Colosoul E-Zine 02 // 2009

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