ISSUE 1374
| 5 JUN 2013 | BEAT.COM.AU
OUTDOORS, INDOORS, EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME.
ANDREW STOCKDALE
PALMA VIOLETS
THE RED PAINTINGS
VAUDEVILLE SMASH
BEATS: ROBERT DELONG
THIS WEEK: THE BELLRAYS, KILLING JOKE, SI CRANSTOUN, JAPANDROIDS, ABBE MAY, THE BLACK ANGELS, THUNDERCAT, KINGSWOOD, KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 3
Beat Magazine Page 6
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
SIDE SHOWS
ON SALE
NOW! WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
THU 25 JULY
PALACE THEATRE
HEAVENLY SOUNDS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH SECRET SOUNDS
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
W IT H S P E C I A L G U E S T S
M O N 2 9 J U L THE CORNER
M O N 29 J U L
FIDLARMUSIC.COM
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
FRI 26 JUL THE CORNER
w w w .msmrsounds.com
TUE 30 JUL ST MICHAEL’S UNITING CHURCH M S M R’s glam yet moody debut album S E C O N D H A N D R A P TU R E - O UT N O W DEBUT ALBUM FIDLAR OUT NOW NEW ALBUM OUT NOW
everything-everything.co.uk
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
SAT 27 JUL THE TOTE
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
WED 24 JUL THE CORNER
TICKETS ON SALE TUE 4 JUN Presented by Secret Sounds by arrangement with WME
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
MON 29 JULY. NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB. palmaviolets.co.uk
SURFER BLOOD’S NEW ALBUM PYTHONS OUT 14 JUNE surferblood.com
deapvally.com | secret-sounds.com.au
FOR TICKETING INFO VISIT SECRET-SOUNDS.COM.AU
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 7
140 Sydney Rd
BRUNSWICKHOTEL.NET
9387 6637 NO COVER CHARGE
WEDNESDAY THE 5TH OF JUNE - FROM 8PM
SATURDAY 8TH JUNE - 5PM
BRUNSWICK HOTEL’S OPEN MIC WITH YOUR HOST BRODIE GET IN AND REGISTER FROM 7PM ONWARDS $10 JUGS OF BRUNSWICK BITTER
THE IDLE HOES ,
THURSDAY THE 6TH OF JUNE - FROM 8PM TILL 1AM $3 SCHOONERS OF CARLTON DRAUGHT - $5 BASIC SPIRITS FROM 8PM
HUNTING SEASON FLYING SO HIGH-O’S THE WINTER SUNS ANGUS LEGG
FRIDAY THE 7TH OF JUNE - FROM 9PM
THE INSTINCTS (ALBUM LAUNCH) CHARM, THE MELANOMADS, SORDID ORDEAL
PLAYING HEARTFELT
- KITCHEN SPECIALS -
MONDAY - $12 Burger and $12 Parma + Open Mic NIght TUESDAY - $12 mexican food WEDNESDAY - $14 Porterhouse Steak THURSDAY - Trivia Night
- FRIDAY JUNE 8TH -
FUNDRAISER - FREE ENTRY! FROM 5PM
MIGHTY BOYS, $5 ENTRY
FIRE BEHAVING AS AIR GEAMALA JESS PORTER PRIESTESS AND DASH AMY BODISSIAN MONIQUE SHELFORD JUMPING JACK WILLIAM
WOD
DOWNSTAIRS
CHEV RISE ( SINGLE LAUNCH ) TWENTY SEVEN WINTERS LIAM LINLEY (THE BOWERS)
SUNDAY THE 9TH OF JUNE- FROM 8PM
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY EVE CHOP SQUAD ANNALEISA VACANT SMILES UNICYCLE INVENTORS
- SATURDAY JUNE 8TH -
THE MODERN AGE
JUNIOR WALKER, LOOSE TOOTH
- TUESDAY JUNE 11TH -
MONDAY THE 10TH OF JUNE - FROM 8PM - FREE ENTRY!
SAMBROSE (RESIDENCY)
FREE COMEDY WITH FEATURE PERFORMERS EVERY WEEK! $10 JUGS OF CARLTON DRAUGHT ALL NIGHT
Band’s & DJ’s every Friday and Saturday night, Yee Haa! Function Room Available. Kitchen Open Every Evening
“LET’S GET FUNNY AT THE BRUNNY”
THEN FROM
9PM
FULL VEGAN MENU
SATURDAY THE 8TH OF JUNE
SOUND OF HEART SCHOOL OF MUSIC
ORIGINAL TUNES FROM THEIR LATEST ALBUM TOMORROW MORNING.
W/ STU MACKENZIE
CHUCK JENKINS & THE ZHIVAGOS L C J YRICAL GENIUS HUCK ENKINS PLAYS WITH THE ZHIVAGOS. SWEET.
SUNDAY 9TH JUNE - 5PM
THE SHIVERING TIMBERS A ROLLICKING RIDE OF ORIGINAL AND TRADITIONAL ACOUSTIC FOLK, BLUES & COUNTRY.
TUESDAY THE 11TH OF JUNE - FROM 8PM
BRUNSWICK DISCOVERY NIGHT GIVING CHANCES TO UP AND COMING LOCAL TALENT! THIS WEEK: DUENDE
163A Sydney Road, Brunswick 3058 Bookings/Enquiries: thecornish@bigpond.com www.cornisharms.com.au 9380 8383
THU 6th June
VELA THE FUNK SOUL SISTERS THE NARROW ROAD
8.30-9.15PM 9.30-10.15PM 10.30-11.30PM
**QUEENS B’DAY WEEKEND** FRI 7th June
DREAMBOOGIE CATFISH VOODOO
9.30-10.15PM 10.30-11.30PM
SAT 8th June 9.30PM
SOL NATION
SUN 9th June
THE DRUNKEN POACHERS + SPECIAL GUESTS
8.00PM- 10.00PM
OPENING HOURS
MON-THURS FROM 5PM - LATE FRI-SUN FROM 12PM - LATE NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH ON FRIDAY!!
FOOD SPECIALS
MONDAY $12 PARMA TUESDAY ALL PIZZAS $6 WEDNESDAY $12 STEAK THURSDAY $12 BEEF OR HALLOUMI BURGER SUNDAY $12 ROAST ALL DAY 420 SYDNEY RD BRUNSWICK, 9380 8667
FACEBOOK.COM/THEPENNYBLACK
Beat Magazine Page 8
WEDNESDAY 5TH JUNE
THE NYMPHS
+ JAMES KENYON 9:00pm FREE ENTRY THURSDAY 6TH JUNE
THE ALAN LADDS
+ OLIVERS ARMY 8:30pm FREE ENTRY FRIDAY 7TH JUNE
THE BEARDED GYPSY BAND + BIG BUG TRIO + FRASER A. GORMAN 9:00pm FREE SUNDAY’S IN JUNE
SUNDAY ROAST + WIKIMEN (RES) 4:30pm FREE
COMING SOON: 12/5 WAYWARD BREED 13/5 TIM CHAISSON
15/5 THE TIGER & ME 19/5 CLAIRE PATTI 21/5 HOWLIN’ STEAM TRAIN
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
FRONTIER TOURING CO. & ODD FUTURE PRESENT
ND
FRIDAY 7 JUNE PALACE THEATRE
THIS WEEK, DON’T MISS OUT!
SUPPORTED BY
oddfuture.com
frontiertouring.com Hit album Wolf out now
THE HIP HOP SHOW
New single Whoa out now
Beat Magazine Page 10
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 11
IN THIS ISSUE...
16
HOT TALK
18
TOURING
20
ALT-J
22
ARTS GUIDE, VANGUARD, PALACE OF THE END
24
ART OF THE CITY, THE COMIC STRIP
32
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
33
VAUDEVILLE SMASH
34
THE BLACK ANGELS, ABBE MAY, THE RED PAINTINGS
YELLOWCARD PG 38
ABBE MAY PG 34
35
ANDREW STOCKDALE
36
THE BELLRAYS, SI CRANSTOUN, THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
37
PALMA VIOLETS
38
YELLOWCARD, THUNDERCAT, STOMPY & THE HEAT
39
CORE/CRUNCH!
40
MUSIC NEWS
44
ALBUM OF THE WEEK, SINGLES, CHARTS
THIS WEEK IN BEATS
ROBERT DELONG 3 NEWTON STREET RICHMOND, VICTORIA 3121 Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611 email: info@beat.com.au www.beat.com.au BEAT MAGAZINE EMAIL ADDRESSES: (no large attachments please): Gig Guide: online at beat.com.au email gigguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Club Listings: online at beat.com.au email clubguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Music News Items: music@beat.com.au Artwork: art@beat.com.au Beat Classifieds 33c a word: classifieds@beat.com.au
30,706 copies per week
PALACE OF THE END PG 22
ANDREW STOCKDALE PG 35
PUBLISHER: Furst Media Pty Ltd. MUSIC EDITOR: Taryn Stenvei ARTS EDITOR / ASSOCIATE MUSIC EDITOR: Tyson Wray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Nick Taras INTERNS: Natalie Castellan, Chakrit Narula, Dina Amin, Clementine Zawadski. GENERAL MANAGER: Patrick Carr BEAT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Pat O’Neill GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Pat O’Neill, Rebecca Houlden, Mike Cusack. COVER ART: Pat O’Neill ADVERTISING: Taryn Stenvei (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) taryn@beat.com.au Patrick Carr (100%/Beat/Arts/Education/Ad Agency) patrick@furstmedia.com.au Aleksei Plinte (Backstage/ Musical Equipment) mixdown@beat.com.au Adam Morgan (Hospitality/Bars) adam@beat.com.au Kris Furst (beat.com.au) kris@furstmedia.com.au Dan Watt (Indie Bands/Special Features) dan@beat.com.au CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@beat.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS: now online at www.beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au
ELECTRONIC EDITOR - BEAT ONLINE: Tyson Wray tyson@beat.com.au ACCOUNTANT: accountant@furstmedia.com.au ADMINISTRATION CO-ORDINATOR: Jessica Riley: jessica@furstmedia.com.au ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forester: admin@furstmedia.com.au RECEPTION: reception@furstmedia.com.au
45
ALBUMS
46
GIG GUIDE
54
LIVE
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mary Boukouvalas, Ben Clement, Ben Gunzburg, Rebecca Houlden, Nick Irving, Anna Kanci, Cassandra Kiely, Charles Newbury, Richard Sharman, Tony Proudfoot. SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Christie Eliezer SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS: Patrick Emery COLUMNISTS: Emily Kelly, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk
DISTRIBUTION: distribution@beat.com.au Free Every Wednesday to over 1,850 places including Convenience Stores, Newsagents, Ticket Outlets, Shopping Centres, Community Youth & Welfare Outlets, Clubs, Hotels, Venues, Record, Music and Video Shops, Boutiques, Retailers, Bars, Restaurants, Cafes, Bookstores, Hairdressers, Recording Studios, Cinemas, Theatres, Galleries, Universities and Colleges. Wanna get BEAT? Email distribution@beat.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS: Mitch Alexander, Siobhan Argent, Bella ArnottHoare, Thomas Bailey, Graham Blackley, Chris Bright, Joanne Brookfield, Avrille Bylock-Collard, Rose Callaghan, Kim Croxford, Dave Dawson, John Donaldson, Alexandra Duguid, Alasdair Duncan, Cam Ewart, Callum Fitzpatrick, Jack Franklin, Chris Girdler, Megan Hanson, Chris Harms, Andrew Hickey, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Joshua Kloke, Nick Mason, Krystal Maynard, Miki McLay, Jeremy Millar, James Nicoli, Oliver Pelling, Matt Panag, Jack Parsons, Sasha Petrova, Liam Pieper, Steve Phillips, Zoe Radas, Adam Robertshaw, Joanna Robin, Leigh Salter, Side Man, Jeremy Sheaffe, Sisqo Taras, Kelly Theobald, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Katie Weiss, Krissi Weiss, Rod Whitfield, Jen Wilson, Tyson Wray, Simone Ziada, Bronius Zumeris.
DEADLINES Editorial Copy accepted no later than 5pm Thursday before publication for Club listings, Arts, Gig Guide etc. Advertising Copy accepted no later than 12pm Monday before publication. Print ready © 2013 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without art by 2pm Monday. Deadlines are strictly adhered to. the consent of the copyright holder.
.com.au
new and improved
everything Melbourne - online & mobile
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 13
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Super Wild Horses
MASTA ACE Legendary Brooklyn MC Masta Ace arrives in Melbourne this week to bring local hip hop purists a taste of the championed New York style of old school rap. Having made a name for himself in the early 90s Brooklyn scene as part of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew and Crooklyn Dodgers, the much respected MC has since had a 25 year career that has spawned eight critically-acclaimed albums. He returns to a previous Melbourne stomping ground at The Espy this Sunday June 9. We’re giving away two double passes.
KATIE NOONAN Katie Noonan is one of those singers that has a voice which surpasses the mere induction of goosebumps. Her gift of endearing fans of all ages to her captivating performances has made her one of Australia’s most beloved vocalists. Along with special guests Playwrite, she plays The Toff in Town Sunday June 23, as part of her Songbook tour. The four-time ARIA award winner will explore material that has spanned her career, including songs from her acclaimed solo albums. We’ve got two double passes up for grabs.
PRIMAL SCREAM Bobby Gillespie and the boys are good to Melbourne fans. They came here in 2011 to play Screamadelica, the album that defined a decade, full-length in concert. Last December 2012, they played the Palace with a slew of classics, fan favourites and brand new songs. They’ve just released their latest album More Light, and we have a signed mounted poster to giveaway. Head to beat.com.au/freeshit to win.
Beat Magazine Page 14
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
RECLINK COMMUNITY CUP After already announcing this year’s motto of “Be Surburban”, plus a headline appearance from the homophonous Beasts Of Bourbon, Reclink Community Cup have revealed the full music lineup for this year’s match. Gracing the stage in between the footy action of the Rockdogs versus Megahurtz will be Melbourne garage-pop duo Super Wild Horses, psychedelic garage rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and a family pre-match treat in the form of Justine Clarke performing her special brand of retro-pop inspired tunes for the kids. Closing out proceedings will be the Beasts Of Bourbon lineup of Tex Perkins, Brian Hooper, Tony Pola, Charlie Owen, and Spencer P. Jones. Music kicks off from 12 noon, and entry is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 16. The 2013 Reclink Community Cup takes place at Elsternwick Park on Sunday June 23.
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
SI CRANSTOUN British rockabilly/soul/R&B performer Si Cranstoun is set to visit Australia in June. Formerly half of the dynamic duo The Dualers with his brother Tyber, Si Cranstoun trained in the art of songwriting by Grammy Award-winning Graham Lyle (who penned hits for the late Michael Jackson and Tina Turner). Fresh off his latest album, Dancehalls and Supper Clubs, Cranstoun combines soulful vocals with a punchy horn section. Si Cranstoun and his band play Kingston City Hall on Sunday June 16. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
XAVIER RUDD Prepare for a triple treat of blues and roots delights, with Xavier Rudd, Donavon Frankenreiter and Nahko And Medicine For The People hitting the road for an Australian tour. Xavier Rudd’s music has impacted the world for over a decade – spanning back over seven studio albums, multiple ARIA nominations and more high-rotation singles than you’d care to count. Don’t miss Xavier as he teams up with some of the chillest global talent in Donavon Frankenreiter and Nahko And Medicine For The People. Xavier Rudd performs at The Forum on Thursday October 3.
DEAP VALLY The fierce twosome will be embarking on their second tour of Australia this year, following a whirlwind visit last month. The pair’s tenacious drum rolls and blues rockin’ howls are all over tracks like Lies and End Of The World, lifted from the Get Deap EP. They’ve carved it up alongside Eagles of Death Metal, Muse and The Vaccines, and will drop their in-demand debut, Sistrionix, this June. Deap Vally will hit The Tote on Saturday July 27.
WORLD’S END PRESS To celebrate the release of To Send Our Love, the first single from their forthcoming debut album, World’s End Press will embark on a headline tour. It’s been an extremely busy six months for the group, having recently supported Hot Chip, Bloc Party and playing at Falls Festival. In June, the band will set their sights on the USA for a tour with Cut Copy, accompanied by several headline shows. World’s End Press will hit Ding Dong Lounge on Friday July 26. Tickets through Oztix.
ABBE MAY
MARK SULTAN BBQ aka Mark Sultan has announced a run of solo shows to accompany his upcoming tour with King Khan. Considered one of the most bombastic one-man bands around, Sultan has recently toured Europe and will soon be embarking on an American escapade, which will see him guesting at Carnegie Hall and playing on the Hudson River in the same night. Sultan will headline at The LuWow on Wednesday June 26. Tickets through Oztix.
LEAPS AND BOUNDS Named after the Paul Kelly song, the City of Yarra have announced their inaugural Leaps and Bounds Music Festival, with an emphasis placed on all things local. Fifty traditional venues such as The Corner Hotel (the largest venue in the area) to The Empress (one of the longest serving) will be involved, and events are also being confirmed at non traditional venues such as an outdoor event in Stanley Street, a Freeza/Push event at Fitzroy Town Hall, a silent gig in Gertrude Street, and many more. The Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is also happy to announce two strategic partnerships. The first is with the indigenous communities within Yarra to program an outdoor BBQ event in Stanley St, as well as putting focus on indigenous acts within the festival. The second is a collaboration with the Gertrude Street Projection Festival; for the Leaps and Bounds closing weekend, events will be jointly programmed by Leaps and Bounds and the Projection Festival to put a real spotlight on one of the most emerging precincts within Yarra. Other events that are taking shape include a partnership with PBS-FM to do a live studio show, open day and outside broadcasts, a tribute at The Tote to local legend Tim Hemmersley, Morning Ritual shows at cafes throughout Yarra and many more. Leaps and Bounds Music Festival will be happening at various venues within the City of Yarra from Wednesday July 15 to Sunday July 21. Artist and event applications are now open at the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival website, with a full program to be confirmed soon.
KISS MY APOCALYPSE ALBUM TOUR FRIDAY JUNE 21ST DING DONG LOUNGE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS ABBEMAY.COM | BILLIONS.COM KISS MY APOCALYPSE OUT NOW THROUGH iTUNES AND AT ALL GOOD RECORD STORES
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 15
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
DANCING HEALS Dancing Heals have released their newest single, Something, for free. Lifted from their pending sophomore album, You Will Never Be Younger Than You Are Now, the track is melodically layered and backed by well-paced beats. It resembles the cadence of their previous single, Always On My Mind, a dreamy and odd alternative rock. Dancing Heals’ second LP, You Will Never Be Younger Than You Are Now, will be released on Friday July 5. You can catch them at The Workers Club on Saturday July 27. Something is available for download through Soundcloud.
BARONS OF TANG
JOSH PYKE After performing an intimate “fans first” show at Gertrude’s Brown Couch, pre-eminent folk troubadour Josh Pyke has announced a full tour to launch his new album. The Beginning And The End Of Everything was recorded and produced with John Castle (The Bamboos, Washington, The Drones) and follows on from his gold-selling ARIA award winning albums Memories & Dust, Chimney’s Afire and the critically acclaimed Only Sparrows. Josh Pyke performs at The Corner Hotel on Saturday August 17 (sold out), and Sunday August 18.
VICE GRIP PUSSIES VS. CHERRY BAR Deciding playing order between bands is sure to cause a fight. Who headlines? Cherry Bar and the Vice Grip Pussies have solved the dilemma and introduce the patented Cherry Double-Stage, where two bands plays on two stages, side-by-side, track-for-track! Every Wednesday this June, the Vice Grip Pussies will play besides Melbourne’s best rockers in a double header – double stage live music extravaganza, featuring Bitter Sweet Kicks, Stone Revival, Drunk Mums and Bugdust. Come be part of the rock ‘n’ roll revolution at Cherry Bar.
Barons of Tang are returning to Melbourne for a free show next month. Straight off the plane following a whirlwind tour in Spain, the Barons are also sporting a new accordion player, Mr John Irish, who has featured in such bands as the Pure Evil Trio, Mutiny and many more. This will be the only chance to see them perform in Melbourne before they shoot off back to Europe. It all goes down at Bar Open on Saturday June 8.
THE DEMON PARADE The Demon Parade have just unleashed a brand new single, Open Up You Mind, and to celebrate, they’re embarking on another round of East Coast shows. Open Up Your Mind is a whirlwind psychedelic trip with frontman Michael Badger’s ethereal vocals floating over the reverb-coated instrumentals. The Demon Parade support US garage giants The BellRays at their Corner Hotel show on Wednesday June 12, before playing their own headline gig at Ding Dong on Saturday June 22.
MONET’S GARDEN FOALS Riding the momentum from the release of Holy Fire, Oxford indie superstars Foals are coming back in September. Foals’ latest piece, the criticallyacclaimed Holy Fire, debuted at #1 on the ARIA album charts largely thanks to first single Inhaler and followup My Number. The record was recorded by infamous producers Flood (PJ Harvey, U2) and Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), at the pair’s Assault & Battery studios in London. After selling out their first show, Foals have added a second and announced that Alpine will join them on the tour. Foals play the Palace Theatre on Thursday September 26 (new show) and Friday September 27 (sold out).
A top-notch lineup of some of Australia’s most renowned and acknowledged musicians, singers and DJs will perform on Friday evenings to mix it up with the crowds for Friday Nights At Monet’s Garden. The musical showcase will complement the final ten weeks of NGV’s current Monet exhibition. A range of food and drink offerings will be available throughout the evening and will include everything from bar food to bistro style suppers. The Friday Nights at Monet’s Garden ticket includes entry to Monet’s Garden: The Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris, live music in the Great Hall and pop-up talks. The weekly lineup features the likes of Robert Forster, Vance Joy, Machine Translations, Courtney Barnett and Jae Laffer. For the full lineup and other info, head to ngv.vic.gov.au.
BEN OTTEWELL Ben Ottewell, best known for his work within Gomez, is planning a national solo tour throughout June and July. Ottewell released his first solo album, Shapes & Shadows, in 2011. He is one of Gomez’s three singers, but is the voice heard on many fan favourites, such as Get Miles, Revolutionary Kind and How We Operate. He’ll be playing songs from his solo album along with classics from the Gomez catalogue. Matt Walker supported Gomez back in 2001 and will be reuniting with Ottewell for his solo shows. Walker recently released a new album, In Echoes Of Dawn. He’ll be playing two shows at The Worker’s Club on Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 30. Tickets are on sale through Love Police and the venue’s website.
THY ART IS MURDER DAN SULTAN Dan Sultan, one of Australia’s most electrifying rock ‘n’ roll dynamos, has announced his return. Over the course of two nights at The Toff, Dan will showcase a serving of new material in stripped-back solo mode. The performances preface the recording of a new album, which follows on from six months of songwriting around the globe. Dan Sultan performs at The Toff In Town on Wednesday June 26 and Thursday June 27. Beat Magazine Page 16
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
After tearing it up in the States, Sydney’s Thy Art Is Murder will bring the Hate back home for a national headline tour. The tour will support their groundbreaking 2012 release, Hate. Joining Thy Art Is Murder at their shows will be Cattle Decapitation, King Parrot and Aversions Crown. Thy Art Is Murder perform at The Corner on Thursday June 13 and an allages show at Arrow On Swanston on Friday June 14.
HOT TALK For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS After performing a sorta-reunion (it had been nearly three years since their last show) tour last month, synth heroes Midnight Juggernauts have announced a run of shows to celebrate the launch of their new album. Uncanny Valley, out Friday June 14 through Siberia / Remote Control, is the Melbourne trio’s first full-length since 2010’s The Crystal Axis. Midnight Juggernauts perform at The Corner Hotel on Saturday August 24.
UV RACE Northcote Social Club’s weekly Monday Night Mass has been pulling out some corker lineups of late, and they’ve just announced what could be their best yet. Headlining the second Monday Night Mass in July will be “the best band in the country right now and are one of the top three Australian bands of all-time” – The UV Race. Also performing on the night will be The Stevens and another yet-to-be-announced act. Get around it. UV Race perform at Northcote Social Club on Monday July 8.
ALL TIME LOW Pop-punk royalty All Time Low will return to Melbourne this August. The tour comes off the back of their latest album, Don’t Panic, and will seem them swiftly return to Australian shores following their appearance on the 2013 Soundwave lineup. All Time Low hit Billboard for two sold out shows on Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1.
IMC AND WINTERMAN & GOL DSTEIN PRESENT
FRI JUNE 14
LD OUT FORUMSOTHEATRE OLD OUT THE SCORNER SAT JUNE 15
SUN JUNE 16
THE CORNER
3RD & FINAL DDE D S H OW A
T I C KE T INFO: SOME THINGFORKATE.C OM
S TA R - C R O S S E D C I T I E S T O U R 2 0 1 3 WI TH SPEC I AL GUEST NEW ALBUM ‘LE AVE YOUR SOUL TO SC I ENC E’ OUT NOW
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 17
TOURING
WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN
PROUDLY PRESENTS:
For all the latest touring news check out beat.com.au
INTERNATIONAL THE MILK CARTON KIDS Thornbury Theatre June 6, St Kilda Memo June 8 TYLER, THE CREATOR/EARL SWEATSHIRT Palace Theatre June 7 THE BLACK ANGELS Palace Theatre June 14 MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Melbourne Recital Hall June 14, 15 TOY Corner Hotel June 18 BORIS Corner Hotel June 19 MUNICIPAL WASTE Corner Hotel June 23 MONO The Hi-Fi June 23 MARK SULTAN The LuWow June 26 A$AP ROCKY Festival Hall June 28 MANIC STREET PREACHERS Festival Hall June 28 BEN OTTENWELL The Worker’s Club June 29, 30 SPLASHH Ding Dong Lounge June 29 IDINA MENZEL Hamer Hall June 30 FEAR FACTORY Palace Theatre July 7 P!NK Rod Laver Arena July 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, August 27 GILBY CLARKE Northcote Social Club July 7 STEVE VAI The Palais July 13 A DAY TO REMEMBER Festival Hall July 14 TODD RUNDGREN Corner Hotel July 21 STEREOPHONICS Palace Theatre July 21 DAUGHTER Corner Hotel July 23 SURFER BLOOD Corner Hotel July 24 HAIM The Hi-Fi July 25 BABYSHAMBLES The Palace July 25 EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Corner Hotel July 26 WAVVES/UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Corner Hotel July 27 DEAP VALLY The Tote July 27 JAKE BUGG Corner Hotel July 28 PALMA VIOLETS Northcote Social Club July 29 MS MR The Hi-Fi July 29 FIDLAR Corner Hotel July 29 COLD WAR KIDS The Hi-Fi July 30 LAURA MARLING St Michael’s Uniting Church July 30 VILLAGERS Corner Hotel July 30 PASSION PIT Palace Theatre July 30, The Hi-Fi July 31 ALT-J Festival Hall July 30
DARWIN DEEZ Corner Hotel July 31 JAMES BLAKE The Palais July 31 OF MONSTERS AND MEN The Palais August 3,4 JOAN BAEZ Hamer Hall August 8 THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS Rod Laver Arena August 10 SENSES FAIL Corner Hotel August 11 DON MCLEAN Hamer Hall August 17 CYNDI LAUPER The Palais August 29,30 JAPANDROIDS Corner Hotel August 30 FAT FREDDY’S DROP The Forum August 31 ALL TIME LOW Billboard August 31 POISON CITY WEEKENDER Various Venues September 6,7,8 AMANDA PALMER & THE GRAND THEFT ORCHESTRA The Forum September 20 FOALS Palace Theatre September 26, 27 RIHANNA Rod Laver Arena September 30 ATP: RELEASE THE BATS Westgate Entertainment Centre October 26 FLEETWOOD MAC Rod Laver Arena November 26, A Day On The Green November 30 PASSENGER The Palais December 4 BON JOVI Etihad Stadium December 7 TAYLOR SWIFT Etihad Stadium December 14
NATIONAL THE SUPERJESUS The Espy June 7, 8 CLOUD CONTROL Corner Hotel June 7 THE NATION BLUE The Tote June 8 THE BELLRAYS The Corner June 12 ANDREW STOCKDALE The Hi-Fi June 14 SOMETHING FOR KATE The Forum June 14, Corner Hotel June 15 EXPERIENCE JIMI HENDRIX The Palms At Crown June 14 THE BEARDS The Hi-Fi June 15 THE RED PAINTINGS The Espy June 15 GYPSY AND THE CAT The Hi-Fi June 21 WAGONS Corner Hotel June 22 BABY ANIMALS The Hi-Fi June 22 DAN SULTAN The Toff In Town June 26, 27 THE WHITLAMS Hamer Hall June 28 ASH GRUNWALD Prince Bandroom June 28
DEAP VALLY The Tote July 27 YOU AM I The Forum July 3,4,6,7 KIRIN J CALLINAN Northcote Social Club July 4 DICK DIVER Corner Hotel July 5,7 BALL PARK MUSIC The Forum July 5 SLEEPMAKESWAVES The Evelyn July 6,7 THE JUNGLE GIANTS Corner Hotel July 6 UV RACE Northcote Social Club July 8 ESKIMO JOE Ormond Hall July 12 GOLD FIELDS Corner Hotel July 13 LAURA IMBRUGLIA The Tote July 13 KINGSWOOD Corner Hotel July 18 WHITLEY The Hi-Fi July 19 CLAIRY BROWNE & BANGIN’ RACKETTES July 19 ATLAS GENIUS The Toff July 20 AIRBOURNE Corner Hotel July 20 DAVID BRIDIE Northcote Social Club July 20 WORLD’S END PRESS Ding Dong Lounge July 26 FRENZAL RHOMB Corner Hotel August 2
GRINSPOON Corner Hotel August 8 BERNARD FANNING Palace Theatre August 9 CLARE BOWDITCH Corner Hotel August 10 JOSH PYKE Corner Hotel August 17 MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS Corner Hotel August 24 BIGSOUND 2013 Various Venus Brisbane September 11–13 PARKWAY DRIVE Palace Theatre September 21,22 XAVIER RUDD The Forum October 3
RUMOURS Mount Kimbie, Primal Scream, The National = New Announcements = Beat Proudly Presents
Smash it! Surroundth i w f l e s r u o y . s s e n d o o g info
Treat yourself with info about all parts of your life, no matter where you’re at or what you’re doing right now. Get advice on jobs, study, travel, money, relationships, moving out of home and more.
LIFE FROM EVERY ANGLE youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Beat Magazine Page 18
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
:,3305. -(:;
:63+ 6<;
3 $ / 0 $ 9,2/(76
:,3305. -(:;
+255256+2:
8.
1<:; (556<5*,+
0 < ',6&2
48$55< 02817$,1 '($' 5$76
()'( 34 ./24(#/4%
$// 6+2:6 &20,1* 6221
&/$8'( +$< 6,1*/( /$81&+ 0$7,1(( Z 7+( +866< +,&.6 48((1 6 %,57+'$< 38%/,& +2/,'$< (9(
'$9,' %5,',( 7+( 3,//6 $/%80 /$81&+ Z ('(1 08/+2//$1'
+255256+2: 62/' 287 Z / )5(6+ 7+( /,21 $1' 5(0,
5$7 &2
021$5&+ )5$
Z +27(/ :5(&.,1* &,7< 75$'(56 $1' $*21+<01
WLFNHWV EI
JXHVWV 0,//,216 &+$26 &+$26 86$
ZZZ FRUQHUKRWHO FRP
78( -81
8.
7+8 -81
WLFNHWV EI
. -
$6+ *581:$/' 6&277 $1'< Z
(:;
IURP
7+( /,9,1* (1' 6$7 -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VLQJOH ODXQFK . -
(:;
1%" '2+$)" $& +10 JXHVWV &,7< 5,276 ',57 )$50(5
USA
. -
(:;
BA=P
%+ 015*.64 (3:.&
-,00< 7$,7 $1' *5$1' 35,60$7,& 63,7( +286( 75$'( 63/,7 7((7+ $1' 0$66(6 89 5$&( 7+( 67(9(16 63(&,$/ *8(676
681 -81
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
7,&.(76 21 6$/( )520 ::: 1257+&27(62&,$/&/8% &20 7,&.(76 %$5 3+21( ,1)2#1257+&27(62&,$/&/8% &20
. -
TXHHQV ELUWKGD\ SXEOLF KROLGD\ HYH
(:;
)5, -81
JXHVWV 6758&785(6 &$1 675$< )520 7+( 3$7+ 86$ 67$78(6
681 -81
6$7 -81 WLFNHWV EI
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
THE VAUDEVILLE 620(7+,1* SMASH )25 .$7(
620(7+,1* )25 .$7(
7+8 -81
-$3 SHUIRUP )ORRG
-21 (1*/,6+ 7+( )267(5 %527+(56
)5, -81
6$7 -81
681 -81
7+8 -8/
JEN CLOHER
'5($0 21 '5($0(5
'5($0 21 '5($0(5
CLUBFEET
681 -8/
0,.(/$1*(/2 7+( 7,1 67$5
WLFNHWV EI
7+( %/$&.(<(' 686$16
JXHVWV 6$9,285
% WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK '
. -
. -
(:;
%* $, %*7& 3 JXHVWV /267 $1,0$/ 7+( 6&+22/ 2) 5$',$17 /,9,1*
)5, -8/
(:;
WLFNHWV EI
. -
(:;
. -
(:;
% '
685)(5 %/22'
'8'4;6*+0) '8'4;6*+0)
:(' -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
'$5:,1 '((= 86$
. -
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ ZLQWHU VHFUHW VKRZ
&/$5( %2:',7&+ :(' $8* WLFNHWV EI
(:;
(:;
7+8 $8*
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
, ") . 1
(:;
)5, $8* WLFNHWV EI
6$7 $8*
' %' ' ! #$
7
. -
W
(:;
(:;
8.
78( -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
4=0
JXHVWV &28571(< %$51(77
021 $8*
)5, $8*
WLFNHWV EI
WLFNHWV EI
%$5'2 321' &+95&+(6 6&2
JXHVWV &,7< &$/0 '2:1
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
*+26732(7 8. %($&+ )266,/6 86$ 6:(59('5,9(5 8. 1,/( 86$ ZLWK 7+( )$&(/(66 86$
. -
(:;
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VKDUNPRXWK KLWV WRXU HDUO\ VKRZ RQ VWDJH SP
5866(// 0255,6 DQG EDQG
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
. -
(:;
. -
(:;
*5,163221
78( $8*
21 6$/( 12:
+81*$5< 6(//,1* )$67 32,621 &,7< :((.(1'(5 62/' 287
,5(
USA
6$7 $8*
-26+ 3<.(
8.
FIDLAR A477,20=>
681 $8*
(:;
/,77/( *5((1 &$56
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
-$.( %8**
'$8*+7(5
021 -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
. -
:
/-
681 -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
JXHVWV '$9(< /$1( <28 $0 ,
6$7 $8*
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
0,'1,*+7 -8**(51$876
52&. 1 323 &8/785( 75,9,$
VHH ZZZ FRUQHUKRWHO FRP IRU PRUH GHWDLOV
$1'5(: 67521*
7+( &200,70(176 ,5( 6(//,1* )$67 62/' 287 +81*5< .,'6 2)
JXHVWV 3($5/6 $ '($' )25(67 ,1'(;
. -
6$7 -8/
78( -8/
WLFNHWV EI
86$
-26+ 3<.(
)5, $8*
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
WLFNHWV EI
&$1
(:;
$0#,8 * 0&-+
681 $8*
WLFNHWV EI
. -
:$99(6 81.12:1 0257$/ 25&+(675$
/'
. -
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
1= 86$
-$3$1'52,'6 -$3$1'52,'6 &$1
6$7 -8/
86$ Z
7-
86$
6$7 $8*
. -
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
JXHVWV 76 3+(%( 67$55 :,//2: %($76
681 -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
)5, -8/
),(/'6
cccccccccc75# JXHVWV 3,$126 %(&20( 7+( 7((7+ 86$ ,1,7,$/6
6$7 -8/
(:;
%* $, %*7& 3
.#c&+5276' .#c&+5276' *2/'
cccccccccc75# JXHVWV 3,$126 %(&20( 7+( 7((7+ 86$ )($5 /,.( 86
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VSOHQGRXU VLGHVKRZ
MUNICIPAL WASTE
JXHVWV 7:(536 7+( 67(9(16
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ PDWLQHH
cccccccccc75# JXHVWV 3,$126 %(&20( 7+( 7((7+ 86$ 672&.$'(6
. -
WLFNHWV EI
.#c&+5276' .,1*6:22' CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN' $,5%2851( .) ,/( !, ( RACKETTES :(' -8/
WLFNHWV EI
)5, -8/
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VLQJOH ODXQFK
6$7 -8/
WLFNHWV EI
681 -81
JXHVWV 6+,7 5,33(5 1=
JXHVWV 3$1$0$
)5, -8/
USA
JXHVWV 7+( 7227 7227 72276 -(00$ 7+( :,6( <281* $0%,7,286 0(1
JXHVWV 2&($1 *529( +$//2:(5 */25,),(' 67250 7+( 6.<
681 -8/
IHDW 6W &ODUH YV
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ VLQJOH ODXQFK
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰ
ȱ ȱ ǰ ȱ ȱ
JXHVWV 2&($1 *529( +$//2:(5 */25,),(' 67250 7+( 6.<
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ GRRUV SP
WAGONS
ȇ ȱ ȱ ȇȱ ǯ
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK
6$7 -81
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP SUHYLHZ VKRZ
WLFNHWV EI
JXHVWV &28571(< %$51(77
:(' -81
)5, -81
WLFNHWV EI
JXHVWV &28571(< %$51(77
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ WZR VHWV
% WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ DOEXP ODXQFK ' TXHHQV ELUWKGD\ SXEOLF KROLGD\
021 -81
+,/1%) +" +,/1%) +" JXHVWV 6758&785(6 &$1 675$< )520 7+( 3$7+ 86$ 67$78(6
JXHVWV 0,6),76 2) =,21
JXHVWV &$77/( '(&$3,7$7,21 86$ .,1* 3$5527 $9(56,216 &52:1 ,17(51$/ 1,*+70$5(
7+8 -8/
WLFNHWV EI
WLFNHWV EI
THE BELLRAYS 1%6 /1 &0 *2/!"/
JXHVWV 0,*+7,(67 2) *816
681 -8/
6,021 0(/, 7+( :,'2:%,5'6
0$7,1((
WLFNHWV EI
6:((7 -($1 $/%80 /$81&+ Z 7+( %/8(%277/(6
7+8 -81
JXHVWV $,16/,( :,//6 )5$6(5 $ *250$1
JXHVWV 05 &$66,'<
36<&5237,& .,1* 3$5527 $ 0,//,21 '($' %,5'6 /$8*+,1* $1' 0(7$/67250
JXHVWV %/22'6 $/, %$57(5
JXHVWV 7+( '(021 3$5$'( 7+(0 %58,16
)5(( (175<
/,77/( '(6(57 7+( %2:(56
7+( 75$16$7/$17,&6 Z 6+$2/,1 $)521$876
5*,* 5""/& /;
WLFNHWV EI
0'& 0,//,216 2) '($' &236 86$
7+(/0$ 3/80 (3 /$81&+ 6(//,1* )$67 Z '$1 3$56216 $1' .$7+5<1 52//,16
*,/%< &/$5.( 86$
Z '($' 67$5 5(1(*$'(
C GKB CG HG
WLFNHWV EI
72<
+($7+ &8//(1 0$7,1((
6$7 -81
%25,6
WLFNHWV EI
%$37,60 2) 8=, (3 /$81&+
WLFNHWV EI ƕƔƕ YLYLG VLGHVKRZ
:(' -81
) 5 $
6(; 21 72$67 6,1*/( /$81&+
)5, -81
SAN CISCO
0 2 1 $ 5 & +
3$/0$ 9,2/(76 8. 6(//,1* )$67 63/(1'285 ,1 7+( *5$66 6,'(6+2:
.,5,1 - &$//,1$1 $/%80 /$81&+ 6(//,1* )$67 Z 67$1',6+ &$5/<21
:(' -81
ZZZ IDFHERRN FRP WKHFRUQHUKRWHO ZZZ WZLWWHU FRP WKHFRUQHUKRWHO
/,= 675,1*(5 )$5(:(// 29(56($6 6+2: Z 9$1 :$/.(5 VROR
$1' )/$6+ &203$1<
7+( 1(59( 6,1*/( /$81&+ Z 7+( &+$5*( 7(55$&277$ 3,*(216 $1' */$'6721(
.,5,1 &$//,1$1
3 6 < & 5 2 3 7 , & . , 1 * 3 $ 5 5 2 7 $ 0 , / / , 2 1 '($' %,5'6 /$8*+,1* $1' 0 ( 7 $ / 6 7 2 5 0
0< ',6&2
Z %52$':$< 6281'6 Z )$1'52,'6 $1' 06 %877 '- VHW EHWZHHQ VHWV
/$.<1 +(3(5, 6(//,1* )$67 Z /$&+/$1 '87+,(
7+(/0$ 3/80
1,&+2/$6 52< 6,1*/( /$81&+ Z -$& 6721(
7+( %/$&. -(686 (;3(5,(1&(
:,3305. -(:;
0$175$
67(9( /8&$6 7+( 60$// )$.(56 35(6(17 2JGHQV 1XW *RQH )ODNH $1' 7+( 68%67,787(6 SHUIRUP 7KH %HVW RI WKH (DV\EHDWV 3UHWW\ *LUO 0$7,1((
3$8/ 7+251 86$ 62/2
(/($125 0&(92< ,5( 6(76 Z (1'$ .(11<
%/$&. &$%
6:,00,1* 0$7,1(( $1' 1$20, .(<7( (3 /$81&+ Z %$12))((
%867$0(172 0$7,1(( 6(76
%/$&. &$% 6,1*/( /$81&+ 6(//,1* )$67 Z /2:7,'( $1' 0563.5 IURP 7KH 4XHHQ V +HDG
48((1 6 %,57+'$< 38%/,& +2/,'$< (9(
7+( 1(59(
2QH 1LJKW LQ 1RUWKFRWH /,9( &' 5(&25',1* 48$55< 02817$,1 '($' 5$76 Z 0$; 6$9$*(
7+(0 6:2236 (3 /$81&+ Z 7+( *5($6(56 ZLWK PHPEHUV RI 1HZ *RGV /LWWOH 5HG DQG (DJOH 7KH :RUP
$1' +,',1* :,7+ %($56
321< )$&( Z 0$77 :$/.(5 7+( /267 5$*$6 $1' +($9< %($&+ 7KH 0L[ &' 6RFLDO IHDW *(25*,$ ),(/'6 7+( 5(' %5,*$'( 63(1'(5 7+( %/8(%277/(6 '- 6 -26+ ($5/ -(1 &/2+(5 (9(/<1 0255,6
:,3305. -(:;
7+( 7:2.6 /3 /$81&+ Z 7+( 1<03+6 $1' &$1$5<
0$175$ 6,1*/( /$81&+ Z %$0 %$0 $1' '</$1 -2(/
VZDQ VWUHHW ULFKPRQG ER[ RIILFH RSHQ PRQ DP SP WXHV WR IUL DP SP VDW DP SP ERRNLQJV LQIR RU
:,3305. -(:;
/$.<1 +(3(5,
Every Wednesday from 7.30pm
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Hosted By Jess McGuire & George H Table Bookings Advised: 9427 7300 Beat Magazine Page 19
ALT-J BY JOSHUA KLOKE
Gwil Sainsbury pauses thoughtfully to consider the question. We’ve only got 20 minutes for this interview, but nothing is going to prevent Sainsbury from due prudence to every topic we discuss. At first, it strikes me simply as affable English charm. Yet with every pensive pause, Sainsbury defines the constant struggle of Alt-J: how to proceed carefully in an industry that demands more of the band than they’re comfortable revealing. We’re discussing the rapid ascent that the Cambridge via Leeds foursome has experienced since the May 2012 release of their debut full-length, An Awesome Wave. When you consider the exposure that winning the Mercury Prize brought, coupled with appearances on American late-night TV programs and the ridiculous amount of touring they’ve done (they’ll be touching down in Australia for the third time in nine months), how Alt-J plans on managing and maintaining their success for the long-term all and avoiding overexposure is certainly a quandary worth pausing to consider. “That’s a constant concern for us, how to manage what we’re doing in this industry,” says Sainsbury calmly on the phone from a San Diego tour stop. “I suppose we forget sometimes what we’re doing; we’re running a business, but you’re trying not to do it with spread sheets or whatever. To me, that’s quite strange.” “Strange” may be an accurate description for the short career of Alt-J. After forming in Leeds University and arranging their demos in student dorm rooms, they spent two years middling in relative insignificance before releasing a 7” single with Loud and Quiet in October 2011 (that now values around $200) before abruptly arriving as critical darlings with An Awesome Wave. With their fearless dabbling in genres and reluctance to buy into the industry machine, they are being called the second coming of Radiohead. “I didn’t get into a band to become a well-known face or a well-known personality,” counters Sainsbury. Critics and bloggers alike have struggled to label and compartmentalise Alt-J. Often this leads to an aura of mystery surrounding an act, when one must actually examine their sound instead of simply being told, rather simplistically, what forms their aesthetic. The frank and humble members of Alt-J, however, in direct contrast to the textured music they release, maintain a level of honesty in interviews and public appearances. Often appearing together as, well, your typical university students, the band have shunned the opportunity to further the mysterious, rock star myth. You’d be hard-pressed to find Alt-J, rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Joe Newman, keyboardist GusUnger Hamilton and drummer Thom Green even in a pair of fashionable skinny jeans. They’re more drab sweater and khakis, if anything. This is a band defined by their reluctance to be embraced and subsequently swallowed whole by the music media and industry. “I personally have issues with glamour,” says Sainsbury rather adamantly. It’s a notion that is more deeprooted in the band’s initial lowered expectations for An Awesome Wave. Beat Magazine Page 20
“I guess I was uncomfortable, in a very naïve way,” continues Sainsbury, “because we put out the record and didn’t expect much of a response to it. It’s still quite a strange thing to be asked about our music and to be stopped on the street by our fans, but it’s certainly important to interact with them.” With over 400,000 Facebook likes, the stretch of Alt-J’s popularity is becoming wider than they’d ever imagined. I press Sainsbury on the effect their popularity has had on the band as people, though he quickly interjects. Evidently, Sainsbury will only refuse to give thoughtful pause when it’s insinuated that his ego has become inflated. “It’s important to make sure that your fans know you’re not in any way elevated above them. People have this impression of you as a person just through hearing your record and that can be very weird,” he confesses. As the band attempts to find a balance between the life they led as shy, artistically-inclined students at Leeds University (Unger-Hamilton studied English Literature while the other three members studied Fine Arts) and increasingly exposed celebrities, another pertinent demand begins to creep up. And it’s one that may very well have the most distinguishable impact on their future in the music business. It’s only been a year since the release of An Awesome Wave, but already Sainsbury admits the band is being pressured to quickly release a follow-up. “I wouldn’t be tempted to go in and bang out another record,” he says. The dreaded sophomore slump can make or break young upstart bands such as Alt-J, but there’s a resistance in Sainsbury’s voice to the very notion that they will continue to be held hostage to standards and methods they see as antiquated. “To put it into context,” he continues, “it took us four years to record An Awesome Wave, even though we were all studying in university. So to just record a quick follow-up, that’s not really how we work.” Ah, yes, how Alt-J work. To call An Awesome Wave a layered record would be an understatement, so you would be correct in assuming the four members employ meticulous methods when composing their songs. Four years to put together a debut album might not be the most shocking statistic, considering Sainsbury and co. were in the midst of also attaining university degrees. What’s more, often it takes young bands those early years to work out the kinks in their interband dynamics and find solid footing in terms of direction and sound. With careful and deliberate consideration into their efforts, Alt-J possess the approach of a band double
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
their age that’s learnt from their mistakes. That is, of course, except touring. Their touring schedule in the last year has been relentless, with appearances in clubs, theatres and large festivals getting a taste of the band. Many acts of Alt-J’s tender age and disposition would adopt a carefree, live fast and die young mentality. Sainsbury notes, in about as salacious a comment as I got from him that, “We drank and smoked a lot more on our past tours, we’re trying to watch out for that,” adding with a characteristically calm benevolence that “…exercise is really essential as well.” Exercise? This is what a man in his mid-twenties has to say about touring the world? It’s all part of their nose-to-the-grindstone attitude and their belief that the work itself will provide more redemption than any glamour might. “The response that the record has had means that it is our duty to play for our fans around the world that perhaps haven’t had the chance to see us play yet. From my point of view, that’s what it’s about. We didn’t expect this kind of response,” says Sainsbury. So then, even with a record that finds favour both with critics and fans, Sainsbury still regards touring as more of a duty for the band and less as an opportunity to see the world? “It’s an opportunity of course,” asserts Sainsbury, after the requisite pause. A great opportunity it may be, but the confidence they now exert not only in graduating to larger venues with every tour but simply stepping on any stage didn’t come easy. Sainsbury has been quoted in the past as stating that he’s “…never been so nervous” as when the band played their first gig at Leeds University, during which one crowd member fainted in the packed audience. As Alt-J spend more of their time essentially becoming displaced from the life they once knew at Leeds University, Gainsbury begins to feel the strain. “It is very hard when you go out on tour to maintain a normal life, a normal schedule and try and be a normal person. We’ve had some incredible times though it did take us a very long time to get comfortable playing live. We spent a lot of time before this playing and writing alone.” Gwil Sainsbury never waxes poetic on modern philosophy or gets political in the slightest. He doesn’t speak ill of his band-mates, though after a year of essentially living together in cramped quarters, he likely has good reason to. Making brazen statements he could very well regret later, even though he could chalk it up to youth, would be the easy way out for Sainsbury. No detail is left unquestioned by the band, both in their music and their public approach. Their calculated aesthetic is refreshing in that it comes from a place of genuine respect for the continuity of their careers and not motivated by sales or target audiences. Perhaps one day a video will unearth of the band abandoning their steadfastness and overindulging to excess. But for the time being, Alt-J is methodical and prudent, their only playful mannerisms coming in their lack of regard for the preordained musical genres An Awesome Wave eclipses with ease. “It’s important to maintain a playful attitude when making music,” Sainsbury says. “All we can ask from the songs and from each other is to have an open mind.” Alt-J play Festival Hall on Tuesday July 30 as well as the sold out Splendour in the Grass festival.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 21
THIS WEEK: ON SCREEN The Melbourne Planetarium is one of those little gems of the city. The Planetarium combines its domed ceiling with reclining chairs, an array of slide and video projectors, and stereo surround sound, to make a visit to the Planetarium a unique experience, sort of like a night out with Dan Watt. There is one film, Black Holes, that I can confirm will blow your mind, although it screens sporadically. However, the Planetarium will this week screen To Space and Back, a film that shows you how space exploration is shaping your world. From discovering a universe of unimaginable scale and beauty, to reaching down into our world and influencing the way in which we live. Narrated by Top Gear’s James May, see the impact space technology has on our dayto-day lives. It’s on Thursday June 6 and Friday June 7 at 2pm. The Planetarium is also screening Ticket to the Universe, in which a Scienceworks presenter will fly you off planet Earth and out beyond the stars. Enjoy an amazing guided tour of our vast and incredible Universe. It’s on Saturday June 8, Sunday June 9 and Monday June 10.
ON STAGE La Mama presents Button, an exploration of the universe and human loneliness. Created and performed by Carole Patullo and Jane Bayley, Button tells the story of two lonely women who become friends over a jar of buttons. Peter Farnan’s (Boom Crash Opera) crafted soundtrack will poignantly illustrate the women’s friendship, and the nuances of human healing and universal interconnectivity. Button is currently being performed at La Mama until Sunday June 16.
ON DISPLAY Painter Simon Dransfield will debut his newest collection of work, The Grotto, at Rooftop Art Space. Using watercolour and acrylic paints as his main medium, Dransfield constructs guileless pieces of work imbued with nuances of tribal motifs, and storytelling. His collection, The Grotto, depicts the importance of shelter and comfort. The Grotto is currently on exhibition at Rooftop Art Space until Saturday June 22. Admission is free.
BEAT’S PICK OF THE WEEK:
WITH TYSON WRAY. GOT THOUGHTS, NEWS, GOSSIP, COMPLAINTS OR CAT PHOTOS? EMAIL TYSON@BEAT.COM.AU OR SEND BY CARRIER PIGEON BEFORE FRIDAY 12PM.
VANGUARD BY SHANNON CONNELLAN
Modern ballet has officially ditched the tutu. Minimal moons ago, as the 20th century revved its newly invented engine, ballet visionaries saw beyond the canonical field of Nutcrackers and White Swans to new, modern style. This week, The Australian Ballet is geared up to reintroduce you to ballet and celebrate the moments that steered a new course for dance in Vanguard. Vanguard is a hand-picked triple bill featuring pieces that stuck it to The Man and shook up the system for ballet in the last century. “Classical ballet underwent dramatic developments in the 20th century and continues to evolve,” said The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director, Alistair McAllister. “Vanguard is a program that will shift people’s expectations of what classical movement can express.” Leading the pack, George Balanchine’s 1946 work The Four Temperaments put classical technique through the wash. Ji í Kylián’s 1995 Bella Figura pushed dancer’s bodies to new contorted limits and pulverised any restriction on staged possibilities. Then, under a decade ago, Wayne McGregor’s Dyad 1929 wrote a new vocabulary for modern dance. These three outsidethe-boxers reinvented traditional ballet and splashed icy water on the faces of jaded ballet-goers. The works push movement to the forefront, politely asking epic narrative and fancy costuming to take a breather. The choreography is laid bare, the dancers themselves made the main focus. Incidentally, perhaps the biggest headliner in the Vanguard
bill is the one making all the moves, with the shiny new Principal Artist for The Australian Ballet, Ty King Wall, making his debut performance wearing the top spot title. New Zealand-born King Wall, who has been a Senior Artist with the company since 2006, found his years of hard work rewarded onstage with a big ol’ bunch of flowers and a promotion to Principal Artist. “It was a couple of weeks ago now, it happened on stage, we’d just finished a show Don Quixote and our Artistic Director Alistair McAllister came out on stage,” he says. “Usually when he does that it only means one thing: somebody’s getting promoted. I’ve seen that happen before a few times and I was just lucky enough that it was me this time.” Now joining The Australian Ballet’s top tier of talent, King Wall is about to front up the goods in all three of the Vanguard pieces. The choreography this time around is quite different to King Wall’s main repertoire; he’s ticked off numerous classical characters from The Nutcracker Prince to Don Quixote’s Basilio. But the 26-year-old is keen to get
PALACE OF THE END BY JOSH FERGUS
Melbourne Theatre Company will host the premiere of the acclaimed South African production Solomon and Marion this June. Solomon and Marion, written by acclaimed playwright Lara Foot, creates a fresh perspective on modern-day South Africa through the relationship of Solomon and Marion. Featuring Gillian Jones (Packed to the Rafters, The Slap) as Marion, a mother who lost her son in a brutal act of violence, and Pacharo Mzembe (Underbelly: Razor) as Solomon, Solomon and Marion explores whether heartache can be healed through forgiveness and understanding. Solomon and Marion will be performed at Fairfax Studio from Friday June 7 – Saturday July 20.
Beat Magazine Page 22
Recently we marked the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by Australia and a coalition of other nations. In recognition of this, Theatre Works is presenting the Australian premiere of Judith Thompson’s Palace of the End, a trio of monologues spoken by non-fictional characters who were deeply impacted by the war and its repercussions. Hannah Norris plays an American Soldier in the first piece, My Pyramids. “Although my character isn’t named in the piece, she is Lynndie England,” states Norris. “She’s nine months pregnant, waiting for her trial after being involved in the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. “It started with Judith just wanting to explore a bit about her, and then from that she created the triptych,” explains Norris. The other two pieces feature actors portraying David Kelly, a British weapons inspector who discovered
there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and a young woman, Nehrjas al Saffarh, the wife to the leader of the Iraqi Communist Party. “She’s compiled a play with people who have been affected by the war in Iraq in different ways and provided them with a chance to tell their story – even though some of it is imagined. It poses the question, makes the audience think, “what would I have done in this situation.” Portraying real people, particularly controversial figures
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
his nose out of the history books for a change. “These are three abstract ballets…they’re all very testing and quite removed from what we usually do. All three are, in their own way, very challenging and rewarding works to perform.” Kicking off the triad for Vanguard is Russian-born New York ballet legend George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. Created in the ‘40s, the piece studies the four Ancient Greek “humours”: melancholic, choleric, sanguinic and phlegmatic. Balanchine’s signature staccato style developed during a close working friendship back in the day with his ol’ bud Igor Stravinsky, so expect an aggravated, experimental jaunt of a performance for the opening act. Fifty years after Balanchine, Czech choreographer Ji í Kylián decided to create new parameters for a ballet dancer’s technique, creating the second featured Vanguard piece, Bella Figura, a psychological study which fluctuates between consciousness and dreaming. The second Vanguard chapter is genuinely stunning, with dynamic choreography, brave costuming and surreal staging from The Australian Ballet. Kylián described Bella Figura as a piece created to make the audience feel like they’re “standing on the edge of a dream.” Closest to home of the three is Dyad 1929, created in 2009 for The Australian Ballet by UK-born Wayne McGregor, founder of Random Dance and resident choreographer of the Royal Ballet. McGregor created twin works Dyad 1909 and Dyad 1929 as an homage to the Ballet Russes. “Dyad is a whole other kettle of fish,” says King Wall. “When that was choreographed about ten years ago in the company none of us had ever encountered anything like that before. It was almost like being slapped in the face really, in a good way. It really tested us, pushed us to our limits.” Vanguard is a three-headed beast of invigorating modern ballet, a triple bill that promises to please those in the know but also offer up a generous sample plate for ballet newbies. King Wall is excited to bring the works to both a seasoned ballet audience and enthusiastic newcomers to the art. “It’s a fantastic triple bill that [The Australian Ballet] has put together. I know the dancers really enjoy performing it and I’m sure the audience can read that and feel that,” he says. “I think we will change people’s perceptions that are coming to the ballet.” Vanguard is on at the Arts Centre, State Theatre from Thursday June 6 until Monday June 17. such as England, can be challenging for actors, but Norris is thoroughly enjoying the challenge of portraying the woman captured posing in numerous photos degrading Iraqi prisoners of war. “It’s really interesting,” she asserts. “I knew of Lynndie from the photos and part of the idea of the piece is that we do know her by an image or as somewhat of an icon, but we don’t know too much about her as a person. I’ve been doing a lot of research on her. When the piece was written it wasn’t too long after the scandal, so there are more interviews which Lynndie has done since then. More has been revealed about her which is helpful for me as an actor. “It’s great to be playing a real person, to see in interviews how they respond to questions and how things affect them. I was surprised by things like the fact that she graduated from high school. Maybe it shouldn’t have but I had a certain expectation of how she was educated. Really such a big part of the story is how she was in love with this other soldier there who she became pregnant to, as well as her general history with men. He was ten years older than her, and being in love with him played a big part in her decision making as well as being in the army where you have to follow orders. “I have to find the justification for everything I, as Lynndie, has done. It’s really interesting to trace back to the text and think about why might this have happened or work out how I can make this something I can fight for, something I can argue for. I have to be able to empathise with her and understand some of her reasons. It’s going to be a challenge for the audience. It does give an insight and make you question what you would do in a situation, what choices you would make in similar circumstances.” Palace Of The End is showing at Theatre Works in St Kilda from tonight, Wednesday June 5 until Sunday June 16.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 23
FOR MORE ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS VISIT BEAT.COM.AU La Mama will host an intense, evocative production this June entitled Ditto, A Story. Considered a “work that you know has great international potential”, Ditto, A Story illustrates the friendship of three young actors sharing an apartment in Melbourne during a rainy June. Ditto, A Story will capture their tumultuous point of their lives where ambitions flitter between dreams and reality. Ditto, A Story will be performed at La Mama Theatre from Wednesday June 19 – Sunday June 23.
Melbourne Art Trams have opened expressions of interests for their contribution to Melbourne Festival’s 2013 Visual Arts Program, eight trams featuring Victorian artists’ work. The program tributes the Transporting Art initiative from 1978–1993, an initiative that saw some of Australia’s greatest artists – Howard Arkley, Mira Mora and Michael Leunig – work painted onto trams. This year, Melbourne Art Trams are searching for eight professional artists to feature their work on eight Melbourne trams, including a new and emerging artist. Successful applicants will have their work featured on the Yarra Trams network for six months. More information about Melbourne Art Trams can be found through Melbourne Festival, which runs from Friday October 11 – Sunday October 27.
CHECKPOINT CHARLE COMEDY Checkpoint is a pretty sweet comedy room and tonight they’re stacking the lineup. One of Australia’s finest, Harley Breen, will take the host’s mic with a talented bunch grabbing it off him. Tommy Dassalo (Little Dum Dum Club), John Campbell (Studio A), Don Tran, Kurt Wordberg and more. Melbourne’s finest spitting funnies into the business end of a mic for just $5. Plus cheap piss. Show kicks off 8.30pm tonight, upstairs from Eurotrash Bar. Get down early for a seat.
DITTO, A STORY
MELBOURNE ART TRAMS OPENS EOI
THE COMIC STRIP
LOL COMEDY WEST SPACE ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Twenty years ago, a small Footscray building exhibited artworks by established and emerging artists. Now, two decades later, West Space owns an exhibition space on Bourke Street dedicated to Melbourne’s artists. This year, the non-profit artist-led organisation will celebrate their 20th anniversary in style with an exhibition sale of works from over 130 emerging and established artists to raise money for West Space. The money will support the educational programs operated and the operation of the free rental space for artists. West Space 20th Anniversary Annual Fundraiser will be hosted at West Space from Wednesday June 12 – Saturday June 15. Opening night will be on Tuesday June 11 from 6pm– 9pm. Admission is free.
LOL Comedy has another ripper lined up this week, with MC John Conway, who was nominated for the ‘best show’ award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and headliner Matt Hardy. Matt has a huge CV that includes writing credits for countless TV shows both in Australia and around the world. Matt was also the first Aussie to crack the international scene as a comedian, and has appeared on almost every Aussie TV show around. Above all else, he’s damn hilarious, and will bring home another cracking night of comedy tonight at The Portland Hotel.
KATI THANDA – GREEN DESERT VIDEOGAME This month, The University of Melbourne will host a seven-day exhibition called VIDEOGAME. Organised by architect and lecturer Tommy Joo, VIDEOGAME is a collection of conceptual art-pieces that employ the use of light, shadow, performance and architecture to create new, exciting post-modernist works. These pieces will meticulously examine the images and codes that pervade everyday life, and how they influence our thoughts and actions. VIDEOGAME will be on exhibition at The University of Melbourne’s Performance Room from Wednesday June 5 – Wednesday June 12 with an opening night on Friday June 7 at 6pm. Admission is free.
During December last year, Lake Eyre was formally named Kati Thanda, the name ascribed to the inland sea by the Arabunna People. To commemorate this, Burrinja Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition entitled Kati Thanda – Green Desert. Photographed by award-winning landscape photographer Pete Elfes, Kati Thanda captures the harsh and changing landscape of the region and the tale of Warrena, the spiritual keeper of the lake. Kati Thanda – Green Desert is currently on exhibition at Burrinja Gallery until Sunday August 11.
FELIX BAR COMEDY THE IMMORTAL In collaboration with The Estate of Michael Jackson, Cirque du Soleil will be presenting Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour this October. That’s right, it’s time to dig out your dusty, sequined glove because this once-in-a-lifetime performance will be extravagant. THE IMMORTAL World Tour will feature 49 international dancers, musicians and acrobats, truly capturing the riveting experience of The King of Pop’s performances. Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour will be performed at Rod Laver Arena from Thursday October 10 – Sunday October 13.
THE WISHING TREE The Owl and The Pussycat will debut the Melbourne season of The Wishing Tree this June. Inspired by Asian culture and tradition, The Wishing Tree is a unique production that explores the concept of wishes and their consequences. Each night, audience members are invited to write wishes and attach them to a wishing tree prior to the show. Once completed, the actors select wishes from the tree and weave impromptu performances from them. Brave, evocative and humane, The Wishing Tree will be performed at The Owl and The Pussycat from Wednesday June 19 –Saturday June 29.
Tonight, Jimeoin headlines Felix Bar Comedy. He’s one of the biggest names that the Australian comedy scene has produced and it’s always a massive night when he drops into Felix Bar. Plus they’ve got Danny McGinlay, Karl Chandler, Tegan Higginbotham and some surprise guests. It’s happening tonight, Wednesday June 5, at 8.30pm for only $13 at Felix Bar, St Kilda.
COMMEDIA DELL PARTE: COLLINGWOOD Commedia Dell Parte have announced a second Thursday night room running every Thursday downstairs at the beautiful Agent 284. To kick off this new chapter they have some old favourites dropping in to do a short set including Adam Rozenbachs, Tommy Dassalo, Dave Thornton, Daniel Connell, Elbow Skin, Tegan Higginbotham and Bart Freebairn. Tickets at the door for just $10.
COMMEDIA DELL PARTE: ST KILDA Commedia Dell Parte is still running every Thursday in St Kilda as well. This week Beau Stegmann hosts a great lineup of comics including Trav Nash, Jonathan Schuster, Alasdair Tremblay Birchall, Martin Dunlop, Brett Blake, James Masters, Claire Sullivan and Jim Bob. With each week packing out, you will need to get in early to grab a seat. The room runs on a ‘pay as you like’ basis, so come along and have a great laugh, then pay what you believe the show is worth on the way out. Commedia Dell Parte runs every Thursday from 8.30pm, at the George Lane Bar, St Kilda.
FIRST GLANCE I TO EYE David Burrows returns with new binocular-bending images in I To Eye at [MARS] Melbourne Art Rooms this June. Burrows is known for being the first Australian artist to have attended the revered French Art Institute, Le Fresnoy National Studio, and for good reason. His overtly simplistic pieces delve into the complexity of visual mechanics and depth perception. I To Eye will be on exhibition at [MARS] Melbourne Art Rooms from Thursday June 6 – Sunday June 30 with an opening night on Thursday June 6 from 6–8pm. Admission is free.
BODYART TRAINING Do you want to get into the tattoo and body piercing industry? Bodyart can help you. Bodyart offer courses in body piercing and maintain infection control. Training in all the major cities around Australia, there is specialist training for your staff in tattoo, piercing, beauty, pharmacy and body art industry. Get pierced by RTO accredited piercers and/or learn how to pierce. For more information, call their hotline on 1300 552 044.
Beat Magazine Page 24
It’s the 62nd anniversary of the Melbourne International Film Festival this year and to commemorate it, the festival has provided an exciting sneak peek at this year’s program. Representing home-grown talent, Tim Winton’s The Turning will feature David Wenham, Cate Blanchett and many more, in a poignant retelling of Winton’s best-selling historical short story collection, while Zak Hilditch will provide an Australian interpretation of the apocalypse with These Final Hours. Director Mark Hartley (Not Quite Hollywood) will reinterpret an Australian classic, Patrick, a horror film staring Rachel Griffiths (Brothers and Sisters), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) and Sharni Vinson (Home and Away). Berlinale-winning titles Closed Curtain directed by Jafar Panahai, and Paulina García’s acclaimed performance in Gloria will adorn the MIFF screens, while harrowing film Ginger and Rosa will showcase Elle Fanning’s talent. For all the fairytale aficionados, MIFF will have a special screening of Blancanieves, a Spanish retelling of Snow White. MIFF will host at various venues around Melbourne from Wednesday July 25 – Sunday August 11. The full festival program will be available online and in The Age on Friday July 5.
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS The Arts Centre will be extending their season of One Man, Two Guvnors this month due to popular demand. Since its premiere two years ago, the British comedy has featured over one million attendees and raving reviews. One Man, Two Guvnors is a unique blend of satire, songs and slapstick comedy that has captured people’s hearts, and bellies worldwide. It follows the hilarious tale of Francis Henshall and his employment by Roscoe (who is really Rachel dressed as her dead twin brother) and Stanley (the man who killed Roscoe), two men entangled in a small-time criminal syndicates. One Man, Two Guvnors is currently on at the Arts Centre until Saturday June 29.
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
COMEDY AT SPLEEN This Monday, it’s yet another cracking lineup down at your old mate Spleen. They’ve got Luke McGregor, Michael Chamberlin, Karl Chandler, Bart Freebairn, Tommy Dassalo and heaps and heaps more! It’s this Monday June 10, 41 Bourke St, in the city, at 8.30pm. It may be free, but they appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door.
wednesday june 5 inside:
anthony pappa
coming soon!!!
tensnake ake phil k jamie 3:26 luke bowditch + more
UPCOMING
J U LY
JUNE
on tour COSMIN TRG [ROM] Friday June 7, New Guernica DOP [FRA] Friday June 7, The Liberty Social HNQO [BRA] Friday June 7, Brown Alley JAMIE 3:26 [USA] Friday June 7, Mercat Basement TYLER, THE CREATOR [USA], EARL SWEATSHIRT [USA] Friday June 7, Palace Theatre THE REVENGE [SCO] Saturday June 8, The Liberty Social BREACH [UK], ROUTE 94 [UK] Saturday June 8, RMH The Venue GREGOR SALTO [NED] Saturday June 8, Alumbra DASH BERLIN [NED] Saturday June 8, Shed 14 TENSNAKE [GER] Saturday June 8, The Bottom End ROBERT BABICZ [GER], CHRIS LIEBING [GER], JIMMY EDGAR [USA] Sunday June 9, Brown Alley EARTHCORE LAUNCH PARTY: COMING SOON!!! [ISR] + MORE Sunday June 9, La Di Da JOHN DIGWEED [UK] Sunday June 9, Prince Bandroom JEFF MILLS [USA] Sunday June 9, The Bottom End COMING SOON!!! [ISR] Sunday June 9, La Di Da SEPALCURE [USA], DJ RASHAD [USA] + MORE Sunday June 9, TBA ATA [GER] Friday June 21, Mercat Basement MAXMILLION DUNBAR [USA] Saturday June 22, Mercat Basement COOLIO [USA] Thursday June 27, Red Bennies OBIE TRICE [USA] Friday June 28, Trak Lounge WINTER BEATS SOUNDSYSTEM: SKAZI [ISR], BEHIND BLUE EYES [DEN] Friday June 28, RMH The Venue BRISK [UK] Friday June 28, Charlton’s Nightclub DEORRO [USA] Friday July 5, Billboard SIMON PATTERSON [UK] Friday July 5, Chasers Nightclub A$AP ROCKY [USA] Saturday June 29, Festival Hall TOKIMONSTA [USA] Saturday July 6, The Hi-Fi JUAN ATKINS [USA], FUNK D’VOID [UK] Friday July 12, Brown Alley ALEX KIDD [UK] Friday July 12, Billboard ONRA [FRA] Thursday July 18, Howler FRANK OCEAN [USA] Friday July 26, Festival Hall RICK WILHITE [USA] Saturday July 27, New Guernica JAMES BLAKE [UK] Wednesday July 31, Palais Theatre CHVRCHES [UK] Monday August 5, Corner Hotel D-BLOCK & S-TE-FAN [NED] Friday August 16, Chaser’s Nightclub GHOSTPOET [UK] Saturday September 14, Corner Hotel RUDIMENTAL [UK] Saturday September 21, Festival Hall PORTER ROBINSON [USA] Sunday October 20, Billboard EARTHCORE: ANGY KORE [ITA], PERFECT STRANGER [ISR] + MORE Friday November 29 - Sunday December 2, TBA BRUNO MARS [USA], MIGUEL [USA] Tuesday March 4 & Wednesday March 5, Rod Laver Arena
tour rumours
robert delong word s / a la s d a i r d u n c a n
The past year has seen a meteoric rise for Robert Delong. The young Los Angeles-based producer had a hit with his manic, percussion-heavy track Global Concepts, and followed it up with an acclaimed debut album, Just Movement. The album takes in an array of styles, sounds and textures, from house to moombahton, all of them held together by Delong’s signature raggedy vocals. Delong is in great demand right now, traveling the world with his high-energy live show, in which he pounds the drums while manipulating his vast collection of gear. We caught him in a rare moment of quiet, on a trip to a bowling alley with friends. Los Angeles itself is building a reputation as a centre for dance and electronic music. The laid-back atmosphere and the ready availability of cheap warehouse rehearsal spaces make the city an enticing prospect for young musicians – Delong himself relocated there soon after high school. “Everybody comes through here, so there are always a lot of shows,” he says of the city. “A lot of new DJs come out of here. There’s music of every different genre. I’m not really super involved in the scene, but there’s a lot of cool stuff under the surface here, a lot of stuff that you wouldn’t necessarily expect out of Los Angeles.” Delong grew up playing the drums, and even studied them in college for a while, before making the switch to electronic music. Rhythm is central to his music, but these days, he has a vast collection of gear, that includes a variety of gadgets and gizmos that he has transformed into MIDI interfaces. His bag of tricks includes hacked gamepads and joysticks and even a Wii controller, manipulated so that they make music when he mashes the buttons. “I started messing around with that stuff a while back,” he says. “This was well before I started making music or thinking about an album. I just did it for fun.” The young Delong found out how to hack gear on the internet, and initially saw it as a challenge. “I just played with it, and over time, I started doing a bit of performing here and there, and the music grew into what it is,” he says. While he wasn’t a huge gaming nerd growing up – a little Tony Hawk was the most that he got into – he had enough gear lying around that an obsession was born. “I started with an old gamepad of mine,” he says, “and I ordered a USB joystick from online, and then that was pretty much it. I started messing around with a few different types of software to convert it to MIDI before finally finding one that I liked.”
news
onra
t yson
w ray
Does anyone know where you can get regular Mountain Dew in Melbourne anymore? This energised shit I see everywhere is killing me.
Mark E, Roman Flügel, Maurice Fulton, Jam City, Andrew Weatherall, Silicone Soul
2
“I counted six airports in six days last week,” he says. “It’s good though, it’s a lot of fun.” Delong comes from an indie rock background – he played in an indie rock band called The Denouement while in college – and while he inhabits the world of electronic music these days, he continues to put songwriting first. “I think more often than not, my songs will start with a chord progression or a sound or a beat,” he says. “I’ll make a beat on the
computer and then work around that. There are quite a few songs on the album, like Few Years Make that start on guitar or piano, but I always bring them back to the electronic thing. I spend a lot of time working that way,” he continues. “I look at it as training. It really is totally random – you never know why one thing works or why it doesn’t.” In the past, Delong has cited bands like Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service among his biggest influences, and it’s easy to hear the echoes of both in his music. I ask who else inspires him, from a songwriting perspective, and he pauses for a minute. “I listen to a lot of Paul Simon and Talking Heads and David Bowie,” he says. “I really love their music, and I’d say there are a lot of ways that it influences me.” He also goes clubbing a lot for inspiration. “I always try to go out if I’m in a city and something cool is happening,” he says, “although by the look of me, it’s funny to imagine me doing it.” Delong will soon be in Australia to play at Splendour In The Grass, and I ask what we can expect from those shows. “Well, I have a drum set, a bunch of MIDI gear and gamepads,” he says. “It’s kind of an exciting electro dance party – it’s very high energy. The show is very physically demanding for me – it’s a really good workout. I can’t even describe the adrenaline I get from doing it, though. I just hope people have as much fun as I do.”
Robert Delong plays at Ding Dong Lounge on Tuesday July 23. He’ll also play at the sold out Splendour In The Grass, which takes place Friday July 26 – Sunday July 28 at North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay. soundcloud.com/robertdelong facebook.com/delongmusic
- head to beat.com.au for more
off the record w it h
Electronic gear can be pretty fragile – old video game equipment especially so. Delong is well aware of this, and with all the travelling he’s been doing in recent times, he needs to take good care of his collection. “We travel with backups for almost everything that I use,” he says. “The only thing that is the scariest is the computers. I travel with my laptop clutched really close to my chest all the time, just in case! We have backups for almost everything. It’s terrifying flying, and watching the airport people tossing the bags around.” Just how many times has this happened recently? A lot, Delong says.
Onra aka Arnaud Bernard returns to Australia with a range of hardware, gear and special surprises, eschewing the trend of heads-down and very much performance-less laptops, making him very unique on the scene as well as a favourite of more traditional or purist hip hop heads. Most recently, Onra teamed up with frequent collaborator Boddhi Satva for the Yatha Bhuta Jazz Combo project: not meant for the club, but purely for the open minds and ears of listeners familiar with the spiritual Jazz of Alice Coltrane or Sun Ra. Don’t miss Onra playing at Howler on Thursday July 18.
contact
deorro Deorro (formally known as Ton!c) is a Los Angeles native
Editor: Tyson Wray / tyson@beat.com.au Editorial Assistant: Nick Taras / nick@beat.com.au Production/Cover Design: Pat O’Neill / art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Rebecca Houlden Advertising: Adam Morgan - (03) 8414 8719 / adam@beat.com.au Taryn Stenvei - (03) 8414 9711 / taryn@beat.com.au Kris Furst - (03) 8414 9703 / kris@furstmedia.com.au Photographer: Callum Linsell Contributors: Alasdair Duncan, Andrew Hickey, Annabel Maclean, Chloe Papas, Dan Watt, Jo Campbell, Kish Lal, Lachlan Kanonuik, Leigh Salter, Miki McLay, Morgan Richards, Nick Taras, Nina Bertok, Richie Meldrum, RK, Rose Callaghan, Ryan Butler, Simon Hampson, Tamara Vogl Deadlines: Editorial: Friday 2pm Advertising: Monday 12pm Publisher: Furst Media - 3 Newton Street, Richmond - (03) 9428 3600 beat.com.au
who grew up in West Covina and is making his way onto becoming one of the biggest top young and upcoming producer/DJs. Beginning his ascent into music at the age of 14, it was only a matter of time Deorro became a household name. Having already sold out shows in Australia under his pseudonym Ton!c, Deorro is returning this time with the added support from renowned producers like Laidback Luke, Tiesto, Kaskade, Porter Robinson, Bingo Players, Knife Party, Afrojack and more. He comes armed with his own unique style of fusing progressive and electro Dutch music together and of course his own inimitable DJ style. Grab those tickets before they sell out as it’s all going down at Billboard The Venue on Friday July 5.
frank ocean
One of the biggest drawcards on the 2013 Splendour bill has finally announced a Melbourne sideshow. Ocean made waves (geddit?) in 2012 with the release of his critically acclaimed debut album Channel ORANGE, of which our reviewer stated “grappling masculinity, alienation, privilege and sensuality, Ocean has crafted a record which belies his youth.” Ocean’s 2013 tour will also be his debut in Australia, after he pulled out of last year’s Future Music Festival. Frank Ocean will perform at Festival Hall on Friday July 26.
le1f, brooke candy, house of ladosha The House of Mince and Grouse Party have teamed up to bring down Le1f to Melbourne along with special guests Brooke Candy and House of Ladosha. Le1f has one foot in rap, which he came to age on and one foot in the downtown electronic scene where he developed as an artist and Le1f’s muscular, hyper-articulate flow handily disposes of any misconceptions that he’s anything less than a legitimate rapper. Brooke Candy, an internet sensation and a rapper in her own right joins them with House of Ladosha, the New York-based, gender bending glamazons, an artistic collective that makes everything from t-shirts to club bangers to their own fierce vernacular. Head down to The Hi-Fi on Thursday June 6.
shapeshifter In celebration of the release of their highly anticipated new album, Delta, New Zealand’s drum and bass legends Shapeshifter have announced an Australian tour this August. Across their career they have made genre-defining appearances at Glastonbury, The Big Chill, Big Day Out including sold out performances across Europe. Their new album stirs up much excitement in fans especially considering it has been crafted in Berlin, Woodhill and Wellington, incorporating elements of the ‘heavy soul’ tempered with drum and bass, jazz and funk that fans have become enamoured with. Shapeshifter hits Melbourne on Friday August 16 at Billboard The Venue.
jordan suckley, eddie bitar & james dymond
Prepare for a night of underground 140BPM trance at its best with TEAM 140; Jordan Suckley, Eddie Bitar and James Dymond. Within EDM only a handful of artistes can be named as DJs, producers and technical magicians and Jordan Suckley is a member of that elite selection. 2013 saw Jordan collaborate with Simon Patterson to present their creation Vanilla, released on Spinnin’s Reset Records it has amassed support from all of the industry’s leaders. Music written with emotionally charged uplifting melodies that fills the biggest of dance floors, huge orchestral breakdowns that instantly lifts moods and driving percussion that raises pulses; James Dymond has crafted some of the most unique sounds in the trance scene today. He will be joined by Eddie Bitar who’s ability to create fresh high quality music has set him apart making his music recognised by fans all over the globe. Live life at 140BPM on Saturday July 20 at the Glenferrie Social.
electronic - urban - club life
electronic - urban - club life
3
news
- head to beat.com.au for more
simon patterson
snaps in tribute: ajax lucky coq
Simon Patterson is returning to Australia with a debut tour of his new concept Open Up. Famed for 11 consecutive #1s on Beatport as well as all other reputable stores with tracks like Northern Lights, Here and Now, Latika, Thump and more, Simon Patterson’s production back catalogue is an astonishing list of hit after hit record. Open Up is set to be a fusion of technology, art, sound, film and fashion. Known for his cutting edge audio production, fans should expect that same boundary pushing mind set to a project which manifests itself in the form of a live show, album series, TV series, clothing brand and weekly radio show. It’s all happening at Chasers Nightclub on Friday July 5.
goth save the queen
party profile:
kazbar
sound empire
party profile:
by caberet nocturne
the love boat party Who’s playing? Sean Candy, Heath Myers, MadAngel, Zap Daddy, Mardi Mars, Siddhartha and Sex on Mars. What sort of shit will they be playing? Tech, deep, electro, sexyhouse, exciting driving techno, funky minimal, progressive. What’s the crowd going to be like? Super happy, and all dressed up nautical!. What will we remember in the AM? Just how amazing the night was, all the gorgeous people and connections, and how (inexplicably) awesome you still feel. What’s the wallet damage? 20 Where can we get tickets from? trybooking.com When is it? Sunday June 9. Where is it? La Di Da. Give us one final reason why this will be the ultimate party of the Queen’s Birthday Weekend? Love-Can-Not-Be-Invaded! is putting this night on!
Who’s playing? Everyone! Big Fucking Robots, Sirus, Brother Pearce, Kittenfresh, DJ Dot Com, Josh McVomit, Stardust, Silhouette D’Amour, Dolly Pop, Tommy Rotten, Batprince, Ayngel, Metavirus, Miss Aeryn, Aiman, Severina and Zydrate. All of the superstar DJs over three zones. What sort of shit will they be playing? Everything from old-school gothic rock, post punk, new wave and synth pop through to the filthiest bass heavy electro, industrial and grimy dub-step. What’s the crowd going to be like? Really, really, ridiculously good looking. goths, street urchins, punks, waifs and strays all dancing to the beat of their own drum. What will we remember in the AM? If you can remember it, you weren’t there man! With the help of hypnosis however, you may recall winning first prize for your pole dancing debut on stage in front of 500 new fans. What’s the wallet damage? $20 or $15 list/pass. Where can we get tickets from? Our semi-tame door bitch! When is it? Sunday June 9. Where is it? Platform One. Give us one final reason why this will be the ultimate party of the Queen’s Birthday Weekend? Elizabeth II herself RSVPed on Facebook and says she’ll bring Charlie along too.
ghostpoet
Returning to Australia after selling outs shows in 2011, the UK’s Ghostpoet is back to exhibit his innovative wordplay and electrifying live show. Ghostpoet’s career all stared with Gilles Peterson taking a chance on him and within a year, that risk paid off. Ghostpoet’s debut album Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam marked him as one of the most distinct, uncategorisable voices to emerge in the British music scene and it was rewarded with a surprise Mercury Prize nomination in 2011. Joining Ghostpoet will be Oscar Key Sung, who besides being a complete heartthrob is a refreshingly spacious producer delivering buoyant performances and a sumptuous voice that harkens back to a classic lineage of heart-on-sleeve R&B front men. It’s all happening at The Corner on Saturday July 14.
dizzy wright
One of the hottest independent rappers of 2013, Dizzy Wright along with his Funk Volume label mates Jarren Benton and DJ Hoppa are heading off on their Funk Volume Australian Tour. Funk Volume is an independent powerhouse in the hip hop industry, giving rappers a home to freely express themselves without the control of a major label. Dizzy Wright has been steadily building a buzz for the last few years. The Las Vegas native is one of the standout new MCs, ushering in an era of lyrical excellence, grabbing the spotlight and carrying it across the globe. Jarren Benton has been honing his craft for over 10 years and is the latest signing to Funk Volume. With hilarious punch lines and often deranged versus, his last album Freebasing With Kevin Bacon lived up to its name. DJ Hoppa has produced eight full-length albums and various digi-singles, a slew of mix tapes, mashups and remixes, with no signs of slowing down. He has shared the stage with acts ranging from Ghostface Killah and Immortal Technique, through to Kid Sister and Crystal Method and has been the touring DJ for too many artists to begin to mention. Head down to the Prince Bandroom on Saturday July 27.
behind the decks:
luke bowditch What was the weirdest thing you believed as a child? That you could avoid being poisoned by toadstools by eating them. The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ? Probably the whole first year. What’s the most played record in your bag? Of all time, probably Bottom Heavy by Danny Tenaglia. Right now, Hot Since 82’s Don’t Be Afraid. What question would you like to ask an omniscient, allknowing being before you die? Where’s the remote? If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead? Something musicy and geeky. When and where is your next gig? Dream Sessions Fridays at Kazbar and Tramp Saturdays.
party profile:
earthcore launch party
Who’s playing? Coming Soon!!! MoGo, RickySixx, PakMan, Twisted Molecule, Left of Centre, Neshi, Blaumann, Killa and Azrin. What sort of shit will they be playing? Banging trance and techno. What’s the crowd going to be like? Cool kids. What will we remember in the AM? Absolutely nothing. What’s the wallet damage? $25, more on the door. Where can we get tickets from? earthcore.com.au When is it? Sunday June 9 Where is it? La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St. Give us one final reason why this will be the ultimate party of the Queen’s Birthday Weekend? Earthcore!
4
electronic - urban - club life
snaps
tensnake
bimbos
wo rd s / a la s dair duncan
first floor
You may not know the name Tensnake, but you almost definitely know the sound of his signature hit. With its steel drums and irresistibly catchy hook, this disco-house hybrid named Coma Cat put him in high demand. Since then, the Hamburg native – real name Marco Niemerski – has toured the world and crafted more remixes than you can count. When his long-awaited debut album arrives later this year, it will surely push him even further towards the mainstream. “It took me a long time to finish it, almost two years,” Niemerski says of the record. “I started over again because I wasn’t happy with what was coming out, and I literally just finished it last week. It has just been mastered, and I’m hoping it will be out by late September.” If that’s not enough to get you excited, the list of collaborators certainly will. “I worked with quite a few different musicians and singers on it,” Niemerski says, “and I guess now I can say their names. I worked with Nile Rodgers on two songs, which was very exciting for me. I worked with Stuart Price, also known as Jacques Lu Cont, on one track. Jamie Lidell is singing on one track. There’s also a singer from Australia, known as Fiora. She has lived in Berlin for about four years, and when we became friends, we planned to do a song together, but we ended up doing six or seven, and she is a huge part of the album now. I worked with some really incredible people, that’s for sure.”
The legendary Nile Rodgers, who also appears on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, is quite a catch, and I ask how the collaboration came about. “I sent him a Facebook message last year,” Niemerski says, “and I didn’t expect there to be any reply, but he told me he was interested in hearing my demos. I started to worry, because I didn’t hear back for a while, but then out of the blue, I had a message saying that he was going to be playing in Hamburg and asking if I wanted to collaborate on something.” Rodgers ended up playing guitar on two tracks. “He told me stories about old times, how they recorded stuff,” Niemerski says. “He’s a very humble, down-toEarth kind of guy.” Many have said that Tensnake tracks draw on the sounds of ‘90s house music, although Niemerski doesn’t like to limit himself to any one set of references. “I approach it differently each time,” he says. “Sometimes I start with a beat and wrap everything around it, but most of the time, it’s a certain mood I want to express. I never sit down and say, ‘Okay, I want to make a ‘90s-sounding house track,” he laughs. “My approach is that I listen to songs or sounds that I’ve recorded and try to imagine what I can change or make better. Inspiration comes from everywhere these days – I travel a lot, and I get to meet a lot of people and hear a lot of tracks. It can strike at any time.”
coming soon!!! word s / d e nve r m a xx
workshop
level 2
Israeli DJ/production duo Coming Soon!!! are the future of psytrance, and it won’t be long until Melburnians will get to see Coming Soon!!! live as this Queen’s Birthday Weekend they are trancing the hell out of La Di Da as part of the Earthcore 20th Anniversary launch party. Coming Soon!!! is Dui Biton and Irad Brant, 30 and 27-yearsold respectively. As solo artists they produced and DJed what Brant describes as ‘full on psytrance’ but by teaming up as duo and embracing the Coming Soon!!! moniker Biton and Brant got enough distance from their former identities to do something new. “We have been friends for years so we decided to team up and make one project big,” Brant explains. The friendly auburn haired Israelite pauses before adding the real kicker of becoming Coming Soon!!! “What we did individually you could call ‘full on psytrance’ while Coming Soon!!! is deep prog-trance. I think Coming Soon!!! is the product of us growing up!” The deep prog-trance influence manifests strongly in Coming Soon!!!’s sound, one particularly good example of this melding of the traditionally frenetic psytrance and deep prog is the act’s
particularly funky 30K Live. Brant talks about one of the remixes that features in this mix and why he likes it. “The remix from CLASS A to Make It Work has a deep clean sound that just makes people dance, is very groovy and easy to understand.” It is a fair a question to ask oneself: what inspired the duo to push the psytrance genre further when they had already established themselves in it? Brant is not afraid to tackle this question and pay tribute to a German label that, like Coming Soon!!!, is pushing psytrance into to new realms. “Actually we like all the Spintwist crew, they are like our family and they make amazing music, and like us, outside this genre we have a lot of influences from techno and prog house,” explains Brant. On the topic of releases and Spintwist, Brant explains that Coming Soon!!! have an EP coming out on the German label. “We have called the EP Action In E Minor that is kinda selfexplanatory. This EP is the product of a long time in the studio. We have put lots of time to make it very interesting and diverse
anthony pappa word s / mg
The world of house music today is full of show ponies and hyped-up one-hit-wonders. But for every one of these short-lived superstars, there’s a hardworking veteran who keeps it true to the scene and true to his roots. Anthony Pappa is one of these DJs. As an expat living in England, Pappa is back in Australia later this month for Darkbeat’s tenth anniversary. Part of the occasion is also the launch of a three-CD anniversary mix package. “Basically, it’s the tenth anniversary [of Darkbeat],” says Pappa, “and [owner] Dan [Banko] wanted to release a CD. He asked myself and Phil K to get involved — we’re both DJs who’ve have been working with him for a long time and we’re also all close friends. Dan came up with the idea of doing a triple cd, one disc for himself, one for me and one for Phil and that’s basically the idea behind the CD. We just went ahead and did what we do.” Pappa took this opportunity to showcase tunes of a slower BPM than he might normally play headlining a club night. “The music that I’m more into is the groovier, slower kinda stuff,” he explains. “Even though when I play out, people have me playing main sets time and I have to play a lot harder than that, but personally, that’s
what I like. When you do a good mix CD, it’s something for a home listening experience, rather than going out for a clubbing set kinda thing. You listen to the sound differently to how you would at a club. Besides, I knew the second disc with Dan would take it up a notch and I knew Phil K was doing a more alternative disc. I think with the overall effect of the three discs together, you get the full spectrum of a start, middle and end.” Despite being a long-time resident of the UK, Pappa has finally had enough with the crappy weather and has decided to move back to our sunny shores. “I’ve been in the UK since ‘95,” he reveals, “so 18 years. Basically I’m getting married in November, to an Australian girl who’s been living with me over here, and we’re both going to come back. I’ve lived here long enough. Everywhere I go to DJ involves me getting on an aeroplane and I can do that from Australia. It’s time to come back. Time to come back and be with friends and family and move onto some other things as well as DJing, you know?” While the UK is a fertile ground indeed for innovation in electronic music, Pappa says the proliferation of music over the internet
electronic - urban - club life
If there’s one thing that unites Tensnake’s tracks, it’s a sense of uplift and euphoria – even the moodier ones, like the beautiful and spooky Congolal, can bring on a great rush of endorphins. “That’s definitely not conscious,” he tells me. “I would say those happier elements are just in my nature a little bit! I think I just prefer happy melodies and a certain vibe.” He ponders the track Congolala for a second. “For me, it’s not necessarily happy,” he says. “It’s bordering happiness, but if you’re sad, it could be a sad song. It is for me, maybe not for other people. If I had to choose, I would always choose happy music. It’s easy to play a couple of sad chords and to create a sad song than it is to create a happy song that doesn’t sound cheesy.” It’s often the case that the best club tracks, while not necessarily ‘happy’ in their overall sound or style, can transport you somewhere different, and take you away from the realities of whatever you’re feeling in that particular moment. Niemerski agrees that this is the essence of a really great electronic track, and that if he strives for anything in his music, it’s for a sense of escape. “That’s always what I try to reach when I’m producing,” he says. “I want the songs to have the potential to take me out of the room – I mean, my studio is a windowless room with no sun and lots of electronic gear sitting around, and if the song can take me away somewhere different, then I think it’s good and it works.” Niemerski will be bringing Tensnake to Australia soon, for a series of shows that bring together elements of DJ sets and live performance. “My production skills have always been my main focus,” he says. “When I started getting bookings, I would play live sets with just my own songs, but I found that I didn’t have enough new material, so I started doing edits of other people’s music and putting that in there.” Over time, the set became a hybrid of the two. “I’m not at the point where I have huge production or anything,” he continues, “so the show is laptop-based, but I’m bringing Fiora with me to sing. I’m going to present material from my new album for the very first time – I’m probably most excited about that.”
Tensnake plays at The Bottom End on Saturday June 8. facebook.com/tensnake soundcloud.com/tensnake
some tracks are deep and some are very groovy – you can check some demos on our Soundcloud!” However, if you can’t wait for the EP then Coming Soon!!! have a mixtape coming out also on Spintwist that features remixes of all their tracks including: Become One (Interactive noise Remix), I Only Smoke (Devinci Code Remix) and Psychedelic (Royal Flush Remix). While still being educated about what Brant knows that we don’t, he tells Melbourne trance fans ‘who’ are some other exciting DJs/producers from Tel Aviv that we should know about. “There is such a strong trance scene in Tel Aviv it is difficult to pick only one! I would have to say though that Royal Flash/Da Vinci Code are very promising new acts.” This year for the 20th year of Earthcore, Coming Soon!!! have scored the double whammy in headlining the launch party as well as well as getting to play the event itself that is being held from November 29 to December 1 along with Sesto Sento and Perfect Stranger. However, if you are planning on seeing them this weekend Brant establishes that it will be nothing like what you will see at their Earthcore Festival set. “Festival sets are different from club set as the festival sets tend to break less and there is kick and bass and rhythm most of the time, while the club sets break and change rhythms a lot,” he explains. Finally, to say that Coming Soon!!! are excited about playing Melbourne this Sunday is an understatement with Brant asserting, “We have been getting a lot of love from Australia so now it’s time to give back some love! Get ready for some new music! Thank you and I hope to see you at the party.”
Coming Soon!!! play the Earthcore 20th Anniversary Launch Party at La Di Da this Sunday June 9. facebook.com/comingsoonmusic soundcloud.com/comingsoon12
means that the localised aspects of a music scene are less of a factor today. “It was more inspiring for me to live there at first,” admits Pappa, “when I moved over in the mid ‘90s. At that time, the UK was dominating the scene for the sort of music I was into, so that’s why I chose to move here in the first place. But now the scene is such a global thing that it comes from all directions. The way things are with the internet, how new music moves and the way things are spread out and distributed, it’s a such a global market. You can be anywhere, as long as you can get online. Music comes from all over the place.” Although he still prefers to work with CDJs, Pappa also has a lot to say on the subject of technology available to DJs today. “There’s good and bad points about it. It’s amazing what’s available on the market in terms of people performing and the different options available. Years ago, it was all records and turntables and there was only one way to do it. Now you’ve got laptops, CD players, record players and everything else — there’s so many different ways of performing. “The problem I see with the younger generation is that they’re so into the technology they’re using. That’s cool, that’s where they’re at, but sometimes they forget the art and the skill of DJing: actually being in the room. It’s important to know how to work a dance floor and program the music to make the night work. Sometimes they’ve got their heads so far into what they’re doing they don’t seem to look up and look at the floor and play to the room.”
Darkbeat’s 10th Anniversary 3CD Collection mixed by Anthony Pappa, Phil K and Rollin Connection is out now on Darkbeat Recordings, distributed through Xelon. Anthony Pappa plays Darkbeat’s 10th Birthday alongside John Digweed at the Prince Bandroom on Sunday June 9. facebook.com/ anthonypappaofficial soundcloud.com/anthonypappa
5
club guide wednesday june 5
COQ ROQ - FEAT: AGENT 86 + DJS LADY NOIR + JOYBOT + KITI + MR THOM Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm. COSMIC PIZZA - FEAT: NHJ BIMBO DELUXE, FITZROY. 8:00PM. DUBSTEP GRIME DRUM & BASS - FEAT: DJ BADDUMS + DJ CARMEX Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. HOODRAPZ Workshop, Melbourne. 7:00pm. NEW GUERNICA WEDNESDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. THE DINNER SET - FEAT: BOOSHANK Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00Pm. NEW GUERNICA WEDNESDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. SOUL ARMY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE DINNER SET Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm.
thursday june 6
3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC + JAKE JUDD + NIKKI SARAFIAN + HEY SAM + JESSE YOUNG + JOHN DOE + SEAN RAULT Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 5:00pm. ASIAN ENVY + MANIC CITY + SAMMY PAUL Gh Hotel, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $15. BANG N MASH Word Events Warehouse & Lounge, Melbourne. 8:00pm. BILLBOARD THURSDAYS - FEAT: MATT DEAN + MATTY GRANT + PHIL ROSS Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $10. CHI BEATS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. CQ SESSIONS Cq, Melbourne. 8:00pm. DO DROP IN - FEAT: DJ KITI + DJ LADY NOIR The Carlton Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. FREE RANGE FUNK - FEAT: AGENT 86 + LEWIS CANCUT + WHO Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm. GOOD EVENING - FEAT: DJ PEOPLE Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. GRAD PARTY THURSDAYS - FEAT: DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. LE DISCO TECH PRETTY PLEASE, ST KILDA. 8:00PM. LOVE STORY Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - FEAT: DJS PREQUEL & EDD FISHER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. MOOD - FEAT: NUBODY Loop, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. RADIONICA Workshop, Melbourne. 3:04pm. THE AUSTRALIAN BURLESQUE FESTIVAL - FEAT: BABY BOMBSHELLS Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 7:00pm. THE RITZ THURSDAYS - FEAT: CAUC-ASIAN DJ’S + JOSHUA GILILAND + KEN WALKER + LUCILLE CROFT + CARRICK DALTON & SAM COHEN + ED WILKS + MAX KRUSE + TIM LIGHT + ZACK ROSE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $20. TIGER FUNK LIVE - FEAT: DJ MOONSHINE Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. TROCADERO - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Match Bar & Grill, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. VARSITY
Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
friday june 7
BADABOOM FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. CANT SAY Platform One, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10. CHI FRIDAYS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00Pm. CLOSET PARTY First Floor, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. CQ FRIDAYS Cq, Melbourne. 8:00pm. DISCOTHEQUE - FEAT: ELANA MUSTO + GREG SARA + SCOTT T Match Bar & Grill, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. FUSION FRIDAY Fusion, Southbank. 10:00pm. I LOVE OLD SCHOOL - FEAT: SHAGGZ & PUPPET + DJ TEY + MERV MAC Red Bennies, South Yarra. 10:00pm. $10. JUICY - FEAT: CHAIRMAIN MEOW + COBURG MARKET + MR. FOX + TIGERFUNK + WHO Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. LA DANSE MACABRE - FEAT: DJ MACHETTE BROTHERS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. MAZE FRIDAY The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. MEET YOUR MATES FRIDAYS Libation, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. P-MONEY + DAVID DALLAS + DYLAN JOEL + MANCHILD Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. PANORAMA - FEAT: DJS MATT RAD + MR GEORGE + PHATO A MANO Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:00pm. POPROCKS - FEAT: DR PHIL SMITH Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. REVOLVER FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ LEWIE DAY + DJ MIKE CALLANDER + DJ ALEX THOMAS + DJ KATIE DROVER + DJ WHO Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. SATURDAY MORNING - FEAT: DJ SUNSHINE + DJ BUTTERS + DJ HEY SAM Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00am. SHUFFLE FRIDAY NIGHTS Bridie O’reilly’s Brunswick, Brunswick. 10:00pm. THE DELTA BEATZ BLOCK PARTY - FEAT: DJ MERV MAC + DJ MR JAYSON + DJ RAMPAGE + DJ BOBBY LOVE + DJ DIR-X + DJ PUPPET + DJ SEF + DJ SHAGGZ Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. THE FIX - FEAT: SEAN DEANS Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE FOX FRIDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. WEEKENDER! Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. UPTOWN GROOVE Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
saturday june 8
DASH BERLIN + MARLO Shed 14, Melbourne, Vic 3008. 7:00pm. BANDS AS DJS Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. BASS CARTEL - FEAT: C:1 + EXCELLE + FA Workshop, Melbourne. 8:30pm. BILLBOARD SATURDAYS - FEAT: FRAZER ADNAM SCOTT MCMAHON + JAMIE VLAHOS + MR MAGOO + ZIGGY Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15.
6
DARKBEAT 10TH BIRTHDAY - FEAT: DJ ANTHONY PAPPA + DJ JOHN DIGWEED Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 5:00pm. $40. GOO GOO MUCK Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. LATIN QUARTER Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. MASHTAG Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. MASTA ACE - FEAT: MARCO POLO & STRICKLIN’ + DJ SLAP618 + DR FLEA + KNOWN ASSOCIATES + ONE SIXTH Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $25. MOTEL SATURDAYS The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. NEW DUB CITY + CULTURE CONNECT + MYCOLOGY + SK SIMEON Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. REVOLVER SUNDAYS - FEAT: DJ BOOGS + DJ SPACEY SPACE + DJ RADIATOR + DJ SILVERSIX + DJ T-REK Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:30pm. SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:30pm. SUNDAE SHAKE - FEAT: AGENT 86 + PHATO-A-MANO + TIGERFUNK Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. SURRENDER - FEAT: DJ SERGEANT SLICK + DJ ADAM TRACE + DJ ADRIAN CHESSARI + DJ CHRIS OSTROM + DJ SEF Fusion, Southbank. 8:00pm. THE SUNDAY SET - FEAT: DJS ANDYBLACK + HAGGIS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. WE BE QUEENS - FEAT: DJ AYNA + DJ LOTUS + MZ RIZK Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.
monday june 10
IBIMBO - FEAT: LADY NOIR & KITI Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. KOOL AID - FEAT: DJ MU-GEN \Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. STIFF DRINK - FEAT: DJ MICHAEL KUCYK + DJ MICHAEL OZONE + DJ ROMAN WAFERS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. TWERKERS CLUB - FEAT: DJ FLETCH Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
tuesday june 11
COSMIC PIZZA Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:00pm. CURIOUS TALES Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. DJ JAGUAR E55, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. NEVER CHEER BEFORE YOU KNOW WHO’S WINNING - FEAT: REPETER FONDA Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm.
wo rd s / k ri s s i we i s s
words / kis h lal
has kept many broke.” But right now Jamie sees everything scaling back. “Going back to the roots, the true roots beginning in Chicago! There’s a revival and an influence on many from the roots of house music…and that’s Chicago, all day baby!” Music has been deeply entrenched in his origins from the beginning, as Jamie smirks, “I preferred records over toys.” The first record he ever purchased with his own money from working a paper route was Jesse Saunders’ Real Love. “I would save up lunch money, to go buy records…like many cats I know, I just bought and still buy shit I like or want.” Making the first record Pete Hardy released by anyone other than Ron Hardy was no easy feat and Jamie doesn’t forget this, holding it close to his heart and more so retaining an incredible amount of respect for the Hardy’s. “The brother really moved me! I learned crowd control and timing from him. This cat was a musical voodoo priest. He could have the hardest thug, who would rob yo ass in a dark alley crying on the dance floorThat’s fuckin’ power!” In saying this, Jamie points out that many have tarnished the memory of the legend, putting “his name on some shit he didn’t even do…and it sells.” Always touring, he finally makes his way to Australia this week only for the second time. His nostalgia in overdrive, Jamie exclaims, “It was an amazing experience…and the things I saw, oh my god!” Feeding koalas and petting kangaroos topped his list as he goes on to say that “the parties were insane and everyone was so damn cool and chill…I can’t wait to come back.” And neither can we. Jamie 3:26 is in a league of his own and his humility, honesty and unwavering passion is clearly why he’s remained a legend to tastemakers and lovers of house music for decades.
Jamie 3:26 plays at the Mercat Basement on Friday June 7. soundcloud.com/jamie3too6
sunday june 9
phil k
jamie 3:26 Jamie 3:26 is an underground hero of Chicago. Spinning records since he was in high school, he has built a strong following of fans and supporters, including Theo Parrish, a passionate purveyor of his sound. Jamie has always remained underground and although many artists attempt to break into the mainstream market, he likes where he is right now just fine. “Underground and business sense doesn’t seem to work together well…but I believe the two can work together, if handled properly.” And he’s done just that. His warm personality and enthusiasm are contagious as he humbly exclaims, “success is measured on a personal level” – a mantra that isn’t adopted enough. He was Jamie Lust before he was Jamie 3:26, as part of the crew Lust Corp. “I cut my deep house and disco teeth with this crew, starting in high school in…1987. We had a style of dress and music that set us apart plus we could all dance and mix our asses off!” Running overage events when they were underage was “serious shit” and the guys even got as far as booking Ron Hardy to play at a party for them in 1990 at AKA’s. While his playful nature and lightheartedness don’t immediately insist upon his hard work and unfaltering ethic, it is clear Jamie has done the rounds. “It must have been around 1987 that I first made a few bucks DJing. I used to prefer to dance and DJing was more of a hobby. I actually got stage fright when I DJed then.” It’s hard to imagine such a veteran getting stage fright but it’s a feat he has overcome. Touring constantly ever since his first international booking in 2002 in Brussels, nowhere quite compares to home. “Chicago will always be my home and one of my favourite places to play. There’s just an energy and vibe that can’t be found anywhere else…especially if it’s a raw underground event”. His love for Chicago is something he tries to bring to the rest of the world when he plays, avoiding falling into the trap of playing “the same tired songs” and never compromising his own personal style “so I do the same shit abroad that I do at home”. As an underground artist, his opinion on EDM and electronic music’s ascent (or descent) into mainstream is just as you would expect. “Hey, I am not gonna knock those guys who are doin’ it and making major loot. I never trip on success. Keepin’ it real
CHI SATURDAYS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. CLUB FICTION - FEAT: KITTY ROCK & THE BAD LADIES Red Bennies, South Yarra. 10:00pm. FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS - FEAT: BILLY HOYLE + DJS DUCHESZ + MZRIZK + WASABI First Floor, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. HOT STEP Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. LAB 22 Palace Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. MIXED DRINKS SATURDAYS Libation, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. MUSICISLIFE AFTER PARTY Palace Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. NEO SACRILEGE - FEAT: DJ NERO Abode, St Kilda. 8:00pm. NEW GUERNICA SATURDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. POISON APPLE - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 7:00pm. SATURDAYS - FEAT: ACTION SAM + DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR One Twenty Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SIMPLY BURLESQUE Sandbelt Club Hotel, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SOUND EMPIRE - FEAT: DJ TATE STRAUSS + DJ JOE SOFO + DJ MATTY + DJ MISS SARAH + DJ PHIL ROSS Fusion, Southbank. 9:30pm. $25. SOUTH SIDE SHOW - FEAT: EDD FISHER + KNAVE KNIXX Red Bennies, South Yarra. 8:00pm. $15. STAR SATURDAYS - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Star Bar, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. STRUT SATURDAYS - FEAT: COLLECTIVE + ANDREAS + DANNY MERX + HENRIQUE + JASON SERINI + MARK PELLEGRINI + MC JUNIOR + NICK VAN WILDER Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $22. SUNDAY NIGHTS - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY J + DJ KEN WALKER + DJ LIGHTING Co., Southbank. 8:30pm. SUPER GRANDE Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ MARCUS KNIGHT + DJ XANDER JAMES Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 8:00pm. TEXTILE Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm. THE FOX SATURDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. THE HOUSE DEFROST - FEAT: DJ ANDEE FROST Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. THE LATE SHOW - FEAT: MAT CANT + RANSOM + TOO MUCH + BOOGS + CONGO TARDIS #1 + DANIELSAN + MR MOONSHINE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. THE TONGUE - FEAT: DJ SKOOB + DJ MOONSHINE + PHIL PARA + REMI + SWOOPING DUCK Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. WHY NOT? Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm. WILDSTYLEZ (LIGHTS OUT TOUR) + ALPHA² + BANGERZ & MASHERZ + CHRIS DYNASTY + CHRIS X DEEJAY + CONSTRUCTION + DJ EM + DJ PRACTICE + GATTY + JLS + JOHHNY L DEEJAY + KARPE-DM + KEMICAL KONJESTION + MC VILLAIN + SOUL-T + VAZARD The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 9:00pm.
Darkbeat, seminal tastemakers and promoters within the underground dance scene, have somehow made it to ten years of doing what they do best. It’s a tough gig but with Daniel Banko (Rollin Connection) steering the party boat with skill, Darkbeat have made a mark that will stay indelibly stained on the shoulders of dance party folklore. To celebrate, Banko, Anthony Pappa and Phil K have collaborated on a three CD anniversary release. Phil K (Phillip Krokidis), beginning life at school discos as a young kid, has seen the face of DJing and dance music fiercely evolve over his time on the decks. He has been a pioneer (pun entirely intended) within both music and the technology that DJs use, working with Pioneer to develop the prototype for the first visual and audio mixer DVJ-X1. These days Krokidis splits his time between work and study (IT security), but DJing and producing will forever be a part of his world. “I have been at it for a very long time, in fact that long that I can’t even imagine what it would be like not to play music for people,” he says when asked whether he still loves his craft as much as the early days. “I guess when it’s a passion, then it’s not work, it’s simply a passion and you love it. I love it! So until somebody in authority comes and tells me that I can’t entertain people any longer I think I will be trying to DJ.” Because of his love of DJing, Krokidis is not backwards in coming forward about the pros and cons of technological developments within DJ hardware. “In most cases, technology has allowed anyone with a computer to be a DJ and producer overnight,” he says. “This has flooded the market with garbage music, and shit DJs regurgitating the garbage they heard the last shit tastemaker DJ or radio station play. I know this sounds like something a jaded old fart would say but the thing is, this is how it’s always been, there’s just more of it now because it’s all the more accessible and infinitely ‘cooler’ than back in the day. On the positive side, technology has also given an opportunity to creative and talented individuals to create what they hear in their head, which even 15 years ago, would have taken them wads of cash to realise their visions. These are the kind of people that keep me inspired and looking for new music.” While there was a small meeting between the trio when planning
electronic - urban - club life
for this CD, each went about creating their mix in their own unique way. “Personally, my approach with mix CDs is to try and put something together that will both be listenable and come across well in your car or your home and try to pick music that I believe can stand the test of time,” he says. Any anniversary creates a scenario whereby people begin to look back and assess their past journey. Ten years for Darkbeat is no different and Krokidis’ answer as to why Darkbeat has done so well is simple. “Dan works really hard and long hours and he puts his balls on the line and has, every time he has a party,” he says. “Also, he books a wide variety of acts which appeal to different audiences.” It’s even harder to avoid nostalgia and greater cultural observations when someone has been involved in a scene for so long and it would be remiss to not ask Krokidis about the changes he has witnessed on the dance music scene since the days of early ‘80s discos and ‘90s clunky synths. “The instruments have changed, tastes in fashion and sound certainly have, and people’s choice of poisons have changed, but the aim of the game remains the same – people just want to go out on the weekend to dance and have a good time with their friends to forget about whatever they need to forget about,” he says. “This will never change and I feel honoured that so many people have allowed me to entertain them with music that I have been passionate about at any given time over the last couple of decades.”
Darkbeat’s 10th Anniversary 3CD Collection mixed by Anthony Pappa, Phil K and Rollin Connection is released this Friday May 17 on Darkbeat Recordings, distributed through Xelon. Phil K plays Darkbeat’s 10th Birthday alongside John Digweed at the Prince Bandroom on Sunday June 9. facebook.com/djphilk
urban club guide snaps be. at co.
wednesday june5 Compression Session - Feat: Cassawarrior + Dd + Ricka E55, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. Soul Ensemble Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.
thursday june 6 Pennies Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:30pm. $6.
Shaggz + Shaun D La Di Da, Melbourne. 8:00pm. Rnb Superclub - Feat: Young Men Society Rnb Superclub, Southbank. 8:00pm. Studio Chasers, South Yarra. 8:00pm. $20. Sweet Nothing Fridays - Feat: DJ Marcus Knight + DJ Xander James Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 9:00pm.
saturday june 8
friday june 7 Chaise Fridays - Feat: Soulclap + DJ Claz + DJ Dirx + DJ Peril + DJ Sef Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 4:30pm. Crew Love - Feat: DJ Tony Sunshine Sub Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. $15. DJ Thaddeus Doe The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. Faktory Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 2:55pm. Faktory - Feat: DJ Damion De Silva + DJ Durmy + DJ K Dee + DJ Yaths Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 9:30pm. Get Lit Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. Like Fridays - Feat: Broz + Dir-X + DJs Dinesh + Nyd + Sef +
i dancehall with catherine pwiti
How has I <3 Dancehall evolved over the past four years? I wouldn’t necessarily say it has ‘evolved’, as the pure, raw, authentic dancehall vibe that the night was founded on, is still very much the essence of what you feel at an I <3 Dancehall party, whether it’s your first experience of Dancehall, or if you’ve been there since day one. I would say, though, that it has adapted more than anything. What’s planned for the fourth birthday party? The fourth birthday I dare to say is going to be the biggest I <3 Dancehall event to date. The event will host the second I <3
tuesday june 11 Can I Kick It? Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.
What about the strangest? I have to look to different styles to a breakdance battle I organised years ago at Federation Square where I had a crew of three enter who thought they’d battle their opposing crew using a giant Sudoku puzzle and a Rubiks cube. It was extremely bizarre, until I saw that very same crew featured in the comedy festival and then I put two and two together.
t a l k ing
faktory at khokolat bar
Freedom Pass - Feat: Phil Ross + B-Boogie + Chris Mac + Dozza Co., Southbank. 10:30pm. Hip Hop Open Mic First Floor, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
Chaise Lounge Saturdays - Feat: DJ Andy Pala + DJ Kah Lua Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. Cheap Sober + Maggot Mouf & Gutz + Pete Mc + Planz The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $26. Laundry Saturdays Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:30pm. Saturday Nights - Feat: DJ Damion De Silva + Dj Jay Sin + DJ K Dee Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 9:30pm. The Dojo Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. The High Society Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.
rhythm-al-ism at eden
How long have you been involved in I <3 Dancehall? Right from the beginning. I remember one of the original promoters approaching me at another reggae/dancehall party prior to the first I <3 Dancehall night back in 2008 and asked me if I would dance at her upcoming event. Back then I was just starting out in my dancing career and was super excited to be asked to perform, and consequently formed my dance crew Burncity Queenz. So you can pretty much say Burncity Queenz and I <3 Dancehall debuted on the same night, and my dance crew has been a household feature of the I <3 Dancehall brand ever since.
monday june 10
Dancehall dance battle with 1 on 1 male and female categories to find Melbourne’s official Dancehall King and Queen for 2013. If you have never experienced the dance style of dancehall then expect to be jaw smacked and light-headed after the experience because it’s pretty out there to say the least. You will be amazed at what the rear end can do! Apart from the battle the night is jam packed with a huge lineup of local dance acts including my crew Burncity Queenz, Bam Bam Assasins, SO Fine, and Twerkshop, MC’s Apprentice, Dark S.Paid, SK Simeon and Akimera, and DJs So Fire, Troublemekka, Kanso aka Mat Cant, Zare Demus, and Ezu, plus our special guest Mikey Glamour from Sydney who will be on the judging panel for the battles. What is the best dance crew you’ve ever seen? That is a hard question, seeing how much amazing talent there is out there and how many styles of dance there are, which captivates me for different reasons, so since we are on the topic of dancehall I guess I’ll narrow it down to that genre only. I would have to say I’m a big fan of Saea Banyana who are an Afro-dancehall crew from Sydney. These girls I have to say are some of the best performers I’ve ever seen, and have a great ability to captivate an audience not only with tight choreography, but with such a beautiful and powerful presence.
Give us a bit of a run down on the different dance crews performing at the fourth birthday. Dancehall is still very small in Melbourne so there are not many crews that specialise, so we’ve selected a lineup of crews that use dancehall as an influence or have a style with roots in dancehall – all unique and fierce in what they do and guaranteed to blow you away on the night including: my crew Burncity Queenz, which is Melbourne first official dancehall dance crew who will be showcasing new members Rohani, Jess, and Mz Lora alongside Enchante and myself Killa Catl; Bam Bam Assassins led by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore – a sassy afro dancehall fusion crew with attitude; Jungle City – which is my latest dance project featuring an all-female ensemble of 12 sassy ladies from diverse backgrounds representing pure dancehall; So Fine crew – a fierce and sexy dance crew who mix their love of dancehall and reggaeton under the direction of MINX; and Twerkshop ‘the booty destroyers’, also from the popular club night Hip Hop Hotties. We will also have some special guest solo dancers including Wubshet and if there are any fellas out there who want to come and bust their style on the night you are more than welcome. When is it and what’s the wallet damage? I <3 Dancehall’s 4th birthday dance battle is taking place on Friday June 14 at Brown Alley. Doors open at 10pm till late. Entry is $7 before 11pm and $15 after.
khokolat koated at khokolat bar
electronic - urban - club life
7
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
with Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm TIESTO RICHEST DJ AGAIN, DAFT PUNK RISE
For the second year, Dutch house virtuoso Tiesto was named richest DJ in the world. He’s worth US$75 million, says wealth calculating website Celebrity Net Worth, which last year put his wealth at $65 million. He makes $250,000 a night and $20 million last year alone. Fast rising behind him are Daft Punk who’ve built up a fortune of $60 million each from licensing deals, royalties, music sales and merchandise. Skrillex saw his fortune double in the last 12 months to $16 million from $8 million. At #4 on the list is Paul Oakenfold ($58m), followed by Paul van Dyk ($52m), John Digweed ($45m), Judge Jules ($42m), Armin Van Buuren ($40m), Sasha ($40m), Pete Tong ($32m), Moby ($30m), David Guetta ($30m), Fatboy Slim ($23m), The Chemical Brothers ($20m), Ferry Corsten ($19m), Deadmau5 ($18m), Carl Cox ($16m), Skrillex ($16m), Benny Benassi ($15m) and Pauly D ($15m).
SIX LABELS GET FUNDING Six record labels have received a total of $253,660 of funding from the Australia Council to help them record and market 35 releases. It is part of its pilot Recording Initiative scheme. The six, five from Sydney, are Elefant Traks ($50,000), Hub Artist Services ($50,000), Darwin’s Skinnyfish Music ($50,000), Spunk Records ($48,000), Siberia Records ($38,000) and 4-4-2 Music ($17,660). Head of the Council’s music board Paul Mason said they received 65 applications; they were going to choose just three but found more money.
PRENDERGAST, SHANKS, WIN AT SOUNDKILDA
Darcy Prendergast of Oh Yeah Wow won three awards at the St Kilda Film Festival SoundKilda competition with his clip for Gotye’s Easy Way Out. The clip, produced by Nicky Pastore, took out Best Music Video, Best Music Video: Animation and Audience Award. Twentytwo-year-old musician and filmmaker Michael Shanks took Best Independent Music Video for the second year in a row for Towards The Sun which he directed for his band Roadgeek. It is about domesticated cats (with digitally replaced human eyes) murdering their human masters. “The music and the video were made in my sardine tin bedroom,” admits Shanks, a director for LateNite Films. “The project helped justify my utter lack of a social life.” Co-presented by Beat magazine, 19 clips competed with finalists including those from Missy Higgins, Bob Dylan and The Presets. The prize pool was valued at $8,500 including $4,000 of studio time at the Pixel Kitchen and a one-year Associate Membership to the Screen Producers Association awarded to Prendergast.
3CR RADIOTHON KICKS OFF 3CR’s radiothon kicked off on Monday until Sunday June 16. This year’s theme is Go On - Make Your Donation Political! As the parties duke it out for the Federal elections, 3CR’s progressive, alternative coverage of social, cultural and political issues is essential. Their coverage of working class, women, Indigenous people and community groups discriminated by the mass media includes the CFMEU’s The Concrete Gang, Aran Mylvaganam’s Tamil Voice about injustices in Sri Lanka and Roominations about the homeless by the homeless. Make a tax-deductible donation online at 3cr.org.au/ support, call 3CR on (03) 9419 8377, or send a cheque or money order payable to ‘Community Radio Federation Ltd’ PO Box 1277 Collingwood 3066.
KONKRETE’S HANLON JOINS SONY AS EDM DIRECTOR DJ/producer turned founder of Melbourne’s electronica Konkrete Agency, Jon Hanlon, joined Sony Music as director of Electronic Dance Music in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He will find new acts and tracks for the label while continuing with Konkrete.
METALLICA GUITAR CENTRE OF INDON CORRUPTION ROW A guitar presented to Jakarta governor and heavy metal fan Joko Widodo by Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo was confiscated by anti-corruption investigators. The Corruption Eradication Commission said a message
Beat Magazine Page 32
scribbled on the guitar by Trujillo – “Giving back … Keep playing that cool, funky bass” – was code for anticipated kickbacks (to wit, expedite permits for the band’s tour this year). Government officials must report any gifts received from the public and forbidden from accepting offerings valued at over 300,000 rupiah (A$30). The axe will be donated to a museum or auctioned off.
THINGS WE HEAR
* Disclosure blabbed to the Herald Sun that they’re here for Parklife. Josh Homme reconfirmed to triple j Queens of the Stone Age are here in 2014. * Did US rapper Tim Dog really die on Valentine’s Day of a seizure due to diabetes? Media reports suggest he faked his death to avoid paying debts. * Feud #1: the public clash between Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi as to why he’s not touring with them, is getting nastier. Sambora initially said he wanted to take time to focus on his fashion label. Jon hinted it was because his drinking problem had returned. Richie told him not to trash-talk and sources say he couldn’t stand to tour because of Jon’s constant belittling. * Feud #2: actress turned hip hop wanna-be Amanda Bynes tweeted she wanted to call her dog Rihanna. Rih responded, “Ya see what happens when they cancel Intervention?” Bynes shot back “Chris Brown beat you because you’re not pretty enough” before quickly deleting the tweet. * Feud #3: Kelly Osbourne lashed out at old sparring partner Lady Gaga, branding her a “great big hypocrite” for cashing in on the “freaks and geeks” she claims to stand up for. * Ladyhawke is working on an album with Pnau in Los Angeles. * Motley Crue’s roller coaster drum set is dismantled, after a May 25 show in the US. Tommy Lee says, “Just wait til ya see what crazy I got for ya next!” * Kingwood teamed with Wonderworld Films for a 10-minute short spaghetti western film to accompany single Ohio. It was shot around Sydney and rural NSW and the Annandale, with guest slots by Seth Sentry, Thelma Plum, Sticky Fingers, Kira Puru, Dan Rule of the Annandale and Reg Mombassa. * The Stafford Bros’ single Hello has gone double platinum. * Bluesfest brought $150m to the NSW economy and $64m to Byron Bay.
APRA HONOURS THE SEEKERS
productive meeting,” said the CBAA, with Conroy agreeing to further meetings in the next few weeks. The CBAA is this week meeting to discuss options, including lobbying of MPs in the run-up to the September elections. The Commit to Community Radio campaign drew 43,000 supporters.
VENUES #1: THE OLD BAR REVEALS FINANCIAL TROUBLES Fitzroy’s The Old Bar might not survive winter, its owners admitted in a “heartbreaking and humiliating” post on their Facebook. Attendances at gigs had halved since last November, co-owner Liam Matthews told Mess + Noise, and takings down about 30 to 40 per cent. Things are bad everywhere, he said, and the idea of the post was to ask punters to support them.
VENUES #2: OVER 50 VENUES FOR LEAPS & BOUNDS Fifty venues have been announced so far for the inaugural Leaps and Bounds Music Festival (July 5 to 21). Each will run and ticket their own programs. The 50 are at leapsandboundsmusicfestival.com.
VENUES #3: CHERRY BAR, VICE GRIP PUSSIES, SOLVE DILEMMA The long time dilemma – who will headline, who will open – has been solved by The Vice Grip Pussies and Cherry Bar in ACDC Lane. During VGP’s Wednesday residency through June, there’ll be two stages, and VGP and their guest will play side-by-side track-for-track. The guests are Bitter Sweet Kicks (June 5), Stone Revival (12), Drunk Mums (19) and Bugdust (26). Speaking of Cherry Bar, Southern Lightning went down so well in April they’re back on Sunday June 9 at 3pm with Max Crawdaddy as DJ.
MONOCARPIC RELEASES SID PATTNI Mark Richardson’s new singles-only label Monocarpic’s latest release is Mr. Alpha by London-born, Kenyaraised and Perth-based producer Sid Pattni. He began as a drummer. Inspired by LA producer Knxwledge, he released his debut EP Le Vidé in 2012 which went into Bandcamp’s top 10 bestsellers chart in its first week, got triple j support and global airplay. This year he’s collaborating with Australian MCs and singers, the first being Whisky Winter.
The Seekers will receive this year’s APRA’s Ted Albert Award For Outstanding Services to Australian Music. It will be bestowed on them at the June 17 APRA awards at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Seekers were the first Australian band to have international success with Georgy Girl and The Carnival Is Over and have the record for the biggest crowd in the Southern Hemisphere, drawing 200,000 to the Myer Music Bowl.
BANDS ANNOUNCED FOR RECLINK COMMUNITY CUP
BLACKCHORDS SIGN PUBLISHING DEAL
PINK TOUR BREAKS RECORD
Melbourne’s indie-dance/rock outfit Blackchords (featuring songwriters Nick Milwright, Damian Cazaly and Tristan Courtney) signed a publishing deal with Native Tongue. The band released its second album A Thin Line last month, and drop a new single Sleepwalker in late June.
VALE JAMES “JIMMY V” VERENKAMP
James ‘Jimmy V’ Verenkamp, long time electronic engineer at amps manufacturer Nova Sounds (now Nova Hire) passed away in his sleep after a battle with cancer. He was in his early sixties. After building his first amp at 14 in Brisbane, he moved to Melbourne in the ‘70s. “He was a boffin who built amps for names like Billy Thorpe, Lobby Loyde and Mike Rudd,” said Merton Ciddor, GM of Nova at the time. “He was a guitarist himself, and would spent hours talking to, and helping, guitarists even if they weren’t our customers.” Ian Peel, of the Australian Road Crew Association called him “a quiet genius” adding, “There isn’t a musician or band that doesn’t owe Jim a debt of gratitude for the incredible sound he strived to give them.”
COMMUNITY RADIO MEETS WITH CONROY The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia met with Senator Stephen Conroy to discuss how lack of funding in the Federal Budget will affect the future of future of community digital radio. It was a “reasonably
Aside from the previously-announced Beasts Of Bourbon, the acts playing at the Reclink Community Cup (June 23, Elsternwick Park) are garage pop duo Super Wild Horses, psychedelic surfcoast garage rockers King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard and Justine Clarke performing for the kids.
Pink set a new record at Melbourne’s 15,000 capacity Rod Laver Arena when Live Nation announced her 18th show for August 26. The previous record at the venue was set by Pink hersef during 2009’s Funhouse tour. This tour has shifted over 500,000 tickets, with 200,000 accounted to Melbourne only. Live Nation is emphatic there’ll be more further dates, so it’s doubtful Pink will break the 650,000 tickets she sold over 58 shows, the biggest by a solo act.
‘UNEARTHED HIGH’ STARTS SEARCH Triple j’s Unearthed High is back for its sixth year to find Australia’s best high school music act – whether a songwriter, in a band, a producer or MC. Upload an original track to triplejunearthed.com with details by Monday July 22. Winner gets flown to triple j’s studios to be recorded and played on triple j, and get a concert at their high school where they play with San Cisco.
THREE HOUR SHOW BY MYSTERY BAND Punters packed out The Post Office Hotel in Coburg knowing a mystery band was on. They were rewarded when singer songwriter Alex Watts put together a lineup of members of Oh Mercy, The Drones, Eagle and the Worm, Dallas Crane, Teeth and Tongue, and himself, Henry Wagons, Davey Lane, Paul Dempsey and Wally de Backer on vocals. They played three hours worth of covers. Watts’ next gig, at The Standard tonight, is a solo.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
LIFELINES Born: daughter Alaia-Mai to Brit boy band JLS star Marvin Humes and The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes. Hospitalised: Brit rapper Professor Green with a broken leg after being crushed between two cars while he was picking up a hire car -- four years ago to the day when he got stabbed, also on a full moon. Hospitalised: Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina on the seventh day of hunger strike to protest her being refused the right to attend her parole hearing. Recovering: Lou Reed after a life-saving liver transplant in Ohio, USA. Suing: former Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine takes action against the rest of the band, claiming they’ve changed the structure of their business set-up so that her 20 per cent royalties are now pushed down to 2 per cent. In Court: The Velvet Underground and the Andy Warhol Foundation reached a confidential settlement over use of the iconic banana album cover of 1967’s The Velvet Underground & Nico. VU’s Lou Reed and John Cale took action after hearing the Foundation planned to license the design for iPod and iPad ancillary products. In Court: rapper Fat Joe might face jail over an ongoing tax evasion case. Died: Marshall Lytle, the bass player for ‘50s rockers Bill Haley and His Comets (Rock Around The Clock), lung cancer aged 79. Died: UJ Neill, of Newcastle band Funbusters, organ failure last month, 49. Died: Yothu Yindi singer songwriter and founder Mandawuy Yunupingu, 56, after a long battle with renal disease. It was one of the battles he faced in his life, some of which he addressed by using his background as a teacher to build bridges through his music.
ATTENDANCE RECORD FOR STONNINGTON JAZZ The eighth Stonnington Jazz festival set a new attendance record, its organisers reported. Attendance at the Malvern Town Hall and Chapel off Chapel concert programs was up 14 per cent on the previous year. Shows by James Morrison & Joe Chindamo, Anton Delecca & Steve Sedergreen and Paul Williamson Hammond Jazz Party and Hetty Kate were sell-outs. Prahran’s Global Café, which joined the festival’s venue stable, also had a sell-out. “Quality national events like Stonnington Jazz make a wonderful contribution towards the vibrancy of our retail precincts and sets Stonnington apart as a true destination,” said mayor Matthew Koce. It’s held May 15 to 25 next year.
JMC ACADEMY ENROLLING FOR JUNE The JMC Academy is now enrolling for June intake. It offers Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in Music, Audio Engineering, Entertainment Business Management, Film and Television Production, 3D Animation and Game Design. Apply on jmcacademy.edu.au or call 1300 410 311 to speak to a recruitment advisor. Open day Aug 24, from 10.30am or 2.30 pm.
RECORD BREAKING COMEDY FESTIVAL This year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival posted a record breaking $13,331,162 in box office – an increase of 12.27 per cent on last year. Total attendance was over 638,200 and paid attendance of 489,723 (up 6.1 per cent). Festival Director Susan Provan said, “Our growing production slate of TV, radio, podcasts and online activity reaches an even greater audience. Our live audience this year was complemented by over 2 million viewers for our nationally broadcast TV specials.”
FIRST LOVE RECORDS SHOWCASE LAUNCH First Love Records is an artist run label operated by singer songwriter Jimmy Hawk in Melbourne and in London by his collaborator Geno Carrapetta from UK band Gentlemen. Initially set up to release their own projects, they’ve now expanded to release music by local and overseas acts. In conjunction with A Northern Soul marketing, they are about to issue a spate of recordings by Brave Face, Canada’s The Mohawk Lodge and The Endless Party (featuring Hawk). On Friday July 5, First Love is holding a launch at Ding Dong Lounge with these bands and Young Hysteria and Singing For Humans (extreetops).
VAUDEVILLE SMASH BY DENVER MAXX
Melbourne four-piece Vaudeville Smash have become somewhat of a live institution in the same way that ten years before them The Cat Empire had an enormous live following before they made an impact on the charts. Well, after a year in the studio, multiple overseas tours including last month’s Music Matters conference, Vaudeville Smash have just released what many consider their breakthrough album, Dancing With The Girl. The band’s lead vocalist and woodwind player Marc Lucchesi spoke to Beat this week about wooing Singaporeans with a saxophone, how singing some of their songs makes him feel like a 21-year-old stud, that Hip-Hop has killed romance and finally, the band’s explosive launch on Friday June 14 at the Corner Hotel. The intensely passionate but warmly voiced Lucchesi opens the interview account by recounting what he and the rest of the band – that consists of his brothers Dan and Luc, as well as long time mate Nic Lam – thought of Asia’s equivalent of South By South West, called Music Matters. “It was brilliant and exceeded expectations. We have done South by Southwest a couple of times and this was like the Asian SXSW, but it is way smaller so all the bands got to play to all the delegates because it wasn’t overrun with every band in the world,” exaggerates Lucchesi with a quick chuckle. He now talks about the 90 per cent Singaporean crowd’s response to Vaudeville Smash’s music. “We have never been to a place that, having never played there before, we were treated to such a reception. I would pick up the sax and there would literally be a scream of ‘yeahhhhh’ from the audience, so it became too hard to play because I was smiling so much from the response. “I had a feeling that saxophone was big in Asia because every time I had been there Kenny G ruled the airwaves, every time!” laughs Lucchesi. But it wasn’t just the saxophone that endeared Vaudeville Smash to the locals – the songs from the band’s new record seemed to have an impact as well,
explains Lucchesi. “We had four shows and the crowds built, I think, because we had CDs at each show that we were handing out, so by the end of it the kids were singing our songs so it was great!” The fact that the new songs had such a profound impact on a foreign crowd will come as no surprise to anyone that has heard the songs from Dancing For The Girl, including the title track itself. The song Dancing For The Girl would be at home in the final scene of an ‘80s teen romance such as Sixteen Candles with its dulcet tones and impassioned vocals. Lucchesi explains that the song’s music inspired him to write lyrics that harked back to a time when he was killing the dance floor, Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing style, as when he was 21. “I heard this chord progression that I wanted to write a in, so I went to the piano,” explains Lucchesi. “Fleetwood Mac use it a lot, it’s from the 4th to the 5th, sort of sounds like this pedal. I was fluffing around with it and I ended up doing this thing that was the 5th to the 4th and I really liked the sound of it – strangely enough the chord progression brought up these memories of me going out with my friends from high school and just being invincible and dancing like there is no tomorrow and doing that for the attention of girls.” Even though it wasn’t the ‘80s when Lucchesi was slaying the dancefloor – more like 2002 – he concludes that his kind of romantic reminiscence may not be able to be conjured by the current new generation that is being brought up on bangin’ hip hop and internet porn. “I think Hip-Hop has killed a lot of things. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hip-Hop, but a lot of it is absolute rubbish. I don’t think with the world the way it is we’ll ever get movies like 16
“KIDS ARE JUST SUBJECTED TO TOO MUCH SHIT, THEY’LL NEVER BE AS NAÏVE AS WE WERE IN THE ‘80S.”
Candles and Breakfast Club again. Kids are just subjected to too much shit, they’ll never be as naïve as we were in the ‘80s.” Finally, Lucchesi seeks to entreat music fans to come to his band’s album launch at The Corner. “We have played so much together in the last two or three months, we are a lot tighter and we have evolved into a really exciting live act.” So what’s in store for the punters at The Corner? “As far as one-offs or tricks, if you will, to get the crowd going, we have this band playing before us called Sex On Toast, and we are going get them on stage for one of our songs called Sailor Moon that has a massive
THE SONGS
You may have seen the Smokescreen Music Festival teaser campaign, the print and online ads, street posters and café posters.
Given Smokescreen wasn’t a real festival we needed to develop our own headline acts and songs to provide a soundtrack to this campaign. Hence we created super glam-rock band “The Coughin’ Nails” and hip-hop artist “M4-CEMA”.
And then, there was the ‘big reveal’. Smokescreen was actually a campaign devised by Mushroom Marketing to highlight the negative impact that cigarettes have on people’s lives. Yes, there were some disappointed people when it was revealed that Smokescreen wasn’t a new addition to Australia’s diverse music festival roster, but – and it’s a big BUT – every year in Australia more than 15,000 people die of smoking related diseases so getting a wider audience thinking and talking about the issue was our primary objective. Funded by the Australian National Preventive Health Agency, this campaign provided a different way to remind people of the risks associated with smoking. One that might get through to people who are not engaging with current anti-smoking campaigns. Mushroom Marketing created Smokescreen in the belief that it could get people re-thinking the fact that smoking can kill you. Hopefully this further encourages smokers to quit or averts someone from taking up smoking.
WHY FOCUS ON THE MUSIC COMMUNITY It wasn’t that long ago that you could smoke inside live music venues. Even non-smokers had no choice but to ‘suck it up’ once these rooms filled up with second hand smoke.
“All I wanted was to be one of the blokes, My arteries are blocked, I’ve had too many strokes” – Very Good Year - The Coughin’ Nails (2013)
CHECK OUT M4-CEMA & THE COUGHIN’ NAILS TRACKS EXCLUSIVELY AT...
VAUDEVILLE SMASH play the Corner Hotel on Friday June 14.
WHY DID WE DO THIS
At first you may have been intrigued, racking your brain to remember if you had heard of the Smokescreen Music Festival before, only to be caught asking your friends or googling ‘who are the Coughin’ Nails?’ when the acts were announced.
“Feels like I can’t get you out my system, Guess I should be thankful I’m still here” – Get You Out Of My System - M4-CEMA (2013)
choir section so we are going to get all ten of Sex On Toast up to sing along!” Invariably, there will be maximum crowd participation - so if you want to truly blow your mind, head along to Vaudeville Smash’s launch and grab a copy of Dancing With The Girl.
Times have changed and we are now reminded of the dangers of smoking through heavy duty anti-smoking television commercials and the gruesome photos on cigarette packs. No doubt they have made a strong impact, but the Smokescreen Music Festival provided a different way to raise the same issues by utilising many of the resources normally associated with promoting Music Festivals to get the message across.
The Coughin’ Nail’s track, “Very Good Year” provides a tongue-incheek look at the stupidity of smoking told as a final lament by the bands chronically ill chain-smoking front man Lemme Dysloli. In comparison, the M4-CEMA track “Get You Out of My System” is a more serious hip-hop song which looks at how you can get hooked on nicotine and the harm it causes not only smokers, but the people around them. Both tracks and their video clips are available at: www.smokescreenmusicfestival.com.au
WHY THE LIVE MUSIC SCENE The live music scene often promotes a culture of freedom and rebellion. Enjoying a great live show should be about ‘having a good time’, but this doesn’t mean that fans need to trash themselves and risk their long-term health in the process. Before outdoor music festivals took off in Australia, most live music was indoors. Hence after smoking in pubs and clubs was banned, enjoying live music became a smoke free experience at many gigs. So our live music scene has its very own interesting history around smoking. We may well see more changes at real music festivals going forward. Maybe a ‘smoke free mosh pit’ is not too far away! Whatever the future, our goal with Smokescreen was to engage with music fans in a different way and get people thinking about the issues again. - So the next time you are out watching a band with your friends you might have a ‘Smokescreen moment’ and think twice about sneaking outside between sets for a cigarette… Your lungs will be very grateful and you won’t lose your prime spot at the front of the stage!!!
This is how the campaign went down…
facebook.com/smokescreenmusicfestival This project is supported by the Australian Government.
HOW TO FIND OUT MORE To find out more about Smokescreen and to check out the exclusive tracks from The Coughin‘ Nails and M4-CEMA visit: www.smokescreenmusicfestival.com.au www.facebook.com/smokescreenmusicfestival
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
To get your free Smokescreen App, visit the website or scan the QR code:
Beat Magazine Page 33
ABBE MAY
BY PATRICK EMERY
It’s been a long time, both chronologically and artistically, since Abbe May first stepped onto a stage to perform. May cut her teeth in The Fuzz, the Perth blues-rock band that also featured her brother Doug on guitar. “The Fuzz was a great apprenticeship,” May reflects. “I got to play with some wonderful and talented musicians. I was a young girl who was inducted into the rock’n’roll scene. I learnt how to write songs and sing, and be on stage. Sometimes I look back, and some bits make me want to cringe, but generally I look back and think it was a fantastic band.” May left The Fuzz some years ago to pursue a solo career. Initially, May’s solo exploits picked up where The Fuzz left off. Albums with her backing band, The Rocking Pneumonia, and the dark, whisky-blues of The Devil and Abbe May explored the blues-based style of her earlier rock’n’roll experiences. But with her 2011 album, Design Desire, May signalled her intention to deviate into broader musical territory. “I don’t think there’s necessarily limited scope for experience and exploration in any genre, but there can be if you lose interest,” May muses. “And that’s what happened with me – I got slightly bored with it, and I also wanted to expand my interests.” While Design Desire retained the occasional nod to May’s rock’n’roll origins, her latest record, Kiss My Apocalypse, dabbles in more electronic-pop territory, while continuing May’s exploration of emotional attachment and dysfunction. “Kiss My Apocalypse is definitely an extension of my experience with Design Desire, which itself was an experience from the previous record,” May says. “Musically, each album is different, especially when you work with different people. But on the new album there is still the same kind of thematic
approach – love, desire, sex and death.” In creating the songs on Kiss My Apocalypse, May immersed herself in the sounds of early ‘90s electronic, atmospheric pop. “I was listening to stuff like Caribou, Portishead and Massive Attack,” May says. “As well as revisiting a lot of that, I also listened to Daft Punk, and my producer was also into Hip-Hop, so I listened to that as well. Because of that, I think there’s much more of an international feel that comes through on the record.” Lyrically, Kiss My Apocalypse continues the intensity of May’s previous records, with this record sailing close to the wind in exposing the pain of a relationship break-up. “It’s a very cathartic experience writing an album,” May says. “I often write about love and pain. My first album was about the death of my grandmother, and even now I can’t bring myself to press the album again.” While the events portrayed in the songs on the album are typically based in real life, May prefers to retain a bit of mystery. “I like to keep a bit of mystery,” she says. “I never name people, and I never go too far in describing particular situations.” For her recent live performances, May has discarded the
trusty guitar that has previously accompanied her on stage. Being forced to perform without the fig leaf of a rock’n’roll guitar has been both challenging and liberating. “It’s been really free,” May says. “The music on this record is much more about lyrical content than riffage, so now I can get really involved in the delivery of songs. And I also find that there’s more direct communication with the audience.” And notwithstanding the lyrical connection between her off and on stage life, May is adamant that she’s a different person when the stage lights aren’t around. “I’m a very different person onstage than offstage,” May says. “My closest friends know that. I’m more likely to be in a quiet place when I’m not performing, but onstage I can be very extroverted. But if I wasn’t onstage, then maybe I’d be one of those dickheads doing cartwheels at a party,” she laughs. May will soon be partly moving her life across the Nullarbor to Melbourne, where her boyfriend lives. She won’t be
leaving Perth completely, and will divide her time roughly between the two cities. “I’ll be moving my main base to Melbourne,” May says. “I’m currently in a long distance relationship with someone in Melbourne, and I’ll continue to fly back to Perth occasionally. But I think the change in scene should be good.” Having used emotional drama as the inspiration for Kiss My Apocalypse, May is looking forward to writing an album that adopts a more positive tone. It’s unlikely to be children’s pop, but May is fixing her gaze on happier emotional pastures. “I’ve generally written about things that are painful – though I think I’m going to write a love album next. I’ve already started that – it’s going to be a bright, happy record,” May laughs.
Paintings are attempting to impart – McSweeney mentions that the band are looking for visual artists to display, or paint in real-time, during their Melbourne show (be sure to hit up their Facebook page for more details). The clip for single You’re Not One Of Them is rather wild, and even more so once McSweeney elucidates on its imagery – it refers to a dream he had in which there was an art gallery existing for 100 years. During that time each piece of art that had adorned its walls left behind a little of its spirit, and the accumulated spirits and energies become manifest during the video. It turns out McSweeney’s directing all the music clips for the first time. “This is me,” he says. “This whole package, The Revolution is Never Coming, it’s everything that the band’s about. This is the first time that I went, ‘You know what? I’m going to fucking take full control of this visual artwork, I’m not going to let anyone fuck with it, I’m going to do exactly what it is that I feel in my heart and my head and I’m going to get it
right. If it takes me five, six, seven, 50 years to do it, well fuck it. It’s going to take that long’. ‘Cause when you do touch it and you feel it, you’re going to go, ‘Woah! This is actually saying something, and I want to listen to this again’, or even if you hate it, it’s creating an emotion that I guess is important to the journey that I went on, and the sacrifices I made, to reflect on the emotional status of what it’s going to feel [like] for a listener.” If you don’t get it, that’s OK – to each their own. “It’s always been The Red Paintings, and their fans, and they do whatever they want,” McSweeney concludes. “We’ve created our own yellow brick road.”
do with their more direct sound on Indigo Meadow. “Well, on Phosphene Dream there were times when we were a four-piece in the studio. On Passover and Directions To See A Ghost, it was just two of us and three of us – that side of things didn’t really change the sound too much. When we go in to make a record, I never know what it’s going to sound like. It’s like shooting a documentary. You have something that you’re focusing on, and then you realise that the real issue is that the chemicals are spilling into the water and killing all the frogs. You were just shooting some cool frogs, and then this whole frame opens up. “So it’s our first record as a four-piece, since Nate left the band, but that’s not the reason that the record sounds different. It sounds different because we’re in a different place. And it’s pretty subjective, but to me it sounds like The Black Angels.” Maas is rightly piqued by the suggestion that this move has been driven by commercial motives, instead explaining the progression as an ongoing refinement of the band’s vocabulary. “That idea has been brought to my attention before,” Maas
says, in response to suggestions that The Black Angels’ more streamlined sound is a play for radio-friendliness, “but it seems like a tacky way to make art. Going back to The Beatles, Buddy Holly – Elvis had songs that were a minute and 50 seconds long. That’s as long as Buddy Holly needed to get his point across. If you like it, listen to it again! Listen to Peggy Sue a thousand times if you have to!” By way of explanation, Maas offers a typically left-field metaphor. “If you’re an author and you’ve only written a couple of books, you might talk about somebody’s shirt for a whole chapter – you describe the colour, the buttons, et cetera. What we’re doing now is asking, ‘Does that chapter need to be there? Does that extra verse need to be there? Or did we get our point across already?’ We’re trying to find the song within the song, and cutting all the rest of the fat away.”
ABBE MAY plays Ding Dong Lounge on Friday June 21.
THE RED PAINTINGS
BY ZOË RADAS
The otherworldliness and spatial beauty demonstrated on The Red Paintings’ new album, The Revolution is Never Coming, is apparent within hearing the first few notes, but vocalist Trash McSweeney clearly doesn’t want to speak on a solely melodic level. Between explaining why he left Melbourne to giving a quick run-down on his plans to launch the album into space attached to giant geisha balloons from 13 different countries, this young man shoots for further stars than most. Amongst the Melbourne-gone-L.A. group’s swollen fanbase, anticipation for the debut LP is at bursting point. The band’s history of immersing themselves in particular concepts and themes, with great attention to detail and fan interaction, means that this culmination of five years’ work will be heavily dissected by a dedicated clan. “Well, the album is really my whole life up to date, in 13 songs,” McSweeney says. “So it’s all the things I’ve experienced and needed to say in an hour and 25 minutes. It’s a concept album. It’s trying to say that the revolution’s never coming because it’s a contradiction ... until you realise that human beings – including myself – actually have a choice, and there’s more than one road to take, there won’t be any revolution.” McSweeney is certainly in a position to pontificate on the subject: he’s taken himself from Geelong to the rest of the world, flying by the seat of his own tenacity and the conviction of his supporters. “I lived most of my life [in Geelong],” McSweeney says. “Brisbane seemed like a cool city – it was smaller [than Melbourne] but had a big vision. You get so lost in the Melbourne scene. I find it’s a great musical scene but very cynical. And we just looked like freaks there. We weren’t part of anyone’s scene. I already
had the band in Geelong and Melbourne for four years and we were going around in circles; within a year in Brisbane we were on at the major festivals, we were touring Australia and triple j were starting to look at us.” The reason the Paintings only released EPs prior to this year’s album is pretty basic, and has nothing to do with not being ready or not having the right material together. “I didn’t have the money, and no-one would give me any money,” McSweeney says simply. “Australia is just a different industry to everywhere around the world. So I ended up just putting the breaks on, I moved to Los Angeles, and just toured my arse off. I’ve been touring there constantly the last three years, and UK and Europe.” This is when the fan thing booted into action. “I asked the fans to get on board and they were happy to help me with finance to create the album, which took a long time because I’m not knowledgeable in how to record an orchestra and choirs and lead guitar and you know, this massive wall of sound. So I had to find expertise around the world, until I got to a place where I was like, that is the album I want to create, that is the vision.” Obviously the visuals are a huge part of the concepts the
THE RED PAINTINGS play the Gershwin Room at The Espy on Saturday June 15. If you want to exhibit or be a human canvas during the show, check facebook. com/TheRedPaintings. Their debut album The Revolution Is Never Coming is out June 7.
THE BLACK ANGELS
BY EDWARD SHARP-PAUL
Having cruelly kept their distance for much of their existence, Austin psych rockers The Black Angels will be rewarding their Australian fans with a third visit in three years as of June. Ahead of that visit, singer Alex Maas explained how debut album Passover was like “writing a whole chapter about a guy’s shirt”, finding authentic ‘trance’ music and new album Indigo Meadow. Having taken seven years to finally tour Australia from their inception in 2004, The Black Angels’ latest June visit brings their tally up to three visits in three years. Maas explains that the delay was frustrating, and borne of circumstance, rather than any malice toward the band’s Australian fans. “I know, it took forever!” he sighs. “Passover came out in Australia before anywhere else, as a sort of advance screening to test people’s responses. We didn’t sell a million records or anything, but the response was really good. Touring took so long partially because it’s so expensive, and partially because it takes so long to establish relationships in new places. And also because a number of people had told us, ‘If you don’t come over here, we’re going to kill you.’ So basically, we’re coming over here because we’re alive,” he reasons. “I love Australia, it’s beautiful – it’s like someone took Texas and California, and hauled that shit together into a big island.” It sounds like a magical place, and Maas is a big fan of its music, too. “Oh yeah, there’s some great stuff happening in Australia: The Dolly Rocker Movement, Astral Kaleidoscope, Beaches, Morning After Girls. You guys are probably used to it, but I’m also really into the Indigenous sounds, with the didgeridoo and the circular breathing. I couldn’t believe Beat Magazine Page 34
Indigenous Australian music when I first heard it; it just sounded completely new to me. It’s almost the original trance music, with its drones and rhythms. It’s similar to the Indigenous music of America, in the way it comes from the soul. When I listen to it, it makes my mind all gooey.” While Black Angels fans are obviously delighted with the band’s newfound largesse, there is a sense of frustration at the ongoing difficulties that the band have faced in bringing Psych Fest Down Under. The Black Angels are the organisers of Austin Psych Fest, which is in its sixth year, and an Australian edition has long been rumoured to be in the works. “We still want to do it,” Maas says. “We just couldn’t lock in a venue, or the team of people that we wanted. Location is everything – it doesn’t have to be something amazing, but a cool warehouse, or an old mill, it’s gotta be some place with the right personality. 2014 might be a bit more realistic, though.” Indigo Meadow represents a continuation of a trend over the last handful of Black Angels releases, in which the band’s characteristically dark, sludgy textures have been deployed with ever-greater focus and concision. Though the band have downsized to a four-piece since Phosphene Dream, Maas says that the personnel change has nothing to
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
THE BLACK ANGELS will be playing the Palace Theatre on Friday June 14. Indigo Meadow is out now through Blue Horizon.
ANDREW STOCKDALE BY ALASDAIR DUNCAN
Andrew Stockdale has found his happy place. He’s sitting at his house in Bangalow, just outside Byron Bay, looking out at the rolling hills and feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment. “Byron Bay is a very inspiring part of the world,” he says of the North Coast hippie enclave. “It’s just ridiculously inspiring – you could create so much art and so much music continuously here.” He thrives on the nurturing qualities of the area, and the forgiving landscape. “You feel like people who are living in a shack with next to nothing have as good a quality of life as millionaires living on the beach,” he says. “You could fall asleep under a tree here, and it would be a nice tree with a nice view!” If Stockdale has found contentment in his personal life, he also seems to have found it in music. His old band, the gnarly blues rock outfit known as Wolfmother, went through various lineup changes over the years, reaching the point where the singer, for the sake of his sanity, decided to go it alone. His new album, Keep Moving, is a line in the sand – it features members of various past Wolfmother lineups, but is credited to Stockdale himself. “I’ve seen a lot of bands who’ve continued with only one guy from the existing lineup, and there are a lot of expectations placed on that guy,” he says. “I don’t want to be that guy, and I don’t feel like I am that guy, so I stopped being that guy, you know what I mean?” The level of expectation attached to a solo album is different, Stockdale insists. “When we started Wolfmother, we were really happy that we had a sound and a style,” he says. “We had fat guitars and cool drum fills and I was singing in a high register and things seemed to gel. That sound became Wolfmother – that was the brand, and that was what people expected.” In recent times, the idea of writing songs in the trademark Wolfmother style lost some of its lustre. “I’ve moved on,” Stockdale says. “I don’t want to be a slave, creatively speaking. I don’t want to go into a record thinking, ‘Well, the songs need to have these certain ingredients in order for them to work’. I don’t need to pull out my big red stamp and go, ‘BANG, this is a Wolfmother song.’” Keep Moving is a big, sprawling album, featuring everything from heavier, psychedelic rock tracks to more laid-back acoustic jams. The songs are immediately recognisable as Stockdale compositions, but the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed than either Wolfmother album. Take a song like the acoustic Suitcase as indicative of this new approach. “I really love playing that song,” Stockdale says. “It’s got a really relaxing quality to it. I’ve found that I really like writing songs without expectations placed on them,” he says. “I don’t need to get out the big red stamp and go ‘BANG, Wolfmother!’ when a song’s all done. It doesn’t need those specific elements – I can open up the spectrum a bit.” This freedom, in part, came about because Stockdale produced the songs himself. He has spent a lot of time in big L.A. studios with big producers, he says, and there’s a certain high-pressure mentality that goes along with that. There’s a right and a wrong way to do things, a feeling that the decisions made in the studio will determine your success or failure. “That’s how we walked into the first Wolfmother record,” he says. “That’s how I learned to be in a studio.” Since then, it’s fair to say Stockdale has … chilled out. Much of Keep Moving was made in his home studio, and he tells me that the sessions were all about capturing the energy of playing live. “Going into this, we thought to ourselves, ‘Let’s be spontaneous’,” he says. “Let’s set up some lights and some incense and dress up in some cool clothes, let’s be actors in our own movie and make it up and break the rules.” This set-up, which conjures up visions of Russell Brand’s Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, made for a far more fun and creative recording experience. “We had a massive producer lined up to do this record, re-record it and do it properly,” he continues, “but I just said to my manager, ‘I’ve got to be completely honest with you, my dream is to selfproduce this and put it out as Andrew Stockdale’. Luckily they gave it the green light.” With the imminent release of Keep Moving, Stockdale feels he’s landed on his feet as a solo artist. “With the old Modular thing where, the idea was that you’d make a record for three months, you go on tour, you take a break and then you make another record,” he says, of his old label’s regime. “You’d have to be creative, stop being creative, and be creative again.” He was no fan of this approach. “I feel now like I can be creative all the time, continuously,” he says. “All our gear is set up right here. I could start writing the next one right now. I feel like I pretty much already have. I feel like recording music is a continual part of life, and I’m just like …” he pauses. “I’m at one with it, y’know? Songwriting and recording should be like a continuum.”
ANDREW STOCKDALE plays The Ferntree Gully Hotel on Thursday June 13, The Hi-Fi on Friday June 14, The Wool Exchange in Geelong on Saturday June 15 and Pier Live in Frankston on Sunday June 16. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 35
THE BELLRAYS
BY EDWARD SHARP-PAUL
Long-running Californian garage-soul band The BellRays are survivors. They’ve ridden the vagaries of the music industry through good times and bad, always able to fall back on their golden ticket: an incendiary live show. Ahead of the long-delayed Australian release of new album Black Lightning and an accompanying tour, lead singer Lisa Kekuala discussed the band’s ups and downs, and her love of ‘Anzac cookies’. little bit of fantasy, and Kekuala has a penchant for erring on the dramatic side as a lyricist. As Kekuala explains, her lyrics are often neither truth nor fiction. “Often, my lyrics are pieces of real life, but there are plenty of times when it’s more like conjuring, when the music draws something out of you.” Despite clocking up 22 years and over a dozen albums with The BellRays, Kekuala is still best known for one thing: her star turn on Basement Jaxx’s Good Luck, which was accompanied by a video that memorably saw her play a righteous prison guard. Kekuala has fond memories of the song, and its remarkable success. “It was a lot of fun working on it. For me it was a different way of making music, but still funky, and still cool. It helped that it was such a good song, too. The fact that it was so successful, that so many people knew about it? That was awesome.” The experience of performing to huge festival crowds must have been remarkable, not to mention the exposure and the royalties. But, as she explains, the success of Good Luck never really blew back to The BellRays due to their different styles.
“The BellRays get a different crowd, you know? You go to a rock show and you see a lot of leather. You go to a dance show and get white t-shirts and smiley faces. It’s a totally different environment, and you could see how narrow the rock world was, compared to the dance world.” As far as the concept of ‘success’ goes, Kekuala, has some refreshingly simple parameters. “Well, I guess I’m the eye of the storm: from my perspective, I just keep doing what I do with The BellRays, whether I’m playing with Basement Jaxx or not. We’re doing this interview, I’m coming to Australia, so I guess things are all good.” Though it’s been a while between drinks, The BellRays are hardly strangers to our shores, a fact that Kekuala attributes to a natural affinity between the band and their Australian fans. “We last came out to Australia in 2008. Before that, it was 2007, and then before that it was 2006. Australia’s one of the places that actually gets what we do. I mean, The BellRays isn’t rocket science, but not everyone responds to our sound.” The soon-to-be-released Black Lightning is the ostensible reason for their latest tour. Punk greats The Minutemen used to consider their albums as no more than flyers for
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
than anything we’ve done before. We’re also having a lot of fun working together again, probably the most we’ve had in a long time. There’s no real rush or pressure. We’re really savouring every moment, and making things happen at a pace that works for us.” Their new album will be self-produced by the duo, in the same manner as its predecessors. Khan explains that keeping things in house is the only possible option. “Self producing is the best way to things. There’s no point in having someone else in here that doesn’t get things in the same way we do. Even if one of our friends came in it might be strange – it’s just a lot easier for us to do it this way. We do exactly what we wanna do.” Khan’s grogginess is understandable – it is 9am in Berlin, and he happily admits having had a good time the night before. “I’m just very drunk right now,” he says. “I know it’s morning, but a friend who survived a near death experience is in town at the moment and we partied pretty hard last night.” The friend in question is obscure soul DJ Jonathan Toubin, who first came to international attention in 2011 when a taxi crashed through his hotel room in Portland. “He was in hospital for a long time, and had all these bones broken: basically, we all thought he was going to be [disabled],” Khan says. Toubin made a remarkable recovery, and has since continued to DJ (with the assistance of two hearing aids) at popular haunts like New York’s Brooklyn Bowl. “He’s walking around and doing really well now,” Khan says of his friend. “He’s got a residency at a bar here, and last night we kinda led each other astray. It was like two dogs sniffing each other’s butts.” Khan says he loves touring in North America, but Berlin offers something different. “Partying is pretty much the same as Canada and America, but people here are a lot more open minded. They’re not as tied down in what
Having formed The BellRays back in 1990, Kekuala along with Bob Venuum, have been the heart and soul of the band. While they’ve achieved the sort of success that enables them to tour the world, they’ve never broken through to the next level. As such, the duo have soldiered on, joined by an ever-changing cast of players. While such instability might be frustrating or depressing, Kekuala is philosophical. “That’s just the way it goes nowadays, especially when you’re a band that wants to do it yourself. If you don’t want to do it yourself, your record company will send you out on the road for years and years, until you all quit.” In other words, lineup instability is just another variable, and no slight on The BellRays as people. “Bob and I are not horrible people – we’re awesome!” Kekuala chuckles. The BellRays have always had an almost evangelical edge to the way they present their one-off rock ‘n’ soul hybrid. Speaking to Kekuala, her sense of conviction and belief is palpable. “I need to believe what I’m doing,” she explains, “Whoever gets it, or doesn’t – more power to them. I have to know that I did what I’m here to do – I have to feel like I’ve been truthful, in my music, or just day-to-day.” Of course, in rock‘n’roll, being truthful doesn’t preclude a
BY BENJAMIN COOPER
The last time King Khan visited Melbourne he performed at The Corner. The next night, he and his musical brother BBQ (Mark Sultan) performed at The Sydney Opera House, giving a show that has become the stuff of legends. The King Khan & BBQ Show were performing in The Studio as part of 2010’s Vivid, and the only thing frostier than the July weather outside was the reception Khan got from festival co-curator Lou Reed. During the first song Khan ran up to the balcony and got all up in the grill of an expressionless Reed. The Velvet Underground scowler didn’t seem too impressed, and the 80 minutes didn’t further the love between the two. Thankfully, the proles had a damn fine time. A huge party snake flew across the audience, a mini food fight was started from the stage and Khan pulled countless people up on stage to dance the closing part of the set. Reed may have left early, but everyone else walked away with their senses utterly blown. Unfortunately, the Opera House and Vivid were none too pleased with the anarchic performance. The next day Khan was warned to tone it down for that evening’s show. He turned in what he considered a subdued performance – the flying snake was replaced with him throwing his guitar into the audience, and food was absent while wine was poured on the floor to remember the recently deceased Jay Reatard. But Khan walked off stage to a livid Sultan, and a highly unimpressed Opera House management. Khan was kicked out of the festival, and The King Khan & BBQ Show was no more. After seven glorious years of mayhem, the Canadians
acrimoniously agreed to never play together again. Yet after a year spent apart, it was announced in July 2010 that they’d begun recording together at Khan’s Moon Studios in Berlin. The result was that October’s vinyl EP We Are The Ocean, which featured a cover of the Syd Barrett classic, Terrapin. Since the EP’s release the duo have toured constantly throughout Europe and North America. “We’re enjoying ourselves more than ever,” Khan says. “How could we not enjoy ourselves? What we do is aimed at enjoyment, in all its forms.” Given their level of satisfaction it seems strange that they are currently take a break from the road. But they do have a very good reason. “We’re in the process of recording our new album,” a rather groggy Khan says down the line from Berlin. “It has been a long wait to get it to happen, but I feel like we’re really getting it together now.” The new album will be the band’s fourth full length release, following 2009’s Invisible Girl. Khan promises something new, but nothing mature. “These are all new riffings, but they’re much more refined and intelligent
SI CRANSTOUN
BY PATRICK EMERY
It’s probably not surprising that Si Cranstoun grew up to become a musician steeped in the history and practise of swing, doo-wop and soul. In the ‘60s, Cranstoun’s father was a promoter in London, and Cranstoun was born into a family with a definite enthusiasm for music. “My father has Lulu open up one of his clubs, and you had people like Rod Stewart’s manager coming down to check things out,” Cranstoun recalls. “His enthusiasm for the music back in the ‘60s, especially for music that wasn’t that popular, because my father was a promoter of Jamaican ska, which was very much an underground, alternative music for the time. But his passion was definitely passed on to me, and he left a lot of music out for me to discover – people like Jackie Wilson, Little Richard.” Cranstoun describes his parents’ musical collection as “like an inheritance” from which his own musical education rapidly benefited. It was, however, some years after listening to that music that Cranstoun graduated to playing himself. “After a lot of listening to A-sides and B-sides, albums you hadn’t heard before, and reading about these great singers, I found myself just singing along to a lot of the stuff,” Cranstoun says. One day at school Cranstoun’s casual singing landed him a spot singing with a school band. “I just happened to know all the songs they were singing – they were blues songs that I knew,” he recalls. “I remember saying that I couldn’t sing, but they couldn’t find anyone else, so I auditioned. I sang a couple of songs – really badly, actually – but they were happy to have someone standing Beat Magazine Page 36
there with the mic, and I was dumb enough to be that guy,” Cranstoun laughs. “And then I just kept on doing it.” Eventually Cranstoun graduated from covering other peoples’ songs to writing songs himself. “I bought myself a four-track, and was lucky enough to be living next to Graham Lyle at the time. I gave him some of my songs, and he was really blown away by them,” Cranstoun says. “At the time I didn’t really know what I was going to do, but with this guy in front of me, I knew that was my calling. From then on, every penny I earned was about music – I learned how to play guitar, keyboard, bass and started writing more songs. So you just keep going, and that really brings me to where I am now,” he says. As his musical education and experience has evolved, Cranstoun has retained his strong interest in the swing sounds of the ‘60s, with his vocal delivery compared favourably to the late Jackie Wilson. Cranstoun regularly sells out shows in England, and has become a major player on the vintage and rockabilly scenes. “For me, in my heart, they had it right back in the ‘50s and ‘60s,” Cranstoun says. “The popular music in the ‘50s was almost perfect, it was like a monument, and in my world it will never be eclipsed by the years and decades that
followed, including with the might of so-called hi-fidelity sound in the ‘70s. And I love it that there were all these singers trying to create the biggest, catchiest tune they could – the end result being that for 20 years you got the best, most blissful tunes. And the great thing is, there’s always more to discover.” Cranstoun had been playing for some years with his brother in a ska band with my brother by the name of The Dualers; a chance meeting with a double-bass player provided the catalyst for a change in musical focus toward the vintage sounds of the ‘50s and ‘60s. “I was playing one night, and a guy came up to me and said he loved my sound, and offered to play double bass with me. About a year later I gave him a call.” With their passion for, and intense interest in the entire ‘50s and ‘60s aesthetic, vintage fans can be notoriously difficult to please – the slightest lack of empathy for the style and tone of the era can spell the end of any performer. It was a challenge Cranstoun relished. “I realised this was the real deal, and I wanted to get a really authentic sound, and I didn’t want to come across as a copycat artist,” Cranstoun says. “And because I’d been writing my own songs, I thought this was my chance to show that I really understood that vintage sound, and that I could write a song that could have stood up in that era.” To meet that challenge, Cranstoun wrote Dynamo, a song that immediately generated popular acclaim, and continues to be the climax of Cranstoun’s live show. “It’s like a Reet Petite style, jiver, gospel, rhythm and blues track that had what I felt Reet Petite had, but was its own sound,” Cranstoun says. “I played it to my double bass player, and he phoned me up straight away, and told me I’d written something really special.” It was to be the breakthrough moment Cranstoun needed, sparking interest in vintage circles. “I got an offer to play at Rhythm Riot, which is
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
their live show, and Kekuala takes a similar, albeit less extreme view. “Black Lightning is a great record, and we’re really proud of it. It’s about time it made it to Australia [Black Lightning was released in the US in 2010], but really, live is where it happens for us.” Kekuala even has fond memories of the Corner, which will once again host the Melbourne leg of their tour. But what about the pillar in the middle of the room? “That pillar! I know! It’s so annoying, but it’s historical. It has to stay now.” As well as treating her antipodean fans to some explosive rock‘n’roll, Kekuala is looking forward to reacquainting herself with some Australian culinary specialties. “I never had a beef salad sandwich before I came to Australia. Oh, and Anzac cookies – those things are amazing. It’s like if God made a cookie…” One last thing. Is Bob’s surname really Venuum? “Yes! It’s so rock‘n’roll, isn’t it?” Black Lightning will be available on May 17 through Sultan Records. THE BELLRAYS will be playing the Corner Hotel on Wednesday June 12.
they think, so there’s a lot more things you can do. Actually,” he says cheerily, “there’s this great gay club you can go to where they have dog character nights. You can be a dog, on a leash, for a night.” Sultan is apparently not feeling the ill effects of the night before, having gone home early to pack for their upcoming Australian tour. “I have yet to pack,” Khan says. “I’m trying to, but I’m still drunk. The important part is that I have my costume for the tour. It’s amazing – very feathery and dynamic.”
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW play The Tote on Tuesday June 11 and Wednesday June 12.
the biggest of the vintage festivals, which was amazing,” Cranstoun says. Having played alongside Little Richard in Las Vegas last year, this week Cranstoun returns to Australia for the second year in a row, playing the revitalised Kingston City Hall in Moorabbin (which, as the Moorabbin Town Hall in the ‘70s, hosted bands such as INXS and AC/DC). “I’m really looking forward to coming out to Australia again – when I was there last I met some wonderful people, and I had an amazing time,” Cranstoun says. SI CRANSTOUN plays Kingston City Hall on Sunday June 16.
PALMA VIOLETS BY CALLUM FITZPATRICK
It’s no secret that the proliferation of the internet has been an invaluable asset for modern bands to broadcast their music to the masses and increase exposure. However, Palma Violets had no online presence, no recorded music, and no press team, yet they still had record labels literally knocking on their door. Does this mean the internet is no longer as important as it once was? Not quite, says Palma Violets guitarist and vocalist Sam Fryer. “We really didn’t know how to put ourselves on the internet,” he laughs. “But not just that, we weren’t really ready to put our tracks online. We’d written about four or five songs and we’d only just learned to play them as a band. We started getting interest from people just talking to each other. It was quite a scary but exciting time, because we had all these different record labels knocking on our door and wanting to see our band.” Sam says that although the internet is a useful tool for emerging artists, the accessibility and simplicity of the medium can have its dangers. “I find that people are so quick to put their songs online these days,” he says. “They do it before they’re even ready for anything. They get to a point where other people are judging them on their songs even though they probably weren’t recorded properly, and they haven’t seen the band for what they truly are: a live act.” That’s why Sam believes that patience paid off for the boys in the end. “If we had recorded at those early stages, the recordings wouldn’t have sounded good at all. You could definitely see the potential in us live, but we definitely weren’t ready for anything else. “If you get yourselves sorted as a live act and then know when you’re ready to record, by the time you do release recordings, it’s something that people will be excited about. “Bands can do what they want to do I suppose – Arctic Monkeys famously used MySpace and things like that when they were first starting out and it worked for them, but it wouldn’t have worked for us. We’re quite old fashioned.” The band’s early performances have already become the stuff of legends. Holed up at Studio 180 in Lambeth, UK – an aging art studio/squat, the fourpiece regularly threw wild parties and impromptu gigs for friends and fans, who would cram into an airless basement that could hold no more than 50 people. “We just seemed to play to our friends in our basement and things happened naturally from there,” Sam recalls. “That was just the environment that worked for us.” The lads found themselves in some similarly tight spots on their recent US tour, playing a host of house parties and sweaty pizza joints in NYC before heading to Coachella. Being the first time Palma Violets had ventured over to the States, Sam says he was shocked at how news of the band had spread, and how many people went out of their way to see what the hype was all about. “We found that we met lots of great people and we were travelling to places we’d never even heard of, and people still came down to see us, and they seemed to enjoy the band and enjoy the record. That was quite overwhelming – the fact that you can reach out so far to so many people. It’s amazing. “We also found that there is a very high standard of bands everywhere in America, and they seem to be doing it for the right reasons – or that’s what I find anyway. In England, there are a lot of scenesters and people that are in bands just because they want to look like they’re in a band.” That’s probably why Palma Violets’ brand of primitive, garage rock‘n’roll has been received so well in their homeland – it comes at a time when bands are opting for synthesis over guitars, and polished production over raw, real recordings. “There’s definitely a drought of guitar bands in England. There has been for a long time. It’s just because it’s quite rare for guitar bands to be played on the radio in this day and age and people are far more interested in computers than they are in listening to music that sounds like it’s been made by a human. It’s quite sad really.” And when it was time for these four humans to bunk down in the studio, Sam admits that nerves were running high. “We went to a space in East London and you could feel the tension in the air,” Sam remembers. “Everybody was nervous, especially me. But those five songs we recorded ended up being pretty much our best ever recordings, and some of those ended up on the album.” Though 180 has only been out for a few months, the band are already setting their sights on introducing some new material. “I’m looking forward to having a bit of time off after this,” Sam says. “I know everybody is excited to start writing some more songs. We’re starting to see how much we’ve progressed as a band over the past two years. Before, Chilli (Jesson – bass/vocals) could barely play a note on the bass, and now I say he’s the best bassist in London. “We’ve had some ideas while we’ve been on the road, but we don’t seem to write together on the road. We find it difficult for other people to listen in on us. We like to play together and make our own mistakes together. That’s where we’re most comfortable.”
SECRET SOUNDS PRESENTS
FOALS WITH SPECIAL GUEST
THU 26 SEPT FRI 27 SEPT T S O LD O U
PALAC E TICKETS ON SALE FRI 7 JUNE FROM USUAL OUTLETS
PALMA VIOLETS play Splendour In The Grass (sold out) at North Byron Parklands from Friday July 26 – Sunday July 28. They play a sideshow at Northcote Social Club on Monday July 29. 180 is out now via Rough Trade/Remote Control.
foals.co.uk | secret-sounds.com.au
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
FOALS #1 ALBUM HOLY FIRE OUT NOW
Beat Magazine Page 37
KILLING JOKE BY PATRICK EMERY “You know, that’s a very, good question,” Killing Joke singer, lyricist and modern day iconoclast replies, when I ask him about the relevance of the ‘70s punk movement to Killing Joke’s conception and evolution. “It’s very hard to convey to younger people just what it was like. For a start, everyone you knew was in a band. It didn’t matter whether you could play or couldn’t play. And it wasn’t restricted to professional musicians and celebrity rock stars. The second thing was the sense of rebellion and outrage – for example, I can remember in 1979 playing to about 200,000 people at an anti-nuclear protest in Trafalgar Square. No-one’s doing that these days!” Killing Joke formed originally in 1978 when Coleman and drummer Paul Fergus (who’d played together previously) recruited guitarist Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker and bass player Martin ‘Youth’ Glover to form a new band. While the abrasive edge of punk was gradually being buffed, and replaced by the insipid sounds of new wave, Killing Joke explored darker musical and philosophical territory, with heavier beats that provided the heavy rock foundation for subsequent bands such as Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. “Bands like us, Public Image and Joy Division, we didn’t just do that simple 4-4 sort of beat – we tried to explore different beats, and we thought out of the box when we thought of rhythm. We wondered ‘what is an English rhythm?’ which is really an interesting question. And given in England the Christian church got rid of the old Celtic churches, you don’t really know what an English rhythm is!” To some extent, the Killing Joke philosophical ethos
can be traced back to the band’s interpretation of the punk attitude, and Coleman’s own desire to explore the boundaries of philosophical and educational experience. “If I think back to when we started and going on European tours, everywhere there was a punk bar, or a small alternative gig with graffiti on the wall,” Coleman says. “The sense of liberty was widespread across Europe and the UK. There was much more of a sense of belonging to a way of thinking that was outside of the box. Some people fell for the whole Sid Vicious, that you had to have spiky hair and a safety pin in your nose, but for other people who felt more about punk, it was about individuality, not going along with the herd, thinking about things for yourself. It was about education really, and the pursuit of knowledge.” Killing Joke went on to have major commercial and popular success in the ‘80s, with albums such as 1985’s Night Time conveying the underside of
the human and social condition. Coleman, never a shrinking violet on or off the stage, also used his lyrics to explore the imagery of the occult, an interest he shared with some of his fellow band members. (In the early ‘80s Coleman, Walker and Glover even retreated to Iceland where they intended to witness the apocalypse.) While the omnipresent threat of nuclear war in the ‘80s meant that global apocalypse was, in theory at least, only an ill-considered push of the button away, these days the threat is more insidious, invariably tied to the damage to the environment caused by errant industrial practices. Coleman remains as disappointed in the inadequacies and imperfections
of the human race, though he hasn’t completely given up on the notion of immediate apocalypse. “That’s a very good point – I think my mood on that issue depends on the day in question,” Coleman laughs manically. “I’m speechless at the state of the world – man manages to get to the moon, but still manages to shit in his own water. We can’t even work out decent drainage so we don’t have to put all the crap from the city into the oceans; wonder why the fuck all the fish are dying! Some days I despair about the human condition!”
for the job. “I’ve known Bow for a long time and have always wanted to work with him,” he says. “I did this as kinda my show and I was doing everything. And I sang all the vocals and then I thought, ‘You know what, I’m not really happy’ or ‘I’m not as happy with the vocals as I am with the rest of the stuff, the rest of the instruments’. I’m all about trying to get the best results you know? I talked to Bow and I sent him the tracks and he really liked it and wanted to be involved. I mean he just came in and he re-did my vocals and made them sound good you know. He’s a fair dinkum singer; he leaves me for dead.” During the recording process, Wilson was also lucky enough to be able to call on a number of his musician friends to
come in and help out on the record. “When it’s time to get guests involved and stuff like that, I’m lucky enough that the people I know are fucking great,” he says. “There’s a great pedal steel player on there, if I want some girls singing I’ve got Emma Donavon there, you can’t get better. So I’m very fortunate that I can call these people up and say, ‘Hey come around, can you do this for me? I don’t take it for granted. The way I see it is I’m so much on this you know what I mean that by the end of it I wanted to get people in to help me out. I’m not Prince you know what I mean,” he laughs.
outstanding thing I’ve ever come across. Everybody in there ends up dying a million times, which is awesome.” Is he happy with the recent direction of some of Marvel’s flagships, including his beloved X-Men? “I think it might be getting a little too metrosexual,” Bruner says. “They’ve got Wolverine’s son now, who has two claws instead of three: that choice seems a little lame. Also, the way Wolverine’s costume now is a bit Skrillex, and Skrillex Wolverine is not what the American people need right now. “Don’t get me wrong,” he continues, “I love Skrillex, and I think what he’s doing is really interesting. But I live and breathe comics, so don’t mess with ‘em too much.” Bruner is in a period of transition. Thundercat’s second album, Apocalypse, will drop this July, and he’s recently previewed some of the new material during selected solo shows in North America. “This is the first time in 15 years
I’ve done live shows solo. I’ve actually spent a whole year touring by myself, which means I get to do a whole lot of different stuff. Sometimes I’ll speed everything up, and then other times I’ll just play the whole thing way slower. Sometimes I might not play at all,” he laughs. “The solo thing can be really crazy – it’s kinda like combining mustard and hot chocolate. It sounds insane, but it might just work.” The maniacal tone will continue during the Australian shows, where Bruner will be joined by drummer Thomas Pridgen (formerly of The Mars Volta) and keyboardist Dennis Hamm. “It’ll be good to have those guys there, because my overall level of feralness increases a lot when I’m on tour. Some of the things I do freak out my friends.”
KILLING JOKE play Billboard on Friday June 7.
STOMPY AND THE HEAT BY JAMES NICOLI The discovery of a cheap and broken down Japanese guitar proved to be a defining moment for guitarist Scott Wilson. Having spent years as a producer and guitarist in a number of notable musical projects, Wilson was in the process of stepping out on his own when he came across the axe in a local music store. The sounds he would eventually get from the guitar would help to shape and define the Stompy and The Heat sound, as well as their debut album. “I stumbled across it in a shop and it just caught my eye and it was a bit broken,” remembers Wilson. “So it was kind of a bit of an orphan; so I like to fix them up, I like to restore all kinds of things so it was a bit of a project. Once I got it working again, it’s a bizarre looking thing, got it into shape to play it just had this very distinctive guitar tone and that led me into this album.” The album he speaks of is Stompy and The Heat’s self titled debut, originally released late last year and which is now getting a release on vinyl. The distinctive guitar tone can be heard right across the record and Wilson is quick to point out the impact the guitar had on the record. “They (the songs) came around via that guitar,” he says. “Certain guitars have got certain vibes and a certain spirit in them and this one pretty much provided all the sound of this album. It’s all based on this kinda cruddy sounding guitar. A lot of the guitar sounds are actually that cheapo guitar through a five watt amp.” Originally conceived by Wilson and long time friend and
drummer Pete Marin, the record was heavily influenced by their love of ‘60s rock‘n’roll, soul and R&B, bands like The Pretty Things, The Small Faces and MC5. These bands also influenced the way in which they approached the recording of the album, particularly their desire to maintain as much of the live feel and energy as possible. “It was nice to record, get the ideas down rough, then spend a few months making sure that’s what we want and then going into the studio and getting things down really quickly and keeping the energy there rather than having to labour over it and do too many takes,” he remembers. “We went in quite prepared and not over-rehearsed, we wanted to sound a bit loose. A couple of the songs, I sprung on Pete on the day. Because he’s that type of drummer – if you surprise him he plays really well and he’s good under pressure.” Another pivotal moment for Stompy and The Heat was the addition of Bow Campbell on vocals. Wilson himself was set to tackle the vocal duties. However, he was not entirely happy with the initial results. Luckily, he knew just the guy
STOMPY AND THE HEAT launch their self-titled record on vinyl at Cherry Bar on Saturday June 8.
THUNDERCAT BY BENJAMIN COOPER Stephen Bruner knows how to take full advantage of a public holiday. The artist also known as Thundercat has just returned home to Los Angeles following a run of dates across Canada, and is doing his utmost to unwind on a friend’s back porch. “I’m about to eat a whole bunch of barbeque food,” he says. “It’s Memorial Day over here and I’m going to fill up on as much fried food as possible. It’s definitely a day to celebrate being American. I’m a proud American, and I love all the colourful characters that make up this country. I love the fact that you can add up two and two and get six,” he laughs. The day promises delicious fried food and brews, as well as tunes aplenty. “My friends are actually in a band called The Memorials, and they’re dropping by to play a house show. It could be their last ever gig, which kind of makes everything really awkward and really exciting. I think we’re all hoping to have a good time, and kind of wake up tomorrow having forgotten everything that happened. It’s going to be like that movie, Vanilla Sky, except not crap,” he laughs. The last time Bruner was in Australia he made quite an impression, bordering on the unforgettable. In February last year he was playing bass for Erykah Badu at the Sydney Opera House, during the neo-soul artist’s debut headline tour. By all accounts it was an explosive performance. “Last time I was there I set my amp on fire,” Bruner laughs. “I had my amp turned up really loud, and I thought I was doing really well because there were all these people pointing at me. So I’m there, bobbing my head and smiling at the people: you know, getting into it. Then I catch this strange smell, and realised the people were pointing past me at my Beat Magazine Page 38
smoking amp. The worst part is it happened at the Opera House. But the show was still a lot of fun.” Bruner has fond memories of Australia; prior to playing here with Badu, he toured with thrash heroes Suicidal Tendencies. At the time, Bruner and his older brother (and drummer) Ronald Jr. comprised the rhythm section of the legendary Californian act. This week Bruner will get his shot on his own headline tour, under his Thundercat moniker. Fans of the genre-hopping artist have been begging to see him in action since he dropped 2011’s The Golden Age of Apocalypse. The record was produced by his close friend and frequent collaborator, Flying Lotus – another member of the Brainfeeder crew – and a darling of discerning music fans worldwide. Thundercat’s debut didn’t just shatter expectations, it obliterated them. In over 37 action-packed minutes the spirits of great soul artists – both past and present – were summoned, marbled with the hustle of Bruner’s innate and tremendous skill as a live musician. There is undoubtedly oodles of skill and intellect to what Bruner does as Thundercat, but it’s also a whole bag of fun. Bruner says that is no accident, largely because so much of his time is spent doing really fun stuff. “I’m super big on comics, graphic novels, video games and cartoons,” he explains. “The Marvel universe is probably the most
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Thundercat play The Forum on Friday June 7 as part of Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
CORE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS AND GOSSIP BY EMILY KELLY: EK1984@GMAIL.COM
The Old Bar have reached out to locals for help this week. They posted recently on their Facey page. “It’s heartbreaking and humiliating to have to announce on such a public forum that you are in trouble…If things remain the way they are we won’t see this winter out which is really distressing…”. Check out the gig guide for all this week’s gigs at The Old Bar. Melbourne’s Daybreak have said goodbye to their singer but that doesn’t mean they’re done. They’re looking for a new singer. If you reckon you’ve got the chops to front the band then drop them a line at daybreakpunk@gmail.com
Crowned Kings Guttermouth are spent. Done. Dusted. But they’re chucking us one last sympathy tour before they boot. We get to see them in the super cosy Evelyn one last time on Saturday August 17. Or you can go full bogan and hop over to Barwon Club in Geelong on Thursday August 15.
Recent Melbourne import Mara Threat has posted her Romantic Things EP with a ‘pay as you please’ download on Bandcamp. So you pay whatever you like for SEVEN new songs. YIEW! Grab it now and keep an eye out for upcoming show details.
Deez Nuts are chucking an extensive tour in support of new album ‘Bout It. Join in the festivities at the Workers Club on Friday July 12. You can get tickets from the venue starting Thursday June 6.
Turns out that NOFX singer and founder of Fat Wreck Chords Fat Mike will be playing bass on the new Against Me album after the shock departure of Andrew Seward. Atom Willard will also guest on Transgender Dysphoria Blues in the absence of a permanent drummer. The band head into the studio this week.
Melbourne’s Warbrain have announced the release of their debut album Void Of Confusion via Resist this year. Friday July 5 will see ex members of Hopeless, Iron Mind and Capathian join forces for a new release. Recorded at Melbourne’s Three Phase Studios, file this one under ‘must-hear’.
Emmure are apparently dissatisfied with just one lap of Australia with The Ghost Inside. The band are chucking another tour on their own following the conclusion of the Destroy Music tour last weekend. See them on Thursday at Next with Glorified, The Seraphim Veil and Ocean Grove.
CRUNCH! FECKERS MUSIC COMES TO THE STAGE Check out It’d Be Rude Not To, the debut album by The Feckers (Chris Szkup and Richard Anderson with a huge list of guest musicians including Bumblefoot of Guns N’ Roses and the prolifically talented and talentedly prolific Tommy Denander). Chris will be performing Feckers tunes unplugged with Irene Slade on Saturday June 29 at Edwards Place, 48 Edwardes St, Reservoir. This will be the first time that a set of The Feckers’ tunes will be played live. Copies of It’d Be Rude Not To and Chris’ awesome solo album Pieces Of Eternity will be available for purchase, they’ll be filming, so come along, bring some friends and help create some atmosphere!
NEW ARISTOCRATS ALBUM
Instrumental trio The Aristocrats will release their second album, Culture Clash, on July 16. The Aristocrats comprise a trio of virtuosi: guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller (Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Dethklok) and drummer Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Paul Gilbert and a memorable audition for Dream Theater). There’s also going to be a Deluxe Edition, with a bonus DVD called Accept The Mystery: The Making Of The Aristocrats’ “Culture Clash”. That will include studio footage and exclusive interviews with each member of the band. Before then the band will be releasing previews of audio and video on their Facebook page – facebook.com/ aristocratsband – as well as other media outlets.
HAPPY MONDAYS TOUR CANCELLED
The rescheduled tour from Happy Mondays tour has been cancelled after the band’s management and local promoter KillRockStar Big Dog Entertainment weren’t able to reach an agreement, with band management citing medical issues with drummer Gary Whelan. “KRBD would like to apologise to all fans and ticket holders for any inconvenience caused,” the promoters said. “Patrons who purchased tickets via credit card will be automatically refunded and do not need to take any action. Patrons who purchased tickets with cash at an outlet need to return their tickets to the point of purchase for a full refund. Happy Monday…” The tour was to take place this month after the initial May dates were cancelled.
The excellent team behind the Chucking A Mosh website (all Australian, all heavy music) are celebrating their second birthday in style this weekend. See Crowned Kings, Out Cold, Surrender, Bateman and Cold Ground on Saturday at Laundry Bar. If you’re underage head along to Phoenix Youth Center on Sunday for your birthday funtimes lineup. Details in the gig guide. All profits from both shows go to Reach Out.
Wednesday June 5: Grizzly Jim Lawrie, De Fremery, Roscoe Irwin, Rob Muinds at The Old Bar Thursday June 6: Maricopa Wells, Limits, Foxtrot at The Old Bar Emmure, Glorified, The Seaphim Veil, Ocean Veil at Next Friday June 7: No Anchor, Batpiss, Map Ends at The Old Bar Sons Of Lee Marvin, La Bastard, The Yard Apes, Lake Palmer at The Reverence Break The Wall, Trophy Eyes, Oeripus Rex, Loser Denial at The Gasometer Trench Sisters, Idle Minds, Diploid, Removalist, Halt Ever at The Gasometer Upstairs Saturday June 8: The Nation Blue, No Anchor, Dead at The Tote The Barons Of Tang at Bar Open Summerset Avenue, To The Airship, Oceans To Athena, Disasters, Incrypt at Bang Drown Under, Asps, The Angel and Baby Chain, Tomb Hanx, BabaX at The Gasometer Sin and Tonics, Tearaways, Road Ratz, Workinghorse Irons, Murder Rats at The Bendigo Crowned Kings, Out Cold A.D, Surrender, Bateman, Cold Ground at Laundry Sunday June 9: Straight Arrows, Gooch Palms, The Living Eyes, Early Woman, Scotdrakula, Rayon Moon at The Tote Ribbons Patterns, Eaten by Dogs, Terror & Tam at The Reverence Drunk Mums, Working Girls, Drown Under, Cuntz at The Reverence Bandroom Twelve Foot Ninja, Engine Three Seven, Any Last Words, Emerson at Next (mainroom) Relentless, Civil War, Headcheck, Fractures at Next (top floor) Amy Meredith, Sidelines, The Deep End, We Disappear at Bang Queen Birthday Eve DJ Punk Mayem with DJs including Mongo, Straightjacket Nation DJs, Alicia and Jax (Deep Heat/Infinite Void) at The Gasometer Outlines, I Ran Eleventh, Break The Wall, Trophy Eyes at The Bendigo Crowned Kings, Out Cold A.D, Surrender, Take Your Own, Disasters at Phoenix Youth Center
METAL, HEAVY ROCK, CLASSIC ROCK
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT WITH PETER HODGSON: CRUNCHCOLUMN@GMAIL.COM
BLACK STAR RIDERS UNLEASH HELL
All Hell Breaks Loose, the debut album by Black Star Riders, is out now and it’s killer. Black Star Riders arose out of the latest lineup of Thin Lizzy, featuring including guitarists Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson, vocalist Ricky Warwick and bass player Marco Mendoza, as well as drummer Jimmy DeGrasso, and the album was produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Country Communion, Dream Theater). I sat down with Gorham and Johnson recently, and Gorham had this to say: “Damon and I keep saying we’re not going to get away from the Thin Lizzy sound merely from the the fact that I’m in the band, y’know? But when we decided that this was not going to be a Thin Lizzy album – it was going to be Black Star Riders all the way – I was kinda shying away from the heavy harmony guitar things. But Damon and the other guys really wanted to keep that in there. And it’s not because I hate harmony guitars or anything, I just wanted to steer the thing in a whole brand new path. But now that we haven’t done that, I’m glad that we didn’t, because what we’ve come up with harmony-wise is a little bit different from the old Lizzy way we used to do it, and it’s actually kinda furthered it in a kind of cooler way, if you can imagine that.” Johnson added, “Scott is so incredibly humble about it and he always has been, but the fact is that he is a vital part of this particular piece of real estate in the history of guitar rock, period. I would say to him, ‘Bro, you own that. You created that! You’re a part of it!’”
SHAUN DIVINEY ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP
Shaun Diviney, formerly of Short Stack, releases Sex/ Games, his debut solo EP, on Monday July 1, and it’s said to find the common ground in between Diviney’s biggest influences, Blink-182 and Justin Timberlake. “I wanted to
find a place in the middle where I could experiment with both of their musical footprints,” Diviney says. “I think now I’m incorporating a lot of genres that aren’t traditionally mixed with rock into my music to get a sound I really love.” The single Sex Games is available now on iTunes.
Midnight
SADISTIC INTENT, ARCHGOAT, MIDNIGHT & CEMETERY URN There’s a huge one coming up at the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood: Archgoat (Finland), Midnight (United States) and Sadistic Intent (United States) on Sunday June 9 alongside local maniacs Cemetery Urn. Archgoat hailing from Finland are well know for their devastating death/black metal, Having released their first demo in 1991 they were around at the very beginning of the second wave. Sadistic Intent have been around since 1988, releasing their first demos in the late ‘80s then onwards into the ‘90s with a string of classic EPs and splits. And Midnight from Ohio serve up a devastating blend of Motorhead/ Venom influenced metal. Tickets are available at thecoffinsslave.com/shop CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 39
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL After its opening night last week, The Melbourne International Jazz Festival has a string of exciting shows and workshops to indulge in over its 10 days. The Masterclasses from The Wheeler Centre include Darcy James Argue (piano, composition) on Wednesday June 5, James Carter (saxophone) on Thursday June 6, and Jamire Williams (drums) on Friday June 7, all kicking off at 4pm. The WAAPA Jazz Ensemble will play a free show at Fed Square between noon and 1pm. Check out the festival website for more program details.
Sydney band Breaking Orbit are traversing the country this year with their blend of captivating, ambient, melodic and heavy progressive rock as part of the Silence Seekers national tour. Known for their powerful live show, Breaking Orbit will play Revolver on Friday June 14, playing tracks taken from their debut LP. They will be supported by Sleep Parade, Shadowgame and Transience.
VICE GRIP PUSSIES Bold? Yep. Brash? Definitely. A bit over the top? You better believe it. The Vice Grip Pussies don’t do anything by halves. Catch The Vice Grip Pussies every Wednesday in June at Cherry Bar; two bands, two stages, track-for-track at the same time. This week, Wednesday June 5, The Vice Grip Pussies Vs Bitter Sweet Kicks from 8pm...and it’s free.
THE LONG LONG WEEKEND The Bendigo Hotel is kicking celebrations off a little early for the fast approaching (and anticipated) long weekend! The Melanomads, My Piranha, The Fuzzbirds and I Am The Riot are joining in the fun on Thursday June 6. Doors at 8pm and entry is $5.
THE OLD BAR UNICORNS FUNDRAISER SPECTACULAR This Saturday June 8, it’s that time to come and celebrate the greatest sporting team ever to grace a patch of grass anywhere, anytime and against anyone. The original underdogs who have many different mottos “fear the fantasy”, “we don’t win games, we win hearts” and “who’s sober enough to go in the ruck”. The Old Bar Unicorns are having their yearly fundraiser so they can pay for ambulance cover, smokes and streamers. Eaten By Dogs will take the stage like a champion; right in the middle of the pack is Ivy St; kicking an outside 50 are My Left Boot; and bringing it home with a screamer is DJ Dairy. Come support the team that everyone, everywhere regard as the best thing to ever happen to sport.
ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ The songstress of Canadian metal band The Agonist will be joining Kamelot for a string of shows around the country in June. Alissa is also featured in the band’s music video for Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife). She’ll play on Friday June 7 at The Hi-Fi Bar.
IVY FOX It’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ meets ‘Vintage 007’ as Melbourne artist Ivy Fox launches her new single and video in the cocktail lounge surrounds of The Felix Bar, St Kilda on Friday June 7. Featuring special guests Bottoms Up! Burlesque. Doors open at 9pm and it’s $15.
THE SUBSTITUTES Melbourne’s premier ‘60s band is presenting an Easybeats showcase this Saturday June 8 at the Flying Saucer Club. The Substitutes are excited to showcase a dozen of the most famous Wright/Young and Vanda/ Young songs from 1965–1967, plus some surprise bonus tracks from their rivals. Award winning Australian folk/blues singer-songwriter Paul Wookey will also be performing on the night with his band, The Zimmermen. Paul has discovered the set lists for Bob Dylan’s Sydney and Melbourne shows from 1966 and will perform a set combining the best acoustic and electric songs from those shows. It all kicks off 8pm and it’s $22 on the door.
SIMPLY ACOUSTIC Taking place each Wednesday night, the team from Simply Acoustic has created a stress-free atmosphere to catch up with friends, drink and eat by the fire, whilst listening to handpicked new and developing artists in the Wesley Anne’s ambient and relaxed band room – free of charge! It’s an early-start, early-finish evening designed to make getting out mid-week more accessible to the less-likely music lover. It gives the artists an already-in-place audience and a weekly platform to showcase original acoustic songs in the raw, beautiful style they were crafted. Past acts include Catch Release, Matt Wicking, Sarah Wilkinson, Sean Kirkwood, Paul Ruske, Michael Waugh, Famous Will, Tom Milekovic and Matt Kelly. Head down to the Wesley Anne this Wednesday, 7.30–9.30pm, free entry.
BAD NEWS TOILET
High energy group New Dub City will be headlining the Queen’s B’day Eve party at Bar Open on Sunday June 9. Raspect Records are presenting the third installment of the ever-popular Dub Meets Hip-Hop sessions to celebrate the long weekend in style. With support from Culture Connect, SK Simeon and Mycology. You know what to do! It starts at 10pm and is a free one.
Bad News Toilet’s DJ/Mash-up show will entertain both your ears and eyes at Ding Dong Lounge on Saturday June 8. Having warmed crowds for Nina Las Vegas, MuGen, and upcoming shows with Wat so Not and Yahtzel, Bad News Toilet has refined his chaotic costume show by dressing up punters on stage, while clashing genres from Crystal Castles to Moby to Xavier Rudd. Supports will be Northeast Party House DJs and Hunting Grounds DJs. Doors from 8pm and it’s $8.
Tom Budge has a gravel and honey delivery that will haunt and caress you. He will play at the Great Britain on Sunday June 9, with support from Alex Lashie. This gig is one for the folk-centric focused, with lyric driven music that lets the listener choose their own journey via interpretation. Doors at 7pm and it’s free.
BANDS AS DJS: JAMIE HAY Newcastle’s favourite adopted Melbournian Conation/A Death In The Family/Fear Like Us vocalist Jamie Hey with debut solo album King of the Sun. Free in the front bar at Gertrude’s Brown Couch from 9pm this Saturday June 8. Beat Magazine Page 40
NEVER CHEER BEFORE YOU KNOW WHO’S WINNING It’s trivia time at Revolver, as quiz consultants Mikey Cahill and Kerrie Loveless take over your Tuesday nights from 7.30–9.45pm. They explore music, film, current events and other random topics. And you can win prizes, including CDs, tickets, drink cards, meals and all kinds of crazy gear. Stick around afterwards as Repeter Fonda hits the decks from 10.30pm–2am. You must register by 7pm to nevercheer@revolverupstairs.com.au.
SPLEEN Progressive rockers Spleen are back after taking time to write their debut EP. They’ll play The Bendigo Hotel on Wednesday June 5 for a long awaited show. Qlaye Face and The Winters and Uzaru will join them to celebrate.
LEENA Playing at the front bar of The Retreat Hotel on Tuesday June 11, Leena will showcase her sunny exterior and darker core. The singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist has travelled the globe, and supported artists such as Paul Dempsey, Bob Evans, Lior, Skipping Girl Vinegar and Rufus Wainwright. Leena’s debut songs on her Mean Old Clock EP get to the heart of a welltraveled and considered musician. Doors at 7.30pm.
THE GHOSTLY WHALES
Spectral Fires is a young post hardcore/punk band from Melbourne’s South Eastern suburbs. Combining melodic riffs with punk verses, sweeping choruses and hardcore vocals, the band has quickly found their own distinct sound. Determined to make a lasting first impression, Spectral Fires have polished their sound and are ready to establish themselves as an exciting live act. Free up in the bandroom at Gertrude’s Brown Couch this Thursday June 6 from 8pm, with support from The World At A Glance and The Rift.
Allow yourself to be captivated by the blissful harmonies and sorrowful soul of The Ghostly Whales, with their acoustic guitar, tribal beats and amazing vocal harmonies. A phenomenal lineup of seasoned musos creates a soundscape not to be missed. They are joined by the musicologists that are Cat Jump Road at Tago Mago on Sunday June 9.
Alanna and Alicia are identical twin sisters, which means they’re in tune (pun intended) musically. They’ll be launching their album Twinlines on Friday June 14 at The Thornbury Theatre with support from Pugsley Buzzard, Carolina Cordeiro and Leni Philippe-Janon. They'll be bringing their cutting wit, warm vocal tone and gift for harmonising, as showcased in previous releases, 2010’s Two In A Book and 2006’s Funny She’s So Much Like Me.
THE BOMBAY ROYALE TOM BUDGE
This is the final release in the series, bringing together a collection of Melbourne artists of various genres such as Warren Burt, Ollie Olsen, Robin Fox, Sean Baxter and Bone Rafters. The launch of the album will be at Discobeans (new location at 539 Plenty Rd, Preston) with live performances from Worng, Urchyn, Spasmoslop, Simon J. Karis, Em Vécue Aquieu, Samaan Fieck (Wife) and Lara Soulio (Bone Rafters). There will also be a selected screening of Robin Fox’s film Backscatter. It’s happening on Sunday June 2 from 3pm and entry is $5.
SPECTRAL FIRES
ALANNA & ALICIA
The Bombay Royale have been getting themselves in shape with a month of free gigs on Fridays at Bar Open, and it’s been hot, sweaty, down and dirty. It’s the last week of their residency, which means it’s your last chance to see them play for free. They’ve got daring new tunes and even bolder outfits to match their jiving ‘60s Bollywood sound. Let’s send them off to Glastonbury in style! It starts at 10pm. Did we mention it was free?!
DROWN UNDER Drown Under from Sydney (featuring membes of Circle Pit, Housewives, Whores, Snotty Babies, Ghastly Spats) are playing their sonic sludge-punk rippas for the first time in Melbourne this Saturday at the Gasometer. Joining them will be ASPS, The Angel And Baby Chain, Tomb Hanx and Baba X. 8pm start, a tenner will get you in.
You may remember her from such bands as Killing Heidi and The Verses, but now songstress Ella Hooper is back to play a residency at The Toff In Town this month. She will be supported weekly by Texture Like Sun, with a string of additional acts joining them each week, including Roscoe James Irwin, Ariela Jacobs, Krista Polvere and Gena Rose Bruce. Always one for change, her new solo workings have been described as “Tarantino-esque”. She will perform songs from her forthcoming solo album In Tongues every Tuesday night through June. The album is set for release later this year.
NEW DUB CITY
THE SHAPE OF SOUND VOL.3 BREAKING ORBIT
ELLA HOOPER
DUB THE MAGIC DRAGON Global dub heavyweights Dub the Magic Dragon are fresh out of the studio after recording their fifth album. Now they are teaming up with Metals, who are on the eve of their massive 2013 UK tour including a set at Glastonbury. The bands are getting together to play two massive shows this weekend. They are playing The Evelyn Hotel Saturday June 8 and Laundry Bar Sunday June 9, featuring special guests Mc Julez and The Wednesday Experiment. $10 on the door. Hugs are free.
BITTER SWEET KICKS Straight out of St Kilda, the Bitter Sweet Kicks take their unique style of garage blues rock to the Cherry Bar stage this Sunday June 9. Supports provided by Dukes Of Deliciousness, Kids In Cults and DJ Bobby-Lou Hellacopter. $15 entry from 8pm, $5 entry after 11pm til 3am.
ROOTS OF MUSIC The regular Wednesday live music night at Revolver provides a fresh selection of the finest emerging and established bands each week. On Wednesday June 12, Goodbye Motel and The Mere Poets will play alongside Tim Walker (NZ). Entry is free and students receive 20% off food at Colonel Tan’s. Doors at 8pm.
MO’SOUL Mo’Soul are pleased to announce their first residency with Melbourne’s grooviest funk/soul band, Revomatix. Every Wednesday night in June, let the eight-piece soul and funk band get you going, as lead singer Lyndal Barry and keyboardist Rev Gerry O share their unique blend of original material that provides a spectrum of emotions and dance inspiration. Northern Soul DJ Vince Peach and ‘60s R&B enthusiast Miss Goldie will also play, along with special guests. Doors at 8pm and it’s free.
MERCURY WHITE Their first EP was released in 2010, and followed by a national tour, Mercury White have spent time honing in on their sound. Their music has developed with the introduction of new female vocalist and violinist Tammy Brittaine. They look forward to launching their 10 track full length debut at Revolver on Friday June 7, with support from Alex Anonymous, Sunday Chairs and Holy Trash. Doors at 8pm and tickets $10 available on door.
QUEEN’S BDAY EVE BEERSOAKED SUNDAYS It’s a long weekend! So get down to The Old Bar this Sunday and check out Skycraper Stan & The Commission Flats playing alongside The Holy Rollers, Rich Davies and DJ Whiskey Cream. It all kicks off at 8.30pm, entry is $6.
PHEASANT PLUCKERS AND GRAND MASTER Longevity is something Pheasant Pluckers can resonate with, as after 20 years and five albums, the five-piece are still entertaining with their alt-country bluegrass sound. Catch them at The Retreat Hotel on Saturday June 8 from 5–7pm, and stick around for Grand Master Monk, Australia’s first progressive roots band at 8pm. DJ Jeff Leopard and DJ Dr Ludwig will spin tunes until 3am.
SUPERDARLING Under the Superdarling moniker, Tanya-Lee Davies’ glorious melodies weave through tales tall and true with sun kissed earthy tones. With a nod to Bacharach, Carole King and Lucinda Williams, Superdarling’s lo-fi psychedelic folk-pop will have you turning up the volume at The Retreat Hotel on Sunday June 9. Caroline Kennedy (Deadstar) and Dave Graney and The Mistly follow after 7pm, with Adalita DJing between 11pm–3am. Doors from 5pm.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
STEVIE & THE SLEEPERS This Melbourne band is bringing back the soul in soul and the blue in blues. Over the past year Stevie & The Sleepers have been captivating audiences with their live shows, but now, with a brand new EP on the way, the band is ready to take it to the next level. Making the night extra special, the band will be performing as a nine-piece party posse, filled to the brim with a collection of Melbourne’s finest musicians. Enough jibba jabba, come celebrate the release of ‘Shake It Up’ on June 14 at the Ding Dong Lounge.
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
BUCHANAN Melbourne band Buchanan have announced an East Coast tour in June/July to promote their acclaimed debut album, Human Spring. The tour is set to kick off at The John Curtin Hotel on Thursday June 6 (supported by Harts and Clubfeet DJs) and will then move through to Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney before finishing up in their home town for a show at The Workers Club in July. Catch them at The John Curtin, doors open 9pm and it’s $10 entry.
BARONS OF TANG CHEV RISE Anthemic purveyors of guitar pop Chev Rise headline a huge show at The Cornish Arms, Friday June 7. It’s the launch of their new single, Willow’s Bend, from their forthcoming EP. Support from awesome acts Twenty Seven Winters and Liam Linley (The Bowers). DJ Phemix will be playing tunes between sets / til late. Kicks off 9pm, free entry.
DAVID BRIDIE David Bridie and The Pills (guitarist John Phillips, drummer David Folley and guitarist and vocalist Eden Mulholland), will be playing two free warm up gigs at Tago Mago on Thursday June 6 and 13 before the Wake Tour. It kicks off at 8.45pm.
STOMPY & THE HEAT Get down to Cherry Bar this Saturday June 8 and check out the new project from ARIA award winners Dan Sultan, Scott Wilson and Bow Campbell. On the night, they will be supported by Swedish Magazines and Knitting For Gran. Doors 5pm, $13 entry from 8pm, $10 entry after 11pm with DJ Mermaid til 5am.
OUTLINES Outlines will play at The Bendigo Hotel on Sunday June 9 with Iran Eleventh, Break The Wall and Trophy Eyes (NSW). These pop punk bands will make this early Sunday arvo gig an enjoyable way to forget there’s still seven more days until the long weekend. Doors are at 1pm and $8 entry.
PROG/EXPERIMENTAL ROCK NIGHT The Bendigo Hotel is set to go off on Friday June 6 with four prog/rock bands set to take stage. Full Code (NZ) add generous psychedelia to their groove driven sound. Sounds Of Sirus have supported some of Australia’s best including The Getaway Plan, House Vs Hurricane and Cog. Fisker are a four-piece hailing from Melbourne’s North East suburbs. And Spykite lends itself to a hard rock influence with a prog nature. Doors at 8pm and tickets are $12 on the door (or $10 pre-sale).
SCHNITZ 'N' TITZ As the cold weather settles in, Schnitz ‘n’ Titz fly South for the Winter...well, not that far South but to their new monthly home, and they return to Red Bennies. With a full size stage show, Babelicous Barmaids, live music and of course their delicious schnitzels, they are set for some good times ahead. Their naughty but nice babelicious barmaids and topless waitresses will be on hand to take care of you at your table, so you won't have to wait at the bar for a drink. Performing on Thursday June 13 will be Kelly Byrne, one of Australia's best dancers/models, with perfect lines and extreme flexibility earned from her years of classical training. Single tables, large groups, buck's parties and hen's nights welcome.
BELLE ROSCOE Siblings Julia and Matty Gurry are Belle Roscoe, an Australian rock-pop group, who in 2011 spent time in Paris writing material, and in 2012 teamed up with Belgian producer and electronic DJ Luuk Cox to produce their second album. As their name suggests, their sound floats on dreamy pop hooks with a vintage feel. After three sleepless months between studios in Melbourne, Belgium, Paris and Malta, the group is excited to play at The Retreat Hotel on Thursday June 6. Doors 8.30pm.
MELBOURNE FRESH INDUSTRY SHOWCASES After 10 years, Melbourne Fresh at Revolver Upstairs is the longest running Industry Showcase in Australia. A local industry hot spot for unsigned musicians and industry professionals, Melbourne Fresh gives away thousands of dollars in prizes at each grand final, with EP recordings, cash prizes, CD pressings, iTunes releases, management consultation and more. Doors from 7pm and tickets are $15 on the door.
Barons Of Tang are excited to announce a free show at Bar Open on Saturday June 8, and for anyone who has seen them play, they’ll know this is a serious party! They’ve been working on their long awaited debut LP over the past couple of months, and guess what – it’s almost ready to be unleashed to the world. It will be your last chance to see them before they head off to Europe for an epic album launch tour. Doors at 10pm and it’s free.
THE STAFFORDS The Staffords will unveil their debut EP at Ding Dong Lounge on Sunday June 9 with support from Towers, The Zanes and Gena Rose Bruce. Their lead single About Love indicates a darker turn for the trio with this release, yet maintains a pop sensibility and lyrical complexity that has become part of their oeuvre. It kicks off at 8pm and is $12, and the first 150 payers will receive a copy of On The Make on the door.
ROCK ON WITH YOUR MUSIC Take the first step towards your successful career. NATIONALLY ACCREDITED COURSES IN PERFORMANCE
COMPOSITION
TUITION
DEEP STREET SOUL Saskwatch, The Bombay Royale and Deep Street Soul have all been invited to play Glastonbury this year - and of course, they’re all going. Deep Street Soul impressed the booker for Glastonbury last year when he was in Melbourne for the Australian World Music Expo. After seeing them play, he invited them to play at said festival. So head down to The Workers Club, Saturday June 8 to see the band off, farewell style. Supports from Karate Boogaloo, Up Up Away and DJ skills by Pierre Baroni and Soul Loco. Doors 8.30pm and it’s $15.
THE LEGEND OF BARCELOS It’s their first headline show, and The Legend of Barcelos are set to conjure a sweaty moshpit when they take on Revolver on Sunday June 9. They’ll be supported by Arabela and Valley and Jelice. Doors are at 8pm and tickets are $15 on the door.
THE EVENING CAST & NICK VAN BREDA Having lost their studio and most of their gear in a tragic house fire at the end of 2012, The Evening Cast’s future seemed unclear; however, like a phoenix from the ashes, The Evening Cast have miraculously emerged with some new material. Their new EP, Lake, was produced by ARIA award winning producer Marty Brown (Clare Bowditch, Art Of Fighting). Catch their EP launch at The Workers Club on Sunday June 9. Nick Van Breda has been a mainstay on the Australian music scene for the last decade, and as part of this double launch will be performing songs from his new AA side release, The World And The Everyday. Support will be provided by The Bellastrades, doors open at 8.30pm and it’s $10.
ALEX WATTS & THE FOREIGN TONGUE Alex Watts has been making a name for himself over the past few years following the release of a string of clever and catchy singles, festival appearances and collaborative performances with some of the country’s finest acts. Having recently released a new single, Warned, Watts will take to Melbourne’s The Standard Hotel on Wednesday June 5 to perform two sets of solid gold hits and then some. Entry is free.
“A lot more full and textured than your average drum clinic.” - Rolling Stone Worked with Jeff Lang, Chris Whitley (U.S.A.), Jordie Lane, The Dingoes, Lisa Miller, The Waifs, The Blackeyed Susans, Chris Wilson, The Backsliders. Upstairs at Greville Records. Mob: 0415 118 390
www.ashleydaviesmusicanddrums.com
CALL 1300 855 846 www.mwtinstitute.com.au
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 41
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
HENRY JOSEPH & THE VICTORYS Henry Joseph left LA in 2010, but moved to Australia to see a musical dream realised. After collaborating with Jonathan Zion, Henry has made an album of beautifully haunting melodies and energetic grooves. His lyrics fall into the rare mix of simple, yet layered with symbolic depth. He will play at The Thornbury Theatre on Thursday June 13 supported by David Cosma.
CHOP SQUAD AND CIDER TREE KIDS Chop Squad are four guys ready to unleash their loud songs and fuzzy guitars at The Retreat Hotel on Friday June 7. Their songs are described as about likes, dislikes, and on rare occasions about nothing. With a bit of The Strokes and Death Grips thrown in for good measure, their debut EP Float/Glide has just been released on Bandcamp. It kicks off at 9pm. Cider Tree Kids follow on from 10pm with their fun pop stylings, and DJ Traffic Jam on the decks between 11pm–3am.
STRAIGHT 8S
KYLIE AULDIST Kylie Auldist (lead singer from ARIA nominated The Bamboos and side-project Cooking On 3 Burners) is performing with her seven-piece funk band, The Glenroy All Stars, every Sunday in June at the Flying Saucer Club in Elsternwick as part of their Sunday Soul Sessions. She has been knockin’ the socks off Japan, US and Europe with her amazing solo album, Still Life, which has garnered a lot of attention with international media. Kylie Auldist is a remarkable voice in the global funk and soul scene and a great live performer. Catch her this Sunday June 9, doors open at 3pm. Entry is $22.
MWT MUSIC COURSES
PONY FACE
Now is the time to pursue your music career. Many may claim that the music industry is competitive, and hard to get into. They’re right! However with the right education, a music career is closer than you think. Offering the largest number of Music Diploma streams, with minimal prerequisites to students - this makes it easy for you to pursue your ambitions and live up to your dreams. With their unique blend of private mentoring, workshop classes, online learning and access to performance, rehearsal and recording studios, MWT Music is a leader in Vocational Music Training. Interesting yeah? Well, that offer only gets better, as you can qualify to get full government funding as MWT institutes’ qualification certificates are all nationally accredited and can be delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Whether it is Tuition, Performance or Composition, MWT institute is the only provider who gets what you need.
Pony Face will play at The Northcote Social Club on Friday June 7 with Matt Walker & The Lost Ragas and Heavy Beach. After the release of their album Hypnotised late last year, the group is back with their blissful and brooding sound, taking listeners on an aural journey. It kicks off at 8.30pm and tickets are $15 (+ bf) or $18 on door if still available.
UNKNOWN PLEASURES FEAT. HOUSE OF LIGHT Unknown Pleasures, a multi-disciplined arts production factory focused on underground music, visual art, vintage and independent fashion, presents a night of wave/psychedelic/post-punk music, visual art and DJs. Special guests of the night: House of Light from Berlin. Thursday June 6 at the Gasometer. 8pm for $8.
Queen’s Birthday Weekend music extravaganza. Get down to the Sandbelt and party with the Straight 8s from 3 – 6pm at the Sandbelt Club Hotel. Melbourne band the Straight 8s (Victor O’Neil, vocals and rhythm; Dave Cantrell, guitar; Ray Tully, drums; and Atillo Snappy, double bass) are stunning: great musicians and entertainers, these experienced rockabillies play some infectious tunes infused with plenty of spunk and have been together since the early ‘80s.
BLACK CAB Andrew Coates and James Lee are Black Cab, and they’re playing some old favourites and some new tracks since working on their long awaited fourth album. Their sound has been described as a mix of Europe and America in the ‘70s, blending rock and electronica to create their own stamp on the genre of yesteryear. They’ll be supported by Lowtide and MRSPKR at The Northcote Social Club on Sunday June 9. Doors at 8.30pm and tickets are $12 (+ bf) or $15 at the door if still available.
THE OL’ FAITHFULS Fans of genre-busting gig shapes will want to hit Tago Mago on Saturday June 8 for a top flight show. The night will be like a whisper to a scream with newcomer Lara Travis to the epic build of five-piece The Ol’ Faithfuls, ending in a cloud of folk-goth sandal gaze wall-of-sound bliss. Entry is free!
FRIDAY 7TH OF JUNE 6PM-10PM
KELLAWAY NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE - 5 KELLAWAY AVENUE, AVENUE MOONEE MOONEEPONDS PONDS
TICKETS $15; ON SALE MONDAY 27TH OF MAY UNTIL SOLD OUT AVAILABLE at OZTIX www.oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545 and Oztix Retail Outlets NO PASSOUTS, FULLY SUPERVISED, DRUG ALCOHOL AND SMOKE FREE, ALL AGES EVENT FOR MORE INFO CHECK OUT www.facebook.com/mooneevalleyfreeza
Beat Magazine Page 42
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
OMEDA WINTER SHOWCASE The Organisation for Middle Eastern Dance in Australia presents the winter showcase on Saturday June 15 at The Thornbury Theatre. Internationally renowned dancer and author Tamalyn Dallal will take part in a workshop and performance night, along with OMEDA’s teachers, professional dancers and student troupes. There’ll be live music by Alwan Ensemble and an exotic shopping market.
SUITCASE RUMMAGE Suitcase Rummage will conclude at The Thornbury Theatre on Sunday June 16. The rummage experience supports emerging artists and entrepreneurs, craft, second-hand and up-cycled clothing and locally handmade goods. Help the last Suitcase Rummage go out in style by picking up a bargain, a swap, or a good old fashioned haggle.
CAITY FOWLER Her extensive experience has seen Caity Fowler take on theatre, cabaret, opera, rock and acoustic shows. She has earned several awards with this eclectic resume, yet in recent years has been playing and touring with rising Melbourne band Playwrite. She’ll perform at The Retreat Hotel on Wednesday June 5. Doors 7.30pm.
3CR RADIOTHON 3CR Radiothon is happening again! A bunch of bands are getting together in support of 3CR and community radio for a night of riffs and excellent dancing. Dead River bring the psychedelic fuzz and blistering tunes, Ouch My Face return to the stage with riff grandness, Bricks Are Heavy play all your favourite L7 tunes (messy and sometimes heavier than required), and The General play grunge the way it should be played. All profits will go towards keeping 3CR on air. Doors 8pm, $10 will get you in (and some good karma too!).
PIKELET Melbourne psych-pop wonders Pikelet return with the first evidence from their upcoming third album, Calluses. Pressure Cooker is an eerie, loping marvel – six minutes of dark, dreamy post-apocalyptic shuffle - apocalysmic disco? It’s a sure sign that third album, Calluses, due out on Chapter Music in August, is gonna be worth the wait since 2010’s AMP-shortlisted album Stem. While not in the studio, Pikelet have spent the last few years playing with the likes of Beirut, Shellac, Dirty Projectors, Broadcast and Ariel Pink. Now they’re excited to announce a launch for Pressure Cooker at The Tote Hotel on Friday June 7 from 9pm, with support from Gold Tango and Superstar.
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
LA BASTARD Surf/rockabilly/’60s extravaganza La Bastard are hitting the Reverence Hotel in Footscray for the first time ever this Queen’s Birthday long weekend! Melbourne’s wildest party band will join Sons Of Lee Marvin, The Yard Apes and Lake Palmer for a night of reverb-drenched rock’n’roll. Get ready for craziness and enjoy a taco and Tecate at the best new pub in the West. Check it out on Friday June 7 from 8pm, $10 on the door.
SALAD DAYS The Melbournian garage rock band Salad Days will play their large heavy sound to the Great Britain Hotel on Thursday June 6 with support from Henry Brooks. The eclectic band features guitarist Pat Pleash, vocalist Josh Burton, drummer Rob Clifford and bassist Cal Royle. They’re “sweet enough for the girls to love and hard enough for the boys to love”. Doors at 8pm.
NGAIIRE Sydney based future-folk/soul artist Ngaiire (pronounced Nighrie) was on triple j’s 2010 ‘Next Crop’ list with Kimbra, Lanie Lane and The Jezabels, and now she’s launching the second single off her forthcoming debut album, Lamentations, at Ding Dong Lounge on Friday June 28. Around is a piece of music that once again represents Ngaiire’s unique diversity, taste and extraordinary talent. Doors at 8pm and tickets are $12 + BF or $15 on the door.
SIN & TONICS Tasmania’s Sin & Tonics are rockabilly sounding like you’ve never heard from a place you’ve probably never been. They’ll play at The Bendigo Hotel on Saturday June 8 with The Tearaways, Road Ratz, The Working Horse Irons and Murder Rats. It kicks off at 8pm.
REVOMATIX Melbourne’s grooviest funk and soul band Revomatix are excited to announce their residency with Mo’Soul at Ding Dong Lounge every Wednesday in June. Supported by the legendary DJ Vince Peach and soul sista Miss Goldie, playing hot tracks to keep your soul warm. Doors open at 8pm and it’s free.
ACOUSTICALLY PROUD
SHEPPARD
Floya Production presents ‘Acoustically Proud’, a showcase of four of Melbourne’s local acoustic talent. Held in one of the most intimate venues in the city’s suburbs. Featuring Lisa Faithfull, Marco, Pocketwatch Knight and Matt Lister. It’s all happening at the Wesley Anne on Thursday July 18 from 8pm and it’s $5.
This six-piece from Brisbane have fast become one of this year’s breakthrough acts, and with Let Me Down Easy getting a lot of radio play, Sheppard are pleased to announce the new video for the track. The band consists of siblings Amy, George and Emma Sheppard, along with friends Jay Bovino, Michael Butler and Dean Gordon, together creating a feel good party atmosphere. They’ve played the UK, USA, The Phillipines, South Africa, and India. Catch them at Ding Dong Lounge on Thursday June 6, with support from The Habbits. Doors at 8pm and entry is $8.
THE PEEP TEMPEL Monday at The Public Bar is the finale to The Peep Tempel’s Queen’s Birthday Weekender, which will see the lads play Brisbane, Sydney and finish in Melbourne for an afternoon matinee knee deep in the rock ‘n’ roll sludge pit that is The Public Bar. With support from Brat Farrar, Bodies and Baboon Rebus. It all starts at 4pm, entry is $10.
ALBERT HOFMANN LSD TRIBUTE NIGHT The effects of LSD provided the catalyst for psychedelic music (as well as the not-so-celebrated tiedye and cheese-cloth fashion). To celebrate Hofmann’s ground breaking discovery of LSD 70 years ago, Tone Deaf presents a tribute night at Ding Dong Lounge on Saturday June 22, with Morning After Girls, The Demon Parade, Fascinator and The House Of Laurence. Doors at 8pm and tickets are $15 + BF.
HAMISH ANDERSON His name has been bandied around quite a bit of late, and with good reason. The encouraging local music scene has embraced Hamish Anderson’s noteworthy tunes and songwriting and vocal maturity well beyond his 21 years. After much attention from Triple J, Hamish released his debut EP earlier this year and is already back in the studio recording new tracks with Jeff Buckley’s drummer Matt Johnson. He’ll play Ding Dong Lounge with Taxidermy Hall on Friday June 7. Doors at 8pm for $8.
TERROBYTE STRIPES If you’ve never seen Terrobyte Stripes, then don’t waste the opportunity to see them at Bar Open on Thursday June 6. The “surgically precise music operation” highlights all things right with the last 100 years of music. They’ll team up with Cat Jump Road, Cholesterollers and IO. Doors at 8.30pm and it’s free.
GRIZZLY JIM LAWRIE The start of Grizzly Jim Lawrie’s year has been an eventful affair, with a cracker album launch and relentless gigging. June will see the release of a new single for Jim, and to celebrate he will be hitting The Old Bar stage every Wednesday of the month with full band to showcase new tunes and party with a hoard of great supports and guest DJs. Catch him this Wednesday June 5 with De Fremery, Rob Muinds and Saskwatch DJ’s. Doors open at 8.30pm, $7 on the door.
SADISTIC INTENT Archgoat (Finland), Midnight (United States) and Sadistic Intent (United States) will be venturing to Melbourne on Sunday June 9 to play a show at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood, alongside local maniacs Cemetery Urn! Archgoat are well known for their devastating death/black metal, having released their first demo in 1991, they were around at the very beginning of the second wave. This show is one not to be missed for the underground maniacs! Sadistic Intent have been around since 1988 and released their first demos in the late ‘80s then onwards into the ‘90s, with a string of classic EPs. Although these guys are yet to release a full length album, we can tell you this is one of the most crushing, dark, sadistic death-metal acts you will ever hear on CD/LP and live. Beware!! Midnight from Ohio USA come full force at you with their blend of Motorhead/Venom influenced metal – these guys will be sure to turn The Bendigo Hotel upside down! This is a huge show for all you metalheads out there. Tickets are $66 and are selling fast.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
HOLLOW EVERDAZE Hollow Everdaze have a June residency every Wednesday upstairs at The Tote. Their new single, Ships, follows on from their rollicking debut Selfish. The first show on June 5 will see support from Sleep Decade and Grandstands, with Amanita, Fraser A. Gorman, Contrast, Crepes and The Call Up to follow in the coming weeks. It’s $4 entry.
BROOZER Tech sludge tough blokes, Broozer, are proud to present to Melbourne Western Australia’s Southern stoner metal exports, Born On The Bayou, for a one-off Sunday session at the Public Bar! ‘Bayou is dirty music for dirty people, a dirty ghoster coaster trip filled with many highs, come downs and hot 'n' nasty Southern inspired groove filled heavy tunes’. Also ripping it up with their brand of psychedelically-infused fuzz-rock are the mighty My Left Boot! And late additions Swidgen are now entering the ring with their sludge stoner toughness. In support of Broozer, My Left Boot, Swidgen and Bayou are A Gazillion Angry Mexicans, party stoner at its finest! Doors at 3pm, so get down early to The Public Bar and soak up some brews and forget it’s Sunday with some sick tunes. Entry is $8.
MECHANICAL PTERODACTYL Multi-instrumentalist Yen Nguyen is Mechanical Pterodactyl, at times bringing a five-piece of regular collaborators to the fore. With Bon Iver, Radiohead and James Blake listed as influences, Yen’s music is often filed under folktronica. The band will be supported by Tom Woodward’s new project, Horsemeat, when they play the Great Britain on Saturday June 8. Doors at 9pm and it’s free.
Beat Magazine Page 43
ALBUM OF THE WEEK QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
ARIA CHARTS
…Like Clockwork (Matador Records)
WEDNESDAY 5 JUNE RESIDENCY – OPENING NIGHT
KALACOMA AMANITA EASY DA DA BRETT SHEYEZER THURSDAY 6 JUNE
THE PRIMARY
SKYWAYS ARE HIGHWAYS THE KILNIKS CASEY HARTNETT (SLEEP DECADE) $2.50 POTS, $5 VODKAS! FRIDAY 7 JUNE
THE FIASCO EMERSON OH PACIFIC I AM EVEREST
SATURDAY 8 JUNE
METALS
DUB THE MAGIC DRAGON THE WEDNESDAY EXPERIMENT SUNDAY 9 JUNE SECRET SHOW! MONDAY 10 JUNE RESIDENCY
MANGELWURZEL EMPAT LIMA SUGAR FED LEOPARD PALZ TUESDAY 11 JUNE RESIDENCY
KOOYEH
DEMIAN SWOOPING DUCK
COMING UP
TIX AVAILABLE THRU MOSHTIX: MANGELWURZEL (MONDAYS IN JUNE) KOOYEH (TUESDAYS IN JUNE) KALACOMA (WEDNESDAYS IN JUNE) TIJUANA CARTEL (JUNE 14) COTTON SIDEWALK – EP LAUNCH (JUNE 15) CELADORE – FINAL SHOW (JUNE 21) TULAHLAH – EP LAUNCH (JUNE 28) KIRKIS (JUNE 29) THREE’S A CROWD (MONDAYS IN JULY + AUGUST) SLEEPMAKESWAVES (JULY 6 + 7) THE GOOD SHIP – QLD (JULY 27)
QOTSA are a heavy rock band, but it’s never been the heaviness that was their trademark – it’s their swagger, their confidence, the Billy Idol sneer that frontman Josh Homme has perfected. But it wasn’t just Homme: bassist Nick Olivieri contributed dark and violent edge for many years, and the rotating cast of drummers (including Dave Grohl and former Danzig skinsman Joey Castillo) has always been blessed with requisite menace. The last Queens’ album, 2007’s Era Vulgaris, was something of a disappointment, that very human swagger replaced by an electronic, industrial, inhuman heaviness. It was still a good album, but it didn’t have that trademark QOTSA sound, that sense of a band of outlaws strolling through a Wild West town. It was like they were letting the electronics do the menacing instead of it coming from the old wellspring of swagger. But on …Like Clockwork, the swagger is back. It’s everywhere, from extraordinary riffs and guitar tones so damn thick you can practically chew them, to the rollicking swing in the rhythm section, to Homme’s lyrics: “I’m gonna do the damage/That needs getting done”, he sings on Smooth Sailing. “I got bruises and hickies/ Stitches and scars/Got my own theme music/Plays wherever I are.” Homme is no stranger to collaborations, so it should be no surprise that he is able to make …Like Clockwork sound unquestionably like a QOTSA album despite all the guest stars. Remarkably, none of the huge names (longtime foils Mark Lanegan, Nick Olivieri, Brody Dalle and Alain Johannes feature alongside new pals Trent Reznor, Elton John and Jake Shears from The Scissor Sisters) are given much to do. Honourary Queen Dave Grohl plays drums on half the tracks – his perfect mix of
IGGY AZALEA
Bounce (Universal) Spitting some Nicki-meets-Ke$ha obnoxious rhymes over a fairly insipid Diplo-biting beat, Iggy Azalea ambles through Bounce without aim and ends up with a turgid tilt at mainstream success as a result. A weak, safe and ultimately forgettable attempt at club ubiquity.
BLACK CITY LIGHTS
Give It Up (Stars And Letters) Wellington duo Black City Lights deal in a dark, uplifting brand of synth pop – along the lines of Light Asylum or Zola Jesus. Singer Julia Catherine Parr navigates her formidable vocal talents with an emboldened scope throughout Give It Up, the first taste from debut album Another Life. The frosty and spacious production work is understated in all the right places, but lifts when it needs to lift. Quality work.
LURCH & CHIEF
We Are The Same (Independent) There’s a lot to like on We Are The Same, but there are also some fairly naff directives present which hold the track back. There are two vocal powerhouses jostling to outdo each other – which is great – but it’s all a bit too much in the realm of polished indie rock. It’s like an over-processed Frog Eyes. The promise is there, but there needs to be a strive for something more than phoning it in with basic Be My Baby beats and plonking “ooh-ah-ooh”s.
2. The Great Gatsby OST VARIOUS ARTISTS 3. Unorthodox Jukebox BRUNO MARS 4. Trouble Will Find Me THE NATIONAL 5. Home RUDIMENTAL 6. All The Little Lights PASSENGER 7. To Be Loved MICHAEL BUBLE 8. The Truth About Love P!NK 9. Steal The Light THE CAT EMPIRE 10. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here ALICE IN CHAINS precision and aggression immediately obvious – and you can’t half tell Lanegan co-wrote the amazing Fairweather Friends. But maybe the standout contribution comes from Arctic Monkey Alex Turner, who plays a very Keith Richards-y guitar on If I Had A Tail, and co-wrote the wonderfully clever Kalopsia. If you have ever liked Queens of the Stone Age, you’ll love this album. And if you haven’t, this could be the one that wins you over – the writing is sharp and clever, the melodies are deceptively pretty, and the guitars are absolutely filthy.
The Beauty Surrounds (PIAS) Blending folk ideals with looping electronic elements, Houses overcome some beyond-pretentious concepts to create a fairly enticing, if quite overwrought, journey through barren America. There’s a tidy wash in the coda, placing a tasteful full-stop at the end of the narrative.
A Heartbeat Behind (PIAS) “A snake eats itself, and there’s a word for that.” So opens A Heartbeat Behind, a somewhat misguided ouroboros of a track that chomps on the tail of Pettybranded Americana with its UK indie fangs. Doesn’t really play it straight to the point of believability, but the charm is undeniable.
RECORD PARADISE TOP TEN VINYL 1 She Beats BEACHES 2 Trouble Will Find Me THE NATIONAL 3 Back to Zero THE NIGHT TERRORS 4 Deleted Scenes STANDISH CARLYON 5 More Light PRIMAL SCREAM
HUGH ROBERTSON
6 Like Clockwork QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
Best Track: Fairweather Friends If You Like This You’ll Like This: Welcome to Sky Valley KYUSS, Blues Funeral MARK LANEGAN, Sing Sing Death House THE DISTILLERS In A Word: Swaggering
GOLD PANDA
7 The Terror THE FLAMING LIPS 8 Calendar Days DICK DIVER 9 Floating Coffin THEE OH SEES 10 Freakish JO GIDEON AND THE SHARK
COLLECTORS CORNER/ MISSING LINK 1. Like Clockwork (CD/LP) QUEENS OF THE
Brazil (Liberator) Buoyed by a swirling cacophony of spelunking percussion, Brazil is a dreamy soundscape of compositional strength from UK producer Gold Panda. Just plain good, nothing contentious about it. So here’s a barely tangible contentious statement for you: Terry Gilliam’s Brazil is an overrated turd. There, I said it.
STONE AGE
WORLD’S END PRESS
DUKE GARWOOD
To Send Our Love (Liberation) Showcasing a tasty fetish for vintage synth tones, World’s End Press put forth one hell of a dance jam in To Send Our Love – foraging the more palatable scraps of dance punk to great effect. The touches from DFA figurehead Tim Goldsworthy a pertinent, giving a world-class polish to one of our country’s sorely underappreciated acts. It’s like modern day Mi-Sex, without the corniness.
2. Debacle/Inebrious (7") DEBACLE/ INEBRIOUS 3. Thy Kingdom Scum (CD) CHURCH OF MISERY 4. By Night (12") THE BATS 5. Black Pudding (CD/LP) MARK LANEGAN/ 6. The Last Spire (CD/LP) CATHEDRAL 7. Killing With A Smile (LP) PARKWAY DRIVE 8. Nuclear Winter (CD/LP) BATPISS 9. Devil Put Dinosaurs Here ALICE IN CHAINS 10. Dirt (LP) THE STABS
AIRIT NOW CHARTS 1. Back To You BLOODS
FUCK BUTTONS
The Red Wing (ATP) When it was debuted in a primitive form during last year’s Harvest Festival, The Red Wing generated the closest thing to a singalong during Fuck Buttons’ triumphant set. We were hypnotised by the vintage disco “pew”s, and thrust our fingers to the tent ceiling while engaging in joyous onomatopoeia. Oh what fun. Released as a single edit to preface the long-awaited third LP Slow Focus, the studio version retains the “pew”s over a gnarled, winding distorted bassline. Electronica par excellence, but the edit length is but a tease. The world needs more Fucky Butts, more often.
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
KIRIN J CALLINAN
HOUSES
SPECTRALS
Beat Magazine Page 44
1. Random Access Memories DAFT PUNK
SINGLES BY LACHLAN “That roof leak is pretty bad, are any of you guys tradies?” “It’s a Vice party. Nobody here has any distinguishable practical life skills whatsoever. Sorry.”
TOP TENS
Love/Delay (Siberia/Remote Control) Transforming his longstanding live staple into a fleshed-out studio offering, the ever-delightful Kirin J Callinan hones his guitar blasts into buzzsaw jolts while crooning like a gleefully derange romantic throughout the infectious Love/Delay. Smooth-as-butter lines like “standing there, in your underwear and your long black hair” provide a seductive counterpoint to Kirin’s bestial howls, achieving something more welcoming than previous single Embracism (the title track from an Album Of The Year contender, out June 28). Love/ Delay sucks you in with the beguiling, repetitive cry of “you, know, me, fire” before blowing it all wide open with a warpspeed launch into stadiumsized histrionics. It’s potent. It’s important.
FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO BEATTV.COM.AU/REVIEWS
2. Career ZEAHORSE 3. Toothless Tiger JEN CLOHER 4. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. (Trouble) ABBE MAY 5. Leeward Side JOSH PYKE 6. I Didn't Believe feat. Elizabeth Rose FLIGHT FACILITIES 7. Avalanche AXOLOTL 8. My Heart Is Not A Machine WHITLEY 9. What You Came Here For TIGERTOWN 10.Go DIALECTRIX
BEAT'S TOP TEN SONGS ABOUT TRIANGLES 1. Love Triangle HTRK 2. Triangles & Rhombuses BOARDS OF CANADA 3. Pink Triangle WEEZER 4. Triangle DENSE & PIKA 5. Bizarre Love Triangle NEW ORDER 6. Triangulum Australe (Say It In Space) OMAR-S 7. Pyramid FOUR TET 8. The $20 Sack Pyramid DR. DRE 9. The Triangle Song ROCKIN' THE STANDARDS 10. Circle DADUB, EDIT SELECT
ALBUMS
AKRON/FAMILY
Sub Verses (Dead Oceans/Spunk) FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO
BEAT.COM.AU/REVIEWS
JEN CLOHER
In Blood Memory (Milk! Records) You really have to admire an artist who attains success with a certain sound and style, and then risks alienating current fans and critics by exploring brand new musical territory with each new release. Melbourne songstress Jen Cloher received an elusive and well-deserved ARIA nomination for her debut album Dead Wood Falls in 2006, which was a dark, demure but still compelling collection of folky, indie singer/songwriter tracks. She then followed that up with the excellent, more open and alive Hidden Hands in 2009, which injected just a hint of pop flavoured rock into her sound. Her third record, In Blood Memory, expands the palette yet again. At times across the course of the album we get the same, unassuming atmospherics that we heard on the debut (Needs), but then elsewhere she seriously gets her country rock on (Kamikaze Origami and David Bowie Eyes), lifts the tempo on first single Mount Beauty, which is just an excellent song, and even sounds like she’s been ingesting a bit of Iggy Pop and The Stooges in recent times on Toothless Tiger. Hold My Hand rounds things off in an epic and magnificent style. On top of all this, the production has been kept deliberately raw and real, so this is just about as honest a record as you can possibly get, whilst still remaining thoroughly listenable. Long time fans into the first two records should prepare themselves for something very different on In Blood Memory, but they are also advised to listen with an open mind. The new record is still very Jen Cloher, and still very bloody good. Superb, in fact. This chick stands head and shoulders above the vast majority of singer/songwriters in this country, and that continues on her third album. Best Track: Mount Beauty If You Like These, You’ll Like This: JORDIE LANE, MIA ROD WHITFIELD DYSON, COURTNEY BARNETT In A Word: Beautiful
THE NATIONAL
Trouble Will Find Me (4AD/Remote Control) From the opening moments where Matt Berninger morosely wonders if he should be living in salt for leaving his lover, you know this album is going to tick all the boxes that make this, unmistakably, an album by The National. Another couple of boxes are soon ticked when Jennifer and Jenny are added to the ever-growing list of Berninger’s women-on-pedestals. To accompany the band’s unmistakable sound, Berninger continues to explore his feelings of alienation, anxiety and displacement. The inward-looking but immediately accessible Demons is a flip-side to the aggressively jubilant Lit Up, with its weary “When I walk into a room, I do not light it up - fuck.” And from the insecure dependency of I Need My Girl and the social faux pas of Humiliation, Trouble Will Find Me reveals a leading man on top form in his own awkward, exposed way. In contrast to this lack of confidence, the measured vocal delivery and music could not be more effortless and assured. A back-to-basics approach sees the band play to their strengths, as they did on their other exemplary albums, Alligator and Boxer (everyone has their favourite National album, but High Violet didn’t quite hit their high benchmark for me). While the music is steadfastly The National, there are numerous references to other music in the lyrics. Don’t Swallow The Cap spins Let It Be and Nevermind, two classic albums with titles offering consolation. Later in the album on the lulling Pink Rabbits, Bona Drag is playing and, like Morrissey, the band’s music is comforting and rewarding for the listener, despite its troubled nature. “I am not my rosy self,” Berninger laments, and that’s okay by us. Best Track: Demons If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Boxer THE NATIONAL, CHRIS GIRDLER The Hungry Saw THE TINDERSTICKS In A Word: Enduring
Remember 2009? I’m sure Akron/Family do because that was the last time their tribalpysch-cum-experimental rock was relevant. Where other acts from the same kick have progressed like Grizzly Bear, Akron/Family has stuck to their somewhat dated guns and on Sub Verses produced more of that MGMT meets Animal Collective shtick. This is not to say that Sub Verses is a bad listen; it is just that, generally, when acts take creative risks in popular music they should make damn sure the that zeitgeist is still with them. For example, opening song No Room has vocalists Dana Janssen, Seth Olinsky, and Miles Seaton doing their best Navaho impersonation over the top of tumbling drums before everything drops out for a chorus of echoed vocals. This is stirring stuff but the further away from a recognisable song structure it gets the more confused it makes the listener, and from 4:25 to 6:41 who fucking knows what is going on? The following track, Way Up, is ummm… Animal Collective at their best a la Merriweather Post Pavilion days, but yeah, bizarrely jarring to hear on a 2013 release not from Animal Collective. An absolute respite from this schizophrenically derivative mix is the soothing Until The Morning, that harks back to Akron/Family’s previous beauty’s like River from 2009’s Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free. Still on the positives of this album, Sub Verses is a contradicting yet cohesive release. One strong track that occurs much later in the album is the rollicking Sand Time that is an uplifting throwback to good-time rock’n’roll with a universal sentiment for those driven by the almighty dollar: “You may borrow money, but you can’t borrow time.” Well if you’re willing to let Akron/Family borrow some Best Track: Sand Time of your honey-glazed mid-to-late ‘00s retrospect then If You Like These, You Like This: Merriweather Post you will love this album. Pavilion ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, Oracular Spectacular MGMT, Yellow House GRIZZLY BEAR. DAN WATT In A Word: New-aged-aged
FOOTY
Mobile Cemetery (Lost and Lonesome Recording Co) T-shirt Tommy Hafey still reckons footy is a simple game. Not that you’d recognise it from the AFL’s attempts to re-engineer the laws of the game to create a free-flowing, risk-free, sanitised commercial product that’ll appeal to everyone from Broadmeadows to Bondi to Budapest. The once simple instruction manual has mutated into a Tolstoy novel of impenetrable complexity: once upon a coach’s instructions would suffice for direction; now, a tribe of lawyers and a cabal of management consultants advise on every move, on and off the field. Mobile Cemetery, the latest release from local instrumental duo Footy, is an exercise in elegant simplicity. It’s not easily categorised: Realisation, the opening track, is the haunting side of jazz, walking casually into the spaces of the night like a walk-on character in a Jean-Luc Goddard film. Racist Lawn Ornaments – surely, the best name for a song in recent memory – is a piano-filled psychedelic storm waiting to break, but never does. You’re on edge, and anything could happen, but you’re left somewhere between the Brothers Grimm and Dostoyevsky. Endless Selection of Channels is a metaphor for the retarded contentment of the western world; it’s dark, atmospheric and promises everything that it can’t provide, just like that stupid electronic box filled with moronic entertainment that we’re convinced can help us to escape the frustrations of daily life. Sea Home is tranquil, the piano skipping across the soundscape like a bird exploring the wonders of the natural world. What’s going on with Workin’? There’s some disconcerting dialogue in the background, and then the folk spirit of ’65 shines through the darkness, but only just. And then there’s the title track: again, it’s sparse – there’s so little fat here even fascist Michelle Bridges would be impressed – until the dulcet tones of ‘70s pop kick in, and you realise shit’s not as bad as you thought it might be. It takes a lot to create perfect simplicity, and Footy has done it. Sit back, and ponder what this all means. You’ll be all the better for it. Best Track: Endless Selection of Channels If You Like These, You’ll Like This: SIMPLICITY PATRICK EMERY In A Word: Elegant
MICK HARVEY
VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Four (Acts of Love) (Mute)
Modern Vampires Of The City (XL Recordings/Remote Control) The chandelier that filled most of the cover of Vampire Weekend’s debut album looked like it was hovering happily above a happening college party. On the new album’s seventh song, Everlasting Arms, we’re “trapped beneath the chandelier that’s going down.” Modern Vampires Of The City closes a loose trilogy of albums for a band who are clearly relishing exploring the darker ‘vampire’ part of their band-name over the carefree ‘weekend’. Time is forever ticking, from the tick-tock rhythms backing some songs to Don’t Lie’s nagging, “I want to know, does it bother you/The low click of a ticking clock.” First single Diane Young is a disarmingly spritely tune, even by Vampire Weekend’s standards, but it’s more about dying young than a sweetheart who happens to be called Diane. The dozen songs are wrapped up in an album adorned by an apocalyptic vision of New York suffering under a wave of pollution. But, for an album that dwells on the inevitability of growing older, and is swimming with references to religion and spirituality, it continues the trend of Vampire Weekend having a lot of fun. The music tunes down the Afrobeat dial further and there’s less of Rostam Batmanglij’s frantic guitar-work, but there’s no letting up on the power-pop hooks. Ezra Koenig has never sounded better and, to match the joyful step of the music, makes fun references to everyone from Souls of Mischief and OutKast to Modest Mouse and Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus. Immediate on first listen while continuing to engage on repeat spins, Modern Vampires Of The City is also Vampire Weekend’s most consistent album. The Ivy League quartet have pushed outside of the ten-track template of their last two albums and successfully stretched themselves Best Track: Ya Hey without losing their footing. If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Bankrupt! PHOENIX, Tomboy PANDA BEAR CHRIS GIRDLER In A Word: Revamped
THIS WEEK WED 5TH
WONDERBOY W WORKING GIRLS, MERSEY+ MILKSHAKE
THURS 6TH
HUB PRESENTS..AFTR DARK
W BUCHANAN (RECORD LAUNCH), HARTS + CLUBFEET DJ’S & MISS FRANKIE
FRI 7TH
THIS THING PRESENTS FRIENDZONE FEAT KANE IKIN, HARVEY SUTHERLAND, HYPERBOREA + ANGEL EYES SAT 8TH
PRUDENCE REES-LEE ‘RECORD LAUNCH’
W STELLA ANGELICO + JONNY TELAFONE AND DJ LADYSHAKES
KITCHEN HOURS
SUN 9TH
DROWN UNDER 7” LAUNCH
W LEVITATING CHURCHES, NUN, JUSTIN FULLER + MISS DESTINY
“The wife’s moved out, and the mistress has moved in,” remarked a friend after the news a few years ago of Mick Harvey’s departure from the Bad Seeds, and the immediate artistic orbit of his school friend and long-time collaborator Nick Cave. Harvey, despite his relatively enigmatic persona and long-standing association with Cave, has rarely been shy to explore his own artistic interests. Four (Acts of Love) is Harvey’s latest release, a typically deep, meaningful and atmospheric Harvey creative work. As the title suggests, it’s an album in multiple parts, each exploring different aspects of love. The first, Summertime in New York, begins with the cinematic romantic beauty of Praise the Earth (Wheels of Amber and Gold), before the PJ Harvey-penned Glorious takes a darker inquisitive eye. The instrumental Midnight on the Ramparts is Morricone strolling through Central Park, and Tony McKay’s Summertime in New York (a Tony McKay track) interprets ‘60s Greenwich Village folk through a crusty blues lens. The second act, The Story of Love, peers into the chasm of emotional attachment and finds plenty to contemplate, from the Bad Seeds gospel of God Made the Hammer, to the Springsteen-esque I Wish That I Were Stone to Van Morrison’s The Way You Lovers Do. A Drop, An Ocean is contemplative to the point of psychological desolation; Ed Kuepper’s The Story of Love is accusing, but that’s what love can be. The final act begins with a reprise of Where There’s Smoke from act 1, and there’s a sense the gloss of initial attraction has worn off, and that’s left is a fading memory; Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison’s Wild Hearts is that same memory, possibly seen through rose coloured glasses. Fairy Dust wants to rekindle the passion, even if it was just a momentary event. The reprise of Praise the Earth recognises that even an ephemeral moment of emotional pleasure is worth cherishing, just for its own sake. Best Track: Praise the Earth If You Like These, You’ll Like This: ED KUEPPER, VAN PATRICK EMERY MORRISON In A Word: Deep
WEEK AFTER THURS 13TH
HUB PRESENTS..AFTR DARK
W BUCHANAN (RECORD LAUNCH), HARTS + CLUBFEET DJ’S & MISS FRANKIE
FRI 14TH
NEBRASKATAK
W KASHMERE CLUB + FARROW
SAT 15TH
DEAF WISH
W TERRIBLE TRUTHS, DEEP HEAT + SPITEHOUSE + AARGHT RECORDS DJ’S
SUN 16TH
“FREYA FEST” FEAT THE PLEASURE BOYS,
DARN MATTER, RIFF FIST, SUPER FAT FRUIT ROXY LAVISH & THE SUICIDE CULT + HEAPS MORE $6 ENTRY
FOR MORE ALBUM NEWS AND REVIEWS GO TO WWW.BEAT.COM.AU
COMING SOON
21/6 FOOTY + WHERE WERE YOU AT LUNCH 28/6 STRANGE TENNANTS 5/7 MOJO JUJU NATIONAL TOUR 20/7 BETTER THAN THE WIZZARDS ‘SINGLE LAUNCH’
FRONT BAR FREE EVERY MONDAY
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? POP CULTURE TRIVIA
TUESDAYS FREE IN THE FRONT BAR - 8PM 4/6 - ASH OFFICER (NZ) 11/6 - PHIL HOLMES (THE STILL TREE’S) 25/6 - AWES MCBEEF 2/7 & 9/7 - LITTLE WISE DUO Beat Magazine Page 45
GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY JUNE 5 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ATOLLS + EAGLE & THE WORM Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $5. GRIZZLY JIM LAWRIE + DE FREMERY + ROB MUINDS + ROSCOE IRWIN + SASKWATCH DJ’S Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6. HOLLOW EVERDAZE + GRANDSTANDS + SLEEP DECADE Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. JGEEKS Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 6:00pm. $40. LOMAX + CHASR + VALHALLA Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. MYCOLOGY + JACKY T + SMALL MAN SYNDROME Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. ROOTS OF MUSIC - FEAT: SHEPPARD + AMISTAT + THE SAND DOLLARS Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. SAN CISCO + CHAOS CHAOS + MILLIONS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $23. SARITAH (THRU IT ALL LAUNCH) + RACHEL BY THE STREAM + SISTA ITATIONS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $12. SPLEEN + QLAYEFACE + TTHE WINTERS + UZARU Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5. THE NIGHT SKY + BRITTLE SUN + THE RAMBLING BOYS Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE PINK TILES + GRACE K + LES MINIJUPES + NICK B + PRONTO Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. VICE GRIP PUSSIES + BITTER SWEET KICKS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. WORKING GIRLS + MILKSHAKES John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BELLE + MAX FOTHERINGHAM + TRAVIS ADDISON Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. DIZZY’S BIG BAND Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. EDELPLASTIK + PRODUCT 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. MELBOURNE JAZZ CLUB Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. MISTAKEN IDENTITY Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. STEPH BRETT Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. SWING NIGHT First Floor, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE GRID Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:30pm. $15. THE KEKKO FORNARELLI TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:00pm. $30. THE KEKKO FORNARELLI TRIO (EARLY SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:30pm. $30. VIVE LA DIFFERENCE Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ALEX WATTS Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. CAITY FOWLER Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. CATCH RELEASE + BRIDGEWATER + DARK VALLEY Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $8. COLLAGE Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. FOURTH FLOOR COLLAPSE + MICHAEL WAUGH + PAUL RUSKE Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:30pm. JAMES TEAGUE The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. OPEN MIC Grind N Groove, Healesville. 6:30pm. OPEN MIC Ontop In Ormond, Ormond. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Musicland, Fawkner. 7:00pm. THE NYMPHS + JAMES KENYON Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm. WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: JAYNE WEST + FREYA HANLY Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
THURSDAY JUNE 6 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS AFTR DARK - FEAT: BUCHANNON + CLUBFEET DJS + HARTS John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. AGILITY + ELEPHANT EGO + THE TROTSKIES Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm. AUTO DA FARE + MACHANICAL PTERODACTYL + NIGHT WALKS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
Beat Magazine Page 46
AXOLTL + TULALAH The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. BELLE ROSCOE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. CLAWS & ORGANS + MINIATURES + NO 1 JONES + WET LIPS The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $7. COACH + DIANNE + THE MEANS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5. DAVEY LANE & LAURA IMBRUGLIA Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 8:30pm. DIANA’S BOW + DEAR STALKER + THE GENERAL Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. FABELS (CD LAUNCH) + CONSTANT LIGHT + FRAUDBAN + MIDNIGHT SCAVANGERS Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. FLYYING COLOURS + LAUGHING LEAVES + MALLEE SONGS Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. FRACTURES Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $5. HIGH HIGHS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $34. HOUSE OF LIGHT - FEAT: ANA NICOLE + NIHL Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $8. HOWARD (EP LAUNCH) + COLD HIKER + DEMIAN + DJ MASON MADDY Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10. HUNTING SEASON + ANGUS LEGG + FLYING SO HIGHO’S + THE WINTER SUNS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. MARICOPA WELLS + FOXTROT + LIMITS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8. NEXT - FEAT: EMMURE + GLORIFIED + OCEAN GROVE + THE SERAPHIM VEIL Colonial Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15. POISON FISH + LET THEM EAT CAKE + TANG + TWO HEADED DOG Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $5. PURPLE TUSKS The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. SHEPPARD + THE HABBITS Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $8. SPECTRAL FIRES + THE RIFT + THE WORLD AT A GLANCE Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE MELANOMADS + I AM THE RIOT + MY PIRANHA + THE FUZZBIRDS Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5. THE PRIMARY + CASEY HARTNETT + SKYWAYS ARE HIGHWAYS + THE KILNIKS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE SEABELLIES + HIDING WITH BEARS + TOWERS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10. TWIN AGES + ROSLYN HEAVY + STEPH HILL + THE AMBIENCE OF RAIN Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:30pm. $12.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ALWAN Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. ANDREA MARR & THE FUNKY HITMEN + DJ PIERRE BARONI + DJ VINCE PEACH Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. BEAT KAESTLI Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $25. JAMES CARTER & JULIEN WILSON’S UPRIGHT TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:30pm. $35. KUNJANI - FEAT: KUNANJI Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $20. NIHILL DUO + CELLAR CATS Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. OMRI MOR TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 9:00pm. $28. SLEEPING BAG 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. THE GRID Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:30pm. $15. THE NARROW ROAD + THE FUNK SOUL SISTERS + VELA Penny Black, Brunswick. 8:30pm. THE OVEREASYS Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 6:30pm. THE ROSARIOS Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ALORA Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 9:00pm. BLOW The Horn African Music Lounge, Collingwood. 8:00pm. BREAKDOWN BAY + BISH BASH BOSH Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $5. DANNY WALSH Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. DAVID BRIDIE Tago Mago, Thornbury. 8:00pm. JOHN FLANAGAN & THE BEGIN AGAINS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. KATE WALKER Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 7:00pm. LIAM GERNER + OLIVER’S ARMY Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. LOUNGE THURSDAYS Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. MAMA KIN + JESS RIBEIRO + THE BONE COLLECTORS Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $27. MILK CARTON KIDS + MELODY POOL Thornbury Thea-
SEABELLIES Known for performing their brand of beautiful, layered pop with frenetic energy, Newcastle band Seabellies head to Melbourne to play the Grace Darling this Friday June 6. Three years since the release of their debut album, By Limbo Lake, the band have spent much of their time in Europe so a return to Melbourne, where they formerly had a residency, is long overdue. They’ll surely be dropping some songs from their forthcoming album, to be released late 2013. tre, Thornbury. 12:00pm. $40. OPEN MIC Acoustic Cafe, Collingwood. 6:30pm. OPEN MIC Balaclava Hotel, Balaclava. 7:00pm. ROSENCRANTZ + HARRY BORLAND Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:30pm. SALAD DAYS + HENRY BROOKS Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. SALT LAKE CITY Sporting Club Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. TERRORBYTE STRIPES + CAT JUMP ROAD + CHOLESTEROLLERS + IO Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. TIMOTHY JOHN & JAY FRASER Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $5.
FRIDAY JUNE 7 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS BROTHERS GRIM & THE BLUE MURDERS Basement Discs, Melbourne Cbd. 12:45pm. CATFISH VOODOO + DREAMBOOGIE Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. CHEV RISE + LIAM LINLEY + TWENTY SEVEN WINTERS Cornish Arms, Brunswick. 8:00pm. CHINA VAGINA + DJ MAX CRAWDADDY + PISTON BROKE + SUDDEN STATE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. CHOP SQUAD + CIDER TREE KIDS + DJ TRAFFIC JAM Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. CLOUD CONTROL + ALI BARTER + BLOODS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $30. EDEN MULLHOLLAND (FEED THE BEAST LAUNCH) + DJ LOTION + MISS ELM Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10. EINSTEINS TOYBOY + CASSETTE Musicland, Fawkner. 8:30pm. $10. FRIENDZONE - FEAT: KANE IKIN + ANGEL EYES + HARVEY SUTHERLAND + HYPERBOREA John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. FULL CODE + FISKER + SOUNDS OF SIRUS + SPYKITE Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. HAMISH ANDERSON + TAXIDERMY HALL Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $8. IMPERIUM BOOKINGS PRESENTS - FEAT: AMOURUS + ADJUSTING TO LIGHT + HANDS OF HOPE + KONTACT + SWIM THROUGH SEASONS + THE CITY AT NIGHT Musicland, Fawkner. 6:00pm. $15. KAMELOT + ANARION + DIVINE ASCENSION The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 7:00pm. $65. KILLING JOKE Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $59. MERCURY WHITE (ALBUM LAUNCH) + ALEX ANONYMOUS + HOLY TRASH + SUNDAY CHAIRS Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $10. NO ANCHOR + BATPISS + MAP ENDS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. PIKELET (SINGLE LAUNCH) + GOLD TANGO + SUPER STAR Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. PONY FACE + HEAVY BEACH + MATT WALKER & THE LOST RAGAS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $15. RED ROCKETS OF BORNEO + DISCO IS DEAD + THE DARK ALES Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
RUSTBUCKET Felix, St Kilda. 7:30pm. $10. SNAKE EYED ROLLERS The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SONS OF LEE MARVIN + LA BASTARD + LAKE PALMER + THE YARD APES Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10. SQUEAKER + CRAVEN SOULS + STEALER + VERONA LIGHTS Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. $12. SYSTEM OF VENUS + LONG HOLIDAY + MASTER BETA + THE UNDERHANDED 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $5. THE BOMBAY ROYALE Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. THE CHAD MASON BAND + GARETH LINDSAY + SI FRANCIS BAND Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE CHEMIST (ALBUM LAUNCH) + OCEAN PARTY + PETER BIBBY Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $15. THE INSTINCTS (ALBUM LAUNCH) + CHARM + SORDID ORDEAL + THE MELANOMADS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE KILL + BATTLETRUK + COUNTERATTACK + HAILGUN + MANIAXE The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $10. THE SUPERJESUS + ANGELS OF GUNG HO + JACKSON FIREBIRD Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $40. THE WOOHOO REVUE + VARDOS Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $27. THUNDERCAT + HIATUS KAIYOTE Forum Theatre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. TRENCH SISTERS + DIPLOID + HALT EVER + IDLE MINDS + REMOVALIST Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5. YOUNG GIFTED & BROKE - FEAT: TOM SCOTT + LUI TUI Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ERIMAJ Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:00pm. $45. FEM BELLING Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $25. JAMES CARTER ORGAN TRIO Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 7:30pm. $59. LA MAUVAISE REPUTATION Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25. OMRI MOR TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:30pm. $28. SOIREE MUSIQUE Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 4:30pm. THE ALEISTER JAMES BLUES ASSEMBLY + COREY KING + ROSE GONZALEZ + STEPHEN GRANT Open Studio, Northcote. 6:00pm. THE GRID Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:30pm. $15. THE STEVE MAGNUSSON TRIO Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. TRIO AGOGO Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. TRIO BEM BRASIL Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 7:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK BEN KEENE The Famous Blue Raincoat, South Kingsville. 8:30pm. BLUE MOON - FEAT: JAZ + RICHARD CLARKE Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 9:00pm. CHRIS WILSON & SHANE O’MARA Substation, Newport. 8:00pm. CLAUDE HAY Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 5:00pm. FIRE & THEFT Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm. GREG CHAMPION & THE USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. KING LUCHO + DANNY STAIN Edinburgh Castle, Bruns-
wick. 6:00pm. LLOYD SPIEGEL Burringa Cafe, Upwey. 6:30pm. $15. MANNY FOX + ALUWISHUS JONES + DD DUMBO Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $5. MARGIE LOU DYER + ALYCE PLATT Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. RAVENSWOOD + GUY KABLE Old Bar, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION FLATS + EATEN BY DOGS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 8:00pm. SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $8. STRAY HENS Sporting Club Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. THE 4-PEACE BAND Beaumaris Rsl, Beaumaris. 8:00pm. THE BEARDED GYPSY BAND + BIG BUG TRIO + FRASER A GORMAN Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION - FEAT: DAN BOURKE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm. WENDY MATTHEWS The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm.
SATURDAY JUNE 8 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS BAD NEWS TOILET + NORTHEAST PARTY HOUSE DJS & HUNTING GROUNDS DJS Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $8. BANG - FEAT: SUMMERSET AVENUE + DISASTERS + INCRYPT + OCEANS TO ATHENA + TO THE AIRSHIP Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. BARONS OF TANG Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. BRIGHTER AT NIGHT + COOPER STREET + HEY DENISE + PORTRAITS OF AUGUST Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. DESTINIES GRANDCHILD Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 9:00pm. DROWN UNDER + ASPS + BABA X + THE ANGEL & BABY CHAIN + TOMB HANX Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. LIMB (TWO SHADES LAUNCH) + MMDELAI + PSELODUX & SIRAK Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10. LOCAL GROUP + SAGAMORE + THE INFANTS The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $5. MAN CITY SIRENS + MOONSHIFTER + THE STORY MODEL 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. MATA & MUST + DYL THOMAS + KOOTS + ONE SIXTH Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. MECHANICAL PTERODACTYL + HORSE MEAT Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. METALS & THE DUB DRAGON + METALS + THE DUB MAGIC DRAGON + THE WEDNESDAY EXPERIMENT
HIGH HIGHS The Sydney born and now Brooklyn based High Highs have announced a run of Australian headline shows. The duo released their debut LP Open Season earlier this year and brought their dream pop soundscapes to the stage at Laneway. They’ll be playing at the Toff in Town on Thursday June 6.
Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $10. MIX TAPE EXCHANGE - FEAT: THE NAYSAYERS + HIGH FANGS The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. MY LEFT BOOT + EATEN BY DOGS + IVY ST Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. PRUDENCE REES-LEE + DJ LADYSHAKES + JONNY TELAFONE + STELLA ANGELICO John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. ROCKING HORROR TRIBUTE SHOW Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $20. SEXY HEAVY + NIHL + PISTENBROKE + QLAYE FACE + STONE REVIVAL Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $12. SHERIFF + MY LEFT BOOT Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 4:00pm. SIN & TONICS + MURDER RATS + ROAD RATZ + THE TEARWAYS + WORKING HORSE IRONS Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $15. SINGLES + GOING SWIMMING + SKYWAYS ARE HIGHWAYS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. SOCAMANIA + JASPORA The Luwow, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. SOL NATION Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. SONS OF THUNDER + ABLAZE + ESCAPE GOATS
+ THESE DIRTY ROSES Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10. SOUND OF HEART SCHOOL OF MUSIC FUNDRAISER - FEAT: FIRE BEHAVING AS AIR + AMY BODISSIAN + GEAMALA + JESS PORTER + JUMPING JACK WILLIAM + MONIQUE SHELFORD + PRIESTRESS & DASH Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. STOMPY & THE HEAT + KNITTING FOR GRAN + SWEDISH MAGAZINES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. THE BRAD MARTIN PROJECT + LONE TYGER + THE MATTY GREEN BAND Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE MIX CD SOCIAL - FEAT: GEORGIA FIELDS + SPENDER + THE BLUEBOTTLES + THE RED BRIGADE + DJS JOSH EARL + JEN CLOHER & EVELYN MORRIS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $20. THE NATION BLUE + DEAD + NO ANCHOR Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. THE SUBSTITUTES (THE BEST OF THE EASYBEATS & PRETTY GIRL) + PAUL WOOKEY & THE ZIMMERMEN The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $20. THE THRUSTS + KIDS FROM THE MILL + LITTLE FOOT + THE VELVETS Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm.
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 47
TIKI TAANE After a standout recent collaboration with an 18- piece string section filmed live at Wellington’s Old St. Paul’s church, “King of the Dubs” Tiki Taane has been successfully pursuing a solo career since leaving the front man position of Salmonella Dub in 2007. Multi-platinum award winning artist and considered a pioneer in the New Zealand music scene with a career spanning 20 years, Tiki is making his way back to The Corner after a sold out performance in 2011. Supports on the night to be announced. Tiki Taane performs at The Corner on Saturday June 8. TIARYN GRIGGS + NATALIE CALORAN + NOAH EARP Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 3:30pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC 774’S ROARING SWING Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne. 6:30pm. BEN JOAD + DJ NATRAFARAY + JUAN’S BAND + PETER HAREN Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. CANNONBALL Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $30. CHUCHO VALDES + THE AFRO-CUBAN MESSENGERS Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $61. CYCLO TIMIK + JAZZATOMIKA Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. DEEP STREET SOUL (FAREWELL SHOW) + DJ PIERRE BARONI + DJ SOL LOCO + KARATE BOOGALOO + UP UP AWAY Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $15. JAMES MORRISON Stones Of The Yarra Valley, Coldstream. 6:30pm. $120. SABRINA & THE RED VANS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. SATURDAY FUNHOUSE PARTY - FEAT: BO PEEPS First Floor, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SOUL FOOD LUNCHEON W/ ELLY HOYT MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL Trunk, Melbourne. 12:30pm. $65. TAMARA KULDIN’S DIRTY MARTINI Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20. THE PAUL WILLIAMSO QUARTET - FEAT: THE PAUL WILLIAMSON QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE TEK TEK ENSEMBLE Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm. TRACY BARTRAM BAND Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $25. TRIO RIO 57 Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK CHRIS MOLNAR & HIS COUNTRY BLUES CATS Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm. CHUCK JENKINS & THE ZHIVAGOS Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. CLAUDE HAY Grind N Groove, Healesville. 9:00pm. $10. CRAIG WOODWARD’S OL’ TIMEY MUISC JAM SESSION Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. GOYIM KLEZMER KAOS Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:00pm. GRAND MASTER MONK + DJ DR LUDWIG + DJ JEFF LEOPARD Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. GREENS DAIRY ANGEL ENSEMBLE Sporting Club Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm. LIAM GERNER Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 6:00pm. NAVAJA NEGRA + MICHAEL LEMMER Bridge Hotel,
Beat Magazine Page 48
Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $12. PHEASANT PLUCKERS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. PHIL PARA Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood. 9:00pm. SONGS FROM AFIELD Wesley Anne, Northcote. 3:00pm. $10. THE IDLE HOES Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE LONG STAND Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. THE LUCILLE’S Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. THE OL’ FAITHFULS + LARA TRAVIS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 8:00pm. THE RORY ELLIS BAND Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. THE WEEPING WILLOWS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. THE WENDY MATTHEWS BAND + GALLIE Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $30. TOM WEST + NICK BASTIRAS + WHITAKER Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $12.
BUCHANAN Melbourne quartet Buchanan have announced a show to celebrate the release of their debut album. Human Spring will be played for the first time for audiences at the John Curtain Hotel Band room this Thursday June 6. Receiving much love on the airwaves, the band have come a long way since their formation, borne out of a jam session between core members Josh Simons and Jon Bara.
THE COUNT WITH...
DUB THE MAGIC DRAGON
SUNDAY JUNE 9 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS A WEEKEND OF SIN - FEAT: SIN & TONICS + KILLER ANTICS + ROAD RATZ + ROYAL CUTTHROAT CO + SONYTA & THE INCINERATORS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 6:00pm. $10. ABBANDON Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. ABSOLUTELY 80S - FEAT: THE ABSOLUTELY 80S BAND + BRIAN MANNIX + DALE RYDER + SCOTT CARNE Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 8:00pm. ARTIST PROOF + ANDREW LIM + CHRIS O’NEIL + MERCURY WHITE Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 7:30pm. BAIN WOLFKIND + DJ KATE FOX + HEIRS + MILES BROWN Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $10. BITTER SWEET KICKS + DJ BOBBY-LOU HELLACOPTER + DUKES OF DELICIOUSNESS + KIDS IN CULTS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. CHOP SQUAD + ANNALEISA + UNICYCLE INVENTORS + VACANT SMILES Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. CLAUDE HAY (SINGLE LAUNCH - MATINEE SHOW) + THE HUSSY HICKS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 2:00pm. $12. DROWN UNDER + JUSTIN FULLER + LEVITATING CHURCHES + MISS DESTINY + NUN John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. DRUNK MUMS + CUNTZ + DROWN UNDER + WORKING GIRLS Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:09pm. $8. EBONY STRYDER + THE DAN DANS + THE SWEETS + UNDERGROUND Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. $12. GHETTO GHETTO + CASSINI + KNITTING FOR GRAN Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. HEY DENIS + COOPER STREET + THESE CITY LIGHTS + WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. $10.
Name/Band? Dub the Magic Dragon Ten bands everyone should know about: Dub the Magic Dragon, Easy Star All Stars, Thievery Corporation, Anything where Nile Rodgers is involved, Dread Zeppelin, Richard Cheese, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dub the Magic Dragon, Metals, The Wednesday Experiment. Nine food items that you need to make a kickarse dinner party: Chilli, more chilli, a touch more chilli, something to put chilli in, something to go with chilli, something to go on chilli, something to go under chilli, whipped cream, chocolate liqueurs. Eight possessions that define you: Fantastic, friendly, fun, freaky, funky, fortuitous, frisky, favourable. Seven favourite movies/TV shows that go on your mixtape: Weird Al Yonkivic - UHF (absolute classic! Features Conan the Librarian & Gandhi II!), Team America (F*** Yeah!), The Search for One Eyed Jimmy, Danger Mouse, Monkey, Hong Kong Fooey, Goodbye Pork Pie. Six bad habits you can’t escape: Whiskey, wine, women, whiskey, wine, women.
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Five people who inspire you: Winston Churchill for getting up at lunch time and consuming half a bottle of Brandy every day, Peter Cook for doing the same but with red wine, Dudley Moore for watching him do it and participating, my father for modelling his social life on these people, my friends for conditioning me into living along these lines. Four things that turn you on: Breathing, pulse, consciousness, direct stimulation. Three goals for your music: Play to His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales, bump One Direction from number one on the under 13’s charts, jam with Prince, Barry White and Nile Rodgers. Two live gigs you’ll never forget and why: Sidney Myer Music Bowl 2010. Met an angel there, FRL 2012. Just magical. Rocked it. Crowd loved it. Great vibe. People going crazy. Choreographed mayhem. Everything a show should be. One day left before the apocalypse and you… Sit back with a cigar and a glass of vino. When’s the gig? Queen’s Birthday Weekend. Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9 at The Evelyn and The Laundry respectively.
METALS & DUB THE MAGIC DRAGON + METALS + THE DUB MAGIC DRAGON + THE WEDNESDAY EXPERIMENT Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $10. MY LEFT BOOT + A GAZILLION ANGRY MEXICANS + BORN ON THE BAYOU + BROOZER + SWIDGEN The Public Bar, Melbourne. 2:00pm. $8. NORTHLANE + STATUES + STRAY FROM THE PATH + STRUCTURES Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $33. OUTLINES + BREAK THE WALL + I RAN ELEVENTH + TROPHY EYES Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 1:00pm. $8. REWIND 80’S Sandbelt Club Hotel, Moorabbin. 9:00pm. RIBBONS PATTERN + EATEN BY DOGS + TERROR & TAM Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:00pm. RUSSELL MORRIS + BAD BOYS BATUCADA + MS BUTT + NUDIST FUNK ORCHESTRA + THE DALE RYDER BAND Espy, St Kilda. 5:30pm. SADISTIC INTENT + ARCHGOAT + CEMETARY URNS + MIDNIGHT Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. $66. SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMISSION FLATS + RICH DAVIES + THE HOLY ROLLERS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6. STRAIGHT 8’S Sandbelt Club Hotel, Moorabbin. 3:00pm. STRAIGHT ARROWS + EARLY WOMAN + GOOCH PALMS + RAYON MOON + SCOTDRAKULA + THE LIVING EYES Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 6:00pm. SUPERDARLING Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE EVENING CAST + NICK VAN BREDA + THE BELLASTRADES Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. THE LEGEND OF BARCELOS + ARABELA + JELICE & VALLEY Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $15. THE MATT WALKER BAND Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm. THE STAFFORDS + GENA ROSE BRUCE + THE ZANES + TOWERS Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $12. THE WARDENS + FORTRESS OF NARZOD + KILLING LIARS + STOMP BOX + TWO HEADED DOG + UPTOWN ACE Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE The Horn African Music Lounge, Collingwood. 6:00pm. CASSANDRA WILSON Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $61. LOCAL REVOLUTION Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 4:30pm. MARGIE LOU DYER TRIO Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. MONDEGREEN & RADIOLA HONEY + DEAN HAITANI Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:00pm. RECEITA DE CHORO + ADE ISHS TRIO Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. THE MIKE STERN BAND Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:30pm. $69. THE WIKIMEN Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 4:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ALLYSHA JOY Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. BLACK CAB (SINGLE LAUNCH) + LOWTIDE + MRSPKR Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $12. BLUES MOUNTAIN Bay Hotel, Mornington. 3:00pm. CAROLINE KENNEDY + DAVE GRANEY & THE MISTLY + DJ ADALITA Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. CHERRY ARVO BLUES - FEAT: SOUTHERN LIGHTNING Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm. $5. CHRIS WILSON + SHANNON BOURNE Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. EXIT CROWD Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 4:00pm. GALLIE & SHANNON BOURNE + ANDY BAYLOR TRIO Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. GRAND MASTER MONK Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. HUGH MCGINLAY Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 4:00pm. JAM SUNDAYS Musicland, Fawkner. 5:00pm. KYLIE AUDIST & THE GLENROY ALL STARS The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 3:00pm. $20. MICK PEALING DUO Royal Oak Hotel, Fitzroy North. 4:00pm. NICK CHARLES & BLUE STRINGS + KEN MAHER & TONY HARGREAVES Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. SUNDAY FUNDAY - FEAT: ROWIE + NACKERS Big Mouth, St Kilda. 6:00pm. TAILOR BIRDS + DD DUMBO + WHITAKER 303, Northcote. 2:00pm. $10. THE CHAD MASON BAND Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE DRUNKEN POACHERS Penny Black, Brunswick. 8:00pm. THE GHOSTLY WHALES + CAT JUMP ROAD Tago Mago, Thornbury. 8:00pm. THE SHIVERING TIMBERS Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. TOM BUDGE + ALEX LASHLIE Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 7:00pm.
MONDAY JUNE 10 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS CHERRY JAM Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. KIKUYU & KELLY DANCE + KELLY DANCE + KIKUYU + CLARE YOUNIS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. MANGELWURZEL + EMPAT LIMA + PALZ + SUGAR FED LEOPARD Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. MONDAY NIGHT MASS - FEAT: LITTLE DESERT + GRAND PRISMATIC + JIMMY TAIT + THE BOWERS
3CR RADIOTHON
Tell us a little bit about 3CR and how it is different to other radio stations? What stands out to me is 3CR’s history, and its sense of history. The station is notorious for (what some would call) its radicalism, others would say its progressive or leftist stance, but I’m proud of the fact time and time again that 3CR has positioned itself right where the cultural wave is breaking. Most people think of 1976 as the year of punk, or the year that One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Taxi Driver came out, or when landing vehicles from the Spacecraft Viking I and Viking II set down safely on Mars; but to me, it’s the year that 3CR brought voices of reason and common sense to our Melbournian airwaves. What is your favourite 3CR program? There are several great music shows on Saturday evenings that are like a serious timewarp back to the ‘40s and ‘50s such as Hillbilly Fever and Shake Rattle and Roll, but the flagship program to me is Anarchist World This Week on Wednesday mornings with Dr Joe Toscano. What special events are organised for the 3CR Radiothon? Too many to list, but Burning Vinyl will be broadcasting live from The Old Bar every single Friday afternoon between 2-4pm, with special live performers, guest interviews and beer. Why should people become a member of 3CR? Unlike just about every other community station, we rely entirely on regular folks to continue – no government money, no advertising of any sort. Just the kindness of people who believe the world could be a better place. And we want a radio station to reflect that. The 3CR Radiothon is on until Sunday June 16. For more information or to donate, check out 3cr.org.au
WED 5 JUNE COBRA RESIDENCY
HOLLOW EVERDAZE
SLEEP DECADE GRANDSTANDS
+ GUESTS
BANDROOM / 9.00pm:
BASEMENT APES
LAMARAMA, THE ELECTRIC I THU 6 JUNE COBRA RESIDENCY / 8.00pm:
AUTO DA FÉ
+ GUESTS
NIGHT WALKS MECHANICAL PTERODACTYL (SOLO) BANDROOM / 9.00pm:
PRETTY CITY
THE UNIVERSAL, MEL CALIA FRI 7 JUNE ON SALE NOW (OZTIX)
PIKELET
SINGLE LAUNCH
SUPER STAR, GOLD TANGO SAT 8 JUNE FRONT BAR / 5 - 7.00pm:
SHERIFF
+ GUESTS
MY LEFT BOOT
BANDROOM / 9.00pm / ON SALE NOW (OZTIX)
THE NATION BLUE
EP LAUNCH “Dark yet soaring rock’n’roll” – Denver Maxx, Beat Mag
The Workers Club Thursday June 6 With Cold Hiker and Demian $10 includes EP
NO ANCHOR (BRIS), DEAD COBRA / 9.00pm:
ALTITUDE
UNDERHANDED RUMOUR CONTROL SUN 9 JUNE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY EVE
STRAIGHT ARROWS
GOOCH PALMS THE LIVING EYES RAYON MOON SCOTDRAKULA EARLY WOMAN
SUPER WILD HORSES & BITCH PREFECT DJs COMING SOON: 11 & 12.6 KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW 22.6 NUNCHUCKKA SUPAFLY 28.6 CIRCULAR KEYS 12” LAUNCH TIX ON SALE NOW FROM OZTIX.COM.AU: KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW 11 & 12.6 CIRCULAR KEYS SINGLE LAUNCH 28.6 DEAP VALLY (US) SPLENDOUR SIDESHOW 27.7 71 JOHNSTON ST. COLLINGWOOD . 03 9419 5320 TOTE OPEN: WED - SUN / 4.00pm ‘TIL LATE BAND BOOKINGS: NICCI@BAROPEN.COM.AU
WWW.THETOTEHOTEL.COM SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 49
THE COUNT WITH… HIGH HIGHS
60 SECONDS WITH…
STEVIE & THE SLEEPERS
Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 6:00pm. NORTHLANE (U18) + STATUES + STRAY FROM THE PATH + STRUCTURES Corner Hotel, Richmond. 12:30pm. $33. PHANTOM HITMEN + HIT THE FAN Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm. THE PEEP TEMPEL + BABOON REBUS + BODIES + BRAT FARRAR The Public Bar, Melbourne. 4:00pm. $10.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BELINDA WOODS Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. LEBOWSKIS - FEAT: THE JON CROMPTON TRIO + JONATHAN HELIBRON 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. THE JANE CLIFTON TRIO Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
Ten bands everyone should know about: Radio Dept, Touch Sensitive, Koreless, Holy Other, Fionn Regan, Todd Terje, Chrome Sparks, Tangerine Dream, Glass Candy, Baio.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ACOUSTIC SESSION Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. PORT PHILLIP GILGAMESH READINGS Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 7:30pm. SONGWRITER SESSIONS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.
Nine food items that you need to make a kickarse dinner party: Mandolin slicer, blender, seasonal organic vegetables, some kind of large wild fish (e.g. copper river salmon), high grade olive oil, spices, wine, life changing conversation topics, a “Eureka moment”. Eight possessions that define you: Heart rate monitor, Leonard Cohen lyric books by my bed, tiny portable MIDI keyboard for writing every day (in sometimes cramped spaces / travelling), good eye patches for napping, golf ball for self prescribed body weight massages (lying down on it), spear gun, bike, leather jacket (for style but also in case there’s an intense natural disaster). Seven favourite movies/TV shows that go on your mix-tape: Spirited Away, Breaking Bad, Take This Waltz, Twin Peaks, Jiro Dreams Of Sushi, Pretty in Pink, Grizzly Man. Six bad habits you can’t escape: Not enough UV protection, not enough reading, not enough learning of classic songs, too much sodium, not enough focus on side projects, too much narcissism. Five people who inspire you: Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, Todd Terje, Paul Auster, Hot Chip. Four things that turn you on: Summer time, dancing, napping, yoga. Three goals for your music: To always have something to chase, to always have something to look forward to and to always finish things I have started. Two live gigs you’ll never forget and why: Stevie Wonder – he was on a rotating stage in Bangkok; Hot Chip – I lost my marbles in Prospect Park. One day left before the apocalypse and you… Try to assemble some kind of cult then go to a remote mountainous country area with reliable underground water source and also varied flora and fauna. I would also buy a knife, a compound bow (plus arrows), an AK–47 (plus lots of ammo) and a survival kit. When’s the gig? We’re playing at The Toff in Town on Thursday June 6.
TUESDAY JUNE 11 Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? It’s a mixture of blues and soul music. We also have a Southern country vibe in some songs as well. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? We have our brand spanking new EP coming out called Shake It Up. How long have you been gigging and writing? As a band, we only began gigging in March last year but for about six or seven months before that me and Jason (the guitarist) began writing heaps of songs together. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? I don’t know about battle but we would definitely love to do a show with Clairy Browne and The Bangin’ Rackettes. Some of my closest friends are in that band so it would be a great honour to support them someday. Do you have a pre-gig ritual? If so, what is it? It’s a pretty daggy ritual but I like to listen to Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone before getting ready for a gig. It’s a guilty pleasure that just gets me amped up to sing and perform. Please don’t judge me too harshly. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? A friend told me I’m not famous because nobody knows who I am and I suck. So I guess the most important thing is to have people know who you are and to not suck at what you’re doing.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS COLLAGE Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm. ELLA HOOPER + ARIELA JACOBS + TEXTURE LIKE SUN Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10. GEORGE HYDE Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. KING KHAN Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. KOOYEH + DEMAIN + SWOOPING DUCK Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. MELBOURNE FRESH INDUSTRY SHOWCASE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. $15. THE ALAN LADDS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL DISCOVERY NIGHT - FEAT: DUENDE + DUOUX Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BOSSA NOVA JAM Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm. NMIT RECITALS 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. PRESHIL Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 7:00pm. $14. THE FRILLY KNICKERS Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. WAZ E JAMES BAND Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK LAURA JEAN Longplay, Fitzroy North. 9:00pm. LEENA Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. OPEN MIC Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. PETER EWING & NICK BASTIRAS Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.
Where would you like to be in five years? Hopefully with an album out, playing festivals, writing music and connecting with people.
+ BEAT PRESENT... whatson@thepush.com.au
ACCESS ALL AGES Wednesday June 5th, 2012 With Claire Barley
High school bands are definitely extremely awesome. I have fond memories of playing music with my friends when we were about 15. We played a bunch of absolutely terrible covers at two primary school fetes and performed in the courtyard at our school. Career highlights included being paid in food coupons and being told by an eight-year-old we couldn’t sing Just a Boy by Angus and Julia Stone because we were all girls. He also gave us the rude finger. If you’ve progressed beyond the cover band stage and have some original tracks, triple j’s Unearthed High competition is an opportunity not to be missed! The comp is in its sixth year and is open to songwriters, bands, producers and MCs who are still in high school. The competition offers winners the chance to fly to triple j’s studios and have a track professionally recorded by the station’s very own Music Producers. Not only will your track then score some airplay on triple j and triple j Unearthed, your school will also get to host a concert starring your fine self/selves and Perth cool cats San Cisco. The competition is an amazing chance for young acts to get a serious leg up in the music businessSan Cisco themselves, Stonefield, Snakadaktal and Hunting Grounds (swoon) have all enjoyed success since winning in previous years. It hasn’t even been a year since electro pop babe Asta won with her track My Heart is on Fire, and she’s already played at Pyramid Rock Festival and has supported Birds Of Tokyo and Angus Stone. Many bands have already entered - The Darjeelings, Candy, Bnash and Lunatics on Pogosticks to name a few. Jump onto triplejunearthed.com to sign up, or if you’re not a musician, have a listen to the entrants and support your favourites by voting for them. The competition closes Monday July 22, so get cracking! If you’re into skating, Saturday is your last chance to catch the YMCA run Southeastern Skate and BMX league. The league has been running since March, giving skate and bike fanatics the chance to show off their skills and win some great prizes. The Grand Final starts at 11am on June 8 at the Junction Skate Park in Hawthorn. Check out facebook.com/SkateParkLeagues for more details. Blink 182 fans will be excited to know the band are currently working on some new material. Tom Delonge recently posted a snap on instagram with the caption: “This my office… Inside my studio… As I record…. A New #Blink Song”. I personally didn’t notice because I was busy looking up important hashtags like “#uglydogs” and “#instapicoftheday”. After much anticipation, Northlane’s underage show at The Corner Hotel has finally arrived. The band chatted to one of YouthCentral’s very own Roving Reporters, Rochelle. Whether or not you’ll be heading along on Monday, be sure to jump onto thepush.com to give the interview a read.
When’s the gig and with who? Our EP launch is on Friday June 14 at Ding Dong Lounge. We have the amazing Lamarama & Soul Safari as supports for the night.
ALL AGES TIMETABLE
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
THE MILK CARTON KIDS Attention-garnering Americana duo The Milk Carton Kids are making their maiden visit to Australia. Despite being a relatively new venture, The Milk Carton Kids have already released two acclaimed albums and shared stages with acts such as Old Crow Medicine Show and K.D. Lang, as well as undertaking literally hundreds of their own headlining shows. The Milk Carton Kids perform at Thornbury Theatre on Thursday June 6 and at St Kilda MeMo on Saturday June 8.
Beat Magazine Page 50
After a three year absence The King Khan & BBQ Show is returning to Australia. The everimpressive King Khan and Mark Sultan aka BBQ are bringing their top-notch-doo-wop, psych, R&B and rock’n’roll craziness back to Melbourne. The duo have release three critically acclaimed albums in the past six years, toured the world, broken up, gotten back together and are now heading back Down Under. The King Khan & BBQ Show goes down at The Tote on Tuesday June 11 and Wednesday June 12.
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Wednesday June 5 Bayside ‘Be Inspired” Youth awards night w/ Steven Reinhardt, Brighton Dance Group and speech from Oaktree Foundation, St Leonards Secondary College, 163 South Road Brighton East, 6.30pm-8pm, free, 9599 4622, AA Friday June 7 Dance In The Dark – UV Party w/ DJ Uni-Horn Corn, DJ Joe Gingell, Burn Squad and more, Intensive Culture Unit, 1 Halford street, Castlemaine, 6.30pm – 10.30pm, $5, 54711826, 12-18 years. Monday June 10 Northlane w/ Structures, Stray From the Path and Statues, Corner Hotel, 57 Swan st, Richmond, 12.30pm, $34.70, oztix.com.au, U18.
THURSDAY MAY 6TH
DANNY WALSH ACOUSTIC FROM 8.30
SATURDAY JUNE 8TH
THE LONG STAND TWO SETS 5 TIL 7 PM
SUNDAY JUNE 9TH
GRAND MASTER MONK TWO SETS FROM 5 TIL 7 PM
TUESDAY JUNE 11TH
PETER EWING & NICK BASTIRAS ACOUSTIC SESSION FROM 8.30 PM
GREAT BRITAIN HOTEL
Wednesday 5th June - 8:00pm
Lomax
with Valhalla, Chasr bandroom - $5
THU 6 JUNE
SALAD DAYS + HENRY BROOKS
Thursday 6th June - 8:00pm
Spectral Fires
FROM 8PM
FRI 7 JUNE
with The World at a Glance, The Rift
NO FUTURE DJ’S
bandroom - freee
FROM 10PM
SAT 8 JUNE
Saturday 8th June - 9:00pm
MECHANICAL PTERODACTYL + HORSEMEAT
Bands as DJ’s: Jamie Hay
FROM 9PM
Newcastle’s favourite adopted Melbournian Conation/A Death In The Family/Fear Like Us vocalist with debut solo album King of the Sun.
SUN 9 JUNE
TOM BUDGE + ALEX LASHLIE FROM 7PM
WEEKLY ASSORTMENTS
frontbar - free
MonDAYS
FREE POOL ALL NIGHT $10 PIZZA & POT
CHECK OUT OUR NEW MENU!
TueSDAYS
MRS SMITH’S TRIVIA $10 PIZZA & POT 9PM
WEDNESDAYS
OPEN MIC NIGHT 9PM 447 CHURCH ST RICHMOND 9429 5066 www.greatbritainhotel.com.au
Wed. June 5th: wine, whiskey, women
8pm: Freya Hanly 9pm: Jayne West Thurs. June 6th:
8pm: Open Mic. Poetry, Storytelling and Song Fri. June 7th:
6PM: Traditional Irish Music Session with Dan Bourke & Friends Sat. June 8th:
Jam night every second Wednesday
9pm: The Lucille’s Sun. June 9th:
4PM: Andy Baylor Trio 6:30PM: Gallie & Shannon Bourne Tues. June 11th:
8PM: Weekly Trivia The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 51
BACKSTAGE
CLASSIFIEDS
33c PER WORD PER WEEK (INC GST) • Send your classified listing information to Beat Magazine at 3 Newton St, Richmond 3121 with a cheque, money order or credit card number (including expiry date and name on card, NOT AMEX or DINERS) (1.5% surcharge on Visa and MasterCard) OR deliver it yourself with cash OR you can email your classifieds to us - classifieds@beat.com.au with credit card details • DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 5pm, prior to Wednesdays publication • Minimum $5 charge per week. We do NOT accept classifieds over the phone - sorry.
THE PLACE FOR MUSICIANS
for more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
PRINT PROFILE
EZIBRAND SCREEN PRINTING
Location: 2/45 Normanby rd, Notting Hill.
MUSICIANS WANTED ACOUSTIC ACTS WANTED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT SPOTS IN FITZROY. Solo/Duo/Groups send an email with pics or samples to drink@the86.com.au. Bar split is paid, summer dates available.
Established: 2011.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Registration now, starts Wednesday the 28th Dec and every Wednesday after for 8 week. First prize: recording time in a studio. Call Jesse 0411 803 579
What exactly do you provide: We can screen print onto Hoodies, Polo’s, T-shirts and Hi-vis gear, as well as paper bags gloss bags, wristbands and much more. We also offer digital transfers for the full colour option on garments.
PRODUCER/SONGWRITER SEEKS AMBITIOUS FEMALE SINGER 18-22. Must be dedicated, flamboyant, a plus for recording project. Think GaGa, Havana Brown, Katy Perry. David: 0431 526 185 swdavid@yahoo.com
SERVICES
Digital or screen printing capabilities for printing and replication: We can Screen print and do full colour digital transfers with very high quality thin feel transfers. We have just put a deposit down on a direct to garment printer.
ATTENTION MUSO’S: TATTOO’S! $100 hourly rate all day, every Tuesday. $80 for the first hour any other day. www.facebook.com/ CherryBombTattooStudio.Melb Limited time. 0468 450 599 * CHEAP WEBSITE HOSTING. Host your website with MediaFortress.com.au. Free website builder with every package. Get your website online in 30 minutes. Domains only $15.00 per year.
What sets you apart from other printing facilities? We offer premium quality printing with a fast turnaround. Our primary goal is to provide you with the best quality product in the shortest time frame possible.
FREE VENUE HIRE - Fully stocked bar - Huge capacity, whole venue or partial. Call Jesse 0411 803 579 SOUNDPARK RECORDING AND REHEARSALS - Large tracking room, three booths, loads of Vintage Mics, Pre’s, Compressors, Amps, Keyboards, Drums, Grand Piano, 24tk Tape Machines, 24tk Pro-tools. See Soundparkstudios.com.au for full list. $60 an hour with engineer or $450 day (14hrs) without engineer. Rehearsal rooms from $50
Any favorite printing finishes? Discharge screen printing would be our favourite. Artists and companies you have worked with: We do a lot of work for promotional companies like Modern Promotions, Productology, House of Uniforms etc. We have printed jobs for HP, Wild Turkey, Cadbury, Swisse, Priceline and many more.
EMPLOYMENT FLAUNT IT. Internationally acclaimed producer of pro-feminist erotica looking for confident, adult women to smash the stereotypes and earn good money ($400 and up). Don’t overlook this til you’ve found out more about it. Jessica 9495 6555 or www. feck.com.
Average turn around time: 5-10 working days and we also do rush jobs for an extra charge. Special packages: 100 T-shirts with a 1 colour print is $770 inc GST or including 100 digital stickers for $850 inc GST. Sticker sizes are 125mm x 50mm or (50) 250mm x 100mm.
WE WANT EVERYONE Promoters, Bands, DJs - Revitalised bar, The Barley Corn, has reopened its doors 7 days a week and we want YOU. Call Jesse 0411 803 579
TUITION
Phone: 9544 7239 Website: www.ezibrand.com.au E-mail: sales@ezibrand.com.au
PAUL’S DRUM SCHOOL. Students wishing to learn please contact Paul: 8786 3421
AUSTRALIA'S ONLY NATIONAL MUSIC STREET PRESS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE AND FREE DISTRIBUTION. DESIGNED, WRITTEN AND CREATED FOR MUSICIANS AND LOVERS OF MUSIC.
INTERVIEWS WITH THE WORLD'S BIGGEST ARTISTS AND HOME GROWN HEROES. FEATURE STORIES ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY PRODUCT NEWS AND GEAR REVIEWS EDUCATION COLUMNS STUDIO Q&A'S AWESOME MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS + HEAPS MORE
HITS THE STREETS AND ONLINE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF EVERY MONTH 2013 ONLINE AND STREET DATES: MAY 8 TH JUNE 5TH JULY 3RD
AUGUST 7TH SEPTEMBER 4TH OCTOBER 2ND
NOVEMBER 6TH DECEMBER 4TH
For more information on Mixdown Magazine contact Aleksei on (03) 9428 3600 or email Mixdown@beat.com.au
Beat Magazine Page 52
BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S ONE STOP SHOP FOR MUSICIANS
THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS!
Brand new 2000 watt HK Audio powered speakers, ProFX12 Mackie desks and XBUU :BNBIB QPXFSFE GPMECBDLT JO FWFSZ SPPN .BSDI t JEFOUJDBM N2 SPPNT t "JS DPO BOE WFOUJMBUJPO JO FW 4UPSBHF GBDJMJUJFT "DPVTUJD "JS DPO BOE WFOUJMBUJPO JO FWFSZ SPPN t "NQ BOE ESVNLJU IJSF t 4UPSBHF GBDJMJUJFT t "DPVTUJD FOHJOFFS EFT )JSF BWBJMBCMF FOHJOFFS EFTJHOFE TPVOEQSPPåOH t &YUFSOBM 1" )JSF BWBJMBCMF
CONTACT ALEKSEI ON 9428 3600 OR MIXDOWN@BEAT.COM.AU 18 Duffy St Burwood PH: (03) 903 88101, M: 0417 000 397 Email: hydrastudios@bigpond.com www.hydrastudios.com.au
v s
a
s
Vintage, New & Second Hand Amps, Effects Pedals & Rigs
Huge Selection – All major Brands
Guitars and Amps wanted Top CA$H Paid
PA HIRE
Comprehensive PA systems delivered, set up and operated with crew. Compact, easy, sound systems you can pickup and assemble yourself.Components such as microphones, speakers and effects are also available separately. Lights also available. For details phone Mark Barry on 03 9889 1999 or 0419 993 966
Expert Guitar & Amp Repairs Mods & Restoration Fast Turnaround Affordable Rates Technicians on site 1131 Burke Rd KEW 3101 Phone: 03 9817 7000 www.eastgatemusic.com.au
IMPLANT MEDIA
CD with 2 PAGE INSERT in PVC (sleeve)
SPECIAL!
100 - from $2.35 each 500 - $1.40 each 1000 - $1.08 each
100 A3
colour posters for
CD with 4 PAGE INSERT + INLAY
Jewel case (black tray)
100 - from $3.15 each 500 - $1.80 each 1000 - $1.45 each
CD in CARD SLEEVE 100 - from $2.95 each 500 - from $1.80 each 1000 - from $1.30 each
www.bssound.com.au bssound@bigpond.com
CD with GATEFOLD
4 panel gatefold, single or double pocket
100 - from $3.95 each 500 - from $2.40 each 1000 - from $1.60 each
CD with DIGICASE 100 - from $4.45 each 500 - from $2.70 each 1000 - from $1.70 each
$70
With any disc order of 50 or more.
12” Vinyl in PRINTED SLEEVE
1300 1300 79 79 78 78 78 78 UNIT 1, 11-13 LYGON ST BRUNSWICK
300 - from $9.19 each 500 - from $6.49 each 1000 - from $5.04 each 7” and 10” also available
DVD with CASE & SLICK
T-SHIRTS
100 - from $3.25 each 500 - $2.19 each 1000 - $1.85 each
25 from $15.40 each 50 from $10.50 each 100 from $8.45 each
Black DVD case
BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S MUSICIANS DIRECTORY
SCREEN PRINTED
* * HUNDREDS HUNDREDS OF OTHER PACKAGING OPTIONS AVAILABLE! FOR A PRICE ON ANY PACKAGE AT ANY TIME VISIT: WWW.IMPLANT.COM.AU/QUOTES WWW.IMPLANT.COM.AU/QUOTES Beat Magazine Page 53
LIVE OWL EYES Saturday June 1, The Corner Hotel Brooke Addamo, aka Owl Eyes, has taken an interesting path in the music industry. After an early exit on Australian Idol, she has seemingly successfully rebranded herself and appeals to both indie kids and mainstream festival heads. She unsurprisingly sold out The Corner Hotel on Saturday night, and managed to deliver an engaging performance. Owl Eyes’ show was more about feel than telling a story. She creates an environment where stars collapse and pixies live, at least to my interpretation. A flood of ever-bending and reverbing noise filled the room, silenced the loud crowd and handed everyone their soul on a platter. There is definitely a formulaic song pattern throughout Nightswim, which audiences obviously engage with. Her heavy-reverb, punchy-hook constructions have a definite electro-pop-crossDavid Bowie feel about them. Her delay-heavy vocals have an ethereal quality, with each individual synth-laden space odyssey providing a basis for enjoying the next. There is something otherworldly about her voice, which was heartily accentuated by the half disco, half rocket-launch-at-night lighting
setup. For me, the vibe created by Owl Eyes and band was the most engaging and mesmerising part of the show. It’s a real skill – to be able to transport an audience to another place, with evocative, vaporous and unearthly vocal elements. Her drummer was a hugely enjoyable performer. This guy’s excellent timekeeping and awe-inspiring hi-hat rolls had me watching his hands blurring for much of the night. I’m not sure Owl Eyes has hit her peak of songwriting and vocal delivery, but there is a solid foundation there; and I’m excited to hear what happens when she hits her stride. She has nailed creating and nurturing an enjoyable atmosphere, and has a handle on delivering an appropriately entertaining performance. REI BARKER LOVED: The music. HATED: Dickhead Richmond weekend oafs punching each other’s heads in. DRANK: Melbourne Bitter.
ALPINE Thursday May 30, The Hi-Fi Just like Phoebe and Lou’s complementary outfits, the charm of Alpine had not changed since their album launch performance at The Corner last year. Dazzling on stage, Phoebe Baker and Lou James are as iconic as their jumpsuits. When watching these front women live, it is easy to forget that Alpine also encompass four other members, the masters of the collective’s bright indie-pop instrumentation. The four guys, although wonderful, are easily pushed into the background by the dominant stage prowess of Phoebe and Lou. Fusing honeyed harmonies with alternative dance, these two were magical throughout their farewell performance at The Hi-Fi. Opening with Lovers 1 and 2, Alpine immediately had their audience enthralled. The minimalism of both tracks was a perfect prelude to the performance, showcasing the subtleties in the boys’ repertoire and the vocal dexterity of the girls. While Lou’s movements were more controlled, Phoebe was slightly manic in her expression. This dichotomy of body language remained consistent throughout the entire performance. Next was Hands, one of the heavier tracks off their debut album. This was when the audience started to notice the bass player, Ryan Lamb. He gave such an impassioned performance in this song that at one point, he nearly knocked Lou out with the neck of his guitar. By the conclusion, he had become part of the foreground which had initially been for Phoebe and Lou. He only become more energetic as the show continued, his grey t-shirt soaked through. Alpine performed other favourites including Seeing Red, Too Safe and In The Wild. The latter was a fun track, both girls responding with vehemence to the fast tempo. The guitar riffs and key changes were flawless. While Lou stayed centred, Phoebe would continually dance right at the edge of the stage, her bare feet almost touching the faces of her devoted
Q&A
DINA AMIN LOVED: When Lou whipped out the triangle and started bashing on it throughout In The Wild. HATED: The awareness that they might not be coming back to Australia for a while. DRANK: Vodka and apple juice.
MATT CORBY Friday May 31, The Palace A crowd in the middle of Melbourne on a Friday night is always going to be an unpredictable one. It’s not a school night, so a significant amount of punters are usually well oiled by the time the headline spot arrives. A quick scan of The Palace proved that this was definitely the case – many groups were well on their way, and the occasional suit in the crowd signaled that there were probably a few that were a good five hours into an after-work session. The question was: would this intervene with Matt Corby’s delicate approach to his performance? Like his all too oft-compared peer – the late, great Jeff Buckley – Corby has a gift for treating his guitar like a fragile apparatus, brushing it with the most delicate touches and taking the volume of a song down to near silence, while barely whispering over the top. This was certainly a recurring theme of the night, but it was the dynamics of Corby’s set that made it truly shine. His vocal range speaks for itself, and his guitar-playing ability is undeniable, but it was the way he toggled between bluesing-the-fuck-out with songs like Souls A’Fire, before stripping the set right back to just him and a piano or a guitar, that kept us
Josh asks Georgia: What was the genesis for the Mix CD Social? I’ve always loved the Mix CD as a vehicle for discovering new music – a mix is like a message in a bottle. I thought it’d be fun to organise a massive lucky dip, and maybe spark some new musical crushes in the process. The gig is also a celebration of the remarkable bounty of talent we have in our local music scene. Will you be putting your own Mix into the Lucky Dip? Hellz yeah! Get ready for some S-Club-7 followed by Tom Waits. You recently performed Bowie’s entire Ziggy Stardust album, completely re-arranged for string trio. Is ‘Apocalyptic Boogie’ a genre you’re interested in pursuing for your next record?
immersed all night long. Untitled was superb, and probably the pick of the crop from his big-selling Into The Flame EP. However, it was always going to be his breakthrough single, Brother, that would have the crowd backing him up the most, and he certainly justified why, wailing every note as if he was singing it for the first time. His band were clearly on top form, but it was Corby’s ability to use just a guitar and his vocal chords to completely silence a raucous Friday night crowd that was the real winner. There were times when all you could hear was Corby’s gentle melody, the occasional plucked string, and the rumbling hum of the Bourke Street traffic outside. It was glorious. CALLUM FITZPATRICK LOVED: The dynamic of Corby’s set – always keeping us guessing. HATED: The rain outside. DRANK: Whatever my generous friend EmFog handed to me.
RIFF RAFF Wednesday May 29, Liberty Social There was a two-song interlude between the opening salvo from tonight’s hypeman, Dolla Bill Gates, and the eventual introduction to the night’s main event. It was a moment which reeked of farce. Many in the audience had been at the venue for the three hours since the advertised door time, and at five past midnight, just as we expected the Neon Icon himself to emerge from backstage, we were treated to two full playthroughs of Riff Raff’s unaccompanied studio recordings. The bros in attendance (of which there were many) began to boo. After what seemed like an eternity, Riff emerged with Deion Sandals. The aforementioned bros vented their pent-up aggression, forcing a picket of security staff to block the view for anyone more than three people from the front. I arrived at around 10.30pm, just as local DJ Fletch was dropping International Players Anthem to a healthy sized crowd. It was a Wednesday night and I couldn’t muster the will to get turnt the fuck up. There were, however, more than a few crowd participants singing along with gurnedface sincerity to Trinidad James’ cries of “popped a molly I’m sweat’n’”. Whoop! Knowing that it would be over an hour before Riff took the stage, I retreated with a mate to Hells Kitchen for a quiet pint. As we were leaving, the Cashmere Cat remix of Do You… pumped out the PA. After three quarters of an hour we returned to
THE MIX CD SOCIAL GEORGIA FIELDS VS JOSH EARL
The Mix CD Social returns to the Northcote Social Club on Saturday June 8. Brainchild of indie-pop melodist Georgia Fields, the jamboree features a mixed bag of live music delights – including Fields, Spender, all-girl marching band The Red Brigade, plus guest DJ Josh Earl, and more. Punters bring their Mix CDs to swap in the Magical Lucky Dip, and everyone goes home with a mystery disc of new tunes to discover. Think of it as a musical ‘key party’ without the awkward morning after.
Beat Magazine Page 54
fans beneath. Alpine finished with Gasoline, a song that made everyone scream with delight. As soon as the audience heard those familiar riffs, that was it. We had become eternal slaves to the music. Just like Phoebe and Lou, our dancing became vigorous. Phil Tucker, the drummer, finally let loose, his face contorted with strain and enlightenment. Both Christian O’Brien and Tim Royall, guitarist and keyboardist respectively, looked disinterested throughout the entire set, their inscrutable faces incongruent with the rest of the expressive musicians. Alpine then left the stage briefly, only to come back and play Softsides, followed by Villages. The final song was the best. Opening with mellow vocals and a soft instrumentation and then immediately morphing into a heavy rock chorus personified the diversity of Alpine – their ability to switch between minimal and aggressive beats. The entire band went nuts, the stage a sea of flailing limbs and instruments. While Lou jumped up and down in her original position, Phoebe grabbed the hands of the crowd and then lay down, her head upside down as she sang to her fans, some of them pulling at her face and hair. It was inspired and innovative, an uninhibited frenzy of movement. No doubt both girls had a background in performing arts, their expressions always theatrical. As the crowd cheered and wished them luck on their US tour, Alpine graciously bid farewell and exited the stage.
Photo by Zo Gay
Georgia Fields
Liberty Social to hear the third DJ of the evening playing the Cashmere Cat remix of Do You… – a minor absurdity in a night with some fairly major absurdities. Why were the requests for set times during the preceding days unheeded? Why have an international artist on after midnight on a Wednesday? Why have inadequate security after encouraging three straight hours of drinking in a sweaty room? Why put such an idiosyncratic aesthete on the most visually impeded stage in town? There was Riff Raff in his rapper costume. It’s a convincing one – his rhymes and references are mind-bogglingly great at most times. The bros in the crowd were in their costumes too – mail-order snapbacks, five-panels, beanies. We all felt like we belonged, basking in the arcane code of modern rap trend. I was at the back of the venue, taking notes on my phone, in my music journalist costume. LACHLAN KANONIUK LOVED: Sleepless In Seattle was the highpoint of Riff’s set. HATED: Having my gaze constantly averted to the perpetual grimace of the security staff during the main event. I took pity on them. DRANK: Pints.
Josh Earl
Bowie is the master of the apocalyptic pop song. For my next album, the band and I are pursuing a genre we like to call ‘disco pagan’ – part lo-fi bounce, part dreampop swoon; glitter and dirt and chaos and casios. If Ryan Gosling made you a mix tape but it was awful, just all your most hated bands, would you still go on a date with him? I think I would have to bail on principle, but I’d arrange for the waiter at the restaurant to deliver a cassette Walkman and headphones with a mix tape of decent music to the table, not so much as punishment, but as a learning exercise. I think that also means I’m an asshole. Georgia asks Josh: Who was the last person you made a mix tape for? The last mix “tape” I made was for my wife; I tried to get her to like Jonathan Richman so I put a whole bunch of him on there. I wasn’t successful. (Except for the song As My Mother Lay Lying, she likes that one.) It’s been said that “every mix tape is a love letter”. Do you agree? What would you put on a mix tape to somebody you don’t like very much? I don’t think it is necessarily a love letter, but you’re definitely doing it to make them like you. For someone I didn’t like, I would put Everybody Loves
You Babe (Except Me) by Billy Bragg and hope they get the message. As an ex-librarian, is your music collection arranged alphabetically or in genres, or a constantly mutating state of chaos (like mine)? My music collection is arranged alphabetically, unless there is more than one [for each] artist, and then it is in chronological. You’re DJing at the Mix CD Social – will you be airing any secret shames from the Vault of Earl?
FOR MORE LIVE REVIEWS & PHOTOS GO TO BEAT.COM.AU
I thought about playing Tag Team’s Whoop There It Is but decided against it, unless on the night someone requests it, and then it is ON. Or I’ll play Merril Bainbridge’s Mouth. It’s up to the crowd. The Mix CD Social is at Northcote Social Club on Saturday June 8, featuring Georgia Fields, Spender, The Red Brigade, The Bluebottles, plus guest DJs Josh Earl, Jen Cloher, and Evelyn Morris. $20 or $15 if you BYO Mix CD.
Perform. Record. Manage. Animate. Design. Capture. Enrol. What will your creative future look like?
Start JUN 2013
Degrees and Diplomas in Music, Audio Engineering, Entertainment Business Management, 3D Animation, Game Design and Film and Television Production. Launch your creative journey through collaboration, education and training at JMC Academy. FEE-HELP available.
Your creative future starts today. Visit jmcacademy.edu.au or call on 1300 410 311. facebook.com/jmcacademy
youtube.com/jmcacademy