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UPCOMING
JULY
ONTOUR DIRTYPHONICS [USA] Friday July 6, Brown Alley ENEI [RUS] Friday July 6, Brown Alley ALEX KIDD [UK], A*S*Y*S [GER] Friday July 6, Trak 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 SKEPTICAL [UK], TALLAN [NZ] 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 MIIKE SNOW [SWE] Tuesday July 31, Palace Theatre
BRAWTHER [FRA] Friday August 3, Mercat Basement ALVIN RISK [USA] Saturday August 4, Prince Bandroom KATE SIMKO [USA], CHLOE HARRIS [USA] 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 THE PHARCYDE [USA] Thursday August 23, The Espy RICK ROSS [USA] Thursday September 6, Festival Hall RED RACK ‘EM [UK] Friday September 7, The Croft Institute JOHN ‘00’ FLEMING [UK] Friday September 7, Brown Alley TIEFSCHWARZ [GER] Friday September 7, New Guernica OCTAVE ONE [USA] Friday September 14, Mercat Basement ROGER SHAH [GER] Saturday September 15, Room680 HERNAN CATTANEO [ARG], FRITZ KALKBRENNER [GER] Friday September 21, Brown Alley RICK WADE [USA] Friday September 28, The Croft Institute PAUL OAKENFOLD [UK] Friday October 5, Festival Hall PARKLIFE: JUSTICE [FRA], PASSION PIT [USA], PLAN B [UK] + MORE Saturday October 6, Sidney Myer Music Bowl ROBERT HOOD [USA] Friday November 9, TBA TERRENCE PARKER [USA] Friday December 21, TBA
REAL TALK
What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind. Words that will haunt me to my grave. Not because of George Berkeley’s philosophical insights into the inner workings of the human mind, but because the voices of cartoon characters from earlier seasons in contrast to the latter and more popular creep the hell out of me. You know what I’m talking about. Tyson Wray
Alex Kidd and A*S*Y*S: All Systems Go
Hard dance royalty is set to descend on Melbourne soon, with a double bill of UK powerhouse Alex Kidd and German veteran A*S*Y*S set to descend upon the city. A producer and DJ, promoter, label owner and music reviewer, Alex Kidd’s talents are manifold - especially on the mainstage of venues across the globe, where his skills on the EFX1000 and three CDJs have cemented his reputation as a boundarypushing act to watch in terms of both sound and technical skills. Backed by the dude behind club-destroying classics such as Acid Nightmare, Acid Headcracker, Cheers, Lost in Acid and the world conquering No More Fucking Rock & Roll, A*S*Y*S is not to be underestimated. Combine the two, and it will be a surprise if anybody is left standing by the end of the night. They play at Trak on Friday July 6.
Rick Ross: Rockin’
After a false start on making it down to Australian shores for Supafest, fans of the hottest MC in the game, Rick Ross, can rest assured that they’ll be getting in on the Teflon Don’s mad rhymes. Best known for being the founder of the respected label Maybach Music Group, playing host to artists such as Wale, Meek Mill, and Omarion, he’s also a powerhouse act on his own, with four albums to his name so far and a favoured collaborator of business big-names Jay Z, Kanye West, P.Diddy and R Kelly, amongst others. It’s prime time for the man to head down, with his fifth LP set to drop in a month’s time. Don’t miss this chance to get up close to Ross for the first time ever as he runs through his extensive back catalogue - catch him at Festival Hall on Thursday September 6.
Paul Oakenfold: In A Trance
Superstar DJ, Ministry Of Sound legend and Perfecto Records purveyor Paul Oakenfold continues his world domination with a tour of Australia. The once-Balearic beatsmith and prolific producer has worked with almost everyone worth their salt within the music industry – everyone from pop juggernauts U2, Madonna to psytrance legends Infected Mushroom and English alt-rockers the Happy Mondays. Oakenfolds’s remix scalps include Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones and Justin Timberlake. No stranger to DJing in front of Tiesto-scale crowds, Oakenfold brings his Oakey World antics to Festival Hall on Friday October 5.
Hold the phone. Terrence Parker has just dialed in three December dates for Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, with more announcements for other cities expected soon. Notorious for using a telephone hand piece instead of headphones when he DJs, the curious quirk has earned the gospel house legend the affectionate pseudonym Telephone Man. Parker’s reputation rivals fellow Motor City natives Derrick May, Carl Craig and Kevin Saunderson and the revered music operator brings his hands-up good times to Melbourne on Friday December 21.
Meanwhile, Back at the Silent Disco: End Of the World
I plan on going in armed with a can of deodorant, a lighter and all the mad skills I’ve picked up from years of obsessively watching spy and law enforcement dramas. I hope you’ve got your plans at the ready, too, ‘cause with dudes allegedly on bath salts busted having a nibble on the faces of other human beings and the rapid approach of December 2012, I think it’s high time to face the reality of a zombie apocalypse. But hey, if we’re all going to die a painful and gruesome death, might as well throw one last party before it happens - and there’s no better way of highlighting the impending doom by throwing a silent disco. A full house of zombies with dancing shoes firmly on will be gathering at the Royal Melbourne Hotel to have one final laugh, with the soundtrack spanning breaks, electro, techno and trance courtesy of Nabbs, Buck Rogers, The Dirty Gypsy, Hands Down, Aaron Static, J-Slyde, Stilow, Neocortex and heaps more. Special effects and make up will be available at the venue early on for those who want get deliriously gruesome for the night - who’ll be the last zombie standing? Get to the Royal Melbourne Hotel on Friday July 13 to find out.
The Pharcyde: Far-Out Robert Hunter Cup: Hip Hop Hero
2011 saw the passing of one of Australian hip hop’s favourite sons – Robert Hunter (MC Hunter) – who sadly passed away after a long public battle with cancer. He will forever be remembered for his music, his passion for Australian hip hop and his love for his two favourite football teams: the Fremantle Dockers and the East Perth Royals. Saturday October 20 will see the anniversary of his passing. To mark the occasion, there will be a weekend dedicated to Hunter and his love of music and footy. Saturday October 20 will feature the Aus All Stars performing at the Corner Hotel, including SBX Crew (Drapht, Layla, Dazastah and Optamus), Funkoars, Brad Strut and many more. Then on Sunday October 21, the Robert Hunter Cup will played at Glenferrie Oval – featuring artists and fans from all over Australia. Spectators are welcome – bring a picnic and some friends and enjoy the game! Entry is free, but they will be collecting for charity so please bring some money to donate.
Obese Records: Supersized
The home of the thriving independent Australian hip-hop scene, Obese Records marks ten years in the business this year. Shit, son. Playing home to names like Illy, DJ Bonez, and Mantra as well as boasting alumni such as Bliss N Eso, Funkoars and Hilltop Hoods, they’ve done some pretty wonderful things for our local music scene. Their rep for being the hub of Aussie hip hop sounds is further cemented by their freshly redesigned and upgraded website - with all the latest mod cons and news from your favourite artists. That’s not all - their new web-based show Obese TV goes live today and will follow in monthly installments over the next six months, providing fans with a rare insight into the label’s workings. Check it out at obeserecords.com.
Tiefschwarz: Deep Sounds
Tiefschwarz, or deep black in German, have consistently chugged out an array of housey riddims for more than ten years. Along the way, the duo have hooked up with Hot Natured starlet Jamie Jones, party boys Seth Troxler and Eric D. Clark, as well as Berlin deep house purist Cassy. The pairing have also remixed a major league of pop music sluggers including Madonna, Missy Elliot and Depeche Mode. Tiefschwarz’s much-lauded mixes for European clubbing institutions Fabric and Watergate sought a flurry of recognition from DJs and producers as far-flung as Ivan Smagghe and Danny Howells, to Touché and Sascha. Revel in Tiefschwarz’s deep and dark take on techno, electro and house at the New Guernica on Friday September 7.
Los Angeles hip hop outfit The Pharcyde have been kicking it together for two decades, now. Doesn’t feel like it, given their enduring reputation for cutting-edge, forward-thinking beats and rhymes. Go on, have a listen to Bizarre Ride II: The Pharcyde again, 20 years on - its sense of timelessness is a rare thing, with classics such as Oh Shit, Otha Fish, Ya’ Mama, and hit single, Passing Me By guaranteeing the record its rightful place in best-of collections by everyone from Pitchfork to the Source. It isn’t often a group with their cheeky self-deprecating and incisive humour come along and set to make a return to Australia soon, we can guarantee this is one gig you definitely don’t want to pass you by. Catch The Pharcyde at the Espy on Thursday August 23.
The Highest Disco in the World: Stratospheric
Whaddup! Who wants to get high? No, you filthy deviants and rascals, not like that - we like to keep our operations here at Beat entirely above board. I meant 89 floors high. Sound good? Uh-huh it does. From the chicks and dudes who brought you Earthcore, the St Kilda Festival and the Brunswick St Festival dance music stages, Solar Empire Events is taking things to the next level and bringing you the highest masquerade disco party in the world. 360 degree views of the city in all of its sprawling, streetlit beauty, a Funktion One soundsystem and all the techno, psytrance, dubstep, glitch and house jams your little hearts could possibly desire. With local acts like Chunky Fuckers, Ken Zo, Jason D’Costa, Jamie Stevens, SunTribe, Tech Aid, Mish’Chief and plenty more set to keep the tower bumping all night long, we recommend you get in quick - the Highest Disco in the World takes place at the Eureka Tower on Saturday August 18.
Skeptical and Tallan: Critical Thinking
RESPONSIBLE: 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: Gill TukerCover 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
2.
Terrence Parker: Dial Tones
UP TO DATE
Robert Hood: Hoodwinked
It’s been two years since Robert Hood released his filminspired Omega album, if you don’t count Omega: Alive, a live set of reworks and past recordings. After a considerable absence from Australia, Robert Hood has enjoyed a spate of tours since 2010 and this November returns to promote his new Motor Nighttime World 3 LP, released on seminal Belgian techno imprint Music Man. Robert Hood restores the project he first started with Austria’s Cheap label back in 1995 and subsequently continued in 2000 on his own imprint M-Plant. Inspired by Julien Temple’s documentary Requiem For Detroit, Robert Hood examines the life, history and future of Detroit’s motor industry and its workforce, set against a backdrop of decay, despair, hope and rebirth. Robert Hood plants down in Melbourne on Friday November 9.
With records of his making frequently found jammed in the crates of drum and bass luminaries such as dBridge, Alix Perez, Loxy and Doc Scott, it would be fair to say that Hertfordshire-based DJ and production powerhouse Skeptical is heading out-of-this-world. With a production career only just beginning to blossom, the list of releases to his name since dropping his first single in 2010 is nothing short of extraordinary. With labels such as Exit, Dispatch and Commercial Suicide, not to mention forthcoming releases on Metalheadz, Soul:r, and Samurai all wanting a piece of the 26 year old’s equal parts delicate and devastating tracks, we’re calling it - Skeptical is bound to be the next big thing in the scene. He’ll be joined by New Zealand’s Tallan. Notorious for pushing soundsystems to breaking point with his heavyweight stepper beats, the young producer has supported the likes of Foreign Beggars, Shockone, DC Breaks and is bound to bring the good times alongside Skeptical. They hit the Espy on Saturday July 14.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
3.
DIRTYPHONICS
“We always say, ‘We’ll sleep when we’re dead’ so right now it’s all about making new music, going overseas and hanging with the crowd.”
INVASION: FRENCH FRIVOLITY As the music industry continues to change, a strong live performance is more important than ever. When it comes to rocking a crowd and earning fans, few in the dance community at the moment can get things going like Charly, Thomas, Pho and Pitchin aka Dirtyphonics. From their live shows, to a slew of tracks and remixes, the boys from Dirtyphonics are all about pure energy.
They come to every show heavily armed with mixers, sequencers, keyboards, CD turntables and maybe even a kitchen sink (full of beers). Deftly balancing between brutality and danceability, Dirtyphonics have achieved the reputation they have without even releasing a fulllength studio album. In the midst of all this, one-half of the group – Charly and
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COVER STORY
Thomas – are making their way Down Under for some special live shows. On the night, they will be joined by local favourites Monkee, Baron Rotton, Busa Stickup and Ouch Zayler. After their customary coffee and cigarettes, the duo spoke to us with all the passion you would expect from wild Frenchmen of dance music. “The last time we were down was around October or November, so we’re really excited to be back,” Charly says with an American-styled twang. If you’ve seen any of their live shows you would be familiar with the rock concert atmosphere, accompanied by a sea bobbing heads that encompass follow their gigs. While some like to play it ‘too cool’, the guys from Dirtyphonics are probably most likely to act like fans themselves and jump into the moshpit, while guzzling adult soda pops. Even the long flight down here didn’t dampen their spirits, as they aim to make the most of every minute. “Yes it’s a long flight but at the same time we’ve got portable gear so we can set up a studio on the plane and make some music,” enlightens Charly. The vision of these manic DJs banging out beats at high altitudes is something to behold. At least they found a new use for the tray table. “We all carry laptops, MIDI controllers, keyboard. We try to make it as portable as possible.” It’s not that farfetched that in the future recording on a plane becomes the norm. As demand for their live shows grows, the phonics still want to be able to create new music while on the road. “We always want to keep producing and we’ve continued to tour a lot so we decided we needed to set up a portable studio,” Thomas adds, with his unmistakably French inflection. “In a way sometimes it’s better because you don’t have so much time to do a track. We’ll have one idea and will be ready to record it then you move on to another one.” While this approach could potentially result in some hit and miss efforts, the spontaneity could give way to genuine on-the-spot creativity, something the quad discovered. “We always say, ‘We’ll sleep when we’re dead’ so right now it’s all about making new music, going overseas and hanging with the crowd,” Charly says. It’s clear from their on-stage presentation that they get more than their fair share of rowdy fans, which in turn bolsters their creativity. The fact that they hit a new city on a regular basis also sparks inspiration for Charly, Thomas and co. “You get a vibe travelling in different cities around the world. You hear some music on the road, you get new ideas coming from people, from architecture, whatever it is. Then we all come to the table to lay down ideas for tracks.” That could help explain the intense otherworldly sounds of such efforts: the Vandals and City Kids. This Paris bred crew have amassed plenty of stamps in their passports and have been wreaking havoc in venues across the world. From the Electric Daisy Carnival to Nördik Impakt, you name it and they’ve been there, leaving a trail of destruction behind. Whether in their expansive backyard of Europe, to Australia and North America, Dirtyphonics have made an impression. “Going from country to country, that urge to keep creating new tunes never goes away,” Thomas says. “Definitely after a show, you’ve been in the middle of the stage with all the fans – for anybody that makes music, you just want to go back to the hotel and work. Then you wake up and work on it more.” Charly affirms that the fans definitely play a part in their creativity. “The amount of adrenaline we get on stage from the fans, for some reason brings so many ideas after a show it’s like, ‘I wanna try this, I wanna try that’, it’s crazy.” For their music hungry fans, the Dirtyphonics crew always aim to return the love and energy with their live
performances. “When we’re doing a live show we put a lot of effort in. Being able to feed off the crowd and feed off each other is definitely important for us.” It’s a mutual feeding frenzy whenever these rock star DJs hit the stage. While they do share a similar outlook on stage, when recording, there is always bound to be disagreement. “We’re not always on the same page which is the most interesting part of being in a band,” Charly says. In many ways tension can bring out the best in anybody, including songwriters. Even when they don’t all agree on something, the boys work together to take their individual ideas to another level. “What makes it most fun is bouncing off each other’s ideas and ending up with something great, which is what we’re all about. There’s a lot of laughs, a lot of fights and it really helps with our working and writing process.” Before all the madness, Dirtyphonics began typically enough; Charly and Thomas met at uni studying design. After meeting Pho, they decided to start gigging and then Pitchin joined the fold. “Since then we’ve pretty much spent everyday together, either in the studio and on the road. It’s been awesome and it’s been a great adventure.” The experience of being in the band has been like a long friendship but amplified. “It’s nothing different than being friends, we’ve just taken it to a different level with the amount of time we spend together.” This musical friendship so far has earned them adoration across the world, hit singles on BBC 1Xtra and Beatport; and millions of YouTube views. Not bad for some former design students from Paris. Describing his experience so far as a “dream come true”, Charly says they have always wanted to be musicians. “Since we were little kids we always wanted to do this. First time I was in a band was in a metal band. I started playing guitar and bass, then I started making computer generated music. You start doing everything on your own then you’re like, ‘You know what, I really like to vibe off people in a band’. I wanted to find other people to make it happen and [we] got lucky enough to find each other.” Whether listening to their epics, including the remix to Nero’s Me And You, or witnessing one of their gigs, you can tell that Charly, Thomas and co. are a perfect match as far as energy and chemistry. While they are generally referred to as a drum and bass crew, they’re not afraid to get experimental – in a good way. Much of their catalogue finds them expanding their sound as they explore elements of electro, dubstep and hip hop. In this era of blurry genre distinction, it’s clear the Dirtyphonics’ brand of hybrid drum and bass is the tonic many listeners are thirsting for. Debuting on wax in 2008, with the insane singles French Fuck and Bonus Level, it was only a slight sign of things to come. In the time since then they have remixed heavyweights the Crystal Method, the Bloody Beetroots, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Benny Benassi. They have also forged a reputation that continues to grow. This time last year Dirtyphonics whet appetites with the lethal singles Tarantino and Oakwood. Of the two singles however, Oakwood may be the more interesting, with hints of dubstep, drum and bass and spaghetti westerns, all topped off by the vocals of Marion Corrales. Charly and Thomas say “expect more of the same from Dirtyphonics in the coming years” as they prep their long awaited debut album. Both Charly and Thomas want fans to brace themselves for a Dirtyphonics invasion. We’re sure they’re more than ready. Andrew ‘Hazard’ Hickey Dirtyphonics [FRA] play Brown Alley on Friday July 6.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
5.
FRIDAYS AT LOUNGE
WEDNESDAY4TH 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
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
FRIDAY6TH
“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
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
WEDNESDAYS AT LOUNGE 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
WEDNESDAYS AT THE ORDER Deep, dark, minimal dubstep and drum and bass. The Order of Melbourne, 2/401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
THURSDAY5TH
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
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
DIRTYPHONICS Who’s ready to get down and dirty? The French foursome that make up France’s Dirtyphonics are: armed with a bunch of turntables and MPCs, their signature brand of ridiculous electro and dancefloor bangers has seen them up to all sorts of no good this year, including recent releases on the electro-oasis that is Dim Mak, as well as remixes for Skream, Benny Benassi and Nero. Brown Alley, Cnr Colonial Hotel and Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
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
FIRST FLOOR FRIDAYS 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
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
6.
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
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 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
ESSENTIALS
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 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
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
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 Hed Kandi, Piero and Chris Luder 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
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
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
SUNDAY8TH SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE 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
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
EUROTRASH HOUSE PARTY
FREEDOM PASS
SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR
EMPIRE
ENEI Hailing from St. Petersburg in Russia - an unlikely source for some seriously cracking drum and bass, but we’re glad that Enei is here to show us how it’s done. Tentatively beginning his career on Dutch label Fokuz, then branching out onto others such as Blu Saphir, Cyanide and Citrus, it came as no surprise that the big names of the industry were keeping an eye on his rapidlydeveloping talents - culminating in Kasra’s signing of Enei to seminal drum and bass label Critical just under two years ago. Releasing the Andy C-approved Cracker, One Chance and the much-lauded Stone Head EP in the short amount of time since, it’s looking like a move that will be paying off well for the label, culminating in him receiving the Best Newcomer Producer award at the end of 2011 at the Drum and Bass Arena Awards. Brown Alley, Cnr Colonial Hotel and Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
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
TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS CLUB SODA
EDEN SATURDAYS BIMBO THURSDAYS
HOT STEP
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has prepared a veritable roster of exciting drinks and cocktails to fuel the fun, including Fresh coconut cocktails, Dr. Pepper, Electric Lemonade, Tecate, Thaistyle Buckets and Bubble Cup cocktails. Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
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
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
HOMECOMING 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
MONDAY9TH 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
TUESDAY10TH 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
TRIPLE $15 FOR 3! BOWLING / DRINKS / LASER TAG
MIX AND MATCH AS YOU LIKE. TUESDAY NIGHTS AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL, STRIKE QV, STRIKE GLEN WAVERLEY & STRIKE BAYSIDE. CONDITIONS APPLY. LASER TAG AVAILABLE AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL ONLY.
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THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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RENNIE PILGREM BREAKS: PARTY PILGRIMAGE UK DJ and producer Rennie Pilgrem is well known as the godfather of breakbeat, if not, the pioneer of the nu-breaks sound. Now, releasing his anthology entitled The Best Of Rennie Pilgrem, 100% chats with the humble, humorous lad about the breaks scene ahead of what he has deemed his last tour Down Under. Most breaks fans know Rennie Pilgrem for starting out in UK hardcore breakbeat producer act Rhythm Section (releasing Feel The Rhythm [Comin’ On Strong]) and running TCR. His breaks tracks – particularly Like No Other and Hey Funky People – dominated sound-systems in clubs around the world and he’s been at the forefront since starting out in the scene somewhat 20 years ago. Now, Pilgrem is releasing a milestone anthology – The Best Of Rennie Pilgrem. Including some of his best work and some genuine classics from the breakbeat scene, releasing the anthology is something Pilgrem says felt right. “The time seemed quite right,” he says down the line from London. “I don’t think there’s been a lot of very exciting breaks for the last three or four years. There’s now quite an interesting scene with the future jungle stuff that’s sort of breaks at 140bpm – that’s like dubstep speed but proper breakbeat – which is quite exciting. For instance, in Spain which is a big market for breaks, they’ve gone mad for this retro sound where they get you over and they want you to play your classics, partly because there’s been a vacuum of good, new stuff. So I’ve been doing some sets and I thought, ‘Actually some of this isn’t even available for people to buy digitally’ so it seemed like a good idea [to release The Best Of Rennie Pilgrem].” Pilgrem says it was a bit of trip down memory lane putting the record together and obviously, there are a bunch of tracks which he’d have loved to included. “There were quite a few but then there’s nothing stopping me doing another one,” he says. “It was very nostalgic; I’ve still got copies on vinyl of everything. Obviously vinyl isn’t as important anymore whereas
10, 15 years ago; it meant everything so it has been an interesting, nostalgic little journey.” But, the release of this anthology isn’t the only nostalgic moment which Pilgrem is currently celebrating. This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of TCR, the label which Pilgrem started more than ten years ago and has been at the forefront of the breaks, rave, nu-funk and future jungle scene since it started. “It’s been going strong for 18 years,” Pilgrem says. To celebrate ten years running, TCR are putting on a BBQ, something they do every year. And, with the likes of Meat Katie, Pyramid, Terry Hooligan, High Eight, King Yoof, Pilgrem himself and more playing, it’s bound to be a ripper event. “We’ve got an incredible lineup really. It’s a big, free party that we’ve done every year and the main focus of it is great music and the main thing is to try and beat the drinking record at this bar every year,” Pilgrem says, half-jokingly. “It starts off quite civilised and then it’s serious, heavy drinking for 13 hours and having a good party.” Do you remember the first BBQ? “Vaguely,” he says, matter-of-factly. “People can’t believe it’s all free,” he says of the BBQ. “We’ve had people fly from Europe and Italy and stuff just to come to the party. We actually had a guy fly there, get a cab from the airport, party for 12 hours, get a cab to the airport home and then he had to go to work. Quite impressive. It’s an amazing party.” As a label, Pilgrem says TCR has changed greatly over the years. And, as much as the ten-year anniversary BBQ is a celebration of all good things for the imprint, Pilgrem has a realistic view when it comes to talking about the future of the label. “Over time it grew to have quite a very good roster of artists,” he says. “At the moment on the label now, I’m really only doing my stuff because since the whole digital way of buying stuff, most labels – economically — releasing other people’s stuff is not really worth it. Hopefully that might change but it’s too easy for people to get the music for nothing. For you to release someone else’s music and to promote it, just
means you’re going to lose a chunk of money each time. I think my way of getting new people would be to do a track and to get people to do mixes of it so that’s the way I do it now.” Now running a night called ‘Ruffneck’ alongside DJs and producers Jay Cunning and Jurassic, Pilgrem says his upcoming tour Down Under may well be his last ever visit to Australia. “Yes I think it could well be the last time,” he says, seriously, before adding, “because I’m now 78 years old (laughs). I’m not sure how long I’m going to be going all over the place and so yeah, I think it probably is.” But despite the upcoming tour registering as his last
tunes, when [it’s] clubs I’m playing deep.” As someone who is passionate about the genre he is always happy to pull out some favourites from his big collection. When it comes to performing both in the studio and on stage, it’s all about energy for this Russian record maestro. “I really love the process and everything depends on my music and my sets. So if I’m tired and hungry [the] tunes and sets are never good.” Like many DJs and producers before him, Enei needs his solitude when creating in the studio. “I definitely [like to] be in the studio alone. I need to totally focus on the beats.” Others have found recording on the road a rewarding process, not so for this DJ. “I tried but it’s not good for me. As I said I must be alone.” While a recluse in the studio, it was the party atmosphere and community elements that first drew a younger Alexey to drum and bass back in 2003. “When I started it was a big community but [it] was not really professional, so now we have less promoters but much better parties.” It was friends ultimately however that brought him into the scene. “They showed me some old school mixes and I loved it.” One of the most important elements of the genre
for Enei is what he calls the “bassline language.” After getting his first taste, he felt a real connection to the music and the way it flowed. Having released almost two dozen EPs and singles in his relatively brief career, the big question for fans of engaging style is when they can expect his highly anticipated debut album. “It’s coming out in October. Lots of good tunes with
Often it’s an internal battle like, ‘I wish I didn’t have this vice, is it bad? Is it affecting my health?’ but I’ve kind of gotten over that complex and just accepted that it’s part of who I am… I had this perception that I was a vague, stoner beat-maker and then I realised I had this other skill set to use.” Aside from being a DJ and producer, the skill set which Michel talks of is running the collective This Thing. Having started up roughly a year ago as a Google group that a bunch of similar, likeminded artists used to communicate through, Michel took it a step further and formed a collective. “There’s a whole bunch of us who are beat-makers, broadcasters and DJs, just people who are interested in music, and a lot of us were coming up and doing some interesting stuff and we all had a similar taste so we figured if we joined forces then we could probably do a lot of stuff,” he says. During the creation of This Thing, Michel was booking a late night venue called the Buffalo Club. “It enabled This Thing to have a platform because we had that monthly,” he says. Michel says This Thing has been really lucky in Australia in terms of recognition and opportunities and their aim is to now reach out overseas. “We’re going to America in July and we’re going to play some shows over there and we’re going to try and speak to some people and crew in terms of distribution,” he says. Michel has come a long way since dropping out of his composition course at WAAPA (“I was mainly only studying because my girlfriend at the time was studying
at the same institution as me and I didn’t have much else to do. It was a really good course but I just found myself making less music than I would normally”) and Boyfriend Material is just one collection of tunes which he plans on releasing this year. “I’ve got another EP following which will be four tracks in July,” he says. “I’m really going to be doing a whole retrospective I guess, a whole bunch of
possible tour Down Under, Pilgrem says Australia is one of his favourite places to tour. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad tour over there,” he says. “Even the last couple of times where they were saying, ‘Oh breaks is suffering, etc.’, I had a lot of great feedback where people were really pleased to hear it. Australia and Spain have been the best places in the world really for breaks.” Annabel Maclean Rennie Pilgrem [UK] plays the Royal Melbourne Hotel on Friday July 20.
ENEI RIGHT ON: RUSSIAN RAVER While to some, Russia may conjure up ideas of frosty, industrial type vibes, drum and bass sensation Enei could very well change perceptions. The St. Petersburg native, born Alexey Egorchenkov, is bringing his uniquely engaging and cinematic touch to the well-trodden genre. Cuts like the up-tempo Right On hint at his cultural roots while melding them with a sensibility more in touch with his brethren in the UK. The acclaimed Enei will be hitting Australia for the first time as he rocks Brown Alley this Friday. “I’m really happy. Last time, two years ago, I did New Zealand gigs but no Australia.” Even if his English is coming across the line in a broken form, his passion for what he does is obvious in his tone. Along with his visit to Kiwi land the bespectacled DJ-producer has steadily toured Europe since debuting on wax in 2007. Understandably his favourite spot happens to be the birthplace of drum and bass. “I really love [the] UK and Fabric club. [I] played there like two months ago. Really cool country, great people and drum and bass.” Having seen his share of both festival shows and more intimate venues, Enei likes a balance. “I like both, because it’s some other feeling. When I’m playing on a big festivals I drop some heavy mainstream
good MCs, vocalists and artists and also non-drum and bass tracks.” Andrew Hazard Hickey Enei [RUS] plays Brown Alley on Friday July 6.
WOOSHIE WATCH OUT FOR: THIS THING Melbourne-based beat-maker Dylan Michel, aka Wooshie, has just released his debut EP Boyfriend Material. The chilled out DJ and producer has been running This Thing, a collective home to the likes of Perth’s own James Ireland and Sydney producer Rainbow Chan. 100% chats with the lad who has been “smoking pot every day for the last ten years” of his life. Boyfriend Material is “a bit of a joke” according to Dylan Michel. “It’s just taking the piss out ofmyself,” he says down the line from his home in Brunswick where he’s currently living on a diet of juice and smoothies to get over the dreaded flu. Put together in a month (along with many other songs), Michel says the EP – and his sound in general – is about “trying to say a lot by using as minimal elements as possible”. “Basically anything to avoid vocals on my tracks just because I’d rather get those ideas across with sounds. A lot of it is simple and just really raw ideas,” he says. Based around relationships, the cover for the cassettes and artwork for the EP contains a pretty hilarious picture of Michel’s father sitting on a couch smiling. With luscious long locks and an engaging smile, it’s a smattering of awkwardness fused with humour. “I’m not really close to my dad or anything but I have crazy respect for him,” he says. “He’s an Oscar-winning cinematographer and a workaholic. I guess I have that sort of similar blind motivation. “I’ve been smoking pot every day for the last ten years and I find it keeps me motivated. I do a lot with my time.
8.
FEATURES
music I made when I was like 16.” Annabel Maclean Wooshie’s [AUS] Boyfriend Material EP is out now. He plays The Workers Club on Sunday July 8.
ONETWENTYBAR EUROTRASH
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STRIKE FIRSTFLOOR
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100% CLUB PICS
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WEDNESDAY4TH COMPRESSION SESSION Reggae at E55 every Wednesday night. Resident selectors play stricly vinyl. Free entry. 8pm. E55, 55 Elizabeth St, Melbourne CBD
THURSDAY5TH RHYTHM-AL-ISM Start the weekend early with Fusion’s Resident DJs. Music for your funkin’ soul. Special guests every week! Tonight marks the 12th Anniversary of Australian’s longest running R&B night, so make sure to get down for what will undoubtedly be a night to remember. Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
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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
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 Yarr
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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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
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
DR. OCTAGON 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 well-renowned 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
HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE 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, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
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
THE PHARCYDE Los Angeles hip hop outfit The Pharcyde have been kicking it together for two decades, now. Doesn’t feel like it, given their enduring reputation for cutting-edge, forward-thinking beats and rhymes. Go on, have a listen to Bizarre Ride II: The Pharcyde again, 20 years on - its sense of timelessness is a rare thing, with classics such as Oh Shit, Otha Fish, Ya’ Mama, and hit single, Passing Me By guaranteeing the record its rightful place in best-of collections by everyone from Pitchfork to the Source. It isn’t often a group with their cheeky self-deprecating and incisive humour come along - and set to make a return to Australia soon, we can guarantee this is one gig you definitely don’t want to pass you by. Thursday August 23, The Espy, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
ILLY 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
BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY 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
RAINMAN AWE: TISM Whilst falling in love with music on long car trips is pretty standard – making it your lifelong journey is a little different. With Dad playing Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Howlin’ Wolf and Rodriguez, and with Mum pumping Eurythmics, Pointers Sisters and Donna Summer – a career in music wasn’t going to be the longest odds in the end now, was it? Later, Rainman explains that he got into making mixtapes and mucking around beat boxing. “Then I started trying to write rhymes and freestyle – while also getting more into the DJ side of things,” he says. “I also picked up some turntables and learnt how to beat mix and cut. It was a gradual thing for me. “From there, pretty much all of the music that I heard as a kid inspired me and opened my ears to a world of music that I’ve been more than happy to soak up. I think now I hear it all through hip hop ears and think of how lyrics could be flipped in a hip hop context or sections could be sampled.” Indeed, hip hop was there at the right place and time for Rainman and he admits it wasn’t ever going to be anything else. “There was lots of interest in music in the family but there weren’t any instruments around and there wasn’t money there for music lessons or anything. Hip hop was just that thing that clicked for me and there weren’t any barriers like money in the way to start mucking around with it and try it out and start beat boxing and rapping and making little pause tape mixes and loops.” So, with second album, Bigger Pictures, complete, the man reckons he’s played more shows and written more tracks so there has been a natural progression with it. “I just wanted to build on what I’ve done before and continue to put my own spin on this music that I love and let more people have a chance to check it out. And I’m happy with it. I’ve continued to put my own spin on this music and it’s been getting pretty favourable reviews and responses so that’s been awesome. I know there’s always more I can put into it and that’s the beauty of it. The inspiration from the positive feedback gets me inspired to push things further for the next one.” Production duties on the album were handled between partner-in-crime Sammsonite, Rainman and others.
“Most of the tracks we did started off with me chopping samples and laying basic drums and working out a rough structure, then handing it over to him to build on. Beyond that, there’s Count Bounce from TZU, Chasm, DJ Bonez, Calski, Cam Bluff and Mangohig from Sietta. The direction with production was just to try make good music and keep it sounding interesting. “Once we got close to having an album’s worth of material, I spent a fair bit of time working out the final track selection and order so that I was happy with the flow of it as an album. In terms of writing, I wrote all the lyrics on the album and a few of the sung choruses other singers do as well.” And the influence was varied. Rainman continues with this: “I grew up mostly listening to US hip hop in the ‘90s because that’s where most of it was being made at the time – and obviously where it started. So it’s a massive influence, but so is the local scene now and so is life in general and music in general, social issues, politics – everything. For me, the challenge is fusing all these influences into something that respects all these influences.” Likewise, with the second album said and done, Rainman is already looking to album three. “It’s definitely not too early to think about it,” he professes proudly. “I’ve been involved with music as a ‘career’ since the late ‘90s when I started getting paid to DJ at house parties. For me, I have to make music and collect music and share music. I get pretty down if I have a long patch without that buzz of finishing off a new verse or a mix so either way I’m going to make music. Ideally, like a million other people, I’d love to live off music so if I can get things to that stage then that would be awesome. In the short term, I’m really keen to keep the momentum rolling and step up the release rate dramatically. It was five and a half years between albums!” As for the show, he claims you can expect a passionate sometimes humorous and soulful take on hip hop. “I’ll be packing Calski in the suitcase, who’ll be on the MPC punching out samples and drums and hitting you with some live beat flips and remixes. Calski and I have
“HIP HOP WAS JUST THAT THING THAT CLICKED FOR ME AND THERE WEREN’T ANY BARRIERS LIKE MONEY IN THE WAY TO START MUCKING AROUND WITH IT AND TRY IT OUT AND START BEAT BOXING AND RAPPING AND MAKING LITTLE PAUSE TAPE MIXES AND LOOPS.”
collaborated on a bunch of tracks for his album and I’ve also got DJ Butcher on board for the Melbourne show so he’ll be on cuts and occasional extras – even some vocoder! There’s a couple [of] album guests that live in Melbourne too so we’ll have some special guests get up in the set and do some tracks live for the first time. Ever.” Bring it. URBAN
RK Rainman’s [AUS] Bigger Pictures is out now through Born Fresh/Obese. He plays Laundry Bar on Friday July 6.
11.
WHERE TO NEXT? 29th Apartment 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9078 8922
The Lounge Pit 386-388 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 9415 6142
303 303 High Street, Northcote
Love Machine Cnr Lt Chapel & Malvern Rd, Prahran, 9533 8837
Abode 374 St.Kilda Rd, St.Kilda
Lucky Coq 179 Chapel St, Windsor, 9525 1288
Albert Park Hotel Cnr Montague & Dundas Pl, Albert Park, 9690 5459
The LuWOW 62-70 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 5447
Alia Lvl 1, 83-87 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9486 0999
Mercat Cross Lvl 1, 456 Queen St, Melb, 9348 9998
Alumbra Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Espl, Docklands, 8623 9666
Mink 2 Acland St, St Kilda, 9536 1199
Back Bar 67 Green St, Windsor, 9529 7899
Miss Libertine 34 Franklin St, Melb, 9663 6855
Bar Open 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 9601
Misty 3-5 Hosier Ln, Melb, 9663 9202
Baroq House 9-13 Drewery Ln, Melb, 8080 5680
Mockingbird Bar 129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 0000
Bendigo Hotel 125 Johnston St, Collingwood 9417 3415
Musicland 1359A Sydney Rd, Fawkner, 9359 0006
Bennetts Jazz Club 25 Bennetts Ln, Melb, 9663 2856
Neverland 32-48 Johnson St, South Melb, 9646 5544
Bertha Brown 562 Flinders Street, 9629 1207
New Guernica Lvl 2, Hub Arcade, 318-322 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 4464
Big Mouth 168 Acland St, St.Kilda, 9534 4611
Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 0090
Billboard 170 Russell St, Melb, 9639 4000
Night Cat 279 Flinders Ln, Melb, 9654 0444
Bimbo Deluxe 376 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 8600
Noise Bar 291 Albert St, Brunswick, 9380 1493
Birmingham Hotel Cnr Smith & Johnston St, Fitzroy
Northcote Social Club 301 High St, Northcote, 9489 3917
Black Cat 252 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6230
Old Bar 74 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 4155
Blue Bar 330 Chapel St, Prahran, 9529 6499
One Twenty Bar 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Blue Tile Lounge 95 Smith St, Fitzroy
Onesixone 161 High St, Prahran, 9533 8433
Boutique 134 Greville St, Prahran, 9525 2322
Order Of Melbourne level 2, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 6707
Brown Alley King Street, Melb,9670 8599
Palace Hotel 893 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Brunswick Hotel 140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9387 6637
Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, Melb, 9650 0180
Builders Arms 211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Palais 111 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, 5348 4849
Cabinet Bar 11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne, 9654 0915
Palais Theatre Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, 9525 3240
Caravan Music Club 95 Drummond St, Oakleigh
Papa Goose 91 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, 9663 2800
Caseys Nightclub 660A Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9810 0030
Penny Black 420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 8667
Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets 80 Smith St, Collingwood, 9415 8876
Pier Live Hotel 508 Nepean Hwy, Frankston, 9783 9800
CBD Club 12-14 McKillop St, Melb, 9670 3638
Pony 68-70 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9662 1026
Chaise Lounge Basement, 105 Queen St, Melb, 9670 6120
Portland Hotel Cnr Lt Collins & Russell St, Melb, 9810 0064
Chandelier Room 91 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, 9532 2288
The Prague Hotel, 911 High St, Northcote, 9495 0000
Chelsea Heights Hotel Cnr Springvale & Wells Rd,
Pretty Please 61c Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Chelsea Heights, 9773 4453
Prince Bandroom 29 Fitztory St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Cherry Bar AC/DC Ln, Melb, 9639 8122
Prince Of Wales 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Chi Lounge 195 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne, 9662 2688
Public Bar 238 Victoria St, North Melb, 9329 6522
Co. Lvl 3, Crown Complex, 9292 5750
Purple Emerald Lounge Bar 349 High St, Northcote, 9482 7007
Colonial Hotel (Brown Alley) Cnr King & Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 8599
Railway Hotel 280 Ferrars St, South Melb, 9690 5092
Commercial Club Hotel 344 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, 9419 1522
Red Bennies 371 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9826 2689
Cookie Lvl 1, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 7660
RedLove Lvl 1, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 3722
Corner Hotel 57 Swan St, Richmond, 9427 9198
Retreat Hotel 226 Nicholson St, Abbotsford, 9417 2693
Cornish Arms 163 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
The Retreat Hotel 280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 4090
CQ 113 Queen St, Melb, 8601 2738
Revolt Elizabeth St, Kensington, 03 9376 2115
Croft Institute 21 Croft Alley, Melb, 9671 4399
Revolver Upstairs 229 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5985
Cruzao Arepa Bar 365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 7871
Rochester Castle Hotel 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9415 7555
Cushion 99 Fitzroy St, St.Kilda, 9534 7575
Rooftop Cider Bar, Cnr Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne, 9650 3884
Damask 1/347 Burnswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 4578
Room 680 Level 1, 680 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9818 0680
The Drunken Poet 65 Peel Street, West Melbourne, 9348 9797
Roxanne Parlour Lvl 3, 2 Coverlid Pl, Melb
Der Raum 438 Church St, Richmond, 9428 0055
Royal Derby 446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 2321
Ding Dong Lounge Lvl 1, 18 Market Ln, Melb, 9662 1020
Roal Melbourne Hotel 629 Bourke St, 9629 2400
Dizzy’s Jazz Club 381 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 1233
Ruby’s Lounge 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, 9754 7445
Double Happiness 21 Liverpool St, Melb, 9650 4488
Saint Hotel 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9593 8333
E:55 55 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9620 3899
Sandbelt Live Cnr South & Bignell Rd, Moorabbin, 9555 6899
East Brunswick Club 280 Lygon St, East Brunswick, 9388 2777
Scarlett Lounge 174 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 0230
Edinburgh Castle 681 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Seven Nightclub 52 Albert Rd, South Melb, 9690 7877
Electric Ladyland Lvl 1, 265 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5757
Spensers Live 419 Spencer St, West Melb, 03 9329 8821
Elwood Lounge 49-51 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood, 9525 6788
Spot 133 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9388 0222
Empress 714 Nicholson St, Nth Fitzroy, 9489 8605
Standard Hotel 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy, 9419 4793
Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, 9534 0211
Star Bar 160 Clarendon St, South Melb, 9810 0054
Eurotrash 18 Corrs Ln, Melb, 9654 4411
Station 59 59 Church St, Richmond, 9427 8797
Eve 334 City Rd, Southbank, 9696 7388
Stolberg Beer Café 197 Plenty Rd, Preston, 9495 1444
Evelyn 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 5500
Sub Lounge & Restaurant 168 Elizabeth St Melb, 0411 800 198
Ferntree Gully Hotel 1130 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully, 9758 6544
Sugar Bar (Hotel Urban) 35 Fitztroy St, St Kilda, 8530 8888
Festival Hall 300 Dudley St, West Melbourne, 9329 9699
Temperance Hotel 426 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9827 7401
First Floor 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6380
Thornbury Theatre 859 High St, Thornbury, 9484 9813
Forum Theatre 154 Flinders St, Melb, 9299 9800
Tiki Lounge 327 Swan St, Richmond, 9428 4336
The Fox Hotel 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 9416 4957
Toff In Town Lvl 2, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 8770
Fusion Lvl 3, Crown Complex, Southbank, 9292 5750
Tony Starr’s Kitten Club 267 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 2448
The Gallery Room 1/510 Flinders St, Melbourne, 9629 1350
The Tote Hotel 67 Johnson St, Collingwood, 9419 5320
Gem Bar & Dining 289 Wellingston St, Collingwood, 9419 5170
Town Hall Hotel 33 Errol St, North Melbourne, 9328 1983
George Basement, 127 Fitzroy St, 9534 8822
Trak Lounge 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak, 9826 9000
Gertrude’s Brown Couch 30 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, 9417 6420
Tramp 20 King St, Melb
Grace Darling Hotel 114 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 0055
Transport Hotel Federation Square, Melb, 9654 8808
Grandview Hotel Cnr Heidelberg Rd & Station St, Fairfield, 9489 8061
Trunk 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne, 9663 7994
Great Britain Hotel 447 Church St, Richmond, 9429 5066
Tyranny Of Distance 147 Union St, Windsor, 9525 1005
Grind N Groove 274 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Two of Hearts 149 Commercial Road, Prahran
Grumpy’s Green 125 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 1944
Union Hotel Brunswick 109 Union St, Brunswick, 9388 2235
Gypsy Bar 334 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 0548
Veludo 175 Acland St, St Kilda, 9534 4456
HiFi 125 Swanston St, Melb, 1300 843 4434
Victoria Hotel 380 Victoria St, Brunswick, 9388 0830
Highlander 11a Highlander Lane, Melb, 9620 2227
Wah Wah Lounge Lvl 1, 185 Lonsdale St, Melb
Hoo Haa 105 Chapel St, Windsor, 9529 6900
Wesley Anne 250 High St, Northcote, 9482 1333
Horse Bazaar 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 2329
Westernport Hotel 161 Marine Pde, San Remo, 5678 5205
Iddy Biddy 47 Blessington St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Willow Bar 222 High Street, Northcote, 9481 1222
Jett Black 177 Greville St, Prahran
Windsor Castle 89 Albert St, Windsor, 9525 0239
John Curtin Hotel 29 Lygon St, Melb, 9663 6350
Workers Club 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 8889
Khokolat Bar 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, 039642 1142
Workshop Lvl 1, 413 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9326 4365
La Di Da 577 Lt Bourke St, Melb, 9670 7680
Yah Yah’s 99 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9419 4920
Labour In Vain 197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 5955
The Vine 59 Wellington St, Collingwood, 9417 2434
Lomond Hotel 225 Nicholson St, East Brunswick Longroom 162 Collins St, Melbourne, 9663 9226 Loop 23 Meyers Pl, Melb, 9654 0500 Lounge 243 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 2916
12.
VENUE DIRECTORY
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