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THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: The Return FOR MORE UP TO DATE NEWS GO TO BEAT.COM.AU
UPCOMING
JULY
JUNE
ONTOUR JEHST [UK] Friday June 29, Prince Bandroom DJ STEPHANIE [ITA] Friday June 29, Brown Alley SWINDLE [UK] Friday June 29, Laundry Bar HUXLEY [UK] Friday June 29, Mercat Basement SURKIN [FRA] Saturday June 30, The Bottom End DARK SKY [UK] Saturday June 30, Laundry Bar DIRTYPHONICS [USA] Friday July 6, Brown Alley ENEI [RUS] Friday July 6, Brown Alley ALEX KENJI [ITA] Saturday July 7, Club Soda RUSS CHIMES [UK] Saturday July 7, Pretty Please BROOKES BROTHERS [UK] Friday July 13, Brown Alley NIC FANCIULLI [UK] Friday July 13, New Guernica ALEX SMOKE [UK] Friday July 13, Brown Alley RICHARD DURAND [NED] Saturday July 14, Room680 DR. OCTAGON [USA] Saturday July 14, The Espy LADYHAWKE [NZ] Tuesday July 17, Billboard JAMIE XX [UK] Tuesday July 17, New Guernica LIL’ LOUIS [USA] Friday July 20, New Guernica CHEZ DAMIER [USA] Friday July 20, Brown Alley SVEN WEISEMANN [GER], BASIC SOUL UNIT [CAN] Friday July 20, The Liberty Social SKREAM [UK], PLASTICIAN [UK] + JOKER [UK] Friday July 20, Billboard RENNIE PILGREM [UK] Friday July 20, Royal Melbourne Hotel THOMAS SCHUMACHER [GER] Friday July 20, Onesixone VAKULA [UKR] Friday July 27, Mercat Basement GIRL UNIT [UK] + NGUZUNGUZU [USA] Friday July 27, Revolver BARE [USA] Friday July 27, Brown Alley OLIVER $ [GER] Saturday July 28, Prince Bandroom MIIKE SNOW [SWE] Tuesday July 31, Palace Theatre BRAWTHER [FRA] Friday August 3, Mercat Basement ALVIN RISK [USA] Saturday August 4, Prince Bandroom Z-TRIP [USA] Thursday August 9, Prince Bandroom KATE SIMKO [USA] Friday August 10, Brown Alley CHLOE HARRIS Friday August 10, Brown Alley PERC [UK] Friday August 17, Brown Alley JAMES LAWSON [UK], SKOL [UK], RIKSTA [US] + MORE Friday August 17, Room680 CHRIS LAKE [UK] Saturday August 18, Seven RED RACK ‘EM [UK] Friday September 7, The Croft Institute JOHN ‘00’ FLEMING [UK] Friday September 7, Brown Alley OCTAVE ONE [USA] Friday September 14, Mercat Basement ROGER SHAH [GER] Saturday September 15, Room680 EIFFEL 65 [ITA], N-TRANCE [UK] Thursday September 20, The Palace BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY [USA] Thursday September 20, The Espy HERNAN CATTANEO [ARG], FRITZ KALKBRENNER [GER] Friday September 21, Brown Alley RICK WADE [USA] Friday September 28, The Croft Institute PARKLIFE: JUSTICE [FRA], PASSION PIT [USA], PLAN B [UK] + MORE Saturday October 6, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
REAL TALK
Have you ever caught the first train home from a night out? Of course you have. Have you ever fallen asleep just before your stop? Perhaps not. Well, I’m now very well acquainted with the little piece of suburbia called Merinda Park. Goddamn it. Tyson Wray
Z-Trip: Rollin’ And Scratchin’
America’s king of beats Z-Trip aka Zach Sciacca is descending down under to showcase his new live A/V show. Schooled by luminaries such as Grandmaster Flash, Trip now shuttles turntablism into the digital realm - a reason why he was headhunted by Rane and Serato, alongside being an instrumental player in the development of the DJ Hero videogame series. Z-Trip has provided a number of exclusive and official remixes for artists Nirvana, 2pac and LL Cool J, cementing the mash-up maestro as a household name. Z-Trip is returning to Australia for the first time in two and a half years and will play the Prince Bandroom on Thursday August 9.
Parklife: The Big Reveal
Finally, it’s here. The waiting game and the intense speculation over the Parklife lineup has abated and after 2011’s effort, we couldn’t have been happier. It’s a big one, so pay careful attention. Australian favourites The Presets, last heard from four long years ago with Apocalypso, step up to take on headline duties for the festival. It’s been awhile since anyone has heard from them, but with a new album set for release, no doubt the Sydneyside duo will have a few new tricks to show off. Also on board; US electropop outfit Passion Pit, East London rapper, singer-songwriter and film director Plan B, muchloved French electro staple Justice and plenty of others: Tame Impala, Robyn, Chairlift, Chiddy Bang, Wiley, Hermitude... we could go on all day. Check out the full lineup on the website. Parklife touches down in Melbourne at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday October 6.
Chris Lake: Bright Sounds
Scottish-born and now west London-based, producer Chris Lake’s lengthy and successful career is a testament to his authority within the realms of house and electronic music. His first single released at the tender age of 20, just over ten years ago set the stage for an impressive run of releases, spanning remixes of Leftfield, Sia and Lady Gaga, a crossover hit written alongside Deadmau5, a bevy of successful albums and singles and his own label Rising Music. The bangin’ sounds of his electro-pop crossover productions are all there on the brand-new OneLove Mobile Disco 2012 Compilation, mixed by himself, John Course and Acid Jacks. Time for a party! Chris Lake plays Seven on Saturday August 18.
A quick update on the much-loved Stereosonic, whose full lineup will be revealed. We already suspect it will be one of the festivals of the year, with none other than Dutch trance superstar Tiesto revealing a couple of months early that he’d be headlining, too excited to keep it under wraps, and France-based electro specialist Gesaffelstein and Destructo. Mad Decent’s recently-acquired Moombahton breakout, Dillon Francis is the latest name to be heard from the camp and with this year being the one he blows up, you can expect something special. Described as Moombahton, luvstep, and everything in between, his recent collaborations further afield include hookups with the UK’s Doctor P, as well as the stratospheric chart-topper Calvin Harris - easily walking the line between underground cred and commercial success, whilst remaining alluringly mysterious. Nice! Stay tuned for the full announcement.
Managing Editor: Ronnit Sternfein ronnit@beat.com.au Editor: Tyson Wray tyson@beat.com.au Sub-editor: Nick Taras Listings: club/promoter submissions clubguide@beat.com.au - now online at beat.com.au - it’s free! Production: Pat O’Neill art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Rebecca Houlden Cover Design: Pat O’Neill Advertising Senior Sales: ronnit@beat.com.au (03) 8414 9710 Taryn Stenvei taryn@beat.com.au Fashion and Beverages: Tamara Perenic tamara@furstmedia.com.au Ph: 03 8414 9732 Deadlines: Editorial Friday 2PM – absolutely NO exceptions. Club photos Monday 9AM (email only clubpics@beat.com.au). Advertising artwork Monday 12PM. Photographers: Callum Linsell Contributors: Rezo Kezerashvili, Miki McLay, Shane Scott, Simon Traspier, Brian Rotide, The Knowledge, Ellen Devenney, Dan Watt, Aaron Ralston, Birdie, Liam Pieper, Simon Hampson, Chad-Michael Michaelson, Mikolai, Reuben Adams, David Edgley. Publisher: Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond 3121 Ph 03 9428 3600 www.beat.com.au
EDITORIALDEADLINE - 2PM FRIDAYS NO EXCEPTIONS UP TO DATE
Fevah: Burning Up
Over 15 years, Fevah has become one of the most popular and well respected underground dance brands operating across the world. Throwing parties that regularly packed out venues across London and abroad, the crew steadily built up a following dedicated to their uplifting sounds and wild nights out. These days, the Fevah crew are still on top of the game, a digital online radio station and a record label to their name. Heading to Melbourne for the first time, catch some of the label’s legends in action, including James Lawson, Skol, Riksta, Eamonn Fevah and more. Catch them at Room680 on Friday August 17.
Pure Hard Dance: Birthday Bliss
Ten years is no mean feat in the dance music industry, especially for the party-throwing types, but Pure Hard Dance are a Melbourne institution these days. Since its inception in 2002, the boys and girls behind the name have expanded to become a household name when it came to ravey good times as well as a seriously loved merchandise brand. But it’s always been fundamentally about the spirit of a good party, great music, memories and lifelong friends - a testament to the heydays of the rave scene. To celebrate its ten year track record, the crew are throwing special events across the country with the likes of Soul-T, St Luke, Scott Alert, Master Kaos, Otek, Karpe-DM, Voog and Pazzle and plenty of others on the lineup. It touches down at The Hi-Fi on Saturday July 28.
Alex Smoke: Up In Smoke
Kate Simko: Lights Out
Stepping into the spotlight in 2011 with the release of her first full-length effort Lights Out on Berlin’s esteemed Hello?Repeat, Kate Simko quickly established herself as a producer serious about delivering good times with a custom audio-visual live set programmed by video guru Jeffrey Weeter. She also organised collaborative efforts with Anthony Collins on their EP Sit Back and the PolyRhythmic project with Tevo Howard and demonstrating her keenly honed mixing skills alongside the likes of Derrick Carter, DJ Heather, Miles Maeda, and Justin Long, Simco is a truly multifaceted artist with a compelling take on Chicago-flavoured house and techno. Catch her at Brown Alley on Friday August 10.
Those of you who caught legendary Glaswegian techno-head Alex Smoke at one of his most recent appearances in town will undoubtedly remember him as nothing less than a true hero. Booked for an hour-long set at Revolver, the dude went above and beyond the call of duty to get Melbourne beats fiends moving on the dance floor - struggling through his hour-long set, despite what turned out to be a punctured lung and heading off to the emergency room immediately after stepping off the decks. What a goddamn trooper. A true electronic music artist in every sense of the world, his memorable approach to performing life delivered in his distinctively uncompromising manner has proved successful time and time again, both here and abroad with abstract sounds, techno, classical influenced electronica in the mix, all with a discerning understanding of the dynamics of the dance floor. Catch him at Brown Alley on Friday July 13.
Oliver $: Doing His Thang
Oliver $ has been doing his thang since 2005 with a slew of releases on Grand Petrol Recordings and Jesse Rose’s Made To Play, but it was his 2011 hit Doin’ Ya Thang, which infamously sampled a live recording of Detroit luminary Kenny Dixon Jnr that gave the Berliner his first flash of the spotlight. While Moodymann fans may still be up in arms, Oliver $ has been touring the world, swooning dance floors and proving his talents not only lie in production, but similarly in his DJ sets. Cash in on Oliver $ at the Prince Bandroom on Saturday July 28.
Stereosonic: Sounding Good
RESPONSIBLE:
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Grammy Award winning hip hop legends Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are returning to their “second home” Australia, having already sold out over 20 Australian performances in the past. Having reformed for an upcoming performance at Rock The Bells in August this year, the group have created their fair share of interest regarding the possibilities of a new album and have been introduced to a new generation of hip hop fans thanks to the likes of Drake and Wiz Khalifa expressing their admiration. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony perform at The Espy on Thursday September 20.
Strawberry Fields: The Return
Already dreaming about festival season again? The weekends spent away from the city in the company of friends - a drink in your hand, the sunshine on your shoulders and the magical sounds of the world’s best producers and DJs all day and night? Given the inhospitable weather conditions at present, you might have to wait a few months - but the preparations for good times ahead are in full steam with Strawberry Fields gearing up for this year, throwing their launch party in September with none other than Hernan Cattaneo and Fritz Kalkbrenner touching down to celebrate. Cattaneo’s reputation is a solid one, with a resume that both residencies and slots at some of the world’s biggest festivals, including Exit, Electric Daisy Carnival and Dance Valley - the legendary South American DJ has lived his life through the music that inspires him; inspiring thousands of electronic music lovers across the globe in the process. Berlin-based Fritz Kalkbrenner is a stalwart on the techno scene, with the release of his debut album Here Today Gone Tomorrow in 2010 cementing his reputation not only as a taste making DJ but an outstanding producer, too. Catch the two at Brown Alley on Friday September 21.
Thomas Schumacher: So Much Love To Give
The rig that powers Onesixone, as well as the dancing shoes that have been filling up its dance floors at their always-excellent shows are set to get another serious workout soon, with Thomas Schumacher the next DJ to land in Melbourne soon. An early fan of German punk and new-wave, Schumacher’s range of influences run the full gamut of music - the sounds of early 90s techno from Detroit, Belgium and Germany and the soulful deep grooves of Chicago house drew the then-young producer into the enveloping world of music production and mixing. Recording his debut album in Tokyo to much critical acclaim, before taking off on a hectic international touring schedule and signing to the much-respected Get Physical Music, releasing a range of collaborative efforts with label mates and under his Elektrochemie moniker with Australian vocalist Caitlin and his own solo work, he’s built a solid reputation for deep grooves soon set to be unleashed on Melbourne. Catch him at Onesixone on Friday July 20.
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THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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RHYTHM-AL-ISM
“I see less promoters doing R&B in the future. But those who do, will do it right, and profit from it. Our goal is to be one of those that last, and I’m pretty sure we will.”
MELBOURNE’S: CROWN JEWEL The year 2000 may not have been the futuristic, defining period that was predicted in sci-fi epics but it was still quite the productive time. Eminem and Britney Spears topped the charts, short films first hit the internet and the world overcame the Y2K crisis. As people looked to offload their surplus of bottled water and Finland welcomed its first female president into office, a new revolution was taking place in Melbourne. R&B and hip hop had a new home as Rhythm-al-ism was launched at Club Odeon at Crown Casino. “It seems almost surreal that we’ve been going for 12 years,” the low-key yet energetic Damion De Silva tells us. “We are Australia’s longest weekly R&B night and that’s something to be proud of.” It’s quite a feat considering the fickle nature of the music industry. “It was a different time, R&B was different, and I was a different person,” he reveals. Back in those gloomy days when R&B and hip hop were just starting to make noise in Australia there was Rhythm-al-ism. “R&B was definitely on the up and people really caught onto us when we first launched our night,” De Silva says in hindsight. “Our music was very relevant at the time, mixing up urban and classic R&B as well as the commercial stuff coming through.” Now, over a decade after blazing a trail for the local scene, De Silva and co. will be celebrating their milestone with a big blowout at Fusion nightclub at Crown on Thursday July 5. If that isn’t enough, Damion and his original cohorts, who made up the 7 Deadly Spins crew, will be reuniting to spin the sexiest R&B and urban anthems. The 7 Deadly Spins, consisting of De Silva, K Dee, Dir-X, Puppet, Fluke, Sef and FMR first came together in 1999 to release a now legendary mixtape. While their commitment to quality has remained, De Silva says things have changed over time. “There is only a hand full of us from the very beginning that are still working at the night. Myself, K Dee and FMR are the only three Rhythm-al-ism team members that were there from day one. It’s great, and good to know that we are still relevant.” Just as some of the players have changed so has Rhythm-al-ism. “We’ve had our ups and a few down times over the years,
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as all nights do,” De Silva admits all these years later. “Our numbers are always good, our crowd is good, the music has evolved, but we are still relevant. We have plenty more years ahead of us.” As they celebrate their achievements the next chapter in the Rhythm-al-ism story will begin. Looking to keep evolving as a night, the veteran DJ stresses how mixed the patrons and their song selections are. “We are not a stereotypical R&B night. We mix up a lot of R&B anthems, together with the commercial up-tempo and down-tempo urban hits.” The DJ-promoter says that lasting 12 years was something that didn’t enter his mind back in 2000. “The brand is known Australia wide amongst R&B communities and we have generated a very large database of regulars over the years,” he says with pride. After the first few weeks of running Rhythm-al-ism as regular night at Club Odeon, drawing a crowd of around 400 people, the crew knew they were onto something when the night attracted over 1000 people. “For the next two years, we never fell below 1000 people.” Utilising what at the time was the latest social networking technology, including email and SMS marketing, De Silva and co. were able to keep spreading the word. Along with bringing fans the hottest tunes fresh from the US, their attendance and reputation was further bolstered by a number of big events. Fatman Scoop and the Crooklyn Clan (remember them?) performed live at Rhythm-al-ism at their peak of their Be Faithful powers. They also hosted an after-party for the Good Will Games, with a number of NBA players in attendance, in addition to an after-party for Eminem’s controversial tour of Australia in 2000. “It seems like the years went so fast. With everyone from university students to casino patrons to R&B heads and all sorts of other people we were continuously a full house.” With two successful years under their belts, Rhythmal-ism introduced a room dedicated to house music. Being housed at Crown Casino certainly played a part in the success. “It’s good being at Crown Casino, as we are in a central hub where you are always going to see new faces.” After eight years as a night running at Odeon, and as COVER STORY
attendance took a bit of a downturn, Rhythmal-ism was officially relaunched at the newly renovated Fusion nightclub. “The night took off again and has been going strong ever since,” De Silva says. While he acknowledges that times are tougher now as the market has become more competitive and tastes have changed, he believes that Rhythm-al-ism has grown in its own right. “People expect more variety. But the night is still very successful. Our crowd has definitely evolved, the music has evolved, but we are still Melbourne’s R&B spot on Thursday nights.” It’s been quite a journey for De Silva, who first started learning to DJ over 18 years ago. Starting out as a muso playing in several bands he discovered a new world as he began going clubbing at a very early age. “I sort of migrated across to wanting to DJ. I always loved R&B and hip hop, so that was obviously my genre of choice.” Like most DJs his motivation was always to move the crowd. “I always liked making people happy and giving them a good experience.” During this time however he discovered his biggest calling was being the man behind the scenes. “I think I was always a better promoter than a DJ. I was more worried about the greater perception of everything, the night as a whole.” Before downloading took a firm grip on the industry and way before streaming sites like Spotify came into existence, access to R&B and hip hop was harder to obtain in this country. “In my opinion it was better as a DJ because those who were DJs were serious,” De Silva affirms. “You had to travel all over Melbourne to find records at different stores. You really appreciated it because you paid for it. You had to invest money and a lot of time into the craft.” Just as it was difficult for DJs fans had to head down to the club to hear the latest tracks and remixes. “If a DJ gave you a mixtape you really appreciated it because access to music and certain remixes was limited.” Even as the Rhythm-al-ism brand has grown in recognition the scene as a whole has faced some resistance. “Over the years some venues started to get a bit of a bad name, mainly because of promoters that ran R&B nights and attracted a
much rougher crowd.” Always striving to create a harmonious and diverse night, De Silva has faced the politics that come with the music industry. “I think as a younger guy we all start out very nice and very open to anyone. However I think years of running clubs does make you put on a harder exterior, as there are always people trying to gain something out of you. I try my best to stay professional and very straight down the line so that I remain focused.” Along with his current nights at Fusion and Khokolat Bar, Damion De Silva has overseen a number of other successful R&B and hip hop nights Down Under as head of Restless Entertainment. He has brought down such names as Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Lil Jon, The Pharcyde and countless others. Rather than looking to venture into new areas in the coming future, De Silva is currently focused on perfecting what he’s doing now. “We are just looking at developing and building on these current nights to look after our crowd that has followed us for years.” Originally launching Rhythm-al-ism at a time when more traditional favourites like Boyz II Men and Snoop Dogg were very much dominant forces, the Rhythm-al-ism crew has seen it all and adapted, from the dirty south explosion of the mid-2000s to the “up tempo, borderline house” tunes of today. “There’s plenty of crossover stuff that we’re playing nowadays as people want more variety, and we seem to have a much wider audience.” As far as the future of R&B goes, De Silva believes that the current up-tempo hybrid of R&B and house will continue to evolve. “On the other hand there is still a market for old school R&B.” He envisions that the local R&B clubbing landscape will become smaller but no less competitive. “I see less promoters doing R&B in the future. But those who do, will do it right, and profit from it. Our goal is to be one of those that last, and I’m pretty sure we will.” Andrew Hazard Hickey Rhythm-al-ism’s 12th Anniversary takes place on Thursday July 5 at Fusion, Crown Casino.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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RETRO SEXUAL FRIDAY DJ Grandmaster Vicious spins Fitzroy’s finest mix of ‘80s and ‘90s pop, rock, new wave, hip hop, disco classics and cheese to please plus dance floor anthems from then to now. One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
WEDNESDAY27TH COQ ROQ Rocking Wednesdays at Lucky Coq are rotating DJs Lady Noir, Agent 86, Kiti, Mr Thom, Joybot and guests giving you nothing but the best new wave, punk, brit pop, bong rap and hair metal. Coq Roq takes place every Wednesday from 8pm with free pool downstairs from 9pm as well as drink specials. Roq out! Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
SOUL ARMY With more flavour than a chocolate pizza, the Wednesday Soul Army throws down raw, uncut funk next to smooth soul grooves and rare blue jams. Bring that special lady because when the boys lay down the love it could be the difference between ‘we’re just friends’ to ‘let’s get it on’. PBS stalwarts Vince Peach and Miss Goldie accompany Prequel and Black Diamond Kicks weekly. Free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
WEDNESDAYS AT CO. Don’t have lectures tomorrow? Need a break from writing that last-minute assignment? Or simply just celebrating the end of hump day? Don’t miss Melbourne’s biggest mid-week party night – Wednesdays @ Co.! With free entry and discounted drinks for students all night long! Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
WEDNESDAYS AT THE ORDER Deep, dark, minimal dubstep and drum and bass. The Order of Melbourne, 2/401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
FUN HOUSE Celebrate Thursday night at Co. with club classics and dance floor anthems. Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
SLOW HOUSE THURSDAYS Slow House Thursdays is just what Brunswick has been missing. Get down to the latest Thursday spot at Noise Bar, find a space with your bros and get into the as DJs Same O, David Bass and James Hurt spin bass laced tunes ‘til the early hours of the morning. Noise Bar, 291 Albert Street, Brunswick
THURSDAYS AT LOUNGE The Black Pancake Club is where disc-jockeys bring in their treasured record collections to share with yaw’ll. Expect undiscovered nuggets, lost gems, far out there covers, moog inspired themes, and a host of other eclectic delicacies and toppings for your black pancakes! Taste makers on rotation include Shags, LA Pocock, Slim Charles, Andras Fox, Richie 1250, Simon Winkler, Danielson, Ms Butt and Mike Gurrieri. Free entry. From 10pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
WONDERLUST Fate, karma, the yin and the yang, the balance between chaos and order or divine intervention? A new spiritual high has emerged from the cosmic energies of the universe and it’s called Wonderlust! As luck would have it you can come and experience the effects of this strange new phenomena every Thursday night at The Carlton! Carlton Club, 193 Bourke Street, Melbourne
FIRST FLOOR FRIDAYS A journey of international music from all over the world; past, present and future rhythms incorporating afro, soul, funk, world and deep house elements! First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
FREEDOM PASS Friday’s at Freedom with 2 premier clubs, 5 huge rooms, 10+ local and international DJs blending their unique sets across countless styles of tunes – vocal house, smooth R&B, electro and commercial top 40. Throw in a few sexy podium dancers, a world-class lights show and drink specials, the Freedom Pass is your personal ticket to a night you won’t soon forget! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
FRIDAY NIGHT LOFT PARTY
THURSDAY28TH BIMBO THURSDAYS Tigerfunk brings with him his full band of travelling gypsies, hipsters and middle class executives, all of whom are prepared to deliver the most excitement you can have this side of the weekend. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
DUBSTEP THURSDAYS It’s Dubstep, it’s Eurotrash, it’s new, it’s the vibe, it’s Thursdays, it’s weekly and it’s free. So get down to Eurotrash and get your wobble on. Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, Off Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
FREE RANGE FUNK Funk up your Thursday nights with Free Range Funk at the Windsor favourite Lucky Coq. Grab a couch early and enjoy one (or more) of their famous $4 pizzas from 7-11pm. Meanwhile DJs Who, Agent 86, Lewis CanCut and special guests tempt you into the night with their eclectic bag of treats. Setting the mood early is delightful jazz, deep soul, and funk. Later it’s fruity disco, choice house, and hipster dance drops. Free entry every Thursday. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
Taking place each and every Saturday night in Melbourne’s CBD on the corner of Lonsdale St and King St, Club Soda plays host to a fresh, new concept – local/national/international DJs weekly, un-paralleled entertainment, performances, and disco tomfoolery. Don’t let the bubbly name fool you, Club Soda is your weekend’s thirst quencher – changing people going out for convenience, whilst not leaving the sour taste of an empty wallet on Sunday morning. Our doors open for you every Saturday at 9.30pm, and stay open until you should go home. Brown Alley, Cnr King & Lonsdale St, CBD
EMPIRE Get ready for the mega sounds at Empire, Melbourne’s epic new Saturday club night with 5 places to party! Mega sounds from top acts Chris Fraser, DJ Samrai, House Of Gaga and Femme plus resident DJs Tate Strauss, Miss Sarah, Nova, Johnny M, Matty G, Dean T, Joe Sofo, Marcus Knight, Dinesh, Chris Ostrom, B-Boogie and Sarah Roberts Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
EDEN SATURDAYS Stunning new venue in the heart of the city – one BIG Party! We bring you the best Top 40 dance, house & R&B in a state of the art venue you have to see! Eden, 163 Russell St, CBD
Put your hands in the air with some of Melbourne’s best party DJs, including including Mu-Gen, Lace em’ Tight and more. Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, Off Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
The weekend starts here! Get on down for after work drinks from 5pm with DJs Marcus Knight, Mark Pellegrini, Nick Van Wilder & DJ Anferny getting your weekend started right. 5pm til 3am. CQ, 113 Queen St, Melbourne
Enter the middle of the week; for some it’s the beginning of the weekend, for others it’s a break from study, for those of us who are travelling, it probably has no real significance (unless you’re wanting to party with the hot European girls from the hostel...because any day is simply another day when you’re travelling). Your midweek stomping ground, featuring DJs Danny Silver, Manchild & Mu-Gen. Free entry. From 10pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
CLUB SODA
EUROTRASH HOUSE PARTY
FRIDAY29TH CQ FRIDAYS
WEDNESDAYS AT LOUNGE
SATURDAY30TH
Kitty Schmidt couldn’t find quality dance music in Fitzroy so she’s decided to open up her bedroom doors. Living above Melbourne’s stalwart lesbian/gay Libation Bar, she’s now throwing a monthly party in her boudoir. Come into her renovated upstairs loft, cocktail bar, dance floor and smoking terrace. With quirky house, deep disco and erotic electronica being spun by Marvin Roland, Mr. Pyz and Kitty Schmidt DJs. Libation, 302 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
FRIDAYS AT LOUNGE “It might blow up but it won’t go pop” is the philosophy at Buhloone Mindstate and features Melbourne’s finest bands and DJs playing every Friday night, late. That’s just how we roll. We’re all about the late night boogie. Expect all things funk, hip-hop, soul, reggae, disco, boogie and house. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
PANORAMA Start your weekend on a good note with Panorama Fridays at Lucky Coq. DJs Matt Rad, Mr George, Tom Meagher and Phato A Mano transform the upstairs area into one hell of a house party with Hip Hop, Funk, R&B, Disco and House. Meanwhile, downstairs gives you a secluded wind down atmosphere with cult films as background visuals and quality cocktails to sip on. Let the new coqtail list wash away a crappy week! Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
EY:EM EY:EM at Lounge features residents Boogs & Who, who will host Melbourne’s top purveyors of club music, showcasing both local and international DJs playing the most upfront club music. With rotating DJs Dave Pham, Sleep D, Bryce Lawrence, Louis McCoy, Caine Sinclair, Glyn Hill & Toby Mackisack. Expect nothing but excellent house music all night long. And remember, clubbing happens in the EY:EM. $10 from 11pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS It’s house, electro, dub, anthems, disco and funk with guest DJs Genetix, B-Two and Oohee rocking til the break of day. Doors open 10pm with $5 basics til midnight! First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
The perfect Sunday soundtrack with DJs Askew, Peter Baker, Booshank, Paz, Miss Butt, Junji, Disco Harry and guests. They will be laying down disco, afro beat and deep house til 3am. For lovers of good music - South Side Hustle. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
STAR BAR SUNDAYS The original and still the best Sunday in Melbourne. Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
SUNDAE SHAKE Our Signature serve. Each and every Sunday we play host to a self professed vinyl junkie caught between the golden years and boogie wonderland. A mouthful? Perhaps. Phato Amano perfectly sets the mood for an audio-adventure that redefines the dance floor weekly. Our Sunday aficionados Agent 86 and Tigerfunk stir up a full cream shake to the flavour of your liking. Forget everything you thought you knew about losing yourself to the grooves. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
MONDAY2ND IBIMBO Have you always wanted to be a DJ but been cruelly cursed with tone deafness and a general inability to version excursion? Well Bimbo Deluxe saves the day once again.. All you need is an iPhone and you’re set. Just download the free ‘remote’ application from the app store, log into the Bimbo DJ wireless network and you choose which song plays next. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
TUESDAY3RD BIMBO TUESDAYS Bimbo Tuesday’s have long been the discerning DJs midweek breath of fresh air. An opportunity to indulge in, and to each parade their individual takes on music. A night where by the weird and wonderful is not frowned upon but rather celebrated. Resident selectors Matt Radovich, Andras Fox and Henry Who draw from a colorful array of sounds that warm your midweek blues. From 8pm, free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
COSMIC PIZZA NHJ and friends host every Tuesday night upstairs at Lucky Coq. Playing uneasy listening, freaked out bass jams, romantic comedy disco, tropi-jazz, soundtracks and shit you won’t hear on the other nights. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
Party Profile: Night Rhythm
In the grand tradition of past Saturday nights at the Prince of Wales, it will regain it’s rightful place on the pantheon of Australian dance music playing host to the best and most exciting EDM locally, nationally and internationally. Local residents include Generik, Oskar, Swick, Tranter, M.A.F.I.A., Streetparty DJs and Clip Art, and scheduled guests The Aston Shuffle, Tonite Only, The Swiss, Luke Million, Parachute Youth, Louis La Roche, Alvin Risk and more. In addition, Homecoming has prepared a veritable roster of exciting drinks and cocktails to fuel the fun, including Fresh coconut cocktails, Dr. Pepper, Electric Lemonade, Tecate, Thai-style Buckets and Bubble Cup cocktails. Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
HOT STEP Google Hot Step and you’ll get a bunch of Vietnamese game reviews and Balkanese dances on YouTube. But that’s nothing like what you can expect to find within the confines of Bimbo on a Saturday night. Developing thick and heavy but altogether groovy, enjoy an eclectic mix of fairy floss funk, doom disco and monk movement minimal every week. Free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR DJ CKass will take you on a musical journey to the retro sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s, followed by Top 40. One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
STAR SATURDAYS
TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS DJ Marcus Knight & DJ Xander James drop sexy house, dance and drum and bass all night from 8pm. Free entry. Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra
TEXTILE Saturdays at Lucky Coq tick all the boxes so start your night early and stay til close! Famous $4 pizzas from 7-9pm (that’s dinner sorted) then from 9pm spread over two levels with DJs playing hip hop, funk, disco, house and electro. Rotating guests on both levels keep the tunes fresh. Free entry. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
WEEKEND The brain child of the creative kids at 360 Agency and Seven Nightclub. The Weekend is here to put a smile on your dial every Saturday night. We want you to join the family. Dancing from 10pm weekly. Seven, 52 Albert Rd, South Melbourne
ESSENTIALS
SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE
HOMECOMING
Star Saturdays - smashing it every Saturday! Phil Ross, Scotty Erdos, DJ Ontime, LC, Nick James, Dane Gains, Ryan Hamill, Deja, Phil Isa, Nixon, Azza M, Scotty Nix, DJ Ryza, C Dubb, Alex-J, G-Funk, Dylisco, Achos, Az, Shaggz and guests. Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
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SUNDAY1ST
It sounds like: An authentic ‘’80s night that you would find in ‘’80s-esque Los Angeles or Miami. DJs/live acts playing: A talented group of DJs that actually lived through this decade and have the greatest vinyl collection of all time. Three records that’ll rock the floor: The soundtracks of Purple Rain, Scarface and Beverly Hills Cop. And one that you’d rather die than play: Any ‘80s album/song that makes you cringe, we guarantee we will not be playing it! Sell it to us: Night Rhythm, founded by Mr and Miss Night Rhythm, was created from a fact that Melbourne night life has become stale and monotonous with no real variety or value for money. Night Rhythm aims to give its guests a real experience by providing ambience, entertainment, food, and musical genres that this town has forgotten. Night Rhythm will be run on the last Friday of every month. The staple night will be a tribute to the ‘80s and will feature the very best of the decade, with ‘80s memorabilia and ‘80s snacks and treats. Guests will be looked after by resident hostesses Phyllis, Daphne, Apollonia and Sheena. Night Rhythm will eventually go weekly and will provide different themed nights that will become a point of difference to Melbourne nightlife. The bit we’ll remember in the AM: The wonderful tunes, the glamorously ‘’80s hostesses and décor and the yummy ‘’80s snacks and treats you have feasted on. Crowd specs: True music lovers. A fun loving crowd who love a good retrospective. Wallet damage: $20 Where: Felix Bar, St Kilda When: Friday June 29
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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KID MAC DOMINATING: NO MAN’S LAND Kid Mac has done a lot in a pretty short amount of time. An avid lover of hip hop, the youngster has just released his debut album No Man’s Land and is relishing the opportunity to grow his career in music. “Basically I grew up in an area where hip hop was pretty big. My parents were originally from Brazil, so they really encouraged me to get into music and pursue something. I began playing guitar from an early age and I was playing music through high school.” Kid Mac would later get into punk and rock, wanting to fuse a lot of the genres he liked together. That comes through in his music, which fuses elements of fringe rock and urban vibes that has resulted in a fresh and completely relevant debut album. “I got into the production side of music and beat making and things at university. That sort of pushed me into taking it a little more seriously. And since around 2007 I’ve been doing a lot of touring and working on ideas for tracks and the like. “From the outset when I started writing and recording a body of work, I was basically thinking that initially it was going to be an EP. I always knew it was going to be a big journey because at that time, I didn’t have my own sound. I was a young guy just trying to get into hip hop and I was doing the hard yards – a lot of gigs and things like that. But I never really got comfortable with the emcee tag and I felt like I had to play to my strengths so I took the direction to a new path. I put in a live drummer and bass player and that’s where I found the direction over the last few years; I wanted to use the sounds I was into and it sort of worked for me because a few years later I’m working with some pretty talented people who are helping represent me as a musician.” Now, having recently secured two significant accolades in Artist Of The Year and Video Of The Year at the Music
Oz Awards held at the Sydney Opera House, it’s full speed ahead for the multi-skilled Sydney boy. Having delved into the film world too, he is sure that he is on the right track. “When I started mucking around with music at a young age, I was really interested in film as well as music. So when I co-directed Bra Boys and it was well received, it opened up doors for me and I wanted to take that and capitalise on it.” Likewise, his second foray into film – Fighting Fear – secured him a feature on ABC’s highly regarded Australian Story while the Bra Boys documentary won Best Documentary at Sundance, as well as becoming the highest grossing documentary in Australia. Not bad for a young local kid who wondered whether success would elude him. “When I got to tell a story in film, it was like a new passion for me; taking that and fusing it with music, putting the two together, I’m very lucky to be where I am. I’m still brushing up on each side of the fence – both music and film – and I’m documenting everything I do. If things keep going and take off to a point where I can do something that’s credible internationally, I’d really love to do that.” So back to the album – the first track She Goes Off features US artist Mickey Avalon as well as cameos from Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki and Sarah McLeod. It’s getting radio play on some of the country’s biggest radio stations and is turning punters squarely onto his frequency. “The first collaboration I did on the album was with Matt, a mutual friend. I was a big fan of his and we had friends in the community; one time he invited me to support him on a show and afterwards over a beer we talked about ideas and music and stuff like that – that’s when we came up with the idea for the album. “I really think it comes from an honest place; a place
MUSCLES NEW SOUND: BULKING UP He’s successfully earned himself a reputation as a ‘oneman party machine’ but there’s more to Muscles than you think. Returning in 2012 with a self-described “mature” and “darker” sophomore record, Muscles admits he’s done quite a bit of growing up since his debut album Guns Babes Lemonade, as he tells 100%. “I’ve been known as that guy who just brings the oneman party,” Chris Copulos, aka Muscles, admits. “But I’ve also always been the guy that’s really planned out his life and is always thinking five years ahead. That’s the other side of me. I’m always thinking, ‘What will I do?’ and ‘How am I gonna get there?’. But lately I’ve realised a pretty important lesson – everything in life doesn’t turn out to be how you plan it to be, it usually ends up being way more exciting and crazy and chaotic. So there’s been some lessons learned in the last few years and on this album [Manhood] I feel like there is very much a strong narrative story being told from the first track to the last.” Copulos claims on his aptly-titled second album Manhood he’s shedding his past and moving towards a whole new sound in the process. “It’s more sophisticated,
darker disco, but at the same time I’m trying to still retain my own style and personality,” he explains. “Some of the songs are even slower ballads but mostly it’s just weird leftfield futuristic music. I just can’t stand conforming to what’s popular or what’s gonna sell lots of records. I’ve come to a point where I completely trust in myself to rely on the hunger inside of me to create these songs. A lot of it has come from the time I’ve spent in the last few years just travelling overseas and meeting all sort of strange and wonderful people. There are definitely some stories in there.” According to the man himself, one of the most exciting things about making Manhood was taking a different approach with regards to creation. “That was something different for me, for sure,” he says. “I decided I would do it like a rock band would do it – so you go into a studio for a couple of months, you try to write at least about 20 tracks and then you trim it down to 12 for the album. “It’s probably a bit bizarre the way that I approach songwriting. In the back of my head, I try and make each part of the song from a different decade. So, for example,
where I live and breathe music. It was about taking artists I wanted to work with and working with some pretty clever people. For example, another mate that I supported on tour in the US hooked up with me in LA and we worked on some tracks in the studio. That was inspirational and taught me a lot about the business: it’s about trying to keep the girls happy and being able to have a good jam. I’m happy with what has come from it and pretty stoked on how the whole thing has worked out.” Finally, he shares a few words on the tour: “I’m really pumped for the tour to be honest. It’s the second headline tour I’ve done; it’s always a little nerve racking getting up on stage because anyone who comes through the door
expects to have a good time and be entertained. That’s why I really try to bring an upbeat vibe to the shows and I hope people walk out sweating and having had a great time. I want to see people jumping up and down and going mad. Let’s get the train moving forward!” RK Kid Mac [AUS] performs at The Westernport Hotel, San Remo on Friday July 6 and at The Espy on Saturday July 7.
I’ll be going for a bassline from the ‘70s, like maybe disco or something, then the vocals might have a ‘90s tinge, and the synths might be more ‘60s experimental or maybe I’ll add in an ‘80s drum sound. I think that’s what makes each track so unique. I engineered, wrote, recorded, edited and mixed the whole album myself – I didn’t collaborate with anyone else – it was just directly from my brain and into my mouth or into my fingers and onto a CD.” Copulos also promises that his third record will take nowhere near as long as Manhood did. “I’ve been so excited about this album coming out because it’s been almost five years!” he enthuses. “I actually couldn’t even sleep last night; I was up ‘til four am both excited and apprehensive about the album coming out but then I woke up in the morning with a good feeling. It’s all been really full on so far – I even locked myself out of my house by accident earlier. The third album is definitely not going to be a five year wait. I have other plans at the moment though – I think I will do an acoustic album as a bit of a buffer in between, which is something different for me again, so I’m looking forward to seeing what people think of that.” Birdie Muscles [AUS]’s Manhood is out now through Modular. He plays the sold-out Splendour In The Grass at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay, which takes place from Friday July 27 and Sunday July 29.
VAN SHE JAMAICAN: US JEALOUSE Sydney four-piece Van She are ready to release their sophomore record Idea Of Happiness. Having lived with the tracks on the record for the last few years, Tomek Archer tells 100% that they “can’t wait for everyone else to hear it”. They also can’t wait to be in Jamaica and get on the turps with Rüfüs, their support act for their upcoming national tour. A slender gent who looks like ‘a boss’ crossed with Jesus sprays hairspray across his face in slow-mo, walks around in a g-banger playing pool, dances with a sexy lass, drives around in a vintage car with what appears to be a pink plastic Christmas tree in the back seat and he is completely content. This is what happens in Van Van She’s video clip for the first single and title track off their forthcoming sophomore record Idea Of Happiness. “One of the directors came back [after the band put out expressions of interest] and pitched this guy to us and his name was Emil and he’s from Germany,” Archer says down the line from Sydney, finishing his lunch. “He’s a vintage car collector and dealer and likes going to motor shows. He also likes being an exhibitionist. So the director’s pitch was to make a video about this guy’s idea of happiness. He’s not an actor. He’s a real guy and it is shot in his house and it’s shot with his friends and, to some degree it’s a set up party, but he’s a real guy. It’s all about Emil.” Although the video clip is about Emil’s idea of happiness, Archer has his own in mind. “It’s pretty cold in Sydney at the moment,” he says. “All I would like to do is go on a holiday somewhere hot. Fortunately we’re going to Jamaica next week.” And no, they’re not going to play in Jamaica, they’re just popping over for a few days to make the video clip for Jamaica, a dreamy, tropical tune from Idea Of Happiness. “None of us have been to Jamaica so the song was never written about Jamaica; it was more of this idea about a happy, sunny kind of holiday place, like another place basically,” he explains.
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“It was kind of funny that none of us have been there so the idea of this video – to actually go there – it’s kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy; make a song about a place you’ve never been to and then you go there.” Although much of Idea Of Happiness is upbeat electropop with daydream-like synths and tropical beats, Archer can’t quite put his finger on where exactly the sound came from. “It’s hard to know whether the mood of the music comes from the mood you’re in or if you consciously make it and it just makes you more lighthearted,” he says. “We had a pretty good time making this record and it’s a pretty uplifting, light-hearted record. I don’t know if we got on really well because we were making music that was happy.” It’s been four years since Van She released their debut record V and Archer says the great luxury this time round was they were able to produce it themselves. “The most important thing about the recording process is to have the freedom to make mistakes and to go through making lots of stuff and trying different things and then reviewing it and going back and trying to critique it,” he says. “With the first record we had the experience of going and working with a producer in London and that was great. We spent a couple of months over there. We found that’s one way of doing it and you have a deadline and you’ve got so many weeks in the studio and it’s really expensive and you have to get everything done so you don’t really want to be stuffing around. There’s not much room for experimenting and trying different things. You’ve got to just do what you know. With this record – we were doing it ourselves and if things were working we’d stick around and if something wasn’t working we’d leave it and come back to it.” Mixed by Tony Hoffer (Phoenix, Air, M83, Beck), Idea Of Happiness is very much a collaborative record for the four-piece despite the fact that songs such as FEATURES
Sarah and Tears lean towards more personal, individual experiences. “It’s been a long process of songwriting over the last couple of years,” Archer says. “Just the way that things happen, we usually end up pairing up. “So everyone kind of plays every instrument on the record. We don’t necessarily write by setting it up like a band and jamming like a band and just hitting record. It’s a lot more like everyone has guitars, keyboards, drum machines and everything at home, all the kind of tools. And then basically everyone writes everything. Everyone’s written significant parts of the record.” Now focused on their upcoming national tour (“We’ve got a really full schedule. The label’s been like, ‘You really need to lay low and focus on the record and the tour and not overexpose yourself’”), Archer says they’re looking forward to meeting and hanging out with their tour support Rüfüs. “One of the things about touring with
another group is that you get to hang out. Sometimes it’s tricky. We didn’t really hang out with the supports on our last tour very much. Hopefully we’ll get to hang out with these guys. Maybe we should all go out to dinner or get really drunk or something.” Although the tour is a priority, Jamaica is at the forefront of their minds. “Every report that we’ve had from anyone who’s been to Jamaica is like, ‘If you’ve heard it’s rough, like whatever you’ve heard, it’s rougher!’. It sounds like a terrifying place to be a white boy,” he concludes, laughing. Annabel Maclean Van She [AUS] play The Hi-Fi Bar on Friday July 13. Idea Of Happiness is out now through Modular.
NIC FANCIULLI
KRAFTY KUTS
SANTIGOLD
NETSKY
BALANCE MUSIC TECH HOUSE These days, one can nearly guarantee two things; both Balance and Fabric will produce quality recordings with each compilation release. Balance has gained a reputation which is very much deserved of not only picking top notch artists for their compilations but allows such artistic freedom that the output is both fresh and will remain timeless. The seamless mixing and track selection on this double disc compilation highlights Nic’s skills that have seen him at the forefront of his genre for so long. Standout tracks are Maya Jane Coles Something I The Air, Efron Piek Vous Etes Fou, Humano Life and Omar S Here’s Your Trance Now. Disc two showcases a collection of tracks exclusive to Nic’s own record label Saved Records featuring artists such as Mark Broom, Loco Dice, Radioslave and Chiapet who in 1997 released the excellent track, Tick Tock on Yoshitoshi Recordings. Nic Fanciulli has upheld the high quality of the balance series of compilation. - Pud
CENTRAL STATION/UNIVERSAL BREAKBEAT/FUNK Dance floor disciples of the broken funk king probably need to read no further, as you will probably love Krafty’s new album regardless. A bunch of the tracks on here have been doing the rounds for quite some time now - tunes such as Shake Them Hips and Let’s Go Let’s Ride have been stepping their way across radio waves and club systems for months, and as a preview to the album they’re great, but listening to all of Let’s Ride is like having the aforementioned tunes on repeat. Apart from some big name MC’s there’s not a lot among the seventeen tracks on offer that couldn’t be grabbed for free from the Soundcloud page of a nameless bedroom producer. Bang The Underground has glimpses of freshness with it’s powerful tear out breaks, but the same samples appear in the very next track, posing the question of why they’re both there. Breakbeat is not dead, but it’s time some of the veterans got off their laurels and made a little room for new blood. - Danny Silver
WARNER SONIC FUTURISTIC (ANTI) POP The only real difficulty I had with listening to this LP was figuring out what genre to label it within. Bringing a bunch of styles together like a good soup, Santi White produces the goods again, if not as shiny as her great debut album some four years ago. Go! is my kind of opener, bouncy as hell and soundin’ like it’s runnin’ up stairs. Disparate Youth immediately kicks it up a notch straight after with its expansive multi-layeredness, highlighted by the sonic guitar shredding of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner. The variety of sounds on show gives some hint to the number of big names that pop up here to produce, with Q-Tip, TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, and the aforementioned Mr Zinner, all taking their turn. Though of course Santigold’s got her own cross-over style, parts of this LP had me thinking I was listening to a souped up MIA or even some Gwen Stefani, so I dare say if you dig them, then you’ll dig this. - Christopher J. Stenton
HOSPITAL RECORDS DRUM & BASS, DUBSTEP Now this was one big tease. Netsky thinks that I can review his latest album by providing one and a half minute previews? Well I can, and it is good. Very good. After his blinding self titled debut album, he once again pushes forward with clean, crisp production whilst keeping the feeling and soul intact. Love Is Gone kicks off in typical Liquid-Funk fashion, its all vocals and acoustic guitars until the beat drops. Then it all becomes more Dubstep driven with Wanna Die For You and Come Alive, without all the naff wobbling, and more melodic class shown. Get Away From Here and Squad Up brings it back into line, before Puppy drops some old skool piano and straight up 4/4 Electro, interesting. Detonate shows us Pendulum-esque stadium tunes, before Drawing Straws concludes with Jungle stylings, ending one polished and well rounded selection of previews. - Kelvin Colling
BALANCE 021
LET’S RIDE
MONEY$HOT BY KIDS EAT FREE
SAPPHIRA
Melbourne’s Sapphira bursts out of the musical gates with a brash “tits-out” look at porno crème with Moneyshot, a track that leaves very little to the imagination. You’ll play it, whip it, want to bend it over and give it another absolute rogering as it’s full of saucy goodness.
PRESENTS
CEDRIC GERVAIS MOLLY
MASTER OF MY MAKE BELIEVE
CAROL GEORGE I’VE CHANGED MY WAYS
Think of a slightly slower more boring version of Knife Party’s Internet Friends, but with a few million less “likes”.
Carol George managed to escape the jail that is cannabis addiction. And fortunately she then managed to muster enough courage to spit out a barrage of killer lines that contain maturity beyond her years. I’ve Changed My Ways isn’t polished, it’s not even pretty, in fact it’s a little grimy. But folks it’s a grimy world out there sometimes and Carol George escaped it, and so can you brothers and sisters.
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deadmau5
VELDT FEAT CHRIS JAMES A pleasure to listen to!
KID MAC NO MAN’S LAND TOUR
FRI 6TH JULY
THE WESTERNPORT HOTEL 169 MARINE PDE, SAN REMO - VIC 3925
TICKETS $10 + B.F. - DOORS 8PM WITH SPECIAL GUESTS TICKETS ON SALE NOW WWW.OZTIX.COM.AU WWW.KIDMACMUSIC.COM NO MAN’S LAND ALBUM OUT NOW FEATURING: She Goes Off (feat. Mickey Avalon) Nobody Sleep, Nobody Get Hurt My Brother’s Keeper
REVIEWS
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LUCKYCOQ ONETWENTYBAR
PURPLEEMERALD BIMBOS
EUROTRASH STRIKE
WORKSHOP
FIRSTFLOOR
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100% CLUB PICS
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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LIGHTATREDLOVE BE.ATCO.
RHYTHMALISMATFUSION
FAKTORYATKHOKOLATBAR
KHOKOLATKOATEDATKHOKOLATBAR
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100% URBAN PICS
WEDNESDAY27TH COMPRESSION SESSION Reggae at E55 every Wednesday night. Resident selectors play strictly vinyl. Free entry. 8pm. E55, 55 Elizabeth St, Melbourne CBD
THURSDAY28TH
FAKTORY
ILLY
This is it. Faktory Fridays are open for business at Melbourne’s home of R&B, Khokolat Bar. Where else? Damion De Silva, Ken Walker, Durmy, K Dee, Simon Sez, Yaths and Jacqui Dusk spinning all night long. Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne
Laying relatively low since absolutely smashing it last year with his sophomore LP The Chase, Illy has announced his return to the stage in preparation for his third LP. As well as showcasing his massive hits, none moreso than the ubiquitous It Can Wait, the tour will be the first chance for fans to hear material from the upcoming album. The first taste of the new record comes in the form of Heard It All, a single which is already gaining traction on national radio. Friday September 7, The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond
LIKE FRIDAYS Like Fridays at La Di Da serves up R&B and electro house across two rooms giving you a fun filled end to your week. DJs Dinesh, Dir-X, Sef, NYD, Shaun D, Shaggz, Broz and more. La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE
RHYTHM-AL-ISM Start the weekend early with Fusion’s Resident DJs. Music for your funkin’ soul. Special guests every week! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
FRIDAY29TH
After stunning Harvest Festival-goers late in 2011, Chi-town brothers Hypnotic Brass Ensemble have announced their welcome return to Australia. Born and raised in Chicago, the eight siblings which make up Hypnotic Brass Ensemble have gone on to captivate audiences worldwide with their impeccable blend of jazz, soul, funk and hip hop. Support on the night comes from our very own soul-proponents Saskwatch, plus Judge Pino & The Ruling Motions. Thursday July 26, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYS DJ Marcus Knight and DJ Xander James spin hip hop, R&B and house tunes all night from 8pm. Free entry and early drink specials. Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra
SATURDAY30TH KHOKOLAT KOATED All new experience, same great location with a fresh koat of Khokolat. Restless Entertainment reloads your favourite Saturday night party. Damion De Silva, K Dee, Jay Sin and weekly guests playing R&B & ol’ skool sounds strictly for the urban elite. Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne
REDLOVE SATURDAYS
THE NICE UP Tom Showtime presents The Nice Up. All flavours of hip hop, ghetto funk and reggae niceness provided. Sailor Jerry nice up the cocktails, Dos Blockos nice up the $5 beers. Fridays done proper. George Lane Bar, 1 George Lane, St Kilda
RedLove Saturdays is all about solid classics from the ‘80s, ‘90s and into the ‘00s! Dropping beats of retro pop, disco classics, old school funk, and certainly some of that old school r&b and house to kick! RedLove Resident DJs Phil, HB Bear and Da Gato bringing down the house every Saturday night. If you’re looking for quality service, music to rock, sumptuous drinks and just a cold hard good time; look no further! Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
UPCOMING KID MAC Kid Mac is certainly one to keep your eye on in coming years. Hailing from the south side of Sydney, he’s spent the past few years holed up in the studio assembling his debut album alongside Melbourne-based stalwarts Just as Nice – as well as releases such as Freedom and Nobody Sleep Nobody Get Hurt alongside a particularly badass collaborative effort with Mat McHugh of the Beautiful Girls. Also managing to hit in tours across the globe with Mickey Avalon, Brazil’s Marcelo D2, The Beautiful Girls, Bliss N Eso, The Game and highlight request from RZA to join Wu Tang Clan’s Australian tour, his debut LP has been a long time coming, and now that it’s finally here, we’re pretty freaking excited to see what Kid Mac’s got in store next. The seriously compelling sounds of No Man’s Land traverse everything from alternative, electro and indie rock tracks, and his live shows are a similarly spectacular affair. Saturday July 7, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY RICK ROSS After cancelling his planned visit for this year’s Supafest, Rick Ross is set to make do with an Australian tour this September. Rickay Rozay has established himself as one of the biggest titans in modern rap, guesting with the likes of Kanye West and Diddy and building the Maybach Music Group empire in the process. The tour comes after the long-awaited release of God Forgives, I Don’t. Thursday September 6, Festival Hall, 300 Dudley Street, West Melbourne
Grammy Award winning hip hop legends Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are returning to their “second home” Australia, having already sold out over 20 Australian performances in the past. Having reformed for a upcoming performance at Rock The Bells in August this year, the group have created their fair share of interest regarding the possibilities of a new album, and have been introduced to a new generation of hip hop fans thanks to the likes of Drake and Wiz Khalifa expressing their admiration. Thursday September 20, The Espy, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
THE LOOSE GOOSE The Loose Goose is focused on providing a wonderful array of cocktails and offers a great CBD location to lounge and relax in while overlooking busy Flinders Lane. A small plates menu is available to graze on whilst trying our delicious cocktails from the classics to contemporary, beer on tap and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. Every Friday evening DJ Jumps of The Cat Empire will take to the decks at the bar spinning his rare afro Latin funk vinyl collected from around the world from 6.30pm until late. Papa Goose Cocktail Bar, 91-93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
DR. OCTAGON
LIGHT The buzz is Light at RedLove every Friday. Hitting out that R&B flavour of old, new and everything in between! RedLove Resident DJs Stel, Harvey Yeah, TMC and Ripz on the wheels of steel from 6.30pm. If you don’t know, now you know! Check it! Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Women’s health is an important issue that we as a society shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to talk about - which is why we’re all beyond pleased to hear that the Octagonecologyst will be landing in town again soon for an appointment of the utmost urgency. Okay, so the alias of Kool Keith might not have an M.D., or any clue about medical practise, and look, maybe heaps of his patients die during rounds, but he’s got skills nonetheless - able to treat chimpanzee acne and moosebumps, and relocate saliva glands. That’s useful. He’s also rather wellrenowned for pushing boundaries in the world of underground hip-hop - his ‘96 debut album the result of a visionary collaboration with the Jimi Hendrix of turntables, DJ QBert, and the hitherto-unknown producer by the name of Dan the Automator. Blunted has spent considerable time persuading Kool Keith to bring undoubtedly the strangest persona in hip hop history back to life - and the results are a series of world-exclusive shows, with Dr. Octagonecologyst being performed in full as a live production only Kool Keith could envision. Saturday July 14, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
URBAN
15.
WHERE TO NEXT?
HiFi 125 Swanston St, Melb, 1300 843 4434
The Retreat Hotel 280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 4090
Highlander 11a Highlander Lane, Melb, 9620 2227
Revolt Elizabeth St, Kensington, 03 9376 2115
Hoo Haa 105 Chapel St, Windsor, 9529 6900
Revolver Upstairs 229 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5985
Horse Bazaar 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 2329
Rochester Castle Hotel 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9415 7555
Iddy Biddy 47 Blessington St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Rooftop Cider Bar, Cnr Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne, 9650 3884
Jett Black 177 Greville St, Prahran
Room 680 Level 1, 680 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9818 0680
John Curtin Hotel 29 Lygon St, Melb, 9663 6350
Roxanne Parlour Lvl 3, 2 Coverlid Pl, Melb
Khokolat Bar 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, 039642 1142
Royal Derby 446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 2321
La Di Da 577 Lt Bourke St, Melb, 9670 7680
Roal Melbourne Hotel 629 Bourke St, 9629 2400
Labour In Vain 197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 5955
Ruby’s Lounge 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, 9754 7445
Lomond Hotel 225 Nicholson St, East Brunswick
Saint Hotel 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9593 8333
Longroom 162 Collins St, Melbourne, 9663 9226
Sandbelt Live Cnr South & Bignell Rd, Moorabbin, 9555 6899
Loop 23 Meyers Pl, Melb, 9654 0500
Scarlett Lounge 174 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 0230
Lounge 243 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 2916
Seven Nightclub 52 Albert Rd, South Melb, 9690 7877
The Lounge Pit 386-388 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 9415 6142
Spensers Live 419 Spencer St, West Melb, 03 9329 8821
29th Apartment 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9078 8922
Corner Hotel 57 Swan St, Richmond, 9427 9198
Love Machine Cnr Lt Chapel & Malvern Rd, Prahran, 9533 8837
Spot 133 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9388 0222
303 303 High Street, Northcote
Cornish Arms 163 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Lucky Coq 179 Chapel St, Windsor, 9525 1288
Standard Hotel 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy, 9419 4793
Abode 374 St.Kilda Rd, St.Kilda
CQ 113 Queen St, Melb, 8601 2738
The LuWOW 62-70 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 5447
Star Bar 160 Clarendon St, South Melb, 9810 0054
Albert Park Hotel Cnr Montague & Dundas Pl, Albert Park, 9690 5459
Croft Institute 21 Croft Alley, Melb, 9671 4399
Mercat Cross Lvl 1, 456 Queen St, Melb, 9348 9998
Station 59 59 Church St, Richmond, 9427 8797
Alia Lvl 1, 83-87 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9486 0999
Cruzao Arepa Bar 365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 7871
Mink 2 Acland St, St Kilda, 9536 1199
Stolberg Beer Café 197 Plenty Rd, Preston, 9495 1444
Alumbra Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Espl, Docklands, 8623 9666
Cushion 99 Fitzroy St, St.Kilda, 9534 7575
Miss Libertine 34 Franklin St, Melb, 9663 6855
Sub Lounge & Restaurant 168 Elizabeth St Melb, 0411 800 198
Back Bar 67 Green St, Windsor, 9529 7899
Damask 1/347 Burnswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 4578
Misty 3-5 Hosier Ln, Melb, 9663 9202
Sugar Bar (Hotel Urban) 35 Fitztroy St, St Kilda, 8530 8888
Bar Open 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 9601
The Drunken Poet 65 Peel Street, West Melbourne, 9348 9797
Mockingbird Bar 129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 0000
Temperance Hotel 426 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9827 7401
Baroq House 9-13 Drewery Ln, Melb, 8080 5680
Der Raum 438 Church St, Richmond, 9428 0055
Musicland 1359A Sydney Rd, Fawkner, 9359 0006
Thornbury Theatre 859 High St, Thornbury, 9484 9813
Bendigo Hotel 125 Johnston St, Collingwood 9417 3415
Ding Dong Lounge Lvl 1, 18 Market Ln, Melb, 9662 1020
Neverland 32-48 Johnson St, South Melb, 9646 5544
Tiki Lounge 327 Swan St, Richmond, 9428 4336
Bennetts Jazz Club 25 Bennetts Ln, Melb, 9663 2856
Dizzy’s Jazz Club 381 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 1233
New Guernica Lvl 2, Hub Arcade, 318-322 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 4464
Toff In Town Lvl 2, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 8770
Bertha Brown 562 Flinders Street, 9629 1207
Double Happiness 21 Liverpool St, Melb, 9650 4488
Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 0090
Tony Starr’s Kitten Club 267 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 2448
Big Mouth 168 Acland St, St.Kilda, 9534 4611
E:55 55 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9620 3899
Night Cat 279 Flinders Ln, Melb, 9654 0444
The Tote Hotel 67 Johnson St, Collingwood, 9419 5320
Billboard 170 Russell St, Melb, 9639 4000
East Brunswick Club 280 Lygon St, East Brunswick, 9388 2777
Noise Bar 291 Albert St, Brunswick, 9380 1493
Town Hall Hotel 33 Errol St, North Melbourne, 9328 1983
Bimbo Deluxe 376 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 8600
Edinburgh Castle 681 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Northcote Social Club 301 High St, Northcote, 9489 3917
Trak Lounge 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak, 9826 9000
Birmingham Hotel Cnr Smith & Johnston St, Fitzroy
Electric Ladyland Lvl 1, 265 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5757
Old Bar 74 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 4155
Tramp 20 King St, Melb
Black Cat 252 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6230
Elwood Lounge 49-51 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood, 9525 6788
One Twenty Bar 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Transport Hotel Federation Square, Melb, 9654 8808
Blue Bar 330 Chapel St, Prahran, 9529 6499
Empress 714 Nicholson St, Nth Fitzroy, 9489 8605
Onesixone 161 High St, Prahran, 9533 8433
Trunk 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne, 9663 7994
Blue Tile Lounge 95 Smith St, Fitzroy
Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, 9534 0211
Order Of Melbourne level 2, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 6707
Tyranny Of Distance 147 Union St, Windsor, 9525 1005
Boutique 134 Greville St, Prahran, 9525 2322
Eurotrash 18 Corrs Ln, Melb, 9654 4411
Palace Hotel 893 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Two of Hearts 149 Commercial Road, Prahran
Brown Alley King Street, Melb,9670 8599
Eve 334 City Rd, Southbank, 9696 7388
Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, Melb, 9650 0180
Union Hotel Brunswick 109 Union St, Brunswick, 9388 2235
Brunswick Hotel 140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9387 6637
Evelyn 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 5500
Palais 111 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, 5348 4849
Veludo 175 Acland St, St Kilda, 9534 4456
Builders Arms 211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Ferntree Gully Hotel 1130 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully, 9758 6544
Palais Theatre Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, 9525 3240
Victoria Hotel 380 Victoria St, Brunswick, 9388 0830
Cabinet Bar 11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne, 9654 0915
Festival Hall 300 Dudley St, West Melbourne, 9329 9699
Papa Goose 91 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, 9663 2800
Wah Wah Lounge Lvl 1, 185 Lonsdale St, Melb
Caravan Music Club 95 Drummond St, Oakleigh
First Floor 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6380
Penny Black 420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 8667
Wesley Anne 250 High St, Northcote, 9482 1333
Caseys Nightclub 660A Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9810 0030
Forum Theatre 154 Flinders St, Melb, 9299 9800
Pier Live Hotel 508 Nepean Hwy, Frankston, 9783 9800
Westernport Hotel 161 Marine Pde, San Remo, 5678 5205
Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets 80 Smith St, Collingwood, 9415 8876
The Fox Hotel 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 9416 4957
Pony 68-70 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9662 1026
Willow Bar 222 High Street, Northcote, 9481 1222
CBD Club 12-14 McKillop St, Melb, 9670 3638
Fusion Lvl 3, Crown Complex, Southbank, 9292 5750
Portland Hotel Cnr Lt Collins & Russell St, Melb, 9810 0064
Windsor Castle 89 Albert St, Windsor, 9525 0239
Chaise Lounge Basement, 105 Queen St, Melb, 9670 6120
The Gallery Room 1/510 Flinders St, Melbourne, 9629 1350
The Prague Hotel, 911 High St, Northcote, 9495 0000
Workers Club 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 8889
Chandelier Room 91 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, 9532 2288
Gem Bar & Dining 289 Wellingston St, Collingwood, 9419 5170
Pretty Please 61c Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Workshop Lvl 1, 413 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9326 4365
Chelsea Heights Hotel Cnr Springvale & Wells Rd,
George Basement, 127 Fitzroy St, 9534 8822
Prince Bandroom 29 Fitztory St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Yah Yah’s 99 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9419 4920
Chelsea Heights, 9773 4453
Gertrude’s Brown Couch 30 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, 9417 6420
Prince Of Wales 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
The Vine 59 Wellington St, Collingwood, 9417 2434
Cherry Bar AC/DC Ln, Melb, 9639 8122
Grace Darling Hotel 114 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 0055
Public Bar 238 Victoria St, North Melb, 9329 6522
Chi Lounge 195 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne, 9662 2688
Grandview Hotel Cnr Heidelberg Rd & Station St, Fairfield, 9489 8061
Purple Emerald Lounge Bar 349 High St, Northcote, 9482 7007
Co. Lvl 3, Crown Complex, 9292 5750
Great Britain Hotel 447 Church St, Richmond, 9429 5066
Railway Hotel 280 Ferrars St, South Melb, 9690 5092
Colonial Hotel (Brown Alley) Cnr King & Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 8599
Grind N Groove 274 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Red Bennies 371 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9826 2689
Commercial Club Hotel 344 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, 9419 1522
Grumpy’s Green 125 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 1944
RedLove Lvl 1, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 3722
Cookie Lvl 1, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 7660
Gypsy Bar 334 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 0548
Retreat Hotel 226 Nicholson St, Abbotsford, 9417 2693
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