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FREE MAGAZINE 23.08.18 LOCAL KENNEDYS CREEK

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The Know Feature Story The Loop Local Feature

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Fathers Day Feature

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News

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Food

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Creatives

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Reviews

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Columns

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Scenepix

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The Guide

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Festival season is now upon us, and if you’re anything like me you’ll want to make sure you fit in as much dancing to music in the sunshine as you can. With Splendour already been and gone, the good times keep rolling with a number of festivals already dropping their juicy lineups.

Think festivals like NYE on the Hill, Unify Gathering, Kennedy’s Creek, Meredith Music Fest, Pleasure Garden, Queenscliff Music Festival, Babylon, Beyond The Valley, Download... the list goes on and on – and that’s only in Victoria. Whether you’re a battle-hardened festival goer or you’re taking your first foray out into the mud and music, you won’t be disappointed with this years selection.

This issue we’ve got red hot indie-poppers Ball Park Music on our cover ahead of their co-headline tour alongside Fremantle’s San Cisco this October. Heading to Ballarat’s City Oval, this is their only regional Victorian stop and if you’ve ever seen either band live before, you’ll know this will be one helluva party.

Check it out, buy your tickets and sort some accommodation. You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss it. Further in this issue, we chat to Melbourne blackened death metal band Ame Noire, folky songstress Emma Russack, ARIA award winning Americana duo The Audreys, the Tash Sultana inspired muso Daniel Aaron, Norwegian black metallers Satyricon, we take a look at the ultimate alternative lifestyle festival Oz Kink Fest, plus heaps more.

Also with Father’s Day coming up, you may want to splurge on something awesome because he’s a top chap. If your old man drops next to no hints about what he wants, have no fear because we’ve come up with a little Father’s Day feature to get you through. You’re welcome!

PH: 03 5229 7969 2/105 Skene St, VIC 3220 enquiries@fortemag.com.au

FREEBIES This issue we’re giving away two double passes to the Fetish Expo as part of Oz Kink Fest - the annual festival for the alternate and kink community of Australia. With a unique trading and socialising environment, somewhere safe and welcoming to all, the expo (on September 15) features more than 60 local and interstate stallholders, performances every hour, fantastic food, educational and community connection opportunities and a Grand Fashion Show.

T O EN TE R : Email your name, your number and the code word ‘KINK’ to talia@fortemag.com.au

talia@fortemag.com.au

Advertising Josh Dowling

josh@fortemag.com.au

General Manager Glenn Lynch

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Editorial Assistant Helena Metzke

artwork@fortemag.com.au

Interns Hannah Kenny, Daniel Jubb, Chloe Cicero, Aleesha Coots, Lauren McKinnon.

FORTÉGRAM Tag us @Forte_mag or #Fortemag to be featured!

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Editor Talia Rinaldo

Art Director Nathan Mossop

@danielaaronmusic

Talia and the Forté team xx

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Publisher Furst Media Pty. Ltd.

@samanthakrajina

Contributors Anthony Morris, Alastair McGibbon, Amanda Sherring, Chris Lambie, Dr John Lamp, Natalie Rogers, Paul S Taylor, Tex Miller, Wylie Caird.

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. Forté accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Forté reserves the right to edit all articles and letters.

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BEYOND THE VALLEY RETURNS WITH THE KOOKS

PAUL KELLY’S MAKING GRAVY IS RETURNING THIS DECEMBER

Deck yourself out in the best festival gear, find your tent and start packing the car – Beyond The Valley is back again for round five! Running over the New Year’s weekend, Lardner Park will be a real musical paradise. The first taste of the forthcoming line-up announce is iconic UK band The Kooks! The four piece has enjoyed a steady ascent since their now five-times platinum unstoppable 2006 debut ‘Inside In/ Inside Out’ and now they’re back with their latest album, Let’s Go Sunshine, which is being touted as their best. Armed with what is sure to be the guitar pop album of 2018 and a back catalogue of pure indie gold, The Kooks will take BTV into the stratosphere. Keep an eye out for full line-up details and more info coming soon! Tix via the website.

Christmas has come early! After debuting in 2017 with a sold-out show for 12,000 fans, Paul Kelly‘s ‘Making Gravy’ concert is set to return in 2018, for a trio of shows across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Making Gravy will see Kelly perform songs from his four decade career, including the Christmas classic ‘How To Make Gravy’, and will see performances from Angus & Julia Stone, Alex Lahey, D.D Dumbo, Angie McMahon and Mojo Juju across the three special Christmas concerts. The tour will return to Melbourne’s much-loved Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Friday 14 December. Tickets via Frontier Touring.

OKTOBERFEST IN THE GARDENS RETURNS

NOCTURNAL CELEBRATES TOKYO

Oktoberfest in the Gardens Melbourne, Victoria’s most authentic Oktoberfest experience, is back for 2018! On Saturday October 13th, Melbourne Showgrounds will play host to all you lederhosen loving festival goers.

Be prepared for Bavarian brilliance with Oktoberfest providing the goods. You can expect Melbourne’s largest heated beer hall, authentic German food stalls, a huge selection of imported German beer, cider and wine, roving performers, silent disco’s and awesome entertainment and competitions hosted across multiple stages. In addition, they’re also introducing five a side dodgeball to the lineup...

Game on.

The September edition of Melbourne Museum’s beloved Nocturnal (the adults-only after dark party at the Museum) series is here and this time they’re turning to Japan with the launch of Melbourne musician Penny Ikinger’s third studio album, Tokyo. Ikinger will be joined by an exciting line-up of both Japanese and local performers with Japanese inspired films, food and drinks on offer, a collaboration between local musicians and Japanese noise artists involving feedback loops and synths, and of course Karaoke! You’ll see sets from Taipan Tiger Girls, The Pink Tiles, and beloved Australian rock icon Adalita will be behind the decks between sets. This one goes down on Friday September 7 at the Melbourne Museum.

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THE LOST LANDS LINEUP JUST GOT EVEN BIGGER

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2019 DATES AND VENUES

Victorian music festival The Lost Lands is back with their juicy second lineup. Joining the likes of Kiwi legend Tim Finn, Brisbane indie kids The Jungle Giants, Aussie rockers You Am I, rapper Mallrat, singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke and Arnhem Land MC Baker Boy, The Lost Lands have added brilliant new music acts The Teskey Brothers, Jess Locke and Amaru Tribe to its impressively packed weekend of family fun, frolic and art. But that’s not all... in its mission to reinvent the festival experience for the next generation, The Lost Lands are also announcing a drive to become one of the first single-useplastic free music festivals in Australia by 2019.

It goes down on November 3 & 4 at Werribee Park. Tickets are available through thelostlands. com.au

Download Festival is returning for another year after its lauded Australian debut in 2018.

In March, over 30,000 heavy music fans made their way to Flemington Racecourse for Download’s first ever Australian event, and now we’re looking forward to doing it all over again.

Get your diaries out, because Download will return to Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne on Monday March 11 and will also make its debut appearance at Parramatta Park, Sydney on Saturday March 9. Prepare to get sweaty in the pit soaking in your favourite bands in 2019. Keep your eyes peeled for the imminent line up announcement, we hear it’s a corker!

MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL GAIN GOVERNMENT ANTI-SCALPING PROTECTION

LIVE N LOCAL CLOSES WITH EMERGING ARTIST SHOWCASE

Victoria’s Meredith Music Festival has secured increased anti-scalping protections from the Victorian Government, after being declared a major event. Meredith, which is in its 28th year, has grown from a 200 people end-of-year party to one of Australia’s favourite festivals, hosting over 12,000 people. Now, the Andrews Labor Government has given Meredith new protection under the Major Events Act 2009, due to expected strong demand for tickets. Under the legislation, it is illegal to re-sell tickets for more then 10 per cent of their original price, with penalties ranging from $806 to up to $483,500. Other declared events include Meredith’s sister festival Golden Plains, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two, the 2018 AFL Finals Series and the 2019 ANZAC Day AFL match.

As winter draws to a close, so does the Live N Local Festival. Running eight days from 25 August to 1 September, the festival has cemented itself in the Melbourne event calendar, boasting a diverse range of free and ticketed events spanning nearly every musical genre. Closing the week off is an emerging artist showcase for music industry and music lovers alike on Saturday September 1. Up-andcomers HVNCOQ, Tanya George, Daniel Elia and Sannia will play Pontoon in St Kilda, an unmissable event for bookers, tastemakers and fans to sample short sets from tomorrows future stars and meet the local music makers.

This one-night showcase is your chance to catch these four emerging artists making waves in the hip hop, soul and indie spaces.

This one kicks off at 7:30pm and is free for all to enjoy! Head to livenlocal.com.au for more info.

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GOOD MOOD ALERT: BALL PARK MUSIC BRING CO-HEADLINE TOUR TO BALLARAT WRITTEN BY TAMMY WALTERS

BRISBANE FIVE-PIECE INDIE ROCK OUTFIT, “The biggest thing we tried to incorporate in this new BALL PARK MUSIC SURE KNOW A THING OR record was just confidence. We are quite anxious TWO ABOUT BEING IN A ‘GOOD MOOD’. 2018 people. We worry and we over think things and we HAS SEEN THE RELEASE OF THEIR FIFTH tried quite hard going into this album- not to be STUDIO ALBUM, THEIR SINGLE, ‘EXACTLY arrogant - but to have that bit of confidence and HOW YOU ARE’, RANKING IN AT NUMBER enjoy what we were doing and back ourselves a bit 18 IN TRIPLE J’S HOTTEST 100, A SELL OUT more, and it think that really translated in making NATIONAL TOUR, FESTIVAL APPEARANCES AT the album.”

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS AND A HEADLINE SPOT FOR GROOVIN’ THE MOO, THEIR SINGLE The new tracks have made quite the impression ‘HANDS OFF MY BODY’ BEING ADDED TO THE on audiences, becoming crowd pleasers both on TRAVIS SCOTT CURATED NBA PLAYLIST, festival circuits and on the ‘Exactly How You Are’ AND NOW THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THEIR tour with five songs being incorporated into set NATIONAL CO-HEADLINE TOUR WITH AUSSIE lists amongst classics like ‘Surrender’, ‘She Only FAVOURITES SAN CISCO. Loves Me When I’m There’, and ‘Everything Is Shit Except My Friendship With You’. As for the San Since hitting the music scene in 2008, Australia has Cisco co-headline tour which is hitting up 11 major fallen in love with the quirky ensemble made up of towns and cities including Ballarat from September Sam Cromack, Jennifer Boyce, Paul Furness, Dean 7, crowds can expect a range of old and new material, Hanson and Daniel Hanson, but the release of ‘Good revisiting “stuff that [they’ve] either not played for Mood’ has plunged Ball Park Music into a whole new a while or hardly ever played it at all. playing field with rave reviews from critics and fans.

“There’s a little bit of talk about us covering a San “This album we’re really proud of. We had a really Cisco song and trying to persuade them to cover one good time making it and, I’m hesitant to say of ours, doing a bit of a song swap,” Cromack laughs. something is the best, but I feel like this album is a particularly strong one and I feel like it captures The coming together of two of Australia’s biggest what we have been trying to get across the last bands and all round favourites is heaven for indie couple of years. I feel like we’ve not always landed rock lovers. Ball Park Music and San Cisco emerged what we’re trying to do and I just feel really proud of on the music scene around the same time, both this album and all that’s been communicated,” says with catalogues of uplifting anthems and similar frontman, Sam Cromack. band make ups. A co-headline tour seemed like a no-brainer.

What makes ‘Good Mood’ a stand out from the albums before it is not just the way the band explores “We sort of floated the idea with other bands use of different sounds and production. It stems we’ve known over the years and people are always from a little piece of advice that Anna Stern gave interested but it just never happened. When we hit Seth Cohen, and all adolescent teens, back in 2003 up San Cisco I thought the same thing would happen - Confidence Cohen! but they were keen and I still remember I had this 12

feeling in my gut like ‘This is going to be amazing!’,” Cromack recalls. Of the Fremantle four-piece he says, “They’re lovely. We’ve hung out with them a bunch of times and looking forward to actually getting to know them better over this tour.”

Tagging along for the ride is ‘P Plate’ songstress, Ruby Fields.

Ballarat! It seems to have a nice focus on the arts, and that music is a priority in the town. It’s always rubbed me the right way!”

For those in other regional cities who can’t make the tour, Ball Park Music will be back next year for an extended regional tour, with some ambition to head overseas to America as well.

“She’s amazing- doing so well at the moment! She’s “In the first half of next year we’ll look at doing a going to slot in perfectly. I’m excited to meet her. seriously big regional run and that will cap off the Jen met her the other week and said that Ruby is a touring for this album.” Cromack says. legend. It’s going to be good vibes,” Cromack boasts.

2018 has been huge, 2019 is set to be bigger. In the This tour is shaping up to be the bands biggest tour next two years Ball Park Music will be on par with to date. As expected ticket sales are flying with Vampire Weekend- we’re calling it!

Adelaide already sold out with Sydney close behind, “I have a tendency to feel like it’s all over red rover and production will be taken up a notch with no punter safe from being showered in confetti during but if people still give a f**k we still have heaps of the euphoric set moments. But the shift into the fuel in the tank!” bigger spaces leaves Cromack with a bigger worry.

Perhaps another spoonful of confidence is needed, “All throughout out career we’re been on this slow because we sure have tonnes of f**ks to give! trajectory of growing which is great, it’s more than I could ever ask for, and with every tour we step up When & Where: into bigger rooms or more dates or whatever and I guess a bit of a worry wart, but I’m always going City Oval, Ballarat – Saturday October 20. ‘oh f**k, I don’t know if we can fill this room or the ticket price is too high’…Maybe I’m just trying to be Tickets via ballparkmusic.com & sancisco.com humble or something but I’m always terrified that we’re not going to sell any tickets.”

Quite the opposite. Being the only regional Victorian show on the tour, Ballarat’s City Oval show on October 20 is selling out fast.

“Ballarat is a funny place- it’s really cold, it chills you to your bones. I can’t describe it. It feels different to Geelong and Melbourne. But I like the culture in

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MEREDITH, O MEREDITH

HELLO, IT’S YOUR AUNTY DONNA

O frabjous day! Meredith has announced its 2018 line-up, so here’s hoping you have success in the ticket ballot. The Breeders, Billy Bragg, Pond, Laura Jean, Sampa the Great, Yaeji, The Presets, Panda Bear, Lil Louis, Montero, The Pharcyde, Mental as Anything, Roza Terenzi, The Native Cats, Tourist Kid, DJ Lady Erica and Mim Suleiman are those among the line-up. Get the rest of the good stuff through mmf.com.au.

WE’VE GOT THE RIGHT GIGS, BABY The McClymonts – Gateway Hotel, Corio on August 24; The Velvet Addiction – Workers Club, Geelong on August 24; Kian – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on August 25; Hideous Sun Demon – The Eastern, Ballarat on August 25; The Audreys – The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 25; Stephen Grady – The Loft, Warrnambool on August 31; and Trouble Boys – Barwon Club, Geelong on September 1 & The Eastern, Ballarat on September 2.

Haven’t Aunty Donna done well? The loveable crew is heading out for a tour in support of their debut album The Album, and they’re bringing a live band with them. Over to you, guys: “We can’t fucking wait to go on our first ever fucking tour, lol. With a fucking live band and Michelle Brasier on the fucking backing vocals, haha. We’ve fucking never done a fucking tour like this before, lol.”

Karova Lounge, Ballarat – October 3.

KYNETON MUSIC FESTIVAL

CARAVÃNA SUN’S TOUCHING TRIBUTE

Around twenty of the finest will turn out in style for the Kyneton Music Festival, held across two days in late October (October 26-27).

Adalita is this year’s headliner and will close out Saturday night festivities. Other acts include RVG, Pony Face, The Southern River Band, Sonny & the Sunsets, TV Haze, Amaya Laucirica, The Pink Tiles and James Ellis & the Jealous Guys.

Get all the ins and outs through kynetonmusicfestival.com.au.

Emotions run high on the new single from Caravãna Sun, ‘Come Back’. Dedicated to mate Jae Haydon, who lost his life while surfing in Bali, the single is lifted from the band’s forthcoming EP, The Silver Linings (September). Bassist Ant Beard: “Amidst a sea of emotion surrounding the reality of losing something so precious, lies a pure human cry for that person to return.” Torquay Hotel, Torquay – October 27.

RIVER ROCKS REHAB River Rocks may have sold out, but you still have a chance to join in festivities at River Rocks Rehab.

Will you keep the party going? Do you want to be part of the In Crowd? Would you like a BBQ breakfast cooked by the Meatbeaters? Magic Dirt, Cosmic Psychos, The Chats, Totally Unicorn, Hobo Magic and Grindhouse will be among those cleaning up the mess at Geelong’s Barwon Club on November 18.

BIRREGURRA FESTIVAL & ART SHOW Quality farm produce, agricultural displays, craft and music makes for one happy weekend at the Birregurra Festival & Art Show, October 13 & 14. Your music includes The Kite Machine, This Way North, Jack the Fox, The Mik Maks, Rach Brennan & the Pines, Nancie Schipper, MDRN LOVE, Jess Skye, The Hip Replacements and Georgia Howell.

For all there is to know, check out birregurrafestival.com.

ROCKWIZ REVUE What song begins and ends with the line ‘Ziggy played guitar’? Music lovers and trivia buffs, RocKwiz is heading back on the road. Who controversially won the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental? Julia, Brian and Dugald, plus the fabulous RocKwiz Orchestra, are out to test the music IQ of the audience.

Which musician played Dr Heller in Mystery Men? Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – November 25.

YUMMY PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS PACES ZIGS, THEN ZAGS Mikey Perry, the man who comes out to play as Paces, is touring his new album. The album, his second release, has the short and sweet title of ZAG and includes the single ‘Technique’ featuring Emmalyn and rising Australian artist Jeida Woods. Others to appear on the album are CLYPSO, Reija Lee and Doolie, not to mention a new collaboration with Guy Sebastian.

Karova Lounge, Ballarat – November 9 & Torquay Hotel, Torquay – November 17.

THE SWEET TASTE OF ABLAZE

They have a name that sounds as though it is made up, but Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are as real as that weird rash on your arm that you should really get checked out. The melody-driven psychedelic rock four-piece hail from Perth and have been referred to as “resembling Jimi Hendrix fresh off the end of a light globe” (The Music). Following a tour abroad, they return for a local run of dates. Karova Lounge, Ballarat – October 11.

In pubs and clubs across the land, you’ll hear a cover band playing The Choirboys’ Run to Paradise. And it was while hearing a rather disappointing version that a bunch of mates decided to start a band. Ablaze is a riff-driven Aussie pub rock’n’roll band that puts the Ocker back in Rocker. With their debut album due in October, the band is currently touring lead single ‘Just a Taste’.

Mojo’s Pool Hall, Ballarat – September 7.

THE BRONX V It sure didn’t take long for The Bronx to come back for another taste of Australia. The punks were here to play Splendour but it wasn’t enough time. There is never enough time. The tour supports their latest album V, their fifth album under The Bronx name, though there have been other releases under Mariachi El Bronx. Karova Lounge, Ballarat – October 29 (with High Tension and Private Function) & Barwon Club, Geelong – October 30.

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THIS STATE WE’RE IN

PETER BIBBY IS FOR THE PEOPLE

INDUSTRY UPDATES FROM MUSIC VICTORI A

You gotta love a song that unites people against “the man”. ‘Work for Arseholes’ is the new track from Peter Bibby, written to make himself feel better about “being a thirsty, unemployed insomniac whilst sitting in my bedroom in Northcote”. While it didn’t completely do the trick, he has managed to avoid working for arseholes, which should be considered a win. Album Grand Champion will follow in late September.

Workers Club, Geelong – October 4.

A SCOOP OF HOT SLUDGE FUNDAE Party starters Hot Sludge Fundae will finish up their tour at The Bridge, Castlemaine on August 31. The Melbourne six-piece has a familiar story. First there were the bedroom jam sessions. A no strings attached deal to blow off steam and explore ideas. But then they developed feelings for what they were doing.

The attraction grew stronger and they decided to take the next step.

Their debut album is Put It On.

The festival runs for 10 days with more than 90 artists performing at 26 venues in Mildura and district. Each day fans will be entertained at both indoor and outdoor venues in Mildura and outlying towns like Wentworth, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Coomealla, Irymple, Buronga and Gol Gol, in the warmth of spring and the best country music.

Hailed as Australia’s biggest showcase of Independent entertainers, this festival celebrates a seemingly unending cast of highly talented professional country music artists, who aren’t signed to major record label deals.

This year will see 17 new artists that were not at the festival last year, with over 90 artists including band members at the festival. This includes the likes of Anthony Taylor, Amber Joy Poulton, Rob Breese, Jeff Brown, Steve Sparrow, Dale Duncan, Samantha Bellamy, Ray Pratley, Terry Gordon, Kate Hindle, Michaela Jenke, Reid Sampson, Glenn Jones, Dianne Lindsay, Peter Simpson, Michelle Russell and Evan Platschinda.

music conference. The conference will see the 20

a busy month of advocacy on behalf of you all – our

program participants, including representatives from

Victorian music community.

The Eastern (Ballarat), Grampians Music Festival,

Last week, CEO Patrick Donovan was invited by the

Macedon Ranges Music Festival, The Dart and Marlin

NSW Legislative Council to appear as a witness to give

(Warrnambool), and more connect with music industry

evidence at its inquiry into the music and arts economy

coaches and workshop hosts from businesses such as

in NSW. At the hearing, Paddy presented the Victorian

Boogie Festival, ALH Group, Karova Lounge (Ballarat),

Live Music 10 Point Plan (this one goes to 11...) – www.

and Corner Hotel.

musicvictoria.com.au/resources/resources/victorian-

Finally, submissions are NOW OPEN for artist, venue

live-music-10pp) - which outlines a range of initiatives

and festival categories in The Age Music Victoria

the Victorian music industry has developed and put in

Awards 2018. Tweaked slightly to maximise inclusivity,

place, in partnership with local and state government,

diversity, and participation, if you are an artist with at

resulting in Victoria boasting one of the most dynamic

least 50% of members from regional or outer suburban

and vibrant music scenes in the world.

Victoria, make sure you nominate. We can’t wait to see

initiatives include Victoria’s Live Music Roundtable, the

the final lists of nominations, and find out the winners in November 2018. Catch you on the d-floor,

Agent of Change planning law, proactive partnerships with local government, and incredible outcomes

Coops, Paddy, Sarah & the Music Vic Crew

from our world leading Music Works initiative and programs, such as Live Music Professionals, Good Music

Member Moment

Neighbours and the Victorian Music Crawl (thanks,

Beechworth Music Festival – January 2019

Victorian Government!).

Warrnambool outfit Eight Gauge Jesus will make their debut live gig at local venue The Loft tomorrow, August 24. The grunge/ stoner rock combo features former members of 13monkeyz, Witchgrinder, Secret Crackpipe Handshake and Pleasure Beach, so you may feel as though you know them already, but showing them some love would still be nice.

Joining them will be The Refuge.

The Mildura Country Music Festival will celebrate its 32nd year from Friday September 29 to Sunday October 8, drawing thousands of country music fans to Mildura.

will be bunkering down in Ballarat for a two-day live

What’s been happening in your world?! We’ve had

There was great interest in the plan, and the related

SAY HEY TO EIGHT GAUGE JESUS

MILDURA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2018

G’day Forte faithful,

We are stoked to welcome the Beechworth Music

We need a strong NSW, and national, live music

Festival as one of our newest members. Not only does

sector so our artists can regularly tour interstate.

BMF continue to come up with amazing line-ups

We hope the NSW Government wisely invests in its

each year, but it has recently announced its exciting

industry so it can return some of the amazing cultural

program The BMF Rock School will be part of Victorian

and economic outcomes seen here in Vic.

Government initiative Pick My Project, supporting local

The latest legislation passed with the help of

young artists to become rock stars of the future. If you

industry support and advocacy by Music Victoria is

haven’t been to Beechworth, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING

the new Major Events Act 2009 (Vic), which will protect

FOR?! It’s on again in January 2019.

festival goers against inflated ticket resale prices and scalpers. Multi The Age Music Victoria Awards winner Meredith Music Festival is the first music event to be

Gig of the month Bendigo Live - White Night Bendigo Showcase Saturday 1 September 2018

declared a major event (nice one). Under the legislation,

Featuring: Jumbo Mavis, KIAN, Eliza Hull, Jack

it is illegal to re-sell tickets to a declared major event

and The Kids, Evangeline, The Sherri Parry Band and

for more than 10 per cent above the original value.

Pat Devlin. A showcase of live music, Bendigo Live

We hope you scored in the ticket ballot this year, it is

features a diverse line-up of live bands and performers

another fantastic line-up. For more information on

throughout White Night Bendigo. Whatever your tastes,

this initiative, visit www.economicdevelopment.vic.

there’s something for you at the main stage on the

gov.au/fair-go-for-fans.

corner of View Street and Pall Mall. You can dance and

On 29 and 30 August, Live Music Professionals

wander until the wee hours – SO much fun...

The festival lineup also includes Aleyce Simmonds, Taylor Pfeiffer, Rodney Vincent, The Gunbarrel Highwaymen, Kiara Rodrigues, Stephen R Cheney, Gina Timms and a host of other artists.

The jewel in the crown of the Festival is the live concert and radio presentation of Southern Stars The Australian Independent Country Music Awards which recognises the achievements of Australian Independent recording artists. This will go down on Saturday October 8. Applications for award entry is now open and available online via the Festival website.

As well as enjoying the best country music in spring, you can take time to sample the hospitality of Mildura with fine dining, paddleboats on the Murray River, riverside wineries, historic nature trails, high quality golf courses and a spot of fishing. We recommend you head out in your van and make a holiday out of it... You couldn’t ask for a better place to get away to.

When & Where: Mildura & District – September 29 – October 8 For more information visit www.milduracountrymusic. com.au or phone 1800 039 043

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THE MANE EVENT The line-up for 2018’s Mane Event has been announced. With an aim to raise money and awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, this year the team is proudly supporting the Black Dog Institute.

The line-up includes All Our Exes Live in Texas, Jeff Lang, Josephine Freya Hollick, John Flanagan, Weeping Willows, Rach Brennan & the Pines, Nathan Cavaleri, Izzy Losi & the Auracles, The Louds, City at Midnight, The Hollow Majors and Bipolar Bear. Barwon Club, Geelong – October 6.

SEPTEMBER AT THE POTATO SHED September we have Michael Veitch with Hell Ship - the Journey of the Ticonderoga. In 1852, the emigrant ship ‘Ticonderoga’ limped into Port Melbourne after a nightmare voyage from England in which nearly 200 of her passengers had died of typhus, Michael takes us on oneman’s journey through one of Victoria’s most horrific maritime events. That is on Friday September 7 at 8pm.

CHOICE CUTS FROM DEEZ NUTS Performing nineteen shows across a month, Melbourne’s Deez Nuts are coming home. From playing Warped to lining up at Germany’s Summer Madness tour at month’s end, the four-piece has been all kinds of busy. The tour includes their first regional dates since the release of their Binge & Purgatory album. Karova Lounge, Ballarat – October 12 & Barwon Club, Geelong – October 25.

We have a late change to the September Morning Showtime - same theme different band. Plan B will entertain the masses with some great old time rock and roll. This one’s on September 11 at 10.30 and, yes, that includes the Bakers Delight morning tea.

Suburban Sandcastles return in September on Wednesday the 12 at 6pm with I am a Girl - a feature length documentary that paints a picture of the reality of what it means to be a girl in the 21st century. The event includes Q&A and food and drinks. Full details and bookings visit www. suburbansandcastles.com Cabaret returns big time in September with the incredible Paris Underground Cabaret - a subversion of the classic French cabaret and variety show.

The show includes the magic of Madotti & Vegas, Australia’s most unique magicians; the beauty and grace of aerialist, dancer and circus artist Hannah Trott; the rare skill of tap-dance king Monsieur Eden Read; the dangerously charming and risqué repartee of chanteuse Aurora Kurth and new to the underground, international burlesque artiste, dancer and showgirl, Mimi Le Noir and the gravity defying talent of cirque specialist Tim Rutty!! Do not miss this one show on September 15 at 8pm – table seating Check out our webpage or Facebook, and now even we’re on Instagram too (@potatosheddrysdale) for all the latest news and information.

Punk Fest 2 hitting up the same venue on September 1. Performers include Dankenstein, Day Dreamer, Dero, Electric Sex Pants (SA), Excuse for an Exit, Going Swimming, Greyview, Honest Lives, Japan For, Jason Lives, Lazerlips, Loose Cannon, The Elk Collective (NSW).

LIGHT UP THE ELECTRIC GUITARS

Melbourne psych-rockers The Electric Guitars will invade Bendigo next month, making a home at The Vine on September 8. The band released their second album, Sideways Changeling, earlier in the year. The album is described as “40-odd minutes of Stooges-esque skronk rave-ups, mangled Phil-Spector-via-Jesus-&-MaryChain melodies”. They will be joined by Anna Maria Louisa Theresa and Sister Ray.

BIG, BAD BO JENKINS Bo Jenkins is a left-handed guitarist, who tunes his guitar upside down and plays with the high ‘E’ string on top. Yep, he is that cool. Born in Arkansas, before music came along he was drafted to the Army and served with the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. After taking a family trip to Australia in 1993, he relocated the following year. Get your fix of Bo’s blues, country and rock at Martians Café, Deans Marsh this Saturday, August 25.

CAMELPHAT ARE HEADING TO BLOOM Since their inception in 2008, British DJ and production duo CamelPhat have been busting sweet electronic beats and making dance lovers sweat all across the globe. Best loved for tracks like Cola and Panic Room, the duo are forever promising sets of timeless house and electronic. This September will be no different, with CamelPhat bringing their dance music dynamics to one of Geelong’s hotspots, Bloom on September 22. Get your friends together for a night of dancing madness for an opportunity not to be missed. With Early Bird tickets already sold out, jump on it quick to avoid missing out.

CHRIS WILSON FUNDRAISERS In the unlikely event that Chris Wilson’s name is not mentioned when discussing Australia’s blues scene, a simple prod will be met with a variation of ‘hell yes, Chris Wilson’. For more than three decades he has given the blues his all. Chris has pancreatic cancer and will

no longer be performing. His wife, Sarah, will stop work to care for him. The fundraisers continue at The Loft, Warrnambool on August 26 and Geelong’s Pistol Pete’s on August 30.

THE KITE MACHINE’S DAILY STRUGGLE The music business ain’t no walk in the park. So, The Kite Machine decided to write a song about it called ‘Sinister Sound’. Levi Anderson: “Lyrically, Sinister Sound addresses the struggle of trying to make it in the music business. Musically it’s our attempt at making the stompiest, loudest, fuzz-on-the-peaches pop song we could manage… to make it in the music business.”

Workers Club, Geelong – September 1.

SLIM HOPE & THE LONESOME COWBOYS John Hannah is a co-founder of the Castlemaine Jazz Festival. He also helps run the monthly Castlemaine Jazz Jam and is a qualified creative arts therapist.

You may have even heard his tones as a presenter on Castlemaine community radio station Main FM 94.9. Rounding up his posse of Chris Imfeld, Howard Malkin, Tex Turkey and Rex Watts, Slim Hope & the Lonesome Cowboys roll out to the Guildford Family Hotel on September 1.

PUNK FEST 2 Back in May, Rocky Water Promotions hosted Punk & Heavy Fest at Bendigo’s MusicMan. They’ve booted the ‘Heavy’ from the title for round two, with Bendigo

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Castlemaine’s Country Daze returns in 2018 with a bunch of new friends. You get a little warm-up at The Bridge on Friday, September 14, with Loose Tooth, Moody Beaches, Dianas and Dark Fair. Theatre Royal holds the main event on September 15, with Harmony, Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, Bench Press and Porpoise Spit among the line-up. Record Low will host Lubulwa and Cable Ties, also on September 15.

TUMBLEWEED’S SUMMER OF ’92 Ah, to be a young band touring with the likes of Nirvana, Mudhoney, Rollins and Iggy Pop. The nineties were a good time to be alive for Tumbleweed, a little band that formed out of Wollongong and released their debut album at the end of 1992. They are still rocking in the free world and in July toured their debut album in its entirety. It went down a treat, and so new shows have been added. Barwon Club, Geelong – October 12.

We hope to see you here!

TIM AND THE ART OF MUSIC MAINTENANCE Being a musician is hard work. It’s not just about keeping old fans happy, but making new ones. Not to mention keeping the body in tip-top touring shape.

Tim Rogers has it down to what he hopes is a fine art as he embarks on a 30-year celebration of tunes. It’s the Endless Cycle of Maintenance Tour. Bendigo Bank Theatre, Bendigo – October 21. Note: Tim will also perform at Geelong’s 2 Worlds Festival on October 20.

THE GOOD TIMES OF JUDAH KELLY After winning the 2017 series of The Voice, Judah Kelly released the album Count on Me. There was no case of second album blues, as the singer-songwriter went bigger and braver on Real Good Time. After listening to hours upon hours of tunes until the right ones hit, the newie includes covers of Chris Stapleton’s ‘Ain’t No Thing’ and Ian Moss’ ‘Tucker’s Daughter’. Workers Club, Geelong – October 26.

GEELONG’S HOME FOR MUSIC HAS EXPANDED Geelong’s first ever ‘world-class’ nightclub, Bloom, has become a popular destination for punters on the weekend since opening earlier this year. Now the experienced crew are stepping it up a notch with a newly renovated room. Coined NOISA, this is your weekly home of all things hiphop, rnb, trap, bass, grime and assorted low-end heavy, party essentials

2 WORLDS FESTIVAL Both celebrating and uniting Indigenous and Western culture, the inspiration for the 2 Worlds Festival comes from the Marrma’ Rom-Two Worlds Foundation. Taking place at Geelong’s Fyansford Paper Mills on October 20, performers include Tim Rogers, Adalita, 10 High Fly, Andrew Warhurst, Alice Skye, Immy Owusu, Monique Clare and Yirrmal and the Miliyawutj. The full line-up is available through 2worldsfestival.org.au.

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BALLARAT BLOG

EDDIE NUARDO, NEAT From Mark Twain to Johnny Carson, there are plenty of good whiskey quotes out there. Guitar picker and songwriter Eddie Nuardo is doing his bit with debut album, The Good Whiskey Never Lasts. The album features performances by Pete Fidler (Bluestone Junction), John Bedggood (The Wilson Pickers) and Luke Richardson (The Stetson Family, Raised by Eagles).

The Lost Ones, Ballarat – August 11.

GIVE O.R.B SOME SPACE Ten shows in six days at SXSW is a pretty solid effort from the O.R.B clan, produced ‘owe are bee’ for those at home thinking it was just pronounced as ‘orb’. The psych-rockers also have a new song out titled ‘Space Between the Planets’. From the band: “Space Between is a song about that feeling you get when you look up at the sky and realise how small you are.” Yes, tiny humans. The Eastern, Ballarat – July 28.

WRITTEN BY GLEN ANDERSON

The days are starting to get slightly longer and we are not far away from seeing the tail end of winter.

Spring will bring us a damn fine array of artists and the BOAA (Biennale of Australian Art) Music Festival running from 21 September to 6 November sounds like a feast for music lovers in Ballarat. Featuring Dallas Crane, Motor City Sounds, Dan Brodie and Los Locos, just to name a few…there will be gigs midweek and on weekends. All you need to do is check out the info page at boaa.net.au/boaa-music.

Karova Lounge is still providing artists and DJ’s to entertain the locals and Benson will make his way to Ballarat on 25 August to spin tracks from his latest records Resolution and Hold Ou. Benson has a solid reputation in Australia and was triple j’s resident mix-up DJ in January. So if electronica is your thing…you had better get down to this show.

Only $15 to get in.

The Lost Ones Bar and Basement not only have a new chef, but the legendary Broderick Smith will play there on Saturday September 15. The former chief dog of The Dingoes is considered a consummate

performer by many of his fellow musicians. 2018 sees Broderick release a new book and another solo album. Keyboardist Richard Tankard will accompany him, who is also an accomplished songwriter and apparently a very funny man. This could be a great way to spend a Saturday night if your footy team has missed out on the finals!

I may have stumbled across a hidden gem on a recent day out with a friend in Hepburn. The Old Hepburn Hotel is a classic old school pub with a lovely country atmosphere and real top notch food on the menu. I had a Chicken Kiev that had enough garlic in it to ward off any oncoming virus for the next five years! I have heard a whisper that you can get the odd band that will do a gig here on a Sunday afternoon and apparently it is very hard to extract yourself from the clutches of the venue.

Here is a great gig to get along to…Kim Salmon will play at The Eastern on Sunday 26 August. Salmon has been around for a long time and has real charisma and personality as a performer.

Get down to Athletic Brewery and try the Brown Ale which has just been put on tap. They are really making some lovely beers that are truly delicious.

Always a laugh and a friendly ear when Pete is behind the jump. I’m heading there now…Adios amigos!

ALICE SKYE HIGH Back in March, singer-songwriter Alice Skye became the inaugural recipient of the First Peoples Emerging Artist Award.

A little later she released her debut album, Friends with Feelings. Alice: “I’m deeply preoccupied with identity, it’s something that gives me stability – understanding my culture and who I am. This whole album for me is a reminder of where I was, where I’ve been and where I’m going.” Ararat Live – July 4.

CALLING ARTIST APPLICATIONS FOR BENDIGO AUTUMN MUSIC Bendigo Autumn Music is a new festival happening in Bendigo in April 2019.

Offering music lovers of all persuasions an opportunity to come together and discover new music from all around the globe and around Australia. BAM also has a commitment to program 30% local content and they have applications open now for local artists to apply to play. So head to the website to get your applications in. The closer to Bendigo the better; if you grew up in Bendigo that’s great - they’ll consider any local connections, but generally speaking those within a 100km radius of Bendigo will be considered!

GEELONG’S OLDEST PUB BECOMES NEWEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE Original local bands are being headhunted to play in Geelong’s oldest pub as it opens its doors to a month-long celebration of original music – and it wants YOU to be a part of it! The Petrel Hotel on Pako is celebrating local and original bands by holding ‘Rocktober’ – an event focused on helping expose talented local musicians by opening up its stage every Saturday night in October. Committed to helping expose the next Magic Dirt, Midnight Oil, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard or Bored!, the Petrel is looking for locals who want to play their original music in a live venue. If you reckon you’ve got what it takes to rock up and rock out, contact marc@almosthumanart.com.au for further info. See you there!

WHORETOPSY, NEMESIUM AND REQUIEM IS THE PERFECT COMEBACK SHOW Things are changing over at Courthouse Youth Arts and it all starts with the return of metal gigs.

Once upon a time, CHYA used to be home to various metal gigs—and other genres—in Geelong where people of all ages could enjoy it. That’s right, the all ages gigs are back with a vengeance.

The first metal show on Friday, September 7, brings Melbourne’s one and only slam titans, Whoretopsy, to Geelong. As their site says, “Whoretopsy’s unique spin on slamming death metal is sure to have 696 repaired

audiences banging their heads, laughing somewhat guiltily or fleeing with fear, perhaps all of the above.”

Joining them for the ride will be Geelong death metal veterans, Nemesium, and Ballarat riff lords, Requiem.

This gig marks the return of regular monthly shows in general, which will cover a broad range of genres including rock, indie, folk and metal. Gigs will take place on the first Friday of each month.

Tickets are available via the Courthouse Youth Arts website (www.courthouse.org.au) for $15.

You can find CHYA at 60 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

Please note there is an extreme language warning and epilepsy warning for this gig and it isn’t for the faint hearted—our favourite kind.

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Kennedys Creek celebrates 10 years THERE ARE FEW MUSIC FESTIVALS WHO JUST GET IT RIGHT. THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHO THEIR AUDIENCE IS AND AS A RESULT HAVE NAILED THE VIBE, GOT A KILLER LINE UP AND WORKED OUT A MAP THAT JUST MAKES LIFE A BREEZE. KENNEDYS CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THEM, AND HAVE QUICKLY BECOME KNOWN AS BEING ONE OF THE BEST BOUTIQUE AUSSIE FESTIVALS. Heading back to the foothills of the majestic Otway Ranges this year, Kennedys Creek will be celebrating double figures in the only way it knows how - with a damn fine location and a huge crop of local talent.

With performers from across the country gathering beneath the gums for what is destined to go down as a golden year in the KC record books, punters can expect sets from Saskwatch, Jaala, Mildlife, Christopher Port, Theme Team, Fountaineer, Emma Russack, Jordan Ireland with Purple Orchestra, Baby Blue, Ruby Gill, Tomgirl, Merpire, Feelds, Easy Browns , Jacuzzi, Jackson Mclaren , Splendid , Zoe Fox and the Rocket Clocks, TUG, Big Yawn, Moonside DJs, Earl Grey, Josh Keys, and DJ Slymewave.

One artist heading to the boutique festival is prolific Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Emma Russack, who is thrilled to be making her debut appearance at this year’s edition of Kennedys Creek.

she shares jovially. “So getting the chance to play Kennedys Creek is such an exciting prospect. A big stage with a big sound and all that stuff. Although, I’ve never actually been before, so maybe it’ll be a small stage with a small sound. Whatever the case, I’m sure it will be a blast!”

With a friendship lasting nearly a decade, Denton and Russack first became known to each other when Russack played a show with The Ocean Party when she first moved to Melbourne. Their friendship strengthened when she was invited to play CMJ in New York City, where The Ocean Party were too. With an entire apartment to herself in NYC, Russack and the band would spend the better part of their time drinking beers and listening to music.

Known for performing plain-spoken indie rock and pop, Russack quickly became a humble internet sensation posting covers she had recorded in a makeshift home studio on YouTube after diving head-first into music when she was “Fast forward to 2018 and I asked Lachlan to help just eight years old. me move into my current house because he has a van,” she laughs. “He said yes and then he asked “I was probably around eight when I recorded my me if I wanted to record an album with him. The first song,” she laughs. “It was called ‘I Don’t Care’ rest is history. But he won’t be joining me at and I recorded it to a funny little tape recorder Kennedys Creek.” thing that my grandparents had. My uncle accompanied me on guitar and it was all very Their new album Keep On Trying, which was sweet and innocent etc etc. I always really loved released back in July, comes just four months singing as a kid and mucking around on the piano after their debut DIY full length When It Ends. from a very young age. One day, I think I was around five or six, my parents just very casually “Lachlan and I made a pact to write five songs asked me if I would like to get piano lessons. Of each in a week and record them in a day at this course I said ‘Oh, yes please!’.” house he was subletting a room in in Abbotsford,” Russack explains of their first album When It Ends. “I wrote my five (actually, one of them was a Russack is now a bona fide, critically acclaimed cover) and he wrote his five and then one Saturday artist creating music fuelled with hooky melodies, he picked me up from North Fitzroy and drove me slacker guitar, tongue-in-cheek humour and a to the Abbotsford house. stream of consciousness narratives. Adopting the habit of releasing albums every two years since “We had two mics and a very, very simple setup.

2012, she broke her tradition last year with the We took one break for lunch and then we were release of her fourth album Permanent Vacation, done around 5pm. Then Liam Halliwell mixed and which was coined as a less confessional album mastered the whole thing while he was overseas. than any of her previous works, In a New State That took a day or so. It was the easiest recording (2016), You Changed Me (2014) or Sounds Of Our experience ever. It was a very similar process for the second album as well.”

City (2012).

“I love playing festivals! Up until recently I was With a passion and drive for making music that “For the second, most recent album, we got Liam under the impression that my music wasn’t suited would no longer see her continue releasing music Halliwell to play bass and Dylan Young to play to playing them and then I was asked to play at a biennial pace, Russack recently teamed up drums and piano,” she continues, referring to Meredith last year which was a huge honour and with Lachlan Denton, guitarist and vocalist of Keep On Trying. “Lyrically, I think there is more it went really well and we all had such a fun time,” Melbourne’s The Ocean Party. pain on the first album. Lach was going through 20

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a break up and my new-ish partner was away touring overseas and I was feeling emotional because I missed them desperately. The new album is more upbeat, both of us are in love (not with each other, but we do love each other as friends) and life feels good - and I think that comes through in the lyrics. Anyway, they’re the biggest differences between the two.”

With a collection of songs now to her name, Russack has also scored herself a spot supporting Bob Evans (aka Kevin Mitchell) for his upcoming tour in October following an interview with the Jebediah singer/guitarist on Double J last year.

“We’d never met before but he asked me the kind of questions only those who play music would ever really know to ask, so we had this wonderful on-air exchange,” she reveals. “Fast forward to about two months ago and his agent got in touch with me about doing the tour! I don’t have a booking agent or anything like that, so it’s always a lovely surprise when I get offered something cool that will take me to different places around the country.”

Taking her music from a makeshift home studio to the stage at Kennedys Creek and a number of dates alongside the acoustic troubadour Bob Evans, Emma Russack is sure to continue what Tone Deaf refers to as her legacy as one of the country’s most underrated indie rock talents.

Kennedys Creek Music Festival goes down from Friday October 26 - Sunday October 28.

Father’s Day FIRE UP THE GRILL AND CRACK OPEN A COLD ONE - IT’S FATHER’S DAY. Father’s Day (first Sunday of September) is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your dad, who you may have missed out on over the course of the year so far.

Lucky for you, our region boasts a whole lot of dad-friendly experiences for you to splurge on this Father’s Day. We’ve come up with a few ways to make sure that Dad has a legendary day – whether you take him out for Thai food or a pub meal, take him to the brewery for a pint or treat him with some rad presents.

Whatever you decide to do, just remember it’s one day a year set aside for him... so make sure it’s a special one.

Happy Father’s Day!

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Escape the distraction of everyday noise and focus on the sounds that matter.

Combining Audio-Technica’s proprietary four-microphone multi-feedback noise-cancelling system with Bluetooth® wireless technology, 40 mm drivers and earcup touch-and-swipe controls for phone calls and music playback, the ATH-ANC700BT headphones offer a new level of high-fidelity wireless performance.

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Treat Dad at The Sphinx for Father’s Day Okay folks, Father’s Day is just over a week away. Nothing sorted? Well, forget getting your dear old dad a pair of socks and instead take him out for a day of drinking, eating and merriment at Geelong’s Sphinx Hotel.

To help you score those brownie points, The Sphinx Hotel is like nothing else in the region for celebrating the Day of the Dad, especially with Pharaohs Bistro. Offering both indoor and outdoor dining, the menu boasts some old favourites, classics and there’s even some items a little fancier for all the classy fathers out there.

If your Dad is into his sport (although sorry old boy there’s no football this weekend), the Sphinx Sports Bar is the perfect place to take your favourite father figure. Here, you are guaranteed to be somewhere dry, comfortable, have access to great food and great beer, as well as be right amongst the sporting action - especially with their brand new seven square metre TV. He can also have a bet on the races with the TAB

if he’s feeling lucky.

If your Dad isn’t really into sport and you are just wanting to escape the house, The Sphinx offer an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner, as well as daily specials and kids meals - there’s even a kids playground for the little ones. The menu boasts a range of dishes, including calamari and oysters to kick off your dining experience, along with a variety of mains, including the chicken parmigiana, chicken fillet mignon, BBQ port ribs and the Veggie Filo with sweet potato mash with greens. If dad is up for indulging, there’s an epic seafood platter, or there’s a selection of steaks that all come served with fries, salad and a sauce of your choice. Your dad will be on cloud nine with an Eye Fillet coated in pepper sauce and a pint of his favourite brew.

If dad has a bit of a sweet tooth, you can also treat him with classic cake and cream, a baby pavlova, or a traditional bread and butter pudding. Go on, he deserves it.

Whether you opt for Father’s Day lunch, dinner or just a leisurely drink, favourite child status is almost certainly guaranteed!

Where: 2 Thompson Rd, North Geelong

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT DAD HAS A LEGENDARY DAY THIS FATHER’S DAY! WRITTEN BY CHLOE CICERO

Make him his all-time favourite meal Spoiling dad this Father’s Day doesn’t have to be extravagant; I know my dad would be happy with a giant pot of vegetable soup. So, find out what your dad loves and make it for him. He will appreciate all the effort that goes into preparing something specific for him and will be thankful. It’s one day a year set aside for him, so make sure it’s a special one.

Embrace all your Father figures Your ‘Dad’ doesn’t have to be someone biological, he can be someone you look up to who has always been like a father to you - from step-dads, uncles, and even family friends. Everyone’s situation is different, so make sure all the father figures in your life feel the love this Father’s Day.

When: Sun 8:30am – 4:30am Ph: 5278 2911 Site: www.sphinxhotel.com.au

Spend time with him.

Every year my sister and I ask dad what he wants for Father’s Day, and every year he replies with “I just want to spend time with the family”. So make sure you give your dad some much needed love this Father’s Day, and every day of the year for that fact. Don’t just use this one day to show your dad you appreciate him. All most dads want is to be able to spend time with their kids. It doesn’t have to be a big thing to spend time with him; you can take him out for lunch, spend time with him watching his favourite movie, or just go for a Sunday walk around the neighbourhood.

Presents!!!

Before you can make sure you’ve got the perfect gift for your Dad, you need to determine what type of gift. Are you going to make it a practical gift, a personalised gift or a bucket list gift? Practical could be something like clothes, gift vouchers or accessories to aid his hobbies. Personalised gifts include football memorabilia, a personalised mug or a nice framed photo of the family. And finally, a bucket list gift would include things he has always wanted to do, like a ticket to a concert, a night away or booking him in for a whiskey or beer tour.

Our Pick: a C&M Creations Gift Box This appeals to your dads sweet and savoury side, with both options being available. You can customise a box with either your dad’s favourite sweets or favourite savoury foods, and all boxes come with an included mini bottle of a spirit of your choice. So, spoil your dad this Father’s Day and get him a customised C&M Creations gift box with all his favourite foods. www.facebook.com/cmplatters

OPEN FOR DINNER 4:30PM - 9PM TUES - SUN

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open-air headphones, the ATH-PDG1 headset delivers powerful, detailed audio and long-lasting comfort. This one isn’t for the amateurs, designed with large 40 mm drivers with CCAW voice coils and equipped with a flexible, 6” boom microphone with 1.2 m cable(which can be detached and replaced) for crystal-clear in-game voice communication with other gamers. This is capped off with a lightweight, honeycomb aluminium casing to create a natural, spacious sound that keeps your ears cool even under the most intense gaming fire. Plus, with super soft velour earpads and headband, your dad will stay comfortable no matter how long he plays. You can’t get much better than that. Oh wait, yes you can. The 1.2 m smartphone cable lets you transform this gaming headset into any everyday pair of on-the-go headphones, perfect for answering calls and controlling audio and video on smartphones and other portable devices.

Dad will think he’s hit the jackpot with these headphones.

Celebrate Father’s Day with Audio-Technica Father’s Day falls on September 2nd this year, which means you still have a week to come up with the perfect gift for your Good Ol’ Pops.

If your dad loves listening to music or is just a fan of audio technology, a pair of headphones or earbuds would be the perfect gift for him to cherish for years to come. Lucky for you, the team at Audio-Technica are one of the best in creating high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, mixers and electronic products for home, travel and professional use. From high-quality earbuds to wireless headphones and gaming headsets, Audio-Technica will have your dad hearing sound in a whole new way by experiencing huge ranges of frequencies through powerful driver diameters and connectivity.

We’ve hand picked a few of their best products along with some time tested favourites; sure to please the Dad on your list.

For Dads on the move Freshly added to the Audio-Technica lineup, The ATH-ANC700BT QuietPoint® wireless over-ear headphones combine Audio-Technica’s proprietary active noise-cancelling technology with Bluetooth® wireless

technology and convenient touch and swipe controls built into the earcup – absolutely perfect for those on the move. Simply tap earcup to answer calls, play/pause music, and increase and decrease volume; swipe to skip to the next or previous music track. The headphones’ noisecancelling functionality is driven by a four-microphone (two in each earcup) multi-feedback system for wide-range performance that greatly reduces environmental noise. You bloody beauty!

For Dads who work out Music without the restraints, these wireless babies are perfect for the dads that are serious about their exercise and demands prolonged comfort and a high level audio performance to soundtrack their intense workouts. The ATH-SPORT3 are THE ultimate in-ear sport headphones.

Featuring a flexible but secure ear hanger design and soft silicone housing for added comfort, these in-ear headphones sport 10mm drivers that deliver dynamic and detailed fidelity. To control the air flow and produce rich bass sounds when out running, a waterproof IXP5-certified duct has been fitted along with integrated stabilisers to minimise any sonic distortion. Yep that means they can withstand exercise in the rain or during an intense workout AND they can also be washed under a running tap after a long workout or run. All that’s left to do is hustle for the muscle. Your dad will love you for this one.

For Dads that like to game Designed for the serious gamer who values the natural sound and feel of

For Dads that are old school Does your dad have a stash of classic albums just sitting on the shelf?

Well you can help him out big time with this one! Not only can he listen to his classics, but he can also get them straight onto his smartphone with this beauty. The AT-LP60-USB stereo turntable comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer and it features a built-in switchable phono preamp that enables it to be connected directly to a computer, home stereo, powered speakers and other components that have no dedicated turntable input. With its impressive performance, easy operation, and unbeatable price, the AudioTechnica AT-LP60 is the ideal turntable for any dad that’s into vinyl.

For Dads that just like music Coined the jack-of-all-trades, the ATH-AR5BT Wireless Over-Ear Headphones let you enjoy amazing, high-fidelity audio whether you choose to listen over a traditional wired connection or via Bluetooth® wireless technology. With an easy connection to smartphones, tablets, music players, and other devices, adding devices in the headphones’ memory is made even easier with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality, which enables touch pairing and connection with any compatible device – perfect for those dads with too much to do, and not enough time to do it! With an amazing balance between portability and serious listening, the sound over Bluetooth is great for commuting or when you’re less interested in absolute fidelity. Then, once you’ve safely arrived back home or find yourself in a quiet environment, it’s super easy to switch to wired mode to get Hi-Res Audio sound. Simplicity at its best, and it’s a simplicity your dad will love.

Check out further deets and explore the massive range of products online at audio-technica.com.au/

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Daniel Aaron Our regional version of Tash Sultana Daniel Aaron; if you don’t know the name, now is the time to start paying attention.

With an upload of his debut single ‘Running Backwards’ to triple j Unearthed back in February this year, Daniel Aaron was cast into the view of the Australian public after winning the triple j Unearthed competition to score him a slot on the 2018 Groovin the Moo lineup, among acts like Paul Kelly, Ball Park Music, Grinspoon and more.

Joining the ranks of past Unearthed winners including legends like SAFIA, Coda Conduct and Timberwolf, Daniel graced the main stage at the regional festival and soon cemented himself as one of Australia’s finest emerging acts.

“That was amazing,” he recalls vivaciously. “It was definitely one of the best opportunities I’ve had with music to date. The day itself was just really chill and I got to meet a lot of my favourite bands. The set itself went really well too. I thought I was going to be really nervous and make a mistake - I was really worried about that - but it actually went really well.

“I’ve never played in that environment before with the festival vibes; it was definitely the best time,” he continues. “The weather was good, the set went well, it was a real sign for me. After that, I was like ‘oh man I’ve gotta do that again’.”

THE AUDREYS Australian music at its best The Audreys have blown Australia away since their formation in 2004, pulling in a haul of three ARIAs and releasing four records, including their last album ‘Till My Tears Roll Away [2014] which was hailed a triumphant evolution and cemented their reputation as charming bluesfolk-rock favourites.

Now the duo, made of Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall, are hitting the road for the second time this year, following their sell-out national tour last year performing their award winning 2006 debut album ‘Between Last Night And Us’ and their special Spiegeltent tour earlier this year.

Pawning their very hearts for rock and roll, Coates says this second tour for 2018 was a no-brainer for the long-time musos, allowing them to add the rest of their illustrious repertoire to the show to keep warm the hearts of fans.

“We’ve been touring every year since we started; we’ve never stopped touring,” she smiles. “We’ve got four Audrey’s albums of songs to choose from so we could do this tour and hardly play anything that we did on our last tour.

“We’ve actually got ‘The Audreys Song Book’ which has all our songs it in with charts and lyrics so we can pull repertoire from anywhere,” she explains. “A few months ago, because we had just toured the first record prior, we went back and did a lot of songs from

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Discovering the world of music at a young age, the self-taught artist has quickly developed a stage presence that will surely have you captivated. Those who were lucky enough to catch the solo multiinstrumentalist’s dynamic set at GTM would understand why he often is described at the next Tash Sultana. It’s his unique, homegrown style that draws the comparison; creating a high-energy atmosphere through the use of intricate looping, similar to that of Tash, which has him well on the way to achieving imminent success as a one-person powerhouse.

“It all started when one of my friends introduced me to a loop station and I really liked that concept; being on my own I thought it could be really fun, then I started to get into Tash Sultana and listen to her music and became very very aware and fond of looping and that’s what really got me into it.”

With looping allowing Daniel to create a colourful contrast of country boy and city beats, it didn’t stop there. Delving further into his indiefolk and alt-rock sound and taking influence from Ocean Alley, Xavier Rudd and of course Tash Sultana, the dexterous multi-instrumentalist incorporates genre-bending melodies, airy guitars, synth, and has even taken on the illustrious didgeridoo to become the one-man atmosphere making machine he is now.

“That, as is the case with most of the instruments I’ve learnt, I just wanted to learn it so I did. I was really intrigued but didn’t know where to start. So, I just got a spur of motivation one day and went out to the shed and cut a piece of polypipe up to size and made a mouth piece out of two-part epoxy putty stuff and that was my didgeridoo. That’s what I taught myself on. I’ve still got that, but I do have some actual didgeridoos that I play now.”

the newer records which was fun. Sometimes Trist will say the title of a song and I won’t know what he’s talking about; there’s like 60 songs and it might be something we recorded 10 years ago and, while you just cannot sing it that high or low any more or how you used to, it’s so much fun.”

While the duo haven’t recorded an album since 2014, Coates embarked on her own solo record, Taasha Coates and her Melancholy Sweethearts, during her temporary hiatus from The Audreys which they also occasionally pull material from for their shows.

Referring to Goodall as her “best friend”, The Audreys journey so far has been nothing short of phenomenal over the past 12 years, having graced almost every major festival in Australia and played more gigs than they can count. They’ve rocked festivals and clubs in Europe and North America, sold songs to films and TV shows far and wide, written music for theatre, won awards, hit the charts and, of course, gone gold.

Despite having lived in separate cities for years while achieving all they’ve done, with Coates in Adelaide and Goodall in Melbourne, Coates reflects on their positive evolution as both a band and individuals.

“We’ve not lived in the same city for years so it wouldn’t be any harder than normal [to make another album],” she says. “I think me having kids has been the toughest thing. We used to go away for a week or two, get a beach house or borrow someone’s shack but we just can’t do that now.

“We wrote our fourth record when I had just one baby, but we definitely will work on some new music,” she continues. “It’s definitely on the agenda. When we’re together on this tour maybe we can do some writing, but it is hard. I think there’s this fantasy idea about touring where you have all this hotel room or pub time, but you just don’t. You packing, unpacking, talking to fans, playing, driving and you don’t get a lot of downtime while touring, unless you really make an effort to schedule it in. But you never know what might happen.”

When & Where: The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine – August 25.

Tickets via Oztix.

Hailing from a small rural farming community in Pyramid Hill, it was Daniel’s pursuit of music – and clear passion - that soon saw him leave the small town in his later teenage years and relocate to Bendigo to further explore the regional music scene.

“I didn’t really connect with the place and I was really keen to get out of there and chase the music a bit more,” he explains. “I thought Bendigo would be a good place to start; there’s a good little music scene here for me to bounce off and I didn’t want to go too far away to a place where I’d have to try and build a fan base from scratch again. I’d already made a bit of an impression around this region so I thought Bendigo would be perfect to kick off in.”

Discovering all that the region has to offer, Daniel is keeping the ball rolling and is taking his bold new single ‘Mind Garden’ to Victorian horizons over the next few months.

“I just wanted to keep some momentum going after Groovin The Moo; I wanted to grab that by the horns and make the most out of it and out of the time after it,” he explains. “I got straight into recording another single and then started organising this tour and whatnot. This is just another stepping stone in taking my music to the next level. Keeping in mind that I am still very much emerging on this tour and it’s very much about starting to build that fan base, I just want to focus on getting my music out there,” he smiles.

With a love for both the stage and the studio, the 18 year old will be bunkering down for the last part of the year writing new music for a future release, along with focusing on performing at more alternative venues better suited to the pace of his music.

“That gig at Groovin, I’d take that over absolutely anything, and that’s what I want to be doing more of,” he beams. “I definitely do love just sitting at home writing though; it just takes you to another place. Right now, it’s about finding a balance of performing and writing for me.

“One things for sure is I’m going to focus on getting some new music out there and working on an EP or an album.”

Until then, catch Daniel at one of his upcoming gigs for his ‘Mind Garden’ single tour. If you’re a fan of Matt Corby or Tash Sultana, you’ll soon be a Daniel Aaron fan too.

When & Where: The Workers Club, Geelong – August 31 The Gypsy Bar, Echuca – September 2 Aireys Pub, Aireys Inlet – September 8 Handle Bar, Bendigo – September 21 The Taproom, Castlemaine – October 5.

ÂME NOIRE The

blackened death metal sub-genre is a

tricky one to navigate, get either the death metal part or black metal part wrong and everything suffers .

M elbourne blackened Ame Noire have nailed both parts with their debut EP The Tree That Bears Rotten Fruit. Forming only 10 months prior to its release, they’ve successfully delivered death metal band

a really tight and seriously heavy debut that they will be able to build from in the future.

We chat to drummer Aaron Hernyak.

So you have just released your debut EP, which has received a really positive response, what are the ideas behind it?

If I had to boil it down to a single word, that word would be unique. We wanted to create something that captured our own personal influences and style, such as Alex Hill’s [vocalist] love of horror movies.

The result was an EP which can be seen as a story rather then a collection of five songs, with each song adding a new chapter in the story of a broken family.

As for song structure, Alex Bell [guitarist] aimed to find a balance with keeping a somewhat regular structure with unique dynamics which I feel he has done extremely well, with ‘The Wayward Home’ being the perfect example in my opinion.

To establish both an entire band and album in less than a year is very impressive; how have you all balanced music making and daily life?

Finding that balance can be tricky, and we’ve all got our own way that we have found ours. We all

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share a similar view in regards to this band which I feel has been crucial for us working together so productively. We understand each others daily situations, so by planning the writing/tours well in advanced it keeps everything as organised as possible. This way we know when we need to prioritise work/study, and when the band needs extra attention. The key is balance though. Collectively we all haven’t stagnated at any point, granted we still are a reasonably new band. Personally though, when I spend too much time prioritising one aspect of my life I may burn out and lose motivation. At that point I mentally and physically rest for a few days, even weeks because I need that clarity to reset. The positive though, I usually come back better then I left so sometimes it is a welcomed break.

With a number of you having previously played in Athenas Wake, what prompted the change to Ame Noire?

It felt as though Athenas Wake had been pushed as far as it could, and so it was time to start fresh. I never played in Athenas Wake, but to this day they still remain as the band I’ve seen live the most because I loved the way their EP was written. By creating Âme Noire, we could learn from our past mistakes and successes to push this new line-up as far as it can go, whilst holding onto the parts of Athenas Wake which helped to put that band on the map.

What are your future plans and hopes for the band and what can fans expect in the upcoming future?

An international tour is definitely a future goal for us to achieve. For the meantime, we’ll keep bettering our live performance and writing to create a memorable and enjoyable experience, all in the name of making something unique for the fans of death metal, and metal in general. The new material will again have a concept, and one thing I can promise is that it’ll have those powerful riffs, blasts and slams that was well received in out the EP, but with several new ideas that will leave a lasting impression!

Release: The Tree That Bears Rotten Fruit is out now.

all too often so I don’t know whether any of it will really see the light of day, that might be good news for listeners by the way’.

Ben Speaks Spanish A lot of Ben’s music seems to draw inspiration from places he’s visited around the world. While we enquired we discovered Ben in fact speaks Spanish and has spent a bunch of time abroad in Latin America. ‘I went and spent a bunch of time over there a few years ago. I don’t know why but some of those places always seem to pop up again and again in my songs’.

5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT BEN WRIGHT SMITH Employing some rich 70’s guitar sounds with the uplifting, harmonic vocals that have marked releases through his career ‘til now, Ben Wright Smith has returned with brand new single ‘STORM BOY’. The Melbourne songwriter has been a strong favourite with live music fans over the years and as a recording artist, he has made waves both in Australia and overseas too - his songwriting has continued to flourish off the back of his acclaimed 2017 debut album ‘The Great Divorce’.

When he’s not touring Ben makes soap When Ben’s not touring the country or making music he makes soap. ‘Yeh I sort of just fell into that one.

I really like it though. We mix all the chemicals and it’s a bit like breaking bad or something. We make it all from scratch and and then let it sit and then carve it up with knife’s. We haven’t started a fight club or anything like that yet though’.

Growing up Ben always wanted to be a cartoonist It turns out the music isn’t Ben’s first love. ‘Before I picked up a guitar or anything I was always drawing. I never really did any realistic stuff, just sad clowns, or characters with big heads. I’m a terrible painter but I can still draw pretty cool cartoons. I think sometimes the songs can sound pretty cartoonish at times too’.

Ben was in the Australian film ‘The Dish’ We also discovered at one-time Ben was a budding young actor. ‘I wouldn’t say that exactly. I had tiny speaking roll when I was a little kid in the movie To celebrate the release, we’ve tracked down some things you might not know about Ben Wright Smith. ‘The Dish’. Unfortunately, on the day it came out, me and my whole extended family went to see the movie at the cinema and it turned out they cut my Ben has recorded over five other albums which line. I vowed never to act again. You can still see a have never been released tiny version of me in the background of one seen While Ben has officially only released one record staring straight into the camera!’

‘The Great Divorce in 2017, it turns out that he has many unreleased albums locked away in the the When & Where: vault. ‘I’ve always been the sort of person who just moves onto the next things so unfortunately a lot The B East, Melbourne (single launch) – August 24. ends up on the chopping room floor’. ‘There’s some cool stuff in there, but I don’t really like looking back

BIN The Ocean Grove outfit making waves in the local scene WRITTEN BY ALEX CALLAN After catching Bin for the first time at the Barwon Club’s ‘Small Town Disease’ festival I was extremely excited to score an invite to their band practise last week - and it did not disappoint.

For starters, these guys absolutely kill it. Watching their sets, you can see how much fun they have on stage, so being able to see that in an intimate setting while some tinnies are being cracked was truly a memorable moment.

It also didn’t disappoint because it was the first time I repeated an interview.

That’s right, immediately after concluding - what I thought was a sweet interview - we re-did the same interview. Not because the first one went poorly; purely because Cal Shortal, the bands guitarist thought we could do better… We didn’t. If anything the second interview was significantly

THE KITE MACHINE’S TOP 5 ROCK ARTISTS Geelong locals The Kite Machine are a funky bunch, brimming with energy and panache and are about to set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons with their new single ‘Sinister Sound’.

Sending vibes similar to Muse, The Black Keys and Queens of The Stone Age, the verses expertly build up the anticipation to the chorus which pays off in spades and will have you reaching for the gear stick to kick into overdrive. That’s not all though.

Going all out, the solo rips whatever brain cells you have left and takes the song into the stratosphere.

It’s fuzzy, it’s loud and god damn we love it! While lyrically, the track addresses the struggle of trying to make it in the music business, their video clip is an assault on the senses (check it out on YouTube right now).

Having previously shared stages with Pierce Brothers, Kingswood and Stonefield the band are no strangers to taking on big stages and big crowds, the lads are now excited to hit the road for their very own ‘Sinister Sound’ headline tour.

To celebrate the new single and upcoming tour, the boys have shared their all-time favourite rock artists...

Mutemath Mutemath are one of Levi’s favourite bands, he

more inebriated than the first one. Which was fine, because it was a fun time and truthfully, that’s what Bin is all about.

Featuring Lachie Baulch from The Laughing Leaves, Sugar Ghouls and Marmalade; and Cal from The Murlocs, it’s no surprise that Bin have been making traction in the gig scene this early on in their career, but for other members such as Lys Mac, Tim Fluker and Will Bowers playing gigs is a previously uncharted territory – a territory they have loved exploring.

“Off the bat of the Moocher EP, we got to play with the Cosmic Psycho’s at the Croxton and with Bones and Jones a few times so it’s led to a few really cool shows,” remarks Tim. “Me and Lys haven’t played many shows prior to that so getting to play at the Croxton in front of a sold out crowd was amazing.”

“It was huge,” says Lys, “it was a sick night as well. They were just so lovely and friendly and I had my own drum podium which I thought was the coolest thing ever.”

Having released their first EP ‘Moocher’ at the start of the year, Bin spoke of what it was like to have the revered Mikey Young mix their songs.

Lachie: “We don’t really know Mikey personally but he is a staple in the music scene. He’s kind of like the ‘go-to’ man.”

Tim: “It was unreal to get him to master our music because we are all huge fans of Eddy Current as well as Total Control so that was rad.”

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considers the album Odd Soul to be a masterpiece.

Mutemath are one of the core reasons Levi put a band together in the first place and are a huge inspiration for TKM both in the studio and on stage.

Jack White We tend to love Jack in everything he does. The White Stripes are amazing (obviously), his solo stuff is always on high rotation in the tour van, and the Raconteurs will always be one of TKM’s major musical influences. He inspires us, not just with his guitar playing prowess, but also in the way he approaches the stage, never making any aspect of his performance too easy and seeing slight mistakes as just “the way it’s meant to sound”.

Whenever we’re trying to decide on new pedals we often think to ourselves, WWJWD. Tool Kane thinks of Tool the way Levi thinks of Mutemath, borderline obsession. We’ve missed so many freeway turn-offs because we’ve been way too into the “next bit” of the song that we just ignore Siri and keep on flying straight. It’s worth it though, those bits were sick.

Rage Against The Machine We’re HUGE Rage fans. Sometimes it comes across a little too obviously in our songwriting, but we don’t really care. Everyone loves pentatonic scales, everyone loves a whammy and everyone loves leaning on F#.

Jackson Firebird Levi came across this rocking Mildura duo when he was living there for a year in high school. They quickly shot to the top of Levi’s favourite live bands and it certainly wasn’t long into TKM’s relationship that he got the boys acquainted with that absolute Rock ’n’ Roll titan that is Jackson Firebird. These boys are a live powerhouse and it doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or what gender you identify as, a JF show will put hairs on your chest.

Catch them at The Workers Club Geelong on September 1 for an 18+ show and an U18′s matinee show. Tickets via Oztix.

Lys: “We actually started the night before a Total Control gig.”

Expanding on the bands origin, Tim explained, “Bin started because me and Lach used to live together and Will is one of our best friends who happened to play bass so we just started jamming a little bit and then Lys is one of our best friends as well. She was pretty much just always around here hanging out.”

“I think Lys pretty much started it…” Will added, before Lys admits she “forced them into it”.

Tim: “Lys had the initiative to learn the drums and we owned a kit so I just started showing her really basic stuff and then Cal came along and we started taking it a bit more seriously.”

Lys: “Our first show was in December and I only started learning drums in November so I am still really new to drums. I think I would be absolutely shot if I ever had to play anything other than the ten songs that we play.”

Tim: “We were all best friends who were hanging out all the time anyway so it just made sense to start jamming.

Lys: “I think this is really just fun for us. Cal does the serious music thing but that’s about it. It’s just good fun for us, especially for Cal because he has such a serious stream of music I feel if this was more regimented it probably wouldn’t be what it is because it’s just mates playing music.”

Cal: “It’s good to have another band that isn’t as serious so I can have a bit of a release in what I’m playing, just a bit of stress free fun.”

As for the bands hopes for the future, Lys reveals “We just recorded two songs which we have played at our most recent shows; it seems like people are frothing them so we are really excited about that. We aren’t entirely sure what we will do with it at this stage but we are figuring all that out.

“We have a few concepts that we have been playing around with as well that are sick I think so hopefully they might evolve into songs so we can record them too.”

With two new songs already recorded and having scored a spot on the Loch Hart festival line-up for this year (alongside the likes of Orb and Gonzo), it seems that 2018 won’t be slowing down for Bin any time soon.

“I’m super pumped about it [Loch Hart]” says Lys. “It’s been a pretty speedy process for me from not playing at all to doing shows, so now being able to play at a festival with so many sick bands is actually unreal!

I get irrationally excited every time we book any show so when I got told about playing our first ever festival I fist pumped pretty damn aggressively!”

If you can’t manage to get down to Loch Hart, you can catch Bin at The Workers Club Geelong on October 4. Also, keep an eye out for some cheeky new single releases because the tracks are absolute belters.

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looks, brooding Ryan Gosling and all. Powys agrees, “Especially Deep Burn Blue, has that feeling of Drive for me.”

Ironically, the album closes out with a track titled ‘Don’t Keep Driving’.

THE PAPER KITES On the Corner Where You Live WRITTEN BY DARBY-PERRIN LARNER The Paper Kites are enjoying a short break at home after returning from recording in the U.S. Their upcoming album “On the Corner Where You Live” was completed in Connecticut with super producer Peter Katis. It’s the second album they’ve made abroad.

“It has its advantages to record away from home, it also has its disadvantages, like being away from family is hard,” Dave Powys, one fifth of the Paper Kites, says as he cooks dinner for his young family.

“The good thing about it is, you’re isolated in your creativity, you’re able to really focus on what you’re doing. Squeeze the most out of the time.”

‘Deep Burn Blue’ is the first single released off the upcoming record. To Powys, it really “sounds like one of the tracks or scenes from that movie (Drive).”

It’s no surprise then that Cinema plays a big part for the band in their creative process. “What we really aim to do is create mood and create visuals for people, even individually. When you find a song that becomes the soundtrack for your own life, it makes everything feel richer when you find something that fits, or even changes, your own mood.”

Their tour schedule has been hectic to say the least since they proliferated thanks to streaming services and playlist plugs – they have a near three million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Touring over twenty countries in three years, the band has been to some far flung places on the road. For Powys, a city in Poland felt the furthest from home.

“We’d come from summer back home and we’d ended up in Poznań which was snowing, and it was like minus-thirty degrees or something... That just felt like the end of the earth,” he punctuates.

With two parents already in the band and a third member expecting before their next tour, Powys concedes life on the road can be hard when you have to leave a family back at home.

Time is a precious commodity for all parents, even more so when they’re working musicians too. Powys and The Paper Kites are back on “It’s funny when you meet other musicians on the the road touring in the U.S in November. road who have families back home, you instantly find a connection of ‘oh man you’ve got kids at home too, how hard is it?’”

The Paper Kites have managed to do what few have done before in finding success in the land of Hollywood, Pop-tarts, and Ryan Gosling, joining a small number of Aussie acts to go gold in the U.S (including ACDC, INXS, Flume, and SIA).

“On the Corner Where You Live” sounds like Drive

And on that note, we let him get back to dinnertime before it’s back to work once again.

Release: On the Corner Where You Live is out September 21.

‘My Favourite Game’ by The Cardigans, an iconic Kylie Minogue-esque dance infused beat and the inclusion of a determined cow bell, ‘To The Bone’ is not a traditional take on disco.

“I wanted to do it in my own way so it’s hardly straight ABBA disco, it’s got to be a bit bent and a bit funk and a bit rocky if I’m doing it”, she laughs.

“I’m at that stage in my life and in my career, and in my own relationship with song writing where I want to do things I haven’t done before. How do I keep this passion fresh and scary like it used to be? And the key is doing things that you’re not sure about.”

That sentiment is prominent lyrically, with the main premise of the song being “about burning things down to start again”.

“To the Bone is about going ‘no, where do I really need to be’…reassessing the whole setup you’ve made for yourself and possibly breaking it apart and starting again if you don’t like it.”

Co-produced by Robin Waters and Tim Harvey, the single was written with live shows in mind so Hooper WRITTEN BY TAMMY WALTERS can embrace her animalistic on stage energy she exudes in Killing Heidi and is the music direction The line between pop and rock has never for her coming singles. run parallel for noughties Australian music “The next couple of songs I am going to release are icon, Ella Hooper. With a career spanning 20 rock songs. They have loud guitars and stuff, so they years as the distinctive front woman of Killing are a bit more of a Garbage/ The Pretenders vibe.”

Heidi, a dynamic solo artist, occasional DJ, TV New material will be unleashed live at Brisbane’s presenter for Rockwiz and former regular on Big Sound September 5 and 6, with singles rolling Spicks and Specks, Hooper has been branded out between now and Christmas. everything from a pop sensation to the ultimate “I’m not sure if it will be an EP or an album but rock chick. We spoke to her to set it straight I’m really in this mode. I feel like everything I am once and for all. doing has a really strong flavour of the 70’s 80’s or “Look I think I am a rock chick, I totally am. But 90’s…I want it to feel like you’re listening to classic pop has got such a bad rap. I think I always was a hits radio, like Gold 104 but with a bit more modern rock chic, but not as heavy as people would have content.” thought because the music Killing Heidi put out was Except a taste of Blondie, The Pretenders, The a lot heavier than I ever intended it to be because I Divinals, the Cranberries and speckles of Kylie to come, particularly channelled in the ‘To The Bone’ have a bit of a pop heart.”

Two years after the double EP, Venom / New Magic, music video which will be released in the next Hooper’s much anticipated latest single, ‘To The coming days. Hot pants and all? You’ll have to wait Bone’, has yet again thrown a spanner in the works and see. in distinguishing where she sits on the rock/pop For now, we think it’s safe to say Ella Hooper is spectrum as she ventures into new territory; the true music chameleon that does not fit any mould realm of Saturday Night Fever and discotheque. and we love it!

With a guitar hook reminiscent of 90’s classic

The Kooks

ELLA HOOPER RELEASES BONEAFIDE BANGER

in the studio to record during 2015, only to make the decision to scrap the whole project and start again.

“Listen was quite experimental,” explains Pritchard. “I did a lot of Listen on my own with the producer and it was using breaks, beats and Redefined and heading to Beyond The Valley loops, and that was fun, but I think we carried on with that in our new WRITTEN BY HELENA METZKE album, and halfway through went, ‘You know what? This isn’t The Kooks’.

“We had a lot of chats along the lines of ‘What are we?’, ‘What are we trying to do here?’,” he continues. “And I mean, we’re progressive – we’re Colour palettes, intricate storylines and subtle emotion are just not traditionalists because we do sound modern and we’re pushing some of the particularities which make a Wes Anderson film, well, a things, hopefully, into a modern place. But ultimately we are in a long Wes Anderson film. Known for their distinctive visual and narrative line of British bands – I think that’s where we sit and where we should styles, British pop rock band, The Kooks, liken their forthcoming sit, and I like being a part of that.” release Let’s Go Sunshine to exactly that.

In momentarily stepping away from what the band was known for, “Not everything is literal,” says lead-vocalist Luke Pritchard of the album. “There are quite a lot of imaginative lyrics in there, but I think Pritchard acknowledges that this time for the band may have translated as what people might perceive as “a dip in popularity”, however, it wasn’t there was just a sense of purpose with my writing, where I wanted to long before a new legion of fans discovered The Kooks in all their glory, be positive. through the use of streaming services.

“I wanted to bring some positivity into the world,” he says. “I think “What we do is very real and we do it ourselves,” expresses Pritchard. there’s really nothing better in music than when you can bring some “We’re on a creative journey and I think that’s part of music and doing release to people and be uplifting – that was a big thing for me.

“It’s eclectic, in terms of style, but it’s about release, payoff and joy, what we do.

“We definitely did get a big boost,” he says. “People hopped on Spotify and I mean, hopefully it’s a bit like a Wes Anderson film; I wanted that and all of a sudden we saw our numbers going mental.

Instagram filter on the whole album.”

“And I think that’s a testament that we just stuck to our guns and kept Kicking their career off in 2006 with now five times platinum release doing what we do. We’re not celebrities and we’re not on a big market Inside In, Inside Out, the Britpop rockers have gone strength to strength spend; we just do what we do and we hopefully do it well.” with the likes of Konk, Junk of The Heart, and Listen.

Having racked up over 1 billion streams worldwide, the band maintains However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the four-piece. The band’s a steady ascent to the top as they reach to claim their place within The fifth studio album comes out of fractured beginnings, which saw them

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Great British Songbook with Let’s Go Sunshine.

“It’s funny, I mean, the amount of people and even friends, from as early as Konk, or Junk of The Heart, who were like ‘Man, it’s over’, sort of thing, you have to be like, ‘Well no, I believe in this’, and that’s not an easy thing to do,” tells Pritchard. “But sometimes you’ve got to weather those moments and push on.”

Setting out on a mission to write the best songs he’d ever written, Pritchard has delivered a collection of articles which delve into themes of lost innocence, fading relationships and new-found love, albeit lightheartedly, which lay at the album’s inner-most foundations.

“Many of the lyrics are about letting go and lost love, but they’re still uplifting,” explains Pritchard. “It was heavily inspired by my life, I mean, I was personally in a really good spot, I was falling in love and I was over myself in terms of trying too hard.”

Cementing itself as The Kooks’ most accomplished and varied record, Let’s Go Sunshine will lead listeners on a musically surprising journey that’s unbound by constraints or genre. With tracks such as ‘Fractured and Dazed’, ‘No Pressure’ and ‘All The Time’ each telling a tale of their own, it is perhaps the question as to who is behind the unfamiliar, yet heart-warming vocals which feature on track ‘Honey Bee’ that offers with it the most sentimental story, as Pritchard reveals it is in fact his father’s voice, as well as he who wrote the song.

Passing away when Pritchard was young, he was given his father’s guitar and the song in question from his sister.

“It’s a big moment for me, that,” smiles Pritchard. “I didn’t really decide on it, it was just a matter of everyone loving the song, and that’s the truth.

“I’m always on time and the guys are not,” he laughs, “And anyway, I was in the studio on my own with the engineer and I started playing it and he was like, ‘This is great, let’s record it.’

“I didn’t think we’d be able to put my dad’s vocals into the finished piece, because we didn’t have the multi-track, but the engineers managed to do it… and it became this really special moment.

“Everyone who worked on its production had the realisation of ‘That’s a really important song’, but it’s also really fun and adds to the record as a whole. It’s a real road trip track!”

Release: ‘Let’s Go Sunshine’ is out August 31 via Lonely Cat / AWAL Recordings The Kooks will be heading to this year’s Beyond The Valley taking place from the 28th of December 2018, through to the very early hours of January 1st 2019 at Lardner Park, Lardner – just 90 mins drive outside Melbourne.

Tickets via beyondthevalley.com.au/

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Satyricon have always pushed metal in one direction or another throughout their 25 year career, and that’s what keeps the band going and that’s what keeps their fans going. “We’ll always be about development, trying to move into musical territories and exploring our very own musical world, and that’s how this band challenges things. When we eventually come to find there’s nothing to do any more and we start to go around in circles and repeat ourselves, that is when Satyricon shall no longer continue and that’s something we’re really worried about. We want the genre to stay alive, and we want to have the pioneering spirit because when nothing else is happening and everything is repetitious, when there’s no more excitement and it’s boring, it just stands still; we will push to give it new life. It is something we have taken upon us to do.”

SATYRICON The one & only black metal legend WRITTEN BY PAUL S TAYLOR

Incase you haven’t heard, parts of Europe are going through a heatwave. England has recently declared that anything over 33 degrees is akin to standing on the sun. When I got the chance to have a chat with Satyricon drummer, Frost, I just had to ask him how the weather was in his native Oslo, Norway. “We are having the warmest summer in the history of the country, I believe, just now it’s fantastic to go out bicycling.” But how hot is it there? “I think that today they expect something like 27 degrees.

And that’s very, very warm for Oslo, unusually hot.” I did resist the urge to drop in an amazing pun about Frost melting in the heat.

Jokes aside, I just had to ask Frost about the ‘black ‘n roll’ genre they’ve kinda created, which is black metal but with giant rock ‘n roll guitar and vocal hooks. The band’s sixth album from 2006 Now,

Diabolical is the notorious turning point for the band from the traditional black metal sound (which the band was instrumental in solidifying back in ‘96 with their groundbreaking third album Nemesis Divina) to the ‘black ‘n roll’ sound they’re now associated with. “I think the album [their ninth studio album Deep Calleth Upon Deep] is very, very different to Now, Diabolical, it’s like a different band, and definitely it has the Satyricon signatory no doubt about it, but I find it to be of a totally different musical expression. It’s much more diverse, musically much more open, magical and more intriguing and much more expressive.”

Whilst that is very true about the band’s latest album, the song structures and tempo of Satyricon’s music has retained that ‘black ‘n roll’ feel “There are different sorts of expressions ultimately, black metal can mean many things and over the years the genre has expanded beyond something more than what it was in the beginning. That’s how it was as a living organism, born into a small living thing then it grows and gets a life of its own and then it develops and goes off into different directions.

To make black metal grow into a more interesting expression in this genre is definitely something Satyricon is setting out to do,” Frost explains.

UNIFY GATHERING IS BACK FOR 2019 WITH ITS MONSTER LINEUP Better start limbering up to hit the mosh pit, because the lineup for the 2019 UNIFY Gathering is here and it’s a serious humdinger.

Following weeks of teasing from UNIFY Gathering organisers about which acts might be on this year’s bill and a bunch of speculation and fake posters, the festival officially dropped its full lineup this month, and as promised, it features some pretty huge acts, exclusive one-off shows, and mighty reunions.

Kicking things off for this year’s fest is a couple of huge sets from some international visitors, with Underøath celebrating their first new album in eight years with this exclusive festival performance. With a near decade-length absence that’s weighed heavily upon music lovers’ hearts, this is one helluva act to grace the gathering’s stage. The band reunited in 2016 for a round of touring and in 2018 released their new album, Erase Me – adding another crucial chapter to their formidable legacy, and what will no doubt be an unmissable set at UNIFY 2019.

There will also be a set from Taking Back Sunday, who will be performing their 2002 debut, Tell All Your Friends In Full, in a set that will cement their legacy 17 years on. Through seven albums the band has consistently been able to write lyrics that connect with their audience through shared experiences, making celebrating their first album just as relevant as their latest.

Karnivool is the other massive addition to this years lineup. Hailing from Perth, they have been a band for a long time, and one with musical twists and turns that get more interesting and more complicated as

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In their native Norwary, and similar Norse European countries, Satyricon have achieved relatively high music chart positions for a band with this sound, with recent albums. It only takes one glance at the music charts here in Australia to observe that a vast majority of heavy metal out there, won’t chart high here. “I think that all music has a common denominator, and I think all music of quality has the potential to be appreciated by more people than belonging to the genre. Atmosphere and emotion, that is something that speaks to everybody, and if we managed to bring such elements into our music in a convincing in a magical way, it has the potential to go somewhere beyond the traditional borders, and that’s something we have done with Satyricon. It has never been the case of Satyricon reaching out to larger audiences, it has been the larger audience that has come to Satyricon because they have heard our music and we’ve caught their attention and fascination, and people enjoy it and everything we have done.”

Release: Deep Calleth Upon Deep is out now.

When & Where:

CALLING ALL ELVIS LOVERS WRITTEN BY CHLOE CICERO

THE LEGENDARY ELVIS PRESLEY WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MORE LOVED STARS OF 20TH CENTURY POP CULTURE. A CULTURAL ICON, HE WILL ALWAYS BE THE ONE AND ONLY ‘KING OF ROCK AND ROLL’.

NOW BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND AND DIRECT FROM THE U.S, WE ARE GETTING TREATED TO THE ULTIMATE AUSTRALIAN CONCERT TOUR ‘ELVIS – AN AMERICAN TRILOGY – THE COMPLETE STORY’. THIS STORY FEATURES THREE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTISTS, ALL STARRING IN ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR LIVE CONCERT PRODUCTIONS, TAKING YOU ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE MUSIC OF ‘THE KING’, AND HIS HISTORY IN ENTERTAINMENT. THE THREE STAGES IN THE SUCCESS OF ELVIS – THE KING, STARS VIC TREVINO JNR, WHO EMBODIES THE YOUNG ELVIS ROCKABILLY SOUND, GINO MONOPOLI, WHO RECREATES THE SOPHISTICATED SOUND OF ELVIS THROUGH HIS MOVIE YEARS AND GREG MILLER, WHO CHANNELS ELVIS IN HIS FAMOUS WHITE EAGLE JUMPSUIT, AND IS THE ONLY ELVIS IMPERSONATOR WHO KNEW ELVIS PERSONALLY. IF YOU’RE A FAN OF THE KING, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS. When & Where: GPAC, Geelong – September 22, The Palms at Crown, Melbourne – September 28 & 29.

Max Watts, Melbourne - Thursday September 6.

time goes on. With three massive albums to their name, including the ARIA winning #1 album Asymmetry, and only hints of new material, the band soon fell silent in the fast few years. That had to change, change is the constant and Drew, Kenny, Steve, Hoss and Jon will be seen on stage together for the first time in 18 months in regional Victoria in January and no better place than the collective of like-minded souls that is UNIFY Gathering.

It doesn’t stop there though, because we’ll also be seeing some exclusive sets from the likes of Crossfaith, While She Sleeps, Dream State, State Champs, and The Plot In You, while some of Australia’s biggest acts, including Trophy Eyes, In Hearts Wake, Ocean Grove, Dream on Dreamer, Endless Heights, WAAX, and Clowns will also be joining the party. Unify crowds will also be privy to Sydney’s Hand Of Mercy who are getting back together for their first gig since 2016.

Of course, if that’s not enough, then the addition of bands such as Turnstile, Citizen, Harms Way, Stand Atlantic, Thornhill, Pagan, Drown This City, Gravemind, After Touch, Ocean Sleeper, Better Half and Yours Truly will surely make this one of the most memorable heavy fests you’ve witnessed.

They’ve also just added Every Time I Die (US) for a very special festival exclusive set, as well as Hellions, Saviour and Falcifer to the bill, now totalling 32 bands over two huge nights.

Alongside the MASSIVE lineup, this year will see a massive array of special festival editions for its fifth year. This includes roll out prepitched camping options, including pre-set up scout tents, bell tents and even canvas lodges (more details to come but we are listening).

Kartent, the king of cardboard camping, will be back with their 100 per cent recyclable cardboard tents for two for all the eco-conscious festi-goers out there; and for the first time ever, UNIFY will be offering the option to bring a campervan on site as well. You better hit up your nan now for that one!

With more on-site space to play with, this year’s gathering will be increasing its on-site services, seeing the roll out on an improved entry system and larger campsite, complete with unisex, male and female toilet options, along with increased security, crew and other community resources, ensuring a stress free, fun and safe weekend for everyone.

For those who like to be super prepared, UNIFY organisers are giving festival goers the option to arrive a day early, meaning they can set up on the 10th and be ready to party right at the kick off.

In an effort to decrease road traffic and reduce the overall carbon footprint, because hell, there are a lot of us festival-goers coming and going, bus travel is highly encouraged with ‘Banana Bus’ providing transport options for those trekking to the festival; with pickup and drop-off locations from 16 suburban locations in and around Melbourne.

With a lineup of this magnitude, you can be sure this heavy weekend will be selling out in no time.

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Tickets are on sale now from unifygathering.com/tickets/ Unify Gathering goes down at Tarwin Lower in South Gippsland, between January 11 – 13.

G N I R E H T A G UNIFY LINEUP 2019 SATURDAY JANUARY 12

Taking Back Sunday Every Time I Die Trophy Eyes

FRIDAY JANUARY 11 Underøath Karnivool In Hearts Wake

State Champs Turnstile Citizen Waax

Ocean Grove

Falcifer

Hellions

Clowns

While She Sleeps Crossfaith Dream On Dreamer

Endless Heights Saviour Harms Way

The Plot In You

Stand Atlantic

Hand Of Mercy

Thornhill

Dream State

Pagan

Drown This City

Gravemind

Ocean Sleeper

After Touch

Better Half

Yours Truly

WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER TRAK LOUNGE BAR (18+) ON SALE NOW FRONTIERTOURING.COM.AU IAMANNEMARIE.COM 696 repaired

NEW ALBUM OUT NOW 31

SHE LOVES GOOD BEER Calling

all

legends….

our

beer

loving

lady

Let’s get together for the love of beer to help out our fellow

Munchbox Meals

On Saturday September 1st,

Vegan meals delivered to your doorstep

ladies who need a hand.

Blackman’s Brewery is hosting a ladies night out for women who love beer at The Good Beer Bar

by Blackman’s Geelong and giv-

ing 100 per cent of the proceeds to a very important charity.

Share the Dignity is an Australian

charity who gives sanitary products to homeless women and fights for domestic violence victims.

The night will include good

beer of course and plenty of laughs as the room is filled

with women who love beer!

There will be three Karma Kegs

tapped from Blackman’s Brewery,

Rogue Wave Brewing and Stomping Ground Brewing Co. This means

you nominate the price you want to pay for each beer you drink and all

profits from the kegs will be donated to Share the Dignity. There’ll also

Munchbox is a Geelong-based boutique meal prep and delivery service, specialising in artisan vegan and vegetarian meals and munchies. With a passion for providing delicious and nutritious food that is ethical, sustainable and affordable, all Munchbox meals are made from scratch using a balance of the freshest local and organic vegetables and fruit, grains, seeds and nuts and homegrown herbs.

We chat to Eden Callick – the brains behind the business - about all things Munchbox.

Hey! Thanks for chatting to Forte! First up, can you explain how Munchbox became to be?

Munchbox was a daydream turned reality. I was in a really draining job I hated, and would spend the majority of my lunch-break looking for vegan food. The struggle to find a tasty, good quality, vegan meal is real. Sometimes it was so real I’d just give up looking, and go hungry. One day I hungrily and jokingly announced, ‘I’m going to open my own vegan food business’ and with that impulsive announcement, I quit my job almost immediately, and promised myself I would put my whole heart and soul in to becoming the best vegan chef I can be. With a whole lot of determination, passion and support from those around me, munchbox was born and is now my baby! I guess a little bit of selfishness

for me to have passion and purpose in life, as well as the lack of real quality vegan cuisine on the Geelong food scene is really how munchbox came to be - out of necessity.

Where did your passion for vegan/vegetarian food come from?

I’ve always had a love and passion for food, but it wasn’t until I slowly transitioned to vegan that my passion turned into a true obsession! It opened a whole new door for experimentation in the kitchen; I want to create cruelty free food that tastes and looks better, but most importantly is better for you!

Nothing makes me happier then feeding people and changing their views on vegan food.

Can you give our readers a run-down of how ‘Munchbox’ works?

Munchbox is an artisan meal prep and delivery service, providing chef made meals to you. Our munchers can order online any time before Friday midnight, with meals being ready for pick-up or delivery on Sunday. Ready for the week ahead!

These hours will soon be changing to include 24/7 online ordering, with pick-up and delivery between 7am-7pm seven days a week. All meals come ready to eat or heat; those that are best enjoyed heated include a lit flame! We also specialise in events and corporate catering; so, if there’s a bunch that’s got the munch, we’re here to feed your sweet souls!

Where have you gathered most of your recipes and ideas from?

I’m constantly gathering ideas and inspiration from anywhere and everywhere! I have a collection of paper scraps with scribbled recipes, and sleep with a notebook next to my bed just in case I dream up a new idea. I have mood-boards, and future menu lists. It’s a mess really! I find so much inspiration and ideas from traditional non-vegan meals, and have been fortunate enough to work alongside some amazing non-vegan chefs who have (taught) and inspired me incredibly. My mumma and sister, who are huge vegan foodies, are always coming up with insane recipes for me as well. But each recipe is ultimately my own, made from scratch, tried and tested until it’s perfected.

How do you determine what local and organic ingredients make the cut?

We are passionately committed to sustainability and supporting our local community. Our menus are always based around the freshest seasonal produce, sourced from local organic farmers, as well as other artisan vegan businesses who supply some of our ingredients. We also lovingly grow all our own herbs, and as munchbox expands so will our veggie garden; to include some pretty crazy exotic fruit and vege!

What type of people does this service suit?

Munchbox is perfect for those who are time poor, but hungry, and care what they put in to their body.

Looking for a delicious and nutritious meal, that isn’t frozen or full of crap. We put all the freshness, flavour, love and care into each meal, so you don’t have to!

Breaky, lunch, or tea, pick up or delivery, we’ve got you covered so you don’t have to think about cooking a thing! Munchbox isn’t exclusively for vegetarians or vegans, but is perfect for those looking to try a tasty healthy alternative!

Do you do custom orders? Or is everything off the set menu?

Yes! All our meals are fully customisable to suit diet and taste! Don’t like tomato? Just let us know! Gluten intolerant? We got you! You can add or remove any ingredients and extras in our meals when you order.

However, if you’d like our chefs to create something extra special just for you, we’re more than happy to!

We can customise personalised menus, meal plans and munchboxes just for you!

Where are you hoping to take Munchbox in future?

Munchbox has big plans for the future! You can expect an ever-changing menu (to keep up with my ever-changing mind). We’ll be incorporating menulog and uber eats as apart of our service, and expanding trading hours and service locations in the very near future. There may also be plans for ‘munch mobile’ to attend festivals, markets, and events.. But I can’t give too much away! We have sooo many surprises for ya’ll, but I can’t spoil them all at once!

will have everything from LP’s and 45’s and CDs to vintage clothing and antiques – plus heaps more.

Appealing to a large section of the community in our local region, and being filled with stalls full of records, it is every record collectors dream.

With Lord Lucifer bringing his Record Fair to Geelong for the first time, the team are ensuring you’re only offered the best of the best. They’ve rounded up a number of top-quality local and interstate traders who will be bringing with them with the biggest range of quality new and secondhand vinyl ever seen in the Geelong region. All the major genres will be covered, and you can guarantee there will be merch and memorabilia up for grabs!

A highlight of the event will be the ‘Buried Treasure’ at 4pm where all traders will be bringing out their previously hidden creates which could include anything from $5 bargain bins to half-price specials, or even some high collectable rarities. For those that can’t make it early, this ensures you won’t

miss out on all the good stuff!

That’s not all you’ll see though. If you’re in need of a new wardrobe or some groovy new stage gear, you will have a field day with vintage clothing experts who will have stacks of fine threads for you to browse through. If you want to pick up some flares, stovepipe pants or lumber jackets, then this is the place to find them. With festival season coming up, this could be just the place to find everything you need.

As guessed, all Little Creatures and White Rabbit beverages will be on tap for you to sample, as well as chilled-out vibes of this amazing location will also be on offer – you are guaranteed to have a great time.

Music, clothes, food and beer... it’s going to be bigger than Times Square on New Years Eve.

Check it out via Insta @vegan.munchbox or you can get your munch on at munchboxmeals.com.au

be a live auction, raffles and prizes

for the highest prices paid for beer as well as nibbles and sweets.

They’ll also be brewing a special beer for the night - a beer

style voted by you – so keep an eye on their Facebook page.

If you love beer, come along and

spend up big on some awesome beer knowing it’s going straight to our

fellow women in need of our help.

We say time and time again, beer people are good people – so let’s

all get together and enjoy a ladies only night out for an epic cause.

When & Where: Blackman’s Bar, Geelong - Saturday, September 1. All ticket profits will be donated to Share the Dignity.

Vintage Clothing and Record Fair at The Brewery WRITTEN BY CHLOE CICERO

Hop on down to Geelong’s biggest Vintage Clothing and Record Fair this September for a day filled with delicious beer, food and live entertainment! Presented by Little Creatures, White Rabbit and Lord Lucifer, this unmissable (and completely free) event will be held on Sunday 9 September from 12pm to 5pm at the Little Creatures Brewery Geelong and is the perfect excuse for a fun day out.

Featuring stalls all throughout the Brewery Village laneways, White Rabbit Barrel Hall and Canteen, The Vintage Clothing and Record Fair

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When & Where: Little Creatures Geelong - Sunday 9 September, 12pm to 5pm

Foodie Traveller MURPHYS ROOFTOP CINEMA WILL BE SCREENING SOME ABSOLUTE CLASSICS Open-air moviegoing is a favourite pastime for some. Each year we inevitably see our favourite outdoor cinemas return for the summer and a couple of newbies always pop up too – although this mostly all happens in Melbourne.

Lucky for us, about a month ago Murphys announced they were introducing Murphys Rooftop Cinema.

Well that time is now, with Murphys finally announcing their movie schedule. Already they’ve had Point Break and Anchorman (The Legend of Ron Burgundy) on the big screen but there’s still some absolute classic still to come...

-Dirty Dancing on Tuesday August 28 -10 Things I Hate About You on Tuesday September 4 & 11 -Mean Girls on Tuesday September 18 Doors for these movie nights open at 6pm and the movie starts at 7pm… so don’t be late you cheeky buggers. $25 will get you a standard ticket while $55 VIP ticket which includes movie, front row seats, pizza and a drink.

The Rooftop has a roof and heating but it may still be cold so make sure you bring blankets and dress in plenty of warm clothes! If there is a storm then the show will be cancelled and tickets will be refunded.

The rooftop pizza kitchen will be open from 6pm selling woodfired pizzas, drinks and bar snacks.

Check out their list of movies via their event page. Tickets available via Eventbrite.

1 CUP ROLLED OATS 1 1/2 CUPS BOILING WATER 1 CUP CHOPPED NUTS (PECANS, WALNUTS, ALMONDS) 1/2 CUP SOFTENED BUTTER

WRITTEN BY STEWART CLARKE

MIDWEST CHOCOLATE & NUT CAKE A mate of mine in Point Lonsdale has pet ducks and they lay plenty of eggs. So last week when he gave me some more of these organic, free range eggs, I knew right away, it was the perfect time to warm the kitchen on a cold day and bake an old favourite cake. This is a yummy dessert recipe I baked a lot whilst living in the Midwest U.S.A. Winters were long and cold there and we spent plenty of time indoors and baked.

Duck eggs are a treat to bake with, but if you don’t have access to them, then good ‘ole chicken eggs will do just fine. It’s an easy cake to make and has a nice crunch of choc/nuts on top. So get baking and enjoy the goodness.

1 1/2 CUPS SELF-RAISING FLOUR 1 TBLSP COCOA 1/2 TSP SALT 1 CUP CASTER SUGAR 1 CUP BROWN SUGAR 2-3 EGGS 1 1/2 CUPS CHOPPED DARK CHOCOLATE

Berries & cream to serve with.

Mix together flour, salt, & cocoa. In a separate bowl mix oats with the boiling water (let stand for 10 minutes). Stir in butter, caster & brown sugars. Add 2 duck eggs (whisked) [Or 3 chicken eggs]. Fold-in flour, mix through, then stir in most of the chocolate & nuts. Save around 1/4 cup of the nuts & chocolate for the cake topping.

Preheat oven to 180˚C. Grease a 20cm cake pan and pour the mix in. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate & nuts on top of the cake with a dusting of 1 tblsp of caster or raw sugar on top. Bake for 45-50 minutes.

Let cake cool in pan for about 1 hour, then turn out and serve warm with berries & double cream.

Yummo!!

Stewart is a local chef and traveller of the region.

Follow Stew’s adventures, dishes and recipes via foodietraveller361691779.wordpress.com/

WHAT’S ON

HELL SHIP THE JOURNEY OF THE TICONDEROGA

FRIDAY 7 SEPTEMBER, 8.00PM

$38, $34 (Conc)

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PARIS UNDERGROUND

MORNING SHOWTIME

$38, $34 (Conc)

$15 all tickets, includes morning tea

CABARET PERFORMANCE PL@N B SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 8.00PM TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 10.30AM

SUBURBAN SANDCASTLES I AM A GIRL WEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 6.00PM

FREE FAMILY FUN DAY SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER

BOOK NOW WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD ON 5251 1998 OR AT ANY CITY OF GREATER GEELONG CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE.

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CAPTURE ART AND PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS AT DEAKIN A unique one-day event to inspire creative minds If you want to live a creative life, a life where you get to follow your creative passions, be it visual arts, photography or performance, then Deakin University has just the thing for you.

This month, Deakin’s School of Communication and Creative Arts has put together a series of workshops hosted by industry experts devoted to fostering creativity through participation in and appreciation of the creative fields.

Directed at anyone with an interest in performance (drama), visual arts and photography, these 90 minute workshops allow participants to explore what the university has on offer in terms of forward-looking, adventurous and extensive curriculum devoted to technical skills, critical thinking and individually focused forms of creative expression.

For those with creative vision behind the lens, the

photography workshop in particular will see honours student Nathan Green take front and centre. Green, a street photographer known for his work with Analogue Academy, will share his processes with participants before then putting process to practice and taking participants outside the project space to explore Geelong. Participants will then return and curate the images and discuss in depth their observations and the process that were used.

“It’s about connecting to the community, and connecting to Geelong,” Wilson explains. “These workshops are just about letting people know we have these study options and this is a way to explore and have fun with it; for participants to meet with people to explore the practices they’re interested in.”

The workshops also double as the perfect opportunity for all creatives to connect with industry professionals and receive feedback for monologue or dance, and receive one on one feedback for folios and other art works.

And the best part of it all? It’s completely free and you don’t need to bring a thing – all art materials are supplied for you.

Whether it’s just an early interest in pursuing study, or you’re keen to find the right course for you, these workshops offer the opportunity to connect with the co-ordinators of each discipline and discuss what courses are on offer, what they involve and where it can take you. Not only that, but the creative staff and experts can also talk participants through potential pathway options into these courses – options for everybody.

“It’s about letting people know that we can tailor our courses and help you find pathways into the creative courses you want to pursue, explains Lecturer in Art and Performance at Deakin University Anne Wilson. “Whether you’re coming straight from high school, or if you studied teaching 10 years ago and you want to pursue your passion; we can help you.”

It all goes down on Saturday 25 August 2018 (10am – 3:30pm) at Waterfront Deakin University, in the Project Space, Sally Walker Building.

Register today through Eventbrite to secure your spot via bit.ly/2MuS6vA

LUSHIOUS AUSTRALIA Bath bomb lovers rejoice WRITTEN BY CHLOE CICERO

Geelong has finally got its first store completely dedicated to bath bombs! I don’t know about you guys, but I’m super excited about this.

Lushious owner Adam says “I started doing candles, melts and reed diffusers from home for friends and it was taking off, so I decided to start a little hobby from home to see how it went.

“It was slow at the start but as the word got around about my product quality and prices, more and more people were messaging me to get their hands on some, so I decided to register a business and try to make something of it.”

Beginning with a few successful appearances at Belmont markets, Adam soon decided to look for a venue for a small store. “I have a friend who makes the bath bombs, whipped soaps and shampoo bars at his store in Ballarat called Twisted Fizzers. I approached him to see if he would be open to doing some wholesaling and supplying my potential store with his products and we came to an arrangement

I did a lot of theatre work around America in my early days. I just loved the power behind that style of music and I was in Washington at the time and I found three women who also loved to sing the soulful/swing style and we went from there, it was about five years after that we turned it into a touring show,” he says.

“We started with just me on piano and then we added drums and bass and then we added more musicians and singers and dancers and bigger bands. So the sound, the combination of my theatrical background and my love the music and the meaning of the lyrics and melodies all led me to gravitate towards showcasing this era.

“I think the reason why the show may have lasted all these years is because we present the music in a thoughtful and meaningful way, which means there is something in this show for everybody.”

Bud also made it very clear, this isn’t just a show for people wanting to reminisce on their youth. Instead it is a show for anyone and everyone.

IN THE MOOD WITH BUD FORREST WRITTEN BY ALEX CALLAN

“We are coming back to Geelong again and I can’t wait!”

If you are a fan of the iconic American sound of the 1940’s and you didn’t manage to make it to ‘In The Mood’ in 2016, now is your chance, and, at the best possible time as this years tour will be mark its Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary).

In the lead up to In The Mood’s whopping 18 date tour of Australia, Forté managed to catch Bud

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Forrest, the man who started the show 30 years ago, “It’s a family show that’s set for all generations. You’ll for a quick chat about what fans can expect and see grandparents with their kids who are also with for the punters that don’t love swing music, why their kids and then they go home and they talk about you should. what the music has meant to them in their lives.

There is a hugely emotional response when the “Why is it that there is so many celebrities that audience hears these songs; regardless of if they continue to perform this style of music?” remarks are up-tempo or romantic or sentimental.”

Bud, “Bette Midler, Harry Connick, Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Christina Aguilera, the list is endless… ‘In the Mood’ will be making its way to Geelong for a one night only intimate “They are all people who grew up listening to that performance at Costa Hall on November 3. kind of music and still perform it to this day, so, to me that says a whole lot about why this music is universally accepted. It has certainly stood the test of time.”

Speaking of standing the test of time, Bud also weighed in on the origins of the show.

“I’m a trained classic pianist. I grew up on Beethoven and Bach, but I’ve always loved musical theatre;

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– all that was left to do was to find a space.”

About a month ago an opportunity for Adam came up in the Geelong CBD and within a week he was getting the keys and starting the fit out.

Lushious opened on Saturday August 11 with a very successful opening day and nothing but positivity surrounding both the store and the products.

With the product range still increasing, they currently have soy candles, soy melts, reed diffusers, bath bombs, shampoo bars, car diffusers, body mists, room sprays and 30ml fragrance oils, with an intent to introduce more products.

Making a commitment to never import goods, Lushious Australia are 100 per cent committed to supporting jobs in Australia, with all ingredients, glassware and in-store products being sourced from Australian suppliers. What’s more is that all products are also 100 per cent natural and vegan, and suitable for even the most sensitive of skin – win, win, win.

Head down to the store today (186 Ryrie Street, Geelong) and pick yourself up some amazing products.

HELL SHIP DOCKS AT THE POTATO SHED Hell Ship – the Journey of the Ticonderoga, is the one-man play, written and performed by Michael Veitch which details one of the most dramatic, yet nowforgotten chapters of Australia’s early maritime history.

In 1852, the emigrant vessel Ticonderoga limped into Port Phillip Bay after a nightmare voyage from England in which a quarter of her nearly 800 passengers and crew had died from typhus. When news of the ‘fever ship’ reached Melbourne, the city went into a panic. Forbidden to come into port, Ticonderoga was instead forced to anchor near Portsea where her remaining passengers were either nursed back to health, or allowed to die. The saga is largely forgotten as has the story of one of its heroes, the young ship’s surgeon who bravely nursed many of the sick passengers back to health.

This man was Michael Veitch’s greatgreat grandfather, James William Henry Veitch. One show only Friday September 7 at The Potato Shed.

OZ KINK FEST The ultimate alternative lifestyle festival returns for 2018 Strap yourself in. The Oz Kink Fest is back, this year at a whole new venue, but again bringing fetish enthusiasts, experts and retailers together for the kinkiest 10 days Melbourne has seen!

The Oz Kink Fest is an annual festival in September for the alternate and kink community of Australia, uniting all those of alternative lifestyles and sexuality groups. The festival offers a variety of opportunities, events and incredible interstate and international talent person and present on a wide range of techniques and skills for all interests and kinks.

Oz Kink Festival aims to help raise the community spirit and provide an event that benefits the alternative lifestyle community at large – with zero judgement. You’ll enjoy high quality entertainment – including some great music, workshops including both educational and community

building based, along with the best and hottest parties in town – the Fetish Expo after party should definitely be on your ‘to do’ list.

Kicking things off on September 15, the Fetish Expo is where you’ll want to be. With a unique trading and socialising environment, somewhere safe and welcoming to all, the expo features more than 60 local and interstate stallholders – with the majority specialising in toys for men, including major sponsors, Aphrodite’s Pleasure, Lucrezia and De Sade, Sanctuary, SEX LIFE THERAPY and Eagle Leather. Here, you’ll find everything and anything, from shoes to corsets or even whips and chains - whatever your fetish, you will find it here. The expo also features performances every hour (including a tempting live show by MenXclusive), fantastic food, educational and community connection opportunities, a Grand Fashion Show which showcases some of Australia’s finest alternative designers and finishes up with one of the hottest parties in town. If you’re not sure what you’re into, or you just want to dip your toes in and buy yourself something pretty, than the Fetish Expo is the event for you.

For the city, whose alternative lifestyle community is growing – and includes those interested in fetish, leather and kinks, amongst others, this festival is an opportunity to learn, share experiences and take part

in new experiences. The Oz Kink Festival provides a safe, informative and educational environment for socialising and learning all about what is often kept secret.

“This is the best opportunity for those interested in incorporating BDSM or other kink elements into their lives to learn first-hand from professionals and experts, rather than going it on their own,” explains OKF Producer, Mz Mallice. “All are welcome to explore their hidden desires and utmost fantasies in a safe, informative, and social environment.”

Some other highlights of the festival, besides the Fetish Expo of course, includes ten of Australia’s brightest lights in kink and alternative fashion design have their creations paraded at the show-stopping Grand Fetish Fashion Show at Fetish Expo; competitions for best outfits at the festival; performances by some of Australia’s biggest kink names, and some international guests, including “Polyfilla”, Mistress Tokyo, Electra Amore; hard-core dungeon play spaces; and skill shares and workshops presented by local and international presenters, with topics including bondage, medical play, fire flogging, and heaps more! Whether you’re looking for education, connection, or sheer recreation, the Kink Fest has you covered.

If you have ever harboured any form of interest in the alternative lifestyle community this festival is the perfect chance to learn more, and to discover people with a wide range of interests. This is an opportunity to try something, or several somethings for the first time, and a chance to play out any hidden desires, or even to attempt your biggest and/or deepest fantasy.

With a mission statement that includes providing entertainment, safety, education, and fun for those living an alternative lifestyle Oz Kink Festival will have something for everyone, ranging for newbies and those with a mild interest to the most experienced. It will be a fun experience for all and an experience that keeps on giving.

When & Where: Various locations across Melbourne - September 14 - 24 Find out more via www.ozkinkfest.com/

– what does it mean to you to be able to make an international debut in Melbourne?

I’ve always had a fascination with Australia as a place, even as a child, and the process for Melbourne Fringe happened so quickly it was almost as if we were meant to be here. I’m just so grateful and excited to even have this opportunity!

What are you hoping people take away from the musical?

The characters are all people you can identify in your own social circles, and the plot is not unfamiliar. Nearly everyone has gone through a heartbreak. The show is taking a satirical approach to my real heartbreak story, and I think the language and style of the show will really lend themselves to being able to tell it in an honest, and funny way.

A show written by women Can you talk us through the song writing process for this musical?

- for women (or men who I wanted all the women to have at least one solo aren’t f*ckboys) number in the show, that was very important to me. The lyrics and melody came before the chord Fresh off a sold-out run and Critics’ structures, which came to life at the hands of our wonderful Music Director, Nishaa Carson. We would Choice Award winner at the Orlando Fringe literally sit in her living room, drinking mimosas Festival in 2018, F*ckboys the Musical will and writing songs. Pretty solid writing process, if make its international debut at this year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival 18-23 September. I say so myself.

In this hilarious, one-act, original musical and Just to finish up, do you recommend boys dramatic comedy, four women will teach you the coming to see this or is that a no-go? skills you need to take down the most dangerous Oh no, the boys NEED to see this show! Please do predators plaguing the modern dating scene: not think this is a show bashing men in any way. It’s the F*ckboy. We sat down with writer/director so much more than that. And hey, you might learn Savannah Cassidy Pederson for a quick chat. something about yourself along the way...

Hi Savannah, thanks for chatting to Forte.

We’re all dying to know the backstory.

Check it out from September 18-23 at Well, long story short, I was head-over-heels the Fringe Hub @ Lithuanian Club, 44 in love with this boy, and he broke my heart. Errol St., North Melbourne. Tickets via The relationship was struggling for awhile but I info@melbournefringe.com.au still found myself so in love with someone who unfortunately didn’t reciprocate those feelings. I TO CELEBRATE OPENING NIGHT OF F*CKBOYS THE MUSICAL, WE’VE had so many things I wanted to tell him after the fact, but couldn’t, since he jumped into a new GOT THREE DOUBLE PASSES FOR relationship about a week after kicking me out of TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18 UP FOR our house. So as a means of therapy, I took a week GRABS. JUST EMAIL YOUR NAME, off work, sat down, and started writing.

NUMBER AND CODE WORD ‘F*CKBOYS’ Since a sold-out run, and taking away a critic’s choice award at the Orlando Fringe festival TO TALIA@FORTEMAG.COM.AU

F*CKBOYS THE MUSICAL

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film reviews

WEST OF SUNSHINE

BY ANTHONY MORRIS

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS

Jim (Damian Hill) has a nice car, a steady job as a courier, and – as we find out – a very hefty debt. The one thing he doesn’t have is the $15 grand he owes Banos (Tony Nikolakopoulos), and his big plan to get it (the second race at Ballarat) is not exactly one that inspires confidence. That’s not his only worry across this one big day: he’s also got to look after his son Alex (Ty Perham – Hill’s real-life stepson), and because he’s not allowed to take Alex with him in a company vehicle, they’re going to spend the day delivering packages from Jim’s much-loved 70’s car. Writerdirector Jason Raftopoulos has a strong eye for locations and this is a great tour of Melbourne’s western suburbs; he’s also written in Jim the kind of self-sabotaging character constantly digging the hole he’s in just that little bit deeper. Can he turn things around now he has a son depending on him?

It’s probably been long enough to justify wheeling out the classic “kids genre done for adults” joke, but when previous examples include Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Team America you really need to bring something special to the party. The big innovation here is that it’s largely played straight: while the basic idea of puppets being treated as second class citizens and having grown-up lives is played for laughs (puppets having sex!

Puppets doing drugs! Puppets getting their heads blown off!) the story here is pretty much a traditional late-80s era buddy cop movie. Ex-cop turned PI (what, no “puppet investigator” joke?) Phil Phillips (puppeteer Bill Barretta, who also provides the voice) finds himself tangled up in a string of murders seemingly targeting the former cast members of hit puppet sitcom The Happytime Gang, and is forced to work with his former partner Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy) – the cop who had him thrown off the force. The adult puppet jokes aren’t exactly subtle and miss more than they hit, but the buddy cop murder mystery is pretty solid and McCarthy gets to give a more entertainingly unhinged performance than she’s served up in a while. If the idea of foul-mouthed puppet sex sounds hilarious, then this is the film for you.

THE MEG

THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME

THE DARKEST MINDS

The Meg is one of those movies that has a story but it doesn’t really need one: all you need to know is that it’s Jason Statham versus a giant prehistoric shark, and either that has you running towards the cinema or away from it. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you need to know – for starters, no, Statham doesn’t actually punch out the shark. But he does give a surprisingly strong performance here; with this, his recent work in the Fast & Furious films, and Spy, he’s back as one of Hollywood more entertaining not-quite leading men. Okay, but it’s still a movie about a giant shark: is there any gore? Sadly no, unless you count the chum they tip into the water at one point when they’re trying to lure the shark to its doom, and while there are a couple of severed body parts left behind, this is really pretty mild on the chomp scale. Which is even more disappointing as most of the supporting cast seem perfect shark snacks but only a handful get chowed down. But the shark looks cool, there are a few effective jump scares, and… look, it’s Statham versus a shark, so you’ve probably already bought your ticket.

Audrey (Mila Kunis) is a slacker with only two distinctive features - she has a boyfriend (Justin Theroux) who seems out of her league and a best friend, Morgan (Kate McKinnon), who seems a bit of a handful. Then it turns out the boyfriend is a spy, a whole bunch of other spies want him dead and his precious cheap junk sports trophy in their hands (there’s obviously something important inside it, okay), and Audrey and Morgan end up going to Europe to complete his mission in the usual violent spy fashion. The action comedy is a kind of film Hollywood loves to make but usually struggles with: the big twist here in an otherwise somewhat uneven film is that it’s a couple of friends going through all this stuff. There’s not really any plot reason for Audrey to have a best friend along with her, but this wouldn’t be half the film it is without Morgan there. They have real chemistry together, they’re fun to watch playing off each other, and seeing two people who care about each other is almost always entertaining to watch. If this is the start of a long-lived movie partnership, hurrah! Having them just spending time messing about is more than most movies have to offer.

It’s the future (but not far into the future), and kids everywhere have caught a disease that gives them strange new powers (or kills them off camera). Adults, as you’d expect, fear and loathe this development, and promptly colour-code their kids: green is super-smart, yellow is electrical powers, blue is telekinesis, and orange – as Ruby (Amandla Stenberg) discovers when she accidentally wipes her parents memories of her – can manipulate minds. The adults also put the kids in camps, where oranges and reds are put to death upon detection; Ruby uses her powers to pass for a green, spends the next six years in a camp, and then things start to get interesting. But not that interesting: this is basically a teen road trip-slash-love story with a few super-powered action scenes and an overly complicated set-up (there are various factions, all varying shades of bad guy). The big problem is that it has too much story to get through; while early on this works fine – it gets off to a breakneck start – it never gets time to settle down and let the characters develop. Which, considering the “to be continued” ending (which it’s box office failure makes even more annoying), it really, really needed to do.

RECORD WATCH

STAFF PICKS

Michael Abels

TALIA

Get Out [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

TROPHY EYES - THE AMERICAN DREAM

Via Waxwork Records

NATHAN

Written and directed by Jordan Peele, GET OUT is a critically acclaimed 2017 American horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams. The film’s music was scored by composer Michael Abels, and it also features his debut as a film composer.

MONSTROSITY - IMPERIAL DOOM

JOSH CROSSFAITH - XENO

GET OUT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features the complete soundtrack by composer Michael Abels, deluxe packaging, new artwork by Leslie Herman, a printed insert with exclusive liner notes by Jordan Peele, 180 gram “Garden Party” green marbled vinyl, and old style tip-on gatefold jackets with satin coating.

CHLOE PANIC AT THE DISCO - PRAY FOR THE WICKED

GLENN

Available from Gifts For The Geek.

KREATOR - PLEASURE TO KILL

155 Ryrie Street, Geelong.

BACK TO BURGUNDY

TEA WITH THE DAMES

THURS 23: 11:00AM, 6:00PM FRI 24: 3:00PM SAT 25: 3:00PM, 7:15PM SUN 26: 1:30PM MON 27: 11:00AM, 6:00PM TUES 28: 11:00AM, 3:30PM WED 29: 11:00AM, 6:00PM THURS 30: 11:00AM FRI 31: 4:20PM SUN 2: 8:40PM MON 3: 4:20PM TUES 4: 3:00PM SAT 8: 11:00AM SUN 9: 3:20PM MON 10: 8:00PM WED 12: 5:10PM

SAT 25: 11:00AM SUN 26: 4:00PM

TWO IS A FAMILY THURS 23: 1:30PM FRI 24: 6:00PM SUN 26: 11:00AM MON 27: 1:30PM WED 29: 1:30PM SUN 2: 11:00AM

DISOBEDIENCE SAT 25: 9:20PM BREAKER UPPERERS THURS 23: 4:00PM, 8:15PM FRI 24: 1:00PM, 8:30PM SAT 25: 1:00PM, 5:20PM SUN 26: 6:00PM, 8:00PM MON 27: 4:00PM, 8:15PM TUES 28: 6:00PM WED 29: 4:00PM, 8:15PM SAT 1: 11:00AM, 9:00PM SUN 2: 3:15PM, 7:00PM MON 3: 12:40PM TUES 4: 1:00PM, 5:20PM WED 5: 11:00AM, 2:20PM THURS 6: 6:00PM FRI 7: 5:20PM SAT 8:

7:30PM MON 10: 6:00PM TUES 11: 1:00PM WED 12: 3:15PM RGB FRI 24: 11:00AM TUES 28: 1:30PM SAT 1: 3:00PM SUMMER 1993 THURS 30: 5:15PM FRI 31: 2:20PM SAT 1: 5:00PM SUN 2: 1:15PM MON 3: 2:20PM, 6:30PM TUES 4: 8:40PM WED 5: 4:00PM THURS 6: 1:30PM FRI 7: 11:00AM SAT 8: 3:40PM SUN 9: 5:40PM MON 10: 1:30PM TUES 11: 9:10PM WED 12: 1:15PM WEST OF SUNSHINE THURS 30: 1:15PM FRI 31:

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11:00AM, 6:40PM SAT 1: 1:00PM, 7:15PM SUN 2: 5:15PM MON 3: 11:00AM, 8:30PM TUES 4: 11:00AM, 7:00PM WED 5: 12:40PM, 6:00PM THURS 6: 4:00PM FRI 7: 1:00PM, 7:15PM SAT 8: 5:40PM, 9:20PM SUN 9: 11:00AM MON 10: 4:00PM TUES 11: 11:00AM, 5:15PM WED 12: 9:30PM ON CHESIL BEACH THURS 6: 11:00AM, FRI 7: 3:00PM, 9:00PM SAT 8: 1:20PM SUN 9: 1:00PM, 7:40PM MON 10: 11:00AM TUES 11: 3:00PM, 7:00PM WED 12: 11:00AM, 7:20PM

Hannah Cameron: I Lay Where You Lie When: Thursday August 9 Where: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne Supports: Luke Brennan and Leah Senior Reviewed by Aine Keogh Photos by Greg Holland / gregholland.co It was an intimate evening of folk fuelled beauty at Hannah Cameron’s, ‘I Lay Where You Lie’ album launch last week. Following a hearty bar dinner, the set kicked off with the sweet tones of Melbourne based singer/songwriter Leah senior, who had no problem in silencing her humble audience within seconds with her indie rooted sounds.

adding depth to intricate fingerpicking and dreamy vocals. By this stage everyone in the audience was engulfed in awe of Cameron’s astounding ability.

As the set progressed, Cameron’s ensemble entered into tones of slightly more folk rock, entailed with smooth key changes, drifting from rocky minors to haunting melodies. The subtle decoration of sax and keys (and not to mention the edition dry ice) added a picturesque, film like notion the whole set through. Cameron then said a brief goodbye to her band and was solo with just her guitar as she performed ‘Just Leave Me Here’, sending goose-bumps through the entire venue.

It was with great joy and surprise that Cameron brought to the stage Luke Brennan and Leah Senior to begin wrapping up the evening, with a sweet cover of Crosby, Stills and Nash’s ‘Helplessly Hoping’.

I would recommend to anyone who sees the name Hannah Cameron around town to do all they can to make it to a show, even if Folk isn’t your usual forte. It was a sophisticated ensemble of sound and a stunning night of folk and story telling and I can’t wait to see where Hannah takes her music next.

Echoes of Greatness in Bendigo

Singing themes of nature and love, Senior’s vocals caressed and flowed as the crowds amassed. Decorated with the accompaniment of her sister, Andi Senior on backing vocals and Jesse Williams on keys and guitar, Leah gave a hauntingly exquisite opening set, gifting great promise for what was to come.

Next to take to the stage was Luke Brennan and his band who picked up the pace a little with their alt-country rock love songs. Scattered with soulful, western tones and refined with Brennan’s honest and warm vocals, it was a set of uncut emotion, gripping the growing audience as they continued to accrue.

After a beautiful two opening sets, Hannah Cameron entered onto the stage, accompanied with her five band members. Beginning with a single from 2017, ‘No Pen of Mine’, Cameron caressed the crowd with classic folk melodies, while a warm sax solo added beauty and charm. Her second song was introduced with a haunting fragment from keys,

Where: The Capital, Bendigo When: July 7 2018 Reviewed by Alex Lynch Undoubtedly one of the most influential bands of the 20th century and loved by many all across the globe, Pink Floyd produced an audio/visual experience very few artists could match. Tribute band Echoes of Pink Floyd try their best to replicate and bring the incredible experience that captivated fans worldwide into the modern era, in which they succeed.

Starting off with a bang, vocalist Matt Goodluck entered, claiming the stage with undeniable confidence and a demeanour only a front man could achieve. But Matt would not be alone in trying to replicate the experience, the entire band maintained an energy right off the bat that would do the original band proud, along with the visual backdrop of a four-meter circle projecting video appropriate to each song played – the story of Pink Floyd would be told in a unique and creative way.

As the night progressed, so did the intensity of the visual experience, delving deeper and deeper into the magnificent history of the band. Playing many of Pink Floyd’s hits such as ‘Another Brick in The Wall’, ‘Money’, ‘Wish You Were Here’ and many more, the audience satisfaction levels were high, producing long and loud applause after each song, even treated with a guest appearance during ‘Another Brick in The Wall’ from the kids at California Gully Primary School (one of Bendigo’s local primary schools) which garnered even more respect from the crowd.

The night was a resounding success, the crowd paying homage to the dedication, commitment and preparation required to make the tribute of one of the greatest bands to ever exist work. Audio and visuals were absolutely on point (aside from a small feedback issue during ‘Wish You Were Here’) and if you weren’t lucky enough to witness Pink Floyd live, Echoes of Pink Floyd are your best bet at experiencing the master-work of the legendary band in this day and age.

LEEDEN

BABY 8

LEGS ELECTRIC

THE GEORGIA BROOKS SWINGTET

Self-Titled EP

We Hate Each Other, But We Hate You More

Two Sides

With Thee I Swing

Independent

KASUMUEN

Firestarter Distribution

Belle Musique Entertainment

Reviewed by Josh Dowling

Reviewed by Glenn Lynch

Reviewed by Lauren McKinnon

Reviewed by Ross Williamson (Jazz presenter, 94.7 The Pulse)

LEEDEN make their entrance into the local scene with the release of their EP that can be best described as an enjoyable expedition into the depths of alt-rock music. In the vein of Eskimo Joe, Arcade fire and a sprinkle of The Beatles, the opening track Infinity is a good indicator of what is to come in the EP - An exceptional collection of Alternative rock.

However the stand-out track on the EP is Love Destroyer, despite feeling a little out of place among the smooth and consistent tones of previous tracks, its a welcomed way to close the EP as it offers some differentiation in its style, a real rock’n’roll throw back that carries vibes of The Doors.

Formulating rhythmic hooks and accompanying them with simple, yet enchanting melodic pathways, LEEDEN have created a good foundation for the band to build upon into future releases - definitely a band to keep a close eye on.

It would be easy to pigeon hole this band after the Perth rock goddesses Legs Electric are back to blow This is a real treat of an album with significant Geelong input. Talented local instrumentalists Ben opening track, but that would do Baby 8 a disservice. your mind with their second EP, ‘Two Sides’ with their infectious, hook driven, toe tapping rock n’ roll that Calderazzo (guitar), Sean Loughran (drums), Kym Said track, ‘Night Wants to Kill’, kicks in with a hard hitting drum beat, and a trusty three chord riff leading appeals to a wide audience.

Dillon (piano) and Michelle Scully (bass) are led to a catchy chorus. Do it again, chuck in a bit of lead, Two Sides opens with ‘Dark Paradise’ the first single

by Melbourne singer Georgia Brooks, a rising star. from this EP, and it is a killer track. You can hear those Geelong sound engineer Isaac Barter mixed and then back to the chorus, and bang! there’s your song!

This is three chord Aussie sounding rock that would 70s influences shining through with that ‘Edge of mastered the album. not be out of place at a 90’s infused grunge get together. Seventeen’ chugging guitar riff and fantastic smokey Brooks has a clear and appealing voice with superb It certainly doesn’t lack in drive, with Matty Whittle Stevie Knicks like vocals. The second track “Wanna articulation. She respects the songs and allows on drums (for those of us who remember them, he Riot” is another of my favourites, and is indeed as the listeners to appreciate them too. played with GOD, ) providing some oomph and Katy name suggests upbeat with interesting, energetic riffs.

The songs are well-known and the style is very Dixon (Powerline Sneakers) delivering some well Next is ‘Shine Right Through’ a slower track but listener-friendly. It’s jazzy and foot-tapping stuff. placed vocals. with a harder hitting chorus complete with funky Highlights include the group’s bouncy “I’m Crazy Track four, ‘Let’s Evolve (Reprise)’ diverts a little off rhythms that dip and dive. ‘Strange Addiction’ has ‘Bout My Baby” and a thoughtful “On A Slow Boat to the chosen path, and is a bit more moody, and one of China.” You might know the title track from its 1936 a steady rhythm and catchy hook, complete with the best songs on the album as far as I am concerned. ‘ooh-oohs’ and playful licks. The last song of the EP is recording by Billie Holiday.

As the album goes on, you will understand this ‘Kingdom’ a strong track with attitude, catchy lyrics Georgia Brooks and drummer Sean Loughran are keen swing dancers and that’s the feel that infuses is not just three chord slapped together rock, but and backing vocals you’ll want to belt along to, a nice something that has a little attitude, a change in feel, end to the EP. the whole album. If you like Hetty Kate’s style, this light and dark shades, and is a rather solid release. The From listening to this EP and seeing them live first delightful album will appeal. bass, delivered by Maureen Gearon likes to do its own hand I can say they are all insanely talented musicians that complement each other well, coming together to thing at times, which is a good thing, and Katie Dixon create a bohemian rock powerhouse. knows when to hold back on the riffage.

Add this EP to your playlist on rotation, I know I would lie if I said “We Hate Each Other, But We Hate You More” is strong from go to whoa, but has I have, and see these ladies live before they take on enough going on and is well played enough to keep the world. the interest maintained throughout, and is sure to find plenty of fans.

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Franz Ferdinand + MGMT Where: Festival Hall, Melbourne When: Tuesday July 24 Reviewed by Lauren McKinnon

As soon as I walked in to the iconic Festival Hall I could feel the nostalgia wash over me. I was immediately transported back to the early 00’s. Two era-defining bands of that time at the forefront of the indie genre were Franz Ferdinand and MGMT. Fresh from their Splendour in the Grass sets and ready to perform for a Melbourne crowd. MGMT is up first accompanied by colourful psychedelic visuals and a giant blow up clown, a replica of the character on the cover of MGMTs new album ‘Little Dark Age’. As people are still pouring in MGMT open

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with their new album’s title track. Next is ‘When You Die’ one of my favourite tracks from the new album, followed by ‘James’ and ‘Weekend Wars’.

‘She Works Out Too Much’ is impressively sung atop an exercise bike and followed by a fabulously catchy tune, ‘Me and Michael.’ As they launch into ‘Time to Pretend’ the crowd really starts to move and the dancing escalates as ‘Electric Feel’ starts to play. The anthem ‘Kids’ is the highlight of the set with everyone singing along, mixed in with a spontaneous techno section. Finally the set closes with a slow track ‘Congratulations’ from their second album, an interesting choice, but chosen as the song was written by MGMT in Melbourne 10 years ago.

After a beer or two the looping black and white patterned visuals appear on screen and Franz Ferdinand take to the stage opening ‘The Dark of the Matinée’ a single from their debut album. Alex Kapranos is an entertaining and talented frontman interacting with the crowd and powerfully scissor kicking his way around the stage. ‘No You Girls’ and ‘Do You Want To’, send the crowd into a euphoric singalong. The rocking new track ‘Always Ascending’ the title track from their latest album kept everyone moving. Franz Ferdinand play some tracks from their most recent records, going back and forth between songs from Always Ascending (2018) and Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions (2013).‘Take Me Out’ is an obvious crowd favourite as everyone dances around ecstatically as the disco ball spins above the stage. The departure and silence before the encore was not at all mistaken for the end of the set, the audience was still awaiting a favourite, yet to be heard. Hands rose as ‘This Fire’ began to play. Kapranos ordered the sea of fans to crouch down, building tension and jump up again to dance away a fantastic finale.

The haze of nostalgia fades as a satisfied crowd depart Festival Hall. Franz Ferdinand and MGMT, an unlikely combination unite to perform to a crowd with more mature ears, creating an elated dance down memory lane.

Hank Wood & The Hammer Heads unleashed at The Barwon Club Where: The Barwon Club Hotel When: Friday August 3 Reviewed by Alex Callan Photos by Ben Forde

Truthfully I don’t know a whole lot about Hank Wood & The Hammer Heads but after Tyler from Vintage Crop’s endorsement I knew that I had to check them out. And here I am, publically thanking him, because I’m so glad I didn’t miss out on this one.

Starting off the night was local legends Sex Ed. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances (the footy being much closer than expected) I missed their set, but according to four of the five punters I asked about them, everyone had an unreal time.

Next up where Cereal Killer who have been crafting a reputation for being one of the craziest

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punk/hardcore bands in Victoria at the moment and they are well and truly deserving of the praise.

Perfectly reviving the old-school hardcore sound that acts like Black Flag and Minor Threat made prominent, Cereal Killer blasted through their set with constant ferocity.

Obviously it’s no surprise considering they are on Anti-Fade, but with metal/punk/hardcore having such a prominent fan-base throughout Victoria I can’t help but think how many fans Cereal Killer should have that just may not have heard of them yet. Pretty much, if you like music that’s fast, hard and aggressive you seriously need to check them out, don’t waste any time with it either, check them out as soon as you can because I can really see them moving onto some great things.

Next up was the synth-punk act UV Race who were a really nice change up. Not dropping the intensity for the night their set maintained fastpaced riff’s but the balance added by the synth/ keyboard was incredibly noticeable. Giving an underlying melody to their unique brand of punk rock that made their music just as easy to mosh/ dance too as it was to just sit back and enjoy. I can definitely see these guys quickly becoming festival favourites in the near future.

New Yorks’ Hank Wood & The Hammer Heads closed up the night. Being their fourth trip to Australia and first time to Geelong it was evident just how keen the punters where. It may not have been a sell out show but out of those in attendance, it seemed as if there wasn’t single people who wasn’t enjoying themselves.

Performing songs such as “You Wanna Die” off their most recent self titled EP fans where in a frenzy, with people moshing around with one hand while simultaneously holding their beer in the other hand. Playing without an encore, Hank Wood’s set was a visceral experience of short, sharp punk performed exactly how it should have been.

Although I may not have known enough by them to consider myself a fan at the start of the night, I can guarantee I’ll be there singing along to every song upon their next return. These guys are honestly so bloody good.

WRITTEN BY ALASTAIR MCGIBBON

BLUES NEWS

WRITTEN BY JOHN (DR JOHN) LAMP

TOO HEAVY TO HUG

SURFBEAT

WRITTEN BY ANTHONY MORRIS

POP

PULP

WRITTEN BY PAUL S. TAYLOR

BY JOHN FOSS

If there’s one thing the English excel at, it’s creating snobs who are great at bitchy one-liners. And with the lead of the Patrick Melrose series of novels, author Edward St Aubyn, created a classic – which is why the recent miniseries adaptation (five novels turned into five hour-long episodes) was so eagerly anticipated by fans of snark.

Watching the first episode (the whole thing is out now on DVD), the series delivered everything you could have hoped for: Benedict Cumberbatch is Patrick Melrose, latest offspring of a one-proud family that’s fallen on hard times – in fact, times are so hard he’s the first family member in generations who’s had to work for a living.

Not that he’s doing much work (or living, really) in the opening episode: his father (Hugo Weaving) has just died in New York, and Patrick’s flown over to collect the body… and do a massive amount of drugs, which is how he spends most of his days.

He also loathes his father, which is where things start to get slightly interesting.

The first episode is pretty much a rollercoaster of drug abuse and crazy antics with just enough of an undercurrent of sadness to stop things from drifting off into pointlessness: Melrose might like taking drugs, but there’s a reason behind his addiction.

The second episode fills in the gaps, as over a childhood holiday in the family’s holiday home in the south of France we see his father is a loveless and – literally – abusive monster, while his mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is an ineffectual airhead with issues of her own. There’s still plenty of the trademark wit and quips, but it’s much tougher viewing in parts – and then it turns out that (thankfully) this is what the entire series is about.

The first episode isn’t really a misdirection – being a hard-using party boy is at the core of who Patrick is – but the series is about someone trying to escape their past and become, for want of a better term, a better person; the three instalments that follow, covering the next decade and a half of Patrick’s life, see him battling against his addictions (which aren’t limited to drink and drugs) and trying to become a better father than his was. Relapses happen: they’re nowhere near as fun to watch as they were in the beginning. And Patrick’s anger towards his parents is completely justified: his father was a monster, while his mother provides no support whatsoever (she ends up giving away the family home to a hippie commune).

It’s a series that ends up being about someone deciding that while he might have been given the crap end of the stick, that doesn’t mean he has to go around beating the people he loves with it – and if that sounds a bit too grim and serious, it does also feature Cumberbatch doing his finest work to date as someone always ready with a smart (or smart-arse) line to stick into those around him. He’s a bastard, but he’s a likeable bastard, even when he’s being a bastard to people who really don’t deserve it – and more often than not, that list includes himself.

Hey everyone! Hold on to your hats, because Pulp is back once again to send you careening into the pit of madness and despair that is the twisted world of 2000AD. That’s right, gang – I’m back on the Judge Dredd train, and the brakes have been shot out by a high-ex round! This week, I’ve picked up a Judge Dredd comic that goes right to the heart of all that is Joe Dredd – Judge Dredd: Origins, written and drawn by the OG Dredd maestros John Wagner (A History of Violence) and Carlos Ezquerra (Preacher, Strontium Dog).

Origins, as the name suggests, is the origin story of Judge Dredd himself. What is not immediately obvious, however, is that Dredd’s origins tie in closely with the origins of the Judges themselves. One of the longest running story arcs in 2000AD history, Origins definitively covers the early days of the Judge Dredd universe, and coincided with the 30th anniversary of the title.

A sealed, refrigerated package is delivered to the Grand Hall of Justice in Mega City One. What it contains is a ransom note – demanding one billion credits for the safe return of the founding Chief Justice – and father of both the Judges and Dredd himself – Fargo. The problem?

Fargo has been dead for decades... or so it was thought. With the Judges desperate to locate the body of their founder, Dredd is chosen to lead a crack team of Judges out into the Cursed Earth and track down the group that claims to have the father of justice alive in captivity.

Origins is more than just Judge Dredd’s own person origin story. While Wagner and Ezquerra took pains to sort out the contradictions in Dredd’s own early days, they also put a lot of care into fully developing the setting of the story. Origins is told primarily through flashbacks; as Dredd and his team track their prey, Dredd retells the story of how the Judges came to be, following the fall of America and the Atomic War of 2070. Wagner does a fantastic job of setting the scene; Mega City One seems so far removed from modern society, so I’d always been curious about how things could go so wrong.

My one sticking point with Origins is Ezquerra’s art style. I didn’t actually realise that he’d worked on Preacher prior to researching this column, but I saw a number of similarities to Steve Dillon’s style so I can see why he was called up to fill in for some one-shots. For the most part, Ezquerra does a good job of portraying the blasted hellscape of the Cursed Earth, but it’s his character designs and closeup line art that suffers; more often than not the characters look lumpy to the point of disfigurement, even when they’re not mutants.

Gripes aside, Origins does a pretty great job of setting the stage for the 2000AD universe. It has its flaws, but it’s still a satisfying story of crime, political intrigue and good ol’ fashioned justice. If you’re a Judge Dredd fan, Origins is required reading. If you’re not a Judge Dredd fan – get stuck in already!

Blues for Lost Souls was back on August 11 and raised $18,500. The total to date since its humble beginnings in 2013 equals just over $140,000 all up … not too bad considering it’s a return from only seven events, including Blues for Bali, earlier this year. The monies raised has enabled so much within our homeless communities and charities.

Founder Greg Dodd and his wife Jan are departing Wednesday to start a new phase in their lives.

What Blues for Lost Souls looks like from here on into the future is presently unknown, but I’m sure it will be back next year.

OK, some happening things in the coming weeks.

Sleepy Hollow is hosting a double header of two local bands. First up is the Ethan Farmer Band. Ethan is a blues and jazz guitarist based in Geelong. He is a much sought-after talent, playing on-stage alongside Australian music legends like Jimi Hocking, Geoff Achison, Marco Goldsmith, Sammy Owen, Wayne Jury and Chris Wilson. The Ethan Farmer Band includes the supremely talented brothers Kane and Sam Watts (drums and bass), who regularly perform jazz and blues gigs in Melbourne and across Victoria. The trio present a blend of blues-based rock tunes with a sizzling jazzy inflection, as well as their interpretations of classic songs from artists like Howling Wolf, Robert Cray, Tracy Chapman and others.

The second band is Pl@n B, who have been making a name on the Bellarine.

Formed two years ago, the Bellarine Peninsula based Pl@n B is a four-piece rock, blues, soul and dance band that has developed a big following after regular gigs at Portarlington’s iconic music wine bar Saints and Sailors. Pl@n B band’s mix of electrifying, floor stomping, danceable music is dynamic. New bass player Gerry, Andrew’s drums and Graeme’s guitar bring the groove to match Jenn’s big voice to power an eclectic mix of vintage hits from the 50s to the 60s plus a mix of the favourite Aussie anthems.

There’s a second Chris Wilson benefit still to come at Pistol Pete’s on the 30th of August. There are two shows, the first from 6 to 8pm and the second from 9 to 12pm.

That should cater for all ages!

Ethan Farmer Band and Pl@n B will be at Sleepy Hollow Blues Club on August 28th and our second local Chris Wilson Benefit on the 30th at Pistol Pete’s.

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

The date has been set for the 2019 Download Festival so thus begins the months of speculation as to which bands will be coming down under for the festival’s second year. Whilst this is good news, and planing is obviously well underway compared to how the final Soundwave was managed, I’m hoping for less of the same bands and I’m looking at you Korn, Slipknot, Mastodon and some more obscure bands. However, if Slayer tie the Oz leg of their farewell world tour into this festival I will feel severely ripped off.

But hey, there’s so much to look forward to over the coming months, let’s hope we get an announcement for the mighty Slayer down under!

BALI… THE LAND OF SUNSETS, SURF AND SHAKING ISLANDS Our third trip to Bali started with a late night flight into Denpasar and a three hour taxi to our accommodation on the west coast near Medewi.

We were woken by the ground literally shaking under our feet and a roar in the air. A quick surf check and an angry ocean that resembled a massive washing machine as solid 12-15 foot waves thundered into the beach.

It was awe inspiring and we spent much of the rest of the day in cafes overlooking the beach checking out the largest swell to hit Bali in over 30 years. Further down the coast, everywhere the surf was huge.

Beaches in Kuta were closed while at the famed Uluwatu surfers were calling the monster waves rolling down the point anywhere from 20-30 feet, depending on who you talked to.

It was crazy and although Bali gets big waves this was another level and parts of the south coast started to resemble North Shore Hawaii such was the size and power of the ocean hitting this small island paradise.

The big surf didn’t go away and hung around for the next two weeks with waves ranging from 6-12 feet most days on all the breaks facing south. This played havoc with surfers looking for a fun wave as they cruised the coast looking for waves both smaller and rideable.

The huge surf also played havoc with the Gili Islands as fast boats and ferries stayed in port during the big swells. Many people took to flying to Lombok to get to the famed Gili Islands while we were lucky and managed to get a boat to Gili Air in between days of huge surf.

Our last few days on Gili Air were magic.

No surf but great sunsets, amazing food and great snorkeling between the three Gili Islands.

Our last night was memorable. We had just completed a stunning Italian dinner at Classico Italiano at 7.45pm when the earthquake struck and suddenly our world was quite literally turned upside down. For 12 seconds the ground rumbled and shook violently throwing everyone around while buildings collapsed and fell around us.

It was frightening and the beginning of a long night in the dark as this beautiful little island was hit with two more major quakes and over 120 aftershocks.

So that was our holiday to Bali… confronted by massive surf the day we arrived and massive earthquakes for the last few days on Gili and Lombok.

Byron Bay is looking good for our family holiday next year!

In other news ++ Boris The Blade will play the Evelyn Hotel on Friday August 24. ++ Satyricon will tear Melbourne’s Max Watts to shreds on Thursday September 6. ++ Whoretopsy, Nemesium and Requiem will play Geelong’s Courthouse at 60 Little Malop St on Friday September 7. ++ Pig Destroyer’s new album Head Cage will drop on Friday September 7. ++ The Sword will be at Max Watts on Saturday September 8. ++ Therion will play their first ever Melbourne show at Max Watts on Wednesday September 12. ++ Tesseract will play 170 Russell on Friday September 14. ++ Sumac will release their new album Love In Shadow in Friday September 21. ++ The Black Dahlia Murder with special guests Aborted and Zeolite will crush Melbourne’s Max Watts on Sunday September 23. ++ Anthrax’s Scott Ian will bring his One Man Riot spoken word tour to Oz and will be at Goldfields Theatre – MCEC on Wednesday September 26. ++ Anaal Nathrakh will release their new album A New Kind Of Horror on Friday September 28. ++ Behemoth will release their new album I Loved You At Your Darkest on Friday October 5. ++ Dimmu Borgir will headline their first ever Oz tour this October and their SOLD OUT Melbourne show will be at 170 Russell on Wednesday October 17. Fortunately, the band have announced a second show on Tuesday October 16. Get in quick before this one sells out as well! ++ Eye Of The Enemy, Fall and Resist, As Flesh Decays, Interitum and Distorta will all play Ballarat’s Eastern Hotel on Friday October 19. ++ Bruce Dickinson will perform his one man spoken word show, What Does This Button Do – A Conversation with Bruce Dickinson at the Palais Theatre on Friday October 19. ++ Pig Destroyer will play The Arthouse on Tuesday October 30. ++ Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage and Thy Art Is Murder will play Margaret Court Arena on Friday November 2. ++ Conan and Bell Witch be at Max Watts on Thursday November 8. ++ Sinsaenum will play Max Watts on Saturday November 10. ++ An Evening With Steven Wilson will take place at the Palais Theatre on Saturday November 10. ++ Amenra, YLVA and LO! will be at Max Watts on Saturday November 17.

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++ If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to tooheavytohug@ hotmail.com or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug

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