UPCOMING
AUGUST
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on tour JUAN ATKINS [USA], FUNK D’VOID [UK] Friday July 12, Brown Alley ALEX KIDD [UK] Friday July 12, Billboard ONRA [FRA] Thursday July 18, Revolver Upstairs YUKSEK [FRA] Friday July 19, The Liberty Social GUY J [ISR] Friday July 19, New Guernica DUBSIDIA [ESP] Saturday July 20, Tetris Studios FRANK OCEAN [USA] Thursday July 25 - Friday July 26, Festival Hall BROOKE BROTHERS [UK] Friday July 26, Brown Alley RICK WILHITE [USA] Saturday July 27, New Guernica MAURICE FULTON [USA] Saturday July 27, Revolver Upstairs JAMES BLAKE [UK] Wednesday July 31, Palais Theatre &ME [GER] Sunday August 4, Revolver Upstairs CHVRCHES [UK] Monday August 5, Corner Hotel PANGAEA [UK], FUNCTION [USA] Friday August 9, Brown Alley SPEEDY J [NED] Friday August 16, Mercat Basement D-BLOCK & S-TE-FAN [NED] Friday August 16, Chaser’s Nightclub DJ SPRINKLES [USA] Friday August 16, First Floor KAYTRANADA [CAN], RYAN HEMSWORTH [CAN] Saturday August 24, Brown Alley GHOSTPOET [UK] Saturday September 14, Corner Hotel HERNAN CATTANEO [ARG] Friday September 20, Prince Bandroom RUDIMENTAL [UK] Saturday September 21, Festival Hall ROBERT HOOD [USA] Saturday September 21, The Liberty Social LISTEN OUT: DISCLOSURE [UK], TNGHT [UK], AZEALIA BANKS [USA] + MORE Saturday October 5, Observatory Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens MICKEY AVALON [USA] Friday October 18, Corner Hotel PORTER ROBINSON [USA] Sunday October 20, Billboard SALT N PEPA [USA] Saturday November 16, Palais Theatre STRAWBERRY FIELDS: CARL CRAIG [USA], MOODYMANN [USA] Friday November 22 - Sunday November 24 , TBA EARTHCORE: ANGY KORE [ITA], PERFECT STRANGER [ISR] + MORE Friday November 29 - Sunday December 2, TBA STEREOSONIC: DAVID GUETTA [FRA], ARMIN VAN BUUREN [NED], CALVIN HARRIS [UK] Saturday December 7 - Sunday December 8, Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. BRUNO MARS [USA], MIGUEL [USA] Tuesday March 4 & Wednesday March 5, Rod Laver Arena
tour rumours Skudge, Pantha Du Prince, Shed, Tyree Cooper, Roman Flügel, Jam City, Andrew Weatherall, Silicone Soul
contact 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 & Design: Michael Cusack Advertising: 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
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nina las vegas word s / rk
Nina Las Vegas is a radio host, DJ, producer and all round local legend. A testament to those who can achieve prodigious success with countless levels of drive, talent and determination, her ability to seemingly blur the musical spectrum across genres, her selfless community work – as well as her boundless love of generally good music - stands her in good stead as one of Australia’s finest role models and inspirations for young people. So it began, after undertaking a work experience gig at triple j, she quickly excelled and now presents the House Party slot, prime time, Saturday nights at 6pm. Continuing to proudly break rules, she professes to a love of spreading the musical message without being tied to specific genres or styles. But even coming from a background in urban music - hip hop being her great love – her output on any given day might be laced with dub, electro or even something more poppy or electronic. It’s funny how in the music business like life, one thing leads to another – and certainly for this girl, it has been a career (so far) tempered by meaningful triumphs. “I’d been working as a DJ for ages,” says Nina. “I’d started out doing different things like putting on parties and working behind the scenes and things; then the opportunity came up to present House Party and I put a demo together and have really just pushed on with it.” Somewhere in between, she also helped foster an important community project with DJ Andrew Levins and superstar Diplo titled Heaps Decent. “Basically we try and give something back to the community; we run music workshops and things like that. It’s a not for profit organisation so we work with marginalised communities, indigenous children and so on. It’s something I’ve wanted to do forever and it’s something that it very, very rewarding.”
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then at the same time I’m inspired by my surroundings and DJs who really push boundaries.” Likewise, expect some of that inspiration to make its way onto the second House Party compilation she is working on right now. “It’s going to reflect the next phase of my life,”
she says. Expect it to raise some eyebrows again – but also expect that punters will lap it up, just like they did edition one. No less, that first House Party compilation – a double CD - features some 35 tracks and covers multiple genres from dancehall, hip hop, dub and electro. Likewise, she admits sending out a massive wish list – much of which got cleared, which meant in turn that her dreams were answered; and justifiably so, because her musical diversity is her competitive advantage. “You can hear anything from Skrillex to Frank Ocean in one of my sets - and probably plenty in between,” she proclaims with pride. “There’s really this gap in the market place I think for music that doesn’t fit a mould.” And while it might be an acquired taste, her approach has won her the adoration of many a fan around the country and no doubt the world.” Yet despite all of this, the future for her shows plenty of promise. “I want to go into promoting and things,” she chimes. “But at the same time I don’t want to think too...” Indeed, playing club music – or even music that is more challenging or forward thinking–is her very raison d’être. “I want to play music that everyone can enjoy but I also want people to get on board when it’s a little different.”
Nina Las Vegas plays at Anyway at the Palace this Saturday July 13. She’ll also be playing at Steresonic and the sold-out Splendour In The Grass. facebook.com/ninalasvegas soundcloud.com/ninalasvegas
- head to beat.com.au for more
dubsidia
off the record w it h
Musically, she claims it is the sounds she listens to that most influences her. “The old and new tracks I play on the radio show, really translate into what I play when I’m out,” she explains. “But
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Is there a video of someone wearing Google Glass getting beaten up yet?
behind the decks with:
Dubstep Australia and Riot are coming together to bring down Spain’s freshest acts to Melbourne. With tracks like Elekktroshokk and Kill Humans setting their fan base alight with excitement, Dubsidia are best known for their energetic sets and their long line of remixes. With imminent plans to collaborate with Moby and their production receiving support from the likes of Borgore and Skrillex, this may be the last chance fans get to see Dubsidia in such an intimate setting. It’s all happening at Tetris Studios on Saturday July 20.
pangaea Kevin McAuley began making music with a two-track mixer, a keyboard and a tape deck as a schoolboy. Discovering dubstep through the sounds of Mala in the backroom of a Leeds club in 2005, Kevin was inspired to start the city’s first dubstep night, Ruffage, and launched himself into the studio. He’s built a burgeoning reputation as a true pioneer behind the decks supported by the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs who described his recent mix for BBC Radio 1 as “texturally one of the most exquisite mixes of the year”. Pangaea’s sound however is difficult to tie down. While there are distinct house and techno influences his music is firmly rooted in the traditions of UK bass as are his DJ sets. It’s all happening at Brown Alley on Friday August 9.
that sound agency
That Sound Agency, conceived by Rueben Heenan and Daniel Lamanna, is a local talent agency mainly focusing on DJs and producers of the new phenomena that has spread all over the world, the Melbourne Sound. The aim of the agency is to shine light on young local talent and give them that break that they may not usually have had. With the agency launching in around two weeks the boys are incredibly excited to get their teeth stuck into it, and push to get their artists local, regional, interstate and eventually even international gigs. They said with the immense talent of the boys on their rosters, it won’t be hard. To check out what the boys are all about, and check out all the artists and their music, head to thatsound.com.au.
stereosonic
mickey avalon
Infamous hip hop party boy Mickey Avalon is returning to Australia in 2013. Avalon will be playing tracks from his brand new EP I Get Even along with all of his hits alongside a killer cast of local acts. It goes down at the Corner Hotel on Friday October 18.
alison wonderland
Sydney’s Alison Wonderland has just dropped her first original track, Get Ready featuring Blue Mountains duo, Fishing and to celebrate the momentous occasion she’s hopping on tour. Kicking off things with her set at Splendour In The Grass, Alison Wonderland is set to hit everywhere in Australia she can, from Bendigo, Wagga Wagga and every other city in between. Get Ready has been a long time coming ever since bursting onto the scene as a partystarting DJ. Classically trained with her roots in bass and cello, original production was naturally her next step after receiving praise for her DJing from the likes of Annie Mac. Having already performed DJ sets at the official Grammy’s After Party and the Brit Awards After Party, it is little wonder that Alison Wonderland has been staple on the local festival circuit. Make sure to head down to The Corner on Thursday September 19.
The electronic festival juggernaut has revealed a monstrous lineup for 2013. 2013 will see the festival expand into a two day event, with the promise that no act will play twice in the same city. After already revealing that electro wunderkind Zedd, trance icon Gareth Emery, bass trio Krewella and Hot Natured stalwart Jamie Jones would be on the bill, Stereosonic finally unleashed its full lineup. The 2013 Stereosonic lineup also includes David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Above & Beyond, Empire of the Sun, Afrojack, Boys Noize, Alesso, Dog Blood, Nero, Nicky Romero, The Bloody Beetroots, Labrinth, Bingo Players, Zedd, W&W, Tommy Trash, Shockone, Maceo Plex, Ferry Corsten, Andy C, Hot Natured, Solomun, Showtek, Robert Delong, Noisia & Foreign Beggars present I AM LEGION, Jamie Jones, TJR, Clockwork, Mat Zo, Cajmere, Stafford Brothers, Aly & Fila b2b, John O’Callaghan, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Flight Facilities, Claude VonStroke, Will Sparks, Doctor P, R.L Grime, UZ Lemaitre, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Infinity Ink, MaRLo, Destructo, Matrix & Futurebound, What So Not, Justin Martin, Tritonal, DJ Falcon, Lee Foss, Tommie Sunshine, Jochen Miller, Sunnery James & Ryan, Marciano, B U R N S, Heatbeat, Breach, Drummsound & Basslinesmith, Andrew Rayel, Hot Since 82, Djedjotronic, Solarstone, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Bryan Kearney, M4SONIC, Nick Thayer, Feenixpawl, Kaz James, Generik, Acid Jacks, Nina Las Vegas, Ember, Phetsta, Uberjack’d, Aaron Camz and Nick Galea. Stereosonic 2013 will take place over Saturday December 7 - Sunday December 8 at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Tickets go on sale on Thursday August 1 from Ticketmaster.
electronic - urban - club life
steampunk dj omega Where’s the strangest place you’ve woken up? I’ve woken up in Rome on New Year’s day, obscenely early because of jet-lag. We walked the streets looking for breakfast and it was like a scene from a post apocalyptic movie - the streets deserted and full of post-party wreckage. It was a surreal experience! Describe yourself using the title of a song. Left of Centre - Susanne Vega The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ? The day I got out of hospital with my (now two-year-old) daughter, I got a panicked call from a friend whose DJ had cancelled at the last minute. I swooped in to the rescue, bringing my newborn daughter with me. At one stage during the evening I was working the decks and breastfeeding the baby in the sling at the same time. She slept through most of the gig and the party went off. All’s well that ends well! What would be the worst dance track in the world to be tortured with on repeat? Anything with screaming or hateful lyrics. What’s the most played record in your bag? A Slight Case of Overbombing - The Sisters of Mercy. Someone always, always asks for something on it. What question would you like to ask an omniscient, allknowing being before you die? So, how do I get around this whole ‘death; thing, then, eh? If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead? I got told by a teacher long ago that the only job in which I would get paid to talk as much as I like to was in PR and Marketing and that has proved to be very true! When and where is your next gig? I’ll be working the main stage at A Night of Intrigue, a dark culture festival at RMH The Venue on Friday July 12. Can’t wait!