ISSUE NO. 1455 JANUARY 7, 2015
FREE Now picked up at over 2,100 places around Melbourne. beat.com.au
EVERY THING MELBOURNE
INSIDE This Week
BLUE KING BROWN
Educating the masses upon their triumphant return.
THE GROWLERS
Beach goth emperors talk Chinese Fountain.
RATKING
New York's hip hop wizards make their maiden voyage Down Under.
THE CLEAN
New Zealand's revered DIY outfit return to Australia.
Plus
CARIBOU CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN LA FEMME JANUARY 24TH
The World’s best in BigRoom House PRESENTS
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S T E S E V I L O T 19TH MEGAN WASHINGTON 20TH SHEPPARD 21ST BOOM CRASH OPERA 22ND PIERCE BROTHERS 23RD JON STEVENS 24TH SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM 25TH LURCH & CHIEF
26TH DARYL BRAITHWAITE & ROSS WILSON 27TH HUSKY 28TH GOSSLING 29TH THE PREATURES 30TH THE POTBELLEEZ 31ST MELODY POOL, LANIE LANE, KATE MILLER–HEIDKE 1ST STEVEN MOTLOP, DIESEL, JOE CAMILLERI & THE BLACK SORROWS PERFORMANCES DAILY
MELBOURNE PARK 19 JAN - 1 FEB 2015
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 4
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 5
LIVE MUSIC: Thursday January 15
Saturday Jan 10 5PM
Tess McKenna L -
HOMECOMING
Saturday Jan 10 9PM
Saturday January 17
sweeT Felicia & The honeyTones u , ’ Pbeat Swing bLueS and hard rockin bad-aSS baSS, Led by the briLL Sweet feLicia.
+ banD (nsw)
) thiS Shearer-turned-buSh rocker iS back, PLaying bawdy baLLadS, LaMentS and reckLeSS dirgeS froM hanrahan’S Songbook of the oPen road.
Sunday Jan 11 5PM
DaviDson broThers
(reSidency) thoSe award-winning brotherS in bLuegraSS PLay the heck out of anything with StringS.
f o r m o r e i nf o a s k i n s t o r e-f a c e b o o k.c o m/th e b e a s t b u rge rs-i n s t a gr a m th e b e a s t b u rge rs-www.th e b-e a s t.c o m PH 9036 1456 | 80 LYGON ST BRUNSWICK EAST | THEB-EAST.COM
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 6
Friday January 16
(Velvet Archers) - Solo Covers 9PM
Den hanrahan
FREE ENTRY / 9pm-late / PBS DJS
Covers & Original 8PM
uSh acouStic cLad baLLadS and vaLve-driven, acid-rock: when foLk and bLueS Meet the eLectric guitar. with karen ruSh and drew hancock.
Sunday Jan 11 3.30PM
SATURDAY 10th January
Simon Paparo
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
Nick Anderson
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER Sunday January 18
Sunday Songwriters
Anna Cordell, Jarred Doueal, Freya Hanly, Tracy Hogue, Sophia Waters (Originals & Covers) 5PM Thursday January 22
MIHRA
The Velvet Lips 8PM Friday January 23
KOKO
(Groovy Covers) 8.30PM
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 7
in this issue
the growlers page 25
L a femme page 23
10
Hot Talk
14
touring
16
The DØ
18
whats on,
eddie izzard
19
art of the city
20
stickybuds
22
caribou
23
la femme
24
blue king brown
ratking
25 The Growlers 26
camille o’sullivan,
the clean
27
core/crunch,
28
MUSIC NEWS
32
live
34
ALBUM OF THE WEEK,
SINGLES, CHARTS
Caribou page 22
Camille o’sullivan page 26
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MAHALA with PAUL HAZENDONK (NL), JAMIE STEVENS 2DOTZERO, DAVE JURIC, SCOTT FREEDMAN, TIM TYLER OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY, SLEEP//LESS, ROMEO MOON, THE WEEKEND PEOPLE & ENOLA FALL
CLARK LIVE (WARP/UK)
ANTI-KIRKIS (LIVE), PREQUEL, CHIARA KICKDRUM, BEVIN CAMPBELL
SAT 24/01 SAT 31/01
UPSTAIRS - DAWN
AGAIN, TIMMY FURTADO DOWNSTAIRS - RAW WAX TAKEOVER UPSTAIRS - SAM HILTON, BRIAN HENDRIE, PAUL JÄGER DOWNSTAIRS - OUT OF FOCUS
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HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au CASHMERE CAT & MR. CARMACK
Cashmere Cat and Mr. Carmack will join forces for an all-night throwdown this weekend. The news follows knockout performances from both artists at Let Them Eat Cake last Thursday. They’ll be joined on the night by Friendships. They'll hit The Corner Hotel on Saturday January 10. Tickets on sale now.
ME
Melbourne boys ME have spent a stupid amount of time on the road in Europe, and have now announced their return to The Evelyn stage after their two-year absence from home. They’ll be bringing back a bundle of new material too, which is the result of their majorly prolonged absence. Show ME just how much you missed ‘em on Friday January 30 at The Evelyn Hotel. Visit www.evelynhotel. com.au for tickets and info.
FAIRFIELD SUMMER SERIES
Fairfield Summer Series will return once more for free performances every Sunday in February. Throughout the month the series will feature performances from Kylie Auldist, Maurial Spearim, Empat Lima, Mikelangelo, The Public Opinion Six, Horns of Leroy, Swing Patrol and The Deans. Alongside the music, there will also be dazzling displays of acrobatics from Circus Trick Tease, a hula-hooping workshop with Malia Walsh, alongside comedy, dance and much more. It will take place every Sunday in February at the Fairfield Amphitheatre.
PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING
Public Service Broadcasting are on their way to Australia for one killer headline show at Northcote Social Club on Tuesday March 10, as part of their quest to inform, educate and entertain audiences around the globe. Public Service Broadcasting‘s spellbinding live AV Transmissions see them weave samples from old public information film’s archive footage and propaganda material around live drums, guitar, banjo and electronics – beaming our past back at us through vintage TV sets and state-of-the-art modern video projection devices. Pretty sweet, hey? Public Service Broadcasting have quickly developed a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the UK, wowing audiences at festivals like Glastonbury, Bestival and Green Man. Catch Public Service Broadcasting take over The Northcote Social Club on Tuesday March 10. Visit www.northcotesocialclub.com for more info and tickets.
KING PARROT
Eureka Rebellion Trading and Bowery Magazine have teamed up to present a fucking massive night of metal at The Gasometer Hotel on Saturday January 24, with King Parrot headlining proceedings and Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage showcasing his DJ skills. Dead City Ruins and Acid Vain will also slay the stage on the night. Be quick, King Parrot have just returned from an immense North American tour, and this’ll be your last chance to catch them onstage before they retreat to the studio to record their new album. Doors open from 8pm, visit www.thegasometerhotel.com.au for more info and tickets.
BaR WedneSdAy 7 JAnuAry
Open Mic
Show the boogie man what you’ve got ! free drink to encourage every performer!
tHurSdAy 8 JAnuAry
JiMMy MaddOn James Hall Queenie
fridAy 9 JAnuAry
parMy dhillOn (Album lAuncH)
SAturdAy 10 JAnuAry
rOxy WiFi mona lisa’s, Allnight bars After Work HAppy Hour from 4pm:
$5 drinkS, WedneSdAy, tHurSdAy, fridAy 160 Hoddle St AbbotSford
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 10
THE FROWNING CLOUDS
The Frowning Clouds have been in hibernation for a while now but they’re back and have already kicked off a massive month supporting The Black Lips at their Hi-Fi show earlier this week. The Frowning Clouds are playing a show to launch their third LP Legalize Everything released in September last year on Rice is Nice, Saturno Records and on cassette through Moontown Records. Catch them on Friday January 23 at the Shadow Electric Bandroom with The Living Eyes, Contrast and Zig Zag. Tickets are just $10.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au AN EVENING WITH JESSE LEACH
SEX ON TOAST
TEETH & TONGUE + FRASER A. GORMAN
Teeth & Tongue’s chief songwriter Jess Cornelius is heading over to Iceland for three months, so before she heads off, the band will play a send-off show at The Gasometer as part of their spankin’ new Collingwood Open series. The past 12 months have been huge for Teeth & Tongue, who’ve played Meredith Music Festival and Boogie, received three Music Victoria Award nominations, and released their highly-acclaimed album Grids. With the open Gasometer roof allowing for maximum Vitamin D exposure, this last hurrah is a great opportunity to catch Teeth & Tongue while their songs are still sung in English. Joining Teeth & Tongue is Fraser A. Gorman and his band, who’ll be showcasing a bounty of new material from his forthcoming album, set to be released in May. Gorman also had a massive 2014, touring nationally with the likes of C.W. Stoneking, Courtney Barnett and Augie March. This’ll be his last headline show in Melbourne before the launch of his new record, so head on down and catch him in action. See Teeth & Tongue and Fraser A. Gorman at the Collingwood Open Series at The Gasometer Hotel. It all goes down on January 25 from 7.30pm. Visit www.thegasometerhotel.com.au for tickets.
CARUS THOMPSON
Carus Thompson has announced a matinee show at Northcote Social Club on Sunday February 15, with Dave Johnson and Simon Marks in tow. Thompson has recently moved back to his home of Western Australia, which means that his Melbourne appearances will be particularly limited, suggesting this show will be particularly special. This’ll be Thompson’s only Victorian gig for the first half of 2015, and tickets are expected to go fast. Tickets are on sale now from www.northcotesocialclub.com. Go forth, true believers.
Give it up for Sex On Toast, a nine-man explosion of ’80s pop music, yacht-rock, R&B, and synth-funk. Here’s your chance to join Sex On Toast at The Shadow Electric Bandroom, where they’ll showcase their undeniable musical finesse and outrageous live show, which features tight vocal harmonies, talk-box synthesizers, drum-machines and choreographed dance moves. Sex On Toast have supported the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, Bedroom Philosopher, Cactus Channel and Vaudeville Smash, and they’re currently bunkered down in the studio working on their second concept double EPs set for release in 2015. Grab your dancing shoes and check out Sex On Toast at the Shadow Electric Bandroom on Sunday January 11. Tickets through the venue.
ONE DAY SUNDAYS
MASSIVE
Fresh from a blistering European tour, Aussie rock monsters Massive return to their rock’n’roll home of Cherry Bar for a massive night of epic rock’n’roll proportions. Currently working on their second album, set for release later this year, Massive are firing up the amps and strapping on their instruments in preparation to slay the Cherry Bar stage and show punters what kind of rock’n’roll tricks they picked up along their extensive European tour. Along for the ride are The Ugly Kings and Darcee Fox. It all goes down on Saturday January 10 at Cherry Bar from 8pm. Tickets are $13 a pop – a minuscule sum of moolah for a massive amount of rock.
LIKE US THEESPYSTKILDA
08 JAN FRI
09 JAN
SAT
10 JAN
SUN
11
JAN
Sydney’s huge hip hop collective One Day are bringing their infamous block party One Day Sundays back to Melbourne on Sunday January 18 at The Penny Black in Brunswick. Now in its second year, One Day Sundays is a kickarse series of free parties that combines beer garden vibes with some of Australia’s best DJs, live graffiti art and food. Guest DJs for Melbourne’s second round of One Day Sundays are the legendary Grammynominated producer M-Phazes, alongside DJ Sizzle and One Day DJs Joyride and Adit, who’ll be spinning tunes and keeping the vibes up in The Penny Black’s outdoor courtyard. One of Melbourne’s finest graffiti writers will be painting the wall courtesy of Ironlak too. Did we mention the whole affair is free? Get down to The Penny Black at 420 Sydney Road on Sunday January 18 for a killer day of hip hop and rad vibes.
THE ESPLANADE HOTEL 11 THE ESPLANADE ST KILDA PHONE: (03) 9534 0211
FOLLOW US @ESPYHOTEL
THU
American musician and writer Jesse Leach is heading Down Under this January for a night of Q&A, spoken word and poetry, and providing insights to some of his most powerful lyrics. Best known as the current lead vocalist of Killswitch Engage, Leach’s career as a musician and writer has seen his involvement in projects such as Times of Grace and The Empire Shall Fall, and past bands including Seemless, Nothing Stays Gold and Corrin. The night will be hosted by Higgo from Triple M Distortion with a limited number of tickets available. A small number of VIP meet and greet tickets are also available for purchase which include – VIP seating, one on one meet and greet with Jesse, a limited edition tour shirt and one hour of free drinks. It all goes down on Wednesday January 21 at Eureka Rebellion Trading from 8pm. Snap up tickets quick through Moshtix.
TICKETS VIA THEESPY.OZTIX.COM.AU WWW.ESPY.COM.AU
B AS E M E N T FREE!
F R O N T B A R FREE!
AXE GIRL RESIDENCY REVEL IN CHAOS PET BAND, FIFTH FRIEND CALAMITY LANE. FROM 9PM F R O N T B A R FREE!
FAST HANDSOME, MIDTOWN TONIC
CREATURES FROM THE BOD. FROM 9PM
B AS E M E N T FREE!
G E R S H W I N $10 AT DOOR
ZEVON & THE WEREWOLVES OF MELBOURNE TWIN AGES
MARICOPA WELLS
CLAWS & ORGANS, THE DROP BEARS KILL DIRTY YOUTH, TRAGIC EARTH, WOLF WHISTLER, ANDREW SWIFT, BOTTLECAPS. FROM 9PM ABLAZE, NOISY WHISPERS. FROM 9PM WILL EWING. FROM 9PM F R O N T B A R FREE!
VAUDEVILLE SMASH W/ MOSÉ & THE FMLY
G E R S H W I N $15 AT DOOR
B AS E M E N T FREE!
FUZZ FEST DUMBPUNTS
TWO HEADED DOG, LEOPARD SLUGG DIANA RADAR, TIPPER RATS
THE ANNIE CROONERS, THE BLACK ALLEYS CHARGING STALLION. FROM 9PM ZOMBITCHES, MOONAH RIPP, MY PIRANHA.
FROM 9PM
G E R S H W I N $20 AT DOOR
F R O N T B A R FREE!
GEOFF ACHISON
GUNN & ESP GUITARS
SUPERSOUNDS MIXTAPE. 6PM
FROM 12PM
STAND & DELIVER 80’S
ESPY ARTIST SHOWDOWN. RESIDENCIES ALL FREE!
M O N DAYS
‘MONDAYS COVERED’ FEATURING TRENT HAMILTON 7PM
T U E S DAYS
‘BRIGHTSIDE’ BAYSIDE MUSO NITE 7.30PM
W E D N E S DAYS
‘COLLAGE’ UNSIGNED MUSO NITE 7.30PM
SAT U R DAYS PHIL PARA BAND FROM 6PM & MORE!
COMING UP
F R I 1 6 JA N
F R I 2 3 JA N
SUNDAY CHAIRS, THE HORNS REDRO REDRIGUEZ. FREE ENTRY!
OFFICIAL FAT FREDDY’S DROP AFTER PARTY!
WHITE SUMMER
NIGHTMARES ON WAX
ULTRA-DELUXE DJ SET AT THE ESPY - FREE SHOW!
S U N DAYS
ARTIST SHOWDOWN 10 LOCAL ACTS GERSHWIN ROOM FROM 12.30PM
S U N DAYS
GEOFF ACHISON STAND & DELIVER 80’S SUPERSOUNDS MIXTAPE. 6PM
F R I 3 0 JA N
THE ORIGINAL WAILERS
BOB MARLEYS ORIGINAL BAND DIRECT FROM KINGSTON JAMAICA! W/ JES I & RAS CRUCIAL + HEAPS MORE...
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 11
HOT TICKET For all the latest news check out beat.com.au facebook/thehifi twitter.com/hifi_melb instagram.com/thehifi
J U ST A N N O U N C E D
If you're anything like us, 2014 feels like an eternity ago. If you've forgotten the majority of shows we announced last year, that's cool, we totally get it. Our memories are so goddamn hazy we can barely remember writing the beginning of this paragraph. So here's a friendly reminder of some sweet gigs coming up around these parts real soon, that we reckon you should check out.
FRI 6 FEB
SHAKE THE DUST FEAT. BEATS ANTIQUE
The Bennies
BEECHWORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Still mourning the loss of the Big Day Out? Luckily for you, Beechworth Music Festival has your Australia Day long weekend plans sorted. After a successful launch last year, Beechworth Music Festival will return to Madman’s Gully Amphitheatre on the farmlands of the former Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum for a killer Australia Day long weekend of live music and good times. Gracing the Beechworth stage will be Beaches, Jen Cloher, The Bennies, The Sugarcanes, Ron S. Peno and the Superstitions, My Left Boot, LuLuc, The Hounds Homebound, Rubber Band, Pearls, Benny Williams, Liv Cartledge, DJ Mermaid, Wangaratta Ukulele Band, Geoff Jackson and MC Cat McGauran. It all goes down on Saturday January 24, and tickets are on sale now via the Beechworth Music Festival website.
FRI 29 MAY
BABY ANIMALS & THE SUPER JESUS
British India
THIS WEEK MONEY FOR ROPE
SAT 10 JAN SOLD OUT
SUN 11 JAN
GLASS ANIMALS
Over the last 18 months, those lucky bastards in Money For Rope have been spending most of their time gallivanting the globe thanks to an International Pathways Grant from Australia Council For The Arts. Their time abroad has seen them conquer tours in Spain, India, Northern Europe and the UK, as well as smash stages at SXSW, Glastonbury, The Great Escape, Haldern Pop and Sziget, to name a few. Lucky for us, the boys are back in town for a run of homecoming shows. Catch Money For Rope over two massive nights at Cherry Bar on Friday January 16 and Saturday January 17.
CO M I N G S O O N
PRINCE BANDROOM AUSTRALIA DAY CONCERT
What better way to celebrate Australia Day than by firing up the barbie and listening to some homegrown live music? The Prince will play host to all that and more when it hosts a special one-off event next month. Tex Perkins & The Ape, British India, Adalita, Harts and The Cherry Dolls are all set to perform. In true Aussie style, there’ll also be a BBQ on the balcony before the music begins. It all goes down at The Prince Bandroom on Monday January 26. Tickets are available at princebandroom.com.au.
THU 15 JAN
BLUE KING BROWN FRI 16 JAN
MARDUK TUE 20 JAN
JAH PRAYZAH FRI 23 JAN
NOISECONTROLLERS SAT 24 JAN U18 & 18+ SHOWS
KERSER
SUN 25 JAN
THU 12 FEB
MODE SELEKTOR SAT 14 FEB
NEON PARTY UV PAINT FRI 20 FEB
TINASHE DELTRON 3030
CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMAN
TUE 03 MAR
FRI 30 JAN
FRI 06 MAR
EYEHATEGOD SAT 31 JAN
SHARON VAN ETTEN PARQUET COURTS
SMITH STREET BAND
SAT 07 MAR
TUE 03 FEB
WED 29 APR | NEW DATE
MAC DEMARCO WED 04 FEB
MAC DEMARCO
SOHN
FRI 27 FEB
THE CLEAN
So this is a pretty big deal. New Zealand’s prime DIY outfit The Clean are returning to Melbourne for the first time in five years this January. The tour will mark their third visit to Australia in 25 years, and will showcase a wealth of tunes from their five studio albums, including their most recent, 2009’s Mister Pop. You can catch The Clean at The Corner Hotel, with special guests Lower Plenty, on Thursday January 22. Tickets are available through the venue.
London raised, Vienna-based multi-instrumentalist and producer SOHN is returning to Australia this year. The 2015 visit Down Under will follow a remarkable 12 months for the English expat, having released his debut album Tremors, picked up support from the likes of The Fader and Pitchfork, performed at SXSW and sold out shows worldwide. Alongside his appearance at Laneway, he’s also now locked in a run of intimate headline dates around the country. Catch him on Friday January 30 at The Corner Hotel.
SETH SENTRY
B-BOY WORLD CHAMPIONS TOUR
SOLD OUT
THU 05 FEB
BEN FROST FRI 6 FEB
SHAKE THE DUST FEAT. DESERT DWELLERS + MORE TIX + INFO THEHIFI.COM.AU 125 SWANSTON ST, MELBOURNE
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 12
TRUCKFIGHTERS
If Josh Homme insists a band is the best in the world, then you should probably make the effort to check them out. Truckfighters smashed the fuck out of CherryRock013, and now they’re back and ready to slay stages at Cherry and Yah Yah’s in January. These legends have already sold out their gig at Cherry Bar on Friday January 23, so if you want to catch them, you better get your arse into gear and get down to Yah Yah’s on Saturday January 24 or their newly announced gig at Cherry Bar on Sunday January 25. These are their only Melbourne shows, so be sure to catch these snow-drenched Swedish Gods of Californian desert stoner rock while you can. Tickets are available now, and will surely sell out. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
Are you one of those people who darts to the front of stage at the end of a gig to acquire the setlist of the evening? Ever imagined putting together your very own setlist for a band to play, in full, just for you (and every other punter in the room)? Well, The Gaslight Anthem are here to make all your dreams come true. For the first time ever, Australian fans will have the honour of selecting their very own setlist at The Gaslight Anthem’s show at Prince Of Wales in Melbourne on Wednesday February 4. Fans can request their favourite tracks from the stellar back catalogue – Sink or Swim, The ’59 Sound, American Slang and Handwritten. Fucking sweet, right? Don’t miss hand selecting The Gaslight Anthem’s setlist when they play The Prince Of Wales in Melbourne on Wednesday February 4. For more information on the voting process please head to www.facebook.com/soundwavetouring.
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BALKAN BEAT BOX
KYNETON MUSIC FESTIVAL
The third annual Kyneton Music Festival is set to return Friday 20 and Saturday February 21 2015, blending its relaxed country town setting with an amazingly talented and diverse lineup of artists. The lineup boasts a huge lists of acts, including Harmony, Laura Jean, Money for Rope, Little Bastard, Tully on Tully and Cherrywood. You can use your Internet wizardry and check the full lineup online. For tickets and more information visit www.kynetonmusicfestival.com.au
Off the back of their recent inclusion in the WOMADelaide & WOMAD NZ 2015 lineups, Brooklyn/Tel Aviv’s Balkan Beat Box have announced a show in Melbourne. Hailing from Israel, New York and all points of the rhythmic compass, Balkan Beat Box’s Tamir Muskat, Ori Kaplan and Tomer came together in Brooklyn’s underground musical melting-pot crafting an exquisite sonic blend of Mediterranean-inflected, globalized electronica alongside a discontented and outspoken world view. Drawing upon their wide-ranging backgrounds in global nomad musical culture, their sound is a high-energy fusion of ancient traditions, with the modern language of hip hop, dancehall and electronic sampling. Balkan Beat Box will play The Prince Bandroom in Melbourne Thursday March 12 supported by Brisbane’s Dubmarine.
JIMMY CLIFF
KINGSWOOD
SOUNDGARDEN
To coincide with their appearance at Soundwave 2015, American rock legends Soundgarden are playing a headline show in Melbourne. The band were last in Australia in 2012 as part of the Big Day Out lineup marking the first shows they had played outside the US since 1997. Catch them at Festival Hall in Melbourne on Tuesday February 24. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Those wild kids over in the Kingswood camp sure know how to rock the fuck out of a venue. This time around, they’ll be hitting up The Forum on Friday March 13, showcasing tracks off their massive debut album, Microscopic Wars. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
Jimmy Cliff will return to Australia for Bluesfest next year, and he’s locked in a Melbourne sideshow. A certified reggae legend, over the course of his career Cliff has picked up two Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall and has collaborated with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello and Annie Lennox. He’ll hit The Corner Hotel on Wednesday April 8.
THE OCEAN
GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC
CLOWNS
Last year, Melbourne’s favourite scuzz-punk foursome Clowns announced a national tour to celebrate their forthcoming album, Bad Blood, which will be released on Friday February 20. The band will play two Melbourne shows, including an all ages show on Labour Day. Catch Clowns at The Bendigo Hotel on Friday March 6 and Monday March 9. Joining them for the tour will be special guests American Sharks.
JANUARY 24TH
The legendary George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic will throw a party to remember when they play a Bluesfest sideshow next April. As one of the most important innovators of funk music around, Clinton and his crew have produced some of the most sampled tunes on the planet, including Atomic Dog, One Nation Under Groove and We Want the Funk. Get on down at 170 Russell on Friday April 3. Tickets on sale through bluesfesttouring.com.au.
This is massive news. Germany’s premier post-metal act The Ocean are returning to Australia in April 2015. The Ocean will be playing their highly acclaimed record Pelagial in full for the very first time in Australia. Pelagial was one of 2013’s most critically acclaimed releases internationally. The past two years have seen The Ocean touring the globe relentlessly with the likes of Opeth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Between The Buried And Me, The Black Dahlia Murder and many more. They come to Melbourne on Saturday April 18 at The Evelyn Hotel, and tickets available through the venue.
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TOURING
WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN
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international
SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY
IN CAHOOTS WITH STILL VOR TALENT HEAD HONCHO
OLIVER KOLETZKI (GER) NICO SHWIND (GER)
WEDNESDAY 14TH JANUARY
RED HOT SHORTS
A NIGHT OF AWARD WINNING SHORT FILMS & CUTTING EDGE MUSIC VIDEOS
THURSDAY 15TH JANUARY
LUCKY MOORE
(FRONT BAR - FREE ENTRY)
FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY
MICHAEL YULE BOB CRAIN
(FRONT BAR - FREE ENTRY)
SATURDAY 17TH JANUARY OUTFIELD
FEATURING
OM UNIT (UK) MARK PRITCHARD AKOUO A13 AMIN PAYNE COCOA NOIRE DEXTER EDD FISHER FREEKWENCY JELLYFISH NAM SEAN DEANS TYPHONIC WINTERS BRENDAN HARWOOD TICKETS - DASHTICKETS.COM.AU DOORS 4PM
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JOHN SMITH Bella Union January 7 SBTRKT The Forum January 7 GEORGE EZRA Corner Hotel January 7 ASGEIR The Forum January 9 MATT ANDERSEN Flying Saucer Club January 10, Thornbury Theatre January 11 CASHMERE CAT & MR. CARMACK Corner Hotel January 10 WYE OAK Gasometer Hotel January 10 GLASS ANIMALS The Hi-Fi January 10 SPOON The Forum January 11 PIKNIC ELECTRONIK Old Melbourne Gaol January 11 THE GROWLERS Corner Hotel January 14 TIM HECKER Howler January 14 MARDUK AND INQUISITION Northcote Social Club January 14, The Hi-Fi January 16 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL Bennets Lane January 15 – 29 AFENGINN Sooki Lounge January 15, John Curtin January 16 SLOW CLUB Northcote Social Club January 15 JESUS JONES Corner Hotel January 15 2CELLOS Palais Theatre January 15 THE 1975 Festival Hall January 15 FRIKSTAILERS NGV January 16 NELLY Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 16 THE COATHANGERS January 16 EVERYTIME I DIE Corner Hotel January 16 OUTFIELD Railway Hotel January 17 XYLOURIS WHITE Howler January 17 OMAR SOULEYMAN Corner Hotel January 19 SWANS Corner Hotel January 20 CAMILLIE O’SULLIVAN Melbourne Arts Center January 20 – 24 JESSE LEACH Eureka Rebellion Trading January 21 THE CLEAN Corner Hotel January 22 ICEAGE Ding Dong Lounge January 23 FAT FREDDY’S DROP Palais Theatre January 23 TRUCKFIGHTERS Cherry Bar January 25, Yah Yah’s January 24 JAMIE T The Forum January 24 SUGAR MOUNTAIN January 24 THE KOOKS Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 24 SHONEN KNIFE Ding Dong Lounge January 25 ZA! Ding Dong Lounge January 25 CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN The Hi-Fi January 25 NAS The Forum January 25 MEWITHOUTYOU 170 Russell January 25 ODESZA Howler January 25 FKA TWIGS 170 Russell January 28 RUSTIE Howler January 29 LYKKE LI Forum Theatre January 29 PERFECT PUSSY Corner Hotel January 29 SOHN Corner Hotel January 30 EYEHATEGOD The Hi-Fi January 30 JOHNNY MARR The Forum January 31 CHIODOS Corner Hotel January 31 BELLE & SEBASTIAN Palais Theatre February 1 FAIRFIELD SUMMER SERIES Fairfield Ampitheatre February 1, 8, 15, 22 LITTLE DRAGON 170 Russell February 2 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM The Forum February 3, Prince Of Wales February 4 RAURY Howler February 3 JAMES BAY Northcote Social Club February 4 ANGEL OLSEN Howler February 4 MAC DEMARCO The Hi-Fi February 4 JUNGLE 170 Russell February 4 HIGHASAKITE Corner Hotel February 4 CONNAN MOCKASIN Howler February 5 VIC MENSA Corner Hotel February 5 BENJAMIN BOOKER Northcote Social Club February 5 CARIBOU The Forum February 5 SUZI QUATRO Melbourne Arts Centre February 5, 6, 7 RATKING Ding Dong Lounge February 6 LANEWAY FESTIVAL Footscray Community Arts Centre February 7 STING AND PAUL SIMON A Day on the Green February 7, Rod Laver Arena February 10 SARAH MCLAUGHLAN Melbourne Recital Centre February 9 J MASCIS Melbourne Recital Centre February 13 THE ANTLERS Melbourne Recital Centre February 14 LAMB The Forum February 14 CJ RAMONE Reverance Hotel February 14, Bendigo Hotel February 15 DANIEL ROSSEN Northcote Social Club February 15 PERFUME GENIUS Corner Hotel February 15 G-EAZY Howler February 16 LINDSEY STIRLING Forum Theatre February 17 TINASHE The Hi-Fi February 20 ROXETTE Rod Laver Arena February 20, Rochford Wines Yarra Valley February 21 PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT Corner Hotel February 21 SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL Flemington Racecourse February 21, 22 THE EAGLES Rod Laver Arena February 22, Hanging Rock Macedon February 28 SOUNDGARDEN Festival Hall February 24 REAL ESTATE Corner Hotel February 25 DRAKE Rod Laver Arena February 27 STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS Melbourne Zoo February 27 DELTRON 3030 The Hi-Fi February 27 FOO FIGHTERS Etihad Stadium February 28 BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL Various Venues, Brunswick March 1 – 15 MOGWAI Hamer Hall March 1 SHARON VAN ETTEN The Hi-Fi March 3 SHOVELS & ROPE AND SHAKEY GRAVES Corner Hotel March 4 SINEAD O’CONNOR Hamer Hall March 4 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Palais Theatre March 4 GRUFF RHYS Northcote Social Club March 5 TECH N9NE The Hi-Fi March 6 NENEH CHERRY Hamer Hall March 6 FIRST AID KIT Palais Theatre March 6
PARQUET COURTS The Hi-Fi March 6 MAITREYA FESTIVAL Sea Lake, Victoria March 6 – 9 WOMADELAIDE Botanic Park, Adelaide March 6 – 9 SINEAD O CONNOR Port Fairy Folk Festival March 6 – 9 GRAVEYARD Ding Dong Lounge March 7 WAYNE ‘THE TRAIN’ HANCOCK Ding Dong Lounge March 6, Caravan Club March 7 MACY GRAY Palais Theatre March 7 THE POP GROUP Corner Hotel March 7 FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL Flemington Racecourse March 8 65DAYSOFSTATIC Northcote Social Club March 8, 9 GOODLIFE Flemington Racecourse March 9 PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING Northcote Social Club March 10 OBLIVIANS The Tote March 11, 12, 13 BALKAN BEAT BOX Prince Bandroom March 12 ADAM COHEN Caravan Club March 13, The Toff In Town March 14 MAE Corner Hotel March 14 FOREST SWORDS Howler March 14 HTRK Shadow Electric March 15 TONY JOE WHITE Thornbury Theatre March 18 BOBBY BROWN The Forum March 19 SUN KIL MOON Athenaeum Theatre March 21 URIAH HEEP Shoppingtown Hotel March 21, Chelsea Heights March 22 BILLY IDOL Margaret Court Arena March 24, A Day On The Green March 21 MASTODON Festival Hall March 27 THE HILLS ARE ALIVE The Farm March 27 – 29 EMERY Northcote Social Club March 29 SWITCHFOOT 170 Russell March 31 BEN HOWARD Margaret Court Arena March 31 KEB’ MO’ Melbourne Recital Centre March 31 CHARLES BRADLEY Corner Hotel April 1 JURASSIC 5 Festival Hall April 1 PAOLO NUTINI Palais Theatre April 1 SERENA RYDER Northcote Social Club April 2 MICHAEL FRANTI Festival Hall April 2 BETH HART Melbourne Recital Centre April 2 BOOGIE 9 Bruzzy’s Farm, Tallarook April 3 – 7 REBELUTION Corner Hotel April 3 GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC 170 Russell April 3 BAND OF SKULLS Bluesfest, Byron Bay April 3, Rochford Wines April 5, Corner Hotel April 7 COUNTING CROWS Palais Theatre April 4 G. LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE Thornbury Theatre April 4 THE CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD Corner Hotel April 4 THE BLACK KEYS Rolling Green April 5, Margaret Court Arena April 7 TROMBONE SHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE Corner Hotel April 6 RODRIGO Y GABRIELA Palais Theatre April 7 POKEY LAFARGE Caravan Club April 8, Corner Hotel April 9 GARY CLARK JR. 170 Russell April 8 JIMMY CLIFF Corner Hotel April 8 DAVE & PHIL ALVIN Northcote Social Club April 9 NORMA JEAN Evelyn Hotel April 10 THE GIPSY KINGS Palais Theatre April 10 FRANK TURNER Corner Hotel April 12 ARCHITECTS 170 Russell April 12 ATILLA Arrow On Swanston April 15 (AA), Corner Hotel April 16 (18+) THE DICKIES The Evelyn April 16 THE OCEAN The Evelyn April 18 CITIZEN Reverence Hotel April 20, 21 (AA) DEMI LOVATO Margaret Court Arena April 24 SAM SMITH Margaret Court Arena April 30 PALOMA FAITH Palais Theatre May 5 ANASTACIA Palais Theatre May 7 SUFFOCATION & DECAPITATED Corner Hotel May 9 ALT-J Rod Laver Arena May 10 NICKELBACK Rod Laver Arena May 15 YELLOWCARD Margaret Court Arena July 11 NEIL DIAMOND Rod Laver Arena October 27 AUDRA MCDONALD Hamer Hall October 31 TAYLOR SWIFT AAMI Park December 11
national MELBOURNE FOLK CLUB SUMMER SEASON Melbourne Folk Club January 7 – March 25 TIM MCMILLAN Ding Dong Lounge January 9 JANE TYRRELL The Forum January 9 SEA LEGS Shebeen January 9 MASSIVE Cherry Bar January 10 SUNSET SERIES Fitzroy Gardens January 10 – 18 GROUNDSWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL Lake Tyers Beach, East Gippsland January 10 SUMMER OF SOUL Mossvale Park January 10 UNIFY FESTIVAL South Gippsland January 10 – 11 SEX ON TOAST Shadow Electric January 11 KIM CHURCHILL Corner Hotel January 15 LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS Shebeen January 17 ONE DAY SUNDAYS Penny Black January 18 STEP The Toff In Town January 21 SUMMERSALT FESTIVAL Melbourne Arts Precinct January 23 – Februrary 21 THE FROWNING CLOUDS Shadow Electric January 23 ART OF SLEEPING Northcote Social Club January 23 KING PARROT Gasometer Hotel January 24 ALI BARTER Workers Club January 24 BEECHWORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL Madman’s Gully Amphitheatre, Beechworth January 24 BALLARAT BEER FESTIVAL City Oval, Ballarat January 24 DALLAS CRANE Corner Hotel January 25 TEETH & TONGUE Gasometer Hotel January 25 FRENZAL RHOMB The Loft January 22, Karova Lounge January 23, Barwon Heads Hotel January 24, Reverence Hotel January 25 CALIGULA’S HORSE The Evelyn Hotel, January 25 PRINCE BANDROOM AUSTRALIA DAY CONCERT Prince Bandroom January 26 ME The Evelyn Hotel January 30
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proudly presents
JAN
24-26
JAN
30
MAR
21
TRUCKFIGHTERS Cherry Bar & Yah Yah's
SOHN The Corner Hotel Whole lotta love Palais Theatre
ST KILDA FESTIVAL Various Venues, St Kilda January 31 – February 8 BENNY WALKER St Kilda Festival January 31, Melbourne Zoo March 13 THE SMITH STREET BAND The Hi-Fi January 31, Northcote Social Club February 1 (U18) CLARE BOWDITCH Flying Saucer Club February 1, 8, 15, 22 NGV SUMMER SUNDAYS February 1, 8, 15, 22 BEN FROST The Hi-Fi February 5 THE VANNS Sandbar, Mildura February 5, Gordon Hotel, Portland Febraury 7, Hotel Warnambool February 8, The Espy February 12, Saloon Bar, Traralgon February 27 SUMMER SOUNDS Various venues, Hobsons Bay Febraury 7 – 28 GUY PEARCE & DARREN MIDDLETON Thornbury Theatre February 7 LEPERS & CROOKS Lucky Coq February 8, Old Bar February 9, Great Britain Hotel February 14 RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL, Echuca-Moama February 13 – 15 INFECTED MUSHROOM RMH February 12 THE NECKS Melbourne Recital Centre February 12 MEGAN WASHINGTON 170 Russell February 13 CARUS THOMPSON Northcote Social Club February 15 LITTLE BASTARD Northcote Social Club February 19 LIME CORDIALE Northcote Social Club February 20 KYNETON MUSIC FESTIVAL Kyneton Mechanics Institute February 20 – 21 ANGUS AND JULIA STONE Margaret Court Arena February 27 DZ DEATHRAYS Northcote Social Club February 27, 28 BETWEEN THE BAYS FESTIVAL Penbank School, Moorooduc February 28 RUTH MOODY Bella Union March 4, Caravan Club March 5 PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL Port Fairy, Victoria March 6–9 CLOWNS Bendigo Hotel March 6, 9 (AA) VANCE JOY Palais Theatre March 12, 13 KINGSWOOD The Forum March 13 LUCA BRASI Northcote Social Club March 14, Wrangler Studios March 15 KYLIE MINOGUE Rod Laver Arena March 18 WHOLE LOTTA LOVE Palais Theatre March 21 THE BENNIES Northcote Social Club March 21, Wrangler Studios March 22 LISA MITCHELL Howler March 27 PENINSULA PICNIC Mornington Racecource March 29 ROLLING GREEN FESTIVAL Rochford Wines Yarra Valley April 5 AUGIE MARCH Melbourne Recital Centre April 15 THE GETAWAY PLAN Corner Hotel May 22 DARREN COGGAN The Palms July 3
Rumours: Michael Stipe, fleetwood mac, Kid Rock = New Announcements
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 15
THE DØ
SHAKIN ’ UP SO FRENCH Y SO CHIC By Adam Norris
It’s turned into a cold, stormy night here in Melbourne, and while Olivia Merilahti chats to me from sunny Paris, I’m embedded in a nest of blankets and slippers contemplating which part of my desk to set fire to first. It’s a world away from the picturesque setting where The Dø recorded their new album. Picture it: Verdant fields, a line of distant trees, sunflowers and lavender. Top it off with an 18th century water tower transformed into a recording studio, and you have the setting for The Dø’s fourth release, Shake, Shook, Shaken. Despite the chance in scenery, Merilahti is adamant each record struggles to life in similar fashion.
“The first stage is sending each other a lot of ideas and tracks,” she explains. Her accented English is quiet but very focused. “Finding inspiration from other people. Images. It’s very broad to start with. Then Dan [Levy] will send me beats, or a line or a verse that he recorded and I’ll send him the same kind of thing, and that’s how we’ll find our way. We’ll select the songs we want to write together and spend three or four days on each one, then separate and work on new stuff. That’s how it goes. This one did have a slightly different method, and it was interesting, because I didn’t stay so long in the countryside at the studio. We had to kind of be, well, maybe not more efficient, but straight to the point. That was the main guideline for the album.” Given one of the hallmarks of the record is the complete absence of acoustic instruments, a water tower plucked from Jane Eyre seems an unexpected place to draw inspiration. Studded with electronic beats and urban soundscapes, some underground, graffiti-strewn basement somehow seems more fitting. For Merilahti though, setting has never been a chief concern. “It’s not as important for me. I can write on the road, be inspired wherever I am. I’ll just get away. If I don’t like where I am, I’ll just write a song. It’s like escapism. But at the same time, I don’t think we ever really realised how important [location] is. For example, we recorded this album in the countryside, but we’d already decided that we wanted somehow an urban album, something close to the city, with horizontal and vertical lines. We finished I Need to Know in New York, we re-recorded it completely there with Fab Dupont and that was crucial. We were really inspired by New York, so it has a different energy. I think it’s a little bigger than the other songs, which is interesting. So obviously, whether we like it or not, we’re influenced by the places we record.” With the exception of Dupont’s involvement, one of the most striking aspects of the album’s genesis is the development and recording was kept entirely between Merilahti and Levy. The motivations for such an approach are, on the surface, easy to appreciate; the record might be kept as pure and personal to their original intention, their undistilled voice. Yet The Dø have been quite vocal in the past about their influences, and the inspirations they’ve received from hip hop and club music are strong. It makes for an intriguing blend; this need for self-sufficiency balanced with a desire to respond to the rest of the music world. “That’s interesting. That’s how we’ve worked from the beginning. It’s always been the two of us in the studio for a year or so, that’s how it naturally works in The Dø. It’s about keeping it pure, but it’s also how we push ourselves to do something we’ve never done BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 16
before. We challenge each other and want to surprise each other, that’s the dynamic we have. We also fight a lot,” she laughs, “but in the end we’re happy because we reach where we wanted to go. Obviously we need to be inspired, and we’ll listen to some music along the way. It’s difficult to really say why or what we’ll listen to. Yeezus was a kind of shock to us, we were recording the album and the minimalism and the strength of that album was really a lesson.” As a result, the band’s catalogue is remarkably varied,
“WE STARTED AS A FULL SIX-PIECE BAND WITH ONLY ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS, WHICH WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL WITH. SO WE HAD TO STRIP IT DOWN TO A FOUR-PIECE, AND FIND CERTAIN PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS.” and though difficult to qualify, there’s an energy to their tracks that’s sustained no matter the genre. With elements of hip hop, roots, pop and rock, each album is unmistakably The Dø. For those uninitiated with the French/Finnish duo, a fine place to start is their live recording of Slippery Slope from Studio Pigalle. Full of gorgeous horns and tribal drums, the sound is incredible. It does make for a curious contrast however now the band has moved into this new, electronic direction. Born from the practicalities of shifting a full band from gig to gig, The Dø quickly found themselves enamoured by the necessary changes in performance. “The last tour had so many different stages, and we started as a full six-piece band with only acoustic instruments, which were impossible to travel with. So we had to strip it down to a four-piece, and find certain practical solutions, because we weren’t able to play everything live any more. That’s when we started to use drum machines and sequences on stage, and it was kind of a discovery for us, we really enjoyed it,” Merilahti exclaims. “It was somehow always more logical for the sound that we had in the studio, it felt really natural. So I think it started from there. We were also really obsessed with hip hop; we listened to
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more electronic sounds and that kind of thing. So it started that way, and we kept it that way. It became our ultimate direction for the album.” Though this direction may not be one that followers from their early days are expecting, it’s difficult to imagine they’re going to jeopardise their fan base; it’s a strong album with a lot of variety. There’ll, of course, always be those critical of a band who has the gall to move beyond their first release, but so far the (very fresh) reception for Shake, Shook, Shaken has been entirely positive. “We just performed it for the first time in Paris last week. It was, how can I put this? The energy is definitely different. Dan is on the hybrid electronic drums, and we’ll still have guitar, still have bass, a few real instruments. ‘Real instruments,’ whatever that means,” she laughs. “[There’s] a lot of synth. But the challenge is just to make everything look really lively and sweaty somehow, and I think it works. It was really great to finally sing them in front of people, and it gave me goosebumps. Right now, we’re having a lot of fun. More than ever before, I can’t wait to get on the road again properly. We played the V Festival in 2009, that was the only tour in Australia we did, but I heard such great music. It was a really fun time. I’m just hoping it’s not only going to be a French audience, nothing but expats. Hopefully some actual Australians will be getting along. I’m excited.” Merilahti is hard-pressed to say what avenue she expects her writing and music to take next. The process seems happenstantial, with songs conjured from the unexpected, rather than through deliberate choices. There’s a touch of something magical to the process, as though Merilahti would not be able to turn off these songs even should she want to; an electronic Sorcerer’s Apprentice. It’s doubtful she would have it any other way. “Writing is a lot more difficult. Writing is something I don’t find permanent somehow, [it’s] not as intuitive, so it takes a long time. It comes from the brain more than the music, so there’s this censorship that’s always present. It doesn’t come out as easily, but still I love it. I should write every day, but I don’t. I think someday I’d like to write some kind of book of poems, that could be something that I’d like to do. Surreal, or very realistic, I don’t know. For me, it’s always surreal in a way, because it goes through my imagination, it’s not just relating things directly. But music, music is permanent. It’s like your blood flow. It’s always ready to come out somehow.” THE DØ are playing So Frenchy So Chic at Werribee Mansion on Sunday January 11. Shake, Shook, Shaken is out through Cartell Music.
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 17
this week: ON SCREEN The 2013 documentary, Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, is currently playing at ACMI. Directed by Mike Myers, the film follows Gordon’s illustrious career as a talent manager, featuring interviews with the likes of Alice Cooper, Michael Douglas, Willie Nelson and Sylvester Stallone. Supermensch has screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and won the audience award for best documentary at the 2014 Sarasota Film Festival. It will screen at ACMI until Tuesday January 13.
With Tyson Wray. Got thoughts, news, gossip, complaints or cat photos? Email tyson@beat.com.au or send by carrier pigeon before Friday 12pm. humour – well, of course there’s no German sense of humour,” he concedes. “But there is a mainstream sense of humour in every country, and then there’s a more alternative sense of humour, which is more Python, more like what I do, and that exists all around the world and seems to link up better. The laughs I get when I perform in Russian in Moscow, in German in Berlin, French in Paris, English in Sydney, they all laugh at the same points.” That everyday surrealism remains a constant in Izzard’s sensibilities. The complexities of his act may have grown (more layered, as he describes it, unlike one of his earliest jokes: “I went fly fishing the other day. I caught three flies,”), but absurdity is never far away. “People used to say, ‘Oh, your comedy is very gentle.’ And I thought, ‘Gentle? God, that doesn’t sound very good.’ So Force Majeure starts with human sacrifice. That seems to avoid the gentle. Whoever thought that killing someone and offering them to a god was a good idea? The gods created everything on Earth, apparently, and if you believe in them, why in the hell would you start killing people? Why be like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to kill Jim, because God would love that.’ What? That’s insane! I think that’s where the first fascist guy stepped up. People were wondering, ‘Who should we kill?’ and one guy was like, ‘Let’s kill Jim. I get to choose, because I’ve got a big hat on’.” Izzard was close to the late Robin Williams, who gave the young comedian his first real break in the US. There is a myth surrounding comedians that has endured so long now that one starts to doubt it is a myth at all – that comedy develops as a survival mechanism; one becomes the tragic clown for fear the girls won’t like you and the boys will beat you up.
ON STAGE Australian modern circus ensemble Circa will bring their exciting new show Beyond to Melbourne this week. Created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa ensemble, Beyond comes to life on multiple stages within stages, blending circus arts like trapeze and Chinese pole with giant fluffy rabbit head costumes, Rubik’s cubes and blindfolds. The show features seven performers and a mix of showtunes, ballads and electronica. Since their formation in 2006, Brisbanebased Circa has toured 30 countries across six continents. In 2013, they performed over 420 performances to over 150,000 audience members locally, nationally and internationally. Beyond has already toured across six continents, including this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival to critical acclaim. Beyond by Circa will run at Arts Centre Melbourne from Tuesday January 13 to Saturday January 17.
ON DISPL AY Japanese sculptor and artist Takahiro Iwasaki’s latest work, Reflection Model, is currently on display at the National Gallery of Victoria. Renowned for his large-scale miniatures of ancient Japanese buildings and architecture, his newest work re-imagines the Shinto shrine of Itsukushima, most famous for its “floating” Torii gate on the tidal flats of Japan’s Inland Sea. It’s the latest piece in his Reflection Model Series, which recreates ornate buildings and their inverse image, as seen reflected on the water that surrounds them. The work was produced over three months and constructed from Japanese cypress wood.
pick of the week
EDDIE IZZARD By Adam Norris
Band Of Magicians, the world’s first magic supergroup, have returned to Australia. After scoring rave reviews at their world premiere at the 2014 Sydney Festival the foursome, made up of Justin Willman, Nate Staniforth, Justin Flom and Australia’s own James Galea, are now heading to Melbourne. Collectively the group’s members have appeared on Ellen DeGeneres, have millions of views on YouTube, have performed in more than 26 countries, been featured on TV’s 50 Greatest Magic Tricks, hosted two television shows, written a book and received a standing ovation from President Obama. Be amazed by Band Of Magicians at The Palms at Crown from Wednesday January 7 until Saturday January 17.
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They say not to meet your idols. Realistically, the chances of that ever actually happening tend to be slim (hence why Christopher Walken is yet to return my emails). But the opportunity to feature alongside your childhood heroes is something rarer still. David Tennant managed the feat by piloting the TARDIS. Harry Potter fanatic Evanna Lynch was cast as Luna Lovegood. And Eddie Izzard – one of the most outstanding and idiosyncratic performers-at-large in the world – was invited to step onstage with comedy’s messianic Holy Grail (and with such beautiful plumage), Monty Python. “It was unbelievable,” Izzard says. Those familiar with his stand-up material are well-acquainted with the rapid monologues that characterise his sets; the bemused commentary on his own material, the characters that wander in and out like strangers lost in a hotel lobby. “I was in the blackmail sketch, where Mike Palin is hosting. They bring us on with a bag over your head, and Palin says, ‘You’ve been blackmailed’ But it wasn’t perfectly thought out, you see. You had to just come up with on the spot some reason why somebody would be blackmailing you. But I’d had time to figure out my response, so I said, ‘People have been accusing me of wearing men’s underwear, and it isn’t true!’ That seemed to work. And then, as Eric Idle was pulling me away, I said, ‘Wait, wait, I’ve got another joke!’
“‘What?’ said Eric, ‘You want to say something else?’ “‘Yes,’ I said, ‘I never wanted to be a transvestite. I always wanted to be… a lumberjack!’ It was wonderful, it was very odd, and may well never happen again.” Izzard these days is quite removed from the 17-yearold refining his comedy in order to impress girls during A-level chemistry classes. He’s been touring the world since 1996, after his show Definite Article found great success in the US. 19 years later, Force Majeure is set to arrive in Melbourne next month, and brings with it insights into comedy the multilingual Izzard is in a unique position to relate. “What I have found is that there is no national sense of humour. No Australian sense of humour, no British or American sense of humour, no German sense of
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“I do think there’s truth in that,” Izzard pauses, and sighs before continuing. “Some people will develop comedy to try and become popular. I definitely did. I wasn’t playing football or soccer, so I used comedy deliberately for that reason. Even Churchill had his ‘black dogs’, but he lived until 90 because he kept powering through. And Robin decided it was just getting too dark. It was tragic. I had no idea. I don’t think it’s necessarily the tragic clown, I just think it’s … Some people have some very dark thoughts, and some of those people end up as comedians. “But it’s the same everywhere. The tears of a soldier, tears of a politician, tears of a clown. It’s just more dramatic when it’s a comedian because they seem to be having so much fun when they’re onstage, they’re so happy. And with someone like Robin you think, ‘God, if only you could just go back onstage and keep living in that fun time,’ you know? But it just doesn’t seem to work that way. It’s the cards you get given at birth, and how you end up playing them in life.” Catch Eddie Izzard at Hamer Hall on Monday February 9 and Tuesday February 10.
tHE COMIC STRIP FELICIT Y WARD
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One of the Australia’s rising stars of comedy takes a break from TV and film in the UK to perform at home for a short time only. The Iceberg - it has nothing to do with Leonardo Di Caprio. And it ain’t about lettuce. It’s about perspective - what we see, what we think we know, and what is actually going on. You know what’s underneath the tip of the iceberg? The rest of the iceberg. In 2012, Felicity was nominated for or won every Best Comedy award at Australia’s four main comedy festivals for her critically acclaimed show, The Hedgehog Dilemma. She is the first comedian to ever achieve this. Her follow up, The Iceberg, has already sold out in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth Comedy Festivals and the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014. Make sure you don’t miss this special encore performance. She’ll hit The Athenaeum Theatre on Thursday March 5.
James Marsters
SUPANOVA POP CULTURE EXPO
Supanova Pop Culture Expo have added more guests to their 2015 incarnation. Joining the already bumper lineup is James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, The Dresden Files), Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf) and Robin Lord Taylor (Gotham). They’ll join the likes of Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Eoin Macken and Alexander Vlahos (Merlin), Jessica DiCicco (The Emperor’s New School, Adventure Time, Over the Hedge, Gravity Falls, Pound Puppies), Todd Haberkorn (Soul Eater, Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), Arthur Suydam (Heavy Metal, Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth, Marvel Zombies, Wolverine), Tony Moore (The Walking Dead) and many more. Supanova will go down on Saturday April 11 and Sunday April 12 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
PORTL AND HOTEL COMEDY
JOHAN PADAN AND THE DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAS
AMBER STONES AND GREEN
SEPIDEH REACHING FOR THE STARS
Sepideh Reaching for the Stars is the uplifting story of Iranian teenager and aspiring astronomer. Sepideh is a a girl whose dream of becoming an astronaut is met with resistance from her family and the conservative forces of her community. Sepideh’s only ally is a sympathetic astronomy teacher who is fighting his own battle with an oppressive government bureaucracy as he attempts to finish building an observatory. Sepideh Reaching for the Stars will screen at ACMI from Wednesday January 14 to Sunday February 1.
Amber Stones and Green brings together four individual artistic practices that link to women’s histories and mythologies; that embody a sense of community and hyper-connectivity. Luscious and unashamedly joyful, featuring the works of Maya Chakraborty, Georgie Glanville, Kate Just and Veronica Kent, the works of these four Melbourne artists invite us to share in all their bounteous femininity. Intoxicating colour and tactility becomes a visualising stimulus. A sense of freedom is palpable, as is an idealism that’s self aware and strikingly honest. Amber Stones and Green will be on display at Kings Artist Run from Friday January 9 - Saturday January 31.
Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas is an epic monologue with a cast of thousands that is packed with action, irreverent humour and frequent reversals of fortune. The play is an imaginative retelling of early encounters between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, Florida and Mexico. Inspired by historical figures including Cabeza de Vaca and Guerriero, Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas was written by Dario Fo in 1992 as an alternative to the official commemorations of Columbus’ voyage of 1492. A fugitive from the Inquisition, Johan Padan performs fantastical feats of surgery, prophecy and love after travelling with Columbus to the New World. It will be performed at fortyfivedownstairs from Wednesday February 4 – Sunday February 15.
Five Boroughs Comedy has moved, and now Cal Wilson headlines Portland Hotel Comedy this Thursday. The new venue is up for a big one, as Wilson finishes the night after a huge lineup including Danny McGinlay, Karl Chandler, Sonia Di Iorio and a couple of massive special guests. It’s all happening this Thursday January 8 at 8.30pm, at Portland Hotel Comedy, 127 Russell Street (upstairs), CBD, all for only $12.
COMEDY AT SPLEEN There’s another big lineup at Comedy At Spleen this Monday. It’s always completely packed, and you can see why with another awesome bunch of comics this week. This week, Harley Breen hosts, plus heaps of guests including Justin Hamilton, Tommy Dassalo, Greg Larsen, Demi Lardner and more. It’s this Monday January 12, at 41 Bourke Street, CBD, at 8.30pm. It’s free to get in, but they appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door.
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL PRESENTS
How did you all meet and come up with this show? JW: Tinder. Seriously, all the magicians of our era are very aware of their contemporaries, and tend to have those performers who are working in the same genre very much on their radar. There’s a natural instinct to investigate them a little, find out what the other guys are about…and in our case, we then went, “Oh wow, I have a lot in common with these guys.” And we became friends, and started hanging out quite separately to our professional endeavours. Why did you decide to combine forces? JW: We realised we had similar but still individual brands of magic…. JG: ….and we wanted to create a show that we wouldn’t be able to create on our own. So at a time we all happened to be in LA at the same time, we organised a dinner…and Band of Magicians was the result. Magicians are infamous for being secretive. Are there still secrets that you all keep from one another? JG, JW, JF: No. NS: Yes. JW: I only became a member of Band of Magicians to find out how Nate does his Lottery Trick. Who is the most competitive of the group? JG: I’m the most competitive. JF: I actually think I am, James. NS: I’m pretty competitive. JW: James is really the most competitive. Have you ever used your powers for evil? JW: Is getting laid evil?
How easy is it to trick a magician? Are you able to trick one another? JW: It’s surprisingly easy to trick a magician. We all became magicians because as young boys we saw magic and thought that there were powers that we could learn and possess real magic. By the time we realised there was a bit of smoke and mirrors involved, we were hooked, and kept on a search to find something that is real. NS: Most magicians of our generation are really hungry for that experience of being fooled by something, whether it comes from one of the guys in the Band, or another act, we all love that experience of seeing something that’s impossible, that we can’t explain. By this time, we know how most of the tricks work, so it’s great seeing something that’s mysterious. JW: We’re on the delivery side of magic and we know that it’s way more pleasurable as an audience member to watch it with the open mind of letting yourself get caught up in the mystery and letting yourself feel the wonder. It’s not as fun to sit there and try and figure things out all the time. We know that because we’ve figured out a hell of a lot of it… and it sucks. Knowing how all the tricks work is not nearly as much fun as being fooled, and when we are fooled it’s a feeling of actual enjoyment. JG: And that’s what we want to bring to our audiences every night at the Crown in Melbourne.
Band Of Magicians will perform at The Palms at Crown from Wednesday January 7 until Saturday January 17.
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UPCOMING
JANUARY
on tour SBTRKT [UK] Wednesday January 7, The Forum TYCHO [USA] Wednesday January 7, Northcote Social Club Thursday January 8, The Hi-Fi JOEY BADA$$ [USA], RUN THE JEWELS [USA] Thursday January 8, The Forum OMAR S [USA], DANIEL AVERY [UK] Friday January 9, Brown Alley SPACE DIMENSION CONTROLLER [UK] Sunday January 11, Lounge OLIVER SCHORIES [GER] Sunday January 11, Old Melbourne Gaol TIM HECKER [CAN] Wednesday January 14, Howler NELLY [USA] Friday January 16, Sidney Myer Music Bowl HEADLESS HORSEMAN [GER] Friday January 16, The Mercat MISTER SATURDAY NIGHT [USA] Saturday January 17, TBA NICO STOJAN [GER] Sunday January 18, Old Melbourne Gaol OMAR SOULEYMAN [SYR] Monday January 19, Corner Hotel TENSNAKE [GER] Friday January 23, Royal Melbourne Hotel PETAR DUNDOV [CRO] Friday January 23, Brown Alley RAINBOW SERPENT: MARCEL DETTMANN [GER], LEE BURRIDGE [UK], PETAR DUNDOV [CRO] + MORE Friday January 23 - Monday January 26, Lexton SUGAR MOUNTAIN: SOUL CLAP [USA], ANTHONY NAPLES [USA] + MORE Saturday January 24, VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) NAS [USA] Sunday January 25, The Forum SASSE [GER] Sunday January 25, Old Melbourne Gaol ODESZA [USA] Sunday January 25, Howler RUSTIE [UK] Thursday January 29, Howler SOHN [UK] Friday January 30, Corner Hotel FLYING LOTUS [USA] Friday January 30, 170 Russell LEON VYNEHALL [UK] Sunday February 1, Lounge FINNEBASSEN [NOR] Sunday February 1, Revolver Upstairs RAURY [USA] Tuesday February 3, Howler CARIBOU [USA] Thursday February 5, The Forum VIC MENSA [USA] Thursday February 5, Corner Hotel MR SCRUFF [UK] Friday February 6, 170 Russell STEFFI [GER] Saturday February 7, TBA LEE BURRIDGE [GER], MATTHEW DEKAY [NED] Saturday February 7, Caulfield Racecourse KOLOMBO [BEL] Sunday February 8, Prince Bandroom MODESELEKTOR [GER] Thursday February 12, The Hi-Fi MADGA [USA] Saturday February 14, The Liberty Social GENIUS OF TIME [SWE] Saturday February 14, TBA G-EAZY [USA] Monday February 16, Howler MOODYMANN [USA], DJ TENNIS [ITA] Friday February 20, Brown Alley TINASHE [USA] Friday February 20, The Hi-Fi
tour rumours
Juan Atkins, Hieroglyphic Being, Vatican Shadow, Shackleton, Container, The Bug, Evian Christ, Motor City Drum Ensemble
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news tours club snaps + more
electronic + urban + club life
stickybuds wo rd s / l i z a d ez fo u l i
DJ/producer Tyler Martens aka Stickybuds is known as an all-round nice guy and it’s true. Beat spoke to him at his home in Kelowna BC (on Canada’s west coast) via Skype and he’s downright adorable. He’s preparing for a trip to Australia to appear at this year’s Rainbow Serpent Festival. So what can summer festival goers look forward to from him? “I’m just bringing out a whole bunch of good music! I’m doing a tour of ten shows – this is my fifth tour to Australia” His increasing popularity means he’s kept incredibly busy. “My life is pretty full on. I had only one month off last year. I don’t get a lot of downtime to kick around ideas. I have to find time to let myself breathe and recuperate. You have to learn your boundaries and that only comes with experience. Both performing and producing are really important.” Stickybuds reckons he comes from a unique musical scene, one which he’s been influential in creating. “I’m bringing out some west coast Canadian vibes. A lot of my friends and I have helped to sculpt a multi-genre sound which sets it apart. The difference is in how we deal with those genres. We make strong interesting hybrids. For example, I mix acapellas with funk songs, with other drums and bass, stuff like that.” Despite his moniker, Stickybuds does a lot more than reggae, although reggae features along with Junglist tunes in with the glitch hop tracks next to heavy bass and funk, drum and bass and breaks. “It’s a good groove,” he says.
news
Catch Stickybuds at the 2015 Rainbow Serpent which will take place from Friday January 23 - Monday January 26 in Lexton.
- head to beat .com.au for more
all day i dream
off the record w i t h
“Ghetto funk. I do mid-tempo funk music with horn lines, tons of horns.” Stickybuds talks us through his career. He’s been at it for 11 years. “I’m 30 now. I started playing when I was 20. I’d been going to raves since I was 14. Then I bought a record, thinking, ‘I’ll play this at a rave one day’. I made a mix tape, listened to people doing new school breaks. Then I went to audio school and learnt how to become a producer and make music. I made melodies. As a producer you’re the whole band – drummer, baseline, leads, and keyboard player. My goal is to make original content that you can put out there. I’ve just recorded a new song, Easy, with vocals by Greg Blackman. One of my funky mid-tempo songs. Over the last six or seven years I’ve been involved with 25 independent labels, small rad labels, some are bigger than others. They’re all cool underground music labels. I taught myself. It’s been getting bigger and going uphill. It’s a crazy natural progression, a nice steady uphill progression.” That crazy progression led to a residency at Canada’s Shambhala music festival (2005 – 2013). He was nominated for best new DJ at the International BreaksPoll 2012 awards and he’s performed at Glastonbury, New Zealand’s Splore Festival, Burning Man as well as Ibiza’s iconic Space Club, to name just a few. Beat’s been listening to Amerigo Gazaway, who fuses various rap
and hip hop artists with James Brown, among others. “We’ve all sampled James Brown.” says Stickybuds. How much preparation goes into a show set for a tour? “There’s a complete set of stuff I like to put together. I prepare, sequence everything. Mix things harmonically. Create transitions. The vocals are one segment. Mix them into the next song. Keep layering about the set, figuring out transitions, all the different options. This tour will be my first time with this set of music so I’m not sure what to expect. I’m a vinyl DJ. 12 inch records. I used two turntables for the first five years but it’s all on Serato now– it’s not really practical to travel with three or four crates of records. I like to edit, sample, change things – you can’t really edit a vinyl record.” Does he play or sing on his recordings? “I don’t sing – I don’t play any instruments but I understand music theory. I know how to write music. [I] learnt the trombone in grade six but gave it up cos I thought the music sucked. “ DJs can ascend to rock god status with massive international careers. What are Stickybuds’s thoughts on the phenomenon? “The media is so heavily involved in electronic music, so DJs are exposed to a lot more people. There’s Skrillex winning Grammy awards… there’s a whole bunch of new people and the thing gets sculpted into pop. It can be a total cash cow and that’s where you get the cookie cutter festivals that become public companies, with investors who are only in it for the money. They couldn’t give a shit about music; they just want their 25,000 festival goers to book tickets so they get a return.” What does he think keeps him nice? “Canadians are pretty nice generally. And I’ve got great parents,” he says. “They’re very supportive.” Where does Stickybuds think his music sits in the scene? “There’s always an anti-hero to the mega mainstream festival,” he answers. “What I’m part of is the underground scene that doesn’t much care about trends or who’s the biggest or the best. We’re all just working hard and supporting each other. It’s not like I’m super-famous, not like I’m number one or anything. I just keep pushing things. There’s trap, a weird future-based music but we didn’t all jump ship and move to that. Dubstep, electro house, breaks…fine. Everyone can do what they want.” What’s the best thing about what he does? “I’ve got really good friends in all continents. At the moment I’m totally happy with what I’m doing. It’s hands on, it’s challenging. How I like things to be – there’s nothing missing DJ wise at the moment.”
t ys o n
w ray
New Year’s resolution: remove anyone from my Facebook who likes/comments on a post from ‘The LAD Bible’ page.
The global party juggernaut that is All Day I Dream is coming to Melbourne. Since humble beginnings on a Brooklyn rooftop in 2011 Lee Burridge’s tech-house institution has been travelling the world recently, and for his Australian visit he’s bringing over Dutch DJ Matthew Dekay. It’ll be going down at the Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday February 7. Hit up sash.net.au for more details.
steffi Motherfucking Steffi is returning to Melbourne. The undisputed queen of techno has practically done it all over her illustrious career. Since she was last in Australia in 2012 she’s continued her residency at the famed Panorama Bar, continued running her two labels Klakson and Dolly and released her second full-length album The Power of Anonymity. She’ll be joined by fellow Ostgut Ton/Panorama Bar colleague Virginia, who is making her debut visit to our shores. Saturday February 7 at a venue TBA. Do. Not. Miss. This.
genius of time Genius of Time is a live show of old school meets new school house, fusing the analogue sounds of beloved machines with modern technologies and possibilities. Steady grooves coupled with live instrumentation and improvisation, with a serious hardware setup for your eyes, ears and feet. Genius of Time go from deep to cosmic through jacking with irresistible grooves and unstoppable hooks. They’ll hit Melbourne on Saturday February 14, venue TBA.
petar dundov headless horseman One of the most killer (and secretive) live acts in contemporary techno, Headless Horseman, has locked in a Melbourne date. The enigmatic producer creates raw and dark soundscapes tinged with IDM that command a dance floor like no others in the game - check out his recent hardware-only Boiler Room set if you need any further convincing. Friday January 16 at The Mercat. oof.
Petar Dundov has locked in a Melbourne headline show to coincide with his appearance at Rainbow Serpent. Dundov makes intelligent electronic music that breaks boundaries, moves feet and twists minds. He is without a doubt one of the most inspiring, original and daring producers in electronica, and with the likes of Sven Väth, Francois K, Laurent Garnier, Adam Beyer, Josh Wink, Guy J, Glimpse, Hernan Cattaneo, Brendan Moeller, and Danny Tenaglia amongst his fans, it would be hard to disagree. He’ll hit Brown Alley on Friday February 23.
electronic - urban - club life
kolombo Rising ghetto house star Kolombo has locked in a return to Melbourne. Real name Olivier Grégoire, the Belgium producer first rose to prominence in 2012 with the release of his EP My Own Business, one that featured straight-up the filthiest bass lines I’ve ever heard. In the past few years he’s only gone from strength to strength, releasing on labels such as Kompakt, 2DIY4, Warung, Noir Music, Turbo, Eskimo and our very own Future Classic. He’ll hit the Prince Bandroom on Sunday February 8.
club guide wednesday jan 7
snaps anyway
CURIOUS TALES - FEAT: DJ WHO + TIGERFUNK + TOM SHOWTIME + FLAGRANT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. REVOLVER WEDNESDAYS - FEAT: DAN SAN Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. SBTRKT Forum Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $79.97. TOTAL ECLIPSE Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.
thursday jan 8
circus sundays
3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC + MAFIA + FOR YOUR EARS DJS + FAKE FORWARD + RIFFE + DOM DOLLA VS BOOT ACTION + JACK LOVE + BENSON VS MIKE METRO Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. CQ SESSIONS Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. GOOD EVENING Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. JOHN MORALES Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. LOVE STORY - FEAT: TRANTER + SLEEVES + MEGAWUOTI + SUPREMES + MICKEY P Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:30pm. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS FEAT: PREQUEL + EDD FISHER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. NO HAY BANDA + THE IMPRINTS 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. THE RITZ - FEAT: KEN WALKER + ANDO + JOSHUA GILLILAND Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 10:00pm. $20.00. VARSITY - FEAT: KITI + FOOFARAW Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. XS DISCO - FEAT: VARIOUS ARTISTS Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm.
friday jan 9 #EATDRINKPLAY - FEAT: ANDY MURPHY + MGMC + DJ JORJ + CAM WOODARD The Emerson, South Yarra. 10:00pm. $20.00. #MASHTAG - FEAT: MALPRACTICE + AGENT 86 + BENZO + ANDRE LE VOGUE + SILVERFOX + AHAB + OLLIE Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. BREAD & BUTTER FRIDAYS Cushion, St Kilda.
8:00pm. CAN’T SAY Platform One, Melbourne. 9:00pm. CQ FRIDAYS Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. FABULOUS FRIDAYS Co., Southbank. 8:00pm. FAKE TITS - FEAT: BOOGS + SPACEY SPACE + SUNSHINE + SAMMY LA MARCA + BUTTERS + ADAM BARTAS + JUNGLE JIM Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $15.00. FRIDAYS @ ONESIXONE - FEAT: JEN TUTTY + LUKE MCD + LEWIE DAY + PREQUEL + KATIE DROVER + MITCH KURZ + MIC NEWMAN + TOM EVANS + JOEL ALPHA + LIAM WALLER + AARON TROTTMAN + NICK JONES + JESSE YOUNG + ANDRAS FOX + JAC OSCAR WILKINS Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. HANK WILLIAMS TRIBUTE - FEAT: DAVE GRAY Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. LUCK TRUCK FRIDAYS DOWNSTAIRS Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. NOISE IN MY HEAD + MYLES MAC + YOUNG EDITS Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. OMG FRIDAYS Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. PANORAMA FRIDAYS UPSTAIRS - FEAT: PHATO A MANO + MR.GEORGE + MATT RADD + ASH-LEE Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. POPROCKS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. REVOLVER FRIDAYS FEAT: JAVI SAMPOL + MIKE CALLANDER + KATIE DROVER + SAFARI & WHO Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. SMALLTOWN - FEAT: OMARS + DANIEL AVERY Brown Alley, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $44.00. THERAPY FRIDAYS Level 3 @ Crown, Southbank. 8:00pm. $20.00.
saturday jan 10 ELECTRIC DREAMS Co., Southbank. 8:00pm. $20.00. ANYWAY - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Bottom End, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. AUDIOPORN SATURDAYS - FEAT: DR. ZOK + JAMES WARE + GREG SARA + JACOB MALMO + TOM
EVANS + ROWIE Onesixone, Prahran. 9:00pm. $15.00. BONEY SATURDAYS FEAT: SESSION VICTIM + MYLES MAC + GRANT CAMOV + MIND OVER MATTER Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. $10.00. CUSHION SATURDAYS Cushion, St Kilda. 9:00pm. FAMILIAR STRANGERS The Emerson, South Yarra. 10:00pm. $20.00. HOT STEP - FEAT: ADAM ASKEW + GRAYSKULL + KELTEC + MYLES MAC + PETER BAKER + REV. THORN + SAM MCEWIN + SHANE COPAL + TOM EVANS Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. MAMA SAID - FEAT: JACK LOVE + DAVE JURICEVICH + JACOB MALMO + OLVIER JAMES + DANIEL TARDREW + MATT KOVIC + LIAM WALLER Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 1:00am. MIDNIGHT RUN Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 11:30pm. $7.00. ROSE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. SATURDAY MORNING FEAT: SUNSHINE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00am. SEVEN SATURDAY DISCOTHEQUE Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. TEXTILE SATURDAYS - FEAT: KODIAK KID + D’FRO + JENS BEAMIN Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. THE HOP + AMIN PAYNE + EDD FISHER + BILLY HOYLE + N’FA JONES + JACKSON MILES Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. THE HOUSE DEFROST FEAT: ANDEE FROST Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. $35.00. THE LATE SHOW - FEAT: PREQUEL + PAZ + MOONSHINE + LA POCOCK + BOOGS + RANSOM + MAT CANT + GET BU$Y + SAMMY THE BULLET Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00pm. THERAPY Level 3 @ Crown, Southbank. 9:00pm. $20.00. TRAMP SATURDAYS Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. TUNES BE FEE FEE STAR Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. VAULT SATURDAYS Platform One, Melbourne.
9:00pm.
sunday jan 11 BEENAK + MPL Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. BLEEP CUTS HIGH-AS TEA - FEAT: ALTA + RHYTHMIK + JONNY FAITH + BILLY HOYLE & CAZEAUX O.S.L.O + PASSERINE + BISCOTTI + BENATWORK + SHUTTERSOUNDS + JUXTPOSE & BLEEP CUTS DJS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 2:00pm. $15.00. BOP ART - FEAT: HAWAII + WHO + TIGERFUNK + MATT RADOVICH + LEWIS CANCUT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. EARLY MORNING CREW - FEAT: HOOPS + BRAD SASSMAN + JOSH PAOLA + JESSE YOUNG + OLLIE HOLMES + DEAN SPANOS Onesixone, Prahran. 1:00am. ENCORE - FEAT: DAN SLATER + ADAM LOVE The Emerson, South Yarra. 9:00pm. JUNGLE - FEAT: HANDS DOWN + ZAC DEPETRO + PETE LASKIS + TRAVLOS + JOHN DOE Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00am. $15.00. PIKNIC ELECTRONIK FEAT: OLIVER SCHORIES LIVE + JACOB MALMO + TOM EVANS Old Melbourne Gaol, 12:00pm. $10.00. REVOLVER SUNDAYS FEAT: BOOGS + SPACEY SPACE + T-REK + RADIATOR Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. SPITROAST SUNDAYS Cushion, St Kilda. 10:00pm. SUMMER SERIES #8 Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. WAX ON WAX OFF Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm.
snaps khokolat koated
be. at co.
monday jan 12 MONDAY STRUGGLE FEAT: TIGER FUNK Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm.
tuesday jan 13 CUSHION TUESDAYS Cushion, St Kilda. 8:00pm. SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. TRAMP TUESDAYS Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
faktory
urban club guide thursday jan 8
HIP HOP KARAOKE Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. JOEY BADA$$ & RUN THE JEWELS Forum Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $71.10.
friday jan 9
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY - FEAT: DJ RCEE + KAHLUA + DJ SHOOK + DJ ANGEL JAY Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. BUMP FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ KAHLUA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00. FAKTORY FRIDAYS - FEAT: DAMION
DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. MISTY NIGHTS + GORDY ZOLA Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $10.00. SAKI + MUMA DOESA + SK SIMEON + SEEKA + DEAD VANDALS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.
saturday jan 10
AZZY + AL-FLEX/DJ DILZ + THE COLLECTIVISTS + SUNLIGHT + LGEEZ/DJ VUZE + BASTIAN KILLJOY & SEEKA + IMPERIAL C + AUDACIOUS/DJ DAILY + BLAZIN GLENNY D/DJ RIGAMORTE + TUMI & GABRIELA GEORGES + JAY COUSEN Reverence Hotel, Footscray.
electronic - urban - club life
7:30pm. $15.00. KHOKOLAT KOATED SATURDAYS - FEAT: DAMION DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY + TIMOS Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. RHYTHM NATION SATURDAYS FEAT: DJ BIG SAAD + DJ KAHLUA & ANDY PALA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
sunday jan 11
BE. SUNDAYS Co., Southbank. 10:00pm. $15.00.
21
CARIBOU
By Lachlan Kanoniuk
Released mid-2014, standing out in a overwhelmingly fertile crop of A-grade electronic full-lengths released in the same period, Our Love exceeded lofty expectations laden on a follow-up to Caribou’s landmark LP Swim, glistening with intimacy, radiant in togetherness. It was a relative wait, with UK-based Canadian Dan Snaith carving out a slight divergence with other solo project Daphni, alongside his newfound role as a father. Speaking from his London home over the holiday season, Snaith explains the emotional investment of Our Love. “The reason it took four years had much more to do with other things going on in my life, having a daughter, I made the Daphni record, did a bunch of DJing, I toured constantly after Swim came out. It didn’t take me longer to make this record compared to previous records, it just took me a while to get around to it, with so much going on. I was dying to make it by the time we finished touring, just dying to make this Caribou music again,” he says. “I’m not very good at having a sense of what I’m going to do in advance, it’s more getting my hands dirty and actually making music, and feeling what my music is going to sound like or be about. The only thing I get a sense of, accurately, is this affection when Swim came out, people talking about what it meant to them. That was my first angle for making another Caribou record after Swim. I never really considered that at all, before that.” The ascendance of Daphni, Snaith’s peripheral clubready project, since the release of Swim has solidified a rekindled fondness for the dancefloor, an aspect not exactly shied away from within the realm of Caribou. “There doesn’t have to be a firm distinction between the two for me at all, really. There is a very different method of working and intention, which is why they end up sounding different. The Daphni stuff, I never intended for that to be released. It was just made to be played in the DJ sets after people saw me in the context of dance music again and started getting offered DJ sets again, and I wanted to have more music to play. Not necessarily my own, but that was the easiest way to make sure I knew people wouldn’t have heard it before, getting a track the way I wanted it to sound in the club. That’s why I made that record, it wasn’t intended to be an album, it wasn’t intended to be released in the
first place. It was made spontaneously, really quickly, not laboured over in the way the Caribou message is. I always have to sit with Caribou for a long, long time. Daphni music is intentionally functional, it’s meant to be music that people can dance to in the club. Some of the Caribou tracks have that functionality to a certain degree, but it’s not what I’m aiming for, it’s not a requirement. Caribou tracks can be dancefloororiented, or not at all. They can be either.” Caribou exhibits a canny ability to toy with repetition, a vital component within dance, in a compelling fashion, orchestrating deft, underhanded swells. He explains repetition has been a constant throughout his entire life: “The first real challenge I had, when I felt I really developed my current sensibility about music was when I went from listening to horrendous progressive rock, where virtuosity is valued and repetition is definitely not, when I was 15, 16, then to hear all the records and types of music where repetition is a primary element... For me, a novice mistake when trying to make music that works in a club is trying to change it too much. The best thing you can do is let it sit there, or change it only every once in a while. Our Love is a lot about being as concise as possible, getting these ideas in there in very short periods. People ask, ‘Why isn’t the album version of Can’t Do Without You longer?’ asking why Julia Brightly, the short little track on the album, is so short. It’s about being part of the larger narrative, rather than the tracks standing so much on their own.” Our Love is radiant in its densely layered emotion, searching deeper than the sheer, sometimes cheap, euphoria present throughout popular electronic music in recent years. The intent, he says, was to pack as much emotion from his life into it as possible: “I’m in no way claiming to be in this tradition, but the way I see that
being reconciled is through the tradition of dance music comes from soul music through to disco music, where people have a superficial understanding about the most popular, super, super happy music, but a lot of it is very bittersweet,” he says. “Marginalised groups expressing themselves in that space, that they could escape from the difficulties, but they could put that in the music as well. With house music, it’s very much the same thing. That’s also more general outside of dance music, they have been my favourite songs, the songs that are simultaneously joyous and melancholic, that blend, that bittersweetness. That’s something I think music does so well as an art form - compared to film, poetry, visual art
– it synthesises those two opposites. That’s something that’s so interesting to me. Our lives don’t feel like one note, it always has things and its opposite right next to them. I wanted to make music that had these things, these contradictions next to each other all the time.”
CARIBOU will perform at The Forum on Thursday February 5 and Laneway Festival, taking place Saturday February 7 at Footscray Community Arts Centre. Our Love is available through City Slang/ Inertia.
TERRAIN
Footscray Community Arts Centre presents
Wominjeka Festival 2015
Presented by St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
When Saturday 17 January, 5pm Venue Main Stage, FCAC Riverside Lawn Cost FREE
Thelma Plum Casting a spell over audiences everywhere, singer-songwriter Thelma Plum burst onto the Australian music scene in 2012, winning multiple awards including Triple J Unearthed competition. Thelma has played with musicians like Elvis Costello and Bob Evans and her collaboration with producer M-Phazes has led to some of the most exciting new sounds in Australian music.
Thursday 15 - Saturday 17 January
Presenting a rich and diverse program of art, music, performance and activities that deeply reflects Indigenous culture in Melbourne’s west, and Australia.
Emma Donovan and The Putbacks Acclaimed vocalist Emma Donovan and Melbourne rhythm combo The PutBacks have come together to play songs from their new album Dawn, an LP of hard hitting and heartfelt soul songs telling stories of grief, struggle and redemption. The artists’ songwriting is in turns optimistic, angry and melancholic and on occasions bruisingly honest.
Full festival program at footscrayarts.com 45 Moreland Street, Footscray VIC P +61 3 9362 8888 E reception@footscrayarts.com Illustration by Paola Balla
Lost Boys HA LF
Image by Jeff Busby
Hailing from Townsville, the Lost Boys’ eclectic sound ranges from alternative and indie, to progressive and soulful. Energetic and exciting, it’s no surprise their shows have attracted a huge following from Cairns to Melbourne and have seen them play with acts like Gomez and Sticky Fingers.
HA LF scrutinises the label ‘half-caste’ and the terms that perpetuate racial segregation based on skin tone, shade and colour. Mariaa Randall brings together multimodal critique, highlighting the evolution of Aboriginal identities whilst enacting the diversity of Aboriginal Australia today. When Thursday 15 January, 8pm; Friday 16 January, 1pm (with Q&A) and 8pm; and Saturday 17 January, 3:30pm Venue FCAC Performance Space Cost $15
MUSIC
Christine Anu In Concert Presented by Maribyrnong City Council
DANCE
PAST RACISM / FUTURE RIGHTS
Legendary singer Christine Anu will be bringing the party to Wominjeka as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of her iconic album Stylin Up. With a career spanning two decades including music, theatre, dance, film and television, the ARIA award winner will be playing all her hits including My Island Home and Party. Dance with us! When Saturday 17 January, 8pm Venue Main Stage, FCAC Riverside Lawn Cost FREE
Yagan Satour is a 24 year, 1 month, 3 week and 3 day old, selfieloving, Arrente, Gurindji and Worimi man who is GLBTIQ and has an intellectual disability. Star Aqua Galactica is his drag persona and she is a Sagittarius. She is 24. This is their show. 1 This text has been formatted by Yagan Satour. When Saturday 17 January, 2pm Venue FCAC Basement Theatre Cost $10. Book online. 1
Image bySteven Rhall, 2011
Wominjeka is supported by
CONCERT
PERFORMANCE
Footscray Community Arts Centre is supported by
footscrayarts.com
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 22
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LA FEMME
By Garry Westmore
Holding a conversation over a distorted long distance call with the thick French accented Sacha Got is a challenge. But, like a drunk Aussie backpacker trying to chat up a non-English speaker in a hostel bar, I persevere. After all, La Femme turned many a head (including this writer’s) with their first LP Psycho Tropical Berlin; a mélange (that’s French) of psychedelic rock, cold wave, punk and post disco with tracks and vocals that transcended language barriers. This landed them fans all across the French and English speaking world including here, where they’ll be making their first sojourn (that might be French) for So Frenchy So Chic. When asked what he thought might be the allure of their music, Got is coy, or maybe just modest. He’s happier to explain the album’s title, which tips the hat to some of the album’s many ingredients. “We enjoy German electro like Kraftwerk, and Berlin is known for the spirit of the big bass, big snare, big kick,” hence the Berlin in Psycho Tropical Berlin, he explains. That influence is notable when you first listen to La Femme, as are some familiar French electro leanings and punk rock elements reminiscent of CSS’s best work. The elements found in their work don’t stop there, with the trajectory of La Femme’s influences following a chronology of popular music. “In the beginning, when we started making music together, we really liked ‘60s music, garage ‘70s, French stuff too. Then we began to enjoy cold wave style like early ‘80s synth, so we tried to make a mix of these.” It was an attempt that was, needless to say, pretty damn successful. However it was perhaps the experience of growing up in the surf town of Barritz where Got started La Femme with keyboardist Marlon Magnée, that endowed them with a surf rock sound as well; a sound that would help endear them to Californian audiences in their first non-European shows. After becoming pals with a couple of Cali surfers in Barritz, who provided them some contacts, they headed over and performed some 27 gigs in the space of three months. “We have a lot of affinity with California,” says Got. “There are some good bonds there, the vibes and the surf vibes are good and we like those vibes. California is a good spot for us,” Got sounds quite Californian himself with all this talk of ‘vibes’, but those vibes were vibing again for them on their recent tour of America, where the band were often asking on their Twitter feed for fans to put them up after shows, a request that was, more often than not, granted. “We preferred to stay at people’s places, you know, for free. But we’d make some new friends. With hotels you lose money. It’s about travel and humanity and if you stay in a hotel you learn nothing about the country.” Although, staying in hotels does have its advantages: “Sometimes it’s good when you’ve been on the road for days it’s good to take a shower.” Apparently loaning a couch for a night is one thing, but a shower? Get outta here. Maybe in the early days it would’ve been easy finding room for just Got and Magnée, but these days La Femme consists of, at times, upwards of nine members. They’ve a bass guitarist; drummer; an added percussionist, three vocalists who moonlight, and the closest thing they’ve got to a main singer in Clémence Quélennec, who Got and Magnée found via that most wonderful of things – the Internet. “I started to write the songs with Marlon, then we had some opportunities to play live, so we asked some friends and started to build the band. When we started to record some songs, we weren’t singers; we tried to have a friend of ours do some singing, but we liked to have many different voices – singing on the same stage but with different voices, so you couldn’t really tell who was singing.” That’s when they stumbled across Quélennec: “She was making music, and playing keyboard and we were looking for a singer who could play keyboard too, so she was good for us.” They do still muck around with layered vocals to keep everyone guessing though, vocals that are delivered, with the exception of lines here and there, entirely in French. And though many bands reject their native tongues presumably to help win themselves westerner fans, La Femme chose not go down that path. “If you think that if you can sing in English that everyone will listen, well I don’t think it’s a good way. Like us, we started to listen to American and English bands and we understood nothing. I think in France there are a lot of great artists who perform in French so we just want to keep going, as it’s more natural for us. You can do what you want, if you want to sing in English, there’s great bands that do stuff in English but really you have to do it because you like it, not because you think with this approach I’ll be more famous.” Certainly at this stage of their career, Got and crew could perhaps feel vindicated in their decision to stay true to their tongue, as thus far their French lyrics have endeared them to audiences rather than alienate them, and if it ain’t broke… well, you know.
LA FEMME are appearing at So Frenchy So Chic this Sunday January 11 at Werribee Mansion.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 23
BLUE KING BROWN
By Meg Crawford
Nattali Rize, front lady for Melbourne-based but internationally acclaimed nine-piece reggae and roots outfit Blue King Brown, has been described as something akin to a modern day superhero. You can see why – she looks the part, she’s fiercely socially active and it’s hard not to get fired up listening to her. While Rize makes it clear all social issues are interconnected (“[t]he oppression of one people is a black mark against all people,” she observes), the atrocities in West Papua are weighing most heavily on her mind at the moment. In short, it’s genocide of the indigenous community by the Indonesian Government. “We found out what was happening in West Papua, just on Australia’s doorstep, and heard these stories directly from West Papuans who had experienced what’s going on,” she explains. “Now that I know, how could I possibly turn a blind eye? How could I possibly not offer my help in any way, however small or big that may be? We can’t turn a blind eye once we know what’s happening.” True to her word, Rize and the band have taken the opportunity to raise awareness of the West Papuan plight whenever possible. Womadelaide a few years back was a perfect example. The band had West Papuan mates sing and dance with them onstage and a spokesperson for the group addressed the crowd. The response was gratifying. “We held up a really big banner that said ‘Free West Papua’ and asked anyone in the crowd who believed in the right to self determination, human rights and justice for West Papuans to raise their fists in the air and we took a photo,” she recalls proudly. “At that moment about 10,000 people raised their fists in the air; a lot of them only hearing about West Papua for the first time. That image is so powerful – it says a million words. To date, it’s the largest public showing of support for West Papua in Australian history. For us, we’re just doing it because that’s what we have to do, but looking at it, it’s quite a significant image for West Papuans in the struggle. A huge part of it is about raising awareness. A lot of people are like,
‘What? I can’t believe this has been happening for over fifty years and we’ve never even heard of West Papua.’ A lot of people didn’t even know it existed.” Once the blinkers come off, it’s hard to put them back on again. That philosophy is part of what drove Born Free, the band’s 2014 release. “This system is undeniably not serving humanity at its core and not prioritising the very values that all humans have in them – love, sharing, caring, safety, the right to a house and education, real education,” Rize rues. “Those things are swept to the bottom of the pile to make way for corporate priorities – money, the economy, power. That structure of capitalism does not serve the people in the end. It serves a very few rich people. Born Free, our new album is about remembering our ability. We are born mentally free, but we are very quickly chained into a system that doesn’t want us to be free. It’s about the movement of truth really. It’s time to wake up and that’s what’s happening. Humanity is waking up. Our music now is to help amplify that awakening and push it forward as fast as we can.” Rize’s social activism isn’t new. She was inspired about issues of justice and inequity even as a kid: “Mum worked in a number of community groups – Samoans, the Pacific Island Network Group – also she worked for many, many years with an aboriginal community in Victoria,” Rize reflects. “Because of that, I had an understanding of injustice and racism. Plus we grew up in a poor neighbourhood and we were the only kids with brown skin, so we experienced a little bit of racism. Not that much, to be honest. The main things were our extended family and learning about the struggle that indigenous people faced and continue to face here. Those things played into what has made me passionate
about justice, human rights and indigenous rights.” Rize’s mum’s also partly responsible for her career trajectory as a muso. Music was a huge part of Rize’s upbringing (her mum was playing all the good stuff – Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley etc.), but it didn’t occur to her to start playing until she was 13, which was when she picked up the guitar that had been sitting in the corner of her room for donkeys. “I don’t know why I noticed the guitar that day and decided to pick it up and play something, but I found that I could do it easily. Then I got my mother to show me some stuff and I got a bit
addicted to it. I fell in love with the guitar at that point. “Before then, I was still just being a kid and figuring out what I wanted to do. I was interested in sports, but once I picked up the guitar that was it – I’ve never, ever since questioned what I’d be doing with my time on this planet. It’s always been about music.”
time you get more and more comfortable with maybe not having all of your ideas go in. That’s the only way you can improve. “None of these albums that are considered great were [made] where one person did it all,” he adds. “You get to the point where you’re comfortable letting other people give you ideas or pointers on stuff. That’s another level of creativity – more successful or more cohesive creativity.” On record, Ratking are a dominating force, but unlike so many other contemporary hip hoppers, condescending bravado isn’t their stock in trade. So it Goes illustrates
the ultimate dividends supplied by this attitude. “We’ll get better at it over time,” says Sporting Life. “But at the end of it, when [So It Goes] was finally mastered, in my opinion it gave people a balanced feel of what we’re trying to present at this particular point in time.”
BLUE KING BROWN rev up The Hi-Fi on Thursday January 15 and Byron Bay Bluesfest on Sunday, April 5. Born Free is available now.
RATKING
By Augustus Welby
New York hip hop has a fiercely guarded history. From the genre’s inception in the early 1970s, to the breakthrough success of Grandmaster Flash and Run-D.M.C. in the ‘80s, and the ‘90s heyday for the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Notorious B.I.G. and Nas, New York has long been a breeding ground for legendary, world-changing hip hop. While the likes of Jay Z remain in the public eye, in recent years there haven’t been many pages added to New York hip hop history. That’s not to say there’s a dearth of quality artists – at present, you’ve got youngsters like Joey Bada$$ delivering high-calibre throwbacks to the ‘90s glory days, while Azealia Banks is a very exciting prospect. Still, nothing’s initiated a dazzling new era in the city’s hip hop lineage. In the early months of 2014, Manhattan crew Ratking released their debut record So It Goes. There’s no denying that the young trio (made up of MCs Wiki and Hak and producer Sporting Life) are indebted the city they hail from: So It Goes moves at cut-throat pace, comprising street-wary observations and production that echoes the industrial clamour of the Upper East Side. Prior to Ratking’s inaugural Australian tour, Beat got hold of Sporting Life to discuss the record’s construction. “I had an idea in my head of what, in my opinion, a complete album would sound like and how varied it would need to be,” he says. “You start there, but then things develop over time. Some of your ideas work really well and some of them don’t work at all… and that all leads to making what it ended up sounding like. I try to plan 100 per cent, but it ends up being like 70 per cent and then 30 per cent of what happens during the process.” It might be too early to proclaim So It Goes heralds a new frontier for New York hip hop, but Ratking certainly introduce themselves as a unique entity. The threesome readily acknowledge their hometown’s formidable hip hop background, but they aren’t afraid to look beyond New York for influence. “[I like doing] my own ground work of what the influences are going to be track-by-track and how I’m building it out,” Sporting Life explains, “just by listening to so many classic albums, like albums Dre produced and stuff like that. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 24
“A song like Remove Ya is sampled from Sanchez, and it’s also a sample that [The Diplomats] use on Dipset Anthem, but the direction of the track was more influenced by producers like Wiley and early grime.” This willingness to take cues from reggae mainstay Sanchez and the Godfather of grime, Wiley, shows that Ratking’s listening habits aren’t limited to the terrain of hip hop. Furthermore, So It Goes harnesses punk rock energy, which isn’t simply a coincidence. “We definitely listen to Bad Brains and skateboarding tapes,” Sporting Life says. “The fact that we play a lot gives it more of the punk element to it. Then we try to double back and add that into the record, so there’s not a difference between what it sounds like live.” Ratking’s animated spirit and broad-spanning influences combine to make So It Goes a distinctly modern hip hop record. On top of this, the utilisation of advanced studio technology helped to differentiate So It Goes from the prized hip hop releases of yore. “You’re using new programs, you’re using new drum machines,” says Sporting Life. “It’s being recorded with this technology, so in a way it’s going to be new anyway. You don’t necessarily have to stress that, you just have to set up a system and then put things through that system and see if they come out listenable. If it’s listenable, people will consider it new, if it’s not they’ll be like, ‘That’s just some noise’.” Sporting Life produced the entire record, but Wiki and Hak weren’t denied their say on the production choices. Similarly, Sporting Life, weighed in on the merits of what was coming from the two vocalists. After all, Ratking are a crew, and the trio’s collaborative synergy is what builds their strength. “To a certain degree it’s left up to the individual, but then at the end of the day we all have to agree with it,” Sporting Life says. “If there’s a part that sounds really corny we’re all going to say something about it, so there might be a little bit of back and forth about it. Over
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
RATKING will be performing at Ding Dong Lounge on Thursday February 5 and Laneway Festival on Saturday February 7. So It Goes is out through HXC Recordings.
THE GROWLERS
By Augustus Welby
The Growlers’ music has never paralleled the guttural hostility implied by their band name. Starting with 2009 debut LP Are You In Or Are You Out?, the Californian quintet have focused on an intoxicating brand of surf-pop – psychedelic both in mood and sonic haze. The LA-based outfit dropped their third LP Chinese Fountain in September, which makes a distinct departure from their earlier material. There’s no shortage of melodious surf-pop guitar lines or chooglin’ rhythms, and vocalist Brooks Nielsen continues to hold court with effortless akimbo. But sonically-speaking, Chinese Fountain is a rather pristine affair. “[Before this album] home recording was all we could afford,” says Nielsen. “We were doing it ourselves and learning through it. Then it was like, ‘Oh, we want to make a real record in a studio.’ We attempted it and it didn’t really work out. It did feel like it was too early to do it, but by now it was like, ‘We deserve to be in a studio just like anybody else, with a real hardworking engineer.’ I’m glad we finally did it.” Inarguably, The Growlers’ songwriting panache warrants this upgrade in fidelity. That said, the band’s homebrewed edge has always been a major aspect of their appeal. On account of this, applying the more polished production is a risky move, but it hasn’t backfired. “Any kind of fear we had of whether the fans would like it… it was just like, ‘Who gives a fuck? We’re doing this for us mainly’,” Nielsen says. “The record went over completely fine. People liked it, our fans are still there, and they’re at the shows singing the songs, no matter how clear they sound when they listen to them.” Although The Growlers’ previous releases have been decidedly scrappy, the gritty production’s never been an ailment. Even so, the band’s entrance into the hi-fi bracket is more than welcome, as it allows disco groovers Dull Boy and Chinese Fountain to accomplish slick seduction and ensures the sentimental reggae ditty, Going Gets Tuff, doesn’t go unnoticed. Along with the crisp and ballsier instrumentation, Chinese Fountain spotlights Nielsen’s vocals like never before. Taking heed of the added focus this would draw, Nielsen thought carefully about how to optimise his vocal abilities. “I never knew what I was doing and I think that every recording I sing too much,” he says. “[On Chinese Fountain] I really calmed myself down and I sing a lot less. I got comfortable with singing again and now the recording is clear enough that you can actually hear me. “I felt a little weird about it,” he adds. “But everything I listen to, all the records I love, that was the standard. I think it was weird for the band, it’s like, ‘God damn, Brooks is so loud.’ The engineer and the producer convinced us for it to be, for the first time, me in front. And now I’m completely cool with it.” While Chinese Fountain is largely an easygoing listen, the bands leisurely demeanour is offset by the weight of Nielsen’s lyrics. The record sees him address themes of loneliness, achievement anxiety, contemporary hustle and mortality. And it’s no mere pantomime. “It’s really just blended into one – my personal life and the band,” he says. “Being an entertainer, [I’ve] really sacrificed myself to everybody… so I just kind of open up. Mainly the way I live is I’m introverted and quiet and I don’t talk about my emotions or my problems or any of that. I tend to keep it all in and that’s the way it would stay, but through music I end up letting it out. This is my avenue to express it and that’s how it is.” Less than a year prior to Chinese Fountain, The Growlers dropped the nine-track EP Gilded Pleasures, which followed the early-2013 release of their second full-length Hung At Heart. This rate of productivity is nothing new for the band, who’ve consistently dished out singles and EPs ever since day one. On top of this, The Growlers have long been hardy travellers, building a grassroots following in several parts of the globe. Add to this pile of responsibilities the band’s own yearly festival, Beach Goth – the 2014 installment of which featured the likes of Foxygen, DIIV and The Drums – and it’s a wonder they haven’t run themselves dry. In spite of this, Nielsen sees no tempting alternative. “Nobody’s forcing us to do this. We choose to work this hard,” he says “I could be lazier, but I wouldn’t be happy. I enjoy making myself exhausted; I get bored if I’m not doing something I really enjoy. I don’t really like watching movies for that reason. I respect them and I like them, but sitting on the couch for two and a half hours, I feel like, ‘What the hell am I doing? I should be doing something.’ I guess I got it from my parents. They always woke up early and worked until dark every single day and that’s just how I learned to be. I also picked something that I enjoy doing. I still call this work, and sometimes it shouldn’t even be called work. I enjoy it and I’m learning to enjoy it more and more. “I’m not exhausted from just this,” he adds. “I also party too hard.”
THE GROWLERS are set to play The Corner Hotel on Wednesday January 14 and The Barwon Club on Friday January 16. Chinese Fountain is out through Smack Face Records. WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 25
CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN
By Augustus Welby
Camille O’Sullivan has always been at home in a stylish setting. Roughly ten years ago, the then largely unknown Irish singer discovered images of The Famous Spiegeltent and was immediately driven to get within its walls. “I was an architect before and I always had in the back of my head a mad idea to run away with the circus,” she says. “Then one day I was looking online and I saw this beautiful mirrored tent. David Bates, who owns The Famous Spiegeltent now, he says he gets about 200 emails a day from performers who are desperate to perform there. I did send him a little card and he said, ‘It was formal but it did the trick,’ in the sense of him listening to the CD.” This was back in 2004, and before long O’Sullivan was travelling around the UK with The Famous Spiegeltent – landing a key role in Bates’ La Clique, which led to an appearance in Stephen Frears’ 2005 flick Mrs. Henderson Presents, alongside Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. Thanks to her theatrical performance style and compelling recorded output, O’Sullivan’s now a respected artist in her own right. In recent years, she’s appeared on BBC’s Later With Jools Holland, as well as taking the stage at the Sydney Opera House. Later this month, O’Sullivan heads our way for a three night run at the Arts Centre’s Fairfax Studio. Fairfax Studio is more commonly used as a drama space than a live music venue, which suits O’Sullivan just fine. The singer’s repertoire largely consists of cover songs, but her live shows aren’t about simple reenactment. Rather, she presents an exceptionally active display, which can be theatrically dazzling and brutally emotional. “Living in Ireland, the big thing in our country is the singer/songwriter,” she says. “The only way I could reconcile with that over the years was the nice thing of people thinking [the songs] were my own. A lot of actresses go on stage and take the same play again and again and a different actress does it. When I look at Tom Waits and Nick Cave, I go, ‘There’s a story in there.’ They are quite narrative – even Radiohead, which sometimes you don’t even know what the lyric is saying – you can find something in it to create an
atmosphere.” For the forthcoming trio of gigs in Melbourne, O’Sullivan will showcase her latest release, 2012’s Changeling. In the earlier part of her career, O’Sullivan focused on songs written by the likes of Jacques Brel and Tom Lehrer. With Changeling, however, she decided to look towards a bunch of contemporary artists. “Radiohead and Tom Waits and Arcade Fire, it’s stuff I’ve been doing over the years,” she says. “I suppose I looked more at what was in my own record collection. I thought, ‘Look, enjoy yourself.’ As a performer you’ve just got to keep on evolving.” This decision also led O’Sullivan to tackle songs by Gillian Welch, Nine Inch Nails and David Bowie on Changeling. In spite of this, her setlists aren’t solely determined by her personal tastes. “You need variety in the show,” she says. “If I had the chance I’d probably be doing all melancholy, dark songs like Nick Cave. But I make sure there’s variety, like things like In These Shoes? [by Kirsty MacColl]. The idea is you can change quickly from being quite light to quite dark or quite funny. “The interesting thing for me, as a woman too, is choosing songs that show different facets to yourself. I’m a sentimental person but not in the picket fence kind of way. That’s why I zone in on the more bittersweet darker stuff. As a woman you do want to look good, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Some stuff is really tough songs, really quite hard, and then you go, ‘Right, that was a bitter pill, now let’s give them something really enjoyable’.” CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN will be playing the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studios for three nights over Thursday January 22, Friday January 23 and Saturday January 24. Changeling is out through Little Cat Records.
THE CLEAN
By Lachlan Kanoniuk
It’s impossible to talk about New Zealand’s rich musical history without mentioning the venerable stable of Flying Nun Records, and it’s impossible to mention Flying Nun without referencing one of the label’s most revered outfits, The Clean. Over thirty years on from their debut single Tally-Ho, the unkempt pop genius of The Clean resonates stronger than ever. Now with the band settling into a touring formation of Kilgour brothers David and Hamish alongside bassist Robert Scott, the band is enjoying a residual and long-overdue groundswell of newfound fandom. Speaking ahead of the band’s return to Australia, founding member David Kilgour looks back to rationalise The Clean’s staying power and resurgence. “It’s always one tour at a time. Sometimes we might go without keyboards, sometimes we might go with keyboards. Sometimes we might do a tour and say, ‘Let’s experiment’, and do more unknown tracks from the catalogue. It’s different every time. I just wonder how long we can go. I’m a typical artist, in a stage of becoming. The Clean’s a different thing. My main motivation is the solo stuff I do with The [Heavy] Eights, where The Clean only go on tour when we’re asked to, for a festival, then we’ll book a few little gigs around that, like in the US. That’s how we’ve been operating the past few years,” Kilgour explains. “The three of us love playing together, and we still do. Before we get on the road it can be a case of ‘Here we go again’, but as soon as we get on stage we just really love it. That’s what it’s based on, and we’re just really lucky people still want to see us play.” The past few decades have seen gradual sparks of adulation for The Clean across the globe, be it from revered artists and labels, or a new generation of fans armed with a modem. “The Internet’s definitely helped. With America, you can go right back to [1990 album] Vehicle. That was a later LP, really, we reformed to make Vehicle. That got across to a lot of people in America. There’s always been the interest since then,” he explains. “When Merge [Records] put out the anthology in America and Europe on CD, about ten years ago now, that definitely started to change things. But it’s weird, it’s still growing. Every time we go back to America we play slightly bigger crowds and slightly bigger clubs with slightly better offers. It’s an incremental development, getting bigger every year. Last American tour, some of the shows were just playing to kids. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 26
Well, when I say kids, I mean people in their early 20s. And they’ve only just discovered The Clean, and they’re fanatics, they know all about Flying Nun. I ask them when they discovered us and they say, ‘Oh, a few months ago’. It’s still going on, it’s really endearing.” The ripples of guitar pop brilliance from Dunedin have resonated with key indie rock luminaries in the US, charting an influence that punches above its weight. “There’s still a wee bit of that, which is good. In America – which is our biggest fan base, if you’ll call it that – Yo La Tengo had a lot to do with that, they would drop our names. It’s pretty mind-blowing, if you’ll put it that way, that people want to see The Clean play, and we get flown to the other side of the world in Spain. It just blows my mind. But at the same time, it’s been a slow build up,” he laughs. A newfound, semi-regular touring schedule has followed from the release of 2009’s Mister Pop, and though Kilgour has released two solo albums with The Heavy Eights in the time since (most recently 2014’s End Times Undone), it could be a while, if at all, before we receive new recorded Clean material. “We’ll never say no. There are no plans, and there haven’t been any plans for a while. We just take every year as it comes.” New Zealand’s rich vein of underground talent still bustles with a dynamic vibrancy, following the path carved by the likes of The Clean decades prior. “There’s some great stuff happening here. It’s tough to keep in touch with what’s happening. Camp A Low Hum is a great example, I really wanted to see all the bands but it was such a shitty day with the weather,” he says in reference to the final instalment of the New Zealand festival, where The Clean performed a raucous set on
the rain-battered final night. “But there is so much happening, especially with underground and DIY music. With what [A Low Hum founder] ‘Blink’ has done, he’s just a fucking asset to this country. And good on him for doing it.” So how are The Clean viewed in their home country? “We’re just respected as a band that kicked something
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off in the early ‘80s, really. It’s not for me to say. People seem to respect what we’ve done,” he states, with a dash of Kiwi humility. THE CLEAN perform at The Corner Hotel with special guests Lower Plenty on Thursday January 22. Mister Pop is available through Arch Hill.
CORE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS & GOSSIP
By Emily Kelly: ek1984@gmail.com
CRUNCH With Peter Hodgson: crunchcolumn@gmail.com
CORE GIG GUIDE THURSDAY JANUARY 8: Hellions, Atlantic, Of Stolen Moments at Next
Tired Breeds, Strathmore, Coffin Wolf, Lizard Punch at The Reverence FRIDAY JANUARY 9: The Amity Affliction, In Hearts Wake, Antagonist
AD, Confession and more at the Wool Exchange, Geelong
Hellions, Void Of Vision, Belle Haven, Free World, Harbours at Phoenix Youth Centre
S:Bahn, Batpiss, The Spinning Rooms, Bodies at Gasometer
Maricopa Wells, Wilf Whistler, Andrew Swift,
GIGS AT THE BENDIGO HOTEL
The Bendigo is always good for a killer show or three, and here’s what they’ve got coming up this week. WED JAN 7, 8PM Enlight with Beautiful Beasts, Loki and Tash Sultana. THUR JAN 8, 8PM Scrub Wrens with Auto De Fe and Matt (The Dark Ales). FRI JAN 9, 8PM The Schoenberg Automaton (QLD) with Colossus, AMDBL and Orchestrating The Damned. SAT JAN 10, 8PM Hellbringer, Convent Guit (NSW), Maniaxe, Diabolical Demon Director. SUN JAN 11, 6PM The Jacks, Australian Kingswood Factory, Kretch, Paracone, Damn The Torpedoes, Vodnik, Whailer and The Beggars Way.
Will Ewing at The Espy It’s 2015, and if you still have a raging bongover from the break, you’re about to sober up real fast with the slew of gigs coming your way in 2015. That Everytime I Die/Touche Amore tour is pretty much here already and ready to heat up The Corner Hotel. Big tours from local legends Frenzal Rhomb, The Grenadiers, The Getaway Plan and The Smith Street Band are about to take flight and some marvellous Laneway Festival sideshows are headed our way including Perfect Pussy performing one sweaty little gig at the Northcote Social Club on Thursday January 29. The first new release you need to sniff out this month will come courtesy of Raised Fist, who deliver From The North on Friday January 16 via Epitaph. The Sidekicks also release their new one Runners In The Nerved World and it’s worthy of at least a couple spins. Tyre Swans have commenced a residency at The Reverence Hotel. Consisting of Donnie Dureau, Darren Gibson and Jamie Hay, the trio will perform for free from 3pm every Sunday this month and they’ll also be a part of the huge Australia Day benefit show. Tickets are still available for that banger so move on it now.
SATURDAY JANUARY 10: Glass Animals at The Hi-Fi bar
New Empire, Move on Be Strong, Inventions, at Bang!
Bottlecaps, The Commonly Insane, Short Leash at Vinyl Bar, Moonee Ponds
UNIFY Gathering at Tarwin Lower SUNDAY JANUARY 11: Tyre Swans at The Reverence Hotel
The Amity Affliction, In Hearts Wake, Deez Nuts, Stories at The Wool Exchange, Geelong (U18)
The Jacks, Australian Kingswood Factory, Ketch, Whailer and more at The Bendigo from 2.30pm Glass Animals at The Hi-Fi The 1975 at Festival Hall
Irish rockers The Answer will release their new album Raise A Little Hell on Monday March 9 via Napalm Records/Rocket. It’s the follow-up to their criticallyacclaimed 2013 New Horizon album. The artwork is by Sebastian Jerke and the record was produced by Guillermo ‘Will’ Maya and mixed by Chris Sheldon. Frontman Cormac Neeson says: “This is a special record that reflects a return to the hard ass blues rock‘n’roll we hold so dear. Our good friends at Napalm have created some great formats for you guys to enjoy including coloured double vinyl, a special digi pack with a live recording of our recent Road Less Travelled tour, another digi pack with an extra bonus CD containing six exclusive bonus tracks plus all sorts of other great stuff.”
Here’s one for my fellow guitar geeks: Seymour Duncan has just released Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares’s signature pickup, the Retribution, designed to give Dino’s guitar sound more attack and clarity. They’re available in seven and eight-string versions. Seymour Duncan has also just released the Lemmy set of bass pickups for the Motörhead legend.
The mighty Periphery release their two new albums Juggernaut: Alpha and Juggernaut: Omega on Friday January 23 via Roadrunner Records Australia. The idea for Juggernaut has been kicking around for about seven years now, but in its final form it contains almost nothing from its original concept. The band wanted to start fresh and build upon the chemistry between the six members after the past few years of solid touring. “There are a bunch of themes and motifs that pop up over the albums,” guitarist Misha Mansoor told me a few weeks ago. “Some of them are overt; some of them are a bit more subtle. All it is, is just rewarding people for listening. That’s what I like.” And Mark Holcomb says: “This was the first album where we really collaborated this closely. There’s a lot of yellow tape and a lot of natural obstacles that face you when you talk about a collaborative environment. With this, where you have six very, very opinionated members, it’s a blessing but you have to also be willing to work through it and deal with the negatives as best you can to realize there’s a better final product waiting at the end.”
MYYTH SINGLE LAUNCH
Melbourne rockers Myyth blend hooks with raw and impulsive heavy music to violate the barriers of popconvention. This year they took to the stage at the esteemed Progfest with local progressive superheroes Closure in Moscow and Mushroom Giant, and they also put in countless gigs honing their live set on stages around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Their debut single Relics is out now and they’ll be officially launching it at The Workers Club in Fitzroy on Thursday January 8 with The Underhanded, Doktor and A Basket of Mammoths.
While you were sleeping (over the break) The Gaslight Anthem added some very special extra shows to their Australian tour. The most important being a one-off performance at The Prince Bandroom. The best part about this is that you get to choose their setlist. Yas, man. That means they’re more likely to play dem old tunes you love. Tickets are available now.
KILLER NEW SUPERGROUP
Toy Boats have called it a day, posting on their Facebook page: “It’s yours now. We leave you with love. Thank you for keeping us from melting in the rain.” Their debut album finally had its release in early 2014 via Resist. So young! Soundwave have revealed which bands will play on which day during their two-day festivals this summer. It’s pretty important info that’s going to help us all figure out a) whether we need to attend both days and the subsequently b) how to manage two full days of Soundwave festival-ing. Go online and sort that shit out now.
NEW PERIPHERY ON JANUARY 23
NEW ALBUM FROM THE ANSWER
DINO CAZARES GETS A SIGNATURE PICKUP
German post-metal dudes The Ocean are returning to us in April to play their rad album Pelagial in full. The whole thing will be performed live as one single 53 minute performance and it’s gonna be a treat for the senses. It’ll go down at The Evelyn on Saturday April 18. Tickets up for grabs now.
METAL, HEAVY ROCK. CLASSIC ROCK LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT
RIP JEFF GOLUB
Statues will be quick to jump on the road following the release of their debut album this Friday. Together We’re Alone is the rather poignant title of their newbie and they’ll arrive at Laundry Bar to launch it on Thursday January 22. They’ll move on to Wrangler Studios on Friday January 23 for an all ages gig and did I mention they’re bringing Heiress along for the ride?
Guitarist Jeff Golub died on January 1, just two months after he was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Golub had been through a rough few years; in 2011 he became blind due to a collapse of the optic nerve, and in September 2012 he was almost killed when he fell onto subway tracks. He’s perhaps best known for his work with Rod Stewart and Billy Squier, and was also a respected jazz fusion guitarist in his own right.
SYDONIA AT THE EVELYN
Sydonia, skinpin and Anna Salen are at The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy this Friday January 9. Sydonia has a big year planned with recording, touring overseas and supports, and their latest album Reality Kicks is pretty damn killer if you haven’t heard it yet.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Teenage Time Killers is a new supergroup led by members of metal legends Corrosion of Conformity, and they’ve signed with Rise Records to release their debut LP Teenage Time Killers – Greatest Hits Vol. 1 in early 2015. The band is the brainchild of COC drummer Reed Mullin, guitarist Mick Murphy (My Ruin, Chevy Metal, Birds of Satan) and producer John ‘Lou’ Lousteau, and the album also features a lineup comprised of alternative/metal/punk titans such as Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour), Neil Fallon (Clutch), Jello Biafra (Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, Dead Kennedys), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion), Randy Blythe (Lamb of God), Lee Ving (Fear), Pat Smear (Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Germs), Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, Queens of The Stone Age) and many others. All of the LP’s instrumental parts were recorded at Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, CA, using his famed Sound City mixing board. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 27
MUSIC NEWS
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For all the latest news check out beat.com.au SUNDAY JANUARY 11
RETREAT SUNDAYS SUMMER OF SOUL
The Retreat and Collingwood Draft are combining to bring you The Retreat Sundays Summer Of Soul. It all kicks off with DJs Manchild & Vince Peach in Brunswick’s favourite beer garden. As the sun slips from the sky, Melbourne’s soul siren Kylie Auldist & The Glenroy Allstars will take to the main stage. There’ll also be a smoking BBQ and Collingwood Draft giveaways. Get down this Sunday January 11. Free entry from 2pm onwards.
TYRE SWANS
MATT ANDERSEN
Canadian blues guitarist and singer/songwriter Matt Andersen is playing a run of headline shows alongside his appearance at Woodford Folk Festival. He’ll return to Australia with his new album, Weightless, which was released earlier this year. Andersen’s six-date tour saw him play Woodford Folk Festival over New Year’s and now he makes his way down the east coast joined by Frank Sultana. Catch Matt Andersen at the Flying Saucer Club on Saturday January 10 and The Thornbury Theatre on Sunday January 11.
Tyre Swans is Donnie Dureau, Darren Gibson and Jamie Hay – three mates who combined their solo songs and made a record together back in January 2009. They toured the east coast together and busked every day. Over the past few years Tyre Swans have held an annual park show but this year they will be bringing their tunes inside to The Reverence Hotel, playing every Sunday for you all. Tyre Swans are sure to make your Sundays sing. Tunes kick off from 3pm on Sunday January 11.
except there are less of them, they’re not as loud or fancily dressed and they are covering completely different songs. There will be some JJ Cale and some Nick Lowe. There will be some Troggs and some movie themes. Come and see these youngish businessmen find their feet. It’s free entry from 8pm at The Yarra Hotel. TUESDAY JANUARY 13
AIMEE VOLKOFSKY & THE MOLOTOVS
Aimee Volkofsky & The Molotovs are taking over Cherry Bar stage every Tuesday night this January. Hailing from Bourke, Broken Hill, Bendigo, Melbourne and Newborough, Aimee Volkofsky & the Molotovs sing tales of murder and magic and cannibal love. Support comes from the super rad Huntley and Disco Puppets. Get down to Cherry Bar this Tuesday January 13 from 6pm. Live tunes from 8.30pm to 11pm and Cherry DJ till 3am. Free fucking entry. LOOKING FORWARD
TIM HECKER
Canadian-based musician and sound artist Tim Hecker is heading over to Howler on Wednesday January 14. Since 1996, Hecker has produced a range of audio works for Kranky, Alien8, Mille Plateaux, Room40, Force Inc, Staalplaat, and Fat Cat. His work has also included commissions for contemporary dance, sound-art installations, minimal techo works under the name ‘Jetone’, as well as various writings. Don’t miss the very talented Tim Hecker when he plays Howler Wednesday January 14 from 8pm. Early bird tickets are $22+BF through the venue.
JANUARY
SEX ON TOAST
Prepare yourself for a nine-man explosion of '80s pop music, yacht-rock, R&B, and synth-funk. Sex On Toast showcase undeniable musical finesse whilst never taking themselves too seriously and they are bringing their outrageous live show to the Shadow Electric Bandroom this Sunday January 11. Tickets are $10 through the venue. Doors from 3pm. Choreographed dance moves included. MONDAY JANUARY 12
THE DOODADS
On Monday January 12 at The Yarra Hotel, The Doodads will entertain with hits of yore. The Doodads are Davey Lane, Gus Agars, Phil Gionfriddio and Joel Silbersher. Basically, The Doodads are Chromenips,
WAY OF THE EAGLE
LEWES
Hailing from Australia and England, Lewes are a collective of six residing in Hobart, Tasmania. Lewes continually prove their worth both live and in the studio with an arsenal of passionate shows, tours and their debut EP Equinox. Following up from Lewes’ sets at Taste Festival, Tasmania and Falls Music and Arts Festival Marion Bay over the 14/15 New Year – The Equinox Tour will make its way to Melbourne at The Toff in Town on January 14 with local guests JP Kiipsbringer and Residual. Tickets are $8 presale or $10 on the door.
The notorious Jan Skubiszewski from Way Of The Eagle will be performing an unmissable DJ set for a very special Thursday night at Ding Dong Lounge. The Melbourne musician and producer has a few tricks up his sleeve as he spins an electric mix of past and present favourites and mash ups. Known for his single Rattlesnake topping triple j’s Most Played chart last year as well as his equally as popular and most recent single Shadows, this Way Of The Eagle DJ set is going to burn the house down. He’ll be joined by Mike Bigalow (DJ set) as well as some special guest appearances. Tickets are $10 presale or on the door. Doors open 9pm Thursday January 15.
HYPERDRONES
Melbourne three-piece Hyperdrones are bringing their riff-driven, experimental rock to Ding Dong Lounge this Friday January 10. Their latest single Tangled is set for release in early 2015 and to celebrate they’re ready for one epic launch party. Through an elaborate mix of pedals, custom guitars and vocal effects units, front man Daniel Gilchrist produces otherworldly tones. Combined with the rumbling and swaying rhythm provided by bassist Matt Grave and drummer Clarke Finn, the result is a sound that pushes to another level. In tow will be psychedelic, self-proclaimed stoner rockers A Basket of Mammoths and the ‘60s garageinfluenced King Evil. Tickets are $10. Doors from 9pm.
KATTIMONI
Summer is well and truly here, folks. Are you ready to get wild? Well, pull your dancin’ shoes on and check yourself into soul retreat at The Retreat Hotel. On Saturday January 10, the tremendous Kattimoni will bring the party down to Brunswick with a free performance of powerful soul music and high energy funk reggae in The Retreat’s front bar. With a string of live performances under their belt, Kattimoni have been gaining momentum and making a stir around Melbourne music venues. Inspired by love of culture and community, their music reaches out, inspires, heals, sends soul shivers up the spine and ignites wild moves on the dance floor. Music from 8pm. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 29
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7
Hue Blanes
SURFACE
KRISTA POLVERE
The divine Krista Polvere is set to release her third record in Australia in early 2015. Polvere has just returned from Virginia USA, where she toured for eight months. Solid. Now, Polvere is going to kick off her summer shows, commencing with a residency at The Retreat Hotel every Wednesday in January. This week will see Polvere teaming up with US musician Bryan Elijah Smith and local artists Ayleen O’Hanlon and Liam Gerner. It all kicks off at 7.30pm and it’s free.
SPACEJUNK
Fuck yeah. Spacejunk are descending upon Melbourne from the cosmos and smashing the shit out of Cherry Bar’s stage every Wednesday night in January. They’ll be bringing a mass of monolithic riff lords along for the ride, too, so expect sweaty, riff-filled nights of debauchery, beers, jager and luscious rock’n’roll locks. This week, Spacejunk will be joined by ultra-rad music Muscle Beach and Cosmic Kahuna. Get on it. Tunes kick off from 8pm. Catch you at the bar, space travellers.
This Wednesday January 7, catch Surface joined by the impeccable Hue Blanes and Manticore in the Grace Darling Basement. Surface explores the contrast between strict compositional material and improvisation, drawing on the sensibility of folk music combined with heavier rock influences. The ensemble balances acoustic techniques and electronic effects to create textural tapestries, blended with lush melodic lines and driving grooves. Meanwhile, Hue Blanes is a classically trained jazz fiend that has pop chops, but despite an ability to bust out good time rags that Jelly Roll Morton would approve of, is no stranger to the black dog. He is a prolific musical craftsman, and turns out introspective, jaunty songs full of quirk and ennui. And finally, Manticore combines elements of folk song and lush soundscapes with industrial music inspired by the Japanese underground. Explorations of beautiful ambient textures are interspersed with heavy grooves and violent noises. Doors at 8.30pm, $10 entry. THURSDAY JANUARY 8
FULTON STREET
Soul in the Basement is back in full swing at Cherry Bar kicking off this Thursday January 8. Melbournians Fulton Street have a rock-solid rhythm section and dynamic horn section, led by commanding lead vocalist, Shannen. They will be bringing you live soul from 10pm. With DJs Vince Peach and Pierre Baroni until 5am and $10 entry there are no excuses. Get down to some soul.
CLAWS & ORGANS We don’t know about you, but if a band releases an EP titled I Am Scum And Nobody Should Love Me, the likelihood of us loving them is pretty damn high. Reverse psychology 101, we guess. Whatever. This is important. Claws & Organs have earned themselves a solid rep as one of Melbourne’s most visceral acts. After their aforementioned release in late 2014, Claws & Organs toured the fuck around the country, supporting the likes of Flyying Colours, Mesa Cosa and The Stiffys. Claws & Organs wrapped up the year at the renowned New Year’s Eve party at The Espy, playing with some of Australia’s finest, including Kingswood, DZ Deathrays and Adalita. They’re hitting up the Retreat Hotel this Thursday January 8 alongside Shit Sex and TJ Rosenthal. Get there, we say.
DR. COLOSSUS Melbourne-based ‘Simpsons doom rock’ duo Dr. Colossus are playing their first show for 2015 (and first headline slot ever) at Yah Yah’s on Friday January 9. The event will herald the official release of their debut EP IV with an extremely limited run of cassette tapes available to punters. After dropping their IV EP online in 2014 the duo have received a staggering response for their debut effort which draws its musical influences from Black Sabbath, Sleep and Kyuss and cleverly aligns them with lyrics based on Springfield’s tales of monorails, unrequited valentines and dental plans. Tickets are $13. Woohoo.
THE MEAN TIMES
After successfully launching their debut mini-album, You’ve Got the Wrong Guys in late November, The Mean Times are in full promo mode, this time choosing to rock this fair city right where it does its business – The Central Business District. The Mean Times will kick off the New Year by bringing their quirky every-man rock tunes to The Toff on Thursday January 8, playing all the songs from their new release and heaps more. Along for the ride will be the left-of-centre grunge pop of Dear Stalker and two-piece garage rockers From Oslo. Tickets are $10 on the door.
TIRED BREEDS
The good ol’ Reverence Hotel are helping to get your new year off to a stellar start with a smashing Thursday punk show and a non-negotiable Friday sickie. Roll on down to Footscray for good-time local favourites, Tired Breeds, Strathmore, Coffin Wolf and Lizard Punch. Doors are at 8pm and entry is $8. Booyah. FRIDAY JANUARY 9
TIM MCMILLAN
The freakishly talented German-based axe-worker/ songwriter Tim McMillan is returning to his hometown of Melbourne this summer for what will be his only Aussie show of 2015. Accompanied by Jarrad Will and evil twins Joshua & Rachel Snow, McMillan will be playing a mix of pick-style stunt guitar and progressive love folk from his upcoming EP. Catch him on Friday January 9 at Ding Dong Lounge with special guests.
LOS ROMANTICOS
Los Romanticos are bringing their incredible Mariachi tunes to the front bar of The Reverence Hotel every Friday in January. Fuck yes to summer vibes in the ‘scray. Tunes kick off from 9pm so come down early, smash some of The Reverence’s renowned Mexican food and stick around for the gig. SATURDAY JANUARY 10
BORED NOTHING
Bored Nothing has announced his upcoming launch shows for his new album Some Songs will be farewell shows. Fergus Miller, the Melbourne-based music brains behind Bored Nothing, has announced that he’s retiring his indie pop project. Miller recently released second album Some Songs, the follow-up to 2012’s self-titled Bored Nothing debut, with the track We Lied landing on the triple j hit list while the record received widespread critical praise. Don’t miss your last chance to catch Bored Nothing at the Northcote Social Club with Major Leagues and Mining Boom, Saturday January 10. Tickets through the venue.
CAPTIVES
Captives have been slaying it on the live front alongside the likes of Shihad and The Mark of Cain. This Saturday January 10, they’ll be kicking the sound barrier at Whole Lotta Love. Playing alongside are Initials, Witch Fight and Laser Brains. if you like your rock music loud, bold and proud, then best make tracks to Whole Lotta Love, 54 Lygon Street, East Brunswick. Doors are at 8pm and tickets are $10.
ANIMAL HANDS
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Garage grungers Animal Hands and #GhettoPunx Red Light Riot are teaming up to kick off 2015 with Melbourne’s post punkers The Transitions and an extra special guest this Friday January 9 at The Old Bar. Red Light Riot will be celebrating the release of the film clip for their track Demented. Get down for an eclectic night of punk rock ruckus. Doors at 8pm, entry is $10.
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MASTER_BETA
This Saturday at Yah Yah’s, Master_Beta are celebrating the launch of their first EP with a solid as fuck rock’n’rock extravaganza. Helping them kick off the New Year the right way are psychedelic rockers Seedy Jeezus, loud-arse shred punk stalwarts Spacejunk, and doom groovers Borrachero. Hear angel trumpets and devil trombones. Entry is $13 and doors are at 8pm.
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SLOW CLUB
UK duo Slow Club will hit our shores this January in support of their new album, Complete Surrender. The LP marks the pair’s third studio release, veering away from their initial anti-folk categorisation and drawing on Motown and ‘70s pop influences. They’ll play Northcote Social Club on Thursday January 15. Tickets are available from the venue’s website.
SUNSET BLUSH Sunset Blush, the Purpleghost of the local-underground is back from playing gigs interstate and writing new music, to launch his latest single Sweet Barbwire at Yah Yah’s. Joining him will be hard funksters Funk Rabbit & Upstanding Members. Come down and help launch the new Sunset Blush track and get down to a great night of drinks and live music. Friday January 16 from 9pm at Yah Yah’s.
THE LOVELESS
RENDEZVOUS SUMMER PARTY
Northcote’s newest bar and live music venue, 24 Moons is hosting a brand new event for all the music lovers in Melbourne. Rendezvous is kicking off Friday January 16 with a massive lineup featuring The Pretty Littles, The Cherry Dolls, The Endless Party, Sheriff, The Delta Riggs (DJ set), Tooth & Tush, The Crookeds and The Shakes. Eight bands and three DJ’s for just $20. Get down to 24 Moons, 2 Arthurton Road, Northcote. This is one night of music you don’t want to miss.
Get down to The Grace Darling Basement on Friday January 16 and let a bunch of hot guitar wielding vamps and champs lure you in like mermaids and smash you on the proverbial rock(s). This killer lineup features the likes of Dawn Of The Jackal, The General, Claws and Organs and The Loveless who will be sneeringly dismissing you with their caterwauling female vocals, unrelenting wall of noise and grungy style catchy melodies about love gone wrong. Doors from 9pm, tickets are $10.
LORD
One of Australia’s biggest heavy melodic bands Lord, are heading down to Melbourne for Australia Day weekend to headline a massive show. The lads have spent much of 2014 focusing on the 25th anniversary of their previous incarnation, Dungeon, including a massive box set release of re-recordings. Rounding out a killer lineup are Melbourne thrashers Desecrator, Envenomed, Party Vibez and Toxicon. It all goes down Saturday January 24 at The Reverence Hotel. Doors open at 7.30pm, entry is $15 at the door.
THE SOUL OF ARETHA
ZANZIBAR CHANEL Zanzibar Chanel are back on Aussie shores and are ready to make your arse pump once again. Fresh from a European sojourn, with two sold out records and a cop bashing video clip, Zanzi’s homecoming show in Melbourne will be the kick off for their Rock’n’Roll Toilet world tour. Melbournians also missed out on a launch for Funky Junk, the debut record for Zanzibar Chanel and their new label Ruff Records, so they’re calling it a launch party too. It all goes down at the Shadow Electric Bandroom Saturday January 17. Doors from 5pm, tickets are 15 bucks.
Florelie Escano and her incredibly talented ninepiece orchestra are set to return to the Ding Dong Lounge with their tribute show The Soul Of Aretha one last time on Saturday January 16, before heading to the UK. Get ready to lose yourself while getting down to the gritty, funky sweet sounds of Aretha Franklin’s biggest hits spanning over three decades. Don’t miss your last chance to catch one of the most powerful live tribute shows. It all goes down Saturday January 16 at Ding Dong Lounge. Tickets are $25 through the venue.
SUGAR FED LEOPARDS
Melbourne sweet hearts, Sugar Fed Leopards, are launching their debut album Sweet Spots at Howler in shimmering spectacle on January 30 with support from Mighty Duke & The Lords, Real Hot Bitches, Richie 1250 & CC Disco. The band are fresh from an east coast tour and a busy 2014 where they featured on PBS FM’s 2014 Drive Live Program, played as the house band on Channel 10’s International Comedy Gala All-Star Supershow and released their first music video for, Mi Querida. Get down for their first ever album launch Friday January 30 at Howler. Tickets are $15. Doors from 8pm.
Q&A
ALANNA EILEEN
Having recently returned from a tour of the UK, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Alanna Eileen is set to launch her debut EP. Produced by Mark Myers (The Middle East), it delivers introspective, lyricdriven songs with a gothic edge, combining pure vocals with intricate fingerpicking. Inspired by a tradition epitomised by artists like Nick Drake, Alanna’s delicate brand of folk has won her many fans. She will be touring the east coast throughout February in support of this release. Catch her Sunday January 18 at The Toff In Town with Lara Travis and Noah Earp. Tickets are $10 on the door.
Diamonds of Neptune Well hey there! Who are we talking with and what do you do in the band? Matt Whitbourne, lead vocal and dude #1.
We heard you’re going to give punters the time of their lives when you launch your self-titled EP at The Evelyn on Saturday January 10. What does that mean, exactly? Great music that’s catchy and fun, a big crowd, and the drinks will be flowing. We’ll be celebrating Anthoni’s (keyboard player) birthday that night too, so it’ll be a big celebration all around. Tell us something that absolutely no one knows about your music. Our tunes are a representation of how I’ve been feeling in that given moment and the rest of the band have created music around that. I tend to watch a lot of movies rather than spend large amounts of time listening to other artists, so my influences aren’t clearly defined. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 30
Are there really diamonds on Neptune? I mean, really? We heard once that it rains liquid diamonds on Neptune but we’ve never been there to prove the theory, it’s all physics really. Pressure and heat and stuff. I’m not a scientist. Convince us why we should come to your show. We’re keen to showcase our music to a broader audience. Anyone who comes along won’t be disappointed. We’re not only a band but best friends and that comes across on stage, and besides, the first 24 through the door to mention Anthonni’s birthday will get a free tequila shot.
Catch DIAMONDS OF NEPTUNE at The Evelyn this Saturday January 10.
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BETTER THAN THE WIZARDS
Kicking off an epic Australia Day long weekend party, Better Than The Wizards are bringing their blend of pop, funk, rock and jazz to Ding Dong Lounge, to be joined by some very special guests. Hailing from Melbourne, the massive six-piece band take their influences from a range of genres in order to create a melting pot of sounds and a fun, energetic live performance that will have you drinking, dancing and partying into the small hours of the morning. Tickets are $8+BF. Doors from 9pm. Straya.
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will play host for the day with The Smith Street Band, The Bennies, Joelistics, Curse Ov Dialect, Fear Like Us and Stockades all taking the stage. The 2015 Australia Day fundraiser will take place on Sunday January 25 at The Reverence Hotel and Monday January 26 at The Corner Hotel. Tickets are available through The Corner Hotel website.
FEBRUARY ALI BARTER
Melbourne singer/songwriter Ali Barter is playing two headline shows to kick off 2015. Barter released her new EP, Community, earlier this month and has been touring non stop with a residency at Boney and supporting Husky on their national tour. Catch Ali Barter at The Workers Club in Melbourne Saturday January 24. Tickets available through the venue.
THE GROWLERS
After selling out a run of shows across the country earlier this year, California’s The Growlers will return to our shores for an extensive national tour. They’re currently touring on the back of their fifth full length, Chinese Fountain, which was released in 2014 and was Beat’s album of the week. The Growlers will play The Corner Hotel on Wednesday January 14.
LUCA BRASI
Loveable Tasmanian punk rock ruffians Luca Brasi have unveiled a slew of national tour dates for March 2015 with the UK’s Gnarwolves and Perth’s Tired Lion. Capping off a landmark year for the band, this tour will see them make new pals and win fresh hearts with their celebrated brand of warm, thoughtful melodic punk. Dynamic, hard-hitting and heartswelling, Luca Brasi’s outstanding sophomore album By A Thread was released this March via Poison City Records, and caught the attention of live music lovers, music media and national radio alike. They perform in Melbourne Saturday March 14 at Northcote Social Club, and Sunday March 15 at Wrangler Studios.
CLARE BOWDITCH
Wanna spend a lazy Sunday afternoon (or two) with Clare Bowditch at The Flying Saucer Club? Bowditch is famous for being one of the finest storytellers in music, and for making her audiences laugh and cry and get to know themselves better. She will be bringing songs from all seven of her albums, plus brand new songs from her (soon to be recorded) eighth album, 3pm every Sunday in February. She’ll tell stories from her burgeoning TV career, and she may even bring along a couple of special-guests. Add this mix to the relaxed atmosphere of The Flying Saucer Club and you have all the ingredients for a brilliant month of Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $35 at the door, $45+BF for reserved seats at flyingsaucerclub.com.au.
JORDIE LANE
Jordie Lane has announced that he will make his return to Australia for a run of national shows, beginning this February. The 27-date tour, which includes performances at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Nannup Music Festival and Ten Days On The Island, will be his first nationwide tour in 18 months. Based in the US, Lane spent 2014 touring around North America, playing shows at Philadelphia and Edmonton Folk Festivals and taking on a 30-date Canadian tour and a 35-date US tour with The Stray Birds. Lane will be performing as a duo with Clare Reynolds. The pair first performed together in 2012, when starring in the theatre show Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons. Catch Jordie Lane when he takes over The Toff In Town on Saturday April 17 and Sunday April 19. Tickets are on sale through his website.
Q&A
LITTLE BASTARD
ICEAGE
Following their announcement of Brisbane and Sydney tour dates, Iceage have announced they will also stop in Melbourne for a headlining show this January. The tour comes off the back of the Danish four-piece’s highly praised third album Plowing Into The Field Of Love. Iceage will take over Ding Dong Lounge on Friday January 23.
Little Bastard will hit the road this summer for a run of headline shows in support of their new single and video clip, Desert Roller. The single is taken from their critically acclaimed self-titled debut, which also picked up a nomination at the 2014 AIR Awards for Best Independent Blues & Roots Album. The upcoming tour will mark their last jaunt before they head back into the studio to work on their next record. Catch ‘em on Thursday February 19 at Northcote Social Club. Grab tickets from the venue's website.
MARCH WHOLE LOTTA LOVE
Australia’s longest-running Led Zeppelin tribute show Whole Lotta Love will return to Melbourne for the third time in 2015. Bringing some of Led Zeppelin’s most-loved classics to the stage will be guest vocalists Jack Jones from Southern Sons, Stonefield’s Amy Findlay, Jimmy Cupples and Frank Lakoudis from The Voice and Shay Liza from Sharaya. Whole Lotta Love will hit Melbourne on Saturday March 21 at the Palais Theatre. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
CALIGULA’S HORSE
Dirty Harriet And The Hangmen So then, what’s the band name and what do you ‘do’ in the band? Dirty Harriet and the Hangmen. I play guitar and generally take care of business.
Hot on the heels of a wildly successful national tour alongside Voyager plus supporting Canadian prog legends Protest the Hero, Brisbane progsters Caligula’s Horse have announced a Melbourne show. They’ll be hitting up The Evelyn Hotel for an Australia Day Eve party on January 25, with support from AlithiA, Orsome Welles and Kettlespider. Get on it.
What do you reckon people will say you sound like? We all come from very different musical backgrounds. We’re a little bit country, a little bit rock’n’roll, all depending on how fast we play the songs at any given show.
STEAL THE SKY: THE 2015 AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND FUNDRAISERS
For the fifth year running, the Melbourne music scene will gather together on the Australia Day long weekend for a series of fundraiser shows. Presented by the Deathproof team, the 2015 fundraiser will be split across two days, with all profits going to The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, The Refugee Council and Oxfam. On Australia Day Eve, The Reverence Hotel will host Sydney punk legends Frenzal Rhomb, as well as Saskwatch, Hoodlum Shouts, Hawaiian Islands, Robert Muinos, Have/Hold, Outright, Scul Hazzards, De Nada, Tyre Swans, Kissing Booth, Ben David and Craig Coburn. On Australia Day, The Corner Hotel
60 Seconds With...
LISA MITCHELL
Lisa Mitchell is back on home soil and upon her return, has announced an acoustic tour to celebrate the success of Wah Ha. The tour will see Mitchell joined onstage by guitarist and serial-collaborator Tim Harvey in a rare opportunity to see the internationallyacclaimed singer and songwriter in some of Australia’s finest intimate rooms. Supporting Mitchell on all shows is the talented newcomer, East. Mitchell comes to Howler on Friday March 27.
What do you love about making music? I’m sure most bands might say it’s playing live; it’s hard to beat having people enjoy what you’ve worked so hard to create. What do you hate about the music industry? Billy Corgan. If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why?
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Personally I’d have to go with Dimebag Darrell from Pantera. Don’t know if I’d play guitar for him but I’d sure have loved to get drunk with the guy. What can a punter expect from your live show? Crotch touching, nipple tweaking and the hope of full-frontal nudity. The latter hasn’t happened yet, but with Muscle Mary on board, ya never know, it just might. Anything else to add? This will be our last show with this lineup due to Tash (vocals) and Clay (bass) moving to Perth. It’s definitely not a show to be missed, but it won’t be the last you’ll be hearing from Dirty Harriet and the Hangmen.
DIRTY HARRIET AND THE HANGMEN are playing this Saturday January 10 at The Brunswick Hotel with The Jacks, Muscle Mary, Coffin Wolf and The FckUps.
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LIVE
REPORTS FROM THE FRONT ROW
For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews FALLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Lorne, Tuesday December 28 – Wednesday January 1 Alt-J
Empire of the Sun
I probably couldn’t have hoped for a better introduction to Falls than an orgasmic set from Client Liaison. With a shtick that sticks, they proved themselves the best party-starters going around. Followed by those grand old dames of hip hop, Salt-N-Pepa, we witnessed a good, if a little surprising, show. Long-time sidekick DJ Spinderella mainly mashed up random tracks by other artists, with a few SNP tunes in-between. Still, it was Salt-N-Pepa motherfucker. Alison Wonderland closed out the first night with a party set which proved why she’s the go-to on the Aus DJ circuit right now. I woke up on day two mid-tent collapse and missed the ambient set from 17-year-old prodigy Japanese Wallpaper while nailing things down and dodging the rain. I caught the tail-end of Art of Sleeping’s shoe-gazey set, and I’d recommend looking up the Brisbane boys’ debut LP when it drops in 2015. The Kite String Tangle’s electronic gems pulled the first big crowd of the day, reflecting both Danny Harley’s musical chops and the loyalty of his burgeoning fan base. I returned to camp to don a jacket and was hoping to make it back in time for Dan Sultan and DZ Deathrays, but I found a marquee upside-down on my car. Had to fix that. On questioning a few people back at the gig though, it seems I missed a couple hours of seriously good tunes. Bummer. Bizarrely-named Germans Milky Chance put in a popular set in the freezing Falls night, though I’m not sure if the crowd was there for the music or just huddling together for warmth. By the time The Temper Trap hit the stage, it became obvious everyone was definitely there for the tunes. Jamie xx’s set whipped the crowd into a nearfrenzy before chilling down and leaving most people content to go and find their tents (hopefully still standing) after an excellent day of music. Final act Big Freedia managed to keep a few punters keen, but the wind and the rain had taken their toll and the big New Orleans bounce seemed a bit off-piste in the cold conditions. Day three began with possibly even more trying weather than day two, but I managed to catch an uplifting set from the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir, and my scowl was replaced by a smiling ‘Hallelujah!’ Local lads The Pierce Brothers delivered a lively show to a loving crowd, and made the most of their chance to fulfil a long-held dream of playing at Falls. Nice blokes. I’d been waiting for years to catch The Black Lips live, and I wasn’t disappointed. Their dirty rock’n’roll reminded me of some of the best guitar music of the last five decades – like The Modern Lovers and Parquet Courts were jamming for a Tarantino soundtrack. Ásgeir were next, and though it was slightly bizarre to see a collective of big bearded dudes playing such intricate music, in a way it just made the whole thing more impressive. I wouldn’t say a bad word anyway, just in case they do have Viking tendencies. A lot of punters named Jagwar Ma as best in show for this year’s Falls – their set of top notch indie bangers would The Temper Trap
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go down well anywhere. Following that, I wasn’t expecting Cloud Control to blow my mind quite like they did, but a mash-up of their 2009 hit Gold Canary with Butthole Surfers’ Pepper was inspired – seriously, they had me at ‘butthole.’ Back in the tent, Sydney’s Movement proved to be one of the surprise highlights – their ambient man pop held a big crowd enthralled. Expect good things from their debut LP this year. I never found La Roux particularly inspiring, especially since producer Ben Langmaid split the duo. The highlight of the show was probably remaining member Elly Jackson’s extremely large pants – I’d perhaps suggest she change her moniker to Le Grand Pantalon now she’s going it alone. Empire of the Sun put on a technicolour display for the huge crowd, and it was clear to see why Luke Steele’s gone worldwide – it was easily the best spectacle of the festival and I’d guess more than a few minds were lost during this giant set. Horns of Leroy opened day four for me. If anyone in Melbourne needs a brass section, I’d recommend these guys for sure. Thelma Plum and Megan Washington were also among the early highlights – Plum looked nervous for the tent crowd but delivered nonetheless; Washington’s energetic show got the main stage crowd up and dancing. The rockingest gig of the festival was delivered by Kingswood; it seemed a culminating moment for these local lads after years of graft. You done us proud, boys. Onyas. Vance Joy grabbed the title for Most Hugs and Selfies in the Crowd During a Set, and Spiderbait had the only genuine old-school mosh of the festival. The high expectations on Glass Animals were matched with an impressive show, while Bluejuice probably could’ve laid off the booze a bit before one of their last-ever gigs. When Alt-J hit the stage, their emotive low-key tunes seemed a semi-downer with only minutes left till midnight, but it didn’t dampen the crowd. Spiderbait’s Kram and his kids counted in the New Year (quite cute) and got everyone all abuzz for a winning set from dance stalwarts The Presets. Festivities kicked on till God knows when and most everyone stumbled grinning into 2015 – it was the end of another bloody good Falls. The weather wasn’t smiling, but in a weird way, it seems overcoming the adversity of tricky conditions created vibes of unity and goodwill between all concerned. When the sun finally emerged on New Year’s Eve, it portended a perfectly raucous end to 2014. And indeed it was. Happy 2015 and thanks, Falls, see you again next year. JULIAN DOUGLAS PHOTOS BY IAN LAIDLAW
LOVED: Neighbours. Everybody needs good neighbours. HATED: Leaving. DRANK: All sorts.
Salt-N-Pepa
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 32
LIVE
REPORTS FROM THE FRONT ROW
For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews BEYOND THE VALLEY Phillip Island, Monday December 29 to Thursday January 1
Allday
Beyond the Valley was an incredible event. Slick and edgy, it encapsulated a demographic that’s not represented in any current festivals: more dance party than rock show, but not a bush doof. Despite the conceptual triumph, the festival was marred by the same silver bullet that slayed the once successful Pyramid Rock Festival; high winds up-rooted tents and caused havoc in the VIP camping area where some of the pre-erected luxury tents were flattened resulting in the already stressed crew to work even harder. On the first day of bands – the Tuesday – this generation’s The Mamas and Papas Lurch&Chief were moved from the main stage to the dance arena because the high winds made it unsafe out in the open. It doesn’t take a genius to realise this might have something to do with the fact that there’s nothing between the site and Antarctica except for a small corner of Tasmania. Later that day, on the now opened main stage, Pond demonstrated why they’re one of Australia’s most booked acts for outdoor festivals: their jangly psych rock and Nick Allbrook’s kooky antics colluded with the stormy sky and the dull yet defined afternoon light to create a profound experience. It seemed only fitting all the members of Lurch&Chief were watching on from the field in awe. In the dance tent on Tuesday January 30, the highlight was the Spaniard TÂCHES, his ambient house music was subtle yet uplifting and driving. There was a ‘groove’ that manifested on the dance-floor as a tent full of people moved in a most delicious way. Meanwhile down on the main stage, Peking Duk proved what makes them Australia’s most in-demand party DJs, as they dropped banger after banger including trance classic, Darude’s Sandstorm, where the entire audience crouched during the build and then leapt up at the drop. Canberra-raised Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde tweaked the set beautifully from the beginning with little hints at their mega-hit High – these little flurries of the song building towards its full version near the end of the set. The weather for the 31st saw Philip Island’s south side in all its splendour and on stage this was enhanced as the new guard of Aussie hip hop announced its arrival as a supremely popular force in Australian music. Allday was arguably the daylight highlight, with throngs of festival goers joining the Adelaide native, now Melbourne-based in his contempt for party sluts – Girls In Jeans – and other issues facing 20-somethings today. I’ll be honest, I desperately didn’t want to like Allday: ‘Who is this dude with his ‘90s clothing and bold commentary and a legion of teenage fans?’ After seeing his performance and getting to chat to him for Beat TV, there’s a lot to like about him. New Year’s Eve was all about RÜFÜS. The promoters behind Beyond The Valley also run Melbourne club night Anyway, the club night that had been based at The Palace Theatre until the theatre was closed for demolition. RÜFÜS had been the last ever act to play The Palace Theatre, so not only did the band have special place in the hearts of those running the festival but also a large percentage of the attendees. The set was crisp, professional and on point with songs Take Me, Desert Night, and Tonight getting a wild response from the audience. However it was the softly warping build of Modest Life that phased in after the countdown that elicited the biggest response from the revellers. Beyond The Valley was a well executed party that showcased acts that may not normally get to play on main stages at Australian outdoor festivals. From the vast array of interesting food stalls to activities like laser tag, giant floating ball soccer and the extravagant VIP camping options, BTV offered something a little bit different on LOVED: TÂCHES. the festival circuit. HATED: The security guard who very unsubtly touched-up my girlfriend when searching for DENVER MAXX alcohol. PHOTOS BY OLIVIA RANKIN DRANK: Snake Venom Martinee. Pond
LET THEM EAT CAKE New Year’s Day, Werribee Mansion Gardens Ah, Let Them Eat Cake. If this year’s festival was indicative of the year to come, everyone strap on in, it’s going to be a big one. Back for its third year, the day of huge performances set against the lush backdrop of Werribee Mansion Gardens made for a day that could snap punters with even the biggest New Year’s Eve hangover out of their misery. With a bounty of international and local talent spread across six stages, Cake ’15 flaunted a vast array of improvements from last year, making the experience well-worth the trek. Already in the country for Falls Festival, Jamie xx joined the lineup at the last minute, filling in for DJ Sneak who was unable to make the trip due to medical issues. The change forced a massive timetable shuffle that left Jamie xx in the 1pm slot at the main stage, the bamboo built Bastille Stage. He laid down a set that was appropriate for the time of day, with tropical, laid back vibes and his productions with The xx, like the eerie Sunset. Todd Terje took over the decks next, starting off with a remix of Men At Work’s Land Down Under. Cake marked his Melbourne debut, and he didn’t disappoint, flirting with guilty pleasures and nu-disco along the way. Over at the smaller Guillotine Stage, Ben Pearce delivered a smooth hour and a half of deep house, after being bumped from the main stage in the DJ Sneak replacement shuffle. As the clouds began to clear and the much welcomed sun washed over the mansion grounds, duo Bob Moses took the stage for a live show that landed among the highlights of the day. With Tom Howie on vocals and a keyboard and guitar in the mix, their hour-long performance featured tracks like underground club hit All I Want and slow burner It’s Gone. The pairing of electronica with live elements made for a unique performance that still fitted right in with the rest of the tunes of the day. While there was never any doubt that the music would be top quality, the festival’s organisation also proved to be impressive. Lines, if any, were sparse, and food and drinks were not only delicious, but also priced reasonably. Even more, the garden grounds were a visual feast, with a myriad of art installations and decadent stages featuring swirling lights and pyrotechnics. The extended set times, ranging from one and half to two hours on the backend of the main stage also ensured that the DJs had plenty of room to work through an eclectic mix of tunes that the crowd could really get into. Not to be forgotten, one of the most notable and appreciated improvements from last year was the sound. The addition of Funktion 1 rigs making a huge difference in its quality, with Carl Craig’s mammoth closing set made even sweeter by their crystal clear output. Sprinkling in his own productions, he also dropped in special treats like Jeff Mill’s The Bells and his remix of Tom Trago’s Use Me Again. But far too soon, the sound of Stevie Nicks’ voice flooded over the crowd and Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams signaled the end of the night, with punters dispersing for the dreaded journey back from Werribee. Summed up, Cake 2015 was a whirlwind day of LOVED: The sunshine. extravagance in its purest form. From the organisation HATED: The train ride back. to the lineup to the atmosphere, there’s little question DRANK: Fancy slushies. Let Them Eat Cake is well on its way to becoming the premiere underground New Year’s Day event. LAUREN GILL
DANNY BROWN The Corner Hotel, Sunday January 4 “If you come to a Danny Brown show you know that this ain’t no rap show, this is a party,” exclaimed Detroit rapper Danny Brown as he took the stage for the first of his two Beyond The Valley sideshows at The Corner Hotel. True to his word, Brown was the life of the party, delivering just over 60 minutes of his distinctive fastpaced rhymes over thumping club beats. Brown has developed a near cult-like following over the past few years, which saw a legion of fans cram into The Corner, mirroring his every move, word, bounce and devil horns/tongue wagging pose. If Brown says “mosh,” they mosh, if Brown says “sing,” they sing and if Danny says “smoke,” well, they do that too. The majority of songs from the set were taken from Brown’s third album Old, released in 2013, with just about every track receiving a cheer of delight from the crowd. Singles Smokin & Drinkin and 25 Bucks generated particular enthusiasm, as did Kush Coma, but it was of course Dip – Brown’s ode to MDMA – that saw the greatest reception. With such an energetic set, it was a shame to see the night end on such an anticlimax. After Brown finished the main set with Dip, a DJ took over for what was assumed to be a build-up to the encore. However, after ten minutes, LOVED: Some of the Elaine-style dance moves that the DJ promptly left the stage and the lights were turned were busted out by some of the more rhythmically on. For Danny Brown fans however, nothing will likely challenged members of the crowd. detract from seeing their leader in the flesh, with many HATED: Having to dodge five different puddles of no doubt making their way straight to the rapper’s after vomit between The Corner and the station. party in the city. DRANK: Not much, but inhaled a lot of secondhand smoke. KELSEY BERRY
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 33
ALBUM OF THE WEEK AC/DC Rock Or Bust
(Sony)
THURSDAY 8 JANUARY
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Let’s get the perfunctory, quantifiable markers out of the way first. Rock Or Bust is a great album. An album in the truest sense of an album, from long-time proponents of the form – admirable holdouts from fragmented digital platforms (inevitably relenting long after other titans), delivering holistic artefacts, obstinate in the face of a rapidly shifting four decades of music history and trend, ephemeral or otherwise. This is the best, or at least equal best, AC/DC album since the all-conquering Black In Black – the resounding initial salvo of vocalist Brian Johnson, the most successful, if not the only successful, instance of a lead singer substitution, swift to carry momentum in the wake of the tragic, too soon, passing of legendary frontman Bon Scott.
LACHLAN KANONIUK
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KAYNE WEST FEATURING PAUL McCARTNEY Only One
(Albert/Columbia)
$10 LONGNECKS & $4 PIZZA TUESDAY 30 JANUARY
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I love my mum. I do. And I tell her that, fortnightly, when I get around to making my weekly phone call. She’s a good mum. The best, even. I try to be a good son, I think. Even when I’m a shithead. The dynamic of family is weird. Weird for most of us, I guess. It’s hard to tell. A universal experience, laden with infinitely profound, subjective variables. ‘Normal’ is a fallacy, by and large. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 34
AC/DC is a band built on riffs. Bloody good riffs, mind you. Since the beginning, back in 1973, Malcolm Young’s been the engine, the unassuming figure in a bluey behind his schoolboy brother and powerhouse vocalists, left of stage live, left speaker channel on record, unleashing rock‘n’roll in its purest form. The uncertainty surrounding Mal’s retirement, rumoured for months, then confirmed ahead of the announcement of Rock Or Bust, was disconcerting, to say the least. How could they go on? How much attrition can one band endure before collapsing? The no-bullshit rock‘n’roll comes from a no-bullshit workmanlike ethic, even as they lay claim to being one of the biggest bands of all time. Mal out? Nephew Stevie in. Phil’s late to recording? Give him one day or he’s out on his arse. Phil’s got himself into some mischief in New Zealand? We can go on with or without him. “In rock‘n’roll we trust / It’s rock or bust.” The title track doesn’t mince words. Doesn’t mince riffs, neither, belting a stop-start pugilism, similar to Back In Black, embellished by a bit of Angus squeal on the chorus. Track two, lead single, Play Ball makes more sense here instead of sports promo sync bait. Rock The Blues Away is bluesy, rock-y. The double entendres are almost single entendres. That’s the language of AC/DC: wry, dumb, brilliant. The album clocks in at a tidy 11 tracks, shaving the slight bloat of previous LP Black Ice, working again with producer Brendan O’Brien – who’s proven to be as worthy a complement to the band as Mutt Lange (let’s not mention Rick Rubin’s misfire) – putting each element in its right place, loud without waging loudness war. It does everything an AC/DC album should, in the right measure, paring back the flashes of modernity that crept into Black Ice. A hard rock record, with crisp guitar, a smoky air of blues, aided by Johnson’s weather-beaten howl, which somehow, sounds better than ever. I don’t know how I became an AC/DC fan. It makes sense. I grew up in a small, working class, farming hub town, but AC/DC was never an overt presence – my formative years shaped by a diet of hip hop, Beatles and Bowie. I wasn’t averse to AC/DC, but I didn’t embrace, not until some strange sublimation, I wound up with a wardrobe full of AC/DC tees (many sleeveless) in my Carlton (The Big Smoke, as they call it back home) terrace rental, upset that I could only afford tickets to two of three Melbourne shows during the Black Ice tour. I believed in AC/DC then, against the odds. I believe in AC/DC now, against the odds.
My favourite Kanye West song, of which there are many candidates, is Hey Mama. By far. Sometimes in whims of sanctimony, I entertain the thought of asking West detractors direct to listen, really listen, to Hey Mama. How can you deny the song’s sentiment and honesty? There he is, in 2005, a star well and truly on the rise, with an ego large and growing larger, and on album number two, West dedicates an entire song directly to his mum, Donda. It’s a powerful song, even in the sheer context of its time of release. There are a few clips floating around YouTube, West singing Hey Mama in the presence of his mama, Donda singing along each time. It’s beautiful, cute, it’s love. It’s real. Maybe I relate because I was raised by a single mother. Maybe I relate for fear of shortcomings: “My mama told me go to school / Get your doctorate Something to fall back on / You could profit with / But still supported me when I did the opposite.” That rings true. I get that maternal advice, an exact analogue for those lyrics, or calling up heartbroken: “Maybe take a break from dating for six months?”, or plain broke: “Maybe look into supermarket shifts again?”, but yeah, still supported me when I did the opposite. Donda died in 2007. At the 2008 Grammys, with another album and swathe of hit singles since Late Registration, West chose to perform Hey Mama, a track that went on to become a staple set-closer during the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy tour. It was raw, honest on the
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most quantifiable, for better or worse, stage for accolade within music. The stripped back performance was bookended by the additional refrain, “Last night I saw you in my dreams / Now I can’t wait to go to sleep.” Nearly seven years later, we have Only One, a surprise New Year, New Ye, release, worlds away from the acerbic menace of Yeezus, opening with, “As I lay me down to sleep / I hear her speak to me.” The song is sung from the perspective of Donda, a healing reflection, peaceful over electric piano melodies from pop’s greatest melody-smith. The autotune is a mask, as it was on 808s & Heartbreaks, as John Lennon’s primal scream was a mask on Mother. It’s the most minimalist Kanye West track yet, simple in arrangement, profound in stream-of-conscious delivery. Sign o’ the times, the release triggered a range of meta-ridicule, old guard sanctimony on display replete with self-righteous indignation, countering snarky, justified iconoclasm through baiting feigned ignorance. It’s tempting to get lost in that. Distraction, not thoughtprovocation. This song makes me think of my mum. I love this song.
LACHLAN KANONIUK
ALBUMS New music in review this week - For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews
BOB DYLAN AND THE BAND
CERES
NEW MUSIC IN REVIEW THIS WEEK
The Basement Tapes Raw (Sony)
Bob Dylan’s 1975 album The Basement Tapes stands as one of the great enigmas in a career of enigmas. An abbreviated back story goes something like this: in 1966, in the aftermath of his infamous motorbike accident, Dylan and members of the group who’d later become The Band holed up in a pink house in rural New York, where they put down in excess of 100 songs. Yet when an album surfaced nine years later, it contained only 16 Dylan songs (as well as eight by The Band). So for the better part of fifty years, the question’s been: what of the rest of the material? The Basement Tapes Raw answers that question and answers it comprehensively. For die-hard Dylanologists, there’s the whopping sixdisc box set, which follows every second of the original 1966 recordings. Alternatively, there’s the slimmer, more manageable two-disc collection, presenting highlights from the sessions. As with much of Dylan’s Bootleg series, while the individual results sometimes vary, overall the venture is an absolutely worthwhile exercise. There’s a luminous version of I Shall Be Released, before The Band snatched it up and took it as their own. One Too Many Mornings is given an Americana overhaul, with Rick Danko joining Dylan on vocals. There’s even a jangling cover of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues. And through all of it are Basement Tapes staples – This Wheel’s On Fire, Please Mrs Henry, Million Dollar Bash – restored to their rawer, more stripped-back original forms. A must for all Dylan fans. WAYNE MARSHALL
Return
(Hobbledehoy Records)
With their influences resting closer to an American Midwest emo band rather than a traditional Australian indie rock act, Ceres’ Selfish Prick EP offer a neat little package of four stylistically different tracks; a wide range of instruments including banjos and synths, along with a few subtle influences coming from post-hardcore, folk and electronica, creating an expertly constructed and gripping release, rich in songwriting talent. Constructed with the lyrics of your typical angsty 20-something-year-old man, each track is uniquely constructed when compared to the others, leaving them all to stand out in their own right. The tracks range in emotion from the happy-soundingyet-slightly-spiteful title track, Selfish Prick, the aggressive rock driven Clockwork, to the anxious folk-influenced banjo plucks of Woodwork. However if one track on the EP stands out, it would be its climatic, emotionally crushing finish, Will You Feel It When I Leave You, tailored with a densely layered and beautifully produced soundscape both rich in texture and gripping in intimacy. Glitchy vocal samples haunt the electronic drum beats, thumping synthesised bass and airy guitar riffs as the vocals range from emotive calls to restrained howls. The song flutters as it crawls towards an absolute crescendo and shuts off with a final whisper of “Will you feel it when I leave you?” a cutting dramatic effect and the perfect, if unexpected end to an emotionally powerful EP. Selfish Prick shows that Ceres know good songwriting is just as much about creating an impact as it is about musical talent, and the EP is a rich combination of both. Not a single moment of Selfish Prick feels like the release was rushed, and all indicators say if they can release a full-length with a range of tracks that complement each other in their diversities as they have here, Ceres are certain to create a lasting impression on the Australian, and hopefully international, music scene. THOMAS BRAND
LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS
COLLARBONES
Selfish Prick
(Two Bright Lakes)
Eerily industrial, aquatic and surreal, Collarbones’ third release Return is a phenomenal contribution to modern electronica. Slick and sad with pop sensibilities, the album draws you in by building tension and then breaking into incredibly groovy toe-tappers – almost a throwback to mid-2000s. Sinking (Deeper) is distinctly reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails; small drum and bass samples and chilling caterwauls of, “Deeper… go deeper,” behind a mess of glitch and snappy snares – this is the stand out song. Only Water, featuring Melbourne’s Oscar Key Sung is a belter of a track and the clear single release. The onomatopoeia between the music and lyrics; the cascading keys and phrasing are chill-inducing. Staccato vocal samples juxtaposed by Travis Cook’s sweet vocals turn Turning from a dance track to this introspective mind-melt. Return is an easily accessible album given the recent boom in similar artists: SOHN, Flume (duh) and Chet Faker. Despite this, Collarbones have retained originality by traversing the spectrum of electronica, varying between sickly happy dream-pop, with bells and tinkles, circa Beach House’s seminal Devotion, all the way to the darker side, sucking the listener down a vacuous hole. The pair describe Return as a tour de force relationship – a comparison of the relationship itself to the harsh realities of post-break up. All I can imagine while listening is being with a lover at 5am, in whatever state of inebriation you’ve caused in each other; there’s dull lighting and maybe a bottle of vodka to really round things out. Swelling, melancholic, poppy, dancey, this album runs the gamut. Imagine if Outkast were a bunch of Aussie white boys and you might be starting to catch my drift. Shit, Flume voted for them in triple j’s Hottest 100 – probably can’t go wrong, right? NAVARONE FARRELL
RUN THE JEWELS
(When the Sun Sets Over)
(Sony Music Australia)
Various Artists
Carlton
Run The Jewels 2
Sleeping Till The Weekend
(Festival/Warner)
(Independent)
These Aussie boys won triple j’s Unearthed High comp in 2013 and have since been out playing festivals and touring on their own. All that partying hasn’t ruined their work ethic, Sleeping Till The Weekend is the second EP they’ve released this year. At only five, less-than three-minute-long songs, the EP is a very quick listen. The tracks all sound very much the same, nothing challenging or ground-breaking. It’s generic, high-school-aged surfy pop-punk. The lyrics, however, are what caught my attention. They aren’t anything deep or profound, just relatable on a very base level and kind of ridiculous. If other bands tried to use these lines, they’d come across as dumb. But these guys seem to have no shame, in the best possible way. First up is 15 Months, the typical high school romance song. It’s very cheesy, but admittedly cute. Waiting For You, In Room 202 is so teenage, I can’t even. With lines like, “All I really want, is you inside my room, drinking Passion Pop, never want to stop,” they’re definitely onto a winner. There’s one song that really taps into a certain emotional journey many of us experience on a daily basis; the need for caffeine. The aptly-titled Cappuccino, boasts such lyrical gems as “So many things to do” and “All I really want is a cappuccino.” Preach. I’m still not sure if I liked it, but I sure didn’t hate it. CASSIE HEDGER
After the success of their debut release in 2013, boom rap heavyweight Killer Mike and underground rap producer El-P reunite for Run The Jewels 2, yet another gripping hip hop release with grimy, thumping production and an interplay between the two rappers that ranges from cheeky to savage. Combined with a smorgasbord of outside talent such as Rage Against The Machine’s Zach de la Rocha and Blink 182’s Travis Barker, Run The Jewels 2 does well to both sound impressive on paper and live up to expectations. The heavily electronic production complements the rapping with dark, bass heavy hits constantly chopping and changing behind the vocals. Coupling this production with a biting delivery, the rapping skirts surprisingly close to punk ideals as the pair take stabs at the ideas of war and religion along with the standard rap tracks about sex, drugs and dissing other rappers in the scene. Although thematically Run The Jewels 2 does well to keep itself interesting, what really shines on the album is how well Killer Mike and El-P work as rappers. The pair bounce off one another by following up on themes or shouting at certain parts for emphasis, mimicking the unity shown in the glory days of Wu-Tang. The clever use of vocal techniques continue on in places, as the vocals sometimes rise from spoken word to a barking yell, or are shot out rapidly with chain-gun emphasis for devastating effect. If there’s one minor failing of Run The Jewels 2, it would be that the album opens so strongly the second half feels overshadowed in comparison. However, no part of the album feels flawed, as even the weaker tracks will either be backed up by a clever rap hook or a production technique enthralling in its unique intricacies. As Killer Mike and El-P complement each other perfectly, so do the production and the rapping, leaving Run The Jewels 2 as one of the standout albums of 2014.
Rudyard Kipling once mused that if history was told in stories, it would never be forgotten. The history of rock’n’roll is riddled with colourful stories of rebellion and resistance, of attitude and anger, of drugs and debauchery. Melbourne rock’n’roll in the ‘70s is bookended by the denim and blues of Lobby Loyde and Billy Thorpe, and gothic provocative punk sneering of Rowland S Howard and Nick Cave. Between those pillars of historical celebration lies the oft-neglected alternative scene that brought forth such bands as Skyhooks, Mondo Rock, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, The Sports and The Dots. (When the Sun Sets Over) Carlton breathes new life into the stories of Carlton’s Pram Factory, Martini’s and other haunts of Melbourne’s alternative music-cum-arts community. In among the pile of forgotten gems – Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band’s Roll that Reefer, The Indelible Murtceps’ Blue Movies and Relaxed Mechanics’ Truckin’ Casanova – are the seeds of a subsequent generation of Australian pop classics: The Sports’ Who Listens to the Radio, The Dots (featuring Paul Kelly) Lowdown, Martin Armiger’s I Love My Car, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons’ Only the Lonely Hearted and Daddy Cool’s Saturday Night. There’s an endearing melodic simplicity to many of the tracks, the original English R&B sensibility of the ‘60s still shining through in the compositions of Skyhooks’ Greg Macainsh and Daddy Cool’s Ross Wilson; the scene’s theatrical aesthetic can be seen in Eric Gradman Man and Machine and The Bleeding Hearts. And while Stephen Cummings, Martin Armiger and Paul Kelly were already serious musicians, there’s a comic edge in The Pelaco Brothers’ Mechanics in a Relaxed Manner, Fabulous Nudes’ I’ll Be a Dog For You, Baby and Company Caine’s Buzzin’ With My Cousin that remains endearing. To listen to this compilation is to be transported back to an almost forgotten era, when social upheaval still walked in concert with considered artistic expression. Carlton isn’t what it used to be, but the sun hasn’t set on the legacy of its one-time vibrant countercultural scene quite yet.
THOMAS BRAND
PATRICK EMERY
GIGS
GIGS Sunday 11th Jan - aLL day from 4Pm
PSYCHOCANDY
A TRibUTE To ThE JESUS & mARY chAin F e a T U R I n G
bLAck cAb ThE DEmon PARADE, ThE GRAnD RAPiDS TEEnAGE moThERS, TEx nAPALm (GER) ThE DiRTY biRDS, concLUSionS SASkiA SAnSom, bLooDhoUnDS on mY TRAiL + dJs aLL day TIckeTs On saLe nOW WWW.JOhncURTInhOTeL.cOm
ThU Jan
15Th
EVERYDAY ThE Do Yo ThAnGS
Free in the front bar (12am show)
16Th
ThE Whoohoo REVUE + AfEnGinn (DEnmARk)
saT Jan
ThE Union PAcific
FRI Jan
17Th sUn Jan
18Th
CURTIN
+ The Underscore Orkestra
RecORd LaUnch + corpus (syd), summer Blood + Whailer
cURTin comEDY F e aT U R I n G : DAVE ThoRnTon
anne edmonds, Tommy dassalo + more
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$13 JUGS
6PM
fREE in ThE fRonT bAR from 4Pm SUnDAY’S in SUmmER PRESEnTS...
SUn 11Th - 30/70 SUn 18Th - ThE LET YoUR hAiR DoWn GiRLS W. UTRAShE DJ’S SUn 25Th - ThE bLUEboTTLES
+ On saLe nOW @ JOhncURTInhOTeL.cOm ThU 22nD - bARo + miLWAUkEE bAnkS SUn 25 JAn (AUS DAY EVE) - Six fT hick + ThE nATion bLUE 29 Lygon ST, CarLTon / T: 9663 6350
‘LikE’ FaceBOOk.cOm/ThecURTIn TO keeP UP WITh The LaTesT! BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 35
GIG GUIDE
WHAT'S ON AROUND MELBOURNE THIS WEEK
For all the latest gigs check out beat.com.au
WEDNESDAY JAN 7 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••coq roq wednesdays - feat: various djs
Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm. ••enlight + beautiful beasts + loki + tash sultana Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $15.00. ••lupine + pale trip + lorikeet Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. ••mark steiner & his problems + the d grades
+ michael plater & the exit keys + andrew mccubbin Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. $10.00.
••my elephant ride + ministry of plenty +
charlie lane Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $8.00. ••right! + scrub wrens + pleasure models Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. ••spacejunk + muscle beach + cosmic kahuna Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $5.00. ••surface + hue blanes + manticore Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10.00. ••the electric guitars (the big bang) + taipan tiger girls + bonnie doom Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. ••the imprints + no hay banda Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
••tycho + rat & co Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. ••wet lips + michael ceratops + cinesex Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••alex yarosh trio Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $15.00. ••chris young quartet 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. ••emma wyndham & rachel compte Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••john smith Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 8:00pm.
••krista polvere + ayleen o’hanlon Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm.
••open mic Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:30pm. ••open mic Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm.
••the brunswick hotel’s open mic Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm.
••wine whiskey women - feat: tanya ransom +
seri vida Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
THURSDAY JAN 8
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••also dragons Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm. $7.00.
••andrew pitman & brendan forward Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm.
••axe girl + pet band + fifth friend + calamity
lane Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. ••civil civic + time for dreams Tote Hotel,
Collingwood. 8:30pm. ••dear plastic + dxheaven + yes/no/maybe Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $8.00. ••jasia + amber isles + davy simony Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $9.20. ••mark steiner & his problems + rosie westbrook Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $10.00. ••myyth + a basket of mammoths + the
underhanded + doktor Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $5.00. ••next - feat: hellions + atlantic + of stolen moments Colonial Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $10.00. ••revel in chaos + midtown tonic + fast handsome + creatures from the bod Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. ••scrub wrens + auto da fe + matt ellis Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5.00. ••shit sex + claws & organs + tj rosenthal Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. ••sky needle + paul heslin + isaari Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. ••snark + the innocence + intimate apparel + avenue’s end Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 36
GIG OF THE WEEK!
••the hunted crows + dj mermaid Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
••the mean times + dear stalker + from oslo
Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.00.
••the shifties + phoebe daicos & the simmer
downs + greg steps Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
••tired breeds + strathmore + coffin wolf +
lizard punch Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $8.00.
••tycho + rat & co The Hi-Fi, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $50.50.
••will wood The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••all i do is dream (an octet tribute to duke
ellington) - feat: various artists Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20.00.
••cannonball Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00. ••free range funk - feat: jake judd +
tigerfunk + lewis cancut Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm. ••sam appapoulay trio Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $15.00.
GLASS ANIMALS
Ever had to make that really tough choice between a career in medicine or becoming a successful musician? Yeah, probably not. Dave Bayley, vocalist and songwriter of UK outfit Glass Animals, shifted from a Bachelor in Medicine to Neuroscience and managed to complete his studies while quickly gaining attention for his trip hop and psychedelic tracks which has spanned into a successful music career. Rethinking your New Year’s resolution that probably had something to do with the gym? Get down to Glass Animals at The Hi-Fi in Melbourne, Saturday January 10.
••soul in the basement - feat: fulton street
+ dj vince peach & pierre baroni Cherry Bar,
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••the andrew kimber quartet Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. ••victoriana gaye Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••austin brady Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. ••billy bob & jeb cardwell Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm.
••jimmy maddon + james hall + queenie Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
••open mic Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
FRIDAY JAN 9
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••the quarters + captives + summer blood +
crowbait 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $8.00. ••animal hands + red light riot + the transitions + muscle mary + dj dan lewis
Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. ••beautifuls beasts + bands of witches + piie + cards after midnight Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. ••black night crash Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 11:30pm. ••bruce le moose Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. ••cherry bomb European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. ••chris wilson Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:30pm. ••daryl braithwaite Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $35.61. ••dr colossus + two headed dog + cotangent
+ six shooter Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $13.00. ••dreamcoat & texture like sun Workers Club,
Fitzroy. 8:30pm. ••ezra lee + hank’s jalopy demons Clare Castle Hotel, Port Melbourne. 8:00pm. ••holy serpent + stone revival + boracherro + bonnie mercer Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:30pm. $10.00. ••king puppy & the carnivore + the scrimshaw four Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. ••los romanticos Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. ••lupine Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13.00. ••maricopa wells + wolf whistler + andrew swift + will ewing Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. ••ocean alley Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 9:00pm. ••paper lions + forest falls + winter york Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $12.00. ••powerline sneakers + little desert + dj mermaid Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. ••rock’n’roll in the gersh - feat: twin ages
+ kill dirty youth + tragic earth + ablaze + noisy whispers Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. ••s (bahn) - feat: s:bahn + batpiss + spinning
rooms + bodies Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood.
8:00pm. $10.00.
••shooglenifty + kaela rowan Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $40.00.
••skyways are highways - feat: skeyways are
highways + sea legs Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••sleepy dreamers Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
••sol haus & the spokesmen + jumping josh
dj + gogo goddesses The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.00.
••sydonia + skin pin + anna salen Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $15.00.
••the diamond blow + aaron moar + plethora
Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $6.00.
••the reprobettes + jukai forrest Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:30pm.
••the schoenberg automaton + colossvs +
amdbl + the arbiter + orchestrating the damned Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
$15.00.
••the steve martins Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:00pm.
••watt’s on - feat: various artists Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 8:30pm.
Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $14.30.
••traditional irish music session - feat: dan
bourke Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm.
SATURDAY JAN 10
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••a cat named joe + river of snakes + battle
axe howlers + low fly incline Old Bar, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. ••bang - feat: new empire + move on be strong + inventions Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20.00. ••bored nothing + major leagues + mining boom Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $14.00. ••captives + initials + witch fight + laser brains Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••columbia + slow chase + the starks Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. ••cyclo timik + mcalpine’s fusiliers +
golgotha motel + cameron bobbitt Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.
••witch fight + broozer + bloody kids + dead
letter blues Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm.
••zevon & the werewolves of melbourne
+ claws & organs + the dropbears + the bottlecaps Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••elly hoyt Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25.00.
••rebecca mendoza & the joe ruberto trio
Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20.00.
••vintage roots Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••andy grant duo European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. ••damon smith plays pianna Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm.
••den hanrahan Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:30pm.
••electric mary + the haunted crows + the
deep end Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $15.00.
••glenn musto Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm.
••jack derwin The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. ••jam the funk - feat: all star band Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:40pm. $18.00.
••parmy dhillon Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
••paul mcmanus & the mayblooms Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. ••spencer p jones Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. ••the spoils Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm.
••tim mcmillan + jaya + lamb boulevard Ding
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TIM MCMILLAN
KFC have just announced they’re applying for a liquor licence at one of their stores in Western Sydney so they can (specifically) serve beer and cider. There’s also a track on Tim McMillan’s latest release called Southern Fried, and now all I can think about when I think of Tim McMillan is fried chicken. Damn, you Colonel! This incredibly talented troubadour recently posted a video to his Facebook page of an acoustic cover of Rage Against the Machine and it’s absolutely mildmelting. Catch his freaky finger work at Ding Dong Lounge this Friday January 9.
••dave faulkner & brad shepherd Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $35.00.
••diamonds of neptune Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $10.00.
The Cat Empire
••dirty harriet & the hangmen (last show
ever) + the jacks + muscle mary + coffin wolf + the fckups Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick.
9:00pm.
••drifter + river of snakes + battle axe
howlers + low fly incline Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. ••dumbpunts + charging stallion + tipper rats Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. ••e-sono music showcase #1 Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 7:00pm. ••glass animals + grace The Hi-Fi, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $56.10. ••gold class + tam vantage + matt bailey +
black vacation + time for dreams + sarah mary chadwick Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 4:00pm. ••hellbringer + convent guilt + thrall + diabolical demon director Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $15.00.
••hot piece - feat: leopard slugg + the annie
crooners + the blaack alleys + my piranha + moonah ripp + zombitches Espy, St Kilda.
8:00pm. $10.00. ••hyperdrones + a basket of mammoths + king evil Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
••james caddy + story model + haybax + le
fay 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••kretch + brat farrar + paracones + jackson briggs Victoria Hotel, Brunswick.
9:00pm. ••massive + the ugly kings + darcee fox + dj lucy arundel Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13.00. ••master beta + seedy jezus + space junk +
borrachero Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $13.00. ••ocean alley + the balls + dive into ruin + my old dutch Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10.00. ••readable grafitti + super magic hats + splendid Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••rio grande + the conclusions + thomas hugh Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $8.00. ••the wlld comforts + mark with the sea + dirtbird Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $10.00. ••toga rock - feat: barbara blaze dj + gogo goddesses The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.00. ••vaudeville smash + mose & the fmly Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm.
••wye oak + bachelorette + lowtide Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $36.00. ••zayd thring Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••2015 opening night - feat: yvette
johansson & band Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.
••african royal drummers Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee. 4:30pm. ••all i do is dream (a tribute to duke
ellington) Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••cisco ceasar The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. ••edemah rah Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. ••good music - feat: ethan mclaren Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 8:00pm. ••hetty kate’s swingville Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25.00. ••kattimoni + axe girl Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. ••kimba griffith septet Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.
••moons got soul! - feat: soulmate + dj knave
knixx 24 Moons, Northcote. 8:00pm.
••sukaro gypsy jazz band Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20.00.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••acoustic foxx + reckless june + rod fritz +
kate bart Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ••action sam European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.
••bear ops - feat: cashmere cat & mr
carmack + friendships + nam + headstone
Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $40.00. ••den hanrahan + one horse town Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. ••harry coulson’s rain dogs Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:30pm.
SUMMER OF SOUL
The other day I walked into a set of automatic doors because they didn’t open for me. It’s clear that I have no soul. Are you in need of a little soul? Summer of Soul is co-headlining two of Australia’s biggest acts: The Cat Empire and Paul Kelly presenting the Merri Soul Sessions. Also on this kickarse lineup is The Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Mojo Juju, Marlon Williams and Perch Creek. Could a lineup be anymore soulful? Summer of Soul goes down at Mossvale Park this Saturday January 10 from midday. ••kris schroeder Catfish, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
••lisa miller Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm.
••matt andersen Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:40pm. $25.00. ••mick dog’s boneyard + dj matthew
frederick Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm. ••murrumbidgee jones band Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm.
••roxy wifi + mona lisa’s + allnight bars Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
••shane diiorio band Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ••short leash + the commonly insane +
bottlecaps Vinyl Bar, Moonee Ponds. 8:00pm. ••sweet felicia & the honeytones Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
gilmour + trio agogo + last mistress + stella angelico + bam bam + vamp + empra + chris watts + mayfield + leah zweck + awhalecalledpheonix + the tarantinos Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 12:30pm. $15.00.
••plural + jarrow + arbes + the eggs Bar Open, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. ••psychocandy (a tribute to the jesus &
mary chain) - feat: black cab + the demon parade + bloodhounds on my trail + conclusions + teenage mothers + the dirty birds + saskia sansom + tex napalm John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 7:30pm. $12.00.
••rockabilly sundays - feat: heels on decks
dj Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 4:00pm.
••tailor birds + dj soul loco Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
••tess mckenna Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ••vic old time jam session - feat: craig
woodward + warren rough Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
••will wood Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm.
SUNDAY JAN 11
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••max’s cherry blues - feat: greg dodd &the
hoodoo men + dj max crawdaddy Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm. $10.00. ••the quolls + acrylic + crypt kicker 3 Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. ••8foot felix + dj blunderbuss Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ••andy phillips & the cadillac walk Catfish, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. ••bob ‘bongo’ starkie - feat: dave faulkner & brad shepherd Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $23.00. ••cool sounds + crepes + good morning Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 4:00pm. ••den hanrahan Union Hotel, Brunswick. 3:00pm. ••espy artist showdown Espy, St Kilda. 12:00pm. $20.00. ••geoff achison + stand & deliver 80’s supersounds mixtape Espy, St Kilda. 6:00pm.
••glass animals + grace The Hi-Fi, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $56.10.
••grindhouse + the gatwick highlife Public Bar, North Melbourne. 1:30am. ••hollow ground Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm.
••kopy kat tribute show 8 - feat: the bloody
kids + witch fight + dixon cider + admiral ackbar’s dishonourable discharge + lord justin & his one man band + the kunch om-let experience Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick.
2:00pm.
••loobs + the staggering swillburys + claire
birchall & the phantom hitch hikers Old Bar, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $6.00. ••melbourne music marathon - feat: seb
mont + feter hendel + sweet felicia + cam CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 37
GIG GUIDE
WHAT'S ON AROUND MELBOURNE THIS WEEK
THE PUSH PRESENT
ACCESS ALL AGES
For all the latest gigs check out beat.com.au
With Ruth Mihelcic If you’ve made it this far through Beat magazine, happy New Year! Congrats on surviving the Christmas festivities and New Year’s celebrations; they take what seems like forever to come around and they’re over in a flash. And now we’re here. There are a lot of good reasons why January is hands down the best month of the year. Summer. No school. Pool parties. Australia Day. triple j’s Hottest 100. Outdoor cinemas. Festivals. Not to mention plenty of free time on your holidays to check ‘em all out. The gig guide for the year ahead is starting to fill up, you can stay updated here or by checking out our website (www.thepush.com.au).
SBTRKT
It’s party time! p-a-r-t---y? The man behind the mask is here. No it’s not Jim Carey with a creepy green face, it’s British post-dub extraordinaire SBTRKT. Renowned for his remix collaborations and re-working tracks with artists such as Radiohead, M.I.A., Underworld, Mark Ronson, Goldie and Basement Jaxx, SBTRKT has been a major part of the Aussie festival scene since his first visit in 2011. Don’t miss SBTRKT playing a headline show for one night only at The Forum, this Wednesday January 7.
••sex on toast The Shadow Electric, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••sunday school - feat: fever seeds + vhs_
dream + oolluu Public Bar, North Melbourne.
4:00pm. ••the 1975 Festival Hall, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. $62.50. ••the hired guns Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. ••the jacks + australian kingswood factory
+ ketch + whailer + vodnik + paracones + damn the torpedoes + the beggars’ way
ASGEIR
According to polls taken over many years, the majority of Icelanders believe in elves. Icelandic pop star Bjork even mentioned that record companies prefer to sign Icelandic musicians who admit to believing in elves. I’d certainly believe in elves if it meant Orlando Bloom rocked the Legolas look outside of Lord of the Rings. Whether or not Asgeir believes in elves we do not know but he is one of the newest and most exciting acts to come out of Iceland in the last few years with his own brand of melodic folk. Asgeir is taking over The Forum in Melbourne this Friday January 9.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••andy baylors’ banksia band Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. ••banjo-b-que - feat: craig woodward The Mercat, Melbourne. 12:30pm.
••davidson brothers Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ••gus rigby + amarillo Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm.
••hugh mcginlay & the recessive genes
••the midnight sol + morpheme + dream
Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. ••jemma & the clifton hillbillies Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm.
••wah wahs & rod fritz Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 5:00pm.
••matt andersen Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 7:30pm. $25.00.
Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 2:30pm.
fatigue Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••hannaford & tinkler quartet Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $18.00. ••kylie auldist & the glenroy allstars +
the dirty birds + dj manchild Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ••ricohet + oscar neyland Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. ••ronit granot Wesley Anne, Northcote. 5:00pm. ••the gin club two Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm.
••justin yap band Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. ••pitcher of health Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
••sunday sessions - feat: various artists
Lucky Coq, Windsor. 4:00pm. ••sunday sessions - feat: various artists Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 2:00pm.
••two doors down Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
••tyre swans Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:00pm.
••zeptepi + the gun barrel straights + jack
gramski Bar Of Bengal, Yarraville. 4:00pm. $10.00.
MONDAY JAN 12
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••30/70 + karate boogaloo + raw humps Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5.00. ••allan browne, marc hannaford & sam
pankhurst + allan browne + marc hannaford & sam pankhurst Bennetts Lane
Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $18.00.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••cherry jam Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. ••monday night mass - feat: smile + golden
girls + moon dice + orlando furious Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 6:00pm.
••mundane mondays - feat: pitt the elder +
summer blood + vista pointrs Old Bar, Fitzroy.
8:00pm. $5.00.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••the doodads Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. ••the mutual appreciation society - feat:
will wood + dave khan Retreat Hotel, Brunswick.
7:30pm.
TUESDAY JAN 13
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••aimee volkofsky & the molotovs + huntley
+ disco puppets Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.
••cosmic kahuna + grim rhythm Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00. ••dukes veda + master_beta + bog Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:00pm. $5.00.
WANTED VOCALS & GUITARIST WANTED for Velvet Undergound, Roxy Music, Iggy, Bowie, influenced music. Phn: 0433 726 449 BANDS/ACTS WANTED for Espy Shows. Shoot an email through to mark@gunnmusic. com.au for more details SERVICES SOUNDPARK REHEARSALS NORTHCOTE. From $50. Great rooms/p.a’s. Parking/Storage/Hire. Phone Andrew 0425 706 382. Soundparkstudios.com.au MISCELLANEOUS MISSING: Old, sweet, tender chicken bone that was the light of my life. My heart aches for you. Where have you gone? email: idontknowwhyyouarereadingthis@ sillysillywords.com BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 38
••the brunswick hotel discovery night -
feat: the outland brothers + joseph simms + hanna maru Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick.
While you’re there, meet the FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands Regional Finalists, the nine bands who beat no less than 225 bands from across the state to get a spot at the Grand Final at Melbourne’s Moomba Festival on Saturday March 7. We’ve been interviewing a band each week in the lead up to the final, and so far you can read all about Revolution (Golden Plains), Horris Green (Ballarat) and The Quick and The Dead (Hume). Singers and songwriters, check out the Push Songs mentoring program and apply before you get too carried away with holidays and festivities. The innovative song writing mentoring program kicks off again in February/March, and if you’re lucky enough to score a place you’ll get one on one songwriting workshops with the likes of Charles Jenkins, Mark Seymour, Adalita, Greg Walker (Machine Translations) and Liz Stringer. The program is based at our Brunswick office and open to AA in Victoria. Apply by Friday January 30 at www.surrveymonkey.com/s/ PS2015R1. If you’re a young Victorian aged 18-25 and are interested in establishing yourself in any area of the music industry (performing artists, composer, producer, sound engineer, event manager, booking agent, publicist, journalists, rock photographers, etc) then check out the FReeZA Mentoring Program. Applications are open for the 2015 program, which will see participants matched up, one-on-one, with a supportive mentor who is already established within the industry. Positions are limited and applications are due by Friday January 30 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ FREEZAMentoring15.
All Ages Timetable Saturday January 10 • Youth Stage @ Peterborough Seaside Festival w/ Indie Buckle, Keelan Mast, Cooper Lower & Jacob Pugh, and Nancie Shipper, Peterborough Foreshore Reserve, Irvine St, Peterborough, 6-7pm, $30, www. vic.gov.au/event/2015/01/peterboroughseaside-festival.html, AA Sunday January 11 • The 1975, Festival Hall, 300 Dudley St, West Melbourne, $62.50, www.festivalhall. com.au, AA • YMCA FReeZA Music and Movie Night w/ Young Bass Coast Locals playing acoustic acts, and Life of PI movie, Wonthaggi Rec Reserve, 41 Wentworth Rd, Wonthaggi, 7-11pm, $1, www.facebook. com/BassCoastFreeza, AA
8:00pm.
GEORGE EZRA
I’m 26 this year. If there’s anything that makes me feel more depressed, it’s knowing George Ezra (swoon) has achieved a hell of a lot more than I have and he’s five years younger than me. It’s also kind of disturbing that I find someone who’s the same age as my brother pretty attractive *shudder*. Catch George Ezra and me in all my attempted cradle-snatching glory at The Corner Hotel this Thursday January 7.
••wishful + biddlewood + tom milek Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••carlton/thomas quintet Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
••sam keevers trio Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $18.00.
••seu jorge Forum Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ••damon smith + david cosma Retreat Hotel,
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Brunswick. 7:30pm.
••irish sessions Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:00pm.
••nina ferro Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $45.00. ••open mic Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 8:00pm.
Friday 9th @ 9.30pm
THE STEVE MARTINS (The wise guys wok) Saturday 10th @ 9.30 pm
DEN HANRAHAN SATURDAY 10TH JANUARY
ONE HORSE TOWN FROM 5PM
THE HIRED GUNS SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY
FROM 5PM
DOUGY & WESTON BBQ ON THE ROOF TOP EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY ALL SUMMER LONG...
MURRUMBIDGEE JONES BAND (NSW)
Wed 7th January
WINE, WHISKEY, WOMEN 8pm - Seri Vida 9pm - Tanya Ransom
(Cross-country grooves)
Sunday 11th @ 5.30pm
ANDY BAYLORS’ BANKSIA BAND (Home grown roots) Tuesday 13th @ 8.00pm
IRISH SESSION (Fancy fiddlin’)
ALL GIGS ARE FREE EXCELLENT RESTAURANT AND BAR MEALS
LOMOND HOTEL 225 NICHOLSON STREET BRUNSWICK EAST, VIC 3057 9380 1752
Thurs 8th January
OPEN MIC NIGHT Fri 9th January
Traditional Irish Session 8.30pm - Den Hanrahan
6pm:
Sat 10th january
Will Wood Sun 11th january 4pm: Amarillo 6.30pm: Gus Rigby (duo) 9pm:
Tues 13th january
8pm:
Weekly Trivia
The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
BURGERS-BOOZE-BANDS
E VE R Y T U E S D AY R O C K A N D P O P C U LT U R E T R I V I A
h o s t e d by J e s s M c G u i r e & G e o r g e H - T A B L E B O O K I N G S T R O N G LY R E C O M M E N D E D -
EVERY WEDNESDAY IT’S A WING THING
Basket of Wings for $10 - S o u t h e r n s t y l e f r i e d s t i c ky c h i c k e n w i n g s -
T H U R S D AY 8 t h J A N U A R Y W i l l Wo u l d ( N Z )
s u p p o r t e d by O s k a r H e r b i g
f r i d ay 9 t h j a n u a ry G r e g o ry J a c k D e r w i n ( SY D ) swa m p f u n k d j s
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 39
BACKSTAGE For more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
MR. BOOGIE MAN BAR
VENUE PROFILE:
Mr Boogie Man BAR rose like a phoenix from the ashes of IDGAFF on Saturday March 1 2014. With a passion for music, David and Jenny reformed the iconic location on Hoddle Street Abbotsford to its current aesthetics and feel, they encourage you to come and have a look at the music memorabilia, because you’ll love it. Mr Boogie Man is the quintessential Melbourne intimate venue for live bands up close and personal. The service you’ll receive from the minute you walk in is nothing short of welcoming and friendly: rude is not cool at Mr Boogie Man BAR. “[My] favourite show was just recently during a benefit weekend hosted for Beyond Blue,” says David, “Where a young band called Sisters Doll performed and just blew the whole crowd away. Keep your eyes out for this band as they are just amazing,” he exclaims. Open from Wednesday to Sunday with live music every
night, Jenny and David pull the beers themselves, and they reckon they provide pretty darn good service to everyone who joins them at the bar. Wednesdays are open mic night, and when you’re among friends, there’s no need to be timid. If you’ve got talent, they welcome you to strut your stuff from 7.30pm every week.
“Functions are what we’re famous for,” enthuses David. “Take over the entire bar for your next party, if you’ve got enough friends I’ll close just for you, [if ] it’s small and intimate, we can cater for your nibbles and of course spoil you with service.” It’s pretty clear the pair is super passionate about what they do. They’re also becoming rather famous for their food, which includes Jenny’s delectable homemade sausage rolls, veggie pasties and gyoza are among David’s favourites, but pizzas are also available to be delivered right to the bar. How does one get there, you may ask? Mr Boogie Man is located oh-so-conveniently 100 metres from Collingwood station and there’s a bus stop right outside the bar. Genius.
Pizza is Life.
The crowd, David says, is extremely varied, ranging from “youngsters coming to support their friends’ debut band performance, to older, seasoned blues and rock loves of my era,” so you can be sure there’s plenty of warmth and hospitality at this joint. SOPH GOULOPOULOS
MR BOOGIE MAN BAR is located at 160 Hoddle St Abbotsford, open from 4pm to 1am Wednesday to Saturday and 4pm to 11pm Sunday. Bands play most nights, with a door charge of $5 to $10 which all goes to the bands as their payment. Gotta love that.
Tired? Hungover? Can’t be bothered cooking for your lazy self? We wrote a crossword just for you. Just match the generic pizza ingredients to the generic pizza titles. If you can’t do it, just go back to bed. ACROSS
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 40
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BACKSTAGE For more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
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Rehearsal & Recording Studios Large Rooms $70 Medium Rooms $60 ANY NIGHT! Large Rooms $60 Medium Rooms $50 EVERY DAY!
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A N S M U S I C I
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ISSUE 245 2014
M A D E
• INTERVIEWS WITH THE WORLD’S BIGGEST ARTISTS AND HOME GROWN HEROES • FEATURES ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY • PRODUCT NEWS AND GEAR REVIEWS • EDUCATION COLUMNS • STUDIO Q&A’S • AWESOME MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS + HEAPS MORE
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INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
With Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm
MORE TAX HEADACHES FOR AUSSIE INDIE ACTS, LABELS
After pointing out last October that some crowdfunding projects could be up for GST, the Australian Tax Office has released more details. If the project model is just donations, then no GST is required. The rewards-based model where the act, label or startup provides goods, services or rights in return for payments by funders is GST-liable. The debt-based and equity-based models where a funder loans or buys shares in what the act or label or start-up has, is up for GST. In all cases, this only applies to Australian-based campaigns. Aussie indies and acts will also cop woes from a change in the European Union tax laws which came into effect on January 1. Anyone selling digital products to customers living in the EU – including music, audio and film downloads, eBooks, computer games and apps – have to charge VAT (sales tax). So even if the payment is painfully miniscule, they have to spend time and resources registering for VAT. Thankfully you don’t have to register for VAT in each EU territory. A onestop called VAT MOSS will forward VAT payments to the relevant country. Bandcamp will calculate VAT for Australian and other global users, but the indie sector is worried the new administrative costs will curtail innovation and impede the development of start-ups. Pharrell Williams
Hilltop Hoods
• When Australian guitarist Orianthi returned from her Los Angeles base to Adelaide for the holidays, she brought along her boyfriend, former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. He joined her at her show in Adelaide. When they return to Los Angeles, they’ll do some recording together. Sambora said of the 29-year old (he’s 59): “Orianthi and I have a musical conversation when we play, and she just happens to be one of the best players on the planet.”
HILLTOPS GIVING $10,000 TO EMERGING HIP HOP/R&B ACT
The Hilltop Hoods and APRA AMCOS team up again to offer an emerging hip hop or soul artist $10,000 to manufacture, release and market their debut album. The act must not have released an album and must be a member of APRA AMCOS. Applications open Tuesday January 20, see the APRA AMCOS website. Judges include Koolism’s Hau of triple j’s The Hip Hop Show, graff artist Nish, producer and booking agent Ran-Dee, Brisbane hip hop producer Tommy Illfigg and artist and Blank Clothing owner Raph. Previous grants recipients include Jimblah, Chelsea Jane, I AM D and RUNFORYOURLIFE.
UNIVERSAL MUSIC TO “TRANSFORM THE MUSIC BUSINESS” IN 2015
Universal Music Group’s global boss Lucian Grainge told staff it’s no longer enough to beat its competitors. They “must work harder than ever to transform the business itself… for our artists’ benefit, as well as for our own.” In 2015, he said Universal will “design and, where necessary, re-design business models that will become the foundation for a strong a sustainable future for all of us. If all that sounds bold, the ultimate goal of every step we take will always be the same: to provide our artists with the widest possible audience for their music, the greatest level of compensation for their work, and the highest level of creative and commercial resources to achieve those ends.”
MID-DECADE AUSSIE CHART REPORT
As we pass the halfway mark of this decade, chart historian Gavin Ryan has compiled some chartifacts. Of singles, Pharrell Williams’ Happy (2014) was the longest running #1 of the decade so far, staying on top of the ARIA chart for 12 weeks. It’s equal fourth of the rock era (1955 to today) alongside Eminem’s Lose Yourself (12 weeks, 2002), with Hey Jude by The Beatles at #2 (13 weeks, 1973) and Fernando by Abba at #1 (14 weeks, 1986). In this decade, long stayers at top spot after Happy were LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem (ten weeks, 2011), LMFAO’s Sexy and I Know It (nine weeks, 2011), Roar by Katy Perry (nine weeks, 2013), Que Sera by Justice Crew (nine weeks, 2014) and Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra (eight weeks, 2011). Acts most at #1 this decade on the ARIA singles chart were Pharrell Williams (21), Rihanna (20), LMFAO (19), Flo Rida (14), Katy Perry (13), Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (12). Justice Crew (11), Eminem (nine). Guy Sebastian (eight), Bruno Mars (seven), Pink (six), Ed Sheeran (six) and Taylor Swift (six). Longest running #1 album was 21 by Adele (2011, 32 weeks), Greatest Hits … So Far by Pink (2010,13 weeks) Christmas by Michael Buble (2010, 13 weeks), The Truth About Love by Pink (2012, ten weeks), Recovery by Eminem (2010, nine weeks), The Very Best by INXS (2014, seven weeks), My Journey by Karise Eden (2012, six weeks) and x by Ed Sheeran (2014, six weeks). Artists with most accumulated weeks at the top from various albums were Pink (22 weeks), Buble (21), Eminem (11), One Direction (nine),Swift (eight), Sheeran (seven), Lady Gaga (five), Coldplay and Hilltop Hoods (four) with Justin Bieber, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and Katy Perry all at three weeks.
UK MUSIC BIZ STAYS ABOVE £1 BILLION
The UK music biz turned over £1.3 billion in 2014 – and for the first time, the ten best selling artist albums were all by British acts. The top two sellers were Ed Sheeran’s x (1.7 million) and Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour (1 million). The others were by George Ezra, Paolo Nutini, Coldplay, Paloma Faith, One Direction, Olly Murs, Pink Floyd and Take That. Seven of the ten most streamed acts were British led by again by Sheeran and Smith. Last year Brits listened to 14.8 billion audio streams, now 12.6 per cent of all music consumed. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 42
managers Steve and Cathie Morrow are currently living in a caravan.
THINGS WE HEAR
• Who’s doing the next James Bond theme song? Rumoured are Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey and Sam Smith. Sheeran has removed himself from the list, pointing out that he’d love to do it but “I just wasn’t born with the James Bond voice.” He added, maybe in ten years time, “when my balls drop.” • Are Fleetwood Mac playing their final tour in 2015? • Has former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted split up his band Newsted? • Cloud Control founding member Jeremy Kelshaw has quit. • M-Phazes is currently in his Melbourne studio working on his next solo album for late 2015. He’s got a track on Lupe Fiasco’s new album Tetsuo & Youth, out this month, following placements on international releases as Keyshia Cole’s single NLY ft. 2 Chainz and two songs on Logic’s album Under Pressure. He was, of course, nominated for his first Grammy for his work on Eminem’s double platinum MMLP2 which is up for Best Rap Album. • Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland lived up to its reputation as one of the great Australian events with some splendid performances from the 2000 acts and musicians. 20,000 attended on each of the six days. But it had some issues to contend with. Morocco’s Fez Hadmadcha Sufi Brotherhood, making their first visit to Australia, had their instruments including an ancient Gembri confiscated for quarantine purposes when they arrived on Boxing Day at Brisbane Airport. Festival Director Bill Hauritz contacted state and federal politicians in the hope of finding a solution. QLD Minister for Arts Ian Walker and local member Andrew Powell moved into action, contacting federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and Agricultural Minister Barnaby Joyce who sorted it out with customs officials. The Brotherhood took to the stage on time to a standing ovation from the 900-strong crowd that checked them out. • The Meredith Hotel, well known of course to those readers who attend the Meredith Music Festival, caught on fire over the holidays. The cause was a candle placed on a piano. It suffered significant damage, and
• Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has lived in Australia on and off in recent years. But the Australian Financial Review says he’s now decided to become a permanent resident, now he’s landed the post of adjunct professor at Sydney’s University of Technology’s Magic Lab, its innovation and enterprise research unit which conducts research into robotics and artificial intelligence. The newly christened “Wozard Of Oz” invented the first Apple computer in 1976 out of a garage in Palo Alto, California, with co-founder Steve Jobs, and is now estimated to have a personal fortune of US$100 million. • What traffic management? Even those leaving Falls Lorne early to beat the traffic spent two hours trying to get out of the grounds. • Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk is first song in UK history to break two million weekly streams (2.34m times between Dec 14-21). The previous record was by Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud, 1.72m times in one week in November. • PJ Harvey is recording her next album in full view of the public, similar to Australian band Regurgitator’s Band In A Bubble idea in 2004.
TAYLOR SWIFT SETS ANOTHER CHART MILESTONE
Taylor Swift is the first artist since The Beatles to notch up four consecutive studio albums spending six or more weeks at #1 on the US chart. 1989 was at the top for six weeks, Red for seven, Fearless for eleven, and Speak Now for six. The Beatles had seven consecutive albums atop the US charts for six weeks or more, starting with Beatles ’65 and ending with 1969’s Abbey Road. 1989 was top selling album there for 2014, moving 3.66 million.
PALACE THEATRE BATTLE HEADS TO VCAT
This column previously reported that Palace Theatre building owner Jinshan Investments and City of Melbourne were already heading to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) over its application. Just before Christmas, the Save The Palace Committee, Melbourne Heritage Action and National Trust all lodged applications to be parties to the VCAT hearing. They’re looking for donations to cover legal costs, see beat.com.au for details.
AUSTRALIA’S LATEST CERTIIFICATIONS
Peking Duk’s Take Me Over (featuring SAFIA) has gone platinum, as has Jessica Mauboy’s Can I Get A Moment, David Guetta’s Dangerous, AronChupa’s I’m An Albatroz and Nico & Vinz’s In Your Arms. Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk and Echosmith’s Cool Kids picked up their second platinum. Guy Sebastian’s Mama Ain’t Proud (ft. 2 Chainz) has gone gold, as has Charli XCX’s Break The Rules, Hozier’s Take Me To Church, The Veronicas’ You Ruin Me and Oilly Murs’ Wrapped Up. Of albums, Ed Sheeran’s x is now 4 x platinum, Michael Buble’s Christmas is 11 x platinum. George Ezra’s Wanted On Voyage and Dean Ray’s Dean Ray both went gold.
NEW SIGNINGS FOR CREATIVE RECORDS
New Melbourne publishing, record label and management company Creative Records have made two signings. Indie/dream/rock band Diamonds of Neptune, who formed in 2012, signed management to them. They launch an EP on Saturday January 10 at the Evelyn, with a regional tour and follow up gigs in the pipeline. Creative Records also signed a publishing agreement with Brisbane-based Pear and The Awkward Orchestra, a multi-instrumental act with folk/rock leanings and a compelling vocal.
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LIFELINES LIFELINES Born: Son Genesis Ali Dean to Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz. Expecting: US rapper Macklemore and fiancée Tricia Davis, their first. Engaged: Paramore’s Hayley Williams and New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert. Engaged: Pene Pati of New Zealand’s Sol3 Mio proposed to soprano Amina Edris onstage during an Auckland concert where she had also performed. Married: Comedian and The Project cast member Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann and fiancée Kelly Kearney on a beach in Bali. Split: Slash and wife Perla after 13 stormy years and two sons. Recovering: Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler from emergency brain surgery midway through a UK tour. Sued: Dolly Parton by a Tennessee couple that claims a trip on an amusement ride at Dollywood left one with broken bones and brain damage. Charged: A 25-year old man for allegedly head-butting a Fremantle nightclub bouncer while he was being escorted out. In Court: A man won $85,000 compensation after part of his ear was bitten off in a Canberra nightclub in 2011 during a brawl. The biter never faced charges. Died: Memphis soul singer Wendy Rene, 67, stroke. Her After Laughter, Comes Tears was sampled by Wu-Tang Clan and covered by Lykke Li. Died: NSW bush poet and festival regular Frank Daniel, 72. The one-time head of the Australian Bush Poets Association won a heritage award in 2008. Died: Detroit’s Queen Of The Blues Alberta Adams, 97, after a long illness. Died: New Zealand guitarist Chris Sheehan, from metastatic nodular melanoma. He played in New Zealand and UK bands as Dance Exponents, Muttonbirds, Sisters of Mercy, Curve, Babylon Zoo and The Starlings. Died: Stephen Hall, founding director of Sydney Festival, 73. Died: renowned US jazz clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, 91. Died: Chicago blues guitarist James Wheeler, 77. Died: The body of a 26-year old Brisbane man was found in the camping site of Falls Festival in Byron Bay. Police are not treating it as suspicious. Died: US blues trumpeter and sax player Melvin Jackson, 79, Alzheimer’s. Died: US country legend Little Jimmy Dickens, 94, heart attack after stroke.
CHRISTMAS BOOSTS MUSIC SALES IN OZ BY 250 PER CENT
Christmas boosted sales of music in Australia by 250 per cent, Noise 11 reported. The most popular gifts were Ed Sheeran’s x which shifted 44,528 that week, followed by Taylor Swift’s 1989 (39,361). Noise 11 also noted big sellers in the period included Michael Buble’s Christmas (70,000), So Fresh: The Hits of Summer 2015 (26,043), AC/DC’s Rock or Bust (16,367), Human Nature’s Jukebox (14,405), Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour (14,394), Frozen soundtrack (13,447) and One Direction’s Four (10,229). ID’s Where We Are: Live From San Siro Stadium was top selling DVD shifting 3,876 units.
AMAZON INCLUDES AUSSIES IN 2015 LIST
Amazon included three Australian acts in its list of Artists To Watch In 2015, offering a free download of a track to expand their global popularity. The three were Courtney Barnett (her track was Avant Gardener), Seekae (Monster) and Flight Facilities (Sunshine). Others on the 20-strong list included Royal Blood, Shakey Graves, Panama Wedding, ODESZA, Meg Myers, Fences, Benjamin Booker, White Arrows and Bad Suns.
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