Forte #591

YUM !

ISSUE #591 ball ar at | bell arine | Bendigo | ca stlemaine | geelong | surf coa st | warrnambool |

24 / 07/ 2 014

FREE!

circa waves “We basically gorged ourselves on quality meat!� pg.18

KING PARROT pg.31

dick diver

pg.20

kav temperley

pg.20

pretty city

pg.35

melody pool

pg.46

ALSO FEATURING: The Gangsters Ball, Liquid Soul, Mietta, The Obits, Russel Morris, The Space Keys and heaps more!

10 0 % l o c a l ly o w n e d & o p e r at e d

Plus all the latest local entertainment news, music and movie reviews and all your favourite Forte columns!

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in this issue:

forte issue #590 t h u r s d ay 10 j u ly 2 0 14

fo r t e F REE B IE S !

Ph: 03 5229 7969 PO Box 978 Geelong VIC 3220 fortemag.com.au

enquiries@fortemag.com.au Publisher

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McNamara Publishing editor / DIRECTOR

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circa waves

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contributors

dick diver pg.20

king parrot pg.31

pretty city pg.35

MELODY POOL pg.36

Win a double pass to see kav temperley (of Eskimo Joe) at the Beav's Bar, Geelong on August 3 !!

To enter just email your name, and mobile number to luke@fortemag.com.au

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t h e l a t e s t n a t i o n a l & INTERNATIONAL music & enterta inment ne w s

Cast Another Stone With tickets for their shows being snapped up at a healthy rate, Angus & Julia Stone have done what all good musicians do in a situation like this: add more shows. The duo spent time with Rick Rubin on forthcoming release Death Defying Acts (out August 1), so it’s going to be interesting to see what they have concocted.

Fans can also expect to hear all their favourites.

The Palais – September 25 (new show).

Birdman Opens Up

The Voyage of Jenny Lewis Six years after the release of Acid Tongue, former Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis has returned with her new album, The Voyager. Co-produced by Ryan Adams, and featuring three tracks produced by Beck and her partner Jonathan Rice, the album was inspired by the death of her father. Lewis, who suffered a severe bout of insomnia following the release of Acid Tongue, calls The Voyager “the hardest one I ever made”.

Architects Riding the Wave In what will be their first headlining run since 2010, British metalcore outfit Architects have lined up a handful of dates that kick off at the end of next month. Dubbed the Let the Ocean Take Me tour, the run of shows will cast an eye on their recent album, Lost Forever // Lost Together. The album is the band’s sixth studio release since their formation in 2004. Not a bad effort at all. Festival Hall – August 31 & The Corner – September 1.

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Despite blockbusters around us, there remain other films causing just as much talk. One such being the Michel Keaton project Birdman.

Described as a “meta dark comedy”, Birdman stars Keaton as a washedup actor who once played the iconic superhero of the film’s title. Variety has reported that the film is set to open the Venice Film Festival. A clip is available online if you are curious.

Baldwin’s Impossible Mission Deadline has reported that Alec Baldwin is set to appear in the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Sometimes

overshadowed by his personal problems, Baldwin will apparently play the head of the CIA and the man in charge of seeing Ethan Hunt’s (Tom Cruise) IMF operations. Baldwin is also set to appear in an untitled football drama starring Will Smith.

A Testament to Christopher Owens Former Girls frontman Christopher Owens has revealed details about his new solo album, A New Testament. The album is the quick follow-up to 2013’s Lysandre.

According to Pitchfork, the album features contributions from John Anderson, Darren Weiss and Danny Eisenberg, all of whom the singersongwriter shared time with in Girls. A New Testament is due for release late September.

Guilty Simpson & Katalyst It can feel pretty good to be number one. It looks as though Aussies are going to be the first (or at least among the first) to hear some new tunes from the partnership of Detroit-based Guilty Simpson and Sydneybred Katalyst. The two have previously worked together on the Quakers EP, but a very hush-hush

full-length album has been in the works. That one is due next year.

Laundry Bar – August 8.

Kick Out the Jams With a catalogue featuring 18 UK Top 40 singles, The Jam was a powerhouse throughout their time in the sun.

Now, Bruce Foxton, bassist for the punk and new wave mods, has the gig going again under the moniker From The Jam – and he is bringing them to town next year.

Expect to hear hits including ‘Town Called Malice’ and ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight’, as well as Foxton solo numbers.

The Prince – March 6.

There’s a Lot to Like It would seem there is a lot of love (perhaps like) for Josh Thomas and his series Please Like Me. As you may well know, the second series is due to begin August 12 (9.30 p.m. on ABC2). It has also been commissioned for a third series, which is not bad at all for a show that received mixed reviews upon its debut. Please Like Me also received a screening at the Series Mania Television Festival in Paris.

Bone Thugsn-Harmony Australia, it would seem, has a very healthy appetite when it comes to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

Since 2010 the hip hop heavyweights have sold out 40 shows on our shores. With eighteen months since their last stretch here, just enough time has passed to work up that appetite once again.

Formed in the early nineties, the band has album sales in excess of 30 million. The Espy – August 9.

An Appetite for Pop Known by their nickname The Poppies, Pop Will Eat Itself will make their first trip to our shores in two decades.

Known in part for their sample-driven music, the band would score their biggest hit in 1993 with ‘Get the Girl! Kill the Baddies!’. These days the line-up features original member Graham Crabb, Mary Byker (Gaye Bykers on Acid), Jason Bowld (Pitchshifter), Tim Muddiman and Davey Bennett. The Hi-Fi - September 7.

Kicked to the Curb Fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm have at least faint hope that there will be more awkward times ahead.

During a HBO summer press tour, programming president Michael Lombardo revealed a recent conversation between himself and series creator Larry David.

Michael: “I said, ‘So, David, should I emotionally get Curb out of my head?’ And he goes, ‘No, no, no, no, no.’ … As long as he’s thinking about it, we still have a place for it.”

Here’s hoping.

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t h e l a t e s t n a t i o n a l & INTERNATIONAL music & enterta inment ne w s

Joy, oh Vance Joy Here’s something you probably already know but I am going to tell you anyway – Vance Joy has given his fans some great news by announcing details of his debut album. Titled Dream Your Life Away, the album is due to hit stores September 5. The eagerly awaited release was recorded in the US with Ryan Hadlock, whose impressive credits include Foo Fighters and The Lumineers. And fear not, my friends, the album features ‘Riptide’.

The Familiarity of Ree Nay Melbourne-based songwoman Ree Nay has a few dates lined up next month as the warmness of her EP Seen You Before continues to be felt. Recorded with James Kempster, the EP was released late 2013.

With country as its heart and folk as its soul, the EP tells stories of life growing up in Darwin. Ree Nay is inspired by artists including Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor and Dolly Parton. Whole Lotta Love – August 9.

Inside Bernard Sumner Chapter and Verse (New Order, Joy Division and Me) is the forthcoming autobiography of Bernard Sumner. Set for release in September, the book offers a “vivid and illuminating” account of Sumner’s

Hubba Bubba Gubba Last year saw Sydneysider Jonathan Boulet ship off to Germany. The move worked for him, as he returns with album number three in Gubba. According to the presser: “Gubba is entirely self-produced and bludgeons like a doom record sped up to garage-punk tempos. Gubba is faster, heavier and more direct than its predecessors. Gubba is pop music with a scummy outer later.” NSC – August 15.

childhood and musical footprint. The press for the book continues: “Sometimes moving, often hilarious and occasionally completely out of control, this is a tale populated by some of the most colourful and creative characters in music history.”

Westworld Begins Described as “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin”, Westworld is the upcoming new series from J.J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan.

A pilot for the series, which is based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi film about a robotic theme park, was given the green light last August. Nolan is writing the pilot with Lisa Joy (Burn Notice).

He will also direct.

The World of Gotham Australia receiving US content within hours of its US screening is something fans of the hotly anticipated Gotham series will be pinning their hopes on. Created by Bruno Heller (The Mentalist) and based on characters appearing in DC Comics, Gotham is making people very, very excited.

Well, it looks as though its US debut is Monday, September 22, sharing its premiere with the second series of Sleepy Hollow.

29 & The Reverence Hotel – August 30.

Can You Hear Gunshots?

2 Tone ska revival band The Selecter will mark their 35th anniversary with a tour of our fine country. The original line-up only lasted a short time. Their second run lasted a lot longer, from 1991 to 2006. Pauline Black and Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson formed another incarnation of the band in 2010.

The Selecter was one of the most successful bands of the 2 Tone era.

The Hi-Fi – October 18 & The Caravan Club – October 19.

Okay, so we’ve heard it all before, but apparently Guns N’ Roses are close to releasing their new album. Speaking with Rolling Stone, keyboardist Dizzy Reed said: “If the new record is not done, then it’s close to being done. I think it’s just a matter of picking out which songs will be on it.” Reed was also asked about the direction of the new record, to which he replied it would be “congruent with Chinese Democracy”.

They still have a few years on that one.

Rain on the Walls After doing all they could do in New Zealand, rock quartet These Four Walls made the move to sunny Gold Coast. In New Zealand they managed to score two Top 40 albums and two Top 10 rock singles, and they’re hoping they can follow suit here.

Their latest release is the single ‘Rain’, lifted from their album Living to Write the End. Star Hotel – August

Making the Right Selection

Andy Bull Approves Andy Bull has been performing in Sydney for over a decade and gained enough attention early on that he supported Norah Jones on her 2007 tour. That opportunity came before he even released a single. His debut, ‘Small Town Girl’, would not be released until August 2008. He has since released two albums, including this year’s Sea of Approval. And approval it has received.

The Corner – September 27.

Eclectic Sounds of Juana Molina Her father, Horacio Molina, is a successful Tango singer and composer; her mother an actress and music lover, so it is little surprise that Juana followed in the creative footsteps of her parents. Juana was a comedic television actress in Argentina before devoting her time to music. She has released six albums, including her latest, 2013’s Wed 21. Her music covers everything from electro to folk to jazz. Thornbury Theatre – September 26.

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ON TI SA CKE LE TS jackie NOW!

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les murray l

ham

Escape to the beautiful city of Bendigo this Winter, we’re just 1.5 hours north of Melbourne and we’re warming up for an exciting festival this year!

To book your tickets for the festival, call the Box Office on 03 5434 6100 or purchase online at bendigowritersfestival.com.au

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Full program details are available for download on our website.

Why not make a weekend of it and experience all Bendigo has to offer? For accommodation enquiries visit www.bendigotourism.com

THE THU 24 JULY BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Dave Anderson BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc) - Live and Local, $13 Pizza night EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night EUREKA: Thirsty Thursday with local resident DJ’S GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Kids Eat Free GOLDEN VINE HOTEL (Bendigo): Flyying Colours, Sparrow and the Spark LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard PISTOL PETE: Shannon Bourne MARTIANS CAFE: $20 International Night including drink NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB: The Acid THE MAX HOTEL: $14 Parmi night, InnQUIZitive Trivia from 7.30pm till 10.30pm, amazing prizes, call to book your team’s spot ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: 6pm Jazz n’ Blues THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13

FRI 25 JULY 170 RUSSELL: Grouplove THE BABUSHKA CAFE AND LOUNGE (Ballarat): Kyle Taylor THE BARWON CLUB: The Sinking Teeth, Jhave/Hold, A Gazillion Angry Mexicans THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Luke Biscan BENDED: Abe Anderson BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: Phil Para Band THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Roostar, Mick Trembath CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ DING DONG: King Parrot EDGE GEELONG:

fo r t n i gh t l y c al e n d a r Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday FORUM THEATRE: Metronomy GPAC: Jimeoin 8pm THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Fully Loaded HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs, Steve Camp, Simon One, Keith Evans & DJC HIFI (Melbourne): Pelican LAMBYS: Bedrock THE LOFT (Warrnambool): The Singles THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm THE MAIN BAR (Ballarat): The Yearlings THE MAX: Trojan NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB: The Wild Feathers ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Lukey Luke OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): DJ Desperately Seeking PISTOL PETES: Rory Ellis, Andrew Toner PRINCE BANDROOM: Phantogram, Mas Ysa UNWINED CELLAR BAR: The Recliners with BBQ WHEREVER (Bendigo): Null

SAT 26 JULY AIREY’S PUB (Aireys Inlet): Live Music THE BARWON CLUB: King Parrot, The Kremlings, Athena’s Wake, Toxicon, Barbarion BEAVS BAR: Steve Pianto THE BELLARINE: HARVESTER MOON BENDED: Stone Trees BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live Music and Happy Hour 5-7pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes, Dan Waters, The Weeping Willows THE CORNER: Skaters, Darlia EDGE: Live Music and DJ THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Thom HOMEHOUSE: Upstairs: Kalus, Rimmy Downstairs: Best RNB & hip hop with DJ Reque LAMBYS: Stellar LIGHTHOUSE

THEATRE (WARNAMBOOL): The Fabulous Delltones 8pm THE LOFT (Warrnambool): The Harlots MARTIANS CAFE: Roesy THE MAX: Frequency THE NEWMARKET (Bendigo): Live Bands OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Michelle Parsons PIPING HOT CHICKEN SHOP: Dave STeel and Tiffany Eckhardt (CD Launch) PISTOL PETES: OM & The Pea, Matt O’Dwyer UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Steve Thew WHISPERS: Coming up: DJ’s including Aston shuffle, Andy Murohy, Ruby Rose, John Dahlback, Slice n Dice, Jam Xpress, New World Sound, Jack n Jill, Mic Newman, Apocalypto, John Course, Zoolanda, Jebu, Jane Daffy, Butters, Generik, Tigerlily, Hey Sam, Katt Niall

SUN 27 JULY 13TH BEACH GOLF CLUB (Barwon Heads): Jazz in July 1pm BEAVS BAR: Flyying Colours, Pretty City, The Laughing Leaves BENDED: Acoustic Sunday sessions, Smack frog Trio BIRD ROCK CAFÉ (Jan Juc): Kids Eat Free 3:30-6:30, Steak and Parma Night, Happy Hour 5-6pm BLACK HATT: Acoustic Avenue THE BRIDGE HOTEL (Castlemaine) Railroad Rex & The Hapless Brakemen CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night ETCH GALLERY & STUDIOS: Singing and songwriting workshop with Megan Donchi and Tristen Bird 5-7pm GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch KAROVA LOUNGE (BALLARAT): King Parrot, Eyes Wide Open, The Arbiter, Bury Me in Autumn LAMBYS: Adam 12

THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Rhys Crimmin OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Sons of May THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17

MON 28 JULY BARWON CLUB: $10 Parmis BENDED: Steak night ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night ETCH GALLERY & STUDIOS: Ukelele Group Lessons 6.30-8pm GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won!

LORD NELSON HOTEL: Parmi & Pot for $15 on presentation of student I.D PALAIS THEATRE: Foster the People THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11

TUE 29 JULY BENDED: Parmi night BLACK HATT: Bachata Dance Classes THE CORNER: Jungle ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Kids Eat Free PISTOL PETES: Open Mic Night WHEREVER (Bendigo): Nina Las Vegas

WED 30 JULY THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke and Dave Anderson BENDED: Second chance & pub quiz BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Shit Trivia Mexican Night BLACK HATT: Cuban Salsa Dance Classes ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Trivia Night from 8pm. Have fun win prizes book a table GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Spinning Wheel and a lot of Parmi’s from $14.50 HOWLER: Ry X PISTOL PETES: N.O.L.A Night, all

things New Orleans and Louisiana TORQUAY HOTEL: James Reyne

THU 31 JULY BARWON HEADS HOTEL: The Beards, Frankie Wallnut BEAVS BAR: Andy Forster BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live and Local, $13 Pizza night THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Jackson McLaren, Soda Eaves, Sam Wright EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night EUREKA: Thirsty Thursday with Joel Fletcher GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Kids Eat Free GPAC: Take Me Home - The Music and Life of John Denver 8pm THE KAROVA LOUNGE (BALLARAT): Coolio THE LOFT (WARNAMBOOL): Salsa and Latin Street Dance Classes LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard THE MAX HOTEL: $14 Parmi night, InnQUIZitive Trivia from 7.30pm till 10.30pm, amazing prizes, call to book your team’s spot MARTIANS CAFE: $20 International Night including drink ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Jazz n’ Blues PISTOL PETE: Shannon Bourne WHEREVER (Bendigo): Indian Summer

FRI 1 AUGUST THE BARWON CLUB: Obits (USA), The Peep Tempel, Kids of Zoo THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Jack Harmen BENDED: Kristy Wilson BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: River Snake THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Steve Lane & The Autocrats, The Steinbecks

CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: Live DJs THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Figjam HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs, Steve Camp, Simon One, Keith Evans & DJC LAMBYS: Tackleberry LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (Warrnambool):Warrnambool College’s The Wedding Singer 7.30pm THE LOFT (WARNAMBOOL): Pretty City THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm THE MAX: Rock Dogs OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Performance Night PISTOL PETES: Chris Wilson UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Paella Night, Flamenco Fusion WHEREVER (Bendigo): Alison Wonderland, Renz

SAT 2 AUGUST AIREY’S PUB (Aireys Inlet): Live Music THE BARWON CLUB: Glitter Gang BEAVS BAR: Steve Pianto BENDED: Dave Anderson BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live Music, Happy Hour 5-7pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Pretty City, The Astros EDGE: Live Music and DJ GOLD MINES HOTEL (Bendigo): Game of Thrones Dinner GPAC: The 80’s #1 Hits Show 8pm THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: North vs Geelong Live HOME HOUSE: Upstairs: Keesh, JDG Downstairs: Best RNB & hip hop with Deejay A.K KAROVA LOUNGE (BALLARAT): Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe) LAMBYS: Stellar THE LOFT

(WARNAMBOOL): Jackson McLaren, Soda Eve’s THE MAX: Wooshka THE NEWMARKET (Bendigo): Live Bands OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Top Jimmy PISTOL PETES: Jarrod Shaw REVERANCE HOTEL: Obits, The Stevens, Freak Wave, Deep Heat UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Open Mic with Dave Dorman WHISPERS: Coming up: DJ’s including Aston shuffle, Andy Murohy, Ruby Rose, John Dahlback, Slice n Dice, Jam Xpress, New World Sound, Jack n Jill, Mic Newman, Apocalypto, John Course, Zoolanda, Jebu, Jane Daffy, Butters, Generik, Tigerlily, Hey Sam, Katt Niall

SUN 3 AUGUST THE BABUSHKA CAFE AND LOUNGE (Ballarat): Derby Girls Breakup THE BARWON CLUB: Mason, Harlott, Damnations Day, Parts Unknown BEAVS BAR: Kav Temperley BENDED: Acoustic Sunday sessions, Smack Frog Trio BIRD ROCK CAFÉ (Jan Juc): Kids Eat Free 3:30-6:30, Steak and Parma Night, Happy Hour 3:30-5:30 CAPITOL THEATRE (Bendigo): Russell Morris CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch LAMBYS: Snack Attack OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Jessey Jackson THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17

MON 4 AUGUST THE BARWON CLUB: $10 Parmis BENDED: Steak night COSTA HALL: Bob Brown on Optimism 7pm ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night

GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won!

GPAC: Geelong Schools Music and Movement Festival 1pm LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (WARNAMBOOL): Australian Ballet presents the Dancers Company Classical Triple Bill 7.30pm LORD NELSON HOTEL: Parmi & Pot for $15 on presentation of student I.D THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11

TUE 5 AUGUST BENDED: Parmi night BLACK HATT: Bachata Dance Classes ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Kids Eat Free GPAC: Geelong Schools Music and Movement Festival 9.30am 1pm LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (WARNAMBOOL): Bethany Arthouse Film ‘The Void’ 8pm PISTOL PETES: Open Mic Night

WED 6 AUGUST THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Kareoke with Luke Biscan BENDED: Second chance & pub quiz BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Shit Trivia Mexican Night BLACK HATT: Cuban Salsa Dance Classes ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Trivia Night from 8pm. Have fun win prizes book a table GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Spinning Wheel and a lot of Parmi’s from $14.50 GPAC: Geelong Schools Music and Movement Festival 9.30am 1pm 7pm, Highway of Lost Hearts PISTOL PETES: N.O.L.A Night, all things New Orleans and Louisiana

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Circa Waves FEATURE STORY Written by Paul McBride

There are bands who have meteoric rises, and the English indie-rock quartet Circa Waves who are set to play Splendour in the Grass are one such band. When they wrote, recorded and uploaded their single ‘Young Chasers’ to SoundCloud in a single day, they didn’t expect much to happen. That very night, it was picked up and played on the biggest radio station in the UK, and the young band hasn’t looked back since.

“It was definitely a freak occurrence,” says drummer Sian Plummer. “That’s not the norm for us by any means. I think it was just knowing the right person at the right time at Radio 1 that helped it get played that evening. It really helped that Radio 1 was so keen to help champion young, new music and they were quite eager to give us a push. But [getting it played on] the first day was quite an achievement [laughs].”

Sudden national exposure led to a flurry of songwriting and touring for the band, before a deal was inked with Dew Process.

“We all met at a festival in Liverpool called Sound City,” Plummer says. “We were all there and we were all bored with our respective bands. So we decided we’ll start a band with the aim of playing Sound City next year, and instead of doing that we ended up getting signed and touring the world. To celebrate we just went out and had massive steak dinners in this really posh restaurant.

We basically gorged ourselves on quality meat.”

They’ve existed for barely a year, in which they’ve

toured incessantly, so it’s understandable that not all the members of the band have had a chance to reflect and plan for the gigs ahead. When asked how much he knows about Splendour in the Grass, Plummer laughs.

“We’re a bit sketchy on the details – can you fill me in?” he says. “Australia, the idea that people are listening to our music on the other side of the world is an unreal scenario to think about. I don’t even know what’s happening over there. I can’t quite process the idea that people are hearing our music and are sort of down with it, so we’re looking forward to coming over and seeing firsthand. It’s really exciting. To be honest, we’re just pretty stoked to be going to Australia, so we haven’t thought far enough ahead to be considering festivals and club shows.

“I guess I’m excited to see what an Australian club show is like; how you guys react and whether it goes off. Festivals are amazing as well. There’s this whole other side of playing to a crowd in a tent that is just a unique feeling, so we’re looking forward to both.”

The band has just released their debut self-

titled EP in time for an airing at Splendour and a run of shows supporting Metronomy.

“We’re just about there right now,” Plummer says.

“We’ve got enough material for at least a 45-minute set now. We’re sort of still perfecting our set and have been over the past six months, so I think we’ve got a good setlist together now and we can fill that time. Then obviously Kieran [Shudall, guitar/vocals] does loads of stand-up comedy between each song, so that takes about ten minutes between each song in the set [laughs].”

Despite being praised by British music press and hailed as a “buzz” band and ones-to-watch, Circa Waves are keen on winning fans the old-fashioned way, Plummer insists.

“We did the NME tour, and that was a strange one,” he says. “It didn’t sell as well as it could have done but they’ve been really supportive and we really appreciate having anyone like that championing us and getting our name out there. In terms of getting us out there, it’s invaluable.

Being played on Radio 1 is the best place to get heard, but from our point of view it’s all about the live shows; going to people’s towns and playing is the important thing.

“That’s the way we’ve always got out there and got known. If people haven’t seen us play and don’t know what we’re about live they’re not going to know what it is we’re about. We’re keen to spread that message.”

While their touring schedule appears unending, a band that does things as quickly as Circa Waves

isn’t going to wait years to put out an album.

“We’ve just finished recording our album a couple of weeks ago,” Plummer says. “We went into a studio for about five weeks and laid down quite a lot of tracks.

Bit by bit we’re going to start mixing them in and showcasing them live. We’ve amassed quite a bit of material in the last six months. Ideally we’re looking at an early next year release, and before then play live in as many places as we can. It’s a pretty raw sounding album in many ways. It’s not an overly-produced record; we’ve tried to keep post-production to a minimum, and it’s got quite a live feel to it in places as well, as some of the takes were done completely live. It’s about capturing and conveying a lot of the energy of us live.

“I think we’ve managed to get something that sounds pretty cool as well. We get a lot of comparisons to the Strokes and that’s a great comparison to have but it doesn’t tell the whole story. We’re influenced by the Strokes, but I don’t think we sound like the Strokes, and what we’ve tried to do on this record is to convey who Circa Waves are and how we sound and I think that’s massively important. We’re looking forward to getting it out there and showing everybody what we’re about.”

When&Where: The Forum – July 25 (supporting Metronomy) & Splendour in the Grass - July 25-27

Staff and Management of the EMC Group Geelong strongly enforce a no-drug policy. Enjoy great music & drinks whilst staying drug-free.

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Dick Diver Written by Amanda Sherring

Normally you wouldn’t associate an indie alternative band with a classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald, political statements or a muchawaited charity concert, but Dick Diver just so happens to be all three. Formed by Rupert Edwards and Alistair McKay, Dick Diver is a band full of surprises and their name is simply the first of many in what we assume will be a long career ahead.

“Dick Diver is a character from a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. He wrote a book called Tender is the Night, which was kind of his last finished book before he totally destroyed himself with alcohol and excess. I read it years and years ago and I thought it would be a good name, but I think I was wrong on that point.

But anyway, we’re stuck with it now,” Rupert says.

While many people may question the depth of indie singers hitting the triple j airwaves of today, there’s no denying that this band has a little bit more substance than most. The band has most recently joined the line-up for the Heart of St Kilda Concert, which aims to raise $20,000 for the Sacred Heart Mission’s kitchen.

“We’re in a position where we can help out in that way. Playing our own shows can feel a little self-indulgent at times, so helping in this way is awesome,” he says.

And charity isn’t the only thing that Dick Diver dabbles in. They’ve also been ones to throw in a few political statements here and there, after a set at Meredith last year that involved cardboard cut-outs of Donald Trump, Clive Palmer, Gina Rinehart and Rupert Murdoch doing an interpretive dance on climate change.

“I think we were a bit nervous because we had played Golden Plains earlier in the year and we felt like we had to do something a bit different.

And that idea came about pretty naturally and easily,” Rupert says.

Though politics creeps into their performances their lyrics are a little bit more simple and closer to home.

We’ve all picked up a TV Week and shopped at IGA supermarket, and the Dick Diver members are by no means exempt from those experiences.

“I guess there’s a desire there to write songs that reflect our lives without falling into easy sentiment,” he says. We just write about things. The songs really reflect whatever we want to say regardless of whatever people will say about us.”

They mightn’t be famous just yet, but after Calendar Days was labelled The Guardian’s best Australian release for

When&Where: Heart of St Kilda Concert, Palais Theatre – August 13

2013 Dick Diver can’t be too far off.

“It was totally unexpected. I didn’t have any ambition or even think about that stuff when we made it or released it. So of course all that stuff is totally flattering and really nice, and I can’t say I don’t enjoy it,” Rupert says.

Surprisingly, even with their achievements so soon in their career their day-to-day life has been relatively

unaffected. Sure, more people are attending their gigs and buying their albums, but they all still hold on to their 9 to 5 jobs. While there are some people who have slotted Dick Diver into the “dole wave” genre, all fourband members actually hold full time jobs.

Rupert is a high school teacher, McKay works in an office job, Montfort in a chocolate factory and Hughes is an illustrator.

But when faced with the question of

Liquid Soul Q&A

A lifetime of passion can be heard in the sounds of Switzerland’s Nicola Capobianco, otherwise known as Liquid Soul. Addicted to electronic music from an early age, Nicola made his first steps into the progressive trance world over twenty years ago.

Hey Liquid Soul, thanks for taking some time to have a chat with Forte Magazine. For those who aren’t familiar with who you are, can you briefly describe your style and what it is you do?

I am Nicola Capobianco, aka Liquid Soul, DJ/ producer/progressive psytrance from Switzerland. I started deejaying in 1993 as a very young kid, and two to three years later I started to produce my first tracks.

At about 18 I was already playing at major Euro-trance events in Switzerland until I decided to start my new project as Liquid Soul. Meanwhile I released over 100 tracks and four albums, and won the Beatport award for the ‘Best Psytrance Track’ in 2009 and in 2010.

I achieved my biggest success by winning the prize of the ‘Best Beatport Artist’ and ‘Best Beatport Track’ at the DJ Awards in Ibiza in psytrance categories.

What have you been up to lately and where are you right now?

At the moment I’m working on my upcoming 120-min continuous DJ mix Full on Fluoro Vol.4 on Perfecto Records, which will be released in August 2014 on Beatport, iTunes etc.

What do you think of the Australian trance music

scene? Do you have any favourites?

I think Australians are very openminded in regard to music and art. I have always been impressed by the colourful people at parties and always feel a good connection with the crowd and the organisers. For me it’s always been a big pleasure to play at such great festivals.

Besides the amazing festivals such as Strawberry Fields, Earthcore or Rainbow Serpent, Australia has some really unique and talented artists such as Freq and Sun Control Species, who I really love!

What made you decide to transition from being a DJ to the project producer?

I just felt I could do more than just deejaying in order to be more creative and express my feeling through my own productions.

You won the ‘Best Psychedelic Trance Beatport Artist’, ‘Best Psychedelic Trance Beatport Track’ and the ‘Psychedelic Trance DJ Award’ in Ibiza all in 2010. Tell us about that!

2010 was definitely a great year for me and it showed me that I chose the right path over the last 20 years. And of course it’s amazing to win all those prizes. It gave me a lot of motivation and respect. I am very thankful to experience all that.

How do you balance your label

When&Where: Earthcore, Pyalong - 27 Nov to 1 Dec

Mikrokosmos Records with your projects Liquid Soul, Sleek and Earsugar?

Well, to be honest it’s hard to keep all those projects alive as I’ve became too busy these last few years with my Liquid Soul project. But there are many almost finished tracks of Sleek, which I run just for fun, to have the freedom to do some low-BPM productions, which contain a lot of different styles from experimental deep-house to banging techno.

You’ve been around for a while. What are some big changes you have seen in the industry?

Basically everything became more professional, bigger and faster. It has its good and bad side, but I am happy that I don’t need to sleep in a tent behind the stage anymore.

In your long history of touring you’ve been to some pretty amazing corners of the world.

Where has been your favourite place to play?

That’s a very hard question as I have been to so many beautiful places. But my personal

what genre they are, Rupert is reluctant to answer. Hopefully with their next album, which they are currently working on, they can kick the dreaded “dole wave” tag.

“I read something the other day where someone was saying that you can’t describe your own thing because you’re with it all the time and that only other people can identify it,” he says.

highlight was Ozora 2011 when I had the privilege to close the festival as a surprise act. It was just mind-blowing and I will never forget that! (youtube. com/watch?v=m7U0-KbQ2Ek) What do you think of the Australian crowd? Do we know how to party?

Absolutely yes! The crowd always surprise me with their energy and creativity. They seems to love three days of non-stop dancing at the festivals and partying like there’s no tomorrow.

Are you excited to be playing at Earthcore?

I am very excited as it’s my first time with Earthcore. I have heard only good things about it and I’m really looking forward for my set.

You teamed up recently with Ace Ventura, who is also playing Earthcore.

What was it like working with him?

I met him around 10 years back for the first time and we liked each other straight away and soon after produced our first few tracks together. Nowadays we play together as Liquid Ace from time to time and it’s always a pleasure for us. As he will move to my country [Switzerland] soon, we will for sure spend more time together and will produce new tracks.

Before we finish up, is there anything you’d like to add?

I just want to thank all the amazing people and promoters for the great time I have had up and down and hope the scene will keep the vibe as real as it is now!

Kav Temperley Written by Zach Broadhurst

In celebration of the tenth anniversary of Eskimo Joe’s A Song is a City, frontman Kav Temperley is hitting the road and playing the entire album start to finish – just himself and an acoustic guitar.

“I went down to a café called The X-Ray. I often go down there and do little anonymous acoustic sets or whatever I feel like doing and they are kind enough to let me take over from time to time,” says Temperley. “Earlier in the year I realised that it was ten years since A Song is a City came out, so I decided to grab an acoustic guitar and set up down there and play the album from start to finish. It was just really lovely and I’d forgotten just how well that album plays through on an acoustic guitar. I had all these tweets like ‘why don’t you come do that here’, and I thought maybe I will.”

Along with playing, Temperley will be pausing to reveal the inspirations and backstories behind each of the songs, as well as playing covers of songs that influenced his writing at the time.

“With this format I can just talk and interact and tell the stories, and that to me can be as much a part of the shows as the songs,” explains Temperley. “Also, everyone who comes to the shows, I’ve done a little acoustic covers EP of songs that inspired the songs on A Song is a City, so I’m going to come out afterwards and give people their CDs and talk to them.”

These shows are not just about Temperley 20 forte

“ If you do your job properly as a songwriter, once you put that song out there you create this kind of mirror for people to get their own stories out of it.” or Eskimo Joe, they are also about the crowd sharing their memories and stories that have formed around the band’s music.

“I really hope people will rock up with merch that they bought from that era, or photos, and I just want to talk to people about their experience with the record,” says Temperley. “If you do your job properly as a songwriter, once you put that song out there you create this kind of mirror for people to get their own stories out of it.”

As for what to expect from these upcoming shows, outside of the songs not even Temperley is sure what will happen from night to night.

“I know how to play the songs and I can do that, but I don’t really

know what else happens,” says Temperley. “I’m just going to let that spontaneously come out of me, so you’ll have to come along and see exactly what happens because I don’t really know either.”

What’s for certain is this is an unmissable experience for all Eskimo Joe fans, especially those wanting to reminisce on the band and their own lives 10 years ago.

“Hopefully they are coming along because they were a fan of A Song is a City because that’s really what it’s about,” says Temperley. “It’s about coming and listening to one of your favourite albums played in order from start to finish, and played in a raw format with just a voice and a guitar.

“There is something about the album A Song is a City where Eskimo Joe fans will always say ‘that’s my favourite album’. People took that album into their life and made it a very personal thing for them, and that’s pretty amazing.”

When&Where: NSC, Melbourne – August 1; The Karova, Ballarat – August 2; & Beav’s Bar, Geelong – August 3

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mietta

ambrosia on pako

“At the end of the session, I was pumped with endorphins, dripping with sweat and knew I had to get this great concept to Geelong.” pg.27

“If I’m completely honest with you, it’s been a bloody stressful time. There have been so many things to organise for this tour but it is exciting” pg.28

“In Europe and the Middle East that’s pretty much what we all do. We all just put it in the middle and everyone makes up their own plate.” pg.31

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king parrot “We did SXSW this year and believe me, there’s nothing more hectic than that.

We played forty-five shows in all.” pg.31

Too Cool Coolio

Proud Rivalries

Mirth at Meredith

Don’t forget that Coolio kicks off his Aussie tour with a date at The Karova, Ballarat on July 31. The artist, composer and actor (oh yeah, and chef ) still holds the record for having one of the best-selling singles of all time with 1995’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’. The tour comes around a year after he was forced to cancel an Australian visit due to visa issues.

It all started when Zac Norris, Alex Moorcroft and Aaron Saunders, three guys from pop punk bands in the Newcastle area, decided they wanted to play something a little heavier.

So they started jamming, recruited James O’Hearn, and got down to business. Presented

by Destruct Agency and The Artery Foundation, Rivalries hit the road next month with a helping hand from SA outfit Pridelands. The Edge Hotel, Mildura – August 16. (AA)

Does everyone know what time it is? It’s Meredith time. Yay! The ballot for this year’s festival is open so I don’t know why you’re still reading this. To enter the ballot, head across to mmf.com.au and do what you have to do before 9:47 p.m. on Monday, August 11. In terms of music, the early bird treat is The War on Drugs. Meredith takes place across December 12, 13 & 14. Hop to it.

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Healers of Hurt Tour Music can be a great healer. So often we can find comfort in music when all else seems to fail. Next month, Marisa Quigley, Dean Haitani, Talisa Jobe and Skip will join forces to play three very special shows to warm the heart. Marisa Quigley, as well as fronting rhythm ’n’ blues outfit Chubby Rae & the Elevators, has carved out a solid career as a solo performer. Her honours include a ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ gong at the 2007 Australian Blues Music Awards. From the healing team: “If you find your heart is full of mixed emotions then this is definitely for you.

Four different artists on stage at the same time going song for song and sharing stories of pain and laughter.”

The Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo – August 8; The Bridge, Castlemaine – August 9; and Babushka, Ballarat – August 10.

Morning Has Broken The end of segregation and hula hooping in the same story is how we welcome Ryan Sweeney, known these days as Roostar. Born and raised in South Africa, Ryan saw the end of segregation play out during his teen years. In his early twenties he headed for London, forming the much-loved acoustic rockers Hubbard. After the band’s split, Ryan continued as a solo artist under the name Roostar. He then moved to Australia in 2004, living in Melbourne, then in Castlemaine, and now back in Melbourne again. He has released four solo albums and played alongside Midnight Oil, Spiderbait, Magic Dirt and Regurgitator. Oh, and he was once drafted by the Dandy Warhols for hula hooping duties at Parklife. The Bridge, Castlemaine – July 25 & Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs – August 24.

The Real Russell Morris ‘The Real Thing’ was recorded by Russell Morris in 1969 and stands as one of the most well-known Australian songs of all time. In 2001 the track secured its place in the Australasian Performing Rights Association’s Top 30 Australian Songs of All Time and in 2013 was inducted into the National Film and Sound Archive’s Sounds of Australia.

While it is undoubtedly Morris’ most familiar 24 forte

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work, to ignore his other work would be unfair. He has been in the game since 1966 with the formation of Somebody’s Image.

Throughout the late sixties and early seventies, Morris had five Top 10 singles.

His latest album is Van Diemen’s Land. The Capital, Bendigo – August 3 & The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong – August 9.

Something is Bugging Obits Brooklyn-based musicmakers Obits are back for their second tour of Australia. What do they do? They play music in the areas of garage, punk and surf. You can call ’em surf-punk if you like. Garage-punk works, too. Just don’t be calling them surfgarage. The lads have a new album to show off, last year’s Bed & Bugs, the third in their career.

From the presser: “There are scenes and there are connections; trending hashtags and experiences. It’s cool, these are not either/or propositions and there’s no need to postulate any us vs. any them, the kids today and the back in my day. Much of what’s best about any music, all art, across genres, within and beyond the latest craze, is the way it speaks to some definition of ‘us’.”

The Barwon Club, Geelong – August 1.

Ash Grunwald’s Home Run He has been tearing it up in Nashville and recently signed with the US-based Agency Group (The Pogues, Dead Kennedys), but Ash Grunwald has his sights set on a lengthy Australian run. In case you didn’t know Ash, along with his pal Xavier Rudd, enjoyed a run of shows in the US. Among those who got caught up in his blues powers was No Country for New Nashville, who wrote: “Grunwald’s blend of blues is entirely different than what you might find in a small club here in Nashville; it was easy to tell that the audience immediately picked up on the fact that this wasn’t just any blues musician.” It is due recognition for a man who has been kicking out the blues for some 10 years now. The Vine, Bendigo – August 21 & The Torquay Hotel, Torquay – August 30.

A Caffeine Kick for Lachlan Bryan Black Coffee is the new pick-me-up album from alt-country singer-

At War with Kingswood Well, here is some exciting news. Following a chat with the triple j crew, Melbourne rockers Kingswood will be hitting the road next month for an extensive run of shows in support of their debut album, Microscopic Wars. The album was recorded in Nashville’s Blackbird Studios with Vance Powell, known for his fine work at Jack Black’s Third Man Studios. In their chat with the j gang, Fergus Linacre and Alex Laska from the band told The Doctor the album features the debut lead vocal appearance of Alex: “There are two interesting things on this track. We have a Moog Synthesiser – the Little Fatty – all over the record, and people will be like ‘WHAT?’ but, like, deal with it. And, here’s the biggest one: I’m not singing on it. It’s Alex – he’s always sung for Kingswood, but usually he does harmonies. He has a deep brooding voice. I can’t get down that low. We’re trying to bring sexy back to rock and roll.” The track in question is ‘I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me’, so check it out if you haven’t already. The Karova, Ballarat – October 17; Torquay Hotel, Torquay – October 18; and The Loft, Warrnambool – October 23. Microscopic Wars is due for release August 22.

The Dawning of Jackson McLaren Sometimes your music just has to find the right ears. And so it was that, at the age of 17, Warrnambool’s Jackson McLaren found a fan in Josh Pyke, who would produce McLaren’s self-titled debut. A move to Melbourne and a breakthrough hit with ‘A Whole Day Nearer’ would follow. Now McLaren, along with his band the Triple Threat, welcomes their debut full-length album, Songs to Greet the Dawn. “I took the title from the Philip Larkin poem Aubade, which is such a lovely word,” McLaren explains on his website. “It translates as something like ‘love songs to the morning’ and I thought ‘that’s a nice place to start your first album’ … Over the last few years I’ve had opportunities to make an album, and there have always been plenty of songs, but I’ve really wanted to keep pushing myself further and further to see what else I can do and get some other ideas in there.” The album, produced by John Castle (Josh Pyke, Washington, Gossling) represents not just recent material, but songs written as far back as 2008. It has been a long time coming, but sometimes you just have to make sure things are right. The Bridge, Castlemaine – July 31. With Soda Eaves. songwriter Lachlan Bryan. Recorded last year with The Wildes, the album is rich with elements of old-school country, rockabilly, folk balladry and gospeltinged rockin’ soul. It has been doing pretty well, including snaring the ‘Best Alternative Country Album of the Year’ award at the CMA awards. Lachlan wrote the majority of the album while on a solo tour of the US in support of his solo album, Shadow of the Gun. According to his official page, Black Coffee is inspired by “run-down hotels, roadside diners, desert landscapes and cheap, supermarket six-packs”.

Is that country enough for you? Music Man Megastore, Bendigo –

July 24 & The Bridge, Castlemaine – July 26.

With Dan Waters and The Weeping Willows.

King of the Grind We can always make time for King Parrot, and we reckon you should also. The thrashy grind outfit was formed out of Melbourne by three exmembers of Watchdog Discipline. Earlier in the year the band embarked on a massive 45-date tour of the US, winning favour with SXSW along the way.

Leading US music news site Metal Injection actually named the band one of their three top acts, which is pretty damn cool.

Their current tour is

Flamin’ Kids “We make music that makes us feel good and that we enjoy playing. It may have been influenced by an eclectic myriad of artists we have listened to across our current existence here on this planet.

We hope you can find something in our music and lyrics that make you feel something or take you to a better place.” That is what the Sunshine Coast’s Drawcard would like you to know, and it’s hard not to like them on that alone. Over their time the band has supported Taking Back Sunday, Birds of Tokyo, Unwritten Law, Grinspoon, Thursday, Dead Letter Circus and Underoath, which is a pretty impressive roll call in any language. Towards the end of last month the band dropped ‘Kids’, the first taste from their forthcoming EP due sometime this year.

Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – August 28. looking pretty sweet so far as well. Perhaps it is their signing to booking agency New World Artists.

Perhaps it is their introduction of new drummer Todd Hansen (The Berzerker).

Perhaps it is their new material. More likely, it’s a combination of everything. The Barwon Club, Geelong – July 26 & The Karova, Ballarat – July 27.

Sting of the Hornets A dramatic topic wrapped in a goodtime feel isn’t the easiest thing to pull off, but Melbourne blues and roots specialists The Hornets are pros.

Climate change, or

more accurately those who choose to deny or play it down, is a hot topic. It is also the inspiration for The Hornets’ new album, Dangerous Dancing. The album is the sixth for the band considered by some to be Melbourne’s best blues outfit. They feature a who’s who of Australian talent over the past four decades including Jeff Burstin, Daddy Wayne Duncan, Bruce Haymes, Andrew Ogburn, Chris Tabone and Craig Horne. According to their website, their upcoming show can be viewed as a call to action or simply a night to dance your cares away. The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove – August 8.

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All I Want is a Remedy Any publicity is good publicity, or so they say, and it’s fair to say that the clip for Marcia Hines’ new track ‘Remedy’, which was directed by and features Russell Crowe, has received a share of flack. It’s doubtful either care, however.

(Well…). Remedy is lifted from Hines’ recently released Amazing, her first album of original material in 20 years. The Sydney Morning Herald gave it four stars, writing: “Amazing is an uncompromising album, full of deep, heartfelt moments, where her royal Hines-ness shows a very intimate and tender side. There is pop in there, but this release focuses mainly on love.

And, poignantly, laments on love lost. Lyrically, Hines is not scared to let her feelings show. Musically and, most vitally, vocally, there is plenty to cleave to.” The Capital, Bendigo – August 24.

Queenscliff Music Festival The Queenscliff Music Festival has announced another round of acts for its bonza 2014 outing. To recap first, we already have The Bombay Royale, The Church. D.D Dumbo, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Jezabels, Kasey Chambers, Stonefield, The Waifs and Xavier Rudd; now, you can add soulful rocker Dan Sultan, WA’s blues and roots outfit Blue Shady, a trio of songbirds in Dyson Stringer Cloher, genre-benders The Delta Riggs, Gold Coast-based Tijuana Cartel, Adelaide rapper Tkay Maidza, Afro soulsters The Shaolin Afronauts and troubadour Steve Smyth to the mix. There is a lot of buzz around the festival this year, so much so that it has broken the record for early sales. A late winter announcement is to follow and will include acts from across the seas. Hit qmf. net.au for more.

30 Years of Barnsey A Day on the Green delivers a local flavour in celebration of 30 of the best from one of Australia’s greatest, Jimmy Barnes. As well as a tour to mark three decades in the solo game, Barnsey is also set to release a special new album next month.

Fitting for the occasion, the album is titled 30/30 Anniversary and features fifteen of his biggest hits as collaborations with artists including Keith Urban, John Farnham, Bernard Fanning, Journey, Steven Van Zandt, Shihad, Tina Arena, Baby Animals and Jon Stevens. Giving him a hand on his run of shows will be The Living End, who also feature on the album on ‘Lay Down Your Guns’, as well as Baby Animals, Troy Cassar-Daley and Mahalia Barnes & The Soul Mates. Mt Duneed Estate (formerly The Hill), Geelong – November 15.

Roesy Needs Your Counsel There is something about our shores that Irish musicians seem to love. And that’s cool, because music is a good thing. Plus, there is the accent thing and all. Roesy found a new lease on life when he moved to Melbourne.

This happened again when he moved to the Dandenong Ranges.

The fresh air, the space to breathe and the

softer pace brought out creativity like never before. And that is why he has taken to Pozible.

Roesy is currently trying to raise some coin for a new album titled Wolf Counsel. His routine involves waking up at 6.30 a.m., before he spends the day writing, mulling over an idea, going back to those ideas at night, and repeating until he strikes gold. Hit Pozible now if you can help out. Martians Café, Deans Marsh – July 26.

Mietta’s Going for Distance Inspired by gypsy and Flamenco rhythms, and with lush servings of jazz, blues, Latin, soul and funk, Melbourne’s Mietta has managed to carve out a unique place in the Australian music scene. With a burning desire to consume music, Mietta travelled to Madrid where she spent time performing and recording with some of Spain’s finest

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Flamenco artists. On her return to Australia, she resumed writing music and performing on increasingly bigger stages as she watched her profile grow. Fresh to the shelves is the songbird’s debut album, A Mad Distance. Work on the album commenced in 2011. In conjunction with composer and producer Damien Charles, Mietta rounded up some of Melbourne’s finest Flamenco and jazz exponents for the release. Main Bar, Ballarat – July 26.

Reflections with Bob Brown Born in Oberon, New South Wales, Bob Brown would obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree at the University of Sydney. He worked at various posts including Canberra, Darwin, Alice Springs and London, before moving to Tasmania in 1972. It was here he became involved in the state’s environmental movement and Australia’s first green party, United Tasmania Group. In 1983 he became a member of Tasmania’s parliament for the House of Assembly seat of Denison, and in 1996 was elected to the Australian Senate for Tasmania. Known for the courage of his convictions, Bob would serve until his retirement in 2012. Since hanging up his political shoes, Bob has had time to reflect on his life.

Now he is giving us an insight with Optimism: Reflections on a Life of Action. In the book, Bob shares stories and insights from both his private and political life, revealing events that have made a lasting impression. In a unique opportunity to share time with one of the most compassionate and controversial political figures, Deakin’s Costa Hall will host Mr Bob Brown on August 4.

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Bookings can be made through gpac.org.au. This is sure to be a fascinating night, no matter what side of politics you fall on.

I’m Calling Fake Wayne Smith and Duane Buriani-Gennai are two guys you probably know better as Fake Forward.

Kindred music souls, the two collected records from an early age; Wayne was more into the techno, D&B and progressive side, while Duane was more into house music.

Both started their DJ journey at the age of 18 and after notching up a little experience, the two would join forces.

Pushing quality deep house, bass-heavy beats, bouncy tech and garage sounds, Fake Forward’s debut show would be supporting English producer and DJ Daniel Pearce, better known as Eats Everything. They have remixed the likes of Carl Cox and Roger Sanchez and are the owners of the Habitual Recordings record label.

Eureka Hotel, Geelong – July 26 & August 16.

Country Cavalcade Just in case ya’ll haven’t heard, the third Friday of every month at The Comma in Castlemaine is Country Cavalcade.

The shows are led by Rex Watts who, along with a special guest, opens up the songbook for a night of country swagger. Rex has been in the music game for long enough to have seen it all. While he runs with a basic theme of “heartbreak and alcohol”, he says he does not fit into any one genre. He has performed in bands including Flying Tongue Kiss, Bushfire Band, Ally Harper and the Senile Delinquents, while his song count is around the 500 mark. He has also worked in the freelance film industry for over 30 years, receiving six AFI nominations for two wins along the way. Keep an eye on thecomma.net. au for gigs and guests.

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SURF COA ST

Jessey Jackson Written By Daniel Waight

Anglesea’s Jessey Jackson simply loves music more than anything else on earth – the perfect motivation for her musical career. The singer-songwriter says that music means absolutely everything to her.

“If I’m not a musician I’m nothing. It’s pretty much that simple. I can’t do or be anything else and if I don’t have music in my life I’m completely lost. A couple of years ago I went through an illness and I came to the conclusion that life was too short and decided that if I wasn’t doing something to do with music than I didn’t want to do it.”

Jessey has now recovered and is constantly playing gigs throughout the Surf Coast region and beyond. It’s hard to define exactly what her style is, as even she can’t give it a definitive label. “I think it’s probably a blues, folk, soul, maybe even a little bit of country mix,” she says. “I do a bit of everything. My performances aren’t just one genre and my written music isn’t just one genre. I love music in general. I have an eclectic taste in music and I think that shows in my writing.”

After a handful of music lessons when she was little, followed by a break of many years, she picked up the guitar again a few years ago and has been self-taught since then.

These days she’s constantly writing songs, all based on her life experiences. “I don’t have the ability to write for the sake of writing,” she says. “I have to have experienced something or seen something in the world or felt a connection to whatever it is that I’m writing about. So life inspires me.”

Apart from the performing side of things, more recently she has released her new album Deliver Me, which she produced, mixed and mastered, in addition to writing all the songs and playing all the instruments. She says it was a bit of an up and down experience all around.

“I was actually a bit burnt,” she says.

“I had an album done in about 2010 called Only Human, and the people who recorded it did not do a fantastic job. So from that point on I figured why am I going to spend thousands of dollars for someone else to mess it up when I could mess it up myself ? It was a great lot of fun when I first started out. But towards the end, particularly in the mastering bit, it got quite difficult to separate from it. Nothing was ever good enough. So I worked on it, worked on it. In the end I had to set a deadline and just let it alone and be happy with what I had. But I was reasonably happy with what came out of it.”

Jessey has a number of upcoming gigs in the region. She’s playing at the Old Hepburn Hotel on August 3, before shows at Pistol Pete’s Food n Blues on August 29 and Martians on September 6.

She says she just loves performing and is very happy with how her career’s going.

“I’m not looking for fame and fortune; that’s far too hard. I’ve seen what it does to people. Fame kills people.

I think I would happily settle for my music being able to speak to people.

That would be enough for me.”

Where&When: Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs – August 3

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Gypsy Queen Surf, sunshine and greater opportunities are three key things that prompted songbird Áine Tyrrell and her family to uproot from Ireland and head to our shores around four years ago. Becoming a mother is what prompted her to have a serious crack at her dreams. Inspired to write by her dad, Áine put her dreams on hold once she became a mother. However, there is only so long you can put your dream on the backburner. So, she picked up the guitar again with a dream that was bigger than her plan. Now her dream is moving closer to being realised with her debut album, Gypsy Daughter. In order to help her out, the Ocean Grove songwoman has taken to Pozible. Please hit pozible.com/project/178163 to show your support.

Funding closes August 11. Martians Café, Deans Marsh – August 9.

Stay Away from Aimee Francis The rock is strong with Aimee Francis. The Melbourne-born Sydney gal has being playing live since she was fifteen and has toured the world and played shows with the likes of Pat Benatar and Steel Panther. She had her ‘yep, this is what I want to do’ moment in 2001 when she won tickets to a Billy Idol concert.

It was his guitarist Steve Stevens, however, that captivated her, and it has all been for the music since. In 2013 she arguably had her biggest year. Internationally she played a you snooze you lose tour of the US (which included a show at the Whisky and several dates at SXSW), while locally she played a massive 30-date tour of Australia. Four of these shows, by the way, were in support of Pink.

‘Never Come Back’ is the single she is flogging at the moment. Speaking about the single on her Facebook page, Aimee writes: “It was written about a past love that decided to try and crawl back into my life … They had walked all over me and then all of a sudden left without a word. A few years late I got a message … and left it the fuck alone! Here’s to feeling your self-worth and standing up for yourself.” Babushka, Ballarat – August 23. With Steve Saxton.

Maldon Folk Festival It never hurts to take a look at what is happening a little later in the year, especially when it involves the Maldon Folk Festival.

Held annually for more than four decades, the festival is a weekend of music, dance and theatre. International performers include Beth Patterson, Kristina Olsen, Fiona Ross, Colin O’Brien and The Stage Hogs, while local performers include The Woohoo Review, The BordererS, Damien Howard, Janette Geri, Alanna & Alicia, The Capitalist Pigs and The Go Set. The fun doesn’t start and end with music, so make sure you hit their website for a full rundown of events. This year the

festival takes place from October 31 to November 3. Tickets are currently open for sale and are available as weekend passes or day passes, with early bird specials available until September 30.

Tip Your Hat to Nigel Wearne Are you in need of a good dose of country/ folk, western swing and hillbilly rock ’n’ roll?

That is the question that awaits you on the official page of songman Nigel Wearne.

Equipped with an arsenal of personally handcrafted guitars, Nigel’s storytelling tunes play out over finger-style guitar, country twang and honky-tonk. Referring to his website once again, Nigel is a festival

favourite, having played at Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Tablelands Folk Festival and the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival among many others.

His most recent release is 2012’s Black Crow, which scored itself a fourstar review in Rolling Stone Magazine. For songs as varied as mischievous bank robbers, wandering poets and a love of eggs, Nigel is your man. The Loft, Warrnambool – September 19.

Will He or Won’t He? He will, or he Wil. Ah, not-so-clever wordplay.

With his second solo album being tinkered with, not to mention a third Smith Street Band

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album also in the works, Wil Wagner has decided to step away from writing duties for a spell on the road. The tour is a special one, as it will be his only solo venture for the year. Europe and the UK beckons, and when they are knocking on your door you just have to answer. If you ask him nicely, very nicely, Wil may even play you a few ideas he has been working on.

You’ll also get your favourites. Joining him on tour will be Georgia Maq. Georgia is the daughter of Hugh McDonald of Redgum.

Make sure you keep an eye out for her debut 7”, With a Q. The Bridge, Castlemaine – September 5 & The Karova, Ballarat – September 7.

Say Yes to Steve McEwan Steve McEwan gets around. The passionate music soul is the musical director of the Sweethearts, the amazing all-girl band from Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College that recently toured the States.

“Highlights included a trip to Graceland, checking out Booker T’s original Hammond at STAX and getting the girls a gig at B.B. King’s,” he said about the recent trip before talking up his own game. “But now I’m really keen to play my own music and looking forward to playing with The Yes Men in Queenscliff.”

Accompanied by his Yes Men, McEwan will play a mix of folk, rock, blues, funk and soul.

Queenscliff Uniting Church – July 27.

Joining him will be 17-year-old Connor Sheedy, a young songman who channels the likes of Paul Simon and Eric Clapton.

Feel the Power of Kisstroyer Quick bite: For over ten years the music, the look, the feel and the power of KISS has been channelled by Kisstroyer. Formed by brothers Andrew and Stephen Kyriacou in 2001, Kisstroyer has worked its way up to the top of the tribute band pile. With three decades of official KISS costumes, over 15 authentic KISS guitars and a massive functional light-up KISS logo in their trick bag, Kisstroyer is a fire-breathing, blood-spitting, devil horns rock ’n’ roll ride.

It’s not just a show; it’s an experience.

Hell, they have even supported Paul Stanley.

Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton – August 22 & Sphinx Hotel, Geelong – November 22.

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The Crisp Sounds of Peking Duk

Are You Having a Laugh?

If you are up for a bit of the funny business, the Aireys Pub will be hosting an Open Mic Comedy Night this weekend. Forte spent a little time with the brains behind the gig, Tait Middleton, last issue where he filled us in about how the idea came about. “One of the guys I performed with put on an open mic comedy night in Ocean Grove in April and it was a massive success. Not to be outdone, I decided to contact the Aireys Pub. They were keen to have a night like that down there and give us a chance to perform and share some comedy with the local punters.” While the night is providing a chance for those a little green to show their skills, it also has a headliner in Canadian Jon Dore (How to Live With Your Parents). This should be a cracker. Aireys Pub – July 26.

Quick bite: They have whipped up their tasty sounds at the Big Day Out and Groovin’ the Moo and this weekend they’ll be dishing up the goods at Splendour, but the lovely lads of Peking Duk have a string of smaller shows coming up as well.

Now, a fair number of these shows have already sold out so you had best get your tickets for their show at The Karova, Ballarat on August 13 quick smart.

Taylor Made Quick bite: He is a familiar name in local circles but Geelong singer-songwriter Kyle Taylor has his eyes set

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on our Ashes foes. With inf luences including Ed Sheeran, Damien Rice and Bon Iver, Kyle sings stories of people and of love. He has released a couple of albums and supported the likes of Jordie Lane, Josh Pyke, Carus Thompson and James Reyne. Set to head to England shortly, Kyle will play a couple of farewell shows at Ballarat’s Babushka on July 25 and Portarlington’s Saints & Sailors on July 26.

Nothing Wrong with Being Single Quick bite: With servings of garage rock, power pop, glam, blues and punk, The Singles is the collective musical powers of Vincent Frederick (guitar, lead vocals) and Nicky Veltman (drums, back-up vocals). Both originally hail from Detroit; however, The Singles’ ball got rolling when the two hooked up in L.A. at the beginning of 2012. They caught the attention of producer Rick Parker and in April of this year released their debut album, Look How Fast a Heart

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Can Break. The Loft, Warrnambool – July 25.

A Song for Kav Temperley REMINDER: 10 years ago Eskimo Joe released their sophomore album, A Song is a City. With its heart in their home city, the album has been described by frontman Kav Temperley as “about me, my friends, the people I love, and Fremantle. It’s the stories that go on between us”. It would seem that the special occasion has inspired Kav to take the album on the road for an extensive run of intimate solo shows.

The Karova, Ballarat – August 2 & Beav’s Bar, Geelong – August 3.

Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival REMINDER: The Echuca-Moama Winter Blues festival is taking place this weekend, July 25, 26 & 27. Performers include Alister Turrill, Lloyd Spiegel, Ian Collard, Jimi Hocking, Claude Hay, Jeff Achison, Andrea Marr & the Funky Hit Men, Benny Walker, Wayne Jury, Spoonful, Phil

Manning, Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones, Luke Watt and Marshall Okell. Full details can be found through winterblues.com.au.

I Want it All… … And I want it now. Fair enough, here is a little more for you. The Bridge, Castlemaine has a few goodies coming up including Itchy Scabs on July 27, Steve Lane and the Autocrats on August 1 and Pretty City on August 2.

Dreamboogie hits Echuca’s Oscar W’s Wharfside on July 26. Alison Wonderland hits Bendigo’s Star Bar on August 1. The Sinking Teeth will be at The Barwon Club, Geelong on July 25.

Marcus Santoro has his sights on The Pier, Geelong on July 26. Flyying Colours will be at Beav’s Bar, Geelong on July 27. James Reyne takes on Torquay’s Torquay Hotel on July 30. Finally, The Loft hosts The Harlots on July 26, Rhys Crimmin on July 27 and Pretty City on August 1.

The Blues of Geoff Achison One of the most respected bluesmen in Australia, Geoff Achison is always showing off his skills. Following a healthy stint performing alongside Dutch Tilders in the late eighties to mid nineties, Achison formed the Souldiggers.

He is a recipient of the Memphis International Blues Challenge’s Albert King Award and is a multiple Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society award winner. Pistol Pete’s, Geelong – August 22. He also has a date with Queenscliff ’s Blues Train on August 23 and September 6.

No Lights No Lycra Written by Amanda Sherring

There are some of us who are void of inhibitions when it comes to letting loose on the dance floor. But for those of us who practice the Robot and dance along to the Spice Girls in our living rooms alone, we don’t get the same relief.

That’s where No Lights No Lycra comes in, who work by the mantra “that everyone can dance” and everyone has the right to dance.

Thanks to Charlotte Hamilton this phenomenon, that’s hit not only Melbourne but also the world, has now come to Geelong and will be coming to Ocean Grove on August 4. Before NLNL was in Geelong, everyone in Melbourne was working up a sweat in the dark, including Charlotte, who attended the session one weekend after reading about it in The Age. “At the end of the session, I was pumped with endorphins, dripping with sweat and knew I had to get this great concept to Geelong,” she says.

As Charlotte was studying art therapy she could appreciate the therapeutic values as well as the pure fun and uniqueness of the night. She soon became the Geelong Ambassador for NLNL and fought for it to travel down the Princess Freeway to Geelong locals.

“We can spend a lot of time talking about our problems, but sometimes moving to release them is the best option,” Charlotte says.“ There is a whole discipline of Dance Therapy, so it is definitely a form of therapy. Dance is free and totally selfadministered.”

One of the most surprising things about NLNL is the eclectic mix of people who are willing to shake away their inhibitions and build up a sweat on the dance floor. People who have admitted to not liking dance or those who have traditionally been “bad” at dance have found themselves amongst the writhing bodies.

“One lady came that hadn’t danced for about 20 years. Someone had told her she wasn’t a good dancer, so she stopped. Then she came to NLNL and hasn’t stopped dancing since,” she says.

There are honestly no limits when it comes to who can get involved in the NLNL nights.

Whether young, old or even injured, everyone can benefit from the endorphins released from dancing. There’s no “class” atmosphere, as Charlotte gets just as involved in the dancing as everyone else.

“Sometimes I’m feeling revved up and I end up doing some crazy old school aerobics moves, or sometimes even some yoga amongst my dancing.

I really just let my body take charge! I teach yoga in the hall before though so I do go from totally relaxed to totally pumped,” Charlotte says.

While Charlotte thoroughly enjoys each class, she gets more satisfaction from seeing and hearing the happy responses to a NLNL night. Plenty of people are already reaping the rewards, but she’d like for those still dancing alone to rethink their company, or lack thereof.

“I think many people miss out on the joy of dancing because they feel they are not good enough dancers. It’s just crap, even young kids can dance. It’s just about being confident about how you dance, not about the moves. Having fun speaks volumes,” she says.

Charlotte also teaches yoga, meditation, holistic counselling and does relaxation massages. To find out more visit theyogabud.com.au. For more NLNL news, ‘like’ the nolightsnolycrageelong Facebook page. Each session is $5 entry.

When&Where: Wednesday nights 7.30 p.m. – 52 Garden Street, Geelong and August 4 at 6-7 p.m. at ‘Boorai’, 4-50 Shell Rd, Ocean Grove

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When&Where: The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne – July 24 & The Main Bar, Ballarat – July 26

Mietta Written by Tex Miller

It’s taken about seven years for Mietta’s debut album A Mad Distance to finally see the light of day; however, it has been worth the wait. When you release a record it is supposed to be a time for celebration, though Mietta isn’t popping the champagne just yet. “If I’m completely honest with you, it’s been a bloody stressful time.

There have been so many things to organise for this tour but it is exciting. The band that I am having on tour differs from show to show, so there is the logistics of making it all work. It’s great to have the album out though and I am very proud of the songs.”

With a strong Italian family heritage, Mietta was always destined to be a musician from an early age. Surrounded with lots of great records, the variety of music that

Mietta was exposed to has rubbed off on the diverse sounds that make up A Mad Distance. “My nonno was very musical. He was a violinist and he was the conductor in the Mildura Symphony Orchestra when he was a young man. He played mandolin as well and used to gig around Melbourne all the time. My dad is a great blues guitarist and he is pretty convinced that he is Keith Richards. It’s pretty amazing having Keith as a father – I’m going into some pretty amazing musical heritage. We’ve done some gigs together and that’s pretty cute.

“Music has surrounded me from a very young age and it was a very natural progression to start playing myself,” Mietta said.

Unable to pinpoint exactly where the Latin influence to her music comes from, Mietta chuckles and admits that it was most likely through her love for Ricky Martin at 13 years old. A sample of a Brazilian band that Martin used in one of his earlier works

led Mietta down a long road of further discovery. Travelling to Spain and playing countless gigs with some of the finest musicians in the country was also an inspiring time. Although a record contract in Spain was knocked back, it was upon returning to Australia that the bones of the record were formed.

Produced by Damien Charles, “one of the country’s best sound engineers without a shadow of a doubt”, the journey throughout the twelve songs is quite an exploration into the many influences over the years. One of the key tracks, ‘Midnight and the Deep Blue Sea’, features a seventeen-piece symphony orchestra and is Mietta’s ‘Wonderwall’ or ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ (in terms of classic songs). “Sam Boon who is the orchestral arranger on the album is so switched on and talented. I remember listening back to the final cut of that track at the end of the day and turning and laughing with Damo. I would love to have released that as a single, but ‘Gone’ is a lot more radio friendly I think.”

Heading out on the road in support of the album, Mietta is set to play in Melbourne on the 24th of July and Ballarat on the 26th.

With 26 musicians set to take the stage in Melbourne including a ten-piece chamber orchestra, these gigs are destined to be epic.

“It’s going to be an adventure taking this show on the road.

There are plans to take it over to Spain soon enough and we are working on the follow-up.

See you out there soon!”

The Always Optimistic Bob Brown Bob Brown spent 20 years as leader of The Greens and has been involved in politics for most of his life. He has seen successive governments on both sides of the political divide come and go, and fought numerous campaigns championing human rights and fighting for the preservation of the environment. Throughout it all, he has managed to remain upbeat and optimistic. Where does this optimism come from, and how important is a positive outlook for propagating change?

Bob is one of Australia’s most loved and charismatic political figures. His new book Optimism: Reflections on a Life of Action sees him speak for the first time since his retirement from public life. In it he recalls the key events that have left a lasting impression on him, the ideas that have captured his imagination, and his belief in optimism as a powerful agent that can make a real difference.

This is a unique opportunity to hear one of the most outspoken politicians in recent history discuss how remaining optimistic in the face of tough challenges is the only realistic way forward.

For more information about the event go to wheelercentre. com. Book now at gpac.org.au or phone 5225 1200 When&Where: Costa Hall, Deakin Monday August 4

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King Parrot LOCAL FEATURE STORY Written by Natalie Rogers

If Matt Young ever decides to throw in the towel as frontman of the hardest-working thrash-metal band on the scene, he may stumble into the role of the country’s most unlikely anti-smoking advocate. “When we first started the band, I was smoking a lot of cigarettes! I soon realised once we started touring and singing like I do night after night that it was not an option.”

Known for his exceedingly powerful set of lungs and distinctive vocal style, Matt confessed he was surprised when, as a result of kicking the habit, his voice went up an octave. “I didn’t expect it, so I had to accommodate for that and now that I’m comfortable with it, I’m working on getting my lower pitch back.”

As if the man wasn’t busy enough, as well as holding down a day job he also manages the band.

“I don’t do relax,” Matt said with a smile.

King Parrot unleashed their ferocity on local audiences back in 2010 and has maintained a chokehold on their loyal followers ever since. Metal enthusiasts everywhere sank their teeth into their 2012 debut album Bite Your Head Off, earning them worldwide recognition. “After releasing only one album we couldn’t have been happier.

Our debut record opened a lot of doors.”

Bite Your Head Off was named the ‘Best Heavy Metal Album of 2013’ by The Age and in the same year King Parrot was crowned by Cherry Bar/Jägermeister as ‘Act of the Year’. To top things off, their video

clip for the single ‘Shit on the Liver’ earned them a place in the finals at the Australian Music Awards.

I have no idea why their video for the track ‘Dead End’ (in which King Parrot and friends hijacked the one-and-only The Rev Hotel to pay homage to the classic 1980 film The Shining) was overlooked.

Check it out here: facebook.com/kingparrotband “We’re all fans of film and it’s fun to have another creative outlet to express ourselves. We enjoy making the clips so that it’s not JUST about the music or standing there in front of a microphone while a film crew makes a video for you. The crew we worked with on the last few videos are just awesome. It’s so much fun working with those guys and developing our ideas.”

There’s no denying King Parrot has the knack for getting noticed, and as a late inclusion to the bill of Soundwave 2014, the five-piece relished the opportunity to play to thousands of metalheads across the country. After impressing all the right people, the mighty bird was soon in full flight over international waters.

“We did SXSW this year and believe me, there’s nothing more hectic than that. We played fortyfive shows in all. It was a real eye-opener for us, just in terms of playing so many shows consecutively – it was a good experience and we loved it.”

2014 hasn’t been all smooth sailing for King Parrot, with the departure of drummer Matt ‘Skitz’ Sanders: “After months of touring in the US and Asia our drummer decided to pull the pin. He realised that the touring thing wasn’t for him,” Matt explained.

“So we called up Todd Hansen – he’s been in lots of different bands [notably The Berzerker and Rome].

“One of Todd’s other bands were our supports last time we were in Brisbane. We’re mates, so we asked him and he was really keen to tour – and that’s what we do!”

Matt laughed. “He’s incredible; we nailed the entire set during our first rehearsal together. We’ve booked ten shows up the east coast just to get him used to it and then we’ll head out and do thirty shows across the US.” King Parrot is currently on a tour of the east coast – they’re set to run riot at The Barwon Club this Saturday the 26th of July, before hitting the stage at the Karova Lounge on Sunday night. “We’re stoked! We’ve always had such good followings in Geelong and Ballarat. I love that people still come out and support this style of music.”

Taking their cues from the thrash metal shows you

might have found yourself at in the ’80s and ’90s, Matt said they plan on holing up in a friend’s basement to work on new ideas while over in the States.

“We have been asked to support [US death metal band] Origin on their ‘All Things Dead’ cross-country tour in August and September. After that we’re planning to take a month off over there to just sit around and write. I’m really excited to see what we come up with. It’s actually cheaper to live over there at the moment and we’ve got some great friends who have offered to help us out. We plan to make a lot of noise in someone’s garage for a while!” Matt grinned.

“We’ve actually got a great manager in the US now and they’re really keen to push us on the touring circuit. In fact, we have another tour booked for later in the year – but I can’t divulge too much information just yet!

“Continuing to tour is so important to us. Believe me, getting your band to a point where you can sustainably tour all the time is a shitload of hard work, especially when you’re playing this style of music. We plan to keep working real hard and just generally try to be good dudes. That’s how to keep a band together.”

When&Where: The Barwon Club, Geelong – July 26 & The Karova, Ballarat – July 27

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Ambrosia On Pako restaurant feature Story and photos by Amanda Sherring

If you’ve dreamed of cruising the Greek Islands or the Mediterranean whilst gorging yourself on delicious cuisines but can’t seem to get beyond the confines of Geelong, then Ambrosia is your best stop. Owned by Joubin Mahmoudi, Ambrosia offers locals somewhere for a quick bite to eat with friends or a spot to sit down and waste the night away. The restaurant also adds a new culture to the food scene of the area.

“It’s something that hasn’t been done in Geelong. So we’ve decided to take that and modernise it,” Joubin says.

Ambrosia is still relatively new to the food scene in Geelong after only 10 months since they opened, but the experience that Joubin and his team bring to the restaurant more than makes up for it. After working at several hospitality venues, Joubin decided to open his own, and hasn’t looked back since.

While Ambrosia may be a few doors down from the café “hub” of Pakington St, saunter past the window and the design will immediately catch your eye. Brightly coloured tiles imported from overseas break up the deep warm woods that line the walls. A communal table decorated with fresh flowers greets you upon arrival and gives a comfortable space to chat with a group of friends or a place to make some new ones. But Ambrosia isn’t just a pretty face, and has a quality menu to back up its first impression. While many places only offer salads to the vegetarians out there, Ambrosia has a long list of meals to choose from.

“The good thing about our menu is the diversity of the easy eating for everyone’s palettes. So if someone’s a vegan there’s at least more than a few dishes up there, if someone’s gluten intolerant there’s probably about eight or nine, and if they’re vegetarian pretty much half the menu is vegetarian. So there’s a good option for everyone,” he says.

Vegos can pick from crumbed pumpkin gyros, vegetarian moussaka, an array of salads, or numerous others. For those more meat inclined, there’s lamp rump with an orzo, artichoke, lemon and pea salad, some panfried calamari or fish of the day.

Ambrosia also caters for those in a group, or with less of an appetite, as they have a great selection of sharing plates.

“That’s how our menu is designed to be. It’s meant to be shared and have a taste of the lamb, the chicken, the seafood and everything – just chuck it in the middle and share it all. In Europe and the Middle East that’s pretty much what we all do. We all just put it in the middle and everyone makes up their own plate,” Joubin says.

Most of what you see on the menu can be ordered as a takeaway, so for those of you who don’t have the time to indulge in a sit-down meal you can still get some of the delicious meals they have on offer.

While many places on Pakington Street close their doors when the sun sets, Ambrosia is still serving up hot meals to patrons as well as a few after work drinks where needed. They take their cocktails just as seriously as their food and have a considerable menu with combinations that are unique to their restaurant. If that hasn’t tempted you, they even have cocktail specials on Wednesday nights. Make sure you try the Greek Slipper when you’re there, which is a twist on the classic Japanese Slipper and has Ouzo, Midori, Triple Sec and lemon juice.

Ambrosia is approaching their first birthday and to celebrate will be holding a special dinner. The restaurant is also releasing a new dessert menu, which will be out this week. And if that isn’t enough, Ambrosia can even be hired out for functions. Decorations aren’t a worry at this venue and there isn’t a hire fee to budget in either.

For more information on events, function hire or the menu, visit the Ambrosia website (ambrosiaonpako.com) or call 5229 2725.

INFO: 208 Pakington Street, Geelong West ph:03 5229 2725, web: ambrosiaonpako.com

forte 33

‘Battle for the Bay’

WHAT'S ON IN THE RAT?

Geelong vs Melbourne roller derby tournament makes history

The Monotony of our Cacophony

Written By Alison Lemer

Daniel Waight

Athletes from Geelong and Melbourne’s north have been battling it out on the pitch for nearly a century, but Australian sporting history will be made this year with the firstever roller derby tournament played between leagues solely from the two rival cities.

Two teams from the Northside Rollers (NSR), a women’s flat-track roller derby league from Melbourne’s northern suburbs, will face two teams from the Geelong Roller Derby League (GRDL) in the Battle for the Bay, a round-robin tournament taking place over the next several months. The first doubleheader event will be held on 9 August (in Geelong), while Melbourne will host the next two, on 13 September and 11 October. The playoffs will be held in Geelong on 9 November.

The first of the Geelong-hosted events (at the Leisuretime Centre in Norlane) will see NSR’s Pulp Vixens face off against GRDL’s Atom Bombs at 2:30pm on Saturday 9th August, followed by NSR’s Sisters of Anarchy versus GRDL’s Psychotics at 4:30pm. The tournament continues over 13 September and 11 October in Melbourne’s northern suburbs (at Puckhandlers Stadium in Reservoir).

Tickets for all four events can be purchased at the door for $15 per person (children under 12 get in for free).

‘There’s a really good relationship between our leagues,’ noted Melanie Zimmermann, President of the Northside Rollers, about their counterparts in Geelong: ‘We often go to each others’ games to cheer each other on.’ Shannon Partington, the Geelong league’s Secretary, added: ‘Instead of just coming to see each league’s home teams compete internally as we normally do, we’re hoping that the fans from both cities will really get behind the whole Geelong versus Melbourne rivalry and support their town.’

Roller derby is a full-contact sport played on quad (fourwheeled) roller skates. A game consists of two 30-minute periods, played over a series of 2-minute ‘jams’. Each team fields five skaters per jam; one skater from each team, called the ‘jammer’ (who wears a helmet cover with a star), is the only one who can score points. The other four skaters are ‘blockers’; the blockers of both teams must remain within 20 feet (approximately 6 metres) of each other to be considered in play. Players skate laps anti-clockwise around an oval track; jammers score one point for each opposing player that they pass on a lap. Blockers from each team must help their jammer to pass their opponents while preventing the opposing jammer and blockers from doing the same, thus playing offence and defence simultaneously.

Greetings, random readers of music news. Daniel here covering a conundrum that often comes up in conversation within the rurally occupying country folk.

I’ve had many conversations lately with band members and managers about breaking into the broader market of the city loop. Being cooped up in places like Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong or anywhere considered “country”, can have many downsides (if not entirely downright dark sides) to it. The rural music scene is not one for the weak-willed; there are trials and tribulations that can break some of the most dedicated artists.

My own criticism of Ballarat is the limit to the original live music scene. Ballarat is home of many sports-orientated jocks, and though they’re not always entirely unpleasant types, the amount of alcohol consumed (along with other things) can somewhat leave them lacking in open-minded appreciation. When an original live musician gets on stage either solo or with a band, the joke often goes: “Play Khe Sanh” or the American equivalent, “play Freebird”.

Now, often it’s a friend or family member who’s known to be joking, but in a country town where you may have a footballer pissed as a newt before 8pm on a Friday, the sad reality is this chant may be taken up and encouraged by other friends of the perpetrator. Which most of the time might make for an awkward show, especially if the musician still has his milk teeth.

So a few of us have lately been discussing getting into the live original music scene in Melbourne, and how we may go about getting gigs at the smaller popular live music venues such as The Tote, Northcote Social Club, The Espy, The Old Bar, etc.

There’s not many places to play in Ballarat.

We have The Karova Lounge and now The Eastern, both venues that can comfortably house a three- to four-piece band. For smaller bands, or bands without a drum kit, there’s the Babushka Bar and The Main Bar. Other than these there are a few cafés that will have a solo artist in occasionally, but the other large venues are all in favour of cover bands or other forms of entertainment.

Full Tournament Schedule: SatURDAY 9 Aug (Geelong, 2pm) NSR Pulp Vixens vs GRDL Atom Bombs / NSR Sisters of Anarchy vs GRDL Psychotics SatURDAY 13 Sept (MELB, 3pm) NSR Pulp Vixens vs NSR Sisters of Anarchy / GRDL Atom Bombs vs GRDL Psychotics SatURDAY 11 Oct (MELB, 3pm)

NSR Pulp Vixens vs GRDL Psychotics / NSR Sisters of Anarchy vs GRDL Atom Bombs

SunDAY 9 Nov (Geelong, 2pm) Playoff for 3rd & 4th / Playoff for 1st & 2nd

Over the next couple of months I’ll be talking, networking and getting an account of how other rural dwellers broke into the big smoke and made a name for themselves without going to the trouble of relocating there permanently. So those of you with musically-minded similar intentions, watch this space over the rest of the year as I will try and keep it updated with accounts of what has happened and hopefully illustrating what to attempt (or avoid) in order to do the same.

I can’t see us walking you through how to get a headline gig at Festival Hall, Sidney Myer Music Bowl or Rod Laver Arena, but I imagine it might give you an idea of how to go from a Sunday arvo gig at your local Red Lion Hotel to something with a little more rapport.

LIGHTS O N NO LYCR A NLNL

GEELONG $5 WEDNESDAYS 7.30 PM Venue: 52 Garden St Geelong

nolightsnolycra.com

34 forte

FREE CLASSIFIEDS Send your info to editorial@fortemag.com.au Individual use only, not for commercial purposes Singer wanted for original band doing a

When&Where: Beav’s Bar, Geelong – July 26; The Loft, Warrnambool – Augt 1; and The Bridge, Castlemaine – Aug 2

Pretty City Written by Tex Miller

Pretty City is bringing the balls back to Australian rock ’n’ roll. Most recently, the band has just released their latest single ‘Roll On’. With blues-influenced psychedelic riffs, it is a positive sign of what is to come from the group on their debut album which is set to be released by the end of the year. When we sat down to chat with Hugh Matthews, he was getting amped for their support set for Stonefield at the Gasometer that night.

“We’ve just managed to sneak onto this bill tonight mate. I’m really excited to be jumping up with them.

They are a really solid live band and have a great energy about them. It’ll be awesome to hang out with the girls and do our bit to rock out. There’s lots of knee moves and sliding around on stage today, but Pete Townshend windmills are a given,” Matthews said.

‘Roll On’, which is a cracking

track that you should definitely get your chops around if you haven’t yet, was written in the most natural of environments, and quite naturally, as Matthews relates. “I wrote that song on an acoustic guitar in my kitchen and I think that the reverby kinds of sounds you hear on the finished track are initially inspired by my kitchen. I was strumming away this bluesy riff and the lyrics came and are about getting on with things when you are faced with adversity.”

Pretty City materialised in late 2012, when Matthews contacted John-Luis Moretti (lead guitar) and Andrew Schapper (drums). Playing in different bands with Moretti, it was an email to flesh out some songwriting ideas that first sparked the flame.

“Johnno was the action man on stage with every band that he played in.

He was always getting things done on stage and had so much energy.

We all wanted to have a voice in the band rather than just having someone learning other people’s parts. I think that we have achieved that with the music that we have created so far.”

Chatting about the tour for ‘Roll On’ so far, the vibe of the audience as a topic is quick to be discussed.

Although there hasn’t been too much

outlandish behaviour, there has been some sensual dancing by some punters on the Gold Coast.

“It was sort of like the intro to a bond movie where there is the silhouette of the girl in the clothes.

It added something proggy and psychedelic to the show, which was good.” Upon hearing this, I was quick to ask Matthews if he has a desire to compose a Bond theme in the near future.

“I would enjoy the challenge of penning the opening tune. It allows you to use some cheesy spooky chord changes that you may not use naturally. You could also use some chromatic shapes to make it a lot more epic.”

The first professional musician that I have interviewed to admit to using a couple of Aldi guitar effect pedals in his rig, despite their cheap nature, there is an awesome sounding chorus – and one you should check out. Hitting up Beav’s Bar in Geelong this Sunday (the 26th), Matthews can’t wait to get back and rock in Geetroit. A mixture of British blues-rock psychedelia – if big guitar sounds are your thing, then look no further than Pretty City.

mix of retro styles - soul, funk, latin rock, gospel, R&B, groove based stuff. Over an album's worth of material already written, studio recordings, gigs etc.

Looking for the right voice so drop us a line and we'll take it from there! ben@ bellemusique.com.au Experienced 22 y/o singer, songwriter, guitarist looking for

a drummer, bassist and lead guitarist to start up an original rock band based in Geelong. Influences: QOTSA, Sublime & Dave Grohl. Contact Tom at: 0487067083 Heavy metal/death metal vocalist & lyricist looking to

join a band. Have original material ready to go. 0432959094 Wanted expirenced drummer to start a

metal/death metal band. Must be dedicated, be able to play double bass very well and be able to perform original material. 0415676768 Looking for talented singers, male and

female, who would like to collaborate and record on a project for submission to labels.

We are coming close to completion of the

31 track demo and are looking for people who can sing (all styles) to contribute to certain tracks, please don’t hesitate to call for more information. Call Matt on 0468632012 Drummer Available

- Geelong. 20 years + live experience to play in a working/ near working band. I have pro equipment & transport. Can play a range of styles from Rock, Blues, Jazz & Funk. Please contact Matt on 0404 543 416 or email - mattgroove@ gmail.com Drummer Wanted

for original punk rock band around Ballarat. Influences include NOFX, The Offspring, Millencolin and AC/DC. If you enjoy jumping around and making noise phone 0417566478 Guitarist & Keyboard Player Wanted for

pop/rock originals band. Looking for experienced musicians who can also sing harmonies, are easygoing and reliable. Contact Phil 0421 901 530 www. zeffamusic.com

30ish year old trumpet player, looking to form

or play in jazz group.

Ballarat area. Contact Mel 0435360076

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! CALL LUKE ON 0422 809 042

forte 35

The Space Keys Written by Natalie Rogers

The word ‘Freedom’ means different things to different people. It can be somewhat ambiguous and open to interpretation, but always elicits an emotional response.

With that in mind, it seems the perfect choice of title for Geelong’s very own interstellar libertarians’ sophomore album.

“Everybody has the opportunity, especially in this country, to be free – to live free and to have free thoughts,” affirmed The Space Keys’ TJ Richardson (vox and bass). “Everyone wants freedom in 2014,” reiterated Maria Richardson, who plays guitar and shares vocal duties. “It’s all most people have ever wanted.”

This sentiment is mirrored in the opening lyrics of the title track and throughout the album.

If you listen closely you’ll hear The Space Keys pay homage to their favourite freedom fighters throughout history, namely Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa.

“The feelings expressed in our lyrics are heartfelt and important to all of us. It’s our way of flying the flag to show we’re internally liberated. We can stand up and say we’re here!” TJ added.

The Space Keys certainly have a voice, a very distinctive sound that can be attributed to the twin vocal stylings of TJ and Maria. They both possess a raw, edgy, yet incredibly powerful vocal

presence that cannot be taught and is found only in true rock divas.

As a whole, The Space Keys have a certain je ne sais quoi – a rare energy that draws you in from the first strike of the electric guitar, beat of the drums or thump of the bass, and just when you think you’ve heard all there is, your ears are filled with the pleasing sound of modern synthesisers and electrifying flute, provided by the local legend and internationally renowned Howlin’ Wind, aka Andy Richardson.

“Being a part of The Space Keys is fantastic,” enthused TJ. “It’s quite an unlikely group, but we’re all on the same page. We don’t have to talk, we just play and there’s a common thread running through our hearts and minds.

“There’s a real understanding of where each other’s heads are at,” Maria agreed. “We have diverse taste in music but we’re always keen to hear what each other are listening to. And I don’t know of any current bands using the flute the way we do,” Maria added, “using such a classical instrument in a non-classical style. It’s completely wild the way he [Howlin’ Wind] plays it, and it fits really well with the music we

When&Where: The Barwon Club, Geelong – August 23

play, write, record and perform live.”

If you’re a Space Keys devotee, or simply live for live music, you’ll know they’ve played some of the most coveted venues in town. “We’ve played the Cherry Bar, The Espy and The Corner Hotel,” TJ lists off the top of her head.

A little closer to home they’ve

played The Nash and The Loft – the venue handpicked to play host to the ‘Freedom’ album launch party last weekend. Missed it?

No need to despair – they plan to do it all again at The Barwon Club on August 23rd, and I have it on good authority from TJ that we’ll be seeing more and more of The Space Keys.

“We’ve recently acquired a booking

Gangsters’ Ball Q&A

It’s the event where style is everything. The event where playing it cool will keep you alive. Where men are fellas and women are dames.

Leading up to its seventh birthday, we put on our best three-piece suit to have a chat with Graham Coupland, founder of the Gangsters’ Ball.

Hey Graham, thanks for taking the time to have a chat with Forte! Firstly, for those who have no idea what the Gangsters’ Ball is, could you give us a little description of the event and your role?

The Gangsters’ Ball is a faithful recreation of a classic ‘prohibition era’ Speakeasy, bringing to life the fashion, style, humour and classic merriment of the 1930s and ’40s. I’m the founder of the event and its creative director.

There definitely aren’t many events like it around. What sparked the idea for it?

When my swing band, The Velvet Set, started playing club shows in Sydney back in 2007, to keep things interesting I booked burlesque performers to dance between band sets. The shows drew loads of swing dancers and vintageinspired punters alike and the gigs had a real party atmosphere to them. So the idea of hosting a swing dancing ball with classic variety acts evolved, and in 2008 the Gangsters’ Ball debuted in Sydney to a sold-out Gaelic Theatre. In fact,

some 200 people in fancy dress queued at the door for over two hours to snap up the final 50 tickets.

Has the concept changed much since the debut show?

The first show in 2008 predominantly featured burlesque performers, along with the Velvet Set swing band. However, there were a lot of other burlesque shows and events running at that time and I wanted to create something more unique. So over the years the acts have diversified greatly, including burlesque dancers, swing dancers, cabaret starlets, vaudevillians, magicians, acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, contortionists and even a hypnotist!

The Gangsters’ Ball has sold out heaps of shows and is now in its seventh year (wow!).

What is it about the event that has people coming back?

I think it’s the quality of the performances and great live music.

Every show features the leading names in Australian and international cabaret, sideshow vaudeville, burlesque and big band swing, so attendees are treated to some amazing acts. It’s also the biggest fancy dress

When&Where: The Forum, Melbourne – September 13

event in the country, and who doesn’t love a chance to dress up?

What kind of performances/ activities can the audience expect to see this time around?

This year we have all the bases covered – burlesque dancers, swing dancers, vaudevillians, acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and a fabulous 10 piece big band. Attendees can slip into ‘The Gambling Den’ which boasts poker, roulette and blackjack tables, enjoy swing dancing performances, mingle with pin-up

models, browse the merchandise stalls, sip a cocktail at the bar, visit the vintage styling parlour and have a portrait taken at the 1930s-themed photo booth.

What are some of your personal favourites that are performing this year?

I’m very excited to have the Czech Republic’s Queen of Burlesque Stephanie van der Strumpf performing in Australia for the first time ever. MC chanteuse and Gangsters’ Ball favourite Aurora Kurth will be back as Kitty Ka-Bang!, sword swallowing strongman the Great Gordo will turn heads in amazement and acrobatic

agent who’ll be getting us gigs all over the place. Other than that, we’ve been completely selfmanaged, motivated and funded.

We’re looking forward to a new chapter of interest from the outside world. The Space Keys are looking forward to getting out into space!”

troupe Headfirst will dazzle.

What’s the general vibe of the crowd on the night?

The crowd go nuts! Just picture 1000+ gangsters, molls and flappers, dressed to the nines, sipping cocktails and dancing all night long. It’s a hoot!

What is it that you love about those decades (1920s-’50s)?

For me it’s the fabulous fashion and classic big band music. I love stepping back in time to a bygone era when men wore three-piece suits and fedoras, women wore feathers and pillbox hats, big bands ruled the airwaves and gangsters ruled the streets.

The Gangsters’ Ball is certainly a go-to event. Where do you plan to take it in the future?

Plans are well underway to expand into Asia, Europe and America, with the Gangsters’ Ball to run as a nightly casino show in Las Vegas.

Thanks again for doing the interview with us Graham. Is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up?

I’d suggest your readers purchase their tickets soon as the shows always sell out. They can buy tickets from Ticketmaster and for more information on the event visit www.gangstersball.com.au

Esvee Q&A

June saw the release of Best Kept Secret, the third solo album from Ballarat emcee Mr Esvee, and one partly dedicated to his sister. Given the sparse information on him to talent ratio, it is an appropriate title for him as well. Good thing then that we were able to steal a few minutes to learn a little more.

Hey Esvee, thanks for taking the time to have a chat with Forte Magazine. For those not familiar with your good self, please introduce yourself and tell us your trade.

My name is Salvatore Veca but as an emcee I’m known as Esvee. I write poetry for the real hip hop heads.

You are a born and bred Ballaratian and you have been emceeing for several years. Can you give us a brief background into your progression as an artist?

I have always loved rapping and used to make bedroom mixtapes just mucking around, but I released my first solo album Sovereignty in 2005. Following that came my second solo album Bleeding Heart Poetry in 2009. Now I have just released my third solo album, Best Kept Secret. Along the way I have been doing live shows and have featured on many other artists releases and compilations. I have always just gone with it and I have loved every minute of it.

Tell us about the scene in Ballarat when it comes to hip hop culture. We know some big acts such as Yacht Club DJs are killing the dance music scene. Is 36 forte

Ballarat as fruitful in the area of hip hop?

Ballarat has a good local support base; any time I have released an album or have performed live here it has been well received. I’m very grateful for the support Ballarat has given me on my musical journey.

You have recently released Best Kept Secret, an album you have been working on for a while. Tell us about the process behind making this release and talk to us about the album title.

Every time I make an album I just take it one track at a time, I never force anything when I write so the process does take time. I have always been a selfproclaimed ‘slow writer’ but that’s just how I have always done my thing. The album name Best Kept Secret is also the name of the signature track on the album.

I wrote it for my sister whom I no longer get to see. It’s like I will never get to share my artwork/music with her so I like to look at the situation as though that’s how it’s meant to be. So it’s Best Kept Secret.

How would you describe your music? Obviously there are several sub-genres of hip hop – where do you feel you fit in the picture?

I always write about real life situations or conceptual stories that usually tie

RELEASE: Best Kept Secret is out now

back to something real in my life or something that has happened. All in all I think I am just an Australian hip hop artist. But I have many times been told that I have a ‘diary’ type of style.

How do you think this release has improved in comparison to your first releases? Has there been a natural progression?

Yes, I think I have progressed. I am still doing the same thing but if time has passed and you are still doing what you love and giving it to people and they are enjoying it, it’s a progression.

You have a long-time accomplice DJ Bogues on the cut. How is ol’ Big Balls and what has the man been up to lately?

Yes, I have been working with Bogues for a decade now. He is well. He is doing the odd show

here and there and has been working on cuts for all kinds of great hip hop that will be coming out soon. Oh, and he does the odd show with me as well.

Anything else you would like to tell regional Victoria?

Yes, thank you for listening and if you haven’t already get yourself a copy of Best Kept Secret! You’re all bloody legends!

#

* !

forte 37

Forte Columns

le monde entier Written by Madelin Baldwin lemondeentier.net

pop culture!

Written by Anthony Morris

Remember the time when sketch comedy was meant to be the kind of comedy Australia did well? We may never have had a Golden Age of sitcoms in this country, but there was a long, long stretch – from the late ’80s through to the early 21st century – when sketch comedy was a permanent part of our television diet. And not just on the ABC either: the commercial networks were more than happy to have a bunch of comedians telling short stupid stories as part of their prime time schedules – so much so that it really took a very long run of very bad shows (The Wedge? Double Take? Comedy Inc: The Late Shift?) to kill sketch comedy there dead. But the ABC wasn’t blameless either, as while their sketch efforts were usually a little more individual and quirky, in recent years they’ve managed to serve up some shockers – The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting, anyone – seemingly designed to turn an entire generation off the very idea of sketch comedy.

It’s hard not to see the ABC’s current foray into sketch comedy as them seeking to make amends: the Fresh Blood initiative is a digitalonly program where a wide range of up-and-comers (25 were chosen, but only 24 seem to have made their sketches) were each given ten grand to make three sketches that are currently available on iView and (in some cases) on YouTube.

Calling this effort “Fresh Blood” is a bit of a stretch in some cases.

The Axis of Awesome has been around for a fair while now and Veronica Milsom (star of The Record) got her start on Hungry Beast and is a current regular on Mad as Hell. Some of the others are just well known sketch groups like Touched by an Angle Grinder and some have made their mark in other areas, with The Guardian’s online cartoonist The First Dog on the Moon being the guy behind puppet-show The Comestibles.

You can hardly blame the ABC for wanting to have at least some established names in there: if you’re handing out a quarter of a million dollars to get a bunch of sketches made, you’re going to want to put at least some of that money on a relatively safe bet. And as you’d expect from roughly 70-odd sketches, the quality is extremely variable. As a rough rule, the more jokes a sketch tries to cram in the better it is, which is a thumbsup for stuff like Crowd Failure, Mediacrity, Aunty Donna and Touched by an Angle Grinder.

Some of the high-concept ones have decent concepts – ’80s era Mad Men knock-off Crazy Bastards, the musical Donnatelegrams – but don’t do enough with them. And anyone trying to be too quirky or “dark” usually forgets to be funny. But even the unfunny ones are generally at least watchable, making this a rock-solid reminder that people who actually want to make sketch comedy are almost always better at it than a bunch of random actors and commercial directors lumped together to churn out some cheap TV. Which, you know, might be handy for the people who run Australian television to know.

38 forte

pulp Written by Cameron Urquhart and Alastair McGibbon

Cameron: A few months ago I

watched Lovecraft: The Fear of the Unknown, a documentary about one of my favourite authors, and the first thing I did while watching was make a list of everyone who appeared so I could check out their work. This was probably the best decision I ever made because it led me to check out Caitlin R. Kiernan and her novel The Red Tree.

To explain too much of the plot is to ruin a good portion of the book so I’ll keep it brief. After going through an incredibly difficult time in her life, author Sarah Crowe decides to leave the loud city of Atlanta behind and rent a much quieter cabin in the woods. At first everything goes to plan – the cabin is beautiful, Sarah can drink heavily without people passing judgment, and she can finally try and break through this writer’s block. Of course if everything stayed perfect it’d make for a dull novel. In a nearby field lies the titular tree, the centre of much folklore and mystery, and by all accounts is incredibly haunted. Though in a Henry James-like fashion it is entirely possible that the only thing haunting Sarah Crowe is Sarah Crowe.

The novel itself takes the form of a diary, ostensibly found by Sarah’s editor after her death, and while many entries serve only to account for the days’ banal activities, this terrible wooden behemoth creeps further and further into the narrative. People looking for action will be disappointed, but those who enjoy a slow burn ghost story in the style of Shirley Jackson or Laird Barron (minus the cosmic terror) will find The Red Tree to be exactly their kind of book.

Alastair: As you might have heard, DC is making a few changes to their titles. Gail Simone is off Batgirl, Brian Azzarello is finishing up on his excellent Wonder Woman run and Scott Lobdell is (rather controversially) back writing Red Hood and the Outlaws.

Most controversially, however, DC decided to fake Dick Grayson’s death at the end of their annoyingly long Forever Evil arc. Yup, the vast majority of the DC heroes (sans Batman, naturally) think he’s dead. Nightwing is no more, replaced by the new series Grayson, written by Tim Seeley (Revival, Batman Eternal) and former counterterrorism officer Tom King.

Despite my distaste for DC’s editorial decisions, I figured I’d give Grayson a shot – Nightwing is easily one of my favourite characters in the DC universe, and the end of the Nightwing series left me wanting more. Grayson strikes me as being DC’s answer to Black Widow and Winter Soldier.

While DC has everything from space cops to magical conmen, they haven’t really had any high-profile titles that could match the ultrasecretive espionage tales that Marvel is able to produce with their books.

It’s pretty hard to give a definitive judgement based on just one issue but it seems to me that Grayson is still very much developing. While issue #1 works well as an introduction to Dick’s new job as an agent of Spyral (last seen in Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated), it doesn’t paint a full picture of just why he’s content with playing dead. Hopefully as the series progresses we’ll find out exactly what is going on, but considering we’re talking about an espionage series that probably won’t happen until at least issue #20!

As Grayson is still developing, I’m expecting things to change up as time goes on. That said, the series is off to an interesting start. If you’re into Black Widow, it’s worth a look.

Awesome things that will cost you under $50

There are so many amazing sights and activities in the world, obviously – from the best places to enjoy a macaroon in Paris (Angelina near the Louvre is amazing, and although there are always queues to eat in, you can buy pieces from the side store!) to hiring a convertible mustang to drive the route 66 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles ($50 per person for one day hire). But for even the most cashed-up traveller, spending a lot of money on different activities can be a drag and so I’ve come up with a great list of cheap or free things to do and see in a few of my favourite cities!

• Walking tours.

Sometimes these are free; sometimes they will cost around 10 euros. I went on one a year ago in Barcelona and paid a small fee. It was the best thing I did for the five days! I was there because we got a huge walking tour of the city at night (safety in numbers with locals!), went out for a paella and sangria dinner (delicious) and finished with a flamenco show! It was the best way to see the city and also meet people without feeling too much like a ‘tour’. They can easily be found at most hostels.

• Arc de Triomphe. This is my pick for Paris. It costs nine euros and six euros for

Punk!

Written by Christopher Cruz

In terribly sad news, original Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone, the last living original member of the Ramones, lost his battle with cancer on the 11th of July. He was just 65.

Soundwave rumours are flying thick and fast throughout the interwebs.

Amongst the rumoured bands are Faith No More, Rise Against, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Slipknot, Linkin Park, Bayside, NOFX, Suicidal Tendencies, Powerman 5000, Smashing Pumpkins, Anthrax, Of Mice & Men, Slayer, Bad Religion, Anvil, Billy Talent, Enter Shikari, New Found Glory, Motörhead and Steel Panther. Most of these bands have toured with Soundwave at LEAST once – I’m not too jazzed just yet! One big change has been officially announced, though – the festival will run for TWO DAYS in each city, which potentially means twice as many bands. Hopefully this means more local bands will get a look-in. Stay tuned for more news as it comes to hand!

While I don’t normally cover hip hop artists or rappers (I mean, this IS a punk column, after all), I do have to give a shout-out to ANY Australian artist slaying overseas. Iggy Azalea is about to score her eighth straight week at number one in the US with her breakthrough single, ‘Fancy’. She’s also the first Australian artist to hit number one in that part

people under 26. It hands down has the best views of Paris, with all of the streets like a spider leading away. It has awesome views of the Eiffel Tower and is a perfect way to finish walking down the Champs-Élysées as it’s on top of a roundabout. It also has an eternal flame and an abundance of history about France and the wars. Also, buying a weekend saver metro card for the weekend is around 2-6 euros for two days, instead of buying a per day nine euro ticket!

• For the best views of the Empire State Building, climb to the ‘Top of the Rock’ at the Rockefeller Center in New York City. People go to the Empire for views, but don’t actually get to see it from the outside! It’s also cheaper, at only $29 USD. • Drinking beers in Cambodia. These start from 50c (where realistically a lot of things will!). Grab a few, sit by the pool, rent a motorbike, or enjoy with a bowl of cheap street food like glass noodle soup!

• Every day in Times Square they have discounted Broadway tickets on sale where you can queue for a different show, depending on the day of the week. Get in super early though to minimise your time lining up!

• Starbucks always have free wi-fi.

Enjoy a coffee (because even though it’s not ‘roasted and dried in Algeria and cold dripped through a funnel of unicorn hairs’, it’s a consistent franchise to enjoy a quick cuppa and check your emails! And upload photos of yourself doing all of the cool things above!

Simple things like pre-purchasing tickets for things will always keep the costs down. The Eiffel Tower lines in peak season are three hours long and cost 14 euros, but there is an empty line next to the main line for people who pre-purchase it online for the same cost. Being prepared makes a world of difference! of the world since Brissy boys Savage Garden did it over a decade ago. Nice!

Ballarat, here’s an exciting one for ya: The Savages are returning to the Karova Lounge on Friday, August 8 to launch their debut album!

Joining them on the night will be The Shorts, Morning After Morning and newcomers Infernal Bliss! Be there, it’s gonna be amazing!

Doors open 8.30 p.m. and $6 gets you in!

Recently saw a few episodes of The Voice and I’m telling ya, Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, etc.) is not wrong in his opinion of these abysmal talent programs. I use the word “talent” loosely, as it doesn’t take much to sing karaoke.

Have you got YOUR tickets to see Courtney Love on her upcoming tour yet? The new songs I’ve heard online lately have been pretty amazing – full of energy and passion. Here’s hoping they stand up live, but I’m pretty sure they will!

Feedback on the latest Pennywise offering, Yesterdays, has been less than kind. It’s not a bad record, especially when you consider the origins and context of the record. A brand new studio album of brand new songs wouldn’t go astray, though...

Hmmm... While shopping online recently, I discovered that CDs that retail for between $18.99 and $22.99 at JB Hi-Fi are going for as low as $7.99 in the US. It’s little wonder that people are heading online (and even flying overseas) to do their shopping these days.

Even iTunes is dearer here – for the exact same digital downloads! Crazy! And while we’re at it, how are vinyl LPs retailing for as much as $46.99? Can somebody look into this, please?

Tom from Blink-182 has promised fans a brand new studio album, apologising for the time it’s taken them to get their ish together. No sweat, Tom. Take your time. Seriously. Read between the lines.

It seems the Hits & Pits festival is done and dusted after a string of bad luck and allegations of bands going unpaid on the last go-round. Death by Stereo in particular have been very vocal in their disgust at the Australian promoters. Sad to hear.

And just like that, we’re done for another issue! Stay cool, kids! It’s winter, so you won’t have to try too hard...

blues news too heavy to hug Written by John (Dr John) Lamp Proudly pesented by The Sleepy Hollow Blues Club

If you have a look at the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society webpage or newsletter, you will find an entry describing their “Eternal Patron”, Dutch Tilders. Many organisations have a patron, but this is the only example I have ever come across of an Eternal Patron. Immediately, you think that this must be something special.

“Dutch” Tilders is very special when it comes to blues in Australia.

He was born in 1941 in Nijmegen, Holland, and emigrated to Australia in 1955 on the SS Fairsea – a boat person when we welcomed them.

In 1959 he got his first guitar and started playing blues around Melbourne cafés. At this time, jazz and was more popular and there was this strange thing called rock and roll emerging in Australia. There was an outlet in the folk circuits, and folk music remained strong into the seventies when even the major folk festivals broadened and began to welcome other genres.

In 1960 he had released a private recording on vinyl, but in the 1970s he was signed to Bootleg and released his self-titled album, working with Brian Cadd and using Chain as a backing band.

He appeared at Sunbury Pop Festivals and toured England with John Mayall.

Returning to Australia, his next album was a joint work with Margaret Roadnight, Australian Jazz of the 70s Vol. 5 The Blues Singers. Most of his tracks on this album were his own originals. This was followed by Break, recorded with musicians from The Foreday Riders and Company Caine. He went on to release a further 12 LPs and three singles.

He supported Sony Terry and Brownie McGee and B.B. King during the seventies. According to legend, B.B. King first heard Dutch from backstage and, from the quality of the performance, expected to see a black bluesman. He ended up working with Brownie McGee for some time and did a number of combined tours.

He also toured with Taj Mahal.

In 1981 he even opened for Billy Connolly! In Australia, he fronted the Cyril B Bunter Band, which has recently re-formed, and also The Elks and Mickey Finn. He played with Jim Conway from Captain Matchbox, Kevin Borich and the Express. He had a long-time backing band, The Blues Club, which included Martin Cooper, Winston Galea, Geoff Achison and Barry Hills. After The Blues Club, he formed The Holey Soles with Ian Clarke, Anthony Harkin and Greg Dodd. In fact, it’s probably easier to list the major Australian blues artists that he hasn’t performed with – and that’s probably because they were still at school!

Dutch Tilders was one of the founders of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, and made their patron shortly after.

In 2010 his manager announced he had been diagnosed with cancer and a benefit concert was held with a line-up of Tilders, Chain, Kevin Borich Express, Chris Finnen, Steve Russell, Geoff Achison, Lloyd Spiegel, Stevie Page and Jeannie Lushes Band. He retired from performing in January the following year due to the illness and ongoing treatment.

On 23 April 2011 Matthew “Dutch” Tilders died, aged 69.

He was dubbed the “Godfather of Blues” in Australia, and that’s why he will be the MBAS Eternal Patron. Despite all this, I recently saw an artist written up as having played with “The Dutch Tilders!” Truly the penalty of fame is that there are millions of people who have never heard of you. But now, dear reader, you are no longer one of them.

Written by Paul S Taylor

In less than a month one of the most exciting Australian heavy metal releases in years will hit the shelves – and I’m not talking about a new AC/DC album. The documentary Metal Down Under: A History of Australian Heavy Metal will be released on DVD – and it looks like it’ll be amazing. Metal fan and filmmaker Nick Calpakdjian took two years to travel this wide land to interview more than 40 people in the know including metal musicians, fans and metal media. Metal documentaries have become more prolific in recent years and it’s fantastic to know we’ll have a voice of our own on the global stage when it comes to Australian heavy metal history and culture.

From past to present, the New York Post has reported metal teenage band Unlocking the Truth has signed a $1.7 million deal with Sony after a YouTube video of them playing in Times Square went viral with 1.5 million views. The band consists of thirteen-year-olds Malcolm Brickhouse (guitars) and Alec Atkins (bass) and twelve-year-old Jarad Dawkins (drums). Since the YouTube videos the kids have gone on to open for other bands and join the bill on some music festivals. The deal isn’t as black and white as the headline suggests. Basically, the band needs to sell 250,000 copies of their first album to see any cash which, in ARIA terms, means they’ll have to sell more than that Triple Platinum (210,000 sales) album Guy Sebastian released here.

Unlocking the Truth has a massive job on their hands, so all the best to them.

In other news…

Corrosion of Conformity will play The Reverence on Saturday, July 26.

Their new album IX is out now.

The Midyear Mayhem Tour featuring Buried in Verona, Antagonist A.D. and Stories will be held at the Phoenix Youth Centre, Melbourne for an all-ages show on Friday, July 25 and for a licensed show at the Evelyn Hotel on Saturday, July 26.

King Parrot will fly into Ding Dong on Friday, July 25, the Barwon Club on Saturday, July 26 and Karova Lounge on Sunday, July 27.

Neurosis will play The Corner Hotel on Thursday, August 7.

Metal Down Under: A History of Australian Heavy Metal will be released on Friday, August 22.

Anathema will be at The Corner Hotel on Saturday, August 23.

Opeth will release their new album Pale Communion on Tuesday, August 26.

DevilDriver and Whitechapel will be at 170 Russell on Sunday, September 7.

John Garcia will not only play The Espy’s Gershwin Room but will also be available for signings and a meet and greet before the show on Friday, September 12.

Cannibal Corpse will play 170 Russell on Friday, September 12.

Veruca Salt will play The Corner on Friday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 30 to sold-out audiences.

Another show has been added at The Corner Hotel on Wednesday, October 1.

Sepultura will be at 170 Russell on Friday, October 3.

Gorguts will play the Northcote Social Club on Friday, November 14.

Toxic Holocaust and Iron Reagan will be at The Reverence in Footscray on Sunday, November 16.

Primordial are slated to release their new album Where Greater Men Have Fallen on Friday, November 21.

Body Count will release their new album Manslaughter later this year.

The 2015 Melbourne Soundwave festival will be held on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22.

fortemag.com.au

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forte 39

Refining the Palette

THE POWER OF PEOPLE AT EUREKA WORDS IN WINTER Words in Winter is an annual literary and arts festival held in August each year in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts.

Words in Winter is a

celebration of words, stories and ideas in all their forms shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors, and exhibitions.

In 2013 nine towns

participated including Daylesford, Trentham, Clunes, Newstead, Creswick, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Carisbrook and Dunolly.

Each town creates their own unique program.

Words in Winter was founded in 2002 by

David Hall and is now in its twelfth year.

WHERE: Various venues

in Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts WHEN: 1-31 August INFO: www.

wordsinwinter.com

JAZMINA CININAS + LUCY HARDIE: FEMME FATALE

CRAFT CUBED '14 Boom Gallery presents a group show to celebrate Craft Cubed 2014.

Exhibiting the work of an impressive group of talented local designers & makers to celebrate Geelong.

Nin Coutts – Textile artisan & gatherer of relics Fee Watkins – Jeweller creating geometric forms with silver, vintage beads & found objects Rachel Hine – Tapestry & Weaving

PARALLAX DANCE COMPANY Parallax Dance Company is one of Geelong’s finest dance companies, composed of highly skilled dancers from around the region. Company members are trained rigorously in different dance genres and are encouraged to add their best personality when they perform. The passion for dance and performance is the guiding light of Parallax Dance.

Established in May 2007

by Artistic Director, Jordan Punsalang, members of the company have since performed in numerous professional shows, various community projects, SplashDance Festivals, Short Circuit series and musical productions.

Alumni of the company

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The femme fatale is an archetype of literature and art: a mysterious, seductive woman, and her ability to entrance and hypnotise her victim was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural.

Jazmina Cininas re-imagines the female werewolf throughout history in exquisite, reduction linocut portraits drawing on early modern woodcuts, Baltic folklore, Victorian gothic literature, comics and contemporary cinema.

Barry Smith – Impossible bottles & nautical knots Dowel Jones – co founders of Independent award winning LAB DE STU Kirsten Perry – jeweller & ceramicist Refugee Women in Geelong / Sewing & English – handcrafted fabric baskets

Lucy Hardie thinks of herself as a modern romantic and her meticulous ink drawings reflect influences of the Symbolists and Pre-Raphaelites, however inspiration is also derived from natural phenomena, fairy tales and Integral Philosophy.

WHERE: Boom Gallery, 11

Rutland Street, Geelong

WHERE: Metropolis Gallery. 64 Ryrie Street, Geelong

WHEN: 8-30 August

WHEN: 1-16 August

INFO: boomgallery.com.au

INFO: www.metropolisgallery.com.au

have landed lead roles in various local and national musical theatre productions, been cast in professional shows, passed the rigorous auditions in WAAPA and VCA, been accepted in full-time dance schools, and forged their own professional careers either as a dance teacher, a choreographer or a dancer in Australia and overseas.

There are many fun classes available, for all ages and skill levels.

BOB BROWN ON OPTIMISM Bob Brown spent 20 years as leader of The Greens party and has been involved in politics for most of his life. He has seen successive governments on both sides of the political divide come and go, and fought numerous

campaigns championing human rights and fighting for the preservation of the environment.

Throughout it all, he has managed to remain upbeat and optimistic. Where does this optimism come from, and how important is a positive outlook for propagating change?

and charismatic political figures. His new book Optimism: Reflections on a Life of Action sees him speak for the first time since his retirement from public life. In it he recalls the key events that have left a lasting impression on him, the ideas that have captured his imagination, and his belief in optimism as a powerful agent that can make a real difference.

This is a unique Bob is one of Australia’s most loved opportunity to hear one

WHERE: MAAD

Studios. 405 Pakington Street, Geelong WHEN: Classes are Mon-

Thur: 9am-9.30pm; Sat: 9am-9.30pm

PHONE: 0434 036 933 EMAIL: parallaxdance@

hotmail.com

INFO: facebook.com/

parallaxdancecompany/info

BILARNI Bilarni tells the tale of an uneducated Northern Territory bushman – the greatest yarn-spinner of them all, a soldier who returned from WW1 to live among Aborigines as a lover,

husband and father who lost it all… an that’s only a part of the epic tale.

Jan “Yarn” Wositzky began his career in 1971 as the tea-chest bass player in the renowned Bushwackers.

Nowadays he is a storyteller musician from Castlemaine.

WHERE: Gallery Theatre. Lot 19, Langslow Street, Castlemaine WHEN: 8-10 August INFO: janwositzky.com.au

of the most effective and positive politicians in recent history discuss how remaining optimistic in the face of tough challenges is the only realistic way forward.

WHERE: Deakin’s Costa

Hall. Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong WHEN: Monday 4

August. 7pm

INFO: www.gpac.org.au

The Eureka Stockade and the events leading up to it on 3 December 1854, have always been hotly contested. Like much of history, who tells the story will determine the version of events you hear.

For the diggers, building a wooden barricade on the site where M.A.D.E now stands, was a necessary tactic in the face of corrupt and aggressive government officials. To the government, these actions were a dangerous defiance of the established authority. The diggers wanted a voice, while the government opposed democratic representation for all men. Even the miners themselves were split about the best way to achieve change – some believed in the use of physical force, while others supported nonviolent petitioning.

The Power of People at Eureka, a new temporary exhibition at M.A.D.E, examines the perspectives of 12 men and women who were part of the Eureka events. Through an interesting display of stories, photographs and objects, visitors will be able to discover more about both sides of this fascinating national story before having the opportunity to cast their own vote to answer the question, “Which is mightier, the pen or the sword?”

WHERE: M.A.D.E.

102 Stawell Street South, Ballarat

WHEN: 18 July – 8 August INFO: www.made.org

Forte Illustration Each issue for as long as we can muster, a local artist will be submitting an illustration or piece of art to Forte, free of charge, for publication.

If you turn over to page 42 you will see the first submission from Jaclyn Poole.

Pick up each issue of Forte Magazine to see each piece by a new artist each week!

Refining the Palette

The Remix Readings Written by Amanda Sherring, Photo by Daniel Longo

Play readings mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but with the Remix Readings at Courthouse ARTS they’re mixing things up a bit so even those who cringe at the word should give it a go.

This time around creator Mitch Cunningham has infused narrative, sound and performance to recreate the idea of traditional play readings.

“Our goal is to take five scripts from five young writers and to chop, change, revise and remix those scripts into a unique series of performances,” Mitch says.

And if anyone is going to achieve this goal, it will be Mitch. He is currently writing a PhD thesis on narrative theory and American literature whilst playing in and writing songs for the band Ghost Cowboys.

“I wanted to play to those strengths with the Remix Readings and explore the intersections between narrative, sound and performance in a collaborative setting,” he says.

To help him achieve his goal, Mitch has collaborated with a group of Geelong musicians, actors and choreographers, each delivering something unique to the readings.

“The collaboration is ongoing, and I feel that it will push the

readings into a wide range of styles, modes and themes,” Mitch says.

“We are quite literally remixing lines from the scripts into an ambient electronic track at the moment with local musician Blair Martin Hall, which will serve as a kind of overture to the first reading on July 31.”

While Blair may do the music, five local writers that Mitch has carefully selected do the five scripts, and he is more than happy with the team he has gathered.

“Zac Linford is a workshop veteran with a stoic and lyrical style.

Jonathon Lawrence is a Deakin graduate with an ear for the absurd and bombastic. Laura Bentley is a Law student with a satirical streak and pitch-perfect delivery.

Callum Padgett is a radio host with unparalleled insight into the state of the modern zombie,” he says. “And Declan Hodge is a Deakin student who channels his manic energies into intricate, subversive comedies of error. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with.”

Between the talented writers, performers and musician, and with Mitch’s careful guidance, the Remix Readings tease out each script and form the collaborative, open-ended vibes of each show.

“Not quite a script, not quite a show, drawing on the audience’s imagination to evoke and express a story. We’re trying to amplify those dimensions with the Remix Readings,” Mitch says. “We’re carving out some weird territory with the project. It’ll be the fun kind of weird, as opposed to the intimidating, sort of wanky kind of weird.”

While it may cross into strange territory, Mitch is conscious of keeping the audience on side, especially the Geelong audience who can be a tricky crowd to please.

“Geelong audiences have a keen radar for bullshit, though, and you’ve got to play to that,” he says.

The first Remix Readings will be on July 31 and though he realises it may still not be for everyone, he just hopes people will leave happy with “a big grin on their face, a tune stuck in their head and a sense of having forgotten (or remembered) something important”.

To book or for more information visit courthouse.org.au.

When&Where:

Courthouse ARTS, Geelong – July 31, November 13 & December 18

Bell Shakespeare’s Henry V Written by Amanda Sherring

398 years after his death, William Shakespeare is still inspiring generations beyond imagination.

From paintings to tattoos, his wise words can be found almost everywhere.

A long-time lover of Shakespeare’s work, Ildiko Susany was destined to land a role in Damien Ryan’s rendition of Henry V. While some people may completely shut down at the mere mention of Shakespeare, there are reasons why plays are still using his words hundreds of years later.

“I love that it’s very dynamic. Shakespeare was really one of the first writers of his era to tap into that human condition and be able to tell a complex story that might not necessarily have a strong moral,” Ildiko says. “He’d really leave it up to the audience to decide what was right or wrong and the purpose of the show. I think that’s probably why he stands the test of time.”

Having Shakespeare’s

writing as a starting point gives any play strong foundations long before they make their changes. In Henry V, what Ryan has built on top of this creates a highly original piece that will appeal to audiences young and old.

“Damien Ryan, our director, has put it in a really fascinating context. The concept is based on a true story in the World War II setting where these children are having to hide out during the blitz. In the true story, these kids were hiding out in a bunker and they put on plays to get them through the night and to not be scared,” she says.

“So I think having those two worlds bleed make it interesting.

And also the areas where you almost can’t tell if it’s the students in the classroom, or whether it’s the actual characters of Henry V that are playing in that play and in that context.”

Ildiko may be fresh

in the company but she can still appreciate a truly great play. She has even dabbled in a bit of writing herself, so she is able to examine a play from both sides of its creation.

Each element of the play has been carefully considered to ensure that the audience can get the best experience from seeing it. The performers make all scene changes right in front of the audience, so there’s no awkward waiting as black silhouettes creep on stage. The language has been carefully thought out, and though the play stays true to Shakespeare’s language, it isn’t afraid to mix things up a bit.

“At the same time we’re not going, ‘This is poetry and we can’t mess with it’. We think we’re able to be coy with how we tell the story and I think that will be very accessible to the audiences,” Ildiko says.

It’s this writing style and the overall plotline that will have audience members

feeling the love for the poetic play master.

“I think doing it in the context of these students being put in the play and having to work with what they’ve got in the room to create this magic of theatre, that’s what really makes it accessible. It makes you think anyone

can be involved in Shakespeare and find a love for it. You don’t have to feel alienated from it,” she says.

When&Where:

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat – August 12 & 13 and The Capital, Bendigo – August 19

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Refining the Palette

FORTE ILLUSTRATION #1

Bendigo Writers Festival

jaclyn poole enthuzed.net

Three words: Bendigo Writers Festival. Put them together and they open up doors to rooms full of ideas, good company and great people.

In just a couple of years, Bendigo Writers Festival is already well known for its warmth and friendliness, for its superb location at the majestic Capital in View Street right next door to the Art Gallery, and also for the diverse, inclusive and unashamedly inviting program. Now in its third year, the festival lights up View Street, spreading over four venues, plus a Festival Hub for a bit of author-schmoozing and book browsing.

This year, there’s crimewriting (Michael Robotham, Garry Disher), big history ( Joan Beaumont, Robert Manne, Blanche d’Alpuget), the way we are (Anne Manne, Jeff Sparrow), Australiana (Les Murray, Jackie French), songwriting (Charles Jenkins, Liz Stringer) and even dinosaurs ( John Pickrell).

We’ve got big names such as Alex Miller, Sonya Hartnett and Leslie Cannold. And we welcome new writers, such as Kirsten Krauth, Jenny Valentish and Julie Proudfoot.

“Expect a bit of irreverence,” festival director Rosemary Sorensen says. “When you put so many writers together (more than 100!), things always get lively. “The bar’s open from noon, too, and we think we’re the first festival in the country to invite our audiences to take their coffee or wine with them into the sessions – most civilised, eh!”

Ms Sorensen says Bendigo Writers Festival is built around the notion that writing is more than books.

“It’s a lifestyle and a way to enjoy being alive,” she says. “It’s as much about our audiences as it about our writers, what they want, how they respond, creating an atmosphere that works for everyone.”

To check out the program or for more information visit bendigowritersfestival. com.au or call the Capital on 5434 6100.

Little Bird GPAC, Geelong Thursday 10 July, 2014

Little Bird had been running for a number of weeks at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne and last week treated some very lucky audience members to a perfomance at GPAC on Thursday 10th July. It is the story of a small-town country boy with some serious Mummy and Daddy Issues! Wren was born to a loving couple who lived in an isolated cottage in the forest.

A curious young child, Wren was always asking strange questions like, “Can a boy bird sing a girl bird’s song?” Perhaps fed up with her routine life, Wren returned home 42 forte

from school one evening to find his mother gone from their cottage.

Wren felt a huge void in his life, something that certainly his Father who had became completely detached was unable to fill. His mother had ‘died of happiness’ or so he had been told, Wren decided one day that his only option was to leave as well and such begins his adventure of self-discovery.

The perfomace surpassed any expectations that I had, as I was initially unsure of how the one-man-show could be pulled off !

Eating my words now though, with Paul Capsis brilliant story-telling.

Capsis, legend of Australian stage gives the most amazing solo

performance, capturing the character of not only Wren but also a number of other characters that he encounters along his journey. His voices are truly mystifying, and his singing is so engaging and filled with emotion, songs by Cameron Goodall (The Audreys) and Quentin Grant are simple yet completely heart-felt and the audience is taken with Wren every step of his identityfulfilling adventure.

Play write, Nikki Bloom’s grim tale is staged marvellously with simple and effective stage design. The story conjures thoughts of historical fairytales, a cottage in the winter-time. This fairytale moves from the gloomy forest where

Wren meets a rather hopeful woman, to the big city where he meets Rocky, a wood-cutting, dress-wearing cityslicker that introduces him to a whole new world that makes us question gender norms.

Capsis gives a relentless performance with his portrayal as the coy Wren, to the skittish Rocky, with his breaking into mesmerising song; one cannot help to be completely immersed in his world, feeling the anguish and rejection that he feels. Little Bird is the complex tale of how one’s life is impacted by grief and our human lack of comprehending grief and a performace I definately take my hat off to.

Abbey King

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Battle for the

VS

NO

RT

HSI

RS

Bay

D E ROL

LE

4 teams battle it out for no.1

ROLLER DERBY Adults: $15 Kids under 12: Free Doors open 2pm August 9 2014 geelongrollerderby.com

northsiderollers.com

LEISURETIME CENTRE, 262-282 ANAKIE RD, NORLANe

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Inside Splinters

Written by Adem Ali

MESSIAH

THE SPLINTERS 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER LP REVIEW The global eruption of Australianbred pop-rock outfit 5 Seconds of Summer has been a long time coming.

Splinters was first introduced to the compelling four-piece at the beginning of 2013 as they supported boyband One Direction during their UK tour.

What was most interesting about this gig was that the Aussie quartet proved to deliver so much quality entertainment that they virtually eclipsed One Direction’s own show with their bravado, talent and charm.

The pairing of 5SOS and 1D together on a tour makes a lot of sense, particularly as 5SOS were virtually unknowns at the time, but try not to confuse our homegrown lads as some kind of boyband; Luke, Ashton, Michael and Calum write almost all of their own songs and – queue the credibility klaxon – play their own instruments. 5 Seconds of Summer are more McFly, Busted or Paramore than they are One Direction or Backstreet Boys, with a harder edge that sits on several genre borderlines: pop, rock, punk and ska.

Their influences are more Green Day or Blink-182 than they are outright, boyband pop, with a predominantly teenage female fan base at the core.

With the arrival of their longawaited debut album the Aussie lads are set for complete world domination, already selling out arenas the world over and topping the ARIA Albums Chart here in their home country. The self-titled affair has gone Number 1 in nine different countries and Top 10 in an additional 11, including a Number 2 debut in the often difficult to crack United Kingdom.

But is the album any good? Well, it’s certainly a Big Yes from Splinters.

‘She Looks So Perfect’, the lead single to be lifted off the album, is a pitch-perfect pop/rock song. In One Direction’s quest for ‘credibility’ with their last, Ed Sheeran-esque album, they managed to lose what made them so likeable. Thankfully, 5 Seconds of Summer have held on to their guitars and drum kits whilst still being able to make undeniable quality pop music.

‘She Looks So Perfect’ manages to outdo all of One Direction’s previous efforts without really trying. Bravo.

It’s not as automatic an attraction with follow-up single ‘Don’t Stop’, though this seems to be about as middle of the road as 5 Seconds get. It certainly wouldn’t be our choice for second single, but the video is nothing short of a pop music masterpiece.

The hilarious and somewhat statutory-rapey ‘18’ sees our lads chase after a girl who’s “a little bit older”, so much so they’ve gone out

A brand new song from Queen of Pop Madonna is coming, and it’s called ‘Messiah’. The “I’m Going Bananas” chanteuse continues to tease us with snippets and lyrics from the song via her Instagram account.

artRAVE Less than a month to go, Australia. Have you got your Gaga tickets yet?

5 SECONDS OF SUMMER Their new album is the bizness.

or

ONE DIRECTION Bye now!

THE VOICE Now that The Dannii Factor has returned to our television sets, we will no longer be requiring your services.

Thanks anyway, Kylie.

CONCERT OVERLOAD Not that we should really be complaining, but there are so many gigs coming up we’re going to end up bankrupt trying to finance the tickets! Oy vey!

and bought themselves a fake I.D. to meet up with her. “She told me to meet her there, I can’t afford a busfare/She’s got a naughty tattoo in a place that I want to get to, but my mum still drives me to school.”

The equally as riotous ‘Good Girls’ follows a similar pattern, where the band insist that “good girls are bad girls that haven’t been caught”.

Ridiculous, Over The Top, and Amazing. Of the truly high-octane moments, ‘End Up Here’ is by far the best of the lot, with a soaring, stadium-ready chorus that shows band members Ashton Irwin and Michael

Clifford off as brilliant songwriters.

The high energy pop/rock numbers are stellar, but it’s the ballads on this debut that stand tall above the rest. The best cuts here are heartbreaking third (and rightful!) single ‘Amnesia’ and the truly tender ‘Beside You’. The former is actually the last track on the standard edition of the album and plays like an emotional, brick-loaded smack in the face after what is, essentially, a rocky-pop record.

Luke Hemmings delivers his lines with so much heart and passion you’d think he wrote the song, when in fact it was Good Charlotte’s Madden

brothers who co-wrote the affair. On the subject of songwriting, the latter showcases Hemmings’ penmanship.

Penmanship duties which, on this particular number, he shared with Australia’s very own Christian Lo Russo from the ace Amy Meredith.

All in all, this debut effort from 5 Seconds of Summer plays like a very likeable, smartly produced and wickedly written rock-meets-pop record. Sure, the lyrical content is mostly directed at their core fan base – teenage girls – but there is something legitimately here for almost everybody. Songs of love,

loss, heartbreak and teenage angst – whatever your age, it’s all something you can easily relate to.

Give these talented, top-notch blokes a go before you throw them into a boyband stereotype.

Oh, and it just so happens to be a wild added bonus that they are not at all ugly to look at.

Final Grade:

“Let those oats be felt. Imagine you’re in a Whitesnake video at all times.”

Hilarious DJ @JoshPeace wants us all to feel our oats.

8.5/10

For more music news and reviews follow @AdemWithAnE on Twitter!

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Melody Pool Written by Natalie Rogers

If you had the pleasure of catching the exceptionally talented and beautiful Melody Pool and her perfectly paired partner-in-crime, NZ’s Marlon Williams, at Geelong’s Beav’s Bar last week, then you’ll know their chemistry on stage is quite unique and rather enchanting.

The coming together of two such musically in tune artists seems like kismet. Melody and Marlon possess the ability to harmonise and complement each other, while at the same time never overshadowing one another.

On a rather icy winter morning recently I sat down with the celebrated songbird to discuss everything from finding herself alone in Nashville to her thoughts on life in the 1950s and her eagerness to begin recording the follow-up to her acclaimed debut, 2013’s The Hurting Scene. “The process of recording my first album was incredible. I was only twenty-one when I hopped on a plane to Nashville and I didn’t know anyone. Once in the studio we tracked the whole album in three days, because we recorded as a live band, before adding the harmonies and string section. It was a huge step for me and a huge step towards independence.”

Flawlessly crafted tunes of heartbreak, betrayal and personal liberation give the listener an insight into the soul of a young woman finding her way in the

world. Often referred to as an old soul (a title Melody embraces wholeheartedly), she stressed the fact that she’s a modern woman and wouldn’t trade places with the older generation if given the chance. “I fit that description in a lot of ways, but I’m an avid feminist and I don’t think I’d like to live in a decade like the fifties because I get pissed off at feeling oppressed in these times!”

Melody plans to continue exploring the issues surrounding feminism and womanhood through her songwriting, with a view to releasing her sophomore album as early as next year. “I’m almost finished the writing stage and I’m hoping to show progression from the first record – it’s definitely going to be darker sonically, set around the minor chords. I would love to go back to Nashville and work with the same guys, but hopefully we’ll be able to give ourselves a little more time – maybe do it over two or three weeks!” she laughed.

“On The Hurting Scene I was dealing with a lot of hurt and everything that goes along with that, so I want this next one to be about learning how to deal with that as an adult, and as a woman. Though part of it will be about not wanting to

When&Where: Ararat Hotel, Ararat – August 14; Harvester Moon, Bellarine – August 15; & The Bridge, Castlemaine – August 17

deal with it at all – being stubborn and not wanting to grow up.” She paused.

“It’s an unravelling story, I suppose.”

Hear the story so far when Melody and Marlon roll back into town – you won’t be disappointed. “Sometimes you just click with people musically

and that happened for Marlon and me. We’d always got along really well but when we were setting up this tour together neither of us really knew how it was going to work until we started learning each other’s songs and singing them together. Then we were like, ‘Wow, this is going to be a great tour!’

“I stopped touring for a while and I got tour-sick!” Melody joked. “I’m itching now to play my new songs – to test them. I loved playing the songs from The Hurting Scene, but it’s more nostalgic playing them. Playing the new songs will be a real adrenaline rush.”

the Obits Written by Natalie Rogers

Brooklyn-based garage rockers Obits were every bit as chuffed to hear they’d be returning to our friendly shores as we were. Picture this: the year is 2012 and a quartet of exceptionally gifted musicians touch-down in Australia impressing even the most savvy rock ’n’ rollers with their stripped-down sound. Then, in the blink of an eye, they were gone, leaving thousands of Obits covets in their wake. I recently caught up with guitarist Sohrab Habibion who explained why they like to love audiences and leave them wanting more.

“We’ve done a bunch of touring but we sort of do it in little chunks. We try not to string too much stuff in a row because we realised that more than two weeks on tour doesn’t work for us. Truth is, I don’t think we’re as good a band after a couple of weeks on the road. I have a kid now and Rick’s [lead vox and guitar] son is getting older, so being away and playing fourteen nights in a row can be gruelling, especially if we’ve had one too many beers on those fourteen nights in a row, you know?” he joked. “And we definitely run the risk of that in Australia.”

“We had so much fun last time and this time we actually get to play – I know I’ll say it wrong – is it Geelong? [G-Town actually sounds quite

exotic in his strong Brooklyn accent].

Last time we didn’t get to go there or Canberra, so it’ll be cool to go to a couple of new places. Last time we came to Australia was the first time we’d come as the Obits. Rick had been here with the Hot Snakes and myself and Alexis our drummer toured with Girls Against Boys, but Greg our bass player had never been at all. It was a real treat. Everywhere we went the people were really cool, and honestly the food and the coffee is so good. You guys do the coffee thing really well.”

After discussing his favourite blends, the conversation inevitably turned to his true love and passion: rocking out.

“We’re all huge fans of rock and roll and there’s so much good music coming out of Australia and there has been for so long. I was thinking about this recently, and I don’t know if it’s because you guys are cut off the way you are or what it is, but in a really lovely way Australian bands just do their own thing. Not to say you don’t have any connection to the UK or American music scene, but it doesn’t seem indebted to it. It seems really and truly self-realised.”

Among the bands Obits cite as influences are Forte favourites Cosmic

When&Where: The Barwon Club, Geelong – August 1 & The Revence, Melbourne - August 2

Psychos, but the praise doesn’t stop there. “Going back to Vanda and Young – they’re such great songwriters and producers. I love the way those early Easy Beats records sound … and then there’s the whole realm of punk – Radio Birdman and The Scientists. The list just goes on.”

Added to that list are Kids of

Zoo and The Peep Tempel, two local bands handpicked by them to open their show at The Barwon Club. “We aim to have a local support at every show we play. The way we look at it, it’s our one night in whatever that city may be and everything that happens on that night affects us like the beer or the food, whether people are friendly or not and if we like the bands we’re playing with. So we try

really hard to pick bands that we like.

The Peep Tempel and Kids of Zoo are two bands we thought were doing something cool and we’re excited about. I’m looking forward to meeting them and finally seeing them live.”

Obits’ critically acclaimed third album Bed Bugs [2013] is out now through Sub Pop Records.

Russell Morris Written by Paul McBride

After almost 50 years in the music business, Russell Morris is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance, with his last two albums reaching numbers six and four on the ARIA charts respectively. It’s all thanks to throwing a bit of caution to the wind and getting back to his roots, says the 65-year-old Victorian.

“I remember an ex-manager asking me what I was doing next,” he says. “I said I was doing a blues album. He said ‘why would you do something stupid like that?’ and I said because I really like the blues, to which he replied ‘but nobody will ever buy it’. I’m not doing it for that reason, I’m doing it because I really love it. I think people can relate to the music lyrically and like the sound. A lot of traditional Australian music is real corny country stuff that a lot of people can’t relate to, with lines like [adopts country accent] ‘he came down from Nanadoon with a swagger on his back’.

I wanted something with a bit more meat to it.”

2013’s Sharkmouth and the recently released Van Diemen’s Land tell stories about a range of colourful Australian characters from as far back as convict times.

“I’d done probably six albums that had sunk without a trace,” Morris says. “I was sick of trying to write songs that I thought people might like.

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“ I’m not doing it for that reason, I’m doing it because I really love it.”

So, I decided to go back and make an album of stuff that I would really like. I thought about what got me into music, and the first album that really got me into rhythm and blues was the very first Rolling Stones album. I started off performing with a blues band and that was the happiest I think I was. I was in Sydney and I saw a photo from 1916 of a guy called Thomas Archer being arrested. The photo really transfixed me and I took it home, wrote a song called ‘Sharkmouth’ and as soon as I wrote it, I sort of saw the light.

“I’m Australian, with an English/ Irish background, so that’s what I’ve got to write about and talk about my history and my blues.

That’s when I started writing about where my ancestors came from.”

Morris will bring his new lease on life on a national tour beginning the first week of August.

“Hopefully it’ll be an entertaining

show,” he says. “I’ve picked all the songs from the albums that I think are the best to do, and hopefully we can entertain the crowd. I think we should do because we’ve been doing a lot of blues festivals and it’s been really, really good; a lot of fun.”

Fans of Morris’s material from the sixties and seventies needn’t worry; he still plays classics ‘The Real Thing’, ‘Rachel’ and ‘Sweet, Sweet Love’ live.

“I almost become a sort of Doctor Who as we take a trip through time and end up in 1969,” he says. “That’s a way I can introduce it. I still enjoy doing the old songs, but the newer songs are much more fun because as an artist you always hope you can engage audiences with new material. But people spend their hard-earned money to come and see me, and I don’t want them going away disappointed. If they’ve spent money to come and see me, I really have to give them the best I’ve got.”

When&Where: The Capital Theatre, Bendigo – August 3; The Palms at Crown, Melbourne – August 8; & The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong – August 9

APPLICATIONS DUE TUES 24 JUNE C O U R T H O U S E . O R G . A U

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FORTE

scenepix Photos by Marianne Valitutti

Grovedale Hotel

CQ

Grovedale Hotel

Edge

CQ

Edge

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Home House

Beav's Bar

Geelong RSL

Geelong RSL

Home House

Home House

Home House

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FORTE

scenepix Photos by Marianne Valitutti

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the max hotel's PHOTO OF THE WEEK ! *******

* contact the hotel to claim your prize!

Lambys

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The Max Hotel

The Barwon Club

The Max Hotel

Slate Pool Lounge

Slate Pool Lounge

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The Barwon Club

The Max Hotel

Music Reviews

PHOTO REVIEW

the be a r d s

the barwon club, geelong - 17.july.2014

Photos by Lucinda Goodwin

frankY walnut

this row: Stonefield

PHOTO REVIEW

Dan SULTA N

the wool exchange entertainment complex, geelong - 18.july.2014

Photos by Half Shots

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Film Reviews

Films reviewed by Anthony Morris

Sex Tape There are a lot of elements working hard to make Sex Tape one of the worst films of the year, so singling out one to blame is both near-impossible and deeply unfair. A film this bad doesn’t just happen. It takes all manner of factors working together to waste ninety minutes of your life this badly. Sometimes they’re little things, like Jason Segel’s weirdly plastic lineless face in the early flashback scenes or Cameron Diaz saying the utterly unbelievable line in 2014, “am I really going to sell my blog for money?”

Sometimes they’re bigger things, like the way Segel halfshouts a lot of his lines every time he’s meant to be flustered like someone who’s forgotten how to act, or the way this film shows us both leads repeatedly all-nude from the back only so it’s impossible not to think “butt double”, or even how the film spends the entire time telling us that the sex tape it revolves around is some kind of massively powerful erotic masterpiece that literally makes the people who see it have to have sex right that instant (even if they’re in someone else’s car) and then when we finally do

the wr ap Transformers 4: Age of Extinction Bigger, louder and dumber than all before it, this is more of the same flag-waving shouty exploding gibberish just the way you like it – even if this time the robots don’t really transform and even the good guys seem sick of it all.

Jersey Boys

see it it’s just a bunch of bad jokes.

Even for a movie about a sex tape, the story here is terrible: Annie (Diaz) and Jay (Segel) started having loads of sex at university – then she got pregnant, they got married, they had two kids and their sex life just died. So they’re not perverts or idiots or swingers or inexperienced or people who like to watch: they’re middle-America looking to rekindle their perfectly legit and socially acceptable sex lives by recording themselves doing it.

Which they do, then somehow Jay synchs the video to every single iPad he’s ever owned (this, surprisingly, is made to seem somewhat plausible) and now they have to try and track them all down because someone’s sending them suspicious texts saying they’ve already seen it … and who gives away iPads anyway?

Not only does this film take way too long to get to this stage of the story, it turns out that they only really visit one iPad holder: the family-friendly CEO looking to buy

Annie’s blog, Hank (Rob Lowe).

This extended scene is set up to be some kind of comedy centrepiece – he has paintings on the walls of classic Disney movie scenes with his face painted onto the characters – but like everything in this film it never finds a level where we know what’s meant to be funny.

Maybe this was meant to be one of those “one crazy night” films where average folks lives spiral out of control – Annie does coke, Jay flings a dog into a wall using a

treadmill, they get blackmailed by a nine-year-old, they break into a warehouse, Jay falls out a second-storey window (he’s fine) and off a balcony (not so fine) – but it never establishes their normal life well enough to make the craziness seem funny and not merely off-putting and random. But at least Jay makes a number of references to how sturdy and useful the iPad is: got to get that product placement in there somewhere.

Clint Eastwood’s version of the popular jukebox musical downplays the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and foregrounds the story of the guys in the band – which is pretty much exactly the wrong approach to this material.

22 Jump Street A comedy sequel that’s (almost) as funny as the first one? This you’ve got to see.

They probably don’t need to make a third, though: these bromance jokes are pretty much run into the ground.

Rio 2 The birds are back, only this time they’re having family trouble and developers want to cut down the Amazon rainforest, and the whole thing just washes over you like a warm, easily forgettable bath.

Blended Adam Sandler makes movies like he’s got something better to be doing so while he has some good chemistry here with Drew Barrymore, this vague updating of The Brady Bunch is a bit of a mess in a lot of bad ways.

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Charlie’s Country Snowpiercer In an icy future caused by a bungled cure for global warming, the only survivors of humanity are packed onto one long train constantly circling the frozen planet. The rich who control everything live in luxury in the far distant front; the poor are crammed into cattle cars at the very rear of the train. There in this rolling slum the leader of the underclass, Curtis (Chris Evans), plots an uprising that will take him and his people the length of the train to the engine and control of this rigid class-bound world.

Korean director Park Hoonjung’s brought together an all-star cast (including John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Soon Kang-ho, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer and Alison Pill) for his adaptation of a French graphic novel and the result is both a thrilling action movie and a savage, spot-on satire of the kind of classbased capitalist society you might see if you look out your window.

Constantly inventive on every level and visually stunning both inside and outside the train (as we move up the train some of the fancier carriages are truly surreal), this can and does go from laugh-outloud comedy to brutal violence in seconds – with bullets “extinct” after seventeen years on the train, axes and clubs are the weapons of choice.

The actual science fiction elements might be a little iffy, but it’s as a satire that this is strongest – and if you’re just after a smart, funny and gripping action movie, this is one not to miss.

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Charlie (David Gulpilil) isn’t doing too badly in his remote Northern community. He’s smart enough to put one over both the local police and the white drug dealers who come up to make a quick buck, he can go hunting if he wants a free feed (he’s not a huge fan of the junk food the local supermarket sells), he’s got a humpy to sleep in (he had a house but his family took it over and it was too noisy for his taste) and he’s got friends to talk to if he feels like a chat. But the law isn’t quite as lax as it used to be and soon things start to add up: he has his shotgun confiscated, a sick friend is taken to Darwin – a grim fate, to be separated from the land you grew up on – he’s not allowed to hunt with a spear (it’s a lethal weapon, you see) and when his own health takes a turn for the worse he goes bush to finish out his days on his own terms. But it’s not meant to be, and once he’s in Darwin he finds it’s all too easy to go off the rails.

Director Rolf de Heer’s third film with the 60-year-old Gulpilil is a quiet, matter-of-fact character study that slowly draws you into Charlie’s life, thanks in large part to a towering performance from Gulpilil himself. Inspired in part

by Gulpilil’s own life (but he’s in no way playing himself here) and recent struggles, this doesn’t lay blame in any one direction; rather, it consistently points out the way that two cultures living side by side can have very different aims – and in Australia, it’s the white culture everyone else has to bend to.

Sad at times but very funny as well, this is easily the best Australian film – so far, at least – of 2014.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes It’s been a decade since Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and here’s all you really need to know: humanity has all but been wiped out by the “Simian Flu” and a tribe of super-intelligent apes have escaped into the woods to the north of San Francisco. The apes, led by Caesar (Andy Serkis), have built a community and settled down, with Caesar starting a family that includes one grown son, Blue Eyes (Nick Thurston) and another child on the way.

As for the humans… well, the apes figure they’ve all died out.

So when Blue Eyes and a friend run into a small band of humans led by Malcolm ( Jason Clarke), they don’t take it well. One ape faction, led by Koba (Toby Kebbell), doesn’t trust humans;

Venus in Furs Thomas (Mathieu Amalric) is a playwright directing his first play and after a long day of auditions he’s about to head home when Vanda (Emmanuelle Seigner) comes in out of the rain. She’s here to audition and she’s not going to be put off by his

Caesar’s approach is more moderate, letting the humans leave with their lives. Back in the overgrown ruins of San Francisco, Malcolm and company’s wild stories about talking apes don’t impress the leader of the survivors, Dreyfus (Gary Oldman).

His day gets worse when Caesar and an ape army turn up to lay down the law: humans get the city, apes have the forest. Everyone stays separate, everyone stays happy.

Whereas a lot of recent blockbusters go for bluster, this knows one of its strongest elements is just letting the apes run wild; a stunning opening hunting sequence is thrilling stuff. And large stretches of the film are all but silent, so when the apes do speak (they mostly communicate amongst themselves in sign language) it remains startling throughout. Caesar aside, the characters are thinly drawn (with the female characters basically stuck

in the background as nurturers), but this isn’t so much a film about individuals as it is a clash between two tribes. Both have similar internal dynamics and everyone’s motivations are clear and (somewhat) rational, even when they lead to violence.

Much of this film is a slow burn, a back-and-forth between the two tribes as they repeatedly butt heads. The humans need access to a dam in the forest to generate the power they need to survive; they just won’t leave the apes alone.

There’s growing understanding between individuals, but tensions slowly rise between the tribes. Unsurprisingly given what we know of human history, it all points inevitably to war – and the most thrilling and individual blockbuster out of Hollywood this year.

efforts to get her out the door and gradually she wears him down enough for them to at least start talking about his play, an adaptation of the classic story ‘Venus in Fur’ about a man’s obsession with a woman who can dominate and control him. But as they continue, their roles start to shift. Is it the director in control, or the actress?

Roman Polanski’s latest film is another of his stage adaptations (following on from 2011’s Carnage), but where that was a relatively straightforward look at squabbling grown-ups, this is more subtle about its subject matter – and more effective for it. As the story progresses the

power balance between the pair is constantly shifting, both in the play they’re rehearsing and their “real lives” (one of the strengths of this story is the way they become increasingly archetypical as the story progresses – is Vanda a real actress or something more?), making this a literary examination of the original story, a look at male-female relationships, a study in power dynamics, and a lot more besides.

It may just be two people in a theatre, but this is a lot more interesting, and has a lot more to offer, than most castof-thousands blockbusters.

The story isn’t as strong the second time around but there’s a lot of gorgeous animation on offer here (the flying sequences are great) and there is enough action to keep all but the pickiest viewers in their seats.

Fault in our Stars Cancer teens fall in love and the tears flow like rain. It’s not exactly subtle, but if you’re after a weepy this will definitely find a way to make you cry.

Maleficent Sadly Angelia Jolie – playing the evil Queen from Sleeping Beauty – doesn’t get enough opportunities to be really, really evil here.

But even arch and snark Jolie is pretty entertaining.

Optimus Prime in Transformers: Age of Extinction

Music Reviews

Fractures Fractures

w hat ' s n e w ?

Indepdendent

Mandatory Fun Weird Al Yankovic

The king of parody is back with his massive fourteenth album. This one contains parodies of Lorde, Pharrell Williams, (ugh) Robin Thicke and our own Iggy Azalea.

Available now on Sony.

Trouble in Paradise La Roux

Finally La Roux has returned with their sophomore release, the follow-up to 2009’s Grammy-winning self-titled effort. And just in time too, because we need more synth-pop in the world.

Available now on Polydor.

Gets Loaded Hollis Brown

Last November, as a tribute to the late, great Lou Reed, a number of bands got together and did a tribute show. Hollis Brown were invited to play the Velvet Underground’s 1970 album Loaded in its entirety.

Available now on Alive.

TV Themes ABC for Kids

This one’s not just for your kids. It’s something of a ‘Best Of ’ album featuring current shows like In the Night Garden, as well as classics Mr Squiggle, Blinky Bill, Miffy and Friends and, of course, ‘Bananas in Pyjamas. Available now on ABC for Kids.

Lowborn Anberlin

American alt-rock superstars Anberlin are here with their seventh, and apparently final, album. The band announced in January that they would be disbanding this year after releasing their final album. Available tomorrow on Tooth & Nail.

Broken Lines Patrick James

Patrick James has toured with the likes of Emma Louise, Boy & Bear (as well as drummer Tim Hart’s solo tour) and Josh Pyke, and this is his second EP release. The Sydney singer-songwriter will be announcing a supporting tour in coming weeks. Available tomorrow on Dew Process.

Caitlin Park The Sleeper Create/Control

Having toured with the likes of James Vincent McMorrow, Big Scary and First Aid Kit, before indulging in The Sleeper, the sophomore release for Caitlin Park, I was already impressed. Released in May, this album has been kicking around for a few months and was featured quite heavily on many media outlets. ‘Wake Up in a Whirr’ features thundering drum percussion

and silky smooth vocal harmonies that to my ear draws comparisons to Thelma Plum in her vocal melodies and song arrangement.

From indie-pop acoustic guitar and some electro beats, I definitely think that ‘Hold Your Gaze’ will feature on my final list for the triple j Hottest 100 2015. It’s a rollicking soft melodic number that you should play to your mum. If you’re on the search for some nice Australian music that is original and fresh within the songwriting, then get your hands on The Sleeper. There are many layers to discover within the songs, so be sure to give each song a few listens.

Tex Miller

Lily Allen Sheezus Parlophone Records

We will finally get to here Sheezus the latest album by Brit superstar Lily Allen this weekend as she takes to the stage of Splendour and for some sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne. Admittedly, it’s taken a couple of listen to get into but this is a great album. The follow up to her previous album 2009’s It’s Not Me, It’s You and 2006’s Alright Still was always going to be a big task and on this release, we see some of the most intensive and personal lyrics of Allen’s career. After such a hiatus following the second album, the electro pop beats on ‘Hard Out Here’ and ‘Air Balloon’ the two main singles of this album make this well worth the wait.

The majority of this album has been described as ‘Bubblegum Pop’, and in mind describes the songs as having not much emotion

yet, this is Allen’s heart on her sleeve and out there for the world to hear. It’s a different direction to her previous releases but still gets your toe tapping. The rollicking Piano accordian of ‘As Long As I Got You’, the fresh radio electro beats of ‘Air Balloon’ and ‘Silver Spoon’ make this an infectious album that you will have no trouble pumping at the traffic lights.

If you’re headed along to any of Allen’s Australian shows, you are lucky. This album is modern day Brit pop at it’s finest, and hopefully it’s not five years in the making for the next one. Nice work, Lily Allen, Nice work.

Tex Miller

Fractures’ debut release is one of those collections of songs that feel like you should be experiencing a life-affirming moment alongside it. Mark Zito’s soothing vocals harmonise perfectly with the airy and atmospheric guitar that’s scattered throughout the eight songs.

‘Embers’ encompasses the perfect build and sets up the debut EP in a way that not many achieve. Zito’s vocals are perfectly balanced with the steady drumbeat and guitar.

There’s a kind of simplistic beauty to Fractures’ songs. The lyrics aren’t over-thought and the accompanying instrumental set the perfect mood to form a wellrounded EP. In ‘Cadence’, Zito repeats the mantra “Just breathe/Just breathe it in” to listeners, allowing them to have some deep thoughts while listening to his track. So many musicians of today try so hard to show off their skills that they end up bombarding listeners and taking away the chance of relaxation and

Ree Nay Seen You Before WJO

Seen You Before, the debut release for now Melbourne songstress Ree Nay, has some blissful pop melodies that are orchestrated through the glittery piano on the title track. From there, the sweeping tremolo of the electric guitar and full band take shape on the rest of these songs. The result of many years on the road travelling around performing extensively throughout the UK, Seen You Before has many delicate and sparse sounds to it.

Recorded with acclaimed producer James Kempster, these songs are sorrowful; yet, despite the intense emotion, is at the same time, beautiful. This emotional depth can

Mietta A Mad Distance Indepdendent

A Mad Distance, the debut album by Melbourne songstress Mietta, is a glorious first disc.

Drawing elements of acoustic, folk, world and Latin music, the musicianship in terms of the playing is incredibly high on this album. Opening with ‘Sueno’, a slow-burning track, it somewhat feels like this album coincides with an episode of the TV show Global Village, looking at all the different music cultures all around the world.

From delicate Spanish guitar

reflection from them.

‘Twisted’ started off the Fractures revolution back in January 2012 after significant airplay on triple j. With a harsher drumbeat, gentle piano and guitar,

‘Twisted’ is a standout of the release.

Overall, Zito has managed to neatly package eight songs of raw human emotions. Zito’s vocal delivery takes each song to a new level and hits to the core of each emotion expressed.

Amanda Sherring

be heard most prominently in ‘He Who Has No Heart’ in which Ree Nay tells the story of heartbreak and loss. Influenced by the likes of Regina Spektor, Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell, the live show is set to be incredibly intimate, raw and emotional stuff.

Although most of the tracks on this album are mid-tempo, the beauty to this EP comes through the awesome backing band behind Ree Nay and the deep and powerful emotional lyrics and melodies. ‘Beauty Surrounds Us’ sounds a little like ‘Sympathy for The Devil’ by The Rolling Stones. Bongo drums add something a little different

to the mix and end the EP on a happy, lighthearted note.

Whether that track will be as epic as a Rolling Stones performance, is left to be seen but be sure to catch Ree Nay in Early August, as she tours the East Coast of Australia.

Tex Miller

runs to the full orchestral band arrangements, there is something a little more interesting to discover on this album than your normal run-of-the-mill album. Described as her ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Midnight and the Deep Blue Sea’ is the standout track on the release, with many textures, feelings and sounds explored throughout the five minutes.

‘Gone’ is the latest single and sounds like the most radio friendly song of the record. It’s taken a few years for this album to

come about; however, with an EP slated for release in early 2015 we are likely to hear some more music in the near future. A perfect complement to a sunny afternoon.

Tex Miller

PR O D U CT REVIEW :

Yamaha P35 Digital Piano Review Review provided by Music Workshop

When it comes time for you to make the jump from beginner status to intermediate, the first thing you’re probably going to consider is buying an acoustic piano. When you come back down to Earth and realize how expensive and spaceconsuming that is, you’ll be in the market for an affordable 88-key digital keyboard.

The only problem with these is that they can be expensive too, which is why we’re taking a look at one of the more affordable 88-key digital piano options in

this Yamaha P35 review.

Digital pianos are best known today for their accurate sound quality, key settings, light weight and portability. If you want to choose a good digital piano for these features, the new model of Yamaha P35 will be the best choice for you.

The Yamaha P35 digital piano has an elegant appearance and perhaps more importantly, the feel of a real concert grand piano. This fully weighted keyboard provides you with light response in the upper register and progressively heavier action the lower you play - just like the keys of an acoustic piano. The sound of an acoustic piano is achieved using Advanced Wave Memory sampling

technology and the built-in stereo speaker system. In addition to the sound of real acoustic grand piano the P-35 also features ten stunningly realistic instruments, including electric piano, organs, harpsichord and vibraphone.

Lightweight and easily portable piano can be fitted in your car. The quality of Yamaha digital pianos is excellent and this is backed with a full 3-year warranty.

If you are looking for a high quality and affordable piano, this model is best for you.

With a retail price of $619.99, they are available at Music Workshop for $519 and come in Black or White. forte 53

Film

Melbourne International Film Festival

encounter with Imelda Marcos.

A Perfect Midnight: Haunted Hong Kong takes a sampling of the supernatural to present spooky cinema from our regional neighbour.

Screenings include Rigor Mortis, from pop star-turned-actor-turnedfilmmaker Juno Mak, who’s created one of the first jiangshi films (Chinese hopping vampire genre) in over 20 years and Mr Vampire, the 1985 film from Ricky Lau, which reigns as a cult cinema must-see for fans of Hong

Kong cinema, horror and comedy.

Always one of MIFF’s most popular programs, Backbeat puts sonic visions on the big screen to capture the immense power of music. New Zealand director Florian Habicht returns with a cinematic love letter to Sheffield and its best-known ’90s export in Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets and John Pirozzi attempts to reclaim the unheard musical history of Cambodia from the grips of the genocide inflicted by the Khmer Rouge with Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll. Edward Lovelace and James Hall co-direct The Possibilities are Endless, a powerfully moving film about singer-songwriter Edwyn Collins’ road to recovery after being close to death; Heaven Adores You traces the late Elliott Smith’s creative life in the cities where he explored his songwriting – Portland, New York City and Los Angeles; and Time is Illmatic tells the story behind the most pivotal album in the history of hip hop, Nas’ Illmatic.

With the Greater Union cinema no longer available, MIFF has had to spread itself a little further around this year, and so screenings are now being held in the following locations: Hamer Hall at the Arts Centre, Melbourne; The Forum Theatre; Kino Cinemas; the Australian Centre for the Moving Image; Hoyts Cinemas, Melbourne Central; and two (relatively) new venues for MIFF, Treasury Cinema and RMIT Capitol Theatre.

The MIFF program is online at miff.com.au. Sessions can be booked, and e-Mini Passes, Passports and Opening Night tickets are also on sale now at miff.com.au. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs 31 July – 17 August 2014.

upkeep of most roads compared to the state of public transport, it seems pretty clear that they’ve decided to funnel the transport dollar into the road side of things. Which hardly seems fair if you think about it: when they spend money on trains, you get a train, but when they spend money on roads you still have to go buy a car to use those roads.

And then they’re constantly telling you what you can do on the roads and most of them are so crowded a lot of the time you might as well be on public transport, especially as you have better music on your phone than you’re going to hear through your car radio.

A bunch of cars zipping around on a ribbon of asphalt is actually way more expensive for the average person as a system of transport, and while in theory you have the advantages of going where you want when you want, how often is that “where” and “when” not the same as a whole lot of other people? Enough times that a car is handy to have, but

not so many times that it wouldn’t also be handy to have a cheaper form of mass transit available as well.

But we don’t have that, presumably because in the (recent) past promoting cars as a form of transport also helps create local jobs. Will the end of the local car industry mean that governments will shift funding away from roads towards public transport? I for one sure hope so: you get in a whole lot less trouble being drunk on a train than you do being drunk driving a car.

Tony “Overhead Luggage” Montana

Written by Anthony Morris

Melbourne once again becomes the centre of the cinematic universe (in a manner of speaking) with the 63rd annual Melbourne International Film Festival – or, if you want to sound like a cinematic insider, MIFF. With close to 350 films from dozens of countries screening over eighteen days and nights, this year’s festival promises a wide-ranging and robust snapshot of world cinema today.

The Festival kicks off July 31st with an Opening Night screening of Predestination, a stylish timetravel thriller from Australian filmmaking duo the Spierig brothers. Continuing the recent tradition of marking the festival’s midpoint with a world premiere Centrepiece Gala screening, this year’s film is Australian drama Cut Snake, a crime-thriller from director Tony Ayres starring Sullivan Stapleton, while the closing night film is police drama Felony, directed

by Melbourne filmmaker Matthew Saville and written by and starring Australian acting icon Joel Edgerton.

That’s hardly the end of MIFF’s support of Australian film, with three more Premiere Fund films receiving a world premiere at MIFF this year: Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, a feature documentary from Mark Hartley (Not Quite Hollywood); The Legend Maker, a dramatic thriller from Ian Pringle, in which an ageing criminal needs all his cunning to survive; and My Mistress, a love story starring Emmanuelle Béart and Harrison Gilbertson from director Stephen Lance.

The list of international films worthy of your attention would take up the rest of this page, so let’s just skim the highlights, which include: Richard Linklater’s 12 years in the making look at a boy’s life between the ages of 6 and 18, Boyhood; Tom Hardy spends 80 minutes behind the wheel of a car in the thriller Locke; the Swedish

When&Where: 31 July to 17 August, see miff.com.au for venues (Pictured: Predestination)

what-would-you-do story of a man who panics when he thinks an avalanche is going to kill his family, Force Majeure; Nicolas Cage’s return to serious acting in David Gordon Green’s Joe; the grim UK prison drama Starred Up; Zach Braff ’s Kickstarter-funded follow-up to Garden State, Wish I Was Here; Joe Swanberg’s look at parenthood and refusing to grow up, Happy Christmas; retro ’80’s salute to “the summer when everything changed” genre, Ping Pong Summer; and Ken Loach’s supposed final film, Jimmy’s Hall.

Night Shift, the festival’s annual cinematic showdown, is a must for those looking for something a bit more bloody and out there. There are a dozen

films to choose from, including Housebound, the debut feature from Gerard Johnstone about a petty thief under house arrest who can’t escape the paranormal activity of her childhood home; cult auteur and MIFF regular Sion Sono’s fun-lovingly bloodthirsty Why Don’t You Play in Hell?; and filmmaker Andrew Leavold’s The Search for Weng Weng, a unique documentary about a short-statured Filipino film star, taking in everything from Golden Age Filipino filmmaking and culture to a rare

Last Words

grog watch Written by Tony Montana

When I tell you the recent high point of my life was having not one but two people coming up to me at a bus stop to ask me questions about public transport – hey, what can I say, clearly I look like a guy who takes the bus a lot – you’d be forgiven for thinking I must have had a pretty grim fortnight. And well, sure, but there’s nothing all that unusual about that when you travel on public transport.

You know that movie Snowpiercer?

The one about the grim future where the only survivors of the frozen wasteland that is Earth are packed on a single solitary train circling the globe, with the poor people stuck up the back fighting their way forward to get to where all the rich people live?

You could pretty much film that on a train from Geelong to Melbourne,

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only instead of moving forward in a desperate attempt to better their lives the people would be searching for a working toilet. Actually though, no: even that version of events would still remain firmly science fiction, because it assumes the V/line train involved actually had room for people to move in the aisle and wasn’t so overcrowded it was full of people having to stand from North Geelong station. so many other things about public transport, it’s all set to get worse too: the new train line they’re putting in to supposedly make things faster for country travellers is actually going to add two new stations to the Geelong line, and while supposedly somewhere in the future we’re going to have extra trains to handle the extra demand, for the near future what this means is that the Geelong-Melbourne trip is not only not going to be any faster, it’s going to involve carrying a whole lot more people. Thanks Victorian Government!

See, normally I wouldn’t care about such things, what with being pre-occupied with drinking as much as possible before I board the train so I don’t sober up halfway through the trip – I’ve been caught by conductors having a quiet on-train drink before; those guys are sneaky buggers and the old “vodka in the water bottle” trick doesn’t always fool them either.

But in much the same way as decent human beings turn into creatures capable of boring through solid rock once they have children and decide that “what school should we send our offspring to” is a legitimate subject of conversation, after a while taking public transport you actually start to notice it’s a bit shit – and worse, you start to wonder why that is.

I mean, we’re pretty much taught from birth that the way society works is as follows: you get a rubbish basic service for just about everything, and if you want the better version you

have to pay more. Which seems to make sense until you’re stuck waiting forty minutes for a bus in the middle of winter and the so-called “bus shelter” has been built with a really high roof and really narrow sides so basically if it starts raining and the rain isn’t falling totally vertically then the wind blows it in under the roof so the whole thing is completely useless, and then suddenly you start to notice that nobody’s getting anything for free here. I mean, look at how many roads we have: they’re everywhere!

Sure, car drivers will say they pay car rego and petrol tax and all that money should cover road use, but c’mon: when I pay GST on buying a book, I don’t expect that money to go to support the Arts, or my various booze taxes to go towards supporting Dan Murphy’s.

The government taxes us and then they decide what to do with the money whether those taxes are car-related or not – and judging by the decent

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