Forte #734

#734 27.02.20 FREE

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RNE 2020

ELBOU M & Y E N D Y S

IN CONCERT WIT H

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

3–4 JUNE ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, HAMER HALL mso.com.au 2

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LADIES SAT 7 MARCH COMPLIMENTARY EXPRESSO MARTINI ON ARRIVAL BEFORE 11:00 PM

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FROM LOVE ISLAND

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SHUT UP & DANCE

Silent Disco FT. 3 CHANNELS

(RNB + BANGERS + CLASSICS) Andy Forster (Back Bar) Prank (Main Stage) DJ Liam Blackwell Doors: 9pm · Free entry for students, Hospo and Emergency Service workers Sunday Sesh still applys for Hospo + Emergency Service crew

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Food

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Creatives

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Reviews

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Columns

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FREE SHIT

2018 saw the Australian debut of the world’s premiere rock and metal festival Download! 30,000 heavy music fans and a killer lineup with the likes of Korn, Limp Bizkit, Prophets Of Rage, Mastodon, Northlane, and King Parrot descended on Flemington christening Melbourne into the Download family alongside Donington UK, (the spiritual home of rock), Paris France, and Madrid Spain.

In 2019, Download returned to Melbourne, serving up a mammoth line up of sonic brutality (think Slayer, Judas Priest, Alice In Chains and Rise Against) and great times to Sydneysiders for the very first time! The second edition saw the likes of powering the mosh pits of 2019.

Now 2020 is our year and Download is returning to Melbourne (with a new home at Melbourne Showgrounds) and Sydney for big number three, bringing along quintessential sad boys of punk, My Chemical Romance, which has surely delighted black-eyeliner-loving millennials everywhere! Alongside this exclusive show, Download will see the likes of Deftones, Jimmy Eat World, Clutch, Alestorm, Hands Like Houses, In Hearts Wake, New Years Day, Clowns, among many more take to the stage.

Ooftt, how’s that for a lineup?

Better start gathering your heavy music mates and get ready limbering up to hit the mosh pit stat! In the mean time though you should check out our cover story with Sacramento soldiers and festival favourites Deftones who are going to bring an absolute storm to Download 2020!

Further in this issue we chat to Melbourne four-piece Kingswood; 20-time Grammy Award winning guitarist Pat Metheny; American Singer, poet, writer and actress, Lydia Lunch; Mongolian rock outfit The Hu; former Charmed and Pretty Little Liars star Holly Marie Combs, plus heaps more.

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OCEAN ALLEY ANNOUNCE NATIONAL HEADLINE TOUR

KRISPY KREME HAVE LAUNCHED RICK AND MORTY THEMED DOUGHNUTS

Sydney groove purveyors Ocean Alley have finally announced their national tour for 2020 with shows in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in May and June. It’s been a long time between local headline gigs for the Northern Beaches powerhouses, with the upcoming tour marking two years since Ocean Alley’s last capital city run, and 18 months since their last regional dates in support of their second album, the criticallyacclaimed Chiaroscuro. Since then, the band have been writing and recording new music, with three singles released since – ‘Stained Glass’, ‘Infinity’ and ‘Tombstone’. We feel really good about what’s to come with these lads.

Catch them at Melbourne Arena on Friday 15 May. Photo by The Sauce / Tyler Bell

Of all the realities Rick and Morty could possibly stumble upon, this one is the most delicious!

In a collaboration out of this multiverse, Krispy Kreme have launched an official Rick and Morty range will in Australian stores. Using the perfect ingredients to create dimension-defying flavours inspired from some of the best episodes, Krispy Kreme are slinging the Simple Rick’s Wafer Cookie Doughnut (think vanilla crème, dipped in strawberry truffle and topped with a white choc wafer disc), the Strawberry Smiggles Doughnut (Original Glazed doughnut with strawberry filling topped with mini marshmallows, crunchy meringue pieces and confetti), and the Pickle Rick Doughnut (from a reality where pickles taste like lemon crème and white choc…!).

“Rick and Morty time! All day long, forever...” until the 16th of March or while stocks last.

AUSTRALIA WELCOMES ITS FIRST DRAG EXPO

JULIA STONE ANNOUNCES CHARITY ALBUM PROJECT ‘SONGS FOR AUSTRALIA’

Taking over the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre this August for two days, DragExpo is the chance for Australian fans to catch up with local and international drag artiste royalty fronted by DragExpo Ambassador, Karen From Finance. Meet the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, see Australia’s own drag legends and learn their inspiring stories, as well as enjoy a plethora of panels, tutorials, chill-out spaces, fabulous shopping stores, runways with Q&A sessions, meet and greets, official merchandise, a drag market and more. Guests will also learn how drag has evolved over the years, how Australia has given drag our own special flavour, and how drag artistes have a message we can all learn from. Most of all, visitors can learn the power that comes from letting you be your real self, with hundreds of like-minded fans on hand to cheer you on. Werk it! Tickets on sale via www.dragexpo.com/

Inspired to reach out further, Julia Stone has curated an epic album of covers to raise money for organisations helping to rebuild in the wake of Australia’s bushfire crisis. Titled Songs for Australia, the album features a huge slate of big names – both international and homegrown – covering classic Australian tracks. From The National covering INXS’ ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ to Kurt Vile putting his own spin on Nick Cave’s ‘Stranger Than Kindness’, the record is set to be pretty special. The tracklist also features the likes of Joan as Police Woman, Sam Amidon, Damien Rice, Dermot Kennedy, Martha Wainwright, Petit Biscuit, Pomme, Paul Kelly, Dan Sultan and Dope Lemon, covering tracks

by Matt Corby, SIA, Gotye and more. Songs for Australia will be released digitally on Thursday March 5 via BMG before being released on vinyl and CD in June.

Sarah Blasko - Sally Seltmann - Holly Throsby

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SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS HAVE DROPPED A MAMMOTH LINEUP FOR THEIR 20TH YEAR

CROOKED COLOURS AND SAFIA LEAD ABILITY FEST 2020

Time to end all speculations, the 2020 Splendour in the Grass line up is here and it is juicy AF with some nice international grabs, some familiar faces, and some certainly welcome surprises (sorry no Rage Against The Machine though) making it, arguably, one of its best lineups in years! Leading the lineup for their 20th anniversary are Flume, The Strokes, Tyler, The Creator, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Midnight Oil, Glass Animals, Violent Soho, and the inimitable Denzel Curry! The festival will also see performances from the likes of Duke Dumont, Mura Masa, King Krule, Grinspoon, King Princess, Tierra Whack, Stella Donnelley, Sampa the Great, Cub Sport, Thelma Plum, Julia Jacklin, The Chats, Rolling Blackout, Illy, and the list goes on. It goes down at Yelgun’s North Byron Parklands from Friday 24th – Sunday 26th of July.

Australia’s only fully inclusive music festival Ability Fest is back for 2020 and set to be bigger and better than ever when it takes over Melbourne’s Coburg Velodrome on Saturday, April 4. The brainchild of three-time Paralympic gold medallist and 10 time grand slam champion Dylan Alcott, Ability Fest is designed to bring music lovers together by inviting everyone – regardless of gender, disability or race – to enjoy some of the country’s best musical acts. And this year, they’re surely delivering Australia’s best with the likes of Crooked Colours, SAFIA, What So Not, and Seth Sentry leading the lineup. As always, 100 percent of proceeds will go towards helping the 4.3 million young Australians currently living with a physical or mental disability via the Dylan Alcott Foundation.

DREAM POP DUO OH WONDER ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR

EL CAMINO CANTINA PUTS THE BYO INTO BURRITOS

British alt-pop duo Oh Wonder will sashay back onto our golden shores this August with two very special shows in Sydney and Melbourne in support of their brand new third album No One Else Can Wear Your Crown – a dreamy stroll through the realities of love in the modern age.

With enchanting singles ‘Happy’, ‘Hallelujah’, ‘Better Now’ and ‘I Wish I Never Met You’, the album is bursting at the seams with love and just when you thought it couldn’t get anymore rose coloured, you find out that the bands two members, Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht are in fact in love….. with each other who first made waves in 2014 when they embarked on the ambitious project of releasing one song per month for an entire year. It will be a pleasure to witness Oh Wonder back on the East Coast of Australia, providing an irresistible taste of their homespun melodic magic. Catch them at 170 Russell in Melbourne on Sunday August 23.

Tex-Mex sweetheart El Camino Cantina is bringing out the burrito big guns; they’re called Build Your Own Burrito Bowls. Adding to its burrito repertoire, which consists of three bighitting flavour combinations served in traditional flour tortilla wraps and a healthier burrito ‘bowl’ that comprises an abundance of ingredients served in a bowl minus the tortilla, the BYO option ($15) enables customers to tailor-make a burrito bowl to suit their personal cravings.

All you need to do is pick a protein (there’s eight to choose from!), load up that little burrito baby with up to 13 ingredients, spanning pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, pineapple salsa, shaved cabbage, tortilla chips, black beans and red rice, and finish it with a choice of dressings, as well as the almost obligatory sour cream and Cheddar cheese… Voila. Burrito bliss awaits you at El Camino Cantina, located at the iconic 222 Brunswick Street in Fitzroy.

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SYDNEY & MELBOURNE 2020 DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA IS 100% festival favourites who consistently bring bigger and Yes, you read that right – the reason for Deftones stage at the time there was a popular thing happening in the DOWNLOADED INTO OUR CALENDARS AND 99% better shows to our shores every time. absence has been due to album writing and recording States with rock music and heavy metal and we could have easily rode some wave but we trusted our instincts INCOMING TO MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY WITH which Delgado confirms is fast approaching our ears.

A HUGE FILE OF TALENT READY TO INFECT “It seems like Australia has always has great festivals of what we thought we should be doing and that was a ever since we’ve been going there since the Big Day “We’ve been pretty much working on that for the last pretty big success at the time.”

OUR SERVERS. BIGGER THAN THE LIMEWIRE Out days. There is something about the rock shows out couple of years and it’s basically done. I think we need SHUT DOWN OF 2010, OUR GOTHIC HEARTS WEREN’T PREPARED FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT there! There are great rock fans out there obviously,” to tie up a few things here and there to fix it but I He continues, “At the time we were young and taking OF MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE REUNITING agrees turntablist, Frank Delgado. think that’s coming in the real near future – I know advantage of our creativity and our brotherhood and it it is,” he laughs. just seemed to really all work and I think all bands are AND RETURNING DOWN UNDER FOR SPECIAL chasing that at some point but I don’t think we were HEADLINE APPEARANCES AT THE FESTIVAL, They’re no strangers to the Download Festival line-up either with a monster set in UK in 2016 and have just been “It’s a Deftones record which I know that sounds cliché ever chasing that. I don’t think we’re always trying to NOR WERE WE READY FOR THE SWEETNESS announced for the epic 2020 line-up on the same circuit. or cheesy but we’ve never put up any walls and we’ve make a White Pony but we’re always trying to please OF JIMMY EAT WORLD, THE FULL-THROTTLE always gotten together and see what happens and as ourselves at the end of the day.”

OF CLUTCH, THE MAGIC OF MINISTRY (LAME long as everyone is together and happy and in good HARRY POTTER JOKE – SORRY!) AND THE “It’s crazy, it just one of those festivals that has history and it’s always been great. We’re always excited to play shape, we’re good and there was a lot of that. We don’t Could there potentially be anniversary celebrations on HEAT OF IN FLAMES.DFGDGDFGDFGDFHGD Download – I think most bands are,” he says. top of a new album release? really chase any sound or try and be a certain way. We Download Festival Australia is 100% downloaded just try to get better at what we do and put a whole into our calendars and 99% incoming to Melbourne To jet them into a full year of touring, and as part of package together where it sounds sonically amazing “I’m sure we might do a few things here or there but and Sydney with a HUGE file of talent ready to infect the Australian leg, the boys will be jumping in on some and that’s where we’re at right now and we’re pretty I know we haven’t really talked about, and I don’t our servers. Bigger than the Limewire shut down sideshow action for Brisbane and Adelaide, taking with fucking excited for it!” think we’ve ever really done that either, but I think them Georgian metal heads and former State tour that record is really seminal for us that it might need of 2010, our gothic hearts weren’t prepared for the This upcoming album will be released almost exactly announcement of My Chemical Romance reuniting and buddies, Baroness. the attention!” returning down under for special headline appearances 20 years after the band’s seminal album, White Pony, at the festival, nor were we ready for the sweetness of “Great band, amazing records and really cool guys to an album that changed the heavy landscape with Be sure to catch Deftones at Download for an Jimmy Eat World, the full-throttle of Clutch, the magic tour with so we’re really stoked that that’s going to its melting pot of genre influence, and offered the undoubtedly defining set! of Ministry (lame Harry Potter joke – sorry!) and the happen out there,” Delgado says. courageous ‘Change (In The House of Flies)’. This was It all goes down at Melbourne Showgrounds on heat of In Flames. also the first album where Delgado appeared as an Friday, March 20. Tix at downloadfestival.com.au “I think we’re just excited for a good festival season and a official member of Deftones.

But there is one act we are prepared for; one act that good summer of rock shows. We’ve pretty much been off Written by Tammy Walters we adore and trust on our festival lineup like no other for the last couple of years besides some one-off shows, “It feels good to work with not only your best friends – Sacramento soldiers Deftones. From Soundwave to festivals and writing a record basically but I think we’re but to learn to trust yourself and your instincts. I think Big Day Out and now Download Festival, Deftones are all pretty excited to be back on the grind, honestly.”

White Pony was a big deal and a big part of that because 12

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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

Rock Off MND

(ROCK OFF MND)

On average, two people die each day from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Australia. It can strike anyone, at any time and there is no known cure. The average life expectancy for a person diagnosed with MND is a mere two and a half years, with people progressively losing the use of their limbs and ability to speak, swallow and breathe, whilst their mind and senses usually remain intact.fgdGDFGDFGDFHGD MND is a devastating disease and currently has no known cause or cure, something that Rock Off MND hopes to change.

At the age of 53, local Geelong health worker Jenny Simko was fit, enjoying a life she dedicated to helping others, happily married for 30 years and a proud mother of three wonderful children. In August 2014, Jenny was given the devastating news that would change her life forever – a diagnosis of MND. This is where Rock Off MND was born. Inspired by Jenny, this event was created together with her family and friends who were determined to raise as much money as possible with all funds raised being donated to vital MND research to help work towards finding a cure for this cruel disease.

“After Jen was diagnosed she thought that this is such a horrendous disease and there was very little research funding available back then. She just really wanted to do something to raise money to try and find a cure for this rotten disease,” says Peter Simko, Jenny's husband, who one day hopes the world will be free of MND. “Our original thought was let’s just put on a little show locally somewhere where we might raise a little bit of money and have a bit of fun.”

That was six years ago now, and while Jenny sadly lost her fight in November 2015, her legacy has only flourished, with Rock Off MND becoming an annual event that continues to increase community awareness of MND, provide a platform for significant future

growth, and of course, continue to raise money for vital MND research.

“We're grateful for all the money that we can raise.

We were just focused on the first event initially but we're really pleased that we've been able to continue it on and we've now raised over $650,000,” Peter says.

MND is a very complex disease, but without research, a cure cannot be found. It’s for this reason that alongside raising funds for research, the ambition from Rock Off MND is to also fund MND research projects.

“The money raised across the past five events have funded eight Jenny Simko MND Research Grants for research conducted by Australian MND research institutions,” Peter explains. “At the end of the day, that's really our main driver and our main focus. To not only to raise money for research but actually to be able to fund research grants. It's very rewarding that the money is being put to such good use. You can actually see what it's being used for.”

Taking place at Deakin’s Waterfront Campus year after year, the event has captured the attention from a number of homegrown acts and the music industry at large, with big names stepping up to help the event raise the necessary funds to help.

So far we’ve seen the likes of Jon Stevens, Pierce Brothers, Kate Ceberano, Maddy Jane, local songstress Imogen Brough, Ross Wilson, and the Peaceniks, Benny Walker, The Kite Machine, Madhouse, among many others.

Going above and beyond for event #6, this year Dragon, MDRN Love and funky Melbourne party band Stereo Stars will be gracing the courtyard stage.

While Dragon are Australian pub rock royalty, it’s MDRN LOVE’s appearance that will be particularly special, having performed at the very first event in March 2015 under their former name of Revolution.

“We were lucky enough to perform there so we understand how special the night is, especially for people who are affected by Motor Neurone Disease,

and having everyone coming together for a good cause is just so special,” says MDRN LOVE lead-vocalist and guitarist, Jack Harman.

“When they asked us to play this year, we were absolutely all for it. We are close family friends with the Simko’s and we grew up with them and were part of that whole thing so we understand how it affects families as well. For us, it’s just really special to be able to be a part of it.”

Formerly known by the name of Revolution, MDRN LOVE have wowed fans with their punchy guitar-driven rhythms, emotionally driven songwriting and hints of new-age synth.

The track ‘Breathe’ from their 2017 their self-titled debut EP was actually written for Jenny following her Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, with the band being fortunate enough to perform for her at the first Rock Off MND event, making their upcoming performance particularly poignant.

“We really want to do a good job and help come together with everyone else for a very significant night in Motor Neurone Disease and hopefully raise some awareness and money and kick this thing,” Jack reveals.

Re-emerging from their hibernation, the Geelongbased rockers have embraced a new chapter of their artistry, ready to tackle 2020 with new material and redefined focus on their direction.

“The last couple of months we’ve done a pretty massive overhaul on the band and our sound, so Rock Off MND is going to be one of the first opportunities to try everything out,” Jack says. “We’ve got more control with the direction we want to head now. We just took five minutes to see what was working and what wasn’t, and tried to put the best foot forward with this new material.

“In an over-saturated industry, you really do need material that’s a cut above the rest and we didn’t want to waste time putting out sub-par material. We just took our time to work on better songwriting and getting the

right players in the room that could benefit the track and that went all the way down to studio engineers and producers. It’s exciting for us, but we didn’t want to rush anything.”

The local outfit have always shown their breadth and versatility in their past releases, and it seems that trend is set to continue with the new material we’re set to hear at the event, including ‘Shine On’, their first single in three years.

“It’s a 90s rock, Oasis vibe that we’ve gone on this track. It’s different for us but it felt really good to open up our mind to what can achieve and it’s given us an indication of where our sound is strongest. I don’t know what this means going forward for what to expect, but it certainly felt good recording and it felt even better playing live so the sky's the limit for what we want to achieve now... the gloves are off.”

It’s testament to the band that even with some time away, they’ve still got local music lovers excited about what they’re doing with Rock Off MND quickly becoming a highly anticipated event.

Alongside the music, there will be a raffle, delicious food, a selection of drinks and even a happy hour. What better way to Rock Off a wretched disease than organise a concert with great live music and great people and donate all funds to much-needed research to find a cure?

It all kicks off at 5pm on Saturday, March 14 at Deakin Waterfront,with MDRN LOVE taking to the stage at 5:45pm.

Tickets can only be purchased online at the event website www.rockoffmnd.com.au.

A donations section on the event website is provided for those that would like to support the event but are not able to attend on the night.

Geelong’s unique creative heritage and exciting designdriven future will be showcased at the first ever Geelong Design Week in 2020.

More than 80 events will explore new

better ways of doing things.

ideas and challenge what is possible.

Don’t miss your chance to be part

See exhibitions, performances,

of the first ever Geelong Design

screenings, symposiums and pop-up

Week and see why Geelong has been

installations by local and international

globally recognised as a UNESCO City

design experts and discover new and

of Design.

Program details and book tickets at geelongdesignweek.com.au FORTÉ 734

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DIVINE ASCENSION UNCOVERED

THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES

Sitting at the top of the mountain of progressive metal, Divine Ascension have been on their journey since 2007. The band released their latest album, The Uncovering, towards the end of 2018, which has kept them very busy to this point. At the time of writing they were filming a new video clip, so with any luck more is known about that by now. Barwon Club, Geelong – February 28. They will be supported by 29 Bones and Nemesium. Photo by Andrew Raszevski.

Before the Melbourne International Comedy Festival kicks off, a small but undeniably talented batch of funny individuals will get you laughing for a good cause. This is No Time for Jokes is a special, one-off fundraising comedy event for the Victorian Bushfire Disaster Appeal featuring Claire Hooper, Sami Shah, Aurelia St Clair, Gavin Sempel and Bart Freebairn. Barwon Club, Geelong – March 15.

NEMESIUM WANTS YOU Do you have the kind of face made for a video clip?

Because we have a feeling that you do, and we are not often wrong. You know who else feels that way? Geelongbred metallers Nemesium, that’s who. The band is one of the supports for Divine Ascension at Geelong’s Barwon Club tomorrow, February 28, and they will use the opportunity to film the set to use in an upcoming video clip. Don’t put your gorgeous face to waste.

BEWARE THE WITCHING HOUR

TAKE A BITE OUT OF LYDIA LUNCH If you had to explain the definition of a cool gig, throwing Lydia Lunch Retrovirus out there as an example would be a solid start. The American singer, poet and writer, whose career was spawned by the NY no-wave scene, returns to Australia with her all-star crew and is super keen to belt out a bunch of tunes for the last time on our soil. Lydia and her gang take to Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal this Saturday, February 29.

VS CENTRAL COAST GMBHA STADIUM, GEELONG

MARCH 1ST 4:00 KICKOFF

THE VINE, BENDIGO

They have become darlings of triple j Unearthed, and slowly but surely they’re becoming darlings of a lot of others as well. Four-piece Central Coast outfit The Witching Hour is led by Taime Marsh, whose father played bass in various bands throughout the 1980s and grandfather played in bands in the 1970s and 1980s. ‘The Ritual’ is their latest release. Barwon Club, Geelong – March 1. They’ll be joined by Welf and Buried Feather. Photo by Tara Campbell.

There’s some pretty great stuff taking place at The Vine in Bendigo. This Saturday, February 29, features a double dose of Melbourne goodness with Riff Raiders and White Devil Detroit. Local flavour comes from Spacegoat.

And on March 6, it’s a rich display of accordion-driven folk punk, English and French, gypsy punk madness with Rowan Blackmore. Support comes from Flora. Keep up to date through the venue’s Facebook events page.

BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS FUNDRAISER The Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival will turn ten this year, and for those that follow the festival they’ll know a new year brings a handful of showcase fundraisers in the lead up to the November event. The first will take place at The Rifle on March 1, with music to kick off at 11:30am sharp. Tickets will be available at the door. For the full program and all upcoming events, keep your eyes on bendigobluesandroots.com.au.

BEN DE LA COUR & AMELIA WHITE Google the top music cities and Nashville always gets a mention.

Two of Nashville’s East Side singersongwriters have teamed up for an Australian tour, which includes a stop at Portarlington’s Saints & Sailors on March 5. You have Ben de la Cour, who was playing gigs a decade before he was legally able to drink. And you have Virginia-raised Amelia White, who helped define and redefine the folk-rock sound of Americana.

CHILLOUT FESTIVAL As the ChillOut Festival (March 5-9) gets older, it becomes more fabulous. We’re up to the 23rd instalment of the festival, proudly Australia’s longest-running regional LGBTQ Pride festival.

Theatre and arts events, a street parade featuring tributes to a global icon and one giant rainbow will feature at this year’s event. The theme in 2020 is Through the Looking Glass - Alice in Spa Wonderland.

More is available through chilloutfestival.com.au.

KEEP WARM WITH GREEN BLANKET

WWW.WUFC.COM.AU

Green Blanket, known for their effervescent blend of pop, rock, indie, shoegaze, and space grunge, are back with a brand-new album, Who Am I Talking To?, the follow up to their debut release Raw Dingo. Their single ‘Muscle Memory’ dropped last year and if it’s anything to go by, you can expect a collection of off-kilter tracks of love, despair, hate, comic relief and ambience.

With the album due for release April 9, the four piece are celebrating with an album launch on Friday April 17 at The Barwon Club. Support local support from Jelly Mammoth and Deporsal.

Expect big instrumentation breakdowns, playful feedback and spicy lyrics.

PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL All the information you could possibly need for the Port Fairy Folk Festival is available through the website listed below, but we have a couple of important bits and pieces. Times are 5:30pm on the Friday of the festival, March 6. Saturday and Sunday will kick off at 8am. Monday also kicks off at 8am, and will wrap up at 2pm. And you should know you will need to exchange your ticket for a wristband. Get the rest through portfairyfolkfestival.com.

MARCH MADNESS AT PISTOL PETE’S Geelong’s Pistol Pete’s has a cracking month of music in March. The wild and rootsy Lily & King hit the stage on March 6. Raccoon Dog delivers the goods on March 7. Stringy & Molly have their turn on March 8. Kelly Brouhaha has a turn on March 12, while Vic’s Blues Cosmonauts hit up the venue on March 13. Tracey Barnett belongs to March 15, while Blue Sunday has a crack on March 29. Get it all through pistolpetesfoodnblues.com.au.

AN EVENING WITH XYLOURIS WHITE Xylouris White are returning to Australia as special guests for both Bill Callahan and Stereolab and will use the opportunity to play a few headlining shows of their own, including The Bridge, Castlemaine on March 14. The perfect couple of Dirty Three/The Double drummer Jim White and Cretan folk/lute luminary George Xylouris, the pair’s latest creation is The Sisypheans.

The album is their fourth.

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LOST TRADES FAIR Created as a platform for career artisans and traditional tradespeople to share their skills, the Lost Trades Fair will take place across March 7 & 8 at the Bendigo Racecourse. The weekend also includes workshops in wood, metal and clay, while fair-goers can also learn techniques in carving, plaiting, textiles, netsuke, metal decoration and silver. Further information is available through losttrades.info.

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TUBULAR BELLS FOR TWO

THIS STATE WE’RE IN

Something to look forward to in the second half of 2020 is another season of award-winning show, Tubular Bells for Two. The production was created by Daniel Holdsworth and Aidan Roberts, where upon sharing a bottle of wine one night, began discussing how Mike Oldfield’s 1973 debut album Tubular Bells could be reproduced live. Daniel will be joined by Tom Bamford at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on July 12.

IN DUSTRY UPDATES FROM MUS IC V ICTORIA Hello Forte readers,

REGIONAL MEMBER MOMENT – HALLS GAP HOTEL

Music Victoria is excited to announce the return of its Live Music Professionals program in 2020.

Applications are open to all Victorian live music venue owners, band bookers/music programmers, venue managers and independent promoters, festival owners and directors. Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on March 20, head to musicvictoria/LMP to apply or email the project manager, sarah@musicvictoria.com.au for more info.

F A R A G C E L E B R AT E S SCOTLAND

Music Victoria’s Women’s Leadership Development program, Cultivate, will launch its 2020 program at the end of February and once again is bringing together some of the music industry’s greatest leaders. The six participants were selected from a strong list of more than 80 applicants and as part of the program will be teamed with a non-industry mentor, will receive leadership coaching, attend a one-day conference and also be involved in a series of leadership masterclasses and networking opportunities. Check out the full list of participants over on the Music Victoria website.

Eight hours to work, eight hours to play, eight hours to sleep, eight bob a day. A fair day’s work, for a fair day’s pay. The Labour Day weekend is approaching, and while many will enjoy an extra day off without paying too much attention to its origins, The Inn Hotel in Geelong is getting in the spirit with Party in the Parking Lot. CC:Disco! will be among the entertainment, which will kick on for a respectful eight hours.

March 8 is the date.

Finally, the two-day Folk/Roots music conference The Exchange is set to take place in Geelong from March 2-4. People in the music community/industry are encouraged to attend with Music Victoria members able to receive a 50% discount on their ticket. Members are encouraged to email info@ musicvictoria.com.au to receive the discount.

TONI CHILDS RETROSPECTIVE This year the legendary Toni Childs celebrates her 30 year anniversary of Union with some very special two hour performances. Toni will be performing hits and fan favourites alongside Toni’s new music from It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet. Witness the magic at Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat – March 22. She will also be performing at Horsham Town Hall on March 29 & Kyneton Town Hall on March 31.

As part of the conference, on Tue 3 March, Music Victoria will be presenting a showcase event that night at The Workers Club with some of Australia’s best Folk/Roots performers. Details can be found under the event tab on the Music Victoria Facebook page.

The Halls Gap Hotel is the premier family bistro of the Grampians region. From here, you can take in spectacular views of the nearby ranges while enjoying a hearty pub feed.

This venue regularly hosts gigs and other entertainment events so be sure to keep an eye on both their website and Facebook page for when their next show will be.

Check out their website at hallsgaphotel.com.au.

REGIONAL GIG OF THE MONTH Kingswood: Juveniles Album Tour at Volta, Ballarat: Saturday 14 March Melbourne’s own Kingswood are hitting the road once again. Soon due to release their third album ‘Juveniles’ on 13th March, this will coincide with a 20+ date tour around Australia which will include a show at new Ballarat venue, Volta.

Speaking on the process of creating the new material, lead guitarist Alex Laska states, “The album we’re finally presenting was an incredibly long and winding investigation through many different facets and avenues; almost a rediscovery, if you will, of who we are and what we find inspiring.”

You can purchase tickets over at kingswoodband.com.

‘til next time, The MV Team

HIDDENITE STILL FEEL Melbourne via Geelong alt-rockers Hiddenite have charged into 2020 with high hopes and a brand new single to boot! Coined ‘Still Feel’, this isn’t your usual run-of-the-mill love song. “It's that moment when you get coffee with that person that you did love, and you look at them and realise, ‘I don't need you. I'm happy with me, and happy we are no longer together. I'm way happier now, I still feel though. BUT we'll get over it’.” Making their way in the heart of the Victorian music scene, the fourpiece consists of soulful frontman Jesse Leaman, rhythmic beat keeper Jeremy Leaman, guitar aficionado and all-round good guy Nick Tucker and lastly, everyone’s favourite Bass playing Uncle, Peter Martin. Drawing their inspirations from many aspects of life, Hiddenite use emotive and powerful lyrics to lure in the crowd while leaving them feeling as if they have been told intimate and challenging stories. With perfectly balanced songwriting and groove, they guys will have you clutching on every word, taking your heart on a spiritual journey at the same time. Hiddenite will launch their latest single ‘Still Feel’, alongside hard Melbourne hitters Rosella and Geelong resident Noah Vernon at Workers Club Geelong on March 14.

APIA GOOD TIMES TOUR Warm up those vocal chords because there are plenty of homegrown hits coming your way with the Apia Good Times Tour rolling out again in 2020. Lining up for the eighth edition of the event will be Brian Cadd, Deborah Conway, Joe Camilleri, John Paul Young, Kate Ceberano, Leo Sayer, Vika & Linda Bull and Wendy Matthews. Costa Hall, Geelong – May 30 & Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – June 3.

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WRITTEN BY WYLIE CAIRD

KARL S. WILLIAMS DROPS HIS SECOND

CASEY BARNES MAKES THE SPARKS FLY

Hailing from Northern New South Wales, Karl S. Williams has taken his time on new album Lifeblood.

His debut, Heartwood, was released in 2014 and helped him snap up ‘Artist of the Year’ at the inaugural Gold Coast Music Awards in 2015. According to his website, Lifeblood “replies with vitriol to the ills of our time while offering the ageless solution – love more”. The Bridge, Castlemaine – March 22.

‘Sparks Fly’ is a ripping taste of Town of a Million Dreams, the forthcoming album from country songman Casey Barnes (out April 17). The song was written while on a whirlwind trip to Nashville. Casey: “I don’t know if it was the music, the people or the whisky…but the result is a song which was one of my favourites to write on that trip.” The track hit the #1 spot on the iTunes country chart.

Workers Club, Geelong – April 23.

A MOMENT WITH HOLLOW COVES

GROOVIN THE MOO You may know the details already, but we’re going to tattoo it on your hand so you don’t forget. The 2020 Groovin the Moo line-up includes international artists Supergrass, The Sugarhill Gang, Chanel Tres, Blanco Brown, AJ Tracey, YBN Cordae and Bhad Bhabie, as well as a triumphant local line-up that includes Gang of Youths, The Veronicas, Ruby Fields, San Cisco, Tones and I and Dope Lemon.

Bendigo Showgrounds, Bendigo – May 2.

Hollow Coves is the Brisbane duo of Ryan Henderson and Matt Carins, and their appreciation of indie-folk is certainly being appreciated. Their 2017 debut EP Wanderlust features the track ‘The Woods’, which has racked up more than forty million Spotify streams. Wanting to continue the spirit of the EP, the pair set to work on a full-length album.

The result is 2019’s Moments.

Torquay Hotel, Torquay – March 27.

BATPISS + DEAD + K5

SNUGGLE UP TO PONY FACE

We know life can be tough.

Sometimes you wake up in the morning, feeling shy and lonely. You don’t think you can make it, don’t think you can take it, and wonder what you are going to do? So take a breather for a moment and kick back and enjoy three truly awesome bands in Batpiss, Dead and K5 when they hit The Eastern, Ballarat on March 27, The Bridge, Castlemaine on March 28 and Major Tom’s, Kyneton on March 29.

Hey hip cats, do you want to hear what Pony Face have been up to recently? The band is heading to The Bridge in Castlemaine on March 13, where they’re going to road test a new set of material that will be made available for release later in the year. According to the word on the street, the set “promises kraut disco punk goth-inspired bangers with a side order of some fucking bangers”. Bring your friends.

WHEN BEN SALTER MET DOMINIC HOEY Ben Salter and Dominic Hoey are just a couple of guys who crossed paths in Skagaströnd, Iceland. A member of several bands including Giants of Science as well as a solo artist, Ben was deep into a fivemonth European tour. Dominic is a slam-poetry champion who has released several albums, short films and a novel. Bonding over the high price of Icelandic beer, they became pals. Major Tom’s, Kyneton – April 4.

Eight hours to work, eight hours to play, eight hours to sleep, eight bob a day. A fair day’s work, for a fair day’s pay. The Labour Day weekend is approaching, and while many will enjoy an extra day off without paying too much attention to its origins, The Inn Hotel in Geelong is getting in the spirit with Party in the Parking Lot. CC:Disco! will be among the entertainment, which will kick on for a respectful eight hours. March 8 is the date.

Expectation isn’t easy to deal with, but if WAAX felt any leading into their debut full-length album Big Grief, worries would have been put to bed nice and early. The album received the kind of feedback an artist hopes for, including a 4/5 review from Forte’s Liam McNally.

Barwon Club, Geelong – April 10.

Joining them will be Brisbane’s Bugs. Note that WAAX is also part of the Groovin the Moo circus.

GRINDING IT OUT WITH GOLDEN PELICANS Get ready for a good time with Golden Pelicans, as the Florida hard-hitting punksters head our way for a tour next month. Formed in 2011, the band released their fourth full-length album, Grinding for Gruel, last year.

The Eastern, Ballarat – March 20. They will be supported by Lymes and Dewey & the Panel Beaters. The band also hits Geelong’s Barwon Club the following night as part of Jerkfest.

Music practice space wanted

For individual use only, not for commercial purposes.

Legend has it that there is a booklet for Golden Plains that contains everything you need to know about the festival. Created by blind monks through conversation with the Gods, some say it details what to bring, maps, directions, campground layout, playing times and hours of operation. Others say it provides some lovely handy hints. The Little Golden Booklet, they call it – and it is most magnificent. Get yours through goldenplains.com.au.

RIDE THE MAJESTIC HORSES Fresh from playing Country Daze, the shows roll on for Majestic Horses. Featuring members of Screamfeeder, The Holy Soul and The Undecided, things began to take shape after Kellie Lloyd (Screamfeeder) put out the solo release Magnetic North and began touring with different drummers in different cities, including Kate Wilson (The Holy Soul, formerly The Laurels). ‘Signal’ is their latest single. The Eastern, Ballarat – February 28.

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

CBD would be ideal. Contact

Soul on 0402310353

play most weekends is important.

Call Kit 0427999107

Sam on 0407347444

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GOLDEN PLAINS

Drummer / percussionist/ Kongo player wanted

I’m looking for a cheap/free

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

STONE COLD JEFF MARTIN Jeff Martin sure does love Australia, and Australia sure does love Jeff Martin. The songman is heading out on a big ol’ tour with a big ol’ bag of new material, including single ‘Set in Stone’. Jeff: “To be able to tour and play my new music is going to be a powerful experience that I look forward to sharing with the audience. We will all go on this journey together.” Workers Club, Geelong – April 30. Nathan Cavaleri supports.

PARTY IN THE PARKING LOT

WAAX SHARE THEIR GRIEF

CL ASSIFIEDS

THEY’RE STILL SCREAMING Almost 30 years later, I still don’t know what happened when you knocked upon my door. ‘Better’ by The Screaming Jets is one of those gotta have additions to any Aussie road trip compilation. But they have plenty more. The band is continuing their thirtyyear anniversary run with more dates, reaching out on their Sunshine and Hurricanes tour to places they were unable to visit the first time around. Gateway Hotel, Corio – May 8.

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THIRSTY MERC GET TO WORK Partly due to their 2019 live album Thirsty Merc Live!, and partly due to them just loving what they do, Sydney pop rockers and Bondi Rescue favourites Thirsty Merc have been sweating it out on the road throughout summer.

The warm weather is still here, and a couple of gigs remain. Frontman Rai Thistlethwayte: “Please come along and help celebrate the best time of the year with us.” The George Hotel, Ballarat – March 5 & Star bar, Bendigo March 13..

B EN DIG O AU GO G O

BALLARAT BEGONIA FESTIVAL For the foodies, MasterChef favourites Poh Ling Yeow, Anushka Zargaryan and Ballarat local Tim Bone will be there. For those with a green thumb, Dirt Girl, Costa Georgiadis and Sophie Thomson will be there. What is this fantastical sounding place? It’s the Ballarat Begonia Festival, which takes from March 7 through March 9. The best thing you can do right now is have a look at what’s in store through ballaratbegoniafestival.com.

Local melodic metal outfit Spacegoat will headline what they have described as a “monster night of heavy rock” at the Golden Vine on Saturday, February 29.

The five-piece, comprising singer Erin “Ez” Blackmore, guitarists Leon Russell and Mighty McGrath, bassist Lyndon ‘Kid’ Eddy, and drummer Adam Beattie, were once described as “if Faith No More, Tool and No Doubt had a baby”.

Spacegoat has backed up the 2019 release of their debut EP 33 with a year of solid touring.

Frontwoman Ez says the members have been playing in bands since their teenage years.

“We all just came together over the course of a couple of years via mutual contacts until the line-up became what it is now,” she says. “It became a winning cocktail of people.

“The way we gel definitely contributes to great songwriting and makes our live performance engaging. I always like to say we take our music seriously and ourselves? Not so much. It keeps things very fun.”

Ez says Spacegoat will release a new single in the middle of year, while continuing to line up gigs throughout Victoria and, in particular, making inroads into Melbourne.

EXCHANGE AT THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE This March, The Door Gallery Cafe will be just one of the local venues hosting a number of folk, roots and indigenous musicians when the music community gathers for The ExChange - the International Folk Music Conference which will elevate Australia’s independent folk music community. Across March 3-5, the cafe will be host to performances from Port Fairy Folk Festival’s Artists of the Year Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, Geelong’s Hassall, Celtic pop singer/ songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, and Halifax based singer-songwriter Ian Sherwood.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL ON THE BLUES TRAM Not many people would associate a form of public transport as a place for a live gig, though lately these unique performance spaces seem to be increasing every day. Combining two of Bendigo’s best attractions – its historic trams and sublime music talent – The Blues Tram is the perfect way to mix up the weekend activities.

Kicking off at the Central Deborah Goldmine, the classic tram takes its audience through the heart of Bendigo, featuring up close and personal performances from an array of featuring performers as well as Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival director Colin Thompson who is regularly on emcee duties.

After taking a couple of short pit stops at the Bendigo Tramways Depot and the Bendigo Joss House Temple, guests will ride Bendigo’s beautifully restored vintage tram back towards Central Deborah Gold Mine.

Born from the desire to show the best Bendigo has to offer, all while presenting the incredibly

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“Our main goal is to gather more of a fan base and have our music reach more ears,” she says. “We really believe in this band and want to share it far and wide.”

With support from Melbourne-based hard rock outfits Riff Raiders and White Devil Detroit. From 9pm.

Bendigo is shaping up for another big fortnight of live music in and around town: Tumut, NSW-based teen bluesman Rory Phillips – who made a splash at last year’s Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival – returns to town for a show at Handle Bar on Friday, February 28. From 6pm. He also performs at One Tree Hill Hotel on Saturday, February 29; from 7pm.

Frankston-based bluesmen Wilson & White perform at Rocks Underground (Rocks On Rosalind) on Friday, February 28. From 7pm; free entry; dining packages also available from opentable.com.au The Nelson Beks Band promises a night of country, western and line-dancing at Handle Bar on Saturday, February 29. From 8pm.

Expect a stellar cast of Bendigo’s finest artists at the annual Blues and Roots summer showcase and fundraiser at The Rifle Brigade Hotel on Sunday, March 1. From 11.30am to 9pm; tickets $20 (adults), $5 (under-18s), free (under-12s) at the door.

Brisbane-based stoner rock quartet Death By Carrot return to the Golden Vine for EuRiffka! Vol II on Thursday, March 5. Support from local stoner rock/doom merchants Sleeping Giant. From 7pm; free entry.

Rowan Blackmore brings his accordion-driven folk-punk to the Golden Vine on Friday, March 6.

Support from local indie-folk singer-guitarist Flora.

From 8pm; $5 entry at the door.

Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival has teamed up with The Shiraz Republic’s Rent-ARow Festival of Winemaking, curating a line-up of the cream of local musicians. See Matt Katsis on Saturday, March 7; Groove Juice on Sunday, March 8; and Bill Barber on Monday, March 9.

Contact: nettee136@gmail.com

Written by Lynette Walker

talented artists, it’s a real winner for the music lovers – especially due to the reasonably confined space of the vintage mobile music venues. Priding itself on its intimacy, every audience member feels like they’re in the front row to a very special concert.

What’s more, the unique tram also provides a variety of refreshments on board, as well as a cheeseboard to indulge in!

Incredible blues music matched with a gorgeous historic tram, you’ll just wish it lasted longer!

What was once a one-off project, due to its popularity it is now a monthly event with a range of talented muso’s taking to the rolling stage. Looking ahead, March 14 will see Jo Jo Smith + Carl Pannuzzo, April 11 will feature Karrie Hayward + Miguel Rios, May 9 will have Aaron Pollock + Mariah McCarthy on the mics, and June 13 will feature Sons of the Blues + Strawberry Jamz.

Come on board ya’ll!

For more information or upcoming shows visit their website: www. bendigobluesandroots.com.au.

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FEATURING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

AJ TRACEY UKUSA BHAD BHABIE USA BLANCO BROWN THE CAT EMPIRE USA CHANNEL TRES CLAIRO USA • DARUDE FIN DOPE LEMON • E ST GANG OFUSAYOUTHS • HAYDEN JAMES KELIS • KIRA PURU • MALLRAT MANU CROOKS • MAXO KREAM USA RUBY FIELDS • SAN CISCO SLOWLY SLOWLY •UKSUGARHILL GANG USA SUPERGRASS • TONES AND I THE VERONICAS USA WAAX • YBN CORDAE JAWBREAKERS • MAI

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BENDIGO’S PRINCE OF WALES SHOWGROUNDS

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KINGSWOOD To follow the release of singles ‘Say You Remember’ and ‘You Make It So Easy' in 2019, Melbourne four-piece Kingswood kicked off 2020 with the announcement of their longawaited third album Juveniles, which lead singer Alex Laska refers to as a showcase of the band’s maturing.

“The album reflects a new level of comfort, confidence and ownership of our emotions and the lives we’re leading at the moment in the most accurate and creative way we have done in any of the albums.

“It’s more obviously a return to our love of rock and roll and particularly guitars. Guitars are the hero in certain passages and are featured, celebrated and romanticised,” he continues. “I definitely fell in love with rock and roll again.”

Rock seeps through Kingswood's music and the band has found a legion of fans who adore the guitar and drum-filled melodies.

“I am more influenced by the finesse of the guitar like Brian May, Clapton, Hendricks, Rolling Stones,” Laska says. “They’re the things I associate more so in my development and my brain with rock and roll.

I guess they’re more prevalent influences for us and for me in my writing and I guess that’s the reason why we sound the way we do and in a more classic nature. I’m never like, ‘we should make our music sound like so and so’ or ‘we should pull this from this’. I think we are one of the last modern bands to

MAKE THE SUNDAY SESH GREAT AGAIN! Clubbers and party people of Geelong rejoice, the silent disco is BACK BABY. Think your regular Lambys Sunday sesh with the usual crowd but add an extra generous serving of Deakin kids drinking to forget that Tri 1 is just around the corner and, more importantly, the whole joint will be decked out with headsets featuring three channels for your choosing – RNB, Bangers or Classics – that also glow a certain colour depending on which one you’re listening to.

It’s genius!

Who wants to chat in a club when you can just point at someone else’s headset that’s the same colour as yours and mime EYYYYYYYYYYYY at them with aggressive finger-guns. Works 60% of the time, all the time. Every other time they just walk away awkwardly, but who needs them when you’ve got your mates and those sweet RNB hits pounding your eardrums?

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champion a more traditional sense of rock and roll.”

Most recently, the band shared the first track off the new album, 'Bittersweet', which is defined by the guitar and drum sounds Kingswood have enjoyed getting back to and exploring.

The new album has seen Laska and Fergus Linacre collaborating the most in the band's history.

“My songs are always a reaction to something that’s happened in my life, mostly relationships,” Laska says. “I think relationships are more complex and they’re probably what I ruminate more on and that’s probably why it goes into my music. There’s an infinite amount to explore within humans and their connections.”

Off the back of their album, Kingswood are hitting the road on a 20-date tour across the country including metro and regional locations. And what's Laska's favourite part of touring?

“Everything. We spend all this time in the studio putting it altogether and this is the bit where we go 'Hey look everyone, let’s do this together, I want to share this with you and I want to perform it for you'.

“Music is meant to be heard and the emotional response we have on stage and the audience has; it’s what it’s all about.”

Hear Juveniles presented in all its glory at Geelong’s Barwon Club on March 12 and at Ballarat’s Volta on March 14. Tickets via www. livenation.com.au Written by Kim Price

Even better still, that cave-dwelling, “I have work in the morning” party pooper mate you’ve been trying to drag out all year is finally all out of excuses.

Labour Day has descended from the heavens in aid of your noble cause, for there will be no work on Monday 9th, only hangovers, and good memories.

The cherry on top of this already irresistible sundae is free entry for students, Hospo and Emergency Service workers. For free? Sounds good to ME! All you gotta do is flash your uni card, ID card or hop onto Lambys website and sign up to hospo club to save your $10 for that first vodka raspberry or Mario Kart when you get to the bar.

Bring your mates and leave your inhibitions at home, it’s time to disco!

It all goes down Sunday, March 8. Doors from 9pm, free entry before 10pm.

Written by Jess Sercombe

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MEADOW JUST BEEFED UP ITS LINE UP Hold onto your hats, the seventh annual Meadow festival lineup just got even tastier.

Joining previously announced festival headliners Angie McMahon and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, beloved 80s channeling Italo-disco heavyweight Donny Benét, dynamic alt-country outfit Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, newfangled rock supergroup Mr. Teenage, and euphonious wordsmith POOKIE, as well as exploratory indie outfit Snowy Band and regular Meadow frequenters The Attics are all set to take over the iconic Bambra Bowl this March.

Dr Condiments, DJ Joey Lightbulb and Annaliese Redlich will be programming the spaces between, spinning tunes to keep the hills rollin’ and the trees swayin’ until the early hours of the morning begin to peep through the branches.

Rounding out Meadow’s delectable offerings in 2020 will be the winner of this year’s local band competition - Matt Bourke & The Delusional Drunks - who will be opening the Festival’s proceedings.

Hailing from Airey’s Inlet, 15 minutes from the festival gates, Bourke and his band deliver a twisted blend of dirty blues and organised chaos. Their raw and ruthless stage show will knock punters straight into festival mode from 5pm Friday, March 27 when the stage powers up.

Besides chopping its name into a punchy oneworder this year, Meadow hasn’t changed in vibe one bit, promising yet another three-day, two-night, once-in-a-year-time party. Grab your mates, grab your tents, stock up the Esky, and escape the rat race to the picturesque Otway Hinterlands – just 90-minutes South-West of Melbourne.

The festival goes down March 27-29, 2020 – Bambra, Victoria. The final release tickets now moving fast with just over five weeks to go via www.meadowmf.com/. Don’t sleep on it.

at Hotel Esplanade, Shaun Adams.

“Music Victoria’s Live Music Professionals program is instrumental in helping to develop the skills of professionals across the live sector while also bridging the gap between music communities. To see such a broad range of professionals come together who are united in their passion for music and desire to grow is really special and everyone, even the coaches, come away having learned something new.”

- Jackie Antas Vice-President, Communications – Live Nation and Ticketmaster, Asia Pacific.

To date, 100 percent of program participants said that they increased their music business networks as a direct result of the program, with 89 percent stating that the result was new business opportunities.

“Live Music Professionals has really helped me expand my networks and my business opportunities for Leicashow Presents.” says Lorena Miguelez, a Live music is at the crux of a successful 2019 Participant.

“Through the program, I was able to build a music industry, and thanks to the legends relationship with fellow participant, Stefani over at Music Victoria, a vibrant program Duzel, owner of the Macedon Railway Hotel. Since has been created to help foster and maintain a sustainable live music sector. completing the program we've worked together The program, Live Music Professionals, is to put on six 250 capacity shows, with sell-out ultimately geared towards strengthening Victoria’s performances from the likes of Tim Rogers and diverse and vibrant music communities and support Tex Perkins. I'm also now working on shows at the people responsible for bringing live music into the beautiful Birregurra Hall, with promoter Fiona Victoria’s live music venues and festivals, including Brandscheid, who completed the program in 2018. independent promoters, venue owners, venue Thanks to these collaborations and Live Music managers, and band bookers.

Professionals, we've created new opportunities for Now returning for its fourth year this year, Music local and established musicians to play in regional Victoria are calling for applications for the free areas and the support and appreciation from the professional business development program. locals couldn’t have been any better.”

The program will see successful applicants Victorian independent promoters, festival directors and owners along with venue owners, band matched with some of Victoria’s most skilled bookers or venue managers who want to build their and experienced music industry professionals and treated to one-on-one coaching sessions, live music business are encouraged to apply. masterclasses and networking opportunities. The 16 successful applicants will be matched with coaches Applications close at 5pm on Friday, March 20. in key areas tailored to their business needs.

You can apply via www.musicvictoria.com.au/ Last year, the Live Music Professionals coaches livemusicprofessionals included the likes of Jackie Antas, Vice-President, The Live Music Professionals program is an Communications – Live Nation and Ticketmaster, initiative of the Victorian Government delivered Asia Pacific. Thomas Supple, Senior Music Curator

by Music Victoria. for Dark Mofo along with Venue Program Manager

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE LIVE MUSIC PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM 2020

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it’s done’ [laughs] and then suddenly you’re on your own and everything is up to you and you realise you don’t have those buddies, you don’t have that team and those others to lean on and those minds to discuss things with. It was definitely a bit of a ‘time to harden the f*** up’ as they say and get on with it. But when it got to the last day of recording and mixing Matchbook I felt I was on my way then.

I felt pretty ready to take the world on by myself,” Moss explains.

He definitely took on the world with Matchbook.

The album, released 1 August, 1989 peaked at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, remaining in the Top 10 for 14 weeks, shipping more than 200,000 copies in the first 12 months alone and saw Moss take away Album of the Year, Best Male Artist and Breakthrough Artist – Album, Breakthrough Artist – Single and Song of the Year (shared with Don Walker) for Tucker's Daughter, as well as being nominated Ian Moss is a national treasure. His for Single of the Year at the 1990 ARIA Awards. monumental work with Cold Chisel, partnered “At the time really I genuinely had no idea how with his brilliantly fruitful solo career, has well it had done, so I was quite stunned. It took me been embedded into Australian culture. At until the next day to understand the impact of it all 64 years of age, he is still etching his name but it was certification that Ian Moss is here as a into the Australian music industry. January solo artist and an acknowledgement I guess,” Moss saw the band got back together as Cold Chisel recalls. “Unfortunately it’s kind of true; looking back reunited in the studio and upon the A Day it’s all gone too quickly. But I’m still proud of each On The Green stage for Blood Moon marking and every song on that album. With Matchbook I a special celebration in the band’s history. think every song stands up on its own.”

“It was rather special actually because the last To celebrate, Moss is taking the album on an three albums we’ve done in the last ten years, eleven intimate 19 date solo regional road trip, playing years, this one had the most original new songs on Matchbook fairly well in full, along with songs from it. It was one of our best tours in terms of having his 2018 self-titled album, ‘Bow River’ and a few great songs to play, getting along with each other Cold Chisel classics. and how well we played.”

“I was born and raised in Alice Springs so I Now, Moss is having his own celebration; the 30 certainly know what it’s like to miss out on great year anniversary of his career-defining, debut solo entertainment being so far away so I make a special album, Matchbook. Matchbook was born out of a effort to make sure I get out to regional Australia pivotal moment in Moss’ life – the end of an era a lot more and take music to them. I really enjoy it with Cold Chisel and the start of Moss standing on and feel quite at home in regional areas.” his own two feet.

“It was [scary]! Towards the end of Cold Chisel Tour dates are available at ianmoss.com.au splitting up it – we took a long break back in ’83 and it was sad and unpleasant and everything right Written by Tammy Walters at the end at that time and we got to the stage of ‘I Photo by Daniel Boud can’t wait to get away’, ‘it’s not fun anymore’ and ‘I’ll do my own thing and I’ll show these guys how

and broody Lady Scarface, rising with a tempestuous piano trail; and standing as an enduring testament to her talent; even as a nineteen-year-old. Now, some four decades afterwards, Lydia lists her generous gamut of genres as being “absolutely, you know, unbearably brutal No Wave; to BluesGoth like with Rowland S. Howard; to Swamp Rock; Psycho-Ambient; Jazz Noir…and what’s interesting about Retrovirus is they’re really three amazing musicians who can facilitate going into these different genres; making something new and vital of them; without losing the original flavour. Some of the songs are from 1980 all the way up to, you know, the present day.”

Together with her musical tour, another tantalising treat for Lydia’s smorgasbord of euphoric extravaganzas is currently simmering, offering a fresh appetiser for Australian audiences.

Audacious; outrageous; and with a wit so “I really want to bring my spoken word workshops; I charmingly contagious, poetic provocateur really want to come back with me, Weasel and Tim – Lydia Lunch ensures a teasing taste of Weasel has his own band, The Flying Luttenbachers; turbulence and a stimulating sprinkling of Tim has a band called GRID which I perform with… we will come back in different configurations,” sensuality are always on the menu! As she continues to cook up a feast of fanciful flavours aspires Lydia, who has recently returned from a for her imminent Retrovirus Tour, Lydia will Rowland S. Howard Tribute in London and Paris. once again play hostess with her infectiously Earlier in her career, Lydia’s literary leanings also impacting mystique and catapulting charisma. led her to create a collaborative comic book with “I love playing in Australia; I love playing with Nick Cave.

With a constant concern for the human condition Australians – and you know we say it’s the last Retrovirus tour, but we have other things to bring; so and worldwide affairs, Lydia translates her daily don’t think you’ve seen the last of us yet,” she says. deliberations. “Right now, considering the global As a notable singer, composer, poet, author, actress disasters we’re all facing on so many levels, I think and master of Spoken Word, it’s the remarkable it’s time to just f***ing ROCK! Truly, truly. On so synergy amongst Lydia’s lilting lineup that is an many fronts, we’re really in a contagious period undeniable catalyst for the success of Retrovirus so right now, so obviously with a name like Retrovirus, far. “In this instance, it’s just, Bob Bert, who I have I mean I wish our disease was the cure… we have to known for 35 years or more, and was in Sonic Youth rebel somehow, so we will rebel with rock!” and Pussy Galore; Weasel Walter, who has been Lydia and her gang take to the Corner following my work since he was fourteen, living in the mid-west and is a master composer, guitar Hotel in Melbourne on Friday, February 28 player and drummer; and he brought in Tim Dahl. & Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal Saturday, The combination is just so ecstatic to me because February 29. we can honour what it originally was, but take it Written by Renée N. Abbott some place so much further.”

With a decorative career spanning over forty years, Photo by Jasmine Hirst Lydia’s banquet of delicacies includes the moody

back in front of some homegrown Aussie crowds. “[They] generally get a lot looser. In other countries, people go out to a gig and maybe have like, ten beers, but in Australia, it’s just next level.”

It’s the ‘loose’ crowds who make playing his music, old and new, something he enjoys no matter how many times he plays them. When his debut album, Startup Cult hit #3 on the ARIA Charts, singles like ‘You Always Know The DJ’ set the ball rolling for the takeover soon to come, followed by more hits like ‘In Motion’ and ‘Sides’ from his second project Speeding.

It’s a combination of songs from these earlier releases that captured his initial audience and success, mixed with the ambient, nostalgic vibes pulled from songs on Starry Night over the Phone The Drop Festival is returning for that make his upcoming sets and festival slots all another year of music and surf, featuring the more exciting to catch.

His ever-supportive, ever-growing fanbase a whole bunch of Australian favourites to are clearly always ready to get behind the artist, take fans around of the coast, including ARIA Certified singer and rapper, Allday. supporting his new music just as enthusiastically as their old favourites, making it all the better for He’s had a busy couple of months, finishing a national tour at the end of last year following the Allday with every release he puts out. release of his latest album Starry Night over the “I enjoy it when they have fun.”

Phone, moving back home to Australia after living Allday also seems incredibly keen to keep the ball in the USA and working on his own projects outside rolling well into 2020, meaning his fans can expect of music. a lot from him this year.

The Drop Festival comes as a well chance to catch “2020... I’m probably gonna finish an album, I’m some of his favourite artists and hit some amazing working on a couple of little projects, not just music, coastal towns. “I’m really excited, I haven’t really just some other little things that’ll hopefully come played many gigs with The Presets, and getting out soon.” to watch pro’s and legends of the scene is pretty With The Drop quickly approaching, rehearsal exciting for me. And also the locations are rad.” and preparation to get back on stage is all underway, With dates in Noosa, Newcastle, Manly, as well as getting ready to hit some of the beaches Coolangatta, Torquay and Busselton, he’ll be joining along the way. a killer lineup featuring great Australian artists like “I might have to buy a Quicksilver shirt or The Presets, Boy & Bear, Kita Alexander plus some something.” more phenomenal acts.

Allday’s clearly already loving being back home The Drop splashes into Torquay on Saturday, after being in the US for quite a while, making it back April 11. Tickets at www.thedroplive.com right in the middle of the Australian festival season.

Written by Priya Francis “I’m glad to be home. It’s been cool, I was just flying back and forth so much, so just decided to come home... It’s been really, really good, I’ve been much more comfortable.”

As is the general consensus, he’s also keen to get

coast, so it's an incredible opportunity to be able to expand our audience and play at a well-established festival to an attentive crowd who is there to see some bangin' live music!

You’re set to perform alongside this year’s menagerie of artists. Is there anyone on the bill you’re especially looking forward to seeing?

The lineup is extraordinary! I've been told a countless number of times to go see Mr. Teenage, but I'm so disorganized that I just keep missing their set, so I'll make sure that doesn't happen this time around. Donny Benet and Cool Sounds always put on a great show as well Will this be your debut on the festival stage?

Yeah, this will be our debut festival! We can't bloody wait!

We believe you guys have attended every single Meadow to date. What does it mean for you to now be on the lineup?

That's right! I've been a big fan of Meadow since the get to. It's such a beautiful festival with a killer lineup each year and great vibes to match. It's an absolute honour to play our first festival on their stage, just 15 minutes away from where I grew up so it really is right in our backyard!

What’s the best thing about a live gig?

I'd have to say the thrill of playing a rowdy show to a tiny sweat-filled room. There's nothing like jumping around on stage with your best mates and seeing the crowd having just as much fun as you are.

We know you guys can play, but has there been much time spent in the studio?

Our debut single coming out in out in early March which we're really excited about! We've spent some time in the studio with Anna Laverty who has worked with Nick Cave and The Peep Tempel amongst an array of other bands, and local Geelong legend Isaac Barter, so we're super keen to share the final product with you all! We've also got an accompanying video clip to match. With any luck, we'll have another single and an EP out before the end of the year as well.

IAN MOSS ROLLS INTO REGIONAL VICTORIA

ALLDAY JOINS THE DROP

LYDIA LUNCH RETROVIRUS

MATT BOURKE & THE DELUSIONAL DRUNKS Once again, we teamed up with Meadow festival to give an emerging artist from the Geelong/Surf Coast/Otways the opportunity to score themselves a spot on the lineup.

While there was an overwhelming amount of applications, we are pleased to announce that local dirty blues outfit, Matt Bourke & The Delusional Drunks, were the victors and will play alongside this year’s menagerie of artists.

Hailing from Airey’s Inlet, their raw and ruthless stage show will knock punters straight into festival mode when the stage powers up. We sit down with frontman Matt Bourke ahead of the festivities.

Hey Matt! Thanks for taking the time to chat.

First up, can you tell us a bit about the band?

We started out by playing punked-up versions of old blues standards at house parties along the Surf Coast. I'd throw together a group of any mates that were keen to play, every gig was a completely different lineup of band members. Most of the time we'd never practiced and the band members would meet each other on stage for the first time. This was a ton of fun at the time and certainly kept me on my toes, but I decided to take it more seriously and put together a real band about a year ago.

Congrats on winning the Meadow band competition. What originally inspired you to enter?

Thank you!! It was just too good of an opportunity to pass on. We're really limited on venues down the

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Catch Matt Bourke & The Delusional Drunks at Meadow, which runs March 27-29, 2020 – Bambra, Victoria.

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just absolutely go for it from beginning to end… we’ve done so much of that, that we wanted to do more on top, and I think we developed that ability to pull back a little bit, or to wind things down and then jump up into that, like, big grinding sound.”

As well as learning to use the negative space in their songs to their advantage, Brown also talks about their overall sound becoming stronger. “The band’s sound grew pretty significantly between the recording of the first record and second record, we became a much bigger and fuller sounding band.

A little bit less on that skittish, early post-punk kind of sound and we kind of took it along in a big, glowing amp stacks kind of sound of like mid-70s hard rock as well.”

“You live in your band a lot more,” Cable Ties Earlier this month, the band unveiled the second bassist Nick Brown reflects on the way their single off the album, ‘Self-Made Man’, with an band’s sound developed between their first accompanying video by Oscar O’Shea. “’Self-Made Man’ is really a song about the myth in LP, and their upcoming album Far Enough.

"On the back of the first record, we’ve done so much capitalism that the people who are successful, do so playing and touring… Ideas had time to percolate completely under their own steam and are the sole - not just over the time of recording, or the time of people responsible for their wealth generation, and writing, but the time bout on the road before that.” if you just work hard and stop being so preoccupied The Cable Ties sound we know and love is one with helping each other or asking for things to be of razor-sharp post-punk… rock n roll riffs being fair then you would also be a successful rich person, ridden into oblivion while singer Jenny McKechnie which is just total garbage.” burst through the dirt with a wail that swells Cable Ties immediate and grimy sound juxtaposed into every corner of the room, commanding your against their impassioned and honest lyrics have attention while she delivers lyrics wrought with a seen the group rise to become one of Australia’s passion for challenging the status quo and giving most formidable young rock bands, and their anthems to the outsiders. momentum is bound to speed up when the rest of Their new album Far Enough starts a little the new album, Far Enough, is released on March 27.

The release will come during Cable Ties upcoming unexpectedly with Hope. McKechnie sings soft international tour, featuring appearances in and delicate, bringing the listener in close she uses poignant and visual storytelling to lament on America at iconic festivals Burgerama and SXSW, the current political climate of the country, and “We’ll be in New York for the release date which is on whether there is hope for the future, before the really exciting,” before moving on to their first run of headline shows in Europe, “We’re super excited for temperature on the track rises a couple of minutes in, with the band’s familiar anger bursting through. the opportunity, to go away, play your music every “I think the dynamics on the record is one of day, meet lots of people… we’re so bloody lucky.” the things that really sets it apart from the last one,” Brown says of the new twists on the Cable Cable Ties are set to perform at The Corner Ties formula. “I think we really thought about Hotel in Melbourne on May 2. those arrangements and thought about what we Written by Liam McNally want to do. I guess the classic kind of, Cable Ties physicality of sound, kind of like, grab people and Photo by Lisa Businovski

CABLE TIES ON FAR ENOUGH

LITTLE CREATURES ARE HOSTING A MASSIVE OUTDOOR BUSHFIRE RELIEF CONCERT In the face of the devastation caused by bushfires across the country, we’ve seen the Australian community come together and pitch in with donations and fundraising efforts to support fire-affected communities.

Whether that be through direct monetary contributions, a donation of proceeds from merch or products, or coordinating benefits, big and small, it is one of the most beautiful things to see the community coming together and stepping up to raise the necessary funds to help during these kinds of crisis.

Well, it doesn’t stop there.

In exciting news for the Geelong region, one of our all-time favourite breweries – Little Creatures – has just announced a bushfire relief concert.

Coined ‘Creatures for Relief’, this outdoor event is set to take over the Geelong brewery on Sunday March 22 from 12pm to 10pm and featuring ripping artists like Creature Fear, The Vasco Era's Sid O'Neil, Warped, Chook & Moluck, Jelly Mammoth, Green Blanket, Rachel Brennan & the Pines, Immy Owusu,

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Finalfinal, Cry Baby Band, Wallet Inspector with more to be announced!

Set against the backdrop of Geelong’s iconic Little Creatures factory, the ticketed event will transform the delivery area for the event, with Pearl of the Quarter and Boss Burger food trucks ready to fill your belly, and the Little Creatures and Furphy outdoor bar serving the freshest beer to keep you hydrated while the handpicked live acts, artists and DJs, do their part in aid of bushfire devastated areas and wildlife across Australia.

With more acts to be announced, you can expect that this is going to be one helluva get-together.

Come on Geelong, let’s do this!

Full line up and ticketing details to come soon.

Follow @Creatures_for_relief on instagram to keep up to date.

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JAWBREAKERS

If you’ve been looking for something that will put you on the sugar high of your life, Sweetstock should be on your to-do list this March. Brought to you from the quirky creators of Meatstock (that meaty two-day festival combining all things BBQ and music), Sweetstock is turning Melbourne Showgrounds into our very own Willy Wonka wonderland filled with as much chocolate, cake, doughnuts, and other sugary treats for you to sink your teeth into.

Alongside the sweets and treats, the festival also features an awesome music line-up to dance into the neon-filled night, featuring The Jawbreakers - a DJ duo consisting of two of Australia’s hottest award winning drag queens, Kali and Sabrina. We chat to the duo ahead of their Sweetstock appearance.

Since your beginnings, it’s only been on the up

A MOMENT WITH PAIGE BLACK First up, can you give our readers a little intro to you and your music?

Hey Forte! Thanks for having me on board. I grew up in a little town in the Yarra Valley, in a big family where we were forever breaking out into song and dancing. Mum put us into choirs and that's where I learned a lot about harmony and melody. I have only begun songwriting in the last five years though, really honing in on it for the past 2 years when I moved to Melbourne to pursue my music.

Congrats on your bewitching debut single ‘Blind’ – tell us about the process of pulling this one together?

I wrote this song a while ago in the bedroom while I was studying in Bendigo, but I actually didn't realise its potential until more and more people kept telling me they loved it, when I started playing it live. I always just used to play it first because it was like my calming comfort song to make me less nervous haha It was just about turning a blind eye to the words and actions of someone to avoid getting hurt over and over.

for you both, already performing on the other side of the world less than a year into the project.

How did it all begin for you? Was DJing something you both loved?

We were both super gay kids growing up and if you’re gay you know you’re good at music, it’s in the contract! We bought a controller then started playing around.. then we entered YOURSHOT and kinda just established that this could be a thing!

As a DJ duo, do you have a similar taste in music, or is that all part of the fun?

We definitely have similar tastes but the slight differences we have helps diversify our sound and makes us even better!

You’re into your second year of Jawbreakers which is amazing, congrats! Are there any big plans for 2020?

We have some super fun announcements coming soon so make sure you’re following all of our socials for those! But also we’re excited because we’re

What did producer Kyran Daniel bring to this track?

I think Kyran just helped me tie my vision of the song altogether and bring it to life with lots of little special under layers and the drums, letting my vocals really be the forefront.

Are you working on anything new at the moment, or can we expect any new releases any time soon?

I've been working on getting a band together for my Single Launch on the 28th Feb at the Wesley Anne in Northcote, so it's been a really fun process sharing my songs with other musicians to flesh them out and give them a new life and perspective.

It will be my first full-band show!

You’ve kicked off 2020 with a number of gigs, including a bushfire relief concert. What do you enjoy most about being on stage with your music?

Yeah I've started with some special gigs this year, we ended up raising $700 for the bushfires! I feel pretty privileged that I can write my feelings and experiences into songs, but my favourite part is being vulnerable on stage and sharing them with an audience and then afterward chatting with people about how they may have related to particular songs.

That makes me really warm and fuzzy! That's why I really enjoyed the Sofar Sounds gig I played in Melbourne.

We love your vocals in the cover of Angie McMahon’s ‘Play the Game’ uploaded on your FB. Who are some of the other musical influences in your life?

Aww thank you! I have a lot of Musical influences but there are a few Aussie female songwriters who really inspire me to keep on with my music, such as Missy Higgins, Meg Mac, Eliott, and Angie has been killing it! Some other very influential artist are Adele, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Sara Bareilles.

If you could take your music anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I have actually been considering moving to either the UK or US as I think my music would be well received in those areas, being Soulful Pop. But I love to travel and experience new places and people so if I could travel doing music that would be the dream!

working on our first bit of MERCHANDISE! You have been seriously busy the last year and a half with a bunch of performances – from heading the popular Poof Doof nights in Melbourne, Djing at Beyond The Valley, bringing in the NY in Sydney at NYE in the Park, among others. Do you prefer experiencing new events and trying new things with your performances? Is this key to keeping it fresh?

We don’t have a preference we love both new gigs and our regular gigs! But it’s deffs a good thing to be doing new stuff and things you haven’t done before!

Speaking of new experiences, you’re headlining Sweetstock this March! What will you be planning for all the sweet-tooths out there?

We’re excited to showcase our confectionery kween looks while playing some sweet tunes!

There will be an eye-popping amount of sweet treats at this one – do either of you have a soft spot for sugary treats? Something you can't resist?

Kali loves Werther's Originals and Barley Sugars and Sabrina loves pancakes! All in moderation of course!

Not only are you both talented performers with exceptional music taste and the skills to get an entire dance floor partying, but you’re also the best-dressed DJs we’ve seen in a long time! Who comes up with the outfits?

If Sabrina doesn’t make the costumes from scratch then we source them and usually like to add a theme and some accessories to it to make it super fun and super us!

We imagine DJing in drag would get quite sweaty! What's your secret to still looking amazing throughout a set!?

We opt to not sweat because it’s gross, 0/10 wouldn’t recommend.

Do you have any advice for those navigating a sugar-filled day of festivities?

Everything’s good in moderation except Jawbreakers! That’s good all the time!

Sweetstock will takes over Melbourne Showgrounds on March 28-29. Tickets are on sale now at www.sweetstock.com.au.

FRI 28 FEB YOUNG ST SUPPER CLUB, FRANKSTON

SAT 29 FEB GOLDEN VINE BENDIGO

WITH SPACEGOAT & DEAD LURKERS

ALBUM LAUNCH FRI 3 APRIL CHERRY BAR, MELB

WWW.RIFFRAIDERS.COM

STONEFOX RETURNS After 12 months in the studio Stonefox make a bold return in 2020 signed to Canadian electronic record label Seeking Blue (MrSuicideSheep) with a lush and melancholic new track 'Lightning'.

Staying true to their musical roots, 'Lightning' is a continuation of Stonefox's moody and emotionally honest work and the first taste from their forthcoming EP with Sydney-based producer Jean-Paul Fung (Last Dinosaurs, Client Liaison).

The project marks a huge progression for the three-piece Melbourne band (Jenna Russo, Tim Carroll and Monica Spasaro) and explores the intricacies of poisonous relationships. ‘Lightning’ itself is illustrative of confrontation and betrayal as lead singer Jenna Russo explains: “This is the first time we have really evoked feelings of anger and betrayal through a song. It’s very hostile – born out of a feeling of toxic jealousy.

“It is a powerful, demanding song, insistent on knowing how the person you once loved could lay next to someone else.”

Reminiscent of The XX and Daughter, Stonefox have shaped their own definitive indie electropop sound consisting of reverb-drenched vocals, clean guitars and heartfelt lyrics. The trio have accumulated over 50 million streams across Spotify alone and have supported the likes of Timberwolf, Mosquito Coast and City Calm Down. Their unique brand of ‘left-of-centre pop’ has also earned airplay on triple j (Good Nights, Home & Hosed, Unearthed) and FBi Radio, alongside praise from Pilerats, Forbes and Pedestrian.TV.

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Delving into the making of ‘Lightning’, guitarist Tim Carroll said the song was recorded across multiple locations and states. Most of the writing took place in a homespun studio set up in a secluded country cabin in rural Victoria with Fung.

“We wanted to get out of the city and basically live in the new record, play drums and crank up the amps at 2am,” Carroll said. “There was a clear moment when ‘Lightning’ really started to click.

We’d been recording for a few days and had been working right through, taking shifts cooking in the kitchen – with the rest of the band in the living room (our makeshift studio for the week) where the song was on repeat.

“It was my turn to keep an eye on the stove and make dinner for everyone. But when that huge section of ‘Lightning’ started to form, where Mon’s drum beat hits, I got so excited that I ran into to the living room to rock out with everyone... and almost set the kitchen on fire.”

'Lightning' is only the start for Stonefox – with more in store this year the trio is sharing their most evocative sound yet.

“Basically our earlier work was all done while we were much younger and fresher as a band, still finding our feet and nutting out our sound,” Carroll continued.

“What’s different about this record is that we took a break and we basically said we’re not doing anything until we make our perfect record.

“We made sure to create it without any limitations – previously there’d been a rush for tours and a flow of songs, whereas this was just a much more natural process which allowed us to dig deeper into the meaning of the songs and say what we wanted to say.

“It took 12 months to make and a lot of late nights in the studio but we’ve been able to put so much more love and effort into it and we’re really proud of the outcome.”

Stonefox's single 'Lightning' is out now.

Written by Kyra Gillespie

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AN EVENING WITH PAT METHENY ‘Omne trium perfectum’.

That’s a Latin phrase for everything that comes in threes is perfect, or, every set of three is complete, and this year will mark 20-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist Pat Metheny’s third time touring Australia in his 40-year-plus career, in what will be a particularly special evening.

Having previously graced Aussie stages back in 1985 and 2014, this time Metheny will be presenting a range of music from throughout his career.

“I've always enjoyed coming there over the years and thrilled to be bringing this particular presentation there,” he explains. “The whole thing we're doing is something that's a little different for me in the sense that I'm kind of focusing on playing older tunes, which is something I've never done before. I'm about 300 tunes in at this point or maybe more over all these years. And like most, you go write a bunch of new music and you make a record and then you do a tour and you play that music.

“But I never really made a meal out of just playing older tunes so I put together this very special group of musicians who grew up with a lot of

RON KEEL

Melodic Rock Fest comes to Australia for the second time with an even bigger and more dynamic lineup than its first instalment – and this time includes hard-rocking legend Ron Keel.

Through his distinguished career as a vocalist and guitarist, lending his talents to Keel, Steeler, Fair Game, Iron Horse and a host of solo projects since starting his career in the early 1980s, Ron Keel has not once stopped rocking. We caught up with Ron ahead of his trip down under for Melodic Rock Fest this March.

What was your journey in heading towards your special blend of metal and country music?

I grew up in a time when the lines between musical styles weren’t so clearly drawn…we heard Eagles, Motown, and hard rock like Sabbath, KISS and Alice Cooper all on the same radio station. I loved the songs and stories of bands like the Eagles and Skynyrd, and I loved the excitement and energy of hard rock, and eventually carved a home for myself in the no-man’s-land in between as the Metal Cowboy.

Do you take a lot of inspiration from other bands and artists?

Every creative spirit is a sponge, absorbing elements of everything we come in contact with.

Then when you squeeze the sponge, a combination of those elements emerges as an entirely new substance. We’re all inspired by the music we love, the songs and bands that created the soundtrack of our lives – as an artist, I’m just always trying to express

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my music – I can just start playing and they know all the tunes and we have a lot of fun sort of investigating the nooks and crannies of what those tunes could be,” he says.

The group of musicians selected positively exudes class. Metheny’s unmistakable guitar style is perfectly matched with British pianist Gwilym Simcock, the brilliant bassist Linda May Han Oh and long-time drummer Antonio Sanchez, who has been Metheny’s most consistent associate in a huge variety of settings since 2000.

“I would joke Antonio is the drummer I thought would never be born.

The drums for me are the center of the universe in anything, and I just feel so lucky to be able to share the bandstand with Antonio, because in my opinion, he is the drummer of this moment in time,” Metheny praises.

“He plays the instrument at a level that almost no one has ever played at. But besides that, he's just a fantastic musician. In addition to playing all the tricky fancy stuff that he obviously can do, he can play simple so well and it may be harder for me to find people who can play simple than anything.”

With a career that is nothing short of legendary, there’s little doubt that Metheny and his accompanying musicians will present a rare, unforgettable evening.

Having first burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974 with his soon-to-become trademarked playing style, Metheny reinvented

myself in a way that represents my personality and attitude…combining the screams with the dreams.

How’d you end up getting roped into playing at Melodic Rock Fest?

The Melodic Rock Fest and the tour leading up to the festival is an absolute dream come true for me.

Ten years ago, while performing at a big US festival called Rocklahoma, I met a young rocker named Jules Millis who sings in the excellent Australian band White Widdow – he said, “We gotta get you to Australia mate, my band will back you up.” And he kept working on that for years, convincing the promoter Peter Hoffman to make it happen, and here I am. I cannot thank Jules, White Widdow, Peter Hoffman and his entire team at SOLPRN for bringing me and my music together with the Australian audience for the first time ever. I am excited to cram my 35-year history into a solid one hour show, with all the Keel classic hits, new music from our “Fight Like A Band” album, and even some Steeler and Black Sabbath songs – it’s been a long time coming.

You played quite a bit throughout the ‘80s, if there was one thing about ‘80s rock music that you could revive and bring back to the modern rock scene what would it be?

My hair. Other than that, everything still feels like 1986 to me!

John Wayne or Clint Eastwood – who’s the better cowboy?

John Wayne is synonymous with being the tough guy who always does the right thing, a true cowboy in every sense of the word – Eastwood is the ultimate outlaw. I admire them both, and try to bring some of that inspiration into my personality as the Metal Cowboy and the Rock N Roll Outlaw.

Melodic Rock Fest will take place at The National Theatre from Friday March 6 to Sunday March 8. Visit nationaltheatre.org.au/ melodic-rock-fest for more information and tix.

Photo by Chad Coppess

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what was known as the traditional jazz guitar sound for a whole new generation of players with his first album, Bright Size Life, released only a year later. Defining the beginnings for an illustrious career, Metheny has since continued to redefine the genre and push the boundaries and potential of his instrument, amassing to having 40 full-length recordings, and 20 Grammy Awards to his name.

“I think there are a lot of musicians who would look back across everything they've done and kind of go, ‘Oh my God, what was I thinking then, I would never do that now’, but it's not like that for me at all,” Metheny reveals, referring to the evolution of his music over the past four decades.

“It's one big long record. And the basic arrangements that I laid out on Bright Size Life, I still could play all those tunes - and sometimes do right now - and they still feel exactly as new to me now as they did then. And that's true of all of it. It's almost like a book that's got a lot of different chapters, but it's a singular book with a singular story. That’s what it's like for me.”

So what songs can we expect to hear from Metheny’s forty-year long record?

“Since so much of what the focus of my existence is as a musician is built on improvising, it’s about finding the tunes that are able to kind of withstand getting pounded on night after night after night after night.

And you can always find something to illuminate within those tunes to the audience through improvising,” Metheny says. “This is more about the tunes that are, I don't want to say simpler, but that have the kind of robust quality as vehicles for improvising… Those are the kinds of tunes that I tend to lean on in a presentation like this.”

Metheny’s versatility on the jazz guitar is nearly without any peer on any instrument, and his deeply emotive music inhabits a multitude of musical worlds, guarantees that this will be a performance that can be enjoyed by musicians, jazz lovers and everyone in between.

“It's the kind of night that can be enjoyed by everyone… even people that have no idea who I am. I can promise anybody that comes to the gig is going to flip out because it's just a really good band.

“The thing that we're doing, it's sort of hard to describe exactly what it is. It doesn't exactly fit anywhere, it's its own thing. This band and this particular presentation that we're doing is a really broad view of what my sense of music is and all that and the response to it has just been fantastic everywhere we've gone.”

See one of the brightest stars of the music scenes today at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne on Friday March 6. Tickets can be purchased via livenation.com.au

REQUEST THE BEST Request Artists are turning the practice of artist booking on its head, making the booking process for events a breeze thanks to their new and innovative booking platform for both artists and event coordinators.

The mind-child of renowned Australian DJ, co-founder of Vicious Recordings and the man behind Reminisce 2020, John Course, in partnership with John Curtin (Festival X / Uber Eats Marketing expert) and DJ Piero Giovannini (RIVA NYD & Aus Day 2020), Request Artists is exactly how it sounds.

Targeted at corporate, special occasion, sporting and cultural events organisers, Request Bookings provides an easy to navigate portal with access to a thick portfolio of Australia’s best DJ’s and performers.

The idea for Requests Artists itself was born out of Course’s own frustration as an artist and performer around special event booking.

“I was a DJ and getting requests to do events and often the issue was that I was hesitant to move forward because there would be a misalignment between the event and the artist, and I didn’t want to go and do a gig where I was going to get booked to play and the music I was going to play wouldn’t suit, so I would always ask a lot of questions of the client,” he explains.

“I thought this automatically jumps that because you can tick and search via music genre and therefore eliminate those issues. It was about trying to make sure there was a solution that offered clients the ability to dig deeper musically and make sure they were actually almost answering

the questions you would ask anyway before you even get to the stage of booking.”

He continues, “The other issue was that people don’t realise that DJ’s that play clubs are willing to do private events. It just has to make sure that what they do [musically and genre wise] aligns with the client. The other thing I wanted to do is put DJ’s that potentially would do events but aren’t shown anywhere, and nobody knows really where to find them, just to put them in front of your face so that you can literally go ‘oh wow, I can book Andy Murphy or Andy Van or John Course, or whoever it might be for my party’.”

Their current roster is 33 artists long consisting of acts such as Feline, Femme, the aforementioned Andy Van, Matty D, Khanh, Sarah C, Todd Watson and Zoe Badwi. But Request Artists is more than a booking platform; it’s really about eliminating the middleman – the constant back and forth and long wait period between booking and confirmation.

Request Artists has a 24 hour turnaround time on bookings and simplifies everything for both parties, whilst providing the most information.

“It was about using technology to help the initial search but also about looking at how business is working in this day and age and making sure that the process wasn’t like, ‘You need to print off and sign this agreement’, it was more about what happened afterwards; what happened after you found the DJ that you want and you want to book them? What does that process look like and how can we streamline that? I guess the mentality was always let’s make this as painless as possible even after you’ve decided,” Course says.

That process has already seen a bunch of happy customers with their roster covering events such as the 50th Birthday extravaganza with Leo Sayer (live) and DJ Jorj and Jono Earle, Essendon Football Club Christmas Party at The Espy, Mossimo new Summer range launch party, Bunny Polo at Portsea Polo and the Festival X Wrap Party.

Get booking now for your next special occasion at requestartists.com.au Written by Tammy Walters

THE GIPSY KINGS World-renowned flamenco, rock and pop musicians The Gipsy Kings are set to head round the Australian countryside in April, headlining venues in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth, in addition to their slot at the Byron Bay mega-festival. The Grammy-winning flamenco rock act, which features core original members Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo, is responsible for some monster hits including ‘Bamboleo’, ‘Volare’ ‘Djobi Djoba’ and ‘Bem Bem Maria’, meaning these shows will be something to see! We sit down with lead guitarist and co-poducer Tonino Baliardo ahead of the shows.

Hey, thanks for chatting to Forte Magazine.

We’re looking forward to your return to Australia this year for both Byron Bay Bluesfest and a national headline tour.

What keeps bringing you back to Australia?

We love all of Australia from the cities to the country. But what we love the most is the Australian fans. That is what keeps us coming back. We are especially wanting to come back to help them back from the fires that have been so devastating this year.

This marks your return after a five-year hiatus.

What have you been up to in that time?

We tour every year around the world and get a chance to catch up with people in every country we travel to. We worked on the movie from John Turturro (The Jesus Rolls), which is based on the character The Jesus from the Big Lebowski. We have some music in it and we were are also in the opening

scene of the movie. The process was so interesting and we think the world of John. We are also working on new songs and material for our latest recording project. We hope to have something out in late 2020 or early 2021.

You captured the world’s imagination 25 years ago with the self-titled debut album – can you talk us through the musical growth/evolution of The Gipsy Kings sound since then?

This is timeless music. Rumba Flamenco is much older than the Gipsy Kings so we keep playing and trying to get better sharing the music to all that will listen.

Becoming a genuine world music phenomenon around the world thanks to the hit ‘Bamboleo’ would surely have some perks – what’s the most memorable experience to come from it?

The song itself was indeed a huge hit, however, being Gypsies we love to travel the whole world.

Having that hit has enabled us to tour the world for our whole career. It has been an honour and privilege to win a Grammy Award, to play with bands and music we have idolized. But the best of all is to make the fans happy when they come out to see us. .

Bringing music to every corner of the globe is an amazing aspect of your career; has there been a standout country or city that you hold a special place in your hearts?

We are from France so home is always a special place. But we love to play everywhere that we are welcomed. It is great to be back in Australia and certainly a country with cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Perth to only name a few, that are fantastic and favourite of ours. The people are wonderful and welcoming.

What can punters expect from these upcoming performances? We imagine people should be advised to wear their dancing shoes?

Of course! Always bring your dancing shoes. We will be mixing in our music from the past with new material. It indeed has been five long years, get ready to RUMBA! See The Gipsy Kings live at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne on April 16

THE HU

Mongolian rock outfit The Hu are headed our way next month for their debut Australian tour, performing a pair of headline dates along with appearances at Melbourne’s Download Festival for a day of pure rock and metal fury.

For the uninitiated, The Hu pulls inspiration from the ancient Mongolian empire of the Hunnu. Their music is built around heavy rock staples like distorted guitars, bombastic drums, and aggressive rhythms, and is combined with traditional Mongolian instrumentation such as Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tovshuur (Mongolian guitar) and Tumur Khuur (jaw harp) alongside throat singing, all making for an extremely epic take on the genre.

We chat to the band ahead of the festival.

Your approach to musical style is reminiscent of many Scandinavian metal bands that blend ancient, traditional imagery with modern heavy metal, was the formation of The Hu inspired by bands like these? Were there other Mongolian bands or metal bands that were highly influential to your sound?

We have all sorts of inspiration and influence including Mongolian traditional music, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Slipknot, Rammstein, Tool, Lamb of God, etc. There’s a band Mongolia called Altan Urag.

Is the use of traditional instruments like the Morin khuur, tovshuur and the tumur khuur fairly commonplace in modern Mongolia or could The Hu be considered a movement to bring

incredible'. It's very sarcastic and satirical. It really makes sense once the video is attached to it and drives it home,” says Briggs. The work of Briggs and Co. creatively represents Indigenous – and all – Australia. “It's one avenue, one way. Everyone has to be doing their part in their sector, how much they work, what they're accountable for and expectations of themselves to deliver outcomes... through whatever medium.”

The 12th Closing The Gap report shows only two of seven targets have been met. Briggs says, “They failed on a number of levels and avenues to close it.

The dialogue the government has with blackfellas is often one-way, so it doesn't really surprise me at all. If those were financial outcomes they'd be drawn and quartered. If you worked at a company As seen in music videos, TV's 'Black and missed your KPIs for the last 10 years, you probably wouldn't have lasted there.”

Comedy' and 'The Weekly with Charlie For his WOMADelaide performance, Briggs says, Pickering', Adam Briggs is a funny man. He tells a good yarn in the process, highlighting “We've been trialling different stuff to really have truths about misrepresentations of the something spectacular. We're working on our guests struggles endured by Indigenous Australians. and making things pop! Every show I try to do His rapping style is fluid and forthright, entertaining something memorable, to deliver a moment." and enlightening. He's a true wordsmith with plenty The band includes Lindsay McDougall (Frenzal to rap about. I asked him where he got his knack Rhomb) on guitar with Briggs also hinting at "some for rhythmic storytelling. “I was a big consumer of collaborations on the stage". entertainment in general. I love music obviously He looks forward to catching other acts at the and movies as well. Where I grew up [Shepparton], festival like choral group Spinifex Gum and First there wasn't really a whole lot to do. So, as much Nations artists from across the globe. “There are as you could, you just stayed in the house and outta parallels to our stories and similarities with a lot of trouble, watching stuff." lived experiences that we share. We get to connect Crafting his style of communication started at on a different level quite quickly.” home. The Yorta Yorta man says, “I think blackfellas, But right now, he's also “neck-deep in recording the way we shared our history, I was surrounded by an album”. animated characters and storytellers. Everyone had Any further info around this is strictly under their own style and punch lines, their own view. It wraps. “Yeah. That's as much as you'll get outta me.”

Watch this space! wasn't boring, I'll tell you that,” he laughs.

Briggs recording hits include 'Sheplife', 'Bad Apples', 'The Wrong Brother' and 'Reclaim Australia' WOMADelaide 2020 will be held from 6-9 March (with A.B. Original partner Trials). His collaborations in Adelaide, South Australia. Tickets can be range from Dr. G. Yunupingu, Dan Sultan and purchased www.womadelaide.com.au Hilltop Hoods to Paul Kelly and Thelma Plum.

Written by Chris Lambie The video for 2019's 'Life Is Incredible' was an ARIA nominee. “Making videos is equally fun and stressful at the same time. It can be its own entity and furthers the story along. Take a song like 'Life Is

BRIGGS

them back to popularity?

They’ve always been popular in Mongolia. I think we’re making them visible to the World.

The use of throat singing is such a unique appeal for a metal band in an international scope and produces such an amazing sound, is it hard to do? Is there a significant meaning behind throat singing in Mongolian culture?

Throat singing has been a Mongol technique for generations. Our grandfathers, fathers, mentors always did it. We genuinely respected that it came from our ancestors and wanted to respect and honour them while attempting to master the technique. We practiced this style for years since we were kids to be able to control it, apply it and now we’re infusing it into our songs because it feels natural to us. It’s who we are, it’s what we know, it’s where we come from. It comes from an honest human place that we’re proud of and comfortable with.

Your new album is titled 'gereg' - a Mongolian diplomatic passport used during the time of Genghis Khan – is there a particular political message your music is trying to convey?

The Gereg is the first diplomatic passport introduced to the world by our ancestors. In the 13th century, a person who had the Gereg could travel to many countries without any harm and restrictions. We named our album The Gereg so that we can travel to every country in the world freely and share our music with everyone.

The influence of traditional, folkloric Mongolia is unmissable in your music, does The Hu fill in a gap for traditional music that was previously empty in Mongolia? Are there many bands about that celebrate Mongolian culture the way The Hu does?

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Traditional music always has been one of the biggest branches in Mongolian music scene. There are so many traditional bands in Mongolia.

We call our style The Hunnu Rock which is a blend of Mongolian traditional music and contemporary Rock music. Eastern meets western and the past meets present. The genre is very dynamic it can be metal, but it can also be classic rock. We are the only band who’s playing the hunnu rock in the world at the moment. We hope that we will not be the last one to play the hunnu rock.

Your band exploded internationally with the release of music videos yuve yuve yu and wolf totem which is no doubt not only due to the captivating mix of authentic Mongolian culture and heavy metal but also the amazing visual quality with the use of beautiful landscapes, horse imagery, the detailed traditional instruments and the presence of such a large support of Mongolian faces. I wanted to state this as more of a compliment than anything else, but id also like to ask whether it was difficult getting the support to produce such amazing quality videos? Is there a decent amount of support for out-there projects like these in the Mongolian cultural industry?

We have a lot of support of our families and friends including our government. We worked so hard to make these music videos. For example, we traveled over 5 thousand kilometers in 14 days to western Mongolia off roads to make the Yuve Yuve Yu music video. There were times we were freezing on top of a high mountain or sweating in hot desert. We wanted to show the world the beautiful nature of Mongolia. We’re very honoured and humbled by the reactions of the people all around the world.

How did you feel playing in Australia and in a large metal music festival like download? Was it just like home or was it a completely new and different experience? Are you excited for download 2020?

We are super excited because everywhere we go, we feel so much connection, love, and support. Our fans chant with us, they sing with us and they mosh with us. Our stage is our home, and, in our home, we know how to rock it hard!

Now that you have released your first album Gereg – big congratulations – what is next for The Hu? Is the another album on the way?

We want to keep doing what we’re doing now, and in the future. We want to leave a global mark of our music around the world.

What lasting message or experience are you hoping to leave your listeners with?

Thank you for all of your love and support! We will see you soon!

You’ll be able to witness their blend of hard rock and traditional Mongolian throat singing at Download Festival March 20 in Melbourne.

Written by Jess Sercombe

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF QUEER FILM

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MQFF.COM.AU FOR DATES, LOCATION AND DETAILS

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Finally, an ad you can lick Note: licking ad not guaranteed to give full flavour.

Twisted Dessert Bar Find Your Happy Place With Dessert 122 Moorabool Street, Geelong

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FOODIE NEWS CAFÉ SAVVY Don’t you love when things aren’t what they seem? Café Savvy is not only a café, but also a co-working space.

Located in The old Thomas Jewellers, this space is decked out with meeting rooms for people to book out for free and is equipped with PowerPoints and USB ports for people to charge your devices. Not only offering a meeting space, but Café Savvy will also be holding workshops and seminars to help people get money smart, while catering to all your caffeine needs. Talk about a trendy study or business date!

The café side of things features quick and easy lunches, such as Turkish rolls, salads, sandwiches and wraps. Also appealing to the sweeter side of life, the cafe features cakes and sweets (think muffins, friands, cookies, tarts, and slices) made especially for the café by a pastry chef who trained in Italy. Their specialty coffee is roasted in Geelong at Woodhouse Roasters, and offer other brewing methods, such as Syphon, cold brew, cold drip, AND a Nitro Cold Brew.

Check it out at 90-96 Moorabool Street from 7am – 9pm Monday through until Sunday!

Written by Chloe Cicero

WAKACHANGI LAGER IS A BLOODY BREWTY In the warmer months (and every other month) a cold brew is something you crave.Here at Forte, we believe that nothing beats the satisfaction of a frosty, perfectly poured pot of the amber nectar at the end of a long, hot day.

So because we have your best interests at heart, we want to introduce you to a beer that is going to change your life for the better.

Established more or less in 1648, Wakachangi is coined New Zealand's oldest and most trusted beer! Legend has it that the first batch was brewed by nymphomaniac monks in Portugal who were keen to make a beer that could be used to treat colour blindness and the effects of asparagus wees.

BAO DOWN Cancel all your plans 'cos Wah Bah are bringing you $3 bao buns for your Labour Day Eve. Regularly slinging these bad boys for $3 on Wah Wednesdays, the team at the Bah have decided to bring this crowd fave deal to Sunday March 8, making it the perfect way to celebrate the long weekend!

If you’re a virgin to the Bah’s Bao, you’ll be pleased to find all the classics with a twist such as pork teriyaki, a fun nacho cheese bun and there’s a delicious chilli tofu bun which has proved to be a serious crowd favourite. We currently have our hearts set on the Parmi bun and the Wah Wah Gee all-time favourite Crispy Chicken Bao. How’s that for a Labour Day treat?! Choose from any of the buns, pair it with a cocktail, sit on the deck and you’ll be happy as Larry!

It all kicks off at 12pm with $3 mix & match bao buns happening alllllllll day long!

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CELEBRATE AUSTRALIAN CIDER DAY AT FLYING BRICK

If an apple a day is good, then a cider a day is even better, right?

Well you’ll be fighting fit next month when the Bellarine becomes host to a massive celebration – all in the name of cider, local fare and top musical talent.

Landing at Flying Brick Cider House, the inaugural Australian Cider Day promises a full day of music, fun, food, cider and celebrations for all ages.

Officially endorsed by Cider Australia, this massive March celebration is all in the name of celebrating the humble Australian apple and pear, or more specifically its spin-off, cider – a drink that has taken the world by storm in the last decade.

Since the whole day revolves around a ‘tribute’ to the humble apple, it would seem only appropriate (and fun) to keep the whole tribute theme happening when it comes to entertainment. Kicking off at 10am, four of the most popular tribute bands in Australia will be performing throughout the day until 9pm – literally the ultimate Tribute line up.

First cab off the rank is Night Fever – Bee Gees

Justifiably, they also wanted to make a beer that didn't taste like badger piss that’s been put through a 16th Century soda-stream.

By all accounts they were successful, but once the Catholic Church got word of it they wanted the beer for themselves and in an act that many people feel inspired Dan Brown's 'Da Vinci Code', the monks went to go into hiding with the recipe.

It was lost for nearly 400 years until inexplicably it turned up just outside of Greymouth, New Zealand, whereupon it was found by Great Uncle Kenny, one of New Zealand's most prolific inventors, adventurers and philanderers, who spent years perfecting the recipe. He wanted to make a truly national beer that could be enjoyed by everyone, also, most importantly, one that didn't taste like wees that had been put through a soda stream.

Luckily he achieved this and in the process made the first South Otago beer with North Canterbury flavours, brewed by a West-Coaster with the ol' misty

Revival, where cider-lovers can sing along, dance and celebrate all the hits, colour, sounds and moves of true music royalty with Australia’s number one Bee Gees show. Next up, internationally acclaimed BABBA will bring out everyone’s inner dancing Queen with a guaranteed spellbinding, spectacular performance, before the international world tour sensation – Simply the Best – Rebecca O’Connor as Tina Turner hits the stage. Rounding out the Australian Cider Day celebrations, revellers will also get to bop along to legendary local cover band, Test Pilot Molly who have become loved for their vibrant performances of contemporary pop hits!

And that’s just the entertainment!

Cider Making demonstrations will allow cider enthusiasts to come behind the scenes on a rare adventure to explore, taste and learn about crafting boutique ciders from fresh fruit, while new release ciders will be on tasting and on the pour throughout the day as well a couple of cheeky cocktails the Flying Brick team have been busily devising!

On the nourishment side of things, there will be food – and lots of it – for anyone and everyone, and the kids will be happy too with the Kid’s ‘CORE’ner will feature a fab jumping castle, face painting and balloon artists.

With an event like this on the horizon, we’re simply smitten to the core!

The Australian Cider Day Celebration will be held at Flying Brick Cider House on Saturday, March 14, 10am – 9pm.

Book online via www.cidercelebrations.com.au

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waters of the Waikato! The rest, as they say, is history.

Not only is Wakachungi a ripper drop, but it's also being run by a great team across the pond in New Zealand, and we will be sitting down for a chat with founder, Leigh Hart in our next issue – so make sure you don’t miss it.

Grab yourself a six pack of Wakachangi in the meantime, now available at all BWS & Dan Murphy's stores nationwide.

QUEENSCLIFF GENERAL STORE CAFE If you're looking for a cosy eatery to talk about nothing and everything under the sun, Queenscliff General Store Café is then the place you need to be. The food and the service are warm and friendly with an atmosphere where you can truly unwind after a long day of work with an invigorating cup of coffee and an equally delicious meal. And what’s more? The restaurant has all-day brekky!

The Dad Bowl was a huge success on the occasion of Fathers’ Day. The dish consists of 12 hours slow-cooked barbecue brisket along with parmesan, potato fritters, poached eggs, chipotle mayo and popcorn. Their Pork belly bao, green papaya salad and chilli jam was on the specials and for good reason. All of it for only $12. How about some Mac and Cheese? Especially when it comes in the form of Mac and cheese croquette with chorizo crumb, free range poached eggs and Sriracha Mayo! For all the hommus lovers, the hommus and grilled broccolini is a must have.

Simple meals such as sausage rolls, or their famed Footy krank, cheese kransky, sauerkraut and mustard hot dog attract those from around the area as well as those afar. Baked goodies are in plenty in this warm, welcoming eatery. Who’s up for some delicious Cauli pies? How about their housemade hot cross buns? Their carrot cake is the perfect “afternoon pick me up” while their apple crumble, fresh from the oven, is nothing short of a homemade miracle! You’ll always find a new yet finger-licking delicious muffin here; Pecan caramel, Chocolate, peanut butter and banana, Bec’s Blueberry, banana, chai seed and oats as well as Hummingbird muffins…. take your pick!

They are open from 6:30 AM right up till 3 PM so go ahead and treat yourself to a comforting meal at this joyous joint!

Queenscliff General Store Café is located at 42 King St, Queenscliff.

Written by Aparna Pitale

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14-15 MARCH 2020

AUSTRALIA'S HOTTEST WEEKEND

Live Music and Entertainment: :Australia’s

premier roots Zydeco act; Psycho Zydeco

Traditional Andean melodies act; Inka Marka Blues Jazz act; Gary Marr & John Peruvian Folkloric Dancers

Mexican Wrestling troupe and more Wre

Foodie Frolicking: Chilli’s & Herbs

Chutneys, Sauces & Relishes World’s Hottest Dim Sims

International Food Court Cooking Stage and more

buy tickets at herbchillifestival.com.au

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SOMETHING WICCA THIS WAY COMES At just 25, Holly Marie Combs stole our hearts as the middle Halliwell sister, Piper, on Charmed back in 1998. Three, young, badass women fighting demons and warlocks to save the world, looking back now, seems progressive for its time but Combs was more interested in portraying authenticity.

“The thing about us at the time, we really weren’t trying to make a statement,” said Combs, “the three of us and later, with Rose, the four of us, what we were doing was just being ourselves. And we were really concerned with being depicted in an accurate way.

“I had no hesitation changing dialogue if it didn’t fit in my mouth the right way,” she continued. “I wanted the show to really be a representation of a real family, because that’s what made it relatable, as well

GEELONG DESIGN WEEK Geelong is set to host its first-ever design week from the 19th-29th March. The highly anticipated breakthrough event will showcase Geelong’s design-driven future. The landmark event will showcase why Geelong is Australia’s only UNESCO city of design. Design week is set to have something for the whole family to revel in.

The theme for the year is ‘Doing it Differently’, with Design Week revealing the diverse and critical role design plays in the everyday life of Geelong residents.

The inaugural festival will showcase more than 80 events, workshops and exhibitions. Each highlighting and celebrating the unique and diverse ways Geelong can champion design and weave it throughout everyday life.

The events will be presented by international and local design experts, sure to start an ongoing conversation about the future of Geelong and how new design and technology plays a role in the future of the city.

Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher has expressed her excitement over the upcoming event saying, “I’m

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as entertaining. It was really about a family who had special powers, not special powers that had a family,” Combs said reflecting of her time on the Charmed set.

Combs spoke honestly about her Charmed journey and learning with her character as the show changed in big ways.

“I think what I did was just go through the emotions kind of honestly and genuinely because none of us knew what Rose [McGowan] would bring to the show.

It was a very sort of risky move to try and replace a main character like that.

“What I did was I discovered the aspect and just totally different charm, quote-unquote, that Rose brought to the storyline, into her character, and into the set. I sort of discovered that, because I was in a precarious position where I didn’t know how the show would carry on, so I myself and Piper kind of discovered that at the same time and I think by letting my emotions genuinely follow that, I think the writers were sort of in tune with me on that as well. It sort of made the transition easier for me and Piper.

“Rose did bring a completely different sparkle, [but] it was hard.”

Combs joked about her off-screen relationship with Leo, played by Brian Krause, and how it was almost brotherly which made for some awkward moments on set.

“He is going to hate me for saying this but it was so hard” she laughs. “So hard and so awkward for us both. I had known his wife from before the show, so it was super awkward.

“I think how it just worked is that we respected each other as actors just trying to make it work. And we were equally dedicated to making it look like it works.”

Still friends today Combs playfully noted, “I joke with him still, even now, I look at him and go I made you look really good. There are millions of women still in love with you, and I don’t know how!”

“I’ve been incredibly lucky,” Combs said speaking on her career. “Those two shows [Charmed and Pretty Little Liars] came to me at this certain point in my life, because when I did Charmed I was just hell-bent on making the show a success. And I could dedicate most, if not all of my energy to the show. Then with Pretty Little Liars I had just had my third son, and I really wanted to be home more.

“One of the first things they said to me was, ‘you’ll never work more than two or three days a week’, and I was like, ‘oh my god how can I say no?’,” Combs said about Pretty Little Liars.

“I got to be part of a show that was culturally relevant.

An incredible success. A social media mega-hit. And really I didn’t have to do any of the hard work. All the girls did the hard work and I just got to be a part of it and got to be associated with it.”

According to Combs though, no one knew who A was on the set of Pretty Little Liars until filming.

“I didn’t find out until we started shooting it because it’s just so big! They obviously didn’t trust any of us with the information because they really thought that somebody was going to say something somewhere and give away the secret and the whole show just would have been ruined.”

Reflecting on life and her career now Combs is in a great place.

“As a young person, I wanted to be a marine biologist, but my family didn’t have a lot of money. So I was forced to choose to be in movies or go to school and I feel like in this strange way my career has kind of come full circle. I am able to do the things that I was really passionate about before, because of how much work I’ve put into this career, I can sort of parlay that into making things that were important to me, known to people who may not understand yet.”

As a huge animal activist Combs has been looking forward to coming Down Under in the midst of all the natural disasters the country has faced to help.

“I was really feeling this need to go down there and help and I couldn’t figure out a way to justify it to my family by leaving all four of my children here. But then Supernova called and I was like, ‘I’m sorry, I have to go work’.

“I hope to be down there and help and do anything I can, you know, with rescue and rehabilitation efforts.”

Catch Holly Marie Combs at Melbourne’s Supanova March 7 and 8 alongside co-star Brian Krause. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.

Written by Adele Shepherd

excited to see so many high-calibre events featured in the program for Geelong’s first-ever design week.”

Alongside the technology and innovation workshops and exhibits. Design Week will also house an exploration of the cultural talents and indigenous heritage of Geelong, as well as a number of pop-up shops. The mixing of technology and innovation with various cultural talents and indigenous workshops ensures that Design Week has something everyone can enjoy.

Geelong design week is set to be a huge week for Geelong, sure to entertain and inform the masses on the critical role design plays in our lives. The week-long event will also showcase how design can deal with the societal changes that Geelong will experience in the future.

Design week has eight exciting event categories, sure to suit everyone including technology; innovation and manufacturing; culture and heritage; social and community services; architecture, landscape and built environment; learning, knowledge and research environment and sustainability; food and gastronomy; art, craft, visual communication and multimedia.

Some events you can experience at Design Week include, a free upcycled fashion and street art workshop with Fernanda Covarrubias, a $20 3D clay printing: the new craft technology workshop and you can explore carbon fibre design in the How to knit a rocket workshop, being held at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds.

The diversity of the program and the eight overall categories ensures that Design Week is set to be a showstopping event that is unlike anything Geelong has seen before.

The first ever inaugural Geelong Design Week is a milestone event that shouldn’t be missed by Geelong residents and visitors to the city alike.

In order to secure your spot for the events and view the full program, head to geelongdesignweek.com.

Written by Mackenzie Pennycook

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HUNTER GATHERER Yves Saint Laurent once said: “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” And that’s just one of the mantra’s that will spring to mind when you enter Hunter Gatherer, Pakington Street’s best-kept secret.

Tucked away in Geelong’s centre of cosmopolitan lifestyle and multiculturalism (and one of the most iconic second-hand vintage shopping hubs along the Bellarine), this a volunteer-run recycled vintage and contemporary fashion store has made finding that perfect vintage gem simple since opening in April last year.

Run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence – a community organisation that works across Australia to prevent and alleviate poverty – Hunter Gatherer has been an icon in the second-hand fashion scene for more then a decade now, with three locations across Fitzroy, Melbourne’s Royal Arcade and Pakington Street Geelong West, paying homage to popular culture past and present.

Surprisingly spacious, in-store you’ll find a carefully curated collection of all things interesting, from traditional vintage items to retro inspired pieces and contemporary on-trend men’s and women’s fashion and accessories.

“The range of recycled fashion at Hunter Gatherer is handpicked specifically for the store, offering a very different variety of brands all chosen through a vintage, retro and on-trend lens – which is a really different proposition to traditional op shops,” says Carys Whitfield, Area Manager, from the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

RONE IN GEELONG Acclaimed for his major transformations of abandoned spaces worldwide, RONE returns to his hometown of Geelong with his first survey exhibition and a unique and immersive experience set to delight audiences.

RONE in Geelong will include the first comprehensive solo survey of the artist’s career, from early stencil works and street art, to photographs that document his transformation of abandoned spaces. The exhibition will also take visitors on a journey through a unique installation, with RONE transforming one of the Gallery’s most significant rooms in response to the architecture and history of the building.

This room’s scale and architectural and ornamental features—such as ionic pilasters, horizontal dado, and ceiling skylights—have led RONE to consider the beauty and grandness of the architecture of earlier eras, and the inevitable decay of spaces (when not valued and cared for). The project has also seen RONE’s re-engagement with Geelong Gallery's collection which he visited in his youth.

Works such as the Gallery’s iconic A bush burial

by Frederick McCubbin (1890) and several portraits will be referenced in the installation, as will be a number of early landscapes of Geelong.

RONE in Geelong opens at Geelong Gallery on Saturday 30 May and runs until Sunday 16 August.

Essentially, this means that while the Hunter Gatherer team are quite specific in what they stock (thanks to the generous donations every week), they offer an eclectic, well-priced range that will have you looking great at the fraction of the price your outfit would cost new – especially with medium to high end fashion brands and vintage pieces from the likes of Moschino to Karl Lagerfeld, vintage Adidas and Stella McCartney.

And while reviving the retro styles of eras past never gets old and straying away from the massproduced items in clothing chains is always a plus, shopping at a boutique-like Hunter Gatherer also helps the environment by reusing pre-loved fashion and contributing to great causes that assist the community.

“Sustainability, ethical retailing and community is really at the heart of what we do as a social enterprise of The Brotherhood of St Laurence and all of our profits are funnelled back into the organisation to help fund a range of life-changing community programs.

“Our volunteers and community are at the heart of our daily business. We don’t purchase stock, everything is donated, which means we’re helping to extend the life of goods, and challenge the singleuse-mindset toward a more sustainable future."

It’s no secret that vintage clothing is, quite literally, nothing new. Fashion royalty continually prove it's a cool way to go, and it’s one of the best ways to find an outfit you can bet nobody else will own, with the non-Prada price tags.

“Recycled fashion is more than simply buying second hand, it’s the thrill of finding something that can be altered or adjusted to perfection. It’s bringing vintage and retro back to life, enjoying a sense of nostalgia, and shopping sustainably by giving pre-loved clothing another lease on life!”

We recommend dedicating an hour or so to search every rail and crevice in the store – it’s home to hidden gems galore.

Hunter Gatherer is located in the Pakington Arcade at Shop 2/129 Pakington Street, Geelong West, and is open from 9.30am5.00pm Monday to Saturday.

LEIGH WHANNELL ON

‘THE INVISIBLE MAN’ Leigh Whannell’s come a long way since he was the film critic on the ABC’s Recovery. Together with James Wan (last seen directing Aquaman), he created the Saw franchise, and went on the play a major behind-the-scenes role in the Insidious series. But it wasn’t until he wrote and directed the science fiction thriller Upgrade that he really made a splash – and with his name now attached to a remake of Escape From New York, it’s clear his career is set to hit a whole new level.

In Melbourne to talk up his new take on the Invisible Man (which he’s written and directed), he’s clearly happy with his work. As he should be; it’s a smart, suspenseful film that constantly cranks up the tension, exploring a handful of locations in a way that leaves audiences jumping at things that aren’t there – or at least, things they can’t see.

“I’d just finished Upgrade,” Whannell says when perhaps all this is inside her head, but Whannell felt asked how The Invisible Man came about, “I was really if there’s one thing a movie about an invisible man happy with that, and I didn't know what I was going has to deliver, it’s an invisible man. to do next. And I went into a meeting and the Blum “There's a version of this movie that we could have house and universal people started talking about the made where you left the audience hanging, wondering, Invisible Man and they kind of incepted me with this did that happen or was it all in her mind. But given idea. They asked me what my take on it would be. that I was writing about an existing character, so you And the first thing that popped into my head was, know, with a cinematic and literary history, I felt like well, I would tell the story from the point of view of I had to deliver on that I call it the promise of the premise, and part of living up to it was letting the the victim of the Invisible Man. And from that whole film build to a chaotic point. I think of this movie like movie was born.”

There’s been a lot of takes on the Invisible Man over a kettle – at first, it's just boiling and then it's getting the years, and not all of them have been successful the pressures getting stronger and then suddenly it (remember Hollow Man?). For Whannell, the secret starts shrieking” To get to that shriek meant the tension in the was to have a clear vision – as it were – of what he film had to be continually cranked up. “I had to wanted to do with the character. keep escalating things, so each scene had to be an “Invisibility in and of itself is not enough to sustain a movie. You need a story, and I thought the best escalation of the last. I never wanted to tread water story to tell was the one told from the point of view in the same mood for 10 scenes, it was like we wanted of the person who's being stalked and tortured by the movie to be happening to her and the audience the Invisible Man. With horror, the less you know simultaneously, so we’re going through the story at about the threat, the scarier it is, and so I wanted the same pace as she was, and she's getting whiplash to make the Invisible Man a mysterious presence, a from the chess pieces of this game constantly moving and shifting.” real villain.”

Having the focus on the person being tormented, and While it’s a film that tackles the always topical issue with the monster invisible for much of the film, made of abusive relationships, for Whannell it was more casting the right actress vital. Enter Elizabeth Moss. important to make sure the film was honest in the “When I finished the script, I had this sudden moment rather than sit down and plan out the themes realization that the lead character was in every scene he wanted to tackle. ‘I concentrate on the story first but to like two scenes in the entire movie. That's an and let the themes exist on a more subconscious level. intimidating idea that the whole movie rests on the When you make a feature film, you really make 50 shoulders of just one actor. There's a shortlist of actors short films. And then at the end, you have to glue all I think who can really pull off this type of harrowing those short films together and hopefully, it's coherent. distressed performance with real credibility and “I don't know how other filmmakers work, he says, Elisabeth Moss is on the top of that list.” “but for me, it all has to bubble at an unconscious level.

“It's a very constrained film as well,” he adds. “You've It's part of the joy of making a film is how one tiny only got a handful of locations, so it's it's not just movement or one close up, can change the audience's that she's the main character. It's that we're in the perspective of the movie in a microsecond.” house with her. She has to do a lot internally, she The Invisible Man is in cinemas now. has to have a lot of conversations with herself in the Written by Anthony Morris movie. And, again, not a lot of people will be capable of that. If acting is reacting, as the saying goes, then what do you do when there's no one else to react to?

What do you do when you're having a conversation with the wall?”

That approach opens the door to the idea that

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I definitely need to be the only pet in the household though as I don't like other cats or dogs. I just want all the attention for myself. I'm on a special diet at the moment for my skin but maybe in a stress free home I'll feel better and be able to transition to a normal diet.

Have you got the home I'm looking for?

Ella's adoption fee is $25.00 and she comes desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and up to date flea and worm treatments.

Animal ID: 14577 Microchip: 956000008936287 Source ID: BR102648 DAB-45, CoGG 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.

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REVIEWS BY ANTHONY MORRIS

UNDERTOW

THE INVISIBLE MAN

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Filmed in Geelong, this taut and psychologically rich thriller focuses on photojournalist Claire (Laura Gordon), who forms an unsettling bond with a pregnant teen (Olivia DeJonge) while still grieving over the death of her unborn child. The teen’s link to Claire’s husband (Rob Collins) is one relationship that’s a worry; another is the presence of his footballer mate Brett (Josh Hellman). But can Claire’s increasingly shaky grasp on the world around her be trusted? Evocatively filmed by cinematographer Bonnie Elliott, writer-director Miranda Nation’s debut is an assured look at the relationship between two women approaching pregnancy from different angles. While the thriller angle drives the story forward, it’s equally as interested in exploring both the characters and the issues they face, creating a thoughtful, complex film that’s a refreshingly intelligent addition to the ranks of Australian drama.

Fleeing her home – and her relationship – in the dead of night, Ceclia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) is on the run from an abusive partner. But even she has no idea how far he’ll go to maintain his control over her. While she hides out at the home of her childhood friend (Aldis Hodge) and his teenage daughter (Storm Reid), she gets word that her abuser is dead. But even then she can’t rest, because she’s starting to notice little things around the house.

Things that make her think of her ex’s high-tech research into optics, and his threat that even if she left him, he’d still be watching. And she wouldn’t be able to see him. Writer & director Leigh Whannell (Upgrade, the Saw franchise) has taken the Universal monster and crafted a lean, efficient thriller around the central concept. But by shifting the focus to the invisible man’s victim, he’s made this much more of a suspense thriller than a monster movie and it’s the better for it. Moss pretty much carries the film (there’s a number of scenes that end with lingering closeups) and it’s her intensity that makes it work – though Whannell’s fondness for action scenes and plot twists gets a workout here as well.

Opening mid-explosion in the kind of "that's me - Sonic. Bet you're wondering how I got into this predicament" introduction that even the kids this is aimed at have seen too many times, the big screen debut of the popular video game character rushes through Sonic's origin to get to the status quo: he lives in a cave on the outskirts of the small town of Green Hills, where he spies on everyone and talks to himself in an attempt to prevent the isolation from driving him insane. James Marsden brings a lot of charm to a largely thankless role as firstly a bored cop and then secondly a surrogate parent to Sonic after an emotional outburst from the depressed hedgehog results in an energy burst that attracts the US military's most unhinged drone pilot, Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Carrey dusts off the old antics that made him a star twenty-five years ago, and the good news is they still work. There are a bunch of decent speed-related action sequences too, and Sonic's emotional arc - he knows he should flee Earth but his next stop is a lifeless mushroom planet and he can't keep living alone and on the run is strong enough to makes this a bland but perfectly competent piece of brand management.

THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN

MISS FISHER AND THE CRYPT OF TEARS

Based on the true story of how the Oxford English Dictionary came to be, one of the many problems this film has is that while a while lot of things take place, very few of them join up to form a story. It’s the 19th century, and Professor James Murray (Mel Gibson) is a Scottish school teacher who's religious, well-mannered, a loving husband and caring father, and a man passionately devoted to language: who better to take over Oxford university's struggling dictionar y project?

Meanwhile, former US Army surgeon turned crazed murderer Dr William Minor (Sean Penn) is acting crazy at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, where he's been sent after murdering the husband of Eliza Merrett (Natalie Dormer). He saves the life of a guard impaled on a faulty gate, decides he wants his army pension sent to Merrett to make amens for his crime, and then really gets into helping out Murray (whose big idea to get the dictionary done is to ask the public for help). Conflicts between director Farhad Safinia (who's had his name taken off the film) and the producers meant this has been sitting on a shelf since 2016; it’s an expensive, awardsbait project that never quite manages to tell a story.

It’s 1929, and Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) has taken her detective work global, jumping across rooftops in Palestine to save agitator Shirin Abbas (Izabella Yena), niece of Sheikh Kahlil Abbas (Kal Naga). Exactly how this ties into a series of murders in London, or a lengthy stay at the country home of Lord Lofthouse (Daniel Lapaine), or the mysterious disappearance of an entire village in the deserts of Arabia, or a giant emerald that might possibly be cursed (according to a professor played by John Walters) isn’t exactly a mystery, but there’s little denying this is a movie with a lot of plot. It also features a lot of Miss Fisher climbing in and out of windows; one decent lock and her detective career would be over. As it stands this is somewhat uneven, with the “movie” sequences at beginning and end pleasingly cheesy but not exactly polished, while the more satisfying country house murder mystery in the middle feels like an extended episode of the television series. Davis’ energetic, knowing performance sets the right tone and her performance all but carries the film. Fans will be glad to know Detective Inspector Jack Robinson (Nathan Page) makes it to London; his stiff upper lip pining for Phryne remains a highlight.

FORTÉ FROTHS

RECORD WATCH

‘HALFWAY HOUSE’ BY LOUI ILLUSIONS

Chris Wilson - Chris Wilson (Cheersquad Records)

The last recordings of local blues legend Chris Wilson have just been released on vinyl.

Originally self-released on CD with little fanfare across 7 tracks in 2018. His baritone voice and sharp harmonica are sadly missed.

For fans of Crown Of Thorns, Bo Diddley & Tav Falco Available from Prehistoric Sounds in Warrnambool & The Amazing Mill Market Newcomb

NEW RECORD STORE IN BENDIGO! RECORDS, BOOKS, FILMS PURVEYORS OF UNPOPULAR CULTURE

SESSION TIMES

5A HIGH ST, EAGLEHAWK

TRASHCULTSTORE@GMAIL.COM

Februuy 27th - MMch 11th pivotcinema.com.au

H IS FOR HAPPINESS PEANUT BUTTER FALCON MEETING GORBACHEV A U S T R A L I A Fa m i l y 9 3 m i n s P G

T hu 2 7 t h 1 p m Fri 28th 2.45pm Sat 29th 11am & 7pm Sun 1st 1pm Mon 2nd 2.50pm Tue 3rd 6.40pm We d 4 t h 1 p m T hu 5 t h 6 .1 5 p m Sat 7th 5pm Sun 8th 11am Tue 10th 4.30pm We d 1 1 t h 4 . 4 0 p m

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NE W U K C o m i n g o f A g e 9 5 m i n s M

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COMING SOON

T h u 2 7 t h 7. 3 0 p m Fri 28th 12.50pm Sat 29th 9pm S u n 1 s t 7. 3 0 p m Mon 2nd 8.40pm Tue 3rd 8.40pm We d 4 t h 5 . 1 5 p m Fri 6th 8.30pm Mon 9th 4.40pm We d 1 1 t h 8 . 3 0 p m F r i 1 3 t h 9.1 5 p m

Mar 12th EMMA Mar 19th HONEYLAND Mar 26th MS FISHER & CRYPT TEARS IT TLE WOMEN Apr 3rd-5th PRIDE FILM FESTIVAL L MUST END SUNDAY U S A D r a m a 1 0 9 m i n s April 9th ROMANTIC ROAD S u n 1 s t 3 p m F I N A L 42

Prrdly SSving

U N I T E D S TAT E S H e a r t f e l t D r a m a 9 3 m i n s M

LIMITED SEASON U S A D o c u m e n t a r y 8 9 m i n s P G

T hu 2 7 t h 11am & 3 p m Fri 28th 8.40pm Sat 29th 3pm S u n 1 s t 11am & 5 . 3 0 p m M on 2nd 12.50pm & 4.50pm Tu e 3 rd 11am & 4 . 4 0 p m We d 4 t h 1 1 a m T hu 5 t h 1 2 . 4 0 p m F r i 6 t h 2.30pm S at 7 t h 11am Sun 8th 7pm Mon 9th 11am & 8.30pm Tue 10th 12.40pm & 6.30pm We d 1 1 t h 1 1 a m

Fri 28th 4.40pm Sat 29th 1pm Mon 2nd 6.45pm Tue 3rd 1pm We d 4 t h 3 p m T hu 5 t h 2 . 4 0 p m Fri 6th 11am S u n 8 t h 1 p m FINAL

UNDERTOW

NE W A U S T R A L I A T h r i l l e r D r a m a 8 6 m i n s M A

T hu 5 t h 8 . 2 0 p m Fri 6th 6.30pm S at 7 t h 9.1 0 p m Sun 8th 3pm Mon 9th 1 p m & 6 . 4 0 p m T u e 1 0 t h 2.40pm & 8.30pm We d 1 1 t h 2 . 4 5 p m

JOJO RABBIT

ENCORE SESSIONS N Z / U S A C o m e d y 9 9 m i n s M

M

Sat 7th 7pm T hu 1 2 t h 1 1 a m Sun 15th 5.15pm

BIGGEST LITTLE FARM U N I T E D S TAT E S D o c u m e n t a r y 8 9 m i n s P G

T hu 2 7 t h 5 . 2 0 p m Fri 28th 11am Sat 29th 5pm Mon 2nd 11am Tue 3rd 2.50pm Fri 6th 4.30pm S a t 7 t h 3 p m FINAL

IN MY BLOOD IT RUNS NE W A U S T R A L I A D o c u m e n t a r y 8 6 m i n s M A

T hu 5 t h 1 1 a m & 4 . 3 0 p m F r i 6 t h 12.50pm Sat 7th 1pm Sun 8th 5pm Mon 9th 2.50pm Tue 10th 11am We d 1 1 t h 1 p m & 6 . 4 0 p m T hu 1 2 t h 5 . 3 0 p m

wines and

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bees...

Sometimes you hear a song and it just sticks with you. A song that is so masterfully produced and written that you get chills. A song with vocals so smooth you want to hear them over and over again. A song where the instruments are played so well that everything just seems perfect. Halfway House by Loui Illusions is one of those songs. Written and sung by Loui Battour, he was inspired by the metaphor of a halfway house – being there for someone through the good and the bad. Always welcomed, always supported, no matter what.

With a really mellow yet still upbeat tempo this openhearted message is so catchy you’ll be repeating it for days. The five minute track was produced by Ripley Smith with backup vocals and instrumentals by Emile Battour, Torren Dove, Jack Glanville and Paul Fergus Morris. The group of young talented artists have a long history of playing together in pubs, with afterhours sing-alongs lasting well into the early morning. This natural chemistry and history really shines through on the track. All of their individual talents can be heard breaking through to make something truly special.

Halfway House will be available February 28th on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and YouTube.

Trust me, you’ll want to hear this. 5/5 Written by Adele Shepherd

RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020

FORTÉ PICK

Saturday night, it was disappointing the former Powderfinger frontman didn’t play any of the band’s hits. I know he is a solo act in his own right, but for us who loved Powderfinger and listened to all their songs, it was saddening to not get the chance to singa-long to ‘These Days’ or ‘My Happiness’.

However, Something For Kate were definitely something else. In my opinion, their sunset slot stole the festival and was filled with hit after hit and high energy performances from the whole band. If you ever have the chance to see the band in action; take it.

Day three brought Jess Locke, Bob Evans, Archie Roach and Kate Miller-Heidke to the Echuca-Moama stage. Bob Evans was the surprise of the festival for me. I hadn’t heard much of his work before the festival (except for his work with Jebediah of course) and now I have the alternative folk singer on repeat.

Archie Roach was mesmerising. Roach’s wisdom and words are unforgettable and his sensational backing band demonstrated why the musical pioneer is still selling out shows across the country.

Finally, Kate Miller-Heidke closed the festival with a set full of all her hits and an outstanding voice that leaves your head spinning. Miller-Heidke’s voice is out-of-this-world amazing and she was simply a delight to watch perform.

Riverboats, you’ve done it again. I’m not sure how this year can be topped but I can’t wait to see what next year’s tenth anniversary will bring to the Murray River.

SLOWLY SLOWLY Race Car Blues UNFD Reviewed by Thom Devereux

After an explosive 2019, Melbourne four-piece Slowly Slowly have not disappointed with their third album, bursting into the new decade with an electric collection of songs displaying front-man Ben Stewart’s impressive lyricism and the skillsets of Albert Doan (guitars), Alex Quayle (bass) and Patrick Murphy (drums) in action.

The album opens with ‘Creature of Habit’, the prequel of the group’s second single of 2019. Stewart, accompanied by a raw rhythm of an electric guitar, finds his flow immediately.

‘Michael Angelo’ is a stand-out track. Stewart sings about his song-writing ability, and in turn, displays this. It’s a great track, with well-written lyrics, and a catchy chorus; I think it speaks for itself.

‘How It Feels’ is a different display of Stewart’s vocal ability, this time in a higher register. It opens softly, before diving into a heavy sound again. Passion and emotion come through the vocals, a barely audible whisper is heard before the second chorus comes crashing back.

‘Race Care Blues’ is a team effort where each member can be heard working together to create the wicked sound of this track, marking an appropriate ending to Slowly Slowly’s third album release.

This is a new chapter for Slowly Slowly. Stewart’s lyricism and vocals are constantly moving in new directions for this release, and once you add the punk and heavy sound that the rest of the band brings, you are left with the striking album that is Race Car Blues.

Once again, the festival among the gum trees has delivered.

In its ninth instalment, Echuca’s Riverboats Music Festival produced a line-up second to none. Bernard Fanning, Kate Miller-Heidke, Something For Kate, Troy Casser-Daly, Archie Roach and many others headed up to the Mighty Murray for the three-day event.

Punters grabbed their picnic rugs, floppy hats, trio of dips and found a spot to sit down, relax and enjoy the music-filled weekend.

Master of ceremonies Brian Nankervis brought his music knowledge, favourite songs, and trustee frisbee along for the ride. The comedian filled in the gaps between acts with games galore and had the crowd in stitches from the beginning.

Friday night kicked off with a Welcome To Country

from local Indigenous elder Uncle Rick Ronan before Matt Joe Now, Dyson Stringer Cloher and Troy CasserDaley hit the stage. Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher had all individually wow-ed Riverboats in previous years and together the supergroup got the audience off their seats and up dancing. In his performance, Casser-Daley remarked how playing at the festival had been a dream come true and the country star blew the crowds away with his hit-stacked set.

The crowd has always been capped at 4,000 so everyone can fit comfortably in the natural amphitheatre. The simply lovely audience is a diverse mix of people from all walks of life with many families coming along to the festival. If I had to capture the audience in a few words; lovers of Double J radio and punters of the early days of Meredith are enticed by Riverboats Music Festival year after year.

Ainslie Wills, Robert Forster, Horns of Leroy featuring Thando, Mama Kin Spender, Something for Kate and Bernard Fanning graced the second day of the event. Horns of Leroy were fantastic. The impressive musicians played a bunch of party classics which had the audience singing along.

While Bernard Fanning was the headline act for the festival and played a great rock set to close

POLARIS

VESSEL

HEINOUS CRIMES

SARAHJ.

The Death Of Me

Vagabond Blues

Popular Music for Popular People

Afterthought

Resist Records

Majestic Mountain Records

Independent

Independent

Reviewed by Alex Callan

Reviewed by Jess Sercombe

Reviewed by Adele Shepherd

Reviewed by Adele Shepherd

Adelaide’s own indie psych-rockers Heinous Crimes have released their full debut album Popular Music for Popular People.

The seven-track debut LP encapsulates the band’s hypnotic brand of psych-rock that feels both unnerving and euphoric.

Coming off a huge 2019, with two single releases, preforming a multitude of live shows as well as supporting the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Heinous Crimes are here to make 2020 their bitch with Popular Music for Popular People.

Each song is a unique blend of psychedelic, alternative and experimental rock which perfectly flow from each track to the next.

Songs like Virtue and Valley give you classic, long, instrumental solos often missing from current popular music, showing both the band’s skills and talent as well as their appreciation for the music as well as vocals.

Heinous Crimes will be taking Popular Music for Popular people on the road along the East Coast, kicking off the first show in Adelaide at the Crown and Anchor Hotel on Saturday, February 29th.

Since releasing their debut EP Reaper in late 2018, Sarahj. has been working very hard on their sophomore EP Afterthought and it shows.

The five-track EP comes hot off the back of their latest single Mental which is the third track on the EP. This five-piece, female-fronted, pop-rock band brings to the table a kind of youthful, honest energy.

Their individuality, driven attitude and passion can be felt in every track.

Lead vocalist Sarah Jones on the themes and ideas of Afterthought said “Afterthought lyrically, is pure emotion, written from what is felt in the moment. [its] ultimately about finding hope and refuge in yourself, letting loose your true feelings, even if you feel the world is backed up against you.”

The lead single ‘Step by Step’ is the second track on the EP and is full of raw emotion, losing friendships filled with animosity and distrust, yet still has a hint of playfulness to its melody.

Sarahj. has said this new EP is going to be a new direction for their fans to hear. Each member of the band feels that they have grown, as both people and musicians, and Afterthought is their way to express their evolution together.

Afterthought will be available on February 29 on all streaming services.

WHERE: ECHUCA-MOAMA WHEN: FEBRUARY 14-16 REVIEWED BY KIM PRICE

Polaris have always alternated their sound between Bendigo duo Vessel have returned kicking off their heavy and melodic songs but on their second LP 2020 with second album release Vagabond Blues. Much The Death Of Me – the follow up to their ARIA- like their previous work, the album overall reads like a classic psychedelic desert rock with blues and heavy nominated, Top 10 debut, The Mortal Coil (2018) metal twists.

- their amalgamations of sounds have truly met. In the words of Patrick Batemen from ‘American Psycho’ The album only consists of seven tracks, but a few of them clock in around six minutes and longer they have really come into their own and if I may add; so strap in for some long, furious fuzz, kiddos. Their in an extremely meticulous, emotional and perfectly influences from Kyuss, Monster Magnet and Uncle Acid executed fashion. are definitely felt in every track, channelling their inner The sensational 10-track album opens with ‘Pray for Rain’, which seems like a self homage to earlier Californian desert rocker. songs such as ‘Wherever I May Walk’ off their 2013 The title track opens up the album with a fast-paced, debut EP ‘Dichotomy.’ Its slow build-up is perfectly high energy headbanger with some fun guitar shreds. complemented by Ryan Siews technical riffs.

‘Twenty Twenty’ also brings the fire with a hard and ‘Hypermania’ has much more of a modern-day punk heavy sound that makes you wanna fling yourself in tinge to it, which is a unique but welcomed addition to the heart of the mosh. Good times. the band's repertoire. Highlighted through the songs Other tracks like ‘Red Witch’ and ‘The Devil’s bouncy off-kilter riffs and solidified by Jamie Hails Backyard’ revert to a more classic, slow tempo stoner drawn-out yells, certain moments reminded me of rock sound delivering groovy riffs at a chill pace, ‘Regress’ but with much more pace. although ‘Red Witch’ pulls the rug out from under ‘Landmine’ is easily the album's highlight and that's you around two minutes for a funky change of pace. for quite a few reasons; the first is its heaviness. I have Highlights of the album are ‘The Void Tempest’ and always been more akin to the heavier side of Polaris ‘Atacama’ which are both two of the longest tracks on the album as well as almost entirely instrumental. Not and this song really steps that up a notch. Secondly, I love Jamie experimenting with more of a disjointed, to say the vocals aren’t great, but the instrumentalism/ fast pace and slightly rap influenced style of his vocals minimalist vocals seem to be where the band really in this song. Thirdly, the songs finishing moments shines, allowing them to experiment more with the which are arguably the heaviest the lads have ever spacey, winding riffs and haunting echo-y sounds that sounded. mark their talent as a fuzzy desert rock outfit.

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Live Nation presents As Seen on Netflix’s ‘Comedians of the World’ & ‘Orange is the New Brown’

THU 9 - SAT 18 APR MELBOURNE TOWN HALL

SOLD OUT 2018 & 2019!

THU 26 MAR - SUN 19 APR MELBOURNE TOWN HALL

SOLD OUT: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019!

Thu 26 Mar-Sun 19 Apr THE FORUM

WINNER OF THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD 2019!

26 MARCH - 16 APRIL MELBOURNE TOWN HALL | 17 APRIL PALAIS THEATRE

THU 26 MAR - SUN 19 APR VICTORIA HOTEL - BANQUET ROOM tickets at livenation.com.au

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FORTÉ 734

WRITTEN BY ALASTAIR MCGIBBON

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

A few years back, for reasons I cannot fully explain, I went through a period of watching a series of movies about soccer hooligans. Formulaic wasn’t exactly the word for them, but it’s safe to say they knew what their audience wanted – violence and plenty of it – and weren’t afraid to deliver it.

My interested faded around the time of White Collar Hooligan 2 (yes, there is a White Collar Hooligan 3; no, I haven’t seen it), and it wasn’t until someone tipped me off over the Christmas break that they were going to be rebooting the Rise of the Footsolider series that I figured it was time to check back in with the world of UK crime.

Turns out I’d missed a lot with my single-minded focus on soccer thug movies; while I’d seen the first two Rise movies – plus at least one other film based on the same real-life murder of three Essex drug dealers in the late 90s – I’d completely missed out on the third and fourth instalments in the series.

To be fair, the fourth was only been released at the start of this year, and both were prequels focusing on Pat Tate, one of the murdered drug dealers who was played

by Craig Fairbrass. Tate was a supporting character in the first film, but being a “psychotic yeti” (a line seemingly mandatory in every film) he was easily the most interesting character to focus on, and by “most interesting” I mean “most insanely violent”, as every scene he has in both 3 and 4 involves him either taking huge amounts of drugs, beating someone up, or yelling a stream of threats before taking drugs and beating someone up. In 3 he does a lot of drug deals, eventually gets sent to prison, murders everyone in prison, then gets out and does more drug deals; in 4 he goes to Spain to get revenge on the people who set him up, does more drugs (and drug deals), murders slightly fewer people but steals more stuff, and then gets tricked into throwing tens of thousands of pounds worth of ecstasy into the ocean.

The refreshing thing about both films is how they’ve (correctly) realised the audience doesn’t care one bit if the lead character is likable or decent so long as his relentless bullying of everyone around him is aimed entirely at people who are slimy sneaky scumbags, so while there’s the occasional reminder that this violent drug-crazed maniac is a violent drugcrazed maniac, this mostly focuses on the fact that violent drug-crazed maniac’s are very entertaining so long as you’re nowhere near them in real life.

Unfortunately, the planned reboot of this franchise will almost certainly refocus the series on “the footsoldier”, an utterly forgettable character even in his own movie who rose through the ranks of Essex crime largely due to being so low profile and drug-addled he forgot to step outside and get killed like most of his mates.

Fairbrass on the other hand, who is a genuinely scary presence in these films, has been keeping himself busy as a terrifying thug in a range of other projects, all of which are worth your time and one – last year’s Avengement, in which he plays the brother of Scott Adkins’ steel-toothed cockney brawl-artist – is a genuine mustsee classic.

Hey gang! While the year might be in full swing and my days are starting to blur together already, I’ve managed to escape the endless march of time by travelling back in time to the far-off year of 2016, where DC’s Rebirth line was just beginning. That’s right, kids – I’m taking the easy route out and talking about a Rebirth #1 trade again! This week, I’m talking about Deathstroke volume 1: The Professional, written

by Christopher J. Priest (Quantum and Woody) and drawn by a string of artists so long that I can’t be arsed writing their names out (seriously, there’s like five of them). Just kidding – artists need love too! The book is drawn by James Bennett, Belardino Brabo (Red Hood/Arsenal), Mark Morales (The Accelerators), Carlo Pagulayan (Atlas) and Jason Paz (America’s Got Powers).

Someone is messing with the world’s greatest assassin. He might have enhanced reflexes, a healing factor, hyper-intelligence and an unstoppable penchant for violence, but it seems even Slade Wilson – a.k.a Deathstroke – can be manipulated.

While on a contract in a war-torn African nation, Deathstroke is led – piece by piece – to his kidnapped partner, Billy Wintergreen, and manipulated by an unknown party to don a prototype battlesuit crafted by his former-partner-turned-superhero Dr Ikon.

With Wintergreen safe, Slade discovers that someone else close to him is in peril – someone wants his daughter Rose dead.

With two of his closest allies under threat, Slade is determined to find out who’s messing with him – and exact his vengeance.

I’ve got to be honest – this is my first Deathstroke comic and I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read far more Deadpool – a.k.a. the pisstake of Deathstroke – than I have Deathstroke titles. Really, though, it kinda leaned into my gut feeling that Slade is one -e d g y- boi and the book seems to be going to great pains to tell a story that doesn’t lean too hard on the fact that he’s basically a moody teenager’s idea of a cool character.

My gripes about Slade’s background aside, I think Christopher Priest has done an admirable job of stringing together a story that kept me engaged, even if I got a bit confused along the way. There are enough political machinations and plot twists to sate Game of Thrones or House of Cards fans, and plenty of Slade doing what he does best (i.e. killing people). Honestly, one of my favourite parts of the book is when (spoiler warning) Deathstroke kidnaps Damien Wayne in an attempt to manipulate Batman, and Damien spends his entire time in captivity talking shit about Deathstroke to his face. It was a slightly out of place, almost over the top spot of humour in an otherwise serious book, and I loved every panel of it.

A notable feature of the book is that despite the large roster of artists, the whole thing is remarkably consistent in terms of the quality of its artwork. With that many artists involved, you’d expect the quality to change with each artist, but it didn’t noticeably change at all – a hell of an achievement, in my opinion.

All up, while I might not be the target market for Deathstroke comics anymore, this Rebirth #1 trade is still a decent DC tale that will no doubt appeal to comic fans that like their action served with a dash of political machinations.

History made real!

When you talk about the founding of the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club, there’s one larger than life bloke who comes to mind – Stringybark McDowell.

Stringybark (aka Kenny Terrington), Kylie Minogue’s favourite bluesman, was thought by one on-line reviewer to be a myth until he saw him in the flesh.

Stringybark has been quietly influential to many, influenced by the old blues masters & and many more modern-day heroes.

He has a raw-edged sound of his own, sometimes compared to Captain Beefheart, he can be a bit of Tom Waitsy, raw and swampy or fingerpick it up in a pretty way.

He has made slide guitar & foot percussion his own and has been doing it for over 20 years. His style of raw rootsy blues drawn from the great masters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries mixed with his eccentric Aussie humour and homemade instruments combines for a blues-loving and rib-tickling good time.

The original creator of country blues band Muddy Puddles who toured rural Australia for years whooping it up for the punters with their jug junk band attitude to the blues. Stringy spent 2003 touring the UK successfully including The Great British R&B Festival, with a return for a shorter tour in 2006. Mid 2004 saw Muddy Puddles return to the road performing various gigs and festivals throughout the country.

Stringy kept the crowd entertained at Bluestone 2006 with a series of short solo brackets between gigs with the old signature red truck stage. Stringy performed as a one-man band playing acoustic and electric guitars, including his famous Diddley bow, Raw gritty vocals, "Doof Doof" the 14” kick drum and "Lefty" a home-made snarey highhatty rattle, a bit of rack harp and kazoo.

Early this century (it still feels weird saying that!) Molly Coddlecream came into his life, they began performing as Stringy and Molly and moved to Sandleton SA, and their gigs here dramatically reduced in number.

However, that was the gain of places further afield.

We’ll let him put it together, “One Man Washing Machine of Blues and Stuff for decades, now as I get too old to stomp I'm stripping back to guitars and vocals and the songwriting genius of my partner Molly Coddlecream!! Influences, too many to mention but never commercial crap.”

Like we say in Australia – ‘There's no flies on this man’, but you can see where they have been.

He’s swinging through this part of the woods, with three gigs: March 6th at Saints & Sailors, March 7th at Breakwater Hotel and March 8th at Pistol Pete’s.

Later in the year, he’s off to Switzerland to the Blues Rules Crissier Festival (Crissier is the place). I don’t know about you, but that commute is a bit far, so these local gigs are the easiest to get to.

Seriously, if you haven’t heard Stringy, then you have to make it to one of these gigs, your ears will love you.

Just a quick note, the last of the Black Hatt’s Battle of the Bands is on March 13th, with the final on 20th. Things should be climaxing soon!

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.

Every day there's bullshit news coming from the mainstream media, both print and broadcast, but the most bullshittest news in the past couple of weeks comes from a massive London pop music mag that shall remain nameless here, that declared, I shit you not, Slipknot as the best band in the world at their 2020 awards night. The. Best. Band. In. The. World. Let that sink in. Sure, for a pop band Slipknot are kinda edgy, but that doesn't make them the best band in the world. Fuck, they chose to get rid of drummer Joey Jordison and no one since in the band has been better. They got rid of percussionist Chris Fehn coz he asked questions about the business side of the band. And Corey Taylor is the biggest douche ever. Their albums are boring and their live shows are ok, not the worst but not the best. So, it would appear the above is what is required of a band to receive such an award.

But down here in the real world, we all know that Slipknot are not the best band in the world, never have been and never will be. All this award does is reflect the low quality of the publication and their readership and this whole situation is embarrassing for them all. But who is the best band in the world? I hear you ask me.

Answer: a band that still has all of its best members. A band you laugh at, be serious at, a band with cool and funny fan made memes, a band that hasn't released an album in nine years and is killer live. Yep, Limp Bizkit. Kidding. I'm not arrogant enough to declare any band the best for the year, nor am I desperate enough to tabulate votes and make a THTH best band of 2020 poll. Or, wait, am I?

THE SUNNYBOYS Recently the Sunnyboys played at the Torquay Hotel. It was probably the first time they had played on our coast in over 30 years. The band room was packed to the rafters as young and old (mostly old) came out to see one of Australia’s great bands.

I first came across the Sunnyboys back in 1982. Jack McCoy and Dick Hoole were touring their surf film Storm Riders around Australia. Storm Riders was huge at the time. 90 minutes of the world’s best surfers riding massive waves in Hawaii, Bells Beach and Bali accompanied by one of the best surf film soundtracks in years featuring The Church, Australian Crawl, Mondo Rock, The Models and a new young band from Sydney’s northern beaches who had just started making a name for themselves… the Sunnyboys.

As surfer after surfer pulled into barrel after barrel on the big screen to the blistering sound of ‘Tunnel Of Love’ blasting out in the theatre, we were blown away. What was this song, who was this band… I want MORE! Not long after, I bought my first Sunnyboys album and was immediately hooked. Packed with hard and fast rock classics like ‘Happy Man’, ‘I’m Shakin’, ‘Trouble In My Brain’ and the charttopping ‘Alone With You’, it was one of the great rock albums of the eighties. 12 hard and fast tracks featured screaming guitars, thumping drums and Jeremy Oxley’s deep vocals. For a short period, they played to packed crowds around Australia and then… they were gone.

Decades later the truth about lead singer Jeremy Oxley’s battle with schizophrenia would come out. Oxley was brave enough to tell his story and the impact of mental illness on the band and his life in the documentary THE SUNNYBOY. It seemed like we would never see or hear the band live again….

I was pretty surprised to read that the band were touring again this summer; even more surprised when I found out they were doing a gig locally at the Torquay Hotel.

It was a hot steamy summer night when the band hit the stage in front of a very enthusiastic audience. Like I said there were quite a few old crew in the audience… it seemed like every surfer in town from the old days had come out to see the band and they didn’t disappoint.

For two hours they blasted out the classics from a tiny stage in the corner of the pub. Hit after hit from ‘It’s Not Me’ to ‘I Can’t Talk To You’. Things just got hotter and steamier as the audience fired up and Jeremy looked like he was going to pass out a few times but the band soldiered on in one of the best gigs at the pub ever.

40 years on, there is still life in the Sunnyboys and on one hot summer night in Torquay they showed they could still rock out with the best.

In other news + Download Festival featuring Deftones, Carcass, Testament, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, and not much else, will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Friday March 20. + Me And That Man will release their new album New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1 on Friday March 27. + Nightwish will release their new album Human. :II: Nature. on Friday April 10. + Blacken Open Air festival will be held over Easter weekend.

Easter Sunday is April 12. + Abysmal Dawn will release their new album Phylogenesis on Friday April 17. + Nile will be at Melbourne's Max Watts on Sunday April 26. + King and Nocturnal Graves will play the Northcote Social Club on Saturday May 2. + Iron Maiden will play Rod Laver Arena on Monday May 11. + Check out this edition’s of THTH’s Spotify playlist by searching for playlist: THTH731 or by searching spotify:user:TooHeavyToHug If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to tooheavytohug@ hotmail.com or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug

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THE GUIDE GOT A GIG? SEND IT TO GIGS@FORTEMAG.COM.AU PRESENTED BY

THURS 27THBEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER

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

HOME HOUSE: LOCKDOWN

THE OLD BAR: GRACE PETRIE

LAMBYS: BEDROCK, TROY BARRETT, RESIDENT DJ'S

BENDIGO HOTEL: BENEFIT FOR WIRES

LAMBYS: BEDROCK, JAMES KERNICK, RESIDENT DJS

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

CORNER HOTEL: BRASS AGAINST

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: THE ASCENDED & NABERUS

WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: FOLK EXCHANGE SHOWCASE WITH EAST POINTERS, THIS WAY NORTH, MAMA MHIRINGI

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: REGULATE (USA)

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ THE ESPY: SCOTT CANDLISH GEELONG ARTS CENTRE: ROSS NOBLE THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: DAY TRIPS, LAFFERTY DANIEL, SID O'NEIL OLD BAR: TETSUINS, FRANCIS GLASS BAND PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC SPORTING GLOBE: LIVE MUSIC WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: SOLO SESSIONS FRI 28TH BARWON CLUB: DIVINE ASCENSION, 29 BONES, NEMESIUM BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN BENDIGO HOTEL: ENCIRCLING SEA BLOOM: HARRY STLYES NIGHT CORNER HOTEL: LYDIA LUNCH, RETROVIRUS THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: BACKWATER BLUES THE EASTERN: MAJESTIC HORSES, CHESS, MERAKI MINDS EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS ELEPHANT & CASTLE: BRANDON BURNS THE ESPY: THE RITUAL GOLDEN VINE: STEPH BITTER & CO GROVEDALE HOTEL: LEVI ANDERSON DUO HANDLE BAR: RORY PHILLIPS (NSW) LAMBYS: ADAM 12, TROY BARRETT, JOUBIN, THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: UNBOUND, PISSBOLT, OBAT BATUK, THATCHER MANCHESTER ARMS: TRAFFIC LIGHT PARTY KARAOKE MAX WATT'S: ATREYU LIVE IN MELBOURNE MURPHYS: MARTY & DOC OLD BAR: OLD BAR UNICORNS PALAIS HEPBURN: DJ SACH (UK) PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC PISTOL PETE'S: ANDY MCGARVIE TRIO RECESS: FABULOUS FRIDAY SPORTING GLOBE: ACOUSTIC FRIDAYS TORQUAY HOTEL: MOLUCK VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: THE DREGG'S SAT 29TH THE BARKING DOG: LIVE MUSIC

MANCHESTER ARMS: JGP @ THE MANNY MURPHYS: THE GROOVE CARTEL

THURS 5TH

OLD BAR: MADELEINE DUKE, HELPING HANDS – A BUSHFIRE BENEFIT

BEAVS BAR: ANDY FORSTER BENDIGO HOTEL: WAX THURSDAYS

PAKO FESTA!

BLOOM: UNOFFICIAL BUS TOUR AFTER PARTY

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC PISTOL PETE'S: THE RELATIVES QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: SALTED FISH SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAYS

OLD BAR: SHADY NASTY PIANO BAR: SUPERGIRLY NO RESTRICTIONS

BARKING DOG: GUITAR BAR

WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: BUFFY & ANGEL THEMED TRIVIA

BARWON CLUB: MATTY ORCHARD, THE WITCHING HOUR, DETACH ME, WELF BEAVS BAR: FIRE RELIEF FUNDRAISER

FRI 6TH

BELMONT HOTEL: SUNDAY SESSIONS

BARWON CLUB: FLOWERS FOR COPS, EARTHDOMEN, SERATONIN MALFUNTION

BENDIGO HOTEL: JAKE GEORGE AND THE INVESTIGATORS

BEAVS BAR: LUKE BISCAN

EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: VERTIGO

BLOOM: SUNTRIBE & NOISA PRESENTS REGGAETRON VIBEZ

THE FOX AND THE HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS

THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: LIVE MUSIC

THE GOOD BEER BAR: TEQUILA, TACOS & BEER

CORNER HOTEL: EZRA COLLECTIVE (UK)

GROVEDALE HOTEL: ADRIAN & NARDIA

THE EASTERN: BANANAGUN, JACK KONG

THE HOPP INN: JOLLY JUGS

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ

LAMBYS: BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY FT. GOOD FACES 4 RADIO + RESIDENT DJS

ESPY: MAMMAL GEELONG ARTS CENTRE: MELINDA SCHNEIDER: A FAREWELL TO DORIS

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: JUST A NUMBER, THE GREAT EMU WAR CASUALTIES

GOLDEN VINE: ROWAN BLACKMORE WITH FLORA

MAX WATT'S: LIVE MUSIC

GROVEDALE HOTEL: PETER CHAPMAN

MORGAN'S BAR & GRILL: SUMMER SUNDAYS

LAMBYS: ADAM 12 + NICK TABONE + JOUBIN

PIANO BAR: LADIES LUNCH PIANO BAR COLAC: PITCH PLEASE

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: A STRIKING TERROR

SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

MANCHESTER ARMS: HEROES AND VILLAINS KARAOKE

SUMMER SUNDAYS: BALLARAT BOTANICAL GARDENS

MAX WATT'S: MONO

TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS

MELODIC ROCKFEST MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC

MON 2ND OLD BAR: HEAVENPHETAMINE, POLARIZE, LO VISION TUES 3RD

OLD BAR: JRB & THE HEATERS PALAIS HEPBURN: KERRYN FIELDS AND TUCK SHOP LADIES

BARWON CLUB: SDICKLORD, BITTER SWEET KICKS, GRIDHOUSE, COSMIC KAHUNA, DR COLOSSUS, TWO HEADED DOG

BEAVS: THE EXCHANGE PERFORMANCES

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: IAN SHERWOOD (CANADA) SUPPORTED BY HASSALL

PISTOL PETE'S: LILY & KING PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL

BEAVS BAR: DAVE ANDERSON

THE ESPY: OPEN MIC

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC

BENDIGO HOTEL: ANIMAL FESTY

MAX WATT'S: UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS

BLOOM: NOISA – UK GRIME//DRILL

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

CORNER HOTEL: BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME

VALHALLA BREWING & TAPROOM: POETRY NIGHTS

THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: JOHN DALLIMORE, KENNY MILLER

WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: FOLK EXCHANGE SHOWCASE

THE EASTERN: HAMISH KILGOUR EDGE: LIVE MUSIC AND DJ THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE: FAST LOVE THE ESPY: JANE DOE PRESENTS, NIGHTLIGHT, HOKUSAI GOLDEN VINE: RIFF RAIDERS, SPACEGOAT, DEAD LURKERS GROVEDALE HOTEL: RACH BRENNAN DUO HANDLE BAR: THE NELSON BEKS BAND

SAT 7TH BARWON CLUB: SKA NATION GEELONG, THE RESIGNATORS, ADMIRAL ACKBAR'S DISHONOURABLE DISCHARGE. BEAVS BAR: DAVE ANDERSON BLOOM: BOHO & RACHEL RAW

WED 4TH

CORNER HOTEL: GENERAL LEVY

BEAVS BAR: VMDO BENDIGO HOTEL: SOUL PALACE THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: GINA WILLIAMS, GUY GHOUSE (WA) GEELONG ARTS CENTRE: THE SONG'S OF DOLLY PARTON

EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC AND DJS THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: GYPSY ROCK GEELONG ARTS CENTRE: JAMS FOR JUNIORS, CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS

SPORTING GLOBE: 456 SATURDAY'S

SUN 8TH BARWON CLUB: SLASH & SCOTT WEILAND TRIBUTE NIGHT THE BARKING DOG: LIVE MUSIC BEAVS: GRACE DRUMMOND, BEAVS DISCO BELMONT HOTEL: SUNDAY SESSIONS BENDIGO HOTEL: EARTH ROT BLOOM: COASTAL JAM GEELONG 2020 CORNER HOTEL: ANTISKEPTIC THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: MUSICIANS DAY WITH LUKE O’CONNELL AND SAND EDGE GEELONG: LIVE MUSIC THE ELEPHANT & CASTLE HOTEL: LABOUR DAY EVE PARTY THE ESPY: RAW COMEDY THE FOX AND HEN: SUNDAY SESSIONS LIVE MUSIC GROVEDALE HOTEL: DELLA THE HOPP INN: JOLLY JUGS LAMBYS: ABE ANDERSON, LIAM BLACKWELL THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: THE DIECASTS LEMONADE FESTIVAL MAX WATT'S: PEARL JAM 1995 ANNIVERSARY TOUR SHOW MELODIC ROCKFEST MORGAN'S BAR & GRILL: SUMMER SUNDAYS OLD BAR: LIVE MUSIC PALAIS HEPBURN: THICK N JUICY PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC PISTOL PETE'S: STRINGY & MOLLY PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL SOUTH GEELONG FARMERS MARKET SPORTING GLOBE: SUNDAY SESSIONS THE TAPROOM: LIVE MUSIC TERINDAH ESTATE: SUNDAY SESSIONS WINE AND CHEESE FEST MON 9TH CORNER HOTEL: WEYES BLOOD OLD BAR: MUNDANE MONDAY'S PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL TUES 10TH CORNER HOTEL: JOEP BEVING WED 11TH BEAVS: OPEN MIC KARAOKE, ANDY FORSTER CORNER HOTEL: JOEP BEVING THE ESPY: FLOR DE TOLOACHE PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

GROVEDALE HOTEL: JACK WRIGHT

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: LIVE MUSIC MAX WATT'S: LIVE MUSIC

PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL

THE TAP ROOM: LIVE MUSIC

MAX WATT'S: JINJER

APOLLO BAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL CONVERSATIONS

PIANO BAR: LIVE MUSIC

THE EASTERN: WILLIS DRUMMOND

THE LAST CHANCE ROCK & ROLL BAR: WORLDTURBOJUGENDDAYS

SUN MARCH 1ST

PALAIS HEPBURN: LA-CABARIS'GAY, MAD HATTERS

QUEENSCLIFF BREWHOUSE: THE BIG BLUE

HANDLE BAR: HANDLE BAR COMEDY!

WORKERS CLUB GEELONG: THE RUN & THE KITE MACHINE

MURPHYS: LIVE MUSIC OLD BAR: ROUTINES, ADELE & THE CHANDELIERS

THE DOOR GALLERY CAFE: ELEANOR MCEVOY (IRELAND) GOLDEN VINE: EURIFFKA! VOL II

THEATRE ROYAL: LYDIA LUNCH, RETROVIRUS

MELODIC ROCKFEST

HOME HOUSE: MADELEINE + DJ RESIDENTS & ADAM FARRUGIA

STRINGS AMPS SHOES ACCESSORIES

VINYL CLOTHING GUITARS DRUMS

65 YARRA STREET GEELONG 0352983481 PH: 5278 2911 46

SPHINXHOTEL.COM.AU FORTÉ 734

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FRI 28 FEBRUARY:

SAT 29 FEBRUARY:

SUN 1 MARCH:

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

ACOUSTIC DUO SET

DUO ACOUSTIC SET

LEVI ANDERSON DUO 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.

RACH BRENNAN DUO Rach and a frequently changing guest accompanist will combine soulful vocals and playful and harmony based acoustic guitars for a killer night out with ya mates.

ADRIAN & NARDIA Nardia Rose (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.

* FRIDAYS

7PM-8PM *

ESPRESSO MARTINIS

— $12 —

GROVEDALEHOTEL FRI 6 MARCH:

PETER CHAPMAN SOLO ACOUSTIC SET

Peter is definitely not new to the music scene with years of crafting his live performance under his belt. His song book is extensive yet well-manicured, like his sideburns!

SAT 7 MARCH:

JACK WRIGHT

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET 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.

FEATURE GIGS:

SUN 8 MARCH:

DELLA

SOLO ACOUSTIC SET One voice, one guitar, one stomp box – and many happy ears. Della the pro has supported legendary artists Jimmy Barnes, Guy Sebastian, Dragon and many more.

LOCAL ARTISTS: > FRI. 28 FEBRUARY:

> SAT. 7 MARCH:

7:30PM — BEER GARDEN 11:30PM — BAND ROOM

8:30PM — BAND ROOM

DJ Moluck. > FRI. 28 FEBRUARY:

Amyl & The Sniffers.

> SAT. 29 FEBRUARY:

Andy Forster.

Hollow Coves.

Dean Cockerell. > SAT. 7 MARCH:

Adam Metwally.

8:30PM — BAND ROOM

7:30PM — BEER GARDEN 11:30PM — BAND ROOM

> SAT. 29 FEBRUARY:

> SUN. 8 MARCH:

7:30PM — BEER GARDEN 11:30PM — BAND ROOM

8:00PM — BAND ROOM

DJ Neptune. > FRI. 27 MARCH:

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

WEB. PHONE.

> FRI. 6 MARCH:

Jack Wright.

8:00PM — BAND ROOM

Madz Got Rich. > SUN. 8 MARCH:

Party DJ.

11:30PM — BAND ROOM

> FRI. 6 MARCH:

DJ Moluck.

7:30PM — BEER GARDEN 11:30PM — BAND ROOM

> FRI. 3 APRIL:

Holy Holy.

P. (03) 5261 2001 W. torquayhotel.com.au

torquayhotel

> PURCHASE YOUR FEATURE GIG TICKETS FROM: TORQUAYHOTEL.EVENTBRITE.COM FORTÉ 734

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