Brag#668

ISSUE NO. 668 JUNE 22, 2016

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

MUSIC, FILM, THEATRE + MORE

INSIDE This Week

MUMF OR D & S ONS

Their debut African tour inspired a new musical direction.

PA R K WAY DR I V E

Entering uncharted territory, musically and physically.

CR A IG ROBINSON

The Chicago musical comedian is bringing the groove Down Under.

W H AT S O NO T

It's now a solo project, but Chris Emerson is going full steam ahead.

L EPERS & CROOKS

Australia's hardest-working band?

Let them prove it to you.

Plus

T R A C Y MCNEIL M AT MCHUGH BE A R T OO T H A RCHI T E C T S W HIGF IEL D A ND MUCH MOR E

BRO ODS IT TAKES TWO

WINTER CHALET PARTIES EVERY FRIDAY IN JUNE & JULY Pop Up Jägermeister Bar • Happy Hour 4-7pm Prizes for most outrageous Après outfit!

Jäger ski shots, winter beers & Jägermeister Spice on Tap

CORNER PLAYFAIR & ARGYLE STREETS, THE ROCKS • munichbrauhaus.com thebrag.com

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 3

rock music news

the BRAG presents

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Rochelle Bevis and James Di Fabrizio

on the record WITH

Metro Theatre Wednesday July 20

MAX MARVELL FROM MARVELL become a successful musician. His blues/roots/funk and pop culture songs are nothing short of genius – make sure you have a listen.

The First Thing I Recorded The first thing I recorded 3. was a song called ‘Shotgun’, which is actually now on the EP. I recorded it at Palmgrove Studios in Avalon as a solo guitar and vox – Tom and I were chuffed on it, but then a few years later got a more solid version with the band, [but] there was absolutely nothing wrong with the recording and I still love the acoustic vibe today.

collecting records around 18 and now have too many to count.

The Last Record I Bought The last record I bought was Allen Stone’s Radius. It is exactly what I love about music and this man is the reason I want to

2.

The Last Thing I Recorded The last thing we have 4. recorded is the long-awaited and self-titled EP Marvell, recorded in Melbourne with the talent of Jan Skubiszewski as producer and drum lines by Will Hull-Brown (The Cat Empire). We are super pumped on the result, and so far have received nothing but great

UFOMAMMUT DOWN UNDER

MANAGING EDITOR: Chris Martin chris@thebrag.com 02 9212 4322 ONLINE EDITOR: James Di Fabrizio SUB-EDITOR: Sam Caldwell STAFF WRITERS: Joseph Earp, Adam Norris, Augustus Welby NEWS: Rochelle Bevis, Gloria Brancatisano, James Di Fabrizio, Amy Henderson, Anna Wilson

Italian space doom virtuosos Ufomammut are making their way Down Under for the first time, bringing along Swedish three-piece Monolord for the double headliner ride. Ufomammut most recently released their eighth studio album Ecate – a doom masterpiece that encapsulates their distinct sound. They take the stage with riff masters Monolord, who released their second album Vænir last year, and whose influences include Sleep, Sabbath, Windhand and Conan.

See it all go down at The Bald Faced Stag on Friday October 7.

ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Bryant PHOTOGRAPHERS: D.A. Carter, Katrina Clarke, Ashley Mar

DASHING THROUGH THE BUSH

ADVERTISING: Tony Pecotic - (02) 9212 4322 tony@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 GIG & CLUB GUIDE COORDINATOR: Sarah Bryant - gigguide@thebrag.com (rock); clubguide@thebrag.com (dance, hip hop & parties)

Australia’s premier alt-country festival, Dashville Skyline, is back for another year, boasting a national rock icon, international guests and the next generation of the country’s best songwriters.

Leading the lineup is Brian Cadd, whose songs have been performed by everyone from Ringo Starr to Joe Cocker. A prolific songwriter since the ’60s, he’ll be bringing a batch of hits with him. Cadd will be joined by San Francisco’s The Brothers Comatose and Aussie legends The Glen Hansard

AWESOME INTERNS: Amy Henderson, Anna Wilson, Natalia Morawski REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Amat, Prudence Clark, Tom Clift, Anita Connors, Christie Eliezer, Emily Gibb, Tegan Jones, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Emily Meller, David Molloy, Annie Murney, Adam Norris, George Nott, Daniel Prior, Tegan Reeves, Natalie Rogers, Erin Rooney, Spencer Scott, Natalie Salvo, Leonardo Silvestrini, Jade Smith, Lucy Watson, Rod Whitfield, Harry Windsor, Tyson Wray, Stephanie Yip, David James Young

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

follow us:

@TheBrag

like us:

THE BRAG

4 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

always be pumping Elvis, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Johnny Farnham – so we absolutely love the classics. Tom and I both have completely opposite influences. For Tom, The Doors definitely change his music lyrically and spiritually.

For myself Allen Stone, was the one person’s record that changed my life.

What: Marvell out now independently More: marvellmusic.com.au

HANSARD IN THE HOUSE

Iconic Irish songwriter Glen Hansard will make his return to the Sydney Opera House this October. Hansard, who played at the famous venue back in 2014 alongside Eddie Vedder, will this time headline with accompaniment from strings and brass. The Dublinborn Hansard made his name with The Frames and via an acting appearance in The Commitments, releasing his first solo record in 2012. See Hansard and friends at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23. Tickets go on sale 9am Friday June 24.

Sydney Olympic Park Saturday July 23

AT THE DRIVE-IN

Enmore Theatre Sunday July 24

JAKE BUGG State Theatre Tuesday July 26

SAD GRRRLS FEST Feat: Le Pie, Coda Conduct, Twin Caverns + more Factory Floor Saturday October 8

The Coathangers

JUST HANGIN’ AROUND

Returning to Australia off the back of their latest album, The Coathangers will be popping by Sydney to play what is sure to be a blistering show this year. Their latest record, Nosebleed Weekend, comes from a little bit of a different angle, being the first album recorded outside of the band’s native Atlanta. It saw the group teaming up with Nic Jodoin (Nightbeats, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) in North Hollywood to produce the record, resulting in more sophisticated songwriting coupled with the classic Coathangers sound that old fans know and love. Catch them Thursday October 6 at Newtown Social Club.

Seattle four-piece Chastity Belt are coming to Australia for the very first time, ripping across the country for a string of shows. The band, comprising members of Childbirth, Tacocat and Pony Time, has so far released two albums – the most recent being 2015’s Time To Go Home via Hardly Art – and has supported the likes of Courtney Barnett, Death Cab For Cutie, Wire and Protomartyr across the US. See Chastity Belt when they hit Oxford Art Factory on Saturday October 1.

HERE THEY COME…

Celebrating their 50th anniversary and their latest album Good Times!, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork of The Monkees will play a onenight-only Sydney show. Originally cast in a television program depicting a struggling rock band, inspired by The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night, The Monkees were quick to hit number one with their first single ‘Last Train To Clarksville’. Following the death of fellow Monkee Davy Jones in 2012, the surviving members reunited for a series of sold-out shows.

To carry on the tradition, Dolenz and Tork will

bring The Monkees’ magic Down Under with a jam-packed show of hits, clips and an intimate acoustic set. They’ll play the State Theatre on Saturday December 10.

SONIC SENIORS

US veteran garage rockers The Sonics will return to Australia for a one-off Sydney show.

Laying down the blueprint for garage rock back in 1963, their hard-edged tracks have cemented them as huge influences in the punk, garage and hard rock music scenes. After calling it quits 1968 with only sporadic reunions since, The Sonics responded to the 2007 invitation of the New York garage festival Cavestomp to reform, releasing their first album in 2015 after almost 50 years. They’ll be at Manning Bar on Sunday October 2, joined by The Crusaders and The Pink Fits.

YOURS & OWLS LINEUP

Yours & Owls Festival, the music and arts event that takes over North Wollongong across the October long weekend, is back for 2016 with a boom schedule. Pitched as the festival’s biggest lineup yet, the music program includes acts from Australia and overseas. This year’s event will expand to a second stage across two days and nights, with food, film and culture also on offer for punters’ enjoyment. The killer music bill includes The Living End, The Sonics, Ladyhawke, DMA’s, Tkay Maidza, Ball Park Music, Sampa The Great, Client Liaison, Totally Unicorn, Hockey Dad, Hermitude and many more.

Yours & Owls 2016 takes place at Stuart Park in North Wollongong on Saturday October 1 and Sunday October 2. Check out the full lineup at thebrag.com. thebrag.com

Glen Hansard photo by Prudence Upton

PRINTED BY SPOTPRESS: spotpress.com.au 24 – 26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204

The Record That Changed My Life 5.

Growing up, Mum and Dad would

SWEET CHASTITY

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forrester: accounts@furstmedia.com.au ph - (03) 9428 3600 fax - (03) 9428 3611 Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond Victoria 3121

DISTRIBUTION: Wanna get the BRAG? Email distribution@ furstmedia.com.au or phone 03 9428 3600

reviews, so we’re just super stoked to be releasing music that we both love and feel represents us. When we play live, we’re joined by B.J. Leaf (drums), Jesse Gaupset (lead guitar) and Harry Frank (bass). We thrive off energy and really have a lot more fun and boost the energy even further than the EP.

Wilson Pickers. Rounding it out comes sets from Melody Pool, Raised By Eagles, The Hello Morning, Jess Ribeiro, Davey Craddock and The Spectacles, Karl S. Williams, Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats, Irish Mythen and Andy Golledge Band.

There’ll also be the Sunset Super Round, in which songwriters take to the stage to pay musical tribute to their favourite artists. It all goes down Friday September 30 – Sunday October 2 at Dashville in the Hunter Valley’s Belford.

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

DEADLINES: Editorial: Friday 12pm (no extensions) Ad bookings: Friday 5pm (no extensions) Fishished art: No later than 2pm Monday Ad cancellations: Friday 4pm Deadlines are strictly adhered to.

Published by Furst Media P/L ACN 1112480045 All content copyrighted to Cartrage P/L / Furst Media P/L 2003-2014

THE 1975

Marvell photo by Peter Dovgan

1.

The First Record I Bought I can’t speak for my brother Tom but the first record I can recall buying was 50 Cent’s ‘P.I.M.P’.

I know, right? But at the age of roughly 14 I thought I was the bee’s knees. In terms of inspiring me, not at all – but then I got into

PETER BJORN AND JOHN

1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point

KYARY PAMYU KYARY PAMYU PAMYU

RUPAULS RUPAUL’S DRAG DRAG RACE RACE

MAGCON

FRI 24 JUN

SAT 2 JUL

THURS 7 JUL

GARETH EMERY

PIERCE THE VEIL

DAN & PHIL

SAT 9 JUL

WED 17 AUG

TUE 23 AUG

SEVENTEEN

90’S MANIA

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

SUN 28 AUG

SAT 10 SEP

THUR 27 OCT

THE DANDY WARHOLS

RUSSIAN BALLET SWAN LAKE

BASSHUNTER

FRI 4 NOV

WED 9 NOV

SAT 3 DEC

For more info and tickets visit bigtopsydney.com or contact our Box Office - 1300 BIGTOP // Luna Park Sydney

facebook.com/bigtopsydney thebrag.com

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 5

live & local

free stuff

welcome to the frontline: what’s goin’ on around town... with Rochelle Bevis, Gloria Brancatisano and James Di Fabrizio

head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

five things WITH

THE LAST EXPOSURE

she wanted the song to be played at her wedding and would imagine me and my sister both playing it together.

Inspirations Nathan McCulloch: My biggest 2. musical inspiration is defi nitely Melbourne’s

indie sad pop artist Jess Locke, but beyond that I like to listen to all kinds of stuff, from Gorillaz to System Of A Down.

Chelsea Barnes: In 2008 I heard the voice of the woman that changed my life, Lady Gaga. From then on, she has inspired everything that I do. She has helped me to become the person and musician that I am.

1.

Growing Up Hayley Curran: My mother had a compilation disc of different genres of Pachelbel’s ‘Canon In D’ which we would listen to every car trip. This was during a rough time in our family and to keep our spirits up she always told us how

Band CB: The Last Exposure began during 3. Your

NM: Together we’re a pretty tight-knit group of outcasts, which I think allows us to see each other in different lights all the time.

The Music You Make NM: Alternative rock, pop-rock, pop metal, whatever you want to call it! We have mixed a heavy rock tone with Chelsea’s gorgeous poppy vocal to create our sound.

4.

Music, Right Here, Right Now JD: Sydney can be a tough one – the 5. lockout laws defi nitely take their toll on the amount of venues open to cut your teeth in. It’s awesome to see bands that push through for the long haul to prevail through all that.

Where: The Bald Faced Stag When: Saturday June 25

JACK THE STRIPPER

Melbourne’s Jack The Stripper are set to tour Australia in support of their new single, ‘Nibiru’, taken from their debut album, Raw Nerve. The record is a sonic powerhouse of off-kilter rhythms, punishing vocals and extremity, and their live shows are also boundary-pushing, sensory-inclusive, interactive events.

Jack The Stripper are touring the country throughout the remainder of June and July, before they head to Europe in August for a run of festival dates.

You can be in the draw for a double pass to their Sydney show, which is on Saturday July 9 at the Factory Floor.

Visit thebrag.com/freeshit to enter.

Dustin Tebbutt photo by Cybele Malinowski

Liz Stringer

Jake Doran: My main inspiration comes from the raw, honest sounds of artists like The Smith Street Band and Camp Cope. From the explosive sounds from Manchester Orchestra and the poppy yet theatrical sounds from The Jezabels. I feel inspired by almost any live performance I go and see.

our university courses where Hayley and I started the band. We found ourselves a four-piece with Nathan and Jake in 2014.

We have developed as a collective and as musicians since then.

in the US, becoming the 12th most-added record to US college radio, and one of only two independent records to be included in the top 20. Pretty City will play Waywards on Friday August 12.

BOB’S GOT THE BOOT

In support of his fifth studio album release, Car Boot Sale, Bob Evans is set to head off on an Australian tour throughout August. Recorded in Sydney with Tom Buchen (The Preatures, Montaigne, Spookylands,) Car Boot Sale is a simple yet ornate album, with a title that refers to the ‘travelling salesman’ style of Evans’ old-school tours, where he would literally sell his music from his car boot. It will be the first time in three years that ARIA-winning musician and his full band are together, with his Sydney show set to be opened by Caitlin Harnett. See it go down at Newtown Social Club on Friday August 12.

LOOPIN’ AROUND THE WORLD STRINGING BRIDGES

Following the far-reaching success of her last release in 2012, Liz Stringer is set to follow up with a brand new album due Friday July 1, and she’s locked in a national tour to celebrate.

With acclaimed producer and engineer Adam Selzer (The Decemberists, Jolie Holland, Fleet Foxes, M. Ward) at the helm, All The Bridges – Stringer’s fifth studio album – was recorded over eight days in July 2015 at Selzer’s Type Foundry studio in Portland. Stringer’s 2012 release Warm In The Darkness was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize, as well as taking her to major festival appearances and shows on the international circuit, so the anticipation for this one is high. Catch her Friday September 16 at Django Bar.

South African roots artist Jeremy Loops will head to Australia for the first time for an exclusive Sydney show. Off the back of the release of his debut album Trading Change, Loops has garnered serious accolades across the globe. His acclaimed live performances have catapulted him to the fore with a support tour across Europe with Twenty One Pilots, combining his African heritage with roots, rock, pop, reggae, Americana and hip hop for a multicultural celebration. See him play Oxford Art Factory on Tuesday November 29.

Dustin Tebbutt

DUSTIN LOVE

Armidale’s melodic dreamcatcher Dustin Tebbutt is set to release his debut studio LP, and to help unveil it to the world he’ll be stopping by for a Sydney show. First Light is expected to be a little more upbeat than we’ve heard from Tebbutt before, something he also hopes to translate onto the stage through ten shows across the country. The tentrack release, due Friday August 5, is inspired by the feeling of falling in love. Joined by special guests Robbie Miller and Woodes, Tebbutt will take to Newtown Social Club on Friday August 19.

Totally Unicorn

THE DREAM LIVES ON

I FEEL PRETTY

Melbourne’s Pretty City are preparing to release their debut album Colorize on vinyl and have announced a string of shows in August to mark the occasion. As well as doing well at home in Australia, the album also made waves 6 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

TOTALLY AWESOME

Sydney metalcore legends Totally Unicorn are set to release a new album, and to help launch it they’ll be roaring in for a hometown show.

Their outrageous new single ‘Customer Service Station’ debuted back in March and their crazy Top Gut Tour has whet our appetite for what’s to come when Dream Life drops on Friday July 29. Featuring collaborations with Karina Utomo of High Tension, Robert Smith from Heavy Heavy Low Low, help from producer Tim Carr and even former member Tim McMahon, Dream Life is set to bring the group to new heights. Totally Unicorn will be causing a ruckus when they pop into Newtown Social Club on Thursday September 29.

thebrag.com

Liz Stringer photo by Tajette O’Halloran

Ball Park Music have locked in a huge run of shows to support their forthcoming album, stretching through September and October.

The album, Every Night The Same Dream, is the follow-up to 2014’s Puddinghead. Mostly an analogue affair, it was recorded to four-track tape at Sound Recordings in Castlemaine.

Fans will have three weeks to learn the new songs before the tour kicks off across capital cities and regional towns, with all-ages shows and a stop at Wollongong’s Yours & Owls Festival. The Brisbane band will also make an appearance at Splendour In The Grass a month before the album drops. Ball Park Music will then headline at the Enmore Theatre on Friday September 30.

Industrial Strength Music Industry News with Christie Eliezer

THINGS WE HEAR • Which Splendour artist has banned interviewers from asking questions about his beard or his cat ahead of his Australian tour? It seems he’s sick of the feline-related enquiries.

• Which tensions within a band spilled over when two members were at the local Centrelink office? The war of words led to one getting turfed out by staff.

• Is One Direction’s Harry Styles to play Mick Jagger in a new Rolling Stones fi lm, based around the chaotic making of the Exile On Main St. album?

• Are Spice Girls looking for replacements for Victoria Beckham and Mel C? • Which New South Wales talent quest winner is still awaiting the prize money

SURVEY: AUSSIES WILL VOTE DEPENDING ON MUSIC SUPPORT…

At the forthcoming federal election, 72% of Australians will take parties’ commitment to music into account when casting their vote, and 98% want the government to invest in local music, an APRA AMCOS survey has found. Conducted on two days in June, the survey of 9,858 people also found that 91% believe music creates job growth and drives innovation, and 90% see it as an export industry contributing millions of dollars to the economy. As it is, contemporary music injects $6 billion and live music $2 billion. Parties that have committed to music and the arts include The Arts Party, the Greens and Labor.

three months later?

• During their Australian tour, Air Supply met with the Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA) and donated five cents from each ticket sold, totalling $1,000.

• The Game says the upcoming Tupac biopic All Eyez On Me is “the real deal”, and makes Biggie Smalls flick Notorious look like a “cartoon”.

• Tathra Hotel owner Cliff Wallis told the ABC he is selling the licences to its 12 poker machines, and using the money to set up a band room instead.

• Adam Levine of Maroon 5, who mentored slain US singer Christina Grimmie when she finished third on NBC’s The Voice two years ago, is paying for her funeral.

Meanwhile, Pantera expressed sorrow that musicians could not be protected from gun violence – in 2004, their guitarist Dimebag

Darrell was fatally shot onstage.

• Parkway Drive won best video in the UK Metal Hammer awards.

• The northern NSW landowner who allowed the Omega rave to be held on his land was fined $3,000. “If landowners think they can host illegal events like this without penalty they are completely misguided,” said Clarence Valley Council GM Scott Greensill. Omega, which drew 2,500, was to be staged on an Aboriginal reserve at Jubullum Village in Tabulam, but moved at the last minute with no council permits.

24-year-old David Gallagher was found dead in his car at the festival after 12 hours.

• Motörhead drummer Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor left £1.3 million to his sisters in his will. He also acknowledged for the first time in his will that he’d been married.

SIX ACTS GET PPCA/OZCO GRANTS

Six acts will share in a $75,000 grant from the PPCA and the Australia Council to create new sound recordings. They are Gordi (Sophie Payten), Fascinator (AKA Johnny Mackay of Children Collide), Northeast Party House, singer-songwriter Martha Marlow, jazz pianist Barney McAll and Brisbane-based Robbie Miller. One of the success stories from the grant is 2014 recipient Courtney Barnett, who used it to record her globally recognised debut album.

DRAKE SETS NEW US CHART RECORD Drake has broken the record for most weeks on top of the US Artist Top 100 by a male, with a total of 12 weeks.

He passed Justin Bieber’s 11 total weeks at number one, ahead of Adele (ten) and The Weeknd (eight). Taylor Swift leads with 31 weeks. The Artist Top 100 measures album and track sales, radio airplay, streaming and social media fan interaction to provide a weekly multidimensional ranking of artist popularity. 46 per cent of Drake’s statistics come from streaming and 23 per cent from digital.

Drake

thebrag.com

Hospitalised: Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt after a suspected heart attack in Turkey. He had a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 and a heart attack in 2011.

Hospitalised: Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice had a “ministroke”, causing them to cancel some European shows. He woke up one morning to find himself unable to move his fingers and his right side numb.

Injured: The Smith Street Band’s Wil Wagner is in limp mode after hurting his leg during an Adelaide show and again in Melbourne.

THE SEED FUND BACK FOR 12TH YEAR

Artist/producer LDRU – AKA Drew Carmody, one half of Carmada – has signed a global publishing deal with BMG Australia. His track

Recovering: Lil Wayne is in “good spirits” after a seizure on his private plane flying from Wisconsin to California, forcing an emergency landing in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ill: Eric Clapton says he has been living in pain for the last 12 months with peripheral neuropathy – a condition that can result in muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the feet or hands and loss of balance and coordination.

The Keep Community Radio petition, aimed at the government’s cut of $1.4 million per annum to the industry, has attracted 52,000 signatures. The campaign received 90,000 mentions on Facebook. With the election looming, MPs in marginal seats are being targeted.

BMG SIGNS LDRU

Split: emerging from the Taylor Swift/Calvin Harris split is the news she dumped him by phone and seems to have taken up with Brit actor Tom Hiddleston before that. Harris has disconnected Swift from his Twitter account.

Hospitalised: Meat Loaf collapsed during a Canadian show but was released after overnight tests. One newspaper got so excited it ran his obituary.

Gordi

…WHILE COMMUNITY RADIO PETITION HITS 52K

Applications for this year’s The Seed Fund are open until Monday August 1 at theseedfund. org/2016-funding. The fund is designed to help emerging talent and community projects.

There are 25 spaces for the management workshops, held in Melbourne. There is also up to $5,000 in funding for mentors for the three-day Bush Bands Business (for Central Desert bands), up to $25,000 for music executives to attend the sixth Song Cycles Inbound (to discover new indigenous talent), and up to $8,000 to support the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre with instruments and mentorship. In the past 12 years, The Seed has given $1 million to 430 projects.

Lifelines

Injured: Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie fell off the stage at Caribana festival in Switzerland and hurt his back, cancelling nine European shows.

‘Keeping Score’ (feat. Paige IV) is close to double platinum in Australia and has scored over seven million Spotify streams. While LDRU’s new single ‘Next To You’ (feat. Savoi) is getting triple j spins, Carmada’s new EP is out in North America through Skrillex’s label OWSLA and Sony here.

AAM SIGNS WITH TAG TO MAKE TOURING EASIER

A deal between travel services company The Appointment Group (TAG) and the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) will make it cheaper and easier for Aussie acts on tour, The Music Network reported. The AAM’s 230 members (along with their acts, road crews and staff) can now access corporate deals with hotels, airlines and ground transportation. These include waived flight change fees, free Wi-Fi, early check-ins, additional baggage allowances, airport lounge passes and room upgrades.

make more money for artists and get their work as widely spread as possible. VA Digital handles one million copyrights to music labels and artists, from Vanessa Amorosi and Half A Cow Records to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Leading the music team is ex-Premier Artists agent Dave Sayer, who is also the manager of Love Outside Andromeda and bassist in Melbourne band Rail. Heading VA Digital’s management arm is Clare Winterbourn.

FIRST ACTS FOR INDIGENOUS AWARDS

The Shout website has reported that Sydney liquor retailers believe a 7.9 per cent rise in retail theft (according to the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research) is due to 10pm bottle shop closures as part of the lockout laws. Michael Waters, executive director of the Liquor Store Association of NSW, said that after the laws came in, “There was an instant surge in petty theft.” People would rush in during the last few minutes and grab bottles before fleeing. Some retailers have had to install new security devices, while others stagger closing time to prevent a lastminute rush.

The first performers at the National Indigenous Music Awards on Saturday August 6 in Darwin are AB Original (Briggs and Trials), The Medics’ Kahl Wallis, Emma Donovan, Stanley ‘Gawurra’ Gaykamangu (whose debut album Ratja Yaliyali is creating sparks), and new artists Rayella, Chris Tamwoy and David Spry. This year marks several important milestones in indigenous history: the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off, the 40th anniversary of the Land Rights Act, 30 years since the release of Yothu Yindi’s Tribal Voice and 25 years since ‘Treaty’ topped the charts. “Music has stoked the fire and been a voice of protest for many years, and what better way to recognise a year of milestones than celebrating the strong history of indigenous protest songs?” says Mark Smith, executive director of MusicNT and the NIMAs. Also held on the same weekend in Darwin this year will be the 33rd Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair to spotlight indigenous creativity.

VALLEYARM REBRANDS WITH ARTIST FOCUS

HARPOONS DUO LAUNCH INSTRUMENTS CO.

ARE LOCKOUTS CAUSING LIQUOR THEFT?

Australian digital distributor ValleyArm has relaunched as VA Digital with green energy entrepreneur Andrew Randall as new chairman, and investment banker and musician Victor Gugger as managing director. They say their focus is to see where future income streams like “YouTube, streaming services, brand alignment and other revenue opportunities” are growing, to

Henry and Jack Madin of Melbourne band The Harpoons are launching their own music instruments company, Hundo Instruments.

They’ll invent and redesign instruments to make them easier to play. “We’re both musicians, and we’re always looking for simple tools to make our processes easier and more fun,” said Henry. “I started making instruments because I couldn’t find what I wanted in music stores.” These include the acoustic marimba

In Court: Foo Fighters hit insurance companies for failing to reimburse them for European shows they cancelled following the Paris attacks in November.

In Court: Erick Shute, former singer of US death metal band Pyrexia, is charged with the alleged shooting murder of three neighbours in West Virginia. He claims they stole his possessions and had threatened him.

Died: Irish guitarist Henry McCullough (Joe Cocker’s Grease Band, Paul McCartney’s Wings), aged 72. He was wheelchair-bound after a heart attack in 2012.

Died: Lincoln ‘Chips’ Moman, US producer and songwriter, 79, of lung disease. He engineered Elvis Presley’s comeback in the late ’60s, recorded Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and wrote ‘Do Right Woman’ for Aretha Franklin.

Died: Attrell Cordes AKA Prince Be of P.M. Dawn, 46, of renal kidney disease. They had a number one in 1991 with ‘Set Adrift On Memory Bliss’ and four other hits. and an electronic drum pad plugged into any laptop or iPad. Hundo Instruments officially launches Thursday July 7 at Schoolhouse Studios in Melbourne, with an interactive exhibit and pop-up shop.

OXJAM RETURNING

Oxjam, Oxfam Australia’s month-long party against poverty, is back in August for a second year with Art vs Science and Megan Washington as official ambassadors. Last year, there were 180 Oxjam gigs drawing 12,000 punters. This year will feature more gigs, including three headline events in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Full details will follow later this month.

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 7

COVER STORY

BROODS SAD SEX SONGS

BY JOSEPH EARP

G

eorgia Nott is very pointedly not talking about sex.

She’s trying to explain the inspiration behind ‘All Of Your Glory’ – the strikingly tender ballad that sits at the centre of Broods’ new album Conscious – without sounding crude.

“I wrote ‘All Of Your Glory’ not about my own experience … but about a universal feeling,” she says hesitantly. “It’s about when you’re going through a rough patch with somebody and you don’t really need words anymore – you need to have the physical expression of love again. It’s about how you want to know them better than anyone else again. You want to have that oneon-one special connection between you two.”

She laughs, and gives up avoiding the S-word. “I like to call it a really sad make-up sex song. I don’t want to make it sound really dirty or anything, but I guess at the end of the day when you’re in a really serious relationship, that physical side of it is really important. Life can get [you] down a bit, and you … forget to give yourself completely to the other person.”

One can imagine that the two Notts will find themselves in a

8 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

“It was so fun to write,” Nott says. “I think the second album is scary, but that fear drives you to experiment. It was really cool to have time to figure out what we wanted to do. We didn’t want to release Evergreen volume two.

We wanted to create something that was relevant to our lives now.

I’m just really stoked for everyone to hear it. It’s better than listening to the same songs from two years ago.”

and really truthful to who we are as musicians. It was just a happy accident.”

Over the course of our interview, Nott rarely speaks in the singular.

She’s all ‘we’ rather than ‘I’, and it’s clear the two halves of Broods aren’t just brother and sister – they’re genuinely effective collaborators. “We’re human beings and sometimes we’re in different moods to each other and we kind of just go off on our own tangents,” she says. “But sometimes we’ll go from scratch and build up a song together.

writhing Nott being fed horrors via a virtual reality headset.

“It was probably my favourite video to work on, probably because it was the most challenging one to do so far,” she says. “It was just cool to go out of our comfort zone and really make our vision … come to life ourselves. I had to put myself in some really weird, uncomfortable situations. [But] there was a relaxed vibe [on set], even though the video doesn’t really have a relaxed vibe.”

Though it would be a stretch to say Broods are a political band, there is a certain level of cultural commentary to their music, one particularly evident in the ‘Free’ video.

“THERE’S SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE CONNECTING WITH, RATHER THAN JUST PUTTING THE MUSIC OUT INTO THE WORLD AND FANS TELLING YOU OVER SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THEY LIKE IT.”

For Nott, the key to the album’s success was the duo’s growing confidence. “It was a really cool album to work on because Caleb was more sure about what he wanted to work on in terms of the production, and I was more experimental with the stories that I’m singing about,” she explains.

“We did have a little bit more of a clue what we were doing. So we pushed ourselves as far as we could. It was a fun, experimental album that turned out to be really accurate when it comes to us

“The really, really sad songs are usually the ones I haven’t had Caleb supervising me for, just because when I write by myself I tend to be a bit sadder,” laughs Nott. “But that’s cool. I think it’s important to have that downbeat song. The ‘All Of Your Glory’ tracks are as important to me as the big songs.”

“We were trying to play on the fact that people get so stuck in this online world that they can create this place that feels so real; that it can kind of be scary how it becomes more important than faceto-face conversations and physical, real-life relationships. [They] kind of take a back seat to online relationships. It’s scary how the opposite of real can feel so real.

Make no mistake, Conscious does contain some very big songs – not least of all ‘Free’, a clattering pop hit with a surprisingly dark chorus. “If I lose it all, at least I’ll be free,” Nott sings, her voice airy yet determined.

Fittingly, ‘Free’ also boasts Broods’ most disturbing music video yet – a dystopian vignette that features a

“The setting for the video goes with the sound of the song,” Nott continues. “The song is very industrial and the song is very electronic, so to have it set in this creepy-as warehouse, it’s really perfect. I never really thought about that too much, but now I think about that, it’s even more perfect than I first realised.”

Nott laughs warmly. She does that a lot, actually, though never as much as when she’s talking about the experience of performing live.

Evidently, getting up onstage sits at the very core of why she does what she does, even if that wasn’t exactly the case when she was first starting out.

“When I was a kid … I used to hate [performing],” she says. “I just got extremely nervous and I just couldn’t handle it. I’d walk offstage immediately after I finished my last line. I’d be out of there. But after a while it becomes addictive, especially when we’re doing headline shows in front of all of our fans.”

That isn’t to say that Nott doesn’t still get nervous. “I still am sometimes,” she says with a giggle. “But it’s not to the point where I don’t want to do this. Particularly on the first show of a tour, I always psyche myself out a bit too much. But I think it’s good to be a bit nervous. It shows that you’re still worried about impressing people.

The day I stop getting nervous I’ll worry, because I’ll feel like I don’t care enough.”

Certainly, if there’s one thing Nott has in abundance, it’s care. “There’s something very special about being able to see the people you are connecting with, rather than just putting the music out into the world and fans telling you over social media that they like it.” Her voice softens. “It’s a real therapeutic thing for us. When we don’t do it, we get withdrawals.”

What: Conscious out Friday June 24 through Capitol/Universal With: Vera Blue, Xavier Dunn Where: Enmore Theatre When: Saturday July 9

thebrag.com

Band Of Skull photo by Andy Cotterill

The phone line crackles. Nott is in LA, having recently relocated to the States along with her brother Caleb, who is also Broods’ other half. “We just moved a couple of months ago,” Nott says in her thick Kiwi accent. “[It’s] very different. In a good way, though. It’s really fun. When you need to do promo stuff, you don’t need to fly across the world to do it.

We can actually go to a meeting on a whim.”

lot of meetings over the next few months. From both a commercial and a critical standpoint, Conscious is exactly the kind of album the pair needed to make to launch themselves to the next level. It’s a den of pop hooks and crunching choruses, but it’s not so mainstream that it’ll alienate their fans. It’s the crossover record to end all crossover records; a Like A Virgin for the modern age.

Tracy McNeil And The GoodLife Thick As Thieves By Augustus Welby

I

t’s nearly ten years since Tracy McNeil relocated to Melbourne from Canada, and she’s now well and truly enmeshed in the Australian music scene. This is evident just by looking at the members of her band The GoodLife. Dan Parsons and Raised By Eagles’ Luke Sinclair share guitar duties, while Trent McKenzie (formerly of Sal Kimber and The Rollin’ Wheel) is on bass and Bree Hartley plays drums.

They’re all established musicians elsewhere, but they yielded to McNeil’s leadership to put together the new album, Thieves.

“I think regardless of what’s coming out around me, I want to make a better record than the last record,” McNeil says. “You always want to do better with each record and you hope you’re growing as an artist. [For Thieves], the goal was to make the best record I possibly could in that given time and just be true to what I’m writing.”

Due out on Friday July 1, Thieves follows McNeil’s successful 2014 release, Nobody Ever Leaves. The members of The GoodLife and their various pursuits are indicative of the extent of quality alt-country and Americana to have emerged from Australia, and especially Melbourne, in recent years. This pool of evidence expands when you look more closely at McNeil’s career trajectory – she’s previously collaborated with Jordie Lane, toured with the likes of Liz Stringer, and Shane O’Mara produced Thieves.

“I wrote the songs throughout [last year], and I was travelling. I was in Canada for three months – my father had cancer, and I was trying to spend as much time as I could with him. I was thinking the whole time I’d fl y back to Australia and he’d pass away, but he happened to pass away while I was there. So it was a tumultuous year. The whole year was insane. There were a lot of friends around me going through marriage break-ups or affairs and craziness. And then two weeks after [my father’s] funeral I hopped on a plane and met my band in Nashville and we played the Americana Music Festival, and then we were in LA. “So I was writing from where I was at the time, not thinking about how it would all work in the end. I knew I was trying to write a record, but everything was so specific. The songs are all really personal.”

What: Thieves out Friday July 1 through SlipRail/MGM Where: Union Hotel / Marrickville Bowling Club When: Thursday June 30 / Sunday July 3

“I can name a myriad of artists coming out of Melbourne that have made amazing records in the last couple of years,” McNeil says. “The bar has been set. I don’t think I consciously thought about it [when making Thieves], but I’m sure it’s in there. We all want to be making sure that we’re making good quality stuff that people are going to connect to. We’re aware of what everybody else is doing around us and it pushes you to do better, for sure.”

“WE’RE ALL COMING AT IT FROM THE SAME PLACE OF LOVING [THE SAME MUSIC].”

If McNeil is harbouring any competitive thoughts towards her contemporaries, they’re of a decidedly friendly nature. “Since I got here in 2007 it’s been such a warm music community, and everybody is willing to [cooperate],” she says. “It’s really been an open arms situation and people are willing to help each other out.

There’s so many music venues in Melbourne, and the turnover is quite high.”

The members of The GoodLife have plenty to offer as players, writers and vocalists, which gives an extra dimension to the tracks on Thieves. However, McNeil had all the songs ready to go before bringing them to the band.

“As far as the lyrics, the melody, the structure – I take those songs finished to the band,” she says. “But they’ll come up with their own vocal harmonies, they’ll come up with their own guitar lines – Dan and Luke are really enjoying that kind of Allman Brothers guitarmony, ’70s thing. I might have a melody line, Dan picks it out on guitar, Luke adds a harmony. So it is a collaboration, but a collaboration in terms of the guitar tones, their parts. I certainly don’t tell them what to play. The songs are pretty fully formed when I bring them in, but it’s a democracy afterwards.”

The band’s collaborative bond is strengthened by the fact the members all share very similar tastes. “We’re all coming at it from the same place of loving [the same music],” McNeil says. “From the ’70s: Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers, Steve Miller, even the Eagles, dare I say it. All that old stuff with the harmonies, and then new contemporary bands like Shovels & Rope, Houndmouth, Dawes, Jenny Lewis. So we’ve got this real blend, but we’re all into the same stuff. So any ideas people would have, we’d say, ‘Yeah, that’s fuckin’ cool,’ because it’s not like someone’s coming from left field, listening to death metal or wanting to take it to a funk level. I feel safe and we all trust each other’s ideas.”

There is some variety among the artists McNeil names as influences, but there’s nothing radically different about them either. Accordingly, McNeil’s stylistic orientation is quite distinctive, but Thieves doesn’t stay fixed on a particular sound. There are more introspective songs, like ‘Ashes’ and ‘Blueprint’, which sit in contrast to upbeat numbers like ‘Middle Of The Night’ and ‘Paradise’, and the psychedelic-tinged ‘White Rose’. But rather than a premeditated plan of attack for the album’s dynamic range, Thieves developed in correlation to McNeil’s personal circumstances. thebrag.com

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 9

Lepers & Crooks Not Letting Go By Augustus Welby “That set the precedent for everything else, because all of a sudden we had to play shows every night and we were getting tighter and tighter,” ReuterTown says. “Now it’s come to a point where we’ve got more of a business head about us as well.

When we first went out there going from town to town, we were just like, ‘Oh, whatever,’ spent our merch money on beers and next thing you know we can’t pay for petrol. Throwing ourselves in the deep end with the touring ethic has let the rest follow, in a lot of ways.”

That tour came off the back of the Her Kiss EP, which was released in late 2014. The foursong debut revealed the band’s stylistic curiosity, ranging from riff-centric classic rock to spiritual, Jeff Buckley-inspired pop-rock.

However, this fluidity also made it difficult to identify who Lepers & Crooks were and what exactly they were about. Earlier this year, they released the single ‘Let You Go’, the first taste of their forthcoming second EP, The Heathen Circus.

By virtue of the enormous stint of touring, they’ve now gained a better understanding of their strengths.

W

accolades or outdo their peers. As guitarist/vocalist Pat Reuter-Town tells us, this work ethic reflected an internal pledge of commitment.

one foot in and one foot out. It was around that time we decided to drop everything and focus solely on Lepers & Crooks.”

“There was a definitive point where we decided to drop everything else and give this a serious go,” he says. “For a few years there we were doing plenty of shows around Sydney and it was lots of fun and all our friends would come to the shows and we were still at uni, we still had our jobs – we kind of had

Having quit their jobs, given uni the flick and jumped in the van with an enormous itinerary of shows to see through, the possibilities for failure were numerous. This experience was a sure test of the quintet’s tenacity, and they made it out the other side with even more resolve than before.

“This next EP is much more of a collective piece of songs,” Reuter-Town says. “In saying that, we’re still always rediscovering ourselves. I don’t think we’re a band who’s comfortable at any point with who we are, as such. We’re always looking for new things and trying different avenues.”

‘Let You Go’ is an animated rock song, and the recording doesn’t sound overworked or like the

band was too concerned about perfection. The EP was recorded and produced by Jeff Martin of The Tea Party at his studio in Byron Bay, and the plan was to generate a close equivalent to the Lepers & Crooks live show.

“We took a completely different approach to how we recorded last time,” says Reuter-Town. “It was very much in the old-school sense – getting the five of us in the room together and playing live and taking 70 per cent of the EP from that. We’ve played all these shows as a five-piece, and then to go down to the studio and break it down is completely different. I don’t think we would’ve captured what the songs were all about. So it was really cool to actually get into a studio and focus not so much on the perfections, but almost the imperfections of everything that came out naturally while we were playing as a live band.”

What: PigSty In July 2016 With: Shihad, King Tide, Claire Anne Taylor and more Where: Dashville, Lower Belford When: Saturday July 2

Xxx photo by Xxxx

ith just one EP to their name and minimal hype to speak of, early last year Lepers & Crooks embarked on a 50-date Australian tour, hitting all major cities as well as regional ports around the country. This bold undertaking was enough for Tone Deaf to call them “Australia’s hardest-working band”, and the description gains validity when you consider how early it is in the Sydney rockers’ career. But they weren’t setting out to gain such

“THERE WAS A DEFINITIVE POINT WHERE WE DECIDED TO DROP EVERYTHING ELSE AND GIVE THIS A SERIOUS GO.”

Beartooth In A Safe Place By Phoebe Robertson

A

ccording to frontman Caleb Shomo, Beartooth’s second studio album, Aggressive, acts as a self-refl ection on a darker time in his life, fuelled by the mayhem of mental illness.

After a busy 2015 festival season, Shomo retreated from the road to write, perform and produce the emotive follow-up to 2014’s Disgusting alongside songwriter John Feldmann and producer David Bendeth. Despite his hardships in past, the Shomo sums up his current situation through the sweet, simplistic style of his fresh ink: “Everything is cool man.”

“I named this one Aggressive because I felt it was the best word to describe the emotion of the record as a whole,” says Shomo.

“I think the lyrical content is a bit more angry than the first record, but it’s also more hopeful. The majority of the songs are about refl ection on my childhood and the things that got me from being a kid to where I would be in my life to write a record like Disgusting. All of that pisses me off a tonne, that I went through those years of life with such severe depression and anxiety. But sometimes bad shit has to happen for things to turn around, and I’m alright with that.”

“I’d written roughly three songs over the course of the record cycle, but I don’t really like writing on the road,” Shomo says. “I prefer to keep studio time and touring 10 :: BRAG :: 668:: 22:06:16

While he values the freedom to explore a range of musical elements, Shomo assures Beartooth fans that there have been no drastic changes made to the overall set-up. Instead, he’s honed in on the aspects that motivate him the most. “One thing I did want to do was sing a bit more,” he says. “Over the two years of being in a band and touring, I’ve just really fell in love with singing, so I wanted to push myself. Other than that, I wanted to write a good Beartooth record. I didn’t want to completely change up the sound or anything. Two guitars, bass, drums and vocals – I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

Having recently parted ways with drummer Brandon Mullins, Beartooth have recruited a replacement for tour dates, but they will officially remain the same core four-piece for the time being.

“We’ve been working on building

this thing for a very long time and it’s very near and dear to us, so we’re just going to stick with the four of us right now,” says Shomo. “But the guy who’s been playing with us, Connor [Denis], is absolutely unbelievable and we are very happy with him. I don’t think he’ll be going anywhere – hopefully he sticks around as our touring guy. It’s all about making everything stronger and making sure everyone that’s there is the best person for the job, and it’s worked out for us.”

Currently on tour in the US, the Beartooth boys have had the

“THE LYRICAL CONTENT IS A BIT MORE ANGRY THAN THE FIRST RECORD, BUT IT’S ALSO MORE HOPEFUL.”

pleasure of supporting some of hardcore’s biggest heavyweights in the past, taking their music to a whole new level.

the better of him on a recent visit to the Red Bull headquarters in Austria, where guests are often thrown into adventure sports.

“We toured with some really cool bands on our first record cycle,” Shomo says. “I had a lot of fun touring with Bring Me The Horizon; they were awesome and have really good crowds. We toured with Slipknot – that was unbelievable.

If we ever got a chance to do either of those tours again, I think we’d be pretty stoked. When you get a chance to play to a new audience, that’s how a band really grows. Obviously things are a little different these days with the internet and everything being so readily accessible, but even then, you can’t really experience a band until you go see them live.”

“It was pretty cold out, so I didn’t do it so that I wouldn’t get a cold and screw up my voice – which sucked because I wanted to, but a lot of the dudes went skydiving and then Taylor [Lumley, guitar] got fl own around in one of those crazy trick planes. I wanted to do nothing more than skydive – I defi nitely love pushing myself when it comes to adrenaline. If we had a day off the next day, I’d have jumped out of a plane, I’ll jump off a cliff, whatever, I’ll do it!”

Clearly thriving off the excitement of it all, Shomo admits his adrenaline addiction almost got

What: Aggressive out now through Red Bull/Unified Where: Supporting Pierce The Veil at Big Top Sydney, Luna Park When: Wednesday August 17 thebrag.com

Xxx photo by Xxxx

Returning to his basement-turnedhome-studio for the new record, and fi nding comfort in his familiar surroundings, the vocalist says the underground environment provides an essential ingredient for the hardcore Beartooth sound.

time completely separate so I don’t get too burnt out. It’s the energy of the whole thing – I think the record really needs to be made in the basement. That’s where I learnt how to record and where I first started writing music. To me, that’s the place I feel the safest and free to do whatever I want.

There’s nobody around, so I don’t get nervous trying things – I just try all of this random crap until it fi ts together, and I feel comfortable doing it in a space like that.”

Mumford & Sons Out Of Africa By David James Young

2

015 was a year of significant and substantial change for British folk rock heroes Mumford & Sons. With their third studio album, Wilder Mind, the quartet shifted gears from pinstripe vests and banjos to biker jackets and electric guitars that shrieked “Judas” with every strum.

Moving into 2016, it appears that as far as their creative ambitions are concerned, the London natives are taking heed of that old English saying, “In for a penny, in for a pound.” Less than a year after Wilder Mind’s release, Mumford & Sons are back with Johannesburg, their sixth EP overall and third collaborative release, following 2010’s four-track effort under the moniker of The Wedding Band. As the title suggests, the new EP has its roots in South Africa – a place the band had previously never visited until a run of massive shows there in support of Wilder Mind.

“This EP came about because we were touring South Africa, and we wanted to immerse ourselves more in the area – not just fly in and fly out,” explains Winston Marshall, a multi-instrumentalist who provides guitar, banjo and backing vocals. “Originally, it was the idea of putting on a festival [Gentlemen Of The Road] – we actually did one in Dungog in Australia, which was incredible. This one proved to be a lot more difficult – we’d been to Australia quite a few times, whereas we didn’t know anyone in South Africa and had never been there before. The whole thing came together through baby steps. Touring is a lot of fun for us, but you rarely get to see or experience anything beyond a car park and the inside of a room somewhere. You want to see a bit of the place you’re in. You want to breathe it in. When the opportunity arose to do that, we took it.”

we saw the group that we had assembled, it made immediate sense for us to capture what we had and make time to record music together.”

Maal’s collaboration came first, overseen on production by Karlberg, and entitled ‘There Will Be Time’. The rest was pulled together across two days in the studio – the second of which reportedly saw the ensemble working for over 16 hours to complete the remaining songs.

“Everyone was brimming with ideas,” says Marshall. “We were really lucky to be working with such a remarkably talented group of people. There was always something constantly on the go while we were writing and recording. When you’re confident in someone else’s abilities, it makes it a lot easier to push forward with.

Baaba Maal’s voice is one of the most incredible fucking things that I have ever heard in my life. What he’s able to do with that thing is unbelievable.”

Mumford & Sons photo by David East

“WHEN YOU’RE CONFIDENT IN SOMEONE ELSE’S ABILITIES, IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO PUSH FORWARD WITH.”

Joining Mumford & Sons in the writing, creation, recording and performing process was the band’s touring party through South Africa – Afro-Western hip hop duo The Very Best, Senegalese singer Baaba Maal and Cape Town pop-rock trio Beatenberg. The troupe proved to be one of the most eclectic and diverse groups of musicians that Mumford & Sons had ever played with – so the idea of recording in collaboration with all three was a no-brainer.

“Funnily enough, we met The Very Best for the first time while we were in Australia the first time, doing the Laneway Festival,” explains Marshall. “We’d toured with them a bunch, so we decided to invite them along for the tour. Johan [Karlberg] from the band is always sending us new music and sharing artists that he’s fond of, and it was through him and the band that we met Baaba and brought him along, and then we discovered Beatenburg – who, incidentally, were the only South African group on the tour. When thebrag.com

Stylistically, Johannesburg is a blend of the more stripped-back and harmony-driven elements of the Mumford & Sons sound, as projected through a world music perspective and with a mix of other ideas and genre stylings working their way into the mix. Some of the songs, too, are also notable for being the first Mumford & Sons tracks that are not primarily sung in English, as both Maal and The Very Best contributed vocals from their native tongues.

“I think some of the songs are even trilingual,” says Marshall. “Is there something after that? Maybe a quad-lingual or something? Because that’s the case for one of the songs, I’m pretty sure. That could even be the first instance of that, for all I know. Whatever the case, it was quite remarkable to hear that on one of our songs.

I can remember asking Esau [Mwamwaya, The Very Best] and Baaba what they were singing, and the lyrics they shared with me were quite beautiful. Truth be told, they could have been singing anything in their language and I’d have still been swept off my feet.

“Could you imagine if what they were actually singing was all this awful stuff, like ‘I fucked your mum’ and ‘You’re a twat’? All you’d hear is the beautiful melody! You’d be none the wiser. Maybe that is what they were singing, after all...”

Just for clarity’s sake: is Marshall insinuating that they lied to him through song? He cracks up, immediately noting the Simpsons reference: “I hate it when people do that!”

EP OUT NOW

www.marvellmusic.com.au facebook.com/MARVELL.OFFICAL

What: Johannesburg out now through Dew Process/Universal

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 11

Parkway Drive It’s Adventure Time By Michael Edney

L

et’s not beat around the bush here: Byron Bay’s Parkway Drive are easily one of the most successful metalcore bands of our generation. They put heavy music on the radar in Australia, changing the perception of many musicians who thought they could never ‘make it’ playing that style of music. In 2015, Parkway Drive shook things up with new LP Ire, which saw them leave their metalcore roots behind and trek into uncharted territory.

This month, the lads are back on home soil, and will be touring around regional Australia on the fan-named All Aussie Adventure Tour. Parkway Drive frontman Winston McCall sits down with the BRAG to talk about taking vocal lessons, the wonderful world of social media, and the possibility of retirement.

In many ways, Ire was a leap of faith, and it saw fans divided over the band’s sudden departure from metalcore. However, McCall says the response to the album has been overwhelmingly positive, only reassuring the group’s belief that it was the right direction to take. “[Ire] has done everything we had hoped for and a lot more, which is really nice for something that we had no idea what to expect for,” McCall says. “We have been able to play a bunch of new songs that

“THE RECORD WAS RECEIVED WAY BETTER THAN WHAT WE COULD EVER HAVE HOPED FOR.”

have different characteristics to anything we have played before. It has really opened up so many more opportunities for us. We have been able to play different types of shows, stepping it up to a whole different level. 13 years in and still being able to do that, it’s pretty mental.”

McCall’s ferocious growl has been the centrepoint of Parkway Drive’s music for over a decade, yet the seasoned veteran had never received vocal training until it came to writing Ire. That might be hard to believe for a band that is constantly on the road, sometimes playing over 300 shows in a year, but McCall says the transformation of his voice from Atlas to Ire was definitely a challenging one – and by taking lessons, he has discovered a whole new way to express himself.

“Basically up until writing this record, [my voice] had progressed from nothing to nothing,” he laughs. “I was literally doing the exact same things to when I first started, simply because I never got any training until we worked on Ire. I actually went and got vocal lessons, and then I started understanding how my voice box works, and I have been working on my technique ever since.

“It has been a massive journey for me, simply because I have only ever had one voice, which was screaming.

I may have been able to screech like a pterodactyl as well, but it was all the same thing. The emotional connection and the character that I could put into songs were very limited. Now that I have found that I can do all of this other stuff, it has literally given me a whole new palate of colour to work with other than being stuck with one lead pencil.”

Social media has allowed fans to connect and interact with bands like never before, and Parkway Drive took the opportunity to give their loyal following the chance to name their upcoming tour, with ‘All Aussie Adventure’ eventually winning the vote. There were times, however, when McCall and co. thought that the competition might be hijacked.

“Oh boy, there were so many ‘Toury McTour Face’ submissions,” he laughs.

“That’s the thing though, we literally couldn’t think of a name for the tour.

I don’t know, we just figured that kids could come up with something pretty funny, so why not give them a crack?

There were literally thousands of entries – it was absolutely mental.

There were some outrageous entries that made us laugh, but at the end of the day we had to remember that this

has to go up on a tour poster, so we played it safe and went with a Russell Coight reference.”

With so much already achieved, Parkway Drive would be forgiven if they were thinking of retirement – but this won’t be the case for the foreseeable future. Ire saw the band reach even greater heights, topping the Australian charts for the first time.

McCall says that as long as he and his bandmates are healthy, nothing will slow them down.

“There’s definitely still more to achieve. We wrote this record with the intention of not so much retiring, but we put so much into it that we planned to finish it and then take a little bit of time off. We thought there would be so much music in this that we could give people some time to

digest it and we wanted to be able to enjoy a little bit of a break.

“When the record came out, though, it was received way better than what we could ever have hoped for, especially overseas, that all of a sudden these new doors opened up.

And we have done the same thing as we always have when people give us an opportunity – we take it rather than saying no. So we kind of just adapted and tried to take this to the next level.

We still love doing it, and we aren’t physically broken just yet.”

What: Ire out now through Epitaph With: Polaris Where: Panthers, Penrith When: Friday June 24

Architects From Gods To Men By Augustus Welby confidence we hadn’t necessarily had before.”

Given the success of Lost Forever, Architects stuck with the same recording format for All Our Gods.

Namely, they returned to Studio Fredman in Gothenburg to work with producers Henrik Udd and Fredrik Nordström. Udd also mixed and mastered the album, and Architects are credited as co-producers.

“There was no doubt in our minds who we were going to go with,” Carter says. “When we were in the studio last time, Henrik was like the sixth member of our band. He fully understood where we were going with it, how we were working on it. He just gave it as much effort and time as we did. For us it’s really cool to go back with him, because we all needed to step up, get a better record than Lost Forever. And he himself was like, ‘I need to step up. I’m going to get a better sounding record.’ He blew us away.

V

ocalist Sam Carter joined Architects in the leadup to the band’s second album, 2007’s Ruin. Since that time, Architects have never had more than a fleeting rest. With each successive release they’ve gained more success, but rather than basking in their flowering popularity, they’ve always gone straight back to work. Released in May, All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us is the UK metalcore outfit’s seventh album.

It’s been just over two years since the release of Lost Forever // Lost Together (which charted in the Australian and UK top 20) – a long time by Architects’ lofty standards – but another record was always on the cards.

12 :: BRAG :: 668:: 22:06:16

“When we’d just finished Lost Forever, we were already talking about the new record, All Our Gods, but we knew that we wanted to take a bit more time with it,” Carter says.

“Especially after the first year of touring Lost Forever, we realised how well that album had been received.

We just wanted to tour it as much as we could, because we hadn’t played shows where people cared that much that consistently. We just wanted to do a lot more touring and mainly focus on that record for a couple of years.”

Architects visited Australia twice during the Lost Forever touring cycle, including a support run with The Amity Affliction in 2014 and a headline stint early last year. The extended touring schedule didn’t deplete the

“THEY DON’T WANT TO HEAR ACOUSTIC GUITARS. THAT’S NOT ARCHITECTS.” band members’ creative energy – if anything, it solidified their intentions for All Our Gods.

“When it came down to writing, it was a really natural process,” Carter says.

“We were all on the same page; it was really fun getting it together. At the same time, it was cool because we were writing in between going on tour and playing these wild shows.

So we were going into the studio with

“Both of them have got such a good ear for metal,” Carter adds. “I genuinely think they’re one of the best studios in the world for that kind of music. Together I feel like we created a really great sounding album. Great people, and really dedicated – I wish more people would record with them because they’re so great.”

Carter and co. were initially attracted to the Studio Fredman team for their work on the second and third Bring Me The Horizon records, as well as releases from At The Gates and I Killed The Prom Queen.

Nevertheless, when it came to All Our Gods, they didn’t look beyond the studio for references.

“It was just going off the back of Lost Forever – just being influenced by that record and things we liked

on that record, sound-wise, and growing from there,” says Carter. “[We were] giving Henrik some free rein: ‘We know that you know what sounds good, and just go with it and make it sound as good as you can.’ He really went to town with it, especially with the guitars. I think the drums sound fucking crazy. I used to play drums, so I’ve got a really keen ear for it. The step up in drum sound from Lost Forever to All Our Gods is wild.”

An interesting detail of the Architects story is their fourth album, 2011’s The Here And Now. Not nearly as heavy as the records that preceded it, the album was largely shunned by their fan base. They followed up with Daybreaker in 2012, which resumed the technical metalcore sound of their earlier work, and their latest two releases are perhaps even heavier, while also incorporating ambient electronics and conspicuous melodic sections. Carter now admits that after The Here And Now it was necessary to review the band’s identity.

“I feel like that record needed to happen,” he says. “We needed to get that out of our system. We were young then, we were growing up, we thought we knew everything, we thought we had free rein over our band and we could do what we wanted. And it’s not really the case.

Once you’re in a band that’s doing well, people invest in a certain sound of a band and they love a certain sound of a band. They don’t want to hear acoustic guitars. That’s not Architects. But I’m glad we did that, because afterwards we really did figure out our true identity and what we were good at.”

What: All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us out now through Unified

thebrag.com

THURSDAY JUNE 23RD

MAT MCHUGH

(THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS) + LAZY COLTS FRIDAY JUNE 24TH

SEA LEGS + BORNEO

SATURDAY JUNE 25TH

KAURNA CRONIN SUNDAY JUNE 19TH

MAJUN BU

LEVEL 2, 75 THE CORSO, MANLY WWW.HOTELSTEYNE.COM.AU | FACEBOOK/HOTELSTEYNEMANLY | @HOTELSTEYNE

LIVE

MARRICKVILLE SMALL BAR & LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Friday 24 June (7pm) Black Vat Trio + Runebilly Raga + Slyng g Shott (Klesma andd beyondd!)

Saturdayy 25 June (7pm)) Spurs for Jesus (Western party music) Sundayy 26 June (5pm) John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special Tuesday 28 June (7pm) AccaPon ny & Marrickviillle Shanty Club Saturdday 30 June (7pm) The Weeping Willows (indie))

115 Marrickville Road, Marrickville Tue-Sat till 11.30pm, Sun to 9.30m.

AT THE

5

$

TINNIES ALL NIGHT

SLY

5

$

FIREBALL WHISKEYS 7.30 - 9.30PM

Thurs 23 JUNE

THE BALDWINS PIMPANZEE SAGRADA FAMILIAR LIVE AT THE SLY DJs 12AM-3AM

1 9 9 E N M O R E R OA D, E N M O R E

www.gasolinepony.com thebrag.com

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 13

Mat McHugh Riding The Waves By Emily Gibb

I

f you had been asked to predict what the last 12 months would have in store for The Beautiful Girls frontman Mat McHugh, it’s likely you wouldn’t have come close. Despite him (understandably) not wanting to focus on being “the sick guy”, it’s hard to gloss over the almost crippling spinal injury McHugh faced last October, three shows into a tour for his solo album, Waves.

“It was a pretty stressful year,” he says. “I’d made two records sitting in a freezing garage by myself within a 12-month span, kinda stressing about budgets and getting it made and, you know, giving it away for free, paying rent and not eating and drinking very healthy. Just not really looking after myself, in a nutshell. I had a fracture in a vertebrae in my neck, the fracture got a bit worse and then one of my discs just basically exploded and pressed on my spinal cord and the nerves to one of my arms.

“I couldn’t use my arm and lost strength in both arms. I’ve got a fiveyear-old son, I couldn’t pick him up, I couldn’t go surfing – I couldn’t do anything really. My main concern was just getting back to having a normal life. I couldn’t care less if I ever played music again. On the upside, the advice was to get surgery and I didn’t do that. Everything changed in my diet, I just worked hard and did a lot of stretching and physical therapy and I’m feeling pretty good. In other ways, I’m feeling healthier and better than I have in a long time. Like anyone who has an injury or sickness or whatever that they come back from, it can be a blessing, I think, but it was probably the hardest six months of my life.”

It didn’t take long once McHugh was

on the mend for his focus to move to shows again. Having played Beautiful Girls gigs over summer with limited arm mobility, touring Waves was never far from his mind – as was a reinvigorated appreciation for life on the road.

“That was kind of the frustration, that it’s my favourite record that I’ve ever done and I didn’t get to tour it,” he says. “So that motivation was there for sure. It makes you just appreciate everything. If you do every single thing you do with the mindset that it could be the last time you ever do it, then you’re going to do it the best you can and get the most out of it.”

At face value, all this positivity and talk of living like there’s no tomorrow may sound like McHugh is preaching gratitude and his new outlook on life, but he communicates it so naturally that it’s clearly just in his nature. It’s hard for anyone speaking with him not to find motivation in his sincerity – even more so now that he’s making and playing the kind of music he wants, and not what fans expect.

This has led to a few encounters with unreceptive audience members after gigs, leaving McHugh irked. The night before our chat, he responded to a Facebook comment asking if he “has a bass player” for his shows yet.

“Oh man, people have a narrow perception of things,” he says. “I understand that people don’t get it sometimes – it depends how far along the line of your musical evolution you are. What kind of pisses me off is people saying stupid stuff like that.

It’s like their opinion is, ‘Well, in this style of music, this has to happen.’

Well, yeah, maybe it has to happen for you,” he laughs, “but that’s cool,

so either start your own band or find a band that ticks all those boxes.”

Despite receiving a few unsavoury remarks, McHugh has had an overwhelming amount of support worldwide. Waves has been downloaded more than 100,000 times since its release in October, and many opted to pay for the record, despite it being free.

“The crazy thing is when I hurt myself and gave it away, I was going to pay rent off the touring money and people all of a sudden just started buying it, I think as an act of support,” McHugh says. “I was pretty emotionally and physically fragile and to see that was crazy. On top of it, I don’t think it’s even had a single review in any kind of press anywhere. There hasn’t been any significant radio play. On a purely musical and connection level, having people come to it on their own choice, I feel like it’s a super honest

connection. There’s no smoke and mirrors, there’s no hype, and for me that’s the greatest thing. As pure as it gets, really.”

In line with making the most of his time, McHugh isn’t chilling on his days off. When he’s not on the road, he’s in the studio, and what’s coming next may surprise Beautiful Girls fans.

“I’m doing an electronic collaborative album that is mash-ups of a lot of the Waves tracks as well as some of my other stuff and new stuff with some bigger electronic artists out of Berlin.

That’s going to be coming out pretty soon, so I’m going to go over and tour that … The Beautiful Girls is there, but for me, this is freedom at the moment.

There’s no real skeletons in the closet, I don’t have to adhere to some thing that people think I am.

“The good thing about doing Mat McHugh shows is I don’t really have

that anchor around my leg, so I can do ’em however I see fit, make those decisions purely artistically and not so much worrying about getting punched in the face after the show by some angry people.

“At the moment, there’s two of us onstage – we don’t have any computers but we have all our songs chopped up and mashed up and we have a couple really clunky old samplers and heavy analogue bass synth and guitar with crazy effects.

We’re basically seeing how much grooving and how much sound we can make out of two people.”

What: Waves out now independently Where: Newtown Social Club When: Saturday June 25 And: Also appearing at The Brass Monkey on Friday June 24 and Sunday June 26

“THERE’S NO SMOKE AND MIRRORS, THERE’S NO HYPE, AND FOR ME THAT’S THE GREATEST THING. AS PURE AS IT GETS, REALLY.”

wed

22 June

thu

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

23 June

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

fri

24 June (10:00PM - 1:40AM)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

sat

sun

25 June

4:30PM  7:30PM

4:30PM  7:30PM

26 June

(8:30PM - 12:00AM

(10:00PM - 1:15AM)

mon

tue

27

28

June

June

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

14 :: BRAG :: 668:: 22:06:16

(9:00PM - 12:00AM)

thebrag.com

june

24

JESABEL

GLOVER . TASS . LAVIDA HELLENA ELLIS . SABIO FREE ENTRY BEFORE 8PM THEARGYLEROCKS.COM

F thebrag.com

R

I

D

Y

S BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 15

arts in focus

free stuff head to: thebrag.com/freeshit

arts news...what's goin' on around town... with Anna Wilson and Amy Henderson

five minutes WITH

LALLY KATZ, WRITER OF BACK AT THE DOJO

Y

our new play Back At The Dojo takes inspiration from your own parents.

Was your family always supportive of your pursuit of a career in the arts?

What parallels should audiences expect to find between the family of Back At The Dojo and their own?

There’s a few generations of family in this play. The more I live, the more I realise how much of my parents and my grandparents are in me. Sometimes I like this – sometimes I don’t – but my ancestors absolutely inform who I am. I think that will ring true to most families.

A BARD’S DOZEN

The Bard is back at Belvoir St Theatre.

Twelfth Night Or What You Will, with its layers of wit, intrigue and humour, will return to the living, breathing stage, complete with a gorgeously experienced cast and bountifully talented production creatives. Even 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, the jokes are still ringing as true as if it were the 1600s all over again. Twelfth Night Or What You Will plays Saturday July 23 – Sunday September 4 at Belvoir.

You moved to Australia from the US as a teenager. How welcoming did your family find this country?

We found Australia very welcoming. Within a year

PANIC ON THE STREETS OF SYDNEY

my father had given up his US citizenship to become an Australian citizen.

How thrilling is that feeling of premiering a new work on the stage to a live audience?

It’s the most thrilling and terrifying feeling that I know. It’s very surreal, suddenly to be in an audience watching a world full of characters that I half know from life and half live with in my dreams. The first couple of minutes of opening night I can’t stop thinking how weird it is. But then very quickly I just fall into the rhythm of the show and live and die with every little bit that goes right or wrong!

What: Back At The Dojo Where: Belvoir St Theatre When: Until Sunday July 17

Sing Street hits cinemas on Thursday July 14. Snag one of ten double passes by entering the draw at thebrag.com/freeshit.

Germany, Portugal and Switzerland. Visit the festival over the Bastille Day weekend, Thursday July 14 – Sunday July 17, across the Circular Quay foreshore and Customs House Square.

CHRISTINA IN THE CUPBOARD

Acclaimed Australian playwright Paul Gilchrist has created a spellbinding work in Christina In The Cupboard. Equally charming and controversial, the work centres on the titular Christina, who retreats from society so as to powerfully and vulnerably challenge the terms of reality that she’ll abide by. Christina In The Cupboard plays at The Depot Theatre, Wednesday July 13 – Saturday July 30.

GO GET A GLIMPSE

Ocean Lovers by Michaela Skovranova

THE BIG PICTURE

The City of Sydney is inviting established and amateur photographers across the country to take part in one of its biggest competitions. Australian Life showcases images of Australia in all its forms, with finalists’ images blown up into giant portraits for an outdoor exhibition in Hyde Park. With 20 finalists to be selected by a panel of judges, the annual exhibition offers one of the biggest cash prizes in competitions of this kind. The winner of the $10,000 prize will be announced at the exhibition’s opening in September. Last year, Michaela Skovranova won the $10,000 prize for her image, Ocean Lovers. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the competition provides an insight into the lives of people from across the nation, showcasing Australia as a country that offers many varied and unique experiences. Entries to the Australian Life competition open on Friday June 17 and close on Friday July 29. Find out more info and enter at artandabout.com.au. Meanwhile, photographers aged three to 11 can enter Little Sydney Lives.

Sydney artist Geoff Levitus will display his interpretive works at a new exhibition, A Foreigner’s Glimpse. Uncovering the cultural effects of interconnecting histories in Europe and Asia, Levitus uses paintings and drawings to retell stories of much older cultures than his native Australia with exquisite imagery. With acrylic and enamel on canvas, watercolour and gouache on paper, Levitus records his experiences and impressions of his different cultural journeys.

A Foreigner’s Glimpse runs at Stanley Street Gallery from Wednesday July 13 – Saturday August 6.

HE’S A GOOD MAN

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is gearing up to shimmy, roll and blissfully run riot across the stage in a charming and engaging production from Hayes Theatre Co. Complete with actors whose inner kids have never been left too far behind, an ambitious and professional creative team and a director’s glee at bringing the Peanuts to life, the production is to be a precious and upbeat treat for the whole family. Enjoy it from Tuesday July 5 – Sunday July 31. thebrag.com

Low Level Panic photo © Tony Davison

16 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

The latest musical drama from John Carney, Sing Street, is a coming-of-age movie set in 1980s Dublin, about a private schoolboy who is forced to move to a public school, where the kids are rough and the teachers are even rougher. Hope arrives when he starts a band and learns to deal with his new way of life. The soundtrack features hits from The Cure, Duran Duran, The Police and Genesis, and the film includes a star turn from Aidan Gillen, whom Game Of Thrones fans will recognise for his role as Littlefinger.

The Old Fitz Theatre is set to host the foul-mouthed, funny and unapologetic Low Level Panic, the work of bold and daring playwright Clare McIntyre. The piece dives headfirst into the ways in which we perceive women’s lives, their bodies, safety, and – oh yes, it goes there – their sexuality. In a world where a breakfast TV host can wear the same navy suit for a year straight and cop not an iota of negative feedback, while his female co-hosts are chastised for clashing colours of aesthetic laziness, there might be just enough to go on to say something’s amiss. Director Justin Martin – after having whizzed around the world directing this and that – has decided to bring his verve and efforts to our shores with Low Level Panic. It’s playing at the Old Fitz from Tuesday July 12 – Friday August 12.

Freefall Productions and the New Theatre are set to bring David Auburn’s brilliant work Proof to the stage come July. An intelligent and raw exploration of family, genius, love and mental illness, Proof won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2001, cementing its status as a pivotal 21st century work. The story follows Catherine, who after having cared for her brilliant and unstable father, is left to pick up the pieces when he passes away. Not only does she have to go through his countless notebooks and the scrawl that they contain, but contend with her own fears as to the thread of genius and instability that she may have inherited. Proof plays at the New Theatre from Wednesday July 13 – Saturday July 30.

Sydneysiders can celebrate Bastille Day in style, as BBR Festival has announced its fourth annual weekend of bustling French appreciation. Paying homage to the French national day, BBR Festival celebrates with an array of live concerts, films, artistic events and delicious food stalls. One of this year’s highlights at the Festival Village will be The Magician’s Cabaret, an authentic French cabaret show set to transport you back to Paris in the 18th century – the birthplace of cabaret – for a free experience of song and dance. This year, BBR Festival also brings the best of European and French-speaking cultures home as visitors can wander through the European village market with stalls covering Greece, Italy, Spain, Belgium,

SING STREET

Low Level Panic

PROOF IN THE PUDDING

VIVE LA FRANCE

Sing Street

Twelfth Night Or What You Will photo by Brett Boardman

Twelfth Night Or What You Will

It’s not as autobiographical as some of your other plays, but it’s not that far removed either.

Is ‘write what you know’ one of your golden rules?

My only golden rule is to write with my heart and write what feels emotionally true to the characters and story. That is a lot easier when you use people you know as inspiration. However, I usually end up making up stuff too (I’ve taken a lot of liberties with the truth of my father’s youth) – the characters in my plays are often half based in truth and half in imagination. My other rule is, do whatever is best for the story!

Back At The Dojo photo by Brett Boardman

My family have always been super supportive of my writing. They always encouraged my brother and I to follow our hearts (as long as we worked extremely hard at it). I was really surprised when I was in my 20s and met friends whose parents didn’t think they should be striving for the arts. That just hadn’t been a thing in my life. My parents’ belief in me has made all the difference.

Craig Robinson [COMEDY] Nasty And Nice By Tegan Jones

This is US comedian Craig Robinson describing how he came up with the name for his band, The Nasty Delicious, who will be hitting Sydney later this year. Clearly, it’s going to be one hell of a show, which he says will feature a little bit of everything.

“There will be jokes, some stories, some audience participation, some singing and some dancing. It’s pretty much the best party you could ever go to.”

Although most comedy fans will recognise Robinson from his television and movie appearances, it turns out that music has been a lifelong passion for him, so incorporating it into his live shows seemed natural.

“I always have a keyboard in my act. I did maybe two open mics without it and it’s been my partner ever since.

I’ve always had the music in me and I had been in two bands before now. The first was just four musicians and the second was four comedians who happened to play instruments. But in those bands there was no leader, everyone was trying to lead. So I thought, ‘Why don’t I hire musicians, take my act and expand it?’ So now I’m jamming with world-class musicians.

“It really started with me being frustrated about wanting to play in a band and realising that I’m the leader,” he continues. “It really quelled something in me because I was going to see bands and I would be directing and I know they were kind of annoyed.

It was meant to be – it’s the thebrag.com

most natural and fun thing that I do.”

Robinson’s musical side has actually been crossing into his on-screen work for some time. As a fan of The Office, I mention the Dunder Mifflin jingle he performs in one episode. To my delight, he immediately launches into it. “‘Out of paper, out of stock, there’s friendly faces around the block / Dunder Mifflin, the people person’s paper people,’” he coos melodically.

“I’ll put that in the act sometimes. Some people appreciate it and it’s very cool.

B.J. Novak’s brother wrote the lyrics, then Greg Daniels was like, ‘Darryl would have something funky,’ so that’s what I came up with there.

“It’s interesting the way that happened because people always find out that I’m a musician and then just make that a part of my character.

It’s how it happened for The Office, it’s how it happened with Hot Tub Time Machine.

People came to my show before we started shooting and I remember [John] Cusack saying, ‘OK, so let’s make him a musician.’

“It’s always been like that,” Robinson says, “because music is my partner.”

Of course, the Chicago-born entertainer has a great deal more going on besides music, being an actor and comedian by trade. I wonder if he has a preference.

“I have such a nice balance going on right now. I crave these things – I’ll be doing comedy one week and then the next I’ll be in New York to act, but then I’ll really be craving to do something with the band.

There’s nothing like leading a band. But then again, there’s nothing like doing a new joke and crushing it or acting in a scene and

up all night out all week . . .

going to that emotional place despite all of the obstacles and distractions around you. They all have their special delights. But if I had to choose one, it would probably be the band.”

With so much experience out on the road, Robinson would surely have some crazy stories to share. “Oh, why did I immediately go negative?” he ponders aloud. “We did a show where the police were waiting for us in the dressing room so they could kick us out. I think they thought that I was somehow inebriated – I mean I was, but still, they didn’t need to go through all of that.”

Moving onto something more positive, his attention turns to Australia and his forthcoming tour, which has been rescheduled to December from June. “We’ll have fun out there. You’re in Sydney, right?

I’ve never been to there,” he says.

With all the energy Robinson exudes, it’s hard not to believe his show will be the most fun place on Earth.

“We are about whatever the moment calls for, whether it’s funk, R&B, some country – we go through a whole gamut. But mainly it’s all about getting into that groove, permeating the room and everybody vibing together. That’s why we bring in the audience participation – the more fun you have, the more fun we have. There’ll be some covers and stuff you’ll be familiar with. You’ll get some jokes and whatever, but it’s definitely going to be you and me getting up and dancing at the end of it all.”

Who: Craig Robinson and The Nasty Delicious Where: Metro Theatre When: Wednesday December 14

supanova pop culture expo 2016 PICS :: AM

“H

ave you ever eaten something that’s so good that you make a nasty face, like the fuck face? It’s so fucking good that you scrunch your face up? It’s so nasty. It’s so delicious. It’s a great time.”

arts snaps

19:06:16 :: Sydney Showgrounds :: 1 Showground Rd Sydney Olympic Park BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 17

film & theatre reviews Hits and misses on the silver screen and bareboards around town

■ Film

FINDING DORY In cinemas now Pixar redefi ned animated fi lmmaking, and heavy is the crown it wears when diving into sequel territory. Finding Dory bears weighty expectations built on its wondrous predecessor, and though enjoyable, this new venture into the ocean reveals little we haven’t seen before.

■ Film

WARCRAFT: THE BEGINNING In cinemas now If it sells in one medium, it sells in another. That is the production mantra that has led us to the glut of thickheaded paint-by-numbers summer blockbusters through which we now wade. Fortunately, Blizzard’s inevitable Warcraft cash-in stands just above its peers, delivering on its title with satisfying brutality.

The kingdom of Azeroth stands on the brink of war, as the orc horde, which inhabits the dying world of Draenor, constructs a portal that allows it to invade the realms of men.

As both races fight for their survival, factions within the two sides seek out the source of the dark magic that led to their conflict.

Warcraft begins at a blistering pace, introducing five or six locations and thrice as many characters within the first half-hour. In contextualising the narrative and catering to fans, director Duncan Jones is forced to rush through world-building, and the realm is poorer for it. By the time the fourth CGI city has whizzed past, we are hopelessly lost, and Ramin Djawadi’s forgettable soundtrack gives us no anchor to place or person.

down violence on even the noblest of protagonists. Some twists of the knife are predictable, others surprise with the pain they inflict. How did we get so attached to these characters, when we first thought them poorly formed?

Ultimately, the true heroes are the effects team, which has created some of the weightiest and most bone-crushing combat sequences yet rendered. When the horde barrels through a platoon of soldiers, the crunch of muscle on armour is both audible and palpable.

It is neither the smartest, nor the dumbest film likely to release this year, and it is far from the end of what Blizzard will bring to the big screen.

They’ve nailed their warcraft; let’s hope their filmcraft follows suit.

Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) suffers from short-term memory less, as everyone around her is painfully aware. When a long-buried memory of her parents surfaces out of the blue, she unthinkingly races off to fi nd them, dragging Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) across the ocean in search of her lost family.

It’s always dangerous to pivot an entire fi lm around a supporting act. Dory’s presence in the first fi lm was lightning-in-a-bottle, as she made the perfect foil to Marlin’s grumpy, cautious old man. Once separated from her travelling buddies, she becomes a frustrating protagonist, despite the quality of DeGeneres’ performance. Even the jokes about her memory become tiresome – at least, until they become dramatically affecting.

Director Andrew Stanton shows his true generosity of spirit in these moments; the spark that

made Finding Nemo and Wall-E so cathartic. Deep into the plot, he pulls out his Pixar bingo card and ticks off “heartbreaking moment” with a fl ourish, and the hands of every audience member leap to their mouths to stifl e gasps.

At its worst, Finding Dory sees Pixar repeating the efforts of lesser studios, as in a farfetched action sequence at the climax that uses Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’ in much the same way that Madagascar did years before. Even the thrilling early squid chase repeats shots in a dizzying sequence that tests the limits of your cinema’s 3D projectors.

Outside of that moment, little astounds. The wilds of the ocean fl oor are nostalgic and beautiful, but lack the wonder of Finding Nemo. This may, in part, be due to the bulk of the fi lm taking place in a marine rescue institute. New supporting octopus Hank (Ed O’Neill of Married… With Children fame) is incredibly crafted and a total riot, but also an easy standout.

Like Dory, we’re likely to forget the many other secondary characters.

David Molloy

comment on how far society has or has not come. Nevertheless, songs such as ‘Blue’ are quite clearly playing the serious subject matter for laughs. Witnessing two of the Heathers dumping Veronica into a date rape scenario as a means of self-preservation is far from funny.

delightful romp that can only really be described as ‘big fun’.

Although old-school fans will fi nd more nuance and in-jokes, it isn’t alienating to newcomers.

The overall campness of the production is permeated with a darkness and self-awareness that is refreshing and hilarious.

Questionable numbers aside, Heathers: The Musical is a

Tegan Jones

The luscious deep-sea dive of Finding Nemo takes pride of place on the mantle over Finding Dory’s comparative snorkling trip. There’s beauty to be found here, but the memories are not likely to linger long.

David Molloy

The same is true for characters – we are given little reason to root for generic swarthy man-soldier Anduin (Travis Fimmel) or his son, nor mage sidekick Khadgar (Ben Schnetzer) or the plight of halforc Garona (Paula Patton). Toby Kebbell’s stoic orc lead Durotan has more clout, surprisingly, than much of the human cast, though Ben Foster’s turn as the omnipotent Medivh is enjoyable.

In this last detail, Jones shines, taking from the first Warcraft video game’s narrative audacity and raining

HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL Playing at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House until Sunday June 26 Dear Diary. Heathers: The Musical has hit the Sydney Opera House.

How very!

Based on the 1988 cult film, this musical exudes energy from the second the curtain rises. We follow Veronica (Hilary Cole), a pensive teen struggling to survive on the battlefield that is high school. After her talent for forgery is discovered, she finds herself inadvertently rolling with the army of Heathers and their shoulder pads. But life isn’t beautiful for long and she quickly commits social suicide by being a half-decent person. Fortunately, she meets the tumultuous JD (Stephen Madsen) – a James Dean knock-off toy boy in a trench coat. Their subsequent love story is punctuated with passion, angst and a body count as JD murders anyone who gets in their way. Just your average teenage drama, right?

The cast is an undeniably talented one. In addition to being a supremely gifted singer and actor, Cole gives a performance in clear homage to the original film – her mannerisms and elocution are a love letter to Winona Ryder. Similarly, Lucy Maunder encompasses the caricature that is Heather Chandler; both her performance and shoulder pads are larger than life. In fact, both leads are so commanding in voice and presence that the small Playhouse stage doesn’t feel large enough to hold them. Their energy is palpable and deserving of a grander, more challenging space.

While the themes and characterisation explored in the musical are contextually relevant, the treatment of sexual assault is admittedly confronting at times.

Perhaps this is the point: to

Arts Exposed What's in our diary...

Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Australian National Maritime Museum, Thursday June 23 – Sunday October 16 42,000 entries across 96 countries made up the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year competition this year, and from that 100 were chosen for exhibition.

Now, the photos on show at the Australian National Maritime Museum include wrestling komodo dragons, ethereal egrets and thirsty squirrels. The exhibition is on loan from the Natural History Museum in London after the prize was judged by industry professionals. The winning image is from Australian author, explorer and conservation photographer Michael Aw. His image, A Whale Of A Mouthful, shows an imposing Bryde’s whale ripping through a mass of sardines and gulping hundreds in a single pass.

A Whale Of A Mouthful by Michael Aw

18 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

Tickets are $20 ($12 concession). Visit anmm.gov.au for more details and to book.

thebrag.com

xxxx photo by xxxx

As for plot, one could hardly expect much. World history is pushed aside in favour of immediacy – a wise choice, but one that reduces any power that the many yelled pronouns from soldiers may have had, given context. The narrative centers around the intricacies of an otherwise simple bipartisan war, and how corruption condemns all to suffering.

■ Musical Theatre

out & about Queer(ish) matters with Lucy Watson

London’s vigil for Orlando

W

ith more than a week having passed since Orlando, the mainstream press is slowly forgetting about it. Sure, as new information comes out, the media will duly report on it, but our day-to-day lives have more or less returned. The Australian media has turned its focus back to the election; the circus goes on.

Some of us won’t forget so easily. Of course, those directly affected by what happened will never forget. But the queer community, the Latinx community and the queer POC community will have this etched into their collective memories for a long time to come.

This weekend, many major cities in the Northern Hemisphere are celebrating Pride Weekend. It’s the last weekend in Pride Month, and it marks the 47th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, the birth of the modern gay rights movement.

(Incidentally, much to my dismay as I fly there specifically for it, Paris won’t be celebrating Pride this weekend like it usually does, because of the Euro football tournament. Fucking sports.)

Whether the timing of the attack was intentional or not, the fact that Orlando happened during Pride Month is both deeply unsettling and oddly fitting.

The queer community has a great track record worldwide of turning tragedies into unforgettable moments in our history. These moments strengthen us, bring us together, and best of all, demonstrate our fearless resilience.

Most of the events we celebrate today were historically moments of tragedy. Pride celebrates everything, but particularly the Stonewall riots, where multiple LGBT people were injured or arrested as they agitated for rights. Mardi Gras in Sydney started as our own uprising, resulting in arrest and injury. After Harvey

Milk – the first openly gay major political representative in California – was assassinated, some 30,000 gathered in San Francisco to collectively mourn (and it was Milk who commissioned the creation of the rainbow flag, so we celebrate his legacy almost daily).

Through the losses of so many of our own from the AIDS crisis, we have days of mourning, days of celebration, and countless art and cultural works to remember them. We remember the victims of gay hate crimes by urging for police apologies, for investigations to reopen, for memorials at the sites of these losses, so that we may celebrate those lives given.

As a community, we have faced so much collective loss, struggle, hatred, pain and anger. But this past week and a half has demonstrated that, in the face of it all, we still have so much love, so much collective strength, so much resilience. Our community grows from our losses, and while we’d love for the losses to stop (believe me), they won’t break us. The thousands who took to the streets in London’s Soho district were inspiring. And this weekend, hundreds of thousands of people the world over will be mourning Orlando but also celebrating our community.

I’ve no doubt we’ll never forget Orlando. I won’t be surprised if LA Pride, which this year fell on the same weekend as the attack, now marks the tragedy each year, and remembers its victims.

The powerful thing about the Stonewall riots is that they resulted in change.

They instigated the modern gay rights movement, and slowly, over the next few decades, resulted in countless positive things for our community. I only hope Orlando can have the same legacy – and hopefully in the form of better gun control in the US, as well as an end to the current slew of utterly ridiculous bathroom laws plaguing the country’s south.

London vigil for Orlando photo by Alisdare Hickson / flickr.com/photos/alisdaire

this week…

Love Club DJs This week, all the regulars continue: HomoLoco at Newtown Hotel and Birdcage at Slyfox on Wednesday June 22, then Homosocial at Secret Garden on Friday June 24, and The Sweet Escape at the Imperial Hotel on Saturday June 25.

thebrag.com

But as well as your favourites, on Friday June 24, celebrate Love Club’s third birthday! It’s at Slyfox featuring Matty Bixx, Primak, Sven and more.

Celebrate Pride, Southern Hemisphere style! There’s a marriage equality rally

being held on Saturday June 25 at Sydney Town Hall. With a week until the election, for some this could be the deciding issue. Then, continue the party along Oxford Street.

Stonewall is celebrating Pride all month, and particularly this weekend.

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 19

BARS BRAG

The Glenmore 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks (02) 9247 4794 Mon – Thu, Sun 11am-midnight; Fri – Sat 11am-1am Grain Bar 199 George St, Sydney CBD (02) 9250 3118 Mon – Sun noon-1am Grandma’s Basement 275 Clarence St, Sydney CBD (02) 9264 3004 Mon – Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat 5pm-late The Fox Hole 68A Erskine St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 4369 Mon 7am-3pm; Tue – Fri 7am-late The Grasshopper 1 Temperance Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9947 9025 Mon – Thurs & Sat 4pm-late; Fri noon-late Harpoon Harry 40-44 Wentworth Ave, Sydney CBD (02) 8262 8800 Mon – Sun 11.30am-3am The Lobo Plantation Basement Lot 1, 209

A Work In Progress 50 King St, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Fri noon-2am Ash St Cellar 1 Ash St, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Fri 8.30am-11pm The Attic 275 Pitt St, Sydney CBD (02) 9284 1200 Mon – Fri 11am-1am; Saturday 5pm-1am 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 – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 4pm-midnight BAR100 100 George St, The Rocks (02) 8070 9311 Mon – Thu noon-late; Fri – Sat noon-3am; Sun noon-10pm Bar Eleven Lvl 11, 161 Sussex St, Sydney CBD (02) 9290 4000 Mon – Thu 4-9pm; Fri – Sat 4-11pm

The Barber Shop 89 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 9699 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thu – Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat 4pm-midnight Basement 33 Basement, 27-33 Goulburn St, Sydney CBD (02) 8970 5813 Mon – Thu 5pm-midnight The Baxter Inn Basement 152-156 Clarence St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 4pm-1am Bulletin Place First Floor, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thurs – Sat 4pm-1am Burrow Bar De Mestre Place, Sydney 0450 466 674 Mon – Sun 4pm-midnight

deVine 32 Market St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 6906 Mon – Fri 11.30am-11.30pm; Sat 5.30-11.30pm Easy Eight 152 - 156 Clarence St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 3769 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight El Camino Cantina 18 Argyle St, The Rocks Sun – Thu 11.30am– midnight Fri – Sat 11.30am-3am Frankie’s Pizza 50 Hunter St, Sydney CBD Mon – Fri noon-3am; Sat – Sun 4pm-3am Gilt Lounge 49 Market St, Sydney CBD (02) 8262 0000 Wed – Sat 5pm-late

bar bar

OF

MUNICH BRAUHAUS THE ROCKS

ADDRESS: CNR PLAYFAIR & ARGYLE ST, THE ROCKS PHONE NUMBER: (02) 9247 7785 OPENING HOURS: MON – FRI 10AM-LATE; SAT – SUN 9AM-LATE

is stocked full of all your favourite Bavarian biers alongside our haus-brewed craft beer, schnapps, cocktails and much more.

The open-air Bier Garten overlooking The Rocks is the perfect spot to kick back with a beer with your mates and enjoy the Happy Hour from 4-6pm daily, which features $6 biers and haus wines alongside $1 wings.

Tell us about your bar: Loosen the tie and get ready to raise your stein as you join the outrageous Bavarian shenanigans at Munich Brauhaus, where it is Oktoberfest every day of the year.

From pure German bier, to a live Oom-Pah-Pah band and the tastiest pork knuckles in town, you and your crew can be transported direct to Bavaria, no passport required.

The front Keller Bar features all your favourite sports live across fi ve TV screens and a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights so you and your fun-lovin’ pals can keep the party going until late. The bar

20 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

What’s on the menu?

All the very best of Bavaria and more! We’re talking drool-worthy platters, sausages, schnitzels and pretzels or our famous Munich Brauhaus pork knuckle.

Looking for a quick bite and beer?

Look no further than our bar menu fi lled with Bavarian burgers, hausmade hot dogs and hand-crafted salads.

Care for a drink?

Munich Brauhaus is the home of bier. From steins of pure Bavarian bier to our new craft beer from the Crafty Bavarian Brewing Co., lovers of lager and ale will be

TH

EK

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

E E W

spoilt for choice at the Munich Brauhaus Keller Bar. The latest addition to the craft beer taps is the Devil’s Daughters Double IPA, which is fast becoming a crowd favourite due to its rich golden amber colour and distinct hop bitterness.

Sounds: Haus DJ every Friday and Saturday night, and a live OomPah-Pah band every night of the week.

Highlights: Daily happy hour: $6 half-litre biers and house wines from 4-6pm.

Hus and his live Bavarian band who will have you raising your stein as you join the outrageous thigh-slapping, toe-tapping OomPah-Pah Party every night of the week.

The bill comes to: $20 – $40.

Website: munichbrauhaus.com/the-rocks

Clarence St, Sydney CBD 0415 554 908 Mon – Thu, Sat 4pm-midnight; Fri 2pm-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 – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thu 4pm-1am; Fri 3pm-1am; Sat 4pm-1am The Morrison 225 George St, Sydney CBD (02) 9247 6744 Mon – Wed 11.30am-midnight; Thu 11.30am-1am; Fri – Sat 11.30am-2am; Sun 11.30am-10pm The Palisade 35 Bettington St, Millers Point 9018 0123 Tue – Fri noon-2.30pm & 6pm-9.30pm; Sat 6pm-9.30pm Mr Tipply’s 347 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 4877 Mon – Sat 10am-late Palmer & Co. Abercrombie Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 9240 3000 Mon – Wed 5pm-late; Thu – Fri 3pm-late; Sat – Sun 5pm-late Papa Gede’s Bar Laneway at the end of 348 Kent St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 5671 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight Plan B Small Club 53-55 Liverpool St, Sydney CBD Wed 5pm-11pm; Thu 5pm-1am; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat 6pm-3am Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern Basement, 60 Park St, Sydney CBD Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight Rockpool Bar & Grill 66 Hunter St, Sydney CBD (02) 8078 1900 Mon – Sat noon-3pm, 6-11pm The Rook Level 7, 56-58 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 2505 Mon, Sat 4pm-midnight; Tue – Fri noon-midnight The SG 32 York St, Sydney CBD 0402 813 035 Tues – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight Shirt Bar 7 Sussex Ln, Sydney CBD (02) 8068 8222 Mon –Wed 8am-8pm; 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 noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight The Smoking Panda 5-7 Park St, Sydney CBD (02) 9264 4618 Mon – Sat 4pm-late Stitch Bar 61 York St, Sydney CBD (02) 9279 0380 Mon – Wed 4pm-midnight; Thu – Fri noon-2am; Sat 4pm-2am The Swinging Cat 44 King St, Sydney CBD (02) 9262 3696 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight

Tapa Vino 6 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay (02) 9247 3221 Mon – Fri noon-11.30pm Uncle Ming’s 55 York St, Sydney CBD Mon – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight York Lane 56 Clarence St, Sydney CBD (02) 9299 1676 Mon – Wed 6.30am-10pm; Thu – Fri 6.30pm-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight

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 Arcadia Liquors 7 Cope St, Redfern (02) 8068 4470 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Bar Cleveland Cnr Bourke & Cleveland St, Redfern (02) 9698 1908 Mon – Thu 10am-2am; Fri – Sat 10am-4am Bar H 80 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 1980 Mon – Sat 6pm-11.30; Sun 11am-3pm Bellini Lounge 2 Kellett St, Potts Point (02) 9331 0058 Thu – Sun 6pm-late The Bells Hotel 1 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo (02) 9357 3765 Mon – Sun 10am-1am The Beresford 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 8313 5000 Mon – Sun noon-1am Black Penny 648 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 9319 5061 Mon – Sat 7am-midnight; Sun 7am-10pm Busby 55 Riley St, Woolloomooloo (02) 9326 9055 Wed – Sat 3pm-midnight Butter Bar 6 Hunt St, Surry Hills (02) 8283 9146 Mon – Thu 11:30am-10pm; Fri – Sat 11:30am-11:30pm 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 Tue – Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-10pm Central Tavern 42-50 Chalmers St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3814 Mon – Sat 10am-2am; Sun 10am-10pm Ching-a-Lings 1/133 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9360 3333 Tue – Wed 6pm-11pm; Fri – Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 5pm-10pm The Cliff Dive 16-18 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst

Fri – Sat 6pm-late The Commons 32 Burton St, Darlinghurst (02) 9358 1487 Tue – Wed 6pm-late; Thu – Fri 12pm-late; Sat – Sun 8:30am-late The Darlie Laundromatic 304 Palmer St, Darlinghurst Mon – Sat 5pm-11pm Darlo Bar 306 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst (02) 9331 3672 Mon – Sun 10am-midnight Darlo Country Club Level 1, 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 9380 4279 Wed – Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 5pm-2am Dead Ringer 413 Bourke St, Surry Hills (02) 9331 3560 Mon – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Della Hyde 34 Oxford St, Darlinghurst Thu – Sun 4pm-late Eau-De-Vie 229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst 0422 263 226 Mon – Sat 6pm-1am; Sun 6pm-midnight The Forresters 336 Riley St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3035 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noon1am; Sun noon-10pm Gardel’s Bar 358 Cleveland St, Surry Hills (02) 8399 1440 Tue – Sat 6pm-midnight Gazebo 2 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay (02) 8070 2424 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat – Sun noon-midnight Golden Age Cinema & Bar 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills (02) 9211 1556 Mon - Sun 3pm-midnight Goros 84-86 Mary St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 0214 Mon – Wed 11:30am-midnight; Thu 11:30am-1am: Fri 11:30am-3am; Sat 4pm-3am The Hazy Rose 1/83 Stanley St, Darlinghurst (02) 9357 5036 Wed – Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 3pm-midnight; Sun 3-10pm Hello Sailor 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9332 2442 Tue – Sun 6pm-3am Hinky Dinks 185 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst (02) 8084 6379 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 1-10pm Hollywood Hotel 2 Foster St, Surry Hills (02) 9281 2765 Mon – Wed 10am-midnight; Thu – Sat 10am-3am Jangling Jack’s Bar & Grill Bar & Grill 175 Victoria St, Potts Point Tue – Wed 4-11pm, Thu – Sat 4-1am, Sun noon11pm Hustle & Flow Bar 105 Regent St, Redfern (02) 9310 5593 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight Li’l Darlin Darlinghurst 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 8084 6100 Mon – Sun 5pm-late thebrag.com

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK

Pour it in your mouth-hole... (responsibly).

MULLED WINE DAIQUIRI @ DELLA HYDE, 34 OXFORD ST, DARLINGHURST Ingredients: • 60ml Havana seven-year • 25ml Lime juice • 25ml Mulled wine syrup Method: Shake, double strain Glass: Nick & Nora Garnish: Dehydrated lime wheel More: dellahyde.com.au

Li’l Darlin Surry Hills 420 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills (02) 9698 5488 Mon – Fri noon-late; Sat 4pm-late LL Wine and Dine 42 Llankelly Place Potts Point (02) 9356 8393 Mon – Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri – Sat noon-late; Sun 11am-10pm The Local Taphouse 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst (02) 9360 0088 Mon – Wed noonmidnight; Thu – Sat noonmidnight; Sun noon-11pm Love, Tilly Devine 91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst (02) 9326 9297 Mon – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm Low 302 302 Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 9368 1548 Mon – Sun 6pm-2am Mr Fox 557 Crown St, Surry Hills 0410 470 250 Tue – Wed 5pm-late; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun thebrag.com

Origins: Mulled wine is a classic drink offering served warm in winter, with a whole bunch of spices and heaps of flavour. We wanted to incorporate the flavours of the mulled wine, giving the guest a potential memory of sipping on some mulled wine in a pub somewhere really cold (winter in the UK perhaps?) without actually serving a warm drink. The simplicity of the daiquiri is complemented by the complexity of the flavours in the mulled wine syrup we use.

Best drunk with: Good company During: Winter!

While wearing: Your birthday suit And listening to: Prince – ‘Purple Rain’

10am-10pm The Norfolk 305 Cleveland St, Surry Hills (02) 9699 3177 Mon – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Old Growler 218 William St, Woolloomooloo 0422 911 650 Tue – Sat 5pm - midnight The Oxford Circus 231 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 0457 353 384 Wed – Sun 7pm - late The Passage 231A Victoria St, Darlinghurst (02) 9358 6116 Mon – Sat 5pm-late Peekaboo 120 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo 0403 747 788 Mon – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri – Sat 4pm – 12am Play Bar 72 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9280 0885 Tues – Sat 5pm-midnight Pocket Bar 13 Burton St, Darlinghurst (02) 9380 7002

Mon – Sun 4pm-midnight The Powder Keg 7 Kellett St, Potts Point (02) 8354 0980 Wed – Thu 6pm-late; Fri 1pm-2.30am; Sat – Sun 6pm-late The Print Room 11 Glenmore Rd, Paddington (02) 9331 0911 Thu – Fri 5pm-late; Sat – Sun noon-late Queenie’s Upstairs 336 Riley St, Surry Hills (02) 9212 3035 Tue – Sat 6pm-late & Fri noon-3pm Roosevelt 32 Orwell St, Potts Point (02) 8696 1787 Tue – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Rosie Campbell’s 320 Crown St, Surry Hills (02) 8356 9120 Mon 5pm-midnight: Tue – Sun 4pm-midnight Shady Pines Saloon Shop 4, 256 Crown St, Darlinghurst Mon – Sun 4pm-midnight

The Soda Factory 16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills (02) 8096 9120 Mon – Thu 5pm-late; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat – Sun 6pm-3am Surly’s 182 Campbell St, Surry Hills (02) 9331 3705 Tue – Sun noon-midnight Sweethearts Rooftop 33/37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point (02) 9368 7333 Mon – Thu 4-11.30pm; Fri – Sun noon-11.30pm This Must Be The Place 239 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (02) 9331 8063 Mon – Sun 3pm-midnight The Tilbury Hotel 12-18 Nicholson St, Woolloomooloo (02) 9368 1955 Mon – Fri 9am-midnight; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10am-10pm Tio’s Cerveceria 12-18 Nicholson St, Woolloomooloo (02) 9368 1955 Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 2-10pm Vasco 421 Cleveland St, Redfern 0406 775 436 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight The Village Inn 9-11 Glenmore Rd, Paddington (02) 9331 0911 Mon – Sun 12pm-late The White Horse Hotel 381-385 Crown Street, Surry Hills 1300 976 683 Mon – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm 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 noon-midnight

Anchor Bar 8 Campbell Pde, Bondi (02) 8084 3145 Tue – Fri 4.30pm-late; Sat – Sun 12.30pm-late Bat Country 32 St Pauls St, Randwick (@ The Spot) (02) 9398 6694 Mon – Sat 7am-midnight; Sun 7am-10pm Beach Road Hotel 71 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach (02) 9130 7247 Mon – Sat noon-1am; Sun 11am-10pm Bondi Hardware 39 Hall St, Bondi (02) 9365 7176 Mon – Wed 4pm-late; Fri noon-midnight; Sat 9am-midnight; Sun 9am-10pm The Bucket List Shop 1, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive (02) 9365 4122 Mon – Tue 11am-5pm; Wed – Sun 11am-late The Corner House 281 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 8020 6698 Tue – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 3pm-10pm Fat Ruperts 249 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9130 1033 Tue – Fri 6pm-late; Sat – Sun 2pm-late The Hill Bar/Eatery Cnr Campbell Pde & Hastings Pde, North Bondi (02)9130 2200

BAR Mon – Fri 4pm-late, Sat – Sun 12pm till late Mr Moustache 75-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach (02) 9300 8892 Mon – Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon10pm The Phoenix Hotel 1 Moncur St, Woollahra 0413 688 546 Wed – Thu 4pm-11pm; Fri – Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10pm The Robin Hood Hotel 203 Bronte Rd, Waverley (02) 9389 3477 Mon - Sat 10am-3am; Sun 10am-10pm Speakeasy 83 Curlewis St, Bondi (02) 9130 2020 Mon – Sat 5pm-11pm; Sat – Sun 4pm-10pm Spring Street Social (and Jam Gallery) Underground 195 Oxford St, Bondi Junction (02) 9389 2485 Tue 5pm-midnight; Wed – Sat 5pm-3am Stuffed Beaver 271 Bondi Rd, Bondi (02) 9130 3002 Mon – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm

The Angry Pirate 125 Redfern St Redfern (02) 9698 9140 Tue – Thur 5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 3pm-midnight Arco 3 Little Queen Street, Chippendale (02) 9318 0815 Tue – Sat 5pm-9.30pm Bar-racuda 105 Enmore Rd, Newtown (02) 9519 1121 Mon – Sat 6pm-midnight Bauhaus West 163 Enmore Rd, Enmore (02) 8068 9917 Wed – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat – Sun 11am-midnight The Bearded Tit 183 Regent St, Redfern (02) 8283 4082 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat noon - midnight; Sun noon - 10pm Blacksheep 256 King St, Newtown (02) 8033 3455 Mon – Fri 4pm-11pm; Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm Bloodwood 416 King St, Newtown (02) 9557 7699 Tue – Wed 6pm-late; Thu – Sun 5pm-late Calaveras 324 King St, Newtown 0451 541 712 Wed – Sat 6pm-midnight Cornerstone Bar & Food 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh (02) 8571 9004 Sun – Wed 10am-5pm; Thu – Sat 10am-late Corridor 153A King St, Newtown 0405 671 002 Tue – Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 1pm-10pm Cottage Bar & Kitchen 342 Darling St, Balmain (02) 8084 8185 Mon – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon10pm Different Drummer 185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9552 3406 Mon – Sat 4.30pm-1am Doris & Beryl’s Bridge Club and Tea House 530 King St, Newtown

Mon – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat – Sun 5.30pm-midnight Earl’s Juke Joint 407 King St, Newtown Mon – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm Forest Lodge Hotel 117 Arundel St, Forest Lodge (02) 9660 1872 Mon – Sat 11am-midnight; Sun noon-10pm Freda’s 109 Regent St, Chippendale (02) 8971 7336 Tues – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4pm-10pm The Gasoline Pony 115 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville 0401 002 333 Tue – Thu 5-11.30pm; Fri – Sat 3-11.30pm; Sun 3-9.30pm The Hideaway Bar 156 Enmore Rd, Enmore (02) 8021 8451 Tue– Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat noon-1am Hive Bar 93 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville (02) 9519 9911 Mon – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-10pm Kelly’s On King 285 King St, Newtown (02) 9565 2288 Mon – Fri 10am-2.30am; Sat 10am-3.30am; Sun 11am-11.30pm Knox Street Bar Cnr Knox & Shepherd St, Chippendale (02) 8970 6443 Tue – Thu 4-10pm, Fri – Sat 4pm-midnight 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) 8084 0758 Mon – Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat 1pm-midnight; Sun 3pm-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 (02) 9516 2345 Tues – Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-10pm Miss Peaches 201 Missenden Rd, Newtown (02) 9557 7280 Wed – Sun 5pm-midnight Mr Falcon’s 92 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9029 6626 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri 3pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun 4pm-10pm Newtown Social Club 387 King St, Newtown (02) 9550 3974 Mon 9am-6pm; Tues – Fri 9am-8pm; Sat 10am-8pm The Oxford Tavern 1 New Canterbury Rd, Petersham (02) 8019 9351 Mon – Thu noonmidnight; Fri – Sat noon3pm; Sun noon-10pm Lord Raglan 12 Henderson Rd, Alexandria (02) 9699 4767 Mon – Sun noon-3pm, 5pm-9pm Raven’s Eye 127 King St, Newtown (02) 9557 6429 Mon – Thu

5pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 11.30am-midnight; Sun 11:30am-10pm The Record Crate 34 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9660 1075 Tue – Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm 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 0403 621 585 Mon – Tue 7am-5pm; Wed – Sun 7am-11pm Soho In Balmain 358 Darling St, Balmain 0407 525 208 Tue – Sun 5pm-11pm Staves Brewery 4-8 Grose Street, Glebe (02) 9280 4555 Thu 4-10pm; Fri – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm Temperance Society 122 Smith St, Summer Hill (02) 8068 5680 Mon – Thu 4pm-11pm; Fri – Sat: noon-midnight; Sun: noon-10pm Thievery 91 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 8283 1329 Tue – Thu 6pm-11pm; Fri 6pm-midnight.

Sat 11pm-3pm & 6pm-midnight Timbah 375 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (02) 9571 7005 Tue – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri noon-11pm; Sat 3pm-11pm; Sun 4pm-8pm Wilhelmina’s 332 Darling St, Balmain (02) 8068 8762 Tues – Fri 5pm - late; Sat – Sun 8am - late The Workers Lvl 1, 292 Darling St, Balmain (02) 9555 8410 Thu – Sat 5pm-3am; Sun 2pm-late Webster’s Bar 323 King St, Newtown (02) 9519 1511 Mon – Sat 10am-4am; Sun 10am-12am Zigi’s Wine And Cheese Bar 86 Abercrombie St, Chippendale (02) 9699 4222 Tue 4pm-10pm; Wed – Sat 2pm-late

Alberts Bar 100 Mount St, North Sydney (02) 9955 9097 Mon – Wed 11.30am-10pm; Thu 11.30am-11pm; Fri 11.30am-midnight Crooked Tailor 250 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill (02) 9899 3167 Tue – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri – Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-10pm Daniel San Manly 55 North Steyne, Manly (02) 9977 6963 Mon – Thu 4pm-midnight; Friday – Saturday noon–2am; Sunday noonmidnight Firefly 24 Young St, Neutral Bay (02) 9909 0193 Mon – Thu 5-11.30pm; Fri 4-11.30pm; Sat noon11pm; Sun noon-10pm The Foxtrot 28 Falcon St, Crows Nest Tue – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu 5pm-1am; Fri – Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 4pm-10pm The Hayberry Bar & Diner

Your bar’s not here? Email: chris@thebragcom

97 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest (02) 8084 0816 Tue – Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri & Sat noon-midnight Sun noon-10pm Hemingway’s 48 North Steyne, Manly (02) 9976 3030 Mon – Sat 8am-midnight; Sun 8am-10pm The Hold Shop 4, 9-15 Central Ave (02) 9977 2009 Tue – Sun 4pm-midnight Honey Rider 230 Military Rd, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 8880 Tue – Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 4pm-10pm InSitu 1/18 Sydney Rd, Manly (02) 9977 0669 Tue – Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 9am-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 – Fri 4pm-late; Sat 9am-late; Sun 9am-10pm The Local Bar 6/8 Young Ln, Neutral Bay (02) 9953 0027 Tue – Fri noon-late; Sat – Sun 8am-late Los Vida 419 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest (02) 9439 8323 Mon – Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu – Sat 11.30am-midnight; Sun 11.30am-10pm Manly Wine 8-13 South Steyne, Manly (02) 8966 9000 Mon – Sun 6.30am-late The Mayor 400 Military Rd, Cremorne (02) 8969 6060 Tue – Fri noon-midnight; Sat 8am-midnight Miami Cuba 47 North Steyne, Manly 0487 713 350 Tue – Thu 8am-10pm; Fri – Sat 8am-1am; Sunday 8am-4pm Moonshine Lvl 2, Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly (02) 9977 4977 Thu 5pm-2am; Fri 1pm-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-midnight 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-late: Wed – Thu noon-1am; Fri – Sat noon- 2am; Sun noon-midnight The Stoned Crow 39 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest (02) 9439 5477 Mon – Sun noon-late The Treehouse Hotel 60 Miller St, North Sydney (02) 8458 8980 Mon – Fri 7am-late; Sat 2pm-late Wilcox Cammeray 463 Miller St, Cammeray (02) 9460 0807 Tue – Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri – Sat 2pm-11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 21

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

ALBUM OF THE WEEK CASE/LANG/VEIRS case/lang/veirs Anti-/Warner

“I think we should make a record together.”

This email from k.d. lang to Neko Case and Laura Veirs was the single spark that lit the flame of case/lang/veirs. And yet, these three perform together on this debut effort as if they have been doing so for years.

Three influential voices unite for a one-of-a-kind collection of expansive folk songwriting.

TOM ODELL

By triangulating the sheer force and resonance of their individual voices, the group manage to create something that’s among the most powerful and captivating of their combined careers – and that is no mean

feat when one looks at the body of work within that particular canon. Each artist brings bits and pieces from their corners of the folk-rock spectrum – the stabs of strings and the slow-waltz swoon of ‘Honey And Smoke’ are vintage Lang, with ‘Delirium’ harkening back to Case’s Middle Cyclone era and Veirs taking the wheel on the infectious ‘Best Kept Secret’. That’s not even touching the all-in efforts of the stunning opener ‘Atomic Number’ or the choral ‘I Want To Be Here’, in which the trio truly exemplify the best of their respective worlds.

Forget supergroup stigma – this is one of 2016’s must-hears.

David James Young

BETH ORTON

THE TEMPER TRAP

DAVID BAZAN

THE STROKES

Kidsticks Anti-/Warner

Thick As Thieves Liberation

Blanco Barsuk/Redeye

Future Present Past Cult

Tom Odell certainly had his critics after the release of his 2013 debut Long Way Down. Thanks to an overly long record filled with full-hearted, twinkly piano-thumpers that wouldn’t have been out of place at an early Elton John, Coldplay or Keane gig, it would have been easy to dismiss the then-22-year-old British singersongwriter. Almost as if to prove his decriers wrong, his second album, Wrong Crowd, reflects a rather fascinating (and mature) evolution for the artist. Indeed, big sounds abound with an added looseness, melancholia, and, surprisingly enough, a dance beat that manages to both inject and heighten all the feels without being hefty on the naff.

Years after she switched off her synthesizer and found full-time comfort in the arms of a six-string, it’s a unique phenomenon for one to find Beth Orton’s voice in its original habitat following so long in the proverbial wilderness.

The Temper Trap’s third album offers some surprises. The musical interlude in ‘Alive’ reveals sour bass bouncing through metronomic hand claps; a cascading, glitchy drone ends ‘Fall Together’; and the minute-long instrumental outro to ‘Summer’s Almost Gone’ pushes a synth choir around an electronic beat. Barring these nifty little trinkets, Thick As Thieves sounds like ten variations of the one song.

It’s never been a simple task to pinpoint what it is that makes David Bazan tick. This is, after all, the same person who spent his formative years in an indie rock band professing Christianity, only for the first album under his own name to be a complete decimation of organised religion.

After a relatively long hiatus, The Strokes are back with their latest creation – a bold and punchy fourtrack EP. Regardless of whether this a mere teaser of what’s to come, or the only thing we’re going to get, Future Present Past invites you on board a time machine deftly operated by the band’s frontman, Julian Casablancas.

It was a clever move by Odell to bring on board co-producer Jim Abbiss.

Having worked with the likes of Adele, Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian, he knows how to channel lofty emotion without saccharine consequences.

The twirling indie-pop of ‘Moon’ sees Orton, fittingly, run rings around artists half her age attempting to do the same thing, while the lite-psych of ‘Wave’ lets the strange bedfellows that are ’80s synth tone and jazzy polyrhythm tussle about until they’ve come to an agreement.

This time, on Bazan’s third solo outing, the curveball is thrown sonically. His indie-folk inclinations are stripped away to bare necessities, substituting his usual arsenal for buzzing Casio and rattling, tinny drum machines. Both are often shrouded in gain and distortion, sending Bazan’s vocals out into the ether in the process.

The EP features three original tracks (the fourth is a take-it-or-leave-it remix) that each vaguely correspond with the three-word title. The opener, ‘Drag Queen’, doesn’t ostensibly resonate with the future, given that it seems to hark back to the gritty, dark days of Is This It. However, Casablancas’ anti-capitalist lyrics highlighting society’s perpetual obsession with money hit on an issue that will no doubt continue into the future. ‘Oblivious’ is a lighter, more upbeat track that showcases Casablancas’ soaring vocal range.

Again, it sounds more like something out of 2004 than the present day, but who doesn’t love the timeless sound The Strokes have always been geniuses at recreating? And if ‘Threat Of Joy’ doesn’t remind you of the 2003 album Room On Fire, then God knows what will.

Wrong Crowd Columbia/Sony

Long before she was a folksy troubadour type, Orton made her name by working with the likes of William Orbit and The Chemical Brothers – and, while Kidsticks certainly isn’t entirely a throwback, it’s as close as she’s been in over a decade. The results are a blend of hazy trip-outs and hard-line grooves that cohesively intertwine atop beds of keyboard bleeps and bass whirr.

I say ten and not 11 because closing track ‘Ordinary World’ is by far the most interesting, with Yellow Submarine-esque megaphone vocals dangling in silence to an abrupt end.

But by the time the band members let their hair down to experiment among the incessantly stomping drums, it’s too late.

It’s not a painless transition – some tracks linger slightly too long in feedback loops, while the inconsequential title track could have been discarded entirely.

As expected, hi-hat-heavy dance beats and atmospheric delay pedals form the nucleus of this album. Synth pads and sawtooth keys fill most tracks, with plenty of build-ups to spoon-feed the anthemic choruses.

It’s fine, just not very interesting. The trite “woah-oh”s in ‘So Much Sky’ and lyrics “Nothing in the world can tear us apart” in ‘Lost’ are sure to close many Australian TV finales to come.

And for those still wanting a paredback tearjerker, there is plenty to be found – listen out for ‘Sparrow’ and ‘Jealousy’.

Still, it’s a refreshing and surprising album from an artist who could have easily spent the rest of her career safely doing exactly the opposite.

You can’t really give The Temper Trap cheek for making a bunch of clean, catchy, emotional pop songs. But there’s nothing exciting to discuss here. They’re just songs.

Anita Connors

David James Young

Keiren Jolly

Lead single and slow-building album opener ‘Wrong Crowd’ lays the foundation for this new direction, as does ‘Magnetised’. Co-writing with American songwriter Rick Nowels (Sia, Lana Del Rey), Odell shakes up his signature piano with slick electronic beats and snare drums.

INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK They might hark back to early developments of both pub rock and punk in Australia from a musical standpoint, but Melbourne-via-Canberra’s Hoodlum Shouts are more pertinent to the here and now than practically any other band.

HOODLUM SHOUTS Heat Island Poison City

22 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

Their 2012 debut, Young Man Old Man, was an eloquent indictment of both the political and personal – particularly focusing on their intersection – but its follow-up is perhaps even more volatile and urgent. The title track to Heat Island hurtles forth at breakneck pace, bowling over all in its path with a roaring all-in chorus. ‘Self Medicating’, too, leans in on the band’s post-punk infl uences by means of its clattering drums and

snarling guitar from clear MVP Mike Caruana.

If anything gets Heat Island over the line as one of the essential Australian rock albums of the year, however, it has to be its closing three-track suite.

With each lasting beyond the fiveminute mark, these sprawling and incessant compositions reveal a dark and unrepentant side of the band, at once arresting and core-shaking.

While there are plenty of bands primarily concerned with who’s buying the next round, Hoodlum Shouts are kicking down the RSL doors and marching to the steps of parliament. Heat Island, by proxy, is their union address.

It should be stressed, however, that these changes do not deaden the impact of Bazan’s succinct, emotiondriven lyricism – a line as simple and poignant as “You are worthy of love”, taken from standout ‘Trouble With Boys’, unequivocally hits like a truck. Elsewhere, the reveal of the title ‘Both Hands’ alluding to them being “over my eyes” is quietly devastating, and ‘Someone Else’s Bet’ lets its sparse, impactful words hang in the air, gaining tension with each passing second.

He doesn’t have all the answers, but Bazan is still asking the right questions – and that’s what counts.

Although Future Present Past doesn’t really offer Strokes fans anything particularly new or groundbreaking, the band has once again reminded us that rock’n’roll is far from dead.

David James Young

Prudence Clark

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

DAVID BOWIE - Tonight JIMBLAH - Phoenix ROYAL BLOOD - Royal Blood

BONJAH - Beautiful Wild BEN OTTEWELL - Rattlebag

David James Young thebrag.com

snap sn ap

VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

thebrag.com/snaps

up all night out all week . . .

Manning Bar Saturday June 18

Animation national tour (which also visited South Africa) was a chance for Karnivool to test out their fresh material.

Having just completed an anniversary tour of their debut album Themata, and toured three years ago in support of 2013’s Asymmetry, it’s easy to see why Karnivool ended up almost filling this set completely with songs from their only other record, Sound Awake – that is, save for two songs apiece from Themata and Asymmetry. And, of course, three new tracks.

The Sydney stop at Manning Bar felt like a show from a big-name comedian returning to his local comedy cellar to try out new jokes. Far from the mid-size venues a band like Karnivool would usually inhabit, the set-up looked cramped – barely a foot separated the drum kit from the edge of the stage – and the venue did too, as the big fish’s return to a little pond resulted in an overflowing sell-out.

Those new songs were the whole point of this gig, because as guitarist Mark Hosking recently explained, this Pre-

In the middle of their opening three songs, sandwiched between two Sound Awake favourites, was the first of the new offerings, ‘All It Takes’. Later came

Brighton Up Bar Friday June 10

“That idea is so crazy, it just might work.”

It’s a well-worn trope of a line in the world of cinema, but it also finds its way into the quote-unquote ‘real’ world from time to time as well. Case in point: Philadelphia Grand Jury attempting a hybrid of one of their reputably fun rock shows with a night singing karaoke with total strangers, the Philly Jays themselves serving as the house band. Crazy? In the coconut. Yet here we are, packed like sardines into Oxford Street’s Brighton Up Bar to see just how this all pans out.

thebrag.com

There was one standout star in that department, and that was singer Ian Kenny. He swayed like a spaceman, maintained more interest in the movement of his eyeballs than most

Karnivool’s dedication to their act was refl ected in the crowd. With such a bulging audience for a tour about nothing, sandwiched between a nationwide tour not 12 months old and an upcoming support slot for Deftones later this year, this show echoed the strength of grassroots support in Australia for our homegrown heroes.

Nicholas Hartman

16:06:16 :: Slyfox :: 199 Enmore Rd Enmore 9557 2917

11:06:16 :: Hordern Pavilion:: 1 Driver Ave Moore Park 9921 5333

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY

Around these talking points, Karnivool pulled off a rather impressive performance that filled the hearts of the swollen crowd.

The musicianship of the band members and their collective cohesiveness was excellent.

people and garbled a few sentences when talking to the crowd, but his vocal performance hit all the highs, lows and in-betweens of his studio performance.

For a singer to sound like they do on a record is rarer than it should be, so hats off to Kenny.

live@the sly - ft. the ruckus + bandintexas + julia why?

PICS :: AM

culture club

‘Animation’ and ‘Reanimation’. As hard as it is to nail down any song on first listening – let alone a prog rock song – the new Karnivool seems to be following the clean, streamlined progressive style of Asymmetry’s ‘Eidolon’.

PICS :: DC

KARNIVOOL

We’re first treated to a slew of Philly Jays favourites. ‘Ready To Roll’ and ‘I’m Gonna Kill You’ fire off with urgency, ‘Wet Winter Holiday’ elicits a full-room sing-along and guitarist/vocalist Simon Berckelman gets among the crowd for a rousing ‘Save Our Town’. It’s truly something how little these songs have aged – the evolution of music may as well be measured in dog years for how much can change – and just how much fun the Philly Jays are having playing them again after a couple of years in the wilderness. The second part of the show is seamlessly transitioned into as the band call up their first few brave souls

OUR LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHER

ER :: S :: ASHLEY MAR :: D. A. CART

to sing ‘The Good News’, which gets the crowd onside immediately.

It becomes quickly apparent that this crazy idea has indeed found a way to work. The band members themselves are versatile, shifting gears between each karaoke hit and bringing them to life with a slight twist. They propel head first into party-starters like Liam Lynch’s ‘United States Of Whatever’ and Prince’s ‘Kiss’, and they even get into an R&B groove with TLC’s ‘Waterfalls’ and Salt-NPepa’s ‘Shoop’ – the latter of which sees drummer Dan Williams get so excited that he throws in a rap verse of his own.

Of course, holding up the other end are the loyal punters themselves – every person who takes up a microphone is eager, enthusiastic, and for the most part, talented to boot. The cheer that goes up after one gent nails a Bowie impression on ‘Let’s Dance’ is just as loud for the two friends who team up for a barnstorming rendition of Shania Twain’s ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman’. It takes us all the way through to 1am with a delightfully trashy ‘I Don’t Want To Party (Party)’. Truth be told, we could’ve gone all night.

David James Young

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 23

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

THE LIVING END, BAD// DREEMS, 131’S Enmore Theatre Saturday June 11

It’s plaid shirts and punks aplenty as Aussie favourites The Living End make a triumphant return with the Sydney episode of their Shift tour, celebrating the release of the album of the same name with Adelaide outsiders Bad//Dreems and newcomers 131’s in tow.

Melbourne’s 131’s make a static start, but at only eight months formed, who can blame them? Drawing a crowd enthusiastic to hear their rendition of classic punk tones, by the middle of their set when the really juicy tracks come

STEEL PANTHER, BLACK STONE CHERRY Big Top Sydney, Luna Park Friday June 17

It’s nothing short of bizarre seeing a band like Black Stone Cherry in the flesh. This is the kind of band that has made a career out of soundtracking montages on sports shows and pre-match packages for WWE payper-views. It’s all nondescript downtuned guitar muscle and guttural Southern drawl that’s not pressed for subject matter beyond the phrase “hell yeah” and perhaps the odd mention of a truck. In direct contrast to tonight’s headliners, too, they take themselves deadly seriously. There’s not really an Australian equivalent to compare it to, either, such is the fervently American

around, 131’s are sweeping the floor. They have songs like ‘Madeline’, a lyrically brutal number of heartbreak with a filthy sound, while ‘This Ain’t Culture’ from their current EP gives the fast-formed fans a touch of the bright and gritty. As lead singer Luke Yeoward gets down into the crowd to encourage a sing-along, 131’s leave the stage having firmly made their mark as punk newcomers to watch.

If Biffy Clyro and Kings Of Leon had a baby and then dropped that child on its head, the result would be something like Bad//Dreems. Any attempts at accessibility are quickly stamped out, and their reputation for ‘outsider rock’ is cemented for the worse, as song after song fails to settle on a discernible sound.

It’s a schizophrenic performance largely

propped up by the more positive efforts of lead guitarist Alex Cameron through a set that is otherwise unimaginative.

As The Living End take to the stage with a forthright amble, they inject a renewed musical energy into the venue. The trio are casual and tight, wasting little time with spoken commentary and instead filling the room with bluegrass licks, phenomenal distorted solos and pensive rhythms. You can feel the building shake as zealous jumping meets the onslaught of ‘Prisoner Of Society’, the band’s emphatic fans united in cohesive anarchy.

Despite the supposed backlash over The Living End’s recent change in direction, new single ‘Keep On Running’ – though generally a lighter sound than we’re

Of Spades’. It might be ham-fisted, but Black Stone Cherry git ’er done.

nature of what they’re doing.

At first, it’s so cavemanlike and brutish that it takes one aback entirely. Eventually, however, their true colours shine through – they’re a dumb, harmless rock’n’roll band making dumb, harmless rock’n’roll. When you’re able to come to terms with that, they turn into a more entertaining prospect. They close on ‘Lonely Train’ – which, coincidentally enough, probably came to most of the audience’s attention via its appearance on WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007 – and a sloppy, fun cover of ‘Ace

Call Steel Panther what you will – stupid, obvious, a poor man’s Spinal Tap. One thing you can never, ever call them, however, is non-committal. This is a band wholly dedicated to its onstage persona and the characters contained within – even when the primary focus is not on a particular member, they’re never breaking the façade. No-one would dare – there’s too much riding on all of it.

This is a complete homage to the dolledup, bouffanted metal that ruled arenas of a

used to hearing from the upfront trio – translates to the live stage in such a way that it feels heavier than the album version, the welcoming crowd singing along with enthusiasm. Another new song, ‘Monkey’, cuts across the crowd with a beefy bassline, simple and scratchy guitar riffs and a direct message in the lyrics.

Taking many of tonight’s audience back to their rebellious, disillusioned and angsty teen years with favourites like ‘West End Riot’, ‘All Torn Down’ and ‘Second Solution’, The Living End remain all about the music: it’s no frills and no fuss, delivered with a tight-knit energy that just doesn’t quit.

Anna Wilson

bygone era. It’s routinely hilarious, both in forms of song (the faux-monogamous ‘Eatin’ Ain’t Cheatin’’, pitch-perfect ballad send-up ‘Girl From Oklahoma’) and their continuous run of banter, mostly involving sledging one another.

All jokes aside, this is a band that can certifiably shred when the time calls for it, too – Michael Starr is still able to hit a mess of high notes, and guitarist Satchel is enough of a presence to carry nearly five minutes of the show entirely on his own with a guitar solo that wanders the whole stage. He even takes over the kick drum to lead claps through a riff montage, including ‘Smoke On The Water’ and our very own ‘Advance Australia Fair’. Too much fun.

David James Young

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

on the record WITH The First Record I Bought The first album I bought was on 1. cassette. It was a Bob Marley album with

the song ‘One Love’ – I bought it because it was playing on the radio almost every day and it meant a lot to me because of the South African apartheid. I couldn’t understand why Nelson Mandela was in prison; why can’t we love one another? I use to ask my mum these big questions when I was a small child.

The Last Record I Bought I just downloaded the album Asem 2.

Ben Nie by a famous friend of mine, Fatau Keita – he’s a musician from my country; I saw one of his music videos and it really inspired me to download the whole album.

The First Thing I Recorded I was discovered by one of Bob Marley’s promoters who took me to

3.

24 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

AFRO MOSES

Europe for the first time through a Denmark cultural exchange program. My first recording was in Ghana, where I got an idea about the policemen standing on the roadside – I made an indirect educative song with a hook line, ‘Hey Police’, which made me very famous, The video of the song was shown every day on the national TV in Ghana before the news.

The Last Thing I Recorded My last recording was in Ghana, 4. with my enthusiastic up-and-coming

Ghanaian musicians – they adore me and I adore them very much the same as my Australian musicians. We did a gig at the famous place called The +233. It was a live recording – the sound, the performances, the engineer Nii Adotey Prosound Ankrah was so good that everything went from the mixing board straight to CD; I am so proud about that.

The Record That Changed My Life The song that changed my life was 5.

Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’. There’s

a lot of blaming, whinging, self-hatred and more in the world and the lyrics in that song are so powerful – he says, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery / None but ourselves can free our minds’’. I really love Bob Marley so much – ever since he passed away, every year, whichever country I am in, I do a Bob Marley tribute gig to show my respect to his message. Some people tell me that I am the next Bob Marley – I appreciate the comments but I am nothing special; the message can pass through anyone if you allow it.

With: Peter Tosh, Lucky Dube Where: The Basement When: Saturday June 25

thebrag.com

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

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Live Music @ Manning Manning Bar, Camperdown. 3pm.

Free.

Raechel Whitchurch + Melody Moko The Vanguard, Newtown. 6:30pm. $15.80.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Live At The Horse feat: Wolfie + Little Coyote The White Horse, Surry Hills. 9pm. Free.

Mark Travers Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free.

Sugar Jam Open Mic Night Sugarmill, Kings Cross. 8pm. Free.

The Ramblers Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

7:30pm. Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Guantanamera - feat: DJs Av El Cubano + Don Rivera + Guest DJs + Monthly Live Bands Barrio Cellar, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

The Groovemeisters Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8:30pm. $10.

THURSDAY JUNE 23 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Gin + Jazz Busby, Woolloomooloo. 6pm.

Free.

Mansion Lane - feat: Funk DJs

The World Bar, Kings Cross. 7pm. Free.

Peta & The Wolf + Colleen Fricker + Kit & The Cub Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 7:30pm. $10.

Trinity Roots + Declan Kelly Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $25.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Frank Sultana & The Sinister Kids Vs Papa Pilko & The Binrats The Vanguard, Newtown. 7pm. $15.80.

Jukebox Thursdays - feat: Furnace & The Fundamentals Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 11pm. Free.

Lazy Colts Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar, Manly. 9pm.

Free.

Leo Sayer + Lulu State Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $110.

Live At The Horse - feat: Vacations + Dying Adolescence The White Horse, Surry Hills. 8pm. Free.

Live At The Sly feat: The Baldwins + Pimpanzee + Sagrada Familiar Slyfox, Enmore.

7:30pm. Free.

Michael Gorham Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 7:30pm.

Free.

Michael Kopp Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 7pm. Free.

No Refunds Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

8pm. Free.

Roadhouse Rockabilly Night Miss Peaches Soul Food Kitchen, Newtown. 7pm. Free.

The Paper Kites Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 7:30pm. $42.11.

The Rechords Rock Lily, Pyrmont.

9pm. Free.

Tom Stephens + Green Mohair Suits + Caitlin Harnett Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $10.

White Bros Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Dave Anthony Crown Hotel, Sydney.

4:30pm. Free.

Ginger’s Jam - feat: Various Bands Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst. 7:30pm.

Free.

Harbourview Hulabaloo - feat: Zack Martin + Kenneth D’Aran + Chris Brookes Harbourview Hotel, The Rocks. 7pm.

Free.

Live Music @ Manning Manning Bar, Camperdown. 3pm.

Free.

Pat Capocci’s Two Timin Playboys The Temperance Society, Summer Hill.

7pm. Free.

Soul Roots Revival Band Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8pm. $10.

Stormcellar Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. Free.

The Buck Loner Revue The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 7pm.

Free.

FRIDAY JUNE 24 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC Factory Fridays - feat: Yanya + Resident DJs Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 5pm. Free.

Salsa Kingz Revesby Workers Club, Revesby.

8:30pm. Free.

Suite Az Fridays + DJ Troy T The Arthouse, Sydney. 8pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Anthems Of Oz Colonial Hotel, Werrington. 8:30pm.

Free.

Binalong Road

Vineyard Hotel, Vineyard. 9:30pm.

Free.

Blake Tailor Duo Penrith Panthers, Penrith. 8:30pm. Free.

Brad Johns The Oriental Hotel, Springwood. 8:30pm.

Free.

Chronolyth Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

8pm. $10.

Clive Hay Dural Country Club, Dural. 7pm. Free.

Darren Johnstone Club Liverpool, Liverpool. 5:30pm.

Free.

Elizabeth Rose Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $18.

Front End Loader + Golden Fang + Charlie Marshall And The Body Electric + Garry David Marrickville Bowling Club, Marrickville.

8pm. $10.

Halfway + Crow + Sam Shinazzi Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $20.

Jack Horner Heritage Hotel, Wilberforce. 7pm.

Free.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Big Top Sydney, Milsons Point. 7pm. $85.

Live At The Horse - feat: Lif + Colourwaves The White Horse, Surry Hills. 9pm. Free.

Michael Fryar Hunters Hill Hotel, Hunters Hill. 4:30pm.

Free.

Randall Waller & The Noise + Special Guests Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8pm. $15.

Rare Finds #15 feat: Burn Antares + Mount Zamia + Los Espinas + Dappled Cities DJs Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $5.

Reckless Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 10pm. Free.

Slumber Heights Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

8pm. Free.

The Rubens + Mansionair + Slum Sociable + Ali Barter

Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park. 6pm. $61.07.

Thrashin - feat: No More Faith + The Gnarly Few + The Sweet Lips The Vanguard, Newtown. 7pm. $12.

Toxic Dolls Penrith RSL, Penrith.

9pm. Free.

pick of the week The Rubens

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Adrian Joseph Manly Leagues Club, Brookvale. 9:30pm.

Free.

AJ Dyce Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown. 6pm.

Free.

Benj Axwell Lord Raglan Hotel, Alexandria. 7pm.

Free.

Black Vat Trio + Runebilly Raga + Slyng Shot The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 7pm. $5.

Blake Wiggins Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 8pm. Free.

Dave Anthony Clovelly Hotel, Clovelly. 4:30pm.

Free.

Geoff Davies The Push Bar, The Rocks. 7pm. Free.

Glenn Esmond Trio Marlborough Hotel, Newtown. 11pm. Free.

Kaurna Cronin + Danielle Deckard Hibernian House, Surry Hills. 8pm. $13.30.

Leroy Lee Chatswood RSL, Chatswood. 5:30pm.

Free.

Live Music @ Manning Manning Bar, Camperdown. 3pm.

Free.

Mat McHugh Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $28.60.

Michael Gorham The Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne.

10:30pm. Free.

Stephanie Lea Quakers Inn, Quakers Hill. 9:30pm. Free.

Steve Crocker 99 On York, Sydney.

5:30pm. Free.

Ziggy Alberts Max Watt’s, Moore Park. 8pm. $28.50.

FRIDAY JUNE 24 Hordern Pavilion

The Rubens

+ Mansionair + Slum Sociable + Ali Barter 6pm. $61.07.

SATURDAY JUNE 25 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Cath & Him Dee Why RSL, Dee Why. 9pm. Free.

Evie Dean Dural Country Club, Dural. 7pm. Free.

John Kennedy’s 68

Comeback Special The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 7pm.

Free.

Kaurna Cronin Hotel Steyne Manly, Manly. 7pm. Free.

Mat McHugh Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $35.

Red Alert Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville.

10pm. Free.

Stephanie Lea Penrith Panthers,

Penrith. 5:30pm.

Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Andrew Russelle With John & Yuki + John & Yuki Well Co. Cafe And Wine Bar, Leichhardt. 8pm.

Free.

Mesa Groove Revesby Workers Club, Revesby.

five things WITH

MOTHER JUNKST FROM LAGERSTEIN

powerful music. Either something in the lyrics, or the instrumental harmony. The early Katatonia albums played a massive role in my artistic development. The minimalism of the melodies and the haunting stories that played out over them created an impressive scene of contemplation.

Listening to those songs was the first time I experienced the power of someone else’s art taking over your whole being.

Growing Up Ahoy! The members of 1.

Lagerstein were all born aboard

various seafaring vessels adrift in the skies, and it’s common knowledge that upon such a galleon as these one finds daily rum-guzzling, dancing, singing and electric guitar wizardry. Music definitely comes quite naturally to all of us. My first memory of metal is when I was ten, thebrag.com

I was on a road trip with my mate and we spent the entire time listening to Metallica and Iron Maiden.

I remember being completely captivated by the soaring vocals.

Inspirations Ahoy! With seven people in the band there’s a massive diversity in the airwaves upon the S.S. Plunderberg. Myself, I’m moved by

2.

Your Band Ahoy! I think it’s fair to 3. say we’re all brought together

by partying. Every member of Lagerstein was ‘that guy’ at the party.

The guy who’s absolutely bursting with party energy, always rocks up with a full carton and immediately upon arrival makes everyone stand up and skull their beers. When you

meet a kindred spirit in life it’s hard to let go, so naturally we formed a band. On the S.S. Plunderberg we have a simple mission: to have the most fun possible.

The Music You Make Ahoy! Lagerstein make party 4. music. We take the sounds of piracy mixed with the sheer ridiculousness of modernity to create something which puts smiles and laughter on people’s faces. We’ve just released our second album All For Rum & Rum For All and we’re stoked.

This album is our greatest partying accomplishment to date, so check it out! A Lagerstein concert is wild.

There’ll be grown men drinking rum from their boots, hilarious segues from song to drinking trick, even a wall of death. It’s our intention to destroy the wall between the stage

and the crowd. Every square inch of the venue turns into one massive party.

Music, Right Here, Right Now 5.

Ahoy! I think the music scene in

Australia is booming right now.

There’s this really strong multigenre party scene happening.

These bands are focused on making awesome music to have fun to. The Bennies from Melbourne are killing it at the moment. They just scream “Let’s have a fucking good time!”, which is something I can easily get behind.

What: All For Rum & Rum For All out now independently Where: The Bald Faced Stag When: Saturday June 25

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 25

g g guide gig g

gig picks up all night out all week...

send your listings to : gigguide@thebrag.com 8:30pm. Free.

Mulgoa Road Jazz Band Penrith RSL, Penrith.

2pm. Free.

The Smokey Berets The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 3pm. $5.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

AJ Dyce The Push Bar, The Rocks. 7:30pm. Free.

Angelena Locke Engadine Bowling Club, Engadine.

7:30pm. Free.

Beatnix - Beatles Show Parramatta RSL, Parramatta. 7:30pm. $15.

Bruce Springsteen Show + John Mellencamp Show Rooty Hill RSL Club, Rooty Hill. 8pm.

Free.

Chantal & Cesar The Belvedere Hotel, Sydney. 7:30pm.

Free.

Classic Rock Of 1976 - feat: Simon Meli + Mitch Anderson + Carmel Mesiti + Tim Moxey Sutherland Entertainment Centre, Sutherland.

8pm. $49.

Darren Johnstone - feat: Bruce Springsteen Show + John Mellencamp Show Picton Bowling Club, Picton. 8:30pm.

Free.

Gold (The Ultimate Abba Show) State Theatre, Sydney. 8pm. $65.

Lagerstein + Saralise + Head In The Jar + Being Jane Lane Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

8pm. $23.60.

Legends - feat: Akinga Kareela Golf Club, Kareela. 8pm. Free.

Lloyd Spiegel Camelot Lounge, Marrickville. 7:30pm. $25.

Magic Carpet Ride #6 - feat: The Trippy Hippy Band + Jeremy Smith + Ionia + Catgut Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, Newtown.

6pm. $15.

Michael Gorham Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 8pm. Free.

One World Band Carousel Inn Hotel, Rooty Hill. 8pm.

Free.

Panorama Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 10pm. Free.

Russell Nelson Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 4:30pm.

Free.

Soundproofed Oatley Hotel, Oatley.

8pm. Free.

Steve Hart & The All Stars - feat: Angry Anderson North Bondi RSL, Bondi North. 8pm.

Free.

Swervedriver Factory Theatre, Marrickville. 8pm. $55.

Ted Nash Duo Panania Hotel, Panania. 8:30pm.

Free.

The Forresters The Bearded Tit, Redfern. 4pm. Free.

The Jungle Giants + Gideon Bensen + Lulu Raes + Machine Age Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7pm. $41.

The Last Exposure Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

8pm. Free.

The Pink Floyd Experience Enmore Theatre, Newtown. 8pm. $99.

The Skeletones Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee. 11:55pm.

Free.

They Call Me Bruce Plough & Harrow, Camden. 8pm. Free.

Tragic Earth - feat: Eightball Junkies + Snow Leopard + Black Knuckles Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Urban Stone Penrith RSL, Penrith.

9pm. Free.

Whispering Jack Show: A Tribute To The Music Of John Farnham Merrylands RSL Club, Merrylands.

8pm. Free.

SUNDAY JUNE 26 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN

& WORLD MUSIC

John & Yuki Jazz Band Cronulla RSL, Cronulla. 12:30pm.

Free.

ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

From Street To Stage - feat: Romi Sounds Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 6pm. Free.

Live Music Sundays - feat: Sydney Blues Society Botany View Hotel, Newtown. 6pm.

Free.

Mat McHugh Brass Monkey, Cronulla. 7pm. $28.60.

Miss Peaches Hootenanny Bluegrass Sundays Miss Peaches Soul Food Kitchen, Newtown. 8pm.

Free.

Ruinbilly Rattle + Queen Porter Stomp The Temperance Society, Summer Hill. 7pm. Free.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

60s Chartoppers Penrith RSL, Penrith. 2pm. Free.

Benj Axwell Crown Hotel, Surry Hills. 6pm. Free.

Bill Kacir The Rivo Hotel, Riverstone. 4pm.

Free.

Blake Tailor Wallacia Hotel, Wallacia. 1pm. Free.

Darren Johnstone Hurstville RSL, Hurstville. 2pm.

Free.

Glenn Esmond Fortune Of War, The Rocks. 6pm. Free.

Jed Zarb Jamison Hotel, Penrith. 1pm. Free.

Leroy Lee Rocks Brewing Co, Alexandria. 2pm.

Free.

Lowgazer + Three Wise Monkeys + Genetics + Metanoia + Basil’s Kite Valve Bar, Agincourt

Hotel, Ultimo. 4pm. $10.

Michael Fryar Macarthur Tavern, Campbelltown. 2pm.

Free.

Michael Gorham The Mill Hotel, Milperra. 12pm.

Free.

Michael Kopp Hunters Hill Hotel, Hunters Hill.

12:30pm. Free.

Sunday Sessions feat: Lazy Colts The White Horse, Surry Hills. 4pm.

Free.

U2 Elevation Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 4:30pm.

Free.

UK Anthems Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 8:30pm.

Free.

MONDAY JUNE 27 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Live & Original @ The Corridor Corridor Bar, Newtown. 7pm.

Free.

Songsonstage feat: Russell Neal + Guests Kelly’s On King, Newtown. 7:30pm.

Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Latin & Jazz Open Mic Night The World Bar, Kings Cross. 7pm.

Free.

Sonic Mayhem Orchestra Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8pm. $10.

The Monday Jam - feat: The New Ojezz House Band + Local DJs The Basement, Circular Quay. 8pm. $5.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS Frankie’s World Famous House

Band Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm. Free.

Greg Byrne Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free.

TUESDAY JUNE 28 ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK

Live & Original @ Mr Falcon’s - feat: Jessey Napa + Sooze + Sabrina Soares Mr Falcon’s, Glebe.

7:30pm. Free.

Live Music @ Manning Manning Bar, Camperdown. 3pm.

Free.

Songsonstage feat: Ingrid Mae + Guests Gladstone Hotel, Dulwich Hill.

7:30pm. Free.

Songsonstage - feat: Stuart Jammin + Guests Kelly’s On King, Newtown. 8pm.

Free.

JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC

Alma Music Presents Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville. 8:30pm. $10.

INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS

Adam Gorecki Orient Hotel, The Rocks. 9pm. Free.

Bandviews Sessions - feat: The Sixth Circle Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt.

7:30pm. Free.

Live Rock & Roll Karaoke Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 4pm. Free.

Ruby Tuesday feat: Russell Neal + Green Manalishi + Mysterious Universe + Andrew Powell Ruby L’otel, Rozelle.

7:30pm. Free.

THURSDAY JUNE 23 Frank Sultana & The Sinister Kids Vs Papa Pilko & The Binrats The Vanguard, Newtown. 7pm. $15.80.

Live At The Sly - Feat: The Baldwins + Pimpanzee + Sagrada Familiar Slyfox, Enmore. 7:30pm. Free.

Stormcellar Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney. 9pm.

Free.

The Paper Kites Enmore Theatre, Newtown.

7:30pm. $42.11.

Tom Stephens + Green Mohair Suits + Caitlin Harnett Brighton Up Bar, Darlinghurst.

8pm. $10.

Trinity Roots + Declan Kelly Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 7pm. $25.

FRIDAY JUNE 24 Black Vat Trio + Runebilly Raga + Slyng Shot The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville. 7pm. $5.

Chronolyth Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt. 8pm. $10.

Elizabeth Rose Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $18.

Front End Loader + Golden Fang + Charlie Marshall And The Body Electric + Garry David Marrickville Bowling Club, Marrickville. 8pm. $10.

Halfway + Crow + Sam Shinazzi Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $20.

Ziggy Alberts Rare Finds #15 - Feat: Burn Antares + Mount Zamia + Los Espinas + Dappled Cities DJs Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $5.

Thrashin - Feat: No More Faith + The Gnarly Few + The Sweet Lips The Vanguard, Newtown. 7pm. $12.

Ziggy Alberts Max Watt’s, Moore Park. 8pm. $28.50.

SATURDAY JUNE 25 Lagerstein + Saralise + Head In The Jar + Being Jane Lane Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt. 8pm. $23.60.

Lloyd Spiegel Camelot Lounge, Marrickville.

7:30pm. $25.

Mat McHugh Newtown Social Club, Newtown. 8pm. $35.

Swervedriver Factory Theatre, Marrickville.

8pm. $55.

The Jungle Giants + Gideon Bensen + Lulu Raes + Machine Age Metro Theatre, Sydney. 7pm. $41.

The Jungle Giants

five things WITH Growing Up My grandfather played the 1. piano, but I thought he was just

old and silly. I was probably very wrong. The first time I played in public I hid behind a curtain.

The last time was like walking a tightrope, but I’m well into it. I saw Tom Waits live when I was young.

And Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. And Roxy Music.

2.

Inspirations I love Robert Smith. Glenn Campbell. The Monkees. I loved The Rolling Stones when I was 15.

I also like a lot of ‘70s prog. And Talking Heads, XTC, Wire – postpunk. Guitars are great, but lyrics and melody are better.

26 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

JOHN WILLSTEED FROM HALFWAY

Your Band There are eight men in my 3. band: BJ, CD, LP, LF, NF, EH and

JB. And me. Five years ago, Robert Forster told me to go see them. Thank you, Robert. We all like different music, and yet we love the same music too.

The Music You Make There are a lot of us, lots of 4. strings. We play both loud and quiet.

Dense and open. Always beautiful, I hope, but sometimes a bit scary. Last year we went to Nashville to record with Mark Nevers. He is particularly cool. The result, The Golden Halfway Record, is our fifth album. It was called “perfect” in one review. That’s pretty good. Crow are playing with us on Friday, they’re very good.

Music, Right Here, Right Now 5.

I’m 59, so I probably don’t have

much to do with the ‘scene’.

Obstacles are many, but ideas and love of music are infi nite. I love The Apartments. The best thing about anywhere is that people keep making music. Don’t stop believing!

What: The Golden Halfway Record out now through Plus One/ABC With: Crow, Sam Shinazzi Where: Newtown Social Club When: Friday June 24

thebrag.com

METICULOUSLY CREATING PINK FLOYD’S LANDMARK STADIUM TOUR

DON’T MISS THE LAST TWO PERFORMANCES OF THIS WORLD CLASS SHOW! 5 STAR REVIEWS: ‘MIND BLOWING’ ‘ABSOLUTELY STUNNING’ ‘IMPECCABLE DETAIL’ ‘SHEER BRILLIANCE’ ‘NOT TO BE MISSED’ ENMORE THEATRE FRI 24 & SAT 25 JUNE BOOK AT TICKETEK.COM.AU

pinkfloydexperience.com thebrag.com

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 27

brag beats

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

dance music news club, dance and hip hop in brief... with Chris Martin and Natalia Morawski

five things WITH

Client Liaison

ARGY

BOOKCLUB THURSDAYS

1.

Growing Up My main childhood memory is being misunderstood at school and having a really hard time communicating my vision. At the same time I was a popular guy, a rather prominent figure. I think I owe my very eclectic discography and unpredictable musical output to this personality contradiction, this glitch in the matrix.

names a very popular DJ name around them and they have no clue who that is.

The Music You Make And Play I have no rescue tracks to call on! If 4. everything failed then you are in the wrong

place. It very rarely happens, if ever, really. I can’t imagine a techno set without a Robert Hood track or a house set without some Kerri Chandler in it.

Inspirations Apart from my grandpa blasting Glenn 2.

Music, Right Here, Right Now Miller and his big bad jazz, my first contact In a way, people who aspire to make 5. with music was MTV. I remember that I music are in a very democratic and fair really loved Erykah Badu, Maxwell and all that neo-soul stuff for some reason. The first electronic things that caught my ear were early nu-jazz and dubby, downtempo electronica.

Your Crew I am pleased to say that my crew has 3. nothing to do with music! They are all lawyers,

doctors, designers or shopkeepers. My friends really ground me and that’s why they are so important to me. I love it when someone

position, because they can start a career with a borrowed laptop. You can change your life and others’ in a matter of minutes. There will always be abusers around the corner. In regards to new music that I’m really into, I was just listening to the new Anohni album; I was actually in a NY studio while she was recording parts of it, and it sounded great!

Where: Greenwood Hotel When: Saturday June 25

Kuren

BPM Originals, the team that’s worked on dance events at Home Nightclub and Stereosonic, is launching a new Thursday night party at North Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel – and Client Liaison will be there to christen it. Those purveyors of style and stylish tunes will perform a DJ set at the inaugural edition of Bookclub. The events will celebrate some of the hottest DJs and producers from across Australia and beyond, all with the aim of giving your weekend a head start. Apart from Client Liaison, the launch party will also feature 60 tonnes’ worth of snow, plus hot tubs. Hard to argue with that. Client Liaison help launch Bookclub at the Greenwood on Thursday June 23.

PRECIOUS CARGO FOR YOU

Sydney’s Cargo Bar and Red Bull have teamed up for a new Saturday night party, Precious Cargo. The weekly event will boast new production and special guest DJs, with this Saturday June 25’s lineup including Morgan Harper and Nukewood. The first event kicked off last weekend with Fingers, Trent Rackus and DJ Ocky. For full details, visit thekeystonegroup.com.au.

Young producer and recent triple j Unearthed feature artist Kuren is starting the upward incline on what may well be a long-lasting career. His Sydney-based peer Hatch has revealed a pumped-up remix of Kuren’s own ‘Home’ (feat. Ben Alessi), tiding over Kuren fans until the anticipated release of his forthcoming second EP. Kuren, who hails from rural New South Wales, has already set out on his debut national tour, but now he’s been able to add even more dates to the schedule, taking him until the end of July. Catch a slice of Kuren at The World Bar on Wednesday July 27.

28 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

Bondi’s Beach Road Hotel will host Discovery, Nes and more on its music lineup this week. The Valley upstairs at the Beach Road is back with its weekly schedule of good times, including its regular hump day events and a post-Origin celebration (or consolatory boogie). Melbourne boys Discovery will take to The

Valley on Wednesday June 22 as part of their Tron Tour – a tribute to the music and imagery of Daft Punk. Hobophonics, Bernie Dingo and Viberia will also be playing in support.

Meanwhile, this Saturday June 25 is the third instalment of Block Party with Nes, Bruno Who, Stereo Jones and Chux.

See the venue’s full calendar at beachroadbondi.com.au.

POTBELLEEZ AT PACHA

There’ll be some familiar faces at the Ivy this weekend, as Potbelleez DJs take over Pacha for a right old throwdown. With The Potbelleez themselves numbering among the most successful Australian dance acts of all time, their DJ incarnation (namely Dave Goode and Jonny Sonic) has seen them keep the beats going strong. They’ve recently collaborated with Melbourne house producer Ivan Gough, and will be filling the dancefloor this Saturday June 25.

UP LATE AT LAUNDRY

COME GET KUREN

BEATS IN BONDI

It’s a groove-inducing double header at Chinese Laundry this Saturday June 25, so you’d better get amongst it.

Late Nite Tuff Guy and Lo’99 will lead the line, with the former delivering the disco and the latter throwing down until the wee hours. They’ll be joined by Friendless, A-Tonez, Deckhead, King Lee, DJ Just 1, Offtapia and Fiktion.

Opiuo

DANCE AT SPLENDOUR

Splendour In The Grass has just got a huge injection of dance for its 2016 festival lineup. In news that’s sure to excite electronica heads everywhere – especially those making the trip to Byron Bay next month – the full programs have been revealed for the Global Village, Tipi Forest and Smirnoff House. The Global Village and its World Stage will host fusion acts like Bustamento, The Cambodian Space Project, Kallidad and Dubarray.

Over at the Tipi Forest, meanwhile, there’ll be a constant barrage of beats from Opiuo, Leoch, Andy Dub, Luke Psywalker, She J, Hypnotech and Subwax, among others. Lastly, Smirnoff House will feature a nightly curated program with DJs including some of Splendour’s live acts on special dancefloor duty.

Splendour 2016 takes over North Byron Parklands from Friday July 22 – Sunday July 24.

thebrag.com

Whigfield The Eyes Have It By David James Young

I

t was two decades ago that the creative forces behind Danishborn Sannie Carlson – AKA Whigfield – decided to send off her debut self-titled album with one final single, after a shelf life of two years. Little did they know the song itself – the kitschy dancefloorfiller ‘Sexy Eyes’ – would end up exploding on a global level, including a top ten position and platinum sales here in Australia.

Now in her mid-40s and primarily focusing on music under her real name, Carlson still thinks about that time. Regrets? It’s not that she’s got a few about ‘Sexy Eyes’, but she certainly has one in particular.

“I can remember hiding away in my hotel room, just thinking to myself over and over, ‘Why did I do that video?’” she says with a laugh. “It’s genuinely one of the worst music videos ever! Sometimes you make a video that you’re really happy with, but the song itself doesn’t take off. With ‘Sexy Eyes’, I had the exact opposite problem on my hands – the song was everywhere, and the video was put together on this terrible cold day. I can never escape that video.”

Despite the visual cringe, Carlson is at peace with her ghosts. To this day, she still takes time to perform

as Whigfield for runs of shows, bringing out all the popular songs from her debut album to great reactions. For Carlson, there’s also a peculiarity insofar as there being a strange presence at her shows – people who weren’t even born when she was a dance-pop sensation.

“You would be surprised how far some of my songs have reached,” she says. “Looking out at a crowd of mine, you’d think it would all just be people my age, maybe a little younger, who were there in the ’90s. The funny thing is that there’s also a lot of young people – who knows how they found it, but it’s all new to them. A song like ‘Sexy Eyes’ or a song like ‘Saturday Night’ – that’s brand new to their ears. They’ve never heard it before.

I guess they might have heard it on the radio or something. Whatever it is, it makes me so happy to see people still get something out of my music.”

Carlson will once again take up the Whigfield moniker as a part of a massive Australian tour this November. Headed up by turn-ofthe-century Eurodance behemoths Vengaboys, Carlson will also be joined by Tina Cousins, DJ Sammy, Crystal Waters, Sonique and Australia’s own Joanne.

“I’ve done two tours there already, and I really enjoy being there,” enthuses Carlson about her return trip. “It’s so laid-back. Sometimes when you’re visiting places, they can be really stressful. I’ve never felt that with Australia. I’m really looking forward to visiting the beach, too – I live in London, and as you can imagine, there’s not many here to speak of.”

In the meantime, Carlson will continue to work on new music under the Sannie moniker.

Although being both Sannie and Whigfi eld may seem like a gruelling double life, Carlson insists she wouldn’t – and couldn’t – have it any other way.

“I grew up in a family of musicians – I’ve honestly never really known anything else,” she says. “It was a lot to do with luck – I was in the right place at the right time, and it’s afforded me a life of work.

Besides, I wouldn’t know how to do anything other than music if I tried – there’s no way that you could put me in an office.”

Where: Supporting Vengaboys at the Big Top Sydney, Luna Park When: Saturday November 5 and Sunday November 6

What So Not Going It Alone By Zanda Wilson

I

t’s been a busy year or so for Chris Emerson, who at the back end of 2015 stepped up to become the sole member of What So Not, following the departure of good mate Flume from the project.

“It’s been very intense,” Emerson says. “I had a show in Red Rock in Colorado with Jamie xx and Chromeo, and then in the morning we had to leave on a direct fl ight to Frankfurt. Then I had to play in Frankfurt and Amsterdam on the same day, so that was fun for so many hours having not slept. It was one of the tightest runs I think I’ve ever had to do, but we did it, we smashed it. Then we fi nally got to sleep.”

The hectic schedule has been worth it for Emerson, who’s about to embark on a national tour with EDM royalty A-Trak. While in the States recently, Emerson caught up with the artist known as Dave 1 – one half of funk outfi t Chromeo, and A-Trak’s brother. “His first comment when he saw me on the ground was, ‘I hear you’re taking care of my brother for a few weeks,’” the Aussie producer laughs.

What So Not photo © Damien Weatherley

Emerson couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with A-Trak for this run of huge dual headliner shows.

If he is feeling any pressure about touring alongside a performer who has spent over a decade on the scene, he’s not showing it.

“I’m so happy about this [tour].

I think [A-Trak] actually put up a quote saying that he loves Australia so much, and that he’s had so many cherished memories playing here back in the day. He said the last time he toured was the first time he met me, so it’s actually funny that the first time he’s coming back is me bringing him on tour with me. We’ve had a great relationship for many years now – he was one of the first international artists supporting What So Not. It was very cool to have him come full circle and be a part of this year.”

Emerson was set to have a short break from touring earlier this year, before he was asked to step in as thebrag.com

a last-minute stop-gap on rural Australian festival Groovin The Moo. Having played the festival a few years ago in the penultimate timeslot, Emerson wasn’t sure what to expect while the sun was still up. “I think last time I was second last on the dance stage before Disclosure, and this time I was earlier in the day because I was fi lling in for Vic Mensa. I didn’t think it was possible but it was defi nitely crazier.”

As it happened, it was one of the craziest sets he has ever played, and formed a perfect launchpad to show Aussie audiences that he’s fully capable of continuing to run What So Not since the departure of Flume. “I think I liked playing in the day better, because everyone just had so much energy,” Emerson says. “I haven’t seen crowds react like that in so long.

It was so cool to come back to

Australia and see people getting right into it.”

Emerson emphasises that although Flume was an integral part of getting What So Not up and running, he’d long since stopped performing with the project – and realistically his departure hasn’t changed all that much. “I’ve been spearheading the project for three or more years now, doing all the touring myself,” Emerson says.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of music coming out – I was producing music a lot but not able to release it under What So Not – so I can do that now, which is really exciting.”

2016 was always going to be a testing year for What So Not, particularly because Emerson wanted to prove to himself that he had the confi dence to make important decisions alone and still get a positive response from fans.

It’s patently clear just how pleased he is with how well his new music has been received.

every single day on my laptop.

Write ideas, toplines, chords, create new patches for synths.”

“I think a real point for me was when I put that RÜFÜS remix out [‘Innerbloom’] and seeing the reaction from everyone. It was quite daunting, putting something out by myself for the project, but I couldn’t be happier from the reaction from everyone. It just gave me the confi dence in what I’ve been thinking for a while, where I’m at creatively and where I want to take this project.”

The advantage of writing on the road is that it gives Emerson a chance to gauge the response to any new music through sneaky road-tests of tracks, where the audience has no idea what it’s hearing.

The hardest part, Emerson admits, has been trying to balance all this touring while making time to get in the studio. “It is excruciatingly difficult,” he says. “I’ve been trying to fi nish this body of work for quite some time – I’m a little delayed unfortunately because of the touring – but essentially I write

“On the road I can test songs out and get an honest reaction,” he says. “I think it’s the most honest reaction when you play an unreleased song to an audience and you don’t tell them that it’s an unreleased track, just seeing how they naturally respond to it.”

With: A-Trak, Rome Fortune Where: Enmore Theatre When: Thursday June 30

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 29

Off The Record

RECOMMENDED SATURDAY JUNE 25

Dance and Electronica with Tyson Wray Dense & Pika

George Fitzgerald

DJ Pierre Civic Underground Argy Greenwood Hotel

FRIDAY JULY 1

Matthias Meyer Slyfox Ron Costa Burdekin Hotel

SATURDAY JULY 16

Dense & Pika Chinese Laundry

O

ooh mumma. It’s been way too long in between drinks, but the house and techno dons Dense & Pika are coming back to town. They’re regulars at the likes of Trouw, Panorama Bar, Fabric and BPM, and have a fan base including George Fitzgerald, Adam Beyer, Dubfire and Jackmaster. Their Colt EP from 2013 is still all-time, and the title track is one of the best piano-driven techno numbers of the past decade. Dig in – they’re coming for Chinese Laundry on Saturday July 16.

If you’re into tech house then you’ll want to get yourself along to catch the Parisian head Ron Costa next month. This cat has been running his own imprint Potobolo Records for over a decade, and his releases have found homes on the likes of Inmotion, Octopus Music, SCI+TEC, SNOE and Suara.

He’ll be supported by Mantra Collective, Space Junk, Dan Zina, Roberto Carrano,

Jackson Winter and more on Friday July 1 at the Burdekin Hotel.

Did you have tickets for the ill-fated tenth birthday of Maitreya? Good news – it’s now being sued by its ticketing company for $400,000 for not providing refunds.

How does one colossally fuck up a festival on what is meant to be an anniversary celebrating artistic growth and defi ance of the norm? Another one bites the dust. Hope y’all get your cash back. Stay tuned for details of the case as they emerge.

Tour rumours: these are not so much rumours, considering they’ve all been announced for Strawberry Fields in the Riverina, but you can be sure that come November, Sydney will be getting visits from George Fitzgerald, Henry Saiz, Kuniyuki, DJ So, Leftfield, Marcel Fengler, Move D, Patrick Topping, Petar Dundov, Radio

SATURDAY JULY 23

Delano Smith Café Del Mar

FRIDAY DECEMBER 2 – SUNDAY DECEMBER 4

Subsonic Music Festival: Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Josh Wink, Ben UFO + more Riverwood Downs Mountain Valley Resort

Slave, Stephan Bodzin, Super Flu, Tom Trago, UR DJ Assault Squad and Victor Ruiz.

Best releases this week: Just when you think he couldn’t get any better, motherfucking DJ Sotofett goes and reaches another level. His newie Current 82 (on Keys Of Life) is ridiculously good.

Like, track of 2016 good. It’s a 12-minute slow burn, and I swear at one point I thought I was listening to Deep Forest.

Can’t recommend any higher. I would also suggest spinning Ancient Methods’ A Collection Of Ancient Airs (Aufnahme + Wiedergabe) and Marquis Hawkes’ Social Housing (Houndstooth). Sadly, Matthias Zimmermann’s self-titled album (Sound Pellegrino) totally blows. Remember when this was one of the hottest labels on the planet? How far we (well, some of us) have come.

Ron Costa

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

T H E D E P O T T H E AT R E P R E S E N T S

CRISTINA D R A O B P U C IN THE

T. HRreIS ILC LG PAenU BYperim ism al ical iim t in comic mag

A spellbinding ex

“Poignant and beautiful... a timeless work that speaks with intellectual and emotional clarity.”

SUZY GOES SEE

13-30 July 2016 8pm Wed-Sat, 5pm Sun

$32 Full | $27 Conc | $27 Groups $22 Cheap Wed | $22 Previews

Director Julie Baz Assistant Director Lillian Silk Designer David Jeffrey Photography Peta Addy and Katy Green Loughrey Cast Nyssa Hamilton, Teale Howie, David Jeffrey, Emily McGowan, Tasha O’Brien, Sarah Plummer, Lucy Quill and Rachael Williams

THE DEPOT THEATRE 142 ADDISON RD, MARRICKVILLE Info and tickets www.thedepottheatre.com 30 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

thebrag.com

24

JU

NE

10 PM $1 - L $1 0 B 5 E SL A F F O AT E 19 Y TE RE F 9 EN OX R 12 MO PM R E

RD

JA B NA RE ME JA ND S C L CK D SO LEI A N RIPP CE CL N S A WI ST Y NT ER ER DO

SAT 25 JUNE SPECIAL GUESTS

POLITICS OF DANCING SOMERSAULT RESIDENT

RABBIT TAXI

1 0 P M T I L L L AT E

$10 BEFORE 12AM / $15 AFTER 1 9 9 E N M O R E R O A D W W W . S LY F O X . S Y D N E Y

Hosted by

Gree Gr eenw ee nw woo od Ho Hote tell 2pm 2p m to t 10p pm

Secret Guest Tezzel (birthday set) Ace Basik & Paul Scott Tiago Morris LeFonk Astronafrica Deep Seeded

thebrag.com

www.sash.n net.a au H ME HO M Nig ght htcl c ub cl u 9pm 9p m ti tillll 4am

BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 31

g guide

club picks p up all night out all week...

send your listings to : clubguide@thebrag.com

club pick of the week THURSDAY JUNE 23

Brendan Clay + Donald Leicester + Jackson Winter Slyfox, Enmore.

10pm. $10.

Tensile 001 - feat: Quanta + Thierry D + Lupr + Grills + Dred Jensen Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm.

Free.

Welove - feat: Various DJs Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst. 10pm.

Free.

HIP HOP & R&B

Client Liaison

Greenwood Hotel

Bookclub Client Liaison (DJ set) 9pm. Free.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22 CLUB NIGHTS

Birdcage - feat: Various DJs Slyfox, Enmore. 9pm.

Free.

Muso’s Club Jam Night - feat: Various Ruby L’otel, Rozelle.

7:30pm. Free.

SBW - feat: Jonski Babysham + Resident DJs Side Bar, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

The Wall - feat: Xkore + Oh? + Blackjack + What Suits + Main St The World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. Free.

Yellow Wednesdays Secret Garden Bar, Enmore. 7pm. Free.

THURSDAY JUNE 23

xxx

CLUB NIGHTS Bookclub - feat: Client Liaison (DJ Set) + Amastro Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney. 9pm.

Free.

DJ Chris Spicer Presents World Tour - feat: DJ Salvy + Lukeas Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 8pm. $10.

Femme Fetale The Argyle, The Rocks. 6pm. Free.

House Keeping - feat: DJ Conor

Boylan + Guests Side Bar, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

Muso’s Club Jam Night - feat: Various Carousel Inn Hotel, Rooty Hill. 8pm.

Free.

Toho Nights - feat: Jay Katz + Special Guests Goros, Surry Hills.

8pm. Free.

FRIDAY JUNE 24 CLUB NIGHTS

Argyle Fridays The Argyle, The Rocks. 6pm. Free.

Bassic - feat: Rene Lavice + Teddy Killerz + Baytek Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $28.

Bey Vs. Jay - feat: Luen + Astrix Little + Flex Mami + Sista Act DJs Metro Theatre, Sydney. 9pm. $16.50.

Canvas - feat: Joey Dean + Mitchell Fowler + Off Late + Lee Novell Miind Nightclub, Darlinghurst. 9pm. $11.

Comfort Club #5 feat: Holding Hands + Tom&Tom + Señor Face + B&H Smooth + Bilsn Tokyo Sing Song, Newtown. 8pm. Free.

Cult - feat: Monobrow + Laurence Vector + Derek Turner Different Drummer, Glebe. 7pm. Free.

32 :: BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16

El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills. 9pm.

Free.

Father Private Launch Party - feat: Various DJs Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

Feel Good Fridays Bar100, The Rocks.

5pm. Free.

Freda + Zeus + Oedura + Jackson Secret Location, Sydney. 9pm. $15.

Friday Frothers feat: DJ Babysham + Guests Side Bar, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

Fridays At Zeta Zeta Bar, Sydney.

9pm. Free.

Harbour Club Fridays The Watershed Hotel, Sydney. 6pm.

Free.

I Am Sam Marquee, Pyrmont.

10pm. $13.40.

Loco Friday - feat: DJs On Rotation The Slip Inn, Sydney.

5pm. Free.

Memo Fridays feat: Resident DJs Cargo Lounge, Sydney. 5pm. Free.

Red Bull Sound Select - feat: Harvey Sutherland + Lucy Cliche + Hubert Clarke Jr Civic Underground, Sydney. 8pm. $10.

Scubar Fridays - feat: DJs On Rotation Scubar, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

Sly Fridays - feat: James Cripps +

73 Til’ Infinity - feat: Tom Studdy + Edseven + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills.

6pm. Free.

Freshly Pick’d Headz 3 - feat: Benji Pk + Cee + Mitchos Da Menace + Moshated + Scum City + DJs Myme + Porksac Cauliflower Hotel, Waterloo. 7:30pm.

Free.

SATURDAY JUNE 25 CLUB NIGHTS

Argyle Saturdays feat: Tass + Tap-Tap + Minx + Crazy Caz The Argyle, The Rocks. 6pm. Free.

Blueprint 2nd Bday - feat: Argy + Jacob Malmo + Ben Nott B2B Aaiste + Simon Caldwell + Space Junk + Tristan Case Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney. 2pm. $22.

Blueprint 2nd Bday Afterparty Cellar Sesh - feat: Argy + Jacob Malmo B2B Ben Nott + Space Junk Barrio Cellar, Sydney. 10pm. $27.12.

Clique Sydney Cruise Bar, Sydney.

8:30pm. $20.

Compound - feat: Ben Fester + Zeus + Subaske Secret Location, Sydney. 10pm. $25.30.

DJ Pierre - The Story Of Acid House + Simon Caldwell + John Ferris + Charades Civic Underground, Sydney. 9pm. $35.

DJ Tim Densely + DJ Ta$K Rooty Hill RSL Club, Rooty Hill. 8:30pm.

Free.

El Loco Later - feat: DJs On Rotation Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills. 9pm.

Free.

Foxlife - feat: Politics Of Dancing + Somersault + Rabbit Taxi Slyfox, Enmore.

10pm. $10.

Frat Saturdays feat: Danny Simms + Jayowens Side Bar, Sydney.

8pm. Free.

Kings Cross Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross. 5pm.

Free.

Lndry - feat: Late Nite Tuff Guy +

Lo’99 + Friendless + A-Tonez + Deckhead + King Lee + DJ Just 1 + Offtapia + Fiktion + Ben Ashton + Micky Price + Andy Bird Chinese Laundry, Sydney. 9pm. $28.

My Place Saturdays - feat: DJs On Rotation Bar100, The Rocks.

8pm. Free.

Native Showcase 001 - feat: Dimitris Michas + Nick Reverse + Amano + Nuendo + Gonzo + James Petrou + Litmus Valve Bar, Agincourt Hotel, Ultimo. 9pm. $10.

Pacha - feat: Potbelleez DJs Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney. 6:30pm. $38.

Precious Cargo - feat: Morgan Harper + Nukewood Cargo Lounge, Sydney. 10pm. $10.

Refuge Recordings 2nd Birthday - feat: Donald Leicester + Peekay B2B Oscar De Lima + Ace Basik B2B Paul Scott + Adamwah B2B Circa87 + Aaron Robins + James Petrou + Shivers* Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst. 10pm. $11.

RuPaul’s Drag Race - feat: Chi Chi Devayne Arq Nightclub, Darlinghurst. 8pm. $29.

Saturdays - feat: Resident DJs + Special Guests Kit & Kaboodle, Kings Cross. 10pm. $10.

Scubar Saturdays - feat: DJs On Rotation Scubar, Sydney.

8:30pm. Free.

Soda Saturdays Soda Factory, Surry Hills. 6pm. Free.

The Beat Kitchen feat: Archie + Harry Sounds + Paris Groovescooter Different Drummer, Glebe. 8:30pm. Free.

Hubert Clarke Jr

FRIDAY JUNE 24

Rabbit Taxi Slyfox, Enmore. 10pm. $10.

Bassic - Feat: Rene Lavice + Teddy Killerz + Baytek Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

9pm. $28.

Lndry - Feat: Late Nite Tuff Guy + Lo’99 + Friendless + A-Tonez + Deckhead + King Lee + DJ Just 1 + Offtapia + Fiktion + Ben Ashton + Micky Price + Andy Bird Chinese Laundry, Sydney.

9pm. $28.

Bey Vs. Jay - Feat: Luen + Astrix Little + Flex Mami + Sista Act DJs Metro Theatre, Sydney. 9pm. $16.50.

Red Bull Sound Select Feat: Harvey Sutherland + Lucy Cliche + Hubert Clarke Jr Civic Underground, Sydney.

8pm. $10.

Sly Fridays - Feat: James Cripps + Brendan Clay + Donald Leicester + Jackson Winter Slyfox, Enmore. 10pm. $10.

SATURDAY JUNE 25 Blueprint 2nd Bday - Feat: Argy + Jacob Malmo + Ben Nott B2B Aaiste + Simon Caldwell + Space Junk + Tristan Case Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney. 2pm. $22.

Foxlife - Feat: Politics Of Dancing + Somersault +

Pacha - Feat: Potbelleez DJs Ivy Bar/Lounge, Sydney.

6:30pm. $38.

Precious Cargo - Feat: Morgan Harper + Nukewood Cargo Lounge, Sydney.

10pm. $10.

SUNDAY JUNE 28 S.A.S.H By Day - Hosted

By This Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney. 2pm. $15.

S.A.S.H By Night - Feat: Secret Guest + Tezzel + Ace Basik & Paul Scott + Tiago + Morris Lefonk + Astronafrica + Deep Seeded Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour. 9pm. $15.

HIP HOP & R&B

The Chippo Block feat: Baby Veeno + Big Skeez + Miles Glyphers Chippendale Hotel, Chippendale. 8pm. $9.80.

The Chop - feat: Hayds + Waza + Off Course + DJs Raine Supreme + Benny Hinn Play Bar, Surry Hills.

6pm. Free.

SUNDAY JUNE 26 CLUB NIGHTS Beresford Sundays - feat: DJs On Rotation The Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills. 12pm.

Free.

Picnic Social Tatler, Darlinghurst.

4pm. Free.

S.A.S.H By Day Hosted By THIS Greenwood Hotel,

Argy

North Sydney. 2pm. $15.

S.A.S.H By Night - feat: Secret Guest + Tezzel + Ace Basik & Paul Scott + Tiago + Morris LeFonk + Astronafrica + Deep Seeded Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour.

9pm. $15.

Sin Sundays The Argyle, The Rocks. 7pm. Free.

MONDAY JUNE 27 CLUB NIGHTS I Love Mondays Side Bar, Sydney.

9pm. Free.

Lost In The Zoo feat: Open Decks 9 To 11 + Anthony Elia + Anya B2B Surkess B2B Nick Reverse + Kazi Zoo Project, Potts Point. 9pm. Free.

TUESDAY JUNE 28 CLUB NIGHTS

Coyote Tuesdays The World Bar, Kings Cross. 9pm. $10.

Side Bar Tuesdays - feat: Black Diamond Hearts Side Bar, Sydney.

9pm. Free.

Terrible Tuesdays Slyfox, Enmore. 5pm.

Free. thebrag.com

live reviews

thebrag.com/snaps

What we’ve been out to see...

WOMEN IN ELECTRONIC MUSIC SHOWCASE

kicking around. The whole thing had a wonderful sense of community; perhaps the most relaxed of all the Vivid events on the calendar this year.

On Saturday night, the Museum of Contemporary Art terrace was home to some of Australia’s brightest electronic musicians. The artists on the lineup – Rainbow Chan, GL, Habits, Buoy, Mira Boru and Banoffee – were held together by two distinct threads: they all happen to be ladies, and are all technically amazing singers and producer/DJs.

Indeed, the terrace was a great location for creating a feeling of intimacy with commanding views of the Harbour Bridge and Vivid lights. And the performances were superb. Mira Boru’s New York new wave disco DJ set was highly danceable.

The respective singing styles of Rainbow Chan, Buoy, Habits and Banoffee were equal parts fragile and assertive, laced with of-the-moment electronic compositions – it’s a balancing act that they’ve all mastered. GL delivered a fun ’80s-synth-infused set – if you haven’t heard of them, they’re signed to Sydney label Plastic World, so they’re of the ilk of acts like Retiree.

Museum Of Contemporary Art Saturday June 18

As was to be expected from a free event held at the MCA, there was a long, snaking queue of punters outside waiting to enter. Once inside – provided you were organised or patient enough – the vibe was intimate and comfy. Small clumps of people were dotted around the room and terrace, most of whom were sporting calico bags and adventurous haircuts.

For the duration of the show, everyone was either dancing in tight-knit groups or settling in for lively conversations between acts.

Being a showcase, there were also a lot of parents (well, they seemed like parents)

snap

VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

up all night out all week . . .

There really are some really amazing female electronic acts out there, and in Sydney particularly. Hopefully one day soon their gender won’t even need to be part of the conversation, and the ratio of successful male to female acts will strike a balance.

Sarah Little PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

URTHBOY, L-FRESH THE LION, OKENYO

that ensures the biggest applause. Blood, sweat and tears – that’s an L-Fresh show.

Normally at the helm of a live trio, recent Elefant Traks signee Okenyo casts a lone shadow on the Oxford Art Factory stage. Here, every loop, trigger, harmony and arrangement is entirely of her own doing. It’s worth noting that this is a woman who serves as a commanding enough presence simply by singing.

Once she takes over the reins entirely, it’s impossible to look away – Okenyo presents a lean half-hour of steely eyed yet sultry neo-soul recalling Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu, yet still finding a firm enough stamp of identity to make it her own. Unquestionably one to watch.

Urthboy has been a torchbearer of Australian hip hop for more than a decade, but it feels like only now is he finally getting his dues. It’s an opportune time as ever for this to be happening, of course – The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat is unquestionably his best work, and tonight’s set reflects that in a big way. ‘Hey Juanita’ and ‘Little Girl’s Dad’ offer up introspect and sentiment, while ‘Running Into The Flames’ – as performed with the newest Elefant Traks member, B-Wise – adds urgent, toebouncing energy. That’s not even touching the singles: ‘Long Loud Hours’, ‘Second Heartbeat’ and ‘Daughter Of The Light’ all elicit huge reactions, not least for bringing out the likes of Bertie Blackman, Okenyo and Kira Puru for the occasion.

“You’re probably used to shows where you stand around with your arms folded,” teases Mirrah, L-Fresh The Lion’s pocket-rocket hype machine, as she mic checks. “That’s not us!” She’s not half wrong, either – what ensues is a set full of celebration and unwavering positivity, dancing like no-one’s watching and partaking in every last hip hop cliché (“I say/You say”, “Hands up” et al.) with uttermost glee. Recent singles ‘1 In 100,000’ and ‘Get Mine’ seal the deal at the set’s conclusion, but it’s a stirring ‘Never Alone’

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

thebrag.com

It’s called: Bookclub Launch Party

It sounds like: Some of the most talented produ Australia and beyond, right in the heart of North cers and acts from Sydney.

Acts: Client Liaison (DJ set), one of Australia’s most talented duos. Future acts include Basenji (DJ set), Baytek, Beni, Human Movement and many more.

Three songs you’ll hear on the night: Client Liaison – ‘Feed The Rhythm’; Client Liaison – ‘World Of Our Love’; Client Liaison – ‘Queen’ And one you definitely won’t: Justin Biebe r – ‘Love Yourself’ Sell it to us: The launch of Sydney’s new weekl y Thursday night party with a DJ set you won’t want to miss. Happy hour is 9-10pm with student prices.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: 60 tonne s of snow and hot tubs!

Crowd specs: Exams are over, so Sydney’s young and hip crowd are coming for a good time.

Wallet damage: Free!

Where: Greenwood Hotel, 36 Blue St, North Sydney When: 9pm-3am every Thursday from Thurs day June 23

Urthboy’s new live set-up – mainstay Jayteehazard on the decks and three backing vocalists – has also developed substantially, ensuring there’s never a dull moment onstage. By the time the entire dressing room files out for an all-in cover of Meg Mac’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’, emotions are high and spirits are soaring.

That’s the power of what Urthboy’s doing.

Long may he – and all his mates – reign.

David James Young

inner space ft. arapu + cote

PICS :: AM

Oxford Art Factory Thursday June 16

party profile

bookclub launch party

11:06:16 :: The Arthouse Hotel :: 275 Pitt St Sydney 9284 1200 BRAG :: 668 :: 22:06:16 :: 33

snap up all night out all week . . .

VIEW FULL GALLERIES AT

thebrag.com/snaps

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

COME TOGETHER 2016 Big Top Sydney, Luna Park Saturday June 11

As the sun set over Sydney Harbour and the Vivid festival lit up the night sky, Luna Park came alive – and despite it being a crisp, clear evening, all the real stars were under the Big Top, settling in for an epic night of all-Australian hip hop.

Sydney MC and triple j Unearthed feature artist Manu Crook$ kicked the night off in signature style. He effortlessly won over the early comers with his energy, enthusiasm and fresh beats. Songs like ‘Drive Me Crazy’, ‘Everyday’ and his latest, ‘Blowin’ Up’, set the tone for the festival as the crowd began to swell – the all-ages section was filled to capacity by the end of his timeslot.

Mallrat, or the self-coined “Hannah Montana of the rap game”, was up next and almost instantaneously had the audience under her spell. As she performed her breakout hit ‘Sunglasses’, the pint-sized vocalist knelt down to accept gifts from fans and praised the promoters for keeping the festival an allages event.

PHOTOGRAPHER :: ASHLEY MAR

The king of swing Dylan Joel followed suit and got the room up and dancing, pitting left against right in a swag-versusswing-style two-step battle. Things got heated, but in the end everyone won when they were rewarded with an acoustic version of Kanye West’s ‘Touch The Sky’ and a medley from Joel’s debut album, Authentic Lemonade.

Introduced to the stage by Matt Okine, Brisbane’s Gill Bates is the new face of Aussie R&B. His set was short and sweet, but with tracks like ‘She Knows’, ‘Didn’t Mind’ and ‘Diamonds And Gold’, he left the crowd wanting more.

parallel universes: star wars

Inner West Sydney stalwarts Spit Syndicate owned the stage, pumping out hit after hit including ‘Know Better’, ‘Amazing’, ‘Real’, ‘Beauty In The Bricks’ and ‘Starry-Eyed’ with help from their buddies in the One Day crew, before spruiking their upcoming album and new single ‘Inhibitions’. It all ended in what was arguably the highlight of the festival when the pair were joined by Tuka and the festival headliner Drapht to pay tribute to their hometown.

Art school drop-out Allday may not have been the headline act, but nobody told the crowd. His ability to command an audience speaks volumes for his natural talent and his meteoric rise up the ARIA charts and into the hearts of his thousands of followers. He wowed Come Together with an impromptu cover of a Childish Gambino classic and teased fans with a taste of new music.

With the crowd well warmed up, the stage was set for the man of the moment. As one of the pioneers of the modern era of Australian hip hop, Drapht showed himself to be a world-class performer. He mesmerised the fans with his vocal and lyrical prowess, with a combination of old classics like ‘Jimmy Recard’ and ‘Sing It’ and a bagful of fresh mixes, including his latest single ‘All Love’.

In the end, the west coast native left his fans on the eastern seaboard anticipating his first full-length release since The Life Of Riley even more – if that was possible. To borrow the wise words of the man himself, “Come Together 2016 was sick fun!”

Natalie Rogers

PICS :: AM

One-third of the Blue Mountains trio Thundamentals, Tuka came prepared with backup singers, a full drum kit and bass player, and blew the roof off the Big Top. He dedicated his set to lost loved

ones and warned newly minted voters not to trust politicians, all to the soundtrack of his hits ‘Yeah Right’, ‘Nirvana’ and a very cool cover of The Beatles’ ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’.

10:06:16 :: The Argyle :: 18 Argyle St The Rocks 9247 5500 34 :: BRAG :: 668:: 22:06:16

thebrag.com

www.theveronicas.com

OUT NOW

ALL STOCK MUST GO!!

BRAG CDS 2016 - 275 x 385.indd 1

30/05/2016 9:33 AM

ANNANDALE 55 Parramatta Rd

CLOSING DOWN

SALE

% 20-80 OFF RRP

ELECTRIC GUITARS • ACCOUSTIC GUITARS AMPLIFIERS • ACCESSORIES

! !

R E F F O ! !

D E N S U A F E R S R U E F F E O E K L B A N MA O S A E R O N

E 2016 N U J h 0t ENDS 3

DEALS NEVER TO BE REPEATED!!

The RRP is the recommended retail price as set by the Australian distributor of the product. While stocks last, some stocks are limited.

Products pictured are for illustration purposes only. Gallins reserves the right to determine what constitutes a reasonable offer and may reject or accept any offers at their discretion p

p p

y

g

y

j

p

y