Our A&R guy, he was like, ‘You should get someone to collaborate on a song’; we were like, ‘Can we get a girl?’ Because we wanted to get a girl on the album before that but nothing ever happened, and he suggested Adalita. We were like, ‘Fuck yeah, Magic Dirt! That’d be sick.’ And she was into it.

We sent her a demo and then she made her own version of that, she brought in this 16-track recorder thing and she put so many harmonies on it and made her own little version of the verse she wanted to sing. It paid off, she was really professional and she’s just a good chick.”

Becoming independent again after that gave them back control, but wasn’t great for their productivity, with an eight-year gap between their self-titled album and last year’s Role Model. Baines says they’re already thinking about a follow-up and this time the gap will be much shorter.

“We usually wait till we get a shitload of songs and then start picking through them and arranging them. After this tour, when we finish learning all these old songs, we’ll start writing new ones a bit more seriously, I reckon. We’re coming up with ideas now of who we want to produce it and mix it and stuff. I reckon we’ll get it out next year for sure.”

What: Role Model out now through UNFD With: Samiam, Blueline Medic, Clowns Where: Manning Bar When: Friday August 8

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Xxx

A perfect example of that is ‘Adnam The One Armed Bricklayer’, which Baines calls “probably the most complicated song we’ve ever written”. The second track on Rimshot! doesn’t mess around; it’s as busy as a onearmed bricklayer in Baghdad, as the saying that inspired its name goes. “We were

BODYJAR

have a producer or label telling us what to do,” he says. “We had Shock but they never gave us A&R so we never had anyone, we just produced it ourselves. We had a producer but he didn’t do any pre-production; we just recorded the songs we had, so everything on those albums is flat-knacker the whole time – in your face.”

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La Roux Paradise By The Dashboard Light By David James Young

B

ack when Little Boots wasn’t just an eBay search term, the most commercially viable singer in the world was Susan Boyle and the pain of Michael Jackson’s death was still extremely fresh, there was one act that felt simply unstoppable. With major pop hits and worldwide interest in their self-titled debut, it felt as though La Roux were truly on their way to becoming the next big things. And then… nothing. For quite some time. The project entered the proverbial wilderness, resurfacing in bizarre places like Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch The Throne or an Absolutely Fabulous special. It naturally begs the question: did Elly Jackson – the vocalist, songwriter and now sole member – ever feel as though La Roux was truly over?

“Not done entirely,” she says after a moment of pondering. “I don’t think I’d ever stop. There were times that I thought that I’d maybe missed some kind of window. I thought that maybe I wasn’t cut out for all of this – maybe this wasn’t I wanted to be doing. Not to sound entirely fucking clichéd, but the way of the music industry means that there are a lot of things that are asked of you – a lot of things that you really don’t want to do, as well. You’re told that if you don’t, ‘This, this and this will happen.’ I didn’t want to live with that kind of pressure. That’s when I kind of realised, halfway through making this record, that you’ve just got to keep making what you want to make.

You have to do what you want to do, in the way you want to do it. If it doesn’t feel true to me, then I’m not going with it.”

Ironically, given how long La Roux was mistaken for a solo project or a stage moniker for Jackson, it has become just that. The unseen producer, co-writer and instrumentalist Ben Langmaid officially resigned from the group following a difficult recording process for the long-awaited second album, Trouble In Paradise. Although some of his work made it onto the album, La Roux from herein is simply Jackson on her own.

Given the shift in dynamics between La Roux and Trouble In Paradise, one may easily assume that the latter is far more the record that Jackson herself wished to make. The singer, however, is quick to assure that this is not the case.

“The first record is definitely what I wanted to make at that time,” she says. “What was going on musically and relationship-wise with Ben and I at the time worked. I certainly was happy with that record – I am happy with that record. But things changed. I changed. Ben changed. I’m not saying he wanted to make a record that sounded exactly the same as the last one, but we just had

different ideas as to where we wanted to be as artists. The best way to explain it, really, is…” She trails off momentarily, attempting to gather her words correctly. “People say things like, ‘You were so close – I don’t understand what happened!’ People get together with people when they’re 17, boyfriends and girlfriends, at school or at college or whatever. It doesn’t mean you stay with them until you’re 25. You change a lot in those years, and I did. Ben was a fair amount older than me – he’s at the age where you don’t change much, and I’m at an age where you change a lot.”

Langmaid is still credited with work on five of the album’s nine tracks, but there is still a change in direction that is undeniably present on Trouble In Paradise. The songs carry a sense of adventure and boldness, which skews from the conventions set down for the La Roux sound within the confines of the first album.

Lyrically, Jackson continues to draw stark, glaring contrasts between the deeply personal and the vulnerably private. Details are given out here and there, but never expanded upon. It’s a unique take on pop songwriting – so much so that even Jackson herself is unsure when questioned about the origins of her lyrical style.

“No-one’s ever asked me that before,” she says with surprise. “My immediate answer in my head is nothing. I’ve got different influences and inspirations for everything else to do with music, but in terms of that nature of songwriting that the songs have, where there are allusions to certain things and letting out partial bits of information… I really don’t know. That’s just how I like writing songs. If my songs don’t do that, I go back and rework them.”

With a new backing band and a calendar full of tour dates, Jackson and La Roux are definitely back in the swing of things. Keyboardist Mickey O’Brien and drummer William Bowerman have returned to the live fold, alongside two new recruits – Matt Carroll on bass and synthesizer and Ed Seed on guitar and percussion. When asked about a third visit to Australia for La Roux – the group visited for the 2009 Parklife festival and for the 2010 Bacardi Express tour – Jackson is affirmative that it’s on the cards.

“We’ll definitely be coming over,” she confirms.

“The crowds out there are brilliant – there’s no way we wouldn’t be coming back.”

What: Trouble In Paradise out now through Polydor/Universal

Sleepmakeswaves Off The Map By Paul McBride

H

aving a love of maps and map-making might not be the most rock’n’roll thing to admit to, but Sydney’s sleepmakeswaves aren’t your average rock band. The instrumental post-rock quartet has just released its new album, Love Of Cartography, which will take its live performances to a new level, says bassist Alex Wilson.

It’s been three years since sleepmakeswaves’ debut album, and in that time they’ve racked up eight Australian tours, three European tours, a US tour and an appearance at SXSW – experiences that Wilson says profoundly affected the making of Love Of Cartography.

“We started getting this idea that we wanted to reflect the energy and importance that we placed onto the live show, and there was a conscious effort to balance that 14 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

Turning to their fans for help to make the album is an approach that could have gone either way, but luckily a crowdfunding campaign paid off – and then some.

“It all comes down to the economics of being in a band at our level,” Wilson says. “The realistic thing is that people don’t pay as much money for your music as they used to, but they’re still demanding the same level of quality. It was an interesting process for us because we always came out of a DIY scene and had done everything up to that point off our own backs, so it was a bit of a change to the way we saw ourselves as a band. On the plus side, there was the amount of support and goodwill we got; we asked for $25,000 and I was on the edge of my seat thinking, ‘What if this is a total failure and absolutely bombs?’ So, to actually overshoot that and wind up with $30,000 to

spend alongside what we were putting in ourselves, it was an amazing, gratifying experience that blew us away. But it’s that Spiderman thing: with great power comes great responsibility.”

The band is currently in the middle of the Australian leg of its tour, with one eye on a homecoming show to wrap up the jaunt.

“We’re really looking forward to finishing up the tour on August 16th at Manning Bar,” Wilson says.

“We’ve had a lot of good times there before and it’ll be really great. We want to try to get back to Europe later in the year and do some shows. This is the first time we’re doing a serious, worldwide, coordinated album release, so from my perspective it’s all new territory.

I’m just waiting to see what happens.”

What: Love Of Cartography out now through Bird’s Robe Records/MGM With: Breaking Orbit, Teal Where: Manning Bar When: Saturday August 16

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Sleepmakeswaves photo by Georgia Blackie

“The whole album title came from a discussion that me and our guitarist Otto [Wicks-Green] were having about how we really love maps,” he says. “We wrote a couple of songs on acoustic guitars and we were trying to come up with some sort of Midwestern-indie-rock-meets-KurtVile kind of side project called Love Of Cartography, and it never eventuated. When we were actually trying to come up with names for this record, it just kind of stuck, and it’s this whole metaphor of mapmaking as a touring band. It’s got a bit of mystery and hopefully people can take something away from it in an individual way as well.”

newfound obsession with the live performance and making a record in the studio. I don’t think we would have been brought to that place or developed the capability to do that record had we not spent so much time playing our old songs on the road and finding out what about them worked live and what was more a studio kind of thing. It’s interesting for an instrumental post-rock band, because so much of the power of the music comes out of that sternum-rattling volume we can get out of a big PA.”

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BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 15

Nick Mulvey Of Sound Mind By Adam Norris

E

The sound is both compelling and unexpected – which, Mulvey is quick to point out, is rather the idea.

nglishman Nick Mulvey is disarmingly upfront about his songwriting motivations, and his philosophy about the creative process – despite having its genesis in something slightly squeamish – is both fascinating and perspicacious. It has taken many years for Mulvey to find security as a solo performer, eased in no small measure by his time in the Mercury Prize-nominated band Portico Quartet.

“I find that the more you start with, the drier the end result. What you end up writing is more what you think you should write about, or are received wisdoms. Now, received wisdoms are never as interesting as wisdoms,” he chuckles. “Paul Simon said that he never trusted a lyric that didn’t surprise him, and that he regards himself as the first audience member. I think that’s a really key thing. He is the artist, he’s writing it, that’s all significant. But he’s the first audience member – the song comes from somewhere else and he watches it happen. If it surprises him, then it’s worthwhile being there.

Bob Dylan said in an interview that the world doesn’t need any more songs, it has a load of songs. And I really liked that. But he’s kind of right. There’s plenty out there that’s just made to sell, and [the world] doesn’t need more of those.”

Despite the differences between the band and his solo act, he never felt uneasy that Portico’s shadow would loom too large, or that the public would be unwilling to see him branch in new directions. “I very much took it one step at a time,” Mulvey says. “That lessens any frustration, because I wasn’t sitting there at the beginning of the process saying, ‘Why isn’t Jools Holland booking me now? Why aren’t I getting reviewed in newspapers?’ Being in the band for six years before that, and releasing two albums, I had a decent sense of the timescale and the process.

So I knew very clearly that those things happened way down the line and that gladdened my perspective.

The process of writing a song – writing anything creative, really – is an act many people struggle to relate, if only because the method varies so widely and is so very personal. To write something true, then – something that is not just “made to sell” – is the ambition. But by what scale can such a thing be judged? And by whose reckoning?

“My first move was to get into my musical heroes and really study and take seriously everything that they’d done to make sure what I was writing would, in my own way, complement that. Doing that meant that I haven’t found it all that difficult getting gigs. I know a lot of people in London who are struggling a lot more.”

“It’s more about clearing the way,” Mulvey begins, and as he talks, his voice starts speeding up. “How much can you shut off of the internal radio. Rather than define what it is you allow, you let it happen. That’s why I called the album First Mind. Not [a state] of mind and thinking, it’s more of doing and being. This probably sounds pretty far out, and I don’t want to leave you thinking, ‘What

‘Cucurucu’, the first single from his debut album, First Mind, is an ideal entry into Mulvey’s writing, incorporating as it does various influences and styles, from D. H. Lawrence to Cuban guitar picking.

the hell’s he talking about?’, but … I had a big [accident] on my motorbike about a year ago in India, and I had this significant gash on my leg. I was alright, it was all fine. But I was in Dubai airport, changing the dressing on the wound, and I noticed there was the beginning of a scab. I thought, ‘How interesting.’ I looked very closely at it, and something very naive but also fundamental popped into my mind. I know nothing about scabs. You can’t ask me any questions about them. And yet, there it was forming, and there are obviously all of these complex things that are going on there. I decided to watch it every day over the course of the scab, and this same primary thought kept expanding. It struck me that that is my sole effort as a songwriter. To create with the same intelligence

with which that process is happening on my leg. It’s not one of thought and education and knowledge – it’s one of allowing that which we are take over. And that really requires getting rid of a lot of the… wait, did any of that make sense?”

It does, and there’s a symbolism in needing to be physically prised apart in order for something intangible to emerge.

“From there, I started thinking about the title First Mind.

Originally I was thinking Instinct, until I woke up with lyrics in my head, ‘Why would we ever second guess when we both think the fi rst mind is better?’ A lot of the dilemmas in life, the conundrums, come in some fundamental way from allowing this thinking mind,

shall we call it, to interfere and second-guess your intuition. From that, it gave me the overarching theme that seemed to sum up the entire album.”

What: Splendour In The Grass 2014 With: Outkast, Lily Allen, Interpol, Foster The People, London Grammar, Metronomy and many more Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay When: Friday July 25 – Sunday July 27 And: Supporting Ben Howard at the Enmore Theatre, Thursday July 31 More: First Mind out now through Fiction/Caroline

Sheppard And Away They Go By Aaron Bryans “It was really funny because George and I recorded a few songs and then we met Jay, who’s the third songwriter, and he changed our sound completely,” says Amy. “As soon as you add that third dynamic it’s not the same as it was.

We wrote about 30 to 40 tracks together and recorded them all, and then once we started touring we realised we needed a band so that changed our sound again.

Having live drums and a synth sound, I think we have a more full sound live than what we’ve recorded.

“It’s still just the three of us, that record – George, Jay and myself.

Sometimes we’ll bring in Dean for the drums, but we’re the three songwriters and we’re very picky with how we want it to sound and we want it to be very experimental.

We’ve been recording this album for over three years now and we’ve really put a lot of thought into it, changing things and experimenting with things. Our producer, Stuart Stuart, almost becomes our seventh band member; he really helps us out and lets us try ideas.

We’ve had previous producers that have explained why the idea wouldn’t work and it’s taken longer to explain it rather than trying it.”

I

t’s been a huge three years for Brisbane-based siblings Amy and George Sheppard, who expanded their musical duo to a trio in 2011 with the addition of Jay Bovino and began working non-stop towards their debut album. As a group, Sheppard well and truly arrived this year with the single ‘Geronimo’ from debut album Bombs Away knocking 16 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

Pharrell Williams off the top spot on the Australian charts.

“It was an honour,” says Amy. “We were so excited. We’re still not over it. That day we were all jumping around – obviously we heard it on the radio that the second number song was Pharrell’s ‘Happy’; we were dancing around. We felt a

little bit bad because we prevented giving him some record, but oh well.”

The trio didn’t complete the journey alone, however, with three more members – Michael Butler, Dean Gordon, and Amy and George’s sister Emma – brought aboard to solidify Sheppard’s live sound.

Sheppard recently fi nished their run of support slots for Keith Urban on the Australian leg of his Light The Fuse national tour.

“It’s been insane,” Amy chuckles.

“We just had our last show in Perth … It was pretty special. The last show he invited us onstage and it was a bit of a shock to wing it for half an hour with Keith Urban and 15,000 people. It was really exciting for us and the whole tour

was a luxury – to have roadies and sound guys, it was a first for us.”

That tour, along with other supporting shows, gave Sheppard time to fi nalise the album’s sound and consolidate what has been years of hard work.

“I think that’s why it’s taken us so long. Being our debut album we’ve had a bit more time to play [the songs] live, giving us the opportunity to develop the songs further, adding little vocal hooks or little drum fi lls that Dean has added. All of that helps, especially when you’ve had the opportunity to tour whilst being at the studio at the same time.”

Having now released the album, Sheppard are jetting off for numerous national and international promotional, festival and headlining appearances.

“We’ve got an album launch tour in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne,” Amy says. “Straight from there we’re going to the UK and Europe and doing V Festival there and Wilderness Festival, and after that we’ll go to Europe and do some radio. After that we’ll head off to the US in September and then a headline show in Australia.

“We’re not going to stop until Christmas. It’s full on, but it’s so fun and we’re so lucky to be able to do this as a full-time job.”

What: Bombs Away out now through Chugg Music/MGM With: New Empire Where: Big Top Sydney, Luna Park When: Saturday July 26 thebrag.com

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BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 17

Pennywise Yesterday And Today By Mat Drogemuller

I Am Giant Concepts Of Survival By Augustus Welby

F

irst of all, let’s settle a recurring misnomer concerning I Am Giant’s nativity. The band is commonly referred to as a Kiwi hard rock act. Yet while founding members Shelton Woolright (drums) and Paul Matthews (bass) have their roots in the New Zealand rock scene, the ‘NZ’ tag isn’t technically apt.

“We actually formed in London,” Woolright says.

“The Kiwis really stick their teeth in and claim us but actually on paper I’m the only Kiwi in the band. Me and Paul formed the band – Paul was born in England.”

British vocalist Ed Martin completes the lineup, and I Am Giant continue to be based in London to this day. Conducting business from the northern hemisphere hasn’t negatively impacted on the band’s commercial fortunes in NZ. When the group’s second LP Science & Survival dropped earlier this month, it debuted at number two on the national albums chart.

“It is a pretty good feeling,” Woolright says, “especially in this day and age with not really that many platforms for [rock music] to get exposure.

To be on the actual charts and even in the top five is quite a feat. We’re proud and we’re also really stoked that we’ve got a decent fan base who are actually supporting us.”

The record itself carries forward the melodic hard rock sound introduced by the band’s 2011 debut, The Horrifying Truth. However, what distinguishes Science & Survival is its moments of particularly pounding instrumentation, as well as the widest screen choruses in the group’s catalogue. The even application of these two core elements is essentially I Am Giant’s signature, but it wasn’t a fundamental objective at the band’s outset.

“I think why we sound like we are is because there’s a few different individual flavours, from what we listen to and stuff like that. [Paul and I] come from heavier backgrounds. Ed, with such a clean voice, it softens the music up. I remember The Horrifying Truth, when we wrote it, I thought it was quite heavy. But recorded

and with Ed’s singing it’s actually quite soft alternative rock.”

Hearing the sound develop in this manner might have come as a surprise to Woolright and Matthews, but they didn’t attempt to correct the dynamic contrast. “Straight away we knew it was going to be good. It was something different.

It was like, ‘Surely if we can get this to work it’s going to be unique,’ and it is a little bit. We haven’t reinvented the wheel by any means, but it works. It’s great.”

I Am Giant are unmistakably a guitar-centric rock band, so perhaps you’re wondering what the guitarist has to say about these stylistic details.

Well, curiously enough, the band has never had a permanent guitar player. The first record features guitarist Aja Timu, while the Science & Survival guitar duties were shared between Matthews and UK guitarist Michael Triponel.

This lack of stability isn’t such a major hindrance when it comes to touring – Woolright explains that they cope just fine by utilising an assortment of axemen.

“At the moment we’re using a guy in New Zealand, we’ve got a guy up in Germany, we’ve got a guy in the UK. I’m sure we’ll settle at some point, but at the moment it’s something we don’t really think too much about.”

Indeed, appointing different players in different regions actually increases I Am Giant’s mobility.

The Science & Survival world tour kicked off in New Zealand last week and comes our way early next month. Woolright speaks eagerly about showcasing the record’s substantial advances to audiences all over the world. “We really feel we’ve done something a bit special on this one, so hopefully people will hear that.”

What: Science & Survival out now through Sony Where: Spectrum When: Saturday August 9

P

ennywise have been spreading their political punk rock messages since the late 1980s. In 1996, following the tragic suicide of Jason Thirsk, Randy Bradbury became the band’s permanent bass player. Now, after 26 years, Pennywise have released their 11th album, Yesterdays, a collection of songs written in their early years that, until now, hadn’t been seen under the dim lights of the studio.

When the BRAG chats with Bradbury, he’s optimistic about the album’s impact on the band’s collective spirit. “With Jim [Lindberg, vocals] coming back into the band, and coincidentally it was our 25th birthday last year, we had plans to make a box set. So we were going through our garages looking for old cool tapes to include, but as we were doing that we started getting the idea that it would be really great to recapture the old spirit that we had when the band started.

We’d been talking about the band and how things led to Jim’s departure and we wanted to forget any drama. Also, this way we didn’t have to go in the studio and hash out songs and fight with each other.”

They were also keen to remember Thirsk’s impact on the band. “I’ve heard those guys talking about songs that Jason did that never got recorded, and it’s always important to pay homage to him because he was such a big part of the band in the beginning years. All of that stuff came together at the same time and it just made sense.”

With a box set in the works and an album of old songs just released, fans might wonder if Pennywise are embarking on one final

reminiscent hurrah before calling it quits for good. But Bradbury is just as excited about the band’s future. “It makes you realise that this band has been together for 26 years and this is complete dedication. We’ve all dedicated ourselves and there are no other options for us. At some point we said, ‘We’re all-in.’ It’s Pennywise or nothing. So there’s really a focus and a drive to stay alive and keep it viable, keep going and try and get out there and play for fans that appreciate us.

“Obviously if there wasn’t fans then we wouldn’t be able to. So we’re incredibly lucky to have that. The way I see our careers is like having a sailboat and the wind’s picked up and it’s pushing you along.

You’re going to go until there’s no more wind. That’s how I look at it.”

Indeed, with tours planned with The Offspring and Bad Religion in the United States, and Rise Against in Europe, Pennywise shows no signs of slowing down.

“We normally make it to Australia around January or February,” hints Bradbury. But he’s humble about his job as a punk rocker.

“I don’t want people to think it’s a big deal that I play music for a living. I just want to hang out with people that I get along with, that like me, and that I can have a joke with.

“You’re not what you do, you’re who you are, how you act and how you treat other people.

If I was all about what I do with my friends, that would last maybe five minutes.”

What: Yesterdays out now through Epitaph

The Creases Welcome To The Fold By Augustus Welby

L

ast September The Creases’ debut single ‘I Won’t Wait’ was picked up by iconic UK label Rough Trade Records. That’s a hell of a coup for an unknown band from Brisbane with an average age of 20. The only problem was, The Creases weren’t exactly a band at that point.

“Before the Rough Trade deal The Creases was pretty much a joke band,” says Joe Agius, who recorded the song and its B-side ‘Fun To Lose’ with fellow guitarist/vocalist Jarrod Mahon.

“Our other bands at the time were our serious things. The first two songs were more fun and light-hearted and we weren’t too serious about them.”

It’s now nine months on and The Creases will release their debut EP Gradient this Friday.

Shortly after inking the Rough Trade deal, Agius and Mahon added bass player Aimon Clark and drummer Gabe Webster to the lineup, and the foursome got stuck in to expanding its repertoire.

“We’re definitely more invested in these songs on the EP,” Agius says. “It wasn’t hard to step it up because the first songs were just recorded with drum loops and the guitars plugged straight into the computer. It was just recorded in a basement.”

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“Those first tours, where we were just thrown in the deep end, taught us heaps, live-wise. That first Jungle Giants tour really forced us to get our shit together live. We literally only started rehearsing a month before that tour, so we just practised nearly every day up until that tour and learnt a new song every week until we had a whole set of songs.”

Stylistically, the EP steps beyond the jangly garage pop of ‘I Won’t Wait’ to align itself with acts of the shoegaze and dream pop ilk (Yo La Tengo, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Ride). While Agius says these artists are a major interest, adopting that sound happens subconsciously.

“We have influences when we come to recording – especially with mixing, we’ll look at other bands and be like, ‘Hey, we like this sound’ – but all the songs and the style and everything is just completely natural for us.

We’ve always played like that.”

As for the songwriting itself, this responsibility continues to be shared by Agius and Mahon.

But all four members sit on the same page when it comes to what they want the band to represent.

“We all listen to different kinds of things and have different influences but we meet in the middle about most things,” Agius says. “Aimon and I had another band and Jarrod also played in that for a bit, so we’re pretty familiar with each other and what we like. Gabe’s pretty new to the band but he listens to the same kind of stuff. He used to play in Gung Ho, so not too much of a difference.”

On that note, The Creases are the latest in a seemingly interminable succession of quality guitar bands to come out of Brisbane in the last five or six years. And they’re proud constituents of the hometown scene.

“Brisbane is definitely, in my opinion, and everyone in the band’s opinion, the best place for music, community-wise, in Australia,” Agius says. “It’s a really collaborative place and everybody helps out with everything.”

What: Splendour In The Grass 2014 With: Outkast, Lily Allen, Interpol, Foster The People, London Grammar, Metronomy and many more Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay When: Friday July 25 – Sunday July 27 And: Supporting The Strypes at Newtown Social Club, Wednesday July 23 More: Gradient out Friday July 25 through Liberation Xxx

Indeed, the EP’s sunny and relatively

slick production quality is a marked sonic advance from the tracks that initially brought them attention. Gradient was recorded last December with Philadelphia Grand Jury’s Simon Berckelman (AKA Berkfinger) handling production duties. This was still only a couple of months into the band’s existence, but Agius explains that getting immediate offers to go on tour fast-tracked the development process.

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arts in focus cirque mother africa

BRAG’s guide to film, theatre, comedy and art about town

carnival of life

inside:

sabrina d’angelo + charlie’s country also:

xxxx

arts news + giveaway + reviews

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BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 19

arts frontline

free stuff

arts news...what's goin' on around town...with Nic Liney, Amie Mulhearn and Chris Martin

five minutes WITH

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

The Mantelpiece No 3 by Rachael Ireland

Pulp Fiction

RACHAEL IRELAND

H

ome is where the heart is – or is it? Rachael Ireland’s new solo photographic exhibit The Room deals with the difficulties of defining home. We caught five with Ireland to discuss her work.

wanted to use it as if it was analogue to do things such as double or long exposures. This is how I came to use projections – I was willing to try anything to avoid using Photoshop as I didn’t like the idea of spending hours at a computer to construct an image.

What technical processes give your photography its distinct look?

I like to play around with the technical process and be surprised by unexpected possibilities when creating my work, so each series is generally shot a little differently; it is always in an attempt to create layered imagery though. For the work in The Room I used a mixture of double exposure and projections of slides to combine scenes from my travels with the interior of my home.

Can you tell us more about your history as an artist and photographer?

As a student I always worked with a digital camera, but

What is it about the human condition that means we’re always in search of a place to call home?

For me a place to call home is

Don’t you hate it when you’re the one person at a party who hasn’t seen Pulp Fiction? When all your friends are quoting Ezekiel 25:17 and you just can’t work out why? Leichhardt’s Palace Cinemas are here to help with the classics you’ve never seen – or the ones you know you must see again – as part of their second Vintage Classics program. Favourites from To Kill A Mockingbird and Jaws to Mamma Mia and Dirty Dancing all feature on the schedule each Sunday at 3pm, beginning this Sunday July 27 (The Breakfast Club) and running until Sunday December 21 (White Christmas). connected with my sense of self and identity at a personal level and within a community. A home becomes a home because we fill it with things that reflect something of who we are, but it is also feeling connected with place and people around you too –

maybe that they also reflect some aspect of self.

What: The Room Where: Gallery Red, Glebe When: Friday July 25 – Tuesday August 12

We’ve got five double passes to give away to Palace Norton Street so you can see the world’s greatest films as they were meant to be seen. For the chance to win one, head to thebrag.com/freeshit and tell us your favourite-ever film. And for the full Vintage Classics program, visit palacecinemas.com.au.

Pulp Fiction by Linda R. Chen/Miramax/Getty Images

The Room explores the spaces of house, home and country – but where’s home for you?

At the moment I call a little apartment in Rushcutters Bay home, and while I feel very at home when I’m on my lounge surrounded by my belongings, being in Sydney doesn’t feel like home. For me it has something to do with place as well and I still think of home as the place that I grew up in, which is Taree. I love the way home can be used to talk about where we live, or where we feel a sense of belonging, or where we come from.

VINTAGE CLASSICS

NOT TRUE CRIME

What happens when you incorporate methods of TV production into the world of theatre? The Not-True Crime Project discovers the theatrical potential of crime stories, inspired by the likes of Breaking Bad and True Detective. As the culmination of Sydney Theatre Company’s Rough Draft #25 – the week-long creative seminars that give theatremakers the opportunity to try out new ideas, new ways of working and new collaborations – The Not-True Crime Project presents a variety of plots that tell a large, multilayered story of crime and corruption. A free presentation of The Not-True Crime Project will take place on Friday August 1 at Wharf 2, Sydney Theatre Company.

Golden Age Cinema

Penelope Seidler by Fiona Lowry

MANLY ARTS FESTIVAL

The Manly Arts Festival is returning to the Northern Beaches for its 21st year this September. Offering more than 60 family-friendly cultural events, the ten-day festival covers all creative areas, with a multitude of exhibitions, concerts, talks, dance, films and creative workshops that complement Manly’s coastal culture. The 2014 Manly Arts Festival will be officially launched at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum by actor Richard Roxburgh on Friday September 19, and continues until Sunday September 28. See manlyartsfestival.com for more details.

GOLDEN AGE

The prettiest cinema in Surry Hills, Golden Age Cinema, has released part two of its winter program for 2014. Picks from the recent Sydney Film Festival include The Two Faces Of January, Tim’s Vermeer and The Lunchbox, while music fans should get down to the venue for August’s Weird Band Week, including Frank alongside Good Vibrations, Dogs In Space, This Is Spinal Tap and Purple Rain (because how could they forget Prince?). Among other highlights, the Golden Age Prices continue on Tuesday nights, when tickets cost as much as they did in the film’s original year of release. For the full schedule, head to ourgoldenage.com.au.

Christine Anu

WHITE RIBBON NIGHT

White Ribbon Night is back in 2014 to raise funds and awareness to put an end to violence against women. Communities across Australia are invited to stay in – and get the word out – in support of bringing an end to domestic violence.

This year the Grounds of Alexandria will be hosting Sydney’s premier White Ribbon Night event, with the gorgeously rustic venue playing host to live music, food and drinks. White Ribbon

INDOOR PICNIC AND CABARET

Grab some friends, bring a picnic basket and enjoy a night of cabaret this September at the Opera Centre in Surry Hills. Cause Celeb will transform into song and dance the seven decades of Sydney entertainment since the foundation of the Actors Benevolent Fund (ABF), incorporating all the stories from the Phillip Street Revues to Nimrod and Belvoir. All proceeds from the event will benefit the ABF, which provides assistance to professional performers who are unable to work due to injury, illness or disability. The cast includes Georgie Parker, Christine Anu, iOTA, Paul Capsis and more.

Directed by Stuart Maunder, Cause Celeb plays on Sunday September 7.

ON RETURN AND WHAT REMAINS

Night 2014 is on Friday July 25. If you can’t make it to Alexandria, you’re invited to register your own night in at whiteribbon.org.au.

ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2014

Fiona Lowry has won the 2014 Archibald Prize for her portrait of architect Penelope Seidler. Lowry’s artwork beat 883 other entries for this year’s Archibald, judged by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW. Lowry won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2008, and this is her third time in the Archibald.

The Archibald Prize finalists are on show at the Art Gallery of NSW until Sunday September 28.

MO’ MOONEY

The inimitable Lawrence Mooney will be trekking around the country later this year. The host of ABC2’s Dirty Laundry Live is back with his show Stupid Liar, jam-packed with outrageous

fibs, tall tales and hilarious theories on the myths men need just to stay alive. Catch him at The Comedy Store on Friday November 7.

Continuity by Omer Fast

Opening next month, On Return And What Remains is a group exhibition that brings together artists from different countries and generations who have a connection to war. The exhibition coincides with the withdrawal of Australian and allied forces from Afghanistan, and the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, giving it both historical and contemporary context. On Return And What Remains assembles a selection of harrowing and confronting works that highlight the enormous challenges still faced by those who have served duty on the front lines of global conflicts. The exhibit will be on show at Artspace, Woolloomooloo from Thursday August 21 – Sunday October 12. xxx

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thebrag.com

Charlie’s Country

Sabrina D’Angelo [COMEDY] Clowning Around By Tegan Jones

[FILM] Walking The Land By David O’Connell

F

ollowing appearances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the New Zealand Fringe Festival, Sabrina D’Angelo is literally dancing her way onto the Bondi Feast stage this week with her critically acclaimed show Why Do I Dream.

This genre-defying spectacle not only reinvigorates the art of clowning, but also involves almost every conceivable form of comedy that you can call to mind.

David Gulpilil in Charlie’s Country

By way of introduction, D’Angelo describes herself as a body-poet. When asked about the origins of the term, she explains, “A reviewer once said that my stuff is Kate Bush meets Mr. Bean, so I was trying to find something that would capture that. It’s also just so cheesy, so I use it kind of halfjokingly, but it started to backfire because I was getting booked for all these serious poetry gigs. I say that it tries to capture a bit of mime, a bit of clowning, a bit of dance, some puppetry and interpretative dance – all of the hottest art forms right now.”

D

irector Rolf de Heer’s latest feature sees a return collaboration with actor David Gulpilil. Unlike The Tracker or Ten Canoes, Charlie’s Country is a contemporary depiction of one man’s struggle to reconnect with his heritage.

The BRAG had a chat with de Heer about writing and directing his latest work.

“It’s a culmination of a 15-year friendship with David Gulpilil and a culmination of 25 years of learning about indigenous culture, indigenous communities, indigenous politics and so on,” de Heer says. “In another way it is much simpler, as David Gulpilil – one of the great artists of this country – was in jail, he had gone into an alcoholic spiral and had committed violent offences that the authorities thought warranted putting him in jail. I went to visit him and asked him what he wanted to do, and he wanted to make another fi lm with me, as he thought The Tracker was the best work he had ever done. In the end I felt I had no choice but to try. We began to work on another story while David was still in jail, then in rehab.”

De Heer has often acted as screenwriter for his own productions, including Ten Canoes and Bad Boy Bubby. “Scripts are pivotal. For me, the first half of a project is writing a script. If you get the script right and cast it well then you could shoot it half out of focus and it will still work. I was specifi cally interested in it not being autobiographical. What it is instead is at the time David and I started to work on the script – well, I had seen David in jail and I didn’t know he could do it anymore.”

De Heer pauses. “I didn’t know his performance level would still be there. So what I did was work out how to get a great performance out of him irrespective of how he was. If we put things in the fi lm that he is familiar with then he can draw on that, and use things that he knows. As it turns out he was in perfectly good shape, he was just depressed when I saw him in jail.”

Although de Heer was not originally planning on starting another project for at least a year so he could allow himself some time to build a house, he found himself working eagerly towards the creation of Charlie’s Country. “It was not easy doing all the scripting, the fi nancing and the contracts in a shed in southern Tasmania in the middle of winter. Still, that’s what happened.”

Despite the difficulties of fi lming in remote locations in the tail end of the wet season, the effort has paid off. Gulpilil’s performance in Charlie’s Country has garnered much critical praise and earned the Best Actor (Un Certain Regard) award at Cannes.

“In the past that may have been the greatest thing for him, but now it’s not,” says de Heer. “The greatest thing for him is working to move onto his traditional land again. He now has things in his life that are more important than walking the red carpet.”

What: Charlie’s Country (dir. Rolf de Heer) When: In cinemas now

Although Why Do I Dream is a patchwork quilt of comedic endeavours, the inspiration and storyline of the show come from a very literary place.

“I call [the show] a physical comedy that’s all in your mind,” says D’Angelo. “It’s essentially a theatrical adaptation of [Gustave Flaubert’s] Madame Bovary, which has been described as the [most] perfect piece of fiction ever written. So it’s no mean feat to try and tackle this one. But there’s a trend in theatre at the moment about presenting radical, postmodern reinterpretations of great classical texts, so it sits rather playfully in the context of that.

“The difference here, I suppose, is that the person undertaking the task is a clown. The thing about clowns is that they have the best and noblest of intentions, they don’t really have a sense of irony or cynicism, but they’re very stupid. The result is a very silly show about a person trying to tell this really incredible story with some questionable dramatic choices, but a lot of heart and enthusiasm. Audiences can expect songs, dances, puppets, lots of stupid faces and me doing ridiculous things with my body.”

While Why Do I Dream centres on D’Angelo’s skits, it retains a linear storyline.

“I try to have the story as a kind of landmark throughout the show,” she says. “Then again, it’s mostly a vehicle for fun, silly stuff.

There’s as much adherence to the story as there isn’t. The thing about Madame Bovary is that it was a really seminal piece of realism that came out of the real Romantic style of writing. So I come to that spirit of realism with a spirit of surrealism.

One of my goals of creating the show was to experiment with various non-verbal forms of storytelling and comedy and also explore how those can create truly bizarre, unpredictable and magical worlds for the audience to enter into.”

Audiences are always an important consideration in any show, but seem to be particularly so in D’Angelo’s brand of comedy. “I think audiences are becoming more open to different kinds of comedy – physical, visual and non-stand-up kind of stuff. I think they like clowning because it’s so much about the relationship with the audience. Much of it is improvised and there’s a real unpredictability when you see a clown doing a show. I really want [Why Do I Dream] to just explode people’s minds and have them ask, ‘What the hell are we watching? Maybe it doesn’t really matter.’”

What: Why Do I Dream at Bondi Feast 2014 Where: The Little Theatre, Bondi Pavilion When: Thursday July 24 – Saturday July 26

Cirque Mother Africa [CIRCUS] The Joy Of The Continent By Tegan Jones

A

fter four long years and a sold-out Broadway season, the critically acclaimed Cirque Mother Africa is finally returning to Australia. Combining both classic and new acts, it’s a celebration of African cultures featuring everything from singing and dancing to acrobatics and contortion. Perhaps what’s most important is the way Cirque Mother Africa showcases the continent in a way that’s never been done before. Female lead singer Normah Mkwanazi, who has been a part of the show since its conception, is passionate about this positive portrayal of her homeland and the way that it informs audiences through sheer fun.

xxx

“It’s a journey to Africa that’s full of energy, love and joy… and everyone is smiling. It’s a place where the impossible is very possible.

It’s like we are showing off our cultures to each other and saying, ‘My culture is the best!’ By the end of the show it just becomes a pot of lots and lots of joy. We really have so much fun and that’s why I think it’s easy for the audience to connect with us and enjoy it. We also involve the audience as well – we don’t perform for them, we perform with them.”

Generally speaking, the majority of the world is unaware of just how many different cultures there are in Africa. Furthermore, many outsiders have a very narrow, negative and misinformed perspective on what occurs there. Mkwanazi hopes that the show helps to combat this perception for its audiences. thebrag.com

“I hope that they will learn a bit more about Africa – the colourful costumes, the songs, the cultures and the languages. Also, that Africa is not all about poverty, people suffering and fighting. On the television all I see are skinny children, which is happening, but why can’t we see African people doing traditional dance – happy and smiling? We don’t just have people who are hungry and killing each other. With the show, we get to show people that there is also a joyful side of Africa. We have some of the most joyous moments that the world can imagine.”

Cirque Mother Africa is so awe-inspiring that Mkwanazi still finds herself spellbound by the performances, even after being involved in the production for so long.

“I find myself watching the show from backstage, even if it’s something that I’ve seen for the past nine years. The acts are so amazing and so unbelievable. Some look impossible but are very possible, like our contortionist from Kenya, who we call The Snake Man. I find myself watching him during rehearsal, and at the same time, during soundcheck or when I’m warming up in the dressing room, the guys stand there every time. We are a bunch of talented artists and we appreciate each other and never get tired of watching each other.”

Considering the popularity of the production, audiences clearly can’t get enough of these performers. Mkwanazi recalls one particular season in Hollywood that has continued to resonate with her.

Cirque Mother Africa “We would have three shows in one day and there was almost always a full house. In one day we would have 3,000 people watching us and we’d always have a standing ovation.”

Mkwanazi mentions that she may soon be leaving the show to pursue a solo career, but she’s cherished the time she’s had with Cirque Mother Africa until now.

“With seven countries, all with different cultures, languages, food and dress, it’s been a wonderful journey and I’ve learned a lot. It’s going to be really hard to leave.”

What: Cirque Mother Africa Where: State Theatre When: Saturday July 26 And: Also playing at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith on Friday August 1; Newcastle Civic Theatre on Saturday August 2; Revesby Workers Club on Sunday August 3; Cessnock Performing Arts Centre on Monday August 4; Dee Why RSL on Tuesday August 12; Blacktown Workers Club on Sunday August 17 and Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford on Monday August 18.

BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 21

arts in focus

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Crystal Boudoir Burlesque And Cabaret Show 1

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Life isn’t always a cabaret, but follow this guide and at least your night can be.

Whatever tickles your fancy – jazz, vaudeville or a more contemporary twist – we’ve got you (un)covered.

PIMP Male Cabaret Show 2

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Where: Coach Bar, 1 Martin Place, Sydney When: Saturday nights, 9pm

Where: Crystal Bar, 1 Martin Place, Sydney When: Every Saturday Night

Like your cabaret with a masculine twist? PIMP is a ‘male esque’ cabaret extravaganza, with plenty of personality and guaranteed sophistication. They’re handsome, of course, but the all-male entertainers are sure to surprise and excite as well. Packages include dinner at one of the three restaurants in Martin Place’s historic GPO building, or casual dining prior to the show. Alternatively, kick on at the afterparty with free entry to the ‘dance only’ segment of the night. Music-wise, it’s jazz to start, then contemporary sounds for the show, before lounge and funky remixed tunes provide the soundtrack to the dancefloor. Complimentary glass of Mumm, any tap beer (wide selection) or house wine.

With its Parisian club feel, Crystal Bar provides the perfect setting for Crystal Boudoir – blink and you’ll think you are in 1920s Paris. Dancers wear handmade sequined costumes that will captivate, their moves choreographed to the sexy lounge music. Crystal Bar, together with the restaurants at No. 1 Martin Place, offers you a total dining and entertainment experience on Saturday night. The Sydney Morning Herald said about it, “Crystal Boudoir is just the tip of the iceberg … when it comes to Sydney’s more eccentric venues”. Contact 8070 2424 or info@ theloftsydney.com

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Spice Cabaret Show

Where: Postales Spanish Restaurant, 1 Martin Place, Sydney When: Saturdays, 7:30pm Spice up your life with a spot of cabaret, why don’t you? Spice Cabaret Show offers a classic vaudeville experience with a contemporary injection – it’s a mix of song, opera, contortion, cabaret and dance, soundtracked by one of Sydney’s finest string trios. The show draws on the traditions of vaudeville established in late 1800s America. Keeping with the Spanish theme of the venue, audiences can book packages for dinner and the show at Postales Restaurante, with guitar-infused jazz setting the vibe, before contemporary tunes take over.

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Pussyfoot – A Burlesque Hootenanny!

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Where: The Red Rattler, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville When: Saturday July 26 Pussyfoot is a wild ride through the chaotic world of live improvised performance. Part game show, part crazy performance frenzy, where the audience controls the action. With the music, performer and prop selected at random by the audience from the Big Board of Tease, there’s no telling what can happen. Expect mayhem. Expect chaos. Expect the unexpected. July’s event will feature some of the top movie soundtrack songs of the ’80s and ’90s to lift, inspire and touch you in your special place.

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El’ Circo

Where: Slide, 41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst When: Selected Fridays and every Saturday night, 7pm The creation of France-born Marc Kuzma, El’ Circo combines the class of Parisian cabaret with the entertainment of circus acts.

It’s a little piece of Europe on Oxford Street, from the moment you walk in the door and are greeted in a foreign accent. A cast of aerial artists, dancers, pole performers and stunning voices combine for one of the most extraordinary nights out Sydney has to offer.

Your host will take you through a journey of nine courses and nine acts, but where you’ll end up, nobody knows… ♥ thebrag.com

Film & Theatre Reviews Hits and misses on the silver screen and bareboards around town

Book Of Days

■ Film

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES In cinemas now We all know blockbusters are getting longer, but if only the bloat were restricted to the fi lms. Their titles are even worse, and franchise sequels are the number one culprits.

Snowpiercer ■ Film

SNOWPIERCER In cinemas Thursday July 24 Snowpiercer is the latest effort by Korean director Joon-ho Bong and it feels worlds apart from his previous films. Following an apocalypse at the hands of a global warming countermeasure gone wrong, the film sees the remnants of humanity living aboard the Noah’s Ark-inspired train from which the movie takes its title.

Fergus Halliday

BOOK OF DAYS Playing at New Theatre until Saturday August 9 Book Of Days, by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, looks into the life of a small town in the American Midwest. The town of Dublin, Missouri witnesses a change of pace with the arrival of a Hollywood director, a production of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan, and the death of a prominent businessman. As life begins to imitate art for the townspeople, the status quo of the local cheese factory, the fundamentalist church, and the hierarchy of the town seem threatened.

New Theatre’s production, directed by Elsie Edgerton-Till, marks the play’s Australian debut, and it is very cleverly executed. The entire cast is present onstage for the duration of the show, which is really effective in refl ecting the small-town feeling of the play.

This dynamic team brings a real ease and familiarity to the stage, while the production remains really tight, which seems to be a necessity for a play with so much going on.

Slotting in alongside Transformers: Age Of Extinction and the upcoming Avengers: Age Of Ultron is Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, the sequel to 2011’s Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. At least the new fi lm, directed

by Matt Reeves, banishes the colon.

Dawn jettisons James Franco to focus instead on the ape he reared in the previous fi lm, Caesar (Andy Serkis). Caesar is now the leader of a simian horde living in the woods above San Francisco.

It’s been 15 years since a virus wiped out most of the human population.

Survivors hole up in a shanty town cobbled together in the heart of the otherwise abandoned city centre, and ape and man live oblivious to each other on either sides of the Golden Gate Bridge.

We know they’ll clash,

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes but it’s a credit to Reeves that exactly how it boils over still feels organic and unexpected. Reeves wrote Under Siege 2, as well as James Gray’s superb The Yards, but he’s still probably best known for Felicity, which he co-created with J.J. Abrams. Like Abrams, Reeves’ feature career is defi ned by the stylish reheating of dishes already cooked – Star Trek for Abrams, Let The Right One In for Reeves. His debut feature Cloverfi eld was ostensibly an original, like Abrams’ Super 8, but both straddled the line where homage meets larceny.

So it’s remarkable that Dawn feels like the rare franchise movie with a real directorial signature.

There are moments, as when an ape commandeers a tank and the camera

swivels with its revolving gun turret as it spews fire, of pure, exhilarating style.

Dawn triumphs by taking the opposite tack to what we’ve come to expect from studio popcorn. It doesn’t look like it was written or lit to a formula overseen by the ubiquitous ‘brain trust’, and it’s unafraid to ditch the quips.

Its scope is admirably humble, too; its heroes are on a mission merely to survive, not save the world.

And in its star, Caesar, this franchise has found a genuinely fascinating character. Convincingly conflicted, he has none of the contrived torment of so many other headliners. Like the film itself, he’s lean and mean, contained but pulsing with life.

Harry Windsor

The decision to use Missouri accents is distracting at first, with some of the accents coming off a little too cheesy.

However, it seems to make more sense as the play progresses, as the narrative is so firmly placed in the Bible Belt of America. Simon Davey is a real standout in the role of James, the philandering son of a prominent Dublin businessman.

Gael Ballantyne deserves a mention too, bringing a lot of comedy to the role of Martha.

The play is an interesting one and clearly has a lot to say, sometimes a little too bluntly perhaps. Book Of Days is definitely worth a look, and makes for a funny, touching, and reflective theatregoing experience.

Louisa Bulley

See thebrag.com for more arts reviews

Arts Exposed What's in our diary...

Otello Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, until Saturday August 2 Otello

Time is running out to witness Opera Australia’s ambitious staging of Verdi’s Otello, which closes its run next week at the Sydney Opera House. The production features New Zealand tenor Simon O’Neill in the title role with conductor Christian Badea and director Harry Kupfer.

Verdi’s penultimate opera is famous for its reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s original play.

Tickets begin at $110. For bookings and more info, visit opera.org.au. thebrag.com

BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 23

Book of Days photo by Bob Seary

Those born towards the back of the train live on scraps whilst those in first class live in luxury and it isn’t long before things go from allegory for global inequality to a literal revolution at the hands of the oppressed.

Heading the revolt is Curtis (Chris Evans), the film’s reluctant hero, backed up by right-hand man Edgar (Jamie Bell) and wizened mentor Gilliam (John Hurt). On the other side of things stands the flamboyant Minister Mason (Tilda Swinton) and Wilford (Ed Harris), the enigmatic inventor of the train. The film’s cast is nicely rounded off by Korean pair Kang-ho Song and Ah-sung Ko who make a strong double act as a drugaddicted father and his junkie daughter.

Regrettably, the opening act of Snowpiercer doesn’t really do all that much with the film’s unique premise.

Between its grimy colour scheme and surface-level examination of class struggle, there isn’t a lot in this part of the film separating it from the many other science fiction action thrillers out there.

As big as the train is said to be, it never really feels like the kind of place where long-term habitation is logistically possible, and the more zany carriages shown in the later parts of the film don’t help with this.

With the exception of a particularly impressive fight sequence involving an axe, a fish and some nifty night vision goggles, Snowpiercer isn’t really anything you haven’t seen before. It falls short of the sum of its parts – that said, sci-fi junkies will still find it a reasonable watch.

■ Theatre

bread&thread

10 for $10

Food & Fashion News...with Chris Martin

Sydney’s Best Cheap Eats

On a budget? In partnership with Menulog.com.au, we’ve picked out ten of Sydney’s best eats for under $10.

Get amongst it!

MORDEO

Fancy a bite? In Latin, the word ‘mordeo’ means to bite or devour – so there’ll be no holding back at the new Mordeo Bistro & Bar on Phillip Street in the CBD. Sink your teeth into the tastes of southern Europe, courtesy brothers George, Nicholas and Stephen Aspros and head chef Marc Gehret, who’s worked in Michelin starred restaurants around Europe.

You’ll fi nd Mordeo’s cuisine and accompanying local and European wines, artisan beer and cocktails in the assembly at Deutsche Bank Place.

MEAT FAIR

Mmmm, meat. And craft beer? Yes please. Newtown Hotel is hosting a celebration of all that makes us merry with its upcoming Meat Fair on Saturday August 9. Over two levels, this will be a carnival for carnivores: think suckling pig, coal roasted lamb, beef brisket, whole chicken and smoky BBQ beef ribs, plus wild boar and kangaroo. The best local producers will be on hand, alongside craft beer brewers from Young Henrys, Fat Yak, Ruby Tuesday, James Squire Porter and White Rabbit. That’ll fix those watering mouths. The Meat Fair runs from 1-6pm, so amble through the hotel and sample a little bit of everything.

CASABLANCA’S NEW MENU

Casablanca’s new seasonal menu is here, and it’s set to bring the flavours of Morocco to Double Bay. Launched last week, the menu includes selections from the garden (triple cooked potatoes; roast beetroot salad), paddock (spiced lamb backstrap; slow cooked duck dumpling; roast BBQ sirloin) and sea (BBQ ginger and chilli infused scallops; crispy skin salmon). Something for everyone, innit.

MY FOOD BAG

JAMMIN DA HOUSE: LATTE ART COMP

The cream of barista talent from all around Sydney and New South Wales will descend on Mordeo this Saturday July 26 for the 12th annual Jammin da House competition. This one’s not for the faint of heart: the baristas will go head-to-head in a knockout comp to show off their skills in latte art. It’s sure to celebrate the hasbeens from the has-beans.

Ahem. Anyway, Ona Coffee’s competition raises money for the farms that its green bean company Project Origin has a relationship with, so it’s tasty art for a good cause. See onacoffee.com.au for more.

OYSTER FESTIVAL

Oy! Where you gonna get your oyster on next month?

Why, The Morrision is the answer for oysterloving Sydney folk, with the CBD pub’s popular festival to return for 2014.

The Morrison <3 Oysters Festival is a month-long celebration including $1 Oyster Hour from 6-7pm daily, an oyster eating competition (Tuesday August 19), an oyster masterclass (Tuesday August 12) and plenty more. What’s that – your shout for oysters? Aw, shucks. The Morrison <3 Oysters Festival runs from Friday August 1 – Sunday August 31.

There’s a new meal creator and delivery service on the scene, and it goes by the name My Food Bag. Set to launch this Sunday July 27 and with support from celebrity chef Miguel Maestre,

Manoosh Pizzeria, Enmore: flaming chicken wrap ($8) Chicken, molten haloumi and peri peri sauce in a wrap. Can’t go wrong.

Jasmin 1, Leichhardt: mujjadara ($10) A great vegetarian option: lentils, rice and caramelised onions make a sweet, spicy and warming salad.

Pasha’s Lounge, Bondi: meze (medium $10) Spice up your life with this Turkish tasting plate of fresh pide, grilled eggplant salad, chilli walnuts, hummus and yoghurt-based dips.

Misschu, Darlinghurst: My Food Bag will deliver fresh, free range and local ingredients alongside ready recipes. Head to myfoodbag.com.au for details.

It’ll be like having your own personal chef around each night.

In a bag.

NEW HAMPTON

Having recently thrown its Christmas in July celebrations, the wintry wholesomeness continues at the New Hampton Hotel courtesy chef Ben Palmer’s restaurant and bar menu. Palmer learnt his trade in the Midlands of England, and his creations follow a paddock-to-plate style.

That means confit pork belly, Junee lamb backstrap, roasted duck breast with duck sausage and plenty more on offer at the tastiest destination in the Cross.

tiger prawn and green mango pancakes ($7.50) Tangy, juicy and fresh Vietnamese morsels from this trendy rice paper roll-smith.

Gorkha Palace, Gladesville: chicken momo ($8.99 for 6) Steamed Nepalese dumplings plump with chicken and vegetables and served with tangy secret recipe chutney.

La Illtimo, Ultimo: super supreme pizza (small $9.90) Generous, quality toppings, affordable pizzas and – best of all – they’re open past midnight.

Pablo’s Charcoal Chicken, Surry Hills: chicken roll ($9) Pablo’s keeps its famous roll simple and delicious with fresh charcoal chicken, lettuce and mayo.

Wokmaster, Randwick: chow kway teow ($10) Craving cheap noodles, seafood and (mmm) pork lard croutons? This is the place.

Thai La-Ong, Newtown: pad Thai ($9) A fresh, generous serve of this Aussie takeaway favourite from Sydney’s hub of hipsters and cheap Thai.

El Toro Tapas e Pizza Bar, Maroubra: backstrap lamb ravioli ($9.80)

HIGH TEA AT WOOLWICH

Down Woolwich way, they know how to enjoy the finer things in life. They can also claim one of the best pubs in the land in the Woolwich Pier Hotel, and its popular High Tea season continues Mondays through Saturdays. Claim a spot on the terrace and indulge in the tradition made popular by Queen Victoria, with all three packages including a selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts.

High society indeed.

JONKANOO CARIBBEAN CANTEEN 53-55 LIVERPOOL ST, CHINATOWN 5-11PM WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, 6-11PM SATURDAY It’s called: Jonkanoo Caribbean Canteen

everywhere from intimate wine cellars to film sets such as The Great Gatsby.

Who’s the cook/bartender?

Damion Brown is our head chef. Damion began his career at age ten, catering for Bob Marley’s family at his family’s Miami restaurant. Since then he has embarked on a 35-country food safari, worked in restaurants around the world, and been head chef

Eye candy: Jonkanoo is the latest addition to Goodgod Small Club, a nightclub, bar and diner in Sydney’s CBD. Accompanying Jonkanoo’s launch is a range of improvements to Goodgod’s Front Bar, overseen by Goodgod’s Hana Shimada.

Flavours: Caribbean and West Indian. A range of amazing spices, flavours and fresh ingredients.

Something to start with Patacones Con Hagao (Dominican Republic).

Fried green plantain with chunky tomato sauce. The Dominican Republic’s favorite drinking snack.

The main course: Jerk chicken. Marinated for two days, smoked fresh daily. Served with tropical slaw and coco bread.

Rich, tender lamb osso bucco wrapped in homemade ravioli. It’s like giving yourself a bunch of little birthday presents.

There are plenty more cheap eats on offer at Menulog, Australia’s no. 1 for online takeaway: menulog.com.au

restaurant profile Room for dessert?

Dessert includes a spiced ginger cake with ginger syrup and vanilla ice cream or a French Carribean coconut flan with banana tuile.

Care for a drink?

Goodgod’s cocktail jug menu offers a range of delicious shared drinks.

Sounds?

Goodgod has an eclectic range of music programming throughout the week, from intimate live performances to loud, sweaty, all-night parties.

Make us drool: Jonkanoo Caribbean Canteen is the latest addition to the Goodgod family, a place known for its sense of adventure, eclectic programming, forward-thinking approach and most of all, being a huge amount of fun.

The food is a kaleidoscope of spices, fresh ingredients and flavours.

The bill comes to: Roughly $45 each including dessert and drinks.

Website: goodgodgoodgod.com

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Album Reviews What's been crossing our ears this week...

ALBUM OF THE WEEK LA ROUX

songs on here sound like the opposite of a gritty reboot; all sunshine, upbeat grooves and the occasional tropical vibe for good measure.

Trouble In Paradise Polydor/Universal

After finishing touring in 2010, Elly Jackson may as well have had her face on the side of a milk carton beneath the question “Have You Seen This Woman?”

ALDOUS HARDING Aldous Harding Spunk One month, she’s cutting her teeth as a busker on the streets in her home country, New Zealand; the next, she’s touring with Tiny Ruins in Australia. Gothic folk musician Aldous (Hannah) Harding is winning hearts in all directions.

The string-based ‘Hunter’ sets a standard for this record which is then manipulated and moulded into something you probably wouldn’t have expected. Traditional folksounding songs (‘Merriweather’) intertwine with meatier folk (‘Beast’) and then again with dark, more brooding compositions (‘Titus Groans’) for a circular album experience.

Harding has a true knack for telling personal stories in a simple and appealing way; the Angus & Julia Stone-like ‘Titus Groans’ surprisingly morphs into ‘Titus Alone’ four tracks later to satisfying effect. ‘Two Bitten Hearts’ is another gorgeous track that just rolls along. In this intimate spell, we hear every expired breath and every ghostly strum of purposefully limp guitars. Meanwhile, there is lots of deeply personal imagery in ‘No Peace At All’, a slowstarter that hooks the listener in with Harding’s delicate storytelling and entrancing vocals.

You may need to exercise some patience listening to this album – but you will be rewarded.

Katie Davern

Is there life after the hype dies down? Can second album syndrome be cured? Trouble In Paradise points to the affirmative on both counts. It’s not over just yet for La Roux – and we’re lucky for it.

David James Young

TOEHIDER What Kind Of Creature Am I? Bird’s Robe/MGM

KILTER

GRAVE DIGGER

STREETS OF LAREDO

Shades EtcEtc

Return Of The Reaper Napalm

Lonsdale Line Cooking Vinyl/Dine Alone

Who said progressive rock has to be dark, weighty and played by frowny guys who take themselves very seriously? Who says it can’t put a big cheesy smile on your face? Melbourne four-piece Toehider put the fun into prog rock, and do it with real style.

His mates know him as Ned East – the people know him as Kilter. In between releasing his sophomore EP Shades, remixing tracks for his peers and getting on the road, this industry youngster has reached maturity, carving a prominent sliver in today’s music scene.

Even with three decades and 17 full-length albums under their heavy leather overcoats, legendary German metallers Grave Digger aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. Return Of The Reaper is served straight up and brimming with their classic ballsy ’80s speed/ thrash/hard rock style.

Lonsdale Line sounds oddly familiar but distant at the same time, like the soundtrack to a sleepy road trip. Mashing a variety of jangling sounds together, Brooklyn-based New Zealand expats Streets Of Laredo have created a fun travelling band style and provide a short taster of their potential here.

That’s not to say these guys aren’t excellent musicians and songwriters. Far from it. You literally can’t play prog rock convincingly if you haven’t attained a very competent level on your instrument. It’s just that the overall tone is very different from most prog. It’s lighter, musically, lyrically and in mood; in fact, there’s a very distinguishable Queen-like playfulness to the band.

From the first synth wash-up, ‘They Say’ exudes a series of tropical rhythmic textures, topped with slightly distorted vocal samples that compete against drum machine clicks and rattles behind them.

Trailing a promising start, ‘When You Walked In’ oozes a constant drip of looped, percussion-laden beats. The chopped glitch vocals are persistent, managing to communicate an interpretable story without much use of lyrics.

On their new album, Grave Digger have reached deep into the past, realised their strengths and paid homage to their late ’80s/’90s releases. Chris Boltendahl leads the swashbuckling crew through 12 hellacious tracks with his signature gravelly vibrato. The album’s atmosphere is exceptionally dark and moody, rife with themes of death, darkness and general gothic ire.

The entire EP paints a neat picture of young people living in New York: “25, trying to stay alive / Trying to pay rent, trying to survive”. Where ‘Lonsdale Line’ looks to escape these cares via travel across the American landscape, ‘Girlfriend’ describes escape by means of a carefree relationship, all the while maintaining a light atmosphere with strong melodies.

Befittingly, the opening track features a metal variation of Frédéric Chopin’s ‘Marche Funèbre’ (Funeral March), with horses neighing and galloping, heavy rain, thunder and screams. Later, Satan himself laughs through the intro for the guitar-shredding ‘Satan’s Host’.

‘Dia De Los Muertos’ and ‘Grave Desecrator’ are album highlights, showcasing razor-sharp riffing fit for a barbarian’s horn-blowing session.

But this theme takes a turn with ‘I’m Living’, when the upbeat rhythms exhibited in the first tracks become a slow contemplation of existence itself. This meshes into ‘Need A Little Help’, which is pretty, but feels very similar musically.

Though Lonsdale Line is mostly a jolly, light-hearted exploration of young people’s struggle to make it in the real world, the release feels unfinished and loses its steam too quickly.

Even when these guys are rocking the fuck out, in a flat-knacker, balls-to-the-wall type of manner, like on the appropriately titled ‘Smash It Out’, they do it with a wink and a cheeky grin. Then there’s a track like ‘Whoa!’, which features almost ’60s-like pop cheeriness.

What Kind Of Creature Am I? is an absolute riot. That element of fun makes this a very different type of prog/art rock record; one that could appeal to a broader audience of everyday rock fans.

Much like Queen did in their day.

Rod Whitfi eld

Subsequent hip-hop-slanted tracks ‘Alive Again’, ‘Coward’ and ‘All You Want’ feature collaborations with Citizen Kay, Ngaiire and Ev Jones respectively; each track standing distinctively separate yet still marrying together nicely.

‘Melt’ brings things to a close, lightened with a myriad of pitter-patter drum beats that allow room for a build of sweeping synth to cut through.

Kilter is shaping up as one of the best Australian producers around – it’s safe to say this Sydneysider is here to stay.

Return Of The Reaper isn’t breakthe-door-down progressive, but it’s chock-full of raw, pulverising metal that never loses its shine, and that’s hard to come by these days.

Streets Of Laredo make for a sweet listening experience in this recording, and can only get bigger and better from here.

Kiera Thanos

Kylie Finlay

Erin Rooney

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK Whenever you see UK label XL Recordings attached to an album, you tend to prick your ears up. It only releases six albums a year on average, but with the likes of King Krule, the xx and Dizzee Rascal under its wing, XL has a heavy hand on the British scene. Its latest project, garage-soul group Jungle, is a chip straight off the London block.

JUNGLE Jungle XL Recordings/Remote Control

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xxx

Elly XxxxJackson is back on the scene, and going it alone suits her just fine.

A lot was going on behind the scenes following La Roux’s phenomenal eponymous 2009 debut LP, including a split with the unseen second half of the project, producer Ben Langmaid, as well as personal conflict and literally losing her voice.

Not that you’d know this purely off the back of the musical side of Trouble In Paradise – the nine

Perhaps it’s this contrast that allows for Jackson’s lyrical honesty and her often quite vulnerable vocals to shine through, full of sexual ambiguity, desperate pleas and moments of bleak despair laced with silver linings of hope. It takes a while for the whole thing to sink in, but it’s easily worth your effort.

With an unmistakably UK sound reminiscent of the early ’80s, the album performs a delicate ballet between quotation and originality.

The opening tracks, ‘The Heat’, ‘Accelerate’ and ‘Busy Earnin’’, showcase a tapestry of synths, held together by tight-knit progressions and falsetto that sets the sonic palette for the album. ‘Busy Earnin’’ blasts you with a dazzling splay of

horns, all fanfare and Don Cheadle braggadocio. It’s exhilarating, but nothing new.

It’s what happens after the hefty openers that exposes Jungle’s true ability: the album moves with cinematic propulsion through a kaleidoscope of musical ideas and influences, everything from Jamiroquai to Seattle grunge. Cuts like ‘Smoking Pixels’ and ‘Crumbler’ are rich and complex, miles away from the roller disco beginnings.

Jungle is an easy and wellconstructed album that explores a healthy blend of synth and soul to the full. Keep it in your back pocket for summer.

OFFICE MIXTAPE And here are the albums that have helped BRAG HQ get through the week...

DE LA SOUL - 3 Feet High And Rising BEN FOLDS FIVE - The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind RADIOHEAD - The King Of Limbs

ARCTIC MONKEYS - AM KELIS - Tasty

Nic Liney thebrag.com

live review What we've been out to see...

THE PREATURES, BAD// DREEMS, GUNNS Metro Theatre Saturday July 19

In a haze of washed-out guitar and stomping rhythms, Perth visitors Gunns took full advantage of their time onstage with tracks that, amazingly, were able to remain firmly grounded while maintaining a psychedelic edge that could well have tipped over at any given second. This could have had a lot to do with the fact they skewed the regular indie rock set-up by adding in a member on acoustic guitar, foot percussion, keyboards and harmonies. Yes, the quietly unassuming Michael Jelinek is easily the band’s secret weapon, assisting in lifting the songs from goodness to greatness. Pun intended, Gunns killed.

As easily the loudest band of the night, a daunting task lay ahead for Adelaide’s Bad//Dreems. Their sneering, unpretentious take on post-punk could have easily been a bit too noisy for the triple j demographic that had congregated, but with each song, the audience grew more and more receptive, dancing and bouncing away to the band’s brisk, high-octane tracks. Bad//Dreems are quickly making good on their threat to be one of the best bands in the country. Perhaps venues such as these await under their own name?

Don’t be surprised.

There’s nothing like a homecoming party, and after time away working on their hotly anticipated debut album, The Preatures were back in town, performing to their biggest crowd to date. Frontwoman Isabella Manfredi oozed confidence and energy as she led her bandmates through brand new cuts and older favourites.

Her eyes lit up when she heard the crowd singing ‘Better Than It Ever Could Be’ back to her, while vocalist/guitarist Gideon Bensen couldn’t even move his lips near the microphone without getting Beatlemania shrieks sent his way.

With a dedication to Doc Neeson, the band kicked into a barnstorming ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?’

Everyone overage screamed the traditional “No way, get fucked, fuck off!” backing vocals, while everyone underage was busy texting their parents to find out what a Doc Neeson is. Manfredi then asked the crowd if they were “ready for some bad dancing”, before posing the question that changed the game for them in 2013: ‘Is This How You Feel?’ Finally, the band struck up one last time for a runthrough of ‘Take A Card’. Much like the aforementioned track, things are better than they ever could be for The Preatures right now. Once that debut drops? Game over.

David James Young

THE WHITE ALBUM CONCERT Sydney Opera House Sunday July 20

They may not quite be Australia’s Fab Four, but there’s plenty of star power in the air when Tim Rogers, Chris Cheney, Phil Jamieson and Josh Pyke get together.

They’re touring (once again) their tribute to The Beatles’ self-titled 1968 release colloquially known as The White Album, and the Sydney Opera House has filled four times over for the occasion.

It’s a surprise, therefore, to witness a docile crowd welcoming Cheney with only muted applause for ‘Back In The U.S.S.R.’. There a few key songs that were always bound to define this project as a success or failure, and the McCartneypenned opener is one of them. So is ‘Dear Prudence’, led by Jamieson, which despite the 18 musicians onstage for this rendition, gets nowhere near the shimmering magnificence of the original.

And it takes two drummers to do what Ringo did by himself 46 years ago.

The first real wave of enthusiasm spreads across the Concert Hall for ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ – as a song, it’s one of The Beatles’ worst kitschy crimes, but it’d be unfair to deny the fun that it creates for this audience. Cheney, Jamieson and Pyke share the stage for this one,

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

thebrag.com

before the self-appointed rock star of the group makes his arrival in Rogers.

The You Am I frontman seems to insist that his hungover monologue is the one consistent presence that ties the whole show together, but frankly, his bravado act gets tiresome.

Not so Cheney’s, as ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ lifts much of the audience to its feet. As ever, some of The Beatles’ songs sit better in certain hands than others, and Cheney’s treatment of George Harrison’s tune (and Eric Clapton’s solo) is exultant. Pyke is a natural fit for the softer tracks – ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Mother Nature’s Son’ especially – while Jamieson seems happy to ham things up, so it’s fair enough that he gets ‘Don’t Pass Me By’.

By no means is The Beatles a flawless album – even the most popular group in musical history made its mistakes – but this all-Australian ensemble does a commendable job in reflecting the source material fairly. It’s just a shame that The Beatles never actually get a mention in all the self-congratulation that goes on here.

Still, the Rogers/Cheney/Jamieson/Pyke group could do worse than tour Rubber Soul or Abbey Road, perhaps – because if all those songs haven’t yet grown dated, they won’t anytime soon.

Chris Martin

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

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snap sn ap

up all night out all week . . .

HIGH ON FIRE, I EXIST, GVRLLS Factory Theatre Sunday July 20

Just so you don’t confuse them with the TV show or the indie rock band, this Sydney band have spelled out their name as Gvrills. Needless to say, it’s about as far from either Lena Dunham or Christopher Owens as one could expect – they play a bleak, sludgy and merciless hybrid of postmetal and old-school emotive hardcore.

It would be unfair to say that they were lost on the meagre crowd that rocked up early – more that there was far less acknowledgement from the crowd than the band deserved. Perhaps a smaller room with larger numbers will do them justice.

It’s safe to say I Exist just had the best weekend ever. On Saturday, they played with Frenzal Rhomb and Bodyjar in Jindabyne, and tonight saw them score a support slot for a band that clearly serves as one of their biggest influences. This never felt like a cheap imitation, however – whatever debt they owed to tonight’s headliners has been well and truly paid back with interest. Cuts from I Exist’s latest, From Darkness, have been sharpened, sounding better than ever, while older

PHOTOGRAPHER :: LAURA ARA

Secret Newtown Location Saturday July 19 If you have never been to Sofar Sounds before – either in Sydney, or at one of the myriad other locations across the globe – you’re missing out on this modern-day medicine show. Every month there’s a new amateur venue – July’s event saw us in someone’s upstairs apartment in Newtown – and a different surprise lineup.

It is a spectacular way to stumble upon new music, and props must go to the organisers for curating such disparate performances.

First up was Marcus Corowa, a man with an impressive register and accomplished voice. He began with a cover of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and did a fine job, but there was something about opening the set with a cover that somehow irked me without any real justification. Perhaps it was because the rest of his performance then sat in comparison, and although his own songs are pleasant, easy-listening numbers, they suffered from being too generic in theme and lyric.

Electronic act Patches’ equipment looks like something from a Terry Gilliam film.

His modular synthesiser (home-made) is a box with brightly coloured tubing running from it, like a suitcase given a bizarre transfusion. The soundscapes he created were impressive feats of almost

There was initial discomfort throughout the first few songs, as both Pike and bassist Jeff Matz berated the sound guy for various mixing imbalances. Thankfully, this was resolved swiftly, and we were able to get on with the music at hand. Each of the band’s studio releases got a look in, with a dramatic banshee shriek of its title from Pike as means of an introduction.

‘Devilution’ got fists pumping and voices raised, while the epic closing sequence of ‘10,000 Years’ and ‘Snakes For The Divine’ was equal parts stunning and invigorating.

A killer night of heavy music for all involved – more of the same, please, and soon.

David James Young

NGO

hypnotic control, and simply watching him manipulate the device, swaying over the levers and dials, was an entertainment in itself. His set did stretch a little long, and although it was wonderfully intricate and :: ASHLEYofMAR RAPHER TOG PHO colourful, by the final song the attention the crowd had begun to drift.

Third act Hannah Marjorie delivered the highlight of the night. Her stage manner and songwriting had the crowd instantly smitten. Impressive – however it’s difficult to really astound someone with whimsy and ukulele alone, and so her set really took off once bandmates from country-folk quartet All Our Exes Live In Texas joined her for several songs. It sounds a little mawkish, but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face while they performed. Their camaraderie was utterly charming, and their harmonies sublime.

Finally we had King Colour, an engaging if earnest band who impressed from their very first note. Their odd blend of psychedelic-surfer-pop-meets-the-ChiliPeppers grabs you and doesn’t let go, and though they were slightly unpolished these guys are total entertainers and well worth catching in the flesh. Though they also suffered from songs needing a trim here and there, they had the audience on their feet and provided a chill cover of ‘Valerie’ to bookend the night. Great times.

crooked colours

16:07:14 :: Beach Road Hotel :: 71 Beach Rd Bondi Beach 9130 7247

Adam Norris OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

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It takes a world of confidence for a bloke with a huge beer belly and a bristling handlebar moustache like Matt Pike to parade about without a shirt on. Then again, if anything sums up what High On Fire are about, it’s that unto itself – this is a loud and proud metal band, and if you’ve got a problem with that, there’s the door.

Barely a year on from touring with Sleep, Pike was back in the Australian saddle with plenty of tricks left up his invisible sleeve.

PICS :: JA

SOFAR SOUNDS

favourites like ‘Ghost Of A King’ roused the fans. Party on, boys.

S :: JAMES AMBROSE :: LAURA

ARANGO :: ASHLEY MAR ::

thebrag.com

live reviews What we've been out to see...

ELLA HOOPER, JACK COLWELL Newtown Social Club Thursday July 17

Winter takes a brief hiatus thanks to the upstairs loungeroom vibe of Newtown Social Club tonight, where a friendly crowd has gathered to see former Killing Heidi frontwoman Ella Hooper.

Hooper has come a long way for those that remember her rocking out in the late ’90s, ditching the dreadlocks for a more refined, mature style during various musical projects. Finally, she’s embarked on her first solo journey, with debut album In Tongues due out this September. On the evidence so far, it will have all the trademarks of her endearing presence: she fleshes out music and thoughts from all the private moments no-one was meant to hear.

Onstage, Hooper’s voice fits comfortably alongside the swirling licks of her accompanists’ guitar and keyboard and the patterns of the drums. With a cheeky smile, Hooper fondly refers to the crowd as her “sweeties”, and takes the time to explain the deeper notions behind each song. She delves into ‘Everything Was A Sign’, a reserved tribute to the classic love song; ‘Dead Stars’, about the moment you discover a coldness in someone close; and ‘Reals’, which is, well, real – as the band laughs about their mistimed musical mishaps onstage.

Support act Jack Colwell joins Hooper onstage for a duet, saying it’s really great to travel and play with his good friend every night, and they laugh about the daily calamity that surrounds them. But then it’s back to business, and Hooper ends the night with the new single, ‘Red Shoes’, from her upcoming record. It’s just as vibrant as the artist behind it.

Kayla Stephenson

frankie’s pizza

PICS :: AM

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

19:07:14 :: Frankie’s Pizza :: 50 Hunter St Sydney thebrag.com

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g g guide gig g

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

pick of the week Lily Allen

FRIDAY JULY 25 Hordern Pavilion

Lily Allen + Allday

7pm. $95.30.

WEDNESDAY JULY 23 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Mitch Anderson & His Organic Orchestra Coopers Hotel, Newtown.

8:45pm. free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Joseph Tawadros Quartet Venue 505, Surry Hills. 6pm. $35.

Lionel Cole Imperial Hotel, Paddington.

8pm. free.

Polymorphic Orkestra Acumulus Cd Launch - feat: Polymorphic Orchestra Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $16.50.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

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THURSDAY JULY 24 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Cole Soul And Emotion feat: Lionel Cole The White Horse, Surry Hills.

8pm. free.

Sarsha Simone + Thando + Rosie & The Bees Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm.

$21.50.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Brendan Deehan Nag’s Head Hotel, Glebe.

8:15pm. free.

Good Corn Liquor The Vanguard, Newtown.

7pm. $16.80.

Live Music Thursdays Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm. free.

Songsonstage - feat: Peach Montgomery + Guests Forest Lodge Hotel, Forest Lodge. 7:30pm. free.

Songsonstage - feat: Chris Raicevich + Guests Ruby L’otel, Rozelle. 7:30pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

10 O’Clock Rock Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney.

10pm. free.

A Team Duo Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 9pm. free.

Alex Hopkins Open Mic Night Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

Alkemie Night - feat: Jakewittaker & Band Spring Street Social, Bondi.

9:30pm. free.

Amazing Entertainment Karaoke Royal Hotel, Bondi. 8pm. free.

Black Diamond Hearts Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

10pm. free.

Black Zeros + The Pinheads + Shaky Handz Lansdowne Hotel,

FRIDAY JULY 25 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Andy Golledge Sackville Hotel, Rozelle.

10pm. free.

Bandsonstage - feat: Brumby + The Aviators + Dr J Ruby L’otel, Rozelle. 8pm. free.

Josue And The Soulbenders Barenz, Camden. 7:30pm. free.

Skyzthelimit Penrith Gaels, Kingswood.

10pm. free.

Songjam - feat: Trudy Newell + Guests Rosehill Hotel, Clyde. 7:30pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Alex Hopkins Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

Andy Mammers Duo Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point.

City And Colour

8pm. free.

Anubis + Toehider The Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt. 8pm. $16.95.

Bane Of Isildur Hermann’s Bar, Darlington.

8pm. $10.

Big Rich Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 9:30pm. free.

Black Diamond Hearts Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 10:30pm. free.

Blake Tailor Parramatta RSL, Parramatta.

5pm. free.

Cambo Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

6pm. free.

Cash The Concert - feat: Stuart French + Daniel Thompson + Tamara Stewart Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $35.

Cath & Him Quakers Inn, Quakers Hill.

8pm. free.

Chrome Sparks Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $23.60.

Corrosion Of Conformity Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

8pm. $40.

Darren Johnstone The Oriental Hotel, Springwood. 8pm. free.

David Agius Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale.

5:30pm. free.

DJ Marty Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

Endless Summer Beach Party - feat: The Endless Summer Beach Party Band Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly. 10pm. free.

Evie Dean Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 5:30pm. free.

Glenn Esmond Duo Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. free.

Grand Theft Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 11pm. $28.70.

Greg Agar Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 6pm. free.

Groovology Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. free.

Heath Burdell Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 9pm. free.

Jess Dunbar Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 7pm. free.

Leon Fallon The Grand Hotel, Rockdale.

5:30pm. free.

Lily Allen + Allday Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park.

7pm. $95.30.

Live Music At The Royal The Royal, Leichhardt.

9:30pm. free.

Matt Jones Duo Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross. 10:30pm. free.

Matt Price Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale.

9pm. free.

Nova Tone

North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray. 9:30pm. free.

Panorama Duo Mercantile Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. free.

Pelican Manning Bar, Camperdown.

8pm. $45.

Reckless Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. $5.

Reckless In Gold + The Rider + Rufflefeather + Baby Lips & The Silhouettes Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm. free.

Red Slim Spring Street Social, Bondi.

8pm. free.

Ryan Thomas Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

4:30pm. free.

Safari Suits Panthers, Penrith. 8:30pm. free.

Sky Ferreira Metro Theatre, Sydney.

7:30pm. $54.70.

Sound City Colonial Hotel, Werrington.

9pm. free.

Stormcellar Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

9pm. free.

The Angels Panthers, Penrith. 7:30pm. free.

The Frocks Windsor Leagues Club, Windsor South. 9:15pm. free.

The High & Lonesome + Michael Plater + Silo + Tom Stone FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

The Mondays Trio PJ Gallagher’s, Leichhardt.

10pm. free.

The Rockaholics Duo Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

8pm. free.

Tori Darke Cyren Restaurant, Darling Harbour. 6pm. free.

Triple Shot Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 7pm. free.

Victoria Avenue Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill.

8pm. free.

Zoltan Adria, Sydney. 5pm. free.

Zoltan Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

9:30pm. free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC 20th Century Dog + Mister Ott Venue 505, Surry Hills. 6pm. $15.

Anna Salleh: Brazil & Beyond Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $27.50.

Jazz Hip Hop Freestyle Sessions Foundry616, Ultimo. 11:30pm. free.

xxx

Alex Hopkins Summer Hills Hotel, Summer Hill. 7:30pm. free.

Andy Mammers Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney. 9pm. free. Ásgeir + Airling Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $53.70.

Cape Town + Maxine Kauter Band + Dead Radio The Vanguard, Newtown.

7pm. $12.

City Slickers Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel,

Ultimo. 8pm. $15.

Fat Bubba’s Chicken Wednesdays Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

Gary Johns Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill.

7:30pm. free.

Gemma Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. free.

Hitseekers Three Wise Monkeys, Sydney.

10pm. free.

Jakubi Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free.

Jay Parrino Duo Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. free.

Matt Jones Trio Rock Lily, Pyrmont. 8pm. free.

Matt Price Duo Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

6:30pm. free.

Songsonstage - feat: Trudy Newell + Guests Leichhardt Bowling Club, Leichhardt. 7:30pm. free.

The Strypes + The Creases Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $20.

Chippendale. 8pm. free.

Born Lion + Evan & The Brave Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar, Manly. 9pm. free.

City And Colour Sydney Opera House, Sydney.

9pm. $69.

Dave White Duo Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney.

9:30pm. free.

David Agius Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 8pm. free.

Evie Dean Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill.

8pm. free.

Greg Agar Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 7:30pm. free.

London Grammar + Dustin Tebbutt Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park.

8pm. $69.50.

Main Beach Hotel Hollywood, Sydney.

8pm. free.

Mandi Jarry Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why. 7pm. free.

Melody Rhymes Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill.

7:30pm. free.

Michael Plater & The Exit Keys + Not Good With Horses + Lisa Caruso + Riley Beech Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Nova Tone Brighton RSL, Brighton Le Sands. 7:30pm. free.

Party Central Three Wise Monkeys, Sydney.

10pm. free.

Paul Greene + Leeroy Lee Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $17.

Phantogram Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $47.50.

Sarah Paton Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

4pm. free.

Skaters + Darlia Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $44.90.

The Dandelion + The Grease Arrestor The Forresters, Surry Hills.

8:30pm. free.

The Late Night Soda Social Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

The White Brothers New Brighton Hotel, Manly.

10pm. free.

Tori Darke Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 7:30pm. free.

Watsup Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. free.

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send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

SATURDAY JULY 26 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

The Liberators + The Cactus Channel Venue 505, Surry Hills. 6pm. $20.

Vince Jones Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $27.50.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Paul Hayward And Friends Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 4pm. free.

Premonition + Gabriel Levin Hampshire Hotel, Camperdown. 7:30pm. free.

Tim Pringle Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale.

7pm. free.

Xxx

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

A Team Duo The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill.

6pm. free.

After Party Band Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 9:30pm. free.

Alex Hopkins New Brighton Hotel, Manly.

10pm. free.

Angie Dean Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

6:30pm. free.

Armchair Travellers Duo North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray. 9:30pm. free.

Ben Finn Trio The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill.

9pm. free.

Cara Kavanagh Duo PJ Gallagher’s, Leichhardt.

10pm. free.

Carl Fidler Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

4pm. free.

Cash The Concert - feat: Stuart French + Daniel Thompson + Tamara Stewart Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $35.

Darren Johnstone Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

9pm. free.

Dave White Experience Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 10:30pm. free.

David Agius Panthers, Penrith. 5:30pm. free.

DJ Mounties, Mount Pritchard.

8pm. free.

DJ Marty Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 9pm. free.

Donny Benet + Red Fella Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm. free.

Ebony And Ivory Panthers, Penrith. 9pm. free.

Epics + Dividers + Berkshire Hunting Club + Unbranded Animals + Dave Dravton Aquatic Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

7pm. $10.

Geoff Rana Brewhouse Marayong, Kings Park. 8pm. free.

Gerard Masters Le Pub, Sydney. 8:30pm. free.

Greg Agar Trio Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 9pm. free.

Grindhead Records Presents Infested Entrails - feat: Tortured + Viscera + Head In A Jar + Burial Chamber + Abacination Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 5pm. $10.

Grouplove Metro Theatre, Sydney.

7:30pm. $59.50.

Happy Hippies Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

9pm. free. thebrag.com

Heath Burdell Sir Joseph Banks Hotel, Botany. 7pm. free.

Jamie Lindsay PJ Gallagher’s, Moore Park.

7:30pm. free.

Jellybean Jam Penrith RSL, Penrith. 9pm. free.

JJ Duo Courthouse Hotel, Darlinghurst. 10pm. free.

Josh Mcivor Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. free.

Kav Temperley Collector Hotel, Parramatta.

8pm. $25.

Keith Armitage Greystanes Inn, Greystanes Inn. 8pm. free.

Leon Fallon Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest. 7pm. free.

Let’s Get Stupid Hermann’s Bar, Darlington.

9pm. $15.

Little Sea Metro Theatre, Sydney.

4:45pm. $15.

Marty Stewart Ettalong Bowling Club, Ettalong. 7:30pm. free.

Michael McGlynn Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point.

8pm. free.

Panorama Rock Lily, Pyrmont. 9:30pm. free.

Party Central Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. free.

Paul Hayward Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 2pm. free.

Pelican Manning Bar, Camperdown.

8pm. $45.

Planet Groove Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

8pm. free.

Pop Fiction Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

10:30pm. free.

Rob Henry Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

5:30pm. free.

Safari Suits Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

10pm. free.

Salsa Kingz Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. free.

Sheppard + New Empire Big Top Sydney (Luna Park), Milsons Point. 7:30pm. $25.

Steve Tonge Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo. 9pm. free.

Stormcellar Royal Hotel, Bondi. 8:30pm. free.

Tender Bones + Sounds Like Sunset + Joseph Liddy And The Skeleton Horse + Deep Space Supergroop FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

The Angels Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8pm. free.

The Beans Spring Street Social, Bondi.

10:30pm. free.

The Beards Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

8pm. $25.

The Big Swing Band Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. free.

The Cactus Channel + The Liberators Venue 505, Surry Hills.

7:30pm. $20.

The Happy Hippies Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

9pm. free.

The Head And The Heart Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $45.

The Predictors Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 9:30pm. free.

The Radiators Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

10:30pm. free.

Tony Williams Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 7pm. free.

Two Minds Trio Mercantile Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. free.

Wildcats Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 10pm. free.

Zoltan Australian Hotel And Brewery, Rouse Hill. 10pm. free.

Wild Beasts Manning Bar, Camperdown.

8pm. $55.

TUESDAY JULY 29

SUNDAY JULY 27 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Intimate Sessions Paragon Hotel, Sydney. 6pm. free.

Live Music Sundays Bar100, The Rocks. 1pm. free.

Songsonstage - feat: Peach Montgomery + Victoria Young Garry Owen Hotel, Rozelle.

2pm. free.

The Slowdowns First Fleet Park, The Rocks.

12pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Acid Nymph + Dawn Heist + Atomasia + Carbon Black + Blackened Beneath Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 4pm. $10.

Andy Mammers Band Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 1pm. free.

Caribbean Soul Harbord Beach Hotel, Harbord. 6pm. free.

Craig Thommo Western Suburbs Leagues Club, Leumeah. 12pm. free.

Future Islands Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $52.20.

Heath Burdell Family Inn Hotel, Rydalmere.

6pm. free.

Imogen Clark Panthers, Penrith. 2pm. free.

Jamie Lindsay Duo Northies Cronulla Hotel, Cronulla. 6pm. free.

Jess Dunbar Woolwich Pier Hotel, Woolwich. 2pm. free.

Live Music At The Sackville - feat: Andy Golledge Sackville Hotel, Rozelle.

10pm. free.

Mandi Jarry Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo. 3pm. free.

Matt Jones Pritchards Hotel, Mount Pritchard. 1pm. free.

Matt Price Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee.

8:30pm. free.

Menagerie - feat: Peasant Moon (July Residency) + Sasha March & Tom Redwood + John Flanagan & The Begin Agains The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle.

4pm. free.

Poison’Us Tribute Show Frankie’s Pizza, 4pm. free.

Psych Sunday - feat: Art + Stranger’s Collective + Marquis De Sound + Ocean Of Iris + Vayu Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 3pm. $10.

Reckless Ettamogah Hotel, Kelly Ridge.

1pm. free.

Remosk + Red Zora & Emerald Scar Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 7pm. free.

Rob Henry Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

8pm. free.

Rockin Mustangs Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. free.

Ron Ashton Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

2pm. free.

Ryan Thomas Waverley Bowling Club, Waverley. 2pm. free.

Sydney Rock ‘N’ Roll & Alternative Market

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

tUnE-yArDs Manning Bar, Camperdown.

10:30am. $5.

The Mondays The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill.

1:30pm. free.

Three Wise Men Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

4pm. free.

U2 Elevation Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

4:30pm. free.

UK Anthems Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. free.

Night World Bar, Kings Cross. 7pm. free.

Mambo Mondays Bar100, The Rocks. 5:30pm. free.

Motown Mondays - feat: Soulgroove The White Horse, Surry Hills.

8pm. free.

Reggae Monday Civic Underground, Sydney.

10pm. free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

MONDAY JULY 28 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Stuart Jammin + Massimo Presti + Rick Taylor + Chris Brookes Kelly’s On King, Newtown.

7:30pm. free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Latin & Jazz Jam Open Mic

Co Pilot Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. free.

Jess Dunbar Duo Sydney Opera House, Sydney.

7:30pm. free.

Matt Jones Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. free.

Metronomy Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7pm. $69.50.

Sarah Paton Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. free.

Tune-Yards Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $51.20.

wed

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Them Dreamers + Sparrows + Stashmunkee FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

Circa Waves Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $39.90.

Declan Kelly + Katherine Vavahea + Tim Young Sun + Benny Goldstein Bar 34 Bondi, Bondi Beach.

8pm. free.

First Aid Kit + Marlon Williams Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $63.

Foster The People + Gang Of Youths Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

7:15pm. $74.90.

Pat Drummond - Xmas In July Pioneer Tavern, Penrith.

12pm. free.

Ry X Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $44.90.

Steve Tonge Observer Hotel, The Rocks.

5pm. free.

thu

23

24

July

July

(9:30PM - 12:30AM)

fri

Swingtime Tuesdays The Basement, Circular Quay.

7pm. $9.

(9:30PM - 12:30AM)

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

25 July (9:30PM - 1:30AM)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

sat

26

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

sun

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

July

27

(4:30PM - 7:30PM)

July

(8:30PM - 12:00AM)

(9:30PM - 1:15PM)

mon

tue

28 July

29 July (9:00PM - 12:00AM)

(9:30PM - 12:30AM)

BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 31

gig picks

up all night out all week...

The Beards

WEDNESDAY JULY 23 Ásgeir + Airling Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $53.70.

Jakubi Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm.

Free.

THURSDAY JULY 24 Black Zeros + The Pinheads + Shaky Handz Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm.

Free.

Tender Bones + Sounds Like Sunset + Joseph Liddy And The Skeleton Horse + Deep Space Supergroop FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

The Beards Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 8pm. $25.

The Head And The Heart Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $45.

SUNDAY JULY 27 Future Islands Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $52.20.

City And Colour Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 9pm. $69.

Poison’us Tribute Show Frankie’s Pizza, 4pm. Free.

London Grammar + Dustin Tebbutt Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park. 8pm. $69.50.

Sydney Rock ‘N’ Roll & Alternative Market Manning Bar, Camperdown. 10:30am. $5.

Phantogram Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $47.50.

Skaters + Darlia Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $44.90.

FRIDAY JULY 25

MONDAY JULY 28 Metronomy Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7pm. $69.50.

Tune-Yards Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $51.20.

Anubis + Toehider The Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt. 8pm. $16.95.

Wild Beasts Manning Bar, Camperdown. 8pm. $55.

Chrome Sparks Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $23.60.

TUESDAY JULY 29

Corrosion Of Conformity Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 8pm. $40.

Grand Theft Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 11pm. $28.70.

Pelican Manning Bar, Camperdown. 8pm. $45.

Reckless In Gold + The Rider + Rufflefeather + Baby Lips & The Silhouettes Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm.

Free.

Sky Ferreira Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7:30pm. $54.70.

Them Dreamers + Sparrows + Stashmunkee FBi Social, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

Circa Waves Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7:30pm. $39.90.

First Aid Kit + Marlon Williams Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $63.

Foster The People + Gang Of Youths Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 7:15pm. $74.90.

Ry X Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $44.90.

Ry X

SATURDAY JULY 26 Donny Benet + Red Fella Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm.

Free.

Epics + Dividers + Berkshire Hunting Club + Unbranded Animals + Dave Dravton Aquatic Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 7pm. $10.

Grouplove Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7:30pm. $59.50.

Sheppard + New Empire Big Top Sydney (Luna Park), Milsons Point. 7:30pm. $25.

32 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

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BRAGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to dance, hip hop and club culture inside:

brag beats also: + club guide + club snaps + weekly column

mic mills

kelis Kelis Photo credit OliviaMalone

shaking things up

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BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 33

brag beats

BRAG’s guide to dance, hip hop and club culture

dance music news club, dance and hip hop in brief... with Chris Martin and Tyson Wray

speed date WITH

John Digweed

NICOLE MILLAR

Kristian Nairn in Game Of Thrones

RAVE OF THRONES

Kristian Nairn, AKA Hodor, will head around the country playing DJ sets at Game Of Thrones themed parties next month. Away from the show, Nairn is a seasoned DJ with an inclination towards the deeper side of house. He’ll be showing off his skills behind the decks in a series of parties around Australia, all of which are Game Of Thrones fancy dress. Pro tip: don’t go as Hodor, you’ll look silly. It all goes down on Thursday August 28 at The Hi-Fi. Hodor.

Keeping Busy The last four months have been 2. crazy. I’ve been touring with some cool acts like RÜFÜS and The Kite String Tangle. I’ve also been writing some new music with some really talented producers like Kilter, Cashmere Cat, Robert DeLong and Loston. It’s so much fun being able to work with various producers as everyone has different ideas and it’s interesting to see what you come up with together.

ALLDAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT

To celebrate the success of his debut album Startup Cult, which landed at number three on the ARIA charts, Adelaide rapper Allday has announced a national tour for October. Joining him on the road will be fellow Aussie emcees Remi and Baro. Startup Cult is just the second release from new label Onetwo – a joint venture between Australian music company Unified and Melbourne hip hop artist Illy, whose album Cinematic marked the label’s first release in 2013. Allday will play an all-ages show at the Metro Theatre on Friday October 10.

UNTZZ LABEL NIGHT

The latest instalment on the Jägermeister Spice schedule at The Spice Cellar features Untzz Twelve Inch label founders Mic Mills and HVCK. Mills plays a warm brand of house

music, while HVCK is a long-time resident at Adelaide nightspot Sugar Club. Spinning in support this Saturday July 26 are Spice’s own regulars Robbie Lowe, Sam Francisco and Marc Jarvin.

MOBIN MASTER

DJ, producer and Safari Music label head Mobin Master leads the line at Marquee this weekend, and he’s not a fella you’d want to find yourself on the wrong side of. Last year he had a set-to with fellow Melbourne identity Aaron Trotman – no fists went flying, but the internet insults sure did. When Mobin asked Trotman to help get the word out on a new song, Trotman replied, “No. Get fucked … You’re about as current as Bon Jovi”. Ouch. But Mobin’s online allies hit back, and the dancefloor still calls his name, if his booking at Marquee this Friday July 25 is anything to go by.

One of the biggest names in international dance circles, John Digweed, will headline the return of Chinese Laundry’s garden parties this November. It’s part of Digweed’s national Australian tour that will take him through Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Since the early ’90s, the prolific Englishman has made his name as a producer, promoter, DJ, label boss and radio host, and the Digweed stamp of approval sets an artist well on the path to success. His Bedrock partnership with Nick Muir saw the pair appear on the soundtrack for cult movie Trainspotting – what a trip that one was – and Digweed and Muir are set to hook up again for an album project due in October. After that, Digweed will head Sydney’s way for a set on Saturday November 15.

Best Gig Ever It’s hard to pick a favourite gig, 3. but Groovin The Moo and triple j’s One Night Stand would have to be up there.

Groovin was a crazy experience as it was my 21st birthday and it was my first time performing a solo set at a festival.

But then performing at the One Night Stand with RÜFÜS was unreal! I’ve never performed in front of so many people, and the fact that it was aired on TV and radio just made it that much more insane.

Current Playlist I’ve been listening to lots of FKA 4. twigs, Elliphant, Drake, SZA, Tinashe, and the list goes on. I just finished touring with RÜFÜS and their live set is really epic – they also had some great supports such as Kilter, Hayden James and Odesza.

tyDi

Your Ultimate Rider My rider at the moment is quite 5. simple, a little bit of hummus and whisky

TYDI-ING UP

and I’m set [laughs]. But if I could have anything it would have to be a masseuse; would be so epic to have a massage before and after my set. One can only dream.

What: RBMA Stage, Splendour In The Grass 2014 With: Peanut Butter Wolf, Hiatus Kaiyote, Andras Fox, Africa Hitech, Sampology and more Where: North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay When: Friday July 25 – Sunday July 27

34 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

Jakubi

JAKUBI

The chameleonic Jakubi bring their national tour to Sydney this week. Drawing on styles as diverse as hip hop, funk, pop and grunge, the Melbourne quintet has kicked massive goals online, with over fi ve million plays accrued in less than a year.

Jakubi are working towards a new EP and plenty of overseas touring, but in the meantime they’ll headline Sosueme at the Beach Road Hotel on Wednesday July 23. After that, they play Oxford Art Factory’s Gallery Bar on Thursday July 24 and Upstairs Beresford on Friday July 25.

Celebrated young Aussie tyDi makes tracks to Pyrmont this Saturday July 26 when he headlines Marquee. The local product earned a music degree from the Conservatorium of Music, but since then has been travelling the world to play DJ sets, including a residency in Las Vegas. And who said that’s where performers go to die?

TyDi made a splash with his single ‘Acting Crazy’ from album Shooting Stars, and has collaborated with the likes of BT. Next up he’ll release a new record, ReDefined, which he says he’s been working on for three years. Breaths are bated.

thebrag.com

John Digweed photo by Carlos Armando

1.

Your Profile When making music it’s all about being able to have fun. People can so easily get caught up in what’s popular and catchy. So for me I try and find producers that just love what they do and are easy to work with. There are so many talented Australian producers at the moment, which is great for me because I can hop into the studio with them and vibe out ideas till we create something we like.

JOHN DIGWEED

Kelis It’s Full Cream Ahead By Steph Marks

O

nce upon a time it was her milkshake that brought all the boys to the yard – but fast-forward 15 years and Kelis has a bit more to offer than flavoured dairy. She juggles life as a mum, a TV presenter, a businesswoman and can now even add the title of chef to her list after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in 2010. Her new album, aptly named Food, is a clear homage to her love of cooking. We chatted about her line of sauces, the Kelis food truck at SXSW and of course her fruitful career in the music industry.

You’re coming out to Australia for Splendour In The Grass and two sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney – what do you love about playing to a live audience?

Well, it kind of takes you to a whole other level; it becomes a different thing. It’s always interesting, there’s certain things that you think are going to work and certain things that you didn’t think would work, but it’s really cool to just do it all live.

Kelis photo by Estevan Oriol

You’ve worked with an impressive list of people over your career (Pharrell, will.i.am, Skream, Dave Sitek, et cetera). How important has it been to collaborate with other artists?

I don’t know, I don’t really think about it that much. It’s nice when you are able to work with someone who has a like mind who you can sort of bounce things off, so your good becomes great. It’s a nice thing; I don’t sit

“I think if it makes me want to move, then generally it makes people want to move.

It’s about what makes you feel good”.

around and think about the importance of it, it’s just something that you do.

You’ve trained as a chef and your new album is called Food, and there are plenty of other food references in the songs – I’m guessing that’s no coincidence?

I think they go hand-in-hand, you know? It wasn’t really a plan. When someone asked me the name of my album and I didn’t have one, I kind of just blurted out “Food”, just sort of jokingly, and yeah, I was like, “Not bad.” To me it’s sort of about lifestyle, how we nourish ourselves one way or the other.

‘Jerk Ribs’ is one of the catchiest songs on Food. What’s your secret to writing songs that make

people want to move?

I think if it makes me want to move, then generally it makes people want to move. It’s about what makes you feel good, and kind of running with it and not thinking about it too much, but just sort of doing it.

Being a food lover, do you think you’ll get any time off while you’re out here to try some of our local food?

I’ve been to Australia before, so it’s not like it’s a new thing, but I always try to make it a point to go and eat something good. I have to eat, so yeah, absolutely I will.

Another of your ventures was the Kelis food truck at SXSW. Can you tell us a bit about that?

I just decided it would be a cool thing to do, you know, and that was it.

SXSW was the perfect place to do it so I decided to launch it there. It’s so fun.

Now that you’re a trained chef and can make just about anything, what’s your favourite thing to cook?

I’m a saucier, so that’s my main thing, but what I like to cook in general is a bit of everything – but it’s usually what I am in the mood for. Sauces are definitely where my heart is.

You seem to have a lot on your plate with music, your sauces, motherhood, the food truck, a TV show, a new album, touring and

all the rest of it – how do you find the time to fit it all in?

Well my manager has added hours onto the day, didn’t you know?

[Laughs] So many more hours in my day! Yeah, you just do what you can and you have to put your priorities in line and go from there.

What: Food out now through Ninja Tune/Inertia Where: The Hi-Fi When: Wednesday July 23 And: Also appearing alongside Outkast, Lily Allen, Foster The People, Danny Brown and many more at Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands, Friday July 25 – Sunday July 27

Untzz Twelve Inch Wax On, Wax Off By Augustus Welby end up playing a mixture as none of the unreleased stuff I play has been pressed and there are lots of tracks I like and want to play that I don’t own on wax.”

Mills and HVCK will run the gig as a back-to-back live and DJ set. Opting to perform in close coordination suggests that the pair has an in-depth understanding of one another’s taste and live approach. Even so, Mills says they won’t be fi guring out a detailed strategy beforehand.

“DJ sets are barely pre-planned at all. Maybe one of us will say, ‘Keen to play wacky afro shit,’ or something, and we will both ride off that for a while, but that’s about all.

W

ax, glorious wax. Anyone paying attention to the discourse surrounding music sales in recent years would’ve caught wind of the so-called vinyl resurgence. Not only has vinyl reclaimed its place as the preferred listening format, it’s quickly overtaken CDs as the go-to release method for young artists.

This Saturday, Adelaide’s vinyl-only indie imprint Untzz Twelve Inch takes over The Spice Cellar. Providing the entertainment for the evening will be thebrag.com

two of the label’s founders, producers and DJs HVCK and Mic Mills.

“I think there has been a massive turn in recent years back towards buying and playing vinyl,” Mills says.

“Personally I can’t stand browsing through digital music stores as there seems to be no quality control. When you press a record and it’s costing thousands of dollars it’s a massive risk, so a lot more thought goes into what you are releasing and there are a couple of layers of quality control.”

Mills’ recent single releases showcase his penchant for sample-heavy, soul-infl ected house music, which harkens back to a sepia-tinged earlier era.

Vinyl, therefore, seems the natural destination for these tracks. Not surprisingly, he prefers to spin records when DJing as well.

“I’m not a collector in the sense that I have to have everything, but I do end up buying quite a lot of records,” he says. “[When DJing] I defi nitely prefer to play wax, but

“The live show will have preplanned elements scattered amongst heaps of improvised stuff. Completely pre-planning it would guarantee a safe show but we are more interested in the little moments of magic that happen when you just jam and go by feel.”

Untzz Twelve Inch was founded two years ago, essentially to serve the needs of Mills and HVCK as well as co-founders Babicka, Freddie Norwood and Dass. There were no initial plans for expansion, but the label has since stamped its name on releases from fellow Adelaide acts Francis Inferno Orchestra, LK and Furious Frank.

This impressive roster of house producers draws attention to the

City of Churches’ burgeoning underground club scene.

“The Adelaide scene is all about two clubs – Sugar on the east end and Cuckoo on the west end,” Mills explains. “There are some really great people here dedicated to bringing down the best acts, despite the fact that the population is so much smaller than Sydney or Melbourne.

I’ve seen literally hundreds of interstate and international DJs at Sugar and Cuckoo, which are both quite intimate settings, meaning the experience is always really personal. That’s been really inspiring for me.”

Mills speaks proudly about the swell of activity in his hometown, but he’s not drawn towards any superfl uous city-versus-city statements of superiority.

“I’ve had a great time both times I’ve been to Sydney. No major contrasts really. The parties I’ve played at in Sydney and the people I’ve met have actually reminded me quite a lot of Adelaide.”

What: Jägermeister Spice Presents Untzz Label Night With: Mic Mills, HVCK, Robbie Lowe, Sam Francisco, Marc Jarvin Where: The Spice Cellar When: Saturday July 26

BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 35

club guide g send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

club pick of the week The Acid

WEDNESDAY JULY 23

Goodgod Small Club

The Acid

World Bar, Kings Cross. 8pm. $10.

El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills.

10pm. free.

El’ Circo - feat: Resident Circus Act Performers Slide Lounge, Darlinghurst.

7pm. $109.

FBi Hands Up! - feat: DJ Clockwerk + Special Friends With Benefits FBi Social, Kings Cross.

11:30pm. free.

Focus - feat: Alex + Rossco + Zac Slade + Jonothan Big-J Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

Klub Kids Does The Laundry - feat: Kid Kenobi + Northie + Alex Preston + Ramske + Flex Cop + Kerry Wallace + Toby Neal + Andrew Wowk + DJ Skoob + Fingers + Ra Bazaar Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

9pm. free.

Masif Saturdays Space, Sydney. 10pm. $25.

My Place Saturdays Bar100, The Rocks. 8pm. free.

Pacha Sydney - feat: Tigerlily + The Only + Danny T + Ben Morris + Ted Nugent + Spenda C + Nanna Does + Fingers + Jace Disgrace + Just1 + Devloa + Dylan Sanders + Heke + Mike Hyper + Danny Lang + Stu Turner + Trent Rackus Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 9pm. $32.

Palms DJs Lansdowne Hotel,

Chippendale. 11pm. free.

Saturday Dysney - feat: Champain Lyf + Baby.Face.

Thriller + Tgmn + 1Fm1 Ching-a-lings, Darlinghurst.

8pm. free.

Sienna Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs The Establishment, Sydney.

9pm. free.

Soda Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs Playing Disco And Funk Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

Spice 26.07 Untzz Label Night - feat: Mic Mills + Hvck + Robbie Lowe + Sam Francisco + Marc Jarvin The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

7pm. $25.

The Chop - feat: Jae Moon + Ink Stains + DJ Raine Supreme + DJ Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 6pm. free.

Trash 7th Birthday - feat: DJ Matticus + DJ Amy Maree St James Hotel, Sydney. 9pm. $10.

TyDi Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

S.A.S.H Sundays Home Nightclub, Sydney.

2pm. $10.

Sunday Sessions - feat: Cadell + Tom Kelly + Ocky Goldfish, Kings Cross. 4pm. free.

Sunday Spice 27.07 - feat: Scuba Stew + Aaron Andrew + Lloyd James + Guests The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

9pm. $10.

Sundays In The City - feat: Various DJs The Slip Inn, Sydney. 12pm. free.

HIP HOP & R&B

Childish Gambino Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park.

7:30pm. $74.90.

One Day Sundays Vic On The Park, Enmore.

1pm. free.

MONDAY JULY 28 CLUB NIGHTS

Crab Racing Scubar, Sydney. 7pm. free.

SUNDAY JULY 27 CLUB NIGHTS

La Fiesta - feat: Samantha Fox + Agee Ortiz + Av El Cubano + Resident DJ Willie Sabor The Establishment, Sydney.

8pm. free.

TUESDAY JULY 29 CLUB NIGHTS

Chu World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

8pm. $42.50.

WEDNESDAY JULY 23 HIP HOP & R&B Kelis The Hi-Fi, Moore Park.

7:30pm. $60.50.

CLUB NIGHTS

Clicquot Winter Party The Winery, Surry Hills.

6:30pm. $55.

DJ Tom Kelly Goldfish, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

Morning Gloryville - feat: Klue + DJ Tricky + Person3 Paddington Uniting Church, Paddington. 6:30am. $22.

The Acid Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

8pm. $42.50.

The Wall - feat: Various Local And International Acts World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. $5.

Whip It Wednesdays - feat: Various DJs Whaat Club, Kings Cross.

9pm. free.

THURSDAY JULY 24 CLUB NIGHTS

36 :: BRAG :: 572 : 23:07:14

HIP HOP & R&B

@Peace + Plutonian Noise Symphony Play Bar, Surry Hills. 8pm. free.

Joyride Lo-Fi, Darlinghurst. 6pm. free.

FRIDAY JULY 25 HIP HOP & R&B

Hustler Fridays - feat: MC Shaba Hustle & Flow, Redfern. 7pm. free.

Jazz Hip Hop Freestyle Sessions Foundry616, Ultimo. 11:30pm. $5.

Vent @ Valve - feat: Usta + Vito & Harjot Singh + Hard Evidence + Dawn Laird + Beat Theory Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. free.

CLUB NIGHTS

Argyle Fridays - feat: Resident DJs The Argyle, The Rocks. 6pm.

free.

Club UFO Presents: R.O. + Jilted Hoods + Senka + Gelido + Ncrypt Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $15.

El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills.

10pm. free.

Factory Fridays - feat: Resident DJs Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. free.

Feel Good Fridays Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm. free.

Fresh Fridays - feat: @ Peace Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach. 8pm. free.

Frisky Fridays Scubar, Sydney. 5pm. free.

H / A \ M - feat: Nguzunguzu Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

11pm. $25.

Hydraulix - feat: De’kcuf + Lennon + Thossi + Ritual + Whitey + Alf Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

9pm. free.

Loco Friday - feat: Various Live Bands And DJs The Slip Inn, Sydney. 5pm. free.

Mobin Master Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40.

Soft&Slow 25.07 - feat: Astral DJs + Jamie Lloyd + Pink Lloyd The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

7pm. $15.

Tee Mall Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale. 11pm. free.

Voodoo Sydney Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 8pm. $25.

SATURDAY JULY 26 CLUB NIGHTS

Cakes - feat: 4 Rooms Of Live Music + DJs And International Guests

send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

WEDNESDAY JULY 23

Kelis

Morning Gloryville - feat: Klue + DJ Tricky + Person3 Paddington Uniting Church, Paddington.

6:30am. $22.

Kelis The Hi-Fi, Moore Park. 7:30pm. $60.50.

THURSDAY JULY 24 Sky Ferreira (DJ Set) + Fingertips + Snapback DJs Newtown Hotel, Newtown. 8pm. Free.

FRIDAY JULY 25 H / A \ M - feat: Nguzunguzu Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 11pm. $25.

Mobin Master Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40.

Soft&Slow 25.07 - feat: Astral DJs + Jamie Lloyd + Pink Lloyd The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 7pm. $15.

SATURDAY JULY 26 Klub Kids Does The Laundry - feat: Kid Kenobi + Northie + Alex Preston + Ramske + Flex Cop + Kerry Wallace + Toby Neal + Andrew Wowk + DJ Skoob + Fingers + Ra Bazaar Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. Free.

Pacha Sydney - feat: Tigerlily + The Only + Danny T + Ben Morris + Ted Nugent + Spenda C + Nanna Does + Fingers + Jace Disgrace + Just1 + Devloa + Dylan Sanders + Heke + Mike Hyper + Danny Lang + Stu Turner + Trent Rackus Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 9pm. $32.

Spice 26.07 Untzz Label Night - feat:

Mic Mills + HVCK + Robbie Lowe + Sam Francisco + Marc Jarvin The Spice Cellar, Sydney. 7pm. $25.

The Chop - feat: Jae Moon + Ink Stains + DJ Raine Supreme + DJ Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 6pm. Free.

TyDi Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

SUNDAY JULY 27 Childish Gambino Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park. 7:30pm. $74.90.

S.A.S.H Sundays Home Nightclub, Sydney. 2pm. $10.

thebrag.com

Kelis photo by Ryan Young

Fear Of Dawn Goldfish, Kings Cross. 8pm. free.

Goldfish And Friends - feat: Regular Rotating Residents Goldfish, Kings Cross. 10pm. free.

Hot Damn Spectrum, Darlinghurst. 9pm. $10.

Kicks World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

Lights Out Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 8pm. free.

Loopy - feat: Drty Csh +

Daschwood + Generous Greed + Guest DJs The Backroom, Potts Point.

10pm. $12.

Pool Club Thursdays - feat: Resident DJs Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 5pm. free.

Sky Ferreira (DJ Set) + Fingertips + Snapback DJs Newtown Hotel, Newtown.

8pm. free.

The World Bar Thursdays World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. free.

Thursday Spice - feat: Airspace + Marc Jarvin + Pesto + Guests The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

7pm. free.

Tomorrow Never Knows Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

7:30pm. $10.

Off The Record Dance and Electronica with Tyson Wray

DJ Dodger Stadium

J Dodger Stadium (AKA Jerome Potter of LOL Boys and Samo Sound Boy) have just dropped their debut LP Friend Of Mine – and it’s a stormer. The LA stalwarts have thrown together an eclectic album of ethereal house and curveball techno that’s guaranteed to be one of the highlights of the year. Extra listening: check out the mix that they spun for Resident Advisor last week – the Prince edit and Chief Keef dub are sublime. Word on the grapevine is that they’ll hit Australian shores in September alongside some other Body High alumni.

D

In other release news, last week Actress dropped a surprise EP Xoul out of nowhere (via Werkdiscs/Ninja Tune). It’s already sold out on Boomkat, so keep an ear out for re-pressings. More highlights from the past week include Randomer’s Residents (L.I.E.S.), Lowtec’s Workshop 20 (Workshop), Dario Zenker’s Mörsin (The Trilogy Tapes) and The Persuader’s long-awaited Autumn Leaves (Concrete Music).

Fans of prog will be delighted to know that Hernan Cattaneo and his luscious mane will be returning to Sydney later this year.

Full tour dates are yet to be confirmed but he’ll be in Australia over the September/ October period. You can win a double pass to the show of your choice on the tour by going to facebook.com/funftouring and entering the competition of how many hours Cattaneo will DJ for while in Australia.

More good news for prog fans – John Digweed has locked in a return to Sydney. Even better, it’ll also mark the return of the legendary garden parties at Chinese Laundry. The producer, promoter, DJ, label boss and radio host will hit Laundry on Saturday November 15. The party kicks off at 12pm.

More tour rumours: Swiss techno mistress Eli Verveine, Berlin’s Sammy Dee (whose releases have found homes on Perlon, Ultrastretch, Pokerflat and Kanzleramt), Cesare vs Disorder (BPitch Control and Get Physical) and Hamburg’s finest Matthias Meyer will all be visiting Australian shores over late November/ Actress

Eli Verveine early December. Keep an eye out for confirmed dates.

I mentioned last week that a stalwart of Sydney’s nightlife and one of the main Picnic party throwers, Andy Webb, had a huge amount of his records and gear stolen in Newtown. Well, this weekend the Sydney electronic music community will come together to throw a fundraiser in order to replace his gear. The We Love Andy Webb Fundraiser will go down at Goodgod Small Club on Saturday July 26. Webb, Ben Fester, Zeus, Dreamcatcher, Kali and Adi Toohey will all spin. Entry is $10 on the door, with all proceeds going to Andy.

ISSUE 137 - JUNE 2014

)$6+,21 )$6+,21 )$6+,21 -2851$/ -2851$/ -2851$/ ISSUE 137 - JUNE 2014

ISSUE 137 - JUNE 2014

MELBOURNE - SYDNEY - BRISBANE - ADELAIDE - PERTH

MELBOURNE - SYDNEY - BRISBANE - ADELAIDE - PERTH

MELBOURNE - SYDNEY - BRISBANE - ADELAIDE - PERTH

RECOMMENDED FRIDAY AUGUST 1 Madteo & Huerco S. Goodgod Small Club

SATURDAY AUGUST 2

) ) 5 5 ( ) ( ( 5 ( ( (

Phil Smart The Imperial

Tuff Sherm (AKA Dro Carey) Marrickville Bowling Club

SATURDAY AUGUST 9 Clouds Chinese Laundry

SATURDAY AUGUST 23

Clive Henry & Kid Kenobi Chinese Laundry Seekae Metro Theatre

Clearer Skies Clearer Skies Clearer Skies

Eli Verveine photo by Patrick Bucher

SUNDAY AUGUST 31 Alexis Raphael S.A.S.H, Home Nightclub

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22 Âme TBA

FA S H I O N & L I F E S T Y L E & M U S I C FASHION JOURNAL #137 ON STREETS NOW !

NEW NEW NEW FASHION JOURNAL WEBSITE...

Got any tip-offs, hate mail, praise or cat photos? Email hey@ tysonwray.com or contact me via carrier pigeon. thebrag.com

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BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14 :: 37

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red bull music academy ft peanut butter wolf

17:07:14 :: Goodgod Small Club :: 53-55 Liverpool St, Chinatown 8084 0587

belvedere winter ball

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up all night out all week . . .

20:07:14 :: Home Nightclub :: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour 9266 0600 38 :: BRAG :: 572 :: 23:07:14

ms. carter ft lavida

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s.a.s.h heads home

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19:07:14 :: Marquee :: The Star Sydney, Pyrmont 9657 7737

18:07:14 :: The Goldfish :: 111 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point 8354 6630 OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

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Australian Institute of Music

OPEN DAY

10AM - 3PM australian institute of music 1-55 FOVEAUX STREET, SURRY HILLS, sydney Contemporary Performance y Classical Performance y Music Theatre y Dramatic Arts Audio engineering y Composition & Music Production y Arts & Entertainment Management young AIM y AIM high school y short courses CRICOS 00665 665C