Blank GC Edition 6

9 April ‘14

free

CLOUD CONTROL

HEAVEN’S UNPLUGGED HARMONIES issue #006

MUSIC

Cloud Control Claire Anne Taylor Lane Harry Lyon Apprentice

CULTURE

How to write funny Miss Universe March in March Next to Normal

MUSIC

Elliott The Bull Darren Middleton Tuesday’s Good White Lodge

ENVIRO

Is the Reef lost?

Responsible Runners Hilton bans shark fins

FOOD

Vegetarian hang 10 Ze Pickle Mavis’s Corner Espresso Acai

Proudly Suppor ted by

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#006 9 APRIL 2014 Editor: Samantha Morris Design: Chloe Popa, Blunt Pencil Design Music coordinator: Mella Bunker Distribution: Melanie Brennan Advertising: Amanda Gorman & Melanie Brennan Environment editor: Mic Smith Cover story: Jake Wilton Photographer: Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography Contributors Katie Hooper, Andrew Scott, Salvador Emilio Cantellano, Emily Hosking, Pip Andreas, Terry “Tappa� Teece, Marj Osborne, Mic Smith, Naomi Edwards, Keiren Bond, Gina Martin, Kyle Butcher, James N Dowie, Jake Wilton, Anthony Gebhardt, Christie Ots, Samantha Morris, Michael Tobin, Nev Pearce, Tari Peterson.

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.

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Gin on my mind In our last edition we plugged Baltimore Gin Club and talked about how utterly wonderful they are. But you’ll be disappointed if you head to Baltimore expecting to drink in the wonder of gin. We screwed up. Baltimore Gun Club are where the fun is at. Gun. Not gin. They just played The Loft on Thursday 3 April and are set to do other great things this year. We’re sorry about the error in their name.

Sex lies and pregnancy tests The girls of Babushka divulge tales of love, lust and longing in a performance that includes full-blown operatic arias, cabaret tearjerkers and pop gems. Babushka Live and Intimate: Sex Lies and Pregnancy Tests hits the Arts Centre Gold Coast on Saturday 26 April.

Single and tour for Mar Haze Sydney surf rockers Mar Haze have graced stages alongside Ash Grunwald and The Beautiful Girls and played slots at Peats Ridge, Festival of the Sun and the Australian Surf Open. And last month they released a new single and announced an east coast tour. The single Leave it to me is available online and in stores and their tour takes in Gold Coast (Loft, 30 May) and Byron Bay (Brewery, 31 May).

Celebrate Surfers Surfers Paradise Festival is on right now. With a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment and cultural delights, you must get down to the beach to see what’s going on. Surf, Seafood & Symphony is on Saturday 12 April and the Australian Street Entertainment Championships run Friday 18 through Monday 21 April. There’s a short film festival, as well as One Way Street Party on Saturday 26 April. This street party features an incredible lineup of local and visiting artists including Stonefield, The Vernons, The High Grade, Bree De Rome, Lyon Apprentice and Hussy Hicks.

Nadia Sunde stoking Gold Coast’s Fire She won the Queensland Music Award, and now with her band Distinguished Gentlemen, she’s launching a new album. Nadia Sunde brings Stoking the Fire to the Gold Coast on Saturday 12 April with a performance at Arts Centre Gold Coast. Details at theartscentregc.com.

Council wants more street parties City of Gold Coast is calling on residents to throw parties.

It’s true – getting to know your neighbours has all sorts of benefits to society so council is making street parties easier to organise. Local residents can apply to the City for $100 in vouchers to help with casual, grassroots gatherings. There’s also a kit to download which includes invitations, registration form and a checklist and Council even has an activity bag with outdoor games and equipment to help with the bonding. Applications for funding close 30 May and more information is at cityofgoldcoast.com.au/meetourstreet or 5581 6642.

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Reyne lights up the GC James Reyne was a member of Australian Crawl for seven years, releasing four studio albums in five frenetic years in the ’80s. He’s been a solo artist for the past 28 years though, releasing eight studio albums, plus two acoustic collections, a covers album and two live albums. And now he’s stopping in at the Gold Coast for a little sing-a-long. He’s at Twin Towns on Thursday 24 April.

Lismore represented at Canadian Music Week Lismore based The Black Lullaby are joining an esteemed group of Aussie artists to be showcased at Canadian Music Week. Along with some of the best musicians from around the world, they’ll head to Canada with City and Colour, M.I.A, Tegan and Sara, You Am I and tonnes of others. The only catch is, they have to pay their own way – travel and accommodation – for the whole week. So, as creative musicians the world over do – they’re throwing a party to raise the funds. It all goes down Sunday 12 April from lunchtime at a beautiful farm in northern NSW. You can also donate online. Gofundme.com/theblacklullaby or 0437 040 969.

Massive lineup for Gympie Gympie Music Muster has unveiled a lineup which includes every single Golden Guitar winner from this year’s Country Music Awards. The massive event, which takes place at Amamoor from 28 – 31 August features Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, The McClymonths, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Josh Pyke, Bob Evans, The Viper Creek Band, Hat Fitz & Cara, Mason Rack Band, Dan Hannaford and scores more. It’s one of Australia’s favourite camping and music festivals and you can get all the details at www.muster.com.au.

Slim Jim Phantom

Slim Jim Phantom rocks Cooly Australia’s biggest 50s and 60s nostalgia festival lands on the coast 30 May – 9 June and organisers have just made their first music announcement. Cooly Rocks On will see hundreds of retro market and craft stalls, vintage styled food and a crowd of some 80,000 people. Slim Jim Phantom and his psychobilly band Fireballs will headline the festival.

They’ve smashed out 4 cult records and have wowed crowds across the globe. Get all the details at coolyrockson.com.

Lilly Rouge drops new EP Lilly Rouge has announced their fourth release, due in May. Welcome Your Addiction will be a new feather in this busy outfit’s cap – 2014 has already seen the band support The Getaway Plan and Wendy Icon at Thriller in Brisbane and they’ve also been added to the Wallapalooza bill for June.

First single In Denial is due out soon and front woman Lilly has been busy in the studio perfecting the four piece’s latest release. It’s due out 9 May.

Comedy in The Basement So many options for comedy on the Gold Coast – but The Arts Centre has two stand out options for stand up over the next couple of weks. Tahir is a Logie-nominated performer and is best known for his character Habit in SBS’ Pizza series. He performs Friday 25 April. Doug Chappel has headlined every major comedy club in Australia and he’s performing Friday 2 May. Get all the details at theartscentregc.com.au.

Von Villians

Cooly Fest for Anzac Day Here’s another epic lineup being brought together just for you on Anzac Day. Kicking off at 6.00pm on Friday 25 April, Cooly Fest will feature Von Villains, The Upskirts, Jimmy The Saint And The Sinners, Sons of the Morning, Dead Books and Black Palms, all at the Cooly Hotel.

Hanson’s anthems You may have thought it was an April Fool’s joke. But it’s not.

Hanson, that pop-rock trio who brought us MMMBop in the late 90s are back. Their new album Anthem has just been

released digitally to coincide with the Australian leg of their world tour. They’re visiting The Cooly on 6 August. And ummm, they’re not boys any more.

The Upskirts

Mind’s a burden for The Upskirts It’s been dubbed ‘an aural explosion of musical brilliance’, so we’re thrilled that The Upskirts are bringing their new single to The Cooly. Mind’s A Burden is set to be the band’s most accomplished track to date, bearing the fruit of a weekend in a creaky fibro in Sydney’s Blue Mountains. The Upskirts are developing a reputation as a solid live band and have recently played with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Dune Rats, Wolf & Cub and The Rubens. Mind’s A Burden is out 11 April and the band plays Cooly Hotel for Cooly Fest 25 April.

Surfing for sarcoma awareness The annual Sarcoma Surf Tag Team Event is expected to attract more than 120 surfers from Queensland and Northern NSW. The event raises funds for Hannah’s Chance Foundation, who focus on raising funds and awareness for sarcoma cancer. The tag team competition takes place 5 – 6 July at Cabarita and Pacific SLSC and between 500 and 1000 people are expected to attend.

More at hannahschoicefoundation.org.au.

Blues on Broadbeach festival

help wrap up the uni’s 25th anniversary and it’s a free, family friendly gig. In just four years, Saskwatch have gone from busking on the streets of Melbourne to gracing the world’s biggest stages including a set at Glastonbury. It’s no surprise that they’re finally visiting the GC then. Catch them at the ADCO Amphitheatre on Sunday 18 May from 1.00pm with Onyx Reign supporting.

The glow of bustling creativity Illuminate your senses at the City’s first ever digital arts event – Glow – with animation, projection, glow yoga and interactive gaming. The event takes place at Evandale Parklands on Saturday 12 April from 5.00pm. As well as watching the first ever lakeside water and laser spectacular, you can plan to arrive in style with a free water shuttle trip to the venue from the Cavill Avenue pontoon. Other activities include an illuminated bar and food area, live music, short films and sculpture walk.

Details at cityofgoldcoast.com.au/glow.

Our highest and longest lunch We all love Fridays. And we all love long lunches. So when we heard Q1 was putting on the city’s longest and highest lunch, we were already champing at the bit. It goes down Friday 11 April and costs $89 per person for three course meal, drinks and entertainment. Details at 07 5582 2700.

Liquid combines art, ocean For one night only, an exhibition of local art hits The Cave in Nobby Beach. It will feature the work of a group of artists whose passion for the ocean is evident in what they produce with their hearts and hands. Liquid takes place Saturday 26 April from 7.00pm and entry is by gold coin donation.

Buskers festival shapes up Gold Coast’s first festival focused entirely on the art of busking hits town, 18 – 19 October. Energy Entertainments, combining kung fu, fire and dance and Un Dia Antes a fiery flamenco foursome are on the bill. Party band The Titanix are adapting their stage show with stand-up paddleboards and a diverse lineup of singer / songwriters so far includes Dan Hannaford, Eleea Navarro, Eilish Ellen and Pinksta. The festival takes place at Winders Park, Currumbin and talented buskers are still being sought.

Contact talent@buskersbythecreek.com.au.

Bluesfest

Guitar tribute to Blues: Broadbeach Just when you thought Blues on Broadbeach Festival couldn’t get any bigger, the ultimate Guitar Tribute to the Blues is announced, bringing together some of our greatest instrumentalists for a one-off performance on Sunday 25 May. The collaboration features Diesel, Phil Emmanuel, Kevin Borich, Owen Campbell and Eugene Hideaway Bridges. The performance will be a sonic feast for festival goers, with the group playing classics from each artist in one almighty jam session.

More at bluesonbroadbeach.com.

Saskwatch add GC to national tour Electrifying nine-piece Saskwatch are appearing on the Gold Coast for the first time. They’re playing Bond University to

Culture hack for startups Are you working in the creative arts and need to integrate technology into your practice without much clue where to start? Culture hack: startup weekend is a mashing together of the creative industries with tech geeks, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. It’s a 54 hour event like no other. It takes place 11 – 13 April at Varsity College, Varsity Lakes.

Get all the details at tinyurl.com/culturehack.

Car boots open at Ashmore Ashmore State School is running a monthly car boot sale to raise funds for all sorts of cool things in the school yard.

The next sale takes place Saturday 26 April and runs from 6.00am – 12.00am at 92 Currumburra Road. It only costs $10 to sell your wares.

Capri on Via Roma

Capri on Via Roma celebrates It’s undergone a massive transformation to a market-style waterfront shopping and dining destination and now Capri on Via Roma is hosting a six-day event to celebrate. Running 16 – 21 April, the marketplace will come to life with events and workshops, food and product samples and roving musicians. More at caprionviaroma.com.au.

A tribute to Michael Jackson’s film clips Pull on your white glove and put your dancing shoes on because 19 Karen Artspace is bringing you a new collaboration with Sofitel – a tribute to Michael Jackson’s 10 best film clips. It’s a group show featuring 20 artists handpicked by the gallery. The show opens Saturday 2 May at Sofitel Broadbeach. Numbers are strictly limited. Phone 5554 5019 for all the details.

Pizza Bar Miami 1st birthday party That’s right, Pizza Bar Miami is turning 1 on Sunday 13th April. 1st birthday celebrations will kick off at 12pm with free pizza tasting and 102.9 Hot Tomato handing out free stuff to party goers. Throughout the day Pizza Bar will also be handing out free Merlo coffees, Coca-Cola soft drinks and vouchers (at selected times) to patrons.

Send your music news to news@blankgc.com.au

Bluesfest just days away There’s no doubt Bluesfest is one of the most exceptional and diverse festivals in Australia and we’re truly blessed to have this gem just down the road from us. For five days over Easter, Bluesfest will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a stellar lineup that includes Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Beck, Elvis Costello, John Butler Trio, Buddy Guy, Joss Stone, Tijuana Cartel, Mojo Webb Band, Marshall OKell and scores more. Day tickets are available but they’re selling fast. Visit bluesfest.com.au. www.blankgc.com.au

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HEAVEN’S UNPLUGGED HARMONIES

How high can one band’s harmonies soar? How versatile and dynamically adaptable can one band be? In Cloud Control’s case, extremely. Dream Cave was the group’s second LP, which saw them expand in every texturally foreseeable avenue possible. Where their debut featured organic sounding instruments and recording techniques, Dream Cave allowed the Blue Mountains locals to build on their sound and record in places far and wide. Now, for the first time, Cloud Control are bringing their harmonious indie rock to pubs and clubs around Australia in a 30+ date tour in unplugged mode. In the midst of the tour, frontman Alistair Wright called Jake Wilton to break open the band’s unplugged secrets. “[The album, Dream Cave Unplugged] was recorded in London at the Strongroom, which is a studio in Shoreditch.

It was done… probably a couple of weeks before Dream Cave, the album, came out; we just did it in one day,” Alistair said.

Dream Cave Unplugged is a free gift the band have published on Mediafire which plunges all of the original album’s songs into a ghostly, acoustic transcendence. Take what you know from Dream Cave, Cloud Control’s second studio effort released mid-last year, and strip it to its finite elements. The original album is a masterpiece full of woozy textures and complex layers, but the songs took some defensive pre-production steps in order to receive its final treatment.

“Some of [the tracks] started off as computer demos with us singing over a beat. Yet pretty much all the songs on the album went through that stage of all of us jamming in my lounge room just to be sure they work acoustically. We ended up recording in a studio but I don’t even know if it was produced, so to speak. There were a couple of engineers in the room but we were literally playing into the mics, there was nothing to it,” Alistair continued.

This wouldn’t be a Cloud Control record if it didn’t have some sort of constructive depth to it. Think Nirvana’s seminal MTV Unplugged record, leave behind the angst and depression and replace with songs about meditation and knowledge gathering strangers on European buses. Dream Cave Unplugged is not as simple as it sounds – the lyrics still,

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convey their same meaning and the band employ rhythmic drumming to the tracks.

“Ulrich [Lenffer, drums], I’m pretty sure, is just banging on my guitar case to get that sound. I think it sounds more together and more of a band effort rather than just having acoustic and vocals; it sounds fuller I think,” “[The lyrics] sound different, of course, and could come across altered to some people. There’s something almost supernatural about listening to a few people playing these songs live together in a room. So there’s an element of honesty and directness in our communication on this record – whereas on the original it might not be as immediate because of the experimentation and might take a few listens,” Alistair continued.

A daunting 30+ date tour around Australia currently looms over the band, but on-the-road veterans Cloud Control don’t seem too fazed to be back on home soil playing the music they love. Having almost exhausted Dream Cave’s material live over the past year, travelling the world twice, almost three times over, these unplugged shows are a chance for the band to re-energise and find a fresher perspective of their songs.

“When we play it acoustically, live, it’s really like we’re back in the lounge room and there’s a bunch of people watching with us. We’ve already played some of these shows and all of us have had a really good time,” said Alistair “I love playing with the full band – festivals, big shows – but at the same time, when you play these songs with an acoustic guitar and it’s a lot quieter, I feel like there’s more room for the audience to breathe and appreciate the surrounding and the context; It feels like we’re all in the same space. Whereas some shows playing the proper songs, I feel like it can overwhelm people a little bit and that can lead to a disconnection with the song,” “Interestingly, I feel like we’ve had more interest from the press on this tour than when we released our album and did the regular tour. I mean there’s a lot of bands touring all the time and all the same venues – there’s nothing wrong with that, I think that’s great – but I think just doing something different tends to reflect us in a better light, in that respect,” stated Alistair.

invading the stage and crowd surfing which we’d sometimes get at our bigger, full band shows. But I feel, because we’re playing it in a humbler way, it’s more inviting to people. I love playing the “rock show” but I just wasn’t expecting these shows to have such an impact, even though it’s quieter. To me it’s counterintuitive, but when you think about it, it does make sense.”

On tour, Cloud Control are playing tracks from Dream Cave Unplugged, but what about the tracks from their 2010 debut, Bliss Release? Could the end of the tour spark inspiration to re-release their first album unplugged?

“For a lot of these shows there’s only the three of us because Jeremy [Kelshaw, bass/vox] is out of the picture for a little bit for some family reasons. Everything’s cool but he just can’t make a lot of the shows. So really, we’re just playing the songs that sound best in this form – we’re even playing a couple of songs from our EP,” Alistair said.

Cloud Control have, surprisingly, squeezed a lot of Australian tour runs amongst their Dream Cave international tours – Splendour in the Grass, Sydney’s Vivid Live, a headline national tour and more recently headlining the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Between all that festival chaos, the group have spent the majority of their time in Europe, showing the other side of the world just why the Blue Mountains produce such incredible musical talents.

Cloud Control relocated to London to write and record Dream Cave and its successor Dream Cave Unplugged and now base their operations in Europe.

“I really love playing in the Netherlands – I just find people really relaxed there and our shows usually sell out which makes us feel really welcome. Weirdly, in the past, I’ve found the Swiss crowds quite reserved, but on this last tour we played two shows there and they were probably my favourites of the year,” “We’re not on the same level in Europe as we are in Australia. To me it feels the same as what happened to us in Australia – we played a lot of shows over a few years and

slowly just gathered fans through the shows. In terms of a wider context, I think, like Australia, Europe probably looks to London a lot for its new music. I mean with the music we play, it’s definitely dominated by London and the US. I think it’s just that kind of awareness that spills over,” analyses Alistair.

In the small space of eight months, between Cloud Control’s Splendour in the Grass performance and their electrifying Laneway Festival appearance, the band have quickly developed and refined these songs into their own live entity. Evaluating the group’s evolution over this space of time, both Alistair and I comment on how varied and entertaining these shows were. “[At Splendour] I remember it being the first time playing a lot of those songs. So when it’s like that, you have to concentrate a little bit more and it’s harder to get in the zone. By the time we did Laneway we’d played probably… 60 shows between those festivals. I mean, that makes a big difference – you don’t have to think anymore so it’s completely about, for me, connecting with the crowd, and enjoying myself. It comes from the crowd too because after playing the songs a bunch of times you get a feel for which section of the songs the crowd really responds to,” reminisced Alistair.

After this frantic unplugged tour of Australia, Cloud Control don’t spy any time off in the near future as they head straight off to the States to support Metronomy and again head back to Europe for a few more festivals. To round out the conversation, Alistair and I drool over European festival lineups, in particular, the newly formed Jabberwocky in London – which features Neutral Milk Hotel, Thee Oh Sees, Panda Bear, and Cloud Nothings.

Be sure to catch Cloud Control on their free unplugged tour which hits the Gold Coast three times this month: 13 April | Komune, Coolangatta 16 April | Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Heads 6.00pm 16 April | Beach Hotel, Byron Bay 9.00pm 19 April | Boardwalk Tavern, Hope Island 20 April | Coolangatta Hotel

In addition to refreshing these songs in a live setting, the band felt it a better reason than ever to start hitting regional towns which Cloud Control have yet to visit. Contrary to the show’s chilled out, acoustic vibes, the band are still as rushed on the road as ever – playing twice on the same day on many occasions during the tour. Alistair mentions how both the familiar and new variety of audience members are attending the shows.

“The crowds are really varied – we’ve had daytime shows where everyone was super quiet and relaxed and were just listening but then we’ve had other shows where people won’t shut up and we’d have to play our hits to get the them to be quiet,” “With these songs, at the rowdier [shows], we’ve had people www.blankgc.com.au

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A BLUESY TALE FOR A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN In the middle of creating a music video for her upcoming single Devil and preparing for Bluesfest Claire Anne Taylor caught up with Christie Ots and discussed inspiration, creation and why she accidentally mourned Lou Reed’s passing a week early.

To say Claire is excited about Bluesfest is an understatement.

“So excited!” she responds as we sit in her jungle barn retreat.

“Last year I won Busking at Blues and so I’m playing Bluesfest this year and last year they gave me a spot on the APRA stage. It was insanely out of this world experience, I had never heard my voice with such clarity and depth. When you have a good sound guy and the best PA it is like walking into a room and being given new ears.” Surely she was nervous, playing APRA? “No I had this friend with me, Bryan,” she explains, “Who was so nervous and shaking that I had to calm him down. I had invited him up for a few songs and it was perfect I had to get him to relax and it just distracted me.”

Her laughter fades, but the enthusiasm remains as she explains her joy at performing with a band.

“I’ve always wanted to have a band playing with me and I’ve met a really good friend Lee who is an amazing guitarist.

We connect really well on a musical level and his sound complements my music. Then there’s the drummer who has a really interesting tribal feel to his technique, which is really unique. Also an incredible bass player who is just tasty, so it’s awesome! I’m really lucky to have found the band.”

Claire has just finished recording a song with the band at 301 Studios in Byron and only just received the track two days before we spoke. “The power of working with other musicians and bouncing off each other’s energy was great.

Erin, my housemate, is a filmmaker and we’re doing the final shoot tonight for the film clip. It retells the story of the song, almost like a short film. To me it’s great when you get to work with good-hearted people like those I have around me, that’s the most important thing – not working with wankers.” She smiles as she says it, her honesty refreshing.

She pauses to sip her tea and explains how her crazy love affair with music began. She says it’s in her blood. No small wonder seeing she grew up in a barn in Tasmania with instruments lying around.

“Maybe it comes from the Celtic heritage, but I have just always had a feeling that I have to play music. My whole family is musical, everyone either sings or plays an 8

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instrument. We had a very stripped back upbringing, where the electricity would cut out because it was so remote and we heated our water over a fire. That kind of stripped back, rustic atmosphere really encourages creativity. It was blissful, then I left and I did a Bachelor of International Global studies at university in Sydney. I was just interested in people and I knew that it would feed into my music somehow. My parents have always been so encouraging, telling me to follow music wherever it takes me.”

That sense of peace seems to enfold both Claire and her home, when I ask about her upcoming EP she laughs – it doesn’t even have a name yet.

“It’s hard enough to decide what songs to put on there. A few of them are of an ilk and they share some similarities, they range from darker to more stripped back melodies.

Hopefully I can come up with a title!”

However it isn’t all puppies and tea, everyone knows storms can inspire the most powerful music. Sometimes things are just too personal to release, Claire says, “I was actually just talking to a friend the other day that asked why I was always writing songs, but they never heard them. I said I’m not always creating music for others to hear it. It’s like a form of meditation and venting, if you’re in a flat sort of state you get it out of you and you understand it better. I don’t really write for the consumption of others, it’s for myself, but at times some things are too hard to share. I’ve had these moments in a live gig where I have played Devil and it takes over. I have other songs that don’t do that, but even if that song means nothing to someone else it transports me. That’s when you know you’ve made a powerful song.” Listening to Devil, the hypnotic beats and Claire’s husky voice twine around lyrics that instantly transport you to a whiskey fueled heartbreak scene. Definitely deserving of a spot at Bluesfest!

Claire is just as excited as anyone else to see some of the acts playing, “Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Passenger and Erykah Badu,” she says, “She’s one that I would love to play with. Also Edward Sharpe as the band has a really gypsy vibe to it and it looks wild. I would love to be a part of something like that! I would love to have that sort of huge, communal kind of thing; going on the road with like twenty people on a big bus. I would love to do a rural tour of Australia actually; people truly appreciate music in rural towns. I would love to do a magical mystery bus tour, kit the

bus out with speakers and announce it on social media a little bit before you get there and just get people to put donations in a hat. You would meet so many characters!”

With an imagination and talent like Claire’s the sky really is the limit. Talking about favourite artists she explains that she accidentally mourned Lour Reed’s death before it had occurred. “I had woken up and walked out to get a drink and my roommate told me he’d died. I was devastated and she didn’t seem to think it was a big deal! I spent a week in my room listening to his music and being really sad and then I came out of it and a few days later I hear that Lou Reed has passed away. Turns out Chopper Read had passed away a week ago and I had misheard her in my sleepy state. I felt so confused!”

Laughing at the memory she pauses when I ask what one thought she would leave readers with. “The biggest thing that I’ve learnt this year is to be brave. Don’t fear fear, as it’s the worst thing you can do, your doubts will tear you apart.

I read Patti Smith’s book Just Kids and she wrote something along the lines of ‘Are we crazy just living for the sake of art and being for art’ and basically it’s not crazy and if you’ve got to do it you must.”

You can catch Claire at Bluesfest, Saturday 19 April.

MAKING IT LOOK “EASY”

was covering Easy in her live shows so he got her in to record her version of it with him. Then I hit him up and got the song in its new form with all its added instruments and Lorde’s vocals. I stripped the verses and added my own verses and yeah, ended up with a pretty sick song.”

If you haven’t heard the name Lane Harry then you’ve probably been living under a rock for the past 6 months. This kid is blowing up, and we’re not just referring to his thousands of views on YouTube and followers on Instagram. No, Lane’s already clearing music career check points that most professional musicians could only dream of, such as reaching iTunes’ top 20 highest selling hip hop chart and collaborating with an array of ARIA award winning artists. While listening in on his latest single Easy, Tari Peterson spoke with the Gold Coast lad about his massive year just gone, and what’s set to come for this up and coming hip hop sensation.

“I only started this solo project because I got kicked out of a band and I was like f**k, I don’t play any instruments. So I just starting doing it and yeah, it seems to be going pretty good.”

Sitting in a cramped studio, we both laugh. Considering that he recently signed his first record deal and that his latest single features Lorde, ‘pretty good’ seems to be a bit of an understatement. I ask him how he describes the music he’s been working on?

“I want to tell stories and we [Ike Campbell and himself] try to do this by fusing sounds,” he says, “and what I’ve noticed is that when I’m talking to people they’ll either say “I don’t like hip hop, but I like you” or they’ll say “I like Kanye West, and I like you too”.”

Ike Campbell is the producer for most of Lane’s work,

producing his first solo album and also his iTunes top selling Jesswar and Lane Harry EP. I ask him how he goes about writing his music.

“Ike makes my beats and I’ll listen to it for a week and write 30 or so verses to it and choose the best ones from them.”

Lane says that process takes about two weeks.

“I just try to write songs that I would want to hear. If we listen back to our songs and know we wouldn’t want to hear it on the radio then we cut it.”

Easy is Lane’s latest single and is already receiving consistent airplay on Radio Metro. The track features Grammy award winning artist Lorde.

“There’s a producer called Sun Lux from Colorado and on his album he had a song called Easy. He heard that Lorde

His I-don’t-give-an-F attitude towards this amazes me. Made even more impressive by his work with Matt Corby and 360.

“For me, Matt Corby is the best Australian artist of all time and he’s a fan of me.”

“He comes to my shows to meet me and that’s just, crazy. I remember in high school recording a mix tape and one of the songs was called Matt Corby and all I wanted was for 360 to hear it and now both of these dudes I admired and looked up to are mentoring me on my next album.”

It was at this point in the interview where we both got distracted and started talking about his first headlining gig of 2014. With a roof as a stage and an empty swimming pool as a dance floor, I was lucky enough to have gone along and experienced what was definitely the coolest show I’ve ever been to.

“That sh*t was crazy.” He laughs, “and it’s nuts because it was only a year ago that Ike and I played our first gig at The Cave in Nobby’s to less than 20 people and in less than a year our audience is 10 times bigger, which isn’t the craziest transition, but just imagine if next year our gigs are 10 times bigger again. It was a really cool stepping stone.”

So we can be expecting big things from you in the future?

“Hell yeah you can. 20 April my mix tape DMT comes out which will be free on the internet and Ike and I are working on our second album called Renaissance and its going to be sick.”

Find Lane Harry x Ike Campbell on Facebook and keep your eyes peeled for his second album due later this year. www.blankgc.com.au

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FROM TWENTY TO FOUR THOUSAND, NO BULL

And with the May leg of the tour, you’re returning to China. What was it like touring China the first time?

They’re returning to rock the east coast of Australia, then all the way to China. Elliot The Bull are back with a bang with their new EP Dazed. With a smattering of big names behind the album, from video production to producer, Elliot the Bull are solidifying their spot in the Australian music industry. The band talked to Kyle Butcher about the many origins of their name and playing to massive crowds in China with all the trouble that came with it.

So where did you guys get your name from?

Well, Elliot the Bull was made up about two and a half years ago. Our drummer is Serbian, hence the name Milan (laughs). He has an uncle that lives in Serbia who owns a bull farm. The prize bull on his uncle’s farm is called Elliot, so that’s how we got the name. I know, it sounds believable, but...it isn’t.

I just saw your Colourblind music video. It’s really cool.

How was that made? Was it all computer generated or was it stop go animation?

Yeah it’s all stop go animation. It’s like those old cartoons like Wallace and Grommet, and those kind of claymation things. So it was still shots that got taken. It took six months and was made by a company that we worked with called Oh Yeah Wow, who have done film clips for Gotye and have won some competitions. They worked with us on the clip because they really enjoyed the song, and when they gave us the proposal it was like perfect. We were just so stoked to have our song on such an awesome video clip.

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You recorded your new EP Dazed with Lachlan Mitchell who has been nominated for an ARIA before, how was that?

We actually have worked with Lachie for the past two years, and he’s just amazing. He’s the one responsible for The Jezabels’ sound, he’s worked with Boy & Bear before, and he’s worked with heaps of incredible artists. Having him on board was an absolute blessing to us, and we think he’s responsible for half of that sound when you listen to our band, he is such a great producer. He’s really humble and just a mad dude.

Your Australian tour kicks off in April in support of Dazed with a bunch of dates, are you playing around Gold Coast on this tour?

We unfortunately couldn’t get to Gold Coast this time, the dates couldn’t match up, but we are playing at The Tempo Hotel on 26 April in Brissie, and it actually kicks off next weekend in Sydney and continues into May. So if you’re keen to spend some money on fuel or a train ticket, come up to Brisbane!

The first time we went was in 2012, and it was absolutely mind blowing. When we got the opportunity to go back, we thought they really liked us last time so we’re going with a really awesome touring company called This Town Touring, and it’s just incredible to be able to tour to China.

So what are the crowds like in China? Are they much different to the crowds in Australia?

I love Australian music, the industry and the crowds here, but going over there and playing... I think our first show over there we played to about fifteen to twenty people, but our second show we were playing to about four and a half thousand people, so it was quite different. We walked on stage and we were all just like wondering what was going on.

It was a really cool experience and an eye opener. These kids save for months to come to a show to buy a CD and a t-shirt.

They don’t drink alcohol or anything like that. It’s very different to the pleasures we have here, like there’s a show on every week, but it’s not like that there, they don’t take it for granted. It helped us be thankful and be really appreciative for what we have in Australia, because it’s so rad.

Did you have any issues when you planned your tour to China?

Well our bass player got in the day before we were leaving, his visa finally got approved, and that was pretty gnarly. But everything kind of got together really well and this time we are a bit more prepared and we’re getting our visas and that sorted early (laughs). We were certain we would have to record a bass track to play through the system because our bass player wasn’t going to make it, but he pulled through!

Elliot The Bull’s sophomore EP Dazed was released Friday 4 April, and they’re playing The Tempo Hotel in Brisbane, Saturday 26 April.

ONE THING TO HEAR THIS YEAR Darren Middleton was gearing up for a national tour, kicking off right here on the Gold Coast, when he caught up with Christie Ots. As well as talking about the inspiration for his new album Translations, they talked collaboration and reminisced about sharing the stage with Neil Finn.

Most people know Darren Middleton from his phenomenal work with Powderfinger, however his solo album Translations is an intriguing look into the mind of a powerful songwriter. About to embark on a national tour, Darren is excited about hitting the road.

“It’s going to be really fun. I reckon I’m as prepared as I can be; I want it to be really live. It will be live in the sense of it’s a live gig, but also in regards to my banter and where the night takes me. I’m taking a new musical partner and she’s a bit nervous, so it’s a new thing! I still get nervous stepping up for the first show, but I know that once I start performing I’ll be okay.”

“I’ve only done a couple of little solo gigs where it’s just me, before that I had a four-piece band when I launched Translations,” Darren explains.

“I do love the challenges of being so stripped back though, stripped bare of that wall of sound that a band offers, but that’s really what I wanted to do with this was take that risk. I want the night to be about the songs and the lyrics and I will just put it all out there every night and hope that it connects with people. I might roll back to a couple of ‘Finger’s songs and a couple of covers a throw in a new song or two to make sure I cover the past present and future!”

Six months after Powderfinger split, Middleton unexpectedly found himself lost, on an emotional rollercoaster and falling out of love with music. It’s no surprise then that he sees this album as a personal journal.

“Aside from a couple of songs that were a bit older, that I completed for the album, for the most part it draws itself from a certain period of time.”

“I wanted to make a record, but I needed a reason to make one and I got to the end of that rough year and a half period and saw what I had written during then and found that I had a lot of myself on the paper. So I found a reason to make a record and that was to finish what I had started. It is a cliché heart on your sleeve record, but that is what this is for me. It reflects a lot of how I was in my personal life, not the greatest person to be around during that period in my life.”

This makes the album relatable and songs like One Thing and Storms create an honest atmosphere of drifting tunes, harmonious vocals and captivating lyrics. Darren explains his favourite song on the album is the first track Can’t Hide Sad. “It’s a pretty good summation song. What it does contain, what I do think all of my songs contain, is that spark of hope; but I think that song captures things pretty well.”

Darren is also finding inspiration in the rise of new artists, working with people like Jac Stone and other rising stars as a mentor.

“There’s quite a bit out there that is inspiring, but for me it’s not the stuff you hear on the radio. I’ve been involved in some mentoring programs lately and some of those artists are the most inspiring things that I have heard lately. A lot of those kids have that kind of urgency and authenticity that I find inspiring. I walk out of those sessions going ‘these guys are so much better than me’,” he says laughing, “So that stuff ’s inspiring. There is a young lass who I have offered my support to in the past, she’s a Brisbane songwriter called Jac Stone who I worked with about four years ago. I came and saw her in a venue in Brisbane and the whole room was silent. She has that gift of connecting with people through her voice, so I will be giving her a nudge on this tour and hopefully she can play a few shows.”

Being caught up in the excitement of supporting rising stars doesn’t stop Middleton from reminiscing about tour highlights past. Neil Finn, in particular brings back fond memories “One of the most standout touring memories I have was probably Crowded House’s farewell show about twelve years ago. I am such a massive Neil Finn fan that for me all of the people disappeared and it was just Neil and myself, “ laughing he goes on, “Yeah that is probably a stand out gig for me! He is the one person in the music industry that just everything that he does gets me.”

Darren has played with and collaborated with some amazing artists, and Translations is no different. I ask him if there is a secret muso’s club where they all hang out and he laughs, “They are just all friends of mine! It reads well, but for me it really is people that I hook up with quite often. I think what people don’t realise is that you just have to ask sometimes.

When I asked Paul Dempsey, he never does that, he never sings on other people’s records. I don’t know if he was just waiting to be asked or if it’s just that we are friends. He’s a busy man and I played him the song and wrote a part for him and he liked it! Which you need someone to if they’re going to collaborate with you, so thank God.” Touring can take quite a lot out of you and with a national tour in action can we expect an international tour soon?

“The bar is set really high overseas, there is more of a feeding ground over there for them, so they have to be really good at what they do, “ Darren muses, “Hopefully I get over there for a solo tour eventually to peddle my wares, the level over there is really high which causes you to step up your game.”

Touring can breed writing, which is always a good thing!

“Sometimes, when the writing bug strikes you have to be able to get something down and record it whenever. I went overseas with my family on a holiday and to their disgust I took a guitar,” Darren laughs as he recalls travelling with his instrument, “It was a pain in the arse to lug around, but there are a couple of songs on the record that came from that so you write whenever you can.”

Something people might not know about him though is his penchant for the medieval.

“I have a deranged soft spot for the medieval time of our existence,” he explains, “For some reason it is a really romantic period in my head. I have been through some places in Europe where the remnants show it would have been a really horrible time to be alive and yet in my head I find it somewhat romantic.” Which in its own way is reflected in his album, with songs that may be dark having a softer edge to them that wraps the listener up, something to keep in mind as the weather turns cooler and the season for retrospective music is upon us.

www.blankgc.com.au

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TUESDAY’S GOOD GOES DELUXE Local blues outfit, Tuesday’s Good are still treading the boards and in deluxe form. After gigging relentlessly since their self-titled EP was released last year, the band are pleased to bring a deluxe version of the EP to their fans.

Emily Hosking spoke with lead singer, Sarah Frank and guitarist, Jim Pagatto to see what the next few months hold in store for Tuesday’s Good.

released to the world with an EP launch party, 10 May at The Loft Chevron Island. .

When asked what to expect, Frank was quick to state, “Good local music!’ She continues, ”it’s such an intimate space, and they are so supportive there. I want to pack the place out then soak it in positive and happy vibes. I’ll have my incense and body paint on the go; it’s going to be dope.”

Amongst the EP release excitement, Tuesday’s Good will also make an appearance for the second year in a row at the Blues on Broadbeach Festival in May. ”I love just wandering around between stages and being blown away by someone I’ve never heard of. It’s amazing to have such a massive free event with so many world-class musicians right here on the Coast,” says Pagatto.

Following the festival, and a few more local gigs, they are heading north to Maroochydore to begin their extensive tour down the coast to share the Tuesday’s Good love. ”Our shows are about fun, love and light. To us, music equals freedom,” says Frank.

Once they have shown the east coast what they have to offer, Frank and Pagotto are taking their tunes abroad with a tour of Japan in the planning stages.

There is no doubt that Tuesday’s Good are full of soul and blues spirit, but it is also evident after chatting with them they are also bursting with drive and ambition to share their music. Since forming 3 years ago, the band has grown into a collective musical tribe; where blues is their food, their sleep and their air.

leaps forward have allowed them to grow since the EP’s initial release.

”Blues music is about feeling, and we need to feel. I think that identifying the need for emotional release is especially important in this sort of societal structure; one where people are sitting in traffic jams and working eight hours of their day, with no sunlight at a computer,” says Frank.

Pagotto agrees, “we’ve taken the band in more of an improv direction and you can’t do that without an intimate knowledge of [the band’s] playing style and personality.

We’re definitely more on that level now than when we released the first EP a year ago.”

2014 is already looking to be a big year for the blues-soulfunksters, with the release of their deluxe EP scheduled and an extensive tour to boot. I was interested to hear how these

The deluxe EP will feature some revised tracks, with two of the previously released singles re-mixed and re-mastered, as well as some new tracks to keep fans on their feet. It will be

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”We’ve really learnt how to listen and anticipate each other, not just musically, but as friends and partners on this ride,” says Frank.

”Each step on this slow climb has meant more knowledge of how to work this, and also gathering more people to help us is a long and beautiful process. The passion is a combination of the music, and the fact that we’re in this with our best friends. And yeah, Japan is the next big step for us,” says Frank.

When asking where the unique name ‘Tuesday’s Good’ originated from, I was impressed by the simplicity of it’s origin. ”When we were organising our first jam, Tuesday was good for everyone,” says Pagotto.

It’s not every day that a group of musicians can get together and blend the likes of soul, blues, reggae and funk successfully, but with the right people, the right attitude and a whole ‘lotta love, sometimes it’s just as simple as ‘Tuesday’s Good’.

The EP launch will be held at The Loft Chevron Island, 10 May and more info on the band is at tuesdaysgood.com.

TEENAGE FEVER DREAMIN’ Gold Coast new-garage/psych peddlers White Lodge have been making waves and winning over converts at a rapid rate across the local musical landscape. Anthony Gebhardt spoke to White Lodge lead vocalist Hudson on a breezy couch in Miami.

Consisting of Hudson Tesoriero (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Jonny Ranger (lead guitar and backing vocals), Harry Gordon (drums and percussion) and Jordan Biazos (bass guitar), the band have only been playing together for the best part of 12 months, rising from the ashes of local hardcore outfit Shields.

White Lodge is however a very different musical beast. They deliver a swirling blend of uber-catchy, psych-laced jams mixed with an undercurrent of ramshackle 60’s garage-punk and a smattering of darkly addictive, twisted pop-smarts.

The lads also manage to channel a pleasingly diverse array of smashing influences through their hazy fuzz-filter, from the classic stylings of seminal ghosts past (The Cramps, The Gun Club) through to the new vanguard of cool/weird underground sounds - Burger Records via Nuggets and beyond!

And then there’s the band name itself, a reference to David Lynches surrealistic TV series Twin Peaks, to complete the picture of the band’s woozily catchy, slightly off kilter vision.

zon soon, with a bunch of new tracks ready to be recorded.

Plans are also afoot to start work on a full length album later in the year.

So what can one expect from the band in a live setting? In the words of Hudson it’s all about a bunch of guys having fun onstage. “We’ve definitely been influenced by The Black Lips and their absolute irreverence. Our music is serious, but I don’t think we take ourselves seriously. We’re keen to have fun, make the most of anything and keep some sort of spontaneity in the set.”

So there you have it folks, be sure to pencil in a visit to the White Lodge the next time they’re in your neck of the woods – killer tunes and good times are a given!

April 19 | The Beetle Bar, Brisbane with The Ottomans, Hypnotic Bedrooms, Doom Mountain April 24 | The Great Northern, Byron Bay. May 30 | The Waiting Room, West End, Brisbane with Heads of Charm June 7 | Trainspotters, Grand Central Hotel, Brisbane with Drunk Moms, Wod, The Good Sports

Last year saw the band bang out an impressive debut six song EP titled Holy Void, which is currently available for download via the band’s Bandcamp page. In addition the band also released a split seven inch single together with Taiwanese band Forests. Oh and they also brought out a pair of demo releases on that old school medium of cassette tape which, believe it or not, is currently basking in a minor resurrection at the hands of the new musical underground.

As fortune would have it, the release of the band’s split seven inch single with Forests led to them being invited to play a few shows in the Taiwanese capital of Tapei – a pretty unique happening for a young band’s first overseas tour sojourn! I asked amiable front man Hudson Tesoriero what it was like playing to a new crowd in such a musically obscure location, and he enthuses about the experience and how the crowd reacted to an unknown Aussie band.

“We probably received a better response than anything we’ve played at home. It was raucous, unhinged, plenty of people dancing and having a good time.”

Despite their short time together, White Lodge have built rapid momentum on a groundswell of burgeoning live performances in the local realm, including a coveted support slot for Californian beach-goth band The Growlers when they were recently in town. Being massive fans of the headliners, the guys could have been forgiven for perhaps feeling a tad overawed on the night. But no such dramas ensued, the band comfortably winning over the crowd and slotting seamlessly into proceedings.

The remainder of this year shapes up as an exciting and transformational time for the band, their growing exposure and dedication to developing their craft seeing them continue to tour at a rapid velocity over the coming months.

On the recorded music front, there’s another EP on the horiwww.blankgc.com.au

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A LOOK INTO THE MINDS OF MUSIC

probably release it around the end of April, we wanted to let the song be for a while and release the video around the launch of the EP.” Adam explains, “The director went to China and the editor went to Sydney so it’s been a process to get it all sorted out. “ With powerful visuals and simple, but beautiful ideas, the band’s film clips are a team effort. Lyon Apprentice with Richard Zhang along with a group of videographers and directors.

“With Fairchild we did a lot of video clips, and we stick with Richard now. We play the song to him and we collaborate on ideas based on what he imagines and of course budget constraints,” Adam said.

“Yeah they always ask how much money you’ve got and it’s usually not that much! Everything’s expensive, but we’ve had some really lucky breaks with people,” Nathan adds with Adam nodding, “Richard did Dancer for Fairchild and I Will Find You for Lyon Apprentice. He’s also doing Be Careful. He’s very professional, with a lighting crew and the clicky boards they have in movies!”

The clips for both bands have an array of extras, Nathan explains, “They generally aren’t friends or family, a lot of the time they’re actually extras.”

Image courtesy of Lamp Photography

Christie Ots sat down with Adam and Nathan Lyons, from Lyon Apprentice to talk about their upcoming EP, how they juggle their burgeoning musical projects and just why you should be kind to your mother.

With two bands (Lyon Apprentice and Fairchild), music videos, a record label and touring how the guys managed to find time to stop and record an EP is beyond me. Thank God they did though because Be Honest, Be Wild, Be Free is a soulful and beautiful introduction to this duo’s sound.

Released recently, with preceding singles I Will Find You, Beautiful Though and Be Careful I asked the lads how they’ve been. Nathan smiled and said, “Good! We’ve just come off from doing a show at Bleach Festival. We played at Burleigh Beach last year; this year was a little more scaled back on the Robina Promenade.” Adam nodded, “They had the stage set up, with beanbags and tables and chairs. There was a water performance and drummers. More a family orientated event.”

Be Careful has been stuck in my head since its release in March, Nathan explains, “We’ve been getting feedback via a few blogs and things, which has been really positive. It is only really fresh, but we got our first Triple J play on Monday, so it seems to be going well.” Adam adds, “It’s hard to gauge, how do you really gauge that though. Sometimes you’ll get people asking you to take them off the mailing list.” Shrugging Nathan says, “That’s not very common at all, but it does happen.”Adam laugh, “Yeah someone who runs a music blog has the nerve to tell you to stop making music!”

The guys have released videos for both I Will Find You and Beautiful Thought, is there one coming for Be Careful? Adam nods, “We do, it’s finished.” Nathan elaborates, “We’ll 14

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Adam interjects, “For Be careful we had to pull in some ring-ins. We got back from Asia and Richard told us we had two weeks to sort it all out, so my housemate’s in it.” Nathan laughs, “He doesn’t have a musical bone in his body though!”

“We were on the drive up (to the location) and he tells us we should probably play the song to him.” Adam said. Nathan laughed, with good-natured exasperation: “he only had to hit a tom while our Fairchild drummer played in the background.”

“An artist we have signed, Calan Mai, he was the other drummer. You would think he would have a beat or rhythm, but oh my God I could have killed him! He had his head down concentrating,” Adam said. “ It was funny.”

“It was a long night that one, we arrived there at five in the afternoon and finished at three in the morning, while everyone was sleep deprived,” Nathan said.

With such a busy workload it seems impossible the guys would have a moment to stop! “You don’t! You don’t have a life that’s for sure, you go to work, then start music at around six at night. You’re lucky if you have dinner, then you go to bed at two in the morning after sending emails all day. It’s difficult; I don’t think people understand how much time and effort that goes into saying ‘I play in a band’,” Adam said.

So it’s not just girls, gigs and booze? Looking serious Adam says, “Well I’ve never seen a girl,” laughing he continues, “The drinking part is usually by yourself in front of a computer, but then the enjoyment part comes where you look at something and go ‘I made that’. You think your plate’s full and then you do something stupid like start Canvas Sounds. Start a label and you realize you increased your workload by 300%.”

“Your personal life sort of goes out the window, but it’s our choice and we enjoy the work,” Nathan added.

This year is just beginning for Lyon Apprentice though with a trip to North America in May where they play Canadian

Music Week in Toronto and then tour through New York, Seattle and LA for a week.

“We just found out we’re also playing Music Matters in Singapore. Ten shows in three weeks in four countries, which is pretty cool,” Nathan said.

“Before we go we’re playing at the One Way Street Party in Surfers, 26 April, with a Canvas Sounds after-party at The Loft. Then we might spend some time writing music.”

“Yeah we’re going crazy. We’ve spent a lot of time recently doing Calan Mai’s EP and it will be really great to come back to writing our own music,” Adam said.

“We organise everything to do with tours ourselves. Rhys (Lyons) has started managing us thankfully, but you literally get on the plane and just pass out. It is so much organisation and then all of a sudden you’re playing the shows and it’s amazing. You get people coming up to you after the shows and they’re so happy and excited to meet you, and I just wonder why. It’s great!”

The band doesn’t have any crazy fan stories, but they do have this one guy. “Raun from Singapore,” Nathan said. “He has a full man crush. He’s kind of become a friend, we catch up with him whenever we’re over there, he’s not stalkerish he just can’t hide his excitement.”

“He helps us organize stuff in Singapore. It’s awesome how happy he gets about that, no underwear throwing though.”

Adam said. “I think we’re a bit too awkward to have underwear thrown at us. I’d probably cry before I would tell everyone how good I am and have that ego. The whole band, especially with Fairchild, we just constantly rip on each other and keep each other humble. You don’t need enemies when you have friends like us!”

Finally I ask a question that has been running through my mind since I first heard their name, why Lyon Apprentice?

“A mate from footy a couple of years ago started calling me that, I think it was from a cartoon or something,” Nathan said.

“Yeah, he’d yell ‘Why are you being an apprentice lion, Mr Lion’. So we thought we’d go with that, but spell it like our last name. We get leeon apprentice a lot, “ “It’s even in the press releases: Lyon Apprentice, pronounced lion.”

I ask the guys what last thought they would leave readers with and Adam says, “don’t swear at your mother! Or just be kind to your mother.”

Nathan laughs and shakes his head, “Our poor mother!”

“Our music space at our parents’ house is below our mum’s room and we would be making music in there late into the night and she would have to come down and ask us to keep the noise down.” In an exaggerated tone Nathan says, “Mum we’re being rock stars.”

Both the guys crack up laughing as Adam explains, “Yeah she put up with the same riffs over and over so definitely be kind to your mother!”

Lyon Apprentice play Surfers Paradise Festival’s One Way Street Party 26 April.

ANTIMATTER’S UNDERGROUND SOUNDS THE DIRTBOMBS

artwork features the band sketched in cartoon bubblegum pop pose.

Over the course of their eighteen year existence Detroit garage rock institutions The Dirtbombs have chartered musical terrain as diverse as Detroit techno and obscure 60’s soul covers - be sure to check out their ace Ultraglide in Black record from 2001 for the drop dead coolest party starting soundtrack in town! Hell, they even released a cover of INXS stadium rock smash hit Need You Tonight on 7 inch vinyl to coincide with their 2008 Australian tour.

For the most part the songs are fun, snappy and singalong, paying direct homage to 60’s floss such as The Archies and 1910 Fruitgum Company.

Band leader Mick Collins is a true garage-rock renaissance man, being involved in a slather of seminal underground musical projects, from the primitive stomp of The Gories through to heavy garage pounders Blacktop. And this is only scratching the surface of the oeuvre of the coolest black man in Detroit.

Meanwhile The Girl On The Carousel delivers a wistful 60’s style ballad, while elements of light psychedelia and baroque pop filter delightfully to the surface over the final third of the record, including a brief tinkling, light-psych sound collage.

Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey!

This time round they go heavy on the bubble and froth, delivering no less than a bubblegum pop record. But never fear, the band’s signature twin drum and bass attack overlaid with fuzz guitar still forms the cornerstone of their sound, delivering the required grit to counterbalance the sugary fizz of the tunes themselves.

Second track Crazy For You (no not the Madonna song!) would be a worldwide radio hit in a superior musical universe, a cracking singalong number kept ‘real’ with the band’s signature 60’s fuzz guitar accompaniment.

And final track We Come In The Sunshine delivers Sergeant Pepper style brass married to a verse which directly approximates The Beach Boys hit song Good Vibrations.

The album zooms by in barely 30 minutes flat, pleasingly circumventing the dangers of overdosing on such saccharine-sweet grooves.

Sunshine and sweetness ooze from every groove and word, from the childishly playful title itself (Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey!) through to song titles such as Sugar On Top, Jump And Shout and Sunshine Girl. And the back cover

Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey! is a sparkling, giddy listen made good by the songwriting chops of Messr Collins combined with the ever-present Dirtbombs garage-fuzz lurking beneath the shiny-shiny surface of these pop homages. I for one can’t wait to see what the band try their hand at next time around.

METAL BYTES

role to focus on management of the band. The new album War Eternal is expected to be released through Century Media in June.

Sad news this fortnight, with the passing of legendary front man Dave “Oderus” Brockie from Gwar. As a long time fan it was incredibly sad to hear the news, and tributes came flowing in quickly from many people all over the world. Gwar were recently here for the Soundwave tour and famously made waves by controversially decapitating Prime Minister Tony Abutt. Brockie will be missed by so many people including myself. I had the privilege of interviewing and meeting him at Soundwave and he was one of the most down to earth, Intelligent and funny people you could ever meet. RIP Dave.

Dave “Oderus” Brockie

Devil You Know have released a video for the single Seven Years Alone from their upcoming debut album The Beauty of Destruction due 25 April.

Aggrotech legends Combichrist have just released their amazing new album We Love You. Hopefully a tour announcement isn’t going to be too far off as Andy LaPlegua and co put on one of the best live shows I have ever seen. Heavy, heavy stuff!

After the release of last year’s amazing Surgical Steel, the mighty Carcass are returning to our shores for the Surgical Steal the Commonwealth tour. Catch them at The HiFi in Brisbane, 13 June. Tickets are selling like crazy so be quick: soundworkstouring.com!

American father-daughter grind core team Sockweb have released their new album Werewolf. The follow up to last years Bullies Are Mean, is brutally heavy while keeping things lyrically on the lighter side. The video clip for Spoon includes puppet versions of the pair tracking down a vampire, who stole the 8 year old singer’s necklace. Blast beats and brutal fun for the whole family.

Arch Enemy have announced Alissa White-Gluz, former vocalist of Canadian extreme metallers The Agonist, as their new front woman. Angel Gossow stepped down from the

US post metal band Pelican have announced a tour down under. Catch them at The Zoo in Brisbane, 24 July. Tickets metropolistouring.com

The Gold Coast’s very own monthly metal club The Abyss recently relaunched in Melba’s brand new function room in Surfers Paradise. RW Promotions have announced 2 May as the next event so mark the date in your calendars and come down to hear all your favourite metal and rock tracks in one of the best venues on the Coast.

Got some metal news we should know about?

Email rabidnoiseradio@hotmail.com For all the latest metal tracks and interviews tune into Rabid Noise every Wednesday night from 9pm on www.rabbitradio.com.au Nev Pearce www.blankgc.com.au

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gig reviews PHARRELL + BAAUER + NINA LAS VEGAS The Riverstage | 12 March With the feel of a mini festival, the Riverstage was ablaze with lights when I arrived to see Pharrell Williams. People filtered in and sprawled across the hills as opening act DJ Nina Las Vegas started the night off. With a nice mix of international and Australian artists, Nina Las Vegas was bouncing as she mixed the music and interacted with the crowd. Remixing the likes of Beyonce, Daft Punk and Drake with prodigies like Flume the only issue with her set was the time. Being the opening act at a time when most people are sitting down for dinner, the vibe seemed too hyped for the calm crowd.

American DJ Baauer was up next and the visual effects he used were amazing. His light show continued onto the front of the desk and the crowd began to build. Masterfully integrating the new and the old, Baauer mixed the sounds of AlunaGeorge with Craig David. His timing was perfect and he knew exactly how much of a song to play to engage the audience before he mixed something else in. He was definitely a surprise standout of this show for me!

As DJ EQ and a smattering of backup dancers appeared, the man himself Mr Pharrell Williams, sauntered into the spotlight. With such an extensive back catalogue to choose from, his set was mostly one large mash up of hits like Hot in Here, Drop It Like It’s Hot, Girls and Beautiful. While this was disconcerting at first the energy of the night was pulsing through the completely packed Riverstage. Chatting with the crowd he stated that, ‘Australia might be the land down under, but to me you’re on top!’ Pulling several ladies up on stage with him to bump ‘n grind after he pulled off his shirt he kept the audience entertained.

Pharrell @ The Riverstage

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One lucky lady was allowed to rap with Pharrell and when the impromptu collaboration finished he seemed stunned, saying “She knew all the f**cking words! Some of you might think she’s lucky, but I feel lucky because she knew all of the words.” This of course led to a performance of the song Lucky. The only songs performed from his latest album G I R L were Hunter and Happy, which the crowd liked so much that Pharrell performed it twice, with the second rendition being sung as he walked through the crowd. All up I definitely think that the seventy-odd dollars the ticket cost was absolutely worth it! This was a show that leaves you feeling buzzed and grinning from ear to ear.

Christie Ots

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE + NINE INCH NAILS + BRODY DALLE Brisbane Entertainment Centre | 17 March “You’re in for it once I’m done.”

Words from opening act, Brody Dalle, wife to Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. There was no formulaic way to prepare for what was to come; two of the world’s biggest rock bands joining for one night of epic proportions. Feeling like the youngest audience member to take my seat, I was surprised to see a much older crowd in attendance at the Entertainment Centre. There was no competition between these two bands; this night was all about the commemoration to the rock gods in the form of pulsing industrial and desert rock riffage.

Brody Dalle proved to be the most talkative of the night; dedicating songs to naked bike riders and “the hardworking, hairy-assed crew.” Going into her set not having heard any of her solo material, nor that of her former punk rock group the Distillers, it was enthralling to witness such prowess and raw energy. There are your Adalitas and Kim Gordons, but Dalle had a minimal yet captivating stage presence that brings your attention to her rather than her

band – no matter how talented the other members were.

Anticipation was a-flutter throughout the Entertainment Centre. More and more of rock’s minions were flooding into the tight arena with QOTSA and Nine Inch Nails band t-shirts as the customised uniform. The fate of a coin toss decided which group were to play first, keeping the bands and the eager fans on their toes. As the crew were amending the stage with equipment and gear flicking in-and-out, it gave clues as to which band the Brisbane audience were to witness first. Aerodynamically shaped flat lights positioned at the back, a piano and three synthesizers meant the infamous Trent Reznor and crew were about to demonstrate that even 30+ years on, NIN still have it.

Alessandro Cortini walked onto the stage solo and began playing woozy, dark synths creating a perplexing atmosphere. Sounding like one of the 36 epic instrumental tracks you might find on Ghosts I-IV, the build up grew intensely as the rest of the band filed onto the stage. With the house lights still in perpetual, fluorescent motion and Cortini filling the arena with gloomy renditions of Ghosts, Brisbane knew Trent Reznor was preparing for something unworldly. The drop finally broke; house lights turned off replaced with battling lasers and epileptic, strobe backlights.

Minutes into the show, squinting became custom for audience members everywhere as some light features appeared too much for the human eye. Reznor in frontman mode: focussed, intense and passionate; with a high level of forcefulness lasting the 90 minute set. NIN’s set was extremely dynamic – their older material showcasing the band’s heavier side and tracks from their latest release, Hesitation Marks, minimalist.

With an unexplainable focus on Reznor rather than the whole band, NIN were tight. Each new synth line or gauzy guitar riff perfectly crafted and impeccably direct. Highlight from NIN’s set came from Year Zero’s The Great Destroyer, which was both textually and dynamically concise as mid-song it dramatically changed into an almost-EDM breakdown of glitchy industrialized blips and zaps. After all the chaos and severity, there was no better way to round out the set than with Hurt, the slow-burner that seals the envelope on Reznor’s top-ranking frontman status. Phones and lighters in the air; this was a special moment.

Nine Inch Nails @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre

It felt near impossible to top what we’d has just witnessed; but if any band in the world could follow that, it would be the most badass bandits from the desert, Queensland Of The Stone Age. The Californian outlanders even brought a little desert flavour to sunny Queensland with large oil rig-like metal pylons adorning the stage. Instantly, the six-piece kicked into motion with the classic opening track from Songs for the Deaf, You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar But I Feel Like a Millionaire. Although, unfortunately, immediate sound issues bugged the band from delivering any great sonic capacity. A whitewash of guitars flooded the venue and although Homme was singing and swaggering, little could be heard. The band blew through several hits in the first few minutes of their set, thankfully some sound gremlins were knocked on the head, yet the whitewashing guitars remained a plaguing factor.

It’s quite mind blowing as to just how many hits one band, with only six records under their belts, can achieve. 2013’s …Like Clockwork was Homme and co’s main focus, belting out 6 of the album’s 10 masterpieces, and early appearances of No One Knows and Burn the Witch gave the crowd no time to prepare. Homme accomplished maximum swagger levels early in the night, and continued to top himself, as he lit cigarettes during short intervals and tossing them away in style seconds later. Levels of badass even tipped the scales during set highlight, Better Living Through Chemistry, where Homme stopped the song entirely to prevent the security guards from hassling a young girl on someone’s shoulders, “Don’t you worry about what the kids are doing. We’re at a f**king rock show!” Badass.

Although the unfortunate sound issues did blight QOTSA’s hit-heavy set, there was no competition between these two acts. While NIN’s pounding and sense-altering set came out on top, there was truly no loser of the night.

Jake Wilton

THE MIDNIGHT ANTICS + YES SIR, NOCEUR + ELEEA NAVARRO + TAYLAH LITTLE The Loft | 29 March

If you missed these guys you did yourself a disservice, however you can catch them April 13th in Ballina and I definitely recommend you do.

Christie Ots

It was another scorcher of a night at The Loft, and it wasn’t just the weather that promised to be hot. After a small hiatus at the beginning of this year The Midnight Antics were back for their Better Late Than Never tour.

Taylah Little was the first artist to take to the stage and her playful key playing and lush voice started the night off perfectly. Her cover of Rudimental’s Free showcased vocals that resounded through the audience. Next was Eleea Navarro who interacted with the crowd, joking and laughing. She had a strong vocal range and played I’m Not Scared without her guitarist, joking that she would have to try and outdo him on the instrument. The third was Yes Sir, Noceur who were the surprise act of the night. They took to the stage with a packed house and played their instruments with passion. Every person in the room was grooving to their smashing beat and their performance was fantastic.

Considering this was the band’s first gig these guys are definitely one to keep an eye and an ear on this year.

Finally The Midnight Antics were ready to play, better late than never, with honorary bass player Scotty French joining them. Ripping into Calling Out Your Name Jarryd O’Brien’s vocals really shone, given how skillful his guitar playing is, I was surprised. The next song I Don’t Give A F**K Mate crashed through the audience, with lead vocalist and guitarist Evan Manttari at the helm. This song has become anthemic for the band and never fails to get people shouting out the lyrics and flailing their bodies in semi-coordinated movements.

Launching into a cover of Jonny Cash’s Folsom Prison the vibe between drummer Grant Butler and bassist Scotty French was perfectly timed and with smiles all around pulsed great energy out into the crowd. With a captivating blues-rock sound, and a passion for keeping the punters entertained, this band never fails to impress. Their set ended

The Midnight Antics @ The Loft

with a great rendition of the John Butler Trio’s Funky Tonight that had the floor shaking.

THE SUNNYBOYS + THE V-RAYS The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay | 14 March As the sun dropped The Great Northern Hotel filled with locals revelling in the end of the working week. Australian 80’s underground legends The Sunnyboys just that morning re-released their hit debut eponymous LP Australia-wide.

The night also marked the start of their tour along Australia’s east coast in support of their best of compilation released late last year.

This was the first time in over two decades The Sunnyboys have played in their old stomping ground. Anticipation was high and excitement was building. As the doors opened just after eight, the venue quickly filled with Generation Xers excited to reacquaint themselves with the music they once blared in their bedrooms. The most impressive sight was a noticeable scattering of younger fans throughout the crowd, born long after the original Sunnyboys’ line-up split in 1984.

Support act The V-Rays took the stage with a strong set of originals and a smattering of covers from punk outfits like the Sex Pistols and Dead Kennedys. These rockers had years of experience behind them, and it showed. Guitar solos were effortlessly pulled off and vocals lashed at the crowd, getting them moving and warmed up for main act. The tight drumming of Count V-Ray hurtled the band along. Many would recognise him as Michael Charles; the drummer of iconic Aussie bands The Lipstick Killers and The Screaming Tribesmen. The V-Rays were the right pick to liven up the crowd and get them moving to the sounds of the 80’s, and in eleven tracks The V-Rays did just that.

The Sunnyboys @ The Great Northern Hotel

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As The V-Rays left the stage, the fans rushed in, eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Sunnyboys. Less than half an hour later, the lights dimmed, and the shadows of The Sunnyboys slid on stage, bursting straight into As I Walk.

The room was transported back to the heyday of pub rock in Australia, as Jeremy Oxley’s vocals exploded out just as youthfully as when the track was recorded. They rolled straight into Love to Rule, an upbeat track with a strong surf riff that threw the crowd into a frenzy of dancing.

The band moved effortlessly around the stage, smiles appearing on all of their faces; especially when the crowd knew every line to their earlier tracks, such as Tunnel of Love and Happy Man. The backing melodies and vocals from Richard and Peter were on key, proving the talent they had in the 80s didn’t fade. The Sunnyboys played favourite after favourite, with the crowd going wild to Love in a Box and It’s Not Me. Peter fronted the band as he sung The Stooge. Soon after, the band closed their main set with a killer intro from Bill to the hit song Show Me Some Discipline.

The Sunnyboys came back on stage for two encores, plunging into Alone With You and Trouble In My Brain before leaving. The Sunnyboys then closed with Tomorrow Will Be Fine, a fast paced track blasted out at the crowd, making them jump like mad and certain it was well worth the wait to see The Sunnyboys once more. They exited for the last time, and it was clear to all that age was no barrier for The Sunnyboys or their music.

How many times have I seen the Sunnyboys? I could not tell you…. but at least four times in the last 12 months, and god knows how many over the last three decades. But I thought I may as well make up for the two decades they were not playing. The Great Northern is an iconic, old school venue, where you can see and feel the band, and they can see into the eyes of their audience.

The Windy Hills commenced the evenings performance, and their mellow mood-lifting tunes were an entree to what was to come, they played well, nice moody tunes, but it looked like the crowd of mostly 40 somethings (well if you were under forty you were the odd one out) were saving their energy for the return of the band that was part of the soundtrack of their youth, The Sunnyboys.

As soon as The Windy Hills had completed their set the crowd lurched straight to front of stage, and you could feel the anticipation of what was to come. As Individual 118 of the Sunnyboys Fanclub (I still have my fully autographed membership card) I had seen the Sunnyboys first return gig at Enmore Theatre in Sydney as Kids in Dust, the Opera House performance, and the gigs at the Coolangatta Hotel.

What was different? The venue and the band. The venue was so tight and sweaty, it was straight back to the eighties, those old feelings coming back, “Playroomesque” if you will, and you could see the band were really enjoying themselves. The

chemistry on stage was there, and you could see the man himself, Jeremy Saxon Oxley, was feeling at home.

The set was similar to ones I had seen over the past few months, with a couple of new “old” ones added in, and the rhythm section of Bill Bilson and Peter Oxley were as solid as a rock, with Richard Burgman attacking his guitar and Jeremy finding his full voice and putting the garnish of guitar notes to make the full meal. A great performance with smiles all around, on-stage, side of stage, and in the audience. Smiles and memories flooded the room, and the vibe permeated all those that were in attendance.

Why this band was never elevated to the place they belong in the annals of rock n roll I do not know, but they are back, the original and the best. My only bummer came the next week, when I found out they played what used to be the Sunnyboys anthem, The Seeker in Melbourne. But that only gives me something to look forward to next time.

Love to Rule….

Terry “Tappa” Teece

Kyle Butcher

31st May - 8th June 2014

• Nine Days of exciting environmental awareness activites • Celebrating UN World Environment Day (5th June 2014) • Showcasing individuals, businesses and groups who act & think GREEN

Wildlife Expo SUNDAY 8TH JUNE 2012, 10AM-2PM

Australia Fair Shopping Centre 42 Marine Parade, Southport QLD 4215

FUN FAMILY DAY OUT! >Live Animals >Activities >Speakers

>Displays >Stalls >& Lots More

www.GoldCoastGreenWeek.com greenweek@gecko.org.au (07) 5534 1412

The Sunnyboys @ The Great Northern Hotel

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off the record

Real Estate

Smith lately and I just had to write about it! Easter is my pump up album. I hear the opening bars of Till Victory and I feel ready for anything. The third LP in Smith’s catalogue, Easter (1978), is what gained the group commercial success with single Because The Night reaching number 13 on the Billboard Top 100 and number 5 in the UK. Smith has had such an immense impact on the creative world, not just rock music. She is a poet, a visual artist and an amazing songwriter who isn’t afraid to break down barriers. She doesn’t compromise her art. Punk rock would not have been the same without her!

Produced by Jimmy Lovine, Easter delves into many musical styles and, like much of Patti Smith’s work features spoken word. Babelogue is a powerful piece of spoken word with passion, belief and conviction behind her voice. From there, the album progresses to one of the most well known tracks on the release, Rock n Roll Nigger, it’s the second side of this album that has my favourites. Opening with the Privilege (Set Me Free), Smith draws on her discourses of a religious upbringing, adapting lyrics from Psalm 23, followed by the ballad-like We Three, before closing with title track Easter.

What I love most about this album is the willingness to experiment with different styles and the spiritual ideas of death and religion. As stated in the liner notes of the group’s 1976 album Radio Ethiopia, “this group is a field of exploration” and this album is just that.

TWIN PEAKS

Original Soundtrack

Rediscovering old loves and reigniting the flame: that has been my musical journey lately. Here are some more favourites from my growing collection.

REAL ESTATE Atlas

I was trolling Facebook when I saw it: a post from New Jersey band Real Estate with a film clip of the first single, Talking Backwards, for their upcoming album Atlas set for release at the start of March. My jaw hit the floor. I’ve been waiting anxiously for some more blissed out sounds from these guys and with news of a third album coming soon the excitement was almost too much to bear.

I pre-ordered my vinyl and in the week leading to its release I avoided all internet distractions for 10 days until it arrived; no one else’s feelings about Atlas was going to taint my own.

So I arrived home from uni one afternoon and there it was, at my doorstep. I couldn’t even wait to get inside before I ripped open the package to unveil my precious. By this point my heart was racing and I was fumbling to get my keys in the door. I pounced straight for the turntable and switched it on before I realised I had promised my partner to wait for

him so we could hear it for the first time together. My world came crashing down (very dramatic, I know, but this is Real Estate).

Like 2009’s Real Estate and 2011’s Days, Atlas explores similar themes of suburban life however it feels less adolescent. Martin Courtney’s vocals and Matt Mondanile’s lead guitar are in perfect harmony as usual, with the tight rhythm section and perfect production from Tom Schick, Atlas is Real Estate’s most beautiful album yet.

Real Estate has this honest, genuine feel about them that gives a sense of actually knowing them. It’s rare to see a band that are so open and for that, I am truly grateful.

PATTI SMITH GROUP Easter

At the start of autumn for the past three years I have it super comforting to re-watch David Lynch’s TV series, Twin Peaks.

My mum picked this up for me (thanks mum!) and when she told me about it I’m pretty sure I squealed.

Composed by Angelo Badalamenti the music from Twin Peaks is mostly mysterious, jazzy instrumental tunes with a few tracks featuring vocals from Julee Cruise.

The record opens with the classic theme song and moves into Laura Palmer’s theme. It’s gloomy and sad, yet curious, much like the character of Laura Palmer. Audrey’s Dance follows with a more upbeat tempo and pulsing brass. It’s much more cheeky and represents the character of Audrey Horne perfectly. The second side features two of my favourite pieces of music from the show, Dance of the Dream Man, which has this cool walking bass line, finger clicking and saxophone melody and the final song on the soundtrack, Falling with the vocals from Julee Cruise.

Angelo Badalamenti did a tremendous job with the mood of this music and I can’t wait for a rainy, cold morning to put it on and lay in bed with a strong, hot cup of black coffee.

Gina Martin

I’ve been saving this album for a New York themed edition of Off The Record but I’ve been totally addicted to Patti www.blankgc.com.au

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album reviews

SARAH FRANK

THE SINKING TEETH

LYON APPRENTICE

There is no other voice like Sarah Frank. Full stop. A voice aptly flaunted on her debut album titled The Frenzy. This 14-track offering displays soul well beyond her years.

Without the seductive portrait of Sarah smack bang on the album cover, anyone would think she was from a completely different time and background.

The Sinking Teeth found their roots in suburban Victoria, playing in clubs, pubs, parks and even drainage ditches. As the hum and scratching builds to kick off their EP White Water with the track The Sexy Mates, the drum beat intensifies. It escalates to a tremolo based verse riff, reminiscent of Yeah Yeah Yeahs with harsh vocals placed jaggedly on top. The pre-chorus riff is explosive; the drums and guitar bounce off each other, blending perfectly into the chorus. The chorus utilises the other band members’ backing vocal abilities to weave a powerful harmony.

The ambience found throughout Be Honest, Be Wild, Be Free is intoxicating, much like Jeff Buckley’s Grace. But the vocals contained seem to fit snugly between Of Monsters and Men and Matt Corby.

The Frenzy

White Water

Underpinning the sophisticated musicality of the tracks featured on the album, are soft lyrics commenting on heavy societal issues. Her voice guides you through each track of the album, performing more melismas (vocal gymnastics) in each song than you would hear in the entirety of most albums of today.

Produced, engineered and co-mastered by the lady herself, the album fuses a mix of feels including soul, blues, reggae, funk, jazz and even a touch of hip hop with a guest appearance from popular GC rapper, Lane Harry. Stand out tracks include Sadness Knocking, 99.9, and No One To Blame (which heavily channels some Blue King Brown vibes).

Featuring an array of talented local performers, this album is ideal for a contemplative, rainy afternoon accompanied by a glass of red.

Emily Hosking

Be Honest, Be Wild, Be Free

Tongues drops the pace a step, slowly building with rolling toms and disconnected guitar riffs. Another tremolo section follows before quickly giving way to the chorus. The whole song has a strong melancholic feeling to it. White Water raises the tempo again. The verse has a good backing vocal melody as well as a strong disjointed drum beat, which gives way to quick rolls on the toms leading into a short but powerful chorus. When the chorus returns the second time it is succeeded by an energetic guitar riff that cuts through the song.

Temporary Living sets itself apart from the rest of the EP, with an uplifting guitar riff that is consistent in the feeling it emotes from start to finish. The cymbals sound much brighter and softer. The EP is well composed and in the perfect track order. The Sinking Teeth have created a solid EP that will definitely translate well in live gigs.

Kyle Butcher

I Will Find You breaks open the EP with a catchy chorus, and even a brass composition in the bridge. Every instrument plays its part in creating the mood and enveloping your mind in the sweet sounds of melancholia and loss. The EP continues this theme with the track Be Careful, sporting emotive key progressions and faultless vocal melodies all lathered in reverb. Cymbals shimmer and fade throughout the track, and it is clear that this EP was carefully composed. An acoustic track ensues titled Beautiful Thought. This minimalistic track boasts gentle melodies and echoes. Twinkles of keys coupled with synthetic drums kick off the second last track, Castles In The Sky, and this composition is much more like an Alt-J track than Of Monsters and Men. The layers of vocals near the close of this track is an aspect of this song that will definitely transfer well into a live situation. Letters to Nowhere is the longest track of the EP coming in at just over five minutes, sharing a similar minimalistic sound with Be Careful. This track is the brightest musically, however lyrically it seems almost the darkest.

Be Honest, Be Wild, Be Free is a strong EP, with every track carefully designed. The first three tracks are powerful and emotive, with the other two slightly lacking the same level of emotional strength. This is a strong release by a local Gold Coast band.

Kyle Butcher

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FEATURE ALBUM

across the breadth of his latest record Tom E Lewis manages to deliver enough musical and lyrical wallop to make such lofty comparisons not entirely redundant.

The man himself has chartered an interesting course across his life journey, born over 50 years ago in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory to a Welsh father and Indigenous mother. Spending many years as a stage and screen actor in Melbourne, his most prestigious acting gig saw him play the title role in the 1978 film adaptation of the classic Australian novel The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, by Thomas Keneally.

He’s also a multi-instrumentalist, and whilst dabbling in the realms of jazz and blues previously, Beneath The Sun appears to be just the second album he’s released under his own name. Yet the scope and maturity of this album belies such a limited musical output - if you’ve got it, you’ve got it!

A number of talented musicians contribute to the album, including Ross Hannaford of Daddy Cool fame, who provides tasteful guitar embellishment and double bass player Michael Hohnen, who also produced the album and doubles as musical sidekick to critically acclaimed Indigenous artist Gurrumul.

TOM E LEWIS Beneath The Sun The press blurb accompanying the release of Tom E Lewis’ Beneath The Sun describes it as ‘Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and Tom Waites rolled into Aboriginal Australia.’ An eye catching and eyebrow raising description to be sure, but HC_Tag_Team_Poster_2014_PRINT.pdf

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Across its twelve song cycle Beneath The Sun delivers an accomplished suite of songs with a timeless feel. Many of the album’s lyrics paint evocative images of the Australian outback, as well as touching upon the struggle for identity inherent in the lives of many of his people. As well as the aforementioned musical titans there’s also a touch of Paul Kelly to the vibe of many of these songs.

in scope. Dusty, ragged country sounds coexist harmoniously with folkish flourishes and imaginative brass and string arrangements. Touches of mariachi and spaghetti western further colour the palette, giving the album a worldly sound template to go with the heart felt words of its creator.

Can’t Change Your Name, the fantastic first single to be lifted off the album, delivers ruminations on mixed race identity set against a backdrop guitar, banjo and trombone.

Open Road is a contemplative soundtrack to long dusty drives, with it’s refrain “Wind your window down, driving in your car, you can lead me anywhere that you like” bringing to mind (lyrically at least) the classic Smiths track There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. We also get to hear Lewis’ take on classic Oz pub-rock staple Reckless, by Australian Crawl. And on the track I Can’t Make It On My Own, he delivers a darkly rollicking tale about a man who kills his wife and puts her in the freezer, giving some credence to the Nick Cave comparison (circa his Murder Ballads phase) alluded to in the press blurb.

Beneath The Sun has been released by Skinnyfish Music, a Darwin based record label of ten years who specialise in showcasing the music of indigenous Australia. It’s up there as one of the best Australian albums released so far this year...check it out!

Anthony Gebhardt

And whilst there is an inherent national identity reflected in many of the lyrics, the music itself is rather more widescreen

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KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD There are so very few bands in modern music as hard working and dedicated as King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.

Cast your mind back to the late ‘60s, early ‘70s, you smelly hippies, to when the Rolling Stones were pumping out two to three records a year to please their growing fanbase. Yes, that was a long time ago and the music industry has become a different beast. Now, Melbourne’s King Gizzard have effortlessly released their fourth studio album in less than 18 months.

Just as I was still digesting last year’s excellent Float Along – Fill Your Lungs, King Gizzard surprised fans with another studio effort. Although it may be their fourth attempt in just over a year, the band are as fresh and dynamic as ever. Let’s have a breakdown of the group’s ever-growing discography: their debut 12 Bar Bruise was an extension upon King Gizzard’s garage, psych, noise EP that furthered ideas and deepened textures; Eyes Like the Sky was a frivolous change in the resulting in a spaghetti western suitable to soundtrack Django Unchained; the abovementioned Float Along – Fill Your Lungs is arguably King Gizzard’s most vivacious piece of work to date with its courageous 16-minute opener and its further seven beach/ psych jams.

Oddments, as the name might suggest, is a semi-collection of old demos and re-workings from the band’s previous material. The album wastes no time in picking up where Float Along left off with the frantic opener Alluda Majaka throwing you straight into a Bollywood chase scene. Hot Wax brings some harmonica back from 12 Bar Bruise and is warmly welcomed in this reverb-frenzied show off between Mackenzie’s Ty Segall impression and guitarist Ambrose Kenny-Smith’s falsetto.

While Oddments isn’t revolutionary for the band, it serves as a captivating reminder of just how lucky we are to have such hard working, talented psych rockers in our country. If Vegemite – “I love, I love my vegemite / It’s strong as hell and black as night” – doesn’t become our national anthem in the foreseeable future, then there is no hope for our children.

Jake Wilton www.blankgc.com.au

VALDAWAY

Midnight Set is a wave of sound, guitars thick with reverb, layered harmonics, rolling toms, smooth vocals and silky backing melodies pave the way for an effortless entry into the international music scene. The album is strongly emotive, with every song connecting to the listener and offering a unique feeling.

The first thing that struck me about this Perth four piece, well other than the raw, edgy guitar sound, is how much singer Kohen Grogan sounds like Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw/ Head Automatica). Which is to say, pretty damn awesome.

Midnight Set

Oddments

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MT. WARNING

Tiny Town

Midnight Dawn kicks off Midnight Set, and it sounds like a Mumford and Sons cross The National mash-up. The vocal melodies are flawless, the lyrics powerful and the acoustic guitar supports the song perfectly. Subtle spacey notes flow over the top. Alaska is sonically reminiscent of early Bon Iver, while the backing coos sound a lot like Pixies’ Where Is My Mind? The soft, bright cymbals coupled with the rolling toms round out the song, giving it a much fuller feel. Mt. Warning seems to draw sounds from all areas of current music, all the way from those Pixies to Jose Gonzalez.

As Midnight Set enters the back half of the album, Burn Again slowly builds with electronic beeps and deep tom hits.

The deep foreboding hits soon become cracks on the snare and the beeps lighten into a brighter tone, joined by percussion flicking left and right. It closes with a crash-driven, distorted, layered guitar solo that has a strong ominous surrounding it.

Western-styled Like A Tattoo hurtles along with wicked guitar riffs, build-ups, drum fills and fast paced singing.

Midnight Set closes the album, comprising whipping backing vocals and multiple layers of guitar and keys intertwining to create an intricate track. The song ebbs away the same way it started.

Midnight Set is exquisitely composed and for a debut album to a high standard. These songs would be interesting in a live setting with all the different layers of instruments and this album is a good indication of what is to come from this rapidly rising band.

Kyle Butcher

Don’t get me wrong, he’s not a clone. It’s just that Kohen has ‘that voice’, great range, catchy and alive - and so much energy in his delivery.

Valdaway’s Tiny Town is a perfect example of what I call pop post-hardcore: sharp crunchy mid-range guitars, a solid rhythm section, breaking into sections of melodic excellence, with super catchy vocals and riffs.

First song Underground is a prime example, it kicks off with an in your face riff and just grows from there.

Tracks How to Love and Tiny Town sound like songs the Beatles would write if they grew up in the nineties, absolute gems of hard punk-rocking semi-ballads.

But my own personal favourite is the final track Allegiance, makes my head nod and my toes tap every time without fail.

Pay attention to this band, guaranteed they will be blasted all over triple J sometime soon.

James W Dowie

singles BABAGANOUJ Too Late For Love Following the debut EP release Life Sucks from Brisbane four-piece Babaganouj comes a new single Too Late For Love.

Keeping true to their power-pop sounds, Charles (previously of Yves Klein Blue), Jack (previously Inland Sea), Harriet and Ruby (both members of Go Violets) have successfully created another modest indie-pop track.

THE SUNNYBOYS

ALITHIA

The Sunnyboys have split up and reformed multiple times since their initial break-up in June 1984 and this album is a reissue of their eponymous debut LP, with bonus tracks at the end of the first disc, and a collection of demos filling up the second. The original album has been carefully remastered under the watchful eye of Peter Oxley, the bassist and brother of lead singer/guitarist Jeremy Oxley.

If you aren’t a fan of extended musical interludes and music that creates a soundscape transcending you to a different frame of mind then don’t bother reading this review and go listen to pop rock FM instead.

To the Edge of Time

Remarkably the songs carry through the decades and are still relevant today. The album kicks off with I Can’t Talk To You; a strong track with snare rolls lashing into the chorus.

A simple yet sweet chorus comprised almost entirely of the song title for lyrics. It is impressive to note that these songs were recorded with minimal guitar pedals and no electronic effects.

It’s Not Me ramps up the album to a different tone with an upbeat riff and claps. The track drastically changes the mood from what was set by the previous two tracks. The chorus comes complete with la las sung by the band and is a song you can’t stand still to. Happy Man and Alone With You follow: The Sunnyboys’ biggest hits in the 80s, they speak entirely for themselves.

Surf rock Tunnel Of Love is a killer track with a wicked guitar riff barrelling through from start to finish: one of the songs fans crave the most at gigs. I’m Shakin’ closes the original LP in a positive tone, and features possibly the catchiest whistling used in Aussie rock. The first disc of this reissue also features bonus tracks from The Sunnyboys’ EP Happy Birthday, as well as b-sides from the singles. The second CD is brilliant, there’s nothing better than hearing how songs develop from their initial recording to the final product, and these demos are well worth a listen to.

The Sunnyboys expertly composed this album and it’s impressive that the band can come back after more than a two-decade absence, sell out gigs and have these tracks still be relevant to today. It shows a high level of craftsmanship that bands today strive for.

Kyle Butcher

Recorded in Budapest, Hungary this Melbourne based 5 piece have delivered an atmospheric prog rock beast of an album with stand out tracks: Thirteen Revelations, Tribulations Rise and Here I Am. Their sound has been dubbed astral space core by their peers, but for the unenlightened; imagine a supergroup made out of the guitarists from A Perfect Circle and Muse, the keyboardist from Faith No More, and the bass player of Manic Street Preachers jamming Pink Floyd and Rush covers whilst drunk on cognac.

The music Alithia creates is intelligent, creative, and emotional. They take you on a sonic journey and don’t let up until the end. Peppered with ambient highs and lows and spoken word sections reminiscent of Mike Patton, this is a masterful album that showcases amazing songwriting and musicianship.

It isn’t a collection of singles. To the End of Time deserves to be listened to from start to finish, preferably with a glass of merlot and an open mind.

I’ll have to be honest, I didn’t pay much attention to the lyrical content as I was more enraptured with the singers voice. (name unknown- couldn’t find any member’s names online) It perfectly accompanies the music and he sounds like no other. A fresh original voice that you can’t help but be engaged by.

If you get a chance to buy this album, or to catch them live, do it. I know I will be....

Too Late For Love, produced by Sam Cooke of Big Scary/ Jeremy Neale, has me tapping my feet within the first 10 seconds and singing along to the catchy lyrics by the end.

Bright vocal harmonies and upbeat melody bring an unmistakeably summery vibe to this track. Coupled with garage guitars it’s a winning combination. This song drives from start to finish with tight drums and an infectious bass line.

Since their 2013 EP release, Babaganouj have shown so much strength as a band and if this single is anything to go by I can’t wait for a debut LP. Gina Martin

CIRCA WAVES Stuck in my Teeth

The undeniable charm of the British boy band is instantly recognisable in this track: within the first 15 seconds of their intro I can taste The Wombats and The Kooks. Delicious.

The high tempo count-ins and lightly distorted harmonics go beyond the clean cut English schoolboy jams and their Liverpool heritage comes through, scruffy hair and all.

Their age is a giveaway when observing their lyrical qualities.

Angst of being “a little too young with not enough time”, not looking to prove themselves to anyone and generally misunderstood by the adult population. It’s a token relatable track that you can sing along to and think to yourself, “These guys just get me.”

If anything, the vague misgivings of youth and their boyish qualities make for a light and cute-as-a-button catchy tune.

This 5-lad outfit is still growing into their guitars, but I anticipate their rebellious stage will be nothing short of wicked.

Keiren Bond

James W Dowie

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gig guide APRIL Thursday 10 April Ball Park Music, Papa vs Pretty, Holy Holy, Cooly Hotel Electric Zebra, Benny D Williams, Steve Dorrington, Kath Haling, Jemma Lee, The Loft Chevron Island Mick McHugh, Fidders Green Surfers Paradise Friday 11 April Uncle Jed, Soundlounge Currumbin Sarah Frank, Genki Café Palm Beach Yacht Club DJs, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise The Winter of Reason, Brewhouse Jams, Burleigh Brewing Shaun Kirk (Melb), Lani and Lecia, Alisha Todd, The Loft Chevron Island The Ottomans + guests, Dust Temple Currumbin Saturday 12 April Ball Park Music, The Northern Byron Bay Claude Hay (Syd), Cass Eager (Syd), Kenny Slide, The Loft Chevron Island Sarah Frank, Sheoak Shack Fingal Heads Nadia Sunde, Arts Centre Gold Coast The Hi Boys, Miami Marketta Street Food

Sunday 20 April Bluefest Byron Bay Monday 21 April Bluefest Byron Bay Thursday 24 April James Reyne, Twin Towns Daniel Champagne, Josh Lovegrove, The Loft Chevron Island Dinkum Bohos (French Film Festival), Palace Cinemas Byron Bay James Reyne, Twin Towns Friday 25 April Paul Woseen (The Screaming Jets), Geordie Leach Trio, Katie Who, The Loft Chevron Island Sarah Frank, The Bluff Café Burleigh Anzac Day Cooly Fest: Von Villains, The Upskirts, Jimmy the Saint and the Sinners, Sons of the Morning, Dead Books, Black Palms, The Cooly Fat Albert Band, Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern Saturday 26 April Fairchild, LA vs FC Dj Set, Calan Mai, KNDR, The Loft Chevron Island Shed 5 presents Mosspitt #3: Snakes ‘n’ Daggers, Pick it Up, Loud goes Bang, Cactus dil-dos Four Zero One Four, Southern Cross Tavern Coolangatta One Way Street Party: Stonefield, Hussy Hicks, The Vernons, Lyon Apprentice, Electrik Lemonade, Kenny Slide, CC The Cat, The High Grade, Jackson James Smith, Bree De Rome, Jake Whittaker, Ella Fence The Rectifiers, Miami Marketta Street Food

Sunday 13 April Cloud Control, Komune Coolangatta Sarah Frank, Bambu Bar Music Food

Sunday 27 April Music in the Park, Sarah Frank

Wednesday 16 April Cloud Control, Beach Hotel Byron Bay

MAY

Thursday 17 April Bluefest Byron Bay The Bad Shepherds featuring Adrian Edmondson (Vivian from Young Ones), Soundlounge Currumbin Friday 18 April Bluefest Byron Bay Harley Young, Go Go Fish, Tash Le Strange, Mentally Twins, The Loft Chevron Island Saturday 19 April Bluefest Byron Bay Kris Kristofferson, Arts Centre Gold Coast Lane-Harry x Ike Campbell, Tommy Sheehan, Aquila Young, Scott Dalton, The Loft Chevron Island Nautic Giants featuring Aston Shuffle, Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern Akova, Miami Marketta Street Food

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Thursday 1 May Rhythm ‘n’ Soul Night: Caleb Lafaitele, Malachi Tuhoro, Denzel Taylor, Priya, The Loft Chevron Island Friday 2 May Iluka ‘12th of July national tour’ + special guests, The Loft Chevron Island Saturday 3 May Residual, Real//Talks, Alaska Homer, Jordan Richie, The Loft Chevron Island The Living Room, Miami Marketta Street Food Sunday 4 May Sarah Frank, Genki Café Palm Beach Circle of Friends hosted by Hussy Hicks, Miami Marketta (Rabbit+ Cocoon) Thursday 8 May DZ Deathrays, Elsewhere

Friday 9 May RUFUS, Cooly Hotel Dinkum Bohos, Genki Café Palm Beach Felicity Lawless and band, Miami Marketta Saturday 10 May Tuesday’s Good LP launch, The Loft Chevron Island (all ages accompanied by adults) Velvet Martini, Miami Marketta Street Food Sunday 11 May Sarah Frank, The Bluff Café Burleigh Friday 16 May Ella Hooper, Soundlounge Currumbin Dinkum Bohos, Mandala Arts Café Mermaid Beach Sunday 18 May Kim Churchill, Soundlounge Currumbin Saskwatch, ADCO Amphitheatre, Bond University (free event, 1.00pm) Sarah Frank, The Village Markets (morning) A Blues Explosion, Miami Marketta (Rabbit+Cocoon) Friday 23 May Blues on Broadbeach Saturday 24 May Blues on Broadbeach May Alvin and Jahbutu, Miami Marketta Street Food Friday 30 May Kevin Bennett and The Flood, Soundlounge Currumbin Mar Haze, The Loft Chevron Island 30 May – 9 June, Cooly Rocks On featuring Slim Jim Phantom Saturday 31 May Jahkaya, Miami Marketta Street Food

April FRI 11 APR

Uncle Jed with special guests The Firetree THUR 17 APR

The Bad Shepherds Featuring Adrian Edmondson (Vivian, The Young Ones)

May FRI 2 MAY

Bullhorn + Chocolate Strings with special guest CC the Cat FRI 16 MAY

Ella Hooper (Killing Heidi) with special guest Gena Rose Bruce SUN 18 MAY

Kim Churchill FRI 30 MAY

Kevin Bennett & The Flood with special guest Kirk Lorange

June FRI 13 JUNE

Send your gigs to news@blankgc.com.au

Saskwatch FRI 20 JUNE

The Audreys

Upcoming Shows THURS 3 JULY

The Beards with special guest Franky Walnut FRI 4 JULY

Dan Sultan with special guest Stonefield FRI 11 JULY

Lloyd Cole (UK) FRI 15 AUG

Tim Freedman Tickets at soundlounge.com.au

BLEACH* FESTIVAL

Photos courtesy of Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography

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PULSE UP TO KEEP THE WASTE DOWN

BUYING LOCAL IS GOOD FOR YOU AND GOOD FOR THE PLANET

From a bird’s eye view, Gold Coast’s beaches look clean.

They’ve won back-to-back Australia’s cleanest beach awards in recent years, so most would think there aren’t any litter or marine debris issues… Think again.

Despite the City of Gold Coast’s best efforts to keep beaches clean and safe with daily beach sweepers, canal waterway and park-street clean-up crews, plus community volunteers, Gold Coast beaches, similar to almost every other beach in Australia and across the world, face the same issue – plastic pollution washing up on the shore.

“We call this marine debris,” said Justin Bonsey, co-founder of Responsible Runners, a nation-wide not-for-profit collective of volunteers, who run and walk along beaches and waterways every week picking up marine debris and locally-sourced beach litter.

“As Australia’s coastal region hosts millions of residents and visitors every year, especially during the summer, unfortunately a tremendous amount of rubbish is left behind and enters waterways.”

Much of the rubbish is plastic, which is made from oil, highly processed and virtually non-biodegradable. It breaks into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic that enter waterways and then the ocean.

The tragedy is how plastic pollution impacts the marine environment as sea animals ingest big or microscopic pieces or become entangled in larger debris, Ms Bonsey said.

To help combat this international issue, epitomised by a recent survey of remote Antarctic waters that found 50,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometer, Responsible Runners ‘pulse up to keep the waste down’. Every week, volunteers across Australia meet on a local beach for an active 30 minute cleanup to have fun and protect the marine environment.

You know, there are plenty of food trends that come and go.

But this notion of mass produced food bathed in chemicals, shipped thousands of miles, refrigerated, sprayed to sit on shelves longer, waxed, polished, packaged, labelled, housed in airconditioned warehouses, transported to a local foreign-owned grocery store and then transported by you to your home – well that’s a trend I hope does more going than coming.

Get involved today. With more hands picking and more hearts pulsing, we can beat our marine debris issue. For more information please visit www.responsiblerunners.org.

It’s no wonder. There’s evidence that diet impacts on a massive range of health issues – everything from dementia to autism, asthma and allergies. And when you buy local, you’re ensuring you get fresher food, that’s been picked recently, exposed to less environmental toxins, handled by fewer people and grown according to season – which in turn means less chemical fertilisers, pesticides and preservers.

But there’s a bunch of other reasons why buying local is good for you and good for the planet: 1.

2.

3.

Naomi Edwards 4.

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6.

The notion of buying local has grown in recent years. It’s been helped along by a resurgence of community gardens, farmers’ markets, food buying cooperatives and organic delivery services.

There are three weekly cleanup events on the Gold Coast.

Mermaid Beach, opposite Mermaid Beach SLSC, Tuesday 5.30pm The Spit, Coastguard Tower at the Seaway, Wednesday 5:30pm Burleigh Heads, Justins Park viewing platform, Thursday 5:30pm.

5.

Connects you to the environment – when you buy local, you buy seasonal produce which means you are instantly building an understanding of what grows when (knowledge you can easily transfer to your own garden). But you’re also connecting with farmers and the environmental issues they have to contend with.

You know when the weather’s been bad, you know when we haven’t had enough rain, and now you know why the avocados grown locally aren’t as sweet / green / creamy as they usually are.

Build local economies – supporting local farms means keeping money in the local economy. Building local economies has massive flow-on effects for employment, health, education and wellbeing.

Cuts out the middle man - When local farmers sell directly to buyers they can charge the retail price for their produce, earning more in the dollar than they would if selling to wholesale buyers. That in turn means more farmers staying on their properties, with more income to be innovative.

Ensures more open space – when farmers stay on their farms, there’s less blocks being carved up for development, which means more green belts for our

7.

8.

cities, more open space, and in turn better connected and more diverse plant and animal communities.

Boosts nutrition – fresh fruits and vegetables lose nutrition quickly when transported. When you buy local, the produce has probably been harvested within days of buying which means it’s fresher and better for you.

Saves energy – when you buy local you conserve the massive amounts of energy used in both packaging and shipping food. The grapes you buy in winter have come from the USA – imagine the energy required to grow those grapes, fertilise and protect them from pests, package them, ship them to Australia, refrigerate them, transport them to 1000 foreign-owned grocery stores and keep them fresh for months.

Encourages the best possible farming practice – when a farmer is selling food to his neighbours and the extended community in which she lives, she’s encouraged to use the best possible farming practices she can. It’s likely that you’ve driven past the banana farm you buy bananas from and your farmer knows that. When you are selling directly to consumers, you can’t hide behind a mass-marketed product, you are your own best salesperson.

Builds community – one of the things I love about shopping at farmers’ markets is talking to the farmer.

Hearing the stories about the current harvest, learning more about the fruits or vegetables they’re selling and generally getting to know more about what they do.

Finally, I believe local food tastes better.

OK, I haven’t actually found any scientific evidence for this, but buying local food somehow sits in my mouth longer.

I appreciate both the labours of the farmer and my own labours finding the freshest, most local produce I can. I don’t waste as much because it’s precious to me and I talk about it all the time.

Next time you’re shopping for food, check the label or ask someone where it came from. You’ll be surprised how far your food has travelled and how much it’s been handled before it gets to your plate.

It’s such a small thing, but it makes a big impact on you and on the environment.

Samantha Morris

BETTER TO HAVE LOVED THE REEF AND LOST… People along the Queensland coast have watched half of the Great Barrier Reef die in the last 30 years.

To capture some of these people’s stories, Guardian journalist Oliver Milman and two photographers, Christian Bennet and Mike Bowers, travelled the reef from Cairns to Brisbane for a week filming and talking to experts and locals.

The resulting story ‘The Great Barrier Reef: An Obituary’ is vivid, online and interactive.

Oliver Milman said the newspaper had wanted to draw attention to the results of the scientific gathering in Japan for the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] Working Group II five-year report on the impacts of climate change.

“We wanted to do something about that in relation with the reef, posing the question, are we near the end of the reef?”

Oliver Milman said.

That began a two month project for Mr Milman, starting with research on the reef ’s history and finding the sources to interview “We specifically wanted to get interviews with people who had experienced the reef for years and seen changes.”

“Get a balance - scientists and experts, people who work on the reef, people who live alongside the reef and care about it – let the interviewees have the voice.”

The multimedia project was produced by the Guardian’s interactive team. It contains interviews, videos and photos that create a great picture of how feelings for the reef have changed.

From Captain Cook’s feelings of terror of being trapped and lost in an endless coral labyrinth, to the kitsch carefree feelings of the resort days of the 60s, to the love and caring feelings of Yarrabah traditional owner, Errol Neal.

“I feel for the reef. It seems to be dying,” Errol Neal said.

Mr Milman said the indigenous community leader’s views are especially poignant, because he is not a campaigner or an activist, but he has lived beside it and depended on the reef for food all his life.

The project shows forms of eco-tourism started on Green Island in the 1890s long before Green and Heron islands were developed in the 1930s.

The mood was all fun and wonder as the first daily cruise of the reef started in 1978 and Hollywood stars like Lee Marvin came to fish for Marlin.

“Everyone fell in love with it but nobody quite understood the potential harm that could be done by many different things such as tourism… agriculture and mining,” Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Managing Director, Peter Gash, told the Guardian.

Photo supplied by Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.

Lady Elliot Island, 35 minutes flight from Bundaberg, was the most beautiful inspiring experience of the whole project, Elliot Milman said.

Peter Gash has decades of connection and serious concerns for the future of the ecosystem that is home to 70 indigenous and Torres Strait Island groups, 3000 different reefs, 600 islands, 600 coral types, 1600 fish types, 133 types of sharks and rays and 30 species of whale and dolphin.

The resort director said CO2 has never been this high. It’s the “cumulative effect” like a “death of a thousand cuts”.

“The planet is speaking to us,” he said.

Milman’s saddest experience during the assignment was in Gladstone, talking to the owner of Gladstone Fish Markets, Tim Whittingham, who had to reduce his staff by 80 -90 percent because customers wouldn’t buy local fish and he wouldn’t sell it because the local fish-catch looked sick.

Tim Whittingham said fishing was Gladstone’s first industry, but local fish with infected lesions and abscesses have been common since 2011 when the dredging for the Curtis Island gas plants was done.

“I think that was really sad. Something that could have been avoided, but the government blames the flooding for the sick fish issue rather than the dredging,” Elliot Milman told Blank.

The Guardian journalist believes strongly in what he does.

“I think it’s the only way you can make a difference. Have knowledge on your side. Ask questions of the right people.”

“You can’t tell every story like that because the time and the cost is huge and you have to pick your topics.”

The story was targeted for Australians and internationally, and the international response has been strong.

“Australians know and love the Barrier Reef, but take it for granted, expecting it to always be around,” the journalist said.

He wrote that Australia with its coal mines has a vested interest in the world having a fossil fuel habit and called Australia a “quietly comfortable accomplice” in climate change.

It is comforting to know that there are journalists like Elliot Milman and news organisations like the Guardian in Australia who give the public the chance to be informed and engage.

Being “informed and engaged is quite powerful” because the people can influence government and corporate decisions, he said.

For a mix of the good news and the bad news have a look for yourself at the interactive story. See the marine scientists’ hope for the reef if changes are made urgently (tinyurl.com/ pgf58vo).

The IPCC report, described as alarming but not alarmist, was released on March 31.

It said the threat of global warming has increased and the Great Barrier Reef has little ability to adapt to it.

He said a great thing about the Guardian is that cost isn’t the first consideration when there is an important story to do.

Action to reduce detrimental effects include reducing carbon emissions, nutrient run-off and over-exploitation.

“Our focus isn’t on cost but on quality journalism.”

To read the IPCC exert on the reef follow this link tinyurl.com/ipccexert

“Multimedia shows things in a very immersive way so it was very feasible for the Barrier Reef story.

Mic Smith

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ECO-BYTES Gold Coast Green Week Green Week is an annual event, this year taking place 31 May to 8 June and hosted by Gecko – Gold Coast & Hinterland Environment Council. Over the 9 day program, a series of talks, tours, bushwalks and exhibitions will be held across the coast to celebrate World Environment Day (5 June). The event culminates in a wildlife expo at Australia Fair Southport on 8 June – a chance to get up close and personal with snakes, bats, crocodiles and more. Details at gecko.org.au. Blank GC is thrilled to be supporting Gecko with this year’s Green Week as a media partner.

Paving the way for wildlife The Wildlife Hospital at Currumbin admits over 7000 native animal patients annually, with each case receiving the highest level of veterinary care. Following intensive treatment, native animals are rehabilitated and released back into the wild wherever possible. But all this work comes at a cost. In an innovative donor program, the Hospital is offering you the chance to have a paver engraved with your name or even a logo in exchange for a small contribution.

Get the details at cwhf.org.au/pavers-option/.

Responsible Runners cleaning up The Spit to Burleigh Responsible Runners launched on the Gold Coast towards the end of 2013, with an avid group of runners with a conscience cleaning up The Spit every Wednesday afternoon.

But last month, new groups launched at Mermaid Beach and Burleigh. Local ambassadors Lauren Hodge, Ella Horton, Ryan Adams and Naomi Edwards are joining forces to lead more groups to raise awareness about beach litter and marine debris issues along one of Australia’s most prized stretches of sand. Get all the details by contacting ryan@keepitsurreal.net or 0401 258 183.

Mermaid Beach opposite SLSC, Tuesday 5.30 – 6.00pm The Spit near VMR tower, Wednesday 5.30 – 6.00pm Burleigh central viewing platform, Thursday 5.30 – 6.00pm Stop Tony Abbott reversing World Heritage protection Prime Minister Abbott’s government is blitzing the World Heritage Committee in Paris with a powerful campaign to reverse the World Heritage protection of 74,000 hectares of Tasmania’s forests. These forests are the habitat of many rare birds and animals. The Bob Brown Foundation needs to raise $30,000 for rallies, public meetings, buying 28

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advertising and multimedia presentations to help keep these forests listed as World Heritage.

Donate at tinyurl.com/WHprotect.

Ocean trash hampers the search for MH370 We already know the ocean is full of garbage, but when satellites start pinging photos around the world of trash floating in the sea, the message is loud and clear. We’re basically using the ocean as a dumping ground for plastic.

The north Pacific gyre is 270,000 square miles. That’s an area larger than Texas. But it’s not just plastic bags floating in the sea, it’s all manner of plastic trash – it’s drums falling off ships, damn, it’s whole shipping containers. Queensland Conservation Council is spearheading a campaign to have the Queensland Government ban single-use plastic bags which will have a small impact on plastic rubbish in the ocean. Get details at qldconservation.org.au/plastic-bagfree-queensland.

Burleigh to be the home of Boomerang Bags As part of their Rise Above Plastics campaign Surfrider Foundation is joining forces with Yeskandoo to bring Burleigh a plastic bag alternative. Boomerang Bags will see bins stocked full or reusable bags in popular outlets through Burleigh village. The founders of the program are hoping that making free reusable bags available for shoppers will encourage a mentality of re-use in the local community.

There’s no doubt it’s a team effort too, with the local Mens’ Shed, Country Women’s Association, Numinbah Correctional Facility, Coral Homes and schools and community groups involved in making bags, bins and supplying materials. If you’re interested in joining a regular sewing bee or just want more information contact Tania 0410 552 025 or Jordyn 0425 345 066. The pilot program is expected to start in 2014.

Commercial activity on our beaches?

City of Gold Coast is seeking your input into a review which will determine what sorts of activities might be allowed on our beaches and how they will be managed. The review is an action under the Ocean Beaches Strategy 2013 – 2023, developed to help the City manage valuable assets and the environmental, social and economic benefits they bring.

After considering the community’s views, the City will develop a management plan for to be presented to Council in June 2014. Have your say at gchaveyoursay.com.au/cab.

Consultation closes 14 April 2014.

Catchment crawl for the GC SEQ Catchments is hosting a fun-filled guided coach tour to explore and share knowledge about four community projects which protect and enhance the environment and its biodiversity. The trip takes in Southport, Currumbin and Palm Beach and is free and open to all. Places are limited and the tour takes place Sunday 13 April from 8.00am – 4.00pm. Get all the details from Linda at ldurham@seqcatchments.com. au or 0400 910 679.

IPCC reports on climate impacts, adaptation and vulnerability A working group of the IPCC has released a new report into the impacts, adaptation and vulnerability of climate change.

The report considers the vulnerability and exposure of human and natural systems, the observed impacts and future risks of climate change and the potential for and limits to adaptation. You can view the organisation’s press conference about the report at tinyurl.com/BlankIPCCx.

World Court rules Japanese whaling not scientific Sea Shepherd has applauded the World Court for protecting the whales of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary with a ruling last week that Japan’s whaling program in the Antarctic is not for scientific purposes. In a vote of 12 to 4, the International Court of Justice ruled that the scientific permits granted by Japan for its whaling program were not scientific research as defined under International Whaling Commission regulations. It ordered that Japan revoke the scientific permits given under JARPA II and refrain from granting any further permits under that program.

Send your eco-news to news@blankgc.com.au.

HILTON REMOVES MAN IN GREY SUIT FROM MENU Hilton Worldwide has ceased all sales of shark fin in its hotels as of April 1, a decision that shows a growing trend towards more sustainable practises among big businesses.

The global hospitality company first decided to ban all shark fin dishes in its Hong Kong establishments two and a half years ago which has paved the way for their hotels in South East Asia, China and now finally Japan and Korea to do the same.

The ban represents Hilton’s drive to become more sustainable and shows a growing trend among big businesses to focus more on their global social responsibility.

Last year Cathay Pacific and Korean Air ended all shipments of shark fin and shark related products, a decision signifying just how important sustainability is to some large companies.

Vice President of food and beverage operations for Asia Pacific Hilton Worldwide, Markus Schueller has seen the shark fin ban project from the very start and is proud of the end result.

“I feel very passionate about it, I started this project about two and a half years ago and it feels really good now. It was a long journey but it was a very worthwhile journey,” Mr Schueller said.

The ban of shark fin is only the beginning of Hilton’s commitment to the ‘Living Sustainably’ pillar, which is part of the company’s global corporate responsibility strategy.

The Living Sustainably pillar takes into account all areas of water, energy, food, commodities and waste and is considered by Hilton to be equally as important as quality, service and revenue in terms of their performance metrics.

Mr Schueller says his team’s belief in ending the sale of shark fin has helped the ban to become as successful as it is.

“The best thing for me is that we believed in doing this for the right reasons, we want to run a sustainable business,” Mr Schueller said.

“Shark fin is not the be all and end all, it is just the first step in our journey of sustainable sourcing and we have just started.”

Over the last two to three months Mr Schueller has been working alongside World Wildlife Fund to tackle the next big item on the agenda, sustainable seafood.

“The next item of the agenda is sustainable seafood. We have started engaging with larger groups like WWF where we want to work together with them to learn how we should do things differently, what we are doing right today, where we should improve on,” Mr Schueller said.

Mr Schueller says the ban has been a gradual and measured

process that has not resulted in any visible loss in revenue or customer base.

“We are not loosing money because we are going about it the right way. We are phasing it out, we are telling people about it and giving people alternatives,” Mr Schueller said.

Marine campaigns officer at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Tooni Mahto, says Hilton’s ban on shark fin sends a clear message to countries where shark fin is still widely consumed.

“What Hilton is actually saying to people is that it is acceptable to look at alternatives to serving shark fin at those key functions where it was traditionally served and saying there are other ways of ensuring that the respect attached to the dish is maintained,” Ms Mahto said.

The process and trade of shark fin is no longer just an animal welfare issue, but it is also a population sustainability issue, a factor that is being utilised by big businesses to gain competitive advantages over one another.

“Businesses are starting to understand that for them to operate and be competitive they need to have this sustainability agenda,” Ms Mahto said.

“They need to show their customers they care about sustainability and a good way to do that is to commit to a ban such as shark fin which has become a really hot topic globally.”

This commitment is significant not only because it highlights the animal rights problems with shark finning, but also because it reduces the sheer number of shark fins being bought and sold globally.

“If there is an economic incentive to stopping live shark finning then it is more likely that countries are going to move away from it.” Ms Mahto said.

“That is exactly where places like the Hilton come in, they have to be saying, ‘ok we don’t want anything of this nature,’ you know, showing that businesses are engaged with the issue around shark finning.”

Globally this ban will have an impact on the international shark fin market due to the sheer size of Hilton, however Ms Mahto fears the ban is not likely to have any impact on the sale and trade of shark fin products in Australia.

“In Australia it is very much within individual restaurants where shark fin is sold so I am less sure that Hilton’s decision is going to have that much of an influence in the sale of shark fin and shark fin products in Australia,” Ms Mahto says.

Ms Mahto says that although Australian legislation protects sharks and has banned live shark finning, the lack of trade data means the volume and species of shark fin being

exported and imported is unclear.

“At the moment we have no idea how much Australia is really exporting and importing and we don’t know what species any of the shark fins are from,” Ms Mahto said.

“We still have a huge problem in terms of our long term goal of protecting shark populations and species around Australia and around the world.”

Amy Mitchell-Whittington

• • • •

• •

It is estimated that more than 1 hundred million sharks are killed by commercial and recreational fishing every year IUCN have assessed that one-third of all open ocean shark species are threatened with extinction.

In Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victorian legislation, shark fins must be attached to the body of the shark when landed.

In Tasmania, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland waters, fins are able to be detached at sea, so long as fishermen bring back a ratio of shark fin to shark meat.

Globally, species composition of the shark fin trade has not been assessed for over a decade.

Declining shark numbers have a negative impact on their eco-systems.

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ZE PICKLE Cnr Park Ave & Connor St, Burleigh Heads In a suburb dubbed as ‘the new Byron Bay’, within sight of an award winning beach, there’s a laid back vibe and lots of funky eateries - Burleigh Heads.

We’re heading to a venue that started it all; the first craftbeer drinking hole on the Gold Coast, and one of the first communal dining venues: Ze Pickle.

We were all sad to witness the demise of the little second-hand bookstore on the corner of Park Avenue, but two doors away, Connors’ owner Nathan Zukerman was joyful. He’d always loved the corner venue so he grasped the opportunity to open a burger bar to accompany what was to be the first craft beer bar on the Gold Coast. Joining him were mates JD (Joey Day) and Aaron Wilson. In October 2012, Ze Pickle was born.

We dine out on a Friday night, open-minded to the venue and more than a bit pleased to see the end to a ‘shitty’ Friday! By 6pm it’s already pretty busy with diners, a large range of age groups, the music upbeat but not overpowering, so we settle down to business, here to have a good time.

The drink menu! The range of 30 craft beers, six on tap, makes for interesting choices. The US, NZ and Germany are all well represented, including beers not found in other venues. The wine list is good too, so we don’t even get tempted by the cocktails!

“It’s pretty laid back,” Nathan has told us. “We don’t like a pretentious vibe.”

No who’s who here, it’s all funky cool vibes. The communal dining is working well for us. Besides friends already there, we chat to three groups of people – locals who pop in regularly, as well as interstate visitors keen on having a great time. Under the cover of the poinciana branches,

Ze Pickle @ Burleigh Heads

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the world could pass us by. Who cares! It’s relaxed and easy, just the sort of place where it’s a pleasure to drift into the weekend.

All three owners travel regularly to the States and, loving their food, the menu’s awash with Americana style.

So is the bar. Fronted in copper-painted rego plates hailing from Washington State to New York, I wonder how many suitcases the guys have filled on return journeys... Cool! So is the industrial fit out and dimmed lighting!

The burgers are winners, voted the best on the Gold Coast in 2013, so we’re eager to launch. Burgers and sliders come in three sizes, all available gluten-free, with tons of humour in their names, such as the Funghi Haha Yippee, or the Pablo Escoburger ($15) – ground wagyu beef, cheese, guacamole, queso spread, jalapeno aioli with the added crunch of corn chips, but we’re hedging our bets. Sliders, like shoes, come in pairs, so two sets ($15 a pair) will give us a sampler 4 pack!

Smart thinking!

There’s no holding back on the carbs tonight. We’ve ordered entrées of Porkitas (housemade mini tostadas stacked with pulled pork, queso and aioli) with a bowl of Sweet Potato Fries to accompany them. Served with a homemade aioli for $8.50, it’s a generous portion of a totally addictive dish, and they’re polished off before our sliders arrive.

I’ve spied something else on the menu, though. I grab JD and ask that if a Triple Loco Burger is ordered, could I please take a quick shot. At $34, it’s nicknamed “The Widow Maker”; a burger of three wagyu patties, triple cheese, bacon jam, pulled pork, lettuce, tomato relish, caramelised onion and slaw, served between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

Unremarkably, there’s a waiver to sign. Not one for the faint-hearted, and I feel doubly virtuous turning back to my not-so-little slider!

“So, what about the health angle? There are quite opposing viewpoints in fitness practice: paleo vs carb loading.” It was a

Mavis’s Kitchen @ Uki NSW

question I’d timidly asked Nathan earlier.

Nathan laughed.

“Many of our regulars love working out. Well, everyone needs a night off! All good, so long as you work it off!”

“But the Krispy Kreme burger is a joke, right?” JD’s serving us, so I grab the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity. I’d seen a photo of the burger on the Facebook page and thought it was a practical joke: A Krispy Kreme donut enveloping a wagyu beef patty, Swiss cheese, crispy bacon, jam & maple syrup for $15. Are they for real?

“It’s no joke,” he says. “It’s a special we put on every three months or so. It actually tastes really good!” Later, an American friend gives me an eye roll deliciousness indicator at its mere mention. Hmmm...

It’s not on the menu tonight, though, so we’re primed to order dessert. With a new-found friend as a willing accomplice, indulgence looms as a possibility!

Dominique Ansel would be proud! The man who brought us the cronut and the new cookie-and-milk shot probably hasn’t heard about the Oreogazm! Yet! It’s an ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ experience, even reading the menu! And it almost lives up to its reputation, but let’s not go there!

Chocolate Oreos, dipped in a light doughnut batter before being deep fried sound deadly. They are, but in the best possible way! Served with ice cream and chocolate sauce, the dish is far more delicate than it sounds - an indulgent treat to share.

“Everybody’s got to have fun!” says Nathan, and at Ze Pickle we really do!

Now, about working it off...

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

MAVIS’S KITCHEN 64 Mt Warning Road, Uki NSW On a steamy March day after the relentless heaving rain, my body craved nothing more than getting outdoors for some fresh air and adventure. Where else to go then but take a scenic drive along the Tweed River Way to Mavis’s Kitchen at the base of the eternally misted, ethereal appearing Mt Warning.

It had been two years since my last visit to this home away from home, and true to form nothing had really changed.

It was still the same beautiful old Queenslander, beckoning you to tea; the same lush gardens and lawn; the same friendly casual service. I knew this was going to be a good day.

Like many of the better eateries these days, Mavis’s aims to keep a light footprint to preserve our earth for future g enerations. To ensure this they grow their own food organically in their beautiful kitchen garden, buy local, and keep happy chooks. Even the alluring building is recycled.

Owners Peter and Charlie decided on a tree-change and bought their existing restaurant premises from the Gold Coast with them on semi-trailers, reconstructing it on this inviting parcel of land.

We arrived to take our table downstairs, nestled under the watchful eye of Mt Warning so our little man could run circles around the citrus trees and play in the giant cubby house nature made with one huge old tree. Service is casual, with a printed single page menu on the table, you go upstairs to order and pay. With just a handful of options for each course it makes deciding on which yummy nosh to eat a fairly easy affair, quite a nice change from other food empires where the list is never-ending and you have a perpetual fear of making the wrong choice. Sadly though the wine list is sorely lacking with by the glass drops far too average to live up to the meals and the location Mavis’s offers. They do offer local beer though, perfect on a hot day, as you sit and admire the domain you can pretend is yours, just for a few hours.

To start we couldn’t go past the irresistible offering of Air-Dried Bangalow Pork Fillet served with sourdough, rocket, parmesan and aged balsamic. What is it about Bangalow Pork that is always so supremely damn good?

Air-dried was a new way of eating it for me and just sublime.

Highly recommended. Our toddler couldn’t get enough!

I can never leave a restaurant without dessert so on this day I had to order a plate of scones. Perhaps not the wisest choice on a humid day but that alone proved how good the cooking here is. Warm, slightly bouncy, huge, and incredibly light and fluffy served with the most delicate generous whipped cream and homemade jam. I would come back for these alone!

Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner Friday and Saturday you’re a lucky person if you can get in without a booking. Make a day of it and enjoy the idyllic Tweed inland area with a climb up Mt Warning or for the less enthusiastically inclined, a visit to the Tweed River Art Gallery. Or just pop in for a Devonshire tea, the scones really are worth the drive alone! Or if you’re feeling truly decadent, book into one of the rustic cabins on site for the night. It’s a decision you won’t regret.

Katie Hooper

THE CORNER ESPRESSO HOUSE Christine Corner, 221 Christine Avenue, Varsity Lakes Heading to the local shops became a lot more enjoyable nine months ago when a caffeinated gem called The Corner Espresso House appeared within Christine Corner. Describing The Corner as welcoming is an understatement. Walking through the beaded curtain door you are transported to a cosy land, where the comforting scent of ground coffee advises you that you have come to the right place for your morning caffeine hit.

The cheerful and friendly Chantelle is often on hand to greet the customers, who clearly love the coffee as they come back time and time again with Chantelle happily informing me “they’ve become like family”.

As Chantelle herself is an avid coffee lover I take her advice and try her favourite drink, the low tide latte, which is “not quite a latte, not quite a piccolo”. The low-tide latte is comforting and filling with a delicately creamy nut and chocolate taste coupled with a pleasing sharpness. If you have time to sit back, relax and appreciate your coffee then you may enjoy the exceedingly drinkable, sharp and almost savoury scented long black with its sweet, mild fruit like flavour.

If, like me, you are ‘occasionally’ running late for work then the espresso is for you. Its earthy and sharp aroma leads you into mild nutty flavoured drink that builds to a succulent sharp finish. Whilst The Corner’s main bean is the Dimattina Grande Tazza, their espresso is best enjoyed house blend style with Espresso Bar coffee beans.

My coffee adventure at The Corner ended on a high note with their punchy macchiato, a perfectly blended sweet and savoury wake-up call.

The Corner Espresso House @ Varsity Lakes

The Corner Espresso House is open 6.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday, 6.00am to 1.30pm on Saturday and 7.30am to midday on Sundays. Having such awesome coffee along my commute route helps me start my working day in the best possible way.

It’s time to do yourself a favour and do the same.

Catherine Coburn

For mains I had the 3 hour Slow Cooked Greek Lamb with Rosemary Salted Chips, Organic Green Salad, Persian Fetta and Tzaziki. The lamb was utterly tender and although the tzaziki agreed with nothing on the plate, I mopped up the delicious sauce from my partners plate with the lamb – perfect combo. The rosemary chips were a revelation, hands down best I’ve had in a long time.

My partner chose the Free Range Slow Cooked Pork Belly with Sweet Potato and Sage Mash and a green apple and radish salad with pork jus. Certainly the least fatty pork belly we’ve ever tried with the right amount of crispness and sweetness in each mouthful. A true winner.

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HANG 10: COOL VEGETARIAN EATS The vegetarian dining scene has flourished during the past couple of years, particularly on the southern end of the Gold Coast. There’s a growing awareness of provenance and sustainability, education and healthier food habits.

Gone are the days when ordering a vegetarian meal drew the expectation of a plate of steamed vegetables or a green salad landing on your table. Nor is it just about tofu and tempeh. Now your dining preference may be vegan, lactose free, or even paleo (to name a few)! The best vegetarian restaurants show us the importance of the freshest locally sourced ingredients, clever food combinations and excellent cooking techniques.

Here’s a selection of vegetarian and vegan-friendly food establishments on the Gold Coast, in no particular order:

From Earth and Water, Burleigh Heads From Earth and Water is, in our books, the epitome of a vegetarian restaurant where all the elements come together in a casual Gold Coast dining style. Nikki Fulton uses 100 % plant based food of the highest quality, freshly sourced from the best local growers. Food in her restaurant is free of all gluten, dairy, refined sugars and processed ingredients.

Joining her in the kitchen is Mark, a chef trained under Dennis Cotter, the award winning owner of Ireland’s famous Café Paradiso. Together they look to find flavour combinations that work well to enhance their top quality ingredients, to refine raw food ‘cooking’ techniques and, importantly, to celebrate culinary experience through exquisite presentation. This restaurant tops the list for Gold Coast vegetarian cuisine.

Kuan Yin Tea House, Southport Kuan Yin Tea House is one of only three Chinese-style vegetarian restaurants on the Gold Coast. The restaurant opened in May 2012, a simple lino-floored café with beige walls and feature panels of bamboo wallpaper, catering for the needs of vegetarians on the Northern end of the Coast. Being modest in décor and price, however, does not mean a lack of choice!

There are several pages to the menu, which is divided into snacks (entrées priced below $7), ‘meat’ and rice sets, noodle dishes and soups, almost all under $10. Drinks are featured separately – two whole pages listing milk teas, black and green teas, Taiwanese specialty teas and fresh juices. The photos on Kuan Yin’s menu are a great guide to each dish’s size and appearance! It’s also clearly marked (in pink) which dishes are suitable for vegans, which are gluten-free and which include dairy or eggs.

The Vegetarian BBQ Pork Roll is absolutely delicious: a mix of sweet soy-based protein and salad wrapped in a tender roti-like bread. Sour and spicy dumpling with soup is hearty and spicy, packed with vegetables and delicate melt in your mouth steamed dumplings filled with vegetables and tofu.

There’s Vegetarian Takoyaki, textured more like a compressed prawn ball than calamari, served with a sweet and sour sauce, as well as Fried dumplings, parcels of soya bean meat, carrot and cabbage – a delicious lighter version of Gyoza. The Won Ton Noodle Soup is very popular, he says, and kids love the Cheese and vegetable pancake. So much delicious food to choose from with a fantastic range of teas as well.

Greenhouse Factory, Kirra “Just because you’re vegan, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time,” says GreenHouse Factory co-owner Natalie Evans.

The venue is certainly appealing. Fitted out with recycled timber, vertical gardens, large windows and a wrap around balcony, the restaurant overlooks a sweeping view across water to the skyline of Surfers Paradise. Breaking all stereotypes, GreenHouse Factory is the only licensed vegan (or vegetarian) restaurant on the coast. All the cocktails (as well as their juices, of course) are made from fresh juice. There are also several organic wines, including Wild Fox and Angoves; both vegan as well.

In a concise menu of around eight choices, diners are offered options like the Raw trifle of fresh fruit, vanilla cashew cream and raw granola, with dinner options such as Raw pesto zucchini pasta with olives and organic sundried tomatoes tossed with fresh greens. There’s a raw daily dessert as well.

Welcome to the modern vegan experience!

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Easy House, Mermaid Waters Easy House serves some of the freshest, lightest dim sum found in Queensland. The barbecued pork rolls are cased in the softest flaky pastry, steamed mushroom dumplings contained an exquisite selection of tastes encased in the lightest rice casing. Although the menu sounds familiar to diners, it’s both a vegetarian and vegan restaurant (no dairy, no eggs) and most of the dumplings are gluten free. Mock chicken made from soy paste and mock beef formed from bean curd and mushrooms are subtly flavoured yet tasty and delicious. Yum cha is available all day, or you can choose from about twenty lunch specials. The dinner menu is extensive, with take away also available.

All the Hong Kong style food is made fresh daily and no MSG is used in the preparation. Part of a suburban shopping centre, this tiny shop looks out over a car park. But what the restaurant may lack in ambience will soon be forgotten once you begin eating.

Tian Ran, Mermaid Beach Tian Ran, in Mermaid Beach, seems to have been around forever. Meaning ‘nature’, it’s known for its Chinese/Asian vegetarian and vegan cuisine, using the highest quality, ecologically and socially responsible fresh ingredients. All food is prepared fresh daily from plant sources only. The range of dishes shows imaginative use of gluten and soy protein, mixed with seaweed, mushrooms and other vegetables. Try the Mixed entree, Fried wonton, Pan fried Shanghai dumpling, the Salt & pepper tofu or Ginger & champignon chicken for mains. The restaurant is open daily for dinner from 5.30pm, and it’s wise to book ahead.

Mandala Organic Arts, Mermaid Beach Mandala’s fare is vegetarian with vegan and gluten free options available. Using fresh produce from local and hyper-local (its own garden) suppliers, Mandala offers a range of pizzas, salads, rice and stirfry dishes in a community atmosphere.

There’s a great range of raw desserts, juices and organic coffee on offer, live music, art and events.

Cardamom Pod, Broadbeach Cardamom Pod is the first vegetarian restaurant to open in Broadbeach. From first glance it’s bright and colourful, yet warm and earthy. A lush living wall of plants, complemented by exotic orchids hanging from the ceiling brings the rainforest inside. True to the beliefs of the Hare Krishna proprietors, its delicious food is prepared without eggs, garlic or onion. Bain-maries are full of samosas and pakoras, Thai and Indian curries, vegetables, polenta squares, lentil moussaka, crisp innovative salads and yummy desserts headed for the glass display cabinet.

Govinda’s, Burleigh Heads An older sister of Cardamom Pod, Govindas is a smaller venue, more suited to faster paced dining. Although your food choices are limited to the dishes on display, it is all very appetising and portion sizes are generous. You pay according to the amount of food you want, for example tw o dishes and rice costs $9 or three dishes is $11. The food is not only vegetarian, free of eggs, garlic and onion, but also certified organic and free of pesticides, brought daily from the farm in Eungella and prepared on site. Samosas are generous in size and packed with vegies, the vegetarian curry is delicious, the salad crunchy and fresh with grated beetroot, garbanzos, sunflower seeds and prunes. But the standout dish for us is the kofta balls in a tomato-based creamy sauce. It’s sensational! There’s also a mouth-watering assortment of desserts available if you have room after your main course Giri Kana, Southport To Giri Kana, meaning ‘food from goodness’, the owners have brought their wealth of vegetarian cuisine and philosophy. This inviting café under the H2O building opens its arms to us as a healthy haven, a pure vegetarian restaurant with lots of gluten free and vegan options, as well as great organic coffee. Maha, with son Haya at her side, is pleased to have begun her quest to meet and serve local guests, bringing vegetarian cuisine to the northern end of the coast, sharing her gift of happiness and health. In this private quiet oasis, we’re in a calmer more centred place, a world away from the slick frenzied pace outside.

Woodbox Cafe, West Burleigh The Woodbox is very organic in focus, not only as a meeting place for groups, but also in the food and beverage served.

Sourcing as much organic produce as possible from local suppliers, the café specialises in organic and vegan options, free of preservatives, sugar, wheat, dairy and gluten. It’s ‘clean eating’, with loads of flavour.

Ashy’s Clean Eating Kitchen, Mermaid Beach Although owner Ashy Bines has divided loyalties amongst ‘food and fitness’ followers, there’s no doubting the freshness and great taste of the food served in her cafe, which entered the Gold Coast dining scene in November 2013. Dishes contain no refined sugar or preservatives, dairy or wheat; food is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, mostly raw cuisine with additional sides of chicken, fish, lamb (to appease the carnivores), roast vegies, rice and quinoa. Tweek things a bit and it’s also a neat Paleo fit. Moreover, everything’s made in house. Meals are well -riced at $5 (for an acai bowl) - $14 for breakfast and $10 - $17 for lunch. The raw desserts are sensational!

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

fringe dweller

ACAI Part of becoming a fringe dweller has been my foray into exotic sounding health foods. Intriguing sounding delights such as hemp seeds, almond milk, chia seeds, quinoa, coconut oil and aloe vera juice to name just a few. My latest enchantment has been the humble acai berry of the South American rainforests.

Used by Amazonian tribespeople for thousands of years, it is only in the last 20 years that westerners have discovered this superfood which has a long list of reputed health benefits: boosting energy levels, slowing the aging process, reducing inflammation, improving digestion and mental clarity, and enhancing sexual drive and performance! Who could help but love this little wonder berry then?

With 42 times the antioxidants of blueberries these little purple, chocolaty tasting berries are hand harvested by climbing trees in the Amazon forest, far from the toxins of modern life. So as you chow down some acai to cure that hangover you can be confident knowing that it’s helping to cure the free radical build ups from the night before whilst propping up your poor body with over 50 essential nutrients and aiding in a good solid, much needed mini detox. The acai are rich in protein, fibre, vitamin E and essential omega oils.

Due to their high fat content (30-50%), acai only has a 24 hour life span in which the properties of the juice are still active, so it is generally made into juice, supplements, powder, or the pulp is flash frozen. Which brings us to the latest craze in Australia, bowls of frozen acai mixed with a little juice or non-dairy milk, a sliced banana and some muesli.

Thanks say the trendies in town who now have a highly nutritious frozen snack that will give you that all day staying power you need, not just a temporary sugar high like many grab and go items.

The humble acai may also be a key to preserving part of the Amazon rainforest. In 2005 Greenpeace said that despite there not being a single solution to saving the Amazon, the acai palm has a role to play in sustaining economic development and thereby reducing destructive logging. Acai trees grow quickly from seeds in the right conditions, so as long as it is economically more profitable to harvest acai berries the plantations and wild groves should remain, as trees for lumber take far longer to grow. Conservationists worry that acai could succumb to the destructive agribusiness model of clear-cut lands, sprawling plantations, and liberal applications of pesticide and fertiliser, or that these economics may force Indigenous people away from their traditional lands and drive the local price of acai out of reach of many Brazilians. However at the moment they’re just happy the acai is replacing destructive cattle and sugar cane farming.

Acai is as much an important part of the Amazonian diet as it is their folklore. The name of the tree is iwasai, meaning fruit that cries, or expels water. Legend says that during a time when food was scarce and over-population rife, the tribal chief decreed that all newborn babies should be killed until more food and water was found. When his own daughter, Iaca, had a baby she also was shown no mercy.

Days later the distraught mother heard a baby’s cry in the forest and set off for the source, only to find a palm tree laden with purple fruit and not the baby she had expected to see. Overcome with grief knowing if this food had been found a few days earlier her infant would have lived, she lay down and died.When Iaca’s body was discovered and the chief realised they now had a source of food so the sacrifices could end, he named the fruit in his daughter’s honour, ‘acai’, Iaca spelt backwards.

Katie Hooper

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MEREWETHER TAKES OUT 30TH KIRRA TEAMS CHALLENGE A weekend of sometimes pumping, sometimes life and death survival conditions, was the canvas that the 30th Kirra Teams Challenge was painted on.

The Kirra Teams Challenge is one of the most prestigious Australian events for any club to win, and lifting the Kirra Eagle trophy above your head and claim it for your team is a proud achievement in the life of any boardriding club.

What was an amazing feat from the Kirra Surfriders Club, was the fact their major sponsor pulled out, but they still ran the event with full prizemoney and set up. This is testament to the hard work of the Kirra crew and everybody involved.

The constant consumption of the goodies from the Kirra food tent made sure everything was going to be alright.

It all came down to the last round (you can read Tappa’s full event report on our website) with Merewether, Angouire and Coffs Harbour the only teams with a chance of grabbing the win.

BREAKING BLANKS:

Shirley & Peter Teece

Burleigh Heads Break Burleigh Heads, Burleigh, The Point, are just a few of the names used for the famed right hand point of Burleigh Heads. This world famous break has hosted and produced some of the world’s best surfers, and some of the best tubes ridden by those who crave the waves.

In actual fact, Burleigh’s real name is Jellurgal, as given by the indigenous people of the area. Jellurgal is the native word for honey, and anyone who has had a barrel at Burleigh Point could definitely tell you how sweet it is. It is not a wave for the inexperienced, and is both difficult to surf, and get out to the break off the rocks when it is pumping.

Surfers often say Burleigh has a barrel rather than a tube, as often the powerful waves at Burleigh are wider than they are high, and many a surfer has come to grief, not only on the shell covered rocks, (I have many Burleigh Tattoos from them) but also with boards broken into many pieces from the thick and thumping waves. In the days before leg-ropes, you could tell who the Burleigh surfers were by their dinged up surfboards, souvenirs from those immovable basalt boulders that line the headland.

The local boardriders club is Burleigh Boardriders, and they now have their clubhouse where the restaurant and pool complex is. Burleigh Boardriders was established in 1965, and they have a proud history. A squad of 40 grommets trains every week, hoping to get on the world tour and emulate the feats of other club members like Peter Harris 34

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(World Tour Surfer and 1980 Stubbies Classic Winner), Jay “Bottle” Thompson (World Championship Tour surfer 20092011), and Thomas Woods (2011 ASP Australasia Junior Champion). Today it is still a back-up venue for the Quiksilver Pro, and the venue for the Burleigh Boardriders Single Fin Classic held in January every year, when thousands line the headland to watch competitors surf single fin surfboards more than 30 years old.

Merewether won the event in 1986 and 1987, and have not won it again until this year, and the emotion had clearly overcome the team, in particular one Mr Matt Hoy, who said it was one of the highlights of his surfing career. In the end it was left to the young guns to bring it home, and Jesse Adam, under immense pressure, brought home the bacon for his team, in a wild, rugged and most agree dangerous 6 foot plus low tide onshore Kirra Point, the swell dropping in the afternoon but still thick and heavy.

30 years of the Kirra Teams Challenge and it will be great to see it all go down in 2015 as the 32 clubs that competed this year will surely be back.

Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece Full report at blankgc.com.au

The pool complex has many special memories for me, some fun going swimming in the pool and others … well let’s just say swimming training with Mr Brough was not one of my favourites. My Mum and Dad, Peter and Shirley Teece used to stay at the guest houses at Burleigh when they were courting, driving up from Yamba in Northern NSW in 1958.

They often used to visit the pool at Burleigh, and the attractions of the Gold Coast. They had to get 2 guesthouse rooms, as not being married they were not allowed to share a room.

As well as boasting one of the best waves on the planet, Jellurgal is also home to Australia’s smallest National park, and one of the best views on the Gold Coast. Nothing is better than sitting on the grass at Burleigh Headland after a long surf and watching the sun set into the mountains, as the last waves of the day are ridden into the orange glow.

Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece

Photo courtesy of Michael Tobin.

The four writers were gathered at the unusual venue to discuss how to write funny, and had arrived at the shopping centre from Australia’s four largest cities.

Katz (Sydney) is the brilliantly acerbic columnist behind Modern Guru for the Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers. He not only spends his time giving brutally inappropriate advice in his column, but has also written children’s books including Dork Geek Jew and Little Lunch.

Rebecca Sparrow (Brisbane) is a columnist with mamamia. com and her latest book is Find Your Tribe and 9 Other Things I Wish I’d Known in High School.

Fiona Woods (Melbourne) was a screen writer for Neighbours and Home and Away among others, and now writes children’s books.

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How to write funny Place four writers in the forecourt of Woolworths at Mudgeeraba and everything they say is going to be funny.

That surely was not the intention of The Write Stuff, otherwise known as the Somerset Festival of Literature, but seeing Danny Katz, Rebecca Sparrow, Fiona Wood and Mark Purdoe speaking about writing funny over the sound of rattling shopping trolleys during Thursday late night shopping was very amusing. As Danny Katz quipped, “It makes me feel like I’m at ........Woolies!”.

BLANK SCRIPT Next to Normal

Spotlight Theatre, Ashmore There is something exciting yet nerve-racking about seeing one of your favourite musicals brought to life on a local stage, however with a challenging score and heart wrenching storyline, Spotlight Theatre have achieved yet another fine piece of theatre in Next to Normal.

Effectively directed by young and upcoming director Joshua McCann-Thomson, the simplicity in every aspect of this production, from set design to stage direction, helped the focus to remain on the central theme of mental illness. This triple Tony Award winning rock musical composed by Tom Kitt, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, tells the story of an emotionally unstable mother and the dysfunctional effects her illness has on her family. In the intimate setting of the Basement at Spotlight Theatre, this top-notch cast brought this touching story to life and ironically showed

Mark Pardoe (Perth) is a novelist whose latest book is The Andy Flegg Survival Guide to Losing your Dog, your Dad and your Dignity in 138 days.

The writer’s festival is a forum to help people get ideas to get writing. The advice is invaluable, and in this case, well, funny.

Katz, originally from Canada, was a stand up comedian (“I was a stand up Canadian” boom boom) whose life and sense of humour changed when he had kids. So he started writing in the style of a stand up comedian and pitched his writing to The Age. They loved it.

So if you’re going to try to be funny online, you’d better be funny. She says it’s like performing in front of an audience of teenagers; they are brutal. Sparrow speaks regularly in front of teenage audiences, arms folded in front of them. A girl once raised her hand and asked “Do you think you’re funny?” Her advice? You have to have thick skin. Just press ‘send”.

Pardoe says the boundaries when writing for kids are much further apart than you would realise. Even parents will laugh at some of the most extreme humour. Pardoe is a school teacher and says he rips off most of his ideas from kids in the classroom. The stuff in his latest book about what happened to a kid in his sex education classes really did happen.

According to Woods in the past, Australia has not been good at TV comedy writing (think Hey Dad). Woods says there is a huge disparity in resources for writing for TV in Australia compared to other countries. In the USA, there will be a whole team of writers workshopping stories for TV shows, whereas in Australia there may only be one writer to write a complete script. The important thing in TV is having a clever actor to deliver the lines. Woods was writing for Neighbours at the time Margot Robbie was acting in the soap. She said Robbie can deliver any line perfectly. No bias there just because Robbie’s from the Gold Coast and went to Somerset.

A final word of advice: Don’t Google yourself. Regrettably, Katz did and found a whole online group who were apparently offended by his writing. They were called Team Katz Haters.

Pip Andreas

Sparrow, who writes for mamamia, describes writing online as a ‘bloodsport’. The feedback is instantaneous and readers will take no prisoners because the feedback is anonymous.

how much of a ‘ functional family’ they have grown into as a cast.

While it is hard to pinpoint stand out performances of this well-oiled ‘family’, popular Southeast Queensland performer Arlie McCormick convincingly portrayed the struggles and triumphs of a mental patient undergoing dated treatments in the role of Diana (the mother).

With the majority of the story delivered through song, Musical Director Liam Cruz competently led the band, while local performer Ethan Jones made his debut on the creative side as Vocal Director helping the cast to produce stellar vocal harmonies that aptly conveyed the raw emotion of the story.

Expect a few tears, a couple of laughs, and an intricate story that will no doubt pull heavily on your heartstrings.

Next To Normal plays the Basement at Spotlight Theatre until the 12 April. Tickets at spotlighttheatre.com.au Emily Hosking

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS Young Frankenstien, Main theatre, 9 - 13 May Peter Pan, Basement theatre, 2 - 12 July Downtown, Main theatre, 8 - 30 August High Scool Drama, Main theatre, 12 - 13 September Let’s Misbehave, Basement theatre, 17 - 19 October Sweeny Todd, Main theatre, 24 October - 15 November www.blankgc.com.au

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BLANK CANVAS The Cave dishes up a new Liquid treat

The Cave is bringing together a group of artists whose passion for the ocean is evident in what they produce with their hearts and hands.

Say hello to Liquid, taking place Saturday 26 April at the popular Nobby’s hangout.

Antonia Robinson lives in Miami and has been painting and creating for some time. She’s curating the exhibition where her work will sit beside that of five other artists.

“I’ve organised this exhibition to promote art and culture on the GC,” she said. “And bring the community together to have a great night.”

Most of us living on the Gold Coast have a connection to the ocean and this exhibition will focus on how the sea has inspired artistic creativity. The works of Marcus Brightmore, Greg McDonald, Dan Filipo, Rowan Klevstul and Aaron (Harvest Boards) will be featured.

“The ocean is a massive part of why people decide to reside on the GC,” Antonia said. “Whether it’s someone sitting on the beach, out for a surf … art inspired by the beach … it evokes the feelings of why we choose to be here.”

Antonia is quick to pinpoint one of the greatest challenges for local Gold Coast artists and it won’t come as a surprise to Blank readers.

“I think the biggest challenge is getting your name known.

There is so much talent on the GC and it’s just a matter of artists being recognised for the gift they have.”

So, you know, get out there and support local artists. And Liquid is a good place to start. As well as the offerings of these talented local artists, Hans Solo, Gold Coast’s very own one man band with a love of the ocean will be performing as well.

Entry is by gold coin donation.

Liquid Exhibition The Cave Nobby Beach Saturday 26 April, 7.00pm Samantha Morris

BLANK SCREEN

the strength of story

What a couple of month it’s been… to say it was high pressure would be an understatement, video editing multiple project for 9 days straight, 4.00am starts and late finishes. All in the name of ‘chasing dreams’… I always seem to have a good excuse for crazy deadlines piling into one another. Maybe I suck at project managing, maybe some project are just too good to pass up, even if I know that by saying yes it will mean 12 hours days for weeks on end.

But I’ve been through it before and I know that it’s just about pushing on and making better choices next time. Now that I’m coming out on the other side of the workloads, and all my clients seem happy with the outcomes, and life feels like its slowing down slightly, it does feel amazingly gratifying. Mainly because of 2 key elements: 1. The love and support of my partner and the brilliant people I collaborate with, and 2. The power of storytelling…

Story is everything. Story is connecting. Story is emotional.

Story is theoretical and piratical. Story is science and story is spiritual. Without story we have no identity. Without story we feel lost in the world. I interviewed a young person once and she said, ‘… I would be nowhere, nowhere to be seen and nowhere to be found.’ She wasn’t talking about story specifically, but she was talking about a place where she felt safer and more at home than in her own house with siblings.

This is what story can do for us as individuals and at the same time as a group of people, to make the invisible – visible. When a story resonates, suddenly we find ourselves able to make tangible lines of connections that are full of meaning. It is within these lines of connections where story becomes truly effective and has the ability to empower. In my opinion, when we are at peace with our own identity, we feel at home, and stories help us to define who we are and what it is that we are a part of, and hence build on our collective identity, which can be positive or destructive. This is why I’m so motivated to get it right.

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I don’t take the work that I do as filmmaker lightly, because I feel a sense of responsibility to the people who are in the videos I make and the people who I make the video for. Bleach* Festival is a really good example of needing to get it right.

Bleach* is a contemporary arts and surf culture three week long program. It aims to capture hearts and minds along the coastal strip and villages of the Gold Coast with live music, performances, workshops, art instillations and heaps of other stuff.

My job was to capture this event and present a couple of videos which sum up the three week long festival in a couple of minutes. For me it’s an important job. The story which I assemble from the Bleach* experience will help people reflect on what it means to be a part of the festival, and my intention is to capture the community spirit and the bonds that were made, to leave a positive lasting impression and legacy so that future generations recognise that by coming together in public spaces celebrating the arts, coastal culture and community, we build upon our collective identity.

But Bleach* was just one project this month: • •

•

•

Walking the Path to Recovery was launched – our first feature documentary celebrating community resilience after the 2011 Brisbane floods.

Covelong Point had its Australian premier. I helped to shoot this Indian documentary about the first social surf school and Gold Coasters who helped to fundraise for second hand surf boards.

I put together a prototype for a new project with my dad called Sculpting our Waterways. It’s a plan for the Gold Coast’s first digital museum using 3D printing and augmented reality.

And my production company Digital CinematiX started working with The Smith Family and wrapped up some work for the Mater Foundation.

Next month I’ll let you know how I go moving into a new office space out the back of Kirra. There’s 177 days until I say I do and a new business idea on the horizon.

Salvador Emilio Cantellano youtube.com/cinematixhd

been there done that

Photos courtesy of Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography

BEAUTY AND THE BLANKMAN Did you know the Miss Universe Final is the second most viewed competition in the world? Did you know that the Queensland heats and final are being held on the Gold Coast?

Did you know that the Gold Coast has one of the strongest records for producing contestants who make the world finals?

A quick rewind to March 15. It is Gold Coast Turf Club Stakes Day. It’s hot. The masses seem subdued. The MC is at the podium rehearsing his game face. I have brushed my hair, worn polished shoes and even dabbed on some cologne. Well, I put shaving cream through my hair which is basically the same thing.

I take a seat at second row centre. Breathing in deeply, I try to gauge the vibe. Well, my hair sure smells amazing but I’m not sure about the atmosphere. I am uncomfortable and it’s not just the shoes. I feel like an intruder. The MC is setting the example, cool calm and collected. So I psych up, time for game face Blankman. After all, I could be about to witness an introduction to the most beautiful girl in the universe.

Just outside the marquee, the girls are lined up. The march begins and the crowd comes alive. Gracefully each girl introduces herself. I want to cheer and join in the camera clicking but am immobilised. An inner-conflict is taking place. I am neither for or against the beauty pageant as a cultural event. I am a professional objective fence sitter.

However, my guts churns heavily, something is just not quite right about this spectacle.

I scour the crowd hoping to take courage from the other young men in the audience. The wolf packs would surely have taken claim to territorial spaces by now. Unfortunately, to my belated surprise, it’s almost entirely female. Race day ladies in their fancy hats and accompanying champagne glasses. Then the word I’m looking for springs to mind. This. Is. Weird.

I am reminded of a phenomenon which my darling cousin once described for me after an epic drunken whinge. As a teenager, I was growing frustrated about my girlfriends desire to look ‘just right’ before we went out clubbing with friends. I

would declare “babe, I think you looked beautiful in the first two hundred dresses that you tried on, can we please move”.

I was confused by her obsession and frustrated by her insistence that I “just don’t get it”. My elder, wiser cousin informed me that women rarely ever dress to impress a potential mate, or to please their current mate. Rather, they are dressed to the nines so they can look better than the other girls. A primal competitive urge, not just insecurity, seemed to be responsible for the hours I spent in waiting.

This memory triggers a brief moment of clarity and contentment. I breathe easily and relax back in to my seat. The initial introductory parade is winding up. The MC informs that up next is the swimsuit category. My inner-peace is shattered. Oh dear, how on earth am I going to sit here gawking at these beautiful strangers without feeling like a complete pervert? What does anyone ever do? I slide down my sunglasses and grin at my own brilliance. Winning!

The swimsuit parade is brilliant. The colours, the stylings, the whole lot is fantastic so long as I don’t mention boobs…

Oh well. I take pride in my professional etiquette. And feel compelled to mention that I love all elements which make up the whole in a beautiful woman. But right now, in this moment, it’s impossible not to drool. The girls are stunning and I am weakened. All the guys who had been invited as my co-reporters who bailed for the awesome surf this weekend can suck eggs.

Last but not least is the glass jar. Each girl will place her hand in and draw one question to be answered, show-casing character and thoughtfulness. Impending doom is the mood.

Or maybe it’s just me. I am sure the statistic reads that most people are more scared of public speaking than death. How about public “answer a random and difficult question for which you will be judged on by professionals and strangers, potentially remembering you for that alone for the rest of your life”.

I cringe through the whole category. I have never met these

girls, yet I’ve seen them almost naked and now bearing their intellectual vulnerability all for sport. I put my sunnies on again and stare at the ground, silently praying they won’t cock up. I can’t handle that sort of embarrassment and I have the luxury of sneaking away unnoticed whenever I want.

The girls leave the stage for a quick adjudication consult. The finalists will be called forward in a matter of minutes. I am exhausted. The roller coaster of anxiety, battered from the sides by torrents of hormone, has been overwhelming. This is one seriously tough completion requiring some seriously big balls. Now is that pun or oxymoron?

A week after the event, I was fortunate to sit and share a yarn with local finalist, Gabrielle. On behalf of the average Gold Coast bloke I enquired “are the Miss Universe contestants out of our league?” According to Gabrielle “Not at all. Be yourself, we have insecurities too.” Great in theory. I once thought about asking out a cute waitress and nearly passed out from anxiety. But, maybe one day I will be all grown up.

We chatted about getting into the competition, supporting family or friends who choose to enter and etiquette for participation. But being a professional, I was determined to get the dirt. What, for example, is the greatest known bitch move by a competitor? “Never heard anything, all the girls are so lovely, the stereotypes are so wrong.” Damn it, I was sure that somebody at some stage had sprinkled chilli powder onto a bathing suit before competition.

For our Blank fans, the Miss Universe state finals are to be held at Hotel Grand Chancellor on April 9. I believe it is a great way to support these competitors, especially our local hopeful. Though I felt most uncomfortable in the beginning, one article helped me find perspective. Something along the lines of “we get ranked in physicality during sport, intellectual prowess on school report cards, why not one competition for beauty?” You can check out debate.org under “are beauty pageants good for girls”. An almost dead on 50/50 split in opinion.

Andrew Scott www.blankgc.com.au

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EXCERPTS FROM A TRAVEL DIARY Jim Haynes Paris Dinner Let’s do a little word association. I say ‘Paris’, you say ‘Eiffel Tower, Culture, Romance and Food’. But where is the really good food? The food the locals find? Tucked away in hidden arrondissements around dark corners in unusual settings. It takes time to scratch the surface of this great city to find the real culinary hidden gems, the kind a true Parisian would care to step out for.

As part of my research into the best secret supper clubs throughout the world (and seriously, why are there none on the Gold Coast because this is a phenomenon waiting to take off and offers the most entertaining evenings around), I came across the secretive phenomenon that is Jim Haynes.

Why is Jim remarkable? For the past 30+ years, this Englishman come Parisian has been hosting supper at his house EVERY Sunday night at 8.00pm sharp for a multitude of strangers. Intellects, students, homebodies, politicians, actors, regular Joes. Anybody with a love of conversation and good French food has been to Jim’s atelier to meet a collection of interesting people from all over the world. The wait list is remarkable, thousands strong. But we got our name on the list months in advance as our travel plans were confirmed and with an endearing letter attached we were successful in gaining entry to this exciting stronghold in the

MARCH IN MARCH

culinary community.

This is where Jim’s true success and skill set lie, in getting people who otherwise would never meet let alone converse about the wildest subjects, in a homely room together doing just that. And getting along famously to boot. No one is better or smarter than anyone else here. We all have something to offer in this jumble of cultures and beliefs. Jim loves to introduce people to people, and says if he had his way he would introduce the whole world to one another.

Dinner was a typical, simple French buffet affair with rustic baguettes, salad, beef bourguignon and as much wine as you could drink. A different friend prepares the meal each week.

You never would have thought 60 people could comfortably inhabit a space of this size but with the snow falling outside and the temperature plummeting on this February night, and our bellies warmed by good food, wine and conversation, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world and a million miles away from a good ‘ol Aussie BBQ. We were all sprawled throughout the tiny living area perching on sofas, stools, window ledges, tables, and walls.

The perfect intimacy to meet and chat to wonderful people.

I have attended more protests, demonstrations and supported more local community events in the last six months than my combined thirty odd years before. My specific love for this most recent event, you can protest against anything you want. It’s like an open fancy dress party. No theme to keep anyone in line. Just paint a slogan on a sign, show up and rub shoulders with friendly strangers who are also keen to vent their frustration.

Well, not quite as simple as that. It’s an annual event held for everybody to express their distaste with the current governing administration. Whoever it happens to be. We could have Dorothy the Dinosaur sitting in the most powerful chair and still have a safe space to complain about her stupid purple legs. Just kidding Dorothy, you f*ckin rock!

Back to the March in March. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning in Surfers Paradise. I arrive with a professional intent which almost immediately crumbles into the sand. Due north of the humble gathering, the female beach volleyball something-or-rather championship is being played. Due south is an outdoor yoga class, obviously open to young attractive females with immaculate bodies only. Hold up, what the f*ck was I meant to be doing?

It’s protest time. I am very interested in what our punters have come to make a stand for. I pay little attention to the political climate and am hoping to learn from the mob.

There are signs against the reef destruction, advocacy of gay rights and a general ‘the guy in charge is a jerk’ type atmosphere.

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We met an FBI agent from NYC, students from Holland, a young exhibiting artist from Boston, grunge musicians from Seattle, a German lawyer, an Irish traveller and some of Jim’s lovely friends including a retired English businessman who was now a regular at these soirees, amongst a host of others.

Jim’s philosophy is to try and never say the word ‘no’. ‘Yes’ means you’re open to people, adventure and new ideas. He loves people. While most people travel to see things, he travels to see friends, both known and unknown. “My roots cover the earth. Now, more than ever, our lives are all connected”.

To say Jim is a remarkable rare bird in the food world is one thing, to appreciate his theatrical and literary entrepreneurship and his lifelong lady pulling powers is quite another thing. I came to admire the all-encompassing nature of his being over the rest of my trip as I read his autobiography Thanks for Coming.

An utter inspiration, this will always rate as one of my top ten dining experiences of all time. If you’re heading to Paris and want to meet the world, have dinner at one of Jim Hayne’s Sunday Salons.

Katie Hooper

I find an old friend within the mob. He has the activist look spot on. Dark sunnies, camo trousers and a vest. Nothing declares ‘I stand for something’ like a vest. I enquire, what is it that grinds his gears about the current administration?

There is a brief pondering for the right words… “I just don’t feel safe with this guy making policy”. Good call. Big words follow like insidious, destructive, imbicile and of course… wanker.

The crowd comes together as a single entity and begins the march down the Surfers causeway. I ditch the familiar face in exchange for some animated strangers. The first man I encounter is eager to share. His name is Richard, he is 62 and he has purpose in his stride. “Mate, I have never protested, never felt strongly enough to do so, until this clown took the highest chair.” We share our fears, doubts and frustrations. Most of all, we are confused. When did democracy become creepy dictator?

The march comes to a halt a few hundred metres down the track. The chanting picks up as a display of unity and of course a photo opportunity. I feel proud to rub shoulders with these community members who are willing to at least DO something to display their desire for progress. Just as I turn my back to leave, the colloquial expression which any Aussie can understand “Tony Abbot is a bloody wanker”.

Well, no mixed message in that. Great show Gold Coast, keep up the good work.

Andrew Scott

HIPPITY HOP Get carried away in the fluffy, chocolaty, new animal magnetism that is the Easter holidays. Bring a touch of hopping happiness into your house whilst enjoying calorific cocoa in a totally guilt free environment. This is Easter.

This is gluttony. Katie Hooper says it’s time for a well-earned break.

A.

B.

C.

D.

A.

BUNNIES IN A BAG: The perfect chocolate gift alternative for the littlies in your life this Easter. Place them around the garden to be found and then keep them safe in the cute carrot sleeping bag. $25.95, oxfamshop.org.au.

B.

KISSING RABBITS COOLER BAG: Take your tribe down to the park to bask in the glory of nature on Easter Sunday. Keep those bevvies and tasty treats tempting in this funky waterproof cooler bag. $89.95 formfunctionstyle.com.au.

C.

RABBIT WINE STOPPER: Why should kids get all the Easter fun? Open your favourite vintage and enjoy a glass or two during the egg hunt.

The perfect excuse to use this sweet white ceramic stopper. 12cm high. $26.00, maisonetteliving.com.

D.

RABBIT LAMP: A beautiful white bone china lamp handmade and hand cast in England with an Australian power plug. The light filters through the china giving off a soft glow. 22cm high. $149.95, oliverstwistytales.com.au. www.blankgc.com.au

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Pablo Pablo Latin Eatery & Wine Bar

0755347003 www.pablopablo.com.au 5th Avenue Palm Beach

Live flamenco guitarists and Latin inspired Dj Alfie Romeo on the decks.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram pablopablo_latineatery