Forte #626 by Forte Mag

ISSUE #626

INFECTED MUSHROOM Page 19 »

“We LOVE earthcore and are super stoked to be heading back! We’re ready to blow the roof off.”

JOSH PYKE pg.26

GEELONG FILM PHOTOGRAPHERS

KYLIE J POLE

ODYSSEY FILM FESTIVAL

TINPAN ORANGE

pg.38

pg.36

pg.30

ALSO FEATURING: Jesse Valach, Marlon Williams, Briggs, Red Whyte, Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows, and more.

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ed's note

forte issue #626 thursday 26 november 2015

How did we get here? With November almost over we’re reaching the most exciting time of year. Sun. Good beaches.Chilled beers. It’s the season to finally step away from work and indulge in an evening (or several evenings) of catching up with friends. There’s no guilt for how it will affect your work afterwards. How could there be when the sun is shining? With this issue brings a new set of things you can take your entourage along to. In this issue there’s an article on the new Geelong Film Photography group, a celebration of the Christmas season in Geelong, a chance

to take on a new kind of fitness with pole dancing and rollerblading at Kylie J Pole and heaps more. As usual we’re filled to the brim with music content that we hope fills your mind with insightful information. While we expect you to start backing it up with friends long into the weekend, we’ll be backing it up next issue. To my friends and family, don’t count on seeing me around for a while, unless it’s at the cafe next door fuelling up on coffee. Catch you next week!

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Win a double pass to go to Beechworth Music Festival on January 23 to see Briggs, King of the North, The Public Opinion and more.

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

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

@odysseytavern @amanda_sherring

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

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KNOW

IN THE

t h e l a t e s t n a t i o n a l a n d I NTERNAT I ONAL musi c & e n t e r t a i n m e n t n e w s

A Big Ass Tour

Rob Thomas Goes Down Under

Earlier this year Hermitude came out with a new release, backed it up with a massive tour and now they’re back again, showing Melbourne the love. The Sydney show has already sold out and the show at Festival Hall in Melbourne on November 28 (this Saturday) is set to do the same. Sell your old Nikes, mow your neighbours lawn, do whatever you can to get tickets to this one as it’s set to be massive.

You may be thinking, Big Ass Tour, that’s a bit rich. But no, it’s the perfect title for the tour The Amity Affliction are currently undertaking. Not only do they have a lot of ground to cover, bands The Ghost Inside, Motionless In White and A Day To Remember are also on tour and will all perform at Rod Laver Arena (big ass venue, tick) in Melbourne on December 17. Tickets are on sale now so get in quick for this one! Soundwave Announce Three New Acts

In a special Soundwave-exclusive performance, Killswitch Engage will perform the entirety of their seminal 2002 record Alive Or Just Breathing, while Ill Niño will be performing Revolution, Revolucion in its entirety. Also joining the bill is the supergroup Terror Universal, featuring current and former members of Machine Head, Soulfly and Ill Niño. They join a lineup which already features the likes of Disturbed, NOFX, Deftones, The Prodigy, Public Enemy, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, Refuse d, 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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Hermitude Show the Love

In support of his first solo album in six years, The Great Unknown, the Matchbox Twenty frontman and charttopping solo artist will be hitting Melbourne as part of a national tour. Thomas is no stranger to Australian audiences, having forged a successful relationship over 20 years of music. His debut album Something to Be hit #1, while his singles This Is How A Heart Breaks and Lonely No More have contributed to sales of more than 80 million records. Catch Rob Thomas at Rod Laver Arena with special guest Pete Murray on February 20. Tickets via Live Nation. He will also perfrom at A Day On The Green on Saturday March 5 at Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley. My Big Fat Greek Sequel 13 years is plenty of time to have a baby, but in the Big Fat Greek Wedding world the only thing that fs been brewing is the sequel to the original movie first made in 2002. It fs been a long wait, but with the trailer officially out you can see just how worth it the wait really was.

Doing the Comedy Rounds

UK comedy favourite Russell Howard has confirmed his return to Australian stages... but not until 2017. The stand-up star and television host of Russell Howard’s Good News has a massive schedule lined up, as such a long-term announcement suggests, with his Round The World tour locked in for 29 international cities outside his native London. Howard plays at Hamer Hall on Friday July 7, 2017, but you can secure tickets from 10am Tuesday November 24.

A Trainwreck with a Different Ending

A Family Law Benjamin Law has long been one of Australia fs funniest writers, and naturally, the progression to film is always soon to come. After writing his book eFamily Law f telling the tale of growing up in Australia, SBS have since transformed it into a TV series which is set to hit our screens in January.

She Ain‘t Yo Missy

Party, Millar Jukes, Shorts and DJs Larry Colonic Senior and Born Slippy, with more to be announced. New Year’s Evie will take place at Bruzzy’s Farm, Tallarook from Wednesday December 30 - Saturday January 2. Tkay’s Ghost

An Aussie Return

How good was Trainwreck? Pretty good, right? Well it could have ended a whole lot differently. Judd Apatow has just released the alternative ending for Trainwreck, featuring Amy and Aaron cradling a gorgeous little baby. But don ft be fooled, a voiceover from Amy saying, “Eww! All the sentimentality! Let’s go get a drink,” clears any wrong ideas of the films possible misdirection. Check it out for a look at what could have been

Guy Sebastian gave us a triumphant entry into the Eurovision contest earlier this year, and good news is Australia will be making a return to the popular competition in 2016. Just who will present down under you ask? SBS will be announcing the artist in the New Year. Melbourne Gets Some Action

Not a Shia Marathon Watcher Shia LaBeouf is known for his odd behaviour of late, and the most recent in a long list is when Shia watched a marathon of his own movies for 72 hours at the Angelika Film Center in NYC. And all live tweeted. For haters of his work you’d love to know that even Shia fell asleep during one of his movies, whether it was the toll of sitting still watching something for ages, or the content itself, that’s up to you.

Missy Elliott has provided the soundtrack to many slut drops, hip thrusts and gangsta wannabes in the past decade or so, and Missy has kindly offered up some new beats to fuel the next generation. The new single ‘WTF’ featuring Pharrell Williams, is a banger if there was one, and has us rocking our Nike sneakers and gold hoop earrings again. No judgement. Missy, this is what you’ve done to us and we love it. New Year’s Evie is Seriously New

Moonlight Cinema Launch Suffragette starring Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter will officially open the season, followed by two screenings of the final Hunger Games film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2. Elsewhere in the program, be the first to catch Jenifer Lawrence in the hotly anticipated Joy with Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper, as well as a preview screenings of Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur and Goosebumps starring Jack Black. Capping it off, Moonlight Cinema remains a BYO event as well as featuring an LA style food truck with a fully licensed bar serving up pork sliders, parmesan truffle fries, chilli cheese dogs and Nutella doughnuts. The Moonlight Cinema will run at the Botanic Gardens from Thursday December 3 - Sunday March 27. Head to their website for a full program, session times and tickets.

Back for the first time in three years, hip hop sensation Action Bronson has announced a string of Australian shows in support of his sophomore album Mr. Wonderful. Mr. Wonderful sees Bronson team up once more with longtime collaborators Party Supplies and The Alchemist, as well as broadening his horizons with collaborations from Mark Ronson, Chance the Rapper and Noah ‘40’ Shebib, one of Drake’s most trusted beat-makers. Catch up with Action Bronson when he hits The Forum on Tuesday March 15. Tickets via Live Nation. 14 – Sunset Sounds Announce 2016 Line Up

Oooooh it’s time to let your hair hang down. New Year’s Evie is returning to ring in 2016 and today they’ve added three new acts to the bill, including LA Pocock, CC:Disco! and Big Smoke. They join the previously announced lineup of Broadway Sounds, High Tension, Montero, Crayon Fields, Sui Zhen, Pearls, Little Desert, The Ocean

Tkay has quickly become a massive deal in the Aussie hip hop scene. ‘Ghost’ is her newest addition to the scene, and co-written with George Maple in New York makes it pretty special indeed. Conveniently name given its cool, dark melodies, this is one track that you’ll be hitting up all summer.

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T H E

f o r t n i g h t l y

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Jackson Firebird BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Trivia Night from 7:30pm BEAVS BAR: Live Music BIRD ROCK: Mexican Night; Mi Casa Su Casa, Taqueria and Tequila

BLACK HATT: Punk Night EARTHCORE, PYALONG 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 GPAC: Daylight Saving; Sinbad the Sailor KAROVA LOUNGE: Karova House Party LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard MARTIANS CAFE: $25 International Night including drink MAX HOTEL: Parmi night, Trivia Night PISTOL PETES: Chris Wilson Band THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): The Acfields WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27TH BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Peter & Kristine Allan BARWON CLUB: Mark of Cain 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: Public Nuisance CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ

EARTHCORE, PYALONG THE EASTERN: Milkk, Trash Fairys, Claws & Organs, Peter Dickybird

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: Daylight Saving; Sinbad the Sailor THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Dear Ivy HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Gold Class THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: Trojan ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Wolfmail (USA), Tim Hulsman QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Pugsley Buzzard TORQUAY HOTEL: Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28TH BARWON CLUB: Suiciety BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band EARTHCORE, PYALONG THE EASTERN: Bob Log III, Stevie Oswald EDGE: Live Music and DJ EUREKA: $5 Night

FESTIVAL HALL: Hermitude GPAC: Daylight Saving; Sinbad the Sailor; The Adam Harvey Show

THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Luke Biscan HOME HOUSE: Keesh KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Wave Racer MAX HOTEL: Frequency ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: Jesse Valach & Friends QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL SPHINX HOTEL: At the Hop; The American Classics ST MARYS HALL (Castlemaine): Lady Luck Clothing Fair

SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Brendan Welch

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29TH BEAVS BAR: Live Music BARWON CLUB: The Dukes of Deliciousness; Test Pilot Molly

BIRD ROCK: Sunday Sessions $9 Pizzas CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh Live music and DJ from 4pm

EARTHCORE, PYALONG EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz from 3-6pm and Parmi Night

GEELONG RSL: $13 Carvery lunch GPAC: Daylight Saving ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17; Bjorn to be Wild

MONDAY NOVEMBER 30TH EARTHCORE, PYALONG 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 DECEMBER 1ST 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 DECEMBER 2ND BARWON CLUB: Lagwagon THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm

BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke BIRD ROCK: Drinks Specials, Ping Pong Challenge ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Trivia Night from 8pm. GEELONG (52 Garden St): No Lights No Lycra GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Trivia Night MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night

c a l e n d a r

ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night WORKERS CLUB: Rach Brennan

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3RD BABUSHKA BAR (Ballarat): Joshua Vuocolo 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 GPAC: Season Launch, Daylight Saving LORD OF THE ISLES: Trivia in the courtyard MARTIANS CAFE: $25 International Night including drink MAX HOTEL: Parmi night, Trivia night ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: LIVE MUSIC THURSDAYS: Phil Trudy & Edgeley

THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13 SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC: Men From Earth WORKERS CLUB: Themed Trivia Thursday from 7pm

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH 13TH BEACH GOLF LINKS: Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows

BARWON CLUB: Hockey Dad 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 CHERRY BAR: Led Zeppelin Remasters Revisited CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ

THE EASTERN: Swigden, Wildeornes, Roundtable EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Thank Guinness It’s Friday EUREKA HOTEL: $5 Night, Live DJS GATEWAY HOTEL: Kasey Chambers GOLD DIGGERS: Happy hour 5-6 GPAC: Daylight Saving THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Fresh Talent HOME HOUSE: Homehouse Fridays Party with DJs THE LORD NELSON: Happy Hour 5pm-7pm MAX HOTEL: After Five MAX WATTS: Lagwagon ODYSSEY TAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETES: Andy Phillips & the Cadillac Walk SAINTS & SAILORS (Portarlington): Live Music

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH BARWON CLUB: Glittergang BEAVS BAR: Live Music BELMONT HOTEL: Live Band BLACK HATT: Local Bands THE EASTERN: WILD BIRDS FEST: The Reprobettes, Swim Team, Loose Tooth and more

EUREKA: $5 Night GPAC: Daylight Saving THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Thom HOMEHOUSE: Prosd MAX HOTEL: Wooshka ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music PISTOL PETE’S: The Hornets SPHINX HOTEL: Blues Brothers Tribute Show; Mr Meaner SUTTONS HOUSE OF MUSIC (Ballarat): Motor City Sounds VILLAGE CINEMAS: Odyssey Film Festival WORKERS CLUB: Famous Will

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6TH 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 THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Jason Hoekstra THE LORD NELSON: Sunday Funday Live Music ODYSSEYTAVERN AND BREWERY: Live Music THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17 WORKERS CLUB: Josh Wade

MONDAY DECEMBER 7TH 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 DECEMBER 8TH 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 DECEMBER 9TH THE BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Master of Dartness and Poker from 7pm

BEAVS BAR: Open Mic, Karaoke BIRD ROCK: Drink Specials, Ping Pong Challenge ELEPHANT AND CASTLE: Trivia Night from 8pm. Have fun win prizes book a table

GEELONG (52 Garden St): No Lights No Lycra GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 GOLD DIGGERS ARMS: Trivia MAX HOTEL: Lukey’s Open Mic Night OLD HEPBURN HOTEL (Hepburn Springs): Roast night WORKERS CLUB: Rach Brennan

EDGE: Live Music and DJ

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Written by Alexander Lightfoot

Infected mushroom

Infected Mushroom As you’re reading this article, thousands of festivalgoers will be making their way, or setting up camp and heading to see their first act, at the arts, culture, music experience that is earthcore. Faces will be getting painted, outfits planned: the excitement will be infectious. A duo who know all too well of the thrill that comes during the five days of earthcore festivities are Erez Eisen and Amit “Duvdev” Duvdevani of Infected Mushroom. JJ

“It’s hard to compare our new stuff with the music we “Every moment we have had there was memorable,” were making nearly 20 years ago,” Duvdev says. Duvdev says of the festival. “Back then it was very purely psy, yet still infused with “We LOVE earthcore and are super stoked to be heading that ‘Infected’ sound. Now our music is very diverse, back! We’re ready to blow the roof off.” covering just about every genre imaginable, yet it still has that signature IM sound.” And blow the roof off they will, as in 2004 Infected Mushroom were the band involved in a wondrous act of It’s sometimes that diversity that can alienate those early mother nature on stage at earthcore, creating a memorable fans, but with each new genre thrown in and sonic beat show for all sets of eyes who witnessed the moment. layed out, it’s done with a love for the fans and the driving passion Infected Mushroom have to stay at the forefront “There was a sudden break in the music, and this massive of this worldwide phenomenon that is EDM music. lightning bolt came down from the sky striking just behind the main stage, delivering one of the most “We love our fans more than anything in the world…but impressive and mental images anyone can ever ask for. we are going to evolve whether they like it or not,” he It was as if Zeus himself was paying tribute to an amazing says honestly. set and act,” earthcore organiser Spiro Boursine says. “It’s just a natural process for an artist. This is why we do Aside from setting the heavens alight with their music, old-school sets every once in a while; so the fans that Infected Mushroom are seen as one of the world’s greatest dig that old sound can still enjoy it. For as many “oldpsychedelic trance bands since their first album, ‘The school” fans we might lose for evolving, we’ll gain Gathering’, hit the scene in 1999. four-fold for pushing cutting-edge music.” Perhaps the duo’s greatest skill is their ability to evolve and surprise their fans while still staying true to their original iconic sound. The fans are still clearly in love with what is being produced, as the duo have surpassed 2 million followers on their various social media platforms. But how do they think what they produced in the early days compares to what they’re creating now?

It’s hard to know just how old school Infected Mushroom will get, but there’s no doubt it will shine a light back to the early days when they revolutionised psychedelic trance with their well-crafted hypnotic arrangements,

“We love our fans more than anything in the world…but we are going to evolve whether they like it or not,” complex layered melodies and synthetic rhythms. Beyond delighting your ears, the duo are all about stimulating multiple senses, doing so with the use of cryo, lights, lasers and more in their stage set up.

more than just a festival to listen to music, it’s a chance to feel and experience something you otherwise mightn’t. Having played all over the world, Infected Mushroom look on earthcore as one of the highlights on the festival circuit, especially when combined with the wild nature of us Aussies. “Aussies have one of the best [EDM followings] in the world. They are crazy relentless party animals,” Duvdev says. It’s certainly one to be witnessed, and can only truly be experience in the flesh amongst the sweaty jossling bodies at earthcore. With a pre-show routine of taking a shot of whiskey, Jameson is the drink of choice, the set on Sunday is sure to go down just as smooth.

“We put tonnes of thought into the visual elements of the show,” he says.

“It’s important people come to Infected and leave feeling like they had a memorable experience – more than what This “old-school” format that Duvdev speaks of just so they would get from just going to a nightclub. Also we happens to be the offering Australian audiences will like to tickle all parts of the audience’s brain. The music receive when Infected Mushroom take to the stage at and the visuals feed off each other.” earthcore on Sunday. It’s only fitting that a duo putting so much thought into “It’s been a while since we performed this retro live set, the overall experience is headlining earthcore, as the festival and we feel the Aussie psy crowd will really appreciate works on a similar ethos. Featuring art installations, a it,” Duvdev says. designated cinema and a kinky carnival freak show, it’s much

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

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LIVE REVIEW

NaranaFEST Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, November 14 Reviewed by Jessica Morris photography by ferne millen

You could feel the excitement surrounding NaranaFEST as you entered the doors to Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre’s first festival in eight years. With an especially made Boomerang Stage hosting some of the biggest names in Indigenous music through the day, families and locals came for a unique and entertaining experience. Opening with a Welcome to Country that acknowledged the past, present and future people of Wathaurong country, early arrivals took part in a Smoking Ceremony before Deadly Duo started the day off. Complete with food trucks, a cultural exhibition with stunning artworks, and the opportunity to chat to the Narana staff and volunteers at the café, NaranaFEST was more than your average music festival; it was a celebration of the artistry and resilience of Australia’s first peoples. Performers came from all over for the event, engaging the crowd in discussion, moving stories and laughter. The One Conexion dance group gave a brilliant display of Indigenous dance and styles, and even allowed us to join in. Kutcha Edwards was a crowd favourite, returning after eight years away, and he delighted us with new and old tunes. Flying in from L.A., Fraser A. Gorman provided the indie/blues vibe needed to cruise through the day, and Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk got everyone dancing with their rock infused set. Local talent Yirrmal left the crowd breathless in the evening, his ethereal tones and acoustic guitar reminiscent of Ed Sheeran in contemporary music, yet mixed with the stunning organic feel of traditional Indigenous artists. His rendition of ‘Young Blood’ was stunning, and he wowed festivalgoers so much that he stayed for an encore. Finishing off the festival with the legendary Archie Roach, the poignancy of the event was driven home as Uncle Archie spoke about his own life and performed ‘Took The Children Away’. The beauty of NaranaFEST was its ability to engage us in stories and music, transcending cultural differences and crossing generations. With promises that NaranaFEST 2016 is a certainty, we can only hope for more music, more great talent, and more reasons to listen and learn about Indigenous culture in the region. Thanks for allowing us to enter your world Narana. It was a privilege, and we can’t wait for next year!

Jimi Hendrix Tribute Night JJ Jimi Hendrix is a legend for many, a musical icon who paved the way for musicians. Red Whyte is one such musician who felt the power of Jimi Hendrix, and as a result, is undertaking his third tribute show for him at the Torquay Hotel tomorrow night.

How did Jimi’s music affect you What has the vibe been like with previous years? growing up and as a musician? The last two Jimi tributes in Melbourne have been epic James’ music really grabbed me when I was growing up and evenings and very successful. I think anyone can enjoy them as I matured as a young musician he grew more on me. I really – although maybe not schoolies... first started recording songs in 1979 and did one of my first ever gigs in 1980 in a band that’s still around today Aside from this show coming up, what else called Inked Factor. His music was exciting to me and have you been working on as a musician? full of surprises, it inspired me to go a bit avant guarde. So apart from working on this Jimi tribute project I have What do you think was the thing about him that made his been doing some gigs with my old band Inked Factor and hopefully next year whip the boys in for a new CD. There’s music resonate so well with people all around the world? Hi Red, thanks for taking the time to chat a small following out there. I have also been building a bit with Forte Magazine, how are you and Jimi James Hendrix caught on so well with people, because of of a home studio at home Torquay, which was a stupid what are you up to at the moment? the freshness of new ideas made sexy and interesting, plus his idea just before Xmas – bloody building is very expensive. I’m good at the mo, coming out of a bit of a black hole. I just lyrics were really awesome, visually stunning and handsome I have also been doing live genorator gigs down the beach finished also working on a new jazz fusion album for three and in a live sense, very psychedelic. Almost like a breath of with a movie projector showing the movie I made, which is months – nearly working on it everyday – and I must say it’s psychedelic air. When he played the blues he’d be so raunchy all tied up with the album we released this year called The sounding pretty cool. I can’t wait to get it mastered and out and rocky but then would do these over the top lead breaks, Addis Kingdom. And I’ve been doing the film and live band for Xmas. The only trouble about releasing albums at Xmas like a massive serpent reaching out and blowing fire kinda thang in theatres and cinemas in Vicco – yet to go interstate. time is you have to give em away... Guest artists [on the album] style. It’s how I like to play, big contrasts. It’s also why I like And gigging with funk band Squid, which as a band just seem were Howlin Wind, Tim Neal, Phil Smurthwaite, Meagan the band Mogwai – they really launch out then go back to a to get better and better. I love the band because I don’t have Copland and Ian Hergstrom. The CD is called Tickled Pink. chilled space/groove. to be a lead figure and can just cruise on the funk axe. Try It’s an old saying meaning to be very happy. juggling all that with family! As this is your third time honouring the musician (and

So this is the third annual Jimi Hendrix gig you’re putting on, how did you first get onto the idea? Yes this is the third one and each year gets bigger and better. I first cottoned on to the idea years ago because I love Jimi ‘s music and the man himself – bit of a closet fan really. I have read a lot of books on him and done some research into his death and a whole lotta stuff. So what better way to celebrate his spirit than by doing a tribute night, plus the renditions Surfusion do are a bit of an eye/ear opener...

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on his birthday) what have you got lined up this year? So on the night a surfer companion of mine Aaron Munsie`s son Carlo has a band , and they’re actually pretty good, so Flawed Peace open the night, then three solo artists follow (Cheyne Griffiths, Bradley D Luke and Sam Fletcher) then my band Surfusion will be playing tracks; ‘Hey Joe’, ‘Come On’, ‘Sunshine’, ‘Stone Free’, ‘Redhouse’ and ‘Little Wing’. Then another young band IMMYOWUSU LEUNAMMI JAM will finish orrfff the night.

Thanks for taking the time to chat, do you have any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers? Music, art, photography and surfing keep me busy – it’s been that way for years and probably won’t change. 29 albums out and still going strong. Om shanti.

When & Where: Torquay Hotel, Torquay – November 27

LOOP

in the

Josh Pyke “You spend a lot of time in your head which isn’t always the best place to be. But you know the motivation comes from the fact that I need to do it, it’s a compulsion, I identify my whole worth with what I do.” Pg. 26

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Campfire Songs

on the Saturday and Sunday at 11.00a.m. Tickets must be exchanged for wristbands at the Wristband Exchange, located near the front gates. Please wear it at all times. Children under the age of 14 are free if accompanied by a ticketed adult. Extended bus services will operate throughout the festival’s duration. Low beach chairs are permitted. No BYO. Further information can be found through qmf.net.au. Enjoy, and be excellent to each other.

geelong surf coast warrnambool

or loc e f a

inment ‑

A Free Man

ballarat bellarine Bendigo castlemaine

e best so u

LOOP

IN THE

Punk Rock Karaoke rolls into town. This one is for those who belt out songs in the shower. This is for those who drum solo while stopped at traffic lights. This is for the men and women who dream of life on the stage. Your band is Greg Hetson (Bad Religion, Circle Jerks), Eric Melvin (NOFX), Darrin Pfeiffer (Gold Finger, Sum 41) and Steve Soto (Adolescents, Agent Orange). And they are looking for their leader. From the crew: “The rules are simple: We have a sign-up sheet. You pick your song. We give you the lyrics. When your song is called, come up and join the band. No, we can’t play every punk song from 1867 to present day. We handpick our favourites from back to when dinosaurs pogoed along side with the punchers. It’s always a LOT of fun… even if you don’t sing (but know ya should).” The Barwon Club, Geelong – February 11.

Bendigo will be treated to a small taste of Bluesfest in “Whether it’s stories about decaying buildings and long 2016, with Jason Isbell set to perform at the Ulumbarra forgotten landmarks around where I grew up, to dancing Theatre on March 31. Following the departure of Rob to old records as the summer sun sets slowly in the west, or Malone, Isbell joined Drive-By Truckers as the band’s thoughts that’ve popped into my head as I’m sitting in a car park staring out across the bay at the Melbourne skyline, third guitarist in 2001. He was 22 at the time, and toured these are tales that come from where I live. The place that I with the band in support of Southern Rock Opera. He call home.” These are the words of Nathan Seeckts, a Geelong enjoyed a decent stint in the band, solidly contributing singer-songwriter and storyteller inspired by the likes of Paul Kelly, Ben Nichols and Bruce Springsteen. Nathan has a show to their next three albums (Decoration Day, The Dirty coming up at Saints and Sailors, Portarlington on November Summer with Jebediah South and Blessing and a Curse), before being fired in 27. Songs old and new will feature, as will a few treats he has 2007. Throwing himself into his work, he released his cooked up especially for the night. solo debut, Sirens of the Ditch, mid-year of 2007. Among those who helped him put together the album was organist Sleep Now and Forever Spooner Oldham, who has contributed keys to Wilson Pickett’s ‘Mustang Sally’ and Aretha Franklin’s ‘I Never Loved a Man’ among others. In 2009, he introduced his band on his second album, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Rounding up musicians from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama area, the 400 Unit refers to the colloquial name for a psychiatric ward of Florence, Alabama’s Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. This year saw the release of his fifth Well, it looks as though Jebediah will be straight into album, Something More Than Free. The album debuted action in 2016 with the band announcing a tidy little at the #1 position on Billboard’s rock, folk and country number of summer shows. With their 20th anniversary record charts. 30+ years in and The Black Sorrows remain as popular as shows proving that even after two decades there ever – and Joe Camilleri as cool as ever. The band released remains a lot of warm fuzzy feelings for the band, it Hitting Their Mark two limited edition 12” vinyl LPs this year, Endless Sleep comes as little surprise that they want the good times to (Chapter 46) and Endless Sleep (Chapter 47), a tribute continue. As part of celebrations, the band also released to the likes of Lou Reed, JJ Cale, John Coltrane, Captain the retrospective album, Twenty. Speaking about their Beefheart, Hank Williams and Skip James. The album’s longevity earlier in the year, Chris Daymond said: “It’s title is the name of a 1958 song by Jody Reynolds. Joe just always been such a pleasure being with those dudes. Camilleri: “I tip my hat to the spirit of these artists who And the chemistry hasn’t changed. It was good fun then have inspired me and give the songs another opportunity and it’s good fun now.” Lorne Hotel, Lorne – January 7 to be heard ... I’m a disciple and it’s a bit of soul food.” The & The Barwon, Geelong – January 8. band will take to 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads on December 4 as part of Music to a Tee. First Real Six String

A touch over thirty years ago, The Mark of Cain entered their first formal line-up of John Scott on guitar, his Introducing Marlon Williams brother, Kim Scott, on bass, Rod Archer on vocals and This is a friendly Forte reminder that Marlon Williams (along Roger Crisp on drums. Crisp departed not long after, to with his band the Yarra Benders) has a date with Geelong’s Workers Club on December 10. The New Zealand crooner, be replaced by John Rickert. Another drummer change who is currently based in Melbourne, is having a dream run at took place before the band released their debut album, the moment. His self-titled debut album charted at a healthy Battlesick, in 1989. Following the release of their second #4 in its opening week in NZ, while its accompanying launch tour sold out across the board. He has also been making a solid album, 1990’s The Unclaimed Prize, the band caught the impression on the international market, inking agent and label attention of Steve Albini, a chance which in turn led them deals in North America and Europe. For those who enjoy to Henry Rollins, who produced their 1995 breakthrough, kicking back on a Sunday night and watching the ABC, you may recognise his as ‘Dylan’ from The Beautiful Lie. Ill at Ease. Their latest is 2012’s Songs of the Third and Fifth. The Barwon Club, Geelong – November 27.

In the Name of Punk Queenscliff Music Festival

A good 10 years ago, when Ian Moss was preparing to record and tour his Six Strings album, he said: “Only once in a blue moon would I try doing a solo show in the old days, and that was with an electric guitar … You have to go back to the song, look at what the lyrics are about, find a new way to express them. It’s a real challenge, but a rewarding one.” The album is now certified Gold by ARIA, and he is as busy as ever. GPAC, Geelong – April 8; Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – April 9; Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Wendouree – April 16; Ararat Performing Arts Centre, Ararat – April 30; and Mildura Performing Arts Centre, Mildura – May 13. Anglesea Music Festival Now, I don’t wish to place any unfair pressure on you, but have you secured your ticket for the Anglesea Music Festival? It is going to be awesome, and that comes with Forte’s Golden Guarantee, which we don’t hand out willy-nilly. It takes place on January 23 and has so far secured the ever-so-fine talents of Dale Ryder, Jason Singh, Jimi Hocking, 19-Twenty, Geoff Achison & Chris Wilson, Wayne Jury & Kelly Auty and the Andrea Marr Band. Further information is available through angleseamusicfestival.com.au. Festival Director Karren Stoneham: “This is our year. We are delivering one of our absolute best artist line-ups ever and the first announcement is only the beginning.” Rock Me Detonators

At long last, the Queenscliff Music Festival has arrived. We at Forte like to make things easy for you, it’s just who we are, so here is what you need to know. Friday, November 27 kicks things off, with gates opening at 5.30p.m. Gates open 22 forte

Some readers may be familiar with the story of Tim “Ripper” Owens, a singer in a Judas Priest tribute band who was chosen to replace Rob Halford. He recorded two albums with the band and his story inspired the 2001 Mark Wahlberg film, Rock Star. Now, I am not suggesting anything, but rock and roll dreams will be realised when

Temperatures will rise when The Detonators hit Bendigo’s Golden Vine Hotel on December 19. Regarded as “Australia’s high priests of roots rock ’n’ roll”, they formed out of Melbourne in 1997 with an explosive (detonators … explosive … genius) combination of rockabilly, blues and early rock and roll. The band’s latest release is Monster in a Box, a fourteen-track release recorded live at Hailstone Studio, the studio of guitarist Paulie Bignell. From the band: “We hope you enjoy our new CD as much as we enjoyed making it. We had a ball and lots of laughs doing it. We’ll see you at a gig or a festival somewhere – come up and say hello. We’ll be at the bar, probably!”

IN THE LOOP

Hitch Your Lagwagon

in this modern age, displayed through a well-defined blend of hard-hitting grooves, driving synths, shimmering guitar hooks and soaring vocals”. You can treat yourself to a listen through their Bandcamp page. Workers Club, Geelong – December 11. Support comes from Residual.

Riding on the Dark Horses

Remember early 2015? Suspenders were the ‘must-have’ fashion item, dancing was the new craze and Lagwagon toured Australia as part of Soundwave. Well now they’re back. Carrying the punk rock torch since 1990, the band released their debut album, Duh, in 1992 – an album considered to be among the most influential punk rock albums of the ’90s. Last year saw the release of Hang, their eighth studio album and first since 2005’s Resolve. In speaking about the album, Joey Cape has said it is the first album in the band’s career where all members agree they want to play every single song on the album live. Tickets remain for their December 2 show at Geelong’s Barwon Club.

Down Memory Lane In 1989, Archie Roach stood before an audience of 2000 people at the Melbourne Concert Hall and performed his iconic song ‘Took the Children Away’. He was opening for Paul Kelly. Kelly recalled the incident with Kerry O’Brien in 2010: “… That’s another moment I vividly recall. Again, I hadn’t met Archie before that night. I think he had 20 minutes to play and he did two songs. And one of them was ‘They Took the Children Away’. And, I was just watching him from the wings and you could just feel it in the auditorium, this electric tension when he sang the song.” The song, which dealt with Roach’s personal experience as one of the ‘Stolen Generation’, would appear on the songman’s 1990 debut album Charcoal Lane, which featured Paul Kelly as producer. The album won two ARIAs as well as a Human Rights Award, the first time such an honour was awarded to a songwriter. 25 years later and the album remains as powerful as ever. Archie has been celebrating the release with a series of shows, including the recent NaranaFEST, and will make his way to Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on December 3. He will be wonderfully supported by the world-renowned interpreter of charango, Jaime Torres.

The Getaway Plan have been hard at it since early September, making their way around the country as part of their ‘Dark Horses’ tour. It has no doubt felt like a long wait, but Warrnambool fans finally have their go with the band hitting Whalers Hotel tomorrow night, November 27. Released mid-year, Dark Horses is the band’s third album and their first to be released independently, thanks to a successful PledgeMusic campaign. For those who have not been tracking the band, it came after a two-year hiatus, member departures and personal obstacles. For those interested, the band has been posting some touring happy snaps on their Facebook page.

Great Australian Beer Festival The Great Australian Beer Festival returns in 2016, welcoming brewers and beer lovers alike. More than 200 local and international craft beers will be served up, proving once and for all that the thing that goes best with beer is more beer. You can also add seminars, live music, beer cabaret, comedy, visual arts and an annual keg rolling competition to your day as well. On top of all that, you will have a fantastic range of the tastiest food you’re likely to come across. Entertainment for the day includes Woodlock, an alternative folk rock band that calls Melbourne home. Residual, Revolution and Spyndrift will also be there. Geelong Racecourse is the venue. February 6 is the date.

NightJar Festival

Lonely Days Are Gone Originating in South Australia but now calling Geelong home, Famous Will churn out the kind of lovely country folk that heals broken relationships. Those in the know certainly swoon over them, with the band winning the Geelong Folk Club’s ‘Rick Merrigan Upcoming Folk Artist of the Year’ and Maton’s ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ awards. They have also supported the likes of Kristina Olsen, John McCutcheon and Mick Thomas. As for right now, they’re pretty happy with their new single ‘Lonely’. The five-piece will be swinging by Geelong’s Workers Club on December 5, where they will be joined by Melbourne’s Julz Evans and fellow Geelong outfit, the Tim Hulsman Trio.

Ballarat Beer Festival Descends on Ballarat City Oval This January We all know the fun in drinking beer with mates, but there are right ways and wrong ways to do it. The Ballarat 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 good music. You know, it fs just You Am I, Dallas Crane, Kylie Auldist, Rechords, Bakersfield Glee Club, The New Savages and the winner of the Homebrewed Ballarat Battle of the Bands. Plus there are a number of food trucks on site, life’s good as a beer drinker! A variety of ticket options are available, the main difference being those who want to go all in and those who want a casual affair. Tickets for the January 16 event are on sale now through ballaratbeerfestival.com.au.

When & Where: Ballarat City Oval, Ballarat – January 16

Down with JBT The lovely folk of Geelong are in for a special treat early in 2016 with the John Butler Trio set to perform in G-Town for the first time since 2010. And because they realise their absence has been noticed, they will be bringing along The Waifs for the night. The JBT has been busy as ever this year showing off current album Flesh & Blood, but will return to the studio next year to begin work on album number seven. And album number seven is just where The Waifs are at, with Beautiful You receiving some ripping reviews. Costa Hall, Geelong – January 28. You should know that The Waifs sold out their recent Geelong show, while JBT’s Melbourne Zoo show sold out in record time. Be quick. The Hive is Buzzing

Season of Change Having shown they can mix it with the likes of Asta, Northeast Party House and Pluto Jonze, indie-pop darlings Swim Season have dispensed with the floaties and have lined up a show where they’ll be the ones in the spotlight. The five-piece band, who rose from the ashes of We the People, has been busy fixing up their debut EP Cascades, which the bands says “follows the linear set of emotions of falling in and out of love

such a success, a success it indeed is with thousands of people taking part in proceedings. Dates and performers are starting to be released, so please take note. Torquay NightJar will run Thursday nights throughout January, kicking off January 7 with This Way North, Maru Tarang with Jeff Lang and The Imprints. January 14 welcomes Gallie, Screamin’ Honkies, Makeshift Groove and Lady Oscar. January 21 welcomes Tony J King’s Hoodoo Suitcase, Gena Rose Bruce, Nick Barker and the Heartache State and Dereb the Ambassador. Finally, January 28 welcomes Jessey Jackson, The Larson Effect, The Evening Cast and The Mojo Corner. Geelong NightJar will run Friday nights throughout February, with performers to be announced. From the team: “Many attending the festival have described it as entering into another world. We encourage you to leave your worries at the gate, step inside and celebrate life, family, friends, music, dancing and shopping … We love what we do and we plan to be entertaining, surprising and inspiring you for many years to come.” Further information can be found through nightjarfestival.com.au. Dare to dream, readers.

A handful of years ago, Lyndelle Flintoft and Kyla Vinton made their dreams a reality when they created NightJar, a meeting space for music, emerging designers, artists and market. And while they may not have envisioned

Like a great number of music lovers, Louis Donnarumma pretty much lived in his bedroom when it to listening to and exploring all the sounds music has to offer. Naturally, a variety of high school bands would follow, before he tuned into the world of folk music. Inspired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Matt Corby and Damien Rice, Louis released his debut EP, Hint of Light, in December 2014. Following that, he enjoyed a successful Adelaide Fringe season with Timberwolf ’s Maggie Rutjens. If all goes according to plan, a second EP will see the light in 2016. For now, you have new single ‘At the Hive’. The Vine, Bendigo – December 6. Louis will be joined by John Kennedy.

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Quick bites

IN THE LOOP

Aireys Inlet Open Mic The Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival has announced its dates for 2016 and will take place across March 18, 19 & 20. Details are minimal at this point, but you are looking at around 150 performances throughout the festival’s duration. A highlight of the festival is the Special Mystery Guest. Previous guests include Colin Hay, Dan Sultan and Tim Rogers. Keep an eye on aireysinlet.com.au for updates.

Here and Now

Motor City Music Festival

Josh Pyke, Mending Hearts Across the Country

Groovin’ in the Heart It’s time to bust out your happy dance with organisers announcing the dates for the 2016 Groovin the Moo run, with Bendigo receiving its crack on April 30. The Showgrounds will play host. The line-up looks to drop on January 28, with tickets available from February 2. You just know it is going to sell out again so you are going to want to get in nice and early on those tickets. Keep an eye on gtm.net.au. The Power of One In what is a massive win for the city, Cat Power will swing by Bendigo next year as part of an intimate series of theatre performances. The Georgiaborn singersongwriter made her first trip to Australia way back in 1997 and has since performed at festivals and events including Meredith, Golden Plains, MONA FOMA, Sydney Festival and PIAF. This is something special. The Capital, Bendigo – February 10.

Road warrior Ash Grunwald recently wrapped up a massive 28-date tour, but it looks as though 2016 is shaping up in much the same fashion with a show locked in at Lorne Hotel on January 24. As you may have heard through the grapevine, Ash has a new album for his many fans titled Now, a release packed with the attitude of a It Ain’t Pretty classic power trio. Ash: “I wanted to go in there with a ‘Mary’ is a popular name choice for songs – Mary’s Place, Along Comes Mary, Proud Mary, The Wind Cries Mary, for traditional power trio like Hendrix but use a synth player example. Described as a “brash thunderous jam reminiscent instead of a bass. Ian Peres brought that and a whole lot of early Kasabian, T-Rex and Deep Purple”, Melbourne more playing a fair bit of rock organ in there, which is psych-rockers Pretty City now join the gang with their new track, ‘Mary Go Round’. The band is eyeing their debut something that he honed whilst playing in Wolfmother … album for early 2016, so jump on the single for a taste. Drew The aim was for the end product to be as close as possible Schapper: “It [Mary Go Round] was recorded straight after to what we were delivering live in the studio.” 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 Major Tom’s, Kyneton on December 4. Working Class Gigs Cloud Nine invades The Bluestone, Ballarat tomorrow night, November 27. Duane Bartolo, Press Play, Ridvan and Teddy Cream are your lucky stars. The Mud Peas hit Martians Café, Deans Marsh tomorrow night, November 27. Wave Racer is set to provide a little magic at The Karova, Ballarat on November 28. Tequila Mockingbyrd hits The Barwon, Geelong on November 28. BallaRatCat Comedy hits The Lounge @ The George, Ballarat on December 4. Save the date: the Bendigo Craft Beer Festival will take place on March 19, 2016. Sarah Blasko will perform at Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre on April 22, 2016. ‘In the Loop’ will give her a bigger write-up next issue. Geelong’s Best Busker On any given day you’re likely to find a busker giving out essentially free entertainment. The often underappreciated artists will receive due recognition next year when Geelong’s Best Busker takes place across four days in February – Tuesday 9, Friday 12 and Tuesday 16, before the final takes place on Friday, February 20. Performances will be videoed, photographed and recorded live in The Little Malop St, Central Area from Yarra St to Moorabool St in Geelong. Prizes include four hours of recording by a professional studio, a guitar or voucher to the value of $500 and a radio interview. Further information can be found through facebook.com/geelongsbestbusker.

Cirque Africa Cirque Africa is not boasting when they say theirs is ‘The Greatest Show from Africa’. The world-renowned, evergrowing troupe puts in a two-hour high energy circus production bursting with colourful costumes, live music, acrobatics and dance. Six African countries are represented, with 38 artists, acrobats and contortionists performing. It was put together by Winston Ruddle, referred to fondly as Papa Africa, out of Tanzania in 2003. Originally an underground acrobatic school in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, the production now boasts 70-tonne of circus equipment, professional sound lighting and stage equipment and elevated seating with a capacity of seating 1100 people. Geelong Showgrounds – December 16-19. Check Your Mail

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Wolf Mail will serve up his red-hot blues at Pistol Pete’s, Geelong tomorrow night, November 27. Influenced by blues, jazz, soul and country, Wolf Mail picked up the guitar at the age of 10 where he began to teach himself before persuading Canadian guitar master David Goodman to give him some lessons. He played his first professional gig at the age of fourteen, and by seventeen was touring Europe. Following a gig at The Troubadour Club at the age of 19, Wolf was invited by Randy Castillo to play with Ozzy Osbourne. Later, he was recruited by Billy Idol. However, it is through blues music that Wolf Mail has paved his way. He released the live DVD/CD Oseana Auditorium last year. Tim Hulsman supports.

Tickets for 2016’s Rainbow Serpent Festival are selling like hotcakes, so I suggest you stop reading now and book yours before continuing. 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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There’s no denying Josh Pyke has had a busy year. In a mere 12 months, he’s released But For All These Shrinking Hearts (which landed at #2 on the ARIA charts), done a series of fan only shows and worked with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Limited early bird tickets are available for 2016’s Motor City Toowoomba Concert Orchestra. And now it fs time Music Festival. And if you continue reading, you’re going to for the rest of the country to experience his true story want to get in early. Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Miss Quincy, telling and performance ability as he heads out on tour 19-Twenty, Blues All Star Jam, Blues Mountain, Cleveland this January and February. Supported by Winterbourne Blues, Geoff Achison with Chris Wilson, Jimi Hocking’s at the Wool Exchange in Geelong on February 13 and Blues Machine, Sammy Owen Blues Band, Dean Ray, Piano as part of the Zoo Twilights Series on February 12, Josh Wizard, Glitter Gang, Sisters Doll, Wild Violet, Aleyce can’t wait to get out and see the rest of his fans across the Simmonds, Amber Lawrence, Bill Gray, Christie Lamb country. I’m extremely excited to share this tour news and The Wolfe Brothers will be among those performing. with you! It fs been ages since I fve done a full band tour, Now, the Sunday of the festival is ‘Family Fun Day’. With but it fs all happening next year, and I’ve tried to make the fun of a carnival, rides include the Dodgems, Cha-Cha, as many shows All Ages as possible, he says. Tornado and a giant slide. And guess what? Rides are free all day Sunday. Some of the state’s best food trucks will serve up their treats, catering to all diets. Displays from the Geelong Revival Sounds Geelong Vintage Machinery Club, FWY, Geelong Revival and Geelong Museum of Motoring will also be present. A huge fireworks display will wrap up the festival, taking place at 8.45p.m. Geelong Showgrounds – March 11-13. Please note that the Friday and Saturday of the festival are reserved for 18+. Hit motorcitymusicfestival.com.au for further information. Motor City Music Festival is the brainchild of Bay City Events, the creators and operators of Queenscliff ’s long-running Blues Train. It’s that time of year again where the Waterfront revs its engines in the annual Geelong Revival Motoring Festival, held on November 28 & 29. It’s a chance to head down and check out some of the hottest (and fastest) cars aound as well as listen to some great bands, eat some great food and check out the incredible vintage fashions. Motor City Music festival will be taking over the stage at Steampacket on the Sunday with a taster for the festival held in March next year. Headlining will be Tempramental, a Divinyls cover band. Back to the fashion, there will be an Open Fashion Parade on the Saturday with prizes to be won.

BALLARAT

IN THE LOOP

They’re All Class

Toothless Grin

Earlier in the year, Melbourne’s Gold Class signed with Spunk Records. Before the year is out, they will spend time warming up for the Thurston Moore Band. And snuggled in-between was the release of their debut album, It’s You. So, all in all it will be a pretty darn good year for the garage-rock outfit. The Karova, Ballarat – November 27. Note that the band will also be performing at 2016’s Golden Plains.

Not One to Welch

DATES OF NOTE JJ

Good Food Ballarat finishes up on November 30

Springfest Market Weekend is on November 29

Avoca’s Pop Up Village of Food, Wine and Music is on November 29

BallaRatCat Comedy has their last show for the year on December 4

Ironman 70.3 is happening on December 13

Written by Alexander Lightfoot

Ah, B’rat, what’s going on? What’s happening? Oh wait, that’s my job! Nonetheless here’s another segment of what Ballarat locals (and visitors) can expect to keep them entertained over the next few weeks. People can say what they like about regional and rural towns, but there’s a sense of community that can’t be beaten in each and every one. Christmas is fast approaching and with that realisation also comes the late-November early-December freak out, with no wrapped present currently hidden in your closet. Soveriegn Hill, a place known for its homage to the past, is throwing a one day Christmas shopping night on December 4. This is hands down one of the greatest chances for you to get a truly unique gift. How can a present reminiscent of the 1850s be any more unique? It can’t, so get down! Otherwise the Buninyong Village Market is on again this Sunday at the Buninyong Town Hall.

Melbourne’s Claws & Organs will deliver their scuzzy shoegaze (or shoe-grunge, if you like) to The Eastern, Ballarat tomorrow night, November 27, as they wrap up their ‘No Teeth No Stamina’ tour. The tour lends its name from the band’s latest single and is the follow-up to ‘Alphabetti Spaghetti’, which picked up a good amount of airplay from triple j, 3RRR and FBi Radio among others. Media Strikes Back: “No Teeth No Stamina kicks straight into gear from the first beat. You have no choice but to follow, heavy rock vibes driven with a clear message, shouting to the masses … This takes me back to the ’90s when no one feared the message they wanted to shout.”

Following on with the Christmas spirit, the Ballarat Carols are on Sunday, December 13 at the North Gardens. So throw on your Santa hat, warm up those vocal chords and get ready for a night of singing along to your favourite Christmas songs. There’s something so magical about a whole town gathering in the one place and enjoying in the Christmas spirit together. Festivities kick off at 7.30pm.

A Man Called Bob Robert Logan Reynolds III is Bob Log III, a man who plays old Silvertone archtop guitars, wears a human cannonball suit and dons a motorcycle helmet wired to a telephone receiver. He also happens to play the guitar like it was the only thing he was born to do. Once upon a time, Mr Log was part of Mondo Guano, a metal-blues band based in Arizona. Following that, he became one-half of punk blues duo Doo Rag, with Thermos Malling being the other half. Malling quit in the middle of a tour, and Bob was forced to make a choice: he could either quit, or he could improvise. And that’s the story of Bob. These days he is known to play more than 150 shows a year. The Eastern, Ballarat – November 28.

What’s On In Ballarat

Songman Brendan Welch recently released his debut album The Gleaner on vinyl. Produced by Something for Kate’s Paul Dempsey, The Gleaner features songs written from Northcote to New York, and while on tour with Paul Kelly. Heart of the Rat Records was responsible for the re-issue. Suttons House of Music, Ballarat – November 28. Brendan will be supported by Freya Hollick and Mark with the Sea.

On a similar music note, Ballarat will play host to the 70th annual Australian Jazz Convention this year, starting off on December 26 and running until New Year’s Eve. The event will see jazz musicians jam into parks, set up on the streets, in pubs and as part of scheduled performances across the week. There will also be a special New Year’s Eve dinner to celebrate 70 years of Australia’s jazz musicians and fans. Whether you’re a jazz fanatic or not, 70 years is a milestone that doesn’t come around very often and certainly not close to home. Hit up www.2015jazzconvention.org.au to find out more information.

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Written by Jariah Travan

“Music for me was never a question. I started a band when I was 12 years old and literally from that time I assumed I was going to be a working musician. In saying that, it wasn’t until I was 27 – until I released my first album – so it took me a long time to get there,” Josh Pyke says. JJ

josh pyke

album was recorded across Sony, Alberts and Pyke’s home studio with John Castle (Megan Washington, Vance Joy). Having his own studio allowed Pyke to experiment with more creative freedom. With Pyke saying the capacity to go to town on the arrangements was a major factor for him on this album.

“You know, having the backing of my managers and the producer to just go for it... so songs like ‘Songlines’ and ‘Late Night Driving’ where we have really beautiful lush string arrangements – I’ve definitely had string arrangements in the past, but I wasn’t able to just go to town – so for me that was “When I started I had no concept of where I’d be. It’s a big thing. Being a bit more open to letting the been 10 years now, and I had no concept of what would songs have a life outside of me and not kind of micro happen over 10 years. Other musicians told me I had to manage every song,” he says.

start living my life in two year cycles – which I kind of have been living now. In an ideal world after 10 years I would hope to feel established.” Ten years on and recognised world-wide for his ability to weave intelligent lyrics with warm melodies, Josh Pyke is a modern-day storyteller whose unique and haunting use of both words and music places him in a league of his own. Now one of Australia’s favourite acclaimed singersongwriters, he is about to embark on a packed national tour throughout January and February in support of his 5th studio album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts. Starting the tour off in Sydney on January 29, Pyke will hit stages in Canberra, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide and will finish up in Perth on February 20. The masterful singer-songwriter released But For All These Shrinking Hearts in July this year, landing at #2 on the ARIA charts and #1 on the Australian albums chart. The

Reminiscing over the days he had to set up his studio in spare bedrooms and share houses, Pyke believes his ultimate achievement to date is being able to record in his own home studio. “When I started out I had it all set up in spare bedrooms and everything,” he says. “Then I lived in a flat, then I had kids and I had to move it to a friend’s garage. Finally after 10 years I’ve got a real kick ass studio at home, that belongs to me. All the gear is mine. That to me feels like the combination of my dream and my aspirations as a musician was always to have, you know, a kind of quite self-contained life so I could make music and tour and do it under my own steam.” Completing a run of sold out intimate fans first gigs earlier this year, Pyke said the fan response from the fans first shows was amazing and extremely overwhelming. “The album was the highest debut of any album I’ve done. All of that is based on my core fan base because it hasn’t been played on the radio much at all, so the success of this album is all to do with fans. Fans spreading

the world and fan advocacy. So playing those fan first shows and hearing people already singing the words to some of the songs was very very gratifying.” Ready to hit the road again, Pyke is giving his new material yet another twist, this time giving fans a taste with a full band. “I’m really excited. It’s going to be great as well because I focussed largely on solo shows the last couple of years but this is going to be a full band – I’m really looking forward to that. We’ve been rehearsing in my studio and it just sounds killer,” Pyke says. “I love solo touring as well but there is something about the camaraderie and the feeling of playing with a group of guys that are good mates, as well as great musicians. You know you’re putting your trust in them with your songs and I basically say to them we don’t have to stick to the recorded version, let’s just make good live versions of these songs so it becomes a lot more creatively collaborative and a lot more fun. So I’m really looking forward to getting the live band out there again.” Lucky for us Pyke admits he really loves touring and finds it inspirational. “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed that it can be my way of making a living, and there are definitely pros and cons of the whole thing and there’s definitely down sides of the job. You spend a lot of time in your head which isn’t always the best place to be. But you know the motivation comes from the fact that I need to do it, it’s a compulsion, I identify my whole worth with what I do.” “I just don’t have a plan B. I’m compelled to do this. I remember years ago I did this TV performance and the presenter asked my sister, ‘Do you think it’s strange now seeing posters of your brother on the street now he’s doing well?’ and she said ‘Not really because he was never gonna quit’. I had never thought about it, but it’s true, I have been doing this since I was 12. It’s completely how I’ve identified myself since I was a functioning person and I’ve identified with being a musician.” Pyke will be playing at The Wool Exchange, Saturday the 13th of February. Joining Pyke on the road will be Brisbane musician BANFF. While Sydney duo Winterbourne will open the Sydney and Melbourne shows.

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When & Where: Melbourne Zoo Twilights – February 12 & The Wool Exchange, Geelong – February 13

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

Lead Vocalist Wanted for already established psych pop-rock band based in Geelong, wth over 12 months of gigging experience in Melbourne and Geelong. Female an advantage, but open to try anyone. Hear live recordings at: zumamus`ic. bandcamp.com. Please contact us at: zumaofficial@gmail.com or 0432049239. Bass Player Wanted Experienced Bass player required for established working covers band: think Blondie, Free, Cream, SRV, CCR, Fleetwood Mac, Garry Moore and popular ‘60s/on wood bands. Own gear and transport a must. rehearsals at Ocean Grove. Call Ray on 0418512975 for more info. Geelong rock band looking for lead vocalist We are an exciting original rock band based in Geelong. We have a full band with committed members who practice weekly. We have done many gigs and are experienced musicians who need a singer to complete our line-up. Influences: Pearl Jam, Vance Joy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Silverchair, Rage Against The Machine, Nirvana, Foo Fighters. Search Aprils Sky on sound cloud for demos.Contact Ben if interested 0432 049 231. Guitarist and bassist looking for drummer and lead singer to star in a ‘90s rock band playing Foofighters, Greenday etc. Must have own gear, transport, be committed, reliable and a team player. Rehearsals would be once a week. Any age/sex is fine. If interested contact Vic on 0417138825.

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10 Signs it’s Christmas time in Geelong. Written by Jessica Morris

1. Carols by Candelight What would Christmas in Geelong be without good ol’ Dennis Walter leading us in carols down by Eastern Beach? Throw in an appearance by Humphrey Bear, some Geelong folks who have gone on to make it big, and a fireworks show that wakes up the littlies, and you have a staple on the calendar.

2. Meter Elves A shout out has to go to the unsung heroes of the Christmas season. Meter Elves are not only distinct in their colourful attire, but they pop in change just before the parking inspector turns up and takes away any chance of us being able to afford Christmas shopping.

3. Decorations You’ve got to love it when the worn out tinsel decorations are put up in the CBD. Who cares if we’ve seen them every Christmas for the past 15 years? They just make you feel all warm and snuggly inside.

4. The Floating Christmas Tree Love it or hate it, the gigantic luminescent Christmas tree that graces the foreshore is definitely unique to Geelong. Catch it at the right time, and you’ll see a light show that runs to your fave Christmas carol.

5. Pop ups at the mall It’s always a guarantee that you will see kids lining up to see Santa at Westfield, Market Square, Waurn Ponds and Corio Village. Throw in a few abstract pop ups (likely a Frozen themed photo op or ‘make your own reindeer cupcake’ station), and you’re in for a good time.

7. Light hunting Who doesn’t love seeing a house decked out door-to-door with lights? Houses from St. Albans to Corio, and Grovedale to Portarlington always impress, and taking the car out to spot the best wire reindeer, Santa impersonators and nativity scenes in town is a highlight.

9. All the carols Hark the Herald Angels Sing? Jingle Bells? Silent Night? You’ll be hearing every Christmas carol at least 50 times as stores set up their Christmas departments. Bonus points to Myer for starting this trend in September.

6. Gift wrapping

8. Sales

10. Family time

Does your gift-wrapping look like your dog puked all over mum’s gift? Never fear, charity gift-wrapping is here! Without fail, there will always be a loyal table of volunteers set up in the mall, ready to wrap your freshly brought gifts for a small donation. For years now they have made the worst gift wrappers in the community look good.

Geelong at Christmas-time is madness, especially when the sales start early December. For those of us who lack in the planning department, Christmas Eve is wonderful chaos as we strive to find the cheapest Apple gadget on offer, and race to grab it a la Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All The Way.

Sunshine, barbecues and beach cricket are quintessential to Christmas in Geelong. The fam bam head down to Eastern Beach or Torquay to cool off, relatives eat and drink way too much, and everyone takes a mid afternoon nap. Perfection.

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Tinpan Orange JJ I remember the first time I ever laid eyes on Tinpan Orange. I had ducked into a tent at Woodford Folk Festival to escape the searing heat and there on stage was a flame-haired singer spinning like a top; an impassioned, vested guitarist; and a violin virtuoso summoning some of the most intoxicating music at the festival. With a string of summer performances leading up to their fifth studio album, it seemed an opportune time for vocalist Emily Lubitz to reflect on how the band has evolved since that distant Woodford intro.

“My life has definitely changed,” Lubitz says. “I have children now, so I think that changes the way I write and my creative process. The songs I wrote earlier in life were quite autobiographical and were quite dependent on having a dramatic life. Now I’m happily married. Though marriage definitely has its challenges, so I get some fodder from that. My songwriting now is more about craft than this urgent need to express what’s going on in my life. They’re are a bit

Marlon Williams JJ Marlon Williams has quite possibly had the best 2015. Not only has he released his self-titled debut album, he is also up for best blues ‘n’ roots album at the ARIA awards in a couple of weeks as well as touring Europe and the US. On top of all this, Marlon Williams is about to head out on the lap of the country with his band The Yarra Benders and is very humble as we chat about the success of the record since its release.

“Why thank you man! It’s been a wild year and it’s going to be a cracker end to 2015, and 2016 is gearing up to be just as big. I’ve just come back from a big couple of weeks in Europe and the band is ready and raring to go on this tour. There wasn’t much time to do anything else, except sound check, travel and sleep and play the show. I had such a nice time and the Paradiso Lounge in Amsterdam was sensational. It was a festival in a beautiful old building and the Dublin show was also amazing. Enthusiastic crowds throughout and it was a beautiful vibe, even though there was a fair bit of city hopping.” If you have, for some reason, overlooked the debut album then you should definitely get on falling in love with it. Equally heartbreaking in the swagger of the vocals and delicious in the sweet and melodic country sounds, Marlon Williams is a record (in this music journalists opinion) for the ages and an album that will be looked upon for years and years as a brilliant debut. Courtney Barnett might be

Written by Adam Norris

more fictional now, or based on someone else’s story. In the past I’ve been quite private in my songwriting, but ‘You’re Not There’ was a co-write between me, Jesse and Harry. We’d never really done that before. It was just the three of us there in a room, strumming guitars, throwing ideas.” Jesse Lubitz is Emily’s brother and the band’s guitarist, while Harry Angus is her husband and all-round charmer from The Cat Empire. Rounding out the Tinpan Orange ranks is violinist Alex Burkoy, though it’s only recently that they’ve stripped back to a trio. They are a band who have experimented in form and sound greatly over the years, and this latest chapter heralds both a rebirth and return. “Our lineup for this summer and the coming year of touring is the original trio. That’s kind of who we are, it’s how we involved, and the couple’s three young children shanghaied into Although not scheduled for release until April 2016, you’ll be started. I feel that’s the most authentic incarnation of the instrument cases and drumheads for the tour, we are looking at able to catch snippets of Tinpan Orange’s fifth album – including band. We’re a folk group, and having keys and drums, it the beginning of a 21st Century Partridge Family. current single ‘You’re Not There’ - at Port Fairy Folk Festival in turns us into just another band. Plus Alex just shines so “I feel like road life and parenting are quite compatible. You’re March next year. Indeed, there’s no finer space to discover just much when there are fewer people to muddy the sound. So only actually working for one hour in the day. There’s a lot what it is that makes Tinpan Orange so enchanting. this Woodford and Jamgrass we’ll be back to that. I’ll be on of dead time where really we all could be learning a dozen “That’s our home. Festivals are how we’ve created a career. this 1964 Gretsch Hollowbody, which Harry bought me. It languages. But instead we just watch The Wire and start We’re not a smash hit band, we’re a touring band, and festivals took me ages to actually play, I was so intimidated, but he drinking early,” Lubitz laughs. “What I found challenging are where we have our following. They’re our chance to was very sweet and encouraging, and now I’m pretty much has been creating and writing, finding time for that side of really draw you in.” playing it for the whole live set.” things. Especially on this new album, I don’t know how it Given the sibling connection, Tinpan Orange have always been happened really – it’s a miracle. It’s been squeezed out of When & Where: something of a family band. With Lubitz’s husband now closely the corners of our lives.” The Melbourne Folk Club [single launch], Melbourne – December 13 & Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy – March 11-14

Written by Tex Miller

smashing it in the rock market, but in the country folk troubadour scene Williams reigns supreme. The album was recorded in Lyttleton in New Zealand, which has been Williams’ home for many years. Inspired by the likes of Music From Big Pink by The Band and the double album GP and Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons. Talking about the influence of the two albums on his career, Williams reveals that they are two of his favourite of all time. “My dad used to do this thing where he would get CDs and then exchange them a week later. He did that with my The Band album and, luckily for him, he brought back Gram Parsons. What I love about these albums is they are incredibly simplistic yet they are very effective. They are very rewarding listens and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone,” he says. As part of the regional tour before Williams takes time off for Christmas and hits the road in America early next year, the travelling circus that is their stageshow is set to hit Geelong on December 10. Having listened to the album on repeat for some time, I highly urge you to get down to this show and see a star in full flight with his band. “This tour is going to be a great way to finish up 2015. Geelong has always been a great place for me to play and I can’t wait to get back there again. The crowds have always been very supportive of what I do and I think everyone should come boogie!”

When & Where: Workers Club, Geelong – December 10

Temperamental - A divinyls tribute Written by Natalie Rogers JJ

Geelong-born rock immortal Chrissy

Amphlett may be gone, but she will never be forgotten. Instead, she will forever be known as a musical pioneer. Her undeniable talent, vivacious spirit and strength of character in the face of diversity will continue to inspire women for years to come. Her spirit is alive and well in a new generation of rock chicks such as Sarah McLeod and Ella Hooper, and among them is Melbourne musician and music teacher Drucindy ChinQuan. “She’s one of my heroes,” Chin-Quan says. “She was one of the hardest-working females in the industry. Coming from a rock background myself, she’s my biggest inspiration to keep going, because she never gave up despite what she physically had to go through.” To pay homage to her idol, Chin-Quan embodies Amphlett in Temperamental – a tribute to Chrissy Amphlett and the Divinyls. “We try to stay as true to The Divinlys’ sound as possible,” Chin-Quan says. “We have custom-made costumes and we take the audience on a journey through her life, from when she was young up until just before she died.” Despite never having the pleasure of seeing the Divinyls up-close and personal, Chin-Quan has devoted hours to watching old clips in a bid to get Amphlett’s mannerisms, movements and attitude down pat.

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“I spent a lot of hours researching the band. I’m a teacher, so research is what I do!” she smiles. “I’ve studied everything from Monkey Grip [Amphlett’s first film] all the way through her career. I studied her fashion and how their style of music changed over time, because the Divinyls did start out as a punk-y new wave band and they ended up a solid mainstream pop band. “We play all their hits in chronological order,” she continues. “We do ‘Boys In Town’, ‘Science Fiction’, ‘Pleasure and Pain’, ‘Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore’, ‘Touch Myself ’, and we also do Chrissy’s favourite, which is ‘Elsie’.” Chin-Quan’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Amphlett and the Divinyls is only outweighed by her striking resemblance to the redheaded rocker when she’s in full costume onstage. “I have lots of costume changes as the show goes through the different eras of her life. We try to match the stage production of a Divinyls’ show too, and get it as close as we can to the real thing.” Their effort to make the show as authentic as possible has not gone unnoticed, with some die-hard Divinyls’ fans saying that Chin-Quan’s likeness to Amphlett is “eerie”, while others have said that the entire Temperamental show captures the essence and spirit of the much-loved Aussie act. Chin-Quan admits that she loves the positive feedback, but has been a little overwhelmed by the attention it has garnered. “I actually thought I was living a quiet life and not that many people knew about the band – until one day at school when I was called into the office because someone had posted on Facebook that we’d packed out a pub in Melbourne, and word spread all around the city. Everyone who saw the post was asking ‘Is that you?’,” she laughs.

Now Temperamental will have the chance to impress Amphlett’s home crowd when they join the impressive line-up of tribute bands at the next Motor City Music Festival in March. “I’m very excited, but I’m nervous about playing to her home town,” Chin-Quan says. “However, I have a lot of friends in Geelong, so I’m really looking forward to it – I can’t wait!” You can get a taster of Motor City Music Festival at Geelong Revival Festival this weekend (November 28) where a few of the festival acts will play to the crowd for free.

When & Where: Geelong Revival Motor City Stage, Steampacket Gardens – November 28 & Motor City Music Festival, Geelong Showgrounds – March 11-13

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FROCK IT Eye(brows) Are The Windows To The Soul Written by Jessica Alves @jessicazalves

Written by Katherine Reynolds

@jessicazalves

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

youtube.com/msbonvivants

London For First Timers Not that it will come as a surprise for anybody who follows me on social media (handles for these are above), but if there is one area of makeup that I love, it is eyebrow makeup. I love brows because of what they do for the face. If you already fill in your brows, take a look over some photos during the era before you realised how much better everything looked with them filled in. I can guarantee some hard-core cringe action. There are many different ways that you can fill in your brows, but for all you newbies out there, here is a run-down of the three most common and — in my opinion — easiest ways to fill in your caterpillars. The Brow Pencil Although they look like a standard eyeliner pencil, brow pencils have a much waxier consistency. If you try to draw on your brows with a normal eyeliner, you’ll find that the formula is much creamier, messier and thicker. Brow pencils are designed to disperse a small amount of light product, so that they can look more like a natural brow hair than an obvious harsh line. To apply the product, you simply want to draw short, brow-like strokes mainly in the areas you feel are more sparse or areas you would like to define. Then, go in with a spooly to disperse the colour even more. The Brow Powder The brow powder offers a softer look compared to our other options. Although you can get powders that are specifically marketed as eyebrow powders, you could easily use a matte eyeshadow and it would do the exact same job. Be warned, if

you use anything with even the tiniest amount of shimmer, your eyebrows will not look natural — unless that’s the look you’re going for, in which case do ya’ thang! Take an angled brush and dip it in the powder, then trace the outline of your brows. Fill in at the tail first, and then bring the excess powder to the front of the brows to create a gradient. This will help you achieve a more natural look. Brow powders aren’t super durable, so I like to use a tinted brow gel to set the product and to define the brow hairs. The Brow Pomade Brow pomade is probably the most difficult to work with of the options. It’s fast-drying and highly-pigmented, but it’s also waterproof and resists smudging. It’s definitely the best product to use if you want strong, defined brows. I use this in the same way that I use a brow powder, in that I use an angled brush to trace along the brow edge and fill in the tail, then bring the excess product to the front of the brow. The difference here is that I then use a concealer to trace the outside of the brow, to fix any mistakes and sharpen the brow shape. You can use the concealer technique with any of the other methods too, but I feel that it’s best used with the brow pomade. Finally, if none of these methods work for you, experiment with combining different methods. I use different combinations all the time — experiment and find the best method for you!

London is one of those magical cities that seems so far away and out of reach for us Australians. With the big price tag attached to flights there, some of us may never get there, or will only ever manage to make the trip once in their life. So, for those of you lucky enough to be heading to the English capital, here are some of my best tips and tricks of things to see and do to make the most out of your first trip to London.

HIT UP THE MAJOR SIGHTS

You can’t go all the way to London town without saying ‘Hello’ to Big Ben now, can you? So be sure to tick these off your list and spend some time getting some incredible photos; Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge should all be seen within the first few days of your trip.

LEARN THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Everyone knows that London is famous for its impressive transport system, so be sure to know what’s what and grab yourself some maps. The Tube is an excellent choice for getting around the city, however there are

many destinations that are only within walking distance, so I’d recommend trying to stay above ground for the short trips. The bus system is also one to take advantage of, with excellent views of the city too! (Grab the front seat at the top of a double decker!)

CHECK OUT THE SKYLINE

London is a seriously beautiful city, with such classic and historical buildings, being paired with the most modern and eclectic buildings you can imagine. Be sure to embrace the cities skyline. Jump up to the Shard and see it all for yourself, or take a walk up Primrose Hill, and soak up the lovely skyline.

GRAB A DRINK

You can’t go all the way to England and not have a pint! London is bursting with pubs on the corners of most streets. So I’d say, take full advantage and grab yourself a classic pint of London’s finest ale. You deserve it!

HEAD TO THE SHOPS

Oxford Street and Regent Street are obvious choices for shopping when in London. The glitz and the glamour is all there. You can find different shopping experiences by heading into Soho and down Carnaby Street, or hit up the boutiques in Kensington and grab a tourist photo outside of Harrods! Heading to the markets is also a great option, too. Some markets I’d suggest would have to be Camden, Portobello, Borough, Old Spitafields and Brick Lane.

DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Once you’re satisfied that you’ve ticked most things off your list, why not try something a bit different? When in London, right? You could head to a festival, dine somewhere famous or fancy, grab a picnic in a park, enjoy a classic afternoon tea, discover rooftop bars and hidden drinking holes, or cycle through Hyde Park. Having lived near London for three years myself, I’m totally smitten with the city and love to encourage people to totally live it up when they’re there. So if you ever head to London, please do enjoy yourself !

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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. The award for biggest dumbf*ck of the year goes to Christian Pastor Steven Anderson from the Faithful World Baptist Church who has been quoted as claiming that, “when you go to a concert of death metal, somebody might get killed! You know, you’re worshiping death!” in a recent ‘sermon’. Steven Anderson is speaking, of course, about the attack on Le Bataclan in Paris. He goes on to say, “well, you love death metal so much, you bought the ticket, you love worshipping Satan!” which, if he wasn’t referring to the recent Paris attacks, would be really f*cking funny. That sort of shit has been said about heavy metal by religious extremists such as Steven Anderson for decades now. But the worst part of his ‘sermon’ is where he says I mean, all you have to do is just Google this band, somebody told me, somebody emailed me and told me ‘just hit Google Images, Eagles of Death Metal’ and these guys are just total sodomite looking freaks. You know, but nobody thinks about that. The first obvious issue with this ‘sermon’ by this ‘pastor’ is that he believes, simply by the name of the band, that the band is an actual death metal band. That’s exactly like going into the Apple Store and expecting to be able to buy red and green and pink apples. That’s exactly the same as expecting a sun dial to be a telephone that calls people who live on the sun. That’s exactly the same as expecting to see a giant, extinct mammoth at a Mastodon show. Secondly, the worst part is, someone actually sat down and spent time emailing this ‘pastor’ to advise him to look at photos of the band, as if their deep research uncovered something extremely alarming that only this ‘pastor’ could possibly, what, remedy? I can imagine some bitter, old woman sitting at her desktop computer typing shit into Google daily and constantly emailing the ‘pastor’ with what she’s found and I’m assuming she’s the only person she emails and he only ever receives emails from her. But I digress, I’m also not sure what a “sodomite looking freak” is because those words sound like the words of a narrow minded religious extremist. In other news

Nightwish will play only one show per capital city on their Endless Forms Most Beautiful Tour 2016 and the Melbourne show will be at The Forum Theatre on Monday January 11. 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, Killswitch Engage, Ill Nino and Metal Allegiance. Between The Buried And Me will play 170 Russell on Monday February 29. 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

If you recall a few issues ago I named my favourite albums of the year, or my top five. If you are a writer you will know that there are several constraints to try and fit everything that you want to say into 700 words. It is really quite hard. Now this issue isn’t about the bottom five albums of the year or the disappointing releases that you kinda, for a minute, would hope you could have enjoyed more (a few come to mind), yet it is to show recognition to some bands that, chances are, you have never heard of. From the moment you open your favourite streaming service (Spotify is my poison), you are granted with a variety of different options. Whatever the occasion, whatever your mood (you know the rest) at the touch of a button you are able to listen to anything. Why am I rabbiting on about this? Well I have just discovered some of the greatest playlists on the service and wanted to share the love, if you will, with all of my Forte ‘Night Vibe’ fans. For those out there that know me well, and know I am an absolute Wombats, Coldplay and Radiohead fiend. They are some of the greatest live concerts I’ve been to and, you may or may not, be totally impressed by my playlist suggestions however, there are a lot of albums released every year and you should totally be into discovering new songs and artists. After all, it’s a big old world and it is really fun. I was hanging out watching movies with my friend one day and I Give It A Year was on. It’s a British comedy about the first year of marriage. Incredibly funny and the soundtrack is amazing. There is a scene where the couple in question are travelling to a party and this low-fi electronic soulful version of what I immediately recognized as a cover of Coldplay’s Sparks is playing. The original is wonderful but it led me to discover Kristina Train – an American singer who lives in London and combines gospel country soul and blues elements to her voice. She has only released two studio albums to her name yet has found acclaim with her cover versions that she definitely brings into her own. Having toured alongside the likes of Herbie Hancock, The Roots, Chris Isaak and Keb Mo she’s certainly a talent. I’m unsure about whether she has ever toured Australia, yet when she does, it will be a blissful occasion. Indie folk rock is a big genre at the moment due to bands like The Lumineers and The Milk Carton Kids touring around the world and producing great tracks. Have you heard of the bands Trampled by Turtles and Horse Feathers? Horse Feathers is a band that have embraced the banjo when Mumford & Sons have ditched it. Yes, there is no hiding this is an acquired taste (ever since I came back from America last year, I have fallen in love with Americana and country music) but not to say Keith Urban or anything commercially heavy. A time where music discovery is on a massive high, given Spotify and Apple music definitely dominate the marketplace, there are several opportunities to step outside your comfort zone and listen to something just a little bit different. Don’t be scared of taking the plunge. Take the recommended suggestions from social media sites and your friends. Your new favourite album is awaiting you and I’m sure once you’re hooked you will never turn back. I haven’t.

Before we get into it properly, have you been down to Pistol Pete’s Food and Blues recently? The renovations are over, the place is twice the size it used to be, and the blues bands are fitting better than ever with the food service. Don’t miss it! December is knocking at the door, and it’s time to work out what to do in the lead up to the New Year, and how to recover after. Musicians are probably the people who put in more working time over this part of the year than any other occupation, and the choice we are getting is amazing. Tomorrow the Queenscliff Music Festival kicks off, and they have a full lineup in the blues area – 19-Twenty are a riff and groove based blues ‘n’ roots act from the east coast of OZ. The band were winners of the Blues at Bridgetown People’s choice award in 2012 and 2013 (the first act to win back to back awards). Alister Turrill is well known around here and will be there with the Vagabond brothers. Victorian Indigenous singer/ songwriter Benny Walker is the real deal. His love songs and epic tales are mixed with passion for the land, the people and laid back grooves, all elements that emanate through his velvety vocals and sensitive delivery. Blue Eyes Cry are a multi award winning modern blues band that perform at premier music festivals and venues throughout Australia. Inspired by the likes of Mark Knopfler and Brother Dege, Sean Patrick decided to leave his Metal roots behind, throw an acoustic over his shoulder and carve out his own niche in the blues/folk world. He has quickly become known for his dirty blues, roots guitar and strong vocally driven tunes. Back in Geelong on Sunday, the Hygeia is re-starting their Blues Cruises, which are always a great afternoon. Just don’t rock the boat or you’ll be asked to leave the premises! On the 13th Sleepy Hollow Blues Club has their Xmas Party with Hey Gringo at Geelong Trades Hall’s Dance Hall. Hey Gringo is an eclectic, earthy, funk injected, original jazz, blues ‘n’ roots band who have been delivering unique, irresistible live performances for nearly two decades. Formed by Daryl Roberts (Spectrum/Blackfeather/Jimmy Witherspoon) around 1993 the band has been a fluid lineup of Australian music legends including the likes of Nicky Bomba ( John Butler Trio/Bustamento/ Melb Ska Orchestra) who engineered and co-produced the first three albums. The list also includes Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool/Mondo Rock), Ross Hannaford (Daddy Cool), Spectrum, Broderick Smith (Dingoes/Carson), Kevin Borich, Neale Johns(Blackfeather) among others. It should be an insane event! On the 20th Way Out West have their Xmas Party up at Williamstown (yes, it’s a drive, but well worth it!) with Chris Wilson and an all star band. Finally, don’t forget the Bluestone Blues Festival over the New Year out at Mugheboluc. Check the rest of Forte for details – there are some sensational acts over the two days. Anyhow, we have a feast coming this summer, so get onto it.

Punk!

Pulp

Pop Culture

Written by Christopher Cruz

Written by Alastair McGibbon

Written by Anthony Morris

This issue I’m coming at you from Patong, Thailand, and for the average punk rocker, it’s an unusual place. If you’re looking to buy CDs or band merch at allegedly good prices, you’re in the wrong place. Turns out that there is nothing at all anywhere in the country that even comes close to your average JB HIFI. Boo-urns. I’m going to be going home with a lot of Baht in my pocket! Of course, you’ll find the occasional counterfeit Slipknot, Limp Bizkit or Nickleback T-shirt at the occasional night market, but we have those at Beckley Park and the Victoria Market... No live music scene here to speak of, either – although on the night I arrived in Patong, Red Foo (from Australia’s Got Talent, I think) performed his new single at a club on Bangla Road. I did not attend. Very sad news to kick off the music news this time around. Teenage Bottlerocket drummer Brandon Carlisle has passed away. He was a fiend behind the kit and by all reports a super nice guy. No exact cause of death has been announced. Checked out the new Good Charlotte single/video yet? In my opinion, ‘Makeshift Love’ is a true return to form, punchy, tongue in cheek pop punk that their peers (everyone from MxPx to Simple Plan) could never hope to match. At least not so effortlessly. Because, love ‘em or hate ‘em, Good Charlotte are undeniably good at what they do. So, the Soundwave line-up continues to grow in dribs and drabs, with the addition of Killswitch Engage (performing their “landmark” 2002 album Alive Or Just Breathing in its entirety), il Niño and Terror Universal (yes, again) being added to the bill. Watch ticket sales pick up by the fives and tens with this one! Yikes! Of course, the full second announcement is imminent, and early bird ticket holders are hoping for a miracle. Disturbed are not a bad band, but they are not really Soundwave headliner material. I’m almost hoping the Kanye West rumours are true, shake things up a little bit. And it would make sense with Public Enemy on the bill. As far as heavy bands go, who is there even LEFT to headline that hasn’t already done so? The Guns N’ Roses reunion rumours are getting stronger and stronger, and some interesting titbits are coming to light... Would we be getting original drummer Steven Adler, or his replacement Matt Sorum? Well, neither, it would seem. Will Izzy Stradlin be back on rhythm guitar? Not likely. The original core of the band, Axl, Slash and Duff would be hitting the road with other members of the CURRENT Guns N’ Roses line-up. And you know what? The fans would still be stoked with that. Until next time, kids, be cool to each other. Even if it’s only because Santa’s watching you and (quite possibly) touching himself inappropriately. This tropical heat is messing with my head!

Well hi there, gang! It’s that time of the week again where I sit down and babble about comics. Now that I’m done with uni for the year, you’d think that I’d have plenty of time to kick back and read all day, but sadly that’s not the case – as the saying goes, there’s no rest for the wicked! This time around, I’ve picked up a trade that was recommended to me by a friend from uni from BOOM! Studios – Deathmatch, written by Paul Jenkins (Hellblazer, Origin) and drawn by Carlos Magno (Planet of the Apes). Deathmatch is one of those comics that you can just tell is written by a comic fan. The story is very reminiscent of a conversation I’ve had with my friends many a time: if you pitted every hero – from both Marvel and DC – against one another, who would come out on top? Deathmatch sets out to settle that argument once and for all – albeit through analogues of your favourite superheroes. Deathmatch lives up to its name, in a big way. A mysterious – and supremely powerful – supervillain has simultaneously imprisoned the world’s greatest superheroes, and is compelling them to fight each other to the death. Friends are fighting friends, relationships are being shattered and heroes are breaking their vows and killing their foes. It’s kill or be killed, and the bloodshed will continue until only one remains. There’s one twist, though; none of the heroes can remember how they came to be in the arena, or what compels them to kill until they’re in the arena – and they forget again, as soon as they leave. As the heroes struggle to make sense of their situation, the superheroes Dragonfly, Sable and the Rat can’t help but shake the feeling that there’s something even more sinister beneath the deadly games of the arena. While the actual fights themselves take centre stage – after all, that’s the primary appeal of a book called Deathmatch – I found myself really getting into the mystery surrounding the heroes’ imprisonment, and honestly found it more interesting than the titular matches. Jenkins’ take on popular heroes is fascinating, too; Deathmatch features parallels of heroes like Spiderman, Batman and even Rorschach working together to try to escape their predicament. Magno’s art is the perfect fit for the story, too. While the characters are ostensibly stand-alone, they’re still reminiscent of their inspirations in both character and their physical design. For example, The Rat – Rorschach’s parallel – bears a number of similarities to his inspiration (e.g. trenchcoat, hat and mask) but Jenkins has made enough tweaks to the character to make Rat a unique, interesting character in his own right. There’s plenty of emotional drama thrown in, too, as you would expect from a story that has friends pitted against one another. While I must confess I was a little sceptical of Deathmatch’s potential at first, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the story, and found that I was becoming particularly attached to certain characters. While your initial instinct may be to automatically compare Deathmatch’s characters to their DC and Marvel equivalents, there’s enough originality in there to really grab your attention. Deathmatch strikes me as the kind of story that’s best read in bulk, so if you’re of a mind to pick this one up, I’d suggest grabbing the following trades soon after – you’re going love it.

Shaun Micallef ’s sitcom The Ex-PM wrapped up last week – the DVD is in stores now, if you’re that way inclined – and it’s safe to say, despite often being very funny indeed, it didn’t exactly set the world on fire ratings wise, dropping around 300,000 viewers a week from its lead-in Gruen. This makes the second (very funny) misfire for Micallef in sitcom form (Welcher & Welcher a decade ago being the first), and the strange thing is that they’re both the kind of shows you’d expect to have much more of an impact with the public. When Micallef made Welcher & Welcher, he was coming off the back of three series of his popular sketch show The Micallef Program; The Ex-PM comes along after the success of Mad as Hell seems to have cemented him into the “Australia’s favourite funnyman” slot. So it’s not like he just wandered in off the streets both times and expected Australia to figure out why he’s meant to be a funny guy: his sense of humour had been out there in the public eye for an extended period, and both times the public seemed happy to get on board… until they weren’t. Perhaps it’s just that Australia isn’t all that interested in sitcoms any more? After all, the last big hit was 2008’s Summer Heights High, and that was more of a mockumentary than the traditional sitcoms Micallef ’s made. It could just be that at this moment in time people want their laughs in bit-size formats where they can dip in, get a laugh and move on – hence the success of panel shows and the return (in the US at least) to prominence of sketch comedy. If true, that’d be a shame. Television trends come and go for sure, but there are few things as funny as getting to know characters well enough that they can get laughs just from the start of a set-up, because we know how they’re going to react to it. But maybe characters are the problem here: Micallef has spent much of his comedy career playing “himself ” – well, a dimmer, more arrogant version of himself in The Micallef Program, a slightly more nuanced but still exaggerated for comedic effect model in Mad as Hell. So in a way, audiences think they know him, when in fact they only know the character he plays. Which means a sitcom starring Shaun Micallef as someone else – a someone else who’s basically the same character he always plays, only in comedic situations – can feel a bit weird, like a sitcom starring a celebrity playing themselves. It’s presenting us with somebody we already find funny, only now they’re in a different setting and acting in a different way and it takes a little time to make that leap. American sitcoms often get at least 13 episodes to iron out those bumps: The Ex-PM was over and out after six. Still, at least Mad as Hell is meant to be back next year. The more we all get used to Shaun Micallef being funny, the closer we get to letting be funny in a sitcom.

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Refining the Palette

Odyssey Short Film Festival

≈≈ Truckin’ Awesome

≈≈ New Library Is Officially Open

Written by Alexander Lightfoot

With more than 10 food trucks each day featuring the best burgers, nachos, curries, kebabs and more on offer, you’ll be stuck for choice. Along with a delicious array of affordable treats there’ll be live performances, DJs, magicians, Brazilian dancers and heaps more. Entry is free for tickets registered online (www.thefoodtruckfestival.com.au) or $5 at the gate. The festival is held at President Park in Wyndham Vale on November 28 and 29. ≈≈ Try it For Size

It’s been a little bit of a wait and there’s certainly a lot of excitement over the architectual wonder that is the new Geelong library and heritage centre, but as of last week, it’s officially open. Make sure you head down and have a look around as the inside is just as impressive as the outside. With the new design is also an onslaught of new events, so stay tuned folks, as this one is set to be a massive change for the arts scene in Geelong. ≈≈ Undertones at KUBU Studio

Still from ‘A Series of Quandary Events’, Courtney O’Reilly

Imagine slaving away for months on end,

While there are a few winners on the night, winning a title isn’t everything. As simply the experience of seeing your work on the big screen is vindication enough that what you’ve done ultimate project as part of your VCE studies. is incredible. For Joey, seeing his film projected on the wall was both surreal and nerve racking, but undeniably an experience Years of schooling leads up to the moment that has helped him to pursue what he loves doing. you’re to submit your final assignment, which “Odyssey film festival is really important for Geelong, it could lead on to futher study, or something gives kids a chance to present their work to a big audience. “It’s a motivation and a goal for them to work hard and create else. But when the scores come out the project films,” Joey says. seems to dissappear. For Media Studies Since taking out the audience favourite, Joey has gone students, that project takes shape in the form on to study film and has worked on feature films, crewed on TVCs and shot videos for Cotton On and several other of a short film and the Odyssey Short Film notable businesses. Festival looks at ensuring those films don’t It’s hard to know who will pursue the dream of becoming dissappear by showcasing the best of the region a filmmaker from those screened at Odyssey, but you could possibly be watching the next big filmmaker to come out of from Year 11 and 12 students from high schools Australia, and with your vote, you could get them one step across Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast. closer to achieving that. The first 150 tickets purchased receive a choc top icecream But the festival is about so much more than that. It’s also or small popcorn to enjoy at the screening. To purchase a chance for friends and family members (and general film your tickets or to find out more visit the website (http:// enthusiasts) to come out and support the budding filmmakers’ odysseyfilmfestival.com/). works, and to share a role in celebrating their works by voting for the audience favourite, Winning that title is something Joey Knox knows all too well about, who won the spot with his short film on downhill biking. When & Where: “Coming away with the audience favourite award felt amazing, Village Cinema, Geelong – December 5 finally all the effort and hard work had paid off,”he says. JJ

throwing in bits and pieces of your soul in the

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Boasting over 30 clothing stalls and vintage hair styling, kids craft, a brass band and more, the Lady Luck Clothing Fair truly is a fair with a difference. Also with an array of coffee, ice cream and waffles to snack on, the fair will be more than just a quick trip: it’ll be a source of entertainment for the whole day. Lady Luck Clothing Fair runs on November 28 from 10am – 3pm at St Mary fs Hall in Castlemaine.

A few weeks ago KUBU Studio exploded into the Geelong arts scene promising a unique space that’s accepting of all people, no matter where you fre from or your story on how you got there. Delivering up the goods over the next few weeks will be Undertones, a series of panel Q&A sessions that explore the contemporary issues facing youth and young adults. Two sessions covering diversity and expression have been covered, what remains are panels on individuality and community, and religion and tolerance. Each panel is held on a Wednesday from 6pm, visit KUBU Studio for more information.

R efi n i n g t he Pa l e t t e When & Where: Back to Back Theatre, Geelong – December 2

Theatre of Speed Presents:

SUCKER

Each Wednesday from 18 November to 2 December 2015, Back to Back Theatre will open its doors to the public to present SUCKER - a new theatrical story devised by Back to Back Theatre’s experimental performance lab – Theatre of Speed. JJ

Theatre of Speed is a performance-making program for people with intellectual disabilities in Geelong. Running 42 Wednesdays of every year, Theatre of Speed is arresting, joyful and fundamentally inclusive. Performers from Theatre of Speed have created the story of SUCKER from scratch. “SUCKER is about five renegades coming together and sticking it to The Man,” says the Geelong-based collective. When talking about the development of the show the company explains: “We did research, we saw a movie, and we played improvisational games. We wrote our own story not based on myth, or existing literature. We

≈≈ Strays on the Wall

Have you ever felt disconnected? As if every room you enter there’s nothing connecting you to the people within it? It fs something we fve all felt at one point or another, and it’s something Daniel Longo will explore in his upcoming exhibition Enter As Strays at Courthouse Youth Arts. The series opens on November 27 from 6-8pm and runs until December 16. An official after party following opening night will be held at KUBU Studio with perfromances from The Wet Blankets, Gonzo and more to be announced.

made a fantasy world. People were precious about what they brought to the table, but were brave enough to let things go when it wasn’t working.” Theatre of Speed is one of Back to Back Theatre’s most important community programs. Back to Back Theatre is regarded as one of Australia’s best independent theatre companies, one of the country’s biggest theatre exporters and is driven by a team of actors with intellectual disabilities. SUCKER will be performed at 1pm and 7pm every Wednesday from 18 Nov to 2 Dec 2015. Performances will be held at the Back to Back Theatre Studio, 60 Little Malop Street, Geelong. Entry via Police Lane. Duration of performance is approx 1 hr. Performances of SUCKER are running as part of Geelong’s International Day of People with Disability Program. For more information visit http://backtobacktheatre.com/community/sucker/ Ticket bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/158449

≈≈ The Big Design Market

Pretty things are nice. Pretty things all in the one room are even better. That’s why the Big Design Market is pretty darn amazing. Showcasing works from independent designers from Australia and New Zealand, the market is the perfect chance to pick up a unique gift for a friend or something to fill that whole in your shelf at home. There fll be tasty snacks on site so there fs no reason to ever leave. Except when the market packs up... The market is held from December 4-6 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.

≈≈ GPAC Season Launch

All year round the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, or GPAC as it’s affectionately known, offers a unique mix of theatre shows and events that educate, enlighten and bring together like-minded people. 2015 has been no exception to this rule, and with the year coming to a close it’s time to bring in 2016 with the official launch scheduled for December 3 at 6pm at the venue. This is a free event but places are strictly limited so RSVP atboxoffice@ gpac.org.au to ensure you hear first what to expect in 2016.

≈≈ A Little Bit of An African Circus

Winston Ruddle’s Cirque Africa is coming to Geelong and is bringing along a unique circus performance unlike any we’ve seen in the region. Think of what you’ve seen from Cirque du Soliel, throw in a bit of South Africa and a whole lot of creativity and you’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head. Featuring dish spinning, contortion, African dance, acrobats and more, it’s a performance you’ll surely be remember for a long time to come. The show comes to the Geelong Showgrounds from December 16 – January 31. Visit http://www. cirqueafrica.com.au/ for more info.

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Geelong Film Photographers There’s a new rise of photography in Geelong. It’s new in all contexts, except the methods in which they use. The photography group, started by Ben Neoh in July this year, puts its focus on film photography – enabling the shooters to really connect with what they’re capturing. Ben decided to create Geelong Film Photographers (which is essentially a community of around 50 members online) after feeling isolated from the rest of the film community without an actual meeting place set up. The group is a means for film photographers to connect as a community and share, encourage and inspire one another to grow. Regular outings will be scheduled, the first of which was a trip to the Otways on November 8. Working alongside make up artist student, Morgan Herzer, from the Gordon, the group took a number of pictures of each other and the models (Annie Gomularz and Courtney Ward) on the day. “It was a long day but everyone had an awesome time and spoke of looking forward to the next one. It was a great way to learn from one another and to feel connected to something greater than yourself, it’s inspiring to see how different minds work and how differently everyone sees the world,” Ben says. Joshua Maxwell de Hoog, from Analogue Academy, is also a member of the group and his business also supports film photographers however they may need it. There’s no judgement in the group from what you produce, it’s simply a place for likeminded people to share their passion. Join the group on Facebook to get involved in the community and at the next outing.

Photo: Ben Neoh

Photo: Joshua Maxwell de Hoog

Photo: Nathan Green

Photo: Ben Neoh

Kylie J Pole Studio JJ

In the past few years, pole dancing has

become recognised for its highly effective fitness benefits, the simple fun of twirling around on a pole and the confidence it gives to women for their body image. Kylie J Pole have helped deliver this to hundreds – we’re even betting thousands – of people, and things are about to get a whole lot more interesting with the addition of roller skates... Hey Kylie, most of us are familiar with the Pole Studio, but for those that aren’t, can you give a brief introduction into what you do? Sure, we are a pole dance/fitness studio in the CBD of Geelong, and have been here for five years now. We offer a really broad range of classes and courses from absolute beginners to high advanced and professional competition level pole artists. We also have performance nights, an in-house student competition, heaps of workshops and are a great place for a birthday, hens or work function. At the studio you can get fit, challenge yourself, make new friends, boost your confidence and enjoy exercise in a completely unique way.

Can we have a brief introduction into the history of the wonderful, unique business? Definitely! After a long career in pole for 10 years and a lot of passion to share it with others, I decided to open the studio with the help of some amazing people! We fully renovated the Ryrie St space and started with only a handful of classes and three instructors. After a lot of hard work, dedication, passion and drive by the team, the enthusiasm and support of our wonderful students, family and friends, we have now grown into a team of nine and a big community of pole enthusiasts! Is the class suitable for everyone, male, female, old and young? There are many classes to choose from, all beginners classes are literally for beginners with no experience and NO, you do not need to be strong or fit to start. We are from all walks of life from teenagers to seniors, students, corporates, we have some mother daughter groups and even some guys. You do need to be over 16 to start classes at the studio though. For those feeling a little intimidated, or thinking ‘pole dancing isn’t for me’ what would you say to encourage them along? Sooo many of our students say they wish they had taken the step and started years ago, were thinking about it for ages before actually doing it. I’d definitely say grab a friend and

try it, you have nothing to lose, everything to gain. If it’s not for you, then at least you went to find out, but, there’s a very good chance you’ll love it! What would the average, beginner to intermediate class involve? Every class is a full structured fitness class and we have students at the same or similar level in our courses, so we can learn as a group and progress as individuals. Each class involves... •• Warm up to a good beat •• Pole stretch •• Moves, spins and tricks suitable to the level •• Some dance or floor work •• Strength and conditioning •• Cool down This changes for specialised classes and casuals, but you’ll always get a great workout. So you have some exciting news about ROLLER SKATES and them being incorporated into your classes, please tell us more? Yes, Roller Pole! It’s the world’s first training program for pole dancers on quad roller skates created by Natalie T from Pure Pole Academy in Brisbane and myself. There are soo may ways to glide around the pole, conditioning exercises, fun routines and it’s great training for aerial tricks. It’s like having weights on your feet, but way more fun!

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Where did this idea evolve from and how did you come to be aware of it? We both already skate and pole professionally, so we got together to create it. In shows, there have been a few polers to perform on skates in the past, for myself, it just evolved over time. I did it once and it got an amazing response, so now most of my performances in events and variety shows are Roller Pole. I became much stronger a lot quicker and discovered a heap of new skills I could do, so decided it would be amazing to teach and would be something really fun for polers, skaters or anyone to try really. What would the average class involving skate entail? Email us to find out ;) ... kyliejpolestudio@gmail.com Tell us why Kylie J pole is the most wonderful and unique way to get fit coming into summer? Easy! Pole has all the benefits of group fitness, but takes you on an individual journey full of challenges, it boosts your confidence, it’s creative, super effective AND it’s extremely good for you!

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

Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows JJ Joe

Camilleri is Australian music royalty.

With 47 albums under his belt, including 28 as a member of The Black Sorrows, his name is as iconic as Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite and John Farnham (who he is currently touring with). You might think then, that press is just another mindless task for the renowned guitarist. But that’s not the case for the affable and lovely man who I talked to over the phone. In fact, when I congratulated him on The Black Sorrows ARIA Award nomination for Best Blues & Roots Album with Endless Sleep, he was wholly unflustered and humbled by the event. “It’s always a nice thing. The red flag goes up and everybody says, ‘Oh…is Joe still working out here?’ But you know, we do 150 shows a year, and so making records is just part of the thing I do and love. It’s cool that somebody has the time to listen to it and critique it on that level,” he says. While the Australian music industry has changed significantly since Joe’s entrance in 1975, his passion for music has not. “Winning an award today in the climate of the record industry in 2015 doesn’t have the same emphasis as it did, probably in the ‘80s or the ‘90s, where if we probably won the award we’d probably sold 40 thousand records on the back of it. It doesn’t work that way. You know, you can

win the award and still be in Balukaville,” he explains. “It’s kind of a nice thing. I don’t make music for that, you know, I just make music because it’s soul food for me. “ After chatting with Joe, it seemed natural to identify him on a first name basis. And it became clear that rather than relishing in the success of his past, he chooses to embrace the possibilities ahead. “My thing is to write the best song that I can write with my co writer Nick Smith, and once again, as honest as it can be. And then, without any trickery. You should have a reasonable record whether it’s out on time is always irrelevant.” As Joe says, “I never stop, love,” and you immediately sense that as he talks about the pros and cons of touring. “We got back from Europe and we did 23 shows in 25 days in Europe…so you kind of come back to Australia a couple of inches shorter,” he laughs. “It’s a thing that I love. It’s my work. My livelihood and also I love it, so I love my job. I’m really quite fortunate. “ As he talks about the intensity of travelling between shows, he shares some exciting news with me. ”I’ve had a good week. My daughter’s just had her first child. She’s one day old.” Obviously in love with being a grandfather, he opens up more. “The world has got everything in it…but of course, there’s nothing like a new life. People put down their arms and they welcome a child to the universe.” The biggest fan of his own band there is, “These guys could

Jesse Valach & Blues Mountain JJ

Jesse Valach from Blues Mountain is a) one

of the nicest blokes that you will ever have the chance to meet and b) one of the best blues players in the Melbourne and Australian music scene. Since moving over to Australia after growing up in New Zealand, Valach made his mark on the Australian music scene when he moved initially to WA and then to Melbourne, where he currently resides. What makes him stand out from all of the other guitar players, in what can sometimes be described as an overpopulation of guitarists in groups, is the soul and feeling that he puts into the grooves and lead breaks of his original material. Like many other artists before him, like Robert Cray and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he has a distinct style to performing that is both infectious to watch and instantly recognisable when you hear it. Having just released Separation Street, the highly anticipated follow-up to the scintillating self titled debut, he has had a cracker 2015 as we begin to chat. “Mate! We have just played at Bendigo Blues and it was a great festival. The turnouts were awesome and we have been really lucky enough to play there two years in a row. There are so many blues loving people up in Bendigo, so that made it all the more special,” Valach says.

Briggs J“My J

Written by Jessica Morris

be playing with anybody, and they choose to play with me,” and in the constant pursuit of making new music, 2016 looks to be the most exciting year yet for Joe Camilleri. Aside from the release of Joe’s upcoming 48th album, The Black Sorrows will return to Europe with new representation, and after chatting with him it is abundantly clear that bigger things are yet to come from this iconic musician. “I think it’s a new frontier for me. You know, I’ve got an opportunity to be the best I can.”

Joe Camilleri’s Black Sorrows are playing at 13th Beach Golf Links for Karingal’s Music to a Tee concert on Friday 4 December. Tickets at 13thbeach.net and follow the links. When & Where: 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads – December 4

Written by Tex Miller

When a band releases a debut record that knocks everything else out of the park, there is considerable pressure to follow it up the next time around. On Separation Street, there is a lot more instrumentation coming into the mix, which has allowed Valach to branch out and be a little more creative with his song arrangements. “Funnily enough, it was actually quite a quick process and I had a lot of the songs running around in my head for a while. We went into rehearsal for a week and then hit the studio to record it all live and smashed it out. We recorded down in Altona and got a lot of guests in at the end to polish it up, it was a very fun process.” With the second album climbing up the Australian blues charts, Valach is already in the writing process once again. It’s early days yet and its in talking about this that Valach lets slip about another exciting project that he is working on. “At the moment I am working on getting a reggae band together that I’ll be fronting. It’s a 10-piece band and hopefully we can release something next year, so keep your eyes open.” Like many artists before him, Jesse Valach and the Blues Mountain are going to be hitting the stage of Bluestone Festival over New Years Eve run by the Sleepy Hollows Blues Committee at Murgheboluc. In Valach’s eyes, it is the perfect way to end 2015. There were rumours that Valach was playing solo for this show, however he states that he is a band leader through and through. “I tend not to do solo shows much and I am always playing with the band. I’ve played a few times at Bluestone and it is always a great festival. I can’t wait to finish the year up there and then head into the studio next year to bring to life the new album. Think Separation Street but twice as big.”

When & Where: Bluestone, Murgheboluc Reserve – December 31-January 1

Written by Amanda Sherring

music is written really honestly,” Briggs

says when I ask whether he ever thought of not claiming his regional roots – like many musicians have done before him. “If I was coming out and saying I was from Melbourne it “It’s a very niche thing that I do but when you’re paired with the wouldn’t be honest and I’d feel like a bit of a dick. Everyone right kind of people it’s great and you can get a lot of great stuff knows I’m from Shep, I grew up there, I’m from there and and I’ve got more out of it than I thought I ever would.” I was a regular everywhere. There’s no hiding it and I just It may seem a little bit too purposeful to head along to a writing wear it. That’s me and what makes me unique.” camp, but for Briggs, there is no exact writing environment. Briggs is someone who is honest as all hell. In his music he’s And while the camp may create a new work ethic and setting loud, brash, thoughtful and complex all at the same time. The for the rapper, his creativity knows no bounds. same can be said to how he’s depicted Shepparton in the perfect “No matter whether I set out to go to the studio, or wherever, I light, a place he spent his younger years, listening to music, always go there to make something happen,” Briggs says. creating his own and otherwise getting up to mischief. “I just write whenever I get that inspiration. I like to sit around “Just numbskullery, being a mischevious jerk of a kid – that’s in studios, hang out and just vibe and listen to beats like pretty much what kept me entertained,” he laughs. what I do at home or on the plane.” “You’re left to your own devices a lot, so the fun you make Perhaps it’s his rural upbringing that has made him so relaxed is your own.” about his processes within the industry, and while there’s

Though it’s listening to Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube that plenty of time for that to have changed about the musician: it motivated him to take the path to becoming a rapper. Three hasn’t. Set to play at Beechworth Music Festival early next year, releases later and now Briggs is often compared to one of his festivals allow for musicians to become quite exhorbitant at inspirations: Ice Cube. With Sheplife released last year, as their requests. But that inclination hasn’t affected Briggs. we spoke on the phone Briggs was currently at the APRA “I’m not very precious. I just like being places with my writing camp piecing together some new tracks. friends,” he says. “As long as I’m reasonably cool and I have “It can be a bit hard when you’re a rapper, you know what I mean, refreshments, I’m fine.” to work it all out,” he says of the writing process at APRA.

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

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barwon club

beavs bar

eureka

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barwon club

captain

beavs bar

captain

home house

eureka

home house

odyssey

slate pool lounge

THERE the max THERE hotel

pistol petes

the juke

pistol petes

slate pool lounge

the juke

the workers club

the max hotel

the workers club

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Film and Music Reviews

t he wr a p

Films reviewed by Anthony Morris

films Creed: Rocky is back, only this time he’s too old to fight (this time?) and now he’s training the son of his former frienemy Apollo Creed to take the title. So yeah, basically yet another Rocky film. Hotel Transylvania 2:

Secret in Their Eyes

The Look of Silence

All your favourite monsters are back in an animated kids film that’s being released at a time when kids aren’t really going to the movies. Which is a shame, as the first one was pretty fun.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay pt.2

The Program

If you don’t know what’s going on by now you never will. Suffice to say it’s the big final battle between the rebels lead by Coin ( Julianne Moore) and the Capitol forces led by President Snow (Donald Pleasance), with media star and spoke in an increasingly fraught love triangle with Katniss Everdeen ( Jennifer Law) in the middle. For a series that’s always been big – for a young adult series at least – on the scars that violence leaves behind, this descent into all-out war pulls few punches, and much of the examination of what drives people to fight and die for a cause hits a little harder than it otherwise might have in the wake of the more recent terrorist acts. The cast don’t get a lot to do past run or die in what is largely a straight-up war movie (only with more traps and sewerdwelling cannibal mutants) but the action is nasty enough to hammer the point home and the central theme – of a young woman presented as a hero but really just a pawn of greater forces – shows more nuance than most YA franchises. The Hunger Games has always been smarter and sharper than the norm; a drawn-out ending aside, this conclusion doesn’t let the series down.

The Lance Armstrong story is one of the more compelling in recent sporting history, and while Stephen Frears biopic largely sticks to the surface facts, that’s more than enough to paint a startling picture of ego run amok. Starting out with Armstrong (excellently played by a near-unrecognisable Ben Foster) realising that bike racing is won by people with attributes he doesn’t have. Beyond a monstrous desire to win, he goes from a likable human character through a brush with cancer and the adoption of a drug regime and comes out the other side little more than a hollow shell filled with a need to always win every encounter he has with another human being. Digging up the story no-one wants told is Irish journalist David Walsh (Chris O’Dowd), whose likable nature makes the constant setbacks he faces as his employers and fellow writers all side with Armstrong all the more galling. This doesn’t provide much insight into Armstrong – it seems like there’s nothing to be learnt past “he’d do anything to win” – but as an examination of how a liar and cheat could basically stare down the entire cycling world through sheer force of will, this is the muchneeded flip-side to countless “one man against the system” feel-good triumphs.

Thirteen years ago, Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) was a member of a L.A. anti-terrorism task force frantically trying to prevent another 9/11. Today he’s haunted by the one crime they couldn’t solve – the murder of the daughter of his partner Jess ( Julia Roberts). But when he knocks on the door of L.A.’s new D.A. (Nicole Kidman), he’s got more on his mind than trying to rekindle the romance they could never quite make work. He thinks he’s finally tracked down the suspect they couldn’t nail 13 years ago, and it’s going to take all three of them to see justice done. This competent remake of a haunting 2009 Spanish film works best as a generic cop thriller, as writer / director Billy Ray (Shattered Glass) fails to find much depth in the characters or the material, lurching towards cliché pretty much every chance it gets. Ejiofor is your typical cop on the edge (presumably it’s because of his bond with his partner, though it’s hard to tell), Roberts is effective but largely wasted as an empty shell and Kidman is mostly befuddled; the sorrow and loss the story requires to make it worthwhile is forever out of reach.

Not so much a follow-up as a new angle on Joshua Oppenheimer’s harrowing examination of the Indonesian anti-communist massacres of 1965, The Act of Killing. Once again the documentarian shakes up our ideas of guilt, retribution, and coming to terms with a horrific past. Here the focus is on one optometrist – whose brother was killed in the massacres – with the perpetrators feeling no shame about their role in the killings. Indeed, as seen in the previous film, many are proud of what they did. It’s relatively straight forward for him to track them down and confront them under the pretence of performing an eye exam. It’s a smaller scale approach than the previous film and lacks some of its blunt force impact, but as a more personal look at the subject many of these scenes have a more personal horror that’s equally hard to shake. Time and again the killers brush off their actions or take ghastly pride in the killings, leaving our lead with his humanity negated (by the killers) yet re-enforced by the depth of feeling he has for his brother. It’s not easy viewing, upending as it does so many things about human nature that we want to believe. Sometimes revenge is a dish that’s never served at all.

Drown This Fury

Kurt Vile

Loon Lake

Christian Andrew

Dallas Crane

Creatures

B’lieve I’m Goin Down

LOW RES

Now & Then

SCOUNDRELS

Independent Reviewed by Alastair McGibbon

Remote Control/Matador Records Reviewed by Amanda Sherring

Independent Reviewed by Amanda Sherring

Independent Reviewed by Tex Miller

Nylon Sounds Reviewed by Tex Miller

With guitar hooks tasty enough to lure in any metal enthusiast, Adelaide-based hardcore outfit Drown This Fury’s debut EP Creatures is a fantastic effort for a debut release. While outwardly sounding like your everyday hardcore band, Drown This Fury’s melodic guitar lines hint at influences from the broader metal community, and bring reminders of bands like Arch Enemy and In Flames. Creatures is initially melancholy, but soon explodes into a full-on torrent of overdrive and thunderous drums. My only gripe is that the low end of the band is completely buried under the guitar tone, and took some careful listening to even pick out at all, let alone catch any definitive riffs. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I’m firmly in the “audible bass” camp. The guitars, whilst slightly overpowering, are definitely a high point – guitarists Tim Donnon and Oli Hughes work wonderfully as a team, and are clearly brilliant at what they do. While hardcore bands tend to sound a bit “same-y”, Drown This Fury have poured enough into Creatures to ensure that it stands alone as both a great debut release and really enjoyable EP. If you like your music loud, fast and really freakin’ heavy, Creatures should definitely be on your list.

Kurt Vile is one of those musicians who has an insane following fawning over everything chord from his guitar and word from his lips. While I’m not one to fall into the hype, there’s no point denying when something is good, and that something is Kurt Vile. His newest release is an album full of tales and clever lyrical arrangements delivered in a somewhat emotionless manner. There’s something so admirable about that. While remaining rather balanced in his singing, there’s so much that’s said in the words and accompanying instruments that have you feeling all kind of emotions. ‘Dust Bunnies’ features clever storytelling with a rather unconventional instrumental arrangement, ‘Wheelhouse’ and ‘Lost My Head There’ for its addition of the keys and some sultry (if you could call it that) singing from Vile. It’s an easy listen that doesn’t play on the emotions behind each song, it simply lays them out on the table (so to speak) and let’s you make of it what you will.

It’s really quite bittersweet knowing that this is likely to be the last time you’ll ever indulge in a Loon Lake release. That’s it. Finite. The band is putting the Loon Lake name back on the shelf. Good thing is, this is an album that you’ll want to sit up alongside the band name and admire for many years to come. It’s almost as if with no more expectations or care for what this release would do for their career, the band has let go – unveiling the grungiest garage pop-rock the band has ever produced. ‘Just Now’ is the catchy hit that you’ve already heard on the radio with a guitar riff that rumbles throughout the whole track and breaks at the perfect moments. The level of intensity is matched throughout the rest the whole of the album. Dark Black Eyes’ is a favourite for its harmonised vocals, ‘Blue Skies’ for its slow burning nature and ‘Winona Ryder’ as, well, much like its namesake there’s a lot to love. Farewell sweet Loon Lake, you’ll be missed.

If Newton Faulkner had a lovechild with Matt Corby it would sound a little like Christian Andrew, who has just released his new EP entitled Now & Then. You might be a little misled by that comparision, however, Andrew serves up folk music that is both swooning and heartwarming all at the same time. Opening with the track ‘Why I Run’ you’re immediately greeted with an acoustic guitar fingerpicking sound that builds into the chorus with a full band including drums. It’s a cool opentuned sound and is a little reminiscent of early John Butler. That is probably maybe a little bit of a turn off for some people, given they may have heard it before, however it is a pleasant opening to the EP. I have to level with you, I think that ‘November Rain’ is quite possibly my favourite track of this disc. Although it isn’t a folk acoustic rendition of the Gunners classic, this is indeed Australian folk songwriting that is sure to keep you hooked long after the disc has finished. It sounds like Damien Rice in places and I’m sure that is going to be up someone’s alley. It is only weeks till Christmas, perfect stocking filler!?

Dallas Crane are that rock band that once upon a time recorded and released that song with Jimmy Barnes called ‘Sit On My Knee’. It had all the makings of a hit rock and roll song and now in 2015 they are back once again with their new album entitled Scoundrels. Opening with ‘The Sunnyside’ some people might be confused they have put on a AC/DC record as lead vocalist Dave Larkin seems to be channelling a hell of a lot of Bon Scott in the opening track. However it’s something that works in their favour, because Scoundrels is a ripper of a record. First off, this is the band’s first album in nine years and, being completely honest with you, it’s a welcome return for the boys. The guitars are huge and Larkin’s vocals sound massive throughout the album. Come To Light and So It Goes are two of my favourite tracks off the record and it could be a late addition for a notable mention for Australia’s top albums. Christmas is coming up and every aussie dad would surely love this record in their stocking. Be a brilliant son/daughter and get it for him today. It’s a great thing that one of the most enduring rock bands in Aussie history are back once again. Dallas Crane you killed it with this one!

Love the Coopers: Christmas time means Christmas movies, and it doesn’t get much more Christmassy than a film where four generations of the one family come together to be grumpy at each other. Spectre: James Bond is back in his Bond-iest adventure for a while – only problem is, this somehow forgets to have fun with evil organisations and supervillain lairs, starting out strong but fading away before the finish. The Dressmaker: A scorned woman (Kate Winslet) returns to her ‘50s outback town to wreck revenge via her sewing 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.

CD’s

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l iv e gig r e vi e w s

Streetlife Festival

Five Reasons Why Delta Riggs Are Top Notch Headliners 1. They bring things back to the good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll days of the ‘70s. Sticking a ciggie in the neck of your guitar and continuing to play? Hell yeah!

Downes Place, downes lane & john Street

November 14 Written by Tex Miller Photography by Lachlan Miller

2. They’re doing it for the love of it, taking time to make a heartfelt message to those in Paris and with lead singer, Elliott Hammond, having the word ‘peace’ scrawled on his hand.

It’s been a big thing for Geelong to have a laneway festival. In a previous life I remember heading down to the Carlton Hotel carpark for the festival there – which was headlined by Little Red in their last ever public performance. Since then there have been quite a few music fans wanting something to come along and fill the gap. Streetlife Festival 2015 definitely delivered on all accounts. I’m going to be straight up with you, there were quite a few different things going on in Geelong that day and I didn’t end up getting to the festival until about 4:30pm. However, It was just enough time to get a good possie for local lads Residual and boy did they kill it. If the future of Geelong music depends on them, well it is definitely in safe hands. Their new single is called ‘Silver and Gold’ and is available on iTunes. I highly recommend that you get around it. The highlight of their set was definitely their mashup of ‘Shake it Off ’ by T Swizzle and ‘Talk is Cheap’ by Australia’s favourite beard, Chet Faker. In between sets on the main stage, by walking through the laneways painted up with cool graffiti, you were able to get into some cool local tunes. Luke Biscan and Levi Anderson (playing separately) were leading the charge on that front and impressing many with their unique brand of acoustic folk rock. Jinja Safari and The Delta Riggs headlined the festival and having seen Les Riggs with the Foo Fighters, it was awesome to see them back down this way after their appearance at Queenscliff Music Festival. Playing tracks off their wonderful second record Dipz Zebazios as well as Hex Lover Killer it was a welcome return to Geelong for those two bands who impressed with their indie pop rock sound respectively. For a festival in its first year, Streetlife was great. The music and atmosphere was great, there could have been a few more food options and some more places to sit, however all in all for a first year. Streetlife you smashed it! Thank you and I can’t wait to come back again next year for a boogie!

3. Interacting with the crowd is of great importance, jumping into the crowd, climbing the amps, high-fiving – you name it. 4. They’re not afraid to call out arseholes (like the bloke who spat on Hammond) but continue to carry on. 5. They can improvise, making a song specifically for the audience, then and there. Delta Riggs, we love you guys!

FREEBIES!

Win a double pass to Bluestone Blues Festival on December 31 – January 1 and get the chance to see Miss Whiskey, Mud Peas, the Andrea Marr Band, Louis King & the Liars Kulb and more. To enter email your name, mobile and code word ‘BLUESTONE’ to amanda@fortemag.com.au.

AWME: Skipping Girl Vinegar Playhouse Theatre, November 12 Reviewed by Jessica Morris

The AWME opening night ushered in the start of three days of great music and networking opportunities. Set at the Playhouse Theatre in the heart of Melbourne, a moving Welcome to Country took place, before up and coming talent Pirra took to the stage for a blues based rock set. Point Lonsdale locals Skipping Girl Vinegar featured, and they blew the audience away with their otherworldly sounds and catchy hooks. Their last show as full band for 2015, the five-piece drew us into the world of their most recent album The Great Wave. Depicted through their incredible projections, exploration of instrumentation, and the minute details found in the stage set up, you came into the theatre as a stranger and leave feeling as though you had spent time with old friends. From their lead single, ‘Making Our Way’, to the intensity of ‘Refugee’ – where lead singer Mark Lang took the opportunity to talk about welcoming refugees onto our shores – the layering of melodies and immaculate timing from each member of the band made it a gig that stands out from the rest.

Stripping it back in the ‘Lost In the Heads’, so Lang could sing a Capella, the crowd was silenced in awe, and Skipping Girl had us in the palm of their hand as they touched on the personal tragedy of ‘Here Comes The River’. Unafraid to use different techniques and instruments to form the sounds of the ocean (surf coast locals would be proud), they communicated both the power and beauty of nature effortlessly, allowing you to experience the story within each song. Lightening the mood with sing-a-longs and their infectious love for the melody, you couldn’t help but feel good through SGV’s set. Managing to fill the theatre with their sound and production, yet still making us feel as though we were in an intimate gig, they truly showed the depth and quality of local music. If you haven’t caught Skipping Girl Vinegar yet, please do. It will remind you of simpler times, and drive home the fact that even in the darkness, there is always light.

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torrentthis.tv 3 Things That The Simpsons Got Wrong By Killing Bart JJ

25th October, 2015, a date which will live in infamy. As has

been widely publicised, Sideshow Bob has finally achieved his long-running wish of killing Bart Simpson. Unfortunately, as with most things that have 24 years of anticipation behind them, the end result was a bit of a let-down. The segment focussed heavily on gore, had a few decent jokes, and a few that missed the mark. At its best it was a take it or leave it episode that you won’t be missing out on by not having seen. At its worst, it was painfully and uncomfortably cruel, which felt jarring when trying to switch to joking around. The real shame is that it didn’t have to be this way…

Before I get on to an astounding act of hubris and tell you all what I think the writers should have, or could have done better, I’ll whiz through the episode for those who can’t see it. Spoilers – Spoilers – Spoilers! Seriously, stop reading if you plan to watch it because I’m about to ruin it for you. Have you stopped? Good.

5 JJ

The segment kicks off with Bart at school running a betting syndicate on how many spins it will take Wendell to throw up on the merry-go-round. After a little bit of gross-out humour, he receives a text message from Milhouse to head to the music room when Largo has gotten himself stuck in a harp. But, it’s all a ruse! Enter Sideshow Bob. Approximately 30 seconds later, Bart has been shot with a spear-gun. I get what the writers were aiming for here. A: It’s widely known

Simpsons Episodes That Made Me Cry

I recently penned an article about children’s movies

powerful enough to make men cry, and it turned out to be one of the more successful, if depressing, things I’ve written. So, when Dando asked me to front up with a Simpsons article, I decided the only way forward was to grab a bottle of Sailor Jerry’s, knock back a few shots, and get introspective. Here are 5 Simpsons episodes that have made me cry, or at the very least choke up with emotion. For all that the show has become, there was a time when it packed as much of an emotional punch as it did laughs. It did so with such a brilliant balancing act, that you could watch these episodes 20 times before it hit you. They aren’t all sad moments, in fact, many of them are incredibly uplifting. So, grab a Kleenex and a drink of your choosing and join me on this voyage. 1. Lisa’s Substitute Trust my favourite actor of all time to deliver my favourite animated performance of all time. Here, Dustin Hoffman (credited as Sam Etic) plays Mr. Bergstrom, although you may know him as Mr. Nerdstrom or Mr. Boogerstrom. In Season 2 of The Simpsons, the writers were starting to figure out exactly who Lisa was and all that troubled her, and in this episode they gifted her a release by the way of an adult who finally recognised her talent and could challenge her to go further. Mr. Bergstrom believed in Lisa, and it

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was the first time she ever saw a bright future for herself, so when he had to leave for another school it was crushing. Like a forlorn ex-lover, she follows him to the train station, desperate to say anything that can make him stay. It’s then that he teaches her the greatest lesson of all, and it fits onto a scrap of paper. “You are Lisa Simpson.” 2. Moaning Lisa Even earlier in the show’s run we see Lisa experiencing a crippling depression that she can’t explain. The episode substitutes early laughs to spend enough time investing the audience in Lisa’s pain. Marge and Homer do their best, but if their little girl doesn’t know why she’s sad, how could her parents possibly know how to cheer her up? Marge, calling on her own Mother’s advice, tells Lisa that the best way forward is to swallow those feelings until you don’t feel them anymore. The idea that faking a smile will make everything OK is a startlingly 1950’s one, but it’s the moment Marge realises her folly that tugs heartstrings. After dropping Lisa off at school and watching her fake

that Bob will kill Bart, so why bother with suspense, and B: it looks for the funny by subverting the typical elaborate Bond villain style set-up. It’s an idea that might look good on paper, but on screen it falls flat. Bob sings a little, harvests some organs, and takes Bart home. He uses his body in all manner of ways before moving on with his life by taking a role as a college professor. He then soon realises his life is empty without his nemesis (as Heath Ledger’s Joker points out in The Dark Knight “You complete me”.) Bob sets about sciencing Bart back to life through reanimiation, just so he can kill him again and again and again, before ultimately getting his comeuppance. For mine, the segment played out like an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon, with an awful lot of violence for the sake of violence. The biggest problem was in watching Bart get slaughtered over and over, we were watching an innocent victim get repeatedly killed. There’s not much fun in that. Let’s not forget that as much as Bob hates Bart, Bart has only ever been the good guy in their episodes thwarting Bob’s plan. You know that gag in Family Guy where Elmer Fudd kills Bugs Bunny and it’s the most painful thing in the world to watch? This is that, for six minutes. I don’t like to criticise if I can’t think of a way to do things better, so here is my take on a few simple tweaks that would have taken the segment to the levels it deserved.

3. Make the death more memorable There was a very funny call-back to Cape Feare’s rake scene in this episode, but it could have been used to better effect. After Bart has escaped all of Bob’s elaborate traps, he is running out the door, turns to say “So long, Bob!” when BANG! A rake handle flies up, only this one has a spike fixed to it, and impales Bart. He lets out that familiar shudder of Bob’s before dying. 1. Make Bart deserve it. First up – our victim needs to have a reason to be a victim beyond Bob’s hatred. The audience needs to see why Bob is out to kill him this time, and perhaps even side with him. So, let’s take our gag from the first act of Wendell on the merry-go-round and twist it a little. Bob has genuinely made good and is running a stall selling wedding cakes. He is showing off his pride and joy and about to close a deal that would take his business to the next level. Just as he is about to sign a contract, Wendell is about to spew. He runs around looking for options, when Bart (the instigator of it all, remember) grabs him and directs him to Bob’s stall. Wendell throws up all over the cakes, all over Bob, all over the contract and all over the buyers. Bob’s business is ruined; his life as he sees it is ruined; and we know as much as Bob that Bart is to blame.

2. Shift the death to the second act As I said, I understood why they got it out of the way early, but it was lazy and robbed us of really getting into the moment. Any good movie based on a true story will tell you that knowing the ending doesn’t mean you won’t feel the tension. Plus, elaborate villain schemes are exactly why we love elaborate villains. So, Bob, overcome with rage, tells Bart he’ll rue this day and disappears. Bart thinks nothing of it, is unrepentant, and laughs in Bob’s face. Bob sets to work on his masterpiece. Now when he lures Bart, there is a genuine sense of build-up and tension. The jokes pay off big as we laugh for a release. Even though we know the outcome, our brain starts to trick us as we see the familiar tropes (vat of acid, death traps etc) that maybe Bart will get away with it after all.

a phone call explaining that she didn’t get the part, disappearing into a world of sadness as her dream is ripped from her, when at that moment the director rips the phone from her hand and declares “Stop bothering my Blanche!”

5. Jurassic Bark Ok, so this one is cheating, but I don’t care. It’s a mere hop, skip and a jump from The Simpsons to Futurama, and this moment tops everything else on this list. You’d have to be a sap to cry at a few of the moments mentioned so far (and I unashamedly am) but I defy anybody to not bawl their eyes out at this episode. For those who haven’t seen it, Fry is given the chance to reincarnate his dog from the past, and at first jumps at the chance, but ultimately decides not to. He makes the very noble decision not to follow his own selfish instincts, because his dog probably had gotten a new owner and long forgotten about him. It would have been a beautiful way to end the episode…and then came the

The rest of the episode can pretty well play out the same, albeit in a condensed format. The effort Bob went to in order to kill him will add gravity and pathos to Bob realising that it was, in fact, the last thing he really wanted in life. After reanimating Bart, we cut back on the number of times he then kills him again for time, and to maintain each murder’s impact. Now that the episode is a bit more balanced, these murders can be played out as straight horror and torture, and wrestle sympathy back to Bart. The ending remains untouched, but now carries a heavier sense of irony. Anyway, that’s my take.

Written by Mitch Grinter

happiness, she becomes enraged at the reality of her little girl sacrificing her own feelings for the comfort of others. She rips her back into the car, and delivers a hell of a speech that anybody who’s ever felt like they were carrying a burden can appreciate: “Always be yourself. If you want to be sad, honey, be sad. We’ll ride it out with you. And when you get finished feeling sad, we’ll still be there. From now on, let me do the smiling for both of us.” 3. Mother Simpson In ‘Mother Simpson’ we see a side of Homer that we’ve never seen as an adult. The little boy that we sometimes had seen in flashbacks comes out in the grown man we’d come to love, and unlike the contempt often shown for his father, he shows nothing but love and joy for his mother. The writers make it clear the pain and trauma Homer has been living with in her absence, and hint at a happier future spent making up for lost memories. And then she leaves. At least this time, Homer was awake for her goodbye. 4. A Streetcar Named Marge ‘A Streetcar Named Marge’ has always felt like an underrated episode to me, but it’s also admittedly an alienating one. A lot of the humour derived from this show is best enjoyed by people who’ve taken part in theatre, and the joke that A Streetcar Named Desire be made as a musical flies over the heads of the vast majority of people under 40. In amongst all that, though, there’s a theme everybody can appreciate. The yearning to do something new, to challenge yourself, and feeling held back. There are two scenes that get me here. The first is when Marge is making

The second moment comes a little later, with the beautiful moment after the play has finished where Marge is furious at Homer for not paying attention, when he explains how he wasn’t bored, but was sad. Her play made him realise his own errors and see the Stanley in him. Dan Castellanata does a great job of conveying the sadness and guilt of the moment that you realise how long you’ve been letting down the person that you love.

sharpest knife to the heart I’ve ever felt, as a credits sequence showed Fry’s dog sitting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting for his return. He sits unmoved through rain, hail and shine waiting for his beloved owner to return to him, until finally old age takes him away. The loyalty of a dog knows no bounds.

Written by Mitch Grinter.

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