Skateboard artwork: James Ahern contact him on: ahernj01@hotmail.com for Sales. metior.indd 2-3
27/2/11 8:54:25 PM
president notes
editor
Hey Ya’ll. Welcome to 2011.
some!
I’m Brodie, the 2011 Murdoch University Guild President. This year is going to be huge for The Guild (but everyone says that) with stuff like the new Student Services Fees; the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor; refurbishment of a number of Guild Outlets and a brand spanking new Club Handbook.
Still to Come: •Club Handbook & Carnival 2011 Thursday March 10! Check this one out from 10am – 2pm for all your information about Clubs this year. Make sure you pick up the Handbook for a heap of extra information about events! •Redesigning the Sports Centre Finished Late April. •Student Common Facilities - currently being set up (This one is running late, Sorry!) •Movies Under the Stars - Later in the semester. •Fringe Festival 2011 - Semester Two. Totally get into it.
We’ve already undergone some pretty big changes, and we’re off and racing for the year. We’ve a heap of seriously awesome plans for 2011, and we’ll be launching a brand new initiative for Clubs in semester one, along with an even more exciting project planned for semester two (but I’m not telling you about that yet, it’s a secret...). Because we’re planning on having a cracker of a year, I’m going to give you a quick summary of 2011 so far, and some things to look out for later this semester 2011 Awesomeness so far: • Redevelopment of the Zone Fitness Centre, with all new equipment and flooring - Done. •Updating and upgrading The Guild’s website (along with a spiffy new iPhone site) - Done. •Easier membership signup Done. •Updating Walters Café menus (including Vegan & Gluten Free) Done. •Redesigning The Guild’s logo, colour scheme and style guide Done. •Free Internet across campus Who could ask for more? •Guild Orientation Festival - If you missed it, you missed out - Awe-
2 metior.indd 4-5
That’s only the start, there’s a heap more planned for later in the year. Make sure you keep reading your G News (that’s new too!) and the Metior to be in touch with everything that The Guild’s doing across the campus.
Sonia Tubb
art director Priera Russell
Contributors Kyle Pauletto, Sue Clennell, Clinton Little, Nicola Sheridan, Phillip Ellis, Oscar Churchill-Riley, Katherine Grevill, Kate Collier
photography Chris Carson, Genevieve Page, Aldegonda Bruekers, Ryan Watts, Otilee Lamb, Nick Fitzpatrick
Sweet Times! Brodie For more information go to: www.the-guild.com.au/gnews www.vanguardpress.com.au
Write to us:
Send us an email to metior@the-guild.com.au
ON THE COVER / photographer: Otilee Lamb makeup: Constance Bowers model: Allegra Keogh fashion: Priera Russell
Disclaimer: Metior is published by the Murdoch Guild of Students, amenities building, Murdoch University campus. The Metior’s operation costs, space and administrative support are financed by the Murdoch Guild of Students. Metior is printed under the governance of the Murdoch Guild Council. All expressions are published on the basis that they are not be regarded as the opinions of the Guild unless specifically stated. The Guild accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions or information contained within the magazine, nor does it endorse advertisements and insertions.
how to get your panties w h e t t ! Big Day Out 2011 – The best line up I’ve ever experienced. ‘Faker’ wasn’t playing, which was good. Neither were ‘The Killers’, or ‘MUSE’ so it wasn’t a sell out. Hot denim shorts were in plenitude. Perverts, if you didn’t know it already, this is THE jailbait extravaganza of the festival season calendar. The Muscle Mitch Meatheads were also well represented, shirtless with zinc zigzagged faces. All the colours of the rainbow! The Bogan demographic rainbow. Glorious event, The BIG DAY OUT! Congratulations to ‘The Fags’! Played at the Big Day Out! Doug May (Electric Guitar), brother of Abbe, swung windmills bigger than RAMMSTEIN’S German flag. Louis Miles sang about love, sex, glass and blood, reverberating from that beer belly. It was panty whetting! Experienced Big Day Out veteran Tony Pola (Beasts of Bourbon, The Transplants, Kim Salmon and The Surrealists) went to work on the drums. Anthony Chiovotti on bass was tall and sexy! Songs such as Fish, Mouth, Break Your Little Back, Flowers, Freedom Fighters of Love, Benny, Justify, I think I’m a Fag, were all totally sick! Like Louis, before the show. Iggy Pop gave John Butler the finger. The sound was dreadful. Very much missing Ron Ashton
on guitar, however I enjoyed seeing James Williamson. Mike Watt looks about twenty years older than last time. I lost my voice cheering. ‘TOOL’ played. I passed up seeing most of their show, as soon as I remembered seeing their exact same show last year. Honourable mention to ‘Primal Scream’, with a visually colourful show, sufficed as the pleasing substitute. Nick Cave slung Warren Ellis by his collar down backwards onto his arse on the stage floor, sending maracas flying. Everyone saw Nick’s nips. I would have loved to have seen some sweaty zinc on that Cave belly, some fluorescent icing on that already delicious ‘Grinderman’ cake. The new album’s songs were surprisingly, far more impressive performed live. Back to The Fags. Recently signed to MGM Distributions, this is an important Perth product! If you do not already know about these guys, go pay another $55 dollars for the next KARNIVOOL ticket you moron. Quality vs cuntity, take your prick. The Fags are live music in Perth that is refreshingly uncontrived. Ha! Their album was recorded at Begerk Studios last year. My favourite song - ‘I think I’m a fag’ is most disappointingly not on the album. However they will play it live, if you
provide the appropriate harassment. So give way to total GAY A-BANDIN’ with THE FAGS album launch, supported by The Yokohomos at Mojo’s Bar, North Fremantle, 2ND April. By Oscar Jack Churchill Riley - Rock muso journo MAVERICK! Full on completely biased lead singer of The Yokohomos, who may or may not be the boyfriend of Sonia Tubb, editor extraordinaire of this controversial, WORTH FIGHTING FOR publication. (Don’t edit NUFN of this! RUN IT, HONEY, RUN IT!) Words - Oscar Churchill-Riley
photography by Aldegonda Bruekers
31 27/2/11 8:54:27 PM
b i g d a y out... presents
30 metior.indd 6-7
the fags
5 6 11 12 14 16 18
a love letter from a stray moon when writing my book pop-up shop ryan watts james ahern holier than thou behind the screens
19 20 22 25
leeuwin ii voyage vinnies retro alliance francaise griff the invisible
25 26 29 30
up and coming events cut copy poetry big day out
3 27/2/11 8:54:29 PM
poerty Since the darkness -Sue Clennell, Since the darkness I have been on the wrong side, the listing side of the ship. There are always new arrivals who wait with me to watch the moon suck us in. Balancing, balancing. Scared of the flick knives of cold Januarys. Scared of the barbed kisses of fished out Mondays. On shore, beefy voices tell us to sing, commend a new glue for this crew of scraped knees, sigh navigator wise at our silent impasse. Never have I dreamt of this before – Phillip Ellis Never have I dreamt of this before. You are as a mystery of glory, making me know this, beloved adored-never have I dreamt of this before. Of your reveries I set store, adoring alone the divine story never had I dreamt of this before: you are as my mystery of glory. “On a New World” – Phillip Ellis Above the vaulted sky hung silently, lonely upon such an empty world, silence, lay around me, and it fenced me into the thought of gods-but of them none ever was, the sky, still as sigh or stone, ever alone, ever alone. “The New Day” – Phillip Ellis
4 metior.indd 8-9
I will drown in the new day as though it, too, were an ocean. And there’s more than to just say I will drown in the new day: I’ll seek beauty, float away on the high tide’s sweet emotion, I will drown in the new day as though it, too, were an ocean.
29 27/2/11 8:54:30 PM
how do you feel about your upcoming months of touring? is there anything you do to prepare yourselves for such and extensive tour? You can’t really think about it too much otherwise you might have a nervous breakdown. We are all really excited after being holed up in the studio for the better part of a year, which is a very introverted experience. When you play live it’s the most immediate connection you have with your audience, so it will be good to get out and in front of the people again. However, it takes us away from the people we’re close to and we have to spend a lot of time apart from partners, family and friends. It can get quite difficult, but we realise we are in a very unique position and I never want to take that for granted.
is there any particular country that you’re really excited for? We are actually going to St Petersburg, Russia and when we go to America we’re going to New Orleans! We have never been to either of those places as a band before so we’re really excited! We’re always about trying to go to as many different and new places that we can, it’s a unique way of seeing the world and we try to go everywhere that appreciates our music.
28 metior.indd 10-11
a love letter from a stray moon -jay griffiths words - kate collier
was it always planned for the last song on the album ‘Sun God’ to be a 15 minute epic? will you be incorporating it into your live sets? We will be playing ‘Sun God’ live; it’s definitely in the set list. When we made the record, and we finished that song it went for about four to five minutes with a little 40 second outro on the end. However after listening to it a few times it felt like it wanted to go somewhere else, so Dan stayed up over night working on this weird synth kind of jam and the next day we pulled it all together to make the finished product. The whole album is about immersing yourself in the listening experience. I know that it can sound like career suicide to put a 15 minute song on a record these days because people are so used to the very instant 3 minute songs and moving on to the next thing, but for some people hopefully it will be a rewarding listening experience. Words – Kyle Pauletto
win
1 0 d o u ble passes to creamfeilds 2011 in 35 words or less answer this simple question: “What is your best festival experuence and why?” for the chance to win 1 of 10 double pass giveaways to “creamfiends” Send your answer to: metior@the-guild.com.au
In ‘A Love Letter from a Stray Moon’, Jay Griffiths portrays a partly fictional story of the late Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. It is a tale of love and suffering, spanning from Kahlo’s work, the accident that devastated her life, and the relationship she shared with Diego Rivera, a Mexican painter who became her husband in 1929. Using the perspective of the moon to sometimes narrate the story, we learn about Frida’s struggle through being unable to have a child due to lifelong health problems and injuries caused by a traffic accident as a teenager, which left her with relapses of excessive pain for the rest of her life. Due to her inability, Kahlo found other means to experience motherhood, in caring for Rivera and via the creative processes of her art, bringing to life many pieces now described as illustrative of national and indigenous Mexican traditions. This is a story that’s appeal
does not lie in the plot. The plot itself is quite common, explaining aspects of Frida Kahlo that most people who are familiar with her work would know. Alternatively, the hook is in the poetry of the words, the lyrical way in which the story is told, making it so surprisingly easy to read. The passion in which Griffiths beautifully describes everything, transports the reader into Frida’s mind and body, allowing every emotion to be experienced with her. In this way, ‘A Love Letter from a Stray Moon’ acts as an ethereal boundary between Kahlo and the reader, a rare value for a book. The only downfall with this novel, however, is its length. I found myself wanting to know more, to take more in. Even though I wanted to learn a more about the characters and places, the story is about Frida herself, her life, and her battle. The heartache and grief that Frida felt throughout her life is particularly apparent in the text, yet it is very fast paced and we learn so few details about the history behind her life. With that said, had Griffiths told us more about the surroundings,
or the many people involved, it would have taken away from the beauty and anguish. ‘A Love Letter from a Stray Moon’, is an extraordinary third novel from Griffiths, a tale of love and loss, so eloquently told. With each chapter being more captivating than the last and each sentence tied together so fluently, it is almost impossible to put this book down. I do not think it is the sort of book that would generally be glanced at twice, for the blurb does not give away any hints, however I would recommend it to anyone that desired something original and consuming.
5 27/2/11 8:54:31 PM
when writing my book... “head-hopping”
Hi, my name is Nicola Sheridan, I am a contracted author currently enduring the editing process of my first published book ‘Magical Gains’, the first in a trilogy of paranormal romance novels. Throughout the process of writing my book, I have come across a number of problems that I have learnt to solve, and which I will be sharing with your through my ‘When writing my book...’ column. For this issue, I will be discussing ‘head-hopping’, a writer’s inability to plan or construct their story before writing, leaving one to guess and make up as they go along. If you ask a writer what was the biggest issue they faced when writing a book, you’re likely to get a variety of answers. Some will say they don’t know where to start, many will say finding the time to do it, or how to create good tension. My biggest issue is Point of View. I am what is typically known in the writing world as a “pant-
6 metior.indd 12-13
ser”. I don’t plot, I barely plan, I just write – and generally only when I feel like it. Subsequently when I write, I don’t really consider whose point of view I’m writing in, it could be the hero, the heroine, or it could be that guy on the park bench watching everyone. Therein lays my first issue. Points of view are the modes of narration through which the reader sees the world, including First, Second, Third Person Limited and Third Person Omniscient. First Person Narrative uses “I”, allowing the reader to see the world through the main characters eyes only. Second Person Narrative adopts the “you” and Third Person Limited applies “he” and “she” showing the point of view of one or two main characters only. Finally, Third Person Omniscient draws on the points of view of multiple characters. Generally speaking, in paranormal romance, publishers like the novel to be written in either first person or third person limited. I personally find this very difficult, because of my need to know all of the characters thoughts. Subsequently, the first draft of “Magical Gains” was written in third person omniscient. As the editing process for “Magical Gains” continues, I have found for the first time I am
under pressure. I can honestly say that when writing “Magical Gains”, I did not have any difficulties; I didn’t care about point of view, as at the time, I had no intentions of publishing it. When urged to send “Magical Gains” to a publisher by a friend, I was amazed to be given a publishing contract. Now, however, the pressure is on to organise the many (and varied) point of view issues that I had not considered before. Consequently, with very little time until release, I am re-working scenes I haven’t touched for over a year, whilst still trying to maintain the story’s momentum. This combined with trying to edit and revise the follow-on novel, and write the third in the series, I am well and truly under pressure to produce. Thus, my advice to any aspiring author is to research the most common point of view used in their target genre before writing, and stick to it!
does the band have equal input in the song writing process, or is there a stand out member behind a lot of the song writing? I think we all play our part, certainly Dan (Whitford) is the ringleader, there’s a great analogy said by Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan on 36 Chambers when he says “We form like Voltron and GZA is the head.” Well if we were Voltron, Dan would be the head. Dan is the main lyric writer and vocals and without him Cut Copy wouldn’t sound like it does. Dan had Cut Copy up and running before I even knew him actually. We knew mutual friends and I lived in Byron Bay at the time, he would come up to visit and stay. When I moved to Melbourne he asked me to work on the first record with him and it just snowballed into what it is now.
how have you found the response to zonoscope so far by the public and the media?
there has been a lot of talk about the cover art for the album, but who was responsible for the rest of the art in the sleeve and back?
That was done by Dan and ‘Alter’ his graphic design company, they handle the visual side of Cut Copy. They do all of the single artwork and have worked on all the sleeves. They also appropriated the cover image, done by Tsunehisa Kimura, whose work we commissioned for Zonoscope. Alter are a huge part of Can you shed some light on the album name, the Cut Copy family, it’s not just us (the band), there’s always a group zonoscope. is there a story behind it? of people we are working with that are just as integral as we are. This album is about creating a new world for the listeners to immerse themselves in, and if you were using a lens to view this world, Zonoscope would be the lens you would use. It’s a word that we created, the idea being that for the rest of time when people talk about Zonoscope it will only have significance to this record and nothing else so we just thought that would be a really cool concept.
I’m not sure, we try and really shut off from that because it can be quite detrimental to your career if you’re reading too much of what people are saying. It works in two ways, because there could be 10 reviews of your record, there could be nine good reviews and one bad, but you will fixate on the bad one and start to self analyse. It can send you into a downward spiral of self analysis and being way too critical of yourself, but on the other hand if you read all the good reviews about yourself its quite a narcissistic process. I think once we finish an album and feel we have fully expressed our ideas, we’re happy with it, and hopefully people will appreciate that. With Zonoscope, we wanted it to be an album that revealed itself over time. People have become so accustomed to downloading music and putting it into iTunes along with a million other albums and just listening to bits and pieces. For us it was about a complete picture that you had to listen to a few times before really understanding where it was coming from. We didn’t want it to be an instant ‘hit’, we really like the idea of records that take time to reveal themselves after repeat listens. That is something Cut Copy tries to do with every album, we like to work to join the tracks together. It is a traditional way of thinking that we are very attached to.
27
27/2/11 8:54:33 PM
cut copy
nicola Sheridan ‘magical gains’
Tim Hoey
– Guitarist talks about the cultural influences behind Zonoscope, the desire to create a new world of immersion for listeners and the months of touring to come. With the anticipated release of their third album creating some not-to-be-messed-with hype amongst national media outlets and their continual war against free downloads, Cut Copy has reason enough to want a break. However this Melbourne synth-pop band will have to pack vegemite and photos of loved ones to prepare for the many months of international touring ahead.
do you think that experience (touring internationally), changed the way you approached song writing? Certainly, travelling has been a big part of the way the sounds evolve because we have been able to absorb other cultures, to purchase since the bands forming was there a signifi- records and gear from other places. cant moment in time that made you realise We use that as a way of absorbing new music and we always take that the success that cut copy was going to home with us. Travelling and absorbbe? ing helps us start to think about what the next record is going to be like. I guess everybody measures success differently, our goals are always artistic ones, and every time we finish a record we are surprised by what we have come up with. We certainly don’t want to get to a point where we rest on our laurels, where we feel like we’ve made it as a successful band, and then continue to produce. I don’t think I could ever think of music in that way, or art in that way, it’s about constantly evolving and attracting a new audience every time. Certainly, the first time we went overseas as a band was quite an amazing experience, I never thought I would do that.
26
metior.indd 14-15
stand out sounds from other countries that you would say have gone into zonoscope? There was a period in the 70’s and 80’s of artists being really inspired by African music and culture and it came across in their art and music. If you think of when Brian Eno and Talking Heads were collaborating and bands such as Liquid Liquid or Konk or Paul Simons Graceland, they were really influenced by this heavy, percussion, tribal sound. That is certainly something that we have picked up on and we thought it was a really interesting road to take. It is an approach that we had never really used with Cut Copy, so there was an emphasis on percussion on Zonoscope and it becoming more of a tribal sound.
In an age where paranormal/ fantasy books such as the Harry Potter and Twilight series take the global box office screen by storm, there is little room for the eyes of fans to wander, especially to the somewhat quiet life of Perth mother, Nicola Sheridan, whose debut novel is soon to be hitting shelves across the country. Sheridan’s fantasy romance novel ‘Magical Gains’, explores the life of government employee Primrose and the problems she encounters in a world where magic is heavily taxed to sustain control, and magical beings are managed through legislation. Set in Perth suburbia, ‘Magical Gains’ is a book that allows us to discover the way in which love can be found, and lost, under strange circumstances. Metior spoke with Nicola where she talks writing, being published and changes within genre popularity we might not have known about.
at what time in your life, and how, did you become interested in paranormal fantasy and romance as a genre combination? I decided I wanted to be an author when at high school, I’d write fantasy stories, and my friends would read them. They used to rush to be the first at school, so they’d be the first to read the next chapter. It was flattering and fun - if not a little
nerdy, and certainly cemented my desire to be a published author. I pursued Archaeology and Anthropology at university so I could throw myself into the mythologies of other cultures. I think I fell in love with genre combination when I was about fifteen and saw the movie “Interview with the Vampire”. I’m sure Brad Pitt had something to do with it. I then started reading Anne Rice’s novels, and found myself wishing there was more romance between the characters.
did you think that it would be a difficult combination of genres to compile within a book, and if at all, what difficulties did you face? Not at all, I think there is something exceptionally alluring about mythological/magical beings and the fact that they don’t exist leaves them wide open for interpretation. I love imagining how they would fit in our modern world – how would they live? Who would they love? What would they do? Paranormal/fantasy romance is a small market in Australia, yet has begun to boom in places like America and the UK. I’m certain this is because all of the Harry Potter fan’s have grown up and want to read fantasy, but with more adult content. Hopefully Australian publishers will catch up with the trend and take on more Australian paranormal authors.
what degree of satisfaction do you think being published provides
writers with? I’m not sure. I think being published gives writers the assurance that someone out there thinks they’re good enough to have a book – and that is very satisfying. Most authors want reassurance that they’re not rubbish, and that their stories really are a decent read, being published provides that approval. For me, initially it was very satisfying, but the inherent pressure publishing entails is more exciting and challenging than satisfying. Being published has shifted the position of writing in my life. It used to be something that I did purely for the joy of it. Now, however, it has moved from something purely for me, to something I have to share with the world – which is a strange shift. 2011 is the first year both of my children will be at school full time, so now I have the option of writing full time. The strange thing is, I’m not sure if I will, because I realise now, I don’t want writing to be a job. I want it to be what it always has been, my passion and favourite past time. I like working writing into my life; I don’t want it to be my life. So this year, I have many plans for writing, but also lots of plans for everything else too.
in what environment did you spend a majority of your time writing? When I was writing “Magical Gains”, we lived in a very
7 27/2/11 8:54:34 PM
small house, so I wrote the whole novel in the kitchen! Now we’ve moved house, I write mostly in the study, but when the family is home, I tend to drag the laptop around the house and write where everyone else is. I don’t like locking myself away to write.
what did you learn during the process of writing magical gains? Research wise, I’ve spent countless hours reading about mythological and magical beings. That kind of research is great fun and the internet is fantastic for finding interesting foreign beasts. However, it’s through the editing process I’ve learned the most. There’s a lot more to a story than just writing the fun the scenes. Issues of point of view, creating believable tension, use of the GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) are things I never really looked at - until they were pointed out to me. Now, through this process I believe I am a much better writer.
during the writing process, did you subconsciously create strange patterns of living? [Laughs] Not really. I’ve written a few stories within which main characters are Demon Spawn (half Incubus, half human) – and sometimes they give me nightmares! Generally though, every night as I go to sleep, I plan the next scene I want to write. I imagine what my characters are doing, how they’ll
8 metior.indd 16-17
do it, where it will happen, that sort of thing - it’s very relaxing.
was there ever a point when you lost faith as a writer and wanted to give up? if so, how did you overcome it? Actually yes, I became very disillusioned with writing when I sent a novel away to an appraisal agency (you pay Appraisal Agency’s to appraise your manuscript and give you a critique). I got an absolutely brutal critique. It was devastating. It was seven pages of vitriolic poison. I didn’t write again for over a year, and when I did, I decided I wouldn’t bother trying to get published again. Eventually, it was when friends who’d read “Magical Gains” told me it was great that I sent it off into some competitions. “Magical Gains” won “Highly Commended Best First Book” in the IP Picks 2009 competition. I was given mentoring with one of IP’s editors, and after that, I was inspired to send it off to publishers. It got about nine rejections. Still, I knew it had some merit otherwise it wouldn’t have got the high commendation. So I kept sending it off and in July last year, Eternal Press contracted it. (My advice to any aspiring author is to enter competitions. If you succeed in a competition, you will most likely succeed in getting published.)
in 1811, when Jane austen released her first book, it was unheard of that women be successful writers, instead
their works were given the title ‘female accomplished’. do you think this was a limiting entitlement to give to female writers of that time, and what is your perspective on women writers of today? I think the women of today have a lot to be thankful for. Early female writers were grossly limited by the culture in which they lived, but considering the limitations placed on them, I think any acknowledgement of their success was a win. Women writers today are a lucky bunch of ladies really, I don’t feel that being female limits your writing abilities in anyway. I’m sure that particular genres have fewer women authors than others (military sagas for example, would understandably be a male dominated genre as its readership majority would probably be male.) Generally, however, I think women have branched out into all genres and that’s a good thing, it gives a different perspective on things. Gender seems to be such a flexible thing these days, I’m not sure publishers or readers really consider it when choosing books anymore - having said that, I actually know a male writer of romance who writes under a female pseudonym to get published. Its reverse sexism really, apparently readers of romance don’t like knowing the author is male. Bizarre but true. Words - Sonia Tubb
griff the invisible Love is the greatest superpower of all.
Romance and action movies may seem like anathema to one another but no other combination of genres puts bums on seats like it. If a filmmaker can incorporate some impressively bombastic explosions, with a likeable hero who has to overcome impossible odds to save the day/girl/world from an apocalypse/alien invasion/ asteroid and win the heart of aforementioned girl who photographs well in slow motion it can be a licence to print money. Films that do succeed in this often come masked, caped and with a secret identity. Emerging Australian director Leon Ford makes his full length feature debut this month with Griff the Invisible, a superhero movie with a difference. It stars True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten as a mild mannered office worker by day and a rubber suited crime fighter by night. The premise may sound familiar but Griff is anything but your typical caped crusader. Griff is a socially awkward misfit with severely impaired social
skills who believes that he has superpowers. When he meets his brother’s girlfriend Melody, (Maeve Dermody) a pretty scientist who believes in Griff’s abilities despite all rational evidence to the contrary, a romance begins. With many references to other superhero films like Batman, Spiderman and even The Six Million Dollar Man, Griff the Invisible is an unusual Australian film that aims at high concept action romance on a shoestring budget. Ryan Kwanten stretches his range from his best known role as the sexually voracious Jason Stackhouse on the television series True Blood. As Griff he is shy and child-like and Maeve Dermody is nicely matched to him as the bizarrely clumsy Melody. With well executed action sequences and possessing a charming sense of innocence lacking in many more cynical superhero films, Griff the Invisible is unconventional, funny and original and well worth checking out. 3/5 Griff the Invisible is Rated (M) and is in cinemas from March 17. For more info visit http://www. grifftheinvisible.com/ Words - Clinton Little
up and coming events Wavves (USA) Full Frequency
The Bakery -11th March Connections 18th March
John Gerard & Roderick Sprigg Exhibitions
PICA Now-3rd April
Araluen’s Fremantle Chilli Festival
Esplanade Reserve, Freo 19 - 20 March
Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys
Ellington Jazz Club 19th March
Song Lounge
Ellington jazz Clun 21st March
Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
Cinema Paradiso and Luna Cinemas 23rd March
Dillip ‘n the Davs w/ Simon Cox
Clancy’s Fish Pub 25th March
The Fags album launch w/ The Yokohomos
MOJOS Bar, Freo 2nd April
Fremantle Street Arts Festival In the Pines
Lowrider
Fremantle, 23 - 26th April
UWA Somerville Auditorium, 24th April. The Bird, 22th June
25 27/2/11 8:54:35 PM
just a beginning
on tour
24
Joachim is a has-been. When he returns to France from America as the tour manager for a Burlesque troupe he hopes it will be his Parisian come-back. But as his band of performers, (best described as a hybrid of performance art, strip tease and drag) travel through small regional theatres his hopes of a triumphant return to Paris begin to fade. One of his stars is Mimi, an American performer who looks like a tattooed Marilyn Monroe and brings a similar mixture of beauty and sadness to her performance, is the emotional core of the film. Much of the fun here comes in watching the wild and trashy troupe lurch its way around the French countryside unmonitored by Joachim as he scrambles off to Paris to ensure his triumph. ‘On Tour’ is a little like witnessing a garden of exotic flowers going off the bloom, beautiful but sad.
metior.indd 18-19
In a bold educational experiment Parisian kindergarten teacher Pascaline has been teaching philosophy to her students since the age of four. Following the ritual lighting of a candle Pascaline guides the children as they engage in passionate discourse on subjects ranging from love, freedom, friendship, race, gender, and sexuality. With the aim of teaching the children to think for themselves the ensuing debates serve as the impressive result of her technique. The children are remarkably articulate and the conflicts that arise make for thought provoking entertainment. This is a fascinating documentary that tracks the lives of the children in the classroom and explores their home environments to investigate the role of the parents in this process, unveiling a unique portrait of a modern multi-cultural society.
bus palladium ‘Lust’ are a young band on the verge of making it big on the early 1980’s Paris rock scene. When signed to a record label it looks like they are on a sure path to rock and roll glory, but tensions arise in the band when singer Manu and lead guitarist Lucas compete for the attentions of the beautiful Laura. As Manu spirals into addiction the band continues its rise and the elixir of fame lies ever present on the horizon, its presence colouring every facet of the bands’ lives. Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll is not exactly a new theme for a film and ‘Bus Palladium’ bares some striking resemblances to Cameron Crowe’s ‘Almost Famous.’ However, in some ways this tale of doomed dreams is the superior, as it manages to capture what very few music films achieve; the essence of cool. You can’t fake it, it just is, and Bus Palladium has it in spades.
9 27/2/11 8:54:36 PM
alliance francaise french film festival 2011 an introduction: This year’s Alliance Francaise French Film Festival has chosen first encounters, discoveries and clashes as its guiding principles. The selections on offer cover many genres and styles including: ‘Women Behind the Lens’, showcasing the work of up and coming female directors that are enriching the diversity of the culture; ‘All You Need is Love’, for the more romantically inclined; ‘Police & Thieves’ explores the grittier side the Gallic soul and ‘If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It!’ delivers a slice of white-knuckle terror. With several hundred films produced annually, France has a rich film culture and the 2011 festival brings 46 of them to Perth, offering a window into contemporary French life, which would alternatively be available from the shelves of local boutique DVD stores. What sets French film culture apart is attitude. When a producer in Hollywood is looking to green-light a film he or she may ask the director if the characters are likeable, in France they might ask if they are interesting. This key difference within their film culture separates it from much of the cinematic fare that Australian audiences are typically exposed to. There is much on offer to satisfy the connoisseur, however these sometimes challenging, always interesting films, are worth checking out for those new to French cinema. The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival runs from 23rd March – 10th April at Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX. For more info check out www.frenchfilmfestival.org or www.lunapalace.com.au The following are just four of the featured films:
all that glitters All That Glitters is a coming of age buddy movie about Ely and Lila, two best friends who live in Paris, but having dropped out of high school, are stuck in soulless service industry jobs, dreaming of the glamour and excitement that lies at their doorstep. Both seek to escape their boring suburban existence, but what each is willing to do for a life less ordinary tests their friendship to its limits. As they
10 metior.indd 20-21
break into the upper classes, Lila lies and trades on her looks while Ely finds herself being treated like staff by her sophisticated new friends. While this film offers a fascinating glimpse into a Paris most foreigners never see, it’s difficult to care whether or not these characters achieve their goals, as they often (Lila particularly) behave so atrociously. All That Glitters is at times hilarious and occasionally moving, but is difficult to warm to.
23 27/2/11 8:54:37 PM
pop-up s h o p...
photography: Nick Fitzpatrick
22 metior.indd 22-23
Popular store Lick Clothing is moving to the former Moulitatas space at 7 Cantonment Street in May. As a lead up to the relocation and subsequent revamping of the store to include vintage and accessories, the Cantonment Street space is being transformed into a Pop-Up shop for the month of April. When Lick reopens it will not only stock vintage clothes, local designers and popular labels, the space at the back will become an art gallery for emerging and established artists. Well known local identities will be showcasing all things vintage in the ever growing trend that is turning vintage into the new Vogue. So pop in! Pop a balloon! Have some popcorn!! Listen to some pop music! Be sure to be part of the Pop-Up – it’s gonna pop!
11
27/2/11 8:54:38 PM
12 metior.indd 24-25
In October 2002, with many years of retail experience behind her, Shelley Rigney helped the St Vincent de Paul Society open the doors to a small, vibrant store in Northbridge, now affectionately known as Vinnies Retro. To awaiting buyers, the little shop with the eccentric window displays and smiling faces behind the counter seemed like the perfect match to their party themes and 1970’s housewife look needs. Eight years later and Shelley still stands behind every buy at Vinnies Retro, with the help of volunteers and Assistant Manager Kyle Pauletto. “Retail is who I am, the difference with this job, and what drew me to it was the fact that I started it from scratch, I didn’t take it over, it reflects who I am and what retail means to me. “We have so many treasures come through, pieces of clothing from the 1950’s dresses to the latest in designer wear, and the more we sell, the more people we can help through the St Vincent de Paul Society and that is what’s most important.” Shelley says the fun is ‘in the customers’ and that ‘every day
is different, you never know what might be on the racks, it’s always a treasure trove!’ Over the past eight years, Shelley has been witness to the most in demand looks and trends, with customers going that extra bit further to add eccentricity to their look with a retro piece. In today’s consumer society, where buyers are becoming more alert to the tricks of big brands and franchise stores, she notices the want for designer brands at a discounted price, and the effort people are putting in to find the biggest bargain possible. “The reason Vinnies Retro has, for the last eight years, been such a hit in the area is the balance it creates between high end boutiques and vintage stores, providing a refreshing mix of the two, while still giving its profits to charity.” Of his role at Vinnies Retro, Kyle Pauletto explains the balance he brings to a predominantly female environment, adding “I love it because of the look on people’s faces when something totally unique fits and suits them perfectly. I know that sales help to support the work of the St Vincent De Paul
Society and those who need it.” Revenue raised from Vinnies Retro and the other 43 Vinnies Retail Centres around the state go towards assisting the Society’s services such as accommodation options for the disadvantaged, facilities for those with a mental illness, and basic necessities for struggling families such as food and clothing. To volunteer at a Vinnies Retail Centre near you, go to www. vinnies.org.au or phone Katherine on 9475 5491. Vinnies Retro is located at 267B William Street, Northbridge, ph 9228 4877. Words - Sonia Tubb & Kyle Pauletto
21 27/2/11 8:54:40 PM
20 metior.indd 26-27
Ryan Watts completed a diploma in IT last year after spending four years travelling through America, Puerto Rico and Scandinavia while living in Western and Eastern Europe. Ryan has been interested in photography for a while but got his first SLR camera 18 months ago, he has since been shooting surfing and skateboarding but mainly landscape. Late last year Ryan entered a competition, the City of Stirling Photographic Awards, entering an image of the hail storm that hit Perth in March. The shot was taken from Trigg point and won the People’s Choice Award. “I would like to take my photography further but at this stage it will remain as a hobby and something that I like to do for fun. There are so many people out there who want to be pros and it’s a very competitive industry.” To look at more of Ryan Watts’ photos, go to his blog at www.ryanwattsphotos.blogspot.com
13
27/2/11 8:54:41 PM
14
James Ahern is a local men ace. There’s no doubt about it! When not studying Geology and Geochemistry at UWA, he’s at the local skate parks or places where obvious signage says he shouldn’t be, skating under the leniency of his sponsorship with GMTA Skateboards, or on one of his own painted boards. We met up with him for a quick bout of verbal diarrhoea, where he discussed the public perception of skaters, his involvement in local youth arts festivals and living in France. Do you think that there are public grudges and negative perceptions against young people who skate? Yes, definitely. I think the public kind of look at skaters in the same light as graffitists and drug dealers - a ‘menace to society’. It could be to do with the fact that they see some skaters hanging out at spots or parks drinking or smoking or perhaps even making graffiti and think; ‘What a waste of time. These kids should be in school or have jobs or do something productive with their time rather than skating and chilling’. What they don’t
metior.indd 28-29
know is that some of those skaters are probably studying, or they do have jobs and alot of skateboarders don’t graffiti or smoke drugs. The reason people see skaters in the same light as all other frowned upon groups of people is because skaters stick to the street - just like graffiti artists or homeless people. Lots of skateboarders become friends and hang out with these other ‘street rats’ because it is inevitable - we share the same grounds. Skaters try and look for ‘natural’ things to skate - pieces of architecture or a ledge out the front of a business building or a handrail down some stairs at a school; anything in the street. Skate parks are only the training grounds for what lies beyond; anything other than skate parks. Describe the nature of your sponsorship with GMTA Skateboards, such as what it means to you as a skater to be supported in that way, what you think you can do for GMTA as a stakeholder in their business etc? Well the reason I skateboard for GMTA initially is because everybody associated with the company are my friends. Some friends I see more than others but in a whole of GMTA is a big family with family values. As they say Great Minds Think Alike and that is what the company stands for. It is based in Perth and most of my good friends in Perth support GMTA by buying their boards and product and
keeping the company alive. GMTA is a company which is consistently improving the public image of skateboarding, along with the skate coaching and clinics, they have a website which is updated semi-often (laughs), with news and clips and photos of what has been happening in the Australian and mainly Perth skate scene. It is really good to be a part of a company which aids the progression of Australian skateboarding. What involvement have you had with other young skaters in Perth/Fremantle? ie Volunteering, the Norfolk Lanes Festival etc. The GMTA Skateboards ‘ringleader’ Ben Bowering is being really productive and helped out many people associated with GMTA (the team; me and my friends) to become skateboard coaches and legally teach skateboarding to younger groups of people. We have been taking young birthday groups at times, or organising clinics within festivals and things like that. On your recent trip to Europe, did you go skating? If so, was it different in any way/and how? I went to France at the start of May until the end of October in order to meet heaps of people, go skating and learn French. I lived in Toulouse for 2 months and then in Bordeaux for 3 months and it was amazing. The skating is so much different and so are the spots. Skating there is more about
ready for the adventure of a lifetime?
ership, community spirit and environmental awareness.
A voyage onboard the Leeuwin II is one of the last remaining great adventures. Climb the main mast, set the sails, and explore the coast and the Indian Ocean. See marine animals in their natural environment and experience adventure on the high seas as you take the helm and discover new horizons!
what’s the next step?
what you need to know • Leeuwin II is Australia’s largest ocean-going tall ship, a 3-masted barquentine with over 810 square metres of sail and an overall length of 55 metres. • Leeuwin Voyages are a 7 day/6 night adventure. • Leeuwin II is a working ship and participants are expected to get involved in all aspects of ship operations from sailing, hauling lines, steering, navigating, cleaning the ship and climbing the mast. • Most people who come on board have no prior experience with sailing, indeed many have never even been to sea. • Once you’re under sail, you work with your team to make sure the ship operates efficiently. • It usually sails through the day and night, so expect a dog-watch or two along the way. • Activities aboard the ship are designed to encourage teamwork, communication, problem solving, lead-
To help you realize your dream of sailing on the Leeuwin II, Woodside have set up a scholarship program to make the voyage more accessible. Scholarship application forms can be obtained by contacting the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and successful applicants can receive up to $1,000 funding towards the voyage fare. Applications are open to anyone aged 1425 and genuinely interested in participating in a voyage onboard the Leeuwin II.
and after you have completed a voyage? Once you have sailed on a voyage you receive a free 12 month membership to volunteer with the Foundation and the opportunity to give back to the community. You can volunteer on the ship, in the office or workshop in Fremantle or at one of the outports the ship sails into. The Leeuwin program also provides an ongoing association for ex-participants which include training, workshops, social activities and opportunities to crew on day sails. To reserve your spot on the next voyage, get more information or apply for a Woodside scholarship, contact Siri Akre on (08) 9430 4105 or salesandmarketin g@sailleeuwin.com
leeuwin ii voyage
james ahern
19
27/2/11 8:54:42 PM
behind the screens diary of a student filmmaker a few guidelines....
18
If you’re a writer and don’t have children of your own or even a smallish furry domesticated animal to project your procreative instincts upon you come may to regard your words as your babies. You will need to get over it. And fast. Sometimes a favourite scene or a treasured line needs to be sent to the cutting room floor for the sake of expediency. And though it may seem like a cruel exercise in infanticide, as a student filmmaker you are limited for time and resources and if you go over your allotted time limit you will be marked down. Your tutors are not going to sit through a three hour epic, no matter how lovingly crafted, when they have specifically asked for a five minute short. Have a fall-back option. Say hypothetically you are working on a documentary about a collection of vintage... (let’s call them cars). You have spent countless hours travelling, filming and editing until the owner of said collection decides/realises your preliminary results are unprofessional (though what did he really expect?) and removes access to your subject material before crucial aspects of filming is completed. What do you do? Always have a plan-B in place. Actors are vain, insecure, and needy; they have huge egos/
metior.indd 30-31
deep insecurities and are often quite good looking. Though these characteristics may be infuriatingly undesirable in a friend or partner, but if you’re a director they will be the puppets on your strings as they’re also very easy to manipulate. The trick is to alternate between effusive praise and cruelly hacking away at their self esteem which fills them with a confusing mixture of self loathing and furious need to prove themselves, leading critics to praise their “complex and layered” performances. Be persistent and don’t be afraid to put your ideas out there. If you were a film producer and a nerdy young director came to you with an idea for a film about a short, wrinkly 3000 year old alien obsessed with gardening that gets stranded on earth and just wants to go home it would be difficult to see the potential of such a project. But if Steven Spielberg had doubted himself E.T may never have become one of the most beloved movies of all time. Filmmaking is a collaborative process. This means that sometimes you’re going to have to work with people that you are not going to like/have no talent/or are doing a screen unit for fun and don’t really care about the finished product. This is to be expected. The flip
–side to this coin is that you will also meet and work with others with many and varied skills with whom you find you have “creative chemistry”. Nurture these relationships. Take yourself seriously even when no one else does. If you’re as talented as you think you are, they’ll get it eventually. If not, it may be wise to commit the following phrase to memory. “Would you like fries with that?” Words- Clinton Little
having fun, not doing the hardest tricks but skating obstacles which are more challenging to do things on. In Bordeaux I hung out with a group of people who mainly skate during the night. That was the first time I had actually gone skating and filming in the streets at night. How does it feel to be skating with well-known Perth skaters now, having grown up with them as role models? It’s honestly amazing. And it’s so fun as well. There were times when I would be at the skate park with some Fremantle highup-there skaters and be too afraid to try tricks to save being embarrassed in front of them. Sometimes I wouldn’t even go if they were there (laughs). But now, having grown up around them and progressing around them I find it so fun to have heated sessions with these people. Being around people who I looked up to when I was younger has taken my skating to another level. I guess I couldn’t ask for more, being in the position I am in right now, having the opportunities that I have had and working at the skill of skateboarding - every scar and shin bash was worth it! Words - Sonia Tubb contact him on: ahernj01@hotmail.com for Sales. GMTA Skateboards Blog: www.gmtaskateboards.com. au
15 27/2/11 8:54:43 PM
priera russell holier than thou What can one say about Priera Russell and her divine creations? Well, divine would probably be a good place to start. Then probably ‘crochet/knitting powerhouse’ would be a good term to describe her also. A chosen finalist out of 700 entries worldwide, this delicious design (left and below) was selected “for visual impact, originality and creativity, innovation in design, materials and materials and technique in execution”. The piece will be on exhibit as part of the Lace Award at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney among a selection of pieces across a variety of different mediums and disciplines all designed with a focus on ‘openwork structures’. The exhibition opens in July 2011 for those lucky locals and anyone Sydney-bound at that time! Priera Russell’s 1950’s inspired label Skankihoo Designs was established in 2009, her latest collection ‘It’s all make believe, isn’t it?’ is currently stocked in Lick Clothing.
16
photographer: Otilee Lamb makeup: Constance Bowers model: Allegra Keogh fashion: Priera Russell
metior.indd 32-33
17 27/2/11 8:54:44 PM