Blank Gold Coast issue #70 - August 2019

AUG 2019 / #070

ARE YOU READY FOR THE PINK FLAMINGO SPIEGELCLUB?

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The Waves BLUES, COVERS & ORIGINALS

THE PINK FLAMINGO SPIEGELCLUB Redefining Gold Coast entertainment

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t’s just around the corner, Gold Coast; the launch of one of the most hotly anticipated entertainment venues our city has ever seen.

The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub opening night is all locked in for Thursday 22 August. And the owners have recently announced show-stopping original masterpiece, SUAVÉ, as the show that will be kicking things off with a bang.

projected throughout the performance. It’s topped off with a state-of-the-art music system.

The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub is all set to position itself as THE regular stage show venue of choice, packed to the brim with eye-popping spectacle and the best cabaret talent on offer. A touch of sass, a sprinkling of sexy and a whole lotta sophistication are heading to the glittering shores of Broadbeach this winter when The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub unveils SUAVÉ upon unsuspecting crowds. Co-owner Susan Porrett chats to us fresh from viewing a rehearsal, and she sounds pumped.

The Pink Flamingo is being branded as the World’s First Spiegelclub on the Gold Coast, a place where mind-blowing acrobatics, daring aerial feats, laugh-out-loud comedy, and unbelievable cirque acts combine with singing, dancing and a splash of saucy scandal, just for good measure. It was a passion project for Sue and also for Coowner Tony Rigas, who has had a hand in some of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach’s hottest nightspots including Shooters, Quest Lounge Bar, and Opium.

“We just watched some of the acts - their full routines - and it was actually mind blowing,” she gushes. “Some of the acts are next-level incredible, really. I’ve been around the world a few times and seen a few acts!” Sue laughs.

That’s an understatement. Best known as CEO, Co-founder and Producer of award-winning creative powerhouse event company Aerial Angels, Sue has over 20 years’ experience in all forms of live shows and theatre. Having toured the world as both a sought after aerial performer and producer, she now devotes her time to creating hundreds of modern, state of the art stage spectaculars in Australia and around the world.

It’s this experience and the connections she’s made along the way that have enabled her to pull together the extraordinary team behind SUAVÉ, including renowned choreographer Anthony Ikin, and some of the world’s best cabaret performers.

“We have got quite a large pool of performers that know the work and shows we have done around the world,” Sue explains. “So when you get to this level and have a good reputation, you can get a wonderful selection of artists to choose from.”

The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub will have a state-of-the-art four metre diametre stage set amongst lavish pretty-in-pink surroundings, creating a unique, up close boutique viewing experience for guests.

The show backdrop is a 20-metre custom designed LED screen allowing amazing visual effects to be 4

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“The process has been interesting because I’ve had to choose performers for a small stage,” says Sue. “This is about 15% of the size of the stages I normally work on so that’s been a little bit tricky, but really challenging and fun!”

“I’ve been whinging for years that there’s been no really strong entertainment venues on the Gold Coast,” Sue pauses and chuckles.

“It’s quite well known that I’ve whinged about this!”

“We’ve got Outback Spectacular and Dracula’s, but there’s nothing really adulty, drinky, high end, plush, Vegas-style.

Something you take your first date out on and something to celebrate an important anniversary - apart from a lovely restaurant - so for me I believe this was a niche in the market that hadn’t been jumped on.”

The finer details of SUAVÉ are being kept tightly under wraps, and Sue is clearly wellpracticed at keeping vague when I press her about it.

“It’s absolutely a mix of cabaret, a huge cirque element, the Vegas dancer theme throughout, and vocals and beautiful aerialists. It features many talented artists from different countries.”

One of the more unique and exciting aspects of The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub is its

capacity to switch from lavish theatre to glittering nightclub, all in one night.

“We turn into an incredible late night venue afterwards,” Sue buzzes. “The late night venue is still an entertainment venue - there’ll be shows all through the night, 12am 1am, 2am.

We’ll have aerial acrobats, singers, dancers, and top international DJs once we’re up and running. The club is going to be incredible – we’ll have special effects, confetti, smoke machines, and some big acts going into it.

Image by Claire Dalton

“We want people to come back to Broadbeach and we want them to go out and go to the restaurants in the precincts,” Sue continues. “They can have a beautiful grazing platter with us after or before the show. Then come back to the after party at 11 and keep on going!”

Local performer Jane McPhee is one of the professional dancers locked in for SUAVÉ during its 12 month run at the new venue.

Back teaching dance on the Gold Coast following years doing shows at Moulin Rouge in Paris, Jane has also seen her fair share of the world’s best cabaret entertainment. I try to prise a little more information from her about what to expect from the show and her role in it, without much luck. She’s far too professional to give the game away.

“My interpretation of the show is that it’s beautifully sensual. It’s sophisticated but cheeky, with quite a lot of humour, it’ll be something really revolutionary for the Gold Coast,” she declares.

Quite the statement. As for prospective audiences, Jane has one piece of advice.

“I think people need to be open-minded and come ready to be completely surprised, because some people will come with expectations and I think we’re gonna rock them! It’s something the coast hasn’t seen much of. I know Gold Coast audiences and I promise, it’s going to be different.”

We can’t wait. Is it 22 August yet?

Natalie O’Driscoll

Tickets for at The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub are on sale now at pinkflamingogoldcoast. com.

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AUGUST 3 MUDGEE MUSTER, FIRTH PARK, MUDGEERABA Mudgeeraba Redbacks Rugby League Football Club annual fundraiser. Full game day, BBQ, raffles, lots of activiites including mechanical bull, live music.

Free family fun day facebook.com/even ts/2354339974809037

AUGUST 4 NUMINBAH VALLEY MARKETS, NUMINBAH VALLEYS SCHOOL OF ARTS, 2136 NERANG MURWILLUMBAH ROAD 8am – 1pm (First Sunday of every month)

AUGUST 10 - 11 GOLD COAST CAR SHOW, MUDGEERABA SHOWGROUNDS, 115 MUDGEERABA ROAD

AUGUST MUDGEERABA LAWN BOWLS CLUB, SOMERSET DRIVE, MUDGEERABA – LIVE MUSIC

Saturday 10th - RETRO FAMILY FUN DAY

AUG 16 - WHITEY (6pm)

AUG 23 - MOODY SKY (5.30pm) Sunday 11th - EVERYTHING ON AUG 30 - DECAFF DUO (5.30pm) WHEELS

AUGUST 24 PAWS IN THE PARK, MUDGEERABA SHOWGROUNDS, 115 MUDGEERABA ROAD The Gold Coast’s award winning dog amrkets. 9am – 2pm / FREE pawsatthepark.com.au

facebook.com/NuminbahValley

AUGUST 11 WATERFALL TRAIL RUNS, CHESTER’S ROAD,NUMINBAH VALLEY Four different trail run options on 2 different circuits – start and finish at Numinbah Community Hall runningcalendar.com.au/event/ waterfall-trail-runs

MUDGEERABA SHOWGROUNDS

goldcoastcarshow.com.au

AUGUST 24 2019 GOLD COAST BIGGEST TREE PLANTING DAY, 3804 NERANG MURWILLUMBAH ROAD 8.30 – 10.30 / Hosted by Gold Coast Catchment

SATURDAY NIGHT ONLY MONSTER TRUCKS FMX STUNTS & FIREWORKS

SEPTEMBER 13 - 15 WALLAPALOOZA, THE WALLABY HOTEL, RAILWAY STREET, MUDGEERABA

SEPTEMBER 15 BIG BOYZ TOYZZZ CUSTOM CAR & BIKE SHOW, ADVANCETOWN HOTEL

BOOK A TRADE STALL ONLINE

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Free to register and enter – Family Fun Day presented by Variety The Children’s Charity & The Car Craft Group

ALL YEAR NATURALLYGC/KOALA FRIENDS PROGRAM

Partnering with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and goldcoastcatchments.org/event/ Wildcare Australia, the City numinbah-valley-restorationhas developed a Koala project/all Friends Program which forms a component of the citywide Koala Conservation Plan.

TROPHIES UP FOR GRABS!

ADULT $20 SENIORS $15 STUDENT 13-17YRS $15 KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE! WITH PAYING ADULT

Sat 10th Aug 2019 Sun 11th Aug 2019

FAMILY DAY - RETRO CARS & CARAVANS 11AM - 7PM

EVERYTHING ON WHEELS SHOW CARS, TRUCKS & BIKES 7AM - 3PM 0439 170 882

0498 054 140

goldcoastcarshow.com.au

goldcoastcarshow@gmail.com

to apply for the Little Friends Scholarship Program can visit bit.ly/friendswithdignity to download an application form. Round five applications close on the 23rd of August, 2019.

ROCKIN 4 THE HOMELESS Rockin 4 The Homeless 2019 is staging its inaugural Gold Coast event on Friday 30 August 2019 at RSL Club Southport, featuring an all- Australian line up including You Am I and The SuperJesus plus supports.

All proceeds will go to The Movement Gold Coast; a registered charity that offers homeless outreach from Ormeau to Robina.

The event will allow the charity to grow with the needs of the community. For more information visit rockin4thehomeless.com.

SUNDAY SESSIONS AT SEAGULLS Seeking a lazy Sunday arvo session? Look no further than Seagulls Club, which during August and September is hosting local legends Scott Dayvee, Nicky Convine, Harry Nicols, Jock Barnes and Matty Rogers from 12pm – 3pm each Sunday, in the Lot 2 Garden. Oh, and it’s doggo friendly too, so feel free to bring your poochy pal along. Visit seagullsclub.com.au for more.

Photo by Q.U.I on Unsplash

REEF CHECK AUSTRALIA

THE GOLD COAST’S BIGGEST TREE PLANTING DAY IS BACK! This is an annual event that has engaged hundreds of community volunteers annually to rehabilitate the health of the city’s natural environment through the planting of 15,000 trees. Enjoy live music, food trucks, wildlife shows, indigenous workshops, native plant sales, interactive environment stalls and kids nature art and craft on August 24 from 11am till 3pm at 2804 Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Numinbah Valley. Why not make it a day out with the family and visit the Natural Bridge and the Hinze Dam at the same time? Visit the Facebook event page for more.

Reef Check Australia is an innovative citizen science focused charity dedicated to educating and empowering community volunteers to better understand, appreciate and protect oceans and marine environments. And It has just launched its Coast to Coral community lecture series on the Gold Coast. Join them at Karma Collab Hub, Miami for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of local marine, coastal and catchment environments. In August, marine ecologist John Gustafson will be sharing his research on the movement patterns of large sharks in Australian Coastal Waters. Entry is $3 including a slice of pizza. Head over to Reef Check Australia on Facebook to register for the event.

TAFE 2019 SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS The 2019 round of the TAFE Queensland Scholarships Program are open for applications and will close on August 29.

Scholarships up to the value of $5000 each are available to successful applicants to help with the costs of study. Scholarships are available across a wide range of eligible courses from certificate III to degree level.

The list of eligible courses is available on the scholarships website scholarships.tafeqld. edu.au. Scholarships are to support study at TAFE Queensland in Semester 1, 2020.

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE

BRISBANE FESTIVAL POPS THE CORK Pop the cork on a riotous champagne-soaked party or open the door on a tantalising glimpse into the unknown! Brisbane Festival has unleashed a spectacular program spanning three weeks from 6-28 September.

The delightfully-risqué world of Blanc de Blanc returns with a brand new show off the back of a record-breaking Sydney Opera House summer season. Fire Gardens will light up the City Botanic Gardens; City and Colour, Cub Sport and Last Dinosaurs headline a massive line-up of music at the Riverstage; and don’t miss the Australian exclusive of the spectacular Invisible Cities.

Tickets are on sale now at brisbanefestival. com.au.

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FARM AND CO OPENS ITS DOORS The latest establishment on the paddockto-plate block is Farm and Co, an organic market garden, farm store and café in Cudgen on the Tweed Coast. First and foremost a working farm, it has grown into a café and produce store. Guests are encouraged to breathe in the air and press pause while connecting with those around them and the lush farmland. Guest can also wander through the farm, enjoy the famous sunflowers, feed the pigs and chickens, take just a small moment to get back to nature.

Farm and Co is open Wednesday – Sunday for Breakfast and Lunch. Monday and Tuesday for coffee and cake only. Farm tours are open to the public by appointment.

Check out their socials for updates.

Gold Coasters are encouraged to join millions of people around the world in the Global #ClimateStrike on 20 September.

While GC details aren’t set in concrete, we can say the gathering will be for a few hours in the middle of the day, in a public and central Gold Coast location. And it’ll be a peaceful event for all ages, so mark your calendars now. Everyone is invited and everyone is needed at this #ClimateStrike.

Visit the Global Climate Strike Gold Coast event page on Facebook to RSVP and keep up with the details.

FRIENDS WITH DIGNITY LAUNCHES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Australian Charity of the Year 2018, Friends With Dignity, will soon launch the fifth round of its Little Friends Scholarship program. The program, which is an Australian-first, awards bi-annual monetary scholarships to children throughout Australia who have faced, or are facing, domestic or family violence. The educational and extracurricular scholarships help to cover a variety of expenses from helping kids attend camp and after-school activities with their peers, to providing uniforms. Anyone interested

LADY BEATLE COMES TO HOTA From the creators of celebrated Australian works Rumour Has It and Wrecking Ball comes the must-see live music event of the year: Lady Beatle – a kaleidoscopic journey through the Beatles’ most monumental hits. Starring UK-born Australian stage and screen star Naomi Price (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Rumour Has It, Ladies in Black, The Voice Australia) and inspired by true accounts, Lady Beatle is a rollicking magical mystery tour soundtracked by The Beatles’ biggest chart toppers, including Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Eleanor Rigby, Yellow Submarine and Penny Lane. Catch Lady Beatle on Wed 14 August, 7.30pm at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Tix at hota.com. au.

JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION

GC JAZZ & BLUES PRESENT THE SOUL MEN

STONE & WOOD’S BACKYARD INVITATIONAL There once was a band that played a Blues Brothers tribute show, but what happens when you outshine the ‘tribute’ mantle?

Welcome The Soul Men, ten musicians presenting the Blues Brothers as faithfully as possible. They’re not just a tribute act: they’re a time machine to an era where dropping the bass actually meant dropping your bass guitar. A big band comprised of four instrumentalists in the rhythm section, three in the brass section and three dynamic vocalists, The Soul Men energise the stage with a mixture of dance, laughter and the kind of tunes that’ll make you mourn what music once was. Catch them in the act on Wed 4 Sept, 7.30pm at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Tix at hota.com.au.

Held at the Surfstitch Warehouse in Burleigh Waters on 17 August, Stone & Wood’s Backyard Invitational Gold Coast invites over 20 independent breweries, two distilleries and a local kombucha to share their products and connect with drinkers, with intimate tasting stands, industry talks and masterclasses. Alongside the breweries, including local farmhouse brewers Currumbin Valley Brewing, Kaiju!

Beer from Victoria and Capital Brewing Co. from Canberra, there’ll be food trucks and live music throughout the day. Profits from the Backyard Invitational will be directed to a Gold Coast charity via Stone & Wood’s national not-for-profit, the inGrained Foundation. Tickets for the Backyard Invitational Gold Coast are $60 each plus booking fee, available at stoneandwood.com. au.

The Three Graces, Antone Bruinsma

SWELL PRESENTS SCULPTING MASTERCLASS WITH ANTONE BRUINSMA Expert sculptor Antone Bruinsma has fortyone years of experience in the timeless art of stonework, and this year he will be hosting a masterclass as part of SWELL Sculpture Festival’s education program. When you participate in his masterclass you’ll work out the design of your sculpture as a scaled-down clay model, based on natural organic forms, before Antone teaches you how to translate your creation using hand tools onto a block of light and easily-carved Mt. Gambier limestone. This masterclass is the perfect opportunity to look at SWELL in a new light and create your very own masterpiece sculpture. The class will be held over four hours on 21 September. To book, visit swellsculpture.com.au.

STORIES IN THE KEY OF GC Welcome to Gold Coast’s own storytelling night. Local wordsmiths will weave their tales in amongst a soundscape of live sound designed by Cold Ghost, the moniker for Gold Coast musician Fletch Babb. A jazztrained flautist and an Honours graduate from the Griffith University Popular Music program, Fletch released three independent alt-folk albums in WA before relocating and releasing Bachelor Tapes as Cold Ghost on the Gold Coast – a mix of alt-folk, rock and psychedelia, peppered with sonic surprises. Completely deaf in one ear due to childhood mumps, Fletch has created a feast for the senses in stereo by manipulating his own mono experience. Hosted by Bern Young, host of the Breakfast show on ABC Gold Coast, Stories in the Key of GC is a celebration of local culture, and the joy of story. Stories in the key of GC runs on Fri 18 Oct, 7.30pm at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Tix at hota.com.au.

Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Fleet Foxes, Tom Waits, Cam, American Authors, Irma Thomas, Tanya Tucker, Camila, and many more high-profile recording artists have been slated to join the panel of judges for the 2019 International Songwriting Competition.

Additionally, record label heavyweights from Republic, Capitol, Warner Records, Epic, Glassnote, Parlophone, Elektra, and more are also part of the judging panel that will be tasked with listening to and selecting the winners in the competition. In 2018, ISC received almost 19,000 entries from more than 140 countries worldwide. Apply at songwritingcompetition.com.

escape the cold and revel in the atmosphere of a European winter complete with a DIY cocktail garnish station, mulled wine, gluh wein and more! Fill the belly and warm the soul with the Winter Woodlands menu that features heart-warming favourites such as roasted chestnuts, delicious cheeseboards featuring Australian and International cheeses, antipasti platters, chilli con carne, baked camembert and Hervey Bay scallops.

For bookings, please visit saltbar.com.au.

OINK OINK! IT’S PIG DAY OUT Pig Day Out, the boutique music festival that packs a punch, is back baby, and the 2019 lineup is nothing short of killer. Tuka (of Thundamentals) will appear alongside Cakes, Chiggs & Kyle Shilling, Eliza & The Delusionals, Gratis Minds, Great Gable, Karl S Williams and more at BBQ Bazaar in Burleigh Heads on one action packed Sunday 8 September. It’s not just music either, with skating, live murals and a mouth-watering selection of food and drinks on offer too.

One of the most positive, fun and welcoming festivals around, Pig Day Out is the best place to come and chill with your mates, listen to awesome tunes and have a boogie. Full lineup and tix thru Oztix.

DRACULA’S HOSTS RAINBOW GALA NIGHT Dracula’s Gold Coast are hosting a Rainbow Gala Night to raise money for the LGBTI Health Alliance, a fantastic NFP charity focusing on improving LGBTI mental and physical health conditions around Australia.

With a lack of LGBTIQ friendly nightlife on the Gold Coast, Dracula’s is and has always been a safe space for people of all shapes, sizes and colours. So, on Thursday 29 August they will be dedicating the night to all things queer with some of our favourite local and national drag queens, and a few changes to the night, like pink Champagne for VIPs, rainbow confetti and special guest Art Simone joining us for some guest spots on stage. Tix through draculas.com.au.

ISLAND VIBE SECOND LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT SALT BAR & BISTRO TRANSFORMS THIS WINTER Salt Bar & Bistro has transformed into a winter woodlands August complete with an enchanting forest atmosphere and cosy winter menu of mulled wine, cider and delicacies from the land and sea. In collaboration with 5 Seeds Cider, the Salt Winter Woodlands is the perfect excuse to

Australia’s number one celebration of Reggae, Roots and Bass music, Island Vibe Festival is back for episode 14! Held annually at stunning Home Beach on Minjerribah (Nth Stradbroke Island) Island Vibe is also rated one of the world’s top eco-events. Their epic second lineup announcement includes Havana Meets Kingston SoundSystem ft Solis and Brenda Navarette, Monkey Marc, Moody Swing & Chevy Bass, Ganga Giri, The Sunny Coast Rude Boys and more. For the full lineup so far, check out islandvibe.com.au. www.blankgc.com.au

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KASEY CHAMBERS: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF CAPTAINING HEARTS

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he term ‘icon’ is not too strong a descriptor when it comes to renowned Australian country/roots artist Kasey Chambers. The daughter of pioneering country artist Bill Chambers, over the past few decades Kasey has firmly established herself in the upper echelon of the Australian music industry, as well as making her mark abroad.

And this year she is marking the 20 year anniversary of the release of her breakthrough debut album. ‘The Captain’, with a bunch of special commemorative performances which will take her all around the country, including a Gold Coast show at the Southport RSL on 21 September.

As far as debut albums go, ‘The Captain’ set an extraordinarily high bench mark in terms of rapturous respect and devotion from both music critics and fans alike, the album’s gorgeously iconic title track, together with numbers such as ‘Cry Like A Baby’ and ‘These Pines’, resonating across decades and genres within a template of classic country influences channelled masterfully through Kasey’s distinctively Australian experiences and world view. The album went double platinum in Australia, cracked the top 50 of the US Billboard Country charts and resulted in Kasey receiving her first ARIA Awards, for Best Country Album and Best Female Artist.

On the line with a charming and down to earth Kasey, glowing from a recently returned African sojourn with her kids, I was surprised to learn about a very specific African connection to the album.

"The funny thing is, I took my first trip to Africa 22 years ago, which was about the time I was writing 'The Captain' album. So a lot of the album was not only inspired by Africa, but actually written in Africa!"

And upon randomly joking if her subsequent African adventures had inspired her to incorporate African thumb piano into future recordings, Kasey also had a topical anecdote to share on that matter; "I just got back from Africa and when we were over there, these two beautiful kids taught me and my guitar 12

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player this traditional Zambian hymn. And when we left for Zimbabwe, we saw these two guys on the street playing thumb piano - although it was a double one, which means you can play a whole heap of different notes on it that you can't play on the regular ones.

We ended up bargaining with one of the guys and buying it off him, and what we've done is learnt this traditional Zambian hymn on that thumb piano. And I just recently said to Brandon, my guitar player, ‘we've got to put that into the (upcoming) set!’. Because on 'The Captain' tour, I'm going to be talking a lot about where the songs came from and what they were inspired by.

So it would be perfect if we

played that song (on thumb piano) in the set... share a little bit about Africa and how it's inspired me musically over the years. I was very excited that you asked me such a random question, I thought that would be the last thing I'd be asked this week, haha!"

From African inspirations, talk turns to the special place that the album's title track holds in the hearts of Kasey's fan base. Upon asking her of its resonance on a personal level and why she thinks it's been so special, she opens up.

"Without a doubt it's my favourite song I ever play - I've literally performed it at every single gig across the past 20 years! It's one of those songs I never get sick of.

"If I had to sing one song for the rest of my life, I'd happily sing 'The Captain'. I think I just find a real comfort in that song… there's just something about it that I really connect with.

"I think that when you're being 100% real in something creative, that's what resonates with people, whether they know it or not. And I know you can't always plan that, it's not necessarily black and white.

But I think as an artist, when you connect that deeply with something, it often will resonate with other people.

Then it transcends, genre, or lyrics, or chords. I think I've realised over the years that authenticity is the easiest sell.

When you're being authentic, people are going to buy into that. You can't really make that up. Which I love - that we don't really have as much control around that stuff as we think we do. One of the most frequent comments I've had throughout my whole career is people saying to me ‘I don't really like country music but I like your stuff ’. And I used to be pretty confused by that, because, I mean, I'm pretty 'country' and I've got one of those whiny country voices, haha. But I think it's that authenticity. Genre and all that doesn't really matter, if someone is doing something really creative and authentic, you almost can't go wrong. Which is a beautiful thing, to let yourself gravitate to what feels right, when you're making it and when you're listening to it."

Anthony Gebhardt

Country-roots legend Kasey Chambers will be performing her 20 year anniversary tour of breakthrough album, ‘The Captain’, throughout Australia throughout September and October. Local fans can rejoice, with two local-centric shows scheduled at the following venues: Friday, 20 September: Fortitude Valley Music Hall, Brisbane Saturday, 21 September: RSL Club Southport, Gold Coast.

Ella Fence returns with

MONSTROUS NEW SINGLE

E

lla Fence is a name that most local music aficionados would already be well familiar with.

The multi-instrumentalist singersongwriter has been rapidly making waves, both at home and abroad over the past 18 months, off the back of her hypnotically captivating and cinematic electro-pop muse. She's even managed to diversify into the world of acting, making her debut in the lead role of a performance of Snow White.

She’s currently working on her debut full length album, which is something we’re pretty darn excited about. And now she has returned to public consciousness in the form of a cracking new single, ‘Don’t Feed The Monster’. Check out our ‘New Gold Coast Music’ column for more about it.

Ella took time out from her busy schedule recently to have a chat about the new song, as well as what's on the horizon. A full transcript of the interview is available on the Blank GC website.

Congratulations on the new single, 'Don't Feed The Monster'. I see you co-wrote it with Brad Hosking. What was it like working with him?

and toxicity; within society, within your relationships, within yourself.

We said something along the lines of it not being good enough to say you disagree with a system, but actively partake in that system, or become inactive within the experience, so "don't feed the monster". We then used that line as a launch pad for the rest of the track.

No name yet for the album, I think that will come when it's finished. I want the album to have variation, but also continuity. There will be elements of this track's style of production throughout the rest of the album, but I'm actively giving the listener an experience, I want to take people on a journey.

I can't wait to sing this song live, it sounds so full and exciting with a full band - plus I can't wait for the song and music video to be out in the world everywhere.

Earlier this year you were selected to participate in the Women In Music Mentorship Program. How has your involvement in that played out?

How is your debut full length album coming along - does it have a name yet? And is the new single fairly indicative of the vibe of this upcoming release?

It was great, this mentorship opportunity helped me to really define areas that I wanted to improve on as a musician and businesswoman and I've grown a lot professionally throughout the process.

How would you like to see 2020 transpire in the world of Ella Fence?

2020 is focused on overseas – touring, making music and new adventures in different parts of the world, not dissimilar to the travel I've done in the past, but this time I've got those other overseas trips under my belt and I'm more ready than ever to take on international opportunities.

Thank you! This was the first or second song Brad and I wrote together, and since then we've written a few more songs together and he's also producing a few I've written. He's so well versed when it comes to music and since working with him I feel like I've not only walked away with a great catalogue of new songs and excellent production, but I've learned so, so much as well.

To celebrate the launch of her new single, ‘Don’t Feed The Monster', Ella Fence is playing the following shows across the month of August:

Can you tell us a bit about the background of the song and how it came together?

Friday, 30 August: Heya Bar, Brisbane

The track started as a conversation Brad Hosking and I had, because I was furious quite specifically about the female experience in the music industry and I was triggered. It has since grown to encompass so much more than just one theme – it's become about negativity

Sunday, 4 August: Lakeside Sessions Launch at HOTA (supporting Baker Boy)

Managing Editor: Natalie O’Driscoll Creative Director: Kylie Cobb Partnerships Manager: Amanda Gorman Partnerships: Simone Gorman-Clark

Contributors (print and online): Natalie O’Driscoll, Anthony Gebhardt, Leisen Standen, Marj Osborne, Zac Fahey, Anna Itkonen, Prudence Clark, Pip Andreas, Glenn Tozer, Nicole Browne, Simone GormanClark, Nadia Achilles, Alicia Kent-Rooney, Marjorie Skea, Gio Siregar, Brendan Shanahan, Samantha Morris, Kylie Cobb, Peter Wheeler

Editorial: news@blankgc.com.au Advertising: advertising@blankgc.com.au Gigs: gigs@blankgc.com.au Front Cover: Imagery supplied by The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub

Acknowledgement of Country We genuinely respect and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and play. We honour their elders past, present and emerging as well as the rich contribution that continues to be made to society through art, story and music.

About us: Blank GC is independently owned and published by Samantha Morris and Chloe Popa. Founded in 2013 we are the Gold Coast’s independent cultural voice and we rely on advertising as well as our generous contributors to keep us in the fray. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editor, publishers or the writing team.

Saturday, 31 August: HOTA Basement Anthony Gebhardt

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FRI 4 OCT

SHANNON NOLL HAVE A BEER WITH NOLLSIE TOUR

SAT 19 OCT

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THE DELTA RIGGS

keeping it real at the Crafted Beer and Cider Festival

W

ide-screen indie rockers The Delta Riggs are gearing up to headline the upcoming Crafted Beer And Cider Festival, taking place at Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach on Saturday 7 September. Now up to its third instalment and already acknowledged as the Gold Coast’s number one beer and cider event, this year sees the festival deliver their best line up of drinks, music and food yet.

On the beer and cider front, 37 breweries, (offering more than 200 different beers!) will be in attendance, including local beer legends such as Balter, Black Hops and Burleigh Brewing, as well as a host of quality craft breweries from all over Australia. 2019 also marks the emergence of a Craft Spirits Bar, which will feature offerings from the likes of award-winning Miami craft distillery Grandad Jacks. There’ll also be a bumper range of gourmet eating options and food trucks on hand.

This year also sees the Festival ‘go green’, with patrons receiving a free reusable cup, to help the environment one beer at a time! And be sure to look out for the ‘Jimmy Brings People’s Choice Awards’, which will give you the chance to vote for your favourite beer or cider on the day.

And then there’s the music, with seven class acts on the bill, including renowned headliners The Delta Riggs. Now based in Melbourne (but originally from the Gold Coast area), the past few years has seen the band consolidate their burgeoning reputation and take their edgy yet anthemic rock to a whole new level, both locally and abroad.

The band have been busy recently dropping some killer new singles over the past six

months, including the just-released number, ‘Reality’, which guitarist Jesse Pattinson describes as “a song for the dreamers about looking inward to create your own change and not getting caught up in the details.”

The bands headlining performance at Crafted Beer And Cider will be somewhat of a homecoming for the guys, with Alex super keen to showcase plenty of the punchy new numbers.

The song serves as a precursor to an upcoming new album from the lads (their fourth), called 'Modern Pressure', which is scheduled to see the light of day on 6 September via Inertia Music. For a band that has typically churned out records fairly rapidly, it's been three years now since their last release, the extremely well received 'Active Galactic'. Says lead guitarist Alex Markwell, who also doubles as the bands inhouse producer for the most part:

“We're all Goldy boys and that's where we met, all those years ago, playing at the Hard Rock Cafe for a bit of fun, while some of us were still in other bands. For the upcoming shows we're doing a bunch of rehearsals over the next month. We can't come out with a new record on the horizon and just play the same show we did last time. So we'll probably load up half the set with the new songs, and fill the rest up with stuff that people (hopefully) like. I certainly get excited playing the new stuff!"

"I remember with the second record, we recorded it in like seven days or something, but with this new record, for one of the tracks we recorded about four different versions over many months, before going back to the original, haha! I guess with this one, we didn't want to put a bunch of pressure on ourselves. We wanted to give ourselves the chance to really get into the songs, then sit back and listen to them objectively, to work out which were the best versions".

As for what fans can expect from the new record, Alex offer up the following take on the sonic delights to be found within 'Modern Pressure'; "There's a couple of curve balls in there. But mainly I think we went back to being a bit more band oriented, less 'bells and whistles' and building on the sound of our last few albums without losing the original integrity of what we sound like as a band, trying not to follow trends and that sort of stuff. Elliott, the singer, plays drums a lot on this record. Wherever possible we set the band up in the studio, where we at least nailed the bass, drums and rhythm guitars live."

The Delta Riggs will be headlining a killer line up of music as part of this year's Crafted Beer and Cider Festival, on Saturday 7 September. Other artists appearing on the day include WHARVES, Seaside, Nice Biscuit, Concrete Surfers and Jack Botts.

Anthony Gebhardt

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15

The Wayward Suns

SHIFTING BACK INTO FOCUS

T

he last time we had a natter with Gold Coast cosmic groove merchants The Wayward Suns, they’d just detonated their highly impressive debut platter, ‘Paradigm’, which saw the band nominated in the prestigious ‘album of the year’ category at the 2018 Gold Coast Music Awards.

Since then, the band have been on an ever-upwards trajectory, from triumphing at Australia’s largest ‘battle of the bands’ competition to turning up on bills with some of Australia’s most dynamic artists, including Sneaky Sound System, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and the Gold Coast’s very own Electrik Lemonade Which brings us to the release of their brand spanking new single, ‘Real Shift’, a defiant shout out-out against the rampant consumer/ capitalist paradigm of our times. Check out our New Music column for a full run down on the new number.

The track serves as a precursor to an upcoming new album. In the lead up, we nabbed an enlightened chat with the bands MC/DJ, Instinct the Lyricist.

When do you expect the new album to be out? And is there anything you can reveal about it?

As we gaze deep into the hidden haze of our crystal ball which sits before us at Love Street Studios, the reflection from the glass in the booth whispers a subtle sweet sound - 2020.

All vision is 20-20 in hindsight. The album won't be early, it won't be late, yet it will arrive right on time as all good wizardry does.

Listeners can expect a vivid spectrum of sound, sonically emitting hues of blues, the effervescent green roots of reggae and the infrared resonance of rock infused with the indigo of conscious hip-hop.

Does the band have a preference when it comes to laying it down in the studio vs busting out your jams live?

Great question, currently we are in the midst of that perplexing puzzle. Most of our creative tracks have had that bottled 'jam magic' right from the moment we breathe life into them. However there have been moments where the haze clears and we awake at the base camp of a mountain magic and wander down our musical cross road, and call to the four elements of the unbiased engineering ear. This is always a humbly welcoming experience, many hands make light work, no challenge.

What next for The Wayward Suns for the rest of 2019 and beyond?

We'll be independently sticking to our plan - doin' it and representing the Real Shift the only way we know, loving everybody.

Anthony Gebhardt

The Wayward Suns 'Real Shift' live music launch shows have the support of some of the East Coast’s finest underground acts such as Katie Who, Masterwolf, Lemaire and Flaskas to name a few. The Real Shift single launch party kicks off in Brisbane on 9 August at the Woolly Mammoth.

GETTING GAME WITH HOODZY T

here’s a bodacious new up and comer on the Gold Coast music scene, who goes by the name of Hoodzy. She tells it like it is on her triple j Unearthed bio, describing herself as; “17, female, gay, brown skin and chasing the same dream even if the odds are already against me. I’ll never be ashamed of who I am. The world is mine. If you’re rocking with me, all love is for ya’ll.”

Her smart and sassy hip-hop vibes, encapsulated within the rhymes and rhythms of her impressive embryonic releases, ‘Young Girl Steez’ and ‘Nightmare’, have already caught the attention of both fans and taste makers alike, with Hoodzy recently featuring as triple j’s Unearthed ‘artist of the week’.

We recently got in touch with Hoodzy, to shine a light on her story and what she’s all about.

Can you tell us a bit about the Hoodzy story?

What inspired me to start this whole journey was really my love for music. As a kid growing up in a Polynesian family, music is in our blood. It's what makes us happy.

It's been around 2-3 years since I've started rapping and making my way into the scene.

Who are three of your biggest musical influences?

Three of my biggest musical influences would have to be Lauryn Hill, Nadia Rose and Skepta. Just the rhythm and ease that flows from their music is out of this world.

What are your thoughts on the Gold Coast music scene and are there any other local artists that you particularly admire?

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The Gold Coast music scene is growing more than ever right now. I'm looking forward to seeing new artists do their thing. One of the hardest locals coming out of the Gold Coast right now would have to be Home-Zee definitely one to look out for.

You recently appeared on triple j's hip hop showcase show, 'Bars Of Steel' - what was that like for you?

It was one of the most nerve wracking things I'd ever done, considering that it was one of my first times in a studio. But it was also one of the most exciting experiences of my journey so far.

Do you have any upcoming live performances that you can share with us?

Right now I'm just focusing on getting some new music out, keeping my head down. I may pop up in Brisbane sometime soon hopefully!

How is the rest of the year shaping up in the world of Hoodzy?

I'm just hoping to put out some mad new music, make my mark in the scene and put my city on the map.

Where do you see your music taking you over the next 5 years – do you have any big dreams or long term goals?

It would have to be building a platform for upcoming female rap artists to be able to feel like they belong in the game as much as anybody else. So within the next few years that's where I'd hope to be.

Check out Hoodzy’s tunes on Soundcloud or her triple j Unearthed page.

Anthony Gebhardt

JAZZ LEGENDS TO GRACE THE DUST TEMPLE STAGE

G

old Coast events company Artemus Events continues to bring the goods to the intimate, concert-style space at Dust Temple Currumbin with their latest world music event featuring jazz and improvisation champions Rhiannon (vocals) and Laurence Hobgood (piano). Renowned in worldwide jazz circles for their engaging live shows and virtuosic talents, the two of them are set to present ‘The Two of Us’ to an eager crowd of music lovers on 10 August. We shot them some questions ahead of the show.

In your experience, how do people tend to find their path to improvisation? It must take a great deal of bravery!

Rhiannon: People often begin improvising very young and then don’t have access to study. If they maintain their music studies, at some point they realize that there is a piece missing. I often have singers come to study with me who are deeply on their music path but understand they left behind that primal piece of improvising. Often they come because they feel something missing with only repertoire. It is a huge revelation to realize that improvisation can open new pathways for them. Other singers come who have always loved to improvise and don’t have a career in music but have this longing to be around others who treasure the spirit of music that is often revealed in improvisation. They are brave but they also come from every possible walk of life and to find one another gives them courage.

How did your collaboration come about?

Laurence: I first met Rhiannon back when I worked with Kurt Elling, I think around 1999 or so. Then a few years ago she reached out about trying some duo explorations and we discovered a real kindred spirit energy — Rhiannon is able to conceive melodic ideas spontaneously like no singer I’ve ever known. We sometimes invent about half of what we’re playing right there on the spot — it’s rare for any musician to be able to do that in as beguiling a way as Rhiannon does it.

What is unique about this current collaboration? What about it fills your soul?

Rhiannon: We use improvisation as the core element of our performances. We have also added about 10 songs we both love which we can use during the evenings. We never know when or which ones we will use so we keep the

improvisational element but we have song form to anchor parts of the evening. No matter what I sing, I am aware that Laurence is right there. I think he feels the same about me.

We protect and care for one another. We also challenge one another to reach, to go further. It is a beautiful relationship.

Are you willing to share an experience in your life that was healed by music?

Laurence: My brother was in a coma from having suffered a major stroke; after I arrived at the hospital my nephew brought in a terrible little Casio keyboard — I think 28 little minikeys? — and I started playing. Just about fifteen minutes later my brother started “waking up” — within another half hour he was squeezing the doctor’s hand, one squeeze for yes, two for no, letting us know he was still in there. It was a deeply profound experience.

artemus events

Tickets & info | artemus.com.au

Laurence Hobgood & RHIANNON

International (US) Jazz musicians & master educators | piano & voice

AUSTRALIAN TOUR | Gold Coast

PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS #liveatdust #jazzatdust #folkatdust #bluesatdust #worldatdust

Rhiannon, what is your favourite part about performing?

I like the adventure of creating in the midst of a crowd of people who are all part of the music. I am aware of the circle in the room Me and Laurence are one part of the circle, the audience is the other half. The energy moves both ways.

Life performance is thrilling in that way, especially when improvising because the audience is aware of the thrill and danger, the presence of the invention.

We all go on this journey together.

Is there anything that you’d like people to know about your upcoming performance on the Gold Coast?

Laurence: Musically, Rhiannon is the equivalent of a poet laureate — her spontaneous melodic sense is unparalleled in my experience. And her humanity and compassion are deeply evident in her “musicking” (a term I’ve adopted from people smarter than myself.) As an improvising pianist I’ve never met anyone else who could interact at this level — it’s a true joy!

Natalie O’Driscoll

Catch Rhiannon and Lauren Hobgood’s show ‘The Two Of Us’ at Dust Temple Currumbin on Saturday 10 August.

It will be a performance like no other. Tickets via artemus. com.au. To read the full interview, pop on over to blankgc.com.au.

LIVE AT DUST TEMPLE

54 Currumbin Creek Road

Thurs AUG 8th CIRCLE SINGING Workshop With RHIANNON

At the Old Dairy Communty Hall The Ecovillage , Currumbin Valley 10 am - 3pm | $90 (lunch included)

Jazz Singers Jam Night GC Dust Temple | 7.30pm | $15/$20

Fri AUG 9th

Laurence Hobgood In Concert & RHIANNON

Dust Temple | 7.30pm | $50/$60

Sat AUG 10th IT'S ALL MUSIC Workshop With Laurence & RHIANNON

At the Old Dairy Communty Hall The Ecovillage , Currumbin Valley 10 am - 3pm | $120 (lunch included)

Laurence Hobgood In Concert & RHIANNON

Dust Temple | 7.30pm | $50/$60

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17

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

S essions

DOG F R I E N D LY EVENT

12-3PM LOT TWO GARDEN SCOTT DAYVEE NICKY CONVINE – HARRY NICOLS JOCK BARNES – MATTY ROGERS

FRED’S PLACE FUNDRAISER! $3 STONE & WOOD SCHOONER WITH THE PURCHASE OF A MAIN MEAL. 100% DONATED! SEAGULLS PRACTICES THE RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL.

THE HILLBILLY GOATS

31 AUG

FROM 8PM

FREE SHOW

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

BONDI CIGARS

07 SEP

FROM 8PM

FREE SHOW

Gollan Drive, Tweed Heads West, NSW 2485 | T +61 7 5587 9000 | seagullsclub.com.au

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19

AUGUST THURSDAY 1 AUGUST Hoon + Scab Baby + Liquid Face + Plastik | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed) James Street Preachers | The Scottish Prince Free The Genie | The Cambus Wallace

AlphaStomp | Ric’s Bar, Fortitude Valley

Roots & Reggae w/ Selecta Vzion | The Cambus Wallace

Matthew Armitage | Eddies Grub House

Matthew Armitage | The Cambus Wallace

Kenny Slide Music | Westover Tavern, West Ballina

Amber Mic Productions | The Scottish Prince

Miss T & The Anchormen (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Luke Houselander | The Scottish Prince

SATURDAY 3 AUGUST

WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST

Tim Rogers | HOTA (Ticketed)

Electric Zebra | Vinnies Dive

James Street Preachers | The Cambus Wallace

Eleea Navarro | Cabana Bar & Lounge

Rael | Soundlounge (Ticketed)

Joe Conroy (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack

Free the Genie | The Cambus Wallace

Scott Dav-Vee | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Coast to Country | Southport Sharks

Choice Brew | Ground n Sound

FRIDAY 2 AUGUST Regular Band + Hell & Whiskey + Honeygum | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed) Unkle Unit + Deja Vudu + Local Anomaly + The Aunites | The Rompa Room, Nerang Skyscraper Stan | The Scottish Prince Joshy Dredz | The Cambus Wallace Damo Cox | Aviary Rooftop Bar Pepper Jane | Ground n Sound Winter in the Vale (6.00pm): Felicity Lawless + Obi Sun | Helensvale Library & Cultural Centre Peach Fur + Wharves | Mo’s Desert Clubhouse (Ticketed) Brazillian Trio + Amy Roberts | Miami Marketta Chocolate Starfish | Studio 56, Miami Marketta (Ticketed) Jacob Murray | Balter Taproom Benny Whiskey | Burleigh Brewing Co. Hayley Grace & The Bay Collective | Southport Sharks

GNGE | Aviary Rooftop Bar 90’s Rock Spectacular: Paradise City & Alive Show | RSL Club Southport (Ticketed) Jet Club Effect (Covers) | Southport Sharks South All | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

SUNDAY 4 AUGUST Baker Boy + Ella Fence | HOTA (Ticketed) Sally Sa | The Scottish Prince Lily Budiasa | Burleigh Brewing Co. Hayley Grace | Cabana Bar & Lounge David Orr Band + Lily Taloola | Miami Marketta Benny D Williams (1.00pm) | Burleigh BBQ, Burleigh Heads

The Yams | The Scottish Prince

THURSDAY 8 AUGUST Fripps & Fripps | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed) Free The Genie | The Cambus Wallace James Street Preachers | The Scottish Prince Kristie Roberts | House of Brews Coast to Country | Southport Sharks Bella Paton | Milk Factory, Brisbane

FRIDAY 9 AUGUST Nullum Void + Jollee + Die For Mushies + Tokyo Beef | The Rompa Room, Nerang The Wayward Suns + Lemaire + Masterwolf + Katie Who | Woolly Mammoth Ale House, Brisbane (Ticketed) Fangz | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed) To Be Enjoyed | Ground n Sound

Laurence Hobgood & Rhiannon | Dust Temple (Ticketed) Mescalito Blues | Kingscliff Bowls Club, Kingscliff

Benny D Williams (3.00pm) | The Avenue

Scott Day Vee | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Gregg Peterson | Burleigh Brewing Co.

SATURDAY 10 AUGUST

AlphaStomp (1.00pm) | Fisherman’s Wharf

Port Royal | Vinnies Dive The Waves Band + Izzy Day | Miami Marketta Beddy Rays + Loose Leaf + Lotus Ship + Daisy Brains + The Ether + Shivvs + Smorgasbord + More | Coolangatta Hotel (Ticketed)

Sunday Sessions: Nicky Convine (12noon) | Seagulls Club

Amy Elise | Ground n Sound EDEN Music Festival: Mood Swing & Chevy Bass + Twilight + Purple Hayes b2b Surge + Like Liquid + Tranceducer + ZigMon + TOYO + MORE | Country Paradise Parklands, Nerang (Ticketed) Stan Walker | Metro Church Gold Coast, Varsity Lakes (Ticketed)

GNGE | Aviary Rooftop Bar

James D’Khan Trio | Last Night on Earth

Stephen Lovelight | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Mexcalito | Burleigh Brewing Co. Laurence Hobgood & Rhiannon | Dust Temple (Ticketed)

Bluescorp | The Bearded Dragon, Mt Tamborine Salmonella Deb Sound System (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

MONDAY 12 AUGUST Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

TUESDAY 13 AUGUST Jammin with Who: Katie Who + Guests | The Avenue Mel Scarlett | The Cambus Wallace

Almost The Greatest Gig On Earth (Tribute) | HOTA (Ticketed)

Amber Mic Productions | The Scottish Prince

Madonna feat Cyndi Lauper (Tribute) | Southport Sharks

WEDNESDAY 14 AUGUST

Paris Lane | Cabana Bar & Lounge

Rustbucket | The Bearded Dragon, Mt Tamborine

Black & Blues Duo | Eddies Grub House

Shaun Kirk | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Thelma Plum | Miami Marketta (Ticketed)

Mescalito Blues | Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff

MONDAY 5 AUGUST

Felicity Lawless | BBQ Bazaar

Marco (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Little Fritter | The Cambus Wallace

3Play | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

TUESDAY 6 AUGUST

Jack Casey | Balter Taproom

SUNDAY 11 AUGUST

Jammin with Who: Katie Who + Guests | The Avenue

The How Dare You’s | The Scottish Prince

Jackson Dunn (3.00pm) | Burleigh Pavillion

Dirty Channel Duo | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Mason Rack Band | CSI Club, Southport

Just Jessie | Aviary Rooftop Bar

Winter in the Vale (6.00pm): Taylor + The Lyrical | Helensvale Library & Cultural Centre

Rock the Ages Glam Show | BBQ Bazaar (Ticketed)

Open Mic Sunday Sesh (12.00pm) | Ground n Sound

Mikey Edwards (2.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe

Sunday Sessions: Scott Dayvee (12noon) | Seagulls Club

Matt Schlam (2.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe

T.S.O.L + Coffin | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed)

Adam Hole Blues Band | BBQ Bazaar

Joe Conroy | The Cambus Wallace

Thelma Plum | Studio 56, Miami Marketta (Ticketed)

Chloe Behrens | Cabana Bar & Lounge

Chalk | The Zoo, Brisbane

Brazillian Trio + Roo | Miami Marketta

Open Mic Sunday Sesh (12.00pm) | Ground n Sound

Kenny Slide Music | Eagle Heights Hotel

Electrik Lemonade | Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff

Lady Beatle | HOTA (Ticketed) James Street Preachers | The Cambus Wallace The Yams | The Scottish Prince Billy Joel Tribute | RSL Club Southport (Ticketed)

THURSDAY 15 AUGUST Faint Accompli + VOIID + Visas | Vinnies Dive Free The Genie | The Cambus Wallace James Street Preachers | The Scottish Prince

Mantlepeace (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack

Amber Mic Productions | The Scottish Prince

Mufassa and the Pride + Ben Camden | Miami Marketta

WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST

Free The Genie | Last Night on Earth Ryan Munro | Balter Taproom

Kristie Roberts | House of Brews

Ari | Aviary Rooftop Bar

Coast to Country | Southport Sharks

Bella Parton | Burleigh Brewing Co.

FRIDAY 16 AUGUST Collins Class + Handful Of Helmet + Persons Unknown + Odd Socks | The Romper Room, Nerang Cigany Weaver + Karrie Hayward | Miami Marketta The Poor & Palace of the King | Coolangatta Hotel (Ticketed)

Tully & Eliza | The Scottish Prince

THURSDAY 22 AUGUST Shag Rock | Vinnies Dive

Peach Fur | BBQ Bazaar

Free The Genie | The Cambus Wallace

ARC | The STAR (Ticketed)

Katie Who | The Scottish Prince

Victor Cripes | Eddies Grub House

Coast to Country | Southport Sharks

Hein Cooper | Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff Fierce Mild | The Foundry, Brisbane

Damo Cox | Aviary Rooftop Bar

Dan Hannaford Duo | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Gooch Palms + Surf Trash + Shivvs | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed)

SUNDAY 18 AUGUST

Shimmydisco | The Cambus Wallace

Jewells & The Wolfepack (11.00am) | The Bearded Dragon, Mt Tamborine

Alexander William | Ground n Sound

Angelo Pash | The Cambus Wallace

Angelo Pash | The Scottish Prince

Jazzy Jams w/ The Yams | The Cambus Wallace

Dale Walker | The Scottish Prince

FRIDAY 23 AUGUST The Wayward Suns + Paging Jimi + Dreams of Indigo + Bones Rivers | The Rompa Room, Nerang Serial Killer Dinner Party + Bonnie Doom + Regular Gonzales + Grizzly Shark + Kaloptic + The Aunties + Whiskey Grinn | Vinnies Dive Bob Evans | Soundlounge Marea Lambert-Barker | Aviary Rooftop Bar

SATURDAY 24 AUGUST

MONDAY 26 AUGUST

Cactus + Machine Machine + Kurilpa Reach + Victor Bravo | Coolangatta Hotel (Ticketed)

Marco (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Hilltop Hoods | Riverstage (Ticketed)

Jammin with Who: Katie Who + Guests | The Avenue

How Dare You’s + Humblet | Miami Marketta

Lily Budiasa | The Cambus Wallace

Mick Albeck & Hamish Dutton (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack Free The Genie | Last Night on Earth Shimmy Disco | Aviary Rooftop Bar Bronte Eve | Eddies Grub House Mondo Rock | The Star Gold Coast (Ticketed)

Bones River | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

FRIDAY 30 AUGUST

SUNDAY 25 AUGUST

Sunday Sessions: Harry Nicols (12noon) | Seagulls Club

Purple Zain | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Matthew Armitage | The Scottish Prince

Benny Hanna | Cabana Bar & Lounge

Benny D Williams | Saltwater, Currumbin

KARLOU | Miami Marketta

Mikey Edwards (2.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe

Purple Zain | Eddies Grub House The Switch (Covers) | Southport Sharks Mescalito Blues | Pottsville Sports Club, Pottsville Benny D Williams | Brothers, Kingscliff Lemaire | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

SATURDAY 17 AUGUST Tori Levett | Coolangatta Hotel (Ticketed)

Bullhorn (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

THUR 22 – SUN 25 AUGUST Gympie Music Muster: Chase Rice + Hayseed Dixie + Kasey Chambers + The McClymonts + Tex Perkins And The Fat Rubber Band and More | Gympie (Ticketed)

MONDAY 19 AUGUST Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

TUESDAY 20 AUGUST Alisha Todd | The Cambus Wallace

Saba Brothers | Hard Rock Cafe

Kristie Roberts | House of Brews

Coast to Country | Southport Sharks

Deck Acoustics | Currumbin RSL

Maddy Thompson | Cabana Bar & Lounge

THURSDAY 29 AUGUST

Sistermister (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Open Mic Sunday Sesh (12.00pm) | Ground n Sound

Motley Crue Show (Tribute) | BBQ Bazaar (Ticketed)

Gary Collocott | The Scottish Prince

The How Dare You’s | The Scottish Prince

Benny D Williams (4.00pm) | Balter Taproom

The How Dare You’s | The Scottish Prince

Jazzy Jams w/ The Yams | The Cambus Wallace

AlphaStomp (1.00pm) | Advance Town Hotel

Rob Edwards | Burleigh Brewing Co.

BRCKS | The Cambus Wallace

WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST

Free The Genie | The Cambus Wallace

Soul Movers + Jax Haze | Miami Marketta

DVNA | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Amber Mic Productions | The Scottish Prince

The How Dare You’s | Miami Marketta

Liv Heyer | Cabana Bar & Lounge

Matthew Armitage | Balter Taproom

TUESDAY 27 AUGUST

Holy Serpent | Vinnies Dive

Kenny Slide Music | The Cambus Wallace Benny Hanna | Cabana Bar & Lounge

The Mason Rack Band | Southport Sharks

Sunday Sessions: Jock Barnes (12noon) | Seagulls Club

Josh Hamilton | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Benny D Williams (3.00pm) | The Avenue

AlphaStomp | Jubilee Hotel, Fortitude Valley

The White Tree | Burleigh Brewing Co.

Kenny Slide Music | Royal Mail Hotel, Brisbane

Jessica Jasmaine (2.00pm) | Hard Rock Cafe Killer Queen | Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff Sub Tribe (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Super Nudist + From The Well + Commonside + Dawn of Dusk | The Rompa Room, Nerang Shredfest | Vinnies Dive (Ticketed) Shimmydisco | The Cambus Wallace Brazillian Trio + Budjerah | Miami Marketta Little J | Aviary Rooftop Bar Ben Amor | Burleigh Brewing Co. Jon Stevens | Studio 56, Miami Marketta (Ticketed) Jason Delphin | Balter Taproom Rockin 4 the Homeless: You Am I + The Superjesus + Diana Anaid + Team Utopia + Colt Seavers Band + Tokyo Beef | RSL Club Southport (Ticketed)

⭐ DANNY WIDDICOMBE & TRICHOTOMY Between The Lines

STONE RISING Stone Rising Stone Rising are a four piece hard rocking juggernaut who have been honing their amped-up craft at a grassroots level around the Gold Coast and Northern NSW regions for a number of years now.

Their self-titled debut album represents the culmination of their ‘jammed-out’ approach to making music, made up of the cream of their output, forged within practise sheds and selected stages and mini-festivals over the past ten years.

The album was recorded in Mullumbimby at the renowned Hydrofunk Studios (founded by Resin Dogs legend Dave Atkins.)

One can hear elements of classic era AC/DC, with a dash of ‘Electric’ era Cult, within the scuzzed-up grooves of the album’s ten hard rocking numbers. Vocalist Greasy Belcher can howl and growl with the best of them, channelling both his inner Oz rock front-man while also touching upon the upper registers of Ian Astbury (front man of The Cult), when the occasion calls. Meanwhile, the rock solid rhythm section of bassist ‘Roxxon’ and drummer ‘Dave’ keep things tough and tight throughout. And ace lead guitarist ‘Rowie Riot’ channels his inner-Slash (in both look and axe skills) throughout, his fist pumping licks adding both punch and panache to tracks such as the hell raising ‘Hell Yeah’, the head nodding boogie-rock of ‘Beaten Track’ and within the tough grooves of power packed opening number, ‘Waco City Blues’.

The riff-tastic ‘Rollin’, resplendent with lines such as; “Rollin’ through the weekend, goin’ off the deep end, bringing all my money to spend tonight” taps into the hearts and minds of generations of pub rock devotees across this vast land. This is followed (naturally), by the rollicking strut of ‘Party With The Band’, because, after spending all your money, what else are you gonna do at the tail end of a boisterous night of loud rock and roll!?

The band are also adept hands at taking things down a notch and expanding their horizons, with closing number, ‘Long Hard Road’, unwinding across its epic eight plus minutes, ebbing and flowing from contemplative beginnings to rousing build ups and back again. The type of track that would once upon a time induce bouts of cigarette lighter waving and arms over shoulders swaying with beers aloft within the live realm.

With this self-titled offering, Stone Rising have delivered a tough as teak, dependable hard rock manifesto.

Anthony Gebhardt

'Between The Lines' serves as an introduction to the amalgamated muse of multi-ARIA award winning songwriter Danny Widdicombe and eclectic instrumental trio, Trichotomy, who have lovingly paid homage to 70's songwriting titans of yore such as Van Morrison and John Martyn, in particular when they dabbled in bringing in noted session and jazz musicians to flesh out their recorded works.

The album, Danny's fourth solo outing all up, could loosely be defined as residing within the margins of the 'jazz-folk' spectrum, with tasteful lashings of 70's AM radio. But to peg it exclusively as such would be a mistake, the collaborators pleasingly augmenting their approach with splashes of cinematic, widescreen grandeur and moody, film soundtrack invoking moments of swoon-worthy delight.

Case in point: 'In a Natural Way', which impressively elicits the gods of orchestrated chamber-pop with its gorgeous wash of pedal steel and sweeping strings. Later track, 'The Garden', also invokes a similarly cinematic vibe, bringing to mind the moodier works of masterful Tuscon, Arizona collective, Calexico.

The straight-up poppy, jazz-folk approach is probably best represented in numbers such as album opener and lead-up single 'I'm Not Around' and 'Let’s Get Lost', where Widdicombe delivers an emotive, world weary vocal performance as the band lock into a keyboard driven groove in turns smooth and insistent.

The title track drifts along off the back of smooth, jazzy piano and double bass, Widdicombe's soulful accompaniment another classy homage to those aforementioned classic 70's songwriters of yore. While 'Popo' focuses the spotlight exclusively on the band, a blissful instrumental moment inflected with Hawaiian vibes.

'Coin Drop' injects sweet and sighing female backing vocals into the mix and 'Red Hill' stirs in a dash of Neil Young's country rock vibes, a piano interlude momentarily returning it to jazzier territory. While 'Hold On Tight' adds even more light and shade to the sonic palate with lashings of tasteful Hammond organ accompaniment.

Final number, 'Sea Thing' radiates on a pillow of strings, piano and fluttery drums, as the music floats off into the ether.

With 'Between The Lines', Danny Widdicombe and Trichotomony manage to straddle the oft-tricky divide of delivering impeccable song craft while injecting an aura of playfulness and adventure, but without over-complicating things. A highly impressive, world class release, right here on our own doorstep.

Anthony Gebhardt.

BIGSOUND REVEALS FINAL SHOWCASING ARTISTS

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ustralia’s biggest new music event BIGSOUND has unveiled its list of tomorrow’s superstars with Mojo Juju, These New South Whales, Adrian Eagle, imbi the girl, Cry Club, + more leading a second and final live announcement of 68 performing artists rounding out a total of 147 of Australia’s best new artists.

Gold Coast artists DVNA, Ivey, and Saint Lane will be wowing BIGSOUND crowds, alongside Bobby Alu, Aquila Young and Being Jane Lane, who were included in the first announcement. And let’s not forget the Gold Coast showcase on 5 September where Ivey and DVNA will take to the stage with scuzzy surf-rockers, Radolescent.

Produced by QMusic, BIGSOUND brings together over 200 of the top talent scouts from across the world, music fans from across Australia and the hottest artists from across the region in a unique musical speed-dating extravaganza. It’s four big nights of a choose-your-own-adventure live music discovery, where no two schedules are the same.

BIGSOUND will again help launch international careers, like previous alumni Flume, Courtney Barnett, RUFUS, Tash Sultana, The Jezabels, Middle Kids, Gang of Youths, DMAs, The Temper Trap, DZ Deathrays and so many more with the $100,000 Levi’s Music Prize back to help make success a reality for this year’s cohort.

BIGSOUND also unveils the final list of 18 official venues that will host this impressive cross section of emerging musical talent, forming a map of Fortitude Valley’s best live music venues to zig zag to and from in the search for your new favourite acts. From the intimate rooms at Black Bear Lodge and Heya Bar, to the main stages at The Zoo, The Brightside, and Crowbar, or the world class outdoor stages at The Valley Drive In, The Elephant Hotel, and Ric’s Big Backyard, as well as welcoming newly opened venue The Outpost, no two venues are the same and no two showcases will compare.

BIGSOUND runs in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley from 3-6 September. For all information and ticketing options, visit bigsound.org.au.

Natalie O’Driscoll

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23

OFF THE RECORD From Crisis to Collapse

CORRINA BONSHEK SINGS TO THE EARTH Image: LAMP Photography

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his month, Prudence from Off The Record chatted with Ian Konrad, guitarist from the local metal band, ‘From Crisis to Collapse’.

In between writing new material and gearing up for the ‘Dead of Winter’ Festival in July, Ian finds inspiration in books for the band’s lyrics and like us, loves an uneasy read.

Could you start off by telling me a little bit about your music and any new music/ tours you are currently working on/about to release?

Our music is an amalgamation of many underground genres. It contains elements of death metal, thrash metal, hardcore and hardcore punk amongst others but we generally boil it down to Extreme Metal.

In February 2019 we released our debut EP 'The Seventh Tree'. It contains music that we have honed since 2015 and represents us collectively, musically and conceptually.

Lyrically, themes cover the personal, political and metaphysical with a lot of room for interpretation.

We finished an Australian tour with Superheats and 36 Crazyfists in April and are playing the Dead of Winter festival in July and supporting Soilwork in October.

We also have some other tour and show plans in the works. Additionally, we are working on new music and currently have about 7 new tracks in advanced demo form that we hope to record late 2019/early 2020.

Are you reading anything at the moment?

Tell me a little bit about it.

I have just finished Selection Day by Aravind Adiga and The Blade Artist

by Irvine Welsh. Although very different books, both tackle issues of forging identity (new or re-imagined) while confronting expectation, tradition and status.

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Any books that have influenced your music or your life in some way? How so?

I enjoy authors (and art generally) that does not wallow in the sentimental. This is a hard thing for me to articulate but there is a vibe I get from certain books or authors that makes me uneasy and yet intrigued that I find stimulating.

As for influencing me musically, I can say that I get inspiration for song names or lyrical phrases from books all the time (although I am not the lyricist). In fact, our band name From Crisis To Collapse came from a book I read (Sorry, but I actually cannot recall the name of the book!) I often try and keep a note of these phrases to help Angus with lyrics and song names.

Favourite authors/genres?

I love fiction, in particular authors like Christos Tsiolkas, Aravind Adiga, Andrew Mc Gahan, Irvine Welsh and Indra Sinha.

What makes you pick up a book? (cover or word of mouth) Definitely word of mouth, book reviews and author reputation.

If I came over to your place, what books would I find on your coffee/bedside table?

ALDI catalogue or Proust or...?

A lot of Irvine Welsh, some Charles Bukowski, Kate Grenville, John Birmingham, Christos Tsiolkas.

A world without books and music would be....

A world I would be loath to inhabit.

Prudence Clark

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he music of Gold Coast composer Corrina Bonshek has been described as “deeply spiritual”, and once you’ve listened to it, you can understand why. Inspired by the sounds and patterns within nature and her own meditation practice, Corrina’s works transport listeners into her space, and ask them to sit and contemplate a while. Her work made her the perfect choice to compose an original orchestral piece for musical installation Song to Earth, which debuted at Bleach* Festival 2018 and Commonwealth Games Festival 2018. Song to the Earth is now going global, having recently been picked up by Rainforest Fringe Festival in Malaysia, so we decided to chat to Corrina about this exciting development, and what else she might have in the works.

We haven’t spoken with you since before Song to Earth premiered at Bleach* Festival 2018. How was that experience for you, and was there anything about it that surprised you?

Song to the Earth was a real milestone for me. It is by far the largest work I have created as a composer and an artistic director, and it was developed in the context of rapid learning on how to pitch, create and fund a large-scale site-specific work for a festival as part of the Generate Program.

Looking back, I was crazy ambitious. I composed 90minutes of music that was performed by 60 musicians led by DeepBlue and Dr Michael Askill. It was presented as 3 x 30minute performances for a walking audience, who strolled or sat amongst a forest of musicians under the night sky, inside a circular performing space bordered by beautiful music-responsive light sculptures.

In what ways did you have to re-jig Song To The Earth in order to make it work in its new setting at the Malaysian Rainforest Fringe Festival?

The third part of Song to the Earth features gongs and Persian violin of Shah Kaman, and is incredibly spacious and expansive.

It works on the principle of simultaneous independent time-cycles. This allows different music to co-exist: Greta Kelly’s Esfahan mode melody performed on Shah Kaman (Persian violin); Adrian Jo Milang’s powerful Kayan Parap or sung epic poems of the Kayan people; and the music played on Michael Askill’s incredible collection of gongs. I used digital processing as a bridge between these elements, creating ghostlike versions of Adrian’s voice that floated around the edge of the performance space and sounded, at different times, like a gong/ voice hybrid, or an eerie, slowed Shah Kaman.

We understand you are doing a residency at HOTA later in the year with your work Laniakea, as part of the inaugural HOTA Creative Development program. Are you able to give us any hints about what it might entail?

Laniakea is a synaesthetic experience that plays with shifting perception of time and space and celebrates the connection between humans and the stars, and the intimate and the infinite. You’ll see human figures journeying in space amongst active threads of light that suggest molecular, cellular and cosmic space in momentum.

With the music, you can hear subtly different simultaneous versions of Pipa and percussion music expanding outward like stars or galaxies in an ever-expanding universe.

Natalie O’Driscoll

Visit bonmusic.com.au for more news and works from Corrina. You can read the full interview over at blankgc.com.au.

GOLD COAST CITY CHOIR CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH SYMPHONIC MASTERPIECE

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his September sees Gold Coast City Choir celebrate 50 years of being an essential part of the City’s musical tapestry. The choir is honouring its birthday by performing Karl Jenkins’ 2017 album ‘Symphonic Adiemus’ at HOTA, Home of the Arts, and in a further nod to the auspicious occasion, the popular choir and its accompanist Mrs Marie Nicholson will be joined on stage by the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra.

Symphonic Adiemus is a masterpiece of contemporary composition, melding elements of classical, jazz, and world music that takes performers and audience alike on an uplifting musical journey. Working with the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, the choir will bring this dramatic and moving collection to life for the first time in Queensland. (Its first Australian live performance was in 2018).

effort ‘The Armed Man’ was listed as No. 1 in Classic FM's Top 10 by living composers.

Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins is renowned for his unique contributions to the world of music, and remains one of the mostperformed living composers. In 2008 Jenkins'

“Sue Roberts (director) has continued to challenge us, as have past musical directors, and this event is about celebrating our history and looking toward our future as a contemporary and relevant music group.”

Events Co-ordinator Julie Watson explains the choice of repertoire.

“50 years is such a wonderful milestone for any organisation, and as a musical group, we wanted to bring something new and exciting to the choir and the Gold Coast,” she says.

The choir will also have the support of Mt Tamborine business Hampton Estate Wines, who have sponsored a raffle prize for the gala event; a two-night stay in their boutique guesthouse, with a lunch voucher for the winery included.

Natalie O’Driscoll

Symphonic Adiemus plays at HOTA, 7.30pm Saturday 14 September. Tickets are priced between $28 - $38, available at hota.com. au.

BRISBANE’S BIGGEST PARTY RETURNS!

STRUT & FRET PRODUCTION HOUSE (AUS)

5 – 28 SEPT

T H E C O U R I E R - M A I L S P I E G E LT E N T

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The Gold Coast’s most exciting new music, rappers effortless flow. The track is tough and straight to the point just like her bio where she describes herself as “17, female, gay, brown skin & chasing the same dream even if the odds are already against me. I’ll never be ashamed of who I am. The world is mine.

If you’re rocking with me, all love is for ya’ll.”

Hoodzy is definitely one to watch

me into the man I am today. But this song is not just a tribute for them, it's also a song for anyone really. Anyone who loves each other and music!”. Grab your mates and turn it up to 11, ‘Kingscliff ’ will tear you a new one!

PURE MILK SET EXPECTATIONS HIGH The cover art to Pure Milk’s new single ‘Expectations’ is an image of a person chugging down a beer bong, which well and truly sets some expectations for what the track is going to sound like. The lyrics are about getting loose at a party as the image suggests, but it certainly sounds like the band had a night off the booze for the writing and recording of the track. ‘Expectations’ is a well-written rock tune filled with hooky guitar lines, interesting drum patterns and smooth vocal delivery. The track comes out on 21 August and will be followed by an EP set for release in October

AN ALL ENCOMPASSING CONCEPT ALBUM FEEL THE WRATH The Wrath have just released fast-paced goth/ punk anthem ‘Long Time Dead’. It’s been a while between drinks (or double bass lines) for the five piece, but they’ve come out firing here, backing up their 2015 debut album in style. Keeping it nice and local, the track was recorded by Nic Carpenter at Core Studios and the video was shot, directed and edited by local legend Luke Sorensen. You can catch the band performing live at Wallapalooza on Saturday 14 September at The Wallaby Hotel.

The Eden Project by Melissa Black offers a diverse mix of genres and is best described in her own words as “Piano driven songs supported by solid groove, understated guitars and a conversational vocal delivery which evokes the rich Australian landscape and an empowering feminine essence.”

The project is an all-encompassing concept album that Mellissa Black has clearly poured her heart and soul into. Begin the journey at melissablack.com.au.

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL Strange and compelling, Atlamer's Muse new track ‘Half Heart’ cannot really be defined or pinned down to a particular genre. The Gold Image by Claire Dalton Coast two piece have been making weird and wonderful music together for just over a year now and have recently released their debut EP ‘Storm Seed’. Take a listen and draw your own conclusions as to what they sound like, you won’t be disappointed.

RAPID FIRE WITH KARAMILK One month after the release of her debut single ‘Gone’, Gold Coast’s freshest electro pop artist Karamilk has dropped a follow-up single called ‘Living’. Clearly taking notes from other upcoming Aussies such as Mall Rat, Karamilk has channeled the polished pop sound and made it her own. The track was written about making the most from what you have in life and that’s exactly what 21-year-old Erin Foster seems to be doing with her music.

STRONG DEBUT FOR MDWS MDWS (pronounced “Meadows”) is the solo project of Electronic R&B artist Callum Meadows. Developing a love of singing and songwriting at an early age, Callum first dabbled as a folk singer before artists like Flume caught his attention and he focused his attention on electronic music. His debut album ‘Another Year’ was released at the end of July and is a certified banger. Nine tracks of beautifully produced electronic-pop that lands somewhere between Flume and Hayden James, ‘Another Year’ is a frontrunner for the best electronic release on the Gold Coast this year.

WE ALL DRIVE TO KINGSCLIFF We All Drive have an absolute massive sound for a two piece, which they have harnessed with their latest single ‘Kingscliff ’. Drawing inspiration from DZ Deathrays and Royal Blood, the track was written about mateship, as front man Joel Sims explains - "My friends were pretty much the reason I would go to school every day. They helped and moulded 26

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SHIFT INTO PARTY MODE WITH THE WAYWARD SUNS We’ve described them as “a genre-blending menagerie of reggae, blues, roots and funk underpinned with hip-hop inflected grooves and a dash of rock” in the past and their latest release ‘Real Shift’ certainly follows suit. The groove-heavy tune dances around scratched audio samples, seamless rap verses and a full live band. It’s the kind of highenergy party song that makes you want to push over your work desk and run to the nearest dance floor. Join the party at their single launch on 9 August at the Woolly Mammoth in Brisbane.

SYRUP, GO ON RELEASE STUNNING DEBUT Local trippers Syrup, Go On have one of the best band names in Australian music right now and have just released an epic debut album ‘Last Light’. 11 tracks full of surprises, it’s the kind of record you can press play on again as soon as last song finishes.

Syrup, Go On have managed to channel their progressive, jam-like style and put it to record on their first try; something many bands struggle to ever do correctly. Wild synths, catchy hooks, reverb guitars and delay steal the show in this hazy experience.

It’s definitely worth a listen or 10.

HOODZY DEFIES THE ODDS Young rising star Hoodzy burst onto our radar last month after she was featured as triple j unearthed high’s artist of the week.

Her track ‘Nightmare’ is a fast-paced, glitchy hip hop jam that captures the 17 year old

ALISHA TODD CAN DO NO WRONG Over her musical career, Alisha Todd has experimented with several vastly different

curated by Zac Fahey styles, from her country music roots growing up in North Queensland to the travelinspired, theatrical folk sound of her last single ‘Icelandia’. Her latest offering ‘Lose You’ sees her teaming up with producer and collaborator Scotty French at Love Street Studios and absolutely nailing the roots reggae sound. With the resurgence of reggae thanks to contemporary bands like Ocean Alley, there are a lot of similar sounding three cord reggae tracks kicking around at the moment, all seeming to gel into one knee-dropping basic groove. ‘Lose You’ is far from your run-of-the-mill roots track; the groove is locked, it’s catchy as hell and Todd’s vocal performance is outstanding. Reggae certainly suits Alisha Todd and we’d love to hear an album full of these kinds of tracks.

overachieved, producing something mature and well beyond her years. The title track and its supporting video is definitely the EP highlight; filled with emotion it touches on the loss of a close friend.

FIRST TASTE OF ELLA FENCE’S DEBUT ALBUM

HAUNTING ALT COUNTRY WITH CATHERINE GUNTHER ‘Dangerous’ is the latest single from Americana artist Catherine Gunther. Her intention is clear and her emotion in raw through this frolicking number about a toxic and intoxicating relationship turned sour.

Both ‘Dangerous’ and her 2018 single ‘Buried Alive’ were produced by Golden GuitarWinning producer Jared Adlam and will feature on her forthcoming third EP set for release later this year.

Ella Fence walks straight from the Gold Coast Music Awards red carpet back into the spotlight with arguably her best release to date ‘Don’t Feed The Monster’. Regular Blank readers will know that we are big supporters of Ella here, so it would be no surprise that we’re especially excited to hear the news that this will be the first single from her long awaited debut album. In Ella’s own words he describes her new body of work as “baroque electro pop rich in imagery and lyrical detail.” A description that fits perfectly for the new single. Catch her one-of-a-kind performance at HOTA’s first Lakeside session on 4 August alongside Young Australian of the year / indigenous rap superstar Baker Boy.

KARLOU’S YOUTH ANTHEM Brisbane band, Gold Coast Drummer… we’ll take it because it’s so damn catchy. KARLOU’s ‘Bad Choices’ is a youth anthem of sorts, a modern day electro pop banger that will have you singing along, living (or revisiting) your youth after the second chorus. Produced by Gold Coaster Brad Hosking who’s seen his fair share of hits playing in Amy Shark’s band, ‘Bad Choices’ follows suit getting the job done in just over three minutes. If you want to hear more from KARLOU head along to Miami Marketta on 16 August to see her live.

IVEY KEEP GROWING FULL COMMITMENT FOR BELLA PATTON “I sing I play I have no plan B - music is my life” - This is Bella Patton’s mantra and is the kind of dedication you need to have a successful music career these days.

With her attitude well and truly sorted, the young Gold Coast songstress has given us her first offering, a beautiful three track EP titled ‘Early’. Writing the songs while still in high school and recording them in her first studio experience, Patton has

Ivey have literally grown up on the Gold Coast Music scene and it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch. Their latest offering ‘Bodies’ sees the band turn down the jangly guitars and turn up the synths, achieving a more indie pop/electro feel. The slick video enjoyed a massive premiere via triple j Unearthed and sees a sneaky little throwback that only true Ivey fans will recognise. In the closing scenes you can see the band jumping on a bed together in a tiny room that looks exactly like first their ever homemade video for ‘Smell Of Smoke’.

SEND YOUR PRESS KIT WITH A LINK TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC, A BIT ABOUT YOU AND A HIGH RES PIC TO...

NEWMUSIC@BLANKGC.COM.AU

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GHOST STORIES with Adrienne Kenafake

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niquely talented weirdo Adrienne Kenafake has been making quite a name for herself in the Gold Coast art scene over the last five years. Exploring the darker side suburban Australia, her work utilises the mundane but places it in the context of the paranormal, bizarre and occasionally the downright gross.

And frankly, we can’t get enough.

Fresh off the back of her confronting musical sculpture collaboration HOME SURGERY at punk venue Vinnie’s Dive, Adrienne is taking up a residency at one of the Gold Coast’s most exciting and innovative art spaces – The Walls in Miami. A match made in some kind of bizarro heaven, you might say. We shot her a few questions about her recent works, and upcoming piece DUPLEX.

During your residency at The Walls you are exhibiting a piece called DUPLEX which explores ‘the uncanny parallels between hyper normal suburban environments between Western Australia and the Gold Coast.’ What is the story behind this work and the connection between these two areas?

Project DUPLEX opens the door to a parallel universe, The Satellite Place, where you could be anywhere, everywhere and nowhere all at once. The exhibition (held at The Walls on Saturday 3 August) will be a multi-sensory experience that incorporates performance, sculpture, sound and installation. DUPLEX is the result of two back to back residencies,

the first in Perth at the Midland Junction Arts Centre and now on the Gold Coast at The Walls. The project has been supported by the City of Gold Coast’s Regional Arts Development Fund Germinate program.

"The work arises from my personal love/hate relationship with the Australian suburbs. An environment I perceive as presenting profound moments of human experience behind a facade of normality, sameness or overwhelming blandness. " Growing up I frequently visited Western Australia to visit my grandparents. Even as a child I found the place incredibly stimulating for the senses. I have a great deal of fond memories and have always been drawn to the artistic community there. Geographically, Perth is also a nice reflection of the Gold Coast with the coast facing the opposite way and the sun setting over the ocean. Late last year I went for a short trip back to Perth and found myself wandering the streets and seeing houses that reminded me of certain areas on the Gold Coast. I felt disturbed and disorientated - estranged somewhat from the close connections and familiarity one usually associates with neighbourhood. Everything was familiar, but I was 4000km from home Was I in a parallel universe??

On return to the GC I created a list of 12 everyday objects that I saw repeatedly in

both places. The interrogation of these objects has become the basis of the works in the exhibition.

Your work is provoking, and it stirs. It asks us to step out of our own thought routine, of what we usually like to see. What stirs you to put things out in the world the way you do? What is your voice hoping will get heard?

night is Saturday 3 August 5 - 8pm with performances from 5:30pm.

To read our full interview with Adrienne, visit blankgc.com.au.

Image: Lucy Parakhina.

www.blankgc.com.au

Story by Natalie O’Driscoll

I am often questioned about the macabre nature of my work. There is an undeniably dark and unsettling element to what I do and this has been present in my practise for a long time. I love bones, abandoned houses, roadkill, flies, soil, the shape of prone bodies - but I don’t consider myself a death focused artist. I’m curious about the inside of things and my work encourages people to look closer at the world around them. I also really like to delve into the things we can’t explain (hauntings, paranormal phenomenon, telekinesis, ufos, necromancy) to stimulate my imagination and that of my audience. I find mystery very exciting in a world where answers to all our questions are just a mouse click away.

Art is just storytelling - and I like telling ghost stories.

DUPLEX​ exhibition runs Aug 3 - September 1 at THE WALLS ART SPACE Miami. Opening

MICHAELA GLEAVE, AMANDA COLE + WARREN ARMSTRONG

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Interview by Nicole Browne

Image: LAMP Photography

SONGS TO DIE FOR

courtesy of Opera Queensland

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old Coasters are undoubtedly dying (sorry) to see the brandnew touring work from Opera Queensland, Songs To Die For, a cheeky, celebratory and ultimately reverend look at Opera’s relationship with the art of dying.

Touring across regional Queensland from 2 August to 8 September 2019, Songs to Die For is directed by Opera Queensland Artistic Director Patrick Nolan and stars leading artists; Soprano Rebecca Cassidy, Mezzo Soprano Jessica Low, Baritone Jason BarrySmith with musicians Scott Saunders and Trevor Jones.

Weaving some of the great operatic death scenes from Purcell to Wagner with contemporary pop songs from artists like Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain, Songs To Die For reveals that a great song speaks to the soul regardless of when it was written.

The show will feature operatic classics such as Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto and La Traviata alongside reimagined hits from the likes of The Doors, Billie Holliday and Nirvana.

In the lead up to its one-night performance at HOTA, Home of the Arts, we shot a few questions over to Baritone Jason BarrySmith.

It must be fun to revisit some old favourite roles / songs for a night. Which contemporary songs have you’ve been particularly enjoying, and why?

It's huge fun revisiting an old role or song that you've performed before. It’s like meeting up with an old friend: you've

changed, and even though the role looks the same on the page, you will often see it in a very different way because of your experiences. Don Giovanni is a bit like that.

He was fun to play as a young man, but I'm much more disappointed with that young man's choices in my middle-age. As for the contemporary songs, any AC/DC is an absolute blast. But the one I love singing the most is INXS's ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, what a great sing!

What’s the most memorable performance experience of your career while on tour?

Tours are brilliant for wonderful experiences: audience members arriving in their hi-vis gear, children sitting on the floor transfixed by the singing. But my favourite would have to be a bloke in the front row letting out the most almighty fart right in the middle of a soft, beautiful duet for two ladies. He got

the giggles, his mates did too, but the two brilliant singers continued singing without missing a beat.

Why do you think death makes for such fascinating fodder for songwriters and artists?

Death is the great unknown, and artists are into dealing with things that most of us don't think about in depth. What will happen?

How will I feel? How will I know? The questions are endless. Some artists have lived life on the edge for so long that death is a real presence in their lives, and many great artists have left us far too young. Many of those are represented in Songs to Die For. How do you expect audiences to react as the show explores both opera and pop pieces?

I hope that audiences are going to enjoy having pieces that they know sharing the same space as pieces they aren't familiar with yet, and the way that we've juxtaposed many of the numbers gives a greater understanding of their relevance. I'm pretty sure they're going to love it!

Is there anything you’d like Gold Coast audiences to know about the show before it hits our shores?

Gold Coast audiences are very sophisticated concert goers, so I think it's best if we leave the magic to unfold without any spoilers!

Natalie O’Driscoll

Songs To Die For celebrates the end of things with joy and wonder, brought to vivid life for one Gold Coast performance only, on 8 September. Tickets on sale now at hota.com. au.

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29

MEET THE 2019 SCHOOL AWARD WINNERS

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orn of a desire to get Gold Coast students more deeply involved in sustainability, the inaugural School Sustainability Awards on the Gold Coast were run earlier this year, attracting a number of quality entries from schools across the coast.

Run by Sustainable Schools Network and Gecko Environment, the Awards were announced at a ceremony on 31 May, with three winners taking home separate categories.

Five finalists in both Primary School and Secondary School categories presented their sustainability projects at the night and the winners were celebrated at the ceremony.

Primary School Category winner was St. Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School in Runaway Bay with their 2020 Vision for a Cleaner and Greener School. The $1,000 prize was sponsored by Gecko Environment Council.

“We were thrilled, which is an understatement,” said school Special Projects Officer Julianna Stewart of their win.

“For us, it was affirmation that we were on the right track with our environmental initiatives. It also helped foster support across the wider school community for our 12-month sustainability plan.”

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School’s project was a holistic one, addressing multiple environmental issues across the school such as waste reduction, recycling, expanding its sustainability group, and building a sustainable garden. Its 12-month plan will pick up where the shorter term project left off.

“We are [now] working on eliminating packaging in lunch boxes so that we can remove all our playground rubbish bins this year,” explained Julianna.

“We are also planning a sustainable garden which will allow us to grow fruit and vegetables for our tuckshop and will also provide an eco-system of native plants to attract birds and bees.”

Secondary School Category was won by Currumbin Community Special School

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in Currumbin with their e-Waste Warrior project. The $1,000 prize was sponsored by Regen Australia.

“We are especially interested in all computers, TV’s, DVD players, amplifiers and stereo equipment,” he said.

response to the inaugural event and is already looking forward to next year’s awards.

Currumbin Community Special School teacher, Toby Osborne, spearheaded the project.

“All e-waste items can be donated directly to the school or if you are a business and you have a large load we can organise a pick up.”

“We have been pushing hard to establish and grow this program since we got it started last year. To be acknowledged so positively through this award is amazing,” he said.

Finally, the general public was given an opportunity to choose their favourite school program through the People’s Choice Award.

Tangalooma Island Resort sponsored this award and presented Robina State High School’s ‘The Sustainabulls’ with an ecoexcursion experience on the night.

“The quality of entries in 2019 was incredibly high, the number overwhelming and the creativity and enthusiasm of the presentations at the night was beyond commendable,” she said.

The school has a history of providing students with authentic outdoor and environmental educational experiences, such as a kitchen garden. Now with its award-winning e-Waste Warriors program in place, students and the wider community have access to a fully functioning e-waste recycling facility.

“The e-Waste Warriors program allows us to process electronic waste from our local community, whilst also teaching our students a range of valuable work experience skills,” explained Toby.

“Our vision is to expand our e-Waste Warriors internal work experience program into a fully functioning innovation space that recycles all the raw materials and technical components of unwanted e-waste from our local community.

“We recognise that giving students basic trade tool skills to be able to tinker, explore, repair and invent will set them up for a brighter and smarter future as conscientious participants in society, rather than simply consumers.”

With e-Waste the fastest growing waste stream in the world, programs like this one are timely, and require support.

Toby encourages community members to participate through donations to the school.

The Sustainabulls Founder and Coordinator Amanda Chamberlain couldn’t have been more pleased with their nod for Project: Sustainable Youth.

“It is an honour to win the people’s choice award as it comes from the community, which is something The Sustainabulls value deeply,” she says.

“We do so much with very little funding.

It proves that it is about the people with a passion rather than the money behind it… the only thing stopping you from making a difference is you. I know that might seem harsh, but it is true. I have always been a firm believer that if you really want something to happen, then you will do whatever it takes to get it done.

“I am so proud of what we have achieved so far, and excited about what is to come.”

Katie Norman, CoFounder of School Sustainability Awards, was stoked with the

“The schools did not only engage their students in sustainability projects but established networking opportunities and potential partnerships on the night, were inspired by what others were doing and had the opportunity to celebrate together.

We look forward to building on this year’s success in 2020.”

School Sustainability Awards 2019 were sponsored by School Sustainability Network, Gecko Environment Council, Regen Australia, Tangalooma Island Resort and City of Gold Coast.

Natalie O’Driscoll

INROADS TO REDUCING LANDFILL

FROM NETWORK STUDIES TO STRESS-TESTING SERVERS

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ecycled materials like glass, rubber tyres and plastic car bumpers are being transformed into roads and reducing the amount of new materials required for road construction.

In a City first trial, a new 410 metre section of KP McGrath Drive in Elanora includes 3.5 tonnes of recycled plastic, 200 tonnes of crushed glass and 300 tonnes of recycled asphalt pavement.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said combining the plastic and glass in this project had reduced the total volume of new materials (sand and asphalt) by 25 per cent.

“In partnership with Fulton Hogan we’re trialling this site, which uses recycled glass in the lower layer and recycled plastic car bumpers in the upper layer,” she said.

“Glass not suitable for reuse in new glass products is usually sent to landfill as waste. The glass in this reconstructed road is now being put to use for a second time.

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“The trial mixes were designed for application at lower temperatures which also reduces the volume of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Acting Mayor Gates said a number of trial sites had already been completed on the City’s road network using crumbed rubber (recycled tyres) asphalt technology, which helps to reduce the bitumen content of asphalt by 20 per cent.

Fulton Hogan’s Pavement Engineering Manager, Dr Laszlo Petho, said the crumbed rubber technology was part of the company’s ongoing drive to use sustainable practices in the manufacture of road and industrial pavement solutions.

“To date 27.5 tonnes of crumbed rubber from used tyres has been used, saving landfill sites from the dumping of the equivalent of around 4600 passenger car tyres,” said Dr Petho.

“An additional bonus is that the rubber and carbon black from the tyres enhances the engineering properties of the asphalt.”

The crumbed rubber road sites include Nielsen’s Rd, Carrara, Pimpama Jacobs Well Road, Pimpama and Nineteenth Ave at Palm Beach.

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The Original Beautiful Gin

CO LO UR F ROM NAT U RE

HILLBILLY ELEGY J.D. VANCE

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he idea of “hillbilly” conjures up images of the Beverly Hills Clampetts; a comical depiction of working class American country folk that lack the manners and sensibility of the broader urban population. With this in mind, I was surprised to be recommended this book by a trusted colleague who thought its analysis of societal impacts on political outcomes in the USA might be of interest applied in an Australian context. Right he was. What I didn’t expect was the insightful exegesis on family.

While the book explores a variety of societal issues, Vance uses the personal story of his family to communicate them and the reader can relate. We all have families. Those families have issues and no-one is perfect. Frankly, the way Vance describes his family through telling stories is fascinating.

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In this age of media portraying apparent public outrage as a norm, one might ask why a snapshot of one American family might offer insight for Australian communities. This question is answered in evident parallels as we observe American influence on Australian life. Traditional Australian culture seems to align itself more closely with ambivalence than outrage (“She’ll be right, mate”) and hillbilly country contentment might strike comparisons to our own Australian sense of satisfied complacency. If Vance is to be believed, leveraging disappointment and trial, perhaps observed in our families, to motivate a quest for a better life can lift a person above their station. Vance’s grandmother, and later in the book his now wife, seem the characters most formative in the development of Vance into adulthood through their persistent care and resilience.

The enduring idea of Hillbilly Elegy seems that a fearless and protective love of a family member, however flawed that person and how difficult circumstances they face, can make the difference for a young person as much as any government policy or political persuasion. The book’s film adaptation, directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams, is in production now so sneak in a read before the film reimagines the story on your behalf. It’s well worth it.

Glenn Tozer

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he Yield, the latest novel from Australian author Tara June Winch, is a brilliant story that leaves you yearning for wide, open spaces and an appreciation of Australia’s traditional culture and people. Coinciding with the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages, Winch cleverly weaves a Wiradjuri dictionary throughout the narrative and incorporates a storyline that traverses time and shares perspectives of various characters, who are all in a sense connected to the land and to each other.

THE YIELD TARA JUNE WINCH

August Gondiwindi returns to Australia, after living abroad for more than a decade, to mourn the death of her poppy, Albert. However, it is not until she returns to Prosperous House on Massacre Plains that she discovers all is not what it used to be. Not only has a mining company purchased the land, forcing the remaining Gondiwindi family to evacuate within days, but certain skeletons in the closet need to be resolved in order for them to have a future. As well as the mysterious disappearance of her sister, Jedda, 15 years prior, there is also the dictionary compiled by Albert that documents stories, spanning more than 200 years, of the land, people and language of the Gondwindi people. Determined to not only heal the wounds of the past, but to also save the family land, August embarks on a lifeaffirming quest to uncover the secrets of the past and to discover who she really is.

Written with the brutal honesty and rawness Tara is renowned for, The Yield is a compelling story of a culture dispossessed and an unforgiving land that never forgets - reminding us of the power of words and importance of the preservation of Indigenous Australian languages.

Prudence Clark

Frnetery E

ASH (AUDIOBOOK) LUKE ROMYN

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nce upon a time, Amazon sold only books online. Nowadays the ecommerce behemoth is coming close to owning global online retail.

However, Amazon has not only maintained, but evolved its book sale business, albeit in the form of audiobooks. Most people in Australia will have heard of Audible thanks to Aussie poster girl, Rebel Wilson fronting its advertising campaigns in this country. Earlier this year Audible launched its Australian arm of Audible Originals focussing on original Australian stories with worldwide appeal.

Nothing could befit the definition of ‘Original’ more than a Gold Coast bouncer writing fantasy / sci-fi action novels in his spare time and becoming a USA Today best-selling author. That just about sums up Luke Romyn who released his latest book ‘Ash’, narrated by Jay Snyder, on Audible in June.

You have to wonder what Romyn has seen in his time as a nightclub bouncer. ‘Ash’ is the story of a former mercenary turned blind Catholic priest previously experimented on by a global corporation called Titanus enabling him to slip easily into and out of a parallel world called ‘Shade’ through rifts he creates at will. Shade is a grey, lifeless reflection of the real world where no living thing can survive, except him.

Handy place to drag his enemies when he needs to kill them.

Paradoxically, Shade is also the place where Ash’s wounds can heal rapidly and while there, he can also see. But he’s not the only one surviving in Shade. Demon-like monsters are lurking there, apparent anomalies of Titanus’s experiments as well. Ash must rescue a nine year old girl from Titanus’s experiments, fight off the monsters and close off portals to Shade around the world. Phew!

Ash spends a lot of time dragging his foes into Shade where they instantly perish having fought gladiatorial fights in the real world. Romyn’s graphic descriptions of the violence can be disturbing and you can only guess what inspired them.

Did I mention Luke Romyn was once Chopper Reid’s body guard in a former life?

While some of Jay Snyder’s character voices are a little perplexing (a Haitian mercenary who sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Vietnamese man who doesn’t sound Asian), his baritone voice suits the American male characters perfectly. Snyder skilfully switches character apace, and this is essential in keeping up with the rapid-fire story.

Broadwater Parklands Southport

2019 Show Dates

August 30, 31 & September 1

‘Ash’ is a testosterone fuelled sci-fi action romp with a clear good vs evil / David vs Goliath trajectory. There’s a good measure moral dilemma thrown in to keep the story from being too black and white and the fast pace helps make the story a riveting read, er, listen.

Pip Andreas

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33

CYCHO’S BUFFALO WINGS

MOANA RESTAURANT AND BAR

Australia Fair Metro, Young St., Southport, Ph: 07 5532 9966

15-21 Via Roma, Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri, Ph: 07 5538 2306

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burgers, sliders and loaded fries, as well as a number of special deals and combos.

Enjoy an $11 lunch deal, or the Earlybird platter of 15 pieces including fries or rice to share, available daily from 5 – 6pm.

lex Kaihea has always dreamed of owning a restaurant in Australia. Last month he achieved that goal with the opening of Moana on Isle of Capri.

So, when I hear that Cycho’s has opened a permanent restaurant, I’m delighted, as well as intrigued. We love Cycho’s wings, but how will he make up his menu, and what new items can we try?

Mouths and fingers dripping we debate our favourite flavours, deciding that the new Vietnamese and Fili Adobo wings (Cyrus’s Filipino-inspired flavour) are up there with the previous star, traditional New York Buffalo style.

“I was 19 years old when I migrated from Tonga to New Zealand. I started my first restaurant without being able to speak English,” he tells us.

The Gold Coast dining public is already familiar with Cycho’s. Owner Cyrus Platon wowed us with his buffalo wings when he founded the brand four years ago at Miami Marketta, adding a food truck a year later to feed the masses at truck meets, events and concerts.

Okonomiyaki or Gangnam-style loaded fries promise a treat for cold winter days, and there are vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as a kids’ menu. A licensed venue, there are three beers on tap, wine by the glass or bottle at reasonable prices, and shakes.

have a secret messy delight. It’s a passion that I harbour with love, indulged in only now and again. But I love it.

Wings. Buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce, to be exact.

Cycho’s new restaurant in Australia Fair Metro in Southport is bright and sassy, decked out in orange booths and black railway tiles. The wall of history in photographs documents Cycho’s beginnings and, together with the huge luminous mural of Cyrus and his food truck on the Goldie, adds a talking point to the décor.

Cyrus and his wife Hanzel may have flown around the world as flight attendants for Qatar, but they’ve brought their rich international hospitality background back to the coast to enrich our food scene.

World influences can be seen in their new menu which features the flavours of ten different countries. Of course, wings are the main destination of our flight path as we indulge in a gastronomic journey around our favourite holiday destinations – Italy, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, Cyrus’ birthplace.

With everything except ‘All You Can Eat’ coming in under $20, Cycho’s menu is both tasty and affordable. The mainstay of the menu, wings are served in a bunch of combos, but they’re well backed up by 34

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With Metro heating up again and vacant spaces now leased, Cycho’s sits between Kubo’s Filipino cuisine and a well-known Yum Cha operator, about to open beside it.

Cycho’s alone is a drawcard for locals to come in and indulge their wing passion. Together with other operators, the area will hopefully become an attractive food destination, our own little AsiaTown.

NOTE: Blank GC dined as guests of Cycho’s.

Marj Osborne

Read more of Marj’s reviews on http://www. foodgoldcoast.com.au

From dishwasher to head chef to owner of top Auckland restaurant ‘The Beach House’ and star of ‘Real Pasifik’ and TVNZ’s ‘Good Morning’, Alex Kaihea has never forgotten where he came from, once more bringing his Tongan-infused touch to European cuisine.

“I have named this restaurant ‘Moana’,” Alex says. “It’s the deepest part of the ocean. For me, the name doesn’t just refer to seafood. It symbolises the journey of my life from Tonga to New Zealand and now Australia. It’s also about the ties that bind us together, the depth of heart and soul.”

mainstay items are very approachable, such as Seafood Chowder $10.50, Spaghetti Marinara $20, and Australian barramundi $21. Premium seafood, including BBQ Moreton Bay bugs, Lobster mornay or thermidor and fresh King prawns balance the menu at market price, culminating in the ‘pièce de resistance’, the Seafood Platter for Two ($220).

“My previous experience as a chef has been in degustation and fine dining,” Alex says, “but I want Moana to be a local place that is very supportive of the community.”

We dine at lunch, a beautifully presented Seafood Tasting Plate starter ($13.50) giving us a bit of everything: prawns, mussels, oyster and gravlax, with salad and a glass of ceviche taking pride of place on the mini platter. It’s followed by a Tongan-inspired Ota Ika ($14), a Polynesian ceviche-type dish of snapper marinated in lime and coconut cream, from the chef who’s cooked as the personal chef to the King of Tonga!

Always a champion of local cuisine and seafood, after coming to Australia late in 2015, Alex has spent this time as Head Chef of George’s Paragon, Sanctuary Cove. It opened his eyes to the Gold Coast’s demand for fresh, affordable seafood, giving him an insight into how to market in a new milieu.

New Zealand Whole Sole ($22), falling off the bone in buttery goodness, is sheer delight. Our other main, a loin of Yellowfin tuna wrapped in calamari and served on a bed of squid ink fettucine laced with greens and flavours of sweet chilli, ginger tomato, roast peanuts and coriander aioli is inventive and eye-catching, the flavour combination working surprisingly well ($40). This generous maritime equivalent of a Beef Wellington is very suitable to share.

“I’ve also formed relationships with local suppliers before opening my own restaurant,” he tells us, a clear advantage considering the amount of seafood on the menu.

The menu draws from land as well as sea, offering dishes such as Eye fillet, Twice-cooked orange duck and Souvlaki lamb served on mash or rice with seasonal vegetables or salad.

“Australia enjoys a greater choice of seafood, particularly prawns, crab and crayfish,” he says, comparing the two countries’ seafood sources, “whereas New Zealand’s supplies are more seasonal.”

With excellent service and a well-chosen wine and cocktail list offering beverages to accompany a menu of fresh classic dishes, Moana would make a great date night or indulgent celebration enjoying the high-end catch. Just as easily, due to its keen ‘half-price’ specials, Moana could well become the weekly ritual for many locals. This is seafood fit for a king at a less than kingly price.

While diners may enjoy the luxury of starched white tablecloths and napkins beneath a sparkling chandelier, Alex’s downto-earth attitude is reflected in the menu he has developed for Moana. Driven by the daily catch of local suppliers, entry price points of

NOTE: Blank GC dined as guests of Moana.

Marj Osborne

2019 GOLD COAST SHOW bigger and better than ever ELIA GREEK ISLAND TAVERNA Marina Mirage, 74-78 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217

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eeling a little chilly this winter? Why not escape to the Mediterranean?

If you can’t afford to sail away and go island hopping on one of the stunning yachts moored at Marina Mirage, you can do the next best thing and enjoy a little slice of Greece from drier land (but still with a wonderful water view).

The opening of Elia marks the second Gold Coast dining establishment for owner Marina Panaviaris who has more than 30 years’ experience in the restaurant industry and is also the owner of the French-inspired offering, La Provence Cafe and Eatery. Ms Panaviaris who originates from Greece herself and visits her home country often says Elia will fill the evident gap in the market for a Gold Coast family-friendly restaurant serving authentic Greek food.

“Elia provides a great atmosphere, and quality, traditional Greek food at an affordable price so people can afford to enjoy great Greek food every week,” says Ms Panaviari.

“Our dishes are fresh, cooked to order and our recipes are authentic with plenty of offerings for vegan and vegetarians too.”

On our visit we are warmly greeted by our server and immediately ushered to a cosy table for two, dotted with potted rosemary and looking out at the twinkling nighttime waters of Marina Mirage. We immediately feel like family.

The kitchen pass sits to our left, a hive of activity with delicious smelling dishes popping up and being whisked away with regularity.

Our mouths water as we survey the extensive menu, packed to the brim with the fresh and fruity Mediterranean flavours; olives, lemon, and feta abound.

Of course, the seafood selection catches our eye. What’s an island holiday without a fishy indulgence, after all?

We skip the tasty looking dip selection in favour of some Tiri Saganaki ($16), a slice of grilled, haloumi-style squeaky cheese, topped with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of the ever-present olive oil. The Htapodi Tis Skaras ($22.50) is a serve of tender octopus, marinated in herbs, lemon and garlic, and grilled over charcoal. While perfectly happy with our starters, we definitely made a mental note to return and try the Zucchini fritters ($17), Greek meatballs ($17) and Fried whitebait ($17). Our main issue was we didn’t have enough people at the table to try everything we wanted to!

(NB: With such an extensive menu, we recommend bringing extra folks and trying the ever-popular Mediterranean-inspired dining trend meze, via the flavoursome share platters on the menu).

I fell for the delectably fresh seafood again in mains, with the Grilled swordfish and scallops (Xifias Exotica, $35) proving too tempting to pass up, while the other half tucked into a hearty traditional dish of Slow roasted goat (Katsiki Sto Fourno, $36.50), which is drenched in lemon, garlic, olive oil, and rosemary, and served with the softest slow roasted potatoes we’ve ever tried.

The freshness of the Orange and fennel salad offset the rich flavours of our mains beautifully, and the meal was completed by a generous serve of hot chips, topped with lashings of creamy, salty, feta and a sprinkle of oregano.

Opa! We really didn’t have much in the way of room for dessert, but we figured a small(ish) almond biscuit and soft, honey-drenched custard pastry wouldn’t hurt, and they certainly didn’t.

Elia Greek Island Taverna is Gold Coast newest authentic Greek dining experience, replete with white and blue décor, charming watercolours and friendly, efficient service. Its authentic home style flavours, fabulous service, massive menu and fresh seafood are certain to delight discerning Gold Coast diners keen to experience a piece of the Mediterranean on their doorsteps.

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hh, we love a good show, don’t we Gold Coast? Bright lights, spinning things, sugar comas, the smell of deep fried goodness, more spinning things, having to sit down before you puke, then a bit more sugar to top things off. Oh, and fireworks.

Celebrating its 113 years of making memories, the Gold Coast Show will be held at the Broadwater Parklands, Southport from August 30th - September 1st 2019, and yes, again it will be completely FREE to attend.

Woot!

The entire Broadwater Parklands will come alive from the northern end through to the Sundale Bridge including a spectacular sideshow alley, woodchopping, a circus, baby animal farms, arts and crafts, camel rides on the beach, live music, traditional show food, and the gigantic Showbag Pavilion.

Adding to the spectacle is a full Equestrian Program held on the parklands northern lawn and the not-to-be missed Dog Show.

There is more to the show than ever before and Southport will be reimagined with a breathtaking fireworks display illuminating the city each night.

With all the usuals covered, show-goers might be interested in checking out some of the newer things at this year’s event;

☞☞ A xe throwing legends LUMBER PUNKS will be there Saturday and Sunday. And yes you can participate! ☞☞ Largest Side Show Alley ever ☞☞ A n incredible free circus, three times per day, and circus workshops for kids ☞☞ Pig racing ☞☞ Roving circus performers ☞☞ A mini train to get you one end to the other Mark your calendars Gold Coast! For more information visit goldcoastshow.com.au Natalie O’Driscoll

Natalie O’Driscoll

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35

IT’S MUCH ADO Rachel Favelle ABOUT NOTHING GETS POP SURREAL R

achel Favelle is a Gold Coast based artist with a world-wide audience. She is a Pop Surreal artist drawing vision from a blend of fairy tales and children’s classic.

Her art highlights the significance of childhood creativity and curiosity and the loss of that as we age. While her art might seem sweet and childlike at first glance, stay for a while longer and it reveals its depth with even some darker undertones.

at HOTA

Image: Pierre Toussaint

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we’ve seen repeated in films and plays since Shakespeare’s time,” says Director James Evans.

Much Ado About Nothing delivers what its title promises, in a romantic, comedic, misunderstanding-ridden caper for the ages.

Bell Shakespeare’s production is set to bring the comedy in spades, while also delving into the deeper subtext hidden behind the banter.

“But beneath its sparkling wit and hilarious characters, there is a dark conflict that drives this play to the edge of tragedy. The story flips from uproarious comedy to utter heartbreak in an instant, and then back again. That is the genius of Shakespeare, and why this play is one of my absolute favourites.”

OTA, Home of the Arts hosts one of Shakespeare’s sassiest and most memorable comedies this September.

Claudio and Hero are deeply in love. Beatrice and Benedick would rather swap sassy insults than sweet nothings.

Much Ado About Nothing is a saucy and razor-sharp battle of wits between the bickering Beatrice and Benedick, who wield words as weapons, their banter betraying their love and loathing of each other.

However Claudio is quickly seduced by envy and this idyllic world threatens to come tumbling down as he humiliates Hero.

Beatrice and Benedick must join forces to defend true love – even if they can’t recognise it in themselves.

But will truth and honesty win the day, and does love really conquer all?

Directed by Bell Shakespeare’s Associate Director, James Evans (Julius Caesar) and starring Zindzi Okenyo (Antony and Cleopatra, MTC’s An Ideal Husband) as Beatrice, this Much Ado About Nothing will be a powerful exploration of the struggle for identity and self-knowledge in a maledominated world. The pursuit of love is framed in a social context that enhances the darker themes in this timeless comic gem.

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s contemporary comedies where romance is thwarted by dastardly plots, misinformation, false accusations, broken promises, and bumbling cops. Or is it?

“Much Ado About Nothing is the original ‘from hate to love’ romantic comedy that 36

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As Australia’s national theatre company, Bell Shakespeare commits to making its work available to all Australians. HOTA, Home of the Arts is rolling out the red carpet for what promising to be an exciting and memorable production.

“No one does the Bard better than Bell Shakespeare,” says HOTA CEO Criena Gehrke.

“The ideas, language and imagery in this saucy, razor-sharp battle of wits truly showcases the beauty and complexity of his work.”

DID YOU KNOW? Much Ado About Nothing may be set in high society, but its sense of humour is in the gutter. Even the title of the play was a dirty joke. The Elizabethans often described a certain part of the female anatomy as “nothing”.

Much Ado’s hapless cop Dogberry was named after an English fruit that looks edible but tastes disgusting. Perhaps Shakespeare was alluding to his character’s cocky demeanour, which thinly veils his total ineptitude.

Catch Much Ado About Nothing when it shows on 4 and 5 September at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Tickets available at hota. com.au.

Natalie O’Driscoll

“My work belongs to the Pop Surreal genre of painting, a lowbrow movement originating in America in the 1970s which seeks to blur the boundaries between low and high art,” said Rachel.

“This movement has become more recently recognised with the film, ‘Big Eyes’ about the life of American artist, Margaret Keane.”

The inspiration for Rachel’s art comes from the most intriguing places. It derives from old antique toys, children’s novels, popular culture or the paintings of the Renaissance. And that then combines with the composition, Rachel explained.

“The compositions in my works are simple and suggestive of solitude, isolated contemplative figures engulfed in an expanse of space. I suppose in a way these characters are reflective of myself. Being a busy working mother of two I am constantly seeking time to be still and reflect. People assume that because I am so productive with my art practice that I have huge amounts of time to create but this is far from the truth, I squeeze it in the evening after the kids are in bed or whenever I have a few moments spare. Art provides this sense of stillness in my life; it is

my daily ritual of relaxation at the end of a hectic day.”

Rachel’s style has evolved over the last few years, originally experimenting with dramatic facial distortions and vibrant colour palettes. The emphasis was on quirky and somewhat humorous themes; plates of jellyfish, birds-nest hair, blowfish balloons.

More recently her work has adopted a more serious undercurrent.

“While my process is more about refining the figures, softer features and deeper colour schemes; I think my art of late has been more about communicating a thought-provoking message and developing my own voice as an artist,” she said.

Image by Claire Dalton Rachel is not just a practising artist; she is an art educator as well.

“Being an art educator and artist, I get to see both sides of the coin. As an artist one can have a tendency to be introverted and self-involved. You tend to forget the struggle of other creatives but education has given me an opportunity to look outward. I get an opportunity to feed into other people’s creative journey and encourage their unique abilities,” she said.

“I see my purpose as an artist and art teacher is to re-educate people that everyone is creative, just in different ways. Creativity is just problem solving with a twist.”

Rachel’s exhibition ‘Out of the Velvet Blackness’ is currently open in Curly Tale Fine Art Gallery in Chicago. If you want to see some of her art a little bit closer, visit ‘rachelfavelle.com, ‘artloversaustralia.com.au or join one of her illustration workshops.

Anna Itkonen

GETTING SALTY WITH PEPPER JANE F

eisty go-getter Pepper Jane is an artist unafraid to live her life’s calling and chase her musical yearnings, a journey which has seen the Darling Downs born troubadour (and her trusty guitar, Maureen) wow audiences from Woodford through to Tasmania and the Top End, as well as opening shows for and sharing stages with acts of the calibre and diversity of Renee Geyer, The Angels, Neil Murray, Deni Hines and Darren Hanlon.

created to be. In fact I have to continually be starting now. Every day we have to start. Not necessarily all over again, but we have to start. And we have to wait. And we have to release some things. And keep starting.

I like the fact that you've chosen to bestow your guitar with a name. Can you tell us a bit about your trusty sidekick, Maureen?

I don't kiss and tell. Actually that's a moot point because I don't even kiss. Maureen, or Moro has been my mostly trusty workhorse since I took her down off the wall at the shop six years ago. It's important to remember though that it's not only dogs that suffer in hot cars. Her bridge lifted off last year because I left her in the van for nearly a couple of months. That's what being stationary does to me.

In 2018, she released her debut single, 'Keys', with an EP, 'Raw and Lightly Salted in Tasmania', (including songs written in such far flung locations as Exmouth, Gatton and the UK, via Norway) coming out earlier this year and scheduled to be officially released on 1 August.

So what's next on the live performance horizon in the world of Pepper Jane?

Having recently returned from her first overseas performance, at the oldest contemporary folk festival in Norway, (before heading straight to the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest in Tasmania), we managed to snaffle an enlightening chat with Pepper, gaining an insight into her idiosyncratic, 'tell it like it is' world view. For the full transcript, head over to the Blank GC website.

I'm picking up a few more jazz kind of gigs - it's nice to put an instrument down and stick to my highest competency: voice, so it's a bit of new territory. The free Gold Coast show at Ground N Sound, in Labrador/ Chirn Park (1 August) will be my truest solo acoustic chocolate sample box version of myself. The show at the Doo-Bop Bar in Brisbane (9 August) will be a funstravaganza with mostly covers and a couple of mine that I or the band deem worthy of their treatment. The next night I'll bring a smaller band to the Dusty Attic in Lismore (10 August), where we'll just be exploring our hay fevers together I suppose.

How is your mooted double album coming along?

Did you always plan to launch with something big for your first long player, or was it a case of having too many worthy songs to know what to do with?

In September a have a few shows in WA, then I jump on a few planes and head to Nashville to see what goes on at Americanafest, and hopefully write some real clanger-bangers. Sounds like half the lineup of Groundwater will be there. OK I really just mean Andrew Swift. Then I come straight back to play the Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues festival, up near Gympie, on the following weekend (September 19-22).There's a lot to do when you're just passing through.

I have too many songs I don't bother finishing. The double part was just because I was going through two simultaneous things. It's somewhat of a concept album in that the first disc will be called 'Waiting and the Lost Art of Devotion', and the second is 'Starting Now'. I've been waiting for someone who's taught me a lot about what love means, what devotion is, meanwhile we can't be together right now and so I have to press on with filling out the shape I was

Locals can get a taste of Pepper at Ground N Sound Chirn Park and Doo-Bop Bar in Brisbane this August.

Anthony Gebhardt Image: LAMP Photography

GOLD COAST MUSIC INDUSTRY MINGLE Monday 12 August, 5.45 – 8.00pm Gold Coast Music 53 Nerang St, Southport

WORLD OF MOUTH

How to tour internationally as an independent musician: getting down and dirty with those who’ve been there and not returned broke(n).

Gold Coast The Gold Coast Music Industry Mingle is proudly delivered by Blank GC in collaboration with the City of Gold Coast’s Music Action Plan 2021.

www.blankgc.com.au

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UNDER THE STARS with Go Suga

G

o Suga is a Gold Coast-based artist whose work has become more and more visible in our city. Whether it has been printed on a City of Gold Coast promotional screen, painted on a services building on the side of the road or in a gallery space in trendy Mermaid, Go Suga’s art has gained ground on the Gold Coast.

have put lot of stars in the design so I thought about titling the show ‘Under the Stars’.”

Go started to conquer the world with his art from 19 Karen, a contemporary art space on the Gold Coast. He has had a long-standing relationship with the gallery, a connection he treasures.

“There are times when I feel like I’m a device that let’s these creative energies through from universe to my brain, to my muscles, to my brush and on to the canvas. My work is always developing cause the more I paint and the more time I spend on this earth, my values and taste gradually changes.

“I am grateful to be one of the represented artists at 19 Karen. It is where my art career started. They picked me up around five years ago when I was just starting to seriously think about becoming an artist, [when I was] basically a nobody. Since then they have given me so many opportunities such as international exhibitions, solo shows and other projects,” Go said.

19 Karen is about to open Go Suga’s solo exhibition ‘Under the Stars’ this August - not the first solo exhibition he has had in the gallery. In his last solo exhibition in 19 Karen in 2017, the paintings worked as a kind of a comic strip walking the viewer through the details of a story.

“This time around there is no storyline,” Go explained.

“Since then I’ve been breaking down my style even more to see how simple I can paint with it still being interesting to me. I took out all of the gradients, shadows, small details, etc and focused on how to create interesting paintings just by using composition, bold shapes and colours.

"For this show I painted subject matters that I like which mainly comes from Gold Coast, surf, sun, water, joy all that good stuff. Then I realised I

Go’s artistic style is distinctive and easily recognised.

“I think most artists look to their inner self to find their own style and [it] basically comes down to what interests them to paint at that time,” he said.

“If I was to explain where my art style is at now, it would be at ‘bones’ stage. I’ve made it to the simplest form and now I am looking to gradually start putting more meat, hair and texture to it. But then again, I might be feeling something totally different once I get to that point.”

Go Suga’s artistic career has really taken off in the past several years.

“I’ve been really lucky to be able to work with some awesome people on some awesome projects! Each time I finish a project I always have this thought where I think that is the end of my run and no projects will come to me, but then something seems to always pop up. There have been multiple times when I told my wife I want to do a particular project, like the kids’ book, and it actually came true! I have started getting some projects and offers from other states in the last year as well so I hope I get to share my work in other states and countries more often,” Go enthused.

Anna Itkonen

‘Under the Stars’ opens on 24 August and runs until 5 October at 19 Karen contemporary artspace, 19 Karen Ave, Mermaid Beach.