MYM ARTISTS By Jake Millar
E-Letter designed by: Stefani Tanzil
TRICIA RAY editor
WINTER’S PAST By Sabrina Robertson.
As most of you will have heard, September 7 saw the Colosoul
Half the fun of it is seeing your work change.” Whichever
team take over fashion central in Forrest Chase to host the
direction she chooses to go next, Megan’s future, as with her
Make Your Move theatrical fashion show. The event was a
work, is sure to be bright.
big success and saw Colosoul continue its support of young Perth talent, with dancers, musical acts, fashion designers and models combining to create a truly exceptional performance. To accompany the fashion on parade, a trio of great local artists were kind enough to let us include a selection of their work in the show. Megan Isabelle, Yolanda Stapleton and Gav Fielding each had pieces on display in the fashion tent to let the guests soak up a little culture with their champagne. Colosoul interviewed each to the artists to find out what a little more about them. For full, in-depth profiles of each artist, be sure to check out the next edition of the Colosoul E-Zine.
With everything finally winding down I think I will have time to put up my little white stick Christmas tree. If I could afford a pressie for everyone who has helped out this year I would - instead we are holding our end of year Colosoul party to say a very BIG thanks. As I always say, we can’t do what we do without YOU. Next year is bound to be an exciting one, so stick around and with your help, Colosoul will continue to head onto bigger and better things. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy holidays!
MEGAN ISABELLA While some are quick to label Perth dull, Megan Isabella has been busy brightening up the city with her colourful illustrations. With a successful exhibition already under her belt, Megan Isabella is quickly making a name for herself as an Winter’s Past was held at Fremantle
On the day of Winter’s Past, the
exciting and emerging local talent.
Arts Centre on Saturday 24th of
weather wasn’t on our side but we
So far, response to her work has been nothing but positive,
October and showcased six local
still managed a reasonable turnout.
with a successful exhibition of her work held at the Butcher
bands: The Veescars, The Morning
Audience members were treated
Shop gallery (formally Keith & Lottie) in April this year. “It went
Night, One Tiger Down, Simon Kelly
to a variety of free merchandise
well for my first one,” says Megan, “and I gained a lot from the
and his Band, Goodnight Tiger and
and a chance to learn about other
experience.” Before long Megan found that her quirky, colourful
Heathcote Blue.
organisations in Perth, while the food
imagery was soon gaining a following and though this feedback
stall kept them well fed.
has been encouraging, Megan has also simply enjoyed the process of trying different techniques.
This event was organised by a group of Central TAFE Arts Administration
The venue was the perfect atmosphere
“I haven’t got a problem with trying new media, I get bored
who moved away from an initial idea of
for audiences and bands alike, and the
sticking to one thing,” she says. “I like to see where things will
an event at TAFE and developed what
sound captivated you wherever you
lead me.”
has now become known as Winter’s
sat. Each band took to the stage with
Past. Months of planning, meetings,
confidence and a hint of relaxation,
This method has seen Megan tackle everything from pastels to
decisions, problems, solutions and the
and clearly enjoyed playing the event.
collage, and her more recent work has also made use of digital
occasional tears finally paid off as the
There were also fine examples of
software. “There is a huge demand for electronic art,” she says,
team managed to secure a venue, six
the new talent to come out of Perth.
“so being able to experiment with rendering on the computer
bands and a $3000 grant from Propel
We may have Sugar Army and The
has been surprising and given my work a fresh new feel.”
Youth Arts.
Novocaines tearing up the rock scene, but don’t count The Veescars, The
Although these images have been among her best received,
The biggest motivation for the event
Morning Night, One Tiger Down, Simon
Megan insists that the artistic process will always be something
was the lack of all-ages gigs in Perth,
Kelly, Goodnight Tiger and Heathcote
and especially those featuring indie,
Blue out just yet.
that begins on paper. “I never, ever work straight from
made an effort to approach bands
I leave you with this: if you’ve ever
a photograph onto a computer program,” she says. “I need to get my hands dirty, I need to feel a pencil and paper in order for it to feel real.” While her work has been
that had not been given many chances
wanted to organise your own event, do
well received, Megan is eager to continue trying new things, “My
to play all-ages gigs, which are a
it. It is hard work but it is so worth it in
art is constantly evolving, just as I am as a person,” she says.
valuable opportunity for groups to
the end.
“Every year I learn more about myself and gain experience.
folk or roots performers. The team
expand their fan bases.
Megan Isabella: Toaster Trouble
YOLANDA STAPLETONn Yolanda Stapleton has had a passion for art for many years, though it was only quite recently that she decided to take the plunge and pursue it as more than just a hobby. Operating under the name ‘onetrickpony’, Yolanda found that the decision to join Perth’s expanding artistic community has presented an exciting mix of challenge and opportunity. “I think it’s always been hovering in the background,” Yolanda says of her interest in art, “but in the last few years I’ve started to take it more seriously and to try and push myself to put out a lot more work.” This has proved a rewarding decision for both Yolanda and local art lovers, and with several successful exhibitions to her name, she is quickly becoming a local artist to watch. As a young artist working in the world’s most isolated city, Yolanda has found that Perth’s remoteness presents some difficulties, but also a few surprising advantages. “One the one hand you can feel kind of cut off from things,” she says, “but on the other hand I think the influences that come from that can be really interesting and unique.” While Perth’s art scene is still relatively young, Yolanda has found that this can often provide some valuable opportunities for emerging artists. “Being a small city I think it’s pretty accessible to get your work out and shown,” she says. As she has developed her own style and gained confidence in her work, Yolanda has found she is now more inclined to try new techniques and methods of working than she was in the past. “These days there’s a lot more variety in my work,” she says, “I think starting out you tend to stick to what you’re comfortable
FASHION DESIGNER
MYM ARTISTS with and for me that was mainly working onscreen.”
By Jake Millar
getting the ideas out of my head.” As for how this is achieved, Gav is open to giving pretty much
Yolanda’s recent artistic output has been nothing short of
anything a try. “It really depends what mood I’m in and what
prolific, but she still has a number of exciting projects on the
inspires me at any particular time,” he says. “I’m always
way. “I’m about to take ‘The Clothespeg Profejct Volume 3’ to
jumping around with my art. I never really stick to the one
the National Grid Gallery in Sydney,” she says. “There’s another
style.”
Lomo project in the works and I’m also working towards a solo show for early next year which I’m pretty excited about.” In
Although photography is a medium that represents reality,
whatever form it takes, Perth people, and those right across
painting allows Gav to experiment with more imaginative
Australia, are sure to see a lot more of Yolanda’s creative output
subjects. “Painting is a medium to express ideas and
in the near future.
create something new,” he says. “Recently I tend to let the paint work and flow from how the canvas is developing. I’ll start with a basic idea of what I want and let it evolve.” This approach also allows Gav to produce art that tackles a range of subject matter. “Previously I’ve worked from an anger towards the mass-media and our consumer culture,” he says. “Recently, inspiration has come to me on a day-to-day basis. I haven’t really had a main theme running through my work lately.” As for the future, Gav favours simply taking things as they come and seeing where he ends up. “Plans get in the way of living,” he says, “I like living.”
Fashionista Zoë Trotman
Graduating in 2002 with a first-class honours degree in photo media and interactive multimedia and currently studying fashion at Bentley TAFE, Zoë Trotman is nothing if not qualified to be a designer. Though it’s simple trial and error that Zoe says has taught her a lot of what she knows. “Yeah, I have studied,”
learning.” Her creations sit somewhere between Yolanda Stapleton:
the fields of fashion, design and art, and
Installation on display at the MYM Fashion Show
not surprisingly, Zoë lists a wide range of influences on her style – everything from the psychedelic photography of David Lachapelle to the quirky, colourful fashion designs of UK avant-guardist Jeremy Scott have had an impact on her
his early artistic endeavours. Since then, he has remained just as prolific, recently holding two successful solo exhibitions of his work and trying his hand at everything from painting and graphic art to photography and film. As a photographer, Gav is interested in the idea of capturing and representing specific moments in time. “I like photography as a way of interpreting something that already exists,” he says. “Capturing an object or setting that wouldn’t normally be seen, or a mood of a particular moment. With my personal photography, I use it more as a form of documenting life than as a form of presenting new ideas.” Gav is keen to produce work free of any personal artistic ‘trademarks’ and enjoys keeping people guessing by executing his ideas as they come to mind, “I like the anonymity of it,” he says. “I’m not an ego or reputation-driven artist, I just like
and the community’s obsession with
glue stronger than UHU was setting off
consumerism.
an itch.”
“Using folklore methods of storytelling
Fortunately, she recovered and the piece
and cultural expression, Junk Lore
went on to wow crowds when it was put
couture aims to initiate and participate
on display at the Colosoul fashion show
in a didactic for a new subculture – a
in September. Zoe hasn’t let the incident
language full of recognisable signs,
slow her down and she looks forward
signifiers and established meanings,”
to taking life as it comes and, where
she says. “[It] aims to utilise one of the
possible, working it into her designs.
vehicle of (and medium for) expression.”
usually a haphazard journey of self
“Ever since my first day at school, I’ve doodled over everything I can get my hands on,” says Gav Fielding of
I was basically so hypersensitive that any
world’s most problematic resources as a
she says, “but the feats I attempt are
GAV FIELDING
that has gripped modern society
approach. Gav Fielding: Guns
For Zoe, designing is something that comes naturally. “Anyone who knows me will tell you, I like stuff. I like making stuff. I’ve made lots of stuff,” she says. “I’ve been in a few competitions. And I’ve always made things. Whether they’re clothes or a 3D animation, it’s what I do. On the other hand, I can’t flip burgers at a fast food joint. So I am hoping all this learning is going to help me work out how to pay my rent by making stuff.” Her latest collection, entitled Junk Lore, focuses on the throwaway culture
Design has always been a part of Zoë’s life and is something that remains a strong passion. Though her quirky designs have not only been personally fulfilling, but have won her praise. She was a finalist at the WA design awards last year and was also one of six finalists chosen for the inaugural Active Dragonfly Fashion Awards earlier this year. Though it’s not been all smooth sailing. Zoë learnt a valuable lesson about the perils of working with risky materials after she suffered a nasty allergic reaction to a resin she used to construct her plastic, fibreglass and aluminium gown for the MYM show in September. “All the resin pieces in the mosaic layer were hand mixed and casted by me and then painstakingly siliconed onto the lower skirt – the frame of which I made out of fibre-glass.,” she says. Although she took precautions to avoid injury, Zoë says the she leant the hard way. “It wasn’t the fibreglass itself that caused the problem,” she says. “It was the resin (and the catalyst for the resin).” As it had been raining, Zoe was forced to construct her gown inside, which proved to be a risky and painful decision. “I swelled up like a chipmunk,” she says. “The doctor put more on oral steroids and I had to remain gluing stuff on my gown and setting resin, messed up to the max.
Zoë’s MYM design Image courtesy of Kate Namestnik
STEREOSONIC
LAURA TYRIE
By Cameron Myles
As a young girl growing up in Port
it and I’m mad about fashion now,” she
Laura was a big fan of the Colosoul’s
Hedland, the idea of high fashion couldn’t
says. “I’ve got about fifty pairs of shoes, a
theatrical fashion show in September
have been further from Laura Tyrie’s
walk-in wardrobe and a chest of drawers
and would love to see the theatrical
mind. Yet as she stood in a luxurious
that are just packed, so I’m definitely into
aspect worked into other fashion shows
riverfront property in Sydney with the 12
fashion now, but when I was younger I
in the future. “I loved it,” she says. “I
other finalists in this year’s Australia’s
wasn’t.”
was very lucky that Helena [Colosoul’s fashion writer] gave some VIP tickets to
Next Top Model, she knew modelling was Although she had some modelling
me and a friend and we were in the third
experience before the show, Laura says
row, right near the catwalk. “I loved the
“It was actually a dare from my work
her time on Australia’s Next Top Model
concept of having a bit of a story behind it
friends,” Laura says of her decision to
taught her a lot about the industry. “I
and having the dancers and the actors all
enter the competition. “I used to work
really loved it,” she says. “It was hard
involved in the fashion show,” she says.
at Carousel [Shopping Centre] where the
and long days and everything and there
“I think it made it really interesting.”
auditions were taking place and my work
were some girls you didn’t get along with,
friends dared me to do it.” Although
and some you did, but it was an awesome
As for the future, Laura is just happy to
Laura never thought she would make it
experience more than anything.”
take things as they come. “I’m trying
what she wanted to do.
not to really have big goals for myself in
past the first round, let alone end up one of the finalists, the judges clearly saw
As well as getting to know the ins
modelling because it’s too hard to plan
something special in the bubbly Perth 19
and outs of the fashion world, one of
your career in modelling because you
year old.
the best aspects of the show was the
might be the look one minute and not
people she got to meet. “We had launch
the next,” she says. “I’m hoping to go to
The setting for the show, a stunning
parties and he had other parties for
Sydney for about two and a half months
riverfront property in Sydney, was a far
when the show came out where there’d
at the beginning of next year and just see
cry from Laura’s upbringing in country
be heaps of designers and stylists and
how I go over there.” Despite her success
Port Hedland. “When I was younger,
photographers,” she says. Though as
so far, Laura insists she’ll always be a
I was a massive tomboy,” she says. “I
well as the professional contacts she
Perth girl at heart, “Perth is always going
joined a football team and I went fishing
made, Laura’s time on the show gave her
to be my home,” she says, “I’ll always
with my dad.” Once she moved to Perth
the opportunity to make some lasting
come back for my family and my friends.”
as a teenager, it was Laura’s sister who
friendships. “There are two girls in Perth
For a longer version of this article and a
first got her involved in modelling. “We
that I keep in contact with and I see them
heap of others, be sure to check out the
moved here and my sister literally forced
all the time,” she says. “There’s a couple
next edition of Colosoul’s online E-Zine.
me into modelling. She made all the
of girls in Sydney that I talk to and Leah
arrangements and after that, I just loved
from Melbourne.”
Crowds were treated to perfect weather for the second instalment of Stereosonic at Claremont Showgrounds. On Sunday the 29th of November, the cream of the electronic music crop was brought to Perth for a day of big beats and heavy bass. Those who were there early enough in the day were treated to electroclash revivalists Miss Kittin and the Hacker, who provided a very chic performance with live electro keyboards and smooth vocals. Not long after, another rave legend, Zombie Nation, took to the stage and proved to those who didn’t already know it that he was not simply a one-hit-wonder. Aside from the infamous Kernkraft 400, the German producer threw down some heavy tech-electro including more recent hits such as Forza. If you managed to push through the crowd and get to the other side of the festival, you were in for a bass-heavy treat, with Drop the Lime shaking the ‘Outrage’ tent. It was wob-wob-wobbles all around as the crowd warmed up for what was sure to be one of the highlights of the show. The Bloody Beetroots. The amount of success these guys have had in the past year has been nothing short of phenomenal.
All images copyright TOTEM ONELOVE GROUP PTY LTD
COLOSOUL CARES
STEREOSONIC The tent proved too small for the crowd that gathered to watch the Spidermanmasked duo, who blasted their heavy electro remixes and productions at an eardrum-shattering level. At one stage, the performance broke down into a hardcore punk song, confusing some punters and arousing screams and cheers from others. It wasn’t long, however, before the Beetroots brought the crowd back to the scheduled performance, taking them back with a remix of Crookers’ Il Brutto.
By Jake Millar
show. With live saxophones, keyboards and Garnier himself on the mic, everyone knew they were in for a funky treat. Surprises all around when some Dubstep and old-school d’n’b made an appearance, but for the most part it was pure French class like only Garnier can pull off. Cut Copy DJs and the Bag Raiders provided entertainment on the local front, with lots of ravey electro along the lines of Bang Gang and Edu K. Mowgli’s new track London To Paris also went down a treat, with the simultaneously euphoric and electric build-
As can be expected with any Beetroots show,
ups working perfectly with the heavy tech-
Warp 1.9 and Warp 7.7 got a heavy working,
house beats. Back to the Outrage tent and
but the addition of MC Justin Pearson didn’t
the other Italian DJ duo were busy rocking
bring much more to the show. In fact, due
the socks off another packed crowd. Crookers
to the heavy sound throbbing through the
followed where the Bloody Beetroots left
speakers and the packed-out crowd at the
off, destroying people’s eardrums yet again
tent, it wasn’t until after the show that I
with heavy, bassy, banging tunes. The Day ‘n’
found out there actually was an MC.
Night remixers didn’t give the crowd a chance to slow down, leaving everyone sweltering
Judah (left) helping out
Living and working in one of the poorest,
put out on the streets and prostituted for
helping other people. I am gaining no
most war-ravaged parts of the world
a small fee,” says Judah. Equipping them
material things in this world, but I have
may not sound like everyone’s idea
with literacy and numeracy skills helps
so many new friends and family.”
of living the good life, though for one
provide them with new hope for their
Australian 24 year old, there’s nothing
future. “Education is a key to the freedom
As for what the future holds, Judah
he’d rather be doing.
of people,” he says. “My belief is the more
just wants to keep finding ways to help
people we can educate, the more chances
others. “I’m not sure if I will be on the
For the past three years, Judah Tana
there are that educated and freethinking
Thai-Burma border forever,” says Judah.
has been helping children in need in
people can make a difference not only in
“But I do know that no matter where I
what’s known as ‘no man’s land’ – an
their own lives, but perhaps bring about
am I will look for the closest person that
change in their country.”
needs help, and I hope to be the first to
The crowd thinned heavily after the
and exhausted as they trudged over to catch
Beetroots’ performance, allowing those who
the main man (or should I say mau5?) of the
stayed behind a good view of French wonder-
show.
area of territory between Thailand
and probably one of the best performances
Deadmau5 arrived on stage with an
December 2006, not really knowing
The other area Judah works in is providing
of the day (in my humble opinion), with an
Australian-flag coloured ‘mau5head’, his
where or what I was doing,” says Judah,
medicine. “Less than 0.3 per cent of
amalgamation of buzzing acid and techno
presence alone enough to send the crowd
“and I just went with the flow.”
Burma’s GNP is spent on healthcare,” he
coupled with heavy drops and squealing
insane. The Mau5 in the hau5 (I could go
synths. Surkin’s own productions such as
all day with this) kept the night alive with a
White Knight rang out to a warm reception,
heavily effects-laden minimal/techno set,
as more people gathered to see what all the
disappointing some fans who were expecting
fuss was about.
a more electro-house/progressive vibe. I
kid Surkin. It was electro-rave all around
and neighbouring Burma. “I came in
reach out my hand.”
says. “221 of every 1000 people die before
Colosoul Profile:
His work concerns two main areas. The
the age of five. 80 per cent of children
JAKE MILLAR
first of these is education, which, under
that die do so from malaria, respiratory
Currently studying
the despotic Burmese regime, is sadly
illness, diarrhoea, and sicknesses that
journalism at
lacking. “In Burma less that 1 per cent
could have easily been prevented.” Though
Murdoch University, I
of GNP is spent on education,” says
helping others comes naturally to Judah,
joined Colosoul a few
Judah, “less than half of school-age
he says few could avoid being moved by
months ago and am
children are able to go to school. I help
what you see. “Being a ‘first hand’ witness
really enjoying my
them to provide schools for children
to poverty, oppression, hopelessness, and
time at the magazine
that are unable to attend because of
war, it becomes a question not of ‘How can
so far. It’s given
government and social status.”
I be involved?’, but rather ‘How can I not be
me some great opportunities to interview a
involved?’,” he says.
bunch of really interesting people for the next
Though providing education is about
Although he misses his family and friends
issue, including a few really talented local
more than just teaching children to read
back home in Australia, Judah says he’s
artists and even a professional poker player.
or write, as it helps give them a second
found a whole new group of support that
I’ve also been helping with a bit of editing and
and sunburnt faces.
chance at a better life. “These children
make his work worthwhile.
marketing, as well as general bits and pieces
are in the highest risk category for
“I was once a really selfish person, only
to help make it all come together. With all
Garnier was entertaining the crowd in the
-Cameron Myles
abuse, child labour, and being sold and
thinking about myself and what I could get,”
that’s going on, it’s been a bit hectic, but I’m
Sneakerpimp tent with more than just a DJ
Editor, Wordplay Magazine.
trafficked to major cities. Upon arrival
he says. “But now I never want to be that
really looking forward to all the fantastic stuff
to their new ‘home’, these children
person again. I enjoy looking into the mirror
Colosoul’s got planned for next year
are abused by their new owners, then
and knowing the job I am doing everyday is
Remember and his most recent hit Ghosts Meanwhile, Axwell and Fedde Le Grand
N Stuff satisfied the crowd’s commercial
may as well have played a duo set, with a
cravings, yet it wasn’t long before the last
smooth selection of house and trance flowing
bars were ringing out and people were
seamlessly between the sets. One of the
dragging themselves to the showgrounds
peaks of the performances was Fedde Le
train station.
Grand’s mash-up of the vocals from Simian’s We Are Your Friends with Prodigy’s infamous
All good things must come to an end, but
Breathe. It provided a welcome change from
I’m sure when punters look back they’ll
the norm and went down a treat.
remember the day fondly, with ringing ears
Even further across the festival, Laurent
All images copyright TOTEM ONELOVE GROUP PTY LTD
Judah and friends on the Thai-Burmese border