Brag#605

ISSUE NO. 605 MARCH 25, 2015

FREE Now picked up at over 1,600 places across Sydney and surrounds. thebrag.com

MUSIC, FILM, THEATRE + MORE

INSIDE This Week

FAIRY TALE FAIRYTALE

BEGINNINGS

COUNTING CROWS

The travelling circus rolls on for Adam Duritz.

MASTODON

It’s once more ’round Australia for the Atlanta rockers.

ENDGAME

Sydney Theatre Company takes on a Beckett masterpiece.

N O S I L A

BONJAH

Nothing will keep them out of the studio, let alone away from stage.

Plus

JAY LUMEN BOZ SCAGGS LUCY WISE

25TH MARCH

LITTLE BASTARD SPOOKYLAND THE OWLS CLOUD CONTROL DJS FREE R ENTRY R | 8PM - 1AM

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rock music news

the BRAG presents

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Chris Martin, Lauren Gill and Ayla Dhyani

songwriters’ secrets WITH

DARREN HANLON

record a song on his tape machine so I quickly wrote one that night. I can’t remember what it was called, only that it was what I imagined a song was supposed to be like. It was about some jaded heartbroken guy who’d just been dumped by a woman who only left him with him guitar. Must’ve sounded funny coming from 14-year-old me. I bet Mum has the tape somewhere.

The Song That Makes Me Proud I’d have to say ‘Falling Aeroplanes’, as it 4. was the song that got everything started for

The Last Song I Released I’ve just released an album of 13 new 2. songs. Some might say that’s unlucky. In the

The Song That Changed My Life I’d say hearing all of Billy Bragg’s Back 5.

To Basics for the first time as a kid was a life-

process of writing, recording and releasing I’ve been shot at, drugged, rat-nibbled (in my sleep) and threatened with lawsuits, for a start.

I’ll let you be the judge.

changing moment. It sounded unlike anything the Top 40 charts had filled my head with up until then. It seemed so right. Relationships, sex and politics, all with a sharp and jagged electric guitar and a voice that sounded unpolished too.

Made me think I could do it too.

Songwriting Secrets The main thing is to be alone. Turn off 3. the computer and the phone. I’ve got many The First Song I Wrote In year ten I did work experience with a 1. local audiovisual guy in town. He did wedding videos and took photos for the social pages in the paper. It was the closest thing to ‘showbiz’ our little town had. He asked if I wanted to

different havens I go to now that get results.

I find that the added pressure of paying to stay somewhere to write tricks the brain into making sure you get something done. The Palace Hotel in Broken Hill; the Sou’wester lodge in Seaview, WA; the Manilla Rivergums Caravan Park.

Jebediah

me. It’s strange to think that it was possible – a song that doesn’t have a chorus, overall a very peculiar structure. There’s no drums or anything. It still amazes me that radio played it at all. It’s also the one song where I get upset punters if I forget to play it at a show.

What: Where Did You Come From? out now through Flippin Yeah Where: Manning Bar When: Thursday March 26 And: Also appearing at Gallipoli Legions Club, Newcastle on Wednesday March 25

JEFF MARTIN The Basement Wednesday March 25

PAOLO NUTINI Enmore Theatre Tuesday March 31

GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC Enmore Theatre Wednesday April 1

DAVID GRAY State Theatre Wednesday April 1 and Tuesday April 2

JOHN MAYALL Factory Theatre Thursday April 2

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE The Basement Sunday April 5

THE GIPSY KINGS Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Tuesday April 7 and Wednesday April 8

JIMMY CLIFF Metro Theatre Thursday April 9

TV On The Radio

MANAGING EDITOR: Chris Martin chris@thebrag.com 02 9212 4322 ONLINE EDITOR: Tyson Wray SUB-EDITOR: Sam Caldwell STAFF WRITERS: Adam Norris, Augustus Welby NEWS: Kelsey Berry, Ayla Dhyani, Lauren Gill, Nicholas Hartman, Meggan Turner ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant PHOTOGRAPHERS: Katrina Clarke, Ashley Mar ADVERTISING: Georgina Pengelly - 0416 972 081 / (02) 9212 4322 georgina@thebrag.com ADVERTISING: Les White - 0405 581 125 / (02) 9212 4322 les@thebrag.com PUBLISHER: Furst Media MANAGING DIRECTOR, FURST MEDIA: Patrick Carr - patrick@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600 / 0402 821 122 DIGITAL DIRECTOR/ADVERTISING: Kris Furst kris@furstmedia.com.au, (03) 9428 3600

VIVID LIVE 2015

GIG & CLUB GUIDE COORDINATORS: Sam Caldwell, Ayla Dhyani, Nicholas Hartman gigguide@thebrag.com (rock); clubguide@thebrag. com (dance, hip hop & parties) AWESOME INTERNS: Nicholas Hartman, Meggan Turner, Ayla Dhyani REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Amat, Ian Barr, Prudence Clark, Tom Clift, Keiron Costello, Christie Eliezer, Fergus Halliday, Cameron James, Tegan Jones, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Mina Kitsos, Emily Meller, Annie Murney, Adam Norris, Kate Robertson, Erin Rooney, Raf Seneviratne, Leonardo Silvestrini, Krissi Weiss, Rod Whitfield, Harry Windsor, Tyson Wray, Stephanie Yip, David James Young Please send mail NOT ACCOUNTS direct to this NEW address 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 ph - (02) 9212 4322 fax - (02) 9319 2227

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SOUNDWAVE 2016 DATES

Soundwave has confirmed its dates for the reduced three-city festival in 2016. Next year, Australia’s biggest touring rock festival will only visit Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – all in the one week – after the event’s welldocumented issues with Adelaide and Perth.

Unlike this year’s two-day event, it will revert to one day per city in 2016. The event’s

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THE BRAG

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KARNIVOOL ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Prog rock heavyweights Karnivool have announced an extensive national tour to commemorate the tenth anniversary of their seminal album, Themata. A decade after its release, they’ll keep their rabid fans happy with stops in regional and capital Australia, playing Themata in its entirety as well as fan favourites. The tour will follow a run of European headline shows, which see the Perth five-piece headlining some of the continent’s

most prestigious venues. They’ll hit the Metro Theatre on Saturday May 2.

MUSTERING UP

As the ultimate celebration of utes, music and everything unique in regional Australia, Deni Ute Muster 2015 has announced that Australia’s own Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, The McClymonts and Morgan Evans are to join the bill for this year’s event.

This next round of Aussie artists will join the already announced Birds Of Tokyo, The Sunny Cowgirls and The Wolfe Brothers for this year’s ‘Australian Made’ theme. It’s safe to say that the Deni Ute Muster is on almost every local and international bucket list for celebrating the Australian culture. The event will be held in Deniliquin over the long weekend from Friday October 2 – Saturday October 3.

COME TOGETHER 2015

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@TheBrag

dates, covering the Australia Day weekend, also come as bad news for the mooted return of Big Day Out, which previously toured the country over the same period. Soundwave 2016 comes to Sydney on Sunday January 24.

The Jungle Giants

The Come Together Festival, which went on hiatus in 2014, is returning this year with a solid lineup of local hip hop and indie acts. After celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2013, the festival fell on hard times last year, cancelling less than a fortnight out from its Sydney event due to poor ticket sales. This year’s lineup, however, promises big things over two days at Luna Park – with unlimited rides at the theme park included with each ticket. The Saturday June 6 lineup includes Seth Sentry, Thundamentals, Horrorshow, Remi, Coin Banks and Ivan Ooze, and the ‘Indie Day’ on Sunday June 7 will feature Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants, Safi a, Elizabeth Rose, Montaigne and Ecca Vandal.

thebrag.com

Jebediah photo by Matt Saville

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It’s been 20 years since Jebediah first got together and they’re celebrating in a big way with a huge tour and new compilation album. Each show on the capital city tour will be delivered in two halves, with the first half consisting of those beloved classics while the second half will feature their 1997 debut album Slightly Odway in its entirety.

On top of all that, the Perth outfit will release a new album to coincide with the tour, Twenty, which is set to hit stores on Friday May 29. The LP includes 20 tracks hand-chosen by the band spanning their five releases.

They’ll play the Metro Theatre on Friday June 5 with Front End Loader.

Xxx

EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors or staff of the BRAG.

JEBEDIAH TURN 20

The full lineup for the 2015 Vivid LIVE festival at the Sydney Opera House has arrived.

After the earlier announcement that Morrissey will headline the musical program of Sydney’s wider Vivid festival this year, Vivid LIVE has now announced via Twitter the rest of its massive schedule. Highlights include Sufjan Stevens, returning to the Opera House for Vivid for the first time since 2012. The lineup also includes Daniel Johns, showing off his new solo material, US alt-rockers TV On The Radio, plus Bill Callahan and Squarepusher. Also on the bill are local acts The Drones, The Preatures, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Royal Headache, and a retrospective event called FCX celebrating ten years of seminal local label Future Classic. Other showcases include gigs by hip hop label Elefant Traks, Astral People and Mad Racket. Vivid LIVE 2015 takes place at the Sydney Opera House from Friday May 22 – Monday June 8.

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live & local

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Meggan Turner, Kelsey Berry and Nicholas Hartman

five things WITH

Inspirations Musically we draw 2. inspiration from what we’ve heard and seen and believe in through our lives. A lot of our inspiration comes from periods of the ’90s, but each member brings a very diverse range of infl uences to the table.

Whether it be Morrissey’s fl ailing quiff, the Beastie Boys or the saxophonist in ‘Careless Whisper’, any given day can provide inspiration – it’s just how you channel it.

Skateboarding has always been there for us as well as a form of escape and inspiration.

Band Burners are a brand new 3. Your

band! We have all played in numerous bands (Grand Fatal, Firearms, Sailmaker, Sans Chavelle, Fait Accompli, et cetera). This collective is Joel Conner on vocals/guitar, Graeme Charles Kent on guitar/vocals, Dan Strong on drums and myself on bass. The band formed after a tumultuous time in our personal lives that included police arrests, skateboarding mishaps, cheating girlfriends and ice-cream manufacturing. With resolve we channelled the powers that be and became Burners and began our quest without looking back.

We have all been great friends for a long time so forming a band was easy. We are currently writing for our debut release to be launched later in the year.

The Music You Make Our music is all the mistakes 4. you ever made in your life thrown back at you in the nicest possible way. Our songs are melodic and throw back to ’90s Midwest punk rock and indie, but underneath

the hooks lies a darkness that anyone who’s ever lost or been lost can connect with.

Music, Right Here, Right Now 5.

So many good bands, not enough time. We draw inspiration from bands such as Luca Brasi, The Smith Street Band, Oslow, Death Mountain… there’s just so many. I am also blessed that some of my best friends like Steve Smyth and the Spirit Valley boys are out there shredding.

Graeme’s other band Meat Cake (featuring Pete Kostic!) are also a force to be reckoned with. In regards to favourite venues I like the intimacy of Black Wire Records and the epicness of Frankie’s, contrasting but harmoniously crucial to Sydney’s music scene.

With: New Black Shades, Black Heart Breakers Where: Frankie’s Pizza When: Sunday March 29

COURTNEY BARNETT

Somewhere between her emergence from the Melbourne laneways and her recent world-beating performance on Ellen, Courtney Barnett has become Australia’s voice-of-a-generation in waiting. Her debut album, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit, is out now via her own Milk! Records via Remote Control, and it was last week crowned the BRAG’s Album of the Week with a five-star review: “a perfectly imperfect look at life and the way we live it … perhaps the year’s most thought-provoking album”. Yes, we’re unashamed Courtney fans around here, and we hope you are too. Just to make sure, we’re giving away three copies of Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit – to be in the running, visit thebrag.com.

Xxxx

was in a band, so at a young age we had access to drum kits and guitars with no parental supervision. And although none of us became prodigious talents, there was an aura of coolness in being nine years old and sitting at a real drum kit. It definitely lit a spark. Later on, my older cousin had the biggest ’80s metal vinyl collection ever, and although my religious parents

Courtney Barnett

BRETT STOKES FROM BURNERS

wouldn’t let me listen to the music, I would sit for hours studying the album covers from front to back marvelling at the artwork, the band fonts, the hair helicopters, the pyrotechnics, and I wanted to be a part of it in any way possible.

Growing Up Personally I was lucky that 1. my next door neighbour’s dad

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

Nantes

Harry Coulson

HARRY COULSON AND CO

Jordie Lane

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Harry Coulson’s Rain Dogs will stop in for two gigs in Sydney early next month as they make their way around New South Wales and Victoria.

Coulson is a young (he just graduated from uni) Melbourne-based guitarist who performs a delicate mix of jazz and blues. Of course, having attended New York University’s jazz summer workshops, it is no surprise that Coulson (as well as his Rain Dogs) display fantastic musicianship. The Coulson-fronted trio (comprising Louis Gill on bass and James Thompson on drums) are touring in support of their self-titled debut album. Harry Coulson’s Rain Dogs are headlining at Mr. Falcon’s on Friday April 3 and with the Peter Koopman Trio at Foundry616 on Tuesday April 7.

NOTHING WRONG WITH NANTES

A seven-stop tour is on the way from the alternative Sydney-based duo Nantes. The alternative rockers (they also describe their sound as “dirty pop”) have just released a minialbum, Limbo. David Rogers and Jos Eastwood are to play seven gigs up and down the east coast to launch Limbo and its first single, the appropriately titled ‘7’. Limbo is the first Nantes release since 2013’s Beings Being. Nantes will play at the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi on Wednesday April 15 and Newtown Social Club on Saturday April 18.

Deez Nuts

JORDIE LANE

US-based Australian songwriter Jordie Lane is making the most of his return to his homeland on a 27-date national tour at the moment, and it’s rolling into Marrickville later this week. The tour marks Lane’s first run Down Under in 18 months, following up similarly lengthy schedules in North America to launch his latest EP Not Built To Last. Rowena Wise will support Lane at Django Bar on Friday March 27.

MUSICA VIVA FESTIVAL

GET ON THIS JUNK

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HOW ABOUT DEEZ NUTS

Aussie punks Deez Nuts will hit the road with Antagonist A.D for a joint album launch tour this year. Deez Nuts’ fourth album, Word Is Bond, is set for release on Friday April 24, while Antagonist A.D’s latest effort, Haunt Me As I Roam, will hit shelves this Friday March 27. The bands will also be joined by Sydney hardcore rockers Relentless and Melbourne metalcore outfit Earth Caller for the national tour. See them at The Bald Faced Stag on Friday June 5 and the Red Rattler on Saturday June 6.

Over four days in April, Musica Viva Festival will be presenting a jam-packed program for its biennial event at the Con. Internationally acclaimed cellist Mischa Maisky will be appearing alongside Serbian pianist Aleksandar Madžar, Armenian clarinettist Narek Arutyunian, the Doric String Quartet from the UK and the Pavel Haas Quartet from the Czech Republic. This huge international lineup will be complemented by the appearance of some exceptionally talented Australian performers including the likes of guitarist Karin Schaupp, Melbourne pianist Daniel de Borah, and the Orava Quartet from Brisbane. The Musica Viva Festival will take place at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music from Thursday April 9 – Sunday April 12. thebrag.com

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The Love Junkies have somehow managed to squeeze an Australian tour into their hectic schedule. After the release of their second album, Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet, a tour with Gyroscope last year, and performances at SXSW in Austin this month – and just before Canadian Music Week – the Junkies will be taking some time out to do a short tour of Australia. Their east coast dates will be supported by Skullcave. You can catch The Love Junkies at The Standard Bowl on Friday April 24.

MILES AWAY

Five years after the release of their last album, Endless Roads, Miles Away are back with a new album and a national tour to celebrate. Tide, the band’s fifth album, is set for release on Friday May 8. To mark the release, Miles Away, now in their 13th year, will embark on a national tour, with support from Blacklisted. They’ll be at the Red Rattler on Friday May 15 and Newcastle’s Small Ballroom on Saturday May 16.

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Industrial Strength Music Industry News with Christie Eliezer

THINGS WE HEAR * Which band member threw a mild tantrum because a venue promoting his band’s upcoming gig spelt his name wrong? * Will Foo Fighters’ next Sonic Highway series look at studios in the UK… and at least one Melbourne studio? * Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst, already peeved that Associated Press confused him with murder suspect Robert Durst, got more upset when their correction of the report claimed that he was no longer in the band.

* Morrissey’s new T-shirt shows him posing nude next to the Queen. * Over 100,000 people have signed a petition to stop Kanye West headlining Glastonbury Festival. * For the promotion of his new Funemployed album, The Bedroom Philosopher has outsourced his interviews.

You can’t speak to him about it, but you can chat to Courtney Barnett, Benjamin Law, Kate Miller-Heidke, Scott Edgar (Tripod), Paul Livingston (Flacco), Tony Martin, Lawrence Greenwood (Whitley) or Damian Cowell of TISM. * The LA Weekly asks: “Is

SFX BLAMES STEREOSONIC PARTLY FOR EARNINGS DIP Australia’s Stereosonic festival was partly to blame for its American parent company SFX Entertainment’s weak fourth quarter and a loss of US$131 million on revenue of US$354.4 million for 2014. Pro forma revenues declined 7.6% to US$95.9 million from US$103.9 million.

SFX CFO Richard Rosenstein said greater interest in single-day shows in Australia meant “tickets sales did not meet expectations” for Stereosonic. Attendance for all SFX global events rose 8.9% in 2013. Festival attendance increased 1.5% to about 2.9 million and attendance at non-festival events increased 19.5% to about 2.4 million. Excluding the Rock In Rio festivals, festival attendance in 2014 grew 18.7%. SFX expects 2015 revenues to exceed US$500 million, with investor sponsorship and brand partnership revenue to exceed US$100 million, up from US$35 million last year.

STREAMING FEES GO TO COURT This week saw record companies and commercial radio at the Copyright Tribunal over the feud around extra fees for radio stations streaming music on their sites.

The PPCA (representing labels) says that

Courtney Barnett the most exciting new songwriter in rock?” * Rap supergroup Run The Jewels were attacked during a SXSW show. A man rushed onstage making for El-P but was stopped by Killer Mike.

Roadies hustled him off and knocked him down when he tried to get on again. * The original Taxiride lineup is playing gigs after 15 years. * After Groovin The Moo, Ball Park Music will play shows through Europe and the UK in May/June, and then return to make a new record. * When did Tool guitarist Adam Jones know the band was going to win its lawsuit against

streaming is giving extra ad revenue to radio, and it should pay up. Commercial Radio Australia argues that streaming is covered in current fees and labels are double-dipping.

US RECORDED MUSIC REVENUE UP TO US$4.86B Pushed along by money from streaming, the US recorded music market grew for the fourth consecutive year in 2014. Wholesale revenues were up 2% to US$4.86 billion, but estimated retail value was $6.97 billion, down 0.5%, marking the fifth straight year of relatively flat retail revenues. Revenues from streaming music services like Spotify, YouTube and Pandora grew 29% to US$1.87 billion in 2014, and accounted for 27% of total industry revenues. Downloads remained the largest component at 37% of the market (down from 40% in 2013). Physical formats continued to fall from 35% to 32%, accounting for US$1.85 billion of revenue – making less money than streaming.

DISCOUNT DEALS FOR TRAVEL AND ROOMS FROM AMIN The Australian Music Industry Network, which represents state music associations

its insurance company? When he found out the judge’s name was Randy Rhodes (recalling legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads). Jones said, “I knew the power of metal and my appreciation of metal was going to be like a guardian angel.” * Taylor Swift’s 1989 has sold 4.5 million copies, beating the 4.1 million of 2012’s Red and 4.4 million of 2010’s Speak Now. * Sheppard’s Bombs Away album has cracked the US Top 40, sitting at number 31. * Filming of the ‘making of’ JuliaWhy?’s album Wheel took two stays in a psych ward, a dislocated shoulder, a severed thumb and a nerve-damaged arm.

around the country, has struck a deal with the Travel Beyond Group to offer discounts for members when they go on tour. Through a dedicated travel portal for AMIN, members can book entire tours, with discounts on Virgin flights and lounge memberships, car hire and accommodation at hotels such as Quest, Mantra, Oaks, Accor, IHG, Starwood and Crown.

ABBEY ROAD SETS UP ACADEMY IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE The world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London has launched the Abbey Road Institute, offering a 12-month advanced diploma in music production and sound engineering, co-designed with its engineers.

The academies will be held all over the UK as well as in Sydney, Melbourne and Germany. Students can also use the famed studio’s gear as part of the course. Visit abbeyroadinstitute.com for more info.

THE DRONES LAUNCH TROPICAL FUCK STORM RECORDS The Drones have launched their own label, Tropical Fuck Storm Records (TFS Records).

Through 2015, the band will release its seventh album as well as a reissue of its back catalogue, starting with debut Here Come The Lies (along with a new gatefold vinyl LP) and a fresh range of merch.

TOYOTA LAUNCHES STREET MUSIC INITIATIVE

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Toyota’s new music initiative, Feeling The Street, focuses on street performers and buskers. Entrants can upload videos of their performances until Wednesday May 20, and global viewers will choose the final six to form a Global Street Band to tour through New Zealand. Six viewers will go along as roadies. Sheppard, who’ve busked around the world, are ambassadors to the comp.

For more info, see feelingthestreet.com.

ELIZABETH ROSE SIGNS TO MIDNIGHT FEATURE

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SATURDAY AFTERNOON

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON

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Sydney producer, DJ and songwriter Elizabeth Rose has been signed for Australia and New Zealand by Midnight Feature, a new Inertia imprint “dedicated to the exhilarating edges of the pop spectrum”. After her breakthrough last year with her self-titled EP, Rose has a new single, ‘Another Earth’, co-produced with Brooklyn’s Chrome Sparks, whom she met two years ago on Twitter.

KENDRICK BREAKS GLOBAL STREAMING RECORD Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp A Butterfl y broke global streaming records on Spotify last week. It was streamed more than 9.6 million times on its first day of availability, setting a new record for most streams in a single day worldwide.

The previous record holder was Michael Bublé’s Christmas, which was streamed 9.5 million times on Christmas Eve 2014.

In Australia, To Pimp A Butterfl y entered at number one – the 375th album to enter at number one in this country.

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LATEST CERTIFICATIONS Australia is the only country where LunchMoney Lewis’ ‘Bills’ went number one, and the song has gone gold. Also certified gold is Olly Murs’ ‘Up’. Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’ is now six times platinum, while both Calvin Harris’ ‘Pray To God’ and Labrinth’s ‘Jealous’ picked up their first platinum certification.

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Lifelines Dating: reportedly, Taylor Swift and Scottish DJ Calvin Harris.

Expecting: NZ’s Brooke Fraser and husband Scott Ligertwood.

She earlier cancelled a ten-date NZ tour for April and May, blaming ‘scheduling conflicts’.

Married: Aussie singer Jason Short (The Ten Tenors, now pop/ opera group ARIA) and US TV host Paige Hemmis of Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family.

Ill: John Hedigan, a touring member of Something For Kate, is undergoing therapy for a brain tumour. SFK, Clare Bowditch and Darren Middleton are among those playing the Something For John fundraiser at the Corner in Melbourne on Saturday April 18.

Ill: Zayn Malik has left One Direction’s Asian tour due to “stress”.

In Court: 50 Cent is to stand trial for uploading a “revenge porn” sex tape of Rick Ross’ ex-girlfriend on YouTube in 2010.

In Court: two Perth men are on trial in the Supreme Court on charges of the “gay bashing” death of former Sydney DJ Warren Gerard Batchelor, 49, in November 2013. He died in hospital after being attacked in a public toilet in a park, allegedly hit with a metal pole and his head stomped on.

In Court: Stone Temple Pilots settled with former frontman Scott Weiland and can now use their name without adding “with Chester Bennington”.

Died: Mike Porcaro, bassist with Toto, 59, from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Died: US producer Thom Wilson, who produced The Offspring’s first three albums, as well as records by T.S.O.L., Bouncing Souls, Iggy Pop, Dead Kennedys, The Aquabats, D.I. and The Vandals.

Died: Andy Fraser, 62, bassist with Free, from cancer and AIDS. He was 15 when he co-founded Free in 1968 (he co-wrote ‘All Right Now’), before founding Sharks with Chris Spedding and his own band. He later wrote for Robert Palmer, Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart and was involved in Rock Against Trafficking.

Died: Michael Brown, keyboardist and songwriter with ’60s US band The Left Banke (‘Walk Away Renee’), 65, of heart failure.

Died: former Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero, 56, of heart failure.

HEMMES BUYS ANOTHER SYDNEY VENUE Sydney hotelier and nightclub operator Justin Hemmes has bought the iconic Newport Arms – a long-time showcase space for live music – for a reported $50 million. His company Merivale Group will take over in May. Merivale recently bought Coogee Pavilion, which also features live music.

‘THE CHART’ HITS RAGE ABC-TV show Rage has introduced The Chart, a top 20 countdown of the videos lighting up the ARIA singles chart. It will also predict future chart activity.

NEW FUNDING FOR BYRON FESTIVALS AND EVENTS Byron Shire Council has set up a new fund of $10,000 to help promoters of local and emerging festivals and events. Up to fi ve recipients a year will be selected. More info at byron.nsw.gov.au, application deadline is Friday April 17. thebrag.com

ALISON WONDERLAND RUN DEBUT ALBUM FEATURING THE SINGLES

I WANT U + U DON’T KNOW

OUT NOW

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“I’ve always made the decision to keep people I love and trust quite close to me and work with them. I want to grow creatively with people, because there’s no wall up when you creatively grow with someone.”

co-produced alongside US stylist Djemba Djemba. There are tracks featuring local acts Safia and Brave, and international curiosities Johnny Nelson, Ganz and Lido also join the party. Heck, it’s almost like a mixtape showcasing the hip new faces of electronic music. For Wonderland, however, the cool factor didn’t dictate who she worked with.

“They’re all people that I have a friendship with and creatively mesh with really well. It’s just serendipitous that they’re doing well now, because when we met we were all just doing our thing. I’ve always made the decision to keep people I love and trust quite close to me and work with them. I want to grow creatively with people, because there’s no wall up when you creatively grow with someone.”

Listeners familiar with Run’s latest single ‘U Don’t Know’ will realise a huge elephant has just entered the room. The track features vocals from none other than The Flaming Lips’ head weirdo Wayne Coyne.

Wonderland isn’t oblivious to this seeming incongruity, but she’s no less enthusiastic about Coyne’s presence.

“It’s fucking cool that he is on it,” she says, “because having someone who’s in a completely different genre is pretty crazy and I really believe in collaborations like that.

“I’m really bad at networking,” she adds. “I’m just too scared. If someone that I really love musically actually knows that I exist, it’s the coolest thing ever. But I don’t go out searching for it.”

Whenever an album boasts an extended cast of guests, doubts emerge regarding what’s gained by the manoeuvre. In the case of Run, opening the gates to collaboration worked to temper Wonderland’s hypercontrolling personality.

“I have really strong visions about things, and I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing,” she says. “Before I was doing all of this stuff, I was producing music under the name Whyte Fang and I was really sceptical about working with other people. I guess I was nervous or I didn’t know if what I had in my mind would be realised. But when you meet people you mesh with musically and vibe with friendship-wise, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I honestly feel that working with other people and co-producing helped me push myself a little bit more in terms of songwriting.”

Alison Wonderland RUNNING THE SHOW

By Augustus Welby

A

t Splendour In The Grass 2010, budding Sydney DJ Alison Wonderland could be found spinning tunes in one of the festival’s small, hazy dance tents. Not far away, in a considerably larger tent, LCD Soundsystem put on a festivalowning show, wrapping up what was supposed to be their final Australian tour. Wonderland – who also goes by the name Alexandra Scholler – witnessed the New York dancepunks in action, and the performance hasn’t faded from memory. “Oh my God, you have no idea,” she says.

“That was a religious experience for me.”

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“I had a dream that he invited me over to his house to DJ,” Wonderland says.

“In my dream I brought all my vinyls with me, but none of the right vinyls were in the right sleeves, so every song I was playing was the wrong song. It wasn’t flowing or making any sense and he kicked me out of his house because he said I played the worst DJ set he’s ever heard. It was traumatic.”

This hapless behaviour scarcely resembles Wonderland’s real-life path.

She began DJing under the Alison Wonderland moniker back in 2009, and after a filth-stricken period of graveyard shifts, gained countrywide recognition for her dancefloor adaptability. Then in 2014 came her long-awaited debut EP Calm Down, which spawned the triple j hits ‘I Want

U’ and ‘Cold’. One might attribute Calm Down’s breakaway success to beginner’s luck, but the five-track EP wasn’t Wonderland’s first foray into songwriting.

“I actually had an album written before I did the EP, which I scrapped,” she says. “I didn’t feel like it was right, and that’s probably the best thing I ever did. I learned a lot about songwriting just by trial and error, including making that other album.”

In the realm of party-oriented electronic music, full-length albums aren’t the preferred release format.

Rather, the contemporary norm involves dropping a single every six to 12 months, plus the odd collaboration, and backing it up with a hefty slog of touring. By contrast, Wonderland’s Run is the product of much effort and deliberation, and is designed to take listeners on a 43-minute journey. Yet in spite of bucking the prevalent trend, it wasn’t a romantic notion of artistic

purity that sparked the album-making process.

“I signed to a record label and that’s why I did an album,” Wonderland says.

“At the time I’d never thought about it.

But I was always that kid buying vinyls and CDs and listening to it in full, from start to finish. It’s definitely been the best thing I’ve ever done creatively.

You really grow from something like that. Without realising at the time, I think it was a real blessing.

“Before all of this I was a classical cellist, and I was playing in bands and I was trying to find my place,” she adds. “When I did the Calm Down EP, it was the first time I really felt comfortable with what I’d made. That gave me confidence to write for the album as well.”

By definition, Run is an Alison Wonderland solo release, but it wasn’t constructed in isolation. Rather, a large portion of the album was

“My manager and agent are part of a group called Falcona,” she says. “I was the first person they signed in 2009.

We’re all best friends so they kind of experimented on me; they wanted to try to manage someone, I wanted to try to do this. I have had a really amazing team around me. My label, weirdly enough, has never told me what to do or how to do it. It’s been a mixture between being really lucky and having quite a strong vision about what I want to do and how I want to do it.”

Thanks to these active ingredients, Run is now upon us. Following the album’s release, Wonderland will embark on her first major US tour, which includes a slot at Coachella. As for where she’ll be 12 months down the line, only time will tell.

“Who knows?” says Wonderland.

“This time last year I didn’t have an EP, I hadn’t done [the remix for] Diplo & Friends and no-one in America knew who I was. I didn’t have a booking agent or a label over there.

This time next year? I could be on Mars.”

What: Run out now through EMI/ Universal Where: Secret Location When: Saturday June 6

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xxx photo by xxx

From there, Wonderland’s DJing credentials went from strength to strength, but it took a few more years before she released any original music. These days, songwriting is her primary focus – Run, the debut Alison Wonderland LP, dropped last weekend – but thoughts about DJing haven’t

disappeared from her mind. Consider, for instance, this recent nightmare featuring LCD Soundsystem’s tastemaking leader James Murphy.

Speaking of prosperous partnerships, Wonderland is now signed to EMI, which inevitably extracts her from the independent underground. However, if it weren’t for the last five years of DIY determination, it’s unlikely she could’ve secured the major label deal.

Along the way, she’s had unflagging assistance from a tight-knit managerial team.

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Super Best Friends Anti-Social Media By Tom Valcanis “We didn’t really have the kind of weight thrown behind an album,” Barrington says. “That’s why it’s taken a bit longer. It’s called Status Updates because it’s about being vocal [about politics] on Facebook.

You find yourself doing that, walking away thinking, ‘God, I’m such a wanker, telling people what I think constantly.’ I thought it worked nicely with the cover: on a train while you’re zoning out with social media.”

The album touches on other themes too. Barrington points to a “macho culture that seems to ruin drinking for everyone”. Also in the crosshairs are attitudes towards women and pubs built for fashion, not fun.

The band aimed for a real social awareness, hoping it would rub off on punters.

As a punk hotbed, Canberra doesn’t often get a look in. Compared to Sydney or Melbourne, live venues are scarce. It hasn’t deterred Super Best Friends, says easygoing guitarist and vocalist Johnny Barrington.

“There’s a great punk scene here, especially with the younger bands.

Canberra was usually known as the

metal capital of Australia throughout the ’90s and 2000s. It always had a good punk undertone. I think The Church are from here, from way back,” he guesses. “But we’ve always been a bit scorned for being punks from Canberra. ‘How can you be punk if you come from Canberra?

All your parents have well-paying jobs and everyone’s so clean-cut.’

Well, that’s the perfect breeding ground for punk rock music. Middleclass white angst at its finest,” he laughs.

There’s more than a grain of sense in raising punk hell in our national capital. If the punks scream, the pollies just might listen.

“The people who grew up with Nirvana and ABC Radio and even the Sex Pistols are entering Parliament now,” Barrington says.

“They might be more open to listening to punk rock. They might not care what some stupid band is saying on the weekends, but it might get through. You never know. We don’t protest or picket anything, but we just talk about what we think’s a bit sucky. It’s still democracy, isn’t it?”

Talking about what’s “sucky” is the heart beating through Status Updates. Despite the Besties having been around since 2004, their debut has been stuck in purgatory.

To record the album, the Besties stripped their sound down to just guitars, drums and vocals – and lots of them. The keys and synths are all but gone. “We had this phase of getting over punk and thinking ‘Patton is God’, listening to Mr. Bungle, so everything had to be freaky. Over the last few years, we just wanted to make it a bit simpler.

It’s allowed the music to get a lot more straight ahead, but it’s [also]

Shihad’s Tom Larkin served as producer for the album. It’s no surprise he added a pinch of transTasman rivalry into the mix. “He’s a great dude to work with, even though there was that light jabbing between the Kiwis and the Aussies,” Barrington says. “Especially when we recorded ‘Out Tonight’. I’ve got a really kinda ’Strayan accent. As much as I try to enunciate, I just can’t get rid of that,” he laughs. “I couldn’t get that ‘night’ nice and soft. I kept on going ‘noight’. It’s a struggle to be this Aussie sometimes.”

One of Super Best Friends’ drawcards is their video for ‘Round And Round’, released back in 2013.

It features then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott, Christine Milne and even Clive Palmer. You can even see Nick Xenophon standing on his desk playing bass. But can he actually play? “I think we tried to mask it as much as possible,” Barrington laughs. “But he can do a pretty mean downstroke on the E string, though. Our former bass player Matt Roberts put it together.

It’s an amazing piece of work. We got lucky. But as for Nick, maybe he’ll show up in Adelaide and we can see for ourselves!”

Indeed, when Super Best Friends wind around Australia throughout April, they might give local members pause to listen. Weirder things have happened.

What: Status Updates out now through Gun Fever With: Foam, Pat Chow, Rick Dangerous and The Silkie Bantams, Bandintexas Where: Oxford Art Factory When: Thursday April 9

Lucy Wise Universal Poetry By Adam Norris wouldn’t it? Voodoo notwithstanding, Wise is a natural storyteller, infusing songs with a sense of place so strong you can almost feel the dusty earth crunch beneath your feet as she sings. Little wonder for an artist whose musical odyssey began so early.

“Both our parents wrote music and Dad is an instrument maker, so we grew up with a lot of instruments around the house. From an early age we were performing and being exposed to all these different kinds of performers and instruments at festivals like Port Fairy, Woodford, the National. It made music seem like it wasn’t an irresponsible thing to do.

“A lot of parents would encourage you to go off and learn science or something,” Wise laughs, “but we were encouraged to do whatever we wanted.”

While music remains her full-time passion, somewhere between the demands of touring, writing and recording Wise was also able to sneak in an entire arts degree. Her studies in anthropology are perhaps unsurprising given the context of her creative life; unravelling the lives of strangers, bringing to life locations and words scattered across the sweep of Australia.

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ow, nobody is saying that the Wise children are robots. I mean, it would be ridiculous to suspect that Lucy Wise, middle child of the outlandishly talented family 12 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

troupe, is actually an automaton assembled from cast-off pieces of various instruments and sheet music, held together by folk magic passed down from generation to generation…

“Anthropology helped me develop great skills for thinking reflectively. You really start valuing diversity and understanding that we all think differently. Asking questions of why people do the things they do. That curiosity has really fuelled my songwriting. I’m always keeping a record of things that stand out to me in everyday life. I have a journal, and even if it’s just listing things like conversations I’ve heard, places we’ll visit on tour, I’ll get a sense of someone’s story and try to tell it. Once I have some clear ideas of key images, I’ll start adding musical ideas. Then music and words start to merge. But I do think songwriting and anthropology flow into each other very naturally.”

Most recently, Wise embarked on a rather unique approach to composition, expanding on many of the narrative techniques she has spent these many years developing. A Painting Of The Universe is an EP fuelled by the writing of Australia’s young poets. Sifting through 100 submissions, fi ve poems eventually emerged as inspiration.

“I don’t think there was a set criteria in mind,” she recalls. “It ended up being the fi ve poets who could really clearly paint a picture and tell a story that felt heartfelt and genuine, not presumptuous in any way. Just very… honest. From there I got a piece of paper and drew a curve that would suggest what the story was to us. So pictorially we tried to represent the story, and also to suggest a musical shape. It was like drawing a narrative.

“Then I went away and wrote. Sometimes I lifted exact phrases out of the poems, because they were just perfect as they were.

Sometimes I felt that in order to feel really true, I put myself in that poet or character’s shoes and communicated it the way I would have as a child. If I can really situate myself in the place of the story, I think it helps people connect and also refl ect on their own special places. It allows them to access these stories and ideas, and maybe relate them back to their own experiences.”

Who: Lucy Wise Trio What: National Folk Festival 2015 With: David Francey, Heartstring Quartet, Baka Beyond, All Our Exes Live In Texas and many more Where: Exhibition Park, Canberra When: Thursday April 2 – Monday April 6 More: A Painting Of The Universe out now independently

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C

anberra’s own political punk rockers Super Best Friends are finally launching their debut album. Entitled Status Updates, it’s a heavy attack on politicians – and the people who voted them in.

“The band’s been writing political music for a long time,” Barrington says. “We kind of went through that Camelot phase in Australia where people weren’t so worried about things. I even got caught up in the whole excitement of the Kevin ’07 era and how things are gonna change. But no, we’ve gone back in time. Now two years into the current government, it’s clear where you can point your frustrations. I don’t expect this to go gold or anything [but] I think people will be more receptive to an aggressive, political album than they may have been five, six, seven years ago. We even have a song called ‘Moving Backwards’ and it’s a play on the whole ‘moving forward’ thing. It’s a light jab at the public, actually.”

gotten more heavy and guitar-driven.

It’s closer to the bands we grew up with, like Frenzal Rhomb and watching bands on Recovery when I was 13.”

Mastodon Using The Force By Peter Hodgson

M

astodon are pretty frequent visitors to Australia, with their 2014 Soundwave appearances and sideshows attaining particularly legendary status among fans. But for all the Antipodean love from the Atlanta, Georgia four-piece, they’ve never actually toured Australia as headliners. That’s about to change with a short run of three headlining shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in support of their latest critically acclaimed album, Once More ’Round The Sun. “It’s pretty far for us, but we thoroughly enjoy coming to Australia and I’m not just saying that because you come from there,” says guitarist Bill Kelliher. “If I could live anywhere else in the world it would be there, and I tell people who’ve never been there that they need to go. It’s like a really, really nice USA,” he laughs.

“Nice people, good food and good times.”

Mastodon are particularly psyched about the opportunity to stretch out with a headlining set. After all, even when they were top of the bill on their Sidewaves last year, it wasn’t quite the same.

“Soundwave and Big Day Out are great, but when we do those sideshows they’re not quite the same as doing a whole headlining tour,” Kelliher says. “To me it’s weird, because Australia is the size of the US but to go over there and do a headlining tour is like three gigs, whereas we can play the States for a full year and still not hit every state, playing every second night. I don’t know why we’re only doing three gigs. We should do ten! I know some other bands have been over there and hit all the major cities and secondary

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markets, but I don’t know. I think the people who book our band just try to get the biggest shows, but why not hit some of the smaller cities? But I don’t make the rules!”

Indeed, Kelliher isn’t averse to playing some more underground shows Down Under.

“Yeah!” he agrees. “Go play at the Whole Lotta Love bar in Melbourne or something like that. I played there with my other band, Primate, last year. Good stuff. We actually just played a 200-capacity venue here in Atlanta last week right before we went to Mexico. It was for a benefi t, kinda like a secret show that we announced a couple of days before the actual gig and sold out in about 30 minutes. And it was fun! It was defi nitely taking it back to the old-school vibe. We used to play back there when we first started and even back then – ten, 12 years ago – we used to sell it out. It was a hot, sweaty, fun thing to do, for sure.”

On Mastodon’s Australian tour, Kelliher will be bringing a handful of his signature Gibson Halcyon Les Paul guitars with him. The guitars feature a golden sunburst fi nish and his own Lace Music electronics. He also has a limited edition ‘Golden Axe’ model based on the pointy ‘Explorer’ shape, long hailed as an icon of heavy music – but those buggers are too big to bring to Australia on this run.

“I’m just going to bring three or four Les Pauls over there,” he says. “It’s a nightmare with freight stinging you for every little last thing. And the Explorer is such a big, oddly shaped guitar that it doesn’t fi t into the standard three-guitar case we bring outside the country. It just doesn’t fi t there, so I have to

bring all Les Pauls. And there are certainly worse problems to have in life, but unfortunately that’s all we can bring over there.”

Outside playing the guitar, Kelliher is a huge Star Wars fan, and it seems a shame to have him on the phone and not ask about his enduring love of the original fi lms.

“I’m covered in Star Wars tattoos,” he begins. “Bounty hunters, Princess Leia, a Stormtrooper, a Death Star with Grand Moff Tarkin inside of it. I just love all the imagery of it. It’s great. That’s why I collect all the toys, ships, posters – the artwork and just the way it looks is amazing. So futuristic, and all the characters are so well done and interesting. They make for good tattoos, that’s for sure!

So Bill, what do you think about

the forthcoming Episode VII – The Force Awakens? “Hopefully [director] J.J. Abrams will make up for all the shit that George Lucas fucked up during the prequels,” he says. “They were terrible!

There was no story there. It was so confusing. What the hell was going on, y’know? I don’t know how any eight- or nine-year-old would be able to tell what the Trade Federation is or what fucking Watto is. It’s terrible! So I think hopefully J.J. Abrams will bring it back into perspective.

“Star Wars was a very simple movie, y’know? You could tell the blockade runner was being chased by a giant ship and it was probably the good guy being chased by the bad guy. Like, ‘They’re building a space station, the good guys have stolen the secret plans – let’s fi nd those droids. Hey, this is the old

wise man. Let’s rescue a princess.’

How simple is that? And every boy of my generation would be like, ‘That’s what I want to do! Fly the spaceship, use the blaster and rescue the princess.’ Very, very simple.

“But then George Lucas makes the prequel movies and they shove so much CGI down your throat. The original movies took time and artistry. And hopefully J.J. Abrams will keep it old-school.

He made Star Trek – a show that I fucking despised – he made that interesting. So I hope with Star Wars he’ll do the same.”

What: Once More ’Round The Sun out now through Reprise/Warner Where: Big Top, Luna Park When: Saturday March 28

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Boz Scaggs A Fool’s Errand By Augustus Welby the classics. Despite being a commonly adopted format, the results frequently sound limp and incidental. However, the likes of Neil Young and Bob Dylan have used this ploy to their advantage, treading through the past in order to accentuate aspects of their own artistic signature. For Scaggs, this was precisely the point.

A

t 70 years old, Boz Scaggs recently commenced his sixth decade as a recording artist.

Aside from featuring on a couple of Steve Miller Band records in the late ’60s, Scaggs has devoted the majority of his career to the art and practice of songwriting. His solo discography is 18 albums long, running the gamut from roots rock and blue-eyed soul to MOR pop and slick modern blues.

With 2003’s But Beautiful and 2008’s Speak Low, Scaggs stepped away from songwriting to try his hand at a selection of jazz standards. Featuring several pre’50s favourites such as ‘What’s New’ and ‘How Long Has This Been Going On?’, Scaggs describes the back-to-back records as “the hardest I’ve ever made as a singer”.

After satisfying this challenge, he

set about explicitly demonstrating his greatest influences. This pursuit is responsible for 2013’s Memphis and Scaggs’ new LP A Fool To Care.

“In some ways I think of these records as two parts of a trilogy,” he says. “I’ve been working with Steve Jordan, and he and I are like archaeologists going through a body of work. We have similar interests in the backgrounds of the music that we both love – it all stems from the music that came out of the South, and out of New Orleans specifically. So it includes the blues, rhythm and blues with some gospel tones, and some jazzy tones.”

Like Memphis, A Fool To Care was recorded in the state of Tennessee, which is no mere coincidence.

Given the specificity of their chosen homage, Scaggs and his producer Jordan were fairly picky about the recording location.

“When we started to talking about recording the Memphis album, we said, ‘Where is the best place to go to get the feeling and the sound we’re looking for?’ We both agreed it was a studio in Memphis called Royal Studios. After working in that studio, we felt we’d found the sound.

[For A Fool To Care] the natural extension was to find a studio that was sonically a little more sophisticated. We chose Nashville for the environment and particularly Blackbird Studio, which ranks among the top three or four studios in the world in terms of their gear.”

For years, mature-age artists have been trying their luck with

“All of the American music that I have come to love, including rock’n’roll and rockabilly and all the rest, Mr. Jordan and I have been exploring that and trying to find the essential elements,” he says.

“It’s where we built our musical knowledge. It’s their grooves, their rhythms, all the bits and pieces of things that made us who we are as individuals and musicians. So we’re just exploring that, and in the course of exploring we’re having a lot of fun. We’re getting to do something that is really important and meaningful for us, but we think we’re doing something quite unique.

“It’s all just experiments and exploration as musicians,” he adds. “At this point in my life I do what I want to do and I enjoy every aspect of what I do. It’s fun, yes; it’s a challenge, by all means; but I’m doing exactly what I want to do.

This is where I live in my musical mind.”

Let’s make it clear: there’s no guarantee that someone’s undying affection for a song sets them up to produce a worthwhile reinterpretation, even if they are an accomplished artist. Scaggs is no mug, however, and knows when to exercise restraint.

“Any song we can’t entirely grasp with our own approach should

be left alone,” he says. “We fi nd, in the course of making demos, some things that we really can’t get enough of our interpretation into. But once it becomes ours and we continue to love it after exploring, then we put it onto the shortlist to record.

“As a singer, I’ve listened to thousands of singers in my life, and from each one I take or reject a little bit that I add to my own style. Some of my favourite singers, for example Ray Charles or Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, I cannot do their material because I don’t have the voice for it. But there are two songs on this record by Curtis Mayfield, who’s also a hero of mine, and I can work with his material.”

It’s always reassuring to see recognised musicians fi ll with awe when speaking about their favourite music. It signifi es that a lifetime of hard labour in the music biz hasn’t extinguished the emotional connection that lured them into this realm. Still, while Scaggs acknowledges the debts owed to his forebears, he isn’t resigned to feelings of inferiority.

“We’re all playing to our peers,” he says. “I’m very conscious of their sensibilities when I work and I’m proud of what I do and I’m proud of what I bring to the music. I would love for Curtis Mayfi eld or Bobby Bland or Ray Charles to hear what I’ve done, because I think they would probably recognise something of themselves, if I could take a little bit of pride [in] my own work.”

What: A Fool To Care out Friday March 27 through 429/Universal

Bonjah Light The Fire By Augustus Welby

I

t’s been nine years since the members of Bonjah left New Zealand’s North Island and set up camp in Melbourne. On account of this, it’s now plainly inaccurate to refer to them as a Kiwi band.

During their time in Oz, Bonjah have released three LPs, toured the country a zillion times and accrued a loyal fan base to boot. Over the years, Sydney is somewhere Bonjah have come to know quite well. In celebration of the brand new single ‘Burn’, the four-piece will head back here for a Good Friday gig at Newtown Social Club.

“We played there last year and it’s great. I love that venue,” says bassist David Morgan. “We’ve always felt there’s been a good support base in Sydney over the years. It’s always great to turn up somewhere and have a decent amount of people come into a room that obviously really like your band, because they’re singing along to the words and getting right into it. That’s what keeps us going back out on the road.”

“We had a couple of ideas floating around for songs, then Moz [Glenn Mossop, vocals/guitar] showed us ‘Burn’,” says Morgan. “We were like, ‘Let’s just go in the studio and record it.’ We liked the idea of jumping in the studio as much as we can.”

Much like Beautiful Wild, ‘Burn’ was recorded with Melbourne producer Jan Skubiszewski, also known as 14 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

“We really like working with Jan,” Morgan says. “He’s a great producer, a great engineer and also a great musician. It really clicked when we worked on Beautiful Wild together.

We thoroughly enjoyed it, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, so it was a natural decision to say, ‘Let’s jump in with Jan again.’”

Producers can be helpful in stacks of ways, whether it be getting the right sounds, extracting optimum performances or encouraging musicians to try new and unexpected things. As Bonjah’s working relationship with Skubiszewski continues to strengthen, the recorded output benefits accordingly.

“It helps being comfortable working with one another,” Morgan says.

“We’ll definitely look to work with Jan whenever we can. It’s a great thing to be able to work with an outsider that brings something to the table that everyone really appreciates, and it does the push the boundaries and brings a new angle for how to approach the music.”

Of course, producers aren’t infallible wielders of advice and technical know-how. Morgan points out that Bonjah don’t meekly submit to Skubiszewski’s every wish.

“There has definitely been times where we’ve gone, ‘Maybe this isn’t the right vibe,’” he says. “It’s just part of working together and having that good working relationship where you trust each other enough to listen to any constructive feedback

and not get angry about it. With some producers you might feel uncomfortable saying, ‘I don’t think that’s the right direction,’ but Jan makes you feel like that should be said, rather than not be said.”

years in between drinks from that album and [2011’s Go Go Chaos].

We don’t really want to leave it that long until the next one, so we want to just get creative again and see if we can put another record together.”

The ‘Burn’ tour is additionally significant as these will be Bonjah’s only Australian headline shows of 2015. This seems awfully out of character for a band that has habitually jumped on the road at any given opportunity. Once the tour concludes, Bonjah will head to Canada, but it’s not the overseas commitments keeping them away from local stages for the rest of the year. Rather, the studio beckons again.

Around the release of Beautiful Wild, Bonjah spoke to the BRAG about how they’d finally found their sound with that record. A realisation such as this is somewhat dangerous, because it could encourage an imitation of the previously successful mode. Entering their next record, Bonjah are wary of this trap. “We don’t want to really just repeat what we’ve done,” Morgan says. “That’s another driver that’s making us think we should spend more time in the studio and spend more time being a bit more creative and seeing what comes out.”

“We’re just going to knuckle down and work on a record really,” Morgan says. “We released Beautiful Wild last year, but there was a couple of

As for ‘Burn’, it harnesses the rockier, groovier and more impactful

sound introduced on Beautiful Wild.

However, it’s not necessarily a presage of what’s to come.

“The vibe and the direction we headed for with Beautiful Wild was definitely something we really enjoyed and we felt more comfortable doing. But who knows what the future’s going to bring?

Maybe we could look at getting out of our comfort zone and trying something completely fresh and new. It’s quite exciting to think there’s a blank canvas there and we can do whatever we want from now on.”

What: Beautiful Wild out now through Inertia With: Hein Cooper Where: Newtown Social Club When: Friday April 3

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Following the April 2014 release of their third LP Beautiful Wild, Bonjah spent a hefty portion of the year touring to all parts of the country.

Despite such a loaded schedule, the spirit of fun that reared its head on that record wouldn’t keep quiet. This led to the somewhat unexpected birth of ‘Burn’.

Way Of The Eagle. After developing a creatively stimulating partnership with him during the Beautiful Wild sessions, Skubiszewski was the obvious man to call on for help with the new tune.

National Folk Festival 2-6 APRIL, 2015 | EXHIBITION PARK, CANBERRA

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The Waterboys Revisiting The Blues By Adam Norris

M

ike Scott seems like a friendly guy. However, I have never encountered a more spartan speaker; had I not known any better I would have believed this was a man entirely ill-at-ease with words, someone to whom language is more a practical tool than an imaginative one. In Scott’s defence, this turns out to be his 90th interview for The Waterboys’ new album Modern Blues; finding a fresh question was never going to be easy.

“I like writing where I’m at peace,” he considers. “I’m not a great person for writing on the road. If I rented a cottage in the west of Ireland I could write, and of course I’ve done that already in my life. But these days I prefer just to be at home and have some time to myself. I’m moving too fast on the road to write. Some people can, but it doesn’t really appeal to me.”

In 1988, The Waterboys’ seminal fourth album Fisherman’s Blues was released to great and enduring acclaim. Jump forward a quartercentury and we find ourselves with the equally engaging Modern Blues.

While Scott has spoken in the past of Fisherman’s Blues being borne of his love of Irish culture and music, delving into the inspirations for this new album proves somewhat more elusive.

“It’s influenced more by American music.”

His discussion of lead single, the splendid ‘November Tale’, is equally direct.

“I thought it was important that it was a different sound to the usual Waterboys, so when people hear it they’ll know that something different has happened.”

It is something that every musician must contend with, the decision of how their sound will develop over the years. Scott’s own material has certainly developed new dimensions as his voice and talent have matured, though he himself fi nds this of little fascination.

“All of my songs do that,” he says simply.

But is this evolution a product of refi nement through performance, or a more organic process that happens through the passage of time?

“It’s partly that, but it’s also just going into myself as a singer,” says Scott.

Given his appreciation of solitude when it comes to writing, it seems fi tting that Scott is drawn to such introspection. His lyrics, littered with literary allusions and fi gures from popular culture, suggest a man who thinks very deeply about the motivations and implications behind his words. A standout from Modern Blues, ‘I Can See Elvis’, is such a song, detailing the King in rock’n’roll heaven, hanging with Hendrix, Charlie Parker, Plato and a host of others. Scott’s own idealised afterlife, though, is clearly that of the bibliophile.

“I would meet C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. Peter Caddy, who founded the Findhorn community. Dion Fortune, who was a mystical British writer. I’d meet all of them.”

Never having heard of Fortune, I am intrigued to what extent he has influenced Scott’s writing or philosophy, but again the singer is reluctant to explain in any detail.

“Fortune had a lot of books published.”

The suggestion here, perhaps, is

that the ability to maintain a high creative output is the real endeavour, to produce as much art as possible in whatever time we are given. With this in mind, asking Scott about what inspires him to write seems promising, but once again his reply is short.

“I’m instinctive. If something feels right, that’s good.”

Mike Scott remains an enigmatic (though affable) man – but it seems after 25 years, he’s happy to let the music do the talking.

What: Bluesfest 2015 With: Zac Brown Band, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Alabama Shakes, Train and many more Where: Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm When: Thursday April 2 – Monday April 6 And: Also appearing at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on Thursday April 2 More: Modern Blues out now through Harlequin And Clown/ Kobalt

Counting Crows Some Kind Of Wonder By Adam Norris day, and that’s an ever-changing thing. My feeling has always been to just let them change. You need to sing a song as though it was happening right now for the first time, and that way it doesn’t get boring for the band either.”

Beyond record sales, Counting Crows have amassed a tremendous live following, thanks primarily to the energy and spontaneity they bring to gigs. It is one of the testaments of a band’s true endurance, and for Duritz the allure of the stage remains as enticing as ever. This is most clearly evidenced when discussing the epic 2009 tour dubbed The Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus & Medicine Show, which also featured Michael Franti and Augustana.

Rather than split up each act, it was a series of shows that saw each band perform together for the duration of the gig.

S

ure, we all know that song. It helped catapult an emergent Counting Crows to the big league, and has become a staple of seemingly every karaoke joint on the planet. But over the course of seven successful albums, they remain most decidedly a band that refuses to be defined by the catalyst of ‘Mr. Jones’. In fact, as singer Adam Duritz recounts, each song from their catalogue tends to evolve over time, changing shape and implication as the days roll by. It is almost as though his writing has a life of its own.

16 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

Released at the close of 2014, Counting Crows’ latest album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, is already proving to be a strong fan favourite, and contains some of the finest material Duritz has yet composed. ‘God Of Ocean Tides’ is a particular standout, and is a song the singer suspects is “one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever crafted”.

“I think having a good atmosphere when I’m writing is important,” he says from his home in New York.

“But that said, I’ve written in

hundreds of different locations. This record was written at home, but some parts of it were composed off the top of my head just walking down the street or riding the subway, falling asleep at night. I think each [song] is a story. There are a set of emotions or feelings that are stuck inside there, but the story itself can be spread in a lot of different ways, and that’s often depending on how you feel that day.

I mean, for one thing, I don’t remember how I felt the day I recorded each song, so they’re usually based on how I feel each

“That was really the most fun I’ve ever had onstage, and I think was completely groundbreaking,” Duritz says. “I don’t think anyone has ever done a concert like that. They were four hours long every night, where we were completely integrated into each other’s bands. It was like a wild weave of music that stretched on for hours. But at the time, our managers really didn’t want us to [do it], our agents weren’t happy with it. There was a lot of sabotage of the tour that went on, especially in terms of ticket sales. We don’t work with those people any more. It didn’t do well in terms of ticket sales, because nobody knew it was happening.

“We were doing a lot of tours in the years before that, these enormous co-headline tours that had made us an enormous amount of money. But I felt like the fans were kind of getting ripped off, only seeing five minutes of the band they liked. There were just so many different bands there, and if you only liked one or two, well, you’re paying a lot of money for not a lot of music. I felt like it was shitty, so I wanted to do a concert where bands

played together, but you also got the bands you liked the whole night. I was doing up to 40 songs a night during that Traveling Circus. We’d [start] at seven and play until 11, and I’d be onstage the entire time. I thought that was the greatest thing I’d ever done.

But [management] didn’t get the word out about it. People would be showing up thinking that the band they really wanted to see weren’t going to be on until eight or nine o’clock, so they missed whole hours of the concert, and I think a lot of people got really bummed out about that.”

Though many years have since passed, the bitterness of not having those shows realise their potential remains a sore point for Duritz. They do indeed sound like exceptional events, with so much talent on display in so fresh a format. Yet the chances of ever seeing a similar endeavour restaged are slim.

“It would be hard to get anyone to allow us to play the Traveling Circus again here. They did such a good job of torpedoing those shows. It was such a mess, but I guess it might be good in a way because we got rid of those people. But I wish it had gone differently, because it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done and I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance again. We even had a hip hop act. It was different, it was fun. I fucking loved it; I’ve never had so much fun at a concert. It could have been huge.”

What: Bluesfest 2015 With: Zac Brown Band, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Alabama Shakes, Train and many more Where: Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm When: Thursday April 2 – Monday April 6 And: Also appearing at the State Theatre on Thursday April 9 and Friday April 10 More: Somewhere Under Wonderland out now through EMI/ Universal

thebrag.com

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

arts in focus

endgame

Hugo Weaving photo by ???

the act of the absurd

also inside:

R E D L A N D S A R T P R I Z E / J U M P Y / A R T S N E W S / A R T S G I V E AWAY / R E V I E W S thebrag.com

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 17

arts in focus

free stuff head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

arts news...what's goin' on around town... with Chris Martin, Ayla Dhyani and Meggan Turner

five minutes WITH ALEXIE

A

Imprecise Science?

Our first exhibition for 2015 brings together 13 artists, none of whom have previously shown work at Artspace. An Imprecise Science is a cross-generational, international group show that proposes that any approach is an imperfect act, experiment or speculation. Works deal with frailty and collapse, but also with resilience and forms of material, physical and psychic ascendance. A central tenant of An Imprecise Science is that of endurance, and in that vein we are very excited to be showing Ragnar Kjartansson’s A Lot Of Sorrow, a video installation work he made with The National, filming them singing the same refrain over and over for six hours and documenting their physical and emotional stamina. The exhibition features work across installation, video, performance, sculpture, painting,

sound and word, and adopting the spirit of its artworks spreads into the rest of the Gunnery building to inhabit the various spaces through which visitors pass.

LA’s Eve Fowler will also activate the new Ideas Platform space – what should visitors expect?

Eve is in residence in the Artspace studios for a month and will be the first artist to occupy our new project space, the Ideas Platform, with her signature text-based work. During her time at Artspace, Eve will also give a public talk about Artist Curated Projects, an initiative she runs with fellow artist and friend Lucas Michael.

What: An Imprecise Science Where: Artspace When: Sunday March 29 – Sunday May 17

Pyrmont Festival

The Theory Of Everything

SYDNEY OPEN-AIR CINEMA The outdoor cinema has undergone a resurgence of late, harking back to the good old days of the drive-in – except Sydney’s open-air cinemas have thus far been more or less exclusive to the CBD and surrounds. But not anymore. Up north, the Sydney OpenAir Cinema is getting ready for its launch on Wednesday April 1, taking up residence at the historic Heritage Park in Castle Hill. With a season running until Sunday April 19, there’s plenty to choose from on the program, including blockbusters like The Theory Of Everything, Kingsman: The Secret Service and Fifty Shades Of Grey alongside the odd classic like Dirty Dancing. The set-up also includes a fully licensed bar, candy bar, a top-notch street food stall and choc tops by the team at Gelato Messina.

So you can enjoy the cinema in style, we’ve got a double pass to give away to the Messina Gold Reserve for a film of your choice. To be in the running, head to thebrag.com/freeshit.

PYRMONT FESTIVAL

The annual Pyrmont Festival will return in 2015 to celebrate the best of not only the harbourside suburb but also the famous Mudgee region of New South Wales. Over ten days this May, the fifth edition of Pyrmont Festival will introduce the best in Mudgee wine to Sydneysiders, with showcases by Burrundulla Wines, Robert Stein Vineyard, Lowe Wines and Huntington Estate. The vino will be matched by local cuisine from Blue Eye Dragon, Café Morso, Flying Fish and the new LuMi Bar & Dining.

The festival’s centrepiece will be the free two-day event at Pirrama Park on Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, where visitors of all ages can enjoy live music, local art, rides and children’s entertainment alongside 100 stalls by winemakers and food outlets.

The festival runs from Friday May 15 – Sunday May 24.

Idle Lies

IDLE LIES

A 148-year-old pub is the setting for Sydney’s latest piece of immersive theatre this week. Idle Lies is its name, and it’s taken over the Loft Lounge at Glebe’s Nag’s Head Hotel.

Curated by the local collective Doll pARTS, Idle Lies is site-specific physical theatre encompassing drama, live music and more. It continues until Sunday March 29.

philosophical bogan Matty B finishes his set.

The show will be opened by four upcoming comedians: Brock Henry, David McNevin, Trudi Ross and Peter Meisel. The night will also include dinner deals and a $5 beer special. Check out The Laugh Stand Gala on Tuesday March 31.

CONFLICT IN CONVERSATION

As part of ANZAC Centenary commemorations at Liverpool City Council, the Western Sydney arts institution Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre has announced two new programs that are kicking off in the near future. No Man’s Land, taking place on Saturday March 28, will feature a conversation between artist George Gittoes and former SAS soldier and author Paul Jordan about modern warfare, conflict and art. Meanwhile, Home Front: Welfare And Wellbeing Of Military Families on Saturday May 2 will be led by keynote speaker Linda Hurley, who will talk from the perspective of a working woman and military spouse.

THE LAUGH STAND GALA

The Harold Park Hotel is set to light up with another of its regular comedy gala nights next week. Chris Wainhouse and Matty B will headline an evening featuring six comedians in total, all MCed by journalist and author of seven books, David Smiedt, whom Adam Hills called a “living, breathing joke machine”. Wainhouse, a previous state winner of Raw Comedy, will bring his ravely reviewed witticisms to bear, right after the 18 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

Sydney Film Festival Hot Shoe Shuffle

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL HEY HEY, IT’S HOT SHOE SHUFFLE

Australia’s much-loved television and entertainment star Daryl Somers will return to the spotlight for an all-new production of theatre favourite Hot Shoe Shuffle. The all-singing, alldancing production is set to mark a hit debut for South West Sydney’s newest independent theatre group, Birdie Productions, with a solid Australian cast including Luke Alleva, Jay Johns, Sezgin Aygun, Samuel Boesen, Pauly Maybury, Jonathan Nash-Daly and Louis Vinciguerra. The show will play at the Bryan Brown Theatre from Friday April 24 – Saturday May 2.

The Sydney Film Festival will return for its 62nd edition this June. Sydney’s season of cinema will feature around 200 films from over 50 countries, with festival screenings taking place at the State Theatre, Dendy Opera Quays, the Art Gallery of NSW, Event Cinemas George Street, the Festival Hub at Sydney Town Hall and the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne. Some soon-to-be-announced new venues will take the number of screenings up to 280 across Sydney and its surrounding suburbs. Festival director Nashen Moodley revealed in a statement that a sneak preview of the 2015 program will arrive in April and the full program will be announced in May. The 2015 Sydney Film Festival will run from Wednesday June 3 – Sunday June 14.

FLOWERS FROM A SERVO

Australian artist Nigel Sense will be displaying his art at Flinders Street Gallery this April.

Flowers From A Servo is an explosion of colour, sarcasm and flowers as painted from the male perspective. Returning from a sold-out exhibition in Perth, the series features paintings of flowers purchased from local suburban petrol stations – the kind of flowers that are bought

as a last-minute, lazy attempt at an apology; the ones that don’t last more than a couple of days if you’re lucky. Painted as a tribute to his recently deceased mother and drawing inspiration from his heroes, Warhol, Van Gogh and Howard Arkley, Sense’s exhibition is bright and wonderful. Flowers From A Servo will be on show from Wednesday April 15 – Thursday April 30. thebrag.com

xxx

Eve Fowler’s A Spectacle And Nothing Strange, 2011 new-look Artspace is about to launch for 2015. What inspired the redesign?

For the first time since moving to the Gunnery building in 1992, we have undertaken significant work to update the entrance and ground floor spaces of Artspace.

In a pioneering partnership between Arts NSW and the NSW Government Architect, Artspace were matched with Dunn &

Hillam Architects to collaborate on refreshing our landmark building. This revision has seen our foyer and entrance completely overhauled to bring new light and energy into the Gunnery building.

What role does Artspace aim to play in the local artistic community?

Artspace is really fortunate in that we’ve been a part of a burgeoning cultural network, the East Sydney precinct, that has emerged over the last few years. The recent influx of creative currency into the Eastern Suburbs of Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst and Potts Point has enabled the growth of reciprocity between institutions and a critical mass of respected and like-minded spaces in the area.

What can you tell us about the new group exhibition, An

GLASS-KANTOR FROM ARTSPACE

Endgame [THEATRE] Beckett Revisited By Adam Norris

F

ew writers can hope to match the challenging respect shown to Nobel laureate Samuel Beckett. A titan of 20th century literature, his estate holds an infamously iron fist over productions, insisting that no reimagining or deviation from his scripts be in any way permitted. In one sense it would seem to strike the plays with a certain rigidity, yet such is the darkly absurd pleasure of Beckett’s writing that there is a unique opportunity for performers to leave their own mark on some of theatre’s strangest characters.

Called in at the 11th hour to replace Robert Menzies as Clov in Beckett’s Endgame, where he’ll play alongside Hugo Weaving, Tom Budge has found himself hitting the boards running.

Endgame photo by Lisa Tomasetti

“I found out about 12 hours before the first read-through that I’d be playing the role, so I jumped on a plane and went straight to the STC,” Budge laughs. “So for me it was just the chaos of a job that came from nowhere. But luckily the train hadn’t already started rolling along and I was running alongside to jump on something that was already established. I’d already met with Andrew [Upton, director] about a year ago about possibly playing the role. There was talk at that time of there basically being a giant ladder going to the top of the Sydney Theatre, and he was saying, ‘Look, if you’re really scared of heights, maybe

this isn’t right for you.’ So I was a little freaked out by that, but I thought no more about it until that phone call the day before rehearsal. I mean, I only read the play properly on the plane going over!”

Endgame exists as one of the hallmark pieces in the Theatre of the Absurd. While none of the character’s lives are at all enviable – trapped as they are in a claustrophobic, apocalyptic world reduced to a sort of looping insanity – it nevertheless retains its societal relevance over half a century since its premiere. “[Endgame] constantly talks about how there is no more nature, how outside is death,” says Budge. “It’s obviously very relevant to our greatest fears of climate change, but then again there’s the constant question in this play whether any of it is true. Whether outside really is death, and that’s the big question – whether to completely believe everything you’ve been told and risk walking outside to find out. That’s certainly true of some prominent climate change naysayers out there. I mean, the play doesn’t have a tone of hope, really, but you look at politics today and it’s more a matter of, ‘Just don’t think about it, everything’s fine, let’s all keep trucking along.’”

Despite the Beckett estate’s dictum that the play remain unaltered, Budge (whose name

Brenna Harding and Jane Turner in Jumpy

Tom Budge and Hugo Weaving in rehearsals for Endgame seems wonderfully providential in context) has found that within the close confines of the text there remains a wealth of inspiration and creativity.

“Beckett is pretty amazing, it’s all there in the script. Andrew has amazing ideas and will try all sorts of things, but he also feels like something of a caretaker. The whole thing is so carefully written, every stage direction, every pause. The characters turn on a dime. It’s initially quite confronting, and you feel like you’re dribbling out these lines that don’t seem to make sense and have no clear motivations,

which as a performer is all a bit terrifying. You start to think that Beckett must have been mad.

But soon, those rules start to comfort you. It’s like, one line that sidelines back might connect the following line, but they don’t seem to stand together. It’s very strange, but also very, very exciting.”

What: Endgame Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay (formerly Sydney Theatre) When: Tuesday March 31 – Saturday May 9

Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize [VISUAL ART] Teaming With Ideas By Annie Murney

T

he Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize is upon us once more. The unique premise of this annual award is that participating artists are permitted to invite an emerging artist to exhibit with them. The aim is to foster mentoring relationships, open up new spaces for dialogue and enhance the connectedness of Australia’s art scene.

Curated by distinguished painter Tim Johnson, there are plenty of exciting and unlikely combinations on the cards. For instance, emerging artist Tim Moore has been paired with Archibald winner Fiona Lowry. At first glance, it’s hard to pick a link between their two practices. In contrast to Lowry’s airbrushed Romanticism, Moore’s approach is less ethereal and more playful.

Jumpy [THEATRE] A Mother’s Struggle By Tegan Jones

I

t seems poetic that in the same month that All About Women took place at the Sydney Opera House, a show such as Jumpy will also appear on its stage. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, considering it’s a play that explores feminism, parenting, the intergenerational gap between mother and daughter, and the naught often spoken about the female midlife crisis. The telling of stories about women of that age – and having them on centre stage – is sadly rare, which makes the hilarious Jumpy significant as well as entertaining. The BRAG spoke to actor Brenna Harding (Puberty Blues), who plays 15-year-old Tilly, about the Melbourne Theatre Company show and its cultural significance.

“I think the play accurately portrays one particular generational tension,” she says. “There are a lot out there and it would be a whole festival of plays if we were to explore every intricacy. It doesn’t really explore any racial or cultural tensions. The particular tension it’s exploring is to do with the feminist fight and the universal child breaking away from the parent and rebelling. I think it does a really good job of portraying that particular relationship.”

“Hilary [Jane Turner] is losing her youth and grappling with becoming an invisible woman in her 50s,” Harding explains. “She’s dissatisfied with a lot of the things in her life and worried that she’s lost a lot of the values she had when she was at Greenham Common fighting the feminist fight, especially now that her 15-yearold daughter is going out often, seeing a lot of boys and not caring about any of the values that have been so important to her.”

“If this play was a drama about these issues then nobody would want to come and see it, because it would just be so heartbreaking and too hard to watch,” laughs Harding. “I think the comedy of it has to be there to make light of what is a really serious issue for women.

Jumpy photo by Jeff Busby

One of the most important aspects of the play is that it doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexity of feminism and parenting.

Playwright April De Angelis shows that neither feminists nor parents are perfect.

“At the heart of it [Hilary] does still have those feminist convictions and values, but the real issue is imparting them upon her daughter,” Harding says. “At the same time, she is trying so hard to make sure her daughter is safe and a good kid, so sometimes she seems to lose sight of her daughter’s own sexual freedoms.”

Being that the relationship between Hilary and her teenage daughter sits at the centre of the play, I wonder how successful Harding thinks Jumpy is at portraying the intergenerational tensions between parents and children. thebrag.com

Another factor imperative to Jumpy is the comedy that’s not only peppered throughout the play, but is actively used to explore the serious themes of the narrative.

“I think some women around Hilary’s age who come see it are quite profoundly affected.

However, when we have older audience members, they find it absolutely hilarious because they can look at these issues in hindsight.

Moore is primarily known for his whimsical embroidery. The kind of characters he stitches into linen are nudists going about their daily business, figure skaters and SpongeBob SquarePants. Many of them are oblivious to their comically placed penises.

A self-described dick doodler, Moore’s art is often a celebration of puns and silliness.

“I’m not from a huge art background, so I’ve never really known it to be serious,” he says.

“I’ve only ever really seen it as something quite fun. I mean, it’s still a profession. But everything I’m drawn to has a tongue-incheek sense of humour. As soon as I walk into a space, I’d rather it make me chuckle than ponder.”

As the exhibition approaches, Moore is flattered to be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Shaun Gladwell, Hiromi Tango and Mikala Dwyer. “I’ve seen the other artists that Fiona and I are up against and they’re incredible,” says Moore. “I was just really touched that someone of Fiona’s calibre

believes in what I’m doing. The prize is going to have a big audience so it’ll be nice to see people’s reactions to things they don’t usually get to see.”

Moore has been experimenting with a variety of materials for some time now.

“About three years ago I started dabbling in little paintings and painting on photographs.

And this year I’ve starting doing photography with live animals,” he says.

As to what sparked his latest idea, Moore explains: “There’s lots of ants in the studio and I started playing around with trying to get the ants to write a swear word. I started writing things with parmesan cheese but they kept taking it away. And then I thought, ‘Honey – ants love honey!’”

The result is a swastika with the caption Anty Fascist – a cheeky play on words. “But it’s a Hindu swastika, not a Nazi swastika,” Moore reassures. “There’s no way I’d post one of those on the wall in Sydney. It’s the peace one, which is really anti-fascist. The work isn’t political in any way. It’s just a fun thing. I hope people get a little smile out of it.”

Given the philosophy driving the Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize is about each generation of artists passing on something new to the next, Moore’s ideas around chance and collaboration are sure to resonate throughout the entire show.

What: Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize 2015 Where: National Art School Gallery When: Thursday March 26 – Saturday May 23 Anty Fascist by Timothy Moore

“But even with the comedy, it sometimes hits a little too close to home for some of those middle-aged women. It really highlights some of the little nuances of the family dynamic and that uncertain period of both adolescence and coming of age, which my character Tilly is going through, and that ageing and invisibility that Hilary is going through. It’s so true to the medium of comedy, which the writer April De Angelis does so well.”

What: Jumpy Where: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House When: Thursday March 26 – Saturday May 16 BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 19

Film Reviews Hits and misses on the silver screen around town xxx

■ Film

INSURGENT

Jack O’Connell in ’71

In cinemas now Insurgent is the latest instalment in the seemingly endless stream of teen dystopia adaptations spilling forth from Hollywood. Following on from last year’s Divergent, this series tells the story of Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley), in a world where humanity is split into different ‘factions’ according to each individual’s personality. After discovering that she is resistant to society’s categorisation when the proverbial sorting hat is unable to place her, Beatrice is labelled a ‘divergent’.

Insurgent opens with Beatrice on the run with hot guy Tobias Eaton (Theo James), hunted by the powers that be for threatening the social order.

It’s getting increasingly hard to invest in a three-part teen dystopia franchise, where the last book will presumably be split in two. Even putting this aside, Insurgent isn’t a strong movie. As was the case with Divergent, the most impressive parts of the fi lm are the dreamlike tests that Beatrice has to endure. But it seems as though even the director Robert Schwentke recognises this, spending more time on these plot points than on much-needed character development.

Theo James and Shailene Woodley in Insurgent Woodley and James lead the cast pretty well, doing the best they can with a clumsy screenplay. I’m yet to understand Ansel Elgort being hired for any role, but here he is yet again. Miles Teller manages to impress with very little screentime, which is unsurprising given his track record.

The film’s heavy action disappoints, with Beatrice’s every escape achieved due to an unbelievably incompetent military, rather than her being particularly impressive. The geography of the world makes absolutely no sense, making it hard to follow where Beatrice is supposed to be at any point in the film. And by the time the plot starts actually moving, it is hard to care what is happening to any of the angsty characters.

Now to wait for the next instalment.

Louisa Bulley

■ Film

CHAPPIE In cinemas now Neill Blomkamp won near-universal admiration as the director of 2011’s District 9, but the heat is cooling about as fast as the bullets fly in his latest, Chappie, starring Die Antwoord’s Ninja and Yolandi Visser as well as Hugh Jackman. Dev Patel is in it too as Deon Wilson, a brilliant young engineer who designs a police force of robots that patrols Johannesburg.

Deon works out how to illegally implant consciousness in artificially intelligent beings, while Vincent Moore (Jackman) – an embittered older engineer whose prototype has been rendered obsolete by Deon’s sleeker models – plots to bring him down.

cutesy scenes of Chappie learning gangsta slang and having bedtime stories read to him as he sits up in bed. Chappie, voiced

by Blomkamp standby Sharlto Copley, is insistently ingratiating, engineered by the director and his co-writer Terri Tatchell to elicit maximum pathos.

Ninja and Yolandi retain their own names and play scavengers living in an abandoned industrial plant. They decide to kidnap Deon, for reasons only really explicable by the mechanics of the plot. Deon builds the duo a robot of their own so they can stage a heist and pay off a kingpin who’ll kill them if they don’t stump up $20 million in a week. Or something like that. The intersection of the world of Deon and Moore with Ninja et al. is one of the plot’s least credible contrivances, and that’s saying something.

Blomkamp makes action films that are also allegories of the most staggeringly unsubtle kind. In District 9 and Elysium, he wrapped stories of Apartheid and global inequality in science-fiction clothing, but both are such literal analogies that they fail to illuminate anything. They gesture towards metaphor, but stop at the point of simile. As with so much contemporary art, Chappie presents to us the modern world – in this case, the frontiers of AI – but doesn’t bother to say anything about it.

Yolandi christens the droid Chappie, and a good third of the movie is taken up with

Harry Windsor

■ Film

’71 In cinemas now The directorial debut of Yann Demange, ’71 is an accomplished thriller taking on the ethno-nationalist conflict known as the Troubles. The film broaches the loose divide between British Protestants and Irish Catholics and reflects on the messy politics of a turbulent era.

Widely tipped as one to watch, Jack O’Connell stars as Gary Hook, a Derbyshire lad who joins the British Parachute Regiment and is deployed to Belfast. Led by a well-meaning though naive lieutenant (Sam Reid), the soldiers are under the impression they will be a benign presence. However, a routine house raid swiftly turns into a small riot, resulting in Hook’s separation

from the regiment. As he is ruthlessly pursued, a conflict unfolds between the IRA old guard and the radical younger generation.

Fighting to survive the night behind enemy lines, Hook is generally mute throughout most of the film. It is the colourful characters around him that flesh out contextual detail. Boyle (David Wilmot) and Captain Sandy Browning (Sean Harris) are two of the most prominent – leaders with ambiguous allegiances.

Stumbling through dark streets and terrace housing, Hook encounters a battlehardened boy with a biting sense of authority and a kind-hearted former war doctor who becomes his greatest asset. Attacks are often sharp and unexpected – it becomes apparent that there are no safe spaces.

The hand-held camera work

mirrors Hook’s precarious position. Although the intention is clear, this technique can be quite heavy-handed. For instance, the pivotal scene where Hook is left behind is almost eye-wateringly chaotic.

In spite of minor setbacks, this film is a solid achievement.

Demange isn’t overambitious and doesn’t talk down to his audience. Flanked by strong performances, O’Connell plays the perfect middleman – intuitively compassionate though determined to get back to the barracks. Set a year before Bloody Sunday, ’71 inevitably ends on a cynical note. Generally speaking, it is a cut above other war thrillers; a test of human decency within the complex web of political conflict.

Annie Murney

See www.thebrag.com for more arts reviews

xxx

Dev Patel in Chappie

No Cover

IT’S ALL GOOD THIS EASTER LONG WEEKEND! JOIN US TO CELEBRATE WITH A STELLAR LINE UP OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND DRINK SPECIALS ALL WEEKEND.

BLACK DIAMOND HEARTS 8pm Good Friday, 3 April

Party the night away with Sydney rock band Black Diamond Hearts, plus great DJs until late.

GUY SEBASTIAN 8pm Easter Saturday, 4 April

Arts Exposed

Catch the legendary performer before he heads off to compete in Eurovision.

Support from 6pm: Tabitha & The Clique, plus great DJs until late.

What's in our diary...

Chris Taylor & Andrew Hansen In Conversation With Lionel Corn Giant Dwarf Theatre, Monday March 30, Tuesday March 31 and Thursday April 2 Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen, two of The Chaser boys, are coming together for their fourth non-Chaser collaboration: In Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen Conversation With Lionel Corn. This new show is in trial stage before hitting the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so while it may be an ironing out of their wrinkles, the tickets are nice and affordable. In Conversation will attempt to send up the slew of sycophantic writer and artist symposiums moderated by a charmless stooge and flooded with overly excited, fawning audience members. Each performance of the show will feature cameos from different guest comedians meeting Corn, the prickly genius and alter ego of a familiar face.

For more information and tickets, head to giantdwarf.com.au.

20 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

SAVAGE 8pm Easter Sunday, 5 April

Hosted DJ D-Flat + SUITE AZ and great DJs until late.

CHECK AD O Y UR HE

LEVEL 1, 80 PYRMONT STREET, PYRMONT STAR.COM.AU/ROCKLILY

/ROCKLILY.LIVE

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be over 18. Think! About your choices.

Call Gambling Help 1800 858 858 www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au thebrag.com

Album Reviews

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

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

ALBUM OF THE WEEK CD OF THE WEEK DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Kintsugi Atlantic/Warner

It’s been four years since Death Cab For Cutie’s last record; 18 since they launched themselves upon an extensive musical trajectory with no apparent use-by date. Cut to a little later in life, and Kintsugi is the ninth in line of their auditory endeavours, birthed around the departure of Chris Walla, the band’s guitarist and producer of 17 years.

The temperamental American rockers reach new heights after a shift in lineup.

THE LIVING EYES Living Large Remote Control

A decade ago, The Living Eyes would’ve seemed a niche tribute act, hopelessly obsessed with preStooges 1960s garage. But in the current decade, they’re not alone in mining from this highly melodic, fuzz-drenched pool of influence.

From the get-go, Living Large asks to be played loud and enjoyed for its familiarity. The riffs stemmed from the hands of Herman’s Hermits, but have since soaked up some of Ray and Dave Davies’ devilish persuasion.

The melodies get you humming immediately upon reaching your ears. The lyrics – dealing with things like struggling to pick up, struggling to write songs and a dislike of advertising – aren’t exactly daft, but they’re largely of no consequence.

Over multiple stages in their career, Death Cab For Cutie have penned a repertoire of melancholy, minimal arrangements, earning

themselves a reputation for bleakness. Here it appears merely in a new incarnation – the production is warmer, offering up a plate of surprising hooks driven by churning bass riffs and swerving synths. Inevitably, the lyricism for the most part broadly broaches tales of love and disillusionment, topics that leading man Ben Gibbard has never quite shaken.

However, it’s not merely same old Death Cab. Fastened with gems like ‘No Room In Frame’, ‘Black Sun’ and ‘The Ghosts Of Beverly Drive’, Kintsugi signals a departure from the emotive yet detached alternative rock touchstones that plagued the band’s previous efforts.

The Japanese word ‘kintsugi’ refers to the art of fixing broken pieces with gold. Similarly, the loss

of a band member hasn’t inspired an album of conclusion, but one of confident continuation.

Kiera Thanos

DICK DIVER

LA FEMME

SEEDY JEEZUS

CANCER BATS

Melbourne, Florida Chapter Music

Psycho Tropical Berlin Cartel Music

Seedy Jeezus Supercriticality

Searching For Zero Noise Church/Cooking Vinyl

Dick Diver return with their third album, entitled Melbourne, Florida – an interesting title from an act so deeply entrenched in the Melbourne music scene. They’ve got members of UV Race and Total Control, a name synonymous with triple j airplay, and a cult following after the success of their last album, Calendar Days.

Some of the most unique and exciting bands are hard to explain to other people, only because succinctly describing their sound makes it sounds terrible on paper.

For a band that combines elements of surf-pop, krautrock and horror punk, La Femme sure know how to do it with flair.

When rock’n’roll came to town in the ’50s, the self-proclaimed guardians of public decency feared the worst.

With its penchant for hip-thrusting licks and salacious commentary, the emergence of rock’n’roll was the musical equivalent of a plague of locusts descending to devour society’s moral fibre. Things got so bad that Pat Boone was dispatched to co-opt this evil force and saturate it in an insipid sanitising wash.

Cancer Bats hail from Canada and have been shattering eardrums for some time now. Roping in Ross Robinson, who has worked with the likes of Slipknot, Sepultura and The Blood Brothers, ensures this fifth album is going for the jugular. From the outset, lead singer Liam Cormier sounds like a heavily tormented soul.

So as ‘Satellites’ blasts off into the ether, current affairs, rigged politics and imperial blood sport are all issues that take turns to bludgeon the listener. ‘Beelzebub’ is rightfully borderline metal as Cancer Bats forge melodrama from all their raw materials. ‘Devil’s Blood’ is a torch song for their discovery of their metal perspective, but ‘Cursed With A Conscience’ sounds, heaven forbid, radio-friendly, building crescendo upon crescendo. By the time the final lick is dispensed with you would think the entire band would be in a coma.

Melbourne, Florida serves to cement Dick Diver as one of the most compelling indie acts in the country, because calling them a ‘dolewave’ band is not only doing the band a disservice, it’s a crime against your ears. They borrow influences from the mid-’80s US college radio scene, but with a real focus on pop sensibilities, not unlike The Go-Betweens or Twerps.

Psycho Tropical Berlin combines all these elements in different ways.

Opening track ‘Antitaxi’ is a perfect example of this, starting out as a synth-punk song, featuring driving rhythms and bass-synth sounds, before stopping and letting a classic surf riff come through, changing the mood completely. The song then goes through call-and-response male and female vocals, a section made up of car horns, and it all ends in a (literal) car crash.

This album steps up from previous efforts, with a larger emphasis placed on instrumentation. There’s subtle synth work on ‘Year In Pictures’, and horns follow on ‘Leftovers’. It shows an expansion and a continued effort to create a more engaging product. Only the track ‘Beat Me Up (Talk To A Counsellor)’ feels like a misstep – the change in vocals is stark and the melody often stumbles.

The songs are all in French, which means there isn’t much to connect with lyrically, but the synth-driven music is so hypnotic it’s hard not to be drawn in. Multiple female vocals are heard throughout the album (and also a few male ones), but not one voice stays dominant.

Just like the music, the voices are constantly changing and evolving to create something new.

Were such attitudes still dominant, it’s reasonable to assume Seedy Jeezus’ debut album would be viewed as further evidence of the impending moral apocalypse – a badge of honor in the context of rock’n’roll’s perverted sense of righteousness. To witness the delicious riffs of ‘Shakin’ The Fuse’ is to immerse yourself in the best song The Powder Monkeys never got around to writing; hang around for ‘Wormhole’, and it’s Led Zeppelin at the height of their vainglorious reign. Then you’ve got the 15-minute, kaleidoscopic metal treatise of ‘How Ya Doin’’. It starts slowly, a casual stroll through the poppy-strewn fields of early ’70s psychedelic rock. When a drum solo appears out of the darkness, it’s 1976 again, but in the very best of ways. Things get loud again, and everything is beautiful.

Listening for details is not what this album recommends. The allegiance to major keys and fuzzfucked guitars is here to stop you from worrying about a damn thing.

On balance, though, Melbourne, Florida is another great set of songs from one of Melbourne’s strongest acts.

Psycho Tropic Berlin is as leftfield and eccentric as the title suggests. But it’s still a fun, energetic and engaging listen.

It’s tempting to ponder what Pat Boone would make of Seedy Jeezus, but he’d be too shit scared to hang around to find out.

You can only imagine the band’s delight if that were the widespread view.

Augustus Welby

Spencer Scott

Spencer Scott

Patrick Emery

Bronius Zumeris

Throughout Living Large’s 24 minutes, The Living Eyes play with ragged enthusiasm, but never furiously fast. Likewise, they’re an indubitably tight unit, but dangerous emotions are never let off the leash. An apt contemporary reference is Ty Segall, who’s also a great imitator. However, unlike Segall, The Living Eyes fail to offer much that wasn’t guaranteed by the era they’re infatuated with.

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK Perth’s Fall Electric are somewhere between psych and indie rock, yet neither of those titles do them any justice. Interior is their second record, and as the name suggests it’s an introspective effort.

FALL ELECTRIC Interior Status Factory

Both lyrically and musically, Interior is complex and contemplative.

The layering of cello, guitar and the vocals of leading man Andrew Ryan are at the core of most songs, and around this the band brings in drums, beat-boxing, heavy distortion, echoes and some very slick post-production courtesy of Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker.

The downside to Interior is that the drive to create something unique tends to get in the way, and the intimacy of the cello, guitar and

thebrag.com

vocals can become clouded by everything else. That said, ‘Air Flows Gently’ is an easy chorus with building strings under a lightly plucked guitar, all held together by a steadily pounding drum and well complemented by distortion and echoes. There’s a lot to Interior and this is what it sounds like when the balance is right.

Throughout the album no ideas are underexplored and the arrangements are tight, and with consecutive listens you’ll begin to hear the time that’s gone into this music. Fall Electric are seriously talented, and Interior is a serious album.

The end result of engaging a gun producer is a slick product that acts like a thorn in pop’s side. Cancer Bats do not release their toxin into the bloodstream with any subtlety.

Rather, like a surgical instrument, they pulverise the listener – and by the ending the record with ‘No More Bull Shit’, those who think Cancer Bats are a good thing may think they have pushed things a bit far.

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

KENDRICK LAMAR - To Pimp A Butterfl y JAMIE T - King & Queens EMMA DAVIS - Emma Davis

FOSTER THE PEOPLE - Supermodel JONATHAN WILSON - Fanfare

Lachlan Mackenzie

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 21

BRAG

BARS B R A G ’ S G U I D E T O S Y D N E Y ’ S B E S T WAT E R I N G H O L E S

Ash St Cellar 1 Ash St, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Fri 8.30am-11pm

Assembly 488 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9283 8808 Mon – Tue 5-11pm; Wed – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight The Australian Heritage Hotel 100 Cumberland St,

The Rocks (02) 9247 2229 Mon – Sun 10.30am-midnight Balcony Bar 46 Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 3526 Mon 5pm - late; Tue –

HARPOON HARRY

Bar Eleven Lvl 11, 161 Sussex St, Sydney CBD (02) 9290 4712 Thu 4-9pm; Fri 4-11pm; Sat 3-11pm The Barber Shop 89 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 9699 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thurs – Sat 3pm-midnight

bar

OF

40-44 WENTWORTH AVENUE, SYDNEY PHONE: 02 8262 8800 WEBSITE: HOTELHARRY.COM.AU OPENING HOURS: 11:30AM-3AM

BAR100 100 George St, The Rocks (02) 8070 9311 Mon – Thu noon-late; Fri – Sat noon-3am; Sun noon-10pm

TH

EK

A Work In Progress 50 King St, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Fri noonmidnight.

The Attic 275 Pitt St Sydney CBD (02) 9284 1200 Mon – Fri 11am-1am Saturday 5pm-1am

Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight

E E W

The Baxter Inn Basement 152-156 Clarence St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 4pm-1am The Bear Thomas Ln, Haymarket 0451029226 Mon – Sat 5pm-midnight Bondy’s L1, 16 Philip Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9251 2347 Wed – Fri 5pm-late; Sat 7pm-late Bulletin Place First Floor, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thurs – Sat 5pm-1am deVine 32 Market St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 6906 Mon – Fri 11.30am-11.30pm; Sat 5.30-11.30pm Frankie’s Pizza 50 Hunter St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sun 4pm-4am Gilt Lounge 49 Market St, Sydney CBD (02) 8262 0000 Wed 6pm-midnight; Thu & Sat 6pm-2am; Fri 5pm-2am The Glenmore 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks (02) 9247 4794 Mon – Thu, Sun 11am-midnight; Fri – Sat 11am-1am Goodgod Small Club 53-55 Liverpool St, Sydney CBD (02) 8084 0587 Wed 5pm-11pm; Thu 5pm-1am; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat 6pm-3am Grain Bar 199 George St, Sydney CBD (02) 9250 3118 Mon – Fri 4pm-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun noonmidnight

Tell us about your bar: Where Surry Hills meets the CBD, you’ll fi nd Harpoon Harry.

Having undergone spectacular renovations, this 1912 heritagelisted building has been restored to its former glory. Combining all the charm and grace of the 17th century with the passion and fl are of Latin American culture, we bring together good food, good drinks and good people across two levels.

What’s on the menu?

Our menu has a distinctly Latin feel. If you have watched Jon Favreau’s brilliant movie Chef and craved a traditional Cubano sandwich, come and pay us a visit; we’ve got you covered. You also have to try Harry’s mixed grill, taking inspiration from Latin and Caribbean barbacoa with mouthwatering jerk chicken, adobo pulled pork and beef short ribs, and our burger is also pretty special!

Grandma’s Basement 275 Clarence St, Sydney CBD (02) 9264 3004 Mon – Fri 3pm-late; Sat 5pm-late The Fox Hole 68A Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 4369 Mon 7am-3pm; Tue – Fri 7am-late

Care for a drink?

Try our killer chilli margarita.

Sounds: In our main bar you can expect rock’n’roll, blues and funk; anything

with a bit of soul. Then upstairs on weekends we have our Florida Blanca Supper Club with a soundtrack brought to you by some of Sydney’s favorite tastemakers and party-starters alongside the odd international guest dropping by unannounced. With a music policy based on the simple ethos of “good old-fashioned fun”, you will be forgiven for at times mistakenly thinking you’re at a friend’s house party.

Highlights: Harpoon Harry is what Surry Hills has been crying out for. We concentrate on getting the basics right; amazing food and drinks with great service and the kind of atmosphere that makes you not want to leave. Come and explore the venue this weekend and discover our main bar, then move upstairs to find our cocktail lounge, late-night diner, open air terrace and last but by no means least our parlour.

22 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

The Grasshopper 1 Temperance Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9947 9025 Mon – Thurs & Sat 4pm-late; Fri noon-late Harpoon Harry 40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney (02) 8262 8800 Mon – Sun 11:30am-3am The Lobo Plantation Basement Lot 1, 209 Clarence St, Sydney CBD 0415 554 908 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri 2pm-midnight; Sat 4pm-midnight The Loft UTS 15 Broadway, Sydney (behind 2SER) (02) 9514 1149 Mon – Wed 2pm-10pm; Thurs – Fri 2pm-late Mojo Record Bar

Basement 73 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 4999 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight

Uncle Ming’s 55 York St, Sydney CBD Mon – Fri 11am-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight

The Morrison 225 George St, Sydney CBD (02) 9247 6744 Mon – Wed 7.30am-midnight; Thu 7.30-1am; Fri 7.302am; Sat 11.30-2am; Sun11.30am-10pm

York Lane York Lane, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 1676 Mon – Wed 6.30am-10pm; Thu – Fri 6.30pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight

Mr Tipply’s 347 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 4877 Mon – Fri 11am-2am Palmer & Co. Abercrombie Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3172 Mon – Wed 5pm-late; Thu – Fri 5pm-late; Sat – Sun 5pm-late Papa Gede’s Bar Laneway at the end of 348 Kent St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 5pm-12am Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern 199 Elizabeth St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 6pm-10pm Rockpool Bar & Grill 66 Hunter St, Sydney CBD (02) 8078 1900 Mon – Sat lunch & dinner The Rook Level 7, 56-58 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 2505 Mon – Fri 4pm-late; Sat 4pm-late The SG 32 York St, Sydney CBD 0402 813 035 Tues – Fri 4pm-midnight Shirt Bar 7 Sussex Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 8068 8222 Mon –Wed 8am-6pm; Thu – Fri 8am-10pm Since I Left You 338 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 4986 Mon – Wed 5pm-10pm; Thu – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight Small Bar 48 Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 0782 Mon – Fri noonmidnight; Sat 5pm-midnight The Smoking Panda 5-7 Park St, Sydney CBD (02) 9264 4618 Wed – Sat 4pm-late; Fri midday-late The Spice Cellar Basement 58 Elizabeth St, Sydney CBD (02) 9223 5585 Mon – Wed 4pm-late; Thurs 5pm-2am; Fri 5pm-4am Stitch Bar 61 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 0380 Mon – Wed & Sun 4pm-midnight; Thu – Fri noon-2am; Sat 4pm-2am Tapavino 6 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay (02) 9247 3221 Mon – Fri 11am-11.30pm

121BC 4/50 Holt St, Surry Hills (02) 9699 1582 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight Absinthe Salon 87 Albion St, Surry Hills (02) 9211 6632 Wed – Sat 4-10pm Banter Surry Hills 425 Bourke St Surry Hills (02) 8354 0954 Tue noon-midnight; Wed – Sun 6pm-12am Bar H 80 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 1980 Mon – Sat 6pm-late; Sun 10am-3pm The Beresford 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 8313 5000 Mon – Sun noon-1am Black Penny 648 Bourke St, Redfern (02) 9319 5061 Tue – Sat noonmidnight; Sun noon11pm Brooklyn Social 17 Randle St, Surry Hills 0451 972 057 Mon – Sun 12pm-2am Button Bar 65 Foveaux St, Surry Hills (02) 9211 1544 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight Café Lounge 277 Goulburn St, Surry Hills (02) 9016 3951 Mon – Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sunday 4-10pm Casoni Italian Bar & Eatery 371-373 Bourke St, Darlinghurst Wed – Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-10pm The Carlisle 2 Kellett St, Kings Cross (02) 9331 0065 Thu – Sun 6pm-late Ching-a-Lings 1/133 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9360 3333 Tue – Wed 6pm-11pm; Fri 6pm-1am; Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 4pm-1am The Cliff Dive 16-18 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst Wed – Sun 6pm-4am The Commons 32 Burton St, Darlinghurst (02) 9358 1487 Tue – Sun noon-late Darlo Bar 306 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst (02) 9331 3672 Mon – Sun 10am-midnight Darlie Laundromatic thebrag.com

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK Pour it in your mouth-hole... (responsibly).

Low 302 302 Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 9368 1548 Mon – Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 6pm-2am Mr Fox 557 Crown St, Surry Hills 0414 691 811 Mon –Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun noon-10pm The Norfolk 305 Cleveland St, Surry Hills (02) 9699 3177 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noon-1am; Sun noon10pm The Passage 231A Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 9358 6116 Mon – Fri noon-late; Sat 4pm-late Play Bar 72 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 0885 Tues – Sat 5pm-midnight

ME AND DON JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD @ MIAMI CUBA 47 NORTH STEYNE, MANLY Ingredients: • 60ml Don Julio Blanco • 30ml espresso • 20ml sugar syrup • 5 dashes of whisky barrel aged bitters • Green chartreuse rinse More: miamicubamanly. com 304 Palmer St, Darlinghurst (02) 8095 0129 Wed – Sun 5-11pm Eau De Vie 229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst 0422 263 226 Mon – Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 6pm-midnight The Flinders 63-65 Flinders St, Surry Hills (02) 9356 3622 Tue – Thu 5pm-3am; Fri – Sat 5pm-5am The Forresters 336 Riley St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3035 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noon-1am; Sun noon10pm Gardel’s Bar 358 Cleveland St, Surry Hills (02) 8399 1440 Tue – Sat 6:pm - 12am Gazebo 2 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay (02) 9357 5333 Mon – Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat – Sun noon-midnight Goros 84-86 Mary St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 0214 Mon – Wed 11:30am-midnight; thebrag.com

Method: Old fashioned baby!

Glass: Whisky tumbler with rocks Garnish: Orange rind Best drunk with: A night of shenanigans ahead of you During: Late afternoon While wearing: Linen And listening to: Anything on Graceland by Paul Simon

Pocket Bar 13 Burton St, Darlinghurst (02) 9380 7002 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 4pm-1am; Sun 4pm-midnight The Print Room 11 Glenmore Rd, Paddington 0424 034 020 Wed – Fri: 3pm-late; Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm Queenie’s Upstairs, Forresters Cnr Foveaux and Riley St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3035 Tue – Sat 6pm-late Peekaboo 120 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo Mon – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri – Sat 4pm – 12am Roosevelt 32 Orwell St, Potts Point 0423 203 119 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight

Thu 11:30am-1am: Fri 11:30am-3am; Sat 4pm-3am

Wed – Fri 4pm-late; Sat 8.30am-late; Sun 8.30am-evening

Shady Pines Saloon Shop 4, 256 Crown St, Darlinghurst Mon – Sun 4pm-midnight

The Hazy Rose 1/83 Stanley St, Darlinghurst (02) 9357 5036 Tue 5-11pm; Wed – Sat 3pm-midnight; Sun 3-10pm

Li’l Darlin Darlinghurst 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 8084 6100 Mon – Sun 4pmlate

The Soda Factory 16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills (02) 8096 9120 Mon – Wed 5pm-late; Thu 5pm-2am; Fri – Sat 5pm-5am

Hello Sailor 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9332 2442 Tue – Sun 5pm-1am

Li’l Darlin Surry Hills 420 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills (02) 9698 5488 Mon – Thu noon-3pm & 5-11pm; Fri – Sun noon-11pm

Sweethearts Rooftop 33/37Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point (02) 9368 7333 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sun noon-midnight

The Hills 42 Chalmers St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3814 Mon – Sun midday-2am Hinky Dinks 185 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst (02) 8084 6379 Mon – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 1-10pm Hollywood Hotel 2 Foster St, Surry Hills (02) 9281 2765 Mon – Wed 10am-midnight; Thu – Sat 10am-3am Hustle & Flow Bar 105 Regent St, Redfern (02) 9310 5593 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight Jekyll & Hyde 332 Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 9360 5568

LL Wine and Dine 42 Llankelly Place Potts Point (02) 9356 8393 Tue – Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri 5pm-late; Sat 11am-late; Sun 11am-10pm The Local Tap House 122 Flinders St, Surry Hills (02) 9360 0088 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-11pm Love, Tilly Devine 91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst (02) 9326 9297 Mon – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm

This Must Be The Place 239 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9331 8063 Tio’s Cerveceria 4/14 Foster St, Surry Hills Mon – Sun 3pm-midnight Unicorn Cellar Basement, 106 Oxford St, Paddington (02) 9360 7994 Tue – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat noon-midnight Vasco 421 Cleveland St, Redfern 0406 775 436 Mon – Sat 5pm-midnight

The Victoria Room Lvl 1, 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 9357 4488 Tue – Fri 6pm-midnight; Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-midnight The Wild Rover 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 2235 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun noon-10pm The Winery 285A Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 9331 0833 Mon – Sun noonmidnight

Anchor Bar 8 Campbell Pde, Bondi (02) 8084 3145 Tue – Fri 4.30pm-late; Sat – Sun 12.30pm-late Bondi Hardware 39 Hall St, Bondi (02) 9365 7176 Mon – Wed 5-11pm; Thu 5pm-midnight; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10am-10pm The Bucket List Shop 1, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive (02) 9365 4122 Mon – Sun 11am-late The Corner House 281 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 8020 6698 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 3-10pm Fat Ruperts 249 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9130 1033 Mon – Fri 6pm-late; Sat 4pm-late; Sun 4-10pm Mr Moustache 61-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach, Bondi (02) 9300 8892 Mon – Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat midday-11pm; Sun midday-10pm The Rum Diaries 288 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9300 0440 Tue – Sat 6pm-midnight; Sun 6-10pm Speakeasy 83 Curlewis St, Bondi (02) 9130 2020 Mon – Sat 5pm-11pm; Sat – Sun 4-10pm Spring Street Social (and Jam Gallery) Underground 110 Spring St Bondi Junction (02) 9389 2485 Tues – Sat 4pm-3am Stuffed Beaver 271 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9130 3002 Mon – Sat noonmidnight; Sun noon10pm

The Angry Pirate 125 Redfern St Redfern (02) 9698 9140 Tue – Thur 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 3pm-midnight; Sun – 5pm-10pm Bar-racuda 105 Enmore Rd, Newtown (02) 9519 1121 Mon – Sat 6-midnight The Bearded Tit 183 Regent St, Redfern (02) 8283 4082 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat midday - midnight; Sun midday - 10pm Blacksheep 256 King St, Newtown

(02) 8033 3455 Mon – Fri 4pm-11pm; Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm

(02) 9516 2345 Tues – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 5-10pm

Bloodwood 416 King St, Newtown (02) 9557 7699 Mon, Wed –Thu 5pm-late; Fri – Sat noon-late; Sun noon10pm

Miss Peaches 201 Missenden Rd, Newtown (02) 9557 7280 Wed – Sun 5pm-midnight

The Chip Off The Old Block 3 Little Queen Street, Chippendale (02) 9318 0815 Tue – Sat 4pm-11pm Cornerstone Bar & Food 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh (02) 8571 9004 Sun – Wed 10am-5pm; Thu – Sat 10am-late Corridor 153A King St, Newtown 0422 873 879 Tue – Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 1-10pm Cottage Bar & Kitchen 342 Darling St, Balmain (02) 8084 8185 Mon – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Different Drummer 185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9552 3406 Mon – Sat 4.30pm-late Earl’s Juke Joint 407 King St, Newtown Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm Freda’s 107-109 Regent St, Chippendale (02) 8971 7336 Tues – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 7pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm The Green Room Lounge 156 Enmore Rd, Enmore (02) 8021 8451 Wed 5pm-late; Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 5pm-1am; Sun 9-10pm Hive Bar 93 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville (02) 9519 9911 Mon – Fri noonmidnight; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10am-10pm Kelly’s On King 285 King St, Newtown (02) 9565 2288 Mon – Fri 10am-2.30am; Sat 10am-4am; Sun 10am-midnight Knox Street Bar 21 Shepherd St, Chippendale Tue – Thu 4pm-l0pm; Fri – Sat 4pm-11pm Kuleto’s 157 King St, Newtown (02) 9519 6369 Mon – Sat 4pm-late; Thu – Sat 4pm-3am The Little Guy 87 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9200 0000 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 3-10pm Mary’s 6 Mary St, Newtown (02) 4995 9550 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm The Midnight Special 44 Enmore Road, Newtown

Your bar’s not here? Email: chris@thebrag. com The Hayberry Bar & Diner 97 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest (02) 8084 0816 Tue – Thu 4pm-12am; Fri & Sat noon-midnight Sun noon-10pm

The Moose Newtown 530 King St, Newtown (02) 9557 0072 Wed – Sat 6pm-midnight Mr Falcon’s 92 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9029 6626 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat noon-midnight; Sun 2-10pm Newtown Social Club 387 King St, Newtown (02) 9550 3974 Mon – Sat noonmidnight; Sun noon10pm The Oxford Tavern 1 New Canterbury Rd, Petersham (02) 8019 9351 Mon – Thu middaymidnight; Fri – Sat midday-3am; Sun midday-10pm The Record Crate 34 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9660 1075 Tue – Sat noonmidnight; Sun noon10pm The Royal 156 Norton St, Leichhardt (02) 9569 2638 Mon – Thu 10am-1am; Fri – Sat 10am-3am; Sun 10am-midnight Secret Garden Bar 134a Enmore Rd, Enmore 0409 284 928 Wed – Sun 5pm-11pm Timbah 375 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9571 7005 Tue – Thu 4-9pm; Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 2pm-midnight; Sun 2-8pm The Workers Lvl 1, 292 Darling St, Balmain (02) 9555 8410 Wed – Sat noon-3am; Sun noon-midnight ZanziBar 323 King St, Newtown (02) 9519 1511 Mon – Sat; Sun 10am-12am Zigi’s Wine And Cheese Bar 86 Abercrombie St, Chippendale (02) 9699 42221 Wed 2pm-midnight; Thu – Sat 2pm-midnight; Sun 2pm-9pm

Firefly 24 Young St, Neutral Bay (02) 9909 0193 Mon – Thu 5-11pm; Thu 4-11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noonmidnight The Foxtrot 28 Falcon St, Crows Nest Tue – Sat 5pm-3am; Sun 5-10pm Harlem On Central Shop 4,9-15 Central Ave, Manly (02) 9976 6737 Tue – Sun 5pm-midnight

Hemingway’s 48 North Steyne, Manly (02) 9976 3030 Mon – Sat 8am-midnight; Sun 8am-10pm Honey Rider 230 Military Rd, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 8880 Tue – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm In Situ 1/18 Sydney Rd, Manly (02) 9977 0669 Tue – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sun 9am-10pm The Hunter 5 Myahgah Rd, Mosman 0409 100 339 Mon – Tue 5pm-midnight; Wed – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Jah Bar Shop 7, 9-15 Central Ave, Manly (02) 9977 4449 Mon – Sat 9am-late; Sun 9am-10pm The Local Bar 8 Young Ln, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 0027 Tue – Fri 11.30am-midnight; Sat 7am-midnight; Sun 7am-10pm Manly Wine 8-13 South Steyne, Manly (02) 8966 9000 Mon – Sun 7am-late The Mayor 400 Military Rd, Cremorne (02) 8969 6060 Tue – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu – Sat noonmidnight; Sun noon10pm Miami Cuba 47 North Steyne, Manly (02 99775186 Tue – Thu 8am-10pm; Fri – Sat 8am-1am; Sunday 8am-4pm Moonshine Lvl 2, Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly (02) 9977 4977 Thu – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 3-11pm The Pickled Possum 254 Military Rd, Neutral Bay (02) 9909 2091 Thu – Sat 9pm-1am SoCal 1 Young St, Neutral Bay (02) 9904 5691 Mon – Tue 4pm-midnight: Wed – Thu midday-1am; Fri – Sat midday- 2am; Sun midday-midnight The Stoned Crow 39 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest (02) 9439 5477 Mon – Sun noon-late Wilcox Cammeray 463 Miller St, Cammeray (02) 9460 0807 Tue – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri – Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 23

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VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

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up all night out all week . . .

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

SOMETHING FOR KATE, JEN CLOHER Taronga Zoo Friday March 20 One of Australian music’s longest-standing favourites, Something For Kate, could never disappoint with such flawless vocals and a truly electric stage presence as they demonstrated at Taronga Zoo. With the iconic view of Sydney Harbour wreathed in cloud and heavy rain, this family-friendly gig wasn’t shaping up to be the picture of perfection I was hoping for, but all that blew away as soon as the band stepped out onstage to open with ‘Cigarettes And Suitcases’.

sinead o’connor

Rarely has a drummer lost his sticks as many times as Clint Hyndman did – on purpose, of course; this guy has so much energy. Paul Dempsey’s voice box needs its very own place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; his vocals tonight were as impressive as ever. Something For Kate can really play an incredible live show, and there were no disappointments here – save Ashworth’s absence and some crappy weather.

Liz Elleson

PICS :: AM

Supporting was Jen Cloher, who wooed the crowd with her crafty lyrics, grungy progressions, youthful stage presence and Mick Jagger haircut. Her words told a story in a voice that retains an ocker-ish tonality only Aussies can really appreciate.

Lacking only one thing, their Stephanie Ashworth on bass (“Hi Steph” was taped fondly on the bass drum), Something For Kate played a good mix of tracks from their older albums as well as their most recent release, Leave Your Soul To Science. The sprawling set included songs like ‘Hallways’, ‘Star-Crossed Citizens’, ‘Three Dimensions’ and ‘Deep Sea Diver’, as well as old-time favourites ‘Monsters’ and ‘Déjà Vu’.

19:03:15 :: Enmore Theatre :: 118-132 Enmore Rd Newtown 9550 3666 24 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

hailmary

PICS :: AM

macy gray

PICS :: AM

19:03:15 :: Sydney Opera House :: Bennelong Point Sydney 9250 7111

22:03:14 :: Frankie’s Pizza :: 50 Hunter St Sydney OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

MAR :: S :: KATRINA CLARKE :: ASHLEY

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life is noise by arrangement with Artist Voice presents XAVIER RUDD & THE UNITED NATIONS, YESHE Metro Theatre Saturday March 21 Like a global musical circus, nine musicians from many walks of life took to the stage at the Metro Theatre.

Their smiles were big, their energy undeniable. A top-hat-wearing, barefooted Xavier Rudd was front and centre. This was Xavier Rudd & The United Nations.

Coinciding with the release of Nanna, Rudd’s eighth studio album, his current tour sees Rudd appearing like never before. Usually an epic one-man band of didgeridoo, percussion, bass and vocals, Rudd has assumed the role of frontman to a collective of amazing musicians. Bringing together the sounds and diverse cultural infl uences of indigenous Australia, South Africa, Samoa, Germany and Papua New Guinea, the band members – each accomplished musicians in their own right – combined for one incredibly powerful performance.

Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ and The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’. The show switched seamlessly between upbeat riffs that had the crowd stomping to blues and roots grooves and mellow harmonies. An epic solo from South African bassist Tio Moloantoa and an equally incredible drum solo from Bobby Alu cemented the impact of the sheer talent that was onstage.

Prior to the full band taking over the stage, Byron Bay’s Yeshe (a member of The United Nations) warmed the crowd up with his soulful songs, playing traditional instruments from his travels through Zimbabwe and Cuba.

Not forgetting his roots, Rudd didn’t leave without breaking down on the didge more than once and demonstrating his incredible musical multitasking skills by playing harmonica, percussion and vocals simultaneously, pushing the crowd to go wild during ‘Come Let Go’.

All the favorites of Rudd’s extensive musical history arrived during the headline set, including ‘Follow The Sun’, ‘Come People’, ‘The Mother’ and ‘Up In Flames’, as well as reggae covers of

As always, Rudd delivered a truly powerful and beautiful performance and a celebration of music and people alike.

Julienne Gilet

Friday 29 May Newtown Social, Sydney Tickets $44+BF from lifeisnoise.com, oztix and the venue

BLUE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 Katoomba Friday March 13 – Sunday March 15 Abridging an entire evening’s entertainment down to a single review is never easy, but cramming a weekend of wonder into a handful of paragraphs is its own special torture. Over two days and three nights the 20th Blue Mountains Music Festival featured an eclectic array of spectacle and sound, from Maru Tarang’s Easterninfused showcase to The Spooky Men’s Chorale’s hilarious baroque shenanigans. Tentpole names like John Butler (exceptional) and Macy Gray (fl at and overly scripted) sat comfortably alongside emergent acts like Oh Pep! and Kay Proudlove, and all this despite a Friday evening wind that threatened to freeze the festival solid before it had even begun.

With over 50 acts on show, the enviable issue was fi nding yourself spoilt for choice (and spoilt for stage; the Main Stage hosts big crowds, but the Tantric Turtle came complete with chai and coffee, so, priorities people). Opening night’s biggest drawcard was celebrated Cree musician Buffy Sainte-Marie, who at 74 brings a tremendous vitality to her performance. That said, her set seemed oddly homogeneous and judging from the crowd’s exodus, I was not the only one left a little underwhelmed.

Preceding her was Friday’s highlight, Frank Yamma & David Bridie, who managed to instil each song with a sense of depth and space that belied the fact there were only two performers.

With direct, powerful lyrics and superb harmonies, they are a pair I encourage you to track down.

Saturday is when this festival truly exploded, with a different performance wherever you turned your head. A characteristic of the BMMF is that the seven stages are all in relative proximity.

It makes catching a variety of acts all the more convenient, but the fl ipside is that there does tend to be quite a noticeable overlap in competing sounds.

Once again, Dan Sultan proved why he remains such an attraction. The man has a presence that few can match, and the strength of his songwriting is staggering.

Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse brought the Noongar language to startling life, and it was genuinely touching to see the delicacy and humility with which they encourage this endangered dialect. We Two Thieves enamoured the audience from the moment they took the stage and their banter, if a little tired, still managed to entertain. They did, however, suffer from some uneven sound levels; an issue, it must be said, that affected many performers throughout the festival. The Spooky Men’s Chorale were an exercise in Douglas Adams-esque humour and compellingly ridiculous antics (with extra points for their outstanding promotional posters); they also wear rather fetching hats, so that’s nice.

On Sunday Rowena Wise and Oh Pep! charmed their audience with ease; the former with a heart-on-sleeve honesty, the latter with stunning arrangements and a strong sense of narrative. Like most festival acts, All Our Exes Live in Texas performed every day, but it was their Sunday gig that soared. A person could roam far and wide and never fi nd fi ner harmonies, and the songs themselves are as disparate as they are captivating. A clear audience favourite, their improvised banter was an enduring highlight, their instrumentation (guitar, mandolin, ukulele and accordion) catchy and winsome. The only foreseeable improvement would be a hurdy-gurdy, because nobody plays the hurdy-gurdy anymore and it is a truly fantastic word.

With some rather rollicking dancing, Perch Creek have to be one of the most entertaining troupes out there, and terrifi c songwriters to boot. ‘The Great Unknown’ and ‘Something In The Valley’ are masterful, haunting songs that bring shivers when heard live. Similarly, Jordie Lane Duo delivered some exceptional songs; much like Yamma and Bridie, it’s hard to believe songs of such power can come from just two people.

In all, the BMMF was a grand event.

With a program brimming with performers of the highest calibre, my sole caveat was the numerous sound glitches that surfaced across multiple stages. Nevertheless, a spectacular time in a most spectacular setting.

Adam Norris

I MAG I N E BE I NG MAD E TO

FEEL L IKE CRAP JUST FOR

BEING

LEFT

Okay, that’s hard to imagine? But being gay, lesbian, bi, trans or intersex is no different to being born left handed, it’s just who you are. So stop and think because the things we say are likely to cause depression and anxiety. And that really is pretty crap.

GO TO LEFTHAND.ORG.AU TO WATCH THE VIDEO

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H A N D E D.

STOP t THINK t RESPECT

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 25

g g guide gig g send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com

pick of the week Beth Hart

TUESDAY MARCH 31

Morgan Kent Penrith RSL, Penrith. 11am.

Free.

Nothing’s Shocking - feat: Bear Hug + Jody Standard Bowl, Surry Hills.

9pm. Free.

Service Bells + Yeevs + Holy Shakers Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10.

Songsonstage - feat: Chris Roodenrys + Steve Smith + Sam Schroder + Brumby + Gabriel Levin + Alex Dew Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8pm. $10.

Steve Crocker Fortune Of War, The Rocks.

7pm. Free.

The Late Night Soda Social Soda Factory, Surry Hills.

5pm. Free.

Tripleone Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. Free.

White Bros Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9pm. Free.

FRIDAY MARCH 27 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Metro Theatre

Beth Hart 7pm. $66.10.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC The Darren Heinrich Trio feat: Spike Mason Play Bar, Surry Hills. 7pm.

Free.

Tribute To Cannonball & Coltrane - feat: Michael Griffin + Dale Barlow Foundry616, Ultimo. 8:30pm. $22.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

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

5pm. Free.

Gang Of Youths FBi Live, Alexandria. 5:30pm.

Free.

Happy Hippies Ettamogah Hotel, Rouse Hill.

6:30pm. Free.

Jackson Firebird Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. $15.

Jeff Martin The Basement, Circular Quay.

7pm. $40.

Mark Travers Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm.

Free.

Vibrations At Valve Grand Final - feat: Band Competition Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $15.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Darren Hanlon + The Burnt

26 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

Sausages Gallipoli Legions Club, Newcastle. 7:30pm. $24.

Songsonstage - feat: CJ Fairleight Olympic Hotel, Paddington.

7:30pm. Free.

THURSDAY MARCH 26 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Jordan C. Thomas Band Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay. 9pm. Free.

Trinity Roots Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $15.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Darren Hanlon + The Burnt Sausages + Jack Carty Manning Bar, Camperdown.

8pm. $30.

Musos Club Jam Night Carousel Inn Hotel, Rooty Hill. 8pm. Free.

Rober Suez & Continental Blues Party The Annandale Hotel, Annandale. 8pm. Free.

Scott & Sean’s Happy Bacon Thursday The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 7pm. $5.

Songsonstage - feat: Mick Hambly + Chris Brookes Ruby L’otel, Rozelle. 7:30pm.

Free.

Songwriter Sessions - feat: John Chesher Mars Hill Cafe, Parramatta.

7pm. Free.

The Basement Blues Society - feat: The Foreday

Midnight Tea Party + Swamp Fat Jangles The Annandale Hotel, Annandale. 8pm. Free.

Rebecca Johnson Band Vineyard Hotel, Vineyard.

9:30pm. Free.

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

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Joseph Gatehau Quakers Inn, Quakers Hill.

8pm. Free.

Riders + Steve Edmonds Mescalero + Doggn’ It The Basement, Circular Quay. 6pm. $19.20.

Tony Joe White Heritage Hotel, Bulli. 8pm. $56.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Aaleatha And The Audio Fix Crown Hotel, Parramatta.

9pm. Free.

Bareback Titty Squad Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney.

10pm. Free.

Chaos Divine + Steelswarm + From Ashes To Victory + Lost Without Life + The Gathering Storm Baker Street, Gosford. 8pm. $10.

County Waste + Crazy Baby Boogie Bananas + Citizen Sunday + Ride For Rain Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Greg Hooper + Dee Donavon Penrith RSL, Penrith. 11am.

Free.

Hollow Everdaze Marlborough Hotel, Newtown.

8pm. Free.

Isaiah B Brunt Spring Street Social, Bondi.

7:30pm. $25.

Japanese Wallpaper + Anatole Newtown Hotel, Newtown.

8pm. Free.

Melody Rhymes Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 4pm. Free.

Mofoisdead + Seims + Red Gazelle + One Breaking Point The Bald Faced Stag, Leichhardt. 8pm. $10.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

AM2PM Club Central Menai, Menai.

9:30pm. Free.

Bandsonstage - feat: Andrew Denniston + Mass + Lost Trolleys + Lion Calamity Ruby L’otel, Rozelle. 8pm.

Free.

Blake Tailor Red Cow Inn, Penrith. 8pm.

Free.

Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers Show Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills. 10pm. Free.

Dirty Deeds - The AC/DC Show Towradgi Beach Hotel, Towradgi. 8:30pm. Free.

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

Double Jeopardy Duo Padstow RSL Club, Padstow.

7:30pm. Free.

Dr. Goddard Seymour Centre, Chippendale. 6pm. Free.

Drew The Oriental Hotel, Springwood. 8pm. Free.

Endless Summer Beach Party The Juniors, Kingsford.

8:30pm. Free.

Glenn Esmond Trio Marlborough Hotel, Newtown.

11pm. Free.

Hits & Pieces Club Engadine, Engadine.

8pm. Free.

Jimmy Bear Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

8:30pm. Free.

Mass Sky Raid + Red Bee + Cosmic King + All The Wise Studio Six, Sutherland. 8pm.

$12.

Matt Lyon The Crest Hotel Sylvania, Sylvania. 7pm. Free.

Melody Rhymes Emu Sports Club, Leonay.

7:30pm. Free.

Mid Nyt Sun Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

7:30pm. Free.

Muddy Feet Time And Tide Hotel, Dee Why. 7:30pm. Free.

Nathan Cole Chatswood RSL, Chatswood.

5pm. Free.

Northeast Party House Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $15.

One Hit Wonders Henry Lawson Club, Werrington. 8pm. Free.

Panorama Windsor Leagues Club, Windsor South. 9pm. Free.

Penny Lane Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

5pm. Free.

Picture Perfect Colonial Hotel, Werrington.

8:30pm. Free.

Psycroptic + Goatwhore + Disentomb + Ouroboros Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

8pm. $27.

Rapture Royal Motor Yacht Club, Newport. 9:30pm. Free.

Reckless Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. Free.

Rob Eastwood Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill.

6:30pm. Free.

Rock Solid Duo Courthouse Hotel, Darlinghurst. 10pm. Free.

Russell Nelson Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

4:30pm. Free.

Songsonstage - feat: CJ Fairleight + The Paulbearers Lewisham Hotel, Lewisham.

8:30pm. $15.

Steve Crocker Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 9:30pm. Free.

Sugar Reef Horsley Park Tavern, Horsley Park. 7pm. Free.

The Bandits Penrith RSL, Penrith. 9pm.

Free.

The Meanies + Chinese Burns Unit + Hostile Objects Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $23.

The Remixes Penrith Gaels, Kingswood.

8pm. Free.

Vaporized Standard Bowl, Surry Hills.

8pm. Free.

Wildcatz Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly. 10pm.

Free.

Winters End + Cartoon + Elsow + 11:11 Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

SATURDAY MARCH 28 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Donavon Frankenreiter Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

7:30pm. $49.10.

Jep And Dep + Jo Meares + Ben Horder Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $12.

Paul Hayward Town & Country Hotel, St Peters. 4pm. Free.

Rebecca Moore Marrickville Ritz Hotel, Marrickville. 8pm. Free.

Shivon Coelho Glebe Markets, Glebe. 12pm.

Free.

Songsonstage - feat: Andrew Denniston Petersham Inn, Petersham.

7:30pm. Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Big Swing Festival - feat: The Sydney All Star Big Band + Todd Mckenney And Lucy Maunder + Tom Burlinson + Glenn Shorrock + Doug Parkinson + Emma Pask + Ashleigh Toole + Sussudio Big Band St Ives Showground, St Ives.

3pm. $30.

Rebecca Johnson Band Carousel Inn Hotel, Rooty Hill.

8pm. Free.

Weird Assembly The Annandale Hotel, Annandale. 8pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Altitude Riverstone Memorial Club, Riverstone. 9pm. Free.

Ange Gladstone Hotel, Chippendale.

7pm. Free.

Big Radio Dynamite Revesby Workers Club, Revesby. 8:30pm. Free.

Big Way Out Epping Hotel, Epping. 10pm.

Free.

Blake Tailor Plough & Harrow, Camden.

8pm. Free.

Cath & Him Crown Hotel, Sydney. 8pm.

Free.

Cursing Stone + Grey Sky Catalyst + Stormbird + Of Asena + Suns Of Cascadia Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Daniel Romeo Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

4:30pm. Free.

Di Bird Red Hot & Blue Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm.

Free.

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

Double Jeopardy Duo Springwood Sports Club, Springwood. 8pm. Free.

Floyd Vincent And The Temple Dogs Oceanview Hotel, Dudley.

7:30pm. Free.

Gabe Levin Strattons Hotel, Sydney. 8pm.

Free.

Georgia White The Crest Hotel Sylvania, Sylvania. 7pm. Free.

Glenn Esmond Fortune Of War, The Rocks.

8pm. Free.

Groove Dimension Macarthur Tavern, Campbelltown. 8pm. Free.

Hits & Pieces Wyong Leagues Club, Kanwal. 9pm. Free.

Idol Threats Huskisson Hotel, Huskisson.

8pm. Free.

Kick - INXS Show Cronulla Leagues Club Sharkies, Woolooware. 8pm.

Free.

The Lockhearts Standard Bowl, Surry Hills.

8pm. Free.

Luke Escombe & The Corporation + Special Guests Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle.

8:30pm. $10.

Marty Stewart The Palace Hotel, Sydney.

11pm. Free.

Mastodon Big Top Sydney (Luna Park), Milsons Point. 8pm. $79 Matt Lyon The Henry Sports Club, Werrington County. 7:30pm.

Free.

Melody Rhymes Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville. 10pm. Free.

Party Central Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9:30pm. Free.

Penny Lane Novotel, Rooty Hill. 6pm. Free.

thebrag.com

g g guide gig g send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Reckless Town Hall Hotel, Balmain.

8pm. Free.

Red Alert Panthers, Penrith. 9:30pm.

Free.

Road Crew R.G. McGees, Richmond.

9pm. Free.

Rob Eastwood The Belvedere Hotel, Sydney.

7:30pm. Free.

Soundbird Penrith RSL, Penrith. 9pm.

Free.

Sunken Ascension - feat: Celibate Rifles + C.O.F.F.I.N + Captain Kickarse And The Awesomes + The Archaic Revival + Gutter Tactic + Bloody Kids + Taelor Jane + Bilby + Asia Hatton Narrabeen RSL, North Narrabeen. 1pm. $20.

Sydonia + Mass Sky Raid + I Am Duckeye + Let The Number Be X + Guests Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

8pm. $16.

The Bandits Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

7:30pm. Free.

The Beatels Ingleburn RSL, Ingleburn.

8:15pm. Free.

The Elton Jack Show Guildford Leagues Club, Guildford. 8pm. Free.

The Nuts Penrith Gaels, Kingswood.

7pm. Free.

The Tribe The Mercantile Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm. Free.

Timothy Nelson & The Infidels + Burn Antares Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $10.

Ultimate Pink Show Kareela Golf Club, Kareela.

8pm. Free.

thebrag.com

V.I.P. PJ Gallagher’s, Parramatta.

9:30pm. Free.

Vance Joy Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

7pm. $51.

Wildcatz Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel, Sydney. 10pm. Free.

SUNDAY MARCH 29 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Mystic Allies + The Midnight Tea Party Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 6pm. $10.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Gabriel The Annandale Hotel, Annandale. 3pm. Free.

If Love Were The Moon - feat: Lisa Schouw + Penelope Wells + Peter Bailey + Robin Gist Camelot Lounge, Marrickville.

6:30pm. $24.70.

Sam Newton Ingleburn Hotel, Ingleburn.

3pm. Free.

Shivon Coelho Rozelle Antique Markets, 10am. Free.

Songsonstage - feat: Michael Kugel + Brynn Luker + Michael Yazbeck + Gabriel Levin + Keely Denham + Ali Morgan + Stuart Jammin Harlequin Inn, Pyrmont. 3pm.

Free.

Vanessa Heinitz Strawberry Hills Hotel, Surry Hills. 2pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Ange Vikings Sports Club, Dundas Valley. 6pm. Free.

Bryen And The Bayou Boogie Boys Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm.

Free.

Burners + New Black Shades + Black Heart Breakers Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney.

4pm. Free.

Dirty Deeds - The AC/DC Show Catherine Hill Bay Hotel, Catherine Hill Bay. 2:30pm.

Free.

Divyatma Saraswati The Mill Hotel, Milperra.

12pm. Free.

Electric Sunday + Soap Star Joe + The Gaze + Restless Leg + The Nobody Town Hall Hotel, Newtown.

6pm. Free.

Floyd Vincent And The Temple Dogs The Wicko, Newcastle.

5:30pm. Free.

Georgia White The Henry Sports Club, Werrington County. 1pm.

Free.

Glenn Esmond Bella Vista, Pyrmont. 12pm.

Free.

Holly Stone Duo Riverstone Sportsmans Hotel, Riverstone. 1pm. Free.

Kingdom Of Jones + Matthew De La Hunty The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 5pm. $5.

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 27

gig guide send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com Matt Lyon Plough & Harrow, Camden.

3pm. Free.

Melody Rhymes Pritchards Hotel, Mount Pritchard. 1pm. Free.

Northeast Party House Metro Theatre, Sydney.

4:45pm. $16.

Penny Lane Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor. 1pm.

Free.

Peter Byrne Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

8:30pm. Free.

Phill Simmons Ramsgate RSL, Sans Souci.

2pm. Free.

Rob Eastwood Macarthur Tavern, Campbelltown. 2pm. Free.

Russell Nelson Ambarvale Tavern, Ambarvale. 2pm. Free.

Ryan Thomas Waverley Bowling Club, Waverley. 3pm. Free.

U2 Elevation Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

4:30pm. Free.

MONDAY MARCH 30 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Hozier Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $55.

Originals At 616 - feat: Jesse Whitney + Adrian Heath Trio + Luke Mahler + Katherine Vavahea Foundry616, Ultimo. 7:30pm. $10.

Songsonstage - feat: Stuart Jammin + Chris

28 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

Brookes Kelly’s On King, Newtown.

8pm. Free.

g g picks gig p up all night out all week...

Gang Of Youths

Northeast Party House Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $15.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

The Meanies + Chinese Burns Unit + Hostile Objects Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $23.

Floyd Vincent And The Temple Dogs Bar On The Hill, Callaghan.

12pm. Free.

Kye Brown Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9pm. Free.

SATURDAY MARCH 28

TUESDAY MARCH 31 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Beth Hart Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7pm. $66.10.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Anton Orient Hotel, The Rocks.

9pm. Free.

Jeff Martin Lizotte’s, Newcastle. 6pm. $50.

Live And Originals - feat: Amy Freeman + Sea + Ben Mcintyre + Katherine Vavahea Mr Falcon’s, Glebe. 7:30pm.

Free.

Paolo Nutini + Liam Gerner Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

8pm. $84.10.

Jep And Dep + Jo Meares + Ben Horder Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $12.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25 Gang Of Youths FBi Live, Alexandria.

5.30pm. Free.

Manning Bar, Camperdown.

8pm. $30.

Isaiah B Brunt Spring Street Social, Bondi.

7.30pm. $25

Jackson Firebird Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney.

9pm. $15.

Service Bells + Yeevs + Holy Shakers Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10.

Jeff Martin The Basement, Circular Quay. 7pm. $40.

Trinity Roots Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $15.

THURSDAY MARCH 26

FRIDAY MARCH 27

Darren Hanlon + The Burnt Sausages + Jack Carty

Dr. Goddard Seymour Centre, Chippendale. 6pm. Free.

Luke Escombe & The Corporation Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle. 8.30pm. $10.

Sydonia + Mass Sky Raid + I Am Duckeye + Let The Number Be X Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 8pm. $16.

Kingdom Of Jones + Matthew De La Hunty The Gasoline Pony.

Marrickville. 5pm. $5.

MONDAY MARCH 30 Hozier Metro Theatre, Sydney.

8pm. $55.

TUESDAY MARCH 31 Paolo Nutini + Liam Gerner Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

8pm. $84.10.

Jeff Martin

Timothy Nelson & The Infidels + Burn Antares Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $10.

SUNDAY MARCH 29 Burners + New Black Shades + Black Heart Breakers Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney.

4pm. Free.

thebrag.com

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

brag beats off the record:

inside: + club guide + club snaps + weekly column

fritz kalkbrenner

jay lumen illuminate the night

thebrag.com

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 29

brag beats

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

dance music news club, dance and hip hop in brief... with Chris Martin, Ayla Dhyani and Nicholas Hartman

five things WITH ANDREW

STANLEY FROM YOLANDA BE COOL

The Funkoars

OAR YEAH, THE FUNKOARS

The Funkoars have a new single to play for us all, and it’s ‘Below Average’. No, that’s not a review – it’s the name of the latest track from the funked up hip hop crew from Adelaide, and the first taste of forthcoming album In Case Of Emergency. To launch the single, The Funkoars are taking their very much above average show on the road, stopping in at Newcastle’s Cambridge Hotel on Friday May 22 and The Basement on Saturday May 23.

ALL ABOARD THE MAC EXPRESS Growing Up My first album was 1.

Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell

boundaries and doing something truly unique.

and my first compilation was Choose 1985, which included the Ghostbusters theme as well as ‘Sunglasses At Night’.

My uncle is a musician and loved The Beatles and he gave me all their albums, so this is what I was brought up on. My dad took me to the Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet concert when I was in year four and it blew me away.

Your Crew I have always been 3. into music, but it wasn’t until

Inspirations Ahh, so many. Well, 2. the biggest legend of our time would have to be Prince.

I have seen him play live a couple of times and he is amazing. I remember waking up and watching Rage and loving his music videos. ‘Cream’ especially!

What inspires me the most is when you see an artist full of passion pushing creative

SPICE’S NEW HOME

I went to Ibiza one summer when I was backpacking that I decided to buy decks. This, coupled with going to Moulin Rouge every Friday night to watch Ajax and his Bang Gang play, got me right in to it.

Being signed to Sweat It Out, we have a great Sweaty crew full of really talented artists – What So Not, Danny T, RÜFÜS, Motez, Porches and Go Freek, just to name a few.

The Music You Make And Play 4.

We have been smashing both singles by our buddy Nicky Night Time, and have a new one called ‘Makossa’ with our pal DCup which has consistently been one of the biggest tunes in our sets since

30 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

5.

What: Northern Beaches House Party With: Touch Sensitive, Mazde, Fear Of Dawn, The Nuclear Family and many more Where: Mona Vale Hotel When: Sunday April 5

3 – Sunday April 5. Spice’s first event at the Imperial will take place on Saturday April 18, when Mantra Collective and Spice present Alex Niggemann.

Coda Conduct

A WISE DECISION

Will.i.am’s pal Cody Wise – you may know him for the hit single ‘It’s My Birthday’ – is throwing a party at Marquee this Sunday March 29. Boy, this birthday party has really stretched on for a while, hasn’t it? It’s not Wise’s birthday anymore, but it is early days for the new Reign R&B night at Marquee, so the streamers and party poppers might still be around. And who doesn’t like a party?

FLYING CIRCUS TAKES OFF

S.A.S.H is hosting a Martin Buttrich-headlined Flying Circus party over the Easter long weekend next month, and now the full lineup has been confirmed. The Sicilian/English combination that is Audiofly and Blond:ish will be backing up the Barcelona-based German DJ/producer Buttrich at the event. Along with those three acts, the S.A.S.H crew themselves, plus Church Of Techno, Blueprint and Engine

Hoodboi

LNDRY LINEUP

Hooooboy, it’s Hoodboi. He’s the Chinese Laundry co-headliner this weekend alongside local faves Slumberjack, with the US producer and DJ having risen to notoriety in the last year or so from the deepest corners of the internet. Expect a throwback sound with a very 2015 energy. Joining the fun are Stephane 1993, Samrai, Nemo, DJ Just 1, King Lee, Coda, Heyshep, Greywolf and Spike The Punch. It all goes down this Saturday March 28.

Room will all be hosting their own rooms of local DJs, including the likes of Gabby, Jake Hough, Sebastian Bayne, Methodix, Leoch, Robbie Lowe and Telefunken. Flying Circus will be at the Greenwood Hotel on Saturday April 4.

CODA CONDUCT EP LAUNCH

Coda Conduct are getting set for a big ol’ party next month to launch Butter Side Up – the hip hop duo’s debut EP release. So far, the twosome has been receiving airplay on triple j, triple j Unearthed, 2SER and FBi Radio, thanks to lead single ‘Knowledge Is King’ as well as the track ‘Pool Room’. The EP launch will be hosted by Stayfly Sydney, an all-female conglomeration of DJs, singers, dancers, MCs, photographers and street artists. Apart from Stayfly artists co-performing, there will also be body painters and B-girls on show too, as well as a range of sponsors handing out street wear giveaways. The event takes place on Thursday April 16 at Oxford Art Factory.

xxx

The party minds behind beloved underground Sydney dance venue The Spice Cellar will take up residence at a new location next month. After Spice Group International (SGI) announced The Spice Cellar’s pending closure due to Sydney’s lockout laws, it’s now been confirmed that SGI will take over management of the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville from late April. The new-look Imperial will play host to a range of entertainment, not just limited to dance music – it’ll also offer live bands, drag, burlesque and much more. Spice’s Murat Kilic said in a statement, “We’ll adopt a patient staged approach. When we first go into the project, there won’t be any monumental changes, but more so refi nements of product offerings, better sound systems and striking entertainment throughout the venue. We are keen to broaden the entertainment and F&B offerings immediately and very excited about working with the LGBTI and local communities to optimise the wonderful melting pot of diversity that is the Imperial Hotel Erskineville.” The Spice Cellar’s regular program will continue until its Easter long weekend closing fi esta from Friday April

last summer. Justin Martin, Sharam Jey, Doorly and Go Freek will all get a run as well.

Music, Right Here, Right Now The scene is dope in Oz at the moment. It’s also diverse. Pacha, the Laundry, Superdisco and Anyway in Melbourne are all doing great club nights and booking interesting talent. Meanwhile and Spice have a really special thing going on with no lockouts fucking things up at the Imperial Hotel, Erskineville. Both of those parties are dope.

In celebration of his new album, Holiday From Me, Australian electronic music don Paul Mac is taking the title analogy to a whole new level by embarking on a mysterious adventure with fans and friends to showcase his latest music. According to Mac, “Trains are inherently forward moving. They don’t go backwards, they reveal a constantly changing range of vistas, landscapes and time-lapse landscapes in a general rhythmic soundtrack wrapped in metal.

It’s a pre-determined pathway both inherently futuristic and fatalistic.” Get aboard with Paul Mac on Wednesday April 8 at Central Station’s Platform 1 to celebrate the album – but grab a ticket first via Resident Advisor.

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 31

Off The Record

Jay Lumen

Dance and Electronica with Tyson Wray

For The Love Of Sound By Augustus Welby

xxx

Alex Niggemann

D

Our mates over at Picnic have announced a huge triple-bill party. Headlined by Dutchman Young Marco (whose debut LP Biology on ESP Institute was charted in many best-of lists last year), the night will also see a double dose of Sex Tags Mania with performances from DJ Sotofett and DJ Fett Burger. Saturday April 18 at the Oxford Art Factory. Can’t recommend this one enough.

One of the most prolific producers in the techno world, Steve Bug has locked in an Australian sojourn. Over the course of his career the German has put out well over 80 releases, and alongside his remix and compilation work, has more than 500 release credits to his name. He’s also the owner of the Poker Flat Recordings label, and has played at pretty much every club and festival on the planet. He’ll tear Sydney a new one when hits the Imperial Hotel on Saturday May 30.

Alex Niggemann will return to Sydney next month. Having released on the likes of Poker Flat, Compost Black Label, Get

Physical, Tsuba, Soma and 8bit, he runs his own imprints AEON and Soulfooled, and has also produced under the aliases N.I.G.G.I. and Superlounge, with his influences spanning the depths of Detroit techno and Chicago house. He’ll roll into town on Saturday April 18 at The Imperial Hotel.

So the Vivid LIVE lineup has some pretty tasty electronic morsels in it, eh?

Astral People will throw down a party with Chicago legend Robert Owens (of Fingers Inc.) and Amir Alexander; Future Classic will be celebrating their tenth anniversary on the Opera House’s outdoor northern boardwalk; Mad Racket will host house don Matthew Herbert; and the bass maximalist Squarepusher will return to Sydney for the first time in 14 years. Oof. Tour rumours: word on the grapevine is that Spaniard Christian Wünsch (of Pole Group/ESP Institute) will be dropping by next month. Oh, and a tour from Ø [Phase] sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

Look out for dates to drop any week now.

Best releases this week: the latest release from Perfume Advert, Kappa Downs (on Where To Now?) absolutely slays, while other highlights include Dauwd’s Jupiter George (Kompakt), S. Moreira & Xinner’s Through The Rings Of Saturn (Phonica), The Nuclear Family’s Come Dine With Us (The Nuclear Family) and Legowelt’s Immensity Of Cosmic Space (Unknown To The Unknown).

RECOMMENDED The Spice Cellar

SATURDAY APRIL 4

Audiofly, Martin Buttrich, Blond:ish Greenwood Hotel Guy J, Eelke Kleijn Burdekin Hotel

SUNDAY APRIL 5 Phil Kieran Home Fritz Kalkbrenner

SATURDAY MARCH 28

Kettenkarussell, Leafar Legov, Konstantin Burdekin Hotel Terreke Chippendale Hotel

THURSDAY APRIL 2

Voices From The Lake, Mr. Ties Marrickville Bowling Club

SATURDAY APRIL 11

SATURDAY MAY 23 Kyle Hall The Imperial

FRIDAY MAY 29 Carmada Oxford Art Factory

SATURDAY MAY 30 Steve Bug The Imperial

Developer The Sly Fox

Milton Bradley Burdekin Hotel

SATURDAY APRIL 18 James Zabiela Chinese Laundry

Alex Niggemann The Imperial Young March, DJ

Fritz Kalkbrenner

Sotofett, DJ Fett Burger Oxford Art Factory

Steve Bug

Got any tip-offs, hate mail, praise or cat photos?

Email hey@tysonwray.com or contact me via carrier pigeon.

32 :: BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15

“We have some big festivals here in Hungary, major festivals as well,” Lumen says. “Not only for underground, but all kinds of electronic music.

The scene is pretty strong here, especially Budapest, which is really good for me.

I play a lot in Hungary. I have 60-70 per cent of gigs outside of the country and 30-40 per cent inside the country.”

In recent times, Lumen has certainly not been at a loss for gig opportunities. Having gained recognition as a tech house/techno DJ, he’s spent the last five years getting to know his way around the global club circuit.

This Easter he’ll return to Australia to co-headline the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival at Woodfordia. For Lumen, it seems entirely natural to live and breathe music for 365 days a year.

“I started to learn music when I was seven years old,” he says. “I started to learn how to play the violin and all kinds of things about the music; I was singing in a choir as well. I think all of my life was going around the music until now, and I hope for the future as well.”

he said, ‘You are the only one all around the world.’

I’m so happy, but still I’m the same man. I just try to do what I love, which is the music.

“I want to try to show a piece of myself for the people – what I’m thinking, if I got some influences when I was on tour or something like that. I just play and produce the sound of what I actually feel. It doesn’t matter if I am in [the] top ten or not, I just keep my way and make what I love. If the people are happy when I’m playing, I’m happy as well.”

Lumen has now released more than enough originals to fill an entire DJ set.

However, in a further display of refreshing modesty, the Hungarian’s sets are an exploration through the vast fields of techno, tech house and house music.

“I play a lot of tunes from other artists, of course,” he says. “I play my own sounds as well – around 20 per cent of my sets are my own tracks. I don’t feel that I have to do like some other acts that play their own sounds only. First of all I’m a DJ, which is why I like to show some new sounds from some others. [To play] the songs that I like, that’s why I’m a DJ.” While Lumen’s career has revolved around the aforementioned genre zones, he’s not a singleminded listener. “When

I’m driving I just check the alternative radio for some alternative poprock sounds, for drum and bass, for symphonic orchestra sounds, all kinds.

I’m especially in love with original motion picture scores, the symphonic sounds of John Williams, Alan Silvestri, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore.”

It’s fair to surmise that being naturally inclined towards music from all over the place has expanded Lumen’s tools for diversifying his own productions.

“It’s much better to get much more impressions from other musicians, from other styles,” he says. “You can keep your ears so clear.

If you’re listening only one way and to one sound, it’ll get boring for you. If you’re listening only to techno, you will be not fresh enough with your sounds.

“As a producer I make techno, tech house and sometimes house as well.

As a DJ, I do the same.

But of course I listen to all kinds of music. I think it’s really important for all of the productions.”

What: Rabbits Eat Lettuce 2015 With: Aeroplane, Berg, Opiuo, Zomboy and more Where: Woodfordia, Queensland When: Friday April 3 – Monday April 6

Although Lumen’s classical violin training occurred at a very young age, the shift into electronic production still seems rather drastic.

However, his affection for electronic music also stretches back to his youth.

“When I was a child I started to listen to all the Chicago house and Detroit techno sounds from the late ’80s and I really loved it,” he says. “That kind of music is real fresh, still today as well.

It was 30 years ago, but I think it’s really fresh now again. So that was the point when I felt, ‘I have to make something in electronic music.’ It was the first bang for me; I was sure that I have to make some of my own sounds in electronic music and I was sure that I have to be a DJ.” Lumen is an admired professional behind the decks, but this success is almost trumped by his reputation as an original producer. There’s barely been a single week during the last four years when Lumen hasn’t had a tune sitting high in the Beatport charts, and the winning streak continues courtesy of his latest release, the eight-minute techno jam ‘Departures’. With consistent sales success comes artistic affirmation, but he hasn’t let it go to his head.

“My manager just said that I was in the Beatport top ten with all of my releases in the last four years, which I didn’t believe,” Lumen says. “And thebrag.com

Steve Bug photo by Mirjam Knickriem

etroit house and techno wunderkind Kyle Hall will return to Sydney later this year. Having being mentored by luminaries such as DJ Raybone Jones, Rick Wilhite and Mike Huckaby, Hall has released on the likes of Warp, Clone Records, Hypercolour and Objektivity, and has graced the decks of hallowed clubs such as Fabric, Panorama Bar, Circo Loco and Warehouse Project, just to name a few. Catch him on Saturday May 23 at the Imperial Hotel.

G

ermany, Holland, England and Spain – these are the European nations synonymous with modern electronic music. Looking a little deeper, Italy, France, Scotland and Belgium also house prominent electronic scenes. Hungary, on the other hand, barely enters the competition. At least, that’s the way it appears to a casual, remote onlooker.

But Budapest DJ and producer Jay Lumen argues otherwise.

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

club pick of the week

SATURDAY MARCH 28 Jurassic 5

Enmore Theatre

Jurassic 5 7pm. $96.20.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25

Mayhem Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

CLUB NIGHTS CLUB NIGHTS

DJ Tom Kelly Goldfish, Kings Cross. 9pm.

Free.

The Wall The World Bar, Kings Cross.

9pm. $5.

THURSDAY MARCH 26 CLUB NIGHTS

Giorgio Moroder Metro Theatre, Sydney.

7:30pm. $50.87.

Late Night Shopping - feat: Loveit + Gerrit Oliver The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

9pm. Free.

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

Free.

The World Bar Thursdays The World Bar, Kings Cross.

9pm. Free.

Thief + Lanks Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $12.

FRIDAY MARCH 27

zzzz

HIP HOP & R&B

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

Free.

Jurassic 5 Towradgi Beach Hotel, Towradgi. 8pm. $75.

Vent@Valve - feat: Brotherhood Of Steel + Owp + Ran MC + Split Decision + Lash + Proj3ct

thebrag.com

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

Free.

Bassic - feat: LTJ Bukem + A-Tonez + Rollers Music + Spenda C + Blackjack + Andrew Wowk + Blue Grass DJs + Killy Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

8pm. $17.50.

Compound - feat: Benji + Statz + Subaske + Zeus Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

11pm. $10.

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

10pm. Free.

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

7pm. Free.

Feel Good Fridays Bar100, The Rocks. 5pm.

Free.

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

Free.

Phat Play Fridays - feat: Coolhand Luke + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 9pm.

Free.

Soul Control - feat: Ben Fester + Preacha The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

9pm. Free.

The V Movement - feat: DJ Sneak + Mark Farina + Todd Terry + Doc Martin + Walden Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $18.40.

Treble N Bass - feat: DJ Jamin + Agent Smith Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly.

8pm. Free.

Voodoo - feat: Bryan Kearney + Thomas Knight + Nick Arbor + Simon Lovell

8pm. $22.60.

Murray Lake + Sam Wall Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly.

6pm. Free.

No Rest For The Wicked feat: DJ’s She + Action And + Xerstorkitte Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

Pacha Sydney - Feat: Waze & Odyssey + Danny T + Gt + Lo’99 + Acaddamy + DJ Moto + Hobophonics + Samrai + Deckhead + Nanna Does + Danny Lang + Jace Disgrace + Just 1 + Keyes + Eko Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney.

6:30pm. $28.

Picnic 7th Birthday - feat: Adi Toohey + Andy Webb + Ben Fester + Cassette + D&D + Kali + Marc Jarvin + Mike Witcombe + Preacha + Rimbombo + Slow Blow Valerie Yum Imperial Hotel, Erskineville.

10pm. $15.

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

9pm. Free.

Snuff + Kwze + Vaein + Adam Xycore Hermann’s Bar, Darlington.

8pm. $15.

Something Else Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst.

9pm. $20.

Spice - feat: Murat Kilic + Robbie Lowe + Ant J Steep + Le Brond + Dean Relf + Sam Francisco + Onn The Spice Cellar, Sydney.

9pm. $25.

The Chop - feat: Mumbles + Ofensiv + Raine Supreme + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 7pm.

Free.

The House Of Who - feat: Rotating DJs + Levins + The House Of Who + Nacho Pop + Kato’s Wig Shop Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

8pm. Free

SUNDAY MARCH 29 HIP HOP & R&B

One Day Sundays - feat: Raph + Joyride + Adit + Jaytee Hazard + Radge + 2Buck + Klue + Roleo Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

1pm. $10.

Reign Sydney - feat: Cody Wise Marquee, Pyrmont. 9pm. $28.60.

CLUB NIGHTS

Cyril Hahn Museum Of Contemporary Art, The Rocks. 5pm. $47.45.

DJ Nad + Linda Jenssen Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly.

5pm. Free.

Flosstradamus + Hoodboi + Ember Metro Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $61.32.

La Fiesta - feat: Samantha Fox + Agee Ortiz + Av El Cubano + Resident DJ

Willie Sabor The Establishment, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

Reggae Sundays Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross. 5pm. Free.

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

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

Free.

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

Free.

Swipe Right Sunday - feat: DJ Lou Lou + Benny Vibes Lo-Fi, Darlinghurst. 5pm. Free.

MONDAY MARCH 30 CLUB NIGHTS

Mashup Monday - feat: Resident DJs Side Bar, Sydney. 8pm. Free.

TUESDAY MARCH 31 CLUB NIGHTS

Chu The World Bar, Kings Cross.

9pm. Free.

up all night out all week...

Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 9pm. $45.

SATURDAY MARCH 28

THURSDAY MARCH 26 Giorgio Moroder Metro Theatre, Sydney.

7.30pm. $50.87.

HIP HOP & R&B

Thief + Lanks Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $12.

CLUB NIGHTS

FRIDAY MARCH 27

Jurassic 5 Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

7pm. $96.20.

Cakes - feat: 4 Rooms Of Live Music + DJs And International Guests The World Bar, Kings Cross.

8pm. $10.

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

10pm. Free.

Feenixpawl Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

Gary’s House - feat: Ezzy + Le Fruit + Physique + Garage Fingers Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

10pm. Free.

Halfway Crooks Double Up! - feat: Halfway Crooks DJs + Klasik1 Goodgod Small Club, Sydney.

11pm. $10.

Homemade - feat: Kyro + Royaal + Venuto + Rees Hellmers + DJ Iko + DJ Seiz + J Reyes + Nick Arbor + Simon Lovell Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 9pm. Free.

Infamous Saturdays - feat: Live DJs Scubar, Sydney. 7pm. Free.

Leisure Bandits Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross. 8:30pm. Free.

Lndry - feat: Hoodboi + Slumberjack + Stephane 1993 + Samrai + Nemo + DJ Just 1 + King Lee + Coda + Heyshep + Greywolf + Spike The Punch Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

Compound - feat: Benji + Statz + Subaske + Zeus Goodgod Small Club, Sydney. 8pm. $10.

Jurassic 5 Towradgi Beach Hotel, Towradgi. 8pm. $75.

Phat Play Fridays - feat: Coolhand Luke + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills. 9pm.

Free.

Voodoo - feat: Bryan Kearney + Thomas Knight + Nick Arbor + Simon Lovell Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 9pm. $45.

Waze & Odyssey

SATURDAY MARCH 28 Feenixpawl Marquee, Pyrmont. 10pm. $28.60.

Pacha Sydney - feat: Waze & Odyssey + Danny T + Gt + Lo’99 + Acaddamy + DJ Moto + Hobophonics + Samrai + Deckhead + Nanna Does + Danny Lang + Jace Disgrace + Just 1 + Keyes + Eko Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney.

6:30pm. $28.

Picnic 7th Birthday feat: Adi Toohey + Andy Webb + Ben Fester + Cassette + D&D + Kali + Marc Jarvin + Mike Witcombe + Preacha + Rimbombo + Slow Blow Valerie Yum Imperial Hotel, Erskineville.

10pm. $15.

SUNDAY MARCH 29 One Day Sundays feat: Raph + Joyride + Adit + Jaytee Hazard + Radge + 2buck + Klue + Roleo Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 1pm. $10.

Cyril Hahn Museum Of Contemporary Art, The Rocks. 5pm. $47.45.

Giorgio Moroder

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

BRAG :: 605 :: 25:03:15 :: 33

five things SERGE SANTIAGO AND FIRAS WAEZ FROM WAZE & ODYSSEY

1.

Growing Up SS: Brighton for me.

A great town at that time for doing music – lots of party crews, music producers, club promoters. I naturally moved into writing, moving through a few genres and projects. Now I’m London-based using all the experience gained.

Homework album. We must have listened to that a million times. Neptunes, early Basement Jaxx. It all helped mould an idea for the future.

Your Crew Our label Street Tracks 3. has released music from acts like Citizenn, Ejeca, New Jack City, Eliphino, XXXY, Urulu, Steve Huerta, Sage Caswell, Bodhi, Squarehead and more, and everyone is wicked. It’s cool when we get to hang out together, and we love keeping it a family thing.

The crew is building! We’ve got releases from Quell, Palace, Neville Watson and Manik forthcoming to the label.

thebrag.com/snaps

up all night out all week . . .

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

BARO Goodgod Small Club Saturday March 21 Baro is a young rapper (real young – his tour is also a prolonged celebration of his 18th birthday) from Melbourne who’s been generating a lot of heat lately, both on and off the stage. His latest EP Howgoodisgood? has filled a spot in Aussie hip hop that’s been lying wide open: lackadaisical, jazz-infused beats veneered with a tongue-in-cheek drawl.

You could say he’s an Antipodean answer to Joey Bada$$. And it’s definitely worked in his favour – so far he’s provided dynamic opening sets for the likes of Freddie Gibbs, The Pharcyde and Thundamentals.

FW: I got into electronic music via friends, early Slammin Vinyl tape packs in my car. UNKLE’s Psyence Fiction album really got me into electronic sounds. I started at the bottom in the club world handing out flyers – that moved on to getting residency in Sheffield, which pushed me to try and learn more.

Inspirations Film, people, 2. music. Mainly Daft Punk’s

VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

4.

The Music You Make And Play It’s house music first and foremost. Whether it’s tougher, a little lighter – it’s about what feels good at the time, what works. We’ve been building our studio and developing the equipment we’re using to make it; that has been cool. Our Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 in the UK gives you a good idea of our DJ sets – jacked-up house music that we enjoy playing. But to be honest, it totally depends on the time and day. You feed off the crowd, that’s the key thing.

Music, Right Here, Right Now

5.

It’s in a good place. The UK is definitely seeing a renaissance in the bigger events but the underground is as strong as ever. London is our home turf and has a great scene and variety, but definitely the regional cities are really holding their own.

There are some amazing parties in the UK at the minute – amazing vibes, great production and totally slick organisation.

But it’s a different story when it comes to transforming this attitude to a headline national tour. It can go one of two ways, and it relies a lot on a kind of synchrony between the performer and the audience.

The thing is, neither was really on their game for Baro’s Sydney leg at Goodgod.

It’s a joint you really want to pack out to get any momentum going, and Baro had

a scattered, if enthusiastic, crowd. Add to this an early onstage admission from Baro that he had been out the night before until 5am, and that he had already played one show that evening, and any expectations were quickly deflated.

But whatever. For all this, Baro’s delivery is now so well honed that it’s a pleasure just to see him perform. Tracks like ‘Amber’, ‘Everything’ and ‘Seasons’ leave you mesmerised with just how good a wordsmith he is, a fact that any recording can’t fully justify. His relationship with his DJ Fets is longstanding, and the dynamic between them – a rancorous recital of banter and in-jokes – filled any holes between songs.

But in the end, even this was stretched thin: there are only so many times you can be told to “make some motherfucking noise”.

Baro’s gig was a lesson in how not to plan a picnic. If everyone turns up with something bad, then the results are pretty self-evident. But the guy had fun, and it was sure fun watching him.

Nic Liney

What: Pacha Sydney With: Lo’99, GT, Acaddamy, Friendless and more Where: Ivy When: Saturday March 28

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