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2 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 3
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INSIDE FEATURES Remi Something For Kate
feature
Voyager Chris Cheney, Phil Jamieson, Josh Pyke & Tim Rogers Discuss The White Album Tour High On Fire Jeff Lang Thelma Plum Veronica Mars Star Jason Dohring
REVIEWS Album: Jungle Live: The Cairos Arts: Jersey Boys
THE GUIDE Cover: Canyonero Frontlash/Backlash Indie News This Week’s Releases Food/Drink Indy Features Gig Guide
“I’M A RAMBLER, SO TRYING TO CONTAIN THAT AND CONDENSE THAT SHIT AND PICK OUT ALL THE NUGGETS OUT OF THE SHIT IS WHAT THESE GUYS DO.” - HIP HOP YOUNG GUN REMI SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE HELPING HANDS HE CALLED ON FOR HIS DEBUT (P12)
FIND OUT WHO’S DOMINATING LOCAL AIRWAVES AT THE MOMENT WITH THE LATEST RADIO RATINGS. READ OUR FULL REPORT ON THEMUSIC.COM.AU
“THE AIR OF MYSTERY SURROUNDING JUNGLE IS TOO ENTICING TO AVOID, BUT IT’S THE DEPTH AND CREATIVITY FOUND ON THIS RECORD WHICH IS TRULY EXCITING.”
- JUNGLE ARE SHAPING UP TO BE ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL ACTS AT SPLENDOUR. DISCOVER THEIR NEW RECORD (P20)
“TRACKING THE PROGRESSION OF CLINT’S VARIOUS HAIRSTYLES AND FASHION TRENDS, IT’S PRETTY FUNNY, HE REALLY DID KIND OF ADOPT EVERY TREND OF EVERY YEAR THROUGHOUT OUR CAREER!” - PAUL DEMPSEY TALKS TWO DECADES OF SOMETHING FOR KATE (P14)
WANNA KNOW WHAT NEW ALBUMS YOU COULD BE SPENDING YOUR CASH ON THIS WEEK? CHECK OUT OUR RELEASE WRAP-UP. ONLY ON THEMUSIC.COM.AU
arts “THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE GIRLS IN JERSEY BOYS GROW EVEN MORE DIRE, DAMES DEPICTED AS EITHER GROUPIE/SLUTS WAITING TO BE BALLED OR NAGGING BITCHES OUR ROCK HEROES MADE THE MISTAKE OF MARRYING.”
- WE CRITIQUE CLINT EASTWOOD’S TAKE ON JERSEY BOYS AND IT ISN’T PRETTY (P23)
GIVE THE NEW EP FROM AUSSIE TEEN PUNKS LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS A SPIN. EXCLUSIVELY ON THEMUSIC.COM.AU
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JONSON STREET BYRON BAY FRI 11 JULY VERNAS KEEP THE NEW HIGH ANDREW MORRIS SAT 12 JULY YOUNGER DRYAS TROPICAL ZOMBIE THE SILVER DOLLARS FRI 18 JULY ATYPICAL PARTY SAT 19 JULY SLEEPMAKESWAVES SUN 20 JULY DAVE GRANEY THU 24 JULY SPLENDOUR PRE PARTY WITH INTERPOL FUTURE ISLANDS BURAKA SOM SISTEMA, ART VS SCIENCE DJS, DMA’S, FISHING DJS
FRI 8 AUG THE STIFFYS SAT 9 AUG LIKE THIEVES SAT 16 AUG THE DARK HAWKS SAT 30 AUG GOONS OF DOOM SAT 13 SEP THE OWLS SUN 14 SEP JOHN GARCIA
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 5
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EDITOR Steve Bell
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GIG GUIDE EDITOR Justine Lynch gigs@themusic.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS Alice Bopf, Amorina Fitzgerald-Hood, Anthony Carew, Baz McAlister, Ben Marnane, Ben Preece, Benny Doyle, Bradley Armstrong, Brendan Telford, Brie Jorgensen, Carley Hall, Chris Yates, Cyclone, Dan Condon, Daniel Johnson, Dave Drayton, Guy Davis, Helen Stringer, Jake Sun, Jazmine O’Sullivan, Lochlan Watt, Madeleine Laing, Mandy McAlister, Mitch Knox, Paul Mulkearns, Roshan Clerkea, Sam Hobson, Sky Kirkham, Tessa Fox, Tom Hersey, Tony McMahon, Tyler McLoughlan
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THIS WEEK THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK • 9 JULY - 15 JULY 2014
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George Orwell may have written his future treatise 1984 over 60 years ago, but the tale of love amidst perpetual warfare and radical political agendas – and the myriad themes covered therein – still resonate strongly today. Shake & Stir’s production of the much-loved tome has been touring nationally to great acclaim, and a limited QPAC season kicks off on Tuesday 16 Jul and runs until 2 Aug – be converted!
Are you the proud owner of a green thumb? Or don’t have a green thumb and wish you could grow stuff without killing it? Either way you’re gonna dig (pardon the pun) the Queensland Garden Expo, held this Friday through Sunday at Nambour Showgrounds on the Sunshine Coast. Hundreds of exhibitors and nurseries will be featured as well as activities for the whole family – help make Queensland even more beautiful!
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Those whacky funsters David and Shane – or The Umbilical Brothers to their parents (we presume) – return to Brisbane Powerhouse this week with new show KidShow (Not Suitable For Children). Promising violence, drug taking, sexual references and frequent coarse language – that’s four ticks – the show will make you laugh and hopefully offend in the process. Runs from Tuesday 15 Jul – Sunday 27 Jul, prepare to be shocked! BRISBANE
laugh
THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 7
national news news@themusic.com.au KINGSWOOD
EMPERORS
HAPPY RULING
DEMANDING THE TRUTH
In-form Melbourne rock’n’roll dudes Kingswood have delivered fans a double serve of delectability – the simultaneous release of their fresh new single I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me and the announcement of a massive national run of shows, proudly presented by The Music! The tour takes place 21 Aug, Prince Of Wales, Bunbury; 22 Aug, Capitol, Perth; 26 Aug, Newtown Social Club, Sydney; 29 Aug, Howler, Melbourne; 12 Sep, Ric’s Big Backyard, Brisbane; 13 Sep, Originals Music Festival, Noosa; 18 Sep, Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle; 19 Sep, Waves, Wollongong; 20 Sep, Collector Hotel, Sydney; 25 Sep, ANU Bar, Canberra; and 17 Oct, Karova Lounge, Ballarat, with the band’s new record Microscopic Wars out 22 Aug.
COMFORT CALL
Let Megan Washington spice up your life when she brings her brand new collection of ‘80s, new wave influenced pop tunes to the stage, launching her second full-length There There around the country. The intimate tour takes in Corner Hotel, Melbourne, 19 Aug; Fly By Night, Fremantle, 22 Aug; Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 28 Aug; and The Zoo, Brisbane, 30 Aug, providing fans with a rare opportunity to see her up close and on song.
“IGGY AZALEA IS FANCY THE WAY KETCHUP IS FANCY.” WHAT BRAND ARE WE TALKING @KEONOVAK?
TORCHE
BURN FOR YOU
Working on a fourth record with promises of an even heavier future, you can bet your house on Torche destroying when they visit later this year. The sludgy doom created by the Americans is as thick as it comes, and quite frankly, there isn’t a metal act on the planet right now that sounds like the four-piece. The band plays four capital city dates during their visit: 16 Oct, Crowbar, Brisbane; 17 Oct, Rosemount Hotel; 18 Oct, Corner Hotel, Melbourne; and 19 Oct, Oxford Art Factory, Sydney. 8 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
COMMUNITY (ORIGINAL CAST)
COMMUNITY RENEWED
Beloved cult sitcom Community has been renewed for a sixth season, with creator Dan Harmon and the full season five cast all back for the final year at everyone’s favourite terrible community college. The show has been renewed for a 13-episode run; incredibly pleasing news to anyone who felt slightly empty at the teasingly unresolved nature of its fifth season. Community star Joel McHale was brief but colourful on Twitter, thanking Sony, Yahoo, Dan Harmon and “the greatest fucking fans in the history of the human race”.
Another awesome rock binge presented by The Music features Perth alt-rockers Emperors, who are returning to the fore with yet another slice of pop-sensible riff brilliance in the way of new track Shooting From The Bell Tower. The WA favourites lap the country with shows 2 Aug, Grace Darling, Melbourne; 7 Aug, Prince Of Wales, Bunbury; 9 Aug, Amplifier Bar, Perth; 15 Aug, The Waiting Room, Brisbane; and 16 Aug, Brighton Up Bar, Sydney, with classy local supports at each date including the likes of Split Seconds, Tape/Off and Maids. To get the full line-up in your city, download The Music App for your iPhone or Android device.
WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN
Get your black and white threads on and prepare yourself for a night of nostalgic joy when British ska greats The Selecter bring their Too Much Pressure 35th anniversary world tour out to our parts. After a trio of dates in NZ, the skanking crew will kick up their heels and play the iconic record in full for the first and only times ever in Australia. Catch them 14 Oct, Rosemount Hotel, Perth; 16 Oct, The Zoo, Brisbane; 17 Oct, Factory Theatre, Sydney; 18 Oct, The Hi-Fi, Melbourne; and 19 Oct, Caravan Music Club, Melbourne (3pm matinee show).
CAN’T GET HER OUT OF OUR HEAD
Pop princess Kylie Minogue will properly commemorate her return Down Under, taking a break from sharing the small screen with will.i.am and that Madden chap on The Voice to treat local audiences to a run of arena shows next year. Expect ‘Our Kylie’ to work her way through her canon when the Kiss Me Once tour comes to Perth Arena, 14 Mar; Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, 18 Mar; Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney, 20 Mar; and Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 21 Mar. Tickets available Monday.
WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN?
No matter where this tour takes us, you can be sure you’ll hear the hits when tantric love guru Sting and the not-so-sensual-but-still-lovable Paul Simon bring their On Stage Together world tour to our shores next summer. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see two legends on the microphone side by side when the pair play 3 Feb, Brisbane Entertainment Centre; 7 Feb, Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong; 10 Feb, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne; 14 Feb, Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley; 16 Feb, Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney; and 21 Feb, Sir James Mitchell Park, Perth.
BRISBANE’S PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT AND FUNCTION VENUE
JULY FRIDAY 11TH
SOMETHING FOR KATE
SOLD OU T
FRIDAY 18TH
LUKE KELLY SATURDAY19TH
KINA GRANNIS FRIDAY 25TH
ANDREW STRONG AUGUST SATURDAY 2ND
A GREAT BIG WORLD TUESDAY 5TH
HANSON FRIDAY 8TH
ELVIS TO THE MAX SATURDAY 9TH
JAMES REYNE
SOLD OU T
THURSDAY 28TH
PENTATONIX TUESDAY 27TH
THE DANDY WARHOLS
SOLD OU T
SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY 3RD
BOYCE AVENUE THURSDAY 4TH
BIFFY CLYRO JUST ANNOUNCED
ANGUS & JULIA STONE JOE SATRIANI OU T SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS 52 COSTIN STREET FORTITUDE VALLEY OFFICE HOURS 10AM-4PM MON TO FRI PH: (07) : 3852 1711 FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT www.thetivoli.net.au LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 9
local news qld.news@themusic.com.au WILLOW BEATS
BEC LAUGHTON
ADDED BEAUTY
ALL THINGS GOOD
Whether it’s getting signed to Pilerats Records or letting a new single off the chain, there’s plenty to be pumped about for Willow Beats pairing Kalyani Mumtaz and Narayana Johnson. Get dancing when they launch new single Merewif at Black Bear Lodge, 8 Aug.
BITE DOWN HARD
Waxeater is returning to Black Bear Lodge, 18 Jul, featuring another solid bill and a good heart, with the $10 cover charge helping out the crew at 4ZZZ. Support community radio and get sets from Roku Music, Salvadarlings and The Con & The Liar, with doors at 8pm.
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS
Melburnian man-of-the-moment Yeo has announced he will be joining fellow incendiary up-and-comers Peking Duk at The Met, 12 Aug. Watch as the dancefloor lights up.
SAVOUR THE SWEETNESS Set your soul up for a melodic bass meltdown when US visitors Candyland headline 16 Aug, Fampire, Family and 17 Aug, Club Liv, Gold Coast. The Californian pair continue to stamp their own footprint on the burgeoning EDM scene in the States, and after taking their mix of trap, dubstep and house to festivals around the world, they’ve got their explosive live show on lock.
ROOTS DOWN SOUND
After returning from an American odyssey with good mate Xavier Rudd, affable everyman Ash Grunwald has announced that he’ll be hitting the road to share his well-honed skills with Queensland audiences. He plays headline shows at Springwood Hotel 16 Aug, Blue Mountain Hotel, Toowoomba, 17 Aug; Soundlounge, Gold Coast, 12 Sep; and Bramble Bay Bowls Club, 26 Sep, in addition to slots at BIGSOUND and Originals Music Festival.
STREET WALKING
If you can amass more than a billion views on your YouTube channel, clearly you’re doing something right, and social media phenomenon Boyce Avenue want to show us exactly what that is. The brothers Manzano are journeying back our way once more, and will play an all ages show at The Tivoli, 3 Sep. Tickets on sale now.
A SLICE OF OUR HOME
Following the wild acclaim of 2012’s awardwinning Sharkmouth, the first part in what is taking shape as an unofficial “Australiana” trilogy, Russell Morris’ latest record Van Diemen’s Land missed no beats in terms of aesthetically linking the albums, recounting vivid tales of even more vivid people like Breaker Morant and events such as Sandakan and the Eureka Stockade. Listen to his captivating tunes when Morris plays 13 Sep, Kedron Wavell Services Club.
MOUTHING OFF
The vocal theatrics of Texas sensations Pentatonix will be heard in Australia for the very first time next month, with The Tivoli hosting the undeniably unique act – featuring lead and bass vocalists, as well as a sharp beatboxer – on 28 Aug. Tickets for the all ages show can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
“I JUST WANT ALL THE MEN OUT THERE TO KNOW THAT WOMEN DON’T SMILE WHEN THEY PUT ON DEODORANT.” ADVERTISING LYING TO US @ALICIAATOBIN? NOOOO... 10 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
Roots dudes Bonjah have just announced some sweet supports for their Beautiful Wild launch show at The Zoo, 10 Oct, with Bec Laughton and Team Utopia warming the stage up. Bonjah will also have a clutch of local acts helping out at Racecourse Hotel, Ipswich, 11 Oct and Surfers Paradise Beer Garden, Gold Coast, 12 Oct. All dates proudly presented by The Music.
JOSH EARL
EARLY RISER
Recent Spicks And Specks host Josh Earl will be playing songs, sharing stories and telling plenty of funnies when he performs next month in his only Brissie shows of the year. The comedian, TV presenter and self-proclaimed “family man-child” will play a four-night stand at Brisbane Powerhouse, 6 – 9 Aug, with tickets starting at $20+BF through the venue box office.
GET OVERSIZED
Get ready to hear Fishing wherever you go for the next few months, because the exciting Sydney electronic duo are just about to drop their debut album, Shy Glow. The dudes, already fan favourites thanks to some choice SoundCloud content and rave reviews from the likes of triple j, are riding high after selling out some local shows, and will now bring the magic north to The Factory, Maroochydore, 22 Aug and Coniston Lane, 23 Aug.
local news qld.news@themusic.com.au ROLLS BAYCE
MIND OVER MATTER
MAINTAINING THE BRAIN Get into some big beats and deep thoughts when Sydney microphone renegades Mind Over Matter rip up stages along the east coast. Storming into the public consciousness in 2006 with their debut mixtape For Our Hip Hoppers, the pair’s growth is reflected in the assuredness of new album This Way To Elsewhere. Expect them to drop plenty of cuts from that record when they play 29 Aug, Tatts Hotel, Lismore and 30 Aug, Beetle Bar.
THANK BEERS FOR THIS
Rolls Bayce was an idea borne from drunken ramblings, and now, two years later, friends Dean McGrath (ex Hungry Kids Of Hungary), James Wright (ex Millions) and Neal Apel are eager to introduce their new group. Catch their residency at Black Bear Lodge next month, 2, 16 & 30 Aug.
WEST END (RECORD) RIOT GLOBAL MUSIC GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN Expect another full house on Saturday at West End Record Fair with Vinyl Junkie filling Boundary Hotel with new overseas stock, while a host of different vendors will be trading at the Rumpus Room. Pick up some gems and hear your favourite records how the artist intended!
JONATHAN BOULET
HUBBA GUBBA
Jonathan Boulet’s back from a year in Germany, and with his new, third album Gubba out next week he’s celebrating with an east coast run of dates. The release follows the first single, the grimy Hold It Down, but you can hear all the self-produced, garagepunk, fast, heavy, scummy pop tunes yourself when Boulet plays Black Bear Lodge, 28 Aug, with support from Unity Floors.
CAN’T SHAKE THAT FEELING
Set to send tween hearts fluttering once again, Reece Mastin will wrap around Oz on his first large-scale headline tour in almost two years, bringing his Wolf In The Woods tour to the Brisbane Powerhouse, 30 Sep. Promising shows that are “loud, hot and real”, Mastin will be previewing tracks from his forthcoming third long-player Restless.
A joint venture between the Australian Independent Record Labels Association and Carlton Dry, the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant gives emerging Aussie acts the chance to take home $50,000. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard won in 2013 – this year, could it be your band? Applications are now open, with entries closing on 1 Sep – head to the AIR website now.
“FLEETING IMPRESSION: SYDNEY’S BOGANS ARE MORE BOGAN THAN MELBOURNE’S BOGANS, BUT NOT AS BOGAN AS TASMANIA’S BOGANS.” ACCORDING TO TIM RICHARDS [@ AEROHAVENO], THINGS ARE GETTING ROUGH SOUTH OF THE BORDER.
DARKNESS BRINGS LIGHT Hitting the road proper for the first time to get dust flying at Splendour In The Grass, Nicky Night Time will be doing it right during a headline set at Oh Hello!, 19 Jul. His crafty new cut Everybody Together has already been earning spins in Ibiza, and you can be sure to feel that warm energy, even on a cold winter’s night.
GARAGE GOODS
Canadian-born, Sydney-based producer Guerre spent the past year recording in his garage, and now the fruits of his labour are ripe and ready to taste. His new album Ex Nihilo dropped last week, while the man himself will be stopping by Alhambra Lounge, 15 Aug.
A ROYAL EXIT
Irish troupe The High Kings have cancelled their spring tour, with the plan to reschedule the dates for early next year. If you had tickets for any of their Queensland shows, please seek a refund from your point of purchase.
A LEADING MAN TO BE PROUD OF
After winning wide-acclaim following his sold out season at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre, seasoned Aussie theatre performer David Harris will be bringing his Time Is A Traveller show to Brisbane Powerhouse, 9 Aug, tying together music from a career that’s seen him appear in everything from Miss Saigon and Wicked to Legally Blonde and The Full Monty. THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 11
music
BEYOND BEIGE Remi started rapping “as a joke”, but with Sensible J’s help he’s changing the face of Aussie hip hop, writes Cyclone. Cover and feature pics by Kane Hibberd.
M
elbourne MC/singer and triple j hero Remi Kolawole belongs to a surging ‘intelligent’ Australian hip hop movement – but he’s unsure. “I don’t know if I’m intelligent!” Kolawole protests. Regardless, his latest album, Raw X Infinity, heralded by 2013’s party hit Sangria, could usher in a new phase in the music’s history. The exuberant, and funny, Kolawole is seated outside the suitably-named Cheerio café in inner-suburban Richmond with Sensible J ( Justin Smith), one of his two producer cohorts (Daniel “Dutch” Siwes is absent). The pair, both in beanies, are, Kolawole apologises, “dirty smokers”. The little-known Sensible J & Dutch previously masterminded much of N’fa Jones’ comeback, Black + White Noise, and Kolawole praises their bespoke approach to music, the combo no mere beatmakers – even if they do work out of Smith’s spare room. “I’m lucky enough that I don’t
While Kolawole branched off as a solo act, today he still tends to think of ‘Remi’ as “a group” – all the more since, aside from “mentoring” him, Smith and Siwes have been involved with everything he’s done. In 2011 Kolawole & Co uploaded the track Apollo 13 to triple j’s Unearthed website, leading to a long and supportive relationship with the national broadcaster. That same year he aired two EPs, rapping over sampled grooves from musos as implausible as Baths. Kolawole dropped his first album, Regular People Shit, home to the memorable Ape, in 2012. Last year he circulated a mixtape, FYG: Act 1, encompassing Sangria, which found its way onto the US NPR’s 2013 Best Albums list
a message.” Kolawole reasoned that, now he has a profile, he needs to be sharp – and responsible. “Ours is not a large platform, it’s more of like a small diving board that’s probably a metre off the ground, but it’s still a platform.” As such, Raw X Infinity is a conscious hip hop record, with Kolawole bringing the “realness” – he tackles political matters, most pertinently immigration, on Ode To Ignorance, while Nigerian Sunrise and Melbourne Sunset reference his own bi-cultural heritage. Many topics on Raw X Infinity came out of group discussions, says Kolawole – “whether it’s about life, whether it’s about race stuff, [or] whether it’s about when we’re on tour and we see how drugs are affecting the people in each city that we go to, it’s just our experiences.” Smith jokes that Kolawole could hardly credibly attempt “gangsta stuff ”. Above all, Smith and Siwes have helped Kolawole focus as a writer. “I’m a rambler,” he laughs, “so trying to contain that and condense that shit and pick out all the nuggets out of the shit is what these guys do.” However, Raw X Infinity isn’t consistently serious. Kolawole enjoys his “braggadocio bullshit” – as demonstrated by his current single, Tyson, disgraced champion boxer Mike Tyson used as a metaphor. It’s potentially controversial. “It’s weird – we get asked a lot of questions about Tyson,” Kolawole affirms. “I’m trying to be smarter about it now especially, but that is part of the whole hip hop culture – you gotta go out there swinging.” Then there’s the music of Raw X Infinity, which spans alt-rock, IDM and Afrobeat. The opening title-track,
“I LISTENED TO STUFF LIKE TOOL AND HELMET IN MY YOUNGER DAYS.”
have to go anywhere else for production ‘cause it’s a one-stop shop,” Kolawole enthuses over a hot mocha. Kolawole, born in Canberra to a Nigerian father and Australian (actually Tasmanian!) mother, was musical in childhood, but never envisaged himself MCing. “I started playing piano when I was about four years old, but it was very classical, classical-based stuff.” He tried rapping “as a joke”. “One of my homies was like, ‘I bet you can’t rap.’” Kolawole gave it a shot. “Something just happened – I was like, ‘This is awesome.’” He connected with Smith, his family South African migrants, and Siwes through his singer friend Jelena, dating Smith. She was playing their material with Jones, sparking Kolawole’s curiosity. As for Smith and Siwes, they’ve been tight forever, the low-key Smith, a drummer, relates. “I met [Siwes] when he was two days old! My mum was babysitting his older brother while his mum was having him. We were neighbours.” In the late ‘90s the two jammed in bands together, then began cutting beats. Smith briefly went by the moniker ‘J Smith’ but decided it wasn’t distinctive – and so adopted the ‘Sensible’. “I’ve always been a sensible dude and it’s just a silly nickname that I had.” Smith and Siwes conceived the RunForYourLife electronic hip hop soul collective with diva Syreneyiscreamy, Jones and others – and persuaded Kolawole to join. They issued RFYL Vol 1, a de facto album. “Everyone’s just hanging at my house, the House of Beige – if they hear something they like, they jump on it,” says Smith. 12 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
(“that was ridiculous!”). Moreover, Kolawole was named triple j’s Unearthed Artist of 2013. “We are completely mindblown as to why this has happened,” he admits. Raw X Infinity represents a huge progression from Regular People…, Kolawole believes, because, at the time of his debut, he’d only MCed for a year or so. “I first started doing rapping just ‘cause I liked flow,” he explains. Indeed, that’s what his favourite MCs, like The Roots’ Black Thought, do. “Most of them, they’re not saying anything that’s that important – it’s just the rhythms and the patterns, and they’re more of an instrument than a lyricist.” But he’s developed into an allrounder. “I’ve got more of
Kolawole says, “pays homage” to those Roots joints that feature Black Thought flowing over drums and bass. “We love that rawness in hip hop.” Smith recorded the drums on an iPhone. Kolawole was happy for Smith and Siwes to draw on their eclectic influences, ranging from Fela Kuti to J Dilla to Radiohead. “I listened to stuff like Tool and Helmet in my younger days,” Smith notes of the album’s ‘rockier’ moments. “I’m trying to get that energy across in hip hop without putting [in] too many distorted rock guitars.” In the interim, Smith, along with his partners, has expanded his House of Beige (HOB) studio into a label; Raw X Infinity is its inaugural release. The name is ironic. “The walls in my house are beige – I’m beige,” he laughs. Australian hip hop has become more culturally diverse with acts like Diafrix. But, together with Jones and Citizen Kay, Kolawole is seen as repping a fresh avantgarde – the antithesis of the old barbecue rap (or ‘skip hop’). Yet the HOB fold, following their instincts, aren’t concerned with factional politics, Smith insisting that they “live in a bit of a bubble.” (Incidentally, his top Australian record, hip hop or otherwise, is The Avalanches’ Since I Left You.) Kolawole concurs. “When we first started out, we weren’t trying to fit in anywhere – ‘cause we know that we don’t sound like American hip hop and we know that we don’t sound like ‘classic Australian hip hop’.” He professes to be (blissfully) ignorant of Australia’s wider hip hop scene. “Every time someone asks us about Aussie hip hop, we don’t know shit about Aussie hip hop! I don’t
QUIFF HOP
Quiffs have been a thing in pop culture for a spell – becoming a signature look for La Roux’ Elly Jackson and Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. In urban circles, Janelle Monáe and Miguel have both quiffed-up. Now Remi Kolawole is repping for the MCs in his press shots. “My hair happened because my mum jacked it up and cut my hair into a perfect square,” Kolawole says of his ‘fro. “My little brother at the time had a very similar haircut to what I have now. I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just gonna do that!’” Hip hop fashion has long been depressingly uniform – for dudes, anyway – in the US and here. Nevertheless, Bad Boy’s Puff Daddy and Ma$e challenged that in the ‘90s with their ‘shiny suits’. The Notorious BIG’s protégé Cam’ron caused a sensation by ‘reclaiming’ the colour pink – so not traditionally macho-rap. OutKast’s André 3000 went further again with his eccentric attire, even citing Prince Charles as his style icon. Stylish as he is, Kolawole claims not to be a hip hop hipster. “I just wear what I like,” he says. “I’m not going out there and making a conscious effort to be like, Yo, I’m gonna wear this, this time.” Besides, he’s about the music. personally. I’ve learnt more performing on the road and meeting these guys out there – and they’ve all been pretty cool to me. So I guess doing what we’re doing has just been the best way to attack it and not worry about that shit.” At any rate, barbecue rap may be defunct – Bliss N Eso’s last outing was the expansive Circus In The Sky. “I think everything evolves,” Kolawole reflects. Smith adds, “There’s different sub-genres popping up now, which is cool – that’s why we’ve got a little chance.” Curiously, RunForYourLife received a Hilltop Hoods’ Initiative grant. Latterly Australia’s urban underground has also given rise to producers-for-hire, such as M-Phazes. And the HOB posse are up for liaising with outsiders. Smith and Siwes are producing an album for Koolism’s MC Hau. And they’ve remixed soulstress Hailey Cramer’s Liquid Confidence. The team are open to working with a pop identity – as long as it’s a proper collaboration. Quips Kolawole, “I would love to hear that, ‘cause these guys don’t know how to make pop shit!” But they have other limitations – cheesy rappers are banned from HOB. “I think we’d stop at a Pitbull,” Kolawole chuckles. Meanwhile, Smith has a niche solo project in the pipeline – though it’s Kolawole who mentions it. “That stuff is so weird, in the best way, to me.” The trio have already commenced Remi’s next album, with three songs in the can. “We get too bored,” Kolawole says. They hope they can soon quit their day jobs to concentrate on laying down yet more music.
Kolawole, who’s opened for the US rappers Danny Brown and Joey Bada$$, surviving their difficult audiences, is preparing to tour nationally behind Raw X Infinity with carefully curated supports – and he’s visiting regional cities. “I’m super-excited to get out to new people ‘cause it’s always fun just to go somewhere else – that’s the best part of our jobs, that it is compulsory for us to get around Australia, get on a plane and rack up Velocity points.” He’ll appear at Splendour In The Grass, too. This trek Smith, Kolawole’s occasional DJ,
will play drums – and, having practised, provide backing vocals – with Siwes on Ableton and sampler. (“He’s also a mean tambourine player,” Kolawole teases.) And Kolawole will sing – “a bit”. Incredibly, plans are afoot for the Remi band to hit Europe at year’s end – Kolawole, increasingly hyped by international bloggers, has had “industry interest” from, of all places, Germany. It’s an even greater achievement considering the posse only secured management a few months ago. “It’s just been us sitting in the room,” says Smith, “plotting away.”
Image is political in particularly US hip hop. Danny Brown’s skinny jeans were met with consternation – to Kolawole’s bemusement. “I’ve heard Mobb Deep rap about how they reckon skinny jeans are just a bit suspect and all that shit – who gives a fuck?” he asks jovially. “Kanye [West] wears teacosy masks on his face and it looks dope, so just let him do him.” Kolawole himself once wore so “wild” ripped skinny jeans, boots and a scarf when doing a straight-up hip hop gig at Melbourne’s Espy. “Nobody cared!” he laughs.
WHEN & WHERE: 17 Jul, Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast; 18 Jul, Bowler Bar; 19 Jul, The Brewery, Byron Bay; 25 Jul, Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 13
music
SOMETHING FOR THE AGES On the eve of their 20th anniversary tour, Something For Kate frontman Paul Dempsey talks to Hannah Story about the elusive ‘Kate’ and not being able to change the sound of his voice, sorry critics.
“W
e’ve just been incredibly lucky and incredibly fortunate and we don’t take any of it for granted.” That pretty much sums up the perspective of Paul Dempsey, singer-songwriter for Something For Kate, when asked to reflect on the success of the band he formed back in 1994. He admits that he never expected the band would take off the way it did; their grand vision was simply to play a gig, and it expanded from there, to the dream of recording a 7”, and, after being offered a record deal, making an album. “I was never interested in making pop music or trying to make hit songs. I knew that was never going to happen and I also knew therefore that by choosing to play not-pop, not-mainstream music that I was making it hard for myself and that it would probably never turn into a career if I wanted to play the music that I loved.”
art book Paper Trail containing a collection of candid behind-thescenes images will be made available. Then following each show the band will be signing merch and chatting to fans. “Tracking the progression of Clint’s various hairstyles and fashion trends, it’s pretty funny, he really did kind of adopt every trend of every year throughout our career! It’s an
just seems like the natural thing to go along with the fact that you were like bashing a guitar through 10,000W of PA and just making this unholy racket. Over time we grew into adults and our taste in music changed and our appreciation for songwriting changed and things started to get a little bit more sophisticated and a little bit more crafted… We are all in our late 30s so we’re very different people, which is to be expected. It’s sort of frustrating though because there are always people who are still going to judge you based on the music you made when you were 18 years old and that’s sort of unfair.” But Dempsey doesn’t pay attention to the criticism. “We’ve always copped the criticism that we’re ‘miserable’ or that there’s something sort of ‘negative’ about our music. I get a lot of criticism about the sound of my voice and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about that. I guess ultimately I don’t really worry about it because you can’t please everybody and I’m well aware there’s going to be some people who like us and some people who don’t like us and that’s just life.” And though it’s been asked a million times before, but who is Kate? Dempsey is on the record saying Kate was the name of his dog, but he admits that’s not true. “We didn’t have a name at all and we got our first gig and the guy who booked the gig at the pub called us up and said, ‘Oh I need to know the name of the band now because we’re putting an ad in street press and we need to know what you’re calling yourselves.’ We didn’t
“I FEEL LIKE THE PERSON WHO MADE THOSE EARLY RECORDS AND EPS AND STUFF WAS LIKE A KID.” But it did turn into a career, and over the course of that career, the group, rounded out by bassist Stephanie Ashworth and drummer Clint Hyndman, have sold over half a million albums with little fanfare or controversy. “It doesn’t feel like 20 years. I feel like the person who made those early records and EPs and stuff was like a kid. I obviously don’t feel like that person anymore. We’ve all changed a lot over the course of 20 years, but we’ve just kept our heads down and been working hard the whole time, writing records or recording them or being out on tour… It’s just odd when you sort of step off the carousel for a second and you realise you’ve been going for that long.” To mark the occasion, Something For Kate will be heading off on a national tour in July, playing two sets each night, sets that will include B-sides and rarities. On top of that they’ll be releasing deluxe CD reissues and vinyl pressings of all their albums; a short film by Callum Preston will be screened at the start of each show detailing the band’s rich history; and a photograph/ 14 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
unusual situation to be in, not many people have to have 20 years of their life documented in public but it’s funny, I don’t have any regrets. You do obviously grow and you change and culture changes and you sort of change with it to some degree. “When we started out it was very angsty, very angry music, very abrasive, and I didn’t know what else to write about except kind of, for want of a better word, expressing frustration because that
really have a name and I was living in a sharehouse at the time and I just looked down at the kitchen bench and there was a post-it note that said ‘Something for Kate’ on it and so I just blurted out, ‘Something for Kate’ and to this day I still don’t know who wrote that post-it note or who the Kate in question even was. I didn’t think it would stick. I didn’t think we would stay called Something For Kate but we did that first gig and it went really well and someone immediately offered us another gig the next week and then we got a gig the week after that and before we knew it we were just playing all these gigs around town and we were called Something For Kate… It stuck but I’ve never liked it. I think it’s an incredibly stupid band name.” WHAT: Paper Trail (Independent) and album reissues (EMI & Sony) WHEN & WHERE: 11 Jul, The Tivoli
THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 15
music
POSITIVELY PROG For their fifth album Perth band Voyager took a great leap into the unknown, pushing their sound and headspace in a whole new direction. Frontman Danny Estrin speaks with Lochlan Watt. “It is V – it’s V for Voyager, it’s five, and it’s our fifth album. Some people might think it’s a bit cheesy to have a fifth album called V, but I think it works well.” Estrin is clearly buzzed about his band. Fifteen years since their formation, the founding vocalist and keyboardist is the band’s sole original member, yet his excitement feels genuine. After all, the band’s latest album is making waves for them like never before the world over with its bold, fresh take on their already rich sound. “It’s a lot more rhythmic, it’s a lot more groovy,” he says of their progression. “I think if you compare it to our first album that was very much the power metal direction, now we’re very much moving towards progressive metal – that new, modern sound – we are playing around with a few more grooves and things, but still maintaining those catchy choruses, and those trademark melodies we’re known for.” Dare I say the word ‘djent’? “Oh, you’ve used that word! A lot of people, especially on our YouTube channel have been arguing about whether to use the word ‘djent’ or not. I think djent’s a strange term, but I think there’s definitely some djenty elements. One of the reviews, I think it was a UK magazine, said that we were ‘flirting with djent’, and I’m happy to keep it at that.” The response from both fans and the media has quite visibly been “overwhelmingly positive”. Yet are there any old-school fans out there that might be a bit sour about the band ‘flirting with djent’? “I don’t know, maybe? There’s maybe been one or two that said ‘I don’t know, it’s not the same Voyager I’m used to.’ I think the main thing about the band has always been melody, has always been catchiness, and those are two things we haven’t compromised on, so I don’t think anyone has the right to complain that we’ve changed too much.” The band’s previous album, The Meaning of I, lyrically “was pretty introspective, dealing with a lot of self-exploratory wankery”. While the band still deals with issues of anxiety and depression on some tracks, there’s now a generally more positive and wonderful spin on things.
16 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
“I think a lot of Voyager’s lyrics, especially now, are a little bit more positive; maybe that’s the frame of mind that I’m certainly in. A lot of it is about looking at the world with a sense of wonder, trying to understand what it’s all about, and why we do things, why we get together with friends in
“It was a pretty daring move to do it. It was one of those things that could go either way. If you’ve got the fan base to do it, it’s definitely a way to move forward. It just shows that especially for bands that have a proven track record, with maybe a couple of albums of delivering high-quality music, that risk is removed and people are quite happy to give money for it. I see a lot more bands doing it. It’s definitely a very welcome shift in the music industry I think.” Regardless, Bird’s Robe Records came to the table to provide retail distribution. “There is definitely a place for record labels somewhere in the industry – I
“A LOT OF IT IS ABOUT LOOKING AT THE WORLD WITH A SENSE OF WONDER.” the middle of the night and get up to watch a game of people hitting a ball from one side to the other in Brazil. Why do we do that?” With a target set at $10,000, the band decided to step away from a typical record deal and self-release the album. In the end they raised $18,874 through Kickstarter through album pre-orders, limited merch and special gimmicks. Their I Am Voyager campaign was a success in every sense.
just don’t know the extent that they should be getting involved in independent bands. I think we’ve found a pretty good model in doing a lot of it ourselves, and outsourcing a lot of the promo and a lot of the distro stuff as well. But it is a lot of hard work, let me tell you. I now actually understand what record labels do. I understand for record labels that putting a lot of money into a new album is a big risk. It’s a risk that they don’t necessarily want to take, because they don’t know if they can make that back. If we invest it directly, the sky’s the limit as to how far we want to push it. Any money we do get, we’ll invest it back in the band, which will lead us to a place where we can make music sustainably, which I think is every musician’s dream these days.” WHAT: V (Bird’s Robe) WHEN & WHERE: 10 Jul, Vaudeville Room; 11 Jul, The Brightside
BACK IN WHITE
music
We get Josh Pyke, Chris Cheney, Tim Rogers and Phil Jamieson to tell us about the return of the White Album tour.
JOSH PYKE
Which track on the White Album do you think you could listen to indef initely and why? I think Revolution Number 9 has enough crazy sounds in there to occupy the mind for eternity. It might be an uncomfortable experience, but it wouldn’t get boring. Choose one: John, Paul, George or Ringo. Why? I read once that when Paul was asked “What is it like being the best songwriter in the world?” he replied, “I don’t know, ask Neil Finn.” That’s a nice thing to say... I’ve also read he’s a ruthless business man, and was frustratingly perfectionist. He was also the “cute” one. So I dunno, I think on balance there’s
enough going on there that even without the amazing songs he wrote to make him my favourite. Finish this sentence: We’re bigger than… The Big Merino in Goulburn. What’s something special you’ll be singing on the night? Playing Blackbird is pretty special for me... An honour, also quite scary. The 50th anniversary of The Beatles visiting Australia is currently being celebrated: do you think your music will be remembered in 50 years? I can almost guarantee that at least two people will. But beyond that I have no idea!
CHRIS CHENEY
Which track on the White Album do you think you could listen to indef initely and why? Goodnight. Because it makes me smile but I feel sad when I hear it. Not many songs can do that. Choose one: John, Paul, George or Ringo. Why? George. He was effortlessly cool. What pressure to compete with John and Paul’s songs but he absolutely stepped up to the plate.
What’s something special you’ll be singing on the night? Glass Onion. How kooky was John Lennon? The guy was nuts. The 50th anniversary of The Beatles visiting Australia is currently being celebrated: do you think your music will be remembered in 50 years? Perhaps by a select few!
Finish this sentence: We’re bigger than… The hangover that I suffered after the final show of the White Album tour five years ago?
PHIL JAMIESON
TIM ROGERS
with Ringo. Why? It seems the right thing to do.
Which track on the White Album do you think you could listen to indef initely and why? Tricky question this one. I am unsure if I could actually could pick one song to listen to indefinitely unfortunately. If I am allowed to pick five? Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Honey Pie, Piggies, Blackbird, I’m So Tired… not necessarily in this particular order. The thing I love about the White Album is its variety, so choosing just one song takes away the magic somewhat for me. Choose one: John, Paul, George or Ringo. Why? There is a lot of choosing one thing in this questionnaire? I’ll go
Finish this sentence: We’re bigger than… The dining table. Well, my dining table that is. If you combined us all… the four of us? Tim, Chris, Josh and I? Or the whole touring band??? The touring band is probably bigger than a bus. Perhaps not as tall. It kind of depends. Are you stacking us on top of each other? What’s something special you’ll be singing on the night? Don’t Pass Me By. It was written by Ringo. It went to #1 in Denmark so it’s probably more special for the Danes but it’s an oddity on the White Album and that’s why I think it’s special. The 50th anniversary of The Beatles visiting Australia is currently being celebrated: do you think your music will be remembered in 50 years? If DCx3 isn’t being covered in 100 years I’ll eat my hat.
Which track on the White Album do you think you could listen to indef initely and why? Savoy Truffle. Was my favourite as a kid and I never knew why. And I still don’t. Lick the mystery. Choose one: John, Paul, George or Ringo. Why? Stuart Sutcliffe. For his cheekbones and early quiff. Finish this sentence: We’re bigger than… The illicit dreams in your noggin.
What’s something special you’ll be singing on the night? Serenading Philip to sleep each night. The 50th anniversary of The Beatles visiting Australia is currently being celebrated: do you think your music will be remembered in 50 years? I’d prefer to be remembered for my “unique” looks.
WHEN & WHERE: 13 Jul, QPAC THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 17
music
SMOKE ‘EM IF YA GOT ‘EM
himself into rehab for drinking and get himself healthy… So that put us back as far as touring the last record, which then put us back in terms of when we could really focus on writing this next one. But now we’re there, we’re healthy and looking to challenge ourselves. Just build off of the last record.”
Before stoner metal champions High On Fire hunker down to write a new record, they’re swinging back to Australia. Drummer Des Kensel brings Tom Hersey up to speed.
“B
asically what we’re doing is we now kind of have two rehearsal studios in two different cities,” High On Fire drummer Des Kensel begins. “I currently live in New Orleans and Matt and Jeff still live in Oakland so now what we’re doing is taking turns going back and forth… It’s working out really good; the cities aren’t close to one another so when I’m there in California we really take advantage of our time and when Matt and Jeff come out here it’s the same thing. So we’re hoping to have the material done by
around November, and then go into the studio and have something out early next year.” Kensel sounds excited to talk about the new and seventh record. And with good reason; the band’s 2012 record, De Vermis Mysteriis, was their best yet – a hulking slab of epic stoner doom and kick-arse power trio rock’n’roll – but not everything went to plan. “Unfortunately a month or two after the record was released we had this big tour in the States lined up but we decided that it was more important for Matt to check
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While High On Fire are gearing up for a new album and wrapping up the De Vermis Mysteriis touring cycle, frontman Matt Pike is also releasing new material with seminal pre-High On Fire trio, Sleep. So it has to be asked: how has High On Fire juggled having a frontman spending time with the increasingly active Sleep? “It’s been fine to manage with Matt playing in both bands. Sleep is actively doing shows, but it’s not like they’re doing huge tours. Everyone in Sleep has their other bands as well as Sleep, so nobody’s pushing for it to be a full-time thing. Al has Om, Jason has Neurosis and Sleep hasn’t gotten in the way of High On Fire. Matt’s never been like, ‘Hey guys, I’m basically busy with Sleep for the next six months.’ It’s more like, ‘Hey, we’ve got five shows coming up,’ which is fine, because as long as we get enough notice, it’s nice to get a break every now and again.” The first Sleep material since Dopesmoker will coincide with High On Fire’s Australian tour, the band releasing a song as part of the 2014 Adult Swim singles program. Kensel has heard the track and said it “sounds like Sleep – same tempo, same key. Very heavy and cool.” Kensel reckons the next year is going to be a busy time for both High On Fire and Sleep. But he isn’t fazed; he knows that both bands will be able to deliver killer stuff. Which means it’s a good time to be alive for stoner metal fans. WHEN & WHERE: 16 & 17 Jul, Crowbar
SONGS FROM THE MARGIN With shows in Glasgow, London and Cannes followed by an 11-date tour of France taking up much of the first half of 2014 for Jeff Lang, Michael Smith caught up with him ahead of his Australian tour. eff Lang’s 15th album, I Live In My Head A Lot These Days, is quite the curious collection of songs, at least lyrically, what with the opening cut, Watch Me Go, featuring a mugging, and closing track, The Promise Of New Year’s Eve, a gentlemanly bit of break-and-enter.
J
“My basic latent criminality’s the link – well spotted!” Lang chuckles before explaining how this batch of songs came together. “It was the usual accumulation process of songs written over the past two years. I just wait for a song to come to me. A song like Standing On The Shore is a good example. I actually wrote that song as scribblings in the margins of another song that I was sort of consciously trying to write from a particular point of view as an exercise. Halfway through I kind of knew it wasn’t working – those things rarely do for me – but in the process I’d had these seemingly random things come to me that I’d scribbled in the margins and I looked at them and realised that song was actually good. That’s the way it works best; things just subconsciously come through and I’ll sing it and hear it and go, ‘Wow, okay, cool. So that’s what that’s about,’ like a listener, as opposed to getting out your tool kit and hammering out songs. 18 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
“Petra Goes To The Movies – I just saw that line in a magazine article – it just sort of jumped out as kind of a cool line, and then I went out to the kitchen and just scribbled down a bunch of verses, picked up a guitar and that riff sort of fell out as I was reading the verses, ‘cause they had a rhythm to ‘em. I played it to Allison, my wife, and she said, ‘Where’d that come from?’ ‘I dunno!’ That one needed a little craftsmanship, had to pull out the hammer and the saw and kind of make a patio for it, ‘cause it needed a middle section.”
While the overseas touring has essentially been solo, Lang put in a performance in Glasgow with his latest side project, Maru Tarang, featuring Sydney-based tabla master Bobby Singh along with north Indian musicians Asin Langa and Bhungar Manganivar. “And the good thing about that? No shortage of curry! I was in Glasgow for six days and I must have had ten curries – great!” he laughs. “Seriously though, those guys are tremndous. There’s actually a record in the can that’ll probably come out early next year.” WHAT: I Live In My Head A Lot These Days (ABC/Universal) WHEN & WHERE: 12 Jul, Brisbane Powerhouse
RELEASE THE BEAST Brisbane-bred chanteuse Thelma Plum chats to Jazmine O’Sullivan about stalking M-Phazes while making her latest EP Monsters.
T
helma Plum has come a long way since she released her first single Father Said back in 2012 at the incredibly young age of 17. That same year she won triple j’s unearthed competition which allowed her to perform at the National Indigenous Music Awards, before releasing her hugely successful debut EP Rosie, and subsequently sharing stages with both local and international superstars. With the release of her second EP Monsters now upon us, it becomes all the more evident just how much she has grown as an artist since those early stages – her humble
guitar is swapped for a more complex, modern and mature soundscape, which manages to showcase her serene vocals and songwriting prowess to a greater degree. Helping her out with the beautiful backing beats found on the EP is legendary Australian producer M-Phazes, a pairing which came about as Plum reveals, “I have always loved [M-Phazes], everything he touches is amazing. I’d been listening to Illy’s album and I remember listening to the backing of his tracks and thinking, ‘Wow this is incredible,’ like all the noises when you take away the vocals and strip it
back, so I pretty much stalked him” she laughs. “I was at an album playing in Brisbane and I kind of stalked my way backstage and I said to Illy, ‘Please let me meet Phazes,’ and then I just hung around until he met me!”
music
Exploring a new avenue of style and composition in her music was of course exciting, but as Plum admits also daunting at times, making the help of M-Phazes all the more valuable. “I suppose I just wanted to do things bigger and better this time around, but I’ve just never really known how to do stuff like that. I’ve only ever made music with just me and my guitar, so it was really good to be able to find somebody who could help me do that. This EP is a big change for me, but hopefully a good change.” The EP also sees the teenager delving into slightly darker territories, aptly surmised by the work’s title, to which Plum explains, “The songs are about not the happiest of times, they were all written at a time when something not so great was going on, and they all kind of fit together because of that. I actually feel like this EP is my monster.” New sounds and styles coming from the studio mean Plum is now able to explore new territory with her live show, introducing a bigger and bolder sound to her gigs along the east coast. “Yeah, I’ve got a cool band joining me now which I’m pretty excited about because I’ve never played with a band before! I’m also a little bit nervous because I guess people who have come to my shows before have only ever seen me on stage with just a guitar, but yeah it’s a full band now and we’ve tried to make the whole set sound a bit more like the new EP, so I guess the live show will be a little bit more dancey than it used to be.” WHAT: Monsters (Warner) WHEN & WHERE: 10 Jul, Old Museum
TIP OF THE ICEBERG
film
There may be hope for the future of Veronica Mars, as star Jason Dohring reveals details of a confirmed spin-off and the possibility of the show’s return to Daniel Cribb.
I
t’s been seven years since we saw Jason Dohring riding waves on Neptune Beach as Logan Echolls on Season Three of Veronica Mars. When the show was cancelled in 2007, fans were left in limbo, until creator Rob Thomas launched a Kickstarter campaign last year that made crowdfunding history. Seven years later fans still had a burning passion for the show, raising $5,702,153, and thrusting the characters of the cult hit back into the spotlight. A swarm of Marshmallows (yep, that’s the name given to Veronica Mars fans) will no doubt venture to Oz ComicCon to chat about the film, and other works Dohring has been involved with in recent years. For Dohring, it’s the perfect opportunity to give something back. “I snuck into a theatre, just to see what people thought of it and you know, the credits went dark after everything and somebody shouted out, ‘We did it!’, and everybody started cheering, and I was like, ‘Dude, that is so cool. What a unique experience’… One person saw me and then it was just a disaster; I was there for an hour-and-a-half just taking pictures,” he laughs. Fans were teased with a Season Four trailer in 2007 that never eventuated to anything, and while many had lost hope for a revival, it seems that Thomas may have always known something else would arise. “I think with a few episodes to go, the network went up to Rob and said, ‘We’re not really sure if you’ll be coming back, so if you want to maybe wrap things up
you should maybe do that,’ and he did the exact opposite in true Rob fashion and just left everything totally open, which turned out to be one of the biggest selling points in getting more of this story told.” If you thought the Veronica Mars film signalled everything was over, think again; Thomas planted loose ends to potentially revisit in the future. “He left a couple of loose ends; he didn’t tie it all up like real nice… You know, [the characters] talk about ‘This is just the tip of the iceberg’, in regards to how corrupt the police force is, and I think after that sheriff went down, then maybe it opens the door for Keith [Mars] to take the position and possibly uncover corruption.”
If that wasn’t enough, it’s been confirmed that Ryan Hansen – who plays Dick Casablancas on the show – has been given his own spin-off, Play It Again, Dick. The spin-off will feature Hansen playing himself trying to get the character of Casablancas his own show. Although not much else has been announced yet, Dohring reveals he and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) have been approached to appear and are keen. “I hope I get to be a part of it and I love Ryan and love working with him as well, he’s just such a super guy… They contacted me several weeks ago and we’ll just see what happens... I think we’re all just waiting to get done with the projects we’re on.” WHAT: Veronica Mars (Warner Bros) In stores now THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 19
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
★★★★
album reviews
JUNGLE
PENNYWISE
XL/Remote Control
Epitaph/Warner
From the opening vocal sample and police sirens that swirl in the background of The Heat, you find yourself thrown onto the streets by Jungle. And the sounds are authentic – field recordings of London life pressed to wax – so it’s hard to deny the inner city energy that rises within these songs, much like steam through a manhole cover.
Just because a song has been written, does that mean it should be recorded and released? Should we be getting nostalgic and looking in the rear-view when there’s so much promise out on the horizon? You can ponder both these musings when listening to Yesterdays, Pennywise’s ‘new’ album of old jams, some re-recorded, some cut to wax for the first time, all done in the factory district of their Hermosa Beach hometown.
Jungle
J ( Josh Lloyd-Watson) and T (Tom McFarland), the British co-conspirators that have created Jungle, have given us a debut album that plays out like a soundtrack for a ‘70s blaxploitation film. The highend male/female harmonies, the dramatic keys and guitars, the flick bass that seems to react to the brass surrounding it – it all works together so fluidly to create these empowering, emotional jams. But it’s the found sounds that really make you want to dive into this full-length: the chimes blowing in the wind during Platoon; water and birds swirling
Yesterdays
and swelling within Lucky I Got What I Want; what sounds like spoons hitting bottles on Julia. And as for the more traditional percussive elements buried into the tracks – you’ll be digging for ages just to discover them all. The air of mystery surrounding Jungle is too enticing to avoid, but it’s the depth and creativity found on this record which is truly exciting. It’s a brand new album that feels like it’s been lived in a lifetime; smooth tunes demanding smooth moves, deserving of the finest cognac, hundreds of burning candles and your most stylish Saturday night threads. Benny Doyle
Because of the history in these tracks – embryonic material dusted off from the archives, with some songs even written by deceased bass player Jason Thirsk – you want to root for them. But sadly, if you’ve been with the band for a quarter-century, then you, like Pennywise, have grown beyond these sounds, and considering their last two fulllength albums (2008’s Reason To Believe and 2012’s All Or Nothing) were genuine triumphs, you can’t help but crave something more.
ANDY BULL
SHEPPARD
Universal
Chugg Music/MGM
Andy Bull has written a second record full of beautifully dark retro-synth record just dripping with distressed ‘80s loops and eerie floating vocals. Taking great pains to sound like the soundtrack to your high school reunion, Sea Of Approval is a slow-motion explosion of warbling overdubs and a bass line so thick you could use it to build houses. Bull drags his songs out into deconstructed pop elements, breaking apart expectations built up by his earlier hit singles Baby I Am Nobody Now and Keep On Running (both which feature on the record) to form dreamy understated soundscapes.
By the time Brisbane’s Sheppard – a six-piece in which three members are siblings – release their debut album, it’s already spawned a smash hit.
Sea Of Approval
Those singles really make or break Sea Of Approval, depending on your perspective. While there is no denying the sheer force of the tracks, they are of such a different calibre as to be jarring, and going from one to the 20 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
★★½ Yesterdays just never seems to get out of second gear. Byron McMackin is a ridiculous talent behind the kit; with these rhythms he seems on autopilot. Jim Lindberg, meanwhile – steering away from political leaning topics – brings attitude but leaves the aggression at home. Fletcher Dragge’s guitar playing is about the only real highlight here, with his speedy fretwork saving Violence Never Ending, Thanksgiving and She’s A Winner, but it’s not enough to get this album over the line. The fact that we’ve been waiting for a new Pennywise album proper since Lindberg’s 2012 return only adds to the anticlimactic feeling further. Benny Doyle
Bombs Away
★★★ other tears apart any flow or vibe. At the same time, they stand out because they are just so good, and so we’re left with eight other tracks that aren’t up to par. Those eight tracks don’t fade into the background though, and there is something oddly contagious about Bull’s nostalgic overtures jumped up with jazz, pop and R&B influences. Nothing Is Wrong is a strong showing of the slow-burn energy that Bull is capable off, while Loved Like You and The Hill run with eclectic sandbox synth style and edgy modern melodies. Bailey Lions
The success of Bombs Away’s opener Geronimo came as a surprise to everyone but those who are working with the band, and those pop sensibilities are all over this record. Putting aside tracks like Geronimo and Let Me Down Easy, which have become live favourites in the past 18 months, there’s plenty here yet to be discovered. The record’s production is as polished as their press shots, but this is indie-pop that’s fresh and not at all contrived. The most surprising thing to come from initial listens is that Sheppard’s best is not always the over-the-top pop bombast; the weary narrative of These People and the groove of This Electric Feeling are as sturdy as anything else here.
★★★ At times Bombs Away does fall into the pop trap of trying to tick too many boxes though, the prominent expletives that drive Find Someone’s chorus (“So now I’ll find someone, who really gives a fuck about me”) feel at odds with nearly everything else and Lingering is forgettable for treading safe passages. But even if the band does endure weaker moments in the second half, closer Halfway To Hell is one of their strongest. The track’s urgent pulse and visceral angst is tied together by the melodic chops the band’s already convinced us they have, but it flaunts layers and a songwriting nous that isn’t always as well presented as it is here. Scott Fitzsimons
albums/singles/eps
★★★½
★★★
★★★
CIGGIE WITCH
EXAMPLE
RISE AGAINST
Hammered
Osborne Again Music
Sony
Interscope/Universal
Rice Is Nice
Ciggie Witch hit all the hallmarks of ultra-personal inner city Melbourne living with chagrin, cheek and cheer. It opens with Zac Denton’s predictable summer jangle about languid Melbourne living, Long Weekend, before we get the more baritone vocals of Mitch Clemens on Broken Nose – and it makes sense. It’s this counterpoint of voice, tone and worldview that works on disparities like The Internet or Day Dreaming. Like Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, Ciggie Witch is all about specific stories of the mundane, lackadaisical kind, and Rock And Roll Juice doesn’t disappoint.
Despite Example (aka Elliot Gleave) starting his career off in hip hop, there’s not much in the way of rapping on his fifth record. The spitfire lines that made a rare appearance on his 2012 precursor, The Evolution Of Man, have been replaced by the type of production that wouldn’t be out of place on a Crystal Method track, or live on the biggest dance stages in the world. Lyrically it’s not ground-breaking, but the production is boneshattering and Gleave’s delivery is driven and inspirational. A solid accompaniment to your next workout.
Seven albums in and you can almost set your watch to a Rise Against album. Killer opening stand – check (The Great DieOff); double-time mid-album track – check (The Eco-Terrorist In Me); obligatory late-record ballad – check (People Live Here). Tim McIlrath is at his rabblerousing best, firing up the troops with tales of hope and fear, while the rest of the Chicago four design soaring anthems made for stadiums. The band deliver, always, but rarely does the finished product come with surprises. Still though, when you need a punk rock act to believe in you’d be hard-pressed to find a group that’ll fight for you as blindly as Rise Against.
RICHARD IN YOUR MIND “Me and my baby get hammered in the daytime”, sings Richard over a jaunty piano, occasionally syncopated with minimal electronic flusters of madness. It’s a tantalising preview of their new album Ponderosa.
CAYETANA
Serious Things Are Stupid Tiny Engines Philadelphia trio Cayetana follow up their excellent demos with a fully-formed, massive sounding excellently titled track. The noisy bursts of guitar come out of nowhere and add big fun to the perfect power pop.
Rock And Roll Juice
Live Life Living
Dylan Stewart
Brendan Telford
Benny Doyle
LIARS
Pro Anti Anti
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Mute/Create Control Synthesisers and fantastic drum programming conjure up memories of dark ‘80s electropop, but when Liars vocals kick in it all gets a bit German industrial, for better or worse.
SHINING BIRD
You Won’t Feel A Thing Spunk An extra sense of grandeur is embedded into this track thanks to the incredible video (mostly shot at the Thirroul Beach Motel). Even without the imagery, the deep vocals and synth pad soundtrack prompt the same emotional reaction.
ELEVENTEEN ESTON Two Stroke Vertical Climb Not Not Fun Perth artist Eleventeen Eston gets a US release for the debut tape Delta Horizon via Not Not Fun Records. Lo-fi beats, guitars and feel good vibes are abundant! Chris Yates
The Black Market
★★★★
★★★★
TIJUANA PANTHERS
WUNDER WUNDER
Innovative Leisure/Create Control
Dovecote/Shock
Wayne Interest
Such is the diversity that spans Wayne Interest that Tijuana Panthers could hail from almost any city in any decade. There’s the jangly guitar that recall the mid’90s halcyon days of Brisbane, the washed-out vocals that could have hailed from the J Mascis or James Mercer school of rock, and a swagger that would fit right at home in a leather jacket during a harsh London winter. Turns out Tijuana Panthers hail from the very sunny shores of Long Beach, California. Not that it matters; Wayne Interest is fucking chill, wherever you listen to it. Dylan Stewart
Everything Inf inite Melbourne producers Aaron Shanahan and Benjamin Plant team up to explore their fascination with psychedelia, bringing us the sun-filled Everything Infinite as a result. On first listen it’s hard not get swept up in the lush fuzz and kaleidoscopic layers of the title track, and with the album’s overarching cartwheeling sentiments why would you resist? Coastline is perhaps just that little bit too twee to make it a true standout track, and what follows is guilty of the same, though Hail The Madmen redeems with a more interesting, angular, catchy pop rock. A perfect Californiainspired summer soundtrack.
Dirty Loops – Loopified Fink – Hard Believer GusGus – Mexico Judas Priest – Redeemer Of Souls Luluc – Passerby Manic Street Preachers – Futurology Sebastien Teller – L’Aventura Stu Larsen – Vagabond
Carley Hall THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 21
live reviews
THE CAIROS, NOVA HEART, LSD RATKINGS Alhambra Lounge 4 Jul We walk into the venue just as LSD Ratkings are wringing out the last few minutes from their set; the result of a bum steer on set times. It would’ve been nice to have got a few more tunes from these guys – their lo-fi garage sleaze seems like a good soundtrack to put some early beers away too – but no doubt the two dozen people in the room enjoyed themselves. Following up is a bastardised version of Nova Heart, featuring The Cairos drummer Jacob Trotter on the kit, former Vines
she’s mummified herself to the mic stand with half a roll of fluro orange electrical tape. This homecoming launch show for The Cairos’ debut Dream Of Reason makes itself memorable right away, with a clip for next single Row Of Homes being shot as the band open proceedings – all smoke and strobes, which, as the signs around the venue warn us, are “fucking awesome”. The hard guitar rips of Two Weeks Of Eternity then kick things up another gear, and by the time old favourite Shame is given a Cure-tinged revamped, the quartet are more than rolling. Reuben Schafer is eyes closed, lost in the bass chug of Good Days – another tune that shows the significant sonic step-up of The Cairos’ new work – but he’s quickly paying full attention, like his bandmates, when frontman
THE CAIROS @ ALHAMBRA LOUNGE. PIC: DAVE KAN
bass player Brad Heald in matching whites to the left and a guitarist who looks like he’s just stepped off a yacht. After a swampy instrumental build up, the lifeblood of the Chinese act, Helen Feng, appears, mentioning something vague about being too crazy for the rest of her regular bandmates, and then all but confirms the suggestion for the next 40 minutes. You can’t take your eyes off her – she channels the sass of Debbie Harry in her prime, while her vocal delivery – which goes from these glistening melodies to spitfire ranting commentary – recalls Chicks On Speed. The nu disco tinged tracks off latest Beautiful Boys EP work best tonight, with Heald’s bass lines ruling on My Song 9 and Good Ideas, but Feng is the star here, even if sometimes it’s hard to tell whether she’s taking the piss or not, especially when 22 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
Blue Öyster Cult’s Don’t Fear The Reaper, complete with additional Ian Haug, which is always welcome. Obsession then marks the evening’s conclusion, with the sight of bearded guitarist Alfio Alivuzza smiling broadly, soloing out over the crowd from the front of the stage, capturing the positive energy that has filled the room over the course of the set. Benny Doyle
TINY RUINS, SHINING BIRD, ALDOUS HARDING Black Bear Lodge 1 Jul This is Aldous Harding’s first time performing outside of
THE CAIROS @ ALHAMBRA LOUNGE. PIC: DAVE KAN
Alistar Richardson invites good friend (and former Powderfinger guitarist) Ian Haug on stage for Imaginations. It’s a slower number, but Haugy has no problem negotiating a wailing solo as The Cairos’ frontline looks on in awe, while the intimate, friendly vibe carries over in Desire, with Richardson’s sister Laura helping out on harmonies. The set hits a bit of a lull soon after, with the solo introductory keys on Insane having a hard time reaching out over the chatter from the bar, while Fear Of Madness simply doesn’t translate that well into a live setting. But this night was never going to end on anything but a high note, and sure enough things pick up steam fast. We All Buy Stars sounds massive bouncing around in the contained brick room, while “More Cowbell” calls introduce the seminal rock parody track,
It feels kind of cheap or lazy to base a review on a band’s singer having a ‘beautiful voice’, but Jesus, Tiny Ruins’ Hollie Fullbrook has a beautiful voice. From first song, Me At The Museum, You At The Wintergardens, it’s clear that this is going to be a – there’s no less lame word for it – magical set, with song after
THE CAIROS @ ALHAMBRA LOUNGE. PIC: DAVE KAN
New Zealand, but she wins over the decent Tuesday night crowd at the blissfully warm Black Bear Lodge. She plays a kind of gothic, heart-splitting folk that you think wouldn’t exist anymore, or, if it did, that there’s no way anyone this young would be doing it this well. Her voice is dark and striking, and there are plenty of themes of blood and suffering, offset by her relaxed and confident demeanour. The whole set is the perfect mix of anachronistic fantasy and raw personal stories, Harding half-chuckling while telling the crowd that her selftitled debut album came “from the depths of hell”. She also finishes with a pitch-perfect a cappella version of Edith Piaf ’s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, which is pretty goddamn special. Shining Bird bring a kind of cool uncanny Twin Peaksy
feel in their first couple of songs, planted on a strikingly beautiful synth tone and lead singer Dane Taylor’s deep, crooning voice. Their impeccable harmonies add depth and drama to this laidback, Australian kind of ‘80s sound; however, the more jangly guitar-based songs are nowhere near as memorable and, though very pretty, lack the emotional pull of the rest of tonight’s line-up.
song of impeccably constructed folk music. Fullbrook is completely charming, immediately creating a relaxed and cosy atmosphere for the crowd, many of whom are sitting on the ground crosslegged and gazing up at the band. Every little piece of drawn-out emotional catharsis in these songs is earned, and they’re blissfully free of cheap drama or theatrics. Fullbrook is supported impeccably and unobtrusively by backing singer and bass player Cass Basil and drummer Alexander Freer, and the whole band’s vibe is very ‘60s folk scene and effortlessly authentic. Even when Fullbrook explains the mundane anecdotes behind these songs, the stories still seem otherworldly and very special, particularly in set highlights The Ballad Of The
live reviews Hanging Parcel and Reasonable Man. The band play mostly songs from their recent album Brightly Painted One, but also delve into some older tracks that have a more earnest, naïve tone, but the same core of wonderfully delicate emotional songwriting. They finish with the darkly gentle She’ll Be Coming Around, the kind of track that makes you want to forget it’s a school night and stay for one more drink.
and accessible well: alongside attractive arpeggios are piercing synth-stabs that swell until they dominate almost painfully, but always cut out just before they overwhelm. There are excellent transitions between the pieces, and it all feels as though it’s building to something massive.
space. Each act is cloaked in darkness on the stage, and with the light show reduced to a couple of swinging spotlights over the crowd, this is a gig entirely without spectacle. The music is dark, almost smothering at times, and perhaps that’s the aesthetic being aimed for. The nicest thing that can be said is that it doesn’t actively hinder the performance.
After half-an-hour though, the set still seems trapped somewhere between listening and dance music, never quite settling into either style, the build fading away to nothing too often to attract further attention. Regrettably, technical problems also intrude, and while the laptop only drops out for a minute or two, and D.Tiberio is able to slide back into his set smoothly, it’s an unfortunate break in the mood that the set never quite recovers from.
Madeleine Laing
NOSAJ THING, D.TIBERIO Coniston Lane 4 Jul D.Tiberio starts off heavy: dense, rolling bass and highpitched sine waves collide, while distended vocals slip in and out and skittering hats provide a tempo. It’s not really dancefloor-friendly – too prone to dropping back to ambience, never quite peaking – but he manages the careful balance between experimental
Nosaj Thing ( Jason Chung) is tonally similar to his openers, and following on from twoand-a-half hours of the same style, his set runs the risk of monotony. Within the first ten minutes though, he has set himself apart by the skill and precision with which he’s layering tracks. No single song sticks around for long, instead flowing effortlessly across and into the next, often after a minute or less. Even a version of Eclipse/Blue, which provides an early highlight, is brief and stripped back, reduced to snare, rim hits and voice. Despite the increased intricacy, this is also a much more focused
The sound up the back is great tonight, but on the dancefloor the bass overwhelms the music, and it sounds like the volume is running up against the limits of either the PA or the
set and Chung shows a deft hand at building gradually across multiple tracks, actually reaching a peak, and he seems content to settle into a bodyheavy set. There are still the intricate, unsettled beats and arpeggios that are particular to the scene, but there’s also a steady bass beat beneath everything, which gives the crowd something to move to, and they oblige, entranced until the final notes fade away. Sky Kirkham
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arts reviews
JERSEY BOYS
JERSEY BOYS Film
In cinemas Any doubt that Clint Eastwood is up there with Woody Allen, duelling for the mantle of World’s Most Overrated Filmmaker, is put to bed, once again, with Jersey Boys, a horrifying feverdream of non-stop clichés erected in a saccharine shrine to the AOK USA. It’s a jukebox musical turned rote rock biopic, recounting the career of Frank Valli & The Four Seasons, a collection of Joe Pesci caricatures
from da wrong side of da tracks. When we meet Valli (played, in a procession of terrible wigs under a slathering of pancake make-up by the dead-eyed but high-voiced John Lloyd Young), his mama – the maker of the “best meatball sandwiches in all of America”! – is literally twirling a forkful of spaghetti whilst wearing an apron. From there, the representations of the girls in Boys grow even more dire, dames depicted as either groupie/sluts waiting to be balled or nagging bitches our rock heroes made the mistake of marrying. “Sweetheart, go powder yr nose!” barks the goony
Vincent Piazza, when the men need to get down to business. Later, he ‘hilariously’ says “try not to say anything for the rest of the day, alright, sweetheart?” when a blonde-joke-incarnate dares open her mouth for anything but the fellatin’. These interactions are throwaway but significant, Jersey Boys less a pleasant parade of old-timey pop hits, more 130 minutes of tedious machismo that looks like a cinematic doily, every soft-edged scene lit with the luminous glow of gormless nostalgia. It’s a picture pining for Atomic Age America, the mythical nation of that ‘simpler’ time when women knew their place, and segregation kept everything safe. Eastwood – who is, notably, 84 years old – lovingly fashions a postcard-perfect portrait of a pre-fab epoch that never was; a fairy-floss fantasia of sockhops and maltshops, county fairs in which white-teethed boys in letterman jackets toss back popcorn whilst making eyes at pigtailed girls twirling pennants. They’re the post-war tropes John Waters has been satirising for 40 years, but Eastwood is famously
tin-eared when it comes to satire; this was, after all, the man who turned the joke premise at the centre of Robert Altman’s Hollywood mockery The Player into a real race-against-the-clock thriller, True Crime. Similarly, you can hardly expect old Clint to have seen Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, whose parodic spectre lingers in every scene in which the ballbustin’ first wife yells at Young for being a fuck-up and a failure, or over every moment where inspiration conveniently strikes just in time for the next musical number. Rather than being content to tenderly recreate the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show, a better film would’ve used this imaginary past as a mirror on the present, positioning, say, the group’s criminal connections and casual misogyny – and their exploitation as pop-music product – to reflect on rap’s role in the contemporary record biz. But Jersey Boys has no interest in this century, nor being a better film. It is, after all, made by Clint Eastwood. Anthony Carew THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 23
the guide
CANYONERO
Member answering/role: Ben – drums How long have you been together? As a four it’s been a bit under a year. But Jon, Ferg and I have been playing together for about six years. You’re on tour in the van – which band or artist is going to keep the most people happy if we throw them on the stereo? Probably The 1975 or The Tallest Man On Earth. Owl City is the guilty and shameful indulgence. But to keep everyone happy? Arctic Monkeys. I think that keeps most people satisfied. Would you rather be a busted broke-but-revered Hank Williams figure or some kind of Metallica monster? Well we are busted broke, and some of the arguments my brother and I have can be reminiscent of a James Hetfield vs Lars Ulrich conflict… somewhere in between. Which Brisbane bands before you have been an inspiration (musically or otherwise)? I think most Brisbane bands have a soft spot for The Cairos and Last Dinosaurs... Musically we’re not really using anyone as an influence – that is to say that basically everything is an influence. There are a lot of exciting bands in this city right now. What part do you think Brisbane plays in the music you make? It’s hard to say. Most of our writing has been done in Brisbane so it probably played a part, but I guess it becomes subconscious after a while. What’s in the pipeline for the band in the short term? We have this EP launch to attend to, and from there we’ll be releasing a video for our single Dancefields, directed by the ridiculously talented Tim Abbott. We’re planning an all ages show, a few other QLD dates and by the end of the year some interstate stuff too. Canyonero launch their EP Muskets At Dawn (Independent) at The Zoo on Friday 11 July.
Pic: TERRY SOO 24 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
the guide qld.live@themusic.com.au
FRONTLASH
INDIE NEWS
HOLDING COURT
It’s great having a cool Aussie tennis player again, with Nick Kyrgios slaying big names at Wimbledon, but even better is that photo of him as a young ‘un in his Wu-Tang shirt? Tennis and the Clan, a winning double!
GOOD SPAM? Everything’s coming up Monty Python of late, and now presale tickets for the Brisbane production of Spamalot – playing QPAC first week of October – have gone on sale. What is your quest? To seek the Holy Grail!
CLIVE JIVE Politics can be complicated, but anybody can appreciate Clive Palmer calling ‘Can-Do’ Newman a “Nazi” who “wants to use the Gestapo”. That’s Clive for ya, keeping things simple…
DEMO-LICIOUS DERBY
CAN’T WAIT TO BE KING
UP IN SMOKE
Currently spinning together a new EP, help locals Wayward Smith raise the required funds by getting along to their headline show at Beetle Bar, Friday. $10 cover gets you sets from Modern Strangers, The Ravagers and The Great Disruption as well.
Rock’n’roll animal Lionheir is letting you hear his passionate roar for free, with two dates at Ric’s Bar, Friday and The Rails, Byron Bay, Sunday. With a three-piece band by his side, he’ll suitably flesh out his new collection of jams.
Before their Winternight appearance, 2 Aug, Smoking Martha will also be plugging in for Lalaland’s official launch at New Globe Theatre this Saturday before headlining a free night at Springwood Hotel, 19 Jul.
EASY DECISION
FEEL THE WEIGHT
THE BEAT GOES ON
Fancy some free rock for your Saturday? Grand Central Hotel from 9pm, 19 Jul, with Calrissian headlining Trainspotters. Also in the house are Yellowcatredcat, who’ll be launching their new single, TV Dads and Singles.
Maintaining the crushing quota that the headliners have set, local lads Hope Drone will support the mighty Neurosis when the US group visit Queensland as part of their inaugural headline tour. Catch them at The Hi-Fi, 4 Aug.
Sydney locals True Vibenation have finally confirmed a Brisbane date for their ON album launch tour. They play The Motor Room, 5 Sep, and have also pulled their upcoming Byron Bay show back a night to 26 Jul.
FAR FROM ORDINARY
STICKS & BALLS
DON’T BE FOOLED
He’s hairy, affable and his band of merry men and women can play music while bombing a hill on their skateboards. You need Steele in your life. Get a piece of him at Black Bear Lodge 16 Jul.
Indie heartthrobs and all around good time party guys Hockey Dad have just dropped their first EP Dreamin, a record full of saltcrusted garage-surf jams. They launch at Alhambra Lounge, 8 Aug with Good Sports.
Their music isn’t as pretty as their name, we promise you. The brutal Prepared Like A Bride continue their 2014 onslaught with an 18 + show this Wednesday, 9 Jul at The Brightside and an all ages date Friday, The Lab.
DOING IT FOR THE KIDS
STEPPING OUT
INSPIRATION AND SOUND
Sunny Coast post-punk princes Drawcard bring their high octane new tunes to The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba, 8 Aug; Solbar, Maroochydore, 9 Aug; The Zoo, 15 Aug; and Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, 16 Aug.
Before supporting US heavy hitters Taking Back Sunday later this year, hard rock act Breakaway will head off on their own east coast tour in celebration of new single Invincible. The boys visit Upstairs 199, 8 Aug.
Working with promotion crews Cheated Hearts and Girlthing (Sydney), The HLC Project is a new online publication celebrating the inspiring stories of queer women. Party at the launch: 18 Jul, Ellement Lounge with DJs all night long.
NUTHIN’ TA F’WIT!
BACKLASH
TRY AND UNDERSTAND IT So psychologists are up in arms about how one kid was treated on The Voice Kids – what about the rest of us? Why is that nasty drivel even allowed on television? What’s the actual fucking point?
TIE ROLF DOWN The Rolf Harris saga has finally (hopefully) been put to bed – so sad on so many levels but hopefully it will highlight how sexual abuse is wrong in every situation and punishment applies to all, even celebrities…
SNAKES ON A TRAIN What’s with this epidemic of rampant racism on public transport? Has it always been that way and we’re only just finding out because of camera phones? Please make it stop.
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the guide qld.live@themusic.com.au
INDIE NEWS
SOAK IN THAT FEELING
THE MOMENT AFTER
DRINKS ALL ‘ROUND
An American and a Venezuelan walk into a jam room in Adelaide, We Do This emerge, and they are unlike any two-piece indie act you’ll hear. They kick off their Sensation single launch tour at The Bearded Lady, 17 Jul.
Gearing up to win rooms over with their energetic alt-rock angles, Creo have got another class single in their canon, Afterglow, and will show the track off with a free show at New Globe Theatre, 15 Aug.
Sydney riot-rousers Little Bastard want some local company this week, that’s why they’ve called on Family Jordan to help at Black Bear Lodge, Thursday and Tea Society, pictured, to warm Solbar, Maroochydore up on Friday.
KEEP ON COOKING
HIGH FLYING BIRD
GOING WITH THE FLOW
Swig from the flask and settle in for the blues sounds of Jimi Beavis and his guitar-slinging accomplice Chris Bancroft when the pair don their sharpest threads and arrive on the Padre stage this Saturday.
The Blackeyed Susans’ lead singer Rob Snarski is releasing his debut solo album Wounded Bird next month and will launch it around the country. See him run through this beautiful new collection of songs at Junk Bar, 29 Aug.
Self-taught north Queensland roots player CJ Stephens has migrated south for a crack at Brisbane stages, and he’s excited about sharing his chilled out positivity with the crowd at Dowse Bar, 3 Aug. Support from Dan Stoneman.
HOOTING MAD
SET TO EXPLODE
PLENTY ON THE PLATE
Newcastle high flyers The Owls will bring their mammoth 26-date tour in support of their upcoming EP Own The Streets to The Bearded Lady, 12 Sep; The Northern, Byron Bay, 13 Sep; and Broadbeach Tavern, GC, 14 Sep.
Re-emerging from the studio with a brand new LP, Time Bomb, Karl S. Williams will show off his freakish six-string talents and lived-in voice when launching the record on the Gold Coast at Rabbit & Cocoon, 1 Aug.
Hit up The Zoo, 18 Jul, and get the emotion-charged rock of Columbia Buffet. Brisbane’s answer to Jimmy Eat World will take part in a charity event for The Butterfly Foundation alongside Hushka, Common Deers and Hugo Slide.
EXTRA CHAOS
BIG SCREEN DREAMS
A NIGHT OF DISCOVERY
Louder than rock, but not exactly metal, Big & The Bangs will make you a believer when they launch their debut EP The Big, The Bang, The Boom! at Prince Of Wales Hotel this Friday. Loud Goes Bang, El Mondo and more support.
The July movie program at New Globe Theatre features everything from Amelie and Eraserhead, right through to Zoolander and Monty Python & The Holy Grail. Head to Kristian Fletcher’s webpage to find out dates and details.
Get excited by a host of new local sounds at The Zoo, 7 Aug, with some melodic heaviness courtesy of Flynn Effect, dirty rock crew Hyde & the Hitcher and more alternative fare from The Vices.
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THIS WEEK’S RELEASES… RISE AGAINST The Black Market Interscope/Universal JUNGLE Jungle XL/Remote Control JASON MRAZ YES! Atlantic/Warner SUICIDE SILENCE You Can’t Stop Me Nuclear Blast/Universal
eat/drink
SPIRITED AWAY Some spirits put you in mean spirits, some have you on the floor sobbing while others will have you wearing a lampshade on your head. Which is which? We figured it out. Illustration Brendon Wellwood.
35-year-old friends. You all have sweet tooths and prefer to spend the evening imagining you’re on an island somewhere getting a massage from a man with abs of steel. But you’re not. You’re deeply lonely and sipping on Midori and pineapple juice because you’re not sure how to make a real cocktail.
WHISKEY ON THE ROCKS You think you are Hemingway.
VODKA SUNRISE You only just started drinking – it’s probably the first year you’ve legally been allowed to visit bars and clubs and you’re making the most of it. You stay up until 4am dancing. You pash strangers in nightclubs (with tongue, so much tongue). Also friends. Also bartenders. Also security guards. You taste like super sweet orange juice mixed with grenadine. Youth must have its fling.
KAHLUA & MILK GIN & TONIC
MIDORI & PINEAPPLE
People say gin makes women cry, but you don’t cry, you growl and thrash your head around and wear hats at a particularly jaunty angle. You think drinking gin makes you sophisticated, as does reading a Penguin Classic while you wait for your date, even though you’d probably rather be scrolling through Facebook. It doesn’t – it just means that you’re finally too old for vodka skittles.
Add champagne and you’re celebrating New Year’s in style in a penthouse apartment near the harbour with the rest of your
This one’s Oedipal.
TEQUILA SHOTS It’s 11pm and you’re playing catch-up with your friends who started drinking at 6pm. You’re 16 and you’re taking shots in the backyard while playing King’s Cup. You’re in a shabby bar and the tequila is cheap. You refuse to be classified. Some might call you fearless.
DRINKING ON SCREEN The Big Lebowski The Dude likes his White Russians. They keep him calm even when he’s thinking about the Chinaman who peed on his rug – “That rug really tied the room together” – or tripping out with Julianne Moore, or not making the spare in their bowling comp. The Dude is a chiller. The Hangover You know that friend who thinks taking shots of Jagermeister is an awesome great way to get a party started? It’s not. As aptly demonstrated by the cast of all three Hangovers. Thankfully Bradley Cooper grew out of Jagerbombs and into grownup drinks like Prosecco for American Hustle. Mad Men If you are not drinking scotch while watching Mad Men and Jon Hamm (dayum Jon Hamm) drinking scotch, then you clearly don’t understand what the ‘50s and
‘60s advertising world was all about. It was about having a glass of scotch during meetings (sounds awesome) and martinis with breakfast (slight exaggeration). 200 Cigarettes Two Afflecks, Paul Rudd, Courtney Love and more, more, more are 20-somethings celebrating New Year’s Eve 1981. Of course, everyone is off chops and somewhat hysterical. Twenty-somethings looking to get some on NYE will drink anything in their vicinity. Even if it means passing out before meeting Elvis Costello. THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 27
the guide qld.live@themusic.com.au
ALBUM FOCUS
HAVE YOU HEARD You’re being sent into space, no iPod, you can only bring one album – what would it be? Say what you will, forever is a long time to listen to just one so for me it comes down to bang for buck; that’s why I would have to take Slipknot – Slipknot.
PHILL MCKENNA & THE WATER SIGNS Answered by: Phill McKenna Album title: Changing Light Where did the album title come from? I wrote the title track while hanging out on a friend’s back verandah in the Byron Bay hinterland one sunny arvo. The song came to life when producer Dave Carter suggested Clare Kildea sing it. How long did it take to write/ record? Over three years. I recorded found sounds in and around urban Brisbane and used these as loops, samples and soundscapes behind the
original songs. I recorded in Lush Studios (Clontarf ) and in my home studio.
BIG & THE BANGS
What was inspiring you during the making? The concept of the album was to record iconic sounds of Brisbane, like the sounds of cars crossing the Story Bridge, to create some interesting rhythms and beds. My ears have been opened!
How did you get together? Truthfully, we started out as obnoxious jazz students working on a project to rattle the cage of the establishment where we studied. It certainly got people talking, then it just evolved into this ‘thing’.
What’s your favourite song on it? Steel & Concrete samples the sound of steel pylons being driven into the ground at a local construction site. Nasty! Phill McKenna & The Water Signs play Brisbane Powerhouse on Sunday 13 July.
Member’s name: Bobby Big
Greatest rock’n’roll moment of your career to date? A toss up between the years I have spent living in my car, and having my teenage idol randomly ask for my autograph a few years back. The times have been amazing and my idol is now a close friend.
Sum up your musical sound in four words? Living End meets Sabbath.
Why should people come and see your band? Because it’s something fresh and engaging for people who enjoy rock music to attach themselves to. We are a saga.
If you could support any band in the world – past or present – who would it be? The White Stripes 2007 tour across Canada where they played in buses, boats, and bowling alleys. It looked fun.
Big & The Bangs play Prince Of Wales Hotel, Nundah on Friday 11 July and The Old Skool Ride and Rod Show, Redcliffe Showgrounds on Saturday 26 July.
GETTING’ COMFY
EP FOCUS
your tenure? It’s unlikely, but considering the anarchic nature of a Scrapes gig, anything is possible. We had a surprise drummer on stage for a piece at the Beetle Bar. Had to kick him off!
THE SCRAPES Answered by: Adam Cadell What is it about the venue that makes you want to do a run of shows there? The Bearded Lady is a great newish venue in West End that we feel suits our music well. Any venue that supports exploratory sounds in Brisbane is good in my books. Same set every week or mixing it up? Every Scrapes set is unique due to the improvised nature of our performances. No two sets are the same! Each week of the residency we’ll play two sets: one out front, one out back. Any special guests going to make an appearance during 28 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
Favourite position at the venue when you’re not on stage? On one of the comfy benches out the back, beer in hand, no doubt boring the hell out of a sympathetic friend/my partner with mad ramblings. When are you in residence? Three Sundays in July: 13, 20 and 27. Two sets each time: 4pm and 6.30pm. The Scrapes play The Bearded Lady every Sunday in July.
JESSE DAVIDSON EP title: Ocean How many releases do you have now? One. Was anything in particular inspiring you during the making? I was fairly inspired by the Grizzly Bear album Yellow House and the cool stuff they do on that record with progression and melodies. What’s your favourite song on it? My favourite song is Ocean because it’s the song that took the longest and came together the best. We’ll like this EP if we like... songs that you can make babies to.
Jesse Davidson plays Alhambra Lounge on Thursday 10 July.
the guide qld.gigguide@themusic.com.au Chontia & Parris: Taps Australia (2pm), Mooloolaba
THE MUSIC PRESENTS
The Scrapes: The Bearded Lady (4pm), West End
Little Bastard: Black Bear Lodge 10 Jul, Solbar 11 Jul
Ronny Chieng: The Spiegeltent Sep 12
Something For Kate: The Tivoli 11 Jul
Vancouver Sleep Clinic: The Spiegeltent Sep 13
Violent Soho: The Hi-Fi 12, 13 & 19 Jul
John Henry: The Spiegeltent Sep 14
The White Album Concert: QPAC 13 Jul (matinee & evening)
Miami Horror: The Spiegeltent Sep 16
Remi: Solbar 17 Jul, Coniston Lane 18 Jul
The Kite String Tangle: The Spiegeltent Sep 17
Melody Pool & Marlon Williams: Black Bear Lodge 7 Aug, St Martin’s Parish Hall 8 Aug
Darius: The Spiegeltent Sep 19
Emperors: The Waiting Room Aug 15
Damien Jurado: The Spiegeltent 21 Sep
Jeff Lang: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Urthboy: The Spiegeltent Sep 6
Gareth Liddiard: The Spiegeltent 23 Sep
Psychosis feat. D9 + Adriatic + Cry Havoc + Symbolic Weapon + Kingsmoor + more: Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley
Phill McKenna: Brisbane Powerhouse (Turbine Platform / 3.30pm), New Farm
RnB Jam Night feat. various artists: Empire Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Juana Molina: The Spiegeltent 25 Sep
Trainspotters feat. My Own Pet Radio + Bilby + Born Joy Dead: Grand Central Hotel, Brisbane
Sunday Sesh with + Nic Tango: Coorparoo Bowls Club (Green Bar / 2pm), Coorparoo
Tuesday Night Jazz with Brett Fowler Trio: Lock ‘n’ Load Bistro, West End
Midnight Juggernauts: The Spiegeltent 26 Sep
Upstairs At Murphy’s feat. various DJs: Irish Murphy’s, Brisbane
Jabba + Ragdoll + Mick McHugh: Irish Murphy’s, Brisbane
Ball Park Music: The Tivoli 18 Oct, Alhambra Lounge 2 Nov (U18)
LaLaLand Launch Party with Lagerstein + Black Diamond + more: New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley
Quintessential Doll + Brianna Carpenter: New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley
The Bug feat. Christine Douglas + McGuinness & Co: New Farm Bowls Club, New Farm
Andy Bull: The Spiegeltent Sep 7 Phil Jamieson: The Spiegeltent Sep 9 Steve Nieve: The Spiegeltent Sep 10 BIGSOUND 2014: Fortitude Valley 10-12 Sep Bonjah: The Zoo 10 Oct, Racecourse Hotel 11 Oct, Surfers Paradise Beer Garden 12 Oct Com Truise: The Spiegeltent Sep 11
WED 09
Le Parti Sould with Dukes Of Thornbury + DJ Redbeard: Ric’s, Fortitude Valley Prepared Like A Bride + Ocean Grove + Hand of The Architect + Far From Paris + Deadlines: The Brightside, Fortitude Valley Thank God It’s Wednesday feat. The Keepaways + Dameena + Katie Who: The Underdog Pub Co (Doghouse Bar) , Fortitude Valley
THU 10
Jesse Davidson: Alhambra Lounge, Fortitude Valley Ayla + Fieu + Hannah Rosa: Beetle Bar, Brisbane Little Bastard + The Family Jordan: Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley Lloyd Cole: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm Robbie Miller + Dana Gehrman: Dowse Bar (Iceworks), Paddington Thelma Plum + MTNS: Old Museum, Bowen Hills Mosman Alder + Steady As She Goes: The Bearded Lady, West End
The Bombay Royale: The Spiegeltent 24 Sep
Gorguts: Crowbar 16 Nov Thy Art Is Murder: Crowbar 20 Dec & 21 Dec (U18)
Bixel Boys + Mouvment + Sammy K + more: Ellement Lounge, Fortitude Valley Upstairs At Murphy’s feat. various DJs: Irish Murphy’s, Brisbane Elbury: Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach Jakubi: New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley Big & The Bangs + Loud Goes Bang + El Mondo + DMS + Hollowed Reflections: Prince of Wales Hotel, Nundah Lionheir + DJ Valdis + guests: Ric’s (Downstairs) , Fortitude Valley Little Bastard + Tea Society + Matt Stillert: Solbar, Maroochydore Lloyd Cole: Soundlounge, Currumbin Ryan Delaney: Taps Australia, Mooloolaba Voyager + Caligula’s Horse + Toehider + Dark Symphonica: The Brightside, Fortitude Valley Pretty City + Sons Of The Morning + Jake Whittaker + Sam Rampage: The Loft, Chevron Island Henry Fong: The Met, Fortitude Valley Josh Rennie-Hynes: The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba Something For Kate: The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
Stagecoach feat. Penny Rides Shotgun + Liam Brew + Tanya Self: The Underdog Pub Co (Doghouse Bar), Fortitude Valley
Diamond Dave: The Underdog Pub Co (Public Bar / 6.30pm), Fortitude Valle
The Great Disruption + Modern Strangers + The Ravagers + Wayward Smith: Beetle Bar, Brisbane Wayward Angels: Cardigan Bar, Sandgate
Sunday Rock N Roll BBQ feat. Raygun Mortlocks + Motorway Ends + Only Just + Goon On The Rocks: The Underdog Pub Co (12pm), Fortitude Valley
Canyonero + The Worriers + The Bassethounds: The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
SAT 12
Rock N Roll Bingo feat. Some Jerks + The Dirty F Holes + The Bear Hunt + El Motel: Beetle Bar, Brisbane
MON 14
GIG OF THE WEEK LITTLE BASTARD: 10 JUL, BLACK BEAR LODGE
Trivia: Mick O’Malley’s, Brisbane
Dune Rats: The Spiegeltent 20 Sep
D At Sea: The Brightside, Fortitude Valley
FRI 11
Violent Soho + The Smith Street Band: The Hi-Fi, West End
SUN 13
Jimi Beavis + Chris Bancroft: Padre Bar, Woolloongabba
The White Album Concert with Tim Rogers + Chris Cheney + Phil Jamieson + Josh Pyke: QPAC (Lyric Theatre / 3pm and 7pm), Southbank
The Jack Rabbit Slims + Go Van Go + DJ Valdis: Ric’s (Downstairs), Fortitude Valley
Windrest + The Jack Rabbit Slims: Ric’s, Fortitude Valley
Nicky Night Time: Oh Hello!, Fortitude Valley
The Cairos + Archdukes + LSD Ratking: Solbar, Maroochydore African Benefit Gig + Josh Rennie-Hynes + Guests: Tallebudgera Valley Community Hall, Tallebudgera Valley Hell & Whiskey: Taps Australia, Mooloolaba Pretty City + Twin Haus + Sassin Fras: The Bearded Lady, West End Full Moon Party feat. Masketta Fall + Chasing Ghosts + Malibu Stacey + Set The Record: The Brightside, Fortitude Valley Johnny Pav + Tim J Quinton: The Cave, Broadbeach Violent Soho + The Smith Street Band: The Hi-Fi, West End Growing Old Disgracefully feat. Hits + Thirteen Seventy + BMX-RAY + Galapogos + more: The Underdog Pub Co (Doghouse Bar), Fortitude Valley Spitfireliar + The Flangipanis + more: The Underdog Pub Co (Basement / 7pm), Fortitude Valley
TUE 15
Bree De Rome: Rabbit & Cocoon, Gold Coast Mark Sheils: Samford Valley Hotel, Samford Valley Open Mic Comedy Night feat. various artists: The Loft, Chevron Island
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INTERNATIONAL
Cannibal Corpse: The Hi-Fi 13 Sep
Boy & Bear: The Arts Centre Gold Coast 12 Sep, The Tivoli 13 Sep
Lloyd Cole: Brisbane Powerhouse 10 Jul, Soundlounge 11 Jul, Star Theatre 12 Jul
Kanye West: BEC 15 Sep
Kingswood: Ric’s Big Backyard 12 Sep
Henry Fong: The Brightside 11 Jul, Platinum 19 Jul
The Selecter: the Zoo 16 Oct
Torche: Crowbar 16 Oct
Veruca Salt: The Zoo 24 Sep
Gareth Emery: Platinum 17 Jul, The Met 18 Jul
Justin Timberlake: BEC 26, 27 Sep
Lorde: Riverstage 20 Jul
Dead Kennedys: The Hi-Fi 3 Oct, Coolangatta Hotel 4 Oct
Pelican: The Zoo 24 Jul Corrosion Of Conformity: Crowbar 24 Jul
Angus & Julia Stone: The Tivoli 18 Sep The Arts Centre Gold Coast 21 Sep John Butler Trio: Empire Theatre 5 Oct
SEPULTURA: 4 OCT, THE HI-FI
Sepultura: The Hi-Fi 4 Oct Hardwell: Riverstage 5 Oct
Buried In Verona: The Brightside 17 Jul, The Lab 18 Jul (AA)
Emperors: The Waiting Room 15 Aug
The Cat Empire: The Tivoli 10, 11 Oct, Rabbit & Cocoon 12 Oct
Ash Grunwald: Springwood Hotel 16 Aug, Blue Mountain Hotel 17 Aug, Soundlounge 12 Sep, Bramble Bay Bowls Club 26 Sep
Ball Park Music: The Tivoli 18 Oct, Alhambra Lounge 2 Nov (U18)
Interpol, Future Islands, Buraka Som Sistema: The Northern 24 Jul
Dwarves: Crowbar 19 Oct Joe Satriani: The Tivoli 4 Nov
sleepmakeswaves: The Northern 18 Jul, The Zoo 19 Jul
Obits: Crowbar 3 Aug
Manchester Orchestra: The Hi-Fi 12 Nov
Perfect Tripod: QPAC 25 Jul
Neurosis: The Hi-Fi 4 Aug
Jen Cloher: Junk Bar 25 Jul
Hanson: The Tivoli 5 Aug, Coolangatta Hotel 6 Aug
Yes: Jupiters 14 Nov Gorguts: Crowbar 16 Nov
Sheppard: Eatons Hill Hotel 25 Jul (AA)
I Am Giant: The Rev 6 Aug
Accept: The Hi-Fi 16 Nov
Husky: Black Bear Lodge 1 Aug
Coolio: East 88 7 Aug, Coniston Lane 12 Aug
The Rolling Stones: Brisbane Entertainment Centre 18 Nov
Bodyjar: The Hi-Fi 7 Aug
Courtney Love: Eatons Hill Hotel 20 Aug
Rick Astley: The Tivoli 21 Nov, Twin Towns 22 Nov
Anathema: The Hi-Fi 21 Aug
Kate Miller-Heidke: Empire Church Theatre 7 Aug, QPAC 8 Aug
Jonathan Boulet: Black Bear Lodge 28 Aug The Aston Shuffle: The Zoo 29 Aug Busby Marou: Soundlounge 29 Aug, Eatons Hill Hotel 30 Aug (AA) Megan Washington: The Zoo 30 Aug
Melody Pool & Marlon Williams: Black Bear Lodge 7 Aug, St Martin’s Parish Hall 8 Aug
Dead Letter Circus: New Globe Theatre 4 Sep
Little Bastard: Black Bear Lodge 10 Jul, Solbar 11 Jul, The Rails 12 Jul
Clare Bowditch, Adalita: Powerhouse Theatre 8 Aug
The Amity Affliction: Riverstage 5 Sep
Spiderbait: The Hi-Fi 9 Aug
Jesse Davidson: Alhambra Lounge 10 Jul
360: Arena 6 Sep (U18 matinee/18+ evening)
Seekae, Jonti: The Zoo 12 Aug
Thelma Plum: Old Museum 10 Jul
Peking Duk: The Met 12 Aug
Bob Dylan: BCEC 25 Aug
D At Sea: The Brightside 10 Jul, TBC Brisbane 11 Jul
Kav Temperley: Black Bear Lodge 13 Aug, Soundlounge 14 Aug
Lady Gaga: BEC 26 Aug
Toehider: The Brightside 11 Jul
Pity Sex: Crowbar 29 Aug
Voyager: The Brightside 11 Jul
The Dandy Warhols: The Tivoli 30 Aug
Something For Kate: The Tivoli 11 Jul
Biffy Clyro: The Tivoli 4 Sep
Jeff Lang: Mullumbimby Town Hall 11 Jul, Brisbane Powerhouse 12 Jul
Forever Came Calling: Snitch 21 Aug, The Lab 22 Aug (AA) Kid Ink: The Hi-Fi 22 Aug Taking Back Sunday, The Used: Eatons Hill Hotel 22 Aug Knapsack: Crowbar 23 Aug King Buzzo: Black Bear Lodge 24 Aug
Protest The Hero: The Hi-Fi 4 Sep
NATIONAL
DevilDriver, Whitechapel: The Hi-Fi 5 Sep
Jakubi: Beach Hotel 11 Jul, New Globe Theatre 12 Jul, Rumpus Room 13 Jul
You Me At Six: Eatons Hill Hotel 5 Sep
Hey Geronimo: Grand Central Hotel 12 Jul
Pop Will Eat Itself: The Zoo 5 Sep
Miracle: GPO 12 Jul, East 29 Aug
Sharon Jones & The DapKings: The Tivoli 5 Sep
Violent Soho: The Hi-Fi 12, 13, 19 Jul
Anberlin: The Hi-Fi 6 Sep The Ghost Inside: Byron YAC 9 Sep, Kontraband 10 Sep, Coolangatta Hotel 11 Sep
The White Album Concert ft Tim Rogers, Chris Cheney, Phil Jamieson and Josh Pyke: QPAC 13 Jul (matinee & evening)
The Wonder Years: The Hi-Fi 11 Sep, The Lab 12 Sep (AA)
Remi: Solbar 17 Jul, Coniston Lane 18 Jul, The Brewery 19 Jul
30 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
Bonjah: The Zoo 10 Oct, Racehorse Hotel 11 Oct, Surfers Paradise Beer Garden 12 Oct
I Killed The Prom Queen: Byron YAC 9 Sep, Kontraband 10 Sep, Coolangatta Hotel 11 Sep Sticky Fingers: The Hi-Fi 12 Sep
Nick Cave: BCEC 3 Dec, GCCEC 4 Dec Thy Art Is Murder: Crowbar 20 Dec, 21 Dec (U18) Kylie Minogue: BEC 21 Mar
FESTIVALS Splendour In The Grass: North Byron Parklands 25-27 Jul Gympie Music Muster: Gympie 28-31 Aug BIGSOUND: Fortitude Valley Entertainment Precinct 10-12 Sep Originals Music Festival: Noosa AFL Grounds 13 Sep Listen Out: Brisbane Showgrounds 5 Oct Soulfest: Riverstage 25 Oct
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THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014 • 31
32 • THE MUSIC • 9TH JULY 2014
The Music is a free, weekly gloss magazine of newsstand quality. It features a diverse range of content including arts, culture, fashion, li...
Published on Jul 8, 2014
The Music is a free, weekly gloss magazine of newsstand quality. It features a diverse range of content including arts, culture, fashion, li...