Forte #624

ISSUE #624 b a l l a r at | bel l a rine | middl e e a r t h | Bendigo | c a s t l em a ine | geelong | surf coa s t | wa rrn a mbool |

SPRING INTOSUMMER #iamfortefit

the bennies

JJ

5 Foods you should eat every day

JJ

Don’t Be That Guy: Our guide to Gym Etiquette

JJ

The best local walking trails

JJ

The Perfect healthy weekend

JJ

Is it good for you? 4 foods to think twice about

ALSO FEATURING: JOY., Philly, 24 hour Ballarat Experience, Dallas Frasca, Triple j’s Sarah Howells and much more!

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SUNDAY 1 NOV $20, 12:00pm

SUNDAY 1 NOV Free Entry 7:00pm

FRIDAY 6 NOV $10, 8:00pm

SATURDAY 7 NOV

ANJFEST TEST PILOT MOLLY

SATURDAY 14 NOV

$20 + BF Pre, $25 Door 8:00pm

SUNDAY 15 NOV 7:00pm

SISTERS DOLL + Dangerous curves / the spitting swallows

MITCHELL TROY GOOD FACES FOR RADIO

FRIDAY 13 NOV

CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK

$5, 7:00pm

$12 + BF Pre, $15 Door 8:00pm

THE MURLOCS

FREE

Starts Pg. 29

10 0 % l o c a l ly o w n e d & o p e r at e d available from 850+ outlets every fortnight

27 NOVEMBER

THE MARK OF CAIN 28 NOVEMBER

SUICIETY

TROJAN

2 DECEMBER

LAGWAGON (USA) 4 DECEMBER

HOCKEY DAD 18 DECEMBER

THIRSTY MERC FRIDAY 20 NOV

$10 + BF pre, $15 Door, 8:00pm

AND THE ABSTRACT WEINER BRIGADE

SUNDAY 8 NOV

2 9 / 1 0 / 2 0 15

SATURDAY 21 NOV

$40 + BF pre, $50 Door 12:00pm

SUNDAY 22 NOV

$40 + BF pre, $50 Door 12:00pm

THE RUMJACKS

19 DECEMBER

IT’S A VEEPED XMAS 26 DECEMBER

THE BOXING DAY SLAM 8 JANUARY

JEBEDIAH

RIVER ROCKS

19 JANUARY

THEE OH SEES

FEATURING COSMIC PSYCHOS / THE MEANIES / HOSS / THE CASANOVAS AND MANY MORE

THE BENNIES

+ THE HARD ACHES / WET PENSIONER / THE RESIGNATORS

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

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SATURDAY 7TH N0VEMBER DOWNSTAIRS - DJ’S PLAYING THE BEST HIP HOP & RNB

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ed's note

forte issue #624 thursday 15 october 2015

Welcome Forte readers to another issue, and what I proudly feel may be close to one of our best. This issue marks our inaugural ‘spring into summer’ feature where we look at the ways to get fit, be healthy and kickstart your summer right. There are so many incredible local businesses that work in the health and wellbeing field and within these eight pages we’ve allocated, it is just a mere glimpse of what’s on offer. We hope you enjoy it as, chances are, we’ll be doing this again very soon!

After heading along to the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards last night, catching the midnight Geelong bound train home and heading in early to write this here ed’s piece (and many more other tasks) I’m feeling pretty blessed

to be working in the field I am. There is so much talent in the music industry and so much support and positivity from those involved. For those who are unfamiliar with the awards night, it’s a rather loose affair that celebrates the incredible things independent artists are doing (and have done) in the industry thus far. Murray (aka the red Wiggle) even stopped by to share some wise words on being indepedent.

This issue we chatted to who is quickly becoming an Australian icon, Guy Sebastian, rock legends The Bennies, JOY., Trinity Roots, triple j’s Sarah Howells, Philly, Nicky Bomba and so many more.

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

enquiries@fortemag.com.au Publisher

Furst Media Pty Ltd DIRECTOR

Amanda & the Forte Team

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tag us @fortemag_ or #fortemag to be featured!

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artwork@fortemag.com.au contributors

Win a double pass to go to StreetLife Laneways Festival

@jessicamorris47

and see the Delta Riggs, Jinja Safari, triple j’s Sarah Howells and more on November 14 in Downes Lane/Place & John Street in Geelong.

Anthony Morris, Alastair McGibbon, Amanda Sherring, Andrew Pretorius, Cameron Brogden, Chris Cruz, Chris Lambie, Daniel Lock, Emily Hurst, Jessica Alves, Dr John Lamp, Kara Ready, Montana Agustin, Natalie Rogers, Paul S Taylor, Tex Miller, Wylie Caird, Xavier Fenell, Tony Montana, Jessica Morris, Jariah Travan

To enter email your name, number and code word ‘STREET’ to amanda@fortemag.com.au.

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Advertisers and agents are advised that all advertising copy is their responsibility under the trade practices act. Advertisements are published in good faith and on the understanding that the content is legitimate and lawful. Advertisers and or agents submit advertisements at their own risk. ` The editor and creators hold no responsibility whatsoever for the content of the magazine in the case that it may offend. Forte accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Forte reserves the right to edit all articles and letters.

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KNOW

IN THE

A Festival Called Panama Line Up

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

Bringin’ the Community to Sydney

You know that guy on the community, the funny-sarcastic-older-button-up-wearer, Jeff Winger? Of course you do, well the real guy behind the character, Joel McHale, is heading to Sydney for one night only on November 7. By the time this goes to print tickets will have already gone on sale, and most likely sold out, so for the die-hard fans out there, don’t blame us for missing tickets, you should have already known!

In what seems to be the year for boutique festivals, a festival called panama has just marked its return with the first announcement to the event held at lone star valley in tasmania on march 11-13.

Playing across the three days so far will be;Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Natalie Prass, Marlon Williams And The Yarra Benders, The Harpoons, Methyl Ethel, Rolls Bayce, Olympia, Crepes, Sweet Jean, Heart Beach with more to be announced. Tickets are limited, with only 1,250 available from december 1 via the website .

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Rock-ing the Oscars The host of the Oscars plays a massive role in whether you flick over to the Biggest Loser, the Block or whatever other reality TV show you may otherwise waste your time on.

But with Chris Rock, comedian, actor, producer and all-round legend, announced as the host for 2016 we’re thinking things are going to be swell. Now just to waste some time until that day comes around, Goggle Box anyone?

The Peninsula Picnic: Round Two

Triple j Faces Up

The Peninsula Picnic is back for their sophomore outing. Roll out your picnic rug and sample the best food, wine and produce from Peninsula favourites, all while listening to the dulcet sounds of Missy Higgins, Kim Churchill, Darren Middleton, Timberwolf and Ruby Whiting. After a sold out event in 2015, next year the festival will be housed at a larger site with even more gourmet restaurants, decadent wineries, fresh local produce and quality artisan wares, all which will be announced soon. It will take place on Sunday March 20.

The time is nigh to learn the ins and outs of the music industry with this year’s Face the Music Industry Conference. The big players of the music industry, triple j, are more prominent than ever before and Face the Music will explore the role the radio plays with Dave Ruby Howe, Nicole Cheek, Dorothy Markek and Jacinta Parsons all jumping on board. Yamaha and Steinberg will also present The Evolution of Dance Music Production, but there is so, so much more on offer.

Jump onto http://www.facethemusic. org.au/ to find out more.

North Melbourne’s The Public Bar is Up For Sale

Ben & Jerry’s, Movies & Some Damn Fun

Feel like buying an institution of the Melbourne live music scene? For the past 25 years The Public Bar in North Melbourne, on Victoria Street directly opposite from the Queen Victoria Market, has been a staple in Melbourne’s live music scene. The owners are looking for offers in the region of $195,000.

They are hoping to find a buyer that will keep it as a live music venue.

If music, movies and ice-cream, sounds like your perfect summer evening combo, Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinemas will be providing the goods again this November and December. The deckchairs, bean bag lounges and picnic blankets will be out for a variety of films including a selection of the newest releases and the best cult favourites.

Oscar tip The Walk as well as the latest Bond installment, Spectre will be on show. If nostalgia lane is where you want to be then Openair Cinemas will also be hosting a Clueless 20th anniversary screening and a Back To The Future 30th screening- because who doesn’t like to be reminded how old they are getting? Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinemas will take over St Kilda Beach from Sunday November 29 until Sunday December 20.

Earthcore, Final Cut If you haven’t seen it yet, the final cut video of earthcore 2015 is out and boy does it look like a fun time. Third release tickets are out and selling quick, so make sure you head along to this unique festival and really see the hills come alive with the pounding of music. Who knows, you may just make the next video. Visit www.earthcore.com.au for more info and tickets.

A Ghost Town in Sydney

Gilmore Girls...Is Returning

For the TV show that helped shape a generation as we watched the mother-daughter duo eat pizza together, fight and rock some seriously cool slogan tees, it’s taken it’s sweet time returning to our lives. Watching reruns just isn’t the same. Rumours are that Warner Bros have signed a deal with Netflix for a limited series of the show’s revival. How that will take place we are yet to see...

Zoo Twilights Series Announced

There’s something about visiting the zoo that rekindles our love for those childhood years, pair that with some music and you’ve got a great time, and some conflicting emotions about being a child trapped in an adults body.

Nonetheless, the series have been announced starting on January 29 and running 14 shows across Friday and Saturday nights until March 12. Highlights see performances from Josh Pyke, Birds of Tokyo, The Waifs, C.W. Stoneking, San Cisco, Jose Gonzalez, Last Dinosaurs and more. Visit zoo.org.au/twilights for tickets and more info.

NLV Leaves JJJ

Bringing the Colour

It seems anything Sticky Fingers touches turns to gold, and while the track ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials was already pretty amazing, the Sticky Fingers have made us love it that little bit more.

Yes, it was possible.

Originally penned in 1981 surrounding the UK riots the band have used the track as a comment on Sydney’s current lockdown situation for nightclubs and venues – the song couldn’t be more relevant. Check it out.

Love her or hate her, Saturday nights on triple j will never be the same, as Nina Las Vegas has left the radio station to rule the world, ahem, start her own record label NLV Records. We’re hoping for big things on this one...

The mastermind of City & Colour, Dallas Green, is coming a little closer to home, after Bluesfest sideshows were announced recently. Green will appear at the popular Byron Bay festival to get his feet muddy with the locals, but will also head to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on April 2. Clean feet guaranteed.

Get to Melbourne, A$AP

A$AP Rocky will return to Australian shores early next year for a series of arena shows. The rapper released his sophomore full-length album AT.LONG.LAST. A$AP in May earlier this year.

Featuring the likes of Danger Mouse, Kanye West, Mark Ronson and A$AP Yams on production credits, it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and at #5 on the ARIA Album Chart.

Catch him on Wednesday February 17 at Margaret Court Arena. Tickets via Ticketek.

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TH E

f o r t n i g h t l y

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Josh Rennie Hynes & Justin Gummer BARWON CLUB: You Am I BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7:30pm BEAVS BAR: Levi Anderson 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 LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard MARTIANS CAFE: $25 International Night including drink MAX HOTEL: Parmi night, Trivia Night PISTOL PETES: Kay & the Bluedogs THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Liz Stringer WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm; Favoured Nations

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Malachi Frost BARWON CLUB: KROCK’s The Band Final BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Luke Biscan BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BIRD ROCK: It’s Friday B!tches CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ THE EASTERN: The Ocean Party, Cool Sounds, Robot Fox EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: Live DJs GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 GPAC: Duo Chamber Malange THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Levi & Cody HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Ebonivory THE LOFT WARRNAMBOOL: The Go Set THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: This’s For Abbey

MILDURA JAZZ FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Pugsley Buzzard TOAST TO THE COAST TORQUAY HOTEL: Carus Thompson WORKERS CLUB: Dylan Joel

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31ST BARWON CLUB: The Go Set BEAVS BAR: Jeff Malapit BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BLACK HATT: Cor Ten CHERRY BAR: Cherryween: The Drop Bears, Prymal & Pennystocks THE EASTERN: Midnight Woolf, Grindhouse, 23rd of Elvis EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night, JHeasy THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Luke Biscan HOME HOUSE: Zac Depetro

KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Halloween Special; The Murlocs, Crepes, Sewer Side, Desert Mules

THE LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (Warrnambool): Aus Music Forum MAX HOTEL: Trojan MILDURA JAZZ FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: Mich Dog’s Boneyard, Halloween SPHINX HOTEL: Wooshka SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Mick Thomas TOAST TO THE COAST TORQUAY HOTEL: Jon Stevens WARRNAMBOOL: AUS MUSIC FESTIVAL WORKERS CLUB: The Getaway Plan YAH YAHS: The Workinghorse Irons, Miss Ferri Maya, Miss Bettie Bombshell, Lucky Dip, Lissy Lavette and more

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1ST BARWON CLUB: ANJFestHEAST, Test Pilot Molly BIRD ROCK: Sunday Sessions $9 Pizzas 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 GROVEDALE HOTEL:Luke Biscan

MILDURA JAZZ FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music TOAST TO THE COAST THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17 ROYAL MEREDITH HOTEL: Creedence Clearwater Recycled WORKERS CLUB: Tex Perkins & Charlie Owen

MONDAY NOVEMBER 2ND 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 GPAC: Black Diva Power

MILDURA JAZZ FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3RD ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night

GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 GEELONG SIDEWALK SALES GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB: The Go Set

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4TH 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, BABBA: ABBA Tribute

c a l e n d a r

GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Trivia Night MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night WORKERS CLUB: Forest Falls

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Timothy James Bowen BEAVS BAR: Andy Forster BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL 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 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: Brian Fraser THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC: The Yearlings WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Brad Gilles BARWON CLUB: Sisters Doll BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Luke Biscan BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band

BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL BIRD ROCK: It’s Friday B!tches BLACK HATT: Stumped, Poppin Mommas and more CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ THE EASTERN: The Rye Catchers 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 THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Dear Ivy HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Koi Child THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: Bangstrum Lads

THE MUSICMAN MEGASTORE (Bendigo): Mammoth Mammoth, Worm Crown, The Bitter Sweethearts, The Black Aces, Swhat

ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Fiona Boyes SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Dan Sultan TORQUAY HOTEL: Dallas Frasca WORKERS CLUB: Canary

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7TH BEAVS BAR: Jeff Malapit BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL

BLACK HATT: Vanguard THE EASTERN: The Radical Audio Temple, Melbourne Drone Orchestra, Spasmoslop, Chimera Disco, Matt Refund and more EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night, Horizon THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Thom HOMEHOUSE: TWhite MAX HOTEL: 3 On the Tree

ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: Diddy Reyes & the Blues Maniacs SPHINX HOTEL: Powerhouse WORKERS CLUB: Dave Adams Trio

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH BARWON CLUB: Good Face for Radio BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL BIRD ROCK: Sunday Sessions $9 Pizzas 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: Levi Anderson THE LORD NELSON: Sunday Funday Live Music ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17

SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): The Funky Turtles

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9TH 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 NOVEMBER 10TH ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11TH 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 THE EASTERN: Acid Baby Jesus, LL Goons, Pronto 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 GPAC: ‘Little Help From my Friends’ The Complete Beatles MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night WORKERS CLUB: Forest Falls

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GUY SEBASTIAN JJ

Since appearing on our TV screens as the

first Australia Idol winner back in 2003, Guy Sebastian, has forged a career on honesty, passion and success, where others may have otherwise fallen by the wayside.

He captured our hearts from the moment he sung Stevie Wonder’s ‘Ribbon in the Sky’ in the idol audition, and still has it in firm grip all these years later, as he’s the only Australian male artist to have ever achieved six number one singles and two number one albums in chart history.

Over the 12 or so years Guy has been in the spotlight, he’s honed his craft and that’s been reflected in his 22 ARIA awards nominations as well as the accolades mentioned above. Taking things back to the start, Guy’s passion for music first came as a 14-year-old when he began singing for the first time. Before that, he always had a strong interest in music and would often tape his favourite songs from a young age.

In a pleasant twist, Guy has easily become that singer for many young music-lovers, and no doubt his moments in the industry (while they wouldn’t have been taped) have been watched over and over on YouTube. In fact, his Eurovision Song Contest for Australia ‘Tonight Again’ has been viewed over six million times and he does it all for his fans and love of music.

“I wouldn’t be able to communicate through music if it wasn’t supported by my fans,” Guy says.

“They are so loyal and so encouraging and it makes my love for music so much more knowing that what I compose can have a positive impact on my fans.”

These days Guy splits his time between creating new music, being a judge on Channel 7’s hit show the X Factor and spending his time with wife and kids. While X Factor may take up a bit of his time, Guy wouldn’t have it any way and loves the chance to nurture new talent.

“It’s so much fun. I love music and I love creating moments that move people. I got my start on something like this so it’s nice being able to mentor others and provide the same opportunity. It keeps me at home too which means I get so much quality fun family time. They pay me too so there is that,” Guy adds with a laugh.

Beyond having a love and value for his family, Guy is also the official ambassador for The Red Cross and World Vision, is a supporter of the Royal Children’s Hospital and in 2013 he and his wife established The Sebastian Foundation that looks to change the lives of those less fortunate on a global scale.

The foundation works with like-minded charities and organisations on making change, and already since forming only a few years ago, it has donated $30,000 to Muscular Dystrophy New South Wales, provided a $10,000 grant to the Ronald McDonald House in Randwick and alongside Freedom Kitchens helped to fix a dilapidated kitchen at the Gunnedah branch of the Country Women’s Association, which helps to cater for the Red Cross and Meals and Wheels.

With Guy and his wife Jules at the helm, this is sure to be

Written by amanda sherring

TOP 5 GUY SEBASTIAN SONGS 1.Guy’s Australian Idol Audition: Stevie Wonder ‘Ribbon in the Sky’ Back in the early noughties and rocking his iconic fro, Guy first won our hearts with his Australian Idol audition cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Ribbon in the Sky’. It’s stripped back, no band behind him and just Guy’s vocals. He won the judges over instantly with Dicko exclaiming him as, “Head and shoulders the best voice we’ve heard today”.

And nothing has changed.

the beginning of many prosperous and heart felt projects that see change for those who really need it.

In fact, Guy’s last visit to the Surf Coast turned out to be a positive one for his foundation. “I love surfing myself and while the water is a bit colder down there it’s worth it.

Last time I was in Geelong I took a panoramic shot of the jetty down there and it sold for $10,000 for my charity.

There is so much beauty driving along that coast not to mention the warmth of the people,” he says.

‘Angels Brought Me Here’ from Just As I Am [2003]

“I love music and I love touring and it’s important to me to get out to my fans who can’t sometimes easily access a major city.

Not to mention it’s so much fun touring throughout country Oz!” Musically, Guy Sebastian’s most recent release is Madness [2014] which takes a look at a different side of the musician.

It’s still got the soul and the passion from before, but with a few twists, most notably his work with rapper Sage the Gemini on ‘Light and Shade’.

“The minute he started to rap, and you’ll hear it on the track, he’s got this round deep, rich, creamy voice which is just so beautiful for telling stories and he says, ‘We are the newest trends most wanted, but I am my kids most wanted’ which I think is a beautiful line in there,” Guy tells fans through a clip on Facebook.

Guy will be taking his newer tracks on the road in a special regional tour hitting up over 25 towns that normally miss bigger acts. Coming from Adelaide originally, and while it mightn’t be regional as such, he realises the importance in visiting these areas.

“I grew up in Adelaide and, while that’s a city, we were often skipped with the big acts,” he says.

“I love music and I love touring and it’s important to me to get out to my fans who can’t sometimes easily access a major city. Not to mention it’s so much fun touring throughout country Oz!” Looking forward to the upcoming show, Guy urges those to get off the fence – so to speak – and come along. In classic Oprah style, there may even be something extra in it for you...

“I am giving away a car to every person who comes to my show. (I can’t guarantee whether it will be a matchbox car or a real car),” he jokes.

Guy Sebastian

It’s the song that catapulted Guy into the world, and while it gives major noughties flashbacks, complete with sparkle sound effects, vocally and lyrically it’s a real sweet number that highlights how much Guy has developed as a musician.

Eurovision Song ‘Tonight Again’ We should have won, seriously, Australia were robbed! But in terms of the actual song this is perhaps Guy’s catchiest number yet and was a great way to represent Australia for our first time into the Eurovision song contest this year. Props to you Guy for putting together one catchy as number.

‘Battle Scars’ from Armageddon [2012] ‘Battle Scars’ is simply one of those tracks that gets stuck in your head. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t had a day where they’ve been caught humming this tune at work.

‘Light and Shade’ from Madness [2014]

When & Where: Eastbank Centre, Shepparton – February 20, Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – February 21, Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – February 25 & 26, GPAC, Geelong – February 27 & Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Wendouree – February 28

Guy won us over way back in 2003 with his incredible vocals and somehow over his career his voice has gotten even better.

This track showcases his voice, particularly in the opening line, and has a catchy line: “Light and shade when did I get so afraid” which features throughout.

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Trinity Roots

Written by Jessica Morris

Top 5 Milkshakes of Geelong!

JJ

There are times for sugar-filled, cooling liquid bliss, and with summer just around the corner that

time is now. Here’s a few of the tasty smoothie/iced chocolate/milk shake varieties around town.

The Pickers Union‘s Super (emphasis on super) Peanut Butter Iced Chocolate

Where: 33 Little Ryrie St, Geelong

down the alleyDown the Alley‘s Ice Cream Dream

JJ

After bringing their unique blues and reggae sound to the east coast earlier this year, legendary

New Zealand trio Trinity Roots are returning to headline the Queenscliff Music Festival in November.

“We’re kind of a mixture of Aotearoa love sound I suppose, psychedelic rock kick – we like to take the audience on a bit of a sonic journey and get some important messages across with the lyrics,” shares drummer and vocalist Ben Lemi.

As a group, Trinity Roots formed in 2001 and have toured across New Zealand numerous times. Bringing their music to Australia then, is somewhat of an “experiment”.

“That was our first real tour we did over there this year, so we didn’t exactly know what to expect. We had a few friends in the industry and the Australian Music Industry saying that maybe our sound would sit well with the surfie community, the people on the coast,” shares Lemi.

“It seems like the audiences [were] really tapping into our wave length at the time – it was really good to pick up on those types of energies. Melbourne was also really great, and was a bit more of a city vibe. I guess there are a few parallels between Melbourne and my hometown here in Wellington, in terms of quite a good music scene and quite a strong art scene. So that was really, really good to play Melbourne as well.”

After joining the band just over two years ago, Lemi initially had reservations about joining the established group. This quickly passed, and the trio released the album Citizen earlier this year.

“It was a turning point for my life as a musician. I was slightly nervous about the idea of it, but as we sort of started rehearsing, singing and working on material, I realised what the benefits of joining a really established entity like Trinity is,” says the drummer.

“We like to sing about values and society and just appreciating things other than material objects, material aspirations. So talking true relationships and not being so locked into the Internet. You know, developing personal relationships with people on a physical level, that sort of thing.”

This message transcends their recordings and also encompasses their live shows. “We like to take our time with a lot of the jams that we play. Some of the songs have typical arrangement in terms of verse, chorus, things happening. Also, we do like to stretch those forms out, kind of let the sonic aspects and the more musical aspects in on that journey.”

In a nutshell, Trinity Roots is a band that cannot be put in a niche, and that is definitive of their music. “It’s sort of a linear journey I suppose – we like to transport people.”

Joining other Kiwi acts like Thomas Oliver, Estére and Hollie Smith, (Lemi adds in, “She’s got a really great soul voice, and her band’s great to check out”) you can catch Trinity Roots at the Queenscliff Music Festival from November 27-29. Tickets are available at qmf.net.au.

When & Where: Queenscliff Music Festival – November 27-29

Lorne Film Festival: Director Darren Markey

JJ

Lorne Film is more than just your average

festival. In its third year, it is delving into the world of stunning local and international feature films, shorts, live readings and a forum.

Designed to be the next step in the evolution of the Australian film industry, it has been titled ‘Making Waves’ as it brings together our nation’s creativity with the beautiful surf coast.

“We’re not just about showing films, we’re about the film industry coming to Lorne as well, so we have a number of initiatives around that,” Director Darren Markey shares.

“There’s 21 films and of those, nine are Australian. A dozen or so short films are as well for our Lorne shorts initiative. But as to what people can expect, I guess we’ve been moving in the direction of showing surf and ocean related content, but not exclusively.

“We cover most genres, but we’re certainly keen to build relationships with local filmmakers. We’ve got a couple of outstanding independent films that we’ll be screening.”

Spanning across three venues, Lorne Film will start off with gusto on opening night, when Airey’s Inlet band the Sleep Decade perform a live score to a Hear My Eyes international film, The Vanquishing of the Witch Baba Yaga (pictured).

“The film was shot in Eastern Europe, directed by a lady

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from New York. So it’s a truly international event. …It’s pretty awesome, it’s going to be quiet unique and kind of ephemeral as well,” he says.

Other feature films include the Saturday screening of PAWNO, a film based around characters in a fictional Foostcray pawn shop which stars well known Aussie actors John Brumpton and Kerry Armstrong; a rugby based film titled Broke, from Queensland, and a compelling Tasmanian documentary titled Shadow of Doubt – telling the story of a murder investigation that will show on the Sunday afternoon. And then, of course, there are also some ocean related films on offer.

“We’ve got our surf jobs. We’ve got half a dozen films in there,” he says.

Adding to the variety of the event, a free forum titled Lorne Thought is also going to be held, bringing industry professionals, including Executive Producer Andrew Myer and screenwriter Mac Gudgeon together, to discuss the Australian film industry.

“Lorne Thought will be a series of seminars that will happen every year at Lorne Film. This year’s title is ‘Lorne Film: The Hand that Feeds’. And it is an examination of the relationship between the Australian Film Industry and the funding agency,” Markey says.

Budding screenwriters will also enjoy the announcement of the winner of the Lorne Film 2015 Screenwriter Award at the opening, where the winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and hear a live rehearsed reading of their screenplay on the Sunday.

Lorne Film has partnered with the VCA, bringing to life a screenplay called The Blockade. “It’s a fictionalised version of the Franklin River Blockade. And we’ve got Shane Howard, former Goanna lead singer. He’s going to come along and perform a couple of songs before that reading,” he says.

Full with more events and screenings that you could possibly count, Lorne Film begins on November 12, and if you have any interest in Aussie film, then it is most definitely for you.

“What is Lorne Film’s role? It’s to agitate the change. You know, we want to act as a platform for people to come and speak and also to facilitate having film makers meet each other.”

Lorne Film runs from November 12-15.

Tickets are available at lornefilm.com.au.

No doubt about it you need this sugar-filled, peanut butter bliss (pictured above) in and around your mouth, pronto. There are few who pack their iced chocolates quite like they do at the Pickers Union. This is one sugar-hit you’ll be dreaming of for days on end.

Where: 3 Mackey St, Geelong

Blue Door Espresso‘s Oreo Milkshake

It’s the ice-cream, syrup drizzled things in life that we really love, and this drink is just that. Venture up from Eastern Beach and get stuck into one of these bad boys, brain freeze almost guaranteed. Let’s not forget the serious eating utensils are more than covered.

Where: Shop 10, Edgewater 6 – 8 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Bear & Bean‘s Cacao Buzz

No need to twist, lick and dunk as this one is jam-packed with Oreo flavour. Anything Oreo related and we’re there. There’s also a few other flavours to satisfy your sugary cravings.

Where: 2A/105 Skene St, Newtown

A Spot For Joe‘s Delicious and Nutritious Natural Smoothies

Not everything delicious has to be bad for you, and a spot for joe’s healthy, natural and dairy free smoothies are just the thing to pick you up when the heat is getting you down. This smoothie has just hit a spot for joe, and hopefully it’s the first of many to come.

Anglesea Music Festival With Karren Stoneham

JJ

The Anglesea Music Festival is back for

2016, and by now you should all know that Boom Crash Opera, Dale Ryder, Taxi Ride and Jason Singh are headlining the one-day event taking place on January 23 next year. With a first announcement like that, it is no surprise that ticket sales are booming the best since its conception back in 2010. It’s just over three months out from the festival as I begin to chat with director Karren Stoneham.

“It’s really kicking into gear once again and it’s great to have the festival back once again. When we got confirmation that Taxiride, Boom Crash Opera and Dale Ryder, were really keen to play, well, that was a very exciting day,” she says.

“I really couldn’t believe that we secured them and they sell out everywhere they play. So to get them together is going to be a real highlight of the festival. They always know how to put on such a show and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Talking about the logistics of putting on such an event, it seems that although the festival has been stripped back to a one day event, as opposed to an all weekend show, the same amount of work has to take place.

The perfect mix between your coffee and smoothie cravings, the Cacao Buzz gives a double shot of DC coffee with the goods to back it up. Great for the mid-morning pick up! If caffeine isn’t your thing there are other smoothie options on offer (though this is the crowd-favourite).

Where: Little Ryrie Street Carpark

Images from individual cafes.

Written by Tex Miller

“We are all volunteers at this festival and are in it for the love of music. There is a lot of work to run a festival and we have a team behind the scenes, that are ticking off all the boxes to make it the best day we could possibly have,” Stoneham says.

“In previous years, festival goers have often wondered whether they go Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and we just thought it would be easier to make it a one-day event, and create the same atmosphere. It will be a lot livelier and more of a happening event than previous years.”

At the helm since the beginning of the festival in 2010, Stoneham’s love of music has always been very infectious to the volunteers that have been involved over the years. The 2016 one-day event pays homage to the origins of the festival which dates back to 1999.

“I started Anglesea Live back in 1999 and it was a music night that people could book in from all walks of life and that grew into what we know today,” she says.

With various new aspects to this festival, including a massive arts and crafts market to be held as well on the day, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. From the up and coming artist stage and internships offered in partnership with Oxygen Music, there is no better time to get on board with the Anglesea Music Festival.

The local school camps in Anglesea (YMCA and Coastal Forest Lodge) are also offering group bookings for festival ticket holders so be sure to keep your eyes on the social media outlets for all of the rolling updates.

Throughout the interview, it seemed the main philosophy that Stoneham was trying to get across was the involvement of youth within the festival. “I just want to give opportunities to the youth, and give them the love of music. I’m not looking for a pat on the back but people need to know that music can help all facets of their life. I can’t wait to share this festival with everyone and look forward to seeing everyone down there!”

When & Where: Anglesea Music Festival, Anglesea – January 23

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A range of specials available all weekend with Crafty Burgers on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Fridays and Saturdays 7:30pm – late Sundays 1pm – 4pm

BEST RANGE OF CRAFT BEER AND CIDER IN THE REGION Eight rotating taps of Craft Beer and Cider

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IN THE

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A Day on the Green

Riding on the Dark Horses

Following a pretty sweet debut in Nagambie (some 5000 people turned out), A Day on the Green returns to Goulburn Valley Highway in 2016 with an Australian all-star cast.

Icehouse, Baby Animals, Diesel, Models and Deborah Conway will perform. Promoter Michael Newton: “It was terrific to see how warmly the first ‘A Day on the Green’ at Mitchelton Wines was embraced not only in Nagambie but by the whole region. It was a brilliant day in a beautiful location. We’ve put together another great line-up of artists, so we’re looking forward to another memorable day.”

Mitchelton Wines, Nagambie – January 23. Tickets start at $99.90 (plus booking fee) for General Admission.

That Bittersweet Feeling

Let the Music Flow

The Getaway Plan have been hard at it since early September, making their way around the country as part of their ‘Dark Horses’ tour. It’s finally time for a little action in our neck of the woods, with the band hitting Geelong’s Workers Club this Saturday night, October 31. Released mid-year, the album is the band’s third and first to released independently, thanks to a successful PledgeMusic campaign. For those who have not been tracking the band, it came after a two-year hiatus, member departures and personal obstacles. Note that they also have a show at The Loft, Warrnambool on November 27. For those interested, the band has been posting some happy snaps on their Facebook page.

Last call for the inaugural Aus Music Festival – Warrnambool, people. 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 back-to-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. Also, a very special half-day forum will take place at Lighthouse Theatre on October 31 featuring Music Victoria’s Patrick Donovan.

Warrnambool – October 30 through November 1. Get the full details through ausmusicfestival.com.au.

Riverboats Music Festival

Come Gather ’Round People With Rainbow Serpent Festival set to return for another colourful round in 2016, a little warm-up is taking place this Saturday, October 31. Urban Gathering is a team effort of CERES Environment Park, TREASURE EXCHANGE and Mosaic Vision and welcomes a day of music, markets and workshops. The line-up features Freq (Iboga Records), Interpulse (Weapon/Iboga Records), Kasey Taylor (Lo-Fi-45/Vapour Recordings), Thankyou City (Sprout/ Chameleon Recordings), Katie Drover (Club Sweat/Ugenius Music), Dylan Griffin (Subsonic), Sekkt (Loophole Recordings), Blunderbuss and JDub. Tickets will be available at gate unless sold out. Check out rainbowserpent.net for further information.

Keeping Guard

Katie Noonan returns to Castlemaine early next month, and she is bringing along Vanguard with her. The ARIAwinning singer, who we first became familiar with through pop-rock outfit george, has assembled the familiar faces of Stu Hunter and Declan Kelly of The Captains, along with PJ Koopman, for the new project. They released the album Transmutant earlier in the year. Katie: “The Captains had electronics in that there were samples and stuff, but this explores that world a little more. I bought this very cool vintage drum machine and we played around with a lot of vintage keyboards and synths – it’s been about opening up the sound a little more.” Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – November 2.

Izzy Losi and the Auracles are Positive

As you may have heard through the grapevine, local gal Izzy Losi is reaching out to the people of Geelong. And it’s not because she is a handsy person, it’s because she wants them to be a part of her new EP. The band have just announced a Pozible campaign to help them on their way to creating a new EP. It marks a massive return for the band who have been quiet for the past few years, and if you love supporting local, talented musicians this is your chance: http://www.pozible.com/project/198952.

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Here it is, folks, the line-up for the 2016 Riverboats Music Festival. The lovely Missy Higgins leads the way at the festival’s fifth outing, along with the equally lovely You Am I. You also have The Church, C.W. Stoneking, Oh Mercy, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Mick Thomas & the Roving Commission, The Wilson Pickers, Jess Ribeiro, Ruby Boots, Jack Carty, All Our Exes Live in Texas and Skyscraper Stan & the Commission Flats. What makes Riverboats so special, however, is its location. Staged in the twin-towns of Echuca-Moama, the festival’s setting is beneath towering red gums in a natural amphitheatre right next to the Murray River. Regional food and wines will be made available, and there is plenty of room for dancing. Historic paddlesteamers meandering past all weekend adds a wonderful little touch, too. You may also wish to keep in mind Sunday’s official ‘Festival Breakfast’, held in partnership with the Beechworth Bakery. Ruby Boots will be there to treat morning people to some intimate “late night bar songs with a nostalgic country twist” on the bakery’s top floor. Echuca-Moama – February 19-21. Find everything you need to know through riverboatsmusic.com.au. Tickets are available now.

Such Sweethearts The Sweethearts are one of the longest running and talented bunch that we can think of, so we’re pretty darn excited they’re putting together a live release. The album is on its way, recordings are being done as we speak and if you’re not the most patient person, head long to https://vimeo. com/119490941 and watch the promo for the band’s ‘Heart & Soul’ TV show to air on ABC3.

Dreaming of the Big Time Tickets remain for 10cc’s show at Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre this Saturday, October 31. Apparently the band got their name after UK Records founder Jonathan King had a dream about a successful band with the name 10cc, although there is an alternative theory that I am not going to tell you here.

Annoying, right? Anyway, Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme assumed the name in 1972, though they had written and recorded together prior to that.

Regarded as one of the most clever and inventive bands of the 1970s, their hits include ‘I’m Not In Love’, ‘Dreadlock Holiday’, ‘Rubber Bullets’, ‘Donna’, ‘The Wall Street Shuffle’ and ‘The Things We Do For Love’.

Songbird and storyteller Kasey Chambers is taking her ‘Bittersweet’ tour back on the road for a final run of shows, paying particular attention to regional areas. Bittersweet is the name of her latest album, her tenth overall and first in four years, while the tour follows a successful US mission in August. You may also recall that Chambers recently underwent vocal surgery, from which she has now fully recovered and, according to reviewers on her US tour, is sounding better than ever. Kasey: “I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before.

I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited.”

The Capital, Bendigo – November 14 & Gateway Hotel, Geelong – December 4.

A Toast to the Coast Toast to the Coast is the perfect little warm-up for Melbourne Cup, a two-day event that explores three Geelong Wine sub-regions – Bellarine, Moorabool Valley and the Surf Coast. Over 30 wineries will take part in this year’s event, which will also include the best of food and tunes. Feeder buses will depart Geelong railway station for each of the sub-regions, while shuttle buses will do continuous loops of the wineries in each of the three sub-regions with drop-offs/ pick-ups around every half-hour. Toast to the Coast runs across October 31 and November 1. A weekend pass includes a commemorative take-home Geelong Wine glass. Further details can be found through winegeelong.com.au.

A Good Woman Through highs and lows, rocker Jon Stevens has soldiered on. Released recently is Woman, his first solo album since 2011. It also marks the first time Stevens has been in a studio since the recording of The Dead Daisies debut in 2013. The rockin’ and rollin’ word: “Recorded in Sydney and produced and mixed by Jon Stevens and Sam Iervasi, Woman is a 10-track album of pure rock, from the signature Stevens sound of title track, Woman, to the haunting rock ballad of In Your House, hard rocking Flesh n Bone, and classic rock grit of Catch You Falling. Every song is delivered with the same compelling authentic rock and roll energy.” Torquay Hotel, Torquay – October 31.

Guy Goes Regional Early 2016 will bring with it a regional tour from Guy Sebastian. From talent show contestant to talent show judge, Guy Sebastian has crammed a whole lot into his career – over 10 top ten singles, multi-platinum albums, platinum and gold certifications and over three million album sales. “I love just getting out and meeting people. Some of the characters I come across in regional Australia are some of the most interesting people and stories I have met.” Eastbank Centre, Shepparton – February 19/20; Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – February 21; Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – February 25/26; Costa Hall, Geelong – February 27; and Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Wendouree – February 28.

IN THE LOOP

Walking with Brett Newski

Bendigo Blues & Roots

It’s time for one final big look at the Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival, set to take place across November 5, 6, 7 & 8. Performers throughout the festival include 3 Ring Circus, Aaron Wales, Abbie Cardwell, Alanna & Alicia, Alawishus Jones & the Outright Lies, Alister Turrill & the Vagabond Brothers, Andrea Marr Band, Aaron Watts & Bootleg, Andy Garlick, Andy Phillips & the Cadillac Walk, Archer & the Long Gone Daddies, Ash King, Backsliders, Backwood Creatures, Bag O’ Nails, Bellwethers, Bendigo Uke Group, Benny C & the Associates, Bill Barber, Bill Jackson Band, Birdhouse, Blue Eyes Cry, Brass Razoo, Buck Jr., Buffalo Boyfriend, Cameron James Henderson, Cass, chango T’Ree, Checkerboard, Cisco Caesar, Claude Hay, David Aaron, Dave Diprose, Davidson Brothers, Deer Prudence, DIGG, Doc White & Si Compadre and Dukesy & the Hazzards.

And that is just A-D. A major highlight of the festival is Saturday’s (November 7) all-day, family-friendly celebration held in Rosalind Park. Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers, Blue Eyes Cry, Lazy Eye Band, John-Luke Shelley & High Speed Steel, Dukesy & the Hazzards, Genevieve Chadwick, Justin Yap Band, Siskin River, Simon Wright, Hailey Calvert, Alawishus Jones & the Outright Lies and DIGG will all perform at the free event. Hit bendigobluesandroots. com.au for the works.

Mildura Jazz Festival The Mildura Jazz Festival arrives this weekend, October 30 through November 2. Combining traditional jazz and swing with more contemporary sounds, the festival is perfect for a relaxing day out. Mildura’s paddlesteamers, riverside wineries, clubs and pubs, plenty of gourmet food and locally produced wine only sweetens the deal. Performing artists include the Don Mayne Trio, Double A Jazz Band, Maryborough Traditional Jazz Ensemble, Kelsey James Quintet and the Red Cliffs Secondary College Jazz Ensemble. Opening night, meanwhile, welcomes the Nicky Crayson Trio to Stefano’s Café. Further details can be found through artsmildura.com.au.

Not So Plain

How about that Golden Plains line-up, hey? What, you’re one of the three people who haven’t heard about it? Let me fill you in then. Making you feel all warm and fuzzy with their beautiful music will be Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Sleater-Kinney, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Violent Femmes, The Black Madonna, The Necks, John Grant, Natalie Prass, Freddie Gibbs, C.W. Stoneking, HTRK, Buzzcocks, Royal Headache, Kenji Takimi, U.S. Girls, Gold Class, Sampa the Great, Black Cab, Tyrannamen, Sadar Bahar, Tom of England, No Zu, Koi Child, Darcy Baylis, Friendships, Songhoy Blues and Built to Spill. Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre – March 12-14. Have fun.

What happens when you are without a job, your girlfriend has left you and your band is no more? Write a country song?

Buy a one-way ticket to Bangkok? Meet Brett Newski, a guy who, in 2011, was down on his luck when he headed for Bangkok, spending the next six months wandering around while recording in makeshift studios. Still feeling lost, he then moved to Saigon, where he would earn the title of ‘The Vagina King of Vietnam’. You see, he wrote music for tampon ads for Saatchi and Saatchi and the creative director felt it was an appropriate nickname. But he was feeling free, even though he was forced to occasionally bribe local cops. He wrote nearly 100 power-folk songs across a two-year stretch before returning home – except home is on the road, with the songman clocking up 200+ dates per year. If you have the time, you may wish to check out Rabbit Hole: A Musical Journey with Matt Vend and Brett Newski, a short doco captured on a train from the East Coast City of Durban, South Africa to the heart of the country, Johannesburg. Saints & Sailors, Portarlington – January 9; Ararat Live, Ararat – January 10; and The Loft, Warrnambool – January 20.

CALLOUT We are looking for a writer for our ballarat section.

Beechworth’s Green Touch Festival season is well and truly in the air, and for those with a touch of green in your heart Beechworth’s annual Celtic Festival is for you. Unfortunately there was not a great deal of information available at the time of writing; however, apparently 2015 will bring with it a new format of entertainment and celebration in the Celtic spirit. A highlight of 2014, which is sure to be back this year, was the Grand Parade, a family-friendly day featuring colourful floats, dancers, national Celtic costumes and the firing of historical muskets.

Beechworth – November 6-8. If you take a few minutes to browse beechworthcelticfestival.com.au you should hopefully discover a little more information by now.

Down by the River

Queenscliff Music Festival

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. 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. Wowza! The Barwon, Geelong – November 21.

Have you secured your ticket for the Queenscliff Music Festival yet? Go on, do it now. I will wait. I think we are all in agreement that Angus & Julia Stone, Hoodoo Gurus, Kate Miller-Heidke, Paul Dempsey, Augie March and Lior, as well as internationals Ron Sexsmith, The California Honeydrops, Hollie Smith and Trinity Roots, is a fine start. Local talent including Rough River, Áine Tyrrell, Alister Turrill, Bellarine VET Music, Gallie, Georgia Rodgers, Olly Friend, Rach Brennan, Revolution, Sean Patrick and Sweethearts makes it even better. And comedy from Tom Ballard, Cal Wilson, Justin Hamilton and Tommy Little surely seals the deal. Queenscliff – November 27-29.

Tickets through qmf.net.au.

If you are interested in writing a fortnightly column, covering interesting stories and getting your name on the door at lots of events in ballarat, please email:

amanda@fortemag.com.au

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IN THE LOOP

Something Smells Funny Tickets remain for Jimmy Carr’s Geelong show at Costa Hall on January 29. Before discovering he was well-suited for comedy, Carr attended Cambridge University, graduating with a 2:1 degree in Political Science. According to his website, his ‘Funny Business’ tour will be: a) packed with jokes; b) rude and offensive; and c) a great night out. All of which you would want in a comedy gig.

A Frost is Coming Bed of nails, glass walking, juggling, fire spinning, fire breathing, contortion, straitjacket escape, a power drill to the skull, dislocation of the shoulder – it’s all in a day’s work for Adelaide-based stage and street circus/sideshow performer Malachi Frost. Defrosted is his new show, which he will deliver to Ballarat’s Babushka Bar on October 30 as a Halloween treat.

Hopefully you’ll be treated to new tricks he’s been working on.

Luck Be a Lady Tonight The Lady Luck Clothing Fair is a quarterly event and the first of its kind in Castlemaine – not to mention it has a strong focus on sustainability and style. They’re pretty happy that the warmer weather is here, too, with their next outing set to take place at St Mary’s Hall, Castlemaine on November 28. 30 clothing stalls and vintage hair styling will feature, as will the cool sounds of The Seduceaphones.

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 and Tkay Maidza are among the line-up.

The second instalment is heading to regional Victoria again, hitting the Gippsland Parklands, Lardner, from December 29 through January 1, 2016.

Here We Go with Canary Canary will make their Geelong debut at the Workers Club on November 6 in support of new single, ‘Here We Go’. The band formed back in 2007 when songwriter Matthew Kenneally had the audacity to have a beatboxing trumpet player and an eccentric violinist join him for a few songs in Northcote. Here We Go is the follow-up to ‘Women’s Business’ and is a taste of their forthcoming LP, due for release early next year. The accompanying video comes from filmmaker and friend Kathleen Lee, who took Kenneally out of his comfort zone. The video was shot mid-month, so be sure to keep an eye out for that one. They’ll be joined by Levi Anderson. Go on, make them feel welcome.

Country Soul Rock’n’Roll

Beyond the Valley

When we said goodbye to the Pyramid Rock Festival, we perhaps didn’t think our little music hearts could love again. But then we met Beyond the Valley. 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

There’s just enough time left in the year for Dan Sultan to do one last lap of the country. Born in Williamstown, Sultan was raised in the city and the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu. Aided by a John Butler Seed Fund, the songman released his debut album, Homemade Biscuits, in 2006.

These days he is a multi-ARIA winner. He has already had a decent year, with a beefy tour earlier in the piece on the back of his Dirty Ground EP. His final fling of 2015 welcomes a new live concert album, a release recorded at the National Theatre appropriately titled Live from the National Theatre. Fans will be able to purchase the album at his upcoming shows, while it will also be made available from November 13. The album and tour is in collaboration with OpenLIVE, a “high resolution music platform, offering releases from both established and emerging artists at the highest available sonic quality” committed to “delivering artists’ work intact and without lossy compression – just the way it was originally intended”. From the street: “Capturing the raw power and emotion of Dan Sultan live, the album is unlike anything else he has released before and features tracks from across his recording career along with his unique and entertaining commentary.” Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – November 13.

THE IPHONE GUY'S TECH TIP OF THE WEEK

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If your device is running low on battery, and you still have some time to get to a power source, then you could enable the all-new Low Power mode.

Settings > Battery and tapping on the toggle.

Low Power Mode temporarily reduces power consumption by turning off or reducing mail fetch, background app refresh, automatic downloads, and some visual effects.

Apple states that Low Power Mode mode can extend battery life by an additional 3 hours.

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Do It – Read My Gigs

The 2015 Lorne Film Festival program is up and running, with tickets available for purchase now. The festival is running with the theme ‘Making Waves’, in reference to its selection of films featuring surf and/or ocean-related themes. 33 films will screen in total. Festival Director Darren Markey: “Lorne has a long and proud history as fertile ground for planting ideas. This year we step it up and invite the film industry and the people who enable them to exist – the audience – to come to Lorne and to discuss together the best way forward for Australian film.” The Lorne Film Festival runs from November 12 through November 15. Find all the information you need through lornefilm.com.au.

The Witching Hour will join BØG, Merchant, Tusk, Lowpoint, Sapphira’s Wall and She Beast for a massive Halloween show at Bendigo’s Music Man this Saturday night, October 31. Dylan Joel hits Geelong’s Workers Club on October 31, while The Go Set make Geelong’s Barwon Club their home on October 31. November 1 delivers Tex Perkins to Geelong’s Workers Club and Carus Thompson to the Lorne Hotel. Dallas Frasca has a date with Torquay’s Torquay Hotel on November 6. Dr Colossus swings by The Loft, Warrnambool on November 7. In support of his hotlyawaited debut Flash Drive, Wave Racer is set to provide a little magic at The Karova, Ballarat on November 28.

A Good Time Tonight

Lorne Falls Festival Adds 28 Acts

Joyfully remembering making bad decisions, falling in love and getting lost, ‘Good Times’ is the latest shiny single from hard-working, 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. It’s all about the attitude. Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 8.

It may be sold out but the Lorne Falls Festival just got 28 new additions to the line up. You could say the line up is lookin’ as fine as Dame Edna in one of her sparkly getups. The 28 additions are as follows: The Wombats, Dune Rats, HARTS, DJ Yoda, City Calm Down, Melbourne SKA Orchestra, Banoffee, Generik, Vallis Alps, I Oh You DJs, The Bennies, Holy Holy, The Babe Rainbow, Hein Cooper, Russ Dewbury, Wax Motif, San Holo, Money for Rope, Ngaiire, Opiuo, Lurch and Chief, Hey Sam, Peter Bibby, TUKA, The Meeting Tree, Mighty Duke and the Lords, DJ I-Dee and Ainslee Wills.

Tickets are still on sale for Marion Bay and Byron Bay via the website. Make sure you watch the Falls line up pancake-ified below before you do anything else. For Lorne locals, there are still a few tickets allocated to residents with a Surf Coast Shire postcode on the website.

Rascal of the Week

National Celtic Festival Tickets for 2016’s National Celtic Festival will go on sale November 1. Held at the historic coastal township of Portarlington, the festival takes place across the June long weekend. Given it’s still a while to go yet, details are minimal, but the festival website happily gives you this tease: “Whether it’s the enchanting sounds of bagpipes looming over the coastal shores, the beat of the bodhran or the chance to pop into a poetry recital, that draws you to the festival, you’ll be sure to enjoy the craic. The rich deposits of Celtic culture and the dream of a creamy pint of Arthur Guinness’s brew is a recipe for success year after year.” Keep an eye on nationalcelticfestival.com for further details.

Lorne Film Festival

All it can take is a song. It was on hearing Paul Kelly’s ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ that convinced Kerryn Fields to move out of a “dodgy haunted house” in New Zealand, sell her Kombi van and buy a one-way ticket to Melbourne. Since arriving in her new home, she has performed over 300 gigs.

She also met Paul Kelly, crossing his path as he was returning from a rehearsal. September saw the release of Rascal, an album recorded over a two-year period in bungalows, bedrooms and studios across Melbourne. She is joined on the album by her band, The Dudettes. You can have a look at the album’s recording process over at the songbird’s website. Martians Café, Deans Marsh – November 13.

Dead is Good At Pistol Pete’s

The Weight of the World Jeez, there is something about Aussie bands and a strong work ethic. When it comes to The Ocean Party you have five albums to choose from, beginning with their 2012 debut The Sun Rolled Off the Hills. Light Weight is their latest slab of goodness. Rolling Stone Australia: “Light Weight, with its further accentuation of the band’s glowing warmth making it aptly suited for the impending summer months, perfectly walks the line between simplicity and lyrical richness, with enough details to ensure it lives on long after the complimentary weather turns.” The band hits The Eastern, Ballarat tomorrow night, October 30. They’ll be joined by Cool Sounds and Robot Fox. Experimental Jet Set Ballarat muso and radio host Matt Malone isn’t content with just being a muso and radio host and so he has assembled a live showcase of experimental music called The Radical Audio Temple. Invading The Eastern, Ballarat on November 7 will be The Melbourne Drone Orchestra, Spasmoslop, Chimera Disco, Matt Refund, Donkey Mothers of Arse and Christine Tammer. Malone will also be there, naturally. Some hell-cool lighting will be provided by Spektraflash Vintage Lighting.

Matt: “Prepare to be challenged and transcended by artists seeking new frontiers in sound and performance. There are no hard and fast rules, only a notion of the free exploration into the aural unknown through a variety of mediums.”

Halloween is upon and so are the ‘Daye of the Dead’ celebrations at Pistol Pete’s on October 31. Whack on your best sugar skull face paint, don a sombrero and head along to catch Mick Dogs Boneyard perform at 9.30pm.

There’ll be prizes and giveaways, so it may be worth putting a bit more thought into your costume than the $2 hat you just bought.

BALLARAT

I Love You, Beer

IN THE LOOP

of music, kicking off November 12. Artists set to perform throughout the festival’s duration include Paige Duggan, Ari & Rhiannon, Mark with the Sea, Uptown Funk, Ultrafox, Patrick McCabe, Geoffrey Williams, Pugsley Buzzard, The Virginia Slims and Mick Dog’s Bone Yard. If you’re a private party kind of guy or gal, November 14 is the date for you.

Imagine indulging in a glass of champagne on arrival before soaking up the sounds of Bustamento. Bustamento is a “tropical shaking” ensemble spearheaded by Nicky Bomba. The seeds for this sound were planted over a decade ago when Nicky attended his first musical expo in Germany back in 2003.

Nicky: “I reached my destination and there before me was Stanley Beckford and his Mento group. The music had a happy familiarity. They were making words up on the spot and it immediately reminded me of my Maltese heritage where we would do the same thing. Island music, eh?” Further information, including booking details for the November 14 show, can be found through suttonshouseofmusic.com.au.

It’s a Karova Halloween

It has come to the time when we can start looking ahead at what is coming up in 2016, and the Ballarat Beer Festival is definitely worth a mention. The festival will once again serve up a generous selection of craft beers, as well as information sessions on the brewing process and food matching. You can also throw in a tasty selection of food trucks. Oh, there’s also a little music – but you know, it’s just You Am I, Dallas Crane, Kylie Auldist, Rechords, Bakersfield Glee Club, The New Savages and the winner of the Homebrewed Ballarat Battle of the Bands. Don’t you wish you were a beer drinker? Tickets for the January 16 event are on sale now through ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.

A Very Suttons Birthday Well, we gave this a quick mention last issue but because we do our best to stay true to our word, here is a bigger write-up about the upcoming Suttons Birthday Weekend Festival. In celebration of its first birthday, Suttons has lined up four days

Ghosts and ghouls will come out to play at Ballarat’s Karova on October 31 when the venue opens its doors for a little Halloween bash. Or should that be Helloween bash? No, Halloween bash will do. Hometown heroes The Murlocs have been entrusted to provide the songs and scares for the night.

In case you didn’t know, they’re five dudes with a knack for their “blown-out, distorted brand of soulful RnB”. They get the party started and then deny any responsibility when the party never ends. Their latest slice of heaven is ‘Rolling On’, which serves as a taste of what will be an early 2016 release.

Crepes, Sewercide, Desert Mules and 3D will also perform.

A Child of Mine Once upon a time, Fremantle’s heavy nu-jazz quartet Kashikoi and electronic hip hop trio Child’s Play shared a bill together.

‘You’re a bit of alright’, said one to the other, a feeling that was reciprocated, and so they decided to collaborate. They called themselves Koi Child and had an absolute blast. Kevin Parker, that psychedelic fella from Tame Impala, liked what he heard and asked them to support his band at Rottnest Island. Parker is also producing the band’s debut album.

Their debut single, ‘Slow One’, premiered through Rolling Stone Australia and received extensive airplay on BBC Radio 1 and triple j among others. ‘Black Panda’ is their latest. The Karova, Ballarat – November 6.

DATES OF NOTE

What’s on Ballarat JJ

The Ballarat Show is at the Ballarat Showgrounds on November 13-15

JJ

Party in the Pyrenees is on October 31

JJ

Good Food Ballarat is on from November 1-30

JJ

Living in the Moment – A Meditation Day Course is on November 7

JJ

Ballarat Festival of Motoring is on November 3

Written by Alexander Lightfoot

This weather is certainly laughable so it’s only fair to head along to a comedy show to suit how we’re all feeling. The BallaRatCat monthly comedy show is on again at The George on November 6 with Tony Martin as the headliner, Xavier Michelides, Tommy Dassalo, Alice Fraser and Ethan Cavanagh. Tickets are $25 with doors opening at 7pm. There are only two shows left for the year so get along and have a laugh.

Coming into Christmas it’s time to start looking at some personally made gifts and unique wares, the Little Sparrow Designers & Makers Market is probably one of the better opportunities for you to get something. Held at the Ballarat Mining Exchange on November 7 and 8, the market prides itself on having items with value, quality and beautiful designs. It’s also a chance to meet some of the makers behind the wares, perhaps strike up a bargain?

Nati Frinj, the three-day biennial festival that draws together the talents of artists and community support from the small Western Victorian town of Natimuk (with a population of approximately 500). Held over October 30 to November 2, the event features major performances and is perfect to take the whole family along to. There’s everything from ‘silo shows’ to Fashion for Funerals and Fantasy Eulogies, which will be enough to have you come back for the whole weekend.

Possibly one of the most exciting and unique arts projects to ever come to Ballarat is the 24 Hour Experience.

The event takes place from noon on November 21 to noon on November 22 and features a show happening every hour. It’s a task for both performers and attenders but the experience of staying up for 24 hours is surely one you’ll remember for a long time to come.

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Written by Natalie Rogers

THE BENNIES

the bennies When Forte Magazine caught up with The Bennies’ guitarist Jules Rozenberg the band was hard at work in the studio laying down tracks for their new album.

“We like to start the party when we record with a few beers and a few spliffs,” he replies when asked about their progress. “It helps to get out all the energy we’ve soaked in recently. We’ve been on the road and met so many different people.

I love travelling with the boys - and we’re closer than ever. I think that’s really going to come through in the music, and so far so good. I just listened to the drums and they’ve come up really nice.

JJ

“I’ll start recording the guitar on Wednesday,” Jules continues. “This is the most prep we’ve done for any album before – I don’t know if that makes us sound better or worse!” he laughs. “But at the moment we’re really trying to create something special for us and for our fans.”

A handful of lucky punters would have already heard some of their new material at an intimate gig they played earlier this year. “We put on a small show at The Old Bar and played half a set of new songs. It was a good exercise in stress, actually,” Jules smiles. “Because we’re so used to playing our old set – but it went over really well and gave us a good idea of what people will respond to. Even though the crowd didn’t know the songs, overall it seems like everyone was pretty psyched – which made us more psyched. After the show we were smoking a bit of weed and we were like, ‘Fuck yeah!’ everyone has our backs so we really can’t complain – it was great.”

The fun-loving four-piece recently supported US punk veterans Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake on a national tour. “Us ska dudes have to stick together!”

Currently they’re on a whirlwind tour of the US that wraps up on Halloween, but Jules says the highlight of their year will be the 18-date Australian tour that kicks off next month. Determined to reach all points of the compass, The Bennies will tear the roof off venues in Hobart, Bunbury, Cairns, Darwin, and everywhere in between, including Geelong, Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat.

“This time we’ll push ourselves to get even further north and further west. It’s a sad reality that not every band can visit every town all the time, but it’s totally understandable because Australia is so fucking big! A lot of people miss out that aren’t in the main states or cities,” he says.

“I’m a music fan before I’m a musician, and it always means heaps to me when bands go out of their way on tour and so it’s us paying it forward – and it means the world for us to do that.”

“I think sometimes musicians forget how much music can mean to people – music gets us through the darkness and it helps us celebrate the light...”

There’s no denying that The Bennies are influenced by a lot of different bands. The fact that they promote themselves as a psychedelic, reggae, ska, doom metal, punk rock band from hell, gives you the idea they don’t like to be pigeon-holed – so I wondered who Jules was influenced by before he became a Bennie.

Image Credit: Ian Laidlaw

“One of my big influences when I was a bit younger was The Bouncing Souls. The Souls are one of my favourite bands of all time and when I was a very young guy I got to meet Bryan Kienlen, their bass player,” he explains. “It was around the time I was starting my first band and I didn’t really have a clue! And I was finding it difficult to get going or find any traction.

“Anyway, I thought he was a god. I could barely talk to him I was so nervous, but he talked to me as if I was just like him. He told me to just have fun, make time for my friends and one day I could be touring America. He didn’t talk to me like he was a rad fucking bass player who had played with everyone and made amazing music.

He didn’t tease or talk down to me, or put me down – and I’ve always held on to that.

“Also I’ve had the negative experience of when you meet your heroes and it’s not always that great,” he adds. “I won’t say who’s a fucking arsehole and who’s not, because that’s not good for anyone, but at the end of the day that does happen and it can crush young people’s dreams. I think sometimes musicians forget how much music can mean to people – music gets us through the darkness and it helps us celebrate the light, if you know what I mean?”

Two bands that will help The Bennies shine this November are The Hard Aches, a duo from Adelaide, and Melbourne’s Wet Pensioner. “The Hard Aches are an independent band and they’ve worked really fucking hard.

They’ve made a name for themselves, not just in Adelaide,

but around Australia. BD is the front man of the band and he’s a great songwriter. If you like the narratives that the Smith Street Band use, then you’ll dig them,” Jules says.

“They’ve done so much for the scene (like putting on shows with multiple Australian bands), so it was only natural that we wanted to get them on board and hang out with them. They’re great people and you wanna be able to hang out if you’re going to tour everywhere – plus we’ve got Wet Pensioner who are fucking mental as well.

The band are really good friends of ours. They’re a thrash band and they’re heaps of fun,” Jules adds. “They’re an up-and-coming band that we’re really excited about.

They put on a great stage show and they bring the party – so we’ll have a lot of fun!”

When & Where: The Loft, Warrnambool – November 18, Youth Fest’, Bacchus Marsh – November 21, Karova Lounge, Ballarat – November 21 & Barwon Club, Geelong – November 22

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Charlie Owen Q&A JJ

Charlie Owen and Tex Perkins have paired up again and are heading to a venue

near you, more accurately, they’re heading to Workers Club in Geelong. Ahead of their show, we had a chat to Charlie about getting back together and performing.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

You do both have quite a bit of history performing together, what was the decision behind getting back together and doing the duo shows?

Well, I’m doing just fine I suppose. As far what I’ve been up .... hmmm... obviously playing with Tex, getting the TDC project up and running, I have a couple of recordings in the pipeline and working on an installation with artist Lisa Roet for the Adelaide Festival.

Do you think you’ve learned more about each other in the years on the road or performing on stage together?

You both recently performed at Out on the Weekend with Don and the band, which was a one off show. How was it all getting back together?

It was a tremendous time. The band were great and a fine time was had by all. It’s one of those things that always has a sense of occasion about it.

With the vibe on stage and the show overall, did it make you wish you weren’t just playing the one off gig?

Oh, there’ll be more! It was a great vibe specially as we had a couple of new players after the sad loss of our double-bass player Shane Walsh.

When & Where: The Workers Club, Geelong - November 1

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We’ve been doing these duet shows for quite a while so it’s not about getting back together, it’s pursuing the fine art of weaving!

Well, of course. It’s an intimate thing [for both].

You’ll be heading out to Warrnambool and Geelong shortly, which are places you’ve both played before, do you have any fond memories of the towns and past gigs?

Whereever we play we intend to leave the people with the fond memories.

Lastly, what can we expect with these shows together?

A few laughs, a few tears, music from all corners from our years of toil....

Thanks again for taking the time to chat with Forte, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers?

Hopefully these won’t be my last words!

Wisdom or not!

ready to make a change for the better? it’s time to

SPRINGINTOSUMMER

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I

n a time where we seem to yo-yo between elaborately ornated, flavoured cronuts and granola brekky bowls, getting fit and staying healthy can be a constant struggle.

Do we opt for the easy way out or take the hard road that will be far more rewarding?

The benefits of being healthy and fit to your mental health, and general wellbeing, are well-proven but it’s not always the easiest decision to make.

Summer is fast approaching and it’s often the prime time to turn our life around or make whatever small alterations we’ve been putting off for far too long. Our ‘Spring into Summer’ guide is a look at the ways you can do just that.

In these next few pages we’ve showcased a few of the best businesses in the health and wellbeing field locally, whether it be a healthy food brand, a gym with a difference or alternative therapies that may change your life, we’ve got them. We’ve also taken a look at the best things to snack on (if you’re caught

5

foods you should eat every day!

Blueberries These little suckers are packed with antioxidants. They literally out test almost every other food group for immunity building nutrients essential to the human body. Heart disease, cancer, age-related blindness, memory loss and urinary tract infections are all illness’ that fear these little bad boys. A hand full a day will keep the doctor away.

Garlic in a bind where you need to get take out), some scenic locations to walk/run and much more.

We hope that with this feature you get a taste for what’s on offer right in Geelong and read something that will put you on the right direction to make some change. Hell, none of us are perfect, I had a bagel with cream cheese for lunch. Here’s to a fit and healthy summer, and potentially rest of our lives, time to put down the Snickers and pick up the skipping rope...

You need to be eating this everyday. If you don’t care about bad breath, garlic is most beneficial consumed raw. Garlic has strong anti bacterial qualities and famously can help in shortening the lifespan of colds and flu. Studies show that consuming six cloves of garlic a week can dramatically improve one’s health and lower the risk of several nasty diseases.

Broccoli Broccoli is considered the world’s number one cancer fighter. It contains elements that help your body detoxify and fight cancer-causing compounds. Eating four serves of broccoli a week significantly reduces your risk of every form of cancer. It’s best consumed steamed but still crunchy, this way it holds onto its main benefit, sulforaphane.

Oats Oats, almond milk, honey, porridge… Goldilocks was very fussy about the temperature of her porridge but anyway you can get it is perfect.

This food source is not only fat nutual it actually fights cholesterol and high blood pressure. One cup of cooked oatmeal a day can reduce your risk of heart attack by about 10 percent. I like them odds.

Beans Beans, whilst known to encourage gas, are good for your heart and there’s no point stressing about farting if your hearts not beating, right?

Thanks to its high levels of soluble fibre, beans fight artery clogging cholesterol head on, and a recent study also ranked beans among the top antioxidant foods (but still not as good as Blueberrys).

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VS

Things you thought were unhealthy versus things you didn’t...

4 THINGS THAT AREN’T ALL THAT Sometimes the best things in life aren’t always what they seem.

1. Dried Fruit

3. Wheat Bread

Just because it came frm something good doesn’t mean it will always be so in any other form than the original.

Dried fruit may still have fibre, but sugar and sulfur have been thrown into the mix to help it last for months in your cupboard. Some dried fruit even has three times more calories than the original. In saying that, there are healthier options of dried fruit, just look for the alternatives that have no added sugar or sulfur.

Wheat is a bit of a craze in the carbohydrate world, but so many products labelled as wheat aren’t the real deal. It’s easy to add wheat to any old bread or cereal, but if it isn’t 100% it isn’t doing anything for you.

“Wheat bread” can contain enriched flavour which essentially means the nutrients are stripped from the bread to give you the wheat taste, or seeming benefits. So look for 100% wheat or fibre-rich options like multi grain.

2. Soy Milk Sure, soy milk is an excellent source of protein, fibre and good fats, has B vitamins and is low in unsaturated fat (you’re probably thinking, what can possibly be wrong?) but it can actually be harmful to fertility and affect reproductive development (particularly in men). Extensive studies have been done on the effects of the phytoestrogens in soy milk, and while it’s still argued, one study (Can Phytoestrogens Cause Infertility? Published in the Arbor Clinical Nutrition Updates) showed a 19 per cent drop in testosterone and a significantly lower sperm count. It’s also worth noting that the flavoured soy milk varieties adds about 10 grams of sugar and 50 calories to each cup you drink, pass on that!

VS

4. Sushi Rolls Now we’re not talking about the traditional salmon or tuna roll, as there are actually some nutrients on offer, but it’s the westernised versions to steer clear of. Let’s crunch some numbers... a salmon roll with rice and seaweed is approximately 120 calories, but a Philadelphia roll with salmon, cream cheese, spicy mayo and hot sauce can be up to 500 calories. Lesson? Stick to the traditional stuff or sashimi.

4 THINGS THAT ARE ALL THAT Saying no to the things you love is hard, but good news, as these four items can be taken off that list.

1. Canned/Frozen Vegetables Anything preserved usually sends off alarm bells, and so it should, as most often than not it’s been packed with unhealthy additives and preservatives to give the convenience of lasting a year. You can now purchase low sodium varieties and rinse excess sodium off in a colander before use and many nutrition experts agree that the vitamin and mineral content of fresh, canned and frozen veggies are about the same. Who knew?

2. Coffee With every minus of coffee there seems to be a plus.

The teeth staining and bad coffee breath is a given, but recent studies have found coffee to be one of the best sources of flavonoids, aka things that help improve heart health and protect cells from the natural negative effects of aging. Coffee may also help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This is all in relation to moderate coffee drinkers (nothing in excess of 3-4 cups a day) and is best seen for organic drinkers.

3. Popcorn Okay, so movie popcorn isn’t healthy. Sorry to burst the bubble on the excited popcorn lovers who thought that would be the case. Popcorn, sans any additives/flavours etc, is 100% whole grain and three cups tallies up to an easy 100 calories. It’s also a great source of phytonutrients (almost twice that found in fruit) which are good for nourishing and helping your body (aka supporting your immune system and rebuilding damaged cells). Obviously the best are the air-popped, organic varieties.

GEELONGS PREMIER PERSONAL TRAINERS BEFORE

AFTER

4. Potatoes Potatoes are loved by many but they often get a bad rap, but it’s more about how potatoes are actually prepared. An average sized potato has just 170 calories and is a great source of potassium and fibre, potato skins also provide heart health and anti-cancer benefits. So keep the skin on, avoid frying or baking and you may just get away with eating those golden little wonders.

“Peter used to love staying up late at night playing video games and eating take-away.

Since he started Fit For Living’s PT program Peter has lost 45kg, has turned his life around to eating healthy and is feeling fantastic!”

“Kelly looks and feels incredible since doing a 12 week program with Fit For Living.

Kel lost 11kg in just 12 weeks”

BEFORE

AFTER

BOOK IN YOUR FREE FITNESS CONSULTATION TODAY!! info@fitforliving.com.au or CALL: 5223 8934. www.fitforliving.com.au

EMAIL:

Breathe \ Float \ Live

The Wellness Studio Geelong offers:

Two world class flotation tanks to provide you with the ultimate relaxation experience.

Our salt room includes massage chairs to ensure your experience is relaxing, beneficial and comfortable.

The Ultimate Relaxation Awaits...

CALL OR VISIT: 17 Stephen Street (enter via rear lane) Belmont, VICTORIA 3216 p: 0476 199 247 e: admin@wellnessstudiogeelong.com w: www.wellnessstudiogeelong.com

WELLNESS STUDIO GEELONG // 17 STEPHEN STREET BELMONT // GEELONG // VICTORIA 3216 forte 31

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• Pole Dance/ Fitness Courses for beginners to elite

• Hens functions/Birthday parties

• Casual fitness, dance and acro classes

• Aerial performers for events

• Specialised workshops

• Custom classes/workshops

• Burlesque functions • Private tuition

AND INTRODUCING ROLLER POLE... SWAP YOUR HEELS FOR WHEELS!

The first ever pole fitness program on quad roller skates!

Learn skate basics, unique spins, floor work and dance on the pole combined with extreme core and strength exercises.

Safety first and brand new challenges, there’s literally nothing out there like it!

Skate hire is available and we welcome all ages and fitness levels give it a go!

Ph. 5229 0050 | E. kyliejpolestudio@gmail.com | www.kyliejpolestudio.com.au

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Anytime Fitness Grovedale

JJ A major reason holding people back from adopting a healthier lifestyle comes back to the phrase ‘there’s not enough hours in the day’. If work and social commitments are making it tough to find the time, Anytime Fitness Grovedale makes things a whole lot easier. As one of more than 400 clubs in Australia (and 2500+ globally), Anytime Fitness Grovedale runs 24/7– 365 days a year. Cutting-edge strength training and cardio equipment is available, while personal trainers are on-hand to develop a program for your specific needs. Boxing, spin, circuit and core are now available. Private bathrooms and showers allow members to freshen up once the job is done.

To discover how you can receive a 7-day free trial, fill out the contact form through anytimefitness.com.au.

Address: 40 Essington Street, Grovedale, 3216 Phone: 5244 2294 Facebook.com:/AnytimeFitnessGrovedale

Bearded Bros Geelong

The Main Event Fitness

JJ Main Event Fitness believe fitness should be fun and that’s why the gym offers fitness training for all ages, from kids through to adults – girls, boys, men and women are all welcome! Whether you want to try boxing classes for beginners, do boot camp with your friends or train in Muay Thai or kickboxing, the Geelong-based gym will cater to your needs.

Muay Thai is a main event at the gym and multiple classes are run each week for all ages and abilities. As a family-friendly gym, kids’ fitness classes and classes just for mums and babies are also available. A variety of boxing, boot camps and circuit training classes will also keep you challenged and interested, never bored, as having fun is also of huge importance. Through the gym’s highly qualified trainers, strength and conditioning and sports-specific training can also be offered for elite athletes.

When fun is one of the main focuses at the gym, without sacrificing on results, it’s instantly a gym with a different approach to getting fit and healthy.

Wellness Studio Geelong

JJ With the mantra of ‘Breathe, Float, Live’, Wellness Studio Geelong offers two word-class flotation tanks and salt room therapy. Floating advantages include pain management and athletic recovery and can also assist with sleep disorders.

Outside of that, it’s also a way to tune out and shut off from it all. Salt therapy utilises the natural healing properties of salt to detoxify the body and improve its functions. It can help to improve breathing and reduce the effects of respiratory illnesses and skin conditions. Their salt room includes massage chairs for the ultimate comfort. Wellness Studio Geelong is open seven days a week. Please refer to their website for operating times and pricing. Come in, relax, make yourself comfortable and reap the many benefits.

Jetts Fitness Australia

JJ Money, as we know, can be tight. Add a contract to this, and it can scare people away. At Jetts Fitness Australia, it’s on your terms. You will find no lock-in contracts. You will find low fees. And with Jetts open 24/7, you will find a time that suits you. Jetts offers state of the art equipment, while personal trainers are on-hand to help motivate and accelerate results. Best of all, as a Jetts member you have access to more than 250 clubs Australia-wide. To find out more about their free trial and to discover all the benefits Jetts has to offer, take a minute for the search option through jetts.com.au.

Jetts: workout on your terms.

Geelong West: 63 Pakington Street, Geelong, 3218 ph. 5222 8945 Belmont: Level 1, 155 High Street, Belmont, 3216 ph. 5244 3510 Torquay: 41 Bristol Road, Torquay, 3228 Ph. 5261 5380

Strong Geelong

Address: 17 Stephen Street, Belmont, 3216

Where: 5/2A Gordon Avenue, Geelong West

Phone: 0476 199 247

Contact: 0412 216 179

Website: wellnessstudiogeelong.com

Website: www.maineventfitness.com.au/

The Loft Dance & Yoga Studio

JJ Where is good, healthy food when you need it? Bearded Bros Geelong knows. Launched in July 2014 by Nik Pfarrer, Bearded Bros Geelong was founded on the ideas of top-class UFC trainer Mike Dolce. As someone who struggled with weight for many years, Nik knows his stuff. He’s been there and he has put in the hard yards. BBG’s ‘Breaky Bowl’ is a big winner. Packed with 25 grams of protein and paired with coconut, custom fruit, chia seed, toasted muesli and a tasty nut mix, the Breaky Bowl comes in a ready-to-use cup. Simply add bowling water, or a liquid of your choice. Also available is the ‘Protein Power Bar’.

Refer to their website for where to buy. Online purchases are also available.

JJ The Loft works from the philosophy of supporting the development of dance and movement in Geelong, and as a result specialises in dance and yoga classes for adults. The beautiful studio is located perfectly in Newtown between the Barwon River and the cafe precinct of Pakington Street.

The Loft believes that enjoying dance and movement shouldn’t be restrictive of age, and caters to those aged anywhere between 18-65 years old. Regardless of your ability, experience, gender or fitness level, The Loft offers a class that will be right for you; whether it be classical ballet, contemporary dance, Vinyasa yoga, barre or something else.

Each session, while being fun, can also help in balance, alignment, general fitness and flexibility. Classes are run weekly as well as special events throughout the year.

Boost Juice Geelong & Waurn Ponds

JJ Boost Juice have easily secured themselves as one of the go-to places for a healthier (and quick) drink or snack to pick up while running errands. Also continually evolving in what the company produces, Boost have slowly been adding protein items to the menu, through choc protein balls and boosters to add to long-existing smoothie favourites. The newest addition is the Black Label range, a series of protein smoothies to indulge in without an ounce of guilt. Each item in the range features an abundance of nutrition with each flavour, the four being; ‘Red Royal’ which has a mix of berries, fruit and yoghurt, the ‘Protein Supreme’ with sweet punches of cinnamon, honey, banana and dates, the ‘Mango Mirage’ a fresher, thicker version of the ideal breakfast smoothie and ‘Pure Eden’ a green drink made from mint, cucumber, celery, spinach and a few other ingredients.

JJ Strong Geelong is arguably Geelong’s new home for strength. The gym specialises in weight training and lifting, with several deadlift and powerlift competitions run at the space as well. It’s all about lifting to your own ability in a safe environment and Strong Geelong have more than the (welltrained) manpower to help you do so. For something a bit different the gym offers Strongman/Strongwoman Group Training, where groups will learn how to shift/lift heavier, less conventional items through various skill and strength training. Strong Geelong serves as more than just a way to get fitter and stronger, it’s also a means to mix up your training and try something a bit different from the norm. Find your limit and cross it at Strong Geelong.

Website: http://theloftstudiospace.com.au/

Address: 275 McKillop Street, Geelong

Where: Kiosk 11, Market Square Shopping Centre, Geelong & Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, 965A/173 - 199 Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds

Where: 7 Rutland Street, Newtown

Phone: 0431 196 006

Website: boostblacklabel.com.au

Where: 2/107 Balliang St, South Geelong

Contact: 0419 619 996

Contact: Waurn Ponds: (03) 5244 3523

Website:www.facebook.com/stronggeelong

Website: beardedbros.com.au

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Contact: 03 5221 2373

Sunset Yoga Classes

your average fitness trainers. Not only do they specialise in personal training, group fitness and corporate fitness groups, they also have customised programs, such as the targeted fat loss fitness program designed to fast track your fitness and weight loss success. If you go to the website you can have a look at several success stories and read various testimonials – see for yourself the results our clients have achieved with Fit for Living fitness training.

Where: Corner of Corio and Clare St, Geelong

JJ Embrace summer with a revitalizing slow flow class focusing on breath work, balance and flexibility, strength, core stability, postural awareness, mindfulness and relaxation.

This unique Yoga experiecne is held in a beautiful outdoor location, accompanied by the tunes by Xavier Rudd, Florence and the Machine, Bliss N Eso, Luminaries, Flume, Sacred Earth and Eddie Vedder, just to name a few! All levels and ages above 16+ are warmly welcomed. Classes are taught by a Qualified and dedicated Yoga Practitioner. Classes are commencing 1st December 2015. $10 per person / 50-minute class / BYO mat or towel and a blanket for relaxation. See you on the mat!

Tuesdays: 7.00 – 7.50pm Mick’s Steps at Ocean Grove Main Beach Thursdays: 7.00 – 7.50pm Transvaal Square at Geelong Waterfront For more information: Please visit Facebook or e-mail Erin here erin.grant_@hotmail.com.

Fit for Living

JJ Fit for Living are the ultimate personal trainers servicing Geelong, Leopold and the Bellarine. Fit for Living specialise in one on one sessions and also cater to group training sessions. So ask yourself, do you want to be fit? Are you worried about being overweight? Are you lacking motivation?

Are you in Geelong or surrounding areas? Then Fit for Living is the right choice for you. The crew at Fit for Living are not

Website: www.fitforliving.com.au Contact: 03 5223 8934

Kylie J Pole Studio

JJ Are you looking for a unique, fun, full body workout?

Kylie J Pole offers pole dance/fitness courses and casual classes catering for absolute beginners and competition-level performers, and those interested in burlesque, conditioning and lots of other specialities. In exciting news Kylie J Pole has just also announced the first ever pole fitness program on quad roller skates. In this class you will learn skate basics, unique spins, floor work and dance on the pole, combined with extreme core and strength exercises. Skate hire is available and we welcome all ages and fitness levels give it a go! Not sure about doing pole or getting involved? Grab a friend and come and try it out for yourself. Please note, Kylie J Pole is not an exotic studio. Kylie J Pole Studio is a friendly, fun and non pretentious place where you can get an amazing workout, feel great and meet new people! Interested in finding out more just contact Kylie on: Contact: 5229 0050

Forte’s Ultimate Guide to Gym Etiquette.

New to the gym or just a slow learner? Here are Forte’s tips to make sure you don’t make a fool of yourself at the gym.

Clean the Machine JJ This is an interesting one. It’s an absolute MUST but you will find only about 20% of gym users do it. It’s to their own detriment though, with flu causing germs and other nasties covering most un-wiped machines they will be the ones to catch the bugs back from other lazy gym users. It’s simple, you finish on a machine and clean your sweat and germs of it.

not always possible, you will block some people’s line of site during every workout, but try to limit a ‘total eclipse’ of another users site in front of the mirror.

Share Stuff JJ We have all seen blow ups at the gym with guys full of testosterone losing their shit because someone took their dumbbell. Some people do circuits, some people leave stuff to go to the toilet – just be careful to share and make sure you are reasonable with the amount of time you spend sitting on a machine or using equipment.

Don’t Always Park Next Door!

JJ If there are seven free treadmills don’t park next to the only other person using one.

Put Your Equipment Back

Chit Chat

JJ And don’t take the ‘near enough is good enough approach’. Actually put things back where they belong and in the order you found them. Simply rolling the medicine ball in the basic direction of the rack, having it crash into the rower and come to rest near the cross trainers (within three metres of the spot it belongs) will not do!

JJ Not everyone wants to hear about your weekend or your gains. A bit of chatter is fine and healthy, but judge it on its merits. Some people are in the zone whilst others might feel self concious and not want to discuss their routine with you. Also , headphones means, “not up for talking” so if you’re going to have someone pull out their ear plugs, make sure it’s worth it.

Mind the Mirror JJ Where possible don’t just ruthlessly park in-front of someone half way through a set in front of the mirror. Form is very important and most people like gawking at their perfectly sculptured muscles while working out. It is

Email: kyliejpolestudio@gmail.com Website: www.kyliejpolestudio.com.au Where: 126A Ryrie St, Geelong

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The Perfect Weekend!

Friday Night 6pm

Friday Night Mexican Dinner

Eat in or take away. Go for the tacos or the wraps that include fish or chicken. This is a fun and healthy option, that can involve a Samberro.

8pm

GYM: Weights Session

Saturday 8am Rise and Shine

8:30am

1.5 Hour Walk Breakfast is an omelette with mushrooms, spinach and tomato on rye and...BACON, it’s Sunday, why not?

Coffee is fine, one coffee is good.11am – Gym Time

However, we also like to feel good, generally speaking.

Both should not be mutually exclusive, you should be able to incorporate exercise in with a drinking session, you should be able to eat a burger and then go back to a healthy option for the next meal.

9am Rise and Shine

Breakfast is porridge with almond milk, some rye bread toast with honey and two pieces of fruit. Load up for a busy Saturday.

We all love to go out and party with friends, maybe see a band, drink in a beer garden or go out for delicious meal.

Unfortunately, it’s all too common in this day and age for people to be either completely idle when it comes to exercise and being healthy (doing no exercise and eating shit) where other groups of people will be sporadically ‘obsessive’ about a diet or a gym routine.

Sunday

This will set your Saturday off nicely, get your heart rate going and put you in a great head space to attack the day.

11am Make sure you get a membership at a gym that has 24 hour opening times. Get a weights routine that suites you and don’t over do it starting out: seek advice from someone at the gym on a routine.

Have a protein shake after each workout.

10pm Calming Tea

Juice or Smoothie Time

Make up a smoothie with banana, blueberry, frozen mango and almond milk - add linseed, sunflower and almond mix (LSA) and chia seeds, skip the ice cream or frozen yogurt, it will tase good enough.

1pm Lunch Time Grilled chicken or tuna salad, don’t drown it in mayo.

3pm Yoga Do something unique and fun. Join a PT group, train for a marathon, join a pole dancing or yoga class.

Balance is the key to enjoying life and feeling great, not fad diets, alcohol free months and food fasting. So we decided to give you an example of a healthy weekend, where bands and burgers can go hand in hand with the gym and yoga.

6pm

Get home and keep the water up. Be sure to chuck the kettle on and have a nice calming tea, chamomile is your best bet!

Dinner and See Your Favourite Band

When you’re out with friends for dinner, go for a healthy option. No matter where you’re eating there will be something decent on offer, hell, even Maccas do a salad these days. Steer clear of chips and shit that Man vs Food would order, suggest Asian (not Chinese please) to your mates, go for the steak or salmon if you’re at a pub. Then go out and enjoy yourself with friends, set a time limit for midnight (nothing good happens after midnight) and stick to 3-4 drinks.

When you get home, drink water and go to sleep.

You’ll wake up on Sunday with your liver intact and laughing at your mates who are in a hungover hell.

11AM Weights session and/or cardio.

Go hard with this session and sweat out those drinks from the night before.

1pm Sunday Lunch Go get a burger from one of Geelong’s fine establishments, or something as equally tasty. Balance it by not having soft drink or alcohol, ask for salad instead of chips, skip the cheese. We only live once and it’s a Sunday.

4pm 1 hour leisurely stroll on the beach or at a park This will loosen up your body after your big gym sesh and get the system burning that burger.

7pm Dinner Time Something healthy, chicken and veges, soup or risotto.

As much as you want to eat some take away on a Sunday night, you had a burger for lunch and your body will thank you for it on Monday morning when getting out of bed is already hard enough.

9pm - Watch an Alien Documentory on Netflix Just Because.

Five Walking Trails With a View

Getting the motivation to go for a walk/ride/jog/whatever can be a hard enough thing to do, then when you factor in cruising around your local suburb and its many concrete paths, it instantly becomes less appealing. The great thing about regional Victoria is there are so many great walking spots on offer that are so beautiful you really forget you’re doing any sort of exercise at all. Below are the best five in the region, so dust of those runners from the back door and join us on an adventure...

5. Bellarine Rail Trail

The Bellarine Rail Trail is no secret, but it wouldn’t be a list of the best without this one making the cut. While the view mightn’t be quite as startling as the others, it’s still a great look at the countryside and native flora. It’s also 32km, so it’s a great one for those looking to test their riding or running skills on a longer, safe track.

Length: 32km Difficulty: Medium (if whole length is completed) Start: Carr St & Swanston St intersection, South Geelong or Bellarine Railway station, Queenscliff

4. Barwon River Trail

The Barwon River Trail can be both scenic and testing, as the track forms a ring that you can keep repeating until your legs can’t take it anymore. Tallying up to approximately 20km in one cycle, the track also links up to several reserves (Queens Park, Barwon Valley Park, Belmont Common and more) which are perfect to add in some push ups, squats or sit ups. The track is a sealed path so an ideal one for bike riders or rollerbladers and heads up to the falls for some added prettyness.

2. You Yangs / Flinders Peak Lookout

The You Yangs offers tracks for those on two wheels, two legs or on top of a four-legged friend. There’s really something for everyone’s fitness abilities and sporting interests. There are over 50km of mountain biking tracks varying in difficulty, however, most will take up the chance to hike to Flinders Peak Lookout. At 3.2km this can be a challenging walk with 450 steps and rising 200m in elevation. It’s worth noting the You Yangs have specific opening hours, so it’s best to check before going along.

Length: 3.2km to lookout, 50km inclusive of all mountain bike tracks.

Difficulty: Medium-Difficult Start: Base of You Yangs Regional Park

1. Erskine Falls & Straw Falls Trail

Length: Approximately 20km for one circuit Difficulty: Medium (for its ability to be continuous) Start: Multiple points along the Barwon River

3. Jan Juc to Bells Beach Clifftop Walk

As summer is coming up heading out to the beach is naturally the best motivation possible to get off the couch and out of the house. Whether it’s the sight of scantily clad swimmers and surfers that spurs you on or the view itself, this is an easy route that’s scenic for the whole way with multiple lookout points along the way if you need a break. Starting off at Jan Juc Beach near Torquay and navigating your way through to Bells Beach, it’s a breezy 8km return.

Nothing gets quite as scenic (or fun) as the Erskine Falls and Straw Falls trails. This is perhaps also the most challenging of the tracks as there is significant elevation and as its along the river bank there are plenty of obstacles and problem solving skills needed when crossing the river. All up this track is 7.5km and takes approximately three hours, please note, it’s not safe to be completed during high water levels. Also, sometimes the steps back to the car park at just as much as a workout.

Length: 4km (each way)

Length: 7.5km

Difficulty: Easy

Difficulty: Medium/Strenuous

Start: Carpark at Carnarvon Ave, Jan Juc

Start: Erskine Falls Car Park

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GYM MEMBERSHIPS FROM $15p/w 2 / 107 Balliang St, South Geelong - facebook.com/stronggeelong

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CLASSIFIEDS Send your info to: editorial@fortemag.com.au.

For individual use only, not for commercial purposes.

Face the Music Highlights Pictured: triple j’s Lochlan Watt

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 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.

Guitarist and bassist looking for drummer and lead singer to star in a ‘90s rock band playing Foofighters, Greenday etc. Must have own gear, transport, be committed, reliable and a team player. Rehearsals would be once a week. Any age/sex is fine. If interested contact Vic on 0417138825.

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The Evolution of Digital Music Production

The Producers

Presented by Yamaha Music Australia and Steinberg

Producers Casey Rice (Dirty Three, Ponyface), Anna Laverty (Meg Mac, Cut Copy, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds) and Andrei Eremin (Chet Faker, Hiatus Kaiyote, Japanese Wallpaper) will select one production piece from their career catalogue and dissect it in front a live audience. The panel will reveal insight into the inner workings of the producer’s brain – the techniques, artist relationship, technology and decision-making which informed the outcome of their most successful track.

For the producers, Yamaha and Steinberg presents The Evolution of Digital Music Production. In a fascinating insight into the world of music production, producers M-Phazes (Eminem, Illy), Yeo (Hermitude) & Dub FX will discuss their pathways into production and how this ultimately shaped their careers as artists. Music production software helped them become who they are as an artist - how did they adapt to an ever-changing playing field? A small group workshop for future producers and those already at the top of their game.

To apply go to facethemusic.com.au.

JJ

It’s not often that the greatest minds, innovators and leaders

in the music industry join forces to share their knowledge.

Keynote: JD Samson (US)

Face the music is such a place where the best of the best

Presented by Melbourne Music Week

welcome business people, students and fans alike to hear what

Presented by Face The Music and Melbourne Music Week, JD Samson is set to deliver one hell of a keynote at this year’s Face The Music. An integral member of electronic-feminist-punk band Le Tigre and one of the world’s most visible, outspoken and inspiring gender queer performer/activists, JD will document her rollercoaster ride from experimental punk band to the realities of running a business, creating and touring in support of a crew who sometimes earn more than the band.

they’ve learned so far. Below is a rundown of the highlights of the industry forum, though it is two days of many.

The Ecology of triple j Presented by The Push With the tastemaking power of triple j in 2015 more prominent than ever before, Face The Music will explore the role that national airplay plays, from an artist’s first upload to triple j Unearthed through to play across the triple j Unearthed, triple j, Double J and ABC Local Radio networks. This year, for the 40th anniversary of triple j, Face The Music has secured the participation of key decision-makers across the channels. Dave Ruby Howe (triple j Unearthed), Nicole Cheek (triple j) Dorothy Markek (Double J) and Jacinta Parsons (ABC Local Radio) discuss the behind-the scenes processes that go toward supporting artists, from decisions about playlisting to editorial calls on segments such as Like a Version and Live at the Wireless.

triple j Listening Lounge Following the session, Face The Music delegates have the opportunity to have the undivided attention of the triple j team at the Face The Music triple j Listening Lounge. Panelists will offer up to 20 artists and their management the chance to sit down, one-on-one, to pitch their music and to pick the brains of one of the key decision-makers at triple j. To apply go to facethemusic.com.au.

Better Get A Lawyer, Son. Presented by Arts Law Centre of Australia and Music Victoria Providers of free legal advice to all Australian artists, Arts Law, this year partner with Music Victoria to present Better Get A Lawyer, Son, where some of Australia’s sharpest music legal minds including Brett Oaten (Brett Oaten Solicitors), Jennifer Tutty (Studio Legal), Morris Averill (Arts Law), Darren Sanicki (GI & Sanicki Lawyers) and Marcus Walkom (Media Arts Lawyers) pull apart some of the topics that have served as endless clickbait for the media this year, from royalty rows to illegal download cases and beyond.

Presented by Music Victoria

Keynote: Ruth Daniel (UK) Presented by Melbourne Music Week Internationally renowned music activist Ruth Daniel joins Face The Music 2015 with a strong DIY message for Australia’s independent artists. Ruth is the founder of Un-Convention, the global grassroots music event and community with a presence in 25 countries. Based in Manchester, UK, she is also Co-Director of In Place of War, which supports artists in sites of war, revolution and conflict.

Their entrepreneurial programs are giving creative people the skills they need to make a sustainable living from their art in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.

Ruth will introduce us to the work of her colleagues Fora Do Eixo, the revolutionary Brazilian music group who have created one of the world’s amazing music scenes. She will discuss the new Off Axis Network they are jointly creating to take Fora Do Eixo to the rest of the world, providing a cooperative model of audience development and artist networking to provide long-term opportunities for independent artists.

Ruth Daniel’s work challenges traditional ‘industry’ pathways for popular music by looking at innovation and new community models that connect to new audiences and can be a powerful tool for social change.

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

iNDUSTRY HUB

BEHIN D T HE SCEN ES Chat With The Pro - Band Manager What was your pathway into becoming a band manager?

I started out as a (rubbish) musician playing in (rubbish) bands in Perth in the late ‘90s. It was a fun time, but I quickly learnt that my talent perhaps didn’t lay in songwriting, but more so in the organisational side of things.

I then landed a job working as a quasi agent and promoter for touring acts from the Eastern states and promoting some national tours for international artists. At the ripe old age of 29 I signed on my first management client and moved to Melbourne to pursue the life of an artist anager.

Top Tip If you think you already know everything, you’ll quickly find yourself left behind. More than anything, it’s about having patience, tolerance, and a keen work ethic.

5 Australian band management companies and the artists they represent:

Marco Music

Dead Letter Circus, Drapht, Seth Sentry and Xavier Rudd

Love Police

You am I, Delta Riggs

From the Apple Tree

Yacht club DJ’s, The Smith Street Band

Can you tell us what the working week for a band manager might entail?

It’s vastly different every week depending where in their cycle each artist is, and if you’re conducting international business it’s completely different again. I guess a “general” week entails responding to around 500 emails, 12 lavish lunches and 20 hours of phone calls. I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to be a band manager….

Band Manager Ross Macpherson Hey Ross, please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your management company and the artists you look after?

I’m the director of Macro Music and together, with my business partner Rowan Robinson, we represent Dead Letter Circus, Drapht, Seth Sentry and Xavier Rudd. We’re both originally from Perth but formed our company in Melbourne many years ago. Last year we made the move to Sydney to be closer to our music partners and our artist’s teams agent / publishers / labels etc.

You have obviously worked your way up to managing some of Australia’s best artists, what has been the key to your success so far?

I think all artist managers start out with a little luck, followed by a tonne of work through a strong learning curve.

Most people come from being tour managers, promoters and working at record labels but most often it’s being a helpful friend to the first band they manage. Then, they’re either successful or not, and you either keep up, or don’t.

What are some of the most important assets someone needs to have to be a successful band manager?

I think a willingness to listen. The landscape of how people consume music, and the way you now reach people - be it selling tickets or records - is changing every week.

If you think you already know everything, you’ll quickly find yourself left behind. More than anything, it’s about having patience, tolerance, and a keen work ethic.

What are some of the great aspects of the job?

THE REAL DEAL

BAND MANAGER

With

Band managers are hired by musicians/bands to act on behalf of the band and handle the business aspects of the music industry: they are often also the last point of contact to the band.

How long have you had a band manager?

As a band manager your role is to help guide the musicians’ career as best as you can, provide advice and act as a liaison between the band and others in the music industry. A band manager will often be in contact with publicists for interviews, tour promotors, venues, bookers and more.

The role isn’t always exclusive to one band and many band managers take on multiple clients in aiding them to make creative, business and personal decisions, or sometimes decisions made on their behalf.

Some smaller aspects can involve arranging travel, promoting and booking for the band. It’s a unique role and one that will often see you travelling alongside the band during tours.

What are some of the challenges of the job?

All of the wonderful personalities.

If you’re interested in studying to become

I think a firm understanding in marketing and Microsoft excel would be the key. It certainly helps if you can find the next Tame Impala too.

Spinning Half

Residual, Jordan riddle, Olly Friend

JOB DESCRIPTION

Being part of a team, from the artist to the label (or distributer), publicist, publisher and booking agent - and sharing the wins.

What sort of study or professional development would you advise a young person undertake in order to best equip themselves to become a successful manager in the music industry?

Wonderlick

Pete Marray, Josh Pyke, Phil Jamieson

a band manager, Oxygen Music are a music industry specialist that offer courses in band management and music business.

The college are currently offering a Diploma in Music Business which covers multiple aspects of behind the scenes functions including event management, artist management, record labels and publishing.

To find out more and to book, visit: www.oxygencollege.com.au or call 1300 195 303.

David Bridie

I’ve had a number of different managers over my career, starting with my band Not Drowning Waving. We managed ourselves for the first four years and then, at the suggestion of our US label, got a manager when we signed a major record label deal in 1988 - we needed someone to sort out the business side of things.

What are the ways a manager makes your life as a musician easier?

It certainly makes your life easier having a strong personality to deal with venues, asking them if they’ll let you play, and then trying to negotiate a fee. Someone who can represent the band or solo artist to the industry protects you from the hullabaloo, and a third party I think can do it better it’s certainly a “better look”.

What are some of the main functions of a band manager?

Budgeting, promotion, being a go-between for the band and the record company, or if you are the record company, organising the digital side of things, selling CDs at gigs, assisting with strategy, telling you when you are being an idiot…being the shopfront of the business side of things.

Would you advise other musicians hitting a serious point in their careers to get a manager?

Yes I think so. Though many artists in this increasingly DIY age do very well looking after themselves. Managers generally cost 20 - 25% of your gross fee, so when you calculate that bringing in a manager will value add more than 20 - 25% to the operation, then that is perhaps the best time to get a manager.

Don’t coerce your best friend into the job… you may lose a friend. Management is hard work and they deserve utter respect from the band. A good manager is priceless and the key to a bands success. A bad manager is dangerous and can suck the life out of you.

www.dontpokethebear.com.au

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Triple j’s Sarah Howells Q&A JJ

Sarah Howells: you’ve heard the name,

you’ve heard her tunes and at StreetLife festival in Geelong you’ll soon be able to add the face to make the triple threat of the Sarah Howells experience. Coming to Geelong for the first time, make her feel welcome Forte readers!

Hi Sarah, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

I’m great! Just hunting around for new music for Roots N All on triple j and wrapping my head around all of the awesome music that’s being made at the moment. There are a bunch of new releases and really great albums coming out right now. The new Fat Freddy’s Drop album Bays has really grabbed my attention. I love those guys and pretty much everything they do, so pretty stoked that they’ve got some new stuff on the way this week... and it sounds awesome!

First things first, how did you first come to working at triple j?

I started volunteering in the music industry when I was 15 years old. I did poster runs for shows, organised all ages gigs in my regional area, wrote for street press and got stuck into pretty much everything else you could imagine. After a few years I started working at a community radio station, Bay FM in Byron, and asked someone how I’d go about getting in

JOY. JJ

Most 17 year olds look forward to turning 18

purely for the chance to go out with their friends and spend a night they’ll later regret, but for JOY. she looked forward to the moment when she was able to stay around at her own gigs.

It’s hard being underage in the music industry.

“Usually after you play a set you have to leave straight after you’ve supported someone,” she says.

“So after you’ve supported someone you can’t stay around to watch the act but now I’ll actually be able to stay afterwards and enjoy the shows.”

Things quickly turned from writing assignments at high school to swimming fully clothed for music videos as JOY. graduated and dedicated all her time to music.

“I had to do a lot of swimming in the ocean [for that clip] and I’m not good at swimming, at all,” she laughs.

“It was so crazy because it was in the middle of winter and the current was really strong. I had to go out and get shots of me pulling myself under water, by the time we got out deep enough I was fully clothed in a jacket and getting out there against the current and going under water and holding my breath for a couple of minutes I was dead.”

contact with triple j. I ended up with a contact name and number, made a call, put a demo together, and got a tour of the triple j studios from Costa Zouliou. I volunteered to help out in the record library and spent every Friday for the next year cataloguing CDs in my spare time. I was still doing community radio, getting feedback from Costa, and working on my radio craft and after a year of volunteering I scored my first middawn shift on triple j. It was pretty surreal stuff, but took me about eight years of volunteering to get there. Funny though, as it never felt like work, I just did what I loved to do and any paid work I got out of it was a total bonus!

Are there any big misconceptions about radio presenters?

Probably what we look like! I swear, I’ve had a different picture in my head for every radio announcer that I’ve ever met. No one looks like their voice. But then, if you asked me what they should look like, I probably wouldn’t be able to tell you!

You’ll soon be coming down for the inaugural StreetLife festival in Geelong, how important is it for people to branch out and give new concepts/festivals a go?

Totally important! Change and growth is all about trying new things, in every aspect of our lives. There are so many festivals around at the moment that it’s easy to pick the same ones to pop along to, but that doesn’t mean new ones won’t be equally as awesome as the ones we know and love. Branch out, live life, try something new, and you may just surprise yourself.

From what you’ve seen of festivals in your role at triple j, what do you think is the trick to a successful event?

There are so many elements that need to blend well for a successful event. All of the behind the scenes stuff is super important, and that’s all the stuff that mostly goes unseen.

Having a great team working together on the event, making sure the bands are on time for their set and have everything they need, ensuring there are enough places to get food and drink... all of these sound pretty simple, but you’d be surprised how many festivals suffer from not getting it quite right.

And then you’ve got the stuff that we do all see – a great ‘vibe’ is so important.

Have you had much of a chance to look at line up StreetLife? Anyone that you’re particularly excited to see?

The Delta Riggs always bring the party to their live show and I’m looking forward to seeing them carve up the stage at StreetLife. Being a lover of new music, I’m keen to check out some of the local acts too. I’ve heard amazing things about Revolution, so I’ll definitely be seeing that! Keeping my Roots N All hat on, I’m looking forward to seeing Imogen Brough, Izzy Losi and Levi Anderson, as well as discovering some new music that I don’t even know I love yet!

What can punters expect from your set there?

StreetLife is going to be a big party, so I’ll have all the latest tunes that I’m loving at the moment, which will get us in a dancing mood. I might throw a few classics in there too – there’s nothing like a little bit of cheese on the dancefloor.

You can expect lots of fun songs and good vibes from me, that’s for sure.

Given the event is in Geelong, have Veronica and Lewis given you any pointers/insight into the town?

No, but I may need to pick their brain about that... and yours! It’s actually my first ever time in Geelong, so I’m looking forward to checking it out.

Thanks again for that chat, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to give our readers?

Be yourself, be awesome and do what you love. Good things will come your way. Thanks, great to chat!

When & Where: StreetLife Festival, Geelong – November 14

Written by Amanda Sherring

While the clip was filmed with a team behind her, JOY.’s musical creation is much more personal, as she decides to create music often in the comfort of her own room.

“When you’re in a fully fledged studio environment I think there’s a lot more pressure to get it right and that can influence things,” she says.

“So [for my EP] I kept my vocal demos that I did in my room. I think vocal recordings specifically are easier to do when you’re not under pressure. It’s easier to get a good vibe when you’re in a relaxed, comfortable environment.”

Working alone is a formula that works for JOY. as her EP Ode just released was produced entirely by her – something that would prove difficult for even the most talented of musicians but she wouldn’t really have it any other way.

“I always do all my stuff myself,” she says before continuing.

“I’ve never really worked with anyone else. I think I’d have to find the right people before I ever worked with anyone else.”

While her music creation process is done solo, she’s set to be surrounded thousands when she performs at Beyond the Valley later this year.

“That festival is going to be so fun, I love festivals as they’re always the complete opposite to a normal show. And the Beyond the Valley line up looks crazy,” she says.

When & Where: Beyond the Valley, Lardner Park – December 29 – January 1

Sonic Species Q&A It’s officially now less than a month until the arts, music and culture experience that is earthcore is upon us. Looking forward to it just as much as Forte is, is Sonic Species (aka Joe Markendale) who is set for his very first performance at the festival this year.

JJ

Hi Joe, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

No problem at all, it’s my pleasure! I am currently sitting in the studio working on an original track for the forthcoming Future Frequency album with Avalon that we are releasing on Nano Records early next year.

We just saw the clip from your set at Ozora Festival, which looked incredible, how was it?

Without a doubt that was the top festival moment for me this year! As far as I have seen that was the most rocking edition of Ozora Festival to date: slamming dance floor energy, crystal clear sound and amazing decor. That was up there with the best festival gigs of my career for sure.

And you have been attending a heap of international festivals at the moment, did you attend many psy/ trance/EDM festivals before you were a performer?

How does it compare being on the other side?

Growing up I attended many club events and outdoor festivals both in UK and Europe. Being on these dance floors and hearing trance evolve from goa into psy around the turn of the millennium instantly hooked me into the uplifting energetic power of the music. I just hadn’t ever seen a dance floor explode with joy in the same way as I was seeing at trance events, and so naturally my listening collection gradually became a CD wallet and me and my friends began making our own small outdoor trance parties in which we all played DJ sets. I later began producing purely for fun and for the buzz of trying to make the incredible music that I had been exposed to.

Being on the other side of the decks these days hasn’t really changed much for me. If anything I am having an even better time dancing and enjoying the music as I can see how much people are getting into it on a mass scale. In an ideal gig, I always feel like I am on the dance floor and we are all rocking to the beat together as one entity. When that feeling happens I know we are all in the ‘Trance Zone’!

‘Unleash the Beat’ really saw you become of the top psy-trance artists in the UK, what first got you into the industry?

My first introduction to the scene was a string of underground UK events called Liquid Connective from 2000 to 2004. These parties were fully international yet they took place in the beautiful English countryside very close to where I had grown up. It was like by some magic the ultimate dance floors on the planet had been transported to our back yard! After attending these events my friends and I made our own indoor and outdoor events and began to perform as DJs.

You recently did a remix of a Christopher Lawrence track, what’s the process of when you remix a track, is it something that you really plan out or do you just let it happen?

Yes indeed! When I remix a track I like to use the best hooks and most memorable melodies from the original and mash them up with my sounds and style to produce a fresh cutting edge track. I don’t over listen to the original track as I love to reinvent and innovate so that the resulting Sonic Species Rmx actually sounds like a completely new track with sounds and influences from the original.

You’ve been announced on the earthcore festival line up, will this be your first time at earthcore? Looking forward to it?

Yes this is indeed my 1st ever earthcore! I heard it’s a mega festival with a killer sound system and top notch production level. I am looking forward to it immensely!

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?

Keep smiling, keep loving and keep dancing! :)

When & Where: earthcore, Pyalong – November 26-30

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FROCK IT Sterling Silver Costume Jewellery Written by Jessica Alves @jessicazalves

Written by Katherine Reynolds

@jessicazalves

www.katthewanderer.com | facebook/katthewanderer | @katthewanderer

youtube.com/msbonvivants

I

f you’ve been reading my column for a while, you’ll know that growing up, my mother always taught me that nine times out of 10, quality is better than quantity. Whilst this lesson has the ability to be carried over through to many different parts of my life, the clothing aspect is definitely where it has been most useful.

I find that accessories have the ability to define an outfit. I can easily throw together a very simple and inexpensive outfit together in a matter of minutes, and use my accessories to complete it.

When I was younger, I used to buy all sorts of costume jewellery, simply because it was trendy and affordable. But as soon as it started tarnishing, I noticed that I would get so frustrated quickly over this crappy piece of fake jewellery that I’d spent 25 odd dollars on, that had become basically unwearable after a week. This was when I began to look into less perishable options, which is where my love affair with sterling silver began.

For an extra 10 dollars or so (depending on brand and quality) you can buy very simple, classic pieces of sterling silver jewellery with the added benefit that it will, not only stand the test of time

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Tips For Saving C a sh For Your Travels fashionably, but also in durability. One of the best things about sterling silver is simply that it doesn’t tarnish, which means no more green marks on your fingers from non-sterling rings and no more of that odd coppery colour showing through when the metal coating starts to wear off after a week.

One of my little niches within my own personal style, is minimalism. I usually keep my outfits pretty simple, and not over think them too much with bright bold colours, frills or large plastic-like rocks dangling from my neck. It’s so easy to pull of that effortless, minimalistic vibe with a few essential pieces, such as a bangle, stud earrings, a simple necklace or a cuff. An added bonus to wearing exclusively silver jewellery is that you’ll never have to worry about having to match your jewellery with your outfit or match jewellery together. You can essentially just pick out a few pieces that you feel like wearing that day, or stick with a signature few like I do, and nobody would be any wiser.

I highly recommend shopping around, particularly jumping on to websites like etsy.com, where you can get a personalised or one-off piece that nobody else has. Even try having a look around local shopping centres to get a feel for what’s out there (and maybe drop a few hints to some family and friends for Christmas) — happy shopping!

Getting our money organised and in a large amount ready for our travels takes true dedication, commitment, and planning. It’s incredibly hard work, but I can assure you that it’s absolutely worth it.

Having been there myself and gone through the process of saving for a trip quite a number of times, here are some of my favourite tips that work for me.

GIVE UP THE COFFEE AND THE BOOZE

I understand that these might be two of the biggest things you live for in life, but man, do they cost money! Giving up these is the ultimate sacrifice. If you can do this, you can do anything! Let’s break it down; the average takeaway coffee is about $4. Having one of those delicious flat whites daily, will cost you over $110 a month. This works out to cost you around $1,300 a year, straight out of your pocket! If you can cut back, even if that means still having one a week, you’ll be saving some serious cash.

The same goes for drinking alcohol, and having heavy weekends hitting up the clubs. Not having to pay for entry fees, or your friends round of drinks will definitely give you that bit of extra money.

START A DEDICATED TRAVEL FUND

Starting a new bank account dedicated solely to your travel money will be really helpful to you holding onto that hard earned cash. Be sure to give it some love and feed it weekly, or monthly. To make it easier on yourself, you can transfer the money straight from one account to the other. Online banking makes this super easy! But most importantly, be sure to make a promise to yourself not to touch it until the travelling begins!

LEARN TO COOK

The cost of constantly buying your food, whether it’s from a café on your lunch break or dining out with friends three nights a week, seriously adds up! It’s a smart move to learn to cook for yourself, and it will impress your family. So, head to Google and learn the basics! Prepare your own food and drink to take to work, and romantically dine with yourself in the evenings. Plus, these newly learned skills will come in handy when you’re travelling.

WORK, WORK, AND MORE WORK!

I’ll admit, this is a bit of an obvious one, but it’s still worth a mention. Unfortunately we can’t click our fingers and have our bank account magically bursting with cash! So the only way that can truly happen is through hard work. So increase the hours, if you’re willing to, you could even get an extra job, and be sure to work hard.

Some travellers like to take their saving practices to the next level, to the more extreme side of things. They might sell their car, end their Netflix or Foxtel subscription, cancel their gym membership, or maybe even move back in with their parents! There are also a few simpler, less life changing ideas you can consider. This could include getting less haircuts, realising those manicures aren’t really that necessary, and ending those weekend shopping trips. Your bank account will most definitely thank you!

The money you save at home will allow you to do more amazing things when you travel!

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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

Oh. My. God. Southern Californian punk rock legends Agent Orange are heading to Australia for a run of shows!

And the Melbourne show just so happens to be taking place on New Year’s Eve! Holy shit! It’s happening at the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood (so don’t get it twisted and actually end up in Bendigo!) with special guests Party Vibez and Cosmic Kahuna. Yowsa!

But before that, though, a killer show is taking place in the exact same venue (the Bendigo Hotel- keep up, you lot!) on Melbourne Cup Eve, featuring the Hard Ons and Clowns!

So, two months ‘til Soundwave and STILL no official line-up announcement.

Yes, there’s the eight or so bands we’ve been told about via an ill-conceived drip feed strategy, but come on. Poor ticket sales MUST have given some indication to promoters that something has gone terribly wrong here. Would I be surprised if the plug was pulled on this thing altogether? Not really, but it WOULD be a huge shame, especially with the absence of the Big Day Out being felt so keenly...

One Soundwave rumour that seems to keep having legs, however, is that Kanye West (probably best known in this country as the rapper that married Kim Kardashian, and not to be confused with the rapper that made the sex tape with her!) has been approached to headline. Hmmmmm... I wonder if somebody out there is taking the piss. I mean, who next? Danni Minogue?

Jeez Louise, has anyone else noticed how many killer killer movies are headed to the big screen in 2016?! I could care less about Star Wars, the one that’s really got me excited is the X Men Origins: Gambit movie. Oh, and Suicide Squad!

And the Batman/Superman movie! And Deadpool! And X Men Apocalypse! Jesus!

I know some of you lot are looking forward to the new Spiderman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, but really, what are we? Twelve? Please!

Now, while I’m a big fat fan of experimenting with hair dye, I gotta say I’m glad Robbie Williams has ditched the triple process bleach he rocked on tour overseas earlier this year and gone back to his usual dark brown!

Sydney Ramonescore heroes The Colytons are heading into Forte territory for a Nevermind The Warp’d Tour sideshow in Bendigo! As in, BENDIGO, Bendigo, not the pub in Collingwood!

They’ll be tearing up the Music Man Megastore alongside local lads The Revengers on Friday December 4- if you’re in the area, you’d be crazy to miss it! And bring butt-loads of cash, coz there’ll be tons of merch available on the night!

But go easy on the booze, coz Nevermind The Warp’d Tour PROPER rocks The Brunswick Hotel in Melbourne the next day! Not that you need reminding, coz you’ve got it marked in your calendars already, haven’t you?! Thought so!

If you haven’t checked them out yet, suss out a vegan hardcore band from Frankston called Abolicion, featuring members of Public Liability. Good stuff !

Until next time, have a massive Halloween- it comes but once a year, unfortunately, so make the most of it!

What’s going on, Pulp peeps? Hope you’re all having a swell day. I know I am – at the time of writing this, the new Star Wars trailer has gone live, so I’m in nerd heaven right now. Speaking of nerd heaven – don’t forget that Halloween Comicfest (a.k.a. October’s Free Comic Book Day) is coming up on the 31st- make sure you swing by Gifts for the Geek and snag yourselves some awesome free stuff !

This time around – after a mad, last minute dash to All Star Comics after uni – I’ve picked up a trade I’d been hoping to talk about for a while now – Warren Ellis’ (Transmetropolitan, Hellblazer) run on Moon Knight. Now, I’m a little unfamiliar with the character, but the first volume (part of Marvel NOW!), From the Dead, is essentially the perfect jumping on point for both new readers like myself and established readers continuing on from previous runs. Ellis gives you a rundown of the character, then dives headlong into the story, but not in a way that leaves you without any background. He might be brief, but he covers all the bases – striking the perfect balance for both types of reader.

When it comes down to actual story, From the Dead jumps around a bit – there doesn’t seem to be an overarching storyline driving the plot; it’s more a series of vignettes that see Moon Knight (and/or Mr Knight, depending on a, who’s driving the body and b, who he’s talking to) battling supernatural dream creatures, punching ghosts(!) and rescuing kidnapped schoolgirls. While Moon Knight’s significant mental issues are mentioned – it’s theorised that he has dissociative identity disorder, among other things – they don’t come to the forefront just yet, so you get to see MK pull off a bunch of awesome stuff, like fighting his way through an apartment block like a goddamn Terminator. Moon Knight is equal parts weird, trippy and just plain awesome, and a lot of that appeal comes from artist Declan Shalvey (Hero Killers, Deadpool).

While Ellis’ writing provides a lot of thrills (I say that even as an unabashed Ellis fanboy), it’s Shalvey’s art that is probably the standout of the trade. While it starts out as fairly standard – if dark – superhero fare, once the supernatural elements of the story kick in, you’re treated to a mind-bending spread of an alien dream world that’s on par with the kind of legendary artwork you’d see in Sandman: Overture. Seeing MK smash his way through a horde of armed goons is really, really fun too; Shalvey and Ellis make the fights brutal, visceral and oh so enjoyable. Moon Knight, like Daredevil, is the kind of hero that is used to taking punches, and he takes more than a few in his quest for justice. While he might appear to be a Marvel take on Batman from afar, his motivations are quite different – he strives for redemption, not justice, and rather than striking from the shadows, he prefers his targets to see him coming and essentially piss their pants. While Ellis’ run on the title was brief – he left after the first trade – he definitely made a mark on the series, and his work with Shalvey made the book the success it is today. All in all, Moon Knight is a fun, if tragic, character, and as soon as my bank account recovers I’m going to dive in to the rest.

In a development that pretty much anyone with access to a ratings guide could have seen coming, Josh Thomas’ sitcom Please Like Me was bumped from its 9.30pm Thursday timeslot on ABC1 after just one week. Which might seem harsh, until you see that in its first week it rated just 127,000 viewers nationwide, which for anything shown on any free-to-air network in prime time is pretty poor. And yet, that was still almost double what it had been rating in its previous series on ABC2. That raises a number of questions, most of which can be answered with; “US cable network Pivot pretty much pays for the entire show – they picked it up after the first series aired on ABC1, back when Chris Lilley was a successful Australian comedy export and US networks were sniffing around looking for talent they could poach – so the ABC gets it for close to nothing.”

But that still leaves the ABC in a bit of a bind. While Please Like Me has rated poorly pretty much since day one – and despite what a seemingly endless run of “it’s the best show you’re not watching” articles would have you believe – those poor ratings have been the kind where a season starts out relatively strongly, then loses half or more of its viewers over the run, which suggests that the real problem is that people are watching then tuning out.

It’s been close to universally praised by critics here, which means that dumping it in a rubbish timeslot or online would stir up a bunch of bad press. So strong is the local critics’ love for Thomas’ series that when Please Like Me was bumped, influential TV blogger David Knox suggested on his TV Tonight website that the real problem for the poor ratings for a heavily promoted show in its third series was that it wasn’t shown even earlier at night directly after The Chaser’s Media Circus.

“Despite its M classification, Please Like Me was not given The Chaser’s Media Circus as a natural lead-in, but an historic costume romp in Musketeers. Why didn’t ABC wait until it had a Wednesday night slot for the show?” Knox’s theory is that the ABC airdate was tied in with the Pivot screenings, which makes sense (especially once you consider that as soon as it airs in the US it’ll be pirated online, which would only further cut into the already small viewing figures).

With ABC2 seemingly having abandoned new Australian programming this year – at the end of 2014 they only announced four new local series, and one of them is yet to air – Please Like Me either had to air on ABC1 or go direct to online, and we’re back to the outraged press.

Perhaps the ABC programmers knew that Please Like Me was never going to draw sustainable ratings on ABC1; Thomas himself is best described as a “polarising” figure, and his show hasn’t been embraced by anyone here outside of critics and inner-city types. So rather than give it a decent timeslot where a failure could cause some real damage, they tossed it into the 9.30pm Thursday spot to sink or swim. And sink it did; if Pivot funds a fourth series, who knows where the ABC will show it?

Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.

There have been a couple of stories in the metal media about how hard it is for metal musicians to make a living from their music. I’m talking intentionally touring bands at that. Making no money and being on the dole whilst you’re proficient in metal music should surprise no one, especially the metal “journos”.

Tessaract vocalist Daniel Tompkins recently advised in an interview that he made more money being a police officer in some US state than he does singing.

Ne Obliviscaris drummer, Dan Presland, recently quit his train driving job that paid, like, a massive $150k a year to be a drummer full time.

No one actually goes into music and says, “You know what, I reckon I could make a shit load of cash being a really kick-arse metal muso, you know?”. Money is the last thing on your mind when you’re a teenager playing your guitar along to your favourite bands, maybe drugs are on your mind literally and figuratively, or maybe you reckon you could score heaps of women by playing music, sure, but money never factors in. Look at early pics of The Metallica Corporation, they were dirt poor and now they’re the exception to the eternal life of poverty rule.

Having said that, bands are inventing useful ways to make a quick buck apart from the album, tour, album, tour, repeat cycle.

Tool, who will only be doing one show this year on Halloween, announced a special VIP event a day before the show where you get to look at “rare artwork and mementos” a photo opportunity with the band and a live Q&A session with the band - which I’m sure will be kicked off with a quick mention to not ask the band about their new album or the Q&A event will be over that instant. This event? $500.00. That’s a whole lot of money per person to sit around a have a photo and ask a question.

In other news

At The Gates will play The Corner on Friday October 30.

Teramaze will release their fifth album Her Halo on Friday October 30.

Ryan “RVP” Van Poederooyan will be holding his Melbourne drumming masterclass workshop at Gasworks Theatre (Albert Park) on Friday November 6. RVP is the man with the sticks keeping be beat for the Devin Townsend Project.

Flying Colours will release a recording of their Z7 show in Switzerland, 2014 entitled Second Flight: Live At The Z7 on Friday November 13.

Downfall Of Gaia will play Melbourne’s Bendigo Hotel on Thursday November 19.

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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When you think about it, there are various reasons why Australia is the lucky country.

You’ve got your sport fanatics who are always able to get their fill throughout the year, however, in terms of talking the music scene of Australia, we are pretty bloody lucky in that respect as well. Despite the poor effort of the AFL to include Australian artists in the grand final entertainment, there are increasingly a number of bands out there smashing it at the moment.

Having supported the Foo Fighters earlier on in the year at Etihad Stadium, one of the major success stories of 2015 is The Delta Riggs. Now it is no secret that probably the majority of Forte readers have heard of the boys that are more commonly referred to as Les Riggs, however, if not, you should definitely check them out.

I remember fondly the first time I saw the Delta Riggs, and this is going back quite a few years ago, to when they were playing at the Queenscliff Busking for Kids in support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Over the years, there were many great acts that played on the bill, however when the Riggs hit the stage, I knew that this smalltime Melbourne indie rock band, were bound for big things. I’m not going to waffle on about how I got to see them before they hit the big time, but everything that they did in those early days was so inspiring as a local up and coming musician myself. From the way the band presented themselves on stage to their highly energetic stageshow, to the totally irresistible pop rock gems that the band were showcasing on their early EPs, they have well and truly made it after touring around Europe and the US and supporting the Foo Fighters.

Another great band that have really taken off over the past 12 months is DMAs, who after so much time travelling around the world and producing a knockout EP are about to drop their debut record in early 2016. Influenced by ‘90s Britpop kings Oasis, the sound that the trio creates is very delectable and easy to indulge yourself in.

‘Delete’ is a song that I am sure will definitely be on end of year lists as one of the greatest tracks of the year.

If you’re a fan of laidback chilled out Jack Johnson-esque surfy kinda tunes then you could do no wrong checking out Finn.

I don’t really know a hell of a lot about this Australian artist however he did come across my Facebook feed saying that he is compared to the likes of John Mayer and Donavon Frankenreiter. Releasing his debut album Art and Espionage earlier this year, it is the kind of music to put on when you are trying to come down from a big night or just smooth silky tunes to indulge in.

Opening with ‘City Living’, it is very easy to hear some comparisons to Mayer’s Heavier Things record which saw the birth of ‘Bigger Than My Body’ and ‘Daughters’.

Although I hadn’t really listened to it much after I bought it, the past few months I have definitely been getting around it. ‘Capella Jam’ is a short minute interlude into the final track and showcases that the live shows of Finn are set to be both intimate and captivating with lots of energy along the way.

Of course, there are many other great up and coming Australian acts and 2016 is sure to be a massive year. There could probably be a few months of keeping your ear to the ground on fresh talent, but once again, we are so blessed with the amount of homegrown talent. Matt Corby is set to release his debut album next year so that will be definitely worth getting behind too.

The last time I saw Archie Roach was up in Melbourne at Hamer Hall. It was an intensely moving concert; his songs are his life which he shares with us, from the heart.

If you have not seen him live you have an amazing opportunity on November 14.

Narana, on the Torquay road, is an award winning Australian Aboriginal cultural tourism & educational enterprise that is committed to providing an entrees to today’s Indigenous culture. Narana means “listening and learning”, but it’s a deep, deep listening in which you take in and live out – it’s a listening and learning for life. Promoting this message is critical to advancing the reconciliation dialogue in a positive and inclusive manner.

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre has a proud heritage of live music and performance with successful NaranaFest events held in 2006 and 2007. This year Narana is bringing back NaranaFest which was a milestone event for Narana and local music lovers with the likes of The Black Keys, Xavier Rudd & Dan Sultan gracing the stage nearly 10 years ago.

The recent Narana Unplugged mini festival and gallery launches in 2015, featuring live music performances, led them to believe that the time is right to reincarnate NaranaFest and to bring back a family focussed music event. The festival features a mix of established and up and coming indigenous talent as well as providing an opportunity for local Geelong bands and plans for some big headliners.

Their goal is to create a unique live music experience. NaranaFest will provide a destination for performers, music lovers and families to experience an all ages day of music, Indigenous culture and art while exploring the unique performance spaces and immersing in the total Narana Experience. Narana has committed to building a brand new Boomerang Stage to provide gig goers a premium viewing experience.

NaranaFest aims to be an affordable festival experience providing a family friendly atmosphere with kids under 12 admitted free in the company of an adult ticketholder. Narana’s Boomerang Stage is situated in a natural native garden setting within Geelong’s ‘city limits’, easily accessible by public transport, ensuring locals do not have to travel far to experience a world class musical event.

NaranaFest will be a focal point for Narana’s community engagement strategy with a plan to develop into an annual festival event with ambitions to grow into a must attend fixture in the live music events calendar with the ability to attract high calibre bands and artists with both national and international profiles.

As well as having Archie Roach as headliner, the lineup is a list of performers that will make for an excellent event; Yirrmal, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Kutcha Edwards, Fraser A.Gorman, Philly, Ezekiel Ox & DJ Marze, Cherrywood, The Louds, APAKATJAH, The Dead City Lights and Deadly Duo. Many of these names may well be familiar to you, the ones that are not will be gold!

Tickets are available online via www. oztix.com.au Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre is located at 410 Surf Coast Highway.

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Nicky Bomba Oxygen Workshops Written by Natalie Rogers

It’s safe to say that as the conductor of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, the founder of the calypso-driven outfit Bustamento, and a highly successful solo project, Nicky Bomba is a man who wears many hats (in fact I’ll wager that he is single-handedly responsible for the return of the fedora – no one wears them better). But aside from his many musical endeavours, Nicky is a brother to fellow bandmates Michael and Danielle (aka Mama Kin), best mate and business partner to Joe Camilleri, brotherin-law to John Butler, and a doting dad – and now, thanks to Oxygen College in Geelong, Bomba can add teacher and mentor to that list.

JJ

In two different workshops on the same evening Bomba will share a wealth of knowledge that can only come from over 30 years experience in the music industry – nothing is off limits. “I plan to include everything from my experience as a musician – becoming a band manager, working as a songwriter and recording artist, learning to produce and starting a record label. There are so many different facets of the record industry,” Bomba says.

“There’s a lot to talk about and it’s exciting because it’s constantly changing and evolving. When I started out everything was on vinyl – that’s all there was!” he laughs.

“Times have changed a lot.

“It’s gone from that to Spotify and all these streaming programs, making it really difficult for the artist to make a living,” he continues. “So the only way of making a living nowadays is playing live. There used to be support structures within record companies to enable the artist to spend time song writing and working on an album – but now a lot of those structures are gone. So what do you do? Do you think on your feet and work something out? I want to open up a debate.”

Bomba devoted his life to his passion, and has opened up about his chosen career path on many occasions. “I’d been playing music every weekend with my family since I was six years old. But it wasn’t until I was about 16 that I got to the point where I had to ask myself, ‘Do I actually WANT to do this?’ What to do in the future was constantly on my mind, but one day I thought, ‘No more! I’m going to pursue music’.

So I up and left school to head out on tour and finished up year 11 by correspondence. I wrote my first song on that tour,” he says proudly, “and my musical journey started there.”

Fast forward roughly 35 years, and Nicky Bomba has become one of the country’s most in-demand and respected musicians. However, he’s the first to point out that he hasn’t got it all figured out.

“I’m the eternal student and I like the fact that I don’t know everything and I’m still learning. For example, I personally haven’t had a hit record. Sure I’ve played on many and I’ve toured with bands like John Butler and Killing Heidi who have had major success – but I can’t say that I’ve had a number one hit single, that I’ve written and achieved everything I want to achieve. If I had, I’d move to the Bahamas and live under an umbrella and play the ukulele,” he grins. “I believe my next song is going to be my best song. You have to maintain that inner desire to continue, and that’s some of what I’ll cover in the workshop, but really I’m just looking forward to having a good old banter with everyone.”

Jeff Lang Q&A JJ

Image Credit: Lucinda Goodwin

When & Where: Music Industry Workshop, Oxygen College – November 4 @ 6pm & Song Writing Workshop, Oxygen College – November 4 @ 7.20pm

JORDAN BAILEY

Set to perform his first show at Bendigo

JJ

Written by Jessica Morris

There is something transparent about Jordan

Blues & Roots Festival in a matter of days,

Bailey. Collating his life experiences in three

we had a chat to Jeff Lang fresh from a

minute snap shots, it seems appropriate that

stint over in South America and China.

his sophomore EP is titled Clear, because in his music, there is nowhere to hide.

Hi Jeff, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

No dramas, happy to chat. I’m doing well, just finished a busy period with tours in South Africa and China, now I’m back in Australia for a while. I’m just writing more songs at the moment and recording a few other people’s projects also. Keeps me on my toes.

So you just performed at the Caravan Club over the weekend, how was the show?

That was fun! Such a great venue to perform, and it was a wonderful line up with Alison Ferrier and Matt Walker’s band Lost Ragas playing. I had a ball.

You also recently did a list of ‘30 band/ performers you’ve shared the stage with’, was that a test of your memory at all?

That was one of those things which gets handled around on Facebook periodically. I just listed to whomever came to mind that I’ve opened for or accompanied as they occurred to me so I ended up with the likes of Russell Crowe’s band (who I opened for ages ago at a show in Melbourne) sitting next to artists like Bob Dylan. But I didn’t really sweat it that much, just typed them out.

It must have been nice to look at the list and realise the talent that’s shared the spotlight with you, do you have any favourite memories from the performances they would have been for?

It was nice to look at it and recall moments from throughout that period. Some of the standout times are when you’re collaborating: making something new happen. Playing with Chris Whitley was certainly something I’m grateful to have had the chance to do.

You’ll be playing the Blues & Roots festival coming up in Bendigo, which you haven’t played before, have you heard much about the festival?

I only heard about it when they booked me to be honest. Looks like a great line up though, and the show I’m playing is a great bill so I can’t wait!

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Given you haven’t performed there before, do you ever do any prep or research on the festival in the lead up?

Not so much, I just come along and look to do my best really. Every show is its own beast, so it’s always different night to night. It’ll be great to play in Bendigo again. It’s been a while for me.

Recently you performed at the ‘A Day of Protest Songs’ event where you sung on social consciousness, what was the main point(s) you were getting across on the day?

I was just happy to come down and contribute to raising money for the Asylum Seeker Legal Centre. I chose songs that I hoped might have a different slant to other stuff people would be singing on the day.

That event in particular was a fundraiser for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre, what are your thoughts on what’s happened with the treatment of the woman who was raped in Nauru?

I don’t see how anyone could be happy with someone being physically abused and then denied due care, treatment and consultation whilst in our country’s care.

It’s difficult to know everything which happened, what with the veil of secrecy erected around anything to do with asylum seekers at the moment, but it certainly appears that she has not been treated with the appropriate level of concern. It’s shameful if that is the case.

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

“The songs, as a whole are definitely inspired by love, and I think regardless if the stories are true or not, I get emotionally attached to everything I write,” he says.

“And so, that’s why I came up with ‘Clear’, ‘cause I’m pretty vulnerable, and some of the lyrics you can see right through me.”

The up and coming singer/songwriter has become a Geelong local after moving from Queensland to complete his Diploma of Music, and marking the Melbourne gig scene with Bailey’s resonant vocals and acoustic driven songs.

“Each song is quite different I think, or I tried to make it different. The [genre is] kind of heart on your sleeve with an intense emotion. I guess a lot of that is kind of pop/rock on the EP, with a bit of hip/hop kind of feeling in one of the songs, and a bit of folk in the other songs with the saxophone, so I’ve kind of got a mainstream feel with my singing.”

Learning how to play saxophone at 10 years old, and then picking up his guitar at 16, Bailey recorded the tracks at home, adding his own stamp of authenticity to the tales of love, loss and grief.

“I suppose some people take out their emotions by going for a run – I just need to write music. And I suppose there’s a narcissistic side to me where I want people to hear it, and it’s like you’re a little kid ‘cause you need to hear and be told that you’re good,” he says.

“I’ve gone through lots of loss in my life, and I’ve gone through a broken family with lots of people with broken stories – some of them [involve] people with mental health – so I’ve always kind of been around the environment of helping and brokenness. I suppose sometimes I want to feel that, so I write a song about it.

“The five songs describe love, cheating and death as a concept. Just different ways to express that.”

Loosing his brother while finishing his last year of school, he penned the moving song ‘Good bye’ for his sibling, which was included on his debut release. Now with Clear, Bailey is donating half of the proceeds to his brother’s favourite organisation: “I wanted to honour him by giving half the proceeds to Destiny Rescue.”

Coming together in his EP launch at the Revolver Lounge on October 23, and followed by a regional tour, he will perform the tracks from Clear with a full band.

“I’ve also got a violin coming on stage and a few other singers – it’s going to be a good show.” Local acts Nat J and Birthday Girl open for Bailey, before he takes the audience on a sincere and memorable journey.

“When you can get [the audience] so motivated they’re singing along, that’s the biggest adrenaline rush,” shares Bailey. “I want to inspire people.”

Jordan Bailey’s Clear EP launch is at the Revolver Lounge, Prahran on October 23 at 8pm. Later dates include Ballarat’s Babushka Lounge on Oct 29, Clunes’ The Lucky Strike Lounge on Oct 30, Bendigo’s Billyroy’s Blues Bar on Oct 31, Ravenswood The Big Hill Vineyard on Nov 1, and the Batesford Hotel Nov 29. Tickets available at moshtix.com.au.

When & Where: Babushka Lounge, Ballarat – October 29, The Lucky Strike Lounge, Clunes – October 30, Billyroy’s Blues Bar, Bendigo – October 31, Big Hill Vineyard, Ravenswood – November 1 & Batesford Hotel, Batesford – November 29

NEW EP OUT FRIDAY 27th NOVEMBER www.imogenbrough.com https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/imogen-brough

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Refining the Palette

Compare and Reflect

≈≈ A Weekend of Wine

Fancy a glass of wine or two? The Toast to the Coast held over the weekend of October 31 & November 1 is the perfect chance to explore 33 wineries across the Bellarine, Morrabool Valley and Surf Coast. Visit www.winegeelong.com.au/ toast-to-the-coast/ to find out more.

Photography Exhibition JJ

Each year the world unveils new technologies and ways of doing things, and

photography (even with its analogue beginnings) is no exception. A handful of students from Oxygen College have just been taught in the skills of digital photography through the Diploma of Photo Imaging course available at the college.

As a group the class researched modern photography exhibitions to decide on the concept and settled on ‘compare and reflect’ as the main theme. Essentially the exhibition is about making comparisons, looking at the before and after, masculine and feminine and generally opening your eyes to the world.

The course became about so much more than just working towards an end goal as each element of photography, from management to camera operations, were covered.

“I have seen for myself that a lot of people view arts subjects as a bludge and really not a credible course at all – but this is far from the truth,” student Karrin Reekie says.

“I have been a passionate photographer for over 20 years and certainly had no idea how much there was to learn.

Working in the studio and getting to know all the forms of lighting, posing, how to work with clients, how to use all the many and varied forms of lighting, composition of images, as well as how to handle the constructive criticism when our work is displayed on a big screen for all the class to view.”

The student’s vasy array of works are currently on exhibition at Winters Cafe in Geelong until November 12.

Maybe you haven’t heard, but a little bit of laughter goes a long way for the soul.

What goes even further is when it’s for a good cause. Mercure & Novotel are hosting a one-off comedy night with Dave O’Neil, Tom Gleeson and Lehmo sharing some jokes for a Mission Australia.

Included in the night (for $125) are canapés, a two-course dinner and a four hour drink package. All held at the Peninsula Room, Novotel on October 31.

When & Where: Winters Cafe, Geelong – on now until Christmas

≈≈ Good Enough to Eat

We’ve long loved local foodie business Natural Harry’s raw treats and delicious smoothies, but have you ever considered being able to make those too-good-theyfeel-bad treats in the comfort of your home? If you have, your prays have been answered (and if you haven’t, this is a good thing trust us) as Natural Harry have put together a recipe book that is currently available for pre-order and for sale soon. Visit naturalharry.com.au to get your copy.

Image Credit: Bron

≈≈ The Odyssey of VCE Film

Odyssey Film Festival is back for another year, giving further purpose to the films created during VCE studies in school and enabling the students to enjoy in the pleasure of it being on the big screen – and not just their teacher’s computer screen. Two hours of short films from students across Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast will be screened at Village Cinemas on December 5. Tickets are $5 and the first 150 to book get a free popcorn or icecream. ww.odysseyfilmfestival.com.

Image Credit: Christine

Image Credit: Noeleen McKeag

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≈≈ A Comedy Show for Good

OR/\NGE

Refining the Palette

Not knowing the answer to something is both unnerving and frustrating, but it can also be incredibly exhilarating. OR/\NGE is something that had Geelong locals guessing, hell, it even had us guessing too, and a handful of people were lucky enough to find out with the first event held on Sunday, October 25.

We’re not going to divulge too much of what happened on the night, as there will hopefully be many more to come. But know this, a bus load of eager punters #howorangeareyou

waited on for their secret destination where they soon arrived at 5pm. It was a night of art, good food, music and the

howorangeareyou.co

perfect environment. Put simply it was the whole experience with a buzz that doesn’t quite seem to happen as much as it should anymore. ≈≈ That’s a GAFFA

If Guy Pearce is behind something, you know it’s a goodie. The GAFFAs, or the Gateways Short Film Contest, deadline is quickly approaching (November 6 to be exact) and they’re looking for budding film-makers or anyone who want to send in a film that showcases the untold story of the things those with a disability achieve in the community. First prize is a nifty $1000. Jump onto gateways.com.au for more information.

≈≈ Run Geelong

Time to do some warmup stretches and invest in a good pair of runners as Run Geelong has come around for another year.

Held on November 22 the event will be supporting the redevelopment of the Geelong Hospital Special Care Nursery. Hit up www.runaustralia.com.au to register.

≈≈ Taste of Melbourne

Any celebration about food and we’re there. As part of the Taste of Melbourne festival you’ll get the chance to enjoy in the dream tasting menu of 50 dishes devised by some of Melbourne’s latest and greatest restaurants as well as learn a bit about getting to the finished product through a series of master classes. The event is held at Albert Park from November 12-14.

≈≈ Art in the Rat

For a chance to see some of Australia’s leading celebrities depicted by some of the countries best artists, head down to the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. The exhibition will run until November 15, visit archibalballarat. com.au for more information.

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24 Hour Experience Written by Amanda Sherring

Woody Allen once said, “I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” It’s a sentiment that’s echoed by many, and something Michelle Dunn will be talking about in her shows Death Over Lunch and Let’s Talk About Death for the 24 Hour Experience in Ballarat.

JJ

Essentially the event is an immersive experience that begins at noon on November 21 and finishes at noon on November 22 with a show every hour covering everything from Chinese culture in Ballarat to Michelle’s shows of death.

“The topic of death is quite interesting; it’s universal, we’re all gonna die at some point but no one really likes to talk about it – so I thought that would be a really interesting topic to start exploring,” Michelle says.

The topic appealed to Michelle both for its universal nature, but also after being given a list of local organisations early on in planning for the event which featured the Bereavement Network.

“In the very beginning it was just about exploring ideas that might be interesting and when I looked down the list I really got stuck with the Bereavement Network and was really interested in who they were and what they did,” she says.

The interest soon lead to a series of meetings with the network to discover what they offer and what they’d be interested in and then Michelle’s idea took hold. In two shows she will look at creating positive discussions around death; one through the use of soundscapes from interviews she has conducted and the other through a general discussion.

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“The real focus for us is about having candid positive conversations that, I guess, free people a bit and enable them to go away from the show and have those conversations in their own lives with partners and family and kids,” Michelle says.

Surprisingly, from interviewing numerous people on their experiences with death for her soundscapes, Michelle found that all were very open with their experiences. In particular, she interviewed a woman who was facing death herself.

“One of the women I interviewed recently was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and went into remission and last year she was diagnosed again for the second time with cancer,” she says.

“When I asked her, ‘Would you be interested?

Obviously you would have thought about death to have been faced with death twice’, she said it would be an honour and a really cathartic process to be able to talk to me about this. So it’s interesting for people who are actually facing death or the possibility of dying that they are sort of grateful to be able to have a conversation about it.”

Throughout her interviews Michelle also talked with a doctor in an emergency ward, someone who has been affected by suicide and a woman who, when she was 9 years old, had a fight with her mother who had a heart attack and died during the argument. The personal stories open up the conversation, and really bring home that everyone has some story to tell or an experience with death and grieving.

These interviews will be used as part of the soundscape in Let’s Talk About Death and to open up the discussion about the normally taboo subject.

“The voices in the soundscape are really speaking things that I think will hit home to people and remove it from being, ‘Oh, I know that person’, and associating it with that person’s family. I hope that removing the visual aspects helps people connect to it on a universal level and perhaps to their own life as well,” she says.

One of the biggest things Michelle has learnt, and that she hopes audiences will too, is that by having the discussion of death it takes away the fear from the inevitable.

“The universal thing that keeps coming out of these conversations is that people who are really faced with death, whether it’s from someone they know or directly, they become much more, not aggressive in living, but really driven to live the best possible life they can,” she says.

“It’s almost if we were able to be more public in our discussions or in our grief, that grief and death becomes more accepted to be more talked about and I think life becomes more richer because of that.”

Shows are scheduled for every hour of the event, to find out more information and to purchase tickets visit 24hourexperience.com.au.

When & Where: Various locations, Ballarat – November 21-22

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Ruby Boots JJ

Written by Tex Miller

Ruby Boots has definitely delivered one of the albums of the year. Following on from her self

titled EP from a few years back, she has definitely stepped up to the plate to deliver a perfect slice of country infused folk-rock, with a healthy dose of pop thrown into the mix.

As we begin to chat about the latest album and what 2015 has had in store for Boots, it’s quite easy to see that there are no signs of slowing down yet with an action packed 2016 already taking shape.

A few days before taking the stage at Out on the Weekend, the best Americana and country music festival in Australia, it seems that the nerves are starting to take hold a little.

“To be completely honest with you, it is a little bit of a nervous time because it is a really special festival to my heart,” she says.

“I want to do a good job and just play the best I can. I have got quite a bit of rest leading up to the performances which is good because it means that I am really on my game. We just got back from a US tour and have played a couple of Australian festivals as well, so I think that we are well prepared for our upcoming festival slots and headline shows.”

Like many performers before her, Boots travelled over to the US and, having experienced the live music culture for myself last year, it’s no surprise to learn that she is already booking more dates and a possible Canadian tour for 2016.

“I was a little bit apprehensive about how the new material was going to go in an international format, but it was really well received. I started out in LA and moved south from there, played a few shows in Nashville and one in New York, self managing and booking the tour myself was a big feat and an eye opening experience,” she says.

Solitude right from the beginning is a stunning album which develops on the sounds that we have grown to love through the previous releases. Throughout 2016, we are going to have the opportunity to see the album in the live format many times as Boots tours around the country playing various festivals and headline shows.

2015 Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards

Announced on the first line-up for the 40th Port Fairy Folk Festival taking over the coastal town over the Labour Day weekend next March, it will make a welcome return for Boots who made her debut playing with the Stray Sisters (Donna and Vikki from The Waifs) a few years back.

“I am absolutely over the moon about playing Port Fairy, I have wanted to play for a few years and I guess it all comes down to what you are releasing. It feels like my hard work is paying off and things are finally going right. Playing with the Stray Sisters was my first Port Fairy experience and it’ll be great to get the band down there. I can’t wait,” Boots beams.

Influenced by one of the greatest country albums of the

Philly

past two decades Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Solitude is a great first record by Ruby Boots. With the follow up in the works, be sure to check this album out and whilst Ruby Boots is on the road throughout the end of 2015 and early 2016.

When & Where: Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy - March 11-14

Written by Natalie Rogers

Written by Amanda Sherring

A blue carpet, there’ll be no pretentious red here, takes you through the large wooden doors of the Meat Market in North Melbourne, passed a waiter serving Carlton Dry and to the party. Celebrating all that is and ever was of independent music in Australia for the past 12 months. The room is buzzing, and rightly so, as independent artists in the country are achieving some great things and deserve all the praise and excitement they can get.

JJ

After an hour or so of mingling and taking advantage of the stubbies of Carlton Dry at hand, formal proceedings begin: though formal is used very, very loosely. Dylan Lewis, you may remember him bringing you the sweet tunes on Video Hits, is the main man for the night, ensuring there’s laughter all round and awkwardness on stage is felt only when a laugh is the natural flow on.

Murray Cook (aka the red Wiggle) gave a keynote speech on independence and performances by John Butler, Airling, Bad//Dreems, Dead Letter Circus and Harts broke up the individual awards. Unlike the formal style awards nights are usually conducted in, the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards were relaxed, natural and proved to all that everyone involved in the industry are in it for the right reason. While all nominees are winners (and even those who are independent artists that didn’t get nominated, your time will come), the lucky recipients are listed below:

Image credit: Aleksander Jason

Image credit: Kristoffer Paulson

WINNERS Best Independent Artist (Presented by Carlton Dry):

Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album:

Courtney Barnett

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – I’m in Your Mind Fuzz

Best Independent Album: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit.

Best Independent Single or EP (Presented by RDIO): Courtney Barnett – Depreston Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year (Presented by PPCA):

Best Independent Dance / Electronica Album: Flight Facilities – Down to Earth Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single: Hayden James – Something About You Best Independent Jazz Album:

#1 Dads

Barney Mcall – Mooroolbark

Best Independent Hip Hop Album:

Best Independent Classical Album:

Seth Sentry – Strange New Past

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra – Brandenburg Celebrates

Best Independent Country Album: Frank Yamma – Uncle Best Independent Blues and Roots Album: C.W. Stoneking – Gon’ Boogaloo

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Being named as ‘New Talent of the Year’ at the recent National Indigenous Music Awards is only the latest accolade that Mildura’s rising hip hop artist Philly has received in his short career.

In 2010 he was awarded the National Noel Tovey Achievement Award and was picked as Mildura’s NAIDOC Artist of the Year – but Philly says his major break came after winning triple j’s Unearthed NIMA last year. “I’ve felt so blessed over the past five years – and to be recognised at that level is amazing.”

JJ

Best Independent Label: Milk! Records

Winning one of triple j’s most coveted awards helped to strengthen his ties with two of the country’s leading forces in Indigenous hip hop, Briggs and Jimblah. “I just signed to Briggs’ new label, Bad Apples, so I get a lot of advice from him,” Philly smiles, “and Jimblah is another artist who has reached out to me and loves to give advice. It’s been such a big help to have those two as contacts.”

With Philly’s career on an upward trajectory, he’s a perfect addition to the already stellar line-up set to take the stage for the return of NaranaFEST. Not since 2007 has the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre put on a live music event of this size. Headlined by Archie Roach, who also celebrates the 25th anniversary of Charcoal Lane at the festival – and the significance of the occasion is not lost on the humble songwriter.

“I’ve had the honour of meeting Uncle Archie a couple of times now, but I don’t think he ever remembers me!”

Philly laughs. “But it’s always cool to see him perform – he’s a beautiful soul and an amazing person.”

At NaranaFEST Archie Roach and Philly will be joined

by Yirrmal, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Frazer A. Gorman and Ezekiel Ox & DJ Marze, just to name a few.

“All of the acts are incredible artists in their own right,” he continues. “It’s always a privilege to perform alongside artists that are doing so much for Australian music.”

Philly’s passion for music, his culture and the community is obvious when he speaks about wanting to incorporate the traditional language of the Wemba-Wemba people into his song writing.

“Learning this language is really important to me – it’s not just for my music but also for me. I believe it’s something I should learn, to be closer to my people and my culture.

Unfortunately, because I’ve been so flat-out lately I haven’t been able to study it as much as I would like to – and I need to be fluent before I start using it, so that I’m not lying,” Philly admits, “but I think it will be very powerful in my music.”

Earlier this year triple j listeners felt the full force of Philly’s talent when he performed a cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ for Like a Version, accompanied by Jayden Lillyst (who’ll be appearing with Philly at NaranaFEST).

“We’re both still buzzing from the triple j response,” he says. Their rendition was voted as one of the top covers of the year and is included in triple j’s Like a Version Vol 11.

Philly and Lillyst are currently working on an EP. “Together me and my brotherman Jayden have an acoustic hip hop vibe, and we think it brings something different to the hip hop scene,” he says.

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

beyond the valley Side Stage at Beyond the Valley

Franklin’s Classic American

When festivals in the past used to be all about the music, lately it’s so much more about the overall experience. A festival should be somewhere you want to spend the day, regardless of whether your favourite band is playing or not. Beyond the Valley is one such festival that offers up the whole package, from quality food offerings, to luxurious sleeping options and plenty of entertainment in between. Front row isn’t where it’s all at. Here’s just a taster of what’s on offer at the boutique festival.

When was the last time you had a good hot dog and fries? Strike that. When was the last time you had a good hot dog and fries at a festival? It’s a hard thing to master but Franklin’s Classic American have more than done it, and proven so as they’ve toured around at events like Moomba, Laneway Festival and St Kilda Festival.

Luxury Camping Options Sometimes camping at festivals can be a traumatic experience, especially for those who don’t have a knack for camping but still want the convenience of being at the site that a hotel normally can’t offer. That’s where BTV’s luxury camping options come in. With a variety of different teepee options, featuring deluxe linen, padlocks, a comfortable mattress and more, it makes for a pleasant stay no matter what the weather is. There’s nothing worse than staying at a hotel outside of the site and missing your favourite band as you’re stuck in traffic. Don’t be that person who missed out.

Mick’s Place We don’t know about you, but donuts are one of our biggest loves at the moment. So having the chance to listen to San Cisco, the Kite String Tangle and Miami Horror while eating a Nutella donut seems like bliss to us.

Inflatable World Further proof that BTV have thought of everything to keep you fuelled, entertained and well-groomed at the festival, the team have created ‘Inflatable World’. A space for friends, and soon-to-be friends, to seek delight in other embarrassment and failure – much like TV show Wipeout. There’s also zorb balls to keep you entertained (think bubble soccer from the Bachelor and you’re on the money).

Notable mentions in the foodie offerings are...

Twisto Potatoes, Mary Jane Burgers, Baby Burger, Vodka Slushies and more.

If you need some music to tip you over, playing over the weekend will be; Flight Facilities, Ivan Ooze, Jamie XX, The Kite String Tangle, Odd Mob, RL Grime and more. Beyond the Valley still have tickets and camping options available.

To purchase tickets visit the website: beyondthevalley.com.au.

When & Where: Lardner Park – December 29-January 1

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The Bon Scotts JJ

The Bon Scotts are back on the road again,

and they’ll be bringing their happy-go-lucky sound to Geelong in November. “The tour’s been lots of fun. Lots of driving, there’s been lots of gigging,” shares front man Damien Sutton. “It’s really nice ‘cause we’ve had a bit of a break, so it’s good to be back and doing it.”

Back with their infectious new single ‘Good Times’, the six-piece are touring the east coast of Australia for the fist time in five months, and they are ready to put on a show that will get you dancing.

“We’re pretty rowdy…We like to put on a good show and get people singing along and dancing and clapping and what not. Yeah, we’re pretty flamboyant,” Sutton says with a laugh.

With an upcoming album out early next year, their set list is a mix of new and old, or as Sutton says, “Catchy old songs”. “You’ll hear the new single and a couple of other new songs, but we’ll be playing a few of the older songs as well.”

In itself, ‘Good Times’ is a song reminiscent of what we love from The Bon Scotts. It’s bold, quirky, and slightly raucous with a pop edge, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find out the origins of the moving track.

Suiciety JJ

It’s almost ironic that the Back to the

Future day in the movie landed around the same time Suiciety returned from a 19-year break. Though the return is not one alongside a crazy scientist and gawky teen boy.

“Where’s my hoverboard by the way?” Adam Cooper adds with a laugh.

Back to the Future jokes aside, Suiciety spent 19 years living life, having children and travelling before a few jam sessions made them realise they were ready to hit the stage again.

“When we had those catch up nights it was just like it was the next day, and it was like with your family. We did spend a lot of time together back in the day, it was 24/7 with us, good times and bad,” he says.

Kicking off where they left back in 1996 as they recorded their EP Crawling Machine Edition, the band are now releasing it into the world and doing a follow up tour.

Once described as the “mosh pit, housewreckers of the highest order”, Adam says that things are still much the same but they’ve matured a lot since the raucous antics of the ‘90s.

“We’ve matured obviously – just with the relationship dynamic. I think we’re pretty much the same but I think the

Written by Jessica Morris

“I had a very good friend from when I was very young – we met when we were five. We went all through school together and so forth, and I left the town I grew up in, and my friend kind of got into drugs and so forth,” shares Sutton.

“A few years later we drifted out of contact, and I found out that he’d actually been killed. It was really hard because I was trying to track him down at the time.”

Instead of crafting a sombre melody to match the horrific circumstances, he purposely chose to write an upbeat song.

“I’m not very good at writing serious songs, so I wrote a song about it to try and, I don’t know, understand it, I guess,” he shares. “I remember the good things about him, and the fun we had, and not so much the sadness surrounding the circumstances.”

Turning his feelings into music is a continual process for Damien, and he laughs as he likens it to therapy. “I think I deal with most of my frustrations, my personal frustrations and the frustrations of the world and government, and even things like friendships and enemies I guess, they’re all sort of worked out in music,” he says.

In itself, The Bon Scotts is made of vastly different people.

So much so that Sutton concedes, “Most of us are kind of strangers outside the band”. This though, simply gives them the recipe for a lot of fun on the road.

“When we get together we have a lot to catch up on, and there’s a lot of storytelling. I guess we end up talking so

Rainbow Serpent recently announced

massive additions to their lineup for the 19th annual festival to be held over four days on Australia Day weekend in Lexton, Victoria.

Amongst the list of world-class international musicians announced today are US performers Pretty Lights, Emancipator and Bluetech who will appear alongside UK artists James Monro, Ed Solo, Tripswitch and Nikki S. Pretty Lights, also known as Derek Vincent Smith, has been hailed as a modern day musical genius creating albums that span the great eras of the last century; from modern classical and jazz to 60s soul and beyond. His shows are renowned for their multifaceted creativity encompassing both auditory and visual realms.

Rainbow fans will also enjoy performances by Efdemin, Dasha Rush, and Jossie Telch who make up just some of the 40 international acts to appear at the event that has earned a cult following from its 15,000 annual attendees.

Festival organiser, Tim Harvey, says the 2016 lineup is one of their strongest ever.

“We’re really excited to be taking patrons on a grand, world tour of musical tastes and treats.

“Once again we’ve delivered a music program rich in diversity and there will be something that appeals to everyone across our six music stages,” he said.

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When & Where: Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 8

You can catch the ruckus and fun of The Bon Scotts at Beav’s Bar on Sunday 8 November. Tickets are available at oztix.com.au.

Written by Alexander Lightfoot

song writing is a little bit different just due to time and life experience,” he says.

While the band’s new songs are quite different, it’s remarkable how well those songs recorded back in 1996 fit into the music scene of today.

“I think our music is even more relevant now, for me being the main lyricist, I think they’re more relevant now than when we wrote them,” he says. “‘Junkie’, the song on the EP, is about being addicted to media, and mass media. When I wrote it then, it was about people getting sucked in by mass media news and TV, and now it’s 24/7 on our mobile phones so it’s more relevant now I think.”

Now with the EP out, the tour is the next thing on the list to follow, and while things have changed a little since their last gig, their love for the country shows are just the same as they left them.

“We always had a great time playing country gigs, so many great stories from playing those gigs,” he says.

“I remember one night in Geelong seeing the Geelong footballers blind wearing moccasins down at the Barwon Club. Country people are just so appreciate of live music and come along in numbers and just have a ball.

“But we’ve just had crazy, crazy times down in the country shows and we’re bringing along those rock ‘n’ roll guys manic manic who are just insanity and those awesome chicks from tequila mockingbird.”

Rainbow Serpent Update JJ

much that the time flies in the car driving eight hours from Byron to Sydney,” Sutton says.

With the intensity of rehearsals and press, touring is more relaxing for the diverse group. So what is their favourite part of the adventure? “I would say eating food.”

“We’re all kind of foodies so we eat a lot, as you can probably tell when we play and we jump around and our bellies kind of wobble.”

The festival’s domestic acts were also announced today with the The Opiuo Band, HMC, Tornado Wallace, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Jamie Stevens, The Bombay Royale and Mista Savona among the 100 Australian musicians and bands set to appear at one of the world’s most renowned and bestloved transformational festivals.

“We’re proud of our record of supporting the Australian music industry by providing a platform for so many artists to showcase their unique talent every year,” said Mr. Harvey, “Aussie musicians have been on the cutting edge of electronic production from the very beginning, and it’s important they are acknowledged locally while they are taking the rest of the world by storm.”

Rainbow Serpent is not just a music festival, with an array of international and local visual artists set to transform the rural Victorian landscape into an explosion of creativity and colour.

A workshop area with five stages will also host countless talks, yoga sessions and a dedicated children’s area alongside free healing therapies, art galleries and many other activities.

Rainbow Serpent are launching their 2016 festival with the annual Urban Gathering, featuring some of Australia’s most talented musicians alongside various workshops on 31 October at Ceres Environment Park in Melbourne.

The full lineup, tickets and details for both the Rainbow Serpent Festival and Urban Gathering are available at www.rainbowserpent.net.

When & Where: The Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – November 6, The Eastern, Ballarat – November 13 & The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 28

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Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk JJ For your daily dose of Southern-style blues, be sure to hit up Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, as nobody does it quite like them. Currently on the road touring their new album Drive, we had a chat to Chris Russell about what it’s all about...

So you’re currently touring around the place, how are the shows going?

We’re getting a pretty amazing response and so far, more than half the gigs have been playing to new audiences. We take a lot of pride in giving it everything and love going for it, so the crowds have responded really well. I usually walk off stage covered in sweat, spilt beer and kisses.

And how is life on the road? We did see you had a nice stubby of VB so it can’t be too bad!

It’s pretty tiring but pretty cool. The same day we were having VBs at the Paragon in Goulburn we were breakfasting in Newtown, getting our minds blown at the National Gallery in Canberra and playing at a German Club. Ich liebe Lederhosen!

Your new album Drive has been launched into the world, how have fans responded to it so far?

It’s always interesting to hear what people dig. With Shakedown it took about six months for crowd favourites to emerge. I think Drive has a few more layers so I’d expect it to have a similar response. At the moment a lot of people seem to dig ‘Snub Nose .38’, ‘Mermaids’ and ‘Cry Yourself To Death’.

It is known that you haven’t really taken a break between touring and releasing new music, is there a break in sight? What do you think will be the first thing you’ll do?

There is no end in sight! I think we’re busy till February and by the time it rolls around it’ll be full up. If we ever get time I think I’d like to collapse in a screaming heap!

The new album does delve into film noir stylings and narrative, did you actually watch many films, were there any in particular that inspired the album?

I watched a bunch when I was writing. ‘Drive All Night’ was inspired by the opening scene of ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’. Both the 1946 Lana Turner film and the 1981 remake with Jessica Lange.

I’d recommend ‘The Big Sleep’ and ‘Out Of The Past’ to anyone who hasn’t seen them. Sharp and sexy dialogue, hair pin plot turns, and momen to die for.

With Dave working on the album we heard there have been more risks taken, who is more of the risk taker; Dave or yourself ?

I think we kinda work as one. Often I’ll come up with the initial spark but as soon as Dave starts drumming it changes. Sometimes I bring the tiniest half a bar of an idea and we both spin it into something.

Sometimes the initial idea will be from a conversation we have on the way to a gig. Sometimes a phrase or an idea will stick with me so I’ll start scribbling away.

He’s left brain, I’m right brain.

When & Where: Barwon Club, Geelong – November 13

Patrick Wilson & the Bare River Queens Q&A JJ

There’s a certain nostalgia for the

relationships of the past, and delivered with a bit of country twang, Patrick Wilson and the Bare River Queens capture the feeling perfectly with their new album.

Hi Pat, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte, how are you and what are you up to the moment?

Thanks for having me. The band and I have been pretty busy preparing for the album launch. We’re making sure we play a really good show and everyone on the night has a great time. We are also setting up gigs to follow after; including the Bendigo Blues and Roots festival, so there is a lot of exciting stuff happening for us this summer.

So the album isn’t far off getting released, how are you feeling ahead of launching it into the world?

It has been really exciting and rewarding seeing this record come together over the past 12 months. I’m so lucky to have such a great band and sound engineer behind me to help produce something I’m truly proud of. We can’t wait to show everyone what we have been working on over the past year and we hope that our fans like the album as much as we do.

Given this follows on from an EP, how did you find the transition from EP to LP in terms of recording and its creation?

Well I found I needed to be more organised in terms of recording, because I had to work with five other

Dallas Frasca JJ

musicians other than just myself. But the Bare River Queens are all so talented and so great to work with it really made it more enjoyable collaborating with them. I was very lucky finding my sound engineer and producer, Thomas Robinson, for the album. He has been my house mate for a little more than a year so it was so convenient to work with him, and he was just as passionate about producing an album as I was.

You also landed a spot at Tamworth Country Music Festival, which is pretty incredible; do you remember the moment you found out?

Tamworth was so great, the atmosphere and the energy from the crowds was enough to make you forget it was 45 degrees. When I found out I was so pumped but really anxious at the same time because I had only played one gig with the Bare River Queens and we were still pretty fresh. But once we were up there we played every single day for at least three hours so by the end of the festival we could play our songs upside down.

While you grew up in the ‘90s your sound is more in the ‘50/60s realm, when did you find a love for music of this time? Did you grow up listening to it?

Being exposed to my dad’s record collection as a kid really shaped what sort of music I listen to. I can remember listening to the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison and Neil Young in the car and just adoring it. Once I started to sing and play guitar I drew a lot of inspiration from these artists and tried to emulate their sound in my own way.

Your tracks do talk of the love, hardship, heartbreak and hope of rural life, are there any tales on the release that are particularly memorable for you?

No one song really sticks out for me, but the songs that are on the album reflect a time in my life where I had loved and lost, and was in a transitional period for work and career aspects. I suppose the collection of songs on the album symbolise the turning point for me as a musician where I decided to fully pursue my passion.

How did you first come to working with the Bare River Queens?

While studying music at Collarts I was lucky enough to meet some great friends and musicians. We shared the same music interests and thought it’d be great to form a band. I had been playing around Geelong and Melbourne just as a solo act for a few years but once I moved up to Melbourne to study I wanted to form a band and make more noise. Before I met the Bare River Queens I had recorded an EP with drums, guitar, violin and bass on it, so as soon as I released the record I wanted to have a band and create the same sound live.

When & Where: Album Launch @ The Catfish, Fitzroy – October 30 & Blues & Roots Festival, Bendigo November 5-8

Written by Jariah Travan

Over 750 shows, including 150 festival slots and the ability to

keep raging when Dallas Frasca cracks her skull crowd surfing at the Big Pineapple Music Festival, 2015 has already been one helluva year for the fiery Melburnian riff-rockers Dallas Frasca.

An early version of the group produced a huge sound as an alt-duo, with a bizarre mix of dobros and home-made instruments. Now a trio, with Josh Eales on the drums, the act has built a global following, and made friends in high places, collaborating with Ugly Kid Joe and The Bell Rays earlier this year.

“We toured with The Bell Rays earlier this year, we did this great tour and Lisa and I just fell in love with each other.

We had two days off, so we thought why not and recorded a couple songs?” she says.

“You learn so much from those situations, we also randomly met the guys from Ugly Kid Joe, so we ended up going into the studio with them and they’ve just put that track on their album. They haven’t released a studio album in 20 years, so we’re wrapped!”

The inspiring trio have cemented themselves as a band dedicated to touring and are rarely off the road, interrupting Dallas while she’s doing a bit of song writing, she assures me the best is yet to come.

“It’s been a really good year for the band, we feel really inspired at the moment, and it’s a good time for us,” Dallas says.

Labelled as the modern day Janis Joplin, riff-maven rocker Dallas says Joplin, “sort of broke the mould”.

“Women like that really inspire me to be different and be yourself through your music and not fall into those trends,” she says. And it couldn’t have been truer with their latest album Love Army released earlier this year, which was written over a span of three tours to Europe.

“We wrote a lot of the stuff on the road, in hotel rooms in Paris, in London, the albums mixed, you know? And I think it’s because of the influences of different cultures and different places,” she says.

The album was produced by New York legend Andy Baldwin (Bjork, St Lucia, Cat Empire) after the band had worked in a few different studios but last minute said, “Fuck, we need Andy man” and changed producers.

“We’re really proud of the record we did; there’s been a lot of love put into it,” Dallas beams.

Fast becoming one of Australia’s most exciting and revered bands across the globe, and renowned for their electrifying sets, Dallas says she can’t wait to get back to The Loft.

“We are big fans of the guys who run the Loft and Torquay has a really cool music scene, so we’re really looking forward to it,” Dallas says.

“It’s going to be a really good show, we’ve got really kick ass supports so come down and watch some kick ass original music. Get off the computer, come dance your ass off, or mosh or jump off the stage, you know, be in the moment.”

When & Where: Torquay Hotel, Torquay – November 6 & The Loft, Warrnambool – November 14

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barwon club

captain

barwon club

beavs bar

beavs bar

captain

eureka

eureka

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home house

odyssey

home house

odyssey

slate pool lounge

THERE the max THERE

pistol petes

the juke

pistol petes

slate pool lounge

the juke

WORKERS there there CLUB

the max

workers club

WORKERS CLUB

workers club

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Film and Music Reviews

the wrap

Films reviewed by Anthony Morris

films Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension:

The long-running franchise does it all over again, only this time in 3D. Which doesn’t add much.

Black Mass:

Johnny Depp plays real-life Boston crime boss, Whitey Bulger, as a kind of serialkilling vampire, which makes it a little hard to figure out why FBI agent Joel Edgerton is happy to cover up his crimes for him.

The Dressmaker

Mistress America

Sleeping With Other People

Bridge of Spies

When you think “Australian film” and stop thinking about grim tales of inner-city junkies, The Dressmaker is probably the kind of film that comes next: a big, sprawling, uneven but wellcostumed, tale of Aussie-as types making jokes then getting serious at the drop of a hat.

No surprise then that this adaptation of Rosalie Ham’s successful novel was penned by P.J. Hogan of Muriel’s Wedding fame (and Mental infamy); it was his work back in the ‘90s alongside Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Strictly Ballroom that really set this tone in stone.

It’s the 1950s and Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) has returned to the tiny bush town she grew up in to get revenge on the various smallminded types that made her life hell. Her weapon? A sewing machine. With more than a few whiplash tone shifts – you’ll laugh you’ll cry is one way to put it – and a lot of performances that “broad” doesn’t begin to cover, this could have easily been a big mess. But Winslet keeps Tilly real no matter what, while Judy Davis as her crazy mum and Liam Hemsworth as a hunky footballer provide quality support. It’s the kind of over-the-top comedy Australia made when Australians went to see their own movies. There’s a good chance with this, they will again.

Tracy (Lola Kirke) is an 18-year-old university student struggling to fit into a New York that doesn’t seem all that interested in her. Her classes don’t excite her, her literary dreams are flailing, her fellow students largely ignore her, and so when her mother suggests she call up her soon-to-be sister (Tracy’s mother is marrying her father) Brooke (Greta Gerwig), she figures she’s got nothing to loose.

Turns out the 30-year-old Brooke is a bit of a free-spirit – or loose cannon – who drags Tracy into her high energy world of parties and schemes and living life to the fullest. Put another way, Brooke is another, slightly more cartoony, version of the character Gerwig (who co-wrote the script with director and partner Noah Baumbach) played in Frances Ha, only this time she remains static while Tracy is the one who grows and matures.

It’s more of a comedy than Frances Ha – an extended middle act is a comedy of manners as the duo and a bunch of hangers-on invade a mansion owned by Brooke’s now-married frenemy – and feels lesser for it. But Kirke is excellent as a young woman coming into herself; Brooke may be having fun, but Tracy’s the one who takes it to heart.

Twelve years ago at university Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake ( Jason Sudeikis) lost their virginity to each other. Now Jake is a happy and financially successful womaniser, while Lainey is sabotaging any chance at a real relationship by clinging to the man (Adam Scott) she was originally trying to sleep with 12 years ago. When they meet by chance at a sex addicts meeting, they decide that they’re going to try to keep their friendship platonic.

They may have a safe word (“mousetrap”) for when things get too sexy, but what happens when they get too close emotionally? Goodlooking people who are also funny talking about sex? What could go wrong? And for large chunks of this film, nothing does.

But while there are plenty of laughs and a few heartfelt moments, tonally it’s a bit wobbly (he’s a cool guy, she’s a bit of a wreck), which means that not everything here gels. Eventually this becomes a real problem as the film stumbles towards a finish that’s both predictable yet anticlimactic. Great performances from the two leads and a lot of solid jokes somehow make the misfires here more disappointing than they’d be in a film that was a wreck all the way through.

It’s 1957, and Cold War tensions are high, which means defending an accused Soviet spy is a bad look for insurance lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks). But with the world watching, the Americans feel that justice has to be seen to be done, even with a guilty verdict locked in.

Donovan ends up arguing that Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) should avoid the death penalty because a Soviet spy could be a handy thing for the US to have around. When U2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers is shot down over Russia and the Soviets want to trade spy for spy, he’s proven right.

As another of Steven Spielberg’s portraits of an American doing good largely by doing a good job, this lacks the grandeur of Lincoln while maintaining the focus on entertainingly wordy backroom deals (and Tom Hanks once again plays decency personified). There’s plenty of wry humour scattered throughout to undercut the patriotism (the Coen brothers worked on the script), while the grit of the East Berlin swap talks in the film’s back half provides some muchneeded tension in a film that’s more interested in saluting honest men (on either side) doing an honest job. Even if that job’s spying.

Caligula’s Horse

Metric

Nicholas Allbrook

Ali Barter

The Wildeornes

Bloom

PAGANS IN VEGAS

WALRUS EP

AB-EP

Erosions of The Self

InsideOut Music Reviewed by Alastair McGibbon

Create/Control Reviewed by Amanda Sherring

Spinning Top Records Reviewed by Alexander Lightfoot

Ronnie Records/MGM Reviewed by Tex Miller

Independent Reviewed by Tex Miller

Caligula’s Horse may not have been around for too long, but they’re making their mark on the music scene in a big way. Their third album – and latest effort – Bloom, is an emotional, melodic fusion of rock and progressive metal.

Prog rock/metal is the style of music that rewards patience, and Bloom certainly does that; while it may start soft and slow, the crescendo that the band builds to is excellent.

Their sound is familiar, but unique; they sound rather like Karnivool, but with an excellent metal twist. Bloom isn’t really the kind of album that you can pick apart and listen to tracks individually – it’s the kind of album that needs to be listened to all in one go in order to really appreciate that band’s work.

Caligula’s Horse really show off their depth; Bloom is quiet and almost plaintive at times, only to switch to high-tempo, energetic tracks like ‘Turntail’ when you least expect it. Melodic guitar dances over the top of punchy, cymbal-heavy drums and really showcases their talents; Bloom is populated with some really catchy, intricate guitar work, and overall comes across as the kind of album that would have prog fans salivating.

How is it that every time Metric come out with a new album, this just happens to be their sixth, they muster a new collection of catchy tunes that say something to the everyday person? ‘Lie Lie Lie’ opening the album is such a tune with the underlying message “everybody told me take what you can get”. There’s the sonic synth edge that we’ve come to love from Metric and, if anything, this album is a reaffirmation of why we love the band.

‘The Shade’ starts off quite startling, but it’s actually one of the relatively smoother tracks on the album. It’s all about the slight moments of surprise in this album, though as iconic as the beginning tune is, I can’t say I’m a fan when it plays on in the background of the chorus - less is more. Things get seriously ‘80s when ‘Cascades’ comes along, and I’m not kidding. This track has the ability to transport you to an ‘80s disco in Malibu, whether you’re sitting in the office or going for a run. It’s an edgier track and plays with Emily Haines’ vocals to maintain the synth edge to everything in the single. This is an album that will please the fans, gain a set of new followers and make for a joyous synth listen.

No doubt about it, this is one of the more experimental releases of the year that really challenges what you know of music, what it should be, what it shouldn’t and just how much we can utilise in creating something beautiful.

Nicholas Allbrook is best known for his work with Tame Impala (ex bass-player) and Pond, and there are twangs of that style that shine through in his tracks. ‘Goode’ ebs and flows between different emotions aided by Allbrook’s ability to contort his voice into anything he imagines. It really takes on that storytelling feel where whatever it takes to get your characters and emotions across. The track culminates in layer upon layer of instrumentals and synth stylings.

It’s mind-altering music at its finest and Allbrook is one of the few who can successfully tap into your mind; sounding as if he’s rattling along in your skull forcing your thoughts out of your ears. The reason he does it well is because if many others were to try, it would simply come across as a mess of sound, but this doesn’t.

Instead, as much as it doesn’t sound like an easy listen, it is. Allbrook pairs harsh sounds together that shouldn’t work but they do.

If you buy the digital copy of Ali Barter’s new EP AB-EP there are plenty of things that can be assured, 1) you are in for nothing but a good time, and 2) you are likely to be rewarded with both the studio release and radio edit of the opening track ‘Blood’. Although when I think about it, it’s really just an extended synth intro than anything else. Having just had her music featured on ABC’s The Beautiful Lie, Barter is definitely bound for big things.

It’s indie pop with an edge and is definitely something that will prick your ears up when you hear it on the radio. This EP, the third in as many years, is something to definitely indulge in.

Musically influenced by the likes of Cat Power, Billy Corgan, Francoise Hardy and Patsy Cline, there is a myriad of influences that you can hear at play throughout the songs on this EP. It’s dark and broody in places that opens the door for deeper musical exploration the more you listen to it.

If you are headed along to Laneway Festival next year, definitely make a time in your schedule to check out Ali Barter. Transfixing with her unique vocal and charismatic stage presence, catch this star on the rise whilst it’s still hip too.

The Wildeornes have just released their second full length album Erosions Of The Self and it is as brutal as a slap in the face. Opening with the track ‘Wildeors Throne’ the guitar riffage in this first song will have you hooked in from the very first power chord: this is power stoner sludge metal at its finest folks and it is incredibly intoxicating. Like most power metal bands, the majority of songs on this album are lengthy with the shortest one going for four minutes. However it is through these lengthy masterpieces that you are able to fully appreciate the work at play.

The drum sound as you would expect from melodic sludge metal is huge and the rolling sound throughout the bridge of ‘Lugubrious’, is highly impressive before hitting you right in the chest with some double kicks. The crowning glory of this album however, is by far ‘The Feast’ in all its 10 minutes of heavy raging sounds encapsulates what this band is all about.

Transitioning from heavy powerful riffs to soft melodic acoustic sounds, it ends an impressive album that should have you heading along to their album launch.

Burnt:

Bradley Cooper plays a brilliant (though now disgraced and looking to make a comeback) chef who is also an arsehole, in perhaps the least shocking character twist of the last century. The food looks pretty nice though.

Crimson Peak:

Not so much a ghost story – though there are ghosts – as a lurid gothic romance, this is oddly flat and uninvolving for a film involving a creepy mansion build on ground that seeps crimson through the snow.

Miss You Already:

Two best friends board an emotional roller-coaster when one gets cancer and the other struggles to fall pregnant. If you’re a fan of people getting sicker and sicker on screen while their friends struggle to cope, this one’s for you

CD’s

San Cisco

Reviewed by Amanda Sherring

live gig reviews

Kubu studio launch

The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, October 24

kubu studio, Friday October 23

Support: Major Leagues

One of the biggest things you can hope for in life is for a place to fit in and people to love you for who you are; this is in part some of what KUBU Studio (Geelong’s newest creative space) has been based off. It is a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of your background, ethnicity, sexuality or struggles you’ve had in life. The studio officially launched last week and it will easily be one of the best things to happen to Geelong of late.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone at the San Cisco gig without a smile on their face and a swagger in their walk. The band just have that uncanny ability to make people feel good. Taking to the stage over the weekend at the Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex with Major Leagues as their support, they left a room full of happy onlookers in their trail.

Brushing through their hits from past releases, everyone was singing along and dancing in no time. What was perhaps more surprising is that everyone was on board for their newer songs from Gracetown as well. That’s something that doesn’t happen very often and is a sign that San Cisco have a knack for putting together catchy, memorable songs – but you already knew that didn’t you?

On stage the band are much like their music, they’re fun, mucking around with both punters and each other. Jordi jumps around alternating between tambourine, guitar and swapping stories with the audience. Chances are you haven’t heard of Major Leagues before, but they’re certainly a band worthy of gracing the support slot for San Cisco. Props to these guys for warming up the crowd and getting all those limbs ready for some dancing – which there was a lot of. Overall, this gig was a lot of fun, and from San Cisco you’d expect nothing less.

Located right near Deakin on Bayley Street in an industrial style building (my guess is an old mechanics) the space ticks all the boxes on what a creative area needs to be; plenty of floor space, a stage and high ceilings.

For the opening night things kicked off at 5.30pm with a sequence of performances from Alex Williams, Johnny El P, the Kremlings, The Underhanded, The Living Eyes, Alice Ivy, Kaptin and Chook & Moluck. Echoing the sentiment of everyone being welcome and the birthplace of the name (Kubu means ‘stronghold’ in Indonesian) an Indonesian dance was one of the entertainments for the night as well as an official welcome to country dance.

A variety of burgers, sliders and fried chicken was supplied by the Daily Food Co, and there was love all round for everything that came off the frypan. If anything, the launch of KUBU Studio was about brining people together and having a conversation. That conversation has now been started with its opening and we look forward to where the discussion leads...

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THE RESULTS OF AN ACID-FILLED SIMPSONS BINGE Ever thought of taking LSD and binging on a marathon of The Simpsons? No? Me neither. However one man did just that this past week, and documented his findings on Reddit. The man known as doobieschnauzer wrote the following:

We are all Marge– we all feel unappreciated when we try to voice concern, and the people we love write us off as a nag. We all feel like we’re being smothered by our loved ones, to the point that we’ll never develop our own personality.

“The Simpsons is the greatest comedy show ever made. The Simpsons is the story of all of us. When the martians come down and ask for Our History, I’m handing them all the seasons of The Simpsons on DVD, or whatever they watch stuff on.

We are all Maggie (thank you for reminding me allthereis_isnothing)– we all feel unappreciated because we feel unheard and easily forgotten. We all have talents that we feel no one can see. And, if you do as many drugs as I do, you probably fall down a lot.

We are all Bart–we all feel unappreciated, because people decide to focus on our flaws instead of our talents. We’ve been influenced by bad people, and been a bad influence.

We all seek thrills that hurt us and those around us.

They all never quite fit in, no matter how hard they try. They’ll all never change.

JJ

We are all Lisa– we all feel unappreciated when we try to be the voice of reason and intelligence, and the people we love ignore us. We all feel like we’re getting nowhere, despite our gifts. We all feel like we’re trapped with people that’ll never get us.

We are all Homer–we all feel unappreciated when we don’t deserve to. We’re all mercurial and willfully ignorant. We all try to numb the pain of a life that’ll never satisfy us, to the point of hurting our brains.

We all have bad parents, we’ll all be bad parents (the ones of us that have kids), and we all find romance in codependency.

Springfield is a human brain. Each inhabitant is a perfect representation of another piece of us.

Shelbyville is another human brain. We hate each other for no reason, even though we’re exactly the same.

The Top 5 Zombie Video Games

The Simpsons evolved American society. They got us talking about corruption on both sides of American politics, gay rights, good and bad parenting, good pet ownership, the ethics of vegetarianism, the tropes in our entertainment, and just about everything else.

The best animators (like Brad Bird) and the best comedy writers worked on The Simpsons, so their template acts as a perfect example for how to write comedy and animate–to the point that EVERYONE’s “ripped them off ”.

But the beauty of The Simpsons is that they “ripped off ” everything they did. The beauty of The Simpsons is that

we are all the same, and everything’s been done before, so you might as well create and express yourself freely.

We are Springfield. We are Simpsons. Matt Groening is a God. Dan Castallaneta, Yeardley Smith, Nancy Cartwright, Julie Kavner, Hank Azarea, and Harry Shearer are some of the best satirists, improvisers, and voice actors who ever lived.

Drop acid and watch The Simpsons everybody. Now is the time of The Simpsons. God bless The Simpsons.”

To read the original, go to: https://www.redd.it/3pa8ns

Written by Michael Loverdos.

Zombie movies. Zombie games. Zombie books. Zombies are pretty much everywhere these days, so if you’re a fan of the bloodthirsty walkers, join me as we take a look at the top five zombie video games worthy of your time: JJ

5. DayZ

4. Dead Rising

3. The Walking Dead

2. House Of The Dead

Day Z started as a mod for a computer game called Arma. It’s now a stand-alone game, but it retains much of its mod charm (such as horrible game breaking bugs).

It’s a Dawn of the Dead remake in a game.

It’s like the books, and not that terrible TV show.

A game so scary it needed to be curtained off at Timezone.

You play as a photographer who helicopters his way into a town that has been quarantined. Of course you find zombies, and lots of them. The great thing about Dead Rising is that everything in the Mall can be used as a weapon. Running from zombies with no health and no weapons? Pick up that traffic cone and throw it at them, it might slow them down.

I’ve never been a huge fan of point and click adventures or quick time events, but it’s really all this game is. In essence, you click on what you are told to click and press what button the screen screams at you to press. Sounds terrible right?

First-Person shooters can be fun.

They get about 1000% more fun when you’re holding a light gun and frantically pulling the trigger as a zombie arm hurtles towards you. While probably not even the best FPS zombie game (I will begrudgingly admit the COD zombie games are quite good) the ability to go to Timezone with a friend, hold an actual gun in your hand and fight off the zombie apocalypse gives it enough bonus points to get it on the list.

The reason it makes the list is because of how similar it can be to The Walking Dead. It’s an always online game that finds you scavenging to survive, but much like The Walking Dead, zombies aren’t really the problem. Zombies are easily disposed of quietly or simply outran.

It’s the other players that are the REAL problem. From a lone shot ringing out before your screen goes black, to mexican stand offs, DayZ teaches us that given the safety of a mouse and keyboard, everyone is a villain in the apocalypse.

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Like all good zombie games, the biggest issue are the people, and this mall has plenty of them. While most of them need your help to get to safety, a few have snapped and become psychopaths. You can avoid most of them, but taking them out will get you rewards that are sometimes too good to pass up.

However there’s something more going on in this game. The decisions you make, while seemingly have little effect to the story at the time, actually come back to haunt you in a terrible way. You didn’t side with your friend in an argument that one time? Well sorry, but three chapters later he is going to call you an asshole and leave with all of the supplies.

Throw in a main character that is both relatable and easily-liked, and you have a great Walking Dead story wrapped in the skin of a good game.

1. The Last of Us

This is what a zombie game should be.

Resources are rare (especially on harder difficulties) so you’re going to do a lot of sneaking around and caving zombie heads in from the shadows. You’ll also come across groups of humans that will always be a challenge (a man in a window with a rifle will be the end of you, just like real life) and the story is compelling; just when you think it couldn’t get more compelling a major injury to the main character flips everything on its head.

This game should be the game all other zombie games try to be, and every zombie movie should borrow heavily from. It’s a 10/10.

So that’s my top five zombie games. It’s pretty clear that, for me, an important part of zombie games is how the human survivors are handled. What makes a good zombie game for you?

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