Forte Issue 549

issue 549

20 dec 2012 next issue: 10 JAN 2013 • • • •

jamie pye

kyle taylor

• •

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+ What's On For Summer Guide!

Pg.27

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Season’s Greetings Forte readers!

As you are all about to embark on what is said to be the most exciting month of the year (for most of us), we wish you all a very jolly, and very safe Christmas and New Year. For those of you that don’t have a lot marked in your calendar and are taking an easybreezy approach to the festive season, check out the extended Fortnightly Calendar in this issue. Anybody and everybody will be able to find something on this endless list of awesome local events to keep you out of trouble... Or get you into trouble. Your choice.

Tis’ the season of Falls Festival, Pyramid Rock, Summadayze and the like. Not to sound ancient on this one, but remember to slip slop slop. The only roasts we want to see this Christmas are the one’s on our tables, served with roast veges and gravy.

It is also a time to celebrate some big acts and local artists performing in our region, like Stonefield, Kingswood, the Toot Toot Toots, Slice n Dice, Peking Duk, Kyle Taylor, Lucas William and more. You can find out all the when’s and where’s as you flick through this issue.

Also in this issue we discuss the current ‘state’ of our local live music scene. As proud supporters of local live music for over twenty years, we have been absoloutely stoked with the amount of talent that has both emerged within, and passed through our region during twenty-twelve. The rumour mill is suggesting that in 2013, ya’ll will have outdone yourselves once again, and we cannot wait to bring you all the exciting news in the New Year.

It has been a pleasure sharing another twelve months of musical madness with you and we hope that you will continue the support of this industry that we all know and love in the year to come.

Whether you are heading to a summer festival or a night out at one of our great local venues, look after your mates.

Take care of each other this season, and spread your festive cheer.

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the HIGHLIGHTS

THE LATEST ON international & national news & tours Bad Christmas jokes: Who delivers presents to cats? Santa Paws.

Coming up you have… .........................................................................

Bruuuuuuuuuuce Springsteen Call it a rumour coming true. Call it about time. Call it a Christmas miracle. Whichever way you call it, the news that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be heading to our shores next year is good news indeed.

You may even say great news. Bruce’s Wrecking Ball tour has being going great guns, receiving fantastic reviews across the board. Baby we were born to run.

Rod Laver Arena – March 24. Note: Bruce will also play Hanging Rock on March 30. .........................................................................

Wam Bam Thank-you Mam! Legendary Bam Margera will be heading our way this summer to perform in his new band project F**kface Unstoppable, and will be filming every bit of chaos along his way. Beginning in Victoria and touring all the way up the East Coast he will be joined by CKY crew Chad and Matty J, Alex from Guttermouth playing drums and Brandon Novak from MTV’s Jackass. The F**kface Unstoppable show will not only provide you with a rambunctious music performace, but all the crazy stunts Bam is known and loved for. Check these guys out on their exclusive Aussie tour at the Karova Lounge on January 18 or at the Barwon Club on January 21. .........................................................................

Devandra Banhart’s Mala Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter Devandra Banhart is eyeing off a new album for next year.

Titled Mala, the album is the follow-up to 2009’s What Will We Be and is the first for new label Nonesuch Records. It is his eighth overall. It has been a creative year for Banhart who earlier in the piece, along with Beck and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, provided the soundtrack to a new artwork by multimedia artist Doug Aitken. .........................................................................

Unearthed at Big Day Out Thanks to the good team at Triple j, Unearthed has given artists and bands the chance to perform at some of the country’s finest festival. Coming at you for Melbourne’s Big Day Out leg will be Apes.

The Melbourne four-piece was born from The Boo Hoo Hoos and provides a killer sound guided by the blues of the 1950s into the world of garage rock rebellion. The band released their debut single ‘Seven’ in October. Congratulations. .........................................................................

Amanda Palmer Postpones Amanda Palmer has decided to cancel her Australian tour early next year in order to care for a sick friend. The statement reads: “With great sadness, Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra have decided to postpone the majority of their upcoming show dates globally so that Amanda is able to stay in Boston with her best friend Anthony, who has cancer and is now in treatment with an uncertain outcome.” The tour will be rescheduled.

For refunds phone 1300 111 011.

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25 Years of Deftones The Deftones are turning 25 next year and their enthusiasm and passion for music hasn’t aged a single day. The alternative metallers recently released their seventh studio album Koi No Yokan.

That translates to Premonition of Love for those of you playing at home. Next year the band will play Japan’s first Ozzfest but they also have a few Aussie dates to get through. The Palace – May 17.

With Letlive. .........................................................................

Mastodon University It appears as though US heavy hitters Mastodon will be contributing a song to Monsters University, a prequel to the 2001 animated favourite Monsters, Inc.. The band posted the news on their Facebook page before quickly removing the update. Monsters University, set for release in 2013, takes place ten years before the original and tells the story of the burgeoning relationship between Sulley (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal). .........................................................................

Arr, There She Rocks When you are Johnny Depp you can get people to do just about anything. And when you add pirates, well, try resisting that! Depp, along with director Gore Verbinski and producer Hal Willner, is putting together a pirate-themed compilation titled Son of Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys. Released in February, the two-track CD features songs from Shane MacGowan, Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, Macy Gray and many more.

Bad, Bad Nick Cave 2013 is going to be a good year if you are a fan of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. First up you will be getting new album Push the Sky Away, the band’s first album since 2008’s Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!. The album was produced by Nick Launay at La Fabrique, France, and is the first not to feature Mick Harvey. The second bit of good news is a tour. Are you all feeling a bit happier now?

Myer Music Bowl – March 2.

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Club Scouts Are Prepared Brisbane’s Cub Scouts are finding a lot of love abroad. The pop indie five-piece – who had a great start to their career thanks to single ‘Evie – released their debut EP Told You So not too long ago and it has struck gold in the US. In just its first week the EP was added to over 60 college radio stations across the country including Seattle’s KEXP and Boston’s WZBC. It became the third most added EP to US college radio for the week.

Great work! .........................................................................

Gotye Grammy Nods As is no doubt well-known by now, the juggernaut that is ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ keeps on rolling and rolling and rolling. This time it has helped land Gotye a few Grammy nominations - the magic number of three no less. Gotye is up for Record of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Dance Performance and Best Alternative Music Album. One or two awards should look pretty sweet alongside his recent ARIA score. Good luck! .........................................................................

This is PiL Described by NME as “arguably the first post-rock group”, Public Imaged Limited, or PiL as they are better known, will tour Australia next year for the first time in two decades. When you consider the band released their first new album in twenty years this year (This is PiL), the timing makes perfect sense. The current line-up is: John Lydon, Bruce Smith, Lu Edmonds and Scott Firth. The Palace – April 11.

The Stone Roses Sideshow Good news if you’re a fan of Stone Roses with the band set to perform a few Future Music Festival sideshows around the country. So if you are not the festival kinda guy or girl or just want another piece of the Stone Roses pie, here is your chance. The legendary group is widely considered one of the most influential British bands of all time while their 1989 self-titled album in an absolute classic. Festival Hall – March 7.

10 Years of Dew Process 10 years ago prominent Australian music industry figure Paul Piticco founded independent record label Dew Process. In celebration of its decade in the game a fantastic 45-track compilation has been released featuring all the artists who have helped shape the favourite little label. Artists to feature include The Grates, Bernard Fanning, Powderfinger and Jebediah as well as international artists including Dropkick Murphys and Mumford & Son.

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THE

FORT-NIGHTLY CALENDAR Tuesday December 25 THE SPHINX HOTEL: Annual Christmas Lunch - 3 course (Call for reservations)

Wednesday December 26 TOAST NIGHTCLUB: Burnt Toast with Peking Duk, Dean Del, Isaac Fryer, Jump Street & more

THE BARWON CLUB: Madhouse FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL:Hot Chip, Two Door Cinema Club, The Flaming Lips, The Hives, The Vaccines & more (Lorne)

ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Jamie Pye (afternoon) & Jo Dawson (night)

KAROVA LOUNGE: The Datsuns (Ballarat)

THE BARWON CLUB: Veeped Launch Night from 3pm - 1am

THE MAX HOTEL: Innquizitive Triva Christmas Spectacular from 7.30pm BLACK HATT: Open Mic from 7pm, Tradies Night (in the bar) 5pm - 7pm

Friday December 21 YARRA HOTEL: Revolution Fridays feat. The Universal, We The People, Pons & more BRIDGE HOTEL: Rebecca Barnard with Petal & Pet from 8.30pm (Castlemaine) THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: After Five ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Breakup Party feat. Mr Hyde KAROVA LOUNGE: The Datsuns (Ballarat) BEAV’S BAR: Two Tone THE SPHINX HOTEL: Cazbar Friday feat. Double Vision THE BARWON CLUB: The Toot Toot Toots, Immigrant Union (Dandy Warhols) & Atolls (King Gizzard) THE MAX HOTEL: Check Shirt Friday - Annual Fundraiser with proceeds going directly to Geelong Hospital’s Children’s Ward feat. Trojan BLACK HATT: Corten ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Callan Young MARTIANS CAFE: Red Whyte ‘Shades of White’ Album Launch (Deans Marsh) CUDA BAR: High & Lonesome Duo, DJ Brendan Yuen (Lorne)

BEAV’S BAR: Nick Tabone

BARWON HEADS HOTEL: One of Them Nights - The Christmas Edition feat. Reece Now, Robyn Gold, Miss Rush & more THE MAX HOTEL: 3 on the Tree TORQUAY HOTEL: Hey Charger THE DIVE BAR: Red Whyte - Shades of Whyte Album Launch CUDA BAR: The Beachniks & DJ Merv (Lorne) THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Summer Sessions feat. James Carrigg CITY QUARTER BAR: Finder Keeper

ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Jonathan Hawken THE MAX HOTEL: Hey Charger HOME HOUSE NIGHTCLUB: DJ Nick James, Bebz & Wally, DJ Crunk

BLACK HATT: Open Mic from 7pm, Tradies Night (in the bar) 5pm - 7pm

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Regular Boys

EUREKA HOTEL: Press Play, Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Chris Van & more PETER LALOR HOTEL: Members Night with EM J (Ballarat)

Friday December 28 THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Good Faces 4 Radio

CUDA BAR: Chris Wilson (Lorne) EUREKA HOTEL: Frazer Adnam, Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Shorty J & more TOAST NIGHTCLUB: Holly-J, Bollocks Deejays, Isaac Fryer, Kept Left & more THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Summer Sessions feat. Ross O’Connell CITY QUARTER BAR: Andy Forster & Levi Anderson EDGE GEELONG: Tom & Tayla PETER LALOR HOTEL: Party Night with Stevie K (Ballarat)

THE BARWON CLUB: Insygnia, Motionless Me, The Greeting Method & Lady of Pain

LAMBYS: Stellar and DJ

TORQUAY HOTEL: Stonefield & Kingswood

Sunday December 30

BLACK HATT: Double Vision FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: Hot Chip, Two Door Cinema Club, The Flaming Lips, The Hives, The Vaccines & more (Lorne) ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Lucas William THE MAX HOTEL: Adventure Playground CUDA BAR: DJ T Dub (Lorne)

SEBROSO: Sunday Session with Cuban Salsa Dancing, DJ Schmickey & Paella from the Pan THE MAX HOTEL: Sidewayz on Sunday feat. Finder Keeper FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: Hot Chip, Two Door Cinema Club, The Flaming Lips,

EDGE GEELONG: Zane Carroll Duo DIGGERS ARMS HOTEL: Tom & Tayla LAMBYS: Stellar and DJ

Sunday December 23 KNOCK KNOCK: The Barking Dog & Love That Music feat. Combo, Casey Manaya, Matt Black, Joe Joe, Kids Table, TVB & more ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Des Camm Jazz BEAV’S BAR: Dave Anderson ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Lucas William SEBROSO: Sunday Session with Cuban Salsa Dancing, DJ Schmickey & Paella from the Pan THE BARWON CLUB: Good Faces For Radio & DJ Bodz

CITY QUARTER BAR: Tom & Tayla

THE MAX HOTEL: Sidewayz on Sunday feat. Finder Keeper

EDGE GEELONG: Andy Forster

CITY QUARTER BAR: Craig Sayer

LAMBYS: Test Pilot Molly and DJ

EDGE GEELONG: Good Faces For Radio & Peter Chapman

EUREKA HOTEL: Open till late

PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL: Karnivool, 360, Pnau, Tame Impala, Van She & more (Phillip Island)

BANG BANG RECOVERY: Rumors Nightclub feat. Ryan Riback & Jamie Vlahos

CITY QUARTER BAR: Tom & Tayla

EUREKA HOTEL: Loot & Plunder, Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Chris Van, Shorty J & more

EUREKA HOTEL: Open till late

THE BARWON CLUB: Boxing Day Slam (10 bands)

CUDA BAR: Victoriana Gaye & Salty Dig Blues Duo (Lorne)

Thursday December 20

LAMBYS: Test Pilot Molly and DJ

Saturday December 29

Thursday December 27

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Fig Jam

PETER LALOR HOTEL: Karaoke in the Bar (Ballarat)

BLACK HATT: Pool comp, $5 entry from 7pm

BEAV’S BAR: Karaoke and Open Mic night with Andy Forster

Saturday december 22 at odyssey tavern & brewery, mount duneed

EDGE GEELONG: Levi & Cody

KNOCK KNOCK: The Barking Dog & Love That Music feat. Rob Pix & James Fava

CUDA BAR: DJ Carmi (Lorne)

jamie pye

YARRA HOTEL GEELONG: Revolution Fridays feat. Hello Mother Leopard, Lost Weekends, & DJ Indie

LAMBYS: Snack Attack and DJ

Saturday December 22 HOME HOUSE NIGHTCLUB: Hook ‘n’ Sling

Monday December 24

EUREKA HOTEL: SCNDL with Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Chris Van, Shorty J & more

HOME HOUSE NIGHTCLUB: Xmas Eve Party feat.

Trotman, Steve Camp, Keith Evans & Simon One

TOAST NIGHTCLUB: DJ Femme with Choobz, Digga Please, Isaac Fryer, Get Jacked, Galtier & Hurrikane

TOAST NIGHTCLUB: MGMC, Stevie Mink, Jack Talbot, Digga Please & more

YARRA HOTEL: Acoustic Covers

THE BARWON CLUB: DJs and Drink Promotions BEAV’S BAR: Dave Anderson

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THE datsuns thursday december 20 at karova hotel, ballarat

ENDAR & GIG GUIDE

360 saturday december 29 at pyramid rock festival, phillip island The Hives, The Vaccines & more (Lorne)

ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Jimmy Graham

PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL: Karnivool, 360, Pnau, Tame Impala, Van She & more (Phillip Island)

THE SPHINX HOTEL: Glitter Gang

ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Danny Zambelis

LORNE HOTEL: NYE Rooftop/ Bottom Bar party feat. Tommy Ohhhhh, Dean Turnley & Jordy Taylor

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Hot Club Swing

CUDA BAR: DJ Heasy with supporting DJs (Lorne)

CUDA BAR: DJ Brendan Yuen (Lorne)

PETER LALOR HOTEL: New Years Eve Karaoke Bash @ The Lalor, free entry all night

TORQUAY HOTEL: Howlin Steam Train with Max Savage

THE ESPLANDE HOTEL: Shed Zeppelin

EDGE GEELONG: Jay & Matt plus Marcus Hayden LAMBYS: Good Faces For Radio and DJ

Tuesday January 1

Monday December 31

THE SPHINX HOTEL: Poker Night (free)

HOME HOUSE NIGHTCLUB: New Years Eve feat. The Twins, K Dee & DJ Philly TOAST NIGHTCLUB: Orkestrated, Fabian Gray, Eddie Stephens, Mawry, Dozza & more EUREKA HOTEL: NYE 2012/2013 feat. Slice n Dice (downstairs) & Silent Disco (upstairs) with Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Herbee, Chris Van & more ELEPHANT & CASTLE: NYE Mirror Ball Party feat Fig Jam, DJ’s & meal packages JACK & JILL RESTAURANT AND BAR: New Years Eve Party feat. Hynotic Army & loads of entertainment THE MAX HOTEL: Black & Gold New Years Eve Party feat. Frequency, DJ Paul Watson & DJ Simon Edwards BLACK HATT: New Years Eve with In Bed By Nine THE PIER: New Year on the Pier feat. Rob Pix, Andy Murphy, Jane Duffy & Local DJ’s

SUMMERBEATS SOUNDSYTEM: RMH Courtyard, Bourke St Melbourne CBD feat.

Angy Kore, Min&Mal & stacks more THE WOOL EXCHANGE: New Years Eve Party with finger food & live band (free) THE BARKING DOG: New Years Day Industry Party with live music on the deck from 3pm till late FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: Hot Chip, Two Door Cinema Club, The Flaming Lips, The Hives, The Vaccines & more (Lorne) PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL: Karnivool, 360, Pnau, Tame Impala, Van She & more (Phillip Island) SUMMADAYZE: The Chemical Brothers (DJ set), M.I.A, Knife Party, Fedde Le Grand, Mark Ronson & more ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Jamie Pye BANG BANG RECOVERY: Rumours Nightclub feat John Baptiste & Andru Ballota

LAMBYS BAR & RESTAURANT: New Years Eve Burlesque Night from 9pm till late with Stellar Live and DJs

Wednesday January 2

FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: Hot Chip, Two Door Cinema Club, The Flaming Lips, The Hives, The Vaccines & more (Lorne)

BLACK HATT: Pool comp, $5 entry from 7pm

PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL: Karnivool, 360, Pnau, Tame Impala, Van She & more (Phillip Island) BLUESTONE BLUES FESTIVAL: Lloyd Spiegel, The Three Tones, Paulie Bignell & The Thornbury Two, Dukesy & The Hazzards

THE SPHINX HOTEL: Poker Night ($10 buy in) CUDA BAR: Victoriana Gaye & DJ Merv (Lorne) TORQUAY HOTEL: Saskwatch PETER LALOR HOTEL: Wednesday night Mash Up Party with DJ Sever (Ballarat)

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Thursday January 3

VENUEGUIDE!

THE EUREKA

BLACK HATT: Open Mic from 7pm, Tradies Night (in the bar) 5pm - 7pm

THE BARKING DOG

THE gateway HOTEL

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98 Little Malop St. Geelong

ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Joe Black Trio

126 Pakington St. Geelong West

218-230 Princess Hwy. Corio

CUDA BAR: Chris Wilson (Lorne)

BARWON CLUB

THE GROVEDALE HOTEL

509 Moorabool St. South Geelong

EUREKA HOTEL: Combo! & Casey Manaya, Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Shorty J & more

....................................

BARWON HEADS HOTEL

TORQUAY HOTEL: Grant Smilie PETER LALOR HOTEL: Members Night with EM J (Ballarat)

THE BARWON CLUB: The Attics, Attitude & Pons ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Lucas William CUDA BAR: Joe Black Trio, DJ Brendan Yuen (Lorne)

THE ESPLANDE HOTEL: Chris Wilson LAMBYS: Test Pilot Molly and DJ EUREKA HOTEL: Open till late

THE BASEMENT 159

HOME HOUSE

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ONE OF THEM NIGHTS: THE CHRISTMAS EDITION (with miss rush) Saturday december 22 at barwon heads hotel

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159 Moorabool St. Geelong

40-42 Moorabool St. Geelong

BEAVS BAR

IRISH MURPHY'S

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77 Little Malop St. Geelong

30 Aberdeen St. Geelong

THE BENDED ELBOW BALLARAT

JACK AND JILL

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PETER LALOR HOTEL: Karaoke in the Bar (Ballarat)

GROWLERS

23 The Esplanade.

Torquay

120 Lydiard St (North). Ballarat

TORQUAY HOTEL: Bonjah

....................................

1 Bridge Rd. Barwon Heads

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Friday January 4

236-258 Surfcoast Highway

THE BENDED ELBOW GEELONG

247 Moorabool St. Geelong

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LAMBYS

Cnr of Moorabool & Brougham St. Geelong

69 Yarra St. Geelong

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black hatt

2 Gheringhap St. Geelong

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THE MAX

54 Little Myers St. Geelong

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THE BLUESTONE

11 Malop St. Geelong

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MR. HYDE

Saturday January 5

THE MAX HOTEL: Sidewayz on Sunday feat. Finder Keeper

ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Luke Pote, James Sidebottom

KNOCK KNOCK: The Barking Dog & Love That Music feat. Stevie Mink & Mike Metro

21 Walker St. Castlemain

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Girl Friday

CUDA BAR: High & Lonesome Duo & DJ Merv (Lorne)

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ODYSSEY TAVERN & BREWERY: Jo Dawson

CUDA BAR: Los Locos Duo & DJ Josh Symons

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Shandelle Cooke Jazz Quartet

PETER LALOR HOTEL: Trivia returns - Weekly Cash Jackpot (Ballarat)

CITY QUARTER

Cunningham Pier, Geelong

611 Surfcoast Hwy. Mount Duneed

CLOUD 9

OPIUM BAR

EUREKA HOTEL: Kolors (upstairs), Allstar (downstairs)

HYGEIA ON THE BAY: Blues On The Bay

THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Summer Sessions feat. Jax & Jais

BANG BANG RECOVERY: Rumours Nightclub feat. Jack Talbot & Zoolanda

LAMBYS: Stellar and DJ

Sunday January 6 SEBROSO: Sunday Session with Cuban Salsa Dancing, DJ Schmickey & Paella from the Pan

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THE SPHINX HOTEL: Poker Night (free)

CUDA BAR: Salty Dog Blues Duo (Lorne)

TOAST NIGHTCLUB: Heath Renata, Juicy & locals

PETER LALOR HOTEL: Party Night with Stevie K (Ballarat)

Tuesday January 8

TORQUAY HOTEL: Ross Wilson & The Beatniks THE ESPLANDE HOTEL: Sunday Sessions on the Sundeck LAMBYS: Live music and dj LAMBYS: Live Band

Monday January 7 CUDA BAR: Chris Wilson (Lorne)

Wednesday January 9 THE SPHINX HOTEL: Poker Night ($10 buy in) BLACK HATT: Pool comp, $5 entry from 7pm

103 Marr St. Ballarat

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Bridge hotel castlemaine

191 Moorabool St. Geelong

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THE NATIONAL HOTEL

odyssey

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96 Pakington St. Geelong West

15 James St. Geelong

Club TITANIUM

331 Mair St. Ballarat

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Peter Lalor Hotel

99 Ryrie St, Geelong

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eastern station

5 James St. Geelong

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RUMORS

81 Humffray St Nth. Ballarat

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CUDA BAR: Los Locos Latin Night (Lorne) PETER LALOR HOTEL: Wednesday Night Mash Up with DJ Sever

THE EDGE

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SLATE Pool Lounge

50 Little Ryrie St. Geelong

1/6-8 Eastern Beach Rd. Geelong

THE SPHINX

ELEPHANT AND CASTLE

....................................

....................................

158 McKillop St. Geelong

2 Thompson Rd. North Geelong

TOAST

114 Moorabool St. Geelong

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MWT Institute

A New Year - A New Beginning

By Wylie Caird

There is nothing new about a New Year bringing about change. It’s what resolutions are all about. For the crew behind MWT Music, a New Year means a new beginning. Trainer Matt Oates fills us in. “Well, big news here is we are relaunching in the new year as the Base Music Academy Geelong. We have been here for over 18 months now and are becoming aware of just how much talent there is around Geelong, Werribee and the Surf Coast and we want to expand to cater for local needs.”

has been pretty epic. All of them are designed around how to get work in the industry. The last Masterclass we had was Cam McKenzie who has produced Mark Seymour’s last five albums and co-written for the Divinyls amongst others, the response was overwhelming. Sean Kelly delivered an incredibly entertaining account of his time with The Models and beyond. Phil Ceberano too had a great take on surviving in a fickle industry.”

MWT Music is one of the fractions of the MWT Institute which for ten years has delivered nationally credited training within a range of industries. Since its launch in 2009 MWT Music has fast become one of the leading choices for those seeking a leg-up in the music industry. Passion is a contagious thing and when trainers and students alike live and breathe music, industry names are sure to follow. “Hugo Race (Birthday Party), Rebecca Barnard (Rebecca’s Empire), Sean Kelly (The Models), Danny Simcic (Real Life) and Raul Sanchez (Magic Dirt) have all dropped in throughout the year and small groups of students have the opportunity to learn firsthand how to make it in the real world.”

If you see music as your future but have any lingering doubts, Matt makes a persuasive argument. “MWT have one more set of courses running from The Base Music Academy in central Geelong. This is the last set of courses that will run under their umbrella and they are the last fully funded courses to run, that is they are free! We have established a reputation for commitment to the area and helping people transition in work. We aren’t elitist in our enrolments. We believe that a passion for music and the desire to achieve through hard work are enough. We have students from 17-70 making music in every genre and on any instrument. Places are limited and students must enrol this year to receive funding.

Courses start in January. We are here to stay so watch out.” Let the music play.

In 2013 the [soon to be] Base Music Academy will welcome a host of new courses. Matt: “We have created a new series of short courses delivered by industry experts starting in January. These include Electronic Music Production for DJs using Ableton Live, Home Studio Secrets with Cam McKenzie and Danny Simcic using Protools, Vocal techniques and Stage presence with Molly Jean Morrison and a special Artist Development Program with Phil Ceberano.” The fresh developments keep them ahead of the game. “We believe we are the only training organisation who takes this as seriously as the rest of the curriculum. We help students develop individual career plans, we give them mentors who are in the field they want to move into and also help them build appropriate skills.”

Bonjah

By Rebecca McIntyre

Core courses are complemented by their popular Masterclass series which take participants as close to the real thing as possible. “Masterclass series

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When&Where: January 4 - Torquay Hotel, Torquay & January 6 - Baha Tacos, Rye We recently had a chat with the super talented guitarist and lyrical genius, Regan of Bonjah. Here is a taste of what the guys have been up to, a little background to their decade-long bromance and some info on their upcoming shows in our neighbourhood. Read on.

You are currently in the process of writing and recording the third album for Bonjah, what can we all expect from the new record? The band have been busy writing for the past 6 months since we got back from overseas touring. We have been loving having a break from touring & really focussing on creating something special. So far we have around 20 new songs, we are writing - demoing - scrapping - refining then repeat. Fans can expect a slightly more up and layered affair, our last record was a bit mellow and minimal. We also want to try new things and not repeat ourselves, but also put out something that people who have been with us over the past 5-6 years will love.

Bonjah have toured throughout Australia, London, Japan, Germany and New Zealand. Where has been your favourite place to play? What has been your favourite gig of late? All of the be above, Germany was massive playing to a sea of people. Everywhere we have been has been such a cool experience, it’s hard to choose. You can’t go past a hometown show also on your back doorstep.

Hailing from NZ, do you find that you guys tend to cop the wrap of a few New Zealander jokes? When we first moved over we did a little, I’m still trying to hold on to my accent. We still get home regularly to see family and play shows. I’m a proud kiwi. It’s all good fun!

Bonjah has played a stack of festivals in the past. Given the choice, would you play a festival or a show? That’s a tough question as they are both so different. A show you have people who have paid their hard earned cash to come see you specifically, so you want to put on the best show possible.

Festival crowds are just crazy. It’s pretty cool playing to many people with the sun out and seeing everyone stoked on life.

It’s a great way to win over new fans. I’d say they are both awesome, just a different vibe...

You guys grew up together and ventured to Uni together would you say this has made you best mates? After being together for so long surely you get sick of each other every now and again? Yeah we are best friends. I guess you just learn to respect each others space. We hardly ever fight, what’s the point? We have been giving music a good crack for 6 odd years but the friendship runs back since we were 14 messing around playing music. We are more brothers than friends and it still feels very right, organic & like we have so much more music to write together. We are still kinda young!

It has been a while since you have played down on the Surf Coast & over the other side of the bay - What are you looking forward to most about your up coming gigs here?

Summer down there is just amazing, great people, food and atmosphere. Torquay Hotel is always crazy, hot and sweaty.

Rye will be more mellow, we haven’t played there for a few years so can’t wait to get back. Great Tacos also. It’s pretty cool to have such great coastal venues on our doorstep.

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Bonjah has played support to some huge bands in the past - Who has been your favourite? Why? Hands down The Who at Members Equity Stadium in Perth. Such an awesome live band. Plus it The Who!!! I think my dad was more excited than I was. We became friends with Rabbit, their keyboard player for 30 years and he played on 3 tracks of ours which was a buzz. G Love & Special Sauce was a really great tour too.

What does the future have in store for BONJAH? Summer tour which kicks off Jan 4, our single to radio early next year and a new album mid year! Back to UK / Europe, Japan, NZ & a big Aus album tour then finish on the festival circuit. Many more good songs to write, cool experiences to share and people to meet. Exciting stuff to come!

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The Commercial Hippies writen By Natalie Rogers

The Rainbow Serpent Festival showcases an eclectic mix of grooves, atmosphere and rhythms. Each year the festival’s music program grows with a massive range of talented artists, both international and local, covering a multitude of genres. Psychedelic trance duo, The Commercial Hippies, are among the international guests on this year’s line-up, coming all the way from South Africa to be part of this unique event. I caught up with Gareth Tucon, one half of the pair, to find out what they have in store for us Down Under.

“With every gig we do our intention is to get the dance floor heaving,” Gareth began. “Seeing it’s our first time at Rainbow Serpent we will be putting together a journey through TCH’s history, from the early releases to a bunch of new and unreleased tracks. Fans who have been following us from the start can expect a few of the early favourites amongst a bunch of the new sounds we have been playing over the last couple of years.”

Having been to Australia, Gareth is keen to explore more of our beautiful country. “Yeah, we have been a couple times before. We played at a few parties in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Nimbin (Mardi Gras Festival). Each time we go overseas we try to get a bit of sightseeing in, or at least soak up some of the culture outside of the events we perform at. Last time we were fortunate enough to go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef with Lui (DJ Raptor), which was an awesome experience, however I did have blocked ears for a

couple of days after,” he laughed.

“One thing we’ve noticed from previous trips is how similar the atmosphere on Australian dance floors is to back home [South Africa]. There’s a serious messiness that is always fun to play to and be a part of - high energy, balls to the wall, take-no-prisoners approach, which always leads to a good time. We are really excited to bring all our new tracks along with the older ones to kick up a storm,” says Gareth.

The guys have over a decade worth of electronic dance music production experience, two full length albums and multiple singles and EP’s under their belt - during this time they have witnessed many changes in the psy/trance scene. “It has definitely changed since we’ve been involved it’s always evolving and this is a good thing. You often hear people say, ‘the scene is not what it used to be’, but in our minds that’s a good thing.

The last thing anyone wants is for the music and the parties to stagnate,” Gareth reiterates. “And if this was to happen people would lose interest fast, and the culture that we all love so much would just dissipate and not stand much chance of surviving. As for the future of psy-trance, it’s looking good. The new producers coming through these days just keep getting better and better. The trend at the moment seems to be ‘hard and fast’, and as musical trends are normally a reaction or opposition to previous genres or styles, I would expect the sound to get more melodic and deep again over the next couple of years.”

Both Gareth and Anton have developed their love of music from a young age, both having had musical training: “Anton studied classical guitar and I studied rhythmic and melodic percussion.

We have a long history of playing in rock and jazz bands, and I played in a few orchestras back in my school day. All musical experiences and knowledge adds to your approach, and a broader understanding of music as a whole gives you more insight into creative possibilities.” They have always pursued different musical avenues and are currently writing material for a new Electro project ‘The Variable’ and are set to release the first tracks in 2013: “We are also currently writing material for a funk/rock side project which we have been busy on over the past while,” Gareth continued. “We have been building up a catalogue of new tracks and will be releasing them on Nano Records and a couple of other labels over the beginning of 2013.

We will also be giving a lot more away for free from our website, so be sure to keep checking in.

We think it’s important to keep in direct contact

with the people who like our tunes and feel that the dedication we’ve had from our fans over the years deserves recognition and reward. As for New Year’s Eve we will be playing in Cape Town at Rezonance Festival alongside X-Noise, Avalon, Broken Toy, Rinkadink and a bunch of other great artists. It’s our first time back there in about 3 years so we are planning a bit of a special surprise for that one,” says Gareth.

If you are heading to Rainbow Serpent and haven’t heard these guys yet, you can get a taste of what’s in store on their website (www. thecommercialippies.com ). “Our latest release Underground Overground is a completely free 5 track EP available from our website. We decided to make it available for free to our fans as a thank you for all the support over the years, so I guess all that’s left to say is get yourselves over to Rainbow Serpent 2013 to catch us and other great artists for a couple days of fun in the sun with like minded people and banging beats, and remember to keep supporting FORTE magazine. Media and Journalism are often the most overlooked aspects of any scene, but the people keeping you, the readers, informed are as important as the promoters, musicians and fans. They keep us all ‘up to date’, ‘connected’ and ‘in the know’ and that’s vital for the scene to keep growing and getting stronger. So be sure to keep reading... See you at the Serpent!” Gareth finishes.

When&Where: January 25 - 28, Rainbow Serpent Festival - Lexton, Victoria

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WEEKEND @ FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2012 – TUESDAY 1ST JANUARY 2013 Live music and DJs all weekend | Prime viewing position for NYE 9.15pm & Midnight fireworks Open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner over the whole long weekend | Free entry Ph: (03) 5222 2666 | edgegeelong.com.au | 6–8 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong, Victoria, 3220 20

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Boom Crash Opera

By Ophelia Symons

It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new music from 80s pop rock outfit Boom Crash Opera but that doesn’t stop them from hitting the stage every now and again to remind Australia that they’ve still got it. Boom Crash Opera have just finished playing a string of shows in wineries around Australia for the 12th Annual A Day On The Green tour with Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels with Dave Gleeson, Baby Animals and James Reyne. I caught up with front man Dale Ryder to talk about their recent shows with A Day On The Green, the evolution of a Boom Crash Opera gig and work outside of the band.

A Day On The Green takes place every year during the summer months visiting wineries in every Australian state. The event hosts a lineup of musicians both locally and internationally from household names to the underground sensations, previous years have welcomed Bryan Adams, The Beach Boys, Blondie, Leonard Cohen, Tom Jones, Alicia Keys, Vanessa Amarossi, John Butler Trio and INXS to name a few. The event has even been described as “the Big Day Out for grown-ups”. “It [A Day On The Green] has been great fun,” says Dale.

“It’s just nice for all the bands to be together, it’s all very friendly and relaxed and there’s no pressure.

It’s been fun; the crowds have been really great, the bands play really well, lots of good songs, you

BreakBot

By Cyclone

The beardy French electro-funk producer BreakBot (AKA Thibaut Berland) has finally delivered an album, By Your Side, through Ed Banger Records. It’s auspicious, too, with him bringing his live show to Summadayze.

In fact, Berland began recording By Your Side after 2010’s cult single ‘Baby I’m Yours’, which reappears here, along with the official lead single ‘One Out Of Two’. Gallic dance acts have presented us with classic albums: Dimitri From Paris’ Sacrebleu, Daft Punk’s Homework, Air’s Moon Safari... Yet today many DJ/Producers are abandoning the format for ephemeral tracks, singles or EPs. Not Berland. “Well, yeah, I thought about just doing tracks and stuff, but at some point I felt like I maybe needed some challenge,” he says from his Paris base. “I felt like it was a good idea to make an album. It was quite hard, but in the end I’m pretty happy about it.” He himself still appreciates LPs, rating his labelmates Justice’s Audio, Video, Disco and Kindness’ Cassius-helmed World, You Need A Change Of Mind.

On By Your Side Berland journeys back to the ‘70s. There are reverberations of disco-pop, Prince’s early funk, and the blue-eyed soul of Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers and Hall & Oates. The producer recruited (male) vocalists Irfane, Ruckazoid and Pacific’s Bjorn Synneby.

Berland isn’t alone in his nostalgia, with Yuksek mining similar influences on his exhilarating ‘Living On The Edge Of Time’. Still, being closer to Sam

The Pretty Littles

By Natalie Rogers

At the risk of sounding facetious, there must be something in the water round here, because time after time I am amazed at the volume of talent, creativity and originality on display from local bands at pubs and clubs around the area, every weekend. I caught up with Jack Parsons, frontman of The Pretty Littles, one such band who embrace the true spirit of rock n roll; to play loud and stick it to the man (oh and also to avoid the wrath of a good ol’ fashioned hoofing) - confused? Me too, but please read on!

If I expected to get any straight answers out of Jack, when he called recently to chat about their upcoming gigs and new EP- I Am Not From A Small Town, I would have been sorely mistaken.

“I am a bit dusty at the moment, honestly,” Jack laughed.”We played at The Tote [Hotel] last night and it was really great, there was a pretty crazy band that played before us - it was just a cool Thursday night, and it’s such an awesome venue to play.”

Although at the time of our chat I Am Not... was yet to be released, Jack revealed that this was not entirely true: “Oh, that’s just something our record company says!” He scoffed. “I have a copy sitting right next to me, so I hope it has been released - it is definitely out there and we have started to play it at our shows too.”

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get to hear everybody’s singles basically.

It’s a really good show.”

It sounds as though the audiences weren’t the only ones anticipating the event this year. “I’ve always wanted to do A Day On The Green because I take my kids and there is a very relaxed atmosphere, everyone’s drinking wine and sitting on their blankets.

When we go on stage it’s usually pretty much day time, it’s been great weather and everyone backstage is happy and there’s just no pressure, it’s not taken too seriously, it’s all about having fun. I wish it were like this a long time ago.”

Boom Crash Opera may not play as many shows as they used to, but they certainly still value the quality of their live shows and aim to please their crowds. “Live shows are not as pompous as they used to be, we’re a little older and wiser so we play the songs a lot better. Lots of antics on stage, we do all our singles, the set goes for about 45 minutes so we can get pretty much everything off our seven albums, all the old singles. Again it’s all about having some fun and not being too precious about everything,” says Dale.

It’s been almost twenty years since their last original album Gizmo Mantra was released, and much to the delight of their fans, the possibility of releasing new music is not completely off the cards. “There is talk of some stuff. We’re older but we keep writing and we’re all doing different projects so there’s talk about doing something, I hope that it happens but comme si comme sa really.”

When&Where: February 16, The Hill Winery – Geelong While new music with Boom Crash Opera is still undecided, Dale is hoping to head into the studio to begin recording his own long-awaited debut solo album early next year. “I have been writing stuff, I’m sort of into Jazz now, I’ve been trying to write this album and I just haven’t had the time to finish it. All the songs are written and demoed I just need to find the studio and get it financed. It’s very eclectic, it’s mainly for me really and my kids – something to leave them with before I go,” laughs Dale. “We’ll see what happens, I’m

still writing and people say it sounds really good but I’ve just got to find the time. I think I’ll be finishing it off in January,” concludes Dale.

“One of my dreams is to make some kind of musical,” Berland reveals. “It’s an ultimate goal for me in my career to make a film and the music. But it’s such a huge amount of work that I would have to find the time to do that. Right now it’s not possible, but maybe in a few years I will start working on this project.”

from By Your Side, albeit ‘remixed’ for festival crowds.

“I really love touring there, it’s one of my favourite countries in the world,” he says. “I just have a very good time in Australia every time.”

If you missed Boom Crash Opera at a winery near you this year, the event will be bringing itself to Geelong’s very own The Hill Winery for the first time in February next year. Boom Crash Opera will be supporting Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels with Dave Gleeson, Ross Wilson and Dragon.

Sparro than Justice, By Your Side is an uncharacteristic album for Ed Banger - a label traditionally associated with bangin’ club music. Indeed, Berland even offers ballads. Regardless, he’s grateful that Ed Banger’s Pedro Winter should be supportive.

Berland grew up on the music of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Michael Jackson’s Thriller a favourite (Los Angeles’ Ruckazoid spookily channels the late singer on ‘Why’). He studied at the computer graphics school Supinfocom, befriending Justice’s Xavier de Rosnay. Here, Berland co-directed the award-winning short animation film ‘Overtime’. However, he became increasingly absorbed in music. Berland first attracted attention with a remix of Justice’s ‘Let There Be Light’. Next, he released the Happy Rabbit EP on Moshi Moshi.

Pnau, whose baby was tweaked by Berland, invited him to Australia to tour with them in 2008. “It was probably one of the funnest experiences I’ve had in my life,” Berland enthuses.

House DJ/producers are now producing pop acts, David Guetta the trendsetter. Berland wants in. “It would probably never happen, but in the production world I would love to work with people like Beyonce or Rihanna.”

(Oddly, he’s remixed a song Beyonce’s sister Solange cut with Chromeo). And Berland hasn’t abandoned film. He hopes to some day combine his passions, like Mr Oizo.

Before he does anything, Berland will travel to Australia for the fifth time, his show taking in around six songs

RELEASE: By Your Side is out now through Warner When&Where: January 1, Summadayze - Sidney Myer Music Bowl

On mentioning that my favourite new track is ‘Bring On the Bad Times’, Jack once again took the opportunity to have a laugh.

“What? The ballad!” He cried. “Yeah that’s our big, stadium rock ballad. We haven’t actually played that one live much yet. Our drummer and bass player love that song, but I kind of go in waves,” he explains. Jack continued: “I wrote that song a couple of years ago, after a New Year’s Eve spent at Falls Festival and I had just seen Whitley play (I was obsessed with Whitley). I watched the heavy, heavy movie after a three day booze bender at Falls and I went away and wrote this epic folk song. A lot of our songs are inspired by Falls Festival - ‘New Year’s Resolution’ is another older song that has been changed around a lot.

Alex Markwell from Delta Rigg produced that song and breathed a whole new life into it and we generally like to play that one at the start of our sets now,” says Jack.

Another track that has received national airplay, thanks to being unearthed by Triple J, is ‘Hectic Psychotic’. “That’s the one I like to play towards the end because my voice is just so shredded by then, that I just love to jump around and go crazy. It’s a great excuse to just lose your mind,” says Jack.

Wanna hear more of Jack and the guys on their wild misadventures throughout the countryside this summer? Then be sure to catch them at one of their gigs during December and January.

P.S Head to their facebook page to learn the truth behind their fears of being “hoofed” - I dare you.

When&Where: January 11, The Loft - Warrnambool

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TALK OF THE TOWN! Bad Christmas jokes: What’s the best Christmas present in the world?

A broken drum – you just can’t beat it. Coming up you have… .........................................................................

New Year’s Eve Breakdown This is a public service announcement from your more often than not friendly team at Forte. New Year’s Eve is approaching. If you wake up the next day and you can’t remember what you did the night before, the chances are you did something you don’t want to remember. But don’t worry, you will probably find an embarrassing video of yourself on YouTube or Facebook. Soon all your friends and family will see it. Some may forgive, others will ditch you quicker than Nine Network dumped Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos.* You will promise yourself that you will never do anything like this again. But it’s too late. You now have a homemade tattoo of Porky Pig snorting cocaine.

And that is before the clock strikes twelve. The moral of the story is: have fun but remember that there is no reason to overdo it. If you are heading out please be safe. There will be plenty of venues hosting their own little or not so little parties.

Remember, it’s not just your New Year’s Eve so be mindful of family-friendly areas. If you are staying in or heading to a friend’s party, again, be safe.

And don’t, don’t, don’t drink and drive. Have a Happy and Safe Festive Season and New Year readers. We’ll see you soon. For those too young to know the Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos reference, you too will be old one day. .........................................................................

Warrambeen Film Festival The Warrambeen Film Festival can lay claims to being the most unique film festival in Australia.

Forget about your typical setting. At Warrambeen you are treated to films from all corners of the globe shown on five screens within a sheep farm. In 2012 the five theatres were: ‘The Shed’ (120 seats), ‘The Shearers Quarters’ (60 seats), ‘The Yard’ (220 seats), ‘The Orchard’ (400+ seats) and ‘The Hill’ (1000+ seats). 2012 also saw the event host its inaugural night session for exclusive campers. All this points to what is sure to be another fantastic outing in 2013. The Warrambeen Film Festival will take place in early March (date to be confirmed at time of writing). Warrambeen is situated between Geelong and Ballarat. Other than that, things are all pretty quiet at the moment but if you keep an eye on warrambeenfilmfestival.com.au you can’t go wrong. .........................................................................

Colac Kana Festival 2013 With Forte set to put its feet up for a short breather following this issue, now is as good a time to look forward to what 2013 offers. Across March 15, 16 & 17, Colac will host its 56 th Colac Kana Festival.

Live music and entertainment, market stalls and children’s activities all feature while a highlight of the festival is Saturday’s Street Parade. Kana comes from Kanyana – the original name of the festival and an indigenous word which shares its name with Moomba’s ‘Let’s get Together and Have Fun’ mantra. Although the format has changed over the years, the central meaning has never budged.

2013’s theme is ‘Story Time – Dream Time’. The best thing you can do to keep updated is to hit them up through their Facebook page.

Cyndi Boste From the mid to late 1980s, Saturday mornings were reserved for The Early Bird Show. The children’s variety programme was hugely popular and singer-songwriter Cyndi Boste – then 16 when she made her debut on the show – became a regular fixture. By 18 Boste had started playing in venues around Victoria and was soon clocking up a mammoth 250 shows a year. She then joined her brother for a time in Steve Boyd and the Preachers before finding her own way again. Her debut album, Home Truths, was well-received and three albums have followed since. The latest is Foothill Dandy. Today she boasts a career spanning three decades. For songs full of warmth, heart and a little grit, head to the Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs – December 23. .........................................................................

The Dead Salesmen Duo Back in 1991, when Nirvana became kings, Terminator 2: Judgement Day was “the movie”, and Super Nintendo was released, The Dead Salesmen Duo played Meredith. Oh yeah, 1991 was also marked the very first Meredith. The Ballarat favourites played on the Saturday afternoon of a festival no-one thought would be around today.

You can actually catch a tiny bit of their Meredith antics through YouTube. Around the same time the two-piece Dead Salesmen would traditionally play Ballarat’s Bridge Mall Inn every Christmas and New Year’s Eve. As you can imagine twentyplus years makes for many stories and not too long ago founding member Justin ‘Hap’ Hayward took to Pozible to raise funds for the book, About You - Lyrics from The Dead Salesmen to Underminers and Lots of Stuff Inbetween. The Karova, Ballarat – December 23.

ballarat / bendigo / geelong / surfcoast / warrnambool / werribee

Anyway, this is the deal. Each event runs for two hours, from 12noon to 2pm. A local music act will provide some blissful tunes while two artists will go head to head in a public art battle. All events take place on the Civic Green. January 11 - Heidi Gass and Sean Murphy (music) & Tom Pendergast vs Shaun McIntyre (art battle); January 18 - Michelle’s Velocity (music) & Becky Nevin Berger vs Robyn Lake (art battle); January 25 - Louise Clancey and Darren Ely (music) & Tracey Head vs Kelly O’Brien (art battle). .........................................................................

Rebecca Barnard Territory For half a dozen years Rebecca Barnard led Rebecca’s Empire, releasing a few EPs and a couple of albums along the way. The band would go their separate ways in 2000 after motherhood took priority. It didn’t stop Barnard from keeping her toe in the music waters with the songbird appearing on recordings with Paul Kelly, Tim Rogers and Renée Geyer among others. 2006 was the year when things started rolling again with the release of her debut solo album Fortified. The album was followed up a few years later with 2010’s Everlasting. Everlasting was recorded in New York at Tony Bennett’s studio.

She continues to hold a warm, snuggling place within the music community. The Bridge, Castlemaine – December 21.

Half Moon Run Rising Three is the magic number when it comes to Canada’s Half Moon Run: Devon Portielje, Conner Molander and Dylan Phillips. It seems that in the music game being busted-ass broke has a way of uniting people and so it was that these three talented gents came together. The result would be a fusion of elements of indie, pop and folk.

The band has made the most of their time since coming together with appearances at SXSW, M for Montreal and Great Escape. NME called them “Buzz Kings of the M for Montreal Festival.” 2012 saw the release of their debut album Dark Eyes which was followed by a healthy spot of European touring. Now Australia gets its go. To go along with a couple of festival appearances the band will play The Karova, Ballarat on January 12. .........................................................................

Icehouse Primitive Colours Don’t forget that Icehouse will be performing at GPAC next year as part of 30-year celebrations for Primitive Man and 25-year anniversary of Man of Colours.

Released in 1982 – and re-issued on CD in 1983 – Primitive Man was the album that made the band.

Single ‘Hey Little Girl’ provided their international breakthrough while another single, ‘Great Southern Land’, became an unofficial Australian anthem. If

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Twinkle, Twinkle Little Twinsy ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through The Karova, not a creature was stirring except for Twinsy. Twinsy, in case you didn’t know (but probably did), is the brainchild of Guy Chappell (Yacht Club DJs) and Michael Belsar (Hunting Grounds). Don’t worry, the lads are still doing the deed with their other bands but this gives them a new outlet. Guy handles the drums while Michael handles guitar and vocals and the music they deliver sits somewhere between their bands. They not too long ago released their first video single ‘Waterbombs’ featuring the Bleeding Knees Club’s Alex Wall. The dynamic duo played their first live show at Ballarat’s Karova Lounge in October and now they are ready to return to the venue for a dose of Christmas Eve fun. Help spread the Christmas beer. .........................................................................

Sweet Alison Ferrier Over ten years ago Alison Ferrier came to Australia on a one-year working visa. She remains here today. After working the scene in country music duo The Wayward Fancies and four-piece outfit The Hallrunners, the songbird stepped out solo with album Sugar Baby. The album took around a year to complete. Most songs recorded for the album were songs Ferrier had played live many times before. For the recording she changed keys for some and slowed others down. It was a long process but she never felt compelled to rush. It was all about letting the album evolve. It didn’t hurt that hubby Jeff Lang was on hand either. With dreamy melodic waltzes, heartsick ballads and haunted blues, Alison will perform at The Palais, Hepburn Springs on January 13.

Carus Thompson Take 2

Bonjah Preview

Songman Carus Thompson has spent just as much time abroad as he has on home shores in recent times but that hasn’t stopped him from recording a new live album. Titled Acoustic at the Norfolk Volume II, the album comes some nine years after Live at the Norfolk.

The album received four stars from Sunday Herald Sun’s Tianna Nadalin who wrote, “Thompson has again captured the energy and atmosphere that makes his live shows so memorable and timeless.” The two-CD album was recorded across January 27 and 28 at Western Australia’s Norfolk Basement. Tour dates: Queenscliff Uniting Church – January 2; Martians Café, Deans Marsh – January 5; Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs – January 9; Apollo Bay Hotel, Apollo Bay – January 19. He will then perform a few shows with Seth Lakeman.

Members of Melbourne via New Zealand outfit Bonjah share a long history. In 1997 Glenn Mossop, Regan Lethbridge and David Morgan met at high school in Tauranga, NZ. They bought some budget guitars and started bashing about, learning to play their instruments by the time-honoured tradition of learning Nirvana covers. Flash forward to 2006 and the band decided that moving to Melbourne would give them their best shot. In 2012 the move really started to pay off. They played a couple of festivals and headed abroad for a sold-out show in London and a spot at Germany’s JuWi Fest. They are currently writing new material for a 2013 release which means not only will you hear some old favourites at their upcoming show but a preview of what is to come. Torquay Hotel – January 4.

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The Pretty Littles Town Let me tell you a story about a band named The Pretty Littles. Apparently ringleader Jack Parsons had a bit of an epiphany at The Falls 2006/7 after seeing The Vasco Era. So he started a band. A band that is pretty. It’s a short story but a sweet one. Since then they have done all sorts of things including performing at The Forum and playing with bands including The Vasco Era, Children Collide, The Rubens, The Delta Riggs and DZ Deathrays.

They have also released a couple of albums. Their first one was Fairweather which was produced by Tom Iansek of Big Scary. Then The Delta Riggs’ Alex Markwell liked what he heard and offered the band his services. The result is I Am Not From a Small Town. The Loft, Warrnambool – January 11. .........................................................................

Arts on the Grass Warrnambool’s Arts on the Grass series will continue throughout January next year. The fantastic live music/art battle series takes place on Fridays at noon making it the perfect way to enjoy an extended lunchbreak. Not that I am saying you should avoid your work responsibilities, but it is Friday, so…

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Cheers to Harvest ‘n’ Graze Food, music and wine: it’s a combination fit for gods. As the summer sun does its thing next year, cool off with a day of eating local delicacies, sipping on fine wine and enjoying the sounds of Daryl Braithwaite at Harvest ‘n’ Graze. Harvest ‘n’ Graze is the brainchild of Warren James and Darren Danielson, two gents who know a thing or two about good food and good music. Warren currently has eleven farmers markets in operation across Victoria while Darren is drummer for Chocolate Starfish.

Harvest ‘n’ Graze seemed like the next step. “We wanted to create a festival based around incredible produce we have on offer right here in Victoria. All stallholders are handpicked and share our Harvest ‘n’ Graze philosophy of ‘Local. Seasonal. Family. Sustainable.’” 40 stalls will serve up the region’s best cheeses, wines, olives, boutique beers, artisan delicacies and much more. Other artists performing include Sarah and the King Bees, The Corsairs, Corner Shop Kids and Where’s Joss? Bellarine Estate – January 20. Hit harvestngraze.com for more.

there was an album to top Primitive Man it would be Man of Colours. The album peaked at #1 on the Australian album chart and spent a tidy little elevenweek period there. Singles ‘Electric Blue’ and ‘Crazy’ led the way. Due to the popularity of the tour the tour the band has extended their run of shows and will check into GPAC on January 13. Information and bookings through gpac.org.au. .........................................................................

Havaianas Thong Challenge The Havaianas Thong Challenge will return on Australia Day and once again a record is up for grabs.

Events include the Havaianas Paddle Challenge (Paddling Race), Havaianas Dash for Thongs (Beach Flags) and Giant Havaianas Relay (Running Race). The highlight is the Havaianas Thong record challenge, currently held by Cottesloe, which is all about getting as many people on a giant Havaianas thong and into the water as possible. There is some pretty swanky merchandise up for grabs as well including Havaianas Aussie Beaches, Havaianas Umbrellas and Havaianas Beach Balls. Add to this a DJ and celebrity MC and you have the perfect way to spend Australia Day. Can’t make it to the beach?

Then bring the Thong Challenge to your backyard.

Let us not forget what the day is all about though and that is supporting the little Nippers. Registration can be made through havaianasthongchallenge.com.au or on the day. Cosy Corner, Torquay – January 26.

Falls Festival Rundown Okay, Falls Festival has all but arrived. Hopefully your plans have been made or are at least being finalised.

You don’t want miscommunication to start things off on a sour note. Now, I don’t want to get all parental on you but there are a few things you should know. Regular visitors to the festival know the drill but for those making their way there for the first time there are some things you should know. Perhaps the greatest thing to remember is to be patient. It is a festival. There are thousands of people making the trip within a similar time frame. Give yourself plenty of time and try to remain cool. If you are beating your head against the car dashboard because things are moving slowly, put a pillow down to cushion the blow. We all know traffic can be a nuisance but everyone is in the same boat. Be cool. There are of course things that you shouldn’t be trying to sneak into the festival. Uniformed and undercover Police will be present so smarten up. Once you exchange your ticket for a wristband treat your wristband as if it is your life force. There will be no replacements and if you are caught without one you risk hefty fines. Make sure you have proper ID. If you look too young you may be going thirsty. And pack for all weather types because we don’t want you being uncomfortable. Finally, have fun. Hit fallsfestival.com.au for a full rundown.

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Laura Hill Deluxe Whether she is performing solo or with her band The Tuesday Bandits, one can’t help but be charmed by songbird Laura Hill. The Adelaide singer-songwriter’s music comes from a special place. After almost losing her mother to illness, Laura saw in her recovery before setting out to travel the world. On her return she dove headfirst into music. 2010 saw the release of album Over My Shoulder which took her on consecutive national tours. Next up was EP The Guava Tree in 2011. The EP received some wonderful reviews and continues to take Hill from one corner of the country to the other. You can now pick up a deluxe copy of the EP featuring bonus track ‘Poco Loco’. Or you can politely ask her to sing it when she hits Martians Café, Deans Marsh on January 13. .........................................................................

Evil Intent Unleash Evil Blackened thrash metal is the business of Bendigo’s Evil Intent. The band was formed as a two-piece in 2000 when Nick Verdelet and Leigh Gorelust, inspired by the black, death and thrash bands of the 1980s and 1990s, started writing some tunes.

A planned short break turned into a not-so-short break but in 2006 they were at it again. This time though they had some spare money so they bought some gear and focused on recording a demo. More stuff got in the way but they did what they could when they could and early next year they will launch their EP at Bendigo’s Newmarket on January 12.

They will be joined by Melbourne band Mardraum and Warrnambool band Severity. Head on down and score yourself a cheap five-buck EP. Bargain. .........................................................................

Jo Dawson Gets Bad When it comes to ‘How did it all begin?’ stories, Southern Surf Coast gal Jo Dawson has an interesting one. She was going through her things as she was preparing to move out of home for the first time and came across a note from her Grade Five teacher which read: “Merry Christmas Jo!

Sarah Carroll Extravaganza It just ain’t Christmas without Sarah Carroll and her Piping Hot Chicken Shop Christmas Extravaganza. The best part is that she doesn’t care if you have been naughty or nice, although being nice may win you a few more brownie points. Sarah is a songwriter, performer, radio announcer, choir director, ukulele teacher and producer. In fact, she is the Ukulele Queen of Bellarine. She has been performing music throughout Australia and the US for the better part of 20 years and has performed with some of the country’s finest including Chris Wilson, Mick Thomas and Van Walker. So head on down to the Piping Hot Chicken Shop on December 23 for a preChristmas treat. There will be music. There will be merriment. There will be good tidings.

Pyramid Rock Tips Pyramid Rock is almost here and with the risk of setting a common theme for Forte’s last issue of this year, as with any festival there are a few rules organisers want you to abide by. You may think that they are put in place to cramp your style but they are not. They’re put in place to ensure you are kept safe and that your fellow revellers are kept safe too. From their website the no-no’s are: alcohol, glass bottles, fireworks, flares, dangerous weapons, gas bottles and barbeques. You can bet your sweet butt that drugs are another big no-no. Property will be searched. You think you are clever and can beat the system?

Don’t bet on it. Most of the rest is just common sense. Like, pack for all weather types. Have some ID on hand. Be patient when you need to be patient. And be respectful. You are here for a good time but don’t let your good time be the reason for someone else’s crappy time. Please be respectful of the land as well.

Oh, and have fun. For all the answers to all your questions hit thepyramidrockfestival.com.

Good luck next year and I look forward to hearing about your singing career.” Needless to say it took Dawson back a step but here we are today.

Bouncing from delicate ballads through to raw, edgy rock, Dawson has supported artists including The Beautiful Girls, James Reyne, Amy Meredith, Red Ink and Trial Kennedy. She has also released the EP Bad Behaviour and is on her way to making her mark in Australian rock. Odyssey Tavern – December 22 & January 6. .........................................................................

Scion Pirates Christmas You trust the Scion Pirates when it comes to providing sweet tunes and now you should trust them with a little Christmas frivolity. Ladies and gentlemen, Scion Pirates are proud to present The Dead Pirates Society Bad Santa Christmas. Who have they invited around for a pre-Christmas meal?

A host of spoken word artists including Michael Crane, Chris Wilson, Ben Smith, and Jessica Curtis, that’s who.

Brisbane-born, Melbourne-based Michael Crane is a widely published Australian poet and writer. He is also responsible for organising Poetry Idol, a poetry competition run in conjunction

with the Age Melbourne Writers Festival. Piping Hot Chicken Shop – December 21. .........................................................................

Home House Welcomes Twins Geelong’s Home House Nightclub will welcome The Twins on New Year’s Eve for a celebration so big you will be recovering a week later. So, who are the twins? Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito?

Not exactly. They are, in fact, Brooke and Elle. Or, in their floor-filling, world, Bronnie and Kelly. The Gold Coast sister act starred in the local version of Beauty and the Geek back in 2010 and they are now one of the hottest properties in the dance music world. Sure, being a Miss Universe contestant and Calendar Girl certainly helps but these gals are the real deal. With a fresh appeal, Bronnie and Kelly can fill a dance floor like no other. They just happen to do it with perfectly manicured fingers. They will be joined by some special guests. talk of the town! continues on page 46

rob pix

New Year on the Pier Among the New Year’s Eve festivities taking place is the always popular New Year on the Pier. The hottest NYE party in Geelong this year welcomes Andy Murphy, Rob Pix and Jane Daffy. Some fine local DJs will also be on hand. Melbourne’s Andy Murphy can do it all. He is a much sought-after DJ and producer and now, fashion ambassador.

Signed to Australia’s biggest club brand Onelove, Murphy is a regular at Australian festivals. He has also performed in the US, Asia, Dubai, South Korea and New Zealand.

Tickets are $99 which gives you entry, finger food, 10 drink tokens plus a wrist band which will give you priority and discounted entry into Home House, Eureka and Lamby’s. Hit thepiergeelong.com.au for more. 18+ only.

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RED WHYTE

By Wylie Caird

If having released sixteen albums is called the beginning then you had better strap yourself in for a long, cruisey ride with earthy songman Red Whyte. But this is how the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist sees it. For this muso and avid surfer there are three playgrounds in life: the surf, the studio and the stage. It is why once one CD is sitting pretty on the shelf, a new one is already in play.

“Winter and spring was spent recording and working on 23 songs at once”, he tells Forte when asked what’s been happening of late. “It was a tough time with things, having my stepdaughter passing on from suicide a few months before the recording. Financially things were tough too and I was havin’ to organise quite a few interstate tours to raise money for the project. Things are still tight. Did quite a few shows but the two that really stand out are one at the Coolangatta Hotel, Joan Peterson 80th - mother of the late Michael Peterson which was a very interesting night. Secondly, the 37th annual Stradbroke island Boardriders Surf Comp presentation night where I meet a lot of old musos and surfers who knew their stuff, but really dug my tunes and previous CD’s.”

Whyte’s openness about his stepdaughter’s passing as well as his honesty on his website (he writes how depression gave birth to his new material) blows the image of the stubborn, unemotional man who suppresses his feelings out of the water. Forgive me for the attempt at amateur psychology but his candour makes his new album, Shades of Whyte, seem an appropriate title. Here he takes us through it. “Shades

of Whyte has a more up tempo and free vibe with definite strains of funk and jazzy blues; side one more out there than two but there also features a few music stars on it and they are Megan Copeland, Marco Goldsmith, Phil Smurthwaite, Ian Hergstrom, Howlin Wind and Jen Nicholls.”

Shades of Whyte was recorded from August to late November, making it an album which took shape as the seasons changed. “Shades was recorded by Nathan Lipspy at Novasound studios in West Geelong from August to late November. Most of the songs were written at the farm where I live down at Bells Beach. A few songs have been inspired by Annie Wilson passing on, others are about the blues and fighting for freedom in this world.” Oh and love, of course. One can only hope the pain felt by his stepdaughter’s passing is soothed, if only by a fraction, by the musical process.

So, what can we expect from Shades of Whyte?

“A foot stompin’ vibe all the way through,” he tells us before giving a shout-out to stickmen everywhere. “It’s a real drummer’s album, especially cause it’s featuring Mark Collett’s 27-piece drum kit. I’m a drummer and I love what he does. All the songs on side one have some definite vibe and tempo.” Referring to his website again, Whyte lists himself as an artist, musician, photographer and fulltime surfer. It sounds like a fine balance and one he can hopefully maintain for many years and waves to come.

When&Where: Martians Café, Deans Marsh – December 21; Dive Bar – December 22; Watermarks Gallery – December 23.

Motion City Soundtrack

By Cameron Brogden

We’re at the beginning of our beloved Festival Season, and that means it’s only a couple of months until Soundwave. Returning as a part of another incredible lineup is the Soundwave veterans - Motion City Soundtrack. We caught up with bass player, Matt Taylor for a chat about all things music.

You’ve played Soundwave twice before, have you got any fond memories? Yeah, I mean it’s hard to say specifically, we just have a good time. It’s a cool festival because it’s so eclectic with the different bands I would say. That’s usually my favourite thing about the festival... you could have everything from really chilled indie bands... all the way to metal bands, and everywhere inbetween. I really like that.

So you’re glad to be coming back? Absolutely, it’s been a long time.

Since you were last here, you’ve released Go which has a different, more mature sound for you guys. How did that come about? Very naturally; it’s not something that we necessarily planned to do. We didn’t plan to make a certain-sounding album. It really just happened in a time when we had no label, we’d been dropped by Columbia, our last label. We just found ourselves in a spot where we felt like we had no pressure. Which usually, I think, is kind of the opposite.

I think bands get dropped and they have no label and they get scared and they take some time off and try to figure out what to do, but we kind of took the opposite

Woods

By Natalie Rogers

Happy to be heading down-under for their first time this summer is Brooklyn’s finest fourpiece indie outfit, Woods. I recently spoke to front-man Jeremy Earl: “Normally when we’re on tour overseas we don’t get a lot of time to really explore, but we are scheduled to have three days off in Perth, so is there anything you can suggest? I’ve heard that the beaches are amazing there - we all love to be near the ocean,”Jeremy chatted away.

A world away from the beautiful shores of W.A, Jeremy has fitted out his holiday home in upstate New York with a modest studio, and started Brooklyn-based record label Woodsist. “I always wanted a place to get away outside of the city, where we can all get together and work through ideas.

Actually while working on our new record [Bend Beyond - out now] we all stayed up at my home and spent a lot of time planning and really working on our sound, whereas on the previous albums we would sometimes record after one take.”

Since forming in 2005 Jeremy and the guys’ (tape effects technician G. Lucas Crane, bassist Kevin Morby and multi-instrumentalist Jarvis Taveniere) distinctive sound has won them praise from fans and critics alike across the globe. Described as ‘a blend of spooky campfire folk’ or ‘lo-fi rock’, Woods are constantly working on their unique sound: “I think all the constant touring and really taking time on this last album, has allowed us to achieve the kind of sound that we’ve always wanted, but

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When&Where: March 1, Soundwave Festival - Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (photo by anthony saint james) approach and just wanted to make an album in that time. Something that just represented where we were at that time as a band, and that’s exactly what you hear on Go. And you’ve just released a 7” called Major Leagues with bonus tracks? It’s a couple of new songs. They’re actually song ideas that we had before Go was recorded, but we were never able to get them finished, and to where we felt like they were done, and to where they felt like we wanted them to feel. So that’s those two songs, and the bonus track is a song called ‘Pictures of Success’ by Rilo Kiley, and that’s

just Justin on an acoustic, a very stripped down version.

Are there plans for a new album yet? We’re talking about it. We don’t have a specific plan, but basically we’re turning on the songwriting machine right now, because we’re actually off for a little while before we come over to see you guys in Australia. So we’ll be taking this time, through the new year, and just writing songs and we’ll probably get together once or twice before we come over there and just see how some ideas go. But sooner rather than later we would like to make a new album.

You’ve been with the band ten years, do you have any good touring stories? That question is, for some

reason, so hard to answer. You’d think there would be a million stories, and there are, but it’s one of those things where... First of all, I have a terrible memory. Second of all, I have a hard time thinking of one specific thing, from ten years of playing shows. I would just have to say getting to play shows like; We got to tour with Blink 182 our first time in Japan, and they took us to Europe. So getting to play arenas like that, with a band like that, it’s that much fun. I mean, musically and personally, you know, they’re a lot of fun. It was just a really surreal experience for us, when we got to do that. Because there’s no guarantee we’ll ever be playing those shows on our own. That’s definitely a highlight for me, being able to play these crazy huge arenas.

couldn’t quite get on the [four] previous releases. We have always had really positive feedback whenever we play live and so we have worked hard to bring that element to our recording.”

Jeremy continued “I think this [Bend Beyond] is the closest we have come to emulating our live sound. We love playing shows and I think that a really exciting part of playing lots, is that you have a chance to go into the unknown and really expand on your ideas. We love to improvise and just see where the music takes us.”

Their love of experimenting and creating a different atmosphere through music, is evident in all of Woods’ new songs, particularly ‘Cascades’, ‘Cali in a Cup’, and my favourite ‘Size meets Sounds’. “‘Size meets Sounds’ as a song is definitely the direction of the future for us. It’s the kind of music that we all want to make, and ‘Cascades’ is just so much fun to play live. It’s funny you know, because the title track ‘Bend Beyond’ is a old song that we used to play a lot live, but never bothered to record until we noticed that it would always get a great response from the audience whenever we played it,” Jeremy laughed.

No doubt they will receive a warm response when they arrived here in the New Year, and just to be sure, they have added additional dates to their fast-selling tour.

Grab your tix from the usual outlets and head to woodsist.com to see video of the making of Bend Beyond and listen to their other delightful tracks.

When&Where: January 18 - The Barwon Club, Geelong

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Eclectica Did you guys know that it was possible to go treasure hunting down Pakington Street? Just look for the charming little shop called ‘Eclectica’. With shelves that are jam-packed with all sorts of wonderful things, whether it’s a gift for you or for them... it’s sure to be eclectic! No matter how many pennies you have in your pocket, there is something indulgent available for us all. These guys also jazz up the gift giving experience with some stylish free-of-charge wrapping. If your not chasing gifts or homewares, Eclectica have a stunning collection of cotton clothing and specialise in one-off jewellery pieces...made in-house! After all, we do love knowing we are wearing a one-of-a-kind. Eclectica are also big supporters of the local artist trade, so whilst you will always walk away a happy shopper you can also take pride in the fact you are supporting the independent artists in our region. Open seven days until Christmas, it is a must-stop on your next stroll down Pako. Oh... and if you can’t make it in person, make sure you catch up with them in the virtual world www.facebook.com/EclecticaPako

Check Yo’ Self The inaugural Check Shirt Friday Christmas Fundraiser event is being held at The Max Hotel on Friday December 21!

Get down there and do your bit to support this fantastic workplace appeal which is set to expand into more and more businesses in the New Year. With all proceeds of the twenty-twelve event going directly to our Geelong Hospital Children’s Ward, you have no excuse but to don your best check shirt...or your ugliest (we don’t mind), and celebrate doing something good with your Christmas dollar this season. If you happen to be in some sort of life or death situation which keeps you from attending Check Shirt Friday, then make sure you get down to The Max Hotel for their New Years Eve Black and Gold spectacular. Get in the spirit and dress up in theme for a night of fun and frivolity! For more information on what is happening at The Max over the coming weeks check out their Facebook page, or call them on 5229 5504.

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Click ‘Get Offer’ on ‘Purplecow Store’ Facebook page for 25% off everything online!

Ok. So there’s what, maybe fifteen events for you to get through this festive season?

Atleast? And yes, I know we all agree. No one likes wearing the same outfit more than once, twice, three times if we are lucky, to a special occassion with the same group of companions. Whether it’s a festival, a night out, a gig, a birthday party or even christmas day with the fam, somehow the idea of out-fit repeating has become a bit of a universal no-go zone. At last, we can rest easy and look fabulous...and have a full wardrobe...and still have some pennies left to enjoy these celebrations we are frocking up for. All pats on the back to Purple Cow for this one. The team at Purple Cow are now stocking the best range of summer dresses in town (both casual and evening), an ever-growing yet increasingly spectacular collection of jewellery and accessories, your must-have distressed denim shorts and an endless array of tops to match. Guys can also choose from a huge range of tees, shorts and pants to help them survive the next few months of mayhem. So what more could we want from these guys? Well, we want it to be accessible 24/7, don’t we? The team at Purple Cow have heard the cries of us Digital Natives and it is now possible for us to purchase all stock online. If a) you can’t make it into the store, (holidaying internationally? still got you covered) or, b) the thought of being caught in last summer’s daggy clothes frightens you, no worries, order in hibernation and await their quick and stylish arrival. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Purple Cow promo codes through their social media pages to nab yourself an even better deal this silly season. Visit purplecowclothing.com.au or search ‘Purplecow store’ on Facebook.

coming soon to belmont!

Jetts Fitness Club Your ‘no time to exercise’ cop-outs are going to be blown out the window this February with the opening of Australia’s most convenient Fitness Club, right on your doorstep! Jetts Fitness is opening up their brand-spanking new facility on High Street, Belmont, offering gym-goers the flexibility to work out whenever they please. Literally. The 24/7 Fitness Club offers it’s members access via a unique smart card system, allowing you to work out at any time of day or night, no matter what your hectic schedule looks like! Scott Dumbell (Jetts Fitness Club Owner) says “The success of our Geelong West and Torquay centres has been quite humbling.

The uptake by local residents has proven to us the demand for an affordable and convenient fitness alternative.” The beauty of Jetts is that it’s all about enjoying your gym sesh, and relishing in the freedom, flexibility and affordability that comes with it. Utilising the latest fitness equipment from Australia’s leading suppliers, Jetts focuses on the popular and simple equipment that people enjoy using most, a) because they want you to have fun, and b) because they don’t want your mind to boggle by looking at strange machines that you have no idea how to use, or use safely. Your membership also means you can work out at any of the Jetts Clubs across our region...and all over Australia. We really are beginning to run out of excuses now guys. Jetts Fitness Belmont is opening February 1st, 2013 at Level 1/155 High St Belmont. Join as a foundation member and save $148 if you sign-up before opening day. Call Jetts on 1300 JETTS 247 or visit the Club’s website at jetts.com.au for more info.

1fish 2fish

It’s A Veeped Christmas

Iconic music venue the Barwon Club is hosting the Veeped Christmas Party on December 22. The collaborative event created by clothing designers Veeped Bored Co will present an array of local musical talent, (both bands and DJs) accross three B.C stages in one massive 11 hour set of fun. Running from 3pm until 1am you can expect to see performances from The Kremlings, 1 Fish 2 Fish, The Towelheads, Mock Turkey, Chook, Face Time, Electric Alice and stacks more. I know what you are all thinking - What the hell is a clothing label doing hosting a mini music festival at our beloved Barwon Club, right? Well, the creative brains behind Veeped Bored Co stem from a somewhat musical background, and doing what all fantastic emerging artists should do (regardless of your medium) they are relying on the collaborative effort of other artistically minded people to help create one hell of’a Launch party for their new summer line. So that’s right people, there will be music, there will be dancing, there will be beer, and there will be a whole lot of rad, never-seen-before clothing. Plus, it’s at the B.C and those guys sure know how to throw a party. To find out more call The Barwon Club on 5221 4584.

Eyewear On Pako Long gone are the days when glasses were considered ‘nerdy’. Creating quite the fashion statement, a stylish pair of frames or sunglasses are now seen as the ‘must have’ statement piece of the season. To find the best range Geelong has to offer, you must take a little wander down our region’s fashion hub, and pop in to Eyewear on Pako. Whether you are after Dolce and Gabbana, Tiffany & Co, Ray Ban, Tom Ford or any other top of the range designer specs, Eyewear on Pako have you covered.

This proudly locally owned and operated business also recognises the importance of supporting our Australian designers and thus stock some brilliant collections from Paul Taylor, Roger Henley and Jono Hennessy.

With the abundance of choice available, we sometimes need the opinion of an expert to help us make those difficult decisions and with an instore team of eyewear specialists who love matching clients to the perfect frame, you will be in safe hands. Let your peepers create a statement this summer by getting in to see the team at Eyewear on Pako - located at 1a Yuille St, Geelong West or PH: 5222 5353.

Customs House After managing five star hotels in Thailand, China and India, Daniel Muhor has returned to Geelong and turned the iconic bluestone Customs House in to a first class venue. “Intimate, sophisticated and elegant is how I see it,” says Daniel. And that it most certainly is, with classic Victorian era lamps outside and a chic interior complete with stylish dining rooms, wine bar and relaxing lounge areas. Using fresh local produce, the Customs House offers modern Australian cuisine with a European influence. The two-course lunches start at just $29 and combine sumptuousness with simplicity. Dinner is definitely for discerning patrons yet all items are priced below $50. “We want to make sure our dinner is a complete meal,” says Daniel, “and that our customers get value for money, with the sides included in the cost.”

For those wanting to enjoy light meals, the Customs House also has an all-day grazing (tapas) menu, which is open from 11:30am until closure, or can simply enjoy coffee and a wide desert selection. And, in a nod to tradition, high tea is served on the third Sunday of each month. Having learnt from some of the best managers in the world, Daniel has been passing on his hospitality skills and knowledge to staff. “Without good people this business wouldn’t succeed. This industry is one of passion for food and wine people.”

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GEELONG PARTY BOAT CRUISE COMPANY PRESENTS

Blues on The Bay

SUNDAY BLUES CRUISE Portarlington & beyond Launching every Sunday from January 6th 2013 On board the ALL NEW HYGEIA III LUXURY CATAMARAN Enjoy the finest cuisine on the Bay - Prawns from the BBQ - Hawaiian style kebabs - Exotic marinades

$50

Inc band & finger food Drinks at bar prices

Get your groove on to the sounds of local blues band

DOG GONE SOUTH

BOOKINGS ADVISED Boarding from 1.30pm. Departing Bay end of Yarra Street 2pm sharp. Returning 5pm

www.hygeia.com.au P: 03 5254 1111

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If you are looking to cruise in something a little more stylish this Summer you must check out the all new Hygeia 111. The team at Hygeia on the Bay are proud to introduce their new luxurious twenty metre catamaran which comfortably caters for up to 150 guests! The biggest and best bay cruiser Geelong has seen, the Hygeia 111 has a sleek finish and contemporary decor that is sure to impress yourself and your fellow sailors on your next special occasion. But if you don’t have a birthday coming up, and you aren’t planning on getting married (or re-married!) anytime soon, never fear, there is still a spot on board the Hygeia 111 for you.

Embarking on their Sunday Blues Cruise to the bays of Portarlington and beyond, the team at Hygeia invite you to wine, dine, relax and unwind whilst enjoying the live entertainment and delicious cuisine available on board. To join the Hygeia on their next Sunday Blues Cruises (January 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2013) or to make a booking for your next celebration call 5254 1111 or visit www.hygeia.com.au. glitter gang

Freestyle One for you, one for me. That’s the approach that we all must take towards our Christmas shopping if we want to get through the next month with our sanity intact.

Freestyle are here to support you through this hectic time, offering you an endless array of stylish options to ensure that you are at the very least, a well-dressed social butterfly this season. On top of keeping you well dressed, Freestyle are here to help crown you with the ‘Ultimate Gift Giver and Best Person To Have You For Kris Krindle’ title this season.

Ok, so we may have made those awards up. But honestly, for all the clothes, shoes and accessories yourself and your gift recipients will love, get down to Freestyle and check out there jam-packed summer range. Who needs to deck the halls with holly when you can cover them with an array of all the latest styles from All About Eve, Jorge, Deacon and St Goliath? Ride your Reindeers down to Freestyle at 117 Pakington St Geelong West and make yourself the Ultimate Santa this season.

Festive Season at The Sphinx As they say ‘Tis’ the season to be jolly’, and the team at The Sphinx Hotel are certainly helping to spread that Christmas cheer.

Inviting you to celebrate your Christmas in style, The Sphinx is hosting their famous three-course Annual Christmas feast in celebration of the special day. Both adults and children are welcome to join in the festivities, but remember that bookings are essential as it is sure to be the stellar event of the season. Adult tickets can be purhcased for $70, and the children for $28.

Plus, what better way to wrap up another year than with a New Years Eve show from local legends Glitter Gang? Featuring Barry Glitter, Marsha Brady, Dirk Diggler, Bobby Dazzler and Stevie Knievel get ready for a night of good ol’ fashion fun from a band who has been getting people up and dancing for a lazy twenty years! Tickets are available to this New Years Eve extravaganza for just $35. Contact The Sphinx today for more info on their special events- PH: 5278 2911.

Tintmaster Can’t afford a new car? How about you jazz up the one you have this Christmas with Tintmaster. The Ultra Carbon automotive window film used by the experts at Tintmaster has the highest level performance that you can both see and feel.

What’s more, is that it is the perfect way to give your car a make-over this season, without costing you an arm and a leg. With all the top level qualities you would expect from the top of the range window tint, the experts at Tintmaster use a nano-tech ceramic coating which creates an incredible endurance and a superior refined finish. A comprehensive lifetime warranty is also a part of the deal, but you can feel safe in knowing it generally won’t be required. With over twenty years service to the region, and over twenty thousand cars tinted during that time, you can trust that you are in safe hands with the team at Tintmaster. Contact the Masters of Cool this summer and experience the difference - PH: 5221 8877

Cuda Bar Whether you have been slaving away at work, or you have just strolled in from the beach, there is no better way to finish up a day in Lorne than heading down to Cuda Bar for a cold drink and a meal with great company. The 2012 Golden Plate Finalists at Cuda Bar have a philosophy fit for the perfect dining experience - great food, great entertainment. Couldn’t ask for much more could we? Kick back and relax over a cocktail and some of Cuda’s infamous tapas while you enjoy the chilled acoustic dinner entertainment, and follow it up with something from the full A La Carte menu, perhaps the incredibly popular and irresistible seared scallops with corn and zucchini frittas. Proving Cuda is the hostess with the mostess they even have you covered for all your after dinner shenanigans. With a wine list from the Surf Coast to Bordeaux and a DJ to get you up off those sunburnt bums this summer, Cuda Bar have everything you want wrapped up with a nice little bow this festive season. Oh, and we must not forget to mention, as proud supporters of the local live music scene, from Boxing Day Cuda will play host to a huge range of artists every day through until January 16. Get down there and find out what all the hype is about - 84 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne.

The Batesford Nestled in the glorious little town of Batesford, situated by the beautiful Moorabool river and the historic bluestone bridge, lives the Batesford Hotel. More than just a watering hole for the locals, the Batesford has perfected the tedious balance of old and new. Through restoration, a respect for heritage, and just the right amount of TLC, the Batesford Hotel showcases the remarkable knack to present a modern dining experience coupled with an abundant dose of character that is only found in a building with a memoir. The owners of the Batesford have taught us all a life lesson here- don’t fix something that isn’t broken, just take all it’s most charming parts and polish them up. And this, they have done so well. Using the building to maximise their incredibly fortunate scenic location, such as the stunning deck from the Moorabool Room, the Batesford Hotel doesn’t just feel like another building has decided to set up shop in the bush, it feels like it’s meant to be there. This is a feat hotel owners have endevoured to reach for lifetimes, and might I add, have rarely conquered. Kevin & Tanya describe their stunning Hotel as not just a venue but a ‘destination’, and on seeing the place, and experiencing the way the scenery and heritage of the building absorbs you, a better description could simply not be found. For an award winning coffee, a highclass list of local wines, a boutique beer overlooking the river, a meal that will make your mouth water, or just a chat with two of the friendliest locals in the region, the Batesford Hotel is the complete package.

And then some. Find this hidden treasure at 700 Ballarat Road, Batesford.

Life’s Simple Chocolatey Pleasures Public holidays, fresh sheets, wine, free parking, coffee, new car smell... and most importantly for a lot of us, chocolate. The key ingredients to a happy life. Well at least the attainable ingredients anyway! From truffles, to pralines, fruit and nut clusters to chocolate bars and made-to-order novelty items, Moorabool Valley Chocolate is the ultimate chocolate lover’s sanctuary. And the beauty of this chocolatey haven is that you are allowed to stroll up and take the reins of your chocolate desires. You want Belgian? No worries. 75% Cocoa? Check.

A flavour that isn’t on the menu? Done (These guys can fill the outlandish requests, but will require some notice!). This locally owned and operated chocolate company is our region’s own little version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Minus the Oompas. The team at Moorabool Valley Chocolate also make their delicious goodies with a conscience; so if you’re feeling guilty about demolishing that block or five, feel better knowing that you skipped on the preservatives, enjoyed the fresh and natural ingredients, and last by not least you are supporting the suppliers of locally owned produce. The best gift you can give that doesn’t require an insurance policy this Christmas can be found in this cosy hideaway. Get in and see the team with any chocolatey request, and personalise your chocolate addiction this season. Find them at 320 Ballarat Rd, Batesford.

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Spanish Fiesta On Pako Bringing a touch of Spain to Pakington Street, Sebroso Bar & Restaurant has been receiving bucket loads of praise for their unique dining experience.

Stephane, the Head Chef of Sebroso has had a huge influence on the new found levels of success the venue is achieving, predominantly due to his creative ability to turn authentic Spanish flavours into a cuisine that even the most reserved Aussie taste buds can enjoy. Taking on the challenge of restoring the Sebroso menu to its traditional Spanish roots, Stephane says - “It’s all about great flavours and great ingredients - smoked chorizo, fresh herbs, saffron...real ingredients.” And whilst Stephane admits it is impossible to make each dish 100% authentic, it is as authentic as it gets this side of the sea.

Take the venue’s most popular dish for example. The Pimentos De Padrons, an authentic Spanish Tapas introduced to Sebroso

by Stephane, is perhaps the most unique dish being served in our region, and after just two months on the menu it has taken the reigns of the Sebroso ‘must have’. With a story that somehow conjures images of folk-tale Jack and The Bean Stalk, Stephane explains the pilgrimage behind the infamous Pimentos, and how they come to rest in our bellies.

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“An authentic Spanish dude from Queensland grows these for us especially, he got them by travelling through Spain, finding the seeds and bringing them back to grow on his farm here in Australia. We are one of the only restaurants that serves them, apart from a couple in Melbourne,” says Stephane. The dish is also labelled as a ‘Russian Roulette’ because “you always gamble when eating them”. One in ten will be so hot it will knock your socks off.

This is hard to believe considering the remaining nine are quite mild, deliciously salty, and are washed down perfectly with Sangria.

The menu is not the only thing rediscovering its Spanish roots at Sebroso - the venue is now hosting Summer Sessions each and every Sunday over the warmer months.

Held on sunny Sunday afternoons, these events celebrate all things Spanish. Great Latino music, Cuban salsa dancing lessons (yes, those who have two left feet are welcome), and street food!

With Paella from the pan being made fresh before your eyes. All in all, this venue is serving up the delicious dose of culture our region has been waiting for.

Open Tuesday through till Sunday for dinner, and Wednesday till Sunday for lunch, you can find Sebroso at 146 Pakington Street, or call them on 5224 1888.

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Two Sugars This year our beloved local cafe in Highton, Two Sugars, under went an extreme makeover. Returning to us in September, the new and oh-so-improved restaurant, come cafe, come pizza bar brought with it a new level of personality for the Highton shopping village. Personality that we didn’t even realise was missing! The exquisite authentic Italian dinner menu, the wood fired pizzas and delicious breakfast selection has been welcomed with open arms by not only the Highton locals, but from goodfood lovers all over the region who are travelling to the venue to discover what all this fuss is about.

The managers of Two Sugars couldn’t be happier with the success the new and improved venue has accomplished thus far, and believe that the rejuvenated concept is helping to bring a bit of ‘flavour’ and authenticity back in to the area. And when we say authentic, we mean authentic. Three Italian Stallions, Valerio, Simone and Andrea are responsible for those mouth-watering, traditional pizzas that are reaching your plates. But, as the old saying goes, ‘behind every great pizza is a great pasta’ - Well, I don’t think that is actually how the saying goes, but Steve Collins, Head Chef of Two Sugars, would agree with me. The conniseur behind the glorious pastas and fresh dishes available at Two Sugars, works alongside a team of lovely staff to help deliver patrons with tip top food and service to match. Head down and experience Two Sugars first hand at Shop 7, 65 Barrabool Rd, Highton.

Summer @ The Grovey You can tell a lot about a pub by it’s locals, and as a regular punter of The Grovedale, I can tell you these guys are off to a great start. For a friendly face and a frothy cold pot get down and see the guys at the Grovey this summer and while you are there you may be lucky enough to catch some of the fantastic live music they have packed into this season’s calendar. After the recent relaunch of The Grovedale’s Saturday night entertainment, Summer Sessions will be coming to you live from 7pm every Saturday. Featuring acoustic soloists and duos in the beer garden, it’s the perfect way to kick back and enjoy the last few hours of sunshine in the warmer months. If you are looking for something a little more up tempo, then roll on in on a Friday night and rock out to one of their regular bands with a late Happy Hour from 9pm. Jumping on board the digital realm, The Grovey are also running a series of Summer Specials via their social media outlets - so, if you and your mates are looking for a place to grab a feed and enjoy a cold drink, jump on their Facebook page where you will find exclusive deals available to Facebook fans, including discounted meal deals and drink promotions. There is no denying that everybody loves a bargain, especially at this time of year. The Grovedale also has the reputation of playing home to some of the flashiest looking TAB services in the region. The huge betting centre features both indoor and outdoor TAB facilities, and an extensive pokies room (try the free hot chocolate there, seriously, it is the best). But you cannot forget to keep some pennies in your pocket so you can feast on one of the top quality bar meals available at the venue, and with a new menu on the way we can expect some exciting and delectable things to come. Situated towards the beginning of the Surf Coast, The Grovedale Hotel is every bit the traditional pub, with all the modern trimmings you have come to love. Find them at 236258 Surf Coast Highway or give them a call on 5243 2814.

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Blues Camp Wayne Jury

By Wylie Caird

In a career spanning over 30 years, the stage spotlight becomes as common as the bedroom light.

Wayne Jury has felt the shine from many spotlights over the years but when it comes to talking about his experience, it’s not the kind of spotlight that sits too comfortably. “You’re asking me to blow my own trumpet and I’m not good at that but here it goes,” he tells us when asked about his experience in the game. “I’ve had 35 years in the music biz as a musician, songwriter, teacher, roadie, festival music director, tour manager, recording artist, producer and administrator so experience comes from a lot of different gigs.” There is, of course, a reason to get his musical resume.

Wayne is behind Blues Boot Camp, a two-day learning and one-day performance workshop designed to immerse participants in all aspects of the blues. Jury’s experience puts him in good stead to lead the way. “I hope I can pass on some stagecraft, performance and singing skills. I’ve spent a long time honing my craft as have the other tutors [Sarah Carroll, Tim Neal, Sandy Brady and Dave Steel] and we want to pass on our knowledge. Performance is a big part of being a musician. I like to think that I can communicate ideas and concepts to people well.

I like to help people get organised. In other words, I’m bossy!”

The Blues Boot Camp, which kicked off in 2009 at the Echuca Winter Blues Fest, may be intensive

Jamie Pye

By Wylie Caird

Jamie Pye is the kind of young muso you look at and go ‘man, that’s just not fair.’ Not in a bad way but the guy plays the guitar like someone who was born with the instrument as an extension of his body. The way his fingers dance across the fretboard seems as second nature as breathing.

In fact, his playing has earned him the timehonoured compliment of “freak.” He takes it all in his stride. “Being described as a freak, haha…

Well, I think it might be a little bit of both. Playing the guitar seems to come naturally for me but I still think you need to put in your practice.” And practice he does. “I have been playing guitar for about 6 and half years now. I have been getting right into performing though for about a year now, performing pretty regularly.”

Pye plays in the style of guitarists like Erik Mongrain, Michael Hedges and Andy McKee; guitarists who use the body as a percussive piece while they pluck, flick, strum and use harmonics to make the guitar sing.

You will actually find Jamie covering Andy McKee’s track ‘Drifting’ on YouTube. Another cover, ‘Midnight in Nashville’ is by fellow guitar whiz Joe Robinson.

Both songs plus an original titled ‘Vibrations’ are part of Pye’s performance at the 2012 Aireys Inlet Music Festival. It takes some guts to perform solo, to bare your soul and have all eyes on you. Lost in the moment, lost in his instrument, Pye could just as easily be playing to 100,000 people.

Vibrations is also the name of the guitarist’s debut album which was released in August. “It is an all-

Rebecca Barnard

By Ophelia Symons

Melbourne’s own Rebecca Barnard has fronted popular 90s indie-rock band Rebecca’s Empire, has released two full length solo albums, appeared on a collection of Aussie artists tracks including Paul Kelly, Tim Rogers, his band You Am I, Renee Geyer and Deb Conway to name just a few, appears regularly on a few television stations, conducts songwriting and music workshops for primary and secondary school students, is a dedicated mother and wife and is still working on her third solo album.

Look up hard-working woman in the dictionary and you’ll find Rebecca Barnard. Rebecca took some time out of her busy schedule to chat about her upcoming show at Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel, a couple of surprises this songstress has in store for her audience and her third solo record.

December 21 may mark the end of the world for some, but for Rebecca it marks her solo show at the Bridge Hotel, and if we do survive the rumoured apocalypse, what better way to celebrate than a chilled out gig with Rebecca Barnard herself. “I love Castlemaine, I’ve got a lot of friends that have moved there from Melbourne.

Castlemaine has sort of become that little Melbourne community, a little micro pod of Melbourne in the country,” says Rebecca.

The punters can look forward to witnessing not only Rebecca’s musical talents, but an extraordinary violin performance by award winning Nigel MacLean.

“We’ve got a very special guest, Nigel MacLean for this gig and he plays violin, but violin not as it’s played regularly. He plays pretty out there, very creative, innovative violin, he uses pedals that guitar players

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but the harder you work, the bigger the pay off. “Hopefully a lot of fun, satisfaction information, team spirit and maybe some new friends,” he says about the fruits of labour.

“Working with industry skilled, qualified professional working musicians like Sandy Brady, Sarah Carroll, Dave Steel, Chris Wilson and Tim Neal, we give people the benefit of 150 years of combined musical experience and knowledge. We hope people will take advantage of that experience and knowledge and apply it to their own musical aspirations and that could be as a working musician or just for the downright pleasure and self-expression that music can bring.”

Although as the name suggests the camp is steeped in the blues, Wayne and his cohorts will make sure that the person that sees out the camp will be a more rounded one than the one that enters. “Blues Boot Camp is two days of intense performing, practising, workshops, jamming, planning and preparation for the public performance. We try and cover as many aspects of getting ready for a gig as possible. It’s exhilarating stuff for the tutors and participants.

Teenagers like being challenged. They rise to it.”

There are some basic requirements interested parties need to keep in mind: nothing too extreme but just a little something to keep things running smoothly. “Bellarine Blues Boot Camp is for high school aged people with at least some basic skills on their instrument or can sing, but we get some real good players as well. Everyone has a role to play. I’ve had some requests for an adult version and if there is enough interest we’ll run a version but there’s nothing planned yet. All instruments are welcome.” Start tuning up.

Details: Places are limited to 30. Dates are January 8, 9 & 10 (performance date). Venue is The Potato Shed. Cost is $150.00 for two days of workshops, the public performance and a performance DVD. For further details and registration hit bluesbootcamp.waynejury. com.au or geelongaustralia.com.au. You can also call The Potato Shed on 5251 1998.

instrumental album,” he tells Forte before hinting at what may lie ahead. “At the moment I am just performing and trying to improve my act. I am also working on vocals which hopefully I can slowly bring in this coming year.” Performance is something he thrives on and is something he has discovered can create a relationship with an audience.

“My favourite thing about performing live is the atmosphere. Having played a few songs and to have the entire crowd tune into your performance is pretty incredible.

I love playing to crowds where they really appreciate your act.”

Honing his act is something Jamie is truly passionate about. “As a musician I would like to keep playing around the place and more importantly develop my act hopefully in the next few years to a genre I am not entirely about yet. It would be an absolute dream to make a living of performing. I think I will definitely be pursuing a career in music in some form.”

Perhaps it is because he has not yet been asked the question one million times or perhaps it is because of his nature but the ‘influences’ question is one he is more than happy to talk about. “Some artists who have influenced me most would be John Butler, Kim Churchill and Daniel Champagne. I love putting their techniques and ideas into my own playing while trying to make it my own. Other artists who have inspired me are Shaun Kirk, Lloyd Spiegel and even local musicians such as Kurt Gentle, David Knight and Jack Wright.” In years to come you can bet Jamie Pye’s name will be cited as an influence. Find out more through facebook. com/jamiepyemusic.

When&Where: December 22 - Odyssey Tavern & Brewery, Mt Duneed (afternoon show)

use. I’m really looking forward to that.”

Rebecca reveals that her Castlemaine set list will be comprised mostly of material from her second album Everlasting, which was recorded and produced in New York with jazz musician Barney McAll and released in 2009 with a great reception. Previews of a few new tracks are also promised for the night. “Without sounding corny it’s a bit of a journey. All the songs tie in together you know, but most of the songs are from a record I recorded in New York in Brooklyn so we predominantly do those songs off that album. We’ll be playing two or three new songs on the night too.”

The first two solo albums feature honest and thoughtful lyrics with chilled out and easy listening music to accompany and as the singer songwriter reveals, she won’t be straying too far from the sound of her previous two albums with her next collection of music. “Well similar direction, they’re sort of soundscape songs, so they’re good for driving long distances. Good to listen to if you’re driving on an open road. I haven’t tried to make it different from previous albums, I don’t think about that. I just write what comes out, I’m not following any rules and I’m not catering for anyone anymore, I’ve been doing it too long now, I do what makes me feel satisfied,” tells Rebecca.

The future is looking bright for Rebecca with big plans for 2013. The third record is on its way and new collaborations are on the horizon. “[I plan] to record a new album and maybe head up to the Northern Territory to collaborate with some indigenous women, write songs and record with them to learn more about their culture and their inspiration, that’s what I would really love to do.”

When&Where: 21 December at Bridge Hotel – Castlemaine

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Yarra Hotel Geelong One of Geelong’s premier live music venues is going through a total rejuvenation, and whilst the venue will no longer be operating under ‘The Bended Elbow’ trademark, the team at the newly established Yarra Hotel Geelong promise us that live music will not only continue to have a home at the venue, but insist that it will flourish in the New Year. Sigh of relief? We can all admit that in the last few months there has been a grey cloud of speculation circling the future of Geelong’s live music industry. Cristian, the manager of the Yarra Hotel Geelong agrees with us at Forte, that this cloud is totally false, and should be substituted with something a lot more optimistic.

carries weight, you only need to check out the upcoming Bill for Yarra Hotel Geelong (including Newton Faulkner on April 13 and Grinspoon on April 24) to see that these guys, despite the conjecture surrounding the local music scene, are pushing for it’s sustainability, growth and continued place within our region.

The launch of Revolution Fridays at the Yarra Hotel Geelong is swiftly becoming another integral platform for the growth of live music in the area, acting as a space for local artists and bands to perform their original songs. Catapulting into the music industry within the last six months, The Pretty Littles featured at Revolution Fridays last week, So, we must ask, why the change? and be sure to catch up comers The Cristian told us - “Basically we have Universal, We The People, Pons a new direction on the way with the & more at the December 21 event. venue, we still want to heavily tie in As of February 2, 2013, the Yarra the music and entertainment, but Hotel Geelong will also operate as also have a strong focus on food downstairs, and upstairs it’s all about a Saturday-night nightclub hosting a range of DJs from both Geelong and the live entertainment.” Working Melbourne. closely with local band bookers, Spinning Half, the Yarra Hotel The reinvention of the menu is Geelong is hoping to make twentyperhaps the biggest change at the thirteen their most musical to date.

Yarra Hotel Geelong at the moment.

“We have a great relationship with With a re-directed focus on fresh, Spinning Half, which will continue local, quality produce and hearty to grow. We are hoping to expand on the Bended Elbow’s great history serving sizes and over sixteen tap beers and ciders available, you are of live music and open the doors not only spoilt for quality but spoilt upstairs four or five nights a week,” for choice. says Cristian. Proving that his word

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Port Fairy Folk Festival seth lakeman

Cricket?

Nobody understands cricket!

Written by some guy who loves the game and used to play it once... a long, long, time ago.

In the world of festivals, the Port Fairy Folk Festival is the grandma of festivals. She is the wise old lady with a thousand and one stories and sprinkles of wisdom for the young buck festivals. Born in 1977, the idea for the festival was started by a small group of friends who had restarted the Geelong Folk Music Club. The festival’s website suggests that blind faith played a role. The Geelong Folk Music Club had made a little coin through their club nights and bush dances affectionately known as Bullockies Balls so how hard could a festival be? Festival Director Jamie McKew suggested Port Fairy as a location – it was his grandmother’s home town – and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 2013 the festival adds to that tally with a wonderful selection of local and international talent. The basics are 22 international acts and 100 national acts but to leave it at that would be selling it far too short. Making the trip from abroad are artists including Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Glen Hansard, Chris Smither, Finbar Furey, Go Jane Go, James Keelaghan, Red Molly, John McCutcheon, Lisa Hannigan and Ruthie Foster. Local talent, meanwhile, includes Gurrumul, Christine Anu, Kate MillerHeidke, Eric Bogle, Suzannah Espie, The Little Stevies, Shane Howard, Tom Richardson Project, The Bedroom Philosopher, Russel Morris and Kim Churchill. The list goes on and on and on.

The first festival was held in December of 1977.

A young Mick Thomas was in Jamie McKew’s bush band in those days and Thomas’s brother designed the poster. Three hundred odd people turned up with each handing over the tidy little sum of $4. Although costs were barely covered it didn’t take a whole lot of convincing to start preparing the festival’s second outing straight away. The festival continued to take place in December over the next couple of years before moving to its familiar March home in 1980. To date the festival has hosted over well over 2,000 acts and over 8,000 artists.

Other than the music, festival activities are plentiful. There will be an instrument makers exhibition, buskers and theatre. There will be street performance, parades are fairs. There will be activities for the kids and things for adults that are still kids inside. There will be food, glorious food. They even have their own little Port Fairy Fringe. You think of it, the Port Fairy crew have probably thought of it too.

Details: The Port Fairy Folk Festival takes place from March 8 to March 11, 2013. All the answers to all your questions can be found through portfairyfolkfestival.com.

Cricket? Nobody understands cricket! This is what bugs me about the words uttered by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle muscle Raphael. Here you have someone that, thanks to some toxic waste, was mutated into an anthropomorphic turtle. He was then able to master the complexities of Ninjutsu thanks to a rat who had also been mutated courtesy of the toxic waste. He learns the English language. And he understands that his fight against evils will be one in which recognition – and acceptance - will not come easy, if at all. Despite some inner demon issues all of that seems A-OK to Raph. Yet, he could not understand cricket.

Here is the rundown.

Test Cricket Introduction: One of my favourite things said about cricket belongs to Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell who said, “I was quite a latecomer to cricket. When I was 17, I started watching it on the telly, as it was a great way of occupying five days before the next dole cheque came in.” This is the game’s real deal. It is the greatest of all forms. It has the ability to enthrall. Or you can doze on the couch, wake up half an hour later, and the score has changed little.

It is a game of chess. It’s strategic. It can go for five glorious days and end in a draw.

Basics: A match can last up to five days (maximum). Each side has a maximum of two innings each. An innings lasts until the bowling side takes ten wickets or the batting side makes a declaration. In order to win a team must essentially score more runs than their opposition while taking all their wickets.

Four innings may not always be required.* Crowd Dress Code: Watermelon helmet.

One Day Cricket Introduction: The one dayer or day/ nighter is the perfect form of the game for a BBQ. Invite your mates around for a bite to eat in the afternoon. By the end of the batting side’s innings a bunch of your mates have probably headed home after eating your food and drinking your beer. The ones that remain will settle in for the run chase (if the team you support is batting) or the defense (if the team you support is bowling). Me, I am a chase kinda guy. I love to see Australia bat second and chase down a score. Some prefer it the other way and that is cool too. I don’t judge.

Basics: One day, 50 overs maximum per side. In order for a team to win they must score more runs than their opposition.* Crowd Dress Code: VB Singlet.

The Lingo

Innings = A player’s (or a team’s) turn to bat (or bowl).

Wicket = (a) Set of stumps (b) The Pitch (c) A dismissal.

Runs = Basic unit of scoring.

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Twenty20 Cricket Introduction: Twenty20 (or T20) cricket is kind of like a superhero movie. It’s flashy. It’s pretty. It has explosions – kind of. But when it is all over you feel somewhat unfulfilled.

Or perhaps that is just me. And perhaps that is just me spewing out my thoughts about Iron Man 2 and the Transformer movies and The Dark Knight Rises. You know backyard/beach cricket tippity run rules? Twenty20 is like a juiced up version of that. That means big hits and, for some reason, cheerleaders. It is a bit of fun and great for those with ADD tendencies as you can switch on the tele at night, have a bite to eat, and be in bed by 10.30pm.

Basics: A few hours, 20 overs maximum per side. In order for a team to win they must score more runs than their opposition.* Crowd Dress Code: Sombrero hat. * Other factors can affect the state of play and the result but who am I, the King of Rules? No. Google internationalcricketcouncil. org if you want a comprehensive rundown.

You can also hit Wikipedia for a handy glossary of terms so there will be no more wondering what a googly or silly mid on is. As for the ‘Duckworth-Lewis Method’, well, that’s a whole other story...

Over = Six consecutive balls bowled from one end of a cricket pitch to the other. A bowler must bowl additional deliveries for no balls and wides.

Declaration = The batting side closes their innings before all their wickets have been taken.

P.S. Thank you Ricky Ponting. Tip of the baggy green to you.

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Riffage on the High Seas BMX RAY

The HMAS Riffage takes to the high seas on January 6 with a huddle of bands set to belt out some tunes of the rock variety this summer.

Also embarking on the journey will be DJ Floatie Pants playing some tunes on the top deck, and the two stories below will be filled with a stack of rocking sounds from the King’s of sexiness, Dukes of Deliciousness and the rock royalty genes of BMX Ray. On board you have a bar and smoking area, finger food available and of course, some live action from the hearty bands. Earplugs for the faint hearted will also be available. Setting off at 12.45pm from the Cunningham Pier and docking at 3pm, the Riffage of the High Seas encourage you to take advantage of these sessions as there are only a few booked in for the warmer months, all of which are boasting some great national and international bands onboard. Supporting

your local muso’s is always a great thing to do, but supporting your floating muso’s as their skills and strength of gaffa tape are tested will also be quite amusing for the pirate crew. In case you were feeling a little uneasy about the motion of the ocean, and the idea of sailing the high seas, there is no need to fear. You will be floating around the Bay and not on an adventure to hunt down the Deadliest Catch. Whilst you are all invited to set sail on this adventure, dickheads will be asked to walk the plank on this one. Make sure you look the part, Riffage don’t mind if you are into pirates, or if the Love Boat is more your thing, as long as you make the effort! To purchase your ticket to the high seas escapade head to Oz Tix. when&where: january 6 at cunningham pier - geelong

TOO HEAVY TO HUG PAUL S TAYLOR

chris cruz

You may discover a few themes and similarities in this year’s THTH Top albums of 2012 and they only became apparent to me after writing this list. It’s almost as if all of the stars have aligned.

5 Spineshank – Anger Denial Acceptance

Well summer is upon us, and summer means one major thing to music lovers: Festivals! But this is a punk column, so we’re gonna narrow things down to bare bones punk rock in our first ever Summer festival punk rock ratings. Is the ticket you’re holding really worth the price of admission? Let’s see!

Falls Festival The first time I ever went to the Falls Festival, I saw Lagwagon, Guttermouth, The Living End, Iggy Pop and The Hard Ons in one crazy camping trip. While music trends have moved on, there IS still hope for us punks in the shape of appearances by The Hives and DZ Deathrays this year. Indie kids and surfie hippies’ll love it, though- but this is a punk column. I don’t CARE about indie kids and surfie hippies! Punk Rock rating: 5/10 Soundwave Hmmm... A heavy music festival that should be WAY heavier handed with the punk rock.

Blink 182, The Offspring, Sum 41, Flogging Molly, Lawrence Arms, Madball, Anthrax and Slayer are bands with varying punk and thrash appeal. Punk Rock rating: 6.5/10 Big Day Out Against Me!, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Off!, The Killers. Punk Rock rating: The Killers are new wave, so not strictly punk rock, and RHCP are funk rock with a dash of punk attitude in their early days, and do hold SOME appeal.

Against Me! and Off! are pretty exciting live acts. 6/10 Up The Punx 2 First round announcement: Topnovil (NSW), Hopes Abandoned, Area 7, Strawberry Fist Cake, Batfoot! (NSW), Bodyjar, Fatty Esther (TAS). Punk Rock rating: Well, this IS a punk column, and the lineup DOES comprise nothing but punk bands of different varieties, so it’s hard to be biased. Pros: nothing but Aussie punk bands. Cons: no international acts, as English Dogs have had to pull out because of clashing dates. Fingers crossed for a replacement. 8/10 So there you go! Each of the festivals hold at least SOME appeal, and open-minded music lovers will benefit the most this summer.

But some of us punks are pretty one-eyed, and they’re the ones I was thinking of when calculating my scores. Have fun, stay hydrated, don’t get burnt, and safety, safety, safety!!!

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Nu-metal isn’t so new anymore so don’t tell me numetal hasn’t got a place in a top anything list of 2012.

Grow up. Nu-metal isn’t even a thing anymore so stop pretending it is and stop scoffing around with your friends at the sight of Static X shirts and shit.

Spineshank have made a great simple metal record that’s way better than Stone Sour’s 2012 release, so take that, nu-metal hypocrite.

4 Deftones – Koi No Yokan I can’t believe The Deftones took twelve years to release a follow up to White Pony. I can’t even really remember White Pony. I can’t remember anything the Deftones have done in the past 12 years. I can’t even remember if the bass player is still in a coma.

I hope he awakes from his coma soon though, coz every single Deftones fan has been awoken from a 12 year coma by the sound of Koi No Yokan.

3 Gojira – L’Enfant Sauvage There are a handful of bands around at the moment who have been taking metal’s most purest form and violently reshaping it, loudly remoulding it, repackaging it and shoving it into a new era. Gojira are one of those bands and L’Enfant Sauvage is another push in the back in the right direction for them and the genre in general. The title track is but one example that you can use shades, volume, progression and balls out thrash parts in one song without making it sounding pretentious but making it sound like the new normal.

2 Cradle Of Filth – The Manticore and Other Horrors It’s no surprise I put this here because I must be the last writer on earth still clutching onto this band and believing every day that they’ll come good again. And they did, in a big way. Punk riffs, stripped back songs but still layered in the patented Cradle order and some truly catchy tracks such as the “single” ‘Frost On Her Pillow’ make this album a true stand out. Oh, and Dani actually tries to “sing” in some parts. Oh, oh, and Manticore is one of the band’s heaviest albums since the pre Midian era. Totes wicked.

1 Psycroptic – The Inherited Repression A conversation I had with a friend a while back went something like this: Me: “Have you heard the new Psycroptic?” Friend: “Nah, what’s it like?” Me: “It’s kinda different to their other stuff, it’s less psychotic and less frantic than their other albums, it’s, like, spacier.” Friend: “Oh, F*ck. I bet someone out there is calling them sellouts for doing that.” Then we both laughed at how stupid and stuck up metal fans can be. Psycroptic are still as brutal as always but they’ve figured out how to show that off without firing riffs and beats at us at the speed and volume of a firing AK-47.

Laura Loe

By Cameron Brogden

She’s a YouTube sensation, she was a finalist on this year’s Australia’s Got Talent and now she’s releasing her debut EP. It’s all happening for Geelong Grammar School alumni Laura Loe. Your new EP is out, it must be pretty exciting. How has the feedback been so far? It’s been pretty good. All of my friends are getting it on iTunes and I’ve been getting a lot of good feedback from it. So yeah, I’m really excited that it’s out.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I get my inspiration from a lot of life experiences.

Usually I don’t try to force anything to happen.

Sometimes if I get an idea then I’ll run with it, but it’s usually from what happens in the day, or how I’m feeling. That’s usually what my inspiration is.

Who are your biggest influences? Musically I would say I have a lot of influences. There isn’t much that I don’t draw inspiration from.

But I think one of them is definitely Emeli Sande, she’s a British singer. I would say even Lady Gaga is also a big influence musically, I just love how she writes her songs and her melodies. So they’re probably the two biggest ones, musically.

Most of the readers will know you from Australia’s Got Talent; what did you take away from the experience? It was a very real experience. It just made me feel even more so like I wanted to be in this industry. I loved being on stage, I love how everyone works together, like I loved the teams that they had and yeah, it just makes me want to work harder.

And on top of that, you’ve got quite the following on YouTube. Do you think YouTube, or the Internet in general, is a game-changer in the way music gets exposure now? I don’t know if it’s a gamechanger, but for exposure its definitely great.

That’s pretty much how I got noticed in the first place, to go on Australia’s Got Talent...

It opens up a whole new audience. So yeah, it’s definitely worth doing if you’re trying to get your music out there.

Was it difficult coming over to Australia for school, and being apart from your family? Funnily enough, not really. I always knew that I’d have to go overseas for school at a certain age... I come from a really small town and everyone knows everyone in the town, and there’s not heaps to do. So I was

When&Where: January 29, TBA Melbourne really excited to come over to Australia. Music was always something that I wanted to do, and I knew I could pursue it better here. I wouldn’t say it was an easy transition, but it definitely was a welcome transition, so I really enjoyed coming to Australia.

Was it difficult balancing your music with your education? Well there was definitely a time where I just put music kind of on the backburner, for a little bit, just so that I could figure out what I wanted to do, how i would pursue it and mostly finish my studying. While I was going to University, I didn’t really necessarily try and go further with music, just because I wanted to finish my degree and I wanted to get that out of the way before putting all my time into music.

Have you got any gigs coming up to promote the EP? Well, the launch party for it is on the 29th of January, so that one’s really exciting, and I’m putting together a big performance for that one.

We’re just putting together a small tour schedule, hopefully for the beginning of next year.

Is there a venue? The venue hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s in the city.

MichAEl Parisi joins the Oxygen College team

In a huge step for Artist Development, Oxygen College has lured music industry heavy weight Michael Parisi to the Artist Development Program as a specialist mentor. Michael has been involved in the music industry for more than 25 years, beginning his career in promotions for Warner Music working with the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, Madonna and K.D. Lang to name but a few. In the mid 90’s, Michael became Artist & Repertoire manager for Warner Music Australia, signing and guiding the likes of Regurgitator, The Superjesus and The Whitlams.

In 2000, Michael started his own label, Sputnik Records. His first signing was an unknown UK act called MUSE who have gone on to sell millions of albums worldwide. The Sputnik years also saw the likes of 28 Days, Motor Ace and George have #1 albums in Australia.

In 2002 Michael became managing director of Festival Mushroom Records, working very closely with artists like Kylie Minogue,

Garbage, and AC-DC. In this period Michael also signed and guided the careers of Ekimo Joe, Katie Noonan, Gyroscope, Scribe, Ladyhawke, Daniel Merriweather and Gabriella Cilmi.

In 2009, Michael started his own company, Michael Parisi Management, and WUNDERKIND, a new label in conjunction with Warner Music. Michael’s current roster includes Owl Eyes, Stonefield, Boy In A Box and Caterina Torres, all of whom are destined for long and successful careers Now in 2013 Michael is teaming up with Oxygen College to provide musicians with a new era of Artist Development and music education. Michael will be heavily involved in program design, specialist workshops and artist mentoring, employing his lifetime of experience and contacts to individually assist Artist Development Program participants.

With a program focused around arming musicians with the skills to create a long lasting career, Michael’s experiences and expertise are a huge asset to the program and any aspiring artist.

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TALK OF THE TOWN!

shameless

ballarat / bendigo / geelong / surfcoast / warrnambool / werribee

Splendid Broken Splendour Following some ten years working his craft, Texas ex-pat Thomas Vecera formed Broken Splendour towards the end of 2009. Prior to the Broken Splendour gig, the now Melbourne-based songman had released a couple of solo albums: Another Night Somewhere Else and Strange Company.

His first dip in Broken Splendour waters was the EP On the Bright Side which was well received in music circles. A new EP, a self-titled effort, was released at the beginning of the year. The EP was recorded with producer/engineer Tony Salter (Bloc Party, Crowded House). With heavy doses of new-folk and indie-pop sounds, Broken Splendour is rounded out

by Damien Ellis (drums) and Adam Spiegel (bass).

Horvats Wine Bar, Daylesford – December 29. .........................................................................

NYE at Eureka Hotel The Eureka Hotel will be mixing things up for you this New Years Eve hosting the city’s only Silent Disco.

Jam packed with stellar entertainment, dynamic duo Slice n Dice will be headlining the affair teamed up with the oh-so-talented Matt Black, Simon One, TVB, Herbee, Chris Van, Some Deckheads and stacks more. Entry is $15 or just $10 with your Gold Pass. Get ready for a night of epic proportions. .........................................................................

Turn up the Blue Heat Warrnambool’s very own rhythm & blues maestros Blue Heat will check into The Loft, Warrnambool on January 5 where they will be joined by very special guests, blues, roots and soul up and comers Blackwood Jack. The seven-piece rhythm and blues machine played their debut gig way back in 1991 at the Ballarat Blues Festival. The mid 1990s provided to be defining years for the band with the outfit winning Australian Blues Album of the Year in 1995 for their album Marooned. They followed it up in 1996 with wins for Australian Blues Album of the Year (Irresistible Behaviour) and Australian Blues Band of the Year. In the Australian rhythm & blues scene, Blue Heat leads the way. They are the band to turn to when you want to know how to do things right.

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saskwatch

Lab 22 at Home House Torquay Hotel The Torquay Hotel is hosting a Bill that runs close to that of your favourite summer festival this season.

A jam packed calendar includes the following - Stonefield and Kingswood, Howlin’ Steam Train with Max Savage, Saskwatch, Grant Smilie, Bonjah, Ross Wilson, Tex Perkins, Demon Parade, The Brothers Grimm, The Harlots, Daryl Braithwaite, The Spazzys, Loon Lake, The Black Sorrows, Mark Storie and The Go Set. Out of breath? Me too. Get down there this summer to catch one of their amazing live gigs and support our coastal friends in their support of live music.

The Ears Familiar Feeling Quick bite: Dogs in Space is a film released in 1986 that is set in Melbourne’s ‘little band scene’.

Starring Michael Hutchence the film would gain cult status. The Ears is the legendary Melbourne postpunk band of the early 1980s on which the film was based. Sam, the Hutchence’s character, was named after Samuel Marcus Sejavka, frontman of The Ears.

In recent times the band has been working on their mini album, Déjà Moo. The Bridge, Castlemaine – December 22. .........................................................................

Get Your Flix in the Stix Fix For the first time Bendigo and Ballarat will host Optus Flix in the Stix. What is Flix in the Stix?

It is a cool little short film touring party featuring a host of award-winning international and local films.

Australian film heavyweight Nash Edgerton will curate the event. Nash won the 2012 Tour audience

vote for his shot Bear and is without a doubt the right man for the job. Spoken word artist and bush larrikin Murray Hartin is back by popular demand.

He will have you laughing, thinking and everything else in between. Oh, and you also have a little band called The Whitlams performing. They have done a ton of stuff over the years and still know how to get warm and cosy with an audience. Dates: Fairylands on Lake Wendouree, Ballarat – March 9 & Big Hill Winery, Bendigo – March 10. Full details through flixinthestix.com.au. .........................................................................

Grinners are Winners What is one to do following the release on an album?

Tour of course. That’s an easy one. Grinspoon recently dropped their seventh album Black Rabbits and after over 15 years in the game they still have it. Sydney Morning Herald wrote “What a great release from a band who has managed to plug out seven albums and maintain their reputation as the soul bearers of great

Music wielding geniuses from Lab 22, Noizy Neighbours & Mothership are exploding into Home House on January 12 providing you with fresh tracks upstairs from Samual James, JDG, Shameless, Prynny & Alex and lyrical mastermind, Brother John. Downstairs will be delivered to you by Russell Bastian in true Home House R’n’B style. A huge city line up not to be missed.

Your Friendly Reminders!

The Barwon Club: Toot Toot Toots, The Immigrant Union and Atolls – December 21.

The Karova: The Yard Apes, SWhAT and Rick Moranis Overdrive – December 21 & Yacht Club DJs – December 22. The Palais (Hepburn Springs): Pugsley Buzzard – December 22.

Australian alternative rock.” The album was recorded in Hollywood under the guidance of Dave Schiffman who has worked with bands including Rage Against The Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers, so it comes from good stock all round. Geelong guys and gals have a chance to catch the band when they play The Pier on April 24 next year. Note: The band is also playing the Big Day Out circuit.

motionless me

Knock Knock?

Who’s There?

The Barking Dog and Love That Music have made the proud return of Knock Knock Sundays. Giving you everything you need this summer including afternoon drinks, sunshine, and a plethora of tunes, be sure to head down to The Dog for a huge Knock Knock party this December 23. Featuring Combo, Casey Manaya, Matt Balck, Joe Joe, Kids Table, TVB, Herbee and more be sure to pop on your Sunday best (or worst) and get down there for an afternoon of sun filled frivolity.

Doors open from 4.30pm and entry is just $10 - See you there!

The Barwon Club Bonanza

Out of the Woods

A tidy number of local bands will be on hand at Geelong’s Barwon Club on December 28 to help you soak up the post-Christmas blues. Our Lady of Pain, Motionless Me, The Greeting Method and Insygnia are all set to perform. Sitting in a place where hard rock, alternative and Goth come together, Our Lady of Pain was born at the beginning of 2011. A few months later the Geelong-based band entered the studio to record their demo single. Motionless Me made their live debut in mid-2011 and have not looked back since.

There are emerging as a band to keep an eye on. Three-piece The Greeting Method has been around the traps for a few years where they have ridden their fair share of bumps.

Their DIY ethos has earned them kudos.

Insygnia too made their live debut mid-2011.

The alternative/prog-rock outfit are hoping to release an EP soon.

Brooklyn’s lo-fi rock specialists Woods will check into The Barwon Club, Geelong on January 18 as part of their Australian tour. Woods was born out of a small rearhouse apartment in 2005 after Jeremy Earl began recording music as little more than a personal outlet. A few years passed over which time albums and singles were released but still Earl was honing his sound. In 2009 Woods released the single ‘Songs of Shame’ to critical acclaim and the touring road beckoned like never before. The band has just released album number seven, Bend Beyond. As with their albums it was released on Earl’s own label, Woodsist. Speaking with Pitchfork about the album Earl said,” That was always our style: embrace the spontaneous energy of recording a song the minute after it’s written, do the overdubs really fast, mix while recording.”

I am not suggesting though this is me bowing out of my misguided adventures, no, more like a stop and take stock scenario and quite frankly I can’t do that with all of you watching… err reading or whatever.

Not that I am ungrateful though, sorry I just had this weird image at the end of that sentence of me pulling a; The Yearling on you guys. You know yelling at you and telling you I don’t need you anymore so you will run away and be free. (Bet you liked that reference Tony Montana – he and the editor are the only two who consistently read this anyways….) Well I am not doing that to you, so lets reflect and remember the good times. I do mean my good times of course, I don’t actually know you so I have no idea what you’re doing. But anyway maybe you can remember what you were doing the first time you read these early ‘B’ gold moments…. Cue nostalgic montage music….

The Final Word.

Well friends its time to say goodbye.

Yes after four years of rants and ramblings I must bid you all farewell.

Its been a blast filling your minds with images of “finger f*cking” and drunken skankiness. And of course the occasional course on morality.

Four years ago this column started as a guide for O Week newbies.

Promoting promiscuity and nudie runs, we were off to a good start.

Wooing the then editor with my tenacity and saucy stories ‘B’ evolved in to a fortnightly feature in Forte.

Over the time we have done the Forte Bachelor of the year; where we judged the hottest lads in Forteland.

Plus lots of other stuff that at this time I can’t quite recall, however. I am sure they were awesome.

So I am sure there may be many (two or three) readers out there who are wondering ‘why now?’, ‘why are you leaving us?’ Well I won’t admit to running out of ideas – coz we all know I am full of endless drivel. Or a better offer, coz lets face it where else could I get this stuff published? No, the real reason is honestly my wild ways are calming down. Thus I feel like it would be a misrepresentation for me to continue with tumultuous tales of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.

Unless you want ones of my growing feline collection? But that’s more like whiskers, catnip and meowing. Yep definitely not as fun.

B on Growing Up, Nov 2009: “So like now that I am an adult and stuff does this mean I can’t get my boobs signed by certain rock bands, watch Spongebob Squarepants marathons – completely sober and avoid responsibility at every opportunity? Am I going to have to trade my Glee soundtrack for Andre Rieu’s latest effort? Can I no longer (theoretically) dabble in casual sex relationships and infatuating crushes? Am I going to have to (gulp) settle down? Or (double gulp) get realistic about the fact marrying a footballer and having a torrid affair with a semi-famous guitar player may never happen for me?”

B on Crushes, July 2009: “Occasionally even the simplest and most innocent affection can be akin to a pimped up alarm clock and a bucket load of uppers. If you believe the notion that one of humanity’s most basic instincts is of course sex, it makes obvious sense that having a crush can be a major stimulus – and I don’t even mean a sexual stimulus (like blue velvet or oysters) but just a plain old ooh ‘I’ll leave the house today perchance of chatting with the cute nameless guy who works at milk-bar’ stimulus.”

B on Being Single, June 2009: “Being single doesn’t make you a Quasimodo (unless of course you’re single, have a hunchback, live in Notre Dame and break out into song with talking gargoyles regularly...) and (now listen very carefully smug coupled people) it doesn’t suck!’

B on Bachelors, April 2009: “Unfortunately we don’t have Donald Trump to award him a condo in NYC or Lance Bass to serenade him while receiving a crown because we don’t even have a crown – but still what an achievement! I’d be proud if I won it – now there is an idea ‘Forte’s Spinster of the Year’! Surely if I just nominate myself I’ll be a shoe in! Excellent...”

I know, I know I’m sad too. But all good things must come to an end and it has been great being a part of the Forte world. Think of me when you have sex. Like every time.

I don’t know why but I feel like that would be a fitting legacy.

Much love and so long.

Bx

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FORTE FOCUS on geelong's live music scene

written by luke mcnamara and bec mcintyre

ALIVE AND WELL!

With a lot of discussion on social media and in mainstream media about the health of live music in Geelong, Forte’s Luke McNamara and Bec McIntyre decided it was time to shed some light on the many positives of our Geelong Music scene.

With the closure of the iconic National Hotel in early November, there was much discussion on social media about what this meant for the future of the local music scene. The Nash had operated for two decades playing host to over two thousand bands and there is no argument that this venue has been a cornerstone in the local music scene. Former Event Manager of the ‘Nash’, Al O’Neill has indicated that the closure was not linked to a struggling music scene, but instead, to the physical state of the building.

Now as a wise Lion named Mufasa, once explained, it’s all about ‘The Circle of Life’. We hate to quote The Lion King on this one, but you only need to take a glance at the opening of the new major live music venue, The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, to realise that with closure, new opportunities arise. For every closure of a venue there’s one ready to open its doors, for every band that breaks up there is another waiting to explode on the scene, and for every show that bombs, there’s another show that is currently ‘selling fast’.

So how are Geelong’s current live venues fairing? The Barwon Club is one of Australia’s longest running and most reputable music venues and it has just announced the appointment of Al O’Neil (former National Hotel event manager) as its new band booker as it commits for renewal.

Al spoke with excitement about the dawn of new era at the Barwon Club, “I’m looking forward to the change and the challenge the BC has to offer. After working at the Nash for so long hopefully the transition will be seamless. Doddsy and Heath down there are great to work for and the history of the venue excites me”.

In contrast to the notion of the live music scene being dead Al also outlined an exciting few months ahead at the BC, “2013 is shaping up great already with some amazing international acts coming through, The Three Oh Sees, Woods, Hunx and his Punx as well a MTV’s Bam Margera, couple this with our thriving local scene, the Barwon Club is in a great position for original live music.”

The Odyssey Tavern is hosting the region’s best local musicians four to five nights a week and just down the road The Torquay Hotel has announced a summer line up to rival that of any music venue in the country. Clubs like Toast and Home House are putting on the best electronic artists Australia and the world has on offer plus a host of boutique venues such as, Beav’s Bar, The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Martians Cafe and Harvester Moon are all successfully hosting wonderful nights of original live music.

A recent show at The yarra hotel (formerly the bended eLBow)

The Yarra Hotel Geelong (formally the Bended Elbow) has been putting on successful live shows for four years. The most recent example being Lagwagon which saw the bandroom packed from front to back on the Saturday night before last.

Christian, manager of the Yarra Hotel Geelong, was upbeat about live music at his venue. “There has been a lot of conjecture surrounding the local music scene. But we have a great relationship with Spinning Half (a local music promotion company), which will continue to grow.

We are hoping to expand on the Bended Elbow’s great history of live music and open the doors upstairs four or five nights a week.” With that sell-out Lagwagon show, an upcoming bill that includes Newton Faulkner and Grinspoon, the launch of Revolution Fridays celebrating local artists, and the promised announcement of another three major acts in the coming weeks the Yarra

- Al O'Neil, The Barwon Club Band Booker

Hotel Geelong is continuing to attract acts of the highest calibre to Geelong.

There are many more examples of the recent success of the live scene such as Odyssey Tavern & Brewery - one of Geelong’s newest live music venues. Owner and operator Grant Byrne explained to Forte, “Music is alive and well in the Geelong and Surf Coast region.

At Odyssey we have an amazing group of local and touring artists to choose from who are excited to be able to come to a venue where they are encouraged to play their originals rather than being forced to play covers.”

As with anything in life, there are some winners and some losers in terms of tickets sold – but that’s the nature of live shows. There is a risk element involved.

The mixture of hard work, a good band booker, good sound, promotion, and fantastic atmosphere is needed in order to be successful. There are many venues in Geelong that have provided this environment in the past and many that will provide that environment into the future.

Steven Nichols who runs local band booking company, Spinning Half, has been on board the rollercoaster ride that is the ‘live music’ industry for the last 5 years.

Spinning Half have booked shows at Beavs Bar, The Bended Elbow and The Arena. Steve has a firm grasp on the state of live music in Geelong and he spoke in positive terms, “Geelong’s music scene has been

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These venues not only see the importance of big name live music, they are all providing valuable experience for new and emerging local artists and a platform to get their music out there. Thanks to these sorts of

“ Those that think the local music scene is dead are clueless, our local bands are kicking goals all over the country and overseas, instead of sitting at home complaining that music is dead, get out to a show, you will be pleasantly surprised.”

In contrast to a perceived ‘shrinking’ of the live local music scene Grant went on to say, “We have at least four shows a week at the venue and almost all of them are original artists who get a fantastic response. Our ticketed shows have been well received and are growing in numbers for each show.”

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on the rise over the last five years and is still on the way up. It confuses me how people can see it any differently. More music venues are opening up, both big and small. Also, we have just announced that The Wool Exchange is back. Not to mention the, newly named Yarra Hotel Geelong is still being booked

by Spinning Half and so is Beav’s Bar, all with a big focus on live original music”. Spinning Half have been associated with numerous successful shows at a variety of venues and hope to continue that success at the Wool Exchange Entertainment complex, having already announced Ash Grunwald and Pete Murray to star there in the new year.

venues, we are seeing local talent achieving national and international acclaim. No doubt you ventured to a festival or you’ve tuned in to Triple J recently and heard a track from some of our region’s home grown talents - The Vasco Era, The Galvatrons, The Tiger & Me, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Fatty Phew, CarterRollins, Missy Higgins, One Fish Two Fish, The Universal, Luke Legs, Class A, The Human Electric, Cast Iron Pinata and many more.

Or perhaps you have read about our local chiropractor James Sidebottom who won the National Telstra Road to Discovery competition? These types of artists could not grow in a city or region where the scene is ‘dead’.

Respected Hip Hop artist Fatty Phew has performed for over 10 years in Geelong is more than qualified to talk on the matter, Phew explained - “I have been doing live shows around Geelong for over a decade.

As a local artist I have always found everyone very supportive, in fact – seven of my last eight shows have sold out, I don’t believe the scene is dead in Geelong at all, I think the opposite – if you put on a good show people will come.”

Al O’Neil also disagrees with the perception that that the music scene in the Geelong region is in someway struggling, “Those that think the local music scene is dead are clueless, our local bands are kicking goals all over the country and overseas, instead of sitting at home complaining that music is dead, get out to a show, you will be pleasantly surprised.”

Demand for live music is not only found in the licensed venues from eager punters in the Geelong region but also in the education sector. The MWT Institute and Oxygen College are high standard training institutions

and act as the breeding ground for upcoming musicians.

Oxygen College recently recruited one of the biggest names in the music industry, Michael Parisi, to join their mentor program.

Youth music and arts centre The Courthouse Arts has recently announced New Years Revolution which will show case some of the region’s best acts. The Courthouse continuously provides budding musicians with a space to play their music. The Courthouse recently ran a ‘Conversation in the Key of ‘ series which sold out all three dates. The Courthouse building is a hive of activity nurturing local talent and they are always putting on and organising sensational live shows.

It has to be noted that yes - things are tight in most industry sectors and the entertainment industry is no exception. Steve Brown owner of Toast Nightclub, one of Geelong’s biggest clubs explains - “Things are generally quiet at the moment. I think a lot of venues are feeling the pinch in that sense. However, Toast is still attracting some of the countries best Djs. We are always pushing to bring a variety of electronic artists to Geelong. People will still come out for a good artist.”

Steve and the team at Toast have The Aston Shuffle and Peking Duk, amongst many others, lined up for a big summer of live music.

Not every venue enjoys success with original live music, but there are still plenty in the Geelong region that do. Every week in our offices we receive hundreds of emails and letters telling us about a new show or an EP by a local artist which we print in Forte. We also work closely with in excess of 30 venues talking everyday about the wonderful things they have on. Putting on successful live shows for original artists takes a mixture of things, good promotion, the right date, good sound and a popular act.

Let’s face it - sometimes a band is doing a live show where they are simply not popular enough to pull a crowd. On the other hand there are lots of recent examples of rooms being packed to the rafters for international, national and local bands with people flocking out to support them.

So whilst it might be easy to pick out a few examples of venues that haven’t had success with original live music, or shine a spotlight on venues historically more suited to cover bands (which is perfectly normal), it is just as easy to shine a light on those putting on successful original live music nights four to five times a week and pulling great acts to the region. It is also just as easy to shine a light on the hundreds of local bands and acts who are prospering with a loyal local following, as Geelong continues to provide a platform for success in the music and entertainment industry.

If you get out in the city this week, or the next, or the one after that - you will find rooms packed with excited punters. At Forte we proudly support our local entertainment industry including the live venues that put on great original live music, and beyond this, the passionate people in the background that work tirelessly to nurture our wonderful scene. And whilst there are ups and downs, people are always going to want live music, and the scene in Geelong will continue to evolve and produce awesome live shows, along with the locally bred stars of tomorrow - as it always has.

If you are a local musician or live music venue and you would like to gain exposure through Forte Magazine (a locally owned publication which has been supporting local music for twenty years) drop us an email luke@fortemag.com.au or call into our offices to have a chat.

KYLE TAYLOR WINNER OF THE 2012 CITY QUARTER UNPLUGGED COMPETITION, sponsored by FOrte magazine! writen By Xavier Fennell Having just come off the tail-end of his ‘Buskers Tour’, it seems only fair that local Indie-Folk artist Kyle Taylor take a break from roaming all over Australia spreading his folk branches. It would seem fair of course, but not to Taylor. The budding artist is ready to embark on his new summer tour that beholds enough gigs to make any unworthy man breakdown and cry. When I got a hold of Taylor for a chat, it was clear that he wasn’t backing down from this one, and held a rather enthusiastic view on the near future. Perhaps this excitement comes down to the main difference in this summer’s tour, the fact that Taylor will be travelling and performing for our island neighbours: New Zealand. Perhaps Taylor constantly looks on performing and music with this kind of passion, I found out more as I spoke to him further about his inspirations, performances and upcoming summer tour.

There is no doubt Taylor has worked his way into the cut-throat industry of music the hard way, he explained to me “I didn’t grow up in a musical family, everyone worked normal 9-5 jobs but when I was 18, I picked up a guitar, learnt some chords and joined a high-school metal band”. Having now moved on from the beautiful world of high-school metal Taylor has secured himself firmly into the world of Folk, I’m sure you’re asking ‘how many world’s can one man be a part of!?” and the answer is ‘2, no more, no less’. Taylor has been writing and recording his evidently popular style of Indie-Folk since 2008. It was clear that Kyle possesses a love for what he is doing and for others doing the same, as I asked him what it was like to be able to support other well known folk artists Jordie Layne and Josh Pyke “I was pretty surprised that I got that, I’ve only really been playing this year since march, but I’ve met a lot of people playing around the peninsula and backpacking.

The Jordie Layne gig I did the other week was really fun, there was an older crowd but they were having a real good time which was really good.”

When Taylor mentions backpacking, he doesn’t mean sampling the comforts of a warm bed in a backpackers inn. What he really means is that he’s been sleeping on the floors of those who are kind enough to offer. Really encapsulating the vibe of his ‘buskers tour’, Taylor was living it rough for a couple of months. He explained that busking was an important part of his music, “a lot of my friends busk and its just one of the things that inspires me to get passionate and get shit done, like I love busking too and this kind of music fits with busking really well,” says Kyle.

As well as performing his music, Taylor’s passion extends towards recording and writing music, when

I queried him about how he went into the writing process, it was clear that Taylor likes to keep it simple and relaxed, very much like the music itself. “Usually I’ll just go to my room and maybe chuck on a CD, sit down with my guitar picking away, messing around with different progressions until I find something, I don’t like to try and force myself, so its usually just whatever comes to me, then I build on top of that.”

When it comes to recording music, Taylor has been already heavily active, creating 2 albums, America to Home recorded during a short stay in California as well as in Geelong and 21, a shorter album recorded with Mort Records. Kyle spoke briefly about these records and about his plans for a new record in 2013 - “When I look back at those records I can tell how young I was and how much has changed, like I look back at one of those CD’s and I had a band for it and the sound is just way to clean and polished, not really what I’m going for at all these days.”

Taylor has made plans to release to new record mid 2013 and has decided to take an interesting approach to creating the record - “For this record I really want to work with someone who’s passionate and really loves the music, I know one guy at the moment that’s a possibility. So the plan is we’ll go down to Phillip Island with some of his gear and spend the week just chilling and recording some of my new songs.”

I asked Taylor what his inspiration for this topsecret-mission-to-Phillip-Island was, and what kind of influences he had for the type of music he created.

Refreshingly, Taylor replied with an honest “Well... what do you think its like man?” It’s always nice to be asked your own thoughts on something, and this pleasant attitude transcends into Taylor’s music. I gave him a short assessment of “Something like Mumford and Sons and Bon Iver” (I don’t listen to much folk).

Taylor seemed satisfied that I had grasped the sound he was going for and went on to talk a bit about his influences “I listen to heaps of different things, Damien Rice, Placebo when I was growing up, Karnivool even.

I’m not too picky on what I listen too, I’ll listen to most types of music. I enjoy Ed Sheeran a lot too, because of his live shows, and it’s inspirational to see people, like, doing stuff.” Taylor clearly has a grasp of what he wants to do, how he wants to sound, and how he’s going about achieving all of the above.

We are offered with an abundance of choice to get down and see Taylor play due to the sheer size of his upcoming tour, which starts January 5 in Bendigo at The Basement and runs right through March 24 at the Cabana Hotel in New Zealand. Check him out on Facebook for more dates.

When&Where: January 17 - City Quarter, Geelong, January 18 - Harvester Moon, Drysdale, January 20 - Saints & Sailors, Portarlington, January 26 - 28 Festival of Sails, Geelong Waterfront, February 1 - Babushka Bar, Ballarat, February 2 - Ocean Grove Pub, Ocean Grove (photo by lucinda goodwin)

Murphy knows good things take time

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tweet of the week

THE SPLINTERS

top 20

01.

LANA DEL REY Born To Die: Paradise Edition

When we interviewed Marina Diamands in 2011 she out-right lied to us about touring with Katy Perry (she insisted she wouldn’t be – and then a short two months later it was announced she would be going on tour with Perry). She was also quite frustrated she hadn’t quite reached the level of success she felt she was entitled to. With the emergence of Electra Heart, an eerie, symbolism-filled Illuminati themed album passing itself off as a record about love, it seems the Marina of old has slipped away; a more confident (not entirely, however) pop star shines through on Electra Heart with production that makes her sensational debut album sound like it was produced in a tin shed. The best songs? The haunting ‘Teen Idle’ and the sickeningly good ‘Valley of the Dolls’. The worst? Hilariously enough, it’s the song called ‘Lies’!

04.

WHIGFIELD W

Whigfield was Eurodance’s 1990’s answer to Madonna; chart-topping, brain-invading dancepop that reigned supreme through all of the 1990’s and some of the 2000’s. The return of Whigfield was hotly rumoured last year when she unveiled the single ‘C’est Cool’, and now, in 2012, Whigfield has made a triumphant return with her best album to date.

Spanning nine songs in length (any album that has 10 or less tracks on it is, in our opinion, a very well put together album), Whigfield puts updated posers like Alexandra Stan into a corner with groundbreaking party beats and dramatic beat drops.

The highlights are album opener ‘Stay In My Head” and first single “4ever”, which is not a cover of The Veronicas track but is precisely 600% better than it.

05.

IAMAMIWHOAM Kin

Sweden’s iamamiwhoami really came into their own with this perfect record. Coming in at an impressive 9 tracks long, the long awaited debut album from this conceptual pop artist delivered prominent goods. Tracks like ‘Kill’ and ‘Goods’ truly surpassed the expectations fans had for this album, and the corresponding video clips that marry up with this record are nothing short of breathtaking. If you’re looking for bizarrepop with a great visual aspect to it, iamamiwhoami could very well be your new favourite band.

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Sydney’s Van She had an interesting 2012.

Amazing sophomore album release, killer choons filled throughout the record and embarking on a promising world tour, all whilst drummer Tomek Archer announced his departure from the band to focus on his architecture.

HIT OR SHIT!

SUPERSTAR 07. PRINCESS The New Evolution The fan-funded follow up to 2005’s ‘My Machine’, Princess Superstar returned in 2012 with a delightful snap at the industry with this genius collection of songs. Is expected to be officially released as a physical in 2013, but you can buy a ZIP file of the album in MP3 format right now via Superstar’s website.

CASTLES 08. CRYSTAL III The third album from Crystal Castles is their darkest and most experimental yet. ‘Sad Eyes’ is one of the pop greats of 2012.

09.

KE$HA Warrior

Even though it’s not exactly setting the charts alight since its release, the new album from Ke$ha is a true testament to how sharp a songwriter she is. The best track – by far – is the title song.

10. MADONNA MDNA

2013 It’s going to be a good year, ladies and gentlemen.

CHRISTMAS CHEER And it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas; break out the Mariah!

GIRLS ALOUD

A mostly amazing album that would have been a Top 5 (or maybe even Top 2) had a bit more time and effort been put into it. Really seemed that by the time Madonna had roped William Orbit into the studio, just as they were forming a truly great album, they ran out of time and settled with what they had. MDNA is a great album but could do without at least 5 or 6 of its tracks.

PRESETS 11. THE Pacifica

Responsible for the major wigand-weave-famine of 2012, snatching them up wherever they tread.

THE ARIA AWARDS You know, maybe we’d give a shit if we got an invite? (No we wouldn’t)

THE PET SHOP BOYS

A masterpiece that really put the Sydney twopiece back into the musical territory of their first album.

Worst Album of 2012?

12.

Nope, we take that back – Rihanus gave us the Worst Album of 2012.

WILLAM BELLI The Wreckoning

RIHANNA

SHIT!

Lana Del Rey burst onto the pop scene with a lot of hype surrounding her, hype that soon turned into controversy with one of the stupidest arguments in music for 2012; “Is Lana indie enough, or is she a poser?” Thankfully for those of us not accustomed to wearing woollen-knitted sweaters and faux reading glasses, Del Rey proved that the hype she’d earned was incredibly deserved. January’s Born To Die in its original format was already one of the greatest albums of the year, but with the addition of last month’s bonus disc to the album, entitled ‘Paradise’. Songs like ‘Gods & Monsters’, ‘Cola’, ‘Off To The Races’ and the iconic ‘Video Games’ will cement Lana’s impact into pop culture’s psyche for many years to come, even if the girl sticks true to her alleged word and ditches the music world for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

MARINA & 03. Electra THE DIAMONDS Heart

SHE 06. VAN Idea of Happiness

@adora_boy discusses the fantasy of every Gay Male of a certain age across the globe.

HIT!

As we get closer to the Christmas Silly Season, the search for the perfect stocking fillers has officially begun, and with the year 2012 very almost completely behind us, we thought there’d be no time like the present (ho ho ho!) to supply you with the 12 albums of 2012 that truly trumped above the rest. It also serves as the perfect Christmas list for anybody that loves a great pop song. So what are the records of Oh-Twelve you should have in your collection before the year is out? Let’s take an in-depth look at the twelve best, before we go for a quick spin through the albums that almost made it into the Top 12 - but not quite... Let’s just say it was a terrific year for the Album.

It was a very close race between Del Rey and the United Kingdom’s Saint Etienne, a band that have been in operation for a number of decades and are, arguably, Britain’s most loved electronic pop outfit (sorry Pet Shop Boys, but your most recent album is a right stinker!), and in 2012 they released one of the most magical records of recent times. It’s hard to describe an album as delicate as this one, but if you’re as much of a music obsessive as we are or even had a history of loving it as a child/teen, this album is going to tick a lot of your required boxes. Songs about going to concerts, stalking Peter Gabriel from Genesis, that overwhelming feeling you get dancing to a live band; it’s all in here. The nostalgia is thick throughout this record and is the type of pop album suited to almost any age group. In fact, as long as you really love your music, you’re going to really love this album.

“ I wanted to get married in a church. Mainly to copy Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’ video.”

HIT

albums OF 2012

ETIENNE 02. SAINT Words & Music

Controversial RuPaul’s Drag Race star releases stunning debut album just in time for annual countdown lists. Well played Belli, Well Played.

BUBBLING UNDER...

13. RICKI-LEE – Fear & Freedom

17. AMANDA LEAR – I Don’t Like Disco

Best song? ‘Crazy’.

Eurodance from our favourite French songstress.

14. ONE DIRECTION – Take Me Home Highlights? THE BOOKLET.

15. NO DOUBT – Push & Shove ‘Looking Hot’ truly is one of the songs of the year.

16. GARBAGE – Not Your Kind of People A truly remarkable and triumphant return to the music world from one of our favourite bands.

18. T.E.E.D. – Trouble An amazingly accomplished EDM record.

19. DRAGONETTE – Body Parts The Canadian outfit’s best record to date?

20. TAME IMPALA – Lonerism Aussie boys exceed all expectations with this monster of a record. ‘Elephant’

is another one of those massive Songs of 2012.

21. TAYLOR SWIFT – Red No-eyes-Swift surprised even us in 2012, with an album that was actually good and not devoid of soul.

22. GOSSIP – Joyful Noise Teaming up with Xenomania is the best idea Gossip have had in years.

Did we get it right or completely off the mark? Forward your complaints and/or album of the year lists to inside. splinters@gmail.com .

Written by Adem with an E.

THE CITY LIGHTS MELBOURNE

Bad Christmas jokes: What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck? A Christmas Quacker. Coming up you have… .........................................................................

Heavenly Julia Stone Julia Stone is the first artist named to welcome in 2013’s Heavenly Sounds tour series. As the name may suggest the tour takes in churches and cathedrals around Australia. Julia’s new album By The Horns has been lovingly received locally and abroad and should sound perfect in such wonderful settings.

She will be accompanied by Ross Irwin (Cat Empire, The Bamboos), Ben Edgar and Ed Fairly (Gotye). St Michael’s Church – February 20. .........................................................................

St Kilda Festival There was a little doubt as to whether the St Kilda Festival would have a future but things are looking A-OK at the moment. The festival – which takes place in February next year – has announced its first line-up. Among the guests are Bluejuice, Midnight Juggernauts, Thelma Plum, The Scarlets, Suzie Stapleton and Better than the Wizards. The full line-up is announced January 7 with further details available through stkildafestival.com.au. .........................................................................

The Smith Street Drunks In 2011 indie punk upstarts The Smith Street Band dropped their debut album No One Gets Lost Anymore and both critics and music lovers lapped it up. If there was a case of second album syndrome they sure as hell didn’t show it with the band’s second album Sunshine & Technology making an already loud buzz for the band even louder. Make sure you catch them on their Young Drunks tour. The Reverence Hotel – February 23. With guests. .........................................................................

Get Along with Guy Sebastian It seems an eternity ago since Guy Sebastian took out the first Australian Idol in 2003. Nearing ten years since he took out the top prize Guy’s latest work is reaching dizzying heights. His single ‘Battle Scars’ featuring Lupe Fiasco debuted at #1 on the ARIA singles chart and remained there for six weeks. It also gave him his first American hit with Guy performing the song with Lupe on David Letterman. His newie is ‘Get Along’. The Palais – April 5.

Los Coronas Debut Surf’s up in Australia with Spain’s instrumental surf outfit Los Coronas set to make their Australia debut shortly. The band has a couple of festivals on their itinerary but has tagged on a few smaller shows around the country. Widely regarded as Spain’s leading exponents of surf music, the band puts their own spin on the 60s Californian sound. Hang ten good readers. The Toff – January 8 & 15. With guests. .........................................................................

Mount Eerie Roars Washington-based indie folk artist Mount Eerie will make his debut Australia voyage next year. At the heart of the project lies Phil Elvrum though he has collaborated with many other musicians on his albums.

Mount Eerie takes its name from The Microphones’ album of the same name, The Microphone being Elvrum’s previous project. Mount Eerie has released two albums in 2012: Clear Moon and Ocean Roar.

The Toff – January 26. .........................................................................

Midge Ure Solo James Midge Ure, who commonly goes by Midge Ure, has a name which carries a lot of weight. He found success in the 1970s and 80s in bands including Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids and Silk but was best known as the frontman of Ultravox. He also co-wrote and produced a little ditty called ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ He is a musician’s musician and then some. Billboard – April 19. .........................................................................

The Sub Atari Knives Are Out Take a look at Sub Atari Knives and you will find some fair ol’ talent. You have Nick Adams (Mammal), Ben Ellingworth (MM9) and Huge Tremayne (K-Oscillate).

The genre slicers and dicers released their debut single ‘DTX’ late last year and quickly established themselves as a dynamic live act. Now they have welcomed their EP. The band self-produced the effort before handing over mixing duties to go-to guy Forrester Savell. Pelly Bar – December 28. .........................................................................

No BS with Luke Slater English electronic muso, DJ and producer Luke Slater has a few shows lined up around Australia which will have him see out the year and welcome

Tim Rogers Bamboo Medicine You know that Tim Rogers guy, right? He is the kingpin of You Am I and does some fine solo work too. He is also pretty handy at making AFL advertisements. You know that Lance Ferguson guy, right? He is the frontman of The Bamboos. The two recently collaborated on the track ‘Medicine Man’ and now Tim and the full Bamboos brigade is hitting the road for a joint tour. Melbourne’s Zoo Twilights – March 1.

in 2013. Under various guises including Planetary Assault Systems and Clementine, Slater has been at the forefront of the UK electronic music scene since the early 1990s. In 1999 he released what would be his groundbreaking album, Freek Funk.

His No Bullsh*t Techno Experience takes him to Brown Alley on December 28. .........................................................................

NYE at Federation Square New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and if you’re up in the air about what to do why not wander down to Melbourne’s Federation Square?

There will be plenty of great music to keep the night bubbling away and it’s a sweet spot to check out the fireworks. Plus it is alcohol and glass-free so it’s perfect for the whole family. Festivities kick off at 8.30pm and will run through until 1am.

Chunky Jam, DJ Wasabi, Wickid Force Breakers, King Marong and Afro Mandinko will be your entertainment.

The Presets Set Off Towards the end of November The Presets uploaded a video featuring live footage that ended with 3.12.12. For anyone who guessed that would mean the announcement of a tour then well done, you get a cookie. The electro powerhouse duo of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes released their new album Pacifica and now it looks as though you are going to get to hear it in live glory. The Palace – February 6.

Ronan Keating Heats Up Ronan Keating has been charming the pants off music lovers for years now. Through his work in Boyzone he sold more than 30 million albums while his solo work has come close to that figure again with sales in excess of 25 million. He has also worked his way into our lounge rooms through X Factor. Along with fellow Irish rogue Brian McFadden, Keating is hitting the road for his Fires tour. The Palais – March 1. .........................................................................

Mick Thomas Gets Festive Well-worn songman Mick Thomas may have taken last Christmas off but all is forgiven as he, along with his band the Roving Commission, return to their end of year Christmas tour tradition. Last year was actually the first he had missed in ten years so it ain’t so bad.

It is a pretty good time to catch Mick too as this year saw the release of his first official solo album, The Last of the Tourists. NSC – December 23 & 24. With Carus Thompson.

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Theyearin

films2012 Everyone knows that the whole point of these “Year’s best and worst” lists is to get you all annoyed that your fave films didn’t make the list while I get even more angry that I wasted so much of my life watching rubbish. So in an attempt to defuse the hate, let’s group the year’s best and worst into categories rather than singling out individuals for the love… or the hate. So to kick off with the love, 2012 was a good year for...

Relationships: Carnage / A Separation / Take This Waltz / Your Sister’s Sister. Whether you’re falling in love, falling out of love, or are just plain sick of the person you’re in love with, good viewing was the result.

Robbers: Get the Gringo / Headhunters / Contraband / Bernie. At the other end of the law-enforcement scale, these films proved that committing crimes could be just as entertaining as fighting them.

Male nudity: Shame /

Superheroes: The

Magic Mike. Ones a depressing tale of sex addiction, the other features a lot of shirtless dancing and screaming women. They’re both worth a look for more than the tackle-out action.

Avengers / The Dark Knight Rises / Chronicle / Skyfall.

Hey, James Bond is as much of a super hero as Batman – he just doesn’t have to wear a silly outfit to save the world.

Kids: Safe / Moonrise Kingdom. Okay, Jason Statham running around with a pre-teen maths wiz and Wes Anderson’s latest tale of melancholy have very little in common.

But I enjoyed them both.

Spies: Tinker Tailor Soldier

Hitmen: Looper / Killing Them Softly / The Grey. Yeah, Liam Neeson in The Grey was a hitman of wolves, not people.

Doesn’t mean that movies about hitmen didn’t do well in 2012.

Comedy: Ted / Bachelorette.

Cops : End of Watch / Dredd

/ 21 Jump Street / The Raid.

Out of these three extremely violent films and one comedy, guess which one had the goriest moment? Wrong: the end of 21 Jump Street was just plain nasty.

Spy / Argo. And these guys don’t need any outfits at all to save the world! Not that they weren’t wearing clothes or anything, but, you know, they lurk in the shadows and so on.

This was not a great year for comedy, but at least these two managed to bring the laughs.

The Master. This wasn’t

the best film of the year – that’s probably something I haven’t yet it seen – but this was certainly strange and compelling enough to deserve it’s own listing.

But just in case you were thinking 2012 was the dawn of some kind of new golden age of cinema, rest assured the stench of utter rubbish continued to billow out of cinemas at a steady rate.

Especially cinemas screening the following, for which it was a very bad year…

Science Fiction:

Prometheus / The Darkest Hour. In theory it’s possible to tell a science fiction story without, you know, just completely making the science stuff up. Not that you’d know it from these films.

Australasian Comedy: Any Questions For Ben / Two Little Boys / Kath & Kimdrella / Mental / Housos Versus Authority. Anyone remember when Australia used to make funny films?

Anyone? Didn’t think so.

American Comedy:

The Watch / That’s My Boy / American Pie Reunion.

American big screen comedy seems to have reached a dead end. And then fallen off a cliff.

Fantasy sequels:

Underworld / Resident Evil / MiB III. The fun of a movie where you’re just making stuff up is that the stuff you’re making up is surprising and new. If you’re doing sequels, you’re doing it wrong.

Big name directors:

Savages (Oliver Stone) / Dark Shadows (Tim Burton).

Yeah, just retire already.

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Big Budget Spectaculars: Battleship / Wrath of the Titans. You cost how much money now?

Highbrow guff: A

Dangerous Method / The Words. Actually, these movies weren’t all that bad really. They just weren’t anywhere near as smart as they thought they were.

Giving love a bad name: What to Expect When You’re Expecting / This Means War / The Vow. Seriously, if you go see Hollywood romantic comedies at this stage you basically get what you deserve

Musicals: Rock of Ages.

In which Tom Cruise sang part of a musical number into a woman’s arse.

And the worst film of 2012 was… Extremely Loud

& Incredibly Close. Presumably the title was meant as a warning as to what it was going to feel like being in a room with the amazingly annoying teenage lead as he wandered around post 9/11 New York not shutting up.

WRITTEN By Anthony Morris

FILM REVIEWS

Life of Pi

Wreck-It Ralph

Liberal Arts

Films about God – as opposed to films about religion – can be tricky. They’re basically putting forward the idea that someone bigger than us created everything around us, only in a movie that’s literally true: the character’s lives do take place in a world that’s been created by higher beings, those beings being us.

Which is a long-winded way of saying that when Life of Pi – which is the story of an Indian teenager who ends up stranded on a lifeboat with a tiger when the cargo ship carrying his family and their zoo animals sinks in the middle of the Pacific – gets around to talking about how storytelling and God are linked, it’s hard to know exactly what to think. Are director Ang Lee and Yann Martel (author of the novel this film is based on) patting themselves on the back for working in a creative industry?

Fortunately there’s more to recommend this film than just some vague spiritualism: while the scene-setting opening and family history of Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) is moderately interesting stuff, things really take off once Pi is in a lifeboat with Bengal tiger Richard Parker (named after a clerical error). These scenes combine often stunning visuals with the matterof-fact struggle to survive in a confined space with a large creature that wants to kill you (Pi spends a lot of time on a small raft he constructs). The story fizzles out to some extent towards the end, but the middle section adrift at sea is up there with the best film-making of the year. If they’d stripped back everything else and just made this a struggle between man and beast, it would have been a far more successful film – and most likely, one far more successful at getting across the points it clumsily tries to make.

Videogames seem like such a ripe area for comedy – even just of the “hey, remember this game?” variety – that it’s hard not to feel a little disappointed when Wreck-It Ralph turns out to only really feature three kinds of games.

First there’s Wreck-It Ralph Jr, in which Ralph (the voice of John C Reilly), having been evicted from his home by the construction of a new apartment block, swears vengeance and returns to wreck up the place while Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer) undoes the damage.

But after thirty years Ralph is getting tired of being the bad guy, and when he discovers the inhabitants of the game celebrating their anniversary without him he gatecrashes the party only to be told (somewhat sarcastically) that the only way he could join them is by getting a gold medal. Problem is, only heroes get gold medals, so Ralph ends up jumping to the first person shooter Hero’s Duty to try and win a medal there. This proves to not be the best idea he’s ever had, and he ends up searching for his lost medal in Sugar Rush, a cutesy cart-racing game. There the glitchy Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) blackmails him into helping her built a cart to win the big race, while Felix – who’s searching for Ralph, because without him WreckIt Ralph Jr doesn’t work – has teamed up with Hero’s Duty lead Calhoun (Jane Lynch) to track him down. Aside from the minor disappointment that comes with realising this isn’t going to be riffing off the entire world of games, there’s nothing to be disappointed in with this very Pixar-like Disney effort: it looks fantastic, the story is very well put together, the characters are fun and memorable, and the whole thing feels destined to be a kids (of all ages) classic for years to come. It’s the most fun you can have in front of a screen without controlling the characters yourself.

Jesse Fisher (Josh Radnor from How I Met Your Mother, who also writes and directs) seems to be drifting a little in life.

A newly single college admissions officer who returns to his old university for the retirement ceremony for his favourite teacher (Richard Jenkins), he strikes up a friendship with the nineteen year old Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen). If your manic pixie dreamgirl alarm is going off right about now, don’t worry: while this loosely fits the cliché, both Jesse and Zibby are given more than enough depth to come across as real people bungling their way towards something that might be love – or a big mistake – rather than just the usual wish-fulfilment clichés. It helps a lot that both leads give really strong performances. That’s not surprising in Olsen’s case (she was extremely good in Martha Marcy May Marlene) but maybe a little in Radnor’s; his sitcom work is solid, but rarely hits the depths of sadness and confusion found here, even if in some ways it’s a fairly similar character. By keeping the focus on how he’s adrift and muddled rather than how she can save him, this feels a lot more real and believable than the usual quirky girl / introvert guy romance. It’s still pretty lightweight, even with a hilarious Allison Janney in a small role, but it gets enough right to end up feeling like a romance that actually has something to say beyond putting two attractive people next to each other.

F I L M W R AP Pitch Perfect: The knifeedge world of university a Capella singing is slapped up on screen in this fun comedy which does manage to butcher a bunch of otherwise perfectly good songs.

Man with the Iron Fists: The RZA finally gets around to making a kung fu film of his own, but while it looks good and has some decent fight scenes it gets bogged down in an overly drawn-out plot.

Russell Crowe is more fun than he’s been in years though.

Skyfall: Bond is back in his Bondiest adventure in ages. Yes, that means this isn’t as dour and gritty as the last two Daniel Craig films. No, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a great Bond film that delivers just about everything you could ask for.

Trouble With The Curve: Clint Eastwood is a baseball scout with failing eyesight and Amy Adams is

his estranged daughter in this slow, gentle but still engaging family drama.

Jack Reacher

Here Comes The Boom: Kevin James is a high school teacher who starts beating up people for money. It’s a comedy.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn pt 2: The Twilight saga comes to an exhausted close, but there’s just enough fun and / or strange moments here to make this yet another watchable instalment of this moderately consistent (only the second one was really bad) series Perks of Being a Wallflower: It’s teen angst time as a high school loser with a long of issues befriends a group of older drama students and learns to live again.

Unfortunately, he does this while appearing in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but you can’t win them all.

Sightseers Tina (Alice Lowe) is a quiet woman dominated by her astoundingly nasty mother and haunted by the semiaccidental death of their family dog a year ago. So when her new boyfriend Chris (Steve Oram) offers to take her on a road trip in his caravan she jumps at the chance, even as her mother spits venom and the list of sights to be seen sounds less than enthralling (tramways museum, anyone?). It doesn’t take long for both Tina and Chris to be revealed as more than what they seemed: their sex life is dorky but enthusiastic, Chris is unusually angered over littering, and when they accidentally back over and kill someone who’d previously annoyed them, their clean getaway (well, not exactly clean – they still have to wash the blood off the wheel bay) opens up a new (or is it?) world of killing off anyone who irks them. The banal way in which they go around bumping off people for petty reasons is a nice reflection of the equally dull holiday sites they visit, an endless string of camping spots in the middle of nowhere next to minor ruins and tiny townships. The evolving relationship between Chris and Tina is was powers this film though, with both giving completely convincing performances as the kind of people you wouldn’t look twice at but who prove to have all manner of anger issues bubbling away under the meek and nerdy surface. Death takes a holiday, and it’s a trip worth taking.

When a sniper guns down five people in Pittsburgh, all the evidence points towards a lone nut ex-military man as the killer. When the killer gets bashed into a coma in prison, the only message he leaves behind is a note: get Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise). But Reacher is a drifter, a man who no known address, no way of being found. Lucky for the killer’s defence lawyer (Rosamund Pike) Reacher just turns up because he’s just that much of a badass (okay, he saw a news story and recognised the killer). He’s not there to help the killer – turns out they have a shared past, and it puts the killer firmly is the “guilty” category as far as ex military cop Reacher’s concerned – but something about the case doesn’t feel quite right. Cue a lot of fights, a car chase or two, and a mystery that involves both a stoic killer (Australia’s own Jai Courtney) and a man who’s so creepy he might as well be a literal vampire (Werner Herzog – yes, the German director in a rare acting-only performance). This two-fisted update of the old film noir style detective investigating a case that goes all the way to somewhere sinister keeps things stripped back and mildly gritty in a slightly 70s fashion, but there’s a nice sense of wry humour running throughout that stops it from taking itself too seriously too often.

It’s a smaller film than you might expect from Cruise – he’s the only big name (apart from Robert Duvall) here, and the action is confined to some efficient beatdowns and one cool car chase that ends in a very unusual fashion – but in a year when we’ve seen a bit of a return to slightly more grown-up, plot-driven crime mystery films, this is a nicely put together piece of quality pulp.

written by anthony morris

MUSIC REVIEWS li ve r evi ew

Meredith Music Festival

Supernatural Amphitheatre – Meredith

Les Miserables

December 7 to 9, 2012

These days big screen musicals come in all different shapes and sizes. At one end of the scale you have regular movies where they just happen to sing a lot (like Pitch Perfect); at the other you have this movie adaptation of the 80s stage musical, where just about every line is sung. An adaptation of French author Victor Hugo’s sprawling novel built around Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a convict released in 1815 only to find with his permanent parole he will never find a place in society. A kindly Bishop turns him from bad to good but even when he becomes a wealthy factory owner and small-town mayor he’s still haunted when his former gaoler Javert (Russell Crowe) arrives to head the local police.

Meanwhile, factory worker Fantine (Anne Hathaway) is run out of her job when it’s discovered she’s sending money to her illegitimate daughter; she becomes a prostitute, Valjean is uncovered, he rescues her daughter, she grows up, there’s rebellion in the streets of Paris and let’s put it this way: if all you know of the musical is the handful of songs you’ve heard outside of it, there’s a good reason for that. This is epic film-making that treats the original with the respect and reverence a Broadway smash deserves; trouble is, Broadway musicals can often be overblown, strident, pandering affairs built around flattering the audience for their class and good taste rather than being entertaining on their own merits.

There are good performances here, and on a technical level this musical works well. But unless you have a high tolerance for people singing entire, notthat-impressive songs about emotions and situations you can grasp by the end of the first line, this two and a half hour film may be more than you can stomach.

Its always a difficult task to review Meredith. Even for a sober reviewer the intensity of the sights, sounds and people can be overwhelming.

The three day event often starts on the Friday morning when the truly dedicated are off in their convoys to the small Victorian town. Makeshift camps and pj clad individuals line the streets and one thing is abundantly clear, there ain’t nothing like MMF.

Rise of the Guardians When Jack Frost (the voice of Chris Pine) wakes up under a frozen lake, he has no idea who he is or how he got there. On the plus side, he has magical frost-bringing powers and can ride the wind; on the minus side, no-one can see him. Fast forward 300 years to the present day and while Frost seems a pretty happy chap – he’s able to mess around with a bunch of kids and get them into a snowball fight after he gets them out of school via a snow day – the fact no-one can see him is clearly a downer.

Meanwhile, the sinister Pitch (Jude Law) is back and the Guardians – North, AKA Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), The Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), The Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman, being Aussie as) and the silent Sandman – learn from The Man in the Moon (who may have had a hand in Frost’s creation) that they need a new member if they’re to defeat Pitch. No prizes for guessing who that is, or that he doesn’t play well with others, and that the bulk of this film is about Frost learning to step up to his responsibilities while also filling in the gaps about his past. It’s all pretty traditional holiday fare, though visually it’s constantly impressive and the by-the-numbers plot moves forward quickly enough to hide most of the bumps.

It’s the kind of film that never really does anything surprising or new, but neither does it take the most boringly obvious path. It’s solid children’s entertainment that’s enjoyable but forgettable… though that end credits song is not one you want to stick around for.

This year’s event boasted an eclectic range of local and international talent.

Not one major drawcard among them but all worthy headliners in their own right. A combination poised to thrill and satisfy all attendees no doubt.

Kicking off the 2012 proceedings were POND, at their atmospheric best the lads set the tone perfectly for the weekend to follow. Grimes divided opinion on the festival level but from the looks of things those in her esteemed attendance enjoyed the quirky set and bounced along unashamedly to ‘Oblivion’ like the world was ending right then and there.

It didn’t. Luckily, because up next were the Sunnyboys and Spiritualized each whom, for very different reasons, fulfilled expectations of the wanting crowd. Tame Impala slammed home why their album Lonerism is one of the hottest of the year and showed when it comes to festival shows they have definitely got the chops.

Saturday was a day of management; managing many hangovers, the heat and pacing yourself for a full day and night of stellar sets. Twerps and Chet Faker wooed fans whilst Big Jay McNeely never wanted his set to end and neither did we. The music veteran brought a grace and authenticity to the Sup’ Stage like no one before and you could tell the mid-80s performer was thrilled and humbled by the appreciative and loving Meredith crowd. Totally shoe worthy.

Undoubtedly though the big shoe of the weekend went to bar room rockers The Toot Toot Toots. Touring with The Beards recently, audiences have been slowly introduced to the westerny, gothicy, storytelling, country stylings of The Toot Toot Toots but it was this Meredith set that will undoubtedly launch them even further. Their cover of Fatman Scoop clearly livening the crowd into a drunken dancefloor flashback frenzy, but more than that their original material captivated completely too. Regurgitator provided some more positive flashbacks whilst showing they’re still totally relevant in the current music world; for many a MMF 2012 highlight. Turbonegro and Primal Scream completed the Saturday night live portion before we were dazzled with a transfixing light show and then the prowess of DJ Flagrant.

Sunday was a traditionally lazy Meredith Sunday and the music reflected this wonderfully. Local boy Fraser A Gorman (& Big Harvest) got his chance to play the MMF stage and we were not left wanting. Beautiful and charismatic he charmed his way into many hearts, the crowd growing exponentially throughout his set.

For a lot of reasons, some of them personal and some of them purely from a critical standpoint Fraser was my favourite Meredith 2012 moment.

I wish big things for this kid, and with performances like this he is well on his way. Then there was the new and improved Gift. Naked for longer and harder, what could be wrong with that?! Fittingly to close this year with a bang were the Bitter Sweet Kicks.

Attractive band, hyper stage show.

Perfect. BY CHESTY LAROUX

eps, albums & live reviews

Metallica

Beck

Quebec Magnetic

Song Reader

Universal In 2008, on the back of their Death Magnetic album, Metallica went on the three-year World Magnetic Tour.

The DVD Quebec Magnetic takes footage from both shows in Quebec City, Canada’s Colisee Pepsi. Naturally, the DVD features a large number of songs from its namesake, however, they are inerspersed between old favourites.

Surprisingly, the entirety of Ride The Lightning is absent, unsurprisingly, so are Load, ReLoad and St Anger. Also conspicuous in its absence is ‘The Unforgiven’ trilogy, the third song of which was released on Death Magnetic. ‘The Four Horsemen’ is an early highlight, the third song on the DVD, although it would have sounded better if you could hear the crowd when James Hetfield tells them to “Sing it”.

The camerawork is superb, there is one shot at the beginning of ‘One’, where the camera is directly behind a fan with their lighter in the air, as Kirk Hammett plays the intro. The highlights of the whole DVD are fan-favourite, ‘Master of Puppets’ and my personal favourites, ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘Enter Sandman’.

Yes, I liked The Black Album, I guess that negates my entire review. Regardless, this DVD is perfect for anyone preparing for Soundwave in March. BY CAMERON BROGDEN

The Dropkick Murphys Signed And Sealed In Blood

McSweeny’s Before we get started I just want to say that this will not be your typical album review.

In fact Beck’s latest release Song Reader is not your typical album at all. In a world where digital music is slowly but surely replacing physical music releases, Beck has chosen to release his latest piece of music in a format that was the norm long before mp3s, CDs, cassettes, vinyl records or any form of recorded music. What is this format you ask? Sheet music! Beck’s newest ‘album’ is actually a collection of 20 new and original songs written and composed by Beck, presented as beautifully designed sheet music for you and your friends to play for yourself! It is an interesting and novel idea that is sure to split the average fan from those that are more musically able. If that wasn’t enough of a twist for you, these 20 songs have never been recorded or performed to the public by Beck himself (at time of print). One person’s interpretation of a song may be completely different to the next. In fact that’s half the fun. You are invited to upload and share your interpretation online at songreader.net alongside fans from all over the world. It’s impossible to rate Song Reader in terms of good or bad or stand out tracks in the same way you would a regular album.

You’re enjoyment of this album really comes down to how much time and effort you give to learning each song.

And once you find and master performing your favourite song it will mean much more to you personally than a simple stand out track on any regular recorded album.

Beck fans and music lovers that can actually perform music are sure to get a kick out of this. This reviewer certainly had a bit of a laugh after jumping back on the piano for the first time in many years. BY JAMES DULCE

Dream On, Dreamer

Dew Process Boston, Massachussets’ own celtic punk band, The Dropkick Murphys are back, with their eighth studio album. From the aptly titled first track, ‘The Boys Are Back’, to the final ‘End Of The Night’, this album is a rollicking good time. Every track will have you deciding between the standard punk-rock head bang/mosh and doing an Irish jig. I suggest you try both at once, preferably with a pint in hand. ‘Rose Tattoo’ is the first single from the album, and has a proper Irish ballad feel to it, but still feels like a rock tune. The second single, ‘The Season’s Upon Us’ is a dysfunctional Christmas ballad, which is definitely going to find its way to my Christmas playlist every year. My personal favourite track though has to be ‘Jimmy Collins’ Wake’, which honours Boston-Irish baseball legend Jimmy Collins, because it has a folky feel, while still retaining the Murphys’ signature sound. Also worth a mention is ‘Burn’, with its (literally) devil-may-care attitude, and fast-paced beat. This entire album is fantastic for a fun night with friends, as is anything else out of the Murphys’ back catalog. Full of ballads, songs to dance to and some to just have a drink to. BY CAMERON BROGDEN

Homebound We Are Unified Melbourne fivepiece Metalcore band, Dream on, Dreamer, are back with their sophomore release. This album was recommended to me as “something I’d be really into”, which is why I was surprised at the instrumental introduction, ‘I’. And, I was even more surprised when one of the lead singers started screaming at me when ‘Yourself as Someone Else’ began.

Metalcore is not a genre I listen to, ever. It’s the screaming that does it. However, in the name of an unbiased review, I’ll push on. The other vocalist (Wikipedia lists both as ‘Lead Vocals’, and not as ‘Screamer’ and ‘Singer’, as I would have) can certainly sing. The drumming is fantastic, especially in songs such as ‘Downfall’ and ‘Taking Chances, Breaking Free’. The guitar is also quite good throughout. As far as Metalcore albums go, this is pretty good. Fans of the band will no doubt love it. However, fans of literally anything else will not enjoy it, as most of the songs start to sound identical after a while, even on a third or fourth listen. Screaming, fast drums, high-pitched guitar.

Over and over again. Definitely pick it up if you’ve got their first album, Heartbound, otherwise, give it a wide berth.

BY CAMERON BROGDEN

FREE CLASSIFIEDS

SEND INFO TO: editorial@fortemag.com.au or p.o. box 1388, geelong 3220 or fax 5229 0318 | NOT FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Singer wanted for acoustic covers duo. Must like 90’s British bands and not into songs your “normal” covers bands play. Think Oasis, Morrissey & The Smiths, Libertines, Pulp, Blur, Verve, and similar Aussie & American groups.

Nothing serious to start with but possible gigging if we sound great! Age no barrier and male / female encouraged to contact.

Contact Liam: britpopcovers@ gmail.com or 0430904407 Band Members Wanted: Looking for band members between the ages of 16-19 years of age for pop group.Looking for bass guitar, electric guitar, vocals and synth player. If interested, please contact 0417575237.

Hard Rock Covers Band with

experienced, solid, bass player and drummer team requires guitarist with skill, awesome sound, and decent equipment. We have full rehearsal live room, pro gear, and all recording equipment. Project will involve gigging, recording, and working on original material as well as edgy covers. Age no barrier, but must be directable team player and have own transport. Carlos: 0409493521 Wanted: Male Vocalist, Two Guitarists Lead/ Rythm,Keyboard,Drummer to form an Original Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Band,Kevin Phone 03/52757689, Email linnums@optusnet.com.au Vocalist Wanted: Rock/ alternative band, currently consisting of guitar, bass, drums.

In search of a clean vocalist

preferably with experience.

Influences: Tool, A Perfect Circle, Karnivool, 12 stones, Godsmack, etc. Contact Dean 0431067758 Singer For Rock Covers Band Needed. New project that will incorporate some originals. We have large acoustically enhanced rehearsal room inc. P.A and all recording equipment. Project will involve live gigs/shows, recording, and working on orginal material. Age no barrier, but must be team player with own equip and transport. Covering rock/ pop/grunge/hair-band/glam. You will be working with experienced team. Carlos: 0409 493521 Photographer Wanted for band photos. Semni-professional ok. Call Josh 0430971319

FORTEMAG.COM.AU

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grogwatch New Year’s Eve: a joyous celebration for all or a hellish hell on Earth where the living shall envy the dead? The answer may surprise you! Mostly because it’s neither of those two options. I’ve always had a lovehate relationship with NYE, mostly because it’s the one time of year where the general public tries to horn in on my act, what with the public drunkenness and staying up late and vomiting over everything - that’s right people, why don’t you go find your own ways of having fun and stop biting my moves.

But in recent years my views of NYE have mellowed somewhat, mostly because in recent years I’ve had nothing but shithouse times on December 31st. And I’m not talking those wacky zany madcap “bad” times that make for compelling reading in the following fortnight’s column, oh no: gone forever are the days where I walked through a closed glass door or woke up in the shower at 4am convinced I had to ride a pushbike to Melbourne. No, since around 2005 each NYE has proved itself to be nothing more than a painful ordeal featuring either drunken “friends” telling me how badly I’d screwed up my life (2005) or no drunken friends at all as I sit home alone reading a friggin’ book (2009). But oddly, as with each passing year my NYE parties become more pathetic and non-existent, my love - okay, lack of hate for - NYE grows. And I say “oddly” because usually in my bitter, twisted, almost entirely hate- fuelled existence the crappier things get for me, the more I hate on anything that reminds me of it. When my love life goes down the toilet yet again, I don’t suddenly sit around going “aww, look at that young couple over there, their clear and obvious passion for each other is so cute and lifeaffirming”, I instead scoop up some dogshit with a shovel and fling it at them. And then realise I could have just changed the channel on my TV instead, because why the f**k was I even watching Home & Away in the first place?

So why am I suddenly cutting NYE some slack now, when over the last few years I

haven’t even been able to put together a night of even regular fun-tastic activities, let alone a balls-out NYE boozy bash? Honestly?

It’s not because I’ve stopped hating NYE, oh no - it’s because I hate it so much more than ever. Before, NYE was just annoying: I’d be out having my usual pissed time of things and having everyone else out and about doing the same just clogged up the streets and back alleys for those of us chundering on a professional basis. But now that I’m not getting out there amongst it, it’s so much easier to hate it. I hate the way it allows the riff-raff to get drunk and act like they own the place, I hate the way it allows families to stay up late to “watch the fireworks” - code for “complain about all the drunks scaring the kids” (as if drunks on NYE were a friggin’ surprise) - I hate the way it encourages reflection on the past year (always a bad thing when you’re drinking your life away) and planing for the future (seriously, would I be drinking this much if I wanted to think about the future?), I hate the way it... well, you get the idea. Luckily for me, I love to hate. Hate gives my otherwise entirely drunken life meaning and purpose. Hate is truly the only thing that I do love in this world, and so with each passing day I find myself looking more and more forward to New Year’s Eve. Just don’t come up to me in the street and try to wish me a Happy New Year, because I plan to drink enough to turn me into a spew machine come 2013.

Sure, sometimes I like to try something different. I tried something different last new year’s in fact: I spent New Year’s Eve with people who have kids.

No, not my parents. Yeah yeah yeah, I know it was stupid – hell, I even knew it was stupid at the time, it wasn’t like I started ringing around every person I knew with a kid in October trying to get an invite to their couch or anything. See, I was at this work Christmas party – no, not the Forte party, like they invite me to their secret boozy parties – with a bunch of friends and the free grog was flowing and everyone was having fun and right towards the end one of my buddies said “I’ve decided to have an open house at my place for New Years”, cue everyone cheering and saying what a great idea that was and throwing up… oh wait, that was just me. Anyway, even once I’d sobered up

Why can’t we all just get along?

this sounded like a sweet deal, as pretty much everyone present was a): a good friend and b): someone I didn’t see all that often so twice in one year fell within my tolerance levels. Not to mention they had a decent party house relatively close to public transport in Melbourne, which may not matter to you but trying to walk home to Geelong from Melbourne is the kind of thing you only try two or three times in your life, thanks very much. Basically, I was in, mission accomplished, I can go back to hitting the pre-Xmas piss without having to worry about my NYE plans. Oh right, the kid. Yeah, the people holding the party did happen to have a small child, but he’d be off to bed at what, 10pm at the latest? Hardly worth mentioning.

So time passed, and there was an update about a little change to plans: before the big booze-up, we were all going to another (not quite as close, but I still knew ‘em) friend’s place to watch the fireworks.

Problem: I couldn’t care less about fireworks.

Seriously, what is the massive obsession with firing things off into the sky on New Year’s Eve? After the third or fourth explosion the fun is well and truly over and yet now we’re expected to give a shit about two or three completely separate ten-minute bursts across the evening? They’re just f**king coloured lights people, wrap some cellophane around a light bulb and flick the switch on and off a bunch of times if that’s all it takes to get you off. Solution: the friend’s place we were going to was in fact the friend’s parent’s place, and as his parents are loaded above and beyond even the rich kids I briefly hung out with at university’s wealth and means, I figured if nothing else it’d be worth checking out how the other half live. Well, the other half compared to regular folk who have jobs and such – I’m not exactly sure what their relationship to me would be, but I’m guessing it’d be more like “used gum stuck to our shoe” than anything as complementary to me as “the other half”. Still, the alarm was starting to go off just a little, as these friends did also have a small child and having two kids together automatically means you’re at a children’s party in my experience. But I was told we were just sticking around until 10 or so and then it’d be off to the party house for the actual party. So clearly, there was no cause for worry unless you were, you know, actually paying attention to what was going on.

So I turn up to the penthouse apartment in Toorak and geez louise this was swank spelt with a capital “supervillian lair”. Well, it was largely the view they were paying for, but whatever they were paying for the view certainly made it well worthwhile – ask me about it next time we meet, I’ll show you the pictures. But while I was gawping at the astonishing view of the Melbourne skyline,

For those of you lucky enough not to have heard Guy Sebastian’s latest single ‘Can We All Just Get Along?’ best you go and read Forte’s front page feature.

For those unlucky few, like me, let us delve into this juicy topic of why the world is not a perfect place.

In his soppy ballad, Sebastian wants to know, despite coming from different walks of life, why can’t we all hold hands and sing Kumbaya around a campfire while giggling and talking about unicorns?

I can tell you why very simply. Because, some people, are arseholes.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bashing against Sebastian, he has a voice of an angel and he seems like a genuinely nice guy.

But unfortunately, in a realistic world, we know not everyone will get along, especially when we have the ability to dump someone in 140 characters or less.

It’s way too easy in today’s society to be an arsehole. Once upon a time Sebastian’s yearnings would have been realistic, but in a world of Twitter trolls, anonymous blogs and the ‘Geelong Memes Facebook Page’ what hope have we got?

I was also noticing a few other details – mostly that while the friend who’d originally lured me into this particular New Years Evil web was here, none of our other work chums were. Oh, and while there wasn’t a whole lot of complete strangers here (and the few that were – it was a pretty small gathering – were very nice), they did seem to have kids of their own. In fact, there were as many kids here as grown ups. Oh well, this was meant to be a gathering so the kids could check out the fireworks, presumably the non-child-bearing adults would either show up later or be at the next stage of the party weekend. Right guys? Guys? So come 9.30 I was hammered enough to have entered stage two of my drinking – maintaining rather than building up speed – so when the fireworks went off I managed to keep my sarcastic “whatevers” to the bare minimum. None of the other expected guests had turned up but there had at least been talk of “once the fireworks are over, we’re going” and “[our small child] is about ready to drop off” so hopes were up that once we got back to the party palace things would kick into high gear because really I was barely out of neutral at this stage and being out of the house on NYE does bring with it expectations of a certain level of debauchery. Or at least someone else being drunk close by so I don’t seem quite so creepy. Fireworks wrapped, goodbyes were said, opulence was admired one last time (and seriously, this was a pretty swanky place) and we hit the road! Which was fairly deserted, but who’s out driving at 10pm on New Year’s Eve? Everyone’s already where they want to go and getting loaded, which should have added another level of alarm bell to the many, many ones already ringing, but hey, I was both pleasingly sloshed and a decent guest, so I made no waves as we crossed town. And sure, no-one was already waiting for us at the party Mk2, but obviously they’d be waiting until we arrived before turning up, right? And the parents of a small child would be just raring to start hitting the booze at 10.30 at night, right? WRONG. Which is why this year I am staying home and loading up all by my lonesome. Just like every other night of the year.

Tony “That 50% alcohol content vodka is still in shops – yes!” Montana

And let’s be totally honest, if the world was a perfect place, Sebastian would not have a career. Look at the name of his songs, Don’t Worry Be Happy anyone? Battle Scars? Come on bro!

But hey, it’s Christmas time, Santa is coming so let’s be positive. Maybe one day we all will just get along.

Until then, at least we have Youtube videos of cats and Gotye memes to get us through.

Peace.

END

what the eff?

By Steph

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