Beat Magazine #1507 by Furst Media

W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 3

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B E AT.C O M . A U

multi grammy award winner

D’ANGELO An artist of uncompromising power and originality... “ consequence ” of sound

could well “ D’Angelo be the most singular, visionary star to emerge from - and then transcend R&B since Prince. CELEBRATING THE ALBUMS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

”

rolling stone 2015 #4 album of the year

ROLLING STONE’S #2 ALBUM OF ALL TIME ALONG WITH RARE CUTS AND HIS

SUNDAY PALAIS APRIL THEATRE

BLUESFEST

SIDESHOWS

SATURDAY 19th MARCH PALAIS THEATRE

ON SALE NOW!

TICKETS: BLUESFESTTOURING.COM.AU 02 6685 8310 & THE VENUES MORE INFO FROM BLUESFESTTOURING.COM.AU

GRAMMY AND

ACADEMY

“He’s a cat that can do an Otis Redding.”

EXPERIMENTAL AVANT-GARDE ICONS PRESENT

WEDNESDAY MARCH

SHADOWLAND

THE CROXTON

24 THE CORNER

30 PALAIS THEATRE

ROBERT RANDOLPH LUTHER DICKINSON AND CODY DICKINSON

BLACK CROWES AND NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS PLUS JOHN MEDESKI OF MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD OF

BOSTON GLOBE

“genre-splicing instrumental dexterity”

BACK TOGETHER FOR THEIR FIRST TOUR IN 15 YEARS

ROLLING STONE

FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOUR

THE CORNER

WEDNESDAY MARCH

SUPERGROUP FEAT

“Lord Huron’s music is so impressionistic; it sometimes sounds like it emanates from a dream.”

WINNER

KEITH RICHARDS

THURSDAY MARCH

MONDAY MARCH

AWARD

MONDAY MARCH

THE CORNER

FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOUR - COWBOY HIPPY SURF ROCK - HIS FATHER IS WILLIE NELSON HIS BAND IS NEIL YOUNG’S RECORDING & LIVE BAND. WEDNESDAY MARCH

30 HOWLER

ALLEN STONE THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA THE DECEMBERISTS w. SHAKEY GRAVES ELLE KING JACKSON BROWNE JANIVA MAGNESS LUCKY PETERSON NAHKO & MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS RHIANNON GIDDENS THE SELECTER SONGHOY BLUES STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES TAJ MAHAL TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND VINTAGE TROUBLE THE WAILERS W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

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B E AT.C O M . A U

Sat 16 January 5pm

ALISON FERRIER

Stylin’, haunting, and lyrical, this country-folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist plays tunes from her new album.

Sat 16 January 9pm

TRAVIS WINTERS BAND

What happens when a Union regular forms a band? This! Rockin’ blues that’s loads of fun.

Sundays in January 5pm

LOST RAGAS

Rockin’ alt-country outfit led by Aria Award winner Matt Walker, playing tunes from brand new record Trans Atlantic Highway. Dashville. com.au calls it: “Broken hearted alt-country that flies off into amazing dual slide guitar meets lap steel, all centred around Matt Walker’s beautifully dark voice.”

e h T k c MoC asbah

ht Every Monday Nig SpEC

Ial RoTA Ting

VeGAn enU M 5.30Pm 'tIl 10pM

S nt SpECIal I P P a e H C Ze aNd NEs fROm 7pm VeGAn BoNO Tu Pu K RoCk

DJ KRUSH PG. 26

HOLY HOLY PG. 30

#1507 JANUARY 13 12

HOT TALK / FREE SHIT

UPCOMING TOURS & GIG OF THE WEEK

COVER STORY: RÜFÜS

WHAT’S ON KIMBERLEY MOULTON

ART OF THE CITY THE COMIC STRIP CALENDAR

OKMALUMKOOLKAT PG. 32

THE HATEFUL EIGHT REVIEW OUT OF THE CLOSET

DJ KRUSH / MONKEY SAFARI DELIRIA

JASON ISBELL DARREN MIDDLETON BEECHWORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL

DIRTY THREE

HOLY HOLY / LUKAS NELSON LOU BARLOW

LO U B A R LOW PG. 30

OKMALUMKOOLKAT

SOUL FLATS MUSIC FESTIVAL PG. 32

BRIGGS / SOUL FLATS 33

CORE & CRUNCH COLUMNS MODELS

ALBUM OF THE WEEK SINGLES / CHARTS

ALBUMS

LIVE

GIG GUIDE / ALL AGES

BACKSTAGE

TAG US IN A PHOTO WITH A BEAT MAG @beatmagazine

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH

B I G S M O K E P G . 28

M A D E

B Y

M U S I C I A N S

3 NEWTON STREET RICHMOND, VICTORIA 3121 Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611

F O R

M U S I C I A N S

JANUARY EDITION OUT NOW GET IT ANYWHERE YOU CAN GET CAN GET MUSIC WWW.MIXDOWNMAG.COM.AU BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 10

PUBLISHER: Furst Media Pty Ltd. MUSIC EDITOR: Cara Williams ARTS EDITOR, ASSOCIATE MUSIC EDITOR & ONLINE EDITOR: Tyson Wray SUB EDITOR: Augustus Welby ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE & EDITORIAL COORDINATORS: Thom Parry EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Michael Clark, Cassie Hedger, Gloria Brancatisano, Thomas Brand, Jess Zanoni, James Di Fabrizio, Kate Eardley. MANAGING DIRECTOR, FURST MEDIA: Patrick Carr BEAT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Michael Cusack GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Michael Cusack, Andrew Rozen, Lizzie Dynon. COVER DESIGN: Michael Cusack ADVERTISING: Cara Williams (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) cara@beat.com.au Thom Parry (Hospitality/Bars) thom@beat.com.au Keats Mulligan (Backstage/Musical Equipment) mixdown@beat.com.au CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@beat.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS: now online at www. beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au ACCOUNTANT: accountant@furstmedia.com.au OFFICE MANAGER: Lizzie Dynon ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forester: accounts@furstmedia.com.au DISTRIBUTION: Free every Wednesday to over 2000 points around Melbourne. Wanna get BEAT? Email distribution@beat.com.au CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mary Boukouvalas, Ben Gunzburg, Anna Kanci, Charles Newbury, Tony Proudfoot, Laura May Grogan, David Harris, Emily Day, Lucinda Goodwin, Dan Soderstrom. SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Christie Eliezer SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR: Patrick Emery SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER: Ian Laidlaw COLUMNISTS: Emily Kelly, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Anna Whitelaw BEAT TV/WATT’S ON PRESENTER: Dan Watt CONTRIBUTORS: Kelsey Berry, Graham Blackley, Gloria Brancatisano, Chris Bright, Avrille Bylock-Collard, Alexander Crowden, Liza Dezfouli, Jules Douglas, Jack Franklin, Emma Gawd, Chris Girdler, Joe Hansen, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Billy Killing, Jody Macgregor, Nick Mason, Denver Maxx, Krystal Maynard, Paul McBride, Miki Mclay, Rhys McRae, James Nicoli, Adam Norris, Jack Parsons, Leigh Salter, Sisqo Taras, Kelly Theobald, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Augustus Welby, Garry Westmore, Rod Whitfield, Jen Wilson, Thomas Brand, Alex Watts, Tyson Wray, David James Young, Bronius Zumeris, Simone Ubaldi, Natalie Rogers, James Di Fabrizio, Tex Miller, Emily Day, Matthew Tomich, Matthew Woods, Matilda Edwards, Lee Spencer Michaelsen, Joe Hansen, John Kendall, Bel Ryan, Izzy Tolhurst, Isabelle Oderberg, Navarone Farrell DEADLINES: Editorial copy accepted no later than 5pm Thursday before publication for club listings, arts, gig guide etc. Advertising copy accepted no later than 12pm Monday before publication. Print ready art by 2pm Monday. Deadlines are strictly adhered to. © 2015 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.

H E A D T O B E AT.C O M . A U F O R A L L T H I S S T U F F & H E A P S M O R E

W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

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E AT.C O M KB .A

R T H E L AT E

HOT TALK

THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS

Free $hit Darren Middleton and Jon Toogood Tix Giveaway THE STIFFYS ARE HEADING OUT ON THE ROAD

ST KILDA FESTIVAL REVEAL FULL LINEUP FOR 2016 Australia’s largest free music festival is on the horizon. At the 2016 incarnation more than 50 well-known and emerging artists will perform over six stages housed throughout the City of Port Phillip. The 2016 St Kilda Festival will culminate with the famous Festival Sunday on Sunday February 14 (Valentine’s Day ooh la la), which will feature the likes of Gurrumul, The Grates, Hayden James, Client Liaison, Felix Riebl, The Harpoons and The Bombay Royale. The New Music stage is back once more, offering the nation’s best emerging talent a great chance to kick-start their career. Ten bands have been chosen to play, with the crowd favourite winning $5,000 and a main stage slot in 2017. In 2016 they include Ryan Downey, Mitch King, Owen Rabbit, Ry, MYAMI, Neighbourhood Youth, Rita Satch, REIKA, Lepers and Crooks and Jerrico. Live N Local is also back again, produced by the City of Port Phillip. From Sunday February 7 until Saturday February 13 music enthusiasts will be treated to the sounds of art-pop and post-punk styled Mangelwurzel, The Hosies’ train wreck blues, ambient electro with Yakini and Gaza Stripper, hypnotic sounds from Zikora and Yiddish band Klezmania. Live N Local showcases the exceptional talent on offer from the City of Port Phillip community in a jam-packed week of performances across multiple well-known venues and local hot spots, culminating with the popular Live N Local Stage at St Kilda Festival, Sunday February 14. The 2016 St Kilda Festival will take place from Saturday February 6 - Sunday February 14.

PO’ BOY QUARTER AND DING DONG PRESENT FAT TUESDAY FESTIVAL Returning for their second year, Po’ Boy Quarter will once again join forces with Ding Dong Lounge to present the most colourful food and music event of the season. Fat Tuesday is a family friendly, New Orleans themed event. Hosted by RocKwiz’s Brian Nankervis and DJ’s Mohair Slim (PBS) and Bruce Milne (Triple R), other planned entertainment includes including a second line brass band parade and a costume competition culminating in the crowning of the first King and Queen of Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday is happening on Tuesday February 8 at Piazza Italia in Carlton, tickets are available now.

KALACOMA ANNOUNCE MELBOURNE RESIDENCY Electronic mavericks Kalacoma will be taking to the stage for a month long residency with a new lineup, new songs and a new way of integrating sampled elements into live performance. The performances will see the live ensemble move towards loop driven material, with the addition of a live drummer to expand the lineup. The band has reportedly spent the last year developing a “complex looping system” that will allow sonic manipulations to take place on the fly. Catch Kalacoma when they hit The Evelyn Hotel every Wednesday in February.

As part of their Go Driving tour, Melbourne slapstick rock duo The Stiffys are hitting The Old Bar. Self-styled art rock champions The Stiffys are never far away from a stage. And whenever they’re on one they’re responsible for some of the most stupidly fun, tonguein-cheek entertainment around. These days they’re touring with an additional guitarist, which you’ll get to witness when they come to The Old Bar this March. The Stiffys’ Go Driving tour comes to The Old Bar on Saturday March 19.

KIM SALMON ANNOUNCES MELBOURNE SINGLE LAUNCH Never-say-die, prolific punk rocker Kim Salmon is readying to launch a brand new single. Kim Salmon will simply never stop. And we sure ain’t complaining. The former Scientists and Surrealists band leader has been thrashing out tunes at a phenomenal rate for over 35 years. His next solo album My Script is due for release this March, and he’s launching the lead single Gorgeous and Messed Up at the Labour In Vain next weekend. Catch Kim Salmon at the Labour In Vain on Saturday January 16.

Chapel Off Chapel will play host to a one-off performance by two antipodean frontmen of some standing. Darren Middleton, best known for his previous role as guitarist for a little band called Powderfinger, will perform tracks from his two solo albums, live and acoustic. Jon Toogood, lead singer of one of New Zealand’s most beloved acts, Shihad, will perform similarly solo, bringing the weight of his back catalogue to this intimate show. We have some double passes to give away, head to beat.com.au/freeshit to win for the January 21 show.

Icehouse, Baby Animals and Diesel at Mitchelton Winery A summit of musical legends will occur at Mitchelton Wines in Nagambie on Saturday January 23. ARIA Hall of Famer’s Icehouse will bring their synth-heavy hits and a reformed Baby Animals and Diesel will both bring the weight of their catalogues, together showcasing some of Australian rock’s finest tunes from ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. We have some double passes to give away for the Jan 23 winery show, email beat.com.au/ freeshit to win.

CALIGULA’S HORSE ANNOUNCE NATIONAL TOUR

FRNKIERO ANNOUNCES FREE ACOUSTIC SHOW Originally booked to play Soundwave 2016, the former My Chemical Romance guitarist has decided to not disappoint his Australian fans and come Down Under anyway. Performing two free acoustic shows in Melbourne and Sydney, this is a chance to get up close and personal with Frnkiero as he performs material from his latest offering, Stomachaches. Catch Frnkiero on Friday January 29 at Eureka Rebellion in Smith Street, Collingwood. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 12

DE LA SOUL ENTER WOMADELAIDE WOMADelaide has announced the final 11 international and Australian artists for its 20th event. Joining an already bursting lineup featuring the likes of St Germain, Angélique Kidjo, John Grant to name a few, is the Grammy award winning US hip hop trio De La Soul. In addition, Ainslie Wills, Ajak Kwai, Asha Bhosle, Marcellus Pittman, 숨[su:m] and Tek Tek Ensemble will perform. Also announced are ARIA award winning Australian artists Sarah Blasko and Alpine, 2015 Mercury Prize nominee Eska and singing a capella in the Pitjantjatjara language, the Choir of the APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands. WOMADelaide will be held Friday March 11 – Sunday March 14 in Botanic Park, Adelaide. Grab your tickets via their website. HOT TALK

Caligula’s Horse, one of the country’s most innovative progressive bands, will hit the road for a national tour in March and April 2016 in support of the video for their killer new single Turntail. Taken from acclaimed third album Bloom, the song matches depth and musicality with a powerful political message. Taking in dates in all major cities, support will come from enigmatic Perth progressive metal act Chaos Divine. Caligula’s Horse will appear at Legion Music Fest on Saturday March 26, tickets available on Wednesday via Oztix and Ding Dong Lounge on Friday April 8.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL PRESENTS

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SURVIVAL OF THE FUNNIEST SATURDAY 16 & SATURDAY 30 JAN • 1PM HOWLER, BRUNSWICK • ALL TIX $10 AT THE DOOR More heats at The Evelyn in February! See rawcomedy.com.au.

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E AT.C O M KB .A

74 JOHNSTON ST FITZROY 9417 4155

THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS

MON - FRI TIL 7PM - $6 PINTS MONDAYS - $15 JUGS MT GOAT SUNDAYS - $10 JUGS UNICORN LAGER $5 CANS EVERY DAY/NIGHT

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WEDNESDAY 13TH JANUARY

A GAZILLION ANGRY MEXICANS ROUNDTABLE FIFTH FRIEND

8PM $6

THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY

THE MAY RIVERS THE AVES (SA) THEE CHA CHA CHAS

8PM $7

TOEHIDER ANNOUNCE 2016 MELBOURNE SHOW

FRIDAY 15TH JANUARY

THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS - LAST EVER SHOW

GRAVEYARD TRAIN $15 8:30PM MIGHTIEST OF GUNS

NO PRESALES

SATURDAY 16TH JANUARY

DEL LAGO

BROTHERS GOON (SA) SUICIDE TUESDAYS CRAIG COBURN TIM HAMPSHIRE

8PM $10

SATURDAY ARVO:

JESS LOCKE

JEROME KNAPPETT

3PM FREE

SUNDAY 17TH JANUARY

BEERSOAKED SUNDAYS:

CAMP COPE FREAKWAVE ROCKENSPIELE

SUPERSUCKERS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE MELBOURNE SHOW Legendary rock’n’rollers Supersuckers (USA) have announced that they will be making the journey over life’s many oceans to perform an excusive gig at Melbourne’s very own Cherry Bar. Having formed in 1988 in Tucson, Arizona, the band were originally headed our way on a double headline tour with The Bellrays last year, but were forced to cancel due to contractual reasons. Joining them will be rabid Sydney sex demons, Gay Paris. It all goes down at Cherry Bar on Saturday April 30 with a limit of 200 tickets available on the door for a measly $40. Get amongst it, get messy.

Off the back of the new EP Mainly Songs About Robots, Melbourne prog-rockers Toehider are hitting up Ding Dong Lounge this February. In 2014 Toehider dropped the audacious, multi-layered, stupendously eccentric LP What Kind Of Creature Am I? Not ones to be kept quiet, they’re back with a brand spanking new EP Mainly Songs About Robots. As always, fun is a chief priority for the band, which is led by singing freak Mike Mills, but there’s also plenty of deftly constructed songcraft on display. See Toehider at the Ding Dong Lounge with Orsome Welles and A Lonely Crowd on Friday February 12.

8PM $6

MONDAY 18TH JANUARY

RICHIE RAMONE LEADS CHERRYROCK016 Cherry Bar have revealed their plans for the 2016 edition of Australia’s only dedicated rock’n’roll street festival, which takes place across two stages in AC/DC Lane and the venue itself. Headlining the event will be the legendary drummer of The Ramones, Richie Ramone, playing drums and singing Ramones’ favourites in his only Victorian appearance for the year. The 2016 incarnation will feature a total of 13 bands, all with no clashes, and also marks the tenth year of the festival. The full lineup will be revealed soon. CherryRock016 goes down Sunday May 1. Tickets are on sale now through Cherry’s website.

MUNDANE MONDAYS:

SHIT SEX

HARD RUBBISH

8PM $5

TUESDAY 19TH JANUARY

JULIA JACKLIN 8PM $8 GUESTS FOUNDJUNK ART SHOW JOEL MORRISON, SEAN MAHER, BEN MORRISON 7PM FREE band bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au

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$6 PINTS EVERY DAY UNTIL 7PM $10 JUGS EVERY DAY UNTIL 8PM $5 CANS ALL THE TIME WEDNESDAY 13TH JANUARY

SUNDAY MONDAYS LOOK LIKES RAIN NEW BIRDS 7:30PM $6

THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY

HUGH FUCHSEN & SAUCE SAUCE SAUCE SUNNYSIDE DROWWN 7:30PM $8

FRIDAY 15TH JANUARY

‘BONER JAMS’ GRIM RHYTHM

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS FIFTH FRIEND EATER OF THE SKY TUSK LOW POINT BUSH LEAGUE OUTLINES THE WITCHING HOUR 7PM $10

FRIDAY ARVO:

THE ASTHMATICS JAWBANK

SONS OF ZION ARE HEADING TO THE CROXTON The fun continues over at The Croxton Bandroom, with New Zealand dub rock reggae pros Sons Of Zion set to appear in April. As the Rasta-invoking band name would suggest, Sons of Zion have a strong affection for reggae music. However, their take is far from conventional, fusing in elements of rock, dub and R&B. They’ll be hitting up the Croxton Bandroom fresh from tours with homeland heroes Katchafire, Kora, Black Seeds and Ladi 6. Sons of Zion are playing at the Croxton Bandroom on Saturday April 16. Tickets available now.

LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR SOUNDKILDA

AYLA IS HEADING TO MELBOURNE To celebrate her new EP When The World Ends, Queensland songwriter Ayla is coming down to see us. Ayla has been building a name for herself for a couple of years now, and things really began to take flight with the release of her debut single Wish I Was in 2014. Since then she’s gone from strength to strength, appearing on triple j’s much loved Like A Version segment and hitting up the Woodford Folk Festival over New Year’s. Now, with a new EP When The World Ends to show off, Ayla is playing an intimate Melbourne show. Ayla is playing at The Workers Club on Sunday January 17.

STRUNG OUT ANNOUNCE 2016 MELBOURNE SHOW Favourites of the ‘90s punk rock resurgence are heading back to Australia this March. Strung Out are best known for their work through the ‘90s, but they’ve never been ones to rest on their laurels. The band’s latest album Transmission.Alpha.Delta demonstrates their continuing creative exploration while staying true to their punk rock signature. They’ll be in the country in March, bringing along special guest Pears. They Strung Out and Pears are playing the Corner Hotel on Saturday March 19.

Entries for SoundKilda, the music video competition held as part of the St Kilda Film Festival is calling for final submissions. Prizes are awarded in three categories: Best Music Video, Cinematography and Craft Awards, with a special audience award voted for and presented on the night of the screening. Entries Close Friday January 29, head to their website for details.

LUNAIRE WHO’S THIS? MUDHAVEN HUMAN RIGHTS 8:30PM $10

SATURDAY ARVO:

THE GOOSES 4PM FREE

SUNDAY 17TH JANUARY

PUBLIC BAR COMEDY 4PM $10

MONDAY 18TH JANUARY

CREEK

PETER DICKYBIRD GARDENCE 7:30PM $6

TUESDAY 19TH JANUARY

THE THIS ASTHMATICS IS A PRISON FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH 7:30PM $6

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 14

RIP TWIN BEASTS LONG LIVE THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS Having just put much loved outfit Twin Beasts to bed with a farewell show to a sold out Tote last weekend, the band have decided to make one final appearance in their former incarnation as The Toot Toot Toots. They’ll return to their stomping ground of The Old Bar along with local legends Mightiest Of Guns and Graveyard Train this Friday January 15, and you can bet your bottom dollar this gig will be packed, so best get in early. Tickets are only available on the door.

Wu-Tang Clan are bringing the motherfuckin’ ruckus to our shores. One of the most revolutionary rap groups of the mid-’90s, the NYbased Wu-Tang Clan emerged from the underground in 1993 from Staten Island. Since then, amongst various successful solo endeavours, the Clan have gone on to release seven studio albums, including their ground-breaking debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) through to their latest single copy record The Wu - Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, which was apparently purchased by some pharmaceutical dickhead for two million dollarydoos. Catch them on Tuesday February 23 at Margaret Court Arena. Tickets via Ticketek.

THE PEEP TEMPEL ANNOUNCE SHOW AT ESTONIAN HOUSE

4PM FREE

SATURDAY 16TH JANUARY

WU-TANG CLAN CONFIRMED FOR MELBOURNE

RADIO MOSCOW REVEAL TWO CHERRY SHOWS Californian trio Radio Moscow are bringing their psychedelic power to Australia for the very first time. Radio Moscow have been hard at it since 2003, drawing influence from such legendary three-piece combinations as Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience and Blue Cheer. With a newly appointed rhythm section and the critically acclaimed album Magical Dirt, it’s the ideal time for Radio Moscow’s down under debut. Joining them on tour are fellow Americans Kings Destroy and locals Holy Serpent. Radio Moscow are playing at Cherry Bar on Saturday February 13 (with Child) and Sunday February 14(with Seedy Jesus). Tickets on sale now. HOT TALK

Following their standout performance at Meredith last year, The Peep Tempel have announced a special show at the Estonian House. This will be their only Melbourne performance before they head back into the studio to record the follow up to their sophomore release, Tales. In 2016 the crew behind Shadow Electric will host over 50 shows at Brunswick’s Estonian House, including already announced acts Alpine and Kate Miller-Heidke. Catch them on Thursday February 18. Tickets are on sale now through Shadow Electric.

Wesley Anne - Bar • Restaurant • Etc -

MONDAY

ROO & WINE

Wednesday 13 January -------------------------------------------------

TRIVIA

FREE

with Sparx

7.30pm, Band Room

Thursday 14 January -------------------------------------------------

Davy Simony 6pm, Front Bar

FREE

Friday 15 January --------------------------------------------------

Gena Rose Bruce

EDINBURGH CA STLE HOTEL

FREE

MO N

ROO & WIN E - 1 1

TUE

FRI 15

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Renetta Joy

8pm, Band Room $10

Saturday 16 January -------------------------------------------------

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Open for lunch middays daily throughout January

SUN 17

2pm, Band Room $5

Natalie Hayden

6pm, Front Bar

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CHARLESWESTONHOTEL@GMAIL.COM OR GIVE US A BELL ON 9380 8777 BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 15

ON SAL EN OW !

MUSIC AGAINST WILDLIFE EXTINCTION

LIVE AT MELBOURNE ZOO IN CHR RONOLOGICAL ORDER

W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 17

K B E AT.C O M

R T H E L AT

L O C A L

UPCOMING

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

MOFO MONA January 13 - January 18 HARTS Howler January 14 MIREL WAGNER The Toff In Town January 14 PRETTY LIGHTS, OPIUO + EMANCIPATOR Forum Theatre January 14 WOMINJEKA FESTIVAL Footscray Community Arts Centre January 15 – 17 DREAM ON, DREAMER Northcote Social Club January 15 THE DELTA RIGGS Whalers Hotel, Warnambool January 15, Torquay Hotel January 16, Lorne Hotel January 17 TOMORROW’S PEOPLE Courthouse Youth Arts, Geelong January 15, Wrangler Studios January 16, Karova Lounge January 17 THE CHILLS Max Watt’s January 15 SUNSET SERIES Fitzroy Gardens January 16, 17, 23, 24 RIGHT THERE ON MY TV The Tote January 16 UNIFY South Gippsland January 16 – 17 TONIGHT ALIVE Max Watt’s January 17 PIKNIC ELECTRONIK MELBOURNE Federation Square January 17-April 3 JULIA JACKLIN The Old Bar January 19 JOANNA NEWSOM Arts Centre January 19 THE 1975 Festival Hall January 20 TURNSTILE Northcote Social Club January 20 OKMALUMKOOLKAT Ding Dong Lounge January 21 LUCA BRASI Northcote Social Club January 21 ASH GRUNWALD Sooki Lounge January 21, Chapel off Chapel January 22 CHAPEL SUMMER SESSIONS Chapel off Chapel January 21, 22, 30 THEE OH SEES Howler January 22 RAINBOW SERPENT FESTIVAL Lexton January 22 – 26 THE GOOCH PALMS The Curtin January 22 COURTNEY BARNETT Palais Theatre January 22 DIE! DIE! DIE! Ding Dong Lounge January 23 ROCK’N’LOAD The Corner January 23 BEECHWORTH FESTIVAL Beechworth Asylum January 23 A DAY ON THE GREEN Michelton Wines, Nagambie January 23 BOY & BEAR Festival Hall January 23 MICHAEL HURLEY Northcote Social Club January 23 SUGAR MOUNTAIN Victorian College of the Arts/ Melbourne Arts precinct January 23 M*SYNCH MPavilion January 24 RYLEY WALKER The Toff In Town January 25 URBAN SPREAD Chelsea Heights Hotel January 25, Pelly Bar February 19, York on Lilydale February 20 FATBOY SLIM St Kilda Beach January 26 SUMMER TONES Shadow Electric January 26 GIRLPOOL The Reverence Hotel January 27 NOTHING BUT THEIVES Ding Dong Lounge January 27 YOU BEAUTY The Tote January 29 HOLY HOLY Corner Hotel January 29 GL The Curtin January 30 DERRICK MAY, JEFF MILLS & THE MSO Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 30 GUILTY SIMPSON & KATALYST Laundry Bar January 31 PBS DRIVE LIVE 2016 PBS Studios February 1 – 5 KALACOMA The Evelyn Hotel February 3, 10, 17, 24 GRIMES 170 Russell February 3 JAMES BAY Festival Hall February 3 TOBIAS JESSE JR The Corner February 3 SHAMIR Howler February 4 X The Tote February 5 GILLIAN WELCH Palais Theatre February 5 MSO PRESENT HITCHCOCK AND HERRMANN Hamer Hall February 5, 6 ST KILDA FESTIVAL Various venues, St Kilda February 6 – 14 FAIRFIELD SUMMER SERIES Fairfield Ampitheatre February 7, 14, 21, 28 CAT POWER Melbourne Recital Centre February 8, 9 CHVRCHES Forum Theatre February 9 THE INTERNET The Corner February 9 BEACH HOUSE 170 Russell February 10 PUNK ROCK KARAOKE The Corner February 10 COLLIE BUDDZ Prince Bandroom February 11 SAL KIMBER & JOHN FLANAGAN The Toff In Town February 11 DIIV The Corner February 11 PURITY RING + MAJICAL CLOUDZ Forum Theatre February 11 THUNDERCAT Max Watt’s February 11 HEALTH Howler February 11 SOUL FLATS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL Deniliquin, NSW February 12 – 14 TOEHIDER Ding Dong Lounge February 12 MAJICAL CLOUDZ The Toff In Town February 12 THIEVERY CORPORATION The Forum February 12 BATTLES Max Watt’s February 12 METZ The Corner February 12 GIDEON BENSEN Shebeen February 12 BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 18

A R T I S T S

H E A D I N G

JOSH PYKE Melbourne Zoo February 12 RADIO MOSCOW Cherry Bar February 13, 14 LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS The Worker’s Club February 13 COMMON KINGS The Corner February 13 LANEWAY FESTIVAL Footscray Community Arts Centre February 13 GURRUMUL Max Watt’s February 15 KIM SALMON The Labour in Vain January 16 AT LAST – THE ETTA JAMES STORY Arts Centre Melbourne February 16 – 21 SOILWORK 170 Russell February 16 A$AP ROCKY Margaret Court Arena February 17 DAN POTTHAST Northcote Social Club February 18 THE PEEP TEMPEL Shadow Electric February 18 REGGAE ROYALTY Palais Theatre February 18 WAXAHATCHEE Howler February 18 ALPINE Estonian House February 19 COSMO’S MIDNIGHT Howler February 19 DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE Palais Theatre February 19 TINA ARENA Hamer Hall February 19 PARTY IN THE PADDOCK Burnscreek, Tasmania February 19 RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL Murray River, Echucha February 19 – 21 HIGH ON FIRE Max Watt’s February 19 JD MCPHERSON Corner Hotel February 19 FAT FREDDY’S DROP The Forum February 19 DEKMENTAL FESTIVAL Caulfield Racecourse February 20 SECRET FESTIVAL Yarra Valley February 20, 21 DALLAS CRANE The Corner February 20 GOOD LIFE FESTIVAL Melbourne Park and Hisense Arena February 20 ROB THOMAS Rob Laver Arena February 20 KATE MILLER-HEIDKE Estonian House February 20 JEREMIH Trak February 21 LEFTFIELD Yarra Valley Estate February 21 ALBERT HAMMOND JR The Corner February 21 THE SWORD Max Watt’s February 22 HORROR MY FRIEND Old Bar February 22 WU-TANG CLAN Margaret Court Arena February 23 OCEAN COLOUR SCENE Max Watt’s February 23 THE GAME The Forum February 24 SPIDERBAIT 170 Russell February 26, 28 THE JEZABELS The Forum February 26 GBH The Bendigo Hotel February 26 CHI WAH WOW TOWN TBA February 26 – 28 SUFJAN STEVENS Hamer Hall February 26 HOMESHAKE The Curtin February 27 MOSES GUNN COLLECTIVE Northcote Social Club February 27 ECCA VANDAL Howler February 27 SUFJAN STEVENS Hamer Hall February 28 NATALIE PRASS Melbourne Recital Centre February 29 PASSENGER Palais Theatre March 1 G-EAZY Max Watt’s March 1 CALEXICO Hamer Hall March 2 GLEN MATLOCK, EARL SLICK & SLIM JIM PHANTOM Ding Dong Lounge March 4, The Flying Saucer Club March 5 SENSES FAIL Corner Hotel March 4 THE SNOWDROPPERS Howler March 4 CHAPTERFEST 24 Gasometer Hotel March 5 PALMS Shebeen March 5 CLUTCH The Forum March 5 THE NECKS Melbourne Recital Centre March 5 ALVVAYS Northcote Social Club March 6 SYDNEY RD STREET PARTY Sydney Rd March 6 GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR Melbourne Recital Centre March 7 THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN The Forum March 7 MICHAEL GIRA Melbourne Recital Centre March 8 THE MUMMIES Max Watt’s March 9 SLEATER-KINNEY The Croxton March 9 RUBY BOOTS Northcote Social Club March 10 IBEYI Max Watt’s March 10 ART VS. SCIENCE 170 Russell March 11 ASH The Gasometer March 11 A FESTIVAL CALLED PANAMA Lone Star Valley March 11 - 13 PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL Port Fairy March 11 – 14 GAYTIMES FESTIVAL Kinglake March 12 - 14 FREDDIE GIBBS Max Watt’s March 12 BEN HARPER AND THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS Sidney Myer Music Bowl March 12 BUILT TO SPILL The Corner March 12 MADONNA Rod Laver Arena March 12, 13 GOLDEN PLAINS Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre March 12 – 14 PURE POP FOR NOW PEOPLE Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley March 12 JOHN GRANT The Forum March 13 BUZZCOCKS The Corner March 13 THE CHARLATONS 170 Russell March 13 BUCKCHERRY 170 Russell March 14 ST GERMAIN The Forum March 14

T O

M E L B O U R N E

Gig Of The Week

RIGHT THERE ON MY TV

You may not know his name but if you have been at all aware of Australian popular music in the last 40 years you will have at some stage watched some of director Paul Drane’s work. From 1974-76 Paul helmed iconic TV pop show Countdown, during which time he also directed clips for AC/DC including It’s A Long Way To The Top and Jailbreak. He would go on to direct iconic videos for Midnight Oil, Dragon, Cold Chisel, Little River Band and Crowded House. In more recent years it was something of homecoming when Drane returned to television, directing popular music trivia show RocKwiz. This weekend The Tote will hold a celebration of Drane’s 40 years in Australian musical television, with a lineup featuring Graveyard Train, Little Desert and Cash Savage and the Last Drinks. Tickets are available on The Tote’s website. ACTION BRONSON The Forum March 15 BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL Various Venues March 15 - 20 HIGHLY SUSPECT The Evelyn March 16 LUKA BLOOM The National Theatre March 16 DON MCLEAN Hamer Hall March 16 SUNN O))) Max Watt’s March 16 SONGHOY BLUES Melbourne Recital Centre March 16 MARY BLACK The Forum March 17 DIED PRETTY Max Watt’s March 18 THE VIOLENT FEMMES The Corner March 17 SEVENDUST 170 Russell March 18 BRYAN ADAMS Rod Laver Arena March 18 STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES Melbourne Recital Centre March 18, 19 THE STIFFYS The Old Bar March 19 STRUNG OUT The Corner Hotel March 19 D’ANGELO Palais Theatre March 19 TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND Forum Theatre March 19 THE PENINSULA PICNIC Mornington March 20 LORD HURON The Corner March 21 LUCKY PETERSON Northcote Social Club March 21 KENDRICK LAMAR Rod Laver Arena March 21 TWEEDY Melbourne Recital Centre March 21 KAMASI WASHINGTON Prince Bandroom March 22 STURGILL SIMPSON 170 Russell March 23 RHIANNON GIDDENS The Corner March 23 THE RESIDENTS The Croxton March 23 YEO Howler March 24 HOUNDMOUTH Northcote Social Club March 24 ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES The Corner March 24 BLUESFEST Byron Bay March 24 – 28 COLD WAR KIDS 170 Russell March 25 BOOGIE FESTIVAL Bruzzy’s Farm March 25 – 27 TOM JONES Hamer Hall March 25 THE SELECTER Corner Hotel March 25 THE HILLS ARE ALIVE South Gippsland March 25 – 27 LEGION MUSIC FEST Melbourne Showgrounds March 26 JANIVA MAGNESS The Corner March 26 NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE The Corner March 27 THE WORD The Corner March 28 NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS Margaret Court Arena March 29 JASON ISBELL Melbourne Recital Centre March 29 THE DECEMBERISTS Hamer Hall March 29 TAJ MAHAL Melbourne Recital Centre March 30 NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS 170 Russell March 30 LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL Howler March 30 MELISSA ETHERIDGE Palais Theatre March 30 VINTAGE TROUBLE The Corner March 30 STIFF LITTLE FINGERS 170 Russell March 31 ALLEN STONE The Corner March 31 THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA Melbourne Recital Centre April 1

S O . M A N Y. G I G S .

JACKSON BROWNE Palais Theatre April 1 CITY AND COLOUR Sidney Myer Music Bowl April 2 BRIAN WILSON Palais Theatre April 3 SASKWATCH The Corner Hotel April 8 CALIGULA’S HORSE Ding Dong Lounge April 8 CITY CALM DOWN The Corner April 9 CHRIS ISAAK Margaret Court Arena April 13 SONS OF ZION The Croxton April 16 BLACK SABBATH Rod Laver Arena April 19 GANG OF YOUTHS 170 Russell April 22 HILTOP HOODS + MSO Rod Laver Arena April 23 VANCE JOY Margaret Court Arena April 23 SARAH BLASKO The Forum April 23 JOSH GROBAN Palais Theatre April 25 SUPERSUCKERS Cherry Bar April 30 CHERRYROCK016 Cherry and AC/DC Lane May 1 OF MONSTERS AND MEN Palais Theatre May 4 IRON MAIDEN Rod Laver Arena May 9 THE BEARDS The Loft May 25, The Golden Vine May 26, Karova Lounge June 23, Barwon Club June 24, The Corner June 25 CHERIE CURRIE The Corner May 28

Beat Presents R U M O U R S : M U T E M AT H , L E O N B R I D G E S , S AVA G E S = N e w A nnouncements

hen looking through the artists that hit number one on the ARIA albums chart in 2013, there’s one name that stands out from your Pinks, Michael Bublés and Katy Perrys. It’s not just because they’re the only act on the list with an umlaut in their band name, but also on account of their forward-thinking, innovative take on alternative dance. That and the fact they were – and, indeed, still are – a primarily independent act. The #1 spot for RÜFÜS’ debut LP Atlas was just the start of a considerable ascension to sold out Australian theatre tours, global interest and a spell of touring that seemed nigh on endless. So much so, that they needed to get as far away as possible in order to begin the next chapter. “We set up in Berlin and just wrote constantly for two months straight,” says lead vocalist, lyricist, guitarist and keyboardist Tyrone Lindqvist. “We were just living, writing and demoing stuff on our laptops out of this Airbnb place that we found. That was so fun for us – at that time, we’d just come off a yearand-a-half ’s worth of touring, and that whole time we didn’t ever have the time to properly think over what we wanted to do or the kind of music we wanted to write after we moved on from Atlas. We were hungry to start having fun, and those two months really got the ball rolling again for us – we returned home and just kept writing for something like eight more months. We tried a lot of stuff, of course it didn’t all work – some of it was just terrible – but we BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 20

were doing new things. It felt exciting.” The end result, over 18 months in the making, is Bloom, which is set for release next weekend. The album was preceded by a string of high rotation singles in 2015: the ARIA-winning You Were Right, new festival favourite Like An Animal and the unexpected nine-minute journey, Innerbloom. Although each track carries certain familiar aspects, none of them feels like an imitation of what the group achieved on Atlas. Furthermore, Lindqvist says there is more to Bloom that meets the eye – even if purely from a developmental standpoint. “Going into the process, I don’t think we were very conscious about making it sound different to Atlas. I mean, it’s definitely different, but we weren’t going B E AT.C O M . A U

out of our way to make sure of that. I think the geography of each album plays into it a lot – Atlas was primarily written near a beach, while Bloom started indoors in Berlin. I think the major thing that was inspiring what we were doing on this album, though, was music that was around at the time that was exciting to us. Stuff like David August, this guy based in Berlin – he put out one of our favourite records of 2014 called Times. It was music like that that really feeds you creatively. It gives you the encouragement you need to write in a way that’s going to lead to something as good as it – all on your terms, of course.” It’s safe to say RÜFÜS have created something a lot of their peers will look to as inspirational for several summers to come. It’s a constantly-shifting and at-times challenging album; one that both solidifies the RÜFÜS sound and yet adds further ambiguity to what their identity entails. During the year of writing that shaped Bloom, the trio found themselves striving for very different things. As a result, the album came to be re-modelled and refined into what you will soon see before you. “We were talking a lot about Moby, The Avalanches... stuff that used a lot of samples and songs that felt timeless because of the samples that were used,” says Lindqvist. “It was something we had in mind when we started writing, but everything we tried just didn’t seem to work the way that we were hoping it would. It wasn’t long after we put that on the backburner that we started really getting back into techno. We were thinking Bloom was going to be a techno record. I suppose at different intervals of the writing process we had these pretty major wake-up moments. You’re so set on what you think the record is going to be, and then something will come along and make you reconsider everything you’ve been working on.” Indeed, it was quite the trajectory that led Bloom to its final form. Lindqvist points to the recording sessions with a gospel choir as a key epiphany. This happened around three months before the album recording sessions

wrapped up – late in the game, but an important realisation after such a long period focused on following Atlas with something that wouldn’t just equal it, but potentially even better it. “Those sessions made me realise that there were two different things going on for this album,” he says. “It made me and the guys realise that this was an album with a lot of soul to it. You could see it as something you could straight-up dance to, but we knew there was more to it than just that. I think that’s why we used those sessions over a few different tracks on the album. It was just one of those moments that really made us take a step back and go, ‘woah’.” A straight-up defiance of difficult second album syndrome, Bloom is destined to do big things both here and internationally – where there profile is exponentially expanding, particularly in the States, where they perform under the moniker of RÜFÜS DU SOL for legal reasons. Fittingly enough, it’s over in America where our story ends, as Lindqvist shares an experience that cemented his belief in Bloom as an album once and for all. “I remember we were on tour in the States. We were driving from Detroit through to Chicago. We drove through a blizzard, and our driver was saying that we’d have to stock up on beef jerky. ‘We’re gonna get snowed in, man,’ he kept saying. Just before we started the drive, we had gotten the masters back for Bloom, and so we listened to the album in its entirety while we were driving through the snow. I was so proud and I was so excited by what I was hearing – and it’s rare for me to genuinely feel that. It was a record that we all agreed couldn’t be categorised into a single idea or a single genre – it’s something only we could have made, and that was a really nice feeling to have.”

RÜFÜS release their second album Bloom on Friday January 22 via Sweat It Out/Sony Music Australia.

W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 21

This Week: For more arts news, reviews and interviews visit beat.com.au

A trio of diverse exhibitions are opening simultaneously at Off The Kerb Gallery this Friday January 15. Guardians of the Threshold by ABYSS 607 studies the mythological inspiration behind the Canberra artist’s celebrated and self taught style. Red Meet by David Lee Pereira and WRUFFnTUMBLE presents an exhibition of portraiture and installation, compiling the different faces of HIV to bring empowerment through shared and individual stores – aiming to disarm misconceptions and stigma. Rounding it all out, My Dogs & Their Internet Friends by Michelle Phong explores the artist’s fascination with canines through the childhood art form of potato printing. Tonight, the Arts Centre’s oldest and reportedly most haunted venue, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, will play host to a “summer of spook” with the latest chapter in the immensely popular Phantoms of the Theatre - Ghost Tour series. Entitled The Belly of the Bowl, it combines a behind the scenes exploration of the iconic venue with the time honoured art of storytelling. Travel deep underground and experience the haunted heritage of the bowl, coupled with stranger-than-fiction tales of love, crime, murder and encounters with the building’s very own supernatural presence. The Pianist by mime extraordinaire Thomas Monckton and international circus troupe Circo Aereo is a tour de force of physical theatre centred in, on and around a single grand piano. The production mixes classical slapstick with contemporary physical comedy; Mr Bean with Charlie Chaplain. It all pulls together with an underlying message on the lure of luxury. As the story unfolds, the seemingly elegant pianist aims for highbrow perfection before realising his show has transformed into a spectacularly amusing catastrophe. It all culminates with suitably absurd results, running from Wednesday January 13 – Sunday January 17 at Fairfax Studio.

PICK OF THE WEEK

The Midsumma Festival is back for its 29th year, bringing with it a huge program of sport, arts, music and pride. Spread across 84 venues throughout the city and regional Victoria, the annual celebration is weighing in with almost 130 events, making it the largest diverse gender and sexuality festival in Australia. With an emphasis on community inclusion and participation, major events for this year’s festival include the carnival and TDance featuring five hours of free music and entertainment with an outdoor park party, the annual Pride March with a focus on marriage equality, and the inaugural National Polo League Pride Cup, offering the chance to celebrate equality and diversity in sport. Midsumma Festival runs from Sunday January 17 - Sunday February 7 at venues throughout the city.

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 22

Kimberly Moulton: Call From The West BY LIZA DEZFOULI

he Wominjeka Festival will soon descend on Footscray Community Arts Centre for its sixth annual instalment. A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, this year’s festival includes a special exhibition, Call from the West, honouring the legacy of Footscray-based Indigenous activist and advocate William Cooper. With its proud focus on Aboriginal resilience, Call from the West provides a significant opportunity for the Elders and community of Footscray to honour a remarkable human rights activist. Beat speaks to Kimberly Moulton, a Yorta Yorta curator and writer who is responsible for curating the exhibition. “I was asked to come on board as a curator,” says Moulton. “Uncle William’s sister Ada was my great great grandmother so it’s an incredible honour. Uncle William lived here in Footscray and it’s also an honour to be working with the Footscray Community Arts Centre and the deadly work they do.” Call from the West is focused on Indigenous activism, and in various ways all the artists involved are activists themselves. “It’s do with their artistic practice,” says Moulton on how the artists were chosen. “I’ve worked with them before; I’ve seen how they would represent the situation within the space. They all represent politics, activism, our ancestors and the fights they fought. These are a central part of all of their practices in many different ways. Tim Kanoa is an emerging artist in his first year of fine art at RMIT, with an incredible energy. He photographs marches, protests and other things. Last year the forced closure of Aboriginal communities led to some big marches and Tim captured communities and people standing up for their rights. I welcomed being able to create this opportunity for him to produce work.” There is an added significance to Call from the West for sound artist Kiah Atkinson – along with Moulton he is a proud descendant of William Cooper through their great great grandmother, Ada. “Kiah Atkinson is a young Yorta Yorta man and he is a relation of Uncle

William, as am I,” says Moulton. “We both have a relationship to Uncle William. Kiah’s artistic response is a sound piece, a recording of country, from Uncle William’s country. Yorta Yorta country spans from Shepparton and Echuca through to Footscray, which is also Kulin country, and Kiah is mapping the country through audio, mapping the journey that Uncle William took – that’s Kiah’s work.” Also involved in Call from the West are artists Arika Waulu and Paola Balla. “Waulu is a member of Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance [who protested following the forced closure of Aboriginal communities last March],” Moulton says. “Her work is a projection documenting the history of protests – Invasion Day protests, marches protesting the treatment of Aboriginal people, protests against the removal of Aboriginal people from communities. She’s really looking at contemporary activism. “Paola Balla has been an activist and writer for many years and her work is a 3D exhibition on the floor, looking at her grandmother who went with Uncle William to the Day of Mourning protest on the 150th anniversary of Australia.” The Day of Mourning march took place on 26 January 1938, the sesquicentenary of British colonisation. William Cooper led the Victorian delegation of the Australian Aborigines League. The protest subsequently became a tradition and annual Days of Mourning, now including Invasion Day (on January

EVERYTHING MELBOURNE

26), have taken place ever since. “There is a beautiful link to Uncle William in her practice,” continues Moulton. “The focus of the work is Uncle William and also the legacy of what the old people left us, of Aboriginal people standing up for their rights and demanding reform. It’s a huge story and an introduction to William Cooper: who he was, what he did. We all know about Malcolm X, about Martin Luther King, but we don’t know about our own black leaders.” NAIDOC week owes its origins to Cooper having established Aborigines Sunday. Another little known remarkable fact about him is that he led a delegation of the Australian Aboriginal League, walking from Footscray to the German Consulate on 6 December 1938, several weeks after Kristallnacht, to deliver a petition which condemned the “cruel persecution of the Jewish people by the Nazi government.” The German Consulate did not accept the petition. “It was the only private protest against Kristallnacht,” observes Moulton. “And he still wasn’t even a citizen of his own country at the time.” Its tremendous significance justifies a permanent version of Call from the West. “We’d love to get a statue of Uncle William erected in Footscray,” says Moulton. “There is a statue of Pastor Doug Nicholls [Cooper’s nephew, a founding member of Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders], in the Treasury Gardens and we’d love something similar here. We hope people come to the exhibition and go and research more. There are books out there.” For instance, Blood from a Stone - William Cooper and the Australian Aborigines League, by Andrew Markus, which was published in 1988.

As well as Call from the West, the Wominjeka festival includes performances by indigenous artists The Pigram Brothers, Bart Willoughby, Briggs, Tiger Lilly, and Brett Lee. It’s all taking place from Friday January 15 - Sunday January 17 at Footscray Community Arts Centre.

For more arts news, reviews and interviews visit beat.com.au

THE COMIC STRIP

Coming Up

DIRTY SECRETS

Ladies In Black

Tonight we have a super sweet line up at Caz Reitop’s featuring Johnathan Schuster (Fancy Boy), Kate Dehnert, Beau Stegman, Jack Druce, Daniel Connell and heaps more for the crazy price of $5. Get in early for some great whiskey and beer. This show is set to go off. Dirty Secrets goes down every Wednesday at 8.30pm.

Saturday January 16 - Wednesday February 27 Southbank Theatre, The Sumner

Midsumma Festival

Sunday January 17 - Sunday February 7 Various Venues

THURSDAY COMEDY

La Verita

Thursday January 21 - Saturday January 23 Arts Centre Melbourne

Lehmo

200 Years of Australian Fashion Saturday March 5 - Sunday July 31 National Gallery of Victoria

Jurassic World: The Exhibition

The ubiquitous Lehmo headlines comedy at the European Bier Café this Thursday night. You’ve seen and heard him all over the place. He’s the cohost of Gold FM’s breakfast radio team, as well as appearing on The Project every Friday night. Plus there’s the one-off return of awesome musical duo, Anyone For Tennis. Capping it off, there’s Rhys Nicholson, David Tulk and a special guest (last week it was Dave Hughes). Last Thursday was completely sold out, so get down early to get a good seat. It’s all happening this Thursday, January 14 at 8.30pm, at the European Bier Café, 120 Exhibition Street, CBD. All for only $12.

CLUB VOLTAIRE COMEDY

Stephanie Lake Announces Melbourne Season Of Provocative New Dance Work Award winning choreographer Stephanie Lake will present her latest work, Double Blind, at the Northcote Town Hall this February. Double Blind features world-class Australian dancers Alisdair Macindoe, Alana Everett, Amber Haines and Kyle Page, who’ll combine in a work that questions how far people are willing to exceed their moral limits when under the instruction of authority figures. Double Blind is the latest in a stellar run of shows from Lake, preceded by AORTA (Chunky Move), Dream Lucid (Sydney Dance Company/Sydney Opera House) and the Melbourne Festival production A Small Prometheus for which she won a Helpmann Award. Stephanie Lake’s Double Blind comes to Northcote Town Hall from Monday February 15 - Saturday February 20.

This Sunday there’s a huge lineup, featuring Firdi Billimoria as MC alongside Angus Hodge, Peter Jones, Jess Perkins, Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, Sam Taunton, Jonestown, Kate Dehnert and more. It’s totally free (they’ll accept donations, however) and kicks off at 7.30pm.

Immigration Museum’s Courtyard Cantina Returns For 2016

COMEDY AT SPLEEN The only place to be on Mondays will be chocked full of laughs and guests. This Monday, there’s the likes of Xavier Michelides, Dilruk Jayasinha, Steele Saunders, Sonia DiIorio, Daniel Connell, Peter Jones, Luka Muller, some special guests and more. It’s all happening at 41 Burke Street, CBD, this Monday January 18. It’s free to get in, but they appreciate a gold coin donation at the door.

COMEDY AT THE WILDE Tuesdays at The Wilde see some of Melbourne’s best young comedians take the stage with a sign up on the night for the coveted open mic. It all makes for one of the loosest nights in town. Demi Lardner (Just For Laughs, Open Slather) joins Alice Fraser, Kevin Lim and more this week for another big fun night of comedy. It’s this Tuesday January 19 at 153 Gertrude St, Fitzroy at 8pm. Best of all? It’s totally free.

Arj Barker Announces Exclusive Work In Progress Shows Arj Barker is preparing a brand new festival show, so he’s decided to try out a bunch of his rawest material at three intimate Melbourne gigs. A true favourite with Australian audiences, Californian stand up comedian Arj Barker is determined to build a damn good new show. The thing is, at this stage he’s merely got a bunch of scrambled notes. Thus, he needs your help to decide what should stay and what should definitely get dumped in the wastebasket. Across three intimate shows bear witness to utter hilarity (or potential chaos). Arj Barker is performing at Dr Sugar on Friday January 15, Saturday January 16 and Sunday January 17.

Back by popular demand, the Immigration Museum’s free-to-enter Courtyard Cantina series returns in February to explore the multicultural flavours and cultures of Melbourne – all sound tracked by some of the city’s finest live music and DJs. The museum courtyard will be transformed with a melting pot of pop-up bars and authentic cuisine from around the world. Expect to find stalls from local favourites Mankouche, Senior BBQ, Burn City Smokers and Feast of Merit. Capping it off, the series features performances from Mike Gurrieri, Blair Stafford, Cocoa Noire and CC Disco alongside rotating such events as a tiki themed cocktail tasting and discussion, half price museum entry with free wine tastings and a showcase of contemporary, female Muslim fashion designers in cahoots with Melbourne Fashion Week. Get down to the 2016 Courtyard Cantina at the Immigraton Museum every Friday in February from 5-9pm.

Saturday March 19 - Sunday October 9 Melbourne Museum

Degas: A New Vision

Friday June 24 - Sunday September 18 National Gallery of Victoria

Chen Qiulin to Present 2016 Solo Exhibition In her first Australian solo exhibition, One Hundred Names, leading Chinese contemporary artist Chen Qiulin will present a series of works analysing issues of migration, displacement, urban development and its disruption of traditional Chinese culture. Qiulin was born in the Hubei Province of China and has remained there all her life, drawing inspiration from the social and political issues impacting on the world around her. The career-spanning exhibition will feature multiple standout works from the artist including early photography, tofu sculptures and a newly commissioned video installation entitled A Hundred Names for Kwong Wah Chong. One Hundred Names will run at the Shepparton Art Museum from May 4-July 31, 2016.

NGV Announces 2016 Summer Sundays Program NGV will be hosting free live music every Sunday in February for their Summer Sundays series, which will see some of the country’s finest stepping up for one-off, outdoor performances. Topping the bill is ARIA-nominated singer/songwriter Dan Kelly and his Dream Band, alongside Melbourne’s own Ainslie Wills, off the back of her latest release Oh The Gold. Elsewhere on the lineup, Gold Class will be bringing their post-punk sounds to the courtyard alongside DJ Neon Sunset, while Ella Thompson will take to the stage with support from DJ Planete. Summer Sundays will run at the NGV Garden every Sunday in February. Head to ngv.vic.gov.au for full details.

Violinist Pekka Kuusisto To Lead ACO In GenerationSpanning 2016 Melbourne Show Finland’s Pekka Kuusisto will lead the Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective in a series of performances covering Beethoven, Sibelius and 21st compositions. Kuusisto is a highly regarded maverick of contemporary classical music; engaging, personal and exquisitely talented. Along with works from Beethoven and Sibelius, Kuusisto will lead the ACO Collective through compositions from 21st century innovators such as Bjork and Philip Glass-collaborator Nico Muhly and The National’s Bryce Dessner. Pekka Kuusisto and the ACO Collective will perform at Arts Centre Melbourne on Sunday February 7. G E T S O M E C U LT U R E U P YA

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 23

For more arts news, reviews and interviews visit beat.com.au

A R T

Review A N D Y WA R H O L | A I W E I W E I / J A C K LADDER & THE DREAMLANDERS

The Hateful Eight Quentin Tarantino is back with his eighth film, The Hateful Eight. Featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen, the film follows eight strangers who are forced onto a stagecoach due to a blizzard not long after the American Civil War. The fine folks at The Astor Theatre will be showing a 70mm run of The Hateful Eight from Thursday January 14-Wednesday January 20 – one week before the general theatrical season begins. The theatre’s manager Zak Hepburn gives us a rundown of Tarantino’s previous successes.

5. Reservoir Dogs (1992) Bursting on the scene with this chamber piece, Dogs still has style to burn. A killer ensemble cast and an ethos that spawned a million imitations that never equalled the original indie wonderment of this film. Its legacy is unquestionable whilst also simultaneously championing and destroying black and white suits in the process. 4. Jackie Brown (1997) This Elmore Leonard adaption is pure ‘70s Blaxploitation, a slow burn character piece that first showcased Tarantino’s affinity for profiling USA social and racial tension on screen. At the time of release, many fans took issue with the slower pace and lack of requisite Tarantino style they had become accustomed with from his initial works. But it’s that exact quality that makes Jackie such an engrossing and unique entry in the filmmaker’s career. 3. Django Unchained (2012) The first of Tarantino’s western cycle (continued with The Hateful Eight). The wake of devastation in Hateful Eight is set up in Django, which stands as a perfect counter-point to the master filmmaker’s latest work. Django represents a revisionist American history lesson, one that merges exploitation cinema elements with classical western motifs, making a comment on the authenticity of the grand old American West.

2. Pulp Fiction (1994) Forgoing any concerns that he would suffer from second film syndrome, Pulp represents a filmic signature that made a generation – the soundtrack, the style, the cast, it all holds up despite being over 20 years old. Refining the elements first introduced in Dogs, Pulp takes a pop culture literate audience, drags them by the collar and throws them deep into a world where cinema is king. And it’s a beautiful thing to behold. 1. Inglourious Basterds (2009) This film is history told as a fairy tale and also a masterpiece of tone, craft and revisionism. Featuring one of Tarantino’s greatest scenes, a scorching opening interrogation sequence that remains one of the most tension fuelled movie moments of the 2000s. This beautiful patchwork morphs reality with the absurd creating a spin on the legacy of WWII whilst never spoofing it. Basterds stands as an intelligent statement and comment on how cinema can change the course of history.

The Hateful Eight is showing on 70mm Ultra-Panavision from Thursday January 14 – Wednesday January 20 at The Astor Theatre.

The pairing of Warhol and Weiwei might strike some as slightly incongruous. What’s a 1960s pop art guru, dandy and socialite got to do with an activistic contemporary heavy-hitter from China? Well, a lot actually. Their respective artworks are set up at either side of the gallery rooms. Early on, there are corresponding assemblages of black and white photographs taken in New York; Warhol’s of his socialite and celebrity cohorts, Weiwei’s of a similar nature but taken by a curious, aspiring artist rather than the figurehead of a movement and subculture. Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans face Weiwei’s Table and Pillar – a massive pillar shoved through a dining table. Implementing banal objects to subvert our responses to art is something Weiwei certainly gleaned from Warhol. But while Warhol’s work puts us in a familiar space, it’s Weiwei’s that communicated the loudest. The exhibition’s star attraction is Weiwei’s Letgo Room, for which he used plastic blocks (not officially Lego) to build an interactive room depicting faces and

OUT OF THE CLOSET How are you going with those New Year’s Resolutions? Well it’s almost time to break those resolutions with Midsumma Festival. This weekend, more than 100,000 people will turn out in Alexandra Gardens for the annual Midsumma Carnival, known by those who love it as “Poofs in the Park”. Ever since I first came out at 21, I’ve never missed Carnival, and I honestly think there is no better gay day in this city. While Mardi Gras might be more spectacular, and Pride March more political, there is just something delightful about a picnic in the sunshine on a summer’s day surrounding by all the colours of the rainbow. Carnival caters to everyone in the LGBTIQ community: there are hairless twinks, gym-fit muscle boys with their shirts off, bearded northside boys, bears, hipster femme girls and butch girls from all over town, trans women, trans men, same sex families with their dogs and their children, elderly couples and queer kids under 18 and everything in between.

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quotes from Australian social, political and civil rights campaigners including Julian Assange, Archie Roach and Peter Greste. It’s an especially affective piece. The very word ‘activism’ evokes a sense of solemnity, but activism isn’t necessarily fierce. Rather, it stems from a childlike anticipation of a fair world, where everyone can just be nice and tell the truth. The next room contains a cruder form of expression – Weiwei’s Study of Perspective series. The photographs of him giving the finger to such iconic landmarks as the Sydney Opera House, the Louvre, the White House, Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum are at once amusing and indicative of Weiwei’s disinterest in that which has already been deemed classic or beautiful. He wants to uncover charm and wonder that regularly goes unnoticed. After taking in some of Warhol’s The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound film, it was time for Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders. They’ve been touring like crazy since releasing Playmates in 2014, and it’d be

EVERYTHING MELBOURNE

possible to focus solely on any one of the five members for ten minutes at a time, completely ignoring the rest, and still be utterly bewildered. Drummer Laurence Pike was certainly earning his salt, giving it everything. While he didn’t interfere with the songs, he took the spotlight based off of sheer skill. Ladder has developed a rockstar command of the stage. Messy, aloof and not afraid to make us feel a little awkward, himself staying totally unfettered. The setlist consisted mostly of Playmates tracks. The chugging, ice cold Neon Blue a highlight, as well as a spot on version of Lou Reed’s Nobody But You. The best came last, however, going way back to 2008 for The Barber’s Son, everyone in the room now mesmerised by the performance. It was sharp, yet made up of simple materials; homing in on the familiar while expressing something essential, of its time and glimmering with new life. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY

Queer happenings with Anna Whitelaw

Where so much of the scene seems to exclude people, Carnival is a great big colourful mess of humanity, and genuinely feels like a celebration of community. Best of all, it’s free and you can bring your friends, your pooch and your Esky with you. Now that T Dance, the annual kick on in the park, is also a free event it’s even better. After 5pm, when the families, dogs and small children head home, things turn up a notch, and this year some of Melbourne’s best LGBT parties and venues are providing the DJs and the tunes. With over 150 events across theatre, visual art, cabaret, sporting events and of course parties, Midsumma rewards those who spend some time getting acquainted with the full program. Apart from Carnival and T Dance, if you want to party into the night, there are two inclusive parties Healthy (at Transport & Transit Bar in Federation Square just a stroll over the river) from Thursday, or Jizz, a rooftop party from the boys behind

BARBA, which as the name implies will no doubt feature plenty of techno and plenty of half-dressed men with beards and friends. Over the coming weeks, we’ll look into the full program, including the best of the festival’s visual arts program including the Company of Men show at Second Story Studios, a water polo competition, Testing Grounds’ outdoor arts programming, Gasworks’ 11 Midsumma productions and all the parties. First up, though, if you want to sample a bit of everything, on Tuesday January 19 fortyfivedownstairs will host 12 Midsumma acts previewing their full shows for only $15 as part of A Taste of the Festival. Midsumma’s visual arts exhibition will open from 6pm at the fortyfivedownstairs that same night.

snaps khokolat koated

club guide wednesday january 13 • COQ ROQ WEDNESDAY - FEAT: JENS BEAMIN + AGENT 86 + MR THOM + JOYBOT + BLABERUNNER Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:30pm. • CURIOUS TALES - FEAT: DJ WHO + TIGERFUNK + TOM SHOWTIME + FLAGRANT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. • ECLECTIC RELAXATION - FEAT: DJ ARKS + BIG BUBBA Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • EXODUS OF THE PLANETS - FEAT: CELIAC + MNTTAB + DIRE + MORE Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $7.00. • REVOLVER WEDNESDAYS - FEAT: UMT TRK + DANIELSAN Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. thursday january 14

faktory

• 3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC + MALPRACTICE + OLLIE HOLMES + MORE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. • DISCO VOLANTE - FEAT: FABRIS + TIM KOREN + SAMMY SWAYN + ALEX CRAM + JACK NELSON + PETER FOTOP + RYAN KEARY + MITCH BAIN + MANNY BUBOS + DAN BENTLEY + YASKI + RHYS BYNON + KHANH ONG + GEORGE KARA Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. • ELBOW SPACE - FEAT: TUC + CALE SEXTON Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • LOCAL MOTION - FEAT: JAY DANIEL + SENPOLO + NELSON + MORE Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. • PRETTY LIGHTS + OPIUO + EMANCIPATOR Forum Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $77.40. • UPTOWN Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 10:00pm. • VARSITY - FEAT: PAZ + MATT RAD + PYZ Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. • WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

friday january 15 • #MASHTAG - FEAT: NUGEN + MALPRACTICE + FLAGRANT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. • 8EYEZ Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. • B -TWO + MAARS + HYPERFOKUS Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. • CAN’T SAY La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • CIROQ FRIDAYS Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • CLUK EPIK - FEAT: DJ DEAN The Croxton, Thornbury. 9:00pm. $5.00. • FABULOUS FRIDAYS FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Co., Southbank. 9:30pm. $20.00. • FAKE TITS - FEAT: BOOGS + SPACEY SPACE + SUNSHINE + SAMMY LA

MARCA + BUTTERS + ADAM BARTAS + JUNGLE JIM Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $15.00. • GOOD MANNERS WEEKLY - FEAT: ALBA + PLAN TE + THOMAS TOUCHE + MORE Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. • JAMES ZABIELA Brown Alley, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $22.00. • LUCK TRUCK FRIDAY DOWNSTAIRS - FEAT: 99 PRBLMZ + CONGO TARDIS #1 + LITTLE LEAGUE BOUNCE CLUB Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • MODERN HYPNOSIS FEAT: INFINITE WAX + FISHERMANS BEND + WILLIS Loop, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • ORGANIC MECHANICS (THE WOMBAT RETURNS) - FEAT: MR BILL + CIRCUIT BENT + TRICKBOX + SHIFTEQ + MORE Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. • PANORAMA FRIDAYS UPSTAIRS - FEAT: PHATO A MANO + MR.GEORGE + MATT RADD + ASH-LEE Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • PHAT DOLLOPS II - FEAT: DYSPHEMIC + MINDBUFFER + OKULI + MORE 24 Moons, Northcote. 9:00pm. $10.00. • PHIL GOOD FRIDAYS FEAT: PHIL K Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm. • POPROCKS - FEAT: DR PHIL SMITH Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. • REVOLVER FRIDAYS & MAMA SAID - FEAT: MIKE CALLANDER + KATIE DROVER + DANNI B + MORE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00pm. • TEMPO GIUSTO Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 10:00pm. $28.60. • THE DISCO - FEAT: GREG SARA + LUKE MCD + JEN TUTTY + MORE Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. • THE EMERSON CLUB FRIDAYS The Emerson, South Yarra. 3:00pm.

saturday january 16 • ANDY PADULA Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm. • ANYWAY - FEAT: VARIOUS ARTISTS Bottom End, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $25.00. • AUDIOPORN SATURDAYS - FEAT: LE ZOK + JAMES WARE + GREG SARA + JACOB MALMO + TOM EVANS + ROWIE Onesixone, Prahran. 9:00pm. $15.00. • CHAMPAGNE INTERNET Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 10:30pm. • CQ SATURDAYS Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • CUSHION SATURDAYS FEAT: COURTNEY MILLS + JESSE JAMES + J HEASY + MITCH COEN + BIG MAC + TOP DECK + MORE Cushion, St Kilda. 9:00pm. • DAVEYS SATURDAYS FEAT: HURLEY + CRAIG MOORE + ASTERIX Daveys

Bar & Restaurant, Frankston. 9:00pm. • DJ PHONE HOME - FEAT: DJ ANDREW MCCLELLAND Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 10:00pm. $15.00. • DNM SATURDAYS FEAT: LUCIE M + BEC & SEBASTIAN + KIARA & KELLY + MORE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 10:00pm. • ELECTRIC DREAMS FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Co., Southbank. 9:00pm. $20.00. • EZEKIEL OX + DJ MARZE Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. $15.00. • HENRY SAIZ Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 12:00pm. $20.00. • HIJACK + MATT RAD + AKIN Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. • HOT STEP - FEAT: 99 PROBLEMS + TIGER FUNK + SILVER FOX + ASKEW Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. • IN THE CARRIAGE - FEAT: DJ JNETT Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. • JANK FACQUES Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 12:05am. • LOST WEEKEND - FEAT: CC:DISCO! + SEN POLO CHICO G + MYLES MAC + MORE Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • PLATFORM ONE SATURDAY NIGHTS Platform One, Melbourne. 9:00pm. • PONY SATURDAYS La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • SEVEN SATURDAY DISCOTHEQUE Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. • SQUAREHEAD Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.00. • TAXMAN + MC FELON Grumpy’s Green, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00. • TEXTILE SATURDAYS FEAT: KODIAK KID + D’FRO + JENS BEAMIN Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • THE EMERSON CLUB SATURDAYS - FEAT: FAMILIAR STRANGERS + KIN + ANDY MURPHY The Emerson, South Yarra. 9:00pm. • THE HOUSE DEFROST FEAT: VERSUS + SIMON TK Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. • THE LATE SHOW - FEAT: NICK THAYER + MANCHILD + RANSOM + MORE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00pm. • TOMMY’S CLUB - FEAT: SCAT Matthew Flinders Hotel, Chadstone. 8:00pm. $10.00. • TRAMP SATURDAYS Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 4:00pm. • DEEP’N MORNING SHOWCASE - FEAT: PAKO S + BROCK FERRAR + FRANCESCO CASTELLI + MORE Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 1:00pm. $10.00. • DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE - FEAT: DJ NIGEL LAST Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • GOOD TIMES - FEAT: MATT RADOVICH Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 3:00pm. • JUNGLE - FEAT: HANDS DOWN + ZAC DEPETRO + PETE LASKIS + TRAVLOS + JOHN DOE Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00am. $15.00. • REVOLVER SUNDAYS FEAT: BOOGS + SPACEY SPACE + T-REK + MORE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00am. • ROOFTOP SUNDAYS - FEAT: KHANH + KEN WALKER + JESUS The Emerson, South Yarra. 12:00pm. • SPITROAST SUNDAYS Cushion, St Kilda. 10:00pm. • THE SUNDAY SET - FEAT: DJ ANDYBLACK + SHAGGIS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. • TRUST - FEAT: OTOLOGIC + SHANNON BRIGGS + VIKTOR + MORE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 1:30pm. • WAX ON WAX OFF Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm.

• MELLOWDÍASTHUMP - FEAT: MIXA + GEEZY + CAZEAUX O.S.L.O + SKOMES Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

thursday january 14 • HOUSE OF BEIGE - FEAT: MIZRIZK Railway Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm.

friday january 15 • BRIGHT LIGHTS BIG CITY - FEAT: DJ RCEE + KAHLUA + DJ SHOOK + DJ ANGEL JAY Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

with augustus welby I could easily write something funny, insightful and loaded with intellect, but it’s all too easy. So, forget about it.

novel open air For those keen to explore new and unfamiliar surroundings and uncover yet more of Melbourne’s hidden gems, get ready for Novel Open Air. Held in the first week of autumn and boasting a lineup of Cyril Hahn, Chrome Sparks, Client Liaison and Total Giovanni, Novel Open Air is a grandly frivolous way to say farewell to the summer. It’s not only a killer lineup, but Novel Open Air is going down in a neverbefore-used open air space, part industrial wasteland, part exclusive oasis. Novel Open Air takes place in a secret Melbourne location on Saturday March 5 from 2pm. Stay tuned.

monday january 18 • CALL IT IN - FEAT: INSTANT PETERSON + DYLAN MICHAEL Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • MONDAY STRUGGLE FEAT: TIGER FUNK Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm. • THE MONDAY BONE MACHINE - FEAT: T-REK Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.

tuesday january 19 • OASIS TUESDAYS Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.

kalacoma Electronic mavericks Kalacoma will be hitting up the Evelyn Hotel for a month-long residency with a new lineup, new songs and a new way of integrating sampled elements into live performance. The performances will see the live ensemble move towards loop driven material, with the addition of a live drummer to expand the lineup. The band has reportedly spent the last year developing a “complex looping system” that will allow sonic manipulations to take place on the fly. Catch Kalacoma when they hit the Evelyn Hotel every Wednesday in February.

sunday january 17 • AGENT 86 + MAARS Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. • BOP ART - FEAT: HAWAII + WHO + TIGERFUNK + MATT RADOVICH + LEWIS CANCUT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. • DAYDREAMS - FEAT: TORNADO WALLACE + BEENAK + MERVE

urban club guide wednesday january 13

off the record

• FAKTORY FRIDAYS - FEAT: DAMION DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. • PARTY & BULLSHIT - FEAT: JADE ZOE + SONIC VIBES + SELBY MC + JONNYCHILL + AARO Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. • THE POST-HOP PREQUEL - FEAT: TALI + BOOTY CLAP + DJ SANTI + MORE Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. $5.00.

BOOTY QUEST + YO! MAFIA + MORE Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. • KHOKOLAT KOATED SATURDAYS FEAT: DAMION DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY + TIMOS Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. • RHYTHM NATION SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ TIMOS + DJ KAHLUA + DJ ANGE M & ANDY PALA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.

saturday january 16

sunday january 17

• A UNITED FRONT - FEAT: DYLAN JOEL + M-PHAZES + MISTRESS + DJ BEATS + MORE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. $20.00. • BIG DANCING - FEAT: GETBU$Y +

• MOMENTUM (FOREIGN BROTHERS) - FEAT: MOMENTUM: FOREIGN BROTHERS + THE CORE-TET Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00.

electronic - urban - club life

delta heavy Drum and bass duo Delta Heavy will be bringing their newest beats to Melbourne, returning to Australia before dropping their highly anticipated debut album later this year. Helmed by Simon James and Ben Hall, the duo have been refining their craft since meeting in 2003, going on to remix the likes of Avicii, Chase & Status, Tinie Tempah and Rita Ora. Their upcoming album is rumoured to take a more poporiented approach, combining their bass heavy roots with a more commercial appeal. Delta Heavy will hit Grumpy’s on Sunday February 7.

MONKEY SAFARI D E C L A R E

I N D E P E N D E N C E

BY ALEXANDER LIGHTFOOT

Germany’s Monkey Safari will earn their five-time visitor’s badge when they arrive in Australia later this month. Unlike their previous four visits, however, number five will be in our summer, which has the lads pretty chuffed as they get in tiptop shape for their appearance at Rainbow Serpent Festival. “If you have 30 degrees, water, beach, a fat sound system and nice people, then you’re in heaven.”

DJ KRUSH E C L I P S I N G

T H E

P R E S E N T

BY LIZA DEZFOULI

With his long awaited album, Butterfly Effect, released last year, Beat wants to know what makes acclaimed Japanese electronic master, DJ Krush (aka Hideaki Ishi) tick. For 30 years now he’s been famed for the jazzy instrumental hip hop he’s bringing to Mofo and Faux Mo in Tasmania. Does the name of the new album – Butterfly Effect – mean Krush is thinking about the widespread and far reaching effect of his music? “I’m just moving forward one step at a time,” he says. “Just look ahead, move forward to the future and outdo your present self. If you can be better, even a bit better than your current self, that’s good, and I have always tried to do so. “Children across the world live in the present of the Earth, and have no choice but to live under this world’s circumstances. And various things from the future Earth environment will also affect them. I want to leave something good behind. Past, present and future is something that we need to live with for the rest of our lives, but the hope to move forward is definitely hidden in the notion of time.” Across a three-decade career, who has Krush been creating for? Himself ? Or his listeners? “I think both are important, but for me, the important thing is to translate my thoughts and feelings to music and get them out as the Krush sound. I can never imagine how it would come out, but I’m the type that creates as an artist.” People have waited a long time for this new album. Does he feel any pressure to produce music? Or does he please himself, producing music only when he feels like it? “Sorry for keeping you all waiting. I had been making tracks and had released digital tracks but they just didn’t become an album. I had been playing live all over the world and the next thing you know, 11 years had passed. Also the time changed and vinyl and CD shifted to digital. Considering all the changes and the situation today, we carefully prepared for the release.” Krush has said that his music comes from visuals in the mind. What can he tell us about the process of creating sounds from imaginary pictures? “Basically I come up with a fictional short story, project the original silent images on my brain screen, and then add sound to them. There are various ways to create, but I try to maximise my imagination, use as many colours as possible, and create something colourful and something that you can actually smell. So many things get mixed in my mind and my experiences get mixed as well. And then I sprinkle my spice called imagination. The recipe of the spice is confidential.” While DJ Krush has been called the godfather of trip hop, he’s previously described his music as belonging to a genre of its own. Does he still believe this? “I don’t care so much about genre nowadays,” he says. “My roots are in hip hop but I’m BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 26

not really sure where my style belongs to. I’ll leave it up to you.” Electronic music is a fervent field of creativity. For such an experienced campaigner as Krush, what does the future of the art form look like? “We moved into the digital era from the analogue era, and an environment to create electronic music became more accessible,” he says. “Evolution of technology is important but we humans need to evolve as well. I want to always keep in mind so that I can come up with good music. Now that it’s digital era, I felt a big difference in the form of selling music. I don’t know what will come next, but I think the act of moving forward is important. One of the reasons why I love music is that it makes me who I am. It gives the space to reflect and think about the essence of myself. Music gives that infinite space, which is very precious and terrifying at the same time.” With music playing such an integral role in his sense of self, does he pay attention to reviews? “People have their own way of looking at things and they’re all different. Sometimes I use the information for the future though.” Inevitably Krush gets asked about his teenage escapades as an errand boy for the Yakuza ( Japanese mafia). There’s a hint of tiredness in his response. “I was only involved with them very briefly in my teens and I was never the official member,” he says. “Soon after I saw Wild Style and I chose this path. It’s over 30 years ago. I have nothing to do with Yakuza whatsoever.” While music is an important healing instrument, does Krush have a personal meditation or spiritual practice? “The world is crazy now and we tend to forget the time to meditate. We should all purify our minds once in a while. ” So what is it he reckons he offers the world? “The fusion of the reality and creation.” DJ KRUSH is playing at Max Watt’s on Friday January 22, after performing at Mofo on Saturday January 16 and Faux Mo on Sunday January 17, in Hobart, Tasmania.

Hailing from Halle in central Germany, Monkey Safari is the brotherly duo of Sven Fröhlich and Lars Rühlemann. The city’s electronic music scene has boomed in recent years, and the efforts of Fröhlich and Rühlemann should be applauded for this fact. No longer are all artists heading to Berlin, which saw its own electronic music scene expand around the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall (much is owed to the Love Parade, too, which originated in Berlin in 1989 and by 1997 was attracting more than a million people). The brothers started doing their bit to draw attention to Halle’s music scene in 2009 when they opened the doors to the Charles Bronson club; a name inspired by their grandpa’s appreciation for the late actor’s work. They had started Monkey Safari the previous year, after playing various styles of music for a few years before that. A gamble indeed, but as they say nothing in this world worth having comes easy. “It’s a love/hate relationship. It’s not the easiest thing creating club nights every weekend with the intention to make every night a special one. But in general we love the whole club thing – sound, artists, the social aspects, creating a platform for new ideas and creative people.” To see their baby grow has unsurprisingly

instilled great pride. “It was and it is a place where people come together. It’s a permanent dialogue about music and lifestyle. So from the early beginnings we tried to play there as often as we could. It was really important for us, as we gained a lot of experience that we can use today.” That experience will be on full display when they undertake the more than familiar process of boarding a plane and making their way down to Australia for the Rainbow Serpent Festival. They’ll be running on a tight schedule when they make their way out here, but hope to “have enough time for the best coffee and the best cider in the world. We love sightseeing in bars as opposed to visiting famous

DELIRIA E A R S ,

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North American art collective Deliria have been helping to create an alternate universe for your festival to take place in for a number of years. While you might not care about what sits above your heads, at this year’s Rainbow Serpent Festival you won’t be able to look away from Deliria’s work. Beat speaks to key contributor Antonio about what they’ve got in store. Hi Antonio. We understand you’re constructing the main stage canopy at Rainbow Serpent. How is the project coming along? I am thrilled and deeply honoured to be preparing the shade canopy for the main stage. We’ve submitted a proposal that I think is going to be amazing and the arts department of RS has approved it, so now we are fine tuning details and have begun the preparation of the materials. Everything is coming together nicely. Where do you gain inspiration to create something like that? My inspiration comes from nature, fantasy and from dream state experiences. I like to imagine a world where our minds can manifest beauty from a single thought B E AT.C O M . A U

– this is the concept. Creating a surreal, fantastic, involving atmosphere for the RS family as if it was the manifestation of a collective consciousness sharing a common dream. Do you listen to much music in the creation process? Music has a lot to do with our installations, but it is not really what fuels our inspiration. Rather, it is a parallel complement in what should be a multi-sensorial experience. Music for the ears, art and installations for the eyes, and love and consciousness for our hearts. All are important to achieve the mind-blowing experiences that can be had in amazing festivals such as Rainbow Serpent.

buildings.” When the Rainbow Serpent Festival made its debut in 1998, the flyer read “24 hour trance outdoor dance festival.” The likes of DJ Mark Allen, Quirk, Pied Piper, Baldy and Nirav were in attendance, with around 1000 people enjoying a rain filled night. Today, it stretches four days and celebrates dance, performance, art, nature, community and harmony. As with the evolution of Rainbow Serpent, for Sven and Lars it has been a long and winding road. Lars was once obsessed with hip hop, while Sven had a taste for UK big beat. Combining their powers, the brothers conceived Electric Ballroom, which enabled indie/alternative to play out in one room, with electronic sounds next door. Monkey Safari now run their own label, Hommage. With a finger in many pies, it would be easy to lose focus. A common goal, however, keeps the brothers in steady hands. “Independence is one of the most important things in our lives. We work hard in order to be able to do what we want and what we like. For example, we’re able to release the music we like on our label and in the club we can have parties you can’t have in many other clubs in the world.” MONKEY SAFARI will appear at Rainbow Serpent, alongside John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Ace Ventura and more, which goes down from Friday January 22 – Monday January 25 in Lexton, VIC. You can also catch them at the Bottom End on Friday January 15.

What’s the process of creating the shade? How long does it take you? Making a custom shade usually takes months of planning. The first contact with our clients or the event producers sets off days and nights, which turn into months, of dreaming up ideas. But in the case of Rainbow Serpent I can honestly say that it begins way before. It is a dream come true and I can say that I have dreamt of someday getting there and I’ve imagined what I would like to do, and how I would like do it. So the seed begins way back, and much of what we have done all those years has taken us down the path of eventually getting there. Since we began this project we have been thinking about what would work and what would look sweet, and based on their feedback we fine tune the ideas and eventually reach a proposal that works within their budget and infrastructure and logistics constraints and fits within their aesthetic and thematic objectives. Once we figure that out, the production is pretty straightforward. How did you first get involved into designing such works for festivals? Deliria goes way back. I was living in Canada at the time and I went to work and live in Japan for a year. There I was inspired and blown away by the music scene and thought to bring back home what I learned and fell in love with there. It was 1995. So when I got back to Canada, a group of close friends and I formed Deliria and began throwing parties under that name and began implementing deco and visual landscapes with the idea that a proper gathering had to include these elements, as well as amazing music. After a few shows I began to get booked for gigs outside of town and I’ve never looked back. Will you be attending Rainbow Serpent Festival as well? What are you most looking forward to? Yes. We are so stoked. I have heard so many amazing things from so many people that I am sure it will be one of those things that we will never ever forget and always look back to with beautiful memories. DELIRIA will be responsible for the main stage shade at Rainbow Serpent Festival, which goes down from Friday January 22 – Monday January 25 in Lexton, VIC.

DARREN MIDDLETON F U N D A M E N TA L

T R U T H S

BY ROD WHITFIELD

Chapel Summer Sessions kicks off next week, and one of the feature shows will pair Shihad frontman Jon Toogood with Powderfinger guitarist Darren Middleton. Beat speaks to the latter, who is looking forward to playing in the holy surrounds of Prahran’s Chapel Off Chapel venue. “I got a little nervous last night, I’ve got a lot of sins to repent.” Middleton laughs. “To be honest I always wanted to do that gig. I love the idea of being in a very reverberant space. I’m by no means a religious man, but the idea of singing in a church is pretty appealing to a singer.”

JASON ISBELL F R E E

L A S T

B y J ames D i Fabrizio

Americana singer/songwriter Jason Isbell has come a long way to be where he is today. In another life, he suffered from debilitating alcohol and substance abuse. After years of hard-living, Isbell was kicked out of his former band Drive-By Truckers in 2007, and in 2012 he finally took the first steps down a path of sobriety. Now completely clean, Isbell has more drive and clarity than ever before, resulting in a songwriter at the top of his game. His critically acclaimed latest record, Something More Than Free, is a snapshot of an artist who’s finally found the inner solace he yearned for on his previous album, Southeastern. “I try to make records as a document as much as anything else,” says Isbell. “When my life changes, the content of my work is going to change. When I made Southeastern it was a very confusing time for me, which turned out to be really good creatively because it gave me a lot to say, a lot to talk about and a story to tell. Once that period was over with and I moved through that, the process felt a lot stronger – it felt a lot happier, and I’m a lot more satisfied with my personal life. I think that the challenge became pushing myself creatively in a way that reflected that.” If Southeastern was a fearlessly honest representation of Isbell’s journey towards sobriety and happiness, Something More Than Free is concerned with what happens when the light at the end of the tunnel floods through the void. Throughout it all, one thing is clear: songwriting is a vehicle for Isbell, not only to share his experiences, but to act as a personal mission statement; laying down to tape a sincerely optimistic depiction of the life he is determined to lead. “I think anything you can use as a way to get perspective can help you work through issues,” says Isbell. “That’s what art does for me – making songs, it gives me a different perspective. Sometimes I’m writing allegorically, or if I’m writing even about a character that I have synthesised from different people that I know – or just one that I made up if I’m writing a fictional story – it winds up being in a lot of ways about my own life. Really, it’s with the purpose of giving me a different perspective. If you step outside of yourself long enough to look at your life from a different angle, I think that can help you more than anything else.” Isbell’s songwriting utilises characterdriven narratives to masterful effect. Storytelling has always been a core element of country and folk traditions, but his lyrical vignettes pulse with a nuance that is not often heard. His parables of Southern living have covered everything from working life and existentially-inclined outlaws to the undignified death of a cancer stricken friend. “I’m always going to find my way into the songs, even if they are character driven,” he says. “There’s going to be some of me in each BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 28

of these characters, because the only way I can really feel qualified to write about their stories is if their stories and mine intersect in a lot of ways. If I grow as a person, then they’re going to do the same thing.” Isbell is an extremely studious writer and will often revise and edit his lyrics until they’re composed of exacting economy, yet rich with detail. Nothing is chosen haphazardly, and not a single syllable is wasted. “If I’m working on a record, sometimes I’ll get on a kick where I’ll work everyday,” says Isbell. “If I have studio time booked, I’ll sit down every day for hours and hours and just really refine every song. I used to not be able to do that. When I drank, it was really hard to focus for that long. Now I can sit for eight or ten hours a day sometimes and work the puzzles of writing the songs; trying to make everything come out as succinctly as they possibly can.” Something More Than Free saw Isbell team up once more with prolific Nashville producer Dave Cobb, who brought an organic, stripped-back quality to the record. With the voice of a fallen angel – sweet, but raspy – and such painstakingly crafted lyrics, it’s no surprise his voice takes centre stage. Ultimately, there’s no need for anything else to get in its way. “[Cobb] wants to do away with anything superfluous. I really feel like that makes the record feel more genuine to me. I think it makes the emotions stronger.” After all, emotions are at the core of Isbell’s songwriting. In the years since he sobered up, he’s created better music than ever before. He has been through a lifetime of experiences, both joyous and crushing. Now, it’s all about setting them free to those who want to listen. “I think it all comes down to empathy, really. I want people to know that I understand what it’s like to be them, and I want them to understand what it’s like to be me,” he says. “I think that’s the ultimate goal of creating anything.” JASON ISBELL is playing at Bluesfest 2016, from Thursday March 24 – Monday March 28 at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, NSW. He’s also coming to the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday March 29 and at The Croxton Bandroom on Friday April 1. Something More Than Free is out now via Spunk.

Although the gig is less than two weeks away, Middleton is still unsure how the night will be structured. But it’s no cause of bother for the typically unruffled guitarist. “It’s in a couple of weeks now, and I suppose we should start working that stuff out,” he says. “I don’t even know where exactly on the bill I’m playing. I’m really not fussed. I really don’t worry too much about those details. It’s a fun night out for me, I’m going out to see a band.” Despite having been a touring musician for more than two decades – not to mention a key contributor to one of Australia’s most loved bands – Middleton still gets a genuine kick out of hopping onstage. “It’s like an open mic night for me,” he says. “Music has been like that for me over the last few years. I love it again for the most fundamental reason of wanting to be a songwriter and getting up there in front of a few people, or a few hundred people, and just trying to have some sort of connection with them.” Akin to an open mic night, Middleton is still yet to decide what songs he’ll play. With

Powderfinger’s illustrious back catalogue to choose from, plus two excellent solo albums and two albums leading Drag, compiling a setlist may be a somewhat daunting task. “I’m still working that out. It does open up my setlist, having a couple of solo records. I’m going to play a bunch of songs from my new record [Splinters 2015] naturally,

when you spend so much time writing and recording. So I’m definitely going to play some of that. “I’m going to have a few guests come up,” he adds. “I had a few people who sang and played on this record with me and I’ll get them to come up and do a song or two with me. That’s always fun.” Middleton tastefully approaches the back catalogue of his famous former band, rather than heavily relying on it. “I’ll dip into my old ‘Finger stuff, but not too much,” he says. “When I do ‘Finger songs, I don’t really touch on the big hits. I just prefer to do pieces that we didn’t play very often that I think are kind of good. “The people who come along and see me play, they know that I’m not going to bust out songs that are just so – whether or not I’ve had a good hand in writing the specific hit song as such – they’re so tied to the sound of Bernie’s voice. There’s just no point in me trying to do them.” Despite this, Middleton is justifiably chuffed with what he’s achieved in music over the last 20-odd years. “I’m really happy and proud of it and I feel incredibly lucky to have been to the places that I have, achieved what I have, and put a roof over my head.” DARREN MIDDLETON and Jon Toogood play Chapel Summer Sessions at Chapel off Chapel on Thursday January 21.

valley that overlooks the stage and catches the sound – the music just floats through or you can get up close and really get into the music. The bar and food is close by and no queuing for anything. The former Mayday Hills farm is still a working farm but it’s just a minute’s drive to the centre of town.

Big Smoke

BEECHWORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL There’s always something a little bit more special about heading to a regional festival, especially one like Beechworth Music Festival. At Beechworth they get the whole town involved in the festivities, even though the festival itself is at a certain site. Hi Rikki, thanks for taking the time to chat with Beat Magazine. How are you and what are you up to at the moment? I’m really well and super busy with the festival – I love the energy at this time of the year. Are you able to give our readers a little run down of your role with BMF? And how did the festival first come about? My role is mainly organisational and logistics in the background while my partner Lex is more on the frontline – he curates the lineup and everything to do with the site. A long held pipe dream of Lex’s, we discussed the dream into the very late of many nights whilst listening to vinyl and knocking back a couple of cold ones. We later chanced on the opportunity at Mayday Hills and just said to each other, “Let’s start a festival,” and we did. Lex has been an avid music fan, festival goer and involved in community radio since the year dot B E AT.C O M . A U

and is extremely passionate in regards to all his musical meanderings. I’ve got some organisational and other events experience and the partnership just works. It’s quite interesting the festival is located in the hills of the now decommissioned Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, Have you heard many stories from the Asylum? So many of the locals have either worked there over the years or have had relatives work there. My father and sister both did. They all have different stories and many swear there are ghosts in most of the oldest buildings. It does have a fairly dark past so who knows. It’s a beautiful location regardless of history, but what made it the perfect spot for BMF? It’s an intimate but open space on farmland with amazing views and sunsets. There’s so much room in the campground you can find your own space and it’s in a little

There’s so much history in general at Beechworth, what with Ned Kelly and it being a mining town. What would you recommend for first time visitors to check out? The award winning Burke Museum, Ned Kelly Vault and historic precinct is the obvious best choice, but there’s also amazing and isolated bush walks on the edge of town, great cycling, swimming in Lake Sambell and the fabulous food and wine culture of Beechworth. The list goes on. Back to the festival, do you have any advice for those heading to BMF for the first time on how to get the best possible experience? This year we have free camping on Friday and Saturday night so people can make the most of the long weekend. There’s great local food and a community run bar. It’s all about immersing yourself in the local community. We want everyone to have a great and safe time. We’ve also engaged the best possible sound technicians and have already earned a reputation for quality sound production so people can really enjoy the music experience at our event. Thanks for taking the time to chat with Beat. Is there anything else you’d like to add before we finish up? Our Eight Ideals (on our website) were carefully thought out from the beginning. We are determined to stick to these and make sure we always produce an event with fantastic music that also supports local and up and coming artists and the local community. BEECHWORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL takes over Madman’s Gully Amphitheatre on Saturday January 23. Artists include Briggs, The Sugarcanes, The Public Opinion Six and more.

DIRTY THREE R I S I N G

B E L O W

BY AUGUSTUS WELBY

At its best, the Dirty Three live show is capable of disrupting the flow of time and taking listeners on a trip through emotional imperfection, culminating in physical liberation. A key feature of the band’s performances is the banter of violinist and de facto spokesperson Warren Ellis. He’s a captivating orator, offering rambling assessments of everything from politics and drug use to titans of popular culture. When he’s not traversing the globe with Dirty Three or Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Ellis resides in Paris with his wife and two children, and has done since the late‘90s. Paris has been the centre of global attention and sympathy over the last few months, following a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that killed 130 people. “This year’s been very strange in general, starting with the Charlie Hebdo events in January,” says Ellis. “Just all around the world it seems to have been a very strange year. But the events of November 13 have been very sad and very tragic. Very strange times.” At the risk of sounding like a pessimist – which is symptomatic of a social pathology – the future’s not looking much brighter. The vulnerability exposed by such tragic events tends to catalyse a surge in support

for extreme political conservatism. “The elections here – they just had the preliminaries and it’s looking really grim,” Ellis says of the initial support for France’s anti-immigrant National Front party, which has since subsided. “Unfortunately it feels like it’s just the beginning of things really. It seems like we’re just entering into a very sad and strange time at the moment. “When this sort of thing happens within the city that you live, things change and that’s what it’s meant to do. It’s interesting; I really want to be here. It’s not entered my mind to leave. I just think, ‘Fuck ‘em. Fuck that’.” To counteract pessimism, it’s essential to keep conducting your life in a positive manner and fostering progressive ideas. Dirty Three’s genre-evading output is

indicative of Ellis’ resilient personality. “I’ve done a concert since the attacks here, but there’s a different resonance about them,” he says. “I got asked to do some for an AIDS charity – Jean Paul Gaultier has this foundation to raise money for research. I went and played a couple of songs with Marianne Faithfull and a ballet dancer, and when you go to a concert there’s a different feeling there now in the audience and on stage. It feels more important to perform and to keep making music and to keep living a normal life.” This realisation bodes well for the Dirty Three’s imminent return to the live stage after a three-year absence. Ellis, guitarist Mick Turner and drummer Jim White released their eighth album Toward the Low Sun in February 2012, and toured steadily for

W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

the duration of that year. In the succeeding years Ellis has been exceedingly busy with Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, releasing Push the Sky Away in early 2013 before spending a couple of years on tour. “[Dirty Three] has always been a story that’s unfolded as it’s moved on,” he says. “The three of us have all been involved in other things – I’ve been doing the Bad Seeds for 20 years now and soundtrack stuff with Nick for 15 years. We always thought it was in everybody’s interest that it wasn’t a monogamous kind of relationship, in terms of the musicality of the whole thing and the narrative of us as individuals. We’re fortunate that we’re doing different things. When we do a record, there’s never really a dialogue of what’s next.” Whilst making the most of family time, during the past 12 months Ellis has busied himself with film soundtracks. In the past he and Cave composed the scores for The Proposition, The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, The Road, Lawless, West of Memphis and Far From Men. Most recently, Ellis worked solo on the soundtrack for the FrenchTurkish production Mustang. In collaboration with his various band mates, Ellis is responsible for birthing a unique artistic niche, so you’d imagine working at the behest of film directors could be a creatively suffocating experience. Interestingly, however, he relishes the opportunity. “I like that there are people telling you they don’t like what you do, whereas when you’re in a band it’s very self-satisfying. Because I’d come in from a band world it was a slight worry that I’d have to give up my freedom – and in many ways it made me actually discover a new sense of freedom, because you have to actually throw out ideas that you might really want to hold onto and then you have to start again. You’re forced to take a lot more risks.” Along with generating a slew of wonderful soundtracks, Ellis’ experience in the film world has aided his work with Dirty Three and the Bad Seeds. “Sitting down to do a film, I’ll make like 40 demos of ideas. In a band you sit down and do a dozen or something like that. It opened up an approach, particularly with some of the Grinderman stuff and the Bad Seeds’ later stuff, where we worked more in that way of making a lot of ideas and then picking the least obvious ones. It’s just about trying to find a new way to stay in the same game.”

DIRTY THREE will perform at Sugar Mountain on Saturday January 23, with Courtney Barnett, Kate Tempest, Empress Of, Kelela, Sampa the Great and more, at the Victorian College of the Arts & Melbourne Arts Precinct.

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LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL H I P P Y

C O W B O Y S

B y R od W hit f ie l d

Lukas Nelson may be the son of American country music legend Willie Nelson, but he’s also a highly acclaimed and accomplished artist in his own right. Nelson’s been to Australia several times across the course of his life, including multiple tours with his dad. He has many great memories of those times, one of which sticks out above the others. “I went with an Aborigine guide, and my mother and my little brother, we went out to Uluru,” he says. “We went out to the outback and we did a walkabout. It’s probably the most imprinted memory in my head right now.”

HOLY HOLY F O R C E

O F

N AT U R E

BY JOSEPH EARP

The mountain that graces the front cover of Holy Holy’s debut album, When The Storms Would Come, is a fake.

Shaped by artist Yuji Hamada, it’s an aluminium foil

construct; an intoxicating, carefully built lie. In this way, it’s totally unlike Holy Holy themselves – a band that came into being naturally, and without blueprint. “I was just thinking, ‘Let’s write some tunes’,” says Oscar Dawson, who along with songwriting partner Timothy Carroll makes up the core of Holy Holy. “When Tim and I were first writing the material, it was thought of as Tim’s solo project. But I got my greasy mitts all over it to the extent that it was sort of no longer in his name. I wasn’t thinking about it too hard… I was just enjoying playing.” Not only was the duo’s conception unplanned, but so was the writing of their debut record, a sombre and serene collection of folk rock tunes. They went offroad, striking out with no specific end-goal in mind. “We embarked on a session, a few years ago, recording with our producer Matt Redlich in Brisbane,” says Dawson. “That became the first basis of the record. But that kept changing. The record kept developing and became a different record. We could have kept going forever, really. But we got to the point where we were like, ‘This is our album’, and that was that.” When The Storms Would Come was released to great critical fanfare, and on the strength of the record the band has played soldout dates across the globe. Yet despite these highs, Dawson has managed to keep his head. In conversation he’s strikingly humble. Take his view on how to conquer pre-show nerves, for example. “[It’s about] giving slightly less of a fuck as the years go by,” he says, grin almost audible over the phone. “When I was a lot younger, a teenager, I would get so nervous I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. I would be like, ‘Why the hell am I even doing this? This is stupid. I hate myself right now.’ But that doesn’t happen anymore, thankfully. It’s just not worth me worrying about. If [the audience] like it, they do, and if they don’t, well… I mean, it’s not really my fault. “It’s not that big a deal,” he laughs. “It’s almost egotistical to think it’s that big of a deal. You get all nervous, like, all wrapped up in yourself – you’re all taking yourself so seriously. Nobody else cares.” Dawson has a similarly matter-of-fact take on the dreaded touring lifestyle. It’s an attitude that will no doubt keep him in good stead when Holy Holy hit the road for a string of dates behind their latest single A Heroine. It’ll be their last proper tour before boarding themselves up in the studio to begin work on album number two. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 30

“I find touring ideal in a way, because I know where I need to be and when I need to be there. I just need to make sure I’m in the right place at the right time. All I need to do is hit those broad targets each day. And they’re not that hard to hit. And then I get to play music. And drink.” Not that Dawson is blasé, mind, and he speaks candidly about the conflicts that arise from a shared creative process. When asked what affect a songwriting relationship has on a pair of mates, he replies quickly. “It fractures the friendship.” There’s a brief pause, then he laughs. “I’m joking,” he says, but there is some truth to the jibe. “Often – not always, often – there is a bit of tension in the process. And so there should be, actually, I think. I think it’s important. Sometimes there have been songs I’ve written in the past [with other people] where it’s been like, ‘Yeah, that’s great, cool,’ and we just love ourselves and just love each other… and then [the song] might be a bit tepid.” Writing with Carroll is different. He and Dawson often find themselves meeting in the middle, relishing the creative tension that arises from the writing process. And, after all – as Dawson readily admits – it’s “always in the pursuit of some higher goal”. “There’s no one way that [songwriting] works best. Sometimes we just jam in the room and the idea just comes out. Things just sort of come. It’s a real to and fro. And where they start – it might be an iPhone recording or something – might have no bearing on how it ends up. But it’s still an important step on the way.” Indeed, for both Dawson and Carroll, songwriting is a process of discovery. It always has been. “It might sound wanky,” says Dawson. “But it’s true. [The songs] just take you where they’re going to take you. You’ve got to go with it. And when you do let it happen, you go to places you never thought you would go to. You go, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect that would happen’.” He exhales, a reflexive – some would say natural – sound of pleasure. “That’s always, always, the most exciting place to work.”

HOLY HOLY are playing at the Corner Hotel on Friday January 29. When The Storms Would Come is out now through Wonderlick/Sony.

It’s fair to say most Aussies haven’t actually done a walkabout around Uluru. “I know,” Nelson laughs. “I feel privileged. There was something very special about being out there in the desert, that’s for sure.” Despite his familiarity with the country, Nelson’s never toured Australia under his own steam and with his own band. But that’s all about to change when Nelson and Promise of the Real bring their unique brand of cowboy hippie surf rock to our nation for appearances at Byron Bay Bluesfest, as well as dates in Melbourne and Sydney. “I’ve heard [Byron Bay] is just a beautiful festival, beautiful town,” he says. “Byron, and Melbourne as well, both of them are well known as just great musical towns. The people are just full of youthful energy and have a lot of disdain for their government. All the things that I love.” Nelson has plenty of disdain for what could be up ahead for US politics. “I’m more worried about what’s coming here at our end, rather than what’s here,” he says. “I’m just hoping

LOU BARLOW E M B R A C E

T H E

U K E

When Lou Barlow answers the phone, he is in a mountainside town in southwest Massachusetts. He’s in recovery mode following a weeklong residency at New York’s Bowery Ballroom playing with the band widely considered to be his day job, Dinosaur Jr. The iconic three-piece performed a run of dates to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut LP, simply titled Dinosaur. The shows included guests as varied as Henry Rollins, comedian Todd Barry and My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields.

B E AT.C O M . A U

LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL are playing at Bluesfest 2016, from Thursday March 24 – Monday March 28 at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, NSW. You can also catch them at Howler on Wednesday March 30.

that Donald Trump doesn’t start World War III. I think Tony Abbott and Donald Trump is a bad combo.” (He’s somewhat relieved to hear Tony Abbott was recently dumped as Australian Prime Minister). While not aggressively political, Nelson and his band promise to deliver a power packed show for Aussie fans. “Oh man, however much energy the crowd is putting out, we’re going to amplify that ten times, ten thousand times, and put it back at them,” he says. “We love to play live, that’s what we do.” In recent times, Nelson and Promise of the Real have worked and toured with some luminaries of country and blues/roots music. They worked closely with Canadian country rock legend Neil Young on his most recent release, The Monsanto Years. They’ve also toured behind his father and former Credence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty. “It’s just been a masterclass in music,” he says, “and we’ve been soaking up every bit of it and learning so much. Music for us is a way of life, so we really try to carry on the tradition

B Y D AV I D J A M E S Y O U N G

Although Barlow has played on six of the band’s ten albums, he had an extended period of exile from the group after being fired in 1989. It would take 16 years to get the original trio back together again – comprising Barlow, frontman J Mascis and drummer Murph. “I entered it with an open mind,” Barlow says. “I didn’t know where it would go, but I accepted it in as neutral a fashion as I could. I was just hoping for the best – and now, ten years and four albums in, I think it’s worked out the best way that it could. The shows we

of those who’ve lived their lives in music. So it takes a lot of focus, and preparation and teamwork, but it also takes something that can’t be taught, and that’s the ability to sit back and let things happen. Because as musicians when you’re playing a song it’s impossible to play a good song unless you’re going with the flow. So if you can apply that to the rest of your life and you go with the flow, man things just unfold in such beautiful ways. We’ve been blessed.” As it turns out, it was actually a Neil Young concert that catalysed the formation and naming of Nelson’s band. “The interesting part of that name is we met at a Neil Young concert, my drummer and I. There’s a song called Walk On and one of the lines in it is ‘Sooner or later, it all gets real’, and that’s the promise of the real in my mind. I thought that would be a great band name, Promise of the Real.”

just played were really incredible. It was a lot of work to put in for them, and we were really busy in the weeks leading up to it. The payoff was really, really nice.” The last few years have seen Barlow on one of his most creative streaks to date. 2012 saw the release of Dinosaur Jr.’s tenth LP, I Bet on Sky; in 2013 came Defend Yourself from another Barlow-related project, Sebadoh, which was the band’s first in 14 years; and last year brought Brace the Wave, Barlow’s third album to bare only his name. It’s a warm, stripped-back folk record far removed

from the mane-thrashing fuzz of his other bands. It’s an intentional move on Barlow’s behalf, who says that a return to performing solo was an inevitability. “I tend to work in cycles,” he says. “Naturally, if I’ve done a Sebadoh and a Dinosaur Jr. record, I’m inclined to do a solo record. I think it helps ground me, and it helps me approach the other bands with an open mind and a clean spirit. I’ve always tried to work on a few things at any time. Dinosaur and Sebadoh are electric bands, but I’ve always played acoustic music. Many of the better known songs that I’ve written have started out acoustically. I’ve always liked the idea of folk music taking different shapes – folk music informed by punk rock, being an alternative to what’s generally accepted as folk music. I think that’s the kind of music that I’ve come to make as a solo artist.” Brace the Wave was recorded over a period of just six days with long-time friend, producer and engineer Justin Pizzoferrato. The album features heavy use of a baritone ukulele, which Barlow converts into various custom tunings and plays in his own unique manner. Having originally received the instrument as a gift from his mother in his early teens, the now 49-year-old has spent most of his life approaching it from a leftfield perspective. “I started writing songs on the ukulele back in the 80s,” says Barlow. “That was when I was first really starting to write songs on my own. For instance, the Sebadoh song Brand New Love began as a song that was just on the ukulele. I’ve never approached it in the same way that most people tend to think of the instrument – I always put on heavier strings and use my own tunings for it. I incorporate a few different strumming styles that tend to work best purely for the ukulele, and I’ve always been drawn to the size and the sound of it. There’s something about playing with four strings that I’ve always been drawn to – bass, ukulele, and I’ve got a customised guitar that I use in Sebadoh that takes out the D and the G strings where I modify the tunings to reflect the ones on the uke.” LOU BARLOW will play at Northcote Social Club on Thursday January 28. Brace The Wave is out now via Domino Records/ EMI.

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BRIGGS

S H E P R E S E N T I N G

W O R L D W I D E

BY L ACHL AN KANONIUK

OKMALUMKOOLKAT I N

T H I S

T O G E T H E R

B y L iza D ez f ouli

“Keep it real and be yourself.” This is the advice

Okmalumkoolkat has for anyone that wants to pursue

a music career. On his first trip to Australia, the South African purveyor of phat beats and fierce dance moves

is playing both Mofo 2016 and the after party Faux Mo.

Beat chats to him via Skype at his mum’s place in Durban. The artist/musician, who’s known by several different names, is now bigger than he ever imagined he’d be. “This whole thing is like a dream,” he says. What can Tasmania look forward to? “The show have plans,” he says. “It’s crazy. I say it’s like a guy who grew up in South Africa in the ‘90s and the 2000s, all that kind of shit, all in one show. I dance, I rap a little bit. The whole thing is for the world to get a gist of South Africa.” Okmalumkoolkat’s music videos are full of images and sounds from all over South Africa, along with apocalyptic references, religious iconography and bits and pieces of popular culture. It’s all mashed into a veritable cult of self. “I’m Zulu so there’s a lot of Zulu language,” he says. “Basically it’s about me and my life. Me as a poet, my life as a project, what I would like the other kids behind me to see. For Tasmania I’ll do some Holy Oxygen tracks, some crazy house music from Durban, like JQUM tracks. It’s rave shit crazy.” Okmalumkoolkat says he represents the generation of young South Africans who grew up with the dream of a united country once Mandela came to power. His work is political by sheer virtue of his place and time. “I was born in 1983. I’m lucky to be alive in this era,” he says. “Mandela was coming back. That era was so hopeful, with talk of a rainbow nation. Mandela came back and now he’s gone… But what we’re trying to do is create a united South Africa with all the different races. My son is six and at his school it’s a rainbow nation for real, with different races, different languages, the attitudes are different. “Growing up we had the Jesus story and the Mandela story. They were both coming back. Mandela came back, now he’s gone. We’re still waiting for Jesus. We listened to Mandela’s speeches and he said ‘just make sure you’re educated.’ We’re keeping the struggle alive, really appreciating everything that happened while Mandela was alive. “As an artist and a creative I’m packaging those ideas, all those things, testing the youth; it’s the easiest way to get to the next level. We’re still following all his stuff.” According to Okmalumkoolkat, the picture of a truly unified South Africa comes down to some simple social realities. “Instead of being segregated, an African guy can be looking at an Indian girl or an English girl and he can think, ‘Yes, she could be my girlfriend.’ Being alive means really representing yourself as a Zulu or Xhosa or Tswana or Pedi. If we don’t represent ourselves in three or four years we won’t exist in the scheme of things.” BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 32

The references to African religion in his work are important to Okmalumkoolkat to express his Zulu identity. “I was brought up as a Catholic but I’m not a Christian anymore. At some point I started searching and found that African religion was pushed under African tradition, it wasn’t being taken seriously. My religion looks like voodoo but it isn’t, it’s just religion, it’s Isintu. There has been a little bit of backlash. Some people say, ‘Why do you sacrifice a chicken on your video, why you got to do this?’ Basically Holy Oxygen is about me telling the world about African religion, about what it is.” So what is it, really? “I’m writing a book on it so I don’t want to elaborate more,” he says. He is willing, however, to elaborate on what he’s trying to communicate with his music. “I’m saying ‘move on to the next step’. A lot of people get stuck. People don’t know half the shit that I’m doing. What I’m doing is very new. In ten years’ time people will get it. I want to have impact, make that vibe where somebody who belongs to the future will get it. The future is now. Now it’s 2016 and that’s the vibe. Get on with it. You don’t have to hold on to the ‘90s or the Y2K or anything.” He’s able to see his influence on the state of electronic music in South Africa as a whole. “Before I came through a lot of the rappers were trying to sound the best American or the best Jamaican. I always wanted to be part of the future. I love that my people in South Africa are listening to what we’re trying to do. Now in Jo’burg everyone’s trying to do something new. “Rap is poetry in a capsule. I want to push the whole Africa thing out to the world, show you where I’m from. I’ve been to Europe, to Switzerland and France. This is my first time coming to Australia. I want to take a selfie of me in a kangaroo pouch. And I want to see the Aboriginal situation, meet up with those guys and talk to them, see what they’re doing. I’m kind of a diplomat in a way. A lot of my work is sociopolitical but I’m not talking about parties. I’m not saying ‘fuck those guys’, I’m saying ‘understand that you’re part of a community’.” OKMALUMKOOLKAT is playing the Mona main stage on Saturday January 16 as part of Mofo 2016. He’s also playing at Faux Mo on Friday January 15. You can catch him closer to home at the Ding Dong Lounge on Thursday January 21.

“I don’t really count my years with 12 months. My 2015 really started six months before it, putting the album together.” Whether you go by the Gregorian calendar or the Briggsonian calendar, it’s been a busy year on the grind for the Shepparton rapper. 2014 saw the release of Sheplife, a hard-hitting collection of tracks showcasing Briggs’ sharp lyricisms – including a knack for punchline – and pugilist vocal delivery. A multi-faceted array of projects followed, with explorations of writing beyond music, alongside the release of the Archie Roach reinterpretation The Children Came Back (named Beat’s 2015 Single Of The Year). “When you put a record together like that, it’s more of an 18 month plan, two years almost,” Briggs says of Sheplife. “At the same time as releasing it, you’re working on the next project. Since the point of releasing Sheplife it’s been nonstop, doing a stack of different stuff I never planned for – writing comedy for ABC’s Black Comedy, starring in Cleverman, a new drama out on the ABC this year. As well as touring, writing articles, being more of a spokesperson for the stuff I truly believe in. When you’re as opinionated as I am, you have to be comfortable. I can’t voice an opinion then run and hide. I’ve grown up in a pretty strong family, I’ve never been scared of voicing my opinion if I believe it to be true.” Whether it be lyrical bombs, wry stage banter, or writing for comedy, it’s evident Briggs is a funny guy. It’s a hell of a tool when trying to convey a message, and Briggs wields it well. “I think humour plays a great part in levelling the playing field. Humour is part of all parts of life. Even the greatest dramas have humour in them. That’s human nature. Being able to laugh about stuff is therapeutic.” The force of hip hop has rightfully

resonated across the globe, to the extent of predominantly shaping Brigg’s formative years in the rural Victorian town of Shepparton. “Hip hop, it was just the coolest thing at the time, growing up in the ‘90s and early 2000s as a teenager. My favourite things were hip hop and action movies. It was the ultimate, the right amount of danger, the right amount of cool. You couldn’t avoid it in the ‘90s, either. At the time, I thought it was just because I was cool. But the whole idea of it being a positive black movement as well, which spoke to me, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. All the symptoms were there, but there was no diagnosis.” Brigg’s style is very much his own, formed by a broad amalgamation of influences that blend west and east coast greats along with shades of Australian hip hop. “When I first started, I always just made tracks to impress my mates. As you grow as an artist, the whole thing is making better tracks, being a better artist. It’s about baring yourself in your writing, testing your abilities. Whether I was trying to write a story track, like what Slick Rick did, or trying to write battle rap like Big Pun, have some real style

The Pretty Littles

SOUL FLATS MUSIC FESTIVAL Soul Flats Music Festival is designed to showcase emerging artists and shine a light on how our unique and diverse landscape is depicted in Australian art. The inaugural event will take place just outside of Deniliquin, NSW this February. We had a chat with co-founder and co-director Hugo Dean to find out what goes on behind the scenes. To the completely uninitiated, give us a little background into Soul Flats. Where did the idea to run this festival stem from, and who is working on it? Soul Flats is a laidback and intimate celebration of some of the amazing music and art coming out of our cities and towns at the moment. The idea for this festival was firstly just to hold a party up in Deni, where my fellow director Andrew Clapham is from, with a few bands playing. The town doesn’t get much exposure to some of the up and coming bands that we see playing in pubs every weekend so we thought it would be cool to pay some mates who are in really hot bands to come. B E AT.C O M . A U

Things just escalated from there and next thing we had artists, tickets, partners and vendors on board. There’s now three of us pretty much working full time on it and a broader team helping out. It’s been a crazy couple of months. Soul Flats boasts a great lineup of artists who’ll be performing over the three days. Can you give us some hints about who we should check out? That’s a bit like picking favourite Simpsons episodes. I can honestly say they are all worth checking out. Of the first lineup announcement though, I really recommend Mondegreen. They play that future soul/

and flow like Biggie, or passion like 2Pac. I wanted to have that aggression, like Ice Cube. Each artist I had on heavy rotation played a part in developing my style. I tried to borrow from all these guys.” Now based in Melbourne, Briggs’ relationship with Shepparton is a curious one – understandable one for anyone who has relocated from a small town into the city. “Each community is going to have its own special concoction of issues and problems to make up the fuckin’ tapestry that is Australia. But, police are still killing blackfellas in jails, and they’re still getting away with it. As long as that’s going on, not a lot’s changed. It’s easy for people to throw their hands up at what’s going on in the world, but if you look at your own backyard, you can see police are still killing black people in jail. That’s something that should be addressed.” BRIGGS is appearing at the Wominjeka Festival which runs from run from Friday January 15 – Sunday January 17 at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, and at Beechworth Music Festival, held on Saturday January 23 in Madman’s Gully, Beechworth.

jazz kind of style with amazing vocals; King Puppy and the Carnivore have a freightjumping swampy deep south sound that I love; Teddy Lewis King make raucous hip hop and have some really cheeky lyrics; and Rambutan Jam Band got that psychy reggae sound downpat and are amazing live. The Pretty Littles have been my favourite Melbourne band forever now so couldn’t miss them, and then Destrends bringing their post-punk hard rock back to their hometown for the first time in ages is going to be next level. They all play completely different styles and have so much character. Definitely worth a listen. It ain’t all about the music at Soul Flats. What else will you be offering to punters during the festival? Our festival is going to be an interactive and inclusive experience. A huge part of it is about involving up and coming artists as well as musicians in creating an immersive and stimulating space. We are working with visual projection artists, sculptors, painters and installation specialists to transform the festival space into an Australiana, outback adventure. As we have a small capacity of 700 people everyone is going to get the VIP treatment and be a part of creating this event from the ground up. Why should Melburnites make the trek to Deniliquin to check this festival out? Tickets are $65 for three days, full BYO, amazing music, amazing art, some of Australia’s best sunsets and the chance to have a little road trip with your mates before summer sets sail. It’ll be the best trek you’ve had since Leonard Nimoy wore those prosthetic ears. SOUL FLATS MUSIC FESTIVAL takes place from Friday February 12 – Sunday February 14 in Deniliquin, NSW.

BEA

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T H I S

ALBUM REVIEWS

R E V I E W

DAUGHTER

FELIX RIEBL

NOT TO DISAPPEAR (4AD)

The trio we love for making us miserable are back with another achingly absorbing album. Not To Disappear is the second release from British brooders Daughter, and if their 2013 debut unhemmed your heart with its wistful, haunting melodies, you’re a goner for this new ten track effort. Opener New Ways conjures an apocalyptic landscape with a sparse beat, ambient haze and wailing lo-fi guitars. It’s a fitting welcome to an album oozing with eerie, expansive sounds and big picture musings on loss, love and loneliness. Early single Numbers surges with energy as Elena Tonra’s ghostly vocals drift over tribal drums. To Be Alone / With You pulses with synths and biting lyrics, while No Care offers a reprieve from all the pensiveness, pairing a rollicking snare rhythm with spitfire, monotone vocals. Nothing else packs the emotional punch of Doing The Right Thing, though, where Tonra’s fragile vocals and portrait of a woman with dementia is nothing short of gut-wrenching: “I have lost my children / I have lost my love / I just sit in silence.” The swelling drama and despondence of Not to Disappear could be overwhelming for some, but if you allow yourself to drift with the spacy guitars, synths and vocals, it’s a nourishing sequence of songs. BY JENNIFER HODDINETT

Royal Chant are going places. They’re motivated. They’re making big plans. That’s their take on the matter, anyway – the above statements of purpose form the chorus of Dick Move, the charming, fuzzy number that kicks off their new LP. And actually, in this case, they might be right. The War Cry Of Failure is the band’s strongest release to date; a warm, distinctly human collection of sludgy hits. Indeed, although the lyrics are offbeat, on the whole the LP is stunningly pop-oriented. Royal Chant deploy hooks the way a hunter lays out bear traps. The guitar lines nestled in The Familiar Taste Of Familiar Mistakes and the wry I Am A Model have the power to ensnare the casual listener. Not that they don’t know how to keep things nuanced. For every one of the LP’s crashing choruses, there is a quiet moment of introspection to serve as its mirror image. On the one hand, you have the intense guitar solo that sends Well Hey, I Guess Things Break flying into its composite parts, and on the other you have the mournful, vaguely tragic harmonica line that carries I Can’t Make It On My Own over to its spit-and-tear-tainted finale. It’s powerful stuff, simultaneously a collection of gouging self-directed insults, and a cautiously optimistic manifesto: a war cry of failure, indeed.

BY CHELSEA DEELEY

BY JOSEPH EARP

LISSIE

MICHAEL WAUGH

AVOCADO GAL AXY (Future Classic)

BY JAMES ROSS

THE WAR CRY OF FAILURE (Dirty Mab)

Stepping away from unrivalled Aussie gems The Cat Empire, Felix Riebl proves his solo worth and beyond on the four-track EP Lonely Truth. On the Beatles-esque opener and title track, Riebl elevates an initial acoustic lullaby into a blues-rock crescendo packed with percussive shimmers and triumphant horns. It wraps up with delicate piano chords and a few simple words. Crocodiles moves at a slightly different pace, filling the ears with a swampy rock vibe. An understated bassline centres Riebl’s pensive songwriting, juxtaposed with a bright chorus. Slightly scatty, distorted horns are intermittent, sitting subtly under the instrumentation. What Did I Learn? is the hand-slapping third track with singular guitar strums that build into a major brass and percussive explosion. The EP closes with Frankie Valli, which gets off to a sombre start, warping guitars, drawn-out violins and more strings that quicken as the song builds. But don’t be fooled – there’s no big finale in sight. Riebl has an uncanny ability to make a song satisfying, just by feigning a build-up and then leaving you hanging. But it won’t make you mad – quite the opposite in fact.

WORLD CHAMPION

“You’re wasting time again acting ageless,” sings Will Campion on the second track of World Champion’s debut EP Avocado Galaxy. It’s a poetic epithet that characterises the band’s approach to its debut; an introspective offering comprising experimental flourishes of psych and electronica. The EP is a raw, sometimes jumbled offering, but it feels like that’s exactly the way it was planned. Avocado Galaxy continues the legacy of psychedelic releases that take the listener on a journey through dream states, although World Champion’s pop sensibilities keep things light with cherubic choruses and breezy synth loops. The lead single is an undeniably infectious groove, but the real pleasure comes from exploring the rest of the songs that complete the ethereal trip. The tracks fluctuate from the esoteric vocals of Shakes to the densely layered Avocado Moon. Echoing the production of early 2000s electronica, the latter song’s steady pulse leaves its audience softly swaying into the ether, a fitting coda for an EP that is at least loosely themed around some alternate final frontier. This has been a successful first step for World Champion. Their next seems fated to bring even more excellent adventures into the psych-pop stratosphere.

ROYAL CHANT

LONELY TRUTH (My Shore/Kobalt)

MY WILD WEST (Lionboy/Cooking Vinyl)

WHAT WE MIGHT BE (MGM)

Country music singer, songwriter and guitarist Michael Waugh is a dairy farmer’s son from Gippsland, Victoria. On What Might We Be, Waugh dispenses with many of the lyrical concerns that are often trundled out by practitioners of the country music regardless of their actual country of origin. Rather than singing reverently about a mythical America, Waugh conjures images and experiences that are refreshingly and distinctly Australian, and does so with an honesty and depth of insight that ensures this debut album is an engrossing listening experience. Waugh’s love and respect for his family shines through in Brother, which manages to tug at the heartstrings whilst remaining both playful and down-to-earth. Waugh avoids mawkishness and instead captures the complex nature of the familial bond: “I don’t often tell you – except for when we’re drunk / Just how much it means that you’ve been there when things were tough / I disagree with everything you say / But you’re my brother and I love you anyway.” Waugh’s capacity for incisive social commentary comes to the fore on the moving Terrorists and Planes, which inspires the listener to soberly reflect on a society in which the spectre of violence haunts even the most seemingly innocuous pursuits such as childish “games”. If you love music that will get your toes tapping while engaging your brain cells, What We Might Be will prove to be indispensable listening. BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY

Lissie’s My Wild West juxtaposes city and country, love and loss. The folk singer/songwriter’s third studio album is perhaps her most honest material to date, exploring the journey she’s embarked on while moving from California to the American Midwest. Opening the record with the instrumental My Wild West Overture, it’s clear Lissie’s change of scenery has led to a slight change of sound. From pop rock at it’s best to an authentic western folk sound, the American artist has evidently diversified. Blending multiple electric guitars together, the short piece acts as an introduction to her country roots. Opening with Hollywood and closing with Ojai, Lissie pays tribute to her home for the past decade. Telling the tale of “Falling in love with California” and revealing “I know I’m gonna see you again… I’ll be thinking of you until then”, it was surely a bittersweet goodbye. As she exclaims her excitement of “going rouge” in the Wild West, a foot tapping kick drum sends the track forward, boosted by distorted electric guitars. With dreams of “40 acres in the sun”, Hero looks deeper into her desire. In contrast to the typical big city dream, the subtle storyteller dreams of a much more simple setting. Picking up the mood and pace, Don’t You Give Up On Me is a breath of hopeful air that evokes a stress-free dance break. Transforming into a climactic rocker during Daughters and Shroud, the powerhouse vocalist proves her ability to transcend a genre specific release. Bringing the record to a close with acoustic ballads Together Or Apart and Go For A Walk, Lissie’s also no stranger to a love song with a whole lot of heart. BY PHOEBE ROBERTSON

ALBUM REVIEWS - BECAUSE YOU CARE WHAT WE THINK

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LIVE

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FOALS

Photos by Ian Laidlaw

THURSDAY JANUARY 7 FESTIVAL HALL

BLOC PARTY FORUM THEATRE TUESDAY JANUARY 5

Fresh from headlining Falls Festival, Bloc Party returned to Melbourne for a sold-out, one-night-only gig at the Forum – their first Australian headline show in three years. Now more than a decade since the release of their debut album Silent Alarm, the London outfit have maintained their passionate fanbase, with the theatre full to the brim of sweaty revellers eager to relive the glory days of noughties indie rock. Around a third of the set was made up of songs from the band’s upcoming fifth album Hymns – set for release at the end of the month. The album’s first single, The Love Within, drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd, but other tracks, including

second single The Good News, failed to generate much interest. After a third new song, it was a welcome relief to hear the familiar notes of Song For Clay (Disappear Here), which generated roaring approval from the crowd. With the audience back on their side and completely captivated, singer Kele Okereke and the rest of the band continued to delight, launching into Banquet and One More Chance. The onslaught of fan favourites made the new material that followed much more palatable, however by the time they got to Exes the crowd were beginning to get restless once again. A renewed energy burst came when Ratchet

concluded the main set, but the encore signalled another lull, with the previously unplayed, yet somewhat dreary, Into The Earth. The lull didn’t last long however, going out with a bang with classics Helicopter, Flux and This Modern Love.

DISCLOSURE

Lawrence, AKA Disclosure, took the stage. The English duo swiftly jumped into White Noise from their debut album Settle (2013). The performance consisted of both electronic instrumentals and live drums, guitars and keyboard production, proving the brother are much more than button pushers. As the venue continued to vibrate for their earlier tracks, F For You and Super Ego, the brother’s showcased their impressive vocals. You & Me (feat. Eliza Doolittle) and recent fan favourites Magnets (feat Lorde), Omen (feat Sam Smith) and Nocturnal (feat The Weeknd) saw the night move to a whole other level. While there was no sight of the guest vocalists, there was one hell of a singalong. Raising the bar again, Willing And Able (feat Kwabs) was an ultimate sonic and visual delight. Matching the track’s funky groove was a purple silhouette of the vocalist smoothly seducing the audience. The atmosphere was reminiscent of both a summer festival and an underground club, and Disclosure raised the heat with the

instrumental, Bang That. Soon the crowd slowed down, saving their energy as they prepared for When A Fire Starts To Burn. After teasing glimpses of the familiar vocal, the beat dropped and people lost their sweaty selves in the music. Before long, special guest Lion Babe appeared onstage for Hourglass, bringing her contagious energy along with her. Leaving the best till last, the encore brought Brendan Reilly’s soaring high voice onstage to help out with Moving Mountains, followed up by the unforgettable Latch (feat Sam Smith). As one last celebration pervaded the ecstatic audience, it was clear that many had found a newfound respect for all that is Disclosure.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6 FESTIVAL HALL

After bringing in the year at Byron Bay’s Falls Festival, Disclosure landed in Melbourne for a late celebration with fellow partygoer, Hayden James. Kicking it off with sonic soundscapes and psychedelic synths, the Sydney solo act is a fine example of Australia’s home grown electronic talent. With the last light of the day shining through the venue doors, the local producer sent the crowd into the night with a mixture of one-off remixes and original material. From Odesza’s Say My Name to Duke Dumont’s Ocean Drive, James put his own spin on some of the biggest dance tracks of 2015. Revealing two adjacent spaceship styled desks, a row of white spotlights moved through the crowd as Howard and Guy

THE FLAMING LIPS

Photos by Ian Laidlaw

PALAIS THEATRE FRIDAY JANUARY 8

I didn’t realise how much I’d missed The Flaming Lips. At the Palais Theatre they rewarded the loyal who have stuck by them and reminded us why they were so special in the first place. It started low key enough, with Clouds Taste Metallic’s quiet opening in The Abandoned Hospital Ship. When Steve Drozd shifted from keys to his original home on the drums and cracked out a fill at the exact moment the lights, confetti and balloons exploded, it was obvious that this time they were going to give us something different. It worked a treat and people went BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 36

bananas. Here were a muscular seven-piece rock band with several guitarists who weren’t afraid to play classics and stretch out. Samples were triggered occasionally and tastefully done, simply adding to the all-consuming aural mind-fuck. Even She Don’t Use Jelly, a song none of us ever need to hear again, rocked like a monster. At War With the Mystics B-side The Gold In the Mountain of Our Madness was the first opportunity to take a breather. The only real reminder of Wayne Coyne’s

LOVED: Kele dedicating a song to the guy from Canberra with a Bloc Party tattoo on his arse. HATED: The large proportion of new tracks. DRANK: Leftover New Year’s goon preshow. BY KELSEY BERRY

LOVED: Dancing on my own. HATED: That The Weeknd didn’t show up. DRANK: Vodka. BY PHOEBE ROBERTSON

Fresh from headlining Falls Festival, Foals were in town for their biggest Melbourne show to date. The Brits were ably supported by fellow Falls artist Django Django as well as local band Mansionair. Arriving just as Mansionair were billed to begin, was disappointed to find they were playing their final song. It can be annoying when set times are moved backwards but inexcusable when they’re brought forward and the venue doesn’t update their website accordingly. Django Django received a subdued welcome but raised support as their 40-minute set wore on. Scattered around the venue were some massive fans that’d potentially come just to see the Scottish band. Their enthusiasm was infectious and played a big part in the band winning the crowd over. While the instrumentation was on point, the sound issues that often plague Festival Hall troubled the vocals, ultimately marring the set despite an energetic performance. Foals arrived onstage to a very different reception. The screams sounded like a sold out crowd, whereas the venue was really closer to 75% full. They kicked it all off with Snake Oil from 2015’s What Went Down. This killer cut showed off the band’s infinite energy, which they maintained for the whole 90-minute set. Again the sound wasn’t great, but it improved after the first song. However, if you didn’t know the lyrics to each song, you probably wouldn’t have been able to make out what frontman Yannis Philippakis was actually singing. That said, most people in the audience knew every word so it wasn’t too much of a problem. Straight into current single Mountain at My Gates, the band showed why they are critical darlings. Their musicianship, tightness, and the sheer energy exercised on onstage are all a credit to them. What was also interesting was how well received the newer material was. Normally a band four albums into their career will attract fans that demand older material. The fact this wasn’t the case is a testament to how good What Went Down really is. That’s not to say older cuts such as Olympic Airways and elongated encore Two Steps, Twice didn’t go down a treat, but the equal reaction to their entire set list was certainly impressive. Foals are a band on top of their game and they definitely showed off just how good they are to a thoroughly appreciative Melbourne crowd.

MAC DEMARCO 170 RUSSEL MONDAY JANUARY 4

Walking into 170 Russell on a steamy Monday night, it feels like a modern day version of Where’s Wally. Instead of striped beanies and jumpers, this raucous crowd is sporting oversized t-shirts and 5-panel caps, waiting for their own ‘Wally’: Mac DeMarco. DeMarco and his band roll onto the stage, he flashes his iconic gap-toothed grin and falls straight into a tender and jangly The Way You’d Love Her. This is the Canadian’s second show in Melbourne in a string of Falls Festival sideshows where the vibe is loose but the performance is tight. The setlist dips in and out of tracks across his four album back catalogue with sundrenched singles Salad Days, Ode To Viceroy and Freaking Out The Neighbourhood inspiring some heavy crowd participation. DeMarco is the master of complete nonchalance and absolute emotion all at once. It’s obvious in the way he slow dances with his own guitar, the way he jokes with the crowd, and within the poignancy of his lyrics. Though, there’s an intensity to his performances that isn’t always obvious in his albums. The audience hangs off his every word, which is especially clear during Chamber of Reflection. Dripping in organheavy melodies, the room becomes an echo of loneliness, reverberating the slow and pained vocals. An hour and 20 minutes in, DeMarco rounds out an encore with Metallica’s feverish Enter Sandman. He’s topless, dripping in sweat, washed in blue light and still wearing his 5-panel cap.

LOVED: The crowd’s energy. HATED: Festival Hall’s sound issues. DRANK: Couldn’t get out of the 1950s seats to get to the bar.

LOVED: Crowd surfing antics. HATED: Not much. DRANK: Asahi.

BY ALEXANDER CROWDEN

BY ISABELLA UBALDI

midlife crisis came with a smoko-friendly Miley Cyrus cover. Never played before in Australia, Feeling Yourself Disintegrate was as heartbreakingly brilliant as that one time you listened to it on repeat while coming down off acid, and featured the most stunning extended guitar break from Drozd, the true soul of the Lips. When these songs are done well – and let’s not forget they are truly great songs – there’s less focus on the shit-to-dazzlethe-crowd-with (confetti, balloons, hordes in animal suits). If pushed to say anything negative, the quasi-spiritual love speeches felt tacked on, especially after all Coyne has put us through, and the balloons are just too fucking distracting. But without the balloons bouncing about throughout the show, you’d miss this strange metaphor for life, or love, or a rock show or something. It always starts so vibrant and joyous and beautiful and overwhelming but slowly over time, dies, until there is nothing left but the small, gentle pulse of a solitary bouncing balloon. And then….pop, it’s over. LOVED: The W.A.N.D.’s intimate visuals HATED: Bad Days was cut from the set. DRANK: Foyer Boags. No take-ins allowed. BY NICK HILTON

IF YOU ARE READING THIS YOU ARE TOO CLOSE

GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY JAN 13

THE BLACK ALLEYS

C H E R RY B A R High energy riff-monsters The Black Alleys continue their Wednesday night residency at Cherry Bar. With different support happening each week, the Melbourne three-piece’s show has been called ‘a frenzied spectacle of unrestrained, anarchic abandon’. Doors are 8pm and entry is $5.

the gooses + sadults + foot Tote Hotel,

FULTON STREET @ SOUL IN THE BASEMENT

Collingwood. 8:30pm.

we tigers + we + tigers + sugar ghouls + vista point Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $8.00. ativandal + meeka kates + eric mcgrath + john doe & the shallow graves Open Studio, Northcote. 7:30pm.

big easy soul sessions Carlton Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

bohjass 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. bopstretch Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

TOM DOCKRAY

T HE RETREAT HOTEL Those in the know consider Tom Dockray as one of the best old-time blues picker going around. On Wednesday January 13, Dockray and his band, The Dockadoodledoos, will mesmerise The Retreat’s audience with their classy blend of swagger, syrupy vocals and matchless guitar picking. They’ve just released a new record One Finger Salute and have garnered strong community radio airplay and a growing fan base as a result. Tom Dockray and the Dockadoodledoos will play two sets at The Retreat Hotel from 8.30pm, all for free. Head on down and see what all the fuss is about.

CATFISH

T H E S P OT T E D M A L L A R D Catfish is about jazz, manouche swing and rock ‘n’ roll. The band draws from a large emotion palette from soft Debussy-esque chordal themes to loud aggressive rock. It’s not so much about dancing as being taken on a ride between light and dark in the context of semi-traditional jazz manouche instrumentation (two guitars and double bass). The music varies frequently from highly arranged to highly improvised and is always propelled by a distinctive energy that is unique to the band. The band play at 8.30pm and entry is free.

HARTS

H OWL E R Late last year, Harts released the first taste of his forthcoming second album, and to celebrate he’s shredding the Howler stage on Thursday January 14. 2015 was a busy year for Harts. As well as rocking Australian festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Groovin’ The Moo, The Hills Are Alive and BIGSOUND 2015, he also played showcases in the US, including Culture Collide in LA and CMJ in New York. He returned to Australia for a performance at the 2015 AIR Independent Music Awards and performed at The Age Music Victoria Awards. Harts wrapped up 2015 with performances at Falls Festival, NYE On The Hill and Queenscliff Music Festival. Phew. Harts will play Howler on Thursday January 14 with Apes and The Harlots. Limited tickets are on sale through Moshtix.

CHERRY BAR The world’s longest running weekly soul night welcomes back Fulton Street. The Melbourne sextet will be bringing their original soul music to Cherry Bar’s revered stage this Thursday, preceding legendary DJ’s Vince Peach and Pierre Baroni, who will spin the tastiest and funkiest 45’s this side of Memphis. Doors open at 9pm, entry is $10.

hugh fuchsen & sauce sauce sauce + sunnyside + drowwn Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. $8.00.

mezz live Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights. 5:30pm.

showcase nights Purple Emerald, Northcote. 8:00pm.

james chance & the contortions + no zu

stray from the path + hellions + antagonist ad +

Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm. $40.00.

void of vision Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $33.80.

jason reolon & fem belling Leroy Espresso, St

the attractor beams + plebs + gods Grace Darling

Kilda. 6:30pm.

Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $5.00.

dizzy’s big band with peter hearne + andie

melbourne improvisers collective Uptown Jazz

the weary Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm.

a gazillion angry mexicans + roundtable + fifth

dowell Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm.

Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

CHASE CITY

friend Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00.

$10.00.

midnight express - feat: prequel + edd fisher +

c.l. pleasure + congradulatons everybody +

local call - feat: rintrah Railway Hotel ,

myles mac Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

quang dinh Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6.00.

Brunswick. 6:00pm.

swooping duck + dj mzrizk Shebeen, Melbourne

class acts #5 - feat: gorsha + overtime +

luke howard trio Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne

Cbd. 8:30pm. $28.00.

jules sheldon + lach dent Grace Darling Hotel,

Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00.

the good egg thursdays - feat: henry who +

Collingwood. 8:00pm.

nevena kesić orlić + stefan karapandza Toff In

tigerfunk + lewis cancut Lucky Coq, Windsor.

Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $20.00.

7:00pm.

THE WORKERS CLUB It’s been a busy couple of years for Tassie gang Chase City. They’ve been to Melbourne a bunch of times, but on this little old visit, Chase City will be headlining the fuck out of the Worker’s Club, with some serious legends coming along for the ride. Chase City was unearthed by triple j to open Falls, and consequently, they’ve toured nationally six times. They’ve also supported the likes of Sticky Fingers, British India, Gang Of Youths, Dune Rats, The Holidays and Asta, to namedrop a few. Chase City will play The Worker’s Club on Thursday January 14 with indie pop legends Swim Season, Aura and Cardinia. Get down and see what all the fuss is about.

didirri + jordan clay The Loft, Warrnambool.

timbalero thursday La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd.

wolves in fashion + sneaky pats + cohlaj Tote

7:00pm.

9:00pm. $10.00.

Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5.00.

fraudband + the bunip moon + platinum rat Tote

fallen ends & lionhouse + vulture culture

fat cousin skinny Drunken Poet, West Melbourne.

Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.

+ fight the sun + the archaic Bendigo Hotel,

8:00pm.

open mic Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:00pm.

Collingwood. 8:00pm.

goldentone thursdays Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.

ROBOT CHILD

T HE BENDIGO HOTEL Give hump day the finger this Wednesday January 13 and get over to The Bendigo Hotel for some sweatyas-fuck pub rock, washed down with cold brews. Pub rockers Bear Kick will kick off the night, and will be joined on stage by Songsterseleven and the hardhitting Robot Child. Get there early.

open mic night Purple Emerald, Northcote. 8:00pm.

harry manx St Kilda Memo, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

summer songwriters - feat: the vignettes

$42.00.

+ sneaky pats + a rioting mind Tago Mago,

hi new low + the jackrabbits + cat jump road +

Thornbury. 8:00pm.

alex dean 303, Northcote. 8:00pm.

kat’s birthday - feat: nazz tanter + simon cantwell + mark gardner + more Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 6:00pm.

monique angele + bella fatima Drunken Poet, West

THURSDAY JAN 14

Melbourne. 8:00pm.

dan bolton Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.

rubix radio on kissfm Rubix Warehouse, Brunswick.

8:00pm. $20.00.

8:30pm.

dane blacklock Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm.

short stack Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 6:30pm.

deborah o’toole little big band Dizzy’s Jazz Club,

$51.00.

Richmond. 8:00pm. $10.00.

sunday mondays + look likes rain + new birds

jack earle big band Spotted Mallard, Brunswick.

Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. $6.00.

6:00pm. $15.00.

DAVY SIMONY

T H E WE S L E Y A N N E Alternative folk-roots singer/songwriter Davy Simony is making his trek from Kuranda in Far North Queensland to the Wesley Anne for a special twohour show. Citing influences like Jack Johnson, Angus & Julia Stone and The Beautiful Girls, Simony’s work boasts the energy of a one-man-band, making use of his guitar, foot percussion and live loops in a live setting. Davy Simony takes the Wesley Anne stage on Thursday January 14 from 6pm.

B E AT.C O M . A U

HANA MARU

THE GRACE DARLING Melbourne-based chamber pop band Hana Maru are kicking off 2016 with a special night at the Grace Darling this Thursday January 14. Supported by the ridiculously talented Mijo Biscan (Lamplight) and Matt Wicking of The General Assembly, there will be sublime moments and good times a-plenty. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $8. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 37

GIG GUIDE

TROPHY EYES

SOOKIE LOUNGE Newcastle’s aggressive pop punk and melodic hardcore monsters are coming our way for a special show at Sookie Lounge on Thursday January 14. This fivepiece punk group began making waves worldwide with the 2013 release of their emotionally driven EP Everything Goes Away. Powered by vocalist John Floreani’s deeply personal lyrics, the young outfit had created enough of an impression to land the national support slot with UK pop-punks Neck Deep, as well as opening the Sydney leg of Soundwave Festival. Shortly after, Trophy Eyes were picked up by US Label, Hopeless Records (New Found Glory, All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday, The Used). These guys are no strangers to touring our country and abroad, having embarked on numerous headline tours over the years and supported the likes of Neck Deep, As It Is and Anti Flag. They’ve even clocked up some accolades, taking out Blunt Magazine’s award for Best Newcomers off the back of their debut album, 2014’s Mend, Move On. Have we sold it to ya yet? Head on over to Sookie Lounge on Thursday January 14 and get amongst the mayhem. Doors at 8pm.

THE DAN LETHBRIDGE 3 GENA ROSE BRUCE

T H E WE S L E Y A N N E 22-year-old songstress Gena Rose Bruce has been making some serious waves around Melbourne of late, thanks to her evocative live shows and stirring vocals. She’s garnered some pretty ace supports too, sharing the stage with the likes of Bonjah, Timberwolf and Pierce Brothers, to name a few. With an EP and two singles already under her belt, Bruce has recently worked with ARIA nominated producer Steven Schram (San Cisco, Eagle and the Worm, Clairy Browne). Gena Rose Bruce will play The Wesley Anne Hotel on Friday January 15 from 6pm.

ED REED

T H E G R AC E DA R L I N G Ed Reed will be bringing his brit-pop infused sounds to the stage with a full band line up in support of his new double A side Hearts / Come On In. Also appearing on the bill and launching a new single themselves, are local indie lads Them Swoops and Adrian Whitehead & The Self Harmonisers. It’s all happening at The Grace Darling on Friday January 15, doors at 8:30pm, $10 entry.

THE POST OFFICE HOTEL ‘Handsome’ Dan Lethbridge will bring his finely tailored country-folk songs to The Post Office Hotel every Friday in January. His band, The DL3, are a stripped back rhythm and blues trio featuring Stewart Taylor and Adam Coad, they play two free sets from 9.30pm.

where’s joss! Milano’s Tavern, Brighton. 4:00pm. yossarian The Music Man Megastore, Bendigo. 8:00pm.

punky reggae party - feat: the resignators + anty

anton delecca quartet Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy.

+ sweettime + goliath Tote Hotel, Collingwood.

8:00pm.

dream on dreamer + ocean grove + polaris +

8:00pm. $10.00.

bossa nights - feat: darius & noel mendoza + dj

sentinel Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm.

the asthmatics + jawbank Public Bar, North

juan + dj nas Osti, Prahran. 7:00pm.

mirel wagner + sarah mary chadwick Toff In

$20.00.

Melbourne. 4:00pm.

cyclo timik Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.

Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $35.00.

einsteins toyboys + made in purple Musicland,

the brave + awaken i am + heartstrong + the

henry manetta + the adam rudegeair trio Paris

nicholas conners + dan southward Post Office

Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10.00.

beautiful monument + nemoya Reverence Hotel,

Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20.00.

Hotel, Coburg. 8:00pm.

forrest for peace - feat: thando sikwilia + brad

Footscray. 7:00pm. $15.00.

margaret morrison + jmq jazz ensemble Uptown

primative language + knicko Mr Boogie Man Bar,

ericson + maureen andrew + paul watson + more

the cherry dolls + the crookeds + gangz + lola

Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. $20.00.

Abbottsford. 7:00pm.

Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $16.00.

Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $11.25.

sleazy listening - feat: arks + richard kelly +

renetta joy + neon queen + belove Whole Lotta

grim rhythm + jack harlon & the dead crows +

the chills + totally mild + the stevens Max

hysteric + k hoop Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd.

Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm.

fifth friend + eater of the sky + more Public Bar,

Watt’s, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $44.00.

5:00pm.

the may rivers + the aves + thee cha cha chas Old

North Melbourne. 7:00pm. $10.00.

the delta riggs + the belligerents + wild honey

sugar blues Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm.

Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $7.00.

hey hey it’s friday - feat: astro boys Royal Hotel

Torquay Hotel, Torquay. 7:00pm. $23.50.

$16.00.

van & cal walker Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East.

(essendon), Essendon. 10:00pm.

the mary goldsmiths + the shakes + slow driver

the ninth chapter The B.east, Brunswick East.

8:30pm.

hollow heart + along shorelines + series + dear jane

+ blac belladonna Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd.

9:00pm.

Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. $15.00.

8:00pm. $13.00.

the pacific belles Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne

holy diver + stil twisted + the triumph of steel

the social club #2 - feat: tony versace + pacific

Cbd. 7:00pm. $20.00.

Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:30pm.

house + chill collins Grace Darling Hotel,

traditional irish music session Drunken Poet,

la danse macabre + brunswick massive resident

Collingwood. 8:30pm. $2.00.

West Melbourne. 6:00pm.

djs Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.

trophy eyes + columbus + the nuremberg code

what the funk fridays Purple Emerald, Northcote.

monsters of the dirty south + the black alleys +

+ oceans to athena Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm.

9:00pm.

dear thieves Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $13.00.

$15.00.

yvette johannson (vintage roots) Paris Cat Jazz

neck deep & state champs + with confidence

watt’s on presents Prince Public Bar, St Kilda .

Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.

ace of spades (a celebration of lemmy and

Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $39.80.

8:30pm.

motorhead) Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm.

nussy + tali sing Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm.

aviva + skies + kings + beautiful beasts Shebeen,

public nuisance Black Hatt, Geelong. 9:30pm.

FRIDAY JAN 15 HEADLOPPER

THE BENDIGO HOTEL Like your music fast and loud? Then get your arse on over to The Bendi this Friday January 15 for a maddog mixed bag of hardcore, punk and more. Fronted by the likes of Headlopper, The Patient, The Commonly Insane and The Faculty, there’s no doubt you’ll get boozy and jump around. Entry is $8 and doors open at 8pm.

Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $8.00.

blood covered shovel + the hazard circular + feast of crows + into ruin + as flesh decays Karova Lounge, Ballarat. 7:30pm. $15.00.

captain spalding Customs House Hotel, Williamstown. 9:30pm.

claymore Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 6:00pm. $20.00.

confession Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong. 8:00pm. $23.50.

dada ono The Luwow, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 38

THE NEW SAVAGES

THE CHILLS

T H E R E V E R E N C E H OT E L Blues rockers The New Savages have your Fridays in Footscray sorted, taking over the venue every Friday in January for a residency. In their first year together The New Savages have clocked up over 60 live shows and garnered significant radio airplay. Before they head over to the Ballarat Beer Festival to play alongside Dallas Crane & You Am I, The New Savages will smash the stage at The Reverence Hotel on Friday January 8. It’s all free and it’s all good stuff. It all kicks off at 8pm.

M A X WAT T ’ S New Zealand indie veterans The Chills are playing a one-off Melbourne show to celebrate their new release, Silver Bullets on Friday January 15. Their first release in nearly two decades, the new release continues to see songwriter Martin Phillipps at the core. Marking a return for the group, the album comes in the wake of a tough time for Phillips who has overcome drug addiction, hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. Catch The Chills return to the stage when they take over Max Watt’s on Friday January 15, with Totally Mild and The Stevens supporting. Tickets via maxwatts. com.au/Melbourne.

B E AT.C O M . A U

THE NINTH CHAPTER

THE B.EAST The Ninth Chapter have been hammering a killer selection of raw funk and groove tunes for the better part of the past few years, showcasing their signature freewheeling live show to thousands up and down the east coast of Australia. On Friday January 15, The Ninth Chapter will be showing The B.East crowds what their capable of. While firmly based in the funk genre that inspired the birth of the band over eight years ago, The Ninth Chapter’s sound casts a wide net, layering funk, blues and roots, which can be found on their latest EP EP3o, which was recorded with Dave Atkins (Resin Dogs). The Ninth Chapter will kick off their funky affair at The B.East from 9.30pm.

GIG GUIDE CHRIS WILSON Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:30pm.

SATURDAY JAN 16

COLLINGWOOD OPEN - FEAT: LANIE LANE + DRIED SPIDER Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $25.00.

DAVEYS FRIDAYS - FEAT: ROB & TARQUIN + SUPERFLY

NEW LEASE

DJS Daveys Bar & Restaurant, Frankston. 8:00pm.

THE JOHN CURTIN Every Saturday afternoon at the John Curtin, New Lease takes over the venue and offers up a fucking sweet selection of just some of Melbourne’s best bands and cheap jugs. This Saturday January 16, Wet Meal, Chelsea Bleach and Pleasure Model will play the front bar for free. It all kicks off at 3pm.

DUNCAN GRAHAM & THE CO-ACCUSED + THE DIRTY HANKS + BOSKY NOVA + PRECIOUS LITTLE Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm.

EZRA LEE & THE HAVOC BAND Dog’s Bar, St Kilda. 9:00pm.

FLYING ENGINE STRING BAND + JOHNNY CAN’T DANCE TRIO Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. FLYING ENGINE TRIO Testing Grounds, Melbourne. 6:00pm.

HARRY MANX St Kilda Memo, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

THE AVES

TH E RE V E R E NC E H OT E L Adelaide indie garage champs The Aves are on their way back to Melbourne to launch their brand new album, The Good News. These guys have three sick EPs under their belt and have played a collection of killer shows, including stints at The Big Day Out, BIGSOUND, NXNE (Canada) and River Rocks (USA). They’ll be joined on the night by The Sunday Reeds and Lorikeet, and the action kicks off at 8pm. Entry is a steal at $8. Head down to The Rev and catch The Aves in action.

LEMMY TRIBUTE

YAH YAH’S Yah Yah’s is hosting a celebration of Lemmy (Rest in Rock brother) and Motorhead, featuring three live sets by Ace of Spades. Doors open at 6pm, with the $7 entry covering both the tribute and the 2am show by local rockn’roll nogoodniks Mesa Cosa, bargain prices.

JAMES BOWERS + GEORGIE DARVIDIS Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

JULIE BAILEY & THE STEVE SEDERGREEN TRIO (DEEP DEEP BLUE) Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $25.00.

OOLLUU + DEVILMONKEY + BEAUTIFUL SAVAGES + MORE 303, Northcote. 7:00pm. $10.00.

$42.00.

JOEY ELBOWS Gem Bar, Collingwood. 7:00pm.

ECHO DRAMA + BEAUTIFUL BEASTS Sooki Lounge,

PHILA PARA Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 6:00pm.

NICE BOY TOM Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm.

Belgrave. 9:00pm.

RACHEL COMTE & TULLY + NATALIE CAROLAN Open

STEVE LUCAS Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford.

EL MOTH + HUGO FARRANT Open Studio, Northcote.

Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm.

5:00pm.

8:30pm.

ROGER CLARK QUARTET Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond.

THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS + GRAVEYARD TRAIN +

FEM BELLING & JASON REOLON (THE NEXT

9:00pm. $16.00.

MIGHTIEST OF GUNS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $15.00.

GENERATION) Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.

SWING TRAIN Paris Cat Jazz Cub, Melbourne Cbd.

8:30pm. $25.00.

9:30pm. $25.00.

EZEKIEL OX

WHOL E LOT TA LOVE Melbourne activist and musician Ezekiel Ox is currently carrying out an all out hip hop/funk/cabaret freestyle assault on the east coast of Australia, turning heads and setting dance floors alight. Along with DJ Marze (NZ), Ezekiel Ox will dropping jewels from his triple j endorsed Raw Styles EP this Saturday at Whole Lotta Love. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are available on the door or via Oztix.

COMING UP WEDNESDAY 20TH JAN

COTTON CLUB FT. GEOFF ACHISON

BLUES SWING DANCING FROM 7:30PM

TUESDAYS IN JANUARY

FACT HUNT TRIVIA TACOS + $16 JUGS OF THUNDER RD

Hosted by RRR’s Tristen Harris, this is a comfortably dumb trivia for music fans and couch potatoes, no sport, no politics and no book-learnin’. QUIZ FROM 8PM - RESERVATIONS - samanda@spottedmallard.com NO COVER

WEDNESDAY 13TH JANUARY

JAZZ, MANOUCHE SWING ROCK N’ ROLL W/

CATFISH

NO COVER CHARGE, SHOW TIME 8:30PM

THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY

JACK EARLE BIG BAND

MONDAY 25TH JAN

THE AUDREYS

+ HARRY HOOKEY

(KASEY CHAMBERS’ BAND)

DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOW TIME 8:30PM PRE SALE $15 + BF

FRIDAY 15TH JANUARY

CLAYMORE

+ MARK BUTTLER & MARY McELLIVY DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOW TIME 8:30PM PRE SALE $20 + BF

DOORS/DINNER 6PM SHOW TIME 8:30PM PRE SALE $30 + BF

SATURDAY 16TH JANUARY

FUZZSUCKER

+ THE MARQUIS + SEASLOTH NO COVER CHARGE, SHOW TIME 9PM

sunDAY 17TH JANUARY MATINEE SESSION

FUNK BUDDIES

PERFORMING 2 X SETS FROM 5:30PM NO COVER CHARGE

$8 Pints Craft Beer

4pm-6pm Daily but Fridays 4pm-7pm KITCHEN HOURS Tues-Fri open 4pm Sat & Sun open 2pm

TICKETS

For ticket sales visit www.spottedmallard.com 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

B E AT.C O M . A U

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 39

GIG GUIDE HOT AS HELL

T H E B E N D I G O H OT E L The temperature is rising, so the Bendigo Hotel is offering up a killer selection of metal. This Saturday January 16, The Bendigo Hotel are hosting the an epic lineup of death, grind, doom, black and slam metal. Hot As Hell will be headlined by the putrid kings of slam metal Whoretopsy, while Belligerent Intent, Blood Covered Shovel, As Flesh Decays, The Maladict, Blunt Shovel, Behold The Defiant, Feast Of Crows will join ‘em for a day of boozy debauchery. Doors kick open at 4.30pm.

THE RAMSHACKLE ARMY

PHIL PARA

PR I N C E P U B L I C B A R This Saturday January 16, guitar legend Phil Para continues to deliver his classic Hendrix, Santana, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, and ZZ Top, plus originals, to his the legions of fans that have been making the trek to St Kilda every Saturday evening to catch him play. Phil Para’s brand of highenergy blues/rock with some Latin fusion thrown in has become a benchmark of what St Kilda means to the musical landscape of Melbourne. Music kicks off from 6pm, and entry is free.

mickey & sensayshuns The Luwow, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.

heart of glass - feat: leah collins + rebecca

sureshaker shake ‘n’ bake parties - feat: boo

the sensational hurricanes + henry maas’ king

mitchell + lisa-skye Bella Union Bar, Carlton.

seeka + bootleg rascal + lyall moloney +

kat Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm.

9:00pm. $10.00.

sureshaker djs Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm.

the stillsons Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East.

lalic Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm.

$15.00.

9:30pm.

minnie me + vic meehan + craig lee smith + more Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:00pm.

miss whiskey Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. sticko Gem Bar, Collingwood. 7:00pm. the gooses Public Bar, North Melbourne. 4:00pm.

THE RETREAT HOTEL They’ve just wrapped up a whirlwind tour across the US and Canada, and now, Melbourne’s finest celtic punk band, The Ramshackle Army, are back on home turf and playing a mini residency at The Retreat Hotel. They’ve taken a little break on working on new material for their second album, so shoot down to The Retreat Hotel and see what they’ve got to offer. The Ramshackle Army play at The Retreat Hotel every Saturday in January from 10.30pm. It’s all free, baby.

$10.00.

travis winters band Union Hotel , Brunswick.

lane waves Black Hatt, Geelong. 8:00pm.

9:00pm.

bang - feat: athenas wake + to the airship +

mesa cosa Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 2:00am. $7.00.

annihilist + bury the kings Royal Melbourne Hotel,

RIGHT THERE ON MY TV

Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $20.00.

cicadastone + olmeg + elusive Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13.00.

lunaire + who’s this? + mudhaven + human rights Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:30pm. $10.00.

SUNDAY JAN 17 GREEVES

T H E TOT E This Saturday night, The Tote will pay tribute to the career of Paul Drane, that has seen 40 years of music on television, with an all star gig. You may have been first introduced to Paul Drane back in 1975 when he began directing Countdown, or the following year when he let AC/DC loose on Swanston Street, and then busted the boys from jail. Or it may have been more recently kicking back with Rage into the wee hours, or on Rockwiz, which Drane’s been directing for ten years. As a teenager, Drane began working in television at the ABC in Melbourne, before heading overseas, where he became the youngest vision mixer employed by the BBC, before coming back to Australia and making a name for himself in the music industry. The special, once-only event will play tribute to the artists, music and videos of his career. Everyone on the lineup will play their own music as well as their unique take on a song from Paul’s back catalogue. The show features the likes of Cash Savage & the Last Drinks, Eaten By Dogs, Palm Springs and Tankerville. Right There On My TV will take over the Tote Hotel on Saturday January 16. Tickets are on sale through the venue.

T H E B.E A S T Melbourne based band and all ‘round legends Greeves put on a serious show. Their meticulously composed songs all flow into each other with reoccurring musical themes and motifs, echoing the style of ‘70s prog with huge tasty riffs, crushing vocal harmonies and atmospheric soundscapes. The five-piece perform with explosive energy and an immersive sound, showcasing Bulletchild, a dynamic and engaging concept album that features the catchy single Moving Up and the rock-epic Sweet Dreams. Greeves play the B.East on Saturday January 16 from 9.30pm. Get down and become captivated by their powerful performance.

alex burns + kain borlase Big Huey’s Diner, South Melbourne. 4:00pm.

babe-b-q - feat: wet meal + miss miss + ghost dick + hollywood models + more Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 3:00pm. $10.00.

camp cope + freakwave + rockenspiele Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00.

hot rod odyssey + spidey spidey + the beggars

the australian bon jovi show Musicland, Fawkner.

way Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.

7:30pm. $20.00.

jam at musicland sundays Musicland, Fawkner.

the aves + sunday reeds + lorikeet Reverence

7:30pm.

Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $8.00.

masco sound system + smoke rings Tote Hotel,

the rolling stones’ some girls revival St Kilda

Collingwood. 5:00pm.

party beach 2 - feat: splendidid + the belafontes +

Memo, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $28.00.

midnight creeps Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm.

sun bazel Victoria Hotel , Brunswick. 9:30pm.

waves nightclub djs Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon

neonlike + kakariko + disco puppets Workers Club,

red light riot + little lamb & the rosemarys

Heads. 9:00pm.

Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $5.00.

+ jerkbeast + dead end Grace Darling Hotel,

wet meal + chelsea bleach + pleasure model John

del lago + brothers goon + suicide tuesdays +

Collingwood. 9:00pm. $6.00.

Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 3:00pm.

craig coburn + tim hampshire Old Bar, Fitzroy.

saturdays r covered - feat: radio star Royal Hotel

a gathering at fern hill - feat: vb deathslabs +

8:00pm. $10.00.

(essendon), Essendon. 10:00pm.

peter bibby Karova Lounge, Ballarat. 8:00pm. $15.00.

diamonds of neptune Workers Club, Fitzroy.

scarecrow (the mellencamp show) Flying Saucer

alison ferrier Union Hotel , Brunswick. 5:00pm.

8:30pm. $12.00.

Club, Elsternwick. 6:00pm. $23.00.

blue eyes cry Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:30pm.

IMMIGRANT UNION

DING DONG LOUNGE Everybody’s favourite psychedelic country-folk outfit Immigrant Union are performing a special one-off engagement at Ding Dong Lounge. With 2014’s Anyway having turned a lot of heads, the band have gone from strength to strength, but the live arena is perhaps where they excel the most. Doors open at 9pm, tickets are available through Oztix now.

dividem Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $12.00.

craig woodward + warren rough & friends

dj fee Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 11:30pm.

Victoria Hotel , Brunswick. 5:00pm.

fuzzsucker + the marquis + seasloth Spotted

dogsday Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm.

Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm.

gallie Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm.

greeves The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:30pm.

$18.00.

haxan Korova Milk Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.

jemma & the clifton hillbillies Post Office Hotel,

$15.00.

Coburg. 9:30pm.

JAMAICAN JUMP UP

THE GASOMETER HOT E L Jamaica Jump-Up, PBS 106.7FM’s monthly ska, rocksteady and early reggae event will shake its way over to The Gasometer Hotel on Saturday January 16. From 9pm until 3am, resident selectors Jesse I (Babylon Burning), Mohair Slim (Blue Juice) and Stryka D (Break the Chain) will be joined by PBS’ own DJ Manchild (The Breakdown) and Mike Gurrieri (Mystic Brew), who’ll all be spinning 100% vinyl selections. It ain’t all about the DJs though, Johnny Longshot will be performing live on the night. Head down to the Gasometer for Jamaican Jump Up – entry is $10 for PBS members/$15 future members. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 40

DIAMONDS OF NEPTUNE

jess locke + jerome knappett Old Bar, Fitzroy.

T H E WO R K E R S C LU B This Saturday night, Diamonds of Neptune will hit up the Workers Club and launch their latest single, Cyclical Nightmare. The single is the second release from Diamonds of Neptune’s studio session back in October 2015, with the first single Pipedreams, released at the inaugural Panacea Festival in November 2015. Cyclical Nightmare is an exploration of the psyche, with haunting, ethereal sounds and despairing lyrics. This band are onto big things in 2016, so welcome them into the New Year with their gig at The Worker’s Club. Doors are at 8.30pm and tickets are $12 on the door.

3:00pm.

jr reyne Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. karaoke with zoe Customs House Hotel, Williamstown. 9:00pm.

kim salmon band Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. matt dwyer Dog’s Bar, St Kilda. 9:00pm.

B E AT.C O M . A U

SUPERCONSCIOUS RECORD LABEL SHOWCASE THE SHADOW ELECTRIC

This Sunday January 17, the Shadow Electric will transform into a sanctuary of transcendental reality for a very special takeover and record label showcase by Superconscious Records. This killer night will feature an array of DJ performances from the local label best affiliates; Andras Fox, Luis CL, Sleep D, Fantastic Man and some special guests. This is gonna be one helluva party. It all kicks off at 3pm, tickets are $15.

GIG GUIDE

Q&A SOUL SUNDAYS TONIGHT ALIVE

MAX WAT T’S Last year, Tonight Alive locked in the details of their third album, Limitless and announced a super special gig at Max Watt’s to celebrate. Limitless was recorded and mixed at The House Of Loud in New Jersey and produced by the renowned David Bendeth (Breaking Benjamin, Paramore, Bring Me The Horizon). The album is set for release next March via Sony, but for now, they’ll perform tracks off Limitless plus a host of fan favourites at Max Watt’s on Sunday January 17. Tickets via maxwatts.com.au/Melbourne.

T H E RE TRE AT H OT E L Think Sundays are a bore? Well, we’re here to tell you that you’re wrong. The Retreat Hotel’s Soul Sundays are nothing to yawn about, that’s for sure. Presented by Thunder Road, Soul Sundays see the very best of Melbourne’s soul acts and DJs electrify the d-floor with down and dirty soul, funk, and vintage R&B every Sunday night. This week sees some excellent soul fever hit the stage; bust a move to the fresh tunes of DJ G Pog and The Vaudeville Smash, Entry is a cool $0, so you’ve got no excuse to head down to The Retreat Hotel this Sunday and get some soul in your life.

FIVE THINGS WITH…

THE FUNK BUDDIES

the bean project The Loft, Warrnambool. 7:00pm.

5:30pm.

the black sorrows Torquay Hotel, Torquay. 2:00pm.

dan brodie Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.

T H E S P OT T E D M ALL A RD The Funk Buddies will be dropping by the Spotted Mallard for a three week summer Sunday arvo residency in January, bringing their unique blend of original New Orleans street music as well as some well known funk covers. It only happens Sundays in January at 5:30pm, entry is free.

$28.60.

dave graney & the mistly Post Office Hotel, Coburg.

open mike sunday Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 6:30pm.

tomorrow’s people + dylan joel + e^st + kilter +

4:30pm.

roesy Dog’s Bar, St Kilda. 7:30pm.

uv boi Karova Lounge, Ballarat. 4:00pm. $25.00.

elwood blues club Prince Public Bar, St Kilda .

s.j. smith + the outdoor type Toff In Town,

tonight alive Max Watt’s, Melbourne. 8:00pm.

8:00pm.

Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00.

$32.90.

field + see + mason Royal Oak Hotel, Fitzroy North.

simon trist + kieran larkey + brendan forward +

craig fermanis + sam anning + raj jayaweera trio

4:00pm.

phisha Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:00pm.

Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

ghost towns of the midwest + cam ewart Sound

sunday session - feat: brunsy Ferntree Gully Hotel,

renetta joy Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 5:00pm.

Bar, Werribee. 2:00pm.

Ferntree Gully. 2:00pm.

rory clark + van hooft + voogd Open Studio,

keiron mcdonald combo Gem Bar, Collingwood.

Northcote. 4:30pm.

7:00pm.

sunday soul sessions Purple Emerald, Northcote.

ken maher + al wright + tony hargreaves Lomond

9:00pm.

Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:00pm.

alex elbery & the strangers + crayon king +

krista polvere + hannah blackburn The B.east,

ostranger tang 303, Northcote. 2:00pm.

Brunswick East. 8:00pm.

black & blue + dj max crawdaddy Cherry Bar,

liam maihi + ollie kirk + justin vasquez Open

Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm.

Studio, Northcote. 7:00pm.

bob starkie (million dollar riff show) + lisa

lost ragas Union Hotel , Brunswick. 7:00pm.

edwards + james black Caravan Music Club,

michelle gardiner Customs House Hotel,

Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $23.00.

Williamstown. 3:00pm.

brent parlane band Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East.

THE STETSON FAMILY

DR U NK E N P O E T The Stetson Family are an acoustic five-piece band, respectfully tipping their hats to bluegrass and folk Americana whilst free-wheeling with their own unique sound. Their story-driven songs are infused with lush harmonies as they take their audience on a toe-tappin’ journey down lifes often joyous and crooked highway. Join them at The Drunken Poet on Sunday January 17 from 6.30pm, entry is free.

B E AT.C O M . A U

PLEBS Growing Up We mostly grew up in the suburbs of Adelaide where music was a refuge from school and all the other stuff that no one wants to deal with. I (Sam Jemsek) moved around a lot from place to place and had a lot of time alone in unfamiliar towns, so I guess music was also a way of dealing with isolation and boredom. Inspirations The first time I heard Guitar Wolf was a pretty big deal. It was so loud and violent but kind of funny. We’ve each had a similar experience with Ty Segall, Wavves, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and Thee Oh Sees. I guess our common ground was that we we’re all a bit unhinged and needed loud sounds to feel comfortable at a given time. Your Crew When we started we set out to make a lighthearted party band, but our collective bad vibes and paranoia meant that it ended up being more intense and abrasive. We’d love to play with Ausmuteants, TV Colours and The Coneheads someday. The Music You Make And Play We want our live show to be less like a gig and more like the experience of seeing a road accident or a wasted homeless man doing acrobatics outside of Revolver. Music, Right Here, Right Now Here and now is a fantastic time for music. We had the privilege of working with Mikey Young on our Adelaide EP who is really fuelling the Melbourne music scene. Labels like Antifade and Aarght Records are also favourites. PLEBS are playing at the Brunswick Hotel on Saturday January 16.

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 41

7PM

Wed 13th January

W I N E , W H I S K EY, W O M E N 8pm: Monique Angele 9pm: Bella Fatima Thurs 14th January

8pm:

Fat Cousin Skinny Friday 15th January

6pm: Traditional Irish Music Session 8.30pm: (NSW)

Honey and Knives

Saturday 16th January

Dogsday Sunday 17th January 4pm: The Stetson Family 6.30pm: Nigel Wearne 9pm:

Tuesday 19th January

8pm:

Weekly Trivia

The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au

WEDNESDAY 13th 7PM

ECLECTIC RELAXATION DJ ARKS & BIG BUBBA THURSDAY 14th 7PM

JUNGLE FUNK RESIDENT MANCHILD

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS. AFROBEAT, CUMBIA, FUNK, SAMBA & LIVE PERCUSSIONS. FRIDAY 15TH 7PM

M5K AND ORCA DJ BY HEADS W TAILS

SATURDAY 16TH 7PM

CALYPSO OF HOUSE SUNDAY 17TH 12PM

HUNG UP! MISS GOLDIE & DAVE BOOTS! TUESDAY 19th 7PM

ESESE

LIVE ELECTRIC 6-8 PIECE SOUL BAND

W W W. B E AT.C O M . A U

BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 43

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AUSSIES CERTIFIED Courtney Barnett’s album Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit is certified gold by ARIA for Aussie sales of 35,000. “It’s well beyond anything I ever imagined would happen off the back of my first album,” Barnett said when nominated for Best New Artist in next month’s Grammys. Sia’s Alive is platinum and X Factor Australia’s 2015 winner Cyrus Villanueva’s Stone is Gold.

CHRIS O’BRIEN JOINS DESTROY ALL LINES Tour promoter Destroy All Lines announced Chris O’Brien as GM of Touring. He will oversee all tours alongside Daniel Misztal and Ash Hull. O’Brien’s 20 years in the biz saw him run a record label, punk clubs, booking agency and management firm. He oversaw Soundwave from inception and serving as GM of Vans Warped Tour 2014 and Harvest Festival. “I am thrilled to be heading up this passionate team of music lovers with a renewed core focus to work alongside our artists to continually develop and nurture their careers within Australia,” he said. Destroy All Lines has a long term partnership with Chugg Entertainment.

ZIPPER DOWN UNDER RAISES $8K Zipper Down Under, the sell-out fundraiser held on Saturday January 2 at Cherry Bar to raise money for victims of the 2015 Paris gunman attacks raised over $8000. The event was created by Ash Lightning of Atomic Riot and Cassie Walker of Peachy Entertainment. Performing Eagles Of Death Metal songs were rabid fans Henry Wagons, The Tarantino’s, Pretty City, Clea Freeman, If You See Her Say Hello, Muscle Car and Coffin Wolf. The show’s second half was EODM tribute BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 46

CFA WORRIES FOR RAINBOW SERPENT The possibility of an excessively hot Australia Day weekend has the CFA worried for the Rainbow Serpent festival. It says it might have to recommend axing it (a la Southbound in WA last week) if temperatures get dangerous for the 10,000 attending. But promoter Tim Harvey told the Ballarat Courier that he had no fears, saying that the 18-year-old event had “successfully navigated our way through a number of very hot and dry years.” Smoking and lighters are permitted on the Pyrenees Shire site but the festival operated under total fire ban conditions, and a fire response team is on site throughout.

THINGS WE HEAR How long before Apple Music launches another radio station behind Beats 1? It’s already trademarked the names “Beats 2” through “5,” and “B2” through “B5.” Which management company’s Christmas breakup ended in a water fight? Which musician’s planned motorcycle trip around Tasmania was thwarted after an arsewipe stole his chopper on Christmas Day? Is Live Nation interested in buying some or all of EDM empire SFX Entertainment? Or is SFX considering bankruptcy? Will the original Take That, with Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, reunite for a world tour in 2017? The Stiffy’s new guitarist Dev has been thrust extra duties. As the only member with a car, he has to do the driving on their eight-date tour Friday January 22 to Saturday March 19. The others cackled they were “quite focused on enjoying the rock’n’roll lifestyle.” Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has called in the LAPD to hunt down a stalker who thinks she’s married to him and sends harassing tweets. She was arrested in 2013 but continued sending him and his wife letters from prison. The news that original Guns N’Roses members Slash, Axl Rose and Duff McKagan are reuniting for Coachella in April (and a tour after) would have been good news for Cherry Bar owner James Young who broke the story in Australia last year on Triple M (which got picked up internationally) and for which he was bagged by some for making it up when Axl Rose initially denied it. LCD Soundsystem are also back touring and recording, agreeing, “There are people who feel betrayed” after promising never to reunite after their 2011 split. In its fifth year, Echuca’s Riverboats Music Festival (February 19 to 21) reports that ticket sales are up by 40%.

Melbourne venues were among the most successful in the world in 2015, according to an end-of-the-year report by US based international concert trade bible Pollstar. There were three in the Top 200 clubs, with the Corner well ahead at #26 after shifting 114,085 tickets. Northcote Social Club was at #96 with 40, 360 tickets, and 170 Russell in the City at #189 with 11,367. The only other Australian entry was the Newtown Social Club in Sydney at #103 with 35,528. There were six Australian entries in the Top 200 Arenas, of which Rod Laver Arena was highest listed at #29 after moving 442,906 tickets. The Palais Theatre in St Kilda was the only Australian entrant in the Top 200 Theatres, coming in at #34 with sales of 181,228. Myer Music Bowl was at #67 (56,332 tickets) for Amphitheatres. In Top 100 Outdoor Stadium, there were nine Aussie venues listed. Flemington Racecourse was the highest, making it to #15 from total sales of 200,599), AAMI Park was #21 (165,489) and Etihad Stadium at #41 (116, 234). Also in Pollstar’s roundup, AC/DC’s Rock Or Bust world trek was the second highest grossing tour of 2015. They earned US$180 million from selling 2.3 million tickets to 54 shows. They were beaten by Taylor Swift who grossed $250.4 million with less ticket sales (2.2 million over 83 shows) but with higher prices. Others in the Top 10: One Direction ($158.8m), U2 ($152.2m), Foo Fighters ($127m), Fleetwood Mac ($125.1m), Ed Sheeran ($117.3m), Kenny Chesney ($116.4m), Garth Brooks ($11.4.9m) and The Stones ($109.7m).

SUCCESSFUL IN WORLD

AMONG THE MOST

act Pigeons Of Shit Metal made up of members of Atomic Riot, Drifter, Sexy/ Heavy and The Val. An art auction had items donated by Kanye Lens, Pascal D’Bras, Josie Bones, Mary Rocklust and Right Eye Media. Lightning and Walker also answered EOM’s call out to musicians all over the world to record their track Love You All The Time to raise money for victims. Walker told Industrial Strength that a host of Melbourne musicians are being chosen to record the track, produced by Damon Smith, and it’ll be released later this month. Already set up is an online store selling art, pins and jewellery to continue raising funds. See http://peachyentertainment.bigcartel.com.

h h

MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP MELBOURNE VENUES

INDUSTRIAL

After Australian dates until March, Melbourne’s Gold Class head to the US to tour and do SXSW showcases. They’re then in the UK and Europe for a month. They aroused UK interest when Courtney Barnett listed It’s You as one of her favourite albums of the year in the current issue of MOJO. The original lineup of Charlie Marshall and The Body Electric – with Jim White and Warren Ellis from Dirty Three and Brian Hooper of Beasts of Bourbon – reunites when the retro-collection Won’t Give Up is launched on Tues Jan 19 at the Gasometer. The second lineup, with Bryan Colechin and Brett Poliness also plays. Won’t Give Up includes the first two albums with unreleased tracks from the first recording session, out on Red Ted / Rocket Distribution. Geelong has a new weekly nightclub, Dirty Dutch, for over-28s at Toast’s old Moorabool St site. Event organiser Kelly Carr said too many nightclubs in the city were aimed at a younger demographic. A petition to stop an Adelaide nightclub from keeping a 3m diameter live shark tank with two hammerheads drew 35,000 signatures in two weeks. The 360-capacity Atlantis Lounge on Waymouth St, to open next month, also has a swimming pool, mermaids and a helipad. Owner Nathan Buttigieg responded he was “in consultation with animal groups, local authorities and local government to ensure we adhere with state and federal laws.” Foo Fighters’ Greatest Hits has become their sixth million-seller in the US. Parkway Drive’s Killing With A Smile and Horizons albums are certified Gold (35,000 sales), joining Atlas and Deep Blue. Their #1 album from last year Ire is not too far behind. The Indigo rave in the NSW North Coast got shut down with claims organisers did not get permission. Police were concerned for 5000 punters as narrow roads and poor visibility would make it hard for emergency services to get through. Lady Gaga got a pony for Christmas from her record label. Justin Bieber made U.K. chart history this week, becoming the first artist ever to occupy the entire top three on the U.K. singles chart.

OFFSPRING SELL ALBUM RIGHTS FOR $35M The Offspring sold the rights to their six Columbia albums to Round Hill Music for US$35 million. But their early records with Epitaph – including 1994’s breakthrough Smash – remain with that label. Frontman Dexter said “Having the right caretaker for our catalog, both the masters and the publishing, is incredibly important to the future of our career.”

LEGION CROWD FUNDING: $219,634 IN FIRST WEEK The Legion Music Festival in March, set up to fill the vacuum left by the undignified collapse of Soundwave, raised $219,634 from 977 supporters in the first week of its Pozible crowdfunding campaign. However, the $3.2 million target has to be reached by January 25. Founder John Sankey of LA metal band Devil You Know is also negotiating with local partners to cover production costs. But he’s emphasised the festival will only stage if the costs are covered. MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP

S tu f f f or this co l umn to be emai l ed to ce l iezer @ netspace . net . au by Friday 5 pm

BEC BROWN COMMUNICATIONS IN MELBOURNE Sydney-based Bec Brown Communications has set up an office in Melbourne, under onetime Seven Network exec Sacha McDougal as Senior PR Manager. BBC’s main client is the Australian Radio Network which operates the national KIIS and Pure Gold networks and iHeartRadio Australia. Other long-term clients include The Wiggles, Red Nose Day and CoverMore Travel Insurance.

REGOS OPEN FOR MELBOURNE MUSIC PRIZE Registrations of interest have opened for the Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 & Awards, which has a prize pool of over $120,000. All genres are invited to enter, with a new category will be announced shortly. More at www.melbourneprize.org.

MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW IN AUGUST The Melbourne Guitar Show returns to Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday August 6 and Sunday August 7. Run by the Australian Music Association and Australian Musician, last year’s event drew 5,000 people as well as over 50 exhibitors representing major suppliers, retailers, local guitar makers and vintage dealers. There were also live performances and educational sessions with input from local axemen. Some international names have expressed interest in being part of the event. In 2016, there’ll be a dedicated area for acoustic guitars.

JAZZ BELL AWARDS OPEN Submissions are open for the 2016 Australian Jazz Bell Awards. Now in their 13th year, there are new categories, a prize pool of $40,000 and a new submission process in which jazz enthusiasts can vote across the eight award categories,” said awards founder Albert Dadon. See www. australianjazzacademy.org.au.

TONGUE GOES 360 Sydney rapper The Tongue has released Australia’s first 360-degree interactive music video. When fans view the clip for Never Going Down (through Elefant Traks), they can change the scenario like a video game. Directed by Josef Heks and Shaun Dougherty, six characters “assassinate” him while he “returns” to sing his song of selfpreservation and defiance.

FURORE OVER GRAMPIANS JAZZ MOVE Next month’s Grampians Jazz Festival (Feb 12 to 14) will be the last in Halls Gap. It will move to Port Fairy next year – because of musicians’ concerns over the bushfire risk of holding it there in late summer. Promoters hope to introduce another jazz festival in Halls Gap in May. But the sudden news didn’t go down well with local businesses who count on the 5000 the festival draws over three days. Mayor Murray Emerson told Stawell Times-News, “We certainly weren’t aware that it was even being considered” and that Northern Grampians Shire Council would hold discussions with organisers about keeping the festival there.

Lifelines Married: US DJ superstar Steve Aoki and Australian model Tiernan Cowling after a five year relationship, in Hawaii. Married: Tim Chaisson of Canadian roots trio The East Pointers and visual artist and yoga teacher Jen Allen during the New Year’s Day sunrise ceremony (complete with Tibetan chants) at Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival. Engaged: USA’s DJ Ruckus and Australian model Shanina Shaik after he proposed during a Maldives holiday. Dating: Reece Mastin confirmed he’s stepping out with singer Bonnie Anderson after his split from actress Rhiannon Fish. Ill: legendary US funk keyboard player Bernie Worrell (ParliamentFunkadelic, Talking Heads), 71, diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. Hospitalised: Janet Jackson had to cancel her world tour for surgery after doctors found “growth on her vocal cords”. Hospitalised: Thy Will Be Done drummer Jay Waterman, 41, after he had a cardiac arrest during the holidays. In Court: Adelaide musician Woonun Edwin Willoughby, 24, told Adelaide Magistrates Court he would plead guilty to manslaughter of Oden Edgar, 45. Edgar was fatally stabbed in Athol Park on November 30. Police indicated they will pursue murder charges. Willoughby is son of drummer Bart Willoughby of No Fixed Address, Coloured Stone, Mixed Relations and Yothu Yindi fame. Died: Jason Mackenroth, drummer with Rollins Band, of prostate cancer. Died: Chicago’s DJ Timbuck2 of rap collective the Treated Crew, 34, after a long battle with cancer. Died: Chicago R&B singer Otis Clay, 73, of a heart attack. Died: Gavin Lynch of the Labour in Vain hotel in Fitzroy succumbed to cancer. In 2012, Friends of Gav held a benefit featuring major Melbourne musicians.

POSITION AT PBS PBS 106.7FM is seeking a full time Marketing and Events Coordinator. See pbsfm.org.au to download position description & more info.by Friday Jan 22.