15 Jan ‘14
free
Z DDEATHRAYS issue #002
MUSIC
Falls Festival Hussy Hicks Electric Horse Sarah Frank Mat McHugh
CULTURE
Gerald Valilio The healthy bed Jay Gardner
SURF
Cyclone swell Battle for Kirra sharks
FOOD
Black Coffee Lyrics Canteen Coffee Grocer & Grind Ashy’s Kitchen
ENVIRO
Skating for whales Better get a lawyer owl
humans of Gold Coast
“What’s up with the banana?” “It belongs to my 10 year old brother back in England. He’s had it since he was a baby, and as a way of including him in my travels I take it everywhere I go.”
“We’ve pretty much worked continuously for 48 hours.” “That’s a bit rough being Christmas Day isn’t it?” “Yeah, well... It’s not coffee in these cups.”
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#002 15 JAN 2014 Editor: Samantha Morris Design: Chloe Popa Music coordinator: Mella Bunker Music feature: Jake Wilton Photographer: Leisen Standen Contributors Kemii Maguire, Leisen Standen, Tari Peterson, Emily Hosking, Christie Ots, Samantha Morris, Anthony Gebhardt, Jessie Ryan-Allen, Steve Griffin, Carmel E Lewis, Nev Pearce, Mella Bunker, Jake Wilton, Terry “Tappa” Teece, Andrew Scott, Melanie Brennan, Mic Smith, Katie Hooper, Catherine Coburn, Marj Osbourne, Polly Snowden With special thanks Guy Cooper created the first ever street press (that we know of) on the Gold Coast. It was called Undertow. He and a bunch of mates kept it going for a few years before they ran out of steam. It was focussed on promoting local talent and boosting the live music scene. Guy was so excited to hear about Blank. Not only did he take us under his wing with pearls of wisdom and advice, he shared all of his historical files and intellectual property to help us find our feet. He’s a fricken legend. Thanks Guy.
Editorial: news@blankgc.com.au Advertising: advertising@blankgc.com.au Blank Gold Coast PO Box 878 Broadbeach QLD 4218 www.blankgc.com.au Blank GC is independently owned and published. Opinons expressed in Blank GC are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or contributors. www.blankgc.com.au
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point blank Salty news
The Australian Surf Movie Festival features two incredible movies this year: The Journey and Encoded. Now in its 11th year, the festival is touring Australia with each local venue providing a unique surf movie experience incorporating local organisations, surfers and music. The movie festival hits Byron Bay on Saturday 18 January, Ballina on Sunday 19 January, Noosa on Tuesday 21 January and Tweed Heads on Thursday 23 January. More information at www.asmf.net.au. If you’re passionate about protecting the Gold Coast’s famous surf breaks, and standing up for our ecological integrity, then you need to be at Kirra Beach this Sunday 19 January for the Save Kirra rally and paddle out. The event is taking place in response to proposals to develop Kirra beach for an offshore cruise ship terminal. The campaign against the development is gaining momentum but your voice still makes a difference. The event kicks off at 10.00am North Kirra Beach (just past the North Kirra Surf Club). The Eco Challenge Gold Coast includes a wooden surfboard expression session happening on Sunday 16 March from 9.00am – 1.00pm. The event takes place at Tomewin Street, Currumbin as part of Bleach* and will raise funds for Surfrider Foundation and Rise Above Plastics. More information at ecochallengegoldcoast.com. Gold Coasters are being encouraged to get their hands dirty for Australia Day this year, with a special beach clean up planned for Tugun. The clean up will take place on Saturday 25 January from 9.00am – 11.00am at Kropp Park, Flat Rock Creek and more information is available from Coordinator Joel Hayes on 0414 762 374 or joel.hayes@griffith.edu.au.
Local music news
Rabbit Radio Presents launched its Sunday sessions in style this month, with Ngaiire and Jac Stone taking to the stage on a warm summer’s afternoon. Around 100 people gathered in sheds in the Rabbit+Cocoon precinct to a stage adorned with flowers and top-notch sound, for a memorable show (see gig reviews for the full review). The dedicated crew charged with bringing the series to fruition was thrilled with the response. The following weekend saw Mat McHugh and local lad Karl S Williams wow audiences. More than 300 people attended, setting the stage for a serious summer of Sunday sessions at the community-focussed venue in Miami. While on that topic, the bunny crew have announced another Circle of Friends show hosted by the ladies who make up Hussy Hicks. Taking place on Monday 27 January, Hussy Hicks take to the stage with a selection of local talent to tell stories and sing songs in a family friendly setting. The first Circle of Friends took place to much positive acclaim. Get down to the Rabbit+Cocoon precinct this month for its second iteration with Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz (the Hussy Hicks) joined by Bobbly Alu, Kim Churchill and Brooke Supple.
GC band Kip Casper are self-releasing their first EP this month. The Light in your Eyes will be launched at a special show at The Loft Chevron Island on 24 January. The band recorded the 5 track album right here on the Gold Coast and every show they play sees them adding more fans to their base. Kip Casper will be joined by Mar Haze (SYD) for this special show. Tijuana Cartel will join the likes of Cloud Control, The Bamboos and our recent guest Ngaiire as major acts at Sydney’s annual Australia Day event taking place over several locations in The Rocks. Presented by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, the event runs from 12 noon to 6.00pm as people linger in lanes and go barefoot on the greens.
Rabbit Gigs Presents and Rabbit Radio TV initiatives are slowly building momentum and those little bunnies are planning a live gig with OKA and Declan Kelly. It all goes down, with a distinct reggae vibe on 9 February for a Sunday session of epic proportions.
But don’t despair, there are some solid Australia Day options right here on the Gold Coast as well with a stellar lineup hitting the stage at Miami Tavern on Australia Day eve. The mini-fest goes down on Saturday 25 January from 12 noon to 9.00pm in the car park at the Tavern and features Birds of Tokyo, Funkoars, All Day, Electric Horse, Lagerstein and Lunatics on Pogosticks.
While we’re talking Sunday sessions, Swingin’ Safari has its own brand of smooth summer sounds emanating from the beach shack hidden amongst the light rail works at the
southern end of Surfers. Sunday Sesh Slippery Digits sees Blank favourite GOVS join Salvadarlings on Sunday 19 January, REAL//TALKS and Gardens on Sunday 2 February, Jnr Danger on Sunday 9 February and Basker Villains on Sunday 16 February. There’s plenty more going on at Swingin’ Safari on weeknights too. Tuesdays see the tango club offering a relaxed way to learn the dance of love from 7.00pm, Wednesdays is all about improvisation with every lyric riff and groove created on the spot from 9.00pm, Thursdays authentic Brazillian trio and reggae roots outfit
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Gold Coaster Leah Martin-Brown, the front woman for Lilly Rouge is USA-bound. She left with much excitement on Near Year’s Day after announcing that she’d been picked up by the people responsible for acts such as Evanescence, Incubus, Adele, Katy Perry and Muse. She said “I am very excited and very scared, but cannot wait for the next chapter of my musical adventure.” We’ll be following Leah’s travels while in LA and will bring you updates of her incredible journey.
Blues Explosion, hosted by Rectifiers will go down at the Rabbit+Cocoon precinct on Sunday 2 February. With a focus on blues, ribs, beer and all manner of southern joy, this Sunday session is about supporting local bands and rocking the Sunday vibe. The Rectifiers are joined by Andrew Baxter and Leszek Kaski. JR’s Smokehouse Ribs will provide the Texan style meatfest.
Kip Casper EP release @ The Loft
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Forro D-Quinta lay down their classic Brazillian beats from 9.00pm and on Fridays, the Mad Peruvians present Friday Fiesta with a focus on South Americana, salsaton, reggaeton and funky latin house with salsa lessons from 7.00pm and tunes from 8.00pm.
Big Day Out comes to the coast this week with locals Double Lined Minority and Sneeky Picnic joining the bill. We review Sneeky Picnic’s new single Ay-Yo in this edition. If you’re at BDO, go check these local acts out. DZ Deathrays, interviewed in this edition, are also performing at the festival, which swoops on Carrara Stadium Sunday 19 January. Gold Coast rockers Mass Sky Raid have been handpicked by Londoners I Am Giant who used social media to find a support act. The GC band have been garnering strong reviews for their debut EP Courage Under Fire and are working on their follow up release at Loose Stones Studio. You can see them perform with I Am Giant on Thursday 6 February at The Rev Fortitude Valley or at RockFeast Festival Toogoolawah on Saturday 8 February with the likes of Flannelette, Double Lined Minority and Black Diamond. If you’re looking for something really sweet to do on Valentine’s Day and house music’s your thing, look no further than The Aston Shuffle who are making a special trip to the Gold Coast. They’ve become a special fixture on Ministry compilations and they’ll be bringing their beats and mix-ups to Elsewhere Surfers Paradise on Friday 14 February.
Send your news to news@blankgc.com.au.
Tickets at soundlounge.com.au
February FRI 07 FEB
Real Talks + Seavera + Tommy Sheehan FRI 28 FEB
Tijuana Cartel
March FRI 07 MAR Bleach* Festival Opening Party
Elizabeth Rose + The Trouble with Templeton + Hey Geronimo FRI 14 MAR
Violent Soho + Bad//Dreems + The Sinking Teeth FRI 21 MAR
The Transparentsea Voyage Movie Screening with music by Band of Frequencies + special guests
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FALLS FESTIVAL BYRON BAY
Images Courtesy Leisen Standen, Lamp photography
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FALLS FESTIVAL BYRON BAY Contributors: Jake Wilton, Mella Bunker, Leisen Standen, Samantha Morris
White Denim: These incredible musicians had a tiny crowd – their technical wizardry left some feeling their music was a bit wanky and the lead singer never really connected with the crowd. But we reckon they’d be an absolute winner in their venue gigs and when we caught them after their set they said they’ll be back to Australia real soon.
Byron Bay did us proud: not only did the crowd turn it on for Falls (rumors were Byron had the largest crowd and best atmosphere) but so did the venue, with the natural amphitheaters giving punters an abundance of choice viewing seats throughout the day. Some even in the shade – which was welcome given the sweltering heat.
War On Drugs: The front man asked the crowd what their new year resolutions were; someone yelled out “do more drugs.” To which he replied “what kind of drugs?” The response? “The love drug.” Touch Sensitive: This one man band had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.
The venue has come of age since Splendour where it was first used for a festival. In fact Splendour saw none of the natural amphitheaters used for bands, much to the dismay of mud-soaked festival goers. Splendour also required an impossibly long walk back to the carpark – at the end of an epic day of bopping on one’s feet, it was a real downer. But Falls seemed to see all of those kinks ironed out.
The John Steele Singers: An eclectic bunch taking it back to the old school. Bobby Alu: A surreal moment listening to Bobby Alu, watching thespians from Falls In Love dust up the dance floor. It was like watching a Tim Burton movie with a Bob Marley soundtrack.
As well as the choice musical offerings at the event, there were a number of festival-type trends worth mentioning at Falls (we’ll get to the music in a moment).
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The top knot. On blokes. Yeah, it seems that men have become a little bored with the crew cut / mo combo and gone for something with a little more flair. Hello ponytail atop the crown. The top knot is popular with blokes all of a sudden and made a major appearance at Falls: often combined with fishermens pants and an eco-singlet in neutral colours. Get used to it. I suspect the topknot is to the teenies what the flattop was to the eighties. And I blame the heat. Who wants all that hair flapping around the back of your head when the thermostat’s in the mid 30s? Men. On other men’s shoulders. We’re used to seeing bikini-clad ladies sitting on men’s shoulders at festivals. But something strange has happened to the gender-skew of this frivolous activity. At Falls Byron 2013, men sitting on men’s shoulders and bopping away to the musical offerings was as common a sight as ladies on blokes’ shoulders. We put it down to one of two things. Either all those men have dealt with the societal preconceptions about sticking their heads between a man’s legs and embraced their inner brofriend statuses. Or it’s that damn crossfit / paleo / bulging bicep trend that sees even the weeniest man strong enough to lift one of his counterparts atop his shoulders to dance the night away. Go for it boys. You’re all winners as far as we’re concerned.
It’s impossible to properly review every band we saw over the course of Falls Festival, so we thought we’d offer you a 10 second team review as an entrée before the main course of ‘proper’ reviews: Chet Faker: With a backdrop to suit his persona, his down-tempo, head-bopping beats didn’t fail to impress, especially his newest track.
The first Falls Festival to venture north from Victoria and Tasmania took place at North Byron Parklands in Yelgun, about 15km north of Byron. The good thing about this location is that you don’t need to contend with Byron traffic to actually reach the venue. Many people pointed this out. Some going so far as to wonder whether they had the right turn off on the highway. Our midday arrival met with hardly a queue. Happy vegemites from the get-go.
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10 SECOND REVIEWS
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The playsuit come overall come pinafore. So for Splendour it was the onesie. And to some extent the whole playsuit thing is really a onesie for summer. But holy hell, there were plenty of them. There were teenie tiny playsuits that really looked like singlets. There were long legged overalls with bare chests (for boys) and string bikinis (for ladies) and there were all manner of pinafore and variations between. It’s not the most convenient festival wear (seriously, having to pretty much undress every time you pee?) but I’m not going to diss a fashion trend I don’t understand. Power to you playsuit ladies and dungaree men. Tie-dye. It’s back. Heaven help us. But tie-dye is back with a vengeance. I remember once I was bleaching my hair and I splashed peroxide all down the front of a black Cure t-shirt. I was devastated. I was worried I’d be mistaken for a hippie instead of a goth. And that was when hypercolour was in. Imagine my surprise to see tie-dye everywhere at Falls. I can’t explain it. Although one of our writers wore a white shirt on day 2 which by nightfall looked like it had been dyed. I just can’t work this one out. Your thoughts are welcome.
Hanni el Khatib: with a keyboardist moonlighting as backup singer (woo wooo wooooooo) and a bass player strutting his guitar like Angus Young, these guys delivered the goods. Rufus: Wow, we did not realise how young and handsome these kids are. Full of confidence and great stage presence. Violent Femmes: Playing their first album in its entirety, this was always going to be a winning set. The drummer was front and centre and connecting with the crowd. Seasoned musicians who know how to please a crowd. James Vincent McMorrow: While the elements are there – the stunning voice, the minimal instrumentation and melodies – James Vincent McMorrow is essentially a poor man’s James Blake. Pond: The most entertaining act of the festival. London Grammar: Man, this girl can sing. Such a raw, natural talent... we were covered with goosebumps right from the get-go. Rapskallion: while London Grammar mesmerised tens of thousands, a gypsy dance party went crazy a mere 100m away. 7 people crammed onto a tiny stage, and barely a string left on the mandolin, while sweaty hippies danced up a dust-storm. Wombats: After a less than healthy obsession with the Wombats more than four years ago, is it still acceptable to know 95% of the lyrics? MGMT: The vast majority of the crowd knew only three songs: ‘Kids’, ‘Electric Feel’ and ‘Time to Pretend’. www.blankgc.com.au
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THE MAIN EVENT: REVIEWS FROM FALLS FESTIVAL LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS
New kids on the block Lunatics on Pogosticks rocked the gates open on day two of Byron Bay Falls Festival. You wouldn’t think it to look, but the majority of the band are under 18. That’s right, the members of Lunatics on Pogosticks have either just finished or are in the process of finishing high school. This opening slot was a big deal for the NSW band and they didn’t take it for granted. Relishing every moment on stage, they belted out hits from all their EPs including breakout track Picasso’s Saddest Love which helped them become winner of triple j’s prestigious Unearthed High competition for 2013. Set highlight was their latest garage noise piece Blood Clot –recorded in Triple J studios after their Unearthed win. During the early morning set, the boys had some musical wisdom to impart on the Falls audience. Calling it their “ode to American garage rock” they played a medley of FIDLAR and Ty Segall songs which fit seamlessly into their mixture of slacker/garage rock. Speaking to the lads after the show, they mentioned that some of their biggest influences come from the LA garage rock scene such as Ty Segall and Wavves as well the Orwells and the Sonics from Washington. They also mentioned that Falls Festival was in fact their 10th official show as Lunatics on Pogosticks – while there are screws still to be tightened, this is definitely a band to look out for in 2014.
VIOLENT SOHO
I’ve been lucky enough to catch Mansfield boys Violent Soho on a handful of occasions now but not since the release of one of 2013’s heaviest records to come out of Australia, Hungry Ghost. If they were impressive the last few times, now they’re just showboating. Their set was energetic, bouncing, rough and the crowd ate it all up. A literal tornado of punters and dust filled the Forest Stage for Violent Soho’s mid-afternoon set that was packed with hits from that recently released third album such as, Dope Calypso, Lowbrow and Covered in Chrome which turned out to be the set highlight – I could easily mosh to Covered for the rest of my days! Feeling pretty chuffed about themselves, the band announced to the crowd that they were the heaviest band on the 3-day lineup. With no complaints on this side, Violent Soho injected Falls Festival with some much needed heavy rock and left everyone wanting more – by which I mean wanting to hear Covered in Chrome three more times for the encore.
BIG SCARY
Having been able to only catch the first half of Big Scary’s set in order to see the War on Drugs, I was blown away by the magnitude of captivation. Right from the get-go, Big Scary had me by the reins and didn’t let go. It was a powerful struggle to walk away mid-set from such talented Australian musicians. As I was walking up the hill away from the Amphitheatre stage, I was left in utter beguilement. Similar to their records, Big Scary use very minimal instrumentation on stage whereby Tom Iansek would switch between guitar and keys while Joanna Syme
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would remain behind the kit (extra point for female drummer). What left me so mesmerised were Tom and Jo’s breathtaking harmonies with the simple, yet clever, use of instrumentation. Songs like Belgian Blues made an early set appearance with added goosebumps from Tom’s vocals. The band oozes Jeff Buckley – from every bass kick from Jo or soaring yelp from Tom, Big Scary were nothing short of hypnotic and played a set full of hits from both 2013’s masterful Not Art and debut Vacation.
THE WAR ON DRUGS
Playing on the Forest Stage after some comedy, the War on Drugs were a big selling point for the festival for me. Yet while I was front and centre on the barrier with a hundred-odd groovers behind me, it was difficult to determine the amount of people who actually pack the Forest Stage’s prominent grassy knoll. Led by Adam Granduciel, the band rolled on through Byron’s heat to play some finely tuned Americana shoegaze wonders. Each track flowed brilliantly into the next – but thankfully Adam stopped to chat between most songs otherwise it would have been fairly difficult to decipher when one song stopped and another started. After the epic use of harmonica in Baby Missiles, Granduciel wished the Falls audience a happy new year and asked what their new record should contain more of. With the obvious answer, ‘More cowbell’ shouted, there was also ‘More weed’ thrown into the conversation. Granduciel happily obliged the fanatic crowd member and continued into Brothers, another hazing track from 2011’s Slave Ambient. The set highlight came from the Bruce Stringsteenesque Red Eyes, the band’s brand new song which had its live debut in Australia. The track suited the beautiful environment in which it was performed as its soaring melodies and hazy approximation of Americana stretched over Byron’s scenic greens.
was pleasantly surprised by how easily relatable their music was. The pounding drum beats and blissful guitar licks had me reminiscing early Tame Impala, but the breezy summery edge was in similar vein to New Jersey slackers Real Estate. While the John Steel Singers did take the spot of fellow Brisbane indies Hungry Kids of Hungry due to the breakup of the band, guitarist and vocalist Dean McGrath was invited up on stage along with the Preatures’ front woman Isabella Manfredi to smash out a couple of tracks on the vocals. Their appearance was literally the cherry on top of the cake for me and affirmed the band’s greatness.
POND
Just having seen POND a couple weeks back in Brisbane in support of their Hobo Rocket tour, I was salivating to see some more loose psych rock jams from one of Perth’s most acclaimed offsprings. It was a set filled to the brim with songs from their latest release with two older tracks thrown into the mix – Betty Davis (Will Come Down From the Heavens to Save Us) with a seamless build up into Beard, Wives, Denim’s Moth Wings –not to mention the brand spanking new track which found its way into POND’s set. The new track Soon, which can be found on the album Man, It Feels Like Space Again yet to released brought a surprising, yet welcomed, change of pace with front man Nick Allbrook taking a steadied break from his limbless, frolicking stage presence with an acoustic guitar in hand. It was a great way to break the flow of powerful psychedelic rock jams but the moment didn’t last long and the band were right back into an all guitars blaring standoff. The crowd was ready and willing the entire set, perhaps a little too much during Giant Tortoise where the mosh pit was so intense, several people left the with bloodied faces and noses. While crowd appreciation was a little to the right of violent, there’s no doubt that POND’s set was arguably the most enjoyable from the festival. Tame Impala front man Kevin Parker was also spotted side of stage rocking his chinos off.
The War on Drugs
THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS
I’ve heard the John Steel Singers through radio play and late night Rage-a-thons but have never listened to an entire record of theirs. That all changed once I saw the John Steel Singers put on a blistering show full of psych-dripped beach jams at the amphitheatre stage on day three. Dressed for the occasion (the whole band draped in Hawaiian beach wear, bucket hats and minimal footwear), they strung out sundrenched tunes to satisfy even the smallest of Pink Floyd fanatics. Having small knowledge of their back catalogue, I
POND
VIOLENT FEMMES
It was with trepidation I joined the throng ready for Violent Femmes. It’s been a decade, maybe two, maybe more since I’d seen the Femmes and I wasn’t really sure how I felt about seeing them as aging rock stars (my 18yo companion had already pigeonholed their sound as dad rock). And when the
unmistakeable riffs of Blister in the Sun got the half-drunk crowd moshing, I was more concerned than ever. But, when the lads followed up with Kiss Off and Please do Not Go, my spirits started to lift. A friend said “oh my god, I know every one of these songs,” and it dawned on me that we were hearing the Femmes’ first, self-titled album in its entirety. The impossibly young crowd bopped away to every song, although I couldn’t help but notice only two sing-alongs (when Add it Up was thrown into the mix). With the onstage additions of brass for Confessions, xylophone for Gone daddy Gone and violin for Good feeling, we were reminded how it was that the Violent Femmes became such rock icons. When Gordon Gano wrapped up that last song, he threw us aged punters into a whirl by reminding us the album is 31 years old. “We never imagined we’d be playing for you decades later … looking at all these beautiful faces. Thank you very much,” he said. The lads wrapped up their set with Held you in my arms, Black Girls and Gimme the car. One very happy dad rock fan, right here.
BOLLYWOOD SISTERS
Revellers @ Wombats
LOCAL MUSIC AT FALLS Violent Femmes
MGMT
So comes the final act of Falls Festival 2013 and I couldn’t think of a better way to close out a successful festival than with the most blissed out psych beats direct from Connecticut’s MGMT. I want to start off by saying just how incredibly visual this performance was. The band began using visual elements in their music as an added bonus on their newly released self-titled third album The Optimiser. These projections have now seeped into MGMT’s live show and have powerfully enhanced the musical experience. The two cameramen’s projections are displayed on the big screen with some crazy psychedelic patterns and textures layered on top of that. Not to forget that front man Andrew VanWyngarden operates a handheld camera of his own which is again layered on top of the other visuals on the big screen. All of this combined ensures an amazingly trippy and atmospheric element to MGMT’s already spellbinding series of songs. It was a set that focused on all their material, both past and present, but it was obviously clear that their newer tracks felt unappreciated as apposed to their smash hits Kids, Electric Feel and Time to Pretend. It was a real shame that the audience didn’t get into the other songs in the set because they were truly astounding. Songs like Aliens Days and Your Life is a Lie may have fell under the radar but if you weren’t into MGMT’s music, you had nothing to complain about in the visuals department. A performance I won’t soon forget.
Falls Festival teased us with a couple of stages featuring local music, theatre and art. Mella Bunker flew under the radar to check out some of the best up and coming local acts. Which she then tried to call ‘work’. It’s all happening in Northern NSW right now. Speaking of which, Tora (latin for ‘now’) are five bright young lads from Byron who have spent a bit of time producing their self titled EP which they performed live at Falls Festival. I was blown away by the mature chill wave sound this five piece created on stage and the quality of vocals shared by three members of the band. Put Tora as a “must see” on your gig wishlist this year. Another young Byron band earning some praise were Potato Potato, a quirky blend of folk, grassroots and sweet harmonies, this four piece were recently mentored by Husky as part of the Mullum Music Festival and look set to reap the benefits of their festival experiences toward a promising future. Jake “Madhouse” Wilton and I dubbed Falls the festival of amazing voices because vocal quality was outstanding this year and the same goes for local artists that played those smaller stages. One of those who captured our attention was Reilly Fitzalan whose unassuming demeanor belies a seriously intense vocal ability. We found ourselves falling easily into this Lismore native’s songwriting and cannot wait to hear his debut album due for release in March. Another band hailing from Lismore are The Black Lullaby. The band offers a mix of indie rock and classic guitar as well as strong vocals and choruses. We met with the band’s guitarist Lucas Zorzo about their connection to northern NSW and their plans for the future and a review of their album and an interview will appear in our next edition.
Zerina (not pictured) and Shamila (left) are sisters and it was by chance we bumped into Shamila while cruising the Falls Festival grounds. Together they’re the Bollywood Sisters and they’ve performed at an enormous range of festivals, parties and community events. Opening Falls Festival on the Forest Stage, Shamila said “we’re really good at getting the crowd up and shimmying.” “Bollywood is about lots of colour, fun and joy … it’s a bit irresistible.” Shamila has been dancing all her life and has trained and performed in Classical Indian, Brazilian, Latin, African, Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Fire Dance. Her sister Zerina has been trained in dance across the globe from South America to South-East Asia, India, the Middle East, the South Pacific and New Zealand. Together the ladies have performed at Splendour In The Grass, SpiritFest and scores of other private and community events. You can read more about their unique talents at bollywoodsisters.com. www.blankgc.com.au
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HEAVY DISCO It’s been nothing but roaring success for Brisbane thrash-pop duo, DZ Deathrays. An ARIA award, several tours around Europe as well as America, with fellow garage-rockers Bass Drum of Death. And there’s the kinship with comedian Arj Barker. Jake Wilton met the fellas by the river in Brisbane. Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley began the DZ Deathrays story in 2009 playing house parties in Brisbane’s already bustling music scene. While Brisbane may have been full to the brim with local bands finding their feet at just about every house party across the city, DZ Deathrays’ music got the crowds moshing, moving and bouncing. The media buzz soon followed. 2012 saw the release of the boys’ debut, ARIA award winning record Bloodstreams which made bombastic waves not only in Australia but in many parts of the world which saw them tour the album in 15 different countries. Already hard at work on their sophomore release, Parsons and Ridley have teased audiences with Northern Lights, a pounding ballad that skews the DZ Deathrays formula that we’ve come to love. Guitarist and lead vocalist Shane Parsons says it’s pretty different to what they’ve released before, but then not really different at all. “There’ll probably be another one or two songs similar to that [Northern Lights] on the record, but then there’ll be some really heavy stuff and there’ll be a lot of that more… middle ground heavy dancy-punk stuff that we do.” “We’ve had tracks that are slower on the first record that just never got released; it’s like throwing everyone a curveball. It was a decision that we had to make as a group [whether to release it or not]. I mean, first single on the next album make it like something that’s pretty different.” The track was produced by Andy Savours – a prolific man who’s worked with artists such as My Bloody Valentine, Sigur Ros and the Horrors. Although Andy’s previous work has been with shoegaze and post-rock outfits, his work on Northern Lights is still recognisable. While Andy’s work on the track was invaluable, it was the DZ Deathrays boys who thrashed out this new noisy idea. “The song was pretty much there, Andy just worked really hard on getting the mixes and the sounds right,” drummer Simon Ridley says. “We actually recorded it and then cut it back because it was a bit long. There’s a part in the middle that was actually extended – so when we do it live it goes a bit longer. We cut it down so it would move quicker just for radio… it’s a radio edit if you want to call it that. I mean, everyone would have expected us to put out a “riff ” song, so we just did the opposite,” Parsons adds. 10
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“[The reaction] has been surprisingly good. I thought we’d get a lot of flack for it,” interjected Simon. “I mean, I’ve been giving it some shit myself. On Facebook, when I posted the song, I added, ‘More like DZ Coldplay’ because someone wrote, ‘I never thought this band would turn into Coldplay’. It was really funny when I put it up there because all these people starting critiquing the song, but I was saying to my friend the other day that I want people to badmouth the song online because when we bring out the real heavy stuff these people are going to have to delete their stupid comments,” added Shane as they both laugh. Part of the reason DZ Deathrays decided to release Northern Lights was to shake up the norm and get people talking. But don’t expect an entire album of head-banging ballads like Northern Lights because Shane and Simon still enjoy writing metal songs in similar vein to Bloodstreams. “That’s the band we are; we’re a heavy rock band but on the first record we had two or three songs that were kind of mellow,” Shane explains. “One of the first songs we ever recorded was called The Mess Up, and it feels like if we did The Mess Up in a studio with Andy Savours it would turn out like Northern Lights,” added Simon. Simon and Shane have found the recording experience more rewarding and distinct from the Bloodstreams sessions. But recording songs isn’t just all work for DZ Deathrays. Shane says that before working with Andy, they’d never really been told what to do in the studio. “For the first album, the songs were the songs and there wasn’t that much we added. But this time we went in there for the day, we started at 11 o’ clock in the morning and finished at 4 o’ clock the next morning. By the end of it we were all just drinking beers and getting drunk at 3 in the morning while I was doing the vocals,” Shane laughs. “It was funny, really, because we were supposed to work with another guy and he bailed out on us last minute. He was a pop producer but he came from a heavy background so we
thought he might be a cool guy to do a song with. Something ended up happening and the recording never went ahead while we were in London.” “Yeah, it all fizzled *while* we were in London; like a week before we were supposed to record ,” Simon adds laughing. Shane says they were just doing random things in London for a couple of weeks, so they met Andy for lunch. “We’d had him on our list of people to meet and he’s awesome; he’s a real tech nerd. So we sat at this café for hours just talking about pedals and synthesisers and guitars… We were hoping to finish off the rest of the record with him; it’s tough financially because we’d have to go to London to do it. I’m glad we got this one song done with him, but maybe in the future we could record with him again.” Yet where Northern Lights ends, a new direction spawns for DZ Deathrays’ sophomore record. They have taken a new approach to recording this yet-to-be-titled album by using a variety of studios in New York, London and Sydney as well as a range of producers. Of course, with new territory, comes fresh inspiration. “We’ve done one [track] in London, two in Yorkshire, two in New York; it’s like whenever we get the chance to record in a nice studio we just take it! We’ve basically taken the worst approach to it. The first one we just locked in fourteen days in the studio and just did it, and this one has been here-andthere-and-everywhere,” laughs Simon. “And when we get in [the studio] and they’re like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to re-record that now’. I mean, I like that idea because there’s someone who wants it to have a certain colour,” Shane adds. “I mean, every time you work in a new place you’re working with someone different; and they’ve all got new ideas of how they want your sound to sound. So, we’re doing the rest of the record with Burke Reid; he’s pretty much doing more than half of the rest of the record, so it’d be interesting to see how these songs sound in comparison to everything else.”
“I love travelling, seeing new things and meeting people and driving around. I can’t wait to do that again next year,” “I feel like we’ve written a lot of songs.“ “A shit tonne of songs!” Simon interjects. Shane laughs and continues, “Yeah, slowly just have to piece it together. I think we’re like… I said this about six months ago, but we’re about 86% [done].” “We’ve got about two, two-and-a-half weeks of pre-production with Burke which we’ve never done with anyone else. Last time it was just an afternoon with beers and sitting around in a jam room; I think we played three songs for Richard [Pike, producer for Bloodstreams]. So to have that much time with Burke, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens,” says Simon. The boys are a bit loose with a release date, with Shane saying late March to early April and Simon admitting that you can never know for sure when these things might get pushed back. “Yeah, we wanted to put this album out this year but I mean we’re still writing the songs for it now” laughs Simon. Steering the conversation towards touring commitments, the boys deny any intention to play shows in support of Northern Lights. Yet that’s not to say they’ve neglected the stage all together. They had the honour of playing an ARIA Awards party in Sydney with Palms and the chance to open the stage in Brisbane for one of DZ’s most loved bands at the moment, Canadian noise-rock group METZ. Other than scheduling semi-impromptu shows, the boys are determined to just finish the record before focussing on worldwide touring.
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Rabbit Radio Presents... MONDAY 27 JANUARY Circle of Friends: Julz Parker, Leesa Gentz, Bobby Alu, Kim Churchill, Brooke Supple The only chance to catch DZ Deathrays this summer is at the Big Day Out tour which whips around Australia in January with some huge names on the bill such as Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Deftones, Beady Eye and Toro Y Moi. At these shows, DZ Deathrays have been able to flex new songs and see how the masses respond. While they are developing new sounds, they’re still dropping heavy songs in order to create a wider appeal and not stray too far from the sounds that Bloodstreams brought. “It’s the same formula… we’re just trying a few different things here and there to just… tidy it up from the last record. I mean, live it’s going to sound alright but on the record we really need to nail it,” said Shane. And even though the boys love the studio life, it is the stage where Shane and Simon create the most energy and passion for their work. They’ve hit hundreds of stages across America, Canada, Europe and of course Australia. Though the touring sometimes takes its toll the boys say they’ve missed playing their music to an eager crowd every night. “I love travelling, seeing new things and meeting people and driving around. I can’t wait to do that again next year,” reminisced Shane. “Yeah, we’re trying to get to play South By [South West],” added Simon. “[Once the record is out] we’re going to go over and, even if we don’t get an official showcase at SXSW, play at some of 12
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“It was only after we did those Foo Fighters gigs that you realise, ‘Holy shit, we actually did that!’”
the parties. They’re actually more beneficial than having a tour of your own.” Taking a step back from all their success would seem like a mammoth feat, yet DZ Deathrays recollect some of their achievements over the years as a band. Playing showcases at SXSW, playing alongside huge acts in England at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and, of course, sharing the stage with none other than Foo Fighters, just to name a few. “Everyday is like… a surprise! As a kid, we grew up together, I remember going down to Livid [Festival] and Big Day Out on a bus from Bundaberg. You get up at three in the morning, get on this bus at four and you get to the festival at nine. Just doing that and admiring all the bands… and now I actually get to that; when I was a kid that’s all I wanted to do,” recalls Shane. “It was only after we did those Foo Fighters gigs that you realise, ‘Holy shit, we actually did that!’” DZ Deathrays will be crowd surfing their way around Australia and New Zealand for the Big Day Out through January and Feburary.
Rabbit+Cocoon 23 Hillcrest Ave MIAMI
SNEEKY BDO APPEARANCE After a massive year of gigging and recording, Brisbane band, Sneeky Picnic, are set to do big things in the new year, starting with a well deserved set at Big Day Out 2014. Tari Peterson chats with bass player Kat about the band’s success and what we can expect in 2014. This will be the second year that the upbeat, pop/hip hop group have graced the stage of BDO and with their latest single “Ayo” skyrocketing the Reverbnation charts. How would you describe Sneeky Picnic’s overall sound/ vibe? I’d describe our style as a combination of pop and hip-hop infused with an upbeat party vibe. Where do you draw inspirations from as a band? Our music is influenced and inspired by relationships between friends and family and individual life experiences. What has been your highlight of playing and recording with Sneeky Picnic so far? It’s always amazing when people sing our lyrics back to us even if it is at an intimate venue, but if I had to name a particular gig it’d be a toss up between Big Day Out and Red Deer Festival that we played at in 2013. Both were packed out and the audiences were really enjoying themselves. You guys are set to play Big Day Out again this year on the local stage! Congrats on that, massive achievement there. What can crowds be expecting from your performance? Thanks! It was so exciting getting the news that we were playing BDO again this year. Crowds can expect an explosion of energy that will have them in party mode right from the start of the day.
What was it like recording and producing your new single Ay-Yo with producer Guy Cooper? It was an awesome experience! We had a lot of fun in the studio and Guy was able to bring out a fantastic and unique sound, which was exactly what we were looking for in the track. Every one of your tunes is super catchy, how do you come up with such sweet hooks and song ideas? When we get in a room together, each of our own individual music tastes come out and we all bring our own unique elements to our songs. We all help write them and there’s always a million great ideas floating around, the songs just seem to write themselves. What can we be expecting from Sneeky Picnic over the next few years? You can expect our debut EP, which is due to be released early next year and a tour will be planned in the near future. Be sure to check out “Ayo”, available now on iTunes, and if you’re headed to Big Day Out you can see the girls in action on the local stage during the day.
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MUSIC THAT MATTERS: SUMMER COME SAVE ME Most people know Mat McHugh from his time with The Beautiful Girls. Christie Ots caught up with Mat to chat about life, music and the in-between.
Many musicians follow their heart into the wild world of song and that’s exactly what McHugh did, only his was a love for his father. With his latest solo album, titled Love Come Save Me, reflecting the heartfelt music he creates I was curious as to what part love had played in McHugh’s song writing.
‘love is the answer. Life influences music and love influences life, so it’s all the same thing.” “My initial foray into music started by trying to be like my dad as a little kid,” he explained, “He played music, so I wanted to play music too. He passed away when I was ten and I’ve been trying my best to carry on the family tradition. As far as love goes I do truly believe it is the meaning of life. None of us know the ‘greater plan’ or why we are here, after much contemplation I have concluded that love is the answer. Life influences music and love influences life, so it’s all the same thing.” This notion is reflected throughout McHugh’s music and is evident in his relationship with his fans. Love Come Save Me was released online for free, which is a rare and beautiful act of giving back to the fans. “I have such gratitude for being able to have been making music a ‘job’ for most of my adult life,” he continues, “I think there is balance that needs to be achieved for karma to be correct. You can’t always just receive things, you have to give too and I basically just wanted to give music as an offering to everyone who has supported me.” McHugh has been vocal about not allowing the industry to dictate the music, “I had a lot of industry types around me trying to figure out ways to put a marketing spin on it, by trying to collect people’s email addresses (when they were downloading it) but it was a gift. It was as much for me as it was for everyone else and was the most enjoyable thing I’ve done in my career”.” The upcoming tour sees McHugh give back even more, in the form of great live music. “For this tour we’re really just trying to introduce our new SoundSystem sound and to also make people aware that this really is a continuation of The Beautiful Girls. All of my songs will be played regardless of what name they were released under. I’ve never released an album and then done a tour in Australia under my own name, so we have a lot to live up to,” McHugh explains.
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While exciting, touring can be a strain, especially when you have someone special to miss, so how does he combat that? “Skype!” laughing he explains, “There was a long time in my life where I honestly had no sense of home. I feel like places are just places, what I do miss terribly is people, particularly now that I have a son. Some days it breaks my heart to be away, I try to Skype as much as I can and just seeing the faces of the people I love really helps. Every vocation has it sacrifices and I just try to remind myself of that fact.” As honest as his music is, McHugh doesn’t shy away from the personal moments. “I’ve never really worried about it (his music) being too personal. I think no matter what there is always someone who can relate because deep down we’re all the same. Artists who censor themselves wind up saying nothing at all, which is boring”. This seems to infiltrate his
music and adds a relatable quality, like his song Fools, which is filled with hope and amusement, “I have more foolish moments than I care to admit,” he laughs, “I’ve probably had more today than I care to remember, so I’m just hanging around, waiting for the next one!” All said and done Mat McHugh is a musician whose music has always retained that indefinable sense of understanding, no matter how it changes. “I’m just trying to make music that sounds okay to me and that spreads the love,” he says, “I have decided that will be my contribution.” He says if he could only listen to five albums for a year they would be the first five of the Bad Brains’, but mine would be his, so when the Summer Come Save Me tour rolls around I know where I’ll be.
DIVINCHIS: SOUL, FUNK AND R&B BANDITS In a day and age where it is often easier to catch up and meet over the interwebs, our writer, Emily Hosking caught up with Garry Larden, lead singer of Sydney based Soul and Groove outfit, The Divinchis via email to chat about their recent debut album release. Where did the name ‘The Divinchis’ originate from? The name was originally registered for a business involved in hiring exotic animals such as lions, tigers, monkeys, elephants for Film and TV work. I wanted a name that sounded a little continental and Divinchis Exotic Animals seemed like a good idea at the time. That business venture fell through, and at the very same time I was asked to do some corporate gigs which needed a band name, so instead of the name representing a host of exotic animals, it ended up representing a band of soul, funk and R&B bandits. The self-titled album features an array of talented Sydney based musicians. When did they come on board with the project and how did you manage to collaborate with such a high calibre collective of musicians? Alex Plavsic, our ‘drummer and producer’, coordinated everything from Sydney. After so many years in the industry, we all have a great network of musicians in our diaries so it’s not hard for us to bring together a collection of great session musicians. Speaking of Alex… You mentioned he was the drummer and producer for this project. Considering these a two very different ‘hats’ to be worn in the studio, how did he manage juggling between seeing the overall picture as the producer, and providing the backbone rhythms in a creative aspect for the album?
Of the 10 tracks listed, 9 of them are co-written by yourself and keyboardist John Carson. How do you both approach song writing in a duo capacity? John and I both work from different angles. Sometimes he will produce a melody that I will search through my endless lyric sheets to match up compatible works, and other times I will scat a groove and nominate a particular genre for a song with a basic structure that I may already be working on with lyrics. Very often once we start rolling we will both improvise and explore options within any particular groove, and groove we do until we have the finished works. When I listened to the album, all I wanted to do was collect my friends and head to my local for a good ol’ Saturday night dance to a live sweet soul and blues band. Do the Divinchis play many live gigs? We are in the process of appointing an agent to organise festivals Australia wide and I am really looking forward to that. We will definitely let everyone know when and where they will be happening. What’s next for the Divinchis? Apart from the festivals, we have had some interest from overseas (as all the band have worked extensively touring overseas, we have acquired some very good contacts). We have also had interest from a very large label in the USA
regarding using songs from the Divinchis album in film scores, which is also a real buzz. Congrats on a great album release. Anything further to add Garry? I never really expected that these songs which were written in my garage would end up being released (as they were simply done for pure enjoyment through self-indulgence over far too many vodkas). I am grateful that MGM took them up and distributed the album in all major music stores plus iTunes etc… but also I am so very grateful that people are taking so much interest and of course, enjoying our music.
Alex did a wonderful job and handled it with ease. He has spent many years in some of Sydney’s finest studios, and there was a collective input from everyone throughout the recording process. We also had Ted Howard engineering the entire production, and then Alex and Ted mastered the album when it was competed. So you recorded the album with multi-award winning engineer, Ted Howard (who has worked with the likes of Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, John Williamson and Yothu Yindi to mention a few) at Rancom Street Studio in Sydney. In what ways did Ted’s experience compliment the vision for this project? Ah yes, ‘Magic Ted’ was a delight to work with. I have a pet hate with some bands recording an album and then when you see them live they sound nothing like the recording or are very average compared to their superior recording. I expressed my thoughts to Ted, Alex, and the boys who all agreed that we should try and keep the entire recording as live as possible and Ted has definitely accomplished that. What you hear on this album is exactly what you get live.
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THE LADY JUST LOVES TO SING Gold Coast musician and talented vocalist Sarah Frank loves to sing. And there’s no mistaking it in the soulful sounds that come from her new album The Frenzy. Blank’s editor Samantha Morris was hooked from the very first listen. She made it her mission to catch up with Sarah to get the low-down on her work. As well as being a talented solo artist, Sarah Frank finds herself as front woman for local blues-soul-funksters Tuesday’s Good and the rock-soul outfit Sarah Frank and the Quick Millions. And as you delve into Sarah’s work, it’s impossible to miss the many collaborations with other GC artists. Sarah has been living on the coast since a young age and says that singing was all she ever wanted to do. “I lost confidence with it when I was sixteen and didn’t sing again until I was 21.” “My dad bought me a guitar and my best mate Jim (who you see playing guitar with me at my shows) encouraged me to push on. Four years later I’m finally at the place where I understand that there’s no alternative for me. Singing is the only true freedom that I’ve ever known.” Sarah says her writing style is all-consuming. “I just go into my bubble and emerge either refreshed or totally exhausted, depending on what I’m writing about.” It’s hard enough being a musician finding their feet, but working in a genre like soul has unique challenges. Sarah says it’s always interesting to see how people react to soul music. “Soul is a direct offshoot off blues music, and blues is the core of it all. It’s about feel –something we can all relate to. So I guess the main challenge is, on the Gold Coast, that there are quite a number of people more interested in what 16
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looks good, rather than what feels good. But then you’ve got these incredibly supportive locals who connect and engage, and the challenge of connection with that other audience doesn’t seem to matter at all. I always think going into a gig; if I connect with just one person, if just one person comes up to talk to me after, then I’m going to be so happy.”
“Soul is a direct offshoot of blues music, and blues is the core of it all.” When asked about the Gold Coast music scene, Sarah believes we could be doing a lot more. “The Internet has forced us to redefine community, and I don’t think it’s been an entirely positive thing. There are places on the coast, particularly south, where you can feel the vibe change, but I would encourage a widespread negotiation with ourselves about how we want to live,” she says. “There’s great music happening, better music, in my opinion, than what’s happening in the charts. And that’s because these people aren’t products, we are simply pouring everything we have into making a living doing the thing we love most. And that, I’ve found, is the key to being happy – regardless of how challenging it may sometimes be.” “I feel that we are ready for a cultural change. “Music is the panacea,” she says. “It’s the best tool that we have to remedy the lack of connection we feel sometimes. And we’ve got
some outrageous talent (on the Gold Coast).” Frank was also quick to praise those driving the local music scene and reels off a long list of local supporters. “The Loft Chevron Island are all about the local talent,” she says. “The Cave in Nobby’s, The Bluff Café Burleigh (they hosted my album launch), Genki Café in Palm Beach, The Village Markets, all the locals that have bought my album and kept petrol in my van so I can do what I love, and Blank GC for taking the time to speak with me.” Sarah’s new album The Frenzy takes the listener through three distinct movements. The first has a full band feel with a distinct blues-soul sound. And No-one’s to blame brings the reggae vibe that sits so well with Gold Coasters. The second movement is sexy neo-soul. Sarah collaborated with local GC artists to create expressive jam-based music for these tracks. The third and final movement closes the album with an acoustic live track featuring GC hip hop artist Lane-Harry. Sarah’s personal experiences and beliefs are laid bare in the most comfortable communication method that she has available. Title track The Frenzy refers to the ultimate release from societal weights when the body, mind and spirit are climaxing an excited calm. Sarah Frank’s debut album is available now at sarahfranksoul.com, upcoming shows are listed in our gig guide.
RIDERS OF THE ROCKPOCALYPSE Rising from the ashes of local heavy hitters Sunk Loto, Lump and King Mungi, the more traditionally hard rocking Electric Horse will be electrifying the stage on Saturday 25 January as part of Australia Day celebrations at Miami Tavern’s Shark Bar. In the interim Anthony Gebhardt fires off a few questions to Electric Horse guitarist (and rather entertaining raconteur) Luke Attrill. It seems that the band has been relatively quiet on the touring front for the latter half of 2013. What have you guys been up to music wise over the past few months?
Are you primarily focusing on tracks from Venomous in your current live set, or is there fresh new material ready to be unveiled when you hit the stage again shortly?
Playing Chisel covers at the tav, teaching up and coming shredders, digging some badass country and getting sleazy with the death jackal. Writing, tracking, engineering and touring the record off our own backs really took it out of us, particularly Dog, who tracked the entire album except the drums. Not to say we didn’t enjoy every minute, but it’s nice to have fun with music and not take any aspect of it too seriously now and then.
There’s definitely a heavy focus on the Venomous tracks, they’re a blast to play live! But yes we may throw in a number or two that haven’t had stage time yet, we’ll see what happens...
Your 2013 debut record Venomous marked a bit of a metamorphosis for the band. How has the record been received by your traditional fanbase and have you noticed yourselves picking up new fans along the way who may not have been into your earlier material?
There’s a scene!? Haha it’s not as bad as it may seem from the outside, sure there’s only a handful of venues to play but some towns only have one. The musicians here are all close knit and aware that they’ve gotta make a mountain out of an anthill when it comes to promoting and getting people to a show. It’s a rad place to live, you just gotta be creative and think laterally to get the best reward for all the hours you put into your craft.
The five of us individually and collectively have always been intent on making music we love and feel honest about. There were some rave reviews as well as some unhappy metal heads - we’re all proud of our pasts but you gotta be true to yourself in this game. Self satisfaction is paramount, having said that we all still love metal, fire and demons are kick the fuck ass!
How do you perceive the current state of the Gold Coast live music scene? Are you inspired by any up and coming local rock acts?
What is your favourite live music venue on the Gold Coast, both past and present? I grew up playing The Troccadero fortnightly - well it felt that way at least! Great venue, top staff and they really carried on the culture of the old Playroom (both sadly
departed Gold Coast live music venues - Ed). On any given night you could get a solid dose of national and international acts being supported by up and coming local bands. Nowadays the Shark Bar is the only true dirty rock hole left - that’s a compliment! We’re part of the furniture there haha. Do you think it’s any easier or harder for new Gold Coast bands to gain a foothold in the local live music scene to when you guys first started treading the boards? A bit of both really, on the one hand there doesn’t seem to be as many music acts on the Gold Coast today, so competition isn’t half as fierce when it comes to scoring gigs. The other side of the coin is that the Australian music industry ain’t the same monster anymore, people don’t buy CDs so much and without as many venues like the Troccadero booking high profile acts the supports you used to get that put you in front of a large crowd are few and far between. Ultimately you have to love playing tunes or you’re gonna be unfulfilled. Is it a challenge juggling the band with your ‘regular’ family and day job existences? We’re best mates first and foremost in this band, our rigs and kids included. Family always comes first. If someone can’t do a show or rehearse due to family or work commitments its no biggie. I work three jobs and I still love going to jam because I get to play my strat through a stack with heaps of gain and have a tallie with those four other lovely assholes in the band, so life’s good! What does Electric Horse have in store for 2014 - any new recordings or exciting tour plans in the works? We’re starting a reptile farm in Costa Rica. Cory’s got plenty of lizard wrangling experience! But seriously we’ll be writing and recording a new album when everyone’s freed up and ready, I think the time away has ignited the fire in our bellies. Then we’ll tour said album, drink beer, sample breakfast foods Australia wide, kick ass and end it all with a BBQ pool party at Dog’s!
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HUSSY HICKS AND THEIR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Leesa Gentz and Julz Parker are Hussy Hicks. They’re also really, really nice ladies. They took time out from their busy schedule of planning collaborative shows to chat with Samantha Morris about their craft. The Hussy Hicks are hard workers. Since meeting in 2004, the ladies have toured the globe, played scores of festivals (including 7 sets at Falls Festival Byron), recorded three studio albums and at the end of 2013 took out the Dolphin Awards for best album. “We were stoked winning that,” Julz said of the prestigious North Coast (NSW) Award. “We were in Ireland in Temple Bar and they streamed the whole show. So we sat in a bar at 10.00am and watched the awards being announced.” The award recognised the Hussy Hicks’ 2013 album London Sessions, which was released to acclaim from a range of reviewers. Despite the acclaim and the jetsetting tour schedule it’s obvious the girls are proud of their Gold Coast heritage. Leesa raves about the music scene here. “I think it’s amazing. There seems to be a real push towards the original side of things. People are really creative, doing interesting things. It’s really exciting.” “The fact is,” she continues, “all our friends in Melbourne bands work really hard in day jobs so they can go touring. We go touring so that we can come back and live on the Gold Coast.” “We love it here,” Julz adds. That feeling is no surprise given their long association with the Gold Coast. Leesa grew up in Lennox and Julz in Tallebudgera. We reminisced about some of the coast’s lost venues. “Obviously being from Tallebudgera, I miss the Playroom,” Julz said. Turns out she played there, to 1100 screaming 14 year olds as part of the venue’s popular under-age rage events. But both agreed there’s a diversity of good venues on the coast right now. “I’m stoked about this place,” Julz said, sweeping her hand towards the Rabbit+Cocoon sheds where they’re planning a show at the end of the month. “You can do an intimate concert here or blow it up to a big space.” Many gig goers are in left in awe of Julz’ incredible guitar mastery. And in fact, I was introduced to Julz by a friend as ‘like the best guitar player in the whole world.” I was still
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surprised to hear that Maton had gifted her a custom-made guitar during the band’s travels. “Andy at the Maton Custom Shop made it as a gift,” Julz explained. “It’s quite sturdily made, because I travel so much and with different climates the guitar can shrink and split.” I ask if Maton think the whole girl band thing is a bit of a novelty. “Yes,” says Leesa, “But Julz is a really really good guitar player.” I’m sensing here that Julz is a good guitar player. “We were doing quite a few shows in Europe at guitar festivals and we befriended the Maton crew. I was playing the cheapest Maton guitar and they just said we should make you a custom made,” Julz said. “They recognised that we’re playing to a really different market to a lot of their regular performers,” Leesa added. Since their first studio album released in 2008, the ladies have been busy recording and releasing a number of singles and a DVD. When pressed about plans for 2014, Leesa nearly laughed. “We have heaps of songs,” she said. “We had such a great experience recording the last album, so now we’re just trying to come up with the right circumstances. I don’t know, we might move a little more slowly with this one, try to do a bit of it ourselves.” Julz and Leesa mention their families many times throughout our chat. Julz, one of six siblings grew up in a house full of music. Leesa and her sister have played music all of their lives. Apparently it’s jams all the time at the Parker’s residence. It’s no wonder then, that their new show Circle of Friends has a family friendly vibe.
“Basically the concept is like songwriters in the round,” Leesa explains. “Everyone involved is a friend of ours. The jamming’s pretty good.” “The way we describe it, it’s like we’re at a festival or a gig where we’re playing with other musos – this is what we do when we get home and sit in our loungeroom – kind of pass the guitar around and say, hey, check out this song. It’s a really nice vibe,” she says. . This is the second Circle of Friends the Hussy Hicks have coordinated for the Gold Coast. It will see Bobby Alu, Kim Churchill and Brooke Supple (who’s just on the Gold Coast for a short break after touring with Sinead O’Connor) join Julz and Leesa on stage for stories and songs. “Because it’s an afternoon gig, it’s great for people who can’t normally go out on a Friday or Saturday night,” Leesa says. And both the ticket price ($15) and the fact that the show is broken into two neat halves makes it even more family friendly. “Kids are most definitely welcome,” Julz added. You can meet these talented and accomplished hussies in person and learn more about their songwriting when Circle of Friends hits Rabbit+Cocoon on Monday 27 January. Circle of Friends Monday 27 January, Rabbit+Cocoon Julz Parker, Leesa Gentz, Bobby Alu, Kim Churchill, Brooke Supple, Tickets $15 ($20 on the door), hussyhicks.iwannaticket.com.au Giveaway We have an autographed copy of the Hussy Hicks’ London Sessions album to give away. To be in the running email news@blankgc.com.au with the name of one track off the album. Winner will be selected at random on Friday 31 January.
OPENING UP ABOUT OPEN MIC NIGHTS The Gold Coast is steeped in more music than most people realize, and one example of this is the booming open mic night scene. While the perception of cats-howling-at-eachother, two chord, over-done cover attempts isn’t always incorrect a lot of the time open mic nights are a great stage for budding artists. Providing a safe space to explore performing, most musicians that get up are local talents… or have at least practised in their bedrooms frequently enough to not sound horrible.
Speaking to the hosts of the open mic night at The Loft on Chevron Island, allowed me to peek behind the curtain. Ryan, Cristal and Flynn have dealt with the ups and downs of accommodating the rush of rising performers who want to get in front of the microphone. Flynn explained, “Our hopes are that in a couple of months we’ll see one of the artists who have played an open mic night on a bill, playing with a band or recording their EP”. While an open mic night can feature as little as 5-7 regulars, it isn’t uncommon for upwards of 18 people to want to play their hearts out to a room full of strangers and friends – a situation which requires a lot of juggling and the occasional knockback. Each night is different, depending on the venue, with Helm bar in Surfers Paradise hosting a jazz filled Tuesday night open mic. The Swingin’ Safari also opens its stage to the masses on Wednesday and The Cave at Nobby Beach is infamous for its packed out jam nights on Sundays.
Being a staunch supporter of live and local music these opportunities are not only a delight, but also a necessity. Without open mic nights many an artist wouldn’t develop the courage or experience that leads them into a burgeoning career as a musician. While exploring the many open mic nights the Gold Coast offers, one thing I will advise audience members of is to listen with a kind ear. Keeping an open mind allows you to really appreciate both the fumbling attempts of the first-timer and the experienced caress of a seasoned performer, both of which will wow you with their vulnerability. Until you have stood, sat or shaken in front of people you wouldn’t hum in front of and poured yourself into an instrument, you will never know how truly frighteningly exhilarating performing is. So forgive the occasional forgotten lyric, missed chord or nervous laugh and enjoy all that open mic nights have to offer. Christie Ots
METAL BYTES 2013 was such a massive year for metal and rock, we saw some pretty amazing albums being released from local and international artists. One album that hit everyone’s top 5 are industrial metal titans The Amenta with their album Flesh is heir which in my opinion was definitely one of the strongest releases up there with Surgical steel from Carcass and Gwar’s Battle maximus! Sadly The Amenta will cease to tour after their run with Rotting Christ in January and you can catch them in Brisbane at the Crowbar on 16 January. Tickets are on sale now, if you have never seen them this is your last chance. EYEHATEGOD return to our shores this month after the tragic passing of drummer Joey LaCaze in mid 2013. They will be hitting the HiFi Bar, 17 January with Zodiac and Lizzard Wizzard.
Soundwave is almost upon us once again which to many of us is like metal Christmas! The festival takes place at RNA showgrounds in Brisbane, 22 February and the line up for this year’s metal stage alone boasts the likes of Megadeth, Testament, Mastodon, Down, Devildriver, Gojira, Satyricon, Mushroomhead and Gwar just to name a few. There are literally too many bands to name that I personally can’t wait to see so for the full line up and ticket info go to www.soundwavefestival.com. The mighty Periphery will be touring the country with Animals as leaders at the end of the month and you can catch them at the HiFi in Brisbane on Friday 31 January, go to www.thehifi.com.au for more information. If you were lucky enough to catch Behemoth on their recent Australian tour you would have heard them play the
amazing new single Blow your trumpets Gabriel off the long awaited new album The Satanist due out in February, If the album is anything like the single fans are definitely in for a treat. Australian folk metal warriors CLAIM THE THRONE have announced a tour in support of their epic new album Forged in flame and will be hitting the Gold Coast on Thursday 23 January at the Miami Shark Bar with Rome, Shifting The Paradigm and Demodocus. You can also catch them with Vyrion and Eternal Rest at the Crowbar in Brisbane, 24 January. You can get all your metal news by tuning in to Rabid Noise on Rabbit Radio every Wednesday night from 9pm. Nev Pearcee
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gig reviews NGAIIRE + JAC STONE Rabbit+Cocoon | Sunday 5 January The first Sunday of the New Year welcomed a stellar new live music venue to the Gold Coast; Rabbit Radio Presents launched by the Rabbit+Cocoon Arts Precinct. The first gig for this new live series was Sydney soul artist Ngaiire (pronounced Ny-ree); supported by Brisbane favourite Jac Stone. The newly renovated space provided both intimacy and serious technical clout with brilliant acoustics and vintage décor. Adorned with fresh flowers, lazy lounge chairs, beautiful lighting and wooden crates, the space proved a perfect afternoon hide. Opening act Jac Stone was accompanied by an upright bass and electric guitar; creating a tight sound with rich vocals. Stone played both older songs from the EP Leave Me Here and newer material such as the single Trying to be Sorry. A crowd favourite and absolute standout was the tune Bad Things; made famous by the HBO Series True Blood. Ngaiire then took to the stage; unmistakable in a shining silver top, bright shoes and colourful headpiece. Accompanied with band mates suited in matching white overalls, Ngaiire’s undeniable presence saw a sense of something very special creep through the waiting throng.
Ngaiire @ Rabbit+Cocoon
room and was closed with deafening applause. Whipping the crowd back into foot tapping and dancing Ngaiire followed with songs Uranus, Count to Ten and Fireflies. Credit must also be paid to the sound crew at Rabbit+Cocoon who worked hard to provide an audibly satisfying space; particularly for a setup as technically and musically diverse as the talent presented on the day. Rounding out the performance with lead single Dirty Hercules, Ngaiire brought the house down in a fitting finale complete with incredible vocal loops and surging bass line. Although she may have graced the stage as a ‘new’ talent, she was clearly at home and those in attendance will know they have witnessed a truly mesmerising talent beginning to take flight. Steve Griff
EARTHLESS + THE SHRINE + ETERNAL ELYSIUM Crowbar Fortitude Valley | Thursday 2 January The whiff of 70’s guitar excess hangs heavy in the balmy night air as we descend the stairway to rock bunker Crowbar. It takes one’s ears a few moments to adjust to the deafening decibels emanating from the stage, from there the sounds of Japanese heavy guitar trio Eternal Elysium begin to hazily emerge. From Nagoya in Japan, the band have been active since 1991, masterminded by 70’s rock refugee resembling guitarist and singer Yukito Okazaki, together with powerhouse drummer Antonio Ishikawa and
investigate further. In the spirit of the 70s rock inspired excess (there’s that decade again!), an inebriated blag with the guys and gal from Eternal Elysium sees us all adjourn to a side street for some alleyway imbibing, prior to lifting off with tonight’s headliners, San Diego’s Earthless. The band have developed quite a penchant for this country recently (this is their third tour here in the past few years) and the feeling from captivated local fans is mutual, as evidenced by the swelling fan base in attendance for the first night of a two night residency at Crowbar. An instrumental power trio of monumental and telepathic force, Earthless are in effect one endless (summer) jam, plugging in tonight on the back of their third album From The Ages and riding an epic wave of guitar worship. Bassist Mike Eginton and multi-band wonder-drummer Mario Rubalcaba lay down a churning, organic bedrock for the guitar shredding antics of slashing (and freshly shorn) guitarist Isaiah Mitchell to display his prodigious six string skills. Newer jams such as Violence Of The Red Sea and Uluru Rock (yep it’s a dedication to that sacred big red rock in the centre of Australia) are fleshed out above and beyond their already weighty track lengths, the transfixed crowd blissfully immersed in the maelstromic alchemy being channeled before them. The band jam on, and on... eventually burning up and returning to Earth, leaving a throng of sweaty and satiated bodies in their wake. My ears are ringing and the bright blue lights of the Crowbar stairs are hurting my eyes as I ascend back up to bitumen and reality, witness to an exalted evening of guitar overload
Earthless @ Crowbar
From the opening notes of the appropriately titled Rabbit Hole it was clear that the hype surrounding this emerging new talent was entirely justified. Ngaiire’s voice is a standout; evident from her debut record Lamentations. In person however, it is simply breathtaking.
American bassist Tana Haugo who is a commanding presence, pounding her instrument and trading vocals impressively with Okazaki. Over the course of their highly enjoyable set they deliver a memorable blast of 70’s inspired psych-tinged retro-doom.
from three top notch guitar overlords delivering us all on an amped up joyride to rock and roll nirvana.
Packed with power through her whole range, the raw emotion and true harmony of her voice filled the room and totally captivated those in attendance. Introducing one of the standout songs from the record Around, she was both humble and humorous; giving the audience a deeply personal insight into the motivation behind her debut. The spiritual and haunting ABCD written about a dear friend she had lost in her home town in Papua New Guinea silenced the
Next up are brash Venice Beach, California three piece The Shrine, who deliver an in-your-face take on hard rocking 70’s skater punk. Having previously described themselves as “a pool-skating, acid-eating, rip-roaring trio,” the SoCal lads career thrillingly between crunchy, fuzzed out 70’s shout-outs and flat out, Black Flag tinged garage punk. Their amped up approach to sound and performance certainly has it’s moments and has me marking them down as a band to
SKRILLEX
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Anthony Gebhardt
Beachlife Surfers Paradise | Saturday 4 January Los Angeles local, Skrillex was the name on everyone’s lips at the Surfers Paradise Beachlife music festival in the near year. This 25 year old has built up a strong fan following with
many fans venturing from interstate for his performance at Beachlife. Carrying on the proud tradition of electronic music, Skrillex’s performance was a multimedia extravaganza.
NOVA HEART Old Museum Brisbane | Saturday 3 January
Situated centre stage in his spacecraft Skrillex captured the audience’s attention from the moment he appeared. From the visuals behind the stage to the lighting onstage the musical experience was enriched by the tightly choreographed technology. Skrillex beachside at Beachlife, a match made in paradise. Jessie Ryan-Allen
HALF MOON RUN The Northern Byron Bay | Saturday 4 January It’s been a personal mission of mine to see Half Moon Run for almost a year now. 352 days to be exact. That’s when they were last here - at The Buddah Bar/Byron Bay Brewery/Arts Factory. January 17th 2013. That just happened to be my umpteenth Birthday, that’s why I recall it so well. Half Moon Run - these gorgeous crazed Montreal-ians are like no other. They started with the last song on their album Dark Eyes, 12 Gun Salute and worked there inimitable way through the entire album. Devon, Connor, Dylan, bounding all over the stage. Leaping, bouncing between drums, keys, guitar, harmonica, samplers and some things/instruments I didn’t even recognise. More insane manic drum drum drumming
Half Moon Run @ The Northern
Fresh from Woodford Music Festival, Chinese band Nova Heart had a following that had crawled out of tents and into The Old Museum in Brisbane… That’s how great their energy is. Taking to the stage the drummer Shi Lu aka Atom and bassist Bo Xuan played a thumping intro, the perfect introduction for lead singer Helen Feng to enter with. Feng’s stage presence is undeniable, and an art installation within itself. Making jokes about the how the audience should ‘notice the beautiful awnings and architecture, but the light switches are from Ikea’, she kicked off the set with the song My Song 9 from their EP Beautiful Boys. There is something beautifully awkward about her stage performance, reminiscent of bedroom eyes and dance floor highs. With flashing lights, pulsing rhythms and epileptic gyrations Feng captivates the audience. The sound was phenomenal and every beat was timed to perfection as the songs were broken up with anecdotes; at one point Feng admitted she has terrible stage fright, with everyone watching her, but that she just tells herself people aren’t there to see her. The performance ended on a high as the band left the stage to raucous applause. Reminiscent of Blondie or Joan Jett this highly captivating performance may not be to everyone’s tastes, but you won’t be able to look away. Keiren Bond
Nova Heart @ Old Museum
from Devon. His amazing, divine vocals and Connor and Dylan’s harmonies are heavenly. Full Circle had the entire crowd singing and grinning along - gestures and all. The acoustic encore - shush shush... you could hear a pin drop. Beautiful hushed harmonies, mounting to a crescendo of… of… I can’t even think of a perfect enough word, description, adjective. Orgasmic There. Said it. Sheer and utter Brilliance. Carmel E Lewis
THE ELLIOTS + PAGING JIMI + MIDNIGHT ANTICS + MONKEY’S PIRATE The Loft Chevron Island | 21 December It’s 21 December and I’m walking into The Loft on Chevron Island, prepared for a night of music, their specialty. The music hasn’t started yet, but the place is packed with revellers that are excited for an excellent line up. Forgoing their usual band ensemble, duo Monkey’s Pirate takes to the stage and within seconds of launching into their first song the people are swaying and cheering. With a great
roots sound Jolley and Lucy, the bands lead vocalists, weave through cheeky songs about pirates, to haunting melodies like Concrete Beast, their album Oceans Between is a great buy! As Monkey’s Pirate came to a close the next band stepped on to the stage. Local boys The Midnight Antics always get a venue rocking and The Loft was no exception. Lead singer and guitarist Evan Manttari kicked their first song, crowd favourite Penny Lane, into gear as vocalist and electric guitarist Jarryd O’Brien chimed in with his infamous rifts. Drummer Grant Butler kept people stamping their feet to the beat, while entertaining with quips and jokes in any quiet moments between songs. Crowd interaction is one of the things this band does best, joking about their mums being in the crowd as they sang I Don’t Give A Fuck Mate and getting everyone singing to Calling Out Your Name, their EP Cragsford is another necessary addition to any music lover’s collection. With a guest appearance by local blues legend Karl S. Williams, this was one of the best moments of a great night. With a double dose of Butler and O’Brien, supergroup Paging Jimi stormed the stage and lead vocalist Scott Teelow’s husky voice resonated through The Loft. With a heavy rock presence, and smiles on their faces, the band barely paused for breath in between hit songs like Anti-Trust and the room was full of energy. Bassist Dan Aurora kept his chilled out, head-banging groove, while guitarist Nate Millz bounced off Butler and Teelow. Headliners The Elliots, a Melbourne based indie-rock band completed the line up perfectly. Their song Warriors had the venue dancing as drinks flowed and people celebrated another great night at The Loft. Lead vocalist and
The Elliots @ The Loft guitarist Robbie Elliot lead the band through a rhythmic set that included Favourite Place and Stay, which were perfect for the party atmosphere that filled the venue. Bringing the night to a close with a bang, and not just on the drums, it is safe to say that The Loft knows how to put on a show and if you don’t find these bands at a venue near you, you need to find a new venue. Christie Ots
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ANTIMATTER’S UNDERGROUND SOUNDS Probably my biggest gig disappointment in 2013 was missing the chance to catch minimalist Tasmanian duo The Native Cats in an all too rare Brisbane appearance. But with the release of new album Dallas still fresh in the air, here’s hoping that a return visit to these parts is on the cards during 2014... Dallas is in fact the third release from the duo, consisting of bassist Julian Teakle and vocalist Peter Escott. The band mostly traverse a dark, stripped back, post punkish terrain and opening track, the cryptically titled Pane e Aqua lays down their gambit, a solitary bassline underpinned by the abstract ruminations of Escott “trying to learn about transfiguration.” Next track, the instrumental Hit delivers the other key ingredients of The Native Cats sound, as a mechanical, spartan drum machine pulse and clinky, ethereal keyboards enter the fray, providing the segue way into one of the albums highlights, I Remember Everyone. “You mess with my friends, you mess with me” Escott ominously intones, underpinned with Teakle’s ever prominent bass chug and that brooding drum machine pulse, the precise, robotic heartbeat suiting their modus operandi to a tee.
a melodica entering the fray, augmented with a tinkling waterfall of keyboards emerging half way through. Scratch Act touches upon an almost industrial vibe, and the centrepiece of the second half of the record, the 11 minute Mohawk-Motif delivers short wave radio bursts of sound melded to a locked rhythm. Escott’s vocals don’t drop until the four minute mark, more dark ruminations as the ominous groove rides on...and on, before dropping out to an eerie, repetitive keyboard fadeout, complete with false ending. The vibe underpinning a lot of the band’s work brings to mind the ghosts of seminal post-punk forefathers - from the spartan pulse at the heart of early 80’s Welsh minimalists Young Marble Giants to the Peter Hook-ish bass approximations underpinning the track C of O. This certainly ain’t no mere pastiche though, these (Native) Cats filtering their vision through their own unique, isolationist, apple island perspective.
The Native Cats: Dallas
The Native Cats triumphantly demonstrate the adage of ‘less is more’ and come highly recommended from the Antimatter playlist of original, challenging oeuvres...
By the time the fourth track Cavalier rolls around things are getting positively exotic, with what sounds to these ears like
ANTIMATTER’S FAVOURITE UNDERGROUND SOUNDS: 2013 The following releases represent a mere snapshot of the fertile wellspring of underground and obscure sounds, both new and old, that bubbled away under the surface during 2013, the year that just was... The vast majority of them were released on vinyl and are presented in no particular order (cause that’s getting just all too hard now!) New releases 2013: Australia Bitch Prefect: Bird Nerds The Native Cats: Dallas Constant Mongrel: Heavy Breathing Beaches: She Beats Dick Diver: Calendar Days Unity Floors: Exotic Goldfish Blues Satanic Rockers: Fu Kung Courtney Barnett: How to Carve a Carrot into a Rose (EP) East Link: Wild Dog/Blood Money (7 inch) Harmony: Do Me a Favour/I Wait All Night For You (7 inch) 22
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New releases 2013: International Wooden Shjips: Back To Land La Femme: Psycho Tropical Berlin Factory Floor: self titled Warm Digits: Interchange Purling Hiss: Paisley Montage Jacco Gardner: Cabinet of Curiosities Cave: Threace Spray Paint: self titled Lorelle Meets The Obsolete: Corruptible Faces Resonars - The Greatest Songs Of The Resonars Oblivians: Desperation Reissue/Archival Releases 2013 Anonymous: Inside The Shadow Todd Tamanend Clark/New Gods: Aardvark Through Zymurgy George Brigman: Jungle Rot Dead Moon: Stranded In The Mystery Zone Ego Summit: The Room Isn’t Big Enough
Chrome: Half Machine From The Sun, The Lost Chrome Tracks From 79 - 80 Rodion G.A: The Lost Tapes The Ethiopians: Freedom Train Chrissy Zebby Tembo & Ngozi Family: My Ancestors Clothilde: Queen Of The French Swinging Mademoiselle 1967 Algebra Suicide: Feminine Squared Scorched Earth Policy: Goin Through a Hole In The Back Of Your Head Human Expression: Love At A Psychedelic Velocity Adrian Lloyd: Lorna/I Got A Woman (7 inch) The Space Lady: Major Tom/Radar Love (7 inch)
off the record Every summer I’m stuck inside at the dreaded day job dreaming of driving down the coast, feet out the window (not while driving of course), sun shining and the ultimate summer road trip playlist blasting. Well this year that dream became a reality for yours truly. We packed up the Love Bus, our little home on wheels, on 23 December and started south destined for the Great Ocean Road. Now, no summer road trip is complete with out a killer selection of albums to spin and this has been the inspiration behind this edition of Off the Record. House of Laurence
BLAST FROM THE PAST Bob Dylan is very much still present in the recorded music industry today but it is his 1975 album Blood On The Tracks that fits into a road trip playlist effortlessly. I was a little late jumping on the Bob Dylan train and hadn’t really listened to a full album until 2009. I was just 18 and a girlfriend and I were leaving on a road trip and before we left a friend of mine gave me this album with the lyrics printed and told me I would love it. Well, as usual he was right! Blood on the Tracks is arguably one of the greatest breakup albums of all time and throughout the album are bitter tales of heartbreak, sadness and loss however, it is the perfect flow for a road trip. It has a mix of songs to sing along to, the ones I belt are Tangled up in Blue, Idiot Wind and Meet me in the Morning, and songs that make you look out the window and really appreciate where you are. Bob Dylan is a splendid storyteller with the ability to show you exactly what he wants you to see in his music. Blood on the Tracks is a timeless record and is regarded by many as one of his best. It remains completely relevant today and if you haven’t already, grab yourself a copy! Any record store will be able to order you in a reissue of this record, if they have no second hand copies available.
NEW RELEASE No road trip is complete with out some cool psychedelic tunes and I have been dying to tell y’all about this awesome band out of Melbourne, House of Laurence. The live show is something else and when they play you can feel a connection between them. They feed off each other and that is one of my favourite things to see in a live band. These guys only sell vinyl at their shows (I can dig that) and I picked up my copy of the House of Laurence EP in
November during their east coast tour. This record is fantastic. Finally another quality psych-rock band from my era! The record kicks off with the allure of Such a Fool that draws you in and has you closing your eyes and moving with it (hopefully also not while driving – Ed). Quickly followed by the infectious guitar riff of Squeeze Lightly, the record continues to build. The EP closes with my favourite track, 86 Tour (Drifting Haze). The track begins with cascading electric guitar and eases off into exactly what the title suggests, a drifting haze. House of Laurence have created a blissed out, sun soaked psychedelic record that is somewhat nostalgic in the best way possible. For lovers of Cream and Tame Impala this record is sure to delight! House of Laurence is on the up and up, having been nominated in Tonedeaf ’s ’10 promising acts to look out for in 1n 2014’ by readers and writers. They have also recently released a film clip for Such a Fool, which seems inspired by the (awesome) upside down, underwater cover image of the record. You can find links to all their bits and bobs on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HouseOfLaurnece
ODDBALL When we left on our road trip, we were expecting clear skies and sunshine. Not bloody likely! We did have a few rainy day and night driving albums up our sleeves and we needed
them. Leaving Lorne after Falls Festival the weather was dull. It was grey, rainy, and super windy. So we threw on The Durutti Column’s 1981 album LC and it was perfect. Though Vini Reilly may not be a household name here, the Manchester raised guitarist and brains behind The Durutti Column has produced an extraordinary amount of musical work over the past 35 odd years and worked with some of Britain’s greats. The Durutti Column was among the first acts signed with legendary Manchester label, Factory Records, alongside Joy Division and Happy Mondays. Having released around 40 albums as The Durutti Column with Reilly’s haunting guitar sounds at the forefront, LC also sees drummer and friend Bruce Mitchell playing along. In the last four years however Reilly has suffered three heart attacks and lost most of the control of his right hand, leaving him unable to play guitar. He has stated in interviews that he is determined to learn to play guitar again and practices 2 hours every day. LC is a mix of ethereal, dream like tracks with a few optimistic twists that encourage the mind to wander. The album flows brilliantly and should really be enjoyed from start to finish. My favourite tracks from the album include Jacqueline, Never Known, Belgian Friends and Enigma, which is the perfect close to this album. There is this awesome clip of Reilly and Mitchell playing a track Jacqueline. I have never seen a happier drummer! You can find it on YouTube. Gina Martin www.blankgc.com.au
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album reviews
BABY ANIMALS
THE DIVINCHIS
TORA
This Is Not The End
The Divinchis
Tora
It was a lazy and stormy summer afternoon, and there was no better time to spin a new album, and laze the day away. My only mistake was that the Baby Animal’s latest album offering titled This Is Not the End is definitely not a lazy afternoon kind of soundtrack. Jump into your 1990’s Toyota Corolla, wind down the windows, blast the speakers, and you have the perfect recipe for listening to this gem of a classic Aussie rock album.
From the moment it begins, you can’t help but feel transported back to a classic 90’s film soundtrack where Kenny G serenades us in the background while the leading lady (most likely Meg Ryan) endures a complicated, yet comical, romantic storyline. While Sydney based band, The Divinchis’ new self titled debut album would have been perfect for the 90’s film era, you can’t deny it is full of pure rhythm and groove that will capture hearts living in the 21st century.
Tora the self-titled EP by Byron Bay band Tora is a stunningly beautiful homage to the new genre of chill wave. Calming Her a single from the EP mixes electronic sounds with gentle vocals and entices you to appreciate a soft breeze and a gorgeous vista, clear signs their home has left its impact on their music. Future Man is a throwback to Bon Iver tracks like Woods, and a starry night spent on picnic rugs with mates fills your mind as this five-piece band takes you on a journey.
With a talented collective of Sydney musicians, the album features 9 original tracks written by Garry Larden (vocalist) and John Carson (keyboards), along with a cover of Ain’t No Lovin’ Left by pioneer writers of Philadelphia soul, Gamble and Huff. It is no doubt that writing inspirations for the album were drawn from the ‘Philly Soul’ era and in turn has created the powerhouse songwriting duo that is Larden and Carson (heck, their names even almost rhyme).
Toby Tunis, Jo Loewenthal, Jai Piccone, Thorne Davis, Shaun Johnston make up Tora, derived from the Greek word for ‘now’ and it’s easy to see why they have already supported such acts as Sticky Fingers and Bootleg Rascal. No One Real is a personal favourite; with a slightly stronger lyrical presence the song is a swelling sound-scape that seduces the soul with a glitter that belies the relatively young age of the band members.
The simplicity of the album’s lyrical content is made up for with its classy and tight instrumentals. Said to be given creative freedom with their offerings, Carson and Paul Chenard on Saxophone are well within their element and are a friendly compliment to the tight rhythm section and gritty vocals from Larden.
I cannot recommend this EP enough as balm for the heart, a moment for the mind and bliss for the ears. This year is sure to be a big one for a band who subtly sneaks into your subconscious.
This is the first release from the rockers since 2008. Their last release was strictly acoustic. This Is Not the End finds the Baby Animals back in their 90s common ground and is arguably one of the best pure Aussie rock albums that Australia has seen in the last few years. While the album is reminiscent of their 90’s sound, there is also a blatant maturity in Suze DeMarchi’s vocals as well as the band’s songwriting efforts. It shares the similar climatic highs and lows the band’s career has seen, mixing some softer ballads with classic rock tracks including Got It Bad, Hot Air Balloon and the band’s first single in 20 years, Email. Somewhat of a comeback album, the Baby Animals have released what should become known as an Aussie rock classic. Be sure to grab a copy if you’re itching to reminisce the rock days with a good old head bang and an air guitar workout. Emily Hosking
Imagine an endless night of soul dancing in a dark bar smelling of whisky, with a grand piano in front of a cracked cement wall – the Divinchis would fit right in. Emily Hosking
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Christie Ots
LANE-HARRY X IKE CAMPBELL
STREET 66
Love and Terror Cult
The latest track released by local band Street 66 definitely lives up to the hype, with Positive Heads creating a positively heady vibe. I was lucky enough to see this song performed live recently and a welcome addition to this song is ethereal violinist Harriet Straker. Straker’s haunting melodies contrast nicely with Amir Hack’s reggae/hip hop vocals, with lyrics like ‘It comes from a positive thread, we’ll bring it back with positive heads’ encapsulating the idea behind the single. Bassist Liam Butler and guitarist Julian Holland keep the rhythm grooving, while drummer Jackson Martens is impeccable at creating a rise and fall in the beat that allows the song to shine. The band has joined the interesting movement of Pay-What-It’s-Worth, offering the song on Bandcamp to listeners for whatever price they name. Personally I think the feeling a song like Positive Heads induces is worth its weight in gold, but jump on have a listen and decide the price of soul for yourself. The track is available at streetsixtysix.bandcamp.com.
Positive Heads
Alternative hip hop duo Lane-Harry x Ike Campbell have been working together for years on different productions and have recently dropped their first official colab in the form of album Love and Terror Cult. With melancholy tracks like Skin (feat. Aquila Young) reflecting off cultural teardowns like Monsters, Love and Terror Cult is a journey through the mind of today’s society that blends an assembly of technical equipment with acoustic guitar and piano. This is genuinely one of my must-listen to albums for the next year, with raw and honest lyrics that make you think.
THE HIGH GRADE Hearty Theory The High Grade is a Gold Coast band that exploded onto the music scene in 2013, with their catchy blend of reggae and hip hop. Their new EP Hearty Theory showcases the 7-piece’s upbeat vibe personally, especially songs like Working which pay homage to great influences like Fat Freddy’s Drop. Lead vocalist Elijah Bellrose’s voice, combined with the funky beat, brass and keys, is enough to make you crave a weekend in the sun. The band has recently played at the Airlie Beach Music Festival and are busy getting crowds jumping at great venues like The Joynt in Brisbane and The Loft on the Gold Coast. As their song Bring Back the Funk states, it’s a ‘hip hop and reggae fusion, to blow your minds’ and Hearty Theory certainly tries to deliver on that promise, with a track list that guarantees that kicking back and relaxing with mates will never be a groove-less moment. Christie Ots
Local crew Hearty Theory offer up some chilled out riddim and bring the bright and breezy summer vibes here, with a six pack of laid back reggae, soul and funk grooves. I found the opening track, the rather obviously titled Rocking Reggae, the most appealing, a slow burning, dub inflected reggae number with somewhat of an authentic Jamaican vibe. Positive vibes generally abound throughout, save for the besmirchment encountered upon hearing the words ‘Justin Bieber’ uttered during the rapped vocals in the track Bring Back The Funk. In addition to the aforementioned reggae, those into smooth soul and funk sounds with laid back vocals, interspersed with a smattering of urban rapping, would no doubt enjoy this dose of Highgrade. Anthony Gebhardt
In a time where Barbie-clone pop stars trumpet the benefits of brushing your teeth with Jack, music that breaks down society and clarifies real issues while keeping you engaged is a breath of fresh air. This might not be the album you put on to bop away a road trip, but it is something that you will never regret listening to.
Christie Ots
Christie Ots
HALF MOON RUN
SMOKING MARTHA
Dark Eyes
Sweet As Honey
Dark Eyes by Canadian/ Monteal band Half Moon Run is a rare and beautiful gem. An eclectic mix of indie-rock-folk electronica-psychedelica and even part classical. Hell… they pretty much defy description and genre.
I must admit I hadn’t heard of Smoking Martha before. Surprising as they are a Gold Coast- Brisbane combo and I -- ummmm - I go to a shitload of gigs round these necks of the woods.
Lead by the remarkable voice of Devon Portielije and harmonised by Connor Molander and Dylan Phillips perfectly, they leap and bounce (literally, as I had the absolute honour to see them live last week) from key-driven tracks She Wants To Know and Judgement to thumping drumsolos and shrieks from a beautifully frantic Devon. The uplifting cheerfulness of guitar and percussion laden Call me in The Afternoon to the sombre, beautiful moodiness of Nerve and No More Losing The War. The cryptic twisted lyrics of all time favourite Full Circle. The quivering, pleading, soaring soundscapes of Drug You and Need It. Man. Dark Eyes is a treat. Every single song, sound, moment is special. Half Moon Run are simply, complexly, enigmatically AMAZING.
The video clip for Sweet As Honey is pretty damn amazing smokin’ being the operative and probably over-hyped word. Sexy, sultry, teasing, alluring. The song lives up to that vibe in audio mode. It’s damn hot and raw and raunchy and ballsy and rockin’. Tasha’s vocals are strong, taunting, daring. Guitarists Mick and Aaron and drummer Pablo are no shrinking violets in the back-ground. Each bring their own guts and power and personalities to the game. Though it is a bit difficult to peel your eyes away from Tasha/Martha in the film clip. Smoking Martha are eclectic, quirky, raw, gutsy. Punk, pop, rock, skanking razz with a dash of sweet honey soul. Carmel E Lewis
Carmel E Lewis www.blankgc.com.au
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gig guide JANUARY Thursday 16 January Mission Blues, Men in Blues, Mike Beale, The Loft Chevron Island Misfits, The Zoo Brisbane Friday 17 January Icehouse and Models, Southport RSL Kim Churchill, Jonny Nyst (The Vernons) Soundlounge Currumbin Lancelot, Audun, Chris Miller, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Bec Whitehead, The Vault Southport Electrik Lemonade, Barney Trub, Soul Simple, The Loft Chevron Island Saturday 18 January Real Talks, Zebulen, Kim Sheehy, The Loft Chevron Island Velvet Martini, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Mudhoney, The Zoo Brisbane The Lumineers, The Tivoli Brisbane Averice, Collins Class, Boned, Meaniacs, Snakes & Daggers, Hell N Whiskey, Southern Cross Tavern Coolangatta (2.00pm) Sunday 19 January GOVS, Salvadarlings, Swingin Safari Surfers Paradise Big Day Out: Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Snoop Dogg, Major Lazer, Beady Eye, Deftones, The Hives, Cosmic Psychos, DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, The Belligerents, Double Lined Minority and Sneeky Picnic, Metricon Stadium Carrara Friday 24 January Pacha Mama, Andy Hans-Brown, COZ*MIC, Felicity Lawless, Soundlounge Currumbin Bec Whitehead, The Vault Southport Kip Casper, Mar Haze, Aquila Young, The Loft Chevron Island Cosmic Dolphin Party with the Creases, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Saturday 25 January The Butterfly Effect, HELM, Engine, Coolangatta Hotel The Living Room, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Oz Fest: Birds of Tokyo, Funkoars, All Day, Electric Horse, Lagerstein, Lunatics on Pogosticks, Shark Bar Miami Tarvern Wayne Foster (Drifters), The Vault Southport Mercury Sun, Underwood Mayne, The Ellie May Band, Strings for Ammo, The Loft Chevron Island Dinkum Bohos, Palm Beach Market (7.00 – 11.00am) Dinkum Bohos, Mandala Organic Arts Café Mermaid Beach
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Sunday 26 January Sarah Frank, The Village Markets Paradise Point 9.00am
Chevron Island The Aston Shuffle, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise
Monday 27 January Circle Of Friends: Julz Parker, Leesa Gentz, Bobby Alu, Kim Churchill, Brooke Supple, Rabbit+Cocoon
Saturday 15 February Sarah Frank, Genki Café, 6.00pm Velvet Martini, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami
Wednesday 29 January Lani and Lecia, The Vault, Southport Thursday 30 January Kim Sheehy Band, New Age Notion, Ella Fence, Shannon Beaumont, The Loft Chevron Island Friday 31 January Ann Vriend, Andrew Vievers, Soundlounge Currumbin The Mistaeks, Nowhere Else, Pirates of the Tempest, The Loft Chevron Island Bec Whitehead, The Vault Southport
FEBRUARY Saturday 1 February Platinum Pen, Sneeky Picnic, Lane-Harry x Ike Campbell, Chang Po Ching, The Loft Chevron Island Hell & Whiskey, Southern Cross Tavern Coolangatta (3.00pm) Kato (Worldlife), Elsewhere Surfers Paradise AKOVA, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Sunday 2 February Sarah Frank, The Village Markets Burleigh 9.00am REAL//TALKS, Gardens, Swingin Safari Surfers Paradise Blues explosion: Rectifiers, Leszek Kaski, Andrew Baxter (with JR’s smokehouse BBQ ribs), Rabbit+Cocoon. Thursday 6 February The Love Junkies, Sassin Fras, Kit Lightning and The Revelators, The Loft Chevron Island I Am Giant, Mass Sky Raid, The Rev Fortitude Valley Friday 7 February Jack and the Giant Killers, Sarah Frank, Tuesday’s Good, Kenny Slide, The Loft Chevron Island Saturday 8 February River Rock Music Festival: Double Lined Minority, RedStarBorn, Daves Pawn Shop, River Rock Music Festival Toogoolawah Sarah Frank, The Cave MTNS, GOVS, Bilby, The Loft Chevron Island Rectifiers, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Sunday 9 February Jnr Danger, Swingin’ Safari Surfers Paradise Jackson Dunn, Southern Cross Tavern Coolangatta (3.00pm) OKA, Declan Kelly, Rabbit Gigs Presents, Marketta Sunday Sounds, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Friday 14 February Sarah Frank, Café Urbia Burleigh 5.30pm Street 66, Astro Travellers and Anika Mantell, The Loft
Sunday 16 February Basker Villains, Swingin’ Safari Surfers Paradise Friday 21 February The Vernons, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Saturday 22 February The Lyrical, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Friday 28 February Tijuana Cartel, Soundlounge Currumbin
MARCH Friday 7 March Bleach*: Elizabeth Rose, The Trouble with Templeton, Hey Geronimo, Soundlounge Currumbin Sarah Frank, Genki Cafe Friday 14 March Bleach*: Violent Soho, Bad//Dreems, The Sinking Teeth, Soundlounge Currumbin The Sunnyboys, The Northern Byron Bay Saturday 15 March The Sunnyboys, The Northern Byron Bay Baby Animals, Coolangatta Hotel Friday 21 March Bleach*: Band of Frequencies presents The Transparentsea Voyage, Soundlounge Currumbin
APRIL Friday 11 April Uncle Jed, Soundlounge Currumbin Thursday 17 – Monday 21 April Bluesfest Byron Bay
Send your gigs to news@blankgc.com.au.
BLUES AND RIBS TAKE SUNDAY SESSION TO NEW HEIGHTS David Leary is a member of the Rectifiers, a passionate Bluesman keen to help Gold Coasters learn more about the genre. He figures high quality music paired with beers and ribs should seal the deal at a special event on Sunday 2 February. “The idea came about with the sole purpose of using Rabbit+Cocoon to bring blues back to the masses,” David said. “There’s a younger generation who are frequenting places like this and festivals like Bluesfest and Blues on Broadbeach and they’re really starting to dig the blues.” He’s bringing together the Rectifiers, Andrew Baxter and Leszek Kaski for the special blues explosion. “Leszek Kaski is a master of the blues guitar and he’s fronted or played with bands like The Bondi Cigars, The Hippos and the Might Reapers,” David said. “The Rectifiers are all local musos with a passion for that traditional sound with vintage equipment, driving harmonica up front and music with that swing feeling.” “And Andrew Baxter is a hard worker and family man who’s played with Blind Lemon. He just couldn’t keep away from the music and we’re so glad he’s back playing and creating events.” JR’s Smokehouse BBQ, made locally famous at Street Food Marketta will be selling his popular Texan style smokey ribs and tickets are $15 at the door. The event takes place on Sunday 2 February. Samantha Morris
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A BLANK WELCOME FOR JAY TO THE COAST Meeting and befriending Jay Gardner is one the easiest tasks so far set for me by Blank. Though strangers, we shake hands, take a seat and enter into some chit chat as if we hadn’t caught up since the weekend. He’s impossibly polite and gracious. I know the photographer will be arriving soon so I steer towards the formal purpose for our meeting. The first question, “Jay, I’ve heard of Geordie Shore but I don’t get it. Could you please explain, as you would to a child, just what the hell this show is about?” Without skipping a beat, Jay breaks down for me, the fundamental elements responsible for Geordie Shore’s success. “Young people like to party. That’s why they enjoy watching, it’s so easy to relate.” I nod, smile and continue the interrogation. If I pause for a second too long, the reality of no longer being so young, rarely ever partying or watching TV may create a knot in my chest. I am out of the loop. This guy is a star, front row and centre of the loop. Where people plank, harmlem shake, twerk and declare YOLO… Stupid fucking loop. I have prepared a question or two to help distract from my lack of coolness. “Jay, Anatidaephobia is the pervasive, irrational fear that, somewhere in the world, a duck is watching you. Do you have any irrational fears that you care to share?” Jay briefly contemplates but is unable to recall. Damn it! I share intimately about how reaching any item from the back of a severely over-loaded fridge makes me sweat. “Come on Jay, what ridiculous superstition has you rocking back and forth in the corner like a traumatised toddler?” Still no recollection. Genuinely cool and calm all the way through. Oh well, plan B. Luckily, before arriving I had decided that I was most
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interested in finding out what a young man, famous for partying exploits, loves about the Gold Coast so much. What reputation is being spread by the pop icons of the 21st century? Is it the fake boobs and bright lights of Surfers? Is it fish and chips, waves and relaxation? According to this reality star, the Gold found in Gold Coast happens before you’ve left the building. The question specifically “What do you see as sacred about the GC lifestyle which you would encourage locals to celebrate more of?” The simple yet unexpected response, “Starting the day with a smile. Looking over the water, sun shining and being happy to begin the day.” Jay then informs me of the pessimism which envelopes the locals of Newcastle, UK. “It is so gloomy. You wait in bed until the very last second before rushing to work. Everyone is miserable.” Before being cast for Geordie Shore, Jay was a surveyor. Typical nine to five lifestyle. Daily routine was underwhelming. The climate is a consistent grey. I know this is not an exaggeration. I have been to his native grounds. I stomped about through various zones of the British Isles. I was ignorantly buzzing for it was an extended holiday. The contagious symptoms triggered by miserable weather somewhat washed over me. Jay insists that the culture does not provide any elements for vitality. I ask further. “When you are with friends at home, what direction does a conversation about Australia take?” “I want to live here. It’s just better. People are just happier. You go out before work. Go for a walk, run, swim, grab a coffee and then go to work. Nobody does this back home.” Our banter continues for over half an hour. The entire process is an admirable display of Jay’s casual professionalism. Even with Blank’s gorgeous photographer
circling about, Jay remains engaged. I want to take this guy home and introduce him to my dad. “Look dad, I have a cool new friend.” I do however, opt for a proposal less confronting than a bromantic dinner with my cynical old man. “If I were to touch down in Newcastle again soon, could I crash on your couch for the night?” “Of course, but there is not much to offer for a day out.” Jay insists that I’m much better off staying put. Our conversation consistently circles back to the amazing lifestyle on offer here on the GC. The smiling faces and picture perfect landscape. Not a single mention of bright lights, fake boobs or cocktails. It’s comforting to know that just by living here I accidentally end up being cool. Maybe I won’t need to participate in twerking classes as a New Year’s resolution. Before we part, Jay informs me of his extended Australian tour. Sight-seeing and promo obligations through Perth, Darwin and back to the GC for February. So what does someone in the loop want to read about in Blank when he returns? “The quiet local life. Away from Surfers. Hinterland road trips etc.” “And is there any particular personality in the Geordie crew who you would most encourage to tag along next time, I ask.” “It would have to be the whole cast. It’s a mix too diverse and entertaining to split.” We shake hands, pose for a few goofy photos and head our separate ways. I get the feeling that we’ll be hanging again soon. It makes me smile. Then just to be sure, I check with the photographer. “Was I just flirting with that dude?” Andrew Scott
IN FOCUS AND IN FRAME Gerald Valilio is a Gold Coast film maker making waves with his raw energy, bold ambition and creative expertise. Gerald runs Valilio Film Productions a post-production house based at Burleigh Heads. Jessie Ryan-Allen had a chat with Gerald about his dream location and favourite film of the last year. Far from an overnight success Gerald has honed his craft and earned his stripes through various work in music video, short film and studying at the Queensland Conservatorium. Gerald recently worked with local progressive rock band, Caligula’s Horse on the music video for their first single on their upcoming second album. Gerald is now working on the independent feature film Talking Back at Thunder, as sound designer and in post production visual effects. Under that iconic afro, Gerald Valilio is a film maker who is always on the go and venturing into uncharted cinematic waters. What would be your dream Gold Coast location to shoot? Well what can I say Gold Coast is quite diverse from the hinterlands to the beach. Bet yes I love the beach, I think it’s iconic and beautiful with its skyline scatted along the beach.
performances from Daniel Henshall. It is an intense film and I think the director has done a great job of handling such a gruesome murder story. What film project are you most proud to be a part of? I’ve been very proud to have been able to have worked with Caligula’s Horse and Helm for their music videos. I enjoy their music a lot and it was also great working with these bands who exuberate such energy and emotion. It was also a chance for me to concentrate more on the post-production side of the process in terms of visual effects while I acquired another local filmmaker Nils Nillson who worked both as a Director for Caligula’s Horse and Director of Photography for Helm. Gerald Valilio was born in Papua New Guinea and raised on the beaches of the Gold Coast, Australia. You can view his film work on Vimeo.
Your favourite film of the last year & why? It would have to be the Australian Film Snowtown. I tell you that film has one of the best Australian
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THE WAVES WE CRAVE: CYCLONE SWELL AND THE GC Every surfer is part weatherman, part waterman. And we’re a funny lot. While half the state is preparing its emergency kit and hoping like hell cyclones stay away, the rest of us are patiently awaiting that cyclone swell. Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece dives beneath the surface of the summer cyclone swell. Mum, I asked for a Cyclone for Christmas. Where is it? Well us surfers are a funny lot. While people in North Queensland, Northern Territory, and North West Western Australia are preparing their emergency kits, and hoping like hell a cyclone does not come their way, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Northern NSW surfers can’t wait for the first one to appear. Those surfers are not preparing emergency kits either. They’ve had their jet ski serviced, their new quiver of surfboards are ready to go, and some of the older members of the surfing fraternity will pull out the old “Rhino Chaser” to see if it is ready to go on that “big” day.
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Every surfer knows that it’s cyclones that provide the swells that they dream of. But that doesn’t mean that we want to see them cross the coast. The perfect track for a cyclone is 800km plus off the Queensland coast and slowly drifting towards the tip of New Zealand, providing a long fetch, solid groundswell, which will make all the points line-up - from Double Island Point, Noosa, Cylinders, Burleigh, Currumbin, Kirra, Greenmount, Snapper Rocks, Lennox Head - with the swell filling in as the system moves south. Every surfer is half a weatherman: checking maps for developing cyclones from around November. The official Australia Cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April
with the first cyclone to cross the coast generally in late December. Cyclones have been know to surface even late May. For a cyclone to form the sea surface temperature has to be 26 Degrees Celcius or greater, right now in mid January, the sea surface temperature is around 24-25 degrees. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued the 2013-2014 Cyclone season outlook with a fairly typical cyclone season expected which means near average tropical cyclone activity is most likely for the Australian region this season. The reason for a near normal outlook is related to the tropical Pacific Ocean, which affects cyclone activity in Australia. The outlook is currently neutral (neither El Nino
nor La Niña), meaning there is no strong shift expected in the average number or location of tropical cyclones. The typical Australian tropical cyclone season in a neutral pattern averages around 11 tropical cyclones with an average of four tropical cyclones crossing the Australian coastline. An average of four cyclones are expected to form in the Coral Sea, with one expected to cross the Queensland Coast. The predictions have a 53% chance of more than four cyclones forming. Even cyclones as far away as Tahiti and especially Fiji can send some awesome swells, so no matter where they form, the swell can travel thousands of miles. Surfers can dream of times like April and May of 1972 when Kirra broke for six continuous weeks when a cluster of cyclones battered the coast, and left Coolangatta beach with no sand, and almost taking away the Coolangatta SLSC. The cyclones and the high tides ripped the sand from Gold Coast beaches, and even took away the Kirra Beach Caravan Park. Waves were also pouring over what then was the Pacific Highway at Kirra, and into the SLSC. While they deliver awesome waves, cyclones are also agents of destruction. Surfing in cyclone swells is not for your everyday surfer: you have to take a few things into account.
“From the eye of the storm come the waves we crave” Your experience - If you have not had experience in large surf, tackling cyclone swell is not the way to get it, and getting in the way of someone on the wave of their dreams is not a way to make friends and influence people. Your fitness - Yeah, your mate might have a jet ski, but if you lose each other, do you have the ability, strength, stamina, swimming fitness and ocean knowledge to get yourself through a swim which may entail many kilometres of swimming through gigantic waves? Surfing legend Wayne Deane once lost his board at Snapper and came into the beach at Tugun, being the waterman he is, he was fine. But he is a very experienced big wave surfer, and a very fit human being. Your equipment - Sure the 5’9” fish goes alright in 2 foot slop, but it is not the board to tackle a massive cyclone swell with. Not to mention the need to ensure your legrope is in good shape with no nicks or cuts. If you know your limits and you can handle it, go for it, the wave of your life could be coming to you, but here on the Gold Coast, you may have a few people to share it with. So, what will the next cyclone be called? Well if it forms in forecasting areas of Australia, we get to name it, but if forms in other waters it is named by the forecasting country’s weather centre. You can even go to the Bureau of Meteorology and add a name to the list. But the next Aussie cyclone will be either Dominic, Dianne, Dylan, Debbie, or Damien. From the eye of the storm come the waves we crave.... Mum where’s me cyclone?
Cyclone swell Images clockwise from top left: looking north from Burleigh into a crazy cyclonic beachie; Snapper Rocks at 3pm on Christmas Day 2011; Lines of cyclone swell steaming into Kirra Point. Images courtesy of Luke Sorensen, Froth magazine www.blankgc.com.au
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BRINGING THE BEACH HOME There’s nothing like a sweet surf, lie on the sand and a chat with your friends for the perfect Gold Coast beach day. But the fun doesn’t have to end there. Bring the beach lifestyle into your home and enjoy the cruisy laidback feeling all day, everyday with Katie Hooper’s summer picks.
A.
C.
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B.
D.
A.
THE BEACH PEOPLE BEACH CART: This beach cart is a must have piece of kit perfect for long summer days at the beach, park, pool - anywhere! $245.00, www.st-barts.com.au
B.
ARTISAN HANDCRAFTED SERVING BOARDS: These serving boards are ideal understated beach chic and the perfect way to dish up your Brie and crackers after a long day in the sun. $44.99, www.lifestylehomeandliving.com.au
C.
VINTAGE SURFBOARDS CUSHION: Who knew Grandma’s blanket could look so good? These retro cushions are vintage blankets hand stitched into works of art with a limited run of each style, and inserts are made from recycled drink bottles! $80.00, www.ecochic.com.au
D.
EAST COAST SURFBOARDS WALL MURAL: When you want to feel like you’re still at the shapers’ slap on this weathered wall mural for instant suburbia uplift. $75.00, www.wallpaperrepublic.com.au
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snapper, cocoa smoked and cured duck breast with beetroot, goats’ chees mousse and chocolate-laced brioche croutons…
BLACK COFFEE LYRICS Upstairs, Centre Arcade, 3131 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise “OMG! I can’t believe I found a place like this!” screeches the young woman at the table beside me. Yes, I’ve got to agree – it’s a bit of a secret, but BCL is one of the coolest places around. It’s so cool that all the stars hang out there. John Lennon and Yoko are there naked in bed, Marilyn Monroe is playing cards with James Dean and Bogie and they’re surrounded by books and more books, posters, photographs, board games, maps, paintings, and did I say books? Board games are piled on one ledge, fake flowers on another. A birdcage overlooks a vintage velvet lounge and casual couches. Behind that there’s an intimate corner you’d have to wedge couples out of, overlooked by more seating at table and chair combos. Wait staff flit around laughing; there’s a relaxed feel to the place that reminds you of a \ neighbourhood joint where everyone hangs out. This is Black Coffee Lyrics by day: funky and alternative, with so much to look at that it’s hard to tear your eyes away. But we’re here to eat! It’s about as smartly dressed as any menu we’ve seen; no surprise that BCL listed near the top
Black Coffee Lyrics
There are still some flashes of a bad boy menu, with gen Y staples of smart pizzas, sassy mouthed pickles and fries, but the menu’s pretty smoking and if you can make it through to dessert, you can enjoy the hot, sexy liquid rush of a Brown Panther, or maybe even an Old Fashioned? Behind the flirting in the smoky night haze there’s Ella Fitzgerald’s husky voice belting out the cafe’s namesake song: “…I walk the floor and watch the door, And in between I drink…” It’s reminiscent of basement black walled cafes and bluesy singers, of whiskey and cigarettes of bygone days, we muse as we down our Mountain Goat beer and sexy Black Coffee Martini. You’ll have to look to find Black Coffee Lyrics, tucked away behind red doors upstairs above the Centre Arcade, but it’s well worth the effort. BCL is the perfect place to get up out of the street bustle, to discover the cool vibe of Surfers Paradise that you hear so little about. Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast http://www.foodgoldcoast.com.au
Canteen Coffee
of The Australian‘s People’s Choice category for the Top 50 Hottest Restaurants in 2012. Weekend breakfasts are a treat with lots of great choices: crepes, Lyric breakfast stack, house made potato rosti with spinach, mushrooms and poached eggs, corn fritters, bent textured funghi (radical name, but the dish sounds fabulous) with fair trade coffee or Byron teas to wash it down. Lunch comes from New York’s urban delis – wholesome comfort food in retro sizes: Brooklyn (pulled pork rolls), Manhattan (wholegrain doorstops loaded with portabella mushrooms, cashew cheese, artichoke tapenade and rocket), Queens (Finely sliced sopresso with provolone and olive tapenade…), Coney Island, Tha Bronx… The really sexy food comes out at night: slinky tapas to make your mouth water, share plates in three sizes such as local seared scallops on a bed of carrot puree, slow-cooked pork belly with house kimchi and pear chutney, Asian-style marinated Mooloolaba tuna, Hervey Bay caramelised
honey sweetness. It is well worth trying your favourite cup, single origin style. I sampled a long black of the house blend, which in comparison to the single origin was light bodied with a more prominent acidity. The piccolo is one of the most popular drinks at Canteen, and it is easy to see why, as the extraction of the coffee and the smooth texture of the milk make for a delightfully sweet and comforting drink. As it was, and often is in our beautiful city, a hot day, I ordered a cold presse coffee, which was consumed far too quickly due to its smooth melt-in-your-mouth-almostchocolatey flavour. Canteen Coffee does takeaways, but if you wish to sit and enjoy your surroundings they have a large outdoor area with various forms of seating including vintage theatre seats. A clear favourite of the locals, it’s not difficult to see why Canteen has become arguably one of the best cafes in the burgeoning Burleigh coffee scene, its popularity skyrocketing with the addition of Canteen Kitchen next door. 4.5/5 coffee cups. Catherine Coburn
Grocer and Grind
CANTEEN COFFEE
GROCER AND GRIND
23 Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads
1 Sunshine Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters
I am NOT a morning person.
“The corner shop’s gone,” I tell my brother by phone.
Like many others who suffer as I do, the only medicine I can take for the affliction is caffeine and where better to drink it up than at Canteen Coffee.
“Shit!” he mutters. “Where am I going to buy my ciggies!”
The ever popular James Street district in Burleigh Heads is home to this hidden gem, where the eager coffee lover needs only to follow their nose through the Big B arcade to reach caffeine heaven. Once there, you will be greeted by knowledgeable staff who are always happy to discuss their house blend or their latest single origin coffee offering, which during my visit was the Kenyan Machure. An espresso of the single origin was a palate sensation with its syrupy texture, floral aroma and Manuka
But this is not bad news at all. Not him losing his ‘fag bag’, but what we’ve gained instead. Gone is the shitty little corner store with packets of chips and $5 fried brekkies. Do a full reno, and welcome to a light and bright health-conscious well-priced boutique eatery - one of the funkiest little cafés in the ‘burbs! This may be Taletha March’s first restaurant, but she knows a thing or two about food, and more importantly, about fresh food, what she likes, and what the market is looking for. Taletha tells me that when she sold Mermaid Fruit Market a year ago, she was going to take a break, but then an opportunity arose which was too good to miss! So, what do you do if you’ve never run a restaurant before? Hire experts, like Matt Webber (ex Head Chef at Alto
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Cucina, Executive Sous Chef at Sofitel’s Room 81 and, more recently, Sous Chef at Araxi in Whistler), fine dining barista and Floor Manager Martin Kralovic, who could charm the socks off your mother-in-law, and wait staff who know what they’re doing. Smart is not the word! Even though the reno’s industrial trendy in brown and copper shades, huge bifold windows open up to the sea breeze and make the most of the light. All the furniture’s custom designed, coffee beans trapped forever in resin tops will never be roasted, tables and chairs trendy but (thank God) comfortable enough to spend a few hours in! There’s an aisle or two of organic groceries, that last minute quinoa you need to add to dinner, a few organic fruit and veg, but move aside - we’re here to relax and eat! It’s hard to choose from the healthy choices on the all day menu (so we’ll have to return): breakfasts featuring eggs, super greens and quinoa (some including lamb/bacon/salmon/ chorizo), salads, burgers and open sandwiches, as well as a tapas menu which we use as a light lunch. Beef up any of the meals with the addition of meat, seafood or extra vegies and the guys will come away satisfied. There’s a ‘Reboot Bar’ for freshly made juices (enjoy ‘Morning Glory’ or maybe just ‘Mint To Be’) and know that your Grinders coffee’s served with organic milk but still only $3.80 - $4. As I said, smart as! Only open a few days, by 8am the line’s already backed up to the door. And they’re not there for the ciggies! Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast http://www.foodgoldcoast.com.au
HELLENIKA 2235 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach I abhor table turning. My theory is that if I am paying good money for good food in a good restaurant then I should be able to enjoy it at my leisure and not feel rushed. No one likes to be just a number and dine at a place that is seen to be ‘cashing in’. During my years in London I openly rejected any restaurant that practiced table turning, no matter how fantastically they were rated. I know that the truly amazing restaurants of the world don’t set a time limit on perfection and enjoyment. However on the Gold Coast there are so few truly wonderful restaurants, and it was during the hustle and bustle of Christmas, so I forgave Hellenika this time and took my husband, sister and her fiancé there for a stand-out Gold Coast meal. It seems that Simon Gloftis, visionary and owner of Hellenika can do no wrong. He keeps on hitting the nail on the head with every successful food venture he attempts. I have never rated Greek food before but Hellenika has changed my beliefs – I now know that real Greek food is full of variety, flavour and passion.
At the behest of friends we ordered the $55 banquet. Banquets have never held any appeal for me as meagre quantities of food are drip fed out in belittled quality. Again, Hellenika excelled. Not even halfway through the incredibly generous banquet we were already struggling with the immense portions being offered. Our appetite was firstly whet with taramasalata and village bread, followed by an incredible grilled sheep’s milk cheese – the ultimate in grilled cheese! Next came some very fresh and delicate calamari and then divine salted pork belly with perfectly cooked leeks – a winning combination. At this point we had a break in the proceedings to let the starters go down before a whole snapper was brought to the table with a sensational lemon and mustard sauce and expertly deboned in front of us, served with a village salad. Last for the savoury food was the piece de résistance: slow baked Junee lamb shoulder – a house speciality and with good reason, the lamb falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. With an extensive Greek and ‘Alternative Regions’ wine list, we washed the incredible meal down with a heavenly bottle of French Delas ‘St Esprit’ Cotes-du-Rhone and a wellrounded glass of Eden Rd Pinot Noir from the ACT. It was also refreshing to find a venue that places stock in a quality mocktail. A mix of fresh pineapple, lime, ginger and chilli was the perfect accompaniment to a hot stormy summer’s eve. The meal rounded off with watermelon, dried figs, stunning Turkish delight and super sweet baklava and mini cakes. And although I didn’t believe it could be done, our banquet was easily done and dusted in the 1hour 45minutes allocated to our table without feeling rushed. With a waiting list running out the door be sure to book ahead at this extremely popular Nobby Beach restaurant and definitely pre-order the lamb-shoulder, you’ll be glad you did! I know I’m already anticipating my next meal there! Katie Hooper
Filling little bellies from early 2014
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Delicious whole foods to feed your children’s body and soul at their next party or function
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The Bluff Cafe
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www.facebook.com/HumbugFoods
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● coffee ● juice ● smoothie ● tapas ● pizza Proudly supporting local artists Friday evenings 6pm - 9pm Sunday afternoons 3pm - 6pm Phone 55 766 333 66 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads Open everyday from 7am until late
He’s experimenting with vegan sauces: red onion glaze as vibrant and rich as a great jus, vegan aioli made from cashew cream and coconut sugar... He brings them for us to try as well as a couple of luscious raw desserts which seal the deal.
ASHY’S CLEAN EATING KITCHEN 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach Ashy Bines – the name divides our nation, (particularly women). Haven’t heard it? Never mind, you soon will, so listen up.
Who knows what inventions will come out of Craig’s kitchen! It’s a truly exciting journey which we’ll eagerly follow.
Gold Coaster Ashy Bines - just turned 24, along with fiancé Steve Evans, is offering to transform your life. Together they have swept clean group training (to become the largest group trainer in Australia), online diet systems (Ashy’s Clean Eating Plan & Ashy’s Bikini Body Challenge), gathering in their wake a huge social media following via Facebook, Twitter and online forums. Their latest venture is a ‘clean eating’ café to support the soon to open ‘Transformation Centre’ (January 2014), the ultimate in holistic life management centres. It’s the café which has drawn our attention. Balancing the followers (who opponents label ‘Ashybots’) is an equally fervent band of critics, leading to a verbal and written cat fight: stinging attacks on both Ashy and her diet plan, met by equally strident defence from her followers. But remember our promise to you, dear readers, that we would seek out ‘great food, great value’ dining experiences on the coast, putting aside any preconceptions, to bring you as unbiased a story as possible. So we venture out to the café, eyes wide open, to comment only on the food. Undaunted by ‘Secret Women’s Business’, the Main Squeeze accompanies me. Farmer by derivation, his version of salad is “I only eat vegetarian cows; they’ve eaten the grass for me already!” So how well will he cope with the raw/vegan focus? The café is a breath of fresh air. Open on several sides, it’s a luminous beachy space decked out in white furniture, timber bench seats around the perimeter strewn with bright highlight cushions. Its ‘women power’ lime, purple and white are light years away from the hippie ‘in need of a good wash’ vegetarian experience you may encounter elsewhere. It’s casual and laid back with free power and wifi encouraging people to hang out. Diners are dotted around us, almost as many men as women; girls enjoying a light lunch, guys on a break, couples, families with young children and even older European tourists. Not a bikini in sight, not even on the cut-out new promotional image of Ashy near the front counter.
There are plans afoot to develop the takeaway side of the business, to conduct raw food classes, and to franchise the café later on. While I may not be a convert of the whole box and dice transformation deal or its branding, when I consider that some alternative food offerings include ‘a lump of meat, limp lettuce, tasteless tomato and half a plate of chips’ meals or worse, Ashy’s presents a far more healthy, preferable alternative.
Ashy’s Clean Eating Kitchen Now that’s a real ‘tick the box’ menu; well priced at $5 - $14 for breakfast and $10 - $17 for lunch. But how does the food taste?
I think it would be a shame if, in criticising aspects of Ashy’s programs (justified or not), we overlook the strength and value of this venture, which aims to make healthy eating not only possible, but convenient and easy. Surely that aim alone is worth supporting! Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast http://www.foodgoldcoast.com.au
As usual it’s a race to photograph the Main Squeeze’s meal before he tucks in: Roast vegies with a side of Lamb Backstrap (which he thoroughly enjoys), and for me a Raw Pad Thai salad of vegies, coconut, seeds, nuts and fresh spices, smothered in a lime and citrus soy dressing. Packed with flavour it’s a meal which satisfies. The drinks are also a standout: fresh smoothies from the juice bar or a coffee ‘as you like’, mine with freshly made almond milk which is a knockout for a first timer. (For all those ‘non-soy’ people out there it’s smooth and delicious; not to be confused with processed nut milks.) We’re lingering and chatting as Chef Craig takes a seat beside us. We continue the conversation about food philosophy, culinary journeys and even future adventures. “My passion came from watching my dad, who was really sick (dying, in fact) having to eat dreadful hospital food. I became acutely aware that the best medicine is what goes into your mouth!”
To run the café, there’s a team of passionate experts: Tumbulgum chef Craig Scott (owner of Tumby Sauce Company and Drift Café), Rochelle Cook (widely followed on Chelle’s Raw Food Kitchen) and partner Paul Holland, who ably manages front of house.
My mind ticks over with images of what ‘fast food’ is doing to us internally and I feel nauseated. No surprise that the latest research confirms that junk food depresses us (Courier-Mail 26 Nov.2013 p.12). Even looking at the ‘golden arches’ (or a plate of glistening chips) reminds me: fast food, fast lives, fast track to...
One look at the menu promises a fair range of dishes, which we learn contain no refined sugar or preservatives, dairy or wheat; dishes are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, mostly raw cuisine with additional sides of chicken, fish, lamb, roast vegies, rice and quinoa to please diners. Tweek things a bit and it’s also a neat Paleo fit! Moreover, it’s all made in house.
“It’s so good,” Craig tells us, “to work in a place where you don’t have to worry about what’s going into the food,” referring of course to the freshness and ‘cleanliness’ of all the products making up this menu. “We also source as many products from local producers as we can to keep food miles down.”
Helping communities achieve sustainability goals...
• marketing & communication • event management • grant writing & sponsorship • training & facilitation • campaign development • project management
We don’t have a work/life balance. We just have a life. www.wombatcreative.com.au www.blankgc.com.au
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been there done that SHOWING UP FOR SHARKS Is there a single beach-goer who does not at some point during their splash, consider the horror of a ferocious finned confrontation? If yes, good for you. Personally, I am happy to go running scared every outing that I am overcome by my irrational fear for these majestic creatures. Irrational broken down by the dictionary, I assume reads, does not exist, stupid and wimpy. I am that guy. I stride out the back of my apartment and go confidently into the water at least five times a week. Four of these outings end early because the irrational fear has won. I can try all I want to logically brief myself. How I am more likely to lose a leg due to a falling helicopter on the day I win the lottery than get bitten by a shark. I do try and I fail. Last week I was a proud speck in the crowd at Justin’s Park Burleigh. I was there to stand up for sharks. The creatures which torment my daily recreational splashings. I honestly love and respect these dinosaurs. I, and I’m sure, most of you, had the announcements come through social media feeds. “Sharks of more than three metres to be caught, shot and dumped at sea”. Surely something could be done. By me, the fool who runs from the water as kids go barrelling in on their boogie-boards. I wanted to do something and thanks to Sea Sheperd, I could. It’s a sweltering hot day. The crowd is humble at first. There is a small line up to sign the petition. I imagine it reads “Dear Mr Barnett (premiere of WA). Please don’t be a small minded, pig-headed douche and leave the f*cking sharks alone!” No doubt more delicately presented, but you catch the drift. I sit with some friends and meet some fresh ones. We chat gaily about Sea Shepherd, the motives of that Premier from the west and about the hot chicks who also think it’s a good day to make a stand for the sharks. I’m loving it! I don’t even notice that my water bottle is keeping my beverage at thermos levels. I decide that it’s best not to procrastinate too long. Time to get off my backside and sign the damn petition. I look behind and see the line has turned into a mob. Shit. Before my heart sinks too low the crowd is called to the water for a photo-shoot demonstration type performance. Sounds awesome.
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I get three steps from the shore. It begins, that lousy irrational fear dialogue. “What if I get bitten by a shark? I know they can get you in less than two feet of water.” Sigh. The crowd cheers, the cameras click and the bikini’s bounce. Done and done. Congratulations Gold Coast. And more importantly, with a sneaky pat on the back. Well done me. I got here. I stood for the sharks. At a personal level, today was certainly not just about the sharks. It wasn’t even about making a difference. It was about being there. It was about being with others who were there. If your community leaders decide that this coming weekend, they have a plan. They have a plan and you believe the plan is shit. Go to that place where others go to stand and call it. Democracy is a doing word. Today I did. Thanks to everyone who spread the word and made it happen. Rant over. Andrew Scott
BETTER GET A LAWYER OWL. BETTER GET A REAL GOOD ONE When nine boobook owls arrived at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital around the same time, logic told wildlife veterinarian Michael Pyne that habitat destruction was mostly to blame. The owls nest in old trees with hollows, so it was far more likely to be chainsaws or bulldozers than storms that caused their distress. The boobooks didn’t come from one place, their homes were as far afield as the Sunshine Coast and New South Wales. But they were all brought in by people who share a strong compassion for living things. Dr Pyne is a pragmatist, he knows development can’t stop, but he is part of the Australian society’s machinery that protects nature’s creatures when they are most vulnerable. The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is another part of that machinery. It provides free legal aid on environmental issues. When habitat is destroyed, people find boobook owl nestlings on the ground, they find koalas wandering lost on sporting ovals, they find whales and dolphins injured by boatstrikes, pollution or entanglements. If you are concerned that a new development is a danger to threatened species or ecosystems, there might be a legal recourse. The Environmental Defender’s Office in your state will help you decipher environmental planning by-laws and legislation. They’ll point out the pertinent clauses in the legislation, and the relevant laws and precedents. With their free legal advice and 20 years of experience advising communities, you can make more than an emotional appeal. You can give trees, plants and animals a voice that is a command not a whine. The Abbott government, however, just wielded the proverbial axe to the EDO and cut all its Federal funding in December. Every EDO office in every state was stripped of the Federal money that they have relied on for 20 years. It’s a double blow to the Queensland EDO because it also lost its state funding recently under the Newman government. Ouch. The Queensland office will no longer be able to help community environment groups on the Gold Coast the way it did in the past, Principle Solicitor of the Queensland EDO office, Jo-Anne Bragg, said.
“Not unless we get some large donations so we can sustain ourselves, pay the rent, keep our office open,” Ms Bragg said. “So far we have not let go any staff however we are still counting the donations coming in to decide what to do,” she said. “We need both large and small donations so this valuable service may survive. In the US a public interest law office called Earth Justice survives on donations and we plan to be like them if enough support is shown by the community.” Lois Levy is the former head of Gecko - Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council. Gecko has used the EDO hundreds of times since the EDO started in 1995, she said. For two decades the EDO has provided community groups on the Gold Coast with legal advice, training on what legislation and new zoning legislation means and how it will affect people, legal representation in courts and up-to-date information on changes in legislation, she said. The Abbott government’s EDO cuts “create a lack of equity in the legal system,” Ms Levy said. “It’s an attack on democracy.” Queensland Greens Senator and Australian Greens Environment Spokesperson, Larissa Waters was an EDO lawyer for nine years in Brisbane. “I experienced firsthand how grateful community members were for this much-needed legal support,” Ms Waters said. “During my time at the Queensland EDO, I worked on the landmark Nathan Dam case, which established that development approvals must consider downstream environmental impacts not just those on the site,” the Queensland Senator said. “The Abbott and Newman governments are trying to silence the community and let the big end of town get away with anything they want, even where they’re irreparably damaging environmental assets and the sustainable industries they support,” Senator Waters said. Labor Senator for Tasmania and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney General, Lisa Singh, said the Abbott government’s attack on the EDO was an ideological attack. “The long term consequences of these cuts on communities will be brutal creating an access to justice crisis,” Senator Singh said.
Kelvin Thomson who is a naturalist as well as the Federal Labor Minister for Willis in Victoria said he was not speaking for Labor but he personally supports the reinstatement of the funding because the work of the EDO offices is “extremely important”. “They [EDOs] are one of the reasons why Australia’s record of environment protection, though far from perfect, is superior to that of some other countries around the world,” Mr Thomson said. “There is a lot of valuable legislation in the EPBC Act, but its value is diminished if particular Ministers or Governments are unwilling to enforce it, and then EDOs become essential to protecting the environment. Even sympathetic Ministers can appreciate the work of EDOs, which can provide useful guidance, or second and third opinions on issues.” As for the Gold Coast, the Newman Government has opened up National Parks such as Springbrook World Heritage Area for commercial use and is about to release a new planning scheme that could open up areas of high conservation value for residential use. The changes could affect boobooks and threatened species like koalas that are in the sights of two deadly killers – disease and habitat destruction. Gecko’s Lois Levy said the Environmental Defenders Office would normally run a workshop for Gold Coast community groups on how to make submissions to this new planning act, but the EDO hasn’t got the money to do it. “EDO will not be able to continue to run workshops on the Gold Coast. If EDO is gone, then it strengthens developers chances to flatten valuable bushland by influencing changes to the planning laws that fail to respect the natural environment,” Queensland EDO’s principle solicitor said. With wildlife needing as much help as it can get, the hole in services is not good news. Consider the boobooks at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Or think of the 250-300 koalas the hospital (that by the way has no state or federal funding) treated last year, a huge number compared to 27 in 2008. Those koalas and boobooks don’t just need a vet. They need a lawyer. Better be a real good one.
Mic Smith
www.blankgc.com.au
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SKATING FOR WHALES It was the longest day of the year. And for Gold Coaster Dylan Dhamu and his Toowoomba based mate, Ben Smith it was the end to an incredibly long week. We caught up with the lads, their family and Sea Shepherd’s Gold Coast Chapter to celebrate the end of a massive fundraising effort. On Sunday 22 December, Dylan Dhamu and Ben Smith skated into welcoming arms and a television news crew at Burleigh after completing the mother of all road trips to raise funds for Sea Shepherd. Bondi to Burleigh. Eight days of skating. Powered only by foot. “We left Bondi on Sunday,” Dylan said. “We went pretty hard on the first day but the second and third days were the hardest – that’s when our muscles started to tighten up.” On the first night after 13 hours of skating and holed up in Gosford, the lads posted a Facebook update which hinted at their exhaustion “this was way bigger than it looked on the map!” Ben, father to a seven month old baby, was nervous about not making it home for his son’s first Christmas. “We only had one way back,” he said. “I’m over the moon… so glad to be home.” The fundraising skate was the brainchild of Dylan. Ben saw his post on Facebook and figured he’d need company. “I’m knackered,” Dylan said. “It was a big trip.” “We don’t actually know the exact distance we skated because we had to go in and out of towns.”
“this was way bigger than it looked on the map” “The longest distance we’d skated before was probably like Burleigh to north Burleigh,” he laughs. “We totally winged it. We only bought our boards two days before we flew out.” The men faced cuts, scrapes, grazes and bruises, swollen ankles and feet and had ice baths every night. “We warmed up with Deep Heat in the mornings,” Dylan said. They also encountered massive trucks that sometimes got a little close for comfort. “You do get used to it,” Dylan said. “It’s a bit scary, but you get used to it.” “One day we had to skate 160km. We got to a town where there were no motels and we weren’t going back, so we had to keep skating.” The two men were joined by fellow skaters from Byron for the last day’s leg. Byron, Jake and Odin met up with Dylan
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and Ben to help chew through those last 75kms. “I’m cramping up everywhere,” Byron said. “And we only skated 75kms.” “I can understand why their ankles are swollen.” Those three lads also commented on the trucks. “We’re skating there, and there are trucks flying 30cm away from your face. It’s pretty intense,” they said. Dylan and Ben raised more than $2000 for Sea Shepherd’s Operation Relentless which left Hobart for Antarctic waters just a few days before the skaters arrived in Burleigh. Stephanie Ashton-Walters, Coordinator Sea Shepherd’s Gold Coast Chapter was understandably moved by the boys’ skating efforts. “Dylan and Ben covered more than 900km on skateboards with no assistance,” she said. “We actually think they might have set a record.” The $2000 raised is going to Sea Shepherd Australia to be used immediately for campaigning, refuelling and other costs associated with their direct action efforts in the Southern Ocean. “This is Sea Shepherd’s tenth campaign to Antarctica,” Stephanie said. “Our objective is to stop illegal whaling in Australia’s International Waters. We have laws in place, but there is no legal enforcement.” Sea Shepherd’s Gold Coast Chapter is one of 12 around the nation. The local group has more than 50 members that participate in a range of local fundraising activities. More information is available by contacting goldcoast@seashepherd.org.au. Dylan and Ben were supported by Darkside who provided discounted skateboards and by Hueys who helped out with clothing. Which looked particularly well worn when they rolled in to Burleigh.
FANNING REIGNITES BATTLE FOR KIRRA
HANG 5: GREENING YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Protest paddle out Sunday 19 January at North Kirra / Bilinga, 10.00am Save Our Southern Beaches Alliance has called for people to join a peaceful paddle out protest to oppose the $2 billion proposed development at Kirra. The proposal is for an ocean terminal and casino and the Alliance’s efforts to oppose the development have gained momentum since the proponent gained media attention a few weeks ago. Both surfing and non surfing community groups will amass on the beach on Sunday 19 January in what could be the largest demonstration yet seen on the Gold Coast since the Australia Day paddle out in 2009. That rally was to protest
the loss of the iconic Kirra Point break and attracted 1500 paddlers and 5000 on the beach. World Professional Surfing Champion and avid Kirra campaigner Mick Fanning is opposed to the development and is leading the call for community protest. “Everyone who is concerned about the cruise ship terminal, please show up and have your voice heard. This is a community stand, so if you surf or just enjoy the beach as it is, let’s make a statement,” Fanning said. Joel Parkinson has also joined the call asking people to make their voice heard.
The famous Kirra Point barrel, one of the best Point Breaks in the World. Image courtesy of Andrew Shields.
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Take a reusable water bottle Bottled water is one of the greatest enviro tragedies in a generation. You have no excuse. Take your own bottle. Or buy a bottle on arrival. But keep it. Every Australian music festival offers water refill stations. Use them.
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Bin your butt If you still smoke, the best thing you can do for the environment is stop. But if that’s not an option, never ever every throw your butt on the ground. Say there are 2000 smokers at a festival. Who each smoke 20 cigarettes a day. Over three days. That’s more than 100,000 durry butts left behind. Bin your butt.
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Pick up after yourself What the hell happens to people at music festivals? There are plenty of bins. So why is it all of a sudden OK to leave your trash on the ground? It’s not OK guys. Pick it up. Put it in the bin.
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Consume less stuff Each take away meal, each piece of merch, every drink. It’s all just stuff. When you consume less stuff, you consume less of the resources it takes to transport, construct, cook, heat, cool, trash, recycle or dispose of that stuff. Minimalism is the new green.
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Car pool Thankfully most festivals with poor transport infrastructure now have this sussed, charging people who don’t car pool a premium fee to arrive by car. For both Splendour and Falls Festivals, if you arrive with four people in your car, you get your $30-a-day car pass fee refunded. Get organised and get your money back. Bingo for the planet. Samantha Morris
www.blankgc.com.au
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GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY: THE GREEN BEHIND THE GOLD Want to learn more about our beautiful Gold Coast environment or get involved in projects to protect and conserve? Melanie Brennan from BlueBee Consulting has put together a bunch of ideas for you. Boomerang Bags are recycled bags soon coming to Burleigh Heads. Rise Above Plastics, Surfrider Foundation and Yeskandoo need people to join their sewing circle to make re-usable bags, can you help? Contact Jordyn on 0425 345 066 if you’re keen to be involved. Tour Burleigh Headland, known as Jellurgal, and gain insight into the spirituality and society of the Yugambeh Aboriginal people. Contact Jellurgal Cultural Centre for daily tours www.jellurgal.com.au. Nature by night spotlight walk at David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh. Thursday 16 January, 6.45 – 9.15pm. Contact Jennifer Lanyon 3512 2300. Coolangatta Beachcare dune planting and beachology session for kids. Saturday 18 January, 9.00 – 11.00am. Wear enclosed shoes, a hat and sunscreen and meet at the beach end of Warner Street. More info 5552 28829 or 0414 762 374. Springbrook spotlight walk at Springbrook National Park. Friday 24 January, 7.00 - 8.30pm. Contact Jennifer Lanyon 3512 2300. Tugun Beachcare pre-Australia Day beach clean up and dune planting. Saturday 25 January, 9.00 – 11.00am. Wear enclosed shoes, a hat and sunscreen and meet at the beach end of Wagawn Street. More info 5552 28829 or 0414 762 374.
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Burleigh to Surfers Landcare Launch and Beachcare Introduction, Saturday 1 February, 9.00 – 10.00am. Meet the crew and find out plans for the dune restoration site at North Burleigh. BBQ brunch provided. Meet at Mick Schamburg Park at the end of Kelly Ave, North Burleigh. www.btslandcare.org.au. Elanora Wetlands Bushcare, Tuesday 4 February, 8.00 – 10.00am. Be part of the Elanora Wetlands Bushcare Group and help restore 3ha of wetland along Tallebudgera Creek. Learn about native wetland plants and animals and how to look after them. Meet at the wetland entry - at end of Tallebudgera Drive, turn right into the bitumen lane and then left under the Pacific Motorway. Contact Rose Adams at Gecko for more information 5534 1412. Tarrabora Reserve Bushcare, Saturday 8 February, 8.00 – 9.00am. Join the Tarrabora Bushcare Group and help look after one of the few natural low-lying, predominantly open forest areas fringing a popular beach. Learn about weed management and coastal bushland conservation. Meet at Tarrabora Reserve on the north bank of Currumbin Estuary bounded by the creek, the Gold Coast Highway and the Palm Beach Parklands. Contact Rose Adams at Gecko for more information 5534 1412. To list your eco event, contact mel@bluebeeconsulting.com.au.
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT GROUPS
Sunday 9 February, 7 The Avalon, Avalon Parade, Miami Cost $140 inc GST, refreshments provided Numbers limited and all resources included 9.30am – 2.00pm ore information sam wom atcreative.com.au am has ears e perience writing grants for a range of communit sectors and is a da hand at usting through the jargon so that ou understand e actl what funders are looking for and the est wa to write an application. his workshop is interactive and hands on and participants are encouraged to ring either half wri en su missions guidelines and forms for grants the re keen to target or half aked ideas that need shaping into projects which will win funds and in uence panels.
www.wombatcreative.com.au
fringe dweller
T h e M ind C e ntre
THE HEALTHY BED They say that there are a few things in life you should spend good money on, with a bed and shoes being chief amongst them, “if you’re not in one, you’re in the other”. After years of overseas and then rental living we finally bought our own house… and this meant one thing… a king size bed! We had been lusting after one for the longest time. And with the addition of a space stealing toddler and another on the way we knew we had to size up if we ever wanted to sleep soundly again. So with that saying chief in my mind I set out to buy the best bed I could get. Our budget was decent. We figured a good bed should last us 10 years. Break ten years into 365 day portions and we figured for $1 a night we should be able to sleep sublimely.
And the research started. Latex, innerspring, memory foam, futon. Ensemble, solid base, slatted base, drawers underneath. Wood, metal, fabric. Was there anything simple about bed buying? Perhaps one of the best pieces of advice I found concerned the length of time you have to lie on a bed to try it out, 27 minutes is the golden figure. Anything less and you may be faced with buyer’s remorse! We spend a third of our lives in bed yet most of us don’t give it a second thought. The average mattress contains hordes of bacteria, fungi, dust mites and mould in lethal proportions as well as petrochemicals, solvents, formaldehydes and other chemical cocktails. Add to this fact that generally people will be fastidious about the cleanliness of the rest of their house but never clean their actual mattress and we are sleeping in a revolting, unhealthy environment. Not forgetting of course the denizen of chemicals used to get your cotton or bamboo sheets so soft and brightly coloured. Plus the fire retardant chemicals that douse your mattress and we are soaking up a toxic time bomb which is constantly off-gassing that can lead to chronic illness, allergies, asthma and worse. So our hunt for a truly ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ bed began. I realise Australia is in its infancy when it comes to clean living but the number of products out there is pitifully low. We eventually settled on a natural latex mattress (not all latex is created equal – do your research!), with a wool topper (there is our fire retardant), organic cotton sheets, latex pillows, and a wool doona. The bed base was where our grand plans nearly came undone. NO-ONE on the market makes a truly attractive, natural base. So I sent Mr off to create one! Using some untreated pine, nails not glue, and a no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds – read up next month in Blank) paint then we were set!
Psych ology & C ounse lling: ● D epression ● A nxi ety ● D ivorce ● Grief & L oss ● A ddictions ● PTSD ● A nger M anagement ● R elationship C ounselling ● Sexu al/ Physical A b use ● C hildhood Trauma ● M edico-L egal R eports ● Forensic Psychology Services H ypnoth e rapy: ● W eight loss ● I nsomnia
● Stop Smoki ng ● Stress
M e ditation C lasse s h e ld e v e ry M onday e v e ning at 6 pm .
PH: 0 7 560 8 4 1 4 8 E : info@ themindcentre. com. au 4 9 South Bay D rive, V arsity L ake s Q L D w w w . th e m indce ntre . com . au
We now have a bed that is hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, dust-mite resistant, breathable, warmer in winter, cooler in summer and without plastics, adhesives, solvents, flame-retardants, formaldehyde and electromagnetics (which are known to cause a myriad of disorders I could do without). Now I can truly agree with Napoleon Bonaparte who said, ‘The bed has become a place of luxury to me! I would not exchange it for all the thrones in the world’. But I would also add, I can now sleep easy knowing that I’m healthier for it too. Katie Hooper www.blankgc.com.au
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