Forte #622 by Forte Mag

G N O L E E G R E B O T K O T S E F ISSUE #622

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Geelong oktoberfest SAT 10 OCT, Geelong Racecourse

PG. 21

THE PAPER KITES

FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER pg.34

finders keepers market

chopped festival

jack a theatre

traces

pg.45

pg.33

pg.32

pg.45

ALSO FEATURING: The John Steel Singers, Jinja Safari, Richard Clapton, Dead Letter Circus and heaps more!

SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER

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

THURSDAY 1 OCT $14+Bf pre, $18 Door 8:00pm

WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY + Central Rain / Whales

GRAND FINAL WEEKEND FRIDAY 2 OCT Free Entry, 8:00pm

SATURDAY 3 OCT Free Entry, 8:00pm

SUNDAY 4 OCT Free Entry before 7pm, $5 after

THURSDAY 8 OCT $30 +Bf pre, $35 Door, 8:00pm

FRIDAY 9 OCT $35 +Bf pre, $40 Door, 8:00pm

“HIP HOP RNB PARTY”:

Moluck & Chook

TEST PILOT MOLLY

+ Luca Brasi

available from 850+ outlets every fortnight

17 OCTOBER

THE MANE EVENT 24 OCTOBER

THE SOUL NATION REVUE 25 OCTOBER

DEAD LETTER CIRCUS

+ 10 Years / Guards of May

“Jungle book dress up party”: Planet D / Token / Togar / Eddie example

Eddie / Pinky / Krit / Dj shorty J

DJ’S IN THE BEERGARDEN:

KISSCHASY

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

A DEDICATION TO CHRISSY AMPHLETT 28 OCTOBER

SLAUGHTERHOUSE (USA) 29 OCTOBER

YOU AM I 31 OCTOBER

THE GO SET 13 NOVEMBER

CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK SATURDAY 10 OCT $10, 8:00pm

SUNDAY 11 OCT Free Entry before 7pm, $5 after

MINERS

+ Hollow Everdaze / The Underhanded DJ’s in the Beergarden: Eddie Example

GOOD FACES FOR RADIO

14 NOVEMBER

THE MURLOCS 21 NOVEMBER

RIVER ROCKS 27 NOVEMBER

THE MARK OF CAIN 2 DECEMBER

LAGWAGON (USA)

ALL PRESALE TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE VENUE OR ONLINE AT WWW.OZTIX.COM.AU

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EXPER IENCE COLLARTS S

MUSIC PERFORMANCE U

ARTIST MANAGEMENT Y

AUDIO PRODUCTION

W W W.C O L L A R T S . E D U . A U 1300 818 777

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SATURDAY OCT 3RD

NIGHT!

IRS

TA UPS

SATURDAY OCT 10TH

+DO

S R I A T WNS

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NB & EST R

HIP H

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ed's note

forte issue #622 thursday 17 sep tember 2015

Issue by issue we’re slowly entering into the most exciting time of year in Australia: summer and festival season, are there any two better things in life? It seems each issue we’ve got another three line up announcements to make, and the decision as to how you’re going to spend your hard earned cash gets harder and harder. Beyond festivals, summer time means we’re spoiled for choice with many venues opening their doors more than the usual amount and throwing in a few acoustic acts to keep the balmy evenings going all night long. While winter is also a favourite season of mine, hell they all are for various reasons, there’s just something special about summer.

There’s the dates you need to look out for, some tips for the actual day and plenty of fashion advice and inspiration. Beyond the feature we’ve gone into overdrive with content, I’d almost say this is the most interviews we’ve fitted into a magazine. There’s chats with Remi, Dead Letter Circus, Augie March, Major Leagues, the organisers of Chopped and Finders Keepers Markets and heaps, heaps more. What can we say, we like to spoil our readers here at Forte.

What also comes with summer in Australia is race season, and our spring racing guide that you hold in your hot little hands, sums it up into a neat few pages.

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Here’s to another healthy looking issue and another fortnight closer to wearing flip flops and shorts all day round. Time to decide on what festival gets our hard-earned cash.

Publisher

Amanda & the Forte Team

Luke McNamara

Furst Media Pty Ltd DIRECTOR

luke@fortemag.com.au editor

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amanda@fortemag.com.au @amanda_sherring Art director

Riley McDonald

artwork@fortemag.com.au contributors

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KNOW

IN THE

Muffplex at earthcore

In between listening to some mind-altering music, spare some time for some mind-altering films. The official Muffplex Cinema program is out (curated by Richard Wolstencroft and the Melbourne Underground Film Festival) and features some cult classics, strange clips and local indy movie gems. We’ve got our popcorn ready for It Came From Outer Space.

t h e l a t e s t n a t i o n a l a n d INTERNATIONAL m u s i c & e n t e r t a i n m e n t n e w s

No Limits

Things are done better in twos, and with news of a new clip for track ‘Walk the Wire’ as well as a national album tour for Limit of Love, Boy & Bear are on the money. Hitting up Festival Hall in Melbourne on January 23, the news is just the thing to get us looking forward to summer. In the mean time, look up the clip to ‘Walk the Wire’. You won’t regret its CGI-filled goodness.

Laneway 2016

Known for pioneering artists at the top of their game and getting onto those just about to break the big-time, Laneway Festival has done just that for its 2016 festival, set for the Footscray Community Arts Centre on February 13. Playing this year is:

Ali Barter [Bris/Syd/Melb] • Banoffee [excl. Freo] • Battles • Beach House • Big Scary • Blank Realm [excl. Freo] • CHVRCHES • DIIV • DMA’s • East India Youth • FIDLAR • Flume • GoldLink • Grimes • Health • Hermitude • High Tension • Hudson Mohawke • Japanese Wallpaper • Majical Cloudz • Methyl Ethel • METZ • Purity Ring • QT • Shamir • Silicon • Slum Sociable [excl. Freo] • Sophie • The Goon Sax [Bris] • The Internet • The Smith Street Band • Thundercat • Tobias Jesso Jr. • Vince Staples • Violent Soho

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A Bit of Sufjan in Melbourne

Having recently played exclusively at Vivid LIVE, Sufjan Stevens will return to Australian shores for a national tour early next year. The tour comes a decade after the release of his seminal record Illinois, five years after Age of Adz, and follows the recent release of his Carrie & Lowell. Sufjan Stevens will play at Hamer Hall on Friday February 26.

Shiver Me Timbers

When the Fox Moves In

These days there are so many genres of music it’s hard to keep track, and a band who are rocking party anthem folk, the Timbers, are set for a few shows in Melbourne in support of their new single ‘All I’ve Got Time For’. The band play the Yarra Hotel on October 10 and the Newport Bowls Club on October 11

What better actress to replace Zooey Deschanel (temporarily) in New Girl than Megan Fox? Wait…what? In line with working around Deschanel’s pregnancy, her character Jess in the show will go away to “serve on a jury” with her room needing a rental. Of course, who else would you want to move in than Megan Fox?

We Like You What seems like quite a long coming of age series, Please Like Me, by the everawkwardly-hilarious John Thomas just got renewed for a third season. The third season will air on ABC in October 2015 and continue the outrageously, yet somehow realistic, storylines.

Let Them Eat Cake Line Up Announced Let Them Eat Cake have revealed a starstudded bill of electronic talent that will help them ring in 2016. This year the lineup features Âme, Ben UFO, Com Truise, Daniel Avery, DJ Tennis, Four Tet, Jon Hopkins, Machinedrum, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Seven Davis Jr, Slum Village and The Opiuo Band. As always, the 2016 incarnation will also

Long Lost Relatives

Offspring fans, your moment is here. After arguably killing off its best character, hello, Patrick was the best, Offspring is back again for a sixth season in 2016. It was believed that the last episode aired in August 2014, but much like how the show is full of surprises, this is surely one fans will love.

feature an eclectic smorgasbord of food, drink and art installations. It goes down on Friday January 1 in the sublime gardens of Werribee Mansion. Hit their website for more details. Independently Entertained Awards season is one of the most exciting times of the year, both for the chance to recognise talented Australian musicians and to get some serious entertainment by said musicians. For this year’s Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards the performers have been announced and it’s an event you won’t want to miss. Playing this year are Airling, Bad// Dreems, Dead Letter Circus, Frank Yamma and Harts. Celebrating its 10th year, the awards night will take place at the Meat Market in North Melbourne on October 22.

The Hateful Eight (of Soundwave) It looks like the slow-release line up is set to continue. The eighth addition was announced recently and Devil You Know are the newest band to be added to the line up. Having won the Best New Artist award at Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Awards in 2014, it looks like it’s a fine addition to the line up. Set for Australia Day ( January 26) in Melbourne, the line up as it stands is; Devil You Know, Bring Me The Horizon, Refused, Bullet For My Valentine, Northlane, Dead Letter Circus, Lordi and Failure. Early bird tickets are available on the website .

So Frenchy So Chic 2016

Wouldn’t it be bliss to sit in a park, listening to great smooth tunes and eating even smoother cheese? It may seem like a dream now, but all is more than possible at So Frenchy So Chic set for Werribee Park on January 10. Playing this year are; Hindi Zahra, Brigitte, Lou Doillon and Soviet Supreme. As for the menu, there’ll be plenty of crusty baguettes, cheeses, crepes, macaroons and glasses of Champagne to fill your stomach. Early bird tickets are on sale from the website at 9am tomorrow.

Tame Impala to Tuck You In

If only we meant Kevin Parker was really in your bedroom, pulling the sheets up around your chin to keep you warm. Instead, the second best thing comes with the ‘Bedtime Mix’ Kevin made for Phil Taggart’s BBC Radio One show featuring artists like Panda Bear, Air, Frank Ocean and Gotye. “Making a chilled-out playlist is not something I do regularly, but having been asked to do it, I’m looking back at the playlist now, and I may actually put this on tonight when I go to bed.”

An Iron Maiden Arrives

Talk about an entrance, Iron Maiden have just announced the details to their Australian tour in May which they will arrive for on their enormous Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet Ed Force One, piloted by vocalist Bruce Dickinson and carrying band, crew and stage production and equipment. The band haven’t played in Australia since 2011 and are set for a performance at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on May 9. Tickets are on sale now.

San Cisco and Ta-Ku Join the Southbound Party

Beyond the Valley, Plus One

Let’s be honest, if you were to attend a party with the Southbound Festival line up, your mind would explode and you’d be left a blubbering mess on the dance floor. The reality was enforced that little bit more when the line up was ramped up with San Cisco and Ta-Ku recently added.

Love, Art, Music

Pulp Fiction Possibilities

Are there any three better things in life? Howler plays host to the boutique micro music and arts festival, Love Street, this year on October 25 and things are looking good. Set to play the festival are; Immigrant Union, Saint Jude, The Darling Downs, Gena Rose Bruce, Josh Cashman, Domini Forster, Big Seal and the Slippery Few, Broads and David Craft. There’s also plenty of arts acts on the day; Yo! Lets Go dance troupe, puppeteer Jhess Knight, writer Telia Nevile reciting poetry and theatre artist Constanza Tangoblanca.

In a glorious story of how the internet uncovers all, an alleged list of the Pulp Fiction original casting short lists have arisen, and they hold some pretty interesting results. Mostly that John Travolta was a (strong) runner up to Michael Madson, and Uma Thurman wasn’t even listed for Mia and neither was Bruce Willis for Butch. Um, what?

Get Some Custard In Your Ears No, not the chocolate flavoured kind, Custard the band that haven’t released new music for 16 years – until now that is. Titled Come Back, All is Forgiven, the album recorded over a weekend has 11 new songs to get into. Chances are you’ll also hear them when they play at the Toff in Town on December 5.

Just when you thought the Beyond The Valley lineup couldn’t get any bigger, the festival just upped the ante. One of the the most recognisable characters in dance music, American house and techno don Seth Troxler has joined the upper echelons of the 2015 bill. He’ll join the likes of Boys Noize, Crooked Colours, Dom Dolla, Doorly, Finnebassen, Flight Facilities, George Maple, Ivan Ooze, Jakubi, Jamie xx, JOY., THE Jungle Giants, The Kite String Tangle, Last Dinosaurs, Lovebirds, Miami Horror, Northeast Party House, Odd Mob, Oscar Key Sung, Pusha T, REMI, RL Grime, The Rubens, San Cisco, Set Mo, Snakehips, Spacey Space, Ta-Ku, Tkay Maidza, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (DJ set), Touch Sensitive, UV Boi, and Yung Lean, with more to be announced. Beyond The Valley will be held from Tuesday December 29 until Friday January 1.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 1ST BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7:30pm BEAVS BAR: Andy Forster, Open Mic Comedy BIRD ROCK: Mexican Night; Mi Casa Su Casa, Taqueria and Tequila EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night EUREKA HOTEL: Eureka Thursdays with local DJs GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Mat McHugh LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard MARTIANS CAFE: $25 International Night including drink MAX HOTEL: Parmi night, Trivia Night PISTOL PETES: Wayne Jury PRINCE BANDROOM: Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 ST JAMES: Live DJs

SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Mal Webb, Kylie Morrigan WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm, Oxjam

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2ND BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Zane Carroll BIRD ROCK: It’s Friday B!tches BLACK HATT: Cool Change

CHOPPED FESTIVAL CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ COPACC: Coin Banks CORNER HOTEL: Mat McHugh THE EASTERN: Two Headed Dog, Long Holiday, 23rd Elvis EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: Live DJs

FINDERS KEEPERS MARKETS MELBOURNE GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: DJ Merv Mustard HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Fiver Night THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: After Five ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Benny James & The Blues Flames THE SEWING ROOM: Workshops 11-1pm & 2-4pm ST JAMES: Live DJs SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): The Nukes TORQUAY HOTEL: Jon Toogood WORKERS CLUB: City At Midnight

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Harry Freak BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Matty Orchard CHOPPED FESTIVAL THE EASTERN: White Fang, Mourning, LL Goons EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night, Tigerlily, Grand final Afterparty FINDERS KEEPERS MARKETS MELBOURNE THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Thom HOME HOUSE: Grand Final Afterparty, Chardy, Resident DJs

KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Video Hits MAX HOTEL: Wooshka ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: Dave Diprose

ROYAL MEREDITH HOTEL: Grand Final Live on the Big Screen

SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music SPHINX HOTEL: American Classic THE SPORTING GLOBE: Grand Final with Gazza ST JAMES: Live DJs: House, Hip Hop, RnB SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): DeborahN TORQUAY HOTEL: Mat McHugh

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4TH BIRD ROCK: Sunday Sessions $9 Pizzas THE CARLTON: Oktoberfest CHOPPED FESTIVAL CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night

FINDERS KEEPERS MARKETS MELBOURNE GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch GROVEDALE HOTEL: McRobin ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music ST JAMES: Live Music & DJs THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): The Sausage Rolls

MONDAY OCTOBER 5TH ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night CHERRY BAR: Cherry Jam Mondays GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won! GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6TH BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night GPAC: Stephen K Amos THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Thirsty Merc OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7TH BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke, Dave Anderson BIRD ROCK: Drinks Specials, Ping Pong Challenge ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Trivia Night from 8pm. GEELONG (52 Garden St): No Lights No Lycra GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Trivia Night KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Dead Letter Circus MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night, $10 Burger night ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night

THURSDAY OCTOBER 8TH BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL BARWON CLUB: Kisschasy BEAVS BAR: Live Music BIRD ROCK: Mexican Night; Mi Casa

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Su Casa, Taqueria and Tequila

BLACK SWAN HOTEL (Bendigo): Dead Letter Circus DON’T POKE THE BEAR: Tour 6-8pm (bookings required) EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night EUREKA HOTEL: Eureka Thursdays with local DJs GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard MARTIANS CAFE: $25 International Night including drink MAX HOTEL: Parmi night, Trivia night ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: LIVE MUSIC THURSDAYS: Phil & Trudy Edgeley THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 ST JAMES: Live DJs,

SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): AMPED Evening WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm, Gay Paris

FRIDAY OCTOBER 9TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Peter & Kristine Allan with Dean Richards

BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL BARWON CLUB: Dead Letter Circus BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Al Vick BIRD ROCK: It’s Friday B!tches BLACK HATT: Rokk Fokkers CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ THE EASTERN: Gay Paris, The Yard Apes, 80 Hundred EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: $5 Night, Live DJS GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 GPAC: Richard Clapton THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Ben Dew HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs JOHN CURTIN HOTEL: White Bleaches, Magic America KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Drunk Mums THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: This’s For Abbey ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Paulie Bignell & the Thornbury Two SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music

SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): This Way North

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Krazyfish BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Cal Young BIRREGURRA FESTIVAL BLACK HATT: Smokin’ Joker CHERRY BAR: Gay Paris THE EASTERN: Spacejunk, The Spinning Rooms, Shit Sex, LL Goons EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night

THE FORUM (Melbourne): Dead Letter Circus GEELONG RACECOURSE: Geelong Oktoberfest GEELONG RSL: Thunderstruck ACDC Tribute GPAC: Kazka Fairytale, RocKwiz Live THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Abe Anderson HOMEHOUSE: Live DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Horris Green

MAX HOTEL: Hey Charger ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD CASTLEMAINE GAOL: The Grand Guignol Automation PISTOL PETE’S: Miss Whiskey

SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music SPHINX HOTEL: Retro A Go Go ST JAMES: Live DJs: House, Hip Hop, RnB SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Ballarat Ska Union TORQUAY: Drink Art Food Torquay/Bell Street Fiesta WORKERS CLUB: Dec McKinnon and the Knockabouts YAH YAHS: Two Headed Dog, Long Holiday

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11TH BALLARAT CABARET FESTIVAL BIRD ROCK: Sunday Sessions $9 Pizzas BIRREGURRA FESTIVAL CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: McRobin THE LORD NELSON: Sunday Funday Live Music ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Simon Carroll TORQUAY: Drink Art Food Torquay/Bell Street Fiesta

MONDAY OCTOBER 12TH BARWON CLUB: $10 Parmis CHERRY BAR: Cherry Jam Mondays ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won! GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11

TUESDAY OCTOBER 13TH ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night

LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (Warrnambool): Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Karaoke THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke, Luke Biscan BIRD ROCK: Drink Specials, Ping Pong Challenge 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: Trivia MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night, $10 Burger night

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night

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Geelong Oktoberfest

Written by Wylie Caird

geelong oktoberfest

May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent. To that I raise my glass. Cheers!

Think of Oktoberfest and it is hard not

Oktoberfest was a dry affair. On October 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I, married Princess Teresa of Sassonia-Hildburghausen (Therese All the citizens of Munich were invited to join

4. ‘The Mayor is King’. Since 1950, the festival has begun only after the official gun salute and the mayor shouting ‘O’zapft is!’ – ‘it’s tapped’.

the celebrations, with a horse race being the main attraction. When the occasion was repeated the following year, it gave rise to the Oktoberfest tradition. By 1814, German poet

5. Albert Einstein worked as an electrician at Oktoberfest, 1896. He, along with his brother, provided electric lighting to the event.

Achim von Arnim reported the festival was well-stocked in frothy goodness, though food and beer stands became prevalent in 1818.

“This is not sponsored by Victoria Major Events. This is not sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong. I didn’t want to put it through Geelong Major Events because people might do a snipe about those kinds of things. “We are the event manager along with our partners [The Events People], the events company that did it in Hobart last year where it was a massive success.”

1. While October 12, 1810 is widely regarded as the birth of Oktoberfest, informal Oktoberfest-type celebrations are believed to hark back to as far as the 15th Century, when the Bavarians would polish off excess beer in the summer as they waited for temperatures to fall again so lagers could be brewed.

3. Masskrug-schlägerei is a word used to describe the use of beer mugs as weapons.

Charlotte Luise of Saxony-Hildburghausen).

“I think this kind of event is just right for a city like Geelong which is being branded through tourism as the craft beer capital of Australia,” says Geelong Mayor, Darryn Lyons. “I think it’s really rare for us to have international events and this is a hugely expensive operation but I just decided to go out on a limb to bring Oktoberfest to Geelong.” And going out on a limb he is, with Lyons stressing that the venture is a private one, with nothing to do with the city council.

A few things you may not have known about Oktoberfest: Or, things you have probably heard or read at some point but forgotten because you were drunk.

2. Throughout its long history, Oktoberfest has been cancelled 24 times, mostly due to war. Examples include in 1813, due to the war against Napoleon. In 1866, it was cancelled due to Bavaria’s involvement in the Austro-Prussian War. It was once again forced to cancel in 1870 due to the Franco-Prussian War. However, in both 1854 and 1873 festivities were cancelled due to cholera epidemics.

to think of beer. However, the birth of

We Aussies are partial to sharing in the traditions of our family around the world, and Oktoberfest is no exception. In Geelong, it is recognition of history as much as it is a celebration. One of Geelong’s earliest settlements was known as Germantown, now known as Grovedale, and some of the first vineyards and market gardens in the region were planted by Germans – among them the Bieske, Baensch, Kerger, Winter and Boehm families, who migrated in the 1840s under the sponsorship of Geelong’s first mayor, Alexander Thomson.

What’s That About Oktoberfest?

More than 14,000 people turned out for Hobart’s inaugural event, putting down the better part of 30,000 litres of beer and cider. For Geelong, Darryn is hopeful of numbers to rival Hobart. “It’s one of those things, it’s all about fun. We’re targeting 10,000 people which will make it a massive event for Geelong, and we’ve had a huge response already – in fact, it broke the internet on the first day, the first hour of ticket sales.”

If the drink is what gets you there, and the food is what keeps you there, then the entertainment makes the day. Miss Oktoberfest is a quest to find the “ideal” Bavarian woman; that is, one who can wear a dirndl with pride, while also displaying their skills in stein lifting, beer pouring and Oktoberfest trivia. Stein lifting involves holding the one-litre steins at arm’s length, parallel to the floor, for as long as possible.

Beer aside, Geelong Oktoberfest will serve up a mouthwatering range of food – the smells of bratwurst and chicken, wood-fired meats, potato pancakes, pork knuckles, root vegetables, chips, smoked fish and schnitzel burgers will all fill the air. You want pretzel girls? You’ve got ’em. Traditional German music and entertainment will feature, while revellers will also be able to learn about the Bavarian culture and history.

For the hirsute individual, Oktoberfest’s beardmeister competition seeks out the finest moustaches and beards. Hirsute for happiness, and happiness for all.

Okay, we’ve put the beer aside for long enough. In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law ‘Reinheitsgebot’, 14 beers have been imported straight from Munich, including Hofbräu, Franziskaner, Spaten, HackerPschorr, Löwenbräu and Paulaner. Reinheitsgebot was adopted in the duchy of Munich in 1487 and across the entirety of Bavaria in 1516. A part-text of the 1516 Bavarian Law reads: “The only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be Barley, Hops and Water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance shall be punished by the Court authorities’ confiscating such barrels of beer, without fail.”

Geelong is well-known for its cultural diversity. One needs to look no further than Pako Festa for this. With Oktoberfest, Mayor Lyons is thrilled to be bringing new flavour to the region. “It’s going to be a massive celebration of our multicultural existence, which of course is huge in Geelong with our multicultural population. “For me, it’s the historical nature of the festival. They were bringing something like this out of Europe to the major capitals around Australia and I thought I was in a position to nick it for Geelong – and that’s exactly what I did.”

When & Where: Geelong Racecourse – October 10

6. Wies’nkoks is a sachet filled with dextrose and menthol that is referred to as ‘Oktoberfest Cocaine’, as one snorts it. It is not illegal (apparently it provides a natural stimulant for those who have had a few too many), though organisers wish to ban it as they feel it distracts people from beer. 7. Glass steins were introduced to Oktoberfest in 1892. 8. In 2008, Anita Schwarz carried 19 beer steins over 40m to achieve a Guinness record. Carrying five in each hand, with a further nine balanced on top, the weight came in at 45kg. 9. Placing your foot on a table signifies that you’re planning on downing an entire stein of beer in one go. 10. Bierleichen, or ‘beer corpse’, is a word used to describe those who indulge in a little too much and pass out. Got a few minutes to Google search?

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The John Steel Singers

Written by Tex Miller

The John Steel Singers are about to converge “We haven’t set an exact date for the release of the album, yet we are thinking about early next year,” he says.

on the Kennedy’s Creek Music Festival, having not played a show in the region in quite a while, the opportunity to get amongst some

sun and undoubtedly the best surf in the world, was something that front man Tim Morrissey couldn’t pass up. “I’m super excited! It’s not far from the Great Ocean Road so I’m going to take down my esky lid, as people would say, and I’m going to stay on a few days and get amongst some of the best surf in the world. I’m sure it’s a lot better swell than we have been getting up here in Queensland that’s for sure,” Morrissey says.

Thinking back from their debut effort Tangalooma released in 2010 to the new Hall and Oates inspired third album, it is quite a change in sound. Whether that’s to say that you’ll be hearing The John Steel Singers on Smooth FM anytime soon, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Having toured all around Europe in the wake of Everything’s A Thread, Morrissey is eager to reveal that Jonathan Boulet is now an honorary member of the Steel Singers.

“The benefit to this album is that now we have our own professional studio called The Plutonium and it’s decked out like it’s the early ‘70s. When we went in there, we lost all perception of time. We were lucky because we could piece this album together bit by bit. Bands don’t really have the luxury of being able to spend weeks upon weeks in the studio getting it right.” “When we had some downtime during our European tour we In talking about the new sound of the band on their third headed into the studio in Wales and recorded ‘Weekend studio effort, from past feedback by fans and critics alike, the Lover’. If you listen closely you’re able to hear his vocals. We word funk has been passed around a lot and is a good can’t afford to bring the whole 10 piece band down to indication of where the new songs are headed. The perfect Kennedy’s but there will be seven of us and Boulet, so it’s description of the new sound, as Morrissey states, came from definitely going to be a massive party,” he says. none other than his wife.

Having released a new track ‘Weekend Lover’ in the past “My wife said this record sounds a lot like post yacht rock. So couple of weeks, there has been quite a bit of speculation in terms of bands, we are talking about a healthy mix of Hall around the industry as to when the highly anticipated third and Oates, The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. Smooth record is about to drop. Entitled Midnight At The Plutonium and funky but in a white man sort of way, I can’t wait for this album sees the band once again branch out into new everyone to hear the finished product,” Morrissey says. ideas and explore various new sounds throughout.

When & Where: Kennedys Creek Music Festival, Kennedys Creek – October 24 & 25

Old Feather Q&A

After forming recently by chance and

a mutual understanding for their sound, Old Feather are set to play Bell Street Fiesta. Also from around the area, it’s an event that they enjoy just as much as locals as they would being on stage. So we saw you recently played at Veeped Lives down at Barwon Club, which we’ve heard have been quite crazy, how was it? Yeah it’s always fun playing at a Veeped gig. We had a full set-up for that one and an enthusiastic crowd which made it good. We play at another Veeped gig at the end of last year, so we know how good they are. In general how has the gigging been going around the place? We’ve had some great gigs in Melbourne at the Northcote Social Club playing with Whitaker and at the Shebeen bar earlier in the year, as well as some others around Geelong and in Melbourne. We haven’t been too focussed on gigs but it’s always good getting out and playing a few shows. For our readers who aren’t familiar with Old Feather, how did the band come to be? I guess it all started with very informal jams to get us through the winter down here on the Surf Coast with minimal expectations. We had all been in different bands of different

Archie Roach JJ

Our country is rich in talent, and when it

comes to Indigenous music festival NaranaFest, they had the pick of the crop. Archie Roach is one of Australia’s most respected musicians. Calling on the deep sounds of his vocals, his words resonate with generations of Australians as he discusses some of the most poignant and important topics of our nation. “Music brings people together,” Archie says. “It’s good to be involved with anything to do with the event and discussing things like reconciliation. It’s an important event.” It has been eight years since the last NaranaFest, which featured the likes of Dan Sultan and Xavier Rudd. And after the success of pop up events Narana Unplugged and gallery launches, the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre is bringing back the family-friendly festival to Geelong in a day full of music, food and culture. Joining acts like Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys, and Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Roach leads the line up as he celebrates 25 years of his debut album Charcoal Lane. “It’s always an honour to be the headline act,” he says. Having some friends join him as he revisits classics, the significance of the songs of Charcoal Lane have only grown through time.

genres but seemed to find some common ground quite quickly. Pretty soon it became a regular session, just enjoying the music and messing about with the collection of instruments we’ve got going. We love the addition of the mandolin, harmonica and violin, were they easy instruments to incorporate into your sound? A folky undertone was something that we were interested in and Bill rocked up to the first jam with the mandolin in hand – straight away we loved it. The edge that it provides makes it one of the key aspects of our sound. The violin and harmonica add the depth to a lot of our melodies and they were never an issue incorporating as the writing process occurred with the violin already on board As you are a relatively new band ( forming last year) how has the dynamic been working over the past year or so? To be able to jam together, record and play a few shows around the place has been great. It can take some organising for us all to get together, but it’s always about the love of music more than anything else. We will be recording a new EP prior to the summer, so that will be exciting. You’re set to perform at the Bell Street Fiesta in the next few weeks, is it nice to be playing somewhere so close to home? Yeah as most of us are from the Surf Coast it will be fun to play just around the corner.

Have you had the chance to check out the event in past years, love the idea? A few of us headed down last year; it’s a great community event. Any chance to support local businesses and venues down here is a good move. Katrina White knows how to throw a community event so you know all bases will be covered. Having the two stages was great, as there is such a rich music community down here on the coast.

When & Where: Bell Street Fiesta, Torquay – October 11

Thanks again for taking the time to chat with Forte, is there anything you’d like to add? Hopefully we will see you at the Bell Street Fiesta. Check out our Facebook (www.facebook.com/oldfeather/) & Soundcloud (soundcloud.com/old-feather).

Written by Jessica Morris

“Some of the songs…they’ve become more poignant. They’ve taken on a different meaning. When you first write songs and record them, they are just babies. They take on a deeper meaning,” says Roach. “They’ve grown with me.”

“I think that each of our stories are Australian stories. My story is your story, and your story is my story,” he says.

Known for prolific tracks like ‘Took The Children’, Roach is unafraid to pour his experiences into words. “Music is healing on so many levels. People listen to music when they’re down and sad. Even when you’re happy, people get up and dance,” he says.

NaranaFest will be held on Saturday, November 14 at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 410 Surf Coast Highway. Running from 10am-9pm, tickets are on sale now at oztix. com.au. As it’s a family friendly event, any children under 12 can attend free with an adult ticket holder. With food trucks, an especially designed Boomerang stage, and a cultural exhibition, it will give festival goers the full Narana experience as you see and hear the best of what Australia has to offer.

Going through his own struggles in the past few years after losing his partner Ruby and having significant health problems, Roach’s music is more than just the sound of a nation; it is the voice of a man finding peace and comfort in his craft, “Music has a great way to heal”. Bringing together everyone in the local community, NaranaFest is designed to be a Unique Live Music Experience, highlighting established and up and coming Indigenous music talent. The Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre sits on the Surfcoast Highway as a cultural tourism and educational hot spot, teaching the art of listening and sharing to cultivate a culture of reconciliation. In this way, Roach seamlessly fits into the timely event. His music crosses borders and draws us together as one, telling us about, “Who we are as a country, and that’s all together as a people”.

“We are not as divided as some people think we are. We all pretty much hope,” Roach continues. “It’s all up to us.”

When & Where: NaranaFEST, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre – November 14

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An Army Built on Love

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The Stuff of Nightmares

Founded out of Melbourne in 2009, The Laudanum Project is a small troupe of travellers, collectors and bon vivants. Taking inspiration from the likes of Poe, Dickens and Bradbury, the collective weaves intricate and powerful stories. The Grand Guignol Automaton is their latest work, a nightmarish tale that brings to life the story of Sandrine Moreaux, a tormented young woman with a terrifying past and an unspeakable future. Set in Paris in 1920, the one-act play explores the obsession, phobias and waking nightmares of a young woman and her quest to hunt down the sanctified temple that has always haunted her dreams, the infamous Théâtre Du Grand Guignol. Old Castlemaine Gaol, Castlemaine – October 10. This is AKoVA After viewing the Takaya Solomon vehicle Finding Joe, multiinstrumentalist roots machine AKoVA set about introducing the film to as many people as possible. For those unfamiliar, Finding Joe takes the viewer on the ultimate journey – that of self-discovery. Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood and Tony Hawk all feature. He has also got a new album to flog in This is Me Now. “I just get a kick out of getting the most sound out of what I can hold at the one time while singing about what touches me emotionally,” he says on his website. “Actually, it’s all about emotion. It’s what I see, what I feel and what I have learnt. I’m a dreamer not a planner. I just go with the flow.” Martians Café, Deans Marsh – October 24.

Music without Barriers

If The Barwon Club is rockin’, please come knockin’. That’s right, you’re invited to River Rocks, the greatest little music fest to feature both the words ‘River’ and ‘Rocks’. This is the festival for one and all – sharks and jets, mods and rockers, Hatfields and McCoys, hipsters and hamsters. Well, maybe not hamsters. And you have to be over 18. But as long as you’re of legal age and not a rodent you should be sweet. Nothing against hamsters, of course, it’s just they tend to poop everywhere and rarely dress appropriately. Anyway, you have Cosmic Psychos, The Meanies, Hoss, The Casanovas, Batpiss, Mustang, Legends of Motorsport, Ausmuteants, The Ruiner, Twin Beasts, Grindhouse, Hobo Magic, Digger and the Pussycats, Killer Birds, Horse Hunter, Flour, Dr. Colossus, Juliette Seizure & the Tremor-Dolls, The Gatwick Highlife, Drifter, Sons of Lee Marvin and The Fckups. Few line-ups will get your motor running quite like that. Take Juliette Seizure & the Tremor-Dolls, for example. They hail from Adelaide and describe themselves as “Screeching Weasel making out with the Shangri-Las in the backseat of an EH Holden at the drive-in and listening to the Muffs on the way home”. Can I get a hallelujah?! The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 21.

Aesthesis, the new album from Brisbane’s Dead Letter Circus, is now available for everyone to enjoy. With more than a few credits in the bank, the band was able to assemble the team of Matt Bartlem, Zach Hylton (The Getaway Plan, Jarryd James) and Forrester Savell (Karnivool, The Occupants) for their third release. Kim Benzie: “The journey of Aesthesis for the band was a process of remembering what it truly felt like to create music from the heart without barriers imposed by the mind. Writing this album made us realise how deeply we actually love creating music and more importantly, making music with each other.” Black Swan, Bendigo – October 8 & The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 9.

The Courage to Tell a Lie

Rollin’ with the Good Times

With a reputation for delivering the kind of roots music that unites traditionalists and newcomers, Mustered Courage recently released their third album, White Lies & Melodies. The 2015 CMAA Golden Guitar Award-winning band turned to old pro Forrester Savell (Dead Letter Circus, Karnivool) for the release, which manages to fuse traditional bluegrass with servings of alt-country, rock and R&B. Bassist Josh Bridges: “We didn’t want this album to sound like a regular country/bluegrass album. We generally approach our performances with a rock mentality, so Forrester being more of a rock/prog producer let us approach recording with that same attitude.” The Loft, Warrnambool – October 10. Through Metal We Unite

Dallas Frasca and her musical brothers Jeff Curran and Josh Eales are soon to hit the road with those beautifully hair-rich men known as The Beards, but once that run of shows wraps up they will soldier on for some headliners. And among these headliner dates are ones on Forte turf – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on November 6 and The Loft, Warrnambool on November 14. Love Army is the new album from team Frasca, and ‘Today’ is the ripping new single. The accompanying film clip is a road diary of the band’s life over the past two years and features live footage taken from Woodford Folk Festival, Folk, Rhythm & Life Festival, Big Pineapple Festival and La Guitare de Patromonio fest.

r te

Geelong’s Mane Event is a musical festival that aims to raise awareness of mental health issues. Headlined by The Badloves, The Mane Event also welcomes The Stiffys, The Heartache State, The Kite Machine, Alister Turrill and the Vagabond Brothers, Famous Will, The Louds, Bound by Hound, City at Midnight, Stodgewood, the Tim Hulsman Trio, Crowbait, Apparition and TATA. All profits will be donated to Government established National Youth Mental Health Foundation headspace, further reading of which can be found through headspace.org.au. The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 17. And as always, check in on your friends and family from time to time. A simple question can do so much.

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The Mane Event

Down by the River

Back in 2002, three guys from the small country town of Balnarring and one guy from Cranbourne formed a band called Kisschasy. Following the release of a couple of EPs, the band released their debut full-length, United Paper People, in 2005. They are now using the 10-year anniversary of this album to give it one final play before parting ways, saying: “The history books are filled with bands and artists who should’ve called it a day at their peak rather than slowly fading away. We don’t want to be another chapter in this history … It is now time to pass the torch to the next generation of inspired individuals.” Listen to the album have its final play then send them off at The Barwon Club, Geelong on October 8.

In support of album number three, Partum Vita Mortem, heavy-hitters Orpheus Omega have been busy playing shows since the end of July. Originally called Orpheus, the band was formed in 2008 as the side project of Chris Themelco and Joao Gancalves. They have since established themselves as one of the country’s standout melodic death metal outfits. Partum Vita Mortem is a concept album which sees the band exploring the human condition through birth, life and death. From the band: “In an era where we often forget to experience and reflect on every moment we have, this album brings to the fore the struggles we all must face on our own journey.” The Loft, Warrnambool – October 9. A Kiss Farewell

Well hot diggity dog, Tex Perkins and Charlie Owen have some business to attend to at The Workers Club, Geelong on November 1. My friends, the music word is full of musical partnerships for the ages. John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Kanye and Kanye. How do Tex Perkins and Charlie Owen stack up? Like a mutha-fudger, that’s how. The year was 1992. Tom Hanks had just taught us that “there’s no crying in baseball” when Tex Perkins contacted Charlie Owens and Don Walker to perform a few live-to-air tracks for triple j. Says Perkins: “I saw Charlie and thought, ‘Jesus Christ’. He was easily the best rock guitar player I had seen. He was really dexterous, but gutsy. Not flashy. I think it had a lot of jazz in him as well. I made a mental note that I’d like to work with Charlie and about one year later I heard he was playing with Don Walker in Catfish.” When it was suggested Tex do something with Don Walker, he agreed on the proviso Charlie Owen was involved. A “vague” promise was made to do something else at a later stage, and as they’re men of a certain character this happened with Tex, Don and Charlie. Owen would later join Perkins in a reformed line-up of Beasts of Bourbon. Tex will also be appearing at the Queenscliff Music Festival.

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geelong surf coast warrnambool

Orpheus in the Metalworld

Tex Perkins & Charlie Owen

ballarat bellarine Bendigo castlemaine

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In 2013, Metal-Roos was founded as a way to promote Australia’s metal scene. They’re behind Metal United Down Under, an event which unites a stack of promoters, 16 Australian cities, eight Australian states/territories and 14 media partners on the same night. Bendigo’s home of metal, Music Man Megastore, will host the Bendigo leg on October 10. The night opens the door to past and present metal bands from Bendigo and surrounds. Cement Pig, Evil Intent, Chase the Ace, Dead Light District, Obscure and Necron 99 will all be lining up. The hard-riffing Cement Pig formed in late 2000, combining momentous sludge with catchy groove. Doors open at 7.30p.m. Entry is a tenner.

Did you know that American singer-songwriter JD McPherson is heading to Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on February 20, 2016? We know it’s a while off, but four out of five dentists suggest that people like plenty of time to make decisions. With a retro sound entrenched in the goodness of rock and roll, rhythm and blues and rockabilly of the 1950s, McPherson’s childhood musical experiences were a combination of his old man’s influence (Delta blues and jazz) and the discovery of Hendrix, Zeppelin and punk rock. However, it was a box set of Buddy Holly that changed things. Later, while studying visual arts, McPherson – who worked as a middle school teacher from 2008 to 2011 before being given the flick – sent a Myspace friend request (remember those days?) to bassist and producer Jimmy Sutton and asked if he would listen to some demos. Sutton liked what he heard and soon enough, with the added skills of all-round guy Alex Hall, sweet music was being made. The first release came with 2012’s Signs and Signifiers, followed this year by Let the Good Times Roll. Because we’re a sucker for a sweet story, the film clip to the title track features a married couple that McPherson met while on tour.

IN THE LOOP

For the Sake of David Bridie In 1983, David Bridie formed Not Drowning, Waving with John Phillips. Combining elements of rock, ambient and world music, the band released a handful of albums and soundtracks before disbanding in 1994. My Friend the Chocolate Cake came next, a band formed after Bridie penned “a few more breezy compositions” that didn’t fit the mould of Not Drowning, Waving. He has also released several solo albums. Also to note is For God’s Sake Australia, Have a Look at the Map, a three-part series where the songman shares his story of how he first came to know Papua New Guinea and how the lasting connection has influenced his approach to music. Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 15.

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

QMF Grant Winners

Interested in writing for Forte?

Email Amanda@fortemag.com.au

Let the Music Flow

You wouldn’t do it, ya wuss

We would love to give a huge congratulations to Geelongbased singer songwriter Rough River (aka Kate Skinner) and Ocean Grove three-piece psych-rockers Tiny Giants, the lucky (not to mention wonderfully talented) recipients of the 2015 Emerging Artist Grant. Rough River is a classically-trained musician who released her self-titled debut to much love last year. Tiny Giants, meanwhile, are no strangers to a kind word, with the band receiving a good share of airplay. Both will use their spoils for 2016 releases. The QMF Emerging Artist Grant aims to provide young local artists with the opportunity to enhance their musical career through the receipt of muchneeded funds to assist recording new original music. Did you know that Australians love live music? It’s true! So let’s share in the inaugural Aus Music Festival – Warrnambool together. Go on, tell that person sitting across from you on the train. Share it with your favourite barista. Focusing on music and songs “made and played in Australia”, Aus Music Festival – Warrnambool will feature a series of ticketed concerts featuring local and visiting performers. Events include a backto-back special at The Loft, featuring The Go Set, Ramshackle Army and The Alamo on Friday, October 30 and The Settlement, Blackwood Jack and Centre & the South on October 31. Warrnambool – October 30 through November 1. Get the full details through ausmusicfestival.com.au. Beat Your Gums A childhood obsession comes to the stage, as Michael Veitch presents Flak, a collection of vivid, unforgettable stories from RAAF veterans about their experiences of combat in World War II. Although the comedian, actor, author and broadcaster is arguably best known for his roles on various sketch comedy shows, he has also written several books on Second World War aviation, including 2006’s Flak. Over the course of a year, Veitch interviewed over 50 former aircrew from across Australia – from bomber pilots to fighter aces, from rear gunners to bomb aimers. Many of the stories shared had never previously been recounted. Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine – October 24.

Beyond the Valley

“A bunch of lonesome and very quarrelsome heroes, were smoking out along the open road. The night was very dark and thick between them, each man beneath his ordinary load. ‘I’d like to tell my story,’ said one of them so young and bold. ‘I’d like to tell my story, before I turn into gold.’” So sings Leonard Cohen on ‘A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes’, from where The Lonesome Heroes borrow their name. With their hearts in Western Americana, the band combines elements of indie rock, folk and country into highway revelry. The band was formed by Rich Russell and Landry McMeans, though McMeans parted ways in 2013. While Russell may be considered the heart, the soul over their journey has been provided by a rotating cast of some 30 players. These days it has the more settled line-up of guitarist Gary Newcomb, drummer Dave Sims, Jr. and longtime bassist Nick Lochman. The band has just kicked off an Aussie tour – their first – in celebration of their sophomore album, Can’t Stand Still. According to Russell, the album is “a musical map of the emotions and places I’ve travelled through the last few years”. Pistol Pete’s, Geelong – October 17.

Presenting Gay Paris

A Good Time Tonight

Written and recorded over a period of 13 months, Ladies and Gentlemen, May We Present to You: The Dark Arts is album number three from the Gay Paris clan. And that, you finelookin’ reader, is just the kind of news that leads to touring. From the band: “Spring whispers in her cave, licking the frost from her child (and what an awful and squalling beast this child is). With said neonate firmly swaddled in sackcloth and ashes, Gay Paris are hitting the road, September through December, bringing the love that is Satan and a celebration of free will to Australia in the most rambunctious way imaginable.” The Workers Club, Geelong – October 8 & The Eastern, Ballarat – October 9.

Joyfully remembering making bad decisions, falling in love and getting lost, ‘Good Times’ is the new single from hardworking, hard-playing seven-piece folk revivalists The Bon Scotts. And yes, it’s the first taste of a forthcoming album, due for release early 2016. Frontman Damien Sutton formed the band in 2008 after the other project he was involved in at the time wasn’t doing it for him. With the simple goal of making music that was fun, he set about recruiting members he thought shared his vision. Many members were then given the thumbs-up before they had played together – he just dug their attitudes. Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 8.

Beyond the Valley is a festival we reckon you’ll love. And how could you not when the likes of Boys Noize, Crooked Colours, Dom Dolla, Doorly, Finnebassen, Flight Facilities, George Maple, Ivan Ooze, Jakubi , Jamie Xx, Joy., The Jungle Giants, The Kite String, Tangle, Last Dinosaurs, Lovebirds, Miami Horror, Northeast Party House, Odd Mob, Oscar Key Sung, Pusha T, Remi, RL Grime, The Rubens, San Cisco, Set Mo, Snakehips, Spacey Space, Ta-Ku, Tkay Maidza and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs are getting down? The second instalment is heading to regional Victoria again, hitting the Gippsland Parklands, Lardner, from December 29 through January 1, 2016. Making Waves Songman Mat McHugh kicks off a new touring adventure at Ballarat’s Karova Lounge, tonight, October 1. The reason behind the tour is new album Waves, which Mat is offering up as a free download. You may recall he did the same thing with his previous solo effort, Love Come Save Me. The album’s inspiration comes from Mat’s old man, who passed away when the songman was ten. Mat speaks about how one of his fondest memories of his dad was his love of the guitar, which he could play around the house on a regular basis. When doing a little spring cleaning, Mat came across the guitar, which he cleaned up and used as the album’s driving force. Mat has another date at Torquay’s Torquay Hotel on October 3. Show Some Heart Blackwood Jack, Kashmere Club, James Moloney & the Mad Dog Harrisons, Destrends and Red Eagle will show what they’re all about at The Loft, Warrnambool on Sunday, October 4. The post-Grand Final shindig, Show Some Heart, will act as a fundraiser for Jess Hogg’s Melbourne Marathon effort in support of the late Peter Hogg, her father. All proceeds go to the Heart Foundation. Jess grew up in Warrnambool and is currently a student at Geelong University. Her dad was also her running partner, a man who held a black belt in martial arts and who had completed ten marathons. Head on down for some great music, and show a little heart while you’re there.

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Quick bites Kennedys Creek Music Festival The John Steel Singers, Money for Rope, Immigrant Union, East Brunswick All Girls Choir, The Harlots, Cove, Forever Sun, Brother James, Karl S. Williams, Crossfire Hurricane, Spiral Arm, Blackwood Jack, Sheriff, Rough River, TSUN, ORB and Mangelwurzel are the dear darlings that make up the Kennedys Creek Music Festival, October 24 & October 25.

IN THE LOOP NaranaFEST

Tour of Duty Hard rock veterans The Mark of Cain are set to perform a few dates throughout November and December. And Geelong, they’re coming for you. As part of their ‘Tour of Duty’, the band will see what the big deal with The Barwon Club is all about. In other band news, bassist Kim Scott will ride with the Beat Cancer Tour team in the Tour Down Under in January 2016. Hitting Her Mark

Band of Cloud will return to the comfort of one of their favourite venues, Bendigo’s Golden Vine Hotel, on October 9. Blending the sounds of classic rock with folk, funk and soul influences, the band began when Melanie Ruedin hooked up with Tyson Hodges (Ethanol, Tyson Hodges Trio). It has been four years since the band took in the venue, but their “contemporary, original ’70s sound” is as good as ever. No Fault of Mcrobin

Songs for You & I

Meet singer-songwriter James McGuffie, a fella who travels by the name of Mcrobin. He is an alt-folk songwriter and producer who recently released his debut EP, Fault Lines. The five-track EP was self-recorded at McGuffie’s home in Northcote, before being thrown Matt Voight’s way for engineering and mastering. He is currently enjoying a Sunday residency at the Grovedale Hotel throughout October.

In December of 1989, Tim Rogers, his older brother, Jaimme, and Nick Tischler formed You Am I. While the initial line-up was short-lived, things have gone pretty well for the band over the years. Following the release of some EPs, Rogers sent some samples of the band’s work to Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, who liked what he heard. He helped the band with their fourth EP, as well as their debut album, 1993’s Sound as Ever. The band’s most recent album is 2010’s self-titled effort. Undoubtedly one of Australia’s essential bands, they have won a total of ten ARIA Awards, including the awards of ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Independent Release’. The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 29.

Head in the Clouds

Doctor in the House

Purple Patch

The Simpsons and doom rock. Has there ever been a better combination in the entire history of the world? Yeah, probably, but it’s a ‘Top 10’ combination for sure. You see, once upon a time, Jono Colliver, vocalist and guitarist of Dr. Colossus, was searching for an appropriate name for a doom rock band. It had to be “massive, dumb, heavy and big”. Drummer Nathan Johnston suggested something along the lines of ‘Colossal’ or ‘Colossus’. Jono then threw up Dr. Colossus from The Simpsons, and here we are today. They are currently touring new single ‘Excellent’. The Loft, Warrnambool – November 11. You can also catch them at Geelong’s River Rocks.

Melbourne-based singer songwriter Fatai Veamatahau came to our attention in the first season of The Voice, placing as a semi-finalist. Penning a deal with Mercury Records Australia, she spent the next two-and-a-half years under their guidance before deciding her future looked brighter as an independent artist. On August 16, she released her debut single, ‘Purple’. The release was followed by the ambitious ‘Lounge Room Tour’, which saw the songbird visit 37 homes across nine cities in Australia and New Zealand. A new tour kicks off next month and includes a date at The Worker’s Club, Geelong on December 19. Fatai has previously supported Boyce Avenue, David Ryan Harris and Guy Sebastian.

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Marlon Williams (along with his band the Yarra Benders) has a date with Geelong’s Workers Club on December 10. The New Zealand crooner, who is currently based in Melbourne, is having a dream run at the moment. His self-titled debut album charted at a healthy #4 in its opening week in NZ, while its accompanying launch tour sold out across the board. He has also been making a solid impression on the international market, inking agent and label deals in North America and Europe. He made the move to Australia in 2013 from the town of Lyttelton, picking up a Tuesday residency in the Yarra Hotel’s front bar where, in time, he started to generate the sort of love he felt back home. Have You Ever Seen the Gigs?

Aboriginal cultural centre Narana will host NaranaFEST on Saturday, November 14. Narana is a significant attraction on the Great Ocean Road that seeks to “build understanding of Aboriginal history and culture in a welcoming, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, through personal interaction with groups and individuals from all community backgrounds”. It is a division of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress that is the Aboriginal arm of the Uniting Church in Australia. The first line-up has been announced, with Archie Roach leading the way as Charcoal Lane celebrates its 25th anniversary. Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Fraser A. Gorman, Ezekiel Ox & DJ Marze, Cherrywood, The Louds, Dead City Lights and Apakatjah are also set to perform. Charcoal Lane features the song ‘Took the Children Away’, a track about the treatment of Indigenous children from the Stolen Generation. The ARIA-winning track also landed Archie an International Human Rights Achievement Award, making him the first person ever to receive the honour for a song. In 2013, the song was added to the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra, as part of the Sounds of Australia collection. Further information on both Narana and the festival can be found through narana.com.au.

It’s always nice to have some people in your corner. For Minnie Marks, the blistering singer-songwriter and guitarist who serves up a healthy dose of “dirty sweet rock and roll”, these people include Dallas Frasca, Kim Churchill and Michael Barker. Goldmines Hotel, Bendigo – October 9 & Suttons House of Music, Ballarat – October 16. Pick up a copy of her album Live in Stuttgart while you’re there.

Introducing Marlon Williams

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Self-appointed “stupidest band on the planet”, White Fang, hit The Eastern, Ballarat on October 3, while Eastern regulars, Spacejunk, hit the venue on October 10. Bad Pony have a date with Geelong’s Workers Club on October 9. Tank Dilemma have shows at The Stump, Port Fairy on October 10 and Warrnambool Hotel, Warrnambool on October 11. The Rubens will get down at the Lorne Hotel, Lorne on October 11. We want to give you a couple of friendly little reminders that The Waifs will be swinging by GPAC on October 28, while The Getaway Plan will be at Geelong’s Worker’s Club on October 31.

Oktoberfest

The Original

Geelong Oktoberfest

It seems we’re spoilt for choice now with Oktoberfest celebrations in the region, but it’s worth giving a tip of the hat to the original, and arguably the best, held at The Carlton Hotel in Geelong on October 4. Just how original are they you ask? The pub has celebrated in traditional German style for the past seven years, with its eighth this year. Tickets are SUNDAYand4entertainment OKTOBER $15 and include a free stein from a German Doors at 12 noon GEELONG’S ORIGINAL & BEST OKTOBERFEST NOWand IN 8TH YEAR of oompah band, competitions, games, prizes plenty German Doors openGAMES, at noon,PRIZES, so get a sleep $ 1 5 food E N T R Yto snack on. COMPETITIONS, INCLUDES STEIN OOMPAH BAND, GERMAN FOOD in, you’ll need it as The Carlton Hotel sure know how to throw an Oktoberfest celebration. A HASE E PURC Y APPL LIG DR O THE RDER INT REKO . AND GO TICKETS CIDER R FREE TS TO FO TICKE DRAW UBLE N. 10 DO BE WO

Anglesea Music Festival

Bitter Sweet Symphony

Time for another line up to wet your festival appetite, feast your eyes on this one; 19-Twenty, Boom Crash Opera, Dale Ryder, Taxiride, Jason Singh, Jimi Hocking, Kelly Auty, Andrea Marr and many more. Held on January 23!

Beechworth Line Up

Regional Victoria will be treated to some wonderful classic performances next month, courtesy of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. MSO Concertmaster Eoin Andersen will lead an ensemble of MSO musicians through Mozart and Beethoven, a concert featuring the most popular of Mozart’s forty-one symphonies. The performances open with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Mozart’s final Violin Concerto. Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – October 13 & Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – October 15. Please note that performances will also be held especially for primary schools, with performances at the Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on October 14 and Ulumbarra on October 16. Final QMF Announcement We don’t know about you, but laughter and music go together pretty nicely. That’s why the final announcement for QMF is on the money. Added to this year’s line up is the comedy stylings of Tom Ballard and Cal Wilson with further musical entertainment from Rough River, Tiny Giants and Vince Peach (DJ). The new Ozone Lounge venue will host daily Yoga sessions with music, the Kids Quarter will have entertainment for all ages and lastly, the food on offer will keep your energy levels high and taste buds satisfied. Tickets are on sale on the website. When & Where: Queenscliff – November 27-29

Beechworth is a pretty place, no doubt about it, but they’re also big players in the festival scene. With the announcement of the Beechworth Music Festival, the line up gives other festivals a run for thier money. Playing next year on January 23 are; Briggs, King of the North, Public Opinion Six, Big Smoke, My Left Boot, Sugarcanes, She Wolf, Liv Cartledge & band, Mutton, Richard Perso, Geoff Jackson, DJ Mermaid and MC Cat McGauran.

BALLARAT

IN THE LOOP

piano), slide trumpet, trombone and chromatic harmonica. He also has a loop recording pedal that he calls Derek. Kylie is a violinist who has performed with Orchestra Victoria. She also digs Stevie Wonder and Barry White. And we all know what they say about violin players who dig the sounds of Stevie Wonder and Barry White.

Someone’s Been Drinking

One Chop Shop Come rain, hail or shine, the Chopped Rod and Custom show will rev its engine this weekend, October 2, 3 & 4. Taking place at the Newstead Racecourse, Chopped Rod and Custom delivers three days of music, dirt drags, hot rods, customs, choppers and bobbers, plus tiki, cocktail and beer bars. The music side of things features as good a line-up as you’re likely to come across with White Fang, C.W. Stoneking, Fireballs, Mammoth Mammoth, Jackson Firebird, Rechords, Batpiss, Shifting Sands, Los Tones, The Yard Apes, doubleblack and Mightiest of Guns set to perform. For everything else you need to know about the festival, hit up chopped.com.au. It’s Easy Being Green

You may well know that Drunk Mums’ new album Gone Troppo is out now. You may have even played it as you were driving in your car. It’s not quite a Jaguar. The album, recorded and mixed by Nick Hoare (ESC, Absolute Boys, Scotdrakula), is the band’s second full-length album. Their first was a selftitled effort back in 2012. They recently gave the lowdown about the album’s tracks to Rolling Stone. Here is a taste: “This one’s for when you would rather sit in a bar or restaurant by yourself and zone out instead of dealing with your problems. It never works out and you always look like a creep but now at least you know there’s a song about it” (Pub on My Own). The Karova, Ballarat – October 9.

Blank Nights is the debut EP from Ballarat’s Horris Green, and they’re launching it at local haunt The Karova on October 10. Featuring Lachlan Murphy and James McDougall, their sound is a combination of Lachie’s blues rock influences and the hardcore/metal roots of James. Melbourne two-piece The Hunted Crows and fellow Ballarat outfit Tsugnarly will join them on the night.

DATES OF NOTE JJ

A Bit of Mal & Kylie A new month, and Ballarat’s Suttons House of Music has a lot of musical treats coming your way. And there is no better way to kick off the month than with Mal Webb and Kylie Morrigan tonight, October 1. Mal is a vocal adventurer, multiinstrumentist and looping beatboxing songwriter. He provides all sorts of vocal techniques as well as guitar, mbira (thumb

Two Headed Dog and Long Holiday perform with 23rd of Elvis on Grand Final Eve at The Eastern on October 2 Singles Bootcamp for over 25s Ran by Motivate Life Fitness October 10 Heathcote Wine and Food Festival is on October 10 & 11 The Buninyong Good Life Festival is coming up on October 25

what’s on in Ballarat Written by Emma Dallamora

This month, the inaugural Season Of The Arts brings Ballarat’s most anticipated event of 2015, with the Art Gallery of Ballarat opening its doors on October 2 to the legendary Archibald Prize. The finalists for Australia’s most highly regarded portraiture prize have provided some captivating renditions this year, with subjects including beloved cultural icons such as Jenny Kee and Daniel Johns. Expect a tonne of other events city-wide, including the FACEUP/PASTEUP display, featuring portraits submitted by Ballarat teens as part of the Young Archie’s program, turning surrounding laneways into an urban art fest. Prepare for a lot of feathers and frocks floating around the city, with SOTA also heralding the Ballarat Cabaret Festival. Book sooner rather than later, with an estimated 2,000 people a day attending the Prize over the seven weeks. Head to archibaldballarat.com.au for details. Vline’s frequent services from Geelong means it’s an easy two minute walk from the station to the Art Gallery. As punters head to the exhibition they’ll take in the recently revitalised Police’s Lane and transformation of the square at Alfred Deakin Place into a pop up foodie paradise, spearheaded by newcomer Pickles bar and café. The sleek, design-focused shipping container conversion, put together by local designer Sam Brown, will fortify Archibald visitors seven days a week for the duration of the exhibition. Showcasing some stellar local lovelies, like Ballarat’s best loved bubbly Mitchell Harris’ Sabre, with Brooklyn Lager and Mountain Goat Summer Ale rounding out the comprehensive craft beer offering. After his huge success in the concept development of the wildly popular Minecraft competition at M.A.D.E. for the MAGNAs award winning 160th Anniversary of Eureka programme in September ‘14, Sam’s latest project combines his love of design with his passion for local events and the promotion of grass-roots projects. Other offerings in the pop-up precinct will be Tuck Truck Tuesday, with Round the Way bagels heading up some of the best food trucks Victoria has to offer from 5-7pm. Just don’t forget to finish up with Pickles’ signature drink, Hendricks Gin with house pickled cucumber. Cooking classes are happening again at the Age’s Good Food Guide’s recently hatted Catfish Thai, Ballarat’s not-so-secret food gem lorded by locals for its sensational authentic and seasonal fare. If you want to get beyond satay sticks in your Thai repertoire, this is the place to do it, with Damien Jones’ terrific vegetarian feast on offer on Saturday October 10. The Eastern impresses again with a live line-up not to be missed. Spend the Grand Final evening enjoying LA band White Fang’s notoriously wild stage displays with LL Goons and Mourning on the October 3. The 9th is set to be huge with Gay Paris heading up a killer night with the Yard Apes and 80 Hundred. Don’t miss the 10th with local favourite Spacejunk launching their new album with The Spinning Rooms and Shit Sex. Die-hard fans of Australia’s fave game show will finally have their wish come true, with Rockwiz Live coming on October 11. Book at Regent Cinemas.

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forte 29

Written by Amanda Sherring

geelong RICE WORKSHOP

When we think of Japanese food, the variety on offer at Rice Workshop doesn’t always spring to mind. Part of the motto behind the eatery is to shift the preconception that Japanese cuisine centres around sushi and raw meat, which the newest Geelong location is doing with every bowl it puts on the counter. JJ

Where: Shop 212, Food Court, Westfield Geelong (95 Malop St, Geelong) When: Mon-Thu 9am-5.30pm; Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm Website: http://riceworkshop.com.au/

“When anyone thinks of Japanese food they always think of raw meat, sushi and sashimi, but there’s so much more to Japanese food than that,” creator David Loh says. “They don’t eat that everyday. They do eat hot meals too and that’s where the idea of Rice Workshop came in. We wanted to look at the daily staples and the food that they actually eat everyday.”

rather than research. David has long had a passion for Japanese cuisine and is a passion he also shares with his wife. Originally from Nagoya, Japan, Tom Suzuki offered David the missing ingredient to the Rice Workshop formula. In their partnership David found someone who shared his passion with Japanese cuisine (Tom is a well-known Japanese chef who also opened a Sashimi et Bento place, Shyun) but who was also able to execute his food dreams.

The brainwave for Rice Workshop first came from a trip to Japan with head chef Tom Suzuki, who David met through “I’m a food-lover as well as an entrepreneur. He had a vision as a chef to promote Japanese food in Australia and that’s a mutual friend. “Once we were there we ate our way through Japan,” David where it all came together,” he says. adds with a laugh. “He showed me around and that’s where we saw the possibilities. We thought, ‘How come there’s nobody else doing it that way in Australia?’

“Obviously with Tom being a Japanese chef we said, ‘Okay, maybe we should explore that’. Then we came back and looked for a location and that’s how Rice Workshop was born.” This ability to lock into the next best thing in Australian food culture has become something of a skill for David Loh, who has also founded Bubble Cup, Food Republik, Dessert Story, Shop House, Taiwan Cafe and most recently Rice Workshop.

The end result is a menu that features a bounty of choices from meat dishes and curries to noodle and salad bowls. Each well-priced bowl is packed with flavour and takes you on a culinary adventure to Japan, with flavours you previously wouldn’t have been familiar with. Much like the immediate service of food from vending machines in Japan, Rice Workshop prides itself on quick and quality service. What ties it all together is the delicious, and secret, ingredients of each sauce. But how involved was David in the sauce’s creation?

“I try to catch the niche rather than do the mainstream,” he says. “Not at all, I guess too many chefs spoils the broth,” he adds with a laugh. “At the time bubble tea in Asia was doing really well, and I thought, ‘There’s not much to it is there?’ Just tea with With another new venture already on the way, David Loh is proving to be a pioneer in the Melbourne (and Australian) flavoured syrups and the Tapioca pearls. food scene. Geelong has been lucky enough to receive the “So when I started that it was in a kitchen sink at a friend’s Rice Workshop franchise in the food court of Westfield apartment where we mixed some syrups and different teas to Geelong and adds another notch to the belt of the already see how it all comes to together. It turned out to be a big culturally diverse cuisines on offer in the shopping centre. success, and that was sort of the moment where I realised there’s these trends that we should identify and bring to If you do one thing today, make sure you enjoy in the real tastes of Japan, and Rice Workshop will certainly save you Australia or look for the niche.” the cost of the plane flight there. Much of David’s ability to find these missing elements in the Australian food scene comes from his general love of food,

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Kryal Castle Oktoberfest q&A JJ

Flying to Germany is expensive, and while

it may seem like there’s no other chance to have an authentic Oktoberfest experience in Australia, you’d be wrong. Kryal Castle are one of the most authentic versions of the event going around, with Bavarian music, 10 traditional German beers, German food and of course the wonders of the castle and Daryl Braithwaite. We had a chat with one of the organisers Danny Grant.

Hi Danny, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? What aren’t I up to! Organising what will hopefully be the biggest and best event I have ever put on to date. So the second announcement is out, how long has the whole event taken to get it to where it is now? We launched the event in June but the planning process has been in the pipe works for a lot longer, from idea to reality has been over 18 months.

When & Where: Kryal Castle, Leigh Creek October 24

Kryal Castle does hold quite a number of events, what makes Oktoberfest such a special one? Well it’s Oktoberfest in a giant freaking medieval castle with live jousting, german beers and food, live bavarian music all day then to top it off, Daryl Braithwaite is performing all his classics live! I think that sorta speaks for itself really. Don’t you think? Most other Oktoberfest’s in the region are held outdoors in fields, or under tents, what kind of vibe does Kryal offer the event given it’s in a massive castle? It’s both an outdoor and indoor festival, the whole castle will be open for people to explore. We will have activations in basically every corner of the castle from the giant maze to the abby and live pop up performers throughout the day. Plus live music in various places throughout the theme park.

Dec McKinnon and the Knockabouts

Beer is obviously a huge aspect of Oktoberfest, what beers are on offer at the event? We have around 10 traditional German beers, I won’t reveal all our secrets but some are well known, others are not. But alongside beer we will have a German Cider. And for people who aren’t into German alcohol we have teamed up with the guys at CC to supply an alternative for people who just want to come for the party not the tastings. There’s also a traditional Bavarian band and German food, is it important to still maintain part of the tradition of the event? Well believe it or not majority of our festival is very on point to history, Bavarians also lived in castles and some also participated in jousting, so to be honest we are quite possibly not only the most unique but also the most authentic one in Australia. In saying that it’s still a major twist on the original version, we will be keeping as on point as we possibly can but we also want to showcase the awesomeness of Kryal Castle too. Daryl Braithwaite is obviously a great addition to the event, are you looking forward to singing along to ‘The Horses’ with a pint in hand? To be honest that’s how the whole concept was founded! I had often driven past Ballarat dreaming of one day doing an

event there. In early February we had Daryl Braithwaite at my venue Empire watching 800 people belt out ‘The Horses’ - it all came together! Not two weeks later I pitched the idea to Jim and Gaz, my new partners, and we started to make our dream a reality. What’s the thing you look forward to the most at Oktoberfest? The food and beer. You can’t go past how delicious German food and beer is. What’s your one piece of advice for first timers at the event? Pace yourself ! Taste all the beers and all the food on offer and enjoy yourself. Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? Yeah, get your tickets now and we are confident this will sell out! This will be one for the ages, you don’t want to be that guy/girl who missed out when all your friends are talking about it for years to come.

Jacka VC Legend of Gallipoli for the war, the face of recruitment. Jacka is a much better hero or role model than someone like Ned Kelly,” he says. Smith notes that he has the support of the RSL: the production has been funded through the Victorian Government’s Anzac Centenary Major Projects Program, Veterans Branch, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and part of the proceeds of the show will be donated to veterans’ charities. Smith instinctively knows something that any writer in the musical genre needs to understand: people fall in love, and during wartime, love affairs can be infinitely more intense than in times of peace. In this case it’s a brae Scots lass called Jean Campbell, played by Susannah Gidley.

Photo Credit: UP Creative

Dec McKinnon is a funny lad. Quite possibly

the funniest interview I have ever done. There wasn’t any really funny jokes or punchlines, however it is the personable and genuine nature that he takes to his music that is so appealing as an interviewee. Standing on a busy Melbourne city street as we begin to talk about the first EP for the band (which

the band has been undergoing some massive changes in the line-up and dynamics. When they hit the studio to record I’m A Knockabout EP, the band was a three piece comprising Ryan Trickey on drums and the legendary Tom Stevenson on bass guitar duties. Since then the band has developed into a five piece with additional guitar and Stevenson jumping on keyboards. “Tom Stevenson is the Dave Grohl of Geelong – that is your headline right there mate,” he says.

“He can play literally every instrument and, to be honest, it annoys the shit out of me because he is a better musician than me. It’s great to have him as part of the band though, Club), it’s easy to hear the relief in his voice. because it allows for so much more exploration in writing Written by Tex Miller new songs and exploring sounds. Having a lead guitar also means we can do some really groovy things with the live set “Oh absolutely mate! This is a massive weight off my shoulders, and recording, so I’m really looking forward to where this and the EP has been in the works for a while, so to finally be at is developing as a band.” a point to be able to launch it and have people come along and Talking about McKinnon’s open and genuine nature, he is also have a good damn boogie, I am excited my man!” he beams. quick to tell me that he suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder From just a quick search of the internet, it’s easy to navigate to or ADD. The majority of the time, having the condition can Dec McKinnon and the Knockabouts’ triple j Unearthed page. be quite a burden on your life, however in talking about There you are able to find the first single off the EP ‘Under the performing it is an extreme positive for the band. Mat’. Talking about the origins of the song with Dec, it’s soon “It allows me to unleash all of that extra energy that I have on revealed the track was the first one he ever wrote. stage. Come down to the Workers and shake your asses, it’s “I would have been about 15 when I wrote that song. When gonna be a great night of local music with a whole heap of I write music, I use it holistically to vent my feelings at that good times. Because I have ADD I am already working on point in time,” McKinnon says. the album, but more about that later…” “I write a whole stack of lyrics and then pull them apart into a song and to a chord progression. Life is a bit weird and people dodge topics and we carry on with a bit of a façade and people put up silly little barriers and, without sounding When & Where: punny, they sweep everything under the mat.” Workers Club, Geelong – October 10 is to be launched on October 10 at Workers

The track is a glorious effort from the band and showcases where they were at in the start of 2015. In the past nine months, 32 forte

By Liza Dezfouli

“The character of Jean Campbell is a little bit of relief from all the action,” says Gidley.

“I’m an amateur; I never studied musical theatre but I am an enthusiast,” William James Smith says. Amateur maybe, but it hasn’t held him back from creating a rock musical, Jacka VC, Legend of Gallipoli, which is about to premiere at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre and Capital Theatre in Bendigo.

“She’s got a really lovely gentle personality. Her story is a lovely sideline in the narrative for the audience. She falls seriously in love with a dashing captain, a rival of Jacka’s, who she met when he was in Scotland on holiday. She was taken by surprise, she never expected someone him to walk into her life and she falls in love quite quickly. Jean starts off as a bit naïve but she’s got guts, she’s got the kind of personality that is open to the world. She found something she wanted and the audience will be able to relate to the story of her love affair.”

Smith, already interested in Australia’s participation in the Great War, was taken by the story of Albert Jacka’s life when he read the book Hard Jacka, written by Michael Lawriwski. “I already had a band and we did songs about ANZACS,” Smith says. “My ambition was to make a rock musical. I was reading up on the general subject matter anyway and I’d heard the name of Jacka. When I started reading the book I couldn’t put it down. I was telling my mum about it a few months later and she said, ‘Surely the musical should be based on this book?’” Deciding to write a rock musical is a pretty ambitious undertaking without any background in musical theatre. How did Smith even get started? “I basically watched every musical ever made,” he answers. “I started from scratch, wrote all new songs. I was pretty intimidated to start with, but you break it down into bite sized chunks and get on with it. Once I worked out what episodes required a song through emphasizing action, the songs just flowed.” The story of Albert Jacka, who won the first Victoria Cross for Australia in World War I, and the men of the 14th Battalion, is a story that Smith says ought to be much more widely known. “Jacka was so famous in Australia. He became the poster boy

The story travels from Gallipoli to Egypt and across to the UK and the Western Front. “We want to celebrate the sacrifices of ANZACS,” says Smith. “They were tough.” What made AB Jacka so extraordinary? “He was a rebel on the parade grounds. He back-chatted the general which was unheard of then but he got away with it,” he says. “On May 19, a month after ANZAC day, the Turks had enough men on their side but the Australians rushed through and broke through the trenches. Jacka’s idea was to run around the back and dived into the trenches that way. It was crazy but he cleared one entire trench on his own; he killed or wounded all the Turks in that trench. His actions were so foreign to the Germans who thought there must be at least 20 more men behind them and that the Australians were following orders. The Germans would never be that ill-disciplined. Jacka lived to tell that tale. He epitomized that warrior spirit.”

When & Where: Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Darebin – October 9 &10 Capital Theatre, Bendigo – October 17

Chopped Festival:

Written by Jessica Morris Photo by Zoe McMahon

Director Kyle Ford

CLASSIFIEDS Send your info to: editorial@fortemag.com.au. For individual use only, not for commercial purposes.

Lead Vocalist Wanted for already established psych pop-rock band based in Geelong, wth over 12 months of gigging experience in Melbourne and Geelong. Female an advantage, but open to try anyone. Hear live recordings at: zumamus`ic. bandcamp.com. Please contact us at: zumaofficial@gmail.com or 0432049239. Bass Player Wanted for dynamic (gigging) blues rock three-piece. Contact 0430971319 for more info.

Combining all the best

parts of a music festival with the fuel of a car show, Chopped is the only festival of its kind in the world. Mixing dirt races and bikes with the heart pounding sounds of rock ‘n’ roll, this year’s line up features headliners C.W. Stoneking, Fireballs, Jackson Firebird, Steve Smyth and Mammoth Mammoth.

What started out as a passion project for Castlemaine locals Kyle and Ryan Ford with friend Paul Williams, Chopped magazine soon became a thriving music event that Hot Rod lovers mark religiously on their calendars.

“We’ve now sort of rolled it into being half a Hot Rodding festival, like a traditional Hot Rodding celebration and half of a music festival. We bring those things together to just create a whole new world.”

“We all have a traditional Hot Rodding background, and we found that there wasn’t actually a magazine out there sort of covering what we wanted,” says Kyle.

Describing the event as a, “Non-stop three day party. It’s a whole lot of fun with lots of action, and great music, great cars” attendees can bring their own bikes and cars, or simply come and watch the action.

“Our first year was just a little car show on a football oval in the middle of town. We had 130 cars over two days and 400 people through the gates. People liked it and the next year it doubled in size, the following year it tripled, and then so on and so on until now, all of a sudden, the magazine sort of took a by line to the show, and the show became a festival.

“It brings together something that no one else is really doing,” says Kyle. “We’re sort of bringing together groups that don’t really exist properly together…we bring subcultures together, which is really nice to build an appreciation between the two.”

With over 25 bands at this years’ festival, they want to make sure that people never get bored. “We’re super happy with the line up this year, it feels like the best we’ve put together,” says Kyle. Campsites are available, so be prepared for the elements as Chopped promises to run rain, hail or shine. The addition of a Tiki Palace, cocktails and cabin bars adds to the party atmosphere; making everyone happy. “We want people to walk away worn out, but energised at the same time,” he says. Promising that Chopped 2015 will be “more spectacular” and will include “lots of upgrades,” this is a festival that lovers of good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll were made for. Featuring bobbers, choppers and dirt drags, it will be three days of intense good times and music.

Held at The Campbell Street Motor Lodge on October 2,3 and 4, you can buy tickets online at oztix. com.au or at the gate. Prices vary for different ages and groups, and day passes are available. If you’re into motors and music, Chopped is the place to be. As Kyle says, “Sometimes it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone, you never know what’s going to surprise you!”

When & Where: Chopped, Newstead – October 2, 3 & 4

Bass Player Wanted Experienced Bass player required for established working covers band: think Blondie, Free, Cream, SRV, CCR, Fleetwood Mac, Garry Moore and popular ‘60s/on wood bands. Own gear and transport a must. rehearsals at Ocean Grove. Call Ray on 0418512975 for more info. Geelong rock band looking for lead vocalist We are an exciting original rock band based in Geelong. We have a full band with committed members who practice weekly. We have done many gigs and are experienced musicians who need a singer to complete our line-up. Influences: Pearl Jam, Vance Joy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Silverchair, Rage Against The Machine, Nirvana, Foo Fighters. Search Aprils Sky on sound cloud for demos.Contact Ben if interested 0432 049 231.

forte 33

the paper kites

Written by Amanda Sherring

“You’ve got to have respect for where you’ve come from but also be able to move as a musician and be able to grow and try new things

The

Paper Kites

Fast FIVE Do you have a bedtime routine and if so what is it? When & Where: Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – October 22, 170 Russell, Melbourne – October 23 & Workers Club, Geelong – October 24

Aside from music what’s a good creative outlet for you?

Does making videos count? I’ve always wanted to do stuff in film. I think hopefully I’d be trying to get into directing. Any time we get to make a clip I absolutely love it.

Turn the clock back a year and freeze-frame over the early hours of the morning, just as the bar workers are heading home for the night and the public transport is ceasing to exist, and somewhere in Melbourne Sam Bentley is lucidly piecing together The Paper Kites next concept album. JJ

welvefour is much more than just the title of the new release, it’s also the time frame in which it was created. The idea was first sparked by a discussion Sam had with a screenwriter friend on the concept that an artists most creative point is between those hours. Sam then set to work for the next two months working in between these hours, alternating between writing content and “falling asleep on the floor and falling asleep at the keyboard”. While the concept paid off, the album recently clocked the top 10 list, was the theory proved correct? “Even so I’m still not sure whether it is true. I think for me I wrote better than I have before, whether that’s a placebo affect or whether it’s just that time of night that you feel like it’s better and more moody, but I found that it was certainly different to anything that I’ve done before,” he says. It’s precisely those moodier and less lucid states that enabled a newer sound for the band to evolve. While mistakes are often associated with lack of sleep, it isn’t the case when it comes to creating music. “I think creating music as opposed to writing a story and using words is kind of a different thing when you make a mistake,” he says.

34 forte

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

“A mistake in a song could actually be a cool thing, it’s not like a grammar mistake or something that is just a case of you spelling a word wrong. Dare I say it, there’s not really any mistakes when you’re making music – especially when you are a little bit delirious and tired.

“It’s great to give people a visual that they can associate with the music, and that’s what I really love about concept records because if you really know the story behind it, I think it changes the way that you listen to it and that was the idea behind this record.”

“I really thrived off that sort of state I was in; feeling that I was really tired. Instead of looking at it the next day and thinking, ‘Oh that’s awful’, generally it was all pretty cool. There were a few songs where I was like, ‘That’s not really cool’, but for the most part it was fresh and exciting.”

With the album art inspired by a painting by Josh Bentley’s father and then made into a neon dream by a shop in Melbourne, imagery is of huge importance for the band. Following on with the ‘twelvefour’ concept are the video clips to each song, a trilogy of sorts that look at the goings on of those hours of the night, the most recent of which ‘Revelator Eyes’.

While this concept album is a rather daring idea, it’s not the first time the band have worked to a storyline of sorts or theme when creating a release. Woodland [EP 2011] was one that transported listeners to an enchanted forest. “It’s really cool to wrap a group of songs up in a specific idea and to push that same idea onto other people,” he says. “I would like to think when people listen to this album they do think of those hours and the late night theme; because that’s how it was written. The same with Woodland, because when people listen to that EP I think it totally transports them to that whole forest folk thing because that’s what we were pushing with that EP.

I can’t really go to sleep without watching a films. Oddly enough I watch a lot of intense horror film which surprisingly has no effect on my dreams. I do love a good B-grade horror.

While the band have whole heartedly thrown themselves into this concept, there’s still a huge important to not desert their original sound. At times, the excitement over the project had Sam reaching to sounds the band had never even contemplated, but in a true tale of working as a team, the rest of the band (Christina Lacy, Dave Powys, Sam Rasmussen and Josh Bentley) helped deliver it as The Paper Kites sound. “You’ve got to have respect for where you’ve come from but also be able to move as a musician and be able to grow and try new things. Sometimes people go along with that and sometimes people don’t,” he says.

This morning I sent my fiancé two videos of dogs; one of them was a dog paddling in a bucket of water and the other one was a dog apologising to his owner. It had done something naughty so it was nuzzling right against his nose. Weirdest dream you’ve ever had?

I have a lot of reoccurring dreams, ones that you know you’ve had before so you know how to navigate it – it’s really strange. What’s the nicest thing a stranger has done for you?

We have this friend (though at the time they weren’t) in Boston and they came to one of our shows and said they wanted to take us out – just for a drink. So she took us to this crazy bar in Boston and everything was on her and she put us up at the Plaza Hotel in Boston – paid for everything. She’s become a dear friend since then but that was the first time we’d ever met her.

FROC K IT holy grail nails: spring Written by Jessica Alves | @jessicazalves

Written by Katherine Reynolds www.katthewanderer.com | facebook/katthewanderer | @katthewanderer

One thing that I think is often overlooked in the beauty/fashion industry, is nail polish. I have briefly touched on the topic in the past — early autumn I believe — and I thought it was only appropriate to bring the conversation back again for spring. When the weather begins to warm up, I tend to opt for milky shades that are almost neutral and easy to pair with most outfits, which — unsurprisingly — seems to be the running theme throughout all the polishes I’m drawn toward lately. First of all, I love a good, opaque, stark white nail polish. I think the effect is just so crisp and clean, whilst still adding a little statement to your outfit. I feel as if white nail polish yields the same effect as black nail polish, but minimises the risk of coming across ‘goth-y’; if that’s not the look you’re going for. I also find that white polish makes me look kind of tan, possibly because I’m just super pale and white is the only colour lighter than my skin. So if you’re a pasty one like me, maybe give the look a go. Milky, muted blues are also something I tend to reach for during warmer months, particularly during those first few transitioning weeks when the weather has homicidal tendencies, and you’re never quite sure if it’s going to be warm, or storming (and sometimes both). The only downfall I seem to find in every brand of pale blue nail polish, is that it always seems to be streaky. Not to worry though, it might just be one of those colours you have to work a little harder with to make opaque.

Lastly, no matter the season, I will always need an appropriate nude to satisfy my neutral cravings. I know what you’re thinking — “Why would you need more than one nude for each season? Aren’t they all the same?!” — well, not exactly. See, I’m not a normal person who can have just one nude polish and call it a day. I need one that’s super light, one that’s super dark, one that’s slightly mauve-y and one that’s really sheer. You see my problem? I’m an addict. Anyway, one of my favourites that I have been reaching for is a very, very subdued, very pale mauve. I love it because it’s not pink, it’s not mauve and it’s not nude, but it has the capacity to pass as any one of those. It makes for a really pretty, versatile colour, which is why I think this may even be my favourite nail polish throughout spring. I love the feeling you get when you have the same, fresh nail polish as a mani pedi. I always get an immense satisfaction when my fingers and toes are matching, kind of like that feeling you get when your bra and underwear are matching, you know? It’s kind of like tricking yourself into thinking you’ve got your life together, or maybe that’s just me.

Keeping Happy and Healthy During Your Travels Travelling sure is a dream. We get to relax, rest, rejuvenate, and soak up the sights and sounds of a new place without the stresses of everyday life. However, it can also be hectic, and a little all over the place, so it can be hard to maintain your sanity, as well as your regular eating habits. If you happen to be more health conscious, travelling can be a real challenge. So here are a few tips to help you find that balance between having fun and maintaining a (somewhat) healthy lifestyle while you’re away. STAY ACTIVE It’s way too easy to get into holiday mode, clock out of reality and happily soak up the sunshine, isn’t it? Especially after a gruelling flight or an uncomfortable train journey. So it’s important to keep your body moving. An easy way to do this is to walk as much as you can, especially around major cities. I can promise you that everything is definitely a lot closer than it looks! Or, you can jump on a bike tour, or even keep up your workouts and take advantage if your hotel has a gym.

EAT WELL It’s scarily effortless to go overboard on the eating whilse travelling. Who can blame us though? It can be a tough challenge to say no to delicious fresh pasta in Italy, or turn away a selection of local cheeses in France. With that said, however, it’s important to maintain a somewhat steady eating routine, which will also make it easier to say goodbye to those naughty eating habits you’ve developed when you’re sadly boarding that plane home. Some ways to do that could be to bring your own snacks for your full day of exploring. I’d recommend avoiding the commercial rest stops if you’re on a road trip, but rather stock up on fresh fruits or make your own sandwiches for the journey ahead. GET YOUR REST Travelling is all about going and rarely stopping. So it’s very important to try and squeeze in your downtime, just like you would if you were home. Be sure to keep up your sleeping schedule, aiming for 7-8 hours a night, and try and sneak in some strategic naps, too! KEEP CLEAN As uncool as it is to discuss, keeping clean and avoiding catching germs will help you enjoy your travels much more. Especially if you being cautious results in you missing out on catching the typical travelling cold. Ensure you wash your hands with soap and warm water often, and use hand sanitiser when needed.Top tip: beware of contagious tourists! KEEP HYDRATED Water is your best friend when travelling, so have it on you at all times. Drink bottled water where tap water is not safe, and try and avoid too many boozy evenings that are heavy on the alcohol. It might seem like a good idea at the time, but travel hangovers are not fun. At all! And most importantly, be sure to enjoy your time away! Enjoying a good holiday away will have the biggest affect on your happiness and wellbeing of all.

forte 35

dead letter circus

Dead Letter Circus has easily earned their place as one of Australia’s most loved modern rock bands, and as the band awaited the chart placement for their most recent album, Aesthesis, it seems there are few above them. JJ

The band managed to gain #2 on the ARIA Albums Charts, “My experience is very different to Kim’s, because his was in “It was just more refined. We’re seasoned veterans in the studio after being beaten out for #1 by Welsh band Bullet for My Peru and he drank, got weird and enlightened – or however now so we all know what we’re doing,” he says. Valentine, and the placement is almost becoming a tradition you want to put it,” he says. “We can do our own tracking and for the actual pre-production for the band. “But for me the actual process of living and dying is a constant we got everyone in the same room and threw around a bunch “I guess that was in the back of my mind but we were all hoping enlightenment. I’m not into hallucinogenics or anything; I of ideas and it was pretty cool. It was more of a group effort for a number one,” bass guitarist Stewart Hill says. don’t think anyone should need it. Just take life as it comes. rather, go off on our own and create things.” “It’s kind of funny because I have a Welsh friend – and Bullet are Welsh – and he was batting for both of us but in the end Bullet one.” Dead Letter Circus are long known as the band who emerged on the scene and seemed to create a new genre, to shake things up for want of a better term, but it wasn’t at all intentional.

When & Where: Karova Lounge, Ballarat – October 7, Black Swan, Bendigo – October 8, The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 9 & The Forum, Melbourne – October 10

“We were just doing what we were doing and trying to make it as fresh as possible,” he says. “I guess we got lucky and forged a new sound as a band and people latched onto it and it really grew into something awesome. Member changes definitely influenced the new albums, but we’re always trying to do something different from the last album and also trying to be really good song writers.” This time around Aesthesis touches on the moment where you ‘awaken’ and discover yourself, which for frontman Kim Benzie happened on a trip overseas.

Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival Organiser Colin Thompson JJ

Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival

is quickly approaching, but it’s not just about the incredible blues performers on offer. This festival also showcases the local venues on offer in Bendigo. We had a chat to Colin Thompson about what to expect. Hi Colin, thanks for taking the time to chat with us, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? Good thanks. Tired. Just trying to keep up with the hundreds of emails per day between our crew, our performing artists, our host venues, sponsors and partners, the different departments at council we deal with, and trying to balance all that with spending time with my two gorgeous kids and relax with my wife – when we get the chance. This is now the 5th Blues and Roots Festival, how has it evolved over the years? The heart and soul of our festival is the same - just the numbers are growing. More artists involved, more venues hosting music, more punters taking an interest and coming along to see what all the fuss is about. It’s grown organically, which is a conscious choice from myself and our core team. This year we’ve got some notable additions. In addition to the familyfriendly concert all day on the Saturday in Rosalind Park and huge variety of pubs, cafes and other venues, this year we’re excited to welcome the new Ulumbarra Theatre for our Saturday night main event and the Capital Theatre for our Friday main event. Both are ticketed shows and are incredibly cheap for the line ups on offer. There’s also a number of workshops throughout the festival, how important is it to have the educational element as well as the live performances? It’s vital to us and to the live music scene in general. So many of the acts who come to play offer their services for workshops so we’d be silly not to join the dots and facilitate that interaction with aspiring musicians attending the festival. Our festival is all about the connection between artist and punter, but if you can get a lesson or workshop with some of Australia’s greatest blues players, why wouldn’t you take advantage?! Over the years, have there been any highlights for you? Too many to name here, but I can say that I get the biggest buzz out of witnessing people making discoveries of their own; being blown away by an act they’d never heard of, then getting to meet that act, shake their hand, thank them for sharing their talent, buying their CD and walking away with a huge smile on their dial. There is so much ‘undiscovered’ talent right under our noses and we sometimes forget to switch 36 forte

Written by Amanda Sherring

off from what the TV or radio is telling us to like or what to buy and just go out and experience what is freely available and these artists are every bit as good as those being flogged to us through the media - and these artists deserve our attention and our support. So my highlight of every event I get to stage is facilitating that connection for both the independent artists we work with and the punters who we connect them with. The great thing about the festival is it does showcase local venues as well, was that an important aspect for the festival to have? Definitely. I got so sick of hearing too many people whinge that there was nothing to enjoy about our town, when all they had to do was take a real look at all the great stuff going on around them. Punters are starting get off their bums and get out to local venues and events again and we’re proud to have played a small hand in activating that. The local venues, realising people are keen for bigger and better, are really stepping up and getting more active and involved in hosting music and other events too, so one feeds the other and everyone wins in the end. What can those who are new to the festival expect from their first performance? Punters, or performers? Come to think of it, it’s the same for both: they can expect to feel welcomed. Welcomed into our city, welcomed into our venues and spaces. Welcomed into our event and welcomed into our community; for the weekend of the festival, and anytime they want to come back and visit again. Thanks again for taking the time to chat with Forte, is there anything you’d like to add? Can I sleep now?

When & Where: Bendigo Blues & Roots – November 5-8

“Growing up you have conflicts with yourself but that’s all part of it, if you’re not struggling you’re not moving forward.” While many bands face a bit of conflict in the studio, for Dead Letter Circus it was their best experience to date. Stewart even remarks that they’re almost at the stage where they can do it all on their own.

Aside from releasing a new album, Dead Letter Circus has been one of the bands on the Soundwave line up drip-fed to the public. “It’s just a bit of a tease isn’t it? I’m pretty stoked that Refused are coming around though,” Stewart adds with a laugh. More than anything, he just wants to know, “Who are we going to party with?” So far the party looks to be with Bring me the Horizon, Refused, Bullet For My Valentine, Lordi, Northlane, Failure and Devil You Know. In the mean time Dead Letter Circus are touring in support of their new release, which is out now.

Grand Final day at the Sporting Globe JJ

There’s something about heading to the pub,

having a few beers and watching the grand final with mates that just can’t be put into words. Really, it’s true blue right to the end. This year, while the Cats mightn’t be fighting for the trophy, head to the Sporting Globe for the best Grand Final celebration in town. Aside from the 50+ televisions screening the game live throughout the venue (you’ll have the best seat in the house no matter where you are) there will also be a footy pie stand serving up award-winning “Pure Pies” and a number of exclusive AFL guests. Watching the game alongside you and your mates and offering pre-game insights, interviews,

autographs and memorabilia will be Gary Ablett Jr. Fun fact, Ablett has played 274 games and scored 368 goals. Entertainment continues long after the final siren, with drink deals, an all day menu and more. There’s even the chance to go up against current and former players in the handball competition and win yourself something a little extra. So whether you’re going for Hawthorn or West Coast come game day, stay entertained and replenished at The Sporting Globe. Tickets and further details can be found on the website (www.sportingglobe.com.au/grandfinal).

When & Where: The Sporting Globe, Geelong – October 3

iNDUSTRY HUB

BEHIN D T HE SCEN ES Chat With The Pro Live Sound Engineering

Top Tip You’ve got to make sure you give the performers and the punters 100% - it’s what you’re being paid for. And you want the next gig, right? Remember, you are not the show, the performers are.

5 tips for bands and artists from an anonymous, (sometimes grumpy) live sound engineer! 1. Show 2. Be

up on time, live sound guys are known for getting grumpy.

polite, no one likes a jerk.

3. Know your

stage levels, sound guys can’t do much out front if you turn up to 11, we can’t all be Nigel Tufnel.

4. Communicate

prior to arriving at the venue. Ever heard the classic story of all drummers assuming someone would be supplying their drumkit for the night?

5. Have

fun (you’re not a rockstar yet) so don’t be serious all the time.

JOB DESCRIPTION

THE REAL DEAL

Live Sound Engineer

With Imogen Brough

THE ROLE Live Sound Engineer David Weir How did you end up in the field of live sound engineering?

I’ve been working live shows on and off for years for Oxygen College and production companies in both Geelong and Melbourne. Since March I’ve been working as an in-house tech at The Barwon Club.

Tell us about your study and pathway?

I studied Certificate 3 in Technical Production, then a Diploma of Sound Production, both at Oxygen College.

By day you work at Oxygen College, tell us about your work there?

What are some of the things you love about your work?

I came from a country town without a live music scene, so I would travel to Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool to see bands play. Now I get to work around live music as a career. How could you not love that? I have seen some amazing bands and met so many talented people, and it inspires me to turn up to each show ready to make some noise.

What are some common misconceptions about Live Sound engineering?

I work as a Studio Trainer and Studio Engineer. As a trainer I teach students how to set up and run a recording studio, and then how to mix the recorded session.

That every gig you work is a party. Drinking clouds your judgment, and you need to be sharp for the best outcome. Just because you get a sweet gig at a pub/venue doesn’t mean that you should join in the partying. At least until the jobs over.

What does the average gig entail for you when doing live sound?

What are some of the basic skills you require in your field?

It’s my job to set up the stage with microphones and cabling. I liaise with the performers about the layout of the stage, equipment being used and any specific needs to make them sound their best. During the show I run the mixing desk, setting levels for instruments and vocals throughout the performance.

What are some of the most important things bands need to know about live sound?

Make sure instrument leads are in working order (not crackling or disconnecting), strings are new/close to new, have spare drum sticks and picks on hand, even a spare guitar just in case. It’s important they know their gear really well, tones on amps are all pre-set, volumes matched on pedals (so when the distortion is engaged, it doesn’t jump up by 100db). If backline is supplied for a show, try to find out what is being used to become familiar with it. And listen to your engineer. They are there to make you sound good.

You need to be able to safely carry gear, whether it be speakers or helping musicians get amps and kits on/off stage. Think on the go. You need to make decisions quickly during a show. Keep your cool. Don’t be rude to the performers if they don’t understand.

Do you need to be musically talented to perform the role of a live sound engineer?

No, not at all. You just need to love music and being around it.

What is some advice you would give to those thinking about getting into the field?

I suppose you need to get into a course that would set you up with skills and knowledge. Beyond that, it’s all about applying yourself and being professional.

A live sound engineer is just as integral, if not more so, in ensuring a band or musician has a flawless performance. At an average event, a live sound engineer is responsible for;

∵∵Providing quality sound at events such as theatre performances, seminars and music concerts.

∵∵All sound related components of a live performance, including set up, equipment, and controlling sound levels throughout the show.

∵∵Communicating with the musicians/

artists or producers prior to the event to determine both equipment sound needs of each performance and to then make sure everything is ready to go on the night.

∵∵Working with the artists/producers

involved to identify points in a script or set list, where certain sound effect, music and level changes are required.

∵∵Help with loading equipment in and out. They will make sure all equipment is set up and working before a show; as well as completing a sound check with the band or performers.

∵∵Travelling long distances on

tour with bands or productions. In this case they will communicate ahead with venues to determine the equipment needs of each venue.

∵∵Being an active and integral

part of delivering a great live experience no matter the room or acoustic qualities of the venue. If you’re interested in studying live sound engineering, Oxygen College are a music industry education specialist that offers courses in music and business management. The college are currently offering a short course in live sound engineering starting soon with limited positions available. To find out more and to book, visit www.oxygencollege.com.au or call 1300 195 303.

How important is a live sound engineer when you perform?

A live sound engineer is very important for me when I perform. Their technique can make or break my performance

What are some of the things that are important to you in terms of your live sound?

Some important things for my live sound is being able to hear my vocals really clearly, having the correct sounding reverb, both through the fold backs and the main house speakers as well. Also having the right levels with high and low frequency is important! Hearing enough of the other instruments is very important too.

What are some things you have learnt over the years in terms of making sure you can best prepare your live sound engineer when arriving for a show?

Most importantly how to best describe the sound I am after. The type of reverb for me is everything and I have learnt to describe it correctly to get the best sound. Words like ‘long, cathedral, deep sounding reverb’ are words that work for my sound.

What are the key differences between a good and a bad live sound engineer?

The main differences are someone who listens to what you are after and also who will also change the sound throughout your performance to best capture each moment. When my music is getting dramatic and loud with vocals, I love it when the sound engineer copies by increasing the reverb and delay. This adds to the effect and emotions!

www.dontpokethebear.com.au

forte 37

38 forte

S p r i n g Ra c i n g Ca r n i v al 64 days of thundering hooves, ultimate glory and a healthy splash of fashion. The Spring Racing Carnival is here, and we’re going to make things as easy as we can for those who ride with the Sport of Kings. For a complete rundown, hit racing.com. The Forte Spring Racing Guide Turnbull Stakes Day

Moama Bowling Club Melbourne Cup Day

Flemington, Sunday, October 4.

Echuca, Tuesday, November 3.

•• Gates open at 11a.m. •• First race is at 12.30p.m. •• Special trains run direct to Flemington. Need to know: Long considered a solid guide for predicting future Melbourne Cup champions. BMW Caulfield Cup Day Caulfield, Saturday, October 17.

•• Gates open at 10.15a.m. •• First race TBC. •• A shuttle bus service will operate from Echuca to the racecourse. •• Buses will also operate from Shepparton. Need to know: Choose and build your race-day package from several options. Catch live races plus all the action from Flemington on the big screens.

•• First race TBC. •• Gates will open approximately 1.5 hours beforehand. Need to know: The third and final day of the Caulfield racing carnival, signalling the beginning of big-time racing. 11 horses have scored the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double. William Hill Geelong Cup Geelong Racecourse, Wednesday, October 21.

Emirates Melbourne Cup Day Flemington, Tuesday, November 3.

•• Gates open at 8.30a.m. •• First race is at 10.40a.m. Need to know: We all know about this one – it is the race that stops the nation. $6.2-million in prize money is up for grabs. 3p.m. is the time. Crown Oaks Day

•• First race TBC. Need to know: Choose and build your race-day package from several options. Geelong Cup winners Media Puzzle (2002), Bauer (2007), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) have all gone on to win the big prize. William Hill Cox Plate Mooney Valley, Saturday, October 24.

•• First race TBC. Need to know: The favourite has an overall win rate of 41%. Jayco Bendigo Cup Bendigo Racecourse, Wednesday, October 28.

•• First race TBC. Need to know: Sidetrack’d. Enjoy special access to the premium trackside marquee and entertainment from Joel Fletcher, Lucille Croft, Teddy Cream, Nick Goldsmith and Tayler Hocking. Free courtesy bus to after-party. AAMI Victoria Derby Day – Flemington, Saturday, October 31

•• Gates open 8.30a.m. •• First race is at 11.45a.m. •• Special trains run direct to Flemington. Need to know: Glamour and sophistication, this for many is the most outstanding day of racing on the Australian calendar.

Flemington, Thursday, November 5.

•• Gates open at 10.15a.m. •• First race is at 12.05p.m. •• Special trains run direct to Flemington. Need to know: Traditionally known as “Ladies Day”, it is the fitting host of the national final of Myer Fashions on the Field Women’s Racewear. Emirates Stakes Day Flemington, Saturday, November 7.

•• Gates open at 10.15a.m. •• First race is as 12.20p.m. •• Special trains run direct to Flemington. Need to know: The “Family Day” of the carnival features live entertainment and free activities for the kids, as the Melbourne Cup Carnival concludes its festivities. Sportsbet.com.au Ballarat Cup Ballarat, Saturday, November 21.

•• First race TBC. Need to know: Choose and build your race-day package from several options.

ADDITIONAL DATES: JJ

Beck Caulfield Guineas Day – Caulfield, Saturday, October 10;

Bendigo Beach Party Raceday – Bendigo, Saturday, October 17;

Mildura Melbourne Cup Day Races – Mildura, Tuesday, November 3;

Kyneton Cup – Kyneton, Wednesday, November 4;

Warrnambool Toyota Oaks Day – Warrnambool, Thursday, November 5;

Ararat Gold Cup – Ararat – Sunday, November 8.

Top Tips for Tipsters •• Always seek out the tips of an apparent ‘expert’, either that or the tips of a degenerate uncle who claims he has a bunch of hot tips will do just fine. •• Arrive at the morning meeting point and confidently declare that the ‘hot tips’ you have are pretty much ‘sure things’ and react with pessimism to anyone else who claims to also have ‘hot tips’. •• If you are going to punt, allocate a sensible amount to wager, do not go in a free spend, you will run out of money, and quick! •• Never lose your ticket, I did it once after a win in race one at the Geelong Cup and it ruined my day. Going up to the TAB attendant and pleading, “Remember me, I was here 25 minutes ago, I put $10 on number five,” does not work. Even if they remember you; you can’t collect without a ticket. •• Pick your method of choosing a horse, whether it’s by name, number, colours or a mates tip - pick it and don’t change. •• Always back in your original tip, don’t change your mind as you go to place the bet. The horse you were going to originally pick will ALWAYS win in that situation. •• Don’t ever chase your loses and always gamble responsibly. There’s nothing worse than waking up with a splitting headache and an empty wallet too!!

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2015 William Hill Geelong Cup JJ

The Geelong Cup is one of the premier country cups held

outside of the city during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The Geelong Cup has proven to be a Gateway to Glory, with previous Geelong Cup winners Media Puzzle (2002), Bauer (2007), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) all going on to win the coveted Melbourne Cup during the same year! Everyone is invited to come and experience country hospitality with our numerous Marquee options, or enjoy watching the races track side from just $30 for General Admission.

At the Geelong Cup, there is fun for the whole family, with plenty of kids activities available. Fashions on the Field is one of Country Racing’s most anticipated fashion days, attracting strong competition and equally strong prizes for both the Ladies and Gentlemen’s divisions. The William Hill Geelong Cup Day is a public Holiday recognized by the City of Geelong, so why not celebrate it in style and head to the races this cup day!

The Sporting Globe Marquee Located in the hub of the Sporting Globe Live Site this Marquee will be the place to be on William Hill Geelong Cup Day. Party the day away with awesome live entertainment & a birdseye view of the GT Fashions on the Field competition from the Beer Garden

Package Includes: •• Racecourse Admission

Price: $140.00 per person

•• Racebook

Standard Dress Regulations: •• Ladies : Racewear

•• Racing action on TV screens in the Marquee •• TAB facilities close by •• Delicious grazing finge food menu •• Beverage package (beer, wine, cider, sparkling & soft drink) + cash bar for basic spirits •• Dedicated toilet area •• Pamper Area •• Live entertainment •• Official After Party at the The Sporting Globe

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•• Gentlemen: Jacket & Tie Please note: A wristband will be sent to you prior to the event to allow you entry into the racecourse and The Sporting Globe Marquee

Ruby & Leo JJ

Ruby & Leo is a very cool hat shop for both

guys and girls, stocking a huge range of hats for every occasion. For men you will find stacks of trilbys, fedoras, top hats, bowlers, flat caps, panamas, Greek fisherman’s caps, boaters, deer stalkers, pork pies and the list goes on.... If you are searching for a particular style it can be sourced for you, though it would be surprising if you can’t find the right hat in Ruby & Leo.

Blue Suede Girls are also spoilt for choice with every imaginable thing you could put on your head from individually designed bridal headpieces, wool felt cloches, floppy wide brim festival hats, berets, pillboxes to sparkly tiaras. Right now the owner of Ruby & Leo, Victoria Henderson, is flat out designing and making spring racing hats and headwear. Being a qualified milliner and jewellery designer, she is able to create some great one-off custom pieces to match the colour and style of your spring racing outfit. Many customers leave it up to Victoria, with her 20 years of millinery experience and regular up to the minute training in the latest techniques, to design a hat specially for them. As well as her bespoke pieces, the shop is stocked to the brim (pun intended) with “off the shelf ” fascinators, hats and headpieces in heaps of colours and different materials to satisfy all styles and budgets. But Ruby & Leo is not just about hats. This quirky boutique also stocks a great array of accessories, jewellery and unusual creative giftwear that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else. A range of locally made handbags, earrings, wallets, crochet items, cushions, wall art, throw rugs and many other home decor items just to name a few things. Every item is individually handpicked by Victoria who is celebrating her 25th year as a Geelong Retailer this year. The shop has a very cool eclectic vintage vibe which fits in very well in the quaint Highton Village and with Blue Suede (Victoria’s husband Richard’s shop) next door it is well worth a visit!

Where: Shop 12, 65-71 Barrabool Rd, Highton Contact: 5245 8989

Elephant and Castle One venue that is synonymous with the Geelong Cup is the Elephant and Castle. And guess what? 2015 is shaping up to be no different. The venue will be opened on cup day from 11am for lunch and dinner. The E&C after party is a local and long withstanding tradition, free buses are running from the race course after the last race straight to the E&C. From there, you can enjoy Geelong’s best beer garden and retractable roof as well as entertainment from DJs Brian, Jimmy Danza and Steve toppa who will pump out all the best retro and commercial hits of today, till 12 midnight. It is also free entry!

If you are looking for men’s shoes in Geelong

be sure to head straight to Blue Suede for the best range of almost anywhere in Geelong! Year round Blue Suede carries over 500 different styles of shoes and boots for guys. Men are spoiled for choice with everything from sandals to boots and every other style in between. All the shoes at Blue Suede are real leather, not synthetic or man made materials, with every shoe chosen for quality and style. There’s plenty of luxe leathers and trimmings in a huge array of colours and crafted for comfort and long lasting wear. One of the most popular brands sold at Blue Suede ‘Ferracini’ is made in Brazil and has been a proven winner for quality of leather, design and comfort. Some of the styles have a ‘24hr’ inner support, great if you are on your feet all day. Most customers who have purchased Ferracini return to buy subsequent pairs.

name all the unique items in stock but in case you were looking for a dinosaur figurine, buffalo wall bust, cast iron Michelin man, wind up tin robot, replica brass compass, rotating world globe, electronic stapler, 6 foot tall carved wooden African guy, life sized whippet statue, wooden sunnies or die cast racing car... look no further! As well as the aforementioned Blue Suede has an amazing collection of wallets, cufflinks, leather belts and ties. Including a large selection of bowties with pocket squares and suspenders/ braces to go with your look. If you are on the hunt for a manbag, Blue Suede has that covered too with a great selection from hand held to travel bags in amazing leathers or canvas. Blue Suede has become Geelong’s one stop shop for all things manly. Of course gift vouchers are available if it’s too hard to decide what to buy. Free gift wrapping and helpful, friendly service are all part of the Blue Suede experience.

Other popular labels are Lluis and Massa, both with up to the minute fashion design. The designers for these companies travel the world looking for the latest trends and adapting them for the Aussie guy. If you are looking for a European shoe, ‘Lord Kent’ is a beautifully crafted range made in Italy. With superb classy styling and the best of fine Italian leather it is a long-lasting and special piece of footwear to add to your “shoe-robe”. But wait... there’s more! Although the main focus of Blue Suede is the extensive range of footwear, you will also find a great range of clothing in store. Like each pair of shoes on the shelves, the clothing is hand selected for style, quality, comfort and point of difference. You won’t find the same labels in department stores and, quite often, they are exclusive to Blue Suede so you won’t find them anywhere else in Geelong. Australian made shirts by Jimmy Stuart have become a winning favourite. They are made from the finest cotton, in a quirky range of patterns and designs. Made to fit Aussie guys perfectly, they are a very popular choice among the many other labels of shirts on offer. Other key pieces in the clothing selection are tees, polos, vests, blazers, jackets, jeans, pants, coats and the list goes on... Now about the gift range at Blue Suede. If you can’t find a gift in this shop you are buying for one very fussy man. It really is the go-to place for guy’s gifts in Geelong. Too numerous to

Where: Shop 13, Taylor Crt, Highton Contact: 03 5244 4237

Things to do (and not do) at the races DON’T get so messy at the pre

drinks that you aren’t allowed into the gates and have wasted all those months of colour coordinating your shoes to your fascinator.

DO suss out the best food spots and get

in early to avoid the queue. There’s nothing worse than missing the main race because you were waiting to sauce up your corn dog.

DON’T let your friends place bets if they can’t

wear appropriate gear. Ladies, that means a heel length you feel capable of doing a marathon in and gents, suits are a no-brainer.

DO take cheesy photos with the horses. You may look like an idiot but the horses deserve some attention too.

DON’T hit up the spray tan the day before

the races, especially if you’re wearing a white dress. Natural is key ladies, show off those pale pins!

read the board. Friends don’t let friends bet drunk!

DO wear clothes and accessories that will stick

to your body like glue, regardless of how messy you get. Nip slips or low pants aren’t a good look, ever.

DO bring the essentials. We’re talking water

DO be nice to the TAB attendants. They have

nothing to do with if you win or lose, and being stuck in a box is bad enough without getting yelled at too.

DO have a good time and remember that winning big isn’t the be all and the end all of a good day!

and sunscreen here people and lots of it!

DON’T start fights because someone spilt your

beer or happened to rock up in the same dress as you. No one wants to be the person that ruins everyone else’s day.

DO work out transport to and from the event before you get there. Taxis will be far and few between, so check out the bus timetable or a friends that are willing to pick up your fine self.

DON’T take it out on the horses. Yelling

profanity to our furry four-legged friends because they didn’t win you the big bucks won’t get you anywhere, except thrown out of the venue.

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remi

Written by Amanda Sherring

Over what may seem like a short time producing music, Remi and Sensible J have learned how to deliver a message in each track, one of the hardest things to master in rap. But more recently, Remi got a lesson on crocodiles in Darwin. JJ

“We went on a crocodile tour and it was Striking the right balance between being just too much man, I learnt way too “preachy” and insightful is a hard one, and much about crocodiles. We went not all musicians get it right, but it’s so swimming afterwards and it was just important for an attempt to be made. hectic,” Remi says. “They can hear your heartbeat in the water for a kilometre, they stalk you, they can swim at 20km an hour when our fastest swimmer is 7km an hour. So you could be fucking Michael Phelps and they’re still going to kill you. You don’t need that kind of information when you’re walking around.”

“A lot of the time when you talk about important stuff it’s mother-fucking boring and that’s not what we want to be happening”

RawXInfinity was a chance for the duo to fine tune the message, but it was also a chance to throw some “weird shit” into the album. As Remi explains, rather than just be for the sake of it, it was a return to their more diverse sound. This time around, Remi and Sensible J are piecing together an album in six weeks that is set to be much more cohesive than the last. “We just did the intro for our album in two hours, starting from scratch with no beat or nothing to being fully written. We were able to do that because there was a vibe and the whole thing was just sound scaped out in a short period of time,” he says.

“We were up there with Sietta and they took us to this place to go swimming in a watering hole. And I was like, ‘But I just learnt all this shit about crocs’? They were like, ‘That’s fine’ and so I asked if “It’s just really whatever it takes to get there were any crocs there and they said that stuff out right, this is the first time ‘Oh, maybe’. Maybe. That’s fucking we’ve done a cohesive album so there’s “I think there is enough music that is ridiculous it should be absolutely no.” representing and talking about nothing been more back and forth than ever There’s no trial and error when it comes but I don’t think there’s enough music before because that’s what it requires.” to learning about crocodiles, but when talking about important stuff. A lot of It mightn’t seem like long to wait given it comes to sending the message through the time when you talk about important the album is bound to be halfway finished music, that process is exactly what stuff it’s mother fucking boring and once this story goes to print, but if you’re helped perfect the rappers sound. that’s not what we want to be looking for something to keep you busy “Before releasing RawXInfinity I wasn’t happening,” he says. in the meantime, head to Remi’s sure if putting stuff on like “If you listen to anyone from Andre 3000 Bandcamp and download a few of the ‘Ode to Ignorance’ was too much or to Kendrick Lamar to Mos Def, when free mixtapes. Oh, and don’t go swimming too early on in our careers. I didn’t they deliver their stuff, and they can say in any waterholes in Darwin without know if I was at a stage yet where I some really profound and deep shit, it’s having your wits about you. could convey that message and not be in this cool rhythmic and relatable way too preachy,” he says. that plays at your emotions in a way that “I guess that’s why I’m lucky, because Sensible J and I, it’s the two of us. I run everything by him and he runs everything by me. When you’ve got someone that you trust and you’re a team with, it makes it easier to have another perspective.”

you don’t even realise you’ve been hit by it. So I guess that’s the aim.”

When & Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne – October 25

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Refining the Palette ≈≈ Expand Your Tea Knowledge As part of the Australian International Tea Expo there are a series of workshops and classes where you can expand your knowledge on the delicious liquid and daily ritual. Classes include; Oolong Sommelier, Green Teas of China, Hands-On Tea Blending, Starting a Tea Business, Aroma Training and Tea and Food Pairing and much more.

The Sewing Room Q&A

Visit australianteaexpo.com.au for more information on the event (held on October 17-18).

≈≈ Finders Keepers Market The Melbourne Finders Keepers Market is back again with plenty of time for you to pick up something for yourself or to get in early for Christmas. Held over three days (October 2-4) the market has the best of Melbourne design ware on offer as well as selections from throughout Australia. Head to the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne this weekend.

≈≈ Transparency Colour and texture are beautiful things, especially when put together. In her newest exhibition, Leah Grant will explore these two elements through various mediums of photography, ink, gouache and resin. Opening night is tomorrow night (October 2) from 6pm at Analogue Academy in Geelong. ≈≈ Ballarat Orchid Show There’s the old saying of ‘taking time to smell the roses’ in this case orchids are the flowers of choice and you’ll certainly have an endless amount to smell and admire. The Ballarat Orchid Show will take place over October 1618 at the Primary Industries Training Center in Wendouree. ≈≈ Make A Difference, Make A Film Attention all budding filmmakers (and those who haven’t yet tapped into their potential) the Gateways Film Festival of Amazing Shorts is here, and they need your work. This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating People with a Disability’ with the first prize $1000 and second prize $500. Entries close on November 6, to find out more visit gateways.com.au/the-gaffas.

≈≈ Double the Power In Black Diva Power, the acclaimed powerhouse singer/actor Ruth Rogers-Wright is set to take on the roles of Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Backed by a three-piece band, the show is set to enlighten, mesmerise and give one hell of an entertaining time. The performance also sees pianist and composer Mark Fitzgibbon come on board for the show. Black Diva Power comes to The Capital in Bendigo on October 24 and GPAC in Geelong on November 2.

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When was the last time you picked up

a needle and thread and made something for fun? If you’re struggling to think of an answer, it’s about time you looked up Geelong’s newest creative space, The Sewing Room, where the forgotten art of sewing is brought to the forefront. We had a chat with owner Lyn Luck about what it’s all about. There isn’t much else like The Sewing Room, in fact anything like it, in Geelong. Can you give our readers a rundown of the space? The Sewing Room is a community sewing studio offering beginners classes, school holiday workshops and an open studio space where you can bring along your own sewing project and work in a friendly and fun atmosphere. Where sewers of all ages and skill levels can do workshops and learn from each other and develop a sense of community. I am really focusing on teaching beginners how to sew and to feel that sense of achievement when you have made something yourself. I also have a passion to introduce sewing to children and we have a great Kids School Holiday Program and a Saturday Kids Sewing Club which started in September. How did the idea for The Sewing Room come to you? I have always dreamed of creating a space where others can come and enjoy sewing like I do. I had worked in the Vocational Education sector for a number of years, but had wanted to return to doing something more creative. There seemed to be a group of people who hadn’t learnt to sew or to knit and I want to fill that gap and provide the skills to everyone who didn’t learn the skills. How long did it take for the idea to become a reality? The Sewing Room started from an idea I first had in June and I wrote a proposal and sent it to Ren and Kate at Boom Gallery. Straight away they have supported the concept and enabled it to happen. We opened on August 18, so we are still very new! What’s your background in sewing? I started sewing when I was 9 or 10 and I would refashion beautiful old fabrics from my Aunty Glad. I trained as an art teacher and I have worked in fashion design, fashion education and trained in the VET Industry at TAFE. I started working with Myer Geelong after finishing my Degree in Art Education, I loved fashion and as soon as my children were born I started “Jemmy Buttons” a children’s clothing label. I wanted jeans and bright interesting colours for my kids and they just weren’t available. Jemmy Buttons was very successful, but got too big for me to manage on my own. I also was Coordinator of Fashion at the Gordon TAFE and taught Fashion Design and Fashion Illustration. How important is it for those young and old to have skills in sewing? It’s important for all ages to find something that they love to do and feel that amazing sense of achievement when they create something themselves. It is unique and individual and made

with love and care. Woodworking, gardening, sewing and a whole host of other creative activities are good for the soul. Sewing will be a hobby for some and a chore for others, what is sewing to you? Sewing has been a fantastic creative outlet for me for many years. It is a form of escape and many hours can pass by when I am designing, drawing or sewing a dress or a costume for an event. Focusing in itself is calming and focusing on creating a jumper or a bag or a T-shirt takes time, patience and skill. It absorbs you and takes you to a place of imagination and wonder. Sewing is known as a rather solitary activity, what difference do you think making it a group thing will have on those new to the craft? I want the Sewing Room to be a hub – a drop in centre for sewers of all ages and skill levels. Sewing can be a solitary activity so this space is a great opportunity to turn it into a social activity, to meet new people share a coffee and develop your skills. I want it to be a place to learn and to create.

There’s also the ability to become a member of the Sewing Room, what’s involved in the membership? Becoming a member of The Sewing Room Geelong allows you to come in at any time except when there are workshops scheduled and work on your own projects. You have access to the machines and sewing accessories and a very large cutting table. We also have monthly special events that members are invited to come along to. Membership is $50 per year. You can also access the same services as a casual user for $20 per day.

Workshops: October 2, 11-1pm (ages 6-8) & 2-4pm (aged 9+) Where: 11 Rutland St, Newtown Website: www.thesewingroomgeelong.com.au Contact: 0407 908 069

Traces Photography Exhibition Q&A JJ

Naturally, there comes a time when we

leave things behind. Whether it’s intentionally as a memento for others, or something more accidental like forgotten toys, we all leave something at one point or another. It’s the things we leave behind and the possible absence to begin with, that Jack Griffiths and Natalie Evans have explored in their newest photography exhibition. Was the concept of ‘Traces’ something you worked towards when taking your images or did it just fit the content well afterwards? I had the idea in mind as I was shooting. We were given the theme of “absence and presence” and my work grew from there. How long did it take you to capture the images? Eight weeks. As the exhibition is titled ‘Traces’ and looks at the things we leave behind, have you always been aware of these things or did you only really become to notice them in the process of taking the pictures? The absence of things, and particularly the absence of people, has always interested me. The celebration of the mundane in everyday life is a common theme in my work and Icontinued this in my images for ‘Traces’.

What are some things that you’ve left behind? I left my coat at a friend’s place the other night… I can be a bit forgetful sometimes! Many of your pictures have stories behind them. Do you know the stories or have you managed to create stories in the place of what the real ones may be? I only know the stories behind a few of the images I’ve captured for this series, but it’s hard not to imagine the stories behind the others. I’d rather leave them open for interpretation as everyone sees things differently, and I want people to imagine things for themselves. Is there a picture from your series that you’re particularly proud of and if so why? I’m usually most proud of images that capture a moment in time organically rather than being staged, so for this reason my favourite is the photo of the kids’ bikes in the caravan park. What are you hoping for the audience to take away from looking at your images? I want people to imagine the life or lives behind my images; to see these traces of things and imagine who left them behind. Anything you’d like to add? I’d like to say a big thank you to Jess Costa from Courthouse Youth Arts for being amazing and organising everything, and to Jack for being a great exhibition partner!

The Finders Keepers Markets Q&A JJ

The Finders Keepers Markets are much more than just a place for niche, well-made and

original designer pieces. Since forming in 2008 the market has become a community that nurtures the blossoming talents of small creative businesses and a place for buyers to feel at home. We had a chat with Angela of Finders Keepers ahead of the Melbourne dates this weekend. Photographs by Mark Lobo

Hi Angela, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? I’m really well thanks! Hope you are too! We are ramping up for our Spring / Summer season and that means we’re all very busy beavering away in the background making sure our events are awesome for our amazing stallholders and the crowds that attend. Natalie Evans:

The aim for the market was simple; to create a supportive environment for like-minded, independent designers to sell their work. Brooke and Sarah had a vision of an event that didn’t exist at the time; somewhere they wanted to shop, which combined everything they loved under one roof. It turns out Brooke and Sarah set something in motion that local makers and shoppers were also seeking. With zero business experience and absolutely no funding (but with massive doses of self-produced soul and hard-working heart) the markets were born.

A lot of our readers will be familiar with the Finders Keepers Markets but not its origin, how did the market come to be? The Finders Keepers was founded in the summer of 2008 in Sydney, by young designers and friends, Brooke Johnston and Sarah Thornton. The markets quickly expanded to Brisbane in 2009, with Melbourne hosting their first event in 2010.

Twin Pictured

The Naturalist Pictured

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It’s had an extreme amount of growth over the past few years, what do you see as the next big change for the market? We are looking at branching out into new cities across the country in the very near future (and maybe even across the pond if you get my drift)! We’re keen to ensure we support all Australian creative communities.

When & Where: Traces is on display at Courthouse youth Arts Gallery until October 14

Showcasing local designers and creatives is a huge aspect of the market, what would you say is the main ethos of the event? For us, the support of innovation, and the small creative businesses of the Australian maker community is paramount. We encourage originality and creativity and our aim is to continue to inspire and connect the group of people who are working hard and having a go at living the creative professional life. We love exciting and interesting, ethically created products, and we highly value craftsmanship in a world saturated with mass-production. What’s the most satisfying thing about the festival from an organisers point of view? The smiling faces in the crowds! Hearing the “squee” of joy from visitors who are discovering the amazing designers at our events. Seeing the community of stallholders connecting with big hugs during event bump-in is always something that makes my heart sing.

Aside from bringing lots of cash and plenty of bag space, what should attendees bring along to the markets? A curiosity for design, an appetite for some sweet treats and refreshments, a list of people who have gift requirements (and Christmas is just around the corner too!). And a friendly smile…. the markets are a nice place to be after all…! Thanks again for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? Supporting local small creative businesses, the up and coming designers, the vintage sellers, the food artisans and emerging musicians will make you feel SO GOOD. Chat to the stallholders and ask them about their creative process! They’re keen to strike up a conversation and spread the word about what they do, as they are a super passionate group of people. You’ll learn things, and you’ll feel things. Most importantly, you’ll have an awesome time!

For our Melbourne attendees, are there any stalls/ designers of mention that they should check out? Every single stall is worth a look! This time look out for your favourite Vintage stallholders in amongst the Designers. Naomi Murrell, a well-loved community favourite will be there showcasing her new range of clothing. Minette vs Corey create some exquisitely minimal pieces of jewellery for the discerning shopper. For homewares, it’s always worth popping by to check out the Patterson + Steele stall for beautiful planters and much more. There’s an incredible line-up at this event, each market gets more exciting and I can’t wait to have a bit of a shop myself ! What’s your favourite thing about stepping foot into the market? The smiling faces of the stallholders gets me every time. At first, they all look excited, nervous and full of anticipation. The crowds of shoppers then bring a lovely and delirious friendly exhaustion over the next couple of days, bringing down social barriers and forming serious bonds between the crew and the stallholders!

MacLathy Pictured

When & Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne – October 2,3 & 4

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Jinja Safari

Written by Tex Miller

Face The Music: Anna Laverty

Attending a songwriting summit in Perth in October, Azon assures me the new record (the follow up to the 2013 selftitled debut) is not too far away. Personally accepted to the summit by Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe, he is excited about the prospect of learning some new techniques and developing his songwriting skills and writing in collaboration.

“Sometimes you work with artists who have done a lot, they just turn up for a few hours and then they leave. But when you work with these [up and coming] artists, they are all there, all the time, and they are so excited...I love to be a part of that,” Laverty says. “They’re so excited about learning about the project they’re working on, and often this is the first time they’ve been in the studio, and there’s so many cool things.”

Little did Azon know, for the past few years there has been considerable talk about Eskimo Joe writing the new Fremantle Dockers theme song, given that the band hails from there. If the opportunity were to arise at the summit for Marcus to put his two cents worth into the song, would he be up for it? JJ

For the first time in five years, Jinja Safari

are headed back down to Geelong to play at the Street Life festival on November 14. The last time they graced the streets of Geetroit was back when they were playing support slots around the country and touring on the back of their self titled EP. Boy and Bear were the headline act on that night at the Bended Elbow, and the Jinja Safari set was full of energy, great costumes as well as a sneaky bit of Sitar. Marcus Azon and myself reminisce fondly about that night and the early years of the band.

“We were just hanging out writing some chilled out songs on acoustic guitar and bongos and triple j heard us on Unearthed and took it from there. We were very lucky at the opportunities that have arisen over the years. We have toured through Europe and the US and have played some great shows. It’s been a great ride so far and we can’t thank everyone enough,” he says.

“The sitar does come out on occasion my friend I can tell you that much. In those first few years as a band, we went out on It’s been a couple of years since the first album, so when can the road with Boy and Bear and Art Vs. Science and they were we expect to hear some new music from the indie pop rock two completely different tours from the opposite end of the geniuses? spectrum. We learned a lot from those shows and figured out “We had an album pretty much ready to go and we’ve all pretty what we wanted to be. We got the opportunity to play at much decided as a band to start afresh. We’re working on it Splendour three years in a row and that really allowed us to right now and I’ve got so many demos that could potentially learn how to bring the party to our gigs,” Azon says. be on the new record, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Keep Alongside Melbourne rock and roll legends, the Delta Riggs, an eye on our social media though for all the rolling updates,” Street Life festival is set to take Lt. Malop Street by storm on Azon says. the 14th and is quite possibly going to be the biggest party of the year. Although Azon doesn’t know too much about it, he is excited about the prospect of the event in its inaugural year and sees big things to come in the future.

The Rubens

Known for her work with the Peep Tempel, Courtney Barnett, Cut Copy and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, there is a lot Laverty loves about her job. Recently having produced albums for locals Warmth Crashes In and Voltaire Twins, she knows what makes a good song. And ultimately, it is the energy of the artist that makes it shine.

“Absolutely man, I am definitely keen for that one, if I could help Kav realise his big dream in any way, then I am in. Who knows whether this will ever get off the ground or not, but if they need some harmony vocals or a big chant then I reckon I could do that,” he says. One of the major Jinja Safari ‘hits’ is ‘Peter Pan’. Combining all the essentials of a good pop song, it was the summertime feel that broadcast them into the Australian music scene and made people sit up and take notice. Talking about the immediate success of the band from that point, Azon was unaware of what was about to happen.

When & Where: Street Life, Geelong – November 14

Written by Alexander Lightfoot

“One song might have incredible lyrics another song you might not be able to understand what they are singing, but it’s just so exciting. That’s really what I look for in a song,” she says.

For any up and coming musician, advice

from an established producer can make all the difference in their career. Face the Music industry conference gives local musos the chance to hear what makes some of the best in the biz tick, and this year, acclaimed producer, engineer and mixer Anna Laverty is on the panel. “The thing that I love about it is the young bands and artists and how I can help them out a little bit,” she says. “But also how you get to hear their music.” Joining Casey Rice (Dirty Three, Ponyface) and Andrei Eremin (Chet Faker, Hiatus Kaiyote) and other big names, Laverty will be on two panels, including Women In Music, and will go over a production piece from her catalogue, meticulously explaining the process that shaped the final song. Focusing on some of the inner workings of a producer, Laverty will join other industry professionals as they discuss the techniques they use, how they work and communicate with artists, and the technology used to craft their tracks. Also delving into the nitty gritty of the decision making process and what life really looks like as a producer, it gives musicians the chance to truly learn about what it takes to make it in the industry.

Augie March

Augie March are arguably one of Australia’s

most innovative and enduring bands. In their JJ

Naturally, the second time for anything is

usually much easier than the first. This was certainly the case when The Rubens stepped foot into the studio for album number two, an album which has seen the band reach into deeper possibilities to their sound.

“[Crowd-surfing] was so fun, I wanted the boys to do a big jam out and for me just to get out in the crowd for a bit: that just gets everyone absolutely frantic, absolutely manic. It doesn’t take much to get the crowd going crazy and once you get that energy they’ll just whole it with you for the rest of the set.” Another element of Hoops’ success comes with the album gaining feature of the week on triple j. As Sam is a regular listener, hearing the band’s songs on the radio is still something that catches him off guard.

Written by Jessica Morris

long career they’ve seen both commercial and critical success, and amassed a loyal following. In 2014, after a five-year break, the five-piece made a triumphant return to the international stage with Havens Dumb. The album features 14 tracks that echo the Augie March of old and

Shedding some light on what a musician can expect in the industry, and also providing vital networking opportunities with some of the biggest and best hometown labels, indie artists, producers, songwriters and more, Face The Music is a sneak peak at what it takes to reach the next level. In the spirit of Face The Music, I asked Laverty what would most surprise people about her job as a producer. Her answer may shock you. “You’re the one person who has to stay sober. I think a lot of people think that life in the studio is really debaucherous, but you’re the one who has to hand the finished product over at the end of the day,” she says. You heard it here first, life in the music biz is more than just sweet hooks and booze, it’s a lot of hard work and commitment. Face The Music will be held on November 13 and 14 at the Arts Centre, Melbourne. To register, go to facethemusic.org.au.

When & Where: Arts Centre, Melbourne – November 13 & 14

Written by Natalie Rogers

Sunset Sounds which was recorded in 2000 but, due to its continuing popularity, only reached Gold status last year. “We hadn’t played ‘Asleep In Perfection’ for over a decade – you gotta love YouTube!” Donovan laughs. “I had to go online and watch a performance from the 10:30 Slot [hosted by Dylan Lewis and Angus Sampson] that was on in the ‘90s to learn how to play it again. There are a lot of live performances of us on there, and that comes in very handy if you haven’t played a song in a number of years. I watched the clips thinking ‘Oh, that’s what I did – I’ll try to do that again’,” he grins.

that sparked a wildly successful national tour. “We knew what recording meant this time,” lead vocalist and Since returning home however, things have been a little Reliving old memories put Donovan in a mood to reminisce guitarist Sam Margin says. “Pretty much every time it surprises me and I don’t think it’s quiet on the band front, so I caught up with founding about the early days in Shepparton where Donovan, drummer “Last time we were new to it and we were just going into the ever going to get old for me,” he says. member and guitarist Adam Donovan to find out what Dave Williams and front man Glenn Richards grew up. studio and we were told what to do. We were like, ‘Okay, “Maybe if you were like Taylor Swift or something you’d get they’ve been up to. “We became friends when we were kids and we moved to we plug in here and play here, cool’. It felt more natural and bored of it because you’re on everywhere all the time, but for Melbourne about the same time and started living in share “There have been a couple of rumours and murmurs around, but we just thought, ‘Hey let’s make a record’. We weren’t so us to be played on the radio or on TV or wherever it may, it I know for sure that we’ll be playing Queenscliff [Music Festival],” houses together. I think the band was born a year after moving green I guess.” always puts a smile on my face. And it’s always weird.” he smiles. “It’s been a number of years since we’ve played there to Melbourne [where they met Edmondo Ammedola studying Their newfound comfortability in the studio shows through While hearing their music on the radio may be something and we’re excited to go back because I know Ainslie Wills is music in Collingwood, and a few years later Kiernan Box, who replaced original keyboardist Rob Dawson after he passed in Hoops, and as a result is their most mature sounding and Sam still has to get used to, he’s more than found a home with playing and I quite like her band – they’re really good.” best to play live release to date. festival performances, and is set to get just as comfortable for This year the QMF Inc. pulled out all the stops when putting away in 2001]. It feels like ancient history! We’re still great friends to this day and we keep in touch regularly.” “We had that in the back of our mind when we were making their set at Beyond the Valley. together the stellar line-up. Recently their fifth and final As a band, Augie March seem stronger than ever: “When this record and we’d spoken about trying to make it a record Tickets to Beyond the Valley are on sale now via the website: announcement revealed a main stage comedy program that was more fun live, but we kind of just left it there. We beyondthevalley.com.au. featuring Tom Ballad and Cal Wilson, and the addition of we’re together and playing, it feels familiar and similar to how had that vibe in the back of our minds and it seems to have 15 local acts including major drawcards like Lior and Angus it’s always been. We’ve been lucky enough to have people wanting to come and see us play, which is a very nice thing come through in most of our songs,” he says. & Julia Stone. and not something to be taken for granted.” The true test came with the band’s performance at Splendour “Everybody likes to get out of the house – and to see live in the Grass earlier this year, and the music more than paid music is so important that I don’t see it [QMF] going off, with Sam even taking to the crowd in a blow-up pool as anywhere,” he says. the rest of the band jammed on stage. When & Where: When & Where: Augie March has played at almost every festival in the country Beyond the Valley, Lardner Park – December 29 “You’re talking to this giant body of people with this huge amount Queenscliff Music Festival – November 27-29 at some stage, and they were a stand-out at the 26th Bluesfest – January 1 & Lorne Hotel, Lorne – October 11 of energy and you just want to rev them up, it’s not quite as this year – but it was their recent national tour that had them personal at a pub show but it’s still really fun,” Sam says. back in the rehearsal studio re-learning old favourites from forte 47

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earthcore organiser Spiro Boursine Q&A JJ

In a decade where numerous music festivals have fallen by the wayside, earthcore is

one that has stood the test of time, recently celebrating 21 years. We had a chat with the man behind it all, Spiro Boursine, on what makes earthcore such a special event.

Hi Spiro, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? I’m currently relaxing in front of three laptops, a desktop and LED screen watching Ancient Aliens SE8EP7 while playing poker, reading the news, responding to this interview and talking to my mum. I also have work on the agenda... So last year was earthcore’s 21st celebration, how did it all pan out? Was it the celebration you imagined? Last year’s festival was rather smooth. Kind of too smooth in a way. I do enjoy a bit of drama and the unknown. Last year had none of that so therefore I named the 2014 earthcore season the year of Teflon. The milestones for the festival seemed to be flying by, are you ready and rearing to go for another 9 years to take you to 30 years of earthcore? I am looking at slowly reducing my involvement year by year and shift my role to a general spiritual guide of the festival (like a Greek Buddha) with the view of total retirement to the beaches of the Bahamas whilst training up the next gen festival organisers that have more dexterity in reserve than I do. From the festival’s creation all those years ago, how has it evolved over the years? It’s kind of evolved, then devolved and then evolved again over the years in a circular holding pattern – with a touch crazy in between. It’s exactly how I envisioned it to be a quarter of a century later.

What is it about the balance between all the festival elements that make earthcore work? We put a lot of energy and time in developing all facets of the festival with equal reverence and determination, whilst others spend most of their time making one aspect look good (like the mainstage), much to the detriment and neglect of the other areas. In fact, we work on the secondary areas first then work on the main stage spectacle last to ensure that earthcore is hyperdesigned the minute you step into the festival grounds. After many years of running the festival, we’re sure you’re well versed in the dos and don’ts for the event. What’s your best piece of advice for first timers? Have no fear of doing your nuts in and never base what you do on what others do – ever. Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, do you have any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? The Kranksy sausages down at the Vic Markets are divine. Especially the spicy ones – eat two!

When & Where: Earthcore, pyalong – November 26-30

We understand last year you gave your time DJing the event as well, is it a great feeling being able to experience the festival from every possible angle? I have only DJd at earthcore once but used to DJ all the time at my private multi day house parties. I might come out of retirement one day, once I learn how to use a USB stick like all the other DJs do or once Technics release a new turntable. Whichever comes first.

Earthcore is about more than just the music; it has an array of festivities to indulge the senses including arts and markets. Can you tell us about some of the different things on offer? We have put a lot of energy beyond our traditional whopping line ups over the years to include a multitude of incorporating sub cultures ranging from Cosplay (Swordcraft), the Cinema Arts (MUFF - Melbourne Underground Film Festival), leftfield and controversial Art (Fractured Reality Art Gallery) and the paranormal with the Australian Paranormal Society hosting the World’s Beyond Speakers Forum. We also are now delving into the performing arts scene with the people behind the Village Festival and, of course, a vast array of esoteric and lifestyle activities in the Elemental Lifestyle City where you can do everything from yoga in the morning to re-balancing your chakras after an intense night of dancing to head changing music.

SHOW ROYAL GEELONG

2015

OCTOBER

15 16 17 18

Online tickets on sale NOW

www.royalgeelongshow.com.au

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Richard Clapton

AC/DC famously sang, “It’s A Long Way

To The Top if you want to Rock and Roll” and from chatting to Richard Clapton before his Lonesome Voyager show hits town, the music scene in 2015 is definitely a rollercoaster. There are ebbs and flows of popularity and having been in the rock industry for the past 50 years, Clapton has experienced both sides of the coin.

Written by Tex Miller When & Where: GPAC, Geelong – October 9

that seemed to be groomed by their soccer mums. Your 15 minutes of fame is great, but you have to realise it will end in 15 minutes.”

Talking about the start of his illustrious career, there are several stories from years on the road and touring all around the world. Breaking into the Rolling Stones’ hotel room on their tour of Australia in the ‘60s is up there as well as travelling and writing in Germany which formed the basis of his debut album.

On the back of the success of ‘The Best Years of our Lives’, telling the truth about working and living in the Australian music scene throughout the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, Clapton is currently on the road for the Lonesome Voyager tour that “Being a homeless person in the ‘70s was a lot easier than today. takes its title from the final song of his debut release Prussian I put my thumb out and hitchhiked and I lived with a Danish Blue. Taking a little bit of influence from 2005’s Rewired, dentist and his wife for three months in Copenhagen and Clapton is teaming up with long-time collaborator Danny with this really rich German guy in Hamburg for a couple of Spencer to play classic tracks from years on the road. months,” Clapton says.

“If you really make your music with the right motivation, it all comes around. It’s like a rollercoaster mate, you go up and “This tour is something that I have never done before and in “There was a spirit and a soul to the human race in those days. It was very different and there has been a big seismic shift you go down and you go up and then you go down, and those that respect it’s very exciting,” he says. of us who don’t mind the rollercoaster ride are able to sustain “The songs we’re covering are from the stories that I cover in from those days to now. It’s funny because Prussian Blue only the book. It’s a look at my career and the Melbourne music sold 2000 units and the record label wanted to dump me.” a career for 40 years or more,” Clapton says. scene throughout the ‘70s to the ‘90s and there is definitely Looking forward to the future, Clapton is set to head over to “I’m really concerned because I think in this century, young artists are able to go up the mountain but they struggle to go going to be a lot of storytelling and stripping the songs back Nashville, Tennessee to work with acclaimed producer Mark back down. I think there is already some casualties by artists to simple arrangements, it’s a lot of fun though, mixing things Moffett in November on the follow up to 2012’s Harlequin up and doing things differently for a change.” Nights. A big fan of Ryan Adams, we’ll just have to wait and see if he makes an appearance on the next album.

Dickster Q&A

For 20 years now Dickster has been owning

the trance scene, with an uncanny ability to stay one step ahead of the rest. What makes this skill even more respected is that it couldn’t be more natural. Bringing his talents to Rainbow Serpent Festival next year, we had a chat to the legend of the scene. Hi Dickster, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? Very well thanks ... I’m sitting and watching my new son sleep right now to be precise which, for a new dad, is pretty entertaining! So you recently performed at the Flying Rhino party in Israel, how did it go? That was a blast! Down on the beach in 40 degrees with 1000 or more nutters; they know what dancing is about over there! Did you get much of a chance to take in the sights? Not this time, but Israel is pretty small so I’ve seen most of the sites over the years – it’s about the size of a Melbourne suburb.

Major Leagues JJ

It’s been far too long since we’ve heard

the jangly indie pop and sometimes garage rock tones of Brisbane’s Major Leagues. Vlada, the bass player and vocalist for Major Leagues, answered the phone from her comic book store, Junkie Comics to have a chat. Vlada likes to call how the band met the ‘right place at the right time kind of thing’. Anna and Vlada met at uni during their university degree, where they completed a Bachelor of Music, then met Jamie through mutual connections. Desperately needing a drummer, they put out a few calls, and it wasn’t long before they stumbled across Jacob through a friend. “He literally came into one practice, we practised and then we went on tour the next day. From then on our band just depleted and Major Leagues started,” she says. Meeting only by luck and being together just over a year, the band took the airwaves by storm, and featured prominently in many end-of-year best of lists around the country. The attention saw them collect support slots for the likes of Wild Nothing, Beach Fossils and Violent Soho. Their debut EP Weird Season won the band plenty of praise and adoration from new fans and critics alike. Since then the band have been busy touring their asses off, featured on Rice is Nice’s chicks only mixtape and just put on two incredible shows at this year’s BIGSOUND conference. 50 forte

As you have performed all over the world with your extensive career, how do us Aussies compare? Do we know how to party? You Aussies certainly know how to party and be comfortable doing it. Last time I was at Matreiya Festival I was sitting in someone’s air conditioned tent – that’s serious planning! In Australia it’s also one of the most colourful dance floors on the planet, in the fact that people dress up and don’t take things particularly seriously which I love. Very tongue in cheek. So with 19 years in the trance world, what are your thoughts on how it’s developed over the years and where it is now? 20 years this year….that’s why I thought I’d better get an album out. It’s always bubbled along, getting more popular in some parts of the world and then dying out in others but then resurging and I think now it’s bigger than ever. We’ve always been the blacksheep of the music world but this scene just keeps going and growing, I think we have more fun than many other scenes with these amazing festivals in incredible places all around the globe and the big family vibe that comes along with it. You have been known to be on the cutting edge, what do you think is the next big thing for trance music? I really have no idea. Let’s see what the new producers on the block cook up! Just keep it psychedelic…

You’ve been announced on the Rainbow Serpent line up, have you played the festival before/looking forward to it? I have been lucky enough to play at Rainbow a number of times and absolutely love it. It is, as I’ve said before, one of the most colourful and out there festivals that I’ve been to. I like the way nothing is static there, you are moved around the different dance floors and there’s always colourful entertainment going on. What’s your favourite thing about playing the festival scene? The people and the freedom of it all – going into clubs after the festival season really sucks! Every festival is a complete experience Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? Always bring a full Eski – don’t waste space! Looking forward to seeing you in January

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.rainbowserpent.net.

When & Where: Lexton, Victoria – January 22-25

Written by Jariah Travan

“It was really really fun to play at BIGSOUND, it’s so big and you wake up at the end of week like what happened? Who am I? and your also really really hung over as well,” she says. Major Leagues have just released their latest track ‘Someone Sometime’ just in time with the band’s signing to Popfrenzy Records, who have done some great things supporting quality Aussie acts like Alyx Dennison and Jonathan Boulet. If you were frothing over the laid back guitars and jarring vocals of ‘Weird Season’ then ‘Someone Sometime’ won’t leave you disappointed. Still coming down from their BIGSOUND high, the band is off on yet another adventure, opening for San Cisco on their regional tour. “We got on the tour by dumb luck, we heard about it through our booking agent and they put us forward for it. This is going to be the biggest tour we have ever done; 17 dates, regional, and places I didn’t even know existed,” she says. Always a fan of their music, Vlada says the band is ridiculously excited to go on this tour. “San Cisco are super wonderful guys doing really cool stuff and hopefully we’ll all become good mates as well,” Vlada says. “I‘m looking forward to just hanging out with everyone. Anna lives in Melbourne so we only get to see each other when we play shows. So all being together and playing shows, it’s super special because we never really get to do it that often, it will just be really nice to all be in a car together. No doubt by the

end we’ll fuckin’ hate that car.” Not only are they excited to kick things off, but they are specifically designing one-off merch for their fans, intending to slave away on the road while they make their journey. “We’re going to spend so much time in the tour van so we’ve decided we’re going to make a bunch of one off merch. Last time we toured we made all these dodgy, but awesome, Major Leagues bracelets; so we’re going to do something like that.” Vlada’s last words to fans, “Come buy our crappy merch”.

When & Where: Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool – October 23 & Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong – October 24

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Forte Columns

too heavy to hug Written by Paul S. Taylor

The Night Vibe Written by Tex Miller

Blues news Written by John (Dr John) Lamp

Punk!

Pulp

Pop Culture

Written by Christopher Cruz

Written by Alastair McGibbon

Written by Anthony Morris

Jeez Louise, this forthcoming first round Soundwave line-up announcement for 2016 better be a frickin’ whopper, because the handful of acts we’ve been slowly drip fed so far are just...awful. Especially for fans of punk rock. I mean, come on. Chances are, if you’re reading this column, you could give two shits about Northlane, Bullet For My Valentine, and a handful little-knowns I can’t even remember the names of any more. Sure, Refused are on the bill, but, meh. Where are the bands that have been blitzing American and European music festivals the last few years? Why isn’t anyone bringing US the likes of Social Distortion, Sum 41, Death From Above 1979 or the Descendents? Seriously. AJ Maddah seems to enjoy pandering to the bogan metalheads and emo/ screamo crybabies, but half arses it with us. I love New Found Glory as much as the next person, but if they appear on one more Soundwave line-up I’m going to cut my nipples off in disgust. And for the love of the dear, sweet baby Jesus, no more Steel Panther. They’re just plain old shit compared to the far better glam bands out there not getting any serious attention. Sydney ska/pop/rock combo Deathmatch Handball are calling it quits and playing one last show at the Valve Bar in Sydney on December 11. They’ll be joined on the night by Kang and the mighty Batfoot. If you happen to be up there at the time, you gotta go! The coolest stand-up comic of all time, the punk rock one woman Asian invasion Margaret Cho has put together a brand new show called PsyCHO (geddit?!), and she’s all set to take it on the road. Here’s hoping she brings this show to Australia, because we are DYING to see her back on Aussie soil, especially since she skipped us on the Mother tour. I’m still totally butthurt about it, because it was basically an entire set of Margaret impersonating her hysterical mother, and it’s not even available on DVD! If you’ve never heard of her before, please rectify the situation as soon as you possibly can! Okay, so here’s the Nevermind The Warp’d Tour line-up I promised you last issue! Beerfridge (WA), the Flangipanis (QLD), One 80 Down, Skinpin (NSW), Colytons (NSW), Eager 13, Dead Joe, No Idea, Strawberry Fist Cake, Ramshackle Army, Shadow League, Suicide Tuesdays, I Am Duckeye, Laura Palmer, The Murderballs, The Captives, The Fckups, Dixon Cider, Join The Amish, Australian Kingswood Factory, The Outfit, In The Esky (GEELONG!), Red Light Riot, Wing Attack Plan B, Blind Man Death Stare and many, many more. Crazy! For more info, head over to the festival’s official Facebook page and like it to make sure you get up to the minute, erm, updates! Brunswick Hotel. December 5. Be there! Seriously. Until next time, kids, that’s about it!

There’s nothing quite like a good ol’ fashioned western story. There’s something about the really prominent John Waynestyle gunfighters; they’re pretty much the basis for the modern antihero characters that we all know and love, and they’re essentially the precursor to modern superheroes, albeit with a more murderous personality. Even though they tended to tread similar ground more often than not, they were still popular – hell, the aforementioned Mr Wayne pretty much built his career on making western movies. This time around, however, I’ve found a western story that will blow your socks off. This week, I got my hands on another fantastic Gestalt title: The Eldritch Kid: Whiskey and Hate, written by Christian Read (Unmasked, Star Wars Tales) and drawn by Michael Maier. The Eldritch Kid follows Ten Shoes Dancing, a shaman of the Lakota people and – somewhat unusually – an Oxford scholar. Accompanying a group of pilgrims heading west, Ten Shoes Dancing encounters the titular Eldritch Kid, a mysterious – and incredibly dangerous – gunfighter with a storied past. Joining forces and forming an unlikely (albeit uneasy) friendship, the two lead the convoy west, guiding it through the sea of otherworldly abominations that has infested the Wild West. The Eldritch Kid is one of those comics that you can really lose yourself in; Read has built a fantastic alternate universe tale, complete with differing accounts of famous events (e.g. the rise of Napoleon, the Alamo etc.) and, more importantly, a whole heap of magic and monsters that would have Lovecraft drooling. Eldritch Kid’s magic is dark, primal and utterly intimidating; it’s the kind of world that even John Constantine would be intimidated by. Tone wise, Eldritch Kid reminds me of Scott Snyder’s American Vampire, and some similarities can be drawn; the main characters are both assholes that have somehow managed to survive in a really hostile environment. Ten Shoes Dancing proves to be a fascinating protagonist, too; seeing him reconcile the scholar and shaman sides to his personality makes for a great story. The Eldritch Kid himself does come across as a little clichéd at first, but once his backstory is properly explained the character takes on a whole new life; it’s a dark, tragic tale not unlike the ever-badass Saint of Killers from Garth Ennis’ awesome series Preacher (soon to be a TV show!). While Read’s writing is certainly a big part of The Eldritch Kid’s appeal, special mention does have to be made of Maier’s artwork. The Eldritch Kid is Maier’s first comic book – he’s spent time as a technical illustrator, among other things – but you’d never know, as his artwork is absolutely fantastic, and fits the story perfectly. His artwork reminds me a little of Justin Randall (Changing Ways), another Gestalt artist – it’s dark, moody and captures the otherworldly nature of the protagonists’ enemies perfectly. All in all, Read’s take on the Wild West is both really interesting and really refreshing. While it has similar themes to other supernatural westerns, it’s still got enough unique flair to make it interesting and appealing in the long run. Try it out and see for yourself !

The big problem in television comedy for a long, long time now has been finding new people. While there’s plenty of places where stand-up comedians can find their way onto our screens, usually in the form of panel shows, if you’re looking for the breeding ground for the next generation of scripted comedy, well, good luck. When Shaun Micallef – who came to prominence back in the late ‘90s first on Full Frontal – is generating excitement for his upcoming sitcom The Ex-PM. Working Dog (who got their start in the ‘80s) are one of the few reliable sitcom producers in the land. It seems pretty clear that the next generation of sitcom performers have gone AWOL somewhere along the line. Part of the problem is that we don’t make enough sitcoms for it to be worthwhile focusing on that side of things. While directors like Matthew Saville (Please Like Me, We Can Be Heroes) and Trent O’Donnell (Review with Miles Barlow, The Moodys) may have been behind a lot of Australia’s recent sitcom output, they’ve also kept busy working on more traditional drama and film projects. But even if sitcoms came back in style and there was a market for a half-dozen new ones each year, where would we get the people to make them? While panel shows provide a useful career path for stand-up comics to get television experience – Dave Hughes is probably the biggest comedian in the land and panel shows are all he’s ever done – for anyone looking to make scripted comedy there hasn’t been a career path for a decade or more. The sketch shows that used to provide writers and performers with comedy experience have mostly died out, and the few ones that do pop up usually vanish without a trace (is anyone still watching Foxtel’s Open Slather?). For a while YouTube was touted as the place for new scripted comedy, but – The Bondi Hipsters aside – having to compete on a world stage straight out the gate hasn’t worked out for local talent either. So the ABC’s Fresh Blood online initiative has been extremely welcome: last year around 20 or so comedy teams made short run series (three or four episodes of a few minutes each) as a kind of dry run to test out the concepts, and now five teams are back with half-hour pilot episodes. The “fresh blood” angle is a bit dubious when you have shows that feature high(ish)-profile sketch team Aunty Donna and Veronica (Hungry Beast, Mad as Hell, triple j) Milson, but the ideas are fresh. Not all the shows are completely successful: Bedhead is a mildly amusing sit-rom-com; The Record is a solid pilot but might not be a sustainable concept; the two sketch shows on offer are more miss than hit, which leaves Aunty Donna as probably the stand-out. And with ABC2 seemingly out of the original content business, it’s hard to see any of these pilots getting a run on the main channel. But it’s a start, which is more than the Australian sitcom has had for a while now.

Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal. The Metallica Corporation are at it again, spruiking their products and other corporation’s products, this time in the freezing country of Canada. In Quebec City earlier this month the (Metallica) Corporation played two shows, one closing one venue then two days later another opening a new venue. But the band (brand?) lent their name to a beer, a Budweiser Beer (brewed in Canada, and probably has deals with the new venue, assumingly, allegedly) in fact named, well, Budweiser, which the band gave out for free to fans at the shows. Whilst 91,000 black Metallica cans were printed, there are no details about the actual taste being more metallic then normal (haw haw). Having said that, whilst the beer is limited edition, I’m gong to go right on record now and speculate that chances are they’ll release their own beer to the general market place. I mean, a band previously referred to as “Alcohollica” already has their marketing written from the band’s inception which then means, they pretty much have nowhere else to roam (in the market place). Previously, they had their own Guitar Hero title, sure, but that was obviously more musically focussed. If Metallica need to break out into something non musical, then beer is the logical next step. In other news

Whoretopsy will be at the Bendigo Hotel at Melbourne’s Next on Thursday October 1. Antagonist A.D. with special guests Reactions will play Melbourne’s Plastic on Thursday October 1. Silent Knight will play Melbourne’s Bendigo Hotel on Thursday October 8. Gods Of Eden will release their new album From The End Of Heaven on Friday October 9. TesseracT will play Max Watts in Melbourne on Friday October 16. Abbath will be at Max Watt’s on Saturday October 17. Spend an evening with Dave Lombardo at Allans Billy Hyde Melbourne on Tuesday October 20. The Arbitrary Method will release their debut EP Augmentation on Friday October 23. Devin Townsend Project and Periphery have sold out their Sunday October 25 show at 170 Russell. Second and final show added is Monday October 26 at 170 Russell. Teramaze will release their fifth album Her Halo on Friday October 30. Flying Colours will release a recording of their Z7 show in Switzerland, 2014 entitled Second Flight: Live At The Z7 on Friday November 13. Nightwish will play only one show per capital city on their Endless Forms Most Beautiful Tour 2016 and the Melbourne show will be at The Forum Theatre on Monday January 11. If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to tooheavytohug@ hotmail.com or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug

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It’s funny to think that it’s nearly 20 years since one of the greatest albums of all time was released on October 2 1995. This album paved the way for many bands to form and a lot of great music to be produced. Now, as many of you may know, the band that I am talking about are one of my favourite bands of all time and so I guess you could say that this column may be a little prejudiced. However, I am talking about the Brit-pop hit machine that is Oasis. Following on from their debut record Definitely Maybe from 1994, which made the world stand up and take notice, What’s The Story definitely cemented them as worldwide rock gods. As you can probably see from a quick Google, following on from the early Britpop years of The Stone Roses and Blur, this album it is still lauded as a masterpiece. For the calendar year ending in 1996, the album went to #1 in nine countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. In a day and age where CD was just coming into play and vinyl to a certain extent still ruled the world, this was an album that you had to listen to from start to finish. It didn’t really matter however, because Noel Gallagher is an absolute god and this record also proved that fact. With tracks like ‘Roll With It’, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, ‘Some Might Say’ and the allconquering ‘Wonderwall’, why would you want to skip the 50 minutes of epic. Touring all around the world on an extensive 12 leg 103 date tour, it’s quite funny to think that the band skipped Australia. In the grand scheme of things, I was four years old and my parents didn’t really care for Brit-pop (still don’t) yet the band neglected to come across to see their adoring fans in Aus. When they played a week in Japan, and then went back to play in the UK, when they were so close, it just doesn’t seem to make sense. From the opening bars of ‘Hello’ to the epic guitar-off showdown at the end of ‘Champagne Supernova’, this album is true class. Reading some of the reviews that came out during the time, it seems quite funny that the album has lasted the legacy of 20 years. Coming from an album that had all the makings of an indie classic, the press slandered this album saying that it lacked the energy and intensity of Definitely Maybe. Yet, when you sit down and simply think about the album as a whole and the progression of the songs, you maybe could say that this album is in fact BETTER than DM. The best selling album of the 1990s, this album is the true statement in a golden age of Brit-pop which saw bands like Pulp and Blur both release cracker albums as well. The true statement of how good this record came at the 2010 Brit Awards when (What’s The Story) Morning Glory picked up the accolade of the best album since 1980. In a history of 30 years celebrating the best in music, could there be a better tip of the hat? The awesome thing about this record, is that although it’s been remastered and special editions printed in the years following, there are still imperfections that make this just brilliant. It may not be 100% perfect (ie. the cough at the end of ‘Roll With It’ and the start of ‘Wonderwall’) but the songwriting is just magical. In April next year, Noel Gallagher is headed our way to play at Bluesfest and whilst we may never see an Oasis reunion anytime soon, constant bickering between Liam and Noel could suggest just maybe…? We are able to see Mr Oasis up on stage with his High Flying Birds. At least if they never reform, you will be able to belt out ‘Wonderwall’ with five thousand of your closest mates.

The Sleepy Hollow Blues Club’s Bluestone Festival is on the way! If you haven’t come across this festival before, it runs on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, or as we like to call it, Recovery Day. It’s held out at Murgheboluc, with camping to avoid the risk of meeting booze buses or the disappointment of one person having to drink mineral water. A modest event, but a bloody good night to usher in the new year. So let’s have a few sneak peeks at the bands coming for the sessions. Miss Whiskey is a two piece, consisting of Anna Scionti (vocals and guitar) and Julie Noble (harmonica). They are an acoustic swamp blues duo based in Melbourne. They were winners of the 2015 MBAS Blues Challenge, in the solo/duo category, and are heading to Memphis in January 2016 for the International Blues Challenge! The Jackie Howelers 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 both regional and national blues festivals. What you can expect from the acclaimed duo is a powerhouse “foot stompin’ blues” experience, drawing heavy influence from the masters of American blues including Muddy Waters, Little Walter & Howlin Wolf. But it’s not all duos! People might know Paulie Bignell from The Detonators, but this year, he’s here as Paulie Bignell and the Thornbury Two. The band is Paulie Bignell (guitar/vocals), Peter Beulke (bass/backing vocals) and Craig Hadlow (drums). To quote from his official bio “Hollering, barking and moaning, stompin’ his feet and yelling at the mic like there’s no tomorrow. Bangin’ on his guitar, buzzin’ around and twisting notes that sting you.” Not far from the mark! Hauling themselves up the road from Warrnambool are the Hog Stompin’ Zydegators. I first came across these blokes at Port Fairy, and then on the Blues Train. The members of the band are Michael Murphy on vocals, guitar and bass. Jarrod Irvine on bass and guitar. Billy Bevan on Drums. Dave Li and piano. Brendan Dowd on percussion, vocals and harmonica. The Hog Stompin’ Zydegators have been playing around Victoria for over 13 years with no signs of slowing down! All I have to say, is watch out for the alligator! A big one for me is Blues Mountain. Jesse Valach has brought this band to Sleepy Hollow a few times now and each time they have gone off like a frog in a sock. Mr Valach has performed alongside some of Australia’s biggest names in blues music including Russell Morris, Geoff Achison, Jeff Lang, Lloyd Spiegel, Jimi Hocking, Ray Beadle and on numerous occasions he has been the dynamic guitarist behind renowned harmonica player Mr Chris Wilson. Yes, there will be many more, but you’ll have to start checking Forte regularly and coming to club functions to pick up the rest!

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barwon club

CAPTAIN

THE JUKE

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barwon club

BEAVS BAR

CAPTAIN

BEAVS BAR

EUREKA

THE JUKE

EUREKA

HOME HOUSE

ODYSSEY

PISTOL PETES

SLATE POOL LOUNGE

THERE THERE

WORKERS BLUB

PISTOL PETES

THE MAX

WORKERS CLUB

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TIX ON SALE NOW

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Film and Music Reviews The Martian

Everest

The Visit

Based on the real-life story of a disastrous 1996 expedition to climb the world’s tallest mountain and filmed in 3D, this is the kind of film it seems reasonable to expect will be little more than wall-to-wall sensation. Instead, it turns out to be largely a character study that spends much of its run time establishing the personalities of the various types that were making their way up the side of the mountain, and then somewhat briefly throws a bunch of them off the side.

Never having met their grandparents due to a falling out with their mother (Kathryn Hahn) before they were born, Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and Tyler (a realistically annoying Ed Oxenbould) are thrilled when she agrees to let them go on a holiday visit to the family farm. When they’re met at the train station by Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), they find them to be your typical, slightly out-of-touch old folk: they’re even fine with Becca filming everything for a documentary.

With at least two books written about these events (there were two reporters with the various expeditions involved, covering the increasingly popular tour group side of climbing), the basic details are pretty well covered.

Stranded on Mars when his comrades are forced to cut their mission short, astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is four years away from rescue in a base meant to last three months. Lucky there’s plenty of disco to listen to. Director Ridley Scott’s gripping adaptation of Andy Weir’s page-turning novel doesn’t focus quite so much on explaining Watney’s survival science, but it still provides the Robinson Crusoe-esque thrill of seeing someone turn a hostile environment into home (kind of ) through sheer brainpower. A strong focus on the NASA team back home (featuring Jeff Bridges, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Donald Glover) and the returning crew members (including Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena and Kate Mara) as they also try to think up a rescue plan means that Watney’s isolation – the only emotional angle to this plot-driven tale – rarely comes across with any strength. But Damon’s performance picks up the slack: playing a relentless optimist and joke-cracker with maximum charm, he makes sure those brief moments where his façade cracks hit hard

t h e wra p

Films reviewed by Anthony Morris

A tour group led by New Zealand climber Rob Hull ( Jason Clarke) is nearing the summit when congestion leads him to team up with the group led by Scott Fischer ( Jake Gyllenhaal). Despite their different approaches – Hull is by-the-book, Fischer is more easy-going – they respect each other, and the merge goes well. Then, just as they’re on their way down from the summit, a storm hits and a whole lot of people die. While the lack of a big climax is a problem – basically, some live, some die, some tales of bravery work out and some don’t – the film’s real weakness is that it never quite comes to grips with the kind of procedural approach required to build tension. Things go wrong but it’s often unclear exactly how they went wrong, which may be factually correct (there are some things we’ll never know) but leaves this feeling like simply a series of events rather than a story. Again, that might be true-to-life, but it makes for a film that, despite some great camera-work and strong performances, doesn’t have quite the impact it should.

Sure, there are a few strange things going on at the farm – creepy night time sounds, a mysterious shed they’re not supposed to go into, and so on. But old people are always a little odd anyway, right? Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan eschews his trademark shock twists (mostly) in this horror comedy, focusing instead on slow-burn tension and a quartet of solid performances. It’s a one gimmick film but it’s a great one, mining both laughs and scares from a slowly escalating sequence of offbeat yet plausible behaviour from the grandparents. Seriously, if you’re old and can’t bend down, why wouldn’t you ask a small child to get inside your oven to clean it? And for fans of Shyamalan’s once-trademark twists, there’s good news here too – especially once you realise that guessing the twist early actually makes things more scary.

Maze Runner: Scorch Trials:

Remember how the first Maze Runner film ended with the ominous warning that while our teen heroes had survived the maze (and discovered the outside world was now a desert overrun with zombies), they’d never survive “the scorch trials”? The makers of this hope you don’t, as while there’s a “scorch” and crossing it is a trial, this film contains no actual “scorch trials”. Pixels:

Aliens invade by taking on the form of much-loved ‘80s video game characters and only Adam Sandler can save us. Or you can save yourself by actually playing an ‘80s video game, which would be a lot more fun than this film. Straight Outta Compton:

An authorised history of the band NWA, this leaves a lot to be required as far as accuracy goes character-wise, but is second to none when it comes to capturing the look and feel of the late-’80s L.A. hip-hop scene. Pan:

Time for another version of the classic children’s tale, with the big draw here for those old enough to attend the movies on their own, being Hugh Jackman gleefully hamming it up as Captain Hook. Otherwise, this is a lot of flash in a story that doesn’t really need it to work. Oddball:

It’s the wacky tale (or should that be “tail” – it’s that kind of film) of a dog that ends up protecting a bunch of fairy penguins down at Warrnambool. Which is something that really did happen in the real world - though probably not in the wacky way it happens here. Sadly missing from this film are numerous scenes where, upon seeing the devastation wreaked by his wacky ways, characters sadly shake their heads and say “Oh, Oddball!”

CD’s

Gallie

Ghost

Parkway Drive

The Occoquan River

MELIORA

IRE

Independent Reviewed by Tex Miller

Spinefarm/Loma Vista/Caroline Australia Reviewed by Alastair McGibbon

Resist Records Reviewed by Alastair McGibbon

Last year it was Tim Hulsman’s Dead Mans Garden, that took home my accolade for local release of the year. But this year 2015, we have a new king I feel can be crowned right now, even though it’s September. Local Surfcoast artist Gallie has delivered a brilliant release in The Occoquan River. Entering the international songwriting contest, judged by none other than Tom Waits, you are able to see the beauty of Gallie’s songwriting throughout the whole of this record. Sweeping string arrangements and catchy vocal harmonies are at play in ‘Louisa’s Bed’ which opens this record.

I have to admit, Ghost have surprised me. With a visual style and stage presence that wouldn’t be out of place in the black metal scene, I was expecting them to have the abyssal orchestral arrangements of bands like Dimmu Borgir. Perhaps it was masked Nameless Ghouls that gave that impression? In any case, Ghost are much more accessible than I first realised.

Hardcore – more so than some of the other metal subgenres – is pretty much the go-to music if you want the audial equivalent of a punch in the face. While it is undoubtedly popular, I find that bands tend to blend together and sound far too similar – you’re pretty much guaranteed blast beats, harsh vocals that range from gravelly to near-incomprehensible and chuggy guitars.

Originally from Ireland, the album sounds a little like Glen Hansard and The Frames and hopefully this album is just as successful as their stellar career has been. One of the key things that makes this album so enjoyable is the simplistic nature these songs hold. At first, it sounds like easy to hear folk music but combine this with a killer story and you have the masterful art of Gallie and the Occoquan River. There are many songs on this record that could vie to be my favourite, yet this is a seamless listen. If you are looking for a chilled out acoustic folk album to ease into your Sunday, then look no further than Gallie.

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Their music is rather hard to place, and seems to ride the line between metal and really dark rock; track six (‘Mummy Dust’) is easily placed as a metal track, yet track two (‘From The Pinnacle To The Pit’) could pass as funk-tinged rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s use of keys/synth is fantastic; they use it to great effect (e.g. the start of track one, ‘Spirits’, sounds straight out of old school scifi) and it’s definitely a highlight of the album. As it stands, Ghost come across as more of a rock band masquerading as a doom/black metal band, but that’s not a bad thing; Meliora is an intricately crafted album that will appeal to both crowds. Ghost are fantastic musicians, and Meliora certainly reflects it; if you like your music dark, you’re gonna love these guys.

It takes something special to grab my attention with releases in this genre, and Parkway Drive have definitely grabbed me with their latest effort, Ire. The band have made a much more melodic album this time around, and it’s worked in their favour. They’re as aggressive and full-on than ever, with some added edge. There’s flashes of bands like In Flames and Arch Enemy – admittedly, it’s rather weird to hear that kind of influence in a hardcore release – and it makes Ire all the more interesting. There’s guitar tones and riffs that wouldn’t sound out of place on The Jester Race, and in my humble opinion, the album is all the better for it. Ire’s closing track, ‘A Deathless Song’, is progressive, ambitious and, quite frankly, exciting – if this is the future of Parkway Drive, I’m very excited.

I Know Leopard

ANOTHER LIFE Reviewed by Amanda Sherring

Instantly as title track ‘Perfect Picture’ kicks into gear so does your nostalgia for a better time. Maybe those times as a kid chasing butterflies or speeding along on your scooter, whatever the memory, it’s a great ability for a band to be able to evoke such a response from the listener. It’s airy, uplifting and with a steady synth beat wrapped around each vocal. ‘Spaceships’ takes you somewhere else entirely. Things are slowed down and it’s a real sit down and reflect kind of song. There’s consistent percussion throughout the track and it slowly builds into something really beautiful, then a bit of spacey synth is thrown in. It may seem like it jumps around a little bit, but on second and third listen there’s a real charm to this song. This could easily be something played along to one of the James Bond movies from the ‘80s just as he’s floating around space getting the girl. ‘Close My Eyes’ and ‘Another Life’ echo the thoughtprovoking music of before. Whether it’s reminiscing or thinking of deeper things, what’s important is that this album does things to your brain, and good things. Pick this EP up if you’re after music with substance.

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1. Lisa’s Substitute

5 JJ

SIMPSONS EPISODES THAT MAKE YOU CRY

I recently penned an article about children’s movies

powerful enough to make men cry, and it turned out to be one of the more successful, if depressing, things I’ve written. So, when Dando asked me to front up with a Simpsons article, I

Trust my favourite actor of all time to deliver my favourite animated performance of all time. Here, Dustin Hoffman (credited as Sam Etic) plays Mr. Bergstrom, although you may know him as Mr. Nerdstrom or Mr. Boogerstrom. In season two of The Simpsons, the writers were starting to figure out exactly who Lisa was and all that troubled her, and in this episode they gifted her a release by the way of an adult who finally recognised her talent and could challenge her to go further. Mr. Bergstrom believed in Lisa, and it was the first time she ever saw a bright future for herself, so when he had to leave for another school it was crushing. Like a forlorn exlover, she follows him to the train station, desperate to say anything that can make him stay. It’s then that he teaches her the greatest lesson of all, and it fits onto a scrap of paper. “You are Lisa Simpson.”

decided the only way forward was to grab a bottle of Sailor

2. Moaning Lisa

Jerry’s, knock back a few shots, and get introspective.

Even earlier in the show’s run we see Lisa experiencing a crippling depression that she can’t explain. The episode substitutes early laughs to spend enough time investing the audience in Lisa’s pain. Marge and Homer do their best, but if their little girl doesn’t know why she’s sad, how could her parents possibly know how to cheer her up? Marge, calling on her own Mother’s advice, tells Lisa that the best way forward is to swallow those feelings until you don’t feel them anymore. The idea that

Here are five Simpsons episodes that have made me cry, or at the very least choke up with emotion. For all that the show has become, there was a time when it packed as much of an emotional punch as it did laughs. It did so with such a brilliant balancing act, that you could watch these episodes 20 times before it hit you. They aren’t all sad moments, in fact, many of them are incredibly uplifting. So, grab a Kleenex and a drink of your choosing and join me on this voyage. Written by Mitch Grinter.

14 USELESS FACTS ABOUT WILL SMITH

faking a smile will make everything OK is a startlingly 1950’s one, but it’s the moment Marge realises her folly that tugs heartstrings. After dropping Lisa off at school and watching her fake happiness, she becomes enraged at the reality of her little girl sacrificing her own feelings for the comfort of others. She rips her back into the car, and delivers a hell of a speech that anybody who’s ever felt like they were carrying a burden can appreciate: “Always be yourself. If you want to be sad, honey, be sad. We’ll ride it out with you. And when you get finished feeling sad, we’ll still be there. From now on, let me do the smiling for both of us.” 3. Mother Simpson In ‘Mother Simpson’ we see a side of Homer that we’ve never seen as an adult. The little boy that we sometimes had seen in flashbacks comes out in the grown man we’d come to love, and unlike the contempt often shown for his father, he shows nothing but love and joy for his mother. The writers make it clear the pain and trauma Homer has been living with in her absence, and hint at a happier future spent making up for lost memories. And then she leaves. At least this time, Homer was awake for her goodbye.

4. A Streetcar

5. Jurassic Bark

Named Marge

Ok, so this one is cheating, but I don’t care. It’s a mere hop, skip and a jump from The Simpsons to Futurama, and this moment tops everything else on this list. You’d have to be a sap to cry at a few of the moments mentioned so far (and I unashamedly am) but I defy anybody to not bawl their eyes out at this episode. For those who haven’t seen it, Fry is given the chance to reincarnate his dog from the past, and at first jumps at the chance, but ultimately decides not to. He makes the very noble decision not to follow his own selfish instincts, because his dog probably had gotten a new owner and long forgotten about him. It would have been a beautiful way to end the episode…and then came the sharpest knife to the heart I’ve ever felt, as a credits sequence showed Fry’s dog sitting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting for his return. He sits unmoved through rain, hail and shine waiting for his beloved owner to return to him, until finally old age takes him away. The loyalty of a dog knows no bounds.

‘A Streetcar Named Marge’ has always felt like an underrated episode to me, but it’s also admittedly an alienating one. A lot of the humour derived from this show is best enjoyed by people who’ve taken part in theatre, and the joke that A Streetcar Named Desire be made as a musical flies over the heads of the vast majority of people under 40. In amongst all that, though, there’s a theme everybody can appreciate. The yearning to do something new, to challenge yourself, and feeling held back. There are two scenes that get me here. The first is when Marge is making a phone call explaining that she didn’t get the part, disappearing into a world of sadness as her dream is ripped from her, when at that moment the director rips the phone from her hand and declares “Stop bothering my Blanche!” The second moment comes a little later, with the beautiful moment after the play has finished where Marge is furious at Homer for not paying attention, when he explains how he wasn’t bored, but was sad. Her play made him realise his own errors and see the Stanley in him. Dan Castellanata does a great job of conveying the sadness and guilt of the moment that you realise how long you’ve been letting down the person that you love.

The Top 5 AUSSIE GAME SHOWS THAT DESERVE A REBOOT Written by Brendan Dando

Written by Ollie Midson.

1. Much like his Fresh Prince character, Will is actually from West Philadelphia. 2. The show title actually comes from his music alter-ego The Fresh Prince. 3. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince won the first ever Grammy award in the Rap category, which was for their song ‘Summertime.’

6. He chose the lead role in Wild Wild West over playing Neo in The Matrix. Not one of his finest moments, although at least he is still inmortalised on the wall at Warner Bros. Movie World as part of the Wild Wild West ride. That counts for something right?

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3. The Price Is Right

Now don’t worry, I’m fully aware this show already got rebooted in Australia and failed (despite having Zeus himself Anthony Koutoufides), but I think in today’s generation of fitness fanatics, Gladiators would be a massive hit. Just cut out the campiness and treat it more like a sporting contest as opposed to a game show. Oh and bring back Mike Whitney as the head referee.

COME ON DOWN!!!! Is there really anything I need to explain about The Price Is Right? It’s wacky, nerve-racking and at times down-right hilarious. My personal favourite mini-game was the little yodelling guy. You know the one.

4. Burgo’s Catch Phrase Ah good ol’ John Burgess. Minds were blown when he jumped ship to Channel 9, leaving behind Channel 7’s Wheel Of Fortune for this little gem. You didn’t have to be a genius to win big on this show, you just needed to be a) good at solving problems and b) know a lot of catch phrases. The only shitty thing was that once someone won the car, they were retired and couldn’t return. Pretty lame.

4. Though he has never won, Smith has been nominated for two Best Actor Oscars, one for Ali (2001) and the other The Pursuit of Happiness (2006). 5. He’s really good at solving rubik’s cubes. He solved one once on LIVE television in 55 seconds.

5. Gladiators

7. Barack Obama has said that he and Smith have discussed the potential for the actor to play Obama if a film was ever made on the president’s life. 8. His real first name is Carroll. 9. Smith once owed the IRS $2.8 million for underpaid income taxes. 10. He was a multi-millionaire by the age of 20.

2. Wheel Of Fortune I’m not going to lie, my wife Nicola and I watch EVERY episode of the U.S Wheel Of Fortune on Foxtel. Their concept is different to how it was run in Australia (it’s better), with no carry-over champ, it’s a new three contestants each show all trying to win big money (they recently implemented the million dollar prize).

11. 11. When filming began for The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, he was almost bankrupt again.

With the recent success of Family Feud on Network 10, surely there’s a TV executive out there with their finger on the button, just waiting for the perfect time to relaunch WOF. Heads up, that time is now. However I make one suggestion, don’t make the contestants have to follow the letter they’ve asked for with a word starting with that letter. Nobody needs to hear “N for Nelly” ever again.

12. He can speak fluent Spanish.

1. Who Dares Wins

13. According to a report published by Forbes in 2007, for each dollar Smith got paid, his movies averaged $10 of gross income. Pretty impressive.

This was by far my favourite game show as a kid. I always used to hope that one day I’d see Mike Whitney and Tania Zaetta in Geelong, hustling people into doing stupid shit in exchange for $50. Boy was this show fun, except you always felt terrible for the people who couldn’t overcome their fear in the final challenge. For those who never saw this show, it’s basically Fear Factor before Fear Factor was Fear Factor. Bring it back immediately.

14. He shares a birthday with Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill.

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