Forte #730

#730 19.12.19 FREE

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SATURDAY 18 JAN 1-8PM

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200+ BEERS, CIDERS, WINE, GIN, FOOD TRUCKS & NON-STOP ENTERTAINMENT

• SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM • KIM CHURCHILL • THE KITE MACHINE • THE RUN

GABF.COM.AU

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$15 ENTRY

DOORS OPEN AT

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UPSTAIRS

SAMMCAY LA MARTAIRS DOWNS Y L L I H P J D

PLUS HOMEHOUSE RESIDENT DJ ' S UPSTAIRS OJ TOPRAK / OSCAR PETERING AJ SERGIO / JARROD WITHERS / STEVE CAMP //DOWNSTAIRS MARCEL / LIL T

CALEB LYNCH+WOODSEY [main room anthems]

[party & rnb anthems]

+ ALAVATE AND TOM COOPER

Saturday 28 December | Local support TBA 40-42 MOORABOOL ST, GEELONG 03 5222 7333 4

@homehouseNIGHTCLUB FORTÉ 730

@homehousegeelong

TUE 31 DEC

L A V I T S E F B U L C

PA R TY O V E R TW O F LO O R S !

BA LC ON Y UR O OM FR KS OR EW R FI E TH H WA TC

PLUS HOMEHOUSE RESIDENT DJ ' S UPSTAIRS OJ TOPRAK / OSCAR PETERING AJ SERGIO / JARROD WITHERS / STEVE CAMP //DOWNSTAIRS MARCEL / LIL T

40-42 MOORABOOL ST, GEELONG 03 5222 7333

@homehouseNIGHTCLUB FORTÉ 730

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Feature Story

The Loop

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Local Feature News

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Food

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Creatives

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Reviews

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Columns The Guide

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FREE SHIT

At Forte, we talk a lot about festivals and how great they are (which still stands and I wouldn’t dare take this back), but there’s also another type of festival I’m keen to get around this summer... and that’s NightJar Festival which is back for its tenth year (HUGE!) and will do its thing again in Torquay and Geelong this summer.

Each season sees the festivals interactive art installations, the culinary delights, roving performers, buskers and banging main stage evolve with enthusiasm and we’re stoked to add this event to our summer calendar AND our front cover. Make sure you check it out.

Editor Talia Rinaldo

1 X 7” INCH SINGLE OF “ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME FOR A BEER” (NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE) • 1 X TEE • 1 X BEACH TOWEL • 1 X BLUETOOTH SPEAKER • 1 X CAP • 1 X SOCKS

General Manager Glenn Lynch

EMAIL THE CODE WORDS ‘CARLTON XMAS’ TO TALIA@FORTEMAG.COM.AU, ALONG WITH YOUR NAME AND NUMBER!

talia@fortemag.com.au

glenn@fortemag.com.au

Sales Executive Matt Wilkinson

matt@fortemag.com.au

Creative Director Nathan Mossop

artwork@fortemag.com.au

Well, that’s us done for 2019. Thanks to all who have stuck with us for another killer year – it’s been massive to say the least! We’ll be back in mid January (and in the new decade) for our next print edition!

Interns Jess Sercombe, Thom Devereux, Chloe Cicero, Olivia Hurley.

FORTÉGRAM Tag us @Forte_mag

Keep it regional fam.

Talia & the Forte team!

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Publisher Furst Media Pty. Ltd.

TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF CARLTON DRY’S TONGUE-IN-CHEEK COVER OF THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC, ‘THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME FOR A BEER’, WE HAVE A PACK OF CARLTON DRY MERCH TO GIVEAWAY.

TO E N T ER

Further in this issue we chat with California bred The Growlers; electro-pop group Miami Horror; South African singer-songwriter Ruby Gill; powerful pack of Country craftsmen The Wolfe Brothers; Northern Irish singer-songwriter Lilla Vargen; Aussie troubadour Kim Churchill, plus heaps more.

PH: 03 5229 7969 2/105 Skene St, VIC 3220 enquiries@fortemag.com.au

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@sleuthmusic11

@garlicnun

Contributors Anthony Morris, Alastair McGibbon, Chris Lambie, Dr John Lamp, Kim Price, Renee Abbott, John Foss, Alex Callan, Paul S Taylor, Tammy Walters, Daniela Koulikov, Lynette Walker, Kim Cooper, Wylie Caird, Chris Michaels, Adrian Aloi.

Advertisers and agents are advised that all advertising copy is their responsibility under the trade practices act. Advertisements are published in good faith and on the understanding that the content is legitimate and lawful. Advertisers and or agents submit advertisements at their own risk. The editor and creators hold no responsibility whatsoever for the content of the magazine in the case that it may offend. Forté accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Forté reserves the right to edit all articles and letters.

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SCIENCEWORKS’ PLANETARIUM NIGHTS EXPLORE PINK FLOYD AND THE UNIVERSE

BOTTOMLESS DRINKS ‘N DOGGOS

Looking for an out of this world experience that will prompt child-like wonder but won’t involve children? This summer Scienceworks is offering after-hours, adults-only access to the Melbourne Planetarium, screening films inspired by both space and music on its dome.

Every Friday night from November to January Planetarium Nights features a rotating array of cosmic content, with a choice of two different screenings on each date and an option to attend both for enthusiastic interplanetary explorers. On offer in January is Capturing the Cosmos, a visual overview of current Australian space research, followed by an immersive interpretation of Pink Floyd’s equally otherworldly 1979 album The Wall. Tickets available on the Scienceworks website.

Looking to inject some interest into your runof-the-mill Sunday session? Look no further than ‘Bottomless Drinks ‘n Doggos’ hosted at The Ascot Lot every Sunday until March. The event will include a range of acoustic musical performances to keep you perfectly chilled out.

Partly an excuse to down as many mimosas as you can and partly a gathering ground for as many doggos as you could ever need, this is the perfect way to wind down after a long summer week – it should prove impossible to be in a bad mood when you’ve got sun, a cocktail, live music, and your precious pup.

Pay a fixed price and from 2pm to 4pm you can choose as many drinks as floats your boat. And of course, your special guest will not be forgotten, with free dog treats available. Book for you and your mates, whether human or canine, at The Ascot Lot website.

NGV BRINGS CROSSING LINES EXHIBITION TO MELBOURNE

BEER PONG CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE COLONIAL HOTEL

Merging the works of two of the most iconic yet tragic artists of all time, the Crossing Lines exhibition at NGV International boasts over 300 artworks by none other than Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Both prolific cultural icons of 1970s New York, Basquiat and Haring have much in common: tragically short lives, the ability to fuse being ‘underground’ with icon status, being pioneers for their respective minority communities, and a natural friendship.

So, it is no surprise that when brought together, their works create a seamlessly profound, mustsee collection. Not only will Crossing Lines be open to the public until the 13th of March, but it will form the basis of the NGV’s annual Friday Nights series which allows patrons after-hours access to the gallery with DJs pairing the artwork of these 80s legends with quintessential sounds of the era. Tickets via the NGV website.

Photo by Tom Ross.

If you’ve ever stood smugly at the end of the table, raising your hands victoriously as you watch your opponents stumble around behind their decimated red cup triangle, then you might want to consider entering the next instalment of the ‘Melbourne Beer Pong Championships’ at the Colonial Hotel. Arguably more prestigious than the Australian Open, the competition, in which contestants will compete for a $500 prize and the honour of being crowned a certified beer pong champion, will take place on the 18th of January. Your $40 ticket will include entry to the event as well as two hours of unlimited cocktails or beers to help you perform at your best (sweatbands and entourage are BYO). Do you reckon you are up to the challenge? Tickets are available now from Eventbrite.

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WRITTEN BY OLIVIA HURLEY ‘LOUIS THEROUX WITHOUT LIMITS’ IS COMING TO MELBOURNE British documentarian and journalist Louis Theroux will be returning to Australia in January for his ‘Louis Theroux Without Limits’ tour.

Having ventured to some of the strangest pockets of modern society throughout his career, Theroux’s dead-pan humour and remarkable ability to avoid being phased is what has made him one of the most beloved TV figures of the 21st century. His 2020 tour will be hosted by RocKwiz’s Julia Zemiro, and be accompanied

by Megan Phelps-Roper – a former member of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, which was the subject of Theroux’s 2007 documentary The Most Hated Family in America. With Theroux having tried his hand at everything from pornographic acting to professional wrestling, this insight into his unique career is sure to captivate. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.

A WEEKEND OF GIN AT JUNIPERLOOZA Whether you are already a gin connoisseur who can identify a botanical a mile away, or you just enjoy a few gin and tonics on a Saturday night, you should be enticed by an entire weekend dedicated to the superior spirit. The aptly named ‘Juniperlooza’ is running its fifth year at The Boatbuilders Yard in South Wharf, but unlike past years the 2020 edition of the gin festival will treat Melbourne to two-weekend dates on the 15th and 16th of February. As the first and largest ever Australian gin festival, Juniperlooza will showcase both local and international gin producers and distilleries including Victorian favourites like The Melbourne Gin Company, Bass and Flinders Distillery, and Four Pillars Gin. Whilst sipping on artisan gin with Strangelove tonic through your free reusable metal straw, you’ll also be able to catch sets from Aussie DJs like Agent 86 and J’nett. Tickets on sale via Eventbrite or through The Boatbuilders Yard website.

MSO BRINGS STUDIO GHIBLI TO LIFE Fans of Japanese animation wizards Studio Ghibli will rejoice when the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra amps up the nostalgia in February, performing the music from the films of Hayao Miyazaki at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Known for its mesmerising animation style and whimsical plots, Studio Ghibli is responsible for childhood films such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Behind the scores of these films is composer-conductor Joe Hisaishi, who has worked with Miyazaki for over 30 years and will lead the MSO in performances set to a backdrop of Studio Ghibli clips on the big screen. Also accompanying the orchestra will be a full children’s choir and marching band, so audience members can expect an experience fit to fulfil the enchantment one expects from Studio Ghibli.

SWEETSTOCK IS A SUGAR LOVERS PARADISE Prepare for the sugar high of your life! In its inaugural year, Sweetstock (from the creators of Meatstock) will launch in Melbourne in March 2020, filled with cake battles, dessert challenges, decadent food trucks and special guest Duff Goldman from Charm City Cakes.

Along with street performers and circus acts, there is also an awesome music line-up to dance into the neon-filled night. Headlining the festival will be dance duo Sneaky Sound System, with upbeat electronic artist Alice Ivy, aptly named indie band Jawbreakers and the crazy Melbourne pop stars Approachable Members Of Your Local Community, with more to come. Is that too much sugary action to pack into two days you may ask? Absolutely not. As well as all that there are show-bags, a sweet expo, live art, retro car show, free kids rides and thankfully for the parents there’s bubbly and cider! Tickets via www.sweetstock.com.au

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NIGHTJAR FESTIVAL IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO SPEND A BALMY SUMMER EVENING THAN BY HEADING TO A NIGHT FESTIVAL?DFGDFGDGDFGDFGDFHGD Ten years ago, Lyndelle Flintoft and Kyla Vinton asked that exact question when they met at the Cowrie Market in Torquay and the idea for the local festival came to light.

With a passion for all things creative and a clear vision for something great, the duo made their dreams a reality and created the unique, the spirited and lively NightJar Festival, which has since become a thriving, vibrant, colourful and eclectic mix of a night market, music festival and showcase for emerging designers, local producers, fair-trade importers and contemporary artists from all over Australia.

Creating the perfect destination to visit on a balmy summer evening for the past 10 years, complete with interactive art installations, the culinary delights, roving performers, buskers and a banging main stage, the rather wonderful NightJar Festival will once again do its thing again in Torquay and Geelong this summer.

Heaving with delicious food, great booze, avid people and very, very good vibes, the splendour begins in Torquay on Thursday nights in January, overlooking the sun setting across the ocean, before the team pull up pegs and move into Geelong for Friday nights in February – a more intimate festival yet full of life.

“Our tenth year is fast approaching and we are incredibly grateful to still be around,” beams festival director Lyndelle Flintoft. “A local company that employees locals, that through all the hard work and sometimes stressful moments we all still love bringing this event to life! We love evolving every year and our 10 year anniversary is no exception.”

With eight nights to capture the imagination and hearts of the adventurous two-year-old right through to the art-loving 90-year-old across the summer, NightJar gives local artists, musicians and performers the chance to share their talents with the region which has become a major drawcard of the annual event.

Kicking it all off in Torquay on January 2nd, the NightJar stage will come alive with opening performances from Victor Cripes, Tim Henshall, Leslie D. King & The Trembling Shakes, and Trickbox. If you missed the first edition it’s no stress because it all goes down again the next week (January 9th) with Anna Scionti, The Featherheads, Tess Guthrie and The Mamas all setting fire to the stage.

“I’m extremely stoked to be playing with some of my favourite people in the beautiful place I grew up,” says 12

Torquay-bred, Melbourne-based muso Tess Guthrie, who performed at the festival last year. “The Nightjar Festival is such a cultural institution now. I’m pretty sure our set will be around sunset right by the beach so it’s pretty much the most gorgeous picturesque gig I could think of.”

Providing a healthy dose of coastal home-grown entertainment, Tess has the type voice filled to the brim with raw emotion that will render you speechless, and with her songs and the stories she tells, she has been turning heads for what seems like an eternity.

Following the sort of song and speech hybrid about women in abusive relationships that went viral in 2018, and her sensational debut single ‘WUTO’ (Were You The One) back in March, Guthrie’s most recent single ‘Fairy Lights’ is a bold song filled with feminist fire.

“We’ve had a big year, the band and I, since we last played at Nightjar Geelong. There’s been an East Coast tour, sold out Melbourne shows and secret delightful shed-shows in Torquay. The last single ‘Fairy Lights’ was premiered on triple j and has since been played on community radio here and overseas - we’ve learned a lot and become so close as a band that I can’t wait to bring all that energy to the set on the 9th of January.

“I’ll also be looking to explore some different types of sounds live that are really new for me and push my own boundaries. But the Nightjar feels like a really exciting and safe place to do stuff like that.”

Shake out a picnic rug, kick back and indulge in some of the regions best boutique crafted beers and wine at the third Torquay session (January 16) which will be all about rock and roll with performances from Talll Paul, Dirt Hand, Geelong’s favourite rock trio The Kite Machine, and the intergalactic power trio Z-Star Trinity, all the way from the UK. A melting pot of folk, blues, charm and authenticity will bid farewell to the Torquay NightJar on Thursday, January 23 with performances from Flynn Gurry, The Ocelots, Doc Halibut and regional folk legend Oliver Northam & The Elsewheres, who marries strong, narrative-driven lyrics with the musical aesthetic of a bygone era.

Many musicians unseen at Torquay will then be taking to the stage each Friday in February, the perfect reallife playlist for your knock-off drinks. The first Friday night (February 7) will see the boys take to the stage, with Jack Meredith, The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, The New Savages, and touring troubadour Skyscraper Stan, while the second week (February 14) will see all

the loved-up punters sway to the melodic, acoustic performances from folksters Phil & Trudy Edgeley, The Old Married Couple, Brooke Taylor, and Byron Bay’s Bradley Stone, who will have you mesmerised with his uncanny performance of Jeff Buckley.

With Sangria in hand, the Friday festivities continue for the third Friday edition on February 21 which sees swooning alt-rock conglomerate Pink Wool Press, the authentic indie-roots pop sounds of Rach Brennan & The Pines, up and coming pop-rockers The Ethan Farmer Band and the Geelong-raised, Melbourne-based quintet Zuma leading the local menagerie. Wrapping it all up for another year, The Black Swans of Trespass, Nathan Power, Joshua Batten Band, and The Mojo Corner will come together for the final evening on February 28.

Talk about a smorgasbord of musical talent, NightJar’s 10th-anniversary edition is looking to be its best one yet.

“Being able to perform on a stage like that with so many people I love is just bloody awesome,” Tess adds. “Having a space like that for the arts on the surf coast is so important to celebrate and showcase what we’re about and the kind of creativity that radiates through so much of the community down here.”

We love seeing all the talent at the Nightjar, but it doesn’t stop at just the music.

Each year, NightJar also showcases a range of creative stalls that are worth having a look at. With the promise of excellent gift ideas for any upcoming birthdays, you’ll find stalls selling unique clothing, sweets and treats, gourmet chilli products, handmade living and kitchen accessories, along with printed photography and unique paintings and a range of jewellery. You can peep the full list of stalls online or just meander through the carefully curated market precinct as the sun goes down.

Creatively NightJar is a festival that thrives on exploring the unknown. This year, alongside the stalls, Nightjar Torquay will feature a new Workshop space that is sure to delight. From full moon yoga sessions, goddess gatherings, to conversations on mental health with Ocean Minds and the screening the incredible 2040 movie, there’s a lot of cool stuff under one roof over the four weeks.

While the creative space, live music and market stalls are a great excuse to head on down to the NightJar, it’s also known for its the ability to pull through when it comes to satisfying cravings, ranging from savoury to sweet inspired from all corners of the world.

With an abundance of options we’ve narrowed down

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our favourites that will be heading to both locations this summer. First up, Spanish Gourmet Caterers are your go-to if you feel like enjoying a flavoursome bite after a quick siesta in Spain with seafood paella and a Running Bull Sangria – a match made in heaven. If you’re a fan of Italian (and who isn’t?), Italian Kitchen will be dishing up some Nonna-worthy creations, while Mike’s Mussels will be serving the ocean’s finest and freshest bounty to the seafood lovers.

Other food stalls to help make you indecisive for dinner include The Gozleme Station, The Flying Calamari Brothers, Bao x Waffle, Chillin N Grillin, The Gypsy’s Lunchbox, Two Fat Indians, plus heaps more.

Best of all, they even have vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree options, catering to absolutely everybody.

If your looking for a sweet treat, you’ll find solace in Eat Cannoli, Lekker Lekker, Lemon In Lemon Sorbet, Nordenfine Ice Cream Company, Honey dee loukoumades, and OMG Decadent Donuts. If you’d prefer to meandering through the festival and you’re looking for a sugar hit on the go, Tropical Sno Warralily, Geelong Popcorn and Bretzel.Biz all have you covered.

There will also be a range of the region’s best boutique crafted beers and wine to enjoy.

We’d recommend having an early lunch on NightJar days…

In celebration of a strong 10 years with many more to come, NightJar is taking a long-term commitment to the environment, with their focus on attracting and supporting local, sustainable businesses.

“We endeavourer to showcase independent artists, designers and creators who know their supply chain and adhere to ethical practices, work with sustainable materials and are conscious of their footprint,” says Lyndelle. “We love local produce and champion smallscale producers; our curators are always on the search to bring new innovative products and this year is no exception!”

Leave your worries at the gate, bring your pooch and step inside NightJar’s wonderland and become immersed in the magical atmosphere. NightJar Festival will tantalise the senses and evoke the soul.

It’s a summer pilgrimage for holidaymakers and locals alike, most can’t leave their experience at just one visit!

Visit the website (nightjarfestival.com.au) for more information and pop these dates in your 2020 diary now!

KRUSH IT

THIS SUMMER

TO VOTE!

WITH KAIJU! AND DON’T FORGET

Vote for us as one of your fave beers of the year in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll. You could win tix for you and ten mates to GABS Festival!

Vote now at www.gabsfestival.com.

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THE LOOP

B A L L A R AT BELLARINE

BENDIGO CASTLEMAINE

GEELONG & SURF COAST WA R R N A M BOO L

S N A I P M L A V A I T GR MUSIC FES

A Geelong Gallery exhibition

23 Nov 2019 to 23 Feb 2020

Stephen Bram— abstract painting Stephen Bram Untitled 2014 synthetic polymer paint on canvas © Stephen Bram. Courtesy of the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery Photographer: Christian Capurro

Exhibition partner

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MEADOW MUSIC FESTIVAL

BOXING DAY BUSHFIRE FUNDRAISER

It is nice finishing off the year with something to look forward to in 2020, and Meadow Music Festival (meadowmf.com) should do just that. Taking place from March 27-29, the Bambra-based festival has announced a few teasers to the full line-up – due to drop early next year. Frankie Cosmos, Elizabeth and Surprise Chef are the first to put their hands up to perform. A uniquely intimate festival, numbers are capped at just over 1000.

Boxing Day is always one of the busiest days of the year for The Barwon Club, so being the legends that they are, they’ve turned it into a fundraising event with 100% of door sales going to charity. In addition to the door sales, they’ll also have donation boxes set up. The fundraiser will feature three stages of local bands and DJs, including the likes of Riordan, Laura Frats, 74 Kings, Nathan Seeckts, Restless Natives, Immy Owusu, Paleo Disco, Duckfat, plus heaps more.

It all goes down from 3pm at The BC. Photo by Malise.

ST BRIGID’S BLUES & ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL The locality of Crossley is a stone’s throw away from Warrnambool, and it will play host to blues, zydeco, folk, rockabilly and indie music at the St Brigid’s Blues & Roots Music Festival in January (17-19). Performers include Shane Howard, John Schumann, Sheena & the Big Cats, Lee ‘Sonnyboy’ Morgan, Devil Women from Mars and a whole stack more. Full details can be found through facebook.com/StBrigidsBluesandRootsFestival.

SUPPORTS ANNOUNCED FOR SPIDERBAIT

THE MURLOCS GET CANDID Having recently hosted rage where they showed love to the likes of James Brown, Canned Heat, Cheap Trick and Muddy Waters, soulful RnB garage band The Murlocs is in a good mood. Formed as a side project by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Ambrose Kenny-Smith, the band released the album Manic Candid Episode early in 2019. Torquay Hotel, Torquay – January 3. They will be joined by Bones and Jones and Mr Teenage. Photo by Jamie Wdziekonski.

Celebrating 25 years of music and friendship, Spiderbait started as three mates jamming in the NSW country town Finley, who relocated to Melbourne to chase the rock dream... a plan that paid off the three have become live music staples who are redefined the meaning of Aussie rock. They’re bringing their legacy to Torquay this month and along with them, some killer supports in The Living Eyes and Moody Beaches.

We’d recommend heading in early, you won’t want to miss a second of this lineup. Torquay Hotel, Torquay – December 28. Photo by Raw Journey.

A STRANGE UNIT Strange Unit has just released a new record: a tale where Big Black took the greatest hits album from 90’s baldies Black (Francis) and Corgan (Billy), and physically ate them, creating a case of acid reflux being involuntarily regurgitated into the public domain as a multicolored, textual mess that is rightly disgusting and mesmerizing in equal measures. Celebrations begin with a gig at Geelong’s Barwon Club on December 21.

THE REWARDING WORK OF HOUSE DEPOSIT

PARTY IN THE PARKING LOT

You won’t go into crippling debt getting yourself a copy of Reward for Effort, the recently released debut from talked-about Melbourne outfit House Deposit.

The album captures a year that has included broken relationships, moving house, anxiety, depression, selfmedication, unemployment, uncertainty and finding peace with oneself – all wrapped up in a blanket of jangle pop. The Bridge, Castlemaine – January 19.

Hosted by The Inn Hotel, Geelong on December 22, Party in the Parking Lot is about celebrating music, summer and good times – with just the right amount of festive spirit. L D R U is the headliner, the DJ and producer who hit the ground running with his 2013 track ‘The Tropics’. Since then he has been a major player at festivals across Australia. There will be plenty of food options as well, including vegetarian and vegan.

HERE COMES DYSON STRINGER CLOHER Following a bumper year, The Sound Doctor Presents has announced its first show for 2020. Dyson Stringer Cloher has been locked in for March 27, welcomed with open arms by Anglesea Memorial Hall. We have a feeling the name gives it away, but the happy little trio is the work of Jen Cloher, Mia Dyson and Liz Stringer.

Following a recording session in Chicago, Dyson Stringer Cloher released their self-titled debut in October.

THE DEEP END OF THE CREEK

VS WELLINGTON DEC 28TH MARS STADIUM, BALLARAT WUFC.COM.AU

I don’t exactly know what a rad-lord is, but I know I want to. Melbourne-based outfit Creek identify as rad-lords.

They’re a four-piece band whose blend of heavy blues, psych and altrock has seen them pop up at festivals including Queenscliff Music Festival, Mojo Burning and Echuca-Moama Winter Blues. Their debut album is called The Deep. Pistol Pete’s, Geelong – December 28 & The Shamrock Hotel, Echuca – January 24. Photo by Em Jensen Creative.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST So here we are again, staring down another year. We hope your year has been kind to you. If your year took a kicking, we hope for better days ahead. We hope all of you have your time in the sun in 2020. We hope you get that perfect job. We hope your studies are inspiring. We hope your favourite band tours, and you get front row centre tickets. Enjoy your New Year’s, stay safe, and we’ll be seeing you again soon enough.

OUTLAW DAYS WITH HANNE KAH Formed out of Mainz, Germany, Hanne Kah is a four-piece ‘outlaw music’ outfit fronted by the singersongwriter and guitarist of the same name. Y is their second album, and the one that brings them to Australia early next year. The album features the single ‘Greta’, which serves as a nod to environmental activist Greta Thunberg as well as the philosophy of the band. Pistol Pete’s, Geelong – January 9.

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JULIAN JAMES & EZRA LEE Stepping out from the Chicago Blues of Catfish Voodoo, Julian James kept going back in time to discover old blues stylings appealed to him most. ‘Looking for a Light’ is his latest single. Inspired by the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Fats Domino, Ezra Lee has been described as a piano playing wild man. Enjoy one bourbon, one scotch and one beer when the pair team up at Pistol Pete’s Geelong on December 20.

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COASTAL JAM 2020 While we’re hoping you all have a splendid 2020, Costal Jam could just be the thing to kick a new year off on the right note.

Lorne Hotel will host the event on January 4, Warrnambool’s Pavilion Café and Bar will host the event on January 5, and Torquay’s Torquay Hotel will host the event later in the month on January 26. For all the performer information and other ins and outs, hit coastaljam.com.

F R E YA D J O S E P H I N E HOLLICK GETS REAL Freya Josephine Hollick will play her first hometown show since early this year when she tests the acoustics of The Eastern, Ballarat on January 10. Fans may have had the pleasure of hearing her new track ‘Nobody’s No Better Than No One’, which was recorded at Rancho De La Luna in the Mojave Desert, California. And if they have had the pleasure, more awaits when new album The Real World drops in 2020.

FORMING GOOD HAND HABITS Hand Habits started out as a private venture for Meg Duffy after the singer-songwriter moved to LA. A second album, placeholder, was released earlier in the year, while fans should take note an EP featuring five covers of album track ‘wildfire’ is being released with proceeds going towards the Amazon Conservation Society.

Set to appear at the Brunswick Music Festival, Hand Habits will also perform at The Bridge, Castlemaine on March 12.

THIS STATE WE’RE IN IN DUSTRY UPDATES FROM MUS IC V ICTORIA Hello Forte readers, It was great to see such massive regional representation at last month’s Music Victoria Awards. There were plenty of regional winners too - Nagambie’s Tropical F*ck Storm took out Best Rock/Punk Album, and Warrandyte’s The Teskey Brothers were the biggest winners on the night, taking home 4 awards including Best Band and Best Album. Congratulations to all of the regional acts and venues that were nominated.

Next year, Geelong will be hosting The ExChange International Folk Music Conference, a threeday gathering of the Australian Folk, Roots, and Indigenous music community aimed at folk music bookers, industry and artists.

Taking place from March 2-4, 2020, this event is a national convening and boutique micro-conference focused on industry networking, strategic sector planning, international market development, and showcases for export-ready artist showcases.

The goals of the event are industry partnerships, professional development, business networking, music export opportunities, sector strategy, and overall elevation of Australia’s independent folk music community.

With the event being presented by Folk Alliance International, executive director Aengus Finnan notes “this event is the culmination of many years of partnerships with Australian industry, as well as artists the likes of The Waifs, BlueHouse, Jordie Lane, Yirrmal, and Emily Wurramara. We’re proud to present this edition with our friends at Port Fairy, and hope that by bringing the ExChange and its international delegates to Australia, deeper longterm relationships will be established and in turn lead to more sustainable careers for export-ready artists.”

Agents, managers, record labels, media, and festival/ venue directors are invited to register at www. folkexchange.org to attend to and participate in trade panels, professional development workshops, industry peer sessions, national and international artist showcases. We hope to see many of you there.

Thanks for reading and we’ll see you in the new year, The MV Team REGIONAL MEMBER MOMENT Torquay Hotel The Torquay Hotel is one of the Bellarine’s legendary live music venues, and they have a stellar gig guide lined up for the summer months. Catch Spiderbait, Yacht Club DJs, The Murlocs, Ruby Fields, and many more! Head to torquayhotel.com.au/whats-on for all the details.

REGIONAL GIG OF THE MONTH Augie March – On The Quiet Tour, Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on Friday 20 December After their massive east coast tour in August, Augie March are doing a short run of extra dates including playing at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal. Speaking on playing these more intimate, smaller shows, the band had this to say: “We love playing this style of show, the songs get their due but there’s little, if any loss of power, it’s just a different kind. Renewable is perhaps the best way to describe it. And we’ll look to generate more of it in the coming years alongside our traditional set ups.” You can purchase tickets by heading to theatreroyalcastlemaine.oztix.com.au

DANCING HEADS MUSIC FESTIVAL Guilt-free living and breaking free from the shackles of Christmas – Boxing Day is a good day. Following a sold-out debut in 2018, Dancing Heads Music Festival returns for another year of bloated-turkey-belly tunes at the Barwon Heads Hotel Car Park. As well as making sure they have improved on last year, they have secured the services of Cosmo’s Midnight (DJ set), Bag Raiders (DJ set), Cassian (DJ set) and Dean Turnley.

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR GEELONG’S BEST BUSKER The streets are the perfect platform for unsigned artists to showcase their skills to the public – whether it be music, art or entertainment.

Busking, one of the world’s oldest professions, allows artists to do just that.

Next year, Geelong will be harnessing the importance of uncovering hidden talents as it sees the return of Geelong’s Best Busker competition in February with a number of live performances in Geelong’s Lt Malop Central.

Now in its fifth year, Geelong’s Best Busker competition provides the perfect platform for unsigned artists to showcase their talents to a previously untapped regional audience, as well as providing a key stepping stone for their career development. Performances will feature musicians, visual artists, puppeteers and dancers from the region, all vying for the chance to take out the title

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of Geelong’s Best Busker through a series of heats and a finals showdown.

Not only do buskers get their name out there, share their music and get to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, but there’s a range of prizes to be won, with a prize pool in excess of $1000, including an opportunity to play live on Pulse radio, and the opportunity to play at a number of festivals and public events.

Heats will be conducted during February on the 11th, 14th and 18th with finals on Friday February 21st, 2020.

Contestants are judged at each heat and six finalists are selected to go through to the finals, where their talents are showcased to take out the sought after title of Geelong’s Best Busker.

Applicants can apply via email to stevethew@ ymail.com or visit Geelong’s Best Busker Facebook Page for more details.

17

WRITTEN BY WYLIE CAIRD

FESTIVAL NO.23

(December 21). Incorporating the ‘Solid Gold Disco Show’ in a two-and-a-half-hour high octane show, the Christmas Spectacular has been hailed as the Ultimate night of 70s Disco Music. It’s the perfect time to book a night of entertainment mixed with a potent blend of disco fever, with a dash of Christmas spice!!

While the number 23 is believed by some to have some funky powers, organisers of Festival No.23 see it as an opportunity to pay homage to the UK’s pioneering rave days. The immersive arts and music festival welcomes Osunlade, Mimi Love, Traumer, Oceanvs Orientalis, Dave Dinger, Wareika, Kiko and more. Macedon Ranges – February 7-9. Further information is available through facebook. com/FestivalNo.23.

Closing out the year and welcoming 2020, The PalaisHepburn are hosting a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Dance Party, featuring DJs and a bunch of live acts including Heath Myers, EZC Live featuring Sallie Harvie, Nicko, Sassta, Pancho Combo and Clay Ravin.

There will also be burlesque dancers Camilla Cream & Lord Lovat to add a splash of glamour. Bring on the New Year!

COUNTRY DAZE 2020 Poison City Records have announced the ingredients for Country Daze 2020, in what will be the third instalment of the Castlemaine-hosted event. The Bridge kicks things off on Friday, February 21 with the likes of No Sister and Majestic Horses. On Saturday, Theatre Royal opens up to Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, Moody Beaches and much more. The Bridge will then host a lazy Sunday. Grab all the details through poisoncityestore. com. Photo by Naomi Lee Beveridge.

WHAT’S ON AT THE PALAIS-HEPBURN Since re-opening early this year, The Palais has re-claimed its crown with the slew of musical talent they’ve brought to the countryside of Hepburn Spring – and it shows no signs of slowing down as we enter the last month of the year.

THE MANY COLOURS OF EILEN JEWELL Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal will enjoy one of Eilen Jewell’s eight Australian dates next year when the singersongwriter hits the venue on March 21 in support of her new album, Gypsy.

The newie comes four years after Eilen’s last album of original material and features a little of everything: electric guitar-driven rockers, classic country, ballads, a protest song, and a cover of Pinto Bennett’s ‘You Cared Enough to Lie’.

NICE DAY TO GO TO THE THEATRE Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal will explode with the droning, fuzzed out sounds of legendary punk champions, the Cosmic Psychos when they hit the stage in a special one-day-only long weekend event also featuring Adalita, Stonefield, Mr Teenage and Thee Cha Cha Chas. This music event will support Nalderun, a service that supports the local aboriginal community, led by aboriginal people. Nice Day To Go To The Theatre is on Sunday 26 January from 12noon – 8pm at Theatre Royal Castlemaine.

Back in 2007, Sarah Blasko and Holly Throsby went to see Sally Seltmann perform a show in Sydney.

A conversation struck up, a few drinks were shared, and the three teamed up for Seeker Lover Keeper. Four years later they dropped their debut and toured, before going separate ways. In 2019, the musical forces brought them together once again for the album Wild Seeds. Anglesea Memorial Hall – March 28 & The Capital, Bendigo – March 29.

BLACK ACES WILL NEVER CHANGE Ladies and gentlemen, give your Christmas a healthy serving of hard rock when Bendigo’s Black Aces hit the stage of local venue The Vine this Saturday, December 21, in support of their new EP, Never Change. The EP was written while in downtime following extensive touring (more international touring is on the cards next year) and serves as an appetiser for a third full-length release due in 2020. Rock hard or go home.

SUMMER LOVIN’ WITH RAISED BY EAGLES Raised by Eagles have announced a couple of summer shows, including a shindig at Kyneton’s Major Tom’s this Saturday, December 21. The Americana band was pretty quick to make its mark, landing a nomination at The Age Music Victoria Awards for ‘Best Country Album’ for their debut. They now have three albums, but the good news is that they have been working on new material that they’re keen for people to hear.

THE DROP People have been so enthusiastic and so well-behaved that travelling festival The Drop returns to Torquay for a third year in 2020. Taking place April 11, the all-ages event (there are of course some basic age requirements that can be found through thedroplive.com) dedicated to great music, community, culture and the ocean welcomes Boy & Bear, The Presets, Ball Park Music, Allday, DZ Deathrays, Kita Alexander and Graace. Photo by Daniel Boud.

NANCIE SCHIPPER FIGURES IT OUT If I had a dollar for every time I said a variation on ‘I need to get my shit together’, I would still be broke but would be closer to having my shit together. Nancie Schipper’s new single ‘Take Out the Trash’ is about doing just that, with its origins in acknowledging her mental health for the first time and actively taking steps to improve – one step at a time. It can be as simple as celebrating the little things. Workers Club, Geelong – January 11.

RORY MCLEOD RETURNS Following a tour earlier in the year, along comes Rory McLeod once again – not that you will hear anyone complaining. With guitar, harmonica, trombone, spoons, stomp box, tap shoes and finger cymbals, Rory McLeod is considered one of the most energetic and generous musicians going around. He has a bunch of new songs on the setlist, including those from his 2019 album Gusto. The Bridge, Castlemaine – January 15.

Drummer / percussionist/ Kongo player wanted

SINGER/SONGWRITER WANTED

Female guitarist/ vocalist wanted

BASSIST/SINGER NEEDED

space to practice music in.

Drummer / percussionist / Kongo

Looking for a female singer lyricist/

Looking for a female guitarist/vocalist

work on a Glam/Hard Rock/Metal band with. Must be male, must

Looking for a bassist/singer to

Keen to use sheds, garages, sporting

player required for band ‘Intrepid Soul’.

songwriter for a recording project. Email

to work with experienced rhythm

clubs, churches, schools, community

We’re looking for someone who is

waterfall.walshe@gmail.com for details

guitarist on two piece with a focus on

have hair, must have strong vocals.

theatres – just a space that’s both

committed to regular rehearsals once

lyrics and harmony, tasteful selection

Contact Glenn on 0407563638

of alternative and classic rock, country,

suitable and that won’t disrupt others.

a week, and to join us with open mics

Any day of the week – I

and paid gigs, who likes singing if

soul, R&B cover songs, some originals.

have a wide availability.

possible, and will join us in songwriting.

Ability to play reasonably accomplished

Within 30 minutes of the Geelong

Contact Marie from Intrepid

lead guitar essential. Availability to

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play most weekends is important.

Call Kit 0427999107

Sam on 0407347444

18

Shaun Clarke and Ricky Beall are behind Monsters of the Dirty South, a desert/garage rock duo who haven’t been afraid to come out boldly on the back of their debut EP, Unfinished Business. Ricky: “Our EP is titled Unfinished Business because we have so much to give musically, that it can evolve into whatever form it needs to.” Barwon Club, Geelong – January 4. They’ll be supported by TrickGypsy and Strange Unit.

BLUESTONE BLUES FESTIVAL

I’m looking for a cheap/free

For individual use only, not for commercial purposes.

DOWN WITH MONSTERS OF THE DIRTY SOUTH

The Sleepy Hollows Blues Club has done it again with the line-up for the Bluestone Blues Festival, a highlight to end the year if ever there was one. New Year’s Eve features Brian Fraser & Dave the Bastard, The Jump Cats, Nathan Beretta Band, The Detonators and Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers, while NYD features Dog Gone South, Amnesia Blues Band, Shane Pacey Trio and Jimi Hocking’s Blues Machine.

Music practice space wanted

Send your info to: enquiries@fortemag.com.au

And that’s just our few picks! There’s loads more happening in the new year so keep up to date via www.palais-hepburn.com

First up, Australia’s greatest disco band Club 54 presents a Christmas spectacular this Saturday

SEEKING OUT SEEKER LOVER KEEPER

CL ASSIFIEDS

Heading into the new year, the Palais will see Team Love bring the rocking duets, heartbreaking ballads and four part harmonies to the stage on January 4, while Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Floyd Thursby will be performing songs from his new album ‘To those in flames’ on January 11.

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LOST ONES BASEMENT SESSIONS The Lost Ones, Ballarat has two more Basement Sessions coming your way in 2019. This Saturday, December 21, welcomes songwriting collaborators Emily Soon and Ben Langdon. In their final regional show of the year, Emily and Ben will share music from their various projects. And on Sunday, December 22, locally-bred Mick Trembath will showcase his more than handy guitar skills.

Keep an eye on 2020 through thelostones.com.au. Photo by Thomas Feng.

ANNA SMYRK GOES FOR A DIP Oh, the places Anna Smyrk goes.

Growing up on a lavender farm in Central Victoria, Anna has spent time everywhere from the Solomon Islands to Cambodia. It is the places she has called home that she has used to inspire her music. As mentioned, this includes the Solomon Islands, a place Anna spent two-and-a-half years, during which time she wrote ‘Alight’. Be sure to check out her new EP, Swim.

The Lost Ones, Ballarat – January 12.

BENDIGO AU GO GO

SHARE A TOAST WITH BOB LOG III

WR IT TEN BY LYNE T TE WA LKE R

Followers will know how Bob Log III has a thing for pulling someone on stage to sit on his knee while he plays kick and hi-hat drums. He’s all about leg days.

In 2020, he is feeding them as well. At least that’s what the promotion is saying. Yep, with a toaster on stage he will be feeding his knee-sitters toast. Is there a gluten-free option? No idea, but this is a one-man party band you won’t want to miss. The Eastern, Ballarat – January 17.

Hometown hard-rock heroes Black Aces will wrap up their south-east coast Never Change tour with a Christmas cracker of a show at the Golden Vine on Saturday, December 21.

Black Aces have spent the past two months since the release of their five-track EP, Never Change, touring around Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT. As with their previous album – 2017’s Anywhere But Here – Never Change was again produced by Mark Opitz (The Angels, AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, INXS, Cold Chisel), engineered and co-produced by Colin Wynne (Bad//Dreems, The Casanovas), and recorded at Melbourne studio Thirty Mill. “(It) contains the distinctive Australian pub sound

that we do,” says drummer Pete McMillan, “however, the influences vary and have seen the sound develop on previous releases.”

Despite these myriad influences – ranging from punk, glam, and blues – McMillan sums up the EP as “a good little slab of rock n roll”. He says the band has been thrilled with the response to Never Change and the accompanying tour, but is gearing up for an even bigger 2020.

Returning to the studio to record their third album is front and centre of Black Aces’ plans.

“We’ve been hard at work on plenty of new tracks, and as soon as we hit the new year that’ll be the main focus,” says McMillan.

Come June/July, the band will return to the United Kingdom for a short tour that will also feature appearances on the festival circuit. “It’s been quite a while since our last UK run back in April of 2018, so we’re pretty keen to get back,” McMillan says. “(It’s) pretty exciting, really looking forward to that.”

Catch Black Aces in their final show for 2019 at the Golden Vine from 9pm, where the band will perform its originals along with a handful of classic covers.

Entry $10 at the door.

As the silly season hits full swing, here’s where you can catch some great live music action during the next fortnight: Everyone’s favourite party band The John rossman Project will stage its seventh annual Christmas extravaganza at the Golden Vine on Friday, December 20. From 8.30pm.

Nelson Beks will be performing in trio mode at Handle Bar on Saturday, December 21. From 8pm.

Singer-guitarist Tim Grey will perform a Sunday afternoon session at the Axedale Tavern on December 22. From 1pm; free entry.

Local punk-fusion four-piece Filthy Hacks are teaming up with rebooted duo The Ivory Knives for The Empire Strikes Hack double bill at the Golden Vine on Friday, December 27. From 8pm; entry $5.

Guitarist David Knight brings his acoustic roots fare to the Axedale Tavern on Saturday, December 28. From 6.30pm.

Contact: nettee136@gmail.com

DECEMBER FRIDAY 20TH KENNY JOE BLAKE-ALT COUNTRY SATURDAY 21ST CLUB 54 GOLDEN DISCO HITS SHOW !! 10 PIECE DISCO BAND !!

DECEMBER 31ST NYE PARTY 2020 UNMASKED 6 DJS, BURLESQUE PERFORMERS 7PM-3AM

JANUARY JANUARY 2020 SUMMER OF LOVE. SPECIAL FREE! LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FRIDAY 3RD DJ DIRECT FROM BRIGHTON (UK) DESERT IVAN DISCS

new years eve - 4pm

SATURDAY 4TH TEAM LOVE, LOCAL ALT-COUNTRY, AMAZING HARMONIES. 8PM-10PM

bringing in the 20’s party

FRIDAY 10TH DJ DANIEL BAYONAS 9PM-12AM SATURDAY 11TH FLOYD THURSBY. (SOLO/MELBOURNE) INDIE/ROCK ORIGINALS, SHOW 8-10PM

live music, food & drinks

FRIDAY 17TH DJ CLAY RAVIN TRIBAL HOUSE - BALKAN BEATS 9PM-12AM

dress up is essential

SATURDAY 18TH SEAN SIMMONS (THE SPOILS) & BRONWYN HENDERSON

80 Albert Street

FRIDAY 24TH DJ RAGDOLL (BERLIN) OLD SCHOOL ROCK AND ROLL SATURDAY 25TH BEAUTIFUL DARK - THE MUSIC OF TWIN PEAKS

Creswick, Victoria 3363

SUNDAY 26TH LOVE IS LOVE. WEDDING EXPO 2020

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111 MAIN RD, HEPBURN SPRINGS VIC 3461 - 03 5348 1000 WWW.PALAIS-HEPBURN.COM - OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY. FORTÉ 730

19

GRAMPIANS MUSIC FESTIVAL

HEADING BACK TO THE BEAUTIFUL GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK IN FEBRUARY FOR ITS FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW, THE GRAMPIANS MUSIC FESTIVAL (GMF) HAS A HUGE LINE-UP OF OUTSTANDING AUSTRALIAN UP AND COMING ARTISTS FOR 2020.

SET FOR FEBRUARY 28 AND 29, THE FESTIVAL BOASTS NOT JUST A GREAT BILL OF ACTS, BUT ALSO BOUTIQUE BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS, GLOBAL CUISINE AND DANCING IN THE DIRT.

Notable for its intimacy, what makes GMF stand out is the atmosphere and view surrounding the festival: 360° of picturesque mountain views. With only one stage, there’s no timing clashes or rushes from set to set, allowing punters to enjoy all the genre-spanning musicians who take to the stage.

celebration of emerging artists from Melbourne, Halls Gap and Regional Victoria will hit the stage. Free to watch, these bands will hit the stage while the Sunday Pool Party kicks off.

“It’s a really old school, country town pool. It’s exactly what you picture to come out of some Aussie film; you Now in its fourth year, GMF started as an indie festival can see the mountains from the pool and there will be for Australian newcomer acts in 2017. The debut DJs who are going to be playing awesome music. We’ll line-up included acts such as Alex Lahey, Tigertown, have blow-up flamingos and beach balls and everything.

Last year saw some incredible Aussie acts, including and Shag Rock, and has since kept discovering music It’ll be totally family-friendly for a bit of a wind-down Sampa the Great, Wafia, Slum Sociable and Angie at its heart. Only growing more each year, Flecknoe on Sunday.” has big plans to solidify the boutique music festival’s McMahon, take to the stage during the three-day place on the Victorian festival circuit for years to come. The Grampians Music Festival is a completely familyfestival, highlighting the festival’s strong focus on up-and-coming Australian artists who are distinctive, friendly event, with room for families to dance as well “We’ve always had longterm plans to be completely as various areas and activities to keep the kids occupied. exciting and above all, supremely talented. honest. We always wanted to build up the framework “We have an art space and as a whole range of different It’s a focus that’s only further highlighted with the 2020 craft activities, presentations, storytime, all sorts of of a festival that had the legs to really hang around, to lineup, featuring a variety of artists who are all killing it get longevity, and set up a framework that, if we handed things that kids can engage with,” Flecknoe added. “We in their own lanes, shaping what is looking to be easily the reigns on at some point, it would be very easy to want kids to be able to come along and have their fun, the biggest year of the festival yet. Julia Jacklin, Ecca see why we’ve created what we’ve created, and hope but also get a taste of what it’s like to be at a music Vandal, DRMNGNOW, and These New South Whales that that carries through.” festival while letting mum, dad, aunty, or whoever it are just some of the twenty acts headed to the Valley is that’s brought them, actually feel like they can enjoy While previous years have seen the festival operate over it as well.”

Stage come February. three days, GMF 2020 is dropping to two days. That’s While the acts are a drawcard on their own, it’s the not to say, however, there’ll be less entertainment and As well as the music and activities on offer, local food uniqueness of this festival that has captured the attention fun. If anything, more so, as the same festival is jammed from Ballarat and Horsham will be on sale too. The ‘I of the nation, with its singular Valley Stage taking over into two huge days.

Made It Myself’ market will also include sustainable the stunning paddock located in Halls Gap been one items homemade by festival vendors. of the best settings for a music festival in the country. “There’s a couple of different reasons that we did that,” To keep this festival intimate, only 1500 tickets explained Flecknoe. “In the past, the festival would “In the Grampians, there’s nothing like it,” explained empty out late in the afternoon and early evening, and are available. Having sold out early bird tickets festival organiser Carly Flecknoe. “There are some while it’s amazing for the people who are still there to two days before the sale ended, tickets are festivals that have been sticking around, like PANAMA see Angie McMahon surrounded by only like 300 other going quickly, and you don’t want to miss out! [an intimate two-day, three-night festival held in North people, we do feel bad for someone like Angie.”

Visit grampiansmusicfestival.com to secure your East Tasmania] that are really solid on the vision tickets. they’re creating with the community atmosphere and By condensing the twenty acts into the Friday and Written by Thom Devereux building something that has an amazing line-up, but Saturday, the festival aims to give all audience members it’s about even more than the line-up... I think GMF the chance to see all the acts, even if they have to is still standalone in a unique way as well because it leave on Sunday to travel home. 2020 will also see really ties into the environment as well. It’s not just the the introduction of two new activities that are free festival, it’s where you are and what you experiencing to attend taking place on the Sunday for punters that that makes it special.” aren’t in a hurry to get back. At the festival grounds, a 20

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2020 GRAMPIANS MUSIC FESTIVAL Julia Jacklin Ecca Vandal These New South Whales Drmngnow Maddy Jane Elizabeth Clypso Raave Tapes Zoe Fox & The Rocket Clocks Yergurl Miiesha Feels Pink Matter Quivers Pinch Points Gauci The Buoys Sledgehammer Gamjee + Family Dance Party Featuring DJ Relaxative And The Sunday Funday Pool Party With Ghostchip DJs

Summyesr Sunda

Ballarat Botanical Gardens Sunday 5 January, 3.30pm – 7.30pm

Maylene Slater Burns

Charm of Finches

Meraki Minds

Ali Barter

The Dumpling Man • Dos Diablos • Lil’ nomnoms • East India Trading Company • St. Gerry’s • The Very Hungry Caterpillar • Luigi’s Gelato • Boost Juice Van • Bean Me Up Espresso

Sunday 12 January, 3.30pm – 7.30pm

Ari Lane

Jayden Lillyst

Purr Usual

The Gold Street Sound

Round the Way • The Dumpling Man • The Paella Guy • Lil’ nomnoms • Forge Pizzeria • St. Gerry’s • Bianco Latte • Boost Juice Van • Steam Coffee Ballarat

Sunday 19 January, 3.30pm – 7.30pm

Anna Bilbrough

Kee’ahn

Tim Rogers

Sunnyside

Round the Way • The Twisted Fisherman • Grill Your Hunger • Forge Pizzeria • Dinkum Donuts • The Very Hungry Caterpillar • Luigi’s Gelato • Boost Juice Van • Bean Me Up Espresso

Want to know more? follow FORTÉ 730

@summersundaysballarat 21

l e t o H y a u q r To th J a n 1 1 t a S out now via thebeautifulgirls.com 22

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22

KIM CHURCHILL Kim Churchill cemented his place in our hearts five years ago with the release of ‘Window To The Sky’ and has since grown into an emotive and poetic singer-songwriter. The nomadic storyteller is in the midst of releasing his four-part EP series and is travelling through life within his music.

“An artist’s life is their artwork,” he says. “Every second of every day is my artwork and I really understand that now. I try to be consistently transferring my creative output in every moment.

I am consciously doing things to inspire this state of flow that allows me to deliver.”

This year, Churchill has released I Am and Forgetting, which precede The End and Again. All recorded in different locations around the world and with different producers, together the four EPs create ‘I Am Forgetting The End Again’ which is Churchill expressing his self-exploration.

“The whole project is a statement of liberation of taking control of your life and making larger decisions towards your own autonomy and sense of strength and direction of life,” Churchill said. “I Am is those first moments of confidence and selfbelief that you can make those changes and create for yourself.

“Forgetting is about that time of existing in a soft, vulnerable state. I was allowing cycles of my life to finish which is such a painful process and I became quite forgetful. It was almost like the caterpillar entering the cocoon.”

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

Untamed and vocally melodic like wolves in the wild, the powerful pack of country craftsmen The Wolfe Brothers certainly live up to their name!

From their boyhood beginnings of Tasmanian comradeship, brothers Tom and Nick Wolfe, together with fraternal friend Brodie Rainbird, have cracked their magic whips to whirl up a sandstorm of sensational songs; and without a tear in sight, they are about to hit the road on an extended tour of their ‘No Sad Song’ jamboree.

The borders are being continually blurred between the definitions of country music; where now we see the expansion of instrumentation; and even the introduction of hard rock elements, such as are found in The Wolfe Brothers hits ‘Hit The Road’ and ‘Throw ‘Em Back’.

Willie Nelson is quoted to have rationalised the country genre as ‘Three chords and the truth’; and vocalist, guitarist and bass guitarist Tom Wolfe similarly defines country music with his reflection “Honestly, I still think it’s the same… for me, country music is not so much whether it has instrumentation or how it sounds; I think it needs to be the truth; and it needs to be coming from a real place. The great thing about music is there [are] no rules.”

To encapsulate the ethos within his group of

Inspired by his surrounds, Churchill works hard without even realising it. He lives in his van and explores as much of the world as he can behind the wheel or through the places touring takes him.

“Basically everything inspires me,” he says. “All this travel leads me to this slightly delirious and hyper-emotional state and in those times I will find a lot of motivation towards create output. I don’t sit down and write a song and say I want to write this.

“I want to create the feeling of the environment around myself. I just allow whatever happens to happen,” he continues. “Literally everything every day is being fed into my subconscious and is being outputted into some form of creative expression. I think that’s the trick to songwriting - getting so far into your own creative unconscious you’re getting the heart to your own feelings and work yourself through things.”

Through expression, Churchill has been led into a place of vulnerability in his music and on the stage. In the new year, Churchill will head around the country on a nearly sold-out tour with only the bare essentials alongside.

“I lean so strongly to vulnerability now that I feel strength from it,” he says. “My One Mic, One Light tour is completely unplugged, just playing into a condenser microphone with one light on me and that kind of performance is so delicate and vulnerable.

“Touring is one of the best parts of my career and one of the worse,” he Churchill admits. “It’s phenomenally exciting to be constantly moving and all of the changes are soul-stimulating. It’s also exhausting. I’ve gotten to the point where jet lag is a good opportunity to check in with my own mindfulness.”

In the middle of his tour, Churchill will take to Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival and bring his new music and popular tracks to the stage, alongside the likes of Sneaky Sound System and The Kite Machine.

It all goes down at Johnstone Park, Geelong CBD – January 18, from 1pm-8pm. Tickets are on sale now via www.gabf.com.au.

Written by Kim Price

RUBY GILL

2020 is shaping up to be the year we get to hear new music from Ruby Gill, who is laying down her first full-length album before the year is through. The South African singer-songwriter will bunker down with producer Tim Harvey (Emma Louise, Real Feelings) at Soundpark recording studios in Northcote and lay down the material that has been swimming around in her head for the last three years.

“We’re recording before Christmas so hopefully I will have something out in the first half of next year,” Gill says. “I didn’t know what to do after my first single - it was just a demo and I put it on the internet because I thought it was funny and it turns out it did okay.

“It’s taken me a long time to work up the courage to put something else out, but I’ve got three years worth of music and some stories to tell.

“We’ll be recording at a few places but a major part of it will be at Soundpark in Northcote, it’s a big beautiful warehouse – everything’s wooden, it’s got cool broken gear everywhere and it’s very rustic and random. Tim is a lovely man, he is gentle, kind and clever. It will be great working with him.”

Gill expects to come out the other side of recording with up to 12 new tracks to sit alongside her 2018 single ‘Your Mum’. It will likely be 11 though, she confesses, because she likes odd numbers.

The advanced folk artist likes to have a big say in the production stages of her music.

“I’m a pretty good micromanager,” she said with a

rambunctious raconteurs, Tom continues “All you can ever really do is be yourself; and that’s something we’ve tried really hard to be… it’s taken us a few years to find our sound and to find our groove”, while admitting that some of their material is “pretty rockin’...it’s not light! Then at the same turn you can go and listen to things like Country Heart, obviously… I mean, there’s your three chords and the truth!”

More than a musical style, country is a culture in itself; and a reflection of that culture shines through The Wolfe Brothers’ music. According to Tom, one of the most influential Australian cultural issues woven into their compositions is the work of the Australian Armed Forces. As Tom imparts, “On our Country Heart album, we’ve got a song called ‘Hey Brother’, and we actually found out yesterday we just got nominated for a couple of Golden Guitars”; and following the Spirit Of The ANZAC tour with Lee Kernaghan, “we met a lot Veterans… a lot of service men and women… a lot of them are living with PTSD. There’s a lot of men and women out there who are really struggling; and they’ve gone and done these incredible jobs serving our country; so that’s been a really, really special song and we’ve considered that an honour to sing.”

Incorporating their rural origins into a new target, the Brothers would next like to direct their compositional energies towards our farming communities. “They really are the backbone of the country… there was a time the country was literally fed off a sheep’s back. I think we need to not forget about those people… that’s probably the next one we’re chasing.”

The resounding message Tom would like to convey is that “We’re trying to sing from our life… everyone has a story to tell; and everyone’s got something special to give, so don’t ever hide that.”

laugh. “I spend a lot of time stripping these songs down to begin with, so when I feel like they’re almost ready that’s when I go into someone like Tim who is really good at making those final tweaks and pointing out the small things to make everything work better.

“It’s important to have someone else there otherwise you get lost in the rabbit hole of your own brain.”

It will mark a high finish to the year for Gill, who was just announced the Port Fairy Folk Festival emerging artist of the year.

“Port Fairy Folk Festival is half the reason I’m doing music, so it’s really very special to be recognised by them in particular,” she said on the nomination.

“My first year in Australia was weird, because immigration is weird, and I didn’t know what to do with myself and I actually stopped playing music.

“A friend of mine who used to live down that way put me in a car and took me to the festival for the first time and I think I spent three days crying. I thought how on earth is it possible that this beautiful community exists, I just sat down and listened to some of the best songwriting I’ve ever heard.

“I’ve been every year since then and haven’t stopped playing music, it was a huge pivotal point and now I get to go full circle to play it. The guy who took me down to the festival is now my guitarist and bass player, so basically Port Fairy changed my life.”

Gill’s live performances are poetic and captivating.

She intersperses her gusto-filled, sometimes dark repertoire with gentle stories and imagery that move audiences with their simplistic power.

One would not be surprised to learn that her life beyond music is full of words.

“I studied linguistics and literature at uni and I work as a copywriter where I spend all day using words,” she said. “English and language, in general, has always been my first passion, I’ve been writing long before I was singing.

“Words as the basis of any music that I do, and music is the conduit for the story.”

Catch her at Port Fairy Music Festival – March 6-9. Tickets via www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/ Written by Kyra Gillespie

KRAM, JANET AND WHITT PRESENT

SOLD OUT

When & Where: Gateway Hotel, Geelong – January 11.

Tickets via www.thegatewayhotel.com.au Written by Renée N. Abbott

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SUMMER SUNDAYS RETURN TO BALLARAT IN 2020 Sunshine, good music and a handful of your closest mates; is there a better recipe for a good time? We don’t think so. Make it all free, you’re onto a winner.

Yep, you guessed it… The Summer Sundays sessions at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens are on for another year and boy, does it look like fun.

An impressive line-up of artists will take to the stage over three Sundays this January from 3.30pm until 7:30pm.

First up, on Sunday, January 5, Ballarat will enjoy the expansive sounds of critically-acclaimed songwriter Ali Barter. Two years on from her blistering debut A Suitable Girl, Barter made her triumphant return in

October with Hello, I’m Doing My Best - a revealing collection of songs that track her most formative relationships: to her body, her instincts, sobriety and the old vices it counteracts, and the people she loves most.

Joining Barter for the first Summer Sundays weekend will be Ballarat’s own Meraki Minds - the five-piece indie pop band, renowned for their electric stage presence, dreamy guitars and harmonious female vocalists, and is driven by groovy bass and drums; emerging First Nations singersongwriter and local Melbourne-based artist Maylene Slater-Burns, whose soft ballads are haunting, uplifting and thought-provoking; and Melbourne’s sister duo, Charm of Finches, aka Mabel and Ivy WindredWornes, who will be bringing their dreamy harmonies and haunted folk tunes about heartbreak, solitude and whispering trees to the stage.

The following week will see four more musicians take over the gardens on Sunday, January 12, including the likes of Ballarat’s own Ari Lane and Gunditjmara singer-songwriter Jayden Lillyst, who will provide a refreshing dose of country rock, with a mix of soul and blues. Completing the line-up are the hip-shaking, Melbourne soul band, That Gold Street

Sound; and Melbourne via Ballarat indie-rock group, Purr Usual, who will take over the stage with their beaut brand of swirling jazz-pop, sure to get you grooving!

Rounding out 2020’s Summer Sundays, Sunday, January 19 will see Ballarat’s Anna Bilbrough and Torres Strait Islander songbird Kee’ahn ease us into the afternoon, while local purveyors of funk and dedicated disciples of the groove, Sunnyside, will take punters on a journey of body heat discovery with tunes made fresh from the bedroom for the final session. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, they’re known destroyers of bad vibes and dedicated designers of the groove. That’s not all though.

Alongside Sunnyside, Australian rock royalty and You Am I frontman, Tim Rogers, will also be heading to the gardens for the last hoorah. A man who needs no introduction, Rogers has cemented himself as one of the greatest songwriting talents this country has ever produced. We imagine there’ll be all the favourites from his solo records, You Am I classics and familiar collaborations.

Alongside the music, a selection of Ballarat’s favourite food vendors will also be on-site serving up the best in local produce. You’ll find gourmet burgers, seafood and smoothies from Grill Your Hunger, traditional gourmet woodfire pizza from The Forge Pizzeria, natural homemade dumplings (chicken, beef and pork) from The Dumpling Man, street food with authentic Indian dishes from East India Trading Co-Food Truck, Vietnamese inspired food from the Lil’ nomnoms truck, as well as premium ice-cream from Luigi’s Gelato, juice and smoothies from Boost Juice, quality coffee from Bean Me Up, and there are even delicious donuts from Dinkum Donuts. Please note, the food line-up varies from week to week.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Sunday session without some cheeky beverages from the Garden Bar. Proudly supported by Blue Pyrenees Estate Winery and Kilderkin Distillery, this fully-licensed pop-up bar will showcase some of the region’s best wine, craft beer, cider and spirits, and is the ideal place to relax and take in all the action with the best line-of-sight to the stage. We hear there’s even a summer cocktail list and signature pitcher cocktail selections to enjoy in the sit-down and shaded area. How could you possibly say no?

The Summer Sundays concert series is presented by the City of Ballarat and runs January 5, January 12 and January 19 at Ballarat Botanical Gardens. For more information, like @ SummerSundaysBallarat on Facebook.

Photo by Ilsa Wynne-Hoelscher

sound of [the songs], we’re not trying to unplug our songs and dissect them or do new versions of them, it’s about hearing them the way they were intended to be heard from the recordings. It’s all about that.”

Kids in the Kitchen and The Uncanny X-Men will each play a 60-minute set before coming together as a supergroup to pay homage to all the Aussie rockers we’ve lost in recent years.

SCOTT CARNE AND KIDS IN THE SPIEGELTENT SPEND BOXING DAY WITH LAMBYS Boxing Day is surely one of the greatest days of the year. It is a day where you can do anything without reprimand. Want to munch on a turkey leg as you watch the cricket while wearing nothing but Santa undies? Watch away. Want to steal your nephew’s new toy because, hell, he can’t use it properly anyway? Steal away.

Over in Geelong, it’s all about tradition, and that means treatin’ yourself to a few Mario Karts and at good ol’ Lambys.

While Lambys is always a treat, Boxing Day is your chance to dance away those hangovers and bloated bellies while Australia’s #1 80’s tribute band Stand and Deliver serve up all the hits you know and love. Often described as a Las Vegas-style 80’s Show, Stand & Deliver features stunning costumes, incredible singers and a brilliant band with energy

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to match their talent. Embracing the 80’s vibe of the night, there are prizes up for grabs for those reppin’ the best lycra and biggest hair, truly committing to the cause!

Alongside Stand and Deliver, Liam Blackwell will be on the decks and Levi Anderson will be bringing you all things acoustic, so make sure to head in early to get your complete live music fix! Doors open at 9pm.

If you’re keen to keep the celebrations going right up until all those NYE festivities, Lambys have you covered with their Marathon Cards which you can secure for just $25. The card is your magic entry for each night and you’ll get to enjoy the likes of Adam 12 + Abe Anderson + DJ Jo Jo on Friday (Dec 27), Bedrock + Troy Barrett + Zach Valenti on Saturday (Dec 28) and wrap it up with Levi Anderson + Liam Blackwell for a Sunday Sesh.

Student/industry/VIP entries do not apply. 18+

‘Change in Mood’. ‘Current Stand’. ‘Bitter Desire’.

These are just some of Kids in the Kitchen’s singles that charged the Australian charts in the 80s. Now over four decades later, KITK return with their original line-up alongside Aussie rock legends The Uncanny X-Men to The Spiegeltent at Barwon Heads, January 5th.

This experience will take audiences back to the time of outrageous haircuts and bright clothing, KITK lead vocalist Scott Carne explained. “Basically, for each band, it’s about stepping back into the time machine for this particular show.”

“Both sport the original line-ups of the bands. In my case, KITK, the original line up and we basically are playing all our big hits and a collection of songs over the two albums we recorded. And it also features a backing singer, Zan Abeyratne, from I’m Talking, so she’s doing backing vocals for the KITK part of the show.”

As well as playing all their hit singles, KITK will be pulling tracks from both of their studio albums, Shine (1985) and Terrain (1987). “It’s all about the

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“At the end of the show we jump up together for a bit of a finale, or what I call ‘The All-In Brawl’, and we smash out some songs from some of our dead comrades, to say the least, as we’re all dropping like flies these days. Well, we aren’t, we’re the young ones. But our peers, so that’s kind of where it’s at.”

Fans will also have the chance to grab some limited KITK merchandise at the shows, ranging from tee shirts to tea towels. “We usually do CD and merch signings after the show and a few happy snaps, we’re pretty good like that,” explained Carne. “We kind of get out and in amongst it with the fans and the people that come down to see the show.”

Though the years have flown by, Kids in the Kitchen will rock just as hard as they did the first time around.

The finer elements, including some questionable hairstyles, have stuck through the decades.

“You’ll definitely see a mullet from Brian Mannix, I know that one. He’s sporting a beautiful at the moment. As for me, at one stage I had a bit of a party going on at the back but not a fullblown mullet. But I think there’s more ‘skullets’ going on than mullets for most of us now.”

It goes down at The Wonderland Spiegeltent at Barwon Heads on January 5. You can purchase tickets at www.wonderlandspiegeltent.com.au/ Written by Thom Devereux

THE GROWLERS AT TORQUAY HOTEL – ARE YOU IN OR OUT? Our Natural Affair with California bred, The Growlers, has only just begun. If they aren’t yet on your radar, they should be. With an unconventional start in the music industry in 2006 thanks to their wild party band antics born out of their own annual event (and fitting description for their sound), Beach Goth, the boys have had one hell of a ride. From their debut album, ‘Are You In Or Out?’, to starting their own label, surviving a major lawsuit, working with Julian Casablancas, to Natural Affair, lead vocalist,

MICHAEL STANGEL

Michael Stangel will be adding his unique brand of tunes and vocals to what will already be a stunning day at the Festival Of Sails on Australia Day in Geelong, and will be joined by a crack bunch of musos for good measure.

Michael Stangel’s OZ Classics will feature at the Geelong Yacht Club on January 26, a festival growing in stature and a sure-fire way to enrich your Aussie Day with some great tunes and cool surroundings.

Stangel, late of The Voice as well as a host of producing and recording projects is both musically, and physically unforgettable. I recently caught up with the former Geelong local to chat about the festival and his most recent musical endeavours.

Stangel’s career hit its straps in the early 2000s when he headed overseas to foster his talent.

Returning to Australia he teamed up with David Nicholas who had already worked with the likes of Elton John, The Pretenders, and INXS, and they soon became an unstoppable team.

Brooks Nielson is the first to admit The Growlers career has been a whirlwind.

“It starts so innocently. You just want it to be weird and cool and just free and you don’t want it to be this grown-up take on anything. I think it did go from Matt [Taylor] and I’s fun idea to Matt and I’s baby and we had to protect it and we had to nurture it to keep it going and we’re still doing it,” Nielson says.

“You gain friends, you gain fake friends, you get sued, you get all sorts of things, you lose buddies to many things like drugs or they can’t keep up with the road life or they didn’t sign up for the workload that entails being in a band because when you first get into music you want to do it because you want to party and you don’t want to work but that’s a bunch of bullshit.

Like anything else, you have to make yourself work. I realised that responsibility a while ago and I tend to

They both wrote and produced music for Shannon Noll, The Veronicas and the Androids. It was during 2011, and a significant health scare that The Voice was calling. He eventually finished third, and was praised for his craft and attitude towards the industry and life.

“With The Voice, it really helped having a whole city behind me. I had no real expectations but really enjoyed the experience,” he says.

With his health issues behind him, Stangel began focusing more on the producing and artists representation side of the industry which keeps him busy today.

“Kids these days know exactly what they want, and are much more vocal about getting it. Producing and writing is a very collaborative effort. Not so much an emotional thing. In fact, lately I’ve been writing more and more music for myself.”

Stangel’s Geelong show will be a homage to the great Aussie pub rock we all grew up loving and miss daily, and will feature some close mates and musical icons like John Dallimore and Andrew Cromwell. It’s a show that surely can’t be missed.

In the meantime, Stangel has recently finished some music for Fat Pizza, and has been working hard with artists like Taylor Henderson, Libby Steel and Merril Bainbridge, a name from the past.

With Stangel, management is all about dealing with personalities and keeping things moving forward.

“You do have to worry about the wants and needs of people, and how much to spend, but most importantly concentrate on keeping a positive mood and vibe and being constructive but strong too.”

Michael Stangel’s Oz Classics will headline the Festival Of Sails on January 26 in Geelong.

Written by Chris Michaels

do what I can to keep this thing alive and keep being able to be creative and share this shit.”

All of this is reflected in their latest release, Natural Affair, with the dysfunctional component the key focus of the title and opening track, as Nielson, a recent father, explores his perspective of family and sees the band return to their roots.

“I’m finding a lot of parallels between being in this dysfunctional family that is The Growlers for so long and many years that we were in these little micro worlds that we created and these little scenes and all of the little riff-raff kids who didn’t have anywhere to go, they were just hanging around. It’s kind of like we had this big weird circus family for a long time and I just find a lot of parallels between that and where I am now.

Listening back to it, I don’t even know which family I’m talking about, it kind of weaves back and forth.”

“I felt everything coming back home on this one, we’re going to put it out on our own label. We finally got Beach Goth back and made it through a lot of feats after some asshole tried to sue us and steal our name. Just one feat after another that we pull off with nobodies help. It’s our own little team and it’s just persevering and taking it one party, one tour, one record at a time and it made sense.”

It hasn’t just been little feats though; the band have been slaying the touring circuit and will be returning down under for their biggest leg yet in January 2020.

“I have slowly realised over the years who the hell we are – we are a touring band. We tour hard and everything makes sense when we’re on the road. It’s what we do! I just do what I know- just try to make genuine songs and go on the road with them and throw parties.”

Torquay Hotel will be the host of one of The Growlers biggest parties on Friday 17 January 2020. It’s a not to be missed show! Tickets via Eventbrite Written by Tammy Walters Photo by Taylor Bonin

A MOMENT WITH SLEUTH (AKA MELISSA FRANCIS) Hey, congrats on your third release ‘Alter Ego’.

Tell us about the creative process on this one?

These three tracks were written over about 12 months, while I was also working on side project Sleuth and The Guru, which was a jazz-funk fusion type of album called ‘Fly By Design’. The songs were too electronic to be included as part of that project but worked somehow when put together.

What inspired the change of sound on this release?

I’ve always loved Hardstyle and drum and bass music, but until I started working with various co-producers over the last 12 months, I hadn’t written for it before now. As well as releasing my own stuff which is really varied, I’ve also collab’d with 2 other producers in Adelaide, and another in Macedonia as well; one was hip-hop, one was trance/house, and the other is really dark jazzelectronica. So I guess I’ve always been spanning multiple genres with what I’m working on, it’s not just a recent change.

With your fourth album on the way, how are you approaching it?

‘Lux’ is different yet again, with a few songs co-written with my husband that have a harder funk-rock edge to them, and a few harder electronica ones as well. There are also a few more melancholic songs written for it that hearken right back to my first release, so I am still exploring those folk and alt blues genres too. It’s important for me to be able to play my material live now rather than to backing tracks (which has unfortunately been the case for the more complex funk material), because I really want to build more of an organic following. That’s something which can only really happen through playing live gigs, so I’m hoping the summer tour grows it a little for me.

Release: Alter Ego is out now.

SURF ROCK TRIO THE GROGANS ON THE MAKING OF 10-TRACK DEBUT ALBUM JUST WHAT YOU WANT Surf rock trio The Grogans are gearing up for the final show of their biggest national tour yet following the release of their debut album Just What You Want.

Surf rock trio The Grogans are gearing up for the final show of their biggest national tour yet following the release of their debut album Just What You Want.

The Melbourne outfit comprising of Quin Grunden, Angus Vasic and Jordan Lewis laid the 10-track album down in just one week at Gruden’s Torquay coast house. They said their creative process was sporadic and spontaneous.

“We don’t usually designate a time to write but we did this time and came out with the album,” guitarist and vocalist Angus Vasic says. “We were there for a week and we got 10 songs out of it, we wrote most of them in that week apart from a couple of songs that we wrote elsewhere.”

Oozing vibes akin to Skegss, Ocean Alley and The Dandy Warhols, the three best mates take inspiration from the likes of Hockey Dad, Tame

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Impala and Magic Bones. Their heavy, guitar-driven sound pays homage to the surf rock of the 1960s.

“It was pretty cool to set our minds on writing something, it didn’t work well some of the time – we’d play some music, have a beer and go for a skate or a surf, and then keep playing,” lead singer and guitarist Quin Grunden says with a laugh. “It was so much fun; you’d hardly call it work.”

The band released two EPs prior to their debut album, the second of which contains eight tracks.

They formed as 17-year-old schoolmates. If you told them back then that they would go on to amass more than 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, play festival slots and tour the country as a band, chances are they wouldn’t have believed you.

“It was never meant to be a real thing, that’s why we’re called The Grogans – like what is that?” drummer Jordan Lewis says. “But hey, it’s happened and I’m happy about it.”

Vasic said engaging with their online audience was one of the best parts of the gig. “Spotify is so good, it’s such a large platform and you can see where people are listening which helps you plan your shows,” he said.

How Would You Know is their most fluid work yet, gliding between garage grunge, punk, blues, space and folk-rock.

“We like to jam a lot of bluesy stuff, some reggae, we’ve got a few different styles on this album,” Vasic says.

With a final show for the year at Cherry Bar on December 21, they have no plans to slow down any time soon.

“We’ll just keep writing,” Lewis says. “We’re just doing it because we like playing, when we have songs we go into the studio and record and have fun doing it.”

When & Where: Cherry Bar, Melbourne – December 21.

Tickets via Eventbrite.

Words and pictures by Kyra Gillespie

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OF MONSTERS AND MEN Of Monsters and Men, the Icelandic pop band known for their charming vocals and indie tunes, is once more returning to our shores. Their last East Coast tour in 2016 was fully sold-out and this time, they will be arriving with a new studio album under their belts, ready to perform.

Fever Dream, containing hits like ‘Alligator’, ‘Wars’ and ‘Wild Roses’, has brought Of Monsters and Men to another level, highlighting once again the depth and flexibility of their music.

“This album is personal, the themes on the album feel right and connected. It allowed me to question things in my life, to have a conversation about them and not shy away from everything,” vocalist and guitarist Ragnar ‘Raggi’ Þórhallsson commented.

As it should – it’s been in the making since 2017, when the band decided to reconsider who they are as musicians and how they want to create music.

With five people in a band, there’s bound to be discussion and disagreement, which can both aid and hinder album development – but choosing to take time to study music and reflect on their places in the world has allowed the band to develop and come to a deeper understanding of the messages they’d like to share.

Now we get to enjoy the fruits of their labour,

BAKERS EDDY LOVE A PADDOCK PARTY There are a baker’s dozen reasons to love raucous rockers Bakers Eddy. They chose Melbourne as the launchpad for their music career, moving from their hometown of New Zealand at the end of 2016, they’ve slid into our scene seamlessly with their killer anthems and support for our local artists, and they’re unapologetically themselves with their sarcastic humour and downright playful punk attitude.

With a heap few EP’s and a stack of singles behind them, including a track that captured the attention of triple j, ‘Good Decision’, 2019 saw the boys release two brand-spanking-new musical slappers – the larger than life ‘Can’t Afford It’ and angst heavy ‘On My Own’ ready for the misunderstood reckless youth to belt.

“Stoked that it’s been interpreted that way but it could also be for angsty grandparents too,” the boys say. “It’s more about how everyone has bad days, down days, lazy days and that’s totally okay.

Especially these days when everyone is obsessed with celebrities and influencers 15-second highlight reels of the “good life”, don’t buy into that shit. Put your feet up, order a pizza, rub vaseline on your nips, whatever floats your boat. It’s okay to have a shitty day and self-care. The beautiful thing about music is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways so it would be amazing if someone used this song to be okay with themselves when going through a break up.”

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first songs. They were really simple and constructed by only a couple of chords, but they were songs. At that time I was just writing about whatever I could, usually about relationships or people I had seen quite observational lyrics.

“I kept writing later into high school and the enjoyment grew and I felt as if I got better at it and then I started playing whole sets of my material and as Tiny Giants become less and less prevalent, my music became more of my priority.”

With two singles already released, Pollyman’s debut LP which was co-engineered by previous bandmate Jasper Jolley, is set for release in February via Bonsai Records.

“It’s been in the can for nearly a year and a lot of this year was spent learning and rehearsing the songs with a band and then figuring out the business side of things.”

When asked if ‘Japanese Rock and Roll’ was a Pollyman may not be an act that you’re good indication of what’s to come, George replied, familiar with, but you will be. Kicking off “I wouldn’t say it’s a blindside but the album does after The Tiny Giants disbanded, George cover a lot of different ground. I started writing the songs for this album before I even knew that this Wilson (Pollyman) is the dose of old school was going to be an album. Over the period of maybe rock and roll that’ll be sure to dominate the airwaves from February onwards. three years, I had written this bunch of songs so With ‘Japanese Rock and Roll’ already scoring my influences have changed significantly over that acclaim from the likes of PBS and Triple R, it time and I feel you can hear that throughout the seems Pollyman’s debut release will be absolutely album. There are more up-tempo rock songs like cherished by Melbourne music lovers. It is no ‘Japanese Rock and Roll’ and then a few slower ones surprise though, especially since the humble George and a song that more orientated towards pub-rock Wilson has been surrounded by music his whole life. but it all ties into that idea of retro style rock and “Both my parents (Chris Wilson and Sarah Carroll) roll which I love.” were musicians,” he says. “They’d take us to gigs and I decided to round up our interview by asking festivals a lot when we were kids because they were George if there was anything I may have left out or always playing and they didn’t want to leave us at forgotten to ask, to this he thoughtfully responded; home. It was never their intention to push us into “Maybe if we just mention how helpful my parents have been in making it all happen. They were kind of music or get us into what they were doing because the bankroll for the whole process and have always for a long time my brother and I weren’t doing any been huge supporters of me making the album and it music - we were kind of sporty kids if anything.

Now, George and his brother Fenn both find honestly wouldn’t have been possible without them.” themselves pursuing careers in music.

“I really only started writing songs when I was Written by Alex Callan about 15 or so, around very late 2013, early 2014,” he reflects. “Up until that point I had only been a drummer and at that stage, I taught myself guitar and bass and it was around then that I started my

POLLYMAN

with songs that explore anxiety through light and joy, and provide us with a fresh, cultured listening experience. It seems only fitting that this experience will take place at Falls Festival: the summer festival known for its amazing headliners set amongst the beautiful Australian outback.

Alongside Falls, they will also be performing with sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne, at our wellloved Forum.

“We’re very excited. When we released our first album, Australia was one of the countries that embraced us a lot. It’ll be cool to come back,” says Raggi, but when it comes to the Australian weather, he’s more cautious. “The last time I came around this time, December, January, I got so sunburnt. I’ll have to dress accordingly!”

The same goes for everyone at Falls – slip, slap, slop and bring a bucket hat. For the show, Raggi also had some parting words of wisdom: “Drink a lot of water and go to the bathroom before our show!”

And just as importantly: “When we have a show, we want to make it open. We want people to feel free to participate in a non-judgemental environment.

They should come and have fun!”

If you’ve missed Of Monsters and Men and would like to see them play, tickets to Falls and their sideshow at Melbourne’s Forum (Friday, January 10) are available online.

Written by Daniela Koulikov

It’s no doubt that these tracks set the crowds into an absolute mental frenzy at their live shows but if you’re expecting the hectic chaos of the ‘On My Own’ outro live, think again.

“Our drummer sucks so much that we have had to change the outro so Jamie can suck less. Nah but it goes down a spicy little treat live,” they joke.

‘Can’t Afford It’ and ‘On My Own’ will belong to an upcoming EP for the group and we are hella keen!

“Cat’s out the bag. Can’t wait to get the EP out.

Super stoked about it, in our opinion, it’s a step up from the last one.”

The boys will be taking these tracks, and perhaps some newbie teasers, to the stage at Falls Festival over New Year and Party In The Paddock next February. Punters get ready for a full on mosh-fest… actually scrap that. The boys prefer a tame space and silence throughout their performances so please be respectful of that.

“We don’t like moshing. We don’t like loud noises.

We don’t like fun. We don’t like dancing. So hopefully we see everyone standing still in complete silence with their wine glasses and pursed lips and, dare I say it, softly clapping if they enjoyed a song.

But only at the end of the song, don’t be rude,” they say sarcastically.

But in all seriousness, the boys are keen to jump on the stages and get the crowd going for what is set to be a wild ride. Though it’s Bakers Eddy’s debut at Party In The Paddock it’s not the first time they’ve played a paddock party setting.

“Jamie’s dad used to put on equinox parties with 400 hippies in the valley back home when we were teenagers. They would set up a full-on electro tent with lasers and smoke machines, a massive bonfire with the obligatory drumming circle. We used to play our 3 chord punk songs to this mass of hippies, obviously went down a treat.

Get ready to get lose with Baker’s Eddy!

Party In The Paddock tickets partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au

at

www.

Written by Tammy Walters Photo by Giulia Giannini McGauran

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few facts about us and it will be either ‘yeah nah’ or ‘nah yeah’. I’m definitely excited for the Pin The Toupee on Trump, that’s probably my favourites of night. Get it out there enough to tweet Bootleg Rascal and Pin The Toupee on Trump!”

No doubt Trump will go into a Twitter frenzy when it comes to his attention, hopefully sparking priceless exposure for the duo. What a genius marketing strategy! But it’s not all fun and games – wait actually, it is! Bootleg Rascal have tried to make the experience as fun as possible by curating their own line-up of emerging talent to keep the good times rolling for all involved.

“I think we all struggle as musos and artists when we start out, you struggle as people as well [laughs] Bootleg Rascal are going on a summer but it’s important to give that opportunity back as vacation and you’re all invited! Following on well. We’re fortunate enough to be in a position from their Yin and Yang Tour, the long-time where we sell tickets to our shows and there are Sydney collaborators Carlos Lara and Jimmy people that actually want to come and see us. The Young are taking a well earned holiday, going ability to give back and have some awesome artists to 15 regional cities across regional cities for the that we’re really into and might not have that Booty Camp: Summer Vacay Tour. Technically opportunity to play in front of that many people not a vacation but that doesn’t mean it won’t and get that exposure, we’ll give that back to them. be a massively fun time. We caught up with That’s also really exciting as well.”

On top of that, the boys have also managed to Carlos Lara, mid-iron tables for a casino themed music video linked to a new song set reach a gender diverse line-up which is not as for early New Year release, to run through their difficult as you may think to achieve.

Booty Camp: Summer Vacay Tour itinerary.

“It wasn’t hard at all, it isn’t and it shouldn’t be.

“We wanted to break the format of the same old It’s just about finding talent that is cool and finding that vibe and then asking them to play. If it works show of you just go see the band, so we wanted to give something back and convinced our manager to it works and thankfully for us it has and we’ve been put on a funny little show for everyone which is going able to balance it really well. I definitely think more to involve the crowd and get everyone up for some needs to be done in terms of the effort that goes games and they can win some cool prizes. It will be a into find acts because there are heaps of girl bands, bit more of an experience than anything else. Like a and bands with girls in them and it shouldn’t be really dodgy circus house party. You’ll be immersed that difficult, right?” in the weirdness that is Bootleg,” Lara laughs.

Bootleg Rascal are leading the way in innovation Each venue on the tour will be transformed to in live shows and representation and others should include a live music component, and as Lara take note! mentioned, a games section at ‘Bobby Dazzler’s Sideshow Alley’. Punters can participate in Pinger See the wild funhouse all come together at Piñata, Wheel of Misfortune, Pin the Toupee on Sooki Lounge, Belgrave – January 9 & The Trump (Lara’s personal favourite), and the Australian Grand, Mornington – January 10. Tickets at version of true or false, Nah Yeah or Yeah Nah. www.bootlegrascal.com/touring “That one is especially for the fans to get to know Written by Tammy Walters us a bit more. Pretty simply there’s going to be a

BOOTLEG RASCAL

THE MASKED SINGER: PRODUCER EDITION

CLAPTONE

The nation and the world have fallen in love with TV singing competition, The Masked Singer, with the guessing game and big reveal a bit of fun for the family. Who does the voice belong to? Who is behind the mask? All is revealed in the end. But in the world of music, there are still a few acts that live behind a mask. French electronic music duo, Daft Punk we’ve come to identify as Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter and Sweden metal act, Ghost’s revealed their frontman Cardinal Copia to be Tobias Forge. A fellow European act that hides behind a mask that has never been lifted is German DJ and producer duo, Claptone. We only know them as having a plague doctor-style golden mask for a face and that is the way they wish to remain.

“The mask is part of me; my golden visage. I couldn’t imagine being left without it.”

In fact, the mask plays a critical role in the creation of music and art for Claptone. Everything from their sonic landscapes, the theme of their touring, and the stories behind the music and upcoming news very much anchor on the concealed nature of the mask.

“The mask is my face. So everything, especially

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TONIGHT ALIVE If you’ve followed Tonight Alive over their nine years in the limelight, you’d know Jenna McDougall. Not only has the singer established herself as one of Australia’s most powerful rock vocalists, but also as a feminist, an activist and a role model.

But behind the scenes things were different.

McDougall, whose lyrics had so often helped fans suffering through mental illness, was falling victim to very similar illnesses.

“I can see why it’s hard to connect the dots because I am quite extroverted and empowered when it comes to music, but when I’m off stage I’m a very sensitive person. I’m currently in the midst of a lot of healing and self-discovery,” she gently reflects.

A process which involved the singer relocating to Melbourne in an attempt to revitalise her life.

“I started spending time in Melbourne a few years ago,” she says. “After we made Underworld [fourth studio album, 2018], I came down to see a photographer friend Neal Walters. We were planning on making a film/zine that we did shoot but never made, but I just loved spending time down here.

“It may sound unusual for someone my age but it made me feel young again. I went from high school into touring and I never really got the chance to experience a young adult lifestyle, so coming here, I socialised more and had more extroverted energy to offer the world. With touring, I feel as if I’d become

the music revolving around it is not by coincidence.

But then maybe it is? Many of the titles and moods of my music come to me in the most unexpected times. Awoken from a dream in the night, I began to scribble and sketch in a half-awaken state of delirium. After falling back to sleep and waking up hours later, I found a message scribbled on my notepad next to my bed. “No Eyes” it read - what could I have been dreaming of?”

Yet another riddle in the Claptone puzzle. But there are a few things we do know about the Berlin act. Firstly, they have a flair for transformative songwriting with a melancholic edge that really captures the imagination, as evident through their 2015 phantom-esque piece, ‘Puppet Theatre’, and albums ‘Charmer’, ‘The Masquerade’ and ‘Fantast’, which continues to be a driving force for material.

“Funny little tracks with positive childish punchline vocals are great but what really touches my heart and my soul is melancholic, darker emotive songs. They usually resonate better and last longer with me. When I play as a DJ I am certainly leaning more towards the first and really rock a party with fun tracks, but when it comes to an artist album it’s the second category. After all, it’s - like so many things in life - about the balance.”

Secondly, we know they are planning on releasing new music soon.

“I am in the middle of a creative whirlwind at the moment. When it comes to collaborators, I have a long, long list. I have a good idea of the type of voices that could fit the music that I am working on at the moment. The universe will certainly bring us together. As usual, it’s all a big secret at this point, but I promise that I’ll let you in on my secrets very soon. Two words I can tell you right now are ‘Music’ and ‘New’ - maybe not in that order?! I will let you know once the muse kisses me.”

All will be revealed, well for the tour and new album at least. For now, we’ll let Claptone remain a mystery.

a very private person and I didn’t like going out, I didn’t like socialising, I had no interest in nightlife and never went to gigs.

“I’m just much more excitable now and Melbourne helps with that a lot. There’s so much to do and see and play with that I feel I’ve had a much more playful life since coming down here. For the first time, I have a lifestyle that I really enjoy and resonate with and I find that really enriching. It’s been a big year for personal development.”

While discussing the in’s and out’s of self-healing, I decided to take the opportunity to ask Jenna if recollecting on previous lyrics she’s penned can be either a cathartic or surprising process.

“I haven’t had enough time for Underworld to shock me yet but I’m sure in a couple of years I’ll be surprised by some of the stories I was telling, but it’s funny you ask that.

“Because we are playing Unify, we have been going back through our songs trying to decide what will be in the set. In terms of what you just said, relistening to our first and second records again, I was quite alarmed by some of the lyrics.

“I guess I was a lot younger at the time, it’s not as if I didn’t have access to therapy, it just wasn’t present in my life and I didn’t really know how to improve myself at the time so it is funny you say that because I guess it’s only now I’m learning how revealing music can be.”

Playing their first show in over a year, Tonight Alive will be hitting up the stage at Unify next year and this time around they are bringing some friends along to join the set.

“It will be really exciting, this will be the first time we’ve done on stage collaborations like this,” she smiles. “I think it’ll be really fun, I feel like collaboration is such a big essence of this arrangement and it’s exciting to share voices and instruments with friends.”

UNIFY Gathering takes over Tarwin Lower between January 9 and January 12. Tix via www.unifygathering.com/tickets/ Written by Alex Callan

reality checks where you reflect on everything. It’s been a crazy amazing whirlwind and we’re just so, so grateful for every single experience that we’ve had in the last twelve months.”

In only a year the four-piece have also played at BIGSOUND and Halloween Hysteria 2019, released four single releases including an epic cover of ‘Guerrilla Radio’ by Rage Against The Machine, have come in at number 9 on the triple j Unearthed most played artist list and have worked with industry greats including Stevie Knight (Yours Truly, Stand Atlantic, The Dead Love) and Dave Petrovic (Tonight Alive, Northlane) on their brand new monster, ‘Fake’ which sees Mack try her best Nicki Minaj.

“We’re just a big mash potato of genre influences.

When it comes to the songwriting side of things, when we first started we went in with the rule that nothing was really off-limits. Everything that we do will always have an element of heavy and a bit of an edge we’re not going to come out with a pop album RedHook are no strangers to the Download or something like that. In terms of the sounds that Circuit. This year the self-described ‘screaming we create it’s just a process of experimentation. The rap rock electro pop mutants from Sydney’ made rapping and the hip hop elements have definitely their debut at the UK festival offering playing been there since our first release but it’s something I’m still new with and that I’m still experimenting the same day as prog gods Tool, cherub rockers Smashing Pumpkins, and trash metal giants with,” Mack explains.

Lamb Of God and Slayer. In 2020 they will be “We never intended to release the song, it was joining the Australian circuit to play in their just a bit of an experiment for us and even in terms home town and also venture south for the of the themes it was a bit of a LOL for us and then Melbourne leg, and they could not be more excited. we were just like ‘oh actually this is really fun to play’ “Oh my god, when I found out that My Chemical and then we recorded it and we were like ‘oh actually Romance was headlining Download I lost my shit so fuck, we can release this’,” she laughs. bad. I was in the car with Craig [Wilkinson] and he The reception has been off the chart for ‘Fake’ and had gotten the red hot scoop and told me and I just RedHook as a band. Now that they will have two Download Festivals up their sleeve, what will the screamed. It’s so embarrassing, he almost crashed the car! I’m so, so happy and so over the moon, not next year present? Firstly, a tour with Cog and The just that they’re back together because I would have Amity Affliction is on the cards and an EP or album been excited enough about that but the fact that we is in the near future. get to share a bill with them is just insane to me. It’s “I would be happy to keep releasing singles but right crazy,” says powerhouse frontwoman, Emmy Mack. now we are working on a body of work which I’m She continues, “It’s been a fucking mental year. sure we will be able to disclose more about next year.”

It’s just been insane and there’s been so much going on. When we were in the UK for Download we had Hook onto RedHook at Download Festival this a Facebook memory pop up and it was a year ago March. Tickets at downloadfestival.com.au that day that we released our first single and we Written by Tammy Walters were just like ‘holy shit’. You just have to have those

HOOK INTO REDHOOK AT DOWNLOAD

Claptone will perform at Beyond The Valley Written by Tammy Walters Photo by Andreas Waldschütz

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CANNOT LUV MIAMI HORROR ENOUGH Australia and North and South America have been hit with a wave of horror over the last twelve months. We’re not talking about social or political terror or even Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode in the Halloween reboot. No, this horror is laced with Miami flair, wearing party shirts, producing summer jams, and bringing the good vibes to clubs, venues, and festivals.

It’s electro-pop group, Miami Horror and they have just wrapped up their ‘Luv Is Not Enough’ Tour for the year and both the act and audiences agree – it’s been their biggest and best tour to date.

“It’s actually been the best tour we’ve ever done, really nice venues and being on a tour bus makes it a lot easier. We wanted to step the show up a level since we’ve been touring without Josh [Moriarty] and the new singers are really putting it on, it’s nice to have a female vocalist in the

mix for the first time. The lights and visuals are really adding a lot. It feels like we’re putting something on at the level I’ve always wanted,” says founding member, DJ, and producer, Benjamin Plant.

“Mexico at Corona Capital Festival was next level, Mexico is our biggest fan base so we regrouped with Josh for that one show and it was a real celebratory moment. We’ll always feel the love there.”

These shows have certainly proved the boys have levelled up on their production, their delivery and on their fan base, with the Melbourne foursome showing tremendous growth as a live act, and they’ll be continuing that momentum into 2020 with a mammoth 15 date European tour in April. But while these shows have been the highlight of Miami Horror’s touring life, it is also a return to form and foundations for the boys.

“I would say that we’re circling back to the project being how it started.

For a while there we were really trying to be a band, but musically for me, it’s always been about the vision and releases and that is definitely back at the forefront,” Plant explains. “The live show is reflecting that with the new singers being able to do a wider range of songs in the way they

myself. It’s about me realising that it can be better to be alone than to not be getting what you deserve.

The EP follows the four-track Hold On EP. What are the main differences between the two for you personally?

I think We Were Thunder is a step up for me in terms of the songwriting. Hold On was my very first experience of putting myself out there emotionally, lyrically and vocally, and to be honest I wasn’t sure what I wanted my sound to be. But I feel like my new EP feels more like me. More confident and more sure of itself.

You have quite an ethereal and angelic voice – what was your journey into music like? Have You might not know the name Lilla Vargen, you always been musically inclined? but rest assured, the Northern Irish singerI have always had a deep connection with music. songwriter with a soulful and evocative voice From a very young age, I would stay inside and play is one to add to your playlist. Projecting piano for hours or I’d listen to my parent’s old CDs. vulnerability and tenacity in her powerfully I was very curious about it and loved to try writing lovelorn songs, Lilla’s just released her EP We my own songs from a very young age. I learned to Were Thunder and is ready to be one of the UK’s play piano and guitar by ear and once I felt more most important new voices! We sit down with confident I then started writing full songs. My whole family are music lovers and are all great singers! the devastatingly beautiful artist.

Hi Lilla, thanks so much for chatting with Do you enjoy sharing your music live on the Forte! Congrats on the release of your new EP stage, or is it creating the music where you thrive?

I love both. But I think the music comes to life We Were Thunder. Can you talk us through the live on stage. And I love writing and recording but creative process of this one?

Thank you so much! The process was a lot of performing to an audience is like nothing else. writing and soul searching and I managed to do that Now that the EP is out, what’s next for you? by taking time to reflect on some of my toughest Any plans to come to Australia?? emotional experiences in the past few years. It was There’s another EP coming in early 2020, which contains some of my favourite songs I’ve written hard to put pen to paper sometimes but when I did to date, and which make up a majority of my live it was such a release for me.

Your EP seems to be grounded in connection, set. I can’t wait to start recording my album next year as well; it feels like everything I’ve done so emotion, and meaning, and listening to it, you can feel your emotion. Are these songs quite far has been building towards that. I’ll be out on self-reflective pieces, or were you inspired by the road throughout the year as well, doing more others/things around you, or both? of my own shows, and festivals across the summer.

I am inspired by friends and even people I don’t And I’d love to come to Australia – that’s definitely know but a lot of it is deeply personal and about my on the cards after how much you guys have been own experiences. I think it’s good to look outside streaming my songs! yourself when writing too, but for the EP it was Release: We Were Thunder, out mainly about real-life emotions and loss. now via Liberator/Future Kind.

We are particularly fond of ‘Solitary’. What’s

LILLA VARGEN

the story behind this one?

‘Solitary’ is perhaps the most honest I’ve been with

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were intended. It’s definitely different for some fans, but it feels good.”

You know what else feels good? New music! Miami Horror fans had been restless for new tunes from the kaleidoscope hit-makers since their 2017 EP, ‘The Shapes’ and this year they delivered, serving up the two new bops in October – the empowering groove-driven single, ‘Luv Is Not Enough’, and the sleeky RnB number ‘Restless’. Like the live shows, both tracks are a return to the essence of Miami Horror and different from what fans have come to expect, but in the best way possible.

“I mean I’m getting a little bit over the whole anthemic chorus thing.

I think there are cooler ways to do it so we’re currently experimenting with that. Plus a lot of the music I listen to that is far more about feeling or vibe than obvious chorus lifts, et cetera. So I wanted to better reflect that,” says Plant.

“If you can find a big single while keeping that restraint, that’s usually when you find something magic as opposed to pushing too hard to write a single. It’s always been a challenge to find that balance because people almost expect these anthems from us. But I think ‘Luv Is Not Enough’ is a nice balance.”

‘Luv Is Not Enough’ features the musky, ultra-cool vocals of Clear Mortifee which sinks into the effortless grooves, and as Plant explains, came together in a similar seamless fashion.

“It happened very naturally, there were actually a lot of writers on that song, everyone did a little piece on the vocals and Clear was the last to come in and sing it. Clear’s voice was so great and takes so nuanced we had to keep it.”

The two 2019 singles both belong on Miami Horrors highly anticipated third studio album, confirmed for release in 2020. The boys are taking their time with piecing together this body of work, again continuing that focus of restraint and their roots.

“I’d say we’re about 50% down,” Plant laughs. “I still really want to explore a whole new side. We have the funk and RnB stuff down, but want to also have some of that OG Miami Horror essence and emotions.”

‘Luv Is Not Enough’ and ‘Restless’ are good indications of what is to come from the producers with collaborations a-plenty, lyrically diversity around relationships, being carefree and some more metaphorical messages, and those mega fresh beats.

Watch this space for the album announcement and in the meantime get streaming on ‘Luv Is Not Enough’ and ‘Restless’.

Written by Tammy Walters Photo by Andrew Noel

“We are writing at the moment, we’re coming together as a band, every day practicing and studying music again,” reveals keyboardist Patrick Hetherington. “Feels like we’ve gone back to school here, trying to learn as much as we can before we start recording.”

Parcels has been in the music world since 2014 and they’ve been self-producing a majority of their music. This allows them to produce tunes that are truly their own, focusing on grooving exciting instrumentals and band development. So why the wait for new music?

It’s simple: “We’ve played all over Europe, we were in America, it feels like we’ve been touring for the last year or two.”

Now they’re on their way to grace us with their presence at one of our favourite music festivals ever: Falls Festival. With a talented line-up and stunning natural Australian outdoor beauty, Falls always leaves us with amazing memories.

This year Parcels will be joining the line-up and returning to Australia for the first time in a long time. They’re excited to come and see the festival, and we’re excited to hear their lyrical sentiments When we look up Parcels, our search engines and modern pop. Whilst they may be in Berlin “in a return mixed results, from the courier to little basement, well, a studio really, not a basement” AusPost tracking. In this case, however, we’re for the time being, soon they’ll be donning their talking about Parcels music, the five-man boy- iconic outfits and giving us the opportunity to dance. band that started in Byron Bay and hauled to Their requests for fans seeing them at Falls?

Berlin after finishing high-school in 2015.

“I would like to see everybody standing very still, Although they’d been creating music since 2014, turning away for the entire set… And then dancing, it wasn’t until they signed on with French label with nobody looking at us.” Why? “It would be cool Kitsune and began to truly experience the world of – and there would be more focus on the music and music that they felt like a real band. the vibe, you know?”

So put together a Falls outfit, grab your friends – and From there, our favourite Parcels hits were born. remember not to look at Parcels when they perform.

Progressive, electronic and meaningful, the songs explore emotions and sparks with underlying Falls Festival tickets are still available for the tropical beats and sugar-sweet vocals. With ‘LightenUp’ reminiscent of classic disco records, Lorne leg so grab your New Years passes at ‘WithorWithout’ exploring regret and heartbreak, fallsfestival.com

PARCELS

and ‘YourFault’ reflecting on past pain, there’s plenty of depth to this indie-pop band. The fact that they had limited music education before these tracks makes them especially accomplished – and whilst it’s true that we haven’t received anything new from Parcels in a while, that’s set to change soon!

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Written by Daniela Koulikov Photo by Antoine Henault

2. SHE & HIM - BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE. Show me a better crooning duo and I’ll show you a liar.

Lead singer and quirky actress Zooey Deschanel’s voice is husky, whimsical and just downright sexy.

This track has all the playfulness you’ve come to love from this classic carol but the jazzy pair add extra pizzazz.

3. SIA - SANTA’S COMING FOR US. If you’re wanting to liven up the family Christmas feast and you’re ready to embrace original Christmas carols then Sia’s Christmas album is for you. Santa’s Coming For Us is poppy, up-beat and fun. Put on your dancing shoes and embrace your Christmas cheer for this track.

RACHAEL LEAHCAR Uniting six languages in ribbons of mesmeric melody, 2012 Finalist of The Voice Rachael Leahcar has Christmas wrapped in a bow with her newest creation Together For Christmas.

Reflecting upon the collection of ideas for a title to aptly signify her album, Rachael remembers “I actually took to the people who supported me the most – my fans… and I just asked everyone what do you think it should be called; and that was one of the most voted-for titles; and I thought it was just absolutely perfect, because that’s what Christmas is all about – and music as well; and this album has so much for so many different people – I’ve tried to include as many languages as I could on there.”

From an album of mellifluous moments and sweet serenades, Rachael admits “I’m not sure if I can pick just one – maybe O Holy Night; but they’re all special in their own way to me, I think; and I chose them all because they are the songs that I grew up with; so I have memories attached to all of them from when I was little.”

Displaying a seamless transition from English lyrics to French expression, O Holy Night is bridged by a smouldering saxophone solo; and as Rachael informs, “I sort of gave an indication of the form that I wanted and the feel of it I wanted as well; I wanted a saxophone solo in there...I found out that O Holy Night was originally written in French; so that’s why I put one of the French verses in there to sort of pay a bit of homage to that.”

Befitting the magical mystique of the season, Together For Christmas reaches astral heights

4. THE POGUES - FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK. If you are a true Grinch this will be on repeat throughout the festive season. The Irish Christmas is everything but merry but damn it’s a tune and will have all your friends and family wondering how you ever found it.

TIS’ THE SEASON FOR RAD CHRISTMAS TUNES Are you sick of hearing Michael Buble and Mariah Carey? Do you want to prove to your friends that you KNOW music? Are you trying to act like a Grinch but deep down you’re a Buddy from Elf?

5. OLIVIA OLSON - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS. No matter how much you hate Christmas, you cannot possibly hate the cutest movie scene ever created in the history of film that is Olivia Olson’s Love Actually character Joanna belting out All I Want For Christmas. I literally get chills whenever I watch this clip and it makes all the stress of the festive season worthwhile.

Written by Kim Price

If you answered yes to any of the above then this is your definitive list of unconventional Christmas tunes to get you through the festive time.

1. THE WOMBATS - WHITE CHRISTMAS. Everything about this Like A Version performance is alternative. To the dreary-yet-resounding vocals to the cameo from (I think) a wombat, this track will keep you indie music taste repertoire intact while also give you a great sing-a-long.

not only in its linguistic complexities; but in the presentation of Rachael’s multilingual diction as well. With reference to performing in languages other than English, Rachael rationalises “It’s just a different world, and you can sing the same song in a different language; and every time it will be different; so there’s different energy and different atmosphere from different languages...especially in Australia, being such a multicultural place, I wanted everyone to be able to communicate with everyone to sing along, really.”

A fact obvious to her audiences is Rachael’s resounding resolution “it’s all about the emotions and the stories.” Despite her experiences with the vision impairment Retinitis Pigmentosa, Rachael’s abilities are continually augmented by her unwavering positivity. She reinforces, “I have preferred to shift the focus onto things that I can do rather than what I can’t...I was always determined to show what I could do; and music was something that I could escape to...when human beings are given an obstacle they tend to always find a way around them. The Voice was a huge time...and then the next year I had been to Italy and performed with Andrea Boccelli’s Orchestra over there.”

Comic artist Rosanna Lam has captured a frame of serene happiness between Rachael and her Seeing Eye Dog, Ella, in an endearingly appropriate cover illustration for the album. Rachael delights, “I knew that I wanted an illustrated front cover, and we put reindeer antlers on her because she’s my Rudolph guiding me...I just wanted something that looked magical as Christmas is.”

The one indelible message Rachael wishes to convey with her album is “Well, I really just want to spread happiness, I think; and nostalgia – that’s what I think Christmas should be; it should be about love and spending time with the people you love and who love you...just enjoy that time of year. I hope people remember the true meaning of Christmas.”

Rachael Leahcar’s Together For Christmas album is out now.

Written By Renée N. Abbott

PAIGE BLACK’S DEBUT SINGLE “BLIND” IS OUT NOW ON ALL PLATFORMS LISTEN ON • SPOTIFY • ITUNES • TRIPLE J UNEARTHED WATCH • YOUTUBE FOR A CAPTIVATING VIDEO CLIP FOLLOW ON • FACEBOOK • INSTAGRAM JAN 14TH: SONIC TEXTURES AT THE NIGHT CAT SUPPORTING PARKVILLE FORTÉ 730

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24-27 JANUARY LEXTON • VICTORIA • AUSTRALIA

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2020 party

GLITTER GANG +DJ’S JIM DANZA & BRIAN’S RETRO PARTY SET

TICKETS $35

INCLUDES FREE DRINK ON ARRIVAL +GOURMET FINGER FOOD (FROM 7.30-9.30PM)

Buy tickets at the venue or via iwannaticket.com.au 03 5221 3707 | 158 McKillop St, Geelong

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Open to all 12 to 17 year-olds The ‘youth voice’ for Greater Geelong

NOMINATIONS

NOW OPEN

YOUTH COUNCIL

Nominate yourself now

2020

BECOME A MEMBER OF GREATER GEELONG’S YOUTH COUNCIL

Represent your local area Make a

Meetings begin 2020

Nominations open 18 November 2019 – 5 January 2020 | Nominate at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil

www.geelongaustralia.com.au CityofGreaterGeelong

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S! E V A F R YOU L L A G D, YIN A A E L H P R S O T MO TLAW , U T O H L G L I R T, O A R W E E N H I ‘ V D K E E T C S ANN C , R WITH RO BLUES, ACDC, E T ETT, IT L L H G P Y M R N IE A GA S , S D I ROCK R R Y H N C IE, SKY D D N R ENT O Y V L E N B Y + , L 0 R 3 E ITS, GH RE! R A I O L P L M S A & G C I BAS MAC , RORY E D N O I O W NE, G FLEETW OD! A P O F M R A E H FING R, C E T E E B M S R E GOU & INCLUD K N I SOFT DR

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WITH

ARCHIE ROACH PAUL GRABOWSKY & SALLY DASTEY H H BAND OF BROTHERS H BENNY WALKER H H THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA (USA) H BOBBY ALU H CÒIG (CAN) H H COOL OUT SUN H C.W. STONEKING H DAN SULTAN H H THE EAST POINTERS (CAN) H EMILY WURRAMARA H FARA (SCOT) H H GINA WILLIAMS & GUY GHOUSE H GRACE PETRIE (ENG) H H JOHN McCUTCHEON (USA) H JUDITH OWEN (WALES) H KIERAN KANE & RAYNA GELLERT (USA) H THE LANGAN BAND (SCOT) H H MÃMÃ MIHIRANGI & THE MÃREIKURA (NZ) H THE MAES H H NEIL MURRAY H ORIEL GLENNEN H RHIANNON GIDDENS (USA) H H RUBY GILL H PATTY GRIFFIN (USA) H SARAH CARROLL & SHANNON BOURNE H H SIBUSILE XABA (SA) H SHANE HOWARD H THE SMALL GLORIES (CAN) H H SUSAN O’NEILL - SON (IRL) H STARTIJENN (FRA) H THIS WAY NORTH H H WILLIAM CRIGHTON H WILL KIMBROUGH (USA) H H YE VAGABONDS (IRL) H YOLANDA BROWN (UK) H YID! H & MANY MORE H

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT: HARRY SHEARER INTRODUCES A MIGHTY WIND

EARLY BIRD & 2 DAY TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.portfairyfolkfestival.com FORTÉ 730

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FOODIE NEWS DOORDASH LAUNCHES IN GEELONG Move over UberEats and Deliveroo, there’s a new delivery kid in town. DoorDash, America’s top on-demand food platform, disrupts Geelong’s food scene today with large local restaurant selection and free food offer!

Currently the leading on-demand food platform for door-to-door delivery in the U.S., DoorDash is disrupting Geelong’s food scene as part of its regional expansion across Victoria, following its success in both Melbourne and Sydney in recent months.

Essentially, DoorDash will bring more choice and a greater selection to Geelong residents with hundreds of restaurants available on the app, including well-known brands such as Red Rooster and Grill’d, as well as local independent restaurants including Unorthodox Kitchen & Grill and Wood Oven Pizza. DoorDash has also exclusively partnered with Ebony & Ivory and Novotel’s Waterfront Bar and Grill, which until now haven’t been available for delivery.

To search DoorDash for local favourites or to discover your next go-to, visit doordash. com or download DoorDash for Android or from the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

ODESSA AT LEAVER'S HOTEL Creswick – a quiet town just north of Ballarat, Victoria – was ravaged by fires in the late 1800s, with only a single building left standing – the Leaver’s Hotel.

Over the following century, the Leaver’s Hotel lived many lives; it’s been the Town Hall, Leake’s Hotel, an Ice Cream Parlour, a bank and most recently, Bob’s Cosy Corner Cafe.

The current owner, Chantel Leaver, took over the property seven years ago with a new idea in mind; leaving behind the Cafe, Chantel wanted to take the Leaver’s Hotel a new, but the somewhat familiar route: a wine bar.

“We took over the property seven years ago and thought we would try and bring it back to life, naively thinking it would take three or four months of renovation... seven years later, here we are,” Chantel explained.

Over the past seven years, Chantel made a variety of changes to the building itself, but unlike those who came before her, she was not looking to improve it by making it all new – she wanted to take the building back to its roots.

“The changes made in the last few iterations of the building have all been stripped back to reveal the original character. We have exposed the original stone walls and shingled ceiling, installed a period leadlight

out $100 for a teeny tiny margarita no matter HOW delicious and authentic that cheese looks with that quaint little fresh basil leaf on top, no sir.

JETTY ROAD HAVE CREATED SOME FRESH BREWS FOR SUMMER

So, where do we go from here?

Backyard cricket. Filling the esky. BBQ’s. Slip Slop Slap. Heading to the coast. This time of the year is a timely reminder of just how good life is… and Jetty Road have made it even better by creating some seriously tasty summer beers (to sit alongside their already delicious range)!

Enter Town and Country Pizza, the neato Italian chain that has somehow managed to maintain is authentic home-y vibe despite its size.

The range is huge with a little something for everybody including traditional and gourmet pizzas which at their largest ‘King’ size come up to $32 max.

The first cab off the rank is The Blueberry Gose, which is available now. A little sweet.

A little sour. A little salty. Refreshingly tart, the Blueberry Gose is balanced sublimely, making it the perfect little tin of refreshment for your Xmas holidays.

Coming up in early January, Jetty Road have combined with the hop goodness of an IPA and infused it with mouth-watering mangoes to create their Mango IPA. It’s a no-brainer, people love beer, and they often welcome the summer season despite the scorching heat just to enjoy the delicious summer fruit- mango.

They’ve also created the King of Spin – a homage to their love for cricket which will be released in time for Australia Day, and the Pineapple Fritter, which is due around April.

Created by two local boys from the Mornington Peninsula with the desire to create quality beer, a taste for adventure and a healthy appreciation of the good life, Jetty Road has quickly become a contender as one of our favourites!

Visit www.jettyroad.com.au/

The pastas and risottos are also nonna-level forces to be reckoned with, covering everything from your tomato-y lasagne fantasy to a creamy pesto chicken dream.

IN TOWN & COUNTRY WE TRUST Everybody loves Italian food, there’s no doubt about it. Whether its dinner, lunch or even the odd cheeky leftovers for breakfast, there’s no going past a delicious cheesy pizza or a creamy gnocchi.

It’s honestly making me drool a little just writing about it.

But the cuisine’s popularity is a blessing and a curse. There are so many options to choose from with every man and his dog out there peddling pizza, it’s a nightmare trying to figure out where to go when all of a sudden your tummy’s a-rumbling and demands its cheesy garlic-y sacrifice.

You’re not vibing your cheap n’ nasty that’s been sitting in the back of the freezer for at least a month for that rainy, desperate day – but no no, today is not that day. However, you’re not super into dishing

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and oak bar, and have hopefully created a space where you can feel the energy of a previous generation.”

So what can you expect when you first walk into the new Leaver’s Hotel? Chantel says to expect the unexpected.

“We feel a bit like a diamond in the rough. When people step into the venue it’s like stepping into another place in time. It’s lush, cosmopolitan, eclectic, and cosy.”

Behind the scenes of the beautiful front of house, Chantel hired local renowned chef Benjamin Sage Francis to establish a unique and satisfying menu, using local sources to attain their produce. Visitors can expect to find a varied and tasty selection, ranging from small tasting plates and charcuteries to salmon fillets, grilled duck salads and house-made ricotta gnocchi, as well as a variety of vegetarian and glutenfree options. All options pair perfectly well with the locally crafted beer and wine.

The Odessa is more than a simple wine bar, however, and caters to all ages; they’ve fostered a family vibe on Sunday afternoons with board games and chess sets. Chantel and her staff have aimed to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, allowing people to come in alone and leave with new friends.

Having been around for over 25 years, these folks definitely know what they’re doing in the kitchen with some of the long-running favourites including the classic garlic and cheese pizza, a creamy carbonara our fave eggy Aussie and the country special pizza that comes with a mountain of toppings for those who like a big bang for their buck. Not bad, T&C. Not bad at all.

But what is even better is the friendly family-vibe service you can expect should you ever feel like taking that pizza away from the Netflix & couch and remembering what the outside world is like.

Priding itself on their passionate commitment to excellent customer service operating as one large family catering to the locals, Town and Country is a safe space to get re-acquainted with reality and really, really good pizza.

Walk into one of several locations around Geelong including Central Geelong, Waurn Ponds, Leopold, Lara, Colac, Armstrong Creek and Torquay or visit online at www.townandcountrypizza.com.au/ Written by Jess Sercombe

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Chantel is far from finished developing Odessa, and when we asked her what her plans were for over the summer she was more than happy to elaborate.

“What I’d like to do is get some bands set up in the back, so we can take advantage of the verandah and the outdoors! Our kitchen is expanding, so the menu will grow as will the wine list. More music, more Xmas parties and more chilled Sunday afternoons. I should also mention that we are planning to open for breakfast and lunch serving the best Proud Mary coffee!”

While Leaver’s has a varied and storied past, its future is looking bright – Chantel and her team have established Odessa as a relaxed, enticing venue that you’ll want to come back to time and time again.

Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel is located at 80 Albert Street, Creswick.

Written by Adrian Aloi

SHANNON PIZZA HAS A NEW DROOL-WORTHY SPECIAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS Ah, Garlic Bread. The holy trinity of bread, butter, and garlic created by the gluten gods to make us mere mortals very, very happy – you know, in a greasy, buttery, carby type of way. We love it, there’s no ifs, buts or maybes about it.

But it’s not our only love.

Comforting in every guise, the lure of a meatball is also pretty hard to beat – these round morsels of Nonna-worthy awesomeness are just so satisfying, one bite and life suddenly looks very sweet indeed.

By a welcomed twist of fate, Shannon Pizza have figured us out with their latest special.

Introducing the Meatball Sub… a delicious concoction of juicy meatballs, cheese, Italian tomato sauce and oregano, wait for it, IN a garlic bread sub.

Oh boy.

This Shannon Pizza exclusive is the definition of comfort: saucy meatballs, melty cheese, toasted garlic bread — what more could you want?

Go forth, fellow garlic bread and Italian meatball lovers, go forth and indulge.

BYO breath mints.

Where: 146 Shannon St, Geelong West When: 5-9pm every day except Tuesdays Site: www.shannonpizza.com.au Phone: 5229 6169

THE BEST CHEAP MEALS IN GEELONG MO N DAY ELEPHANT CASTLE - $20 STEAK AND RIBS NIGHT THE SPORTING GLOBE – HALF PRICE WINGS, RIBS AND PINTS THE SIR CHARLES DARLING HOTEL - $19.50 STEAK NIGHT JOKERS ON RYRIE - $14.50 PARMI NIGHT MURPHYS GEELONG - $15 PARMI NIGHT

TU E SDAY ELEPHANT CASTLE - $20 STEAK AND RIBS NIGHT THE SPORTING GLOBE – HALF PRICE STEAKS & LITTLE BULL PINTS THE SIR CHARLES DARLING HOTEL - $19.50 STEAK NIGHT JOKERS ON RYRIE - $14.50 PARMI NIGHT MURPHYS GEELONG - $15 PARMI NIGHT

WEDN E SDAY ELEPHANT CASTLE - $15 PARMI AND TRIVIA NIGHT THE SPORTING GLOBE - $14.90 MVP PARMI, $17.90 LOADED PARMI’S, $8.90 PUNTS AND $9.90 JAM JARS THE SIR CHARLES DARLING HOTEL - $16.50 SEAFOOD NIGHT JOKERS ON RYRIE - $12.50 PASTA NIGHT MURPHYS GEELONG - $12 BURGER NIGHT THE BARWON CLUB - $20 STEAK NIGHT WAH BAH - $3 INDIVIDUAL BAO BUNS

TH U R SDAY ELEPHANT CASTLE - $20 REEF AND BEEF NIGHT THE SPORTING GLOBE - $14.90 BURGERS, $15.90 BEER JUGS. $19.90 COCKTAIL JUGS THE SIR CHARLES DARLING HOTEL - $16.50 PARMI NIGHT JOKERS ON RYRIE - $19.50 STEAK NIGHT MURPHYS GEELONG - $20 STEAK NIGHT

FRIDAY THE SPORTING GLOBE – BUY 1 GET 1 FREE DESSERTS, $5 FROM 5PM-7PM SCHOONERS, HOUSE SPIRITS AND HOUSE WINES THE SIR CHARLES DARLING HOTEL - $6.50 BURGER NIGHT MURPHYS GEELONG – HAPPY HOUR (4-6PM), $10 COCKTAILS, $8 PINTS, $4 PINTS AND $6 WINES THE DECK - $21 STEAK NIGHT

SAT U R DAY THE SPORTING GLOBE - $20 BUD, HEINEKEN 3 AND SPARKLING BUCKETS THE DECK - $20 COCKTAIL JUGS THE INN – 2 FOR $20 COCKTAILS (7PM-9PM)

SU N DAY ELEPHANT CASTLE - $25 ENGLISH SUNDAYS ROAST (LUNCH AND DINNER) THE SPORTING GLOBE - $9.90 HIGHBALL COCKTAILS, AND $27.90 2L TABLE TAPS THE SIR CHARLES DARLING HOTEL - $16.50 ROAST LUNCH JOKERS ON RYRIE - $12.50 PASTA NIGHT MURPHYS GEELONG - $20 COCKTAIL JUGS – ALL DAY

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR ON THE PIER There’s nothing worse than getting to the day before New Year’s Eve and realising you don’t have a single iota of how you’re going to bring in the New Year. That’s where the people at The Pier Geelong come in; they’ve organised everything for you at a tidy price and extremely picturesque venue. Who needs to get stuck at the supermarket thinking of the ingredients to a Pina Colada or watching the fireworks from the couch when you’ve got tickets to New Years on The Pier.

Upping the ante, this year the celebrations will see Victoria’s favourite dedicated piano bar, Piano Bar Geelong, take over The Pier, and bringing along the unparalleled atmosphere that only a piano bar delivers.

Prepare to sing at the top of your lung to all those guilty pleasures and make friendships for life (or even just the night) with entertainment by Piano Bar’s local legend Andy Popjoy and Shandelle McGennisken, as well as Drag Queen Sensation Art Simone. With a few special guests sprinkled along the way, it will certainly be a night to remember!

With doors at 7:30pm on New Years Eve (Tuesday December 31) and the show set for 8pm, you will be at the best vantage point in Geelong with the view of the last sunset of 2019 before witnessing both the 9pm and midnight fireworks. With exclusive bay and city skyline views, this is the only way to bring in 2020 in spectacular fashion.

We know you know already but strictly no thongs, baseball caps or singlets. It’s all about the class this New Years.

Tickets are on sale now at www.thepiergeelong.com.au/nye-2019, and includes canapes, antipasto and cheese grazing platters. All patrons must be 18+ to attend.

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15 F E B RUARY 2020

150 PLUS CRAFT BEERS CIDERS REGIONAL WINES G&T SLUSHIES WITH LIVE MUSIC FROM AMBER GAMBLERS BLUES ROULETTE

FIONA BOYES, NATHAN BERETTA AND ALAN BOYLE

MICHAEL MEEKING BITCHES BREW JESS PARKER & THE TROUBLED WATERS LIBBY STEELE BAND

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JOE CAMILLERI & THE BLACK SORROWS SUNDAY 29 DEC

RAILED FRIDAY 27 DEC TO 3 JAN

KATE CEBRANO SUNDAY 12 JAN

TEX PERKINS & MATT WALKER THURSDAY 16 JAN

ADULT EVENT ^

THE LISTIES MAKE YOU LOL! FRIDAY 3 & SAT 4 JAN

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN AND UNCANNY XMEN SUNDAY 5 JAN

YUMMY DELUXE TUESDAY 14 JAN SUNDAY 19 JAN

ROSS WILSON & THE PEACENIKS FRIDAY 24 JAN

FAMILY EVENT ^

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SPEND NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE BAH

run far past midnight. Finger foods from Wah’s famous bao bun menu will be served until 9pm, with drinks available at bar prices. DJ Liam Blackwell will be spinning discs until 1am, with fireworks kicking off at 9pm. We can think of a better place to be, hidden amongst the bar’s signature neon, right on the waterfront.

How is it almost New Year’s Eve again? Weren’t we only just recovering from last NYE’s hangover? And to make it worse, it’s not just the end of the year but the end of the decade.

Notoriously a hectic night, you want your night planned out ahead of time, giving you the whole night to party. Loud music, fireworks, and – most importantly – booze are core to a great NYE, and what better place to get all three than Wah Bah?

Make sure to dress to impress, as this won’t be your average NYE. Whether you want to tear up the dancefloor for a few hours, or just want to feel better than the rest of the city while looking over the bay from the rooftop bar, this is the place to be December 31st. Tickets are $55 per person before Christmas and $69 after and include entry and food.

With limited tickets remaining, make sure to get your crew together and book before it’s sold out!

New Year’s Eve at the Bah promises to be an explosive evening, in the sense that it’ll be an ecstatic night, but you’ll also have a front-row seat to Geelong’s firework display. Located on Cunningham Pier, festivities kick-off 6pm and will

Tickets via wahwahgee.com.au/nye-at-wah-bah Wah Bah is located at Cunningham Pier, 10 Western Beach Road, Geelong.

Written by Thom Devereux

I AIN’T AFRAID OF NO GHOST!

If you have a fascination in the darker side of history or just starting out in the art of ghost hunting, we recommend you suss out the awardwinning team at Twisted History for an array of unique evening tours across Victoria.

HERE ARE THE BEST GHOST TOURS IN VICTORIA: 1. GEELONG GAOL - As you enter the prison gates after dark you will be haunted by stories of convicts, murderers and lunatics who still haunt the building.

2. MELBOURNE CHINATOWN – Hear spinetingling stories of Melbourne’s haunted past as you’re guided through the streets and lanes of the oldest Chinese community in the western world.

3. BENDIGO - For a night you won’t forget, the team will share electrifying stories of Bendigo’s haunted past, from unexplained paranormal activity to regular ghostly sightings. Starting December 28!

4. CASTLEMAINE CEMETERY - History will be brought to life as you explore one of the most interesting Cemetery in Victoria. Nestled in a tree lined gully, the cemetery holds the stories of the 20,000 people who are interred within the grounds.

5. PA R A N O R M A L I N V E S T I G AT I O N - Are you a Paranormal expert or just starting out in the art of ghost hunting? Either way, there’s the choice of two-hour Paranormal Investigation tours at Geelong Gaol, and three-hour investigations at Werribee homestead and the ghost town of Steiglitz.

For details on Twisted History’s full range of tours or to book, visit www.twistedhistory.net. au or call them on 1300865800.

Nothing gets your imagination pumping like exploring an abandoned Gaol, creepy cemetery or a haunted hotel in the dead of the night.

Australia may not have the long colonial history like other grand countries around the world, but we still have our fair share of macabre haunting stories of the convict era.

Even as early as the Victorian gold rush, belief in ghosts, ghost stories and hauntings were popular subjects for entertainment and attracted significant attention with public gatherings.

Indoor Rock Climbing Bouldering & Training Outdoor Programs Fun and Fitness Group Sessions Cafe & Gear Shop

The

ROCK

Since 2001

The ROCK Adventure Centre River End (Rear 403) Pakington St Newtown Geelong PH: 5221 3101 FORTÉ 730

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STEPHEN BRAM— ABSTRACT PAINTING Stephen Bram was born in Melbourne in 1961 and began exhibiting his work in the late 1980s. Over the next few decades, he would be recognized not just for his reinvigoration of abstract painting, but as one of the most accomplished abstract artists in Australia.

Luckily for us Geelong locals, Bram’s work is currently being displayed within the walls of the Geelong Gallery as part of an exhibition that is running until the 22nd of February next year.

Bram’s works are something to behold. As you walk into the exhibition, his monochromatic paintings almost spring off the walls in contrast to the rigid angles of the walls on which they hang.

The pieces are both brilliant and challenging to comprehend at the same time.

The black and white works lining the walls are

Bram’s way of exploring and testing the concept of illusion. The pieces force the viewer to constantly question their own perspective and awareness of what they are viewing.

As you make your way through the gallery, Bram’s works consistently outdo those that came before them, all the while constantly testing one’s ability to grasp how they are meant to be viewed.

After a while they begin to blur and even start to look like their predecessors, but this is seemingly a deliberate choice; upon closer inspection the significant difference between the later works and the preceding pieces becomes apparent.

This speaks to Bram’s skill in crafting illusions and making them an integral part of his works. He does this by structuring his brushwork in a way that almost uses the perception of the viewers against them. It’s hard to describe; it’s almost as if the brains of the people viewing it have to struggle to find a pattern within the works and force themselves to look for familiar patterns while they struggle to comprehend news ones.

As you leave the main room in which Bram’s works are displayed and enter the second room, you are greeted with a different type of Bram’s work; unlike the monochrome, fluid pieces, these are full of colour and even make use of sharp angles. These pieces depict Bram’s interpretation of landscape and architecture, and while these pieces are markedly different than the preceding ones, they are just as captivating.

Bram’s works are simultaneously brilliant and confounding, and I highly recommend that any art lover catch the exhibition before it is gone.

You can see the exhibition at Geelong Gallery up until 23 February 2020. Free entry, open daily 10am to 5pm.

Written by Adrian Aloi

On the moto side, Nitro Circus’ elite FMX athletes will perform highly choreographed tricks, including many you won’t see anywhere else. Adding to the fear factor, in true Nitro Circus style, You Got This will feature a host of new crazy contraptions that have no business flying through the air, along with a few other surprises that need to be seen to be believed.

With no Melbourne show in 2020, this is the only chance Victorians will get to see the best action sports athletes on the planet push themselves to their absolute limits on the biggest ramps in action sports.

“Nitro has always had a strong and loyal following in Regional Victoria, and we are beyond stoked to be playing two new cities, and we will be bringing the biggest and best action sports tour on the planet to Bundy,” said Nitro Circus CEO Andy Edwards.

NITRO CIRCUS BRINGS THEIR EXPLOSIVE, HIGH ADRENALINE ACTION SPORTS SPECTACULAR TO THE REGION Are you bored of the 9-5 workday grind? Do you need some more excitement in your life?

Well, you’re in luck because Global sports entertainment leader Nitro Circus makes its highly-anticipated debut in both Wangaratta and Ballarat next year, with their latest world tour, You Got This.

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Nitro Circus (which over the past decade has produced more than 380 shows across the mammoth amount of 37 countries) is currently in the middle of a two-year stadium trek for You Got This, featuring the legendary Giganta ramp that launches athletes five stories into the air… and with no roof at these locations, there are no limits so prepare yourselves for some extreme world-class entertainment.

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Nitro Circus will take over Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Saturday, February 29 and Norm Minns Oval in Wangaratta on Saturday, March 7.

Get your tickets now at www.nitrocircus.com

*DOCTOR SLEEP *MIB: INTERNATIONAL *BLACK CHRISTMAS *THE LION KING *PET SEMATARY *IT CHAPTER 2 *KING OF THIEVES *RIDE LIKE A GIRL *POMS *JUDY & PUNCH

BEST AND WORST FILMS OF 2019 The good news is that there were a lot of good films out in 2019. The bad news is that seeing those films in a cinema just keeps on getting harder. It’s not even a secret that Disney would really prefer it if cinemas just showed Disney movies, which would seem hilarious except that they had a bunch of the biggest movies of the year and bought Fox studios; when Joker making a billion dollars is a sign of hope, you know we’re in a dark place.

As is usually the way these days, the superhero movies grabbed all the attention despite rarely deserving it (Shazam! was probably the best of the bunch; Avengers: Endgame mostly just felt like an end), while the other big money makers were often films that just kept on quietly raking in the cash like

Best films of 2019 (in no particular order) This really was a good year for film; I’d take pretty much any one of these films over anything in my top ten list for last year. And Rambo: Last Blood didn’t even make the top ten! It was a pretty good year for films I didn’t see in cinemas too: Netflix’s Marriage Story is great, and if Scott Adkins’ movie Avengement had made it to cinemas here it definitely would have been on this list.

Also, I should stress I haven’t yet seen Cats, so obviously, this top ten list is provisional at best.

Aladdin or Rocketman. At least the idea of coming back after years with “all new” sequels in an attempt to revive long-dead franchises seems to have died yet again, even if Terminator: Dark Fate was nowhere near the worst Terminator movie this century.

Worst films of 2019 (in no particular order) There’s always more bad films than good in a year, but usually they’re just bad in a way that’s sad rather than rage-inducing. What was notable this year was the sheer number of bad films that didn’t even care about being good; while a couple of these films stunk because of obvious mistakes they really shouldn’t have made, or were just the last gasp of a series that had run out of steam a movie or two earlier, some just set out to be as firmly average and bland as they could be whatever the subject matter or possible potential. (there are four horror movies on this list because a horror movie only has one job: be scary. If you don’t want to do that, make something else)

WEDDINGS? GIGS? SPORTING EVENTS? AIRPORT TRANSFERS? WE HAVE YOU COVERED!

*TOY STORY 4 *PARASITE *ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD *JOHN WICK 3 *READY OR NOT *THE IRISHMAN *PAIN AND GLORY *THE REPORT *PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE *LITTLE WOMEN Written by Anthony Morris

GEELONG/MELBOURNE/SURROUNDS STARCHAUFFEUR@HOTMAIL.COM 0434 251 410

“HELP ME FIND MY FUREVER HOME” ALVIN. Hi, my name’s Alvin and I was brought in to the shelter back in April. I’m ready for a new home now but I have some requirements if that’s ok.

I’m getting older and sometimes I can be a little cranky, I’m a bit set in my ways you see. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very friendly and can be quite affectionate.

I just like things on my own terms. I’m ok with other cats but I can be a little dominant so they’ll need to understand I’m the boss.

STAY IN YOUR ELEMENT There’s something special about Richmond. On the fringe of the city, one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs bustles with the energy of people going about their day, sipping on a coffee from one of the multiple cafes along Swan Street, settling in for a beer at the local with mates gearing up for a show, or a match at the mighty MCG. The mighty Colosseum looming over Richmond station, bathing it in light. Rock shows, galleries, sporting spectacles, parks and the Yarra River trail all within walking distance. It’s everything you could want. So when we were presented with the opportunity to spend time in one of Melbourne’s newest hotels, the Element Melbourne Richmond – we jumped at the chance.

Nestled away on Swan street, just a stone’s throw from the Burnley Station, Element Melbourne Richmond oozes class from the moment you walk by the water feature and into the main lobby.

Designed by award-winning Melbourne architects, Rothelowman, a curved façade reflects the winding

Yarra River, while tones inspired by the Australian flora sit throughout all interior spaces, which brings a unique modern style that is completely transfixing.

Upon arrival, you are warmly greeted with a glass of sparkling wine, immediately making it clear that your comfort is the staff’s number one priority.

With a fabulous restaurant on the ground floor, the Mint Lane Restaurant and Bar has a great diner feel to it that extends into an absolutely stunning outdoor area, consisting of two completely decked out bungalows where you can chill out under the stars, catch up with family or friends, or just mingle with other guests. And should you feel the need to travel with your beloved four-legged family members – Element Melbourne Richmond even caters to your furry friends too, providing them with their very own mini bar of treats! No stone has been left unturned.

With some of the premier world sporting events just around the corner, I can think of nothing better than settling into Rod Laver Arena for a few matches of tennis at the Australian Open before heading over to catch a set from none other than Mr Billy Idol, the dynamic duo The Veronicas, Lismore rockers Grinspoon or perhaps the Brisbane pop outfit Cub Sport (all appearing at the Australian Open 2020).

With guest experience well and truly at the heart of

this hotel, the team will be offering several thoughtful gestures to hotel guests to enhance their Aussie Open adventures come January, including the gift of a tennis survival kit, equipping guests with the essentials for a long day at the tennis (complete with a hat, sunscreen, bottled water and an energy bar).

After you’re done causing a racket at the AO, cap off your evening by taking in the local sights and sounds of Swan street on the walk back to the Element, checking back into the King Suite, and climbing into the balcony spa with an ice-cold beer. Ahhh Richmond.

Element Melbourne Richmond is located at 588 Swan Street, Richmond, Melbourne. To book, call 03 9112 8888 or visit www.marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/ melel-element-melbourne-richmond/

I love to eat! I’d eat all day if I kept getting fed and I’ll steal food from others, so you’ll have to keep my weight under control. I guess if I was out of the shelter, getting a little exercise, I might work some of that weight off anyhow!

I have to admit I sleep a lot these days but I think I’d enjoy some outside time. I think I’d make a great mouse catcher! Maybe a home on a farm would be fun, I could keep your rodent population under control!

HEAD TO WWW.GAWS.ORG.AU/ TO ADOPT YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND. BY OFFERING YOUR HEART AND HOME TO A RESCUED ANIMAL, YOU’LL NOT ONLY BE ENRICHING YOUR LIFE — BUT SAVING THEIRS! TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND, VISIT GAWS AT 325 PORTARLINGTON ROAD, MOOLAP.

Hot tip: Check out the AO Live Stage lineup via ausopen.com/ao-live-stage and tee up your hotel stay with the acts you want to see!

Written by Matt Wilkinson

FORTÉ 730

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REVIEWS BY ANTHONY MORRIS

THE WILD GOOSE LAKE

JOJO RABBIT

LITTLE WOMEN

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL

Gangster Zenong Zhou (Chinese television star Hu Ge) is on the run from the law. Laying low, his path crosses that of the seemingly innocent Liu Aiai (Lun-Mei Kwei), who has a secret of her own: she’s a sex worker who’s one chance at freedom is to bring him in. What follows moves back and forth in time, as flashbacks fill in the details of Zhou’s underworld past and how he got into this predicament, while in the present the pair are hunted along the shores of (you guessed it) Wild Goose Lake. Writer-director Diao Yi’nan follows up his critically acclaimed and award-winning Black Coal with another look at the dark side of China’s economic growth, mixing memorable violence and an intricate gangster plot filled with double crosses and payback to create an elegant neonoir where the style is the substance.

The war is not going well for Nazi Germany, but for ten year old Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) it’s the most exciting time of his life: Hitler Youth Camp! Unfortunately all the other Nazis bully him and even his imaginary friend Adolf Hitler (director Taika Waititi) isn’t much help. At least his mother (Scarlett Johannsen) is kind and loving - though worryingly anti-authority – and while his dad is off fighting the war, the one-eyed and extremely cynical officer (Sam Rockwell) in charge of the city’s defences against the oncoming Russians and Americans is usually around to dispense some advice.

But what’s with the scratching noises coming from his dead sister’s bedroom? Turns out his mother is hiding a teenage Jew (Thomasin McKenzie), and Jojo’s world is about to be turned upside down. This is much closer to a smart, funny version of the endless stream of “kids under the Nazis” movies (The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Life is Beautiful, etc) than a film trying to say anything about today’s world, which means it often comes off as a little toothless satire-wise. But it’s funny and charming, and the performances are great; it’ll be seen as a classic if people take it for what it is.

To get the obvious out of the way: Little Women is a delight from starting to finish, and endlessly loveable and heart-warming (in the best way) look at life and finding your way in it that’s thoroughly feel-good without being sappy or one-dimensional. The performances are spot-on across the board from Saoirse Ronan as Jo to Bob Odenkirk as the dad, the teen angst is both heartfelt and funny, the girl’s adventures are thrilling yet down-to-earth, and the whole thing is a must-see whatever your taste or mood. And all that needs to go up the front of the review, because is Little Women really much of thing in Australia? In the US it’s this muchloved classic that’s part of the culture; everyone knows at least the bare bones of the story of Jo March and her three sisters growing up during the Civil War without their father, falling in love and trying to figure out how to stay true to themselves. So much of the publicity is basically “it’s the return of a much loved classic”, only if it’s not that much-loved here it might fall through the cracks. Which would be a real shame, as director Greta Gerwig has done an excellent job, and Little Women is a joy.

On an isolated island off the coast of France, Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) refuses to have her portrait painted.

She is promised to be married to a man who has never seen her; if he likes her portrait, then they will be wed, and that is not what she wants.

The first painter sent to the island left in failure. Now her family are taking a different approach, sending Marianne (Noémie Merlant) to the island. There she’ll pretend to be a companion for her on walks, secretly observing her to paint her portrait in private later. A relationship soon forms; the course that relationship takes is both predictable and startling.

A love story, an exploration of the relationship between subject and artist, an examination of the (often buried or supressed) place of women’s art in the world; there’s a lot to take in here. But wirter-director Céline Sciamma centres all this on her two leads, keeping things deeply personal even as the ideas explored spread wide.

It’s no dispassionate discussion of high art; the passion that builds – but can’t be openly expressed – between these women is as intense and scorching as any love story. It’s a love story about how art can send love out into the world; don’t miss it.

It’s been a few years since the events of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and while everyone else has bloomed after the chance to stretch their personalities in the video game world of Jumanji, Spencer (Alex Wolff ) is struggling with the feeling he’s going nowhere. So what better place to reconnect with being the cool dude he knows he is than by going back?

When his friends find out they follow – there’s no way he can defeat the game on his own – only to find Spencer’s grandfather (Danny DiVito) and his former best friend (Danny Glover) get drawn in as well. Which means in the video game world Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black get to pretend they’re being controlled by different people this time (Hart does well; Johnson, not so much), while Karen Gillen is the one who knows what she’s doing. The first film worked because it was a solid action adventure with some interesting character twists; the twists here aren’t as satisfying or as straightforward, but the action remains decent (a moving maze involving mandrills and rope bridges is pretty impressive). The same old jokes still get laughs a second time around too; if you liked the first, this won’t disappoint.

wax wash presents

record watch STAFF PICKS The Soft Parade - 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

TALIA • LIME CORDIALE - PERMANENT VACATION

The Doors’ fourth studio album, The Soft Parade, became the band’s fourth straight Top Ten album when it was released 50 years ago. Despite featuring one of the group’s biggest hits – “Touch Me” – it remains the mostpolarizing record of The Doors’ career thanks to the brass and string arrangements that embellish several tracks.

NATHAN • LIILY - I CAN FOOL ANYBODY IN THIS TOWN GLENN • KRISIUN - SCOURGE OF THE ENTHRONED

The Soft Parade: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition includes the original studio album – and the B-side “Who Scared You” – newly remastered by Bruce Botnick, The Doors’ longtime engineer and mixer. The collection is a limited edition of 15,000 individually numbered copies and also includes the original album on 180-gram vinyl along with liner notes by noted rock journalist David Fricke.

MATT • MOTRONOMY - THE ENGLISH RIVIERA

CHLOE • THE JONAS BROTHERS - BURNIN’ UP

Tourbus Entertainment is located at 65 Yarra Street, Geelong. You can even shop online via tourbusentertainment.com.au

SESSION TIMES Decembb 26th - Januuy 15th

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JOJO RABBIT

NEW N Z / U S A N a z i C o m e d y 1 0 6 m i n s

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Thu 26th 10am, 2pm, 6.30pm & 8.40pm Fri 2 7 th 10am, 2.30pm, 6.30pm & 8.40pm S a t 2 8 t h 12.15pm, 2.30pm, 7pm & 9pm S u n 2 9 t h 10am, 2pm, 6.30pm & 8.40pm Mon 30th 10am, 2.30pm, 6.30pm & 8.40pm T u e 3 1 s t 10am, 12pm, 6.20pm & 8.30pm We d 1 s t 12pm, 4pm, 6.15pm & 8.30pm Thu 2nd 11.45am, 4.15pm & 6.30pm F r i 3 rd 1 0 a m , 2 . 3 0 p m & 6 . 3 0 p m Sat 4th 10am, 2pm & 9pm S u n 5 t h 1 2 . 1 5 p m , 2 . 3 0 p m & 7. 2 0 p m Mon 6th 11am, 3.30pm & 6pm Tue 7th 11am, 1.15pm & 6pm We d 8 t h 1 p m , 3 . 1 5 p m & 8 p m T hu 9 t h 4 p m & 6.15pm F r i 1 0 t h 1 1 a m & 8.30pm S a t 1 1 t h 3 . 3 0 p m & 8pm S u n 1 2 t h 1 . 1 5 p m & 6pm M o n 1 3 t h 1 . 3 0 p m & 6pm T u e 1 4 t h 1 1 a m , 3 . 4 5 p m & 8.30pm We d 1 5 t h 1 . 1 5 p m & 6pm T hu 1 6 t h 1 p m & 5.40pm F r i 1 0 t h 1 1 a m & 3.30pm

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INDIANA JONES • MOLA RAM & THE THUGGEE’S

Prrdly SSving

W I L D GOOSE L A K E

PA I N & G L O R Y

Fri 27th 12.15pm Sat 28th 4.40pm Mon 30th 12.15pm T hu 2 n d 2 p m & 8.40pm Fri 3rd 12.15pm S at 4 t h 6.40pm S u n 5 t h 5pm Mo n 6 t h 8 pm T u e 7 t h 3 . 3 0 pm We d 8 t h 5 . 3 0 pm T hu 9 t h 1 . 3 0 pm F r i 1 0 t h 3 . 4 5 pm S a t 1 1 t h 5 . 4 0 pm Sun 12th 11am T u e 1 4 t h 6 pm

T hu 2 6 t h 4 .1 5 p m Sat 28th 10am Sun 29th 4.15pm Tue 31st 2.20pm Fri 3rd 8.40pm Sat 4th 4.20pm Sun 5th 10am Mo n 6 t h 1 . 1 5 pm T u e 7 t h 8 pm Mo n 1 3 t h 3 . 4 5 pm We d 1 5 t h 8 . 1 5 p m

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THE T RU T H

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Mon 30th 4.40pm Tue 31st 4.30pm T hu 2 n d 1 0 a m Fri 3rd 4.45pm S a t 4 t h 12.10pm We d 8 t h 1 1 a m S a t 1 1 t h 1 . 3 0 p m FINAL

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AU S T R A L I A R o m a n t i c D r a m a 8 8 m i n s

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T hu 2 6 t h 1 2 .1 5 p m Fri 27th 4.40pm We d 1 s t J a n 2 . 1 5 p m F I N A L

HAPPY SAD MAN AU S T R A L I A D o c u m e n t a r y 8 0 m i n s M

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T hu 9 t h 1 1 a m & 8.30pm F r i 1 0 t h 1 . 1 5 p m & 6pm Sat 11th 11am S u n 1 2 t h 3 . 3 0 pm & 8pm M o n 1 3 t h 1 1 a m & 8.10pm T u e 1 4 t h 1 . 1 5 pm We d 1 5 t h 1 1 a m & 3.30pm

COMING SOON

Jan 16th SORRY WE MISSED YOU Jan 23rd L I T T L E W O M E N Jan 30th BIG LITTLE FARM Feb 8th B E A T S Feb 13th PEANUT BUTTER FALCON Feb 20th H IS FOR HAPPINESS

wines and

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PROUDLY SERVING LETHBRIDGE WINES & TWO BIRDS BEERS

MARTYANDDOCOFFICIAL

GOOD TIMES AT GOOD THINGS WHEN: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 2019 WHERE: FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE, MELBOURNE REVIEWED BY THOM DEVEREUX PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BRAYBROOK

FORTÉ PICK

Good Things Festival took over Flemington Racecourse last Friday, the punk and rock festival now entering its sophomore year. Boasting an explosive line-up of Aussie and international acts, Good Things filled five stages for a nonstop day of loud, distorted guitars and pounding drumbeats.

As Flemington filled with leather jackets, heavy boots, and fishnet stockings, the Racecourse came to life with opening acts. American ska legends Reel

Big Fish opened Stage 1, their signature horns ringing across the grounds. John Christianson’s trumpet cut over the crowds, frontman Aaron Barrett joking to the audience between songs. RBF rocked their classic ‘Everyone Else is an Asshole’, while their ska cover of ‘Take on Me’ was a highlight.

Skegss took over Stage 2, their stoner surf-rock drawing the audience closer, vocals coming with a thick Aussie accent. Their stage presence was phenomenal: from the epic renditions, to necking beers onstage, to bringing a fan up to play. The only thing that could overshadow this performance was the impending aptly named event: “Wall of death when The Veronica’s play Untouched at Good Things”, a Facebook event that gathered almost five thousand ‘Going’ responses. The Veronicas built up to this, their ‘Take Me on the Floor’ and ‘Hook Me Up’ screamed back by the audience, before the brilliant cover of Blink-182’s ‘I Miss You’. Finally, the moment came, and after the second chorus of Australia’s unofficial national anthem ‘Untouched’ played, thousands

crashed together for the biggest Wall of Death the festival had seen.

Meanwhile, Slowly Slowly were tearing up Stage 4 with their punk rock set. The audience almost took the lead for ‘Jellyfish’, while front-man Ben Stewart lept from the stage during their closing track, carried wildly by the crowd, still belting out verses. It was easy to tell that Simple Plan were soon to hit the stage, as people began flocking to Stage 2. Drawing tracks from their five-album catalogue, this was their first time returning to Australia since bassist David Desrosiers rejoined after a brief hiatus. Simple Plan were strong, and amid the rainfall of audience-tossed toilet paper rolls they managed to take us all back to 2005 with classics like ‘Welcome to My Life’ and ‘I’m Just a Kid’.

Lead singer Pierre Bouvier also revealed that Simple Plan will return to tour Australia in 2020.

Violent Soho, playing their first live show in over a year, had obviously spent that time rehearsing. The instruments were tight, but the vocals from Luke Boerdam stood out. The call of “King or the viceroys…” could be heard across the whole racecourse. ‘Vacation Forever’ made its live debut, while ‘Liars’ was heard for the first time live since 2013.

While A Day to Remember’s explosive set was taking over Stage 2, Simple Creatures began their set on the other side of the grounds. Comprised of Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus and All Time Low guitarist Alex Gaskarth, side-project Simple Creatures bought their “trashy-pop” Australia for the first time, their two EPs coming to life brilliantly. A mix of bass, guitars and synths, the duo’s stage dynamic showed their chemistry as musicians. Highlights from their set included ‘Thanks, I Hate It’ and ‘One Little Lie’, opting to skip leaving for an encore for the latter.

Good Things 2019 was electric – it was loud, heavy and just fucking awesome. It was punk, but there was a sense of comradery in the crowd. Amid the moshing and walls of death, the audience was looking after one another. If someone fell, they were helped up. If a phone was dropped, it got back to its owner. Everyone wanted to have a good time, and it’s crowds like this that really make festivals like Good Things that little bit more special. A great mix of international and Aussie acts, I think I speak for everyone there when I say we can’t wait for Good Things 2020.

SUNSHIP BALLOON Intergalactic Teacup Travel Centre Sunship Balloon Reviewed by Kim Price

If you’re a fan of psychedelic then you’ve found yourself a new favourite band in Sunship Balloon.

Sunship Balloon is the side-hustle from Dan Haggis and Tord Øverland-Knudsen, two members of your favourite UK band The Wombats.

For the past 15 years, the duo have created some of the biggest dance numbers and realised they had hard drives filled with song ideas with no home. Thus, Sunship Balloon was birthed.

There are hints of The Wombats but there’s something new.

The fusion of psychedelic and pop creates rapture and makes Sunship Balloon an instant crowd-pleaser.

Within the first 10 seconds if you’re not up and moving then you must be ill. Even when I’m not meaning to, I find myself bopping along to beat and it’s infectious.

In Plastic We Trust is an absolute banger and a half from the word go. Re-listening after a dance sesh, the lyrics have deeper meaning about the current state of the world. Confusion sets in as you want to dance, but the words give a morbid reminder of our desperate environment state.

With vibes resonate to Tame Impala and King Gizzard and The Wizard Lizard, Sunship Balloon is fresh, quirky and groovy. Add the boys to your party playlist and introduce your friends to the next big thing.

KING COYOTE

FIONA KERSHAW

KIKX

SAAVAN

Wild

Rise Above

Lost Poets Now 1979 – 2019

Observatory

Independent

Independent

Independent

Yunizon Records

Reviewed by Jess Sercombe

Reviewed by Renée N. Abbott

Reviewed by Thom Devereux

Reviewed by Kim Price

KIKX were originally formed as a ‘new wave’ band from the ashes of the band Lizard, in Geelong 1979, before disbanding two years later. Almost four decades later, the original band members reformed in 2017, and released their first original material since.

Album opener ‘Nova Express’ tells that story of a fantasy heroine from Venus, coming to life with distorted electric guitars and crashing drums. The verse vocals become monotone, however, the bass can be heard operating brilliantly from behind.

‘French Curves’ is a grungey and darker song, the bass once again really pushing it along. The deep, almost spoken chorus consists of one line repeated in a creepy manner: “I wish I had a set of French curves”. ‘Pigeon French’ follows the French theme of the previous two tracks, vocalist Kerry Hunter taking the lead in the foreign language for the first half. She sounds great and holds her time well. The drums are another highlight of this one, the closing minute is probably the finest display of KIKX’s musical ability.

There are little things littered through this album that are great. For example, in the middle of the fourth minute of ‘Science Speaks to Me’ there’s an electric lead lick that sounds pretty cool, sliding seamlessly along. Unfortunately, there are spots on this album where the instruments sound slightly out of place, and times where the vocals fall out of time. This album is definitely one for fans of Aussie pub rock.

Saavan’s sophomore EP Observatory is one to carry you through to the early morning. The French duo comprised of Lucas Mokrani and Claire Lengaigne have well and truly earned their place on your house party list.

Their captivating vocals teamed with swirling melodies have you swaying around the room until the beat drops and a whole other feeling is evoked.

Saavan combines chill electronic melodies with a strong backbeat to create the perfect soundtrack for your summer mix. The five-track EP has everything you want in it and more.

‘Young Minds’ is a perfect brooding electronica track reminding me of classic alt-J tunes amongst the pair’s heavy instrumental layering. Every sound from church bells, slide guitar to rustling leaves appear on the track as it transports you around and around.

The contrasting vocals between the ethereal Lengaigne to Mokrani’s deep voice come together beautifully and makes for mesmerising listening across the EP. Observatory follows from Saavan’s first release Slow and once you start listening, you’ll only want more from the duo.

I’m looking forward to seeing what the French natives have in store the coming year because if it follows the same trend as their past two EPs, it’ll be fantastic.

Full of sludgy bass grooves, hard drums, and With a carefree conversational style and reclining psychedelic riffs, King Coyote’s new EP release Wild whispers of narration, Fiona Kershaw explores the definitely leaves you howling for more. Short but sweet, altitudes of expression to Rise Above the complications the EP includes four tracks that just make you wonder of highly-produced recordings; arriving at a sound which is as raw and rustic as a rural field. An ambling “what are these kids doing teasing us with these little singles and EPs? GIVE ME A FULL ALBUM, DANG IT, vocal style drifts across raspy riffs of strings to generate placid plains of country comfort.

I KNOW YOU’VE GOT ONE IN THERE”.

The first tune off the top ‘Running Wild’ is An amiable chord descent propels the piece entitled everything you want out of a lone wolf, walk-like-a- ‘Feel Alive’, beginning with brisk optimism brimming badass kinda song. Solid build-up, drums that’ll run with brightness and chordal augmentation; and off without you if you don’t catch up and all that speaking of natural imagery and the soothing salubrity fuzzed-up guitar goodness. of love, tenderness, and music.

‘Coca Cola’ keeps the party going with a summer An obvious advocate of artistic accompaniments, pub-rock banger, giving me strong DZ Deathrays Fiona has enhanced her album with her own vivid depiction of striating colour, ambiguously symbolic dance-rock vibes. ‘Moonlight Queen’ is a grungy serenade in a leather jacket with some neat riffs in of both the sun and river tributaries populous with life. between. ‘Diamonds’ starts off a bit dreamy, kinda like Environmental issues are a strong constituent of a prom scene from some ‘90s high school flick where Fiona’s philosophies; as is evident in the piece ‘Smoke boy locks eyes with girl from across the room. It doesn’t So Thick’, which was penned to convey the atmosphere take long for it to pick up and serve a bit more power of a fire from which she herself was forced to flee. So but the vibe overall is more of a sleazy strut, weaving in resonant is her passion for the cause that 50 percent between gravelly howls and dirty guitar to psychedelic of her album profits will be pledged to the New South dreamland and back.

Wales Rural Fire Service.

Think Royal Blood, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, An album of organic, temporal and romantic Bad//Dreems - sexy sludgy. Looking forward to the reflections, Fiona theorises that ‘Somewhere in another album one day, boys! dimension; in another time; you are mine’ – a notion which compels us to dream with the imagination she so gently wishes to inspire.

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SIR ELTON JOHN DAZZLED BOTH THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART AT A DAY ON THE GREEN WHEN: SATURDAY DECEMBER 7 2019 WHERE: MT DUNEED, GEELONG PHOTOS BY CHELSEA SIENNA KING Famed as one of pop culture’s most enduring performers, Sir Elton John did not disappoint as 20,000 fans were taken on a musical and highly visual journey at Mt Duneed this December. Gifted with the most perfect evening, punters quickly covered the grassy surrounds of the winery with rugs, picnics, and chairs as they set themselves up for what would be an innovative, daring and emotional affair.

Kicking off the festivities, Aussie songwriter Tate Sheridan took to the stage as the sun began to set and cheese boards were aplenty, providing a classically

smooth introduction to the magical evening that was to follow.

With the charming combination of his gentle nature and the rustic tones of the old Americana pulsating through the winery surrounds, Sheridan brought his latest solo work, Angel Man, to life, alongside tracks from his impressive back catalogue.

Standout songs included ‘Young Love’, title track ‘Angel Man’ and ‘Two Steps Back’ – a funky number reflecting on life as a musician. A personal highlight was Sheridan’s final song, ‘Alright’. Lifted from his 2016 EP Nothing Else, the track demonstrated his ability to play with a maturity and sensitivity well beyond his years.

Despite being a relatively unknown name amongst the crowd, his skills on the piano, purposeful communication with the crowd, sublime vocals, and his gracious persona shone through his set. Having first supported Sir Elton John when he was just 23 years old, the Sydney musician subtly wooed the crowd with his unique storytelling and moving and emotional compositions, proving just why he was handpicked by Elton to warm audiences on this epic Farewell Yellow Brick Road Australian Tour.

With the capacity to bring together both the young and the young at heart, it’s simply an understatement to say Sir Elton John captured hearts of the crowd at a day on the green. As the last tour of its kind by the

celebrated songwriter and iconic showman, this was a bitter-sweet experience for so many – from those that were experiencing an Elton performance for the very first time, and for those trying to accept that it would be their very last time.

Promising an unforgettable performance as he bids farewell to the stage, the 72-year-old’s energy was grandiose, hit outfit dazzling, and vocals flawless (despite the classically cool Geelong air) as he opened with the weird and wonderful 70’s hit ‘Bennie and the Jets’.

With the crowd on their feet, Elton launched into the rock classic ‘All the Girls Love Alice’, followed by ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues’, the timeless singalong lifted from Elton’s seventeenth studio album Too Low For Zero, and ‘Border Song’ from his self-titled 1970 sophomore album, which took shape as a warming tribute to the late, great Aretha Franklin, whom recorded the track for her Young, Gifted and Black album in 1972.

Beloved tracks ‘Tiny Dancer’ and ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ followed, where the long-time fans were able to indulge in these tracks being delivered with the same level of high vigour as they first were when they were released, while the screens surrounding projected a collection of footage of happy, colourfully dressed people from all different walks of life.

A welcomed surprise was Elton’s unexpected performance of ‘Indian Sunset’. Lifted from his fourth album Madman Across The Water in 1971, Elton explained that the seven-minute song focuses on the events surrounding the Trail of Tears, and the displacement of many Native American groups by the United States. Being a song that was sampled in the Eminem-produced Tupac track ‘Ghetto Gospel’, it was a clever way to keep the crowd on their toes and create an inclusive experience for the younger generations.

While it’s nearly impossible to pick the most iconic tune from the legend, one that is certainly up there is his 1972 hit song ‘Rocket Man’ which is also the name of the critically acclaimed biopic that hit the big screen earlier this year. Quite clearly a crowd favourite, this one had everyone on their feet with wine bottles in hand and flashing ‘Elton merch’ glasses on their faces, which was just phenomenal to be a part of.

With the reality setting in hard and fast that this was, in fact, the very last time we would see Elton John performing live on stage, the famed musician continued with the energetic, dazzlingly original and joyful celebrations, performing the likes of ‘Take Me to the Pilot’, ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’, ‘Levon’ and ‘Candle in the Wind’ which burned bright as one of the most beloved songs as photos of the late Marilyn Monroe flashed up on the screen.

Rounding out the second half of the set, Elton shared the overwhelmingly beautiful tracks ‘Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding’, ‘Daniel’, and ‘Sad Songs (Say So Much)’ before launching into the funky dance numbers ‘I’m Still Standing’, ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’.

With a career spanning more than 50 years, complete with 38 gold records and 31 platinum and multi-platinum albums, and over 50 Top 40 hits, Elton’s final farewell was a meticulously crafted, beautiful combination of crowd favourites, singalongs, and sentimental and numbers, which were complimented by mesmerising, never-beforeseen images and videos displayed on the screens throughout the winery surrounds.

Oozing a genuine gratitude and appreciation for his long-time supporters and longstanding band members (Nigel Olsson on drums, esteemed musical director Davey Johnstone on guitar, virtuoso Ray Cooper on percussion, Matt Bissonette on bass, John Mahon on percussion, and Kim Bullard on keyboards), Elton made an ever-lasting impression on the 20,000 people at a day on the green as he performed his two final songs, ‘Your Song’, which stands as one of the most beautiful love songs ever written and ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’, his tour namesake and title-track from an album that found Elton John at the peak of his powers.

Famed for being intimate and personal, while also spectacular and daring, Sir Elton John left no stone unturned for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road global tour. While I admit I was more excited to take my mother to see one of her all-time favourites at the time, I left that concert with a new-found appreciation for one of the most legendary performers in our lifetime, and I think it’s going to be a long, long time before I witness another performance quite like that.

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STONEFIELD

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MELBOURNE MUSIC WEEK

As an event that has fostered a reputation for turning some of the city’s most iconic spaces into immersive hubs of music, arts and culture, Melbourne Music Week continues to thrive year after year – and this year was no exception.

With so many gigs on, it was impossible to get to them all but we thought we’d get involved and send our esteemed photographer Joshua Braybrook to capture some of the magic that is MMW 2019.

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BLUES NEWS

WRITTEN BY JOHN (DR JOHN) LAMP

TOO HEAVY TO HUG

SURFBEAT

WRITTEN BY ANTHONY MORRIS

POP

PULP

WRITTEN BY PAUL S. TAYLOR

WRITTEN BY JOHN FOSS

For a long, long time, television was a clear step below the movies. It wasn’t an unbridgeable gulf - Clint Eastwood stared off as an actor on cowboy TV series Rawhide - but it was big enough of a moat to make crossing it very difficult.

The idea of taking a still viable cinema franchise and doing a version for television - say, making a James Bond series in the 60s or 70s - was crazy. If you’ve heard anything at all about the internet’s newest fave Baby Yoda you probably already know where I’m going with this.

Disney’s plans for total media domination aren’t exactly a secret, and streaming Star Wars series The Mandalorian is a big part of them. Which is a little surprising, because the show itself is basically a bigbudget version of the kind of television series that was standard 60 years ago: a bunch of stand-alone episodes that involve a lone hero doing what he’s got to do in a dangerous time. Some call it a western, other, slightly more snobbish types call it a samurai series, and those with half a brain know that during the 50s and 60s the samurai and western genres fed off of each other and trying to separate them is kind of silly.

The big touchstone here now that Baby Yoda is floating around is Lone Wolf and Cub, an (excellent) manga series that spawned as series of (pretty decent) movies, and then television series and other movies and comic book sequels and loads of rip-offs because the idea of a super-deadly tough guy wandering around protecting a baby / small child is a really good one.

But again, Lone Wolf and Cub is a product of the early 70s, and so not exactly cutting-edge television. But we all know what else is a product of the early 70s’ fading fascination with westerns and samurai and lone heroes and so on: Star Wars. Doing a Star Wars take on Lone Wolf and Cub is such a Star Wars thing it’s no wonder people are excited, because it suggests that there are still relevant areas of the pop culture past Star Wars can rip off to stay alive.

So while the Star Wars movie in cinemas now is being pitched as “an ending” - storylines will be wrapped up, characters might die, whatever comes next will have moved on - what will really be ending is the idea of telling big stories in the Star Wars universe.

Disney thought they had another Marvel, where characters make big decisions that affect the course of the world around them; what they really had was another James Bond, where characters battle against an unchanging backdrop and you have to space things out because when things don’t change things get boring fast. But where James Bond has firmly remained a movie character, the future of Star Wars - even if it keeps coming back to the big screen - is good old-fashioned serial drama, better known as television.

Culturally The Mandalorian is going to be the biggest Star Wars hit of the year even if the new movie makes a trillion dollars; the spaceships stayed big, it’s just the screen that got small.

Hot damn, guys, we made it! Another year has gone by and somehow, I’m still employed at Forte, talking about comics week after week. Believe it or not, Pulp has been going on for near on seven years – way back in 2013, my mate Cameron and I thought it’d be funny to get paid to write about the topics we talked about when we were trying to waste time at work. Back then, I was brand new to the comic scene; I’d just jumped on board in time for the New 52, and I had a lot to catch up on. One of the benefits of this gig, after all this time, is that I get to wax lyrical about the time-honoured classics, the best of the ongoing series’ and the up and comers that are going to make waves. This week’s comic, Son of Man, is an ambitious indie sci-fi tale that – with a little refinement – could easily fit into the latter category.

In 2087, scientific maverick Roman Loken suffers a humiliating defeat in an attempt to win a life-changing grant. Ashamed, furious and relapsing into alcoholism, Loken retreats from the public eye, leaving his assistant Nate Nguyen to chart his own course in life. Years later, Loken contacts Nguyen out of the blue, summoning him halfway across the world to embark on a mission that will change the world: clone Jesus Christ. Nate attempts to temper Loken’s lofty ambitions, but it’s too late; both Nate and Loken have been drawn into a vast conspiracy that started with Loken’s fall from grace and will likely end with them both dead.

I should preface the following paragraph by saying that Son of Man is absolutely an indie comic. Written and drawn by a pair of mates from Melbourne – Eli Abidin and Benjamin Davies, respectively – Son of Man is seemingly their first venture into the comic world. I did some digging, and I couldn’t find anything of note that indicates prior experience. Son of Man certainly reads like a first attempt, as well.

Abidin is certainly aiming high with his story of spycraft and scientific genius, but the whole thing seems overly convoluted and rather hard to follow. About halfway through a new character appears that is framed as a villain and is (rightly) immediately treated with suspicion but is then mourned like an old friend when seemingly killed off. There is clearly a bigger story planned, but the first volume doesn’t come close to laying out a cohesive narrative.

Similarly, Benjamin Davies’ art tries but doesn’t quite make it to the lofty heights the storyline aspires to, and in some cases actually detracts from the story.

With all that being said, Son of Man is still a first attempt at a massive-scale story. The first TPB was published in 2016, but the series itself dates back to 2013, and I have high hopes that time will have allowed both Abidin and Davies to grow and further refine their respective crafts.

I did a little digging around and their Facebook talks about taking on constructive criticism so I’m hopeful that Son of Man will grow into the sci-fi epic it’s meant to be.

With the criticism out of the way, we’re done for the year! I’ll be off for the Christmas break, but rest assured Pulp will be back and better than ever for 2020. Have a fantastic break, everyone!

No prizes for guessing what this column is featuring this fortnight. Yes, it’s Bluestone Blues Festival time again.

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about (where have you been hiding!?) the Festival is over the New Year and is hosted by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club out at Murgheboluc Recreation Reserve.

Anyhow, getting back to the topic, there is an amazing line-up this year. On New Year’s Eve we have Brian Fraser and Dave the Bastard, Jump Cats, Nathan Beretta Band, The Detonators and Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers On Recovery Day (aka New Year’s Day) there’s Dog Gone South, Amnesia Blues Band, Jimi Hocking’s Blues Machine and Shane Pacey Trio.

The event kicks off at 6pm on December 31, 2019, and runs through to 5pm of New Year’s Day. There’s a mix of local and out of town bands.

A lot of these bands you have seen at the Club or other venues in town.

The Detonators are always a crowdpleaser, with Rockbottom James blasting it out on the chrome sandwich. The Jump Cats were down recently and play “jump blues.” Jump blues is an up-tempo style of blues, usually played by small groups.

It was popular in the 1940s and was a precursor of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. We’ll be seeing the New Year in with Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers, which will be a full-on session right up to the countdown!

On Recovery Day, Amnesia Blues Band from Gippsland are on. They are a traditional blues band, bringing you original blues with stories of hard drinkin’ women, lost loves and broken dreams. No funk, no soul, no rock and roll - just blues and boogie all the way! I know that I don’t have to introduce Jimi Hocking, he’s one of the best-known bluesmen around. Shane Pacey trio are from Sydney. Shane is also known for the band “The Bondi Cigars.”

This is a little different. Shane states “the main aim is to create something totally different to The Cigars”, a no-nonsense trip through the Blues back pages.

There’s camping, it’s licensed, there’s food, and hopefully, the coffee van will be there on Recovery Day! If you need to warm up for the New Year, then a good gig is Hurricane Hearn and The Howling Tornadoes on the 29th at Pistol Pete’s. The band consists of Bruce ‘Hurricane’ Hearn (vocals/harmonica), Nick Larkins (guitar), Peter Beulke (bass) and Greg Hynes (drums). It features members of renowned Melbourne bands, Strange Tenants, The Honeydrippers and Wild Pumpkins at Midnight. Hurricane Hearn & The Howling Tornadoes bring a fresh and original approach to the blues, performing their own songs, with an emphasis on great tunes and intelligent lyrics, as well as delivering a selection of powerful Chicago style standards.

Better book for both of those – it’s the time of year where everyone is getting out!

It’s the final issue of the year so let’s finish off THTH’s Top 5 of 2019!

3: Immanifest – Macrobial The first of two late year releases that made the top 5 list this year is from symphonic technical black/death metal band Immanifest. Whilst leaning on their notable influences (earlier Dimmu Borgir) and then mixing in futuristic themes across their superbly technically percussive tracks complete with sharp rhythms break-neck pace, Immanifest have mordernised this sound. There’s so much going on here on Macrobial that at times it feels manic, and that’s good because it gives the album so much listenability.

The stand out track here is ‘Wandjina’, an unrelenting, rapid, musical assault full of twists and turns while ‘Niflheim’ travels more on a straight line and isn’t as dense as other tracks on the album which gives a little more air to breathe and to focus on the groove and brilliant musicianship on offer here.

2: Cattle Decapitation – Death Atlas This is the second of the two late year releases in the list that made the top 5.

Chances are Death Atlas will make a lot of the top lists for 2019 and I believe one of those reasons has to do with the album’s theme; humanity will be the cause of the end of humanity, and these days there is a massive fear across the world that this is true. However, the album’s theme also touches on the fact there’s nothing humanity can do to halt the coming of the end times. Bleak, right? Check out ‘Bring Back The Plague’, a track about reducing the world’s population. Then there’s ‘Time’s Cruel Curtain’, a track that reminds us that in time, we’re all going to die.

Death Atlas is an extremely devastating statement both thematically and musically but it’s also brutal yet fresh, it rips and tears through everything surrounding it, whilst at other times it doesn’t and it’s in those times you can appreciate all that is Death Atlas.

1: Periphery – IV: Hail Stan If you’re a Periphery fan you’ll know it took almost a year for the band to put this record together and that this is their first record they have released independently on their own label. These points are important because the band took their time and made an album that answers to no one, and it shows. If you’re not a fan but you’re aware of Periphery then it’s more than likely you’ll have noticed this record seemingly dropped earlier this year out of nowhere.

IV: Hail Stan is a pulverising mix of the band’s trademark djent with chugging riffs, pounding beats all rolled together to create proggy tracks that are lightly sprinkled orchestral passages and electronics throughout. The album is bookended by opener ‘Reptile’ and closer ‘Satellites’. ‘Reptile’ is a near 17 minute progressive masterpiece that is hands down the song of 2019, and ‘Satellites’ is the perfect closer, part “ballad” and part balls-out chuggfest. Between the bookends sit tracks such as the punishingly heavy ‘Blood Eagle’, ‘Garden In The Bones’ which highlights its thick, rich tones and ‘It’s Only Smiles’ which is kinda cool as it’s reminiscent of the sort of tracks that were played in 90’s awkward teen romcom films.

Overall, IV: Hail Stan is, unsurprisingly, an immensely technical album full of genius compositions that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The attention to detail here is borderline obsessive compulsive and astonishing and the production is, as always, amazing.

BELLS BEACH SURF FILM FESTIVAL January 2020 will see the running of the 10th annual Bells Beach Surf Film Festival.

Since its humble beginnings back in 2010, the festival has grown to become the longest-running surf film festival in Australia bringing the world’s best surf films to Torquay every summer.

This year the festival has grown to present 15 surf films over five nights at the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. The program is packed with a wide range of award-winning surf films from Australia, USA, Argentina, the UK and Hawaii.

Highlights at this year’s festival include a special screening of TROUBLE: the Lisa Anderson story on Opening night (Thursday 2nd January). TROUBLE tells the story of USA surfer Lisa Anderson who would win four world surfing titles over two turbulent decades. This is no Gidget film… more a warts and all journey with one of the world’s best-ever female surfers.

Living on a beach, drugs, beach bums, a stint in juvenile hall… this remarkable documentary will have its Surf Coast Premiere next month.

Also screening at the festival is DELAMA WARRI, filmed and produced by local Surf Coast longboarder Sam Suendermann, a fantastic film celebrating the spirit of female surfing in Wadawurrong Country featuring local surfers and artists.

Other films to screen include PACIFICO also made by a local Melbourne based surf filmmaker as they travel in a van from California to Patagonia at the Southern tip of South America searching for the perfect wave. CORNER OF THE EARTH is another great film looking at the lives of surfers who seek that perfect wave deep in the Arctic circle.

A strong companion piece to PACIFICO is TRANSCENDING WAVES a stunning documentary produced by the Azulay Brothers, Julian and Joaquin from Argentina. TRANSCENDING WAVES follows the brothers as they travel to the Falkland Islands deep in the South Atlantic Ocean in search of waves. Their trip is unique as they travel by foot, van, plane and boat to catch a few waves amongst the 700 islands and better understand the geopolitics of the region.

The 2020 BELLS BEACH SURF FILM FESTIVAL.. featuring something for everyone and with the event celebrating its 10th birthday there will be quite a few surprises in store including some of the most incredible surf films you will ever see.

Go to www.bellsbeachsurffilmfestival. com for program and ticketing details.

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THE GUIDE THURS 19TH

BEAVS BAR: DAVE ANDERSON

BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN, KARAOKE WITH PAUL

BLOOM: AMINE EDGE & DANCE, NOISA

THE EASTERN: HIP HOP AT THE EASTERN. LAST SHOW 2019 EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ THE ESPY: PSILOVIBIN, ODD SOULS GOLDEN VINE: MUSO CHRISTMAS KEG PARTY LAMBYS: CHRISTMAS KICK OFF – REFINERY, ANDY FORSTER, DJ JOJO THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: SNUG PUGS, FROFFWITS, UNCLE CHARLIES PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC SPORTING GLOBE: LOVE ACTUALLY TRIVIA WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: HOW TO MAKE GRAVY FRI 20TH BEAVS BAR: JEFF JORDAN AND DAVE ANDERSON BELMONT HOTEL: END OF TERM PARTY BLOOM: NO SCRUBS 90S + EARLY 00’S XMAS PARTY

GROVEDALE HOTEL: CRAIG & DARA HOME HOUSE: TRADIE BREAKUP LAMBYS: ADAM 12, TROY BARRETT, DJ JO JO + JOUBS THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: KNOCK OFF W DERAILMENT MURPHYS: DAYS GONE BY OLD BAR: BEACH PRESS, MACROS, KRUL, THE NEW DREGS PISTOL PETES: JULIAN JAMES AND EZRA LEE QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: SPIRIT MASTERCLASS, DJ JIMI CRISP RECESS: FABULOUS FRIDAY SPORTING GLOBE: ACOUSTIC FRIDAYS THEATRE ROYAL: AUGIE MARCH VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: I AM WEST SAT 21ST AIREY’S PUB: GRAND PINE, ALISTER TURRILL BARWON CLUB: VEEPED X-MAS VIII

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PISTOL PETE’S: ALL STAR CHRISTMAS BAND SAILORS REST: ROOFTOP PARTY #5

EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE: LIVE MUSIC

TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

GOLDEN VINE: NEVER CHANGE TOUR GROVEDALE HOTEL: LEVI ANDERSON DUO HOME HOUSE: CIARRAN STOTT @ HOHO

BEAVS BAR: JEFF JORDON CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE PARK THE ESPY: OPEN MIC

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: DAL SANTO

MURPHYS: THE FERRITERS – CHRISTMAS EVE

THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: EMILY SOON, BEN LANGDON

PIANO BAR: ADULT’S ONLY CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY

MANCHESTER ARRMS HOTEL: SOUL CONTACT

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: POETRY NIGHTS

MAJOR TOM’S: RAISED BY EAGLES MAX WATT’S: BACK IN THE DAY ROCK N ROLL XMAS PARTY

WED 25TH (XMAS DAY) THE ESPY: XMAS DAY AT THE ESPY

MURPHYS: BLUE WAX TRIO

THURS 26TH (BOXING DAY) THE BARWON CLUB HOTEL: BUSHFIRE FUNDRAISER! BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

BLOOM: DANCING HEADS OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY

PISTOL PETES: CHECKERBOARD LOUNGE MEMPHIS FUNDRAISER

CORNER HOTEL: BOXING DAY BLUES W GEOFF ACHISON

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: PL@N B ROCKS

DANCING HEADS MUSIC FESTIVAL

SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAYS

THE ESPY: EL GUAPO

WORKERS GEELONG: SWEETHEARTS SOUL SESSIONS

OLD BAR: BOXING DAY BENEFIT FRI 27TH

SUN 22ND BARWON CLUB: SAGA CITY COVER BAND BARKING DOG: GUITAR BAR

BEAVS BAR: DAVE ANDERSON CORNER HOTEL: THE GRADE CRICKETER

BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER, DJ CHICKEN AND CHIPS

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ ESPY: BRONZE, HOLLOW DECEMBER

THE BRIDGE HOTEL: PATRICK WILSON

GOLDEN VINE: THE EMPIRE STRIKES HACK

CORNER HOTEL: DAN & AL XMAS SHOW

GROVEDALE HOTEL: CARLA & ADRIAN

EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

LAMBYS: ADAM12, ABE ANDERSON, DJ JOJO

THE ESPY: SUNDAY SESSIONS THE FOX AND THE HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: KNOCK OFF W PAPER TAPIR

THE GOOD BEER BAR: TEQUILA, TACOS & BEER

MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC OLD BAR: STRESS WALTERS , HOUSE WINE

GROVEDALE HOTEL: TASH & ADRIAN

PISTOL PETE’S: THE ETHAN FARMER BAND

THE INN: PARTY IN THE PARKING LOT LAMBYS: PRANK, ANDY FORSTER, JOUBS THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: CELESTIAL SERIES – SUMMER SOLSTICE 2019

MON 23RD TUES 24TH (XMAS EVE)

LAMBYS: BEDROCK, LUKE BISCAN, LIAM BLACKWELL, DJ JOUBS

PALAIS-HEPBURN: CLUB 54 BAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

GOLDEN VINE: THE JOHN GROSSMAN PROJECT

PIANO BAR: PITCH PLEASE

THE EASTERN: PARTICIPATION AWARDS

CORNER HOTEL: DEFINITELY PARKLIFE EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS

MAX WATT’S: DANNY WORSNOP

CORNER HOTEL: TRANSCONTINENTAL VIBRATIONS

OLD BAR: FRANCIS TAIT, HANNAH MCKITTRICK

THE ESPY: SOC POP #44: TWISTED WILLOWS, RANCID EDDIE

THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: MICK TREMBATH

THE BRIDGE HOTEL: AARON GOCS

THE BRIDGE HOTEL: BARRY MORGAN CHRISTMAS SHOW THE EASTERN: UTE ROOT XMAS PARTY

395-399 MOORABOOL ST, SOUTH GEELONG OPEN 7 DAYS (03) 52233322

PRESENTED BY

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: DJ JIMI CRISP TORQUAY HOTEL: YACHT CLUB DJ’S VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

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SAT 28TH BEAVS BAR: JEFF JORDAN BEYOND THE VALLEY CORNER HOTEL: THE GRADE CRICKETER EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: LIVE MUSIC THE ESPY: SOC POP #45: EARL GREY BREAKFAST TEA FALLS FESTIVAL GROVEDALE HOTEL: TRENT JANSZ HOME HOUSE: ANTHEMS (20122019) + LOCKDOWN LAMBYS: BEDROCK, TROY BARRETT, ZACH VALENTI THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: IRIS PRE 2020 PREP SHOW THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: ROD GEAR MAX WATT’S: BOBAN MARKOVIC PISTOL PETE’S: CREEK QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: MATTY ORCHARD SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAY’S TORQUAY HOTEL: SPIDERBAIT, THE LIVING EYES, MOODY BEACHES SUN 29TH BEAVS: DAVE ANDERSON, DJ CHICKEN & CHIPS BEYOND THE VALLEY THE BRIDGE HOTEL: GENA ROSE BRUCE EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE HOTEL: LIVE MUSIC FALLS FESTIVAL THE FOX AND HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS LIVE MUSIC GROVEDALE HOTEL: JAMES MARK LAMBYS: LEVI ANDERSON, LIAM BLACKWELL OLD BAR: HARPER BLOOM PIANO BAR: PITCH PLEASE! PISTOL PETE’S: HURRICANE HEARN & THE HOWLING TORNADOES! QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: THE PHIL ZINGER BAND SOUTH GEELONG FARMERS MARKET SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS THE TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS MON 30TH BEYOND THE VALLEY FALLS FESTIVAL NYE ON THE HILL QUEENSCLIFF TWILIGHT MARKET

TUES 31ST (NYE) BEYOND THE VALLEY THE BRIDGE HOTEL: NYE PARTY AT THE BRIDGE CORNER HOTEL: SOUL A GO GO - NYE THE DECK: WELCOME TO PROJECT E – NYE 2019 THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE HOTEL: GLITTER GANG, DJ JIM DANZA & BRIAN’S RETRO PARTY SET THE ESPY: NYE AT THE ESPY KINGSWOOD, YACHT CLUB DJ’S + MORE FALLS FESTIVAL HOME HOUSE: NYE 2020 CLUB FESTIVAL LAMBYS: SNACK ATTACK, LUKE BISCAN, DJ JOJO + DJ JOUBS THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: MOBSTERS, MOLLS & MOONSHINE NYE NYE ON THE HILL OLD BAR: NYE AT THE OLDIE PALAIS-HEPBURN: 2020 UNMASKED NYE DANCE PARTY PIANO BAR: NYE 2019 QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: NYE DANCE PARTY WITH DJ JIMI CRISP SAILORS REST: NYE ROOFTOP PARTY SPHINX GEELONG: COUNTDOWN TO 2020 WITH WOOSHKA THEATRE ROYAL: GLOW 2019 TORQUAY HOTEL: NYE PARTY WED 1ST (NYD) BEYOND THE VALLEY NYE ON THE HILL BEAVS: LUKE BISCAN, QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: JOSHUA BATTEN THURS 2ND BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ FORUM MELBOURNE: YUNGBLUD NIGHTJAR FESTIVAL TORQUAY: OPENING NIGHT PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC FRI 3RD

LAMBYS: ADAM 12, ANDY FORSTER, RESIDENT DJS

TUES 7TH THE ESPY: OPEN MIC

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: KOCK OFF! W LAZY SIDEKICK

FESTIVAL HALL: MILKY CHANCE

OLD BAR: CHOCCY FEST PISTOL PETE’S: SONIC BLUES PREACHER - NEVER ENDING TOUR

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

THURS 9TH BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER CORNER HOTEL: PINK SWEAT$

SAT 4TH

NIGHTJAR FESTIVAL TORQUAY: FEMALE FATALE

THE BARWON CLUB: MONSTERS OF THE DIRTY SOUTH, TRICK GYPSY, STRANGE UNIT, THE HOT COUSINS

PISTOL PETES: HANNE KAH (GERMANY) SONGS IN THE SOUTH

BEAVS BAR: JEFF JORDAN THE BRIDGE HOTEL: CONVENIENCE STORE, APELGATE, STOP THAT MAMMOTH CORNER HOTEL: TALKING HEADS EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

GROVEDALE HOTEL: CRAIG & DARA

THE EASTERN: FREYA J HOLLICK

LAMBYS: BEDROCK, LUKE BISCAN, RESIDENT DJS

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ FORUM MELBOURNE: OF MONSTERS AND MEN

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: OBSIDIAN MONOLITH

GOLDEN VINE: BLUE LUCAS, STRAWBERRY JAMZ, DANIEL AARON

PALAIS-HEPBURN: TEAM LOVE SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAYS

GROVEDALE HOTEL: LUKE LEGS DUO LAMBYS: ADAM12, ANDY FORSTER, RESIDENT DJS

SUN 5TH BARWON CLUB: THE LUKE HOSKINS EXPERIENCE, FLOWERS FOR COPS, WORM CULT, VON STACHE

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: KOCK OFF! X THE HUM DRUMS MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC

BARKING DOG: GUITAR BAR

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: DJ JIMI CRISP

BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN, DJ CHICKEN AND CHIPS

TORQUAY HOTEL: TOUCH SENSITIVE

EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

THE ESPY: BASIA BULAT (CANADA) THE FOX AND THE HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS

SAT 11TH

THE GOOD BEER BAR: TEQUILA, TACOS & BEER

BARWON CLUB: NEW AGE

GROVEDALE HOTEL: GEORGIA & ADRIAN

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: SALTED FISH

FESTIVAL HALL: LEWIS CAPALDI GROVEDALE HOTEL: JACK WRIGHT

SUMMER SUNDAYS BALLARAT TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS TORQUAY HOTEL: RUBY FIELDS MON 6TH OLD BAR: CLAIRE BIRCHALL, BANISH, SHEEPIES

BEAVS BAR: LIVE MUSIC CORNER HOTEL: MCLUSKY EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: LIVE MUSIC

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

FRI 10TH BARWON CLUB: NASAL SPRAY, MATT BOURKE & THE DELUSIONAL DRUNKS BEAVS BAR: LIVE MUSIC

THE BARWON CLUB: BEER GARDEN PARTY, DJ RAMDADDY

ESPY: ALI BARTER

PIANO BAR GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC

PIANO BAR GEELONG: B*TCHES WITH BALLS!

SPORTING GLOBE: ACOUSTIC FRIDAYS TORQUAY HOTEL: THE MURLOCS

BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS

MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC

FORUM MELBOURNE: LIZZO

LAMBYS: LEVI ANDERSON, LIAM BLACKWELL

BENDIGO HOTEL: CONVENIENCE STORE, MAJAK DOOR, FRANCO COZZO, MOUSEATOUILLE

FORUM MELBOURNE: VAMPIRE WEEKEND

BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN

RECESS: FABULOUS FRIDAY

MAX WATT’S: THE MIGHTY 90’S

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: POETRY NIGHTS WED 8TH

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: DJ JIMI CRISP

THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: ANNA BILLBROUGH

THE ESPY: TOUCH SENSITIVE FESTIVAL HALL: HERE COMES MAC DEMARCO

PALAIS-HEPBURN: FLOYD THURSBY PISTOL PETE’S: THE MOJO CORNER QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: THE GO SET SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAY’S TORQUAY HOTEL: THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: NANCIE SCHIPPER SUN 12TH BEAVS: LIVE MUSIC EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE HOTEL: LIVE MUSIC THE FOX AND HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS LIVE MUSIC LAMBYS: TROY BARRETT, LIAM BLACKWELL THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: ANNA SMYK PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: DEAN COCKERELL SOUTH GEELONG FARMERS MARKET SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS SUMMER SUNDAYS BALLARAT THE TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS MON 13TH OLD BAR: MO KENNEY TUES 14TH THE ESPY: OPEN MIC PISTOL PETE’S: PISTOLVILLE JAZZ PRESENTS NARDIA TRIO WED 15TH BEAVS: LIVE MUSIC CORNER HOTEL: MCLUSKY THE DOOR GALLERY CAFÉ: THE GRAM-O-PHONIE BROTHERS GOLDEN VINE: FIELDSY LIVE THE LOST ONES BASEMENT BAR: MO KENNEY

FORUM MELBOURNE: THE MIDDLE EAST

OLD BAR: TERRIBLE SIGNAL RESO 2, GUMBOOT, FREEDOM CLUB, HIGH MAINTEN

GATEWAY HOTEL: THE WOLFE BROTHERS

PIANO BAR GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC

GOLDEN VINE: BOOTS N ALL AT THE VINE LAMBYS: BEDROCK, ABE ANDERSON, RESIDENT DJS

STRINGS AMPS SHOES ACCESSORIES

VINYL CLOTHING GUITARS DRUMS

65 YARRA STREET GEELONG 0352983481

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DEC 27 YACHT CLUB DJS DEC 28 SPIDERBAIT DEC 31 NYE PARTY JAN 03 THE MURLOCS JAN 05 RUBY FIELDS JAN 10 TOUCH SENSITIVE JAN 11 THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS JAN 17 THE GROWLERS (USA) JAN 18 THE AMITY AFFLICTION JAN 19 THE AMITY AFFLICTION JAN 24 SECRET HEADLINER (ANNOUNCED JAN 1ST) JAN 25 A NICE DAY TO GO TO THE PUB 2 SOLD OUT

SELLING FAST!

SELLING FAST!

SOLD OUT

FEATURING COSMIC PSYCHOS AND FRIENDS

JAN 26 COASTAL JAM FEB 07 SUNNYBOYS FEB 14 EVES KARYDAS FEB 21 CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS SOLD OUT

WWW.TORQUAYHOTEL.EVENTBRITE.COM

PH: 5278 2911 54

SPHINXHOTEL.COM.AU FORTÉ 730

54

FRI 20 DECEMBER:

SAT 21 DECEMBER:

SUN 22 DECEMBER:

FRI 27 DECEMBER:

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

CRAIG & DARA

LEVI ANDERSON DUO

TASH & ADRIAN

CARLA & ADRIAN

Come on down and treat yourself to this dynamic duo. Craig and Dara have a diverse repertoire and an uncanny knack for playing the perfect song at the right moment.

To keep it fresh, Levi will be supported by a guest accompanist.

You’ll find out who on the night.

But what we can tell you is that you will love their dulcet tones.

Tash Melody (vocals) and Adrian Montagnese (on keyboard) know how to pack dance floors by taking you on a journey through the 70s to today, performing all your favs.

Carla Troiano (vocals) and Adrian Montagnese (on keyboard) know how to pack a dance floor with their blend of jazz, swing, classic soul/funk and pop — all with a modern twist.

SAT 28 DECEMBER:

SUN 29 DECEMBER:

FRI 3 JANUARY:

SAT 4 JANUARY:

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

TRENT JANSZ

JAMES MARK

JACK WRIGHT

CRAIG & DARA

Trent really knows how to read a crowd and entertain. You can be sure to hear not only current songs but also sounds from the 50s-60s and everything from rock to rap.

James Mark is a quirky, redheaded acoustic artist and singer/ songwriter. With over one hundred different cover songs in his catalog there is something for everyone.

Jack crafts lush melodies and up beat percussion filled with soul and passion. You can look forward to hearing influences from the likes of John Butler and Andy McKee.

Come on down and treat yourself to this dynamic duo. Craig and Dara have a diverse repertoire and an uncanny knack for playing the perfect song at the right moment.

SUN 5 JANUARY:

FRI 10 JANUARY:

SAT 11 JANUARY:

SUN 12 JANUARY:

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

GEORGIA & ADRIAN Georga Byrne (vocals) and Adrian Montagnese (on keyboard) know how to pack dance floors by taking you on a journey through the 70s to today, performing all your favs.

LUKE LEGS DUO

HARVEY

Luke & Michael play energetic shows of unique style. Enjoy harmonies, bangin drums and rhythm guitar by two.

You’re welcome.

CRAIG SAYER

Harvey is a multi-instrumentalist who uses a loop pedal, voice, guitar, trumpet and beat boxing.

Check out for yourself his good vibes and strong musicianship.

Craig has a diverse repertoire and an uncanny knack for playing the perfect song choices for any crowd. Come on down and experience this great local artist.

GROVEDALEHOTEL GROVEDALEHOTEL.COM.AU 1300GROVEDALE (1300 476 833)

* FRIDAYS

WEB. PHONE.

7PM-8PM *

ESPRESSO MARTINIS

— $12 —

FORTÉ 730

55

STELLAR FOLK, BLUES & ROOTS MUSIC FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE PLUS WORKSHOPS, THEATRE, FORUMS AND MORE

DAN SULTAN

RHIANNON GIDDENS (USA) & FRANCESCO TURRISI (ITA)

PATTY GRIFFIN (USA)

C.W. STONEKING ELEANOR MCEVOY (IRL) THE EAST POINTERS (CAN) ARCHIE ROACH H THE MAES

COOL OUT SUN H GRACE PETRIE (ENG) 0Ă0Ă 0,+,5$1*, 7+( 0Ă5(,.85$ 1=

+ MANY MORE

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT:

HARRY SHEARER THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA (USA)

INTRODUCES

A MIGHTY WIND

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.portfairyfolkfestival.com