X-Press Magazine #1354

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Happy Mondays Boys Boys Boys!

C’MON GET HAPPY

Notorious Madchester acid-house party outfit Happy Mondays are returning to Australia this year with an all original lineup. Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Bez, Gary Whelan, Mark Day and Rowetta will be gracing Capitol’s stage on Wednesday, May 8. The influential UK outfit were a staple of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and have since had many lineup variations. The last Happy Mondays’ album (2007) Uncle Dysfunktional also featured the first formation of the band. Tickets go on sale today, Wednesday, January 23. Better get onto that though oztix.com.au and heatseeker.com.au.

BEAT B’DAY BASH

It’s officially a year since The Beat opened its doors to Perth and cemented its place in our prestigious live music scene. Next Friday, February 1, The Beat will be hosting its 1st Birthday Party in its upstairs band room featuring Boys Boys Boys! with support from Axe Girl and Mezzanine. Doors open 8pm and it’s all for free!

LANEWAY LINES UP

The folks at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival have just added some fine local DJs to the Perth event, namely Ta-ku, Kit Pop and Rex Monsoon.

They'll be making matters matter at the Derrick's Stage.

The playtimes have also been released including those for Path To Laneway, the band competition, which each year gives a local unsigned artist the chance to open Laneway. Artists are encouraged to submit their electronic press kit via Sonicbids at sonicbids. com/Laneway2013(.) Entries are now open and the deadline to submit is midnight Wednesday, January 30.

Three acts will be shortlisted and to battle it out in a live final judged by a panel of industry experts on Tuesday, February 5, at The Bird. The winner will be announced on the night and entry is free.

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival will be held on Saturday, February 9, at the Perth Cultural Centre.

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Reactions/ Comp

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Flesh

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Music: Big Day Out Info

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Music: The Killers/ Chicks On Speed

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Music: JTB/ Journey

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New Noise

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Eye4 Cover: Tarantino’s Django Unchained

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Eye4 News

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Eye4 Arts Listings

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Eye4 Art Stories

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Salt Cover: Skank MC

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Salt: Cover Story/ Reef The Lost Cauze /

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Salt: Nickey Romero/ Claude VonStroke/

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Salt: Club Guide/ In The Diary

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Salt: Rewind

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Scene: Live

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What’s On: Australia Day Weekend Guide

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Scene: Local Scene

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Tour Trails

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Gig Guide

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Volume

Avicii, Future Music Festival-bound

THAT’S AVICII

In case you hadn’t heard, chart-topping Swedish superstar and worldwide phenomenon Avicii has been added to the already iconic line-up for Future Music Festival.

The two-time Grammy Award nominee is all set to bring his massive production to the headlining spot of the EDM stage at Future Music Festival, which will dominate Arena Joondalup on Sunday, March 3.

He joins The Prodigy, The Stone Roses, Bloc Party and a cast of thousands (of good times). Head to futuremusicfestival.com.au and melleenevents.com for tickets and more details.

PVT

EVOLUTIONARY TOUR

PVT are set to return with their fourth studio album, Homosapien, out Friday, February 8, and a nationwide jaunt to boot. After a gruelling worldwide tour, the trio formally known as Pivot are known for exploring the outer reaches of electronic rock. Genre-bending duo, Collarbones will be providing support. Catch them at The Bakery on Saturday, March 30, presented by X-Press Magazine.

Tickets are on sale now from nowbaking.com.au and moshtix.com.au.

Boom! Bap! Pow!

SEXY IS THE NEW SINGLE

Suit is the downright sexy new single from Perth’s finest purveyors of infectious soul pop - Boom! Bap! Pow! Leading lady and human firecracker Novac Bull has always threatened to let the devil on her shoulder get the better of her, but on this latest slice of dark sunshine, Bull has really gone off the deep end. The single was produced by Matt Giovennangelo (Voltaire Twins, Split Seconds) at the renowned Studio Couch and mixed by man-of-the-moment, Steve Schram (San Cisco, The Cat Empire). See them at Amplifier, Saturday, February 2 with The Brow Horn Orchestra, The Caballeros and the Polly Medlen Band. Secure your tix from oztix.com.au. Bam!

Riva Starr/ News

Testpad

Cover: The Killers co-headline the Big Day Out on Monday, January 28 at Claremont Showgrounds

Salt Cover: Skank MC also plays Big Day Out on Monday, January 28 www.xpressmag.com.au

Ron Gomboc’s Migrating Spirits, Sculpture By The Sea, Cottesloe 2012

SHE SELLS SEA SHELLS

Sculpture By The Sea returns to Cottesloe Beach this March set to transform one of Perth’s most popular beaches into a sculptural wonderland. More than 70 artists from across Australia and 12 other countries will create Perth’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition with this year’s works’ including some of the world’s most distinguished artists. The UK’s Sir Anthony Caro OM, China’s Chen Wenling and Professor Sui Jianguo and the recipient of the main prize of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012 (the Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize) US artist, Peter Lundberg will be featured.

The exhibition will be stretching along the white sands and grassed terraces of Cottesloe beach between March 8 - 25.

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with Casey Hayes... Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line or enter online at www.xpressmag.com.au. Snail mail entries can be sent to Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872. Entries close 4pm Monday. By entering you agree to X-Press Magazine’s Terms and Conditions, which can be found online. All competition entries will automatically enable you to become an X-Press subscriber! No details will be given to a third party.

Print and Digital Editions Publisher/Manager Joe Cipriani Editorial

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Managing Editor Bob Gordon: editor@xpressmag.com.au Fashion Editor Emma Bergmeier: fashion@xpressmag.com.au Dance Music & Features Editor Jo Campbell: danceeditor@xpressmag.com.au Local Music & Arts Editor Travis Johnson: localmusicarts@xpressmag.com.au Gig & Event Guides Co-ordinator Casey Hayes - guide@xpressmag.com.au Entertainment Services Co-ordinator / Competitions Casey Hayes - win@xpressmag.com.au Photography Callum Ponton, Stefan Caramia, Daniel Grant, Sammy Granville, Matt Jelonek, Denis Radacic, Emma Mackenzie, Guang-Hui Chuan, Max Fairclough Contributing Writers Henry Andersen, Ashleigh Whyte, Nina Bertok, Shaun Cowe, Derek Cromb,Chris Gibbs,Alfred Gorman,George Green,Alex Griffin,Chris Havercroft, Joshua Hayes, Brendan Holben, Coral Huckstep, Rezo Kezerashvili,Tara Lloyd, Adam Morris, Andrew Nelson, Chloe Papas, Tom Varian, Ben Watson, Jessica Willoughby, Miki Mclay, Morgan Richards, James Manning, Joe Cassidy, Shane Pinnegar For band gigs and launches - plugyourgig@xpressmag.com.au

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Metros Freo

PARTY THE WEEKEND AWAY

Hold on to your seats because Metros Fremantle is bringing you three massive parties this long weekend! Don your bathers and boardies for the Frat House Fridays’ Beach Party while the Death Disco DJs battle it out against special guests The Purple Sneaker DJs. On Saturday, rug up for the first ever Snow Party and on Sunday, the sell out UV Party. We have five double weekend passes to give away. Enter via email or on our Facebook page and let us know the craziest party you’ve ever been too!

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Production

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It’s your last chance to win two tickets to the Big Day Out at Claremont Showgrounds this Monday, January 28. The winner will be drawn at 12pm this Friday, January 25, and the winner will be notified by email. Just email in the page number of the BDO’s ad in this week’s edition using words in the subject line! You’ll need to be able to come into the office to pick your tickets up before 5pm this Friday.

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Design + Production

art@xpressmag.com.au Andy Quilty, Anthony Jackson, Kasia Mazurkiewicz

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Zero Dark Thirty

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CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION: 38,000 OCTOBER 2011 – MARCH 2012

Above & Beyond

ABOVE & BEYOND

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Entertainment Services Co-ordinator

With immersive visuals, live messaging and unparalleled production, Above & Beyond will be bringing their famed and memorable DJ experience to Metro City next Friday, February 1.

We have two double passes up for grabs - just email or Facebook by telling us about a time when you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.

MANHUNT THIS

From Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) comes Zero Dark Thirty the riveting account of Navy SEAL Team 6 and intelligence forces’ decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden. Stars include Jessica Chastain, Aussie Joel Edgerton and Mark Strong. Email us now to grab yourself a double pass.

Black Swan Theatre

BLACK SWAN THEATRE

Deadlines EDITORIAL General: Friday 5pm,, Eye4 Arts: Thursday 10am, Comp’ Thing: Monday Noon,, Salt Clubs: Monday 5pm , Local Scene: Monday Noon,, Gig Guide: Monday 5pm ADVERTISING Cancellations: Monday 5pm, Ads to be set: Monday Noon Supplied Bookings / Copy: Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds: Monday 4pm Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 55/102 Railway Street, City West Business Centre, West Perth, WA 6005 Locked Bag 31, West Perth, WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9213 2888 Fax: (08) 9213 2882 Website: http://www.xpressmag.com.au

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Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.

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Take advantage of Adventure World’s extended opening hours this summer opening from 10am til 7pm everyday until February 3.

Ride the 52m Free Fall or get thrown about on the Power Surge. If that’s not your style, take a trip to Dragon’s Kingdom where you can ride the medieval themed rides. We have a bunch of double passes to giveaway - they could be yours!

WIN A BIG DAY OUT

Art Director

Administration

MORE TIME FOR ADVENTURE

Big Day Out

Production Co-ordinator Uli Mauersberg

Adventure World

Wolfgang Gartner

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

LUNA CINEMAS

Luna Cinemas are now screening You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger. Two couples find their lives turned upside down by their unfulfilled longings in this ensemble comedy from director Woody Allen. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Freida Pinto and Josh Brolin. We have 10 double passes to giveaway so email us!

The Motherf**ker With The Hat is playing as part of the Fringe World at the beautiful State Theatre Centre. This highly acclaimed and slightly controversial show is explosive and hilarious. This is definitely one you don’t want to miss! Enter now to grab a double pass for next Friday’s, February 1 show.

HANG WITH WOLFGANG GARTNER

All the way from Cali, Wolfgang Gartner is in Australia showcasing his latest release Overdose.

We are giving away a VIP prize pack for the show at Villa next Friday, February 1. This includes VIP tickets to the show, an exclusive meet and greet with the man himself, a personally signed block mount plus some sneaky drinks to get the party started. All you need to do is let us know your ultimate gang name via email or on our Facebook page. Get cracking!

CHECK OUT WWW.XPRESSMAG.COM.AU AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER ONLINE FOR LOADS MORE EXCLUSIVE COMPS!

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

BLUESY SONGSTRESS

Trevor Ashley

DISHY DRAG

You’re invited to a wild and wicked audience with synthetic showbiz royalty as part of FRINGE WORLD. Helpmann Award-nominated performer Trevor Ashley, known most recently for his performance as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, channels the superb talents of cabaret’s most idiosyncratic superstar, Liza Minnelli. See him in his charismatic hit drag show Liza (On an E) in the De Parel Spiegeltent from February 10-16. From her marriage to Australia’s song-and-dance darling, Peter Allen, to her showbiz family and pill popping antics, plus some special appearances by her mother, Liza dishes the dirt on her extraordinary life like you’ve never seen her before. Tickets from fringeworld.com.au.

Joanne Shaw Taylor

GOOD TIME BOOGIE

The xx Pugsley Buzzard

EXTRA THE XX

We knew it! UK indie trio The xx have sold out their Perth show in mere days, prompting the addition of a second gig so that nobody has to miss out. Get in there quick for a second Metro City gig on Monday, April 1. Tickets on sale now from handsometours. com/current/the-xx-3/. The early bird gets the worm and it’s presented by X-Press Magazine

TV Snow

DEDICATED LP

Local rapscallions TV Snow are launching their debut LP at The Bakery, Saturday, February 16. In their first year as a band, TV Snow supported some pretty big outfits, but on July 14 last year they lost their bass player Ben, to a tragic shark attack. The band has dedicated and named the album Red, as Ben was known by his friends. They’ll be supported

by Dead Owls, Runner and Bishi Bashi.

Rock For Doc, a benefit show to help Angels’ singer Doc Neeson’s battle with cancer, happens at the Charles Hotel on Monday January 28, from 5pm. Taking to the stage will be Big Guns, Ragdoll, Krank and Angels Tribute show Mr Damage (featuring James Morley and Bob Spencer from The Angels 100%). BOB GORDON chats with organiser, Tom Tapping.

The whole country was pretty rocked the other week when it was announced that Doc Neeson had cancer. It says something of his cultural and popular influence doesn’t it?

Yes I think everyone that has had any Richard Tognetti exposure to a night out is aware of Doc, and even people who couldn’t name an Angels song know the infamous retort to Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?

They immediately go, ‘oh that!’

For anyone in a band, The Angels were Two giants of the Australian and international clearly one of the absolute pioneers of pub rock in classical music scenes are about to join forces to Australia and really, the whole late ‘70s and ‘80s scene launch The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s first exists because of bands like The Angels and of course, national concert for this year’s season. Brett Dean’s the style from such awesome frontmen as Doc Neeson Electric Preludes, a new electric violin concerto and Peter Garrett, There’s no question Oz rock was the written for Richard Tognetti, will have its Australian most exciting in the world in that period because of premiere on the tour, which will show at Perth these guys.

Doc himself is an imposing and complex Concert Hall on Wednesday, February 6. Played on a six-string violectra violin, the suite of six pieces character that Australians love because of his mystery explores the intersection between instrumental and theatrics as well as his manic energy and of course, a virtuosity of a classical nature and sound worlds that raft of great songs a couple of generations grew up to. In are only possible with electronics, all commented addition to the back injury he sustained in 1999 which took him off the road and initially called an end the The on by an unplugged string chamber orchestra.

The evening will also feature works from Angels, he has had a fairly well documented battle with various demons but continued to just be ‘Doc’.

Haydn and Mozart. Tickets from ticketek.com.au.

CLASSICAL ELECTRO PREMIERE

Packed with more punch than Ryu, Ambar’s Challenger Ready? is back in 2013 for your fix of DJ competitor-on-competitor game.

Boomtick’s elite will be going up against each other for your pleasure, featuring: Tonic v Tee EL, Dead Easy v Carla, Oli v JMC, Philly Blunt v Black Laces and Genga v JS. Get into it on Friday, February 8. Door sales are $12 before midnight.

OKA

OKA RETURNS

After a massive WA sell-out tour in September last year and an intense 80-show US tour, three-piece OKA return to the West Coast for a string of summer sessions. Their live shows this February are set to showcase some brand new tunes, currently being recorded for an end-of-year album release. Catch them at Indi Bar in Wednesday, February 6; Mojos on Thursday, February 7, and Railway Hotel on Sunday, February 10.

RSA films are currently making an innovative documentary on Bruce Springsteen entitled Springsteen & I. The film will be produced as a collaborative effort between Bruce and his fans, with fans being asked to contribute videos about what being Springsteen fan means to them. Any fan with personal insights, abstractions and reflections about the man in question and his music and how it has affected their life in light of his upcoming Australian tour in March.

Visit springsteenandi.com for more deets. www.xpressmag.com.au

Prepare to be booglarised by one of Australia’s finest consummate artists. Pugsley Buzzard has performed all over the world from the smoky jazz cellars of Berlin to downtown New Orleans, dazzling audiences with his unique blend of dark hoodoo blues, blazing stride style piano and huge mesmerising voice.

He’s got a huge diary of WA gigs lined up including: Friday, January 25 at Ellington Jazz Club, Saturday, January 26 at Rottnest Lodge, Sunday, January 27 at Fremantle Arts Centre and Tuesday, January 29 at Perth Blues Club at The Charles.

ROCK FOR DOC Live Line

ON LIKE DONKEY KONG

WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH SPRINGSTEEN?

It’s been a wild ride for young English guitar sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor - from her discovery at age 16 by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, to her recent appearance with Annie Lennox at The Queen’s Jubilee concert.

In that time she’s won best female vocalist at the British Blues Awards twice, toured the globe with the likes of BB King and Joe Bonamassa and released three critically acclaimed albums including 2012’s Almost Always Never.

She’s just about to embark on an Australia-wide tour. Check her at the Perth Blues Club at The Charles on Tuesday, February 19. Tickets on the door.

Public Space

BLUE ROOM PRESENTS

The Little y Theatre Company, Blue Room and theMOXYcollective present Public Space by Mark Storen as another addition to our fine FRINGE WORLD festival. Directed by Renee NewmanStoren, Public Space is an immersive interactive performance involving visual, sound, physical and textual moments that take the audience through the balmy early evening of the inner city urban hub, asking the audience to engage with their city in a new and unique way. It runs February 19-23 and tickets are $25 - visit: summernights.org.au or fringeworld.com.au.

This is apparently the first such benefit Doc has personally approved?

We are very honoured to have had this show approved by Doc and Angels drummer, Buzz Bidstrup.

As you could imagine, the impact of the announcement has bought a flurry of offers and ideas but after discussions with Buzz, who liaised with Doc, it was agreed that ours would be officially approved given the history and background of the key people involved.

That included James Morley coming on board immediately as we spoke to him and legendary guitarist Bob Spencer kindly agreeing to come and play too. Both of these guys are part of The Angels lineup that had only just hit the road prior to Christmas with Doc as part of their Angels 100% tour, which has now unfortunately had to be cancelled. Doc and Buzz were both understandably cautious about endorsing something so quickly but we went through the logistics and thinking behind it and they thankfully gave it their blessing and support.

Doc Neeson I believe the event is associated with Support Act Limited. Many people would be surprised that an icons like Doc would need such assistance in various scenarios - but it’s a hard fact of the Australian rock industry isn’t it?

Our show is not directly involved with Support Act, as we arranged this before the decision was made by Doc and Buzz to do everything through there.

They are a great organisation and it’s great to see that level of support for those in our industry. I don’t know all the details, but my understanding is Doc has had a few financial issues over time, like many from that era have.

Also, the money made by artists in that time was not as significant as artists might get today, especially with funding US tours as they did and such. Considerations such as cover for medical issues such as this are rarely expected, so would have significant impact on anyone, regardless of their situation. My understanding is that Doc has slogged it out for decades and not come out of it as well as he could have financially.

That aside, he is a true legend of the Australian music industry and every person that has either played in a band or been to a pub show to see anyone, has people like him to thank for it. He is doing it tough and clearly will be for some time. He has done heaps behind the scenes with charity shows, concerts for troops and much more. I think it’s only right we not only do this to help a bit financially, but also just to let him know how much he means to the Australian public.

In recent years, The Angels have been split in two by business and petty disagreements. It was, however, good to see a statement released by the Brewster Brothers re Doc. Sometimes life has a way of reminding people what’s really important...

Firstly as an Angels fan, I’m quite disappointed at the public nature of the battle of The Angels. To me, it has damaged the ‘brand’ to some degree and does cast a shadow on the many great memories of the band. I thought their documentary No Way... was a mistake in that it aired a lot of dirty laundry that didn’t really do anyone any good. I described it to someone the other day as ‘Spinal Tap without the humour’.

In saying that, I have no doubt the Brewsters and Chris Bailey - who is facing his own serious health issues I believe - should and I’m sure do have a lot of respect for Doc. Despite their business battle, the two brothers and Doc have a serious bond that really can’t Tickets to Rock For Doc are available at the Charles be broken because you disagree. In a perfect world Hotel or online at eventmasters.com.au for $25 they would sort their differences and do what is best for presale or $30 at the door.

The Angels, but I really don’t know if that will happen.

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In the beginning, The Killers were renowned as the best British band ever to come out of Las Vegas, but since then, their music has come to reflect a dusty, nostalgic sort of Americana.

“I was still very young when we started out, and I think I was still searching for a lot of things, and my own identity being one of those,” Flowers says. “I was obsessed with British culture and music, and then somebody put me on a plane …” he pauses to laugh, “… and stuck me there, and I realised that you can fantasise about something as much as you want, but the reality is never going to be what you expect.

“You are who you are, and I was who I was.”

This is the first of many times he’ll use this phrase or something similar, ‘I am what I am’ being a phrased method of explaining away awkward or uncomfortable topics.

The Killers’ most recent album, Battle Born, taps this vein of Americana pretty deeply.

From its cover art - which features a stallion and a sports car charging at each other on a dusty desert highway - to songs such as Miss Atomic Bomb, whose lyrics draw on the classic American themes of hot nights and heavy petting, it’s all there.

It seems that, in the early days, The Killers’ music was about trying to be as far away from home as possible, whereas now, they’re feeling pretty comfortable on their home turf.

Flowers more-or-less agrees with this assessment.

The Killers

THE KILLERS I Am What I Am

Direct from Las Vegas, The Killers will co-headline the Big Day Out on Monday, January 28, at Claremont Showgrounds. ALASDAIR DUNCAN speaks with enigmatic frontman, Brandon Flowers.

Chicks On Speed Photo: Beda Mulzer

CHICKS ON SPEED Fast Learners

Chicks On Speed make two free appearances as part of Fringeworld; a performance at Rooftop Cinemas on Sunday, January 27, and a performance lecture, Mise En Abyme at The Bakery on Tuesday, January 29, plus a DJ performance on the Big Day Out’s Lilypad at Claremont Showgrounds on Monday, January 28. SABIAN WILDE reports 14

When you see him on stage with The Killers, Brandon Flowers is every inch the rock’n’roll star. He struts around the stage with an almost preternatural air of confidence, working the crowd exper tly between songs, and throwing himself bodily into anthems like Mr Brightside and All These Things That I’ve Done.

Over the past decade or so, he and his band have become veterans of performing at festivals, and he can quite happily hold a crowd of tens of thousands in the palm of his hand as neon palm trees and oceans of LED lights flicker behind him.

In interview, however, it’s a totally different story. Flowers is polite and softly-spoken, his conversation punctuated with the occasional nervous laugh, and he seems almost bewildered at the level of success that he and the band have achieved.

As an art collective that produces a wide range of works, Chicks on Speed have flirted with pop on cheeky tracks such as We Don’t Play Guitars while retaining their electro-clash art cred.

Their current itinerary includes a series of artist-in-residence engagements and performances around Australia.

“This is what we do. It’s definitely a multi-disciplinary contemporary art collective.

You could call us art workers if you like,” laughs founding member, Alex Leslie-Murray. “We always try to combine our exhibitions with touring to present different facets of the work we produce.”

The collective star ted in 1997 in Munich, where Melissa Logan and Leslie-Murray met at the Art Academy before working in an arts venue/bar, taking their name from a description of how they set up exhibitions or performance spaces.

As a working collective with over 15 years’ experience, their longevity far exceeds many of their musical contemporaries.

“When we started the collective, it was almost out of loneliness; to get together with like-minded people to create,” says Leslie-Murray.

“There’s brain-drain, and people leave, but I think the reason for our longevity has to do with our group dynamic.

“It’s a lot of work, it’s like a relationship,” she says, in a bid for the conversation’s biggest understatement. “It’s about holding things together, being able to redefine yourself and move forward.”

And for people who are unfamiliar with the concept of a performance lecture, don’t worry. Chicks on Speed sort of made it up.

“The theme we’re doing at the moment has been going for about six months,” LeslieMurray explains. “It’s the idea of a window in a window in a window. Each time we do the lecture, we film it and it becomes part of the next lecture,” she explains.

“It’s always a new piece, where we mash up parts of parts of past lectures, creating different windows using projection and then interacting with them. So we’re interacting with ourselves in the past, from the future, in the present; and playing with that with our bodies with dance and sound.

“We’ll probably stop doing it soon,” she laughs,” before we start boring people”.

Loneliness is certainly no longer an issue for this busy art-worker. Leslie-Murray now has a global network and a surprising awareness of Perth’s artistic under-belly, citing practitioners such as Guy Ben-Ary, the PORTAL+ project and she’s looking forward to her own residency with the UWA-based Symbiotica late next year.

“I feel really powerful right now. Not to boast, but I feel really comfortable in my own skin. I’ve come to grips with what it means to be on stage, and embraced it.”

“Since Hot Fuss, the music I’ve made has been a conscious effort to find out what exactly I am, and it draws closer to America, because that’s what I’m familiar with,” he says. “I feel like I have more of a duty, and more of a … what’s the word? I guess I have more insight into America.

I guess it makes more sense to me, because it’s where I’m from.”

There’s a certain streak of sentimentality that runs through the music of The Killers – from

their early smash When You Were Young through to a song like The Way It Was, they seem to constantly be reflecting on the past. There’s a dash of sadness behind the storming hooks, an urge to reflect on glory days and better times and Flowers admits that, from an early age, he has always been the sentimental type.

“Even when I was very young, I was like that,” he says. “I don’t know who I inherited that from… but I love to tell stories and it’s inevitable that the stories end up having those sentiments.

People appreciate that kind of honesty. What’s great about that is that as I grow and have new experiences, the meaning in songs starts to change – that’s true of the songs that I love, as well as the ones that I’ve written myself. I can start to appreciate them in a whole new way. I’m happy to be part of it all.”

He pauses again, and then laughs. “It’s not always cool to be so sentimental, but I am what I am!”

Flowers himself is quite a prolific songwriter – every two years since The Killers’ debut, he’s come up with another batch of songs.

His debut solo record, Flamingo, arrived three years ago and the songs were actually meant to be for the band, but when they decided they wanted to take some time off, he went again and recorded them anyway, with frequent collaborators like Stuart Price and Daniel Lanois in the studio.

Songwriting, it seems, is in his blood, and he is constantly working on new material.

“I’m thinking about it all the time,” he says. “It’s humbling when you learn about people that have… I got nothing on Bob Marley or Bob Dylan, these people that were extremely prolific.

I think those are the kinds of people that keep me going, the kinds of people that I admire. Guys like that are always trying. They say that if you stop practising, you kind of lose it. I guess I worry about that.”

The Killers are especially excited to be heading to Australia again, where they will coheadline the Big Day Out tour over the summer.

“Every time we’ve played in Australia, it’s been the summertime, so we’re very happy to be coming back,” he says. “You’re going to have four happy Killers!”

During the Day And Age era, the band’s live show was all about Vegas flash and sparkle, but Flowers says they’ve toned it down a little since then.

“We wanted something that was more crisp and simple this time,” he says. “There’s always so much made about the jacket that I’m wearing on stage and other things like that – the live show right now is more about us just being ourselves, I guess, and hopefully letting the music and the show do the talking.”

Alabama Shakes Photo: Don Van Cleave

ALABAMA SHAKES

Southern Charm Alabama Shakes will perform the Big Day Out on Monday, January 28, at Claremont Showgrounds. JOSHUA KLOKE reports.

If there’s any doubt at all about the authenticity of Alabama Shakes’ roots, guitarist Heath Fogg quickly puts them to rest when he answers the phone from his northern Alabama home.

“I’m just hanging out at the house, getting ready to cook dinner,” he says, in a thick, affectionate southern drawl. “Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and fried okra. Real healthy stuff.”

Fogg has found himself craving southern food and drink since earlier this year, when his band’s public profile exploded and they committed themselves to life on the road. “I keep coming back to Southern food,” he explains. “I might not have realised how much I loved it until I started travelling.

We have a lot of sweet tea here, with a lot of sugar and milk in it. We cool it down, too. And that’s not even nationwide – you go past Tennessee and it’s hard to get sweet tea. I find that’s something I crave when I’m on the road.”

Fogg seems sincerely taken aback by the success of Boys And Girls, the band’s debut full-length.

Their insanely contagious soul-tinged roots rock has

landed them on a variety of late night television shows, on the covers of reputable magazines, and on tours throughout North America and Europe. From November 2012 to April 2013, Alabama Shakes will touch down on five continents; it’s as varied a tour as a modern band can set out on, and Fogg chuckles after the schedule is read out to him.

“I certainly had no idea we were doing all of that,” he says, through a laugh. “We just try to take things one day at a time. The promo stuff is starting to build though. In the spring, Brittany (Howard, lead singer) and I did a promo run in Europe. For a couple of days, we were doing interviews all day. That was really strange. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that – otherwise, I just take it in stride.”

While the media attention just rolls right off, the acclaim of fellow musicians has left a lasting impression on Alabama Shakes. Jack White has publicly lauded the band, and soon approached Fogg and co. about releasing a series of seven-inch singles on his label, Third Man Records.

“I’d say that’s one of the best feelings in the world, to be praised by someone you respect or admire,” Fogg says. “I think that’d be in any field, too; I’m sure that if you played baseball and one of your heroes said you had a good fastball, it’d feel the same way.”

The big-up from Jack White will certainly help Alabama Shakes move forward; Fogg admits that the band only signed a one-album deal with their label, ATO Records. “We just didn’t want to be tied down to anything, especially seeing as how we were so naïve at the time.”

Has this naïveté produced any real learning experiences for the band? “Every time we go on tour it’s a learning experience,” he admits. “That’s the nature of the beast; you have to make decisions quickly and learn on the fly. We do have a lot of good people behind us, though; we’re not doing this alone, that’s for sure.”

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JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Brothers In Arms

Tennessean two-piece Jeff The Brotherhood bring their power pop/lofi punk aesthetic to Mojos on Saturday, January 27, with support from The Love Jeff The Brotherhood Junkies and The Long Lost Brothers, Photo: Jo McCaughey before playing at the Big Day Out on prodigious over the past decade or so. Since forming Jeff Monday, January 28, at Claremont The Brotherhood with his brother, Jamin, back in 2001 the pair were still in high school, he’s been half of Showgrounds. TRAVIS JOHNSON has a when a team that has produced eight full-length albums, in word with Jake Orral. between playing a staggering number of live gigs.

When we speak to Jake Orral, he’s winding down after a long day.

“I just had dinner,” he informs us. “And I’m sitting on my couch.‘Bout time to think about having a drink.”

It’s a rare moment of inactivity for a man whose musical output has been nothing less than

Up until recently it’s just been a two-man operation as well. It’s only with their latest album, 2012’s Hypnotic Nights, that the pair decided to rope in a producer to oversee things. That producer was none other than Dan Auerbach, axeman for The Black Keys.

“It was great,” Orral says of the experience.

“I think when it’s just the band all the time - especially when it’s just two people - you kind of get caught up

in your own artistic vision, and will probably fail to see a lot of things that could improve the songs and recordings - just little things. So having someone there who has another opinion is really crucial to making a solid record, I think.”

Which raises the question as to whether it’s not always easy working closely with a sibling. It’s not very hard to imagine that your average, run of the mill fraternal fallouts would only be amplified by the stresses and passions inherent in any creative endeavour.

Yes and no, says Orral. “I mean, we argue all the time about meaningless nonsense, little trifling things, but we also know when to stop. Unlike someone who you didn’t grow up with, who you just throw your hands up at and walk away, with us you can go, ‘Okay, I know why you’re doing this’ and deal with problems before they become a big issue. It’s fine, it’s not a problem.”

Indeed, you get the sense that Jeff The Brotherhood take a fairly relaxed approach to production, as evidenced by the music video to the single, Sixpack, taken from the Hypnotic Nights EP that preceded the album of the same name by a couple of months. The clip shows the brothers and a few friends just fooling around on the river, which is apparently a reflection of how the thing was filmed.

“It was really easy,” Orral recalls of the shoot.

“We go to that river as many times as we can during the summer with our friends, so I wrote a song about it.

Then Warner Brothers wanted to use it as a single, and I said, ‘Why don’t we just go to the river like we always do and just have someone film it?’ And so that’s basically what we did. Once you get drunk, after like an hour you forget that there are cameras.”

Journey

JOURNEY

The Mark Of Cain US soft-rockers Journey are on their way to support Deep Purple at Perth Arena on Thursday, March 7. SHANE PINNEGAR speaks with keyboard player, Jonathan Cain.

Jonathan Cain has become best known as the keyboard player and songwriter for Journey, but his career has taken him down on many avenues.

Still, there’s always room for a first.

“It’s kind of wild,” he says of finally getting his band to Australia, his enthusiasm obvious even down an international phone line.

“We’ve been wanting to come there for the last 10 years and one thing or another kept us from coming and finally the guys from Deep Purple agreed to give us a shot so we’re going to show you what Journey are all about.

“I’m a big fan of those guys and the music they did is just an awesome legacy and it’s neat to see that they’re still out there doing it, you know? One of my first rock’n’roll records I ever bought was Hush (1968) when I was a kid; I went out and bought a Hammond B3 organ (as favoured

by Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord) just because of that.”

Even after 85 million record sales, Journey are perhaps best known in Australia for their smash hit Don’t Stop Believin’, co-written by Cain, which is the top selling song on iTunes ever, with five million downloads as at November, 2011.

“It was just the right song at the right time,” says the keyboard whizz of his most famous creation. “I think there was a lot of elements that all added up; The Sopranos picked it up as their closing song and Rock Of Ages featuring it and Glee jumping on it, then getting nominated for a Grammy. It has always been a feelgood song. It’s a song about the rock’n’roll dream, and it gives somebody permission to dream whatever they want to dream. Permission to dream is a good thing these days.”

There’s also a documentary coming later this year, directed by Romana Diaz, called Don’t Stop Believin’: Every Man’s Journey, which documents their current singer Arnel Pinedo’s rise from YouTube karaoke singer in the Phillipines, to international rock stardom.

“It’s Arnel’s story and it’s remarkable,” Cain explains.

“It’s something everybody should see.”

As mentioned, Cain has been down many musical avenues and it’d be silly not to touch on them. We discuss the chances of a reunion of The Babys or Bad English with John Waite, (“No way. That is not going to happen, ever.”); writing Jimmy Barnes’ signature song, Working Class Man, (“I wrote the song in half an hour with my German Shepherd. I sort of loosely based it upon my admiration of my father and the working class kind of guy that I had been fascinated with my whole life. I thought Jimmy could really tell that story.”) and even his daughter Madison Cain’s new single Dirt, which he co-wrote, (“YouTube it – it’s pretty cool!”).

With so much under his belt already, there doesn’t seem to be much left for him to keep creatively striving for, but Cain has another target in his sights.

“I’d really like to crack the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame, because I live there now, and they’ve sort of been really standoffish,” he says wistfully, “maybe I’ll get with Keith Urban and sit down and write or produce something. That’s my next thing. I’ve sort of been knocking at the door and then you know, been left standing at the altar a little bit so I’m going to work on that.”

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DEAR TIMES WASTE Some Kind Of Eden

JAMES CARTER ORGAN TRIO At The Crossroads

Spunk/EMI

Emarcy Records

Aucklander Claire Duncan releases music under the pseudonym Dear Times Waste with Some Kind Of Eden being her second album. The bookish Duncan is studious in her approach to storytelling to create tunes that are much more cerebral than they first appear.

Dear Times Waste may form a band when they play live, but this has predominantly been a solo endeavour for Duncan. The recording of Some Kind Of Eden is no different, with Duncan isolating herself in a cramped Eden Terrace flat or the more expansive surrounds of a deserted studio. The results are as ethereal and sparse as the surrounds would suggest.

There are programmed beats that keep a constant sway as Duncan’s voice ebbs and flows like a cross between Elizabeth Fraser and Laurie Anderson.

As it plays with shifting melodies, Fortune has all the delicacy and charm of an innocent child, while tunes such as Curtains have a robotic quality. It is this type of disparity which is evident throughout, that is Some Kind Of Eden’s strength.

Some Kind Of Eden is a more complex beast that it would appear. Continued time in its garden will bear many a fruit. Dear Times Waste are a subtle joy.

From Detroit comes 42 year-old multi-saxophonist, James Carter - a prominent and unique jazz musician with his distinctive virtuosity and shining sound. On this recording you have the opportunity to hear him pay homage to some of the great blues - Ramblin’ Blues by Maybelle Smith and Fred Mendelsohn, Jack McDuff’s Walkin’ The Dog and an incredible version of The Hard Blues, featuring special guest guitarist, Brandon Ross.

Although most of the compositions are from the traditional book of blues, the ensemble extends its ideas into its own world - spiritually, musically and emotionally.

Apart from being a prolific recording artist, Carter is also an outstanding live performer. At the Crossroads features his organ trio with the sizzling drummer, Leonard King Jnr and the dexterous, Gerard Gibbs on organ along with special guests, vocalist, Miche Braden, trombonist Vincent Chandler and Keyon Harrold on trumpet.

This trio’s forthcoming show at the Chevron Festival Gardens looks sure to be a treat. _ HELEN MATTHEWS

_ CHRIS HAVERCROFT

SCOTT WALKER Bish Bosch

EX COPS True Hallucinations

4AD/Inertia

Fat Possum

It may be winter in New York but this Brooklyn quintet has captured summer in their debut album. Not just the stereotypical happy summer days, but the long hot nights, the heartbreaks, the mistakes, the real summer.

True Hallucinations is mellow and a little sad - in a nostalgic way- but the choruses open up with powerful energy. If you were going to pigeonhole Ex Cops you could say they’re an easy going Jebediah, or you could draw flattering similarities with The Shins. The chords are simple, the drums are punchy and the melodies catchy, so at first it seems like standard indie-pop. This is because it’s not an in your face album. It just swirls around the back of your head, then penetrates your psyche until you’re humming along.

James; You Are A Lion’ I Am A Lamb and Spring Break are all radio worthy; they’re short, sweet and weightless until anchored by sentimental guitar lines. The reverb used throughout the album creates a smooth transition from song to song and contributes to the warm atmosphere. The album takes its foot off the pedal towards the end for a couple of ballads and never really picks up the momentum again. Despite that it’s a brilliant debut. Bands often sticky tape their best material together for their first release, but this is a cohesive, conceptual album.

Since 1995’s Tilt, Scott Walker has sporadically released a series of ‘uneasy listening’ albums light years removed from the kitchen sink pop melodrama of his work in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s. His 14th studio album finds Walker continuing to delve deep into the avant garde with a collection of tracks that are in equal measure disconcerting and highly enjoyable.

On first listen, Bish Bosch might seem to be the very serious work of a very dour man, but you only have to listen to some of the lyrics to realise that there is a lot of (dark) humour to Walker’s songs.

You will find little in the way of any sort of verse-chorus-verse structure to the nine tracks.

Several times, particularly during the near-22-minutelong SDSS1416+13B (Zercon, A Flagpole Sitter), there are vast gaps of silence interrupted by the occasional orchestral jolt. The accompaniment seems more soundscape than song; some tracks feature found sounds like barking dogs, grinders and clinking machetes. Only Epizootics! really comes close to resembling anything conventional, and even then, it’s a sinister, pummelling track which feels like Walker has taken on the role of hell’s own lounge singer.

With its reverb-heavy washes of guitar, album closer The Day The “Conducator” Died (An Xmas Song), wouldn’t sound out of place next to something by Slowdive.

_SCOTT GARY WILLIAMS

CHRISTINA AGUILERA Lotus

VILLAGERS {Awayland}

Sony

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_ MICHAEL HARTT

Domino/EMI

Christina Aguilera could never be labelled a trendsetter.

More, a trend appreciator. Her latest album, Lotus, sees her lagging behind in the urban/ pop/dance scene populated by the likes of J. Lo and Nicky Minaj. Once you get past the hideous cover art, you will find several upbeat club tracks just perfect for the dance floor – in particular Army Of Me, Your Body and Let There Be Love (absolutely no correlation to the Beatles classic, may it be noted). The other, more urban influenced tracks such as Cease Fire unfortunately translate more like Rihanna b-sides. Don’t you be gettin’ too gangsta on our asses, Xtina.

But it wouldn’t be a Christina Aguilera album without some lung-busting power ballads – the highlight being Blank Page, where Aguilera invites a love to fill the pages of her, well, blank page. No-one ever said she was original, either. Duets with country star and The Voice co-stars Blake Shelton and Ceelo Green also feature, although they are nothing to write home about.

There is no doubt Lotus will provide Aguilera with a few more notches on her belt of hits, but it is a little disappointing that she continues to recognise the pop trends just a little late. She also continues to sing about self-determination and not caring what anyone thinks while simultaneously forgetting to dress herself for the camera, so clearly someone’s thinking and caring about their audience.

Not that there’s plenty of fans who’d disapprove.

It’s been a long time since Irish music has been all about U2, The Pogues or The Cranberries. Villagers are part of the new breed of indie darlings that are taking their tunes to the world at a rate of knots. After leaving his previous band, Conor O’Brien wrote the first song for Villagers the very next day – with a raging hangover no less. The road since then has been a whirlwind of festivals and award nominations. {Awayland} is an attempt for O’Brien to write songs as if from the perspective of a newborn baby. Child development obviously dictates that the world is a heady mixture of droning organs, frenetic percussion and cascading guitars if Earthly Pleasures is anything to go by.

These songs revolve less around O’Brien and his acoustic guitar and are a far more obtuse version of the dark scenes that he has previously painted. In spite of the more challenging aspect of the sounds here, Villagers succeed in making an engaging record and even have time to throw in the irresistible pop sing-along of Nobody Arrived.

With a greater reliance on electronica and layers of sounds on {Awayland}, Villagers only loosely remain within the realm of folk music in its most broad interpretation. This extra sense of wonder and a vocalist who sounds like a cross between Feargal Sharkey and Conor Oberst means they were always on a winner.

_JEN WILSON

_ CHRIS HAVERCROFT X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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THE DAILY GRINDR HARPING ON

Jazz harp - it sounds like a punchline from a Will Ferrell film, but it’s a real thing, and Michelle Smith is the real deal - one of the only jazz harpists in the world. This week, as part of the Fringe Classical vs Jazz World Festival, she goes head to head with classical harpist Catherine Ashley in Classical Vs Jazz: The Ultimate Harp Battle to try and find an answer to that gnawing question: is classical better than jazz? Hit the De Parade Teatro on Friday, January 25, Saturday, January 26, or Tuesday January 29 to witness this musical Thunderdome. More info at fringeworld.com.au.

COCKED AND LOADED

Django Unchained CONTINUED FROM COVER

Tarantino lays out his scenario carefully and deliberately, giving his characters identifiable motives and goals, before setting them against each other in what is, at base, a kind of American fairytale, with Django the mythic hero who must rescue his princess from the rapacious Candie.

Waltz even makes the explicit comparison at one point, and Samuel L. Jackson crops up late in the game as a duplicitous house slave who comes across as a kind of Uncle Tom Wormtongue, further cementing the narrative parallels.

All the usual Tarantino hallmarks are present and correct; it’s stunningly violent arguably the most violent film he’s ever made - blackly humorous, packed with chewy dialogue, and alive with the sheer joy of cinema. It’s also filled with nods and references to countless Westerns, which go well beyond the obvious Leone pastiches. Veteran cineastes will get a kick out of spotting the references, and anyone still

complaining about Tarantino’s remix approach to filmmaking at this stage of the game must only be watching his stuff out of sheer masochism he’s not gonna stop.

Django is also, strangely enough, Tarantino’s most mature film since Jackie Brown.

For all its gleeful carnage and savage humour, it never treats the issue of slavery as anything less than horrific and dehumanising. At times, this sits oddly with the usual brand of mayhem, but the horrors we see make Django’s inevitable roaring rampage of revenge all the more cathartic. Still, there’s a brutal edge to some of the violence that may be a shock to the system for some audience members.

Then again, surely we all know what to expect by now. Tarantino bows to no sensibilities but his own, and they’re out in full force here. If you’re a fan, you’ll be in movie heaven. Even if you’re not, this one is worth a look. _TRAVIS JOHNSON

No matter where your particular taste in comedy may lie, one thing remains universally funny: Pretending Things Are A Cock. That’s the title of comedic artist Jon Bennet’s new show, previously acclaimed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and now coming to us courtesy of the Fringeworld Festival.

It concerns... well, it’s easy to guess. The show runs from Saturday, January 25 to Sunday, February 3. Hit up fringeworld.com.au for details.

Gavin Roach brings his one man play, Confessions of a Grindr Addict to The Blue Room Theatre as part of the Fringeworld Festival. A comedic look at the perils of social networking and dating in Sydney’s vibrant gay scene, it promises to challenge and entertain. The show runs from Tuesday, January 29 until Saturday, February 2. Head to fringeworld.com.au to uncover more details.

Confessions of a Grindr Addict

SUITS YOU, SIR

An innovative look at the complexities of love, The Suitcase Set by George Gayler is a theatrical rumination o n t h e co m p l e x i t i e s o f love. Presetned as part of The Blue Room Theatre’s Summer Nights program, the play is directed by Damon Lockwood and features live musical accompaniment and animation by Stacy Gougoulis.

It runs from Tuesday, January 29 until Saturday, February 2. summernights.org.au has everything you need to know.

The Suitcase Set picture credit: Carla Steele

HOME SAFE

Pretending Things Are A Cock

THEY SHOP BY NIGHT

The Laneway Night Markets are upon us again. This intermittent event brings a bustling buffet of food, art, fashion, and ephemera to Hook and Lock Lanes in Northbridge. Over 50 stallholders converge on the Perth’s interstitial spaces to create unique a shopping and dining experience. It all goes down from 4-10pm on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27. Head over to onwilliam.com.au/markets to learn more.

Feast Your Eyes presents Anya Brock’s latest exhibition, Baby Don’t Save Me, at their Fremantle gallery from Friday, January 25 until Wednesday, February 6. Her new collection examines the themes of temporariness, safety, and the allure of home, and were largely completed in various hotel rooms, apartments, and temporary lodgings in Los Angeles, New York, and Fremantle. Go to feastyoureyes.net.au for Baby Don’t Save Me the scoop.

Barbara The Impossible

THE IMPOSSIBLE Wave of Mutilation

Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona Starring Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Tom Holland, Geraldine Chaplin The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its immediate aftermath serves as the backdrop to this harrowing but ultimately hollow survival drama, which is based - and to what degree we can only speculate - on a true story.

In the real world, Spanish couple Enrique and Maria Belon and their children were caught in the Boxing Day disaster while holidaying in Thailand.

Here, we get the anglicised Henry and Maria Bennett (Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts, respectively) who get swamped by the wave. Separated, they make their way through the ruined landscape, neither knowing if the other is alive, striving to both find each other and to protect their children.

Director, Juan Antonio Bayon, who gave us the top notch spook thriller The Orphanage a few years back, does an excellent job of recreating the sheer savage force of the tsunami and the almost unimaginable destruction left in its wake, and anyone in the audience can’t help by shocked and impressed by how quickly a luxury resort is reduced to something from the last reel of Apocalypse Now. The horror and spectacle certainly leaves a mark, and both McGregor and Watts give committed, grounded performances that keep the viewer engaged on a human level.

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However, both the director and his cast are doing the best they can with a fairly pedestrian script. Although it’s hard to say how much fidelity screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez paid to the actual events, what can be stated with certainty is that the film is sloppily structured, and on numerous occasions tension is built through sheer coincidence and happenstance - the number of times our desperately searching protagonists narrowly miss being reunited is ridiculous.

There’s also the niggling issue of race.

The film is set in Thailand, of course, but the Thai people are essentially reduced to bit players in their own apocalypse, reduced to human set dressing for the story of two affluent, educated white people.

Even when the Bennetts do interact with other survivors, they’re almost exclusively fellow tourists.

There’s an argument to be made regarding audience relatability, but it has to take into account the notion that apparently even being Hispanic is too ‘other’ for the film’s intended audience, and thus we have the whiter-than-white McGregor and Watts hauling their battered bodies around the disaster area.

Ultimately, that’s what leaves a bad taste in the mouth: not the ‘too soon’ argument - it is never too soon to process tragedy through art; it’s what we do - but the idea that, of all the countless lives affected by the tsunami, it’s this one that was deemed worthy enough to tell, once it was whitewashed enough. How appropriate that Watts’ character’s choice of holiday reading material is Joseph Conrad; this whole exercise smacks of imperialism, at least of the cultural variety. _ TRAVIS JOHNSON

BARBARA

Doctor In The Bleak House Directed by Christian Petzold Starring Nina Hoss, Ronald Zehrfeld, Rainer Bock When considering a European art house film on East Germany one prepares for some serious slow-burn film making - wide, long-shots of women riding bicycles against back drops of blustery, menacing forests, there’d be the sustained and concentrated close ups of bus passengers silently making their sorrowful and bumpy journey through the outskirts of a socialist wasteland and, of course, the obligatory and monstrous police inspector putting the fear of the atheist state into the hearts and minds of both the lead characters.

Barbara did not disappoint in any fashion.

Directed by the toast of new German cinema, Christian Petzold, Barbara follows a curious - and, for quite some time, mysterious - story of a female doctor working in a provincial hospital somewhere in Germany. Why she is there is unclear.

Why she is so unhappy, is also unclear. Why she is being followed by a monstrous police inspector through the country roads as she cycles past a menacing and blustery forest is also, equally baffling.

In fact, for those of us that don’t like to read the movie flyer and have no knowledge of the film we’re about to see, other than the title of the movie and the time it starts, Barbara is almost impenetrable for the first 45 minutes.

The characters drop foreign names and locations throughout the film as it gets going, which

perhaps to a more sophisticated reviewer with a truer knowledge of East German social politics in the 1980s may have made the film more engaging early on, but for the rest of us, Barbara’s first half is quite the head scratcher.

The film is, however, exquisitely shot; Petzold has managed to make East Germany look like the South of France and the lighting in Barbara is simply remarkable, so much so that it merits an honourable mention. The lead actors in Hoss and Zehrfeld are equally brilliant in their roles and they manage to carry and maintain the viewer’s interest despite the film’s (oft times) bewildering minimalism.

The beauty with Barbara is what you realise you’ve been watching once it’s all over.

Without giving anything away the film manages quite a feat if one considers the treatment of a similar story in the hands of those not quite so skilled in the art of gentle but serious story telling.

It’s not as overly bleak as it may have been, it’s not overly suspenseful as it could have been, but it’s also not as interesting as it perhaps should have been.

This is however, the beauty of the foreign film; they present us with things which are indeed foreign, not simply in story, but also in style.

Barbara is of course screening outdoors and although this German fare is recommended viewing, it is also highly recommended to go easy on the Riesling if you want to be awake when the credits start to roll. _ ADAM MORRIS B a r b a r a s c r e e n s a t U WA’s S o m e r v i l l e Auditorium from January 28-February 3 and at Joondalup Pines from February 5–10 as part of the Lotterywest Festival Films season.

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JOHN JARRATT Django Unchained

Veteran Australian actor, John Jarratt, has been a constant presence on both the big and small screens for decades now, but it was his chilling turn in the bloody thriller, Wolf Creek, that really put him in the spotlight.

However, prior to that, he was a fixture in a number of cheap Ozploitation flicks, such as Dark Age and Next Of Kin, and it was from these that noted movie geek Quentin Tarantino knew of him.

“Yeah, that is correct,” Jarratt confirms.

“He got off the plane with Kill Bill in 2003 and said, ‘I wanna meet John Jarratt! He’s my favourite Australian actor!’ So we met, and the rest is history.”

Since then the two have become friends.

“When I go to LA, I bump into him, when he comes to Australia, I bump into him.” And so, when Tarantino was casting his latest film, the savagely violent blaxploitation western, Django Unchained, he didn’t so much ask Jarratt to appear as told him he was in the film.

“He just wrote the bloody screenplay,” Jarratt recalls. “Sent it to me, and said, ‘You’re playing Floyd’. and I said, ‘Yeah, okay, no worries.’ That was it, really.”

Although Jarratt has never before featured in an honest-to-God American Western before, he’s no stranger to Australian oaters, having played Ned Kelly in the 1980 miniseries, The Last Outlaw. “I’m a country boy, and if any big old Aussie movies from 20-30 years ago had a horse in it, I usually got the gig.”

Although his role in Django is small, Jarratt relished to chance to work with his old mate. He got more than he bargained for, though, when he wound up acting opposite Tarantino, who stepped into a small role when Anthony LaPaglia had to drop out due to scheduling conflict.

“La Paglia and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were supposed to be in it,” Jarratt tells us. “But they had to drop out, which is a bugger because I wanted to work with Anthony; I really like him. Anyway, by the time all that happened, I think Quentin just said, ‘Ah, bugger it; I’ll just play one of the parts’. He ended up playing an Aussie with me in the scene, which was kinda good.”

What wasn’t so great was Tarantino’s Aussie accent, although Jarratt is quick to defend his old mucker’s efforts. “Mate, I didn’t think it was that bad. It’s no worse than bloody Robert Downey Jr’s accent, and Meryl couldn’t get it right, y’know?

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Paul Rudd and Lesley Mann star in This Is 40

THIS IS 40

Stuck In The Middle With You Directed by Judd Apatow Starring Paul Rudd, Lesley Mann, Albert Brooks, John Lithgow, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox

John Jarratt as Floyd ‘A dingo stole my baby!’ It’s a tough accent, but I think he did fairly well. No one’s ever got it right, except for Kevin Kline in Fierce Creatures - he’s the only one I’ve ever seen get it right.”

Dodgy antipodean accents aside, Jarratt could not be more effusive when asked to describe the experience of working with Tarantino.

“He knows what he wants, and he’ll work all day to get it, and he doesn’t care how long it takes to get it. He’s the best director I’ve ever worked with - there’s no doubt about that. He’s a very intelligent man with a photographic memory and he draws from a million different movies. He’s a consummate filmmaker, not just a director, he’s really clever, and wonderful to work with. And he’s humble at the same time; he’s not afraid to hear what you’ve got to say. He’s a good bloke all ‘round, really.” _ TRAVIS JOHNSON

Judd Apatow’s name is associated with a seemingly endless run of raunchy American comedies, but when he directs - as opposed to just producing - the end result tends to be more thoughtful, balancing the mirth with some meditation on life, the universe and everything. That trend continues with his latest, This is 40.

We first met married couple Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) as supporting characters in 2007’s Knocked Up, but don’t panic if you missed it; this is more of a shared-universe story than a sequel. Paul’s running his own indie record label, Debbie has a small fashion boutique, they have two young daughters (Apatow offspring Maude and Iris), and they’re both hovering around the big 4-0.

Plotwise, the film kind of meanders towards Pete’s approaching 40th birthday party, but writer/director Apatow is in no real hurry to get there, instead content to hang out with his characters and explore their emotional landscape as they grapple with the notion that they’re not exactly young anymore. Health problems and middle-age spread are starting to kick in, romantic passion can no longer be taken for granted, and the pursuit of youthful dreams must be balanced against some hard economic realities.

It’s not as heavy as it sounds, though.

Apatow is well versed in the art of balancing pathos and humour, and he’s well served by his two leads, who combine expert comic timing and delivery with an easy, comfortable chemistry. At times it’s hard to believe the square-jawed Rudd needs to cut down on his junk food, or that the gorgeous Mann feels self-conscious about her looks, but hey, it’s Hollywood reality; sometimes a leap of faith is required.

The supporting cast is peppered with Apatow regulars - Chris O’Dowd, Charlyne Yi, Jason Segel, Melissa McCarthy - who all acquit themselves well. Albert Brooks effortlessly steals almost every scene he’s in as Pete’s mooching old man, with his only real competition being John Lithgow’s turn as Debbie’s emotionally distant father. Even the much-maligned Megan Fox manages to inject some warmth and humanity into what could have been a fairly shallow sex bomb role.

Like Apatow’s last film, Funny People, This Is 40 suffers from a self-indulgent running time - a good 20 or so minutes could be trimmed, but the choice of where to cut would be a tough one. It also contains extended sequences of conspicuously wealthy people in beautiful homes fretting about their fiscal situation, something that’s sure to bug anyone who’s spent time on the ramen and black coffee regimen, but, like Rudd’s obesity and Mann’s plainness, it’s a fiction native to the form.

Those issues aside, it’s a fun, occasionally downright hilarious and frequently quite insightful look at the borderland between youth and middle age.

Everyone has to cross it sooner or later and Apatow makes for an able trailblazer. _ TRAVIS JOHNSON

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VISUAL ARTS

MUSIC

Deserts And Rivers: FORM Gallery, Perth Explores country through the eyes of Aboriginal artists from the Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson deserts and the country around Turkey Creek, Sturt Creek and the Fitzroy River in the east and central Kimberley. Runs ’til Jan 26.

NAIDOC Smokefree WA Survival Perth 2013, Supreme Court Gardens, Perth Performance Jan 26

Luminous World: Art Gallery Of WA, Northbridge An exhibition from Wesfarmer’s significant corporate art collection, featuring more than 60 paintings, photographs and sculptures by 50 contemporary artists, including Susan Norrie, Rosemary Laing, Howard Taylor, Dale Frank, Bill Henson, Brian Blanchflower, Brook Andrew, Timothy Cook and Barrupu Yunupingu. Runs ’til Feb 11.

Yanni: Perth Arena, Perth Performance Jan 27. Bookings via Ticketek.

Traversing Antarctica: Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle A rare collection of artefacts from the 1911-1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition, famously led by Sir Douglas Mawson. Runs ’til Feb 23.

James Reyne: Nannup Amphitheatre, Nannup Performance Jan 26. Bookings via nannup.crc.net.au.

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Perth Concert Hall, Perth Performance Feb 6. Bookings via aco.com.au.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Kings Park Botanic Gardens, Perth Performance Feb 6. Bookings via Ticketmaster.

Picturing New York: Photographs From The Museum Of Modern Art: Art Gallery Of WA, Northbridge Depicting the iconic New York that captivates the world’s imagination and the idiosyncratic details that define New Yorkers’ sense of home, this exhibition from MoMA’s extraordinary photography collection celebrates the city in all its vitality, ambition and beauty. Made by approximately 90 artists responding to the city as well as professionals on assignment, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, Lewis Hine, Helen Levitt, Cindy Sherman, Alfred Stieglitz, and Weegee. Runs ‘til May 12.

Made To Remember : Ar t G a l l e r y O f WA , Northbridge Made To Remember is a beautifully considered display of significant Indigenous objects from the State Art Collection. With a diverse selection of works including glass and ceramic objects, textiles and clothing, as well as examples of traditional sculpture, Made to Remember encourages dialogue about the place of an object not only in Indigenous art and culture, but in the broader Australian context. Runs ‘til Jun 30.

Baby Don’t Save Me: Feast Your Eyes Gallery, Elvis Costello and the Impostors Fremantle Artist Anya Brock brings Brooklyn to Fremantle with her new collection, a meditation on loneliness, home, Maceo Parker: Chevron Festival Gardens, Perth and the relationship between the two. Runs from Performance Feb 7. Bookings via Ticketek.

January 25 until February 6.

Archie Roach: Chevron Festival Gardens, Perth Performance Feb 10. Bookings via Ticketek.

Signals: Free Range Gallery, Perth Gemma Weston’s new collection is on display at David Lynch Presents Chrysta Bell: Chevron Festival The Free Range Gallery on Wellington St from Gardens, Perth Wednesday, January 23 until Sunday, February 3.

Performance Feb 14. Bookings via Ticketek.

Soft Soft Loud: The Antihero Suite: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Performance Feb 14. Bookings via fac.org.au.

Celtic Thunder: Perth Arena, Perth Performance Feb 16. Bookings via Ticketek.

Cliff Richards: Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley Performance Feb 23. Bookings via sandalford.com.

Signals

THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Shakespeare In The Park: Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth Shakespeare WA will give local lovers of the Bard something to laugh about this summer with the 2013 season featuring comedy of errors Much Ado About Nothing. This production will feature a local twist with the production set locally in Western Australia, at the end of the Second World War. Billed as “Shakespearemeets-Dad’s Army”, this hilarious war of the sexes will delight audiences with its mixture of star-lit romance, scheming rogues, and the silliness of the home-guard.

Runs Jan 4-Feb 2. Bookings via shakespearewa.com.

Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet: Perth Concert Hall, Perth Performance Feb 27. Bookings via Ticketek.

FESTIVALS Summer Nights: Blue Room Theatre, Perth Over the last four years The Blue Room Theatre’s Summer Nights has developed as a significant program of eclectic performance, creative development of new work and contemporary theatre experiences. In 2013 Summer Nights will progress once more and feature the premium theatre and performance offerings of the Fringe World, spread across The Blue Room Theatre and PICA performance spaces. Run Jan 25Feb 24. Bookings through blueroom.org.au.

Perth Festival: numerous locations across Perth Bringing together the best in visual arts, theatre, Ballet At The Quarry: Quarry Amphitheatre, Floreat dance, classic and contemporary music, films, opera Bring a picnic, relax under a starry sky and be and more, the Perth Festival is an all encompassing immersed in three superbly choreographed works celebration of art. Runs Feb7-Mar 2. from around the globe as part of the 20th anniversary of Ballet At The Quarry. Showcasing two world Fringe World Festival: numerous locations across premieres, Yes, I’ll Move For You from Cass Mortimer Perth and surrounding suburbs Eipper and Jubilaté from Daniel Roberts, and by Perth’s Fringe World Festival is set to massively the great Glen Tetley the West Australian premiere entertain in 2013. Expanding on the success of the of a modern Everest, Voluntaries, this special season first full Fringe Festival in 2012, Perth will be brought includes the music of Poulenc, Mozart and the to life over four jam-packed weeks with more than American band, Beirut. Runs Feb 8-Mar 2. Bookings 300 events taking place in more than 50 traditional and nontraditional venues throughout the City of via perthfestival.com.au.

Perth and beyond. Runs Jan 25-Feb 24. Bookings T h e M o t h e r f * * ke r W i t h T h e H a t : S t u d i o through fringeworld.com.au.

Underground, State Theatre Centre Of WA, Perth In a bold introduction to their 2013 season, Black Summerset Arts Festival: City Of Stirling Swan State Theatre Company presents the hysterical, Now in its fifth year the City of Stirling’s premier irreverent, foul-mouthed Tony Award-nominated The cultural celebration the Summerset Arts Festival Motherf**ker With The Hat. Set amongst New York’s returns for three weeks in February 2013. Jam packed Puerto Rican community the play charts the trials with over 22 free or low cost events, the community and tribulations of Jackie, a petty drug dealer fresh can look forward to a mix of art exhibitions, live out of prison, and the users, boozers and losers who comedy, kids events, theatrical shows and live music. complicate his life. Runs until February 3. Bookings Runs Feb 6-23. via ticketek.com.au.

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

PICTURING NEW YORK Gotham Through the Ages

Tracing the history of what David Letterman likes to call “the greatest city in the world” as well as the changing technologies used to record and capture it, Picturing New York is a unique and intriguing photographic exhibition. Originally exhibited at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, it will soon be seen in all its glory at The Art Gallery of Western Australia.

For this, we can thank Project Curator Lucy Harper.

When asked about her role in the project, Harper is refreshingly self-effacing. “I’d describe myself as the project curator for Picturing New York.

I suppose I’m a curator at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, working on the project from this end with Sarah Meister, the curator at the Department of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, who made the curatorial selection.”

Yet it was Harper’s tireless efforts which saw the collection, which encompasses over 150 photographs from more than 90 photographers, and has been exhibited in Ireland and Italy, come to Perth.

Her enthusiasm for the project is palpable.

“It tells the story of the evolution of modern photography,” she explains. “From the late 19th century through to about 2005, which is the latest dated work. Alongside that, it looks at the relationship between photography and the birth and development of New York as a great modern city.”

The roster of talent on display is truly impressive. The exhibition includes works from the great Alfred Steiglitz - “Often considered the father of modern photography in the late 19th and earlier 20th centuries,” Harper tells us - Berenice Abbott, Walker Evans, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lee Freidlander, Garry Winogrand, and Diane Arbus, amongst others.

Asked to name a favourite element of the exhibition, Harper at first begs off, but when pressed, does finally admit to a personal preference. “I really am attracted to the interwar period, where you have the likes of Lewis Hine, Margaret Bourke-White, and Berenice Abbott working. Their photographs really look at the urban development that happened in the early decades of the 20th century when skyscrapers started to go up - you had the likes of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, these fantastic symbols of modernity. I think the public will really like these photographs, too.”

Indeed, she stresses that this installation is not just for photography aficionados. “I think one of the greatest things about these photographs, and in photography in general, is the accessibility of photography. I don’t think you need to have any

Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc. The Mount Everest of Manhattan: The Silvered Peak of the Chrysler Building 1930 Gelatin silver print 8 3/4 x 6 13/16” (22.3 x 17.3 cm) The Museum of Modern Art, New York The New York Times Collection

Picturing New York knowledge of American history, or New York history, or the history of photography, either; I think you can look at these works no matter what your level of knowledge is, and really get something out of them.” _TRAVIS JOHNSON Picturing New York opens on Friday, January 25, with a Central Park-themed party at The Art Gallery of Western Australia. Go to ticketek.com. au for bookings. The exhibition runs until Sunday.

May 12.

Rick Steele

CAMELOT OUTDOOR CINEMA Movies and Music

It’s been a weird summer for outdoor cinema, thanks mainly to the mutable and malicious weather we’ve been experiencing of late; it’s hard to plan a night out under the stars when unseasonable thunderheads seem to gather at a moment’s notice. Thankfully, that all seems to be behind us now, and an evening in the great outdoors with a classic film is once again back on the cards.

Camelot Outdoor Cinema offers more than that, though. A part of the Luna Palace chain, Mosman Park’s Camelot has been a key part of the summer outdoor movie season for a number of years, now, offering up a mix of classic films and new releases. This year we’ve been treated to more than that, though; three Wednesdays out of every four, Camelot has been serving up live musical entertainment as a precursor to their film screenings, at no extra cost to their cinephile clientele.

The first Wednesday of every month is home to Camelot’s Jazz and Oyster Nights, presented in conjunction with The Perth Jazz Society. Local seafood personality Andy Grljusich is on hand to serve up delectable, freshly-shucked bivalves, while a range of local musical talent soften the summer heat with their tuneful offerings.

February 6 features The Luke Minness Trio, March 6 sees Harry Winton take the stage, while April 3 www.xpressmag.com.au

sees the Camelot play host to Jeremy Thompson and David Dower.

The Folkworld Fairbridge Festival lays claim to the second Wednesday of each month, presenting an early taste of the exciting world music and folk acts who will be headlining the 2013 festival. The Black Diamond Trio play February 13, Bernard Carney does his thing on March 13, while Belleville take the spotlight on April 10. What’s more, Simply Paella will be on hand to provide world class Spanish cuisine.

The third Wednesday of every month sees the reins handed to the Perth Blues Club, who will bring the music of the broken hearted to Camelot’s scenic outdoor setting. Renowned bluesmen Rick Steele and Wayne Freer have staked out their territory on February 20, while Steve Tallis plays March 20, and Mike De Velta brings his unique sound to the cinema on April 17. Tasty treats come courtesy of Smoult’s Continental Deli, who will be serving up gourmet hotdogs.

Of course, it goes without saying that Camelot’s usual fine range of cinematic treats will be up on the silver screen. Upcoming films include the Academy Award nominated The Silver Linings Playbook, the acclaimed documentary Searching For Sugarman, the heartbreaking and epic musical Les Miserables, James Bond in Skyfall, every video game character ever in Wreck-It Ralph, and the magnificent Lawrence of Arabia. There’s never been a better time to throw a blanket down on the ground and soak in some glorious sights and sounds in the hot Australian evening, so head to lunapalace.com.au to book your tickets now.

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

HIP HOP IN ISOLATION Hip hop head and Alice Springs resident Skank MC is headed our way for Big Day Out next week. RYAN BUTLER spoke to the man holding it down for the Northern Territory before the festival hits Perth.

When you think about hip hop, what cities spring to mind? Compton, Miami, London?

How about Alice Springs? Didn’t think so. For Hugh Winterflood, aka Skank MC, the small outback town is where it all began.

“I’ve grown up in this town Alice Springs and it’s so complex,” Winterflood says.

“It’s a beautiful little town with so many problems. There are stories in my work that you won’t hear from anywhere else, stories about human beings, ya know. We’re in the middle so we get people from all sides of Australia coming through and I think being here has influenced my music heaps. Here in Alice Springs we gotta do what we gotta do because it’s such a small place and we really don’t have much to do so it’s all about music here man. It’s all about hip hop and heavy metal.”

What may seem like a strange contrast of styles to some, Winterflood sees the emergence of the hip hop and heavy metal genres in the outback as a natural pairing, intuitive to people living in isolation.

“I think metal and hip hop are extremely similar in that we’re both kind of segregated communities,” Winterflood explains.“If you’re a metalhead you’re a metalhead, and if you’re a hip hop head you’re a hip hop head, and that’s kind of what your passion is. Metalheads don’t give a fuck and hip hop is exactly the same.”

While it shapes all his work, it’s the distance from any major centre or musical scene that can work against outback artists, according to Winterflood. “We feel a bit left out sometimes because all those Triple J Unearthed comps only run for the main states in the capital cities, but obviously not now we’re getting this opportunity to play in Perth.”

The opportunity to play in Perth for the 2013 instalment of Big Day Out didn’t come easily either. “We found out about Big Day Out in early December, after we played a music conference in August in Darwin,” he says. “So we drove 3000 kms up to Darwin to play a 20 minute industry set and got chosen to play Big Day Out, so now we’re headed over there. I got a follow on Twitter from Big Day Out so I kind of had a feeling I might be chosen and then when they told us it was bloody good man.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

www.xpressmag.com.au

27

Avicii

Flume

FLUME = WINNER

Skank MC Like most Australians who’ve made the annual pilgrimage to a BDO festival, Winterflood has a love affair with the festival that runs all the way to the centre of his musical dreams. “I’ve been going to Big Day Outs for the last six years and six years ago I told myself that one day I’d play Big Day Out,” he says. “To be able to have the opportunity to represent the Northern Territory on such a large scale is amazing because we don’t get many concerts around where we’re from bro. The best band I’ve seen play live at Big Day Out was Rage Against The Machine. They just had the whole entire crowd going off, that was probably the best gig I’ve seen at Big Day Out and the most inspiring.”

Speaking about the state of hip hop in Australia, Winterflood feels this is a particularly exciting time to be in and around the genre.“Recently it’s pretty cool, Hilltop Hoods and 360 and Bliss N Eso have all toured internationally, that’s a huge step and I think Australian hip hop is getting much more recognition in America and the UK at the moment. It’s going pretty good at the moment but there’s always work to do.”

So what work is Skank MC himself doing at the moment? “I’m doing my EP launch in Alice Springs at Bojangles, which is a local pub, a local saloon, and then we’re doing Perth Big Day Out,

where I’m gonna launch my EP at as well. The title of my EP is I’m Only Hugh, Man. It just represents my feeling that I’m not better than anyone else, that I’m just on this earth like everyone else and I’m just here living. I’ve got one song on my EP that’s called Northern Terror Story and the songs about a child in youth care who gets taken from his mother because of an abusive step-dad. He gets into care and starts running a bit amok and his mother leaves town and he eventually ends up in jail for stabbing his step-dad who was the reason he ended up in care in the first place. It’s a pretty brutal, hitting hard to home story because I work as a youth carer and in Alice Springs there’s a huge amount of children in youth care and 80 per cent of them are Aboriginal.

The Presets “We really need to get the message out there about the dire situations youths are ending up in small towns, not just in Northern Territory but in Western Australia, Victoria, everywhere man. I just The Presets long-awaited return to Australian stages want to focus on the human aspects of everyday life.” just got a whole lot fatter with the addition of a second Perth show. The duo recently bagged Single of the Year (Readers’ Choice) for Ghosts at the 4th annual Rolling Stone Awards. They’ll be joined on tour

by Parachute Youth and Light Year, with both acts » SKANK MC making huge waves in dance circles internationally » BIG DAY OUT in their own right. Catch them at Metros Freo next » MONDAY, JANUARY 28 @ CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS Thursday and Friday, January 31 and February 1.

Tickets from Oztix.

MORE PRESETS

REEF THE LOST CAUZE

Chart topping Swedish superstar Avicii has been added to the already huge line-up for this year’s Future Music Festival, Sunday March 3. Best known for his exquisite production skills, his prolific live performances and a string of international megahits including the worldwide phenomenon, Levels, Avicii is without a doubt one of the most in demand artists on the planet. He’ll be joining heavyweights The Prodigy, The Stone Roses, Bloc Party and Dizzee Rascal. Get the low down on tickets etc from futuremusicfestival.com.au.

Miss Demeanour

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BASS GIRLS

Local haunt for all things tasty, Ambar, is serving up some of the freshest fruits of the bass music spectrum this Friday, January 25 with their night, Fresh Produce but this time, it’s all about the ladies. Featuring Lady Carla, Pussymittens, Miss Demeanour and Sistym, punters will be offered a diet of all things bass. Tickets are $12 on the door before midnight.

ITALIAN STALLION

It may seem as though his success was overnight, but Riva Starr is every bit the hardworking music-maker with a hectic touring schedule to boot. He took time out recently to chat with FRANK GRECO about music, video-clips and just a little about his mysterious new record.

Veteran Philadelphia lyricist Reef The Lost Cauze is soon to hit our shores with the Snowgoons. He recently spoke about all things hip hop with RYAN BUTLER.

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FUTURE ADDITION

RIVA STARR

UNDERGROUND RESPECT

“Australia is in for a nice treat,” underground hip hop stalwart Reef The Lost Cauze says about heading our way for the first time in his 15 year career. You heard it straight from the horse’s mouth folks.

It’s in the live arena where Reef, Sharif Lacey to his family and friends, believes that an artist truly cuts their teeth. “For me the live show is the most important aspect of any artist because any jerkoff can go and record a song but when you see them live, you’re gonna remember that forever,” he says. “So I take it very serious, I pride myself on having a great show for the audience to enjoy.

That experience is one that should be spiritual for the both of us - me and the audience. I feel like hip hop has grown so much and so have the shows, just look at something like a Kanye show, that’s up there with big rock god bands like The Who when it comes to theatrics.”

Lacey is touring on the back of his latest full length Reef The Lost Cauze Is Dead. The album shares the title and cover art of one of hip hop’s most seminal releases, De La Soul’s …Is Dead, which served as a major point of reference during the making of Lacey’s album. “Well the concept is basically the same as their album, which was basically saying: whatever ideas you have about who we are - get rid of them. So once the record was done, we knew we had to use that cover. Their record was very inspiring while making this.”

Reef The Lost Cauze Is Dead is the latest in a line of critically successful releases, including debut The High Life and 2005’s Feast Or Famine, but Lacey is yet to break into the conscious of the mainstream. He says the underground respect he’s earned and mainstream success aren’t as exclusive of each other as they used to be.

“It means a lot to me, it means I am doing something right. I think before it would be hard to have both worlds showing love, but with

Sydney-based artist Flume must be pretty chuffed with himself after taking out FBi’s SMAC Awards’ Song of the Year for his remix of Hermitude’s Hyperparadise and Record of the Year for his debut LP, Holdin On. Flume is currently on a mostly sold-out European tour and will be here in Perth for Laneway Festival on Saturday, February 9. Check out his new video, out last week, for the latest single from the album, Left Alone (ft. Chet Faker) on You Tube. Go on.

Reef The Lost Cauze the internet and the decline of the old record label system, I think the two can co-exist. My brother Sean P is the perfect example of that, he gets love in both those worlds. It’s possible.”

The state of the underground and mainstream aren’t the only things in hip hop to have changed in the span of his career according to Lacey, a man renowned across the US for his battling abilities. “I mean, before it became like a poser sport, battling was super important to me and all my peers, because it separated the men from the boys,” Lacey explains. “You had to be dope to battle, quick on your feet, deadly, ya know? But now its pretty much just stand up comedy, its very different now.”

» REEF THE LOST CAUZE » FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8 @ THE CIVIC HOTEL

Originally from Naples, London-based Riva Starr - aka Stefano Miele - speaks with a thick Italian accent and a healthy dose of Italian passion. This ‘never-sitstill attitude’ is equally apparent in his music as he embraces various styles and genres while always managing to create a head-bopping, feet-tapping, good time.

His stand-out tracks I Was Drunk featuring French party lover Noze and Get Naked with Fatboy Slim have kept audiences entranced at festivals and clubs around the world from Jakarta to India. The latter track featuring Beardyman sports a laugh-outloud video clip featuring plus-size models playing parodies of Starr and Slim and egotistical DJs throwing out lines like “no one even taught me how to open a champagne bottle or sign an autograph; I had to work that out myself.”

Miele is pretty content with the video-clip for the tune. “When the director came up with the idea, I was like ‘yeah, why not?’,” he says. “All the time I watch it, there are some different things [I notice],” he says. “If you watch the video, small amounts of details come out.”

Currently in post-production on his asyet untitled second album, which will be released next month, Miele says the record will be quite different from his previous work. “I played with a lot of musicians, also some Italian artists, it’s pretty different,” he says. “I wanted it to be completely different.”

Expect to hear underground Italian house DJs and Meile hints at big names like Roots Manuva.

He may even be moving away from the Latin style that he’s well known for. “On nearly each track, I have a musician that I play with, who play different instruments,” he says. Miele is excited to be bringing audiences another fanciful video-clip, working with a little known Italian director whose name escapes him at the time of this interview but who shares his

Riva Starr energy. “He’s a crazy man, he’s really mental,” he says.

“He has crazy ideas; the video will really show the vibe of the album, it’s a little bit twisted.”

While Miele has certainly earned respect from some of the world’s biggest players - Claude von Stroke, Fatboy Slim and more - he’s adamant about releasing work he’s happy with. “Some people want to make money and be in the charts - that’s one part of the industry - [but] it’s the feeling that you put into music that makes it really great,” he says.

Miele has played at every major party destination around the world and one would certainly not say that his success has happened overnight. He’s a hard-working DJ and producer who says his own partying ways have been somewhat put to bed for the mean time. “It goes in waves but I just like to make music now, in the studio and in clubs. I just really hate all the travelling,” he says, laughing.

But, he does love playing in his home country.“There’s extra pressure there,” he concludes, chuckling.

» RIVA STARR » SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 @ SALT ON THE BEACH X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

NICKY ROMERO GOING DUTCH

HIGH CONTRAST

Kicking off your debut EP with a recording of a police interrogation, which appears to actually involve yourself, is a big statement. For one thing, it’s going to establish that you think of yourself as a bit of a bad man, and secondly, you’d better be able to back that up. Fortunately, Melbourne rapper Downpat certainly does.

On the EP opener The Rebuttle, he states “a cool change is here,” which basically sums up the attitude of the next seven tracks. A very precise and deliberate cadence makes Downpat sound cool and calm, slightly distanced from the topics of his tracks, but somehow still delivering them with an integrity that some rappers seem to force.

Punctuated with solid instrumentals, many of them crafted by the always tasteful loop selector Must (aka Mata & Must, of Pang Productions), Hard Evidence is a bold first step into the realm of Australian hip hop. Somehow, Downpat makes tracks about shoes and his own job history into personal tales, the whole EP bringing you into his headspace. It’s not going to convert anyone that wasn’t already into Aussie hip hop, but established fans will definitely be engaged by this artist’s delivery and story telling ability.

True to his name, High Contrast’s (aka Lincoln Barrett) latest long player is an album of ying and yang. The Cardiff-raised producer has taken a slight change in direction with this his fourth album, employing collaborations with non-drum‘n’bass producers Tiësto and Underworld to produce The First Note Is Silent - a dancefloor banger worth turning up loud.

A more personal touch has been added with the use of many a vocal-led cut. Die-hard Hospital fans will recognise vocalist Liane Carrol from London Elektricity’s previous live incarnation, while Chase & Status vocalist Claire Maguire and Kid Adrifts’ Selah Corbin also feature with superb yearning.

A close look at the title track, featuring Selah, sums the entire album up: a seamless blend of deep, emotive vocal melodies mixed with Barrett’s signature energetic sound - at times rude and in your face, then subtle and introspective.

Father, Can’t You See I’m Burning? takes things into darker dancefloor territory while The Road Goes On Forever and The Stand were tracks used by Danny Boyle as part of the London Olympics’ opening ceremony.

The finished product is a more organic and personal collection than we’ve seen from Barrett in the past, that hasn’t strayed too far away from the sound that made him a revolution. Not every drum’n’basser’s cup of tea, but definitely a well produced piece or work or art, dare I say it?

» NICK SWEEPAH

» JO CAMPBELL

HARD EVIDENCE RAWTHENTIC RECORDS

Nothing is going to turn the Romero ship off course – not even a massively gruelling touring schedule. At the end of a whirlwind year, Romero is getting ready to smash Australia in BDO’s Boiler Room. RK talks to the Dutchman about his label and his dreams for the future.

“It can be a very intense life in music,”Romero admits.

“Though I feel blessed to be in the position I’m in today. It’s every musician’s dream to be successful so I have to be very thankful to be doing what I love every day. My career is everything I hoped it would be and more. The people I get to meet, the places I go, as well as the overall impressions I get everyday – it’s all one great gift.”

Romero has been busy in the studio since last year’s EP Sparks, producing a track for Rihanna that features on her latest album Unapologetic and a collaboration with the Nervo twins released on his own label, Protocol Recordings. He also signed another track to his imprint by artist Tony Romera (no relation to Nicky), entitled Pandor.“David Guetta also asked me to do a remix for his track with Ludacris and Usher called Rest Of My Life, which will be released shortly too; so all in all I have some great collaborations lined up for 2013,” he says.

Despite having released on some big labels already, Romero has some big dreams for the future. “It’s my lifetime dream to work with Timbaland actually,” he admits. “This is aiming for the stars but I hope that things will become reality some day. Some of my collaborations have just come about by hooking up with artists who I had respect for - I’m very happy with my collaboration with Avicii, for example.”

Romero has received much recognition from his peers but it’s attention from his fans

DOWNPAT

Nicky Romero that his favours. “I have such an enthusiastic and loyal fan base - just this week I received a video put together by some hardcore fans to wish me happy birthday. It was absolutely touching and overwhelming. Also, playing to crowds all over the globe and seeing people partying to your music is one of the most fulfilling things in my life next to making the actual music.”

While Romero longs for a day off, he admits that even when he does get one, he usually spends the time in the studio doing an even longer session than normal. “A far distant second to music is my motorbike too,” he says, almost as though remembering his life outside of music. “Riding that is a passion and helps me clear my head.

As far as his upcoming BDO gigs are concerned, Romero says we can expect nothing less than the best. “You can expect me to go all out and bring the freshest tunes, new productions and loads of energy.”

» NICKY ROMERO » BIG DAY OUT » MONDAY, JANUARY 28 @ BOILER ROOM

THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY HOSPITAL RECORDS

THIS WEEK

BINGO PLAYERS FEAT FAR EAST MOVEMENT GET UP (RATTLE)

The Bingo Players’ explosive anthem, Rattle shook club interiors across the globe last year and has just this week been released with a brand new vocal from party starters, Far East Movement. These guys made an unexpected splash into pop mainstream with their 2010 anthem Like A G6. Enjoy.

CLAUDE VONSTROKE

DIRTYBIRD IN THE HOUSE Barclay Crenshaw aka Claude VonStroke is still going places.

Partying, touring, producing and running a label continue to take up a significant portion of his time, but there is little else the man would be rather doing. RK talks to him about playing the cello, his new album and trying to be all things to all people.

How did a teenager classically trained to play cello, make the move to the bass drivers and a mixing desk? “It really was a long process,” explains VonStroke. “Basically, I dropped the cello the second I could afford a sampler because back in the day, they used to cost a ton of dough! So I started making hip hop beats and then gradually got more and more into electronic music. My kit has changed dramatically over the years but I notice that the less stuff I have the better the music is, so I like to keep my options open - but not too much! Admittedly, I failed many times before things worked out for me.”

Fast forward some years and VonStroke has worked across multiple genres – as well as under a number of different aliases – but now feels things are moving with momentum. Indeed, his Dirtybird imprint continues to release consistently good music and he’s back in the studio, working on a follow up to his acclaimed 2009 LP, Bird Brain.

In between all the touring, producing, and duties associated with running a label, one wonders where the man finds the time. “It does seem like a big operation,” he admits, “though a lot of people help me these days. But to be honest, it wasn’t like that for the first seven years when I did almost everything myself. I still do 100 per cent of the A&R and art approvals nowadays, but I’ve had to step back from some of the other jobs on the label side just to be able to tour properly and make music. I also have a wife and two kids so you can imagine www.xpressmag.com.au

Claude VonStroke once you add touring and producing to that mix, it does get a bit hectic!”

That said, the man of the moment is rather looking forward to his upcoming working holiday in Australia and experimenting with his set.“I do actually wish I had a few more killer edits right now,” he says in jest. “That might be something I start working on again soon. I’ve noticed recently that in my travels I’m relying a lot on more solid grooves; like super funky stuff rather than necessarily big bangers. I find it more satisfying to get a room to go off to a really ill groove.”

Otherwise, VonStroke is rather chuffed to have taken the time off to get down to Australia for the summer. Proudly, he describes his setup as much the same as in past tours, but musically, he is pushing a slightly changed-up sound. “The music is different,” he says.“But I am looking forward to the tour. I always have such a great time out there. It’s hard to believe that I have been coming out to Australia every year for the last seven years! Time flies when you’re having fun!” Indeed it does.

» CLAUDE VONSTROKE » DIRTYBIRD RECORDS TOUR » SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 @ AMBAR 29

INCEPTION

THE GOOD SHEPARD

WEDNESDAY 23/01 Bar Orient – DJ Ben Renna B oulevard Tavern – Wub Wub Wednesday Captain Stirling - Fiveo Connections – DJs Joby /JJ /Reuben Flying Scotsman – UniQue DJs/ DJ Bones/ DJ Moflow Leederville Hotel – DJ Slick/DJ Reuben/DJ ViSon Llama Bar – Jo 19 Mustang – DJ Giles Niche Bar – Frankie Button Newport Hotel – Tom Drummond/ Mind Electric/Evan Rosemount Hotel – DJ Anton Maz Sovereign Arms – Lockie Shaw The Grand Central - DJ ANG3L

THURSDAY 24/01 Boulevard Tavern – 151 Thursdays Claremont Hotel - Institution Thursdays ft DJs Bryn Jones/ James Thorne Eve Nightclub – Retro Thursdays DJ Tony Allen Flying Scotsman –Gidget Duck/ Muldoon Wing Leisure Inn – DJ Peta Llama Bar – Danni Boi/ Charlie Bucket/ Skooby/Klean Kicks Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul/ DJ Slick Mustang – DJ James MacArthur Newport Hotel – Bass Culture & Banquet Launch ft Tom Clap/Oliver Twist Paramount –DJ Jordan

THE COURT

Rosemount Hotel – Sons Of Rico DJs The Avenue – Jon Ee The Causeway – Lukas Wimmler/ EMAS/4by4 DJs The Craftsman – Fiveo The Deen – Chase The Sun ft DJ Flex/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge/ DJ Don Migi The Grand Central – Roger Smart The Queens – DJ Riki Toucan – DJ Matty J

FRIDAY 25/01 Admiral Hotel – DJ Insane Dwaine Amplifier –DJ Jamie Mac Ambar – Fresh Produce: Chicks In Kicks ft Lady Carla/Pussymittens/Miss Deameanour/Sistym/Gracie Bar One Twenty – DJ Grandmaster Vicious Barrack St Jetty – Old Skool Boat Parties ft Miggy Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Brass Monkey - DJ Viktor/DJ James Ess/Green George Brighton Hotel - Peta Capitol – Miller City Sessions ft DJ Gusto Capitol (Upstairs) – I Love ‘90s Claremont Hotel – Th e S o u l Purpose/Tea King Club Bayview – Fresh Eastern Hotel – DJ Munch Empire Bar – James Shipstone Eurobar - DJ Fat Albert/DJ zOOM Eve Nightclub – DJ Don Migi Flying Scotsman – Rok Riley Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Back To Mono DJs Geisha – House Masters ft Derrick Carter/James A/Lee Wilson/Flex

Ginger Nightclub – Mondo Fridays Lakers Tavern –Grizzly And Friends Library – Dorcia Llama Bar – Jim Pearson Malt Supper Club – DJ Scotty J Metro City – Heavyweight Soundz ft Andy C & MC GQ Metro Freo – Frat House Fridays: Beach Party Purple Sneaker DJs Vs Death Disco DJs Mint Nightclub – Club Retro Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Newport Hotel – Tom Drummond Vs Tahli Jade Niche Bar – DJ Jonny Zimber North Fremantle Bowling Club – DJ Mark Davies Paramount - DJ John/DJ Jordan Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz Sovereign Arms – ANG3L The Avenue – Lockie Shaw The Carine – DJ AZ-T The Causeway – Jus Haus?/Sun City DJs The East End Bar – Az-T The Generous Squire – Tastes Like Chicken The Grand – DJ Reuben The Manor – Mass Appeal ft Mercy O/Koko Fes The Saint - Abstar The Shed - Krank/ DJ Glenn 20 Tiger Lil’s – Paul Malone/Adam Kelly Toucan – Misschief Whale & Ale - DJ Spinback Velvet Lounge – Village Oblivia ft Ourobonic Plague/Rakkit Dibs/Craig Mcelhinney/Emerald Cabal/Strunkdts/ Basic Mind Villa – DJ Sasha ft Marko Lakucha/El Dario/Progress Inn Ya-Ya’s – DJ Dan ‘Double Dee’ Deelstra

SATURDAY 26/01

Andy C

30

Admiral Hotel – DJ Beats & MC Ambar – Japan 4 ft All-star Ambar Residents Amplifier – Purple Sneaker DJs ft DJ K-La/Eddie Electric Bar One Twenty – Little Nicky Bar Orient – DJ Troy Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche/DJ Sneakee Brass Monkey - DJ Peta (downstairs)/ DJ Jewel (upstairs) Bakery - Kick! Peter Van Hoesen ft Craig Hollywood/Allstate/PJ Stokes Brighton Hotel - Misschief Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s ft DJ Ryan Capitol – Death Disco Claremont Hotel - Safari

THE SHED

Club Bay View – DJ Roger Smart Empire Bar –James Shipstone Eurobar – DJ Fat Albert/DJ Zoom Eve Nightclub – The Stafford Brothers & Timmy Trumpet ft DJ Crazy Craig Flying Scotsman – Andrei Maz Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Future Wives Club Leederville Hotel – Triple J Hottest 100 Party ft DJ Vison Library – DJ Victor/DJ Riki Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Stevie M Llama Bar – DJ Reuben Malt Supper Club – DJ Scotty/ Cheecho Brothers Metro Cit y – Rhythm & Dance Saturdays Metro Freo – Snow Party ft Roger Smart/DJ Wazz/Ben Carter Metro Freo (Upstairs) – I Love 80s 90s DJ DTuck Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Newport Hotel – Australia Day Hottest 100 Party ft Gravity/Tom Drummond/ Tahli Jade Niche Bar – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Zimber/Adam Kelly Paramount- DJ John/DJ Jordan Rosemount Hotel – Hottest 100 Party ft DJ Carlsani Sail & Anchor – Catch The Child’s Play DJs Salt On The Beach – Riva Starr Sovereign Arms – The Jinx Project The Avenue – Jon Ee The Boheme – Philly Blunt The Causeway – Luke Miguel/Clint Turner The Cornerstone – Michael Brittliff The Craftsman – DJ Shortz The East End Bar – Little Tim/DJ John Carder/DJ Loki/DJ Janoek The Generous Squire – On Tap ft DJ James Nutley The Grand Central – Armee The Queens – Fiveo The Saint – ANG3L The Shed –DJ Andyy/ Huge The Wembley – Lokie Shaw Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/Benjamin Sebastian Toucan – DJ Samuel Spencer Villa – Rewind: Spinderella ft Karl Blue/ Junior/Headayke/Adroc Ya-Ya’s – Sass @ YaYa’s ft DJ Pup/Dj Dan/DJ Shane

EMOH Instead

SUNDAY 27/01 Ambar – The Dirtybird Records Tour ft Claude Vonstroke/Justin Martin/J.Phlip Bakery – Lindstrom/The Monarchy DJs/Lightsteed Boulevard Tavern – Good Onya PostAustralia Day Party Claremont Hotel – James Thorne/ Dan Delstra Club Bay View - Fiveo Connections – Richard The Fourth/Hot Fuss/Ash Baroque/The Monarchy Djs/ Salut Barbu/J’aimez Bruine Empire Bar –DJ Riki/ DJ Vicktor Eve Nightclub – Phoenix ft DJ Migi/ DJ Slick/Gary (Geordie Shore) /DJ Migi/DJ Slick Flying Scotsman – Nathan J/ Nizbet/ Pasha/ Chris Gilkisons Dance Studio – Twist-Up ft Mister Kicks/James Baker/Seventh Son/Major Steed/Boogaloo Stu/Ugly Thing/Pete Fowler/Al Taylor/Foxman and more.

Ginger Nightclub – DJ Rudebean Metro Freo – UV Party ft Death Disco DJs Mustang – DJ Rockin Rhys Newport Hotel – Tim Nelson/DSB Djs

Rocket Room – Coyote Ugly The Avenue – Az-T The East End Bar – Aussie Day Full Moon Party ft DJ Gold Finger/AZ-T The Grand – Tastes Like Chicken/Armee The Queens – Samuel Spencer The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – James Wilson and more Villa – Rewind ft Spinderella (Salt N Pepa)

MONDAY 28/01 Claremont Showgrounds – Big Day Out Bloody Beetroots/ Crystal Castles/ Kaskade/ Pretty Lights/ Nicky Romero/ Morgan Page/ Sampology and more Eve Nightclub - DJ Don Migi Llama Bar – Jo 19 Malt Supper Club – Industry Night The Deen – DJ Birdie

TUESDAY 29/01 Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon High Road Hotel – DJ Matty J Llama Bar – Charlie Bucket Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

AMPLIFIER/CAPITOL

ACTION BRONSON

THE BAKERY

FRAT HOUSE FRIDAYS

METRO FREO

IN THE THIS WEEK Mind Electric Wednesday, January 23 @ Newport Hotel Beach Party ft Purple Sneaker DJs/ Death Disco DJs Friday, January 25 @ Metro Freo House Masters ft Derrick Carter/ James A/Lee Wilson /Flex Friday, January 25 @ Geisha Heavyweight Soundz ft Andy C & MC GQ Friday, January 25 @ Metro City Old Skool Boat Parties ft Miggy and more Friday, January 25 @ Barrack St Jetty Fresh Produce: Chicks In Kicks Edition Friday, January 25 @ Ambar DJ Gusto Friday, January 25 @ Capitol DJ Sasha Friday, January 25 @ Villa KICK! Peter Van Hoesen Saturday, January 26 @ The Bakery Stafford Brothers & Timmy Trumpet Saturday, January 26 @ Eve Nightclub Purple Sneaker DJs S a t u r d a y, J a n u a r y 2 6 @ Amplifier Riva Starr Saturday, January 26 @ Salt On The Beach

DJ Sasha

DJ SASHA FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 VILLA

www.xpressmag.com.au

Australia Day Long Weekend Ministry of Sound: Sounds Mac Miller ft Gary (Geordie Shore) of Dubstep ft Calvertron/ Saturday, February 23 @ Metro Sunday, January 27 @ Eve Killafoe/Get More/Riot Freo Nightclub Class/ Dr Space Friday, February 1 @ Shape Huxley UV Party ft Death Disco DJs Saturday, February 23 @ Shape Sunday, January 27 @ Metro The Backyard Project Freo First Birthday ft Afro Radio/ Speakeasy ft Clubfeet/What Jack in the Box/Muzmix/All So Not Lindstrom ft Lightsteed/ Corners of House/Zealousy Saturday, February 23 @ Villa The Monarchy DJs/Craig and more Hollywood Saturday, Februar y 2 @ Slaughterhouse Sunday, January 27 @ The Flawless Nightclub Saturday, March 2 @ Metro City Bakery Dirtybird Records Tour ft Calyx & Teebee ft Future Music Festival ft The Claude VonStroke/ Justin Ekko & Sidetrack/Voltron/ Prodigy/ The Stone Roses/ Martin/ J Phlip Eyesdown/Genga Sunday, January 27 @ Ambar Friday, February 8 @ Shape AVICII/ PSY/ Dizzee Rascal/ Bloc Party/ Azealia Banks/ / Rewind ft Spinderella (Salt Bar Rita Ora/ Boys Noize (live)/ N Pepa) Hardwell/ The Temper Trap/ Scotty Boy Sunday, January 27 @ Villa Friday, February 8 @ Newport Fun./ Madeon/ Rudimental/ Ellie Goulding/ Steve Aoki/ Big Day Out ft The Bloody Hotel Alesso/ Gypsy & The Cat/ Beetroots/ Crystal Castles/ A-Trak (live)/ Feed Me (live)/ Kaskade/ Pretty Lights/ Bass Agenda 2 ft Klute/ Zeds Dead/ Kill The Noise/ Nicky Romero/ Morgan Gridlok/ Prolix/ Nymfo/ Page/ Sampology and more Rregula/ Voltron/ MCS: DJ Fresh (live)/ Nervo/ Zane Lowe/ Borgore/ Sven Vath/ M o n d a y, J a n u a r y 2 8 @ XSESSIV & Bear & Stylee Saturday, February 9 @ Villa R ichie Hawtin/ R icardo Claremont Showground Villalobos/ Seth Troxler/ Habitat Garden Party ft Magda/ Cosmic Gate f t Felix Cartel / M.A.N.D.Y/ Emma Hewitt/ W&W/ tyDi/ Butch/ Edu Imbernon Andy Moor/ Super8 & Tab/ Proxy Sunday, February 10 @ The Ben Gold/ The Stafford Wednesday, January 30 @ Court Brothers/ Timmy Trumpet/ Ambar Tenzin/ Bombs Away Miguel Migs Sunday, March 3 @ Arena The Presets Friday, February 15 @ Villa Joondalup Thursday, January 31 @ Metro Freo Future Classic Showcase Smokey’s Tour ft Urthboy ft Scenic/ Panama/ Flight Friday, March 8 @ Mojos Bird On The Wire 4 Facilities/ Mitzi ft Broz Rodriguez/James Saturday, February 16 @ The Smokey’s Tour ft Urthboy Broome/Fluoro/Yarhkob Chevron Festival Gardens Saturday, March 9 @ Amplifier Friday, February 1 @ Geisha Bar Flosstradamus N a n c y W h a n g f t Saturday, February 16 @ Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Manimal/Willy Slade/Rex Shape S u n d a y, M a r c h 1 7 @ Monsoon/Aarom Wilson/ Lemon Lime & Biddiss/ Scarborough Beach Marcell Dettmann Lightsteed Amphitheatre Friday, Februar y 1 @ The Sunday, February 17 @ Venue TBC Bakery The Uni-Verse Tour ft Drapht Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Thursday, March 28 @ The Pete Griffiths Rosemount Friday, Februar y 1 @ The Sunday, Februar y 17 @ Chevron Festival Gardens Newport Jason Lema Friday, March 29 @ Mullaloo DJ Yoda ft Stickybuds Above & Beyond Beach Hotel Friday, February 1 @ Metro City Friday, February 22 @ Villa

COMING UP

Wolfgang Gartner Friday, February 1 @ Villa

Clockwork-RL Grime The xx Friday, February 22 @ Ambar Tuesday, April 2 @ Metro City

Jason Lema Force Majeure f t E m o h Blawan Saturday, February 23 @ Friday, April 4 @ The Dusk Instead Shape Friday, February 1 @ Ambar Lounge

Action Bronson (photo by Daniel Craig)

BAD BOYS IN ACTION ACTION BRONSON/ Sleepyhead/ Knoe FM / Charlie Bucket / UpNUp / Rob Shaker/ Cloak & Dagger The Bakery Thursday, January 17 It’s not easy opening a gig when there’s little more than a handful of punters, but despite the lack of vibe, local lad Know FM held his own, presenting a chilled out set, reminiscent of your older, Native Tongues’ flavour. He was preceded by a bass heavy set from DJ Sleepyhead.

Charlie Bucket delivered, then stayed in position to provide the beats for UpnUp’s (aka Dan Banks (Coin) and Marksman) set, which offered a few welcome surprises. While having carved out considerable local reps for their own solo gigs, these two brought the stage alive with palpable chemistry, not least of all maximised by the addition of a horn section ‘The Horny Horns’ and ‘Anders’, a talented jazz vocalist and guitarist who has recently become a permanent addition to the outfit. Again, these guys gave us a smooth, old style set, a highlight being their finale - a cheeky cover of D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar, which doubled as a tongue in cheek serenade to the headliner. Looking forward to seeing more from this crew.

As the venue started to reach capacity, Rob Shaker took the reigns at the decks to create

a darker, heavier sound in preparation of Cloak & Dagger’s more intense live set. This duo consists of Solitary and Bitter Belief, with the latter now being known nationwide due to his support role touring with Drapht. Rob Shaker (also tours with Drapht) worked the decks for the set, displaying some impressive scratching skills, while Cloak & Dagger energetically worked the crowd, never missing a beat between the two of them. An actual personal beef seemed to be played out on stage with their rendition of What Do You Want From Me?, while Bitter Belief’s finale The Circus, (produced by Rob Shaker) entertained as two made-up clowns got up on stage to provide antics for a video shoot of the performance. These guys almost stole the show.

With dubious lyrics and an impressive on stage ganja habit, Action Bronson lived up to his bad boy image. Formerly a New York chef, the Queens’ raised rapper has a considerable appetite for food, not least witnessed by his great girth, but also by many of his lyrics. Put that together with his other loves: ‘pussy’; money; and his own genitals and you have a veritable feast for the ears. With that amount of self confidence, Bronson obviously owned the stage and quite clearly never dropped a line, displaying considerable control of his rhythms. He ended with a strong selection that included The Symbol from his new album, Rare Chandeliers. The capacity crowd took it all in with interest but, maybe because it was a mid week gig, didn’t completely lose itself.

Another great night put on by the ICSSC crew, not least of all for its showcasing of the genuinely impressive hip hop talent we possess here in little ol’ Perth.

» JO CAMPBELL

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

BLAZIN’ ENTRAILS

Day of the Dead/Dirtwater Bloom/Branson Tramps Amplifier Bar, Perth.

Friday, January 18, 2013.

ESG Photo: Daniel Grant

ESG

The Bakery Sunday, January 20, 2013 The Scroggins sisters have rhythm. They groove in a way that is so damn tight it’ll make your eyes bleed and your ears pop. Sunday night’s late night session

by ESG at the Bakery had the whole crowd (and the band) dancing unashamedly to an upbeat blend of post-punk/soul/funk fusion.

New member of the band (and daughter of original band member Renee) Chistelle Scroggins was too sexy, stripping off layers and dancing around the stage with a fan throughout the track Come On, whilst rocking a solid bongo solo in Moody. Likewise, friend of the family Leroy Glover on bass proved to the whole crowd that not only could he play a solid funk bass line, he could look fabulous while doing it.

Meanwhile, the original sisters rocked a solid set of new and old material. True to form, the ladies rocked their signature casual sweatshirts and baseball caps, giving the whole gig a very relaxed vibe, and the sense that we had been transported back to the late ‘80s. Renee Scroggins was a powerful front woman, and tore up an impressive vocal solo in My Love. Valerie on drums was somewhere between The Prodigy and The Jackson 5, while Marie provided solid rhythm on bongos and backing vocals. These ladies got down to business with a huge amount of assurance and attitude, never missing a step.

What impressed about ESG is how exceptionally tight they are. They play together like only family can, with the vitality of the younger family

members matched by the experience of the original sisters. What’s more, their music is never dumbed down: it’s full of complex polyrhythms and driving bass riffs that slot together to sound like one living breathing organism. They haven’t gotten stale, nor do they seem to have gotten old.

My only complaint was with the set length: for the headlining act of the evening, 45 minutes seemed a little meagre, especially for a band with the extensive history and loyal fan base that ESG has. Whether this was a band choice or not I don’t know, however it certainly left an annoyed crowd chanting for more until the house lights went up.

The best description of ESG is that they’re a band that will catch you before you catch them. They’re not half as well known as they should be for a band that had such a massive defining influence on the music of the ‘80s and ‘90s. It only takes a limited listen to hear in their music the broad range of bands that would go onto be influenced by them – everyone from The Wu Tang Clan to the Beastie Boys. On the other hand, this has meant that the sisters have both retained their own original sense of style, and passed that style down to their daughters and friends.

If you haven’t caught ESG by now don’t hold your breath, you’re probably not likely to. ESG have announced they will soon be hanging up the cowbells and calling it quits, following the release of their final EP Closure in 2012. Their departure from the music scene will leave a gaping baseball cap shaped hole in the music industry. _LEAH BLANKENDAAL

In what was to prove an evening of fresh starts and new beginnings, Branson Tramps were undoubtedly the greenest band on the lineup. What was most memorable about this crew was their capacity for writing killer desert rock’n’roll riffs, their bitchin’ Orange amp guitar sounds and fat bottom end.

Where they fell short was in their capacity to take those elements and transform them into something transcendent: it often felt like their riffs were searching for a song that hadn’t quite yet materialised.

Hands down, the most surprising act of the night was Dirtwater Bloom. Not that there was ever any doubt that veteran singer/guitarist Rhys Watson (ex-B-Movie Heroes) had the chops up his sleeve to pull off high-amphetamine, unstoppably loud rock’n’roll; but sweet Jesus, this band must be less than six months old and they were solid as a rock.

Easily this night’s tightest act, Chris Webber (drums) and Tam Bozic Taylor (bass) held down the bottom end like you wouldn’t believe while Watson shredded like a blues motherfucker from hell on an MC5 kick.

Awesome!

Day Of The Dead are no strangers to the WA music scene. They’ve long been one of Fremantle’s hottest top-level support acts, but they’ve also been its most distant uncles: an aficionado band; always water-tight, slick and on top of their chops.

Tonight however was different. The addition of Blazin’ Entrails’ Caleb Merry on upright bass has given the band a whole new dimension.

Finally – finally! – they have the option of using vocals from time to time to supplement lead man Ben Frichot’s flawless spaghetti Western, surf guitar chops.

It’s definitely an interesting change as Merry’s burly rocker persona contrasts markedly with Frichot’s diminutive stature and understated approach. But what the new man has brought to the team is outgoingness and a willingness to talk to the crowd; musically, it works.

Blazin’ Entrails Photo: Michael Wylie Finally, Blazin’ Entrails took to the stage in what was clearly an important show on a personal level, as the band were keen to use the evening to raise funds for a badly injured mate. This band has also undergone a lineup change – quite a dramatic one – and the effect has been unifying. Lined up front-of-stage with a stand-up drummer and a brand new upright bass player, this new incarnation is undeniably psychobilly. But again, change has added a whole dynamic to the band that just wasn’t there before, with the various members able to share vocal duties and introduce one another.

In terms of character this new-look Entrails gels very well. Musically though the set pulled up a little short, and there was a surprising thinness to the sound—the bottom end seemed to be missing entirely. Doubtless this will be improved upon as the band gains experience—for now, it didn’t really matter too much. This show was for a good cause, and the crowd demanded an encore—and as Entrails obliged with Eddie Cochran’s 20 Flight Rock, the future looked bright indeed. _BEN WATSON

Like Junk Photo: Nicole Norelli

LIKE JUNK

Gizzards/Stolen Sugar/Loose Lips/Place of Indigo 464 Smart Space Saturday, January 19, 2013 We come for the music, of course, but sometimes the venue makes a hell of a difference, and 464 Smart Space is a hell of a venue.

An old light industrial workspace turned general purpose art space, it’s the kind of freeform venue that can, with a little work and imagination, become whatever you want it too.

For the launch of their album, The Creatures Voice, Like Junk decided to transform it into something akin to Warhol’s Factory, with live painting and video manipulation, an eclectic musical lineup, and a strange kind of bohemian vibe that thrummed with raw possibility. It was, to say the least, a memorable evening.

The Gizzards opened festivities with a blast of fuzzy, feedback-filled, experimental pop.

Resplendent in a black and red cape over an ELO t-shirt, Chad Jane is deliberately, delightfully weird, inviting the listener into a strange and discordant soundscape which manages be provocative and playful at the same time.

Gears shifted abruptly with the arrival of the next band, Stolen Sugar, formerly known as The Moonlight Wranglers. With new lead singer Cory Osboine, they quickly and unselfconsciously set about proving that their lineup change had www.xpressmag.com.au

not robbed them of their ability to serve up an invigorating dose of blues-based, no-nonsense rock and roll.

Third cab off the rank was Loose Lips, also known as The Fags, although perhaps a brief moment of commercial clarity has put paid to that particular name. A collection of serious music veterans, their stock in trade is loud, driving, no-frills pop rock. It was they who finally got the crowd - which had been slowly but steadily swelling since the 8pm kick-off moving, and it’s not hard to see why; anyone who can resist rocking out to these guys needs to source themselves a new nervous system.

Place of Indigo took their time setting up, and as a consequence launched into their set a good fifteen minutes late. Not that it seemed to bother the crowd too much; the reaction to the band’s brand of post-punk/pseudo-new wave dark-inflected noise was strong. And why not? This hybrid Joy division/ The Killers/Bloc Party/The National Stuff is all the rage now, with a perfect mix of the melodic and the melancholy, and if the lead singer’s voice occasionally wasn’t quite up to it, nobody seemed to mind.

Finally, cometh the hour, cometh Like Junk.

These guys just about fit under the umbrella of postpunk as well, although over the years they’ve become harder and harder to categorise. It’s easy enough to zero in on their influences - here’s Nick, here’s Iggy, Here’s Bowie, Lou, and a dash of junkyard-era Tom Waits - but it’s not so easy to demarcate the resulting melange. At times an atmospheric soundscape, at others a discordant burst of Stooge-like angst, at others a kind of early Birthday Party pastiche, singer Scott White and company nonetheless kept the crowd absolutely enthralled. _TRAVIS JOHNSON 33

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Your Guide To The Australia Day Weekend Ngaire Pigram performs this Saturday, in her father’s footsteps in a musical performance at Smokefree WA Survival Perth 2013. She’s a little January 26, at Smokefree WA Survival apprehensive, although not for the reasons you may Perth 2013, along with Urban Youth think. “It’s gonna be hot - I’m not looking forward Crew, Clint Bracknell, Jake And The to that!” she laughs. “I think I’m on at 1.50pm, so it’ll Cowboys, Casey Donovan and more. be steaming.”

She is, however, looking forward to TRAVIS JOHNSON talks with the checking out some of the talent she’ll be sharing the stage with. “I’m looking forward to seeing Jake And talented singer and actor.

The Cowboys and Clint Bracknell - I went and saw

NGAIRE PIGRAM Ngaire Pigram

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In the Blood

Broome-born and raised Ngaire Pigram is probably still best known for her acting chops, which were amply demonstrated in Brendan Fletcher’s searing and insightful 2010 film, Mad Bastards.

But she is also a singer, a dancer, a writer and soon to be a director.

“I’ve always wanted to perform,” she says.

“Whether it be singing, acting, dancing. I don’t know if it’s because of the family I come from or just me, my personality. I just love it. I really love the performing arts side of things, playing different characters, being creative - I love it all.”

The family she comes from may indeed have played a big part in her decision to pursue a career in the arts; her father, after all, is Stephen Pigram of The Pigram Brothers, the renowned Kimberley musical outfit. This Saturday, Ngaire follows

him in Boom! Bap! Pow! the other week, and they’re fantastic. I love ‘em!”

Presented by NAIDOC - the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee - the Survival Concert celebrates the resilience of Australia’s Indigenous inhabitants in the face of adversity, and offers a different perspective on Australia Day. Officially established in 1957, NAIDOC has worked tirelessly for over half a century to promote and celebrate Indigenous culture.

“As a whole, I think the importance of it is significant,” Pigram says of NAIDOC’s work. “We put on shows and do things for the community that we otherwise probably wouldn’t get to do, in the name of keeping our culture alive and educating people as well. So it’s good, it’s great.”

She is aware, however, that educating the wider Australian population on Indigenous issues is

an ongoing process. Although great progress has been made, there is still a long way to go and recent developments in the Aboriginal arts scene have worked to widen the channels of communication.

“I think that education is still an issue” Pigram says. “I think the history hasn’t been taught properly. I think there’s definitely still a lot of people that could use some proper education and understanding of what really went on, and how it has affected us. It’s trans-generational; that’s the way it is, and you’ve got to understand that.

“But there is a lot more awareness - film, music, theatre, that’s where it’s all really happening, and I love it.”

Opening Ceremony 12.00pm Middar Dancers 12.30pm Urban Youth Crew 12.55pm Roma Knapp 12.25pm Ngaire Pigram 1.55pm Clint Bracknell 2.30pm Knowledge Bones 3.10pm Oz Island 3.50pm Jake And The Cowboys 4.40pm The Merindas 5.30pm Casey Donovan 6.40pm For more details head to naidocperth.org.

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TWELVE FOOT NINJA

PURPLE SNEAKER DJS Australiana

Twelve Tw wel elv l Foot Ninja

Purple Snea Sneakers DJs

The Foot Clan

“It’s basically still the same for us,” he says. Melbourne prog-metal merchants Purple Sneakers DJs bring the fun “Whether it’s indie or hip hop or house or two step – Twelve Foot Ninja bring their Sonic this Australia Day Weekend, hitting it’s all different types of club music; song-based and Machine tour to Bunbury’s Prince of Metropolis this Friday, January 25, with choruses.

“I feel like that will never change,” explains Wales Hotel on Thursday, January and Amplifier on Saturday, January Novosel.“It doesn’t matter what genre it is; as musicians just have to stay aware of current styles and trends.” 24, Amplifier on Friday, January 25, 26. RK talks to the frontman behind we Keeping busy too with their club nights, Novosel and Mojo’s on Saturday, January 26. the group about life in the spotlight suggests that the pressure of the grind is actually he enjoys.“You figure out what you’re doing TRAVIS JOHNSON talks to guitarist and what it means to be an Australian. something and make your own way I suppose,” he says. “We’ve Steve ‘Stevic’ McKay about comics and played some great gigs and hosted some great artists Martin Novosel is a man after any music-lovers at our gigs too. It hasn’t been a drag at all – on the karate - sort of. heart. He speaks at the speed of sound – but each word is laced with passion and commitment. And along with partner-in-crime, Randy Stagg, they make up Purple Sneaker DJs - a local Aussie outfit worth keeping a close eye on.

And the first thing he communicates is that the party hasn’t stopped, with the duo keeping themselves rather busy. “We released a single at the end of last year called Last One Standing,” Novosel chimes. “It came out on a really cool underground label from New York. To be honest, I think they liked our single as well as some of our remixes; then we played some good shows over the New Year – a gig in Melbourne with Flume and then Field Day in Sydney for New Years Day.” Otherwise, Purple Sneakers’ focus over the summer has been to keep up with work in the studio.

Musically, in 2013 little will change for the Purple Sneaker DJs. The duo is all about keeping the dancefloor happy with their song-based music.

contrary – it has been great fun!”

To that end, the boys are playing an Australia Day show in the west and are rather looking forward to the experience. Novosel reminisces proudly for a moment:“I can tell you about being Australian. I wasn’t even born here! I was born in the former Yugoslavia, which is now Croatia. But I feel proud to be Australian – and I know the difference! I spent five years living in London and have been to America heaps of times for work. Even places like Japan and things; I know the feeling I get when I get back home – it’s where I always want to end up.”

Indeed, half his luck – however the fun doesn’t end there. Musically, the boys from Purple Sneakers are well known for doing, well, whatever they like. And in celebration of what is one of the most important weekends on any Aussie calendar, the lads are looking forward to bringing the noise.

“We love it over there and can’t wait to bring a great party!”

Emperors

EMPERORS You’re Alright

Emperors hit the Big Day Out on Monday, January 28, at Claremont Showgrounds. BOB GORDON gets an update vocalist/guitarist, Adam Livingston.

Emperors had an excellent year in 2012, but the fun ain’t stopping there.

They have a slew of headlining shows coming up on Thursday, February 21, at Prince Of Wales Hotel in Bunbury; Friday, February 22 at Norfolk Basement and on Saturday, February 23, at Amplifier (helped out by Canberra’s Super Best Friends). These, however, are pre-empted by a precious slot at the Big Day Out’s Red Stage at 5.15pm on Monday.

It’s likely to be Adam Livingston’s best Big Day Out experience since his last one.

“That was Rage Against The Machine, when they were all like ‘fuck you I won’t not play when your shitty power goes out’,” he recalls.“That was awesome.”

It’s been about 10 months since the release of Emperors’ debut LP, Stay Frosty. The band is still feeling good about the album, especially in light of the success of the single, Be Ready When I Say Go, recently named ‘Rock Song Of The Year’ by US iTunes. www.xpressmag.com.au

“Personally - and I know this is going to sound fucked - but I reckon it was one of the best Aussie records to come out last year,” Livingstone says. “It deserved to be in a few more end-of-year lists than it was. Being in a rock band is pretty tough when sometimes you can be up against the ‘heard it all before’ tag, but fuck, I’ll take that over being in some fucking cartoon-channel music-by-numbers ‘new-folk’ or ‘synth’ band. I’m really proud of that album still and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Not many musicians can say that about their records.”

Ever furtive, Emperors are writing songs for their next release, because that’s just what they do.

But what kind of songs?

“I guess a little different,” Livingston notes.

“Personally, I’m trying to write more positive stuff.

Stuff about when I was a kid and I didn’t give a shit.

Stuff about having a toy robot and all you cared about in the whole world was that robot. I miss that simple shit. It’s going to be a different album. The last record was kinda like ‘fuck you’ and this one will hopefully be more of a ‘nah, you’re alright’.”

The year ahead looks busy for Emperors, with a national tour supporting Grinspoon, followed by their own countrywide jaunt. A US tour remains as yet unconfirmed and another album looms.

Meanwhile they’ll spend the Australia Day Holiday at the Big Day Out, for a change.

“Usually, as long as there’s water, beer and sun I’m sorted,” Livingston says of how he normally spends the day. “One year I spent the day in a paddling pool in my backyard with a carton of VB and a t-shirt that said, ‘Because I’m the dad, that’s why’. There was a homemade funnel involved from memory. I wish I was lying.”

Twelve Foot Ninja have an album out - the excellent Sonic Machine - and for most bands, that’d be enough; a bit of a tour to fly the flag, and onto the next thing. The thing is, these Melbournian metal experimenters, who’ve been hitting the stage since 2008, are a bit more ambitious than that.

Sonic Machine is the culmination of Project Twelve, which saw the band digitally release 12 singles, accompanied by 12 digital comics, in the lead-up to the album’s release. “We wanted to tie it all in with a visual component,” guitarist Steve ‘Stevic’ McKay explains. “And so the natural progression seemed to be to release comic books.”

The comics, written by McKay and illustrated

by UK artist Keith Draws, function as a companion piece to and a continuation of the album, all of which work to tell the surreal and esoteric story of the band’s totemic Twelve Foot Ninja, as he makes his way through a series of bizarre parallel worlds.

“The whole mission with Twelve Foot Ninja from the start was to create something that worked at the surface level,” McKay says.“But for those who want to get more out of something, it’s available - it keeps going down. The story is quite in-depth; it’s an allegory, really; you could call it an allegory or a parable. These things all happen to everyone, so it’s all relatable. It’s just set in a metaphorical world.”

It’s an audacious experiment in both form and content, especially for a band on their first LP. However, McKay admits that this experimentation is also born out of a dissatisfaction with the way albums are treated in the marketplace in the current era.

Project 12 is not just a way for the band to stretch themselves creatively, but a deliberate attempt to gain some notice in a crowded genre. “ The whole point of an album,” McKay says thoughtfully. “From our point of view, is to serve the existing supporters by giving them a full-length release, but also to expand. The concept of people who haven’t heard you before giving your album the time of day is fairly outdated; I don’t think that’s what happens. I believe people make their minds up from 20 seconds of one track. It’s really about singles more than it is about full-lengths.”

Yet the album still remains as the dominant release model, which carries huge risks for a jobbing band. “Just consider the amount of money it takes to put out an album, to put out a disc. A lot of people will just pirate music anyway, so we didn’t want to put that much time and money into something where each track just wouldn’t get the bandwidth. We really approached the album as just 12 singles.”

As for whether the experiment has proved successful, McKay remains somewhat philosophical.

“We’re doing okay so far,” he says.

SUGAR ARMY The B The Boxer oxer R Rebellion ebellion

Sugar Army

No strangers to the Big Day Out, Sugar been great to explore the songs in a live context, they take on a new life. You constantly find new Army will take to the Red Stage on adaptations which keeps things really fresh. Also, the Monday, January 28, at Claremont best thing about releasing the record is we get to let it go and start another.”

Showgrounds, from 6.30pm. BOB And how’s that going? “ We’ve been writing a lot lately, ” GORDON catches up with vocalist, McLaughlin says, “but they are all pretty varied at Pat McLaughlin. the moment. We tend to just throw a lot of ideas in The Australia Day Holiday finds Sugar Army playing at the Big Day Out. Fortunately, they’ll be dressed for the occasion.

“Usually I’d probably be doing bugger all in my underwear,” he notes. “If some friends came over I guess I would put some pants on.”

It was pants on all the way when Sugar Army last took to a Big Day Out stage, in what must have been one of the band’s career highlights thus far.

“We were lucky enough to play the whole tour in 2010,” McLaughlin recalls.“It was great fun, we had a ball. The Perth show was the most enjoyable, funnily enough.”

Sugar Army’s second album, Summertime Heavy, was released last August, after something of a delay. As such, they especially enjoyed getting out there and working in support of it.

“It’s been pretty good and really rewarding finishing the record,” McLaughlin contemplates. “It’s

the hat and then gravitate towards the ones we’re most excited about. The newer material, dare I say, is pretty different, which is always a natural way to start things, but we’re just experimenting and trying to figure out what it’s going to be.

“We’re exploring new ways of writing and recording which is making everything pretty exciting.”

The creative process is going along so swimmingly that Sugar Army head into the studio next month with producer Sam Ford to record their next release.

“Since our last record took so long to write and release, we’ve decided that is unacceptable this time around,” McLaughlin states. “So this year is about writing and recording. We’re aiming to have a record finished and released by the end of the year, fingers crossed. There will be some live stuff in there too though. We find that is the best way to get a true gauge of where a song is at.”

35

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2013 EQUITY GUILD AWARDS

JAN 23

This annual awards event honours outstanding achievement in Professional Theatre in WA. It’s sure to be an exciting night out with awards categories of Best Actor (male/ female), Best Supporting Actor (male/female), Geoff Gibbs Best Newcomer, Best Design, Best Direction, Best Production and a Guild Award and Heritage Award. Food and drink provided beforehand.

Contact: Rhoda Lopez 0410 100 252, fringeworld.com.au

Contact: thebeatnightclub@gmail.com facebook.com/thebeatnightclub

JAN 24

Open Mic Nite at The Brighton, showcasing fresh local talent at this popular venue. If you’re an aspiring local original music artist, contact The Brighton for your chance to perform. Come down and enjoy $10 pizzas, and great live entertainment.

ADDRESS: 8 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah PRICE: Free

JAN 26

KALAMUNDA HOTEL

Join in the Australia Day celebrations this year up at The Kalamunda. Triple J’s Hottest 100 will be broadcast from the morning, the kitchen will be open all day and there’ll be a barbeque cooking out in the front courtyard. Drink specials all day! Be sure to get dressed in your best Aussie gear for your chance to win some great prizes.

ADDRESS: 43 Railway Road, Kalamunda PRICE: Free entry

Contact: (08) 9257 1084, kalamunda.hotel@alhgroup.com.au

Contact: (08) 9534 8864, www.brightonmandurah.com.au

MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL

Join us while we re-countdown this year’s Triple J Hottest 100! We’ll be re-living some of the top Australian songs from past Hottest 100’s as well! Shorts, thongs and singlets welcome! Cheap Red Cup beer and other drink specials. The best place to be after a hot day in the sun.

ADDRESS: 234 William Street, Perth PRICE: Free entry.

ADDRESS: Urban Orchard, Perth Cultural Centre PRICE: $55 members / $70 standard

BRIGHTON HOTEL

JAN 26

BEAT

JAN 25

Come to our Australia Day Eve Party in the Oceanside Bar presented by Toys Collective with DJs Paul Scott, Matty S and Slick. Drink specials all night!

ADDRESS: 10 Oceanside Promenade, Mullaloo PRICE: Free entry.

JAN 26

ROSEMOUNT HOTEL

This Australia Day, come on down to The Rosemount Hotel and countdown the very best songs of 2012 with your favourite local live music crew! We’ll have sun, a beer garden, games, water spray fans and drinks a-plenty! Plus don’t forget we’ll also be serving our scrumptious Aussie Fry-Up’s for just $10 and offering nice-priced Bloody Mary Cocktail’s that’ll be sure to cure the pre-Australia Day celebratory shenanigans and get you in the right mood to get stuck into tunes, courtesy of Triple J! ADDRESS: 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth PRICE: Free

Contact: (08) 9328 7062, rosemounthotel.com.au

Contact: facebook.com/MullalooBeachHotel

THE FLY TRAP

JAN 25

Come one Come all down to The Fly Trap this Australia Day Eve to celebrate with a rockin’ night of entertainment from The Loose Lips, Red Engine Caves and Jack Stirling (The Joe Kings). Dangerous and bizarre but most of all cool, the Loose Lips represent everything that is truly reprehensible about rock’n’roll. Their songs are broken and twisted pop. The Loose Lips swagger with the festering sound of the underground.

JAN 26

THE PADDO

Catch the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown live from 9am, plus there’s a free sausage sizzle between 1-2pm and again at 5–6pm. Then catch Cheeky Monkeys playing your favourite Aussie covers from 9pm.

ADDRESS: 141 Scarborough Beach Road, Mount Hawthorn PRICE: Free

ADDRESS: Parry Street, Fremantle PRICE: $10 at the door

Contact: (08) 9242 3077, paddo.com.au

Contact: (08) 9430 5976, flybynight.org

ROCKET ROOM

JAN 25

Every Friday at Coyote Ugly there’s topless dancing girls on the bar, followed by live old skool Rock from Kickstart. The weekend has landed! Performers include Penthouse cover girl Madison, and Picture Magazine model Trinity Porter. The Rocket Room presents the best of the best award winning girls. Book in your bucks parties or guys nights out with seated areas and food platters provided.

Contact: 9228 0500, metroconcertclub.com

Contact: (08) 9227 9599, therocketroom.com.au

JAN 25-26

Happening at Ya Ya’s this week! On Friday join the Aussie Day Eve Party with Doctopus, Mild Child and Gunns before resident DJs take over from 11pm. Then after the fireworks and BBQs join our SASS @ Ya Ya’s Aussie Day Party. Singlets, shorts and thongs all okay, ‘cause that’s the Aussie way! For your chance to win a $100 bar card just email adam@ya-yas.com.au with ‘Aussie Day’ in the subject line.

ADDRESS: 147 James St Northbridge PRICE: Free

Jan 25-27

ADDRESS: Burswood, Curtin University and Bassendean.

A PRICE: Wed-Sun $14 (Adult); $10 (Seniors & Students); $7 (Child); $35 (Family) Mon-Tues $10 (Adult); $7 (Seniors & Students); $7 (Child); $30 (Family)

JAN 26

The Brow Horn Orchestra are fast becoming one of Australia’s most in-demand party bands. The high energy brass and beats five-piece wiLL be bringing the party this Australia Day.

Contact: (08) 9341 1122, www.indianoceanhotel.com.au 36

JAN 26-FEB 16

THE EASTERN

The Eastern in Midland has one of the best band rooms is the whole city. Great amount of space for punters, big PA, good sound guys and very possibly the best stage in the whole metro area.

Saturday, January 26, Alex Elberry, Lioizer and Wicked Wench Saturday, February 2, The Blood Ramblers + special guests Saturday, February 9, Bonfire, AC/DC tribute Saturday, February 16, The Gizzards, 5th Independence & Tashi Hall ADDRESS: 309 Great Eastern Highway Midland PRICE: easternhotel.com.au

Contact: (08) 9250 1930

Contact: moviesbyburswood.com

ADDRESS: 23-27 Hastings Street Scarborough PRICE: $15

Snag yourself a great long weekend at The Merrywell with cold bevies, great food, live music and good times on tap! Chef Sammy D’s Big Aussie BBQ will be live and cooking from noon on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Think giant prawns, kebabs and in Sammy’s own words ‘Aussie favourites with outrageous toppings’, including the traditional ‘shrimp on the barbie’. Plus there’s a massive entertainment line-up with live bands, DJs and the 92.9 Sunday Session.

Contact: crownperth.com.au and The Merrywell on Facebook

Bankwest Movies by Burswood runs three affordable outdoor cinemas (Burswood, Curtin University and Bassendean) throughout the summer months. These are all run by volunteers with all profits going to children’s charities. Gates open at 6.30pm. movies screening this week include Rise of the Guardians, Pitch Perfect, Wreck-It Ralph, Skyfall, TThe Perks of Being a Wallflower, Les Miserables, Samsara and Disney’s Lady & The Tramp.

Check our website for details.

INDI BAR

JAN 26-28

THE MERRYWELL

ADDRESS: Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood.

PRICE: Share plates from $15, burgers from $25

Contact: www.ya-yas.com.au

MOVIES BY BURSWOOD

It’s the long weekend so come down and celebrate all that is great about Australia. This Australia day party is not to be missed. Come dressed in your best beach wear, from bikinis and shorts to sarongs and singlets - but strictly NO THONGS OR HATS allowed.

Doors open 10pm – late.

ADDRESS: 146 Roe St, Northbridge WA 6003 PRICE: Free entry ‘til 11pm then $15 ‘til midnight; $20 after midnight.

ADDRESS: 174 James St Northbridge PRICE: Free before 9pm then $10 after.

YA YA’S

JAN 26

METRO CITY

JAN 26-27

EVE NIGHTCLUB

Australia Day just got a whole, lot, bigger! The Stafford Brothers and Timmy Trumpet raise the roof on Saturday, January 27. Plus, Gary from Geordie Shore joins the Phoenix Long Weekend Party on Sunday, January 27, and we’re open until very, very late. Make the most of the long weekend at Eve! ADDRESS: Eve Nightclub, Crown Perth PRICE: Saturday, 26 Jan - Doors open 9pm, free entry until 10pm.

Sunday, 27 Jan - Doors open at 9pm, no free entry period.

Contact: eveclub@crownperth.com.au facebook.com/EveClub X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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2013 EQUITY GUILD AWARDS

JAN 23

This annual awards event honours outstanding achievement in Professional Theatre in WA. It’s sure to be an exciting night out with awards categories of Best Actor (male/ female), Best Supporting Actor (male/female), Geoff Gibbs Best Newcomer, Best Design, Best Direction, Best Production and a Guild Award and Heritage Award. Food and drink provided beforehand.

Contact: Rhoda Lopez 0410 100 252, fringeworld.com.au

Contact: thebeatnightclub@gmail.com facebook.com/thebeatnightclub

JAN 24

Open Mic Nite at The Brighton, showcasing fresh local talent at this popular venue. If you’re an aspiring local original music artist, contact The Brighton for your chance to perform. Come down and enjoy $10 pizzas, and great live entertainment.

ADDRESS: 8 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah PRICE: Free

JAN 26

KALAMUNDA HOTEL

Join in the Australia Day celebrations this year up at The Kalamunda. Triple J’s Hottest 100 will be broadcast from the morning, the kitchen will be open all day and there’ll be a barbeque cooking out in the front courtyard. Drink specials all day! Be sure to get dressed in your best Aussie gear for your chance to win some great prizes.

ADDRESS: 43 Railway Road, Kalamunda PRICE: Free entry

Contact: (08) 9257 1084, kalamunda.hotel@alhgroup.com.au

Contact: (08) 9534 8864, www.brightonmandurah.com.au

MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL

Join us while we re-countdown this year’s Triple J Hottest 100! We’ll be re-living some of the top Australian songs from past Hottest 100’s as well! Shorts, thongs and singlets welcome! Cheap Red Cup beer and other drink specials. The best place to be after a hot day in the sun.

ADDRESS: 234 William Street, Perth PRICE: Free entry.

ADDRESS: Urban Orchard, Perth Cultural Centre PRICE: $55 members / $70 standard

BRIGHTON HOTEL

JAN 26

BEAT

JAN 25

Come to our Australia Day Eve Party in the Oceanside Bar presented by Toys Collective with DJs Paul Scott, Matty S and Slick. Drink specials all night!

ADDRESS: 10 Oceanside Promenade, Mullaloo PRICE: Free entry.

JAN 26

ROSEMOUNT HOTEL

This Australia Day, come on down to The Rosemount Hotel and countdown the very best songs of 2012 with your favourite local live music crew! We’ll have sun, a beer garden, games, water spray fans and drinks a-plenty! Plus don’t forget we’ll also be serving our scrumptious Aussie Fry-Up’s for just $10 and offering nice-priced Bloody Mary Cocktail’s that’ll be sure to cure the pre-Australia Day celebratory shenanigans and get you in the right mood to get stuck into tunes, courtesy of Triple J! ADDRESS: 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth PRICE: Free

Contact: (08) 9328 7062, rosemounthotel.com.au

Contact: facebook.com/MullalooBeachHotel

THE FLY TRAP

JAN 25

Come one Come all down to The Fly Trap this Australia Day Eve to celebrate with a rockin’ night of entertainment from The Loose Lips, Red Engine Caves and Jack Stirling (The Joe Kings). Dangerous and bizarre but most of all cool, the Loose Lips represent everything that is truly reprehensible about rock’n’roll. Their songs are broken and twisted pop. The Loose Lips swagger with the festering sound of the underground.

JAN 26

THE PADDO

Catch the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown live from 9am, plus there’s a free sausage sizzle between 1-2pm and again at 5–6pm. Then catch Cheeky Monkeys playing your favourite Aussie covers from 9pm.

ADDRESS: 141 Scarborough Beach Road, Mount Hawthorn PRICE: Free

ADDRESS: Parry Street, Fremantle PRICE: $10 at the door

Contact: (08) 9242 3077, paddo.com.au

Contact: (08) 9430 5976, flybynight.org

ROCKET ROOM

JAN 25

Every Friday at Coyote Ugly there’s topless dancing girls on the bar, followed by live old skool Rock from Kickstart. The weekend has landed! Performers include Penthouse cover girl Madison, and Picture Magazine model Trinity Porter. The Rocket Room presents the best of the best award winning girls. Book in your bucks parties or guys nights out with seated areas and food platters provided.

Contact: 9228 0500, metroconcertclub.com

Contact: (08) 9227 9599, therocketroom.com.au

JAN 25-26

Happening at Ya Ya’s this week! On Friday join the Aussie Day Eve Party with Doctopus, Mild Child and Gunns before resident DJs take over from 11pm. Then after the fireworks and BBQs join our SASS @ Ya Ya’s Aussie Day Party. Singlets, shorts and thongs all okay, ‘cause that’s the Aussie way! For your chance to win a $100 bar card just email adam@ya-yas.com.au with ‘Aussie Day’ in the subject line.

ADDRESS: 147 James St Northbridge PRICE: Free

Jan 25-27

ADDRESS: Burswood, Curtin University and Bassendean.

A PRICE: Wed-Sun $14 (Adult); $10 (Seniors & Students); $7 (Child); $35 (Family) Mon-Tues $10 (Adult); $7 (Seniors & Students); $7 (Child); $30 (Family)

JAN 26

The Brow Horn Orchestra are fast becoming one of Australia’s most in-demand party bands. The high energy brass and beats five-piece wiLL be bringing the party this Australia Day.

Contact: (08) 9341 1122, www.indianoceanhotel.com.au 36

JAN 26-FEB 16

THE EASTERN

The Eastern in Midland has one of the best band rooms is the whole city. Great amount of space for punters, big PA, good sound guys and very possibly the best stage in the whole metro area.

Saturday, January 26, Alex Elberry, Lioizer and Wicked Wench Saturday, February 2, The Blood Ramblers + special guests Saturday, February 9, Bonfire, AC/DC tribute Saturday, February 16, The Gizzards, 5th Independence & Tashi Hall ADDRESS: 309 Great Eastern Highway Midland PRICE: easternhotel.com.au

Contact: (08) 9250 1930

Contact: moviesbyburswood.com

ADDRESS: 23-27 Hastings Street Scarborough PRICE: $15

Snag yourself a great long weekend at The Merrywell with cold bevies, great food, live music and good times on tap! Chef Sammy D’s Big Aussie BBQ will be live and cooking from noon on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Think giant prawns, kebabs and in Sammy’s own words ‘Aussie favourites with outrageous toppings’, including the traditional ‘shrimp on the barbie’. Plus there’s a massive entertainment line-up with live bands, DJs and the 92.9 Sunday Session.

Contact: crownperth.com.au and The Merrywell on Facebook

Bankwest Movies by Burswood runs three affordable outdoor cinemas (Burswood, Curtin University and Bassendean) throughout the summer months. These are all run by volunteers with all profits going to children’s charities. Gates open at 6.30pm. movies screening this week include Rise of the Guardians, Pitch Perfect, Wreck-It Ralph, Skyfall, TThe Perks of Being a Wallflower, Les Miserables, Samsara and Disney’s Lady & The Tramp.

Check our website for details.

INDI BAR

JAN 26-28

THE MERRYWELL

ADDRESS: Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood.

PRICE: Share plates from $15, burgers from $25

Contact: www.ya-yas.com.au

MOVIES BY BURSWOOD

It’s the long weekend so come down and celebrate all that is great about Australia. This Australia day party is not to be missed. Come dressed in your best beach wear, from bikinis and shorts to sarongs and singlets - but strictly NO THONGS OR HATS allowed.

Doors open 10pm – late.

ADDRESS: 146 Roe St, Northbridge WA 6003 PRICE: Free entry ‘til 11pm then $15 ‘til midnight; $20 after midnight.

ADDRESS: 174 James St Northbridge PRICE: Free before 9pm then $10 after.

YA YA’S

JAN 26

METRO CITY

JAN 26-27

EVE NIGHTCLUB

Australia Day just got a whole, lot, bigger! The Stafford Brothers and Timmy Trumpet raise the roof on Saturday, January 27. Plus, Gary from Geordie Shore joins the Phoenix Long Weekend Party on Sunday, January 27, and we’re open until very, very late. Make the most of the long weekend at Eve! ADDRESS: Eve Nightclub, Crown Perth PRICE: Saturday, 26 Jan - Doors open 9pm, free entry until 10pm.

Sunday, 27 Jan - Doors open at 9pm, no free entry period.

Contact: eveclub@crownperth.com.au facebook.com/EveClub X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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JAMES REYNE

solo career. Bookings on Australia Day, however, don’t necessarily make him a ‘quintessential Australian artist’.

“I tend to get labelled with that occasionally but I think it’s only because I was in a band that had the word ‘Australian’ in the title,” he laughs quietly. “Then it got bastardised to ‘Aussie’ and the band had nothing to do with that whatsoever, we were quite cynical about that attitude.

“So it’s kind of ironic that I sometimes get labelled with that because it’s quite a long way away from how I feel. Not that I’m not proud to be an I am, but that whole Aussie thing kind of James Reyne appears at the Australian, sticks in my draw a bit.”

Nannup Amphitheatre on Australia Reyne has been touring his current album, Thirteen, since its release last spring.

Day, Saturday, January 26, (tickets “It’s been good, considering the climate,” through trybooking.com/CDTH). BOB he notes. “It’s fine. Obviously you’d like all your singles to be in high rotation on every radio station GORDON reports. throughout the country, but that’s not going to happen.

Notwithstanding that, it’s been received really well. It’s James Reyne playing a gig on Australia Day. Now had fantastic reviews and the people who’ve heard it that’s something he’s well and truly used to. seem to be very complimentary. You can’t ask for much “I reckon for years and years and years we’ve more than that, really.” always been playing a gig somewhere,” he ponders.

Releasing albums independently these “Lots of wild and wonderful places. We’re always days, Reyne is now unworried by chart positions, somewhere.” demographics or what he ‘should’ do.

It makes sense. As Dave Hughes might say “It’s kind of freeing, really. The way I write it there’s something ‘uniquely Australian’ about the former always sounds that way, anyway. I’ve always written that Australian Crawl sing and owner of a quarter-century way, I always will. But there’s little tangents I’ve gone off

Aussie Craw

James Reyne

COURT HOTEL

JAN 27

eXposed Wet, Wild And Raunchy returns for another foam-filled night of slippery, wet fun! Bring your bathers and get ready to dance the night away in our beer garden of bubbles. Hosted by Hannah Conda with local LGBTI legends Timbee and P Lilly, expect big electro tunes as your soundtrack to this night of water, foam and lots of eXposed fun.

Contact: facebook.com/thecourthotel thecourt.com.au/

FEB 1-2

All the excitement and skill of the Flying Trapeze, Wheel Of Death and other acts seen only at Circus Joseph Ashton combined with the ribald humour and risqué fun of the girls from Sugar Blue Burlesque all under the mighty big top. 18+ event. Fully licensed.

Contact: aladdinstix.com.au

JAN 27

Jeff The Brotherhood play Mojos Bar. This is absolutely bloody brilliant news! Get down for their ‘90s infused cool crunchy indie rock! The Love Junkies and The Long Lost Brothers support. To win a double pass to this show email mojos@coolperthnights. com with Jeff The Brotherhood in the subject line.

ADDRESS: 237 Queen Victoria St North Fremantle PRICE: Entry is $25+bf or $30 at the door on the night.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

FEB 6

AN EVENING ON THE GREEN Also featuring Sunnyboys, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons & Stephen Cummings. Australia continues its lengthy love affair with Elvis Costello when the acclaimed singer-songwriter returns in January 2013 for a national tour. In keeping with the exuberant musicality that has defined his three decade plus career, Costello has some tasty treats in store for audiences.

ADDRESS: Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Pioneer Women’s Memorial PRICE: Gold $220 plus payment processing fee. Silver $169 plus payment processing fee General Admission $109.90 plus payment processing fee. Concert & Canape Function $395.00 plus payment processing fee. Available through Ticketmaster – 136 100

Contact: (08) 9430 4010, coolperthnights.com

EAST END BAR & LOUNGE

CIRCUS JOSEPH ASHTON BIG TOP ADDRESS: Langley Park, Riverside Drive, Perth PRICE: $35 + small booking fee or $45 at the door.

ADDRESS: 50 Beaufort Street Perth PRICE: $15 pre-sale/$20 on the door.

MOJOS

on and you can indulge yourself more than you could when you had record contracts and that sort of stuff.

“You make these records and they often get ignored, but I’m lucky. There’s a handful of us guys who can still go out and tour, we can still have careers and still make a comfortable living working all throughout Australia. We’re very lucky to be able to do that because we have fairly significant back catalogues, I guess. Lots of songs that people know and want to hear. So you can constantly tour around the country and that’s great. You throw a few newies in. But I don’t make records to make records, I make records because I write songs. You self-fund it and put it out there and at least you have an outlet.”

While he releases new material, Reyne know what most fans want live and most often that’s the old hits. There seems a contentment in his acceptance of that.

“Do all the hits all the time and occasionally slot the odd new one in,” he laughs.“That’s the formula.

You soon get the message. I do get something from playing those songs and I do like them. I know what side my bread’s buttered and I understand what people want to hear and see. As I’ve gotten older I’ve probably just gotten more realistic about this country and its music industry and my place in it, for what’s that’s worth. I probably have a place on the periphery of it somewhere and I understand how to maintain that place and work within it.”

Contact: www.mellenevents.com

JAN 27

We invite you to Fremantle’s biggest Full Moon Party. We’re transforming the ground floor into a fluro beach paradise for your clubbing pleasure.

No dress code for the night - feel free to kick out your thongs, singlets and shorts.

ADDRESS: 189 High Street, Fremantle PRICE: Free Before 9pm - $10 thereafter

CHEVRON FESTIVAL GARDENS

Feb 8

In this captivating performance marked by back-porch banter and sublime popsmarts, era-defining indie geniuses Norman Blake and Joe Pernice delve into each other’s hefty back catalogues. From the harmonies of ‘90s Scottish power-pop heroes Teenage Fanclub, to seminal alt-country twang of Scud Mountain Boys and triumphant guitarpop anthems of Pernice Brothers - this is an impressive, nostalgia-packed and thrillingly live songbook.

ADDRESS: Western Australian Museum Grounds, Perth Cultural Centre PRICE: $42-45

Contact: (08) 9335 3331, theeastendbar.com.au

RAILWAY HOTEL

Contact: (08) 6488 5555, perthfestival.com.au

JAN 27

Local blues heroes The Generators launch their new EP, Holy Water, at the Railway Hotel’s Beer Garden this Sunday from 4-8pm. Special guests are Stackjammer, Dave Saunders and Sean Scott, with proceeds from the entry fee donated to Sea Shepherd.

ADDRESS: 44 Tydeman Road North Fremantle PRICE: $5 entry or $15 with a copy of the EP

FRINGE WORLD’S DE PAREL SPIEGELTENT & SECRET GARDEN

FEB 17

RTR FM’s Drastic On Plastic is 30 years young. To celebrate, we’re throwing a party at the Fringe World’s De Parel Spiegeltent and Secret Garden. Featuring one-off collaborations from Rabbit Island & Kučka, Hayley Beth & Cat Hope, YANG (feat. Mei Saraswati, Natalie Mae, Hyclass, Rhythm Infinite & Rok Riley), IAMBE (feat. Furchick, Amy Church & Gabby Everall) and Sarah Tout & Kristie Butler.

ADDRESS: Perth Cultural Centre, opposite the WA Museum PRICE: $20 – RTR FM subscribers / $25 – non-subscribers

Contact: (08) 9335 2732, facebook.com/therailwayhotelfreo

WANNEROO TAVERN

Contact: rtrfm.com.au Tickets from – fringeworld.com.au

Jan 29

QUINDANNING INNE

FEB 22-24

Every Tuesday night from the 29th you can be involved in the biggest and most X-treme Jenga competition going around! Whether it be just for laugh with friends, or you thrive on the challenge of building the tallest towers, Tuesday Night Jenga is fun for everyone.

It’s free to play with cheap pints available all night, DJ Pup rippin’ it up, and the ever popular Don ‘The Suit’ Jenga as your host for the evening. Kicks off 6.45pm and finishes 9.30pm so everyone gets an early weeknight.

The ‘Quinny’ as it is affectionately known, proudly announces its inaugural three-day weekend music festival, with 15 acts playing across Friday, February 22, through Sunday, February, 24. The Sneaky Weasel Gang/Lightning Jack / Donna Simpson / Bill Chambers / Carus Thompson & Band / Dave Mann Collective / Warning Birds / Polly Medlen Band / Ryan Webb / Andrew Winton / Bill Chambers / Davey Cradddock & The Spectacles / Tom Fisher & The Layabouts / The Domnicks / BOOM! BAP! POW!

ADDRESS: 18 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo PRICE: Free

ADDRESS: 9197 Pinjarra-Williams Rd, Williams PRICE: Presale Weekend Tix $50 or $65 @ Door

Contact: adam_jlee14@hotmail.com

Contact: (08) 9885 7053, Facebook @ Quindanning Inne

CAMELOT OUTDOOR CINEMA

JAN 30

Watch the sleeper hit, Searching For Sugarman, in the beautiful Camelot Outdoor Cinema. You will be amazed at the incredible true story of Rodriguez, the greatest ‘70s rock icon who never was. Momentarily hailed as the finest recording artist of his generation, he disappeared into oblivion – rising again from the ashes in a completely different context a continent away. A bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, it became a phenomenon. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary.

CHEVRON FESTIVAL GARDENS

Feb 26 - Mar 2

The final four nights of the 2013 Chevron Festival Gardens, featuring Cat Power, James Carter Organ Trio, The Tallest Man on Earth, Buke & Gase and Antibalas. Don’t miss out on what will be your last chance to experience Perth Festival’s ultimate summer hangout zone before it gets packed up for another year.

ADDRESS: Western Australian Museum Grounds, Perth Cultural Centre PRICE: 42–$60

ADDRESS: Lochee Street, Mosman Park PRICE: $17 full/$13 concession

Contact: (08) 9386 3554 or after 6pm (08) 9385 4793 www.lunapalace.com.au www.xpressmag.com.au

Contact: (08) 6488 5555, perthfestival.com.au 37

THE X-PRESS GUIDE TO EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THE PERTH SCENE ADVERTISE: ADVERTISING@XPRESSMAG.COM.AU

AUSTRALIA DAY ROUND-UP God Bless The Bloody Lot Of Us...

HAVAIANAS AUSTRALIA DAY THONG CHALLENGE

The Havaianas Thong Challenge returns to Cottesloe Beach on Australia Day, this Saturday January 26.

Along with four other Australian beaches (Bondi, Torquay, Mooloolaba and Glenelg) there will be a world record attempt to create the longest conjoined line of giant inflatable Havaianas thongs in the water.

The challenge donates $10 from each regiustartion to the Nippers’ Club at each patrticpating beach.

Thong up for the Havaianas Paddle Challenge (paddling race), Havaianas Dash For Thongs (beach flags) and the Giant Havaianas Relay (running race). DJs will be playing Aussie classics throughout the day.

Event Start (registration opens) - 8am Beach Activities - 10am - 3pm WR attempt including marshalling times – Marshalling from 11:00am, 11:30am record attempt, out of the water by 11:45am BBQ - 11am till 3pm Event Finishes - 3pm Train - Cottesloe Train Station is a 10 minute walk from the beach and is on the Fremantle Line departing from Perth Station. Other train lines can change at Perth station to the Fremantle line.

Bus Services - Routes 102 and 107 travel between Cottesloe beach and the City leaving Perth CBD from Wellington St bus station and Esplanade bus stops. www.transperth.wa.gov.au Cott Cat Bus Service - The Cott Cat is a free shuttle bus service that will run between Cottesloe Train Station and Cottesloe beach every 7 minutes on Australia Day. For further details visit www.cottesloe. wa.gov.au and follow the links to the Cott Cat. Register now at ticketmaster.com.au/Cottesloe-Beach-tickets-Cottesloe/venue/157712 and don’t forget to bring your tick, sun smart clothing and a hat, bathers, towel, water and sunscreen For more details hit up havaianasthongchallenge.com.au.

HypnoCats

FUNKY FIREWORKING

Fremantle’s Mews Park near Cicerello’s hots up this Australia Day, Saturday, January 26, with a bevy of free homegrown entertainment leading up to the fireworks over Bathers Beach. HypnoCats kick things off at 5.30pm with funk, rock, soul and pop grooves while The Freo Grasshoppers will get into the swing of things at 6.30pm, delivering a mix of rock, reggae, funk and blues, and will perform again after the fireworks at 8.30pm.

Sammy D’s Big Aussie BBQ, Crown Perth

MERRYWELL, AUSTRALIA

Jamie Oehlers, Ellington Jazz Club

ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB

If you’d like to introduce a little jazz into your Australia Day festivities, consider the lineup at the Ellington Jazz Club.

The early show this Saturday, January 26, from 8pm, features multi-award winning artists Victoria Newton and Jamie Oehlers.

Newton has wowed audiences worldwide with her unique combination of energy, spontaneity and musicianship. Oehlers was winner of the 2003 World Saxophone Competition and 2007 Australian Jazz Artist of the Year. Tal Cohen (piano), Ash DeNeef (bass) and Chris Tarr (drums) complete the treat.

The 11.30pm show sees the Late Night Groove Series welcome back Cian Caton from Melbourne, delivering a soul, R&B, jazz and all round feel good sound in her own unique style.

Graham Wood (keys), Harry S. Winton (guitar), Hans Fiancé (bass) and Josh Hopkins (drums) will help make it happen.

Full details at ellingtonjazz.com.au.

Crown Perth is sizzling this Australia Day Long Weekend with Sammy D’s Big Aussie BBQ and live party sets at The Merrywell, live music at Groove Bar, world famous DJs spinning at Eve Nightclub plus giveaways and entertainment throughout the Casino for three party-hard days.

Acoustic trio Threeplay kick off on Saturday arvo, followed by DJ sets into the evening with DJ Andy; the 92.9FM Sunday Session and DJ Zel into the night on Sunday. Chill out and recover on Monday with live band Ruby’s Groove whilst basking in the alfresco beer garden. You can have it all!

Sammy D’s Big Aussie BBQ will be running at The Merrywell on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the long weekend, with Sammy D the man himself making the special trip from Las Vegas to cook a mega barbeque.

At Eve The Stafford Brothers with special guest Timmy Trumpet will get Aussie spirits rising on Australia Day. Doors open at 9pm, with free entry until 10pm – be in it!

On Sunday night there’s a special Phoenix Long Weekend party at Eve, featuring special guest Gary ‘Gaz’ Beadle from Geordie Shore. DJs Migi, Slick and crew will be pumping out your favourite tunes all night so get down there.

Visit crownperth.com.au for more details.

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HOTTEST 100 AT THE LEEDY

The Leederville Hotel presents their Australia DayTriple J Hottest 100 Party this Saturday, January 26, from 8am to late. Make a long day of it, with breakfast kicking off from 8am in The leading into the broadcast of the Hottest 100 live when it starts at 9am.

Next door in the Leederville Hotel itself, in true Aussie spirit the venue will shout its party guests a free sausage sizzle, and free games of pool all day! There will also be nice price drinks all day and into the night. In the front bar, a best hottest 100 of all time ‘mash up’ will be mixed by DJ Vison from 8pm.

For more details visit leedervillehotel.com.

City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks

CITY OF PERTH AUSTRALIA DAY SKYWORKS

The City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks has become the most iconic Australia Day celebration in our city.

This year’s celebration embraces the theme Our Country In Colour.

It all kicks off on the Perth Foreshore at 7am, with a day of free activities along the foreshore for all the family. It’s all about picnics, watching the air and water shows or simply kicking back.

At 8pm the sky explodes with the famous Skyworks fireworks display, with the soundtrack coming courtesy of MIX94.5.

For full details head to skyworks.showmeperth.com.au.

Times

Event Location MIX 94.5 Australia Day Broadcast live from 7:00AM Perth Foreshore the City of Perth 8:00AM to 10:30AM Citizenship Ceremony in South Perth Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth Memorial Gardens crn Harvey Street 9:00AM Citizenship Ceremony in Victoria Park & Albany Hwy City of Perth Australia Day Citizenship & Council House, Perth 11:00AM Awards Ceremony

VOLUNTEER, AUSTRALIA!

If you’re thinking about doing something different this Australia Day, something that makes a difference, perhaps think about giving volunteering a go.

From checking on an elderly neighbour during the heat, helping at the local sausage sizzle, gardening bee, or animal rescue, it’s pretty simple.

It could be joining a vital organisation such as SES, or contacting one of the many volunteer resource centres around the state.

Volunteers are at the core of our community providing essential services including health care, aged care, heritage and arts, sport and recreation, education, environment and conservation, social justice, emergency services, families and young people and events.

There’s something for everyone to do. Find out more at volunteeringwa.org.au.

Havaianas Thong Challenge, Cottesloe Beach

The Aviary

NOT JUST FOR THE BIRDS

The Aviary is getting some all-Aussie action happening this weekend, kicking off on Friday, January 25, with a Triple J Mash Up, covering highlights of the 2012 Hottest 100 countdown from 4pm to get you in the mood.

On Saturday, January 26, it’s Pre Skyworks Day party, with a live broadcast of the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown, DJs and an Aussie barbeque. It’s yours from 10am-4pm, tickets are $45 (plus booking fee) from theaviaryperth.com.au.

11:00AM to 1:00PM 12:00PM to 7:30PM 2:00PM to 8:00PM 3:00PM to 7:45PM 3:30PM to 7:45PM 5:00PM to 7:30PM 6:30PM to 8:45PM 8:00PM to 8:30PM 8:00PM to 8:30PM 10:30PM

Free Movie Screening Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth SmokeFree WA Survival Perth 2013 Supreme Court Gardens Celebration Zone South Perth Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth Langley Park Entertainment Zone Langley Park Air BP Air Show Perth skies Water Regatta Perth Water BYO Picnic Zone Kings Park and Langley Park City of Perth Skyworks 2013 Perth Water Laser and Water Spectacular (only visible Langley Park from Langley Park Entertainment Zone) City of Perth Skyworks delayed telecast Channel Seven X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

www.xpressmag.com.au

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Buzz Kill Vamps

WHAT’S THE BUZZ

Desert rockers Buzz Kill Vamps are all set to damage some eardrums this Friday, January 25, at Mojo’s.

Along for the ride are Goat, Brutus & Old Blood, and a bevy of burlesque dancers from Carnies With Candy. We’ve been advised there’ll be a snake thrown into the mix as well. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10

RECKON IT’S TIME

Local art rockers Dead Reckoner are rolling out the big guns with the launch of their debut single and music video, Head Down. A force too powerful to be contained by any mere physical venue, it’ll hit the internet on Australia Day, January 26. Head to deadreckoner.com to download it for free.

Dead Reckoner

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Miranda And Gordo

MIRANDA, RIGHT?

Indie three piece Miranda And Gordo, along with Jupiter Zeus and 12 Bars Past Goodnight, provide a tempting option for the post-Australia Day wind down - or the pre-holiday arc up - at The Swan Lounge on Sunday, January 27. Doors open at 5pm. entry is $5.

HEYTE VS LOVE

The Aunts

ROOTING AROUND IN THE BASEMENT

Local rock/roots act The Aunts bring their talent - and their cello - to The Norfolk Basement this Friday, January 25, for a night of groovy, primal tunes. Joining them will be Bryan Rice Dalton and The Whistling Dogs, with DJ Cookie filling in the gaps. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10.

Tonight, Wednesday 23, sees Perth rockers Heytesburg take to the stage at The Rosemount Hotel, along with fellow music machines The Southwicks, Tell The Shaman, and Black Stone From The Sun. A great chance to catch some of Perth’s newer alt-rockers giving their all, the evening kicks off at 8pm, and entry is by donation.

GET YOUR MOJO RISING LIVE IN YOUR LOUNGEROOM

The Leederville Hotel lets their new Thursday night program off the leash this week, January 22, with the unveiling of The Leederville Loungeroom, a kind of hybrid, live-action television variety show. Hosted by the devilish and delectable Tomas Ford, the first “episode” features musical guests Day Of The Dead, The Shakeys, and Rag N Bone. The fun kicks off at 7pm, and entry is free.

Loose Lips

SINK SHIPS

Tomas Ford

www.xpressmag.com.au

Loose Lips get the Australia Day party started early this Friday, January 25, at Fly By Night. Featuring veterans of such notable acts as Abbe May and The Beasts of Bourbon, Loose Rips are throwback rock: dirty, sexy, dangerous, and decadent. Support comes from Red Engine Caves and Jack Stirling. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10.

Every Monday, Mojos hosts one of Perth’s premier open mic night’s ,and January 28 is no exception. Everyone starts somewhere, and this could be your chance to see the next big thing set a trepidatious foot on stage for the first time Wide Open Mic kicks off at 8pm, and entry is free.

TRIGGER WARNING

Hardcore heroes Listening For Triggers take over The Rosemount Hotel this Thursday night, January 24, promising a devastating night of fast and furious noise. Joining them will be Opine, Align Divided, and Short Of Daybreak. It’s sure to be one of the loudest Thursday nights in local history. Doors open at 8pm, entry is free.

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42

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Tracey Barnett

Pugsley Buzzard

Thee Oh Sees

DAVID HASSLEHOFF Alesso, Gypsy & The Cat, Kin & Blue Shady) ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS/ SUNNYBOYS/ 17 Capitol A-Trak, Feed Me, Zeds 23 Fremantle Park JO JO ZEP &THE FALCONS/ MACKLEMORE & RYAN Dead, Kill The Noise, DJ DEBORAH CONWAY STEPHEN CUMMINGS Fresh, Nervo, Zane Lowe, 23 The Ellington LEWIS 23 Perth Arena 6 Kings Park Botanic 17 Chevron Festival Gardens Borgore, Cocoon Heroes ft THIS WILL DESTROY YOU Gardens Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, 23 Rosemount Hotel JENS LEKMAN WOODS AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER 18 Chevron Festival Gardens Ricardo Villalobos, Seth WEST COAST BLUES & 23 The Bakery ORCHESTRA Troxler, Magda, Wake Your ROOTS FESTIVAL (Ben SLEEPY SUN 6 Perth Concert Hall 19 Chevron Festival Gardens Mind ft Cosmic Gate & Harper, Santana, Paul OKA Emma Hewitt, W&W, tyDi, Simon, Steve Miller Band, IAN DATE AND GEORGE PURPLE SNEAKER 6 Indi Bar Andy Moor, Super8 & Tab, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy WASHINMACHINE DJS 7 Mojos Bar Ben Gold, The Stafford 19 The Ellington Cliff, Michael Kiwanuka, 25 Metropolis Fremantle 8 White Star Albany Brothers, Timmy Trumpet, Ash Grunwald & Benjamin JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR 9 Settlers Tavern 26 Amplifier Tenzin, Bombs Away & 19 The Perth Blues Club Francis Leftwich) 10 Railway Hotel More TBA) HOW TO DRESS WELL & 24 Fremantle Park MACEO PARKER 3 Arena Joondalup AXOLOTL DRAPHT ANDY C/ MC GQ 7 Chevron Festival Gardens 20 Chevron Festival Gardens SOUNDWAVE 2013 28 The Rosemount 25 Metro City NORMAN BLAKE & JOE (Metallica, Linkin Park, RINGO STARR PVT PERNICE/ DIRTY BEACHES 21 Challenge Stadium Blink-182, A Perfect 30 The Bakery 8 Chevron Festival Gardens JOSE JAMES/ HOATUS Circle, The Offspring, FRESH PRODUCE: GUY SEBASTIAN REEF THE LOST CAUZE Paramore, Garbage, Slayer, 30 Crown Theatre KAIYOTE CHICKS IN KICKS 8 Civic Hotel 21 Chevron Festival Gardens Cypress Hill, Bullet For My EDITION WINTERFOLD Valentine, and more) JULIA STONE 8 C5Fremantle 25 Ambar 4 Claremont Showgrounds APRIL 22 St Joseph’s Church 9 The Camel Bar RUSSELL PETERS DJ YODA HITS & PITS 2013 (Mad DONAVON 5 Perth Arena 22 Villa Caddies, Good Riddance, A PUGSLEY BUZZARD FRANKENREITER NICK CAVE & THE BAD THE RAAH PROJECT Wilhelm Scream, Voodoo 25 Ellington Jazz Club 8 Caves House SEEDS 22 Chevron Festival Gardens Glow Skulls, The Flatliners, 26 Rottnest Lodge 9 The Ocean Beach Hotel 6 Red Hill Auditorium SARAH BLASKO Diesel Boy, One Dollar 27 Fremantle Arts Centre 9 Breakwater Hotel DEEP PURPLE/JOURNEY Short, Jamie Hay, Jen 23 Kings Park 9 Ocean One Bar 29 Perth Blues Club 7 Perth Arena MAC MILLER Buxton, Totally Unicorn & 10 The Merrywell (Crown) 23 Metropolis Fremantle GEORGE CLINTON Paper Arms) 10 Whistling Kite, Secret & PARLIAMENT ED SHEERAN/ PASSENGER 1 Metropolis Fremantle JAMES REYNE Harbour FUNKADELIC THE XX 26 Nannup Amphitheatre ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY 23 Challenge Stadium 7 Metro City GABRIELLE APLIN 2 Metro City FESTIVAL 2013 (Alpine, BOB SEDERGREEN 23 Challenge Stadium LUKA BLOOM Alt-J, Bat For Lashes, Chet STAFFORD 7 The Ellington CLIFF RICHARDS 2 Fly By Night Faker, Cloud Nothings, BIRDS OF TOKYO 23 Sandalford Estate BROTHERS COUNTING CROWS Divine Fits, El-P, Flume, 7 Prince Of Wales TIM ROGERS/ THE 3 Perth Concert Hall 26 Eve Nightclub Henry Wagons & The 8 Fremantle Arts Centre BAMBOOS THE SCRIPT Unwelcome Company, GUNS N’ ROSES / ZZ TOP / 3 Perth Arena 23 Chevron Festival Gardens High Highs, Holy Other, JEFF THE ROSE TATTOO GRINSPOON Japandroids, Jessie Ware, CLUBFEET 9 Perth Arena 23 Villa BROTHERHOOD 5 Prince of Wales Julia Holter, Kings Of GARY PUCKETT & THE 27 Mojos 6 Amplifier Convenience, The Men, Ms WHAT SO NOT UNION GAP 23 Villa BIRDY Mr, The Neighbourhood, 9 The Astor PHRONESIS 6 Riverside Theatre Nicolas Jaar, Nite Jewel, Of YANNI 24 Chevron Festival Gardens CAT EMPIRE ROGER HODGSON Monsters & Men, Perfume 10 Fremantle Arts Centre 27 Perth Arena GLENN FREY 7 Riverside Theatre Genius, Polica, Pond, DINOSAUR JR/ THE EXTREME/RICHIE KOTZEN Real Estate, The Rubens, 24 Kings Park & Botanical JON SPENCER BLUES BIG DAY OUT (Red Shlohmo, Snakadaktal, Garden EXPLOSION/ MOON DUO 16 Metro City NORAH JONES ZUCCHERO Twerps, Yeasayer ) Hot Chili Peppers, 12 The Astor 24 Riverside Theatre 9 Perth Cultural Centre RONAN KEATING/ BRIAN 17 Regal Theatre The Killers, Yeah SOUL REBELS IRON MIND STU LARSEN 25 Chevron Festival Gardens MCFADDEN Yeah Yeahs, Vampire 9 Civic Hotel 17 The Ellington 12 Crown Theatre CAT POWER 10 YMCA HQ Weekend, Band Of TITLE FLIGHT/LUCA BRASI DAVE JACKSON 26 & 27 Chevron Festival DEAD CAN DANCE 24 The Ellington 13 Amplifier Horses, Kaskade, Gardens 9 Perth Concert Hall MARILYN KELLER 14 YMCA HQ LAURIE ANDERSON & Animal Collective, DESCENDENTS 26 The Ellington THE JACKSONS KRONOS QUARTET 10 Metro City FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL Against Me!, 360, 14 Perth Arena 27 Perth Concert Hall BOUNCING SOULS (TINPAN ORANGE/ Foals, B.O.B, Sleigh 10 Metro City KISS/ MOTLEY CRUE/THIN PAUL KELLY/ NEIL FINN/ BUSTAMENTO/ FRANK LISA MITCHELL/GRACE LIZZY Bells, Jeff The FRENZAL RHOMB YAMMA/ KRISTINA WOODROOFE 28 Perth Arena Brotherhood, Off!, 10 Metro City 14 & 15 Kings Park Botanical OLSEN) JAMES CARTER ORGAN BODYJAR 26-28 Fairbridge Gardens Grinspoon, Jagwar 10 Metro City TRIO MIDGE URE 28 Chevron Festival Gardens GLENN SHORROCK/ GIN BLOSSOMS Ma, Delta Spirit, 27 Charles Hotel WENDY MATTHEWS/ JACK CARTY AND THE 10 Capitol Everytime I Die, DOUG PARKINSON FALLS ARCHIE ROACH 14 & 15 Quarry House Vs Hurricane, 10 Chevron Festival Gardens 28 The Ellington MAY Amphitheatre ARAVENA-KEEVERSDEERHOOF Alabama Shakes, BLACK SABBATH DAMIEN DEMPSEY WALLACE TRIO 28 The Rosemount 4 Perth Arena and more) 15 The Bakery 10 The Ellington HAPPY MONDAYS 28 Claremont Showgrounds GODSPEED YOU! BLACK BOB MOULD 8 Capitol MARCH 16 The Rosemount EMPEROR GROOVIN THE MOO (linePRESIDENTS OF 11 Chevron Festival Gardens THE TALLEST MAN ON up TBA) JANUARY EARTH THE UNITED STATES COVERGE / OLD MAN 11 Hay Park, Bunbury 1 Chevron Festival Gardens OF AMERICA / HEY PROXY GLOOM CHRISTINE ANU REWIND DAVID BRIDIE AND FRANK 30 Ambar GERONIMO 12 Amplifier – THE ARETHA FRANKLIN YAMMA RICHARD HAWLEY 16 Metro Freo DEER TICK & TWO SONGBOOK 1 Fly By Night IN HEARTS WAKE 31 Rosemount Hotel GALLANTS 17 & 18 The Ellington 1 Nannup Music Festival 16 Amplifier FROM THE JAM 12 Chevron Festival Gardens DEFTONES NEIL YOUNG 17 YMCA HQ 31 Capitol STARS 21 Metropolis Fremantle 2 Perth Arena THE MARK OF CAIN THE PRESETS 13 Chevron Festival Gardens THE SEEKERS ANTIBALAS 17 Capitol 31 Metropolis Fremantle CHRYSTA BELL 30 Riverside Theatre THE SMITH STREET BAND 14 Chevron Festival Gardens 2 Chevron Festival Gardens MUTEMATH DRAGON PETE MURRAY 19 The Astor FATHER JOHN MISTY 31 The Astor Theatre VANCE JOY 15 Chevron Festival Gardens 2 Capitol FEBRUARY 22 St Josephs Church 3 Fremantle Arts Centre JIMMY BARNES & JON FORCE MAJEURE WILLIAM ELLIOT BABY ANIMALS STEVENS JUNE 1 Ambar 3 The Quarry Amphitheatre WHITMORE 15 Perth Zoo PINK FOUNDATION 23 Mojos Bar HOODOO GURUS LORD / SILENT NIGHT 25, 26 & 28 Perth Arena WEST COAST BLUES 1 The Rosemount 3 Hotel Rottnest 15 Amplifier 2 Fly By Night FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL & ROOTS FESTIVAL 16 Eliot St. Blues Club (Sensational Space WOLFGANG GARTNER 2013 (The Prodigy, Bunbury SEPTEMBER Shifters, Iggy & The 1 Villa The Stone Roses, PSY, CELTIC THUNDER THE SMITH STREET BAND 16 Perth Arena Dizzee Rascal, Bloc Party, Stooges, Chris Isaak, Staus AMANDA PALMER & THE GRAND THEFT Quo, Tedeschi Trucks Band, 2 The Rosemount Azealia Banks, Rita Ora, FUTURE CLASSIC ORCHESTRA Fred Wesley & The New THE WATERBOYS 16 Chevron Festival Gardens Boys Noize, Hardwell, 26 Astor Theatre JB’s, Julia Stone, Newton 2 Perth Concert Hall The Temper Trap, FUN, JIMMY BARNES & JON ONE DIRECTION Faukner, Kitty, Daisy & THEE OH SEES Madeon, Rudimental, STEVENS 2 The Bakery 16 Castelli Estate Denmark Ellie Goulding, Steve Aoki, Lewis, Grace Potter, Mama 28 & 29 Perth Arena

THIS WEEK

WEEZER

www.xpressmag.com.au

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Black Heart Sun, Wednesday at Indi Bar

The Crooked Cats, Thursday at Mustang Bar

WEDNESDAY 23.01

THURSDAY 24.01

BAKERY Woods Mount Eerie BAR 120 J Babies Felix CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Jay Howie Jordan McRobbie CLAREMONT HOTEL Acoustica Kate Gilbertson Ken (Black Penny Project) Turin ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Horizon Art Orchestra GREENWOOD Bernardine GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) 5 Shots INDI BAR Black Heart Sun LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJOS BAR Fremantle Blues And Roots Club Nathan Kaye Jordan McRobbie MOON CAFÉ Grace Woodroofe David Craft Jonathan Brain MUSTANG BAR Almost Famous DJ Giles PADDO Rob Walker Graphic Fiction Heroes Craig Skelton PERTH ARENA Weezer Ball Park Music ROSEMOUNT Heytesburg Black Stone From The Sun Tell The Shaman The Southwicks ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe SWAN LOUNGE Open Mic Night THE BROWN FOX Courtney Murphy UNIVERSAL Strutt Ses Sayer YAYA’S Three Hands One Hoof Lilac Archetype Tranquil Bay

ADMIRAL Greg Carter Karaoke BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Howie Morgan BRIGHTON Open Mic Night BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Jon Fernandez Trio COMO HOTEL Courtney Murphy DEVILLES PAD Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW 5 Shots ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Anea Duratovic Quintet GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Decoy INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night LEEDERVILLE HOTEL Leederville Loungeroom Tomas Ford Day Of The Dead The Shakeys Rag & Bone Emerald Mamba LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MALT SUPPER CLUB Kaberet Thursdays Adam Hall And The Velvet Playboys MARKET CITY TAVERN Jenia Emily J Heather Gray Tony Mono Chantelle Sharyce MOJOS BAR Matt Gresham Bryan Rice Dalton MUSTANG BAR The Crooked Cats DJ James MacArthur ROSEMOUNT Listening For Triggers Opine Align Divided Short Of Daybreak ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Bill Chidgzey

Spilt Cities

SPILT CITIES

CELEBRATOR OUR MAN IN BERLIN APACHE, CHILDREN FRIDAY 25TH THE BEAT NIGHTCLUB

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SOVEREIGN ARMS Fenton Wilde THE BOAT Jen De Ness THE BROOK Open Mic Night THE GATE Greg Carter THE SHED The Mystery Men UNIVERSAL Off The Record WOODVALE Damian Cripps Acoustic Duo YA YA’S The Watermelons Hokusai Ermine Coat Mai Barnes

FRIDAY 25.01 7th AVENUE Deuce AMPLIFIER Twelve Foot Ninja BAILEY BAR Mod Squad Tip Top Sound DJ Bren BALLYS BAR Dean Anderson BALMORAL Mike Nayar BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club The Empressions Mumma Trees BELMONT TAVERN One Trick Phonies BENTLEY HOTEL Jamie Powers BISTRO 38 JOONDALUP RESORT Gary Fowlie BLACK BETTYS Everlong BRASS MONKEY Adrian Wilson BREAKERS Ragdoll BROKEN HILL HOTEL Matt Milford BROOKLANDS TAVERN Hells Bells Waiting For Andy BROWN FOX Easy Tigers C5 (METRO FREO) Here Comes The Cavalry Lights Of Berlin Remember The South CARINE Pop Candy CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHASE BAR Chasing Calee CIVIC HOTEL Alkira Psychonaut Cold Fate Empire Laid Waste Obscenium CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Russell Holmes Trio CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Qynn Beardman CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Simon Marks COMO HOTEL Brad Wintle CORNERSTONE Mixtape Band CRAFTSMAN 5th Avenue DEVILLES PAD The Rusty Pinto Combo Mondo DJs Les Sataniques DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Nathan Gaunt Pat Nicholson

Vdelli, Friday at Indi Bar

EAST 150 BAR Acoustic Aly EDZ SPORTZ BAR The Mojos ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Darren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Pugsley Buzzard Dharshini Muru EMPIRE Shawne & Luc FLY BY NIGHT Loose Lips Red Engine Caves Jack Stirling In The Fly Trap GLOUCESTER PARK Free Radicals GREENWOOD Greg Carter HERDSMAN Ali Towers Duo HIGH ROAD HOTEL Glen Davies Envy HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Dr Bogus HIGHWAY HOTEL The Reals HOTEL ROTTNEST Howie Morgan Project HYDE PARK HOTEL Ricky Green INDI BAR Vdelli INDIAN OCEAN BREW Ben Merito LAKERS DJ Grizzly Slickenside Melee LEFTBANK Groove Acoustics LEGENDS BAR The Organ Grinders LYNWOOD ARMS Mustangs MARKET CITY TAVERN Matt Burke Alicia Risk MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN) Local Heroes MERRIWA TAVERN Nasty Dogz M ON THE POINT James Wilson MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Captn K Simmo T MOJOS BAR (EVE) Buzz Kill Vamps Goat Brutus & Old Blood Emerald Mamba Violet Riot Cheeky Miss Starkers MOON & SIXPENCE Soul Corporation MUSTANG BAR Adam Hall The Velvet Playboys Swing DJs Cheeky Monkeys DJ James McArthur NORFOLK BASEMENT The Aunts Whistling Dogs Bryan Rice Dalton NORTH FREMANTLE BOWLING CLUB Los Porcheros Ben Gray That Velvet Echo The Slack PADDO Stu Harcourt PADDY MALONE’S Gary Malone’s PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALEHOUSE Better Days

PINK DUCK LOUNGE Craig Ballantyne PRINCE OF WALES Proud Mary PRINCESS ROAD TAVERN Local Heroes RAILWAY HOTEL Black Ink Pokkets Of Resistance 26 Parallel Countess By My Side ROSE & CROWN Tod Woodward ROSEMOUNT Will Stoker And The Embers Foam The Lammas Tide The New Invincibles ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts SAIL & ANCHOR Howie Morgan SOTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Greg Carter Karaoke SWAN LOUNGE Jimmy Rockets Kylie Storm Lauren O’Hara Andrew Bond SWINGING PIG Greg Carter Rockit THE BOAT J Man & Rosie THE BROOK Chris Gibbs THE COURTYARD (STATE THEATRE CENTRE) Classical vs. Jazz The Ultimate Harp Battle Michelle Smith Catherine Ashley THE EASTERN Matt Milford THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE PRINCIPAL Switchback THE SAINT Almost Famous THE SHED Krank THE VIC Jen De Ness UNIVERSAL Retrofit Nightmoves VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WOODVALE TAVERN The Damien Cripps Band YA YA’S Doctopus Gunns Mild Child

SATURDAY 26.01 AMPLIFIER Purple Sneaker DJs BAILEY BAR Chris Murphy & The Holy Rollers Tip Top Sound DJ Bren BALLYS BAR Dove BALMORAL Pop Candy Sugarfield BAR 120 Flyte BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar BELMONT TAVERN Stu Harcourt BLACK BETTY’S J Babies BLVD TAVERN

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. GO TO www.xpressmag.com.au /PLUG YOUR GIG and plug away!

The X-Press Guide is a Perth metropolitan service for advertisers listing tours, live, dance and arts events.

All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. The one entry system will update our print edition, website and App

Will Stoker and the Embers, Friday at The Rosemount Hotel JOONDALUP Krank BREAKERS Mixtape Band BROOKLANDS TAVERN Carbon Taxi CICERELLO’S The Freo Grasshoppers HypnoCats CIVIC HOTEL One Way Street CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Jade Diary CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Minky G And Roscoe COMO HOTEL Sean Scott DEVILLES PAD Isolites Lady Carla Lord Herman Razor Jack Cheeba Cheeba Les Sataniques DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Adrian Wilson Ben Campain ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Gun Shy Romeos ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Victoria Newton Jamie Oehlers Cian Caton ELMARS IN THE VALLEY Chris Gibbs FORRESTFIELD TAVERN Christian Thompson GOSNELLS HOTEL Sugarfield GREENWOOD Carbon Taxi GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Hi-NRG HIGH ROAD HOTEL Dr Bogus HOTEL ROTTNEST Howie Morgan Project INDI BAR Blue Shaddy KALAMUNDA WATER PARK Shaun Street LAKERS Celebrations Karaoke LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Die Hard Karaoke LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple MALT SUPPER CLUB Chelsea J Gibson M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN CASINO) Howie Morgan Duo MERRIWA TAVERN Nasty Dogz MOJOS BAR Twelve Foot Ninja I, Said The Sparrow Ron Pollard Quintet MOON & SIXPENCE The Damien Cripps Band MUSTANG The Rusty Pinto Combo Easy Tiger DJ James MacArthur Milhouse NANNUP AMPHITHEATRE James Reyne NEWPORT HOTEL Gravity NORTHBRIDGE PIAZZA A.T.M Jeff PADDY MAGUIRES 43 Cambridge PEEL ALEHOUSE Acoustic Aly Chris Gibbs Duo PORT KENNEDY TAVERN The Bluebottles

QUARIE BAR One Trick Phonies RAILWAY HOTEL Alkira Advent Sorrow Combined Deathtoll Blunt Force Trauma One Too Many Camel ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT Mining Boom Doctopus Mudlark ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene ROTTNEST LODGE Pugsley Buzzard ROYAL PALMS RESORT Adrian Wilson Duo SAIL & ANCHOR Better Days Childs Play STEVES BAR Jamie Powers SWAN BASEMENT Defy The Leader Mirror Mirror Finders Take It Or Leave It The Moment We Fall SWAN LOUNGE Darren Guthrie Backwood Ivy The De Niros When Autumn Falls SWINGING PIG Greg Carter Rock-A-Fellas THE BEAUTIFUL PUGILIST Axe Girl And The Belle Ends THE BOAT The Organ Grinders THE BROOK Shawne & Luc THE EASTERN Alex Elberry Lionizer Wicked Wench THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE SAINT Lixy THE SHED Men And Their Sheds Huge THE SHIP James Wilson THE VIC Greg Carter Karaoke UNIVERSAL Ian Dennis Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Chris Gibbs WHALE AND ALE 5th Avenue WOODVALE TAVERN Darren Reid & The Soul City Groove YAYA’S Sass @ Ya Ya’s Aussie Day

SUNDAY 27.01 7TH AVENUE Good Karma ADMIRAL Sugarfield James Wilson BALMORAL Blackbirds BELMONT TAVERN Acoustic Aly BREAKERS BAR Chris Gibbs BRIGHTON Danny Bau Threeplay BROKEN HILL HOTEL Nathan Gaunt BROOKLANDS TAVERN Mike Nayar

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Friday Friday The Isolites, Travis Caudle Travis Caudle Saturday at Fly Devilles Pad FlyBy ByNight Night CAPTAIN STIRLING Jamie Powers CARINE Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts CHASE BAR Chasing Calee CIVIC HOTEL Christian Thompson CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Jordan McRobbie CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Zydecats CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver DJ Dan COMO HOTEL Adrian Wilson ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB All Join In The Shoesmith Nu-Jazz Ensemble Cartel EMPIRE CB3 FLY BY NIGHT Open Mic Night FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Pugsley Buzzard GOSNELLS HOTEL Conny The Clown GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Switch HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Craig Ballantyne HIGH ROAD HOTEL Nat Ripepi HOTEL ROTTNEST Howie Morgan Project INDI BAR Nathan Kaye INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Dove Retriofit KALAMUNDA HOTEL Aidan Hargreaves LAKESIDE JOONDALUP SHOPPING CITY Matt Milford MAHOGANNY INN Andrew Bond M ON THE POINT Sophie Jane And The Chilly Bin Boys MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN PERTH) Local Heroes MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Laith’s Love Inn MOJOS BAR (EVE) Jeff The Brotherhood The Love Junkies The Long Lost Brothers MUSTANG BAR Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers DJ Rockin Rhys NEWPORT HOTEL Tim Nelson OCEAN VIEW TAVERN Chris Murphy PADDY MALONE’S Gary Fowlie PEEL ALEHOUSE Kelly McMahen PERTH ARENA Yanni PINK DUCK LOUNGE BAR Glen Davies PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Helen Shanahan Duo PORTOFINO’S RESTAURANT David Fyffe QUARIE BAR & BISTRO Better Days

QUEENS TAVERN The Crux RAILWAY HOTEL The Generators Stackjammer Dave Saunders Sean Scott ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Neil Colliss Bill Chidgzey SAIL & ANCHOR Mike Nayar SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Blackhart & Strangelove SOVEREIGN ARMS Craig Ballantyne SPRINGS TAVERN Leighton Keepa STIRLING ARMS Stu McKay SWAN LOUNGE Ron Hollywood 12 Bars Past Goodnight Jupiter Zeus Miranda & Gordo SWINGING PIG Stu Harcourt Adam Morris THE BOHEME Todd Woodward THE COURTYARD (STATE THEATRE CENTRE) Classical vs. Jazz The Ultimate Harp Battle Michelle Smith Catherine Ashley THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture THE GATE Greg Carter THE LAST DROP Barry Gee THE PRINCIPAL Dean Anderson THE SAINT The Bluebottles THE SHED James Wilson The Healy’s Blue Hornet UNIVERSAL Retriofit WANNEROO TAVERN Adam James WHISTLING KITE Ricky Green WOODVALE TAVERN Free Radicals

Timothy Nelson, Sunday at Newport

MONDAY 28.01 BRASS MONKEY James Wilson GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Hi-NRG MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN) Chris Murphy MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture YA YA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic Variety Night

TUESDAY 29.01 ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Spence MacDonald Duo Gilded GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Ruby’s Groove LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN) Courtney Murphy MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Wicked Wench The Slaughterhouse Five Triangle Fight Circle One MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night PADDO Stu Harcourt PERTH BLUES CLUB (CHARLES HOTEL) Pugsley Buzzard SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE COURTYARD (STATE THEATRE CENTRE) Classical vs. Jazz The Ultimate Harp Battle Michelle Smith Catherine Ashley TWO ROCKS TAVERN Jump For Joy Karaoke YA YA’S The Green Band Mapless Trio Togo

Grace Woodroofe

GRACE WOODROOFE DAVID CRAFT JOHNATHAN BRAIN

WEDNESDAY 23RD THE MOON CAFE

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MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY EDITED BY TRAVIS JOHNSON

MUSOS WANTED B A N D M A N AG E R WA N T E D A r t i c u l a t e / Professional/Experienced. 5 piece contemporary electronic lounge band. Contact 0438 771 128 DRUMMER WANTED Drummer wanted for an acoustic rock band. Contact Trey 0420 514 195 GUITARISTS WANTED Looking for guitar players to join PJ cover band. Age 20-35. Only serious people. Contact 0414 500 718 MUSO’S FOR ANGELS TRIBUTE Guitarist looking for exp muso’s with prof attitude to form Angels tribute band. Email:overthetopband@ gmail.com OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Bex on 0404 917 632.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Tuesday night at the Craigie Tavern 8-11pm. Call Corey for bookings 0431 448 235 VOCALIST WANTED For established Blues/ Rock band. Been together 7 plus years. No time wasters please! Ph 0410 088 596 or 0423 252 970.

VOCALISTS WANTED $10,000 1st Prize. We are looking for Perth’s most versatile vocalist. Call 0406 626 184 and leave your full name, contact no and email address. Total prize pool $15,000.

Places are limited!

PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY Promo p h o t o g r a p h y, s t u d i o , l i v e , l o c a t i o n .

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PRODUCTION SERVICES * L I G H T I N G * A U D I O * S TA G I N G * w w w. n i g h t s t a r l i g h t i n g a u d i o. co m . a u w w w. n i g h t s t a r l i g h t i n g a u d i o. co m . a u w w w . i n s t a n d t . c o m . a u w w w . i n s t a n d t . c o m . a u 9381 2363/ 9444 6651 CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com. au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www.witzendstudios.com

ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 AVALON STUDIOS BIBRA LAKE One of Perths best equipped studio. Record to analog tape or digital, Avalon pre amps, Neumann mics, the latest and best universal audio, plug in’s for digital recordings. All styles of music, $55 per hour call Tony 0411 118304 email avalonstudios@bigpond.com GOLDDUSTCONSTRUCTION.COM Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones. Located in Subiaco. $70 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class facility. World class results. www.poonshead. com 9339 47 91 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCK YOUR SONGS’ POTENTIAL +FREE BAND APPRAISALS. UK Producer, 40,000+ hours studio experience.

20 yrs in London with bands and songwriters.

Kicking arrangements, great studio and the ability to really listen will give your material the edge you need. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 or visit www.jerichomusic.com.au

BY THE BOOK You’ve got the gear, you’ve honed

REHEARSAL STUDIOS your chops, you’ve polished your AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, lyrics, you’re ready to roll. But how do O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 you line up a gig? This week, we talk BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new to the eternal middle man of music, PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton the booking agent.

Ph: 0425 698 117.

PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs Over too many years to mention, Luke Rinaldi has filled various roles in the Perth music scene. mob 0418 944 722 Right now, apart from managing notable local TUITION acts Emperors, Ghost Hotel, and Red Jezebel, ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Specialist. and organising gigs for bands such as The Love New year enrolments. Beg-adv, all styles Junkies, Boys! Boys! Boys! and Sonpsilo Circus, he and levels including bass. Cliff Lynton Guitar also acts as the booking agent for The Rosemount Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton. Hotel and The Railway Hotel. When it comes to getting the inside scoop on how to book gigs as com a new band, he’s the man to ask.

BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz. Tony Gibbs But first, the bad news. “Generally 9470 6131 speaking,” Rinaldi tells us. “When it comes to DRUM LESSONS All styles, all ages. WAAPA prep. those venues, we’re not really programming Modern techniques & rudiments, Beginner to bands as such.” advanced. Ph Pascal: 0413 172 817.

I t ’s a s t a t e m e n t t h a t s o u n d s GUITAR & KEYBOARD TUITION (Beginners- counterintuitive, but Rinaldi clarifies it; what P r o f e s s i o n a l ) O n e o n O n e l e s s o n s . he looks for is a band with the initiative and B u r s wo o d P h 6 4 6 0 6 9 2 1 / 0 4 1 5 8 8 9 6 4 5 . entrepreneurial sense to put together their own show. “We’re more taking on people who want www.gvkschoolofmusic.com.au to put on an event. They’re big rooms, so we’re looking for promoters more so than bands to fill a night. So what we want is someone, a band or an NOW individual, who’s got an idea for what they want AVAI their event to be, not someone who’s ‘Hi, I want LABL to play a show, and I don’t care what it is.’

E “There’s a lot of that kind of approach,” he continues. “Which is fine, but neither of those venues has those kind of nights, and if I just slot in four random bands, it can work, but the best shows are ones where there’s a reason for it, and there are links between the bands. For

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The Rosemount Hotel

weekends at the Rosemount, for example, we’re looking for major tours, CD launches, things like that, where there is a scene, there’s gonna be a bit of a party, and the headlining band is choosing their own support.”

For new bands, Rinaldi advises starting small, rather than trying to take too big a bite out of the pie. “The best thing to do would be to start at the smallest venue you can find and then pack it out with your friends. At that stage, you can’t really have any fans as such - the closest thing you’re gonna have is your friends. And your friends are always good at coming out at the start of your career, but once the obligation starts disappearing, you hope the friends-to-fans transfer can happen successfully. If you don’t gain fans, you’ve got no aces up your sleeve, basically.”

Equally as important is being a part of the local music scene; after all, what better way to learn the ropes than under the wing of more seasoned performers? To be fair, there’s a popular notion these days of the bedroom recording genius who breaks through to the big time via social media, but it’s an idea Rinaldi has little time for.

“A lot of bands come into it with an attitude of ‘Oh, I just want to play.’ And when you ask them who they want to play with, they say they don’t care. They’re not really fussed, and they don’t know any bands - when they say that, it scares the shit out of me. It means they don’t even go and see bands, and I just don’t understand how you could be in a band and not go and see bands. Even if you don’t enjoy them, you’d think you’d go and see them just out of interest, to see what the venue’s like, and who you might be playing with.

“Other than that, I think the best thing in Perth to do is to approach other bands.

There’s much more benefit to approaching other bands than to approaching venues, just because other bands are generally gonna be the ones organising things.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

www.xpressmag.com.au

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