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MUSIC BRAVES
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FRANKIE COSMOS
10
KUCKA
14
ART SALLY RIDGE
18
FOOD HIDDEN GEMS
24
FASHION ONE CLOTHING
32
SAN CORA
38
THEATRE FRINGE + LOCAL ARTS
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SOCIAL FOOD SHORTAGE
46
BOOKS OVER BOMBS
50
CAMERA STORY
54
TRAVEL BUDAPEST
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MUSIC WORDS BY LEAH VLATKO IMAGES COURTESY OF BRAVES
a brave n e w sound
AN INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL LO-FI POP BAND, BRAVES Braves are a surfy, fresh, musical embodiment of what it means to grow up in Perth with a guitar and a desire to make good sounds. And good sounds they certainly make, combining beachy vibes, infectious rhythms and scruffy suburban lyrics, in a gritty assembly of guitar, drums and bass. We got the chance to ask Alex, and the remaining band, about their sound, their writing process, and their weird but strangely justified karaoke preferences. Braves’ sound has been described by Happy Blog writer Jemma Nott as “Bon Iver in the woods … jumping around onstage with Ball Park Music.” Whilst admittedly this imagery creates more confusion than clarification, it does allude to the genre-defying music that Braves like to characterise themselves by. “It’s really important to have broad tastes and influences as a band. Only being inspired by the genre you exist in leads to pretty derivative and uninspiring work most of the time,” says Alex. “Each member of the band has really different musical tastes. Kieran loves 06_
retro pop music from the 50’s and 60’s. Liam’s favourite bands are The Flaming Lips and The Mars Volta. Simon likes a lot of everything, especially local Perth artists like HAMJAM and Doctopus. I like to stay aware of what’s current on the international stage, but love older bands like The Cure who write perfect pop songs over and over again.” When asked about their creative process, Alex explains that the music used to be written as it was recorded it. “We’d have a basic idea for a song that we’d flesh out in front of the computer as we laid down the tracks.
“WE’RE ALL VERY CREATIVE PEOPLE, I DON’T KNOW IF WE COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT SOME SORT OF CREATIVE OUTLET.” This however led to a disconnect between our recordings and our live shows.” In redeveloping their approach, the band now strive to produce a tighter sound. “Now it still starts the same way, one of us has an idea and then we bring it to the group, but we actually complete the writing process with our instruments in our hands… everything sounds a lot more real now and the songs have a lot more natural energy.” Finding the balance between the carefully planned perfection of pop, and the ‘realness’ of their music, is very important. “I don’t ever imagine us being a ‘jam’ band that come up with songs on the fly. I don’t personally believe you can write a good pop song with placeholder elements, it needs to be very considered. Improvisational writing is too loose for the genre we’re trying to create.” 08_
Every band has a unique origin and Alex explains that there’s a collection of friendships here, both old and new. “Kieran and I have been best friends since we were five years old. We met in pre-school and have remained friends ever since. Liam and I met in high school through a healthy rivalry in art class.” Both Liam and Alex are artistically talented and artistic side projects are continued in addition to musical commitments. Newest member Simon joined the band after they heard his solo work as Petrichoral. They knew he’d be a “good fit for the band.” United in their musical work and mutual appreciation of each other as people, Alex thinks, “The fact that we all get along really well is a really important element of the band dynamic. That’s definitely evident on stage and in our stupid, drunken Facebook updates.”
The success of their songs means an already impressive gig history for Braves, having already supported some major Australian acts like Cloud Control, The Jungle Giants, The Cairos and Last Dinosaurs. “We’ve been really fortunate with our gig opportunities,” explains Alex. “But I personally think those small, packed out gigs have had the best atmosphere. Crowd response is really like the fifth member of the band.” In the future, the band looks forward to touring and releasing a debut album. “The more people hearing and loving our music the better,” says Alex. “We’re all very creative people. I don’t know if we could survive without some sort of creative outlet.” Braves are currently in the studio recording their third EP, which includes the new single “Get It Right”. We look forward to its release and seeing what the future holds for this talented fourpiece.
BRAVES SHARE THEIR GO-TO KARAOKE SONGS
ALEX: “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones on Singstar. I am strangely decent at that. Or at least my score on “very easy” mode tells me I am. SIMON: “The Pina Colada Song” (I forgot who it is by) ‘cause it is the cheesiest jam. Imagine Domino’s cheese crust only cheesier. Kieran: “F***in’ Problems” by A$AP Rocky, Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar (Alex: there’s also amazing evidence of this on Facebook if you know where to look). Liam: “Light My Fire” by The Doors, the extended solo allows for a good amount of interpretative dance.
MUSIC WORDS BY LEAH VLATKO IMAGES BY BRIDGETTE LACOMBE
FrankieCosmos mixtape BEDROOM POP GROUP FRANKIE COSMOS ON THEIR FORMATION, FEELING OUT OF PLACE AND MAKING MORE TUNES.
Frankie Cosmos is synonymous with homemade tunes about the difficulties of life, together with a fresh take on the classic twee sounds of the '90s, filtering them through relatable lyrics and harmonies. They may be ridiculously cute, but this doesn’t restrict their ability to sing about pertinent issues and create music with meaning. Frankie Cosmos represents the new age of twee, the revival of bedroom pop and homecooked melodies. They are a band with big heart and a knack for creating fresh, comforting songs. We recently chatted with front woman Greta Kline about the band. The band grew out of the love and community found within the New York music scene. “I found my first bandmate (Aaron) through our mutual friend Steve from the band No One And The Somebodies,” says Kline. Playing in Aaron’s band Porches, the pair started hanging out a lot in the year after they first met. “We immediately started making songs together and we fell in love.” As for the band’s name? “Aaron nicknamed me 'Frankie Cosmos', which led to the band’s name,” says Kline. “Then we added David (bassist, and Aaron’s brother) into the band because we wanted to fill out the sound and David, a classical pianist, had expressed interest in learning to play bass.” 10_
MUSIC “David was in school, so we had our friend Gabby, whom we met through other musical projects and mutual friends from The Epoch community, fill in for a tour. After touring with her we wanted to keep Gabby and her beautiful vocal harmonies around, so she started playing keyboard.” Many Frankie Cosmos’ songs discuss the sensations of growing up and feeling out of place. “These feelings are really important to me as someone who doesn’t feel at home in social situations,” explains Kline. “It can be really hard to play in bands and spend time at rock shows when you drink or smoke.” The usual process for collaboration and song creation begins with Kline writing on guitar, and presenting it to the group for workshop and improvement. “Everyone works on arranging the song and gives ideas for each other’s parts,” says Kline. “We try to keep the environment open for trying new things and respecting each other’s opinions. It is really fun to have four passionate people (Gabby, David, Aaron, and me) work on something I’ve written.” In the future, Greta dreams on making music “forever!” Whilst she has other passions that include baking, reading and visual arts, her true love is music, and both she and the band look forward to touring internationally and within Australia.
GRETA'S MIXTAPE Song for When You’re Feeling Down: ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right’, Bob Dylan Happy Song: ‘Graceland’, Paul Simon Guilty Pleasure: ‘You Belong With Me’, Taylor Swift Song That Makes You Dance: ‘Don’t Huzzle For Love’, The Apostles Song That Reminds You of a Crush: ‘Eli’, Arthur Russell Karaoke Favourite: ‘Soak Up The Sun’, Sheryl Crow Song to Listen to While Driving: ‘Drover’, Bill Callahan Song From Childhood: ‘Copperline’, James Taylor Song That Brings Back Childhood Memories: ‘Girls Room’, Liz Phair A Song of Your Own That You Have the Most Fun Playing: ‘Ronnie Ronal’ _13
MUSIC WORDS BY THOMAS MUNDAY IMAGES COURTESY OF KUCKA
wam & the
Rise of Kucka
Since its conception in 1985, non-profit organisation West Australian Music has strived to make local artists, like electronic pop group KUČKA, heard. Beyond WAM’s many sterling accomplishments, this year they are celebrating an even bigger milestone – their 30th birthday. WAM was primarily designed to develop and recognize achievements within our state’s music industry. And over the past three decades they’ve given us several mind-blowing urban and regional projects like Kiss My WAMi, the Act of Youth series, and Women in Rock. They first received project funding from the WA Government in 1989. Later that year the WA Song Contest was created, staging the spotlight on small name artists. It was rebranded WAM Song of the Year in 2002. Song of the Year’s most important rule fits with WAM’s overall theme – each song must be the original work of its respected singer/s. Previous winners have gone on to become some of Australian music’s biggest acts like 14_
Little Birdy, Timothy Nelson, Georgi Kay, The Panda Band and Abbe May, among many talented others. WAM’s categories cover a wide range from commercial hits, to Indigenous music, to tunes from schoolgoers. In 2014 the 25th annual WAM Song of the Year nominees were announced to a thunderous reception from fans, artists and critics alike. Famed local artist KUČKA, the avant-electronic project of producer and vocalist Laura Jane Lowther, was nominated for five awards, including those in the electronic and experimental categories. Other artists to receive multiple nominations included Mister & Sunbird, Charlotte Viney, Rag ‘N’ Bone, Ruby Boots, Kimberley Carlson, and The Disappointed.
“I THINK WA IS A GREAT PLACE TO EXPERIMENT AND TRY NEW THINGS. THE AUDIENCE IS REALLY SUPPORTIVE AND YOU END UP KNOWING MOST OTHER MUSICIANS SO IT'S LIKE A BIG FAMILY.”
MUSIC KUČKA singer Laura Jane Lowther says the latest Song of the Year nomination came out of nowhere, in the midst of a busy schedule. “I actually saw an announcement online in The Music I think, so it was a complete surprise,” she says. The awards night, held at Fremantle’s B-Shed venue, showcased the best and brightest of WA’s effervescent musical talent. The grand prize winner usually receives a $3,000 recording session at Sydney’s famous Albert Studios, a publishing deal with Perfect Pitch Publishing, two days recording at Sonic Lolly, and several other juicy prizes. The night turned out to be an intensifying celebration of our state’s undying love of music and culture. Nominees Grace Barbe and Methyl Ethyl, along with DJs Lilt and John Safari, boosted the newly introduced Awards Party, hosted by comedian Alex Manfrin. Better still, 2014’s event delivered an impressive array of nominees from all 16 categories including electronica, blues/roots, country, folk, heavy metal, jazz, punkhardcore, pop, urban/hip-hop and rock. KUČKA cleaned up the night winning WAM Song of the Year and Electronic Song of the Year for ‘Unconditional’. These wins placed the group alongside the likes of Timothy Nelson & the Infidels, Pond, The Love Junkies and The Floors. Lowther says the band’s win came as a surprise, praising WAM for its strong focus on local music. “It was amazing. I definitely wasn't expecting it and was
a bit drunk already, so I wasn't really prepared with a speech,” she says. “I think it's really good recognition and helps artists take the next step towards turning professional.” KUČKA has been recognised nationally and internationally as one of Australia’s most unique talents. The group took over 2013 after being sampled by New York rapper A$AP Rocky. 2014 saw the band perform at Quarts Electronic Music Awards, sign with music label Midnight Feature, and take out Most Played Song on Triple J Unearthed. Lowther – inspired by Lower Spectrum, Mei Saraswati, Tobacco Rat, Catlips, Grace Barbe – believes WA’s music scene provides a one-of-a-kind aura, alluring to the rest of Australia and the world. “I think WA is a great place to experiment and try new things. The audience is really supportive and you end up knowing most other musicians, so it's like a big family,” Lowther says. “This means you can really improve big time in an insulated environment, so when you travel overseas or interstate you already have a lot of experience.” 2015 has already proven to be a gargantuan year for KUČKA. The troupe have just launched their new music video ‘Divinity’ and have released their new single ‘Flux 98’. Now, after wrapping up a nation-wide tour, the group look set to release a new EP in August, before heading to New Zealand for further recording.
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ART WORDS BY PATRICK MILLARD IMAGES COURTESY OF SALLY RIDGE
Diamond in the rough
BASSENDEAN-BASED ILLUSTRATOR SALLY RIDGE SHEDS LIGHT ON HER ARTISTIC PROCESS. “I am currently building a picket fence so I will be working on that from around 7am to 7pm, but I can certainly stop for a while to answer your questions and offer you a spot of tea or chocolate milk or something,” writes artist Sally Ridge. Delighted, I arrived at her old home on the hill one late Saturday afternoon to find her and her fiancé busy at the fence both covered in paint. The day had been extremely hot and she had clearly been hard at work for quite a while. She offered me a cold beer in favour of the chocolate milk; we both needed it and we sat on the porch admiring the chooks and her spectacular garden. We began discussing how the scribbling’s of an excited child progressed to the drawings of an inspired artist. Was there a point in time when this venture yielded possibility? “Yes, it was when I was seven and was stung by a bee,” Ridge instantly replied. Warranted, she explained that whilst her mother was mending the wound she had asked who drew _19
ART the pictures in books. Her mother immediately replied, “An illustrator”. The bee sting eventually went down and Sally became an illustrator. A few years later she made her way to art school, but found the course too rigid for her liking. “You end up just doing one thing,” she says. Aware of the dangers of stagnation, Sally found the instant, flexible nature of illustration suited her best. It’s clear that Ridge’s work belongs in a world entirely its own, with titles like ‘Cat Norris’, ‘The Viral’, ‘Violent Internet Cat’ and ‘Steven Sealberg’ (a delightful reference to the Sorrento elephant seal who made its home on Perth’s northern shores). “I have a knack for drawing animals and I find that folks are total sweethearts when talking about their pets, so it is a very lovely experience. I often giggle at the funny animal faces and cute names they have while drawing them.” She, of course, is referring to her Pet Portraits. They started as the odd present for friends, but now they take up most of her creative time. “It was something that really took on a life of its own. I drew one for my Mum and Dad of their Cavalier named Beavis, and then I had a few requests from aunties and relatives. 20_
People seemed to really love the idea so I put them up for sale online and at markets,” she says. For a small fee she will draw, just as the name suggests, a portrait of your beloved pet. Ridge has now developed a broad portfolio of pets from all different breeds, each one completed with a tattoo style ribbon containing the pet’s name. The contrast between the stylised and the realistic, between humour and darkness, traditional and modern, retro and contemporary, all exist within her work. I asked her if this is something that she strives for and she said, “Not really.” For Ridge, the uniqueness of design comes from a host of influences and interests of which she has been collecting since childhood. What stands out most about her work is its reference to history, narrative, retro tattoo design and, of course, the animal kingdom. Though she says it’s been problematic getting the balance right, her hard work and dedication to design is certainly paying off. Of all the blogging and Internet activity that coincide with her artwork she says, “It’s my job, I have to be serious about it. You have to invest in yourself.”
Be sure to head to Sally’s website to commission your own pet portrait:
www.petportraitsperth.com
FOOD WORDS BY REVATHIE DHANABALAN IMAGES BY REVATHIE DHANABALAN
off the beaten track
EXPLORING PERTH'S HIDDEN FOODIE GEMS You can find them between dubious alleyways, concealed by age-old buildings. You can even find them in everyday suburbia, hidden within. You might not draw a second glance at these bakeries or cafĂŠs, but that's what makes them special. Their familiar intimacy is what piqued our interest in putting these reviews together. These places add an element of excitement to an almost boring, mundane routine. So seek seclusion and stumble across something unexpected.
FOOD
Wild Bakery
1 COMMERCIAL STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA The name says it all. Wild Bakery is all about fermented sourdoughs, sweet tarts, chocolate croissants and quiches. A cozy little place off South Terrace, the bakery provides great staple foods, accompanied by a visually decadent décor and the wafting smell of fresh baked breads. I first discovered Wild Bakery on a leisurely Sunday walk from South Beach. Wild Bakery, at first sight, would seem pretty ambiguous, but who can resist the medley of butter and flour and all things baked! I walked in and, to my surprise, whitewashed walls and gingerbread men greeted me at the
entry, making me feel all warm and fuzzy amidst the summer heat. Baker Daragh began his culinary career at Brioche Bakery, which specialized in producing breads that were sourdough fermented. This makes Wild Bakery a one-stop shop for many people with a gluten intolerance. Followed with good ol’ fashioned wordof-mouth networking, Wild Bakery keeps its integrity and promises its customers equally nutritious and tasty food. And, with seasonal produce, I can’t wait for Wild Bakery’s infamous bronuts to make a comeback during the cooler months! _25
FOOD
Lincolns 102
102 LINCOLN STREET, HIGHGATE WA There’s something charming and honest about Lincolns 102, in fact, it makes you feel as though you’re at home with granny. This derelict café, that was once a deli, offers up scrumptious cakes and both a lunch and breakfast menu that changes daily. Lincolns 102 can be found just off bustling Beaufort Street and provides an opportunity for locals to pick up their daily essentials, along with a daily dose of chitchat and familiarity. The café recently underwent a Cinderella transformation that left it somewhere
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between a hidden object game and an episode of Hoarders. The sense of community you get from Lincolns 102 is reminiscent of the old corner store. The eclectic décor and the French-inspired garden furniture, certainly gives you a sense of warming satisfaction while you slice into a pie. If you’re looking to get away from the urban oasis of the CBD, this café is worth the extended walk from the main street, where inviting cakes await you under the glass domes.
FOOD
Pony espressO
21 MAYFAIR STREET, WEST PERTH WA What would you say about a visit to a unique coffee outlet hidden in a hundred-year-old stable? Well, that’s what Pony Espress O is all about. You might initially miss it, being tucked away behind tall, densely picketed fencing, but as soon as you walk in you can’t miss its general non-fussiness. While there are no food menus, you are certainly welcome to bring your own while glugging down a cuppa. There are two coffee machines at Pony Espress O – the Slayer Espresso serves
up the strong shots, while the Wega Vela Vintage is for the more traditional types. While most may not be aware of its existence, Pony Espress O offers up an escape from the corporate grind. Owned and run by Garrett Walsch, you can see the determination this man puts into his coffee. It might not seem like the ideal location to some, but bring the right change with you and it becomes a one-stop shop for lovers of the bean!
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FOOD
theVillage bar
10-531 HAY STREET, SUBIACO WA
With Fox Sports, fifteen beers on tap and plenty of dining space, what more could The Village Bar offer! Tucked away on Hay Street in Subiaco, this bar sits relatively close to Rokeby Road, but is distant enough to enable relaxation and comfort. The very polished Village Bar is an unpretentious neighbourhood joint that definitely hits the spot either with drinks or meals. Decorated with lavish velvet couches, stylish brickwork and concrete floors, the abundant space makes it the ideal location for a large party! 28_
Aside from the extensive drinks menu, The Village Bar places a heavy emphasis on local produce. Their menu offers up everything from simple bar snacks to edgy fish and chips in honey vodka batter! Their mixed platters are additional great and best for big groups. Given its puzzling location, it would be easy to miss The Village Bar if you weren’t looking for it. While difficult to determine whether this place is a replica of a quaint British or German watering hole, The Village Bar always offers up a truly memorable experience!
FOOD
Toastface Grillah
REAR 143 BARRACK STREET (IN GRAND LANE), PERTH WA The humble toasted sandwich has always held a special place in my heart. Two slices of white bread sandwiched together by a single slice of Kraft cheese has always been my idea of a primary school brekkie. And now, as a grown-up, Toastface Grillah is the number one go-to for gourmet grilled toasties. Occupying a disused backroom, and yard facing onto a once deserted laneway, you’ll find Toastface Grillah down Grand Lane, between Wellington and Murray Street Mall. If you haven’t gotten the name reference yet – Ghostface Killah is a
rapper and original founding member of the 90s hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and, with the toasties these guys are serving up, ain’t nobody gonna mess with them! Some of your toastie options include apple and gouda, blue cheese with pear and lime chutney and the ham and cheese basic. Some options are appropriately named after famous fellows like The Danny Zuko, made with zucchini and brie. Toastface Grillah is all-cool gourmet, without the obviousness. Satisfying your hunger with a toastie, then head back to the real world. _29
sweet treats for all occasions
www.sweetlybakedperth.com | 0439 986 571 | catie@sweetlybakedperth.com
Craving a little something sweet? Me too. So, I’ve created Tea Treats: dessert-inspired leaf teas with sweet bits. Naughty but not, because it’s tea. Indulge in Orange-Choc Ceylon with cocoa bean pieces, orange peel and a restrained sprinkling of European dark chocolate drops at morning tea. Delight in dreamy Caramel Oolong mid-afternoon and pamper yourself with after-dinner Mint-Choc Rooibos.
Now in supermarkets
www.madameflavour.com
FASHION
its all o v e r again
FEATURING ONE CLOTHING MODELS: CHRIS LITTLER, ORLA SAPHRON AND KATE FEARNS PHOTOGRAPHER: OCEAN TRIMBOLI STYLIST: TRICIA RAY MODELS FROM LAUNCHPAD
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of course I'd use paper-pak, it's my one stop shop for all my packaging needs!
Wholly Australian owned packaging company Carry bags, gift bags, satchel bags, flat bags, winery packaging, tissue paper and more! ENQUIRY@PAPER-PAK.NET OR PHONE 1800 088 258 TO SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE MEMBERS // WWW.PAPER-PAK.NET
FASHION WORDS BY JESSICA CLAUSEN IMAGES COURTESY OF SAN CORA
San Cora foxfeet
presents
AN INTERVIEW WITH WA FASHION DESIGNER SUSAN TRAN The Perth fashion scene has garnered more and more recognition over the years, with local designers starting to make their name known both nationally and globally. We caught up with Susan Tran who, over the past couple of years, has been working on her label, San Cora. With Perth taking pride in their sense of community, there is always an opening in the market for new and emerging designers hoping to succeed. Designer and founder of San Cora, Susan Tran, studied fashion at Polytechnic West, finishing in 2013. Her label – a Latin translation of her Chinese name – began shortly before graduation, and, since then, has continued to show innovation and progression. With features in the Joondalup Urban Couture runway, and sponsors from Perth boutique Hello Parry and footwear label Melissa Australia Shoes, Tran has been working towards a new future for her label, one that will make its way amongst other great Australian labels. San Cora takes inspiration from the beauty in nature and Tran’s surroundings. Being cooped up in her
studio every day, Susan spends her spare time going out into nature, taking photos and going on picnics. San Cora’s first collection, ‘Erosion’, was made from a print taken from an eroding metal wall, exemplifying Tran’s desire to explore, recreate and find beauty in places you wouldn’t normally look. Her second collection, ‘Vignette’, features a strikingly different print, giving the range a dreamy yet graceful flavour. While both prints are unique from one another, all the designs focus on a similar silhouette featuring multiple layering, straight cuts and shapes, and a complementing exaggeration of the female figure. San Cora designs are made to flatter the everyday woman; Tran makes pieces that both stand out and make any woman stand out. “I want my clothes to make her feel confident… she can mix high end with _39
FASHION
low end. She knows where her clothes come from and how they’re made and she knows how to style herself.” Tran looks up to Australian designers as influences, as the ‘local’ is an important aspect in her audience and for her ideal image. She hopes to become an image of Australian fashion much like her favourite designers Dion Lee, Toni Maticevski and in particular, Kym Ellery, who Susan has followed since discovering they shared a similar education background. Living in Perth her whole life, Susan wants to make a name for herself locally, and remain apart of our state’s tight-knit community. Perth, however, still remains a much smaller industry and Susan has struggled to find an appropriate market for her fashion label. “Everyone (in Perth) has a particular style. It’s very comfortable… very Australian. I think that Perth is more relaxed, in terms of style, compared to other states.” Despite some of the difficulties faced, Tran believes Perth is a community not like any other, and creating bonds within her hometown is crucial to her label’s success. As for the future, Tran hopes for San Cora to reach an international level, with a dream for her label to reach New York fashion week. Much like many other designers, she has high hopes for her pieces, but still wants to remain loyal to her hometown. The San Cora designs are both elegant and striking and, while their popularity continues to soar, they’re sure to influence and inspire the Perth fashion world.
GARDEN CITY & CLAREMONT
Karrinyup
THEATRE WORDS BY JEN PERRY IMAGES BY TANYA VOLTCHANSKAYA
after shock
WHY FRINGE WORLD AND LOCAL ARTS BUSINESSES ARE VITAL FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND LONGEVITY IN NORTHBRIDGE. I was walking around Northbridge on a Thursday night, just prior to seeing a new show at The Blue Room Theatre. It was fairly balmy for a pre-winter evening. The PICA Bar nearby was full of people laughing, drinking wine and enjoying a brief respite from the cold. The cultural centre’s screen displayed images of post dispatched during the First World War, and a light breeze wafted the smells of nearby restaurants down James Street. Just a few months earlier however, this scene was not so tranquil. From January through to Feb, Perth’s Fringe World and International Arts Festival was in full swing, redefining Northbridge in a dazzling array of
lights, glitter and swagger. With bases at The Urban Orchard and Russel Park, Fringe World was not only the place to be seen, it was the place to experience something you’d never seen before. In their annual impact report for 2014, Fringe World accounted for 154,366 individual attendances at ticketed events, 53% of whom do not regularly attend arts events during the year. This is a big deal and one that has had a positive impact on The Blue Room and their Summer Nights Program, presented annually in association with PICA. The 2015 fringe season has been the most successful by far, with 11,919 individual attendances and what marketing manager Gemma Sidney calls “an incredible 87% capacity.” _43
THEATRE
IN THEIR ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT FOR 2014, FRINGE WORLD ACCOUNTED FOR 154,366 INDIVIDUAL ATTENDANCES AT TICKETED EVENTS, 53% OF WHOM DO NOT REGULARLY ATTEND ARTS EVENTS DURING THE YEAR. type of consumer it wants to obtain While the summer festival certainly brings patrons into the CBD, do those individuals wilfully enjoy arts events during the rest of the year? According to The Blue Room, the answer is a resounding “yes”.
With only the first two shows of the season having debuted, the venue is already experiencing 88% capacity. Last year’s figures show a similar trend. Across the fifteen shows presented during 2014’s April to November season, the venue experienced an average capacity of 79%. For a small, independent theatre company, these figures are laudable. It seems the local theatre scene in Perth most assuredly benefits from the buzz and promotion that Fringe World and PIAF both have to offer. Other noticeable beneficiaries post-fringe might also include the businesses that have been aggressively popping up near the cultural centre over the last twelve months. A new boutique hotel, replete with a rooftop bar, will be opening soon, and will be a hot spot during next year’s season. Several new higher-end restaurants and bars have also opened recently, in what can only be described as an after shock to Perth’s increasingly relevant and successful community arts endeavours. Northbridge is improving its attempts to cater to the 44_
periodically throughout the year: the intra- and inter-state patron seeking to satisfy their curiosity and intrigue.
This may also be one of the main reasons The Blue Room maintains its success throughout the year. The fact they are able to maintain the same amount of patrons following the summer season, is a testament to not only good marketing, but also to a growing group of passionate theatregoers that are dedicated to attending performances outside the accessible season. Gemma admits that The Blue Room presents “new theatre, new artists and new ways of making work” which can “sometimes be high risk.” This is only further proof that people in Perth are just as committed to seeing high production performances, as they are to experiencing completely different realms of theatrical acts. 94% of Fringe World survey respondents believe that the event showcases both the city’s vibrancy and creativity. It is also clear that a portion of these people visit Northbridge the remainder of the year, in order to indulge in meaningful cultural experiences. What remains to be seen is whether other artistic communities harness this viewership, not only for their own business, but in an effort to maintain the cultural diversity here in Perth.
SOCIAL ISSUES WORDS BY HELEN WILSON ILLUSTRATION BY LEEANNE NGUYEN
Six-Legged Dining
By the end of the century, the global population is estimated to be 11 billion. With the effects that factors like global warming are having on agriculture, concerns are emerging about whether we will be able to sustain our current eating habits. This in turn may mean that global food shortages may become a very real possibility. In order to address these concerns, new ideas are emerging. It’s been suggested that insects may, in time, become our primary source of protein. Forget chicken and beef someday you may select from culinary creations like cockroach carbonara and grasshopper skewers. In our consumerist society we see food everywhere. It’s on television, on billboards, in magazines and, of course, in supermarkets. We have copious amounts of cuisines to choose from, that often the choices seem endless. It’s pretty hard to imagine a world without readily available food, but this world is far more imminent than one might think. Every second our global population increases by three. This means
everyday there are 219, 000 more mouths to feed. That’s a lot of hungry people clamouring for a finite number of resources. A food shortage isn’t just an issue that will affect our grandchildren, it is something that will likely happen in our lifetimes if we don’t change. Julian Cribb, an Australian science journalist and author of The Coming Famine, says that, “We are facing the greatest challenge in human history; how to feed 10 billion people.” Food and Agriculture Organisation assistant director Hiroyuki Konuma, explained to me in an interview that food scarcity could affect everyone. The changes our societies is experiencing look set to have drastic effects on the way we live in the coming century. _47
SOCIAL ISSUES
“THE PRESERVATION OF FOOD, AND RESOURCES REQUIRED TO CULTIVATE THAT FOOD, IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY, BECAUSE EVERYONE EATS.” One emerging factor is convenient, easy-to-grab food that has turned the western world into a ‘throw away’ society. Left overs are not only common, but recommended if you plan to eat out, due to the extraordinarily large serving sizes regularly provided. “We are the first generation to throw away almost half of our food; between 30 and 50 per cent of the food we produce ends up in landfill,” according to Cribb. Cribb explains that it’s hard to pin point a single factor that might lead to a food crisis, but the combination of global warming, population growth, water shortages and wastage will have a huge impact on availability. So where do we go from here? If we don’t change our ways, are we doomed to live in famine? While it is unlikely that we will all starve, a possible food shortage may exacerbate existing food inequities, where the rich will be fat and the poor will go hungry. Therefore we need to explore new techniques for cultivation and adopt new attitudes towards food, in order to prevent a major shortage. “First and foremost, all countries need to take this seriously. Climate change 48_
is a major factor [contributing to food scarcity]. While individual events cannot be attributed to climate change, there is a consensus that there will be a greater frequency of extreme events, such as Typhoon Haiyan, which caused considerable crop damage in the Philippines last year. Changes in sea temperatures affect normal fishing patterns, drought affects many other crops,” said Konuma. The UN recently published a report titled Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security. That’s right, insects. The thought is daunting, disgusting and rather disturbing, but in the future this concept might not be such an aberrant idea. For around 2.5 billion people, insects are not only consumed regularly, but they are considered a delicacy. Insects require far less land to cultivate, and they emit very little carbon gas. They also require a small amount of food, and they contain copious amounts of protein and other essential nutrients. The idea may not be especially appetizing, but just a few decades ago, the idea of eating raw fish in cuisine like sashimi and sushi, would have sounded repellent. And a hundred years ago, lobsters were considered the ocean’s garbage and were only consumed by the poor. Tastes change, and if consuming insects can help lower our carbon emissions, and potentially prevent further damage to our eco-system, isn’t the change worth it?
If you’re still unable to wrap your head around the idea, there have been a couple of other alternatives suggested. According to Konuma, we need to reassess our food production techniques. “Unequal food distribution, social injustice, poor post-harvest management that, for example, can result in up to one-third of rice spoiling before it can be sold (12 – 30 per cent depending on country) and nearly half of all fruits and vegetables being wasted (15 – 50 per cent depending on country). If we don’t correct these problems, they will contribute and exaggerate food shortages as the population grows.” Another major component vital for farming, and growing food, is water. 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is comprised of water, but unfortunately for us, not a lot of that is consumable. “The preservation of food, and resources required to cultivate that food, is everyone’s responsibility, because everyone eats,” said Cribb in a recent lecture. Of course there is no way we can possibly know that will happen in the future. We can, however, make educated predictions based on research and trends. Almost all of the information that we have available to us suggests there will indeed be food shortages if current trends continue, and that these shortages will have major effects on people all over the world. The only question is: how are we going to address this problem? Grilled caterpillar anyone?
SOCIAL PROFILES WORDS BY REBECCA HARRIS IMAGES COURTESY OF RICKY GESTRO
refugees Arming with an Education
As a fierce war ravages Syria, remnants of a broken city are left behind. Families have lost everything and are fleeing into surrounding countries to escape political turmoil. Maltreated children bear witness to the mass destruction of a military agenda they are unable to understand and lose the most vital necessity of all: education. The Books Over Bombs Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit organisation committed to raising awareness and funds for the education of Syrian children living in refugee camps. The proceeds raised go to the Lebanon-based Kayany Foundation, which focuses on the health and wellbeing of Syrian refugees. By working together, they are able to assist children with tuition fees and schooling supplies.
children and causes desensitized to their plight. Alternatively, Bianca wished to promote children’s resilience and strength, in an effort to spread hope. If we believe there’s hope, we’ll be inspired to help.
Bianca Hadzic, the founder of Books Over Bombs, established the organisation in 2014 after watching a video of a Syrian refugee boy being taunted. As a mother she wanted to help, but did not know how. It soon struck her that these matters begin with education.
Since then, Books Over Bombs have launched their first T-shirt line, made from 100% organic cotton, which is GMO-free and certified fair trade. All the clothing is manufactured in collaboration with Hawaiian-based company Human Revolution Clothing. Books Over Bombs also employ the hash tag #ResponsibleFashion, in reference to brands who wish to contribute to the cause. This gives fashion brands a great opportunity to demonstrate corporate and social responsibility.
She wanted to exhibit social awareness differently. She wanted to avoid the tactics of ‘poverty porn’, where exaggerated images of children are used to induce guilt, thereby persuading donations. She believed this repetitive exposure dehumanizes
In addition, there are post-tags. Books Over Bombs collaborates with UKbased Postcards For Peace to create a ‘hang-tag with a difference’. This allows customers to write a handwritten message of hope and encouragement to refugee children. _51
Whilst Books Over Bombs is still a fresh social initiative, Bianca has high hopes for the future. Her dream is to establish a Books Over Bombs youth centre where tutoring, social activities and mentorship is provided in Aleppo, Syria, once the war is over. Nearly three million children in and around Syria are unable to attend school regularly. Children are forced to grow up quickly, and are often exposed to exploitation and abuse. Continual conflict has become so seemingly normal, that their memories of home are almost forgotten.
DESPITE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES, THESE CHILDREN STILL EXHIBIT GREAT COMPASSION AND HOPE, BELIEVING THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS AND RESTORE A NEW SYRIA. Despite their circumstances, these children still exhibit great compassion and hope, believing they can achieve their dreams and restore a new Syria. We can help them recover those dreams and rebuild a place they once called ‘home’. We can help Bianca bring a brighter tomorrow for a displaced generation. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” www.booksoverbombs.org
popping flavours in perth’s best popcorn! interview by rebecca harris
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SOCIAL PROFILES WORDS BY HANIFA ABDIRAIHAN IMAGES COURTESY OF CAMERA STORY
picture perfect
CAMERA STORY’S JACQUELINE WARRICK ON CONNECTING CULTURES AND PHOTOGRAPHY In an increasingly connected world, chronicling lives has never been easier than with the tap of a phone. This is the vision of Camera Story, an initiative designed to connect children and communities across the world through photography. The idea came to founders Jacqueline Warrick and Sarah Landro, after spending years together in North India and Bangladesh. “We came back to Australia and were sitting there thinking, ‘How are we going to incorporate this into our lives?’” Jacqueline says. “So we thought, let’s make a documentary about all the new people coming into Perth, with the shifting multicultural landscape of our city.” Initally, with no subjects to photograph and impersonal photography deemed an unacceptable option, they decided: why not give the camera to a child? “And then as we progressed along, we thought, wouldn’t it be awesome if the kids from these communities in Perth could connect to the kids from
these communities in Bangladesh and India?” Jacqueline explains. “If we could, through the language of photography, share our life experiences, like where I live, how I grew up – and so through all that, understand each other? So we had this vision of kids in isolated communities all over the world who can photograph their lives and share them, almost like a pen pal.” According to Jacqueline, the most important thing about photography is that it’s universal and accessible. “And if you get that photograph to someone here who can swap [one of theirs], then we’ll begin to understand each other’s lives, and that’s so important, because we’re so scared of each other’s lives.” _55
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When the author and audience are both children however, comedy is abundant. “We showed these kids [from Bangladesh and India] pictures of cornflakes and kids eating cornflakes – they were going crazy, they were like, ‘What is this!?’” she recounts, laughing. On a separate occassion, she showed Australian kids a photograph of children working in a Bangladeshi factory. “This one boy who refused and put up a wall for us for about four weeks – we get it, we have to deal with kids who just don’t care, they don’t engage – just melted and was just like, ‘Where are those kids from? What are they doing? Where was this taken?’ In their workshops across Perth, Camera Story teaches children how to read and create images.
“To be able to express yourself from a young age is life-changing,” Jacqueline says. “The way [children] photograph – even what they say – and the way their imagination works just blows our minds about how they can see the world."
"THEY TEACH ME THAT THE WAY THAT I SEE THE WORLD’S NOT FIXED." Despite the bustle involved, Jacqueline remains passionate. “I know that on the surface it looks like kids’ workshops, but everything we do is so deeply discussed and there’s a whole philosophy behind what we do and why we do it.” www.camerastory.com.au
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TRAVEL WORDS BY ISADORA JAROSEK PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISADORA JAROSEK
Budapest on Film IN AMONGST THE GOB SMACKING ARCHITECTURE, HIDDEN GEMS AND UNWRITTEN STORIES, HUNGARY’S STRIKING CAPITAL CITY HAS ITS HISTORY WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. Budapest, now a World Heritage listed location, has an undeniable appeal for Hungarians and foreigners alike. The city now enjoys the reputation of being a must-see destination, with a booming tourism market to match. In seeming contrast, photographic film has, up until very recent years, appeared to suffer the branding of a dead medium. Flexibility, and the potential of modern-day digital photography, can appear to throw quite a bit of shade at the age-old blend of chemicals and silver halide. This being said, it is still the format of choice for many amateur and professional photographers (the embarrassingly overused ‘hipster’ tag notwithstanding). The textures, richness and emotive shades of film have always done a great job at doing justice to the vitality and narrative of Budapest. It can be disheartening to try and bring something new to the table when capturing one of the most photographed cities in the world. Every angle, nook and space seems like it has already been committed to film or megapixels.The images captured here are sentimental, still moments that, rather than trying to speak heavily, strive to convey an experience.