Forte #599

ISSUE #599 ball ar at | bell arine | Bendigo | ca stlemaine | geelong | surf coa st | warrnambool |

13 / 11/ 2 0 14

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the jezabels “...this is meant to be our time off, but when we were asked to play at QMF we couldn’t say no!” pg.23

Things of Stone & Wood pg.35

busby marou

pg.38

hiatus kaiyote

pg.44

josh pyke

pg.50

the living end

pg.51

ALSO FEATURING: Gaudium, Fear Factory, Tex Miller, Christine Anu, Dillon Francis, Kitty Flanagan and heaps more!

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

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

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E L B a iL a v A W O N S s a P Y A D DOuBLE50% OFF UNTIL 11 NOV TRIBUTE FEST Appetite for Destruction Credence Clearwater Recycled INXSIVE Rhiannon - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Shed Zeppelin Thunder Road - The songs of bruce springsteen To Hell & Back!

Meatloaf Tribute

FRIDAY / SATURDAY AC/DSHE Broderick Smith

Cass Eager & the Velvet Rope

Chris Wilson

Claude Hay

Electric Mary Geoff Achison Blues Mountain

Jimi Hocking Lloyd Spiegel Phil Para

Pugsley Buzzard

Sweet Felicia & The Honeytones

The Black Sorrows

The Detonators

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r e v l i S f o A Touch WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER | 8PM–1AM

TICKETS: $135 (BEFORE 16 DECEMBER) | $149 (AFTER 16 DECEMBER) ALL INCLUSIVE TICKET INCLUDES Basic spirits, beer, wine, soft drink & canapés.

Live Entertainment & DJ’s.

Plus an after party pass for priority entry to Lambys.

DRESS: Cocktail (DRESS TO IMPRESS WITH A TOUCH OF SILVER—NO DENIM)

TICKETS AVAILABLE: www.oztix.com.au and from City Quarter between opening hours: Friday–Sunday 12pm–Late

Level 1, Cunningham Pier, 10 Western Beach Foreshore Road, Geelong (03) 5222 6233 | manager@thecityquarter.com.au | thecityquarter.com.au Over 18 event and photo ID will be required.

@CITYQUARTERBAR CITY QUARTER

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in this issue:

forte issue #599 t h u r s d a y 1 3 NOVEMBER 2 0 1 4

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

enquiries@fortemag.com.au Publisher

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The Jezebels

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Abbey King abbey@fortemag.com.au Art director

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busby marou pg.38

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the living end pg.51

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

Not an Animal or Vegetable Formed in 1994, emo champions Mineral only had a short music life, splitting in 1997.

However, it was one that influenced many bands of the 1990s and 2000s.

They reformed this year to mark 20 years since their first steps and will be making their way to Australian shores early next year. The Reverence Hotel – February 24.

They’ll be joined by Texas is the Reason frontman Garrett Klahn and Brisbane’s Arrows.

Earthcore Countdown Sure, we’ve been nagging you about this one, but the day will come when we won’t – and you know what, you’ll miss our gentle nudging. Earthcore is almost here, my friends. The pioneering outdoor music, arts, culture and lifestyle experience celebrates 21 years in 2014, and everyone is invited. Somehow there are still some tickets floating around, so do what is right and good. For everything you need to know, earthcore.com.au is your friend. (photo by James Gillot)

Echoes of Soundgarden Soundgarden recently announced that they will be releasing a nice little bundle of tracks this month. Well, more like three albums’ worth of tracks. Titled Echoes of Miles: Scattered Tracks, the threedisc set includes b-sides, cover songs, Peel sessions, remixes and unreleased material. A highlight is the track ‘Storm’, which dates back almost 30 years. Buy a copy for every family member this Christmas.

Waiting for mewithoutYou Ah, these crazy bands and their penchant for odd name stylisation.

You gotta love ‘em.

Pennsylvanian rockers mewithoutYou figured it was time they checked in on their Aussie fans. They haven’t been out this way since 2008’s Soundwave, but as the cool kids say, absinthe makes the heart Jane Fonda. The band’s latest release is 2010’s Ten Stories. It’s time to cosy up with an old friend.

170 Russell – January 25.

Gilmour Gives More Dave Gilmour recently chewed the fat with Rolling Stone where he clued them in about his forthcoming new solo

LABOR INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

album. With the followup to 2006’s On an Island underway, he said: “There are some sketches that aren’t finished, and some of them will be started again. There’s a few months’ work in it yet. I’m hoping to get it out this following year.”

Add this to the new Pink Floyd album and Floydians must be pretty happy at the moment.

Pee-wee Herman Returns During his appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Paul Reubens announced that a new Pee-wee Herman film is officially in the works. It has been 26 years since his last adventure in 1988’s Big Top Pee-wee. Filming will commence next February, with Judd Apatow in the producer’s chair. During his appearance, Reubens also redubbed the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer – you know, in case you have a minute to kill.

One Smart Pitbull Pitbull is teaming with the Weinstein Company on two television shows.

One is titled Pitbull: The Lyfe, a “fly-on-thewall” look at the life of sunglasses and shiny suits.

The other sounds a little more interesting. The REAL Change Project will pair him with key

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people in various fields to discuss the role mentors have played in their life.

Attached to the project so far are Paul McCartney, Kobe Bryant, Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama.

3 for Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Your third slice of the Kitty, Daisy & Lewis pie is due to be served up early next year, with the British-born Durham siblings announcing their new album. Produced by none other than Mick Jones of The Clash, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis The Third was recorded in a rundown Indian restaurant in Camden Town. The album gets its Australian release on January 30. ‘Baby Bye Bye’ is your first taste.

Sharpen Your Shonen Knife One of the coolest bands to come out of Japan’s pop-punk scene would have to be Shonen Knife.

Formed in 1981 and heavily influenced by girl groups of the 1960s, as well as The Beach Boys and early punk rockers such as the Ramones, the band performed their first gig in 1982 to a crowd of a little under 40 people.

2014 saw the release of album number 19, Overdrive. Ding Dong Lounge – January 25.

When Gervais Met Bana Ricky Gervais will write and direct a remake of the French comedy Special Correspondents – and he has Eric Bana involved. The movie will revolve around a once-hot radio journalist (Bana) and his technician (Gervais) who are tasked with reporting a rebel uprising in Ecuador. Rather than bunker down in the heart, the pair “report” from a hideout above a New York City restaurant. Shooting begins next year.

Charlie Hunnam Shapes Up With Sons of Anarchy wrapped up, Charlie Hunnam is set to flex his movie muscles in the true-life Thai kickboxing prison thriller, A Prayer Before Dawn. The film tells the story of Billy Moore’s incarceration in notorious Thai prison Klong Prem (aka the Bangkok Hilton), where he begins to train in Muay Thai.

Jean-Stephane Sauvaire ( Johnny Mad Dog) will direct what is being described as crossover genre fare in the vein of The Raid and Drive.

Is it Getting Hot in Here?

So, is it getting hot in here? Well then, shall we take off all our clothes?

Seriously, why are you at the bar if you ain’t poppin’ the bottles, dammit?! Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. – that would be Nelly if you don’t mind – is heading our way next year for some noughties nostalgia. In fairness, Nelly is still going strong, releasing his seventh studio album, M.O., last year. He’ll be joined by Lupe Fiasco and B.o.B. Myer Music Bowl – January 16.

Authorised by N Carroll, 438 Docklands Drive, Docklands.

Restoring funding to the Gordon TAFE, ensuring quality training Establishing a new Tech School in Geelong, giving students the chance to learn a trade.

Funding $680 million to upgrade our schools and kinders, including catholic and independents Providing tax relief to businesses employing young unemployed people.

Ensuring 10 per cent of the workforce employed on major government projects are apprentices.

UNDER THE LIBERALS GEELONG HAS 20% YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND GROWING.

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The Perfect Combination They take a little of this, they take a little of that, they shake it all about and sweet music comes out. French quintet Paris Combo has the winning formula with their fusion of contemporary French chanson, gypsy jazz and pop music. The downside of being such a popular music force is that sometimes your absence from shores is too long – over ten years here. Fortunately, that is changing. Melbourne Recital Centre – June 11.

The King Has Spoken It’s not long now until King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard set forth to dismantle venues with their down and dirty mating call. Good for you, then, that their new album I’m in Your Mind Fuzz is out now – their fifth album in a lazy two-anda-half years. The band recently received some lovin’ from New York’s CMJ Music Conference, but they’re Aussie lads at heart. Howler – December 6. They’ll be joined by The Babe Rainbow.

Melbourne Zoo Twilights The Melbourne Zoo Twilights series returns in 2015 with another bumper season. James Reyne (playing Australian Crawl) kicks things off on Friday, January 30, while Bernard Fanning takes the stage the following night on January 31. Other performers include Sarah Blasko (February 6, pictured), Dan Sultan (February 13) and Steve Malkmus and the Jicks (February 27). Hit zoo.org. au/melbourne/twilights for more information.

Thanks for All the Fish, Colbert December 18 marks the official end of The Colbert Report. As you may well be aware, Stephen Colbert is taking over from David Letterman next year. The back-to-back romance of Jon Stewart’s Daily Show and The Colbert Report may be coming to its end, but may a new one begin with Larry Wilmore’s The Minority Report, which will follow The Daily Show from January. Wilmore is The Daily Show’s “senior black correspondent”.

Leatherface Finds Direction The next instalment in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre legacy has found its directors.

Bloody-Disgusting reports that Julian Maury and Alexandre Bustillo will attempt to breathe new life into the franchise.

According to reports, the new flick, titled Leatherface, will focus on the character during his teenage years. Locked up in a mental institution, he escapes with a pack of fellow inmates – and a madcap adventure ensues.

Please Help The Decemberists ‘Make Me Better’ is your first taste of The Decemberists’ new album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. On October 24, frontman Colin Meloy shot out a tweet informing his fans of a special performance in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Williamsburg. You can enjoy some of Meloy’s busking performance by searching YouTube. The album is the band’s seventh and the follow-up to 2011’s The King is Dead.

Highways available now, you should have plenty of time to learn all their new stuff before they wipe their feet on Australia’s doorstep. Etihad Stadium, Melbourne – February 28.

Reznor and the Golden Apple Trent Reznor has teamed up with Apple for a secret project that could … wait for it … change the world of music streaming.

Reznor was Chief Creative Officer of Beats Music when Apple came in and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Reznor: “It’s exciting to me, and I think it could have a big

enough impact that it’s worth the effort.” A good impact or a bad impact: that is the question. Well, it isn’t really. But is it?

It Just Feels Wainwright To go along with his date with WOMAD, Rufus Wainwright has lined up a few additional dates. The son of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Rufus cut his teeth on the Montreal club circuit. As well as releasing seven studio albums, Wainwright has contributed to film soundtracks including Brokeback Mountain

and I am Sam and even written a classical opera.

The Palais – March 4.

Enter Metallica Anything the Foo Fighters can do, Metallica can do not quite as well.

You may have heard the news that Metallica has sweet-talked Craig Ferguson into letting them perform a weeklong residency on his popular late night talk show. Their first gig is on Monday, November 17, and helps celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Some Kind of Monster.

Ferguson bows out from late night in December.

Foo Fighting Across the Universe They’re baaa-ack. The champions of rock and roll. The legends of the live stage. The king among men. Ladies and gentlemen, the Foo Fighters are heading back our way – but you knew that, didn’t you? With their new album Sonic

The Cairos in a Row Shows across the UK, Asia and a CMJ showcase: you could say things are going pretty well for Brisbane quartet The Cairos. Back home, well, things are just as busy, with the band lining up a healthy handful of festival and club dates. The tour shines the light on new single ‘Row of Homes’. Frontman Alistar Richardson: “The song describes the breaking down of oneself to the point of no return.” NSC – December 20.

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1200 micrograms . ace ventura . ann clue . astrix . asura . audiotec . behind blue eyes bliss . boris brejcha . chicago . da vinci code . day din . dnox & beckers exosomatika . fishimself . format: b . gaudi . gms . grouch . gus till . hallucinogen hux flux . john oo fleming . klopfgeister . liquid soul . lucas . nick sentience raja ram . ritmo . shpongle . ticon . tripswitch . vibe tribe . victor ruiz zen mechanics . zentura

acm . aaron smiles . adrian bell . aminos kh . arcane trickster . azrin . backroom reality . ben evans . ben mac biting eye . binarual . black knight satellite . blind_injustice . bornvibe . brad daniels . brian fantana . budha lilino . butters . cam milesi cheap thrills . chris roberts . circuit bent . citizen.com . clipping . code luke . d-reketional . daisycutter . dban . dean benson deviant . digital sun . doakes . dom dolla . dominic hogan . dr fil . dtmx . dysphemic & miss eliza . eddie stephens ethan taylor . ex quest . fatphilter . ferris . flip3k . galambo . glacial . grommet . handsdown . herc kass . hutch & katz jacob nolan . jake mcdonald . jiay mills . john doe . johnny canik . jpa . jules plees . katie drover . kids table . krusty leigh gray . less is moar . luke montgomery . lucca tan . macca mac . maddie robin . marco polo . matt dwellers matt kovic . mattiecee . metwally . mickey nox . mike buhl . mish'chief . miss behaviour . miss flare . miss renee divatronic missfit . mitch bain . mitch luby . monkee . mr bill . muska . nathan bulner . neocortex . nick kennedy . nick litsis . nickelodeon numatica . oskar long . pakman . paradime . pete laskis . peter fotop . pspiralife . raptor . red can . redline . reece hart rimmy . rob lewis . robert anthony . robodop snei . robyn gold . ryan haynes . ryanosaurus . safari . sammy la marca scott alien . short straw . simon murphy . simon slieker . sly faux . solarflex . soundwave . steve ward . sunsaria sunshine . suntribe . taco . tarun . tom hornsby . tomb boss . trent mc dermott . triforce . vedran . volta . zac depetro . zac waters

THU 27 NOV - MON 1 DEC - PYALONG - VICTORIA - AUSTRALIA

music - lifestyle - culture - arts - experience tickets on sale now - www.earthcore.com.au 16 forte

set on 1500 acres of pristine land an hours drive from melbourne featuring 5 epic stages across 5 days - boutique camping licenced bars - monster market precinct - worlds beyond speakers forum - fractured reality art zone - yellow sunshine chill out muffplex cinema - elemental planet lifestyle city - district 13 theme camp zone - diy social calendar - kinky karnival freak show mind bending art installations - 1000's of your closest mates and you !

acts you won’t want to miss at earthcore 2014...

1200 micrograms 1200 micrograms are a leading global psychedelic trance act that delivers. the combination of gms, raja ram and his buddy chicago make for action packed music. forget beats per minute with 1200 mics: it’s all about the thrills per minute (145tpm). it is said that raja ram dreamed up the potential for this project while hallucinating in his hammock in brazil. this set will be a monster!

astrix avi shmailov, aka astrix, is at the front line of the production industry, as an appreciated and leading dj and producer,whose life is divided between constant studio work and non-stop touring around the globe. back for two hours of power on the monster mainfloor, astrix is an earthcore favourite who never disappoints !

hallucinogen simon posford is hallucinogen. the twisted lone deranger that warped a generation. to be honest he needs no introduction, he’s been ravaging dancefloors and opening minds for years. he has two studio albums under this name but countless other equally brilliant releases on twisted records. his third hallucinogen album has begun, watch this space... catch simon perform a special hallucinigen set at sunrise sunday morning on the mainfloor !

shpongle shpongle is a psychedelic down-tempo & psybient music project. simon posford (aka hallucinogen) takes care of the production, instrumentation and programming, while raja ram (one third of the infinity project is the flautist and cunning linguist. catch simon posford and raja ram for a special shpongle set at sunset on the mainfloor saturday!

john 00 fleming john 00 fleming is a musical pioneer with over 10 million album sales and 30 produced mix compilations. john's musical essence lies in ‘the j00f sound’: deep and textured progressively edged trance, in an electronic dance music style. challenge yourself, and be immersed inside his adventurous odyssey. catching the j00f show in the bush is a rare treat so make sure you’re there for the full spectacle!

victor ruiz from the deepness of the electronic music scene, finally emerges another true artist. a history maker, his songs overflows emotions with swing, rearranging his own music roots in readings as contemporary as futuristic. victor ruiz is son of mother house & father techno, and an efficient electronic maestro which, from heart to mind, nails all crowds to the dance floor. ruiz has an unique way to make music & will anhillate the monster mainfloor on friday !

d-nox & beckers d-nox & beckers share a vision of musical inspiration and they have become entrenched in the global electronic community. christian 'd-nox' wedekind and frank beckers have a fusion of studio expertise and an impeccable dancefloor touch which is the unfailing source of their massive grooves successfully infecting the world. prepare to be thrilled and spellbound by d-nox & beckers 10 years world tour set at earthcore on the friday night !

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kinky karnival

hydra

future perfect

yellow sunshine

friday 28 november 12:00 pm biting eye (hong kong) 1.30 pm herc kass 3:00 pm simon slieker 4.30 pm robert anthony 6.00 pm dean benson 7.30 pm mish'chief 9.00 pm anne clue 10.30 pm dnox & beckers 12.00 am victor ruiz 1.30 am boris brejcha

thursday 27 november 4.00 pm safari 6.00 pm grouch 7.30 pm bornvibe (brisbane) 9.00 pm dr fil (brisbane) 10.30 pm mattiecee (perth) 12. 00 am blind_injustice (adelaide) 1.30 am red can (perth)

friday 28 november 12:00 pm ryanosarus (nsw) 1.30 pm daisy cutter 3:00 pm simon murphy 4.30 pm azrin 6.00 pm behind blue eyes 7.30 pm da vinci code/vibe tribe 9.00 pm grommit (tasmania) 10:00 pm pakman 11:00 pm redline 12:00 am suntribe 1:00 am ozzy 2:00 am gms 3:30 am zentura

friday 28 november 3:00 pm rimmy 4:00 pm clipping 5:00 pm robyn gold 6:00 pm budha liloni & code luke 7:00 pm steve ward 8:00 pm cheap thrills 9:00 pm ben mac 10:00 pm jiay mills 11:00 pm less is moar vs mez money 12:00 am johnny canik 1:00 am zac depetro 2:00 am nickelodeon

friday 28 november 4:00 pm opening ceremony (3 hours) 7:00 pm sunsaria 8:30 pm tripswitch 10:30 pm exosomatica 12:30 pm d-reketional

saturday 29 november 12:00 pm galambo 1.30 pm circuit bent 3.00 pm mr bill 4.30 pm dysphemic & miss eliza 6.00 pm shpongle 7.30 pm deviant vs citizen vs flip 9.00 pm monkee 10.30 pm jpa 12.00 am scott alien 1.30 am nick sentience 3.00 am john oo fleming 4.30 am 1200 mics 6.00 am hallucinogen 7.30 am astrix 9.30 am ace ventura 11.00 am day din sunday 30 november 12.30 pm klopfgeister 2.00 pm aminos kh 3.00 pm triforce (nsw) 4.00 pm pspiralife (tasmania)

map & set times 2014

friday 28 november 12:00 pm leigh gray 1:00 pm dban & peter fotop 2:00 pm zac waters 3:00 pm cam milesi & tomb boss 4:00 pm hutch & katz 5:00 pm paradime 6:00 pm macca mac & mitch bain 7:00 pm doakes 8:00 pm marco polo 9:00 pm reece hart 10:00 pm vedran & nick litsis 11:00 pm dom dolla 12:00 am taco 1:00 am oskar long & short straw 2:00 am rob lewis saturday 29 november 12:00 pm metwally 1:30 pm ryan haynes 3:00 pm maddie robin 5:00 pm butters vs eddie stephens 9:00 pm matt kovic 11:00 pm mike buhl 1:00 am dean benson 3:00 am brian fantana 5:00 am sunshine 8:00 am kids table 9:00 am nick kennedy & luke montgomery 10:30 am sammy la marca sunday 30 november 12:00 pm missfit 1.30 pm muska 3:00 pm ex quest 4.30 pm brad daniels 6:00 pm volta 7.30 pm dnox 9.30 pm format: b 11.00 pm lucca tan 12.00 am lucas techno set 1.30 am audiotec 3.00 am jules plees 4.00 am trent mc dermott 5:00 am handsdown 6.00 am miss behaviour

saturday 29 november 12:00 pm miss flare (nsw) 1.30 pm aaron smiles 3.00 pm native soundwave 4.30 pm neocortex 6.00 pm fatphilter 7.30 pm solarflex vs dtmx 9.00 pm binaural 10.30 pm zen mechanics 12.00 am hux flux 1.30 am lucas 3.00 am chicago 4.30 am glacial 6.00 am tarun 7.30 am ben evans 9.00 am raptor (sydney) 10.30 am ritmo sunday 30 november 12.00 pm liquid soul 1.30 pm ticon 3.00 pm bliss 4.30 pm raja ram + simon posford

saturday 29 november 6.00 pm tom hornsby 7.30 pm jacob nolan 9.00 pm ethan taylor 10.30 pm matt dwellers 12.00 am jake mcdonald 1.30 am chris roberts

saturday 29 november 4:00 pm krusty 6:00 pm arcane trickster 8:00 pm dominic higan 10:00 pm gus till 12:00 am gaudi 2:00 am robodop snei sunday 30 november 12:00 pm black night satellite 2:00 pm numatica 4:00 pm fishimself 6:00 pm asura

sunday 30 november 3:00 am katie drover 4:00 am mickey nox 6:00 am acm vs adrian bell 7:00 am backroom reality 8:00 am sly faux 9:00 am mitch luby 10:00 am nathan bulner 11:00 am handsdown 12:00 pm pete laskis 1:00 pm john doe

THU 27 NOV - MON 1 DEC - PYALONG -

VICTORIA - AUSTRALIA

music - lifestyle - culture - arts - ex last chance tickets & more info - ea

perience

rthcore.com.au

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district 13 theme camps

muffplex cinema

fire - physical exchange air - massage & healing

earth - wisdom exchange

friday 28 november 12.00 pm all theme camps open 8.00 pm the dream tent close 2.00 am all theme camps close

thursday 27 november - the horror, the horror !

8.30 pm the human centipede 2 10.30 pm carnival of souls 12.00 am night of the living dead 1.30 am m 3.00 am nosferatunosferatu 4.00 am the devil bat 5.00 am bloodlustbloodlust

thursday 27 november 4.00 pm flame water circus 6.00 pm nectar of life yoga 7.30 pm close

thursday 27 november 3.00 pm earth healing 4.30 pm zero carbon housing retrofits 6.00 pm traditional chinese medicine 7.30 pm earthships 9.00 pm healing of self through our 5 senses & beyond 10.30 pm close

saturday 29 november 12.00 pm all theme camps open 8.00 pm the dream tent close sunday 30 november 12.00 pm the dream tent open 3.00 pm welcome to the jungle & the brink close 8.00 pm the dream tent close

swordcraft saturday 29 november 10.00 am recruitment, skirmish battles & vip missions. register at the medieval camp any time between 10 am-5 pm 3.00 pm lunch break 4.00 pm champions tournament (melee) 4.30 pm archer combat tournament (circle of death) 5.00 pm skirmish tournament (5 vs 5) 5.30pm main battle 6.30 pm dinner break 9.30 pm summoning ceremony

survival guide

friday 28 november - look up in the sky! sci fi & dystopian madness !

8.30 pm metropolismetropolis 10.00 pm the last man on earth 11.30 pm if 1.00 am 2001: a space odyssey 3.30 am silent running 5.00 am the most dangerous game 6.00 am chariots of the gods saturday 29 november - the classics descend the revelation of be-ing 8.30 pm the 39 steps 10.00 pm pusherpusher 11.30 pm apocalypse now 2.00 am barry lyndon 5.00 am the stranger

friday 28 november 9.00 am energy flow yoga 10.30 am wild women 11.45 am pilates and meditation 1.00 pm fire twirling 3.00 pm ethereal hooping 4.00 pm opening ceremony 7.00 pm close

friday 29 - sunday 30 november 10.00 am morning massage and healing 12.00 pm lunch break 1.00 pm meditation session 2.00 pm afternoon massage and healing 4.00 pm dinner break 7.30 pm night massage 8.30 pm close

spirit - mandala temple

saturday 29 november 9.00 am hatha yoga 10.00am tai chi 11.00 am flow dance 12.30 pm belly burlesque fusion 2.15 pm hatha groove 4.00 pm close

saturday 29 november 12.00 am cacao ceremony 2.00 am close

sunday 30 november 9.00 am surya soma yoga 10.30 am hoop dance meditation 11.45 am aikido workshop 12.45 pm sorenda to spin 2.15 pm wild one 4.00 pm close

water - chillout space

sunday 30 november - australian cult mayhem! gems from the underground 9.00 pm chocolate strawberry vanilla 10.30 pm murder dome murderdrome 12.00 am start options exit 1.30 am jugularjugular 3.00 am dogs in space 4.30 am the beautiful and damned

sunday 30 november 12.00 am ceremony of the moon 2.00 am close

saturday 29 november 2.30 am dreaming deep hosted by katunaya 7.00 am close

activity timetable 2014

the earthcore survival guide. nobody likes rules and we certainly promote freedom to just be yourself however the following guidelines are essential if you intend on having a hassle free great time at earthcore. please read carefully and apply common sense at all times :-)

fiday 28 november 9.00 am everyday massage 10.30 am how to build a rain garden 11.40 am twin flame 1.00 pm the black gst 2.30 pm heal yourself and others 6.30 pm worlds beyond forum 10.30pm close saturday 29 november 9.00 am making light 10.30 am wasted to awakened 12.00 pm fairy garland workshop 2.00 pm your self in the system 3.30 pm shadow worker 4.45 pm immortality and abundance 6.30 pm worlds beyond forum 10.30 pm close sunday 30 november 10.00 am strategic questioning for sustainable actions 11.30 am know your truth 1.00 pm eartheart sanctuary a welcome homeland!

2.30 pm mindfuness meditation 4.00 pm better sex better loving 5.30 pm visioning, embodying, expressing and manifesting. allowing emergence 7.00 pm sacred sound journey 9.00 pm close

worlds beyond forum

- you will not be permitted to enter the site until 12 pm thursday 27 november 2014, and must vacate by monday 1 december 2014 friday 28 november - make use of local facilities. the local community supports our event so please support them wherever possible.

6.30 pm paranormal investigations in - look after yourself and your mates at all times. australia and beyond.

- familiarise yourself with the festival area, take note of the location of first aid, water, toilets etc or don't and just grab a map from the info tent.

7.30 pm close encounters of the 5th kind - remember to drink water. dehydration can occur even on overcast days.

8.30 pm history of horror in fiction & film.

- no illegal substances 9.30 pm reincarnation - no generators or sound systems unless approved 10.30pm close - no pets. assistance dogs are the exception - no fires, fireworks, quad bikes or mini bikes. saturday 29 november - no passouts for outside venue site. this is a condition our permit. why leave anyway ?

6.30 pm native american spirituality - fully licenced bars will be operating throughout the festival site.

7.30 pm paranormal mediums - you must wear your wrist band at all times.

8.30 pm wolf creek & the australian - no littering. littering makes us sick and the environment sick also. serial killer 9.30 pm the search for australia's - your ticket! big foot.

- sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, smiles and perhaps a peace offering (or sacrifice) for the temple of zeus ?

10.30pm close - any personal medication if required.

- photo id even if you look 50!

- no2 bulbs are banned from earthcore because they make a mess, aren't good for the environment and seriously ugly littered all over the ground. if you are caught you will be asked to leave the festival.

- spending money (food, market stalls etc) - don't drink and drive as this isn't just stupid it's also dangerous!

- if you are coming with friends or in a group have a designated driver to get you safely to and from the festival or better still don't drive at all.

- take care under trees, branches can drop at anytime and please don't climb them.

- smoking kills and is not good for unborn babies however if you do decide to, dispose of your butts in bins. or better still, visit our info tent to collect the cigarette butt holders.

- people found littering (including butting) will be asked to leave the event without exception or mercy.

- no bean bags, those little foam beads don't mix well with the natural environment when it breaks, besides bean bags are so 80's‌:-) - there will be enough party animals on site so please don't bring any of the furry variety - no glass. yes we have repeated ourselves just in case you forgot.

- no flame policy, no gas cookers, no gas lights, no candles, no fireworks.

- no stage diving, crowd surfing, moshing unless you have a permit to do so.

- this is a leave no trace event. you are responsible for everything you bring onsite, including the waste you generate. clean and sorted aluminium cans, plastic bottles and cardboard can be deposited at one of the recycling stations onsite.

- medical services will be stationed on site for the duration of the event, so you can feel safe knowing any first aid needs will be dealt with in the most professional manner. prevention is better than a cure so look after yourself and your mates at all times.

- this is an outdoor festival in a natural environment. there are certain risks associated with these activities and by attending you agree to accept full responsibility for yourself and your actions. management reserve the right to refuse entry at all times.

- fully stocked licensed bars will be located in the market hub. a wide selection of tap beers and premix drinks will cater for all tastes. we practice responsible serving of alcohol at all times. drinking lots doesn't make you cool and in fact can make you look stupid and not improve your chances with the same or opposite sex. if you drink don't drive.

- there will be free drinking water available. bring a reusable drinking bottle.

- toilets are located in the festival area. if you see any problem or lack of cleaning please report it to the information tent. messing up the toilet by miss firing or not flushing will bring you bad karma at a later date. wheelchair accessible toilets will also be present onsite.

- eftpos machines will be available on site at the information tent more info @ www.earthcore.com.au

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20 forte

THE THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER AUSTRALASIAN WORLDWIDE MUSIC EXPO (MELBOURNE) BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Porcelain Pill EP Launch, Gullivan BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7pm BEAVS BAR: We 2 Thieves, Levi Anderson BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc) - Live and Local, $13 Pizza night EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night EUREKA: Thirsty Thursday with local resident DJ’S GPAC: Broadway Here I Come 7.30pm KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Not Fest 2 ft David Grimson, Brodie Glen, Taylor McKnight, Tim Hampshire and more.

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

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER AUSTRALASIAN WORLDWIDE MUSIC EXPO (MELBOURNE) ARTS CENTRE (Melbourne): Face the Music Industry Conference BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Sahara Beck, Owen Rabbit BARWON CLUB: The Slow Chase BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Luke Biscan BELMONT HOTEL: Cal Young BENDED: Live music BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: Detonators THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): The Wilson Pickers,

fortnig h tl y calen d ar Harry Hookey CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ CHERRY BAR: Choirboys cover AC/DC THE EASTERN: Live Music EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday GPAC: Broadway Here I Come 7.30pm GRACE DARLING BANDROOM (Melbourne): Ezekiel Ox GOMERS PAD: Spank RnB, Hiphop & Trap THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Trojan HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Feast of Crows, Tartarus, Dead Embassy LAMBYS: Live Music LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (Warrnambool): Jimmy Barnes 30:30 Tour 8pm THE LOFT (Warrnambool): The Bearded Gypsy Band THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm LORNE FILM OPENING NIGHT MAIN BAR (Ballarat): Live Music THE MAX: Live bands ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Kavisha Mazzella Swiss Italian Festa PISTOL PETES: Tex Miller EP Launch UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Live music

SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER AUSTRALASIAN WORLDWIDE MUSIC EXPO (MELBOURNE) ARTS CENTRE (Melbourne): Face the Music Industry Conference BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Sean Kirkwood, Nicholas Pauls BARWON CLUB: River Rocks Festival BEAVS BAR: Jack Harman BELMONT HOTEL: Jesse Reid BENDED: Live Music BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live Music and Happy Hour 5-7pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL

(CASTLEMAINE): Ezekiel Ox, Jack Daddy CHERRY BAR: Choirboys cover AC/DC THE EASTERN: Live Music EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: Live DJS GATEWAY HOTEL: Shannon Noll GEELONG RSL: Shazaam Show Night GPAC: Broadway Here I Come 2pm, 7.30pm GOMERS PAD: Live DJs THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: James Carrigg HOMEHOUSE: Kalus, Less is Moar, Deejay Ak KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Tsugnarly LAMBYS: Live Music LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (Warrnambool): Roy Orbison & Del Shannon 8pm THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Dallas Frasca LORNE FILM FESTIVAL THE MAX: Live music MARTIANS CAFE: Maddison Wilson ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Gabe Atkinson PIPING HOT CHICKEN SHOP: Geoff Achison PISTOL PETES: Alister Turrill PRINCE OF WALES SHOWGROUND (Bendigo): Bendigo National Swap Meet TOM FLOOD SPORTS CENTRE (Bendigo): Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Live music 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

SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER AUSTRALASIAN WORLDWIDE MUSIC EXPO (MELBOURNE) BEAVS BAR: Forrest Falls BELLARINE ESTATE: Jon Willard BIRD ROCK CAFÉ (Jan Juc): Kids Eat Free 3:306:30, Steak and Parma Night, Happy Hour 5-6pm

THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): C.R. Avery, Andy White CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm COWRIE MARKET (Torquay): Melody Moon EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch GPAC: Brian Nolan: A Celebration of Dance 5.30pm LAMBYS: Live Music LORNE FILM FESTIVAL ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Lucie Thorne PRINCE OF WALES SHOWGROUND (Bendigo): Bendigo National Swap Meet SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Liz Stringer THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17

MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER 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 18 NOVEMBER BENDED: Parmi night BLACK HATT: Bachata Dance Classes ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 PISTOL PETES: Open Mic Night

WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 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 PISTOL PETES: Food and Blues

THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): David Grimson BARWON CLUB: The Preatures, Holy Holy, Redspencer BEAVS BAR: Ezekiel Ox, Andy Forster BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live and Local, $13 Pizza night THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): Busby Marou, Fiona Bevan, Zeek Power EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Is That a Cover?

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

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Simon Marks BARWON CLUB: Yacht Club DJs, Hunting Grounds BEAVS BAR: Jack Harman BELMONT HOTEL: Peter Chapman BENDED: Live Music BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Happy Hour 5-7pm BLACK HATT: Jibberish THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): HALT Comedy Benefit ft Dave O’Neil, Mick Neven,

Geraldine Hickey and more.

CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ CHERRY BAR: Man Up Festival ft Redcoats, Don Fernando, Sure-Fire Midnights and more.

EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: Live DJs THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Good Faces 4 Radio HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs, Steve Camp, Simon One, Keith Evans & DJC KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Josh Pyke, Jackson McLaren LAMBYS: Live Music THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Palace of the King THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm THE MAX: Live music ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PHILLIP ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL PISTOL PETES: Wayne Jury and Alison Penney THEATRE ROYAL (Castlemaine): Spring Revue ft Ruby Bergman, Howl, Dysmorph, The Astros, My Way Killings, Laserfont UNWINED CELLAR BAR: Melody Moon

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER BARWON CLUB: Josh Pyke, Jackson McClaren BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: James Carrigg BENDED: Live Music BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live Music, Happy Hour 5-7pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTELMAINE): Wasp Summer, Sean Whelan FORESTERS BEER & MUSIC HALL (Collingwood): Buddha In a Chocolate Box THE CORNER HOTEL: Yacht Club DJs EDGE: Live Music and DJ THE FORUM: The Preatures, Holy Holy, Redspencer GOMERS PAD: Live DJ THE GROVEDALE

HOTEL: Dear Ivy HIDEOUT: Bag Raiders HOME HOUSE: Miss K vs Cashmere, Horizon KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Vote For Prom LAMBYS: Live Music THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Busby Marou, Fiona Bevan MARTIANS CAFE: Simon Marks THE MAX: Live music ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Top Jimmy PHILLIP ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL PISTOL PETES: Luke Watt UNWINED: Live music 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: Party 2014 ft Sweethearts, Imogen Brough, Grand Soul Audio, Square One, Sweethearts Academy YAH YAHS: Man Up Festival ft The Mercy Kills, My Dynamite, Chris Russell, Shannon Bourne and Empire of Poets

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 170 RUSSELL: Trivium BEAVS BAR: Busby Marou BELLARINE ESTATE: Don Fisher 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 CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm THE CORNER HOTEL: Yacht Club DJs EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch LAMBYS: Live Music THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Josh Pyke

LORD NELSON: Sunday Funday ft. Metwall, Joe, Vinny G & more ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Benny Walker PHILLIP ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17

MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER 170 RUSSELL: Trivium 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 25 NOVEMBER BENDED: Parmi night BLACK HATT: Bachata Dance Classes ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 PISTOL PETES: Open Mic Night

WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 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 KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Is That a Cover?

PISTOL PETES: Food and Blues

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The Jezabels FEATURE STORY Written by Natalie Rogers

We caught up with the always friendly Sam Lockwood, guitarist for The Jezabels, at sunny Maroubra Beach on a picture perfect spring day and what he had to say was music to our ears. “We’re starting work on our third album while we have a little time off over summer,” he revealed happily.

“It feels like ever since we released Prisoner [debut album, 2011] we’ve been going pretty hard. We all needed a bit of a rest from being on the road. These days it seems like you need to release new stuff all the time or people will forget about you – the world has a very short memory sometimes,” Sam grinned self-deprecatingly.

I find that hard to believe. In the past they’ve been deserving winners of Rolling Stone Awards ‘Record of the Year’, the Australian Music Prize and the ARIA Award ‘Best Independent Release’ (all for Prisoner) and more recently Rolling Stone Awards ‘Single Of The Year’ for ‘The End’ (first single from their sophomore album The Brink).

With two stellar releases under their collective belts, the wickedly talented four-piece set out to conquer the universe, commanding attention from music lovers across the globe. With their latest single ‘Time to Dance’ inspiring audiences to bust a move at some of the biggest festivals in the world, with Glastonbury, London Calling and

New York’s Bowery Ballroom just to name a few.

Now back on home turf with the sand between his toes, Sam spoke candidly about the highs and lows of their recent US tour: “Our American tour got postponed because of visa issues. We left our visa application quite late, so with the timing we had to cancel the tour and re-schedule it.” He gives a little chuckle, able to laugh about it now while assuring me that at the time it was another story.

“Because of all the rescheduling, the US tour was brutal! We drove 10,000 km in 21 days! At the time we thought ‘never again!’. That’s why we all agreed to have this summer off from touring.

“It was really fun though … the shows were the relaxing part of the tour! We learnt a lot from that experience – we’ve got a really good fan base there now. We can play most places in the UK, Europe and America and get a little crowd there. It’s really special. We’ve never had much radio support over there – we just built it up ourselves. That’s been really rewarding and once we get some more

recording done, we’ll have a reason to go back.”

From here, talk naturally turns to the band’s plan for album number three, with Sam admitting they’ve learnt from past mistakes. “Prisoner, our first album, was such a mission to play live – we struggled so much.” “Why?” I asked.

“Because we simply couldn’t play them how they were recorded,” Sam replied blatantly.

“For some of the songs on Prisoner I recorded four different guitars,” he explained. “But we were all guilty – we all added too much stuff. We had backing vocals that we couldn’t do live. It was so challenging for us and was quite stressful actually because we felt like we couldn’t capture what the songs were about. Playing it live, we were like, ‘Ughh! That’s not right’. So that’s the biggest thing we wanted to change when we made The Brink – to make the transition easier from studio to stage.”

So that’s what we did. But honestly I think we went a bit too far with the simplicity – we didn’t allow enough room for exploration.

Third time’s a charm, I hope!” Sam joked.

“I actually can’t wait to get back into writing and recording. We’re less anxious as performers now and less anxious generally – we’re old in this business you know!” he smiled, adding: “Not really, but not a lot of bands stay together for three albums

these days. So we plan to be in the studio during December, January and February, hopefully release an album early next year and go from there.”

Despite his obvious excitement to start working on new material, Sam insists that they’re serious about having some R ‘n’ R over the summer, citing it as the reason you won’t see them much this festival season: “We’re pretty worn out, this is meant to be our time off, but when we were asked to play at QMF we couldn’t say no.”

For almost two decades the crew behind the Queenscliff Music Festival have set the benchmark for all the summer music festivals that follow.

Kicking off the last weekend of spring, The Jezabels will be joined by other Forte favourites including Residual, Husky, Stonefield, Tkay Maidza, Dan Sultan, Xavier Rudd, Yirrmal and the Yolngu Boys and so many more.

“It’s a pretty amazing line-up! There are so many cool bands playing this year, it’s incredible.

Plus we can go swimming there - it’s right on the beach!” A muso beach bum – what are the odds?

When&Where: Queencliff Music Festival - November 28-30

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Gaudium Q&A

While summer’s great for giving that much needed dose of vitamin D, perving on barely clad youth and saying goodbye to that ugly knit your nan gave you, it’s also the time to attend Rainbow Serpent Festival.

We had a chat to Andreas, of progressive psychedelic trance artist Gaudium, ahead of his performance at the festival in January and his long awaited trip back to Australia.

Hi Andreas, thanks for taking the time out to chat to Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

Hello, life is super fun and super busy at the moment. Constant traveling and just finished a new album, also working on a bunch of tracks for Arctic, that’s my project together with Ritmo. On top of that I’m working on a bunch of remixes and colabs with other artists.

So given that Gaudium means satisfaction in latin, what bands/musicians to get you get satisfaction listening to?

A whole lot I would say, I enjoy so many different musical genres so the list is long. Everything in between trance music to jazz and classical music, reggae, rock, heavy metal.

What were the other names you thought of calling the group?

To be honest I actually don’t remember, I think

Gaudium was the one from the start.

Denis (ex-Gaudium member) spent a day in the local library searching in different lexicons for a cool and meaningful name for us, but we both loved the name Gaudium.

You managed to stick around after your record label went down in 2006, did that experience give you a new drive to stay in the industry?

It was really sad when Spiral Trax went under but we knew that it was happening. It was an honor for us that we got the first album released there.

Anti did a kind of reopening of the label to release the album. After the Nordic Nature album I guess it was not an option not to stay in the industry.

Things have certainly worked out well for you since then, given that you signed with Iboga and you’ll be playing Rainbow Serpent Festival in a few months. Are you looking forward to playing the festival?

Switching to Iboga was really awesome, really proud to be apart of this family! I’m really really looking forward to Rainbow Serpent Festival, I have heard so many good things about this festival during the years and it’s

When&Where: Rainbow Serpent Festival, Lexton - January 23-26

been a while since I’ve been to Australia now too.

Is there anyone in particular you’re going to try and see play during the festival?

All my great friends ofcourse!

Have you played to an Australian crowd, do we know how to party?

I sure have! You guys definitely know how to party!

You’ve been in the industry for quite a while now, do you have any tracks to get people up and dancing?

I have some gems up my sleeves ;) And beyond that, your industry is forever evolving and changing, what are your tricks to stay current?

Well it’s really just about staying true with what you like I guess. When I’m in the studio making music I do the stuff that I like. I can sit

days just to play around with synths and sounds to come up with crazy ideas. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

Thanks again for taking the time out to chat to us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up?

Thank you! Yes, watch out for the new Gaudium album named Stories of a Viking out soon at Iboga records.

Fear Factory Written by Natalie Rogers

“Think classic Fear Factory . . .,” smiled the ever-magnetic Burton C. Bell when quizzed about their impending studio album. “This record will have all the elements that Fear Factory fans would expect – focusing heavily on well-crafted songs this time around. In fact, I spent the day doing vocals on some of the tracks.

“We’re working with the incredible Rhys Fulber again [Canadian musician and producer] – he’s such a good guy and an excellent producer. Also, I’d love to be able to tell you the album title but I think we’re going to sit on that a little longer, just to make sure it’s the right one,” he teased.

Fear Factory have become firm favourites around the Forte office, regularly checking in with us whenever they come to town. Last time we caught up with the LA natives they were gearing up to play a very special run of shows, bringing the brilliance of their seminal gold-selling album Demanufacture (coincidentally mixed by Rhys Fulber) back to eager Australian audiences.

“We had so much fun last time – we couldn’t wait to see all you guys again, so we’re coming back for Soundwave. I noticed it’s a pretty cool line up this time; Faith No More, Soundgarden, Lamb of God, Godflesh, Ministry, and I’m loving Monuments, from the UK.

“Unfortunately though, the new record won’t be out till after Soundwave – but definitely expect to hear new songs at the shows,” Bell announced with a grin. Next I ask the question on every fan’s lips: Any side waves planned, Burton? “Not to my knowledge – there are no extra shows scheduled yet, but you never know, there’s still time. We’ll let everyone know as soon as we do.”

These days Fear Factory appear to function like a well-oiled machine – a far cry from the turmoil and in-fighting that led them to implode late last decade.

“Absolutely!” Burton agreed. “Dino [Cazares, lead guitar] and I are getting along very well and we’re working together wonderfully. We all are. That goes for Mike [Heller, drums] and Matt [DeVries, bass] too.

“We’re making things happen and we’re excited for the future. For example, I started Fear Factory almost 25 years ago and we’d never been to China . . . we played our first show at a festival in Shanghai just last month – that’s amazing to me.

“Also at the end of November we’ll be in India. We’re playing two shows at

When&Where: Soundwave, Melbourne – February 21 & 22

the moment, possibly another one. Two places we’ve never been in one year. It’s a great way to start off the next album cycle that’s for sure! It’s incredible – music is the universal language. You can have ten people in one room all speaking different

languages, but once the music starts, chances are everyone can sing along.

“As you probably know I’m a huge fan of Australian music, and I’m actually a big fan of the Bee Gees! They had a lot of good songs, a LOT of good songs,” he repeated, defending his

answer with a chuckle. “Karnivool is a really good band … INXS is a GREAT band. Shabooh Shoobah is one of my favourite records – that album is just timeless. Beasts of Bourbon, they’re awesome. Tex Perkins is a rad guy.”

Broderick Smith Written by Tex Miller

Over the years Broderick Smith has developed into an Australian music icon.

As a member of the Adderley Smith Blues Band, later The Dingoes and in addition to his solo work, Smith has played with just about everyone. It’s been five years since his last release Unknown Country and his 2015 appearance at Motor City Music Festival will be greeted with a new album. Speaking from his home in Castlemaine, Smith is excited about “heading down the road to play”.

“Yeah man! I’ve been playing for so long it will be about my 5,000th gig,” Smith says. “I’m driving from Castlemaine and I always try to do the best that I can in a performance. It’s great to be playing in Geelong once again and I’ll have the new album out and a cracking band, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Influenced by the likes of his dad’s jazz collection and his mother’s passion to sing, music wasn’t very far away in the Smith household. It was an Italian boy by the name of Agazio Ariglio that turned Smith to the harmonica.

“He was playing some double reed harp and Neapolitan tunes and so he showed me a few things.

‘Candy Man’ by Roy Orbison was one of the first tracks that I heard to feature harmonica that I liked.

It wasn’t until I moved to Melbourne that I truly 24 forte

discovered the true delta legends such as Sonny Terry and Muddy Waters.

When you’re young, you dream and so those early musical discoveries had a tremendous influence on me,” he says.

Playing in bands since the age of 14, it wasn’t until Smith joined the Adderley Smith Blues Band in the mid ‘60s that things started getting serious. Influenced around more of the Chicago and city blues kind of tunes, it was meeting the infamous Kerryn Tolhurst at that point that changed the game for Smith.

“I was chatting to Kerryn the other day, who said that during that time we got our dress sense from Paul Butterfield Blues Band rather than The Rolling Stones. To a point it was probably a direct rip off of their stage clothes. We really digged what the Paul Butterfield band were doing at that time,” Smith says.

Throughout the ‘60s in Melbourne, the music scene was quite different to today. In those days you could gig every night of the week, which led to many of the bands becoming incredibly tight.

“There was no segregation in those days, you’d play a gig and you might be on before a big pop group or the

“ I’ve been playing for so long it will be about my 5,000th gig!”

Red Onions Jazz Band. It was the key to being exposed to so many different styles of music. A tremendous learning experience and something that you don’t really get any more these days,” he says.

On the latest release, Smith enlisted the likes of Matt Walker, Shannon Bourne and was lucky enough to get Garth Hudson from The Band to lay down a few keyboard and accordion tracks: “That was a bit of a plus for me musically. Because he is the best in the world at what he does, I had to audition for him before he’d play on the album though. I sent some tracks over to him, and he recorded the parts in a studio five minutes from his house. It was a lovely experience and something I’ll never forget.”

When&Where: Motor City Music Festival, Geelong - March 6,7 & 8

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Things of Stone & Wood “What an experience though!

Once we started playing it, you could see how happy the song made people.” pg.35

The Spark of Kim Churchill

A Lady with an Axe

Over The Moon

The Lone Wolf Returns

2015 will kick-off with a tour for songman Kim Churchill. A new year can bring many things, including those nagging resolutions, but for Churchill it gives a chance to welcome new single ‘Single Spark’ to the live stage. The track is lifted from this year’s Silence/Win album. The AU Review’s Kimberley Salmond: “This album takes you on a personal journey which invokes thought and emotions through the combination of beautiful music compositions, vocals and lyrics. Kim Churchill has delivered another great rock blues album which is fun and easy on the ears and an album that doesn’t disappoint.” The Karova, Ballarat – January 17. Kim is also set to play The Falls and Southbound.

Axe Girl is pop punk at its best. Even better, they’re home-grown talent. Featuring Jebediah bassist Vanessa Thornton and drummer Brett Mitchell along with Perth local Addison Axe, Axe Girl is three times the attitude.

Thanks to a successful Pozible campaign the band was able to put together their self-titled debut album. Hey Lady! is alt rock as its best. Even better, they’re also home-grown Aussie talent. Featuring Jess Moxey and Stef Threadgate, Hey Lady! is two times the attitude. They have actually supported Jebediah, as well as a bunch of other Aussie favourites since their formation in late 2011.

Keep an eye out for EP number two, Jungle Studios.

Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – November 14.

Fresh from a whirlwind of gigs around Australia, singersongwriter Melody Moon will be bringing her folk-indie sounds to regional Victoria as part of her Down to the Sea album launch tour. The rising folkstress is enjoying a new wave of success with her debut album and receiving national radio airplay. She’ll be playing Torquay’s Cowrie Market on November 16, Geelong’s Unwined Cellar Bar on November 21 plus a special show at the Camperdown Courthouse December 13. In keeping with her ‘Down to the Sea’ theme, Melody is raising funds for ocean protection group Women for Whales, and will be joined by a variety of support acts along the way. Check outmelodymoon.com.au for more details.

Well, it has been a pretty busy year for songman Josh Pyke so he may as well see the rest of the year out on a similar note. Announcing the third and final string of shows for his Lone Wolf tour, Pyke has lined up a nice little chunk of local dates. It will mark a year-long pilgrimage for the popular singer-songwriter, which includes many sold-out performances in February and March. All this is in support of his third LP The Beginning and the End of Everything, an album the songman regards as his most personal to date. Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – November 20; The Karova, Ballarat – November 21; The Barwon, Geelong – November 22; and The Loft, Warrnambool – November 23.

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Strong as an Ezekiel Ox

Rollin’ with the Gypsies

The Remix Readings

Ezekiel Ox is off and running on another music-filled adventure.

Mr Ox, he of Mammal, The Nerve, Full Scale and Over-Reactor, always seems to be up to something. This year he has shared stage time with Boots Riley and Street Sweeper Social Club, King of the North, Sietta and Tim McMillan, signed with Sydney’s Bird’s Robe Records and released his debut solo EP Raw Styles. The EP was written, recorded, performed, mixed, mastered, designed and concepted by Ox himself – talented dude, hey?

The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 15; Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 20; and Major Tom’s, Kyneton – November 21. No doubt you’ll find some friends in support roles.

Taking elements of Celtic, jazz, blues, roots and gypsy and combining them into a glorious musical soundscape, the Bearded Gypsy Band is a little too good to resist.

A couple of years ago the band was selected as one of Rip It Up’s 2012 Hot Six. Performances at the Illawarra Folk Festival, WOMAD, Brunswick Music Festival, National Folk Festival and Apollo Bay Music and dates with Hiatus Kaiyote, The Beards, Daniel Champagne, Tinpan Orange, Max Savage, Graveyard Train and The Tiger and Me proves just how hot they are.

Their new EP is Leaving Town, a release which features vocal harmonies accompanied by “energetic bluegrass licks and lush drums sounds”.

The Loft, Warrnambool – November 14.

Headed by resident artist Mitch Cunningham, The Remix Readings puts the spotlight on Geelong’s young, talented writing community, teaming them with musicians, actors and choreographers to bring their voices to life in unexpected ways. Mitch: “Readings usually take place in a weird space between scripting and full-fledged production … We want to amplify that space, that weirdness, and create a unique kind of performance within those parameters.” The Remix Readings made its debut at the end of July.

The remaining shows are November 13 and December 18. Mitch is currently completing a PhD in Narrative Theory and Contemporary American Literature at Deakin University.

Family Fun @ Mega Man

The Affliction of Youth

As the year rockets to its end, we are beginning to look ahead to what treats are in store for 2015. We made a brief mention of this one last issue, but here we take a closer look at the Family Fun Day coming up at Bendigo’s Music Man Megastore. So why is it family fun? Mega family fun, dare I say? It is because you are going to get tunes from Path of Destruction, Necron 99, Morth, Stacy-V, Detention, Slydekrieg, Sisters Doll, Neurotik Trendz, Audemia and RAWdemia (two parts Audemia, but raw). It is because there is going to be jumping castles. It is because there is going to be show bags. It is because there is going to be so much more than that.

February 28 is the date.

You know the venue.

A little thing like losing a member isn’t going to slow down The Amity Affliction, with the metalcore favourites adding a couple of shows to their already impressive Weighdown Under tour. The cool thing is that one of the added shows is for the U18 crowd in Geelong.

Yes, tomorrow’s future is getting a show of their very own. With that comes good news and bad news. The bad news is that it will be without Antagonist A.D. and Confession.

The good news is that Deez Nuts and Stories will take their place.

In Hearts Wake will also be there. This almighty awesomeness takes place at The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong on January 11. Be there or you won’t be there.

Pick Your Tune The Wilson Pickers seem pretty chuffed to be playing some Victorian shows. Are their fans chuffed? Too bloody right they are! The band is the combined talents of Andrew Morris, Danny Widdicombe, Sime Nugent, Ben Salter and John Bedggood.

The chances are you will know at least one of those names – they all perform as solo artists or in other bands. But there is something about their combined powers that makes for something special. The band actually started out as just a fun side project, with the friends coming together and throwing around ideas and harmonies. Things became bigger than they imagined, and everyone is all the happier for it.

The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 14.

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Out in the Line-Up

Lorne Film Festival The 2014 Lorne Film Festival kicks off today, November 13, and will run through until November 16. 2014’s outing will build on the success of last year’s event where 29 films were viewed across five screens. You may have caught our interview with the festival’s director, Darren Markey, last issue. He spoke with Amanda Sherring about the festival’s humble beginnings and the importance it has within the Lorne community, among other things. What seemed to excite him most, however, was the possibilities of the festival’s future: “People often ask what kind of films we’re looking for and I say good films and ones that will entertain. We want films that have a respect for storytelling and that will engage with the Lorne film patronage … We are going to become large. It’s going to become an international event. And it’s not often that people can say that they were there from the start in the early days.” Opening night will see the screening of Out in the Line-Up, a film about two gay surfers who embark on a global journey in order to uncover the taboo of homosexuality in surfing. The film has won several awards, including the Rainbow Award at the 25th Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, 2014. Hit lornefilm.com.au for everything.

A House Made of Brixtons We love our music.

Whether it’s a live band or a cover band, we just enjoy nice sounds. But sometimes you just want to go out and listen to some tunes you know the words to. And when you do, you want to have a whole lotta fun doing it.

Enter The Brixtons, an energetic three-piece cover band specialising in alternative gems. You won’t find your usual songs here; rather, you will find songs from the Pixies, You Am I, Ramones, Weezer, The Church, James and so many more. They even throw in a few surf guitar instrumentals, some triple j favourites to keep the trendy kids happy, plus a few other surprises. There is a time and a place for Bon Jovi. And sure, you’re probably not human if you haven’t belted out ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ at least once in your life. But the Brixton boys do things differently. They trade in their tank tops for flannies and converse shoes. Members Mark Blunt, Frank Fyffe and Greg Chadwick are all pros when it comes to this gig. They have all played around Geelong and Melbourne, so you’re getting a pretty proven trio of music-makers here. Torquay Hotel, Torquay – November 15.

Maddison Wilson Likes Birds

It’s Time for the Blues, Baby Ali Penney & Wayne Jury first performed together at the 2000 Thredbo Blues Festival, and sparks flew!

Audiences were amazed as this dynamite combination was ignited before their eyes (and ears) and an extraordinary new musical union was born. Wayne and Ali’s music takes you from New Orleans to Memphis, from Nashville to Chicago - it’s soulful, and tough, sweet and bluesy. They play their distinctive original material alongside powerful tunes by artists such as Muddy Waters, Memphis Minnie, Ray Charles, Johnny Taylor, Freddie King, Al Green, Sam Cooke, Bessie Smith and Alan Toussaint. This is a very earthy combo - if you like it hard and cheeky or soft and low-down you’ll love Ali Penney and Wayne Jury. Once a year Ali and Wayne combine forces and light old musical fires that still burn strong. Come on in and stand by the fire.

Alison Penny and Wayne Jury Duo Victorian show dates: Pistol Pete’s Food and Blues ($10) - November 21, The Blues Train, Queenscliff - November 22 & The Lomond Hotel, East Brunswick (free) - November 23.

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While many musicians may travel abroad to find a creative edge, Mornington Peninsula local Maddison Wilson explored Melbourne.

What is more interesting, however, is that music may never have been for Maddison.

It would seem that her parents didn’t have too much interest in music, with her pleas for singing lessons falling on deaf ears. It was only after a little (relentless) nagging that they finally caved. Maddison now has a fresh new single for you titled ‘Birds’.

From the presser: “Birds is a strong piano-driven ballad with a vulnerable, yet resilient, vocal from Wilson. It has full intention to shatter your emotional side and expose your inner psyche for recovery.”

Martians Café, Deans Marsh – November 15.

In Love with Frasca Put on those dancing shoes because Dallas Frasca is back. Pre-production and recording of her new album, Love Army, has been going on for around a year now, and the end result is so close you can hear the ballsy and riff-rock guitar hammering away. Okay, so that is a little like waiting for a new season of your favourite TV show, so to keep you calm until then you have their hot new single, ‘You Are Beautiful’. Recorded by New York-based Aussie producer Andy Baldwin, the newie is a discussion on body image and the way in which it is portrayed in the media. The single entered SF Media’s Top 10 releases for the week, holding its own against AC/DC, Rancid and Royal Blood. Dallas, along with her manly cohorts Jeff Curran and Zane Rosanoski, has been on the road since the beginning of last month showing off the release, and now locals have a chance to sample the goods.

The Loft, Warrnambool – November 15 & The Vine, Bendigo – December 5. * In other cool news, Whit and Sonny from Ugly Kid Joe took in a Dallas gig while they were doing their own tour here early in the year. They hit it off and recorded some tunes, so keep those ears open.

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Motor City Music Festival

and Tom Piper team up for a December 19 bash.

QUICK BITE: Ready, get

8 Ball, Corner Pocket

set, go … Geoff Achison, Glitter Gang, Inxsive, James Blundell, Jason Singh, Jesse Valach & Blues Mountain, Jimi Hocking, JR Reyne, Lloyd Spiegel, Michael Stangel, Phil Para, Pugsley Buzzard, Sweet Felicia & the Honeytones, The Black Sorrows, The Detonators, Thunder Road – The Songs of Bruce Springsteen and Wayne Jury 4 with Brian Fraser.

They’re the early birds for Geelong’s 2015 Motor City Music Festival, March 6-8. Tickets available now. We’ll take a bigger look next issue.

You’re the Star REMINDER: Bendigo’s

Star Bar keeps rolling out the goods. November 13 is Jackie Onassis’s chance to shine. GG Magree is next up on November 14. On November 21 you have DJ Generik as part of his The Weekend Aus tour. November 28 is a surprise act. The USA’s Falcons check in on December 5. KLP performs on December 12. Finally, Chiefs, Paces, Surecut Kids (DJ set)

You had better hold on tight as the red-neck preacher at the shotgun wedding between country and blues is on the loose. Who in tarnation am I talking about? His name is 8 Ball Aitken, and he comes packing heat. 8 Ball has been a part of Australia’s festival scene for over a decade now, though in recent times he has called Nashville home. His latest release is Southern Hemisphere, an album recorded with the rich talents of members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Little Big Town and members of Robert Plant’s, Emmylou Harris’ and Alison Krauss’ bands. 8 Ball’s music has featured on TV shows including Justified, Breaking Amish and Parking Wars. The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove – December 12.

Kasey Chambers Reschedules Due to a diagnosis of small nodules and inflammation currently

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Heart Of The Rat Records Written by Daniel Lock

It’s not often a record label opens up so close to home and hits right at the heart of the ideal of what local music lovers and supporters appreciate most, but on this occasion, that has happened and it has aptly taken the name Heart of the Rat Records.

Heart of the Rat Records is a new independent record label brought to fruition

by Marc Oswin (Mark With The Sea, A Miner) and Aaron Matthews (Matheson, SWHAT, The Turnarounds, DTI) that is setting out to assist in bringing original music

from various bands, artists and genres, and making it accessible to the public on whichever music format necessary.

Opening in September, HOTR’s online store certainly didn’t skimp on their prompt siege of the marketplace. Opening month credits included three pre-release vinyl packages from three locally loved bands; The Yard Apes Night of the Living Dead 7” Vinyl and t-shirt, Mark With The Sea When The Blood Runs Dry 12” Vinyl, 13 Years CD and t-shirt and a re-release of The

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plaguing her vocals, country sweetheart Kasey Chambers was forced to postpone her Bittersweet tour. Those who were planning on heading to her Castlemaine show at Theatre Royal on December 6, your new date is February 21. You have the choice to hold tightly to your ticket or receive a refund through point of purchase. The Bittersweet tour lends its name from Kasey’s new album of the same name. The album, her tenth studio overall and first solo effort in four years, was recorded with Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen) and features Bernard Fanning on the title track. Again, Kasey’s new show is at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on February 21.

A Slice of Europe The nights are warmer and the mood of people is a little brighter also – a good a reason as any to bring a touch of Europe to town. Following a decision from the Council, sections of Torquay’s Gilbert Street are set to be transformed into people-friendly piazza – complete with planter boxes, trees, Dead Salesmen’s Amen for the first time on 12” vinyl also with a t-shirt.

Unfortunately for the latecomers these prerelease packages ended on October 31 but all listed products are still available for individual sale. Also, with the enthusiasm currently shown by the lads and their supporters, it’d pay to watch heartoftheratrecords. com with an eager eye for future pre-release packages. Other bands products HOTR are selling on their website include SWHAT and Matheson.

Any venture into the business side of music and art usually starts with a labour of love, and both can be said of Marc and Aaron. Each being well-

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Waxhead Lyrical Born and bred by the great Mother Ocean, Waxhead is one cool band. Or, as they put it: “long-haired surfer-musician tribesmen impregnating people’s souls with their cosmic vibes!” The self-described surf rats have a great love for music – their triple j Unearthed page lists the band’s love of black music, the epic rock of the late ‘60s to early ‘70s and the post-punk new wave of the late ‘70s to early ‘80s. As for their tunes, ‘Home’ is the first single to be lifted from their debut EP. Produced by their mate George Carpenter, the single has the lads aiming to capture their live sound. They’re on the road, and Torquay, you’re the lucky door prize winner.

Torquay Hotel, Torquay – November 14. seating, umbrellas and synthetic grass. The first closure will take place from Friday, November 28 (9 pm) to Sunday, November 30 (6 pm).

The western end of Gilbert Street will be off limits to traffic from Pearl Street to the car park entrance opposite Point Danger Arcade.

A little later down the known and respected members of the music community for over fifteen years, both of them have a history of music and shortlist of bands they’ve been a part of.

Marc, is currently lead singer and guitarist for Mark With The Sea and has been since 1999.

He’s recently started another solo project called A Miner, which has already seen support and promotion from Melbourne’s Ben Salter (The Gin Club).

Aaron is also a busy guy – he’s currently in bands Matheson, Mark With The Sea and SWHAT, and also formerly a member of The Turnarounds.

The album releases from both Aaron and

track, the eastern end between The Esplanade and Cliff Street will be closed from 9 pm on Friday, December 19 to 6 pm on December 21. Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor Margot Smith: “The initiative is intended to lift Gilbert Street’s profile as a vibrant retail precinct featuring a range of great Marc’s projects over the last few years were the catalyst to the labour of love that is now Heart of the Rat Records.

“There was a feeling that we weren’t putting enough time and effort into getting our music heard by a bigger audience,» the duo said.

«With the amount of time, effort and love that goes into creating an album this just doesn’t make sense. So we stepped up with the label to try and give our releases every opportunity to be successful.”

Now, with a label, both Marc and Aaron look to benefit the whole local music community and already have a lot of surprises in store for 2015.

places to shop, to eat at and to visit … We look forward to continuing to work with the traders over the coming weeks to ensure this initiative delivers the perfect lead-in to the festive season for businesses and patrons while better promoting Gilbert Street as a great place to shop and enjoy every day.”

“Punk rockers SWHAT have been working hard on new songs for the follow up to last year’s brilliant debut, Down in Tango Zulu and will return to the studio in January. SWHAT tour mates, Captives, arguably one of the most badass bands to walk out of Tasmania in the past decade, have jumped on the HOTR wagon for a special release. There is one more huge release in the schedule, but if we tell you about it, we’ll have to kill you,” they said.

Heart Of The Rat Records can be found and contacted through the following websites: http:// heartoftheratrecords.com and www.facebook.com/ heartoftherat

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Feel the Power of Kisstroyer REMINDER: For over ten

years the music, the look, the feel and the power of KISS has been channelled

by Kisstroyer. Formed by brothers Andrew and Stephen Kyriacou in 2001, Kisstroyer has worked its way up to the top of the tribute band pile., Kisstroyer is a fire-breathing, bloodspitting, devil horns rock ’n’ roll ride. It’s not just a show. It’s an experience Sphinx Hotel, Geelong – November 22.

The Softer Side of Busby Marou

The Way of Claude Hay Songman Claude Hay has added another string to his musical bow by finding some living, breathing musicians to make music with. However, we’ll focus on him as a solo musician for this one. As a solo muso, well, he can pretty much make a full band sound by using live looping – something he is very good at. Hay hails from the Blue Mountains and kicks out jams heavy with stomping traditional blues, hard rock and bootyshaking funk.

You may also know him as the dude that makes his own instruments, including ‘Betty’, his double-necked guitar made out of a kitchen bench top.

Claude Hay: a man so good he can play in a band and as a band. The Loft, Warrnambool – November 28.

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Busby Marou are 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.

The C.V. of C.R. Avery Canadian musician and poet C.R. Avery has been called an “international treasure” by Jolie Holland, “audacious and astonishing” by London Timeout and “like a collaboration between Beck and the Beastie Boys at their most experimental” by All Music Guide. He has toured with Tom Waits and Billy Bragg.

He has recorded over fifteen albums. He has six musicals to his name. He has his new book, Some Birds Walk for the Hell of It. He is the frontman for Legal Tender String Quartet, the lead singer/ harp player for rock and rollers The Special Interest Group and the musical backbone of the spoken word trio Tons of Fun University. He can do most anything.

The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 16.

Rascally Owen Rabbit Born in WA but musically emerging from Melbourne’s northern suburbs comes Owen Rabbit, a singer, multiinstrumentalist and producer. Have you heard his single ‘Police Car’? His debut single received a ton of great press, even finding love from US Blog All Things Go. Now he is back with new single ‘Violence and Degradation’, and

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by all accounts it’s a darker affair than his previous effort. From the presser: “Violence and Degradation is a darker and heavier song that explores the theme of childhood and addiction. Borrowing tone and mood from a wide range of genres including electronica and hip-hop, Violence and Degradation is a brave step from this unique and innovative artist.” Babushka Bar, Ballarat – November 14.

Don’t Forget to Tip Sean Kirkwood New Zealand-bred, Melbourne-based songman Sean Kirkwood is a lover of music. He is a lover of blues, a lover of folk and a lover of altcountry. Now, the best thing one could do when they’re a lover is put it to good use, and that is exactly what Kirkwood has done. Mid-2014 saw the release of his debut EP Tales for the Barman, a “documentation of struggle, heartbreak and barmen of the world; therapists to drunken fools wanting to unload their lives”. The Black Seeds’ Barnaby Weir is a fan, saying: “I couldn’t believe my ears when I first heard him play live.

Some sublime playing and epic vocals, I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with next.” Babushka Bar, Ballarat – November 15.

An Evening with Geoff Achison Geoff Achison gets around more than The Beach Boys. The guitar slinger, widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest blues exponents, is always on the go, showcasing his craft to audiences across Australia and around the world. Geoff began playing in his old man’s band when he was only 13, later joining with legendary bluesman Dutch Tilders. In 2007 Geoff accepted an offer to relocate to the US. There he spent two years racking up thousands of miles on the road, managing a jam with Les Paul and joining Delbert McClinton on the Sandy Beaches concert cruise along the way. The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove – November 15 & The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 29.

Halt Comedy Benefit A guffaw; a chuckle; a chortle; a cockle; a giggle; a howl; a roar; a snigger; a belly laugh – you will find it all at the Halt Comedy Benefit. A bunch of funny folk has decided laughter is indeed the best medicine, or at least a darn good one. For those unfamiliar, HALT stands for Hope Assistance Local Tradies. HALT began in 2013 following a tragic event that affected two Castlemaine locals, which inevitably had a

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rippled effect throughout the community. The community movement aims to support friends in the trade community who just aren’t coping. Lining up will be Dave O’Neil, Mick Neven, Geraldine Hickey, Sean Bedlam and Luke Leonard. The Bridge, Castlemaine – November 21.

Falling for Forest Falls You should probably get to know Forest Falls. That is if you haven’t shared a drink or two with them already. The six-piece of Jeremy, Jamie, Hayley, Jon, Gabe and Shaun like to play indie-pop together. Their debut EP, Julia, showcased what mateship can do for musicianship. For their follow-up, the crew decided to reach out to the Pozible community.

Well, it seems like some of you out there have indeed shared a drink or two with the band as they were able to reach their target goal with ease.

While you wait patiently for that one, have another listen to the Julia single ‘Heavy Hearted Girl’ – the band’s taking it out on the road. Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 16.

Everyone Gets a Trophy Music can be a great healer, not just for the listener but for the artist. The story behind aggressive pop-punks Trophy Eyes’ Everything Goes Away is bathed in heartache, loss and self-abuse. It’s also rich in resilience – and fighting the good fight has certainly paid off. At the beginning of the year the band was chosen by triple j Unearthed to kick off the day at Sydney’s Soundwave. Extensive airtime and YouTube love has followed. With their debut album Mend, Move On available now, the band has lined up an extensive November tour.

The Yacht Club, Portland – November 22. Joining them at the all-ages gig will be Endless Heights, whose debut album was released this year.

Live on the Lawn The City of Wyndham is thrilled to present Live on the Lawn at Werribee Park early next year. In what is shaping up to be a great day to spend with the family, the fifth Live on the Lawn will welcome the country-soaked line-up of Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers (pictured) and Adam Brand, as well as 2013 CMC New Oz Artist of the Year, Morgan Evans. Werribee Park is relatively close to Geelong, so a day trip with the family is not out of the question.

Free entry for children aged 12 and under should sweeten the deal.

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better. Wyndham City Mayor Bob Fairclough: “We are proud to present Live on the Lawn which goes from strength to strength every year.

Now in its fifth year, the event has evolved from its original concept of ‘Legends on the Lawn’ – and this year we will showcase the cream of Australian countryrock. It will be a unique event for Victoria; being the only Australian country-rock event with these top performers in the State.” Tickets are currently available through Ticketmaster.

Parking is available at the venue, with shuttle buses running direct from Werribee Station.

Bluestone Blues Festival There is nothing like going out with a bang, and that is exactly what the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club does at the end of the year. Saving the best for last, the Sleepy Hollow crew is behind the Bluestone Blues Festival, a New Year’s bash where blues is on the menu. 2014/2015’s line-up features Brian Fraser, Stringybark McDowell and Rusty Bonnet, Greg Dodd and the Hoodoo Men, Rod Paine & the Fulltime Lovers, Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers, JJ and the Blue Dogs, Blue Eyes Cry, Sweet Felecia and the Honeytones and Chubby Rae and the Elevators. Murgheboluc Public Reserve, Hamilton Highway – December 31 & January 1. Hit sleepyhollowbluesclub. org.au for further information.

Until We Meet Again, Hunting Grounds It has been one hell of a ride for Ballarat darlings the Hunting Grounds, so you can probably forgive them for packing away their gear. The six-piece has announced that they will be calling it a day after a final run of shows.

Their statement reads: “After almost 10 years of us playing together, two EPs, one album, hundreds of shows and countless great times, we have decided that this year will be the last year of Hunting Grounds. Without the incredible support of all of you this wouldn’t have been possible. We love you all, thanks for listening. Now let’s all go out for some frosty chocolate milkshakes.”

The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 21 & The Karova, Ballarat – December 5.

Roymackonkey Has Issues Darryl Barba, John Coulehan and Brian McLeod were once part of the grunge band Pigeon Hole. When their guitarist bailed, Darryl stepped out from behind

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River Rocks REMINDER: The thundering awesomeness of

River Rocks hits The Barwon Club this Saturday, November 15. So many cool bands. The thundering awesomeness of River Rocks hits The Barwon Club this Saturday, November 15. So many cool bands.

The thundering awesomeness of River Rocks hits The Barwon Club this Saturday, November 15. So many cool bands. You get the point…

The Engagement After working solidly in the studio for the past two years, The Engagement is set to re-launch with a new single and debut EP. Having played shows in Sydney and Melbourne and just recently receiving national airplay, the Melbourne act will be hitting Geelong with their electro pop sound and exciting visual show to release new single ‘Collide’ and debut EP Orbit. Drawing influences from rock heavyweight suchs as Muse and Coldplay, The Engagement has managed to produce a unique sound that is bound to keep audiences wanting more. For more info visit theengagementmusic.com. Beav’s Bar, Geelong November 27, with special guests from 8pm. the kit, picked up a guitar and started writing songs with John and Brian. The all-important band name was next on the agenda, with Roymackonkey getting the tick of approval. There has been a line-up change or two since, so we had to wait a while for the release of their debut full-length album Abandonment Issues (2013). Album single ‘Great Divide’ would score an Australian Songwriters Association 2013 Awards Rock/Indie Award. Roymackonkey formed out of Darwin in 1997. Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – December 3.

Anything You Want, You Got It There is plenty more music magic heading your way, with a special mention that the Queenscliff Music Festival is not too far away. We’ll take one last good look next issue.

We’ll also take another good look at Echuca’s Riverboats Music Festival. One of the performing artists, Dan

Sultan, has Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal lined up for March 7. Gorgeous Sydney outfit The Preatures have a date at The Barwon Club, Geelong on November 20. The Bendigo Craft Beer Festival takes place this Saturday, November 15. Shannon Noll is at Gateway Hotel, Corio on November 15, while Ian Moss has the venue lined up for November 22. So much news, so little space!

Beer & Cheer @ The Eastern REMINDER: So, the

Ballarat Beer Festival takes in drinks early next year. And we love beer.

We also love music …

Beer + music = genius.

The directors of the festival have been on the prowl to find a lucky band or solo artist to join the likes of Way of the Eagle, Ash Grunwald, Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk and Timberwolf. The five finalists hit the stage of The Eastern in Ballarat on November 15.

Tex Miller Written by Natalie Rogers Photo by Jessica Shepherd

. .

Bands Bar Beer Garden Tex Miller oozes a quiet confidence beyond his years. “Greg Arnold from Things of Stone and Wood once told me that song writing is a life sentence,” he says rather nonchalantly, but I can tell he comprehends the gravity of his statement more than he lets on. His new EP aptly titled Prisoner to the Blues tells you enough to know Tex is in it for the long haul. He lives, breathes and writes about music every day. “Music is life to me. I’m a journalist by trade, [one of Forte’s alumni] I’m usually the one asking the questions, so it’s an honour and a surreal moment to be interviewed as an artist!” he laughed.

His cool and casual manner makes it easy to picture catching up for a beer after a gig, swapping stories about our favourite records. However, as fate would have it, we caught up on a bright and sunny Friday morning to chat about his upcoming EP launch at Pistol Pete’s Food n Blues. “The EP was recorded in Geelong at the home studio of the local blues band, The Mojo Corner.

“There are five originals and two covers, so I’ve been branding it a mini album,” he grinned, “and it feels so good to finally have it out.” Tex says Prisoner to the Blues was a labour of love explaining, “It’s a collection of old tracks – bar one [the title track]. It’s been about six years in the making.”

Tex readily admits to hunting through his parents’ vinyl collection for inspiration and hidden gems, shown in his eclectic taste and choice of covers included on the EP. “The two covers on the album are ZZ Top’s ‘Waiting for the Bus’ and ‘Milk Cow Blues’, which is a song that was written in the late ‘20s. Elvis has done it, Willie Nelson has covered it too – all the greats.

“They’re the two tracks on the album that I play my resonator on . . . my Don Morrison – My Donmo!” he announced proudly. “Don Morrison is an Adelaide guitar maker – let’s get a plug in there for him,” Tex smiled.

As the conversation flowed, talk turned to his newfound appreciation for JJ Cale’s 1972 debut album Naturally (“JJ is the essence of cool. He knows how to write and arrange a groovy song”), recording a

THURS - OPEN MIC FRI-SAT-SUN - LIVE MUSIC

When&Where: Prisoner to the Blues EP Launch @ Pistol Pete’s – November 14

seven inch single in Jack White’s booth at Nashville’s Third Man Records, and Gretchen – the new love of his life.

“Gretchen is a 6118 ‘Double Anniversary’ Gretsch guitar. She’s just sexy and a beast of a guitar.

She’s been my favourite guitar to play since picking her up, and the only one I’ve played for a couple of weeks now. I went on a trip to America about a month ago, midSeptember to mid-October, and I picked her up in San Francisco.”

On the trip of a lifetime, Tex

spent a week in Nashville, the same in San Fran and a week travelling down the West Coast.

But it’s in Austin Texas, home to SXSW (the annual music showcase) where Tex’s heart truly lies. “I want to move there – it’s known as the live music capital of the world and having experienced it, I can tell you it absolutely is.

“I’ll never forget this one night for as long as I live. We went to see Sarah Carroll, who is Chris Wilson’s wife [also known as the ‘Ukulele Queen of the Bellarine’

Breaking Into the Music Industry

“This is obviously a huge role in the music industry. It’s also perhaps one of the hardest to define. It will almost depend on what stage of the career the artist/band is at. The beginning role of the manager can be all encompassing. A&R, agent, promoter, public relations, media liaison and so on. As the success of the artist grows – the role of the manager changes. A lot of those jobs that they took on in the beginning will be outsourced to specialists within the field and the manager will then be in charge of organising and coordinating all the

Tour Manager “Now days, touring is more important than ever. The days of sitting in the studio watching the royalty check roll

SAT - SUN 3PM - MIDNIGHT

81 Humffray St Nth, Ballarat

facebook.com/easternballarat

“Often in the world of music, you will come across an amazing talent that should be known the world over, but for whatever reason, they are playing every Saturday night down at the local pub to 50 folks having a drink. A&R development is working with that artist to achieve the very best from what they have to offer. The role is hard to define, in that it could be anything that is in need of development. It’s important to try and stay true to who that artist is and what they are trying to achieve. More often than not it’s guidance. Perhaps in marketing, stage presence, production of their music – the list is a mile long. Developing an artist can take time and patience, but when you see that person succeed it can become very beneficial for all those involved,” he says.

The music industry is an intoxicating world. Full of lights, creativity, adulation and applause. For those lucky enough to be living in it – or for those fighting to break into it – it can become impossible to see yourself doing anything else. The most important part of breaking into this world, is understanding all the various roles within it.

Sure, there are the obvious ones; song writer, performer and band, but the ones who live under the lights are only a small part of what makes the music industry so special. There are a multitude of roles for non-musicians that are just as, if not more, important than that of the artist. We caught up with Dominic Monea, the program coordinator for Oxygen College’s Diploma of Music Business with over 30 years experience as a music business professional, for an understanding of some of the less publicized roles within the music world. different cogs within the machine to make sure it goes the right way. You need to be just as creative and excited about the music as the artist is, but you don’t have the luxury of losing sight of the bigger picture.

You need to be driven, organised and able to adapt to a situation quickly. Opportunities in the music industry are fleeting – it’s a good manager’s job to identify those opportunities and seize them,” Dominic says.

THURS - FRI 5PM - MIDNIGHT

A&R (Artist & Repertoire) Development

Written by Phil Smith

Artist/Band Manager

and Tex’s support for his EP launch]. She was playing a gig with Bill Kirchen who was in the 1960’s band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airman.

He’s known as the godfather of the Fender Telecaster,” Tex added, then continued: “They played on a Monday night at a small Mexican restaurant and there were over 300 people there!

Austin has an amazing live music culture – music is everywhere!

I’d love to see that reinjected back into regional Victoria.”

Event & Festival Production

in from your record sales have disappeared. The way to survive in this industry as an artist is to have a good show and take it to the world. The role of tour manager is more important now than ever.

It’s the tour manager’s job to make sure every aspect of a touring production runs according to plan. They will be the point of contact throughout the whole

production, from checking into hotels for the band to liaising with venues to make sure all the specs are sorted out correctly.

A tour is like one long show, everything needs to run on time.

Sound checks, travel times, flights, connecting flights and media interviews. Everything needs to happen at the right time and be done correctly,” Dominic says.

“Putting on a good event and connecting with an audience is not an easy achievement. It’s about more than just getting the best bands and putting them on a stage – it’s about creating an atmosphere and an environment that resonates with people. There are festivals all over the world and each one needs to have an identity. You need to find the right acts at the right time and put them in front of the right audience. The tricky part is that you are not just planning and organising for one band.

When producing a festival you can sometimes be in charge of 100 acts over multiple days. It’s a lot of work to do and multi-tasking to stay on top of,” Dominic says.

If you would like to know more about getting involved in the Diploma of Music Business at Oxygen College, call 1300 195 303 or email enquiry@oxygencollege.com.au forte 31

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Christine Couzens Hi Christine, Thanks for taking the time to chat to Forte.

As a first time candidate how have you found the election campaigning process so far?

I have been involved in many campaigns in the past but as a candidate it has been a bit more personal pressure. But I have enjoyed the process as I do enjoy challengers and personally meeting with people.

Born and bred in Geelong, what excites you most about the region?

Geelong as locals know is a great place to live. Recreational wise as a Geelong West person I have to say Pako is great to have just around the corner. However as a former community worker I know Geelong has lots of great community organisations and people who contribute enormously to our City, especially those in need.

What projects/ changes would you see be completed as Member for Geelong?

The Liberal Government has slashed more than $20 million from the Gordon TAFE. So I am proud that Labor will restore this funding to ensure the Gordon can provide to young people a quality education.

I also think the city centre is slowly dying therefore I will work hard to rejuvenate it through inner city living for example. I am sure lots of students would love the chance to live centrally.

Forte currently goes to around 20 Universities and Tafes, as member for Geelong what would you do to help those who are or plan to be studying?

Like I said I would ensure TAFE funding is fully restored. Public transport is also important for students and I believe a lot more can be done to make buses and trains far more useable for students trying to get to Uni. Jobs are also important

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for students and as we know Geelong is currently in a jobs crisis with youth unemployment being at a disgraceful 20% and climbing.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to and are you interested in the arts at all?

In recent times I have enjoyed nights at out wonderful performing arts centre which I am pleased to say the Labor Party has committed $30 million to upgrade. I enjoy lots of music especially from the 80s.

There has been much talk about the Live Music scene in Geelong and how it is lacking in support. How do you view the situation and what would you do to help bring it back to life?

From a very practical sense the Labor Party has announced as part of this year’s election policy “Music Works” which is $22.2 million package to boost development of the local rock music industry and

support local jobs across Victoria including here in Geelong.

Under the plan if elected the new Labor Government will offer Victoria Rocks grants and assistance to artists, venues and managers, helping local acts break on to the scene, build a career and negotiate the pitfalls of the industry.

Victoria Rocks grants will assist artists embarking on interstate and international tours, support music festivals and community programming, and help provide services such as sound and light engineers, advertising and transport.

Geelong is looking to become the regional events capital of Australia, what events do you see as vital to the town and where would you like to see grow?

Personally I would like to see Geelong have a Conference and exhibition centre on the waterfront that would attract lots of events and in turn create quality jobs for Geelong people.

I think it is important in the arts that we continue to support our GPAC and our local artists, especially those up and coming. It is also important to retain what’s in Geelong like the Cats that attract a huge following in Geelong and great community events like Pako Festa.

For voters who are yet to decide, why should they vote for you and what would you do for the people of Geelong?

I have a strong community background especially in housing and working with disadanvtaged youth.

I therefore know that I have the grass roots community experience to represent in Parliament the concerns and issues that affect our community especially those in need.

I have worked for Ian Trezise who is the current Member of Parliament for Geelong over the last 15 years and I know that has given me great experience and insight into what an effective MP can do in working with and for the community.

Ron Nelson Hi Ron, thanks for taking the time to chat to Forte. How have you found the election campaigning process so far?

It’s great to be out listening to the community – hearing what issues really matter to the communities here on the Bellarine.

What excites you most about the Bellarine region?

Most exciting are the potential tourism opportunities here, such as food and wine, recreational fishing, diving and our fantastic beaches.

It’s a great place to live.

What projects/changes would you see be completed as Member for Bellarine?

I have announced many, but the big ones include building the Drysdale Bypass, fixing our roads and upgrading our schools. The Bellarine has been neglected for 12 years by the current Member, because she doesn’t even live here. How on earth can someone not live where they are supposed to represent?

Forte currently goes to around 20 Universities and TAFEs, as member for Geelong

what would you do to help those who are or plan to be studying?

Since 2010 under the Coalition, funding for TAFEs to deliver skills training has actually *increased* by 23 per cent, to $600 million.

More recently, the Napthine Government committed to $4.7 million if re-elected for The Gordon TAFE, to implement new blended learning programs for students in Geelong and surrounding areas.

That’s part of the plan announced to provide opportunities for 850,000 Victorians to get the skills they need to find or change jobs, deliver 60,000 new apprenticeships and created 200,000 new jobs.

Students will reap the rewards of that investment in their future.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to and are you interested in the arts at all?

After a long afternoon of doorknocking yesterday, I kicked back and listened to Counting Crows on my iPod, whilst getting dinner ready. I like all kinds of music, and am constantly adding to my iTunes collection on my iPod. There has been much talk about the Live Music scene and how it is lacking in support. How do you view the situation and what would you do to help bring it back to life?

Just last week my partner and I went to the Piping Hot Chicken Shop here in Ocean Grove to see Carrus play. It’s great to be able to walk from home to the

Chicken Shop watch a band, I love it. Would love to see more live local events, and places like the new $7 million sports precinct we’ve committed to at Drysdale could be used after hours for more than just bringing more sporting events to the Bellarine.

What events do you see as vital to the town and where would you like to see grow?

We have some fantastic events on the Bellarine. As the current Chair of Geelong Major Events I am always looking for new and exciting events to suit all tastes and budgets, with over 70% of events free to the public. Events such as the Queenscliff Music Festival, Motor City Music Festival, Avalon Air Show, Toast to the Coast, National Celtic Festival in Portarlington and the ever-popular New Year’s Eve Fireworks really help showcase Geelong and the Bellarine for the fantastic region it is. I love it here and we need to showcase this area as a world class destination.

For voters who are yet to decide, why should they vote for you and what would you do for the people of Geelong?

Voters deserve someone who will fight for better schools, jobs and training, improved local roads and better and more connected public transport. We have been neglected here on the Bellarine for far too long, and as a local I will work tirelessly on their behalf.

When&Where: Aireys Pub, Aireys Inlet - December 06 Ararat Performing Arts Centre, Ararat - December 11 and Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - December 12

Things of Stone and Wood

LOCAL FEATURE Written by Tex Miller

Before the Australian folk revolution of the mid noughties that led to the unearthing of talents like John Butler, The Waifs and Angus and Julia Stone, there was a band making indie folk acoustic music cool. Now in 2014, the band is celebrating 25 years together. It seems like a bit of shock to Greg Arnold, lead singer and guitarist for the group, to be celebrating the milestone, however it is still cause for celebration.

Speaking from his new home in Geneva, Switzerland, Arnold is excited to get back to Australia to play this upcoming run of shows.

“I am currently experiencing a very long summer which is nice.

We are here for my wife’s work and the whole family has moved over here,” Arnold says. Although it is a bit of a lifestyle change, Arnold is playing music and writing songs with friends and for the Red Cross, which his partner Helen works for.

Celebrating 25 years of anything is a big milestone and the last twelve months for TOSAW have been one of the best times in the band, as Arnold says, “We all knew for sometime that I would be moving over to Switzerland. So at the end of the last run of shows there was a bit of an emotional weight attached to the whole thing. 25 years wow!

I’m so blessed to be a part of it. They are an incredible band of musicians

and it’s great to have the original line up back out on the road again.”

Like many bands before them, Things of Stone and Wood were born out of other musical projects.

At that point, Arnold was heavily considering throwing in the towel on his music career and focussing on his academic work, but as soon as that happened, the creative juices started flowing again and a whole stack of new tunes were born.

“Michael and I were playing in another band and after that all finished up, we started having a few jam sessions with a few beers and singing songs. We decided then and there to form Things of Stone and Wood. At that point we were gearing up to play for Helen’s 21st birthday. Hearing

the sound that we produced as a band, everything that I had been working towards, just clicked in that moment,” Arnold says.

Although the idea of being together as a band for 25 years never really dawned on anyone, Arnold knew that there was some special chemistry there and it was a worth pursuing. Going into the recording of the first album James Black, from Rockwiz band fame, was enlisted as the producer for The Yearning and Arnold feels there couldn’t have been a better person behind the scenes.

“Working with James was great,” he says. “He really was an unofficial member of the band. He was the producer, manager and he really looked out for us. If you want any testament to how good he was for

the band back in those days, listen to how much praise he gets to this day in 2014. That’s not a common experience for bands speaking about their managers.” A passionate lover for the dynamic of the band, it was a right time, right place scenario for Black to step into the frame.

In a time of Nirvana and grunge and alternative music ruling the airwaves, it seems like it would be a gamble to give being an acoustic rock band a go. That said, Arnold doesn’t feel that it played any part on the band’s impact in the music scene. “Grunge was looking back at ‘70s rock when it was a little heavier and REM had a big hit with ‘Losing My Religion’, it was an interesting time to be a band.

We had lots of gigs going for us

in Melbourne at the time and we had a residency at the Pat Prince Hotel and lots of people were coming to our gigs,” he says.

It was around that time, Arnold penned the band’s classic and most commercially successful song ‘Happy Birthday Helen’. Talking about the origins of the song, Arnold feels that it has its own travelling lifestyle to it. “That was the second single for us and I think it’s a bit of a burden when you have your biggest hit so early on in your career. What an experience though!

Once we started playing it, you could see how happy the song made people. We didn’t realise about how big it was going to be and I don’t feel any resentment about writing it nowadays,” Arnold says.

During one of the most successful periods of the band, Things of Stone and Wood were playing a lot of support slots for major touring acts. Three of the best memories that Arnold has of the time were playing with Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil and Luka Bloom: “Paul Kelly was a massive influence on that first record and to tour around with him and The Oils was a pinch yourself moment.

The Oils are one of the fiery and

most energetic acts I’ve ever seen.

We’d do our support slots and pack up our amps so we could get to the front and rock out to their set. We got to play all around Australia with them and a gig in London.

Playing gigs with your heroes is a great moment and something that you definitely cherish forever.”

Like many songwriters before him, Arnold was heavily influenced

by The Beatles and, talking about their influence, I am quick to find out that Arnold prefers McCartney just a little more. “‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Let It Be’, Paul McCartney is pretty good at writing a tune or two. That’s for sure. As you get older and older, I think that Revolver is just one of those albums that gets better and better.”

Returning to Australia for a run of shows in December, Things Of Stone and Wood are headed down the coast, which excites Arnold immensely. “‘Happy Birthday Helen’ is all about travelling down that coastline and we can’t wait to get down there. We might consider doing another album after this tour, but we’ll tackle that hurdle when we come to it. For the meantime, come out and celebrate with us Forte readers, there might even be cake!”

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Busby Marou Written by Tex Miller

Busby Marou are quite possibly one of the hardest working bands in Australia at the moment. To finish off the year, after supporting James Blunt and multiple laps of the country, Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou are playing a stack of shows through November. Each show will be both an intimate and surreal experience, which sees the band heading back to their roots.

Talking about the tour, it’s easy to hear the smile beaming on Marou’s face. “Oh man! It’s pretty hot up here in Queensland at the moment, so to get the opportunity to come down and play Victorian shows again is blissful. We always get a nice reception down there too which is great. Obviously it’s not the same show that we played in Torquay, but it’ll be great to strip it back to a duo again, it’s something that we haven’t done in a while.”

Farewell Fitzroy – the acclaimed second album for the duo – saw the band relocate to Nashville for a period of two weeks to record it. “It was different to how we did the first one in that we have since become a band. We have a bass player and a drummer that play with us all the time. We now consider them family.

We had been getting considerable feedback from our live show that the new album had to be just that. Over the period of two weeks, we smashed it out and had some brilliant musicians come along for the ride.”

To have the opportunity to get Al Perkins play on your record is quite possibly one of the biggest pinch yourself moments. The man’s played and recorded with The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, James Taylor and Bob Dylan amongst others, so what was he like to have in the studio?

“He’s one of the best pedal steel players and they are quite serious

musicians. He is very Christian and we weren’t allowed to swear in front of him. To have someone of that calibre come in and throw down their part onto one of our songs was just great,” Marou says.

After a hectic 2012, there has considerable talk about the follow up to such a cracking album. Talking about the future plans of the band, it seems 2015 will see in the new release. “I think that when we have the songs, we will be pushing to get the new record out there. Tom is constantly writing and I think that after some down time over Christmas, we will get back out on the horse and have something for you in the new year.”

To many, he is the bane of music existence to the mid noughties but given the opportunity to play alongside James Blunt was actually quite a cool experience as Marou relates. “It was great to share the

When&Where: The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine – November 20, The Caravan Club Oakleigh RSL, Melbourne – November 21, The Loft, Warrnambool – November 22 & Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 23.

stage with ‘Blunty’, we played in Australia and New Zealand with him and he does tend to cop a lot of flack sometimes, but he is a great musician. It was good to hang out and learn from someone that has sold 23 million albums. He knows how to write a tune that’s for sure. Regardless of whether you like the song or not.”

Talking about playing some regional shows, Marou can’t wait: “It’s going to be great to get back to playing how we used to. We might try and do an acoustic duo tour once a year. It’ll be great to get back down to regional Australia, come out and have a sing and dance with us!”

The Spring Revue Q&A / Photos by Marty Williams

Castlemaine is much more than just a pretty town, they actually have the music to back up their good looks as well. The Spring Revue is an event where both of these things are mashed together and we had a chat to Ry HamiltonSmith on what you can expect for its second show.

Hi Ry, thanks so much for chatting to Forte! Please tell us a bit about The Forest and how it has come about?

The Forest is designed to be a community of artists and musicians that want to create and have support from the other artists within the collective. It came about from a discussion about our

desire to throw ideas around and work with lots of people.

How long has The Revue been running and how important is it to the Castlemaine music community?

The Revue has only had one amazing show back in August that exceeded our expectations.

We didn’t know how it would go and it managed to be a bit of a gamble that paid off greatly. As for the effect on the community, we’ve managed to make a sure possibility for bands needing a stage to have access to venues and a receptive audience.

You have some really talented artists performing, ranging in all different styles, can tell us a bit about what each artist will bring on the night?

So we have two acts, Ruby Bergman and HOWL bringing a very relaxed and acoustic performance which serves to ease the audience into opening their minds to a quality experience.

After that we have two more,

Dysmorph and The Astros bringing a more psychedelic and energetic show designed to really give people something radical to react and move to. Finishing the show we have the tight and mesmerising My Way Killings, who will give a satisfying end to the journey the night presents.

There seems to be a lot of diverse talent emerging from Castlemaine, how supportive of each other are the musical acts in region?

It seems that most willing musicians will get a hand or a chance from venues and other artists around town, although we want them to have people to work with who will put on the show they want and support their ideas.

What can the audience at this months Spring Revue expect?

Potentially quite a wild show. We intend all Revues to be unpredictable but rewarding experiences. This Revue is specifically themed around spring and we’ll try and really capture that feel. The audience will be surrounded by stages with bands performing in different parts of the room to create seamless transitions between acts throughout the night.

There is also an afterparty at the venue, what types of shenanigans is likely to happen?

For those that have not yet got their fill of chaos and pandemonium we offer a solid set of trap beats executed by Laserfont to dance until they’re mere nubs and need crutches to leave.

Anything you’d like to add?

Tickets sell at a discounted price of $15 at the Theatre Royal Castlemaine at any date before the night. This night is designed for anyone looking to experience something outside their day to day life. Plenty of reason to take a holiday from the mundane.

FORTE FREEBIES! Win a double pass to your choice of one of Busby Marou’s regional shows at; The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine (November 20), The Loft, Warrnambool (November 22) or Beavs Bar, Geelong (November 23).

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

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When&Where: Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo – November 15

Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Festival Q&A

Whether you like it with or without ice, limited froth or fresh from the tap, we can all appreciate a perfectly poured beer. At this years Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Festival, you’ll be surrounded by options with over 25 different ciders and beers to choose from.

Amidst his busy schedule we had a quick with Darrell Billett about the event.

Hi Darrell, thanks for taking the time out to chat to Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

I’m good thanks, just busy organising the festival.

It’s not long until the Bendigo Craft Beer Festival kicks off, how are things shaping up?

Yeah it’s been great so far, pre-sales are well up on last years event which is good.

This is the second time you’ve done the festival

as well, how have things changed from the first year?

This year we have been a bit more organised after knowing what we needed to do/change from last year.

Beer festivals are always a lot of fun, what was the vibe like at last year’s event?

Last year had a fantastic atmosphere. It was very relaxed with a lot of happy people.

Did you get to do a personal taste test of all the brewers on offer? Have a favourite?

I didn’t get much of an opportunity last year to sample many but I’m definitely hoping to try a few this year.

What’s an ideal beer for you?

IPA (India Pale Ale) for sure.

You’ve got some pretty great bands lined up to listen to during the event,

what did the bands have to encompass to make the cut?

They had to just have a really good relaxed sound.

Will you get a chance to sit down and enjoy the acts on the day?

I think it might end up much the same as last year, but I would like to take some time to listen to each act this time around.

Why should people boycott their local pub to head down to the Bendigo Craft Beer Festival?

Simply because there’s 21 different beer brewers and six ciders brewers, say no more.

When alcohol is involved sometimes things can get a little crazy, what’s your best advice for first timers at the festival?

Just take your time, you have all day to enjoy it. And be sure to have a bit of water at times.

When a band is made up of members all younger than the band itself, you know something very special is occurring.

On the first Thursday of every month, a queue snakes down AC/ DC Lane towards the iconic Cherry Bar in Melbourne. The crowd, an eclectic mix of young and old, are waiting to hear the distinctive soul sound of a very special girl band.

Inside, some regulars to the venue’s popular “Soul in the Basement” gigs don’t realise that the dynamic performers they are dancing to, are still at secondary school.

Nor do many realise that the Sweethearts, a 25-strong, all female, high school based band from Geelong, has a powerful international following and strong reputation, particularly in Europe.

From the outset, the Sweethearts defied expectations. Founder and local science teacher Ross Lipson had modest ambitions when he formed the band at Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College in 1989.

Also a musician and instrumental music teacher, he says he and a few colleagues formed a social band with students simply because jamming together was so enjoyable.

But word-of-mouth hype about this girl band meant the mostly year 10 to 12 students soon began to secure gigs.

Now 25 years later the Sweethearts has evolved into Australia’s most successful school based band, with a long list of high profile international music festival performances under their

belt including Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival, Italy’s Porretta Soul Music Festival, France’s Jazz a Vienne, The world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, in the USA and Australian music favourites, the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival, Woodford Folk Festival and many, many more.

The all-female band members cultivate a retro look and specialise in ‘‘new soul’’, modern interpretations of classic Soul and Motown numbers as well as their own compositions and arrangements. Getting a band of 14 – 18 year olds to this level — and staying there — is no mean feat because numbers must constantly be replenished by newcomers as year 12 members leave the band. As well, Sweethearts have released 10 CDs which have had lots of radio air play. Each year they perform more than 40 gigs including corporate and community events, education department awards nights and at many music festivals.

To celebrate the 25th year of the band, Sweethearts are running a special version of their annual “Party” event. Set down for Saturday the 22nd of November, at the Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex in Geelong, Sweethearts will be joined on the bill by ex-sweetheart Imogen Brough and her band, local Soul outfit Grand Soul Audio, featuring ex-sweetheart Ash Watson on vocals, Square One from Kardinia International College and the Sweethearts Academy Band, consisting of young musicians aged 9 – 14 years old.

The band would love to see past members, friends and families along to help celebrate as well as all people from around Geelong and the Surf Coast who love soul music.

Tickets are now onsale at www. party14.eventbrite.com.au

forte 39

40 forte

Gringo’s

Taco House restaurant feature Written by Abbey King

There’s a new taco man in town and his name is ‘Gringo’. Gringo’s Taco House is the brainchild of local chef Rob Swander and currently resides in the heart of Torquay’s Surfing Village, in what is known by day as the Golden Plate award winning cafe, Sticks and Stones Specialty Cafe. Rob is a Northern Californian native who originally moved out to Australia to study at La Trobe University, which is where he met his future wife, Katrine.

After completing his studies he returned to the States for a while before getting engaged and making the move to Australia permanent.

Having worked in many of the local haunts – including Sticks and Stones, The Red Till, Odyssey and the Coffee Cartel – he is now finally realising his own dream with Gringo’s.

“I’ve always just wanted to do Mexican, like beach style. I’ve been coming down here for 12 years and I always thought this would be a great spot for it,” Rob beams.

Mexican Food in the country has come a long way these past couple of years and pretty well changed as we knew it. The old Tex-Mex American style used to be all that us Aussies knew, unless of course you had actually visited Mexico itself. Rob agrees and wanted to take Mexican away from that cheesey, fatty processed taste and feel.

“It’s pretty much California fused with Mexico as much as we can, it’s kind of based off the Gourmet Foodtruck culture that’s over there – that’s huge at the moment. I’ve always wanted to do good food, but in a really easy and fast paced way,” Rob says.

The menu, whilst it is simple, there is something for everyone. Rob maintains that his two big ticket items would have to be the Baha Fish Taco with blackened market fish and honey lime slaw – as seafood is a always a big favourite by the ocean. The other would be ‘The Red Neck’ with 16-hour hickory smoked pork shoulder and Carolina BBQ sauce – which is a bit more of a fusion with barbecue than Mexican. His other items include ‘The MC’ with Mexican fried chicken tender and Austin style queso cheese, two beef options with ‘The Tijuana Street Taco’ (steak) and ‘The Barbacoa’ (slow-braised) and another pork option with ‘Al Pastor’ which is pineapple-guajillo chilli braised shoulder.

“We source all of our produce locally, everything that we can that’s not Mexican we support local.

There’s certain Mexican things I couldn’t go without to keep it authentic – so we fuse it together,” he says. “Our tortillas are from La Tortilleria in Kensington and they are as good a tortilla you will ever get in this county. I love them!” he smiles.

If your mouth isn’t watering already I must add that there is something for the vegos too, with ‘The Asado de Patada Dulce’ with sweet potato corn fritters, spinach and Meredith’s goats cheese and ‘The Dirty Hippie’ with tempura fried avocado, refried beans and Meredith’s goats cheese. See, you’re so spoiled for choice, which is also why Rob and his team are more than happy to put together a sharing plate for you and your buddies to share.

Gringo’s offers locals and tourists alike a relaxed and modern setting, with vibrant, young and friendly staff. It is a new style of dining to the area, whist functioning as a restaurant it maintains a comfortable and welcoming vibe with trendy furnishings and fittings, beautiful art works, numerous table arrangement options and large outdoor dining. Whether you’re fresh from the beach with friends or a more welldressed family, all customers can feel valued in this place, and the venue is completely child friendly.

“We wanted to take people away from the fine dining and encourage people to eat with their hands. We serve in baskets and try to avoid giving out a knife and fork,” Rob says.

Whilst Sticks and Stones will provide a wonderful setting for the pop up version of Gringo’s, Rob hopes to be in his own premises come mid next year, hopefully staying in the Torquay/Ocean Grove area. He had originally planned to be in his own restaurant earlier this year, but sadly the lease fell through last-minute, which is when his good pals at Sticks and Stones offered the ideal solution. Current plans are to stay open at the site until Easter before embarking on an educational trip to Mexico to gain further inspiration. With the infamous busy Torquay summer, not to mention bub on the way, hopefully they will get some relaxation too!

Gringo’s Taco House is located at Sticks and Stones Specialty Cafe, 61 Surfcoast Highway, Torquay.

Open Thursday-Saturday 6-9pm For more information visit www.gringostacohouse. com.au or facebook.com/gringostacohouse.

WHERE: 61 Surfcoast Highway, Torquay

forte 41

T H E NIG H T V IBE

FROC K IT

Written by Tex Miller / thenightvibe.com.au

Three Wardrobe Essentials to Invest In

USA EDITION

Written by Jessica Alves

As a stylist, I find far too often – when going through the wardrobes of friends and family members – that so many of the ladies out there are seriously lacking in, what I like to call, the ‘essentials of life’. These are the pieces of clothing that can make putting together an outfit so much easier. So I’ve decided to give you a run down of five items that you might want to think about adding to your wardrobe – if they’re not already in there.

I’m going to start out with cheating and putting two items together. They are; a black pair of skinny jeans and a blue pair of skinny jeans, specifically the non-ripped kind. I really do believe in investing in my jeans, as I find the better quality the longer they last, therefore the more money I save. That’s the excuse anyway. Basically, I live in jeans. I have multiple pairs of both black and blue jeans, but realistically you only need one of each. They’re so versatile and can easily be dressed up or down, depending on what you whack on your top half.

Have a work meeting? Black jeans with a blazer and some pumps should do the trick.

Out to lunch with the girls?

Blue jeans, a pair of footbed sandals and a floaty-chic top is all you need, easy as pie.

It is really beyond me

how anybody could go through life without a plain white, slightly oversized t-shirt. I kind of love anything a little oversized, which works for me because I’m quite small anyway. But I think the right fitting t-shirt with the bottom tucked in to a pair of denim shorts is a pretty hasslefree way to create a chic and comfortable outfit for running errands. Then dress it up paired with the black jeans and a pair of pointed toe pumps. Maybe a little bit of statement bling around the neck, and you’re set for brunch with the in-laws.

I think outerwear is a very overlooked subject when you’re thinking about adding a little pizzazz to your wardrobe. A lot of people forget about the power of a trench or well-fitting blazer. I for one, am a leather jacket kind of girl. There’s just something about wearing a black leather jacket that makes me feel like kicking arse and taking names. I also think it works with any outfit. Wearing boyfriend jeans, grey t-shirt and a pair of boots? Pair it with a black leather jacket. Flowing white lace dress with white heeled sandals?

Pair it with a black leather jacket. It’s witchcraft I tell you.

There are so many more things that I could think of to add to a wardrobe to make it more functional, but I genuinely think that these are the three items that really get me through. I can now almost go through the morning without having a severe panic attack over what I’m going to be wearing that day. Almost.

San Francisco To LA

Instagram @jessicazalves youtube.com/msbonvivants

Packing up my suitcase in my hotel room in San Francisco was a little bit of a sad affair. Mostly because it meant that the end of the best four weeks of my life was getting closer. What a week it had been in Frisco, eating at what had been voted as the best barbeque place in California to heading out to Golden Gate Park for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, it was a lifetime of memories and not the last time that I would be visiting. After picking up my new guitar from the Guitar Center around the corner (a story that is probably a Night Vibe column in itself) I loaded my gear into the van with a smile on my face and excitement for the week that was coming.

Our destination was the big smoke, the concrete jungle that was paved for dreams to be made, yet we had a few days before we rolled into LA. First up, Yosemite. One of the most exciting things about heading into the hills was that there was considerable talk that we would see Yogi Bear, however, don’t be fooled Forte readers, Yogi Bear lives in Yellowstone National Park at the other side of the country.

With eight people for the last week in the van, it was a little bit like that classic scene from Almost Famous where they all start to sing ‘Tiny Dancer’, however the lack of

Elton John on everybody’s iPod made it a bit hard. None the less, I still brought new music discoveries to the table allowing everybody to get into the sultry and slick grooves of Chet Faker and Built On Glass.

Without a doubt one of my favourite albums of 2014.

The beauty that is Yosemite National Park, is pretty much indescribable.

It’s about an hours trek off the main road, but the natural beauty of the mountain ranges is quite majestic. You could try and emulate being there by Googling it, but it’s not as good as the real thing.

The next part of the journey was heading down the Big Sur towards Santa Barbara. The Big Sur is most commonly described as California’s answer to the Great Ocean Road, however I don’t think we have anything on the Big Sur. The beauty of the sweeping coastline and cliffs is amazing. Standing at one of the lookouts, it’s nearly like Jack and Rose in Titanic at the front of the ship. You truly feel like you are on top of the world.

One of the coolest parts about the last week was the opportunity to visit Monterey, one of the small coastal towns on the way down to LA. It’s a little bit like Torquay or one of the bustling city centres down the Surfcoast. Heading along to the aquarium to see a sea otter, was yet

another surreal experience.

This trip had been full of them and there was plenty of them in the last week.

From Monterey, we headed down to the Joshua Tree National Park for a brush with Gram Parsons and a quiet night in the desert.

Stopping in at Palm Springs for lunch, it was easy to see how the elderly retire to such a majestic place.

The Joshua Tree is home to where Gram Parsons spent his last night alive. It’s also the name of place for the U2 record, who stayed at the same inn that we were at that night. Burning a sacrifice in the fire was apparently a necessity, according to one of the groups, which led to quite some fun and laughter in the choice of the lamb.

Finally after four weeks, we hit LA and what a town it is. Staying one block away from Hollywood Boulevard was probably a little bit close to the action and, although it was cool to walk down the walk of fame, my favourite bit about LA was Santa Monica. Although the pier is a massive tourist attraction, catching up with an old friend for my birthday was the best part of LA. The beach line is amazing and quite possibly, a future new home.

This was not the last time that I would visit the US. An amazing four weeks, filled with laughter, music and good vibes. Thank you MezRay tours for the best month!

A SOLID TOUR 25TH OCT - THEATRE ROYAL [CASTLEMAINE] SUPPORTING PERCH CREEK 31ST OCT - 3RD NOV MALDON FOLK FESTIVAL 8TH NOV - DJERRIWARRH FESTIVAL 22ND NOV - FORESTERS BEER & MUSIC HALL [COLLINGWOOD] 12TH DEC - MY ROCKING FESTIVAL CIVIC HALL [PORTLAND] 19TH DEC - BAHA TACOS [RYE]

20TH DEC - SOOKI LOUNGE WITH MO PHILLIPS [BELGRAVE] 24TH DEC - THE CALLY [HAMILTON] 26TH DEC - TORQUAY HOTEL [TORQUAY] 28TH DEC - THE SPOTTED MALLARD [BRUNSWICK] 31ST DEC & 1ST JAN - ROBE HOTEL [ROBE, SA] WITH HARRISON STORM 2ND & 3RD JAN - STAR OF THE WEST [PORT FAIRY] WITH CENTRE AND THE SOUTH

f a c e b o o k . c o m / b u d d h a i n a c h o c o l a t e b o x - t w i t t e r. c o m / b i a c b m u s i c - i n s t a g r a m . c o m / b u d d h a i n a c h o c o l a t e b o x

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melbourne music bank winner!

h eloise Written by Jessica Alves

‘Follow your passions! Never give up on your dreams!

Do what you love!’

Sound familiar to you? Well, these are all things an aspiring musician might hear, particularly in their early days. Problem is, it’s become harder now, more than ever, to break into the music scene. With new kinds of production, fancy studios, promotional stunts and lots of things that cost lots money, the expectations of musicians are higher than ever. Without a magical limitless supply of money, you might be able to imagine how daunting and terrifying following this particular kind of dream might be.

A big problem for new artists is that a large majority of the population can get lazy with music, and unless you’re dedicated to finding out new artists, it can be very hard to get people to notice you. It’s become less of a standard to support local music, with events like summer festivals becoming more inclined over the last few decades to bring all the big international artists to our shores.

It seems like already established artists are really hogging the

spotlight. However, the Bank of Melbourne saw the average upand-coming musician’s struggle and raised them a competition. This year, the Bank of Melbourne held a contest called the Melbourne Music Bank.

Musicians from all over Victoria were invited to write a song, inspired by Melbourne, and submit it into the competition.

The winning artist was promised an amazing prize, consisting of two days recording at Sing Sing Studios, a music clip by film maker Wilk, performance opportunities with Bank of Melbourne partners, album artwork design, 500 CDs, marketing and publicity advice from On the Map PR and the icing on the cake, your song featured in a Bank of Melbourne advert campaign.

The four most popular artists performed at the Melbourne Recital Theatre in front of judges on October 29. After seeing their performances, they decided which one of the four artists had the winning song, announcing it the same day. The winning artist was a young woman who goes by the stage name Heloise, her real name

being Eloise Thetford.

Originally from Tasmania, Eloise decided that at nine years of age she was going to be a musician. “I was performing on stage as a nine-year-old, and at around 14, 15 and 16 I was writing my own stuff and composing original music. I just knew that was where my heart was.”

In May of 2013 Heloise released a self-funded EP and has since been entering competitions and doing little projects, working hard so that one day her work might pay off, and hasn’t it just.

Whilst having a bit of a chat, in between squealing and very high pitched excited talking, Eloise revealed to me what she’s planning on doing with the studio time she won. “I’m really looking forward to the studio time. I’m really hoping to be able to smash out a couple of tracks and maybe think about putting together another EP.” Through winning the Melbourne Music Bank competition, Eloise has been given an opportunity that not many new, or even established, artists are ever given. That is; a support system and a starting point, achance to have her

MINI CLASSIFIEDS Send your info to editorial@fortemag.com.au Individual use only, not for commercial purposes

song on television every day statewide, and an opportunity to boost her career as a musician.

It’s so easy to fall in love with Eloise as a person, as well as a musician, as it’s so clear that she is full of life and laughter. “It’ll be nice to kind of have some gigs organised for me,” she laughs when I ask her about what part of the prize she’s

most excited about. “I’m such a scatter brain, I can’t even do that.”

As an up-and-coming artist, Eloise knows better than most the value of supporting local acts, and how valuable it is to an artist when they receive that kind of verification of their work. “I think it’s really important that you’re supporting local musicians, especially

because the music industry now is such a hard place,” she tells me. “There’s so much talent coming out of Melbourne too, even just Australia nation wide, there’s just such an abundance of incredible artists.

Supporting them is the only way they’re going to be able to get their foot in the door.”

Singer wanted for original band doing 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 Experienced 22 y/o singer, songwriter, guitarist looking for a drummer, bassist and lead guitarist to start up an original rock band based in Geelong.

Influences: QOTSA, Sublime & Dave Grohl. Contact Tom at: 0487067083 Heavy metal/death metal vocalist & lyricist

looking to join a band.

Have original material ready to go. 0432959094 Wanted expirenced drummer to start a metal/ death metal band. Must be dedicated, be able to play double bass very well and be able to perform original material. 0415676768 Looking for talented singers, male and female, who would like to collaborate and record on a project for submission to labels. We are coming close to completion of the 31 track demo and are looking for people who can sing (all styles) to contribute to certain tracks, please don’t hesitate to call for more information. Call Matt on 0468632012

forte 43

Christine Anu Written by Natalie Rogers

Since she burst onto the scene with her 1995 debut album Stylin Up, singing those iconic lyrics – “Steppin out with my deadly red shoes, stylin up cause I’m wearing something new” - there’s no denying that the beautifully vivacious Christine Anu could get any party started.

Fast forward to Christmas 2014 and the release of Island Christmas, the perfect soundtrack to our beach, backyard and BBQ celebrations. “Woo hoo! I’m so happy to have this released finally!

I wrote the title track in 2007 for a childrens album I did, so to see it on a full Christmas album is fantastic – my kids [son Kuiam and daughter Zipporah] sing on this version as well,” Christine smiled, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Rehashing the song [‘Island Christmas’] for the album was absolutely wonderful because I was doing it with more of a grownup audience in mind. I wrote the lines: ‘I fair dinkum love this country. The green, the gold, the red, black and yellow, are the colours of Christmas to me’. I just wanted to sing about everything that we’ve grown up with, and what Australiana means to all of us,” she cooed.

Immediately at ease, I counter that it’s a godsend, because my Mariah Carey and Michael Buble Christmas records are getting a little

old – to which Christine replied, laughing: “Mine too! I’m always going back to the same Christmas albums, and there’s nothing wrong with that because Christmas comes around only once a year. It’s nice to have those tried and tested songs that we all love to listen to.

“I see Island Christmas as my contribution, and I hope it’ll become part of everyone’s classics … it’s a great stocking addition as well,” she added with a wink.

Some of the classics on Island Christmas are ‘Silent Night,’ ‘Carol of the Drum / Peace on Earth’ (feat.

Jay Laga’aia), ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ (feat. The Voice’s Steve Clisby), and a fresh take on the American classic ‘Ooh Child’.

“I found this song [‘Ooh Child’] on BeBe and CeCe Winans’ Christmas album. It was first made popular by Nina Simone, but I did a version like the ‘70s band The Five Stairsteps, which had a social message when it was released . . . I wanted it to have a ‘We Are the World’ kind of feeling,” Christine said warmly. “It’s also special because you can hear my

When&Where: Port Fairy Folk Festival – March 6-9 RELEASE: Island Christmas is out now through Social Family Records

children’s voices on that track too.”

Family is extremely important to the proud mum of two: “I love to play festivals where families come together and enjoy the music. That’s why I love the

vibe at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

“I played it last year, so imagine my surprise when I got invited back – I mean, who gets to do the same festival two times in a row?” she beamed. “I just felt so lucky … and Port Fairy, what a beautiful part of

the world to visit. It’s got a great reputation and the line up just keeps getting better and better every year.

So come on down to Port Fairy, but before that, rush out and grab a copy of Island Christmas!”

Hiatus Kaiyote Written by Amanda Sherring / Photo by Luke Kellett

Nai Palm by no means had an average upbringing. Though everything she’s been through has helped shape her into the unique, humble and passionate musician that she is now. Even through the phone, as she told me of her parrot Charlie Parker, I could sense the honesty in every word she said. Growing up as an orphan, who for a long time didn’t have a place to truly call home, enabled Nai to channel that pain into something much more beautiful: music. “I feel like having something dramatic to you at a young age and when most compassion comes from suffering, I feel like as a musician what you’re doing is you’re creating therapy for people and it’s a really beautiful thing,” Nai says.

Listening to a song by Hiatus Kaiyote the positive effect is felt immediately, and for many fans, their music becomes a sort of escape for whatever they are experiencing in their lives. On Nai’s birthday she was contacted by a Saudi Arabian woman explaining that their music is her sanctuary in a place of trauma, war and tragedy.

“When I was an orphan and moved to Melbourne I listened to a lot of Oumou Sangaré,” she says. “I didn’t know what she was singing about but she was

my concept of home and kind of a mum to me. That was where I would go and it would be my solace. So to have that profound effect on me and be able to continue that on with other people; it’s really powerful and beautiful and it’s the reason why I wanted to extend upon just playing in my bedroom.”

Luckily enough, Nai was able to share her ethos for music and form Hiatus Kaiyote via a chance meeting at a gig in which Nai Palm was playing a pink nylon stringed guitar. “I actually loved my guitar and it was stuck at a friend’s house so I borrowed another friend’s little sisters practice guitar,” Nai says.

“It was one of my first gigs so I didn’t really know the difference, I was just like yeah this will work, but I actually have really tiny hands so it worked out pretty good.”

Through similar passions and an obvious connection, the band, comprising of Nai Palm, Perrin Moss, Paul Bender and Simon Mavin, have gone on to win numerous awards and release an album all while keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground.

“We’re very sincere in our expression and we don’t write to please anybody –

When&Where: AWME @ The Hi-Fi, Melbourne – November 15

we write to pay tribute to what the song should be or intuitively how we think it should be perceived. That then attracts good people and it attracts people where it really means something to them, as apposed to a lot of music nowadays that’s temporary,” she says.

There’s no denying the honest intentions in everything the band sets to work on, but their style, which they describe tongue-in-cheek as “multi-dimensional, polyrhythmic gangster shit”, is much harder to pin down. While Nai has grown up in a variety of different places and with an even bigger array of infuences

throughout her life, living in Melbourne has easily been one of the biggest influences.

“We’re really lucky that in Melbourne multiculturalism through the arts is really embraced and I think that’s really beautiful,” she says.

Dillon Francis Written by Tex Miller / Photo by Shane McCauley

Dillon Francis has just released his debut album Money Sucks, Friends Rule, and to celebrate he is coming back down under to party it up with us at Beyond the Valley festival over New Years. “I feel absolutely fantastic, because I have been waiting so long for this moment.

We recently put up the Spotify stream for Australia and did the stream with MTV a few weeks ago and the reaction that I have been getting to the album has just been phenomenal,” Francis said.

For any musician, releasing a first album can always be a bit of a scary experience and a bit of a gamble – after all it is the result of years of hard work. Francis’ fans were a little sceptical about the release as they thought he was headed in a different direction musically. However as Francis explains, nothing much has changed: “The concept right from the get go was to make a record that you could put in your car and cruise the streets and listen to. I didn’t want it to get annoying to listen to. I still have tonnes of different genres and I think that would be good for people. I’ve heard albums that sound exactly the same over and over again and it makes you feel like you are listening to the same song on repeat.”

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From listening to the album you might get the feeling that Francis has always been a fan of big beats and bangers, however as I was quick to find out, he is an indie rock kid at heart. “My parents got me into pop music and that was great. It wasn’t a force-fed thing because I couldn’t listen to anything else. From there, through friends at school, I got into punk, metal and emo bands. Having a sheltered musical upbringing led to me having a diverse musical palette and an impact on the music I make,” he says.

One of Francis’ favourite groups was Panic! at the Disco and so to get Brendan Urie, front man for the band, to sing on one of the tracks was a surreal experience. “I listened to Panic so much when I was at high school, so to have Brendan sing on ‘Love In The Middle of The Firefight’ was amazing.

It’s my favourite song on the album and I think it’s one of the best songs I’ve made in my entire musical career.

What I wanted to accomplish in that song, was everything that you hear on the album. He was such a cool guy to work with too, which is always a bonus,” Francis says.

“ Everything about Australia is fucking amazing!”

Although there’s a bunch of tour parties and world travelling to do before Francis lands here for New Year, he can’t wait to get back to his adopted second home. “Everything about Australia is fucking amazing!

Because it makes me feel like I’m at home, even though I’ve just travelled so fucking far to be there.

I’m from LA, so there’s beautiful weather, beautiful people, and everyone wants to have fun. The festivals put off a great vibe and Australian music man, is awesome.

I grew up on a diet of Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts and The Presets. ‘This Boy’s in Love’ is one of my favourite tracks ever. Come party with me for New Years, you won’t regret it,” he says.

When&Where: Beyond the Valley, Phillip Island – December 30 - January 1

Forte Columns

le monde entier

By Madelin Baldwin lemondeentier.net

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

Many years ago – too many for me really to admit and probably not long enough ago for the Wollongong Chamber of Commerce – there was a character on TV called Norman Gunston, one of Garry McDonald’s alter egos. I particularly remember his segment What’s on in Wollongong.

There never seemed to be much on in Wollongong, but it was never as barren as that, now removed, sign slightly to the west of Geelong which heralded “What’s on in Winch!” I miss that sign …

In any case, Norman would have to revise his segments to take The Jacky Howellers into account. The Jacky Howellers have been etching their own path in the blues for nearly a decade. A two-man outfit consisting of Rod Mitchell on guitar, kickdrums and vocals, and harmonica ace Dan Sullivan. The act has been a regular at local and statewide blues and jazz festivals.

The two provide an intimate, relaxed style of blues and easy listening music, paying homage to both deep southern American acoustic traditional blues and contemporary blues.

Rod Mitchell has a widely influenced background, and together with his soulful vocals offers listeners a great atmosphere, one of early blues and roots traditions and authentic blues depth.Supported by harmonica player Dan Sullivan, who also has strong ties to delta legends of yester-year, this act will be a taste for both the contemporary punter and real blues enthusiast.

The name is intriguing, prompting memories of the one and only Jack “Jacky” Howe (1861 – 1920), a legendary Australian sheep shearer at the end of the 19th century. Howe shore 321 sheep in seven hours and 40 minutes at Alice Downs station, near Blackall, Queensland. This was a faster tally than any other shearer had achieved before. In the week beforehand, Howe also set the weekly record, shearing 1,437 sheep in 44 hours and 30 minutes.

What you can expect from the acclaimed duo is a journey back to pre and post WWII black American slave blues, heavy influences from legends Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf & BB King, with a mixture of originals and covers of these legends, performed in an intimate, detailed context.

The Jacky Howellers have recently played at the 2014 Australian Blues Music Festival, have just completed their third tour with Australian blues forefather, Phil Manning, and are playing the upcoming 2014 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival.

Along with this they have shared the stage with Ash Grunwald, Fiona Boyes, Ray Beadle and Alison Penney & the Moneymakers.

All of this seems to confirm that those coming along to one of their gigs will not get fleeced!

I personally will be interested to hear them. Recently there have been a number of blues duos gaining prominence. Stringybark McDowell and Rusty Bonnet are well known locally, and Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk’s, guitar and drums, put out more sound and energy than bands double their size.

The Jacky Howellers will be playing at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club on November 23.

pop culture Written by Anthony Morris

It’s a bit early for the networks to start axing shows for 2015, but we already know of one that won’t be coming back: long-running ABC2 daily satire show The Roast has been given the chop, wrapping up at the end of last week. It’s been a good run for The Roast, which first started as a two-minute fake news snippet in 2011, being expanded to a full ten minutes at the start of this year. Produced by former member of The Chaser Charles Firth, it positioned itself as Australia’s only daily news satire, which wasn’t really enough to set it apart in a fairly crowded market.

Competing with both The Chaser and Shaun Micallef ’s Mad as Hell meant they really had to work hard to stand out: they didn’t.

Over the four years the show managed to walk a fine line where their material never became quirky or individual enough to be memorable, yet they never really became competent enough to hit their marks as a straightforward news parody. Which is kind of impressive when you consider just how much airtime they were getting and how much possible material passed through their hands: after all, the big reason to go daily with your news satire is because then you have a whole bunch of new material every day.

If something hilarious happens on the Australian political scene on a Thursday by the time the more mainstream shows can tackle it the following week it’s firmly old news.

The Roast was never quite able to shrug off the same smug entitled air that dogged The Chaser early on either – being a bunch of white upper-middle class Sydney boys might be great as far as networking goes, but when it comes to comedy it’s awfully hard to find any groups in Australian society that you can make fun of without it feeling just a little like bullying.

They haven’t really done themselves too many favours, with a farewell announcement that contains the line “We’d also like to wish young, promising comedians like Shaun Micallef and The Chaser the best of luck as we pass the torch down to them.” Sure, it’s a joke, but The Roast had been on the ABC for longer than Mad as Hell, so… what’s their point again? That they were promising young comedians but the ABC has cast them aside for the old guard?

After four years on ABC2 making pretty much no mark at all (when was the last time you heard anyone talk about anything they saw on The Roast), there’s got to be a time when the national broadcaster cuts their losses. And considering Black Comedy (ABC1, Wednesdays, 9.30pm) started the same week as The Roast ended – and was a whole lot funnier with a bunch of brand new faces – having them gripe that they’ve been cut off in their prime suggests they weren’t very good at judging their relative worth to the ABC. Not to worry though: they’re already talking about bringing The Roast back somewhere else (my guess is online).

It’ll be interesting to see if they make more of a splash there. If you can’t build up a fanbase after four years on a national broadcaster, it’s probably time to give it away.

Travel Vaccinations

Whilst I am aware there isn’t a vaccination or cure for Ebola, in light of the outbreak bringing to light a very real health scare that is affecting people worldwide, I thought I would do a write up of vaccinations people should expect to get before embarking to popular destinations. Whether you’re traveling for the first time, or to an obscure destination, it’s always best to check with your doctor or travel agent as to whether you should get some vaccinations to stop any pesky virus from ruining your trip!

The Run of the Mill

Bali: Whilst you don’t necessarily have to go and have any vaccinations before heading to the ever popular Bali, people who haven’t been before have surely heard about countless people getting sick with ‘Bali belly’ and the likes. Regardless you should always make sure your basic vaccinations – like Tetanus and Diphtheria – are up to date. The biggest problem with falling sick in Bali is the poor hygiene standards; so only drink bottled water (generally provided fresh and free each day in your hotel), steer clear of dodgy street food and take a strong insect repellent. As tasty as Mi Goreng is at 1am from the nice man on the street after a trip to the Bounty Nightclub, it’ll be hard distinguishing between hangover and food poisoning the next morning!

Thailand: Another very popular destination and you should follow the same advice as Bali with extra caution being taken with insect repellent as Malaria is more prevalent.

Fiji: Same as Thailand and Bali, again with extra care taken with mosquitoes and insect repellent due to outbreaks of Dengue Fever.

A Little Further a Field

Peru: Extra caution should be taken again with both Malaria and Dengue Fever. You can consult with your doctor and begin to take Malaria tablets prior to travel. I have been told they can make you feel a little under the

PUNK! Written by Christopher Cruz

Lagwagon’s newie, Hang, is finally out, and boy howdy, it’s a corker – easily the best thing they’ve recorded in years. Have you got your copy yet? And most importantly, will you be seeing these bad bitches at Soundwave? You better be, because they’re one of the very few punk bands on the bill, alongside the incredible live powerhouse that is New Found Glory!

Remember Ratcat? The grunge/ pop/buzzsaw punk band that broke out of the Sydney underground with a string of GINORMOUS hit singles and became Oz music superstars?

Well, on Tuesday November 25 the trio play a one off show at the Corner Hotel. And just like that, I’m in Year 8 again. For you youngins that weren’t around yet, get educated, because they were INCREDIBLE – kind of like The Ramones with splashes of Nirvana and alterna-pop. Their album, This Nightmare, is an indie classic, and the Tingles EP is pure gold. Even Blind Love is brilliant, and it’s my least favourite of their records! It’s good to have them back!

You know, looking back at Blink 182 circa Dude Ranch – easily one of the ten best pop-punk records of all time – it actually saddens me to see what they’ve become. Silly emo, goth and indie phases, serious delusions of grandeur, ridiculous

weather, and give you some pretty crazy hallucinogenic like dreams! If you’re trekking, medication can be taken to help speed up the acclimatisation process. Yellow Fever injection should also be taken prior to travel, especially if continuing your travel through South America. You can get all of these at your GP or travel vaccination specialist.

Eastern Europe: Not to be confused with the ‘more’ travelled Western Europe – which generally needs no extra vaccination – Eastern Europe can require a little more preparation due to years of neglect in the health system and water supply. Vaccinations to consider taking are the Influenza shot, especially when travelling in the colder months; Hepatitis A is becoming less common, but still a problem; Diarrhoeal outbreak is very common, so take caution with food, water and general hygiene, and make sure to carry some sort of ‘Diarrhea Stop’ medication with you for emergencies!

Tanzania: A common place to travel especially for people who want to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Malaria tablets should definitely be taken prior and during your travels. Some exotic tropical diseases don’t usually cause too many problems but you should consult your doctor prior to travel to discuss these. Yellow Fever medication should always be taken when travelling through the Americas (mainly South and Latin) or Africa. And lastly...

Japan: Since 2007 an outbreak of measles has been found in Japan and you should always be vaccinated against this. Also the World Health Organisation has confirmed deaths from Avian Influenza through an outbreak in birds in the region.

Travellers heading to Tokyo for a short period of time should be fine, but again always consult with your doctor.

Always speak to your doctor before heading away if you’re not sure, and your travel agent can also recommend the best travel vaccination experts in the area!

Read more on lemondeentier.net side projects (Angels and Airwaves anyone?) and now new studio albums that even their FANS won’t buy and listen to. I’ve read interviews with them recently and been struck by the attitude and arrogance they show.

They act so pretentious you’d think they were U2 or something, and not a band that was fun, easy going and exciting. Bye, Phelicia. And yes, that’s a thing. The old Blink would get that.

By the time you read this, NOFX will have totally demolished the Barwon Heads Hotel – expect a full report next issue, kids!

Mariachi El Bronx will be out here in support of their brand new album, 3.

They’ll destroy 170 Russell on Friday April 10. Supports to be announced.

Rancid have finally unleashed the beast that is Honor Is All We Know, however still no word of Australia being included in the tour plans to support it. Yes, I’m taking it personally, and you all should too. How many times are these guys going to snub us?

I was recently asked by a reader why I don’t feature metalcore acts in my news and reviews, and my answer was basically this: metalcore is NOT punk rock. Like hipsters and acoustic guitars, they just don’t belong in this column. Ugh. Even if they DID belong here, my integrity would not let me do it.

Word has it that a book about the life of the late Tony Sly (No Use For A Name) is in the works and will see the light of day in 2015. Could be interesting!

More news and reviews next time, y’all, so stay tuned!

PULP

too heavy to hug

Written by Alastair McGibbon

Written by Paul S Taylor

So Halloween is normally a time for scares, candy and running around dressed in costumes, but for comic fans it’s something even better – the time for Free Comic Book Day number two! I hope you all had an excellent Halloween and picked up some great comics – I’ll talk about what I picked up next issue. Now, onto the main event!

I think it’s fair to say that Spider-Man is one of, if not the, most popular hero in the Marvel roster. In my eyes, Spidey is up there with the comic heavyweights – the ever popular Batman and Superman – and no comic hero is quite as relatable as the nerdturned-superhero who swings his way around Manhattan fighting crime and cracking jokes. He’s got a great rogues gallery, too; he’s got everyone from the maniacal Green Goblin, to sultry femme fatales like Black Cat and tragic villains like the Lizard. Sure, they tend to be animal themed and can be a bit goofy at times (I’m looking at you, Rhino!), but Spider-Man and his rogues have been centre stage in some of the best Marvel stories to date.

This week I picked up a copy of Spider-Man: Blue, written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. Part of a wider “Marvel colours” series (including Daredevil: Yellow and Hulk: Grey), Spider-Man: Blue is an excellent look at Spider-Man, his villains and most importantly, his love for Gwen Stacy. Loeb and Sale have an excellent track record, both together and separately: Loeb has written some classic Batman stories like my person favourite, Batman: Hush, and Sale has drawn everything from classics like Batman: The Long Halloween (written by Loeb) to Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics.

For a lot of comic fans, Mary Jane Watson is Peter Parker’s one true love – they were married once, after all – but casual readers may not be aware of his first love, Gwen Stacy.

Spider-Man: Blue is a melancholy recollection of Peter’s life with Gwen – how he met Gwen Stacy, her rivalry with Mary Jane, his battles with villains in between, how they fell in love and how he dealt with her untimely death. While there are plenty of villains in the book, they’re not really the focus of the story – it’s more of a Peter Parker story than a Spider-Man one, and I think that’s its greatest strength. Spider-Man stories have dealt with this sort of thing in the past, but Spider-Man: Blue is probably the best I’ve read to date. There are plenty of ups and downs – much like any adolescent relationship, and it’s got a touch of soap opera-esque drama mixed in – whether it’s the rivalry between MJ and Gwen, or the tension that brews between Peter and his new buddy/roommate Harry Osborn, there’s plenty of tension in the air.

Sale’s artwork accompanies Loeb’s story perfectly – he recreates MJ’s famous first appearance perfectly, reinventing her style to maintain that classic femme fatale tone while updating her look to a more modern style. Loeb and Sale are clearly an artistic team that work well together, and have definitely made their mark on the comic industry with their work. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up this classic story – or others like the Long Halloween – I definitely recommend reading them!

Wayne Static of Static X has passed away at age 48. At time of writing this the cause hasn’t been confirmed but the internet and his colleagues, in their public outpouring, have mentioned a drug overdose.

A hurried press release some hours later stated he died in his sleep.

Psycroptic have signed to EVP Recordings (known as Prosthetic Records everywhere else around the world) and the band will be releasing their sixth album in March 2015.

Avenge Sevenfold’s Hail To The King: Deathbat game is out now for your mobile device.

Rumours of a new Tool album are flowing like oceans of eyes around a head in a trippy acidic video clip.

An Instagram photo posted by the band shows all four of them behind a mixing desk, presumably mixing a song, or some of Maynard’s wine or the millions he made from the sale of his garish mansion, I dunno.

Slipknot are officially a certified pop band now, rubbing shoulders with One Direction, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys now that .5: The Gray Chapter has hit number one on the U.S. Charts. What makes Slipknot even more Kylie Minogue (she’s had number ones too) is this is their second number one in the U.S., All Hope Is Gone made it to the number one spot as well.

In other news

Dream Deceivers, the 1992 documentary about the Judas Priest suicide trail, has finally been released on DVD and digital download.

Ne Obliviscaris will release their new album Citadel on Friday November 7.

Machine Head will release their new album Bloodstone & Diamonds on Friday November 7.

Gorguts, plus special guests Portal, will play the Northcote Social Club on Friday November 14.

Hand Of Mercy, Hellions and Void Of Vision will play the Evelyn Hotel on Thursday November 13 and an all ages show at the Phoenix Youth Centre on Friday November 14.

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

Ne Obliviscaris will kick off their national Citadel tour in Melbourne at 170 Russell on Friday November 21.

Prong will play The Hi-Fi on Friday November 21.

Trivium and In Flames will be at 170 Russell on Sunday November 23.

Primordial are slated to release their new album Where Greater Men Have Fallen on Tuesday November 25.

Thy Art Is Murder and Psycroptic will play The Hi-Fi on Saturday December 13 and Ringwood OLP on Sunday December 14.

Graves and Ocean Grove will play Bang on Saturday December 20 and an all ages show at Phoenix Youth Center on Sunday December 21.

Metallica will be re-releasing Kill ‘Em All and Ride The Lighting in remastered deluxe versions in 2015.

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 at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday Feburary 21 and February Sunday 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 forte 45

Refining the Palette

BALLARAT CUP A day shaped by racing tradition; the Ballarat Cup is the perfect way to celebrate the end of an always-spectacular Spring Racing Carnival.

Reminisce with friends from the past, soak up the colourful atmosphere and enjoy the roar of the crowd as the finest thoroughbreds battle it out down the straight.

The Tea Guy Written by Amanda Sherring

For many tea is a chance to take some time out, to drink while catching up with friends or to satisfy those midafternoon cravings, but for Benjamin Neoh of Modern Tea, it was the perfect escape during a rough time of his life. “It was only when I started to have trouble with my mental health that I went to a naturopath and I tried all the tinctures and disgusting concoctions they give you,” Ben said, his expression reliving the moment.

I’m not really good at sticking to anything that doesn’t give me a pleasant feeling so I guess I just progressed to tea – which was the most diluted form of those things – but the process is actually what got me more into it.”

While there are calming elements to drinking tea, the act of taking some time out and watching a dried flower flourish within the cup was much more therapeutic for Ben. Growing up in a family where business was common talk, starting his tea company Modern Tea was the obvious pathway for

46 forte

Ben’s newfound passion and so far its creation has been nothing but natural.

“I know my strengths – so what I can do to feel productive, not work for someone but also to try and make it practical, and that’s why I’m doing something like this,” he says.

Modern Tea came to light from an unusual circumstance, and the purpose for putting his tea out into the world also sets it apart from other companies of today. Feeling as if he wasn’t doing enough for his community – which even involved a stint volunteering at Gateways – his company was also a way of achieving that.

“Another reason why I’m still doing this is because of all the people that I’ve met who have encouraged me,” Ben says.

“I know how important it is now to have people that care about what you’re doing and support it, whether they’re interested in it or not. It’s just that sense of community I guess.”

With his Pozible campaign nearing the halfway mark, the support is clear with the end goal firmly in

sight. Since its creation almost a year ago there are several teas available, however, once the campaign is over Ben will be able to expand his range and reach of the product.

“This year for me has been to work out what I want it to be and where I want it to go, but next year will definitely be for me to find more places for it to go,” he says.

So far Modern Tea has three teas on offer inspired from the need for a simpler and higher quality tea experience.

The range has a blend perfect for morning, day

and night with one tea to wake you up, another to help with digestion and the last to calm the mind.

The range is already stocked at Mr Miller on Pakington St, Little Europe Café on Ryrie St and Capra Coffee in Hoppers Crossing, with each café taking on Ben’s tea through a mutual understanding and general connection.

To help Ben reach his goal visit his Pozible website http:// www.pozible.com/ project/185301 or Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/ modernteageelong.

Live music, tempting eateries, free flowing bubbles and all the big screen action will bring

excitement to your day, but it’s Myer Fashions on the Field where the competition really heats up. Known to bring out the most fashion savvy, the stakes and the heels are high. So ditch the denim and don your hat for the Ballarat Cup! WHERE: Ballarat Turf

Club. 240 Kennedy’s Road, Miners Rest, VIC 3352.

WHEN: Sat 22 Nov, from

10.30am.

INFO: countryracing.

com.au

DAYLESFORD HIGHLAND GATHERING Gather your clan and come join us for the Daylesford Highland Gathering and enjoy a wee bit of Scotland in the picturesque tourist town of Daylesford.

The Gathering includes a captivating Street March and a full day of drumming, piping and dancing at the picturesque Victoria Park, located at the southern entrance of Daylesford.

Justin has always had a keen eye for wooltextured canvas work.

Through his exploration of embroidery, his work has become a labour of love. The artist will be in residence for Sat 22, Fri 28, and Sat 29 Nov of the exhibition.

Sewing enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their

What happens when we die? Are loved ones and friends still around us after they pass? How do babies represent as souls? Bestselling author and awardwinning journalist, Scott Podmore, went on a mission to investigate many different theories, which he reveals in his latest book, Conversations With Mediums.

Scott is a renowned and highly respected travel, food and music journalist. He put together the bestselling biography of great Aussie rock ‘n’ roll legend, Jimmy Barnes, and regularly contributes to numerous publications worldwide.

His fascination with this topic came after a personal encounter which left him with more questions than answers. So he went on a search to have the conversations he was longing to have, with those ‘in the know’.

He did that… And got much more than he was expecting from the experience.

Market stalls will tempt the tartan in you!

WHERE: Victoria Park,

Daylesford, VIC.

WHEN: Sat 6 Dec. INFO: daylesfordhighland.

com

RETROSPECTIVE – Justin Gummer Explore the fascinating world of wool embroidered canvaswork. With a bountiful use of colour and texture, Justin’s works are sewn by hand, and are designed to inspire, challenge and move. Every stitch breathes a life of its own.

CONVERSATIONS WITH MEDIUMS

‘I have always been interested in the phenomenon, but I was very much a sceptic when I began this. Now… I’m not so sure’, Scott quips, describing his journey which took him around the globe to give mediums an opportunity to open up.

From arguably the most well-known modern medium, John Edward, and including other recognisable mediums, like Lisa Williams, James Van Praagh, Tony Stockwell, and Australia’s very own Charmaine Wilson, come detailed discussions about how they do what they do, and exploration of guidance they receive from the ‘other side’.

RELEASE: Conversations With Mediums is available

now at all good retailers.

canvas-work along, or just turn up for advice, displays or just sit and sew.

WHERE: ETCH

Gallery and Studios.

215 Moorabool Street, Geelong.

WHEN: 19 – 29 Nov. INFO:

etchgalleryandstudios. com

CREATIVE DESIGN MARKET Held only three times a year the market is held in the historic Wintergarden Precinct on McKillop Street Geelong. The market attracts designers from all over the region, artists with the gift to make beautiful and desirable pieces. Are you looking for a delightful present or treat for a friend? Find jewellery, candles, homewears and lots of beautiful handcrafted items.The art@wintergarden Creative Design Market will run on Sunday 23rd November from 10am - 4pm.

Refining the Palette

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) Directed by: Geoff Gaskill.

Who’s afraid of William Shakespeare? We aren’t.

We are going to make Big Willy memorable as short and funny. This is a romp through all thirty-seven of Will Shakespeare’s plays and aims to out-Python Monty. A small number of brave actors will brazenly blend the best of Shakespeare with the bottom of the absurdity barrel.

WHERE: Woodbin Theatre. 15 Coronation Street,

Geelong West, Geelong.

WHEN: 21 Nov - 26 Dec. INFO: tix from GPAC: 5225 1200. gpac.org.au

BROADWAY, HERE I COME!

Kitty Flanagan Written by Amanda Sherring

She may be seen as a woman who gets easily frustrated at things, but Kitty Flanagan has just as many loves as she does hates and Geelong just happens to be one of the former. “My favourite thing about touring is getting out and going outside the bigger cities,” she says.

“I know Geelong is a major city, but it’s still got its own vibe and its own city – you just can’t beat it. People are enthusiastic and they just love it, and I’m so appreciative of that. I feel like you put on a good show for them and it’s great to see people get off their arse and support their theatre.”

In fact, Kitty has another secret love and she got to see a glimpse of it at her last visit down to Geelong. “Last time we were there we saw a

little knitting circle in one of the haberdashery shops. Which is a find in itself because no one has haberdashery shops any more,” Kitty says.

“I went to Kmart the other day and asked the girl where is the haberdashery section and she looked at me like I’d said ‘Skibberderbupbup’.

Like I’d spoken gibberish.

She made me repeat the word three times and she still had no idea.”

After telling Kitty she most likely witnessed a yarn-bombing session in action, something that Geelong locals may be accustomed to seeing over the past few years, she was ecstatic.

“Oh you’re one of those towns! I love that. I must have seen them in action.

I was very envious and I definitely wanted to join,” she says.

Growing up in a

creative family, with a father working as a freelance writer since she was 10 years old, her pursuit of comedy was strongly encouraged, as was her sister Penny’s career in music.

Previously working in advertising, Kitty made the career jump after a sudden termination and recent discovery of stand up comedy.

“I wasn’t really that aware of stand up comedy as a thing, I’d never really been to one, or an opening mic night. The only people I’d really seen were famous people, like Billy Connolly or Ben Elton, I’d never actually been aware of a comedy thing as such,” she says.

After a quick performance in front of her sister in her lounge room, with some changes as a result, Kitty went to the stand up comedy gig and realised it was something she wanted to continue doing.

From talking with Kitty it’s easy to see the bond she shares with her sister, as it seems Penny has played a huge role in her career. Currently Penny is taking to the

stage with her sister for a few songs in Kitty’s new show Seriously?.

“I can belt away with my sister next to me – she gives me all the confidence in the world because she’s a really good singer – but I have no musical aptitude, no rhythm and I constantly come in at the wrong time,” she says.

While Penny will unfortunately miss the Geelong stint of Kitty’s show, there’ll be a special replacement from one of the members of Things of Stone and Wood.

“I’m really looking forward to it: there’s going to be a bit of mucking around without my sister there to keep me on track, so God knows where the music will go in this one,” she says as she laughs at the idea. “The guy from Things of Stone and Wood isn’t as well trained in how to keep me in hand, so this should be fun. I think my sister’s going to have a word to him before she releases me onto him.”

WHEN&WHERE:

The Playhouse Theatre, GPAC – November 29

This showcases the talent of the GSODA Junior Players with musical numbers from stage and screen. Featuring songs from classic shows such as “Pippin”, “Chicago”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie and “Sister Act”, and from modern hits such as “Book of Morman”, “Matilda”, “Wicked”, “Avenue Q” and “Legally Blonde”, the show has something for everyone.

COSI

By Louis Nowra.

Presented by Torquay Theatre Troupe.

A hilarious and touching comedy about a recent university graduate who is hired to direct the residents of a psychiatric

WHERE: GPAC. 50 Little

Malop Street, Geelong.

WHEN: 13 – 15 Nov. TIX: From GPAC 5225

1200 or www.gpac.org.au INFO: www.gsoda.com.au

facility in a show. One forceful resident convinces Lewis to direct the Mozart opera, “Cosi Fan Tutte” but no one can sing!

WHERE: 16 Price Street,

Torquay, VIC.

WHEN: 13 – 22 Nov. INFO: www.ttt.org.au

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Refining the Palette

Pivotonian Cinema Written by Amanda Sherring

Jessica Litsas and Mark Walker are bringing life to an old idea, with their independent cinema opening for a pop up Summer season at the Ukrainian Hall on Pakington St. Amidst organising their program launch, and hanging of the screen, I had the chance to sit down with the pair for a much needed coffee break.

“We feel like we’re doing the work of about a dozen people at the moment,” Jess adds with a nervous laugh.

And they pretty much are. From concept to completion, every aspect of the cinema has been created by Jess and Mark – minus the design of posters and the website – and it seems they are the best two people to get it done.

“I’ve worked in cinemas for about 18 years, in addition to being technical

coordinator at Lorne I’m also technical coordinator at Melbourne International Film Festival,” Mark says. Paired with his experience also working at independent cinemas like the Sun in Yarraville, and Jess’ work also at MIFF and in arts management, the cinema is bound to be a sure fire success.

With their experience they realise even the best of ideas need a trial period. At this stage the Pivotonian Cinema will be a pop up cinema, but if all goes well it will become a permanent attraction for the bustling Geelong West street. “The whole point of the pop up is testing everything and seeing how it goes, and if something doesn’t work we’ll make some changes,” Jess says.

“If it’s popular we’ll return to the same venue. Ideally we’d do the pop up and go permanent, but more realistically we’ll do the pop up there and then a pop up again next year, and hopefully at the end of next year we’ll be in a position where we can go

permanent,” Mark says.

The final goal is to one day have a functioning cinema like the Sun Theatre, with multiple screens set up to run simultaneous sessions. For now, however, the cinema will function on the one

screen with the program officially launched on November 7.

This pop up season sees films like Nightcrawler (with Jake Gyllenhaal), What We Do In The Shadows and Advanced Style gracing the screens and

15th & 16th November 2014

39th Prince of Wales Showground Holmes Road, Bendigo

• Show and Shine on Saturday • Gates open to public Sat - 6 am Sun - 7 am • Admission Sat $10, Sun $5, weekend pass $15 • Children under 16 free • Enquiries 0434 730 822 VR1946313

• Over 1600 sites • Auto, motorcycle, engine parts and memorablia • Display of Dodge vehicles from 1914 on wards, celebrating 100 years • More sites in the new 6,000 sq meter pavillion • Model car display and sales - our largest yet

Dogs NOT permitted on ground. NO Alcohol.

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entertaining locals.

There’s even a Ukrainian Film Festival in early January as a thank you to their venue owners.

“We came into the venue and were like okay, it’s the Ukrainian Hall, we want to do something to engage

with that community as well,” Mark says.

“It’s a great venue and they’re letting us take over it for eight months so that’s huge,” Jess says.

When programming the films, which are from suppliers Madmen, Umbrella and Pinnacle,

it would be easy to fall into selecting movies you like, though the pair have consciously been thinking of others throughout the whole process. The decision to have the Ukrainian Film Festival is just one example of this.

“We’ve broken it down into five categories – or five audience categories – so we’re going for kids and families, older generation, art-house for the film buff crew and a bit more of a mainstream thing for people that like their light and fun movies instead of the dark and heavy stuff,” Jess says before Mark quick adds: “And foreign as well.”

“I think one of the first things when you’re programming films is you’re not programming things for yourself,” Mark says.

And the attention to detail doesn’t just stop there, as the pair have created a unique nostalgic experience that pays homage to the good old days of going to the cinema. With 90 seats – consisting of 70 lawn chairs, 10 banana lounges and 10 bean bags – choc tops, popcorn and other traditional snacks, the Pivotonian is also about the experience of watching a film.

Another thing they’ve looked at is the affordability of a night

out. Instead of paying upwards of $20 for a chance to sit down at the latest independent movies, their cinema will be an affordable night out – with families clearly in mind.

“That’s another thing for us, we want to have the tickets low so more people can come and really get good value for money,” Mark says. With well-priced tickets and an overall experience created by the pair, all that’s left is for an audience to come and enjoy it. If the Pivotonian is ever to become a long term thing on Pakington St, they simply need your support.

“I suppose that’s it. We really need the community support and for people to come and see the films to show us that there is the demand for us to expand. If no one comes we can’t expand because we’ll have no audience to cater to,” Jess says.

The official opening night for the cinema will be on November 27 with a screening of the no turning back drama, Locke starring Tom Hardy.

To find out more or to purchase tickets visit https://pivotcinema. com.au/ or facebook. com/pivotcinema.

WHEN&WHERE:

Located at the Ukrainian Community Hall, 57 Pakington Street with various dates throughout summer.

forte 49

Klo Written by Amanda Sherring

Fame can either be a rapid affair or a slow burning rise to that longed for position in the industry. For Klo, consisting of Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam, after releasing their single ‘Make Me Wonder’ things seemed to happen overnight and the quick realisation came that they needed to get to work on a follow up.

“We didn’t really have anything else behind us, so we just kind of jumped into it and made as many tracks as we could and tried to get the best out of it,” says Simon.

Mere months after ‘Make Me Wonder’ hit the airwaves, the band followed it up with two more singles and as of November 14 a debut five-track EP. Klo seem to be onto the perfect formula to make it in the industry, though things could have worked out very differently for the duo.

After a few tries in other bands, it was a common link – Simon and Chloe are actually cousins – that helped them to form the band.

“My mum had told me that through high school Chloe had done a lot of singing lessons and was a damn good singer,” Simon says.

“I was doing sound engineering at the time so I thought it would just be good practice to record her and then I found out she was really

good – that’s when our relationship really kicked off I think. Before that we were really just forced in the same room and told to get along. Now that we’re adults it’s self motivated and the relationship is a lot tighter.”

With the awkward get-to-knowyou stage out of the way, Simon and Chloe were able to pursue their love for melodic electronic beats – and so far things couldn’t be better.

“It’s just really fun and it’s like we’re in the deep end,” he says.

“We’re just trying to stay afloat and hopefully when we get some breathing space, we’ll just keep working as hard as we can so we can prepare as much as we can.”

Following on from the rushed pattern so far in the industry, Klo performed their debut show on September 5 only a few days before playing Bigsound Festival.

While they’ve both got significant experience performing live, getting the perfect balance is still something the pair are finetuning in each performance.

“We’re concentrating less on what we’re playing now and more

on getting into the performance and being entertaining in the performances. That’s something you can’t really rush – it’s something that comes with time. But we’re on the right track anyway,” he says.

Even though they’re yet to release the new EP, there’s already talks for the next one, so chances are you’ll be

hearing – and seeing – a lot more Klo in 2015. “Now that the EPs done I really want to take advantage of that fact that we won’t be releasing anything, like another EP or an album, until next year,” Simon says.

“I just want to get in early so we’ve got more options and I can develop the ideas.”

When&Where: Melbourne Music Week Hub – November 15, Kelvin Club, Melbourne – November 20, Strawberry Fields Festival – November 22, Paradise Music Festival – November 22 & Beyond the Valley Music Festival – December 31

Josh Pyke Written by Jessica Alves

I first started listening to Josh Pyke after his track ‘Lighthouse Song’ appeared in volume 16 (2008) of triple j’s annual Hottest 100 count down. I remember the song being stuck in my head for days on end and I’ve followed his music ever since.

Currently, he’s on the final stretch of The Last of the Lone Wolf tour, which essentially consists of him playing solo renditions of his songs, with only himself and his guitar to keep him company. “It’s kind of like me doing a cover version of my own song in a way,” he laughs.

The tour is part of the The Beginning and the End of Everything album release, but isn’t strictly limited to the songs on that album.

“This has been the best round of touring I’ve ever done, I think,” Josh tells me. He’s reassured me that we can expect to be hearing all the new stuff, as well as the classics. “Pretty much everything from my older EPs to songs from my newest album will be making an appearance.”

The show is said to contain an hour and a half of acoustic solo music, but not without the help of a few loop tracks and pedals to help with the presentation and performance of the songs.

These last few regional shows will be the final chance to see Josh Pyke’s very different approach to performing these particular songs

as part of The Last of the Lone Wolf tour. However, to my delight, I was let in on the news that there’s a new album on the horizon. “I think I’m pretty far in terms of writing,” Josh says. “I’ve got about twenty songs written and about five that are promising but in need of fine-tuning.”

With plans to perform with the Sydney Music Orchestra and other adventures in the mix, it’s difficult to tell exactly how far off the next album will be, but be certain that there is at least a target in sight.

I was so excited when he told me that we can expect a new album in less than a year. He said that: “I’m really hoping that I’ll have an album out by maybe mid-August 2015 or somewhere around that timeframe – maybe even a little sooner.”

The main inspiration for the new album seems a little dark, circling around the idea of what happens to our digital and online information when we pass away. “Everything we do now seems to exist online,” Josh explains. “It’s almost as if we leave a part of our brains behind online when we die and it seems to be something

“ It’s kind of like me doing a cover version of my own song in a way!” that’s been creeping into the songs.”

With an interesting idea for an album in progress and promises of release dates, I for one can’t help but get excited for the future musical endeavours of Josh Pyke. With any luck, we might even get to hear a little preview of his new material at his last few regional shows. With only four shows of his The Last Of The Lone Wolf tour left in Victoria, I would definitely be wanting to get my hot little hands on a ticket, as it might be a little wait before we get to see him touring for an album again.

When&Where: Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – November 20, Karova Lounge, Ballarat – November 21, Barwon Club, Geelong – November 22 & The Loft, Warrnambool – November 23.

Ezekiel Ox Written by Natalie Rogers

A voice as commanding and important as Ezekiel Ox’s has a way of tuning out all the other insignificant noise around you, whether it’s out on the streets or playing in a packed live venue. “Put me on stage and I’m unstoppable!” His confidence is not arrogance, Ox is simply devoted to his art and convictions, and when both intertwine there are only two options – join him or get out of the way.

“I try to be as compelling as I can. When an artist and an audience work together both are transformed. That’s a real responsibility – something I work very hard at – and it’s something that I can almost guarantee at my shows.”

Ox is no stranger to being front and centre – he was the lifeblood of underground heroes Full Scale, Mammal and The Nerve, and still fronts Melbourne two-piece OverReactor – though to many, Ox stands the strongest when he stands alone.

“I wrote, recorded and mixed it all myself,” Ox says of his 2014 solo EP Raw Styles. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. At the time of writing it I was doing a lot of self reflection so I set that as a goal.

“Raw Styles is a statement of intent and it was 50 forte

lovely to work on it with no one on my shoulder telling me, ‘Maybe that’s a little bit too political’ or ‘That’s a bit too radical’, because I’ve always had that problem in bands before – sometimes people don’t quite get it.

“What I wanted to focus on as a parent to my son Griffin, and as a community member both local and global, is that we leave a legacy and history behind.

“Let’s not forget that once upon a time women didn’t have the vote, so what did they do? They fought for it and they got it. LGBTI people didn’t have marriage rights (though we’re still fighting for them in this country) so they fought for them and they got them. Indigenous people didn’t have the same rights so they set up the Aboriginal tent embassy and they fought for them. We’re still waiting to get there, but we have success stories.”

Ox explores these themes in Raw Styles on tracks like ‘The Past, Present and Future’ and ‘Policeman’. Now it’s your chance to see and hear Ox’s compelling message when he rolls into town as part of his On the Record tour.

Come prepared to be moved and

When&Where: Grace Darling Bandroom, Melbourne – November 14, Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine – November 15 & Beavs Bar, Geelong – November 20.

challenged, but also thoroughly entertained. “Depending on curfew and crowd participation, anything can happen and probably will. I like to freestyle – I think the best artists do it live and they do it extremely well. I’m happy to put myself in that category

after 16 years of touring and over 1000 gigs.

“Touring excites me. The Raw Styles EP is a great way to get around the country and I look forward to making a solo album next year.” Look out for that, but in the meantime Ezekiel Ox offers this food for thought: “I’m an optimist – I see the

victories no matter how small. I believe we can win and overthrow oppression. There are strategies that we’ve seen throughout history and new ones being developed all the time that will not only show us that we can win, but that we will!”

The Living End Written by Amanda Sherring

Even the most successful of bands still have a thing or two to learn about the industry, and it seems the Living End are taking a few lessons while doing some shows with Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes. “The thing that really amazes me about him, I mean obviously he’s a great performer, but when we’re in the studio and tracking a song hearing his voice come through the headphones,” double bass player Scott Owen says.

“He never goes, ‘Okay, I’ll just sing this through with half my sound a few times and then we’ll get serious’, he’s just serious from the get go and nails it every single time. He’s just an absolute legend and whenever he opens his mouth he’s on.”

For the rest of us, we’ve got a lot to learn from both bands, and thankfully the Face the Music Industry Conference is allowing us to get a further look into the Living End’s career. Taking to the stage with their long time manager Rae Harvey, the band will be discussing the ins and outs of how they got where they are, and as Scott says, a lot of it can be thanks to their great management.

“I think it’s almost been 20 bloody years that she’s been managing us,” he says. “We obviously had ambitions as a band but she was always one step ahead of where we were at and really focused.

She always follows her heart with making decisions and I can’t say enough good words about her.”

It’s refreshing to hear a musician speak so highly of their manager, so often bands are pressured by management to go in directions they don’t want to – but the only pressure The Living End feel comes from them.

“We’re a pretty ambitious kind of band – the band is our identity and we’re proud of what we’ve

done. I think we’ve got plenty to learn and offer as well, so we do put a lot of pressure on ourselves to try and get the best result that we can. I guess that’s a far more genuine pressure than feeling it from outside sources,” Scott says.

Even since the earlier days, the band have been giving it their all, and their live shows are a testament to their determination and drive to push themselves to the limit. Anyone who’s seen them in action can attest to this, as lead man Chris Cheney – and even Scott himself – often get up on the double bass whilst playing their instruments. Though there were accidents in their path to perfecting the trick.

“There’s been a couple actually,” Scott says through a laugh. “The worst one was probably when Chris climbed up on my bass while he was still playing guitar – this was on our first song when we were performing in a pub when we were first starting out – he climbed up on my bass and managed to fall off and semi break my bass in the process.”

It was a devastating experience and we thought we’d never show our faces in public again and that our career was doomed from that moment onwards, but fortunately we got back on the horse, so to speak.”

Since then the band have perfected the move and, while there mightn’t be many stage tricks left for them to learn, they’ve taken on a new project in the not-for-profit NGO It Ain’t Nothing.

Twelve months on from the typhoon in the Philippines – that killed over 6,000 people – and there are still families living

without proper shelter. Project 50.50.50 aims to put a roof over their heads with 50 houses built for 50 families.

Each house costs $1,000 and is built entirely by locals from local supplies. Granted, Scott thdid help out on building the 28 house for the project when he visited recently. That amount of money mightn’t mean much to us, and

that’s one of the reasons why It Ain’t Nothing was formed.

“We were just a bunch of guys and thinking about, well how much money do we actually spend on things that aren’t important?” he says. “We thought how about we tackle a little project here and do something a bit more meaningful with our life. It’s been such a hugely rewarding

experience and I just want to share that with people.”

To support the cause visit www.itaintnothing.org and help build the final 22 homes.

When&Where: Face the Music Industry Conference @ Arts Centre, Melbourne – November 14 & 15

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Inside Splinters

Written by Adem Ali

THE BEST & W H AT ’ S L E F T

INSIDE S PL I N T ER S

of 2 0 14

LANA DEL REY’s ULTRAVIOLENCE Shaping up to be the Splinters Album of the Year at this rate

As we near the very last legs of twenty-fourteen, most music fans (including myself ) are pondering what albums, songs and moments truly shaped the year that (is very nearly almost) was. But in true Quarter 4 fashion, there are still a handful of albums to come that could change all of our final lists. In what is almost always the best time of the year when it comes to music releases, lets take a peek at what’s still to come.

GAGA COVERING 4 NON BLONDES IN VIENNA

FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015

or

CHRIS BROWN How is this man still selling records

CALVIN HARRIS We miss the Old Calvin

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS News he’s about to ruin our favourite show, American Horror Story, has earned him a placement here this fortnight.

What an insufferable cu…

MADONNA

It is alleged Madonna could be “doing a Beyonce” and dropping her new album – the fourteenth studio effort in her repertoire – any day now, with confirmed production and songwriting duties from the likes of Diplo, Natalia Kills, Avicii, Toby Gad, MoZella, S1 and the head of Cherrytree Records – Cherry Cherry Boom Boom, which excites us to no end. The album could happen before years end, or could materialize in early 2015.

ROISIN MURPHY

The Lady’s cover of ‘What’s Up?’ brought the Haus down in Vienna last week… Are we finally going to get a Gaga rock album? Fingers crossed

One of the best festival line ups we’ve seen for a very long time

RUMOURS AND UNCONFIRMED ALBUM TALK...

THE VERONICAS

ONE DIRECTION

NICKI MINAJ

TITLE: The Veronicas RELEASE DATE: November 21

TITLE: Four RELEASE DATE: November 17

TITLE: The Pinkprint RELEASE DATE: December 15

Jess and Lisa, Australia’s favourite relatives, came back to the charts in 2014 with a bang; their surprisingly anthemic torturous love-ballad ‘You Ruin Me’ debuted straight at number one on the ARIA charts and ushered in their long awaited comeback in true style. Their first single since the under appreciated ‘Lolita’ (2012), this brand new album comes seven whole years after the initial release of their last long player, 2007’s Hook Me Up. The record is available to pre-order via iTunes now, and with that comes the release of promotional single ‘Line of Fire’, a proper bonkers pop song that may even be better than the iconic first single. These fierce women of pop may have jumped through some proverbial hurdles put in place by their previous label before we got to hear the brilliance of what they’ve been working on, but the timing, feel and sound of this comeback seems like it’s exactly what they, and we, need right now.

This record could very well be the game changer that pegs Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence down a notch in the Splinters Best of 2014 list.

UK-bred One Direction have never really been known for their albums.

Sure, they sell them by the truckload, but their last three efforts have delivered their fair share of boring filler, with sprinklings of pop genius found throughout the rest. This time around we could have a proper, refined piece of work. Particularly if you believe the rumours that this will indeed be their very last album release. Whether that’s true or not is another story all together. Much like the Spice Girls, most of One Direction’s career has spawned a level of anxiety amongst fans who have been predicting their demise almost since the very beginning.

So who’s working on the album?

Aussie chart favourites the Madden Brothers for a start, as well as Splinters faves McFly who, in the past, have written the best album tracks on One Direction’s previous albums. Rock band Kodaline have written an “unrequited love song” with member Harry Styles, whilst The 1975, John Legend, Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy have all been connected to the concoction of this record.

There have been many stories relayed in relation to Nicki Minaj’s upcoming third fulllength studio album, but perhaps the most interesting is her attempt to move away from the dance pop days of her previous release, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The first track to premiere earlier in the year was the crude, crass and brilliant ‘Looking Ass Ni**as’, a track which sees Minaj drop ‘the N word’ a total of 41 times in just under three minutes. ‘Anaconda’ we all know about, delivered one of the single greatest videos of the year, as well as one of the best uses of a ‘90s sample in years.

The return to her rap game is prominent, and is something we’re very much interested in. Splinters loved the dance pop of stuff like ‘Starships’ just as much as the next person, but there’s just something brilliantly more enticing about Nicki going back to her rap roots than there is hearing her bang out a corker pop song.

“ What’s Neil Patrick Harris ever done apart from being in two shitcoms and having a massive forehead?!”

The always incredible @ladyjazmana joins us in our hatred of Doogie Howser M.D. this week.

Former Moloko vocalist and creator of amazing album Overpowered is said to have recorded “over 30” songs for her long awaited return to music, after releasing the Italian E.P. Mi Senti in May this year. Whilst it’s starting to look like this may be a 2015 release, don’t be surprised if we suddenly get a single before Christmas. Here’s hoping…

RIHANNA

It has been an (unusually) long time between albums from Rihanna, who is reportedly releasing her latest effort in the dying weeks of December.

According to former collaborator Calvin Harris, she has cock-blocked all of his submitted contributions for the record, suggesting Rihanna has very much moved on from the EDM sound. This will be huge.

BEYONCE

Say WHAT?! The Queen of Surprise Releases could be gearing up to do it all over again, with speculation there is another new Beyonce album casually waiting to drop by the end of December.

If you believe the rumours, the new album will once again feature videos for every single track, with alleged linked collaborators ranging from Nicki Minaj to Justin Timberlake. Could be bullshit and 100 per cent false, but could also be life-altering and a game-changer.

If all of these releases are as big and exciting as predicted, we’re in for a show-stopping finale to the magic that is Quarter 4.

Written by Adem Ali. For more music news and reviews follow @AdemWithAnE on Twitter!

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Film Reviews

Films reviewed by Anthony Morris

Interstellar It’s the future – far enough that there have been serious changes in the way the world works, not so far in the future that people don’t drive regular cars or that former NASA pilot turned farmer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is an old man – and things are looking grim.

Grain blight is slowly wiping out the world’s crops, huge dust storms are sweeping the countryside, the world’s military has vanished and all the talk is of this being “a caretaker generation”. Only problem is, things are getting so bad soon there’ll be nothing left to take care of. Christopher Nolan’s space epic is the kind of film where not a whole lot happens and what does happen happens slowly so it’s probably best to go in not knowing a whole lot. Suffice to say that it turns out Cooper’s flying skills still have a use: a combination of suspended animation and a mysterious wormhole out near Saturn makes travelling to other solar systems doable, and time dilation – the way that travelling super-fast or being near objects with extreme gravity can affect the rate at which time passes – turns out to be relevant to their travels.

The trouble with telling a “realistic” story of space exploration – and here realistic means slow-paced and serious-faced with a lot of exposition – is that the more we know about space the less it seems like a good idea to send people out into it, which is why the first act works so hard to set up an

John Wick Once upon a time, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) was the deadliest man alive. No, seriously – he was so deadly they didn’t even call him “The Boogeyman” because he was the man you sent to kill the Boogeyman. But then he met a good woman (Bridget Moynahan) and decided to turn his back on a life of killing. Unfortunately, killing wasn’t done with him and she died of one of those un-named movie ailments, leaving Wick with nothing (ok, he still had a big house and a cool car, but still) and no reason to go on. Until a puppy arrived at his door, sent

t h e wra p Pride Based on the true story of a group of London gay and lesbian activists, who banded together to help the striking miners in Thatcher’s Britain, this is the kind of heartwarming film that doesn’t need to resort to cheap tricks to make you cry and feel good.

The Best of Me Nicolas Sparks (The Notebook) does it again, this time with a tale of teen lovers torn apart by violence then brought back together twenty years later.

It’s not exactly his best work, but if you love love, you’ll probably at least like this.

This Is Where I Leave You Earth dying in just the right way (seriously, the solution to grain blight killing off all our food is to go into space? What are we going to eat out there?). And yet the dust bowl Earth works on an emotional level, and it’s a shame that not all the space scenes manage to create the same connection; the new planets the travellers find have their moments of awe and wonder, and when things fall back into the familiar space movie clichés in

the third act, this becomes both sillier and more entertaining, but this is aiming for a big epic feel (all those comparisons to 2001 aren’t by accident) that it doesn’t quite achieve – at least not story wise. Visually this is often stunning, with enough eyecandy up on the screen to make up for the often clunky plotting and thin characterisation, and if you’re willing just to admire what’s on the screen you’ll get a

by his wife (well, presumably she ordered it before she died) to give him hope that life goes on. Then two days later a bunch of thugs led by Losef (Alfie Allen) break into Wick’s house and steal his car, killing the puppy in the process.

Now Wick is going to kill pretty much everyone on the Eastern Seaboard. There’s basically two kinds of action movies; ones where regular guys are forced to kill because they’re in over their heads, and ones where supernaturally efficient killing machines go to work. This is firmly in the second category: while Wick is busting up the concrete floor in his garage to retrieve all the guns he buried

there (metaphor!), Losef is rapidly realising the extent of his mistake, as first a usually servile chop shop owner ( John Leguizamo) belts him and tells him to get John Wick’s car the hell out of his place, then his father and crime boss Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist) informs him that Wick is the deadliest man ever and the sole chance he has of surviving is to send an army of guys to kill Wick this very second.

Directed by former stunt men David Leitch and Chad Stahelski (Stahelski was Reeve’s stunt double in the Matrix films), this is the kind of action film where the fights both make sense and look super cool: a big nightclub shootout is the best blood-on-the-dance-floor epic since Collateral. You get an idea of how many guys there are against Wick, you get a sense of the kind of space he’s fighting in and Wick has an actual fighting style – get the other guy on the ground then shoot him in the head so he stays there – that’s both efficient and brutal to watch. The setting is a slightly fantastic version of New York where hitmen have their own hotel and the cast features a bunch of biggish names – Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Clarke Peters, Leguizamo, Lance Reddick – popping up for a scene or two, but all this is merely backdrop for Reeve’s revenge rampage and he takes full advantage of it. This may not lead to a fully-fledged Keanu comeback, but for this one movie at least he’s a joy to watch.

The Drop Cousin Marv’s bar isn’t what it used to be. For one thing, Cousin Marv ( James Gandolfini) doesn’t own it any more; he was muscled out by the Chechen mafia when they moved into Brooklyn. Now he just runs it for them, with his bartender Bob (Tom Hardy) doing most to the real work.

It’s also one of a series of “drop bars” – places where payoff money is collected and stashed until it can be collected – which means that when it gets held up one evening alarm bells go off. Because if someone robs a drop bar on 60 forte

the wrong – or right – night, they could score hundreds of thousands of the mobs’ dollars.

Meanwhile, Bob has his own problems: after rescuing a pit bull

puppy dumped in a bin, Nadia (Noomi Rapace) – whose bin it was, though it’s not her dog – reluctantly agrees to help him take care of it. But her violent ex, Eric

lot more out of this than you will if you start thinking about what’s meant to be going on. Splitting the story between the space antics of Cooper and fellow crewmates Amelia (Anne Hathaway), Doyle (Wes Bentley) and Romilly (David Gyasi), and the family Cooper leaves behind to grow up without him, including his science-obsessed daughter Murph ( Jessica Chastain) and farmer son Tom (Casey Affleck) – with NASA’s Professor

Brand (Michael Caine) as the link between them – pays off in the occasional case of dramatic cross-cutting. But for a movie that crosses galaxies with the fate of the entire world at stake this is neither a white-knuckle thrill ride nor a distanced look at humanity’s place in the scheme of things. There is, however, a lot of talk about the importance of love; good to know that even when life on Earth is dying some clichés still survive.

A family that doesn’t exactly get along is forced to hang out together after the death of their father. Much bitchiness, the occasional cute moment and a lot of “learning” – but not a whole lot of humour, despite featuring both Jason Bateman and Tina Fey – follows.

Gone Girl The best-selling novel is now a hit thriller – well, it’s a thriller unless you figure out the stories many twists and turns (which aren’t all that hard to figure out), in which case the first section is a bit of a plod.

But once the various mysteries are all out in the open, this becomes a fun – if jet-black – satire on relationships and the way those outside of them are always quick to judge.

The Judge

Love Rosie If there’s a sure-fire formula for romantic movie success, it’s the tale of two best friends who are secretly in love with one another but never quite get up the courage to say how they really feel. Unlike falling in love with a vampire or discovering your girlfriend is really your sister, this kind of thing actually happens in real life – especially once you throw in the usual “timing isn’t right” developments that happen between two people once they start dating (other people). Which is a roundabout way of saying that Love Rosie is built around a triedand-tested rom-com concept and for the most part it doesn’t put a foot wrong. Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin) and Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins, daughter of Phil) have been friends since forever, but after a drunken pash at Rosie’s eighteenth (she wakes up the next day with no memory of it; he thinks she’s faking to hide the fact she doesn’t fancy

him) the stage is set for 12 years of awkward pauses and longing stares as they lose their virginity (not to each other), fall pregnant (not to each other), move overseas (not with each other), move in with their long-time lovers (not each other) and get married (not to each other), all the while keeping the torch between them burning bright.

This kind of thing could easily get painful – especially as Claflin gets more and more Hugh Grant-ish as his character ages – but Collins does an excellent job of being all plucky and spunky during the bits where her character is being ground down, and then letting her eyes fill with tears every time she realises that the movie still has half an hour to go so yet another stab at finally getting her heart’s desire has to be postponed. It’s all kind of silly (but what romantic films aren’t?), and it’s just funny enough to let you enjoy all the sappy stuff without feeling like a complete fool.

Deeds (Matthias Schoenaerts), who rumour has it killed a guy a few years back, is still on the scene, and he doesn’t like Bob getting friendly with his girl. Based on a short story by Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone) and directed by Michaël R. Roskam (Bullhead), this is a fairly straightforward tale of a run down neighbourhood where everyone knows everyone else and trust is in short supply.

While the story ticks along nicely with a few decent twists, it rarely manages to feel like much more than a short story extended to feature-length. It’s big strength

(and more likely than not, the reason it’s getting a cinema release here) is the cast: Enough Said was the kind of film you’d wish had been Gandolfini’s final film because he was so good in it (and it was such a warm and different role for him), but it’s probably appropriate that this is his real final film – one where he plays an angry low-level mob guy wishing things had turned out better.

Hardy is just as good cast against type as a nice guy surrounded by creeps and thugs; if there’s a reason to watch this, it’s for the chance to hang out with these guys watching them just… hang out.

Robert Downey Jr plays his usual smart-mouthed smart guy, but twist, his mother dies and he has to put his high-paid sleazy lawyer life on hold to go back to the small town where his Judge father (Robert Duvall) still hates him. Then the Judge is charged with murder.

If you can’t guess who’s going to defend him, you might actually enjoy this by-the-numbers story.

The Maze Runner 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.

Fury World War II is coming to an end. But that doesn’t mean any shortage of tank-related action in this crude action film, that really would like to have something profound to say about the nature of war but just serves up a bunch of fairly silly action clichés – what elite Nazi troops were trained to just run blindly at machine guns?

Brad Pitt, Fury

Music Reviews

Felicity Groom

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

HUNGRY SKY Spinning Top

Having never really heard Felicity Groom before I wasn’t really sure what to think, though as soon as Hungry Sky started off I was mesmerised.

Still trying to decide where I stood on the album, I was almost too hypnotised

by Felicity’s powerful and unwavering vocals that I didn’t come to a conclusion. Though, that’s a good sign in itself.

With electronic beats, floaty synths and a general out of this world sound, Hungry Sky was a very wise name for the sophomore release. This time around the album is more beats driven, and often the guitar has been traded with the piano and keys. ‘Brackets’ serves as a great example of this and is an upbeat tune with a twist.

‘Better Days’ is an easy highlight of the album, it hints of old ‘60s rock songs, it’s a great tune with some eargasm worthy guitar riffs thrown in for good measure. ‘Oh Jesus’ echoes of old works by PJ Harvey, and is another sneak

I’M IN YOUR MIND FUZZ Inertia

addition of rock into the release.

‘Moves Your Muscles’ is an energetic number with a tribalesque rhythmic drumbeat. It soon becomes clear that if anything, Felicity doesn’t like being predictable. The album quickly jumps from a heavy

drumbeat to eerie horns, and each song continues to evolve from the next.

Hungry Sky isn’t just about creating great music, it’s also about telling a story, and Felicity Groom can be glad in knowing she’s achieved them both and then some. Amanda Sherring

Little May

the vocals are achieved effortlessly, with each harmony sung to perfection. For those who love a bit of Mumford & Sons, I ask you this one question: how much better would they be when swapped for female musicians? While this is

really a rhetorical question, ‘Hide’ answers it in about three minutes.

The song is upbeat with a little bit of a tribal beat and gentle guitar strumming, something your ears will delight in. The combinations makes it one of the highlights of the EP and worthy of any and all comparisons to Mumford & Sons.

‘Midnight Hour’ is slow burning, ‘Bones’ is a highly emotive raw indie track and ‘Boardwalks’ is a sombre little tune with gentle rolling guitar that sweeps through the room, also a standout. Overall the EP forms a spectacular debut EP that’s easy to fall in love with wherever you stand in terms of music genres. Amanda Sherring

It’s the type of album you can pop on when you’re sipping on a whiskey or martini whilst wearing your best suit or little black dress, and feeling pretty damn good about yourself. Some of the songs had a bit of a Flight Facilities sound

to them, but dare I say it…better.

‘Falling For You’, the title track of the album, is another stand out: instrumental and mellow with well thought out and honest lyrics. Every song brings something new to the landscape of the album but there’s still a nice consistent style and musical fingerprint of The Harpoons throughout. I couldn’t fault a song if I tried, but other key tracks to pay close attention to are; ‘Never Stop Loving You’, ‘Keep You Around’ and ‘Hold On A Minute’.

I’m running out of awesome verbs to use now, so in conclusion, this album is the shit and you absolutely won’t regret pressing play. Montana Agustin

DUST Capital Records

There’s really not much that needs to be said about the new EP by Sydney band Little May, except that it is amazing and you need to become well acquainted with their music right this instant.

‘Dust’ is something you would have heard played numerous times on triple j, and while this seems to be something that can be said now for every band, Little May have more than earned their air time. There’s nothing try hard about this tune,

The Harpoons FALLING FOR YOU Two Bright Lakes/ Remote Control

The first thing I thought within seconds of pressing play on this album was, ‘Wow’.

What a killer voice Bec Rigby has on some of these tracks: catchy (in a non-poppy way) and smooth combined with meaningful lyrics. The first track ‘Unforgettable’ is one amazing song, utterly seductive with each element layered perfectly.

An album so hypnotising that you seem to just melt into every sound and lyric.

Yamaha VOX

Besides having one of the best band names I’ve ever come across, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard certainly know how to make an impression. The local septet have been around the local music scene for quite a while now, and have proven that they know how to make some excellent tunes. Their latest effort, I’m In Your Mind Fuzz, is certainly no exception – the fuzz pedals are cranked, the bass is thumping and the songs absolutely rocket along.

King Gizzard specialize in modern psychedelic rock, and I’m In Your Mind Fuzz is basically a crash course in excellent – if rather trippy – music. The album is best listened to in one big sitting – every track blends in together to make what amounts to be a giant, fuzzy jam session, perfect for long road trips or just chilling out. Their style can be a

Generally speaking, the album is a good listen. It dips in and out of slow tracks to rhythmical dance alongs, which gives a nice variety throughout. If you love your folk, then you’ll really dig Modern Capitalism Gets Things Done.

Montana Agustin

If the Arctic Monkeys had a lovechild with Last Dinosaurs, it would sound a lot like the new release by Hey Rosetta!

Rolling drumbeats and soft, catchy vocal harmonies roll out through the first track ‘Soft Offering’. If there was ever an album to compliment your summer than this is definitely it. If you loaded this album onto your iPod for road trips, you would be in for a good time. Hailing from Canada, these chaps make music that instantly brings a smile to your face.

Having played at Bonnaroo and many other American festivals, it may be a while before we see this new album

in full flight. To review albums, it sometimes is best to put the album in iTunes and place it on shuffle. ‘Neon Beyond’ sounds like they have teamed up with Vampire Weekend. With seven people in the band it might be a bit logistically hard to bring the full band out, but Laneway or Splendour might make our dreams come true.

Ending with the ballad ‘Trish’s Song’, this album is full of indie moments, perfect for the summer drive and the stove pipe jeans lovers in all of us.

Tex Miller

Atonally Young, the debut effort from You Am I legend Davey Lane, is one impressive listen. Starting off with ‘Komarov’, you are blasted with a barrage of psychedelic guitars and catchy choruses. Not too far removed from the work that Lane has done with You Am I, it sounds like this record was recorded in the middle of London in the ‘60s when The Small Faces and Frank Zappa were creating juicy psych pop grooves.

It’s a bold move to go out on your own and put out an album. I think one thing that is testament to Lane is

that he has produced a stunning set of tracks. It’s a little bit like Sgt. Peppers in the trippy guitar and vocal effects and it lends itself a massive favour that you should definitely get onto.

One downside is that after seeing Lane live last year at the Barwon Club, I am a little bit disappointed that the track ‘Shoppin’, in which was prefaced by a conversation about selling CDs out of his calico ALDI bag, isn’t on this cd. If it had that, it would be my album of the year. Check this release though for some amazing guitar jamz!

Tex Miller

Cubcave/MGM

Modern Capitalism Gets Things Done is The Bon Scotts’ latest album.

The Melbourne band are no strangers to the folk scene with this being their third album.

The album comes in waves of really catchy and upbeat tunes, that you can’t help but tap your feet along to, and lulls that could send you off to the land of nod, in the good non-boring kind of way. Track one, ‘Limerence’ starts off a little slow, but really picks up with feel good vocals and complex instrumentals. ‘The Weekend Bends’ has a Vance Joy vibe about it; it’s perfectly happy and uplifting and one of my favourites on the album.

‘Fifty Five’ and ‘Your Life With Other Boys’ are soft and gentle with not that much rhythm, but the lyrics and vocals more than make up for it. ‘Somewhere’ was the first single release from the album

Hey Rosetta!

Second Sight Dine Alone Records

Davey Lane retro TV-front design of the cabinet.

The lineup consists of three models, 4W, 15W, and 30W, allowing you to choose the amp that’s right for you. Featuring unique and elegant looks and the classic VOX chime, these are amplifiers which showcase VOX at the top of their game.

With very limited stocks, they are only available while stocks last.

and you can tell why they chose it. It’s a beautiful and whimsical little song that you just can’t help but connect with, you know, on a nice human level. It feels as though this album will be the soundtrack to many great adventures this summer.

MODERN CAPITALISM GETS THINGS DONE

PRODUCT REVIEW

VOX’s two-tone coloured amps dominated the world thanks to their use at the time by groundbreaking English rock and roll bands. Every detail of this limited edition series has been meticulously replicated. Starting with the blue and cream colouring with its instantly recognizable aesthetic, the thick gold piping laid in the joints of the two-tone covering, and of course the highly

backdrop for the band’s wailing guitars and singer Stu Mackenzie’s comparatively subdued vocals. If you like your music high-energy, highly-distorted and more than a bit trippy, I’m In Your Mind Fuzz is definitely deserving of a spot in your library. Alastair McGibbon

The Bon Scotts

Review provided by Music Workshop

Elvis, The rolling stones, Jimi Hendrix, Startrek, Mary poppins, The bikini, The Moon landing and the Vox amplifier. What do all these have in common? You guessed it, the 1960’s.

The 1960s became synonymous with the new, radical, and subversive events and trends of the period, and one company that birthed a new sound for the era was the Vox amplification company.

In reverence for the era that shaped so much of modern music today, Vox has released a limited edition series showing off the best of the sixties.

bit confronting at first – the sheer level of fuzz will no doubt be off-putting for new listeners – but once you relax and get used to the style, you’re off on one hell of a ride.

With an absolutely pounding rhythm section, each song has a thunderous beat backing it up, which provides the perfect

ATONALLY YOUNG Field Recordings

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Last Words

grog watch Written by Tony Montana

So this friend of mine is a bit of a Doctor Who fan, and by “bit”, I mean he has one entire wall for his Doctor Who DVDs, another for his Doctor Who books, a third has a whole bunch of general Doctor Who junk and I guess the fourth wall is where he keeps his Doctor Who costumes because he does seem to spend a lot of the time wearing those long coats that Doctor Who gets around in. His creepy obsessions are none of my business – I have enough trouble keeping track of my own – but I did ask him after Doctor Who finished up last weekend what he thought of this year’s season and then looked pointedly at my watch and said I only had an hour before I had to catch a train so he’d better keep in snappy. Most of what he said was

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the kind of thing that went over my head but there was one bit that stuck with me: at one point when I asked him if there had been any episodes he didn’t like (because he’d spent a lot of time telling me how amazing this year was, which was, um, not really my personal opinion of the season) he said “yeah, there were a few I didn’t like when I first saw them, but after I watched them another three or four times they became my favourite episodes of the year.” I scratched my head at this for a bit and then said “so, if you like an episode you watch it a bunch more times because you like it?” He nodded. “And if you don’t like an episode you watch it a bunch more times until you like it?”

He nodded again. “Yeah,” he said, “pretty much.”

You see, he considers himself a Doctor Who fan, which means he likes all of Doctor Who. If he doesn’t enjoy an episode the problem lies with him and not the show

because he’s a fan of the whole show, warts and all. Which I can kind of understand in theory, especially as one of the things Doctor Who fans often say they love about the show is the way it can tell all kinds of stories.

If you’re a Doctor Who fan (instead of being a fan of, say, NCIS), one of the things you’re a fan of is the way the show is constantly changing, which makes it hard to dislike an episode for not being what you like about the show – bits that you don’t like are part of the reason why you like the show, if that makes any sense and it probably doesn’t. But still, this is a guy telling me that when he watches an episode of Doctor Who and doesn’t really enjoy it, he keeps on smashing his head against that wall until the shape of his head changes. Which seemed a little extreme to me until I got to thinking: isn’t that pretty much my (and many other people’s) relationship with booze? It’s not like most of us

embrace the grog straight out the gate or anything – it tastes awful, pretty much every time we have too much of it we feel crap. It’s not like we don’t regret a lot of the things we get up to under its influence. As far as stuff to drink goes it’s not really all that cheap and there’s a whole bunch of places where it’s not even socially appropriate to drink it (try drinking vodka at a Sunday barbeque and see the looks you get). That’s a lot of hoops to jump through, and yet for most of us we bashed our head against that wall until our skulls changed shape a long, long time ago.

And yeah, I know this is a widespread issue. I mean, I try to avoid people who like sport as much as possible – yeah, good luck with that – but even then I know some sports fans who stick by their team even when their team is doing things that actively push them away. Usually a relationship where one party treats the other one like crap would be

considered a touch unhealthy, but the more you think about it the more it’s clear that’s pretty much every relationship. Doctor Who occasionally serves up an episode my friend doesn’t like, but he sees it as his duty to watch those episodes until he realises they’re actually good.

Booze often leaves me waking up in the washing machine out in the shed with a pair of stolen underpants on my head, but I just accept that as part of the deal and go back to it that very same morning. Sports fans put up with teams that treat them like disposable cash cows, people watch reality television shows that are nothing more than extended timewasting commercials, they go to jobs where they’re underpaid and treated like crap, they stay in relationships with people they don’t like who treat them like doormats and that’s how the world goes around. Clearly that’s because if life teaches us anything, it’s that doing the same thing over

and over again eventually leads to totally different results. No, wait, it’s the exact opposite of that. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting to get a different result is the definition of insanity. So why do we stick with these things that we don’t enjoy? Don’t ask me, at least my addiction gets me drunk on a regular basis. All you guys are on your own.

Tony “My favourite bottle shop just turned into a convenience store” Montana

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