ISSUE #625
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ANGUS &JULIA STONE Q M F
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“Song writing for both of us is such a personal thing and you have to have so much trust when you co-write .”
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PLUS: Your ultimate 4-page guide to Earthcore 2015
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ed's note
forte issue #625 thursday 12 november 2015
With our first fitness feature now behind us, hidden in your bags and the information well and truly absorbed into your brains, I can safely say I’m feeling pretty motivated to get off my arse and do something towards a healthier lifestyle. It really shouldn’t have taken a feature for me to do it, but sometimes you need that extra little push and source of inspiration to make a change. My first step: buying a bike pump to fill my tyres and get rid of any and all excuses not to ride my bike. This issue I was lucky enough to interview the affable Julia Stone for our cover. She’s long been a woman I’ve looked up to for her confidence on stage, and after discussing that very thing, I think she’ll stay forever as someone I admire.
Also in this issue are the rockers who at the Forte office we have a soft spot for, Lagwagon. We talked with Client Liaison who are taking the world by storm one sequin-laced tune at a time, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Ivan Ooze and discussed the ins and outs with Lady Luck Clothing Fair, and much more. It’s not long until Christmas time, and I’ll be counting down until the holidays and the many parties that come along with it. One of the best things about the end of the year is looking back at what the 365 days held for us and the incredible musicians that emerged.
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KNOW
IN THE
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
A Battle of Lip and Sync
WOMADelaide Second Line Up
Grimes Draws Blood
Gideon Goes Solo
We can all appreciate the wonders of a good lip sync battle. Whether you can sing or not, anyone is possible at putting on a good show. By no surprise TV has tapped into the spectacle and created the masterpiece Lip Sync Battle. Set to appear in the show for 2016 is none other than Channing Tatum and Beyoncé, word is they’re actually tag teaming together.
Soundwave 2016 First Line Up
WOMADelaide have added more than 30 artists to next year’s festival, taking place in March. Leading the second round of artists is UK’s Mercury Prize nominated and politically charged electronic act, Asian Dub Foundation. Also joining the lineup are French-Cuban twin sisters Ibeyi, eight-piece New York ensemble Hazmat Modine, and Israeli-born Ethiopian singer-actress Ester Rada. On the national front All Our Exes Live in Texas, Husky, and Mojo Juju are just some of the Australian acts now gracing the festival. More artists are set to be announced next month. WOMADelaide will take place at Botanic Park in Adelaide from Friday March 11 until Monday March 14.
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Gideon Benson (The Preatures) has announced a Melbourne show to coincide with his debut solo project, hot off the heels from releasing inaugural single ‘All New Low’. The track finds Benson experimenting with ‘90s new wave sounds, turning his full attention to hip hop style beat making for the first time. Get down with Gideon Benson on Friday February 12 at Shebeen.
Ocean’s 11 Gender Reboot
After dropping the first single for her new album, Art Angels, overnight, Grimes has also announced the official Laneway sideshows. Set to play 170 Russell in Melbourne on February 3 tickets are officially on sale this Friday (October 30) via the website. Playing alongside Grimes will be Hana. Be sure to check out her new single ‘Flesh Without Blood’.
It seems that gender swap reboots are the newest fad in the movie world, with Ghostbusters already locked in for a remake, Ocean’s 11 has just been added to the list. Sandra Bullock is set to star in the new take on the popular heist movie. Cara Can Handle a Gun In another example of why Cara Delevingne is a total boss, she recently took to shooting up the place in the Call of Duty: Black Ops III live trailer ahead of its release. The game is out now but we’re still caught up watching Cara kick arse.
FEATURE: After the almost eternal-seeming drip feed, Soundwave have finally officially announced the first round of acts for their 2016 incarnation. The 2016 festival will be headlined by Disturbed, who will be joined at the upper echelons of the bill by NOFX, Deftones, The Prodigy and Public Enemy, alongside the previously announced acts Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine and Refused. Rounding out the first announcement are Metal Allegiance, Hatebreed, Frenzal Rhomb, Failure, Lordi, Devil You Know, Moose Blood, Soulfly, Northlane, Dead Letter Circus, L7, Frnkiero and the Cellabration and Nothing But Thieves, with many more to be announced. Soundwave 2016 will be held on Tuesday January 26 in Melbourne. Visit the Soundwave website for tickets for more information.
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A New Festival Joins the Ranks
The triple j Awards
Melbourne’s Newest Live Music Venue
Adele Is Back
The doom and gloom of festivals closing up has turned its head and the industry can barely keep up with all the new ones getting added. The newest joining the industry is from FBi Radio called FBi SMACs Festival and the line up looks like a bundle of fun. The festival is set for Sydney on January 10. Playing so far are; Cosmo’s Midnight, Tuka, Dustin Tebbutt, Vallis Alps, Black Vanilla, Dro Carey, Palms, Fishing, Shining Bird, Holy Balm, Gordi, Wordlife, B Wise, World Champion, Sampa the Great, Polish Club, Coda Conduct, Dreems, Adi Toohey, Special Guest with more to be announced. Earthcore Final Chance
This month is Aus Music Month and that means it’s also time for the 2015 j awards from triple j. The nominees for Australian Album of the Year are; Alison Wonderland – Run, Alpine – Yuck, Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit, Gang Of Youths - The Positions, Hermitude - Dark Night Sweet Light, Jarryd James - Thirty One, Parkway Drive – Ire, Seth Sentry Strange - New Past, Tame Impala – Currents, The Rubens – Hoops. For unearthed artist of the year; Boo Seeka, Feki, Gordi, Tired Lion, Vallis Alps. Double J Artist of the Year; Blank Realm, Emma Donovan & The PutBacks, Hiatus Kaiyote, Paul Kelly, Tim Rogers. And the Australian Music Video of the Year; Boy & Bear - ‘Walk The Wire’ directed by Darcy Prendergast & Josh Thomas, Briggs - ‘The Children Came Back’ executed by Heath Kerr & Josh Davis, Courtney Barnett - ‘Pedestrian At Best’ directed by Charlie Ford, Flume (feat Andrew Wyatt) - ‘Some Minds’ directed by Clemens Habicht, Life Is Better Blonde ‘Mine’ directed by Natalie Erika James.
The Roof Is On Fire Lido Cinemas, the artiplex situated in the heart of Hawthorn that opened earlier this year, have today launched the program for their rooftop cinema, set to launch in a fortnight. Lido on the Roof is Melbourne’s first rooftop cinema that features latest release films. Lido on the Roof opens on Thursday November 12. Hit their Facebook for more details.
For anyone who doubted whether Adele could come back to her equal status in the industry, don’t read on as you’ll soon be proven wrong. She recently released her first single, ‘Hello’, in four years and it smashed Vevo records for the most views in 24 hours (tallying up to 27.7 million). Taylor Swift previously held the record with just over 20m.
A new live music venue has opened in the heart of the CBD. Named W4, the converted warehouse lies in Coverlid Place right underneath Roxanne Parlour. W4 is the latest venture of Sam Sleigh, Letitia Lillis and Marco Schirru of The Luminosity Group. The main Hard Rockers Hit the Road bandroom can comfortably hold 350 punters, while the more intimate W4 Parlour upstairs holds 200. Stay tuned via the website for more events.
Got It For 99c
Remember the glorious thrift shop Macklemore & Ryan Lewis paraded around in their biggest track? Of course, who could forget it? Well word is that The Value Village vintage store in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighbourhood has closed up shop. Looks like the group will have to find some fur jackets elsewhere…
Frenzal Rhomb will be hitting the ‘burbs this summer as part of the Urban Spread series. With an A-list support crew of Clowns, Hard Aches and Heads Of Charm, tickets are sure to move quicker than those for the local RSL’s meat raffle. It’s happening on Friday January 8 at the Chelsea Heights Hotel and then Saturday January 9 at the Village Green Hotel. Tickets via Urban Spread.
Final release tickets for the ultimate arts, music and lifestyle experience that is earthcore have been released. Scheduled for November 26-30 in Pyalong the line up is headed by Infected Mushroom and followed up with a very impressive list – though you’ll have to check that out for yourself...
Friday Night Lights at the NGV
NGV’s Friday Nights series is back with a huge lineup, launching with after-hours access to groundbreaking exhibition, Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei - a work that brings together two of the most influential artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. Capping it off, a slew of Australian and international musicians will be playing one-off shows at the gallery. Sally Seltmann, Twerps, Bertie Blackman, Moon Duo, Neon Indian, The Apartments, Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders, James Chance & the Contortions, Jenny Hval, Luluc, Black Cab, Queen Sea Big Shark, Silicon, Ngaiire, Xylouris White, Blank Realm, Deradoorian and Regurgitator will all take the stage along with DJs and short exhibition talks. The largest lineup yet for the series comes after last season’s sell-out run. Friday Nights at NGV will run from Friday December 11 - Friday April 22 at the NGV International.
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T H E
f o rt n i g ht l y
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12TH AWME BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Uni Tech Night BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7:30pm BEAVS BAR: Live Music 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: Corn Liquor Cowboys THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13
SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL: Paige Duggan, Ari & Rhiannon, Mark With the Sea WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm; Favoured Nations
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13TH ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE: Face the Music Industry Conference
AWME BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): David Craft BARWON CLUB: Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BIRD ROCK: It’s Friday B!tches BLACK HATT: Detonators CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ THE EASTERN: Suiciety, Mammoth Mammoth, Tequila Mockingbyrd, Swhat 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: Forbidden Broadway THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Dear Ivy HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Baro THE LOFT WARRNAMBOOL: Cosmic Psychos THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: Trojan ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Alex Burns with special guest Troy Wilson
SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat)BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL: Uptown Brown, Ultrafox
EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night, Hidden Forest Invasion GPAC: Todd McKenny Sings Peter Allen; Forbidden Broadway
THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Abe Anderson HOME HOUSE: Travlos KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Dumb Punts THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Dallas Frasca MAX HOTEL: Hey Charger NARANAFEST ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: Greg Dodd & the Hoodoo Men SPHINX HOTEL: Mr Meaner STREETLIFE MUSIC FESTIVAL SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL: Bustamento
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15TH BEAVS BAR: David Bridie BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Simon Marks, Dan Duggan BARWON CLUB: Trojan 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: Levi Anderson
ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL: Patrick McCabe, Geoffrey Williams, Pugsley Buzzard, The Virginia Slims, Mick Dogs Bone Yard
MONDAY NOVEMBER 16TH ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night CHERRY BAR: Cherry Jam Mondays GEELONG RSL: Members Draw, over $3000 in prizes to be won! GOLD DIGGERS: $14 parmi and rump steak night
OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Parmi night THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17TH 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 NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB: The Go Set
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18TH
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14TH
THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master
ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE: Face
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 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Trivia Night THE LOFT (Warrnambool): The Bennies MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night
the Music Industry Conference
AWME BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Dana Hassall, Andrew Swift, Jemma Nicole BARWON CLUB: The Murlocs, Orb, Zig Zag, Hills Hoist BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band THE EASTERN: Nustack, Tsugnarly, Mourning, Crak and The Orchies
c a l e n d a r
ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19TH BEAVS BAR: Live Music BIRD ROCK: Mexican Night; Mi Casa Su Casa, Taqueria and Tequila THE EASTERN: Shocking Pinks 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: Kelly Auty with Boris Conley THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC: Whizbang WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm; Jackson Firebird
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Brodie Glen, Jay Wars, David Grimson BARWON CLUB: The Rumjacks BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Happy Hour 5-7pm, Meat Raffle & Members Draw BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BIRD ROCK: It’s Friday B!tches BLACK HATT: Van Halen Showcase CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ CORNER HOTEL: The Bennies THE EASTERN: The Slurrymen, Maple Jar EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: $5 Night, Live DJS GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 GPAC: Daylight Saving THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Dear Ivy HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Fiver Night THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Twin Beasts MAX HOTEL: 3 On the Tree ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Catfish Voodoo SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music
SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): The Ivy Stone Assembly WORKERS CLUB: Jon Toogood
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21ST THE 24 HOUR EXPERIENCE BALLARAT BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Dolphy’s Albatross BARWON CLUB: RIVER ROCKS: Cosmic Psychos, The Meanies, Hoss, The Casanovas, Batpiss, Twin Beasts, Mustang and more. BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BLACK HATT: Salsa Social
THE EASTERN: The Newsletters, Waterfall Person EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night, PGram, Courtney Mills GPAC: Daylight Saving THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Luke Biscan HOMEHOUSE: Nunny KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): The Bennies MAX HOTEL: This’s For Abbey ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: The Justin Yap Band SPHINX HOTEL: ACDC Tribute Show WORKERS CLUB: Tim Hulsman Trio
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22ND THE 24 HOUR EXPERIENCE BALLARAT BARWON CLUB: The Bennies, The Hard Aches, Wet Pensioner 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 GPAC: Daylight Saving THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Levi Anderson THE LORD NELSON: Sunday Funday Live Music ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music ROYAL MEREDITH HOTEL: Tim Hulsman & Band THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17
SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Sound Mountain
MONDAY NOVEMBER 23RD 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 24TH 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 25TH 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 MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night
OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night
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Angus &
She’s got this way. They’re four words that seem to accurately sum up Julia Stone, and also happen to be the same four words Angus Stone croons through the band’s track ‘Grizzly Bear’. JJ
Julia Stone
Written by amanda sherring
Angus & Julia Stone
“I think what makes any relationship exciting is the potential for a deeper understanding of the other person and feeling that sense of safety and trust. To really be vulnerable and go for things and maybe say things that may be uncomfortable and from a place that you don’t even understand.”
J
ulia has a way with words, of bringing you in through the band’s music and of captivating your attention. On stage the effect on onlookers is much the same, but what may seem like confidence is actually Julia dealing with her own nerves of the spotlight. “When we started playing music my way of dealing with insecurities, or my lack of sureness of who I am, and being nervous about being on stage, was to kind of be more confident than I actually was,” she says pausing briefly. “I feel like now I dance between the two where if I’m feeling nervous or like I don’t have anything to say or I don’t know what to say, I’m much more comfortable just doing whatever in the situation, and I think that’s been a growing up sort of process. The less I judge myself the more I feel okay about however it looks and however it comes across.” “I feel proud and confident of the woman I am and others I feel unsure of the steps I’m taking and the world, so I think each show has elements of those parts of me,” she adds. Now sharing the stage with her younger brother Angus, after reforming Angus & Julia Stone in 2014, there’s a pleasant give and take in their performance. In writing it’s been much the same, and undeniably a chance for growth as brother and sister as well as musicians individually. “To a degree there was a level of trepidation: how does this work sitting in a room together and singing line for line and jamming on songs and to be open enough to allow each other to do that?” she says. “Song writing for both of us is such a personal thing and you have to have so much trust when you co-write . To allow yourself to say whatever you want to say and not be embarrassed about what it is – you just have to go for it. “Working with Angus again I feel like that’s a well you can never get to the bottom of, you can always become more open and become more trusting. I think what makes any relationship exciting is the potential for a deeper understanding of the other person and feeling that sense of safety and trust. To really be vulnerable and go for things and maybe say things that may be uncomfortable and from a place that you don’t even understand.” Rewind back to a year before reforming and Julia Stone and her band were celebrating a band member’s birthday at Hotel Amour in Paris. At that moment her brother Angus and his band stepped through the door. It would
be expected if it weren’t for neither of them knowing the other was in Paris, let alone what city in the world. From some serendipitous coincidence, the connection was made again and 12 or so months saw the siblings together in the same studio alongside Californian producer Rick Rubin. “We weren’t that in contact at the time and we were very immersed in our own projects,” she says. “The Hotel Amour situation was particularly interesting and serendipitous and just really unexpected because I had absolutely no idea that Angus was in France. We’re sitting there as a band having a birthday dinner for one of our band members in our favourite restaurant in France and in walks Angus’ best mate. “Then the rest of the band and Angus. He had no idea I was doing a show there and it was just a really beautiful moment and quite funny as well. I guess the stars were just aligning and making sure we hadn’t forgot each other too much, so when it came time to make the next decision [as Angus & Julia Stone] those moments had helped us make them.” Angus & Julia will both be in the same town, at the same time, but on a much more planned nature, as the band head down to Queenscliff later this month to perform at the Queenscliff Music Festival. “I got taken there once by a friend who used to visit there as a kid,” Julia says. “I went on this trip for about four days and I just loved the place. I think it’s so beautiful and peaceful and when I heard we were playing the Queenscliff Music Festival this year it was really exciting. I’m super excited for Angus to show him, not that I’m a local or anything, but I think I know a few shops and cafes – I had a really fun time there and I think it’ll be nice for the fun band. “I remember having deep fried pineapple fritters from the fish ‘n’ chip shop and that was amazing. It’s just such an Aussie experience, a really nice small aussie town. I love the city and living there but if you were ever going to go out of the city, I’d go there.”
When & Where: Queenscliff Music Festival – November 27-29
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The Delta Riggs JJ
Five years on and The Delta Riggs show
no sign of slowing down. Sure, they’ve had their ups and downs like most, but The Delta Riggs have forged their own iconic path in the music industry; self-producing psychedelic, rock infused, slash hip hop tracks and playing to thousands of people with the big dogs. Answering the phone on a cracking day in Sydney, Michael ‘Monte’ Tramonte likes to call the band ‘anti-genre’, expressing how stoked he is that their fans have followed them through what Monte calls a ‘sonic shift’. “We used to be like a bluesy style band, and then we went back to our punk rock roots where we kind of all grew up. So we just are what we are, we are anti-genre and that’s why on the record you’ll hear a hip hop song, then a rock song, or a punk song – we just write the songs then leave them how they come out,” he says. This is a rare quality in bands, but not surprising from a one in a 4-way relationship. Monte laughs at the thought
Written by Jariah Travan
before adding, “It’s like having a girlfriend or a full time relationship with three people that are all different, but we’ve come to a point now where everything’s at a good level and everyone respects each other.” There’s no rest for the wicked and this year has been no exception, having gone on tour with the Foo Fighters, won the rolling stone award for Live Act of The Year, played a sold out Metro, and released a mini-album Dipz From The Zong, a must have continuation from the 2014 release Dipz Zebazios. The Delta Riggs and their big-balled rock and roll selves were born to exist on a stage. “I remember the Metro show we played a couple months ago – it was the biggest show we’ve done, our own show, you know, sold out metro. I remember walking through the crowd, I felt so emotional, I couldn’t believe all these people were here to see us at a place I’ve seen so many bands at. We don’t take anything for granted in that respect,” Monte says. Known for their high energy on stage and their ability to pull a crowd, Monte exclaims they’re stoked to be hitting the stage for the first ever StreetLife Festival as the headliner. StreetLife, hitting Geelong in November, will see artists perform down alleyways off Little Malop St. “We’re pumped, I love that sorta shit. I love when a community comes together and does something different and brings culture to the table, that’s what they’re doing,
“I love when a community comes together and does something different and brings culture to the table...”
shutting down the street. So when they asked us, we were like for sure, anyone that’s doing something different we champion for,” he says. “The best thing about playing live or at a festival is it’s always going to be different,” he says. “You’re still playing the same songs but something might go wrong or something might happen, or there might be the person in the front singing along to the song or someone gets on stage. There’s always that element of surprise and that’s exciting” The Delta Riggs have grown their sonic palette to an exciting new realm and are a must see – Catch them at StreetLife Festival November, 14th.
When & Where: StreetLife, Geelong – November 14
Tim Hulsman Q&A JJ
Tim Hulsman is a man who has easily created
a legacy for himself in the industry. A local muso with heart and a love for naming his guitars, we had a chat to Tim about his new film clip launch and the incredible party he’s about to throw. Hi Tim, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? Hi Forte, you’ve got me in a really great mood today because there is so much good stuff happening at the moment and I’m just finally getting the chance to sit back and think about what is happening and appreciate it. I’m working in the studio today demoing songs for the next album and at the same time preparing for the Dead Man’s Garden Video launch at the Workers Club Geelong on Nov 21. So we’ve all seen the teaser for the ‘Dead Man’s Garden’ clip, which looked like heaps of fun, what was the process like of recording that one? That day was the most fun I’d had in years I reckon. Will Cook and Kimberley Riddett from UP Creative had been working on the idea for a few months with me and together we came up with a concept for the video that was not too obvious (like just following the lyrics) but that has a storyline and a cast of characters.
On the day we had six make-up artists working full time all day on the cast, under the guidance of Image Makeup Artistry whizz Kellie McKay, and we completely rearranged and dressed up Gin & Co in Aberdeen St as the location. We had beautiful Burlesque dancers, un-dead characters, spooky/ sexy looking backing singers and this huge team of film crew, art director, producers, bar staff, all building this ever-evolving, other worldly, decadent scene in front of the stage while the band and I just stood up there all day and played music. It was surreal and awe-inspiring to see such a huge production unfold in front of us over the course of eight hours. We could not have achieved such an amazing result if it hadn’t been for the expertise of Mike Patton the art director though. He was amazing and worked for weeks with Will and I to visualise the theme and then find all the necessary props and materials to make that vision come to life. Your upcoming launch at Workers is set to be a similar feel to the clip, just how transported to that era will attendees be? What can they expect? We are going to dress the Workers Club up to mimic the feel of the clip, and the burlesque girls will be there to dance to some of our songs and mingle with the crowd as well – just to give it that old school burlesque cabaret club feeling. I’m really hoping that when people arrive on the night they will have made an effort to dress up in-theme or even re-use the zombie outfit from Halloween! The bar staff at The Workers Club are coming up with some special cocktail ideas just for the theme as well...I’ll be trying a few of those. I just want to throw a great party really.
Motor City Music Festival: Director Hugo T Armstrong JJ
Geelong finally has its very own music
festival. Yes, you heard right. You no longer have to travel up the coast for great music, because it’s coming to us. About to enter its third year, the Motor City Music Festival will be held on the Labour Day weekend, ushering locals to the Geelong Showgrounds for an epic display of music, fun, carnival rides and good times. “[You’ll] see a music festival a bit different to most other festivals,” Director Hugo T Armstrong says, who previously directed the Queenscliff Music Festival. “I wanted to do something completely different to what we did at QMF. Like what I did there in my time, and do something where you can just come for a day and enjoy it. You don’t have to come all weekend. Something that changes theme each days… something really different.” Designed to please the most loyal festival goers and then people who prefer a carnival atmosphere, day one is dedicated to rock and roots music and will feature Canadian three piece Miss Quincy and Sisters Doll. Day two is perfect for lovers of blues and tributes when Divinyls cover band Temperamental and 19-Twenty headline. And day three is a complete family event with a country music show, and children can attend for free.
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“We sort of said to people, ‘Look, we know it’s busy on a long weekend. You might want to come for a couple of days, or you might just want to come for one, or you might want to come for three. But you don’t have to feel like you have to go to all of it to get enjoyment or value out of it,’” Armstrong explains. “I wanted to create in the pavilions [an atmosphere that is] very much a lane way festival feel, and then in the open air it’s like a bit of A Day on the Green feel. So the site’s got two sort of precincts, which gives us four undercover venues and the one open air, so it’s a good mix.” Whether you want to pop in and out for your favourite genre, or prefer to camp out for the entire festival, it really does have a bit of everything. “We’ve got some amazing facilities on the other side of the show grounds. So you’ll be camping adjacent to the festival site, it’s just a quick walk. I wanted to have a couple of days an over 18’s event, and make sure then that we had a big family day,” Armstrong says. Craft beers and food trucks will be on site, and BABBA, Dean Ray, the Transformers and Elsa will delight the kids on Sunday, finishing off with an amazing fireworks show. “It’s there for everyone in Geelong to at some point interact with. But you know, we really want it to sort of be a long term part of Geelong’s event calendar,” Armstrong shares. The festival will also be partnering with Karingal for the event. “We’ll be working more with disability access on site and working more on making sure the festival’s really open and accessible for all types of people attend,” he says.
We imagine this project would have taken a while to piece together, what’s the next project you’ve got your sights on? Well...the band and I are heading into the recording studio to start on a new album and I just love working with Up Creative so much that we are planning another two or three videos to drop as singles from that album...Always bigger and better than the last. I’ve just been announced as the recipient of a music industry scholarship by the Alex Legg Memorial Foundation too, which means that I now have a team of mentors for 12 months and also a bit of a funding injected into what I plan to do in 2016.
We saw you did a guitar naming competition recently, have you named all your guitars/what are they? Yes, nearly all of my guitars have names. There’s Holly, Francesca, Willemina, Prisilla, Mae, Haggie, Bessie, Rosie and Mary Belle. Thanks again for having the chat with us, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? I don’t have any words of wisdom to offer anybody, only the question that can guide you towards making wise decisions for yourself: “What is your legacy going to be?”.
When & Where: The Workers Club, Geelong – November 21 & Royal Hotel Meredith, Meredith – November 22
Written by Jessica Morris
Motor City Music Festival is held over the Labour Day weekend from March 11-13 at the Geelong Showgrounds. Early Bird tickets are on sale now at motorcitymusicfestival.com.au.
When & Where: Geelong Showgrounds – March 11-13
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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Occoquan is a town in Prince William Country, Virginia. The town’s name is derived from an Algonquian Doeg Indian word, meaning “at the end of the water”, and as of the 2010 Census it had a population of a little over 900 residents. It is here you will find Occoquan River. Singer-songwriter Gallie adopted the name for his new album, the title track of which Triple R’s Brian Wise called one of the best songs of the year. Born in Dublin, the songman gigged all over the world before finding a home in a small fishing village on an island off the coast of Africa, where he spent years surfing and painting. He moved to Australia in 2012. The album features backing vocals from Melbourne Liz Stringer. Ararat Live – November 25.
Boxing Day Slam
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Sweet Virginia
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.
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Mildura’s finest citizens, Jackson Firebird, have lined up a few shows in support of their new album, Shake the Breakdown. One-part Dale Hudak and one-part Brendan Harvey, JF took off in 2006, though prior to that they were known to jam away for hours on end out the back of a local bakery. Shake… has been picking up some love abroad, including from the UK’s Moshville Times, who wrote: “Shake the Breakdown is a great album musically, but the icing on the cake is that it’s just such damn good fun. I’d love to catch these guys live – if they can entertain as well between songs as they do during then they’ll be superb.” Workers Club, Geelong – November 19 & Sandbar, Mildura – November 20. Down by the River
Tim Hulsman was born in Tasmania as one of six children raised in a devout Jehovah’s Witness family. When he turned 18, he informed his parents that he no longer wished to follow the family’s way and instead wanted to follow his musical desires. He was excommunicated. But a snippet of an interesting life, Hulsman released Dead Man’s Garden in 2014. Blurring the borders of blues, folk, alt-country and rock, the album is roundly shaped by his experiences. 2015 his journey continues, now as one third of the Tim Hulsman Trio, with Karl Bentley on drums and Craig Kelly on upright bass. More recently, the trio dropped the video for the titular track and will be celebrating with sumptuous style in Geelong later this month. Tim: “We’re going all out to throw the biggest, most decadent, sexy, and awesome party we’ve ever hosted, to celebrate the incredible effort that UP Creative has put in to deliver a remarkable, lavish and unbelievably high quality music video. I’m so proud I could burst. We will be joined once again by the stunning Burlesque dancers from the clip and we will be trying to create a luxurious Dionysian atmosphere, so that you can feel for an evening like you are there in that crazy world we created in the clip.” Workers Club, Geelong – November 21.
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in 2006, The Creptter Children now base themselves out of Melbourne. They describe their music as nightmares put to sound. Keep an eye on Music Man’s Facebook page for further announcements. My Dad’s in a Band Despite some healthy touring and a recent visit to the US, Hockey Dad has enough in them for one final 2015 fling. Formed by mates Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming, the lads’ name is a reference to a video game played by Bart and Milhouse in The Simpsons. Armed with fuzzed-out surf pop, they released their debut EP, Dreamin’, mid-2014. Their latest track is ‘Can’t Have Them’. Joining them on their ‘Kooks & Spooks’ tour will be Skegss and The Pinheads. Skeggs hail from Byron Bay and 50 Push Ups for a Dollar is their EP. The Pinheads, meanwhile, hail from Wollongong and I Wanna Be a Girl is their EP. Join in on the fun at The Barwon, Geelong on December 4. Across Land & Sea Summer and the tunes of Ziggy Alberts go down pretty well. With a home-schooling background, Ziggy was writing and surfing from a young age. In 2011, he decided to teach himself the guitar, releasing his debut EP, Feels Like Home, the following year. He would release a short album in 2013, before spending much of 2014 on the road. He then kicked off 2015 in style, releasing his debut full-length release, Land and Sea. He has supported the likes of Ash Grunwald, Nick Saxon, Benjalu, San Cisco, Daniel Champagne, Dustin Thomas and Mat McHugh and is no stranger to touring abroad, either. Ziggy will perform an all-ages show at Torquay’s Surf Coast Shire Grant Pavilion on December 5.
NaranaFEST
If you are going to attend just one event this year, make it the Boxing Day Slam. Sure, you may have made your one event late in the year, but it is a good’un. And if you have already attended your ‘only one event’ this year, make an exception. Ladies and gentlemen, everyone comes together for the Boxing Day Slam. It’s a day of great music, to be sure. But it is also a day where hangovers and bloated bellies are respected, not mocked. On top of that, it is a day where one can freely share in their Christmas experience without judgement. Hell, why not bring along a crappy gift you received and swap it for a slightly less crappy gift with someone else? Presented by the charming and good-looking ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’ crew, the first round of acts has been announced and it is a doozy. Yep, that’s right, it is a doozy. Dallas Crane, Bob Log III, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Dead City Ruins, Chook & Moluck, Wallet Inspector, Kids Table, Eddie Example, Arns as a DJ, Tricky, Nathan Fuller vs. Scotty D, Tampa vs. Jump Street and Kritt will all be there. The Barwon, Geelong – December 26. Tickets are only $15 through Oztix. That’s some A-grade entertainment for Boxing Day sales prices.
Aboriginal cultural centre Narana will host NaranaFEST this Saturday, November 14. Narana is a significant attraction on the Great Ocean Road that seeks to “build understanding of Aboriginal history and culture in a welcoming, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, through personal interaction with groups and individuals from all community backgrounds”. Archie Roach (celebrating Charcoal Lane’s 25th anniversary), Yirrmal, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk, Fraser A. Gorman, Ezekiel Ox & DJ Marze, Cherrywood, The Louds, Dead City Lights and Apakatjah are set to perform. Further information on both Narana and the festival can be found through narana.com.au.
Acfields of Gold
The Mighty Hudson
Tickets for 2016’s Rainbow Serpent Festival are selling like hotcakes, with early bird tickets sold out at the time of writing. For those not up to speed, tickets are limited to the same numbers as 2015, which the festival hopes will maintain the friendly vibe it’s known for. Pretty Lights, John Digweed, Herman Cattaneo, Ace Ventura, Emancipator, Protonica, Dasha Rush, Nikki S, The Opiuo Band, Steve Ward, Bluetech, Ticon and Dickster are those among the massive line-up. Don’t forget about The Village, either, a community space to find connections with others through workshops, cinema, visionary art and aboriginal culture. Hit rainbowserpent.net for the works.
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Few good things have come out of ‘The Birdie Song’. Simon Hudson is an exception. Upon teaching someone how to play the song, he was given a guitar … and all the power that comes with it. He would turn to world music later in life, studying the African and Brazilian masters, incorporating the sounds with his influences – The Cat Empire, José González, Neil Finn and Paul Simon. A Bachelor of Music at NMIT in Melbourne would follow. Now, as ringleader of Simon Hudson Band, he weaves a blend of world, roots and folk. September saw the release of Earthman, an album created thanks to a $10,000 Pozible campaign. Simon Hudson Band will perform in Ararat as part of Ararat Live on January 13. Music Man’s Family Day A heads-up that Music Man Megastore’s Live Music Family Fun Day will return to Bendigo in 2016, following a successful debut in 2015. After all, music should be a family experience. How else are our children going to grow up to be satanic rockers without the loving guidance of parental figures? The early details are that The Creptter Children, Ergasia, Stacy - V, Astareth and Sheeza Goer will be among those performing. Founded by Iballa Chantelle and N8oR (Nator) out of Perth
When it came to childhood car trips, brother and sister Dan and Hannah Acfield spent more time harmonising than they did fighting. After spending some time performing as solo artists, they came to the decision that two Acfields were better than one, and set about making some tunes together. In 2012 The Acfields released their debut, the double A-side ‘After You/Sorry I’ve Taken So Long’. The EP Turning a Page would follow, as would tours and supports alongside the likes of Joan Armatrading, The
IN THE LOOP
Trouble with Templeton, Josh Pyke, Lakyn Heperi and Vika & Linda Bull. Now you can feast on their self-titled debut. From the band: “For the last 12 months we have been focusing on songwriting – writing a song a week between us. We wrote individually and together. The result is a collection of songs that we’re extremely proud of. In September 2013, we headed into an amazing house on the Mornington Peninsula to record 11 of these songs as part of our debut album. We hired (and borrowed) recording equipment and set up a temporary studio in the house and spent a week recording … We are so excited to share these songs! The recording sounds fantastic; it’s warm and authentic.” Suttons House of Music, Ballarat – November 26; Martians Café, Deans Marsh – December 4; and Aireys Hotel, Aireys Inlet – December 5.
Full of Beans Combining guitar and French horn has never sounded sweeter, with The Bean Project combining elements of folk, jazz and singer-songwriter genres. Formed out of Belgrave by Ben Langdon and Bryce Turcato at the beginning of 2014, the brass-clad acoustic duo won the 2014/15 FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands and has performed with names including The Twoks, The Woohoo Revue and 8Foot Felix. While influences stretch from The Cat Empire to Johnny Cash, the duo has been described as “the odd marriage of Cake, City and Color and Kings of Convenience”. Saints and Sailors, Portarlington – December 12 & The Loft, Warrnambool – December 13.
That’s the Life
Upon the Thee Oh Sees San Francisco’s Thee Oh Sees are familiar faces to Australian crowds. And such lovely familiar garage-rocking in the free world faces they are. You may know that the band started out as a way for John Dwyer to release experimental home recordings. Soon enough it involved into a full band, undergoing several line-up and name changes along the way. In May, the band released Mutilator Defeated at Last. Former member Brigid Dawson returned to provide backing vocals. Dwyer will be joined by his new band consisting of bassist Timothy Hellman and dual drummers, Ryan Moutinho and Dan Rincon. The Barwon Club, Geelong – January 19.
Karova’s Xmas Eve
Listen up, people, it is time to rock and roll all night and party every other day with Apes. They have their new single ‘Dimension’ for you, so if you have three minutes to spare I am sure they would appreciate it greatly if you were to check it out. Now, they tell me Christmas takes place next month, and if Christmas means anything it means spending it away from family. Instead, why not spend Christmas Eve at Ballarat’s Karova Lounge with other loved ones? You will get few better offers than that. Apes will be there. They’ll no doubt bust out their new single. What more is there to Christmas? (Apes also have dates with Geelong’s Workers Club on December 17 and The Loft, Warrnambool on December 19.)
debut overseas tour, playing to some 50,000 people across a three-month stretch. The little run of local shows, dubbed the ‘Home Rule’ tour, will see the band ripping out tracks from their latest effort, 2015’s Sober & Godless. The album, the band’s second, was produced by Steve James whose credits include Thin Lizzy and The Jam. Explains frontman Frankie McLaughlin: “The making of this album saw us wondering at this whole folk/punk thing as a wider genre, and what it means to us. The sickeningly rich tradition of people telling their story to song has continued unbroken by time, distance or malevolence. We see no good reason why it should stop with us. Call it Celtic punk, folk, rock or whatever, we have to keep telling each other our story. That’s the only thing that keeps us human.” Another big year is set for 2016, with the band set to hit Europe and the UK and get busy with new recording. Again, that is Geelong’s Barwon Club on November 20.
Rise of the Machine
‘Weddos’ Mick Thomas for Anglesesa Music Festival - Early Bird tickets on sale now until November 30 The community group putting together the new-look Anglesea Music Festival ( January 23) is hoping for a big surge in Early Bird ticket sales following this week’s confirmation they have booked Mick Thomas (‘Weddings, Parties Anything’) and his hot new band The Roving Commission for the day/night event. Festival-goers have until the end of this month (November 30) to take advantage of the Early Bird saving available. The festival takes on a distinctly ‘rootsy’ character with the addition of Mike Thomas to a line-up which also includes the Bellarine Peninsula’s own Chris Wilson, along with Jimmi Hocking, Geoff Achison, Cleveland Blues from Queensland, local blues veteran Wayne Jury, renowned blues/country chanteuse Kelly Auty, festival favourites 19 Twenty and funk, groove, blues and soul diva Andrea Marr. Also fans of rock and pop haven’t been ignored, with Boom Crash Opera’s Dale Ryder and Taxi Ride’s Jason Singh leading a band of top-flight players who will ‘lift the roof ’ towards the end of the night.
The good music times continue to roll in Geelong. This Saturday we welcome Streetlife, Geelong’s first laneway festival, and it’s looking like being a ripping new addition to the festival family. Giving you their time and their talent will be The Delta Riggs, Jinja Safari, Residual, Imogen Brough, Revolution, Levi Anderson, Jack Harman, Luke Biscan and Izzy Losi. That is a pretty fine local representation you have there. Sarah Howells, presenter of triple j’s ‘Roots n All’ program, will be spinning her magic as well. Plus, there will be plenty of food and drink to enjoy throughout the day. Downes Lane, Downes Place, John Street – November 14. Hit streetlifefestival.com.au for more.
A Bunch of Punks
Anglesea Music Festival is reinventing itself to run as a one day/night event in 2016 and has been given approval to run as a Summer Festival in the natural amphitheatre at the Ellimatta Reserve, creating a village hub. The date is set for the Australia Day weekend on the Saturday January 23rd 2016. AMF will generate a strong ‘local music culture’ for the community, by the community, bringing the community together and sharing this with tourists visiting. Go to www.angleseamusicfestival.com.au for further details and to purchase tickets. Music got a massive kick in the backside in the ’90s, and at the beginning of it all was Suiciety. Formed by a bunch of school friends with a love of skating, hardcore, punk and rock in 1990, the band is regarded as a pioneer of ’90s rock. They starred at the Big Day Out and Alternative Nation and served support to bands including Sepultura, The Supersuckers, Kreator, Ministry, Body Count, Fear Factory and The Tea Party. Following a couple of albums and their iconic 1994 EP Cell, the band set about work on Crawling Machine Edition. It was at this point when the band had enough. We now welcome their return. The Eastern, Ballarat – November 13 & The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 28.
Sunny Geelong
It’s time to gather the posse for a night out with Sydney folk-punk band The Rumjacks when they hit Geelong’s Barwon Club on November 20. While the band may have been missing from our shores, they were busy on their
Geelong is in for a big treat in 2016 with the original Sunnyboys line-up of Jeremy Oxley, Peter Oxley, Richard Burgman and Bil Bilson set to hit town. On April 22, 2012, following an absence of 21 years, Sunnyboys hit the stage of Sydney’s Enmore Theatre. Clearly their absence was felt, as The Australian’s Iain Shedden noted in his review of a 2013 show: “Many acts make comebacks, more now than ever in fact, but I can’t remember feeling so much love in a room for an Australian band that, like its audience was reliving its glorious youth. It was a fantastic experience.” You can expect to hear all your favourites at The Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong on March 11.
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IN THE LOOP
A Funny Thing Happened Quick bite: Josh Wade was just 13 when he began posting videos. Today, he is listed in the Top 100 Australian YouTubers, with more than 180,000 subscribers. His growing fan base and early success inspired him to create a stand-up show, which he debuted at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2014. He sold out 33 shows. Workers Club, Geelong – December 6 & The Loft, Warrnambool – December 9.
Better Off Dead
Hassall & Swift
mutual respect for one another and the same respect for their time on stage. The John Butler Trio haven’t played in Geelong since 2010 so it’s bound to be a pretty special night for all involved. The performance is set for January 28 at Costa Hall with tickets on sale this Monday on November 16. John Butler Trio’s appearance at the Melbourne Zoo show sold out in record time, so this may be one of your best chances to see these guys live.
Give Peas a Chance Quick bite: Geelong outfit The Mud Peas play their tunes with a certain kind of freedom. They’re not in the game for the sex. They’re not in the game for the drugs. They’re just in it for the rock and roll. Or, more accurately, “ball tearing blues rock”, which is actually a lot less painful than it sounds. The band is just a bunch of mates playing music for a good time. Martians Café, Deans Marsh – November 27.
For the Sake of David Bridie
This Mockingbyrd Sings Quick bite: It’s doubtful that Tequila Mockingbyrd could do anything wrong at the moment. The “jagerbomb-fuelled” trio of Estelle Artois, Jess Riley and Josie O’Toole recently enjoyed an experience of a lifetime when they rocked it for troops in the Middle East, and now they’re tougher than hell. The Eastern, Ballarat – November 13 & The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 28. A new “military” edition of their T-Byrds are Go! EP is available now. We Own the Night Quick bite: Nightscape hits Geelong once again this Saturday night, November 14. The community social event will provide entertainment in Geelong’s CBD at minimal cost. If you’re looking for a chilled-out space in which to dance, chat over a drink or enjoy some tunes, Nightscape could be for you. Cost it $10 per head, with light snacks provided. BYO drinks, supper and alcohol. It all takes place at The Pioneer Room, Yarra Street. The Tide Has Turned Quick bite: Having served as support to the likes of Counterparts, Forever Came Calling, Worthwhile, Heights, More Than Life, In Hearts Wake and Hellion, Ambleside are kings of Adelaide’s melodic hardcore scene. You can purchase their 2015 debut EP, New Tide, through Bandcamp. Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – November 21. They’ll be joined by Pridelands, Stepson, Daywaster and At Seas End. It’s Raining, Pa Quick bite: Harry Coulson’s Rain Dogs is the combined powers of Harry Coulson on guitar, James Thompson on drums and Glen Davidson on bass. They play jazz, Jim, but not as you know it. Why take my word for it, though. The trio has landed a nice little four-week residency at the Old Castlemaine Gaol kicking off this Saturday, November 14, and finishing up on Saturday, December 5.
Following a hell of a year in Europe, Dead City Ruins are returning home for a big, boozy tour before knuckling down on album number three. With the power of hard rock in their souls, the Melbourne-bred five-piece released their self-titled sophomore album last year. They would also serve as worthy support to Skid Row and Ugly Kid Joe on their 2014 tour. In fact, they did such a worthy job that they won a friend in Skid Row’s Dave ‘The Snake’ Sabo. Welcome ’em back with open arms. Music Man Megastore, Bendigo – December 5; The Loft, Warrnambool – December 18; and The Barwon Club, Geelong – January 30. Note that the band will also be a part of The Barwon Club’s Boxing Day Slam event.
A Night to Remember When it comes to musical experiences, you will be hard-pressed to beat the experience shared by 14 Mick Thomas fans earlier in the year. With his old mate Squeezebox Wally, Mick treated these lucky fans to a tour of South Africa, playing everywhere from around campfires on safari to venues in Johannesburg. The result of this shared experience is the live album, Welcome to Zimbabwe. The album was recorded over three shows at the Chapungu Lodge Thornybush Game Reserve in South Africa and The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, while the final track was recorded on a boat on the mighty Zambezi River. Saints and Sailors, Portarlington – November 15.
Suttons House of Music kicks off their first birthday celebrations tonight, November 12. Festivities will continue through to November 15. Kerryn Fields performs at Martians Café, Deans Marsh on November 13. Loud and proud garage rock slackers Dumb Punts invade Ballarat’s Karova Lounge on November 14. Jon Toogood hits Geelong’s Workers Club on November 20. Save the date: the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2016.
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It Ain’t Pretty ‘Mary’ is a popular name choice for songs – Mary’s Place, Along Comes Mary, Proud Mary, The Wind Cries Mary, for example. Described as a “brash thunderous jam reminiscent of early Kasabian, T-Rex and Deep Purple”, Melbourne psychrockers Pretty City now join the gang with their new track, ‘Mary Go Round’. The band is eyeing their debut album for early 2016, so jump on the single for a taste. Drew Schapper: “It [Mary Go Round] was recorded straight after a show at close to midnight, the blood was still pumping, we were really hanging on… and we’ve managed to capture that magic on the record.” To hear the magic in the flesh, head along to The Newmarket, Bendigo on November 21.
A Musical Pairing in Geelong
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THE IPHONE GUY'S TECH TIP OF THE WEEK
*** Battery Draining ***
Songbird Dana Hassall recently released ‘Spinning Wheels’, a song which she describes as something that “comes from that twenty-something feeling of wondering whether all your effort is going to amount to anything, but soldiering on when it feels like you’re getting nowhere”. It’s a taste of her forthcoming album, due for release early 2016. Firefaced songman Andrew Swift spent 2014 performing at the House of Blues in San Diego and Los Angeles. This year he has been revelling in the good times of his single ‘Sound the Alarm’. Babushka Bar, Ballarat – November 14. Note that Dana (sans Swift) also has a date at Echuca’s Gypsy Bar on November 13.
After recently playing a sell-out show in Geelong, The Waifs are back as the special guests alongside none other than the talented John Butler Trio. Both bands hold a deep
In 1983, David Bridie formed Not Drowning, Waving with John Phillips. Combining elements of rock, ambient and world music, the band released a handful of albums and soundtracks before disbanding in 1994. My Friend the Chocolate Cake came next, a band formed after Bridie penned “a few more breezy compositions” that didn’t fit the mould of Not Drowning, Waving. He has also released several solo albums. Also to note is For God’s Sake Australia, Have a Look at the Map, a three-part series where the songman shares his story of how he first came to know Papua New Guinea and how the lasting connection has influenced his approach to music. Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 15.
BALLARAT The King is Not Dead
IN THE LOOP
haven’t, that’s a heads-up. He shares musical duties with Kat Friend, and they’re just a couple of people who left Newcastle behind for a better life. With a sense for performance and a love of theatrics, the two-piece conceived the band in visual terms. Macqueen had never played guitar before, while Kat had never been in a band, but it’s never too late. Australia, like Newcastle, became a little too small, and so they headed for the U.S. of A. ‘Slow Burner’ is their latest work. The Eastern, Ballarat – January 21. Australian Jazz Convention
In addition to an appearance at The Falls, El Vez has lined up a couple of intimate dates to spread his Elvis magic. Real name Robert Lopez, El Vez takes ‘The King’ and gives him a Latin-American music makeover. From the presser: “If you thought the King was dead, you were wrong. He was just in Mexico, polishing his act, swapping peanut butter and banana pizzas for quesadillas and working on his cheap Mexican gags … When you see El Vez re-animating Elvis on stage like it’s some kind of reverse Day of the Dead, you’ll only have one thing to say: The King may be morte, but Viva El Rey. Viva El Vez.” The Karova, Ballarat – January 2. Best enjoyed with a shot of tequila.
Slow and Steady Everything is better naked. Leroy Macqueen, one-half of The Gooch Palms, isn’t afraid to get his kit off. Those who have caught a show are more than likely aware of that; those that
While serving in the RAAF in 1944, musician Abe Monsbourgh wrote to his friend C. Ian Turner with an idea about running a “jazz convention” once the war had ended. The first event was held in 1946, attended by local and interstate artists. This year the Australian Jazz Convention celebrates its 70th year, making it the longest-running annual jazz event in the world. Organised on a not-for-profit basis and featuring musicians of all skill levels, the convention is held in a different town every year. For this special celebration, Ballarat has the honours. The event kicks off December 26 and concludes on New Year’s Eve. Further information is available through 2015jazzconvention.org.au. Me and Mr Jones Upon Bliss N Eso’s track ‘My Life’ (from their 2013 release Circus in the Sky), you will find guest vocals from Ceekay Jones. He would join the Aussie favourites on a tour to support the album, and rocked it out with the band at the 2013 ARIAs. You can also hear him spitting verses on DJ Remady and Manu-L’s release, The Original. Although his life as a musician shares similarities to his previous life as a top athlete, injury is one thing he probably doesn’t have to worry about too much. His parents were ski racers, his mum a member of the U.S. Ski Team, so it was inevitable he followed suit. Jones became a member of the Jr. Olympic Team and many Jr. National teams, before later picking up snowboarding. At the age of 19 he blew out his knees, which led him back to where he grew up in Taos, New Mexico. It was here that Ceekay found solace in making music with friends, and soon snowboarding dreams were replaced with musical dreams. Bit by bit things took shape. Danny Diablo, aka Lord EZEC, invited him to join his band Skarhead, a place where Jones found a home for the next four years. In 2010, he decided to focus on a solo career. The Karova, Ballarat – January 10.
What’s On In Ballarat
DATES OF NOTE JJ
November 28 – December 6: The RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride
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November 20-25 Be in the Australia’s Got Talent Audience at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
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November 21-22 Experience it all over 24 hours at the 24 Hour Experience Ballarat
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Until November 30 Good Food Ballarat comes to a close at the end of the month
JJ
November 14 Get cosy in your car and watch some films at the 2015 Lexton Drive-In
Written by Alexander Lightfoot
Perhaps the biggest thing rocking the Ballarat calender this month is the Ballarat Agricultural Show on this weekend, November 13-15. No matter where you’re from, the town show is somewhere everyone can come together and seek some sort of amusement from it. There’ll be amusement rides, a sideshow alley, showbags and a focus on rural industry. The event will be held at the Ballarat Showgrounds and serve as the perfect thing to do this weekend whether you’re a young family, going solo or with someone special. We’ve mentioned it several times here in Forte but the Archibald Prize held at the Art Gallery of Ballarat finished up on November 15. It’s a highlight of the arts calendar and brings together images of some of the country’s leading celebrities depicted by some of Australia’s leading artists. In the past the prize has been awarded to such prolific Australian artists as; Nora Heysen, William Dobell, Brett Whiteley, Ben Quilty, Tim Storrier and Fiona Lowry. Once the exhibition finishes up in Ballarat it will be taken to some other lucky town for an insight into Australian changers and entertainers. Have you been slowly touring yourself around the local eateries in Ballarat? Well, there’s a chance you’re doing it wrong. Not wrong for certain, but there are ways it could be better. Ballarat is quickly becoming a rural epicentre for quality cafes, restaurants and bars, and Eat Drink Share Ballarat is all about highlighting such achievements for the town in a friendly event. Essentially EDSB is about creating guided walking tours and gastronomic experiences in the region for those who appreciate the finer foods in life and being in the company of fellow food lovers. You’ll be taken around by a local guide who knows just where to find the perfect coffee spots, local wines and local artisan products and produce. Each tour the locations are likely to change so you’ll forever be discovering something new about your home town (or Ballarat in general). Jump onto www. eatdrinkshareballarat.com.au if having a few tasty treats with some like-minded people seems like a fun time.
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Written by Natalie Rogers
Lagwagon
Heyo! It’s time to hitch a ride with Forte’s favourite punk rockers, Lagwagon, once again when they return to our friendly shores next month. So to celebrate, we sat down with their equally affable front man Joey Cape to discuss their latest album ‘Hang’, his new gig as a talent scout, and why bald and green is the new black. JJ
Hang is Lagwagon’s eighth studio album and the first in nine years. “We’re very proud of the record. I feel in many ways that it’s the best work we’ve ever done,” Cape smiles. “I suppose it’s kinda political, which is not something we’ve done in the past, but I decided it was time to write a record like that. “I think the idea came from mates of mine - we’d be out at the pub having drinks and I would go on some rant about something, and then for years they’d say, ‘You should write about that’, and I’d say ‘Oh no, I don’t write about that kind of thing. Fuck that concept! I write about death and disloyalty, and all these really depressing things’,” he laughs. “I never wrote political, angry songs like other punk bands have done. So the idea was just to write a conclusive piece about my views - like things I’ve observed
Photo: Sean Mikula
about the world around me that my daughter has to grow up in, and my admission of how angry it makes me. “Most importantly though, it just felt so good to make a record. We hadn’t made a record in a long, long time – and there was something about the collaborative way this record was made, that was different to other ones we’ve recorded in the past,” Cape says. “I suddenly realised that I have this amazingly seasoned band behind me that really wanted to make a record and it would be criminal after all these years not to involve them. I know now that it’s much better when you’re able to work with other people and get their points of view. So we spent about six months developing all that material, and a lot of it was little pieces and parts of songs that were written by other guys in the band, and it worked perfectly. It makes us the most happy to play those songs, too – they just feel right played live. It’s killer to have a record that you feel that good about, and I think we really needed that.” Cape is open about a particularly dark period in his life that began a few years ago with the breakdown of a relationship with a life-long friend, and the tragic and unexpected death of his brother-in-punk Tony Sly, of No Use For A Name, in 2012. ‘One More Song’ on Hang was inspired by the death of Tony Sly. “It’s the eight ball of the record – it’s the odd man out, it’s the only song that’s a tribute and the only song that comes from that grieving process. Tony was just such an important person to me and to my band, we all knew him well, and it just made sense to do it with Lagwagon. It’s part of life, you know? It can fit into any theme – loss and mourning is part of life. “I hadn’t even had a glimpse of Stitch Puppy yet or else it would have likely been on that record because it would maybe suit that record better. I don’t know.” Stitch Puppy is Cape’s third solo acoustic album which was released in September of this year. The album title and cover art were inspired by a handmade gift from his daughter. “My wife’s been making dolls for years and my daughter’s quite an artist too,” he says proudly. “They made that doll [Stitch Puppy] for me when I was going through that pretty hard time as a sort of mourning doll. At some point I thought it was a good muse and I like the idea of it being on the album cover, especially because my daughter made it. Then later I ended up sort of embodying the doll - I shaved my head and painted myself green because the doll is bald and green. Thankfully now my hair’s starting to grow back!” he laughs.
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Lagwagon
“I took Stitch Puppy on one tour and I realised when I spilt a little coffee on it that it’s probably my most prized possession. I just thought the road is no place for this doll! I want it to last as long as it can. So now it just lives on my bedside table, and it’s a good luck charm.” Stitch Puppy will take centre stage at a handful of intimate gigs that Cape has planned once Lagwagon wrap up their headline tour. Joining him at these shows will be The Flatliners’ Chris Cresswell (The Flatliners are also the support band on the Lagwagon tour), Brian Wahlstrom from Scorpios, and Brisbane’s folk-punk Laura Mardon. “I produced all three of their acoustic records, so they’re all near and dear to my heart, and I know all their songs very well.
“We’re very proud of the record. I feel in many ways that it’s the best work we’ve ever done”
Cresswell and Wahlstrom have been Cape’s collaborators and friends for years, but it’s his new-found friendship with Mardon, and his eye for spotting talent, that he’s keen to share. “I think we’ll probably learn one song from her album and support her, maybe more,” he says. “I’m sure Brian will play some piano with her and, something you have to do on those acoustic, singer-songwriter tours, is to do a songwriter-in-the-round where you can play each other’s stuff together - and certainly if there’s a female in the house who can sing as well as Laura, it would be a sad move not to get her to sing a little bit with us. “But the best part of this story is how I discovered Laura, or how she discovered me - that’s how I look at it. Brian and I developed a competition when we were last on tour. We had local songwriters submit videos of them playing their songs. Then we picked a songwriter from each town to come up on stage at the height of the set, like three quarters of the way through when you really have the whole venue as full as it’s going to be. “Sure, it’s one thing to offer someone an opening slot – but sometimes it’s 7pm and people aren’t there yet or they’re out in the pub and they’re not watching, but if you bring somebody up and you introduce them, ‘Hey this is one of your own, that we think is great’, it’s much more fun. And that’s what we did with Laura - she came out, she played her song and I’ll never forget it. The night Laura played, there was this rowdy Surfers Paradise crowd - you know the crowd you get up there, the surfers, man,” Cape adds, “Anyway, it was pretty loud and crazy, and Laura came out and she played a quiet, pretty, beautiful song, and there was not a dry eye in the house – I wept! It was just so good. Australia has a lot of great singersongwriters. It’s traditionally been strong for that kind of thing, but I think she’s very special.”
When & Where: Barwon Club, Geelong – December 2 & Max Watts, Melbourne – December 4
iNDUSTRY HUB
BEHIN D T HE SCEN ES Chat With The Pro – Studio Sound Engineer
Top Tip “You have got to really want it! How hard are you willing to work? How open are you to learning new ideas and techniques every day for your whole career?”
don’t Poke the Bear Geelong now has a world class recording studio! Don’t Poke the BEAR is a state-of-the-art recording facility that welcomes all, from up-and-coming artists to fully established professionals. Combining the best of analogue and digital technology including the latest Pro Tools HD systems, running Pro Tools 12 with the new HDX 192 interfaces, dPtB boasts a diverse roster of professional engineers and producers to cater for all projects. dPtB welcomes visits from prospective clients... Just call 1300 650 892 to book a tour of the premises and to discuss your project needs.
Studio Sound Engineer - Pepe Minutoli Hey Pepe, please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about how you become a studio engineer?
I work primarily as an audio engineer/ producer in studio recording at the new don’t Poke the BEAR facility in Geelong West as well as an audio trainer at Oxygen College. I also have experience in live sound, location recording, corporate and consumer audio/ visual in addition to lecturing, but the creative space of the studio is what has become my second home over the last number of years.
Have you always had a love for music or was this a career you chose to explore?
The love of music was where my curiosity for audio began. Growing up and watching my father play in bands eventually led to a natural progression through wanting to play with instruments and get a nice sound out of them. Playing music myself throughout the tail-end of high school bred desire to further myself in the music and entertainment industry in the years to follow. Playing in a band led to many opportunities including multiple CD releases and tours both nationally and internationally. As many know, forging a career in the music industry can be very difficult and I believe in the current climate you need to be versatile and multi-faceted. This realisation, combined with my sheer curiosity and nature of tinkering with dials to see and hear what would happen, prompted me to want to study a Bachelor of Audio Engineering and Sound Production. The course enabled me to add to my knowledge and skill-set beyond what I could have ever imagined, and gladly it was related very close to music.
What are some of the hardest things about the job?
Quite often as a sound engineer you find yourself in the producer’s seat as well these days. You can quickly find yourself juggling roles and mindset between the technical, musical and, the most underrated, the psychological. You find yourself dealing with an artist who can potentially be very emotionally invested toward their music, particularly if they have contributed in writing the material.
What are the things you love about the job?
Each day is different, every project is different. I enjoy the challenges of working with different creative minds. One moment I can step into session recording a classical pianist, the next moment I’m mixing an album for a hard rock band followed by producing for a folk or blues artist. I learn every day because of this, and that excites me. Artists have a lot to offer, musically and emotionally, and many have the power to inspire. I love being able to be a part of that and provide a service to help harness and encourage the talent and ideas brought forward by these musicians. Although some instances can be very difficult, for me, the chase of contributing toward a fantastic result make it the best job in the world.
What is some advice you would give to someone thinking about becoming a studio engineer?
You have got to really want it! How hard are you willing to work? How open are you to learning new ideas and techniques every day for your whole career? It is a great job, but with that comes strong competition. The major fallout I have seen for up and coming audio enthusiasts is when they know a little bit, but think they know a lot, and believe it is enough to merely “get by”. When that moment hits, where you realise there is so much more to know, embrace it and attack it 100 per cent; soaking up any information you can. The times of yesteryear walking into a studio and asking for work experience while you make coffees and clean are few and far between, you need to be able to offer not only enthusiasm and interest but also bring some form of existing knowledge and skill-set to the table in order to be considered. In the current era, this is where dedicated courses help make great headway into such a career. Especially where the given college provides Industry current equipment to train on as well as trainers and teachers who are actively involved in the Industry. The crucial factor in addition is being thrown into real life scenarios with actual pressures and consequences of achieving a result within a timeframe and budget.
JOB DESCRIPTION
THE REAL DEAL
STUDIO SOUND ENGINEER
With
the White Bleaches
A studio sound engineer will oversee and deliver high quality recordings for music, voice overs, instruments and other audible sounds. They will have a good understanding of acoustics, equipment, electronics. They must be great at working with people. In this job you will need to have a decent understanding of music, timing, rhythm and pitch. After a while a ‘great’ studio engineer will develop their own sound, which, all going well, will become sought after by artists and clients.
As a studio sound engineer your duties will include:
∵∵Overseeing sound recordings for
bands/artists and various other clients
∵∵Planning recording sessions with the client/artist
∵∵Having control over equipment and devices and a sound understanding of each device’s purpose
∵∵Making sure all acoustic and recording levels are correct
∵∵Making sure the client/artists are
comfortable and happy in the studio
∵∵Keeping up clear dialogue between client/artists to make sure they are aware of directions related to the recording processes
∵∵Being passionate, versatile and
driven about he creative process and delivering a great outcome for a range of different clients and artists. If you’re interested in studying to become a studio sound engineer, Oxygen College are a music industry educational specialist that offer courses in music business, sound and performance. The college are currently offering an Audio Professional Program that combines the dual qualification of a Diploma of Sound Production and an Advanced Diploma of Sound Production. Oxygen also offer a number of certificates which focus on the exciting world of live and studio sound technology. To find out more and to book, visit www. oxygencollege.com.au or call 1300 195 303.
How important to your process is your studio/sound engineer?
Very important, we have found someone we love working with and who can get us the sound we are after. Without the right person behind the desk you will always end up getting something you’re not happy with.
You guys have explored some different techniques in the studio, how much was this process dependent on having a good studio/sound engineer?
I think when you are working with someone on the same level who is into similar music, it makes it a lot easier because they know the techinques to use to find the sounds you want. Also, we found just trying shit and not thinking too much about it worked well.
What can a studio engineer do to make the recording process better for bands?
I think it helps when you work with someone who already knows the band’s music and is aware of their influences.
When it comes to creative input, how much influence do you guys let the studio/sound engineer have? It’s just a free for all really, if someone’s got a good idea, then yeah, let’s do it.
www.dontpokethebear.com.au
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The 20th Bluestone as good as it gets JJ
The Bluestone New Year’s Eve/Day
blues festival this year is a milestone for Sleepy Hollows Blues Club – it’s the 20th anniversary of the annual event. One big party is planned – the lineup this year is as impressive as it’s ever been and bumper crowds on both days are expected, with many camping overnight to get a taste of the total Bluestone experience. Kicking off the celebrations at 6pm on NYE will be local lads Brian Fraser and Dave the Bastard. Brian is one of the country’s finest acoustic blues performers. The multi-award winning artist has been strutting his stuff for more than three decades all around Australia at festivals, pubs and clubs, delivering his own brand of stompboard-driven blues. Brian is joined by another familiar face and formidable local talent – Dave the Bastard, a man who makes the harmonica talk. The pair will well and truly warm things up for Miss Whiskey – a gritty female duo who mix up their own original stuff with classic blues standards. With Anna Scionti on guitar and vocals and Julie Noble on harmonica, the pair put an unmistakable raw and original stamp on blues music.
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They’ve made their mark since forming in 2014, including winning the 2015 MBAS Blues Challenge (solo/duo category), and are off to the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis later in January. Next up, it’s another duo – Illawarra’s Jacky Howellers, featuring Rod Mitchell on guitar, kick drums and vocals, and harmonica maestro, Dan Sullivan. They pump out a great brand of footstomping, powerhouse blues, drawing heavily on influences like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and BB King. Next on stage will be Paulie Bignell and the Thornbury Two. Paulie is well known across the country for his work with the Detonators, which he formed more than a decade ago. On NYE he and the Thornbury Two – Peter Beulke on bass and backing vocals and Craig Hadlow on drums – will set Bluestone alight with a great sound featuring Paul’s driving, rhythmic guitar that twangs, hypnotises, screams, seduces and stings. It’s an amalgam of traditional rock ‘n’ roll, blues, rockabilly and country – and all punched out with energy and attitude…hollering, barking and moaning, stomping and yelling at the mic like there’s no tomorrow. As midnight gets closer, the Hogstompin’ Zydegators are next to turn it on. Michael Murphy on vocals, guitar and bass, Jarrod Irvine on bass and guitar, Dave Lodge on accordion and piano, Brendan Dowd on percussion, vocals and harmonica and Brianna Reeves on drums are long-time favourites at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. They’re well known for their original stuff, which reflects their influences over the years – the music from Louisiana swamplands and the streets of New Orleans, Clifton Chenier, Stanley Dural Jnr and Australia’s own Psycho Zydeco (Sydney) and Zydeco Jump (Melbourne). The final act to see in the new year is Jesse Valach’s Blues Mountain. Jesse, a fiery blues/soul infused, reggae/roots inspired singer/songwriter and guitarist, weaves together intense guitar and soulful vocals, which is much admired in Melbourne and further afield.
With a killer rhythm section behind him, Jesse and Blues Mountain deliver a tight, riveting show, with Jesse, Nick Ohlson on bass, Anthony Murray on drums and Rowan Mumford on the Hammond. Recovery Day begins the same way as New Year’s Eve with Brian Fraser and Dave the Bastard taking the stage for another set at 11am. Then it’s the Mud Peas – another local Geelongbased act who play a genre of music best summed up as ball tearing blues/rock. Aaron Salta on ugly stick, guitars and vocals, Troy Love on lead guitar, Shaun Hilton on bass and Mark McLeod on drums will belt out a feast for NYD punters in a style reflecting the band’s mission – not to preach their music or become famous, just to have fun and good times. As heads get a bit clearer – or hazier – the Andrea Marr Band steps up to administer a dose of their feel-good, high energy original funk, groove, blues and soul sound. Another MBAS Blues Challenge winner, the band
reached the semi-finals at Memphis in the International Blues Challenge in 2013. Andrea is joined by Greg Dodd on guitar, Clint Healy on bass, Dean Matters on drums and Sean Vagg, Martin Zakharov and Andy Free on horns. The task of finishing off the 20th Bluestone is in good hands – Louis King and the Liars Klub are the headline Recovery Day act. Scots-born Louis, the king of the rockabilly blues, boasts impeccable credentials having played festivals and other venues Australia-wide, toured Europe five times and supported the likes of BB King, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Screamin’ J Hawkins. It’s touted as a dangerous mix of blues and rockabilly songwriting with a stage act that is a mixture of an outback roadhouse and a Glasgow pub fight…roll on 2016! When & Where: Murgheboluc Oval, Murgheboluc – December 31 - January 1
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Interpulse Q&A Soon to perform Rainbow Serpent
In 2007, we split, and I formed Interpulse. It was deep, And back to your music, you also run an online music minimal progressive trance. Over a few years, Interpulse production course, what would be your best piece of evolved more towards techno. However, in late 2012 I had advice for those looking to get into the industry? Big Bang in the universe and in his music. the biggest musical awakening of my life. I realised I’d been Well, there’s the ‘industry’, and there’s music. Much of the trying to fit in with the musical trends, and I should really be industry is compromised by money. But music itself, real music, finding my deepest inspiration. I came up with an expression, that makes you feel amazing: comes from the heart and soul. Hi Interpulse, thanks for taking the time to “Write the tunes that live inside you, not the ones they play My advice is to find another source of income. Don’t make chat with Forte magazine, how are you and next door”. I developed my own strain of epic, atmospheric, music your job, make it your creative expression. Ironically, what are you up to at the moment? Great thanks Forte, I hope you are too! I’m currently working progressive psy-trance. Removed the techno elements and people will love you for it, and they will pay you money. So on various multimedia projects. My art has expanded beyond made it more shamanic and heart-felt. Since then, every the key to the industry, is to forget it. Follow your heart, and the industry will follow you. music, into video and web. I’m still a musician, but I’m also track I’ve written, I absolutely love. developing interactive apps like my Interpulse website. We couldn’t help but notice there are a few references You’ve recently been announced on the Rainbow JJ
Festival, we talked to Interpulse about the
First things first, how did you get into the psy-trance genre? In 1996, the legendary Japanese DJ and psy-trance pioneer, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, released ‘A Trip to Goa’, a double CD on his brilliant label, Matsuri Productions. I was a metal guitarist and had already started enjoying writing techno, but when I heard ‘A Trip to Goa’, I became obsessed with trance. It resembled metal, but it was so much more. I began writing it and I loved it! Then I began playing it live! We understand you’ve been doing it for 20 years now, has your music evolved much over the time? Yes. In 1999, I formed Mantrix, a very ‘Live’ psy-trance duo with a tonne of equipment and no computers involved. It was tribal, funky and psychedelic . Over time we became less ‘live’ and more obsessed with cutting edge studio production.
and images of the terrestrial and other-worldly on your social media, what are your thoughts on the recent discoveries of Pluto and Mars? While I love and support science, I find it to be primitive in terms of understanding life and consciousness. I will not wait for the snail pace of NASA to confirm ideas of life beyond our planet. To just believe what science tells us, is wasting our potential as conscious beings. For example, by using my own brain, I solved the two biggest mysteries in the universe. I realised what caused the Big Bang... And what happens inside a Black Hole. Where did all that Big Bang matter come from? And where is all that Black Hole matter going? They are one and the same... both infinitely small points, singularities. The formation of a Black Hole, is the creation of a Big Bang in a another dimension. Universes give birth to more universes. Just like every other species. Hurry up NASA!
Serpent line up, looking forward to it? This year will be my 16th year in a row of playing my music at Rainbow Serpent Festival. It has played a major role in my life. It’s one of the most amazing environments. Year after year, it blows my mind. It’s the sort of event that reminds us that we are an incredible species, capable of forming beautiful cultures. On the weekend of Rainbow Serpent Festival, we get to live the way we really want to. We find ourselves surrounded by so much happiness, and we remember that we love the world. 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? Thanks for listening! And yes, if you have ever thought you might like to make your own music, you can do it. Even if you have never played an instrument. It’s not about age. I
have developed a simple process to help people get a head start with music production. My best production techniques, which took 20 years to work out, are demonstrated online at www.interpulse.com.au Believe in yourself, and thank you for listening.
When & Where: Rainbow Serpent Festival, Lexton – January 22-25
Suttons House of Music Birthday Festival JJ
Surviving as a live music venue in the
industry is a big deal, and ticking off the milestone is Suttons House of Music in Ballarat. Originally a music warehouse in 1891, the venue is now a bustling hub for local music. Time to put on your party hat and celebrate everything Suttons have achieved over the past 12 months. So we understand there’s quite a bit of history behind Suttons House of Music, what made you to decide to open the venue as a live music hub again? Suttons House of Music Warehouse was first built in 1891, at the time of construction it was Ballarat’s tallest commercial building. It quickly became more than just a landmark, it was a glowing attraction in the centre of Ballarat that became a hive of culture and music – every bit as grand as the main room adorned with gas-lit chandeliers and headlight windows celebrating five great German composers. There is strong musical blood in the walls and my business partners and I fell in love with the building, but mostly the story of the Sutton families musical history and of course Henry Suttons inventions. I have always enjoyed throwing a party and as a music teacher and professional performer of over 25 years, bringing quality events to Ballarat was something I really wanted to try.
It has now been a year since opening, how has the year been for the venue? We have achieved an enormous amount in 12 months. Our events vary from VCE and VET music opportunities for up and coming young Ballarat artists (through our AMPED program), Cabaret style theatrical performances, dance bands where audiences are partying in every corner of the building to intimate big name sell out shows. Have there been any highlights or memorable moments across the year? During the Ballarat Heritage weekend earlier this year we were so thrilled to have Henry Suttons great grand daughter Lorayne Branch and journalist friend Jarrod Watt conduct an interview on our stage. Lorayne told stories of the Suttons family and spoke about Henry’s fabulous inventions. It was a moving experience to hear these tales in the building where it all began. Musically some highlights for me personally have been The Jordie Lane show, a truly intimate and breathtaking performance, Barry Morgan and his world of organs completely hilarious and entertaining. And we always welcome and love Suttons’ favourite Pugsley Buzzard. We’ve also had some world class Ballarat performers who have graced our stage in stunning sellout shows including Geoffrey Williams with his Nina Simone and Bill Withers tribute to Motor City Sounds Motown. Another proud moment for us was International Jazz day when we threw a Jazz Jam which featured over 20 Ballarat jazz musicians who played to a packed supportive crowd.
LISTEN: Get Your Voice Heard A year ago, after reading a book about Melbourne’s underground music scene, Evelyn Morris posted a Facebook status about the inherent patriarchy that exists, not just in literature, but in Australia’s music industry at large. “So tired of male back-patting and JJ
exclusion of anything vaguely ‘feminine’ in subculture,” she wrote. “We get it. You think you’re all awesome and we’re all just kinda average. Unless we sound like you. Ladies of Melbourne… Let’s please reject this culture.” 650 comments later, LISTEN was born: a group dedicated to breeding a safe space for women and gender-diverse members of the Australian music community. Now expanded to include a record label, listening parties and conferences, LISTEN has fast become one of the most respected feminist groups on the Australian arts landscape. LISTEN’s Facebook group – peaking at over 2000 members – is set to shut in the next couple of weeks. It often happens in online forums that constructive conversations become lost in seas of comments, and remarks made in haste end up offending. In this case, some transgender members felt they weren’t being adequately represented.
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“It doesn’t make sense to have a forum where you’re supposed to be able to discuss sensitive things, but is actually kind of a hostile environment,” Morris says. “There needs to be an understanding of the amount of justification particularly trans people have to put up with every day. It’s just an area that requires a lot of sensitivity at the moment, and that space wasn’t particularly conducive to that.” Despite curbing the Facebook conversation, LISTEN’s constructive discourse is otherwise expanding. Its founders are hoping to bring greater crowds to their public events, where conversations are more productive than when faces are hidden behind computer screens. “We’re hoping that what will happen is not only that we’ll have lots of discussions in person at conferences, but also that people will direct their energy to writing stuff for the website,” Morris says.
“There needs to be an understanding of the amount of justification particularly trans people have to put up with every day.”
There’s no doubt Suttons has contributed immensely to the live music scene in Ballarat, what are your thoughts about where it is now? I’m super proud and excited about what we’ve achieved in one year. It’s everything I hoped for although sadly I don’t have enough hours in the day to reply to all the enquiries I get from artists. The room is in high demand and my brain forever clicks over with ideas that I’d like to offer the locals so bring on the future! There is quite a big celebration lined up for the birthday milestone, what made you decide to have it held across four days? We usually have live music Friday, Saturday nights, Sunday afternoons and most Thursday evenings anyway, but we wanted to see how many we could feature over that time and invite some of our favourite acts and supporting artists to play. I also tried to schedule acts that I know Ballarat crowds love to see with a few extras that I wanted to treat the locals with. It’s great to see that Bustamento are involved in the celebrations as well, do you think the Suttons team will have the chance to wind down and enjoy the festival as well? I’m thrilled to have Nicky Bomba and Bustamento play. I was trying to think of a great party band for the celebration and when he came to mind I was very excited and when they were available too – we were overjoyed! The plan is for myself and business partners to step away from a working role that night and enjoy the party with our guests.
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? Thanks for the continued support over our first year forte magazine. I’d like to say to your readers, please help keep live music alive folks. Support your local venues, get out and about, check out shows, support artists, share events, pay cover charges – musicians are worth every penny. Their craft can take many years to master and a small cover charge (often the price of one drink) for hours of entertainment is well worth it!
When & Where: Suttons House of Music, Ballarat – November 12-15
Written by Matilda Edwards
The testimonials submitted to the LISTEN website, which have been discussed at their public events, were quantified last month in Music Victoria’s report Women in the Victorian Contemporary Music Industry. Statistics such as the gender pay gap in the music industry increasing by 3% over the past year; just 28% of senior executive roles being held by women; and evidence of a confidence gap that pushes women out of the industry are sobering to read. However, they’re no surprise to Morris and her LISTEN collaborator Antonia Sellbach. “It’s always a shock having a look at just how shitty things are, but I guess it’s what has been reflected to me since starting LISTEN,” Morris says. “It’s nice to have that information collected so we don’t have to spend time trying to legitimise what we’re doing.” LISTEN has just hosted a two-day conference as part of the Darebin Music Feast, which they’ll follow with a variety of women-focused events during Melbourne Music Week. They play a huge part in Melbourne Music Week with femaledominated gigs, panels and DJ nights happening throughout the week. The biggest LISTEN event is an evening at Southbank youth centre Signal on Friday November 20. “We’re really trying to encourage younger people to come along to this, Morris says. “We have to figure out how we can cultivate the next generation of gender-queer and female performers – we’re up against so much when we’re younger, it’s hard to get past the bedroom walls.” LISTEN will present an all ages, free entry panel discussion and gig, featuring KT Spit, Grace Anderson, Empat Lima and Habits, at Signal, Southbank on Friday November 20 for Melbourne Music Week.
When & Where: Melbourne music week - november 13 - 20
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Ballarat Beer Festival JJ
CLASSIFIEDS Send your info to: editorial@fortemag.com.au. For individual use only, not for commercial purposes.
We all know the fun in drinking beer
with mates, but there are right ways and wrong ways to do it. The Ballarat
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.
Beer Festival happening in January is one of the former, and is set to be a day of spoiling your tastebuds, discovering new beers (there are over 100 different types) and listening to great music. We had a chat to festival director Ric Dexter
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.
about what the festival is all about. Hi Ric, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? Thanks for asking, I am well and up to my eyeballs with the final planning of the festival. Arranging a one day festival for 8000 people is fairly complex when you consider the logistics required. How did the festival first come to be? And can you tell us how the festival has evolved over the years? The coming January 16, 2016 Ballarat Beer Festival will be the 5th. It was originally started by four individuals, each with their own area of specialisation. Now that I am the new festival director, I work closely with Kate Burrows, the event manager and one of the originators. The festival has always been about craft beers, a safe and fun family environment and great music. This coming festival sees a stronger emphasis on independent craft brewers and a huge band line up. What are your thoughts on the growth and appreciation for the craft beer industry? The explosive growth of craft beers has been phenomenal over the last decade, with new brewers popping up monthly around the country as well as many venues switching to a craft beer emphasis and new venues created to cater for the craft beer movement. It’s almost like a new religion! Beer festivals are quickly becoming a highlight on the calendar year for many, what do you love most about catching up and having a few drinks at the festival? The Ballarat Beer Festival, the first regional festival catering to craft beers, is very much a relaxed atmosphere ideal for tasting some fantastic brews ranging from traditional to esoteric. It
is definitely not a beer swilling occasion and historically the crowds have all been extremely well behaved. What do you think is the perfect way to drink a beer, fast or slow, at a BBQ or a gig etc? Craft beers are like wines in my opinion. Not to be consumed in a guzzle, but to savour the flavours and aromas. There are so many varieties to try and to have a festival environment around you, relaxing in the sun with friends, and listening to awesome bands, it just doesn’t get any better than that. With over 100 different craft beers at the festival, do you have a favourite at all? My favourite styles are generally in the IPA range, and I do have some favourites – depending on what time of the day it is. If I had to answer this question, the top three for me come from Pirate Life, Feral Brewery and Temple Brewery. There, that’s three breweries from three states - politically correct I hope! We’ve heard there are a few rare brews as well, are you able to tell our readers what the special beers are? There will be some rare ones at the show, but you will just have to come along and find out... Of course there are bands at the festival as well, how important was it for you to include live music in the experience? Live music to a craft beer festival is as important as having a bottle opener to me. Music creates the vibe and the hardest part of organising the festival is the band line up. In 2016 we are trying to have quite a few genres of music to satisfy
all the punters, but obviously that is nearly impossible. In conjunction with PowerFM in Ballarat, we have been running a “Homebrewed Battle of the Bands” and the winner of that gets to open the festival and receive a $500 prize from Coopers, our major sponsor. Coopers and I are both passionate about supporting new musicians. What did a band have to encompass to make the cut for the festival? Stage presence, talent and fun. With a line up as we have, The New Savages, The Bakersfield Glee Club, The Rechords, Kylie Auldist, Dallas Crane and the iconic You Am I, I believe this will be a fantastic festival, packed into nine hours of pleasuring taste buds, stomachs, ears and dancing your legs off. Thanks again for having a chat with us, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? Book in early - this will be a sellout! Ticket packages and more information can be found at www.ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.
What’s New on Little Malop
Written by Jessica Morris
Over the past few years, community morale has been down about our beloved G-Town. We have become known only for our football team, 24hour Kmart, and the regularity of stores closing down. But this is no more. Take your preconceived notions about Geelong and throw them out the window, because our city is in the middle of a major face lift, and at its heart is Little Malop Street. “A lot of people sort of have that preconceived idea about, ‘Maybe it’s not safe,’ things like that,” owner of Pistol Pete’s Food ‘n’ Blues Restaurant Pete Raimondo says. “Maybe once, but it’s a different time now.” Over the past 18 months we have seen Little Malop Street reinvent itself. Pistol Pete’s popped up only a year and a half ago, the new Workers Club is quickly becoming the music venue of choice for touring musicians, and when it comes to coffee and cake…well you’ll struggle to choose between Coffee Cartel, the James Street Bakery and late-night dessert bar, Armageddon Cakes. There’s also plenty of giftshop options with QwertyShirt offering your pop culture needs, Real Music covering everything music and Thule Trading with things to fill your shelves and walls at home. “I think things are starting now to strip away, you know, and things are starting to pick up and rejuvenate itself. And a lot of people come in and say, ‘I haven’t been here for ages, this is cool.’” At the forefront of the changes in our city, Pete has seen the cycle of the CBD as it has gone from a busy community hub in the ‘80s and ‘90s, to what we know today. Born and bred in Geelong, this is where his passion comes from. “I sort of always wanted to do something in Geelong. I was born here, and have lived here all my life pretty much, so that was sort of what I wanted,” shares the owner of the Southern styled venue. 38 forte
“I think we’re doing really good with the acts that are coming in and playing. You don’t have to go up to Melbourne to hear and see acts – you should never really have to. We just have to create the places for us, in general places for people to go and enjoy good food and good music.” If you’ve missed the buzz surrounding Little Malop Street of late, let us catch you up. Along with a truckload of new businesses, many of them owned by Developer Bill Votsaris of the appropriately titled Batman Investments, the street has been tidied. Now you will see a well-lit street, full of art, practical planter boxers, and a diverse mix of people. Music and excited chatter wafts from Beav’s Bar, the sounds of otherworldly piano playing lingers from the piano bar, Blue Note, and cute little shops owned by locals lure you into soft, warm store fronts. The next step in Little Malop Street revival then, is a massive renovation. “We’ve taken the little shop next door to us and we’ve opened that up. So that opens some more seats, that should be around the 70 mark when before we were doing 30 something,” Pete says. The venue which boasts Louisiana style food (and the new addition of waffles) is also about to gain a courtyard, which it will share with the up and coming wine bar to be located at the corner of Little Malop St and Shorts Place. “Behind that whole block, that’s all coming down. We’re getting new toilets, we’re going to create a courtyard so that’s going to be exciting. We’re sharing that with the wine bar. That will give us more space, and give us another dimension to that city area.”
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.
When & Where: City Oval Hotel, Ballarat – January 16
Geelong, This Is Your Revival. JJ
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.
Pete also mentions the old bakery on Shorts Place, which is opening a restaurant, the soon-to-be Peoples Potato parlour down the street, the James Street Bakery facelift, and the renovation of Armageddon Cakes. That seems to be the beauty of this resuscitated area, it is being revamped by locals, for locals. “There’s lots of possibilities. I suppose we’re taking baby steps just seeing what works and how best to get it to work. And as people get used to the area and go, ‘Look there is something down there now,’ there’s a reason to go down there. Whereas before there was nothing there… there’s between four or five places that are gonna open up in the next six months.” No longer just an area for teens, places like Pistol Pete’s provide families, friends and couples the chance to sit down before a show at GPAC, popping out for a drink, and returning for a gig later that night. The new library set to be completed this summer, will add a new life to the bustling arts scene developing on the street. Little Malop is set to come alive later this month with Geelong’s first laneways festival, Street Life, along Downes Lane, Downes Place and John Street. Little Malop also reinvents itself – much like Degraves St in Melbourne – when Eureka, Pistol Pete’s and Workers Club open out onto the streets for the occasional ‘pop up eats’ events. “I think people are looking for something a bit different now, a bit more personal. Be it retail or be it whatever, they’re looking for that now. For that whole Little Malop, James Street, all that area, and hopefully what will happen is that that will spew out into Moorabool Street. You want it to creep up and creep down, and it helps to get more people in the city as well.” Geelong, this is your revival. And as I finished up with Pete, he had one final message for us. “I think it’s just believing in our town. Believing in ourselves, and not feeling like we’re second class… We’re very good at lots of things and I think this is something of ours that we can be good at, and are good at already, and people just need to take it on board and [on] we go.”
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Pistol Pete’s (newly renovated)
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The Workers Club
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Coffee Cartel
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St. James Nightclub
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Real Music
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QwertyShirt
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Hot Chicken Project
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Caruggi
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Thule Trading
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Craft Space
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Hucksters & Co
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KIKI Studio (moved/new store)
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Urban Stalker
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Black Sparrow Salon
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People’s Potatoes (opening soon)
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Blue Note
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Moo Mouth Coffee
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Sedap Corner
Wellness Studio Geelong
Written by Alexander Lightfoot
JJ
I am a sucker for wellness tools. I have tried, reign, crystals, meditation,
listening therapy, psychology, yoga, natural health supplements like wheat grass and LSA among many other things. I think we are starting to open our eyes to the fact that, whilst prescription medications are ABSOLUTELY essential in some cases, there is also an emerging field of wellness tools and options that tap into the spiritual and emotional and are available to us. Reiki, yoga, natural health supplements, and now flotation and salt therapy, are currently some very popular options available. I went to the Geelong Wellness Studio to find out what all the fuss was about in relation to the latter. As soon as you park your car behind the Steven street shops and enter via a back ally, a small sign is the only indication you have arrived at your destination. You immediately get a sense of the studio bring tucked away. You are greeted by a friendly staff member, they always know you by name and seem prepared for your appointment. For some people, floating in a tank or sitting in a salt room may be outside of their comfort zone, so the girls go out of their way to take you through everything calmly and with plenty of information. You are then taken to your flotation room and they take you through the process before you settle into your flotation experience. The tanks are located in a shipping container, you are by yourself and behind a locked door. Inside it is as comfortable and clean as a modern apartment. The process is; shower, covering any cuts and grazes with Vaseline and getting your ear plugs ready. You then enter the tank. For those of you who are claustrophobic, you can leave the lid ajar.
The idea of flotation is based on sensory deprivation. Inside the tank it is pitch black and you have ear plugs in – leaving you with just your sense of smell and touch (and taste if you want it). You will also experience complete weightlessness, something your body doesn’t experience at any time throughout your average day. After half an hour or so I really started to relax – my limbs become strangely heavy and any slow movement of my legs or arms felt amazingly slow and exaggerated. My lower back felt really free and some aches and pains in my legs and feet would pulsate and burn for 15 seconds before calming down – it was a really satisfying experience. The second time was much better again, I relaxed a lot more quickly and, whilst still switched on throughout, I felt a really amazing, content sense of calm. After a shower, regaining my composure and a short wait, I moved into the salt room. This is a calm, white environment and the floor is covered in a couple of inches of salt crystals. You take up a seat on a massage chair and
for the salt rooms you may not be alone, in my case I was with one other person. Already relaxed from my float, I settled into my massage chair and flicked through a bunch of settings on the chair to find a setting that was best for me. Then, after a brief word from the staff member you will hear a hum start up from a machine beyond the wall next to you, which then starts slowly filling the room. This is a review of my experience so I won’t go into depth on the perceived medicinal benefits, but the theory is as the salt enters your lungs and airways, it can extract bacteria or moisture from your lungs, sinus and ears – helping prevent or clear infection and help with allergy etc. It is also very calming, something I didn’t realise going in. This lasted half an hour and was not as intense as the float, but it topped of my visit nicely. I didn’t have any out of body experiences or awakenings during my float – some people do. Nor did I notice any massive clearing of my airways or lungs from the salt rooms. However, I left after my hour and a half
completely relaxed. The sun was brighter and the smells were stronger, I had disengaged from the stresses of work and had an awesome nights sleep. The next day I felt great and I can totally attest to the fact that both, combined or alone, have an incredible calming quality and my body felt relieved from little aches and pains the few days following. Apparently as you become more accustomed to the treatments, your experience will intensify and the result amplify, so I will be back to continue the procedure. I would also highly recommend the experience to anyone interested.
If you are interested in experiencing a float or having a session in the salt room please call 0476 199 247 or visit 17 Stephen Street, Belmont. Alternatively you can email admin@wellnessstudiogeelong.com.
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FOOD Selection of local and Melbourne street foods including massive BBQ cooking up a variety of meats.
Live Art Displays
STREET PARTY, STREET FOOD STREET ART Geelong’s about to get its first StreetLife laneways music festival & street party this Saturday.
The festival kicks off at 2pm and runs through to 10pm.
Organisers are blocking off some cool alleyways, bringing in street food and massive BBQ together with street art and performers all smack smack bang in the heart of the town’s cafe, arts & entertainment precinct.
Pre purchase your ticket now.
The daylong event takes inspiration from Melbourne’s home grown St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and is a 2 min walk from the railway station and waterfro Riggs, 40 forte
renowned for pumping out high-energy jams and ferocious live shows together with one of the country’s most endearing indie-pop outfits Jinja Safari. Triple J’s Sarah Howells will guest DJ. The fest also features great local acts including, Residual, Imogen Brough, Revolution, Levi Anderson, Izzy Losi, Yirrmal, Jack Harman & Luke Biscan among others.
StreetLife Festival is about sharing, celebrating and discovery. What better way to do this than by getting out and about to soak up the sights, sounds and tastes within this really happening part of the town?
Limited tickets may be available at the gate subject to the fest not being sold out prior!
Visit www.streetlifefestival.com.au for more info. StreetLife is an 18+ event – fully licensed through out
STREETLIFE PERFORMERS
THE DELTA RIGGS Voted Best Live Act for 2015 by Rolling Stone the Melbourne band is set to headline the inaugural StreetLife laneways music festival on Saturday 14th November. Having played a slew of festivals across Australia this will be the first time the guys have performed in Geelong. The band earlier this year toured with the Foo Fighters as their support and have also had the pleasure of touring with Primal Scream, Divine Fits, Devin and Deap Vally among others. The band is at their best live and known to be “Audacious”, “Frenetic”, “Energetic” and very, very sweaty.
JINJA SAFARI Jinja Safari are one of the country’s most endearing indie-pop outfits and since being Unearthed by triple j in 2011 have gained substantial momentum both in Australia and abroad. The band have sold-out numerous headline shows and performed at several mainstay local and international festivals.
Sarah Howells Triple J presenter and DJ Sarah Howells is also featuring at the inaugural fest as guest MC and DJ. Sarah presents Roots ‘N All every Monday evening on jjj reflecting the contemporary roots music scene worldwide.
LOCAL ACTS Residual
Revolution
an alternative band quickly gaining nationwide attention from audiences and media alike. Winners of the 2014 APRA/AMCOS Songwriting Award.
From winning the Emerging Artists Award as part of ‘Foot in the Door’ at the Queenscliff Music Festival in 2014 to their recent support of The Delta Riggs, Revolution are an act you don’t want to miss.
Imogen Brough
Kite Machine guitarist and frontman plays predominantly funky, riffy style acoustic originals.
Lead vocalist and guitarist for Revolution
Luke Biscan
Izzy Losi
Yirrmal Contemporary folk storyteller and recent winner of the Melbourne heat of the Telstra Road to Discovery.
Produces music that has as ethereal quality. Earthy vocals combine with creative, lyrical piano and violin in a soft-rock, balladic style with a touch of Celtic and Irish influence.
Jack Harman
Levi Anderson
New generation Indigenous Australian artist making an exciting entrance into the music scene. Inspired by Yothu Yindi, Yirrmal is a refreshing singer songwriter, fusing tradition and contemporary with class and passion.
Singer-songwriter who displays his signature gift for evoking imagery and emotion. Getting set to launch his debut album.
+ DJs Mitch Loughnan, Max McKay, Togar & Metwally
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FROCK IT My Ultimate Fashion Destination Written by Jessica Alves @jessicazalves
Written by Katherine Reynolds
@jessicazalves
www.katthewanderer.com | facebook/katthewanderer | @katthewanderer
youtube.com/msbonvivants
My Favourite Travel Resources Not many people are surprised that my absolute to-die-for fashion destination is New York City. I went once in 2013 on a holiday with my family, and it is without a doubt the most magical place on Earth — apart from Disneyland of course. When people call it ‘the city that never sleeps’, they’re really not joking! Being lucky enough to stay in the heart of the city right near Times Square, the hustle and bustle was quite literally a constant occurrence. However, the best part about NY for me personally was the fashion. I found so much inspiration on those streets, as there is such a mishmash of different people. From the sleek business men and women wearing black on black, the urban street performers in all sorts of colors and shapes and all those who fall in between, New York really has so much on the table to offer. In two years my taste in fashion has changed quite drastically, (seriously, you guys have no idea), but the motivation I got from that city to experiment with my style hasn’t faded a bit. If I were in New York right now, I can definitely see myself shopping around Soho and window shopping in the stores of Manhattan, wishing I had the funds for a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s — what? A girl can dream can’t she?
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My first stop however, would probably be to the Sephora and MAC stores in times square, simply because I am a makeup-addict and that’s what we do when we get excited. I’d splurge on the reasonably priced lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes until a loved one pried me away screaming and kicking. If you’ve been reading this column for a while now this will come as no surprise to you, but in terms of clothing, I would more than likely be spending my cash on classic silhouettes and colors. If you’re new, that is very standard for me as I like my style to be able to withstand the seasonal trends. A few statement pieces here and there would probably be a regular occurrence too, like a stupidly awesome pair of reflective sunnies, or maybe a bright red wallet that I can flash around whenever I make another purchase (my poor imaginary bank account). Aside from the fashion, New York is a city for dreamers, a city of opportunity, for exploration, for adventure and wonderful memories that I will cherish forever. In just the five days that I was there, that city became a part of my heart, and I cannot wait until the next time I can travel back to the Big Apple. Until next time, New York, I love you.
Having a handy selection of go-to travel resources will give you a huge help in planning for your upcoming travels. They’re easy to use, readily available, give you advice and assist in helping you decide on where you want to go and what you want to see when you’re travelling. They’re fantastic! Here are some of my favourites that I like to use.
Travel Guide Books
The classic. While they’re not the coolest looking travel accessories going around, they sure do have some incredible tips and hidden gems to share. They usually also have detailed maps and descriptive notes from some of the world’s most knowledgeable travellers. Some of my favourites include Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and Time Out. Many guidebooks are now available as eBooks, or can be downloaded as PDF files. So for those of you that are more digitally inclined, this is a great option.
Airfares
If you’re like me, and don’t have the time or patience to compare individual airline companies and their flight
prices, Skyscanner is one that you need to discover. This website allows you to choose a destination and date, and it will give you a list of all of the comparative prices between the airline companies. I’ve managed to find some great steals on flights through this site. Another way to save money on flights, as well as organise them, is through STA Travel. They’re well known for their cheap flights, as well as their ‘round the world’ ticket option.
Accommodation
Choosing accommodation can be tough on the Internet; there are always too many options to choose from! For hostels and hotels, I use Booking.com and Hostel World. There are also many people that swear by CouchSurfing. com and it’s ability to save you a tonne of money. Another fantastic option for booking accommodation, that’s a little different and that would be on my personal favourite, Airbnb. This website allows you to book to stay at someone else’s property, in over 190 countries around the world. You can stay in people’s bungalows, apartments, and penthouses or just in their spare bedroom! The prices work out to be really reasonable and I’ve always found the owners awfully welcoming, and full of knowledge about the local area.
Advice
Asking questions and picking people’s brains is a fantastic way to prepare for your travels. Some people have had the most amazing experiences on their travels and can’t wait to share it with you, and for you to hopefully do the same. Reading travel blogs is also one I can’t suggest more. You’ll find interesting stories and insights into other people’s journeys, and come across destinations and places of interest that you might not have seen otherwise. The writers themselves are usually available to answer your questions, too. Having these travel resources can really give you the things you need to make your travels truly exciting. They can save you money, allow you to get your trip a little more organised, and will most definitely inspire you!
Forte Columns
too heavy to hug Written by Paul S. Taylor
Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal. On Friday October 30 the first 2016 Soundwave line up was announced. This announcement comes pretty late in comparison to when previous year’s announcements came and the list seems pretty light on, again, in comparison to previous year’s single and two day events. I’m personally pretty stoked The Prodigy will be at Australia’s premier hard rock and metal festival for the first time next year. The Prodigy have been playing metal festivals across Europe for years now. Back before The Prodigy were playing metal festivals it was kinda interesting suspecting the band as being a metal type band, even though they’re essentially an electronic band that attracted metal heads in droves because of, not only their songs, but also their hardcore punk personas. Once booking agencies invited them to metal festivals it was like all validation came at once; The Prodigy have been officially recognised as metal, and isn’t that what we’ve all wanted to see here in Australia all this time? Frenzal Rhomb are totally going to kick arse at Soundwave, it doesn’t matter which stage they play, the punters will not miss an opportunity to see the crazy Australian punksters do their thing live. Lordi for the ‘what the f*ck?’ category. In case you don’t know who Lordi are, or have forgotten, they’re that band that won Eurovision that one time some years back. For the take ‘em or leave ‘em category we have the two big name ‘90s “nu-metal” acts Disturbed and Deftones. Sure to be some parts nostalgic and some parts annoying because these bands are pretty old now, both bands will obviously draw their dedicated fans. Soundwave early bird tickets went on sale nearly two months ago, prior to this announcement, and they’re still available at time of writing. Not sure what the fans are waiting for but if you can’t sell Soundwave on the back of this line up (fingers crossed for a Prodigy Sidewave) then clearly the fans are looking for something different, something amazing and something totally worth losing their shit over. Who will that be? I’m hoping the second announcement has that special something. In other news
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. Soundwave 2016 will be held on Thursday January 26. Bands announced thus far are Disturbed, The Prodigy, Deftones, NOFX, Bullet For My Valentine, Public Enemy, Soulfly, L7, Frenzal Rhomb, Lordi, Moose Blood, Dead Letter Circus, Refused, Failure, Northlane, Bring Me The Horizon, Devil You Know, Hatebreed, Frnkiero and the Cellabration, and Metal Allegiance. 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
The Night Vibe
Blues news
Written by Tex Miller
Written by John (Dr John) Lamp
thenightvibe.com.au
Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club
When you sit down to indulge in the one of the country’s finest streetpress magazines, where do you do it from? Are you sitting on your couch in your living room with a latte or maybe something a little bit stronger? It’s funny as I sit here in my beat laboratory thinking about how the world of music has evolved and changed over the past 60 years throughout the media landscape. Even though these days it seems that the album journey and the continuity between tracks is long dead with iTunes and single releases and being able to cherry pick how and what you listen to and when as well. It’s no secret that through Record Store Day in Australia and around the world, vinyl is definitely making a comeback. Whether you ride a fixed gear bicycle or have a ripping moustache or beard, if you are a hipster there is probably a fair chance that you are getting into your vinyl. It was on my trip to America last year that I was initiated into the club and it is a day I will never ever forget. I went to Third Man Records to record a 7” single at Jack White’s famous little booth. Since then, I have started my own record collection of vinyl and, although it is a little harsh on your hip pocket from week to week and you might be subjected to having Weetbix for dinner, it is definitely worth it. Everybody has their favourite vinyl, however, right now I am going to share with you four of my favourites that I am currently indulging in (in no particular order mind you). JJ Cale – Okie (1974): This is a record brimming with cool. In fact, JJ Cale (the late great legend, God rest his soul) is the king of cool. The first JJ Cale album I ever got into was Naturally which was his debut and featured tracks like ‘Call Me The Breeze’, ‘After Midnight’, ‘Crazy Mama’ and ‘Magnolia’. Throughout every album there is somewhat of a bad arse swagger that you just don’t see in albums anymore. From the simplistic song writing to the melodic arrangements and horn lines this is the real deal. Although it’s two years since his passing, he will be long remembered by his musical legacy and this is an album well worth checking out. The Rolling Stones- Let It Bleed (1969): The album with quite possibly the greatest opening and closing track ever. Recorded in London and LA, this is a masterpiece and an album that just gets better with age (like a fine wine) no matter how many times you listen to it from the classic tracks to the lesser known ones, it’s no surprise the songs are used on movie soundtracks all the time. An album from a band at the height of their powers. If you’ve heard it, you’ll know what I mean, if you haven’t, well you’re just silly. Bob Dylan- Blood On The Tracks (1975): I was first introduced to ‘Tangled Up In Blue’ by KT Tunstall, however it was then that I discovered Bob Dylan and the classic sound of this album. Recorded in both New York City and then re-recorded in Minneapolis, because Dylan was so pedantic, the amazing part about this album is a few tracks like ‘Simple Twist of Fate’ and ‘Buckets Of Rain’ were recorded with just Dylan and a bass player. Both simplistic and complex in the lyrics and arrangements of these songs, it is an album that will always be one of my favourites. Drop the needle on some of these classic records and indulge in some amazing periods of music today. If you’re looking for a great record outlet be sure to check out Real Music down Lt. Malop Street, he has an awesome selection and the goods on what you are looking for.
Bands making a stir at the Black Hatt or Pistol Pete’s Food & Blues isn’t unusual, but this year there has been a decided disruption, which can be put down to one thing: Andy Phillips & The Cadillac Walk. Not satisfied with that, they’re back again! Phillips originally hails from NZ where as a teen he established himself on the local music scene playing at clubs and pubs around town. His high school bred such musicians of his generation as the boys from The Datsuns, so he formed a band with his drummer mate Jay Pinfold (now residing in LA and ex drummer for Juke Kartel USA). In his early twenties, with itchy feet, his guitar and a one way ticket, he headed off to Sydney then onto London where his cousin works at Abbey Road Studios and dabbled and soaked up the music scene there for a time. Soon the cold got too much so back he came to settle into the music capital of Australia: Melbourne. He’s now firmly established as one of the brightest lights on the Melbourne music scene. In 2013, after a trip to Austin Texas where he played on a guitar at the iconic Maggie Mae’s on Sixth St. previously owned by the blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan, Phillips returned to Oz with a renewed energy and insight and decided to form and front his own band, a lifelong dream of his. Phillips’ band the Cadillac Walk blends classic retro rock hits, high energy Texan blues with some good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll to boot, plus a good dose of very cool originals. The band has achieved extraordinary success in a short period of time due to the magic they create on stage and the excitement elicited from those that experience the band live. Experience the classics from artists such as Led Zepplin, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, Pink Floyd, Santana, Lynrd Skynrd, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix and many more. The excitement and exceptional musicianship these lads bring to the stage has punters talking long after the show, often bringing their families and friends to the next show. Unsurprisingly, as a result the crowds just keep on growing! With gigs rolling in and drawing larger and larger crowds, this is certainly a band to watch! So get your dancing shoes on and your drinking arms primed, the boys are coming to town! Hold onto your hats! “Andy Phillips and The Cadillac Walk was the feature artist who always delivers a great show, playing an array of upbeat Texas blues and masterful forays into slow soulful ballads. John Collard on drums and Oscar Lopaczuk on bass, both accomplished session players complimented Andy’s every move for the whole 50 minutes,” says Noel Ashworth, Peninsula Blues Club. Andy Phillips & The Cadillac Walk will be appearing at Sleepy Hollow Blues Club on November 22nd.
Punk!
Pulp
Pop Culture
Written by Christopher Cruz
Written by Alastair McGibbon
Written by Anthony Morris
Okay, so Soundwave 2016 seems to be a goer after all. The first announcement finally dropped, almost two full months later than speculated, and only three months before the festival is due to take place. Who exactly IS joining the previously drip-fed acts? None other than L7, NOFX, Disturbed, the Prodigy, Hatebreed and Frenzal Rhomb. It’s a ‘90s kid’s dream! As we all know, the second announcement is usually a game changer, and it can’t come soon enough. Other bands filling out the first announcement include Nothing But Thieves (can’t say I know too much about them, other than that they have a stupid name!), ‘80s rap legends Public Enemy, Sepultura spin-off Soulfly, Devil You Know and Frnkiero and the Cellabration. As you may be aware, Frank Iero is best known as the guitarist from the now-defunct emo outfit My Chemical Romance. Quite fitting, as former My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way played a solo set at LAST year’s Soundwave... So who exactly can we expect to see announced next? Rumours circulating the interwebs include Suicidal Tendencies (yes please, somebody make it happen!), Weezer (again, yes please!) and Slayer (yes, again, could be interesting to hear the new record live, though) and UK duo Royal Blood, who are just incredible... Modern rock bands Paramore (who have a new album in the works) and Twenty One Pilots (who haven’t really taken off here yet but are HUGE everywhere else in the world) are also at the top of many people’s wish lists. Twenty One Pilots would certainly be an interesting choice, because Soundwave exposure could be just the thing to introduce them to Australian audiences in a huge way and help them cement a following here. Rock duos like Twenty One Pilots seem to be the hottest new thing now... The rise of the White Stripes back in the day has opened doors for the likes of The Black Keys, Death From Above 1979, Royal Blood, and local lads DZ Deathrays, among others. And Public Enemy? Wowsers. That’s a ballsy move and an interesting one. It’s doubtful that they’d be the lone hip hop or rap act on the bill, giving weight to the Kanye West rumours I told you guys about last issue. Still can’t wrap my head around it, but it could be cool. I’m open minded, and his song ‘Black Skinhead’ was frickin’ FIRE. But enough about Soundwave 2016 for this issue! Lots of other stuff has been happening! Like Good Charlotte getting back together. No word of a lie. The band that nobody admits to liking but manages to rack up platinum albums, hit singles and sold out arena tours just posted a brand new promo pic on Facebook and have started work on a new record. I’d go see them if they toured, I have no shame! Parkway Drive are killing it in the US, with their new album for Epitaph Records, Ire, debuting safely inside the Billboard Top 40. The guys are presently on tour over there with Miss May I. Escape The Fate are back with a new album; could we see THEM at Soundwave next year? The thought only just popped into my head! Maybe even Atreyu! Damn it! Huge news to finish off with... old school legends and all round top blokes GBH are heading back out here for another tour! Hit the band’s Facebook page for venue, date and ticket info before it’s too late! Until next time, enjoy the schizophrenic weather that is spring this year!
How are we all this week? I hope you all had a suitably spooky Halloween, and that you were able to make it to the Halloween ComicFest – there’s nothing quite like free comics! While my own enthusiasm for Halloween may be at an all-time low – working in retail will do that to you – I figured I’d at least try to stay on theme for once. So, this time around, I dived into something a little bit different, but still very relevant – the new(ish) DC animation Justice League: Gods and Monsters. I have to admit, I tend to get excited when I see Bruce Timm’s name attached to a project. After the masterpiece that was Batman: The Animated Series, as well as numerous animated features, Timm’s name is almost synonymous with excellent animations and storylines – after all, the Animated Series gave birth to Harley Quinn, one of the most popular Batman villains around. That said, despite Timm’s direct involvement in the project, I was a little hesitant at first. While my experience with DC’s animations has been very positive – the only thing close to a misfire was my dislike of the old-school character designs in Justice League: The New Frontier, and even then it was just an aesthetic gripe – I’m always a little cautious when it comes to “alternative” Justice Leagues. I became even more sceptical when a friend described the main characters – “vampire Batman” sounded cheesy and disappointing for a Bruce Timm story. After some insistence from a number of friends, however, I relented and picked up the DVD last week. Now that I’ve actually seen it, I’m glad I took the chance. Set in an alternate universe, the heroes we know and love aren’t what you might expect; they’re darker, scarier and much more deadly. Superman, the Man of Steel – aka Hernan Guerra – is the son of General Zod, found and raised by a family of Mexican immigrants after crash landing on Earth. Wonder Woman – aka Bekka – is a New God and the widow of Orion, son of Darkseid. Bekka fled to Earth after the Apokolips royal family – including her new husband – was slaughtered by the New God Highfather at her wedding. Batman – aka Kirk Langstrom – was once a brilliant scientist who developed an aggressive form of cancer. In his attempts to cure himself, he accidentally transformed himself into a form of pseudo-vampire, and feeds on the criminals he takes down. The Justice League – having established themselves as proponents of lethal force, and as being above the law – are viewed with suspicion, despite their heroics. When a number of prominent scientists – linked to the missing Lex Luthor – turn up dead, seemingly slaughtered by the League, the military turns their attention to the League, who have seemingly gone even more rogue and need to be put down. The League, realising they’re being framed, set out to clear their names and tear their enemy apart. Overall, Gods and Monsters was visceral, dark and really quite satisfying – in addition to seeing a League that doesn’t pull its punches, some of the lesser-known, more obscure characters get featured. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen any of the New Gods in an animated feature (with the exception of Darkseid, of course) and having characters like William Magnus and Kirk Langstrom get significant screen time is really refreshing. Gods and Monsters certainly isn’t a movie for the little’uns – the aforementioned murdering and Batman snacking on villains will probably cause a few nightmares – but it’s still a lot of fun. Take a chance on this one – it’s worth it!
With the new Star Wars movie barely a month away, you’d expect the publicity machine to have kicked into overdrive. It hasn’t. And that’s because, while Star Wars is going to be the biggest movie of the year (how big? We’ll get to that), it’s still just a movie, and as such it still has to wait its turn in the scheme of things. That means that this week it’s James Bond’s moment in the spotlight with Spectre. Because a new Bond movie remains something of an event – it actually appeals to non-regular movie-goers, and it’s not like there’s a new one each year – it’s been sucking up all the promotional oxygen for a fair while now. That’s why no big movies came out the week before, and the biggest before that was Australian film The Dressmaker (which, being a quirky comedy about Kate Winslet as a dressmaker in rural Australia, appeals to the exact opposite crowd to a James Bond films). Nobody wants to talk about other movies this week when James Bond is back next week. And then the week after is the final in the Hunger Games series, which is the kind of film that pretty much sells itself. It’s more than a little unlikely that anyone not already on board the Hunger Games express is going to decide to jump on board now, and as a film that doesn’t really overlap all that much with Bond as far as audiences go, clearly the distributors have decided they can afford to bring it out a week later. But after that there’s a whole lot of not much as far as big-screen excitement goes: why don’t they just wait another week or so just to make sure that their film doesn’t get swamped by Spectre? That would be a little film called Star Wars, which is due out December 17th. It’s only going to get a week in cinemas before the flood of Boxing Day releases provide a whole range of other options – Boxing Day being pretty much the only day of the year where everyone is in the cinema’s sights, with movies aimed at old folk, kids, teens and everyone else being released – but it’s already clear that the cinemas expect a whole lot of Star Wars business during that pre-Christmas week. For example, until recently there was only one movie due to be released December 10th – the box office flop Jem and the Holograms – and with that now gone from schedules it looks like there will be no new movies starting in cinemas at all that week. Why? So cinemas can finish up the runs of everything they’re currently showing – most likely Spectre and Hunger Games – so when Star Wars starts the next week they can show it in as many cinemas at the same time as they possibly can. If your local cinema has, say, 10 screens, you can expect that they’ll be showing Star Wars (for that week at least) on at least seven or eight of them. With sessions starting every 20 minutes or so it’s going to be pretty easy to walk in and grab a seat; for non-Star Wars fans, that might be a really good time to get that last minute Christmas shopping done…
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Trivia: Adventure time!
1.
4.
7.
What year did Adventure Time premier?
In almost every episode, what can be seen waving at viewers?
What is the Enchiridion?
8.
5.
What is Princess Bubblegum’s first name?
What is Finn afraid of?
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2. In the episode “Memory of a Memory”, what is the name of Marceline’s boyfriend?
3. What was the Ice King’s human name?
6.
Finn is voiced by...
10.
In the episode “Slumber Party Panic”, what do candy people Princess Bubblegum has do when they are terrified? a pet hamster named... 1. 2010 | 2. Ash | 3. Simon Petrikov | 4. A small snail | 5. The ocean | 6. Explode | 7. An ancient book of codes of conduct, guidelines and other helpful information for heroes | 8. BonnibeL | 9. Jeremy Shada | 10. Science Answers
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Sarah Blasko JJ
Written by Amanda Sherring
As a child, being read bedtime stories is often the norm. While this is still
true for Sarah Blasko, instead her father nourished her love for music from a young age, often playing his favourite records to the budding songstress. “I think my dad’s enthusiasm for music really made an impression on me, but I think there was also a really natural inclination there as well,” Sarah says. “It seems to be a real mixture of having someone who plays a mentor kind of role in your life and plays you music and then I think there was also a natural spark inside me that it really appealed to. “I just remember I would sit there for hours just looking at the records and reading the inside sleeve. One of the earliest memories was The Elephant Man soundtrack, which horrified me. I was so scared of the music but so intrigued by the music at the same time.” Six albums later, all released in a timely manner, with plenty of side projects seeing Sarah working on a soundtrack for a short film (The Nightingale and the Rose) and alongside the Sydney Dance Company amongst others, you could say there’s certainly something about her inspiration and work ethic. What seems to set Sarah apart is her unbridled honesty in what she creates, something that in a social context may cause her grief, but in her music sets her work alight.
Hermitude. JJ
Despite hordes of fans and a rigorous
touring schedule, Hermitude is a rather appropriate name for the electronic duo. While some musicians prefer to have streams of people in and out of the studio, wheeling in ideas and impressions by the barrowful, Luke Dubber and Angus Stuart are much more content sealing themselves away to see what they can conjure on their own. “For a long time there we were kind of fumbling around in the dark,” Dubber reflects. He is a speaker who commands your full attention; while his words are clear, the man talks a mile a minute. “We’d finished recording HyperParadise and finished touring, and it’s an exciting time. You’re not really sure what you’re going to do next, you’re free with an open canvas. So you come in and dick around, which is all good and fun, but at some point you start thinking you need to lock down what the record is going to be, and it gets kind of tricky to navigate through the endless ideas that are in your head. “You eventually get to a point where you say, ‘Right, we want the record to sound like...’” he considers, “bacon sizzling, or chicken sandwiches. It doesn’t matter what it is, it just has to be a direction you can steer the ship towards. I think we found that direction maybe a year or so after mucking around. Once we found that, the songs started forming a lot quicker. But it can always work in various ways. Sometimes
“I’ve always wanted to be someone who could reveal less about themselves. People who play it cool and you think they never have a doubt in their mind. Some people can hold things in much easier than I feel I can as a human being. But I suppose it must be a useful thing in writing music or revealing something in a performance,” she says. “People ask me a lot, ‘Don’t you feel horrified about how honest you are in your music?’ and I think that I don’t really think about it. Then when people bring it up I’m like, ‘Oh my God, yeah I am!’. I’m revealing a lot. “I think that when we create music the great thing about it is that it’s a really heightened version of your own experience. And in a sense you can feel sort of protected by that because it’s not absolute truth. It’s heightened and it could be something you feel in a fleeting moment that you’ve written a whole song about it.” This time around for her release Eternal Return, whilst claiming it openly as a love album, her signature heartfelt lyrics have been injected with synth. Much like everything Sarah does it was a natural progression for her music.
Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller, better known as Client Liaison, are cruising down the highway to their gig in Wollongong at Uni Bar as we begin to chat about the band. Having just returned from the US playing some shows in New York City as well as a promotional tour of New Zealand ahead of the New Zealand festival held in February and March next year, the duo is abuzz with stories. “It’s been a few days since we’ve got back from travelling and I don’t know whether we got into the swing of being in one place for an extended period of time because we were travelling so much. It was our third time in the last year being there and it was really great because the response that we have been getting to our music from just releasing the EP is awesome. And the American audiences seem to be really digging what we are doing in the live show. They are super supportive and the American bands are a lot more intense, so it really feels like we fit in.” 2015 has been a massive year for Client Liaison with international touring, setting hearts swooning along the way. Having released their own self titled EP last year (which was four years hard labour writing electro hard edged pop tracks), the boys have recently collaborated with Gypsy and the Cat on their latest EP Hearts A Gun. It’s no surprise really given
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Release: Eternal Return is out now at all good retailers
Written by Adam Norris
you come in with a really simple idea of what you want to do and you do the opposite. Sometimes the idea reveals itself to you, and sometimes you have to be dictating it all from the beginning. This one was a lot of experimenting and out of that came a couple of tracks that made us want to follow that direction, and so that’s what we did. From there it all just started to happen.” Hermitude’s newest album Dark Night Sweet Light has been out for around six months, and as Dubber and Stuart soon found on its headline tour, it allows for a certain level of freedom on stage – which they’ll be sure to revisit for their upcoming Festival Hall show. “It feels like it flows naturally, but we have to keep in mind the kind of reputation we’ve earned over the few years since HyperParadise, which is for quite a high-energy set,” Dubber explains. “The headline show will probably be a little more dynamic, and gives us the opportunity to do some of the quiet ones as well – to take the time to take people on a bit of a journey. We’re trying to organise some improvised moments into the set as well, where we don’t really have a set structure. We’ll go in and just psych out on some crazy sounds. We want it to be an interesting set, but have enough of everything to keep everyone happy. Have some full banging segments, and some chilled stuff.” Whatever the shape of their sets, it’ll be a welcome break in the drought for Hermitude fans the world over. HyperParadise dropped at the start of 2012, after a fouryear break. Dark Night Sweet Light arrived just over three years later and has drawn on all of the experience that comes with touring, recording, and perhaps most importantly, the
Client Liaison JJ
“It was just simply buying a profit keyboard and really loving the sound,” Sarah says. “From there it was about finding the right people to work with. There’s a guy called Donny Benet who played bass on that album and he’s also a real synth nerd, so he brought some of his beautiful synth to play on the album. “Early on that seemed to be the right path. I think with each record there’s been a different instrument to start off the record. With the last album that was probably when I got a ukulele and the album before that was when I started playing a piano.” Her core instrument may evolve with each album, but there’s always a sentiment of truth that rings through in each release, and chances are, that won’t be stopping any time soon.
recognition of when to scrap something. Dubber suspects there are hundreds of unreleased fledgling, Hermitude songs and cast-aside beats; tracks that could never find their feet or were cannibalised into something larger. “It’s good to write as much as you can, even if you’re away,” he says. “HyperParadise was written entirely in Sydney. It had been around four years since the last record, so we were long off the radar. But this latest period has been the real test. It’s not like you have to write a masterpiece in the back of a van – or at least, it wasn’t for us.” It’s too soon to speculate about where Hermitude might move from here. In truth, they don’t seem to have a clear idea themselves, but that’s all part of the thrill. Though, in two years time, once the album is released and these shows have concluded, who knows? There are, after all, those hundreds of half-songs still floating around, crying out for assembly. “We just listened to a few of them the other day,” Dubber says. “You go into the folder, listen to old songs and be
Written by Tex Miller
that the two bands are quite good mates, however, what they have produced should definitely be on your shortlist for the Hottest 100 2016. “There was no consideration,” Harvey suggests. “It was just jamming between friends. The song just came out and was a result of being friends and making music with other friends. We were having trouble with a song and they are really great with melody and harmony. We were just collaborating and we had no idea how those songs were going to end up. They polished up quite well though I think.” One of the most energetic and diverse releases of 2014, Client Liaison have been blazing up stages all around the world with their ‘90s disco pop/rock. Given that recording is very mobile in 2015, Client Liaison is always on the move when creating a new track as Morgan gives an insight into the bands creative process. “We’ve got a studio in Melbourne in the city and we work out of there sometimes, but it’s mostly just on Harvey’s laptop more than anything,” Morgan says. “It was a very long process because some of those songs are very old and it was kind of like a best of. We are currently working on the debut album and hope to have that out in mid 2016 so keep an eye out for that!” As part of the line-up for Beyond the Valley, Morgan and Miller can’t wait to hit the stage to play a set despite ringing in 2016 in Sydney. “We are playing there on the 30th of December and playing on New Years in Sydney. We are good friends with Glenn Wheatley and are trying hard at the moment to get the Whispering Jack himself on our album. Beyond The Valley is going to be one massive party with a whole heap of mates. We can’t wait.”
When & Where: Beyond the Valley, Larnder Park – December 29 – January 1
transported into whatever head-space you were in that day. And you know, there are always a couple of good ones. A handful who were close contenders, and then a whole bunch of what the fuck were we thinking. There’s definitely some there that we’ll do something with at some stage. We’ve already thrown out a lot of them already. It’s a bit like hoarding in a way. Every so often you have to empty out the hard drive and ditch all of these weird and random things you’ve been holding onto. But there’s definitely some closecalls there, or songs that just weren’t suited to a particular record. Maybe they’ll be resurrected. One day.”
When & Where: Festival Hall, Melbourne – November 28
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Refining the Palette
Australian Film
at Lorne Film
≈≈ Skaart
Written by Amanda Sherring
Back for the 10th year the SKAART free community festival will be bringing a day of carnival mayhem to Stead Park, Corio on November 15 (11am3pm). There’ll be triple clowns, high striker, carnival mirrors, mask making, jelly wrestling, aerosol art, jugglers, stilt walkers, tarot reading, a BBQ, popcorn and so much more. Do we really need to say any more to get you down there? Didn’t think so. ≈≈ Odyssey Film Festival
In a dusty old pawnbrokers in
“Then you’ve got a film like Cut Snake, and it got a release in six cinemas: how can you expect to make Footscray, with shelves filled with money or be successful when it’s only in six cinemas? mementos of things left behind, a And then you get an independent American film that significantly well-off mother walks into no one’s heard of and it gets into 130.” Paul also lists Snowtown and Animal Kingdom as the store. She has no need to pawn her two Australian films he looks highly upon, and no doubt items, instead, she wants to know why Pawno will become that film for many. her son has been doing so on her behalf. One of the greatest aspects of the film is that it doesn’t Pawno is a tale of real Australian lives, there’s no cover feel like you’re watching a movie, it simply feels as if ups or playing on Australian-isms, it’s just telling the you’re watching a moment that’s happening on the street right in front you. story of those previously untold in Australian film. “We were quite free with allowing actors to play “We just wanted it to be about life; a slice of life. Just make it as raw and as real as we could,” director Paul Ireland around the script rather than being rigid,” he says. To onlookers the filming couldn’t have seemed more says, who made his directional debut with Pawno. Spending much of his career in the industry as an real, and even with a camera crew and equipment there actor, Paul knows a thing or two about characters and were moments when locals felt they had to intervene. “There was another scene where we were breaking has implemented it into the film alongside screenwriter into a car on the street and someone called the police Damian Hill. “It was just having diversity within them and keeping but they failed to mention there was a big camera crew it real,” he says of his choice on characters in the film, filming with a big boom mic over the top of it all,” he says laughing at the situation. inspired in part by locals in Footscray. “So two squad cars came up and they hung around “This country is a melting pot for different races and that’s so rarely shown in the industry. But in Pawno we for a while. We were doing sort of illegal manoeuvres at the time so we had to slow down on that for a bit.” show it. We’re in Footscray so you’ve got to.” It’s a dedication to Australian film like Paul and Of 22 films screened at Lorne Film, Pawno is one of the 10 Australian films that are highlighting the talent Damian’s – they both sat in Paul’s kitchen for two years within this country and the real, undeniable aspects of perfecting the script – that make a real difference in shifting the stigma around what we produce. It’s not all about our country’s culture. Also sharing the bill is Cut Snake, Black Panther Jersey accents and German super-villains, sometimes it’s Woman and the life affirming and gritty film, Broke. Set nice to watch something a little bit closer to home. in industrial Australia, the film tells the story of a former Pawno screens at Lorne Film on Saturday, November 14 at the Lorne Theatre. Tickets to this screening and rugby star fallen on hard times. “We’re really obsessed with American films at the the festival in general can be purchased from: moment but I think Australians are slowly coming back lornefilm.com.au. to supporting Australian film,” he says. “I really hope so because it’s a shame when our industry starts to fail and die because we won’t support Australian When & Where: Lorne Film – November 12-15 content. Oddball has done well this year. Holding the Man that came out was great too – it was a beautiful film. JJ
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Did someone say free popcorn? That’s rights kiddies, while tickets are a steal at $5 there’s the added bonus of a free popcorn or ice cream for the first 150 tickets. What will you be seeing you ask? Only the finest selection of short films created by VCE students from around the region. The festival runs on December 5 at Village Cinemas, visit www.odysseyfilmfestival.com to get your tix. ≈≈ Night Noodle Markets
The Melbourne Night Noodle Markets are back, and with it they bring the buzz, flavour and colour of Asian culture. Head to Birrarung Marr from November 12-29 and pick yourself up something tasty. ≈≈ Our Furry Friends
Not all friends are on two legs, sometimes they’re on four and maybe even throw in a set of wings. Animals deserve a place in our hearts just as much as our human counterparts and the WEEAC (Worldwide Events to End Animal Cruelty) held at Ceres Environment Park this Sunday (November 15) could be just the chance to show them you care. There’ll be a collection of delicious (animal friendly) snacks on offer, more than 50 stalls, cooking demos and live entertainment. Guest speakers Matthew Bate, AFL legend and holistic nutrition practitioner and James Aspey, passionate animal rights advocate, will be sharing some words on the cause. Head to the park from 12-8pm. ≈≈ Artist In Residence
The New Year is fast approaching and that means it’s the perfect time for new opportunities. One such chance is the artist in residence position at the Courthouse Youth Arts Gallery. Applications are now open, so if you have an idea for the space and love showcasing incredible art, make sure you apply.
R efi n i n g the Pa l ette
The 24 Hour Experience Ballarat:
With passes available for 6, 12 or 24 hour periods, there is no shortage of entertainment, and the audience will be guided through the Experience as they travel by foot and bus to each new destination. “The things I’m really excited about are the diverse kind of things that you’re going to experience and how you go from one to the other,” Acaroglu shares.
Executive Creative Director Gorkem Acaroglu
“I’m really excited that some of them we won’t be able to see until the moment. So the Day Voices is going to be really exciting because it’s going to have singers across three towers in the town, singing across town, with local people standing on pedestals as statues down below celebrating the significance of ordinary, every day people.”
Written by Jessica Morris
JJ
Celebrating the ordinary is not something
we normally do, but the upcoming 24 Hour Experience in Ballarat gives you the chance to do just that. Creating live performances across the town every hour for 24 hours, executive creative director Gorkem Acaroglu and her team have brought together a group of close to 150 artists to make the town come to life.
the Mechanics Institute, where they will enjoy a choir performance in the presence of ancient books; allow them to explore the cosmos with an astrophysicist during the midnight trip to the Observatory; and give people a chance to meet real life models over breakfast. “[It’s about] getting really unique insights into the kind of hidden voices and perspectives of Ballarat,” Acaroglu says, who initially brought the event to Melbourne last year. Inspired by her experience as a live theatre director, her passion for live performance will spread itself across Ballarat, ushering the audience into public spaces and more private nooks and crannies for a series of unique performances.
“It is a living documentary of the contemporary perspectives of a place,” Acaroglu shares. “I really wanted to find a way to be able to explore different “You watch a documentary film, but rather than watching it on stories, and people, and voices, within a kind of immersive screen, you’re actually living it. So you’re actually there, present, way that an audience could actually feel and be present in. And that’s sort of how the idea started. So it started with this in the place with the people, experiencing what goes on.” Kicking off the event by meeting an Aboriginal elder at idea of you know, what is the essence of the place, of a town, Black Hill Lookout, the Experience will take people into a city, and what is it like over a 24 hour period?”
Lady Luck Clothing Fair JJ
Kate Dempsey knows all too well the
pleasures a market can give you, and that’s why she decided to create the Lady Luck Clothing Fair. Heading to St Mary’s Hall in Castlemaine on November 28, the market is a great chance to pick up something special from the 30 clothing stalls, indulge in coffee, ice cream and waffles, watch the pin up fashion parade and much more. When did you first get the idea to start the market and how long did it take you to put it all together? I have always loved vintage threads. I cut my teeth selling vintage clothing on Crown Street in Sydney and worked for a time in the gorgeousness that is Bell’s Belles Vintage, Castlemaine. I always wanted to put together a clothing market for Castlemaine, and had been thinking about it for some time. Then some local ladies were bemoaning the lack of clothing markets in town, and it seemed like the perfect time to launch it. It’s truly a labour of love in these early days, and takes a lot of time behind the scenes. Much more time than I care to admit to! How has the market changed from the very first one? We are growing! Lady Luck Clothing Fair has expanded to include a bigger, more diverse range of stall holders. We have moved to a larger, more central location – at St Mary’s Hall
With partners including the local council and the Australia Council for the Arts, ticket holders will be given a ‘survival pack’ and chair to help them through the Experience. Meals, snacks and resting stations will also be provided.
in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine – which is easy walking distance from the station for anyone coming by train. We also now offer vintage hair styling by Bendigo Vintage Hairstyling and kitsch kids craft workshops by local artist Mollie Kerby (pre bookings for both at ladyluckclothingfair@gmail.com ). We have buskers, and the kitsch factor amps up just a little more with each event.
“I really wanted to find a way to be able to explore different stories, and people, and voices, within a kind of immersive way that an audience could actually feel and be present in.”
“So what happens is because it’s [a] one off unique event for only a certain group of people that do the event, you actually bond with this group of people…The longer you do the event the more incredible it is, because you’re bonding with these people, and you’re experiencing something that you’re never going to experience again,” Acaroglu says. “It’s celebrating the ordinary and the everyday and the magic of that.” For a peek into what truly makes the people of Ballarat tick, the 24 Hour Experience will be held on November 21-22. Tickets are available at the24hourexperience.com.au.
When & Where: Various locations in Ballarat – November 21-22
Part of the fun of markets is discovering something special, what can buyers expect from the Lady Luck Markets? People can expect to meet some lovely vendors from Castlemaine, Melbourne, Daylesford, Bendigo and everywhere in between. There will be a fantastic mix of locals clearing out premium designer treasures and professional vintage sellers, such as Holly Daze Vintage, Ava Vintage Boutique, Brick Lane Bazaar, Smokin’ Vintage and Vintage Online bringing you the dreamiest vintage clothing and jewellery you’ve ever seen. Lady Luck Clothing Fair has you covered, whether you are looking for a $20 bargain or hoping to find a high end ‘50s frock to wear to a special event. Steph of Holly Daze Vintage (Castlemaine) will be bringing along some more men’s threads this time too.
What is it you love about markets? I grew up in Sydney, and the weather there lends itself well to market culture – it’s in my blood. Every weekend from the time I was 13 you could find me scouring markets all over the place. l like the atmosphere of markets. I love having interesting conversations with lovely people – I like the stories and connections that come out of those interactions. The tactility and the excitement of a great find! There is a real luxury in that, it can’t be replicated online.
Grab a delicious coffee from Nigel of Hey Presto Espresso, as you wander around and discover vintage beauties. Get your locks coiffed in a vintage hairstyle, as your shorties block print a tote with Mollie Kerby. Then listen to the Balkan influenced brass band, The Seducaphones, and devour gluten free tacos chased by some ice cream from Ice Cream Social. Pretty much the perfect Saturday tied up in a bow.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever picked up from a market? Oh, that is a hard question. I have found so many great treasures at markets. I would say I have a soft spot for some things I found in New York flea markets a few years ago, including a pretty spectacular 1940s dress, 1940s naval top and 1950s bowling brooch. I also have an old denim jacket that is a favourite. I’ve had it since I was 16, and it’s still going strong! Having said that, lots of my everyday summer vintage frocks have come from markets all over the place. The great thing about Lady Luck Clothing Fair on November 28th, is that it is coming into prime frock weather!
And Facebook /ladyluckclothingfair
Follow us on Instagram @ladyluckclothingfair
When & Where: St Mary’s Hall, Castlemaine – November 28 (10am-3pm)
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Waves 2 Woods Anglesea’s Newest Music Festival With a Difference Waves 2 Woods, a new music festival on the surf coast circuit, brings eco-minded folk together for a brilliant day out in Anglesea. JJ
A one-day curated festival of activities for foodies, live music lovers, craft beer & wine tipplers, and green hearts. The headline acts include HOWQUA, with his raw and honest lyrics and soul-baring music, the deep toned voice of singer-songwriter Oscar Lush and folkpop artist Ariela Jacobs with her heart-touchingly beautiful words and music. Jim Lawrie will be doing a solo electric performance, Al Parkinson will keep you amused and entertained with her soulful voice and accompanying ukulele, and the dreamy, haunted tones of Eliza Hull will enthral and capture you. And local indie-folk-rock band Children of the Sun (their hometown of Aireys Inlet just a short, curvy drive away along the stunning Great Ocean Road) will be performing their original and unique tunes to delight their devoted fans and new listeners alike. A crew of this calibre on the surf coast all in one day is a rarity in itself. “We are so thrilled to have such a fantastic line-up for year one” says Alex Boston, Co-Founder.
“Music has always been an important instrument for change. It moves and inspires us, raises our gaze. We hope people can kick back enjoy the tunes and share in positive and empowering messages about their role in a sustainable future!” Waves 2 Woods will be running a social campaign called #smallchanges that encourages their punters to make a small change to their daily lives that can impact environmental outcomes. All the Waves 2 Woods food vendors have sourced sustainable meat and organic seasonal produce. The bar will be serving craft beer and boutique vineyard wine. Waves 2 Woods is a social enterprise created by surf coast natives Stacey Doak and Alex Boston, whose core philosophy is driven by the pursuit for a healthier, greener and sustainable future. Go to www. waves2woods.com for more details. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for students and kids get in free. Tickets on sale now at www. waves2woods.com.
When & Where: Anglesea Green, Anglesea – 21 November
The Brian Jonestown Massacre JJ
I’ve been warned that The Brian
Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe is a difficult, and sometimes dangerous, interview subject. To be fair, there is certainly evidence to back up such hyperbole: the man we saw depicted in 2004’s controversial documentary Dig! is certainly, well, colourful. While it would be an impressive feat to feel seriously threatened by Newcombe over the phone, the confrontational or indifferent figure I’d been advised to anticipate was utterly absent. Instead, he is engaged, erudite and quite funny, if pessimistic for the future. “I’m not enthusiastic for the children of tomorrow,” he says. “It was such a minefield before. Now? It’s only gotten crazier. Anything could happen. Your child could go to some kid’s house to play, and they could be watching Jihad videos. You wouldn’t even know. They could be in Snapchat with any of these pedo-whatevers. It could be anything. There are an infinite number of minefields out there now, and who could say what might set it off ? You just have to focus.” Newcombe is speaking from Berlin. He has lived there for several years with his wife and two young children. As such, his concern for the fate of future generations is not an abstract thought. Nor is his
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trepidation limited to family; as our conversation unfolds, the overriding impression you get from Newcombe is one of bewilderment. Watching the Syrian crisis unfold from Germany – a country that anticipates accepting half a million refugees annually for some time to come – Newcombe is in a privileged position to witness humanity’s potential for both generosity and apathy. “Well, there’s a massive problem, and there’s only a couple of ways it can go,” he says. “One is the Austrian/ Hungarian approach, which is basically saying there’s no fucking way you’re getting in here. There’s the UK approach, which is like that movie Children of Men. It’s exactly like that – there are thousands of people camped beside five levels of razor wire, people are burning tires in the street. But you know, the other way it can go is if the most intelligent people on the planet start talking about real solutions. But you never get to the bottom of these problems. How are we going to solve the Syrian refugee crisis when we created it? “There’s crazy, crazy stuff going on all over the world,” Newcombe sighs. “And the blame for it gets shifted everywhere. I think that these are serious times, and the planners of this grand chess game go right back to American strategists against the Soviet Empire. A lot of these old white guys said this was going to be a walk in the park, and that’s not how it turned out, but they’re still stuck in this old plan.” It prompts me to ask for Newcombe’s thoughts on the role of music in all of this, given these are concerns many musicians have attempted to address in the past. Benefit concerts like Live 8, and the work of Band Aid and the like, have all endeavoured to use music and the muscle of celebrity to eradicate hunger or calm aggression. Newcombe doesn’t hesitate in his response. “No. I’ll tell you why. You can’t want for other people
what they can’t want for themselves. You just can’t. Democracy is an illusion. You look at how often people like Bush have been in power. Look at Rumsfeld and Cheney, who were pulling strings from back in the days of Richard Nixon. And their prodigies are out there working now. You see these guys from Eton or wherever sitting around looking like Duran Duran except there’re fourteen members, and that’s the whole UK government. And you’re like, holy cow. What a democracy. So I think you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, and the arts is a great way to tread lightly. You can make something from all this stuff that would otherwise be a stimulus to hide your head in the shadow of Kim Kardashian’s arse, this search for the perfect Porsche, your dream home in Byron Bay, whatever. Art is good as something there to be interpreted in different ways, but whether we need it… The question is, do you need it? Do you need a filter for all of your feelings and thoughts? It has to be enjoyment of the activity, and that’s something that I’ll always have.” At 48 years old, you don’t doubt that Newcombe still enjoys what he does. He is still pushing his creativity, in part to keep his filter of the world churning, in part to keep the
Written by Adam Norris
delusion of relevance and addiction to acclaim at bay. “I watched this constant rise and fall of so many bands. You see them in Rolling Stone, MTV, tell everyone in their hometown who hated them to fuck off. They get the record deal, go to LA, they get the model, and gone. I mean, where the fuck are the Goo Goo Dolls? You watch that movie Sunset Boulevard, and Eric von Stroheim is writing [Gloria Swanson] these fan mails because she thinks she’s still important and famous. I know so many people like that. They were so distant to everyone, so detached. I can’t imagine ever being that sad.”
THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE play Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday November 15 as part of Melbourne Music Week.
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Ivan Ooze JJ Entertaining, provocative and energetic are just three of the words you could use to sum up talented rapper Ivan Ooze. Returning to Beyond The Valley Music Festival as a headliner for the second year in a row, he promises a performance bigger than ever before.
“We’re getting everything prepared and I know there’s a lot of stuff that [we’re] trying to keep a little bit secret, but there is heaps of spectacular things that will be on stage. So yeah, a lot more energy, new songs, new everything. It’s gonna be pretty dope,” he says. Having spent much of the past year touring, Ooze now counts Seth Sentry as a friend, and has supported Ice Cube, Cypress Hill and (infamously) Azealia Banks but performing at festivals is another story for the Melbourne artist. “You have to really work for it to earn their attention, so you just have to try a lot harder,” says Ooze. “It’s a lot more fun doing it that way as well [because] you’re working harder, and you’re showing them what you’re made of. It sort of intrigues them, and they wanna come in and be like, ‘Oh, what’s this guy doing? Like he’s doing all this trap stuff and there’s a backflip, and he’s yelling a lot,’ and all this sort of stuff, so it’s kind of cool doing.” Marked as an artist belonging to the new wave of Aussie hip-hop, Ooze prefers not to be pigeon holed, and prides
Written by Jessica Morris
himself on being an “all rounder.” “Whatever I hear, like over a beat or something, that’s what I’ll put onto a page, and that’s what will be on the beat. There’s no specific sort of sound that I’m going for. I like to always mix it up,” he says. This unpredictably is part of the essence of Ivan Ooze. As he says, “I just adapt,” and we see that clearly in his latest single ‘Fire’. “I wanted to start having tracks that were bangers. As in, bangers at your show, and in clubs that people get down to. I wanted to have a song like that everyone could lose their shit to and just yell at the top of their lungs,” he says. “It was pretty much just so I could have a trap banger in my set, plus [I wanted to] start introducing other trap songs – you’ve got to grow as an artist.” A personal highlight for the rapper is the rapport he has with fans, and this has been evident to him on his latest tour. “I played my first under 18’s show, and then I played my Melbourne show the other night, and it’s weird now to see that people know my lyrics. That psyched me out,” he shares. “There was about 150 in the room, and they all knew that hook and that song, and I think that’s sort of a highlight, that sort of trips you out real bad,” he says. Wrapping up my time with Ivan, I asked him about his name. Satisfying the geek in me, Ivan did not disappoint. “I watched Power Rangers, I watched Ivan Ooze and he is like a dark creature that like pops out of an egg. But he’s also extremely funny so I just took that name, just ‘cause I felt like all the traits matched up to it.”
Beyond the Valley is held from December 29-January 1 in Lardner. Tickets are available at beyondthevalley.com.au.
Wolf Mail JJ
Fresh from a tour in Europe and despite
a short stint of laryngitis, Wolf Mail doesn’t slow down, and he’s currently in the midst of an Australian tour. We had a chat to the Canadian blues legend on how Australia compares and what we can expect. Hey Wolf Mail, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? Hello, my pleasure. I’m currently in Sydney taking a few days off before heading out to Brisbane to start the Australian tour. You just finished off a big tour in Europe too, how did it all go? The tour was great. We started off in Lausanne, Switzerland, then Germany, France and Netherlands. Had a few days off and then headed out to Moscow, Russia, headlined the Belomor Boogie Festival on the border of Russia and Finland, and did out last gig in Yekaterinburg, Siberia. Got hit with a laryngitis along the way, which made me sound like Marlon Brando in the Godfather for a while, but got back on my feet pretty quick. With your tour of Aus coming up it’s been two years since you were last here, how did you find your last experience? I always enjoy playing in Australia, fans are really laid back and appreciative – particularly when we perform in remote places such as Tasmania or anywhere outside big cities.
The blues scene in Australia is certainly on the rise, how have you found it the few times you’ve visited? How does it compare to the blues scene in Canada? I think there is a healthy “live” scene in Australia, the key is to how you are being promoted. Compared to North America, the word ‘blues’ in Australia seems to be stigmatised, almost a dirty word. Some of the most successful artists in North America such as Jack White or the Black Keys are blues bands at heart, they just brand themselves differently.
stone, each piece imported from the Himalayas mountains in Nepal. The entire 1000+ venue is powered by solar energy, it’s a very unique setting. Having the legendary Johnny Winter in attendance made this event even more memorable.
So we understand Leslie West, Steve Cropper, Pop A Chubby and yourself have just undertaken a new project together, are you able to enlighten our readers on what to expect? I have actually just completed the project. It’s an Xmas Blues album. It was released last week in the US by L.A based label Cleopatra Records. It was a great opportunity and honour for me to be associated with such artists. It seems to be doing ok, I just got word that it was the #2 best selling traditional blues album on Amazon last week.
While we know you’ve been to Australia a few times, have you been to Geelong? Do you have any plans to check out the town while you’re down here? Yes I have been to Geelong once, nice city. I have performed there with former Jimmy Barnes’ guitarist and blues legend Mal Eastick. Met some great people. I remember meeting local Jim Dyson ( Jim Dyson guitars) backstage, and he had me try some very fine guitars of his.
Your live CD/DVD Oseana Auditorium from your show in Norway is also out. Are you somehow who gets quite nostalgic for great shows you’ve performed at? I’m always looking forward to the next gig, I have the tendency not to spend much time looking back. That being said, the Oseana Auditorium show was definitely something I will remember. The setting was so unique. I remember coming out of the auditorium around midnight and looking at this perpetual sunset, the outside of the building is made of rare black
David Bridie David Bridie is up there as one of the Australia’s biggest icons alongside John Farnham and the Dog on the Tuckerbox and is quite simply, a legend. Since the ‘80s he has been involved in many different recording and live projects and is a founding member of seminal Australian bands, My Friend The Chocolate Cake and Not Drowning Waving. In 2013, he released a solo record Wake and as we begin to chat, I reveal to him there is a considerable number of people wondering where the follow up is. Having just returned from a couple of weeks gigging and having business meetings in the US, he is nearly ready to sit down and record the album – which will most likely be released in the first quarter of next year. JJ
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Are there any other shows you wished you’d captured in that manner? There might be a few on the list, but if I had to choose one it would be the Oseana concert.
Thanks again for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to tell our readers? Not sure I’m the right person for words of wisdom but thanks to all the fans and press that help support the music scene. I think music is good for the soul; more music makes a better world. See you at the show.
Written by Tex Miller
“I’m working on a bunch of different stuff at the moment and it has been really busy. I know that my fans want the follow up to Wake and I had to take some time out in country NSW to write some material,” he says. “I went up there with my keyboard for a week or two and just disconnected myself from society. I had no mobile phone reception or internet and I got a few songs out of the box. We live in such a cluttered world and I loved the isolation out there. Between soundtrack stuff and solo records and getting a Chocolate Cake record on the go as well, it’s hard sometimes to just step away from it all.” The recent US tour, which saw Bridie play in Tucson and New York City, was a great catalyst for allowing the new set of songs to breathe further life into them. Having experienced the US music culture for myself, I can safely say it is a completely different ball game to the Australian market. “I am working on a film soundtrack at the moment and so I had a few business meetings in New York for that,” Bridie says. “It’s called Wolves and is an American independent film, I’m unsure whether it will get a theatrical release but I’m sure you will be able to track it down online nonetheless. The US is a great place to get inspired and I was listening to a lot of Calexico as I was driving through the wide open desert country.
I think the new songs will gain a bit of inspiration from that, but I haven’t started recording that yet or anything.” Lucky enough to have the facilities to a home studio, Bridie is constantly immersed within his different projects. As you would expect, having a space to work on material should allow for faster records to be made. As it happens, at the moment he is full time in the studio working on a few different things. “That’s the way of the world these days. Big studios are closing down because nobody can afford the $1100 dollars a day you need to hire them. I’m excited about the opportunity to get back down to Geelong to play. Although the album hasn’t been recorded as of yet, you will hear some new tracks and a few of your favourites. I love Beav’s Bar it’s a great performance space and you should all come down and check out what I’ve been working on Geelong,” he says.
When & Where: Beav’s Bar, Geelong – November 15
When & Where: Pistol Pete’s, Geelong – November 27
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Barwon Club
captain
homehouse
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Barwon Club
captain
homehouse
beavs
beavs
eureka
eureka
odyssey
odyssey
pistol pete’s
pistol pete’s
slate pool lounge
slate pool lounge
the max
the juke
the juke
the max
THERE the max THERE
WORKERS there workers there CLUB club
workers club
WORKERS CLUB
workers club
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Film and Music Reviews
the w r a p
Films reviewed by Anthony Morris
films Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse: This teen friendly zom-com is better than the dodgy concept would suggest: the jokes are (mostly) funny, the scares are (mostly) effective and the whole thing seems refreshingly keen to have some fun with the end of the world. The Last Witch Hunter: Vin Diesel is an immortal badass who keeps the world’s witch population in line with the help of the church. Then things go wrong. The special effects and design are good, but the concept itself just plods.
Spectre
Now Add Honey
Man Up
Freeheld
It’s easy to forget just how much the James Bond movies have improved in the Daniel Craig era – or it is until you see Spectre, which might not be a bad Bond movie but certainly has the kind of flaws that make it a less than brilliant outing for the UK’s number one spy. The precredits action sequence is a high point of the film and the series in general, while much of what follows is decent but unspectacular Bond material (he travels the globe tracking down an evil conspiracy; the usual business). The silliness that’s always a danger with Bond is starting to creep back though: it’s hard to maintain the fiction Craig’s Bond is the gritty one when he’s using a car ejector seat. It’s towards the end when the film is at its most Bond-like – let’s just say evil organisation Spectre has a secret headquarters – that it loses energy, as if director Sam Mendes and company knew they had to put this stuff in but wanted it over as quickly as possible. A lacklustre conclusion provides just enough time to dwell on the story’s many gaping plot holes (does Spectre and its sinister leader played by Christoph Waltz even have an evil scheme?). Best to just focus on the action and Craig’s brutal smirk.
When her stage mother sister Beth (Portia de Rossi) returns to Australia and is promptly arrested for drug possession, Caroline (Robyn Butler) is left to look after her niece, teenage international superstar Honey (Lucy Fry). To say she’s an odd fit with Caroline’s all-Aussie family – and her other sister (Lucy Durack) and her fiancée (Hamish Blake) – is an understatement. Having a creepy paparazzi (Angus Sampson) lurking in the bushes is the least of their worries. This comedy from the makers of Upper Middle Bogan is a bit uneven (like a sitcom pilot, perhaps), with a plot that manages to be both predictable and muddled with a strong theme of body-shaming and teen sexualisation (it’s firmly opposed to both) that doesn’t quite gel with the funnier moments. An excellent cast provide a vital emotional core to proceedings – Hamish Blake shines in a rare purely comedic role – and while Butler’s trademark live-wire performance suits proceedings well, for a movie so concerned with character it’s surprising more isn’t made of how Caroline got to be so jittery. But story isn’t this film’s strong point; there’s enough sweet character moments and solid jokes to make this worthwhile for comedy fans – though it’s maybe a bit thin for anyone looking beyond the laughs.
In the never-ending struggle to find new ways for a rom-com couple to “meet cute”, Man Up stands out. When committed, yet somewhat unhappy, singleton Nancy (US actor Lake Bell) is mistaken for his blind date by Jack (Simon Pegg), she decides to go along with it, leading to a fun time with a pretty big sword of doom hanging over it. There’s a fair amount of quality banter here, and the characters are just roughedged enough to make them plausible even as the story piles on the coincidences and wacky hijinks as they race all over London. The charisma miss-match between the leads – Bell is very likeable and funny, Pegg is somewhat less so – dents the romance angle a bit, and packing the story into one night does mean the back half feels increasingly forced (thankfully, the plot does contain a few twists). But if the “rom” side of things doesn’t really take off, the “com” provides a fairly steady stream of laughs thanks to cartoony supporting cast. It ticks all the boxes, some less interestingly than others – the traditional “insights” into male-female relationships are duller than usual – leaving Bell’s warmly funny performance (and well-maintained UK accent) to bring proceedings to life.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Freeheld – the based-on-a-true-story tale of a New Jersey cop (Julianne Moore) who, when diagnosed with terminal cancer, was not allowed to transfer her pension to her partner (Ellen Page) – is the many angles it finds to make an audience cry. It’s a slow build as the film begins with Moore’s tough cop and Page’s tough mechanic slowly falling for each other and even more slowly coming out to her workmates, most notably her police partner (Michael Shannon). But once the cancer makes an appearance this comes at you from all angles. It’s hard to know what’s more tear-worthy: is it her wife’s refusal to accept she’s dying? Her police partner’s slow path to understand and stoic support? The fact that without her pension, her partner is going to have to sell the house that symbolises their love? A community coming together to stand up for what’s right? The story itself is a worthy, if unspectacular, telling of a milestone on the path to acceptance, with Moore once again showing off her skill at bravely dying and Shannon getting the only character that goes through any kind of emotional journey. But if you want a chance to cry at the movies, this is one not to miss.
The Wrath
Suzannah Espie
Suiciety
Half Moon Run
Fat Freddy’s Drop
Disillusions & Resolutions
Mother’s Not Feeling Herself Today
Crawling Machine Edition
Sun Leads Me On
Bays
Independent Reviewed by Alastair McGibbon
Independent Reviewed by Tex Miller
Desert Highways Reviewed by Tex Miller
Indica Records/MGM Reviewed by Amanda Sherring
The Drop/Remote Control Records Reviewed by Amanda Sherring
Ah, horror punk. To be honest, I’d forgotten this genre of music had existed, despite being super into it back in early to mid-high school. Mixing the “screw you” attitude of punk with anything and everything horror-themed, bands like The Wrath – a quintet from the Gold Coast – specialise in music that’s designed to freak you out as well as make you have a good time. The band’s latest effort, Disillusions & Resolutions provides more of the latter than the former, but that’s definitely a good thing in my book. More punky than ghoulish, The Wrath serve up tunes that will put a smile on any punk fan’s face. The guitar work is excellent – in addition to serving up some sublime riffs, guitarists Spectre Deano and Carina Acquarola manage to sound ominous whilst still maintaining a hectic pace. While Disillusions & Resolutions takes a little while to really kick into gear (‘Blood on Your Hands’ is particularly good), but it’s a rip-roaring effort from a band that really knows how to have a good time. This sort of music might be an acquired taste, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
Following on from Sea of Lights was always going to be a monster task. However, Suzannah Espie has definitely delivered with her new album. Inspired by her experiences of motherhood over the past 10 years, Mothers Not Feeling Herself Today tackles one of the hardest issues in Post Natal Depression. However that said, despite the somewhat intense lyrical themes and subjects to this album, Espie has definitely provided one of the albums of the year with perfect country slow burning melodies to each track. ‘What Would You Say’ opens the record and is complimented by some sorrowful string arrangements. In other cases it may seem that it is a slow start to the record, however on this album it isn’t all about being intense right from the get go. Throughout 45 minutes and over the 10 tracks, you are transported into Espie’s world and it is simple to see this is easily amongst some of her best work. Touring towards the end of the year and playing at Port Fairy Folk Festival in March, we are going to be able to hear and see the live show very soon.
As a band from the ‘90s, Suiciety are one of those bands that definitely still have it all these years later. Since releasing their debut record Deeper Vision and making the top 10 list for The Age’s Albums of the Year. Crawling Machine Edition is the first taste of new music that we have gotten in quite a while for the band and, to be put simply, it is a welcome return for the group. Opening with ‘Toma Esto Es’, the rhythm section and the soaring vocals of Adam Cooper are what bring a smile to my face at the return of the band. The guitar solo is epic. Many of the riffs in this EP are delectable and heavy but give us great hope that the stage show is going to be nothing more than a highly sweaty, energetic affair. Finishing with ‘Smell Life By The Sea’ a six minute epic, this is an EP that is sure to have you hitting play immediately after it finishes. It’s intensive punk rock at its 2015 best. It may have been quite a few years between drinks for these boys, but Suiciety is back in a big way and you should check out the fruits of their labour.
Half Moon Run’s first album Dark Eyes was perfect. Hands down, no doubt about it, perfect. It was one of those releases that you couldn’t possibly imagine a follow up to that would sit on par or above the quality it exuded. Perhaps the band realised this and there’s markedly a different sound and approach with this sophomore release. The first was a slowburn indie number with a spacious emotionality that just couldn’t be repeated. This time around there’s more digital blended into their analogue sound and the album jumps around from psychrock to pop-rock to even a bit of craftwork a la Radiohead. It’s not as smooth transition for each song like it was in the last album, but there’s still gems in this release. ‘I Can’t Figure Out What’s Going On’ hold the emotionality and tight lyricality of before, ‘Hands In the Garden’ is also another fine example. While it mightn’t quite live up to the wonder and awe surrounding the first release, this is still a tight indie-rock release that relies quite a bit on subtleties. Being a fan of the first album I’d still listen to this on repeat, and so should you.
Fat Freddy’s Drop’s new album is one smooth listen. Starting off with the slow burning funk number ‘Wairunga Blues’ the album flicks through reggae, jazz and techno rhythms all with the signature Freddy’s horns. ‘Slings & Arrows’ is a highlight for me, though I’ve always had a thing for the calming, soul-touching nature of a good reggae tune. This time around the seven-piece New Zealand band wrote majority of the album in the studio and the natural, immediate nature shows through in their tracks. There’s a confidence in the manner the band travel through different genres. In particular they’re synth-laden track ‘Wheels’. ‘Makkan’ is a slow emotive number with gentle plucks of the guitar and the lyrics echoing “I’ll take you higher”. It’s a sweet number that would be a good one to share with the special person in your life. Overall this is an album that shows a confidence in the band to jump between different influences and genres to their classic horn-driven tracks. Pick it up for a cruisey listen that your ears, and mind, will love you for.
Bridge of Spies: There’s not a lot of spying going on here, and the bridge hardly gets a look in. If you like Steven Spielberg in “earnest-butplayful” mode, this Cold War thriller is a decent way to pas the time. The Dressmaker: A scorned woman (Kate Winslet) returns to her 50s outback town to wreck revenge via her sowing machine in the kind of broad Aussie comedy (think lots of flailing about and stereotypes) that usually stinks. Thankfully here – thanks in large part to Winslet – this works. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension: The long-running franchise does it all over again, only this time in 3D. Which doesn’t add much.
CD’s
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live gig re vie ws
Dylan Joel at the Workers Club Geelong, October 30
Aus Music Festival
Support:
In Warrnambool, October 30-November 1
Jess Fairlie, Hash Brown, DEX
Reviewed by Amanda Sherring
Reviewed by Jessica Morris
Hip hop can be an acquired taste, but when it came to Dylan Joel’s gig at the Workers Club Geelong, he had everyone grooving to his upbeat and quirky tunes. With solid opening performances from Jess Fairlie, Hash Brown and DEX, Dylan took the stage as part of his Authentic Lemonade tour, and in seconds he had people moving their feet and waving their hands. From the first lines of ‘Fresh’, it was clear he was thoroughly invested in the music, and he continuously threw out opportunities for the crowd to join in. Naturally, the Workers Club was set alight with his rendition of his classic ‘Cool Kids’ (you just can’t get past the homage to Wicked), but his new tunes set the bar even higher. Performing the moving ‘Hope Is…’ a Capella, sliding into the jazz sounds of ‘Swing’, and even moving effortlessly into his own rendition of Drake’s ‘Good Girl’ (who thought it could actually sound good?), it was a night dedicated to filling the ears and the hearts of the crowd with good music, good times, and positive vibes. Encouraging people to move out of their comfort zones, Dylan and the band did more than just tell us to dance, they actually finished the set with a synchronised swing number before jumping into the crowd for a dance sesh. His hip hop and rap skills were on point throughout the evening, even making a convert out of this self professed pop lover, and you couldn’t fault his musicality as he showed off his skills as a singer and guitarist. In one word, Dylan Joel’s set at the Workers Club just made you feel good. Drummer Nathan Wilson, and guitarist/ mixer Pat Gabriel smashed it, bringing a unity and fun to the stage. Dylan Joel made it even more clear that he is one of the best, and one of a kind, in the Oz hip hop scene. If you haven’t heard this guy yet you really need to get on it, because he guarantees you a good time.
People can say what they like about the music scene in regional towns, but the Aus Music Festival held in Warrnambool on the last weekend of October certainly proved the sceptics wrong. The inaugural event was made possible through the vision of festival director Russ Goodear several years ago. With the help of an army of volunteers and committee members, the festival came together and enabled the town to celebrate the local and Australian musical talent and industry knowledge on offer. Musical highlights include Archie Roach as part of the Tarerer Showcase Concert alongside Andy Alberts and the Walkabouts, Tex Perkins and Charlie Owens in the Back to the Bay Concert and performances from the Germein Sisters, Georgia Spain and more. Attendees also had the chance to get an insight into aspects of the music industry with several forums touching each corner of what’s involved. Presented by Music Victoria the forums covered ‘Local Legends’, ‘Guitar Battle Royale’ with guitarists Robbie Bostock and Lee Sonnyboy Morgan, an insight to touring with ‘Highway to Hell or the Road to the Holy Grail?’ and lastly the ‘Meet the Press’ forum, in which I was also lucky to be a panellist. Sharing the mic with Andrew Mast (Group Managing Editor of the Music), Matt Neal (journalist at the Warrnambool Standard), James Goodear (music contributor) and Kate McCabe (publicist at Remote Control) it was a session where some serious topics were raised by the audience and MC Patrick Donovan (Music Victoria). For such an ambitious spread across several days, the festival was a success and remarked on its high standard by attendees. The Aus Music Festival will be back for another year, so start planning for your trip to Warrnambool next year. My hint; visit the local fish and chip store near the Lighthouse Theatre, there’s a reason why the locals love it too.
4 of the best shots from kennedy’s creek music festival 2015
brother james
Immigrant union
money for rope
the john steel singers
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torrentthis.tv
6 JJ
Comic Book Characters Who Suffer From Serious Mental Illness
It’s been a bad mental health week for me. You see, going through ebbs and flows with my anxiety,
Stop Critiquing ‘Back To The Future’: 5 Other Movies That Failed To Predict The Future JJ
In 1989, the sequel to one of the greatest ever movies about time travel was released, and
I can go months at a time feeling completely fine as the confident guy that I am, but on the flip-side,
then itself became one of the greatest movies about time travel. While 1988’s Back to the Future
one comment can send me spiralling. The best way to describe it is that it’s like a constant inner
was fantastic, it was set in a world we’d already seen and lived through. Back to the Future Part
monologue that questions everything people say, constantly reminding you of mistakes you made
2, however, showed us the mother-flippin future and we lapped it up! Back then, 2015 seemed
as long as a decade ago. If that’s not enough, it will twist those mistakes to the point that you start
like such a long way away that anything could be possible. As the years went on the film only
remembering them as being significantly worse than they were. So with that off my chest, I thought
became more and more loved…but then, something happened. As social media started to spread
I’d take a look at some comic book characters that have their own chemical imbalances of the brain.
its wings, some bright spark realised that we were getting closer and closer to that future we
Robert Reynolds – Sentry
Hank Pym – Ultron
Mark Spector – Moon Knight
had grown up watching, and dammit, hoverboards didn’t look like they’d be invented in time.
Powers: telepathic immunity, adaptive personality, pain resistance, fear inducing.
Powers: Chemically-enhanced physiology, molecular manipulation, superhuman strength, superhuman speed, superhuman stamina, superhuman agility , superhuman reflexes, superhuman senses, flight, nigh invulnerability, photokinesis, light projection, energy blasts, psionic abilities, healing factor, resurrection. Mental Illness: agoraphobia, anxiety, schizophrenia. A character that Marvel has at times claimed to be the most powerful Superhero in their universe, is also one of their most mentally ill. Sentry lives in constant fear of his power, concerned that if he ever unleashes its full potential, it would be catastrophic for Earth.
Vril Dox – Braniac
Mental Illness: Powers: robotic body, superhuman strength, superhuman speed, superhuman durability, flight, concussion blasters, tractor beams, radiation emitters, encephalo-beam, energy absorption, program transmitter, memory capacity, motility support, power supply, sensor apparatus.
dissociative identity disorder Moon Knight’s madness is so strong that it has labelled some to call it magical. He doesn’t simply believe that Mark Spector and Moon Knight are different people, but he also has other aliases he believes to be real.
Bruce Wayne – Batman
Mental Illness: Bi-Polar disorder. While being merged with your greatest and most dangerous creation is sure to give you identity issues, Hank Pym was unwell long before that. His Bi-Polar disorder has caused him to constantly question his abilities, feel inferior to fellow inventor Tony Stark and had him labelled a wife beater.
Harleen Quinzel – Harley Quinn
Powers: indomitable will, intimidation, interrogation, peak human conditioning, peak human strength, peak human reflexes, peak human speed, peak human endurance, peak human agility, acrobatics, martial arts, genius level intellect, eidetic memory, disguise. Mental Illness: psychopathic, sociopathic.
Powers:
Powers:
unique physiology, psychokinesis, superhuman strength, telepathy, telekinesis, enhanced intellect
toxic immunity, psychiatry, gymnist, genius level intellect
Mental Illness: mysophobia One of Superman’s most dangerous enemies, Braniac suffers from a phobia of germs. Now this is interesting, since he travels through the universe destroying planets and bottling cities, which you’d think would leave him open to new and wonderful germs on a daily basis.
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Batman, the Defender of Gotham, a man that can beat any foe regardless of their superpowers, simply because he is Batman. The only problem is, he’s a raving lunatic. He thinks nothing of crippling people for information or petty offences. He has no qualms with using children in his war against crime and, to make matters worse, if he abandoned the cape and cowl, Bruce Wayne could do more good for Gotham than Batman ever could.
Mental Illness: obsession
So there are six comic book
Dr. Harleen Quinzel led a normal productive life until her encounter with the Joker. Something about him triggered her obsession and it was 100% directed at him. This resulted in her leaving her normal life and becoming the cosplay inspiration we love her for.
characters who are way more messed up than you and I, and if they can’t get mental health right with all their power and money, then what hope do we have? Written by Michael Loverdos
The complaints started small enough at first; one or two people re-posting the joke and getting a small grin. But then the photo-shoppers got on board and started altering dates. Suddenly you couldn’t go a week without somebody else incorrectly thinking that today was the day Marty McFly arrived, #wherearemyhoverboards? As it built to a fever-pitch, we somehow weren’t content with accepting BTTF2 as a ripping piece of comedy/sci-fi that was simply presenting a fictional version of a future land. We started to treat the movie as a prediction, and started judging it accordingly. “Ha ha, you stupid movie. All of your flawless time-lines and multi-dimension hopping story-line and great characterisation and sense of adventure and fun are useless, because you couldn’t even predict hoverboards correctly!” Well, allow me to pour cold water over the most overused joke on the internet by asking, so what? What about BTTF2 makes us mark it so harshly? And what about hoverboards – cool as they are – makes it the centre of it all? Nobody complains that we don’t have flying DeLoreans. Hell, nobody complained back in 1989 that WE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TRAVEL and if you’re going to take a movie to task over its cool stuff that isn’t in real life, you’d think that’d be the first thing to pick on.
Still, the internet will be the internet, so allow me to take it to its logical conclusion by confirming the results of predictions of other past movies about the future: •• Despite what you might have thought after catching a re-run of Escape from New York – The Big Apple has NOT been walled up and converted into a prison. Equally, the President is just fine. •• 2010: The Year We Made Contact. Nnnnnnnope. 2015: The Year We Found Water Traces, maybe. •• Back to New York – I was there recently, and for anybody who watched 2012, don’t panic! The city didn’t flood nor freeze over. She’s (big) apples. •• 11 years on from Terminator 3, and Skynet still hasn’t been able to wipe out the world with a nuclear holocaust. Disappointing, really. •• Despite the dire warnings of The Omega Man, humanity thus far has avoided a plague that turns most people into zombie-like ghouls. It’s kind of a shame, because had that held up, we’d all be descendants of Charlton Heston. I was going to end this piece with a joke about The Postman, but there’s no version of reality, past, present or future in which there exist people who have seen it. Written by Mitch Grinter.
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