EZine 09 // August 2011

AUGUST 2011 FEATURING

TRAVEL AND FASHION TRAVEL SPREADS

PERTH’S EMERGING DESIGNERS BLOG REVIEW, MUSIC REVIEWS AND MORE

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Greetings, loyal readers of Colosoul!

It’s been an interesting couple of months. The government seem to have decided it’s a good idea to send asylum seekers to Malaysia, and at a state level, WA is cracking down on Cannabis laws. As individuals we seem to have no say in policy, all we can do is be the best that we can be by helping other individuals, and here at Colosoul that’s what we’re all about. Watch this space, as there will be plenty of political, social, and environmental pieces in upcoming editions.

In this month’s edition, Ritu catches up with Marcus from Jinja Safari, a band who’ve come to prominence after winning last year’s Triple J Unearthed competition.

Celeste gets Wicked when she heads to the Burswood Theatre to check out the previously theatrically untold story of the witches of Oz. In an exciting month for fashion, Kay and Steph have provided coverage for two highly motivated and talented emerging designers, Yan Zion and Eraine Poon.

Also on the fashion front, Steph catches up with Thessy and Yiota, two style enthusiasts and inhabitants of Planet Blog, who are on a mission to combat all things sabotage.

Bronte reviews The Decemberists’ latest release, observing a shift away from heavy song cycles and towards simplicity, and Sam reviews the new EP from The Tiger and Me. Dominique provides some comic relief with a scathing review of Larry Crowne, a new romcom directed by and starring Tom Hanks.

Matt reviews the new, Megan Fox-less edition to the Transformers film franchise, as well as taking you on a journey down memory lane with a nostalgic, sporty piece about the inspiration that was Michael Jordan.

In part two of Luke’s ‘Solo Travels’ series, he takes you on a ride to Monchique, Portugal, detailing the shenanigans along the way.

And last but certainly not least, Julie our resident Canadian shares the first half of her insightful journey across the Nullarbor, in a van.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this edition of our e-zine. It might not change senseless policy... But all in due time.

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Aidan, E-zine assistant editor.

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THE TRANSCENDENCE OF SPORT 08

FASHION SPREAD 34

Part 1 : Basketball

A Lost Romance

TRAVEL 10

REVIEWS 40

Vanage Planage : The Road to Falls Part One

The Tiger and Me : The Howling Fire

WA BORN FASHION FESTIVAL 17

The Decemberists : The King is Dead Jinger Safaris : Band Feature Transformers : Dark of the Moon

Emerging Designers

Wicked : The Untold Stories of the Witches of OZ

SOCIAL ISSUES 30

BLOG REVIEW 52

Brisbane Floods : The Aussie Spirit of Getting Stuck in

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Sabo Skirt

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103 Francis Street Northbridge, Perth 0403 960 642

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THE TRANSCENDENCE OF SPORT

A story that takes you on a journey of Basketball with Michael Gordon

TRAVEL

Vanage Planage : The Road to Falls Part One A personalised story of travel, excitement, and experiences

FASHION SPREAD A LOST ROMANCE A love affair between the romanticism of retro style and their contemporary interpretations has been reflected in most fashion collections this year.

SOCIAL ISSUE THE AUSSIE SPIRIT OF GETTING STUCK IN A revealing story that tells all about the Brisbane floods and how people connected during tough town

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MUSIC REVIEWS

WA BORN FASHION FESTIVAL HELD IN THE BAKERY IN NORTHBRIDGE COME AND SEE ALL OF PERTHS EMERGING DESIGNERS

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THE TRANSCENDENCE

F SPORT Written by Matthew Savino

Part 1 : Basketball Nostalgia is a curious human faculty. There are things I can’t remember happening to me one or two weeks ago, yet I can still remember the first basketball I owned as a child, many years ago. It was a Magic Johnson Bronze Series; orange rubber with black outline. It was mine and I loved it. I remember how it felt against my small yet eager hands as I started my love affair with the sport, dribbling up and down my drive way and shooting into an upturned crate which leant precariously against the end wall.

As time went by, the crate turned into a square that was drawn high on the wall of the side of the house, between two bedroom windows. As I began to master the basics of dribbling I started experimenting with more flamboyant manoeuvres, like dribbling it between my legs and behind my back. Soon my two elder brothers and I discovered the park down the road had a ring and it became our daily haunt as games ran into the darkness from which we begrudgingly made our way home for dinner.

Then I saw him.

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Someone in the ABC took mercy upon the Australian public and started broadcasting NBA games late at night. Upon my brother’s recommendation I watched a game and saw someone defy gravity for the first time. He glided through the opposition with style and consummate ease, mesmerising the defence and his captive audience who beheld his artistry through the TV screen.

He was Michael Jordan.

Basketball is a sport in where you can express yourself as an individual within a team environment. The feeling of being in ‘the zone’, which many athletes talk about, is a sublime and transcendent experience. Fully present in the moment, time seems to slow down, scoring is effortless and every shot you take goes in. You are at oneness with your body, the ball and can play your defenders like puppets. It is a feeling of elation and experience every sports person aspires to as it goes beyond the normal limitations that normally confine us.

My passion for the game had been ignited and I was sure that my future was to become a professional basketball player.

I got my hands on Jordan’s first video ‘Come Fly With Me’ and watched it everyday until I knew it verbatim.

Many times growing up, when I felt I needed to clear my head or had some issue troubling me I would take my ball and just go shoot around. As I practised my moves, sometimes under the light of the nearby street lamp, much of the stress would seem to leave as I attuned myself with something outside of my mind and transferred my energy into something creative and positive.

Having pursued studies in the Visual Arts I often came across friends and colleagues who found my dedication and passion for sport somewhat perplexing. How could a seemingly intelligent and cultured human being get so excited about such things?

These questions often reverberated in my mind as I tried to explain the fascination and rewards of pursuing the world of basketball, soccer and the martial arts.

“When we see someone attain such a height, part of us holds the glimmer of hope that we can also attain lofty heights ourselves.”

“I can still remember the first basketball I owned as a child, many years ago.”

As I look back at how the world became enamoured with Michael Jordan, some worshipping him like a Demi God, certain universal truths come to mind. Firstly, when we see someone attain such a height, part of us holds the glimmer of hope that we can also attain lofty heights ourselves. In short, we see ourselves reflected in our idols. Now you may say we never had a chance to become a Michael Jordan due to our inferior genetics.

However, great figures in history reflect transcendent qualities which lay dormant in all of us.

Yes, Michael Jordan possessed fantastic natural athleticism, but there have been greater athletes than him who picked up a basketball. What made him go above and beyond the others?

It was his desire to succeed and the tireless work ethic which enabled him to fulfil his potential as an athlete.

The ability to use any art form to express oneself is a valuable undertaking in my experience. Basketball is a game that utilizes intelligence, creativity, and discipline, as well as creating drama that is unscripted. In terms of artistry why should this be regarded a lesser form than say, ballet. Every move is predetermined and lacks the thrill of uncertainty which the athlete is at the mercy of every time he or she answers the call to compete.

When the game is on the line and you make the shot to win it all, you step outside yourself. You were not sure you could do it.

You did it. For that moment you’re in tune with that reflection you saw in your idol on TV. For that moment you became a part of something greater than the limitations you and every one else put upon you.

For that moment.

You transcended.

As someone who did not compete professionally, what drives me to keep playing year after year? Through all the ankle injuries and bruises I keep continuing to lace up the shoes and get back out there.

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August 2010

November 2010

My mum told me that if I tried to drive a van across Australia in the middle of summer, I would surely die. I’m doing it anyway. I bought my tickets to The Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria before I even bought the plane ticket to Oz. Surely that is motivation enough to save up some hard-earned waitressing cash and to hop on a plane as soon as the snow threatens to fall. Coming from Canada, the trip down under is often a bit cliché. Most young and ambitious Canadians in their 20s head to Australia at some point in their middle-class lives. The appeal is obvious: Vegemite, sunburn, red dirt, loose ways, and surf bums. And the benefits are obvious as Aussies and Canadians get on well. The youth of today seem to be accustomed to lifestyles that consist of living in plush cities, attending boring university lectures, binge drinking, weekend promiscuity, and trying not to grow up too fast. So, when two old friends from travels-past offered me a room in Perth and accompaniment to the

Van Plan: (noun, adjective, lifestyle). Abrv: VP. Other derivatives: Glam Plan, Le Plan de Van (Fr.), Vanage Planage: A set of likeminded, new age hippies who are willing to invest their time and effort into escaping the throes of mortgages, careers, marriages, and bill payments, and who unite in the ultimate goal of living in a van. This entails conquering landscapes, discovering a country’s hidden gems, defying the ordinary, and attempting to carve a notso-well-beaten track for themselves. This also requires the ability to

festival, I was more than keen to take up the offer of the often-neglected City of Perth. “But how would we get to the Falls Festival?” I enquired. “We would drive across in a van of course…”

October 2010 Due to having too much fun before I left Canada, I was a bit short on funds when I first arrived in Perth, meaning bacon would need to be brought home before I began my epic adventure. As a recent graduate, I quickly came to the realisation that a uni degree does not in fact come with a career and disillusionment set in when I found myself slogging away at yet another waitressing gig. City life promptly became boring as I was finding myself slipping into mundane routines of work, eat, drink, sleep, and more work.

Plodding through shifts at a trendy café - watching the opulent swill their overpriced wine and complain about slapped-together meals that attempted to pass for gourmet - left me feeling restless and itching to be on the move. I must admit, this “working-holiday” was starting off with too much working and too little holidaying…

The heat, the concrete, the exhaust fumes, and the cityscape were getting to me – I needed landscapes, sunsets, and sand in between my toes.

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eat a lot of tinned food, drink a lot of beer from the can, and go for an indeterminate amount of time without showering.

In a day and age where backpacking has become all too accommodating for the snot-nosed, pale-skinned, trust-funded, youth of contemporary society, it becomes more and more of a challenge to find something fresh and new, while still taking a little inspiration from our parents’ days of backpacking - a time where hitchhiking, socialist ideals, and long drawn out societal debates were actually attainable and realistic entities. Where did these times go? Why do we feel so disconnected from them now? I suppose the Van Plan is an attempt to reconnect with those freer, more liberated times. For me, it is an attempt to do so in the land down under, the magical island they call Australia. Mate.

Nov 11th The 1987 Toyota Hiace leaves Perth on December the 11th, heading south through Busselton, then onto Esperance. The first leg of the journey will be beautiful and exhilarating with many rolling hills, smashing seashores, and gnarly vineyards to keep us occupied. The van is currently being “kitted out” by master engineer and architect Ash as well as master decorator and sewer Jill. I have taken on the job of supervisor, overseeing the project and offering tips on how we are going to keep the beer at its coldest, as well as which playlists will be best suited to which Australian landscapes.

We have decided that since, from the outside, the van is intensely 80s and ninja-turtle-esque, that the inside

“

There is a point where one can look out at the verge where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean, reminding one just how small we are in comparison to these vast and stretching waters.

needs to be spectacularly 70s. We have therefore gone with a green, orange, and brown colour scheme and Jill has been fighting various nannas in op-shops for the best and the brightest tupperware and other such necessary adornments.

Time is ticking and we are getting closer and closer to the departure date. The van has started to take on the look of some sort of German, 70’s, orange and brown Tetris puzzle as Ash delves deeper into the role of master carpenter/creator. I imagine that if he kept working, we would have some sort of Tim Burton-inspired vessel with a bionic arm that reaches into the cooler and grabs beers for us as well as an egg-cracking device that spawns from beneath the seat. Thank god we will be on the road soon, as the van could begin to take on a mind of its own and Ash might quit his day job, start growing a grey beard down to his knees, and give way to the throes of becoming a mad, van scientist.

Dec 5th There are so many things to think about when planning a van trip.

Thankfully, we had the chance to head down south to Augusta this past weekend where I found inspiration in the southernmost tip of Western Australia. There is a point where one can look out at the verge where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean, reminding one just how small we are in comparison to these vast and stretching waters. Inspiration was also found among the dusty shelves and creaky floors of small-town thrift stores.

”

In Witchcliffe, I picked up three 70s-inspired egg cups which fit the retro decor perfectly. Also found was some reading material that includes a pocket atlas from the 70s, a copy of the communist

(hippies should always be educated on the workings of their enemy: capitalism), and some short stories

manifesto

from Mr Joyce himself - a little old school literature for scotchdrinking hour. Jill has been working hard at sewing the curtains, which don a material that reminds me of Bert and Ernie’s pyjamas.

She is head decorator of the van and is thus adamant on minute attention to detail. It is going to look spectacular and feel very much like home. Five days and counting… Let’s see if we can get it all done….

Dec 13th There’s something about being on that open road. The van is absolutely packed to the rafters with some useful and some useless odds and ends, and the anticipation - mixed with a new feeling of freedom - clogs our brains. The idea of chasing landscapes excites me as I picture the van bumbling along the Nullarbor, creating a mere etch in the red dirt; a mere wisp in time on a continent that feels so genuinely old. On our first night we drive past beautiful paddocks where I imagine an old dusty farmer is watching the same setting sun that we are, saying goodnight to the heat of the day. Birds career about, leaves rustle, and creatures chirp and hiss.

We nestle into a not-so-legal spot amongst Karri trees which tower over us and protect us as if silently hushing us to sleep with their wisdom of years gone past. The first night in the van is a momentous one - we have successfully left the city behind.

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Dec 15th The calm and serene shores of Gardanup are salted and peppered with shells. The beautiful beaches of the Southern coast are nearly empty and there is a bit of a lonely, forlorn feel to this country - a sort of desertion. Every time the sun goes down and the sea breeze picks up, it is as though the night brings a much-needed coolness to a hot and barren land. Blue skies meet ashen yellow fields and the small ominous lumps of islands are traced along the horizon like a lazy lizard’s spine. Despite the fact that we are leaking brake fluid from the master cylinder, the day has ended on a high note with an epic sunset outside of Esperance and a Michael Jackson dance party on the roof of the van whilst drinking G & T from a tin mug. As we head toward the longest single piece of limestone: The Nullarbor. Things are about to get a whole lot flatter…

Dec 16th Esperance. We pull into an acreage, nestled in between a row of trees that protect it from the wheat paddocks. We’re having trouble with the brakes. And possibly the clutch. The warmth of a young farm family graces us with their hospitality and their excitement of hosting visitors. The young girls are excited about the last day of school, dad is busy harvesting, and mum is busy cooking us up a late night meal. We are grateful to have someone to help us out and they reckon ‘Philby’ the family mechanic will sort us out tomorrow in Esperance. Red wine and a real bed warms the soul on this chilly summer night.

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hotography by Proof27 photography

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PHONE: (08) 9227 8944 FAX: (08) 9227 8933 EMAIL: methodclothing@iinet.net.au 557 Beaufort Street Mount Lawley, Western Australia, 6050

FASHION FESTIVAL 2011 22nd SEPTEMBER VENUE : THE BAKERY

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WA BORN

The Colosoul Group Inc. in cooperation with Make Your Move Magazine kindly invites you to attend the WABorn fashion event.

A dedicated team of young volunteers have worked together to organise a theatrical fashion show, with the endeavour to promote and support emerging and aspiring local designers and artists.

This event will provide designers with valuable industry experience, media exposure as well as a foot in the right direction.

Colosoul Magazine now presents to you, in several upcoming issues the chance to preview the designer’s collection that will be showcasing at the fashion event.

Influences being explored in the event include the indigenous culture, where we will take you back to Australia’s oldest ancestors through live performances of their traditional dances.

“WABorn is an organization that strives to develop and exhibit Western Australian talent.”

Several local designers are already on board with the amazing project including Jonté Pike, who says she is “very excited” to be part of WABorn. Her beautifully detailed designs won her the title of Most Outstanding Work at this year’s Urban Couture Joondalup Festival.

The winner of this event will not only be titled WA’s Emerging Designer for 2011, but will also be showcased in a full page spread in Colosoul Magazine and MYM Magazine which will include a professionally styled and photographed shoot, in addition to other exciting prizes.

All designer finalists will receive design profiles within Colosoul Magazine as well as a sponsorship prize package, promotion through the Colosoul website and blogs and also a FOXFEET online store which will allow designers to create a label profile and the opportunity to sell and promote their garments.

“Several local designers are already on board with the amazing project.”

WABorn is an organization that strives to develop and exhibit Western Australian talent, and also provides platforms for the creative youth community to showcase and promote their talent.

We are part of a non-profit organisation, which promotes creative youth culture and community. We hope to provide Western Australia with new talents who have yet to be discovered, and to promote and encourage their work. No one has yet supplied this kind of support and motivation to the emerging, young talents in Western Australia.

Through the operation of this event, WABorn hope to expand evolving designers networks and show them an experience that will further advance their designs and knowledge of the industry.

Our goal is to prove and promote not only emerging young designers and their talent, but also the young creative community as a whole. We want to demonstrate to the community how young people can professionally organise and produce stylish and unique parades with success in attendance. We hope to make this a yearly event and for the parade to progress successfully, and aim to build stronger rapport with art associations, buyers, sellers and to create a paid environment. We hope to generate a young business that will develop while making profits to put back into internships to create more jobs for the creative community in WA.

“Our goal is to prove and promote not only emerging young designers and their talent, but also the young creative community as a whole.”

By creating an event that allows Western Australian designers to exhibit their work we are showing our support and encouragement for these rising talents by giving local designers an opportunity and event to display their work safely to a large audience. To help us support WABorn, stay tuned for more information.

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Justine Withers Written by : Camille Chapleau Edited by : Nadine Pougnat Photo: Justine Withers

Justine Withers studied fashion and design at TAFE in Cairns, but she would love to continue studying fashion and styling in Sydney or London and later launch her own label there. If she weren’t a designer, she would certainly be a photographer, according to her fashion and photography need a lot of creativity and both are excellent mediums for self-expression.

Her love for fashion begun when she was young, always “collecting pretty things like buttons, ribbon, lace and would add them to clothes” to embellish and make them unique. Withers’ favourite designers include Karl Lagerfeld, Sass and Bide – “for taking Australian fashion international and introducing unique trends”, Alexander McQueen, and Coco Chanel – “for her innovation and integrity to her style, never comprising her vision and changing fashion history.” Withers is also an avid lover of the 1920’s fashion and often incorporates some elements in her garments but still keeps them trendy and modern.

Her latest collection is called “Flights of Fantasy” and focuses on the lines and shapes of birds. The constructions of the garments are greatly influenced by Japanese origami with a particular interest in “new angular lines and complex details.” Withers explains; that she always wants to “challenge [her] pattern making skills” she also gives a great attention to detail but still maintains simple, elegant and chic structures. She likes using different textures and different materials such as silks, chiffon and organza, however she would like to work with wool, as it is more of a solid and structured fabric. Withers explains that she creates clothing that “[is] reflective of [her] and [her] style” but classical and trendy enough to suit any type of woman.

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Lee Jeans | Wrangler Jeans | Ben Sherman | Mooks | Mossimo | Elwood

437 Hay Street | Subiaco | Western Australia | (08) 9388 1916 23

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fter completing year 12, Maieke went to study Bachelor of Arts, majoring in fashion at Curtin university. This was a real pivotal moment for her as she realised here her love for fashion. Eager to learn more, Maieke decided to differ her studies for a year to begin study at Central tafe. However she really came to enjoy tafe for its practical approach to design and since then she has continued to study and learn the art of fashion there.

- Who are your favourite designers and why?

I have always loved designers who have a bit of edge and are a bit gutsy or even quirky. Romance Was Born is probably my favourite design duo at the moment. I saw them at Fashion Talks last year as apart of Perth Fashion Festival and they were the most inspiring young people. I remember distinctively bringing a notebook with me to take notes during the talk but I was so intoxicated by what they were saying I didn’t write a thing! Their philosophy for design was so refreshing and inspiring you come see they loved what the did. During the talk I remember Luke Sales answering a question about why they added one off pieces to their shows and he simply replied “if I wanted to see just a ready to wear collection I would go to a bus stop” and its something that I believe as well. Adding another element to shows makes them unique and exciting, it gives to a buzz and sense of expression.

- What made you decide to become a fashion designer?

To be honest it started off a vibe, something I had always was wanted to do but wasn’t sure if I had what took. But then I started studying fashion and I fell in love with idea a designing and creating garments that people could wear, have moments in and adventures in them. Now its such a thrill and joy to see that someone can wear my designs and appreciate them

- Why do you love fashion so much?

Fashion for me has always been a form of expression and that’s probably what I love the most. When you design a garment or wear a garment your are expressing something, perhaps something you cannot express through verbal communication but through visual

- What inspires you?

I am quite literally inspired by almost everything or anything. I probably take my greatest inspirations from art and nature however, it also comes from things I find or stumble upon.

- What is your style and what is your collection about?

My style is quite dramatic and often has an element that stands out like a long train, or crazy trimming. I just cant do the simple look, it has to be exciting and a little crazy! For my piece I really wanted to portray the beauty and vibrance of Indigenous art work. Its such a beautiful reflection of nature and culture and I wanted to convey this as my focal point in my piece

- What do you hope to achieve by participating in WABorn?

I hope to create a garment that allows people to admire indigenous culture in all vibrancing and the beautiful country in which its based.

Maieke hopes to see her self one day with her own label with extensive range of hand made prints, a label that is really engaging and unique to Australian fashion. But for now she is so happy to be learning, absorbing and getting amongst it.

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After the BURN YAN ZION - EMERGING DESIGNER “Beauty can be found in overwhelming abundance of the natural environment, with events and experience evoking emotions and memories of this landscape.

Beauty can be found in microcosm of the miniature details of nature and the macrocosm of the universe.”

- Yan Zion

- When did your love of fashion begin?

My mum was a big influence when I was young. She made clothes for my brothers and sisters to save money, there were 6 kids altogether. She would put together beautiful outfits for us made from left over scraps. Mum was also sewing and it was natural as a kid that you would want to do what the adults were doing. So I followed her footsteps and this is how my love of fashion began.

- Where/what did you study?

I studied at Central Institute of Technology and then went on further to study at Curtin University.

- Why did you want to become a designer?

For me, to be a designer means being inspired, being creative and to enjoy what I do everyday is a blessing.

As a child I had always enjoyed dressing up and helping mum sew. However, sewing was more of a hobby for me and ‘Fashion Design’ was a far-fetched dream. Furthermore ‘Art and design’ wasn’t encouraged in my family. So, I studied and worked in the “Community service” and after some time I felt that this wasn’t the right path for me. So I took the leap to study fashion where I can be more creative in my everyday life.

- What materials/techniques do you use?

In my collection “After the Burn”, I have used satin, silk and chiffon materials. Most of my outfits and fabrics have been individually hand dyed, printed and individually burnt with a soldering iron.

These techniques are used in an effort to replicate and create the Australian flora and its natural environment after a devastating Australian bushfire.

- What are your plans for the future?

To get more work experience in the fashion industry (hopefully overseas) before owning my own label.

- Can you describe your most recent design/ collection.

I am currently working on another collection, which will also showcase during the Perth Fashion Festival in 2011. This collection (not yet titled) is a follow on from After the Burn. This is a project that is collaborated with Ozawa Textile Company. Ozawa Textile Company produces high end “pearly cotton” which is supplied to fashion houses such as Chanel, Georgio Armani, Hermes and Louis Vuitton. Six individuals, including me, have been given the opportunity to work with Ozawa Tex Co. to produce their own custom made fabrics, which will be used in their collection for this coming Perth Fashion Festival.

Written by Kay Rickett Photo by Otilee (http://www.otilee.com/)

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Rachel Jasper “JASPER IS ALREADY A SUCCESSFUL WOMAN, AS SHE WISHED.”

“SHE LOVES FASHION BECAUSE IT HELPS PEOPLE TO EXPRESS WHO THEY ARE.”

“JASPER DESCRIBES HER LABEL AS “CLASSIC GLAMOUR WITH A MODERN TWIST, “

With a brand called Miss Jasper launched last year, we can affirm that Rachel Jasper is already a successful woman, as she wished. Jasper studied at the Western Australian Institute of Fashion Design and Textiles, graduating with a diploma in clothing, textiles and footwear. In 2005, she was the only school student to win a scholarship to enter in the Melbourne Masters of Fashion Awards due to her spectacular evening wear.

Her label Miss Jasper, officially started in 2010 and like most designers she started to create garments for herself and experiment with different techniques. She loves fashion because it helps people to express who they are, to be creative and unique and of course she likes helping people look their best.

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Jasper finds inspiration for her beautifully designed garments in all different things from unique fabrics, trims and accessories to animals, plants and buildings, she can see beauty and draws inspiration from everything around her. International designers such as Collette Dinnigan, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano are also of influence, due to their theatrical and spectacular designs. If one day she were to choose between Paris, Milan, New York and London, she would definitely choose Paris both to work and showcase her label.

Jasper describes her label which mainly consists of dresses, as “classic glamour with a modern twist, [it’s all] about the woman who walks in the room and all eyes are on her and her outfit as she oozes confidence, sensuality and individuality”.

EDITED BY: NADINE POUGNAT WRITTEN BY: CAMILLE CHAPLEAU PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSH JASPER

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the AUSSIE SPIRIT OF GETTING STUCK IN:

Student Journalist Matt Newton Gets Muddy Volunteering in the Wake of the Queensland Floods Edited by Fiona May Story by Matthew Newton

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he natural disasters in Queensland highlighted the true Australian spirit of getting stuck in and helping out. One student who volunteered gives us a small insight into the great character of Australians demonstrated in aftermath of the floods.

It is a Sunday; two days after the worst of the flooding has passed. Brisbane stirs, readying itself for the interminable summer day ahead. I’d read something on Facebook the night before about students from the university up the road volunteering for the flood clean up and had decided to help out. My sister and I load up the Ute with shovels and brooms and set out for St Lucia.

Helicopters steadily churn the sky above us and all manner of trucks and machinery roar up and down the streets. Sir Fred Schonell Drive is barely recognisable. The bitumen grows dusty with the constant passing of mud caked tyres. Trees, businesses, houses and walls are covered in a thin grey film – it is as if the water had leached the colour out of everything it touched. Ten to fifteen centimetres of sludge has been deposited on every inch of ground that the water covered and in some places it has begun to harden and crack under the morning sun.

Then there is the most obvious after-effect of the flood’s visitation on the residents of St Lucia: the debris.

When you observe flood damaged houses like the ones here, the visual difference between a house that has been inundated and one that hasn’t is negligible – the house itself, while dirtier than usual, is intact.

It’s when you see the entire contents of that house – and of both houses either side of it, and of both houses either side of them, and so on and so forth – unceremoniously dumped on the footpath outside that you begin to understand the true extent of the damage. You can stand in the middle of the street and look towards Toowong and see two massive lines of flood damaged possessions stretching on down both sides

of the road, all dirty and sodden and grey.

But it was not all bad – the scenes of devastation were partly offset by the myriad of volunteers who by ten o’clock already number in their hundreds. Everywhere is a hive of activity; firemen with hoses dumping water onto the dirty streets, people with brooms guiding the muddied water into drains and others scooping shovelful after shovelful of muck into buckets and bins.

The majority of these people don’t live locally. They have no reason to be here, nothing to gain from giving their time and effort to complete strangers. They are just ordinary people who woke up one morning and found themselves to be in far better circumstances than others in their immediate vicinity – and now they were here to help.

“People laugh and chatter amidst the scenes of chaos as they busy themselves with cleaning.”

The student union at the local university has set up a marquee next to what, up until a couple of days ago, used to be a Nandos outlet. We pull up next to them and wind down the window. They hand over some gloves and garbage bags and direct us to where help is most needed. Some other students along the road flag us down and a guy covered in mud wanders up to the car window and asks if we can lend them a hand with moving their volunteer stall a couple of blocks closer to the river, where the clean-up effort is only just getting underway. The stall is disassembled.

Barbequeues, eskies, tables, food; it all goes into the back of a couple of Utes. Our convoy sets off at a slow pace, stopping for people crossing the street. Despite the devastating nature of the situation, there is a real sense of community and good-will here. People laugh and chatter amidst the scenes of chaos as they busy themselves with cleaning away the foul-smelling sludge.

We pick out an appropriate spot and the stall is reassembled. We are thanked and my sister and I head off to find another place where help is needed. It doesn’t take long.

“It is as if the water had leached the colour out of everything it touched.”

We call out to people as we drive along.

“You guys need a hand?” The first two houses already have enough people working them, or have done as much as they can. The third property we come to is a large block of units. “You guys right?” I ask. “We could always use a couple more hands,” answers the volunteer in charge.

So we hop out, grab our shovels, don our gloves, and join the fray. There’s about six of us shovelling muck into a wheelie bin.

Each time you drop a shovelful of it into the bin, you have to move out of the way in a hurry, otherwise the mud splashes back up into your face. I learn this the hard way.

Once the wheelie bin is full, a man takes it out to front gutter and dumps it down a storm water drain. He returns and we begin again.

“Progress is slow, but steady.”

After an hour or so one of the girls from the stall (that we had earlier helped move) approaches us with a large tray of hot dogs and a bag of drinks. She recognises us and smiles. “Here you go guys.” We thank her and wolf down the food. She heads over to another group of mud covered individuals. “Sausage sizzle anyone?”

The time passes with the scraping of metal on brick and the wet squelch of mud. By mid-afternoon we’ve cleared most of the yard and car park of muck. My sister is exhausted. It’s her third day volunteering.

We grab our shovels and brooms and head back to the Ute. On our way home, we stop off at the student union marquee to grab some water. ”I guess we’ll see you tomorrow, then.” I say to the guy handing out the water bottles.

He smiles, “Yep. You sure will.”

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Written by Lisa Morrison and Julie Gately A love affair between the romanticism of retro style and their contemporary interpretations has been reflected in most fashion collections this year.

So whether you are still wrapping up for winter or craving the sunshine spring will bring, get lost with our models in the sophistication and inspiration of vintage fashion.

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MODEL : Chris and Leah, courtesy of New Age Modelling PHOTOGRAPHER : Grace Robinson or Tabitha Khoo MAKE UP : Jo-Anne Pyrke STYLING : Kayleigh Allen Clothing, accessories and props thanks to retro vintage stores LICK Fremantle and retro vintage Broken Doll Fremantle

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MODEL : Leah, courtesy of New Age Modelling PHOTOGRAPHER : Grace Robinson or Tabitha Khoo MAKE -UP : Jo-Anne Pyrke STYLING : Kayleigh Allen Clothing, accessories and props courtesy of retro vintage stores LICK Fremantle and Broken Doll Fremantle

MODEL : Chris and Leah, courtesy of New Age Modelling PHOTOGRAPHER : Grace Robinson or Tabitha Khoo MAKE -UP : Jo-Anne Pyrke STYLING : Kayleigh Allen Clothing, accessories and props courtesy of retro vintage stores LICK Fremantle and Broken Doll Fremantle

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MODEL : Chris, courtesy of New Age Modelling PHOTOGRAPHER : Grace Robinson or Tabitha Khoo MAKE -UP : Jo-Anne Pyrke STYLING : Kayleigh Allen Clothing, accessories and props courtesy of retro vintage stores LICK Fremantle and Broken Doll Fremantle

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ALBUM REVIEW THE TIGER AND ME The Howling Fire (EP) Written by Sam Vote

Image supplied by Artist // Illustration and design

From a Liar to a Thief, Following the release of their 2010 debut album sheering dark, sharptheir The Tiger and Me set the bar for themselves with of madness and tales h throug rs listene edged circus cabaret sound, leading ng Fire paints Howli The EP d awaite highly the folklore. Released June 9th, praise from high receiving a more evolved picture of sound for the band Fire is an ng Howli The ord, multiple media sources. Produced by Myles Mumf and class style, , sound of depth true a enthralling journey brought about by honesty.

Go”. A cathartic experience of Opening the EP is the uplifting track “So Let It the song paves a different vocal melodies, uprising instrumentation and spirit, displays an archetype Go” it Let “So s. sound for the darker album that follow that is used plenty style coda -long sing-a ng example of the group chanti can also be heard towards the throughout the EP’s song arrangements, and end of tracks such as “June” and “Tango”. dark and seemingly vengeful “Don’t You Just Set the World Alight” takes a very we can imagine ourselves turn following “So Let It Go”. It is a song to which ries of a sour love now lost. nursing a tumbler of scotch, kindling spiteful memo “So Let It Go”, which in ing follow twist It represents an almost ironic lyrical d colour to their EP. twiste than more a with depth less parallel adds only bottom within the band, housing The Howling Fire reflects a darker pop influence 38

by Khamara Thomson-Baker

the wonderful picking of the catchy hooks from the numerous vocalists and banjo which can be heard in the track “June”. d with accordion packed jigs The EP is rich with raspy gypsy rhythms couple of the glassy violin, perfectly bow the that are sure to have legs moving under s. There are some truly ement arrang ’ songs the of placed within the depth s, sure to please a loyal fan special emotive moments with very few let down and any newcomer attracted to this genre. yet progressive track fuelled The EP closes with “The Little and Lost”, a gentle that with a sense of urgency could only be felt by the presence of that beautiful glockenspiel brought in the growing intensity of the song, and backed by a powerful progressive drum performance. The track is not taken to be a foot-tapper as the bands closing crescendo outlines the passion fuelling the songs, bringing The Howling Fire to a gentle end.

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Album Review Written by Bronte Kelso-Marsh

The Decemberists – The King is Dead Photos courtesy of EMI Music North America (Autumn de Wilde).

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“The King is dead. Long live the King”: It’s a saying used to describe the fall of a monarch and the rise of a new one, an exciting proclamation declaring the death of the old and a move towards the new. In many ways The Decemberists’ new album, The King is Dead, is just that.

The album is a big shift away from the band’s previous release.

Their 2009 song-cycle album The Hazards of Love was a deep and insightful study of the aspects of love. The heavy cycle of songs was well-received by critics, but a sometimes cumbersome project for the band to perform on their grand-scale tours. Band front man and primary song writer Colin Meloy described the album as being almost “self-destructive”.

“We knew people might have a hard time getting into it. On tour, we would play the whole thing. But once we were on stage at Bonnaroo or wherever, I kind of just wanted to play some normal songs,” he said.

The band were feeling a need to write something new, and took a move into the more rural areas of Oregon in the hopes of writing some more simple, honest country-style music. The elaborate, delicate sound the band is known for remains, but in its most simple and deconstructed form.

The band found the simplicity of the tracks sometimes difficult to write, but a necessary part of the process of creating The King is Dead. “It’s a real challenge to make simple music, and a lot of times we had to deliberately hold off and keep more space. This record is an exercise in restraint,” Meloy said.

“The band were feeling a need to write something new, and took a move into the more rural areas of Oregon in the hopes of writing some more simple, honest country-style music.”

And it’s an exercise that pays off for the listeners, who are left with an exciting record packed full of simple and hearty tracks.

Where the band had previously chosen to move with a classically British sound, The King is Dead gave the band greater scope to experiment with a more classically American folk sound, which translates from their working environment of rural Oregon, onto their album.

The album is a perfect mix of fast and slow; soft and hard. “The Calamity Song” is a fun look at an apocalyptic style world, while “This is Why We Fight” is another hard look at the perils of romance. The band also include some of their ballads, which are both simple and interesting to listen to.

“The elaborate, delicate sound the band is known for remains, but in its most simple and deconstructed form.”

The King is Dead is a definite decree of a move away from one sound and toward another. It’s a public statement of an acceptance of the past five albums, whilst promising more exciting music for the future. The King is dead. Long live the king.

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Band Feature Written by Ritu Ghosh

slaving nd can take many years of Getting recognition as a ba d taking on two minute no odles, an away in the garage, living t spot tha ng chi rt the dream of rea basically any jobs to suppo hin wit d re are some that start an in the music scene. Then the win Triple e for music carry them to lov d an t en tal ir the s, nth mo names m to be support acts for big J’s Unearthed and take the re asu ple Art vs Science. I had the such as Miami Horror and ea rev led from Jinja Safari where he to chat with Marcus Azon tlight mate, Pepa, reaching the spo that for him and his band u’re yo , ket once you’re on the roc was very achievable and re the So, for aspiring bands out on your way to the mo on! with and years of slaving away who think it will take years s loud ak spe t en t necessarily so; tal little to no reward, this is no te the mo n. Touring has begun to pro enough to get you attentio d the ermaids & Other Sirens, an release of their new EP, M g. lmin he erw ov myself is quite anticipation to see them live 42

e Jinja How did you come up with the nam - Safari? Are any of you ‘ginger’?

of fame What would you say are the downsides - and being a musician?

n a great reason to name Haha, no, although that would have bee er of us are blessed with our band Jinja Safari. Unfortunately, neith a, where my grandmother striking red hair. Jinja is a place in Afric our music. She is brave and lives, and she is a very big influence to h my role model, and Jinja very socially interactive and very muc though I’ve never been. sounds like a great place to live in, even

I’ve never considered myself Well, nothing at the moment, because been sold out is like: ‘Really? ‘famous’. Finding out that our show has see people coming to see us For us? Sold out?’ That’s very insane to er does Pepa and so after playing live. I don’t really drink and neith hotel and go to bed. Pretty the show, we just usually go back to the average and not exciting at all!

ying live Tell me about your experience pla - hate about it? shows. What do you like? What do you ? Its right in your face, and I like the feeling that it’s real, you know ing. Although sometimes I you’re actually there! It’s life and excit Newcastle where we were get a bit too excited, like that time in the speakers! Let’s just say supporting Boy and Bear and I fell off that! But I guess that’s what that they were not very happy about ement takes you places that playing live is all about, really. The excit bang into the speakers, you never thought you’d go... Such as right haha. n since we were ten when My best friend Alistair - who I’ve know d and playing together - I we always talked about starting a ban it was awesome! I have finally got to play with him onstage and er and it finally happened, really been looking forward to that forev ing live shows. so it’s things like that make me happy play

at can Tell us about your upcoming album. Wh - we all expect? release online so maybe Umm, what can I say? You can get the free now that we’re touring for you can judge for yourself, haha. And album and getting people that, I guess we’re getting to promote the s and Other Sirens. to get familiar with it. It’s called Mermaid

-

ds.

Describe the album to me in a few wor

g.

New. Second. Frivolous. Defined. Terrifyin

FREE.

s, is out now, and for more The new album, Mermaids & Other Siren ace: www.myspace.com/ information, please check out their mysp Amplifier on the 13th of jinjasafari. They are also playing at the they sell out!

August, so get your tickets now before

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Film Review

Written by Matthew Savino

We all know by now that you’re not going to see this film for its profound insight into the human condition or be blown away by some virtuoso performance. You go to be taken on a ride and watch things get blown up. This third instalment delivers on this last sentiment with epic proportion.

“This film satisfies the appetite of action junkies whilst providing just enough comic relief and plot to not send you to sleep. “ Once again, Sam Witwicky (SHIA LABEOUF) is called upon to save the day. The space landing of 1961 uncovers an alien spacecraft which turns out to be the key in a Deception plan to rise up and take over Earth.

Carly (ROSIE HUNTINGTON- WHITELEY) is the new hot replacement for Megan Fox, who was supposedly fired

by Steven Spielberg after referring to Director Michael Bey as ‘Hitler’. Not surprisingly, this did not go down well with the Jewish Producer. The former Victoria’s Secret model is clad in high heels and tight dresses most of the time and her acting is average.

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There are a couple of impressive supporting performances

by John Malkovich as Sam’s neurotic boss, and Ken Jeong (from The Hangover) as his over the top and maniacal colleague.

This is one film where the 3D technology seems to be justified, with Bey producing stunning results. Yes, spend the extra few dollars, it is worth it. The action scenes are mind boggling in scope as the last sequence must have gone for at least 40 of the 157 minutes. Yes, that’s right, 2 and half hours, so make sure you time your toilet break well!

“This is one film where the 3D technology seems to be justified,” This film satisfies the appetite of action junkies whilst providing just enough comic relief and plot to not send you to sleep. The 3D technology is used to great effect as we journey into another battle between the Autobots and the Deceptions.

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REVIEW

Written by Celeste Eden

Perth is currently playing host to a wickedly funny and enchanting musical that has met with success all over the world. Wicked is a musical based on a book by Gregory Maguire that has won over thirty five awards including three Tony’s and a Grammy. It has hit our city with a force that can’t be ignored. Hundreds of people have watched the magic unfold at the Burswood Theatre everyday since 19th June 2011 and will continue to be spellbound until the musical moves on.

The elaborate, moving sets continue to wow the audience as Elphaba hides from the people in Oz after the wizard tells them she is evil. The band is faultless, performing the music from under the stage and away from view; the small ensemble creates a magnificent sound as each scene unfolds above them. Their skill is particularly evident when the cast performs “March of the Witch Hunters” which involves almost the full cast brandishing rakes and weapons to kill the witch.

The previously untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Glinda (Lucy Durack), the Good Witch of the North who reminisces back to a time when she and the Wicked Witch of the West were at school together, and pulls the audience into her memory to begin the show.

“For Good”, the last song Glinda and Elphaba sing together. is a touching and final goodbye before Elphaba meets her fate. The two of them admit that although they’ve had their differences, they are better people having known each other. This moment of reflection served as a wonderful way to begin the ending of the show.

The opening scene is chaotic and quite frightening as a dragon head breathes smoke, and flying monkeys dance and cartwheel and climb all over the stage to the backdrop of flashing red lights.

The monkey masks covering half the face and topped off with thick wire for hair are positively unnerving and contrast sharply with Glinda’s spectacular entrance in her travelling bubble.

One of the most stand- out songs Wicked contains is “Defying Gravity,” a song that makes it’s appearance when Elphaba (Jemma Rix) discovers the Wizard isn’t all he seems. It is a song about leaving behind the things that hold you back, relying on yourself, and taking chances even if they are daunting. The ending of the song signals the intermission and leaves the audience wanting more as Elphaba ascends on her broomstick. Surrounded by the cast, in streams of rainbow lighting similar to sunlight through clouds, the song makes a spectacular end to the first half of the performance.

“As Long as Your Mine” is performed in the second half when Elphaba ends up with Fiyero, the man she was in love with and who was about to marry Glinda. It provides another glimpse into the personal life and development of the Wicked Witch of the West and who she really is when, at the end of the song, she says “This is the first time I’ve felt...Wicked.”

Image from http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au // Illustraiion and design by Khamara Thomson-Baker

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Wicked is an amazing musical that changes the way people perceive the genre. It appeals to young and old audiences alike through diverse costumes, impressive sets, catchy songs and themes anyone who’s never fit in can identify with. Go down to Burswood Theatre, put on your witches hat, grab a green cocktail from the bar and get a little Wicked. http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/about/story.html

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Blog Review

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Written by Stephanie Soderberg

Thessy and Yiota, best friends and co-creators of SaboSkirt.com, have dedicated their blog to combatting the “sabos” of the world.

And what exactly is a sabo? According to these lovely ladies, it’s “a two-faced, back stabbing, self-centered person out to SABOTAGE everyone / everything that they consider to be a threat.”

The blog, which catalogues the girls’ personal styles, showcases their amazing fashion sense. The two became interested in fashion as teenagers, explaining, “We both shared shopping as a

common passion. So naturally, we were constantly exposed to the latest fashion trends and styles.” The decision to start a blog together came after they both studied business at university and decided they wanted a new hobby beyond shopping… “We found ourselves passing our spare time by trawling through our favourite fashion blogs. Soon after, we took the jump and started our blog, sharing our own styles and collection of clothes.”

and maxi skirt or studded denim shorts, our garments are extremely devoted to detail and we swear by intricateness.”

Add cutout leggings, slashed knitwear and lace tops to the repertoire of clothing, and it’s just the beginning of the formidable wardrobe these two possess. Topping off every outfit is a plethora of edgy accessories, replete with chains, crosses and skulls.

Not only are the clothes incredibly fashion forward, Thessy and

Yiota dress in some of the most up and coming yet affordable designers and labels of today. A few of their favourites include Jeffery Campbell, Shakuhachi, Dion Lee, and Sass and Bide. They also find inspiration in celebrity style, such as “Christine Centenera, for her unique way of mixing geometric fabrics with color block pieces. We also draw a lot of inspiration from other bloggers.”

So what exactly makes Thessy and Yiota’s style so appealing?

The girls capture their impeccable style in equally impressive photos, and every blog post looks as though it could be a shoot for a magazine. Recently, Thessy and Yiota have taken

They describe their personal look as “a combination of two extremes… boho chic and grunge.” While the clothes are overwhelmingly monochromatic, this draws attention to the exquisite details in every

a step beyond inspiring their readers through their personal style blog. The two have opened the Sabo Skirt online shop, which reflects their own style and offers affordable prices. Their next goal?

“To open up a store and keep sharing the Sabo Skirt love.”

outfit. “No matter what we wear, whether it is a sheer blouse

Photos sourced from Sabo skirt: http://saboskirt.blogspot.com

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