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ISSUE #596 ball ar at | bell arine | Bendigo | ca stlemaine | geelong | surf coa st | warrnambool |
02 /10/2014
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WHERE's JOSS? ...AT THE GEELONG CUP!
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Yirrmal & Yolngu pg.28
drunk mums
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kingswood
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MIA DYSON
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the beautiful girls
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forte issue #596 t h u r s d a y 2 OCTOBER 2 0 1 4
WHERE'S JOSS?
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fortemag.com.au
enquiries@fortemag.com.au Publisher
McNamara Publishing editor / DIRECTOR
DRUNK MUMS pg.21
Luke McNamara
MIA
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DYSON pg.48
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Mum is Drunk, Again
Listen to the Beats Narayana Johnson and Kalyani Mumtaz are the souls behind Melbourne’s Willow Beats. The duo, who count Mount Kimbie, The Knife, Rusko and Fly Lo as influences, have been getting a lot of love since entering the music world. Having recently enjoyed a largely sold-out tour, the pair is at it again, this time in support of their new EP, Water. The EP debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes electronic charts. The Toff – December 4.
Rainbow Serpent Festival There’s always time for a look at Rainbow Serpent Festival. The four-day music, arts and lifestyle festival is as excited as they have ever been for their 2015 outing, and with good reason. They have put together another killer line-up, and with plenty still left to come, you may well see the festival selling out for the second year running. But don’t take my word for it. Check in on rainbowserpent.net for all things Rainbow.
Return to Blue Steel After much rumour, Zoolander is set for a sequel. Will Ferrell spoke with joblo.com recently, saying: “We are actually supposed to do a read-through of a sequel script soon, and Mugatu is a part of it.” This latest piece of news follows an interview actor/writer/director Justin Theroux gave with Vulture. Early word indicates the film will revolve around Derek and Hansel attempting to stay relevant in a young model’s world.
Those crazy punks that call themselves Drunk Mums are at it again. They downed a bottle of tequila, followed it up with some vodka and released the single ‘Nanganator’. A sweaty mixture of grunge, punk and rowdy Aussie rock, the single clocks in at a touch under two minutes – just enough time to have a shot and get up to a little mischief. Oh, and they’re bringing it to the live stage. Howler – November 7.
The Second Coming of Cam Gilmour On October 7, Cam Gilmour will release Anhedonia, his second EP and the follow-up to 2013’s A Bellyful of Classics. Cam has been performing around Australia for the better part of a decade, his most familiar endeavour arguably being Behind Crimson Eyes. His new release is promoted as being a “work of melodic instrumental music replete with soaring strings sections and aching piano melodies juxtaposed to hip-hop leaning drum rhythms”.
Deadpool is Coming The much-loved Marvel
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character Deadpool is getting a movie. Some of you may have caught the leaked test footage of the project – footage that not only had longtime fans wetting their pants, but footage that caught the attention of casual and unfamiliar fans. Twentieth Century Fox has announced that a film will hit cinemas early 2016. Tim Miller is set to direct the film, with the smart money being on Ryan Reynolds to star.
1979 John Lamb short film starring Tom Waits. The short has been lauded by both critics and fans for its use of rotoscope technology. One of the people who worked on the project was David Silverman, who went on to be an original animator of The Simpsons. Tom Waits for No One celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2014.
25th release, Further/ Deeper. 25 cracks is a massive effort, particularly as the band released their debut album, Of Skins and Heart, in 1981. Ormond Hall – October 31. In local festival news, the band has a date booked with the Queenscliff Music Festival. Further/ Deeper was recorded with Powderfinger’s Ian Haug.
The Flumes Feel the Rain
Within Reach
Wanted Dead or Alive
The luscious sounds of The Flumes will fill venues from the Sunshine Coast to Melbourne in support of Sweet, Sweet Rain. With the electric harp taking centre stage, the album has been receiving some fine reviews. Little Boom Music leads the charge, writing: “It’s great to hear a cohesive album rich with new ideas and new twists. There is also something intangibly great about them being from our own shores.” Wesley Anne – November 29.
The Dead Daisies formed in 2012 after David Edwards, the ex-manager of INXS, reintroduced Jon Stevens (Noiseworks/INXS) and guitarist David Lowy (Mink). The band has opened for Aerosmith and ZZ Top on local soil, while internationally they have warmed up the stage for Def Leppard and Kiss. ‘Angels in Your Eyes’ is the name of their latest single, and the reason for their new tour. The Corner – November 30.
Tom Waits for No One A Kickstarter campaign is underway to fund a commemoration of Tom Waits for No One, a
The Church Digs Deeper As well as having a few festival dates coming up, The Church have announced a run of smaller dates on the back of their forthcoming
During an interview with Empire, Lee Childs, the author of Jack Reacher, gave an insight into the second Jack Reacher movie. It looks as though the second adventure will focus on Never Go Back, the 18th book in the long-running series. He also revealed that original helmer Christopher McQuarrie will not return for the second venture – he’s tied up with another Tom Cruise vehicle, Mission: Impossible 5.
Don’t Forget the Milk This month sees the release of Pretty Music for Pretty People, a new 17-track compilation from Pennsylvanian punk rockers, The Dead Milkmen. The band has been doing business since 1983, although there
Scrubbing Up Despite having just released his new film Wish I Was Here, Zach Braff has indicated that he is keen to return to TV land. Braff has been talking to old pal and Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence about creating a new sitcom together. He is also eyeing the idea of cable, saying that he likes the idea of doing a dozen or so episodes for Netflix. Wish I Was Here is the story of a Jewish family struggling to come to terms with their faith. have been some quieter times. In 2011 the band released The King in Yellow, their first new album in 15 years. Pretty Music… includes many of the 7-inch singles the band has released in recent times.
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Gotye’s New Label
Get Your Datsuns Running It’s time for another round of rock and roll, New Zealand style. In support of their new album Deep Sleep, New Zealand’s The Datsuns are returning to our shores. The album was recorded in ten days and has a touch of ’70s rock influence. From their Facebook: “It’s been a while so we are happy to be heading to Australia for 9 shows … We are super excited to play the new record live, it’s gonna be loud.” Ding Dong – December 5.
GWAR, it’s a Woman GWAR has welcomed Vulvatron, aka Kim Dylla, to fill the shoes of the late Dave Brockie. Kim is a clothing designer and musician whose band Kung Fu Dykes appeared at the 2013 GWAR-B-Q. Although at the time of writing the band had not made any official statement, Vulvatron appeared on stage fronting the band at Chicago’s Riot Fest. Kim is the first female member since the departure of Slymenstra Hymen in 2000.
He may not be entering the political game, but Gotye, aka Wally De Backer, has been busy with longtime collaborator Tim Shiel (Double J) on setting up a record label. Called Spirit Level, the indie label has signed a distribution deal with Inertia and announced their first release – experimental pop group Zammuto. Gotye opened for Zammuto on a few international dates.
Nothing Trivial About Trivium Since forming in 2000, heavy-hitters Trivium have released six albums. Their latest, Vengeance Falls, was released last year. Alternative Press said of the release: “Drawing together crunchy riffs, snarling vitriol, blistering shredfests and stadium sized choruses it ticks all the boxes.” 170 Russell – November 23. Joining them will be veterans of the heavy scene, Sweden’s In Flames. Their latest is Siren Charms.
Darrell Hammond’s Saturday Nights As they say, the show
must go on. When Don Pardo passed away in August, he took with him his golden voice. A voice that filled the studios of The Price is Right, Jeopardy and, most well-known of all, Saturday Night Live. Trusted to take the SNL announcer reins is Darrell Hammond, a longtime cast member of the show. The 40th season of the show debuted in the US on September 27. Hammond will also feature in the new season.
Have I Heard This Before? A couple of very different acts, both highly acclaimed within their own worlds, are set to release material before the year is out. Fugazi will release First Demo, a collection of early songs recorded at Inner Ear Studios back in 1988. ‘Waiting Room’ opens the release. Queen, meanwhile, will release Queen Forever. The album will feature three never-before-heard tracks featuring Freddie Mercury.
Forum Theatre, it was met with opposition from the City of Melbourne. Well, it looks like things are now going ahead. The 85-year-old building has won approval for a $100 million interior and exterior development. The venue has played host to countless touring artists, as well as hosting the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and The Gangsters’ Ball among others.
Playing with Jack Ladder Once upon a time, Jack Ladder played bass for Expatriate. He then left the band to pursue a solo career. His real name is Tim Rogers, but some other scamp had dibs on the name so Jack Ladder he became. Along with his band The Dreamlanders, Jack has released album number four, Playmates. ‘Come on Back’ is the first single and features vocals from the magnificent Sharon Van Etten. NSC – November 7.
The Forum’s New Look
Godzilla 2: Godzilla Save the Queen
When an announcement was made to overhaul Melbourne’s historic
No surprises that Godzilla is getting a sequel, with Max
Night-time with Lanie Lane October 24 is the date to keep in mind if you’re a Lanie Lane fan as that is the date she drops her second album, Night Shade. Lanie’s debut album, To The Horses, woke many music critics from their slumber, so her newie has its work cut out. However, if single ‘Celeste’ is anything to go by, things are going to be just fine. The Corner – October 29. This is Lane’s first national tour in over two years.
Borenstein once again in charge of the screenplay. Teased at Comic-Con, Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah have all been teased as possible inclusions in the film. Directing the project will be Gareth Edwards, the man in charge of the recently announced Star Wars spin-off. Borenstein is being
kept busy with the King Kong prequel, Skull Island.
Keep on Livin’ Chris Cheney caught up with triple j’s The Doctor to give him the lowdown on The Living End’s plans to record a new album. “We’ve got a whole lot of downtime when we’re back [in
Australia]. So the idea is just to jump into a studio and throw some stuff at the wall and see if it sticks ... We’ve all got songs and ideas hanging around, so we’ll hopefully get a record at the end of it.” Cheney has been busy with the supergroup Dead Man Walking.
FRI 3 OCT
The Regular Boys REST
AURA N
TS – BARS – ENTER TA I N M
ENT
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Good Faces 4 Radio ACOUSTIC SET FRI 10 OCT
Friday night drink promos 5.30 til 6.30 and 9 til 10pm Saturday Night Bulmers Jugs Specials 7 – 10pm
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THE THURSDAY 2ND OCTOBER
fortnig h tly calen d ar
BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Live Music 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 GPAC: Guys and Dolls Jnr 4pm, 7.30pm LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard MARTIANS CAFE: $25 International Night including drink 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
GATEWAY HOTEL: Russell Morris GPAC: Jesus Christ Superstar 7.30pm Guys and Dolls Jnr 4pm, 7.30pm THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: The Regular Boys HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Voice FM Showcase LAMBYS: Live Music THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Buddha in a Chocolate Box THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAIN BAR (Ballarat): Fiona Boyes THE MAX: 3 On The Tree NEWSTEAD: CHOPPED Cosmic Psychos, Intoxica, King Salami & The Cumberland and more. ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Jimmy Graham PISTOL PETES: Andy Phillips, The Cadillac Walk TORQUAY HOTEL: Bonjah, The Kite Machine UNWINED CELLAR BAR: The Recliners
FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER
BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Quintissential Doll, Gullivan and Zoe Ryan THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Abe Anderson BENDED: Abe Anderson, Frequency BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: Public Nuisance THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Lightning Tape Wolf, Boss Christ, Double Ya D, Pork Chop Party CHERRY BAR: ACDC albums performed in full CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ THE EASTERN: The Captives, Hidden Venture EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday
AIREY’S PUB (Aireys Inlet): Live Music BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): The Acfields THE BARWON CLUB: Glittergang BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Dave Johns BENDED: Enquire Within, Party with Bended DJs BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live Music and Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: DJ Max ‘70s and ‘80s music THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Mojo Juju, Kira Puru CHERRY BAR: ACDC albums performed in full COURTHOUSE ARTS: Bright Futures Exhibition Launch and market DAYLESFORD TOWN HALL: Comedy4Karma 8pm EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: Live DJS GEELONG: Bonza Bizaar Backyard Sale (168 Bellerine St, Geelong) GPAC: Jesus Christ Superstar 7.30pm Guys
and Dolls Jnr 4pm, 7.30pm THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Good Faces 4 Radio HI-FI BAR: Bonjah, The Kite Machine HOMEHOUSE: Johnny Canik, Travlos vs TWhite, DJ JVP LAMBYS: Live Music THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Cleveland Blues MARTIANS CAFE: Andy Phillips, The Cadillac Walk THE MAX: Wooshka THE NEWMARKET (Bendigo): Live Bands NEWSTEAD: CHOPPED Cosmic Psychos, Intoxica, King Salami & The Cumberland and more. ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: San Rae OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Tripodium PISTOL PETES: Screamin’ Honkies 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 YAH YAHS: DOOMSDAY FESTIVAL ft Windhand, Beastwars, Hydromedusa, Los Hombres Del Diablo and more.
SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER BENDED: Sunday Sessions Live music from 3pm BIRD ROCK CAFÉ (Jan Juc): Kids Eat Free 3:306:30, Steak and Parma Night, Happy Hour 5-6pm BLACK HATT: Acoustic Avenue 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
GOLDMINES HOTEL (Bendigo): Carus Thompson LAMBYS: Live Music NEWSTEAD: CHOPPED Cosmic Psychos, Intoxica, King Salami & The Cumberland and more. ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: John Henderson OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Performance Night THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17
GEELONG (52 Garden St): No Lights No Lycra GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Spinning Wheel and a lot of Parmi’s from $14.50 KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Ball Park Music, Millions, Pluto Jonze PISTOL PETES: Food and Blues
THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER
BENDED: Parmi night BLACK HATT: Bachata Dance Classes ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Ball Park Music, Millions, Pluto Jonze PISTOL PETES: Open Mic Night
BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Kristine Allan THE BARWON CLUB: Undergang, Cauldron, Black Ram, Altars, Namesium, Destruktor BEAVS BAR: Steve Smyth BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live and Local, $13 Pizza night COURTHOUSE ARTS: The Remix Readings 6pm EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night GPAC: Jesus Christ Superstar 7.30pm HARVESTER MOON: Mia Dyson and others 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: $25 International Night including drink ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Jazz n’ Blues PISTOL PETES: Blues n Soul Night
WEDNESDAY 8TH OCTOBER
FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER
THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke 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
BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Beth Patterson BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Zane Carroll BENDED: Kristy Wilson, 2Fat2Skate BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: Chubby Rae and the Elevators THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): The Peep Tempel, Special Guests CITY QUARTER BAR:
MONDAY 6TH OCTOBER BARWON CLUB: $10 Parmis BENDED: Steak night ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won! GPAC: Julia Gillard 7.15pm LORD NELSON HOTEL: Parmi & Pot for $15 on presentation of student I.D THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11
TUESDAY 7TH OCTOBER
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 GPAC: Jesus Christ Superstar 7.30pm THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Trojan HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs, Steve Camp, Simon One, Keith Evans & DJC KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Hadal Maw, The Hazard Circular, Ire LAMBYS: Live Music THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Wolfpack THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAIN BAR (Ballarat): All Our Exes Live in Texas, Backstep Bluegrass THE MAX: Moon Patrol ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Ben Dew PISTOL PETES: Johnny Rieger Band UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Princess Planet
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER AIREY’S PUB (Aireys Inlet): Live Music THE BARWON CLUB: THE MANE EVENT Ft Painter & Dockers, Bob Log III, Mick Thomas and more. BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Cal Young BENDED: Patty Bourke, Party with Bended DJs BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live Music, Happy Hour 5-7pm BIRREGURRA: Birregurra Festival and Art Show THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Mick Dog’s Bone Yard THE EASTERN: The Peep Tempel, Spacejunk, Swhat EDGE: Live Music and DJ GATEWAY HOTEL: McAlister Kemp GPAC: Still Awake Still 12pm, 2.30pm Jesus Christ Superstar 1.30pm, 7.30pm THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: James Carrigg HI-FI BAR: Bluejuice
HOME HOUSE: Shameless, Burgs, DJ Philly KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Sticky Fingers LAMBYS: Live Music MARTIANS CAFE: The Acfields THE MAX: Frequency THE NEWMARKET (Bendigo): Live Bands ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Jim Jamz OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Top Jimmy PISTOL PETES: Zevon Hiltz UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Troy Barrett 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 WOOL EXCHANGE: Ball Park Music, Millions, Pluto Jonze
SUNDAY 12TH OCTOBER THE BARWON CLUB: Bluejuice BENDED: Sunday Sessions Live music from 3pm BIRD ROCK CAFÉ (Jan Juc): Kids Eat Free 3:30-6:30, Steak and Parma Night, Happy Hour 3:30-5:30 BIRREGURRA: Birregurra Festival and Art Show CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm CORNER HOTEL: ZEPTEMBER Led Zeppelin Live Celebration EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch LAMBYS: Live Music ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Craig Sayer, John HendersonOLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Mia Dyson Album Launch THE PALMS AT CROWN: Andrew Dice Clay
THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17
MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER THE BARWON CLUB: $10 Parmis BENDED: Steak night ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won! LORD NELSON HOTEL: Parmi & Pot for $15 on presentation of student I.D THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11
TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER BENDED: Parmi night BLACK HATT: Bachata Dance Classes ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 THE PALMS AT CROWN: Andrew Dice Clay PISTOL PETES: Open Mic Night
WEDNESDAY 15TH OCTOBER THE BARWON CLUB: The Dwarves, Batpiss, The Kremlings THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke 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 (52 Garden St): No Lights No Lycra GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Spinning Wheel and a lot of Parmi’s from $14.50 THE PALMS AT CROWN: Andrew Dice Clay PISTOL PETES: Food and Blues
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mildura jazz food and wine festival 31 october - 3 november 2014
The Cope Street Parade I Origami I Maryborough Traditional Jazz Ensemble Mr Jazz I Double A Jazz Band I Grab Ya Cat I Peter Hooper Quartet I Don Mayne Trio Nicola Milan I Splash Jazz I Mildura Stage Band I Red Cliffs Secondary College Ensemble Celebrating 35 years presenting traditional and contemporary Jazz in the Spring time, featuring fabulous riverside and city heart locations, gourmet food and regional wine. Tickets and program: 03 5022 9542
www.artsmildura.com.au
THE
SOUNDTRAP
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Where’s Joss? FEATURE STORY Written by Amanda Sherring Photo by Natalie Evans Photography
While he may have been absent from many of his high school classes Joss Russell, lead singer of Where’s Joss?, is giving it his all to make the band a big deal. “In Year Nine at school, I was very absent from a lot of classes. I was very lazy when it came to school, and I kind of still am now,” Joss adds with a laugh. This laziness can by no means be attributed to their career in the industry, which for an emerging band is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Most graduating from high school this year, band members James Fitzpatrick, Connor Forsyth, Julian Kenny and Harry Booth have already played gigs at the Australian Open, Australian Grand Prix, St Kilda Music Festival and airplay on Triple M. Though it doesn’t stop there – the band has also opened for the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, Ross Wilson, Brian Mannix, Bluejuice and Taxiride. Not many bands can say that they’ve played such high profile events before they’ve even gone through the stresses of high school exams. Joss is fully appreciative of all the opportunities that have come his way, and looks back on the experiences with air of pride for what they’ve achieved. “With the bigger festivals and bigger gigs you do get a beautiful setup, and it’s a really inspiring atmosphere as well,” he says. “The feeling of playing in front of the audience with a nice big
PA, stage and setup, there’s nothing else like it.” And while they appreciate the energy from a large crowd, they still love the shows at home and the familiar faces dancing along to their tunes. “We tend to play a lot of gigs down at the Torquay Hotel, and a lot of people down there are regulars and they see us play all the time. It’s kind of nice to come back to the same people every now and them and have them know you and seen you before,” Joss says. “It’s also nice to talk to individual people in the crowd while you’re up on stage and really get them revved up and get them involved in that way. That’s something that you can’t really do at the bigger gigs.” For those living in Geelong, Where’s Joss? might be a name you’ve heard associated to being a cover band. While this is true, the five-piece has recently made the decision to create original music after a successful few years performing covers. “It’s kind of always been the plan. We’ve known that we can’t make an amazing living out of playing covers, and I personally love playing covers because
you can change things up and make them your own,” he says. “Everyone always gets into them, and they always enjoy them, but we really want to take it to the next level with originals.” The band has since released a few original songs with plans to release a lot more, including ‘Casual Affair’ which has a teaser on YouTube. “I kind of feel like it’s better than anything we’ve done this year. A lot of our songs have been quite basic and a bit repetitive, but this one’s got a real catchy chorus, and it really goes with our signature pop-rock vibe,” Joss says. The band’s sudden focus on playing original music could be pinned to their newfound maturity, experience in the industry or their freedom from the time constraints of high school. Regardless, it certainly helps to have Dwayne Russell, ex-footballer and now commentator, as a father and also your music manager. “He’s really relaxed and a lot like me in a lot of ways. He just loves everything about the band and he’s really into it. He tries so hard for us and we try hard in return at the gigs and in everything we do,” he says. While many musicians seem to resent the involvement of family members, Joss really seems to appreciate his father’s presence, and the love he has for what his father does for the band can be felt as Joss talks of his dad’s work. “I was watching this special on Beyoncé the other day and she was saying how she hates how her dad is
involved in everything. But I love having him involved and talking about the band at home and everything. It’s really cool to be involved with him in that way,” Joss says. It seems to be in the Russell genes that once you’ve found your niche – and Joss has worked his way through all possible sports – to pursue it until you make it to the top. As soon as Joss picked up an instrument, he knew he’d found his ‘thing’. “It’s just about finding what you’re good at and sport was definitely not my forte,” he says. Later this month Where’s Joss? is set to play the Geelong Cup. While they’ve played at many high profile events, it’ll be one of their first chances to headline a local gig and showcase their new material. The band plan to be around for a long time and continue doing what they love – playing music live. The Geelong Cup is a great chance for the band to prove to locals what they’ve got, and be yet another stepping stone to a successful career as an iconic Australian pop-rock band. To see where the band will play next or to keep up to date visit their website wheresjoss.com. au or Facebook (facebook.com/WheresJoss). When&Where: Geelong Cup – October 22
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Drunk Mums Written by Amanda Sherring
While everyone was enjoying the grand final celebrations Jake Doyle and Adam Ritchie, of five-piece the Drunk Mums, were stuck at the airport waiting for a flight to Hobart. After several delays the duo finally landed in Tasmania and were able to talk before they rushed off to another gig.
It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from the iconic garage rock band, but they’ve come back stronger than ever with a list of festivals in the upcoming months, including Kennedys Creek and Paradise Music Festival. The time off has allowed the band to line up some incredible gigs and also to focus on their upcoming album. “We’ve had a bit of a break just recording the album and stuff. And now the album is all finished,” Jake says. The time has more than paid off, as we’ve already had a few teasers with ‘Plastic’ and ‘Nanganator’. Both of which stay true to the grunge, punk and Aussie rock sounds that we’ve grown to love. ‘Nanganator’ has proven to be the firm favourite with the clip getting RAGE indie clip of the week and over 3,000 views in a few days. The track is short and sweet, coming in at a ball busting two-minutes with an infectious chorus that was made to sing live. “People really get into it as it’s a pretty simple song and that’s why we made it. It’s a good song to shout
along to the end of the chorus,” Jake says. The Cairns-turned-Melbourne band seem to have really thought out their sound, with an album that’s so far built off catchy fast-paced beats and chorus’ to sing a long to. Though the plan doesn’t just stop at their music, and the Drunk mums have made some serious decisions when it comes to who they play to. “We used to just play anything and everything back in the day, but now we are playing in shows with bands that we like,” Jake says. “It’s just learning from our mistakes I guess, and it’s just becoming easier and easier as it goes on, because we know what not to do and what to do.” While they’re making the smart choices every band should, they haven’t lost sight of who they were before it all started, and the very people who helped fuel the need for them to travel the country. “We don’t want to disconnect from people because we are people. We don’t want to look up ourselves or not grateful for being there,” Adam says. “And that’s the thing, we’re just being ourselves.” Part of staying true to who they are is
When&Where: Kennedy’s Creek Music Festival – October 25-26 & Howler, Melbourne – November 7
backing every decision no matter what. The band have an ethos of it’s never as good as if you do it yourself, and as a result the Drunk Mums get hands on when creating music clips, recording and even in designing album covers. Their self-titled album, which was
banned from iTunes as a feature, has a topless stripper named Peaches as the cover. The band were fully involved in the process and even took a trip to the strip joint to take the photo, as well as take part in other antics. “The original idea was just to go down to St Kilda and get anyone to flash whatever they
want. But it’s worked out good and that album is even going to be released in Spain,” Adam says. With the new album due out in 2015, it’s worth keeping an eye out for when it hits the shelves. If only to see what cover they come up with next.
Kingswood Written by Zach Broadhurst
For years now we have heard various people preach that true rock and roll is dead, but whoever decided that forgot to tell the boys of Kingswood. The Melbourne locals are bringing their own brand of rock to stages across the country, unfazed by the genre’s current reputation and growing a legion of fans in the process. “It’s just one of those things. You’ve got to do what you feel is you and you’ve got to make music you want to make,” explains lead guitarist Alex Laska. “We are definitely a lot more open now to experimentation and diversity when it comes to our sound and trying to make rock and roll kind of modern. I think rock and roll is a lot more open than it used to be, which is a good thing.” Over the past two years, the band has not only developed their sound but also their knowledge of what it takes to be a big rock band by playing some massive support slots for Grinspoon and Aerosmith. “You do learn about the professionalism of the whole thing and the grand scale that things can get to and how you can operate when you get to that level. It’s something to aspire to,” says Laska of their Aerosmith show. “When we toured with Grinspoon that was a great learning process of how to be a professional Australian touring band
and how to put it together – that was really a great learning curve.” Last month saw the release of Kingswood’s debut album Microscopic Wars featuring singles ‘Ohio’ and ‘She’s My Baby’; but there are still plenty of great tracks to discover, such as the slow and sexy ‘I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me’, where we see Alex take over frontman duties. “It’s great as a bit of an energy shift in a set. We can pop it in when we need to and it can change the energy of everything,” says Laska. “It’s got its own little uniqueness that’s cool and fun and sexy, so I enjoy it from that perspective, but it’s still quite daunting to be kind of the frontman for that song.” Kingswood are halfway through an Australian tour to promote the album, playing plenty of rural and suburban gigs alike and seeing the rewards of all of their previous touring and hard work. “We’ve been pretty good in terms of approaching regional areas when it comes to touring in the past couple of years,” says Laska. “It was just really lovely this time around putting on these shows in rural towns and it’s
When&Where: The Karova, Ballarat – October 17; Torquay Hotel, Torquay – October 18; and The Loft, Warrnambool – October 23
just like the hard work is paying off now. When you go out to these places and you play for 15-20 people and you drive like ten hours to get there, it can be a little bit trying, but when you return and you see the fruits of
all that work are paying off it’s awesome.” If you’re into blistering guitar solos, excellent harmonies and a band that isn’t afraid to have some fun with their audience, then you need to get along to a Kingswood gig – described, tongue in cheek, by Alex as
“the greatest rock and roll show in the entire world”. The entire world might be at this moment a little bit of a stretch, but you’d certainly be hardpressed to find a better rock show within 100km of any Kingswood gig.
Butcher Babies Written by Natalie Rogers
Seen as one of the most exciting metal bands to come out of L.A. in the past five years, these babies are ready to butcher the masses at Soundwave 2015. The dual frontwomen, Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey, command the stage while channeling the spirit of the late great Wendy O. Williams, backed all the way by brothers-in-arms, guitarist Henry Flury, bassist Jason Klein and drummer Chris Warner. We caught up with one half of the duo, Carla Harvey (who also happens to be a talented author, having recently published her first full-length novel and was once dubbed a ‘comic book mastermind’ by Hustler magazine), ahead of their inaugural trip to Australia. “We’re so excited!” gushed the gorgeous brunette. “When the announcement was made that we were on the bill I was asleep, so I woke up to a ton of messages from Australian fans – tweets and comments on Facebook saying how excited everyone was that we were coming. That meant so much to us . We honestly had no idea we had such a large fan base in Australia, so we’re really looking forward to meeting everybody.” The Butcher Babies strengthened their chokehold on the metal scene last year with the release of their debut album Goliath. “We were surprised that it did
so well the first week on the charts,” Carla confessed. “We’ve felt incredible support from the fans, so obviously that made us feel pretty special.” However, those warm fuzzy feelings that the tight-knit five-piece felt after their initial triumph appear to be short-lived, and Carla reveals that reality has set in. “We’re writing our second album right now and we’re feeling the pressure to make something bigger and better.” Carla says both she and Heidi are aware of the impact that their explosive live performances can have on any wannabe rock goddesses in the crowd. “On the last song of our set Heidi and I like to go out into the crowd – go out over the rails and get down in the pit with people. We came from a punk rock background and our attitude will always be punk rock. We always wanna be upclose and personal with people. “These days a lot of young girls come up to us at shows or they write us letters to say we’ve become role models to them, and it touches us so much. Once upon a time Heidi and I were those girls at metal shows surrounded by guys. There weren’t many young girls in the crowds at metals shows back in the day,” she laughed.
When&Where: Soundwave 2015
“But we wanted to be on stage. We wanted to be singers but we just didn’t know how. I was just a factory worker’s kid from Detroit, so I understand what it feels like to be inspired by somebody, so to be able to meet them and tell them that in person is an incredible thing. So we
make sure we do ‘meet and greets’ with everyone. We love to talk to fans. It’s just an awesome experience for both parties.” After promising to spend extended time at the signing tents next February, Carla also promises that we’ll hear new material added to their setlist, while also confessing that Butcher Babies will be
playing a bunch of sideshows as well. In the meantime, why not get your hot little hands on a copy of their limited edition EP Uncovered, a collection of hell-raising covers handpicked by each member of the band. Find out more at butcherbabiesofficial.com forte 21
For details on the application process and the full terms and conditions please visit bankofmelbourne.com.au/melbmusicbank © 2014 Bank of Melbourne – A Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714.
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Y irr m al Mari k a “Music is in our blood, it connects us up with our family. When we sing it’s like we’re calling our ancestors.” pg.28
Third Annual Beer Fest
Wild & Beautiful Bonjah
Australia’s premier festival of craft beers and ciders returns to the Geelong Racecourse on Saturday 21st February next year. Brewers and beer lovers from all over Australia are again expected to descend upon the city to join with locals in tasting over 200 of the finest craft beers and ciders available. Brewer spots have already been snapped up with the very best boutique brewers from every state in Australia attending. Festival organisers are planning big changes to cater for the increase in visitors as word has spread that Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival is a ‘must attend’. GABF 2015 will use more space around the recently upgraded grounds. There is going to be more visual and performing arts together with a third stage added featuring comedy, cabaret and peculiar live acts. A cider garden will overlook the track together with an international beer selection offering tastings from around the world. The food offering will include more restaurants added to the Tastes of the Region section together with a variety of renowned food trucks serving a range of gourmet & international foods. Organisers are also encouraging people to come along dressed as a superhero or adopt a colourful Calypso/Hawaiian theme. There will be a best sombrero and group award with workplaces being challenged to have employees dress up and be in the running for the GABF ‘Best Dressed Org Award’ and $1000 first prize donated to a charity of their choice. Stay tuned for the exciting entertainment line-up to be announced shortly. Visit www.gabf.com.au for more information.
Just how popular is Bonjah? A quick look at their website should tell you. The band has been on the road for a little while now and they have been selling out shows from Adelaide to Tasmania. The reason for such a successful tour is for a couple of reasons. First, the Melbourne via New Zealand band knows what it takes to put on a good show. They have performed worldwide and have picked up a few tricks along the way. Secondly, they released their third album, Beautiful Wild, in April, an album which landed at #2 on the AIR charts and #41 on the ARIA charts. Hopefully you caught their interview in the last issue of Forte. Keep up, people. Torquay Hotel, Torquay – October 3.
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Love Me, Love Me Not Any band that has shared the spotlight with Aerosmith and Van Halen has got to be doing something right. Hailing from Sydney, The Dead Love’s sound has been called everything from post-grunge to “surf rock mad dogs”. The band put things a little simpler, stating what they play is no-nonsense “f**k off ” rock. If you haven’t checked them out already, their debut album Transitions is waiting for you. The album was recorded and produced by Grammynominated producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith, whose credits include The Toadies, Jet and The Dandy Warhols. If you head over to Tone Deaf, bass player Clint Ossington has given a track-by-track synopsis. The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 17.
Hard Rock on Ice Often the band in question says it better than anyone: “Shoulder to shoulder you stand in the crowd. Facing the stage, its dark, blue and white beams of light are dashing up, down and side to side, fog is filling the stage, everyone starts chanting the band’s name. Then you feel the subs rumble through the floor, the blinding lights illuminate the whole venue and goose bumps shoot down your neck and arm as that Hard Rock wall of sound you crave enters your ears.” Hell, if that little intro doesn’t get you at least a little curious then you must have ice in your heart. So, who is this band? That would be Adelaide’s Ice on Mercury, on tour in support of their self-titled second EP. Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – October 4.
The Mane Event Three million Australians are living with depression or anxiety. It is a heartbreaking figure indeed. It is also something not always understood. We know the fine work beyondblue does in order to combat not only the fallacies around depression and anxiety, but in working to reduce their impact. This month beyondblue teams up with The Lions Club, Music Workshop, Forte and The Barwon Club for The Mane Event, a solid day and night of tunes where enjoyment, education and fundraising get an equal billing. In awesome news, Painters and Dockers will perform at the event, marking their first Geelong performance in 24 forte
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20 years. The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 11. 12-midday through 1 a.m.
Whad’ya Know, Jack? We were introduced to Jack McCarty back in 2010 through the release of his debut EP, Wine & Consequence. Since then, he has been a busy man indeed with the release of two full-length albums – 2011’s One Thousand Origami Birds and 2012’s Break Your Own Heart – and a collaborative EP with Sydney-based Casual Psychotic titled The Predictable Crisis of Modern Life. The music life of an indie-folk rootsman is never done, so now Jack is thrilled to welcome his latest release, Esk. The album is the result of three years of solid travel, shows and no fixed address. Babushka Bar, Ballarat – October 30; The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 1; and The Loft, Warrnambool – November 2.
Katchafire if You Can Widely regarded as New Zealand’s hardest working band, Katchafire is currently in the US spreading their reggae magic. The band kicked off their US tour at the beginning of September, taking in venues including the House of Blues and the B.B. King Blues Club. Once they return to our shores in the first half of October, they will take a few big breaths before heading out for a healthy run of dates. See, they really are a hard-working band. For those unfamiliar with Katchafire, the band originally formed as a Bob Marley tribute band in 2000. They have shared stages with the likes of The Wailers, UB40 and Lauryn Hill. They released a ‘Best Of ’ compilation last year. The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 9.
Fast as Lightning Who’s the surf-guitarone-man-wolf-curiosity? Lightning Tape Wolf. Damn right. Lightning Tape Wolf is Dylan Herkes. Dylan Herkes is Lightning Tape Wolf. Where one starts and the other begins is anyone’s guess. If you are out of the loop, LTW is the latest incarnation of ‘The Mysterious Tape Man’. Dylan started the adventures of the Tape Man in 2003; since then, he has brought us Tape Man, Ghost of Tape Man, House on Haunted Hill, Two-Headed Tape Man and Planet of the Tapes. He has also been to Australia around the same number of times he has changed his name. What you get is the sweet sounds of psychotic haunted surf
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trash guitar riffs. The Bridge, Castlemaine – October 3.
The Diceman Cometh There was a time when Andrew Dice Clay was king. He was the first comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden two nights in a row, an impressive feat only accomplished by only a small handful of others including George Carlin and Eddie Murphy. In 1990 he played the lead in The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. MTV banned him for life, although they lifted the ban in 2011. He has offended more people than anyone. He was, and arguably still is, a rock star of the comedian world. His career has been revived of late, appearing in the Woody Allen flick Blue Jasmine and appearing on the final season of Entourage. For the first time ever, The Diceman is coming to Australia. Deakins Costa Hall, GPAC – October 19.
Show Us the Money With influences including Matt Corby, Sticky Fingers, John Butler Trio and The Beautiful Girls, Josh Cashman is a young selftaught songman taking some big steps early in his music career. Much of 2013 was spent taking in venues including The Corner Hotel, The Espy, The Penny Black, The Empress Hotel and The Chandelier Room; 2014, meanwhile, is more about the music. His single, ‘Wait for the Sun’, has gained airplay on triple j’s Roots n’ All as well as several community radio stations. His debut EP of the same name has also been released and is available for download through iTunes. He is on a musical path to “The Unknown”. The Vine, Bendigo – October 11.
Acfields of Gold From harmonising on car trips in their childhood to performing multiple national tours and supporting names including Josh Pyke, The Trouble with Templeton, Lakyn Heperi and Vika & Linda, the musical life of Dan and Hannah Acfield is bound by blood. While both have achieved success as solo artists, the decision to team up and perform a colourful blend of folk-pop and alt-country has paid off big time. A successful crowdfunding campaign enabled the brother-sister team to record their selftitled debut full-length album. You may well have already heard its single ‘Grabbed Me by the Heart’. Babushka Bar, Ballarat – October 4; Ararat Live, Ararat – October 9; and Martians Café, Deans Marsh – October 11.
Steve Smyth Takes an Exit Forget about your six-date tour. Songman Steve Smyth recently kicked off a massive tour which will rack up over 40 dates and keep him busy until the beginning of December. What would possess a man to do such a thing? His debut album Exits, for starters. The album was recorded in Echo Park in the shadows of Hollywood Hills with a helping hand from Joey Waronker and Gus Seyffert. You may have already heard singles ‘Shake It’ and ‘Written or Spoken’. Both have received a fair share of airplay. The Vine, Bendigo – October 3; Beav’s Bar, Geelong – October 9; Major Tom’s, Kyneton – October 10; The Loft, Warrnambool – October 16; and The Eastern, Ballarat – October 17.
One in the Chamber
Chopped 2014 REMINDER: Hot rods and rock music once again come together in perfect harmony in 2014’s instalment of Chopped. The three-day festival is a celebration of pre1965 style custom cars and bobber and chopper motorcycles. It also hosts one hell of a music line-up with bands including Cosmic Psychos, Intoxica, King Salami & The Cumberland 3, Papa Pilko & The Bin Rats and Mesa Cosa performing. Newstead – October 3, 4 & 5.
Much-loved country gal Kasey Chambers will see out 2014 with a string of shows in support of her new album, Bittersweet. The album, her tenth overall and first solo album in four years, saw her sit down with Nick DiDia, a man whose credits are as good as they come – Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, The Wallflowers, and the list goes on. The album also marks the first time Kasey entered the studio without her producer, manager and “good luck charm”, Nash Chambers. It debuted at #2 on the ARIA chart. As you would expect with one who has such a highly regarded name – we’re talking 10 APRA awards (she holds the record for the highest awarded solo APRA songwriter in Australia across 10 studio albums), 10 ARIA awards and 20 Golden Guitars – Kasey had no trouble rounding up some serious talent for the album. Bernard Fanning is there, as is Ashleigh Dallas, Dan Kelly, Matthew Engelbrecht, Declan Kelly and Bill Chambers. Kasey: “I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before. I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited.” Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – December 6.
Riverboats Music Festival Held on the banks of the Murray River, the Riverboats Music Festival is still a little tacker in festival terms, but boy has it made a big impression. Some early details have emerged about 2015’s event, so let’s get right to it. You have the wonderful talents of Dan Sultan, Adalita, The Whitlams, Sarah Blasko, Stella Angelico and The Switch (pictured), Diesel, Fraser A. Gorman, Mick Harvey, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Matt Walker & The Lost Ragas, Sal Kimber & The Rollin’ Wheel, Raised by Eagles and The Bamboos. 2013’s event scored a four star review from The Sydney Morning Herald. Here is a snippet of what they had to say: “In its third year, the Echuca Riverboats Music Festival boasted a bill worth a road trip from anywhere despite ominous skies that opened as forecast on Ian Moss’ opening night headlining performance. Umbrellas? No problem here, where the nearest picnic rug was at least four eskies away.” The fourth annual Riverboats Music Festival takes place across February 13, 14 & 15 beneath towering river red gums in a natural amphitheatre next to the mighty Murray. Sound good? It is! Tickets are available as single-day passes and weekend passes. Full details can be found through riverboatsmusic.com.au.
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Homer No Function Beer Well Without It’s time to top up your glass as we take a look at three fantastic beer festivals coming up. The second Bendigo Craft Beer Festival is set to take place at the Tom Flood Sports Centre on November 15. On display will be some of the best in craft beers and ciders in Victoria and beyond. Around 25 breweries will attend, with some 100 beers and ciders on offer. Entertainment includes Jackson Firebird, Jackson McLaren, The Kite Machine and Matt Katsis. Hit bendigocraftbeerfestival. com.au for further information. The Ballarat Beer Festival takes place at City Oval on Saturday, January 24, 2015. As well as a fantastic selection of local brewers, the day will also include information sessions as well as a new line-up of gourmet food, kids’ activities and more. Entertainment includes Ash Grunwald and Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes. Hit ballaratbeerfestival. com.au for further information. The Great Australian Beer Festival takes place at the Geelong Racecourse on February
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21. At this stage you’re looking at some 200 craft beers and ciders on offer. At the time of writing no music had been announced, but roving performers and ‘Best Dressed’ competitions will be a part of the day. Hit gabfgeelong.com.au for further information.
Don’t Wash Your Hands Well, Sticky Fingers have kicked off their Land of Pleasure tour, and they’re hoping the experience is as pleasurable for you as it is for them. The name of the tour, which I am sure you well-read readers would have assumed, is taken from the band’s new album which was released at the beginning of August. There has been a lot of love for Sticky Fingers for some time, and their new album got ’em talking. Music Feeds’ Shane Arnold: “The fantastic duality of Land of Pleasure is that it’s simultaneously the perfect soundtrack for an evening chilling in the backyard or for cranking up a house party where good tunes always equal good times.” Sometimes it’s okay to have Sticky Fingers. The Karova, Ballarat – October 11.
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Music Gaming Brainy Rot Written by Daniel Lock Hello sinners and repenters, Daniel here with the fortnightly article of Ballarat rants and randomness. I have a confession to make. As well as being a writer, a sound technician and various other career pursuits, in my spare time I’m a gamer, specifically a console gamer, and although this is a common thing in our day and age, I believe it also had a lot to do in influencing my love of music. Being an ’80s child, I grew up with a Commodore 64 (yes I’m old) and although the 8” floppy discs were quite limited in their audio capabilities, it was through a little research (and asking my mum and dad) where certain background music came from. Unsurprisingly a lot of it was synthesiser based. With the simple electronic beeps and tones, I remember playing long games of “Pengo” to the beeps of Gershon Kingsley’s ‘Popcorn’. So the Commodore 64 was the origin of my appreciation of electronic music. Living on a small
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Kennedys Creek Music Festival Have you been keeping tabs on the Kennedys Creek Music Festival? If not, let’s get you up to speed. The line-up features Drunk Mums, Dyson Stringer Cloher, The Exploders, Saint Jude, Pretty Littles, The Royal Artillery, Kashmere Club, Red Eagle, The Weapon is Sound, The Laughing Leaves, The Infants, Broken Hills Band, Sid O’Neil, Rough River, Kinloch Troons, King Evil, Kung Fu in Technicolour and Malee Songs. The Kennedys Creek Music Festival takes place across October 25 and 26. Check out their facebook for more information. Tickets can be purchased through stickytickets.com.au. Oh what a wonderful weekend awaits you…
An Aussie in England The Waifs sang of being in London, and perhaps now Kyle Taylor will follow suit. The local songman has shared a bit of time with Forte over the journey, and we’ve always been all too pleased when he has. However, there comes a time in every musician’s
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life when they look for bigger opportunities. Throughout the second half of September and into the first half of October, the indie-folk singersongwriter will be busking and performing shows in the UK. A little closer to home, Kyle has released all of his music on Bandcamp. To find out a little more about his travels or to simply check in and say G’day, hit up facebook. com/kyletayloraustralia. Good work, Kyle!
Next of Kin It would be hard to imagine too many people who haven’t heard of The Kin. If you haven’t, well, you’re about to go on a two-minute date with them. The band is the talents of Australianraised brothers Isaac (vocals, keys) and Thorald Koren (vocals, guitar, keys) along with the powerhouse US-born drummer known as ‘Shakerleg’. Their musical adventure began when the trio took to the stage of Katz’s Delicatessen, a mainstay of New York City’s Lower East Side. Since that little night, the “danger-pop” sound of the band has won favour with those including Pink, who snapped up the lads for
survival budget, the Commodore 64 was part of the family until the release of the Sega Mega Drive in 1990. Although the Mega Drive had a lot of original scores amongst their catalogue of 16-bit games, one game stood out amongst the others – Earthworm Jim. The charm of the ridiculous sense of humour had me addicted straight away, but also the music score. The levels boasted an odd choice of soundtracks that piqued my interest early – the level What the Heck had the Mussorgsky score ‘Night On Bald Mountain’ mixed in with some torturous screams to elevator music. Earthworm Jim didn’t stop with its classics: the level Jim’s Now a Blind Cave Salamander had Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ playing while you navigated nearsightedly through an underwater cave with painful sea anemone tentacles on the walls and numerous pinball bumpers to hit you into them. In the late ’90s, the Nintendo versus Sony war started, and there were great arguments for both at the time. My best friend was the first to buy a Sony console, mainly for the scariest game on consoles at the time, Resident Evil 2. However, it wasn’t until he purchased the first third-person Duke Nukem game A Time to Kill that I bought my first CD on account of a video game soundtrack. The introductory FMV video was Duke Nukem shooting Pig Cops to the backing of Stabbing
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tours of Australia and the US. Beav’s Bar, Geelong – October 24.
The Softer Side of Busby Marou Kicking off a little later in the month, Busby Marou will be showing us their softer side with a run of stripped-back dates. Originally from Rockhampton, Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou crossed paths and decided the best thing they could do was play music together. In 2009 they became one of five successful ‘Breakthrough’ applicants, a Federal Government initiative supporting Indigenous musicians. They used the funds to record their debut. Last year the band released Farewell Fitzroy, for which a special reissue of the album has been released called Fitzroy: Days of Gold Edition. The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 20; The Loft, Warrnambool – November 22; and Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 23.
Spending Today with Cyndi Boste With over 30 years of performing, soulful roots-rock-country singer-songwriter Cyndi
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Boste has played in more one horse towns than just about anyone. Her journey began at the age of 15 when a shy but talented Cyndi performed on The Early Bird Show. In the mid-nineties she travelled the music road with her brother, before releasing her debut solo album, Home Truths, in 1998. Her latest is Nowadays, an album seven years in the making. Cyndi: “It was a bit scary, and exhilarating at the same time, but I just had to keep putting faith in the music I make. I’m really excited about the new album.” The Bridge, Castlemaine – October 25 & The Main Bar, Ballarat – November 14.
Dwarves Standing Tall REMINDER: Punk legends the Dwarves are almost here. The latest news in the band’s camp is their new album The Dwarves Invented Rock & Roll. Hopefully fans have been brushing up on the newie because the chances are it is going to get a working. This show really should come with a warning, but it wouldn’t help. So, if you can’t beat them… The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 16.
Westward’s ‘The Thing I Hate’. I researched this band and bought their current album at the time, Darkest Days. My own next console was a Nintendo 64, and although having some classic exclusive games, it wasn’t until 1999 that a game with one of the sickest soundtracks in gaming history was released – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Boasting music from genres such as thrash metal, punk rock and ‘primus’, the tracklist had music from bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Kennedys and Primus. That on top of an unbelievably good control system, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was, to a teenager at the time, the whole package: music, gaming and skating! Games and music have an almost symbiotic relationship these days, with all of the different ways to interact such as the release of the karaoke game SingStar in 2004 complete with USB microphones, Guitar Hero in 2005 with a guitar-shaped controller and Rock Band in 2007, with the addition of a drum kit to the microphones and guitar controller. 2011’s Rocksmith took the next step, with the true tone cable ¼” stereo Jack to USB being a direct input how consoles can teach how to play a guitar or bass. I think parents these days would have a hard time arguing that video games just rot the brain.
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Something to Preach About SURF COA ST
Cleveland Blues Music Written by Daniel Waight
Sunshine Coast two-piece act Cleveland Blues Music is coming to play a gig at their “second home” in Anglesea on the Surf Coast this weekend. Ihaia ‘Cleveland’ Pirere (singer, songwriter & guitarist) and Andrea ‘Bam Bam’ Norden (drums & percussion) form a deadly blues combination – and they’re ready to go “hell for leather”. Queensland-born Cleveland is a late starter musically, not having ever picked up a guitar until he was 30 years old. “I just sat on the couch for years just playing to myself, and then my partner told me to go and play somewhere to get me out of the house,” he says. “So I went up to Maleny and played there in this little competition thing – and I ended up winning the night. So from there it just progressed. “After I played solo for so long I was just looking for something a bit heavier, and I saw a few other bands that influenced me a bit. So I looked for a drummer – I went through about three drummers before I found Bam Bam, and we’ve been together now for about four years. It’s sort of been a really good musical marriage between the two of us.” CBM’s music consists of dirty swamp rock ’n’ stomp blues heavily influenced by the 1950s-style gospel and blues sound, but the songs are all original works. “I’m a poet more than a songwriter,” Cleveland says. “I sort of write short poetry and then put background music to it. That was how I first started. There are a lot of stories. I write a lot of riddles, too. I’ll write about a bottle of wine but talk to it like it’s a woman. I can write a song in five minutes or I can write a song in eight years.” Cleveland says Bam Bam is one of the best drummers he has ever seen and is immensely confident when performing with her on stage. She got her nickname from a young age; she began playing drums when she was eight. But how did Cleveland get his nickname? “Cleveland was sort of given to me. My name’s Ihaia, which is a Maori name passed down from father to son. I used to teach handicapped kids how to get into the workforce, and when I’d walk in in the mornings and say ‘good morning, kids’, they’d say ‘good morning, Ohio’, like Cleveland, Ohio. So all my mates got stuck on that and started calling me Cleveland.” CBM are looking forwards to their gig at Anglesea’s Sea Eyes Café, which is part of their Ocean Road tour around the east coast of Australia. “Anglesea’s like our home away from home,” Cleveland says. “We played Anglesea Music Festival three years in a row and we’ve got a really good fan base down there. Some of our fans have become friends and now family, so we always hit up Anglesea for a show. We normally play 18 plus but we’ve had a lot of people ask us to do some all-ages shows, so that’s why we’ve gone the Sunday arvo at Sea Eyes. We’ve got a great following down there.” They will be joined by Dean W. Martin on harmonica for the Sea Eyes gig and the remainder of the tour, and crowds can expect a rocking afternoon. “We’re full-on or not on. It’s not dinner music...” WHEN&WHERE: Sea Eyes Café, Anglesea – October 5
In support of their brand-spanking new “debuttculous” album Blue Planet Eyes, Sydney’s gorgeous fivepiece The Preatures are off on an end of year tour. Before they tend to local duties, the band has dates with Austin City Limits and the Life is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas. They have also got some local spots with The Rolling Stones, so you could say the band is travelling in the right direction. Blue Planet Eyes was recorded in Texas with the helping hand of Spoon’s Jim Eno. Brisbane/Melbourne two-piece Holy Holy will join the band at all stops around the country, but you can also expect some local talent on the night as well. The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 20.
The Hunger of Violent Soho When Violent Soho recently dropped a few hints that a few more shows would be coming, you would be forgiven for not thinking a few actually meant a crapload. Yep, that is the technical name. I guess when your album goes Gold it gives you good reason to enjoy some time in the sun. The band’s label, I Oh You, chimed in on the accomplishment: “We couldn’t be more proud of the guys or feel more honoured to have played a small part in the band’s life over the last few years… and we certainly couldn’t be any more psyched to see what the future holds.” Yahoo Bar, Shepparton – November 25; Star Bar, Bendigo – November 26; The Karova, Ballarat – November 27; and The Barwon, Geelong – November 29.
Sahara Beck in Bloom At the age of 17, Sunshine Coast songbird Sahara Beck has already performed at a host of festivals and venues including Noosa Long Weekend, The J, Peregian Originals, Joe’s Waterhole and The Caloundra Music Festival. She has also released one full-length album and two EPs, the latest being Bloom. It is a pretty amazing effort for someone so young, but when you’re as driven as Sahara there’s no other choice. Here is what The Sydney Morning Herald has to say about Sahara: “She has heart this girl and a bit of torture driving it. Music for the folk tent, the warm production and top-shelf performance make Beck a premium artist finding new ways to separate herself.” Babushka Bar, Ballarat – November 14.
The Zen Stephen Cummings Stephen Cummings has been a part of the music
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world for 40 years. It all began in 1974 with The Pelaco Brothers, a band he shared with Joe Camilleri among others. In 1976 he formed The Sports, a new wave outfit that compiled a very healthy stockpile of releases before disbanding in late 1981. Cummings then turned his attention to the solo world, with Nothing to Be Frightened Of his new release. “Nothing to Be Frightened Of is a lucid commentary on humanity’s inevitable confrontation with loss and death. It has chutzpah, a seismic beat and a refusal to knuckle under to the idea that one has less time than one imagined.” The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove – October 4.
In the Right Ball Park Ball Park Music is on the road for their Trippin’ the Light Fantastic Tour, named after a single lifted from the band’s latest album, Puddinghead. Recorded in a dilapidated house in South Brisbane, their third full-length album in as many years is showing the band seems to have a bottomless pit of musical ideas. Kill Your Stereo: “BPM are one of the strongest acts in Australian music at the moment, and Puddinghead is by no small measure the strongest thing that they’ve released throughout their entire career so far.” The Karova, Ballarat – October 8; Black Swan, Bendigo – October 9; and The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong – October 11.
The Key to Davey Lane With his debut EP The Good Borne of Bad Tymes, Davey Lane introduced us to his too-cool psych-electro sounds. It was quite the departure from the guitardriven retro-rock of The Pictures, but a sound that was fully embraced by fans of old and new. This month Davey welcomes Atonally Young, his debut full-length album recorded with Tony Buchen (The Preatures, Megan Washington). You may have already heard single ‘Komarov’. Davey: “I’ve always had a nerdy fascination with the Soviet space program, since I was maybe 6 years old or something, and the story of Komarov’s doomed Soyuz 1 mission is a particularly interesting, if not sad, chapter in its history.” The Karova, Ballarat – October 30.
Boy Oh Fiona Boyes “I ain’t never heard a woman finger-pick a guitar like that since Memphis Minnie. She’s the best gal guitar player I heard in more than 35
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There’s Something About QMF You thought following the announcements of artists including The Church, Dan Sultan, Hayward Williams, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Kasey Chambers and Skunkhour that 2014’s Queenscliff Music Festival couldn’t get any bigger, didn’t you? You poor, naïve fools. But, because you’re good-looking we’ll cut you some slack. The festival has made further announcements including some fantastic artists that make up the Telstra Road to Discovery Showcase. Last year’s winners Helen Shanahan and Christopher Coleman (who will headline the showcase with his outfit the Christopher Coleman Collective) will perform, along with Andrew Redford, Angie McMahon, Hayden Calnin and Kelly Menhennett. Oh yeah, you also have Charles Jenkins, WILSN, Aluka, The Yearlings and Matt Katsis (the 2013 QMF Busking Competition winner), along with local Geelong region acts Murdena, Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys, Residual, The Kite Machine, Bec Goring and the Elwood Winters, Áine Tyrrell, Sagamore, Jordan Riddle, Alister Turrill, Max Rudd Band, Georgia Rodgers and Tides of Welcome. Oh yeah again, you also have MC Colin Lane (Lano and Woodley), Claire Hooper (Good News Week), Dave Thornton (FOX FM) and Rod Quantock making up the Comedy Showcase. Everything QMF can be found through qmf.net.au.
Bluejuice, I Hardly Knew Ye REMINDER: It has been a long, warm and colourful ride we’ve shared with Bluejuice. But the ride has come to an end. Following 13 years together the Sydney group has decided that the end of the year will also see the end of the band. Fortunately, they’ll be leaving fans with a new single, a ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation and a tour. The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 12. Head on down and give ’em a hug. years.” That is Blues Hall of Fame legend ‘Pinetop’ Perkins speaking about blues guitarist and singersongwriter Fiona Boyes. The Aussie talent has been recording and performing internationally for more than 25 years, her music taking her to the US, Europe and New Zealand. As for her resume, it is about as good as they come with 13 releases, six international awardwinning albums, four successive Blues Music Award nominations and 15 Australian Blues awards. Recently she has been enjoying her Eight Weeks in Eight Countries tour. The Main Bar, Ballarat – October 3.
Gimme Some (More) Lovin’ The Bridge in Castlemaine is holding a Greens Benefit Gig this
month, October 17 to be exact, with musical guests Peter and the Wolf and Monique Kerr. Play anywhere, anytime for good dollars or a good time is the motto of Mick Dog’s Bone Yard. Check ’em out at The Bridge, Castlemaine on October 11. McAlister Kemp has a date with Gateway Hotel, Corio on October 11. Bog Log III will get wild at The Barwon, Geelong on October 11. Kayla Dwyer takes on Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy on October 11. Buddha in a Chocolate Box has lined up The Loft, Warrnambool on October 3, while Cleveland Blues will kick out their footstompin’ blues-rock at the same venue on October 4. Tyler Hudson (The X Factor) hits Echuca’s American Hotel on October 10 & 19.
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Q&A with Andrew Forssman
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Bands Bar Beer Garden
With the Birregurra Weekend Festival and Art Show only a stone’s throw away, we pounced on the opportunity to have a chat with the festival’s main man, Andrew Forssman. So grab yourself a bite to eat and come take a walk with us. Hi Andrew, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte. How are you and what are you up to at the moment? I am great thanks! I’m currently balancing my work at my day job at Surf Coast Secondary College with the planning for the festival, and of course plenty of family time. Thankfully most of the hard work is done for the festival. The committee has been meeting fortnightly to finalise the details and get ready for the 11th & 12th Oct. It’s coming together nicely. The Birregurra Festival is in its 15th year. What is it about the festival that has it sticking around? The festival is for the community. We are notfor-profit, with all money raised going back into the local community. The festival is the major source of fundraising for local community groups, so the success of the festival is in the best interest of all the community. Plus, I don’t think I would be too far
off saying that just about everyone that comes to the festival has a really great time. So they come back, which is awesome! Obviously there’s a variety of things to attract the public (art, music etc.). What do you think is the main draw card? This year we have really taken a big step forward with regards to live music. We will be running two stages on both days of the festival. Without doubt the big draw card will be our headliners, the Pierce Brothers. These guys have blown up big time in the last six months. Since the release of their EP (The Night Tree), they have played a string of sold-out shows in Australia, not to mention the huge show they did at Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands. Pierce Brothers play 1:30 p.m. Saturday 11th on the Main Stage. You’ve also got a lot of activities for children. Is that an important factor for your festival to have? For sure! It really is a family festival. The local primary and pre-schools are heavily involved in the festival. This year we will have a couple of hundred students from local primary schools performing as part of the huge Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Marsh Choir.
Camperdown Cruise Festival Q&A
Have you been looking for a chance to slap on some red lippy, throw on a leather jacket and dance until your feet get sore? We had a chat to Camperdown Cruise festival director Arthur on the best spot to do just that. Hi Arthur, thanks for taking the time out to chat to Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? Hey there, I’ve been very busy restoring classic cars and organising Rockabilly Festivals. For those who haven’t heard of the Camperdown Cruise before could you please give us a run down of the event and your involvement? I am the director of the festival, The Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Festival. The festival is a four-day international music festival show casing acts from
around the world and Australia. There are over 60 trade stalls, classic car shows, Glamour Central for the ladies, six stages, burlesque, Miss Camperdown Cruise pinup competition, a dance comp, dance lessons, fashion parades, Lo Brow art show and so much more. What first made you decide to create the Camperdown Cruise event? Eight years ago I invited the Fuelers car club from Ballarat to my restoration shop in Camperdown, 15 cars turned up and the next year 150 cars turned up. The 3rd year I got a rockabilly band and it just grew from that into an international festival. It’s a pretty great venue/ location for the event, do you think that helps add to the vibe? Camperdown is such a historical town with the historic clock tower and avenue of elm trees. The
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I also wanted to ensure that there was a major attraction for kids in the form of live music. This year we have Little Feet Music performing on the Sunday morning. This is a must for those with young children! A lot of the acts performing are local. Is that an important thing for you? Yes, it certainly is. The festival offers visitors a really good chance to see some of the great talent that we have in the local area. I think that this year we have a really nice mix of local talent from the Colac region, alongside performers from the Surf Coast, Geelong and Melbourne. If someone was trying to decide whether or not to come, what would you say to convince them? If you’ve been before, this year will be bigger and better than ever, so you know it’s going to be great! If you’ve never
iconic 1930s theatre is one of the main venues and adds to the feel of stepping back in time. The main street of Camperdown is fenced off and the town is transformed into a village of all things ‘50s. You’ve certainly got a lot happening over the few days, how do you manage to organise it all? I have a wonderful small team that know what’s what and we make it happen so smoothly for everyone to enjoy the weekend without a hiccup. There’s even a barber coming down from Hollywood, how did that come about? Omar Romero is on the WILD Records label (www. wildrecordsusa.com) and has an amazing barber shop (Vinny’s barber shop) in Hollywood. He’ll be cutting hair over the weekend and performing Sunday night to cap the Festival off, Omar’s wife Jenny will also be at the festival as the ladies hair dresser in Glamour Central hosted by my dear friend Candice Deville. This is by no means your
been, do yourself a favour. Come and enjoy worldclass bands, amazing local produce/beers/wines, check out the fantastic art show and entertain the kids with a heap of great activities. Best of all is that your wallet won’t feel the pinch! What’s the best thing you’ve heard someone say of the festival? We get lots of great feedback from visitors to the festival. I think that people generally appreciate the diversity of the festival and what it offers for the whole family. Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us. Is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up? No worries! Maybe just give our Facebook page a ‘like’ and follow us on Twitter (@birrefest) to get all the details! WHEN&WHERE: Birregurra October 11-12
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81 Humffray St Nth, Ballarat
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first event, how have past years gone? The event just gets bigger each year, the past years have been so wonderful making new friends and giving the opportunity to bands from overseas to come to Australia. What’s your advice to first timers? Don’t forget your dancing shoes and be prepared to make a whole lot of new friends. Is there anything that’s a must see/do? The burlesque on the Sunday is a must do, and we are introducing a dance comp which is going to be a lot of fun. The International bands are also some of the best in the world. What’s the best thing you’ve heard someone say of the event? That it’s one of the best festivals in the world, and that’s come from the musicians and people that have travelled the world to other festivals. The venues and the historic town is what people just love to come back to each year. Thanks again for taking the time out to chat to us. Is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up? Come along and have fun, dress up or buy a new outfit, have a dance lesson and enjoy the atmosphere. WHEN&WHERE: Camperdown – October 23 - 26
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Y irr m al Mari k a LOCAL FEATURE Written by Natalie Rogers
“Music is in our blood, it connects us up with our family. When we sing it’s like we’re calling our ancestors.” Meet Yirrmal Marika, a leader in the new generation of Indigenous artists. He is an inspiring young musician and singer-songwriter performing as a solo artist and within a group, Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys. “When we sing, we sing with our hearts,” Yirrmal affirms. “It helps us to relate to our culture. We blend traditional Aboriginal songs with contemporary western music.” When Yirrmal talks of music in his blood, he means it quite literally. His father, Witiyana Marika, was a key member of the trailblazing band Yothu Yindi, and on his mother’s side he’s related to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Yirrmal’s raw talent was noticed early on: “I first started performing at thirteen years old with my school band back in Yirrkala [North East Arnhem Land]. It was there that I built my confidence and decided I was ready to go to the next level – writing and performing my own songs.” Not long after that, his talent, maturity and strength of character were recognised by his school and by Elders in his home community, and Yirrmal was selected for the Leadership Program offered by the Geelong-based Marrma’ Rom Two Worlds Foundation. Established in 2011, the foundation (that translates to ‘two worlds, two cultures or two belief systems’ in Yolngu Matha, the language of the
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people of Arnhem Land) aims to empower the next generation of young men to become role models in their community. “It’s a not-for-profit organisation that encourages Indigenous youth to walk confidently in both worlds and gain independence, knowledge and skills,” explained CEO Cam Begg. As a former teacher at various schools in remote NT communities, Begg is a passionate supporter of Indigenous education. Now a teacher in Geelong, he is also Yirrmal’s manager. “This is Yirrmal’s fourth year in the program. He spent the first few years in Geelong with us and now he’s on campus at NMIT.” Yirrmal has continued to thrive in his studies and musical endeavours, though he admits feeling homesick now and again. “When I first came down to Geelong from Yirrkala, it was very hard being away from home. It really was like a whole new world, but now I am finding it much easier … I
understand things more,” Yirrmal divulged. “I do like studying at NMIT and I love my music courses, but it is very hard!” Yirrmal said with a smile. The importance of education is not lost on Yirrmal, something he hopes to share through his music. “Education is the key to opening up the world!” Yirrmal recognises. “It’s important to understand the culture of your tribe, but also to see that you can live in both worlds, go forward and have a future. “I see a lot of Indigenous kids back at home, hanging around all night. I see them go to school with no breakfast, and they can’t pay attention at school. It’s very overwhelming. I want to spread the word through music – live your life but go to school, get an education. “I’m learning all the time. I really wanted to play piano and I met Barry Morgan [comedian Stephen Teakle] at the Woodford Festival. He came over to see my show, and even though my guitar was out of tune (which he fixed for me), he loved it! We met after the show, became friends and now he’s mentoring me on music theory!” he laughed. “I also want to gain experience from professional songwriters. At the moment I’ve co-written some demos with [prolific songwriter] Shane Howard and
Neil Murray [who wrote APRA ‘Song of the Year’ ‘My Island Home’], but I’d love to work with Gotye and Uncle Archie [Roach].” “Yirrmal hasn’t written anything with Archie yet, but it’s definitely on the cards,” Begg confirms. “We’re doing something again with Shane and Neil early next year, then we’ll put out an EP mid-next year.” If you can’t wait ’til then, Yirrmal’s debut single Deep Blue Sea is out now. And don’t miss the chance to catch Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys at this year’s Birregurra Music Festival where Yirrmal will be joined by the Yolngu Boys – Dion Wunungmurra, Jerol Wunungmurra, Mabo Mununggurritj and Raven Marika. Their performances have been described as refreshing and uplifting, as they mash up traditional Yolngu Manikay ceremonial songs with modern music. Backed by the bass and percussion instruments, they dance, sing and play the didge. Expect an engaging and visually exciting performance.
When&Where: Birregurra Music Festival - October 10-12
SPRING RACING Carnival
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
Your Guide to Spring Racing Carnival Stop,horsing around. We ve got a race to get to Turnbull Stakes Day..........................................Saturday, October 4 Caulfield Guineas Day............................... Saturday, October 11 Cranbourne Cup Day................................... Sunday, October 12 Thousand Guineas Day.............................. Wednesday, October 15 Caulfield Cup Day......................................... Saturday, October 18 EVOCA Cup Day.................................................. Saturday, October 18 CRUST PIZZA BEACH PARTY RACE DAY...... Saturday, October 18 Seymour Cup Day............................................. Sunday, October 19 Geelong Cup Day............................................ Wednesday, October 22 Moonee Valley - WS Cox Plate Day....... Saturday, October 25 Bendigo Cup Day............................................. Wednesday, October 29 Victoria Derby Day....................................... Saturday, November 1 Melbourne Cup Day...................................... Tuesday, November 4 Crown Oaks Day.............................................. Tuesday, November 6 Emirates Stakes Day...................................... Saturday, November 8 Sandown Classic Day.................................. Saturday, November 15 Ballarat Cup Day........................................... Saturday, November 22
The race that stops a nation
If horse racing is the ‘Sport of Kings’ then the jewel in the crown is the Melbourne Cup. The first Melbourne Cup was held at the height of the Victorian gold rush in 1861. Some 4000 were in attendance that day, watching Archer take out the inaugural event for the grand prize of 710 gold sovereigns (710 pounds) and a goldbeaten watch. Archer would take out honours again in 1862. A touch over 30 years later, the great Mark Twain visited Australia, remaking about his Melbourne Cup experience, “Nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival for people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation. The Cup astonishes me.” The Melbourne Cup is the grandest of horse racing events in Australia, equivalent to any of the great races from around the world. The Kentucky Derby has been a tradition since 1875 and is commonly referred to as “The fastest two minutes in sports”. The Royal Ascot in England is a week-long group of races and has been a part of British tradition since 1711. One would also have to mention the Dubai World Cup, if only for its prize. Held annually since 1996, the relative newcomer has a purse of $10 million. Given the powerful nature of these animals and the passion horse racing holds for those closest to it, it is little wonder that horse racing has been immortalised in film. In 2013, film critic Jim Schembri listed his ‘Top 10 Horse Racing Films’ for 3AW. Unsurprisingly 1983’s Phar Lap topped the list. More than a racehorse, Phar Lap became a symbol of depression-era resilience and hope. The 2003 film Seabiscuit, a similar story but from an American standpoint, also featured. One of the most identifiable names on the list was National Velvet, the 1944 Elizabeth Taylor vehicle about a young woman (Taylor) who has to disguise herself as a boy in order to ride in the Grand National steeplechase.
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First past the post
Whatever your views on gambling, betting is a huge part of the races. The internet is littered with those giving you (or selling you, more probably) “fail-safe” betting systems. Most race-goers, however, love the thrill of a casual punt. A win, yep, that is great, but for many it is secondary to the thrill. The cheering, the racing hearts, the elation, the disappointment – all connected to a bet slip. At the time of writing, The Offer and Japan’s Admire Rakti and Bande were the favourites. Gamble responsibly.
Easy does it
All races offer packages, if that is your thing. It can make things a little easier. You have your own area (generally with a great view), and food and drink is provided. For Forte readers, information about local packages can be found here: Geelong (grc.com.au/geelong-cup), Bendigo (via countryracing. com.au) and Ballarat (via countryracing.com.au). General admission is also available, of course.
And the winner is
Fashion is a huge part of racing as well. However, as what I know about fashion couldn’t fill a one-page book, your best bet is to look online for some tips. Racingfashion. com.au is a good place to start. Better yet, and a little closer to home, make sure you read the fine work of our own Jessica Alves in this issue of Forte.
Spring Carnival Guide 2014
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014 Let's Woo
Pyrenees Winemakers Avoca Cup It is well known that race goers head to the Avoca Cup for a guaranteed good time...Known as one of the most fun and relaxed country race meetings in Victoria, the Pyrenees wine region hosts this magnificent race day on Caulfield Cup day. A ‘CRV’ Event of the Year, punters will enjoy thoroughbred racing, a boutique fashions experience, live bands, winemakers village and kids activities, all within a picnic atmosphere that the Avoca races are famous for. For more information visit www. countryracing.com.au/avoca. Saturday 18th October
Crust Pizza Bendigo Beach Party
Meet people face to face, not cyberspace at this years Let’s Woo Marquee at the Avoca Cup on Saturday 18th October, staged in a boutique marquee filled with lots of singles and more! Your ticket includes racecourse admission and racebook and return bus transfers from Ballarat, Maryborough or Avoca. There is a hand-selected food and beverage package on offer Tickets are a bargain at just $180.00 and right now membership is free!
Mudges
A huge event on the Bendigo social calendar, this year’s Crust Pizza Beach Party Race Day will not disappoint! You’ll experience all the buzz of Beach Party Race Day with live local racing and all the Caulfield Cup action on the big screen front and centre to the track. Get up close to all the action including the netball shoot-out with Australian Diamonds players in attendance, live entertainment from the likes of band Switch and the best spot for people-watching! This meeting has groups from all over the state and is the perfect warm up to Jayco Bendigo Cup Day – Central Victoria’s social event of the year 11 days later on Wednesday 29 October. Make Bendigo the place to race to this spring carnival!
With over 20 years experience providing greater Geelong area of all footwear needs, Mudges Shoes boasts an impressive variety of top brand shoes and bags. Do your feet a favour this Spring Carnival season and pick up a pair of quality made heels or wedges to last out the day. They’ve got the boys covered too with a great range of dress shoes! Stores located in Pakington Street, Ocean Grove and Colac, pop in today!
Blue Suede Nestled in boutique Highton Shopping Village alongside a few of the best alfresco cafes in town, Blue Suede is a locally owned and run men’s store. Priding itself on stocking only leather shoes (no synthetics) the range of shoes is almost ridiculous! Boasting over 500 styles all with full leather uppers and linings. Shoes & clothes from Australia, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and China as well as a huge range in Vintage Western boots! The shirt collection is unique but wearable when teamed with the right pants and shoes. The staff can get this together for you and might even prompt you to try wearing something adventurous! Every accessory for Spring is here too. Ties, bow-ties, braces, canes, vests, hats, sunnies, cufflinks, jewellery and watches plus an interesting array of men’s gifts. It’s your one destination store for buying anything manly!
OVER OF $3,000ES! PRIZ
Planet Sun Tan & Beauty Planet Sun Tan & Beauty offer a range of beauty and hair services at one convenient location. Beauty services include; spray tans (booth and hand held) , eyelash extensions, waxing, facials, microdermabrasion, teeth whitening and solarium. Other services include IP: fast and effective treatment to permanently reduce unwanted hair, Venus Swan: new facelift of the future and Body Treatment service. Collagen Anti-Ageing Treatment Bed: non-invasive, inexpensive and effective treatment that reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Our aim is to provide our clients with the best possible tan and beauty and hair services. Why go anywhere else when you can have it all at Planet Sun. 39 Gheringhap Street, Geelong 5222 7828
PYRENEES WINEMAKERS
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‘STRIDE EVENTS’ FASHIONS ON THE FIELD Come enjoy a boutique fashions experience this Spring Carnival. Relax under the Pyrenees gum trees with a handcrafted brew from Prickly Moses and listen to Dusty Stylus on the vintage vinyls, all while enjoying a catwalk of Spring’s most on-trend styles. So JHW \RXU RXWƫW VDVK UHDG\ IRU ‘Elysium Day Spa Ballarat’ ‘Gaz Man’ ‘Mantra Lorne’ ‘APCO Service Stations’ Ǝ'DUH 7RR %HH 'LƬHUHQW Hairdressing’
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014 Elephant and Castle One venue that is synonymous with the Geelong Cup is the Elephant and Castle. And guess what? 2014 is shaping up to be no different. Firstly, you will kick off proceedings with your friends at the famous champagne breakfast. Your host will be renowned Jocky Simon Marshall, who will provide you with plenty of laughs and stories from his time on the track to get you in the mood. From there, enjoy the FREE bus ride to the track, making the whole experience easy. Also on offer are auction items, a meat raffle, a phantom call and then DJ Brian will spin classics to dance and sing along to at the after party.
Salon Eve Salon Eve strives to be nothing but the best! The salon is a professional yet fun and enjoyable environment to be apart of. Salon Eve is all about feeling confident about yourself ! They will provide you with an understanding and appreciation to your true characteristics of your hair. They love to embrace the imperfections and independent changes that make us all unique, and most of all provide you with a hair style that you can maintain yourself at home. Drop in today and see the beautiful team lead by Barb, Vicky and Madi!
Vodka Cruiser Hothouse SIDETRACK’D at Bendigo Cup This years Jayco Bendigo Cup sees the return of the sensational SIDETRACK’D Marquee. Headliners Scndl, Chardy, Seany B, Matt Watkins and Sax On Legz join forces with everyone’s favourite Silent Disco, for what can only be described as the premium, 100% Trackside Party of the Year. Everyone is a VIP at SIDETRACK’D with all tickets including complimentary Cocktails, Basic Spirits, Beer, Wine and Cider all day long! Tickets on sale now from New Generation Bendigo, Runes @La Trobe or online at @countryracingvictoria
Ruby & Leo Ruby & Leo is a quirky little store in trendy Highton Village. Two qualified milliners (hat-makers) are in residence, designing and making hats and headpieces for any occasion. The shop is packed with stock including hats for guys, giftware, accessories and vintage goodies. Spring racing time sees the place fully stocked with dozens of fascinators in all price ranges. But if you want to stand out from the crowd you can choose a one off piece made here in Geelong at Ruby and Leo.
The hottest cup ticket going around! The Vodka Cruiser Hothouse will rock out to the sounds of Some Blond DJ and local Ballarat bands on November 22nd as part of the Sportsbet.com.au Ballarat Cup carnival The Vodka Cruiser Hothouse is now in its second year and last year attracted over 1000 keen party goers who were able to experience the thrill of the racing while enjoying the all inclusive enclosure that offers amazing value for money. The organisers have thought of everything with buses to and from Ballarat and free entry to the Bluestone after party. Also included in your ticket are spirits, wine beer, food and all day music from some great DJ’s and bands. To book at the early bird price of $139 go to hothouseenclosure.com.au
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
PEACH BOUTIQUE
most exciting retail space. Peach Boutique is Geelong's newest and premier stockists for Located in Central Geelong , they are your Keepers, Cameo, The the best Australian labels such as Finders e selection of party wear, Fifth Label, and Minkpink. With a wid go-to for any occasion. casual wear, and accessories, we are your 03 5229 4456. 77 Malop St Geelong VIC, 3220 Phone
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
Alex Hecker Congratulations on your pageant success this year! Can you please tell us a little about how you got into competitions and your successes to date? Thank you! I grew up on a farm and was quite a tom boy, however when I turned 18 I started taking more of an interest in fashion and modelling. Family and friends persuaded me to enter my first beauty pageant last year - the Miss Universe Australia competition and I placed amongst the Top 10 in the nation. Following on from my initial success I decided to enter the Miss World competition because I liked the organisation’s holistic approach and the ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ category where I managed to raise over $6000 for Variety - The Children’s Charity. I made Top 3 in the Talent category and was awarded Miss World Multimedia for the TV Presenting challenge. Finally, I was crowned Miss World Australia 1st Runner Up which is one of my biggest achievements to date. What have you learned most from such competitions? I’ve learnt to believe in myself, particularly in times where I was forced out of my comfort zone. I’ve learnt to be proud of my body and my strengths, acknowledge my weaknesses and constantly strive to be a better version of myself. A lot of people are still under the impression that beauty pageants are shallow and outdated - I dare them to relive my week at the Miss World Australia National Final!! Each girl was each assessed on their mental strength & determination through a plethora of challenges. We also
Geelong Cup
Q&A
had to converse with a panel of judges and then answer not one, but two difficult questions during the crowning ceremony. Being a part of a beauty pageant has taught me the importance of being intelligent, strong, empathetic, versatile and honest. Send me to a job interview or put me in a room full of people from all walks of life - it’s easy compared to a beauty pageant! How did you become involved with Racing Victoria? My journey with racing began at the 2011 Geelong Cup, where I entered the fashions on the field for the very first time. My only memory of it is when I was walking down the catwalk and my fascinator blew off in the wind! A couple of months later I entered Country Racing Victoria’s Best Dressed Racegoer competition and won, which saw a new opportunity emerge as I became the Face of Country Racing Victoria for the next two years. I worked with countless celebrities and Australian icons and visited almost every racecourse in Victoria. Country Racing duties aside, I was also a national finalist in the prestigious Myer Fashions on the Field competition last year at Flemington which was a once in a lifetime experience. A horse lover yourself, what is it you love the most about the Spring Racing Carnival and why? Yes I am a horse lover - I’ve got two horses of my own, so it’s a given that I enjoy seeing the horses on race days! I love the excitement that’s in the air during the Spring Racing Carnival. It’s that instant vibe as soon as you walk through the
entry gates - people are bustling everywhere in a sea of bright colour, the race caller is overhead calling the next race, ladies are in their finest racewear complete with beautiful millinery and the horses are thundering down the homestretch. Your closet must be enormous, how would you describe your style and who are some of your favourite brands/ designers? My style is a combination of classic and contemporary. I love the latest trends and clean cut lines, however I like to still keep it classy and elegant. My favourite designers include Etro, Kookai and Mary Katrantzou to name a few, and my style inspiration comes from a combination of Olivia Palermo and Audrey Hepburn. What are your personal future ambitions? I’m currently pursuing a career in the media industry and I’m enjoying doing some TV Presenting for Pulse Television on Channel 31. I’m also studying a Masters degree in Cultural Heritage which will one day enable me to work in museums....the Racing Museum perhaps??? What are your racing and fashion tips for this season? I think it’s first and foremost
regional victoria's #1 music and entertainment magazine and online service!
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important to wear something that reflects your personality and your own interpretation on the current trends. Ladies - asymmetric hemlines are popular and have the ability to take the eye away from the widest part of your shape. We’re seeing a lot of pastel re-emerging this season which can be very feminine and flattering, so keep an eye out for the colour lavender. For something a bit more bold, there’s an array of prints out there! I personally love the abstract and tropical prints, as well as bold block colours. Also millinery is a must - match a headpiece to compliment your outfit. Gents - blue or grey coloured suits always look great for the races, teamed with a patterned shirt and coloured tie. Try oranges, blues and reds for shirts and ties as they always look striking. Don’t rule out the bow tie either! Shoes are too often neglected - a nice pair of leather shoes can make or break an outfit. Lastly, the races is all about having fun so enjoy your day and pick a winner!
It’s the fourth Wednesday of October, not a cloud in the sky and the countdown is almost over. Suited men and finely clothed women press themselves to the fence, eyes focused straight ahead. Those at home drop what they’re doing and listen out for the call. The gates open and the race begins. For locals, the Geelong cup is easily a highlight of every year, along with the Geelong Show and numerous others. This year is no exception and if you enjoy the thrill of the races, be sure to pen down October 22 at the Geelong Racecourse into your diary. While the draw card is the temptation to win big as the stallions, fillies and mares tumble over the finish line, another spectacle worth being audience to is the Fashions On the Field. Each year the competition sees hundreds of entrants strut their stuff on the catwalk. Months of preparation have been spent traipsing through boutique clothing stores, or slaving away at a sewing machine, all for the title of best dressed. Having the fanciest get up on the day not only means your peers have recognised you look fine, you’ll also win a few prizes too. For those who consider themselves skilled in the art of coordinating shoes and lippy, it’s worth the short walk on stage.
Of course the experience wouldn’t be complete without a cold beer to cool your nerves and hot salty chips to fill your stomach. The Geelong Cup has both and more, with numerous bars and food vendors around the venue there’s plenty for a quick snack between races or something a bit more substantial. There’s even sugary treats to purge away your losses through fatty, yet delicious, foods. But let’s face it, while it’s nice to look at well dressed punters and eat tasty snack, it’s much nicer to see your winning horse trample down the competition and lead the pack lengths in front. The open handicap takes place over 2,400 metres, and whoever comes out the champion can see you sharing a prize pool of $300,000. For those wanting to back it up and double, maybe even triple, their winnings, the Cox Plate Day is held the day after the Geelong Races. The day features a $3 million Cox Plate as well as six other races that are bound to go down a treat. For something that started over 100 years ago (back in 1873) and is still going strong, it’s worth getting along to the day, if not for a bet then why not a glass of champers and a rest on the freshly mowed lawn? When&Where: Geelong Racecourse - October 22
Spring Carnival Guide 2014
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Spring Carnival Guide 2014
TO P TI P S for Tipsters
Always seek out the tips of an apparent ‘expert’, either that or the tips of a degenerate uncle who claims he has a bunch of hot tips will do just fine.
me, I was here 25 minutes ago, I put $10 on number five,” does not work. Even if they remember you; you can’t collect without a ticket.
Arrive at the morning meeting point and confidently declare that the ‘hot tips’ you have are pretty much ‘sure things’ and react with pessimism to anyone else who claims to also have ‘hot tips’.
Pick your method of choosing a horse, whether it’s by name, number, colours or a mates tip - pick it and don’t change.
If you are going to punt, allocate a sensible amount to wager, do not go in a free spend, you will run out of money, and quick!
Always back in your original tip, don’t change your mind as you go to place the bet. The horse you were going to originally pick will ALWAYS win in that situation.
Never lose your ticket, I did it once after a win in race one at the Geelong Cup and it ruined my day. Going up to the TAB attendant and pleading, “Remember
Don’t ever chase your loses and always gamble responsibly. There’s nothing worse than waking up with a splitting headache and an empty wallet too!!
Marquee Packages AT THIS YEARS GEELONG CUP!
admission to racecourse) OPTION 2 This package includes beverages, complimentary race book for each guest and TV screen in the marquee. Tote and toilet facilities close by. This package allows you to supply your own food for a more cost effective option.. - $110 per persons (includes admission to racecourse)
MINI MARQUEES COLTS & FILLIES MARQUEE Be the envy of your friends in this stylish marquee reserved solely for members aged 18-30. Enjoy access to the stunning new marquee situated on the refurbished Cup Live Grass Precinct, all inclusive food & beverage package, exclusive pamper area, fashion prizes for the marquee’s classiest dressers, and complimentary Colts & Fillies membership to the Geelong Racing Club for the 2013-14 racing season. - $115 per person - Contact Mel at The Club today on (03) 5229 4414 or email m.savage@ geelong.countryracing.com.au
TOBIN BRONZE MARQUEE This is our largest and most luxurious marquee, situated in a prime position opposite the Winning Post. You will enjoy a superb three course lunch and beverage package* with full table service. Hosted by an MC, with totes and TV screens inside the 40 forte
marquee. Toilets close by. This is the ULTIMATE Cup Day package. - $225 per person (includes admission to racecourse) - $215 Members
ROSEVIEW MARQUEES (Package minimum is 40 people) These are sensational corporate marquees. Each marquee includes furniture and is surrounded by picket fences, giving you and your clients the privacy you require. Situated on the rail (subject to availability), or in the Member’s Car Park (with access to the rail). Available with a Spring Buffet Luncheon and drinks package, or drinks package alone. All marquees have their own TV. Tote and toilet facilities close by. OPTION 1 This package includes a sumptuous spring buffet luncheon (from 12.30 - 2.30pm) & beverage package. Complimentary race book and TV in your marquee. Tote and toilet facilities close by. - $145 per persons (includes
Enjoy a day on the lawn in your own private mini marquee. The package consists of a 3m x 3m mini marquee, 1 table and 10 chairs. BYO food and have a great day out with friends. Cash bars, totes and toilets are close by. - $350 per marquee incl. GST - Admission tickets can be pre purchased when making the booking $30pp
DAYANA MARQUEE A well appointed yet relaxed dining marquee, situated on the home straight with fantastic views across the Race Course. You will enjoy a fabulous buffet luncheon** and drinks package*, with an MC, TV screens, and totes and toilets close by. - $155 per person - $145 Members
ADMISSION: General Admission $30.00 Concession $20.00 (Aged, TPI & Disability card holders ONLY) Please call the club on 5229 4414 to confirm your booking for a package.
Spring Carnival Guide 2014
FROC K IT Avoiding Fashion Faux Pas – Racing Edition Written by Jessica Alves
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of the year again: racing season. It’s time to pop open that bottle of bubbly, chuck on your best duds and head out to the racetrack to place your bets on, what you’re praying will be, the winning horse. The only question is what to wear. Well, that’s what I’m here for. The most confusing part about the races is the dress code, which are all different depending on the race you’re attending. Some are stricter than others, like Derby Day where you can only wear black and white. Melbourne Cup Day is more lenient, encouraging experimentation with fashion, but keeping it very much dressed up rather than down. If you’re attending Oaks Day — typically the family-friendly day — you’re allowed to tailor your outfit to your version of relaxed, but sophisticated (think floaty floral fabrics and oversized hats). I suggest keeping guidelines in mind, but the most important part is that you wear something that makes you feel good about yourself and that you feel reflects your personal style best. A good general rule is if you’re wearing a dress or a skirt is to keep it at an appropriate length, which means around knee length. Leave your clubbing dresses at home and opt for something a little bit classier instead. Pencil skirts and a-line dresses are always a fail-proof shape to look for if you want to go for a dress or skirt option. Having said that, don’t be shy to rock a pant either. If you’re not a dress or skirt girl, there are plenty of amazing and killer pant options that are frankly much more functional. A sure-fire way to pull off pants is to stick with classic race prints, such as florals, lace and bright colours, as well as black and/or white. Stick to a shape that suits you. The best way to figure out what shape is best for you is to try things on in-store, before you buy them. There’s nothing more disappointing than getting home from a big day of shopping, trying on your items and
finding out that seventy per cent of what you bought doesn’t suit you. That advice goes for all shopping ventures, not just for the races. Having a big clutch is always a nobrainer, considering the stuff you’re going to need on the day. Keep in mind that there are a few essentials you’ll need: a form guide, a pen, your lip colour, powder for touch-ups, a pair of sunglasses, your phone, keys, money and cards – and that’s just to name the basics. Not to worry though, in my opinion a clutch is probably one of the most important accessories of a lady’s outfit. They’re a great way to add in a pop of colour to your outfit as well as keeping everything organised and in one place. However, I do suggest getting a clutch with a zipper either on the closure, or as a compartment inside the clutch, for things in need of safekeeping if you’re planning on having a few, or just if you’re prone to losing things like me. There are a few last things I’d like to leave you with before I go. First is something familiar that humans have heard from mothers since the dawn of time: ‘For God’s sake, take a jacket’. Not only can they look amazing with the right outfit, but there is nothing worse than seeing a lady walking around the racetrack with her partner’s blazer around her shoulders. Just, no. And whilst we’re here, let me touch on shoes for a moment. No matter what crazy, insane, six-inch-tall, demon-heels you’ve decided to pick for the event, whatever you do, do not take them off. The only thing worse than a lady walking around in a man’s blazer is a lady walking around in a man’s blazer with no shoes on, or worse, thongs. Until you get home, your feet are married to those ankle breakers, and you shall not part with them until you cross the threshold of your house. Sorry ladies, rules are rules. Instagram @jessicazalves youtube.com/msbonvivants
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Things to do, and not do, at the Races DON’T DO
suss out the best food spots and get in early to avoid the queue. There’s nothing worse than missing the main race because you were waiting to sauce up your corn dog.
DON’T DO
get so messy at the pre drinks that you aren’t allowed into the gates and have wasted all those months of colour coordinating your shoes to your fascinator.
let your friends place bets if they can’t read the board. Friends don’t let friends bet drunk!
wear clothes and accessories that will stick to your body like glue, regardless of how messy you get. Nip slips or low pants aren’t a good look, ever.
DO DON’T
bring the essentials. We’re talking water and sunscreen here people and lots of it!
DO
start fights because someone spilt your beer or happened to rock up in the same dress as you. No one wants to be the person that ruins everyone else’s day.
work out transport to and from the event before you get there. Taxi’s will be far and few between, so check out the bus timetable or a friends that are willing to pick up your fine self.
THE PLACE TO PARTY
DON’T
take it out on the horses. Yelling profanity to our furry four-legged friends because they didn’t win you the big bucks won’t get you anywhere, except thrown out of the venue.
DO
wear appropriate gear. Ladies, that means a heel length you feel capable of doing a marathon in and gents, suits are a no-brainer.
DO
take cheesy photos with the horses. You may look like an idiot but the horses deserve some attention too.
DON’T
hit up the spray tan the day before the races, especially if you’re wearing a white dress. Natural is key ladies, show off those pale pins!
DO
be nice to the TAB attendants. They have nothing to do with if you win or lose, and being stuck in a box is bad enough without getting yelled at too.
DO
have a good time and remember that winning big isn’t the be all and the end all of a good day!
NOW!!
THIS BALLARAT CUP!!
18+ Only - ID required
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LIVE MUSIC SUPER-SCREEN SHOWING ALL THE CAULFIELD CUP LIVE ACTION $500 NETBALL SHOOT-OUT COMPETITION BOOK NOW TICKETS AVAILABLE WWW.BENDIGO.COUNTRYRACING.COM.AU GENERAL ADMISSION FROM $20 PACKAGES FROM $29 PER PERSON bendigojockeyclub
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The Beautiful Girls Written by Natalie Rogers
“I had a strange childhood, we didn’t have much money and my father passed away when I was pretty young. My connection to him was music. We played together when I was a little kid and so I continued to play as I got older – it was my connection to him and the genesis of my life in music.” Man of the moment, Mat McHugh, opened a window into his inner psyche on the eve of The Beautiful Girls’ long-awaited fifth LP, Dancehall Days. “Music became my father figure, my best friend – just about everything to me. Growing up, the artists I loved and listened to helped to form my view of the world. The importance of music is certainly not lost on me.” Nor is it lost on the hundreds of thousands of people who have bought and cherished a Beautiful Girls (or Mat McHugh) album in the last decade – many of them returning the favour via their wildly successful PledgeMusic campaign. “All of my records, whether they’re under my name or The Beautiful Girls, have been made in exactly the same way. We’ve always been independent. We will always choose that path. The people at PledgeMusic have just given it a name now and taken it up a notch. “We love it when people get involved. This way we can offer an insider’s view and share in the process of making a record as it’s happening, not just at the end, which we’ve never done before. It’s been fun – really interesting actually,” he smiled. From the outset of the interview I can tell that McHugh is genuine,
almost to a fault – there’s no bullshit coming from him, just honesty and (I’d like to think) mutual respect. “I’ve never looked at making music as commerce, a way to make money. If I can pay rent from it cool, but if not, that’s cool too. I’m never going to stop playing. I owe music everything and so all my decisions are based on that, you know? “Music is my escape from the burden of being human. As humans we deal with rough times and everybody finds their escape somewhere. Some people play sports, some take drugs and some just wanna dance!” If you are the latter, I’m guessing you’ll be a fan of McHugh’s latest offering Dancehall Days (out now through MGM distribution). But just as we begin to chat about the direction his music has taken in 2014, together we take a little trip down memory lane while discussing The Beautiful Girls’ debut LP Learn Yourself. I can’t help but mention that it came out the day before my 21st birthday, to which McHugh replies: “What year was that? That album was 2003. It’s exactly eleven years later – wow! I was about fifteen when I made that record!” he joked. “That’s trippy! “Well, it’s definitely not Learn Yourself,” McHugh explained when the subject turns to ‘Dancehall Days’ once again. “There’s actually no acoustic guitar on there whatsoever. I made this record purely because I wanted to make something that would be incredibly fun to play live and has really strong rhythms throughout,” he continued passionately. “I’m a huge fan of hip hop, I always have been, and I love dub and dancehall music. I love the rhythms and
When & Where: Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads – October 25
baselines you can dance to, that have a groove, you know? And this is a strong-sounding record – I can’t wait to play it for everyone live.” Although The Beautiful Girls’ sound may have altered over the years, McHugh is quick to point out that his conviction remains rocksteady. “The message in our music has always been constant. We sing about positivity, love and the fact that we’re all the same. The heart and soul behind it is no different than it was around the time of Learn Yourself.” Within Dancehall Days’ dubbedout, dancehall and reggae-style beats, McHugh says he is reclaiming his musical identity. Though now, more than ever, it’s hard to ignore
the eerie similarities (in singing style and tone) between McHugh and the late, great Bradley Nowell. “Honestly, that’s of the hugest compliments I could get – he’s one of my musical heroes!” McHugh gushed. “In America we share management – the people that managed Sublime manage us. Jon Phillips [Silverback Professional Artist Management] and his business partner discovered Sublime, got them their first record deal and managed them throughout their whole career – and he said the same thing to me! It was a firsthand compliment. He’s seen both of us, so I can only put that down to the fact that I’m such a huge fan. We [Nowell and I] probably listened to a
lot of stuff growing up, and Sublime were a huge influence on me.” “When I first heard Sublime it was like a religious experience because they mashed up everything that I loved – punk rock, reggae and hip hop music. They did it in a ratty, raw way. I think about them all the time when I’m making music. They represented their culture, they were real and they were from the heart. It’s always good to remind yourself of the people you admire. It helps you to stay on track.” Another artist McHugh holds in high esteem is Forte favourite, Briggs: “His album [ShepLife, 2014] is right at the top of the heap for me, in terms of the best hip hop coming out of Australia at the moment. I’ve
already reached out to him about doing something together. We’ve been talking about doing a remix, throwing some vocals over a track that’s already in existence, but who knows? “People in the past have asked if I’m going to collaborate with Xavier Rudd or John Butler, but I don’t find anything interesting about two dudes playing the guitar and singing together. I feel like people should complement each other’s strengths. Briggs is a rapper whose delivery, intelligence and representation of where he comes from is so strong, I could never get close to touching it – but I could bring my own thing and it could become bigger than the sum of its parts. That would be interesting.”
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GET YOUR VOTE ON: Melbourne Music Bank Finalists A little while ago you may remember reading about a competition to, well basically, break into the music industry. The competition has now closed and after sifting through hundreds upon hundreds of submissions from Victorian musicians, the 12 finalists have now been chosen.
While there are probably many of you who wished you could enter, despite your inability to string a sentence together or play an instrument, now’s your chance to get involved. With your help we can dwindle the 12 finalists down to the final four, who will
BOYEUR
then perform their song at the Melbourne Recital Centre in front of an expert panel to decide the winner. But let’s face it, you’re the ones with most of the power. In no specific order, here are the lucky 12 on the cusp of starting the career they’ve always dreamed about. Comprising of Yarra Valley locals Kate Fyander, Darcy Haag and Aidan King, three-piece Under the Arch create summery indie-folk music reminiscent of something you’d hear from Angus & Julia Stone. Originally from Perth, Alex Brittan finds inspiration in Sam Smith, James Blake and Sufjan Stevens and it shines through in the music he creates. Alex has
played the piano since he was six and taught himself to play the ukulele and guitar soon after. Much like Alex, Richard Cashion was drawn to Melbourne and moved there from his hometown in Tasmania. He is a guitarist and vocalist by trade and his soothing vocals are a welcome addition to the finalists. Starting off young, Heloise grew up in a family of musicians who inspired her to start performing at the tender age of nine-years-old. By 15 she was performing original music at local venues across Tasmania. She, too, has made the move to Melbourne. Bringing some bluegrass folk to the final 12 is four-piece band Davies West. With sweet and airy vocals paired with gentle guitar strumming, this band is easy to fall in love with. Rick Steward is a proud Melbournite and even calls it the music capital of Australia. Rick is a completely self-taught artist who has written over 300 songs. His music is high energy and a little reminiscent of the John Butler Trio. This Public Life, aka James Pollock, lists Nick Cave as an inspiration – and by no surprise his music is as quirky as his band image. After spending three years in the UK his music screams of life experiences. Selki first moved to Melbourne from Nimbin to pursue a career
Heloise
in the music industry. Her music has that country twang and the excitement of someone yet to break into the music world. Boyeur aren’t exactly newcomers to the music scene. Made up of Tim Ischia and Hugh Middleton, they’ve written songs for other bands but this time have written a killer tune that got them in the top 12. Aside from being the only hip
SELKI
hop artist in the finalists, Nyuon is also a part of the rap group TPDIB. He lists The Weeknd, Rick Ross, Kanye West and 360 as some of his inspirations. Nathan, the mastermind behind The Lion, is quite simply an instrumental genius. With inspirations such as Mutemath, his music is experimental and multilayered.
After travelling the US for three months, Matt Walters realised just how much he loved the city. A self-taught musician, he’s tough competition for the other 11 finalists. To learn more about the finalists, listen to their songs and cast a vote, visit bankofmelbourne.com.au/ melbmusicbank/.
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Following the release of her fifth album Idyllwild, Australian Mia Dyson is back from the US and taking her record around the country. “I’m really excited to be coming home and playing these brand new songs for whoever comes to see them,” says Dyson. “It’s going to be wonderful, it almost feels exotic now to be coming back to Australia because I spend so much time overseas, so I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends and bringing this album home.” The tour will be a bit longer than originally planned with Dyson adding extra dates along the way, including some more regional shows. “It’s wonderful to get to go to some of those regional and sometimes out-of-the-way places,” says Dyson. “It’s great playing in the capital cities, and of course you have to do that, but some of my favourite shows can be those tiny off the beaten path kind of places.” For many Aussie fans this tour will be the first chance they get to hear Idyllwild live, a record where Dyson feels she really pushed herself and was much more open to experimentation. “I feel with this album we took a lot of risks and I stepped outside my comfort zone and explored and experimented in the studio with guitar sounds, styles and productions and used the studio as an instrument as well,” explains Dyson. “I’m really proud of this record and the risks that we took and it was great to have such positive feedback.” It’s not the only time Mia has taken risks while in America, with
“We have a lot of fun when we record in the studio. It’s become a little more difficult with the mixing process because he’s based in San Francisco – there are a lot of sleepless nights, backwards and forwards emails and working on revisions, but we always really enjoy working with him.” Gresty’s light-hearted tone soon turns serious when I bring up the subject of recording a full-length LP. “It’s a very expensive exercise to go in and record a whole album, mix it, master it, then promote it and tour it. I think it’s a real challenge for a lot of independent musicians at the moment. Honesty, I’ll throw my hands up in the air and admit I can’t make the numbers add up.” So where does Slow Chase stand on the polarising topic of crowdfunding? “I’m not sure how I feel about crowdfunding. I know a lot of bands are doing it. It seems like a 21st Century patronage of the arts kinda thing. I don’t know, it seems a little emotionally incongruent for me… “There’s a whole credibility issue. I can’t really
imagine an artist that’s a big influence on me, or someone I really respect, doing it. If they came cap in hand, saying we can’t quite get ourselves organised enough to record our album unless you pay $60 bucks to come and eat pizza with us… It’s emotional blackmail! It’s a very confusing time.” One thing is for sure – if you want a night of all out rock ’n’ roll, a Slow Chase gig has it in spades. “Before a gig, there’s a lot of sitting around, not knowing what to do with yourself.” Gresty paints the scene: “If the bottles are just sitting there, it can be tempting to dampen down the excitement and nervous energy by having a drink. But I’ve learnt my lesson: if you don’t get the balance right, you can end up getting lost on the way to the stage. On occasion we’ve had to alert the National Guard! Yes, it can get very loose – but no matter what, we’re all about putting on the best show possible.” When & Where: Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – October 17; The Loft, Warrnambool – October 18; and The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 14.
When & Where: Harvester Moon, Bellarine – Oct 9, Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs – Oct 12 & Beav's Bar, Geelong – Oct 19
perhaps her biggest risk being a move to the US in the first place four years ago. “It was really difficult and I’m so glad that I stuck it out because now I can say I’ve built this incredible musical community which has totally expanded my horizons,” says Dyson. “The challenges of living in another country regardless of whether it’s for music or anything else has really forced me to grow up and learn and discover strengths I didn’t know I had. I can highly recommend it.” Despite spending a lot of her time overseas, Mia still has a lot of musical connections here in her home country, which is handy when you have to leave your usual touring band in America. “I have an Australian band and a different band to my American band, which is fun for me because
hannah gadsby
both bands are kick-arse but they are very different,” says Dyson. “I get to reimagine the songs, but also feel confident that because I play them a lot I feel I’m ready to get out there and perform and I know my Australian band will pick it up and have their own interesting approach from the song.” With five albums worth of songs to pick from for her upcoming shows Dyson certainly isn’t lacking in material, but it’s her current album which will get the most attention during her upcoming tour this October. “I’m definitely going to be playing a lot of the new stuff because it’s really exciting playing stuff that’s fresh and new,” says Dyson. “Of course, I’m going to be playing a bunch of older stuff too, and I think the show has become more and more dynamic and exciting.”
NDY SAMMY J & RA
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“It feels like it’s been a long pregnancy!” laughed Adam Gresty, the charmingly soft-spoken frontman of indie rock three-piece Slow Chase. From the fruit of their collective loins comes ‘Exorcism’, a new single with the rock ’n’ roll swagger you’ve come to expect from these seasoned musicians. Slow Chase formed after a kismet meeting of two like-minded souls – or as Gresty puts it, at “a tequila-fuelled Elvis tribute night”. Legend has it that Gresty caught the eye of Melbourne drummer Emily Shaw as he as was escorted from the premises for tackling an ‘Elvis’ off-stage for showing a lack of respect to the king – and the rest is history. Not long after that Slow Chase was born, and you could find Gresty and Shaw doing their thing regularly around Melbourne’s pubs and clubs. But something was missing, and it wasn’t long before Alex Hingston was asked to join the pair and bring his bass along for the ride. “There’s a lot of those blues/rock twopieces out there. It’s kinda been done to death, and I guess we didn’t want to get written off as just another one,” Gresty clarified. “Adding the bass made a really big difference to the rhythm section. It definitely feels right.” Gresty – a former hip hop deejay/ club promoter – is a man who trusts his instincts, thinks with his head, but follows his heart. So the decision to call on ARIA award-winning producer/sound engineer Jonathan Burnside (Nirvana, Faith No More, Grinspoon, The Sleepy Jackson) again was a no-brainer after successfully working together on their 2012 EP, The Blind Spot. “He’s as mad as a bag of spiders!” Gresty joked affectionately (you have to remember that Gresty has a British accent – it sounds even funnier). “He’s pretty crazy, but I guess that’s the same with most creative people. He’s very experienced, very talented and he knew exactly what we were after.
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Written by Zach Broadhurst
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Mia Dyson
Written by Natalie Rogers
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Slow Chase
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ANNE EDMONDS
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MC DAVE O'NEIL
plus XAVIER MICHELIDES and more...
Daylesford Town Hall | Oct 4 | 8pm Tickets $40 + b.f from dharmaschool.com.au More info: facebook.com/DaylesfordDharmaSchool
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Raveolution Q&A with Shannon Moroney If you’re going to celebrate Halloween in Australia, you may as well celebrate it the right way. Raveolution is coming up at the end of the month, so we asked the team behind it to take off their masks and give us a treat. Hi Shannon, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte. How are you and what are you up to at the moment? I’m well, thanks for having me. At the moment, basically working on our Euphorie Bezirk projects, as well as a lot of stuff we are doing with Funf Touring and Green Fetish Records from Melbourne. For those who aren’t familiar with Raveolution, could you please give us a little rundown of the event? Raveolution is our annual Halloween party, normally varying themes but with one common denominator – good quality techno and big rave vibes. This year is a masquerade/ formal attire laser-addled affair. When did the idea first come about for Raveolution? Raveolution was thought up a few years back by myself and my partner Eli while we were in Sydney deejaying in the ’Cross. At the time I’d just gotten involved with the guys at Fake Chow and had the opportunity to jazz things up – and this is what we came up with. As it’s a masquerade party and having a concealed identity usually frees people up a bit more, have you seen any crazy antics at past events? It does, the anonymity
definitely brings out the feeling of freeness and the ability for one to let go of inhibitions and collectively bring the floor to life. What’s the most interesting mask you’ve seen? There have been quite a few … there have been a lot of guys in drag which is always interesting. What’s the vibe generally like on the night? Very pure, which is what we push at all of our parties – a connection, in a sense, between the lighting, the music, vibration and the patrons … A far cry from your regular dance party. This is your third time doing the event. What is it that you think has people coming back for more? I guess the key is stepping up. The production, the artists and the overall general feel of the events is the key to a good quality rave. You want to be leaving with your jaw dropped, which is exactly our plan. You’ve also changed venues from Basement 159 to the Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex. What inspired the move? Basically we just need a bigger space. Basement has always been good to us and has been great for everything we have done in the past, yet with a limited capacity we have looked elsewhere to cater for the size of party we want to do. Luckily for us we now have the Wool Exchange, which has a gorgeous heritage yet modern feel to it – a great opportunity for us to transform the place into an area-style party.
When & Where: Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong – October 31
With the change of venue you’ve also upped the ante a little bit. How will this year be different from previous years? As I said before, the décor and production of the event will be the biggest change, as well as the full Nexo system we are lucky enough to be using this year (the same rig as the Earthcore main floor in 2013). You’re a known presence around Geelong. Tell us about some of the stuff you’ve done in the past.
In Geelong, we have Disco 2000 that we run yearly where we have hosted Germany’s Len Faki, Mike Callander and Katie Drover. Last year’s Raveolution had Droplex flown down from Hungary also. In Melbourne we work hand in hand with the guys at Green Fetish Records on warehouse and club events, recently with Clouds from the UK, as well as working closely with Funf Touring on some bigscale projects with some of the biggest acts from around the world. We hear there’s going to be
a few after parties. What crazy antics can be expected at them? They’ll be quite hushhush for the moment. As we get closer to the date information will be available. How did you go about selecting the musicians for the event? What did they have to encompass to make the cut? The music program has been carefully curated with some of Australia’s most talented techno acts, and Berlin’s Ray Kajioka making
the trip down to round out. Priority for us is for the night to flow perfectly – to build, plateau and build again. What’s your advice for first-time punters? Enter the space with an open mind and a warm heart and we will take care of the rest. Thanks again for the chat. Before we finish up is there anything you’d like to add? For those coming, enjoy. And keep your eyes peeled for more massive events over summer.
forte 49
The Acfields
T H E NIG H T V IBE
Q&A
Written by Tex Miller / thenightvibe.com.au
USA EDITION One is good, two is better seems to be the motto of The Acfields. The songwriting partnership of brother and sister Dan and Hannah Acfield, The Acfields’ colourful blend of folk-pop and altcountry is hitting all the right notes. After so much success as individual musicians, what was the driving force behind beginning the collaboration? It can be a bit lonely making music as a solo artist. Plus, it just made sense – we were both doing the same thing so why not pool our talents? We’d come to realise that when we played together people loved it even more than when we were solo. The only thing that was holding us back was that we lived in different cities. We still do, and it’s not the perfect arrangement, but we make it work. Was the process of creating your music difficult given that you are based in different states? How was this achieved? It can be a challenge. When writing for the album, we had a fortnightly deadline to write a new song and we’d email material to each other. That worked well. Sometimes we got together specifically to just write – we stayed in
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Nashville
an old house on the river at the Gold Coast and wrote ‘The Years’ this way. We also write our songs separately and then work out arrangements together. It’s a bit different for every song. How is your collaboration different from your individual music and individual style? I guess it’s a bit of a blend. Obviously we have the capacity to harmonise our vocals and that’s a big part of our sound. Hannah tends to bring a bit more of the alt-country sound and I’ve got a bit more of a indie-rock background, but as time goes on it’s all become a bit mixed up and I don’t even know who brings what to the table anymore! What did you draw from when writing songs for the album? What was your driving inspiration? It’s interesting now looking back at what we’ve created and it provides an interesting snapshot of what was going on in our lives at that point. Two of our grandparents died just a few months apart from each other: both were amazing people and writing for us was part of a process of honouring them and dealing with grief. For Hannah, some of the songs relate to cutting ties with an ex. I wrote songs for my children and wife to express love and as snapshots of special moments. We also both wrote songs based on incredible stories that were shared with us from other people in our lives. It comes for all over the place! For musical influences, your guess is as good as mine. How much impact did the crowdfunding campaign contribute to the creation of the debut album and how did you find the experience?
When & Where: Babushka Bar, Ballarat – October 4; Ararat Hotel, Ararat – October 9; and Martians Café, Deans Marsh – October 11
The crowdfunding campaign was crucial really to getting it all done. We wouldn’t have been able to make this album like it is without the amazing input of our crowdfunders. That simple. What has the response been like from your peers and critics? To the album? Our crowdfunders were sent out an early copy and the response so far has been awesome! Each person has a different favourite song so it’s nice to see that people can connect to the album rather than the individual songs. Our publicist tells us that everyone that has listened to the album is providing great feedback, so we’re happy with that. What can fans expect from this album and the upcoming shows? Our shows and the album are really a mix of storytelling, peppered with light-hearted sibling banter. Acoustic folk with a slight alt-country vibe and beautiful harmonies.
If you love your music, then I without a doubt recommend a trip across the Atlantic, to America, the friendliest music-loving country around. For the uninitiated, I am travelling around America for the next month, and it’s just one massive epic place. Every holiday always has its hitches at the beginning of the trip, and this was no different. Our plane out of Melbourne to Sydney was struck by lightning and after waiting around at the boarding gate with no information, the flight was deemed unsafe and cancelled. That is when the real adventure began. Trying to rebook my flight to get to Nashville in the quickest way possible, the lady at the airline tried to book me on a flight through Vancouver and then another through Honolulu, despite a little desire to see Hawaii and Canada, I was lucky enough to get a more direct flight landing 24 hours earlier. It took 54 hours in transit in total, but God was it worth it. Jetlagged and extremely tired, we walked into town from the hotel, and despite missing the Americana awards, went to a little bar called The Rutledge to check out Melbourne’s own Brooke Russell. Following on from the journey from hell, we missed seeing Brooke Russell and the Mean Reds, yet our luck turned when the next band took to the stage – Mipso. Hailing from North
Carolina, the four-piece’s (comprising guitar, double bass, fiddle and mandolin) folk/country/bluegrass sound was easy and refreshing to hear. The band prides itself on its original music and ability to bring high quality covers to the table. Tonight it was The Beatles classic ‘Norwegian Wood’, and with four sweet vocal harmonies it was a standout performance. Their album is called Dark Holler Pop and if their stage show is anything to go by, the album is sure to be brilliant. If you like your music with a little bit of a country-indie-folk twist, then check these guys out. It’ll be well worth your troubles. A visit to Nashville wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Jack White’s record shop, Third Man Records. The walls are covered with all different sorts of merchandise and it features the now infamous record booth that Jack used on the Jimmy Fallon show a couple of weeks back. For the small price of $15 dollars you are able to get in the booth to record whatever you want in the 160 second timeframe. Then you get your own 7-inch pressed vinyl record to take home with you. The Americana Music Festival itself is massive with all different music venues showcasing three or four bands a night – therefore it is impossible for you to see everyone. All of the venues are completely different in the size and vibe of the place and the sound in every venue
has been flawless, which is quite a change to local venues around Geelong. Nashville is often referred to as Music City and having just spent six days in the town, it’s easy to see why. One of my favourite places to visit was the historical RCA Studio B which was the home for the majority of Elvis’s hit songs. Standing in the rooms of the recording studio and the spot where he stood to create so many classic songs was an incredible moment and a worthwhile substitute to visiting Graceland given that time got the better of me before I got to Memphis. Hailed as The Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium is one of the most legendary venues in town. Formerly the home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman has played host to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and countless other country superstars. Today it features many big name acts such as Paul Simon, The Black Keys and First Aid Kit to name but just a few. One of the perks of visiting this institution was being able to record your own song. Without a doubt this is one of the coolest towns around. The history of the place is phenomenal and a lot more than you can see in just a week. I’ll definitely be back to experience Nashville and AmericanaramA again soon. Next up is Austin, Texas, and the opportunity to see Ian Anderson and Jimmie Vaughan. Until then, rock on!
Motor City Music Festival with Hugo T Armstrong Written by Amanda Sherring
FREE CLASSIFIEDS Send your info to editorial@fortemag.com.au Individual use only, not for commercial purposes Singer wanted for original band doing
When it comes to Geelong’s live music scene, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a man with as much passion and drive for it as Hugo T Armstrong. Aside from being the proprietor and creator of The Blues Train, which just celebrated their 20th year, he’s also the man behind Motor City Music Festival, which is running for the second time in 2015. The Motor City Music Festival has managed to overcome the toughest hurdle of entering the festival scene: being unknown. “That was one of the biggest challenges – people didn’t know what it would be like. There was some misconception in the market when you mention racecourse or showgrounds and people thought they’d be in a Big Day Out style of event,” Hugo says. “And that was never what we were looking at creating. We were looking at being reflective of Geelong and creating a soundtrack to a good vibe. We wanted to create something that had a niche feel.” Now that MCMF is known amongst Geelong locals, Hugo and the team have the freedom to change things around and perfect the MCMF brand. In 2015 Little Creatures will bring their new Geelong-brewed beer Furphy to the festival, more food vans will be on offer, DJs will play at the free carnival rides on Sunday and there will be a dedicated contemporary country stage. “There’ll still be a strong blues lineup on the Friday and Saturday, and Sunday will have some blues acts, but the hall of agriculture is going to be a dedicated country stage,” he says. “I can also say we’ve already secured some really big names of contemporary country artists.” Drinks will be flowing over the three days with an extended choice of beers and ciders, and Jack Rabbit recently signed on for the festival. Pair this with the memorable firework show and they’ve set up the foundations of what can be a
a 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
When & Where: Geelong Showgrounds – March 6-8 '15
truly amazing experience. “At the end of the day our line-up next year is better, but we don’t want to be a slave to the line-up, we want the event to be the star. People say it’s great as there’s a beer hall, there’s fireworks and great food and it’s not a rip off,” Hugo says. For Hugo the event become so much more for him than just delivering an accessible, affordable and all-round successful festival to Geelong – he found that he too was creating lifelong memories that he’d take along with him long after the last punter left the festival gates. “MCMF was the first time I ever took my sevenyear-old side of stage with her little headphones on to watch the music. It was really special,” he says. A similar moment was created for one of the band members of the Glitter Gang, who after a long career playing live, it was
the first time their 16-yearold had seen them play. For Hugo, these moments are what festivals are all about and what they should be remembered for – the memories made with friends and family. “In the ‘70s XXXX beer had a catchcry in QLD for all their advertising campaigns, and it was, ‘The people the places, the mates the faces’. I know it sounds terribly corny, but then when we think about events and festivals, what else does it come down to?” Hugo says. “It’s about the Aussie mateship. It’s hopefully a really great place; it’s enjoyable, there’s live music, there’s drinks, it’s a good place to hang out, but the end of the day the thing you remember the most is the experience with your friends and family. They’re the enduring things.” Early bird tickets are available now from motorcitymusicfestival.com.au.
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forte 51
Émilie Simon Written by Jessica Alves
I don’t think there’s any better pleasure in life than listening to a passionate French musician tell you about her career in music, which is exactly what I did when I got a chance to sit down and chat with Émilie Simon. With her newest album, Mue, having been released on the 12th of September, it was easy to tell that she was excited to talk about it, as well as her involvement with the French music festival, So Frenchy So Chic.
Beginning with her album, Émilie begins to explain that “My albums are very different from each other. Every album I make it like a little story, like a little movie, you know?” Going back to her roots, she took inspiration from the romance that Paris encompasses to drive the album’s direction. “The album was very romantic, working with all the poetry and the melody to portray this red velvet, feminine side of Paris,” she tells me. “Mue is a love story, it’s a new beginning and it reads like an epic journey with love and falling in love and hope and disappointment and tears and lies and then the break-up. So it’s like the whole cycle of a relationship.” It’s clear to hear the difference that this album has compared to her others, with noticeably more
production spent on Mue. When asking her why she chose to go in such a different direction with this album, she simply chuckled and replied with, “My music is different, depending on what I want to say with it. How I use production in my music is the same way that a painter would use colour. And inside the album it is the same thing.” The most outstanding song amongst the lot is her cover of ‘Wicked Game’ by Chris Isaak. Émilie revealed that she had a meeting with Isaak in which she had an opportunity to record with him, inspiring her to cover ‘Wicked Game’ for her album. “It was a really nice meeting that we had, it was really great to experience that, and I have a great memory of it. From that I just had this idea of covering ‘Wicked Game’ and it was fun, so we kept it on the album,” says Émilie on meeting the musical sensation and her reasoning behind choosing to record the cover. With plans to tour from October to December, Émilie has plans to return to Australia in 2015 for the French music festival So Frenchy So Chic. The
festival is a day-long event, taking place in both Melbourne at the Werribee Park Mansion and also in Sydney at St. John’s College. “I’ve never been before, so I’m very excited about it,” she says. Playing alongside French artists The Dø, La Femme and François & the
“We met through Michael Parisi [the former head of Festival Mushroom Records and current CEO of Wunderkind Records, who saw her stripped-back covers on YouTube and immediately knew he’d witnessed a star-in-the-making]. He [Parisi] knew I was looking for a really good songwriter to work with, someone who would help get my name out there,” Rachel explained. “So he put me on to a bunch of songwriters, but I knew immediately after my interview with Michael Paynter that I wanted to go with him, because he was so down to earth and welcoming. That, and he’s the MOST amazing writer in Melbourne!” Rachel grinned. The result of that happy pairing can be heard in the five tracks found on Rachel’s first official release, which can only be described as pure pop perfection. But as Rachel admits, it’s been a labour of love. “It took roughly two and a half years to get all the songs together with Michael [Paynter]. We worked so hard to get them sounding just the way we wanted – he’s actually featured on ‘Invisible’, which is one of the slower
tracks. I released ‘Starlight’ as the single, but actually ‘Avalanche’ is my favourite song on the EP.” At just seventeen Rachel has been singing for more than half her life. “I started singing at seven years old, but I didn’t get serious ’til I started vocal lessons when I was thirteen.” While other teens may sit around fantasising about the day they can get a fake ID or even their green P’s, Rachel has spent the last few years chasing her dreams in Hollywood. “I’ve been part of the Hollywood Immersive Music Programs – they help prepare aspiring performers for the industry. While I was there I performed around L.A. and I really thought this is where I want to be. But since then I figured out for myself that if you’re going to make it, you have to create a strong following and a fan base down here before you go anywhere else.” Rachel’s debut EP is out now. Filmed in St Kilda, featuring iconic Melbourne landmarks Luna Park and The Palais Theatre, you can watch the exquisitely shot clip for ‘Starlight’ at rachelcostanzo.com.au
When&Where: So Frenchy So Chic in the Park - January 11
Atlas Mountains, teamed up with French foods and champagne, it’s difficult not to get excited about it too. Tickets to the festival can be purchased through the So Frenchy So Chic website. Mue is Émilie Simon’s sixth album, and over said albums she has changed immensely
as a musician and as a person, describing her growth as “very organic. I feel like my music is really connecting with my life, and every time I have something happening in my life, you can tell in the music I write.”
Rachel Costanzo Written by Natalie Rogers
Life is all about taking chances – something Melbourne’s Rachel Costanzo knows all about. She took the phrase ‘carpe diem’ to the next level. After hearing that radio station FOX FM was in the midst of a complete computer melt-down, resulting in dead air, quickthinking Rachel called the station offering to play her single ‘Blindside’ down the line. Now seen as somewhat of a pop-singing superhero to the hordes of bleary-eyed commuters she helped that faithful morning, Rachel’s star continues to soar.
In fact, you may have seen her sharing the stage with X Factor winner Reece Mastin at the GPAC earlier this month as part of his Wolf in the Woods tour – an honour she earned over thousands of sweet-singing hopefuls in a nationwide talent competition. When we caught up for a chat, Rachel talked about being the headline act at the Teenage Expo two years running, her debut self-titled EP and the instant connection she felt when meeting fellow Melburnian singersongwriter, and The Voice crowd favourite, Michael Paynter.
RELEASE: Debut EP is out now
Stephen Cummings Written by Tex Miller
Stephen Cummings is a living legend of the Australian music scene, and now he is back with his brand new album entitled Nothing to Be Frightened Of. Taking a lot more of a raw feel to the songs, this album is a change of direction for Cummings and something that sounds very organic. Produced by the highly acclaimed Shane O’Mara, Cummings can’t wait to get back out on the road in support of the album. Taking in shows all around the country, these concerts will both showcase the new tracks as well as take a retrospective look at the last four decades of Cummings’ career.
“It will be great to play with Shane once again I think, because I think there is a certain chemistry between us. I haven’t been playing too many shows recently, so to get back out on the horse once again and out on stage is something that I am really looking forward to,” Cummings said. Sounding a little more soulful than Cummings’ previous efforts, there was a deliberate decision made before heading into the studio to make a simplified record. “In this day and age it is good to have a finish date, because with modern recording you can go on for a long 52 forte
time by adding extra elements that aren’t particularly necessary.” Recorded in just two days in O’Mara’s Melbourne studio, the simplified process is one that Cummings will be using in the future, if he makes another record. “I think I’ll be playing and making records ‘til I really make it,” Cummings jests about his success. “The way we cut this record was the way to go. It’s the only way to really get something unique to happen. I’m excited to finally make it down to the legendary coast gig.” Alluding to the final gig of the tour, the Piping Hot Chicken Shop gig on the 4th of October is set to be a remarkable performance showcasing songs from Cummings’ solo career as well as his work with The Sports. “Shane has played at the Chicken Shop with Lisa Miller and Tim Rogers before I think, so it will be a return for him, and I am genuinely really excited to experience the wonders of the place.” Writing albums in this day and age is a very simple process for Cummings because he knows the direction that he wants to go in. “I
When&Where: The Piping Hot Chicken Shop – October 4
have never really had trouble writing songs. It’s something that I just do. When we recorded the first two Sports albums, we did it like I have just done Nothing to Be Frightened Of. We rehearsed every day for 6-8 hours for nine months before we even hit the
studio though, so there’s a difference there.” The evolution of The Sports music is credit to the intense touring schedule of back in the day. One of the main venues the band played was the now legendary Kingston Hotel in Richmond. “One of the main reasons you became such a great live
act was because you were playing so much. You had to play that much to make it work for yourself.” With documentary Don’t Throw Stones out and a new album, be sure to catch one of Australia’s finest musicians in full flight.
Forte Columns
pop culture! Written by Anthony Morris
Shaun Micallef gets a lot done in a year. Or at least he gets a lot done compared to the rest of Australia’s comedy industry, and it’s up to the individual to consider whether he’s really hard-working or the rest of the business is just full of slackers. For example, the second 10 episode series for 2014 of Mad as Hell has just started on the ABC (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.), and the only reason there wasn’t two series of it last year was because he was also making a mystery series, Mr & Mrs Murder, for Channel 10. By Australian television standards, this workload is insane: The Chaser – a team of six people – are only doing eight episodes of their upcoming series Media Circus. To be fair, they’ve also done a series of The Checkout this year; to be unfair, they’ve also brought in a bunch of new faces to help out with the on-air side of things. Meanwhile, Micallef also has a book out next month, The President’s Desk, in which he puts his own spin on American history as told from the point of view of the titular desk. It’s his third book. Though his second, Preincarnate, was more of a novella, there are name brand authors in this country who haven’t written three books. And Micallef ’s put out a comedy CD, and he’s constantly turning up on other people’s shows, and for a while there he was doing stage work as well, and… you get the idea. A lot of this no doubt comes down to opportunity: it seems safe to say that if Micallef wants to do a project there’s a pretty good chance it’ll happen (aside from the numerous television projects that never happened, including a tonight show and a handful of sitcoms). And a lot of it comes down to demand: would people want to watch twenty episodes a year of Chris Lilley’s work? But it does also show how the Australian comedy scene has been stunted in recent years (decades) by the focus on stand-up comedians. For a standup, an hour of new material a year is good work: once they’ve got that they can tour on it for the year, then maybe put out a DVD or do it on television and then move on to new gear. Micallef, as one of the few remaining writer-performers who learnt his trade doing sketch comedy on television, has been trained to create large amounts of material – and while doing a topical television comedy series certainly helps (he can get jokes out of situations that may be forgotten in a week, so he doesn’t need to look for the timeless joke), he’s done more than enough non-topical stuff to show he can work just as well on his own. Plus, like pretty much every other human endeavour out there, the more you do it the better you get at it. Who knows how good the Australian comedy scene might be if we had a few more people out there willing and able to tell a lot of jokes?
blues news Written by John (Dr John) Lamp Proudly pesented by The Sleepy Hollow Blues Club
The life of a working musician is, for the most part, not the greatest financial experience. Having said that, it is amazing just how often and how sincerely musicians contribute to events, both by direct donation and organising and by playing free to entertain a crowd and encourage them to contribute. Over the years, I have been at events to help get a musician through some serious heart operations and support his family while doing it. A Melbourne musician organised some crowdfunding so that a musician on tour in Europe didn’t have to sell her bass to raise enough money to get back here. However, one of the most amazing and dedicated efforts that I want to make a fuss about is Blues for Lost Souls, which was organised by Greg Dodd. In his typically understated way, Greg called this “A blues music charity event to raise money, food and clothing to support the homeless.” He organised a line-up for the event which many festivals would have been happy to have – Chris Finnen and the Melbourne Blues Disciples, Jules Boult and the Redeemers, Doc White and Si Compadres, Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones with Rod Paine, Phil Manning and Chris Finnen in an acoustic duo, Dan Dinnen, Dreamboogie, The Detonators and the Ruby Rogers Experience. The event was held in August, $30 on the door, and people were encouraged to also bring tinned food, socks, gloves, beanies and scarves. What would an event like this be without a couple of raffles? There was a sensational Cole Clark acoustic guitar as the major prize, an Octigan guitar, a poster for the Hard Road Concert signed by all the headliners, Blues Train passes, a socket set (!) and other prizes as well. In the midst of this was Greg organising, promoting, encouraging and reminding one and all of the event. It was sensational! The music was good, too. The event raised $19,323, all going direct to The Father Bob Maguire Foundation & The Big Umbrella. Now, I’ll be the first to say that Greg did have a committee behind him, including Dave Padroth, Lou Castle and the wonderful 2ic Linda Elridge, but it was Greg’s energy and commitment that was the face of the event. You often hear a musician described as a person who puts $5000 worth of gear in a $500 car and travels five hours to a $50 gig. There’s an element of truth in that, but there’s so much more. But returning to the issue of musicians (and fans) supporting musicians, Harry Kuehnel is suffering from bone cancer and is terminally ill. Harry is a legendary Geelong guitarist and has been playing since the sixties as lead guitarist with many bands that are well known in the region. He has played with bands including The Howlin’ Wolves, Chicken Shack, Mack, The Fendermen, The Grizzly Brothers and The Stew.
PULP Written by Alastair McGibbon
So, here’s the thing: I’m generally pretty open about my distaste for the X-Men. What I generally don’t let on to my comic-loving chums is that I find Wolverine to be one of the worst of the lot. I’m still not sure exactly what it is about Wolverine that I don’t like – though I must confess that I really enjoyed Wolverine: Origin and Origin 2 for the sheer tragedy of Logan’s early years. I suspect the root cause of my dislike for the clawed Canadian lies in his frankly annoying and overdone “grumpy anti-hero with a heart of gold” persona. It’s easy for Marvelphiles to argue that Batman is similar in that regard – and we all know how I feel about Batman – but I feel that at least ol’ Batsy has a particularly interesting rogues gallery to offset his grumpiness. But I digress – this is going to be a Marvel-centric Pulp, dammit! With all that in mind, it probably seems unusual that I picked up Wolverine: Hunting Season, the first trade of Paul Cornell’s (Captain Britain, MI13) Marvel NOW! run. My reasoning? Well, it quite literally came down to “it’s there and I need something new to read”. Given that Wolverine is one of Marvel’s more iconic characters – known for his superb pouty face and penchant for violence – I hoped that Cornell was allowed to let him off the leash a bit and craft a story that was both violent and entertaining. What followed, however, was a frankly rather strange story
centred around the Microverse. The story opens with Wolverine finding himself smack bang in the middle of a hostage situation with a killer who seemingly has no regard for human life, no exit strategy and a gun that disintegrates people. Wolverine does what he does best and saves the hostage-takers’ distraught son, only for the boy to go on a rampage with the weapon. The boy’s strange behaviour begins to spread, and it soon becomes evident that New York is under biological attack – and not even S.H.I.E.L.D. is safe. With Nick Fury, Jr. in tow, Wolverine has to solve the mystery without taking innocent lives. While it does a great job of setting up the basis for the current ‘Death of Wolverine’ arc, the story seems a little generic; you could swap out Wolverine for any of Marvel’s “dark” characters (e.g. Black Widow, Punisher, Winter Solider) and still maintain the story with next to no problems. That said, there are a few moments that really stood out: Alan Davis’ opening page with Wolverine regenerating from disintegration makes for an excellent opening and a scene where Wolverine faces drowning actually brings some real danger to a story featuring an otherwise almost invincible hero. All in all, it’s not a bad story. Cornell proves that he can write well when he wants to, but the overarching Microverse plot leaves a bit to be desired. Perhaps I’m not the intended audience – I will openly admit that I wouldn’t normally pick up a Wolverine book – but the story arc doesn’t excite me like a number of other Marvel series. One for Wolverine fans!
Punk!
Not too shabby, hey? Two stages, skate ramp, BBQ – the works! Philly indie-pop-emo rock combo Modern Baseball has just dropped their new record You’re Gonna Miss It All. It’s like pop-punk for people who shop at Cotton On. Seems a few people got a little butthurt about my views on what is and isn’t punk rock in a recent column, but TS, ladies. There is nothing antiestablishment or confronting about hipsters, boy bands or acoustic guitars. Build a bridge and get over it. We’re getting closer and closer to the release of New Found Glory’s brand new record, Resurrection. It’s a total killer – heavy, melodic and vital. Proof that pop-punk bands don’t have to mellow with age or experiment (read “chasing trends”). Blink-182 could really have taken a leaf out of NFG’s book, coz they are sounding like some lame, stale, limp balls. Bring on the Soundwave set, guys! Speaking of balls, the GOOD kind, The Murderballs and Where’s Grover? are heading over to Perth for a string of shows (three, to be exact) at the end of October, so if you know anybody over there, warn them! And tell them to get to a show! Frankston thrash/punk blokes Public Liability are on the lookout for a new lead guitarist. Might Melbourne punks Strawberry Fist Cake be looking to relocate? Hmmm... Hey, remember those I Know What You Did Last Summer movies that dominated the late ’90s? Well, they’re being rebooted. Already! I guess news of that Scream TV show going ahead got studio execs thinking! And that’s a wrap (geddit?). Get out there and enjoy the sunshine! Um, so long as you remember to come back next issue, of course...
Written by Christopher Cruz
Don’t forget, Saturday, October 11 is the Up the Punx festival at The Tote in Collingwood, featuring a huge line-up of Aussie punk, ska, rockabilly and hardcore bands. It’s gonna be huge! Former My Chemical Romance vocalist Gerard Way may be out there forging a solo career, but he’s still performing MCR songs as part of his live show. Interesting! Of all the emo crap that was so popular last decade, MCR did it the best by a mile. Okay, as promised last issue, here’s the full rundown of the bands playing Nevermind the Warp’d Tour at the Brunswick Hotel on Saturday, December 6: Dreamkillers (QLD), Kill the Apprentice (QLD), Obserd (QLD), Rather Be Dead (NSW), Admiral Ackbar’s Dishonourable Discharge, Agent 37 (Ballarat), Australian Kingswood Factory, All We Need, Bombs Are Falling, Bottlecaps, Dirty Harriet and the Hangmen, Hopes Abandoned (Geelong/ Melbourne), Jay Wars, Liquor Snatch, Makeshift Believers, New Age, Poison Fish, Postscript, Sarge and the Nuked, Stoned to Death, Strawberry Fist Cake, The Balls, The Cruntburgers, The Legionnaires, The Mantelopes, The Resignators, The Solicitors, Vendetta (Geelong) and Where’s Grover?.
too heavy to hug
le monde entier
Written by Paul S Taylor
By Madelin Baldwin lemondeentier.net
It’s a busy time of year, what with Xmas on its way, so why not shop for the one you love who loves metal at the all new Aussie online metal store Nerve Gas?! The kick-arse thing about Nerve Gas (nervegas.com. au) is they offer free shipping for orders within Oz. They also have cool bundles for sale and have partnered with the best labels from around the world, so everything you want is probably there – including vinyl! In other news… Dream Deceivers, the 1992 documentary about the Judas Priest suicide trial, has finally been released on DVD and digital download. Flying Colors, consisting of Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse and Mike Portnoy on drums amongst others, will release their new album, Second Nature, on Friday, October 3. Sepultura will be at 170 Russell on Friday, October 3. Boris the Blade is headlining The Spring Rage Tour which will carve its way through The Reverence Hotel on Saturday, October 4. An all-ages show will be at Wrangler Studios on Sunday, October 5. Lamb of God will release their documentary about Randy’s Czech court case, As the Palaces Burn, on Tuesday, October 7. Skate punks Comeback Kid will play Central Club in Richmond on Saturday, October 18 and an AA gig at Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray on Sunday, October 19. Slipknot will release their new album, .5: The Gray Chapter, on Tuesday, October 21. Devin Townsend’s Melbourne guitar clinic takes place at St Kilda Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22. Tickets via thumpmusic.com.au Aussie hardcore rats Confession will play Central Club in Richmond on Saturday, October 25 and an AA gig at Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray on Sunday, October 26. Ne Obliviscaris will release their new album, Citadel, on Friday, November 7. They also kick off their national Citadel tour in Melbourne at 170 Russell on Friday, November 21. Machine Head will release their new album, Bloodstone & Diamonds, on Friday, November 7. Hand of Mercy, Hellions and Void of Vision will play The Evelyn Hotel on Thursday, November 13. An all-ages show takes place at the Phoenix Youth Centre on Friday, November 14. 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. Prong will play The Hi-Fi on Friday, November 21. Primordial are slated to release their new album, Where Greater Men Have Fallen, on Friday, November 21. Trivium and In Flames will be at 170 Russell on Sunday, November 23. Marduk with special guests Inquisition will tear the Northcote Social Club to shreds on Wednesday, January 14. The 2015 Melbourne Soundwave festival will be held on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22. If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to tooheavytohug@ hotmail.com or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug
Planning your holiday can be one of the absolute best and most exciting things you’ll ever do, from deciding where you’re going, to how long for, what your must sees are and what to pack. You’ll probably Google where the coolest bars are near your chosen hotel and the best times to go to galleries and certain attractions you want to see. You might even look up the best way to get around with the public transport systems and read fellow travellers reviews and blogs on the areas. But the thing you generally don’t look up is the local emergency service numbers, or pharmacists and doctors. You probably also don’t look up how to say ‘infection’ or ‘pain’ in the local language of your chosen country. No one wants to dwell on those kinds of things, right? But things can go wrong, and without letting it completely ruin your time away, here are a few ways you can combat them without alarm. First and foremost is to have travel insurance. Sounds simple enough, but your company should have 24/7 emergency assist, and my insurer CoverMore also have nurses who do triage in their call centre. This means that wherever you are, if you end up in hospital and need help and are not sure with the procedures or exactly what is happening, your insurer is always there to help. My insurer also guarantees firstworld medical treatment so if I end up in a hospital in a foreign country and they deem that what the doctor wants to do it not up to their standards, they will liaise with the hospital and organise transport to a better area. Make sure to read the fine print and under no circumstance ever purchase a travel insurance that doesn’t have completely unlimited medical and dental cover! An X-ray in the United States can start with a $2000 USD price tag, let alone any following procedures, and a one night stay in the ICU has a base fee of $5000 USD. Carry a small phrase book that doesn’t take up too much space. Most of these will have a medical section at the back so if you end up with a burst eardrum from the flight, or a urine infection (very common for women), or even just simple things like a burn, you should be able to get your message across to a pharmacist to get you the best help and advice. Most Western European people speak brilliant English, but depending on where you are, it can be pretty difficult and incredibly embarrassing to hand signal to someone that you have gastro. Eek! My boyfriend is especially good at this one, as much as I am hopeless at it. Make yourself a little first aid kit. It should contain bandaids, antiseptic cream, a bandage, safety pins, Panadol, and possibly even some small scissors. This is for an immediate fix and super helpful if you’re travelling in a city with limited access to a chemist. I always carry around a liquid hand sanitiser as well and some toilet paper/tissues to make sure I’m covered in any situation! If you want to be really organised and you’re staying in a city more than a few days it’s always helpful to ask your front desk where the closest chemist and hospital is. I remember feeling absolutely dreadful in Paris once and going downhill very quickly with stomach cramps. Trying to find a hospital on a metro map in that situation is entirely unpleasant, so if you make yourself familiar with it before anything happens you’re laughing! Try and keep your cool. I know it sounds like a cliché, but when you have to get your point across about an ailment in a sticky or difficult situation, all parties involved will be happier if you’ve come prepared! forte 53
TMNT Power: Kevin Eastman Written by Abbey King
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello. Chances are if you were born post-1984 the first thing that springs to mind isn’t Italian Renaissance artists. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles turned 30 this year and in celebration one of the co-creators, Kevin Eastman, has been attending Comic Conventions all around the world, which will include a first-time visit to Australia for the Melbourne Armageddon. “It’s always been a dream to come, it’s been great this year. With our 30th anniversary show we’ve got to meet fans from all over the United States and I am now looking forward to meeting fans outside of United States,” he says excitedly. Kevin had a love of comic books from a young age and he is very humble and grateful for his time in the industry and I tell straight away I’m going to enjoy our chat. “When I was a child, I lived in a very, very, very small town outside of Maine and there wasn’t really anything to do and I discovered comic books and it was a really great way to get a bit of escapism I guess, living vicariously through other character’s adventures. I enjoyed dynamic storytelling; in fact, one of my biggest influences was an artist named Jack Kirby,” he boasts. “Jack Kirby was one of the guys that created most of the Marvel classics , you know X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and Captain America and so many other iconic characters. “I wanted to be an artist like him – a writer and a storyteller, create my own adventures and my own characters,” he added. In what began as a comical doodle between two comicmad friends, Kevin and co-creator Peter Laird, quickly evolved to what has become the empire that is TMNT. The comic experienced very early success and was being picked up as fast as it was being laid out almost from the get-go. “It was pretty surprising, I think not only to Peter Laird and myself but also our parents who were afraid that we would be living in the basement for the rest of our lives,” he laughs. “We created the Turtles. It came from such a
childhood fantasy, a fantastic, good place. We wanted to create characters we thought were fun, had a lot of energy and adventure! “The fact that the first printing sold out, then the second printing, and suddenly we were lucky enough to find ourselves writing our own comic books for a living and they just kept selling more and more copies every time!” he explains. “We’d put out another issue and that attracted lots of people from Hollywood, agents and different people who could make cartoons and toys and things … again, we couldn’t really believe it. We were still surprised that the comic book actually sold,” he added. For Eastman and Laird, the rise to popularity for the Turtles was indeed a quick one, not entirely expected at all. The Turtles were created at a time pre-internet, a time where comics were bought in stores and production and distribution were lengthy processes. Yet this didn’t not stop the onslaught of fans from all over. “We worked on it and the cartoon show came out we couldn’t actually believe that people watched it and liked it, then the toys came out and people were buying them and wanted more, very quickly. Early on we held on for dear life because it was kinda out of our control,” he laughed. “I mean, we had full control of the characters’ life, we worked on every TV show, every movie and all of that kind of stuff, but it was just surprising to us that it was reaching that level of success that quickly. My goodness, the fact that I’m still talking about Turtles 30 years later is mind-blowing to me,” he says. For decades now TMNT has been pleasing boys and girls
young and old from all corners of the globe and remains to be a successful franchise. Comics are still being released, the shows are still played on television stations, there is even the latest blockbuster movie instalment Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), starring Megan Fox as my childhood icon (jealous much?), the yellow-jacket-wearing April O’Neil. “Sometimes it’s very hard to put your finger on what it was about the characters that resignated with so many fans in so many different places, but I guess we’ve tried to narrow it down over the years. We feel like maybe because they were animal characters, they were mutant animals, they were turtles,” admits Eastman. “They weren’t an African American character or white or Asian, they didn’t segregate anybody out, the fans liked them because they could identify with not only their personalities, but every child. I know I was sometimes feeling like an outcast, maybe feeling like a bit of a mutant maybe … There’s no single race that they are identified as so
they were able to reach a lot more people than say traditional other costume superheroes. “When you put a group of kids together … you know, even myself growing up as a child on the schoolyard we kind of always had a joker type, a leader type, the buddy that you would bring along in a fight. We had this mixed group of characters, whether you’re working in a coffee shop or a diner or you know playing in a playground, people are able to connect with them somehow. In that they were a lot like them I guess. I also feel like there’s a hero in all of us when things are tough and things get down, when someone needs their day to be saved and we all want to be that hero that jumps up and does the right thing. The turtles were teenagers first but were always heroes in the end.” When&Where: Melbourne Armageddon, Melbourne Showgrounds – October 18 & 19
A l s o a pp e a r i n g a t A r m a g e dd o n . . .
Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) Jenna Coleman is establishing herself as one of the brightest young actors of her generation. Jenna is the current ‘Doctor Who’ companion and was last seen in the Christmas special of the show in which her original doctor Matt Smith regenerated into Peter Capaldi. Before that audiences saw her in the 50th Anniversary special of the show called ‘The Day of the Doctor’ which recently won the Audience Award at the BAFTA Television Awards. Jenna is currently filming the next series of ‘Doctor Who’ opposite Peter Capaldi and many more new faces to the franchise. Jenna’s television credits are extensive. Last year Jenna starred alongside Matthew Goode
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and Matthew Rhys in the BBC Drama ‘Death Comes To Pemberley’ and also opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor in BBC Two drama ‘Dancing on the Edge’. In 2012 Jenna was seen in BBC Four adaptation of John Braine’s novel about a young man in 1940s Yorkshire, ‘Room at the Top’, and as ‘Annie Desmond’ in the epic four part ITV series ‘Titanic’. Written by Julian Fellowes and released to coincide with the hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, the show was a great television event, and Jenna delivered a standout performance. Jenna appeared in box office smash ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’, and on stage was most recently seen at The National Theatre in the role of ‘Sarah Kate’ in ‘The Actor’.
Peter Hambleton (Glóin the Dwarf, The Hobbit)
Giancarlo Esposito (Gustavo Fring, Breaking Bad) Appearing in Australia and New Zealand for the first time, join us with one of the stars of Breaking Bad, Once Upon a Time and Revolution! Giancarlo Esposito was born in Denmark to an Italian father and AfricanAmerican mother. He lived in Europe until he was six years old and his family settled in Manhattan. At age 8 he made his Broadway premier on the musical Maggie Flynn. Since then, Giancarlo has been acting for the stage and screen. In 1979 he began acting in movies and has appeared in over 130 TV shows and films. He appeared in a handful of Sesame Street episodes and other TV shows until his
first break in 1993, landing the role of Detective Paul Gigante on Bakersfield P.D. In 1998 he appeared in 22 episodes of Homicide: Life on the Street as Agent Mike Giardello. He continued to recurring and guest TV roles until 2009 when he was cast as Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad. Giancarlo has also appeared in dozens of notable films, including The Usual Suspects, Smoke, Bob Roberts, and Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. After Breaking Bad, Giancarlo was cast in the TV series Once Upon a Time and
Revolution. He directed the 2008 film Gospel and is in pre-production of directing a film titled This is Your Death. Don’t bring chicken, it might upset him and we don’t want that. Seriously, have you seen him on Breaking Bad, I mean wow, just wow, wait, you haven’t seen it, holy god, stop what your doing now and go see it, like right now, not later, trust me, you’ll thank me later, but do it now, and don’t stop at season one, it just gets better and better. Go, now, watch...
Peter Hambleton has acted and directed extensively for the stage, in the process winning a number of Chapman Tripp Theatre awards (Copenhagen, The Letter Writer). On screen he has played a sizable cadre of policeman and officials, alongside Prime Ministers (Peter Fraser in TV movie Spies and Lies), priests, and a dwarf: he plays Glóin in Peter Jackson’s three-part adaptation of The Hobbit as well as the voice and motion capture performance of the Ogre William. Glóin son of Gróin was one of the Dwarves of Thorin II Oakenshield’s company who set out to reclaim Lonely Mountain (Erebor), and was the father of Gimli who was member of the Fellowship of the Ring. Each guests attendance is based on work and health commitments. Fees apply for autographs and photos.
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Refining the Palette
Sammy J & Randy Written by Zach Broadhurst
CAT SPLASH – Coffee and Tea Expo JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR One of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s most successful and well-known musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar has been enthralling audiences worldwide for over 40 years. Regarded as the first rock opera, created as a concept album at the end of the turbulent 1960s, it is appropriate that it should have at its centre a social and political rebel in Judas Iscariot. Jesus’ meteor-like rise provides, as the title suggests, a parallel to contemporary celebrity worship. As Jesus radical teachings are evermore embraced, Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of
BE INCARCERATED THIS HALLOWEEN! Old Castlemaine Gaol will open its doors for its very first Halloween ghost tour. Ghost Hosts will take guests deep within the building’s sandstone walls to discover the spirits of John Duffus, the last man hanged onsite, the cell of Australian serial killer Peter Dupas and the restless spirits of 10 prisoners buried within the walls so their souls could never rest. Lantern Ghost Tours Paranormal Investigator Jacqui, says she has seen plenty of paranormal encounters; “The wall between the living and the dead is at its thinnest on Halloween which
this new prophet, resulting in betrayal. Christ’s final days are dramatized with emotional intensity, thought-provoking edge and explosive theatricality. Propelled by a stirring score, Jesus Christ Superstar illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart. This local adaptation, presented by the award winning Geelong Lyric Theatre Society, marks the company’s 40th anniversary and showcases the region’s finest talent. WHERE: GPAC. 50 Little
Malop Street, Geelong. WHEN: 3-11 October. INFO: gpac.org.au
means spirits find it easy to make contact. We definitely have an increase in reportings of paranormal activity.” Are you brave enough to be incarcerated for an evening? Come along this Halloween and see for yourself at Old Castlemaine Gaol. Tours are operated by Lantern Ghost Tours. They are recipients of the 2014 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and RACV Tourism Awards Finalists. WHERE: Old Castlemaine
Gaol. Bowden Street, Castlemaine.
WHEN: Friday 31 Oct. INFO:
lanternghosttours.com
An hour of flower power - Pink Ribbon Flower Workshop The National Breast Cancer Research Foundation will be holding their biggest event of the year in October and you can help by having fun at the same time. Contribute just one hour of your time and $20 and make a beautiful table arrangement at a Bloom College flower workshop in Geelong. Book online www.bloomcollege.com.au
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Geelong’s very first Coffee and Tea expo in conjunction with the Australian Speciality Coffee Association (ASCA), Australia’s governing coffee body. See Victoria’s largest display of retro coffee machines. Watch leading baristas go head to head in the ASCA regional barista finals, compete in a public Latte Art Smackdown, attend master tea workshops and the Mad Hatter Tea Party, get lessons on how to make the perfect coffee at home or join the coffee, cheese and wine pairing taste explosion. WHERE: The Henderson Factory. 20 Corio Quay Road,
North Geelong.
WHEN: Sunday 19 October. INFO: Tix from GPAC box office: www.gpac.org.au
URBAN DELUSIONS – G-Two (Glenn Fry) As you walk through the streets and laneways of most urban centres you come to realize that the walls around you are living, breathing works of art. Ever evolving and changing, being painted over by other artists, or by effects of the weather and the ravages of time. This transitional form of existence creates a beautiful aesthetic that local artist G-TWO (Glenn Fry) has used to create delusional relics of urban street art culture. In Urban Delusions, G-Two shows us an idealistic view of street art in his own created culture the Conceptual Delusion, which G-Two has been developing for the past 20 years. Some aspects of this delusional culture include a written language, wallpaper designs based upon characters in the language. It also includes representations of pop culture icons and commercial advertisements such as Gremlins, Daleks and Coca Cola. All of this diverse imagery has been interwoven in multi layered impressions of the urban art aesthetic. Another aspect of this
exhibition are a series of drawings that G-Two created for a project last year When Gremlins Attack. He created 76 Gremlins-inspired works of Art which G-Two distributed in a single day on the streets and laneways of both Melbourne and Geelong. G-Two’s use of the gremlins imagery was a comment on street artists and how they are a lot like gremlins, adding that little bit of colour and chaos into a grey urban landscape. All of the works were free for any passer-by to pick up and take home. This was part of a worldwide movement called Free Art Friday, where artists leave works of art on the streets on any Friday for anyone to take. This opening will be exactly 12 months to the day when gremlins appeared en mass in the streets and laneways of Melbourne and Geelong. WHERE: ETCH
Gallery and Studios. 215 Moorabool Street, Geelong. WHEN: 4-25 October. INFO:
etchgalleryandstudios.com
BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL Following two successful years, the Ballarat Cabaret Festival is back with 25 shows across seven Ballarat CBD venues – including The Deluxe Spiegeltent. The Festival will open this year with the Opening Gala in the Deluxe Spiegeltent showcasing not just the 2014 festival, but also the breadth of Cabaret. Hosted by Dolly Diamond and featuring nine performers from across the festival, the special guest will be Jane Badler returning as the first ever Ballarat Cabaret performer in 2012. The feature venue for this year is also a first for Ballarat – The Deluxe Spiegeltent.
Spiegeltents were created in the late 19th century to bring entertainment to towns without a hall. Built of timber, cloth and mirrored glass these tents were opulent, inviting and full of reflected light. Featuring 180 seats, a bar and ten performances across this year’s festival The Deluxe Spiegeltent promises to be a hive of activity. With Catherine Alcorn’s tribute to Christine McVie and shows featuring the songs of Madonna and the voice of Shirley Bassey, the Ballarat Cabaret Festival is getting bigger and better. WHERE: Various venues
around Ballarat.
WHEN: 5-12 October. INFO: ballaratcabaret.com
SIGNATURE STYLE Signature Style is a major group exhibition exploring models of collaborative practice in contemporary jewellery. Featuring the work of some of Melbourne’s most exciting artists and jewellery practitioners Signature Style is a significant addition to the emerging discourse around collaboration and contemporary craft.
BACK TO STEIGLITZ FESTIVAL REUNION The Back to Steiglitz Association invite you to join them in celebrating a wonderful age old tradition. Once here you can go goldpanning, stroll the stalls and various historical displays, watch lace-making, enter competitions and raffles, book in for a historic walking tour, listen to the wandering musicians, enjoy olden day kids games and delicious country baking.
WHERE: La Trobe
University Visual Arts Centre. 121 View Street, Bendigo. WHEN: 9 Oct - 30 Nov. INFO: latrobe.edu.au/vac
There’s also the famous Scout-run Steiglitz Billy Cart Race. Perhaps you’d simply like to catch up with old friends, get involved in the ‘reunion’ side of this event, or just sit quietly and enjoy the beauty of this peaceful historic gold mining town located in the Brisbane Ranges National Park about an hours drive west of Melbourne WHERE: Steiglitz Historic
Park, located in the Brisbane Ranges National Park. WHEN: 12 October. 10-3.
INFO: backtosteiglitz.org.au
You may know him for his work alongside an often vulgar, bald, purple man, or for his ability to use music to make us all laugh, but despite his musical talents comedian Sammy J certainly doesn’t see himself as a musician of any kind. “For me comedy was always the main thing and the music came secondly,” says Sammy J. “I realised at school that I could get away with more if I put stuff into songs, so I’ve always treated it like a tool. I treat myself as a thief in the musical world. I just scuttle in and do my thing and then run back out.” With the help of puppeteer Heath McIvor, Sammy J has become one half of the hilarious duo Sammy J and Randy, but there have been some losses along the way. “Heath McIvor actually passed away seven years ago, so that’s why I work with Randy now. It was a tough time for everyone, but people didn’t really care much for Heath, he was a horrible man … a selfish bastard actually,” reveals Sammy J. “Randy was emceeing a comedy night that I was on and we both liked each other’s stuff, but we had no idea that it would become our whole lives. We stare at each other every day and wonder what we are doing working with each other and realise it’s probably because the rest of the world doesn’t want to work with us.” It’s been a strong partnership ever since, but Randy certainly remembers those early days a little differently. “The first time we worked together I found him repellent as a human, but the audience seemed to laugh, so we kept doing it,” explains Randy. “I’m pretty much only sticking by him for the financial gain. He has this ability to play music and the thing about musical comedians is they cheat. They don’t actually have to write any funny jokes, they just have to write a song and people feel obligated to clap at the end.” Despite their often offensive and self-centred personas on stage, both Sammy J and Randy do a lot of great work for charity, like the upcoming Comedy for Karma show in Daylesford. “This is a fundraiser for the Daylesford Drama School, which does great work, and it’s a pretty sweet line-up,” says Sammy J. “Dave O’Neil is MC, Hannah Gadsby, Randy and I, Anne Edmonds and Xavier Michelides – who are all some of our favourite comics. It’s very exciting, and the fact that it’s in the beautiful town of Daylesford is an extra little bonus.” The show is just one of many causes both comedians get behind, but Randy reveals there is a reason he does so much charity work. “I’ve done a lot of horrible things in my life and I do a lot of charity work to try and regain some karma points,” explains Randy. “I think I’m getting close, but the more you can put back in hopefully I won’t be burning in hell for all eternity.” We may soon be seeing a lot more of Sammy J and Randy, as they reveal the ABC will be airing a brand new show based on the pair’s exploits sometime next year. “It’s basically with the ABC, and there is not much more to say other than it’s good and we hope people like it. But people will get to see it next year,” says Sammy J. WHEN&WHERE: Daylesford Town Hall – October 4
Refining the Palette
The Festival Brand: All About Eve
Capturing Greatness: Cessiah Alice Photography
Written by Jessica Alves
As an eager six-year-old, Cessiah Alice Henderson was already reaching for a camera, unknowingly creating the first moment of what would become a lifetime passion and possible career. “The first photo I remember taking was of my parents at the beach when the sunset was behind them, so real corny. I remembered taking that photo and I just thought it was so cool that I’d captured this moment … that it was forever,” Cessiah gushes. “From then on it was pretty much always like I want to be a photographer, I’m going to be a photographer – and I’d be trying to take the camera off dad all the time.” Her passion quickly turned to convincing her younger sisters to dress up and be models in mock photo shoots. Not much has changed since then, and Cessiah is still using her sisters in her images, albeit with a much higher quality result. Looking at the warm and gentle looking images, it’s astounding to realise that Cessiah has no formal training and that everything she creates is done organically through her own natural abilities. Though it wasn’t from a lack of drive, as Cessiah did consider pursuing photography as a career and studying the ins and outs of the profession. “It was something I’d always dreamed of doing but suddenly I realised it wasn’t going to be an easy market to break into,” she says. “I was also a bit worried it was going to change the way I saw photography. Or even the way I photographed. I was a little bit sceptical that they’d change me so much that I’d lose my love for it.” Looking back now Cessiah realises that her passion couldn’t really be quashed, but she still maintains that she doesn’t want for it to become a means to an end. “I never wanted it to be work. I always
All About Eve has been around since 2003, established by an all-Australian design team aimed at “girls who like to live young, wild and free”. All About Eve has grown rapidly over the last few years, having their products stocked in stores not only Australia-wide, but internationally, branching out all the way to South Africa and Canada, with more plans to branch out to other areas of the world as well. I was given the opportunity to sit down and chat with the Head Designer of two-and-a-half years, Alice Broadway, and Marketing Coordinator Lauren Roberts, to have a chat about All About Eve and where it’s headed. Their brand has been rapidly expanding across not only the globe, but also online. Their swimmer range has recently become a brand new edition to the brands offered on the widely known ASOS.com. Marketing Coordinator for All About Eve, Lauren Roberts, also reveals that they now have their eye on expanding to America and Europe. “I think we definitely get a lot of interest from those areas and there’s opportunities for us to do really well there,” Lauren tells me. “All About Eve has grown massively. I think the growth of the brand has just been huge and it’s still growing, so it’s exciting being at the helm of a brand going from strength to strength and just gaining momentum.” The brand is aimed at young ladies, aged
Written by Amanda Sherring Photos by Cessiah Alice
roughly between sixteen and twenty, which is clearly visible in their eclectic and vivacious designs. “I think that girls at that age just want to experiment with the different trends they’re seeing,” Lauren says, explaining why they design their ranges in their wide-ranging manner. Alice adds that it’s “the exciting thing about our brand and our girl, that she can wear so many different looks so effortlessly”. All About Eve is known to be the go-to brand for festival outfits, however their current collection takes inspiration from a mix of the ‘90s and sports luxe, two themes that look as if they were simply meant to be. In their current collection, we see lots of varsity or ‘college’-inspired garments, with the edge of the ‘90s crop or metallic detailing, as well as the classic highwaisted denim skirt and denim jacket to match. “We design our ranges based on some sort of inspiration, like we’ve done with the ‘90s trend, but tweaked it so that it becomes more modern
… more like the ‘90s girl of 2014, if you like,” Alice explains, giving more insight into the inner workings of the design process. The brand provides a means to an end, with an easy-to-style street wear theme year-round, designing their garments based on the trends of the moment. It’s easy to see All About Eve travelling above and beyond their goals for the future, with their popularity growing exponentially every season. “The lucky thing with the job here is that your role is so diverse. Here you’re a designer, you’re a buyer, you’re such a mixed bag of things. So, I suppose I’ve gotten to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do,” Alice tells me when asked what the best part about her job is. “I reckon I love it even more now than when I started. This job was more than I thought it could be and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I just really feel like I’ve found where I’m meant to be.” INFO: www. allabouteveclothing.com
wanted it to be something I enjoyed, and that excited me,” Cessiah says. Graduating unsure of where she wanted to focus her attention, Cessiah decided to continue working at her parent’s shops. Her mother previously owned the Gorgeous Fashion franchise in Geelong but now Cessiah spends her time working at the family business in Highton, Ruby & Leo. With the money worry put aside, she has now been able to give photography the attention it deserves without the stress of earning a living. Cessiah has since won numerous competitions, photographed several weddings and taken thousands upon thousands of photos. As a result, Cessiah is always looking for the next best shot. “I’m pretty much always in photography mode. I feel like my eyes are a camera, because I’ll look around and everything is a photo,” she says.“I think a lot of photographers would be the same. Your eyes are always adjusting and looking at things a different way.” When Cessiah isn’t taking photographs, she swaps the camera for a set of needles and thread and makes finely detailed hats. “With photography, you’ve snapped up art in an instant, whereas millinery you get an idea in your head then start making it and it’s hours and hours of work until you finish creating it,” Cessiah says. “To me it’s a form of art, with all these tiny stitches. You’ve got to have so much patience. It’s pretty much the opposite of photography, but I really enjoy it.” Cessiah’s millinery can be purchased from Ruby & Leo in Highton, though to see more of her photography visit her instagram (@cessiahalicephotos ) or facebook.com/cessiahalicephotography.
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Refining the Palette
Bell St Fiesta The weather’s warming up and there’s simply no better time to be outside enjoying it. The Bell St Fiesta is one place where you can do just that, and all for a great price. Forte had a chat to the team about where the idea came from and how you can get involved. What was the motivation behind creating the event? There are a few different events in the Surf Coast Shire, and many in Geelong, but we had very little in Torquay. A town that has some fabulous restaurants and eateries, surrounded by wineries and breweries, many artists and the space to hold events. Our focus is also to keep it local using and sourcing only local businesses, stalls, artists, performers & musicians to make sure we help and support our economic growth. People in this region often travel to Melbourne and outer regions to attend long lunches, appreciation classes or festivals. We want to make a mark and show that it can be done here on the coast too, and for half the price! Can you tell us a bit about the Drink Arts Food Torquay? After the successful launch of the first Bell Street Fiesta in May 2012, the organisers looked at better ways the event could
support not only Bell Street but also the rest of Torquay & the Surf Coast. Although Torquay is known for its surf culture we also have a love of good food and coffee while boosting a range of artists, wineries and boutique breweries. Hence in 2013 Drink Arts Food Torquay (DAFT) was born. DAFT is on the weekend of 10th – 12th of October. The event will now be focused as a weekend long festival that promotes all things local; from Produce, Beverages (wine, beer, cider, coffee), Artists, Bands and Businesses The event is now approaching its third year, what is it about the fiesta that has it sticking around? As a not for profit event we aren’t about chasing the dollars. It’s about providing the best quality event for the kids, youth and adults, and for them to enjoy a day that wont break the bank. The event is $2 entry. We keep adding to the fiesta, we recently added the Ramp Jam Skate Park, which is a massive draw card as it brings a range of all ages into the fiesta to free style while bands and DJ’s are playing in the background. Also being able to host 10 bands with two stages allows people to enjoy a Sunday session with friends as they sit back and sip on some local beverages. Most of all, I
cant forget the sponsors and volunteers who really make this event possible! You’ve also got a lot of activities for children tell us more.. Family day of the Bell Street Fiesta is on Sunday 12th Oct from 11am - 5pm, so you can bring your kids down and let them have a great day too. Our Kids Zone is an area just for them and will include: jumping castles, balloon animals, giant games, arts and craft & performances. They can also bring their skate equipment down and try out the skate park. Tell us about your line up of bands? On the main stage, which is in Bell Street, we have; The Bite, Test Pilot Molly, The Kite Machine & Mad House. In the Skate Park we have a stage made
Em Rusciano: Force of Nature Written by Amanda Sherring
During Em Rusciano’s career she has been described as exceeding all expectations, sharp and hilarious and an irrepressible force of nature. While this is true for Em’s shows, it’s also a pretty accurate way to define her life. Our interview happened to be in the middle of a very busy schedule. Talking to me in a huff as she dropped off her kids to school, Em listed off the numerous events she had attended just days before. A trip to Sydney saw her perform at the autism stand-up show for Autism Australia, then there was a trip to Yeppoon (QLD) for an important talk on postnatal depression over morning tea sweets. That same night, Em then hosted the black tie ball for beyondblue. Her hectic schedule was broken slightly by a trip home before she headed back out to Karratha for two days to talk to teens about the importance of R U OK? Day, which then took her back home to host the Fashion Aid show in Melbourne. Amidst all of this Em has been writing every day and preparing for her Geelong show with fellow comedian, and friend, Joel Creasey. “I don’t balance it, that’s the whole thing,” Em adds with a laugh. “Anyone that says they do are liars. I just try to prioritise stuff in order of what needs to be done.” For Em that means taking care of her children, updating her blog posts and keeping her twitter fans happy. Though her 58 forte
life wasn’t always likely to end up this way. After a stint in the second season of Australian Idol, and after a period as an elite athlete, Em fell into a career in radio and things just snowballed from there. “I was really grateful for [Australian Idol] and I wouldn’t have a career without it,” she says. “I didn’t come out of it expecting a record contract or anything, so I think that’s why I was better placed.” Slowly Em began
to make friends in the right places and landed a small role on The Project. Knowing she was partial to a good joke, Charlie Pickering suggested she take up comedy. With full faith in her abilities, Charlie attended her first show at a small 20-seat venue in Melbourne. Em has since established herself as a comedian and even sold out a show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. “Wil Anderson has been a big supporter as well. At
of crates that will host; My old Dutch, Squid, The Dipsticks, Macondo Blowout and DJ RJMC Live. The different styles in music is really going to make this street come alive! Thanks again for taking the time out to talk to us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up? We would love to see people coming along and check out this event. We aren’t going anywhere and will only grow. Remember to get your tickets online for the appreciation classes and long lunch. We have an offer for all Forte readers - For all tables of 10 booked for the long lunch receive FREE Beats Bus tickets to kick on and enjoy the live bands on Saturday night. WHEN&WHERE: Bell St, Torquay - October 10-12
the end of his sold-out gig he said, ‘You must go see Em Rusciano, I can’t recommend her enough’. The very next day all my shows were gone,” Em says. Joel Creasey also saw her talent and as a 12-year-old boy voted for her in Australian Idol. The appreciation quickly grew and there wouldn’t be a day that would go by where he wouldn’t try and sneak a listen to Em’s radio show on Fox FM. This was while Joel worked at Nova FM. Now with the same management the pair are longtime friends. “We’re joined at the hip!” Em interjects. The friendship is certainly helped by the sense of humour they both share. “It’s very similar to mine. It’s kind of catty and self-deprecating. We’re both storytellers. Joel and I don’t really get up and do oneliners. As a result I wouldn’t call us traditional stand-up comics,” she says. Separately the comedians are worthy of seeing without question, but together they are bound to be a completely different experience. Em even says that the show will elicit many laughs, and be so full-on, that “people may need to have a stiff drink”. WHEN&WHERE:
The Playhouse Theatre, GPAC – October 30
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Enrico Rava Written by Montana Agustin
Let me start off by saying that I hadn’t heard of Enrico Rava until this interview came about, so I madly googled the hell out of him, and I’m a little disappointed that it took me this long to discover such an amazing jazz musician. I must admit I consider myself a bit of a music novice, so I felt a tad guilty – until I read that Enrico himself had no idea who Michael Jackson was prior to his death! (For the record, Enrico is now a massive fan).
That’s just one of the fascinating facts I discovered about Enrico. I would have liked to discover more but interviewing over a bad line to Rome makes for one interesting conversation. One thing it demonstrated, besides my terrible internet connection, is that Enrico Rava knows his sound, giving me an in-depth description of tone, depth and pitch of what he was hearing across the line. Fortunately we were able to have a good chat about his upcoming visit to perform at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, and he is very excited about his trip Down Under, saying that he is “very happy to visit for the first time in [his] life”. He is also excited that his lovely wife will be accompanying him – albeit a little disappointed to only be here for the duration of the festival as he fears he may not have much time to sightsee.
Although this will be Enrico’s first visit to Australia, he does have a connection to Australia. He played alongside the students and teachers of Monash University last year when they were visiting Italy, mentioning that they were “very very good”, a true compliment to some of Australia’s student jazz musicians. Enrico was first inspired to play the trumpet when he heard Miles Davis as an 18-year-old and by the 1960s he was beginning to receive a lot of attention. Now Enrico is the most successful Italian jazz musician of all time. Despite all of this talent Enrico had humble beginnings and attributes, much of his confidence and “self-belief ” indebted to Gato Barbieri, the famous Argentinian saxophonist and composer. Enrico says that “Gato Barbieri changed [his] life at the beginning of his career”. Steve Lacy, the late jazz saxophonist, is one of the other musicians who inspired Enrico early on and “opened every door for [him] in the way of [his] career”. Although they are both highly regarded to Enrico, he humbly admits that “every musician you play with gives you something”.
As the Wangaratta Jazz Festival nears, Enrico says that he is most looking forward to playing with the students of Monash University again as he has such fond memories of the last time. He is also very excited to be playing alongside his fellow Italian jazz musicians. Festival-goers are in for a real treat when Enrico hits the stage. On Saturday he will play in a quintet with pianist Paul Grabowsky, saxophonist Mirko Guerrini, bass player Frank DiSario and Niko Schauble on drums. Sunday everyone will see a union 18 years in the making when Enrico plays alongside Niko Schauble’s band Papa Carlo. This collaboration was scheduled all the way back in 1996 for the Wangaratta Jazz Festival but was cancelled due to a delay in processing Enrico’s visa. Well, despite the terrible connection we got there in the end. It might not have been the most seamless of interviews but I felt pretty privileged to chat with such an incredible artist whose career has lasted over five decades. I would highly recommend getting on down to Wangaratta to hear him play, and if you can have a chat to him. Talking to him feels as if it’s good for the soul.
When&Where: Wangaratta Jazz Festival - Oct 31 to Nov 3
Dwarves Written by Natalie Rogers
“I’d like to think we’re the best looking band in show business!” joked Blag Dahlia (aka Blag the Ripper), the insouciant frontman of legendary punk/thrash outfit Dwarves. “It’s a teenage girl thing – they’re attracted to the pin-up pictures of the Dwarves,” his voice dripped with sarcasm. (Those who own a Dwarves album will know that their covers and shelves are always controversial and often crude.) “We also try to deliver some hardcore punk rock for people to enjoy – that’s part of the game as well.”
As Blag sets the scene for what we can expect for their triumphant return to our shores this month, his energy, vitality and overt cheekiness is abundantly clear. Truth be told, it’s hard to believe that Blag and his merry band of Dwarves released their first LP back when I was still watching Play School. “I feel fabulous,” he smiled. “Australia’s a great spot to go … admittedly, we haven’t been there for five years so I think the people are ready!” No doubt Dwarves fans around the country will attest to that – and Blag is proud to announce that they’ve had to add another show. “We’ve added a fifth show right at the beginning of the tour, on the Wednesday [Oct 15 at The Old Bar, Fitzroy]. It’s going to be an acoustic Dwarves show – those
are particularly good because you can show up and request songs. We’ll do all kinds of weird old songs and we’ll be crazy jetlagged, which will be fun,” Blag laughed. The latest addition to their impressive back catalogue is The Dwarves Invented Rock ’n Roll (August 2014) – a must have for any self-respecting old-skool punk. “Really, what is cool about this record is that basically everybody threw in a song. Fresh Prince of Darkness [guitar] wrote ‘Anything You Want’ and Chip Fracture [bass] offered ‘Dead on the Floor’. We all had different songs to give which makes for a good variety when you’re making a record, rather than them all coming from one guy, Captain Blag!” (Which as it happens is the name of a track on the album, written by Dwarves sometimes drummer Greg Saenz.) “I really like our single ‘Trailer Trash’ – it’s written by our old bass player Salt Peter. He came back after twenty years and wrote a great song for us, so that was kinda cool … and on the b-side of that single is our cover song, ‘Unpredictable’. I like that one because we’re fucking with people’s publishing money – you
When&Where: Barwon Club, Geelong – October 16
know what I mean? Just outright stealing people’s songs – that’s good fun!” It seems that after all these years the Dwarves are still whistling a happy tune and continue to produce short, sharp, high quality punk rock. “Isn’t that weird!? Every other band gets worse!”
Blag alleged. “Every other band makes one good record right at the beginning of their career and then they sit there and spin out a whole pathetic twenty or thirty year career off of that one record you like by them! “The fucking Dwarves – we’ve put a great one out every time. At this point we’re ten
records deep with great music. I don’t know… (he paused dramatically). Maybe at some point somebody will notice.” “And call your bluff ?” I asked. “Yes, exactly!” he replied, and we both burst into laughter.
Victor Ruiz Q&A
We have been having a blast getting to know some of Earthcore’s players a little better, and Victor Ruiz is no exception. With a passion that is equal across music, life and love, our time with the electronic music maestro was as inspiring as it was a pleasure.
Hey Victor, thanks for taking time to have a chat with Forte. For those who aren’t familiar with who you are, can you briefly describe your style and what it is you do? Hi! You are more than welcome! Well, it’s very simple what I do: electronic music. But the hard part is to describe and define it. All I can say it’s heavy, uplifting, sometimes hypnotic and sometimes ‘straight-forward’. I love putting my rock ’n’ roll influences on my music, so if you listen carefully, you can note it. What have you been up to lately and where are you right now? I’ve been playing every weekend around Brazil. Two months ago I was in my first world tour for two months and it was amazing. And now I am at home, enjoying my girl and my three cats. Not a lot of people fully appreciate electronic music. What would you say to them? Enjoy life, be happy and love more. Actually, these I would say to everyone in the world. :) 60 forte
What do you think of the Australian electronic music scene? Do you have any favourites? To be honest, I don’t know much about the Australian electronic music scene, but I am very, very curious. I know some people that live there and they say to me that there are some crazy parties out there. Where do you get inspiration from? The true inspiration of the whole of mankind will always be from the Divine. This may sound awkward to a lot of people, but this is true. I have to be connected to the Light to get inspiration. An example is my girl. She inspires me a lot. Her love inspires me. My love for her inspires me. So then I know I am connected. 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? I will pick up Argentina (they are crazy and know how to party), Germany (Berlin is special – it is a very unique place and I LOVE IT!) and of course Brazil. What do you think of the Australian crowds? Do we
When&Where: Earthcore, Pyalong - November 27 - December 1
know how to party? This I will tell you after Earthcore festival. ;) Are you excited to be playing at Earthcore? I am very excited to play at Earthcore and make
people dance and be happy! What can the audience expect from your set at Earthcore? Mostly my productions, with other stuff I love. Let it be a surprise. Do you have any tricks to get people up and dancing?
I produce and play my music from my heart and I love what I do, so maybe this can be a trick – LOVE. Before we finish up, is there anything you’d like to add? Australia, here I come to dance and party with you. Thank you! :)
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Inside Splinters
Written by Adem Ali
LADY GAGA & TONY BENNETT’S CHEEK TO CHEEK UNDER REVIEW
I N S I D E S P L I N T E R S P R E S E N T S :
LADY GAGA Cheek to Cheek is a revelation!
TONY BENNETT Grandfather Bling is in the Haus.
THE VERONICAS New single ‘You Ruin Me’ is exactly what pop needs right now. Perfection.
or
GAGA DETRACTORS Hating on Gaga is so 2012.
THE artPLAGUE Anybody else that went to Gaga’s artRAVE (any of the Australian dates) suffering from the artPLAGUE? I am on week four...
After what could only be described as the most turbulent twelve months of her career, Lady Gaga finally sounds at peace with life on her meticulously crafted duets album with Grandfather Bling himself, Tony Bennett.
whether it’s watching them doing TV promotion together or hearing their voices harmonise as one. There is something very special about that, as there is something very special about the release of Cheek to Cheek.
Within minutes of the release of last year’s truly dynamic LP ARTPOP, it’s believed that Gaga was dumped by her management seconds before walking on stage at the YouTube Music Awards, where she would go on to – heartbreakingly – perform ‘Dope’. If you ever saw the video, knowing what happened only minutes earlier brings that performance into a whole new light.
I am not one to claim being a jazz expert, but soul music is easily identifiable and discussed, with or without those credentials. I grew up in a house that played jazz from time to time but we were more on the Elvis and ABBA side of the fence than we ever were Ella or Frank. So with the release of Cheek to Cheek, I was intent on delving deeper into the Great American Songbook – and deeper into the discography of Ella Fitzgerald, who Gaga cites as an inspiration. Seeing how happy Gaga so evidently was singing these delicate songs made the horns and brass of a jazz band sound a helluva lot more appealing. So I dove into jazz, headfirst.
“I’m not really legally allowed to say what happened that day,” she told CBS News last week, “but my partner left me. He told the whole world that I left him. That was very hard.” Then, on the topic of her latest incarnation as JazzGa: “Everyone needs different things. I just want to be happy and I can’t tell you how happy singing this music makes me.” Tired and torn apart by the industry, Gaga searched for solace in her new friend Tony Bennett – a friend who would turn her life around completely and, to paraphrase her own quote, save her. The bond the two share is electric and undeniable;
By the time Cheek to Cheek came out, I had really developed – as wanky and pretentious as this may sound – a deeper understanding of the genre. Sure, I’m still no expert, but Gaga’s passion for it made me want to at least attempt becoming one. But what are the Top 5 best moments on Cheek to Cheek? Let’s pour another quart of brandy and have a gander shall we?
DELTA GOODREM Her disgusting cover of Martika’s ICONIC ‘Love... Thy Will Be Done’ is the biggest Pop Music Travesty in DECADES. BACK TO SQUARE ONE DELTRASONIC BECAUSE THIS IS UTTER T-RIPE.
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“Could you imagine if the second single from Gaga & Tony’s Cheek To Cheek had the sequel to ‘Telephone’ as its music video?” @sillyolddaniel shipping Splinters off to the morgue last week at the mere suggestion.
NATURE BOY The best moment of the duets here, this is a gorgeously crafted composition of one of my favourite songs of all time. From the sweeping intro, to the way Gaga and Tony’s voices melt together in pure bliss – HEAVEN. There is also something incredibly beautiful about hearing these two sing one of my favourite lines from a song (“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return”) together.
BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED Probably my absolute favourite song on the record, this is a bonus track that is exclusively featured on the physical, CD release. The perfection of this moment is worth the $24.95 alone and marks itself as one of Gaga’s greatest vocal recordings. A solo moment on the record, the lyrics really bloody speak to me, and hearing GagAllah singing them at me is just a little too much to bear at times. That finale, oh man. What a LEGEND.
BANG BANG (MY BABY SHOT ME DOWN) Covering the Sonny Bono-written classic, this is another Gaga solo moment that will change many people’s minds about her talents. Another bonus track, this is exclusively featured on the digital, iTunes release. And yet again, that finale will knock your socks off. EV’RY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE BLUB AND KLEENEX TIME x 1,000,000. LUSH LIFE If you don’t at least well up with even a single tear listening to Gaga’s vocal delivery of ‘Lush Life’, you are probably devoid of a soul. She makes you feel every single line, shooting up your spine and causing goose bumps all over. That frantic, final 90 seconds will silence any of the arsehats claiming Gaga is without talent. One of the most emotional moments in music for 2014. It may not be every Little Monsters’ cup of tea, but Gaga and Tony’s Cheek to Cheek is the kind of special record you really shouldn’t miss out on hearing. There are moments of pure joy, ultimate sadness and more melancholic nostalgia than any other record in 2014. Buy copies for everybody you know. I know I am.
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Film Reviews
Films reviewed by Anthony Morris
Obvious Child Donna (Jenny Slate) is a New York stand-up comic who’s made a career (well, regular appearances at one comedy club) out of putting her whole life out there up on stage. When her boyfriend turns out to not be a fan of this approach and reveals he’s been sleeping with her friend, she collapses in a heap. So when Max (Jake Lacy), a cute but square-seeming guy turns up at the comedy club (he’s there because one of his clients wanted to check it out), a whole lot of alcohol leads to a one-night stand. So what? These things happen … Then she finds out she’s pregnant. Up to this point this film’s strongpoint has been Donna’s steady stream of very funny and often fairly inappropriate jokes (her drunken onstage “act” where she just rails against her broken heart is great), but a lot of promising films have been taken down by the US film business’s unspoken rule of “no abortions”. So it’s a massive relief that this film about a woman who’s chosen career is only just
Gone Girl It was no surprise that director David Fincher was the one tapped on the shoulder to adapt Gillian Flynn’s best-seller Gone Girl: with his big-screen version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo he proved he was the go-to guy for hit novels with strong female leads (even if his film did pretty much seem to sink the Dragon Tattoo franchise for good). And hard-edged thrillers have always been a Fincher trademark going all the way back to Seven – though here it takes a while for the edge to make itself known. On the surface the story is straightforward: Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) is a regular, decent, upstanding guy who marries
the equally perfect Amy Elliot (Rosamund Pike). But back in his small town Missouri home cracks quickly begin to appear in their relationship: he’s close to his family there (including a twin sister, played by Carrie Coon) and it shines a spotlight on his workingclass background, while Amy, an upper-class New Yorker from a literary background, is much more isolated. It’s all downhill from there, and when she vanishes he quickly becomes the prime suspect in her (assumed) murder. What follows is a struggle for the audience’s loyalties: who do you believe? Both sides make their case – Nick through the media in the days and weeks following her disappearance,
Amy through diary entries turned into flashbacks. It’s a solid thriller from the outset, though the deeper into the mystery it goes the more engaging (and funny, surprisingly) it gets. Any more would be giving away the twists that this relies on, especially early on (let’s just say that Affleck’s befuddled expression gets a good workout here while Pike gets to do a lot more than her early scenes would suggest). Gone Girl occasionally threatens to have something more to say about marriage and male-female relationships, but given the choice between pulp thrills and making a statement, this goes for the thrills every time.
t h e w rap Sin City: A Dame to Kill For beginning and who has no money and no real relationship with the baby’s father (though he does keep finding ways back into her life) does not pretend that having an abortion is just magically out of the question. The other strongpoint this film has going for it plot-wise is that it never suggests that Donna is going to solve her relationship struggles by watering down or changing her comedy. It’s what she does, and any partner of hers is going to have to live with it. That might sound straightforward, but it really is so rare to see a film (especially an American rom-com) not bending on these issues that writer-director Gillian Robespierre deserves praise just for telling a story that feels always close to how real people live their lives. Also, it’s very funny; let’s not forget that.
Step Up: All In The long-running dance franchise’s fifth instalment isn’t quite as silly as previous efforts, but the flat story is more than made up for by having a director who can actually film dance routines properly.
The Giver In a future where emotions are outlawed, only outlaws have emotions. Yes, that’s really the plot of this bland young adult saga.
Life of Crime It’s ’70s Detroit, and small-time crooks Ordell (Yasiin Bey – formerly known as Mos Def ) and Louis (John Hawkes) have come up with a way to hit it big. They’ve found out that celebrity golfer Frank Dawson (Tim Robbins), who’s also a Detroit property developer, is on top of that making a whole lot of dodgy money via shady business practices. So they figure if they kidnap his wife Mickey (Jennifer Aniston) and hold her for ransom, with what they know about his earnings he’ll have no choice but to pay up. The kidnapping itself goes off smoothly, but there’s a hitch: it turns out that Frank has a mistress, Melanie (Isla Fisher), and with his marriage firmly on the rocks – the divorce papers were sent out the day Mickey was kidnapped – he may not want to spend up big to get his wife back. Based on the Elmore Leonard novel Switch, this has all the snappy dialogue and smart plotting you’d expect. Bey’s smooth charm works well with his playing the slightly more sinister of the duo – Louis you can trust to do the right thing
Ten years since the last Sin City movie, not much has changed: the visuals look good, the hardboiled stories are so over-the-top they’re silly, and the whole thing just feels like a twelve-yearold’s idea of what tough guys and dames are like.
The Maze Runner
even if it means he won’t get paid, while Ordell seems just a little bit more focused on the money – while Hawkes as a put-upon nice guy makes for a nice change from his recent run of sinister roles. The trouble here is that while the story doesn’t exactly fizzle out, the third act twists and turns don’t really generate enough drama for a strong finish. Aniston’s character turns out to be smart enough to see a way clear for herself, Louis takes a bit of a liking to her, Melanie turns out to not be as smart as she thinks she is, and it all wraps up nicely enough without ever really ramping up. So while this is a solid crime film with a few fun quirks, it’s not up there with the first run of Leonard adaptations – it’ll remind you of Out of Sight and Jackie Brown, but it’s not going to replace them.
Our hero wakes up trapped in the middle of a maze that’s death to anyone trapped in it after dark. He has no memory of his past, and if he (and the rest of the boys) can’t find a way out soon, they won’t have a future.
Boyhood Filmed over twelve years, like the title says – it’s about a boy growing up. Surprisingly powerful and moving in its depiction of the rhythms of life and the way that time builds us up through childhood while tearing our parents (here played by Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette) down.
If I Stay A teenage girl is torn between dying (she’s in a coma after a car accident) or staying alive to be with her hunky boyfriend. Guess it’s a tough choice if they built a whole movie around it.
Into the Storm
The Equalizer There are two kinds of action movies in the world. In one, our hero finds himself in a violent situation well out of his league, and the tension comes from his struggles to deal with the increasing carnage despite his clear inability to handle things. In the other, the bad guys make the mistake of stumbling across the ultimate killing machine, and the fun comes from seeing a variety of scumbags meet a ghastly fate at the hands of death incarnate. As The Equalizer starts off, you might think that having our hero, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) working at a Boston hardware depot signals that we’re about to see the first kind of film. And for a while, as McCall helps a fellow employee with his attempts to lose weight for a security guard job and hangs out at a local diner late at night quietly reading to himself, it seems like we’re being set up for a film about a man who gets in trouble over his head – especially 68 forte
It’s a found footage movie about tornadoes. So there’s a lot of tornadoes. There’s also a firenado at one point. Yep, sure are a lot of tornadoes in this movie. Tornadoes. once he befriends Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), an underage hooker (a job the film is careful never to make clear, even though being hustled into a limo with a fat guy in back kind of makes it obvious) who tends to get slapped around by her evil Russian pimp. Is McCall the kind of wuss who’ll go visit the pimp and offer to buy Teri out of her contract? Yep. Is he then the kind of guy who’ll kill five men in less than thirty seconds? Sure looks like it. And even though it turns out that he’s now pissed off the sinister Russian oligarch who controls all crime on the Eastern Seaboard – a man who sends the extremely deadly Teddy (New Zealand’s own Marton Csokas) to take care of the problem by beating up rival mobsters and murdering hookers – it’s now crystal clear that nothing short of dropping an atomic bomb on McCall is going to stop him from beating up crooked cops, taking a hammer to armed robbers, and just generally being
an unstoppable spirit of vengeance. So basically, if you like this kind of thing all your Christmases have come at once. They’re very red Christmases at that, because this excellent B-movie is based entirely around killing as many scumbags in as many inventive ways as possible – by the big climax this has basically become a slasher film with an impassive Washington snuffing out bearded contract killers using all manner of garden implements. At over two hours, director Antoine Fuqua (who worked with Washington on Training Day) keeps the pace snappy, repeatedly cutting expected sequences short to both keep the plot moving and to underline how skilfully lethal McCall is. As a high-end exploitation film this is a real standout, delivering plenty of thrills (and a lot of very nasty violence) without pointless diversions like character or backstory. If you like this kind of thing, you’ll really like this kind of thing.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
We Are the Best! The year is 1982, and while many would have you believe that punk is dead, in Stockholm teenage girls Bobo (Mira Barkhammar) and Klara (Mira Grosin) are doing their level best to keep it alive. Mocked at school for their boyish looks, they spend their spare time hanging out at the rec centre, where they discover they can piss off a bunch of long-haired teenage jerks by booking the band rehearsal room out from under them. Using the instruments in the room, they start their own punk band (based around a song about how sport sucks) and ask Hedvig (Liv LeMoyne), a shy, conservative Christian girl from their school, to join. Surprisingly she agrees, and with her guitar skills they’re
well on their way to being a proper (well, “proper”) band. Adapted by Lukas Moodysson from the graphic novel Never Goodnight by his wife Coco Moodysson, this is a joyous salute to the thrills of hanging out with your friends doing what you feel like. There’s not a whole lot of story going on here – some boys from another punk band briefly threaten to tear the girls apart, and there’s a big concert coming up – but the kids are clearly having so much fun just rocking out that it’s impossible not to get swept up in it all. There’s enough hints of teen angst and rebellion here to keep it grounded, but the overall impression is of how much fun it is just hanging out with friends who get you – and a film that gets that is one not to miss.
The Turtles are back! And with Michael Bay involved, you know it’s going to be full of loud action, big explosions and Megan Fox. Nostalgiaplagued adults might be tempted, but no: this one’s firmly for (easily amused) kids.
Guardians of the Galaxy Underneath the fun wrapping this is just another movie made to the Marvel formula: a band of misfits team up (and become “a family”) to battle a fairly generic bad guy in a chase for a superpowered MacGuffin (here it’s another magic rock). They even have the big final battle in a huge base falling from the sky (again).
Music Reviews
Bluejuice
Bonjah
RETROSPECTABLE
BEAUTIFUL WILD
Listening to Retrospectable is just like having a great night out where you go along pretending it won’t ever end … so let’s just pretend for a second that Bluejuice aren’t going their separate ways and just enjoy this ripper album. This flashback album is fun and high energy, not that you’d expect anything less from these guys. The appropriately named Retrospectable has all the favourites like ‘Act Yr Age’ and the oh-so-catchy ‘Broken Leg’, as well as my personal favourite that I never get sick of hearing, ‘Vitriol’. Although the album is a montage of the Aussie band’s
I’m not sure which one of the Bonjah lads came up with the name of this album, but they have managed to capture the sound and vibe of the entire album perfectly in just two words: Beautiful Wild. We are used to amazing things from Bonjah, but this third album is spectacular. They have really delivered something truly inspiring. Beautiful Wild features hypnotic slow melodies that fill your soul with goodness. The standout of these for me being ‘Bullet in the Barrel’, which is the essence of captivating. It’s not all slow, though. They’ve also included some kneeslapping, boot-tapping blues tunes like the can’thelp-but-move-to-track
killer career, there’s also a few newbies too like ‘No Time for Tears’, which is their way of saying thanks for the memories but sayonara! New tracks and the old tracks are all put together and delivered with the same punch and gusto as we’re
used to from Bluejuice. Hip hop, pop and electronic, this album is sure to get everyone moving and is a great way for the guys to finish off on a high. Good luck boys, we will all miss you! Montana Agustin
The Griswolds
You Are the Salt in My Eyes’ with melodic guitar and the sweet-talking vocals of Mitch McDonald. The subdued nature of the track makes sense as it’s about trying to remain calm and continue stringing along no matter of what’s around. While it’s essentially a breakup
track, ‘Lonely Ride’ encompasses this manic appeal that makes it worthy of multiple listens. ‘A Fool’s Errand’ is another favourite, but at times it does sound as if the band is trying to hold themselves back. Regardless, it makes for a good track to mindlessly lose yourself to. ‘In the Belly of My Beast’ is the “cute” track on the album, with whistles opening the song and McDonald reaching notes unheard of in earlier songs. With an intro like ‘Mausoleum’ it may seem like the whole album may follow a similar pattern, but there are a few much-needed breaks slotted in. ‘Goodnight Ellen’ and ‘The Grieving Song’ slow things down making it a well-rounded second release. Amanda Sherring
frnkiero andthe cellabration
Peep Tempel have taken the Sex Pistols’ attitude, thrown in some early Living End-style riffs and infused it with an excellent pubrock vibe. Guitarist/vocalist Blake Scott outshines himself in places –the vocal track is almost buried by the furiously-strummed guitars on
occasion – but it’s hardly an issue as it’s easy to get lost in the frenetic energy of the songs. Bassist Stewart Rayner and drummer Steven Carter almost steal the show on track seven, the instrumental ‘Keef ’. Rayner’s steady basslines and Carter’s frantic drumming provide the perfect anchor point for Scott’s madcap sound, and do so throughout the album. In fact, there wasn’t a single track that didn’t have me tapping along to the beat, which just shows the strength of the band’s rhythm section. If you like your music loud, quirky and with a very Aussie sense of humour, Tales should be in your music library. Alastair McGibbon
The Love Junkies BLOWING ON THE DEVIL’S STRUMPET Growing up there are always albums your mum forbids you to listen to. Marilyn Manson and Korn might be a couple you’ve previously hidden in the cupboard, and chances are The Love Junkies’ sophomore album will earn itself a similar hiding place. One thing is clear: this album is all about making noise and corrupting the innocent youth of today. Opening track ‘Mausoleum’ fits this to a T and introduces you to the band’s sound like a smack to the face. Things get slowed down a bit in ‘You Are the Pins in My Ears.
The Peep Tempel TALES You know you’ve found an interesting band when they include a recording of a pub’s meat raffle on one of their tracks. Yes, you read that right – the lads from The Peep Tempel snuck in a sample of a raffle for track two of their second album, the aptly named ‘Vicki the Butcher’. All references to Aussie traditions aside, The Peep Tempel have put together a great album. It’s the kind of music that you’d want to see live: it’s got stacks of energy, plenty of humour and absolutely screams Aussie rock ‘n’ roll. There’s an excellent punk vibe throughout the album, too. The
Focusrite Scarlett Studio Review provided by Music Workshop
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‘Honey’, which coins the very sexy saying “She’s got the devil inside” and adds to the sexy rawness of this song. Beautiful Wild is epic. Every song offers something different to the landscape of the album, and the placement of each track is
PRODUCT REVIEW
the interface is around the quality you expect given its price. The Focusrite Scarlett Studio package looks to break that mould by offering three quality pieces of gear in a recording bundle that is priced well below the normal studio package. Included within the Scarlett Studio package is Cubase LE 6 to create, record and mix tracks, a Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, HP60 headphones
and a CM25 microphone, a stand attachment cradle and XLR cable for the microphone and a USB cable, so no other purchases are required to connect everything together and start making music. Also included in the Scarlett Studio box is the Focusrite Scarlett Plug-in Suite consisting of a compressor, reverb, EQ and gate, all of which are extremely high quality professional studio tools. In addition, Novation’s Bass Station plug-in is included, and just to make sure that owners of the Scarlett Studio package have all their music-making bases covered, sample content from Loopmasters – such as drum loops, sound effects and more – can be downloaded from their website. Available now at Music Workshop Geelong for only $349.00, the Focusrite Studio will have you uploading top quality songs in no time!
impeccable, taking you on a melodic journey. We don’t usually give a star rating, but this album is five out of five stars. All I can say is that I’m hooked on the boys of Bonjah, and if you aren’t already you will be too after a listen to Beautiful Wild. Montana Agustin
touch to the 11-track release. ‘Right On Track’ features an ’80s synth lead, as does ‘If You Wanna Stay’. As it should be, ‘Be Impressive’ is a standout of the album with young children chanting “Be Impressive” at the opening of the
song and singing in harmony with Christopher’s vocals as it goes along. Things are slowed down in ‘Live This Nightmare’, but their trademark synth still finds its way into the song. For those wanting a bit more of the teaser track, solace can be found in ‘America’. While it mightn’t be quite at the same level, it leaves a smile on your face, a tune in your head and a newfound appreciation of the band. At just their first release the band has already managed to hone in on their signature style. With chirpy vocals, ’80s synth and a catchy beat, The Griswolds are set to go far. Amanda Sherring
While MCR had a tendency to go for a more grandiose, electronicatinged sound in their last album, frnkiero andthe cellabration is all about energy. There’s an infectious punk theme that permeates every track on the album that brings back memories of MCR’s early effort
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. The guitars are absolutely frenetic in places, but still bear Iero’s signature sound from previous efforts. Iero well and truly shows off his talents on Stomachaches; he plays everything on the album bar drums, which were predominately handled by former bandmate Jarrod Alexander. Iero’s vocal style takes a bit of getting used to – he uses a megaphone-style vocal filter quite a bit throughout the album – but once you work your way through the album you’ll find yourself coming back for more. All in all, if you were a fan of MCR and like your guitars distorted, your drums clashing and music nice and loud, Stomachaches should be your next purchase. Alastair McGibbon
BE IMPRESSIVE Remember that track you heard on the radio? The one that made you want to get up and dance with its catchy guitar riffs and cheery vocals? The track that seemed like the perfect summer tune? Well, chances are it was The Griswolds’ track ‘Beware of Dog’. Surprisingly, the track was the first song Christopher Whitehall and Danny Duque-Perez wrote together, and also a great teaser to their much-anticipated debut, Be Impressive. While maintaining their infectious pop-laden indie tunes throughout, the band has managed to add their own unique
STOMACHACHES So, here’s the thing: I’m pretty familiar with Frank Iero’s previous work in My Chemical Romance, but my problem was that I only got into them just as they broke up. Needless to say, I was pissed off at the timing, but relieved to find out that pretty much all of the band members had their own stuff on the go. Frank Iero’s solo band, frnkiero andthe cellabration (there’s no typos there, that’s literally how it’s spelled), shares much of MCR’s infectious energy, but differs a fair bit in terms of style.
Angus & Julia Stone Support: Vancouver Sleep Clinic
The Palais Melbourne Thursday September 25
You certainly have big shoes to fill when supporting a band like Angus & Julia Stone, luckily for Vancouver Sleep Clinic they’ll have to start looking around for a bigger pair. While his dancing was a little cringe worthy at times, main man Tim Bettinson has an incredible voice. The combination of his soaring falsetto over the progressive synth of the band was the perfect introduction to the brother-sister duo. A pleasant
surprise came when Brisbane singer Wafia graced the stage for a one-off song with Tim. Her vocals can only be described as angelic. The best gigs are those that give you an insight into the musicians you adore and a chance to hear something you haven’t heard before. ‘Main Street’ begun with a tale of Julia stealing a set of lights from Kmart for their gig room and ‘Other Things’ caused the duo to friendly bicker which of them was high when they wrote it. A track from Grease and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ were thrown into the mix as well as guest appearances from two trumpet players. Julia was the crowd adoring magnet, as wolf whistles and hollers were dedicated just for her. At one point she took to the back of the stage and danced alone,
the lights illuminating her every movement. It almost felt as if you were the only two in the room, and The Palais Theatre is no small space. There was even an intimate moment as Julia sung ‘The Wedding Song’ solo, which was made for close friends on their wedding day and is rarely played live. Connecting as much with Julia only made you want the same with Angus, and the absence of this was the only thing to be faulted on the night. Musically the duo didn’t miss a beat as they worked their way through the new album and a handful of old songs. Leaving the Palais I felt I had a better understanding of the pair and a greater appreciation of their music. Amanda Sherring
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Music Reviews
PHOTO REVIEW
WOODLOCK w/ MURDENA, Olly Friend & Fieu 25 september 2014 @ beav's bar, geelong Photos by half shots
Last Words
grog watch Written by Tony Montana
Against all medical advice, last week I went and did something stupid: I went to see an Australian film. It gets worse: I went to see an Australian comedy – to be specific, writer/director/star Josh Lawson’s debut feature film The Little Death. And a bit part of the reason why I went – well, aside from being bored and hungover, which I think we can all safety take as read with pretty much every one of these columns so let’s just move on – was because Lawson has been wandering around the place telling anyone who’ll listen that his film is a film for people who don’t like Australian films. For example, Lawson said in The Australian: “If you’re the kind of Aussie that watches Australian films and don’t like most of them, this is the Aussie film for you. Because I’m that person! I’m critical of Aussie
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films as well. I’m a bit sick and tired of seeing crime movies in Australia, tired of seeing the criminal class represented – and if you are too, come and see this film … This film looks at Australians in a normal way that doesn’t dumb us down and I don’t think we’ve seen theatrically on film since Lantana.” Okay, the Lantana stuff wasn’t exactly luring me in: oh look, a bunch of sad sack middle-class folk standing around looking glum, sounds like a winner to me. As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to Australian film it’s Romper Stomper or GTFO (acceptable alternates: Chopper, Mad Max, Mad Max 2), but I have been known to enjoy an Australian comedy film in the past and I figured if Lawson was game enough to tell audiences this was an Australian film for people who hate Australian film when our cinemas are already jam-packed with films ideal for people who hate Australian films because they’re not from Australia, then I figured he’d earned my support. Also,
I needed something to write about for this column. It turned out that Lawson was right: The Little Death really is an Australian film for people who hate Australian film, because I hated it. Well, perhaps hate is a little strong – that’d be like hating a sexed-up episode of The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting … you know, that recent ABC sketch comedy show no one could be bothered even watching, let alone hating. But it wasn’t really all that good either: it was basically a series of sketches or short films about a bunch of couples each dealing with a “hilarious” sexual fetish – basically it was like Love, Actually if everyone in it was a sex pest. Which sounds funnier than it is, which is probably why Lawson forgot to put any jokes in after he established the various sex obsessions. Sure, having someone be turned on by seeing their partner cry is funny the first time they deliberately do something to make them blub, but then what? And that was
pretty much the deal across the board: the various sex kinks were established (one woman had a rape fantasy, one guy discovered he only liked his wife when she was unconscious, another dude got so into roleplaying he decided he wanted to be an actor) the obvious jokes were made and then we still had another ten minutes left with each story. Seeing a bad Australian film is hardly news – what actually was interesting was seeing it after Lawson had made his big “if you hate Australian film, this is the film for you” pitch, because, you know, he’d made an Australian film without any skinheads so automatic fail there. And yet, I could see what he was trying to get at. The Little Death is an Australian film for people who hate Australian film because it’s a film about the personal problems of white upper-middle class suburbanites. Those guys hardly get a look-in with Australian film, because if you have that kind of story to tell you take it to a place where you can make
some real money: television. Australian television is full of people just like the ones we see in The Little Death (they’re even played by TV actors like Ben Lawson, Patrick Brammall, Lachy Hulme and Lisa McCune), and because television does it so well and so often, our local movie industry has been forced to look elsewhere for their stories – they simply can’t expect people to pay money for the kind of thing Offspring or The Time of Our Lives is giving away for free. “The Australian film industry” knows this, which is why they’re off making crime films and outback serial killer thrillers and “it was the summer where everything changed” stuff because at least then they’ve got a chance that someone will go “gee, I haven’t seen one of those lately”. But Lawson – who’s largely based in the US now and got his leg-up in the business through television – isn’t part of the film industry (again, his movie features a lot of TV actors), so presumably he’s
looked at our films, thought “why are we making this shit no one wants to watch”, and decided to do something about it. But it only looks like there’s a shortage of what he’s peddling if you’re just looking at Australian films – and as Lawson’s already established, not that many people in his target audience are doing that. He’s basically made a bad sketch comedy show thinking “why aren’t there more movies like this?” not realising there’s a bunch on TV every year. And no one watches them there either. Tony “Film buff ’s snorecast” Montana
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