ISSUE 1351 | 19 DEC 2012 | BEAT.COM.AU
MELBOURNE’S ORIGINAL AND HIGHEST CIRCULATING STREETPRESS
DAVID BYRNE & ST VINCENT
DIRTY PROJECTORS
SHARON VAN ETTEN
SIGHTSEERS
100%: KRAFTY KUTS
THIS WEEK: SPENCER P. JONES AND THE NOTHING BUTTS, THICK LINE THIN LINE, JASON BYRNE, SPIDERBAIT, SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS, FIREBALLS, JONNY TELAFONE, FIRST AID KIT
EMPIRE LIVE
SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER
2 CLUBS s 1 TICKET s DON’T MISS IT To enhance the safety and welfare of all patrons, Crown promotes the following conditions of entry: Dress standards apply. Customers must be 18 years or over and submit their driver’s
LEVEL 3 | CROWN
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MELBOURNE’S EPIC SATURDAY NIGHT CLUB
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Beat Magazine Page 3
WITH
DJ SET
AUSTRALIA
SRI LANKA
11 JANUARY 2013 - MCG
TICKETS SELLING FAST
AT CRICKET..COM..AU
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Don’t miss this truly awful offer!
boozebusted.com
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80 Lygon St. Brunswick East Ph 9036 1456
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WITH YOUR HOST BRODIE GET IN AND REGISTER FROM 7PM ONWARDS $10 JUGS OF BRUNSWICK BITTER THURSDAY THE 20TH OF DECEMBER - FROM 8PM TILL 1AM $3 SCHOONERS OF CARLTON DRAUGHT - $5 BASIC SPIRITS FROM 8PM
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YOUR TICKET HOME ONE DAY MAYBE LLAMA WITH BEANNI FRIDAY THE 21ST OF DECEMBER - FROM 7PM
ADMIRAL ACKBAR’S DISHONOURABLE DISCHARGE WITH GUESTS: STRAWBERRY FIST CAKE THE SHADOW LEAGUE K-MART WARRIORS THE MURDERBALLS LORD JUSTIN AND HIS ONE MAN BAND SATURDAY THE 22ND OF DECEMBER - FROM 5PM
ROCK N ROWDY XMAS PARTY! FEATURING: BANDS INSIDE:
CUT
THU 20th Dec
Kitchen Specials
Mon - $12 Burger and $12 Parma +
OPEN MIC NIGHT Tues - Trivia Night Wed - $14 Porterhouse Steak
Friday Dec 21st SEX TOURETTES SID O’NEIL
ROYAL PARADE, THE ROMEO KNIGHTS, THE ARCADES, 23 ANGLES OF ATTACK, TRIALS OF RESONANCE DJ’S OUTSIDE: FLIP3K, JIMMY LE MAC, KABLAM, DSTRACT, TEEDUBYA, MONKEY, VESPA SUNDAY THE 23RD OF DECEMBER - FROM 8PM
Saturday Dec 22nd
SUDDEN STATE ABLAZE MONDAY THE 24TH OF DECEMBER - FROM 8PM
THE REVOLVING NEVERBEENS
PADAVONA
“LET’S GET FUNNY AT THE BRUNNY” XMAS SPECTACULAR WITH COMEDIC PERFORMANCES BY ASHLEY FILS-AIME BRAD OAKES AND FRIENDS $10 JUGS OF CARLTON DRAUGHT TUESDAY THE 25TH OF DECEMBER
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GREEN CANS SEA LEGS HEY! SANTIAGO
8.30-9.15PM 9.30-10.15PM 10.30-11.15PM
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KASHMERE CLUB THE MONGRELS
9.30-10.30PM 10.45-11.45PM
SAT 22nd Dec 9.30-11.30PM
THE CHARLIES
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MON-THURS FROM 3PM - LATE FRI-SUN FROM 12PM - LATE NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH ON FRIDAY!!
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Tuesday Wednesday
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PLAYING YEHARIN’ TUNES FROM THEIR ALBUM THE ORIGINAL CARTRIDGE FAMILY, THEY ARE SUZANNAH ESPIE, SARAH CARROLL, RUSTY BERTHER AND GREG FIELD.
Friday
Thursday $15 Parma & Pot
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EXPECT ASTOUNDINGLY GOOD HARMONICA, BLUES GUITAR, BANTER EXTRAORDINAIRE AND THAT BIG BAND SOUND AS WILSON CUTS LOOSE.
Ol’ Timey Music Jam Session 5pm, Beer Garden
Busy kingdom Hounds Homebound, Papa Maul 9:00 pm
Sunday Goldsprints Presents SUNDAY 23RD DECEMBER - 5PM
A VERY UNION CHRISTMAS ROLL OUT THE CHRISTMAS BARRELS AS AN ALL-STAR CAST OF MUSOS TAKE TO THE STAGE FOR AN ARVO OF CHRISTMAS-INSPIRED MAYHEM AND MUSIC TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE MELBOURNE CITY MISSION. ON THE BILL: SPOONFUL, JON VON GOES, (SOME OF) THE PRAYERBABIES, THE SHIVERING TIMBERS, TESS MCKENNA & SHAPIROS, (ALL OF) THE NATIVE PLANTS, TELECASTRO, TEXAS TOM AND MORE! FOR A SNEAK PREVIEW, LISTEN TO RRR FROM 2PM TODAY (23 DEC)!
“Summer Sprints” Bike Races on Rollers, Grudge Matches 2pm Start, $10 Entry, Prizes & Giveaways
Lindsay Bush (AKF) 5pm In The Beer Garden
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FRI 21 DEC END OF THE WORLD PARTY CONDENSED MILK FEAT AMIN PAYNE [CDMK] + JACKSON MILES [CDMK]
SAT 22 DEC BLACKWOOD JACK KASHMERE CLUB
CLOSED XMAS EVE XMAS DAY & BOXING DAY MON 24/12 TO WED 26/12
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FRI 31 DEC LAMINE SONKO & TUMBARUMBA
KITCHEN OPEN DAILY FROM 11AM TIL LATE
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GET A BURGER GIG DETAILS SEE: theb-east.com
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with and
THE JUNGLE GIANTS
SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER FESTIVAL HALL ticketmaster.com.au - 136 100 (Licensed All Ages)
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E U G O L CATA ! W O N T U O
YOUR PATH TO ROCK! This pack has a great Yamaha Pacifica guitar and a hot new Vox amp to get you started in guitar playing. The pack also includes a Vox cable, Korg tuner, learn-to-play DVD, strings, picks, strap and string winder. Colours: Black, Dark Blue Metallic, Red Metallic. lilic.. lic
GL1 Halff guitar, half ukelele, Ha Hal 100 0 fun! The GL1 100% ssou o sounds and plays great, haa nylon strings, hhas Sp S p Spruce top and includes a ccarry bag.
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THE NEXT LEVEL IN SOUND AND QUALITY GIGMAKER15R With this super quality solid-body Pacifica 112J electric guitar and 15 watt Vox Pathfinder 15R amp featuring vintage tremolo and spring reverb, you’ll get all the classic sounds you desire. Also included are a Vox cable, Korg tuner, learn-to-play DVD, strings, picks, strap and string winder. Colours: Black, Lake Placid Blue, Old Violin Sunburst, Red Metallic, Yellow Natural Satin. Left handed version also available in Black.
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RBX170 + BELCAT25B
This guitar and amp pack will have you shredding in no time with all the sounds and effects you need. Includes a Yamaha RGX121Z, Vox MINI3 digital modelling amp, Vox cable, Korg tuner, learn-to-play DVD, strings, picks, strap and string winder. Colours: Black, Flat Silver, Red Metallic. Left handed version also available in Black.
This bass guitar will suit any type of playing style and is perfect for beginners. The pack includes an RBX170 with bolt-on neck, vintage style bridge, dual pick-up system and includes a powerful 25 watt bass amp. Colours: Black, Dark Blue Metallic, Old Violin Sunburst, Red Metallic, Silver.
EFFORTLESS LOOPING WITH AWESOME EFFECTS
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VLL-1
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Ideal for both guitar and vocal/mic performances, it has two independent loops, infinite layers, loop quantize, 12 effects, rhythm guide, headphone output, and can be battery or AC powered.
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THE BEST WAY TO START PLAYING TODAY
C40//02
GIGMAKER310
Yamaha’s number one beginner’s classical guitar with beautiful tone and legendary Yamaha quality. It has a natural gloss finish and a Spruce top.
This acoustic guitar pack includes an F310 guitar (Spruce top, natural finish), gig bag, Korg digital tuner, string set, strap, string winder, capo, picks and learn-to-play DVD.
$899
A REVOLUTION FOR GUITAR PRACTICE THR10 THR is designed to fit where, when and how you play when you’re not onstage. With big amp response, incredible effects, and hi-fi stereo sound in a package that’s built to meet all of your offstage needs, you’re about to begin a new chapter in your playing. Features USB connection, aux-in jack, Cubase AI, user preset banks, 3-band EQ and can be battery or AC powered.
LIVE SOUND SO ND HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER STAGEPAS300 Ideal system for parties, busking and rehearsing. This extraordinarily portable PA system features an 8 channel mixer and delivers 300 watts of high-quality power to a pair of lightweight, compact speakers.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS This advertisement is part of a national sales program conducted by the distributor, Yamaha Music Australia Pty Ltd. These offers are valid only between 1st November 2012 and 31st December 2012 at participating dealers. The prices set out or referred to in this advertisement are recommended retail prices (RRP) only and there is no obligation for Yamaha dealers to comply with this recommendation or the effective program dates. Errors and omissions excepted. Not all products listed in this advertisement are available at all Yamaha dealers. # These products are listed at normal RRP and are not part of this special distributor’s promotional offer. † The “value” specified for the bonus offers is Yamaha Music Australia’s recommended retail price of these products. The Yamaha dealer participating in this promotion may not have sold these products in the past and where it has sold these products it may have sold them at less than the RRP. Other dealers may or may not sell them at the RRP.
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NEW
COMPLETE CYMBAL PACK TO GET YOU STARTED
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LOUD OR SILENT - IT’S YOUR CHOICE, PERFECT FOR PRACTICE OR LIVE ON STAGE
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Quality drum shells, ball-clamp tom holders and sturdy double braced hardware. Now available in Black or a choice of 5 new glitter sparkle finishes.
INCLUDES: Paiste 101 Cymbal Pack Valued at
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An easy to use, great sounding electronic drum kit with built-in training functions to get your drumming journey started.
P35B
The portable P35B helps beginners become music virtuosos in no time at all. Thanks to its stunningly realistic sounds and natural touch, it inspires practice by making it fun. No keyboard in its class offers such a powerful combination of features, including the 88-key weighted action, builtin metronome and 10 great voices. Includes footswitch for sustain. Optional stand and piano bench available. Includes Power Adaptor.
$239#†
with Gigmaker Drum Kit
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THE PERFECT BEGINNING FOR ANYONE LEARNING MUSIC
THE IDEAL WAY TO START EXPLORING THE WORLD OF MUSIC
SLIM, LIGHT AND COMPACT
PSRE233
PSRE333
61 keys and 100 different accompaniment styles. Remarkable sound and amazing value. Includes Power Adaptor.
61 touch sensitive keys giving piano playability and added expression. USB port allows easy connection to your computer. Learning music is fun and easy with Yamaha Education Suite lessons and 102 preset songs. Includes Power Adaptor.
76-key Graded Soft Touch keyboard that’s ready to go when you are. You’ll be impressed by its sensational sound quality. Includes Power Adaptor.
NP31
CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL STORE! VICTORIA BALWYN
EASTGATE MUSIC
315 WHITEHORSE ROAD
(03) 9888 6899
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BLACKBURN
CRANBOURNE MUSIC
171 WHITEHORSE ROAD
(03) 9878 3900
www.cranbournemusic.com.au
BORONIA
KEYBOARD CORNER
137 BORONIA ROAD
(03) 9762 6747
www.keyboardcorner.com.au
CRANBOURNE
CRANBOURNE MUSIC
130 HIGH STREET
(03) 5996 6955
www.cranbournemusic.com.au
CRANBOURNE
CRANBOURNE MUSIC DRUM SUPERSTORE
132 HIGH STREET
(03) 5995 5933
www.cranbournemusic.com.au
GEELONG
MUSIC WORKSHOP
39 FYANS STREET
(03) 5221 5844
www.musicworkshop.com.au
MELBOURNE
CRANBOURNE MUSIC
204 LATROBE STREET
(03) 9654 5115
www.cranbournemusic.com.au
SOUTH OAKLEIGH
PAT'S MUSIC
940 CENTRE ROAD
(03) 9563 8711
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VIEW THE FULL CATALOGUE AT
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Beat Magazine Page 16
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Beat Magazine Page 17
Beat Magazine Page 18
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
IN THIS ISSUE...
22
HOT TALK
26
TOURING
28
KIMBRA
30
ARTS GUIDE, SIGHTSEERS
32
ART OF THE CITY, THE COMIC STRIP
34
LUCHA VAVOOM, JASON BYRNE
36
DIRTY PROJECTORS, FIRST AID KIT
57
DAVID BYRNE & ST VINCENT
58
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
60
NITE JEWEL, SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS
62
JONNY TELEFONE, THE MEN, FUN.
SPENCER P. JONES & THE NOTHING BUTSS PG 71 FUN. PG 62
63
THE VENGABOYS
64
SHARON VAN ETTEN
65
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK
66
FIREBALLS, BAND OF HORSES, THICK LINE THIN LINE
67
COMEBACK KID
68
FALLS FESTIVAL LORNE - MAPS & SET TIMES
69
THEE OH SEES
70
CORE/CRUNCH!
71
SPENCER P. JONES & THE NOTHING BUTTS
72
MUSIC NEWS
80
ALBUM OF THE WEEK, SINGLES, CHARTS
THIS WEEK IN 100%:
KRAFTY KUTS
3 NEWTON STREET RICHMOND, VICTORIA 3121 Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611 email: info@beat.com.au www.beat.com.au BEAT MAGAZINE EMAIL ADDRESSES: (no large attachments please): Gig Guide: online at beat.com.au email gigguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Club Listings: online at beat.com.au email clubguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Music News Items: music@beat.com.au Artwork: art@beat.com.au Beat Classifieds 33c a word: classifieds@beat.com.au
30,706 copies per week
FALLS FESTIVAL MAPS & SET TIMES PG68
BAND OF HORSES PG 66
PUBLISHER: Furst Media Pty Ltd. MUSIC EDITOR: Taryn Stenvei ARTS EDITOR / ASSOCIATE MUSIC EDITOR: Tyson Wray SUB EDITOR: Kate McCarter, Lorna Stewart - Thornton EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Nick Taras INTERNS: Alexandra Duguid, Dylan McCarthy, Spence Goucher, Daniel Bell, Jack Parsons GENERAL MANAGER: Patrick Carr SENIOR ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR: Ronnit Sternfein BEAT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Pat O’Neill GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Pat O’Neill, Mike Cusack, Gill Tucker, Baly Knox COVER ART: Pat O’Neill ADVERTISING: Taryn Stenvei (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) taryn@beat.com.au Ronnit Sternfein (100%/Beat/Arts/Education/Ad Agency) ronnit@beat.com.au Aleksei Plinte (Backstage/ Musical Equipment) mixdown@beat.com.au Adam Morgan (Hospitality/Bars) adam@beat.com.au Kris Furst (beat.com.au) kris@furstmedia.com.au 0431 243 808 Jessica Riley (Indie Bands/Special Features) jessica@furstmedia.com.au CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@beat.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS: now online at www.beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au
ELECTRONIC EDITOR - BEAT ONLINE: Tyson Wray: tyson@beat.com.au ACCOUNTANT: accountant@furstmedia.com.au ADMINISTRATION CO-ORDINATOR: Jessica Riley: jessica@furstmedia.com.au ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forester: admin@furstmedia.com.au RECEPTION: reception@furstmedia.com.au DISTRIBUTION: distribution@beat.com.au Free Every Wednesday to over 1,850 places including Convenience Stores, Newsagents, Ticket Outlets, Shopping Centres, Community Youth & Welfare Outlets, Clubs, Hotels, Venues, Record, Music and Video Shops, Boutiques, Retailers, Bars, Restaurants, Cafes, Bookstores, Hairdressers, Recording Studios, Cinemas, Theatres, Galleries, Universities and Colleges. Wanna get BEAT? Email distribution@beat.com.au DEADLINES Editorial Copy accepted no later than 5pm Thursday before publication for Club listings, Arts, Gig Guide etc. Advertising Copy accepted no later than 12pm Monday before publication. Print ready art by 2pm Monday. Deadlines are strictly adhered to. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mary Boukouvalas, Lauren Cass, Ben Clement, Ben Gunzburg, Andrew Gyopar, CC Hug, Tim Hyland, Anna Kanci, Ben Loveridge, Mathew Murphy, Charles Newbury, John O’Rourke, Chris Parkinson, Naomi Rahim, Richard Sharman, Leon Struk, Michelle Tomadin, Peter Tsipas, Amy Wallace, Woodrow Wilson.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
81
ALBUMS
82
GIG GUIDE
90
LIVE
SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Christie Eliezer SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS: Simone Ubaldi, Patrick Emery COLUMNISTS: Emily Kelly, Peter Hodgson. CONTRIBUTORS: Mitch Alexander, Siobhan Argent, Bella Arnott-Hoare, Thomas Bailey, Graham Blackley, Chris Bright, Joanne Brookfield, Tegan Butler, Avrille BylockCollard, Rose Callaghan, Kim Croxford, Dave Dawson, John Donaldson, Alexandra Duguid, Alasdair Duncan, Cam Ewart, Callum Fitzpatrick, Jack Franklin, Chris Girdler, Megan Hanson, Chris Harms, Andrew Hickey, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Joshua Kloke, Nick Mason, Krystal Maynard, Miki McLay, Jeremy Millar, James Nicoli, Oliver Pelling, Matt Panag, Jack Parsons, Sasha Petrova, Liam Pieper, Steve Phillips, Zoe Radas, Adam Robertshaw, Joanna Robin, Leigh Salter, Side Man, Jeremy Sheaffe, Sisqo Taras, Kelly Theobald, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Katie Weiss, Krissi Weiss, Rod Whitfield, Jen Wilson, Tyson Wray, Simone Ziada, Bronius Zumeris. © 2012 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.
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Beat Magazine Page 21
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
FREE SHIT! BEST COAST All grown up and stripped of the fuzzed-out, lo-fi prototype, Best Coast are making their triumphant return to our shores. 2012 has been a milestone year for the band, releasing their critically acclaimed sophomore album The Only Place with a distinctively cleaner and more sophisticated sound. The band headlined tours of North America, UK, Europe and Australia, with appearances on Metallica’s Orion Festival and our own Big Day Out. Best Coast play The Hi-Fi on Wednesday January 2 and we have a few double passes to giveaway.
WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK
CHILDREN COLLIDE
DEFTONES Alternative metal legends Deftones have announced a tour of Australia in May next year. Formed in California in 1988, Deftones will no doubt still be riding the high from their excellent year, which saw the release of their critically-acclaimed seventh full-length record Koi No Yokan. Deftones play The Palace on Friday May 17 (sold out) and Saturday May 18. Tickets on sale now from Ticketek. Be quick.
After a monster sell-out album launch tour earlier in the year, Melbourne rockers Children Collide are playing a headline show at The Espy to wrap up 2012. The band enjoyed success with their third LP Monument, showcasing an adventurous taste for the experimental, delving into the realm s of krautrock and beyond. Children Collide perform at The Espy on Friday December 28 and we have a double pass to giveaway. Hit up beat.com.au/freeshit for your chance to win.
STRANGERS
THE DEMON PARADE The Demon Parade are set to unleash a psychedelic rock explosion in our fair city next year. Based around the songwriting of frontman Michael Badger, the four-piece have racked up the accolades since the release of their debut 7” in 2009 entitled God Said It’s Legal. They’re back with follow-up EP Chameleon and having supported the likes of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Swervedriver, their live act has become one of legend filled with trademark psychedelic swirls, kaleidescoping pop hooks and shimmering melodies. The Demon Parade will play The Workers Club on Saturday March 3.
f r o n t s p a c e 212a Whitehall St
Ya r r a v i l l e
Ph 9687 0233 www.kindredstudios.com.au Wednesday 19th December 1 0 . 3 0 A M
-
1 2 . 0 0 P M
Sydney rockers Strangers have announced their Persona Non Grata tour, which will take them on a pilgrimage all around the country early next year. After a landmark year in 2012, the five-piece has garnered attention from triple j, played residencies in Sydney and Melbourne, sold out headline shows and offered their support to the likes of The Darkness, Calling All Cars and Good Charlotte. Boasting heart, soul and balls, their Melbourne shows will be supported by special guests The Dead Love and The Pretty Littles. Forget stranger danger and head to The Workers Club on Friday February 8. Tickets are available through the venue website.
BLUESFEST With arguably their biggest lineup ever set for 2013, Bluesfest have announced the new addition of Jason Mraz to the opening day. Along with Mraz, Manu Chao La Ventura, Mark Seymour and The Undertow, Chris Smither, Current Swell, Matt Andersen, Go Jane Go and The McMenamins have been added to the lineup. It’s all happening from Thursday March 28 – Monday April 1 in Byron Bay. Tickets are on sale now from the festival website.
80 Lygon St. Brunswick East
N.Y.E Ph 9036 1456 | THEB-EAST.COM
THE MUDCAKES S I L LY S E A S O N C E L E B R AT I O N AT K I N D R E D ! K I N D I E R O C K AT I T ’ S B E S T ! T I C K E T S A D U LT S $ 1 0 / $ 8 K I D S
Saturday 22nd December 5 . 0 0 P M
LAMINE SONKO & THE AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE
THE HANDSOME BASTARDS F E AT U R I N G S H A N E O ' MA R A , R I C K P L A N T, DA N L E T H B R I D G E A N D R A L F R E H A K FREE ENTRY!!!
Sunday 5th January 7 . 0 0 P M
-
1 2 . 0 0 A M
I.I / / FEATHERWEIGHT I D L E M I N D S , T H E W O R L D AT A G L A N C E A N D YAC H T B U R N E R TICKETS $5
Sunday 20th January 2 . 0 0 P M
-
5 . 0 0 P M
ROCK QUEEN REBECCA BARNARD & BILLY MILLER S I N G - A LO N G S O C I E T Y TICKETS $15, KIDS FREE!
w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / k i n d r e d s t u d i o s
Beat Magazine Page 22
AND TUMBARUMBA
AT THE
B.EAST
EXTENDED HOURS TIL 3AM DOOR ENTRY $15 AFTER 9PM
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COHEED AND CAMBRIA Making their long awaited return to Australia next April, Coheed and Cambria are back, bringing with them an ambitious double concept album. The Afterman: Ascension and the Afterman: Descension will be unleashed in two separate full-length volumes. The New York foursome are musical storytellers already known for their grand artistic scope with five groundbreaking albums to date. They will be joined by Circa Survive off the back of their new album Violent Waves. Catch this unique double header at The Palace on Sunday April 21. Tickets are available through Moshtix and Ticketek.
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EMILIE AUTUMN Emilie Autumn is bringing her burlesque circus of mayhem back to Australia. With Fight Like A Girl, the highly anticipated, recently released sequel to the impressive Opheliac, Emilie Autumn will wow audiences with a new show in Australia in March 2013. World-class Violinist. Author extraordinaire. Fashion icon. Famous bipolar. Emilie Autumn throws it all into the mix, and together with her sexy backing singers, the Bloody Crumpets, brings a vaudeville inspired stage show featuring signature violin fireworks, harpsichord stomp, lush orchestrations, amazing theatrics, and not the least her personal and intimate stories from The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls. Don’t miss Emilie Autumn, Friday March 29 at The Espy. Tickets available through Oztix.
CYPRESS HILL The amount of sidewaves announced in the past month has been insane. Now it’s become insane in the membrane with the announcement that hip hop icons Cypress Hill will hit Melbourne for a headline show. One of the most successful rap outfits of all-time, Cypress Hill retain their rich legacy which has spanned generations and genres. The group is fronted by B Real, one of the most richly lauded MCs of the ‘90s. Get in quick, as the ticket allocation is sure to go up in smoke quick smart. Cypress Hill perform at The Forum on Thursday February 28.
HOLY OTHER
DEER TICK, TWO GALLANTS
Holy Other is like his music. Enigmatic, atmospheric and meticulous. The Manchester producer, known for his enrapturing tunes, has announced a one off sideshow for his St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival debut in Melbourne next year at The Workers Club on Tuesday February 5. Holy Other creates a world of melancholic introspection about modern love, embracing a subtle house sound ridden with repetitive twists. It has earned the artists critical acclaim nationally and internationally. Tickets from the venue website.
Deer Tick and Two Gallants have added another Melbourne show due to popular demand. The two nights will showcase Deer Tick’s renowned energy in a mixture of alt-country, punk-inspired rock and blues. Adding to this, Two Gallants, who recently released their fourth LP The Bloom And The Blight following a five-year hiatus, will bring their dirty blues and grunge-ish rock to the stage. Deer Tick and Two Gallants will be playing at The Northcote Social Club on Friday February 9 and Saturday February 10. Tickets are currently on sale at the venue website.
THE OFFSPRING
LOON LAKE
If your sense of nostalgia is tuned to the frequencies of the ‘90s, The Offspring is a band that will undoubtedly get you excited. The Offspring are finally bringing their rarely seen live show to Australia which coincides nicely with their 20th anniversary. It is bound to be something special and for fans a glimpse into an era that would have been impossible to experience without a time machine. The Offspring will be playing at The Palace on Wednesday 6 March. Tickets will be on sale Thursday December 20 at 9am from Oztix and Ticketek.
After a knockout year in 2012, Loon Lake will be ringing in the new one with a special show at The Corner. Following the successful release of their acclaimed second EP, Thirty Three, the show will be the last before the group bunker down to put the finishing touches on their debut album. Showing their support will be Melbourne’s very own Eagle And The Worm and Split Seconds. Catch them on Friday March 1 at The Corner Hotel. Tickets are available now through the corner website and box office
TOMAHAWK Tomahawk is Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard, Unsemble, etc), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantômas) and John Stanier (Helmet, Battles), and this time around joined by Trevor “field mouse” Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas). They’ll be playing live for the first time since 2003 for Soundwave on the back of their upcoming release Oddfellows (due out January) and they’ve announced a sideshow to further celebrate their triumphant return at Billboard The Venue on Wednesday February 27. Tickets are from Oztix, Ticketek and Moshtix and they’re on sale this Friday December 21 at 9am.
SLAM DAY SLAM Day is a revolutionary campaign aimed at changing the government’s policy that live music is directly linked to violence and after its successful debut this year, it will be back in 2013. Returning for the largest simultaneous celebration of live music that’s ever been held in Australia, SLAM Day welcomes any genre, any style whether it’s a gig in your backyard, venue or community hall to register. Having successfully lobbied to change laws around Australia, SLAM look to come back even bigger in 2013. It’s all happening on Saturday February 23. Registration is free, easy and open now at slamrally.org.
SPIEGELTENT Tickets to new shows announced for 2013’s Spiegeltent Season are on sale now! A Hawaiian themed macaronand-music extravaganza; a hiphop meets TV game show; a whimsical look at the time Hollywood movie star Ava Gardner game to Melbourne; indie rock darlings Sally Seltmann and songwriter Ross McClennan, jazz veteran Julie O’Hara; award winning transgender performer Justin Vivian Bond and Antipodean success story EastEnd Cabaret are among additional shows confirmed for The Famous Spiegeltent season taking place at Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt from Tuesday 5 February to 21 April 2013. In addition to the new shows, season extensions have been announced for two of tent’s headlining shows - silent ‘sideshow noir’, The Dark Party will run for an additional week in February and while inventive and elegant circus troupe Casus will perform an extra week in March. For information of all confirmed shows at The Famous Spiegeltent season 2013, please visit spiegel. artscentremelbourne.com.au.
PUSH OVER The longest running Victorian all ages live music festival, Push Over is celebrating its 21st year running with The Amity Affliction set to headline. A huge lineup of hardcore, metal, hip hop and break dance is on offer with DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, Northeast Party House, Dream On Dreamer and Millions all coming together for the event. Everything is set to be flipped with a unique reverse format allowing festival goers to experience a multi-stage setup behind the Bowl. There’ll be an artist signing area, a food court and nine young Australian bands on the FReeZA Push Start Grand Final stage. It’s all happening Monday March 11 at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Tickets go on sale today from Ticketmaster. Push Over is a fully supervised all ages drug/alcohol/smoke-free event managed by nonprofit youth music organisation The Push.
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Beat Magazine Page 23
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MATT BAILEY
MY DISCO Melbourne strobe-and-smoke-machine celebrators My Disco turn ten in February. Their humble beginnings saw the band play two all ages shows at Good Morning Captain to launch a demo cassette in 2003. What was initially to be a short-lived project has now seen Ben Andrews, Liam Andrews and Rohan Rebeiro perform in almost 30 countries worldwide and release three full-length albums on a variety of local and international labels. On Friday February 8 they’ll bring together a lineup of longtime friends to help them celebrate their decade of killin’ it at the Corner Hotel including New War, Standish/Carlyon, Max Crumbs, Absolute Boys, Brain Children and a very special guest to be announced soon. Tickets are $22+bf from the Corner website and box office. You’d wanna get in quick.
FUN. Wunderkinds Fun. have announced a sideshow to accompany their appearance at the 2013 Future Music Festival. The New York indie-rock trio recently cemented their place in music history when they were nominated for no less than six Grammy awards including the coveted nod for ‘Best Song’ for their smash hit single We Are Young featuring Janelle Monáe. Fun. will play the Palace Theatre on Tuesday March 5 with tickets through Ticketmaster.
GOOD LIFE Australia’s largest under-18s festival is returning in 2013. The 2013 lineup boasts an impressive 11 international artists and is headlined by none other than K-Pop superstar PSY, pop sensations Rita Ora & Rudimental, hip hop star Dizzee Rascal alongside DJs Steve Aoki, Hardwell, Like Mike & Dimitri Vegas, Madeon, DJ Fresh, Zeds Dead and Kill The Noise. They’ll be joined by locals Havana Brown, Ruby Rose, Timmy Trumpet, Stafford Brothers and Bombs Away. Good Life 2013 takes place at the Flemington Racecourse on Friday March 8. Tickets through Moshtix.
COURTNEY BARNETT Chicago based Willis Earl Beal will make his first ever visit to Australia this summer as he plays Falls and an intimate Melbourne sideshow. Joining the mesmerising Willis Earl Beal on his debut Australian tour will be Melbourne singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett. Catch Willis Earl Beal at the Northcote Social Club on Wednesday January 2. Tickets available through The Northcote Social Club website.
I AM GIANT I Am Giant are returning to Australia in February 2013 – their first dates since their support slot with Slash in September. Leading up to the Australian dates, the band will be touring around the beaches of New Zealand with rock heavyweights Shihad and King Cannons. Don’t miss your chance to catch I Am Giant live at Melbourne’s Ding Dong Lounge on Thursday February 14. Tickets are available from Oztix.
THE PRESETS Australian dance heavyweights The Presets have added additional Melbourne dates to their upcoming Australian tour after selling out their Wednesday February 6 date. The new show is at The Palace on Thursday February 7. The Presets will be joined nationally by local dance luminaries Parachute Youth and Light Year.
PETE MURRAY Pete Murray has announced that he’ll be taking his mellifluous voice around Australia for a national tour of intimate, partly stripped back shows. One of Australia’s most cherished singer/songwriters, Murray has revisited the Blue Sky Blue album on his latest project, The Byron Sessions, with a pre-release just in time for Christmas through iTunes from today. The Byron Sessions features songs from an album that Pete loves, infused with the flavour and friendships from his adopted hometown of Byron Bay. The Byron Sessions will be officially released through Sony on February 1. Pete Murray plays The Corner Hotel on Friday March 15, and the Ferntree Gully Hotel on Saturday March 9. Tickets on sale Friday December 21 at 9am. Beat Magazine Page 24
PORT FAIRY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE NEW ACTS More brilliant artists have been added to the lineup for the 37th Port Fairy Folk Music Festival that will see the best in folk, roots and world music spilling onto the streets of the enchanting fishing village in March next year. The newly announced acts include Canadian singer-songwriter James Keelaghan and fretless bassist David Woodhead, UK virtuoso fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman, wild Aussie veterans The Ugly Uncles, Port Fairy legends Chris Wilson & The Pirates of Beer, Fijian-born stringed instrument and didgeridoo virtuoso Jay Hoad, the very talented Shane Howard and shaking six-piece Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento with plenty more to come! These acts are to join the likes of Arlo Guthrie, Gurrumul, Kate Miller-Heidke and plenty more. The first release of tickets are already sold out and the second release is selling fast. Children under 12 are free and there is a special “youth ticket’ price. Port Fairy Folk Music Festival is on from Friday March 8 – Monday March 11.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN After announcing his long-awaited return to Australian shores last week, The Boss has announced further shows to meet demand. Bruce Springsteen performs at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday March 24 (sold out), Tuesday March 26 (sold out) and Wednesday March 27 (tickets from Ticketek) and at Hanging Rock on Saturday March 30 (sold out) and Sunday March 31 (tickets from Ticketmaster).
OSAKA MONAURAIL Japan’s finest funk band, Osaka Monaurail are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a world tour and are stopping by The Espy on Friday January 25. All aboard the funk explosion with Osaka Monaurail plus guests DJ Chikashi Nishiwaki (Japan), The Cactus Channel, Deep Street Soul and Blair Stafford. Tickets $30+bf available via The Espy website and all Oztix outlets.
DAMIEN DEMPSEY Damien Dempsey, the man who fuses reggae, traditional Irish music and rock and folk is making his way across Australia next March. The four years since the release of his previous album The Rocky Road have been busy for the singer songwriter. In addition to writing and recording Almighty Love, Dempsey was involved in recording and performing the Official Irish Euro 2012 Song Rocky Road To Poland. Damien Dempsey will play The Hi-Fi on Saturday March 16. Tickets available from the venue website.
NYE AT THE B.EAST Join The B.East for a NYE spectacular of earthly proportions. Join Senegalese Afro-beat wonders Lamine Sonko & The African Intelligence and Brazilian party-starters Tumbarumba for a night of world-class world music, dress up competitions and popping champagne corks to bring in 2013. Monday December 31 from 9pm until the wee hours of 3am. $15 entry on the door.
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Matt Bailey’s new album Death To Nature is the follow up to last years critically acclaimed Book of Illumination and was produced by Brent Punshon (Adalita, Smog, The Nation Blue) at Head Gap Studios. Due for release this summer, the album features a backing band comprised of members of Little Ugly Girls, St Helens, Bird Blobs and collaborations with Melbourne jazz and improvisation legend Adam Simmons. This week Matt Bailey plays two solo shows to preview the new material. Tonight, free at The Gasometer, as part of Shangri La, and Friday December 21 at The Old Bar supporting Dan Brodie’s single launch.
ROBERT CRAY, TAJ MAHAL, SHUGGIE OTIS In a collaboration of epic proportions fivetime Grammy winner Robert Cray, world-class collaborator Taj Mahal, and Shuggie Otis join forces to perform outside of Bluesfest. Jazz, blues and soul artist Robert Cray is known for his work alongside Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Lee Hooker. He is considered one of the greatest guitarists of his generation. Taj Mahal is known for his penchant for cigars alongside his distinct blend of Afro-Caribbean blues with funk and folk. Mahal was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2009, a worthy feat for the friend of blues legend Buddy Guy. Shuggie Otis? He’s Johnny Otis’ son, enough said. The Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, and Shuggie Oats extravaganza will take place on Sunday March 24 at Hamer Hall. Tickets can be purchased through The Arts Centre website.
THE JACKSONS Legendary music family, ‘70s pop sensation and longtime accusers of the boogie, The Jacksons, have announced an Australian tour. With the stunning worldwide success of The Jacksons’ Unity 2012 Tour, the family are bringing their once-in-a-lifetime reunion show to Australia. Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson will return to Australia after nearly 30 years to perform their hits and to pay special tribute to their late brother Michael. The Jacksons play the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday March 19. Tickets on sale now through Ticketek.
THIN LIZZY Irish rock legends Thin Lizzy are returning to Australia as the opening act on a triple bill with Motley Crue and KISS, but they’ve also announced a sideshow at Billboard The Venue on Monday March 4 as part of their Still Dangerous tour. Support is from Diva Demolition and tickets are via Oztix and the venue website.
GASOMETER XMAS EVE BENEFIT Join the good guys at The Gaso for some yuletide punaktude on Christmas Eve when some of Melbourne’s best bands blow apart the band room in a huge Xmas benefit show. Bands include thrash punks Cut Sick, True Radical Miracle, Spite House, Gold Tango, Simon J Karis, Comfort Zones and River of Heaven. All door money will be donated to W.I.S.H.I.N. (Women’s Information Support And Housing In The North). The Gasometer will be holding a toy drive for the organisation from now until the gig so drop in some toys to the bar. Monday December 24. Tickets are $10. Doors at 7pm.
JAMES REYNE Aussie music icon James Reyne is taking to The Espy on Sunday December 30 to perform offerings from his illustrious career. James’ musical journey initially took hold in the early ‘80s when he and some friends formed the band Australian Crawl. With his prolific song writing and unique vocal style, James led Australian Crawl to the top of the Australian music scene. After the band split in 1986, James embarked on a solo career which effortlessly mirrored the success of his band. Catch James Reyne, The Dale Ryder Band, Nudist Funk Orchestra, Bad Boys Batucada and Ms Butt on Sunday December 30 in the Espy Front Bar from 5:30pm. Free entry.
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INTERNATIONAL EVAN DANDO AND JULIANA HATFIELD Corner Hotel December 19 MORRISSEY Festival Hall December 19 FALLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Lorne December 28, Marion Bay December 29 PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL Phillip Island December 29 January 1 PEATS RIDGE Glenworth Valley December 28 - January 1 TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB Festival Hall December 29 SHARON VAN ETTEN Corner Hotel December 30 LIMP WRIST The Bendigo Hotel December 31 SUMMADAYZE Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 1 MAXIMO PARK Corner Hotel January 2 FIRST AID KIT The Forum January 2 BEST COAST The Hi-Fi January 2 WILLIS EARL BEAL Northcote Social Club January 2 BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB Regal Ballroom January 1 BLOOD RED SHOES The Hi-Fi January 3 COSMO JARVIS Corner Hotel January 3 65DAYDOFSTATIC Corner Hotel January 4 THE CUBAN BROTHERS The Espy January 4 MARIAH CAREY Etihad Stadium January 5 THE HIVES The Forum January 6 SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS Corner Hotel January 8 BEACH HOUSE The Forum January 9 HOT CHIP The Palace January 9 THE VENGABOYS The Espy January 10 GARY JULES Corner Hotel January 12 DJANGO DJANGO The Hi-Fi January 12 NIGHTWISH The Palace January 14, 15 DAVID BYRNE & ST VINCENT Hamer Hall January 14, 15 WEEZER Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 16, The Palais January 17 SUGAR MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL The Forum January 19 HUNX AND HIS PUNX The Tote January 20 A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Corner Hotel January 20 SO FRENCHY SO CHIC Werribee Park January 20 THE KILLERS The Palace January 22 GARY CLARK JR Corner Hotel January 22 DEATH GRIPS Ding Dong Lounge January 22 CRYSTAL CASTLES Billboard January 22 OFF! Corner Hotel January 23 SLEIGH BELLS Billboard January 23 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE The Palace January 23 BAND OF HORSES The Palais January 23 CHILDISH GAMBINO The Hi-Fi January 23 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Corner Hotel January 24 THE BLOODY BEETROOTS The Palace January 24 ALABAMA SHAKES The Forum January 24 ELVIS COSTELLO The Palais January 25
OSAKA MONAURAIL The Espy January 25 A DAY ON THE GREEN Yarra Valley January 26 BIG DAY OUT Flemington Racecourse January 26 MOUNT EERIE The Toff January 26 WOODS The Tote January 27 PERFUME GENIUS Northcote Social Club January 30 HIGH HIGHS The Toff January 30 JESSIE WARE Prince Bandroom January 30 THEE OH SEES The Hi-Fi January 31 SLEEP ∞ OVER The Liberty Social February 1 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE Castlemaine Theatre Royal February 2, Corner Hotel February 3 ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL Footscray Community Arts Centre February 3 DIVINE FITS Corner Hotel February 4 POLICA Northcote Social Club February 4 NITE JEWEL The Workers Club February 4 BAT FOR LASHES The Palais February 5 KINGS OF CONVENIENCE Hamer Hall February 5 CLOUD NOTHINGS Ding Dong Lounge February 5 HOLY OTHER Workers Club February 5 THE MEN Northcote Social Club February 6 JULIA HOLTER The Toff February 6 YEASAYER The Hi-Fi February 6 MS MR Northcote Social Club February 7 GIN BLOSSOMS The Hi-Fi February 7 DEER TICK, TWO GALLANTS Northcote Social Club February 9 DESCENDENTS Festival Hall February 9 DEER TICK AND TWO GALLANTS Northcote Social Club February 9, 10 DIRTY BEACHES February 10 DAVID HASSELHOFF Corner Hotel February 14 I AM GIANT Ding Dong Lounge February 14 SWANS Corner Hotel February 15 CONVERGE Billboard The Venue February 15 RINGO STARR Festival Hall February 16, 17 ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES Westgate Entertainment Centre February 16, 17 FATHER JOHN MISTY The Hi-Fi February 17 NEIL FINN AND PAUL KELLY The Palais February 16, 18 EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN The Palace February 19 DR. FEELGOOD Corner Hotel February 21 NORAH JONES The Plenary February 21 HOW TO DRESS WELL Corner Hotel February 22 MY BLOODY VALENTINE The Palace February 22 JOSE JAMES The Hi-Fi February 22 BLINK-182 Sidney Myer Music Bowl February 26 LINKIN PARK, STONE SOUR Rod Laver Area February 26 TOMAHAWK Billboard The Venue February 27 GARBAGE The Forum February 27 PUSCIFER The Palais February 28 CYPRESS HILL The Forum February 28
WANTED Have you used mephedrone? 2-CI? Kronic or spice? Any other synthetic stimulant or psychedelic drug? Researchers at Deakin University, UNSW and University of Tasmania are interested in understanding the use of these drugs and any harm that may come from using these drugs. Participants will complete an online survey. Participation is anonymous and you may be eligible to win a $40 gift voucher.
NIGHTWISH The Palace, January 14, 15 THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH Melbourne Recital Hall February 28 BRING ME THE HORIZON/PIERCE THE VEIL Billboard February 28 SUM 41/BILLY TALENT The Palace February 28 SOUNDWAVE Flemington Racecourse March 1 DEEP PURPLE/JOURNEY Rod Laver Arena March 1 DEERHOOF Schoolhouse Studios March 3 THIN LIZZY Billboard The Venue March 4 KISS, MÖTLEY CRÜE Etihad Stadium March 5 FUN. The Palace March 5 ED SHEERAN Festival Hall March 5, 6 THE OFFSPRING The Palace March 6 CAT POWER The Forum March 7 THE STONE ROSES Festival Hall March 7 DINOSAUR JR The Corner March 7, The Espy March 8 PURITY RING Corner Hotel March 8 GOOD LIFE 2013 Flemington Racecourse March 8 WOMADELAIDE Adelaide’s Botanic Park March 8 –March 11 PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL Port Fairy March 8 – 11 TORO Y MOI Corner March 9 GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC Billboard March 9 GOLDEN PLAINS Meredith’s Supernatural Amphitheatre March 9 - 11 MXPX Corner Hotel March 10 WILD NOTHING The Tote March 11, The Toff March 12 REDD KROSS The Espy March 12 BOB MOULD Corner Hotel March 13 NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE Rod Laver Arena March 15 JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION The Corner March 16 DAMIEN DEMPSEY The Hi-Fi March 16 THE JACKSONS Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre March 19 WANDA JACKSON The Corner March 20 MUTEMATH Billboard March 22 RODRIGUEZ Hamer Hall March 22 ROBERT CRAY Hamer Hall March 24 FRED WESLEY Corner Hotel March 24 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Rod Laver Arena March 24, 26, 27 Hanging Rock March 30, 31 WILCO Hamer Hall March 27, 28 KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS Billboard March 27 BONNIE RAITT, MAVIS STAPLES State Theatre March 27 IGGY AND THE STOOGES Festival Hall March 27 ROGER HODGSON The Palais March 28 BYRON BAY BLUESFEST Byron Bay March 28 – April 1 EMILIE AUTUMN The Espy March 29 THE LUMINEERS The Corner April 2 DROPKICK MURPHYS Festival Hall April 2 BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA Hamer Hall April 3 ROBERT PLANT Rod Laver Arena April 3 THE SCRIPT Rod Laver Arena April 6 BIRDY The Palais April 8 PUBLIC IMAGE LTD The Palace April 11 MICK TAYLOR Ferntree Gully Hotel April 19, Corner Hotel April 20, 21 EXTREME The Palace April 19 BRYAN ADAMS Rod Laver Arena April 20 COHEED AND CAMBRIA/CIRCA SURVIVE The Palace April 21 BLACK SABBATH Rod Laver Arena April 29, May 1 DEFTONES The Palace May 17, 18
STAN RIDGWAY Corner Hotel May 18, The Caravan Club May 19 P!NK Rod Laver Arena July 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, August 27
NATIONAL THE LIVING END Corner Hotel December 19-22 PARKWAY DRIVE Festival Hall December 22 EVEN The Hi-Fi December 22 CHILDREN COLLIDE The Espy December 28 CLAIRY BROWNE & BANGIN’ RACKETTES/SASKWATCH The Hi-Fi December 29 SPIDERBAIT, SOMETHING FOR KATE The Espy December 31 NEW GODS Northcote Social Club January 11 ASH GRUNWALD The Espy January 11 COLLISION AT THE CORNER Corner Hotel January 12 TREVOR. A MUSIC FESTIVAL Churchill Island Nature Park January 12 JIMMY BARNES Trak Bar January 16 STICKY FINGERS Northcote Social Club January 18 BONJAH The Espy January 18, 19 TWELVE FOOT NINJA Corner Hotel January 18, Ferntree Gully Hotel January 19 THE NECKS Corner Hotel January 29, 30, 31 TOKYO DENMARK SWEDEN The Espy February 1 ST KILDA FESTIVAL St Kilda February 2 - 10 DEAD CAN DANCE The Palais February 6 THE PRESETS The Palace February 6, 7 STRANGERS Workers Club February 8 MY DISCO Corner Hotel February 8 SARAH BLASKO Hamer Hall February 14 RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL Echuca-Moama February 15 – 17 ROCK THE BAY FESTIVAL The Espy February 16 JULIA STONE St Michael’s Church February 20 THE SMITH STREET BAND Reverence Hotel Saturday February 23 BETWEEN THE BAYS Moorooduc, Mornington Peninsula February 23 LOON LAKE Corner Hotel March 1 TIM ROGERS/THE BAMBOOS Melbourne Zoo March 1 NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS Sidney Myer Music Bowl March 2 BIRDS OF TOKYO The Forum March 2 THE DEMON PARADE Workers Club March 3 MOOMBA The Yarra March 8 – 11 PETE MURRAY Ferntree Gully Hotel March 9, Corner Hotel March 15 PUSH OVER Sidney Myer Music Bowl March 11 THE CAT EMPIRE Prince Bandroom March 20, 21 GRINSPOON The Hi-Fi March 22 BOOGIE 7 Bruzzy’s Farm, Tallarook March 29-31 THE SEEKERS Hamer Hall May 14
RUMOURS Alice Cooper, Devendra Banhart, Baly and the Small Pastas
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PUSH OVER Sydney Myer Music Bowl, March 11 WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
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KIMBRA BY ALASDAIR DUNCAN
Kimbra’s success has brought her to all kinds of places in the last year – as we speak, she’s in the back of a tour bus, speeding through rural Kansas on the way to her next American date. She and her band are currently in a small town called Emporia, where the sights include a silo painted to look like a giant Coors can. “It’s been cool to rock up in these random little parts of America on our way to the big cities,” she says. “You don’t see these smaller parts or get to experience their culture if you’re just here for a quick visit.” Kimbra’s tour is more than a quick visit – America has well and truly embraced the quirky singer song-writer. “It’s been amazing, man,” she says of her experiences in the States. “We’ve sold out half of the dates so far, and all the rest are sold out. We have two nights in New York, and two nights in LA. The crowds have been really receptive, and we’ve been really happy to play full sets for people, bring our own visuals, and just make a really big show out of it.” Calling Kimbra’s live show ‘elaborate’ would be a bit of an understatement – it’s crammed full of bells and whistles and then some, with video screens and costume changes and a full band. Hauling the whole thing across America has taken some doing, but she is determined to give fans the full experience. “There’s an Australian artist called Thom Kerr, who I’ve done quite a bit of collaboration with,” she tells me. “He did a new backdrop for us for this tour, and it’s added a really cool, psychedelic element to the show. I’ve had some really great new costumes done as well.” Kimbra spends a lot of time on the visuals, she says, because she wants to be able to extend the mood and the message of the music, and give everyone who comes along a really full experience. “I always really go for it in the shows,” she says, “both in terms of the presentation, and in terms of the aggression and intensity of the performance. I love to be theatrical, and get right up close with the audience. It’s just what I do.” The words ‘aggression and intensity’ sum up Kimbra’s live show pretty well. She throws herself into the shows with her whole body, flinging her tiny frame around the stage and contorting it into all sorts of positions, inhabiting the songs both body and soul. The energy level, even during the slower and more ballad-y songs, is consistently high – surely doing this night after night must get exhausting. “Yeah, the show is a lot of work, both psychologically and physically,” Kimbra says. “I have a rigorous routine, before I go on stage, that allows me to prepare, to get into a meditative state and channel that energy through my body. I’m pretty tired after the gigs, and if I go out, I really have to watch my voice – you can’t take those risks, which kind of sucks sometimes.” Kimbra, however, is happy to wear herself out in the name of art. “I really like the high-energy parts of the show, though, and I really like that, after I’ve done it, I really
feel like I’ve had a work-out. I really like performers who give everything, and who get right up there in your face, so that’s something I really try and do.” If Kimbra’s physical presence is intense, then the looks that she rocks during her show are equally so. Every performance is a riot of bright colours and unusual shapes, and I ask just where exactly her fashion influences come from. “Well, to be honest, I’m kind of new to the world of fashion,” she says. “I grew up around a lot of op shops, loving the challenge of creating an outfit with only ten dollars or something like that, and I still keep to that mindset. I do a lot of vintage shopping.” Her outfits, she says, take influence from the shapes of the ‘50s and ‘60s – they have a very feminine look, and strong silhouettes that come across on the stage. For a touch of the bizarre, she is also very influenced by Japanese street style. “I used to love going on blogs and looking at what people were wearing in Harajuku,” she says, “because there’s something very fun about the clothes, but the creativity is really apparent. I take inspiration from everywhere,” she continues, “Disney films to Salvador Dali. It’s all about finding the right mood on the day, the right mood for the performance.” Since it arrived late last year, Kimbra’s debut album, Vows, has spawned numerous singles, including staples like Cameo Lover and Settle Down. Its songs have become pretty ubiquitous, but from a performer’s perspective, something like that can be a challenge – when you only have one album, and a limited pool of songs to draw upon, how do you keep things fresh when you’re out there performing night after night? Well, it turns out that Kimbra and her band change the songs all the time – at present, for example, they are on their fifth or sixth version of Settle Down. “Doing it that way really helps keep us focussed on the tour – it helps us to keep it fresh,”
“I ALWAYS REALLY GO FOR IT IN THE SHOWS... BOTH IN TERMS OF THE PRESENTATION, AND IN TERMS OF THE AGGRESSION AND INTENSITY OF THE PERFORMANCE. I LOVE TO BE THEATRICAL, AND GET RIGHT UP CLOSE WITH THE AUDIENCE. IT’S JUST WHAT I DO.”
Beat Magazine Page 28
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
she says. “We do that with the other songs – we might change up the groove in the second verse, or try a new vocal melody at the end, or just approach it differently from a sonic perspective. All of those things help keep it interesting. My band are a part of the arrangements as well – they contribute ideas and bring their personalities to the songs. Things like that keep us from getting bored.” Apart from her own singles, Kimbra has experienced a good deal of success this year thanks to some wellchosen collaborators. Warrior, the pumping track she recorded with A-Trak and Mark Foster, has been somewhat unavoidable the last couple of months. Then, of course, there’s the collaboration that dares not speak its name, the Gotye track that propelled both its performers to hitherto unknown levels of ubiquity. With these two behind her, I ask Kimbra if she has a taste for collaboration, or indeed, if there are any new ones on the way. “Man, I’ve been so lucky to meet some of my idols,” she says. “I met Cornelius, one of my favourite producers from Japan, and we’ve talked about working together some time in the future. I met Van Dyke Parks, the great arranger and producer, and we’ve already started working together on a bit of stuff. I guess someone like Flying Lotus would be a dream collaborator for me, I love what he does. I have some great people lined up for the next record, though – I’m very excited.” About the follow-up to Vows – it’s slowly taking shape, although it looks as though it may still be a while away. Kimbra has spent so much time touring and on the road recently that song writing hasn’t been her top priority, but ideas are slowly forming. “The main thing for me has been sketching,” she says, “getting melodies and ideas on my laptop. There are a lot of people I’ve met along the way, like Thunder Cat and Benjamin Wineman from The Dillinger Escape Plan. We’ve become buddies, and we’ve been sending demos and vocals back and forth between each-other. Things like that keep me inspired, keep me on my toes. There are a lot of demos floating around, but I need time now to execute them properly, and that takes a lot more than the odd two days here and there.” Hopefully, she will find some time to record over the next year or so. “We have a few shows here and there over the summer,” she says. “We’ll be playing in New Zealand for New Year’s Eve. There’s Summadayze and a few dates in Asia, but I’ll be looking to find some stability again, somewhere in Melbourne or the country. I just want to find my place of stillness and stability and get writing again.” Oh yeah, on the subject of the upcoming Summadayze, Kimbra will share the bill with a massive line-up of names, including M.I.A., Knife Party, Adrian Lux and Fedde Le Grand. Summer festivals always offer an opportunity to cut loose, and I ask her what exactly we can expect from her shows. “Well, first of all, I’m really excited to come back,” she says. “I miss Australia, and I can’t wait to return there and play for people who’ve been there since the start. I also can’t wait to come back and play new songs for people – there are songs we’ll be doing in the set that we’ve never played live in Australia before. That’s going to bring a nice, fresh dimension to the set as well.” SUMMADAYZE happens on Tuesday January 1 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The line-up includes Chemical Brothers [DJ Set], M.I.A., Knife Party, Fedde Le Grand, Mark Ronson, Kimbra and many more.
THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 6PM – 7.30PM
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EAGLE AND THE WORM + OSCAR AND MARTIN
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It’s Will Ferrell Week at Rooftop Cinema! Can I get a what-what? If you’re reading this now, then you missed Zoolander last night (sucked in, mate), but tonight they’ll be showing Step Brothers (“guilty, as charged…with the stories!”), The Campaign on Thursday (with Zach Galifinakis), Old School on Saturday (probably his best film next to Anchorman), Stranger Than Fiction on Sunday (nothing to add in this bracket), and to top it off, quite fittingly, Elf on Christmas Eve. So as Channel Ten sports news host Stephen Quartermain said very awkwardly following a highlight last week: “Get, around, it.”
ON STAGE
SIGHTSEERS BY IAN BARR
Get set for an intimate night with Australia’s hottest comedians as they talk about the joy of Christmas (how to survive it), the blessing of family (how not to murder them) and the merriment of gifts (how to get the receipt). Starring Fiona O’Loughlin, Joel Creasey and Anne Edmonds, The Christmas Comedy Club is on at Tony Starr’s Kitten Club, 267 Little Collins St, CBD, until Thursday December 20 at 8pm. Tickets $20 through trybooking.com/CDRA.
ON DISPLAY Pocket Symphony is an interactive performance that uses only items that we carry with us every day, namely our smartphones and digital tablets (guns if we lived in Texas). Leading the performance is a name synonymous with the Australian performance scene, old mate Mal Webb. Audience members are encouraged to join in on their own phone or tablet, use one of the iPads provided, or just sit back and enjoy this unique and innovative performance. It’s on at Hamer Hall – Riverside Mezzanine on Thursday December 20, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
BEAT’S PICK OF THE WEEK: Crack out the Hendrick’s and get ready to put up with nauseating conversations from your relatives, it’s bloody well Christmas this Tuesday December 25. Get around ol’ Saint Nick and revel in the company of your nearest and dearest. Wunderbah.
Beat Magazine Page 30
Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers is a dark comedy, with an emphasis on ‘dark’. Not the cheeky, Death At A Funeral sort, but the kind that makes your stomach churn with the brute reality of murder before deflating the heavy atmosphere with, for example, an impeccably timed joke at the expense of Daily Mail readers. “I wanted it to be shocking,” Wheatley says of the film’s violence, perpetrated by a seemingly normal couple, against everyone from litterers to hippies to policemen, as the two travel through the British countryside on a caravan holiday. Of the film’s vacillation between the comic and the morbid, Wheatley says, “It’s to bring you in and out of the comedy – so that you would feel it was serious, that it wasn’t all just a knockabout joke, and that murdering people’s bad”. Though he laughs to himself at the sheer obviousness of this last statement, the moral purpose of the film’s brutality comes across forcefully; showing the gory details keeps us at an appropriate distance from our anti-heroes’ actions, even as we’re made to share their revulsion at their victims. Both Wheatley’s debut feature Down Terrace and last year’s singular Brit-crime/occult-horror mash-up Kill List ruthlessly shift gears and play with audience expectations and genre conventions; accordingly, his attachment to Sightseers in the pre-production stage came from the desire for a change of pace. “Kill List was in pre-production at that point, and I knew that it’d be really heavy and dark, so I wanted to line something up next which was going to be lighter and funnier”. Of course, these things are relative. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” the director admits. “To me, [Sightseers] is funnier, and lighter – to people who haven’t seen [Kill List or Down Terrace], it’s dark as pitch.” Across his three low-budget features, Wheatley’s voice as a director is evident, in their unusual editing rhythms, contrapuntal soundtrack choices, and most prominently, the running theme of the banality of evil. However, he shows slight discomfort at the idea of being an auteur. “Once you get into those kinds of patterns, it’s slightly dangerous, and [so] you’ve always
got your eye out – you try not to do things again and again… those kinds of motifs and things are a bit of a weakness more than anything.” This could explain why Sightseers is the first of Wheatley’s features that he hasn’t written himself. The screenplay, written by actor-comedians Alice Lowe and Steve Oram, was forwarded to him by director Edgar Wright (Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz), who ultimately co-produced Sightseers. Oram and Lowe, who play the film’s deadly couple, debuted the characters on stage, followed by a short ‘TV taster’ – and their input perhaps accounts for the utter authenticity and believability of the main characters and their interactions, however absurd and shocking their actions become. Of the film’s tonal shifts from humdrum naturalism to Grand Guignol gore set-pieces, Wheatley says, “You find that kind of stuff in [Monty] Python and in Terry Gilliam’s work, and in Paul Verhoeven’s stuff as well. I like that gear-changing, so that you question what you’re looking at, and you don’t just accept it as it is… it’s not safe, it makes the hairs on the back of your head go up and you have to think about what you’re consuming, instead of just sitting there being passive about it; that’s more interesting to me.” Though Sightseers has a loose, spontaneous quality to its overall tone and surface texture, the impetus behind Wheatley’s inspired soundtrack choices – from the bookending versions of Tainted Love and the ‘70s Krautrock of Neu – reveal the film’s careful conception. “I always approach the films I’ve done with a strategy for the music, otherwise you get that
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
thing where you end up with a shot of a car, and then you do some music research and get songs with cars in the lyrics,” says Wheatley. “I’d watched a documentary about [German progressive rock] a few years before [I made Sightseers]. I’d always assumed – or I’d kinda been told – that the UK had invented new wave and punk and all these things, and then as you start to look into music history you find out that it was the Germans that invented quite a lot of it, and it was trendy producers in the UK using those albums as the template to make the music that came after. I really liked that idea; that the history, the cultural history, had a secret history that lay underneath it, and if you dig a little bit, you find it. I thought that’s what the characters are like, you think they’re one thing and you find they’re another thing.” A neat correlation, but one that Wheatley acknowledges is only important insofar as the audience feels it before registering the connection on an intellectual level. “It doesn’t matter if the audience aren’t understanding that… as long as it’s been thought about, they’ll feel that there’s structures within the film, and I think that’s important, even if they’re invisible. You look at The Shining, and you can see that within that movie – there’s a lot in that film you don’t understand but it doesn’t matter, because someone thought about it.” Sightseers played to great acclaim at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prize bestowed upon The Artist last year – the Palm Dog, awarded to the best performance given by a canine. Wheatley warns, however, that the cute canine is part and parcel of Sightseers’ deceptive tendencies: “He’s one of the most cynical and evil characters in the film.”
Sightseers opens in cinemas on Wednesday December 26.
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ROKIA TRAORÉ Mali’s spellbinding Rokia Traoré blends rock with West African roots. Raw and elemental, mellow and soulful, Traoré is the exhilarating sound of contemporary Africa.
‘The finest and most adventurous female singer in Africa.’ – The Guardian (UK)
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FOR MORE ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS VISIT BEAT.COM.AU 2013 OZ HORROR CON
EMILIE AUTUMN
If you’re in Australia and you love horror, Oz Horror Con would like to scare the living dead out of you! The eerie cellars of the ancient Donkey Wheel House in Melbourne will play host to a weekend of fear, fun and frivolity! Meet the stars from the world of horror literature and movies: Nightmare On Elm Street 2’s Mark Patton, Carrie and Halloween’s PJ Soles (totally!), The Descent and Dog Soldiers’ Leslie Simpson, Jan Scherpenhuizen and Christopher Sequeira (Thongor of Lost Lemuria!) and Members from the Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA). The world of the graphic novel will be represented by Jason Franks (McBlack, SixSmiths, and first novel Bloody Waters) along with Paul Bedford (The List) and more. Oz Horror Con takes place from Friday January 18 – Sunday January 20. Check out ozhorrorcon.com for more information.
Autumn, or rather Emilie Autumn, will arrive on schedule this March, with a unique mash up of burlesque and circus mayhem. Set to impress with her recently released Fight Like a Girl, Autumn is a world class violinist, author extraordinaire, fashionista and famous bipolar. She will be serving it all up in her vaudeville inspired show, along with backup singers, The Bloody Crumpets. Autumn’s signature violin fireworks, harpsichord stomp and intimate stories from The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls are also to be expected. Catch her at The Espy on Friday March 29.
GASWORKS BACKYARD CINEMA Following the success of the past two years, the Gasworks Backyard Cinema returns for its third season next year. Hosted at the Gasworks Arts Park near St. Kilda, the season will host a collection of family films, including Up, and other successful cinema releases. Gasworks Backyard Cinema is a dog-friendly, BYO event, so get there early for a good spot. Resident cafe Priscilla Jones will heat up the barbie each night of a screening, so be sure to head down for a snag, some good company and a great film. Gasworks Backyard Cinema’s season will run from Friday January 18 – Friday March 1 at Gasworks Arts Park.
TOGNETTI’S MOZART The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s 2013 season is opening with a bang, (or at least the classical equivalent of it) with Tognetti’s Mozart. International virtuosos Brett Dean and Richard Tognetti collaborate to open the 2013 season with Electric Prelude. Composed by Brett Dean, the piece is personally crafted for Tognetti; a renowned violinist who dabbles in the six-string violectra violin, an inspiration for Dean. Electric Prelude has been received well internationally for its vivid, austere composition. Following Electric Prelude will be the ACO’s rendition of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, Tognetti’s performance of his favourite Mozart Concerto, No. 3, and the ACO’s interpretation of Haydyn’s Symphony No. 49. Tognetti’s Mozart will be performed at Hamer Hall on Sunday February 2 at 2.30pm, and Monday February 4 at 8pm.
CONFESSIONS OF A DRAG QUEEN Sexuality is an integral part of everyone’s identity. Confessions of a Drag Queen is all this and more. Produced and performed by Ricky Beirao, Confessions of a Drag Queen tells the tale of a young drag queen and their quest to stardom. Through a narrative that sees the protagonist dive into the gay scene with fervor and ambition, Beirao, in a way, illustrates his own life. Confessions of a Drag Queen will be playing for one night only at Chapel Off Chapel on Thursday January 24. Tickets can be purchased through chapeloffchapel.com.au
co inth rne er
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FRESHLY BAKED GALLERY In an innovative take on the art gallery, Freshly Baked Gallery decided to create an art gallery that is purely online. Through the use of high-resolution photography, technology and a user-friendly layout, Freshly Baked Gallery provides the everyday gallery experience in your home, minus all those people. Artist biographies, artwork and pricing information can be easily found. The mouse and the keyboard allow you to move through each artwork in admiration, while a megaphone pictogram gives you the option of background music. It’s a new way to culturally educate people, taking an experience like Flickr or DeviantArt and turning it into something more professional. Of course, if you did want to take someone, Freshly Baked offers the option of inviting a friend. Considered too cool for words, check out freshlybakedgallery.com now.
DAVID MCALLISTER In an intimate night at the ACMI, David McAllister, the Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet, will reveal his greatest cinematic inspirations and influences in Desert Island Flicks. Once a ballerina himself, McAllister was inducted into the Australian Ballet School in 1981 where he quickly flourished, playing lead roles in productions such as The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote. His career spanned the world before he became the Principal Artist to the Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet in 2001. This year saw McAllister receive the privilege of directing the 50th anniversary of the Australian Ballet. Desert Island Flicks operates under the pretense of which five films one would pack if banished to an desert island. Desert Island Flicks with David McAllister will be held at the ACMI theatre on Thursday February 14.
SQUARING THE WHEEL The Kids School Holiday Program at Gasworks Arts Park will be hosting a bubbly workshop entitled Squaring The Wheel next year. This paradoxically titled workshop will include magic, puppetry, bubbles, and how to complicate things. Yes, they’re teaching children how often the most simplistic things are much more complicated. An eclectic mix of wit by the instructor will surely entertain children and parents alike, while its vibrant energy will capture the magic of Squaring The Wheel. For now, we shall assume the puppets do not exist. Squaring The Wheel will held at Gasworks Arts Park Thursday January 24 – Friday January 25. Workshop times can be found through gasworks.org.au.
ADAM ROZENBACHS
You’ve just been made Prime Minister of Australia after a bizarre yet strangely believable series of events. What do you do first? A few things. Firstly, a few more public holidays – I’m sure we can find some reasons, “Happy Packed To The Rafters Day everybody!” Secondly, I’d make Question Time watchable by turning it into a Big Brother style Parliament (although you can’t vote me, the Prime Minister, out). Lastly, I’d make New South Wales a separate country, so when you travel to Sydney you can get duty free (which would make parties in Albury/Wadonga pretty cheap and awesome). Who in the world could you never make laugh? The Pope – he just seems so serious and Popey. He has
ACO ANNOUNCES SPECIAL FEATURES FOR 2013 Extending over a variety of artistic platforms, including cabaret, The Australian Chamber Orchestra will present The Reef, Barry Humphries with Meow Meow, and The Crowd next year. First up will be The Reef, surfing footage set to music provided by the Australian Chamber Orchestra. The Reef is the idea of Artistic Director Richard Tognetti who took a crew of surfers, musicians and filmmakers to Ningaloo Reef. There, they spent two weeks creating music, film, and surfing. Barry Humphries with Meow Meow is a time-warp. Humphries conducts his favourite pieces from the Weimar Republic while Meow Meow entertains the audience with her cabaret performance. An appropriate combination, Barry Humphries will be shown during May next year. Finally, The Crowd. In collaboration with cinematographer Jon Frank, Tognetti and the ACO capture the deindividualisation, power and body of the crowd. It is a montage of crowd behaviour from all aspects of life. All three productions will be performed at Hamer Hall. The Reef will be performed on Sunday February 24 – Monday February 25 at 8pm. Barry Humphries with Meow Meow will be held on Sunday May 6 at 2.30pm, and Monday May 6 at 8pm. The Crowd will be performed on Friday October 11 at 8pm. Tickets are available through The Australian Chamber Orchestra.
EXAMINING THE WALKING DEAD Attention The Walking Dead fans. Yes, that’s you. ACMI have compiled a series of guests — Paul Verhoeven, Luke Ryan and Angela Ndalianis — to discuss the evolution of The Walking Dead, its popularity and why it is so engrossing. Of course, no actual zombies will be present. Regardless, the panel discussion will surely be riveting. Paul Verhoeven is a veteran of the screen business, known for his directing in Total Recall (the Schwarzenegger one), so his opinions about how zombies have imbued within comics and film will be valid. Ndalianis lectures Cinema Studies at the University of Melbourne, and is renowned for her academic contribution to the field. The discussion will delve into comic book adaption, and how zombie culture is now a cult. Not-so-Live in the Studio: Examining The Walking Dead will be hosted at the ACMI on Thursday February 28.
THE COMIC STRIP CHECKPOINT CHARLIE COMEDY Chuck’s on an Xmas bender so Melbourne’s best underground above-ground comedy club is on a threeweek break. It will return in the new year with more of Australia’s best comedians spitting funnies into the business end of a loud stick. And there’s a big change coming too. With its packed crowds and amazing comics – Checkpoint Charlie Comedy at Lucky Coq is the new room everyone is whispering about and will return in January with more of Australia’s raddest comics and $4 pizzas.
LOL COMEDY Catch another stellar lineup of comedians this week for LOL Comedy at the Portland Hotel for the final time this year. They have Steele Saunders, Pete Sharkey, Adam Rozenbachs and a very special guest who they’re not allowed to name, but if you come along, it will be well worth it and a great way to start the silly season! Tonight at 7.30pm, tickets $9 on the door.
COMMEDIA DELL PARTE This is the final Commedia Dell Parte show for 2012 and they are going out with a bang! Join Sean and Marcus as they farewell 2012 with Commedia favourites Celia Pacquola, Bart Freebairn, Tegan Higginbotham, Luke McGregor, Hayman Kent, Damian Breese, Daniel Connell, Liam Ryan, Simon Keck, Sonia Di Iorio, John Campbell and Craig McLeod. Get down early for $5 happy hour drinks, 7pm till 9pm. The room runs on a ‘pay as you like’ basis, so come along and have a great laugh, then pay what you believe the show is worth on the way out. Commedia Dell Parte runs every Thursday, 8.30pm, at George Lane Bar, St Kilda.
PERFECT TRIPOD Eddie Perfect and Tripod’s harmonious supergroup have added an extra show to their January season. Inspired by their celebrated rendition of Paul Kelly’s Meet Me in the Middle of the Air, Perfect Tripod: Australian Songs will feature a set list of iconic Australian hits hand picked and filtered through the unique visions and voices of Scod, Gatesy, Yon and Perfect. The sweet melodies of the Crawl, the Chisel, the Budgie and the Voice are sure to soothe the most jangled of nerves and expectant of eardrums. They will be appearing on Thursday January 17, Friday January 18 and Saturday January 19, at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse.
2013 FAMILIES AND YOUTH PROGRAM Joining the summer bill is the return of The Famous Spiegeltent, the hub of children’s entertainment, while Blaze The Show will provide high-energy music for older kids who wish to dance like Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga or simply ‘bop’ to Kanye West. Alongside Blaze The Show will be Hamer Halls’ Bring It!, a festival of free performances in music, street art, dance and performance. Bring It! will also feature mix-tape competitions, stencil art workshops and jamming. As the Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolls around in April, the Arts Centre will host its own comedy, School Dance. Essentially a nostalgia for those nerdy, socially awkward teenagers who have to tackle the trials of the first school dance. Then for all those canine lovers, Scotland’s Puppet State Theatre will present The Man Who Planted Trees. In winter, the Arts Centre will revisit the old tale of Hansel and Gretel in Swiss production, .h.g.. Following on from this fairytale theme, The Steadfast Tin Soldier will be retold through vibrant coloured paint, capturing the wonder of the picture book animating itself. Brochures for the 2013 Families & Youth Program can be found throughout Melbourne during January. For now, check out artscentremelbourne.com.au access to one of the largest, most dedicated audiences of all time and he can’t even get one smile. And, you know, there’s a lack of material to work with there. Hack! Some rad Melbourne restaurant is naming a dish after you. What is it? The “Rozenbachs” is the dish you get when you’ve ordered, and then wish you had ordered something else. So if you order the bacon and eggs but then get food envy when you see what someone else has delivered to their table, then that’s what you get. It’s very popular, but extremely difficult to get right. If Melbourne were a verb, what would it mean? To Melbourne is to die of hypothermia even though it had been 38 degrees only an hour before. “He was Melbourned to death.” “But it’s summer; why didn’t he have a triple thermal layered jacket?”
Where can we see you perform next? I’m at the Portland Hotel on Wednesday December 19, the Hawthorn Hotel on Thursday December 20, and then I am taking a break over Christmas and New Year’s (i.e. no one has booked me) until the Comic’s Lounge in January. Where can we follow/stalk/find out more about you? A website – rozie.com.au – but it needs some serious updating. I am no longer Australia’s best up-and-coming female comedian. Twitter – @arozenbachs – but do be prepared to click ‘unfollow’. And I’m often running around Princes Park hoping someone mistakes me for a Carlton footballer. It’s not happened yet – maybe something to do with the fact footballers can run more than 300 metres without blacking out.
Victorian Skills Gateway
Find training that fits Beat Magazine Page 32
There’s more funding than ever for apprenticeships and training in skills shortage areas. Find out about this, and much more on the Victorian Skills Gateway – the new website for information about vocational training.
www.education.vic.gov.au/victorianskillsgateway ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
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Beat Magazine Page 33
LUCHA VAVOOM BY ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY
Sex and violence, it’s what the world runs on. It fuels much of the entertainment world and forms the tenets of Lucha VaVOOM, an original yet familiar revolution based in Los Angeles. The crew behind this pro-wrestling-meets-vaudeville extravaganza are heading down under for Big Day Out, presenting the El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Bar, arguably the most intriguing non-musical attraction at the upcoming festival. Originally formed in 2002, Lucha VaVOOM and its combination of traditional Mexican lucha libre (wrestling) and burlesque performance has been getting the attention of the American media and celebrities (Henry Rollins, Robin Williams). If your knowledge of lucha libre only goes as far as the dud Jack Black comedy Nacho Libre, there is much more to uncover. Treated as a national sport in Mexico, the genre dates back to the early 1900s and encompasses film and television, with pioneering luchadors (wrestlers) like El Santo earning mythical god-like status. A blend of lightning speed athleticism and colourful theatrics it has been a uniquely South American phenomenon, failing to capture the same worldwide recognition as their American counterparts in the equally circus-like WWE. That is where the men and women behind Lucha VaVOOM are looking to change things. “I’m not somebody I thought would be a fan of wrestling,” admits the vivacious Rita D’Albert, co-founder and performer for Lucha VaVOOM. “But it’s the kind of show that appeals to wrestling fans and people who didn’t really know they were wrestling fans. Lucha libre can be so much more fun and theatrical and the sense of humour the wrestlers have and their physical ability, it’s much more athletic than WWE style.” Describing it as a “raunchy Cirque Du Soleil,” the show is a true passion project and one she is thrilled about presenting to a new audience. “It’s a labour of love and it’ll be fun because we’ll be mixing in some local luchadors.” As you ponder the idea of two dozen masked wrestlers and burlesque dancers on an 18 hour plane ride, D’Albert has her sharp eyes set on opening up a new market to their spicy brand of entertainment. “Hopefully we’ll be laying track to come back because I love Australia and I think Australia will love us.” A travelling dancer and rock singer for such bands as The Pandoras, D’Albert is the ultimate bad ass chick, with her athletic figure, adventure seeking attitude and throaty voice. After witnessing her first lucha libre show in a rough part of Mexico, she fell in love and was eager
to jump on board the ambitious project, presented to her by her now business partner. Shortening the matches down to one fall, as opposed to the traditional three, and mixing in some sexy burlesque dancing, this lucha revolution was born. “We get the best out of everybody, we just wear them out with the energy of the flying and the flipping. Just give us your best and we’ll wear you out and then get out and we’ll move on to the next thing. With our show’s pacing, we purposely keep everybody on their toes. We never want them to get too used to what they’re seeing, because what they’re seeing is usually pretty weird.” When D’Albert says weird, she’s not exaggerating either. Lucha VaVoom’s roster of performers is packed with some of the wackiest characters you’re bound to see, from the raunchy Dirty Sanchez (complete with moustache on his mask) and the self-explanatory Crazy Chickens, to the Liberace-esque transvestite luchador Cassando. The key for the show is to never be the same as the last, constantly keeping the fans guessing. “It’s never stopped being delightful for us and I think that’s why it’s a good show. It does have to entertain us every time and we have to think of new ways to make it even more impressive and keep the audience coming back. We’re actively engaged in pushing it and pushing it to make it crazier and more surreal and better.” Not originally knowing what to expect, Lucha VaVOOM was the ultimate experiment. Flying in some of Mexico’s best luchadors, they added burlesque performances in between each match as the icing on the cake. “Then it occurred to us, organically – this is sex and violence, it’s perfect. Everybody loves sex and violence,” D’Albert exclaims. “Putting the dancing in between really breaks things up and cleanses your palette and gets you ready to see the next thing. You put that together in a club and you get a really nice old fashioned night out.” To help explain the action and keep the atmosphere light, they had the brainwave of having comedians sit in as commentators. Over the years, comedy royalty such as Jack Black, Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and Joel Hodgson (Mystery Science Theater 3000) have
Beat’s Bumper NYE’s Double issue deadlines Editorial Deadline: Thurs 20th of Dec Ad Deadline: Fri 21st of Dec On Street: Wed 26th of Dec First issue for 2013 is out: Wed 9th of Jan Editorial Deadline: Thurs 3rd of Jan Ad Deadline: Fri 4th of Jan
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all graced the Lucha VaVOOM stage. Another comedy king was present at a past show, however was not selected to participate. “We did a show in San Francisco and Robin Williams came. I said to one of the comedians ‘should we have him sit in?’ and he said ‘the show will never end, you’ll never get him to stop’.” Like the performers themselves, Lucha VaVoom is all about crowd participation and escapism. “No matter how crappy everything is going
in the world and driving you crazy, it’s a place to forget and leave it all behind. It’s pure fantasy. Everybody needs to have the joy of lucha in their life.”
Lucha VaVOOM will perform at the Big Day Out on Saturday January 26 at the Flemington Racecourse.
JASON BYRNE BY JOANNE BROOKFIELD
Jason Byrne is sneaking outside his house and almost whispering. In Ireland, it’s 10pm and his children are asleep. As a regularly gigging stand-up comedian (his popularity in the UK is such that he has been consistently one of the highest selling acts at the Edinburgh Fringe) he’s not always home in the evenings, but he’s “in the house” on this night and with two boys who have school the next day, doesn’t want to wake them as he talks with Beat. This is Jason Byrne in responsible parent mode. Soon, TV audiences will be seeing him as the opposite. Father Figure is the name of his sitcom that BBC1 have just commissioned for a six-episode season. For Byrne, this is excellent news. “It’s a pretty big deal because it’s BBC1 and that’s the main station in Britain and basically all my heroes have been on that station as well,” he says, voice back at normal volume. “All these great sitcoms and great TV shows have all appeared on BBC1 and now it’s my go.” With production beginning early next year and expected to take up to seven months, this represents bad news for Byrne’s legion of fans in Australia, as he won’t be attending the 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival or any other festivals around the country. To make up for this, however, he’s doing a short run of Christmas shows this weekend at the Athenaeum. “To keep everybody happy,” he says. Everybody, that is, except his Irish fans. “Oh yeah, I’m getting a lot of hassle from Irish people over here going, ‘Where’s our Christmas show? Why you takin’ it away from us?’” he says, adopting a wounded tone. A string of shows in Dublin at the start of the new year should keep them happy, however, and then he begins life as the star of his own sitcom. Based on his BBC Radio 2 series of the same name, Father Figure will see Byrne playing Tom, a married father to two boys. “Basically, they love the idea of me being a stay at home dad but my wife appears in the episodes pretty quickly,” he explains of the premise. “It’s not me at home with nappies on my head because the kids are around ten and eight, so they’re two lads and they’re pretty savvy to stuff. So when my wife leaves the house, I end up being like their brother. They just don’t listen to me. What happens to me is I get a fairly basic task, or something happens at the start, and then it snowballs,” he says. When writing the scripts, Byrne has noticed they bear a similarity to his stand-up material in that “they’re quite fast”, he says. “There’s flashbacks and all sorts of shit happening and then the story’s happening and then we flash up to another bit of the story and it’s like ‘holy fuck!’ and then it’s all over in 28 minutes”. His on-screen sons are based on his twelve- and fiveyear old boys, although they will be played by English actors. “I don’t know how they’re going to react, I’m sure they’ll be fine. They’ve seen me on TV before but to see me with a different family might be a bit odd, going ‘what the fuck is Dad doing with that woman in bed and who are those kids? That’s not Grandad and Nanna’ but what I said to them is that I’ll put them in it so they’ll see how it works,” he says of the small guest roles they’ll have. He then starts giggling as he goes on to say he could also “freak them out completely” one day when his real-wife is out by bringing home his screen-wife and playing it straight. “Why is she in the kitchen?” he asks as them, responding as a stern father, “She’s your mother, you know she is…” he giggles some more. “No, we won’t do that”. He also won’t be quitting comedy, although he did joke to his comedian friends that after he got the
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green-light from BBC1, he should leave on a high before the show gets made. “It was just unbelievable, you know? It’s a great thing. But being Irish, though, and a bit of a moan, the next thing I said was ‘holy shit! I better get it right’.” If there’s one thing Byrne definitely gets right, it’s his infectious high-energy lunacy. Chaos, pandemonium, bedlam; all appropriate words to describe what usually happens when he’s on stage, and his three massive Christmas specials will be no different. “What happens at the end is I do the nativity play and I get the audience up to play all the parts and I narrate it and it’s fucking – I’m not joking – it’s so funny because it’s a bloody mess,” he says with unabashed glee. “They’re worse than children! Like I’ll go ‘and Mary knocked on the door of the inn’ and literally the person dressed as Mary is looking out to the audience facing the wrong way and it’s ‘would you knock on the fucking door?’” he says with mock exasperation. One of his favourite memories from a previous Christmas show was when the “baby Jesus doll” got lost. The audience member responsible lost him in the dark, in the wings, but found a small appliance back there to use instead. “So I had to go ‘and then baby Jesus was a fan heater’,” recalls Byrne. Whatever form the baby Jesus takes this year, Byrne is asking for the audience to get into the spirit of the season. “What would be really good is if everybody brought presents for the baby Jesus,” he says. “Tell them to follow the star to the Athenaeum.” Jason Byrne plays the Athenaeum Theatre from Friday December 21 – Sunday December 23.
DONDI WHITE STYLEMASTER GENERAL ANDREW “ZEPHYR” WITTEN ($40) Coming of age in hardscrabble East New York in the early 1970s, Dondi White unknowingly began the process of introducing a whole new artistic dialect into the cacophony of the American art scene. His train pieces painted from roughly 1977 to 1982 stand as some of the most influential works ever committed to Transit Authority steel. Writing with legendary partners such as DURO, NOC 167, KID 56, KEL 139, and FUZZ ONE, Dondi created some of graffiti art’s most enduring iconography. In the 1980s, partially through his collaborations with noted photographers Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper, Dondi White’s work entered the rarefied world of fine art. OVERGROUND 3 - TORKEL SJSTRAND ($30) Overground 3 is about the last free artistic expression of our time. Graffiti is the worlds largest artistic movement, and it inspires fashion, music, art and design. Who does the city belong to? Who it is for? Who has the right to public space? How does graffiti shape the city? The city shapes graffiti! The physical environment offers its conditions through obstacles and opportunities. But politics also play their part. Here are the art ideas of nine of the most stylistically influential European graffiti writers from Stockholm to Bologna, London to Prague. Nine extreme artists, who are all kings in their respective cities and masters in style and endurance. MURAL ART VOL. 2 - KYRIAKOS IOSIFIDIS ($45) Brilliant successor to the original and highly successful Mural Art, this second edition further underlines the theory that art is a form of expression that should not be restricted or limited in any way. These remarkable paintings in public places express human feelings such as protest, passion, resistance, tenderness and violence, all of which are connected to our needs for communication and socialization. Artists featured in Mural Art 2 include Sebastian James, CPAG, Roberto Delgado, ESCIF, PSY, REMED, Stick Up Kids, Macrew, Ken White, XLF Crew, Mr Wany, Gert Neuhaus and many more.
BORN IN THE STREETS - FOUNDATION CARTIER ($40) Published to accompany the exhibition Graffiti, this book reexamines the birth and evolution of the graffiti movement in early 1970s New York, as well as its appearance in Paris, a city which became the nerve centre for graffiti in Europe in the 1980s.A great many photos by such leading historians of the street art movement as Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant and John Naar, as well as press articles and piecebooks, document graffiti’s beginnings at the moment when pioneers like Lee, Seen and Lady Pink were tagging New York City subways and challenging city authorities. BACKFLASHES GRAFFITI TALES - RUEDIONE ($30) Former graffiti writer and founding member of the Montana Writer Team, Ruedione retired the spraycan years back, picking up a camera in its place. For Backflashes - Graffiti Tales, he’s captured covert graffiti missions in his signature black and white style from Hamburg, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Manheim and Dortmund Germany; New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the USA; Amsterdam and Zwolle in the Netherlands; Naples and Salermo Italy; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Santiago de Chile. These pictures portray not only the forms, letters and characters, but also the moments, emotions and impressions that are integral to the act of writing graffiti. LAND OF SUNSHINE - DEAN SUNSHINE ($49.95) The heart of Melbourne street art culture is undeniably its artists - those who step outside into the metropolis, tools of their trade in hand, painting legally with passion, or illegally with trepidation. It is this ‘heart’ beating across the city, which has engendered a beautiful, modern artistic renaissance across the city. Within the pages of this book are images captured by Dean Sunshine over the past two years, of works both come and gone, present and loved. Land of Sunshine is a moment of captured time in the kaleidoscope of art that has adorned Melbourne in this, the second decade of our ‘new millennium’.
ALSO IN: GRAFFITI MAGS FROM EUROPE: MOST WANTED, GRAFFBOMBZ, DOWN BY LAW, STOP THE BUFF AND MORE...
THE DARK PARTY
‘sideshow noir’
TEX PERKINS AND THE
DARK HORSES
LIOR WITH W I T H GIAN G IA AN S SLATER L AT E R N VENIO NVENIO
M U S I C, VAUDEVILLE AANTICS
A L AATT E N I G H T S A L O N O F
CABARET AANDN D
MIGHTY DUKE AND THE LORDS
THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS• PAPA P PILKO AND THE BINRATS BI
THE WO OHO O REVUE • TUBA SKINNY (US)
T H E P E RCH C R E E K FA M I LY J U G B A N D
GIVE A SPIEGEL TREAT THIS CHRISTMAS! CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 35
DIRTY PROJECTORS BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Few acts deftly marry ornate arrangements with sheer folk simplicity quite like American collective Dirty Projectors. Breaking through as a more consolidated unit in 2009 with the LP Bitte Orca, the band parlayed their abstract musical experiments into something more resolute. The band’s sixth full-length studio album Swing Lo Magellan, released earlier in 2012, continues the intertwining paths of accessibility and melodic beguilement. Led by progenitor Dave Longstreth, the project has maintained a relatively amorphous lineup since its inception in the early 2000s. Though individual personnel has changed since Bitte Orca, the band formation has become absolute, as vocalist and core member Amber Coffman explains. “Some of us are [somewhat permanent] in the band, it’s been like that for a while. That’s sort of what Dave was going for. If you declare that, it’s like saying the day you get married you don’t want to be married anymore. Like it would feel like a bit of a trap,” Coffman ponders. “The outfit is pretty much the same. Six people – three girls, three guys. Standard rock band lineup for the most part, drums, bass, two guitars, keyboards.” At its core, Swing Lo Magellan showcases a reverence for pure American folk while providing distinctive contemporary flourishes. “I don’t necessarily think of it in terms of ‘American’, some of it is typically American and some of it isn’t. It’s sort of in my subconscious, I really don’t think about it that much,” Coffman muses. “I think Dave is a huge fan of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and a lot of classic music. He’s always respected good, simple songs.” The Socialites, one of the album’s many highlights, features a lead vocal take from Coffman, exemplifying her increasing prominence in Dirty Projectors output. Still, she can’t foresee where the trend will lead in terms of future productions. “I guess it all depends on what Dave wants to do. “We’ll have to see what happens. It’s something that has happened naturally, whenever I help write anything. It’s never really
planned, if there’s a need for it and it seems like the thing to do, then we do it. Dave’s an incredible songwriter, and he has a really specific vision for Dirty Projectors,” she says. Coffman is speaking the day after appearing on Letterman, where Dirty Projectors performed the joyously morbid About To Die. Does Coffman see it as a positive song? “I think so, I think it’s a fun song.” Does she think Longstreth is trying to convince himself not to fear death? “I dunno, Dave might have been trying to convince me not to fear it,” she laughs. One of the signature aspects of the Dirty Projectors’ sound are the remarkable feats performed by Longstreth and Coffman, providing counterintuitive tonal leaps. It’s a unique style, one which Coffman has become accustomed to over time. “Not always. Sometimes we try something that’s a little tricky. The longer I understand that style of music, the less it seems like a puzzle. It can just come out and feel pretty natural. I think it’s just repeating it over and over again until you know it. I don’t know if there are tricks. Maybe there are little tricks that happen in there. I’m able to hear separate parts easier than when I first joined the band.” As well as having a standout year with Dirty Projectors and Swing Lo Magellan, Coffman lent her considerable vocals to a fairly disparate outlet with the Major Lazer track Get Free. “Those guys had me sing on a track a few years ago, a Rusko song [Hold On]. It was actually written by Sia, she’s Australian isn’t she?” Coffman queries correctly. “Then I think
“SOMETIMES WE TRY SOMETHING THAT’S A LITTLE TRICKY. THE LONGER I UNDERSTAND THAT STYLE OF MUSIC, THE LESS IT SEEMS LIKE A PUZZLE.”
everyone was really happy with it. Then later on Diplo sent me the backing track of what became Get Free and I put some ideas down and they really liked it. Then we got together and finished it.” Could we ever hear Coffman front a dancefloor banger in a way Sia did with Flo Rida? “Sure, why not,” she laughs. Dirty Projectors also produced a highlight on the stunning Red Hot compilation Dark Was The Night with the David Byrne collaboration Knotty Pine. Byrne, of course, went on to record a full-length album with St Vincent, released at the start of 2012. The question is raised as to whether there was any discussion between Dirty Projectors and the Talking Heads frontman in regards to further collaborative efforts. “Not to my knowledge. All that communication would have been between the two Daves, so I don’t
know what they talked about,” Coffman states. Last in Australia in early 2010, Coffman is eager to return and sample our signature caffeinated beverage. “So excited. It’s so beautiful and we had a really good time last time. It’s so far away, so it’s a blessing to be able to go do something like that. I’m going to order lots of flat whites,” Coffman excitedly forecasts.
point in his live shows he could be pretty rude to his audience, but he’s changed a lot, and changed his attitude. So when we’ve been on tour with Bright Eyes, he’s nothing but this sweet, amazing person.” An Australian tour – their second in under a year – will cap off a banner year for First Aid Kit. In a 12 month period where they’ve worked with their favourite artists, performed on late night US television and even played at the legendary Newport Folk Festival, Klara convincingly sounds excited to close out the year with a few thousand close friends at the Falls Festival. “It’s going to be amazing to spend New Year’s Eve in Australia. It’s going to be sunny and warm,” she says.
“I’m not just saying it, we always have such a great time in Australia – this will be our third trip in almost as many years.”
DIRTY PROJECTORS play Sugar Mountain Festival, taking place at The Forum on Saturday December 19. They also play Mona Foma in Tasmania on Friday January 18. Swing Lo Magellan is out now via Domino/EMI.
FIRST AID KIT BY MITCHELL ALEXANDER
“I’ll be your Emmy-Lou and I’ll be your June/If you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny too.” If there’s a more charming couplet from an Americana-soaked ballad in 2012, I’m yet to hear it. That it’s delivered by the warm vocal chords of sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg and accompanied by crisp pedal steel guitars, well, that’s just gravy. For a lightning fast history lesson, Emmy-Lou Harris and Gram Parsons only worked together on a handful of songs before Parsons died of a drug overdose in 1973, but their legacy is still felt in country and folk music today. As for Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash, well, there’s a reason their story is the subject of films and countless books. First Aid Kit’s achingly sweet song Emmy-Lou now stands tall amongst many other previous tributes to intense and life-long devotion. And hey, if you think I’m gushing about it a bit now, you should imagine what I was like when talking to Klara about it. “Oh thank you, that’s so sweet,” Klara says sheepishly. Play it cool Alexander, you’ll scare her off. “It started with that chorus, I had that in my mind for a year before I did anything with it, because I thought it was too cute and cheesy. But the verse melody came – this is why it’s so great to work with my sister – from another song I played for her and she suggested just putting the songs together. It’s pretty great to have someone that close to you that you can do something like that. “Emmy-Lou and Gram and Johnny and June, they’re some of our biggest heroes in singing harmonies. Johanna and I both are obsessed with Gram’s story. Such a tragic life, but he made such beautiful music. People come up to us at shows saying, ‘I’d never heard of Gram Parsons or EmmyLou Harris before, but because of that song I listened to them and I love it’. That’s so amazing.” Listening to Klara speak, and the Swedish sisterly duo so confidently command the language of Americana – unbreakable love, bitter betrayals, joy and heartache – on their 2012 sophomore release The Lion’s Roar or 2010 debut The Big Black & Blue, you could assume that the pair were raised from birth on a steady diet of country and folk music. What’s fascinating is how recent Klara and Johanna have been introduced to that world, and how quickly they’ve gone from
bedroom rehearsals to working with heroes. “Our parents listened to a lot of Patti Smith, Television and the Velvet Underground…for them, country and folk music, that was just cheese and old!” says Klara with a giggle. “We loved that New York sound too, but when I was 12 a friend recommended I listen to Bright Eyes. I heard the song First Day Of My Life and it just hit me, like ‘wow! This is so honest, this is so raw’, it just stood out from everything I was hearing at the time. Bright Eyes made me want to find out if I could write songs”. Only a few years later, First Aid Kit would be sitting in a room recording a song with Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and producing The Lion’s Roar with Mike Mogis (the go-to guy for plaintive indie folk). Unable to hold it in much longer, I revealed to Klara that during my teens, Bright Eyes just made me want to punch Bright Eyes in the face. I’ve since been converted, but it was exactly that raw songwriting and his reputation as the difficult, tortured genius that incited rage. Klara suggests that Oberst, much like prolific contemporary Ryan Adams, has got the bum steer when it comes to media representation. “Conor is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. It’s strange how he got that reputation that he was sort of an asshole,” Klara says. “I guess, at some
“EMMY-LOU AND GRAM AND JOHNNY AND JUNE, THEY’RE SOME OF OUR BIGGEST HEROES IN SINGING HARMONIES. JOHANNA AND I BOTH ARE OBSESSED WITH GRAM’S STORY. SUCH A TRAGIC LIFE, BUT HE MADE SUCH BEAUTIFUL MUSIC.”
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FIRST AID KIT play Falls Festival at Lorne alongside Coolio, Angus Stone, Maximo Park and more from Friday December 28 – Tuesday January 1 (sold out) and in Marion Bay from Saturday December 29 – Tuesday January 1. They play a sideshow at The Forum on Wednesday January 2 with Fraser A. Gorman and Big Harvest.
DAVID BYRNE & ST VINCENT BY SIMONE UBALDI
David Byrne has had an excellent year. The celebrated Talking Heads front man – whose musical excursions include film soundtracks written with Brian Eno, a concept opera composed with Fatboy Slim and the founding of an internet radio station – has hit many an end of year ‘Best Albums’ list with his St Vincent collaboration, Love This Giant. Described as Peter Pan meets Tinkerbell in The Guardian, the record is a crafty collision of two very disparate styles – hers a fledgling melodic songbird with a wicked hipster underbelly, his a seasoned art-rock contrarian with a love of world music and hearty beats. Together, amid a storm of trombones, they made a truly excellent record. But that ain’t the half of it. Byrne also took some time this year to publish a modest little tome through McSweeneys called How Music Works; a semi-autobiographical book that explores everything from technology to ecology, architecture to audience, in an effort to understand why music sounds the way it does. Ahead of his upcoming Australian tour, David spoke to Beat about the album, the book and the general happy awesomeness of being a living legend. You’re a visual artist, a pop star, a writer, a composer and an avid cycling advocate – are there any professional stones you still want to turn? There’s probably music and sounds and things that I’ve yet to write that I hope will be different from what I’ve done before, but do I want to be a top chef? I don’t think so. I enjoy cooking but I don’t think I’d like doing it competitively! Do you ever sit back and consider how well your career has turned out? I’ve been very lucky. I mean, it hasn’t been entirely luck – I set myself up so that I wouldn’t get boxed in either with Talking Heads or my own stuff. Fairly early on, I’d seen other artists who had managed to give themselves a little bit of wiggle room in order to be able to do different things and I thought to myself, that seems like the right way to go, I’m going to try and do it that way….I think sometimes my fans must be disappointed, because they can’t be expected to like everything, and I can’t constantly be expected to do things that are really good and have everything be on the same level. I think sometimes you try but you don’t hit the bullseye every time, but by continuing to do it, you keep those muscles in play. In a way, maybe that allows you to hit the bullseye next time. So why is now the time for you to explain How Music Works? I’d done a couple of talks and pieces for magazines
– one of them was a TED Talk about the way music is influenced by the sound of a room, and I started realising that ‘oh, I’m really interested in all the extraneous contexts that have a profound effect on how music turns out, how it sounds, what instruments are used, the way it is marketed, the kind of money that’s involved – all those things and how they affect what we hear.’ I thought, ‘Maybe there’s a book there. Let me just keep going and see what else is in it. This could be an interesting book.’ Were you surprised there wasn’t already a book like this out there? Haha, yes! If I’m working on something, I’m always kind of looking over my shoulder and thinking, ‘Is someone else…has someone else done this first and I just don’t know about it?’ In the book, there are chapters where I gleaned a lot from what other people had written on the subject – there are a couple of chapters on technology and how technology has affected music, and there are really a number of books of the subject. There are a number of music geeks that have written about the history of the technology of recording, so that material is out there, but I think some of the other stuff is probably more original. So how did the collaboration with Annie Clark (aka St Vincent) begin? There was an AIDS charity that suggested we work together – they asked if we would do a couple of
songs together at a benefit concert. I had seen another concert they’d done and I thought it could be nice. Her stuff tends to be quite melodic and can be quite beautiful sounding, and to me, coming out of the indie rock world, that was a bit unusual. Usually people in that world sometimes stay away from things that sound too nice – Annie manages to do it, but also keep things a bit gritty. To me that was a positive, for her, if you talk to her, she’s very wary of it. For someone who can write a beautiful melody and has a pretty voice, I think she’s probably really afraid that she’ll be thought of as someone who’s just a pretty voice. So you weren’t friends at all? There’s been some hint of a ‘special chemistry’ on the record. We’d met to chat and say hello but we didn’t really know each other. And we collaborated musically mainly online, by sending files back and forth. The face time, the time we actually spent together, we would do other things. We would go out to see music together or have dinner or go to the theatre. We were getting to know each other that way. Is it important to like the people you work with? I don’t think so. I would hope that they’re not going to swindle me or behave like an atrocious person, but what they do in their homes, or with their friends, or how they behave with their dog, I really don’t care. You need to get along, to some extent, which is why I wanted to get to know Annie socially. I wanted to get some insight into this person, to see how she thinks. And I think I did. I must have.
So what can we expect from the upcoming tour? We hear it’s quite the stage production. Oh absolutely! One of our brass players let it slip that he’d been in a marching band in school. He wasn’t exactly proud of it, but I thought ‘Ooo… that means some of them actually have experience moving and playing at the same time!’ I brought in a choreographer that I had worked with before and I thought we’d just start off by having them move into different shapes so that the stage looked different for each song, with people in different places. And of course, the choreographer wanted to push things a bit further and see if she could get them to move while they were playing. It worked out quite well. This is old hat for you, but how did Annie feel about it? At first she didn’t want to be involved. She didn’t dislike the idea, she said it was fine for the brass players, but she was just going to stand at the microphone, play her guitar and sing. That lasted for about a week or so – then I could see she wanted to get in on it, because it looked like fun. And it is, you know. I’m very happy with it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. DAVID BYRNE & ST VINCENT appear at MONA Foma in Tasmania, taking place between Wednesday January 16 and Sunday January 20, and play Hamer Hall on Monday January 14 and Tuesday January 15. Love This Giant is out now through Remote Control.
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INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
WITH CHRISTIE ELIEZER * STUFF FOR THIS COLUMN TO BE EMAILED TO <CELIEZER@NETSPACE.NET.AU> BY FRIDAY 5PM
MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
GOTYE GOES GREEN
Gotye turned up at the Retreat Hotel for the Thin Green Line Foundation’s launch of their Green Line Grooves and performed with other musicians. The album, which raises money for wildlife rangers and their families in the world’s conflict zones, can be purchased from thingreenline.org.au.
BRIT THE RICH CHICK
Britney Spears, 31, was the highest paid woman in music last year, says US business magazine Forbes. With a platinum selling album Femme Fatale, a world tour and an Elizabeth Arden fragrance deal among other endorsements, Ma Spears’ fave child raked in US$58 million. At #2 was Taylor Swift ($57m) whose Speak Now sold four million while a tour made $1 million a night. Feisty party girl Rihanna ($53m) added endorsement deals with Vita Coco and Nivea with the Diamonds world hit. The list had two surprises: Sade being featured, and the relatively low placing of Adele. The rest of the list, from #4, were Lady Gaga ($52m), Katy Perry ($45m), Beyoncé ($40m), Adele ($35m), Sade ($33m), Madonna ($30m), and Shakira ($20m).
BLACKCHORDS SIGN TO ABC MUSIC
Blackchords have signed with ABC Music. Their second album A Thin Line, cut with Grammy winning producer David Odlum (The Frames, Gemma Hayes, Josh Ritter, Luka Bloom), is out in April. The lead single Oh No is available digitally from January 18 with a launch show at the Ding Dong on Friday February 15. The band is also invited to play SXSW and Canadian Music Week.
MICK JAMES JOINS ABC
3RRR program manager Mick James has joined 774 ABC Melbourne as Content Director. He also worked at SBS and the ABC in South Australia.
BOMBAY ROYALE WIN US AWARD
11-piece Bollywood-themed The Bombay Royale, who recently won Best New Talent at The EG Awards, have increased their international profile. Their You Me Bullets Love album, released in April, won America’s iTunes Breakthrough World Music Album for 2012. “Aw shucks, cocktails all around,” they responded. The act, signed to Hope Street Recordings, is getting US college radio airplay, moving units in Japan, and starting to sell out shows in hometown Melbourne.
JON BISSET BECOMES GM OF CBAA
Jon Bisset is taking over as general manager of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia from Kath Letch in February. He was CEO of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, of the Council on the Ageing (NSW), Deputy CEO of the Fundraising Institute Australia and GM of Operations for Netball Australia.
PUBLIC ENEMY, HEART, DONNA, INDUCTED
Public Enemy, Heart and Donna Summer will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. So will Canadian prog-trio Rush whose fans have been lobbying for it for ten years. Also on the list: Quincy Jones, Randy Newman, blues guitarist Albert King and label executive Lou Adler.
THINGS WE HEAR
* Due to be announced any minute now: a team up of Guns N’Roses and ZZ Top for a run of shows through March.
* The marriage of Brit rapper Example and MTV Australia’s Erin McNaught takes place in May in Australia with a small ceremony of 50. That is followed two months later with a massive bash in the UK. Example has applied for Aussie citizenship. * Dead In A Second and Karnivool member Steve Judd’s new band The Arsonist will team up for some shows in early 2013. It’s called Festival In Your Lounge Room, where guest acts will join at different stops to make up a total of five acts on the bill on one night. The idea is to create a festival atmosphere in an intimate club environment. The two bands have a combined 120,000 followers on Facebook, so ticket sales are expected to be high. * The Spice Girls’ musical Viva Forever has received the nastiest of reviews. The London Telegraph’s critic lamented, “I’ll tell you what I wanted, what I really, really wanted – I wanted this terrible show to stop.” The Daily Mail called it “a disappointment. Spicy? No, it’s a prize Christmas turkey.” * When this column did an interview with DJ Kaz James last week, we had to chat as he spun discs for a pool party thrown for Jen Lopez in Melbourne. This city also saw Lopez’s mum celebrate her birthday. Her dancers meantime were spotted at Spice Market after their final show at the Rod Laver Arena, and catching a drag show at the Prince Of Wales public bar. * Calvin Harris is taking his longest break in ages over Christmas: five whole days. He’s hired a Range Rover and is driving up to Scotland. * Gotye reveals that some American fans thought his name was Coyote. * Umm, was it something we said? Madness pulled out of Bluesfest … Gin Blossoms cancelled their inaugural visit in February, citing “unforeseen logistical issues” … Amanda Palmer has delayed her visit because she needs to look after an extremely ill friend. * Nationals MP for Western Victoria David O’Brien got up in the Legislative Council in defense of live music. He cited the Victorian Live Music Census 2012 revealing that Victoria boasts “approximately 948 venues, confirming that the state is the live music capital of not only Australia but possibly the world. It contributes approximately $1.2 billion to the economy, with 15.9 million attendances.” He implored the Minister for Consumer Affairs to work closely with Music Victoria and other stakeholders … “and ensure that into the future rock’n’roll will no longer be considered noise pollution in this great state.” O’Brien, it must be said, is somewhat partial to live music: he used to play bass in ‘90s ska band Loin Groin. The Council’s president Bruce Atkinson quipped he remembered seeing O’Brien “punishing” his guitar on a video but, alas, not the band’s name. The guitar was stolen, O’Brien recalled, but he found it simply because of all the thrash marks on it! * Top Indigenous talent including Jessica Mauboy, Christine Anu, Casey Donovan and Troy Cassar Daley played a concert to celebrate the launch of SBS’s new Indigenous television channel NITV. * After seven years and a two year hiatus, Sydney’s Bridezilla announced their “inevitable departure and divorce”. * Organisers of Sydney’s Cockatoo Island Film Festival tweeted its future looks “bleak” following a review by the Harbour Trust. * Adele faces a £1,000 fine for not registering her baby within the 42-day deadline. * The Nine Network’s wish list for the judging panel of its newly-acquired Australia’s Got Talent includes Victoria Beckham, Lily Allen and Sharon Osbourne, says the Sydney Daily Telegraph.
VENUES #1: PUBLIC BAR OPEN TO 7 AM Live music venue The Public Bar in North Melbourne can now open until 7am. The late opening begins on Fridays and Saturdays, and then seven days a week as of next year, with bands on every night. This Friday December 21, for instance, they have on Bidet Mate, Rayon Moon and Cassini while Saturday December 22 has The Stavros Brothers, Astral Sunrise and Map Ends (The Stabs/Handhell). Tonight sees the SiB lineup playing together for the first time in two years, with Andy Reed’s first show since he moved to Berlin two years ago.
VENUES #2: BOOKING CHANGES AT BILLBOARD Billboard The Venue has gone through a change in bookers. Alana Markulis is opting to focus more on managing Planet
Love Sound. She calls the Billboard team “this lovely family, which I can proudly say is one of the best working environments I’ve been privileged to be a part of.” The new booker is Cat Clarke reached at cat@billboardthevenue. com.au and 03 9639 4000.
VENUES #3: SESSIONS
OLD
BAR’S
LIFELINES Born: twin sons Gene Clark and George Christopher to Stone Roses bassist Mani and wife Imelda. Engaged: US singer Kelly Clarkson and talent manager Brandon Blackstock. Married: David Bowie’s film director son David Jones, and photographer Rodene Ronquillo, hours after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Recovering: Yothu Yindi’s Mandawuy Yunupingu, 56, has been released from Royal Darwin Hospital after collapsing at his East Arnhem Land home. Recovered: Chet Faker is back in the studio after a leg operation. In Court: Stan Walker, 22, lost his driver’s licence for 12 months and fined $540 after pleading guilty in Waverley Court, Sydney, for driving while on a suspended learner’s license. He was driving his 16-year-old nephew to the airport when the coppers clocked him doing 59kmh in a 50kmh area. “Do you have a job?” asked Magistrate Clare Farnan. “Yes, I sing, I travel all around,” he mumbled. In Court: Reece Sleeth, 20, was sentenced to 15 months’ jail by the Bendigo Magistrates Court for a “cowardly attack” and the “worst assault police have ever seen.” On July 14, after getting drunk and using ice, he was asked to leave HuHa nightclub. He waited outside for ten minutes before attacking a security guard from behind, making him unconscious for a few minutes. Sleeth appealed the sentence, and cannot enter licensed venues as part of his bail. In Court: Russell Ian Payne, 42, who kidnapped a 21-year-old woman and her 17-year-old brother after their ride from the Port Fairy Folk Festival failed to turn up, was jailed for 3 and a half years. Payne claimed to be a local council security man ensuring everyone got home. Down the highway, he told the boy to get some drinks from his boot and drove off. The woman leapt out even though he was driving between 40km/h to 50km/h. Arrested: a former New Mexico convict Mark Staake was recruited by jailed murderer Dana Martin (serving two life sentences) to undertake four grisly killings. One was to kill and castrate Justin Bieber at $2,500 per testicle. Suing: Cheryl Cole wants the US$2.25 million she would have earned as judge from the US version of The X Factor last year before she got sacked. In Court: two of three bouncers at Sydney’s Ivy Nightclub, Jason Mendelow, 25, and Emmanouil Ntaras, jailed for 12 months and 27 months respectively after pleading guilty in Downing Centre District Court for their role in beating up 19-year-old patron Nicholas Barsoum last August. Died: Indian sitar genius Ravi Shankar, 92, in San Diego, from heart problems. The estranged father of Norah Jones practiced for 15 years before performing live, and saw his international popularity and influence escalate after Beatle George Harrison adopted him as his tutor. He was embraced by the hippies and played festivals but resented its drug culture.
SONGWRITING
The Old Bar in Fitzroy is hosting Songwriter Sessions on Mondays. Taking a lead from Nashville’s Bluebird Café, writers will share new and original work in an intimate setting. Among those coming up are Charles Jenkins, Van Walker, Liz Stringer, Tracy McNeil and Luke Sinclair. The night is hosted by Les Thomas, editor of unpaved.com.au.
VENUES #4: MILDURA ARTS CENTRE OPENS The new $8.7 million Mildura Arts Centre opened at 199 Cureton Avenue (milduraartscentre.com.au) with a new performing arts theatre as well as an art gallery and sculpture park. Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh said, “The redevelopment has created a new 444 seat theatre with a larger stage, the latest staging equipment, a fly tower and orchestra pit, which will ensure the region can play host to the best touring shows.” Funds were provided by the Mildura Rural City Council, the Victorian Coalition Government and the Federal Government. The state government will, through Arts Victoria’s Regional Partnerships program, provide $175,000 to support programming and operations for both the gallery and theatre in 2012 - 13.
VENUES #5: NEW BOOKING CONTACTS AT ANNANDALE For all bookings and enquiries for Sydney’s Annandale Hotel, the contacts are Mark Smithers (mark@musicboozestuff. com.au) and Paddy Cornwall (paddy@muiscboozestuff.com. au). They’re part of a new company called Music Booze & Stuff – which is set to launch officially next year and will cover venue bookings, production services, gear hire and catering.
STOOGES POSTERS IN DEMAND
Promoter Viv Lees Presents found that street posters for Iggy & The Stooges’ March tour are becoming heavily souvenired. Fans are literally ripping them down to hang ‘em on their lounge room walls. So Lees is offering ten signed and 40 unsigned tour posters for those with tickets for their headlining (ie, non festival) shows. You email info@ vivleespresents.com with your name and city of show until day of show. Winners picked at random.
MORE FOR STREAMING CHART After almost a year of testing the quality of the data, ARIA finally launched its ARIA Streaming Tracks Chart last week. Topping it were Seattle-based duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Thrift Shop. Currently the chart is getting sales info from Spotify, JB Hi-Fi Now and Samsung Music Hub. “Further streaming providers will be incorporated in the coming months,” ARIA says.
KOBALT TAKES OVER DEW PROCESS ADMINISTRATION In a worldwide agreement, Kobalt Music Publishing Australia will take over the catalogue administration and creative services for Dew Process Publishing. It will work closely with Dew Process to develop writers and maximise synch opportunities for films, TV, ads, games and other media. Dew Process Publ. signed two new acts, Brisbane’s Art Of Sleeping and Sydney’s The Falls.
SOUNDWAVE PHOTO BOOK
In February official Soundwave photographer Kane Hibberd (aka Kanye Lens) puts out the 450-page Kanye Lens Vs Soundwave Volume 1. It features 600 photos from four years of the festival. See kanyelens.com.
TRIPLE J’S “NEXT CROP” The folks at j reckon these are the acts to look out for in 2013: unearthed winner Asta (Tas), Fergus Miller’s Bored Nothing project (Vic), electro-soulster Chet Faker (Vic), electro-new wave City Calm Down (Vic), slacker-pop Courtney Barnett (Vic), beatmaker Flume (NSW), indie folk dreamboat Hayden Calnin (Vic), Brisbane supergroup Hey Geronimo (Qld), beatmaker duo Jackie Onassis (NSW), frantic live act King
Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (Vic), big noised Kingswood (Vic), indie pop Millions (Qld), skype-attached rappers Mr Hill & Rahjconkas (Qld/NSW), metalcorists Northlane (NSW), rootsie Sticky Fingers (NSW), surf pops Stillwater Giants (WA), producer Ta-ku (WA), indigenous glamazon Thelma Plum (Qld), folkie The Trouble With Templeton (Qld) and house act Tyler Touche.
NOMINATIONS FOR SYDNEY AWARDS
Flume, Dappled Cities, Hermitude, Jonathan Boulet, Kris Moyes, Collarbones, Deep Sea Arcade, Regular John, Straight Arrows and Preatures are among those up for music categories of the Sydney Music Arts & Culture Awards. These cover the year’s best record, song, live music act, on-screen and next big thing. Vying for Best Major Festival are Vivid LIVE, The 18th Biennale of Sydney, Graphic, Sydney Film Festival and Harvest. Up for Best Music Event are Outside In, Sunset People @ The Hollywood, Goodgod Danceteria @ Vivid Live, Dr Seuss meets Elefant Traks, The Gate and Sound Summit.
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NITE JEWEL BY THOMAS BAILEY
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem certainly knows a thing or two about catchy pop, doesn’t he? In 2010, he was tapped by director Noah Baumbach to arrange the soundtrack for his comedy/drama film Greenberg, which starred Ben Stiller and featured music by such luminaries as Duran Duran, The Sonics, Galaxie 500 and a young Los Angeles synth-pop artist named Ramona Gonzalez, AKA Nite Jewel. Her song Suburbia, taken off her 2009 debut LP Good Evening, was a gorgeous gem of transcendental minimalistic melancholia, and the world took notice. Not bad for a self-made bedroom recording that first came to notice on her MySpace page. Now Inertia Records have just released her follow-up, the enchanting and R&B-washed One Second Of Love – and Nite Jewel’s star is rising. Reached by phone at her home in LA, Gonzalez comes across as thoughtful, deliberate and cheerful as she chats with us about the new record, her love of the Kosmische sound, her marriage to legendary producer and engineer Cole MGN (Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Beck) and Inertia’s imminent rerelease of Good Evening. “I’m always learning in the process of recording,” she answers when I ask her about the major differences between recording her two albums. “I recorded [One Second Of Love] in a more warm environment by anyone’s standards, with a lot more musicians and more equipment and whatnot. That kind of situation has more of a learning curve as far as learning to collaborate with people … and to record for a better sound is totally different!” But to say that she came into recording this album with a firm set of ideas in mind would be far off the mark. “I don’t think I really had any ideas, they change with the time,” she murmurs softly. “I think I’m always pretty headstrong about what I want to do, and with this record I wanted to make a high-fidelity recording. Originally I wanted to make an instrumental electronic record, a high-fidelity electronic record!” she laughs. If one listened to One Second Of Love, the first thing
they might have noticed how tight and polished it sounds. The synths are crisp and clear, the guitar hooks are elegant and assured, the melodies are focused, yet there’s a sultry jaggedness to the proceedings, with a darkness that permeates everything like a smoky residue. Case in point would be the sombre song In The Dark and the terrifically catchy title track. When I point out that morose sadness seems to be the general theme, Gonzalez readily agrees – to a point. “I think that [those themes] certainly revolve around melancholy and nostalgia,” she admits. “And the two of them often go hand in hand.” It’s to do, she says, with not only looking at different forms of memories, but also peering warily towards the future in “an apocalyptic way.” “It’s sort of a critique of how people relate to each other nowadays, but not really a critique of how you’re somehow outside of a situation,” she says in a fashion that seems to be half explanation and half query. Formed partly with the lilt of ‘70s soft rock and the Kosmische sounds of bands like Neu!, Can and – most definitely – Kraftwerk in mind, One Second Of Love is also the product of a loving and fruitful relationship Gonzalez embarked on with husband Cole Marsden Greif Neill, who aided in producing and arranging this delicate yet forceful sophomore album. It’s the musical language that they’ve managed to create over the years, Gonzalez insists, explaining how “that was really essential, that we were making music before we became an item.” Surely it must be a wonderful thing, being able to share such an important facet of your life with the
“I THINK I’M ALWAYS PRETTY HEADSTRONG ABOUT WHAT I WANT TO DO, AND WITH THIS RECORD I WANTED TO MAKE A HIGH-FIDELITY RECORDING. ”
one you love? “Absolutely!” she cheerily exclaims. “It’s awesome! It’s great, because we don’t have to have many reservations in the studio. We can just – we don’t even have to speak to each other!” she laughs loudly. And how does the process of writing work for the two of them? Simple, she says. Cole ends up contributing to the beats, “whereas I write the lyrics and the melodies and the structure of the song. And then [Cole] will come in after and very intuitively understand the music immediately. And he’ll help shape the songs – stacking them and moving them, smoothing out the edges.” Talk naturally turns to her debut Good Evening, and its re-release through Secretly Canadian/Inertia. Gonzalez is absolutely thrilled. “I’m really happy about it! It’s been a while, and I’m really excited that people are going to be able to get their hands on it. And I’ve included a little artwork, and some poetry as a little bonus to anybody who wants to get their hands on it.” So is this re-issue going to be re-mastered and remixed? Or has she decided to leave it alone, as
is: a time capsule of a spectacular time in her life? Gonzalez pauses for a moment to think. “You know,” she admits, “over the years I’ve thought a lot about re-mastering it and remixing the record. I totally thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to re-do this, I’m going to re-do this,’ and I really think that this particular rendition … it just doesn’t make sense to change it, you know? I just didn’t think it was appropriate to change it. I really wanted people to hear that original release.” Gonzalez takes a breath and laughs loudly. “As crazy as it sounds, I’ve finally come to terms with it.”
Velvet. “Look at that beautiful man, living his dream,” Jones says, with obvious affection. “He was out there imitating James Brown, and then people gave him a chance to do his own thing.” Jones is proud of the important role she played in enabling Bradley to become more than just an impersonator. “I just sat him down one day and said, ‘You need to stop being James Brown – you just be Charles Bradley.’ And he grumbled a bit and asked me what I meant, so I told him, ‘You don’t need to do the splits like him, or do anything like him. You can take James Brown and you make him yours, because you’re too good not to stand on your own’.” Jones is standing on her own when we speak, on the porch of a house she bought for her mother in rural South Carolina. The house represents a milestone for the woman, who was born just across the Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia. “One of my main goals in life was to get my mum out of the projects, so it meant a lot that I was able to buy this place for her just before she passed away in March. She only got to have a few months here, but I know she got some
enjoyment out of it,” she says. Has Jones’ relocation from New York provided her with some enjoyment as well? “Shit yes! I’ve just come back from fishing out on the river, and I caught 28 fish! I even went out in the boat this time, when normally I stay on shore. “But that’s what you gotta do: keep learning and pushing,” she explains. “I’m 56 and it seems to me that my life is just beginning. It feels like everything, all my dreams, are slowly coming true.”
NITE JEWEL perform as part of Laneway Festival on Sunday February 3 at Footscray Community Arts Centre, and are headlining a special edition of LA Nites at the Worker’s Club on Monday February 4 (with Fox + Sui as special guests). Both Good Evening and One Second Of Love are out now through Inertia.
SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS BY BENJAMIN COOPER
“I’m not some 20-something year-old Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, imitating a sound. I’m not doing a version of soul music, because I am soul.” Sharon Lafaye Jones has undeniable style and swagger, and is completely unafraid to call out today’s trending stars for their temporality. The frontwoman of Brooklyn’s Sharon Jones & The DapKings has seen a lot of styles come and go, and she’s understandably annoyed when critics focus on the ‘revival’ tag that people attach to the funk and soul group. “I’ve been telling people for years: I’m not retro. There are all these strange ideas about what this kind of music should be,” she says. “People are always talking about how soul music has to come from a dark place, a depressive place where the singer has lost something. And that just isn’t true. Soul music just has to come from the heart, and most of it is just good, you know? Shit,” she exclaims, with a little shout of laughter, “sometimes they even talk about how only black people can really do soul! I mean, you only have to look at what Hall & Oates were doing, and how they were getting people on their feet in late ‘70s, to know that the only thing that matters is heart.” The story of The DapKings began in the mid ‘90s, when Philip Lehman and Gabriel Roth met Jones while she was singing backing vocals for the legendary deep funk singer Lee Fields. Shortly after, Roth founded the vinyl-pressing and analog equipment-favouring Daptone Records with Sugarman 3 saxophonist Neal Sugarman, and took Jones and the newly-formed band to Spain. After a summer in residence at Barcelona club The Boite in 2001, the group released their debut LP, Dap Dippin’ With Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings. Despite having a limited initial run of a few hundred copies, it still managed to make an impact in Europe and America, and by the time they arrived back home, Roth had a stack of requests from festival promoters and club owners all over the world. What had started
out as a summer holiday quickly became a touring and recording monolith that was far greater than the sum of its players. More than a decade later, the group have released four studio albums as well as last year’s collection of non-album tracks, Soul Time! They’ve also toured the globe, with their electric live show gaining particular notoriety at festivals; Sharon Jones & The DapKings will be returning to Australia at the end of this year, for a headline set at Peats Ridge Festival. “We love the festivals, every inch. We try to make it so that everyone can bring their kids along, and show them something new,” Jones says. “We bring the music they don’t hear that often – maybe some Motown, or a little Supremes for the afternoon – and we bring something entirely new and real. Just the other day we were at a bluegrass festival in Colorado, and people were having a great time dancing to our tunes. I mean here I am, a black woman performing at a hillbilly festival, and they loved every minute of it! That’s a powerful thing, because ultimately it’s about people just sharing a love of music. We’re lucky to be a part of that.” Another luminary of the genre, Mr Charles Bradley – The Screaming Eagle Of Soul, and a champion of Victoria’s Golden Plains Festival – has been signed to Daptone Records since being discovered by Roth in 2001. At the time, he was performing club shows as a James Brown impersonator under the moniker Black
“PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HOW SOUL MUSIC HAS TO COME FROM A DARK PLACE, A DEPRESSIVE PLACE WHERE THE SINGER HAS LOST SOMETHING. AND THAT JUST ISN’T TRUE.”
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SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS play Summer Of Soul in Mossvale Park on Sunday January 6 with Saskwatch and more, and Peats Ridge Festival at Glenworth Valley alongside John Butler Trio, Kaki King, The Black Seeds, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and more from Saturday December 29 – Tuesday January 1. They also play The Corner Hotel on Thursday January 10 (the Tuesday and Wednesday shows are sold out).
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Beat Magazine Page 61
JONNY TELAFONE
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
Electronic-folk bandit Jonny Telafone has stirred much intrigue with a string of irreverent releases over the past few years. On his new 7” and CD package, released via Chapter Music, he croons phrases such as “push in deep, gonna make your pussy cum” in a deadpan tone that invites the listener to draw their own conclusions. Accordingly, his conversational manner is lined with sarcasm, which makes sincerity hard to discern. The adage “There’s a grain of truth in every joke,” certainly applies to Telafone’s poker-faced absurdity. His EP launch in Melbourne this Friday coincides with the prophesised end of the world and it seems Jonny always envisaged playing quirky pop song permutations to see the world out. “That’s kind of how I always thought it would happen. Hopefully the world will end and that will be good.” Jonny muses on his ultimate indulgences if the end of the world were guaranteed. “I’d make sure that I got naked, read the bible, just the usual kind of stuff. Have a good last meal, maybe some KFC popcorn chicken. Get naked and just have a great time in the name of KFC.” While this may sound revolting, the planet’s destined termination is likely to enhance the audacity of his performance. “I’m not responsible for anything that I do in those last couple of hours, so it should be a good launch with that in mind.” Jonny suggests the impending void will also fuel outrageous deeds from the people who choose to farewell existence alongside him. “I think there’ll be a certain feeling in the air, some kind of electricity in the air that night, so who knows what people will do. People only need a little bit of a nudge in that direction to become complete animals and let their perverted nature come out. They don’t need much encouragement.”
Regardless of Mayan predictions, Jonny Telafone’s onstage ethos involves getting rid of regular civility, which again can prompt others to let themselves go. “You’ve just got to try to make a bit of a spectacle of yourself and make yourself an embarrassment and people seem to like that,” he quips, with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. “You’ve just got to be free man.” Freedom is central to Telafone’s overall approach and it’s no surprise to hear that he vastly favours to operate solo. “I occasionally have worked with people, but I prefer to work alone. I can only really get motivated if I’m taking all the credit. I don’t want to share the glory with anyone.” The reign of this resolute self-belief might be hampered if he had to align with the opinions of others. “If they’re like, ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea’ and I’ll be like, ‘It’s a good idea’, then next thing you know – fisticuffs. Not that I’m a violent person, but I can throw my weight around. I’ve got a fair bit of weight behind me. I’ve been doing lots of push-ups recently.” He regains composure to add, “It’s just easier working by
yourself I think, if you’ve got a very specific idea of things.” The self-titled release includes a four-song 7” vinyl and a 20 song ‘best-of’ CD. Jonny viewed his recent Chapter Music signing as a perfect opportunity to showcase the stock of quality material he’d previously released on cassette tape and online. “It is the best; not just of my music but of music that’s being released at the moment. It just happens to be all my songs. It’s not just my best-of, it’s the best music that is out now. I guess it’s kind of weird to have a best-of but I can’t help it if I just make the greatest hits all the time. My next release will be Best Of Volume Two, next one after that Best Of Volume Three.” The 20-track compilation is in fact a slight compromise on what he initially proposed to his new label. “If I had my way I was going to do a three disc thing with 600 songs but they wanted to whittle it down. It was three hours of music originally so we had to cut that down a little bit.” There’s a spontaneous edge to the songs and Telafone explains that he largely relies on the accident of creation
rather than meditating on ideas. “I don’t have an idea of a song when I start making it and sometimes there’ll be a song there. I’ll sit down and be like, ‘Alright let’s try to make a song’ and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Usually it does though. 20 songs, you know?” Jonny’s self-acknowledged prolific ability may be the result of not spending too much time dwelling on the music once it’s written and recorded. “Sometimes I get on a roll. A good song, you know it’s finished when it’s good, so get it out of the way, move on. Have a little treat afterwards, why not?” Understandably, with such a success rate he’s careful not to disclose too many details of his magic formula. “I don’t get into talking about the process of it too much. I have to keep my secrets otherwise everyone will be putting out best-ofs any day, 20 songs that sound like mine. I can’t tell you how I do it, I just do it.”
the body. We’ve decided to reevaluate our methods for the next year, because otherwise we’ll end up immortalised and dead,” he laughs. Sandy hit New York a week before the band were due to play their first shows since their break. It forced them to reprioritise and plan for the days ahead, with one eye on physical survival, and one trained firmly on keeping their Canadian tour dreams alive. “I should stress we were all totally fine in the part of Brooklyn I live in. If anything, we had a pretty great time trying to make the most of the restrictions,” Perro laughs. “We might not have had much power or water, but that meant we could hang out inside with our friends and drink a bunch of whiskey, and laugh a bunch, too! “Our biggest issue,” he continues, “was that there was a gas shortage in New York at the time, and we had shows booked up in Canada. I knew we had half a tank of gas in the van, which was just enough to get us out of the city a few days after the storm. Then the van broke down outside of Buffalo [upstate New York], but we made it north of the border in the end. Still alive – a little dumber, but still alive.” With such a relentless work ethic, Australian audiences should count themselves lucky to be experiencing The Men
at their freshest in years. But still, Perro insists that despite a period of relative rest throughout the months preceding their first antipodean jaunt, the four-piece remain as hungry and intense as when they played their first shows. “I think you’ve gotta keep wanting it and appreciating it,” he says. “I think about certain people – a group like The Band, for example. Just think about how much they toured and put into it, for themselves and for their fans... it’s something else, it really is. That kind of example helps us to stay positive, and it helps that we’ve also been given the opportunity to travel and meet new people all the time. “It is also really important to know when to step back from the band,” he says. “Sometimes you just need to take a walk around the block and scream down an alley, and then go and have a few drinks with some people. But the main thing is that we never lose sight of how lucky we are. We get that.”
from a very different world, and that was the key to the relationship,” he says. “We were excited about what he was doing, and he was excited about what we were doing, and it created quite a unique environment in the studio. I mean, when it came to choosing a producer, we could have chosen someone who came from a similar musical background to ours, but that wouldn’t have been very interesting – it would have been a case of, ‘Okay, we all know exactly what we’re doing here, that’s it, let’s get down to business’. Working with Jeff made it much more of an adventure. He comes from that hip hop background so he brought a whole different set of experiences to the studio, which ultimately made things a lot more interesting.” After the storming success of We Are Young, the band released the album’s title track as the second single. Though it took a while to get there, Some Nights became another big hit around the world, its success all the more surprising given that the band never considered it to be a single at all. “That’s such a weird one,” Antonoff says. “I mean, it’s my favourite song on the album, and I certainly like it a lot, but to me, it’s just such a bizarre piece of music that I never
really saw it working as a single.” After all, the song barely has a chorus, and has more in common with weird ‘70s prog rock than it does anything on the charts right now. “I just never saw it catching on to the extent that it has. I mean, I’m really glad that it’s been so successful as a single, and in a way, it’s very heartening, because that track is just so damn weird. It really breaks the mould of what a pop song is supposed to be and what a pop song can sound like.” With six Grammy nominations and a lot of touring in the near future, including a trip to Australia for the upcoming Future Music Festival, I ask Antonoff about him and his band mates’ ambitions for the future. He thinks about this for a while. “Our only ambition is to have big ideas and keep putting them into music,” he says. “That’s why we all got into this, and that’s what gets us really excited about what we do.”
JONNY TELAFONE plays The Gasometer on Friday December 21. Jonny Telafone is out through Chapter.
THE MEN
BY BENJAMIN COOPER
Brooklyn’s The Men are used to having their name confused with similarly-titled groups. The noisy young punk quartet trades on a moniker which, aside from describing half the planet’s adult population, also happens to be shared with a rather forgettable Californian pop rock band from the early ‘90s. Adding to the confusion is The Human League 1979 chart-flopping single, I Don’t Depend On You, released under the pseudonym The Men. Needless to say, finding the New Yorkers’ tunes online can be a bit of a bitch. The Brooklynites seem to relish such confusion and anonymity, while actively encouraging an image that couldn’t be more different from the aforementioned acts: they’re DIY, and they’re proud of their outsider status. Their predilection for hardcore and punk music stimulated their formation in late 2007, with the DIY influences of their youth dominating the group’s attitude and aesthetic over the ensuing years. They released a bunch of home-made cassette recordings before self-releasing their debut LP, Immaculada, in 2010. This was followed barely six months later by their sophomore – and first ‘real’ label album – Leave Home, released on New York tastemakers Sacred Bones Records (Zola Jesus, Moon Duo). Their third album came in January this year: the epic noiseand-melody clusterfuck, Open Your Heart. It’s a bruising, no-nonsense affair that has raised their international profile considerably, through universally-positive reviews from the bastions of hipster culture; despite being several years late to the party, Pitchfork wasted no time in claiming the band as their own. It’s surprising, then, to hear singer and guitarist Mark Perro refer to the album with an apparently nonchalant
air. “Open Your Heart is like three records old for us,” he explains down the line. “We still love the record, but we’ve been that busy since then with other recordings and touring that it seems like a million years ago. We recorded a new album about ten months ago, and we’re also going into the studio to record some more stuff before we head out for Australia.” Perro founded the group with fellow vocalist and guitarist Nick Chiericozzi, who shares his commitment to industrious recording and touring schedules. When we speak, the band are on what they define as a ‘holiday’ – partly due to a desire to stay fresh, but exacerbated by a visit from Hurricane Sandy. “It’s a bit of a weird time for us at the moment,” Perro says. “It’s probably the first time we’ve ever had a break, and that’s because we set ourselves the goal of taking some time off and some time out. For the last couple of months I’ve had to keep reminding myself to relax, because it’s just not workable if you keep pushing yourself as hard as possible. I mean, we’ve been to Europe four times in the past year – and don’t get me wrong, because I love playing over there – but it’s a lot on
THE MEN play Laneway Festival at Footscray Community Arts Centre on Sunday February 3 alongside Bat For Lashes, Chet Faker, Japandroids and more. They also play a side-show at Northcote Social Club on Wednesday February 6. Open Your Heart is out now.
FUN.
BY ALASDAIR DUNCAN Things between me and Jack Antonoff don’t get off to the greatest start. Our interview has been postponed several times, most recently because of a sound check that ran over, and when I finally get him on the phone he seems more than a little worn out. It’s not that much of a surprise – his band, fun., are in high demand right now, thanks for the most part to the runaway success of their single We Are Young. A wide-eyed, swooning ballad with a big belter of a chorus, it’s been absolutely unavoidable this past year. You’ve heard it blasting from the car next to you at the traffic lights, you’ve heard it in movie trailers, and if you’re the kind of insomniac who stays up to catch late-night talk shows, you’ve heard it there as well. It features on the soundtrack to the first season of Girls (a natural hook-up considering the indie power-coupledom of Antonoff and the show’s creator and star, Lena Dunham), and it even received its own sugary-sweet rendition from the cast of Glee, the young performers emoting on every note and then some. Earlier this month, the band were nominated for a swag of Grammy Awards, and We Are Young picked up two – one in the Record Of The Year category, and another for Song Of The Year. Some Nights, the album that accompanied We Are Young, is an energetic and highly theatrical record, its arrangements bursting at the seams, its songs featuring soaring, highly emotive choruses – but where the arrangements are epic and uplifting, the lyrics are more introspective. “I think Beat Magazine Page 62
that’s just a consequence of how we learned to write,” Antonoff explains. “I like the idea of being on the radio with a big pop song and having a really dark lyric or a really dark element to it,” he says. “You don’t have to follow the rules. You don’t have to write a big happy lyric just because you have a big happy melody on the chorus, and you don’t have to go balls-out in the lyrics just because you’re writing a big rock song. You can do whatever you want. The bottom line is that people are complicated, and music is complicated … When you write a complicated song, people can find different meanings in it, and find different ways to connect with it.” The record’s ornate sound is even more of a surprise given that it was produced by Jeff Bhasker, who is better known for working with Kanye West and Alicia Keys than he is with rock bands. According to Antonoff, though, the contrast between their two approaches made for an ideal collaboration. “Jeff comes from a certain world, we come
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fun. play Future Music Festival at Flemington Racecourse on Sunday March 10 alongside The Prodigy, The Stone Roses, Boys Noize, Bloc Party, Azealia Banks and more.
THE VENGABOYS BY ZOË RADAS
The Vengabus is coming, you guys. And this time you can get special tickets to actually party on the party bus. The Dutch pop lords are making a sincerely special effort for us, because as Robin Pors tells me, our fair land occupies an uncommonly snug spot in their hearts. “We didn’t know what to expect,” Pors says over the telephone from his home town of Rotterdam. His naturally lilting, melodic voice lends itself to the boyish excitement of the tale perfectly. The Dutch accent is pretty cool too: the V is pronounced as an F (‘travel’ becomes ‘traffel’) and vowels are rather odd (‘back’ becomes ‘beck’). “The first show we were like, all a bit excited. We flew 24 hours almost, and you are tired, and a bit of jetlagged, and then the intro of the show starts and we’re like, ‘Okay, here we go’, because you don’t know how the people are going to react.” That was in January of this year, approximately ten years since the band were last in the country. “Well, the curtains opened,” Pors says. “And the crowd just went... crazy! We just looked at each other and we were like, ‘Oh my God’. Now I know why we flew 24 hours. And every show we did was like that.” A couple of months after The Vengaboys’ tour, pop compatriots Aqua arrived in Australia to hugely appreciative crowds. It’s difficult to say whether the late ‘90s throwbacks cause a greater beatitude in Australia over anywhere else, because of course, The Vengaboys have enjoyed success the world over for 15 years now. “We have the same energy from the crowd in a lot of countries, but I do have to say that in Australia it was kind of different,” Pors says thoughtfully. “Because maybe it was like, such a long time since we were there, because in Europe you know it’s not that strange that we are in UK or Italy. I think that’s why every year we want to come to Australia now.” Unfortunately Pors then dashes my decoratively imagined fantasies of Aqua and The Vengaboys hanging out in some Norwegian paradise, saying that they don’t know the Danish band very well. “But actually I think we have to do a duet with Aqua,” he says to try and cheer me up, breaking out in song like a matinee idol: “Like, ‘I’m a Barbie Girl, boom boom boom boom, I want you in my room Barbie Girl!’” The vocal prowess behind this party band is actually rather impressive, and reflects the fact that glittery glamour doesn’t necessarily denote phoniness. They’re unabashed which is a lot more real than some rock acts who fake sincerity. There’s no room for cynicism on the party bus. Of course, they love to put on a show, and Pors tells me about the disciplined routine the foursome have going on to ensure the best possible performance. “We just finished the new songs, two new Vengas songs and two covers. That’s quite a lot of workout,” he says. “The show is one hour, hmm, maybe a bit longer. Well, we have to dance and sing at the same time. Sometimes that’s quite hard. So I have to work out every day, and the girls as well, so we are like, working out and making the dance routines now on the new songs. So actually we are quite busy! With that! Now! For you guys in Australia!”
“YEAH, I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW STUFF WE ARE DOING,” HE ENTHUSES, “BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PERFORMED BOOM BOOM AND IBIZA A MILLION TIMES” The new songs have been added to the set to “give something extra to the crowd”, and Pors is mega animated about them. “Yeah, I’m really excited about the new stuff we are doing,” he enthuses, “because you know, we have performed Boom Boom and Ibiza a million times, and I still love to do the songs and the crowd love it. But we need to work a bit harder than normal for Australia. And we do, [we are] preparing ourselves for summer in beautiful Australia.” The band are playing a string of beach-side venues for their summer safari, including The Espy. “I hope I can go to the beach ]during the day, and then afterwards doing the show,” says Pors. “There are beautiful, nice little Italian restaurants up to St Kilda. It was great, I want to come back,” he says in his sing-song voice. Hopefully the St Kilda ocean’s bacteria count won’t be prohibitive come early January, but if the beach is a no-go there is another way for us to impress this band, who have put so much effort into impressing us. “It’s nice to hear someone try, because Dutch is really a difficult language,” Pors says kindly when I test a couple of the phrases that still lurk in my synapses from time studying in the Netherlands. “The funny part is, if you go to Spain or Italy or these kinds of countries, they don’t speak English... at all. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, you don’t even know what a menu is? You work in an international pizza house and you don’t know any English’. We, here in Holland, we love to speak English.” And we love to hear your English, preferably against the backdrop of an anthemic Euro-beat.
THE VENGABOYS play The Espy on Thursday January 10. They are supported by fellow Dutchies Twenty 4 Seven. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 63
SHARON VAN ETTEN BY JOSHUA KLOKE With efficient grace and a wholehearted approach to her craft, it was almost impossible to separate Sharon Van Etten, the person, from the recorded output on her most recent fulllength, Tramp. A soulful listen driven in equal parts by flawless acoustic guitar and meditative piano, Tramp was written and constructed over 14 months of scattered recording sessions. It’s easy to hear Van Etten’s fragile voice giving light to her fragile state of mind. For those 14 months, the 31-year-old Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter was homeless. She bounced from couch to couch, the only constant in her life being the recording studio in Aaron Dessner’s (The National) garage. There, Tramp was brought to life. Sure to top many year-end lists, Tramp is a record written during a state of change, uneasiness and instability. Yet Van Etten is now able to reflect on the process. It’s put to her that being in that fragile state of mind made for more engaging song writing. “I think in the long run it represents one moment in time,” she says softly, reached on the phone from her new Brooklyn home. As Van Etten tells it, the recording process may reflect her fragile mentality, but it was that very process that kept her grounded. “The sounds may have been written during a chaotic and unstable time, but they brought a lot of stability to my life.” The surroundings of the recording process still bear a heavy emotional resonance for Van Etten. There’s a build within Give Out that makes her slow loss of confidence palpable and In Line moves so softly, yet still harkens for stability. Van Etten has spent a good portion of 2012 on the road promoting Tramp. As painful as it might be at times, she still finds herself returning to the situations which gave birth to the songs while playing them live. “I remember where I was when I wrote the songs, every single time I play them live. With most of the songs I’ve written in fact, I can emotionally return to that place. I have a good perspective on how I’ve moved on from some of these places, but there’s still an emotional checklist at times,” she laughs. The more touring Van Etten does, the more she is able to gain perspective on the world around her. It’s a process that’s benefitted her songwriting, and she insists she’ll soon be able to separate herself from the sheer emotion of Tramp. “At some point I’m going to have to separate myself from these songs, because I’m trying to write more and more universal songs,” she admits. “I still feel though that I’m progressing with my writing in a very natural way. My writing is still coming from a place that I can relate to, though eventually I would like to move away from full-on journal-styled writing.” As difficult a time as it was for Van Etten, she wasn’t alone. Tramp features an array of indie rock’s most celebrated figures, including the Dessner brothers from The National, The Walkmen’s Matt Barrick and Julianna Barwick. Van Etten has downplayed the notion that her next album will be in the same vein. Instead, Van Etten is keen to find a balance between working with friends and with her new touring band.
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“I REMEMBER WHERE I WAS WHEN I WROTE THE SONGS, EVERY SINGLE TIME I PLAY THEM LIVE. WITH MOST OF THE SONGS I’VE WRITTEN IN FACT, I CAN EMOTIONALLY RETURN TO THAT PLACE.” “I opened myself up a lot more to collaboration on that record,” she says. “Because of the band I have playing with me now, I’m more comfortable playing music in a lot of different places. The one thing I’m looking forward to is having friends and special guests on the record, but I have a set band for the next record. There are songs that we’ve finished writing together; I can bring an idea to practice and we’ll work on it together. I’ve never worked with a band in that way; I’ve always been very solo in the way I’ve written. I’m looking forward to it though, for the next record. Again, it’ll be the opposite of Tramp in that it’ll be more consistent with the band and its production.” You can hear her breathe a sigh of both relief and happiness as Van Etten says the word: consistent. She’s surrounded herself with good people and a comfortable home life. It’s the very definition of moving forward, and Sharon Van Etten couldn’t be more excited about what’s sure to come next. “These days I’m writing from a much more positive place. It’s actually turning into quite the opposite from [Tramp.] I feel a lot more settled down. Even though I’m touring all the time, I still have a house I can return to when I come off tour. I’m in a very healthy relationship too, and we’re both madly in love with each other,” she says, laughing slightly. “I’m in a very stable place and I feel like my most recent songs reflect that. I don’t see it being a necessarily poppy record, but it’s going to be a more happy, positive record. I’m finding it’s easier to be mid-tempo and optimistic,” she chuckles. Once a homeless, wandering raconteur, Van Etten has benefitted from being around the people she loves. It’s a credo she’s happy to stick to. “It’s a lot easier to work in an environment when you’re surrounded by your friends. It’s a very basic idea, but it’s a very important one.”
SHARON VAN ETTEN is part of the Falls Festival taking place in Lorne from Friday December 28 to Tuesday January 1 (sold out) and in Marion Bay, Tasmania, from Saturday December 29 to Tuesday January 1. She’ll perform a sideshow at the Corner Hotel on Sunday December 30. Beat Magazine Page 64
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK BY ZOË RADAS
Someone’s mucked up the interview time information, which means that when I speak to Josh Cain his two-year-old angel is pirouetting and hollering in the background of our call. Cain is the guitarist for Minnesotan rock band Motion City Soundtrack, and his laid-back, intelligent approach (despite admitting to not being completely ready for this chat) is tantamount to the band’s style: aware, kind of resigned, and ultimately hopeful. Motion City Soundtrack have just realigned themselves with Epitaph, the label they were initially with from 2003 to 2008. “It’s awesome,” Cain says warmly. “We’re really stoked to have found them to be so awesome... to be like family. It’s a good environment to be in.” During the group’s formative years, Cain organised a lot of the practical managerial tasks which came in the form of booking gigs and coordinating equipment and so on. Even when with a major label, though, he still sees all those things as integral to the definition of playing in a band. “It takes time,” he explains. “I don’t think you ever relinquish all your control, and it’s not really a control thing necessarily. More like, you know, we kind of oversee. Our management and label and stuff is more just about guidance; helping us go in the right direction.” This idea was an inherent part of the choice to release a series of videos explaining the stories behind each song from Go, the band’s fifth album, released this year. Previous album My Dinosaur Life (2010) was also accompanied by a few explanatory clips, but not in this sort of depth. “I think at this point content is so important,” Cain says. “We’re on a new label and we want to make sure we’re staying engaged, and keeping people interested. We want people to know about the songs, what the art is, not just us making a record [or] making music to put it out there to get people to come to shows or something. You know, it actually means something to us.” Many of the hooks and licks from Go were written while the boys were on tour, and Cain admits that it can be troublesome catching the ideas as they pop out because it isn’t planned. “I think it’s just like, when inspiration happens, it happens,” he explains. “We’re not really overly trying to write; if we want to sit down and make a record then writing on tour is not the best. We try not to force it.” There’s no advanced set-up, either. “[Singer] Justin [Pierre] uses his Voice Memo a lot, on his phone actually,” Cain says. “He ends up having like 50 ideas that are all 30, 40 seconds, and horribly recorded. We have to kind of pick through them.”
“ I THINK WITHOUT THAT, WITHOUT THE CROWD KIND OF SINGING ALONG... I THINK I’D GET REALLY SICK OF PLAYING SOME OF THESE SONGS,” Throwing around new ideas doesn’t necessarily change the way the band performs on tour, but Cain says that keeping sets compelling, from the band’s point of view, isn’t a huge problem. “We’ve been lucky because the audience makes the shows so much fun. I think without that, without the crowd kind of singing along... I think I’d get really sick of playing some of these songs, like Everything’s Alright. It’s just the crowd’s reaction, it’s like a kind of high.” There are things they can do themselves, to keep it sharp, as well. “We kind of change our set though, every night, randomly. We try to keep it as fresh every night as we can. The only time we [can’t] is if Justin’s voice is getting hoarse and we need to like, back off a little bit. Then we can maybe play a few songs that we know are easier for him to sing. But that’s if we’re under duress! So I’d say, usually we’re mixing things up as much as we can.” The band’s clips are always pretty beautifully produced, but the one for recent single True Romance is in a new league. It’s in the vein of Sugar Water, the 1995 gem from Japanese duo Cibo Matto. “Justin and I had this idea of doing a video backwards, I think,” Cain ponders. “My brother Jesse [Cain] is the one that directed it. He kind of embellished it and made it his own. It kind of flips in the middle, and you can’t tell kind of thing, it’s all shot backwards, it’s really weird,” he says awkwardly, clearly struggling to explain the method. “I think [he came up with] the most complicated version of [the idea],” he laughs. The video primarily features Pierre, but you can spot Cain thrashing away as a busker in one of the street scenes. “Yeah, we’re all in it just for a little bit, tiny bits, here and there,” he chuckles. To pinch a line from Timelines, one of Go’s standout tracks, I enquire whether Cain ever wonders how he got to here? The band has achieved incredible popularity and reach since its inception in 1997, building its reputation through tireless touring, and releasing top-quality albums on a steady basis, showing real progression as a group. “I don’t know! I think that hard work and dedication is about the only thing that I know that we did,” he says slowly. “It’s a crazy thing. I have no idea what happened. We made it this far; it’s a long way.”
with
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK play the sold-out Melbourne leg of the Soundwave Festival on Friday March 1 at Flemington Racecourse alongside Slayer, Metallica, Linkin Park, Blink-182 and more. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 65
FIREBALLS
BY KRISSI WEISS
After an 18-hour flight and landing in the freezing cold of Amsterdam at bullshit-o’clock in the morning, Joey Phantom, double bass player for the raucous psycho-billy Melbourne band Fireballs, discovers his beloved bottom-end beauty has broken her neck. With a European adventure ahead of them, and in one of the most debauched cities on the continent, repairing a double bass in two days (which involved an overnight stint filing down some nails and a quasi-near-death experience with a person Phantom insists looked like Norman Bates) was never on the agenda. As with Fireballs’ music and chaotic live show, Phantom tells the story with the sort of reckless abandon that can never be accurately retold, summing up the general madhouse drama that is Fireballs. Kicking things off with fellow Fireball Eddie Fury on the cusp of the ‘90s, Phantom and Fury thought the scene needed a shake-up. “It was never our intention to create a new style of ‘billy,” Phantom explains. “But the music started to take on a life of its own. Soon we were touring the country with some of the biggest names to come out of Australia, like The Divinyls, Midnight Oil, and Screaming Jets. They all told us that we were more than a ‘billy band; we were a faster, louder and nastier version of any other ‘billy band out there.” The earlier double bass in question was ceremoniously, if not controversially, smashed at the end of their set at Speed Fest festival in Holland – well it had caused some trouble – and the headstock now takes pride of place as a Dutch beer tap. It’s all part of the legend that is Fireballs. Although they are much more
than a gimmicky band, their story is as much about what is done and said in and around the music as it is about the music itself. The band can’t help but make an impact, whether it’s when making a pointed comment regarding electric basses and their inferiority to the glorious three-quarter double, or guitarist Dylan Villain famously saying “I don’t care about what The Living End’s up to, we’re passed that. We hate pop and so do our fans.” “Well, I kinda look at it like this,” Phantom begins when asked about Villain’s remark. “We like to push the boundaries of rock. The Living End are good at what they do, but it’s not what we do; we definitely like things with a hard edge. We’re a dirty, tattooed metal-billy band who have been hardened by years of touring and life experience. We are not a fashion and that’s why our music is what it is.”
Avoiding the trappings of the rockabilly formula is a formative part of their sound. “We have always avoided the traditional idea that a ‘billy band should be a three piece with a semi acoustic guitar,” he says. “Our formula consists of solid body guitars with big Marshall amps; it’s what separates us from the rest. Hellrider, our latest record, is a progressive record where the unique sound has evolved from our various musical ventures over the years. I feel that we are still evolving and maturing as songwriters and we haven’t peaked or overloaded yet. We still have plenty left in the tank. It has only been in recent times that the rest of the world has begun to accept that metal has a place in psych billy. I’m proud of the fact that we’ve been pushing the envelope in this regard throughout our career. To be first at anything is something to be proud of.”
With that tried and tested formula in hand, the future is looking as strong as ever for Fireballs. “2013 is shaping up to be a busy year for us,” he says. “The start of the year will see us travelling the continent from coast to coast and also working on new material. The band will also be travelling back to Europe for an exclusive Fireballs show in Finland, where I hear they really love their metal and rock. Looking forward to another great year of rockin’, thrashin’ and breakin’!”
don’t get to play a lot is Shut-In Tourist, we get kind of giddy, because it’s a little different sounding. It’s always fun to play.” The all ‘round good feeling surrounding the new songs has had an effect on the their older material, as the band play gently with their familiarity. “It’s always good to play the older songs, because people know them really well,” Reynolds explains, “but we do change them up quite a bit. Like we did The Funeral [from 2006’s Everything All The Time] the other night with piano and we do No One’s Gonna Love You [from 2007’s Cease To Begin] sometimes completely acoustic. We try to keep people entertained with different styles. “And we’re always playing new territories that we’ve never played before. It’s tough, sometimes you go to different countries and you’re not sure which records they have. We went to Brazil this year and they’ve only just released our records, so we were playing stuff from like, 10 years ago. It was like going back in time. It was pretty awesome.” The last two Band Of Horses albums have seen their line-up settled and consolidated. Needless to say, the band dynamic is better than ever.
“It’s good because you get that well-oiled machine thing about it all,” Reynolds says. “Things get sorted out and you know your place, or something. It’s like a lot of stuff is left unsaid, you’re able to play and communicate musically because we know each other so well. For a musician that’s a real high moment.” Band Of Horses will be touring well into 2013 on the back of Mirage Rock. First up, however, looms the Big Day Out and a good dose of summer. “If I could get married in Australia just so I could get citizenship I would do it,” Reynolds laughs. “I love Australia so much. It’s just such an awesome country, plus on the Big Day Out we’re gonna get to see Animal Collective and Alabama Shakes and a lot of killer bands.”
“That was an absolute trip!” he enthuses. “We actually asked them (Gunn Music) to keep us in mind for any shows they had lined up, and they approached us with this showcase. We’d all been around the Melbourne scene for a while, and we’d never had a chance to play The (Espy’s) Gershwin Room before, so we said, ‘Let’s jump on board that’. And as soon as we got there we were all just completely blown away by how professional everyone was…all the bands that played last week were just phenomenal, and when our name was called out, it was a trip man! I’ve sort of been in a bit of a daze since! “On the surface, there’s prizes,” he explains. “We’ve got this interview, we got an on air live set on Triple R. We also get put onto Gunn Music’s artist roster, working with them, supporting other bands, playing their shows. And because they’re such a professional company, there’s other places that they work in unison with, and we’ve already been offered a few shows from a few other people. “We also get an ESP guitar endorsement, which is the biggest trip of all! Some of my favourite guitarists of all
time have been endorsed by ESP. It’s a cliché, but it’s a dream come true.” It’s certainly a massive kickstart for the band for next year, and they already have some very major things planned for 2013, including shows and potentially two new releases. “Next year we’ve got a few gigs lined up in the first couple of months, with our second EP due for release in probably March,” he informs us. “We recorded that over probably the last three or four months, and we’ve already been demoing stuff for a possible full length release maybe this time next year. Other than that, just getting the name out there, getting the live experience up. Hopefully get out for some regional shows and possibly interstate.” Thick Line Thin Line are certainly a band to look out for in 2013 and beyond.
FIREBALLS’ Xmas Psycho Spectacular is on at The Prince Of Wales, St Kilda, with support from The Working Horse Irons, Green Machine and Death Valley, Friday December 21.
BAND OF HORSES
BY BOB GORDON
Bill Reynolds is in his element. Band Of Horses have landed in New York and are due to see the Rolling Stones perform that night in New Jersey, and the city is still buzzing from the 12.12.12. concert of nights before. Meanwhile Band Of Horses have found themselves in The Big Apple on their headlining US tour, after a period of support runs in Europe for the likes of Jack White and My Morning Jacket. “It’s been awesome,” the bassist says. “We haven’t had a chance to play an American tour in a while, so it’s great to plays shows in these cities and real fun to play our own shows because people are there solely to see you, so you get that familiarity. You’re not trying to win people over. It’s not a bunch of fans who don’t know who you are, so you can relax and stretch your legs a little bit.” Reynolds says that Band Of Horses have especially enjoyed taking their latest album, Mirage Rock, to the stage. “It’s always different playing a new record,” he says. “Right when it comes out and people don’t know the songs you can’t tell if it’s going okay. This album’s been out for a little while now and it’s been awesome to get to play these songs. We designed this record so that we’d be able to go out and just play it and it wouldn’t take a lot of extra stuff to pull off the songs. “So it’s been real fun. It’s a rockin’ record. We wanted it to be a rock’n’roll record. We’ve changed shit around and extended stuff and changed keys of songs just to support how we do it live.” Part of the more upbeat, looser essence of Mirage Rock that has made it so suited to live performance lies in the production of Glyn Johns, who has worked with everyone from Bob Dylan and The Beatles, to Led
Zeppelin, The Who and Midnight Oil. The band clearly catered to his approach. “We wanted to make a record that he liked and wanted to have an influence on,” Reynolds says. “So we weren’t fighting tooth and nail to make it like some other record, we were basically like, ‘What would he like?’ and [went] that way. He likes to record fully live, vocals and all. That’s totally different to how we’ve done it in the past and even most people who do that re-do the vocals over. “That’s a challenge, but then you know after you perform it and record it that you can just show up and play it. It was a lot of fun, getting to do that. It was a different approach.” Is it one Band Of Horses would try again? “I think the way it goes with that is that you take each as it comes,” Reynolds contemplates. “Now that we know we can do that, if there comes a track in the future where it needs it, we know it’s definitely possible. As far as the next record goes, it’s hard to know what style we’ll lay into, but I can’t imagine doing the same record.” Reynolds is happy to acknowledge there are several songs from Mirage Rock that really encompass where the band is right now, especially when performed live. “It’s fun to play Feud,” he says. “It’s fun to play Knock Knock. People really like Undone and Slow Cruel. We’re just having a hoot playing them. One of the ones we
BAND OF HORSES play Big Day Out at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday January 26 alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more. Mirage Rock is out via Sony.
THICK LINE THIN LINE
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Most bands form when like-minded souls come together at school or uni and start jamming together, or hook up on musicians’ websites on the net. At a stretch, they get talking to each other at a pub. This Melbourne-based alt-rock five-piece have a slightly more interesting history, as guitarist and main man Adam Florence explains. “About a year or so ago, I had the idea of putting together a full length album in the format of a movie soundtrack,” he begins. “Different bands would be featured in the movie, only the movie didn’t exist! It was just going to be me predominantly doing all the music, with friends here and there. I wanted to get a ‘placeholder’ online for the bands that were going to be featured on it, and one of them was a band called ‘Thick Line Thin Line’, which was approached by a booking agent called ‘Melbourne Fresh’, asking them to take part in their weekly showcase at Revolver. So I thought, ‘Why not!’ So I got some friends together and see what happens. Six weeks later we had our first gig!” So essentially, the idea of doing a soundtrack to a non-existent movie by yourself morphed into a full band project? “Yeah, I just had the idea of doing a few different songs all on my own, but it all came to fruition. So it was kind of a happy accident!” So, after all that, Adam now has a very simple way of describing the band’s sound. “When most people ask Beat Magazine Page 66
me I just say ‘It’s a rock band’,” he states. “We’ve got big hooky vocals, we’ve got crunching guitars, big drums, thundering bass. It’s alternative heavy rock. We’ve got heavier songs, we’ve got softer ballady type songs. We’ve got upbeat songs, we’ve got downbeat songs, it’s just a…rock band!” he laughs. “We’re not really limited by one genre,” he expands. “We draw influence from a range of different artists, from Deftones and Karnivool to Foo Fighters and Placebo, all the way through to Bjork and a bunch of electronica from the ‘90s.” The transition from solo pseudo-movie soundtrack to full band production has been so successful, that last week the band took out the prestigious Gunn Music Showcase, a weekly band competition held at The Espy every Sunday for most of the year, from a field of literally dozens of other acts. The band were absolutely stoked to win the competition, and believe it will be very important for their immediate and longer term future in the industry.
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
THICK LINE THIN LINE play The Corner Hotel as part of Saltar Hype’s ‘Collision at The Corner’ on Saturday January 12.
COMEBACK KID BY ROD WHITFIELD
Hailing from Winnipeg in Canada, the members of this hardcore four-piece know all about cold. But, according to vocalist Andrew Neufeld, they always seem to manage to wangle getting out of that city to tour warmer climes during the bitter central Canadian winter. Even when we spoke, they were entering that winter, and somehow they managed to be rehearsing in the comparatively mild surrounds of Canada’s biggest city Toronto. And in 2013, it happens again, with the band jumping on the, possibly inappropriately titled (for these guys anyway) Boys of Summer Australian Tour, which happens next month. Andrew is very excited both to be a part of the tour and to get away from the cold. “Winnipeg is like minus 30, or some stupid cold like that,” he exclaims. “Toronto isn’t as bad as that. Right now I’m outside in a hoodie and jeans and I’m sort of comfortable. All my Australian friends here are still dying. We think it’s nice but all the Australians here think it’s pretty fucked up. “But yeah we’re super excited to come back to Australia,” he enthuses. “We’ve been kind of lucky to be going there every Australian summer, and we get to avoid our winter. We’ve got this tour to Australia and then we’re going to South East Asia; Indonesia, Singapore, Bangkok and stuff like that, so it’s going to be a really interesting tour.” Comeback Kid and Andrew himself have been absolutely no stranger to our shores over the years. “I think Comeback Kid’s toured there six times,” he recalls. “I’ve probably been to Australia personally maybe ten, 15 times. I’ve been lucky enough to have made it a regular rotation. I don’t how it’s worked out, but somehow I get the opportunity to get there in your summer. I’ve experienced a Melbourne winter, which isn’t too far off what we’ve got here right now, but it’s still pretty much a walk in the park for someone from Winnipeg!” The Boys of Summer Tour features an awesome punk/hardcore lineup. Outside Comeback Kid, there is genre mashing Melbourne act Deez Nuts, American hardcore band The Fallen Dreams, and Sydney’s Hand of Mercy round out this multi-national bill. Andrew agrees it’s an amazing lineup and can’t wait for the tour to start. “Yeah man, it’s gonna be cool,” he foretells. “We’ve never toured with Deez Nuts before, but we’re friends with JJ and stuff like that, so it’ll be super cool to be playing with them.” He also feels that the type of show put on by bands such as these cannot be easily described, rather it should be experienced first hand. “Trying to explain a hardcore/punk rock show, definitely doesn’t do it justice,” he says. “It’s just the fact that we’re going to be going off and getting crazy, that’s just a given. We’re hoping for no barricades, and if there are barricades hopefully people will brave the security. We try to make the show as much about the audience as the people onstage. We just try to keep an energetic positive vibe, and that’s our deal.” The band are about to mark the ten year anniversary of the release of their first album next year, by recalling their original singer to do some special shows around the world.
“TRYING TO EXPLAIN A HARDCORE/PUNK ROCK SHOW, DEFINITELY DOESN’T DO IT JUSTICE,” HE SAYS. “IT’S JUST THE FACT THAT WE’RE GOING TO BE GOING OFF AND GETTING CRAZY, THAT’S JUST A GIVEN.” “We were a band before this, but we actually started touring and put out our first album in 2003,” he explains. “I’ve been singing in the band since 2006, I used to play guitar in the band before that. I’m still really good friends with our old singer Scott, and I know he’s been itching to play some shows. So we’re just going to do a handful of shows - not a big tour or anything - in Europe, America and Canada, and play songs from our first two records. I’ll be playing guitar again and our old singer’s going to be singing. So it’s just kind of a fun thing we want to do, just mark ten years since our first album and first tours and stuff like that. It’s just an excuse to get together with Scott. “I think the people into the band will appreciate that, that’s kinda what we’re doing it for.” It’s been over two years since the band’s last album, Symptoms and Cures came out. Unfortunately, at this stage, fans of the band have a little while to wait before any new material is released, as the band is very much in demand on the live front even beyond their Australian/Asian tour. “We have a couple of songs written right now,” he informs us. “We’re probably going to release some new material maybe later in 2013. The earliest that we would try to record would be July. We’re just taking our time; we’re not in a rush to have a new album out. We have a lot of tours lined up, we all live in different cities. We have writing sessions for a week or two in one city, and then a tour, then a month or two later we’ll kinda meet up again and do another session. We’re still in the very early stages, we haven’t picked out a studio or anything yet. So it’s a little ways off.” COMEBACK KID play alongside Deez Nuts, For the Fallen Dreams, Hand of Mercy and Trainwreck when they destroy The Corner Hotel as part of the Boys of Summer Tour 2013 on Saturday January 19. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 67
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THEE OH SEES BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
The studio output and relentless touring schedule of Thee Oh Sees is nothing short of superhuman. Despite releasing the album Putrifiers II this September, the band are already gearing up to hit the studio to record a follow-up before the year is through. Recorded releases aside, the band have rightfully earned a reputation as one of the most invariably brilliant live acts on the planet. Speaking ahead of the band’s now-annual pilgrimage to Australia, bassist Petey Dammit rationalises the band’s uninhibited work ethic. “There’s not necessarily a set plan, we tend to get ahead of ourselves,” Dammit coyly understates. “When we’re on tour all the time, there might be two weeks when we’re not on tour and we’ll write a couple of songs, then throw those into the live set. Basically, after playing them live a few times they become a lot more natural. When we come back off tour we’ll write another couple of songs, so within six or seven months we learn enough stuff for a new record. We’re always writing and always messing around. Instead of writing an album’s worth of material before the studio, we’ll have it in the bag already by the time we get there. So that makes it a lot easier.” In line with the enveloping cascade of new material, Thee Oh Sees will be hitting the studio to put together another full-length album. Chances are there will be another album’s worth of material on top of that primed for when the band return to Australia in February. “We have almost a whole record’s worth. The whole month of November we don’t have any tours or shows or anything, and we’re spending three to four days a week in the rehearsal space. We’re working on all these new songs to have them under our belts by the time we go record in December. We have six or seven songs that we’ve been playing live for a while, and now we’re working on another six or seven and working out what we want to do with those,” Dammit reveals. “By the time we go into the studio we’ll have everything done, then it will take two or three days to record everything. We do two takes, maybe three for safety, then we’ll spend another few days in the studio messing around and jamming to hopefully get more songs from that.” The band’s resolve doesn’t fall in line with modern record-release-tour conventions, but it’s not a case of the band defining themselves by their difference from others. “People do what they do, there’s no right or wrong way to do anything. Personally, I enjoy touring, travelling and seeing other countries. I feel really fortunate that we tour as much as we do. That way I do get to go to places like Australia and Europe,” Dammit beams. “Right now I don’t have a job or anything when we’re not on tour, so I get really bored. It’s nice to always be on the road”. With an exponential growth in terms of written material, honing in on a setlist proves to be a considerable task. But as Dammit explains, the process is instinctual. “There are songs that you notice getting a stronger crowd reaction, so we keep the classics in. Really we never have a setlist, we just write out the songs we can remember offhand. Then we have that one sheet of paper next to John (Dwyer, lead singer), and he will either start playing a song or tell us what it is. Then we just follow along, really. Then on tours we get into a groove where we play the same songs. Even if we don’t have a setlist, within a week or two of the tour we kinda know what is coming up next.”
“PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY DO, THERE’S NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO DO ANYTHING. PERSONALLY, I ENJOY TOURING, TRAVELLING AND SEEING OTHER COUNTRIES. I FEEL REALLY FORTUNATE THAT WE TOUR AS MUCH AS WE DO.” One of the most attention-commanding aspects of Thee Oh Sees’ live show is the metronomic swivel of Dammit’s skull, raising concerns of OHS issues in regards to his neck. “It’s strange, because very rarely I will be sore at a show or the next day. But the funny thing is, if I’m watching a support act or something and start to get into it and move my head, then it almost immediately hurts. For some reason I can’t do it with other bands, I can only do it with ours. We played a show in France one time and this lady came up after the show and said, ‘I am a doctor, what you’re doing is wrong, you’re going to hurt yourself.’ That kind of made me a little scared,” he chuckles. In the past year or so, Thee Oh Sees have established a palpable rapport with local outfit Total Control, resulting in joint tours on both sides of the pond. “We had played a show in San Francisco many years ago with Eddy Current – I believe it was their first American tour. And we immediately fell in love with those guys. They’re just the nicest guys and an incredible band. When we came to Australia for the first time we got to play some shows with them again, making friends with them, and being friends with Mikey [Young] – and that’s how we became friends with Total Control. They wanted to come tour here and we asked them to play with us. It’s amazing to see a band that good play every night. I could never get sick of seeing them play live.” THEE OH SEES play the SMF Satellite Show at Schoolhouse Studios on Monday January 28 (with Dick Diver, Scotdrakula and more), The Hi-Fi on Thursday January 31 with Eastlink and they also play All Tomorrow’s Parties on Saturday February 16. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 69
CORE
CORE GIG GUIDE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS AND GOSSIP BY EMILY KELLY: EK1984@GMAIL.COM
DESCENDENTS
Thursday December 20: The Living End, Area 7 at The Corner Hotel The Datsuns at The Espy
Mike Patton’s Tomahawk have revealed Soundwave sideshows for next February. See them live at Billboard on Wednesday February 27, and also note that they release their new studio album Oddfellows on February 1. Patton 4 LYF.
The Bennies, Kujo Kings, Phat Meegz, Loonee Tunes, Kings Cup at Revolver The Asmatics, Dead Albatross, Chambers at The Reverence The Offpsring will play Ignition FRONT TO BACK when they’re out here for Soundwave next year. Front. To. Back. See it in all its live glory at The Palace on Wednesday March 6. Tickets available on Thursday December 20.
If you’re super psyched about seeing Converge and fancy a special show then I must recommend getting some cheap Tassie tickets and heading south to see them play in Hobart. Converge… in Hobart. Resist just announced the February Thursday 14 show last week and this will most definitely be a thing to behold. Tickets available The Smith Street Band’s affable frontman Wil Wagner will release a solo EP via Poison City Records next February. Recording with labelmate Lincoln LeFevre, the Laika EP will feature six tracks and is guaranteed to be a heartbreaker (have you HEARD the title track?!). You can catch Wil playing with Luca Brasi, Donnie Dureau and heaps more at Poison City’s Christmas show this Friday at The Rev. Coheed and Cambria will celebrate the release of their two-part concept album The Afterman (Ascension is out now, and Descension hits stores next February) by coming to Australia for three shows with Circa Survive. See them at The Palace on Sunday April 21. Tickets out now.
CRUNCH! NEW TEN THOUSAND VIDEO
I was just about to write “Ten Thousand are one of my favourite Melbourne bands…” but that’s not quite true. “One of my favourite Australian bands” is probably a bit more accurate. These guys have a killer live reputation and they have a knack for great sonic production too. They’ve just released the video for their song When I Get You and aside from the song being kickass, the video is great too. It’s on the YouTubes or you can get to it from their website, tenthousandofficial.com.
AIMEE FRANCIS LANDS P!NK GIG She may spend most of her time in Sydney now, but Melbourne’s own Aimee Francis has just snagged a support slot for P!nk at Allphones Arena in Sydney on September 2, 4 and 5, 2013. Aimee is putting together a new live band for 2013, including a bass player, lead guitarist, drummer and possibly a keyboard player, so if you think you have what it takes email contact@ aimeefrancis.com with details, a photo of yourself, any links and info on your gear. Must be Sydney-based (or willing to move there, I’ll assume).
NEW SHINOBI VIDEO
Check out Stitches, the second single by Shinobi off their debut album Against The Brave, produced by Darren ‘Jenko’ Jenkins. The video is on YouTube and the song is available on iTunes now.
A WHOLE BUNCH OF SIDEWAVES ANNOUNCED
With Soundwave 2013 edging ever closer, a whole bunch of Sidewaves have been announced. They include Bullet For My Valentine, Cancer Bats and Miss May I on February 22 and 27 in Sydney and Brisbane respectively (hey, no Melbourne date? C’mon! Oh well. Road trip!), Cypress Hill on Thursday February 28 at The Forum, and Tomahawk at Billboard on Wednesday February 27.
San Franscico’s Iron Lung will visit Australia (and New Zealand for the first time) next January playing tunes from their forthcoming release White Glove Test. There’ll be two shows at The Gasometer. Saturday January 26 boasts supports from Straightjacket Nation, Cut Sick and Nun and Sunday January 27 will see True Radical Miracle, Useless Children and Internal Rot take the stage. Tickets available on the door. If ya’ll were too slow in grabbing Deftones tickets last week, you can now get your grubby mitts on passes for a second performance at Melbourne’s Palace. Show takes place on Saturday May 18 and tickets are out NOW. Get on it, turkeys.
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT WITH PETER HODGSON: CRUNCHCOLUMN@GMAIL.COM
ALICE IN CHAINS DEBUT NEW TRACK
Alice In Chains will debut their new track Hollow on December 18. That’s the US date, so for us it’ll likely be in the early hours of December 19 – which means if you pick up your copy of Beat first thing on Wednesday morning, get to the interwebs now and check it out! It’ll be posted on the band’s official website. The new album doesn’t have a release date yet, but it’ll be the band’s second with William DuVall on co-lead-vocals (really, Jerry Cantrell had been bumped up to co-leadvocals by Dirt, which is probably why Alice In Chains have been able to get away with reuniting after the death of Layne Staley).
Poison City’s Paper Arms have revealed more about their upcoming album The Smoke Will Clear. You can pre-order this one now and get a Paper Arms t-shirt while you’re at it. Recorded by Jimmy Balderson and mixed by Brian McTernan (Hot Water Music, Polar Bear Club), it gets an official release on Friday February 1.
Emilie Autumn is bringing her unique blend of burlesque circus mayhem back to Australia in March 2013. She recently released Fight Like a Girl, the highly anticipated sequel to the impressive Opheliac. She’ll be at The Espy on Friday March 29.
COLD DIVIDE, APOCALYPSE DATE CLASH Now, being a skeptic and science nerd I don’t particularly believe the world will end on Friday December 21, but if it does, make sure you buy Cold Divide’s new EP, Weaponized, that morning. If the world ends, you’ll go out on a high. If it doesn’t, you’ll help these industrial electro-rockers to score a sweetass chart debut. It’s available on iTunes on that date, as well as on Bandcamp in physical and digital formats. Beat Magazine Page 70
The
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Proletarian Riot, Aicrafte at The Bendigo Friday December 21: Poison City Records Christmas Show at The Reverence The Datsuns at The Espy The Go Set, My Echo, Mimi Velvska at Ding Dong Kingswood at Cheery Bar The Living End, Ivy and The Big Apples at Corner Hotel
Well-known Melbourne photographer Kane Hibberd needs your help to finish his debut photo book. Kane’s collected a ridiculous amount of great images from his time spent shooting Soundwave Festival and will collate these pics in a coffee table-style book. Pre-order one now at kanyelens. com and you might score an individually numbered pressing, and help a brother out at the same time.
Saturday December 22: Parkway Drive, I Killed The Prom Queen, Northlane, Survival at Festival Hall Twenty Seven Winters, Link McLennans Amazing Jukebox at Grumpy’s Green Blackened,
Push Over 2013 will take place at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl next year and it boasts a neat lineup to accompany the occasion. The Amity Affliction, DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, Dream On Dreamer, Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Twelve Foot Ninja, High Tension and stacks more will get together and melt your face. It’ll all happen around the garden precinct behind the bowl and will also feature signing tents and tasty foods. Pencil Monday March 11 into your diary and buy tickets now. ($40! Cheap!).
COHEED & CAMBRIA BACK FOR MORE
Coheed & Cambria return to Oz in support of their double concept album The Afterman: Ascension and The Afterman: Descension. Circa Survive have snagged the support slot. They’ll be at The Palace on Sunday April 21, and tickets are on sale Thursday December 20 at 9am.
GUITAR PLAYER WRITERS RIDE AGAIN Remember the glory days of Guitar Player magazine? I do, because I collect old guitar mags and I kind of look up to a bunch of those writers as my journalistic heroes. I’m a nerd like that. Well the old gang is getting the band back together, as it were: Guitar Player alumni Jas Obrecht (the first person ever to interview Eddie Van Halen), Tom Wheeler, Tom Mulhern and Joe Gore, along with several other luminaries, all write for the newly launched pureguitar.com, and it’s a continuation of that readable-yet-informative style seen during what I’d personally consider the golden age of guitar journalism. The site is currently featuring a 1990 interview with Jason Becker, a huge piece on Eric Johnson and much more.
THE ARISTOCRATS DO IT LIVE EMILIE AUTUMN FIGHTS AT THE ESPY
Pantallica, The Dog, Life Of My Own at Next
In heavy rotation at Casa Del Crunch this week: Boing, We’ll Do It Live! by The Aristocrats. It’s a 2-CD/1-DVD set by this already-legendary instrumental supertrio featuring Bryan Beller (Dethklok/Mike Keneally/ Steve Vai/Z), Marco Minnemann (Paul Gilbert, Mike Keneally, nearly Dream Theater) and Guthrie Govan (Asia). And if you’re a guitar nerd like me, Jam Track Central (who recently helped Guthrie re-release his amazing solo album Erotic Cakes) have just released bass/drum-only backing tracks from The Aristocrats’ debut album, with full transcriptions of all Guthrie’s guitar parts, both composed and improvised. The band will play some shows on the US West Coast in January (hopefully I’ll be able to check them out when I’m in California for the NAMM Show) where they’ll debut some new material from their second album, which they’ll start tracking next month. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Counterattack,
Sewercide,
Maniaxe at Gasometer The Living End, The Smith Street Band at Corner Hotel (U18) The Living End, Ivy and the Big Apples at Corner Hotel Antagonist AD, Headcheck, Fractures at Bang Riff Fist, Sun Shepherd, Olmeg, Master Beta at The Bendigo
SPENCER P. JONES AND THE NOTHING BUTTS BY IAN DAVIS
When James Baker, Spencer Jones’ former partner in inebriated rock’n’roll crime and certified Australian rock’n’roll legend, rode into town with his current two-piece folkpunk band The Painkillers, neither Jones nor Baker had any idea of events to follow. Jones was already part-way through recording what he expected would be a solo record at Andrew McGee’s Empty Room studio in regional Victoria; with a few days to spare before returning to Perth, Baker joined Jones on the train to McGee’s property, subsequently agreeing to lay down drums on a few tracks. With an eye and ear for a magical musical collaboration, McGree had already invited regional neighbours Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin from The Drones to help out as well. And thus Spencer P. Jones And The Nothing Butts was born. Jones and Baker had met originally in the then vibrant inner-city Sydney rock’n’roll scene of the early ‘80s. New Zealand-born Jones had moved from Melbourne to Sydney to join The Johnnys in about 1982. Baker, who’d previously immersed himself directly in the New York and London punk scenes in the ‘70s – Jones waxes lyrical about Baker’s tales of hanging out with everyone from Johnny Thunders to Nick Kent – had left Perth after the demise of the first incarnation of The Scientists, eventually teaming up with Dave Faulkner (with whom Baker had played in the legendary Perth progenitors The Victims), Roddy Radalj and Kimball Rendall in Le Hoodoo Gurus. When original Beasts Of Bourbon drummer Richard Ploog returned to his duties with The Church, Baker had been drafted into the self-described ‘inner-city supergroup’. Fast-forward 30 years, and The Nothing Butts is portrayed as one of those serendipitous collaborations that will go down in history. “I said to James, ‘It’s a pity you’re not around all week, ‘cause
you could come to Nagambie’, and he said he was there ‘til Friday. We went up on Monday, stayed Monday and Tuesday. Andrew [McGree] contacted Gareth and Fiona, and said James and I were there, and did they want to come over – that’d make things interesting.” Jones is full of admiration for the unique drumming abilities Baker brought to the nascent Nothing Butts project. “He’s got bucketloads of charisma!” Jones effuses. “When he locks in, he totally has his own style. He kind of sets his own pace – don’t expect him to jump onto your thing! If you listen to the recorded version of Let’s Get Funky on Black Milk, it doesn’t come in on the one, it comes in on the two. I do this intro, and everyone’s supposed to go ‘pow’, but it comes in half a beat later. And then from there it goes like a steamroller – and that’s him playing drums. I rest my case!” Baker was already familiar with Liddiard, having played with the Perth-born Drones singer and guitarist some years before Liddiard relocated to the
“[JAMES] TOLD ME HE HAD ALL THESE HALLUCINATIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE ROOM... THEN HE’D LOOK AROUND, AND THERE WAS NO-ONE THERE. IT WAS CRAZY STUFF – SO HE WROTE IT ALL DOWN, AND TURNED IT INTO A SONG.”
East Coast. “I’d played some gigs with The Gutterville Splendour Six in Perth, which was the band Gareth was in before The Drones,” Baker says. “So I knew Gareth, and Fiona as well. It was great playing with both of them on this record – we clicked together really well.” When it came to recording, both Jones and Baker were impressed by the quality of the collaboration. Liddiard surreptitiously slipped into the role of coproducer, much to Jones’ initial amusement, and subsequent satisfaction. “I remember the second session and I said, ‘You’re producing me, aren’t you?’, and he just looked up and smiled,” Jones laughs. Jones compares Liddiard’s guitar style with the late Rowland S. Howland, who’d played on Slamming On The Brakes, the Jones track covered by The Drones some years ago. But it was Kitschin’s contribution that surprised Jones the most. “Fiona was maybe the real surprise,” Jones says. “I was already a fan of Gareth’s guitar playing, but Fiona was great - she was really solid. She’s a good musician, and later when we got the vocals going, she knew what I was trying to do, and it was pretty easy getting the ideas across to her to do it. So there were no egos.” The songs that eventually appeared on Spencer P. Jones And The Nothing Butts were largely already written before Jones, Baker, Liddiard and Kitschin came together over three separate recording sessions. When He Finds Out came together after Jones took note a few choice chords Liddiard strung
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
together during downtime in the recording process, while Baker brought with him the lyrics to Freak Out – inspired by Baker’s battles with the DTs. “[James] told me he had all these hallucinations of people in the room, people talking to him, and he’d be talking back,” Jones says. “And then he’d look around, and there was no-one there. It was crazy stuff – so he wrote it all down, and turned it into a song. I just think it’s great that the first time we recorded together he brought along the lyrics to Drop Out, and then 30 years later he brings the lyrics to Freak Out.” With a solo record to finish, a collaboration with Kim Salmon and a new Escape Committee album to commence, Jones is adamant that the Nothing Butts will remain a brief, albeit memorable, event in his already colourful career. “We’re doing the right thing, we’re doing a little tour to promote it,” Jones says. “The Drones have got Drones business coming up in the new year, I’ll be getting busy, I’ve got a record to finish with Kim [Salmon], I have to make a record with the Escape Committee, and I’ve got to finish off this solo stuff, and get it off to France.”
SPENCER P. JONES AND THE NOTHING BUTTS play The Thornbury Theatre this Friday December 21 with Harry Howard And The NDE and Bitter Sweet Kicks. The self-titled album is out now via Shock Records.
Beat Magazine Page 71
MUSIC NEWS
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For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
JOSH OWEN BAND Josh Owen Band is winding up their Monday residency at the world famous Espy Front Bar with a Christmas Eve party featuring support from Tom Tuena on Monday December 24 from 8.30pm. Kicking oďŹ&#x20AC; the party, Tom Tuena will deliver one of his trademark powerful and emotive solo performances before Josh Owen Band hit the stage for an acoustic set of tunes taken from Joshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four critically acclaimed releases, the band will ďŹ re up with an electric set guaranteed to get everyone into the groove. Josh Owen Band epitomise a perfect fusion of chunky riďŹ&#x20AC;age and feel-good soul bounce. There is something sublimely unique about the way Josh lays his soul bare through his music with a striking strength and intensity, while appearing to eďŹ&#x20AC;ortlessly deliver a fusion of jazzy acoustic soul whilst seamlessly merging sun-soaked Latin riďŹ&#x20AC;s and wistfully emotive anthemic choruses.
THE PRIMARY With their unique brand of dreamy gritty noise rock, The Primary take up residence in their spiritual home of The Evelyn Hotel every Wednesday in December. Prone to viewing life in monochrome, The Primary are sharing stage space with three super bands each night plus a DJ to ďŹ ll your silence with music. Entry is $2 and for one month only there will be $12 jugs on the bandroom side. Cheap booze and a tantalising array of bands and the possibility of more cats.
ABBIE CARDWELL & THE CHICANO ROCKERS
THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS The ďŹ nal day of the Mayan calendar is approaching. The sky's set to fall, the earth's gonna split and Satan's mighty claws are gonna haul The Toot Toot Toots down into the ďŹ ery depths of hell. Join them on their downward spiral as they bring their spaghetti-western rock freak-out to the coastal leg of their PreApocalypse Tour. Catch them at Geelong's Barwon Club on Friday December 21 for what's shaped up to be an amazing lineup with support from the incredible psych/country rock of Immigrant Union featuring Brent DeBoer of The Dandy Warhols and Courtney Barnett. Opening the proceedings are Geelong's own Atolls, purveours of psych fuzz garage and featuring members of King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. Then catch them on Saturday 22 at The Loft in Warrnambool for a country hoe down with support from twangers Alamo. A mighty bunch of bands for a hellish tour.
THE DEATH RATTLESÂ The Death Rattles herald in the summer with a Sunday Residency at The Old Bar this December. A bitter-sweet soup brewed from a love of the delta blues and swamp stomp, lurking somewhere on the road to nowhere are haunted guitars, train tracking drums and bass, and crooning vocals. A ticket to the summer heat wave, this will be their last performances before the release of their debut album in 2013. The Death Rattles invite you to dress to the nines, or sixes and sevens and join them for a Sunday soiree under the blue lights 'til dawn. Old Bar beer-soaked Sundays from 8pm.
MOOSEJAW RIFLE CLUB Moosejaw RiďŹ&#x201A;e Club are a three-piece folk/country/bluegrass band from Melbourne. Layered three-part harmonies over mandolin, guitcho and guitar has their vast and stylish sound crammed into a nutshell. Their original song-smithery melds eďŹ&#x20AC;ortlessly with their more traditional inďŹ&#x201A;uences appealing to a diverse audience of music lovers. The band have been honing their chops for a few years now and look forward to hitting the stage at The Retreat Hotel on Wednesdays in December.
CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS Santa Claus has been busy making a list (and checking it twice) of the naughtiest bands from this year, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d better watch out, cause itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your shout and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all coming to town. Featuring Cash Savage And The Last Drinks, Cherrywood, Heel Toe Express and Eaten By Dogs its gonna be a toe tapping, whiskey swillinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Christmas party for all you naughty girls and boys out there. Saturday December 22 at the brand new Spotted Mallard in Brunswick.
Hold onto your maracas, gringas and gringos. Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most intoxicating live Mexican rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;roll act, Abbie Cardwell And The Chicano Rockers are set to spark this Christmas season into a full-blown piĂąata party. The Chicano Rockers are a ten-piece tequila-soaked party starter, dressed to the nines in authentic mariachi suits that guarantee to get your cans shaking and whistles wet with ecstatic margarita infused madness. Tuesdays at The ToďŹ&#x20AC; In Town will be where the Mexican Christmas vibes emanate from as vintage Mexican hip-shaking DJing spins and Abbie Cardwell And The Chicano Rockers (plus surprise special guests each week) rock your inner-city world.
THE NEXT TO NOTHING AESTHETIC The Next To Nothing Aesthetic is a new Melbournebased indie-soul ensemble, although any labelling of the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style is pointless as they have a tendency to blur the lines between musical genres. The two core members Freddie Hemara and Don Nadi (from the now legendary Melbourne club bands Patois and Cat) come from an elite group of Melbourne musicians that have no real interest in resting on the laurels of their past successes. But what they deďŹ nitely do share is a common desire to push new musical boundaries. They play a Sunday residency at Fog from 4pm.
After a mere six months since The Reverence Hotel started operating, the time has come to celebrate the ďŹ rst New Years Eve shindig at Melbourne's best new pub. For this very special occasion they have put together a lineup full of both old and new favourites. Blueline Medic and The Smith Street Band are teaming up to ring in the New Year alongside The Bennies and Initials. The night will feature guest DJs in the front bar all night and stacks of Mexican cuisine to snack on. The night will also be fancy dress. So get your thinking caps on and get dressed up. Tickets are on sale now from the venue website.
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BOMBAY ROYALE After recently winning this year's prestigious EG Award for Best New Talent, Melbourne's Bombay Royale are aligning the planets for a month long east meets west smorgasbord at The Evelyn Hotel. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what happens when one of the most unique bands to emerge from the cultural melting pot of the Melbourne music community, hits the stage. The Bombay Royale will hit the stage on Thursdays in December (excluding Thursday December 27) at The Evelyn. DJ Manchild will also be joining them. Entry is $10 online or $12 at the door. Pots are $2.50, doors open at 8pm.
MINIBIKES Melbourne pop quintet Minibikes have had a busy year so they need some Christmas cheer and they've decided to do just that by throwing a wee party at The Workers Club in Fitzroy on Friday December 21. With singles Kill To Feel and Oh Japan getting a nice old ďŹ&#x201A;ogging over the airwaves, Minibikes prepare to release a third radio single oďŹ&#x20AC; their terriďŹ c debut LP For Woods Or Trail, this time the greatly named Ooo Woo Hoo Hoo. Guests at The Workers Club on Friday include the wonderful Pony Face and the fabulous Heavy Beach who have just released an EP of their own.
COLLISION AT THE CORNER Collision At The Corner features ten of Melbourne's best live rock acts sweating it out across The Corner Hotel's two stages. Catch Barbarion, King Of The North, Ten Thousand, Bugdust, Empra, The Deep End, The Charge, Riot In Toytown, Voodoocain and Thick Line Thin Line on Saturday January 12, all for a mere $20+bf. Tickets on sale now via cornerhotel.com. Check out facebook.com/CollisionAtTheCorner for all the details.
SHARON SHANNON Sharon Shannon has music at her ďŹ ngertips....literally! The accordionist from Ireland has achieved legendary status throughout the world and has made the muchmaligned accordion 'cool' in her home country. Renowned for her collaborations not just in Irish Traditional Music, but through all musical genres â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hip hop, Cajun, country, classical and rap. Sharon and her band will be performing to shows at The Spotted Mallard on Friday January 11 and Saturday January 12. In memory of Jill Meagher, 30% of all proceeds from both performances will go to the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) casa.org.au as a tribute to Jill's life and spirit.
Now in its 15th year, the Suzuki Night Market attracts over 200 stall holders and showcases some of Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ nest artisans, producing locally made clothing, jewellery, prints and an array of cultural goods. The hawker-style food stalls oďŹ&#x20AC;er everything from traditional African curries through to the sweetest of honey dumplings. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop at one stall; take a trip around the world one dish at a time. If your legs tire from all that shopping, settle in with your favourite beer, wine or sangria and listen to some of Melbourne's ďŹ nest musicians. No matter if you are a jazz enthusiast, country music fan, folk fanatic or world music aďŹ cionado, the Suzuki Night Market gig guide has you covered. Open every Wednesday night 'til Wednesday February 27 at the Queen Victoria Market.
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Craig Westwood (ex-Headbelly Buzzard, among other bands) brings his weekly olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; timey music jam session across from The Lomond Hotel, its home for the past ďŹ ve years. BYO instrument or just hang out and enjoy the music in the beer garden. Every Saturday afternoon at The Vic Hotel from 4.30pm.
SUZUKI NIGHT MARKET
NYE AT THE REV
THURSDAY
OLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TIMEY WEEKLY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS
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CLAIRY BROWN VS SASKWATCH Melbourne’s two soul big band contenders come together for one smasher of a party at The Hi-Fi on Saturday December 29. It's been a big year for both bands and they intend to celebrate with each other, your mother and all their friends in their hometown to ring out 2012 with a bang. This long-awaited double headline will also be the launch of a limited edition split 7" as part of the ticket with a track from each band and Clairy Browne’s new song Walk Of Shame delivered to their inbox on New Year’s Day as a free gift for friends. This one-off event will come with all the trimmings you've come to expect from this lot, so get dressed up to get messed up, don't complain when your pint glass gets filled to the brim with confetti and prepare to get metaphysical with Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes, Saskwatch, DJs, dancers and sweet soul music.
JACKSON FIREBIRD Tonight, as part of Cherry Bar’s Best Of 2012 Series, Jackson Firebird (better known as the two-piece Mildura blues-rockers that bumped Lady Gaga) and Tyson Hodges Trio are playing a free show, with Cherry DJ hitting the decks until 3am.
THE STAX ON SOUL XMAS PARTY Get your groove on at The Stax On Soul Xmas Party as Melbourne’s finest purveyors of soul celebrate the festive season at The Flying Saucer Club on Saturday December 22. The Stax On Soul Revue Band was born out of the much loved and anticipated annual soul fest that has been held at Yah Yah’s. It came about from the mutual love and respect everyone had for the music and artists that have come off the legendary Stax Records label – an iconic name synonymous with southern soul, gospel, funk, jazz and blues. The nights were a huge success as everyone’s aim was to reproduce and give justice to the Stax Records artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Carla and Rufus Thomas, Linda Lyndell, Sam and Dave, Albert King, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, Isaac Hayes, Little Milton, Booker T and The MG’s plus many more by inviting the crème of the crop of Melbourne artist’s such as Dan Sultan, Liz Stringer, The Wolfgramm Sisters, Sime Nugent, Ella Thompson, Jordie Lane, Matt Walker, Abby Dobson, Shirley David and many more fine artists, all to contribute their favourite Stax tunes. Tickets are $30+bf for reserved seats, $23+BF general admission, $25 at the door. Can you dig it? Be quick – tickets selling fast!
QUINCE Melbourne garage rock’n’roll band Quince are set to take on The Tote Saturdays in December. The front bar of the iconic venue will feature the suburban boys every Saturday afternoon, plus a very special guest support. Quince lead singer Braydan Pettigrove says “I can’t wait to take my pants off and piss on the pool table”. Rad. Free entry from 5 to 7pm in the front bar.
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MOTHERSLUG Doom from the end of the world, the prophesies are true. Welcome the end on Friday December 21, upstairs at The Gasometer with a night of loud, fuzzy, sludgy psychedelia. While the world outside crumbles in chaos and terror, you'll be protected by a sonic force field, that doom itself cannot touch, provided by a trinity of Melbourne's prophecy defying riff makers. Motherslug are a five-piece taking influences from proto-doom, merged with up-tempo stoner and down-tuned drone, and will be supported by The Superguns, a four-piece Stoner Metal band here to smash some riffs up your ear holes. Jeezus will be there too. The best kind of Jeezus, a Seedy Jeezus. Head down and get saved. Doors at 8pm, $10.
PALM SPRINGS For the first three sweaty Wednesdays nights in December The Tote welcomes Palm Springs. This new endeavour is a collaboration between Erica Dunn (Harmony) and Raquel Solier (Fatti Frances) and takes inspiration from minimal blues/folk in the vein of Jessie Mae Hemphill, Karen Dalton and Scout Niblett. The project is a celebration of all things solitary, deserted and waiting for revival; ghostly suburbs, decayed estates and empty tables. Stories told of bummed afternoons, sold cars and lost loves are set upon backdrop of minimal finger picking, erratic chords and tough, tempered drums. Supports tonight comes from A Dead Forest Index and Legendary Hearts. $6 at the door.
LLOYD SPIEGEL With 18 years, a bunch of albums and a swag of accolades to his name, Lloyd Spiegel is the most experienced young blues artist in Australia. Through these 18 years Lloyd has come to be regarded amongst the finest blues guitarists in the nation and has played bills with up and comers such as Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Buddy Guy, apparently wiping the floor with the lot of them. Watching Lloyd live is a treat to be savoured. Get down to The Drunken Poet on Sunday December 30 at 4pm for a lesson in the blues.
THE DATSUNS The Datsuns, New Zealand’s most internationally applauded rock‘n’roll band, will launch their new album Death Rattle Boogie across Australia this December. Catch The Datsuns on Wednesday 19 December at Karova Lounge in Ballarat, and Thursday December 20 and Friday December 21 at The Espy in Melbourne. 2002 saw The Datsuns catapulted into the international music scene with the release of their debut record and being hailed by the British press as “the future of rock”. Being plastered on the cover of one of the world’s biggest music publications was more than the band were ever expecting. Cut to 2012 and The Datsuns are ready to launch the album they are most proud of to date. Don't miss The Datsuns launch Death, Rattle, Boogie at a venue near you this December.
UNCOMFORTABLE BEATS Two years after its inception, Uncomfortable Beats’ monthly residency at Bar Open is hosting one last party to send off 2012. Acts include Diger Rokwell, all the way from WA, Ishu, Able8, Ghostsoul and DJ Shikung. This is gonna be the final Uncomfortable Beats, so go grab your last mid-week dose of bass music and support your local artists by sending it out with a bang. Doors at 8pm, free entry, tonight.
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Beat Magazine Page 73
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ROCK THE BAY On Saturday February 16, Rock The Bay Festival at The Espy will celebrate its fifth year with a lineup that's shaping up to be the biggest and best yet. Australia's much loved and hairiest band, The Beards, will headline the festival along with local heroes Electric Mary, Sydney's Sleepmakeswaves, Bellusira, Tim McMillan Band (returning from Germany), Engine Three Seven, King Of The North, The Khyber Belt, Sleep Parade, Breaking Orbit (NSW), New Skinn, Moroccan Kings, Manatarms (Chile), One, Sons Of Abraham and heaps more. Tickets are just $29+BF and go on sale now through OzTix, The Espy, Fist 2 Face, Polyester Records, Greville records, Karova Lounge (Ballarat) and The Nash (Geelong). Head to rockthebayfestival. com for the full lineup.
BONJAH Having recently announced their summer album preview tour, stopping in at The Gershwin Room at Espy for two shows on Friday January 18 and Saturday January 19, the guys have now announced their string of wonderful supports. Guests on the night are indie folk favourites Tinpan Orange, Tom Tuena Band, Jack Stirling (The Joe Kings) and Johnnyville. Tickets are selling fast and on sale now from The Espy website.
THE SPIN The Spin are a rock band from Melbourne who pride themselves on making music with groove, soul, and above all a little bit ‘o love. Taking influence from the Brit-pop movement their style is a great mix of fun, upbeat tunes, peppered with dark, moody rock‘n’roll grooviness, all injected with a warm and fuzzy dose of soul power. So if you’re into that sort of thing, give The Spin a spin. Go on. From 9pm, free entry at The B.East.
ARCHER AND BOW
BLACKWOOD JACK
The band has recently had a lot of time off with the last shows being back in February at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. With members now living interstate and having other intensive commitments it’s only thanks to Christmas that the members can return to play their seductive brand of indie folk. This show will be the only one in Melbourne before they head to SA and WA for a New Years tour so it promises to be a big event. Catch them perform two sets at Richmond’s Great Britain Hotel on Sunday December 23 at the most reasonable of times, 6.30pm. Free.
An explosive blend of blues, rock and soul howling from a young three-piece born and raised in deep Southwest Victoria. Relatively new on the scene, Warrnambool’s Blackwood Jack is a young upcoming blues trio, who have been spreading their own unique brand of blues, roots and soul in the local and regional music scene. Blackwood's debut five-track EP (released to capacity crowd at their home venue, The Loft, June 2011) showcases the band's raw and mature sound. They play The B.East this Saturday December 22 for free.
THE ASMATICS After releasing their debut demo this year The Asmatics are hitting the live scene hard. The Asmatics are a four-and-a-half-piece band from Melbourne's West who play indie garage surf rock blues. They’re playing this Thursday December 20 at The Reverence Hotel alongside Dead Albatross and Chambers. 8pm, $5 entry.
BUSY KINGDOM Busy Kingdom define their music as “folkternative rock” and have been described as “a band that has that rare spark: amazing live energy and feel-good songs that bury themselves in your head”. Busy Kingdom perform at The Vic Hotel on Saturday December 31. 9pm, free.
SiB For the first time since SiB's Hunter Street EP launch almost two years ago, Joe Cope, Luke Bolton, Andy Reed and Adrien SiB will be on stage together at the same time performing songs from Hunter Street , Drifting Part One and some new material. This will be Adrien SiB's first show back in Melbourne since travelling around Europe and the USA for the last five months and Andy Reed's first show in Australia since he moved to Berlin two years ago. Playing tonight at The Public Bar with Sean Nicholas McMahon's Western Union and Gareth Eunson & The Big Small with free entry too.
WHITE WALLS Blasting out of the suburbs as if it was the early '90s, White Walls conjure up a ferocious and melodic slab of sound, recently likened to early Dinosaur Jr, My Bloody Valentine and Milk Music. Recorded and mixed by Andrew ‘Idge’ Hehir at Soundpark Studios, White Walls will be launching their devastating debut full length (released on local Melbourne label Poison City Records) on Saturday December 22 with good buddies Deep Heat and Useless Children.
OTOUTO Melbourne wonk/pop band Otouto are returning to the stage after a year of silence. With some new sounds to add to their set and well-rested heads, the trio are excited to relaunch for the summer. Along with them are the handsome new project of Red Berry Plum members, Smile, and Martha Brown's pop/RnB solo project Banoffee. They’re joined by Oscar + Martin DJs, and a space designed and painted by Melbourne artist Tom Pentergast. It’s a rooftop show on Saturday December 22 at The Evelyn Hotel from 3pm.
BALACLAVA HOTEL 123 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East VIC 3183, Ph: (03) 9531 2709 www.facebook.com/BalaclavaHotel, Twitter: @BalaclavaHotel
- FRI DEC 21ST -
JASON SEEMAN SUPPORTED BY
THE UNTOUCHABLES DRINK SPECIALS FRIDAY NIGHTS: 4pm – 10pm $5 Coronas, $5 Kopparberg Cider Bottles, $8 Cocktails, $8 Mountain Goat Pints MONDAY NIGHTS: 5pm – 9pm $12 Mountain Goat Jugs TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: 5pm – 9pm $6 Mountain Goat Pints
FOOD SPECIALS MONDAY:$12 Curry Night. TUESDAY:$12 Parmas and Burgers. WEDNESDAY: $15 Steak Night THURSDAY: $12 Parmas and Burgers. SUNDAY:$12 Roast of the Day
Beat Magazine Page 74
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THE DUB CAPTAINS Bar Open’s favourite sons (and daughters) The Dub Captains are doing yet another double-set show to kick start the holiday season on Friday December 21. It will be The Dubbies’ only remaining show for 2012 before returning to Bar Open with a bang for something special in February. The 15-piece “pseudo-reggae” monster will be playing some new material (off the forthcoming second album) for the first time live, as well as pumping out their back-catalogue of up-beat oceanic classics. For those familiar with The Dub Captains’ energetic live show, this one will be no different. Celebrate the close of the working year by coming along and partying with The Dub Captains as they pay their respects to Bob Marley and the other reggae greats with their own unique take on the genre. Doors 10pm, free entry.
THE AFROBIOTICS The Afrobiotics are a six-piece Melbourne-based band that breathe new life into the sound of West Africa whilst bringing a powerful message of resistance to the next generation of afro-beat. Mr. Fantastic brings traditional Sabar music and dance forms to the band’s compositions as he chants out the front, whilst guitars weave layers of rhythm and the hypnotic bass and drums ready the dancefloor for a rapid crossfire between the organ and horns. This is afro-beat medicine administered directly to your soul. Following on from their September residency, The Afrobiotics return to Bar Open for two shows to end the year with a bang. Saturday December 22, doors 10pm, free entry.
DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE Divide And Dissolve bring the Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve-eve. Armed with a bunch of their musical bros to help make this a killer show, the gang will be delivering a feast of a night. The duo's rhythmic, entrancing sounds are the best way to prepare for the family bullshit and overeating that comes about this time of year. More Team Rocket than White Stripes, these legends are gonna massage your ear holes and penetrate your mind. Cute. Sunday December 23, Bar Open, doors at 7.30pm.
BIDET MATE Guys, Bidet Mate just wrote some songs to melt your heart and teach you how to love. How fucking good is that? Come to their gig at The Public Bar this Friday December 21. Take these songs. They're a gift to you. Supporting them will be the smooth bass jams of Cassini and the smooth surf jams of Rayon Moon. It's 8 bucks.
LOUNGE Lounge go loud and live with garage rock bands and DJs on Thursday nights. Northside fashionistas and musos rejoice. Think The Dom NYC circa 1967. Head down and drink cheap booze and get your sweat on to the grit of garage-punk-DIY bands. Free entry. From 10pm at Lounge.
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THE UNION CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER Roll out the Christmas barrels this Sunday December 23 as an all-star cast of musos take to the Union stage for an arvo of Christmas-inspired mayhem and music to raise funds for the Melbourne City Mission. Jugs of Boags Draught will be $16 on the day ($8 goes to the charity). The lineup includes Spoonful, Jon Von Goes, Tess McKenna & Shapiros, (some of) The Prayerbabies, The Shivering Timbers, and more. For a sneak preview, listen to JVG's show on RRR from 2pm. It’s going to be a corker. Kicks off at 5pm.
EMMA LOUISE Fresh off the back of a three-month international writing stay in New York and a national tour with Missy Higgins and Gurrumul, Brisbane songbird Emma Louise is delivering an exclusive sneak peek of her debut album with a run of intimate shows in January. Playing with a full band, this will be Emma’s first major headline tour since July and the also the first to preview material that is currently being captured on tape in the studio. It reaches the Toff In Town on Thursday January 24.
LACHLAN BRYAN Melbourne’s own red-dirt-country troubadour Lachlan Bryan hasn’t played a lot of home games lately, having spent most of 2012 either in America, or on the road in NSW and Qld. In truth it’s been a big year for The Wildes’ frontman. It started with the release of his critically acclaimed solo debut Shadow Of The Gun, which was followed by a string of festival performances and supports for American greats Steve Earle and John Hiatt. He plays The Retreat most Wednesdays in January, starting on January 2 (and skipping Wednesday 23).
XMAS EVEN Local luminaries Even are celebrating Xmas in style for the 13th year running with another of their quality Xmas Even gigs. Joining Even will be Charles Jenkins & The Zhivagos, The Bedroom Philosopher and DJ Francis Leach. There will also be some nice little on stage surprises for all to behold on the eve. It's been a busy year for the Even lads with their sixth album In Another Time released, a national tour with The Fauves, and their performance once again at the Heart of St Kilda concert at the Palais. In recent times there have been some tasty slots with top names such as Jim Keays, Russell Morris, Weddoes, The Living End and The Sunnyboys. Xmas Even Lucky 13 happens at The Hi Fi on Saturday December 22. Tickets available for purchase online from the venue website. Doors at 8pm.
GOES LIVE
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FROM SOME OF MELBOURNE’S BEST LOCAL MUSCIANS
FRIDAY DECEMBER 21ST FROM 8PM
JOHN DELORD PROJECT SATURDAY DECEMBER 22ND FROM 4-7PM -7PM
DICKEN ST PREACHERS FROM 8PM
JAHMAKN IT FUNKY SUNDAY DECEMBER 23RD SHARE THE EXOTIC LATIN AND CUBAN SOUNDSS
SON 3 3-6PM SANTIAGO SON 6:30-9:30PM
SHAR THE EX OTIC LATIN &ES CUBAN SO UNDS ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FROM SOME BEST LOCAL MUSICOF MELBOURNE’S IANS
EVERY SUNDAY
SON 3 SANTIA G
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Beat Magazine Page 75
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CHRIS ALTMANN Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Altmann is originally from the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, and now divides his time between Melbourne, Toronto and Nashville. Along his journey he has embraced many musical styles; from his first group, country-rock tinged The Drowners, to the more modern pop/rock sound of The Vandas, and onto a solo career steeped in early '70s Americana. He’s performing an afternoon show on Friday December 21 at Cherry Bar from 5.30pm 'til 7.30pm, which happens to coincide with cocktail hour.
CHERRY BAR’S 13TH BIRTHDAY Sunday December 23 is Cherry Bar’s 13th birthday party and staff semi-Xmas party, and RyanFest Fundraiser for the burgled Cherry Bar manager Ryan Kept. Reprisal of their killer Bitter Sweet Kicks Vs Vice Grip Pussies double-stage show with support from Dead City Ruins. 13 years means $13 entry from 8pm onwards with bands playing from around 8pm. Cherry DJs 'til 3am-ish.
THE SCARLETS
DAN BRODIE Following on from a hugely successful European tour, signing to Beast Records in France and wowing audiences around the world with The Grieving Widows, Dan Brodie recently took a month off to record an 11-track solo record and will be launching the brand new single, (We Gotta) Deep Deep Love, at The Old Bar on Friday December 21. Previewing songs from the forthcoming album, Deep Deep Love, along with handpicking a selection of tunes spanning the Broken Arrows to the present, Dan will be joined on stage by the delectable Fibbins Sisters (Sideshow Brides) on backing vocals, the handsome Dean Shultz (Fingerbone Bill) on double bass and Chris Brodie on guitar. With very special guests including Bulls, Matt Bailey and Alysia Manceau, it’s an incredible lineup. Friday December 21, The Old Bar. Tickets $10 on the door.
THE LONGYARD BAND
THE GYPSY CURSE
The Longyard Band are steeped in the old-style rockin' boogie blues and roots tradition. They strive to fly the flag of gritty electric beat blues to an audience all too well brainwashed by artists whose cultural ancestors graciously bestowed upon us the real deep roots boogie and rhythm'n'blues. Longyard's aim is to entertain the people and keep alive the blues and beat power of decades past to which they acknowledge a massive debt of gratitude, from Australia to both sides of the Atlantic. Catch them when they play The Retreat front bar this Saturday December 22 from 7.30pm following the poetic Nigel Wearne. They’re then followed by garage rock’n’roll band The Yard Apes. Free entry.
Mathew Barker’s fearlessly honest songwriting and vulnerable delivery is offset by his wife Beth’s soaring, evocative vocals. Backed by a band assembled from Mathew’s solo tour through Europe, the lush and lonely soundscapes seem to skirt the edges of Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Springsteen while remaining uniquely modern in approach. It’s haunting, dark, country-folk with wild and deranged patches: the seemingly traditional folk instrumentations crack and give way to jarring psychedelic rock elements. The result is a hypnotic and cathartic journey through truth, struggle and faith. Catch The Gypsy Curse this Thursday night at The Retreat Hotel from 9pm with Anne Of The Wolves. Free entry.
THE GRAND RAPIDS Relieve yourself from the department store Xmas jingle psychosis you have developed with some mindbending psychedelic rock this Thursday December 20, upstairs at Bar Open. After the recent success of their Blow Up single launch at Yah Yah’s, The Grand Rapids return with more face melting fuzzadelia, more smoke and lights and some new tunes, too. Joining them are neo-psych, kraut, noise-pop fivepiece The Quivers, Geelong drone and rollers The Citradels and the psych-folk spirit music of Trappist Afterland Band. We guarantee this is no night to be staying in wrapping presents. Projections will be running all evening for your viewing pleasure and entry is free too, so let the Xmas trip begin. Doors at 8.30pm, free entry.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, loud, drunk and obnoxious, and ticking three of those boxes (they're working on the jolly bit) are those kids in the red and the black, The Scarlets, giving not one, but two big shows this weekend to celebrate the birth of the red fat man. First up the band will be supporting Lost Angels, fronted by none other than ex-Motley Crue frontman John Corabi, this Friday December 21 at The HiFi. Following up the next night on Saturday December 22, the band will be throwing a huge Xmas bash at hot new rock Mecca, The Exchange Hotel, alongside dirt rock powerhouse Black Devil Yard Boss. This will not be one to miss, so drop the egg nog (whatever that is) and be there.
MY LEFT BOOT It's finally (almost) here. A couple of eons well intentioned talk, followed by several false starts and a few outright lies, My Left Boot are set to release their debut album and it's a cracker. Recorded at Coloursound Studios by Mat Robins & Michael Summerton and Mastered at Bernie Grundman by Brian Gardner (QOTSA, Them Crooked Vultures, Top Gun Soundtrack). Summer Songs is nine tracks of awesomeness in one sweet package. A fully operational riff battle station with shades of rock, blues, fuzz and stoner. Topped with jaw dropping Plant-esque vocals. My Left Boot are not to be missed. Get to Cherry Bar Saturday December 22 and help us bring them into the world with very special guests King Of The North and Sheriff. Doors open 8pm, $15 entry. Summer Songs will be available in various formats at the launch.
THE DRUNKEN POACHERS The dubious sextet known as The Drunken Poachers perform at The Vic Hotel on Sunday December 23. With their wily ways and wooden instruments, these folksters have snuck boot-clad and boozed onto Melbourne’s live music stages. Performing two sets from 9pm. Free entry.
ILDIKO, THE WHORLS Warm up to your New Year's Eve with a night of blistering songs of anguish, love, lust and heartache from two of Melbourne's up-andcoming bands, Ildiko and The Whorls. Ildiko will bring you sumptuously layered folk from their darkly brilliant album The Carousel Stray, while local three-piece The Whorls add some sweet and dirty new sounds to their already solid set of wailing, jangly rock’n’roll bliss. All this kicked off by talented out of towners Orwell with some Newcastle-infused blues. Don't miss out. Sunday December 30 at The Evelyn Hotel.
COLD DIVIDE Local industrial rockers Cold Divide started 2012 on a high, and after a busy year of gigs, including supporting international heavyweights Combichrist and Nachtmahr, have decided to end the year the same way, and release their new EP Weaponized. Self-produced with an obsessive attention to sonic detail and on the warpath to be the heaviest, most devastating electro rock act the country has ever seen, Weaponized takes influences from metal, idm, drum and bass and electro and spits out what sounds like Pendulum covering Depeche Mode, being remixed by Nine Inch Nails. Weaponized will be released in digital and physical formats through bandcamp, iTunes and more when the world ends on Friday December 21. Get it while you can.
P76 Much-loved Melbourne band P76 will reform for one Melbourne show at Yah Yah’s on Friday December 21, to celebrate the digital release of their back catalogue. The respected indie pop outfit, led by local singer-songwriter Danny McDonald enjoyed strong success in the late '90s and early '00s with their Dom Mariani-produced album Into the Sun and a series of now sought-after EPs. Having recently expanded to a four-piece lineup with the inclusion of McDonald’s long-time friend Jeff Baker (ex. The Rainyard/DM3) on guitar, P76 are preparing to deliver a memorable show with their trademark guitar jangle and special guests joining them onstage throughout the night. Entry is free, with support spots from legendary Melbourne mod poppers The Little Murders and new indie pop outfit Singing for Humans.
Q&A MOTHERSLUG
FAVOURITE THING #3
CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK For two-and-a-half years, Chris Russell‘s Chicken Walk was just Chris playing solo with just an open tuned sea foam green Danelectro and a Goldentone reverbmaster for company on stage. His annual pilgrimages with his wife to the Mississippi Delta facilitated his evolution from sitting in with the local living masters, to performing the prized Juke Joints with The Corn Lickers, Cameron Kimbrough, Cadillac John Nolden and Lightnin’ Malcolm. In December 2011, Chicken Walk grew to a two-piece feed, adding Dean Muller (Hoss, Cosmic Psychos) on drums and this newly evolved duo’s live sound begun filling rooms with hypnotic boogie and pulsating Northern Mississippi Hill country blues. Chris and his Chicken Walk will be playing at The Retreat Hotel this Monday December 24 for Xmas Eve, starting at 10pm and followed by DJ Shaky Memorial 'til 3am. Free entry. Beat Magazine Page 76
Favourite Thing #3 is a day-long mini festival featuring nine Santa-slaying bands showcasing some of the East Coast’s most exciting up-andcoming garage, indie and punk rock talent. After two hugely successful shows in Sydney throughout 2011, Favourite Thing now turns its attention to Melbourne; plucking nine incredible bands from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne to come together at Yah Yah’s for a Christmas ‘noisetravaganza’ on Saturday, December 22. The line-up includes (in no particular order): The Treatment, Rayon Moon, Bang Bang Rock ‘n Roll, Crash The Curb, Heavy Beach, The Summervilles, Pioneers of Good Science, Messed Up, BJ Morriszonkle with a collective of DJs spinning garage and indie classics all night long. Favourite Thing #3 will be the showcase event for great things to come in 2013.
THE HALF PINTS The Mayans reckon we're all fucked, so in case they're right, head along to The Tote this Friday December 21 to show you won't go quietly. Featuring The Half Pints, The SCabs, Muscle Car, The Fix, Dixon Cider, Liquor Snatch and Muscle Mary, it'll be bloody rad. $10 door fee to cover The Scabs' and The Fix's travel costs from Adelaide.
Define your genre in five words or less: Heavy stoner sludge rock. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? A hole tearing open in the space-time continuum. What can a punter expect from your live show? Lots of fog, lots of low end. So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? I couldn't find the bar, through all this fog!!
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Why should everyone come and see your band? Hear and see some heavy stoner grooves, get hold of some CDs and t-shirts and give the middle finger to an ancient Mayan prophecy. When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? Doomsday (Friday December 21) at The Gasometer in Collingwood. We're finally releasing our debut four-track EP, with help from The Superguns and Seedy Jeezus. We'll have CDs and t-shirts for you to buy, so you can be stylish while the world burns.
DAVEY LANE BAND Davey Lane is playing two sets on Sunday December 23 at Yah Yah’s on Smith St. Davey has emerged from the recording studio (aka Davey's bedroom) to play songs from his brand new and much anticipated debut album The Good Borne Of Bad Tymes early next year. Come see what the fuss is about. Entry is free! Davey will be joined on the night by his handsome band. The second set will be a bunch of covers including a tribute to Nick Lowe.
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DO IT IN A DRESS On Sunday December 30 three of Melbourne's hottest bands will 'Do It In A Dress' at the infamous Cherry Bar to raise money for the girls of Sierra Leone. Join Children Overboard, The Velvets and The Naysayers as they shake their frocked up groove things all over one of Melbourne's most notorious stages in the name of charity. The bands are donating all money that they make from the night (thanks to the amazing Cherry Bar), and urge you to go along and show your support. The aim on the night is to make enough money to send a girl in Sierra Leone back to school and to do this they need your attendance and your best dresses. So get in, get 'em out, donate, and dance the night away.
RETREAT COUNTRY XMAS
THE JAPERS
This Sunday December 23 The Retreat Hotel Brunswick plays host to some of the finest folk and country soul this place has to offer with a three-band bill featuring Sweet Jean, Sean McMahon's Western Union and the one and only Suzannah Espie, accompanied by the amazing Liz Stringer. Show starts at 7.30pm and it's free. Head down early to catch Jack Carty’s beer garden set at 4pm.
The Japers see themselves as a musical family who, like brothers, put absolute faith in each other creatively. This allows each member to safely place individual creativity in the hands of others. These ideals and this philosophy make Jape Squad’s music unique. For the listener, it is never clear what’s coming next because that’s the way it is for the band too. Do yourself a favour: get yourself Japed at The Vic Hotel, Friday December 30. 9pm, free entry.
KINGSWOOD Kingswood launch their new single She's My Baby at Cherry Bar this Friday December 21. They kicked arse in triple J Unearthed’s Splendour In The Grass competition and got down and dirty in the fields of Byron Bay alongside Jack White, Bloc Party, The Smashing Pumpkins and At The Drive In. First they gave you the thunderous rock track Yeah Go Die and the penetrating, seductive aural earthquake that is Medusa. Now, Melbourne’s indie rock four-piece Kingswood are launching their new single She’s My Baby with a superwild B-Side titled Wolf.
POISON CITY XMAS SHOW It’s been a killer year for local record label Poison City so they’ve decided to celebrate the good times by bringing together their wonderful community of friends, bands and musicians for a monster Xmas show on Friday December 21 at The Reverence Hotel. Playing on the night will be party hounds Luca Brasi, fellow Tasmanian Lincoln Le Fevre (with full band), along with Fear Like Us, Infinite Void, Hoodlum Shouts and acoustic performances by Donnie Dureau (Blueline Medic) and Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band). Tickets are already on sale via Poison City Shop and E-Store – and selling fast. 8pm, $15.
FIREBALLS Fireballs have been touring overseas since their last Xmas show and since then we have been hanging out to get back to it. They have since missed rocking around the Xmas tree for their hometown psychos. So you all better get yourselves ready to go and have a smashing time with Melbourne's bad boys of psychobilly The Fireballs for the Xmas Psycho Spectacular. Don’t miss Fireballs, playing Friday December 21 at The Prince in St Kilda with support from The Working Horse Irons, Green Machine and Death Valley. Tickets available from the venue or through Moshtix for $30+bf.
COBRA SNAKE NECKTIE/LOVE & THEFT RECORDS XMAS The inaugural Cobra Snake Necktie Records and Love & Theft Xmas party featuring Saint Jude (as a one-off ten-piece), The Bowers, Chris Russell's Chicken Walk and Wrong Turn happens on Thursday December 20 at The Tote. BBQ, prizes, boozin', dancin' and the worst Friday hangover you ever encountered. $10 from 7.30pm.
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Beat Magazine Page 77
MUSIC NEWS
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LIEUTENANT JAM
A LONELY CROWD
This could potentially be the last night on Earth, so go and see Lieutenant Jam at The Bendigo Hotel this Thursday December 20 to witness, if not the end of the world, their last show for 2012. They have some excellent bands to play with them on this special night for mankind, starting from dynamic and deadly trios The Archetypal and Proletarian Riot. And of course the very groovy and polished sounds of Aircrafte.
Celebrate the end of the world in style with an apocalyptic throwdown of live music at The Bendigo Hotel, Friday December 21. Headlining will be the cataclysmic curators of creative cacophonies, A Lonely Crowd, supported by masters of disaster Cat Or Pillar, Jarek and The Feel Goods. Entry is only $12 and let's face it, it's not like you'll need your cash ever again after the world ends. So throw the proverbial bird to the Mayans and embrace the Armageddon by indulging in a great night of tunes.
LIZ STRINGER 2012 was a big year for Liz Stringer. With the release of her critically lauded fourth record, Warm In The Darkness, it was a year that involved a lot shows in a lot of places. A captivating performer, if you’ve not seen Liz in action it’s about time you did. The songs weave narratives of Australia, bringing our stories to life with some of the finest lyricism we are fortunate to have in this country. Liz’s voice is an instrument with the capacity to silence a room and keep it quiet. Catch Liz Sunday on Sunday January 6 at 4pm at The Drunken Poet.
NOT THE WOLF With history on their side, youth in their hearts and an intriguing approach to music that sucks you into a vortex of Celtic tunes, western swing, jazz, bluegrass, pop, blues and perhaps a little Carlos Santana thrown in for good measure, Not The Wolf are in the business of blowing socks off and melting minds. In tying together these myriad influences and producing a sound all of their own, Not The Wolf bring the party for all your Saturday night desires. Saturday December 22 from 9pm at The Drunken Poet.
Q&A
RIFF FIST Ho ho ho! Santa's comin’ to town early and his sack is filled fuzz, fat grooves and epic riffery. Help celebrate everyone’s favourite holiday Riffmas. Master_Beta will kicks things off with a bang just like a Christmas cracker full of badass rock’n’roll. Olmeg will follow that up with some sweet sonic grooves that go down smooth like your favourite egg nog. Sun Shepherd are the full blown Christmas dinner. Redefining “epic” with a sound that can move mountains, they’ll leave you well and truly full to the brim. It's been a killer year for the Fist and they’re looking forward to see it out in true riff-tacular, festive style. Head down to The Bendigo on Saturday December 22 and celebrate with the finest Christmas Spirit(s) and give Santa a hangover he'll remember.
THE TROUBLE WITH TEMPLETON
BAD VISION Blindly stumbling through 2012 using only their aural and oral senses to guide them, Bad Vision have somehow managed to record a double A-side single and intend to pedal their proto punk-infused garage on every street corner a hobo has left for the taking. With enough pop leanings to stimulate some healthy serotonin production and enough raw noise to engage your primal urges, 112/Visions is brought to you on hot green wax, complete with digital download. Recorded in Captain B's shakin’ shack and mixed and mastered by Mikey Young, Bad Vision launch 112/Visions with a party at The Old Bar on Saturday January 12 with help from The Kremlings, Rayon Moon and Messed Up. $10 entry.
SOUNDINGS
BABERAHAM LINCOLN
This fourth installment of Soundings pieces together a bunch of bands from Melbourne's musical underground making a goddamn glorious racket with guitars and drums and beatific bass. Straight up and simple, this is music to get them knees a knockin' and a sound to make a hundred hardened hearts swoon. If you don't live in Melbourne's inner north you've probably never heard most of the bands billed, which include Great Earthquake, Autoportraits, Grand Pismatic, Sarah Mary Chadwick, Little Killing, The Fuses, and many more. But as you've also probably worked out by now, mass culture is a rusty ol' scrapheap anyhow, piled sky high with the refuse of past Xmas number ones all wrapped in tinsel. Sunday December 23 at The Evelyn Hotel, 3pm.
Baberaham Lincoln is proud to announce A Very Baberaham Xmas. This one-off show will invoke just the right amount of acoustic-eargasm-rock that Christmas generally lacks. Whist on “tour” earlier this year the duo was somehow allowed into a recording studio in Medellin, Colombia to record their debut EP Near Enough Is Good Enough. Their self-described "melodic, sarcastic, offensive acoustic rock" tackles serious subject matter as diverse as third nipples, fake hippies and camel toe. Their shows are notorious for their spontaneous banter, improvisation and the audience never knowing when they might get the words right. They’re will be joined by special guests Bella Jabara & The Mellows at The Workers Club, Fitzroy on Sunday December 23.
ASTRAL SUNRISE
SOUL-A-GO-GO EVE PARTY
Astral Sunrise (formerly Manners) play short and fast then long and Mascis-y. '90s fuzz-pop, 7-inch punk and psychedelic crescendos are smeared with melodies and solos to challenge and please. Stavros Brothers feature ex-members of Peachfuzz and Paintstripper. Ful mudam mas, a kind of dried fava bean stew, is considered by many to be Egypt’s national dish. There is an Arabic saying about this dish: “The rich man's breakfast, the shopkeeper's lunch, the poor man's supper." Map Ends are a new group from a bunch of old hands: Daisy Buchanan (Dad Vibe, Daisy Buchanan), Adrian Mswahili (Elizabeth Pistol Club), Rene Schaefer (The Bites, Hand Hell, Aktion Unit), Mark Nelson (The Stabs). Repetitive bass riffs, scattershot guitar in alternate tunings, thudding drums and wailing, plaintive vocals. They play one of their debut shows at The Public Bar this Saturday December 22.
NIGEL WEARNE Fresh from releasing his new album Black Crow, Nigel Wearne returns to The Retreat Hotel on Saturday December 22. Nigel hits the front bar duo style, with double-bass player Andy Scott. Come along for some toe-tappin’, soul stirring rants, finger-style guitar and the odd yodel. With frayed poetic edges and honest grit, Nigel Wearne is "one of Australia’s emerging songwriters" (Tone Deaf) and "has the narrative-fuelled prose of Paul Kelly" (us, Beat Mag). Catch the country/folk songster from 4pm in the front bar. Wearne also hits The Rainbow Hotel on Sunday December 23 for a special solo performance to wrap up 2012. He’ll be joined by Amy Alex and Broni. Music starts at 4pm. Beat Magazine Page 78
NEW
YEARS
Exit 2012 with a bang and get on down to Soul-AGo-Go at The Workers Club this New Year’s Eve for Melbourne’s biggest soul and funk party. PBS luminaries Miss Goldie, Manchild, Richie 1250, Pierre Baroni, Zack Rampage and Vince Peach will be dishing up the best floor thumpin’ 45s from 8pm till 3am. A ticket gets you into the whole venue, as the funk and soul love is spread across multiple rooms, plus there’ll be some mid tempo chill out groove to add to the mix. Get your hands on a limited ticket pronto – they’re selling fast! Advance tickets available from theworkersclub.com.au or from the Corner Box Office. It’s $30+bf for PBS members and $35+bf for future members. Numbers are strictly limited.
AMP'D Amp'd is Melbourne's newest rock night paying homage and delight to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Queens Of The Stone Age, MC5, Nirvana, Ramones, The Hives, and more. This weekend Black Devil Yard Boss and The Scarlets will be taking the stage to entertain you all. Get in for some good times and good tunes. There’s also a kitchen which means a pot and pizza for $15. Every Saturday night at The Exchange Hotel from 9pm 'til late. $15 entry.
Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? Indie rock folk alt Xmas jingles. What do you hate about the music industry? I wouldn't be dishing out hate in such a general way, however, I “actively avoid” having anything to do with people in the industry who clearly just aren't into music. The industry is just a deep pool of people who are trying to head in whatever their own version of 'up' is – I love working with people who have a sympathetic version of 'up', but honestly I don't think about the other ones enough to hate them. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Well the band as a whole site a very wide array of art and music as influences, which mean a lot to them, but I guess I can't really speak on behalf of the others right now. Personally though, my first and foremost musical heroes were John Rodgers and Ken Edie whose music made me think very differently about life. It's unbelievably unique and phenomenal Australian music – I shouldn't start ranting about that here though because I'll never stop. Others are Elliott Carter (may he RIP), Olivier Messiaen, Boulez, Radiohead, The Beatles of course. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? That really depends on your definition of success, but I'd say that the foundation for any version of success is fantastic sounding music with depth. At least, it should be, it is to us. When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? We are in the middle of a big national tour right now, celebrating our single Six Months In A Cast. We finish our NSW leg this week, then head to
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Melbourne to play the Workers Club on Friday December 28, and then Falls Festival on Saturday December 29, rounding off our single tour. We'll be recording the rest of our new album through January and February with our favourite pep-pep, awesome Brisbane producer, Matt Redlich. Our next single will be out in February, followed by our album a few months later. What makes you happiest about what you’re doing? Spontaneous creation and connection with people on a deeper level than words. I love music which sounds and feels fantastic – I get that from fewer places the older I get, but TTWT definitely has it in droves, for me. What's the strangest place you've ever played a gig, or made a recording? I played at Kevin Rudd's budget launch a few years ago – it's hard to know where to begin describing the strangeness. Extremely funny though! Attempted to record a double bass/percussion film score with Ritchie D and Yukon Snakes in The Gap water reservoir, but unfortunately we couldn't get our shit over the razor wire. Do you have a pre-gig ritual? If so, what is it? We all have a little cuddle and then crowd around Tom's iPhone for this vocal warm-up thing on YouTube. How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments? Simple answer is, I don't. I have a terribly obsessive personality, but that's me.
DANNY WALSH Pack your togs and your beach umbrellas, because this Sunday December 23 everyone is going on a summer holiday to Grumpy's Green. From 7pm onwards, the country-blues rockin' Danny Walsh Banned and local folk icon, Van Walker, will be mixing up a mighty strong musical mojito especially for you. Van has released a staggering five solo albums, while in 2013 Danny Walsh Banned will be launching their debut album. That's a lot of material to work with. And where better to work it out than at Grumpy's Green? Head along for cocktail sipping, dancing, dreaming and contemplating Coughlins law.
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ROESY The proud possessor of six albums, numerous world tours, various award nominations and a soundproofed basement in his Amsterdam apartment, Irish tunesmith Roesy has achieved much in his time. Currently residing in our fair city, Roesy brings a little of the sound of Irish songwriting to The Drunken Poet this Thursday for what will be, as it always is, a captivating performance. If you have not seen this gentleman in action, you should. He plays two sets on Thursday December 20 at The Drunken Poet from 8pm.
LEROY LEE
SHIPS PIANO
Sydney and more recently Austin-based songsmith Leroy Lee first appeared when he won triple j's Unearthed songwriting competition with the lamplit tune Drawing Smoke. His debut album then found its way onto US college charts with songs featured on the soundtracks of Australian and US TV programs and saw him touring Australia with artists such as Joan As Police Woman, The Swell Season, Missy Higgins, Folk Uke and Jeff Lang. His followup EP Arcadia is a limited release produced by Jazz Pianist Stu Hunter at his studio The Habitat in July. Catch him with Al Parkinson and Texture Like Sun at The Workers Club on Thursday December 20
Ships Piano are Seb, Liam, Toby and Yue. Their noisy, scrappy pop-rock has a quintessentially Australian sound. Over their five year history they’ve scored supports with Kelley Stoltz, Wavves, British India and Future Of The Left, among others. Ships Piano’s live show is frenetic and fast paced and they deliver their tunes in an unashamed Ocker accent. Fresh from launching their second EP Casper at The Tote, Ships Piano play a (sort of) Christmas show at The Great Britain on Saturday December 22. They’re supported by their favorite five-piece Howard. Kicks off at 9pm, free entry.
Q&A ILDIKO
JESSICA-JADE Talented singer-songwriter Jessica-Jade returns to Revolver Bandroom on Thursday February 14 with her full band to kick-off what is going to be another massive year for her after a hugely successful 2012. There is only so long an artist as talented and highly regarded as Jessica-Jade can go under the radar. With a win at the 2012 Maton Talent Search in Gympie, the release of her debut EP in March and an extremely polished support performance for Michael Paynter to end 2012 it will not be long until this young artist explodes. With support from the rapid rising talent that is Madeleine Jayne, and local Indie rockers Cardinal it is once again going to be another lineup with quality talent from start to finish in true Roots Of Music Entertainment fashion. Tickets will be available online via Moshtix pre-sale for $9+bf or alternatively for $14 at the door.
STREAMS OF WHISKEY New Year’s Eve is a night of inevitable disappointment and failure. New Year's Day on the other hand is much more manageable, no expectations, just a sore head to deal with and the realization that there’s a full year in which to recover. Streams Of Whiskey will be bringing all this and their arsenal of Pogues tunes and various other Celtic classics to the stage of The Drunken Poet to punch the New Year square in the jaw. Known to get a little raucous, a Streams show is always a great way to get the blood flowing. The fun begins at 6pm on Tuesday January 1 at The Drunken Poet.
GRIZZLY JIM LAWRY Grizzly Jim Lawry will be making his way to the west this Sunday and playing an acoustic arvo show with Venice Music at The Reverence Hotel. Grizzly Jim’s debut album, Paying My Debts From the Grave, was released only a month ago to much acclaim. It’s a strong collection of songs, showcasing his talent as both a singer and songwriter. This show is not to be missed. Sunday December 23, The Reverence Hotel, 3pm till 7pm. Free entry. Define your genre in five words or less: Variations on folk noir. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? People usually say something along the lines of sad music for sad people. We are changing our name to Bloodhound next year. Do you have any record releases to date? What are they? Where can I get them? Yeah, I have an LP, The Carousel Stray. You can get a CD at one of our shows or you can download the album for free or donation at ildiko.bandcamp.com If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why? If I could travel back in time I still wouldn't be able to afford the flight to go meet Mark Linkous so I'd go ten years back and show J Walker of Machine Translations my 'stuff' but I think he'd be more interested in my time machine. I'd do this because he's good at 'stuff'.
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Not sure, if I knew, I'd be successful. I think a time machine would help. When are you doing your thing next? Sunday December 30 at The Evelyn. It will be our last show as ildiko before changing the name to Bloodhound. We are doing our 'thing' with The Whorls. If you could go on tour musician or band, who would it be? Machine Translations.
with
any
Anything else to add? I don't really want a time machine if you were thinking of getting me one. I don't like travelling much because I get stressed and lose 'stuff'. We are changing our name to Bloodhound next year, okay?
THE WEEKEND PEOPLE The Weekend People take time out from putting the finishing touches on a brand new single (due for release in early 2013, with a new EP to follow soon after) to play one final show for 2012. Join them for a drink, some brand new songs and a devastating live show that promises to leave no survivors. They’re more than ably supported by Tom Dickins, fresh from tours with The Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer. Catch them both at Richmond’s Great Britain Hotel on Thursday December 20. 8pm, free.
NO THOUGHT CONTROL 2012 On Friday December 21 from 7.30pm, The Evelyn Hotel plays host to No Thought Control 2012. An array of fine indie acts and a DJ will join forces to celebrate public education and to give their support behind the I Give A Gonski campaign. Featured on the night will be indie bands Kings And Thieves, Phoebe’s Dream, The Sunsleepers, Charlie Officer and DJ Dajarra. Together they will fill the band room with captivating tunes, sneaker rock beats, indie rock intensity and rapturous groove.
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Beat Magazine Page 79
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
COLLECTORS CORNER MISSING LINK
GARY CLARK JR
Blak And Blu (Warner)
WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER RESIDENCY
THE PRIMARY ANTARCTICA RETURN TO YOUTH TANGRAMS TITLE DJS
ENTRY $2, 8PM $12 JUGS IN THE BANDROOM!
THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER RESIDENCY – FINAL NIGHT
THE BOMBAY ROYALE DJ MANCHILD
ENTRY $12 DOOR, $10 THRU MOSHTIX, 9PM $2.50 POTS, $5 VODKAS!
FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER “NO THOUGHT CONTROL 2012”
CHARLIE OFFICER THE SUNSLEEPERS PHOEBE’S DREAM KINGS AND THIEVES DJ DAJARA
ENTRY $10, $7 CONCESSION, $7 ONLINE, 8.30PM
SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER ROOFTOP SHOW
OTOUTO SMILE BANOFFEE
ENTRY $10 DOOR, 3PM
BANDROOM
THE ZANES
JULY DAYS HANDS LIKE OURS ENTRY $6, 9PM
SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER SOUNDINGS #4 HOLY SOUND UNDERGROUND
GREAT EARTHQUAKE AUTOPORTRAITS BRDM BRDM (BORED NOTHING) PSALM BEACH + 6 MORE ACTS ENTRY TBC, 3PM
MONDAY 24 DECEMBER TBC CHRISTMAS EVE SHOW! TUESDAY 25 DECEMBER
CLOSED
COMING UP
TIX AVAILABLE THRU MOSHTIX: THE PRIMARY (WEDNESDAYS IN DECEMBER) OTOUTO – ROOFTOP SHOW (DEC 22) EVELYN END OF YEAR SHINDIG (DEC 28) SYDONIA (29 DEC) THE VAUDEVILLE SMASH (MONDAYS IN JANUARY) TRANSIENCE – SINGLE LAUNCH (JAN 4) RAINBIRD (JAN 19) CHILLY WACK LABEL LAUNCH (JAN 27) OH, SLEEPER (FEB 7)
Will the real Gary Clark Jr please stand up? At The Tote in September, Clark tore through over an hour of dirty blues tempered with velvet-covered soul. By the end of the set, the crowd was transfixed by the guitarist’s talent, not to mention his sincerity and humility. Like The White Stripes in 2000, there was a sense this was a moment you wouldn’t experience again. Clark’s debut album, Blak And Blu, is a mixed bag. The opening track, Ain’t Messin ‘Round, heralds Clark’s appearance like a street-smart rock’n’roller afforded messianic status by the corporate shakers of LA. Close your eyes, and you’re in 1979, and the coke is flooding the table, and the platitudes are flying thick and fast. On When My Train Pulls In, Clark is in Hendrix guitardeity mode, scaling his fret board with manic aplomb; on Travis Country, it’s classic ‘50s rock’n’roll in all its speedway boogie glory. Glitter Ain’t Gold nods in the general direction of The Dirtbombs in Ultraglide in Black mode, but Mick Collins is too cool for this shit. Numb is down and dirty, wading through the booze-and-pot memories of Bluesbreaker London; the cover of Hendrix’s Third Stone From The Sun (segueing into Little Johnny Taylor’s If You Like Me Like You Say) provides the obvious reference point; Next Door Neighbor Blues locates Clark within a blues tradition that stretches all the way down to depths of the Mississippi Delta. Yet when Clark lurches into soul mode, there’s something not quite on the money. The title track has all the hallmarks of a single that topped the charts in 1978, and was never seen again. The Life looks
1. Spencer P. Jones & The Nothing Butts (CD) SPENCER P. JONES & THE NOTHING BUTTS 2. Can’t Count (7”) STRAIGHT ARROWS 3. Bitter Defeat/Down (7”) KITCHEN’S FLOOR 4. Make Em’ Suffer (CD) THE KILL 5. Nuggets Antipodean Interpolations VARIOUS (CD) 6. Grrr (3CD/5LP) THE ROLLING STONES 7. Killers (LP) IRON MAIDEN 8. Into The Future (CD/LP) BAD BRAINS 9. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (4LP/5CD BOX SETS) SMASHING PUMPKINS 10. Hell’s Likely (LTD ED 2LP) MAMMOTH MAMMOTH for purpose and direction like a Hollywood starlet embracing the specious rhetoric of Scientology; Please Come Home follows in the footsteps of Marvin Gaye, but doesn’t quite keep up. Failing a commercial fuck-up of career-destroying proportions, Clark won’t play The Tote again. And that’s a shame – because you can’t help but feeling that it’s in such empathetic and intimate surroundings that his true talent comes to the fore. PATRICK EMERY Best Track: Ain’t Messin’ ‘Round If You Like These, You’ll Like This: JIMI HENDRIX, BUDDY GUY In A Word: Soul
SYN’S SWEET SIXTEEN 1. Mobius Streak HIATUS KAIYOTE 2. History Eraser COURTNEY BARNETT 3. Muckraker KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD 4. I Got Burned THE BAMBOOS FT. TIM ROGERS 5. I’m Into You CHET FAKER 6 Revealer NEW WAR 7. Sweet Tsunami Symphony MOJO JUJU 8. Die Young COLLARBONES 9. Dayglo Reflection BOBBY WOMACK FT. LANA DEL RAY
SINGLES BY LACHLAN Congratulations, you have made it to the end! However you do not win anything. Much like death, the end of the year is something inconsequential that happens because of math.
BLANK REALM
Cleaning Up My Mess (Siltbreeze/BSR) There’s something stupid, sloppy and charming about the new single from Brisbane’s Blank Realm. Featuring three siblings and their mate, the band plays a kind of freewheeling psych folk with a shouty, drunken edge. The lyrics are simple and snarky and incredibly distinctive, and you get the sense that everyone involved is having a loose, messy whale of a time. Excellent.
LOS CORONAS
Big Wave Riders (Inertia) Los Coronas, a contemporary Spanish version of The Shadows, hits Australia in the new year for a series of gigs including the Sydney Festival and MONA Foma. Big Wave Riders, taken from their debut album El Baile Finale, is a speeding instrumental driven by popping horns and surf guitar, an electric take on Hawaii 5-0 and every ‘60s chase sequence you’ve ever heard. It is a fucking delight to hear – partially because I feel like I’m in a chase sequence all of a sudden, and partially because these musicians are all super talented and joining forces in the manner of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.
SHE’S SO RAD
Confetti (Independent) New Zealand collective She’s So Rad bring us the natural evolution of the Teenage Fanclub sound, a warm, fuzzy indie rock tone pressed through the synth beats and expansive guitar wash of noughties dance rock. At once both intimate and epic, the track rides on slow beats and a melody that lifts and drops in waves. Like all the best of these new wave electro pop classics, it seems to freeze time.
TANTRUMS
Ships (Independent) An airy vocal melody and robotic synth notes ripple over the odd tribal call in this lush, atmospheric pop journey by Melbourne’s Tantrums. Arctic, ethereal and hypnotic – an impressive opening salvo from their debut EP.
BAD VISION
112 (Independent) Uncomplicated, loud and clever, the first single from Melbourne act Bad Visions pays homage to the classic New York punk stylings of The Cramps and The Ramones, and all the spitting, garage-bound miscreants that followed. Released on a double A-side 7-inch single, 112 also features that slightly adorable sing-along quality that makes this genre so much goddamn fun. Beat Magazine Page 80
TOP TENS
THE DIRTY YOUTH
Last Confession (Transcend Music) There are a few gaps in my musical knowledge and one of them is broadly labelled ‘Soundwave’. I’m pretty sure The Dirty Youth are a Soundwave kind of band – a shouty, electric guitar pounding collection of misfits. Generally speaking I quite like an angry youth – I find all that directionless rage pretty endearing – but every now and again an angry youth band like this comes along, which is basically just a hepped up RAWK version of The Veronicas, and I think, ‘What is this Proterozoic, commericial punk nonsense you are peddling? Where the hell were you idiots when OK Computer was released?’ And then I realise the answer is probably, ‘Not born’ and I feel sad for myself.
KELLY CLARKSON
I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Sony) Why do musicians do this? Seriously. I mean I know why musicians do this, it’s obviously an excellent way to make money, especially in America, which turns into a Christmas theme park in late November, and therefore necessarily requires theme park music, and preferably new theme park music because Christmas is all about getting a whole lot of shiny new shit you don’t need. But seriously, why do musicians do this? It’s fucking horrible. And I count myself as a theoretical Kelly Clarkson fan, because I feel that in theory I would like her if I didn’t have slightly better taste. The point is, I don’t have enough singles to fill my column this week so I am padding it out by writing pointless, pointless words.
10 Flaggin’ A Ride DIVINE FITS
WOOLY BULLY RECORDS 1. Four Girls (LP) WOOLLEN KITS 2. Reality is Grape (LP) CHEATER SLICKS 3. Racism (LP) UV RACE 4. Solvents (7”) NUN 5. Wilson (Book) DANIEL CLOWES 6. The Hive (Book) CHARLES BURNS 7. Scene From A Marriage (7”) TOTAL CONTROL 8. # 5 (Mag) RUBBERNECK 9. Self Titled (LP) ACID BABY JESUS 10. Live At Missing Link (LP) EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING/UV RACE
AIRIT NOW 1. Strangers GUNG HO 2. Diaspora THE TOWNHOUSES FT. GUERRE 3. Wind SUPER MAGIC HATS 4. Thanks to You STOMPY AND THE HEAT 5. High SUN CITY 6. On Your Side NEW GODS 7. Days Of Boredom LOWRIDER 8. I Awake SARAH BLASKO 9. Peaches THE PERFECTIONS 10. Honeychild CAL WILLIAMS JR
3RRR SOUNDSCAPE 1. Heartbreaker EP ALICE RUSSELL 2. Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors BIG BOI 3. In Our Heads HOT CHIP 4. Disk.151 YLEM 5. Jessica Pratt JESSICA PRATT 6. 10: A Decade Of Feral Media VARIOUS ARTISTS
SINGLE OF THE WEEK PRUDENCE REES-LEE
Emmanuelle (Special Award Records) “Legendary Melbourne producer” Simon Grounds (sometimes I really wonder if the Australian music industry understands that no-one is watching) has corralled musicians from Lost Animal, Useless Children and Kes Band to support experimental pop artist Prudence Rees-Lee in this, her debut single, named jointly after the erotic film classic Emmanuelle and the Hebraic Immanuel, and taken from her “double-gatefold” album (sheesh) Court Music From The Planet Of Love. Despite (or perhaps because of) the epic wankery of all of this, Prudence and her legendary producer have a made something moody, nostalgic and beautiful, worthy of the self-ascribed Jane Birkin and Bridget St John comparisons. Dripping strings, flute and harpsichord, and driven by Prudence’s girlish, almost faltering voice, this track is out of time and utterly lovely.
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7. Higher THE HORRORS 8. Lucifer In Dub PEAKING LIGHTS 9. El Baile Final... LOS CORONAS 10. The Narcissist II DEAN BLUNT
BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS ABOUT SEASONS 1. Stay Another Season THE AVALANCHES 2. Forallseasons RICARDO VILLALOBOS 3. Sowing Season (Yeah) BRAND NEW 4. Fade Away Seasons ASC 5. Summertime Clothes ANIMAL COLLECTIVE 6. It’s Winter And You Don’t Love Me Anymore CASIOTONE FOR THE PAINFULLY ALONE 7. The Frost in Winter WINDY & CARL 8. Autumn JOANNA NEWSOM 9. Early Autumn SUN RA 10. Summer Thunder ROBERT RICH
ALBUMS
DIVINE FITS
A Thing Called Divine Fits (Merge Records) FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO
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ANA NICOLE
Twinkie (Girls Who Smoke Pot) There’s a warped twinkle in the eye at play with a band who name themselves after a died-too-young trash-bag and indulge in some junk-food crushing for the cover of their debut album. It’s a little harder to find this black humour within the doom-laden music itself, as the band lures the listener into a cold, cruel world of cheating, scheming and excess. True to the story of Anna Nicole Smith, there are no happy endings being promised here. A Heart Of Glass opening tricks you into a disco-pop scenario, but SE Fwy Dandenong is a sinister, pounding trip into darkness. The sense of paranoia and claustrophobia continues in the follow-up track, the motorik-fueled I Don’t Believe In My Love Calculator. Melissa D’Or’s pleading lyric “Are you my true love?” would sound romantic if it wasn’t shrouded in ghostly effects and followed by an anxious “When will I die?”. Death and despair are ever-present and make a good match for the music; for example, “Just like that, we reach our useful date” sounds quite right nestled against the gloomy goth-rock of Chilli. Producer (and drummer) Simon Castricum confidently keeps things in check. Naturally there’s a bias for the unremitting beats, but it’s a slicker, more balanced recording than his previous work as Fluorescent. The album gets better as it goes along, peaking with an otherworldly title track and the carnivalesque grind of The Infinite Horse. The band have yet to forge a clear identity, unlike a similar sounding, more established synth-rock act like HTRK, but there’s a clear union of fiery frisson here and it’s fascinating to listen to Best Track: Twinkie If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Conatus ZOLA them feel their way through the darkness. JESUS, Sister SONIC YOUTH CHRIS GIRDLER In A Word: Appetising
FOX & SUI
Taboo EP (Two Bright Lakes/Remote Control) “I take a splash of blue and red and add it to the paper” is the opening lyric to the cutesy lounge track that kicks off Fox & Sui’s six-track EP Taboo. It’s like the vocalist is applying dabs of her beautiful voice to a trip-hop tapestry that is perfectly matched to her sound. Fox & Sui, otherwise known as Melbourne’s Andras Fox and Sydney’s Sui Zhen, sound like they have their art down pat. The slight, yet gently seductive beats and vocals drift across the EP’s quarter of an hour, though the duo are at their most striking on that painterly opener (Summer Storm) and its soulful follow-up song, I Don’t Wanna Go. The tropical feel is maintained with squawks of gulls and streams of monsoon rain; nostalgia is evoked with the odd crackle of well-worn vinyl. Despite the brevity of Taboo, it feels like a satisfactory length for its content. The songs don’t ever feel like they need to stretch much over the three-minute mark and there’s a little variation between songs (the calypso strut of Moon Nightclub is a nice touch), Best Track: I Don’t Wanna Go (particularly the but not a lot. It’s an appealing taster, but a fulladorable way it ends) length follow-up might require a few extra colours If You Like These, You’ll Like This: About Last Night to be added to the palette. NEW BUFFALO, Pip OTOUTO In A Word: Suite CHRIS GIRDLER
THE SIREN TOWER
A History Of Houses (Independent) Wow, what a package. The casing is an actual book, probably about 30 pages long, with hand written text and moody photos of, you guessed it, houses. There’s also lyrics, and notes regarding each song. The music is just as broad and unexpected as the packaging. It’s folk, it’s rock and it’s progressive in its own way. It’s emotional, expansive, introspective, soulful. It’s all of these things and plenty more. Essentially it’s 12 unique, beautifully crafted songs that tug at the heartstrings, put a smile on your face and get you singing along all at once. There is an overriding folk element running through virtually all of the tracks, but there is a lot more going on here. These Perth lads have a history in heavier, more progressive rock bands, and it’s like they’ve injected the sensibilities and philosophies (as opposed to the actual sounds and playing) of that style of music into folk music, without sounding like that’s what they’re trying to do. Maybe a better way to put it would be to say that it’s folk rock, but folk rock that’s bigger, bolder and more atmospheric than most folk rock. Many folk rock acts are either too folky for rock fans to get into, or vice versa. The Siren Tower are neither. Fans of Best Track: Last Apple In The Big Man’s Orchard either style can and will love The Siren Tower, they If You Like These, You’ll Like This: ENGINE THREE tread that fine line with the skill of an experienced SEVEN (in their folkier moments), JEN CLOHER, tightrope walker. BOY AND BEAR In A Word: Triumphant ROD WHITFIELD
EVERY NIGHT FROM 6PM
Key Track: Doom Wop If You Like This, You’ll Like These: The Greg Cartwright In A Word: Unpredictable
SLOW COOKED BEEF CHILLI CON CARNE + SOUR CREAM Shangri-Las, + QUACAMOLE $8.50 MON 24TH
SPEND XMAS EVE WITH THE JOHN CURTIN HOTEL SUN 6TH
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Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs) and Britt Daniel (Spoon) never really sounded particularly restricted within their respective bands, always offering fresh new angles on their melodic rock sounds. Formed with New Bomb Turk’s drummer Sam Brown, Divine Fits has a spontaneity to it right down to its ‘this is it’ album title, though it doesn’t differ greatly or take a progressive leap forward from the individuals’ former projects. Despite an often collaborative approach to songwriting, these 11 tracks are still strongly defined by their lead vocalists’ approach. Boeckner’s move from Wolf Parade to Handsome Furs prompted a sexier, synth-led sound; here, he settles for a space somewhere in between those two bands, though there’s a bolder directness and urgent pace that comes to the fore. Daniel’s contributions hardly budge from the Spoon template but, in true Spoon fashion, the songs are reliably good. He bravely covers The Boy’s Next Door’s Shivers later in the album, but his gravely “Spiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!” is no match for the anxious fragility of the original’s “Spi-yeyiii-yeyiii-yeyeyeyi-yine.” Even though there’s not a clear concept in place of what this ‘thing’ called Divine Fits actually is, there’s hardly time allowed for you to think too hard about anything. The songs are upbeat and tight, and collapse into each other in a breathless fashion. When the buzz of newfound freedom dies down and a closer collaboration eventuates, things will really start to get interesting. In the meantime, let’s just settle Best Track: Baby Get Worse If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Transference into summer with this fun, freewheeling collection. SPOON, Face Control HANDSOME FURS In A Word: Taut
CHRIS GIRDLER
THE LUMINEERS The Lumineers (Inertia)
The Lumineers are far from a new phenomenon, in spite of the hype and their chart-based achievements. Their success is rooted in familiarity, the band placing their own spin on a tried and true indiefolk formula. Citing Mumford & Sons, Bowerbirds, Slow Club and a million other contemporaries, they might just be riding a wave doomed to dissolve into the shoreline sooner rather than later. Their debut album flits between hits and misfires, all the while adhering to variations upon a theme. Opener Flowers In Your Hair sets the tone, its rollicking nostalgia providing insight into the band’s expertise. Its follow-up, the saccharine Classy Girls, builds towards a breezy rural hoedown. Ho Hey is the album’s obvious standout, the infectious single a foot-stomping folk anthem. It’s a romantic ode that reels you in unlike any of The Lumineers’ other efforts, demonstrating the latent potential of the band’s stripped-back approach. It’s a rare exception in a debut album that tends to meander dreamily, floating along with only fleeting signs of urgency. Submarine emerges a prime example, the song growing stale in its simplicity. Meanwhile, Dead Sea goes so far as to tease a sweeping orchestral climax, only to shy away from any satisfactory finale. There will be a rush to call The Lumineers a remarkable record, but it’s flawed tracks such as these – combined with the overall dull familiarity of the band’s folk-aesthetic Best Track: Ho Hey – that ought to contradict hasty acclaim. The next If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Hymns For A step will be integral. Dark Horse BOWERBIRDS., Yeah So SLOW CLUB In A Word: Good NICK MASON
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Triple J Like A Version 8 (ABC/Universal) The Like A Version segment on national broadcaster triple j has built a steadfast reputation for quality artists doing quality covers. What started out as simply some Breakfast show guests playing their favourite artists’ tracks is now an institution, complete with its own CD/DVD series. Now up to its eighth installment, the triple j Like A Version soundtrack colours this summer with a variety of takes on new hits as well as older classics. Though not all artists have stretched their boundaries – Hilltop Hoods, in particular, with their cover of the Beastie Boys – there are certainly some pleasant surprises hidden amongst the 21-song tracklisting. Bluejuice score the opening slot with Lana Del Rey’s Video Games, played in a sprightly country folk vein which strips away much of the depressive drama that saturates the original. Jinja Safari inject a funk vibe into R. Kelly’s Ignition (Remix), while Ladyhawke does a Patti Smith inspired take on Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit. Then there’s those artists that seem to turn anything they touch into gold – artists like Matt Corby and Bon Iver. Respectively covering Black Keys’ Lonely Boy and Anais Mitchell’s Coming Down, they are standout moments on Like A Version 8. Interestingly, Corby himself is covered by Thundamentals, who turn his hit Brother into quite a neat little hip hop tune. Deep Sea Arcade had a crack at the Chemical Bros.’ Let Forever Be, and impressed the original artists so much they even tweeted about it. Nothing better than a bit of tweeting admiration. Missy Higgins and her piano cover of Gotye’s Hearts a Mess deserved a mention, while the Active Child’s harp-led Sweet Dreams and The Medics’ breathy, ethereal take on Blowin’ In The Mind give a classy twist to what Best Track: Lonely Boy MATT CORBY (covering The is now one of Australia’s most original release of Black Keys) unoriginal material. If You Like These, You’ll Like This: The other Like A Version releases JEN WILSON In A Word: Covered
WED 19TH
NEW YEARS EVE
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W REDS UNDER THE BED AND INDIAN RED
OLD MOUNT CIDER GUERRILLA GAMESHOW ELECTRIK DYNAMITE VS WITCHGRINDER DOUBLE HEADLINE W/ PARTY VIBES AND MOMENTS APART SAT 22ND
LEEZ LIDO
W/ THE HIDDEN AND BULLETS FOR BERLIN (ACOUSTIC) SUN 23RD
HAYLEY COUPER
W/ MORNINGHORSE AND GUESTS
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CURTIN HOUSE PARTY
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Best Track: Shuffle A Dream THUThis, 20THYou’ll Like These: Upstairs at Eric’s If You Like YAZOO In A Word:FRIUnadorned 21ST
SAT 5TH
CAPTAIN MOONLIGHT COMING SOON
25/1 - BED WETTIN BAD BOYS (NSW) ‘RECORD LAUNCH’ 8/2 THE SPINNING ROOMS W HEAVY BEACH 22/2 DANCING HEALS 28/2 LAURA IMBRUGLIA W LOW TIDE 9/3 ROYAL HEADACHE (NSW)
Beat Magazine Page 81
GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY DEC 19 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS A GENDER + CARBS + DAN TROLLEY + DEAD RIVER Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $7. BRDM BDRM + BROTHER CHILDS & WILDS + MERCIANS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10. COLLAGE - FEAT: HOUSE OF LAURENCE + JULY DAYS + MUSHROOM GIANT Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. COURTNEY BARNETT + NEW ESTATE + TWO CARTOONS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $12. DASH + THE ZANES Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:00pm. EVAN DANDO & JULIANA HATFIELD + EVAN DANDO + JULIANA HATFIELD + BAMBINO KORESH Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $45. FRIEND ZONE - FEAT: MAX CRUMB + HYPERBORREA + ROHAN REBEIRO Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5. HEAVY BEACH + DUCK DUCK CHOP + GRAND PRISMATIC The Liberty Social, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $5. HUMAN FACE + HUW MURDOCH + THE IMPRINTS Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. JACKSON FIREBIRD + TYSON HODGES TRIO Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:01pm. JOEL HAVEA (ALBUM LAUNCH) + BRADLEE JAY + MY PRIVATE DINOSAUR Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $10. MATT WALTER + GEORGIA FIELDS + WOODY PITNEY Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $12. MELBOURNE FRESH CHRISTMAS AWARDS SHOWCASE - FEAT: FULL CODE + BREAK THE WALL + FAMOUS WILL + HUGH KIRNE + KILL THE DARLING + LUKE GRAY + NATE REIMERS + OCEAN TO ATHENA + SOFA KING + TO THE RESCUE + TURTLE & FOX Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $15. MORRISSEY Festival Hall, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. $99. SHANGRILA - FEAT: LADY NOIR + CHAIRMAN MEOW Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SIB + GARETH EUNSON & THE BIG SMALL + SEAN NICHOLAS MCMAHON’S WESTERN UNION The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. THE DEAD HEIR + INDIAN RED + REDS UNDER THE BED John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 7:30pm. $2. THE PRIMARY + ANTARTICA + RETURN TO YOUTH + TANGRAMS + TITLE DJS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC DIZZY’S BIG BAND Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $14. LAURA NICHOLS QUINTET + HANNAH CAMERON & OFFICER PARROT Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $8. QUINCE JAM Open Studio, Northcote. 9:00pm. THE BEN CARR TRIO 303, Northcote. 6:30pm. THE JOE CHINDAMO TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15. THE PAUL BIRD BAND Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8. OPEN MIC Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC & JAM NIGHT Grind N Groove, Healesville. 8:00pm. RUTH ROGERS-WRIGHT (ALBUM LAUNCH) + DJ MY-TJAXX Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: TASH SULTANA + RUTH LINDSAY Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ALICIA ATKINS Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. BLACKCHORDS Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. CLANCY MILNE Bebida, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. FLOWERS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $7. KOOKY KARAOKE - FEAT: FRED NEGRO Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. MOOSEJAW RIFLE CLUB Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. OPEN MIC Dancing Dog, Footscray. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 10:00pm. OPEN MIC Grind N Groove, Healesville. 8:30pm. OPEN MIC Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 8:00pm. OPEN STAGE Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:00pm. PALM SPRINGS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: TASH SULTANA + JENNY BIDDLE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
THURSDAY DEC 20 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ALWAN Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 9:30pm. DIVINA PROVIDENCIA Open Studio, Northcote. 9:00pm. EMMA GILMARTIN Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. JORDAN MURRAY’S NORTHEAST COLLECTVE Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. MOTOWN THURSDAYS Fashion Lounge, Melbourne. 5:00pm. OVEREASIES Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm. SLEEPING BAG 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. THE JOHN MONTESANTE QUINTET + RUBY PAGE The Commune, East Melbourne. 6:00pm. THE JOSH KELLY QUARTET Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15. THE REVOMATRIX Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. THE SEVEN UPS Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:00pm. TIM FREEDMAN’S FIRESIDE CHAT Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:00pm. TIM FREEDMAN’S FIRESIDE CHAT (EARLY SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:00pm. $36. ROSETTA + CITY OF SHIPS + HEIRS + NONTINUUM + NUCLEAR SUMMER John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. RUBY’S SHOWCASE Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 7:00pm. SINCE THE RIVER (WINTER TEETH) + BRIGHTLY + THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE + THESE PATTERNS DJS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5. SMASHING PUMPKINS + WOLFMOTHER Hisense Arena, Melbourne. 7:00pm. THE BATTERY KIDS + HEAVY BEACH + SHOOT THE SUN Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $8. THE JOHN BACON BAND Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm. THE ROBOT KINGS + BLUE PRINT + EUTHYMIA Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. THREE QUARTER BEAST + CALADONIA + RIFF FIST Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ABBE MAY + SHY PANTHER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20. ARCHETYPALS + AIRCRAFTE + LIEUTENANT JAM + PROLETARIAN RIOT Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5.
EVEN For the 13th year running, Even celebrate Xmas in style and this year is sure to be a treat. Joining Even will be Charles Jenkins & The Zhivagos, The Bedroom Philosopher and DJ Francis Leach. There will also be some nice little on stage surprises for all to behold. It’s been a busy year for the Even lads, what with their 6th album In Another Time being released, there was a national tour with The Fauves, they once again took part in the Heart of St Kilda concert at the Palais and in recent times there have been some tasty slots with luminaries such as Jim Keays, Russell Morris, Weddoes, The Living End and the Sunnyboys. All roads lead to the Even Xmas bash, so get on down to The Hi-Fi on Saturday December 22. BRIGHTLY Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. COBRA SNAKE NECKTIE RECORDS PRESENTS FEAT: SAINT JUDE + CHRIS RUSSEL’S CHICKEN WALK + THE BOWERS + WRONG TURN Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. $10. CORDRAZINE + DAYTIME FREQUENCY + THE BON SCOTTS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm. $20. ELECTRIC SUNKINGS + SPACEKEYS + THE DAVE SEEDMAN Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. FALCONIO + CLOWNS + THE OLD LADIES The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $8. FORMOSA + LLAMA WITH BEANNI + ONE DAY MAYBE + YOUR TICKET HOME Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. GRAND RAPIDS + THE CITRADELS + THE QUIVER + TRAPPIST AFTERLAND BAND Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. KRIS KRINGLE NIGHT MARKETS - FEAT: SCOTT EDGAR & THE UNIVERSE Northcote Town Hall, Northcote. 5:30pm. LEEZ LIDO + GRANDMASTER VICIOUS + LOPAN + SEAN Rochester Castle Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. LEROY LEE + AL PARKINSON + TEXTURE LIKE SUN Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $12. PAINTERS & DOCKERS TRIO Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. PAPA MAUL + BUSY KINGDOM + TWO CARTOONS Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. STONE AGE ROMEO Barleycorn Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE ASMATICS + CHAMBERS + DEAD ALBATROSS Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $5. THE BENNIES + KUJO KINGS + PHAT MEEGZ Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. THE BOMBAY ROYALE + DJ MANCHILD Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $12. THE CALL UP + AGILITY + RAYON MOON + ROSENCRANTZ Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $7. THE DATSUNS + KING OF THE NORTH + REDCOATS + THE DEEP END Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. THE LIVING END Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $42. THE SPIN The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. THE WEEKEND PEOPLE + TOM DICKINS Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. TIN LION + ANGUS MUNDAY + MPDG + WILL TRON The Liberty Social, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $5. TRASH IVORY + BAD LADIES BURLESQUE The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. YOLKE Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 8:30pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK 8 FOOT FELIX Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:30pm. ANNE OF THE WOLVES + THE GYPSY CURSE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. BERLIN POSTMARK Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $8. DOUBLE BANGER CHRISTMAS CRACKER - FEAT: IAMWOLF + HOUSE OF LAURENCE + LA ROSA MARCHITA Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $8. ECHO DRAMA Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 10:00pm. GUY KABLE + JOSHUA SEYMOUR Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:00pm. HEY! SANTIAGO + GREEN CANS + SEA LEGS Penny Black, Brunswick. 8:30pm. LOOUNGE THURSDAYS Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. MOMENTS NOTICE Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. OPEN MIC Acoustic Cafe, Collingwood. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Balaclava Hotel, Balaclava. 7:00pm. QUARRY MOUNTAIN DEAD RATS Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. ROESY Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. SALLY BAULCH + ALIE PIKIN Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 8:00pm. SCOTTISH KISS Bebida, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SHARP SHARP PRETTY + MATT DANIEL + YOU & YOUR FRIENDS Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. SIMON PHILLIPS Two Brothers Brewery, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. THE WHITE TREE 29th Apartment, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
FRIDAY DEC 21 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS A LONELY CROWD + CAT OR PILLAR + JAREK + THE FEEL GOODS Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $12. ADMIRAL ACKBAR’S DISHONOURABLE DISCHARGE + K-MART WARRIORS + LORD JUSTIN & HIS ONE MAN BAND + STRAWBERRY FIST CAKE + THE MURDERBALLS + THE SHADOW LEAGUE Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm.
MORRISSEY Embarking on his first visit to the antipodes in over a decade, ol’ mate miserable aka Morrissey is touching down in Melbourne this week. Fans can expect to hear a hearty offering from Morrissey’s solo canon, as well as a selection of The Smiths’ classics. Joining Morrissey on tour will be American singer/songwriter Kristeen Young, who has been supporting Morrissey across his 2012 world tour. Morrissey performs at Festival Hall on Wednesday December 19. Beat Magazine Page 82
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ANIMAUX + SKYWAYS ARE HIGHWAYS + THE MCQUEENS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10. BIDET MATE + CASSINI + DJ DRAW 4 + RAYON MOON The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $8. CHARLOTTE NICDAO + JAMES MOLONEY + OH PEP! Wesley Anne, Northcote. 2:58pm. CISCO CAESAR + AMY ALEX + SIMON HUDSON BAND Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. CLAYMORE + MARTY KELLY The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $18. DAN BRODIE & THE SIDESHOW BRIDES + ALYSIA MANCEAU + BULLS + DJ KEZBOT + MATT BAILEY Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. DARREN HANLON Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $22. DOOM FROM THE END OF THE WORLD - FEAT: MOTHERSLUG + SEEDY JEEZUS + SUPERGUNS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. DOORS OF PERCEPTION + JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE BAND + SLIGHT RETURN + THE POLLY JEANS Rubyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. $15. EINSTEIN TOYBOYS Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10. ELECTRIK DYNAMITE + MOMENTS APART + PARTY VIBES + WITCHGRINDE John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. EXIT KEYS + BUTTERLOAF + JAPE SQUAD + OLD FLAME Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. HUMBUG + DJ SHAKY MEMORIAL + SANS GRAS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. JASPORA The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. JONNY TELAFONE (ALBUM LAUNCH) + MONTERO + REPAIRS + ZONE OUT Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. KINGSWOOD + MY DYNAMITE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20. LOST ANGELS + THE SCARLETS The Hi-ďŹ , Melbourne. 7:30pm. $55. LUCA BRASI + DONNIE DUREAU + FEAR LIKE US + HOODLUM SHOUTS + INFINITE VOID + LINCOLN LE FEVRE + WIL WAGNER Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 6:00pm. $15. LUKE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CONNOR Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 5:30pm. MINIBIKES + HEAVY BEACH + PONY FACE Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. MISTRESS MONDAYS + BELLA JABARA + CHILLIAD + THE SINKING TEETH Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. NIKO NIKO + FASPEEDELAY + MAP ENDS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. NO THOUGHT CONTROL - FEAT: CHARLIE OFFICER + KINGS & THEIVES + PHOEBEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DREAM + THE SUNSLEEPERS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $7. OLIVER SEAN + DAMN THAT RIVER + LACE & WHISKEY + POISON FISH IdgaďŹ&#x20AC; Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $5. P76 + LITTLE MURDERS + SINGING FOR HUMANS Yah Yahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. PSYCHO XMAS SPECTACULAR - FEAT: THE FIREBALLS + DEATH VALLEY + GREEN MACHINE + WORKING HORSE IRONS Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $33. ROCK ME HARDER - FEAT: VALLEY + KILLIN TIME Barleycorn Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SPENCER P JONES & THE NOTHING BUTTS + BITTER SWEET KICKS + HARRY HOWARD & THE NDE Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $25. SUMMER OF CLASSICS - FEAT: BILLY MILLER Pure Pop Courtyard, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $10. THE AUSTRALIAN BON JOVI SHOW + BASKET CASE + PANTALLICA Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. THE AUSTRALIAN METALLICA SHOW - FEAT: KILL EM ALL + BRITISH STEEL + IRON MADNESS Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $20. THE DATSUNS + KING OF THE NORTH + REDCOATS + THE DEEP END + THE PRETTY LITTLES + THE TREATMENT Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. THE DUB CAPTAINS Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. THE HALF PINTS + DIXON CIDER + LIQUOR SNATCH + MUSCLE CAR + MUSCLE MARY + THE FIX + THE SCABS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. THE LIVING END (THE RETROSPECTIVE TOUR) Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. THE SKAMPZ Pakenham Hotel, Pakenham. 9:00pm. TONY KOPA Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. TREAD + DIALYSIS + GLASS EMPRE + LUNG Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $12 .
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
ANTON DELECCA QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. BLACK SORROWS CHRISTMAS SHOW - FEAT: THE BLACK SORROWS Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $30. CANNONBALL Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20. PROJECTO INESPERADO Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. TIM FREEDMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIRESIDE CHAT (EARLY SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:00pm. $36. TIM PLEDGERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PRODUCT + THE ROB SIMONE BAND + TOM NOONAN QUARTET 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. TRIO AGOGO 303, Northcote. 6:00pm. MITCH & THE DAWN CHORUS + DJ KEN EAVEL Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Tonyk, Northcote. 7:00pm. PEON Conduit Arts Studio, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SEAN MCMAHONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WESTERN UNION Basement Discs, Melbourne Cbd. 12:45pm. SONS OF LEE MARVIN Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE LUCKY WONDERS + JACQUI STERLING Westernport Hotel, San Remo. 8:00pm.
WHITE WALLS Blasting out of the suburbs as if it was the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s, White Walls conjure up a ferocious and melodic slab of sound, recently likened to early Dinosaur Jr., My Bloody Valentine and Milk Music. Recorded and mixed by Andrew â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Idgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hehir at Soundpark Studios, White Walls will be launching their devastating debut full length (released on local Melbourne label Poison City Records) on Saturday December 22 with good buddies Deep Heat and Useless Children. It all goes down at The Tote from 8.30pm, $10. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOURKE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK CHRIS ALTMANN - FEAT: CHRIS ALTMANN SOLO Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. JAME FORBES Two Brothers Brewery, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. LUKE LEGS Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood. 9:30pm. MANNY FOX HANGMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CLUB Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. OPEN MIC & JAMM NIGHT St Andrews Hotel, St Andrews. 8:00pm. REBECCA BARNARD + PETAL & PET Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $15. SHUFFLE CLUB Post OďŹ&#x192;ce Hotel, Coburg. 10:00pm. THE MONGRELS + KASHMERE CLUB Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. THE SPACE KEYS Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS + ATOLLS + IMMIGRANT UNION Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong. 9:00pm. $10. THE UNTOUCHABLES + JASON SEEMAN Balaclava Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOURKE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm. WARNER BROS Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm.
SATURDAY DEC 22 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS WHITE WALLS - ALBUM LAUNCH + DEEP HEAT + USELESS CHILDREN Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10. 90S XMAS - FEAT: HEADSPACE + TANIA DOKO Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $10. BANG - FEAT: ANTAGONIST AD + FRACTURES + HEADCHECK Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. BONNIE ANDERSON & SALT LAKE CITY + ILANA CHARNELLE + MINNIE ANDREWS + VIVIENNE LOUISE Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. BUSY KINGDOM + HOUNDS HOMEBOUND + PAPA MAUL Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. CHARM + 4TRESS + LACE & WHISKEY + STYX & STONZ IdgaďŹ&#x20AC; Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. CHRISTMAS FOR NAUGHTY BOYS & GIRLS - FEAT: CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS + CHERRYWOOD + EATEN BY DOGS + HEEL TOE EXPRESS Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. $15.
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Beat Magazine Page 83
THE DATSUNS New Zealand’s The Datsuns are returning to Melbourne to celebrate the release of their new album Death Rattle Boogie. Recorded in Sweden at lead singer Dolf De Borst’s Gutterview studios and at Neil Finn’s Roundhead studios in Auckland, Death Rattle Boogie took shape under the watchful hand of Nicke Andersson, ex-member of Swedish hardrockers, The Hellacopters, and is being released exactly ten years from the date of their self titled debut. The Datsuns will be playing three Victorian shows, starting with Ballarat at the Karova lounge on Wednesday December 19, followed by two consecutive shows at The Espy on Thursday December 20 and Friday December 21, entry for both shows free. CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER GIG - FEAT: KILL TWO BIRDS + JULY DAYS + THE DARRENS Cornish Arms, Brunswick. 8:00pm. CLAMPDOWN Rochester Castle Hotel, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. DIRTY RATS + REDBACK + THE PHANTOM BAND Central Club Hotel, Richmond. 7:00pm. $15. DIRTY YORK Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. ENCIRCLING SEA + BONNIE MERCER + SOIL & ASH + THE BOY WHO SPOKE CLOUDS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. END OF YEAR NECK BREAKER - FEAT: MANIAXE + BLACKENED + JOIN THE AMISH + SEWERCIDE Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. FAVOURITE THINGS - FEAT: THE TREATMENT + BANG BANG ROCK N’ ROLL + BJ MORRIZONKLE + CRASH THE CURB + HEAVY BEACH + MESSED UP + PIONEERS OF GOOD SCIENCE + RAYON MOON + THE SUMMERVILLES Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. $12. FREDDY FUDDPUCKER + DEL LAGO + DJ WHISKEY CREAM + SPERMAIDS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. HAYDEN CALNIN + TEXTURE LIKE SUN Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $12. HOBBS ANGELS OF DEATH + MASON & SEPUKU Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm. $20. KOOYEH 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. LEEZ LIDO + BULLETS FOR BERLIN + THE HIDDEN John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. MARIE WILSON Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
MERRY RIFFMAS - FEAT: RIFF FIST + MASTER_BETA + OLMEC + SUN SHEPHERD Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $6. MY LEFT BOOT (SUMMER SONGS LAUNCH) + KING OF THE NORTH + SHERIFF Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. MY SECRET CIRCUS + JASPERS DILEMMA + MELODY BLACK + THE ART OF LATER Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. NEVERMIND FESTIVAL - FEAT: BUCKLEY WARD + ALBERT SALT + ALI BARTER + FLASH FOREST + I’LLS + TULLY ON TULLY + VANCE JOY + WOODY PITNEY Nevermind Bar, Hawthorn. 1:00pm. OTOUTO + BANOFFEE + OSCAR ‘N’ MARTIN DJS + SMILE + TOM PENDERGAST Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 3:00pm. $10. PARKWAY DRIVE Festival Hall, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. $42. PRE- CHRISTMAS PARTY - FEAT: NOTHING HURTS ROBOT Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 10:00pm. $10. QUINCE + GHETTO GHETTO Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. RIFF FIST + MASTER BETA + OLMEG + SUN SHEPHERD Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $7. ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS SHINDIG - FEAT: CENTRE & THE SOUTH + MADISON JAYNE + SEATTLE FIX + SUNDAY CHAIRS Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:30pm. $15. ROCK N ROWDY XMAS PARTY - FEAT: CUT + ROYAL PARADE + THE ROMEO KNIGHTS + 23 ANGLES OF
ATTACK + DJ DSTRACT + DJ FLIP3K + DJ JIMMY LE MAC + DJ KABLAM + DJ MONKEY + DJ TEEDUBYA + DJ VESPA + THE ARCADES + TRIALS OF RESONANCE Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. SATURDAY ACOUSTIC REVUE - FEAT: JAMIE MACDOWELL + MADDISON WILSON + BODIES OF WONDERLAND Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SKA VENDORS The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. SMITTEN Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 4:00pm. SUMMER OF CLASSICS - FEAT: COURTNEY BARNETT Pure Pop Courtyard, St Kilda. 8:00pm. THE AFROBIOTICS Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE GOOD MORROWS (SINGLE LAUNCH) + ATOLLS + IOWA Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10. THE GROOVETONES Blarney Stone Irish Pub, Yarraville. 8:30pm. THE LIVING END (THE RETROSPECTIVE TOUR) + IVY & THE BIG APPLES + DJ COSMIC DOLPHIN Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $42. THE LIVING END (U18) Corner Hotel, Richmond. 12:30pm. $42. THE QUARRY MOUNTAIN DEAD RATS + MERRI CREEK PICKERS + RAMSHACKLE ARMY Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $15. THE SCARLETS (THE RIOT BEFORE XMAS) + BLACK DEVIL YARD BOSS Exchange Hotel, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE STAVROS BROTHERS + ASTRAL SUNRISE + DJ RIPITUP + MAP ENDS The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. THE SWAMPLANDS + BLOWN CONES + MAD HATTERS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 4:00pm. THUGONAUT + BURY THE FALLEN + NIHL + TREASON Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. $12. TWENTY SEVEN WINTERS + LINK MCLENNAN’S AMAZING JUKEBOX Grumpy’s Green, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. WACO SOCIAL CLUB + ANDY KENTLER’S SUNNY BOYS TRIBUTE + FALLING STANDARDS + PATRON SAINTS + THE GAMMARAYS + THE SHIVERS Lyrebird Lounge, Ripponlea. 6:00pm. $5. WHITE WALLS (ALBUM LAUNCH) + DEEP HEAT + USELESS CHILDREN Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10. WHO THE HELL - FEAT: THEM SWOOPS + HARTS + HOUSE OF LAWRENCE + TWO BRIGHT LAKES DJS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $12. XMAS EVEN + CHARLES JENKINS & THE ZHIVAGOS + DJ FRANCIS LEACH + THE BEDROOM PHILOSOPHER The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 3:24pm. $25.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BEST EVER CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER - FEAT: ANGIE HART + SWEET JEAN Wesley Anne, Northcote. 3:00pm. COLAB Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. DANY MAIA QUINTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $25. MAYAM SAMBE PARTY - FEAT: MELSAMBA + BANDA FORRO RETADO + CARIOCA DA GEMA + DJ CARLOS DA VILA Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $15. STAX ON SOUL XMAS PARTY - FEAT: STAX ON SOUL REVUE BAND + IAN COLLARD + KYLIE AULDIST + SUZANNAH ESPIE + WAYNE JURY The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $25. THE ALEISTER JAMES ASSEMBLY Open Studio, Northcote. 9:00pm. THE BLACK SORROWS CHRISTMAS SHOW Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $30. THE WILBUR WILDE QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. JUNIOR BOWLES Elwood Lounge, Elwood. 8:00pm. LINCOLN MACKINNON Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. NICK LOVELL Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:30pm.
SPOTLIGHT
OPEN JAM Open Studio, Northcote. 4:30pm. SATURDAY ACOUSTIC REVUE - FEAT: JAMIE PYE + THE GATHERERS + TWYCE DAILY Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SATURDAY NIGHT ACOUSTIC REVUE Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SPENCER P JONES Pause Bar, Balaclava. 8:00pm. THE BAKERSFIELD GLEE CLUB Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. THE BRYEN WILLEMS BAND Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. THE CHRIS WILSON BAND Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE PHEASANT PLUCKERS Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. THE RECTIFIERS Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. THE SIDESHOW BRIDES Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. VERY HANDSOME MEN + THE IAN ARCHIBALD BAND Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK BLACKWOOD JACK + KASHMERE CLUB The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. CHRIS WILSON Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. HOWARD + SHIPS PIANO Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. JUDGE PINO & THE RULING MOTIONS Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. MOONEE VALLEY DRIFTERS Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. NIGEL WEARNE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. NOT THE WOLF Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. P-TEX Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:00pm. PHIL PARA Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood. 9:30pm. PUGSLEY BUZZARD Palais, Hepburn Springs. 8:30pm. $15. THE BLUEBOTTLES Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 10:00pm. THE CARTRIDGE FAMILY Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE CHARLIES Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. THE EARS Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $12. THE F100S Ontop In Ormond, Ormond. 9:30pm. THE LONGYARD BAND Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. THE YARD APES + DJ DAVE THE SCOT + SWHAT Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm.
SUNDAY DEC 23 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE The Horn African Music Lounge, Collingwood. 7:00pm. NUDIST FUNK ORCHESTRA + BAD BOYS BATACUDA + MS BUTT + THE DALE RYDER BAND Espy, St Kilda. 5:30pm. QUARTER STREET ORCHESTRA The Night Cat, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. RISING TIDE Open Studio, Northcote. 9:00pm. SUNLARK Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:30pm. THE BEN CARR TRIO Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. THE JOHN MCALL ENSEMBLE Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $18. JACINTA CARUANA + NUSSY + OM KILINE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. $12.
LOUNGE THURSDAYS
Wet Lips Who are you and why should we care? Silence. I am Lucas the Curator, younger white brother of Tyler the Creator. I am now here to proclaim to you, “Girls can play better guitar than guys!” Says you! Are you being Sexist?! No. What claims do you have to back these outrageous remarks?! Just one, Barbara Lynn. The Greatest guitaress to ever live and eventually die. (She’s still alive). Outrageous!! Better than say... HENDRIX?! Yes! Beat Magazine Page 84
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
I’m flabbergasted! Quite. Why did you curate the bands you chose for the event which you organised? Because I love seeing girls rock the good stuff. Who are the bands and what is their dilly-o? Psychodaisies’ are ‘60s flower garage. “Tre cool,” if you get my meaning. Wet Lips are very punk, very girl, very good. Ice, ice, very nice. And the Sweet Something’s are truly something else, pretty little country pop ditties. All three bands play at Lounge in the city this Thursday December 20.
THE MUSICIANS BIBLE AUSTRALIA'S ONLY NATIONAL MUSIC STREET PRESS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE AND FREE DISTRIBUTION. DESIGNED, WRITTEN AND CREATED FOR MUSICIANS AND LOVERS OF MUSIC. INTERVIEWS WITH THE WORLD'S BIGGEST ARTISTS AND HOME GROWN HEROES. FEATURE STORIES ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY PRODUCT NEWS AND GEAR REVIEWS EDUCATION COLUMNS STUDIO Q&A'S AWESOME MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS + HEAPS MORE HITS THE STREETS AND ONLINE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF EVERY MONTH
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Beat Magazine Page 85
THE DAVEY LANE BAND Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE DUKES OF DESPAIR Penny Black, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE PRAIRIE OYSTERS Wheelers Hill Hotel, Wheelers Hill. 8:00pm. THE STRAIGHT 8S Micawber Tavern, Belgrave. 6:00pm. WAZ E JAMES BAND Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm.
POISON CITY XMAS SHOW It’s been an action packed 2012 for independent label/ distributor/record store Poison City. In a year highlighted by a swag of new releases from the likes of Infinite Void, Chinese Burns Unit, Luca Brasi, White Walls, Shores, Grim Fandango, Billy No Mates, Hoodlum Shouts, Lincoln Le Fevre and of course the hugely successful Sunshine & Technology album from The Smith Street Band, Poison City also dished up plenty of great local shows, national tours and their biggest Weekender Fest yet. To celebrate the good times, Poison City is bringing together their growing community of friends, bands and musicians for a monster Xmas show. Playing on the night will be party hounds Luca Brasi, fellow Tasmanian Lincoln Le Fevre (with full band) along with Fear Like Us, Infinite Void, Hoodlum Shouts and acoustic performances by Donnie Dureau (Blueline Medic) and Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band). It goes down on Friday December 21 at The Reverence Hotel. JED ROWE BAND (THE EMBER & THE AFTERGLOW TOUR) + JEFF LANG + LIZ STRINGER + NIGEL WEARNE Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $12. LUKE ESCOMBE Butterfly Club, South Melbourne. 6:00pm. $23. MARK GARDENER + SKY PARADE + UNDERGROUND LOVER Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $58. MOTION PICTURES + APRIL MAZE + BOYRED + MATT KELLY Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6. THE DAMES Tago Mago, Thornbury. 5:00pm. THE DARK ALES + SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING BAND Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 4:00pm. $6. THE PROSTITUTE KILLERS + BIG FACE & THE BOOGIE WOOGIE BOARD BOYS + HARRISON GROVE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. TINA ARENA Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre, Melbourne. 6:00pm. WINTERCOATS + THE TOWNHOUSES Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. $8.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS BABERAHAM LINCOLN + BELLA JABARA & THE MELLOWS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 1:30pm. $8. BROTHER JOHNSTONE 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. $5. CHERRY’S 13TH BIRTHDAY RYANFEST - FEAT: VICE GRIP PUSSIES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. CHRISTMAS BASH Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. COLOURED CLOCKS + THE HIGH DRIFTERS + THE SMOKING ACES + WOLF VS FIRE Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. DAN & AL (ANNUAL REUNION SHOW) Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $12. DIVIDE & DISSOLVE Bar Open, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. GRIZZLY JIM LAWRY + VENICE MUSIC Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:00pm. HOLY SOUND UNDERGROUND - FEAT: AUTOPORTRAITS + GRAND PRISMATIC + GREAT EARTHQUAKE + BRDM BDRM + LITTLE KILLING + PSALM BEACH + SARAH MARY CHADWICK + TENDER BONES + THE FUSES + WINTERNATIONALE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 3:00pm. $12. LINDSAY FIELD + ANGUS BURCHALL + BRETT GARSED + STUART FRASER. Carringbush Hotel, Abbotsford. 4:00pm. MICK THOMAS & THE ROVING COMMISSION + CARUS THOMPSON + JESS RIBEIRO Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $20. MISTLETONE XMAS PARTY - FEAT: ROSS MCLENNAN + THE ORBWEAVERS + WINTERCOATS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 2:00pm. $15. NICK LARKINS + CABBAGES & KINGS Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. PADAVONA + ABLAZE + SUDDEN STATE Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. PHIA & MEZ MEDALLION + BRIGHTLY Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $8. SUMMER SERIES 4 - FEAT: LAURA JONES + ADANA TWINS + BICEP + DANIEL BORTZ + DR DRU + MARK HENNING + NICK CURLY + PLEASUREKRAFT Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. SUNDAY SESSIONS - FEAT: BIG WORDS + BONNIE ANDERSON + DJ TIM TRAPPETT + THE MAD HATTERS + THE TWOKS Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 4:30pm. SUZANNAH ESPIE + SEAN MCMAHON’S WESTERN UNION + SWEET JEAN Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm.
CLASSIFIEDS
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MUSICIANS WANTED ACOUSTIC ACTS WANTED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT SPOTS IN FITZROY. Solo/Duo/Groups send an email with pics or samples to drink@the86.com.au. Bar split is paid, summer dates available. BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Registration now, starts Wednesday the 28th and every Wednesday after for 8 Beat Magazine Page 86
MONDAY DEC 24 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
Lincoln Le Fevre THE DEATH RATTLES + DJ CRISPY + JUNK HORSES + NATHAN HOLLYWOOD BAND Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6. THE FESTIVAL BEFORE CHRISTMAS - FEAT: BRAD VINCENT + DEATH BY SIX + JAY STEVENS + NURNBERGER + BRAVO JULIET + CRACKWHORE + DEL LAGO + FOREWARNING + FOXTROT + LEEK AND THE WAR WICK TRAGEDY + LESS THEN ZERO + PAUL O’ROURKE + TOO SOON! Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 4:00pm. THE MERCY KILLS + INDEDIA + LONG HOLIDAY + VALENTINE Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 5:00pm. YOUNG GUNS CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL - FEAT: COMPLEX FROG + ELEANOR + EMILY SCHNALL + LINDFOLD + THE DIVIDING LINE + THE FUZZBIRDS + BEHIND THE MIND + INFAMOUS MINORITIES + PARADISE BOULEVARD + SHAKE HANDS + TAYLOR ROBINSON + TIFFANY JADE Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 2:00pm. $20. THE LUAU COWBOYS Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. THE LUCKY WONDERS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. THE REVELATORS The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 3:00pm. $20. TIM MCCALLUM + ALEX RATHGEBER + EZEKIAL OX + MARINA PRIOR + NONI MCCALLUM James Tatoulis Auditorium, Kew. 2:30pm. UNDER THE ANNEXE - FEAT: CHRISTINA GANGEMI + JOJO POVITRO Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $10. WHITAKER + BLUE SUN + ROSCOE JAMES IRWIN Workers Club, Fitzroy. 2:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK A VERY UNION CHRISTMAS - FEAT: JON VON GOES + TESS MCKENNA & SHAPIROS + THE PRAYERBABIES + THE SHIVERING TIMBERS + TELECASTRO + TEXAS TOM + THE CARTRIDGE FAMILY + THE NATIVE PLANTS Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ARCHER & BOW Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 6:30pm. BACKWOOD CREATURES Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. BRONI - FEAT: BRONI & NIGEL WEARNE + NIGEL WEARNE Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK + DEAN MULLER + DJ MAX CRAWDADDY Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm. CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. DAMIEN HOWARD BAND + KEN MAHER & TONY HARGREAVES Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. HAYLEY COUPER + MORNINGHORSE John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. HUGO RACE Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm. JACK CARTY Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. JIMI HOCKING Ontop In Ormond, Ormond. 4:00pm. LINDSAY BUSH Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. MICHAEL CROWE + THE KILLJOYS Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. SAMMY OWEN BLUES TRIO Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 4:00pm. SEAN MCMAHON’S WESTERN UNION Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 4:00pm. SHANE WATSON + ILDIKO + LEEZ LIDO Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. SUMMER OF CLASSICS - FEAT: JORDIE LANE Pure Pop Courtyard, St Kilda. 8:00pm. SUNDAY SINGER-SONGWRITER SESSIONS - FEAT: HUGH MCGINLAY + JOHN LILLIS Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 4:00am. TERESA DIXON Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm.
week (less the 26th & the 2nd). First prize: recording time in a studio. Call Jesse 0411 803 579 CONGA PLAYER WANTED for studio recording 15-25 January. Will pay cash. The style of music is pop/rock. 0434 300 959
SERVICES DJ AGENCY SEEKING EVENT MANGERS, promoters and party organisers to work with. Text 0411 024 794 FREE VENUE HIRE - Fully stocked bar - Huge capacity, whole venue or partial. Call Jesse 0411 803 579 MUSIC MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION www. drumsrecords.net, P.O. Box 1187 St. Albans VIC 3021 Australia
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCED BAND BOOKER WANTED. If you’re experienced in booking bands and want to work with an
ACOUSTIC SESSIONS - FEAT: JAME Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 7:30pm. CHERRY JAM - FEAT: CHERRY JAMMERS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. JOEL’S ANNUAL GODDAMN GOODTIME HOODANGIN’ DAGNABBIT BLACK XMAS EVE - FEAT: MADE FOR CHICKENS BY ROBOTS + BJ MORRISZONKLE + DJ KEZBOT + HEEL TOE EXPRESS + SEEDY REED Old Bar, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $8. MICK THOMAS & THE ROVING COMMISSION + CARUS THOMPSON + THE SPOILS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $20. RUBYS CHRISTMAS PARTY - FEAT: CAT OR PILLAR + HIDING WITH BEARS + THE HOTELS + TOM RULE Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. $15. THE GO SET + MARK MORAN + MIMI VELEVKSA + MY ECHO Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. XMAS EVE BENEFIT SHOW - FEAT: CUT SICK + COMFORT ZONES + DJ DAMN ACKROYD + GOLD TANGO + RIVER OF HEAVEN + SIMON J KARIS + SPITE HOUSE + TRUE RADICAL MIRACLE Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC DIVINA PROVIDENCIA Felix, St Kilda. 9:00pm. LAMINE SONKO & THE AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE MONDAY DRFIT Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK BLACKMOLLS + MONTE DIAMONTE’S DRAG SHOW Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK + DJ SHAKY MEMORIAL Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm. CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY - FEAT: DAN BOURKE + CYRIL MORAN Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 7:00pm. JOSH OWEN BAND Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
TUESDAY DEC 25 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC CHRISTMAS NIGHT WITH JEREMY GREGORY BAND Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:00pm. MAKE IT UP CLUB Bar Open, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. ROSETTA + CITY OF SHIPS + COERCE + NUCLEAR SUMMER + VEHEMENT Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. $20. INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK &AMP; COVERS JAMES BROWN TRIBUTE NIGHT - FEAT: KARATE BOOGALOO + CHRIS GILL + JOHNNY CRATES + MANCHILD + ZACK Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. RED X Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN’ RACKETTES + ARCHER + LORETTA + TRACEY MILLER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. COLD SNAP Royal Standard Hotel, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. JACK JOHNSTONE Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. JAMES MCCANN John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. JUNIOR BOWLES Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. KLUB MUK 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK LURCH & CHIEF + ALI BARTER + BEN WRIGHT SMITH + SKYSCRAPER STAN + SUKI & OSH Trunk, Melbounre. 4:00pm. OPEN MIC Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:30pm. OPEN MIC Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm.
experienced well known venue booker at a great venue in Melbourne’s music heartland then send us an email. Let us know a bit about yourself, what type of bands you’ve booked, where, contacts you have and how long you have been in the game and importantly what you may be able to bring. Be quick. Send email to: shimgapi@gmail.com FLAUNT IT. Internationally acclaimed producer of profeminist erotica looking for confident, adult women to smash the stereotypes and earn good money ($400 and up). Don’t overlook this til you’ve found out more about it. Jessica 9495 6555 or www.feck.com. WE WANT EVERYONE Promoters, Bands, DJs Revitalised bar, The Barley Corn, has reopened its doors 7 days a week and we want YOU. Call Jesse 0411 803 579
TUITION PAUL HENDER DRUM SCHOOL PTY LTD. Students wanting to learn please contact Paul (03) 8786 3421
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
+ BEAT PRESENT... whatson@thepush.com.au
ACCESS ALL AGES Wednesday December 19th, 2012 With Ruth Mihelcic
If it really is the end of the world on Friday then you had better fit in as many gigs as possible until then. If the world doesn’t end, you should go to plenty to celebrate. Either way you should go to plenty of gigs this month, is what we’re saying… We announced some HUGE news last Thursday – the much anticipated lineup for the PUSH OVER FESTIVAL 2013. Taking place at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Labour Day March 11, Push Over 2013 will mark the 21st anniversary of the all ages festival. Headlining is Queenslander post-hardcore outfit The Amity Affliction, supported by dynamic duo DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, Millions, Northeast Party House, Velociraptor, Dream On Dreamer, Northlane, Allday, Thy Art Is Murder, In Hearts Wake, Twelve Foot Ninja, Hand Of Mercy, Soliloquy, High Tension, The Sweet Apes, D At Sea, Lurch & Chief, and Brighter At Night. The Bowl will be flipped on its head in a unique reverse format where punters will enjoy a multi stage set up through the garden precinct. As well as featuring all your fave upcoming Aussie bands, nine of the freshest young bands from across Victoria will share the stage in the FReeZA Push Start Grand Final. The birthday bash will also include the Push Underground Hip Hop Showcase, fabulous food court and a chance for you to meet your favourite bands at the artist signing area. Tickets go on sale today so head over to thepush.com.au asap to get yours! Interested in radio or have an exceptional ability to talk? Do Good Radio is looking for talented volunteer sound artists for a new podcast program, which features the back-stories behind social entrepreneurs making a difference on the planet. You’ve got until the end of the month to apply at dogoodradio.com. Or check out SYN’s Christmas-Fills program, where you can host your own program about anything for as long as you’d like over the holidays. Applications are now open, email info@syn.org.au for info. Want to have your songs heard by music industry greats and share in over $240,000 of prizes? The APRA Professional Development Awards are conducted every two years and offer cash, travel, education and recognition to eight music writers in the early stages of their careers. There are a bunch of categories you can enter, and applications close January 11. For more info check out apra-amcos. com.au. FYI just in case the world really does end on Friday and some of us survive…. triple j and the Red Cross have created a mixtape for young people who have survived a natural disaster or trauma. The ‘After The Emergency Playlist’ includes a bunch of great tracks from triple j Unearthed artists and advice from Breakfast hosts Tom and Alex, Dr Karl and other health experts. It’s free to download at abc.net.au/triplej/redcross. Merry Christmas everyone!
ALL AGES TIMETABLE Wednesday December 19 FReeZA Rocks Lakes w/ DJ Leo and Disko CT, St Brendan’s School, 1pm, Free, Chris Taylor on 5150 4861, U18 Friday December 20 End of World w/ Lost In Ashes, Back x Bone, Hands Of Hope, Your World In Ruins, I, Valiance, Brooklyn, Storm The Sky, and Boris The Blade, Wyndham Youth Resource Centre, 86 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing, 5pm, $8, Nunzio Giunta on 8734 1355, AA Saturday December 22 The Living End w/ special guests, Corner Hotel, Richmond, 12:30pm, $45, AA Dance Like Everybody is Watching, SIGNAL, Flinders Walk, Northbank, Melbourne, 3pm, Free, melbourne.vic.gov.au/Signal, AA A Nutcracker Christmas! w/ Michael Woods and the Australian Ballet Orchestra, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank, 7pm, $41 or $20 concession, melbournerecital.com.au, AA Delicious w/ Kalus, Samual James, Shameless, Boogie Fresh and more, Palace Theatre, 20-30 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 2pm, $35, underage. com.au, U18
SATURDAY DEC 22ND
DIRTY YORK
BLOODY HUGE X-MAS GIG FIRST MELB SHOW AFTER EUROPE TOUR FROM 5 - 7 PM
GREAT BRITAIN HOTEL THURS 20 DECEMBER
THE WEEKEND PEOPLE + TOM DICKINS FROM 8PM
FRI 21 DECEMBER
STEP ON W/DJ COOKIE (DOWNSTAIRS) FROM 6:30PM
SAT 22 DECEMBER
SUNDAY DEC 23RD
BACKWOOD CREATURES “CHRISTMAS CRACKER” LAST LABOUR SHOW FOR 2012 FROM 5 - 7 PM
SHIPS PIANO + HOWARD TWO SETS FROM 9PM
SUN 23 DECEMBER
ARCHER AND BOW FROM 6.30PM
WEEKLY ASSORTMENTS MonDAYS
FREE POOL ALL NIGHT $10 PIZZA & POT
TueSDAYS
MRS SMITH’S TRIVIA $10 PIZZA & POT 9PM
WEDNESDAYS
OPEN MIC NIGHT 9PM
447 CHURCH ST RICHMOND 9429 5066 www.greatbritainhotel.com.au
WANTED: DRIVERS
TO DELIVER BEAT MAGAZINE.
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS! EARLY STARTS
Wed. December 19th: wine, whiskey, women
8pm: Jenny Biddle 9pm: Tash Sultana Thurs. December 20th:
8pm: Roesy Fri. December 21st:
6pm: Trad. Irish music session with Dan Bourke & Friends Sat. December 22nd:
9pm: Not The Wolf Sun. December 23rd:
4PM: The Killjoys 6.30PM: Michael Crowe Mon. December 24th:
Must have own van. Would suit students, musicians, etc.
7PM: Christmas Eve Party with Dan Bourke and Cyril Moran December 25th-27th: CLOSED
email - distribution@furstmedia.com.au SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au Beat Magazine Page 87
BACKSTAGE THE PLACE FOR MUSICIANS
for more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
PRODUCER PROFILE
NIKO SCHAUBLE (PUGHOUSE STUDIOS)
Tell us about yourself: I’ve been a musician (drummer) and composer for over 30 years and have worked as a producer and engineer for around 15 years. What projects do you like working on? I’m open to any style and genre and have been fortunate to have had a wide variety of passionate artists recording at our studio, ranging from folk, jazz, classical, country, indie, pop to metal. Who have you worked with? Some of the artists and ensembles I have worked with are: Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Katie Noonan, Paul Grabowsky, Megan Washington, Vince Jones, Branford Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Enrico Rava, Trilok Gurtu, Mike Nock, Wynton Marsalis, Arthur Blythe, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Karaikudi R. Mani, Australian Art Orchestra, Tibetan Dixie, West Australian Ballet, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. What studio(s) do you prefer working at? I love working in my own studio, Pughouse Studios because so much attention has gone into getting the sound to an exceptional quality and standard. Pughouse Studios was designed to allow the performers to feel truly comfortable. Excellent sightlines (being able to see each other) and the ability to create their own individual headphone mixes allow the focus to be on the performance, rather than on technology. What do you enjoy about producing and engineering? I love working with bands and helping them get exactly the sound they’re after and also sharing
STORE PROFILE
my extensive knowledge with them. As a recording artist, I have had the opportunity to work in some amazing studios in Europe (for example Tonstudio Bauer, Hansa Studios and RBB in Berlin, to name a few) – where I’ve learnt so much about good sound & production, What can you offer an artist on top of producing their work? The art of production is to get the best out of people and help them reach their artistic goals. A relaxed atmosphere of trust needs to be established, while keeping the project on track. This is a skill that needs
many years to develop. Decades of experience on ‘the other side’ of the control room window have given me clear insight what works for musicians and what doesn’t. I am also able to draw on the experiences gathered while having been involved in projects with some industry greats, such as producer Teo Macero (Miles Davis), composer Jerry Goldsmith and director Fred Schepisi. Phone: 0417 512 500 Website: www.pughousestudios.com E-mail: info@pughousestudios.com
CRANBOURNE MUSIC
Established: 1989 Location: 130 High Street, Cranbourne VIC 3977
Toyland
Recording Studio
Toyland in Northcote for recording bands, singers or any other audio project Recording, Mixing and Mastering Call Adam Cal on 9482 2111 or 0412 060 664
www.toyland.com.au
Hours Of Operation: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 6.00pm Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm Sunday 12.00pm – 4.00pm Main brands you specialize in: Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Squier, Epiphone, ESP, LTD, Jackson, Yamaha, Music Man, VOX, Ampeg, Hartke, Boss, Casio, Kurzweil, D’Addario,Digitech, Fullotne, JBL, Marshall, Maton, Taylor, Coleman, MXR, Planet Waves, Focusrite, AKG, Sennheiser, Shure, Washburn, Zoom & many more! Services offered: From time to time we conduct in-store clinics and product seminars for customers. We offer basic guitar repair services such as restrings, tuning and minor electrical work. Your point of difference? We are a family owned business operating for 24 years. We have three retail stores servicing Cranbourne and the south-eastern suburbs, the Melbourne CBD and surrounds, Blackburn and eastern suburbs and an online store which allows us to service anyone, anywhere in Australia!
THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS!
Any upcoming events or sales? Catalogue promotions run throughout the year and
our annual Birthday Sale is on the Queen’s Birthday weekend in July. Our next in-store clinic, “Creating Smart Musicians” is on January 24th 2013 for piano and keyboard teachers and is FREE. Call Roslynn on (03) 5996 6955 for bookings and enquiries.
CONTACT ALEKSEI ON 9428 3600 OR MIXDOWN@BEAT.COM.AU
Extras: Our Online store offers FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in Australia on most items over $100.00 Phone: (03) 5996 6955 Website: www.cranbournemusic.com.au
18 Duffy street Burwood 3125
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10 large and identical 30m2 rooms Air-con and ventilation in PA/foldback combos at 1000w Storage and every room Acoustic Engineer-designed soundproofing amp/kit hire
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PH: (03) 903 88101 M: 0417 000 397 Email: hydrastudios@bigpond.com
BACKSTAGE NOW RUNNING FULL COLOUR! Beat Magazine Page 88
BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S ONE STOP SHOP FOR MUSICIANS
TRAVEL PACK
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100 CDs duplicated with black text on silver or white discs
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LIVE
Photos by Josh Mutch
Photos by Tony Proudfoot
BLONDIE/THE STRANGLERS/THE SAINTS Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Monday December 3 When I saw the announcement for this show I was immediately excited. All three bands: Blondie, The Saints and The Stranglers had been a big part of the soundtrack to my growing up. It was only as the show approached that the grim reality dawned on me that the heyday of all three groups was 30 or more years ago. With this in mind I made my way to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The Saints opened with Ghost Ships for a small but gathering crowd. Chris Bailey’s trademark humour draws laughter, "We are just warming you up for our international guests to fondle your thigh, to run a finger through your hair". He introduces Just Like Fire Would as the Scottish National album and it’s a set highlight. Bailey tells us we are a ‘marvelous bunch’ and the band leaves the stage to warm applause. The Stranglers take to the stage with purpose and bass player Jean-Jaques Burnel belts straight into Hanging Around from their ‘77 debut Rattus Norvegicus. The absence of the original singer Hugh Cornwall has not diminished the band at all. Guitarist Baz Warne takes on most of the vocal duties, leering and snarling through Peaches and No More Heroes and pulling back for a beautiful vocal delivery on Golden Brown, and Always the Sun. They feel very much like a band still in their prime. Nice work lads, there is hope for us all.
And then it’s time for Blondie. Debbie Harry appears in gold jacket with a huge blonde quiff and sunglasses and the crowd roars. At 67 she is still every inch the pop star. The group launch into Dreaming, Hanging On The Telephone and Union City Blues without pausing for breath. Harry’s voice sounds wonderful as ever and the band is in great form. Clem Burke’s drumming is powerhouse, he rarely breaks through the whole set. Chris Stein looks a bit worse for wear, but his playing is in the pocket. They treat us to the songs we want to hear: Call Me, The Tide Is High, Atomic, Rapture, and the audience are with them every moment. Harry struggles a little in the top register of her voice but with the crowd singing along to every word it hardly matters to her or to us. The set also include a bunch of songs from 2011 album Panic Of Girls and the new tunes such as Love Doesn’t Frighten Me and Mother cut it next to their old hits, with hooks and pop smarts a plenty. The show finishes a great version of Heart Of Glass and we drift off into the night. Looks like the old guard have still got it. MIKEANGELO LOVED: Deborah. HATED: The heyday is over. DRANK: Water.
Photo by Ben Clement
GRIMES Corner Hotel, Thursday December 6 Grimes released a very good cassette called Geidi Primes. Then she released an album called Halfaxa. It was also very good. There are a lot of very good songs on both albums, but Grimes didn’t play any of them tonight. That’s okay, I suppose, because she played a few songs from what many people are calling the most very good album of the year, Visions. Six of them, to be exact. Grimes also played two other songs. One was called Vanessa. It was released on a split EP with d’Eon in 2011. Another one was called Phone Sex. Phone Sex is by a producer called Blood Diamonds. Grimes sings on it and it is very cheesy, and also very good. Grimes performed tonight with two dancers. It was very strange and a little bit interesting. There were a lot of people at the venue. There were a lot of people at the venue the night before, too. Most of them were very excited. Some of them had plastic
jewels affixed to their face. Grimes had plastic jewels affixed to her face, too. Grimes played a song called Oblivion. She supplemented it with a coda that had loud bass and sparse percussion. People call it ‘dubstep’. Which is interesting, because many people do not consider dubstep to be very good. Grimes was having fun. So were we. Sometimes Grimes made sounds with an electronic sampler. Sometimes she made melodies with an electronic piano. It was all very simple. But we didn’t mind. LACHLAN KANONIUK. LOVED: Dubstep. HATED: Being heightened. DRANK: Beer.
TAME IMPALA The Forum, Thursday December 6 The Forum was an appropriately surreal setting for Tame Impala’s sensually uplifting performance. Alongside worn renaissance ornamentation and beneath a blue twilit ceiling, the Perth band made a scintillating impact. Tame Impala are well on their way to world domination and seeing evidence of their music’s broad acceptance you couldn’t help but reflect upon what a fascinating phenomenon they are. On paper you might predict that the meandering arrangements, unconventional song structures and explications of insularity would restrict them to a niche following, but somehow Tame Impala have aroused widespread affection. Melody is an essential component of their sound, but even the melodic content is not rendered predictably. However, drawing evenly from this year’s Lonerism and 2010's Innerspeaker, tonight’s show melodically communicated a fundamental innocence. The songs are depicted from the perspective of a social outcast and carry a questioning sense of self-doubt, but Kevin Parker’s expression of vulnerability had a radiant, intersubjective relevance. The vivid musical outpourings were both explosive (Music To Walk Home By) and fragile (It’s Not Meant To Be), allowing a sensation of discovery to overcome the discussed seclusion. Even though Tame Impala is Kevin Parker’s project, it’s hard to think of him as a frontman. In spite of this preconception, tonight he proved he’s more than equipped to stand at the front of one of the world’s most exciting bands. His vocals were loud in the mix, which was a great contrast to the washy intermingling often heard on record. He struggled slightly with first song Be Above It, but the clarity and extroverted vocal strength in Solitude Is Bliss and Alter Ego was hugely impressive. While they aren’t recording participants, the four other members weren’t merely twiddling side-men. The five
of them sounded as if they were made to play these songs together and nothing studied or over-careful came through in their precise execution. There wasn’t much extra-technical activity on stage and all members were in a fairly subdued state of zen relaxation. New drummer, Julien Barbagallo was the most evidently excited of the players. It’s a surprise to see bass player Nick Allbrook (Pond and Allbrook/Avery’s frenzied frontman) so statically poised, even though it’s always been his Tame Impala persona. A complaint against his bass playing can’t be made though. The basslines are key melodic concomitants and he nailed all of the tricky sequences. There were a few moments when you knew you were part of something. Latest single, Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, is contagiously proliferating at present and the crowd’s collective sway and united falsetto showed that Tame Impala could potentially transport the masses to tranquillity in an arena setting. Similarly, Elephant sparked a throng of heads rapturously keeping time with the glammy throb. They returned to encore with Half Full Glass of Wine, which incited the night’s rowdiest reception. They took the opportunity to really delve into extended jam territory and the outcome was a body lifting bliss. Everyday distractions were left behind as you realised your capacity to become an embodiment of the entire colour spectrum. AUGUSTUS WELBY LOVED: Seeing the gawking enthusiasm of support act The Growl in the upstairs balcony during Tame Impala’s set HATED: Missing The Growl’s own set DRANK: Western Australian Beer
HOT SNAKES Corner Hotel, Friday December 7 The last time Hot Snakes came through was a bit of a personal nadir. In a sign of our priorities at the time, my friends and I had spent all our coin on an assortment of Nike sneakers, so a decision was made to pregame whatever liquid bowel-crampers could be salvaged from behind the couch of our filthy Carlton bedsit. Soon after our arrival, to the opening chords of I Hate The Kids, I decided it would be necessary to lie down on the tiles of the men’s room stall and take an hour-long nap. With the band back together and back to tour through the same venue, I was glad to get the opportunity to prove that the last seven years had taught me at least some social graces. River Of Snakes showed off a couple of new tracks for an album in the works for next year, but they put on a more engrossing show when Raul Sanchez is a bit looser, and it was too early in the evening for that. Six Ft Hick did their thing, but the nature of the support slot meant a disappointing lack of barnyard props and incest references. Playing to a pretty decent crowd for a Meredith weekend, the Hot Snakes set was more or less a facsimile of their last tour, an excursion through the
A-sides of their first three records, and bonus Drive Like Jehu cover to boot for those select few with overlapping interests in rock music and the trickier subgenres of calculus. Busy with other things in the intervening years, there wasn’t much more to expect from them, but it was a welcome relief all the same when the band stuck to the angrier sections of their back catalogue instead of venturing into the tepid sounds of the single they put out last year. I might have set the bar low, but given that I didn’t wake up at one in the morning with a tile pattern imprinted on my cheeks and a security guard banging on the stall, I am pleased to announce that the evening exceeded expectations. SEAN SANDY DEVOTIONAL LOVED: A band returning from indefinite hiatus that didn’t rustle my jimmies for once. HATED: The Kids. DRANK: By the Yarra before the show, trying not to ogle the couple dry humping on the opposite riverbank but still looking creepy all the same.
THE SUNNYBOYS Corner Hotel Saturday December 8 The Sunnyboys’ grand Meredith sideshow sold out almost instantly, and evidently a lot of those here were looking to ride The Sunnyboys express right back to their adolescence. Before we went back in time though, the present came courtesy of Fearless Vampire Killers. The Melbourne fourpiece played a consistently entertaining set of swampy blues rock variants. They’re a competent bunch and tonight the lead vocalist sung with a raspy girth while the lead guitarist ruthlessly pillaged his Les Paul’s innocence and the rhythm section held things firm (albeit without much flair). The twanging Mexico spoke of an interest in cowboy films made with Italian money and the cover of The Beatles/John Lennon’s Yer Blues was a worthy setlist inclusion (curating an appropriate Beatles cover is a delicate art). As enjoyable as their show was, I can’t see Beat Magazine Page 90
FVK rising above support band status at this stage. It was a little too much like running through the motions of making blues that rock, rather than actually shaking and rattling. Next up, Even took us back 10-15 years in origin but the momentum didn’t slow at all. Their ‘90s urban-dag homages to ‘60s mod-pop sounded as punchy as ever. Borrowing motifs from the likes of The Who and The Faces, their set had a steady flavour. Well constituted by Ash Naylor’s guitar playing that filtered into any lurking gaps and Wally Kempton’s Canned Heat groove bass playing, it wasn’t like a sugar rush straight to the head, it was more of a round and reliable rock melon sensation. The new material unfortunately felt a bit stale but the earlier songs were prominently fulfilling. The room swarmed with avid excitement as The Sunnyboys took the stage. It was a spectacle to behold
the lucid trip down memory lane that this show was for so many people. There were consistent exclamations from all areas of the room throughout the show as someone else’s favourite song was played. The dominant look of glee in the crowd suggested an elated belief that a song was being played directly for the individual whom it meant so much to. The Sunnyboys didn’t fail to comprehensively remind everyone what had sparked the original attraction. They were spot on with song execution and performance exuberance, playing the majority of their debut album, 1981's Sunnyboys. Even though the material all sits in the same song-bucket, their snappy laconic rock didn’t turn grey as it was poured out. The set’s one minor lull was a song fronted by the bass player but this was amended when the microphone returned to Jeremy Oxley. The
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band aren’t excellent hosts; Oxley didn’t actually say a thing and the other three members’ attempts at jovial banter were a bit awkward. Nevertheless, their sheer on stage excitement more than compensated for this weakness. In the set’s major highlight, Alone With You, all arms were interlocked and awareness of 21st century complications, such as the mobile internet in your pocket or the ‘craft’ beer in your belly, completely dissolved. AUGUSTUS WELBY LOVED: The lead guitarist’s perpetual grin. HATED: Not quite understanding the nostalgia. DRANK: Beer, beer, beer.